Spare.Time.What is it good fo’?

If you’re anything like me you get a little giddy when, in the midst of a busy schedule, you ponder your “over-due” free time.  When I’m at work or swamped with school I tend to fantasize about the endless possibilities of what I would do, “If I only had the time.”  For me it is starting/finishing that art project, trying out a new recipe, baking for the neighbors, watching a new flick, researching something intelligent or just you-tubing, exploring the city, etc. etc.  It’s true and in these activities I find a lot of joy.

Along the way I easily slip into a “me zone” where what I’m qualifying as “good use of time” are activities which bring me pleasure, what I want to accomplish. . . do you see any other in those things?  Sure you can infer “others” when exploring the city (going with friends) or baking for the neighbors next door.  But I must confess, unlike many others I know, I have difficulty mustering up the will to do something more, that something called volunteering

What’s up with volunteering anyways??

Isn’t it reserved for those hard-core “humanitarians” who have pea-patches and wear vegan footwear?  Isn’t it only for people who care about the homeless enough to do something?  Isn’t it for “social worker” types ?  Isn’t it something for really holy people?  Isn’t it something folks do to fluff up a resume so that they look more appealing to a recruiter?

These are some of the perceptions and questions I’ve had regarding volunteering (what I define as the act of using my time self-lessly to benefit a greater cause or community in need).  Though there may be grains of truth to each of these questions, they still do not lead me into action:  they’re stumbling blocks that trip me up on the way to the sign up sheet . . .  Can you relate?

That all being said, I am excited to share that I found some hope and encouragement that gave my will the energy I needed to be self-less with my spare time!

Today at church (Bethany Community in Greenlake) we finished a three part series on what it means to go from “being IN church” to  “BEING the Church” that Jesus talked about and Paul addressed in his letters.  Three ways scripturally we are invited to respond is by:   1.  Showing up and participating in corporate worship (i.e. Sundays), 2.  Getting involved in community life (i.e. join a small group to connect with others to be spiritually and relationally healthy), 3.  Serve! (use your talents, interests, spiritual “gifts” to bless others).  So far I’ve gone most Sundays, signed up for a couple community groups which I’m totally stoked for and then today. . . . I. . .signed. . .up . . to. . .  volunteer! gah! ahaha  It took the ministry fair tents outside to get me motivated to check out what people at Bethany are doing (geez Nicole) and I did find a couple projects that I’m really excited to be helping out with.  I’m a foody, not gonna lie so they’re food-related projects. Might as well channel that passion into loving people, right? Right!  Man, I am very grateful for God’s patience and mercy over me as I’ve stumbled a long to actually commit to volunteering.  And now for the joyous anticipation of getting to partner with fellow Bethany people to feed some folks!

SO. . . Is volunteering the only way to spend free time?  Heck no.  In fact, it’s healthy to be mindful of your free time when you do have it.  Finding balance and wellness in our lifestyles is what keeps us, and by extension others, happy.  So asking ourselves whether or not we need to exercise, phone a friend, go for an evening walk, bake a cake, write a letter, nap, whatever, off the clock are all wonderful and good.  And I think another question should be added to the mix:  Where/How can I give away my spare time this week to benefit and bless others?

Happy serving!  Shalom

Here are some helpful links to get you started (if you haven’t already:)

Seattle Area:

-http://www.cityofseattle.net/html/citizen/volunteer.htm

- http://www.seattlehumane.org/volunteer  (Help homeless pets!)

- http://www.volunteermatch.org/     (This site has volunteer listings for all kinds of odd jobs.)

Portland Area:

- http://www.handsonportland.org/HomePage/index.php/home.html (A well organized site with detailed project listings including an informative section on volunteering no-shows. Hmm… )

summer tubing

You know it’s summer when you can spend two hours on youtube on a CollegeHumor binge, like I did yesterday haha.  Before you question whether or not I have a life!  a large part of my motivation was video swapping with a friend via FB chat.  Anyways. . . . during the process of sharing,  I realized that there are certain vids that I just keep coming back to for entertainment, laughs or just the sheer joy of the content.  Here are some of my recent favs

<3 Nicole

1. La Roux- “I’m Not Your Toy”

Not only does this song bring a smile to my face but the shifty eyes of the characters in this vid is hilarious before they collectively decide to give in and dance already.  What’s not to love??

