Goodnight Chicago!

Chicago was a brilliant pit stop.  So fun!  We had a day FULL to the brim with exploration.  We started at the Art Institute o Chicago where my mom was in heaven.  We found her favorite artists, and she was so giddy - like a kid in a candy store!  The exhibits were pretty fantastic, my favorite being miniature rooms fashioned after 18th century European homes.  

After that , we jumped on a double decker bus for a tour of the city.  I don't usually do touristy things like this (I usually hop on the wrong subways, spend half my day looking at maps, and accidentally spend $20 on a ticket that costs $2), but I loved it!  It was so nice to just be able to sit and enjoy the scenery, an be dropped at any stop we wanted to explore.  

We were very impressed with all the beautiful architecture, beautiful old buildings in the shadow of modern humongous ones.  Some of our favorite parts were the bean (an awesome reflective kidney bean that reflected the skyline), the Navy Pier, and the city lit up at night.  In the evening when all the lights turned on an the city came to life, it was pretty fantastical.  My mom rode on her first subway - we took the wron train, almost got the doors closed on us, and were sitting next to a belligerent drunk guy, but she never complained.  

This morning on our way out o Chicago, we stopped in to have breakfast with my great aunt Anita.  She was so sweet!  We sat over coffee an talked about family, travel, and the adorable story of how she and my uncle Gerome met.  As we said good-bye, she stood in her garden and blew us a kiss.  

I have absolutely loved this part of my trip, finding family everywhere - connecting, sharing food, sharing stories, and always feeling the love.  

My favorite piece in the museum

My mom and her art love

Adorable art bears

The reflective bean!

Goodnight Chicago!

Me and Anita

Windy City or Bust?

Pastor Stuart invited us to Church Sunday morning, so of course we went!  There is something special about going to church in a small town.  The community is small, but so faithful!  On Sunday, there were about 18 people at church, and the atmosphere was full of joy.  

Pastor Stuart welcomed us at the beginning of service, and when we shared peace, everyone welcomed us with big smiles.  I absolutely loved the close, casual vibe.  It was like a conversation between the congregation and pastor.  As he was giving his sermon, people would respond , or comment as they felt.  We laughed during church, and kids raised their hands to share prayers that were in their mind.  

And I loved listening to Pastor Stuart.  He is such a passionate and loving man, and as he spoke you could hear the love in his voice.  During one of the hymns he teared up, and shared that the way the beautiful music  honors the history it holds on the church touches him. 

After church we spent time chatting over coffee.  No one knew anything about our family but we adored the company all the same.  Zwingle may be small, but the love and community is huge!  I love that little town!  

After Zwingle, my mom and I decided to head to Chicago.  We had no plans for the next 2 nights, and figured - why not?  It's only 3 hours away. On the road, up until Chicago, our scenery was still just corn and soy beans!  Farm country.

Per Pastor Stuart's recommendation, we stopped at a delicious pizzeria, for Chicago'a signature deep dish pizza.  Oh my gosh!  My mouth is salivating just thinking about it!  And Gino's East had a very cool, artsy vibe.  Turns out everyone in Chicago has an alliance to a different pizza joint (every person recommended a different place as best pizza) but we thought ours was pretty awesome.  Then we walked around some shops and buildings on the magnificent mile. We went up trump tower, and I was freaked out!  Too tall for me.  My favorite building was the Chicago Tribune building, engraved with powerful quotes about freedom of speech.  

We were super excited for our unexpected stop in the Windy City!  We got a hotel outside the city, ready to explore the next day!

 

The United Harmony Church of Christ

Chicago city skyline

My mom at Gino's East

Me!  Seriously.  I want some! So worth the lactose intolerant attack.

