Love keeps this whole world together

I returned from an 8-day trip to Caracas, Venezuela with Global Exchange to an empty house. Well, it's not really empty. There's stuff all over the place actually.

Traveling without newlywed spouse is tough, but useful! I always had wonderful stories to tell people about homelife. "Where is your husband?" "In Seattle learning about oceans." "Oh."

Needless to say, our group had an incredible amount of information and experiences to process when we came back. If I will say anything about my trip and the education I received from having an on-the-ground experience it is this: Venezuela is a democracy. Venezuela is definately not a dictatorship.

Good. I've said it. If you have any further questions feel free to ask. All other information will be found at radiohumanity.org.

Returning to each other was the most wonderful return a couple can have. It makes us grow stronger. But, of course, remember the first part of the cliche - "That which does not kill us..."

We both returned in the a.m. (not on purpose), with just enough energy to say "I love you." And fall completely and utterly asleep.

Absence does make the heart grow fonder...

Seattle, Washington

The day finds me ready to depart Seattle Washington after seven days . I have spent the last week mostly at the U n i v e r s i t y of W a s h i n g t o n and N O A A facilities studying all about the vast and mostly unexplored oceans.

This has also been a time to look back and reflect from the last posting I made. Today finds me in day 16 not having seen my beautiful bride. The joys and delights of married life have been tempered by distance. We have both been busy doing our "own" thing. During that time we have shared many stories and issues from each of our own adventures. Absence does make the heart grow fonder. I do miss her physical presence.

If you have never done it, try having good phone conversation with a significant other about any important topic you can think of. Then as a part of this conversation make meaningful and lasting decisions from it. In this process you will learn to communicate more cleanly and precisely. Not seeing body language and/or other nonverbal cues causes one to more effectively communicate through language.

Seattle is a wonderful place! Flying in I saw Mt Rainier and a glacier-like flow or two. The company has been good. I have been working with about 28 other college professors learning about the oceans.

The presentation I did using W E B c t went very well. Many I suspect will call or e-mail with additional questions. We have been busy from about 8am to 6pm each day doing something related to ocean studies. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner socials have also provided us with good experiences for interaction and awareness of what other jobs and programs across the 50 states are like.

While here in Seattle I have shopped in two recycled clothing shops for my Bride, eaten at fair trade, Indian, university, and Fremont area restaurants. Food has been good!

We stayed at the W a t e r T o w n on Roosevelt. A delightful ultra-modern hotel. We were about a 15 minute walk from the Ocean S c i e n c e Building at the University.

Later this evening my flight get in about 21:00. I look forward to the very simple pleasure of seeing the smile on my beautiful bride's face and hugging her so closely.

I also look forward (I don’t mind doing work...) to plowing through all those unfinished projects and planning for the future. My return docket for Monday includes grading, sweating, sewage, mentoring, unpacking, burying, and resurrection issues!

I have before me SO many wonderful gifts!

MJB