The Color Purple

I should be reading right now but I HAD to write about our trip to see "The Color Purple" last night. It was AMAZING! I LOVE LOVE LOVED it! I love going to the theater and am pretty happy seeing anything, but this particular show was SO wonderful. The critics are right--it is beautiful and has SO much heart! It is playing in KC later this year and I may try to go again!

Here I am with my program:



David was sweet to go with me. I think he enjoyed it too. =) We tried a new restaurant for dinner called "Forest Room 5." I asked him to take a picture of it because I think it's so cute! They have a log fire outside but I don't think you can see that in the picture. Thanks again to Steve and Patty--it was so fun!

New Iliff Video

If you have 8 minutes and 8 seconds, here is a new Iliff video promoting Iliff. It's pretty cool! (AND, I'm in it--my hair was dark--can you find me?) =)

What's Happening in Gaza

My inbox has been flooded with emails from Amnesty International and Friends of Sabeel--North America regarding the current crisis in Gaza. I thought I'd share some of the info I've received since the media is unabashedly lop-sided in favor of Israel.

Since December 27th, Rocket fire by armed Palestinian groups, including Hamas, has taken the lives of 4 Israelis and caused several dozen injuries.

The Israeli attacks on Gaza have caused over 400 Palestinian deaths and 2000 injuries.

While it's no excuse for the rocket fire, it's important to remember that Palestinians living in Gaza are trapped in disgraceful humanitarian conditions. Israeli blockades have long denied Palestinians food, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid.

Amnesty International is calling for the following:
*Immediate cease fire by both Palestinians and Israelis
*An end to Israel's disproportionate response
*For Israel to open the blockades and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza

If you'd like more info, go to www.amnesty.org or www.fosna.org.

More Pics of Friends and Family

Have A Merry Fair-Trade Christmas

Earlier I posted that David and I were trying to "conspire" this Christmas and do things a little differently. I was SO proud of our families and the way they conspired with us.

Instead of exchanging gifts with David's siblings we decided to cook a meal together at Matt, Emily, and Rachel's house in Topeka. It was great to see their house and spend time with them. We are excited for Matt and Emily's wedding in March!

Here are pics of Matt and Emily, and Rachel with her boyfriend, Andy.




We are Family: Brothers and Sisters!




Dinner




We hardly ever get to see Gee Gee and Pau Pau and spend quality time with them so, in lieu of gifts, we asked to go to breakfast. They took us to breakfast at Firstwatch and we got to have them all to ourselves! =)




Here is a pic of Gee Gee and me with my new purse. It's Gee Gee's purse, and I've had my eye on it for a couple of years! =) She was getting tired of it so gave it to me. I LOVE it and feel great about using a "recycled" purse.



David's big gift from his parents was money to go skiing with his dad in February. I received money to purchase tickets to "The Color Purple" so David and I will have a fun date to look forward to! Again, the gifts we received will allow us to spend time with the people we love. =)

I received some gifts from "Ten Thousand Villages" in Overland Park and we gave some gifts from "All Things Renewable" in Denver. Both shops sell handmade crafts that are fair-trade certified, meaning the artisans were paid a fair price for their products. Here are some pics of our fair-trade Christmas!






Finally, Steve and Patty made a donation in our names and my mom gave me a membership to "Green America" so I will start receiving information about consuming and investing in socially-responsible ways!

Christmas in KC

Yesterday David and I returned to Denver after two wonderful weeks in Kansas City. It went by fast--and I was super sad to leave our families yesterday morning! Here are some pics from our trip.