2018: The Year's Travels and Reading

This will not be a unique end-of-year post, except for possibly because I am combining two lists posts into one. Here I will recap the books I read and places I visited in 2018. I set a new post-college record for number of books read in the year at 14 (with two others started but never finished and two more in progress but will not be finished by year's end), and my traveling this year took the number two spot in my personal annual record number of miles traveled.

Books I read in 2018, in order of completion

Jeremy Treat: Crucified King: Atonement and Kingdom in Biblical and Systematic Theology

John M Gottman and Nan Silver: The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work

Neil Gaiman: American Gods

Tish Harrison Warren: Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life

Mark Vanhoenacker: Skyfaring: A Journey with a Pilot

Joe Biden: Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose

Elaine Tyler Mary: Fortress America: How We Embraced Fear and Abandoned Democracy

Robert Kurson: Rocket Men

Daniel Hill: White Awake: An Honest Look at What it Means to Be White

Christopher Potter: The Earth Gazers: On Seeing Ourselves

Daniel Coyle: The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups

Mark Dillon: Giving and Getting in the Kingdom: A Field Guide

Kevin Kwan: Crazy Rich Asians

Jimmy Carter: Faith: A Journey for All

Juan Francisco Martinez: The Story of Latino Protestants in the United States

Places I visited in 2018, in order of visit

January: My fifth visit to Florida. Florida is Naomi's home state, and she and I went to visit her parents in Orlando for a late Christmas. We took a day to go to Disney World, enjoying both Animal Kingdom and Epcot.

April: I generally take the weekend after Easter Sunday off, and this year Naomi and I decided to visit Austin, first time for both of us. It was unfortunately unseasonably cold there most of our four-day visit but even so we saw and did a lot of Austin's highlights and also visited an old friend.

In Austin in April

August: For our second wedding anniversary, we spent six days in Vancouver, first time for both of us. We again saw and did a lot of Vancouver's highlights and had a great time exploring the city and surrounding area. Read my full travelogue in two parts.

Also in August was a quick weekend trip to Baltimore for a college friend's wedding. My first time to Baltimore, and we squeezed in a few of the local sights.

November: Back to Florida again for Thanksgiving with Naomi's family.

All told, it involved over 11,400 miles of air travel across eleven flight segments, the longest being the return flight from Vancouver.

Looking forward to more reading and traveling in 2019! What did you read or what places did you visit in 2018? Comment below.

Music and Meditation for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 23 | The Fourth Sunday of Advent

"Of the Father's Love Begotten"

• Words by Aurelius Prudentius Clemens (4th century), translated by John Neale
• Music is 13th century plainsong
• Performed by the Church Folk at College Church in Wheaton (2015)

Text

Included in the video

Readings

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 4:9-10

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, Amen.

The Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

Music and Meditation for the Third Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 16 | The Third Sunday of Advent

"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"

• Words translated from Latin by John Neale (1851)
• Music is plainsong chant adapted by Thomas Helmore (1854)
• Performed by Lauren Daigle on the album Behold (Centricity Music, 2018)

Text

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lowly exile here until the Son of God appear

O come thou Dayspring come and cheer our spirits by thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death's dark shadows put to flight

Rejoice! Rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel

O come desire of nations bind all peoples with one heart and mind
Bid envy, strife and quarrels cease, fill the whole world with heaven's peace
Rejoice! Rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel

Rejoice! Rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel

Readings

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;
And the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and uphold it
With justice and righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Isaiah 9:2,6-7 (ESV)

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever, Amen.

The Collect for the Third Sunday of Advent

Music and Meditation for the Second Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 9 | The Second Sunday of Advent

"Be Born In Me"

• Words and Music by Bernie Herms and Nicole Nordeman (2011)
• Performed by Francesca Battistelli on the album Christmas

Text

Displayed in the YouTube video

Readings

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

1 Peter 2:9-10 (ESV)

Almighty God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, Amen.

The Collect for the Second Sunday of Advent

Music and Meditation for the First Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 2, 2018 | The First Sunday of Advent

"Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus"

• Words by Charles Wesley (1744)
• Music by Rowland H. Prichard (1831, hymn tune HYFRYDOL)
• Performed by Fernando Ortega on the album Christmas Songs (2008, Curb Records)

Text
Come thou long-expected Jesus
Born to set thy people free
From our fears and sins release
Let us find our rest in thee
Israel's strength and consolation
Hope of all the earth thou art
Dear desire of every nation
Joy of every longing heart

Born thy people to deliver
Born a child and yet a king
Born to reign in us forever
Now thy gracious kingdom bring
By thine own eternal spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone
By thy all sufficient merit
Raise us to thy glorious throne

Readings

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ -- by grace you have been saved -- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:4-7 (ESV)

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now and in the time of this mortal life in which your son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, Amen.

