Well then, life in the city. What should I say about it? There are infinite opportunities available at hand. There is diversity that is unparalleled elsewhere. One example of this diversity is the church called 'New City' that I have started attending. It lies right downtown LA only a little over two miles away from Boyle Heights and people from every background and socioeconomic status come together there. There are some Biola connections there, but for the most part the church does not draw the college crowd. The other Sunday many of the streets downtown were closed for an event called Ciclavia. Spanning from right near our house at Hollenbeck Park and stretching to east Hollywood there were nearly ten miles of open road for cyclists and other pedestrians to enjoy. And enjoy I did! Not only did I use the route to cycle to church that morning, but I also used the open roads to run. Now, there were not many others who were running during this time, but the ones who were out running I was sure to wave to them. I did what I do best and I ran, and I ran, and some cyclists were commenting that I was staying at the same pace as them as they were riding. And I made it to east Hollywood right in the bicycle district. There, some booths that were set up at the 'finish' and the Bicycle Kitchen is right there so I said hi to some people I know there. Then, once I emptied a energy gel I kept running right to Reality LA. Reality is another church that is right in Hollywood and it draws quite a different crowd. Most of the people there are people who are or look like they are in the film industry...young, beautiful, and well dressed. Now, I had some time before the evening service began at Reality LA so I decided to go to Starbucks and get a drink there, and then I went to 'Out of the Closet' a thrift shop where I found myself a pair of corduroys so that I could look somewhat decent for church even if my scent would say otherwise. At Reality Tim Chaddock preached a good sermon about everything under the sun (aka he preached from Ecclesiastes). Then I got a ride back home with one of the girls from our house who had come to Reality also.
Well we finally have begun tutoring...sort of. Last Monday I went to go tutor at the 'alternative high school' but the system was not all that organized and we weren't able to teach anyone calculus (of course I would have to re-learn a lot of what I 'learned' in high school'). But, we did get to talk with the woman who is in charge of tutoring (Lettie) and she inspired us to make a video about why the students should come to tutoring. Oh the benefits of living with three film majors!
I have taken advantage of filling the void that homework used to fill, by putting in some creative energies there. Poetry is the most recent manifestation of that. I don't know really what inspired the desire in me to express myself that way, but I do know that going to open mic nights on First Street right in Boyle Heights here has propelled that desire to become volition. Maybe I'll share some of it sometime...
Another night other music was heard from our house. There was some banda musica that was playing and so myself and another member of our house went to go and check out the source of the sound. One of the houses around the corner was having a party. We knew some of the guys who lived in the house and they let us come in and check out the festivities. We felt like we stuck out like we were wearing purple on St. Patrick's day. But members of our house slowly kept coming over to the party and eventually we gained enough confidence to step out onto the dance floor (aka a large section of carpet that was laid out on the backyard lawn). The style of the dancing that the exclusively hispanic partygoers were dancing to was unlike what we would normally dance to. And to have the younger crowd and their parents all coming together at the same party was equally seemingly strange. The age range there was certainly diverse.
All in all, this certainly is a unique time in my life that I will miss when it is gone. Fun, adventurous, and stretching in certain ways characterize this season. More to come soon. Critical Mass, a rather large bike ride is happening downtown on the 28th so I will be sure to send an update about which riders were dressed up as an apple computers in memory of their founder. Til' then.
-Ryan
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
White Wrists and Working with My Hands
I am approaching the wake of what I would describe as, "normal life." Everything is about to begin...I have a number of opportunities that are just about to begin. Starting this week work, tutoring at the high school, and other volunteer jobs commence. The fact that my days might just become super busy does not scare me or stress me out. During my time at Biola, I actually was more productive in the time that I was busy with running and with school and all of the other things I was involved in than in the times that I had a week or two of time off from running. There were more opportunities to procrastinate when I was not running...so that is what I did, Procrastinate. But in this stack of dry wood about to catch a spark there is a lot of me that is going to miss being free to explore the city by bike or by foot.
