conditionality of seasonality (AHEM Monmouth County)

Yesterday, Timmy and I drove to camp for the annual staff reunion. Before we left, I was thinking about what sort of post I could do about the trip-- probably something talking about how I love New Jersey's distinct four seasons and how evident they are at camp. I experience camp mostly in the summers, when it's hot and humid, but reunion is always very chilly, usually with snow on the ground. In the past few years I've been able to visit during spring and fall as well. Each has their charm.

However, I have little to say about camp, because I spent more time driving to and from camp (three hours fifteen minutes each way, usually takes two) than I actually spent at camp yesterday (four hours). This is mostly Monmouth County's fault. After the blizzard earlier this week, it is just a wreck. Granted, Ocean County isn't much better, having received some of the highest snowfall in the state, but the Parkway in Monmouth was like a terrible obstacle course in which the lanes would just disappear abruptly. We did see a few trucks trying to clear snow out of the far lanes, but it was incredibly frustrating. We arrived at camp at dusk. I didn't get to see the lake, which I hear is quite icy at this point. Warren County only got about four inches (compared to our 28+) so it was easy driving in the northwestern part of the state, but still very pretty and serene. However, because it was dark, I didn't really get to see camp under snow. At least I got to catch up with some old friends.

It's always surprising when we get snow, especially substantial snow, at the shore, where our climate is moderated by the proximity of the ocean. For us to get so much and up north, which has "mountains" and no ocean, to get so little is mind boggling.

updates from Malawi

In the past few weeks, I've received a few emails from Mwalabu (program director at Blantyre Synod Health and Development Commission) and Bonongwe (VIP's village worker) through Liz (the woman from Allentown who lead the trip). These emails have been updates on the status of various projects that I witnessed the early stages of back in August, including photos that got me a little teary:


well in use



school being built-- beginning stages discussed here

It's incredible to see progress, even from so far away. I can't explain what it's like to see a hole in the ground or a pile of bricks and take part in discussions of plans and how wells and schools closer to the villages will change lives, and then see these things actually happening and knowing the difference that is made. It's absolutely amazing.

be safe, friends!

Last night I was running an errand with my friend Purba in New Brunswick. The light turned green, I put my car into gear and started to move, only to hear her yell out-- as she did I noticed a kid sprinting in front of my car. Not someone out to exercise, just someone in a hurry. He didn't appear to look at all, just ran full speed into traffic and kept going down the street. I probably would have hit him if Purba didn't notice him and yell. Granted, I wouldn't have been going very fast, but still.

I subscribe to the headlines of NJ.com in my Google Reader, and have noticed a ton lately about pedestrian and cyclist accidents, often resulting in death. The most recent one was yesterday afternoon on Route 1 near Rutgers, before that was actually a Rutgers student killed while biking last week. And actually, just now searching in my Reader to see just how many articles about such accidents have come up in the last few weeks and month, another one came up-- a guy my age from Toms River was hit in Brick earlier this week, and died this morning.

Obviously, sometimes pedestrians aren't paying attention (like that kid last night), and obviously, sometimes drivers are not paying attention. I feel like I see people running red lights way more now than when I started driving. What is with the general attention deficit on the roads lately?

We all have our moments. I drive quite a lot, and I think I'm pretty good at it, but I have my moments too. However, I'm constantly checking out what's going on around me, trying to be aware of other people's moments, because sometimes I feel like no one else is paying attention to anything else on the road.

Please walk, bike and drive safely. Be careful. I like you and don't want to read about you next.