The compact....

Sunday June 1, 2008 begins a new day. I have been thinking this decision over for awhile, and I talked with my good friend Siri about it. She has decided to join me on this year long journey. It will end June 1, 2009.

Last week I also had lunch with two friends who work in the same building as me. One of them mentioned "The Compact", and it really made me start to seriously consider this idea.

I am not going to buy anything new for a year ( except personal hygiene products)
The biggest struggle will be clothes. With clothes I am going to try my best to even avoid thrift stores. I am the queen of justifying purchases, and finding "good deals" or sales. Yet, I own WAY too many clothes and shoes.

The other week I was at Patagonia and saw a shirt that said "Live Simply." In the same day I read the quote by Thoreau that says "Live simply, so others may simply live." I thought of how often I love the concept of simple living, but I do not truly live it out.


You can read an article about The compact here. I know their could be even bigger steps towards simple living, but I am starting with this. Also, a blog has been written about The compact

I am going to try to follow these two guidlines: not buying new products of any kind (except personal hygiene items),and to borrow items or buy used.

June 1, 2008....................................

To be young, gifted, and Black.

Tonight I went to a dance, music, & spoken word performance over in North Minneapolis. It was written by Lorraine Hansberry who also scripted " A Raisin in the Sun." The High schoolers who performed in this play were incredibly talented.
The play was titled " To be Young, gifted, & Black."

The event was held in the Capri Theatre on Oliver & Broadway in North...

It was a powerful evening celebrating the talents, hopes and dreams of youth in North Minneapolis

My parents are currently hosting a young African-American man from Atlanta for the month. He is interning for the summer with a church located in my neighborhood in South Minneapolis. One of the first things someone told him when coming to Minneapolis, is to stay away from "the Northside." Well, I am all about changing perceptions and sterotypes. In his first 24 hours of being in Minneapolis I took him to the Northside to see what is really goin down.


As Mayor R. T Rybak said " With a visionary plan calling for a new marquee, new programs, renovation, and an outdoor plaza, The Capri thater will become a beacon for changing times on west Broadway. The life of this theater will flow onto the street and influence the design, streetscape, public art.. as a further sign that things are changing for the better. On West Broadway. On the northside. And in Minneapolis."

The lives of the innocent....

This weekend was certainly a roller coaster.
There were some amazing times of celebration- having a party for Marta before she gets married in two weeks!

Yet, some intense moments happened in our home.
The police ended up having to come over TWICE... I don't want to go into exstensive details as to why they were at our house. The family that lives in our duplex had to call the police

Life becomes both difficult & beautiful when you enter into trusting community with those around you.

I have such a deep sense of love for Delone & Savannah who live below us.
Continually, I have hope for these two kids who will soon be Marta's ringbearer & flower girl. They are surrounded by the systemic injustices of poverty on a daily basis. Their entire family is amazing, and they have taught me more about community than I could ever learn from a book, or a conference.

I pray that these children will learn to dream of a world where they have hope, and opportunities to grow, and love deeply.


savannah is getting so smart.




Savannah sportin my dress.



Making cookies.

Delone ...

Time....

It's such a Western concept.

How many times have I said " Well, I have to organize my schedule to make time for____________."

I have learned to let go of a lot of my "type A" tendencies in the past few years. Yet, I still tend to arrive at events early. I also tend to make sure I have enough TIME to do certain activities or see different people. I despise having "my time" wasted.

Something I have always appreciated about overseas experiences is that time moves much slower. Meals are savored with friends and celebrations often last several days.

This past week I had the pleasure of chatting with a man at Dairy Queen of all places. We were both waiting in line and struck up conversation. If I were to guess this indvidual's age, he appeared to be roughly 65. His shirt said " The Bible talks about Saint Paul, but it doesn't mention Minneapolis." I asked him if he lived in Saint Paul. He said he was "over the river" in Minneapolis to volunteer for the day. I asked what he did to volunteer and he rattled off a list of places where he spent his days. He helps out with the Mississipi river cleanup, Meals on Wheels, an assisted living facility, and as a reading tutor. I asked him what he did before retiring and spending his days helping the community. He didn't go into a lot of detail, but he said his job provided him more money than he knew what to do with. Since retirement he has given a lot of his money away, and has made the choice to bike around the twin cities volunteering. One day a week, he typically get together with various friends for lunch or coffee.

I still cannot entirely grasp what struck me so much about this interaction. It could have been that it was an unexpected conversation while waiting in line at Dairy Queen. I think the biggest part I took away from talking to this man is the way in which he gives, and truly loves people. He gives of his time in a way that is honorable. He lives his life with purpose and intention. He is content and has a sense of reckless abandonment towards life.

He was certainly a bright spot in my week, and an inspiration.

Constantly Amazed.

Instead of writing, I thought I'd update with a few pictures from the past week.



Minneapolis did not have school this past Monday. We took the DinoMights to the zoo.
They loved it!


Markeitha & I.

Dino girls.



We had a grillout after the zoo. The kids even got to play street hockey. What a day!


My neighbor Amelia turned one this past Friday.


They had a clown, an "inflatable zoo", a snow cone maker, and a cotton candy maker at this party....



My neighbor Chongo played the drums at the Mother's Day pow-wow.






Lastly, a short video of the fancy dancers & jingle dancers at the pow-wow.