Old School

I told you I love the Wizard of Oz. After working on my last blog post, I decided to choose The Wonderful Wizard of Oz as my next book. Those of you hoping for an extended book review will be a bit disappointed. It is a great book - read it and read it to your kids (just be warned it is more graphic than the movie).

Instead, I wanted to compare and evaluate the mediums by which I read my first two books - the Kindle and a traditional book.

The Kindle
After many months of waiting and dreaming, my husband finally got the Kindle this year for Christmas. I'll admit, my first instinct was to shun it completely. I love to read books, and I just didn't think that the Kindle was for me. To change my mind, Chris graciously relinquished some of his gift card and downloaded Decision Points for me. I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised. The Kindle is surprisingly easy to read - there really is no glare. It was also nice not to lug 497 pages worth of a book up to Michigan. It takes a few minutes to get your bearings, but it was fairly easy to navigate and use. The biggest surprise of the Kindle was the book price. Originally, this was my biggest objection to the Kindle, but we found out that books on the Kindle are significantly cheaper than traditional books. For example, Decisions Points retails for $35. The Kindle edition is only $9.99. For those of you not into math, that is a savings of 71%. Pretty substantial savings for us, since this reduces the cost of books for Chris while he is getting his Master's degree.

One drawback of the Kindle is that not all books are available on the Kindle, which can defeat the point of having one. Also, it is in black and white. Normally, this is not a problem since many books don't use pictures, but when you are reading a book with illustrations or photos, you lose the color (a big issue for books like The Wonderful Wizard of Oz). Additionally, its daintiness makes it convenient for travel, but also susceptible to damage. Of course, you can shell out another $30-$40 for a hard case, but that adds expense. My last and biggest objection to the Kindle is its WiFi. At this point, many are wondering why I am shunning the "great and powerful" Internet, but isn't the point of the reading a book to read a book? It seems counterproductive to have a device for reading books that allows for the irresistible distraction of the Internet.

Traditional Books
What to be said about the old, traditional book? For starters, the experience of going to a book store and picking out your book is one of my favorites. I realize many people, like us, buy a lot of their books off the Internet, but if you haven't been to a bookstore in a while, pay them a visit. There is just something about holding in your hands the book that you have so carefully chosen - the colors, the weight, its smell - all things absent with the Kindle. Additionally, there is no better feeling when you are reading than feeling the pages under your right thumb slowly diminish while the ones under your left grow ever-so-slightly. And when you turn that last page, the sense of accomplishment is unmatched. The Kindle only offers a small bar progress bar at the bottom with a percentage of the book you have read.

So, what's a girl to do? Kindle or book? Well, in case you hadn't figured it out yet, I am more inclined to the traditional book. The experience of turning pages, seeing color illustrations and feeling the paper on my hands is just too satisfying to give up completely. I'll still enjoy Chris' Kindle occasionally, but for the most part you can find me curled up on the couch with a good, old fashioned book - that is, if my munchkins let me.

There's No Place Like Home (Part Two)

As promised, here is Part Two of what I love about Detroit. This will be a more personal section than the last, but I hope you will enjoy it nonetheless.

Cornerstone Baptist Church
When I was in first grade, my family started attending Cornerstone Baptist Church and we will never be the same. Cornerstone is led by godly, gospel-driven men and women and is filled with some of the most caring and generous people you will ever meet. I could fill a book with all the experiences I have had there - from being baptized to youth group mission trips to marrying my wonderful husband - but the biggest impact Cornerstone has had on me is the preaching and teaching that has shaped my spiritual walk in indelible ways. Even when I was a child, the lessons I have learned are etched into my heart (I can still sing the "10 Commandments" song if you want me to) and I will forever be grateful for my home church. Led by Pastor Robert Johnson, II, if you are ever in Detroit, you should make it a priority to come to Cornerstone - you won't be sorry.

Cornerstone Baptist Church

The People
The people of Detroit are wonderful. Strong, resourceful, and friendly (unless you cut them off in rush hour traffic). Included in this section are my neighbors, my grandparents, and my parents.

Typically, neighbors get a bad rap. There have been countless television episodes and movies about nightmare neighbors. I am happy to report that my neighbors - Darlene, Jay, Kyle, and Katie are some of the most special people you will ever meet. When we moved into our house, Kyle and Katie were 2 and 3, respectively. Now, they are both in college and I couldn't be more proud. Darlene and Jay have opened up their heart and home to us and they are very dear to us. Even from afar, I still am blessed by them through coupon-filled cards of encouragement. They aren't blood relatives, but they are certainly part of our family.