With my free time I have also had the opportunity to continue to learn skills and arts that I enjoy. I am trying to figure out what learning looks like outside of classes, credits and degrees. Even, how can I make myself more marketable for jobs that I am looking for without working toward a masters degree. Reading is one easy way that I have been able to get started at that. Reading books about Social Entrepreneurship or writing a lot might get pushed to the side as the clock begins to tic again. As for right now, it is somewhat on standstill.
On that note, something tragic happened. The band on my watch broke transforming a wristwatch into what is now an improvised pocket watch. There have been far too many times that I have looked down at my wrist only to find a pale silhouette of where my watch should be. I have only realized how much I depend on my watch in its absence. I live constrained by the grip of the minute and second hands.
Also, only after having to buy all my own food and not have the convenience and endless supply of food from the school cafeteria do I realize how much it costs to feed myself. I am starting to budget my expenditures looking at the past month and deciding what I can live without and how I can be increasingly wiser with my money. But fortunately this coming month my personal balance sheet will not be painted all with red, but with some green as I now have an income generating job.
So through the Bicycle Bread Company I have been able to meet some people. And one of the guys who works in the bakery there heard my story about coming to Boyle Heights and that I had graduated from Biola and was looking for work. It just so happened that his wife went to Biola, studied art there and is now working for an ocarina making business. You might ask, "what is an ocarina?" Well I am just beginning to grasp what one is also. Think an ancient flute, made from ceramics or clay that the only place that I had heard of one before was on the Legends of Zelda Nintendo game. Well, I like to play the harmonica, so maybe a four to twelve holed flute isn't much different...
As I am making ocarinas I am also listening to an audiobook. In it, the author talks about Romans 9:20-24 and I took a sobering look at myself and thought about how often that I think that God should do things certain ways. And then I think how foolish it is that me, the clay, should tell the almighty potter how he should mold and make me. I am inclined to think, 'well the analogy breaks down because clay is not a thinking being. But then I think that it is completely fitting because compared to God's wisdom and knowledge our thinking is like bricks, stones, or clay. I wouldn't do things God's way, especially I would never think of sending my only son to die for humanity.
The intricacies of making these instruments are subtle, and there is much to learn on the subject. The work environment is more than I could have asked for: friendly, classical music playing, learning something new every day, getting to know the other workers better, and as one of them put it..."sientete familia" it feels like family.
With my free time I have also had the opportunity to continue to learn skills and arts that I enjoy. I am trying to figure out what learning looks like outside of classes, credits and degrees. Even, how can I make myself more marketable for jobs that I am looking for without working toward a masters degree. Reading is one easy way that I have been able to get started at that. Reading books about Social Entrepreneurship or writing a lot might get pushed to the side as the clock begins to tic again. As for right now, it is somewhat on standstill.
On that note, something tragic happened. The band on my watch broke transforming a wristwatch into what is now an improvised pocket watch. There have been far too many times that I have looked down at my wrist only to find a pale silhouette of where my watch should be. I have only realized how much I depend on my watch in its absence. I live constrained by the grip of the minute and second hands.
Also, only after having to buy all my own food and not have the convenience and endless supply of food from the school cafeteria do I realize how much it costs to feed myself. I am starting to budget my expenditures looking at the past month and deciding what I can live without and how I can be increasingly wiser with my money. But fortunately this coming month my personal balance sheet will not be painted all with red, but with some green as I now have an income generating job.
So through the Bicycle Bread Company I have been able to meet some people. And one of the guys who works in the bakery there heard my story about coming to Boyle Heights and that I had graduated from Biola and was looking for work. It just so happened that his wife went to Biola, studied art there and is now working for an ocarina making business. You might ask, "what is an ocarina?" Well I am just beginning to grasp what one is also. Think an ancient flute, made from ceramics or clay that the only place that I had heard of one before was on the Legends of Zelda Nintendo game. Well, I like to play the harmonica, so maybe a four to twelve holed flute isn't much different...
