Gracie in Koch Land

Part 2 (see below for part 1):





So we, me, Larissa, her brother Joe, and Luke, head over to "El Toro". Larissa (a very fun 13 year old girl) and I wanted to crap our pants when we saw the drop! It looked terrifying. But we were brave and all got in line, after helping Luke hide his bag from the employees so we didn't have to rent a locker. I have to say we all made the best of what could have been a very miserable time. None of the kids knew me very well and I barely knew them. So we spent some time chatting about this and that. They talked about school and teachers and I made jokes about feeling so old. After about an hour we were up! Larissa said she wanted to ride with me so we got in the car behind to boys. And, since we were bad luck for the day, the ride was having some problems starting up. At this point we really felt doomed! But sure enough after a few minutes we took off. It was amazing! On the first drop Luke put up his very long arms (he's 6'4!) and caught someones gross sweat rag. Peoples jewelry was flying off as well. It was crazy and we all had a very good laugh for the rest of the day about it! And, I must say, it was the best roller coaster I have ever been on! So feeling good and wanting more we headed to "Rolling Thunder" and waited in line for an hour and a half for an extremely disappointing ride. Not worth the wait at all. But we laughed so hard about it it was almost worth it. By the time we got off it was 5pm, time to head to the arena for the concert we were there to see. I was so hot and tired and grumpy by this point I wanted nothing more than a shower and something tasty to eat. But we had to sit through the two bands I could care less about before we could head home. I also had an allergy attack in the arena which really did not help things.



After about two hours of sweating some more, and feeling jipped by the fact I only rode 4 rides in about 7 hours, we got to the cars... (oh, no it's not over yet)...

The Gary Mozingo Experience

This is my adventure from Saturday June 7th. I will split it into a few posts. Here's the first:

Yesterday Stephen and I went to Six Flags Great Adventure with our church. It was intended to be for the youth group but a few parents and younger kids came along as well. There were quite a few of us in total but a fun group all in all. The day started off a little nutty with figuring out who was driving and all that but we got on the road and arrived at the park around 10am. After getting in the gates we headed to "Dark Knight" which was awful. We than started sweating profusely. We rode "Nitro" which was worth the hour long wait. Than it was time for lunch (yes those two things took that long). After lunch at the cars half the group wanted to hit up some ride where water was involved. The other half wanted to ride "Superman". Stephen and I, along with our friend Mitch, had 7 teens in tow. We waited and waited in the line. We started to get sick from the sun. My head hurt and this kid Evan felt like he was going to throw up. One kid decided to get out of line to get a drink. We got his cell number and said we would call when we got off the ride. Another 20 minutes later we hear that the ride is broken down. I announce we should get some water so we don't all have heat strokes and Stephen and Mitch agree. After a much needed break we split into two groups. Mitch and Stephen took 4 of the kids and went to the log flume. I took 3 and went to the wooden coasters. Oh, did I mention it was 100 degrees with full sun? Yeah, well, it was only the beginning...

Summer of Alex

For all of you who enjoy Seinfeld you'll understand this blog. I am going to have a Summer of Alex! It's going to be me living life to the fullest (hopefully not being quite as selfish as George Costanza while doing it though), and just having alot of fun in general. I already have some big plans for my summer as well as some ideas for other things. In a few weeks I finish at work (I love being a teacher for that reason!) and I'll be off to Kentucky to spend time with my favorite sibling and her lovely family for five days. A week after that I will be leaving for Cornerstone where Stephens band will perform and I'll have see a crap load of awesome bands as well as having a much needed break from cell phones, internet, and.. well... showering. After that I plan on returning to New Jersey to spend as much time as I can with my friends, stay out late, drink coffee at diners, eat more than is natural for a person my size, try out some new baking recipes (like lemon chiffon pie!), finish packing to move (not so fun), and than move my entire life to Michigan. All in all it's going to be a great Summer of Alex! If you would like to be a part of it just let me know.

An Extra Big Thank You!

I just wanted to thank everyone who voted for Madeline to play the New Band Showcase at Cornerstone. Cause they made it!!!! They are so excited and happy and want to thank everyone who supported them in any way. And if anyone happens to be in Illinois at the end of June stop on by and see them play. Also, if you have a myspace check em out and be their friend. Also be on the look out for their soon to be recorded and released ep!

