Piano Connections

The 273rd Day of 2015 was a humid, rainy one.  And, although I struggled with that today (of course it had to be a day I had to walk all over campus to meetings), my eyes were on the evening prize on 9/30/15.  Sarah was working late at Student Health so I had to make sure the kids got to all the places they needed to get.  Thanks to friends, some weather cancellations, and relatively light traffic on my way home, we were successful!  The final event on Wednesday evening is always piano lessons for Anna and Alexa.  I love that they are still so dedicated to the piano and are developing under the teachings of Ms. Anna.  I love how hearing them, connects me to the piano teaching when I was their ages.  And I LOVE LOVE how their playing of the piano connects them to my mom and Sarah's mom.  When they get excited to play their new pieces for their family, it makes my heart sing as well. Music is so, so important, and, every Wednesday evening, it is illuminated for me.

Coffee Connects

9/29 (Palindrome)/15 is day #272 (Palindrome) and I hit 57075 on my odometer today.  So the numbers were aligned for a great day - and it was!  It was also National Coffee Day, and I was bemused with the lack of parking at the Wawa this morning and then saw lines out the door at Dunkin' Donuts all day.  Then Facebook told me what day it was.  And I realized how connecting coffee is.  People gather around the coffee pot at work.  People meet at Starbuck's and Cosi and Dunkin' and Wawa and....local coffee houses are amazing central places of social gathering (like Common Grounds here in Oaklyn, where the kids AND adults get together.  It's awesome.  I do not like to drink coffee (that has not been turned into a sweet frappy concoction, those I can drink, but they are not coffee coffee), but I do love the connections that coffee brings.

Stay at Home Connections

The 271st day of 2015 (9/29/15) was the last day that our schedule was affected by the Pope. Because we unsure of the status of our commute to Philly, Sarah took the day off and I got permission to work from home.  It was a really nice time.  Sarah did errands and shepherded kids (ours and others from the neighborhood) around to where they needed to be and I worked from home, got to eat lunch with my wife, and was very relaxed.  It was a perfect time in the project for me to be home and I actually connected with some tasks better, from home, in a more relaxed setting and was quite productive. Meanwhile, it was nice to have a rare workday where Sarah and I were connected by more than just email and text!  Back to the grind tomorrow, but inspired by the Pope's weekend visit and his message, and refreshed from a nice change of workday pace today.

Land of 1,000 Connections

9/27/2015 is day #270 of 2015.  I started these daily posts on 1/1/2013.  It was a tough time in my life and I wanted to make a daily "Lucky '13" post to remind myself to stay positive.  Then, in 2014, people asked me what came next, so I stayed positive with my "Positive Images" posts of the day.  I was struggling with a theme for 2015 since, now, there is an expectation that I do a daily post. And, honestly, it has been helping me process the day's events, so I continued with "Connected 2015." And here we are, 270 days into 2015 after 365 days in 2013, and 2014, with my 1,000th daily post since that New Year's Day 2013 when I decided to remind myself to stay positive.  1,000 (relatively) positive posts later, and I have to admit I am connected to this discipline of a daily blog post.  I feel connected to the folks who "like" some of them on FB, to the folks that comment to me (both on FB and in person) but, most importantly, I feel connected to the daily routine of posting.  It has made me focus on what I can post positively, EVEN when things are not always so great.  Many people giving marital advice say "never go to bed angry" and "always say I love you before you go to bed."  And I try to follow these advisements as well.  But these posts are the way I never go to bed angry at life. And I am not sure if it is why, but I have had a better outlook, even when things are not perfect.  And, let's face it, Facebook Faces aside, things are very rarely perfect in our lives and in the world.  But a focus on positivity (while remaining realistic) is the way I have connected and stayed sane.  Who knows what the years will bring, and how long these posts will continue, but, for now, I am really connected and enjoying these posts.

The Rainbow Connection

The 269th day of 2015, 9/26/15, was another unique day.  All activities were cancelled because of the unknown of what the traffic situation would be.  Driving around and completing some errands, we were struck by how quiet and abandoned things seemed to be, even in NJ.   And we spent most of the day watching a lot of the Papal coverage and I basked in the happiness and positivity that Francis seems to be inspiring.  I connected, however, to an image of a rainbow over the Mass on the Parkway.  A rainbow in the sky, even though there was no rain.  It is one of the amazing images of the day.  From the Pope blessing a child on the PHL tarmac (who turned out to be the son of the Director of the Marching Band playing for the Pope's welcome, to the images of the throngs of people who came out and stood for hours, just to get a glimpse of the Pope as his motorcade passed by, again, as I did yesterday, I connected with this Pope, even though I know he and I share different opinions on some issues, his major themes really resound with me.  And I love to see all of my FB connections posting such happy messages about their time in the City.  But the Rainbow Connection (image) was the most poignant for me.  It made me hum to myself...."the lover, the dreamer, and me!"

