Where Have All the Good Posts Gone?

by Julianna Squicciarini

It has come to my attention that *I* am the only one writing anything on this blog. Or at least, I’m the only one posting to it since the beginning of the year. Scary, you know? I feel like the single sailor trying to keep the ship afloat…

No, not really. But if you’ve wondered where we went and what’s going on in our lives, here are the Highlights of Our Lives for the past few months, and our mysterious absence from our blog.

• First of all, the efforts of the main authors of this blog (that being my sister Morgan and myself – no offense to any of the secondary writers) have been focusing their attention on building a more spiritually-based blog centering around our faith and connection between other young women around the globe. You can check it out at http://www.candlelighters.wordpress.com. As our personal community grows, so is our online presence, and it is so encouraging – and amazing! – to see what G-d has done for us.
• As to our physical lives, you know that Morgan is now engaged. Because of this all-important fact, you can well imagine how her life has gotten busier over the last few months, during her courtship. Now that she is offically engaged, life will probably be getting even busier! That’s a good thing. If you want to stay updated with her life, feelings, plans, details, etc., be sure to check out her personal blog at http://www.torahgirl.wordpress.com, where she will posting things like that.
• I have been starting to implement my 10 Plagues Project – a community service idea to fill my summer with profitable and meaningful activities. Interested in what exactly I mean by that? Feel free to leave a comment asking for more details (it’s kind of a long story), or email me and I’ll send you my PDF explaining things. Anyway, to that end, I have signed up yet again to walk with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society on their October Light the Night walk here in Charlotte. If you live in the area and want to walk with us (no donation necessary!), please join our team at http://pages.lightthenight.org/nc/Charlnc10/Squicciarini. Clicking the red “Join” button at the bottom of the page will add you to our personal team and you’ll be signed up to walk with us on October 16. I’d love to have you with me!
• My sisters and I have continued to volunteer at the USO in the Charlotte Airport. Curious about what the USO is and does? Check them out at http://uso-nc.com/. It’s really cool being able to get through security easily and serve our military from right here in our hometown. We go about twice a month, usually in the early morning on a weekday or on Sunday afternoon.
• You all know about my Valentine’s Day luncheon – third year in a row! If you haven’t read it yet, check out my write-up at http://squicciarini.wordpress.com/2010/02/11/hugs-kisses-the-valentines-day-luncheon-2010/. Not only was this year’s luncheon a smashing success (and probably the best year yet), but I also entered a contest a few days later, competing with a few other girls for the best Valentine’s Day event (in a do-something-for-others spirit), and won first place! It was very exciting. Prizes came flooding in. It was incredible.
• My father’s business is doing very well. Flourishing, in fact. New customers have continued to call, even in this recession. Our father had us schedule set work hours, so we do actually get things done. I’m a schedule freak, so that’s fine with me. Plus, he still allows us to be very flexible. We are now in the process of cross-training, since it looks like our Chief Operating Officer might be moving out and starting a new life soon…!
• Peter is still taking piano, but his final recital is coming up. He’ll be performing Saturday afternoon, May 8, at Mt. Harmony Baptist Church (moments from our house). Email me if you’re interested in coming. This is going to be fantastic.
• My mother and Mary have both had birthdays, which were celebrated accordingly. The post on my mother’s birthday can be read at http://squicciarini.wordpress.com/2010/03/17/thinking-happy-thoughts/.
• I’ve been busier than ever with piano lessons, as I have acquired another four students since my post about them (http://squicciarini.wordpress.com/2010/02/03/play-it-through-to-the-end-and-repeat/). That’s seventeen students! Even I can’t believe I have that many.
• Christine has been on the endless search for a car. This search has been on the side of the road, in car lots, CraigsList, and eBay. She actually went and saw one yesterday – a manual, yellow MINI Cooper – and something might actually happen with that. I’m sure you can easily see Christine driving a yellow MINI. We all can.
• Speaking of cars, Morgan updated her look with a new car, as well. She traded in her bright yellow VW bug for a 2008, vanilla VW convertible. It’s smooth and sleek, and drives like a dream. Drop by sometime to see it.
• We’re planning on opening our pool in very early May. If you’re interested in helping with that, and thus adding yourself almost permanently to our pool-party guest list for Summer 2010, comment below or email me. We’re always looking for willing helping hands, and cold beverages will be complimentary.
• I really do plan to go skydiving for my birthday – want to come with me? Comment below or….email me. (You should know the drill by now <wink>). It will be sometime in June, and you’re welcome to come along just for the ride and the view, if you want.

