Monday, June 28, 2010

Session 5

This is going to be the last week of first half!  And it's Session 5!  It's crazy how fast first half has gone by.

Here are my hopes for this week:

Cracker barrel parties with cabins
A Sleep over on Wednesday night
Getting to laugh and bounce with Julia and Grace at the Jumping Pillow
Having the chance to say thank you to wonderful first half counselors
To cry when it's necessary and laugh when it's even more necessary

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Bustling Bur Dubai

Next neighborhood to cover: Bur Dubai

The lonely planet book states:

"Bustling Bur Dubai is home to the restored historical quarters of the Bastakiya and Shindagha, wonderful for late afternoon and evening strolls.  Bur Dubai Souq is just as lively as the Deira Shops, although its wooden arcades and waterfront location make it more pleasant.  Little India, in the surrounding streets, with its textile and sari stores, Bollywood tape shops and Indian eateries, can easily absorb a couple of interesting hours.  Past the concrete jungle of Golden Sands is Karama, home to a popular souq with cheap souvenir shops and counterfeit designer goods.  The neighborhood may be made up of dilapidated low-cost housing but it has a real community spirit that's hard to find elsewhere in Dubai."

Fact #16: I want to go to the Bastakiya Quarter!

A Little Experiment in Drawing


Friday, June 25, 2010

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

All in the Neighborhood

Dubai is pretty expansive and diverse and one of my travel books broke it up into neighborhoods.  So while I get to know the neighborhoods, I thought you might like to as well.

Fact #15: Deira

excerpt from lonely planet's Dubai:

Deira is home to most of Dubai's souqs and dhow wharfage, always buzzing with activity and a fascinating place for a walk in the evenings.  Busy Baniyas Sq, also known as Al Nasr Sq, is Deira's centre.  Just off Baniyas Rd, the National Bank of Dubai is a beautiful sight at sunset.  The neonlit surrounding streets are excellent if you're shopping for carpets or electronics, especially Al-Sabkha Rd, which is also a great place for a quick snack with several good shwarma and hot-chicken shops.  Also wonderful for a stroll on a cool winter's night is Al-Mateena Rd., with its palm-filled central reservation and dozens of kebab restaurants.




Sunday, June 13, 2010

Pennsyl-town

I had a wonderful week in Pennsylvania and met so many dear friends.  It was exactly what I needed and more than I could have ever expected.

I spent the week resting, learning, struggling and playing... And it was all awesome.  I even played a lot of volleyball on Friday night which is really out of character for me. :)  Here are some highlights.

Sunday, June 06, 2010

A Very Fast Paced Weekend

After I got off of work on Saturday afternoon, I immediately went home and got ready to go to Louisiana.  The drive to Deville was 4 hours there and 4 hours back, but the car was full of excellent company and we got to go see Hannah get married!

Here are two pictures from the festivities.  It was a beautiful wedding and I had so much fun getting to laugh with the bride!

Thursday, June 03, 2010

Without wavering

Today is my first full day off of the summer.  We weren't going to start taking days off until a few weeks in, but with how smoothly everything is going we decided to take days off this week.  And for me this is a huge blessing.

I haven't been able to update in a while, so I thought I'd check in.

Things at camp are going really well.  I love my new role as a camp manager.  I get to go into work everyday and focus on the counselors in my cabins.  And let me tell you, not having to set up night events everyday has been a huge blessing.  I used to have to be intentional with counselors and master our summer programming which was wonderful, but very hectic.  I love getting to focus on relationships every day that I go in.  I feel like Dad is already teaching me so much this summer.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. Heb 10 23