Monster Snow Storm, Revolutions in the Middle East, Nasty Flu, and Devastating Earthquake

It hasn't been a quiet beginning for 2011.   We were nestled in at home for several days when the monster snow storm swept across the U.S. in February.  At the same time, revolutions in the Middle East were erupting, so I was rather addicted to the TV for quite a while keeping track of the monster storm and witnessing history in the making in the Middle East.

  I happen to love snow and so does Gahee.  George and Ali.....well, they weren't too happy.

Gahee and I managed to take a walk around the neighborhood. 

On our walk we saw some college students having fun in the snow.   They asked if we wanted to join them, but we said, "No thanks." 

This is what the front of our condo looked like.  We shoveled it several times to keep the sidewalk from getting buried too deeply in the snow.

   Here's what the back deck looked like.  We had to shovel a path on the deck so that we could put out food for the birds and squirrels.

And here's a squirrel who appreciated our efforts.  This photo was taken from the livingroom.


The snow storm was bad enough that the University of Missouri canceled classes....and that doesn't happen very often.   Of course after a few days, most people were wanting to get back to work and school.

Because of the missed days of school, instructors at the college have had to readjust planned activities.  I revised my schedule, and then I came down with the flu.  I wasn't happy about that because I got a flu shot in the fall...but there I was at an urgent care facility being told I tested positive.  As a result, I had to be home and sick for two more school days which then required me to revised the planned activities again for my courses.  It's almost mid-March now.  The flu "bug" and other illnesses have been hitting my students hard.  So for now it feels as if we're limping along with the semester, hoping to get to spring break without additional medical expenses or snow storms. 

For the past couple of days, the TV has once again mesmerized us with news coverage of the terrible earthquake in Japan.  Gahee contacted a friend who lives in Tokyo.  That person reported being okay.
Even though the news is filled with videos and photos, we can't begin to imagine what it must be like to be there.  There is a deep feeling of helplessness.

We are here in a modest size college town tucked in the middle of Missouri in the heart of America.  Yet around us there seems to be so much chaos...handed to us by the forces of nature...or spilling from the hearts of people who want change.  With technology, though, we are eye witnesses to  nations working together to consider options for people who believe they are oppressed; we are given opportunities to contribute money so that international organizations can come to the aid of those stricken by natural disasters; and we are reminded that this is just one big blue marble in the universe wobbling its way through infinity but with a strong beating heart.

Then the ordinary takes over.  There are midterm exams for teachers to write and students to take.  There are plans to be made for spring break - adventures in distant cities or just time to unwind at home.  Gahee waits to see what classes will be offered during summer session.  Ali hopes to meet his TOEFL goal and finally move on with his academic studies.  George has piles of papers to grade.  I'll grade some tests today and maybe find the energy to scrub down some bathrooms.