A Weekend of Shows

Thank you, Kathleen, for taking me to the Joshua Radin show for my birthday! It was wonderful, and not only because of Mr. Radin. Every artist that evening was superb (well, the Watson Twins not so much...but everyone else), and I had the greatest time hanging out with Kathleenie! The line-up was as follows:

Jessica Stave, a singer/guitar player from London. Her voice was rich and melodic, and her evident excitement about performing made it very enjoyable to watch.

The Kin, brothers Thorry and Isaac Koren from Australia. They surprised me with being really, really good. Blending their voices into harmonies that were so beautiful they were haunting, they silenced a crowd of hundreds with the beauty of their music. After the show I got a chance to chat with these young men, and it was really neat to hear a little about their stories and the paths that led them to music.


The Watson Twins, sisters from Kentucky, sang next. While they performed I couldn't help thinking that they sounded like wannabe hippies who will be forever wishing they'd been around for Woodstock.

And finally, Joshua Radin. It was worth all of the anticipation. With his deep speaking voice and pure singing voice, that musician captured my ears (and heart) from beginning to end. Not only did he sing wonderfully, he played the guitar excellently and told lots of interesting anecdotes. I love to be at a show and have the feeling that this could all be happening in my livingroom, because it's just so chill and casual. As great as his performance was, it contained an underlying tone of heartbreak. "It's lonely on the road," he confessed. "And I always think that being with a girl for a night will make it better. But it only makes me lonelier." I sorrow for his brokenness and pray that God would take his pain and turn this man to the Cross. How joyful it would be if Joshua Radin used his talent for the Kingdom of God!

Saturday evening Jessie and I went to see Copeland, and once again it was a great night thanks to all of the artists. When we first walked into the theatre, Zach Williams was lying on his back on the stage, playing the guitar and crooning. After that rather odd (and somewhat unpleasant) display of talent, however, he turned out to be an incredible singer.

Next Brooke Waggoner played the piano and sang. Although Jessie had a few quabbles with her piano playing, I thoroughly enjoyed her Regina Spektor-like style.

After that Jimmy Gnecco sang/played guitar. He walked out on stage dressed in a black leather jacket, hair slicked back, and I thought, "Wow, this guy looks like a real jerk. Maybe even a murderer." Despite his frightening appearance, man could he sing! I was very impressed. But I still bet he's a jerk.

(I'm pretty sure this is a picture from Saturday night, because this is the exact outfit he was wearing. Unless he always wears the same thing...)

By the time scary Jimmy Gnecco was done, I was very ready for sweet Aaron Marsh of Copeland. Unfortunately, the poor guy had swine flu. Despite his illness, he managed to put on a pretty good show--with only a few nasal notes and coughs into the mic. Even though he sang well, he was hilariously awkward. He was all legs and arms up there on that stage and reminded me of Paulie Bleeker from Juno. Gotta love 'im.

All in all, it was a really great weekend of shows. Even if I was sick for them all.

An Exciting Night...I Hope

Joshua Radin concert with Kathleen tonight! I'm super excited. But I'm sick... Please pray I feel better by the time we get there!

Of Babies and Ears

This evening I babysat Lindsey and Sarah C. and had the greatest time! Being with them reminded me of why I love kids/babysitting. Sometimes in the constant going from job to job I forget how much I love what I do. It's always nice to be reminded by adorable little girls. :)

Favorite quote of the night: "Look Miss Tali, I put chap stick on my picture. That's to make it prettier."

In other random news, my friend just sent me this diagram, and I'm pretty excited about it. I have a sneaking suspicion it's going to come in handy some day....

Moscow (Idaho, not Russia)

Two summers ago five young men from Moscow, Idaho came to Orlando to sell pest control. They came to my church and sat in the pew right in front of my family. So we invited them to lunch. Next Sunday they were there again and we invited them to lunch again. And again. And again. That summer we spent almost Sunday afternoon with "the Pest Control Boys." Over the course of the weeks they told us about the classical Christian college in their town called New Saint Andrews. The more I learned about it the more it sounded like the place for me.

