Marathon Relay

It's time for my quarterly blog update. I ran the Wenatchee Marathon relay with Brandt Charles, my brother and my wife. We finished in a time of 3 hours and 50 minutes!

A new post for the new year!

I doubt that I have any readership after neglecting my blog for so long, but if I do check these out. It's my new house!

The Opera House

A friend of Greg and Brenda's, who is also an actress, treated us to a performance at the opera house in Rivne. I didn't understand a single word, but I still enjoyed watching the show. The building itself was also spectacular. It was very well preserved.

 

The lobby.

 

A ball room.

 

The main chandelier.

 

The curtain.

The Singers.

The dancers.

There was an orchestra too, but I don't have pictures of that.

Reupholstering

We took a day to help Greg and Brenda reupholster the bench seat in the kitchen/dining room in their apartment. I think it came out nice, and it was lots of fun!

 

Brenda and the fabric we used.

 

Befuddled.

 

Horns!

 

Greg and Oksie, master staplers.

Is she making sandwiches?

Nope, just seat cushions.

The finished product!

Hittin' the town!

Greg, Lisa, and I went for a walk to see some sights in Rivne. Below are some images of what we saw.

 

Inside a Mashrutka. This is how you get around in Ukraine.

 

Soviet era statue.

 

Ceiling of the train station. Notice the Soviet emblems, even after 18 years without communism.

 

Shady lane.

German military bunker. This was a hideout for one of Hitler's top generals.

Soviet war museum.

Kid in the park.

Greg and I witnessed an epic battle.

This sign reads, "Product of Ukraine."

We stopped for iced tea and water.

Orthodox church in Rivne.

In the church courtyard.

Driving Miss Hallyah

Our first day in Rivne, we tagged along with Greg to help a blind elderly lady go to the hospital for a check up on her eyes. Though she is blind, her eyes still bother her. We arrived at the hospital and waited for over an hour with her waiting to be seen. She wasn't able to be seen that day, in fact she had to stay in a room there for THREE DAYS before she was seen! The hour we spent with her was very eye opening. This lady saw her husband brutally murdered by the communists right before her very eyes after only being married 2 weeks. She was soon thereafter shipped off to Siberia where she worked in a labor camp for 9 years! While she was there she was fed a daily ration of a cup of soup and 300 grams of bread. Her crime... she married her husband. His crime... he was an educated man. And you thought you had it rough! My heart goes out to this woman who through all her suffering has not become bitter with life.

Remember...

Greg took Lisa and me to a recently forgotten memorial of  a mass grave where 17, 500 Jews were murdered by the Nazi killing machine. The victims were women, children, and elderly Jews made to march from their homes in Rivne to this hill where they were made to undress and march to the top of the hill. They were machine gunned into a ditch, buried, and forgotten until the fall of communism when this monument was erected. Anti-semitism has once again, over the last 18 years, caused this site to be purposely ignored. Weeds have overgrown much of the area, and vehicle access has been cut off due to the fact that grave robbers have been digging tunnels in attempts to retrieve gold caps from the remains of the people buried there.

This marker identifies the entrance to the memorial.

The gate.

These concrete slabs are imprinted with footprints symbolizing the death march.

This headstone surrounded by many small headstones cries out, "...never forget our brothers and sisters who are buried here!" The smaller headstones are engraved with the names of every one of the people murdered and buried here.

A marker on one of the actual trenches. The massacre was accomplished in less than 2 days.

Monument to Communism

The following pictures are from a park in Rivne that was used by the Soviets to parade their military strength, communist ideals, and otherwise bolster the public's view of the government. Back in the day it was kept up quite nicely, but since the fall of communism it has fallen into disrepair and neglect. Now it is a place for people to vent their revenge on a system that once oppressed them so harshly. 

Statue of communist soldiers defending the weak. (Rivne in the background, I believe that is the "New York" area, where 60-70% of the city's 300,000 residents live. The apartments, most made during the Soviet days, are brick with no steel reinforcement.)

Looted Soviet Tank, now serves as a garbage receptacle.

The tower, Vanchic, and Greg.

Soviet artillery.

More Soviet artillery.

Ukraine

Our first day in Ukraine was a long travel day. We left Lyss at 7:30 am on the train, then flew out from Zurich at 12:10 When we got to Kiev, 9 hours later, Greg and Brenda picked us up, and we drove around through the Capital city, but those pictures are stuck on my camera's internal memory. It was a fun time, but by the time we finally made it to Greg and Brenda's apartment, we were zonked! These are the only pictures I have available from our first day.

Cows!

A Wreck!

Gracie!

