Bridge Crossing on "You Are Here Stories"

I had the fortunate opportunity to be published as a guest blogger on the fantastic "You Are Here Stories" blog for which my friend and former housemate is a regular contributor.  June is the "Travel and Place" theme, which I interpreted more on a micro-level.

It's a rehash of an old piece I wrote in 2008.  I hope you enjoy!

Read it here: http://wp.me/p5fqQD-ve

Lessons From Flying - Outgoing

We take off east instead of heading directly towards the destination.
As we begin to bank to the left, I glimpse my city amidst the fog:
Its distinct skyline slightly silhouetted by the rising sun.
It is almost too harsh to view, but I look intently for the familiar shapes and lines.

Soon enough, we continue our curve towards the west
And begin to put miles between our steel flying machine and my home.

The landscape below transforms into a thick layer of clouds:
an alien terrain of rippling, puffy ether.
This highway in the atmosphere will lead me to an even more foreign place.
This place is full of beauty and wonder and adventure.
Yet it is not all unknown: it holds the familiarity of an old friend.

Air travel can certainly be argued to be a "point A to point B" experience.
Of course the reason is to cut down the time in order to more enjoy the destination.
But I would say that the journey, the line between, matters.
It has something to teach me as much as the destination.
The question is, do I take the time to really see?

In order to get where we need to go in life,
Sometimes we need to take a good look back.
It seems counterintuitive; but it can be necessary to move forward.
It can be hard to look back: like staring into a bright, burning orb.
But if we persevere, we see what we need to see - and then move on.

The 30,000 foot view of our lives can give us better perspective
And a healthier view of ourselves and our life's path.
The way forward is unknown, but there is promise of Beauty.
And Friendship.
And Adventure.

I try to remember this as I see the miles multiply;
Even as I am not yet where I want to be:
I am exactly where I need to be.

Too Much Baggage

Tuesday, March 1

Another Aerial View

Thursday Feb 3

View of My Aching Feet

Wednesday Feb 2

View from My Hotel Room

Tuesday, Feb 1

View from Above

Monday Jan 31st

Packing for Vegas

Sunday

Lolla Lolla Lolla - pics of the day

Monday:


Sunday:




Saturday:




Friday:




Thursday:


for all pics, check out http://picasaweb.google.com/pachicka/Lollapalooza2010

So I just got back from Mexico this past Monday and I'm still processing the trip. I had never been on a mission trip before, so the whole experience was new and exciting and mind blowing. I was struck by the beauty, the simplicity, by the community and difference in culture, and by the hard work and mindfulness of property that most people I deal with (including myself) know nothing about.

My hope is that I can take this experience and see how it relates to my life here in the States. My fear is that I'll be assimilated back into a culture that often takes things for granted. Alternatively, I fear that my heart will stay behind in Mexico and not be able to live in the present. I hope to find that middle ground...mindful and grateful existence, seeing God at work all around me.

Goin' to Ottawa!

My friend Maria is getting married in Ottawa this weekend. I'm so excited...this will be my first time in Canada. We are camping for two nights in Gatineau Park near Phillipe Lake. Then we'll be staying in a hostel our final night.

Expect lots of cool photos when I return. :)