But Idaho is thousands of miles away. Before long I mostly discarded thoughts of going there. A few months ago, however, Danny (one of the Pest Control Boys) told me I ought to at least visit the school. I love to travel, so I figured I might as well visit Idaho and add another state to my states-I've-been-to list. Here are a few pictures from my travels:

This is the Ryan's beautiful home, where I got to stay for several days.

Just behind the Ryan's house is a large yard with a barn and several sheds.

Beyond the yard are fields (now barren) and far in the distance the blue mountains, peaks enshrouded in a low-hanging fog.

The one day I remembered my camera there was a homecoming parade in Downtown Moscow. But you can kind of see New Saint Andrews there on the left. If you can't tell, it's a very small school. In fact, the student body is less than two hundred.

Remember the earlier-posted picture of the University of Idaho? This is one I took myself. Sadly, there were no brilliant leaves: an early frost stole away any chance of bright colors.

This is Danny, whose family I stayed with. He was sweet enough to pick me up at the airport, keep track of my schedule, and show me all around the town.

From left to right: Danny, Marty, Caleb (three of the PCBs) and Matt (Marty's roommate). Marty had us for lunch one afternoon, and though it was me and five guys, it was great fun.

After that lunch Danny had to work, so his friend Jessie picked me up. I helped her decorate for the NSA fall festival, and then we went to her house to dress up. I hadn't brought a costume, but we fixed me right up with clothes from her attic and a metal strainer from the kitchen cupboard.

Can anyone guess what I am?

If you couldn't tell, I was a pregnant lady from the 80s. It was slightly scandalous, but SUPER funny. ;)

It seems that wherever I go I end up doing something crazy like piercing ears or dying hair. This trip was no exception.

Sunday afternoon I dyed Danny's sister Lizzy's hair. It was pretty exciting.

Danny will kill me for posting this picture, but it's simply too funny not to share. After standing in the freezing (literally) weather for over an hour, watching a Pumpkin Rugby game that he thought he'd be playing in, he was a little chilled. So I lent him my gloves. Wasn't that kind?

These two lovely girls are Rachel and Bekah, two of Danny's four sisters. If you're wondering, that is a scarf around Bekah's head. We had a lot of fun that evening...

There you have it. Lots of random pictures and stories from my trip to Moscow. "What was the point of all that?" you might be wondering. Well, the point is that I fell in love with the people, the school, and the town of Moscow, Idaho. While there I couldn't help thinking, again and again, "I was created for a place such as this." I plan to go back.

OK, Who Took It?

I wish I were writing about my amazing trip to Idaho right now. But I can't find my camera cord. And I simply cannot post about my travels without pictures. So, until somebody 'fesses up to having hidden it...you'll just have to wait.

I know it's gonna be tough.
Take a deep breath.
You'll make it through.

It's Here!

I'm 18!

I wish I could say I awoke this morning with a sudden burst of maturity and wisdom, but I'm afraid I feel like the same li'l ole Tali Rose. But I did deviate from my "health nut" self and had cake and ice-cream for breakfast. Yum! Mom just told me all the details of my birth. I was born after she took my big brother on a hayride. Fitting, eh?

Tomorrow morning "I'm leavin' on a jet plane" (John Denver, anyone?) for Moscow, Idaho. While there I'll be visiting New Saint Andrews College and hanging out with the Pest Control Boys. And freezing to death... It's gonna be great!

This is the University of Idaho, which is also in Moscow. I can't wait to see those leaves!

Two Days and Counting

On Tuesday I got a birthday card (with money!) from my grandparents.

On Thursday Mrs. G called to apologize for missing my birthday the day before, and to say a belated happy birthday. I told her my birthday was the next Wednesday, but that I certainly didn't mind celebrating a little early.

On Saturday I got a birthday package in the mail (containing a knitted shawl and a crocheted hat from my friend Katy).

And it's not even my birthday yet! But my birthday is in just two days. Yay for birthday months!