2.  Puppy whistle

The darnest, cutest thing ever!

3.  Awkward Rap

So true!

4.  Brian Regan’s stand up routine, “I Walked On the Moon”

The entire bit is pee-in-your-pants funny.  don’t believe me? I dare you to watch the whole routine

5.  “dance to this song” Wong Fu Productions feat. David Choi

Shake your groove thang

Hiya readers (just in case someone is reading this :p )

I recently discovered the Cupid Shuffle, a line dance which I love! and it got me going on this investigation for best line dances out there, specifically ones any dancing queen should know. SO I hope you enjoy the clips and are inspired to shake your groove thang next time your hanging with your buds and just sitting there on your butts-  you can be the super cool one to plug in your ipod and start a spontaneous line dance! Perfect for those summer nights, eh?  Or anytime really

<3 Nicole

1.  Electric Slide (the one that informed the following two)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_slide

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGzVLPHcZAQ&feature=related (a 102 year old grandma breaks it down!)

2.  The Cha Cha Slide

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cha_cha_slide

This site breaks down the moves: http://www.800dj.com/2002-06-19.1024554798.html

3.  The Cupid Shuffle

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cupid_Shuffle

4.  The Macarena

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Macarena (this will explain the 15th anniversary video below lol)

5.  YMCA

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YMCA_(song)

6.  the Tush Push

7.  the Ketchup song

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketchup_Song

Not exactly a line dance in the traditional sense but in the vid there are movements you can bust out when the song is playing  My spanish teacher in high school taught us this song

8.  the Hustle

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hustle_(dance)

9.  Walk it Out

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walk_It_Out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXeaG3x7WWY (contest lol)

“Jerusalem, if I forget you. . .”

Shalom from Jersualem!

We FINALLY have reliable wifi in this hotel!  I tell ya, its been a headache for our whole team trying to stay connected to our friends and family but we’ve made due…  I’m so glad I can actually blog to share some more stories   Obviously most of my trip to date is not recorded here but I think you’ll find my Facebook photos helpful in filling in the blanks hehe.

Our journey towards Jerusalem started in the late afternoon post visiting the Good Samaritan Museum (remember the road from Jericho to Jerusalem?).  Once we entered the lovely city of Jerusalem the Mount of Olives granted us a great view of everything.  We then got a tour of a NGO called Machshava Tova who works towards closing the digital gap between the “haves” and the “have-nots” in a really poor, “rough” neighborhood.  The gap itself consists of lack of computers in school, at home, job opportunities and basic access.  Statistically 73% of Israelis have computers which leaves a large population of about 2 million people who do not have one.  This NGO site is what is called a tele-center venue where computer labs are provided and courses are offered.  Without getting into all the details, basically they are having a high success rate in computer literacy and empowering disadvantaged populations in the neighborhood.  For example: amongst those who take  job courses here 65% of participants find a job.  Courses cover a broad range of skills including the basics of computer use, learning Hebrew, creating Facebook accounts, etc.  They have a Mobile Computer Unit (MCU), Israel’s only, which can be transported to various sites to offer wireless internet acces and offer courses in other areas to serve other populations.

Bright and early Monday (7/12) the group began the day with a wonderful visit to Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  Hanan Goder-Godlberger, a minister counselor, gave us a lecture on the overview of the current conflict in the state.  His communication style and delivery was very insightful and informative on this issue.  As you can imagine by now, will our hectic (but epic :p ) days we have a lot of dates and facts to keep straight on our mental timelines so I appreciated him reiterating the situation again so precisely.  Essentially the current conflict can be broken down into: water issues, population issues (e.g. Palestinian refugees), holy site issues and security arrangements, etc.  It is becoming clear that in general most Israelis desire peace with their Arab neighbors, specificall manifested in a two-state solution but at the same time are wary about the fact that Hamas is not ready/willing to accept dialogue towards peace.  He also addressed bilaterial relations that Israel faces as well as dilemmas the state specifically faces (e.g. issues of placing the security fence, interrogation processes, etc). The second lecture we heard was about “Brand Israel”.  A very interesting and exciting lecture on the power of branding and the effect it has on the rapport of a country to the rest of the global community.  There are two kinds of branding: 1. creating new visual language, 2.  success supported by real actions (e.g. changing the infrastructure).  As students and consumers we were quickly able to give a one word depiction of the brand of other countries such as Brazil (fun), France(romance) and Croatia(beautiful).  But when we got to Israel the picture become more dreary, as images of war, conflict and religious tension came up.  So the lecturer explained how she is working towards improving Israel’s brand image.  She brought up an interesting point about how ‘Brand Israel’ is not a luxury but an integral part of its national security.  It will help expose other wonderful things that the country has to offer, not just a conflict (though that still needs to be addressed).  Spain is a great example of a country who took very seriously the issue of their image and improved it successfully: 1.  It was a strategic decision made by the government, 2. parternship and coalition building, 3. there was an emphasis on culture, and 4. patience and committment to the process.