Faithful Connections to Hope

The 268th day of 2015 was a unique day.  Due to the Pope's impending arrival, Philadelphia started to close down today, so Penn and Temple were closed.  On 9/25/15, Sarah and I got to spend the day together, shopping, lunch, errands, it was nice.  But I also got to watch the Pope's address to the United Nations.  In my mind, it was the perfect blend of faith and hope, even amidst the difficult issues he was also addressing.  And I have found it easy to connect to the messages of hope that are being heard, not only from the Pope, but also from many people across social media, on the web, and in the news.  And I like that these messages of hope are connected to a foundation of faith.  My faith, personally, is also very much connected to messages of hope.  It is how I try to stay focused on the positive and it is why I have enjoyed watching the Pope's visit, albeit from afar.

Daughter Connections

I am not sure if National Daughters' Day is an actual holiday, and I am not even sure 9/24/15 is the right day to celebrate NDD if it is.  But I DO know that, on the 267th day of 2015, as I do every day, I felt really connected to these ladies.  I mean I know parental convention states that I should love them, but I REALLY do.  I feel so connected to them, their mannerisms, their jokes, their activities. I loved helping Anna with her math homework tonight and rushing home from work a few minutes early so I could catch the last 2 minutes of Alexa's FH game (another 3-0 win!).  I loved listening to their prayers and comments at Church tonight (Thursday church since, ironically, the Pope's visit is cancelling our Church's Sunday Services).  I love watching them grow and turn into young ladies...I cannot wait to see how our connections continue to develop. <3

Sovling Problems, and Connecting with the Solutions

9/23/15, Day #266 of 2015, and it was a day where I felt connected to the issues and problems that were posed to me.  At work, helping with homework, emails sent for advice.....and I love trying to think hard to help figure it all out.  I like connecting with solutions, and then matching solutions to problems. It's a challenge, but it keeps me going, and I like it.

Papal Connections

On the 265th day of 2015, the impending arrival of Pope Francis in Philadelphia was evident everywhere I turned.  9/22/15 was a normal day at work, but the traffic is getting worse, the posts on FB, more plentiful, and the port-a-potties are EVERYWHERE.  Amidst all the buzz, I do appreciate the connection that so many people feel to the Pope.  Although I think they may place too much importance into one human being, it is inspiring to see the joy he brings when he arrives.  I pray that his visit here inspires people to see religion as a means to connect people to each other (yes, even of different beliefs), and not a divisive force.  That is certainly how I wish to live out my faith.

Give a Ride, Get a Connection

Day #264 (9/21/15), was back to work.  And, after work, on multiple occasions, I gave people rides places.  They were going my way, so why not give them a ride?  I have asked for so many rides in my life, I feel like I need to keep giving to the ride bank.  And, plus, when you ride in a car with someone, you chat, you share, you CONNECT.  (you had to see that coming!) :-)

Connected to My Sister

Although my sister was born on the 264th day of HER birth year, in 3/4 of the years we celebrate on the 263rd, as we did on 9/20/15.  I love the connections I forged with her when we were kids and I love that the connections have only strengthened in the ensuing years!  Happy for Amazon.com and texting and FaceTime so that I could virtually connect with her many times during this long and tiring (but very fun and rewarding day),  Glad that my sister was born, which made me a brother which I really enjoy!

Youth Group Connections

9/19/15 - 919 being a palindrome and it being the 262(also a palindrome)nd day of 2015 was a good indicator as well.  And it was a great day - filled with many connections.....but the most meaningful ones, in my eyes, were on display at church youth group at Old First this evening.  I was so appreciative of the folks who dedicated time and energy to plan and execute a bunch of fun and engaging activities.  I watched the kids connect with each other, connect with the youth ministry leaders, and connect to the Bible during the Bible-based scavenger hunt.  It was a great kickoff to what I hope will be a great youth group year!

