Connections Confirmed

Well 5/31/15 was the 151st day of 2015 - and 151 is a palindrome so the odds were the day was going to be good!  Add in the fact that my daughter and her classmates at Church were confirmed this morning and the day was filled with the connections and celebrations, both at Church and then at the BBQ, it was a great day indeed.  And, yes, I teared up a few times, as I am wont to do at the passages of time....but it was great to see the young adults affirm their connections to the Church and their understandings of their personal faith.  And I am so glad and thankful for those with whom they connected along their journey, and hopeful for those with whom they will connect in the future.

Backyard Connections

The 150th day of 2015 was a keeper.  And, although I had to take a nap after the first part of 5/30/15, I am glad I did, because the evening was so much fun.  It was great to connect with family, friends, and family of friends to celebrate the Confirmation of Alexa, Meg, McKenna, and Eric tomorrow.  It was good to reinforce the connections with members of our Church, while watching the kids play together and connect in their own way.  It was great speaking with family of friends and meeting new people and having great discussions...even while watching Philadelphia sports teams playing in a frustrating manner.  Looking forward to tomorrow, and feeling blessed by the connections we have and will develop even further in the future.

Connecting by Just Being Onesself

Tonight, on the 149th day of 2015, I needed a relaxing evening.  And thanks to my wife who rustled up volunteers, and the volunteers who showed up, I was freed from the Snack Stand on 5/29/15 and able to attend the Community event in town with my parents.  And it was nice to see all the town connections, people meeting people, making new connections, and strengthening the connections that people already have.  People were just relaxing and being themselves and having a nice time.  This made me also connect with a daily devotional that was sent to me today, imploring people to shed masks that we place on ourselves as we leave every day and to be aware that "we arm ourselves with our expectations for ourselves and others, our defense mechanisms and coffee mugs."  And I was thinking that being true to onesself and being as genuine as possibly allows us to connect deeply to ourselves and be open to connections to others.  It was a good reminder on a tough day at work and was a welcome one at that!

Memories Connected to Song

Today, on the 148th day of 2015 (5/28/15), I was in the car a lot, listening to 80's on 8 again.  And, it amazes me how a single song can connect me to a memory in my past.  And the 80's on 8 do it to me all the time.  Connected to college days, or high school friends, or to when I worked at 7-11, and many, many more.  Music is VERY important to me, and the connections these songs provide are just icing on the cake.

Making New Connections

Today, 5/27/15, was the 147th day of 2015.  And I had a great time, this morning, making a new connection (which also resulted in another FB friend) with someone from Oaklyn.  This allowed me to combine two of the activities I enjoy - making new connections and telling people what I like about my town!  FUN!

Connected to My Community in Many Ways

5/26/15, and on the 146th day of 2015 I found myself at an evening OMAYSC meeting, connecting with my fellow community members discussing the ways to educate the youth of our town on the dangers of substance abuse.  This was after working in the Snack Stand, for Little League, of course.  I love my community and its connections.

Memorial Connections

5/25/15 is the 145th day of 2015 and is Memorial Day 2015.  And. today, I scanned the FB pages of friends and connections who have lost someone dear while serving our country.  I myself, do not have any family members, of which I am aware, that fall into this category, but seeing my FB friends' posts allowed me a tangential connection via their memories and allowed me, as I always say, to honor those who have served to protect us.  THANK YOU to those who have served and today we HONOR those who paid the ultimate price.

Coincidental Connections

Besides attending the last two games of the Soccer Tournament today, the 144th day of 2015 was not gross at all.  The late afternoon/evening of 5/24/15 found us "down the shore" at the Ocean City, NJ Boardwalk.  And thanks to social media (i.e. FB), we knew that some of our friends were also there and were even able to connect with them at Jillian's.  And then we ran into other connections we knew from Penn as well.  A random set of connections on a previously unplanned trip was an awesome way to celebrate the unofficial start of Summer 2015!