As I am making ocarinas I am also listening to an audiobook. In it, the author talks about Romans 9:20-24 and I took a sobering look at myself and thought about how often that I think that God should do things certain ways. And then I think how foolish it is that me, the clay, should tell the almighty potter how he should mold and make me. I am inclined to think, 'well the analogy breaks down because clay is not a thinking being. But then I think that it is completely fitting because compared to God's wisdom and knowledge our thinking is like bricks, stones, or clay. I wouldn't do things God's way, especially I would never think of sending my only son to die for humanity.
The intricacies of making these instruments are subtle, and there is much to learn on the subject. The work environment is more than I could have asked for: friendly, classical music playing, learning something new every day, getting to know the other workers better, and as one of them put it..."sientete familia" it feels like family.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Removing the Wrapping
Young trees will sometimes be wrapped with a protective material either made of a plastic or a biodegradable material. This wrap serves two primary functions: to protect the tree from physical damage, and to modify the immediate environment.
These wraps must be removed within a year of putting them on. Reasons it must be removed include: the tree needs room to grow, moisture could get trapped inside, insects could make their way inside, or wasps.
I remember when I was younger and our previous dog (Riley) was just a puppy, we had a sapling tree in our backyard. Riley was in the teething stage at the time and he chewed on everything he could find. Like any dog he loved to play fetch with sticks. The sapling tree in the backyard was no exception. He tore the thin layer of bark right from the tree with his razor sharp puppy teeth. To save the tree from external dangers we covered the tree with a wrap. Now eventually we had to remove the wrap in order to allow the tree to grow. But when we did get rid of the wrap, the tree was capable of being exposed to the elements. Now, almost a decade later, the section of the tree that was exposed still shows to this day. Yet, it has shrunk. The surrounding bark has almost enveloped the scar.
Most of my life I have lived with the feeling that I also have a wrap surrounding me. As we grow up, we must also get rid of the wrapping that is sheltering us from the dangers around us. The wrap might come in the form of being on my parents' insurance plan, or going to a school where there are people who are looking out for me. It takes the form of many other responsibilities and liabilities that are under the substitutionary atonement of others.
From the Wilderness to the Urban Jungle
I thought the transition of going from rural Wisconsin to the metropolis of Los Angeles would be abrupt. Nevertheless, the transition from being super busy all the time, to not having a whole lot to do all the time has been tougher than I expected. I mean, I can be so task oriented that not having a lot to do can be, dare I say, stressful. I do anticipate that this peaceful interlude will break into a new chorus in the proper timing. Tutoring will start up according to Larry, "when the kids figure out that they are falling behind in their classes" (aka October-ish) and hopefully I find out about a job that I applied for at a bike shop tomorrow (fingers crossed).
A lot of my thoughts have been centered around one word, 'community'. What does it mean to have authentic community? How does one create community? Where exactly do I fit in in a church community that doesn't look all that much like me? Do I attend 'Reality LA' a church that would be predominately white and outside the neighborhood or do I get involved in a church right here. The sense of community within Hollenbeck House started out strong with us checking a number of items off of our 'explorations' and expeditions' checklist (aka sites, cultural experiences, and restaurants). We have weekly meetings every Sunday night to bring everyone together if nothing else.
The house we live in is being constantly renewed. The goal that Larry has for the house is that it would be a place where people from the neighborhood would like to come and to hang out. Therefore the money that we spent on rent is going toward the 'pool fund.' The backyard right now is comprised a few fruit trees yielding figs and passion fruit with the majority of the yard being dirt where the pool soon will passionately pit itself. I have had the opportunity to take a 16 lb. sledgehammer and break up portions of the cement walkway that used traverse the yard. Combined with the pull-up bars that I have set up in the front yard, push-ups and sit-ups in the front yard I have a whole workout routine...and that is just at home.
I have done some personal explorations to the various parks around town too. In the world of triathlons a workout that combines running and biking is called a brick workout (possibly because your legs start to feel like bricks). I have done a modified version of this workout; I will bike to a park, run there and then bike back home. Of course I lock my bike up at the park, wear a helmet, and use caution while riding. The view! Let me tell you about it, Ernest C. Debs Park had one of my favorite views. I wish I could share but it is difficult to take a camera on runs. The mountains of Pasadena and the peaks of the high rise buildings of downtown come together at sunset in a harmonic mix of hues and shades.