The Chicago Tribune Tower

Zwingle

One of the main reasons my mom and I are together for the last leg of my trip, is because my moms side of the family comes from a little town in Iowa - called Zwingle.  We headed their Saturday afternoon in search of some family history.  When we got to Zwingle. . . We laughed about how small it was.  It's about 3 blocks long, population 93.  We were looking for the church my great, great, great, great grandpa founded.  The only businesses on the 3 block strip are a bar, post office and church, so it wasn't hard to find.  The church was locked, so we went into the Cemetery and found our relatives.  FC Bauman ( my great 4x grandpa) and his wife have a headstone closest to the church.  He was the Reverend of United Harmony Church of Christ from the late 1800s until 1905. We also found my great great grandma (his great granddaughter), Blanch Estella (who my sister Hannah Estelle) was named after.  Grandma Estella was the organist for the church. 

While we were walking around the graveyard, a dog started barking at us from the neighbors house.  A young boy came out and apologized, saying the dog was very protective of the graves.  I asked him about the church, and he said "Well, my dad is the pastor, hang on."  Perfect!  

Pastor Stuart was so wonderful!  He was welcoming, and spent time showing us around the church and giving us some history.  Stuart had read our grandpa's journal - he was reverend from 1859-1905, and made 75 dollars per year!

While looking through records, we found old documents, another one of our grandpas journals, and he even gave us copies of big black and white pictures of our Grandma Estella playing the organ!  

We felt super blessed to be there, sitting and learning in part of our history.  That evening my mom and I went to Dubuque, to spend the night.  We spent a lovely evening walking along the Mississippi, listening to some live music over wine, and hanging out a a roadside motel. We even went to a casino to bet 5 bucks.  my mom had never been before, and she won 7 bucks!  All in all- we had an amazing day!  

Zwingle!  We found it!

My mom and Pastor Stuart looking through pictures

That's my great, great grandma Estella playing the organ!

Dangling our feet over the Mississippi 

My ancestors, and church founders, FC Bauman and Elizabeth Cort

Stained glass window dedicated to our grandpa

My mom winning at the casino! 

Our grandparents with the church

With my great, great grandma Estella. 

Steamboat Rock on the Iowa

Thursday was full of our Mexico friends (not to be confused with our Mexican friends).  After getting our hearts full with the Hindys, we spent the night at the Schuller's.  Six years ago we met John and his son Marcus in Mexico, and the next year he brought his wife Joan and his daughter Abby.  We felt a super strong connection with these Iowa friends, and have stayed in contact over the years. 

Even though we hadn't seen these friends for 5 years, after spending only an hour with Joan and John, it felt like we had seen each other every day.  They made my mom and I feel right at home - putting us up in their beautiful home on the river in Steamboat Rock.  

Our first night after catching up over wine, John took me on a night adventure tour.  It was pouring down rain, and when we were walking over a railroad bridge, a raccoon started prowling towards us.   I was ready to run, or jump in the river or something, but luckily John scared it away. 

The next day, John and Joan took us on a tour of their adorable town - right on the Iowa River. John and I floated the river on tubes while my mom and John worked on some decorations for their daughter's upcoming wedding.  The river was really fun, super cold, but absolutely beautiful.  Being in the land of corn, we got our corn diplomas while with the Schullers.  We saw the anatomy of a corn stalk, learned about seeds and tassels, and got the political and economical low down of the fields and farmers.  

In the evening, Marcus came home from Cedar Rapids.  We had a great dinner, made s'mores at the fire,  and star gazed in the parking lot - the stars in the open sky of Iowa were breathtaking!  We saw some shooting stars and made lots of wishes. 

On Saturday, my mom and I had to say good-bye.  It was so hard to leave!  They took such good care of us, and fed us such delicious bacon! Bacon is my favorite food, and having farm fresh bacon was definitely a high light in Steamboat for me.  

Thank you John and Joan for all your hospitality, for feeding our bellies, for being excellent tour guides, and for all the friendship and love.  Ya'll are pretty special people and we already can't wait to come back to Iowa.

