Florida '11

We're headed back to our home base after a week of awesome vacation in Florida. Pictures and updates will follow the 16 hours of driving if I make it.

Moore State Park

Another afternoon hike and picnic in Central Mass

The New England Outdoors

I don't know why, but it seems like we always spend most of our time in the outdoors when we're staying at the Freemans' house. We do a lot of walking, hiking, and water sports which we don't always do other places, probably because of the close proximity for doing these activities. All that to say, we've been having a lot of fun finding orange newts, rowing 'til our arms burn, and walking out in the summer sun. We've also been going to some free outdoor concerts over in Worcester, like the ones that the Massacusetts Symphony Orchestra does on Saturday evenings. Thankfully, we've had some pretty good weather lately.

Summer Visiting and at the Freemans'

Last Sunday, Chris and I had the privilege of hanging out with a family we know from Kuwait. I taught a girl in 1st Grade this past year whose family frequents the U.S. on summer vacation. Her dad studied at Penn State and Pitt and lived in the U.S. for something like 12 years, so the family was visiting friends in the Pittsburgh area. Since her mom and I struck up a great acquaintance during the school year, we said we'd try to see each other when they came, so we did! We took a ride on the Gateway Clipper, had shakes at the Hard Rock in Station Square, and ate lunch at the Grandview Saloon (formerly Coal Hill Steakhouse) on Mt. Washington. All in all, I would say it was a great day, except for the elderly gentleman who somewhat impolitely told us we talk too loudly. I guess there are some things you can't leave in the Arab world...

So far this summer, we've been busy dog-sitting, baby-sitting, and reading, and probably an equal amount of running around Indiana to visit and enjoy time with our friends there. This week, we also headed out to our friend Emily's, who will be coming to teach in Kuwait this school year. She taught in Taiwan for a few years and wanted a change, so we emailed back and forth a  few hundred times about teaching in Kuwait. She'll be coming in the fall, so her family graciously had us over for dinner and picked our brains about living there and in the region. I think that's the most I've ever discussed Kuwait while being outside of it, so it was fun.

Yesterday, we drove to the greater Boston area to visit Chris' family for a few weeks. We missed out on our home church's Open House, which let the public come in and check out the new building before the first Sunday service takes place this Sunday, July 3rd. If you have a chance and are in the area, you should go see what it's like. Sunday Services are at 10am, and from what I hear, they have an awesome new children's ministry area if you have little ones. You can see more about who they are here.

Our friend, Kyle, came up from Michigan today to spend a few days with us and see the area over the 4th of July weekend. He taught in Kuwait with us in 2008-09 and will be coming back there this coming school year for another round as well. We're excited to catch up and do some adventuring, including the 4th of July Spectacular, the Sam Adam's Brewery, and kayaking- all some of our favorite things to do in New England.

I'll be checking in periodically throughout the next three weeks, but I can't make any promises!