Tuesday, May 22, 2007
On To Indy
HIM: I'm waiting for Vanessa, her mom and Sebastian to arrive in Bedford. The work day is essentially over, but in 10 minutes we'll be on our way to Indianapolis for the next 2 days. We're staying at the Hilton Garden Inn just off of the Circle downtown. Hopefully, we'll get some swimming and hot tub time, in addition to the requisite museum/zoo'ish visitation while we're in Indy. We'll have a full review of the trip when we get back, so be sure to check back. Who knows what we'll encounter on this adventure...
Monday, May 14, 2007
Jesus Comes to Dinner...
HIM: While common in the Spanish-speaking world, there are few Americans who pay Jesus the Christ homage by naming their children after him. As a result, it is a surprise to most who hear the name spoken here. Now, Vanessa's father is named Jesus (pronounced hay-soo-s in Spanish) and I don't hesitate to make my friends do a double-take. I rather enjoy the questioning look and comical pause I get when saying "Jesus is coming to dinner tomorrow," or "I met Jesus last week."
That being said, Jesus had dinner with us last night. Delegates from Vanessa's family met with delegates from my family for Mother's Day. The results were good.
We got the night off to a shaky start, though, when my mom seemed to forget that we were bringing and cooking dinner for the group. She thawed steaks and readied the sides while we were on the other side of town doing the same. I say "we", but I really mean Vanessa. She has a fluency of coordination in the kitchen that renders my assistance, at best, somewhat helpful. Regardless, we got the prime rib, pasta, spinach dip, and mousse loaded up in the car and headed over to my parents' house.
The introductions went well, from what I gather. While unloading the dishes, our parents seemed to approach each other without too much nudging. :)
We succeeded in grilling the steaks and plating the food while our parents talked and my sisters (Annie and Vanessa -- 'Ness) entertained themselves. Dinner was delicious, as expected, and everyone slid into the living room to digest their meal.
Unfortunately, my mom has no sense of comfort, so Vanessa's parents awkwardly eeked out a spot after some prompting and sat down. In what could be a very engaging and entertaining gathering place, the room succeeds in neither asthetics nor function. The walls are cluttered with knick-knacks and furniture that have no place (in the universe, let alone the house), so they should obviously be prominently featured in the most important room. [End housekeeping critique]
Vanessa's mom gave mine a beautiful, handmade, silver peacock that she brought from Peru as a visitor's gift. It was a very nice gesture. To round it out, Vanessa offered my sisters access to some clothing that she was thinking of donating to Goodwill. The girls were invited to come over and dig through her collection another night.
Sebastian got to spend some time awake (having napped through dinner) and played for a while with his toys and Ness. It wasn't long, though, before everyone sank low into their seats, too fatigued themselves to rally any stirring conversation or activities.
We had a great 3 hours at my parents' house. It was a memorable time and I look forward to more nights like it.
Having discussed the evening's events, I have to say that I feel sorry that there hasn't been more for Vanessa's parents to do while they've been here these last 2 weeks. We don't have the breadth of activities that the big city offers in Salem, and many of the activities that we did in the city were shopping related. Hopefully, they're not too bored and are having a good time. I know that it's been exciting for them to visit with Sebastian and I'm very happy to meet them. However, Jesus leaves on Wednesday and there is just so much more we could have done...
That being said, Jesus had dinner with us last night. Delegates from Vanessa's family met with delegates from my family for Mother's Day. The results were good.
We got the night off to a shaky start, though, when my mom seemed to forget that we were bringing and cooking dinner for the group. She thawed steaks and readied the sides while we were on the other side of town doing the same. I say "we", but I really mean Vanessa. She has a fluency of coordination in the kitchen that renders my assistance, at best, somewhat helpful. Regardless, we got the prime rib, pasta, spinach dip, and mousse loaded up in the car and headed over to my parents' house.
The introductions went well, from what I gather. While unloading the dishes, our parents seemed to approach each other without too much nudging. :)
We succeeded in grilling the steaks and plating the food while our parents talked and my sisters (Annie and Vanessa -- 'Ness) entertained themselves. Dinner was delicious, as expected, and everyone slid into the living room to digest their meal.
