Summer Solstice

I went to my favorite place in the city on Saturday, the IMA. The grounds are absolutely beautiful.

On Saturday, to mark the Summer Solstice, the IMA and Asian Art society presented Mare Fecunditatis. Mare Fecunditatis means "Sea of Fertility" and blends traditional rites of purification from Japan with classical and contemporary Western influences. There were three parts to this program. Part I: Purification opened with a duet between two vertical instruments: the single-string bow of a Japanese Zen Archer and the Cello.

Reaching back to the primal sounds of man and the hunt, the archer shoots the arrow over the distance of the stage, instantly purifying the space.

Part II was Festival, where migrating across a desert, the dancer breathes life into the newly purified space. Evoking the lives of the community and migrating forward to the future while looking back and remembering the past. For one small instant the search stops and the present prevails before moving on in the journey again.

Part III, Resonance The three separate entities, representing the interdependency needed to become one, grow into a crescendo of understanding as the performance culminates with a larger 12-million candlelight Searchlight stretching its horizontal beam across the stage illuminating the journey's path while a lone-archer releases his arrow into the darkness of the night.

In the top picture the dancer is pulling different colors of string as he continues on the path of the future. He is illuminated in a searchlight as he walks down the 100-meter long, 54 inch wide vinal stage.

Another highlight of the night was getting to spend some face time with my little man, Orion Charles.

We had a blast playing in the grass, clapping, and listening to the music. At one point Orion fell asleep while in my lap and woke up just in time for the ending. It was a perfect night.

Therapy

It's the end of the week and I'm kicking back with a drink, some good music, and my thoughts to keep me company. Oh, and I'm buying plane tickets too (thanks to my roomie for helping me navigate the labyrinth of airline websites.)

Every so often the voice of doubt and uncertainty creep into my mind. It seeped in this week without any warning and I am still in the process of fighting with it. It is difficult to come up with a coherent thought, much less a sentence of what is going on. Instead, it's more of a list of words that may or may not have anything to do with each other. Basically, I'm in some kind of funk and I need to get over it because there is too much going on to be sitting on the sidelines. Get excited, tomorrow is another day filled with limitless possibilities!

I have been thinking about names a lot. Mostly about how many different versions of our own name that we respond to. For example, my name is Meghan. From elementary through high school classmates and teachers would call me me Meghan. My grandpa always called me Meggie or Maggie which drove my mom crazy because according to her "I did not name you Margaret." My brothers call me Sis or Sissy and Boochie (a baby name given to me; which can only be used by members of the family, so don't even think about it) When I began playing sports I was usually called Red which I loved and still do to this day. After all, how many people in a room or on a field can answer to that name? Not many. I am even called by initials. Ironically, I was never called Meg, the shorten form of Meghan until about two years ago and it's slowly catching on. I don't have a preference as to what I am called, albeit as long as it's respectful.
I find it interesting how as you grow closer in your relationship with others that often you'll call a person by a name other than their given name. It is a measurement of the kind of relationship shared between individuals whether life-long friends that have grown up together, people that share a common thread, or that person whom you trust with everything. It's a thought provoking idea, this topic. What do you think?

Dad's Day

Happy Father's Day!

Dads and daughters through the ages have always enjoyed special stages. Bigger than life when I was small, my best friend now that I am tall. He teases, tickles, and hugs when I'm sad; of course he can yell if he gets mad. He taught me to bike, skate and dance. I hope I never pass up the chance to tell him " I love you dad."

-mw, 1994

Life in Pictures

Must. Update. Blog.

I know I've dropped the ball on this. Moving on now, I thought I would share what has been going the last few weeks by doing a picture board. So, let's get started!

Once a month the Young Adults from Trader's Point serve breakfast at the Salvation Army in downtown Indy.

I may have already posted this picture, but I'm too lazy to back-track. High School Musical with Jordan and Steph. This night would later serve as inspiration for a themed birthday party between the two of them.

Meg K's (now Meg M.) bachelorette party. It was backtrack to the 80's night complete with tied-dyed t-shirts, Mall Madness and an attempt by me to french-braid everyone's hair.

Then, on a beautiful spring day...

Jeff and Meghan tied the knot...

Melissa, Jordan and I finished off what was left of the communion from the wedding...

and later tried to put the column back together with no success. Super glue anyone? After that Melissa noticed the left side of Jordan's suit was white from carrying the column. No worries! Wet wipes to the rescue!

Our small group danced to "Thriller" at the reception.

Serving breakfast again at the Salvation Army. Ms. Joyce took this picture. Side note: I don't think that Jevon fully appreciated the task of being the squeegee man...

Jordan starting the marinade for the meat in celebration of his and Steph's High School Musical Birthday Blowout. For more pictures of that night, go here and here.

Then, at the beginning of June I moved into el casa de Steph.

Now you are up to date with the happenings in the corner of my little mind. I'am looking forward to taking a vacation in July for about a week. A shout out to Scott, whose birthday is today Happy Birthday big brother!

Give your thanks to someone who is serving or has served our country. They have sacrificed so much for us.

Have a wonderful holiday weekend! I'll post pictures of some Memorial day fun soon.

Life. Is. Good.

Life is going very well. After a period of remaining stagnant, life is running like a cool steady stream. In about two weeks I 'll be moving into the Magic Room. It'll be an adjustment for sure, but I have been feeling confident in my decisions and the road that I am on and I have no doubt that everything will fall into place.

Work is keeping me busy, though I am making a conscious effort to not let it consume me. This is an undertaking for someone like myself. When it comes to my work everything must be laid out just so. Recently I have started going crazy with the label maker. I welcome the additional responsibilities (to an extent), and I may even be looking at a promotion this summer. Also, I plan on finishing my clinical research certificate this year (finally!) and will be eligible to sit for the national exam in September of 2009.

My nephew, Alex had his First Communion two weeks ago. It was fun to see him with his parents taking communion. I can't believe how much he has grown. He still wants to be a paleontologist. I remember when he first told me that when he was 4. He is very articulate for an eight year old and has a sense of humor like a 30 year old. (which can be both good and bad)



My not-so-small-group continues to be a source of all things good. We recently danced to "Thriller" at Jeff and Meg's wedding. I am sure it is on You Tube somewhere. I look forward to Wednesday nights with these friends and can definitely feel the effects when I am unable to go.



I have an awesome God. I have peace and contentment even when it feels like I don't. Understanding and patience even when I don't want to be. I have perseverance and determination in the face of adversity. There is a sense of calmness, not urgency. Is this a product of wisdom? I don't know. But I like it. Life is good.