Montreaux

Montreaux, our last day in Switzerland before we left for Ukraine. Wow... that about sums it up. On the shores of Lake Geneva this train ride was nothing short of spectacular. 

 

 

This was our first look at Lake Geneva surrounded by the alps as we came out of the train tunnel. The hillside below us was blanketed with terraced vineyards, winding roads, and the occasional house. It took my breath away.

In Montreaux we visited the Chateau Chillon, above is one of the many massive fire places utilized at one time. The rooms were still permeated with the smell of burnt wood. 

Lisa standing guard to the prison room.

Murten

We stopped here on our way to Lausanne. This is probably one of my favorite Swiss towns because it has a small feel to it, it is old, and the wall is very much in tact. There are also many buildings that are well preserved and kept up. It feels like stepping back in time!

 

 

 

 

Thun

I'm still trying to catch my blog up on our european excursion, so here goes. While in Switzerland we visited many cities, not as many as we would have liked, but we were able to see quite a bit. I'm posting some pictures of our trip to Thun. It was a drizzly day, and the view wasn't what it could have been, but it was fun times. Rahel was able to go with us. She and Lisa both enjoyed all the stairs we had to climb to reach the castle. It was a steep climb.

Lis and Rach, were in serious need of some H2O

 

The courtyard below.

 

Lisa, Rach, Alps, and Thun.

 

 

One very serious looking exhibit.

The Steingubers

The Steingrubers were our hosts in Switzerland, they have a beautiful house! They are also very warm and gracious people. Pictured in the dinner picture below are Andreas, Jenny, Simone, Mirjam, Lisa, Rahel, Emil, Kathryn, and Jenny's mom.

Our gracious hosts!

Sunday Dinner

In the Garden

More garden

The picnic area.

Bern

On Sunday, after service at the Jahu Church in Biel, Lisa and I went out to Lunch with some youth from the church. I don't think I took any pictures there, but it was a nice place on the lake. I took the advice of Rafu and asked for French fries with my food instead of potatoes. I thought he would know better. I should have asked for a second opinion. It was still good eating. Later that day, Rahel invited us to go to Bern. We took many pictures and I posted a few here below.

 

The Bear is the Symbol of Bern. Bern means Bear.

 

Lisa and I are happy to have seen the bears.

 

This bear was especially talented. He could stand, scratch his back, and pee all at the same time!

 

The city.

 

This area floods sometimes, those cars would be under water.

 

The Clock tower

 

Entrance to the Munster cathedral.

 

Inside the Munster.

Detail of the ceiling.

These two must have payed a penance.

One strong gargoyle.

 

 

The Swiss equivalent of Washington D.C.'s capitol building.

Rahel used to work here every day.

 

The Aare river runs through Bern.

Neu Chatel

It has been a while since I have been able to sit down and type at a computer. Lisa and I have been running around quite a bit since the last time I posted. Below are some pictures from Neu Chatel. We had originally planned to go to Luzern that day, but we hopped on the wrong train and decided to change plans mid stride. It would have been nice to see Luzern, but Neu Chatel was worth the trip. We ate Kebap taco style food, and even witnessed part of a wedding at the Church there. Also the city is built on a hill so we got our share of exercise for the day walking up and down the steep streets and stairs!

Solothurn, Switzerland/St Uhrs Cathedral

St Uhrs Cathedral.

If you enlarge this one you might be able to see the paintings on the ceiling better.

 

 

One of the gates to the city

Lisa, Solothurn and the Jura Mountains

 

Lisa and I with Solothurn in the background.

 

This is me standing in front of the fountain next to the stairs leading to St. Uhrs

 

There was also a really cool armory that we did not get to see because it was closed for lunch and Lisa was not feeling well. We did get to see the cannons but I failed to take any pictures.

The cathedral was a real treat. There was a choir practicing while we were there. I took video with my camera but later, when we tried to play it back, I realized that I had not had the camera set to record sound also. Needless to say there is something that cannot be felt unless you are there to hear the harmony of voices and the stone of the cathedral working together to make the ordinary extraordinary. I hope we have another chance to hear a choir singing in a cathedral before we come back home. 

If you Check my Blog, Leave a Comment

I know I have been horrendous about blogging. I have been busier than I ever anticipated so that's got something to do with it but I am surviving. I'm having fun too. My roof made it through the winter without leaking so I am excited about that, and I am a proud new mac user. Here's a sample of what I learned that I can do with a mac.



Just for good measure since most of you haven't seen me for a while here's a recent picture of me.

Celebrity Status

I am not yet decided who I want to vote for at the primaries, but this is a great ad.

A school teacher's woes.