Impactful Connections

5/23/15 was the 143rd day of 2015 and I found myself, as I do on many Saturdays, watching Alexa and her Barrington Impact soccer team in a match.  Today was a tournament game and last night as well.  And both games were won.  And it was amazing to see the connections made between the coaching and the training the players have received and to see them apply those skills to the game.  It was fun to watch the connections between the teammates as they passed the ball skillfully, as they covered for each other, as they picked each other up.  It was fun and amazing and I cannot wait until tomorrow to see it again!  GO IMPACT!

Family Connecting Over Dinner

The 142nd day (5/22/15) was another busy day.  Still not fully recovered from whatever is going on in mah belly, I made it through a lot of meetings at work and then took advantage of the early holiday dismissal to get home in time to get Alexa and her friends to her soccer tournament game.  And, after the game (WIN), we dined out as a family.  And we connected.  We (of course) ate and drank, but we also talked and laughed and connected.  Family is the best!

(should have been 5/21) - Connecting through it All

5/21/15 - and the 141st day was not as planned at all.  First, I woke up with stomach pains, and stayed home from work.....Jack and Jill delivered to the Snack Stand at 8PM (a usual by-Noon delivery)....and the rain cancelled all Little League games (so no snack stand anyway).  And I took a nap that was long and still went to bed early...so early I forgot to post a daily connection reflection. And people noticed - and asked me about it - so I guess, through it all, people are connected to daily FB and blog posts - and for that I am thankful.

Connected to Dave

5/20/2015 is the first non-palindromic date in a while....and the 140th day of 2015.  And it will end, in a few minutes, with me watching the last show of David Letterman's late night career.  And, although not all of my friends are Dave Letterman kind of folks, I am.  And I will miss him and his Top Ten Lists and his appreciation for musical greatness and his launching of comedic careers.  But, I realized this weekend, that Dave also connects me to my college years.  We would gather around a TV in one of our Hill House rooms and watch Dave, who was cutting edge at that time.  And, yes, some of that edge is gone, but I will miss Kid Scientists, and Piedmont Bird Calls, and Stupid Human and Pet Tricks, and Jack Hanna, and and and....I appreciate the memories and connections Dave has given me - thanks Dave!

Field Connections

Today, 5/19/15, the 139th day of 2015, was Field Day at my daughters' school.  And, although I had to leave early (work commitment), I enjoyed the connections I saw at this day.  The older students, helping the teachers with the events.  The parents that came to watch and connected the working parents to the event with pictures posted in our community Facebook group.  The intergenerational set of volunteers scooping water ice....I love this close-knit community and these traditional community and connection building events.

Commence Connecting

The 138th day of 2015 was amazing...... 5/18/15 (palindromes coming to an end soon) started on a hot and steamy Franklin Field as the Commencement Ceremony was filled with sage advice, degree conferring, lines of processing grads, and the start of connections.  Connections of these students, now graduates, with their alma mater as alumni; connections with each other as they figure out means to stay connected, even if at the opposite ends of the world.  And, as these connections were commencing, I felt connected to these grads as well, we are now all in the same alumni community.  I also know I will enjoy connecting with them on Quaker Net, Facebook, Linked In, etc.....maybe even in person as well.  Congrats to the Class of 2015!

College Connections

Well, tonight, the evening of the 137th day of 2015, I, as I have for more than a decade, volunteered as a marshal at the College of Arts and Sciences Commencement Ceremony.  And 5/17/15 was 25 years (and 4 days, to be exact) from the time _I_ marched across the stage at old Convention Hall (which, of course, no longer exists, the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine now standing on its location) at the same ceremony.  I love Pomp and Circumstance and I love volunteering at this event - even in 70% humidity and 80+ degree temps.  It connects me to my college graduation and my College Commencement as well.  Also fun to watch students, with whom I have connected during their time(s) at Penn, march across and have their moment.  And I got to shake hands, and hug students, and even thank one graduate for the Palestra memories she provided us in her four years on the Women's Basketball Team.  The connections we make with students are always prominent during Commencement Weekend, and, although I did not cry tonight, I will see what happens tomorrow....

