Long Weekend in January

I think that having a long weekend in January is a wonderful idea. Particularly when it is in celebration of the life of such a remarkable man as Martin Luther King Jr. It was a good weekend in DC! Saturday I met my friend Ilana for lunch at a French crepe restaurant - sooo good. We had a great time catching up - she got to go home to San Diego for the holidays - must be nice. Although I really can't complain, I do like Saskatchewan winters, especially when I only get to spend a few days there. The rest of Saturday was pretty much a loss. I was really tired so I went home and had a nap. It was also really nasty outside - crazy Saskatchewan-like wind all day. Our garbage cans were blowing all over the place. I spent Saturday night watching the US figure skating nationals and drinking vanilla vodka and coke with two of my roommates.

Sunday was a much more active and productive day. Valentine, Katelyn and I headed off to services at Christ Lutheran Church in the morning. I love that church so much - and not only because of it's name! The people are so welcoming and the services are really good. In honour of Dr. King's birthday they read 3 excerpts from his writings instead of a sermon. It was very touching and powerful. Sunday afternoon was the inaugural meeting of the Pre-clergy book club at my friend's Carolina's and Sylvia's. A bunch of us - all seminary bound at some point - are planning on meeting monthly to shares thoughts on whatever it is we've decided to read for that month. It's a good group. Lutherans definitely represent, one Episcopalian, one Presbyterian, one UCC and one Reform Jew. I'm excited! This month, in honour of Martin Luther King's birthday we've decided to read "Why We Can't Wait" by King, "Jesus and the Disinherited" by Howard Thurman (an important influence in King's own life) and a short essay by King as well. A fair bit of reading but it should be good discussion. And these topics are right up my alley.

Sunday night we went back to CLC for the monthly Taize service and potluck. Did I already say that I love that church? I think we've found a really great community there which is just really exciting.

And another week begins. I'm holding out for this coming election. I've found a place in DC where they will be broadcasting the CBC election coverage!! And also having specials on Canadian beer. Probably close to the best combination ever. I'll feel very close to you all up there in Canada watching the election in shared time.