On Saturday I made a choice. Still sullen and slow, I joined my friends in a fabulous breakfast at home of apple cinnamon pancakes. This cheered me a little, but something still wasn't right. My heart was weighed down by too many thoughts and feelings. With too much on my mind I chose to get out of my thoughts and venture into the world instead of staying inside the house and locked in my head. So I hopped on a bus bound for Pike Place Market, cameras in hand, leaving behind my stress and my homework. I had no interest in reading about suffering or spiritual dimensions of post-tramatic stress disorder. Sometimes, I have to forgo homework and study to take care of myself. This was a day to explore, and explore I did.
I walked meditatively through Pike Place listening, observing, tasting, smelling...the market is a fascinating place to be. Tourists swarm all year round, flocking to the famous market, cameras ready for flying fish and the storefront of the first Starbucks. I go for inspiration--to smell fresh flowers, fruit, and fish all at once; to hear four languges spoken in the same space; to watch the flow of people in a small area; to hear the song of a street performer; and to walk freely, without expectation.
On this particular Saturday afternoon, I even encountered a famous president. As I approached Starbucks, a group called the Tallboys were jammin' away at the entrance. They played some mighty fine old time music with violin, banjo, and guitar. Then, a tall thin man in a stovepipe hat walks up...he was none other than Abe Lincoln! Honest Abe stayed for a few minutes to jam with the Tallboys and of course, pose for photos.
It was an amazing weekend. In fact, since I had class last Wednesday, I haven't done any school work. In addition to the Saturday sojourn to Pike Place, I also ventured to the Ballard Locks that day, and Discovery Park on Sunday. I ran 13.5 miles on Thursday and 9 yesterday (whew!). Lovely thing to publicly admit on a blog, but I needed all of it. On Thursday I submitted my resume to some jobs relating to campus ministry, and none are in Seattle. Graduation is becoming all too real. While I have loved my time at the School of Theology and Ministry, I am ready to move on, ready to stop being a student (I've been one for the majority of my life). I think my adventurous spirit and love for Seattle will continue override the several hundred pages of assigned reading to soak up this city before the day I might be called away...
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Megan