thinking (and falling) while walking

walking downhill, I lose track of where I've come from. 

walking uphill, the experience of the journey is masked with a goal that is impossible to forget.

happy Easter monday?

In New Zealand (and many other countries I am beginning to learn), not only is there Good Friday and Easter Sunday... but there is also Easter Monday. I think this is mainly a ploy for a four day weekend and an extra 15% surcharge on your coffee, but I like the idea anyways. Families seem to be out in force, enjoying this almost-sunny Dunedin day, and there is a sense of celebration in the air, even if the joy behind the Easter holiday has slowly been eroded by bunnies and colorful eggs. Coming off our sugar highs, there is a reason to be so happy.

I've had many views of the Easter celebration this year. I went to an Anglican tenebrae service (meaning shadows) on Good Friday, where we blew out candles until we sat in darkness, to represent the pain and suffering of Christ on the day of his crucifixion. On Saturday, I experienced a catholic mass at St. Joseph's Cathedral, a passover service where we lit the individual candles of our neighbors until the entire church was aglow, and contemplated Jesus, the light of the world. And on Easter sunday I was back at Leith Valley Presbyterian, celebrating the resurrection of Christ with some old and new faces. There are many people I know who are suffering, and it is easy to become lost in this feeling of hopelessness. But every year, we are reminded of the ultimate sacrifice, and once again that glimmer of hope is visible, even if the darkness is blinding.

my fondness for sunrise is beginning to worry me

perspective

There is nothing like a bad day to make you feel absolutely worthless. 

And yet, there is nothing like sobering news from a friend to make you 

step back, 

reassess, 

and realize how damn lucky you are.