Ice Cream for Connections

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ICE CREAM!  And, 9/18/15, the 261st day of 2015, was the Annual Fall Ice Cream Social at our kids' school.  And Sarah and I have run this for the past many years (at least the last 6-7 years), and I realized tonight why I enjoy it so much.  A young student was questioning why we call this event a social.  Her mom told her to ask me.  And I replied, "because you get your ice cream, and then you speak with other people and talk and laugh."  In this case (and in many other cases), ice cream connects!  And, if you can enjoy a tasty treat AND connect, well, it's a pretty good night then, isn't it?

Inspiring Connections

Today, the 260th day of 2015, was 9/17/15.  I had another long day at work today, but there were some meetings that I really enjoyed and, from which, I was inspired.  And then, I got home and Alexa was working on her presentation for school tomorrow.  She was facing some writer's block and I was able to, with humor, help her find some inspiration and I think she went to bed thinking she will do well tomorrow.  It made me think about how I like to operate and how I would like to be remembered, by my kids, by my co-workers, by my community.  And I found this quote and connected to it. When one is inspired by others and when one is inspiring others, it is the best kind of connection.

Waxing Connections

On the evening of 9/16/15, the 259th day of 2015, after a long day of tasks and meetings and as I walked out of Anna's dance class with her, I looked up at the moon.  It was a beautiful moon and it reminded me of the moon on which the Dreamworks Boy sits (before movies, such as Shrek).  I called it a Shrek moon and made that connection, as Anna reminded me it was an entire set of movies (Dreamworks).  And then I realized that my love of the moon connects me with my dad on the West Coast.  I like these connections.  And the moon means it's time to go to bed - and I need to do so.  Goodnight!

Candlelit Connections

Looking at my Facebook Page on 9/15/15 (the 258th day of 2015), you will see this picture twice. And this connection post is NOT meant to pander about sales.  I actually love selling Yankee Candles not only because it connects us to the Oaklyn PTA and the wonderful programs it supports in the School, but also because it connects me to people in former jobs who ask me when the sale is coming and want to still buy from us!  So, if you want to buy, the information is further down on my FB page....if you use candles as a means of connection...well..then you are weird like I am!

Crisp Air Connects

The 257th day of 2014 was a busy day, but, as I drove to work, it was awesome to have my windows down.  9/14/15 started off with a cool commute, and I got a haircut after work specifically so I could roll the windows ALL the way down on the ride home.  mmmmmmmm!  It's nice to connect with the air, good air, and to think about the approaching fall season.  I know the temps are rising later on in this week, but, for now, I am enjoying the windows open and connecting with the sounds of the outside.

Generational Connections

The 256th day of 2015 was a busy finish to a busy weekend.  9/13/2015 was opening day for Church School at Old First UCC as well as the first rehearsal of Old First's Choir.  But it was ALSO opening weekend for Travel Field Hockey (2 games, 1-0-1) and Travel Soccer (1 game, 0-1).  So, while not as tired as Alexa (who ran miles and miles on the fields today), we were running around, setting up, providing snack, etc. etc.  But the connecting moment of the day was when the girls called their grandparents to wish them Happy Grandparents day.  I feel so lucky and blessed that Sarah and I have such amazing parents and better yet, my kids can connect with them in so many ways.  From Face Timing on a Sunday evening, to spending time at their houses, to learning how to knit, cook, play piano, tend a garden, spackle a hole in dry-wall....and the list goes on and on.  These connections are so valuable to their growth and formation as young people and will carry they well into the future. So thank you to BOTH sets of our kids' grandparents (and to ALL grandparents out there).  HAPPY GRANDPARENTS DAY!

Time Passages, Connections Constant

It was the Fall semester of my Freshman Year, September 1986, when I started working for Dining Services at Penn.  I met a lot of new people, and one was the Asst. Purchasing Director, who was pregnant with her first child. And, today, on the 255th day of 2015, 9/12/15, 29 years later, I attended the wedding of that first child of the woman who became a colleague, a mentor, and a true friend. And her daughter became a caretaker and mentor for my own girls.  What everlasting connections, on display, through all of the passages of time.  It was an amazing night....and these 29 years have gone so fast and, yet, so much has happened.  But through it all, the connections were constant.  And for that, I am blessed and pleased!

