What a GREAT summer it's been! Yeh, yeh - it's been a while since I've posted anything but I attribute this to my summer being full of "people to see, places to go, things to do!!!" ha ha ha

August began with trip to Ohio - always whirlwind. As is the tradition the first week was choir camp week. So many blessings! This year's theme was "Child of the Light: The Baptismal Covenant". All the music (hymns and choral anthems) and crafts/activities revolved around baptism and the promise that we make (is made for us) when we are baptized. I think this was one of my favorite camps of the five we've done so far. The kids sounded GREAT, the music was wonderful,(truely not tooting my own horn since I chose it - it just happened that way), Chris had fantastic projects, and the message of our belonging to Christ combined made for a very meaningful week and especially an especially poignant Choir Camp Sunday.



The "major" week-long project. An icon of John the Baptist baptising Jesus in the River Jordan. At the beginning of the week this was an unpainted piece of wood with the images drawn in pencil. The kids painted this every afternoon until it was completed.



Choir Camp 2008 Choristers before the 11:15 am service began on Choir Camp Sunday. Choir Camp is 6 day camp (Monday-Saturday) and culminates on Sunday with a youth-led service in which all the hymns, anthems, and service music that the children learned during the week are sung, and the youth also lead the prayers and give the homily.

That week in Columbus was also filled with trying to fit in seeing as many people as I could. I got to spend some time with Aaron, Marcy, and Caden and meet Anna - the newest addition to their family whom I had yet to meet. The night ended with a spectacular thunderstorm and a power outage - all making for a good memory!

Jason and Aubrey hosted an "adult only" cook-out at the end of the week. It's been a while since we had all gotten together witout any children around.










The second week was spent at home with the parents. It was a very quiet and relaxing time plus the excitement of the Olympics!

Good news! I've found a roommate! I got to meet both her and her father the weekend I returned from Ohio. What an answer to many many prayers! We found each other on Craigslist, well, SHE found ME, and after several emails and a chat on the phone I knew that I wanted to live with her! Her name is Liz and she's from the Chicago area coming to Boston to go to the Harvard Extension school. Turns out that she has cousins that live in Shelby - the Wechters!!! How crazy is that???!!! Absolutely meant to be!

The rest of the summer included a visit with Megan, a trip to Cape Cod and trip to New Hampshire with some youth from Christ Church for a youth retreat.







Choir has started up again and this morning was our first Sunday back since the spring. I've taken on the roll of youth choir assistant which will make for long Wednesdays and some extra responsibilities on Sunday mornings. There is also a possibility for teaching one or two pre school music classes this fall over in the North End. Crossing my fingers as I'm awaiting an answer to my proposal.

Goodbye Summer! Welcome Fall!

I saw two amazing - AMAZING - movies this week. Both very different and both I highly recommend.

Singing Revolution - the story about how Estonia became free from Soviet rule. I was touched so many times, got chills, and was moved to tears. It was so interesting from a historical standpoint as well. http://www.singingrevolution.com/

Dark Knight - the next Batman movie - awesome awesome awesome.


GO SEE THEM!!! I'm just sayin'...

The original chandeliers


The 4 angels that surround the organ. These are actually stolen itmes - obtained through an act of piracy!




The original organ from 1759.


View of the sanctuary from above.

Old North Church Crypt

Cross and candles in the columnbarium section of the crypt.


Our tour guide explaining the different parts of the crypt.





Old North Steeple - took this pic standing right underneath it. The steeple is not the original as the original steeple was destroyed in 1804 during a major storm and it's replacement was destroyed in 1954 during Hurricane Carol. Fortunately, no one was hurt and the only damage was a small nitch to the corner of the building directly across from the church.




Paul Revere

On the River Charles


Eating a twizzler, about to embark on a game of rummy, and waiting for the concert and fireworks to begin.


Twizzlers are really addictive - everyone's eating them!


Two of my favorite people


I think she was planning on shielding her eyes from the bright fireworks display - either that or she was too cool for either of us!

Boston Pops and the 1812 Overture

Before they air the live Boston Pops 4th of July, the Pops performs the 1812 Overture and at the end there's always a spectacular fireworks show!
Some 1812 Overture facts:
Did you know that Tchaikovsky wrote the overture to commemorate Russia's 1812 defense against Napoleon and his French army during the French invasion of Russia. It actually has nothing to do with the United States
The work begins with the theme of a Russian Orthodox hymn and later the Russian national anthem can be heard (God Save the Tsar!) Pretty cool, eh?

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Thoughts on it later.

June has come and is almost gone. It's been a terrific start to the summer already! Running, tennis, a new frozen yogurt place near my house which has THE BEST frozen yogurt on the face of this earth, summer game nights, and all spent in the company of friends who are very close to my heart.
Two weekends ago I spent some short, but quality time at home with some of my Ohio friends and family - celebrating Carina and Nate's wedding and seeing my dad on Father's day.