Time Travel and its Documentation

Hello everybody! It's Jane once again. This blog is getting posted a little late. The problem is that the time change between Marjorie and me is changing as they travel. Our plan for posting was that if she didn't post, I would. This works in theory. The problem I am having is that I never know at what point I am definitely the blogger. Sorry!!

I'm getting ready to host a party for eight little girls today. I'm exhausted already. Everything needs to be videotaped, photographed, and kept running smoothly. This makes me wonder how much photography is needed? Should we document every moment or should we leave a few moments to the human memory only? Is it appropriate to edit the unhappy moments? Generally we only video the highlights; piano recitals, parties, Christmas, children's musicals, etc. Will viewing these hours of home movies warp my daughter's sense of reality? Maybe we should set up the camera in our house and just let it roll for a day or two. What do you think?

This line of questioning also opens up an interesting discussion regarding documentation of travel. Why do we all want to see photos of the Paths of Paul trip? I'm sure a quick Google search would produce many photos of Turkey and Greece. That's not good enough for us though...We want the actual photos of this trip. We want the experiences, at least in photo form, of this specific group of people. What do we hope to gain by it all? Is there some valid benefit to viewing other peoples photos or does it just serve to breed jealousy or even pity? I understand that in some way the pictures give us a person's story. Honestly though, how accurate is that story? Aren't some of the terrible parts omitted? I'm sure we won't see one photo of a seasick tour member chucking up their heels. Come on now...Who wants to see it anyway? We want the polish, the glossy print of life, with all of the ugly removed. I think we are all a little warped by photography, but there's no undoing it's damage. When everyone gets home, one of my first questions will be, "Where are your pictures?"

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

Words from the US of A

Hello! This is Jane again. This week has been a little sketchy from the world travelers. Apparently, they are on a Mediterranean cruise ship on which the internet costs 1.50 Euros per minute. Today they were on the Greek island of Santorini. I am getting more and more jealous every time I hear about the great food they are having. In fact it makes me miss our favorite Greek Restaurant, Santorini's Kitchen. It is definitely something we miss about Indy. http://www.discoverfountainsquare.com/microsites/merch-santorini.html. It is not too far from Calvary Tabernacle if you are every in the area. I rate it quite yummy!!!

This is also the week of multiple family birthdays and anniversaries. Micayla, our wonderfully amazing daughter, was seven yesterday. Bob, our superbrother, is celebrating today. Tuesday was our anniversary. There are many more events but I don't want to get too boring. What a week to have very limited contact. It makes me appreciate my cell phone and the net! What did we ever do without them?

Since I'm thinking of family so much this week; I turn my thoughts to the blessings that come with a good education coupled with strong faith. My Sis-in-law, Amy, just passed her Nursing Certification without getting a question wrong. I received this news and once again was reminded of how blessed I am to have a family of smarty pants. I can't speak for anyone else, but I have found that good friends are hard to find. It really narrows the field when you begin to limit the search to those who are of similar faith. God has blessed me with a family of strong faith that is made up of good friends...And I miss them all this week.

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

Finding Footprints in Kusadasi

Ephesus
Okay, it was obviously impressive. The library of Celsus was phenomenal and we went into where they are excavating Roman homes. These are unbelievably gorgeous and sumptuous!! They had amazing frescoes, fountains, and mosaics. We loved it. It was hot and several were sweaty so we returned to the hotel very ready for a swim.

The Ladies' Beach
Four of us women went to the ladies' beach on the Aegean. It was cool, refreshing, salty as all get out, and had really fun waves. When I first went out I had my glasses on. After a few waves I went back in to put them on the beach. Then I got distracted by my friend who was afraid to come out farther. I walked her back out and left my glasses on. Big mistake! A mighty wave came and washed them from my face never to be seen again! Uh-oh! I am blind as a bat without the benefit of night vision! I had brought some contacts but they had already been thrown away because they burned my eyes one day when I put them in!!

What to do?
Well, there I am at 8pm on a Sunday. I can't call my eye doctor until they open on Monday US time (seven hours behind!!). My mom's glasses offered some assistance, but it was promising to be a miserable rest of the trip. As a last ditch effort I went to the front desk at 8:30 pm asking where there might be an eye doctor that I could go to tomorrow. Lo and behold! There was a place open until 10pm! Off my mom and I went.

The Turkish Savior
So I obviously did not have my prescription with me, but no problem! He took my mother and myself in his personal vehicle to an eye doctor who had just opened two days ago. Prior to that there was no eye doctor in Kusadasi!! Off we go to the state of the art facility where I get my eyes checked (inc. contacts) for $35!! As the doctor checked my eyes he began to realize how horrible they are! Normally, it takes a minimum of two weeks for glasses--this guy said he could get them by the next day. Back we go to his store and pick frames. He then throws in approximate contacts to my prescription (these have never been anywhere ever--seriously)! After all was said and done, he went and got a plaque and asked if we had ever seen it. It was 'Footprints.' He then told me that whenever I see my glasses in the future I should remember to never give up and never let hope fade. The Lord will provide. It was powerful! My mom was also particularly pleased to hold the 45 day old baby and converse as much as possible with his wife about infant tips. God is good!! I am so glad I lost my glasses!!
Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!