The Collect for the First Sunday of Advent

2018 MLB Postseason Predictions

My predictions are again this year based loosely on the competing teams' head-to-head records and factoring home field advantage. I still do not have a future as a sports journalist. But just for fun:

American League Wild Card: Oakland Athletics at New York Yankees
Prediction: New York Yankees

National League Wild Card: Colorado Rockies at Chicago Cubs
Prediction: Chicago Cubs

American League Division Series: New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians at Houston Astros
Predictions: Boston Red Sox in 4, Houston Astros in 5

National League Division Series: Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee Brewers, Atlanta Braves at Los Angeles Dodgers
Predictions: Milwaukee Brewers in 5, Los Angeles Dodgers in 4

American League Championship Series: Houston Astros at Boston Red Sox
Prediction: Boston Red Sox in 7

National League Championship Series: Los Angeles Dodgers at Milwaukee Brewers
Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers in 6

World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers at Boston Red Sox
Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers in 6

Vancouver 2018, Days 4-6

Read my report on days 1-3 here first!

DAY 4 (SUNDAY)

We were up early and drove across Vancouver Harbour to North Vancouver and Lynn Canyon Park, famous for its suspension bridge. We walked across said bridge, swaying the whole time, and then did a loop trail around nearby Rice Lake. There were few other hikers at that time of day, but sure enough as we walked back to the parking lot, we saw it almost completely full and lots of people creating a bottleneck to cross the bridge.

Rice Lake, within Lynn Canyon Park

Back at our room we had lunch and then in the afternoon we wandered around the nearby suburb of Richmond. Their combination public library/cultural center had an interesting exhibit about tiny houses and their use as a solution to lack of affordable housing in some communities.

As part of our stay on campus we had a coupon for The Point Grille, one of the on-campus restaurants, so we had dinner there that evening.

Buffalo chicken wings at UBC's Point Grille. Except instead of chicken, that there is cauliflower. And it was delicious.

DAY 5 (MONDAY)

As we found out upon arrival to Canada when we spent some time taking our loose list of activity ideas and making actual plans, this particular Monday was a civic holiday in Canada, comparable to Labor Day in the United States. So I was a little concerned that it would be extra crowded at Grouse Mountain, one of the Vancouver area's top tourist attractions, that day. But in truth the crowds were manageable and we enjoyed a half-day there.

Grouse Mountain features a variety of activities on the mountaintop, from wildlife exhibits, a few hiking trails, and a whimsical lumberjack show, besides restaurants and great spots for photos.

Grouse Mountain Lumberjack Show

On the peak of Grouse Mountain, with Vancouver spread out below

View of Vancouver on the gondala ride back to base camp. Stanley Park in the middle of the right edge of picture, with UBC's Grey Point just above it. Downtown Vancouver right in the middle of the picture.

We were both easily tired by about two in the afternoon after just four hours on the mountain. So we returned to UBC to relax and then finished the day with ice cream from a local shop and watching the sunset from nearby Wreck Beach.

The sun sets on British Columbia Day beyond Wreck Beach

DAY 6 (TUESDAY)

I had seen several dozen Tim Horton's whilst driving about Vancouver during our trip, so I decided that on our last morning of this particular visit to our neighbor to the north, I would have breakfast from Tim Horton's. So Naomi and I walked to one of the campus locations and I enjoyed a classic breakfast sandwich. Delicious.

Then it was a leisurely walk back to our room to pack, check out, and return to the airport. This would be our first time using our brand-new Global Entry status, and it was very satisfying to move quickly through security and border preclearance before settling in the departure area with great views of planes taking off to the west.

Maps generated by the Great Circle Mapper - copyright © Karl L. Swartz.

We arrived home after a smooth flight halfway across the continent, tired but very pleased with our extended weekend Canadian adventure.

Vancouver 2018, Days 1-3

For our second wedding anniversary, Naomi and I decided to vacation in Vancouver. It was Naomi's first trip to Canada and my second, though the first was during my elementary school years and to the Niagara Falls area and I remember very little.

