ML's top 5 albums of 2006

A coworker let me borrow the new Beatles "Love" album the other day and as I was listening, I was thinking of other albums I've enjoyed this year:
1. Modern Skirts "Catalogue of Generous Men"
I saw this band from Athens, GA perform a few times this past year. They put on a fabulous live show and their album is packed with well-crafted, popy tunes. Favorite tracks: "Pasadena" and "My Bully"
2. The Weepies "Say I Am You"
Great music for coffeehouse listening. Favorite tracks: "The World Spins Madly On" and "Painting By Chagall"
3. Beirut "Gulag Orkestar"
Old-world, gypsy music at its finest. Favorite tracks: "Postcards From Italy" and "Scenic World"
4. Gomez "How We Operate"
Of course I'd have to put Gomez on here! They are one of my favorite bands...and their new album is now getting some radio play (is that a good thing these days?). Favorite tracks: "See The World" and "Girl-Shaped Love Drug"
5. Mute Math "Mute Math"
So what if the MTV crowd has embraced them? Their lyrics give a powerful message and they put on a killer live show complete with keytars and atari (my ear drums are still recooperating). Favorite track: "Noticed"

What's some music you've been enjoying this year?

Happy Christmas everyone!

jobs are good

This week it's been nice to see some refugee clients find jobs. This may seem like a small feat, but for those who have only been in the US three months, not knowing English, who are required to find work upon arrival, it's a pretty big deal.
I take so much for granted as a native English-speaking, American citizen. The privilege of being born in this country allows for so much opportunity that much of the world will never experience. I am humbled daily by the stories and current situations of the refugee families and immigrant friends I have the privilege of knowing.

cool concert alert: Chris Thile @ Variety Playhouse, Atlanta Friday, Nov.17

toothpastefordinner.com

ob-la-di, ob-la-da

Life has been pretty busy lately. My job has required that I accompany refugee clients to doctor's appointments and surgerys and vaccinations so I'm learning new medical terms in Russian like "anesthesia" and "IV bag." I have not been to the grocery store in two weeks as these refugee families like to feed me when we return from the doctor's. I'm eating more Russian food now than I did in Moscow!

In other news: one of Moscow's premiere football teams, CSKA (Central Sport Club of the Army), beat Arsenal on Tuesday! I'm still a die hard Spartak fan, but am happy that Arsenal got beat by a Russian team.

Have a great weekend! I'm headed up to north Georgia for the annual Blairsville Bash. My family's been in attendence since I was a wee lass. It'll be nothin' but BBQ, bluegrass, and...sitting around campfires all night. I can't wait!

Beirut (the band) 9/26/06

I just randomly found this from the show Sunday night. The band jumped the stage for a little gypsy song and dance with the audience. I'm standing on Zach's right (the trumpet player)! What a night...

The Wings Look Nice On You

Sufjan Stevens 9/20/06 Fox Theatre

Paste Rock N Reel

If you're in the Atlanta area now (or if you're not, get over here!) I highly recommend making plans to see some artists at the 2006 Paste Rock n' Reel Festival. You'll see me spending all my money to see Sufjan Stevens, My Brightest Diamond, Bain Mattox (an old high school friend!) and Beirut. You're welcome to join me!

So I got a new job a few weeks ago at World Relief Atlanta. For the time being I'll be a case worker and an interpreter for many of the Russian-speaking refugee families we are resettling in the area. It looks like my Russian will be better than it was in Russia! It's been fun so far trying to translate concepts like 'food stamps' and 'checking accounts.' I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be apart of something like this.

I miss the "currently listening" feature on xanga cos it's interesting to know what people listen to when they write their blogs. I for instance am listening to Beirut. This old world gypsy rock music fad is pretty groovy.

last roadtrip of the summer

I traveled to Mississippi to see friends from Moscow and on my "way back" decided to drive all the way to the gulf coast. Here are images from Gulfport, MS. The landscape was such a contrast that included dilapidated structures alongside the new or refurbished buildings. Next week marks a year since Katrina struck this coastline and everywhere I drove, from Biloxi to Mobile, were reminders of her distruction and the effects on the surrounding communities to this day.

I thought of a verse in Hebrews that talks about the removing of created things so that "what cannot be shaken may remain" that is, the kingdom of God through Jesus Christ. It's still really hard though to see this mess and think of God's plan through it all. Then some song lyrics came to mind (imagine that)and helped me: "earth has no sorrow heaven can't heal..." (be the first to guess who sang them, and I'll buy you an ice cream cone)

back to basics

So I've decided to come back to my blogspot page after being away for so long. I'm learning how to do all kinds of fun stuff on here! And it seems that everyone and their brother has blogspot these days. So...expect more random ramblings here!

This time last year I was spending my first day back in America after being away for about 3 years. Here's a last picture in Moscow (Red Square at midnight)...