Day 2

On Wednesday we when to the museum built on the site where the first Hebrew high school in Tel Aviv once stood.  Our informative (and witty) tour guide, Yoav, taught us on the history of the high school and how ever since its demolition it has remained as a symbol for the preservation of the history of Tel Aviv.  One of the coolest things in the museum was a model of the entire city- in fact we were able to locate our hotel! haha  Next on the agenda (we always have jam packed days!) was an excursion to the The Declaration of the Independence Hall.  This place was amazing!  We were given a short background on the museum, which was the first house built in Tel Aviv belonging to Mayor Dizengoff (the first mayor) who donated it after the death of his wife. It would become the first art museum of the city.  Later on this place would be used for Ben Gurion’s declaration of the State of Israel due to its underground location for safety precautions.  We sat in the very room where he addressed the people and the audio of the speech was played for us so we could experience a little taste of what it would have been like witnessing this epic event;  quite a moving experience.  Also notable in that room was the beautiful pieces of art on display by Jewish artists.

From there we visited the Haganah museum and learned the history of this Israeli militia that would become IDF of today.  Their stories, strategies and courage was impressive to say the least and I learned so much!  Later that day we visited the site where Rabin was assassinated.  All in all this day was quite epic!

Eretz Israel!

Greetings friends & family! or as we say in Tel Aviv,

“Ahalan!”  (Ah-HA-lawn)

I am currently 5 days into this vibrant excursion with a team of 12 wonderful people and already have mounts of experiences and information to speak about!   From tours to lectures to meeting significant people its been soo amazing!!  Every day brings something brand new and each experience enriches my mind, expands my worldview and deepens my understanding of the fundamental facets of Israeli society… naturally.  At the moment I am tending to my sunburns and blisters in the cool A/C of my hotel room. . .  SO, after several days of spotty internet and sharing one converter between 4 people lol, let me begin my trip posts with Day 1

I landed in Ben-Gurion Airport around 3:36pm and arrived to the Tal Hotel exactly at 5 pm, when we were all officially meeting (yay for Israeli traffic).  Although the cabby was nice he apparently shafted me by adding 22 shekels to my charge totaling a fare of 144 shekels (instead of the standard 120 for the distance)!  Since this was a novel experience I got out, smiled and handed over the cash.  Later on our team director Karine was like, “Oh! He took advantage of you!”  Blehh. Haha oh well, I take it as part of the experience. . .   I hope he has five children to feed. . .  So we touched basis as a group then walked 5 minutes to the beach where we had an amazing mediterranean dinner right on the freakin’ beach!  We’re talkin’ hummus, pita bread, salad, plate o’ fried meats, falafel, lemonade and ice water with mint leaves inside!! De-lish!  Although we hadn’t started the “academic” activities we all agreed that we couldn’t believe we were getting school credit for this, as we watched the sun set into deep shades of red and orange. . . <insert warm breeze>

Amazing :)

To Be Alone With You ~Sufjan Stevens

I’d swim across lake Michigan
I’d sell my shoes
I’d give my body to be back again
In the rest of the room

To be alone with you
To be alone with you
To be alone with you
To be alone with you

You gave your body to the lonely
They took your clothes
You gave up a wife and a family
You gave your goals

To be alone with me
To be alone with me
To be alone with me
You went up on a tree

To be alone with me you went up on the tree

I’ll never know the man who loved me