Unfortunately, my mom has no sense of comfort, so Vanessa's parents awkwardly eeked out a spot after some prompting and sat down. In what could be a very engaging and entertaining gathering place, the room succeeds in neither asthetics nor function. The walls are cluttered with knick-knacks and furniture that have no place (in the universe, let alone the house), so they should obviously be prominently featured in the most important room. [End housekeeping critique]
Vanessa's mom gave mine a beautiful, handmade, silver peacock that she brought from Peru as a visitor's gift. It was a very nice gesture. To round it out, Vanessa offered my sisters access to some clothing that she was thinking of donating to Goodwill. The girls were invited to come over and dig through her collection another night.
Sebastian got to spend some time awake (having napped through dinner) and played for a while with his toys and Ness. It wasn't long, though, before everyone sank low into their seats, too fatigued themselves to rally any stirring conversation or activities.
We had a great 3 hours at my parents' house. It was a memorable time and I look forward to more nights like it.
Having discussed the evening's events, I have to say that I feel sorry that there hasn't been more for Vanessa's parents to do while they've been here these last 2 weeks. We don't have the breadth of activities that the big city offers in Salem, and many of the activities that we did in the city were shopping related. Hopefully, they're not too bored and are having a good time. I know that it's been exciting for them to visit with Sebastian and I'm very happy to meet them. However, Jesus leaves on Wednesday and there is just so much more we could have done...
Monday, May 7, 2007
Vanessa's Parents Arrive
HIM: Vanessa's parents arrived from Lima on Wednesday. Since then we have been out AND in to dinner (blue cheese and portabella mushroom prime rib last night!), seen Spider Man 3, explored French Lick Casino (where Vanessa broke even with a $5.00 investment...), tasted some wines at the French Lick Winery, and drove through Indiana University's Bloomington campus. After last night's delicious feast, Sebastian and I took his little toy work bench outside and sanded down his walking stick. We got it nice and smooth, then sealed it with some spray stain.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Space Adventures
HIM: Sebastian, Vanessa and I went to Dairy Queen for a treat, then hiked in the woods behind my parents' house yesterday. It was a lot of fun! Sebastian is brilliant, with a huge imagination. It's plain to see that he got some of Vanessa's charm and sense of wonder... =)
We began the journey unloading the spaceship (van) on the planet Newkirk II (my parents' driveway - my father being Frank Newkirk II) and started off beyond the abandoned outpost (my parents and sister were gone to some ball game). As we walked down the hill past a nearby settlement, I handed Sebastian a small walking stick appropriate for his size and readied my machete (don't leave home... or the solar system... without it ;)
We began the journey unloading the spaceship (van) on the planet Newkirk II (my parents' driveway - my father being Frank Newkirk II) and started off beyond the abandoned outpost (my parents and sister were gone to some ball game). As we walked down the hill past a nearby settlement, I handed Sebastian a small walking stick appropriate for his size and readied my machete (don't leave home... or the solar system... without it ;)
We took off into the unknown. I led the way, followed by Sebastian, with Vanessa guarding our flank. I cut through under and overgrowth, tearing dead branches from our path every few steps. We wandered back and around the old paths that me and my sisters frequented when we were children. While some of the more memorable landmarks (the cove and the marshes) were vastly different now, we managed to find our way about.
I commented about what a good explorer Sebastian was. He agreed, noting that he was also a good "Slipper" (having several times lost his footing traversing the tiny mounds that peppered our path). Vanessa and I laughed. I asked Sebastian what created the paths that we walked on and we discovered space deer tracks. He noted that space spiders and bats were preferrable travel companions to deer.
As the journey wore on, we upgraded his little, one-handed walking stick to a two-handed, massive (but appropriately weighted) wooden mace (wielded as a sword) and Vanessa was given the task of squire to hold his walking stick.
We pressed on, exploring each path to its end before going back to find other paths. I found him sufficiently dead and brittle foliage that he could "defend" us from with his weapon. We saw spaceships (airplanes from the Salem Airport) fly overhead several times and passed a deep ravine.
When at last we reached the end, across the way, we saw the wintery mountains of Rokk (the quarry stockpiles behind the woods) and turned around. By this time the sun had retreated and begun to leave shadows in its stead. The space wolves would be out with the failing of the day's light. We had time enough to make it back, so long as we returned at a determined pace.