My grandparents, Tony and Irene, are incredible. My grandpa was a tiler by trade and some of my fondest childhood memories include going to jobs with him. He has tiled a lot of homes and one of my favorite stories involves Aretha Franklin calling my grandparent's house and being indignant that my grandma didn't really know or care who she was. He also was a merchant marine in World War II and has some pretty great stories to tell. My grandma is a pistol. Sharp and witty, she always has a smart comment for my dad (which is where he gets it). My favorite thing about my grandma is her love for her family. Every time we visit, she always tells us she loves us and is proud of us. My grandparents embody Detroit's hard-working, family-loving spirit and I am so grateful to be their granddaughter.

My grandparents and Ethan

When I was younger, I was listening to the Mitch Albom (a famous Detroit sports columnist/radio host and author of Tuesdays with Morrie) show on the radio and they were discussing who has a greater impact in a child's life - their friends or their parents. I decided to call in to give my opinion, which was that my parents had a greater impact on my life than any of my friends. Mitch didn't agree and hung up quite abruptly, but I still stand by my answer. Apart from Christ, my parents have been the most important influence in my life. They taught me that there is such a thing as right and wrong, to shut my mouth if I have nothing nice to say, and that there is nothing I can do that will ever make them stop loving me. The spiritual truths they taught me have also been invaluable and they continually humble me with their Christ-like love for our family through their encouragement, prayers and support. Any fellow seminarians reading this blog can attest that seminary can be an amazing place of learning and growth. It can also be the most emotionally, physically, and spiritually difficult time you will encounter while you are trying to balance work, family, and school. There have been many times when God has used my parents as an instrument of grace in our lives, and I am sure there will be many more times in the future.

Nani teaching Emma to make cookies




Papa and Ethan looking handsome for church

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That is what I love about Detroit. In the book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Dorothy tells the Scarecrow, "No matter how dreary and gray our homes are, we people of flesh and blood would rather live there than in any other country, be it ever so beautiful. There is no place like home." I couldn't agree more.

There's No Place Like Home (Part One)

Anyone who knows me well knows that The Wizard of Oz is my favorite movie. For those of you unfamiliar with its plot, it tells the story of a girl named Dorothy who, like most young people, feels like there is a better life waiting for her away from home. With the help of a tornado and a badly hinged window pane, she is transported to the land of Oz. However, at the end of her journey she realizes, famously, that, "there's no place like home."

In addition to our affinity for sparkly, red high heels, Dorothy and I share a love of home. For nine years I have lived away from my home in Detroit, Michigan, and I miss it. Many may think this is a ridiculous thought because, as most know, Detroit has not fared well with the collapse of the auto industry and economy. However, it will forever be my home and these next posts will be an homage to what is good about Detroit and why I love it.

Without further adieu, here are things that I love about Detroit:

The Sports
Whether we are watching the Red Wings win or groaning over another Lion's, Tiger's, or Piston loss, we Detroiters love our sports. If you ever visit Detroit, I highly recommend taking in a sporting event. You can visit the Wings at historic Joe Louis arena or enjoy a summer baseball game at the family-friendly Comerica Park. I have yet to personally visit Ford Field (they began and completed construction while I was in college), but my parents tell me it is a nice place to watch the Lions lose. Indeed, Detroit is a sports city through and through.

The Weather
Although I can almost hear the scoffs through the computer screen, Michigan has amazingly beautiful weather. In addition to actually having four seasons (yes, Florida, I am talking to you), those seasons are gorgeous. The summers are warm, dry and perfect for spending time at the park or lake. Spring brings in moderate temperatures and beautiful flowers, and the incredible foliage of the Fall is unmatched. Likewise, Michigan Winter covers the ground with a blanket of white snow and have given me some of my best childhood memories. Sledding, tubing, snowball fights, snowmen, snow angels - you name it, it is always more fun in the snow.

The Culture
Most major cities have a thriving cultural scene, and Detroit is no different. Due to the enormous potential of this section being lengthy, I will limit my exposition to some notable places that I personally enjoy.

One of my favorite places is the Fox Theater, located in the heart of downtown Detroit (incidentally, I have seen the Wizard of Oz there, among other shows). Built in 1928 by William Fox (of movie fame), it is one of the largest theaters in the world today and remains the oldest. The Fox was also the first movie theater in the world to have a built-in speaker system for "talking movies." There is no more spectacular place in Detroit to watch a play, concert, or movie.