Glee-Full Connections

5/16/2015 - and the 136th day of 2015 was my official 25th reunion from the University of Pennsylvania.  But, the strongest connections I felt today were at the Glee Club Graduate Club event honoring Dr. Erik Nordgren, who is stepping down after 15 years of directing the Club.  I felt connected to the first time I went to get Erik, at his apartment, on his New Man Night.  I felt connected to the other members of the Club when I was an active member.  I felt connected to my own undergraduate experience, with many of my fellow clubbers in attendance.  It really made me realize what an impact this group had on my Penn experience, both past, present, and likely future!
Brothers, Sing On!

Alumni Connections

So, on 5/15/15 (51515 - awesome, and, BTW, my odometer passed 51,515 this week, I was hoping it would happen today) I registered for my 25th College Reunion on Penn's Campus on the 135th day of 2015.  It really brought a lot of my connections to the front of my brain.....connections with my colleagues in AR who registered me, connections to students, faculty, and alumni at the Nursing Awards Ceremony, and then connections to my classmates (mainly from the Band and Nursing) in the Class of 1990 with whom I celebrated my 25th.  And we still have the Picnic and GCGC tomorrow!  GO QUAKERS!

Great Day for a Baseball Connection

It WAS a great day for a ball game today, 5/14/15, the 134th day of 2015.  And it's great to have an annual tradition of friends from work (even if it is a former department) taking in a ballgame on a beautiful, sunny day.  Connecting and reconnecting.  Good conversation, and, surprisingly, a good game from the "good guys".  GO PHILLIES!

Morning Wawa Connections

The 133rd Day of 2015 started off awesomely....that is because, on 5/13/15, I started the day getting something to eat and drink from Oaklyn's Wawa.  And it's not the food and drink that I like best about this place, it's the connections it provides to the community.  Seeing the youth of the town working behind the counter, running into friends and neighbors, saying hello, cracking jokes, it's a great way to start the day!

Connected to '15

5/12/2015 is the 132nd day of 2015.  And today, I felt very connected to the Class of 2015 as I checked IDs at the President's Carnival for the Seniors.  I love being part of Penn Traditions and working these assignments that keep me connected to my student affairs roots.  Senior Week 2015 has begun!

Palindromic Connections

Day #131 (PALINDROME) of 2015 is 5/11/15 (PALINDROME) and I never realized how many people realize how much I enjoy palindromes....but, the myriad of posts and comments on FB make me realize, well, I am pretty much an open book on the matter.  It was awesome to see the connections people made to me when they saw all of the memes surrounding this palindromic week of dates....and, since it is still Nurse's Week, I will end with a palindrome about nurses:

"Nurse's onset abates, noses run"

Goodnight all!

Mother and Nurse Connections

What a wonderful day the 130th Day of 2015 was.  And not because 5/10/15 is palindromic (the next 10 days will be numerically fun!)  Today is Mother's Day and I was thinking all day about the connection between nurses and moms.  Yes, it helps that my wife and the mother of my children is also a nurse.  But mothers also nurse their babies, and nurse their kids back to health when they are sick, and nurses and moms are the caring people in our lives.  So tonight, I am thankful for all the mothering figures I have had in my life (and, yes, some of them have been male) and all the caring nurses in my life as well.  HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY everyone (don't forget to call your mother and tell her you love her!)

Flinging Connections

It is the 129th day of 2015 and, on 5/9/15, I am departing from Nurses Week connections (sorry nurses) and focusing on an amazing community event that occurred today,  So many people work for so many hours and work so hard to make this day fun for the kids.  All of the volunteers connect together as we see it all come together and see the happy kids.  And we connect with the kids and they see the dedication of their parents, teachers, and older students on Student Council to make the day special.  Had a lot of fun, now I am tired, and off to bed!