My mom, Joan and John talking at the Iowa River

Iowa is so green and beautiful!  The state motto is "Fields of opportunities"

John prepping for team meeting

At the fire

Zombies and stewardship

Late Wednesday night, my mom flew into town to partake in my Iowa adventure. We went to Zombie burger for a late dinner, and had fun eating the crazy zombie named food, and writing a poem about my burger for the resturaunt.  My burger was called "Undead Elvis" and had peanut butter, fried bananas, Baccon, and an egg.  I had to try it because of how ridiculous it sounded.  It was good one bite, then weird the next - so I left unable to decide my judgment.

On Thursday, after staying at Hotel Annie, we drove up to see our friends Steve and Mary Hinderhofer, 2 of the most faithful and giving souls I've ever known.  We met these two many years ago building houses in Mexico.  The second year we went down with them, we were there when Steve proposed to Mary.  And now they have 3 kids! We haven't seen these guys in 4 years, and now they have a houseful.  

It was great to catch up, play with all their adorable kids (Tommy, Manny and Danny), and be part of some of the amazing stewardship Steve has dedicated his life to.  Steve started an organization called "2 Coats," and it is a community support system.  The idea is that everyone has 2 coats, and can always spare one for someone in need.  This is then generalized to everything in life.  People have stuff, time and talent they can spare and share.  

As we all were hanging out in the house, 2 different neighbors stopped by to give them food, stuff they made or stuff from the garden - and we were so surprised!  Their community is so giving, and Steve says that happens all the time.  The world should be following the example of this small town of Grundy Center, Iowa.  

Steve also started a community garden, where he invites the community to help and harvest, and then he cooks food and they share meal.  As I weeded alongside Steve, I realized how much I missed working alongside him.  His energy, his passion, his devotion and love for community and God . . . He's one of those guys that inspire you to be a better person.  Plus he has a contagious giggle.  

It was so awesome to spend time with these friends.  They have a beautiful family, and are amazing parents, and I can't wait to see (and come back to experience!) the difference they will make in the world. 

At Zombie Burger in Des Moines

Our poem about my burger

The beautiful Hindys, they are loved and Wanted!

Steve cooking food in the garden

Iowa

On Monday night, I flew into Des Moines to hang out with my soul friend Annie.  We met building houses in Mexico, and became friends in the back of the vans making sarcastic comments and causing general mischief.  

In Des Moines we caught up on life, ate good food and reminisced about 90s music.  Iowa has this awesome bike race called Ragbrai, and it's a ride across the state.  The riders bike anywhere from 40-90 miles per day, and each town they stop at, there's a big party, concert, food and mayhem.  Tuesday night the riders came through Des Moines, and we got to see prep work for the party.  We tried to wait for the 10,000 bikers to come zooming past us, but they never really did. We saw about 10. Apparently the rest were at the camp ground down the way. Or were still partying in the city before.  

On Wednesday Annie's best friend Stacy came into town - she also built with us in Mexico.  Annie and Stacy are 2 o the funniest people I have ever met, and I got my fill of laughter.  

Apparently I didn't get any pictures of my friends while I was with them! So, these will have to do. . . 

Here is Annie. . . 

And here is Stacy, Whose nickname is Hoody.  

Des Moines Capitol 

A cool statue full of letters at the Papa John statue park

kambupuSpI

While visiting New York, I got to stay with one of my very favorite families, the Subaiyas.  I met them last year while nannying for their grandson in Boston, and I finally just now took them up on their offer to stay with them in New York.  

Sheila and Paul are such wonderful and fascinating people - I could listen to their stories for days.  They fed me delicious authentic Indian food, and taught me to eat with my fingers - I need lots more practice with that one.  Paul took me to church, and I taught Sheila how to play Candy Crush saga.  

I met their beautiful aunt - Auntie, and I spent one evening learning all about Hinduism.  I learned a little Sanskrit (kambupuSpI means love in case you were qondering) and watched some Bollywood.  

My favorite part was calling Elizabeth on Skype and letting her meet the family.  Together Elizabeth and I learned about a Hindu tradition to honor the deity of wealth and prosperity, Elizabeth got to share some of her art with the family, and  Sheila gave Elizabeth a few wedding presents from her prayer room.  It was such a fun night, and I love that my sister could be part of it.  

