Happy Birthday Mom... Happy 30 years Mom and Dad

I've decided to dedicate this to Mom, who is celebrating her birthday today, and Mom and Dad who celebrate 30 years of marriage tomorrow.

It never occurred to me until today actually, that Mom was born on Christmas in July. As I was watching the Phillies game this afternoon on MLB TV, I heard that they were playing Christmas music between innings. I guess this proves we never stop learning. During the Phillies game I gave Mom and call and wished her the best. I wish I could have been there to spend the day with her, but I know Dad treated her well just like he does pretty much every day of the year. It's important that we truly celebrate birthdays of people who don't always get the praise and recognition they deserve. It's for this reason that I am writing about it here. Mom always put so much energy into Katie's, Dad's, and my birthday growing up. Sometimes it would be difficult to match her standards. She would joke with us about July being her birthday month--well half joke. So since I can't be there in person today, this is so Mom knows how special of a person she is and how much she means to all of us. I know she already knows, but you can never hear it enough. Mom's is truly a life worth celebrating. I love you, Mom.

The end of July has always been a pretty hopping time in my family. Mom's birthday is immediately followed by Mom and Dad's anniversary. Summer months are good months for teachers to get married, let alone popular months for weddings in general. We were never at a loss for cakes, cards, or gifts when the 25th and 26th of July rolled around. This year is particularly special. 30 years after Mom and Dad were married, Katie and Brad got married this June. With the wedding still fresh in all of our minds and wallets, it's hard to get excited about just another anniversary. This is the other part of my entry tonight. I want to make sure that Mom and Dad's milestone, Pearl Anniversary doesn't go unnoticed. I plan to celebrate both Mom's birthday and their anniversary this week when they come to DC to visit. Well done Mom and Dad! 30 years is nothing to shake a stick at. I hope you both have another 30 in you. Wishing you a blessed and wonderful day as you look back at the years together and the years together to come...

Spain, DC reUnited, and the Mid-Summer Classic

GOOOOOOOL!!! On Sunday, Spain became only the eighth country in history to win a World Cup. They did it by defeating Netherlands, 1-0, scoring in the second extra period. It was a good match to watch. Neither team had ever won it before, so they were both playing for their first championship. Also, when I watch football, or soccer as we call it in the U.S., I love to watch the passing. Spain definitely passes the ball better than any team that was in the tournament. I wish I could have passed like that in my day. Also, I don't mean to brag, but I predicted either Spain or Netherlands from the beginning. It really didn't matter too much to me who won, but since I don't speak Dutch yet, I have more of a connection to Spain. Also, it gave me the great joy of putting up my Spanish flag outside my parents' house. Viva Espana! We definitely have the only Spanish flag on the block. Especially after the 4th of July. It's like a sea of American flags in our cul-de-sac...

I finally made it back to DC on Monday. It felt great to be back and see my housemates. I had missed them a little (shhh, don't tell them). It was great. Allison was apparently in the mood for breakfast at dinner time, so we cracked open the griddle and got cooking. She had me do the bacon since her family was never a bacon family growing up. When I heard that my mind quickly went back to the year that Mom was on sabbatical and would pack me bacon sandwiches, mmmm. I mean, come on. Bacon is the food of joy, at least according to Sarah Vowell it is. Additionally, we had pancakes and eggs. Allison got pretty creative with the pancakes. She made A's, J's, and T's for Allison, me, and Tory, respectively. It was as if the eggs had skis on the newly christened griddle. The food was delicious, but I couldn't wait to eat it with A and T. I had to hurry up and watch last week's Bachelorette, so that I'd be caught up to watch this week's with Allison. Tory even joined us for parts of it. What started as an curiosity about trash television on primetime ABC has now become a weekly ritual. So the adage goes, "curiosity killed the cat". Now I'm hooked. The running commentary from our basement peanut gallery is what makes the show enjoyable. I was pretty sad to see Kirk go this week. Only three left... I have no idea who she'll pick.