Pressed for time, we wound our way back through the woods and Vanessa managed a few great pictures of Sebastian whacking his way through the greenery. We came across familiar landmarks and, at last, exited the space forest. We then returned to the outpost and availed ourselves of some drinks and merriment before hopping in our spaceship and heading home.
Our exploration of Newkirk II was a success... today. Who knows what adventures await us on our next expedition!
Friday, April 20, 2007
Mommy Has Boy Fingers!!!
HER: When I was a little girl after having my hair cut, I developed the idea that people might think I look like a boy. And today, my son, Sebastian confirmed the idea that I may have boy features.... (People always say that kids say the tuth...)
SEBASTIAN: Mommy! I would like to have Goblin's toe nails!!!
VANESSA: Goblin's toe nails?
SEBASTIAN: YEAH!!! They wear blue toe nails.
VANESSA: ... ...
*looks at Frank*
FRANK: Sebastian, you have boy nails just like me, because we are boys! :D
SEBASTIAN: YEAH! Boy nails. What colour are your nails mom?
*looking at Vanessa's painted toe nails*
VANESSA: They are colored.
FRANK: Mommy has girl toe nails, and we have boy toe nails.
SEBASTIAN: YEAH, my mom has girl toe nails. I have boy toe nails and boy finger nails, just like yours Frank.
*looking at Vanessa's UNpainted finger nails*
And my mom has boy fingers too!
HIM: It was a funny thing to suddenly hear Sebastian talk about painted toe nails. Now, I can't imagine anyone EVER thinking Vanessa has boy features, but even at the age of 3 Sebastian obviously constructs his world logically:
If boys do not have painted toe nails,
and girls do have painted toe nails.
Then boys should not have painted finger nails,
and girls should have painted finger nails.
Thus a girl with unpainted finger nails has boy fingers.
Such a sharp kid... You can feel how his mind quickly processes the information around him and synthesizes appropriate perspective based off of it. Vanessa has every reason to be extremely proud of him and of the job she's done raising him. It makes me so happy to be a part of their little family... =)
SEBASTIAN: Mommy! I would like to have Goblin's toe nails!!!
VANESSA: Goblin's toe nails?
SEBASTIAN: YEAH!!! They wear blue toe nails.
VANESSA: ... ...
*looks at Frank*
FRANK: Sebastian, you have boy nails just like me, because we are boys! :D
SEBASTIAN: YEAH! Boy nails. What colour are your nails mom?
*looking at Vanessa's painted toe nails*
VANESSA: They are colored.
FRANK: Mommy has girl toe nails, and we have boy toe nails.
SEBASTIAN: YEAH, my mom has girl toe nails. I have boy toe nails and boy finger nails, just like yours Frank.
*looking at Vanessa's UNpainted finger nails*
And my mom has boy fingers too!
HIM: It was a funny thing to suddenly hear Sebastian talk about painted toe nails. Now, I can't imagine anyone EVER thinking Vanessa has boy features, but even at the age of 3 Sebastian obviously constructs his world logically:
If boys do not have painted toe nails,
and girls do have painted toe nails.
Then boys should not have painted finger nails,
and girls should have painted finger nails.
Thus a girl with unpainted finger nails has boy fingers.
Such a sharp kid... You can feel how his mind quickly processes the information around him and synthesizes appropriate perspective based off of it. Vanessa has every reason to be extremely proud of him and of the job she's done raising him. It makes me so happy to be a part of their little family... =)
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Saving Lives!!!
HER: "Saving lives" There is actually an inside but famous story (R RATED) with this phrase that I learnt the first time I hung out with Frank.
Curiously, by the end of this week I will be certified by the Washington County Fire Department and Washington County Hospital to do this LEGALLY!
If you are reading this and you know the story you might be wondering if she will do that after a wine event or at night during the summer? But if you aren't you might be asking yourself, "What in the world is she talking about?" and, "What is she going to do now?" Well, my dear friend, you can sleep well tonight and not fear my actions. I just wanted to share with you that I completed an AED & CPR TRAINING CLASS tonight!
HIM: *laughing* Okay, if you are actually wondering what she's talking about, Vanessa will be certifiable... er, certified to bring people back to life, NOT legally hang out with me (a U.N. resolution ratified in 1992 made that an international crime - adherence "optional" of course...). Vanessa has the spirit of a hero. Those of you who know her, know it to be true. Any skills she picks up, like AED or CPR, would be put to good use. She is quite capable of saving lives.
