thanksgiving

Sorry for my silence. (Isn't that a phrase I utter often?!) I've been in four US states in the last week. The trip was designed as a glorious combination of business and pleasure, but I have to admit that when you are in good company and walking paths that feel familiar, everything is pleasing. I've really missed the good ol' US of A.

Even more than that, I have really missed the Pioneer Valley. Claiming that your college career was 'the best time of your life' is cliche, but in my case, the cliches are all true. My time at Mount Holyoke was the most joyful, empowering, and exciting period I have known. That statement is all the more powerful because those years also included the kidnapping and murder of my aunt, the unexpected death of my beloved grandmother, and a number of other dark moments. Still, it was in the Valley that I found my voice and in the Valley that I found friends and mentors who continue to be my greatest inspiration. This place is magical.

For the incredible yearning I feel as I walk around Amherst and South Hadley, there is an equal or greater sense of thanksgiving. I am thankful for all this place has given me and for all that it is. I am thankful for Roberto Marquez, his challenging teaching, and the quality of his mentoring. I am thankful for the people I have met who taught me new and better ways to see the world and myself in it: Liz, Liam, Hilary, Zachary, Jayna, Julia, Bekka and Alison, the Wilder Crew, and Five College friends, to name only a few. I am thankful for an environment so rich in so many ways.

I have been told recently that I speak with confidence and that I possess a clear sense of direction. I don't know if that is true, but if it is, it is through no merit of my own. I owe everything-- in the positive sense-- to my time here.

windermere, emphasis on the wind

This past weekend, I escaped the hum-drum of the Big Smoke and made my way up North with Team Lievesley. It was such a gift to be able to spend three days with Alison and her parents and to meet other people whom she loves dearly. I firmly believe that you can tell a lot about a person by the company she keeps. Let me assure that everything I love about Alison was affirmed and amplified by meeting her closest friends and spending time with her family.

The purpose of our trip was to support my dear Dr. Lievesley as she swam the length of Lake Windermere-- nearly 11 miles-- in the 52nd annual Windermere race. I wish that I could say that my support was particularly useful, but I don't think that it was. While Kat and Felicity served as crew and Lewis and Pamela proved transport, I was pure cheerleader. Next year, next year I will have a skill to offer.

And yes, there will be a next year. Unfortunately, after months of training and a transnational expediation this year's race came to an unexpected end. A very miserable morning (even by English standards) forced the safety wardens to pluck the Windermere swimmers from the water mid-race. Strong winds created havoc on the lake and sunk two of the support crew boats. So, after swimming a very famous 22 mile course that I have been told I am not allowed to mention by name-- hint: it involves a passport, begins on an island and ends at the continent-- Alison will be returning to Windermere next summer. Go Team Lievesley, go!

Even though the weekend didn't go as planned, it was thoroughly enjoyable. Cumbria is awe-inspiring beautiful. The company was second to none. Oh, and there were lots of cakes. What more could a girl ask for?

I have included a couple of photos below. Enjoy!


much love

Felicity and Kat load the Victorian boat that they will crew.

Dr. Lievesley prepares to enter the water.

And she's off....

But then the skies go grey and the rain begins to fall...



The race is canceled and Pamela, Lewis, and I head to a cafe with a postcard view to await the rescue boats that carry Ali, Kat, and Felicity to shore.

writer's block

I would like to apologize for my silence this week. I've been trying to get in as much study time as possible before the next semester begins. Though, I suppose the real reason that I have been so quiet is that I am working on a series of essays for various applications and suffering from a terrible case of writer's block. After so many years of academic writing, I am finding short personal pieces to be a real challenge. It took a long time for me to learn to 'write myself out' of my essays. Now to write myself into them is difficult. I know that I have stories to tell, but the first line is always the hardest. If anyone has any good writing prompts, send them this way! Please!

This evening I am off for a couple of days to support my lovely friend, Ali, as she completes an 11 mile solo swim. Madness, I know. But, since she always supports my crazy goals, the least I can do is make up there for to be her and try best to be a cheerleader. Let's hope for good weather or at least nothing appalling...

I'll be back Sunday with photos to share.

much love