I got to chat with Tri Truong, who is the head of the BAM (Business as Mission) tract of Transform LA. A wise and well seasoned business man, he had a lot of good advice for an aspiring entrepreneur and BAM wannabe. He left me with three key words of advice: network, teamwork and trust. Maybe if I rearrange the order of the words then we are left with the explosive acronym of TNT. Combine that with BAM and what are you left with?...hmmm...a mess? But as far as my involvement in TLA he said to come to him with a business proposal and maybe I could get some funding.
Speaking of funding, I got to go and play soccer yesterday with Jeff and some latino teens in Pico/Union. Pico is another neighborhood maybe four miles from Boyle Heights with similar demographics. We played soccer in a local park that was triangle shaped, had palm trees and boulders, potholes and sprinklers, and was definitely not designed for futbol. We played hard for nearly three hours and then went to a taco truck for a post-game snack. I got called David Beckham, but I didn't take it personally because that is what every gringo gets called when they join in the latino games. In these parts, the pale complexion stands out like Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer.
High: Getting to do all the things I couldn't do while I was running cross country and track.
Low: Not getting to race with the team.
Next blog entry: Random, Small World, and Divine Appointments
A lot of my thoughts have been centered around one word, 'community'. What does it mean to have authentic community? How does one create community? Where exactly do I fit in in a church community that doesn't look all that much like me? Do I attend 'Reality LA' a church that would be predominately white and outside the neighborhood or do I get involved in a church right here. The sense of community within Hollenbeck House started out strong with us checking a number of items off of our 'explorations' and expeditions' checklist (aka sites, cultural experiences, and restaurants). We have weekly meetings every Sunday night to bring everyone together if nothing else.
The house we live in is being constantly renewed. The goal that Larry has for the house is that it would be a place where people from the neighborhood would like to come and to hang out. Therefore the money that we spent on rent is going toward the 'pool fund.' The backyard right now is comprised a few fruit trees yielding figs and passion fruit with the majority of the yard being dirt where the pool soon will passionately pit itself. I have had the opportunity to take a 16 lb. sledgehammer and break up portions of the cement walkway that used traverse the yard. Combined with the pull-up bars that I have set up in the front yard, push-ups and sit-ups in the front yard I have a whole workout routine...and that is just at home.
I have done some personal explorations to the various parks around town too. In the world of triathlons a workout that combines running and biking is called a brick workout (possibly because your legs start to feel like bricks). I have done a modified version of this workout; I will bike to a park, run there and then bike back home. Of course I lock my bike up at the park, wear a helmet, and use caution while riding. The view! Let me tell you about it, Ernest C. Debs Park had one of my favorite views. I wish I could share but it is difficult to take a camera on runs. The mountains of Pasadena and the peaks of the high rise buildings of downtown come together at sunset in a harmonic mix of hues and shades.
I got to chat with Tri Truong, who is the head of the BAM (Business as Mission) tract of Transform LA. A wise and well seasoned business man, he had a lot of good advice for an aspiring entrepreneur and BAM wannabe. He left me with three key words of advice: network, teamwork and trust. Maybe if I rearrange the order of the words then we are left with the explosive acronym of TNT. Combine that with BAM and what are you left with?...hmmm...a mess? But as far as my involvement in TLA he said to come to him with a business proposal and maybe I could get some funding.
Speaking of funding, I got to go and play soccer yesterday with Jeff and some latino teens in Pico/Union. Pico is another neighborhood maybe four miles from Boyle Heights with similar demographics. We played soccer in a local park that was triangle shaped, had palm trees and boulders, potholes and sprinklers, and was definitely not designed for futbol. We played hard for nearly three hours and then went to a taco truck for a post-game snack. I got called David Beckham, but I didn't take it personally because that is what every gringo gets called when they join in the latino games. In these parts, the pale complexion stands out like Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer.
High: Getting to do all the things I couldn't do while I was running cross country and track.
Low: Not getting to race with the team.
Next blog entry: Random, Small World, and Divine Appointments
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