Maturing Connections

5/8/2015, Day #128 of 2015.  And, today I was shocked by a "Flashback Friday" picture of my daughters from exactly four years ago.  It is amazing how one's life (and the lives of one's loved ones) can be chronicled on FB.  Likewise, it has been fun staying connected with the alumni from the Nursing School and THEIR lives (jobs, weddings, kids, etc,) through the years.  Being that this is Nursing Week, I give thanks to the nurses I know (and stay connected with on FB!)

Connected in Sickness and Health

5/7/2015, the 127th Day of the Year of Connections for me (2015), and, being that it is Nurses Week, I am going to try to focus on connections to and with nurses for the next few days - it should not be difficult since I am married to a nurse AND I worked at Penn Nursing for 14 years!  Today, I am focusing on last night's amazing story on Fox 29 that chronicled a student (2015 Penn Nursing BSN graduate) who met up with a doctor, at CHOP, who saved her life YEAR'S ago.  What an amazing connection - and, yes, I connected with the story as well and, it should not surprise you, that I teared up.  I love Good News!

http://www.myfoxphilly.com/story/28997347/woman-reunites-with-doctor

Nursing Connections

5/6/15, the 126th Day of 2015, was the start of 2015's National Nurses Week.  And it was a day with many Nursing connections.  My new job intersected with my old colleagues as we worked to complete a school-based worksheet.  Sarah had a great first day at the NP conference in Philly and celebrated 50-years of the NP.  Watching the news, I saw a fantastic story about a 2015 BSN graduate who is both a cancer survivor and soon to be an oncology provider.  It really connected with me and it was a great reminder that the students we help today will become the leaders and movers and shakers of tomorrow.  HAPPY NURSES WEEK to all my Nursing Connections.

Lunch with a Colleague Connects

On the 125th of 2015 (5/5/15), the (5^3)th day, Cinco de Mayo...so, what did I do?  I connected with an former colleague (from Business Services) over a great lunch (Chinese, not Mexican, sorry Cinco de Mayo).  And it was a great conversation and it was great to see how we have cultivated our connections in the past years, even when not working directly together.  I love working at Penn!

May the Fourth Connect You

Well, the 124th day of 2015 was May the Fourth (5/4/15).  And this day always connects me to my 7th and 12th grade math teacher, Mr. Ed Chango.  Mr. Chango was the person who inspired me to be in education.  And, no, I am not a math teacher at Masterman as I thought I would be, but I am still using my love of numbers in an education field (Higher Education, if you will) and that has connected me to thousands of students, faculty, staff, and alumni.  So, in honor of Mr. C, who was using this joke before it became mainstream, HAPPY STAR WARS DAY!

The Flag Can Connect Us

My favorite moment of the 123rd day of 2015 was at approximately 11AM.  On 5/3/15, the Minor Softball Team from the Joint Base in NJ came to visit Oaklyn.  So we decided we'd go all out, including playing the National Anthem before the game.  It was a beautiful day, and I just closed my eyes and listed to the Whitney Houston version and felt connected to the first time I heard it during the 1991 Superbowl and thought of all the people serving in this country and across the entire world. I have never served in that way, but I could try to connect to those that do, and, as I often say, say prayers of thanks for their service and wishes for their safety.  I am so appreciative of those who give up so much for the safety of this country.

Fire Up the Connections

The 122nd Day of 2015 was another awesome Saturday.  And after spending most of 5/2/15 at the Oaklyn Fields and, of course, the Snack Stand, it was nice to chill out at a backyard BBQ with friends, food, and a FIRE PIT.  The connections felt while around the fire, making S'mores, laughing, singing, and laughing again were great.  Such a good night!

Tub(a)ular Connections

5/1/15 - the First Friday in May 2015 and the 121st day.  A Palindromic Day as well as International Tuba Day.  And the tuba has provided me so many connections in my life.  To the Penn Band and then to meeting Sarah in the Penn Band.  Connections to scads of friends from High School and College with whom I played in ensembles.  Connections to the community as we still play with the Oaklyn School ensembles.....connections to my dad, who played the tuba and the string bass and so I followed as well :-).  Thank goodness I did.