FINALLY!! As if Spain winning the World Cup wasn't enough... the National League finally won the All-Star game! After a thirteen year drought, the NL finally rose to the challenge and defeated the American League, 3-1. I watched the entire game. I'm a pretty big aficionado of baseball, but it was pretty slow for the first seven innings--a lot of great pitching I guess. Much to my dismay, it was a member of the Atlanta Braves who was the hero. I was just happy to see the NL win. So now if the Phillies can pull themselves together and top the NL East-leading Braves and win their division and make the World Series for the third straight year, they will have home-field advantage. Okay, so it's a little premature to be talking about October, but still it's exciting. Whoever wins the Pennant for the National League will be able to rest easier knowing that home-field is locked up. Speaking of rest... that sounds good right now.

Independence Day weekend in the other corner of Pennsylvania

Last Saturday, as I traveled from our nation's capital to Pittsburgh, I was flooded with emotions. One of them was relief. I wasn't sure if I would even get a seat on the bus. The Greyhound station in DC was wall-to-wall. I was relieved to have purchased a ticket just ten minutes before the bus departed.

If any of you have traveled long distances by bus, you shouldn't be surprised by my next emotion--boredom. Seven hours on a Greyhound bus is enough to make anyone crazy. Still, I couldn't complain that much. There were people heading to Columbus and even Chicago! I wish my iPod could have held a charge for more than two hours, though. I used to be able to listen to it throughout the whole trip. Now, I have to use it sparingly. Although, even the iPod couldn't have saved me from the discomfort of my lovely neighbor across the aisle who put his feet up on my seat/shoulder and fell asleep. The guy looked like he hadn't slept in days, so I adjusted my position and didn't confront him. It was pretty hard to like him at that moment, though. Oh, the people you meet when riding Greyhound...

The other emotion I had was an American feeling. It probably had something to do with traveling on the country's main bus line, Greyhound. Of course I was also wearing my Nationals 'DC' cap with the American flag on the front. Plus, Washington, D.C. was the point of origin. Then at a stop in Hagerstown, MD, we poured into McDonald's in droves for lunch/dinner. What better place to go for a taste of America than to visit the golden arches. Even though I could count the number of times I had had McDonald's within the past year on my hand, I was too hungry to pass it up. Then naturally we had the sumptuous aroma of Mickie D's on the bus. Ah yes, nothing like the sweet smell of America. It brings a whole new meaning to "freedom fries".

Skyline of Pittsburgh from the Westin Hotel

I finally arrived in Pittsburgh and all thoughts about Independence Day subsided. I was overwhelmed by other emotions. Seeing my family and friends at the CoB Annual Conference reminded me that seven measly hours on a bus, enduring unruly passengers and dead iPods is totally worth the trip. I got to see people from nearly every stage of my life--childhood, adolescence, college, BVS, the Dominican Republic, and today. The next five days were great. I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with so many friends, old and new. Being at PNC Park to watch the Phillies blow a lead and ultimately fall to the Pirates didn't upset me that much since I was there in good company--Dad, Uncle Rod, and my cousin, Ben. But seriously, how could the Phillies lose on July 4th? That should be illegal. Philadelphia is the cradle of liberty. Why couldn't they get a free pass. The theme for this year's AC was "Taking Jesus Seriously". It felt great to be a part of the community of faith gathered in Pittsburgh.

There is something wonderful about being part of a body, unit, or group. It makes you feel included, respected, and loved. The challenge we face now, as always, is how do we bring that feeling and energy into our daily lives back home. It's renewing to be surrounded by people who really like you and care for your well-being, but what about when you go back to where others don't seem to feel that way.

I'm reminded of Jerry Seinfeld's mother, "Not like you? How could anyone not like you?" Not saying that I have crazy Joe Devola after me, but the reality is, not everyone is going to like us. One thing I know I need to work on is liking the unlikable and caring for those that despise me. Easier said than done. I have a hard enough time caring for the people in my life that I love. Nevertheless, it's something to work on. I'm purposely leaving this blog unfinished. Instead of "the jury's out on this one", it's "Jerry's out on this one"--Jury is how Aunt Joan always pronounces my name, being from Delaware County Pennsylvania. Also, the pun is a tribute to Uncle Rod. I combined the two of them to arrive at the title for this blog. My commitment this time around is to actually keep this blog for longer than two months. I know you'll all be taking odds against me.

Skyline of Pittsburgh from just outside PNC Park