Which brings us to the ACTUAL early conversation about "saving lives"... It is really a very inspiring tale. And it begins somewhere in New York State:
Having just attended a midnight concert by Matchbox 20 (opened with Eagle Eye Cherry), my German friend Sebastian (where are you now old buddy???) and I were returning to our campsite north of Buffalo. The drive back was going to take almost two hours and we were both exhausted. Determined to make it home, and with few other options, we set out at 2:00 am.
There was no one on the road for most of the trip and Sebastian eventually fell asleep in the passenger seat. As we rode on, my eye lids began to droop. It was so late... I remember starting to doze off. So, I stopped at a darkened (abandoned?) gas station and tried to take a nap. I sat, awake for 10 minutes before deciding that we'd have to press on. There was still no one else on this road going north.
After driving another leg of the trip, I began to drift off again (Caution: Dozing and driving is a STUPID and CARELESS and INCONSIDERATE thing to do! DO NOT DO IT!). Luckily, a car pulled up behind and passed me. I noticed that it was a girl (!!!). Sleep deprived and bored senseless (literally...) I was captivated by this girl and decided to pass her. I was starting to wake up... I elbowed Sebastian and pointed out the car. I explained how the girl and I had been playing leapfrog for most of the way since the gas station.
We were almost to the campsite now. Only a few miles left and the girl was driving our way. Was she a camper? Would she be interested in heading to Niagra Falls with us the following day? All these thoughts were bouncing around in my now-awakened mind as we drove.
Suddenly, at the last turn-off before the camp, she pulled off at an exit and left us to continue our journey alone. As I watched her ride up and away, I realized that my guardian angel had escorted us safely back. To this day, I KNOW that a disaster was averted by this divine messenger.
Fast Forward:
So, Vanessa and I are visiting Matt, Misty and Jenny in Bloomington, and I get to tell that story. In conclusion, I mention that you just never know how the small things you do can make a huge difference in someone's life. And that I encouraged everyone to be conscious of that influence when driving. It might "save lives". Now, there was some discussion of quick techniques to get and hold another driver's attention... But we'll leave those up to your imagination, dear reader.
Curiously, by the end of this week I will be certified by the Washington County Fire Department and Washington County Hospital to do this LEGALLY!
If you are reading this and you know the story you might be wondering if she will do that after a wine event or at night during the summer? But if you aren't you might be asking yourself, "What in the world is she talking about?" and, "What is she going to do now?" Well, my dear friend, you can sleep well tonight and not fear my actions. I just wanted to share with you that I completed an AED & CPR TRAINING CLASS tonight!
HIM: *laughing* Okay, if you are actually wondering what she's talking about, Vanessa will be certifiable... er, certified to bring people back to life, NOT legally hang out with me (a U.N. resolution ratified in 1992 made that an international crime - adherence "optional" of course...). Vanessa has the spirit of a hero. Those of you who know her, know it to be true. Any skills she picks up, like AED or CPR, would be put to good use. She is quite capable of saving lives.
Which brings us to the ACTUAL early conversation about "saving lives"... It is really a very inspiring tale. And it begins somewhere in New York State:
Having just attended a midnight concert by Matchbox 20 (opened with Eagle Eye Cherry), my German friend Sebastian (where are you now old buddy???) and I were returning to our campsite north of Buffalo. The drive back was going to take almost two hours and we were both exhausted. Determined to make it home, and with few other options, we set out at 2:00 am.
There was no one on the road for most of the trip and Sebastian eventually fell asleep in the passenger seat. As we rode on, my eye lids began to droop. It was so late... I remember starting to doze off. So, I stopped at a darkened (abandoned?) gas station and tried to take a nap. I sat, awake for 10 minutes before deciding that we'd have to press on. There was still no one else on this road going north.
After driving another leg of the trip, I began to drift off again (Caution: Dozing and driving is a STUPID and CARELESS and INCONSIDERATE thing to do! DO NOT DO IT!). Luckily, a car pulled up behind and passed me. I noticed that it was a girl (!!!). Sleep deprived and bored senseless (literally...) I was captivated by this girl and decided to pass her. I was starting to wake up... I elbowed Sebastian and pointed out the car. I explained how the girl and I had been playing leapfrog for most of the way since the gas station.