This blog has been neglected, no question. I doubt anyone even checks it anymore, but I'm here to update it with a new post. Life has been a blur these past months. I am in my first year of teaching and that has been quite the adventure. It has been more work than I anticipated even though I had anticipated being extremely busy. It has been rewarding and fun too. I work with a great staff, and I believe my students are some of the brightest six and seven year olds I have ever met.
Maybe another reason my schedule has been so full is because I have also spent almost every Saturday since August replacing my roof. I definitely should have gotten an earlier start on this project than I did. I had forgotten how time consuming cutting metal is. Regardless I am nearly finished with the roof and it is now protected for the most part. It is a relief to say the least. Below are some pictures of the project from start to now, enjoy.

Click photos to enlarge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summertime fun

I know, my blog has been very dormant this summer, but who really wants to sit in front of their computer when they could be out doing fun stuff. Exactly. I thought it was time for an update, so here are a few pictures from a hike Lisa and I took to the Enchantments recently:

Click on any of the photos to enlarge them.

This is where the real hiking began, Colchuck Lake, a high mountain lake situated at upwards of 5600 ft. in elevation.

The above chart shows elevation gain and loss from Colchuck to where we ended our hike at the Snow Lakes trail head. (click to enlarge.)

Our first camp at the top of Asgard Pass we were exhausted! (on the chart Asgard is the highest point.)

The next morning.

A goat!

There he is again!

The upper Enchantments.

Leprechaun Lake, where we stayed our second night.

The snow lakes dam, from this point(and we were already exhausted) it was only three more hours to the car.

June!!

School's out, I'm employed, student teaching is done, and I am one happy camper! Next weekend is graduation and I am graduating. I'm not going to drive to Ellensburg to be a part of all the hubbub though. I am just going to stay home and have a BBQ with some friends and family. Most of whom don't even know about this yet. I've got a feeling it might end up being a small barbeque. Unless my wife has told people but hasn't told me. Whatever the case I am done, I have a job, and I am so ready. I will receive my diploma shortly, as well as my temporary teaching certificate. Good-bye Central Washington University, you've sucked enough money out of me! Just an update for anyone who might still check my blog.

An Empty Grave!

This past Friday my wife and I attended a Tenebrae service, quite the tribute. I had never experienced a service like it. I couldn't help but feel the weight of sin and unworthiness on me in light of the sacrifice Christ made for all on that day so long ago. I had never really taken time to remember the suffering of Jesus during this time because so much focus was placed by my church on the resurrection. But it is just as important to honor and remember His sacrifice as well as His victory over sin and death.

Today is Resurrection Sunday. A day of celebration and rejoicing, but to what end? Is today really about bunnies that lay eggs with treasure hidden inside? It must seem that way to the unbelieving and the ignorant.

Take time today to celebrate the true purpose of this celebration, and thank the Lord for His faithfulness and love to all mankind.

Springtime!

The sun was warm but the wind was chill.
You know how it is with an April day
When the sun is out and the wind is still,
You're one month on in the middle of May.
But if you so much as dare to speak,
A cloud comes over the sunlit arch,
A wind comes off a frozen peak,
And you're two months back in the middle of March.


Robert Frost (1874–1963)
Two Tramps in Mud Time (1936)

I really enjoy springtime. It's my favorite time of year. I don't think I could ever get used to a place where there is no springtime. The beauty and life of spring even touches dry deserts.
Summer, winter and fall are all fun seasons, but only spring can bring that unpredictable beauty that is:
- The weather changing at the most unlikely moment,
- The green chutes that begin to burst through the newly melted ground,
- And every ounce of nature celebrating the end of another winter with colorful song, erratic movement, and abundant life.

I love spring.

Done!!

Winter quarter is over, and so is the commute! From now till June all that awaits is one classroom full of yelling screaming balls of emotion, energy, and endearment. I am very excited about this next quarter of school. Spring is my favorite season, and it is also the season for new beginnings. With the change of scenery, it will truly feel like a new beginning. I am nervous, but I know that whatever happens I will have a good experience. Hopefully next fall I will have a job, and this coming quarter will be a pleasant memory.

Dear to me.

Last night at bible study, we were going through the second chapter of first Thessalonians. There is a part in that chapter where Paul is addressing the church as a father to a child. He expresses how dear the brethren there at Thessaloníki are to him and his traveling companions.

Out of this passage, a discussion arose about how it is unusual for men to share their feelings as such. It is not often that you hear a man tell his friends that they are dear to him. I am here to rectify that.(at least on my part)

I just want to let all of my brothers and friends (and especially Nessy) know that you are dear to me. Though I am not permitted conversation as often or for as long as I would like with each of you, I carry you in my heart and think of you often. I thank you for your friendships, and can't wait 'til the next time we see each other.