My stay was altogether too short, and I can't wait to be back again!  Thank you Paul and Sheil a for all your generosity and sharing so much with me.  Blessings to you and Auntie!

Sheila showing me the prayer room

New York, New York

Yesterday, taking the advice of my mother, I went to New York for lunch.  My gracious host family I was staying with on Long Island put me on a train to spend 7 hours in the city.  I had a great day!  

While many people might choose to visit the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building, I headed straight for FAO Schwartz.  I needed to play with some toys and listen to kids laughing.  I had a ball!  

Then I had a picnic lunch in Central Park overlooking the city.  I went to a candy shop, and climbed the Trump Tower.  I found my old roommate from Texas, Cheryl!  We only had 20 minutes to catch up, but it was so great to see her and snag a few hugs.  

I ended the day in Times Square at sunset.  There were so many people! I climbed a staircase and  got to be on one of the jumbo trons.  

As I sprinted toward my train, I couldn't help take a few pictures of people on the street.  It made me smile to see people being their crazy, bold selves.  I only had 7 hours, short an sweet and just enough for me. 

Playing the giant piano from BIG!

 

My view at lunch

My old Roomie!

Time Square

Oh there I am. . . Doing the 'I Love You' sign on the far left of the Jumbo Tron

And here is Naked Cowboy, as his underwear introduces himself

Adios Connecticut

It was definitely hard to leave Connecticut.  I spent so much restorative time there - on the water, reading, running on the beach, sitting in a cottage listening to the sounds of the ocean.  I absolutely loved my stay, and already look forward to going back.  

It was so lovely to be able to talk with Therese and spend so much time with my aunt that I don't often see.  She is such a wealth of knowledge and has such a genuine soul.  On our last days together we went to a Barnum museum (that was under repair due to damage from a tornado) and learned some interesting history of Tom Thumb and Barnum's life as a prankster.  And Therese got me hooked on a PBS show we would watch at night - Merlin.  

I always think of David as such a fun uncle, always good for playing outside and joking around.  And this time around, I learned from David that his dog Marty McFly is the BEST dog in the world.  I tried deny it at first, but that dog seriously is cute.  He is David's buddy and follows him everywhere, and Marty was my running buddy a few days.

I also got to spend much needed time with my cousins  I am very impressed with them both.  With Matthew, I got to talk about adventure and travel.  He has some wanderlust in his soul, and I can't wait to hear where the wind will blow him.  I also got to work as crew under him during a sail race, and learned that he runs a tight ship and means business!  

Jason invited me to stay later than I had planned, so that we could spend time when he was off work.  So Friday night and Saturday it was just me and Jason - everyone else had left.  Jason was so sweet, he took me out to dinner and ice cream.  In all the talking we got to do, we learned a lot about each other!  And I feel lucky to have him as a cousin - he's a pretty cool guy.  And I am in awe of how much self awareness he has, and how focused he is on the goals in his life.  I could use some of that laser focus!  

The next day he took me to the cottage, and we took the motorboat out to get lunch at the yacht club.  And then I got inducted into a Raymond family tradition. . . Dam building!  We built a huge dam, somewhere between 100 and 150 feet long.  It was so fun!

Thank you Raymonds, for taking such good care of me, and showing me such a good time.  Love you all!  Feel free to send Marty over to me if you get tired of playing fetch with him . . . 

Marty McFly

Jason and I channeling our inner Beaver, and building a dam

Reclaim Your Youth

I'm reading a book right now called "The Mastery of Love."  It is a beautiful book talking about the human condition, and how to reconnect with our true, authentic selves.  And do you know what author Don Miguel Ruiz and the ancient Mexican Toltec tell us our authentic selves are . . . . . the children inside us!

