thank yous, thank yous, all around!

so it's getting close to valentine's day ... so it's time to spread the love. please forgive my shout-outs.

thank you mom and dad. you are two of the greatest people in the world. you both inspire me.

thank you genna and molly. you are the bestest sisters i could dream up.

thank you grandma and grampa k, and really, to all my family. your letters and packages and emails and love have all been arriving safely (just wanted to make sure you know that!) - and your prayers have, too.

thank you tanya zeigler. a much-belated letter will be in the mail to you as soon as i can make it to the post office on my lunch break (which means an hour without pouring rain).

thank you Portland Mercys. i'll include sr. pat (i LOVE the hat!), those responsible for the christmas card, the sisters and teachers and students at McAuley High, and bridget for her help in sharing this experience.

thank you MVC. there's no where else i'd rather be, and no one else's arms i'd rather be linked with.

thank you friends. laughter is a good medicine, but warm thoughts and bright memories seem to be sure preventative measures.

thank you lisa stellino. hope you read this when you get back. for infusing my guyanese life with energy, hope and wonder ... and, of course, york peppermint patties ;o)

gosh, there are so many more. i'll add them next time.


for now, know that things have been "deep" lately. there's a lot going on under the surface here: cores are shifting. i'll spare you the details and keep them in my journal. perhaps they will surface bit by bit in later entries, but that's a lot for all at once. just forgive me if i'm distracted or quiet on the phone.

what i do want to share with you is a bit of the game plan, mostly so i keep myself on track with this site. i'll tell you about our phenomenal weekend sometime this week, and next week i'll write you about the hospital where i work and the vocational centre where i've just begun helping to teach theatre (oh yes, you knew it was going to happen sometime ...).

i think i'll be starting mini spanish lessons with two ladies from my karate class soon. i am still trying to aim for my next karate exam in march. if all goes well, i will earn my green belt then. i'll keep you posted. several of the sisters are currently away in peru, meeting to discuss the restructuring of the regions of the sisters of mercy. this is happening in the US as well. and of course, there is the "other" national holiday coming up just before valentines day ... MY BIRTHDAY!! we're planning a little get together for next sunday afternoon/evening. mom, dad, anyone who'd like to call, i'll be at home from probably 3pm on, our time.

keep loving, everybody.