Saturday smores

It is Sunday evening and I'm sitting at my desk in front of my window, listening to the rain pound against the roof. I know we need the rain, but it always makes me a little melancholy. It sort of matches my mood at the moment, though. I have been busy every single second of this weekend and now I feel a little worn out and tired. I attempted to solve 50 intense economic problems, wrote a 7 page urban planning paper, prepared for a presentation, attended a group meeting, worked at the farmer's market, and read for several classes.

The highlight of this weekend, however, was our GFM hiking excursion. About 20 people showed up for hiking and dinner on a grill at McCormick's Creek State Park, which is only about 15 miles from here. It was a gorgeous late summer day, and we all just had a great time walking and talking and eating. I invited one of our Chinese neighbors, too, and he was excited to go on his first "American" hiking expedition.

I loved seeing things through his perspective and getting to talk to him a lot more. He thought the scenery was still very natural, and he was perplexed how there didn't seem to be a leader of the group, but we all just went with the flow. He and I had some great conversations about the truth and culture. We also got to teach him how to make his first smore, which was a delight!

Although classes and work can often be frustrating, it's moments like roasting a marshmallow over burning coals in the middle of the woods that can put everything into perspective.

Exploring an old quarry at McCormick's Creek.

Bingjing roasting his first marshmallow!

Cindy and Bingjing putting the smore together.