DAY 1 (THURSDAY)

We left on Thursday, August 2, from Chicago, connecting in Las Vegas. The first leg was on United Airlines (on a Boeing 757-300 retrofit to include 21 more economy seats, and I was pleased to find no change in the comfort level for the nearly four hours on board), but the second was aboard Air Canada Rouge, my first time flying the carrier. A two-hour maintenance delay at LAS rather ruined what might have been an interesting experience for me as a minor avgeek.

Still, we arrived to Vancouver only 90 minutes behind schedule, and enjoyed the display of First Nations artwork along the arrivals corridor. The immigration and customs process was effortless as was getting the rental car and without too much difficulty we found our way to the University of British Columbia. UBC has convenient guest housing available to tourists, and it was fun to have the gorgeous UBC campus as our base for our exploring the area (more on the campus later).

View from the starboard window on approach to Vancouver. Airport is in the middle of the picture, UBC campus on the end of the Point Grey peninsula just above. Suburb of Richmond in the foreground.

One of the First Nations art pieces in the arrivals corridor at Vancouver International Airport.

After getting settled we went into town to Whole Foods for grocery shopping (our room had a full kitchenette, pardon the oxymoron), and happily discovered that this Whole Foods had a burrito bar, so we had "Chipotle" for dinner! And then promptly collapsed into bed, exhausted from the full day of traveling.

The Burrito Bar at the Whole Foods in the Kitsilano neighborhood of Vancouver

DAY 2 (FRIDAY)

We went running along one edge of campus in the morning, and then headed into downtown Vancouver for breakfast at Smak Fast Food, which despite the name was nothing like a McDonald's or a Dunkin Donuts. Naomi had a smoothie bowl and I a bowl of scrambled eggs with sweet potatoes and a sausage patty. I thought the paper bowl presentation was odd but I suppose it makes it convenient for people to take to their downtown offices.

We then proceeded a little farther across the downtown peninsula to Stanley Park, one of the largest urban park in the world (30% larger than Manhattan's Central Park). We rented bikes from a nearby shop and biked the Stanley Park section of Vancouver's seawall, affording gorgeous views of downtown, Vancouver Harbour, the North Shore, and English Bay. The seawall path had separate lanes for joggers/walkers and bikers/rollerskaters, making it a safe and convenient way to enjoy an hour of exercise.

We returned the bikes and walked to the Yaletown area of downtown for lunch of burgers at Meet. Five stars for food quality and service!

Meet at Yaletown's outdoor dining area (where we sat, of course!)

The Crispy BBQ burger with side salad (fries in the background)

Back to UBC, we set out to explore the campus. We walked along the main thoroughfare admiring the varied buildings, browsed the modern art gallery, walked through the lobbies of the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts (sadly the performance spaces themselves were locked), and visited the bookstore for a souvenir (we picked a refrigerator magnet with an aerial view of the UBC campus).

University of British Columbia: Library

University of British Columbia: Flagpole Plaza

University of British Columbia: Chan Centre

University of British Columbia: Fountain at intersection of Main Mall and University Boulevard

DAY 3 (SATURDAY)

After breakfast, we headed to Granville Island just outside downtown Vancouver and the Granville Island's location of Ecomarine Sports for stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) lessons. It was a great day for it, with sun, little wind, and not too hot. Our instructor was Holly, originally of Sweden. Naomi and I plus a Korean couple were out on the water quickly after Holly gave us the safety and technique briefings. We paddled around the marina for practice and then out toward Burrard Bridge, then under Burrard Bridge into English Bay. I fell in, twice I might add, but had a blast. Holly mentioned that we were only the second group she had been able to take beyond Burrard Bridge.

Naomi and I paddleboarding into English Bay

Following our two-hour lesson and workout, we headed to Virtuous Pies for plant-based pizza, most delicious. We wandered through a nearby Chinese garden and then back to our room to nap, tired from the paddleboarding.

That afternoon we went to Spanish Banks Beach, just around the corner from campus on the north shore of the university's peninsula, with great views of downtown, Stanley Park, English Bay, and the north shore.

Panoramic view from Spanish Banks Beach, looking north across English Bay. Vancouver skyline to the right.

DAYS 4/5/6 COMING SOON!

My Flight History

I read a few travel blogs, primarily The Points Guy and the network at Boarding Area, and yesterday on the former I found myself directed to explore Open Flights, a free (though there are paid options) website where one can log all flights taken and then analyze the component data. The website also gives you a map of all the flight paths overlaid.