Mothers Day

So far today has been a tough mothers day for me. Since I've been older I am reminded each year that my mother does not have her mother around for this day and it makes me realize how lucky I am to have mine. But today was just tough for me in church. I have a good friend who's mom passed away six years ago from cancer. He is the oldest of five children, the youngest, Grace, a girl. Grace is one of the coolest eight year olds I know. She always has a big hug for me and I make sure to give her extra kisses and lots of attention. I am often times struck by the fact that she doesn't have a mom. And most often in those times my heart just breaks for that family. Today in church all the children were called to front for the children's message and were than offered flowers to bring to their mothers. My heart just ached for Grace. I wanted so badly to rush up and hurry her away from that scene. But knowing that I couldn't do that I just cried. After the sermon her father, who was leading the service for our absent pastor, thanked everyone in the church who is a mom to Grace. He said that he at one point asked himself how he was to raise a little girl but God blessed him with our church family. Even though my heart still aches for my friends and their loss I am able to see God's love and provision. I love Grace as my sister and I cherish here along with all the other people in my church and I know she is loved. And although no one could ever truly take the place of her mother she will never be in want of a mothers love and that is a blessing beyond measure.

I also know I am one lucky gal to have my mother right where I need her.

For all the cooks who read my blog

Whenever I want to make something but find myself (most often late at night) without something called for in the recipe I hop on the computer and open up the site FoodSubs.com. Although the site seems odd and poorly designed, everything I have gotten off their has worked so well. Just today I was making a batch of ginger cookies, which always come out differently than the recipe says they will but are delicious just the same, and I was a little short on molasses so I jumped on food subs and found honey would do the trick. And by golly I think they might taste the best yet! So if you are ever in need of a substitute ingredient foodsubs.com is the place to be!

Grand Rapids

As some of you may or may not know I am moving this summer. I am going to Grand Rapids, MI. That's right. I'm moving to the mid-west! Stephen is transferring to Calvin College and since I am rather fond of Stephen I decided to go out there too. I just got back from a trip there with my mom and I love it! It's a beautiful and safe city with lots to do and I secured a part time job as a dance teacher. I also looked at some apartments and found a few that I liked (one that I really liked!) and I just need to hear back from a few people before I make a decision. I am so excited to be getting out on my own and starting something new. I believe that Stephen and I are really going to be happy out there for the next few years and I'm excited to see where life takes us after that. Perhaps Chicago or even New England (Stephens considering Yale for his masters)! It's all very exciting and as I said I'm looking forward to something new. Here are some pictures of the apartments I liked as well as the city itself.

Finding Your Feet Again

this is what it's like
finding your feet again
the part of you that couldn't
finally thinks you can

you're taking off some time to do this
a small apartment bedroom rearranged
to know that you are loved
you're finding your feet again
the part of you that couldn't
finally thinks you can

a brownstone on a street in brooklyn
the light tier flash from temperature to time
and people do the same
you're falling asleep again
part of you a dreamer
and part of you is dreamt

and you said...

go now in the light of your god
go now in the love of your god
go now in the peace of your god
go now in the joy of your god

--Denison Witmer

That song really struck me today. I was listening to it and it really seems to encapsulate much of what I've been feeling not only this past week but the past few years. I made one of the biggest decisions of my life a year and a half ago and I got hit with some crazy stuff a year ago now. And all of it left me feeling a little like a weeble wooble. I haven't exactly fallen down but I'm not doing a very good job of standing up either. So this song really spoke to me. It's always been one of Stephens favorites and I'm glad it popped up today on my ipod. I guess I should keep that thing on shuffle more often.

Madeline for President!

I've talked about Stephens band Madeline before. Well they need your help! They are trying for the chance to play at the Cornerstone Festival this summer in Illinois. But they need votes! If you go to: http://www.cornerstonefestival.com/newbandshowcase/index.cfm register (you won't get any junk mail, I promise), and vote they will be that much closer to having the chance of a lifetime!!! Please please please! It only takes a minute!

Yeasty!

I used to be terribly afraid of yeast breads. I always made quick breads. But fairly recently I decided to make some yeast bread. I tackled the first one with my mom and after one failure of not adding the proper amount of flour (my fault), we came out with a yummy honey oatmeal bread. Being that I'm not a big honey oatmeal bread fan I decided to make some soft white sandwich bread. It made two very good loaves and I popped both loaves (sliced) into the freezer and my mom made french toast out of one loaf and it was amazing! So I recently made another two loaves and sliced one thick and we had another round of french toast. After the yummy white bread I thought focaccia would be the next practical step. It was! I made olive and rosemary focaccia and the next day Stephen and I made some spicy panini's out of it! Now all I want to make are yeast breads. I'm glad I'm getting back into my adventurous side of baking.