Connected to a Tragic Day

The 254th day of the (non leap-year) year is always a difficult one for me.  I cannot ever forget about the tragic day of 9/11 and, on 9/11/15, I felt very connected to many people on my Facebook feed as I read their posts about their feelings on the day.  As my sister also wrote, I feel very connected to my dad on that day as he was across the street from the towers and experienced horrors I could only imagine.  I also feel connected to the thanksgiving my sister shared that my dad was not IN the towers, but only across the street.  I feel connected to the people across my Facebook feed who are honoring those who protect and serve, those who are first responders, those who serve to protect our freedom, those who work tirelessly to ensure the community's health and welfare.  Yes, I am talking about Police, Firefighters, military personnel, and healthcare workers.  People who run towards danger, to help and save, while the instinct for most of us is to run away.

I will always feel connected to my memories of the day: Tuesday, 9/11/01, Sarah and I drove into the NEB (was not yet Fagin Hall) and parked in the garage.  Being a Tuesday, she went off to her 9AM NURS 648 class, and I went up to Suite 460, the Office of Student Services.  As I arrived, Earlene Craig greeted me, said good morning, and asked me if I had heard the story of a plane that crashed into the Empire State Building (OK, the facts were a bit skewed, but....).  "Weird," I thought, "I wonder why that person was flying so close to the buildings."  Earlene had KYW 1060 on, and we soon realized that it was not a person flying a propeller plane (as I had imagined when first heard), but a jet airplane.  I went down to the Auditorium, where we had a cable TV connection in the teaching console, and I turned on the Today Show, with no sound.  NURS 371 students were taking the pharmacology dosage exam and Debbie Abraham and I were watching as the 2nd plane struck the towers.  We made the decision to allow the students to complete the exam (which is a very stressful exam in itself) and then we would tell them, but I am pretty sure some of them saw our faces as we watched the towers fall, in silent disbelief, and knew something was up before we finally told them.  I remember calling Powelton Pizza and tripling our order for our Noon-time event because Interim Dean Strumpf wanted everyone together in the AUD.  I remember walking the halls, stairwells, and student lounge of NEB, with Christina Clark, to make sure that all students were OK and nobody was alone.  I remember feeling relief that my wife was in the building (her class had gone all the way to Noon) when classes were cancelled and we knew where each other were.  I remember being asked "isn't your dad in town, and doesn't he usually go to NY when he is in town" and panicking suddenly, calling my mom (when my dad did not answer since cell towers in NY were jammed).  I remember the relief when my mom told me dad had called and he was safe.  I remember the silence that fell over us all for the next few days.  No planes, no PATCO, people serious and just a little bit nicer to each other.  I remember the amazing images of people helping people, first responders and just regular people jumping in.  I remember the stress of not knowing what might happen next.  I also realize now that we STILL do not know what might happen next.  I realize so many of my friends and co-workers have their own connections and own memories to that day and, this morning, when we were waiting for a meeting to start, we shared our feelings and memories of the day.

We will all never forget where we were that day.  It is my generation's defining moment of "Do you remember where you were when???"  It is important to stay connected and to always remember and to honor those we lost that day, those we lost soon after due to injuries and illnesses caused by that day, those we have lost overseas, fighting to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again, those who are still haunted by memories of these events.  But I have to have hope.  I have to hope that the spirit of togetherness and helping their fellow human could also be a result of this day.  That we remember how it was to be bound together.

Prayers and Thoughts to all on this day - may it never happen again.  ANYWHERE!

Caring Teachers Connect

The 253rd Day of 2015 ended in a rainy way - MUCH needed rain.  But that was not how I will remember 9/10/2015.  It was Back to School Night at our daughters' school and I was struck by how excited the teachers of the school are to be teaching our kids, pushing them to new heights, creating leaders in their midst.  It was a very uplifting evening and I really connected to the teachers and my fellow parents in the discussions.  Looks like it's going to be a great school year!

Fantasy Football Connections

So today, the 252nd day of 2015, had to be good - it's palindromic and all.....well the weather certainly was not a highlight, but the evening was.  Drafted in THREE fantasy football leagues and, yeah, I am in two more.  But, on 9/9/15, I realized why I like fantasy football so much.  It's not the tracking of players and the hope for no injuries....it's the connections that are maintained by the leagues.  Family, Friends, Alumni of Penn and the Band....these are the people against whom I compete in these leagues and these are the people I enjoy staying connected to!