Another can't miss is the Motown Historical Museum, located in the house Barry Gordy founded Motown Records and affectionately dubbed "Hitsville USA." Started on an $800 loan, Motown Records produced some of the greatest music of all time. The museum is an amazing collection of memorabilia, history, and music. The highlight of the museum for me was the one-room studio and piano where greats like Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Smokey Robinson, and the Temptations recorded their songs.

If you love historical museums, you will also love The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village in nearby Dearborn. The Henry Ford boasts historical items such as the chair Lincoln was shot in, the car Kennedy was assassinated in, and the bus that Rosa Parks famously sat in when she refused to give up her seat.

Next to the museum is Greenfield Village, quite possibly Emma's favorite spot, second to Nani and Papa's. Greenfield Village, founded by Henry Ford, is an 80-acre site divided into seven historic districts - Railroad Junction, Working Farms, Edison at Work, Porches and Parlors, Liberty Craftworks, Main Street, and Henry Ford's Model T. Each district features docents dressed in period costume to guide you through. Some interesting places to visit include the Ford family farm, the Wright Brother's original bicycle shop where they built the first airplane, and a glass blowing shop, where you can actually take a class and make your own glass flower (my mom's turned out beautiful). If you ask her, however, Emma will tell you that her favorite parts of Greenfield Village are its working carousel, built in 1913, and the genuine steam engine train.

Other places worth mentioning are: The Detroit Opera House, The Detroit Zoo, The Detroit Institute of Art, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

The Food
For a girl who loves to eat, Detroit is tops. Italian, Mexican, American, Greek, Arabic, Cantonese, Chinese, Vietnamese - you name it, Detroit has it. Of course, if you want to hit up the local Olive Garden or Outback, we have those too, but most of my favorite places to eat are small, family owned establishments with delectable cuisine. Some of my personal favorites include China Moon on Harper Avenue (where you can actually distinguish that the meat is chicken), Luigi's, an Italian eatery owned by actual Italians with two locations to choose from, and Kirby's Coney Island (the best for those BLT and fry cravings).

The Auto Industry
Most Detroiters are shaking their heads as they read this heading because the failure of the auto industry has been the bane of Detroit's existence in recent history. And while foreign automakers are sure giving us a run for our money, the auto industry's history and heart will always be in Detroit. We recently attended the North American International Auto Show at Cobo Hall, and it was amazing. Maybe it is the American in me, but I was glad to see Ford with the largest and most impressive display (in my opinion). The auto industry will most likely never return to its former glory days, but it was good to see that they are trying to make a comeback, which can only benefit the city.




Here are some more pictures from the NAIAS:

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Thus concludes Part One. Look for Part Two coming soon - and believe me, I have saved the best for last!

The First 497

As mentioned in my previous blog, one of my goals this year is to be more intellectually productive. The main way I want to accomplish this is through reading. To be fair, reading is actually one of my favorite pastimes, so it wasn't really a hard decision to come to. However, anyone who has or has had small children knows that carving out time to read can be a challenge, so I started my first book in Michigan where I had the assistance of two extra sets of eyes to watch over my little munchkins.

I am happy to report that this week I finished my first book of 2011- Decision Points by George W. Bush. Many of you may think this a strange choice as far as books to read, but I have wanted to read this book since it came out last year. My reason for this is twofold. First, the book gives, as the title implies, Bush's explanations behind the major decisions made during his presidency. Second, Bush was president during some of the most formative events in modern history and I wanted to read how he experienced them.

The book did not disappoint. It was informative, serious, humorous at times, and well written. Did I agree with all of his decisions during his presidency? No. However, here are some abridged reasons why I thoroughly enjoyed this book:

1. Its Sincerity. Love him or hate him, George Bush is who he is. He was candid during his presidency and throughout the book. A native Texan, he doesn't mince words or tiptoe around events and people that bothered him. You also come away with the feeling that he sincerely wanted the best for our country and for mankind as a whole.
   
   
2. Its Honesty. Admitting you were wrong is tough to do, especially when you were the president of the free world. However, there are several instances where Bush admits his foolishness in decisions, comments, or choice of company. This is rare in most memoirs, and it was refreshing to read. It also reminds you that even the President of the United States is a human who, even with the best resources and people surrounding him, can still be a real person who makes real mistakes.
   
   
3. Its Graciousness. This may be one the thing that surprised me most about this book. As mentioned earlier, Bush does not tiptoe around his opinions of people and their actions. Still, he had a positive comment for almost every person mentioned in his book. And not merely courtesy compliments, but real, honest, constructive honor for even political opponents.
   
