The Tangents of Life

Often times something small can set off a train of thought that will send me down a mental rabbit trail, which at some point will leave me wondering how I ended up in a conversation about pet goldfish and peanut butter sandwiches.  For the fun of it, sometimes we can trace the tangents in topics back to what we started with.

Today's tangents were not tough to follow. 

When I went to the funeral home today for the "visitation" for the mother of a good friend, it was two tangential and unexpected things that brought my emotions to the surface. 

The first was seeing a picture of my friend, who has been a paraplegic for many years now, standing.  Obviously taken before the accident.  Such a drastic life change.

The next was the flood of memories of my friend Darrell who died last year while I was working in San Diego.  I miss him very much.

Humbled...?

I suppose in retrospect it is completely possible, it just seemed unlikely.  Today I was brought to a more humble place in two completely different directions.

The first, I was told that a person I knew in middle school was remembering how I had/have a "good heart."  She was an awkward middle schooler...really, who isn't...but also didn't get along with many people.  Somehow we managed just fine.  The person relaying the message agreed with the assessment still today.  Humbling.

Then within a couple of hours I was informed that I was being perceived as "snappy" and more or less arrogant.  Humbling.

More battles being raged in my head...make it stop!

I miss math classes.  There was pretty much always an answer, a conclusion to be reached about something and the conclusion didn't change.  There is no end, be all or end all in dealing with people...that could be both good...and bad...

*sigh*

How about Pizza?

This is not the first time I have thought about this, but it was brought to the front of my mind about a week ago when I went to Pizza Hut to pick up an order for a friend.  I do not know where this tradition started, wouldn't surprise me if it is straight up American and whether it is or not doesn't really matter.  Actually from an ingredients perspective it actually makes a lot of sense.  So here it is...

Have you ever realized that when you order pizza (a bread crust, usually topped with tomato sauce and cheese, among other toppings) that you might be inclined to order a side of breadsticks (which are bread, usually served with a tomato sauce and/or cheese sauce for dipping)?  And now, many places offer a dessert of cinnamon sticks (bread, topped with some sort of cinnamon and sugar combination).

"Hello, I would like the traditional pizza.  Yes, with marinara and cheese.  And could I get a side of bread(sticks), with marinara and cheese to dip them in?  Great!  And, I would like some dessert, too, please.  How about the bread.  Yeah, with the cinnamon and sugar."

Travel to San Fran

I went and spent a few days in San Francisco last week.  Did a lot of walking.  Saw a lot of the big things recommended, still enough to see in the area if I decide to go back some day.  Did a lot of walking and...

• biked over the Golden Gate Bridge into Sausilito
• saw Coit Tower
• walked up Lombard street
• rode the Cable Cars (and buses)
• went to Chinatown and the fortune cookie factory
• went to Fisherman's Wharf and Ghirardelli Square
• took a ferry out to Alcatraz
• went to see the Cable Car Museum and the San Francisco Bay Bridge
• enjoyed a couple of farmer's/street markets going on different days
• witnessed a Pro-life march with thousands and thousands of people walking down one of the main streets

A Short So-Long

My year-long internship with Amor came to an end last week.  I have shifted my living arrangements back to a temporary location so the new intern could take my spot in the apartment with my former roommate.  It has not been easy to say goodbye to the people I worked with.  They are like a family.  Each with unique gifts to offer and personality quirks to match.  They work hard and give much of themselves to the ministry and each other.  I am glad to know that I can call these people friends and will see them again.

In the meantime, now I have a little bit of time before I need to be back east for wedding preparations for my brother's wedding (I am going to gain a sister!) and so I have booked a flight to San Francisco.  Going to go see some things up there before starting the drive across country.  If anyone sees this and on a whim has time and money for adventure, you are welcome to join me.  

Thoughts

With the holiday hubbub behind us, my next adventure is fast approaching.  My last day in this year-long Amor internship will be next Wednesday.

So, what are some of the things am I thinking about?

• Moving out of my apartment, the new intern moving in.
• Traveling as a tourist in California.
• Saying goodbye to some really great people.
• Not knowing for sure what is next.
• Driving across the country.
• My brother getting married.
• Looking for a job.
• Will I end up continuing my illustrious soccer career?
• Seeing "old" friends of all ages.
• Missing friends who moved on from this world (miss you Darrell).
• The 11-15 foot waves are intriguing but there is no way I would try surfing in them.
• How to express thanks for all of the support I have received this year.  If you are reading this, it is quite likely you are one who deserves some of the biggest.  Thank you.
• This is a puzzle that has become a tradition for the Amor year-long interns.  At the leaving of an intern, it is to be passed to the next senior intern in the office.  Dave, I hope you will enjoy your soon to arrive new desk adornment.