Connected to the Bank

Tonight, on the 251st day of 2015, Anna and I went to the Bank.  OK, sure, I deposited some checks at the ATM on the morning of 9/8/2015, but I mean we went to Citizen's Bank Park for our final game of the season (Thanks Dr. Kramer!)  And it was a lot of fun for Anna and me.  We saw them win 5-0, but the best part is the two times we got to hear this bell (pictured above) ring.  I always feel connected when the bell rings.  I know I have many people for whom I care dearly who LOVE the bell at CBP.  So when it rings, I feel connected to them (hi Chris, hi Linda, hi Sarah, hi others).  The Phillies have not been that great on the field this season, but it is always good connecting with CBP and the ballpark experience!

(Dis)Connection

9/7/2015, the 250th day of 2015, is Labor Day.  A day to honor the labor movement in the United States which has created the environment that many of us benefit from today.  40-hour work week, vacations, the weekend, holidays, OK, maybe not as much as in some other nations, but I still feel connected to the work and struggle they endured.  But, the major connection I realized today was the lack of any connections as we stayed at home and enjoyed a rare, nothing-to-do day.  A nice day to recharge for the connections of the coming week.

Called to Connect to (and Help) Others

Sunday 9/6/2015 started off in Church.  And the 249th day of 2015 was also Labor Day Sunday.  So, of course, it was the Walters' Family Seafood Picnic and that was an amazing day filled with food, family, and fun.  But the sermon this morning was about being open to helping others, even when it seems that resources are scarce (time, talent, and treasure), and I really connected to that.  This quote I connect with as well.  Rule #1 in our family has always been to help people, not hurt people, and I feel that this quote AND the sermon this morning both have a similar message.  We must be open to connect to people and ascertain their needs and assist them to obtain those needs when possible.  It is what I think I have tried to do my whole life, and it has been connecting and rewarding.

Rival Connections, Connections Nonetheless

The 248th Day of 2015 was truly historic (in a sports rivalry sense).  For the first time since 1941, the Temple Owls beat the Penn State Nittany Lions, on 9/5/2015.  And I have connections to BOTH schools.  People I know and love work there and Sarah's dad is a huge fan, and thus, so am I.  Sarah works at Temple, my Dad used to teach there, and tons of friends are students, alumns, or work (or worked) there.  So through all these connections, I was trying to cheer for both sides, but you cannot help but feel badly for PSU and great for Temple and its fans.  And then, after the game, was witness to the power of connections from those we do not know as we needed a jump in the lot to get the van started and many people (from BOTH fan bases and the Phila. Police) were willing to help!

Penn Student Affairs Connections

This picture here, taken on the 247th day of 2015, is the reason why I love where I work.  9/4/2015 was the 50th birthday of one of my amazing colleagues at Penn.  And on the stairs right here are the multitude of Student Affairs (OSL) colleagues that came out to celebrate with him tonight.  From near and from far, people came to celebrate with their former and current colleagues.  It was an amazing celebration and it was awesome to see all the connections forged (and re-connected) tonight. Say what you will about student affairs, it definitely connects and binds you to your colleagues, for life!

School Day Connections

It is obvious by looking at my Facebook Feed today why the 246th day of 2015 was special.  That's right, 9/3/15 was the first day of school at OPS.  I have to admit, I love the ritual of walking my kids up to the lineup for the first day....taking the pictures in front of the sign and connecting to years before and the similar poses.  Watching the kids all connect and re-connect with each other.  Seeing the dedicated teachers back in their classrooms after a brief summer's respite - waiting to see what connections they will inspire in their students in the coming year.  Wishing a great year to all of the students, teachers, administrators, and parents.  Education is the main way society can be bettered!

Brothers in Connected Song

Day #245, 9/2/15, was another looooooong day at work.  And, at the end of the day, I found myself at the Introductory Penn Glee Club rehearsal under their new Director.  This was a great way to connect to my brothers in song, alumni as well as the current students.  Added to the excellent connections, was listening to Anna sing her songs from HER choir once I got home.  I love singing and music and the connections forged by song.

Connecting in the Pool

Busy day of meetings at work on 9/1/2015, the 244th day of 2015.  But the connection I enjoyed this evening was between me and the pool at the gym I attend (albeit sporadically) as I capped off a hot, humid day with a great swimming workout.  It's great to connect with my thoughts as I move back and forth in the pool and the cooling effects of the water was appreciated tonight!  I also enjoyed the connections Alexa and her team made on the way back from soccer practice tonight, as we gathered at Yummies for a post-exercise treat!  YUM!