See my current map here.

As of this writing I am 20% of the way to the moon! And before the end of the year I have five more segments already scheduled and two more planned but not yet booked.

I must say, for a minor #AvGeek such as myself, it was quite the distraction during my lunch break yesterday!

Creating the Greatest Impact

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the 73rd National Conference of the League of American Orchestras, hosted by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. I attended as a delegate of both the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Overture Council and the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music. It was my first time attending the League's National Conference, and it was an excellent experience.

Between Wednesday and Friday, I attended the opening session, closing session, four breakout sessions, and one special tour of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Milennium Park with the original acoustical engineer.

The theme for this year's conference was Creating the Greatest Impact, and the keynote addresses in full and the breakout sessions as well explored how the orchestra field, and by extrapolation much of the nonprofit arts sector in general, can be a positive presence in today's world.

The stage and lectern just before the opening session

The opening session featured a keynote address by Vijay Gupta, violinist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and founder of Street Symphony, also in Los Angeles. Gupta is a TED Senior Fellow, Senior Citizen Artist Fellow with the Kennedy Center, and self-described advocate for artistic voices in social issues. A few quotations from his address:

Why did we become musicians? "To connect with the world around us. To ask questions. And to tell stories."
"As artists and art leaders we must reclaim the conversation about why we became artists in the first place."
"This is our time to ask the usually inefficient and always uncomfortable questions."
"Our nation looks to us to make meaning for ourselves and the world around us. When we engage in this joyful work we assume our natural seat at the table as leaders of a vibrant national discourse."
"We only have one best practice. To show up. We have to show up."
"How radically do we welcome the communities on the margins into the center of the artistic process?"
"Sometimes all we can do is sit down and be humble."
"Our greatest impact is in how we listen. Our job is to listen louder than we sing, play, or speak."

Between the opening and closing I attended the following engaging breakout sessions:

Messages that Matter, a case study of what the Eugene (Oregon) Symphony did to listen to what their community wanted in their arts institutions and fold that into their offerings. A quotation: "Let's reframe the business model from 'presenting art' to 'making memories.'"

Building Your Next Gen Donor Pipeline, a look at how Millennials want to engage in philanthropy. Some quotations:

"They care more about results than they care about institutions."
"I think we're creating barriers that don't necessarily exist."
"We have to talk about the connections we make and the value we add."
"Your loyalty to them is more important than their loyalty to you."
"Listen more, talk less."
"Impact happens once, value is constant."

Beyond the Org Chart: Everyone Leads, defining leadership as "behavior that brings people together to move things forward" and discussing empathy in organizational settings.

The Post-Tax Reform Philanthropic Landscape, which rather than being the damage control session I think most of the 75 people in the room thought it would be, actually was an insightful look at some of the potential opportunities for philanthropic activity. The key, not surprisingly, was to "double down on donor relationships" and "tell your impact story."

And the closing session featured cellist (though of course he does so much more) Yo-Yo Ma, recipient of the League's Gold Baton for "distinguished service to America's orchestras." Some quotations from his address, "Why Culture Matters":

"Listen to what's around you.""Make sure every decision considers the other perspective.""Culture engages both our analytic and empathetic faculties, allowing us to make better decisions."

It was a most enriching and stimulating week and I am grateful to both Wheaton College and the CSO for supporting my attendance. And a lot of what I learned was relevant not only for my work with those to institutions but also for my work with Calvary Memorial Church. It was also really enjoyable to have the opportunity on breaks to meet and interact with delegates (as attendees at this conference are called) from orchestras and supporting organizations across the country, from Florida and Louisiana and Massachusetts and Minnesota and Oregon and more. I have only just started processing what I absorbed over the three days and am looking forward to sharing it with colleagues over the coming weeks.

Administrative Professionals Day

Today is Administrative Professionals Day in the United States, a day to honor and recognize the work of secretaries, administrative assistants, receptionists, and other administrative support personnel.

I am blessed to have SIX administrative professionals as colleagues across my two jobs.

At Calvary Memorial Church, we have Cindy our office coordinator, Janet our administrative assistant, and Soo Ai our executive assistant.

At the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music, we have Susan and Janice our office coordinators and Michelle our administrative assistant.

All six have been in their roles since before I assumed my current role with each organization, and I find their experience and institutional knowledge extremely valuable.

Make sure you thank the administrative professionals in your own workplace today!