Where I lived this week...

Read more about my experience in Lakeshore, Mississippi on the Simply Missions Blog.

Reasons why I love my job...

Chagrin Falls

Spending a few days with my friend Brandon Ansel down near Cleveland, Ohio at a place called Chagrin Falls. I spent yesterday afternoon hanging out at the falls and watching the ducks.

NYC - Rainy Day

Yesterday was an extremely rainy day but we still managed to get out on the town and see some stuff. Here is a little list of some of things we did and places we went.

* bought umbrellas - originally $5 but we got two for $8
* smoothies at jamba juice in times square
* met Adam to help him move some books from his old apartment
* out to lunch at Mandoo Bar in Koreatown (orderd pad thai and it tasted like howard's feed store)
* walked up to 5th ave/Central park
* wandered through the apple store
* wandered through FAO Swarts (extremely large toy store with the giant piano from the movie BIG)
* grabbed some starbucks
* went to the Museum of Modern Art (highlight was seeing Vincent VanGough's "Starry Night")
* grabbed some roasted almonds from a street vendor
* walked through st. francis episcopal church
* walked through st. patrick's catholic church (5th Ave)
* took the train down to chinatown
* walked through little italy and grabbed some itialian food at a streetside cafe.
* took the train to Brooklyn for some cheesecake at Junior's.
* took the train all the way down to coney island (major letdown)
* back uptown to times square to shoot some greetings videos for my kids.
* headed home.

what a day.

NYC - street performers at Battery Park

New York City - World Trade Center

This afternoon we headed down to view ground zero, the former site of the World Trade Center. There is a lot of construction under way there now, rebuilding the WTC. The Subway station below is now complete and operational. There are only a few places where you can really get a good view of what is left of those buildings. One flight of stairs remains on the North tower, and the rest is mostly just a giant hole in the ground.

We walked nearly all the way around the vacant four city blocks. On the south side is Fire Station 10. It was a very emotional experience for me to stand in front of those fire trucks and see the memorials to those firefighters who were right there when it all happened. I can't really describe the deep sadness that still seems present there.

Later we entered the historic St. Paul's Chapel, directly across from the WTC site. This church served as a refuge for those who survived and remains a sacred space to those who continue to grieve. I walked slowly through the church trying to just take in all the sadness. It's not possible.

New York City - Part 1

I'm in NYC for a few days with my friend Stu. We're visiting his brother (and my good friend) Adam. We drove into NJ this morning and took the train into the city. We met Adam at his apartment on 34th street then ran over to the Empire State Building where Adam works and goes to school (Kings College). The apartment we are staying in looks over 34th street.

It has already been an incredible summer of traveling for me, and this little trip is a nice way to wind things down before heading back to school. Walking around this city really reminds me of how much I loved coming here when I was in college. There is something about New York. I don't really know exactly what it is, but this is my favorite big city. I'm looking forward to an incredible weekend here.