Nini's homestay: The definition of "Home"

Rami 和 Nini 分別是我們和 Yzonne and Fred 的小狗, 她們年紀只差兩個月, 都有poodle (貴賓狗)的血統, 但是個性卻是大大的不同. 雖然她們是幼稚園 (puppy kindergarten) 的同班同學, 但是每次見面時卻又打的不可開交. 通常在每次見面之後, 兩隻狗狗各自回家都是倒頭呼呼大睡,可見他們真的玩的很開心、也很享受彼此的陪伴.

因為Y&F回加州省親, 而我在這週又要出差兩天內跑四個州、共計一整個工作週的行程, Nini就和好友Claire一起入住我們家, 陪伴 Rami和Renee了.

真的很感謝好友C在我不在家的期間所提供的doggie care和幫忙. 記得在週一短暫停留家中的時候, 看到兩個小妮子還是一直玩、一直打, Nini也會搶Rami的飯碗和水碗, Rami總是靜靜地在遠遠的地方看著Nini享受著Rami的晚餐, 我就納悶兩隻狗狗在這禮拜的"共處一室"不知道會擦出怎樣的火花? 也不禁為了Claire這週同時顧兩隻狗的任務, 捏了一把冷汗... 昨天晚上回家, 兩隻小狗狗都興奮的迎接我, 真是說不出來的窩心 (還有...小懊惱, 因為puppies 太興奮就會露尿...). 聽著Renee和Claire述說這禮拜的生活與趣事, 感覺就像是我已經離家了好久好久. C真的幫了我們一個大忙, 也完成了照顧兩隻狗這項"不可能的任務"!! 再次大感謝C!

因為旅途疲累, R and C去準備明天禮拜的服事, 我卻可在家享受一個清靜的週六早晨. 真的是清靜, 因為這兩個小妮子在一個禮拜的相處後, 竟然可以相安無事的共享晚餐, treats與玩具; 在打打鬧鬧之後, 竟然也可以各倨一方的在沙發上安心的睡覺 (Fig.3) <-(是因為最近寫太多論文了嗎?! 各位讀者請見諒呀 :P ). 不知道在Y&F結束行程回到AA接走Nini之後, 她們會不會想念這段時光, 在各自在家的時候, 看著窗外想著對方呢?

這讓我想到我上週出差的行程. 其實我在行程中的第二天就想回家了. 即便新城市多好玩、東西多好吃、再多新奇的事物景點, 都不能壓制住回家的衝動與對家的想念. 有人問我:"你家在哪?", 我回答:"在我家人 (Renee and Rami, so far) 所在的地方". 有人說, 男人想家其實是想家人, 真的一點都不錯. 對我來說, 家的定義就是與家人相聚生活的地方. 縱使在這我們雖然短暫的生命中, 遷徙的機會真的還多的是. 但是, 家永遠不會變.

即使有時會相隔遙遠, 但是當我們望像窗外想著家人的時候, 我也相信家人的心就會連在一起, 期待著, 回家的時候....

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Fall in Ann Arbor

週末下午和Renee與Rami去散散步. 隨手用手機拍下了幾張"安雅堡之秋"的照片.

雖然只是居家週邊的景緻, 陽光不是很好, 天氣也有點陰, 但是樹葉所展現多變的顏色和美景卻一點都沒有因此而黯淡.

蠻喜歡第二和第三張因為手機簡陋的zoom-in功能造成的"油畫效果". 總之, 簡單的和大家分享一下囉.

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牛丼飯

這是今晚試做的牛丼飯, 食譜參考這個網站.

雖然調味料的比例沒有照食譜網站上的, 完全是初心流...而且肉片沒有用火鍋肉片, 是一整塊牛肉慢慢切薄片而得. 比較麻煩而且不夠薄. 但是蠻好吃的喔! 要吃多少肉有多少, 料好實在, 且有種"Lumber Jack"式的豪邁! (自我安慰吧... :D) 連太座大人都說good good eat!

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Enthusiastic

"... we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation." - Romans 5:11

I would never know where I can find my enthusiasm in God. God's guidance is all I depend on.

The passed week was the first week for Craig's U.S. living in Ann Arbor. As a newly converted devotee to the Later Day Saints (LDS) Church, he has done his research about the location and schedule for his Sunday worship in Ann Arbor. Early this morning, yes, Sunday morning, he got up much earlier than we did to prepare for the service at the LDS Church in Ann Arbor. After suiting up, literally and decently, I drove him to his church for the service. Although there were only few cars parking in the lot, everyone walked out from them was with a decent attire underneath which you can feel one's spirit and solemnity. Craig went to check thier schedule and see if he is allowed to join their "married congregation" for Sunday service or not. With an upbeat spirit, he came back to me, who was waiting for him in the lot for the response, and told me that he can delightfully join the whole 3-hour service.

I really admire his and other LDS members' enthusiasm toward their belief and God. It also strikes me that when I started finding an 1.5-hour service in Presb. Church to be long-drawn and suffocating?! When was the last time I find the joy and presence of God? When was the last time I truly and wholeheartedly prepared for my Sunday worship in order to meet with God? When we regard ourself as so-called "primary denomination", are we truly enthusiastic in God? Do we really take our belief seriously and try to practically live up to it in our daily life?

With breeze stroking my face and sunshine shedding on my skin when I was in the LDS church's parking lot, I spoke to myself, "It is a beautiful Sunday, isn't it?" "So God help me please." I secretly prayed, "Please help me find You helping me find You." Today and everyday...