Well, I think that’s about it. Put down on “paper”, it doesn’t look so busy. But as I was recently telling my dad, sometimes it feels like I don’t have time for anything! Like I work all the time, or something! While that’s not exactly true, life certainly is jam-packed. In an extraordinarily good way! Please pray that G-d continues to bless our family so abundantly.

Deep in the Heart of Texas: Day 5

by Julianna Squicciarini

It’s a red-letter day, readers! *I* finally had some communication with Morgan. Finally. FINALLY. There I was, minding my own business on Facebook, and she popped up to chat for a few minutes. It was great getting to catch up with her – turns out that when I dropped her at the airport on Wednesday, she had a little problem getting on the plane. No one had heard about it until now. She got to the airport 42 minutes before her flight left. Apparently, you can’t check bags after 45 minutes before the flight. WHOOPS! Morgan, however, being her persuasive and diplomatic self, was able to convince the airport employee to let the bag on the plane And, aside from the fact that the woman couldn’t find the flight at first (was it Hire the Handicapped week at CLT??), everything worked out just fine. <whew>

And so she IS having an excellent time. Yes, the rumors about the 11 large dogs are completely true. We are all wondering how she’s surviving…

If you’re interested in what the Homestayers are doing, we spent Sunday mostly outdoors, enjoying the fabulous 67 degree weather. Our dad, mom, and Christine put up a fence around the garden, while Mary and I *single-handedly* washed the outside of every single first-floor window on our house. I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but there are thirty first-floor windows in our home. That includes all four of the garage windows…four windows and two sets of French doors leading to the porch…two miniature panels on each side of the front door…I’m sure you get the point. It took two and a half hours. And then – get this – our father had  the nerve (or sense of humor, whichever you prefer) to imply that we (meaning Mary and I) should get a head-start on next week’s project. You guessed it – the SECOND-FLOOR WINDOWS!! I think Mary and I convinced him that Peter and Morgan are much more suited to the task. You all picked up on the fact that Peter’s was the only name missing from the list of workers above, right? One has to wonder what he did all morning…on his computer…”working”…yeah, right…

Anyway, windows or no windows, He is risen!

Deep in the Heart of Texas: Day 1

by Julianna Squicciarini

As many of you may already know, Morgan is spending a week in Texas this month with relatives of some friends of ours. We are all excited that she has this opportunity

So I dropped her off at the Charlotte-Douglas Airport at 8:45am this morning to catch her 9:24am flight. For some reason, she brought an enormous suitcase. Like, big enough for a month’s stay. Apparently our mom had suggested doing so – if you’re going to check a bag, might as well make it a big one, so you can bring back presents for the homestayers

I left her (and her suitcase) outside the airport doors; she promised to call us when she arrived. We have not yet heard a single whisper from her. BUT – no news is *good news*, so assume the best. She must have gotten there safely and is having too much fun.

Right?

Right.

Um…right??

Right!

And G-d Was Watching: Top 7 People We Met

By Julianna Squicciarini

1. The Gordon Family [Joe & Karen, Autumn, Noah, Abigail, Anna, Timothy, Isaac, Joshua, Elizabeth]
How we met: Our Aunt Lynn brought the Gordons to our 2008 Passover Seder in April.  We had said, “Bring friends!” and…she did
Where they’re located: Rock Hill, SC.
What’s great about them: They are always willing to drive an hour to party with us!

2. The Zilber Family [Eugene & Elena, David, Daniel]
How we met: The Zilbers became Quo Vadis customers in May 2008.  It didn’t take long for them to become family friends!  Mr. & Mrs. Zilber emigrated from Russia several years ago, but their two sons were born right here in the US.  We were honored to be invited to their home for a festive dinner later in the year.
Where they’re located: Charlotte, NC.
What’s great about them: Their way of expressing things, with accents which we adore, using phrases that charm the heart.

3. Kelly Miller
How we met: Kelly and I sat across from one another on the Eurostar, traveling from London to Paris in July 2007 – she was one of the only girls my age on the tour.  After returning home, we began emailing and getting to know one another much better.  In June 2008, she came and stayed with us for about three days, giving my family the chance to meet her as well.
Where she’s located: Home is Louisville, KY, but she is currently attending an art college in Baltimore, MD.
What’s great about her: She was one of the easiest guests our family has ever had, hands down.  It also never ceases to amaze me that we can remain such good friends with virtually no face-time!