   
4. Its Stories. Included in this book are many stories from Bush's childhood, adulthood, political career, and obviously, his presidency. Each was well chosen and pertinent to the topic being discussed. His childhood stories in particular give you great insight into why he is who he is.

Last, my favorite part of this book was the faith that Bush exhibited. Many conservative Christians embraced him in 2000 because he was politically conservative. At the time, I was guilty of assuming that a political conservative was on par (or at least close) with a conservative Christian because they mention "faith" and/or "God" at a political rally. Nonetheless, after reading this book, it is clear that Bush truly is a man of faith in Jesus Christ. His testimony is riveting and a phenomenal witness to the power of the Gospel. And, even if nothing else about his presidency was good, he was used as an instrument of God to ban partial-birth abortions and the killing of human embryos for the sake of medical research.

Let me also be clear that no man - president, conservative, or otherwise - is our perfect savior. Only Jesus Christ is this. President Bush is also not someone to be worshiped. Lest you think me naive, yes, I do realize he is also a politician writing a book about himself. Everyone has a worldview, and George W. Bush is no different.

Nonetheless, Decision Points, in my opinion, was a great and interesting read. Well-written and thought provoking, I recommend this book to fans and critics alike.

497 pages down, many more to go!

Knit Wit

Of all the people I know, my mom is the most diversely talented of them all. She is smart, musical, and creatively inclined. From sewing to quilting to basket weaving, my mom has dominated every craft she has had an interest in. The last few years, knitting has been my mom's latest pursuit. Needless to say, Emma, Ethan, Chris, and I have gotten some awesome winter wear - hats, gloves, sweaters and scarves - all beautifully made.

My goal this year is to engage my mind more than last through less television and more intellectual and creative pursuits. So, I have decided to follow in my mom's footsteps and become a knitter! During our trip back home to Michigan (blog post to follow), I had my first knitting lesson and it was, to say the least, challenging. Knitting is a subtly deceptive. At its heart, knitting is really just a series of knots that you repeat over and over - knit a row, pearl a row, knit a row, pearl a row, etc. However, knitting is also the only endeavor I have taken on where you cannot make even one mistake. Every knot has to be perfect or you find yourself (or in my case, my mom) taking apart the last three rows that you painstakingly knit. Unfortunately, my Obi Wan Kenobi resides some 600 miles away, so most of the teaching will be done through the miracle of Skype.

Still, I am going to keep at it. Knitting is an art that demands focus and precision which are two things that are never a bad thing to cultivate. And, after my first foray into the Great Skein Forest, I will get a pretty blue scarf. It may not be pretty, but it will be mine.

Siblinghood

Many things in life make a mother's heart melt, not the least of these being watching your children laughing and playing with one another. Since the day we told her she was going to be a big sister, Emma has mastered the role and loved every minute - and so has Ethan. In addition to helping me by bringing me diapers, wipes, or binkies, she has the unmatched ability to make her little brother laugh. Usually, she can just say "Ethan! Laugh!" and the giggling ensues. And while many think that having an older brother may be preferable to an older sister, Emma's love and protection for her brother rivals that of a mama bear protecting her cubs.

It is my prayer as a mother that the love and bond that Emma and Ethan share will continue throughout their lifetime. Undoubtedly, there will be many fights and tears along the way - this is also a major part of "siblinghood". Ultimately, though, I hope that they will remain each others confidant, encourager, protector, and friend.

It is also impossible for me, as I look at my little "pair" of siblings, to not think of my own. I am second in line to the Alvaro throne after my older brother, Jacob. While I do not remember much of our relationship as toddler and baby, I have been so blessed by my older brother. From threatening boys who hurt me in high school to babysitting my kids, Jacob has been such a special part of my life. We live almost 600 miles apart (yes, I googled it), but I know that if I ever needed him, he would be here, and I hope he knows that I would do the same for him.

Accordingly, here are pictures of my little siblings and of my brother and I. I love all of you!

The Best NFL Names of 2010

Another NFL regular season has come to a close, and we wanted to pay homage to some names that made us giggle every time they crossed the lips of Cris, Al, and Andrea:

• Atari Bigby (a fellow child of the 80s, no doubt)
  
  
• Alge Crumpler
  
  
• BenJarvus Green-Ellis a.k.a "The Lawfirm"
  
  
• Correll Buckhalter
  
  
• Chansi Stuckey
  
  
• Dick Butkus (an oldie, but a goodie)
  
  
• John David Booty
  
  
• Lofa Tatupu
  
  
• Julius Peppers