This idea is a recurring theme that has come up for me over the last year.  Nearly a year ago, I attended a workshop that helped me start rekindling the relationship with that little girl inside me - and I just don't want to stop!  As children, we are free from stress, worry, and care.  If you watch children, they don't care about anybody else's opinion.  They are in tune with their physical needs and emotions, asking and expressing as they need.  We are born as innocent, loving, beautiful beings full of wonder and imagination.  The outer world changes this in us.  We need to live up to expectations, we want to impress people, we need to fit into the "rules" of life that have arbitrarily been created for us.  We are taught to fear people, fear failure, fear being alone, etc.  And we internalize those fears, and start having dangerous monologues in our own head against ourselves.

A few months ago in my blog, I posted a letter that asked, "Do you like the company you keep, even in the quiet moments?"  For a long time I didn't.  Part of my journey has been not only about seeing love in other people, but also about turning that love inwards.  Part of this journey has been to love my own company.  And a big part of that, has been re-learning how to play.  And dream.   And catch bugs, sing in front of people, do magic tricks, and laugh and cry unapologetically.

A few weeks ago in Hawaii, my 6 year old buddy Hudson said to me, "Courtney, you're not grown-up yet."  And just yesterday, my cousin said, "Courtney, what do you want to be when you grow up?"  When I grow up, I want to be a kid.

A really cool day is coming up soon - Reclamation of Youth Day.  My old roommates ex-boyfriend started this awesome tradition, boys getting together once a year to reclaim their youth.  All day long, dozens of boys converge in Bellingham to play all day.  They build forts, play ball, scream and shout. . . .and no girls are allowed! I love, love, love this tradition.  They throw away the silly stresses, to-do lists and everything that can bog us down as adults. . . .and they rekindle that loud, playful relationship with their inner-kid.  Have you played lately?

"Adulthood smells like poop - it's time to go reclaim our youth!"

Life is Life

“Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.”
― Mother Teresa

Sail!

I have had such a wonderful day - one that I imagine Connecticut would be like.   I went to a 4 hour luncheon with Therese and her two friends from church.  Janette was the hostess, and Mary is the priest's wife at St. Timothy's Episcopal church.  I told the ladies that this was the fanciest meal I'd ever eaten!  We started on the porch with delicious goat cheese and mango chutney horderves with wine.  We sat and talked for a couple hours, then moved inside for a delicious broccoli and ham omelette casserole.  After this we ate a bowl of fruit - all of this on beautiful china mind you.  And then came dessert!  We had raspberry chocolate mousse and coffee.  The food was absolutely delicious, and the company was wonderful.  These were strong, beautiful, progressive, passionate women.  And it was so empowering to be in their presence.  We talked about everything from religion, education, and gay marriage, to traveling, cooking and palm reading.  Therese is very lucky to have such a lovely community of friends - and I hope to cross paths with them again!

After an afternoon with the ladies, I went out with the boys.  I joined David, Jason and Matthew on their boat to race.  Every Wednesday, the boys race.  It was a beautiful evening, and was cool to see all the sails out on the water.  One thing I learned - it's hard to learn how to sail in the middle of a race.  Everyone is super busy running around, yelling orders, pulling ropes and grinding gears and messing with sails - and I was just trying to not get knocked off the boat.  I learned quickly - thanks to some rope burns and bruises - when to duck my head, get off a rope, and move to the other side of the boat.  There were a few times I went to do my job, but I wasn't fast enough, and Matthew would leap down and take over.  After the first few times we tacked (which I think means switching the side the sail is on) I got the hang of the roles and the energy of the crew, and did ok.  I managed to organize the spinnaker sail that had to go up, and it went up perfect!  I was very proud.  In the moments that weren't frantic, we got to all sit hanging off one side of the boat to level out the weight.  It was really fun - but I think I'd like to learn the lingo of sailing before doing it in a race again.  Oh - and we got 2nd place!  Which I thought was pretty cool.

I'm still loving the life over here on the east coast.  Fancy luncheons and racing sailboats?  That's a pretty good life.

This was my lovely luncheon crew!  Mary, Janette and Therese.

Boats getting ready to start the race - lining up!

The sunsets here are so gorgeous!