4. Gloria Hartis Alexander
How we met: Morgan bumped into Gloria (almost literally!) as she was leaving the Zilber’s office one day.  Morgan has never met a stranger, so the following week Gloria was with us for a Sabbath dinner.  Now she’s simply part of the family!
Where she’s located: Charlotte, NC.
What’s great about her: We love how relaxed she is around us!

5. The Covert Family [Tim & Lisa, David, Daniel]
How we met: Our parents met the Coverts on the Israel tour in November 2007.  In August 2008, however, our families finally got together here in Charlotte for a weekend, giving the rest of us the chance to meet.
Where they’re located: Atlanta, GA.
What’s great about them: It is so rare to find a like-minded family, but the Coverts really seem to be on the same page of music as us.  What a find!

6. The First Fruits of Zion Group [Boaz Michael, Daniel Lancaster, Steve & Mona Lancaster, Jeremy Schoenwald]
How we met: Ok, this one has some poetic license, because actually our family has not met them.  Morgan and Christine were privileged to meet all five of the above on their Israel tour in November 2008.  From the stories and occasional contact via Facebook, we all feel as though we know them.
Where they’re located: Marshfield, MO.
What’s great about them:
Boaz is always calm, cool, and collected.
Daniel is *such* an entertaining encyclopedia of information.
Steve & Mona are sweethearts.  Period.
Jeremy is a godly young man, always amiable, and always aiming the video camera at Morgan and Christine (wait, that didn’t sound right…)

7. Richard Rampe
How we met: Morgan and I met Rich toward the end of the year, when he walked into the USO during one of our shifts.  A couple of weeks and a few emails later, he came over for pizza, and to meet the rest of our family.  He’s one of the police officers in the CLT Airport – always good to have friends in high places
Where he’s located: Dallas, NC.
What’s great about him: His very easy-going, laid-back, friendly nature.  Also, having a police officer at a party seems to lend an innocence and probity to the event, doesn’t it?

In closing, I would like you to take a quick look at the locations of these seven people or families and notice that only two of them live right here in Charlotte, NC.  G-d has brought so many new faces across our path, from far and wide.  Bottom line – wow!

A Tale of Two City-Girls: Day 1

Ladies and gentlemen, I am happy to announce that the much-looked-forward-to departure of my sisters, Morgan and Christine, took place without a hitch.  I personally drove them to the CLT Airport, saw them to their gate (with the help of my USO airport employee badge ), and waved goodbye as they boarded.

However, the story does not end there.  At around 6:30pm, we got a call from them.  Not, unfortunately, to say that they had landed safely in the JFK Airport.  Actually, 30 minutes into their flight, the airplane turned around and headed back to Charlotte, due to some type of problem with the cabin pressure.  They re-landed in Charlotte and had to find a different plane to take to New York.  We are all thanking G-d that their Israel connection doesn’t leave until 10:00pm, since we don’t as of yet know whether or not they will make it.

Please stay tuned for the next update.  This is Julianna Squicciarini reporting live from Matthews, NC.  Over and out

Under the Tuscan Sun: Epilogue

by Julianna Squicciarini

And finally, we come to the close of our exciting Tuscan adventure.  On Monday, around 3:30pm, our parents flew into the Charlotte airport, made it through security without any…ahem..issues, and walked out the airport doors just as we drove up.  It couldn’t have been more perfect.

They brought back tons of special Italian stuff from the region in which they stayed, including Chianti, Pecorino cheese, and many bottles of Extra Virgin Olive Oil.  Things have definitely taken a more delicious and gourmet turn since they came home.  They also brought back Italian glass jewelry for us girls and a beautiful pocketknife for Peter.  Leather products such as lipstick cases (!) and wallets were also distributed.  I tell you – when my parents are visiting another country, they spare no expense (good for us ).

The evening of their return, we all sat in the family room and looked through their – I kid you not – SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SIX pictures.  756!  Happily, our esteemed father has finally gotten the memo that scenery is never as beautiful in a photograph as when seen in person, and also that putting people in the picture makes it more interesting for those who weren’t there

It’s great having them back!  We DID miss them