We were almost to the campsite now. Only a few miles left and the girl was driving our way. Was she a camper? Would she be interested in heading to Niagra Falls with us the following day? All these thoughts were bouncing around in my now-awakened mind as we drove.
Suddenly, at the last turn-off before the camp, she pulled off at an exit and left us to continue our journey alone. As I watched her ride up and away, I realized that my guardian angel had escorted us safely back. To this day, I KNOW that a disaster was averted by this divine messenger.
Fast Forward:
So, Vanessa and I are visiting Matt, Misty and Jenny in Bloomington, and I get to tell that story. In conclusion, I mention that you just never know how the small things you do can make a huge difference in someone's life. And that I encouraged everyone to be conscious of that influence when driving. It might "save lives". Now, there was some discussion of quick techniques to get and hold another driver's attention... But we'll leave those up to your imagination, dear reader.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Faces :D
HER: Sebastian is one of those few out there who does not like to have his picture taken. That became a bit of a challenge last week, since he had his first school pictures taken.
Here a few memorable shots taken the day before that I wanted to share with you....
Here a few memorable shots taken the day before that I wanted to share with you....
HIM: That being said, we had a blast last weekend, when we got a picture taken with all three of us. There was a very nice photographer who tossed a little toy to Sebastian every picture to distract him from his usual photoshyness. While, the lady who took the photo order was a little put off by having to work that day, we enjoyed ourselves and the photographer disappeared before we could thank him for being awesome with Sebastian. Keep an eye out for the scanned version of that picture in the next couple of weeks (or as soon as they come in... ;)
Loading up!!
Annie and I at the Mall
HER: Recently, We got the chance to hang out with Annie (Frank's youngest sister). I had a Blast! LAUGHS!..... JOKES..... SONGS..... a LITTLE BIT OF THESE AND THAT! Quite an adventure I must say.... It was a cold Easter eve day. So we decided to load ourselves up with Caffeine and head to the Mall (HA HA!).
What I didn't know was that there were energy levels, and that Energy drinks affected people in different ways...
So far these are the levels that I have come up with:
Regular person + Energy drink = Energetic person
Energetic person + Energy drink = Brain dead
Hey guys! Which way should we go?
Pretending to be serious......
HIM: As a result of our day out and 2 cans of energy drink as big as her head, Annie continued to bounce around when she got home. She marched around the house professing: "I hate energy drinks. I hate energy drinks. I hate energy drinks," repeatedly for what seemed like 10 minutes as the effects continued on... and on... and on... We both liken the event to this classic cartoon ("Feelin' woozy!") and hope that she steers clear of the caffeine. It was an awesome day in Clarksville, just the same. And I love those pictures of Vanessa and Annie!
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Happy Easter!
HIM: So, we had a great Easter weekend! Starting with an Easter egg hunt at Riley's Place and ending with another at church. Sebastian's hunting prowess landed him on the front page of the Salem Leader newspaper with an action shot:
It was freezing, but we nabbed some chocolate and cookies from the events. :) After that, Vanessa and Sebastian joined the Newkirk household on Saturday night. We had dinner, played around and enjoyed good family fun!
It was freezing, but we nabbed some chocolate and cookies from the events. :) After that, Vanessa and Sebastian joined the Newkirk household on Saturday night. We had dinner, played around and enjoyed good family fun!
Friday, April 6, 2007
Personal Flight Revisited!
HIM: Okay, so I spent a little while following the wikipedia links on jetpacks and came across wingsuit flying! :O
It's well known that I consider skydiving the ultimate personal challenge. If you can jump from a plane and fall a few thousand feet toward this big ball 'o rock called Earth, then you can do anything! To make it even more awesome, wingsuits sound like the most exciting of the exciting! I think I'm getting randy just thinking about it... ;D
How can you argue with this?!
If anyone else is interested in giving these adventures a try, let me know! I'd also be interested in trying paragliding, hangliding or any other such skyward craziness!
It's well known that I consider skydiving the ultimate personal challenge. If you can jump from a plane and fall a few thousand feet toward this big ball 'o rock called Earth, then you can do anything! To make it even more awesome, wingsuits sound like the most exciting of the exciting! I think I'm getting randy just thinking about it... ;D
How can you argue with this?!If anyone else is interested in giving these adventures a try, let me know! I'd also be interested in trying paragliding, hangliding or any other such skyward craziness!
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