Summerfest and Friends.
Jul/102
Our picnic basket has already been getting a lot of use this summer! One of my personal favorite events of the whole summer (as you may recall from our summer checklist) is Summerfest, formerly known as the Lexington Shakespeare Festival (or, Shakespeare in the Park). While the outdoor theater series has changed over the years, from Shakespeare-focused to incorporating musicals and modern plays, I am still always eager to go to the UK Arboretum and experience a show.
My love for theater is tied to my high school experiences, when I spent all 4 years of high school working in backstage theater, often with my friend Lauren. I had the privilege of stage managing or co-stage managing three productions – The Crucible, Psycho Beach Party, and the musical Annie Get Your Gun. After high school, I did not continue with theater in college; instead I pursued and got wrapped up in other interests (crew and soccer). But on a college summer break, I was asked to be the Assistant Stage Manager at the Shakespeare Festival for The Taming of the Shrew in 2001. It was my lowest paying job, ever (I calculated that I earned less than a quarter an hour for my time), but a rewarding experience. It now causes me to feel more connected to the annual festival in Lexington, and I regularly recognize familiar faces from my theater days.
This year, Summerfest featured The Merchant of Venice, Pride & Prejudice, and the musical Rent. Trevor and I decided to jump for season passes and try to catch all three shows. We are watching the last show this weekend. Last week we enjoyed the company of dear friends, my former Belarusian roommate, Yulia, and her fiance, Taras, and my wonderful friend Ali. It is great to share things I love with the people I love.
Race Day!
Jul/100
It is hard to believe but it was only 1 week ago when Team Compassion completed the Bluegrass 10K race that we had been training and fundraising for since January! The day before the race we met our goal of $3,000 for Compassion International’s Child Survival Program! We were blown away that nearly $1,000 came in within two weeks of race day! (If you would still like to give and did not get a chance to do so, it is not too late! Just let us know.)
We had 8 Team Compassion runners and 2 friends last minute join us for the race day. Several of us even sported our “Team Compassion” running shirts. It was bright and early on race day, before 7am, but just look at our shining, eager faces!
The race was a lot of fun. This was my second time completing the race but this second time around it was great to have friends who were running with me, too. The course is over 6.2 miles, and is fairly shaded and flat (thankfully). Many neighbors and people in the community come out to watch and cheer everyone on in the race. The race was a huge accomplishment for many of us – for most it was the first time completing a 10K. My sister, Karen, and Trevor were uncertain if they would be able to run the whole time (both have had knee/ankle issues)… but in the end they each maintained a run for the entirety of the race! For myself, it was a personal accomplishment to beat my race time from 2006. Kristi completed the 10K in 1:08:10 (10:59 pace) and Trevor completed the 10K in 1:15:09 (12:07 pace).
Ah, the glorious sight of the Finish line…!
The obligatory post-race group photo of all the triumphant Team Compassion runners! We did it!
Thanks for your support (financial and emotional) and prayers for good runs and meeting our goal. We appreciate you very much!
Jazz on the Porch.
Jun/100
Last Friday, we enjoyed a quiet, relaxed evening with a few friends. Friends who, incidentally, are getting hitched 2 weeks from tomorrow! (YAY Shannon & Justin!)
We headed a few miles out of town to Talon Winery. Kentucky boasts more than 50 wineries, and Talon is just one that is right here on Lexington’s doorstep. We heard that they offer summer concerts, and then discovered they occasionally offer live jazz music… for free! There are several fantastic events around Lexington, and we were eager to find out if Talon’s “Jazz on the Porch” series would soon become another favorite summer event. We were not disappointed.
What we enjoyed most was how quiet and peaceful the evening felt. Most live music events are well-attended by locals and tend to be crowded and noisy. Talon was in stark contrast, with less than 50 people in attendance. We were serenaded by jazz music featuring trumpet and keyboards and brought a picnic dinner to eat on the lawn. The evening was altogether serene and relaxing.
We also enjoyed walking in the vineyard and seeing grapes growing on the vines, getting ready for wine production. The sun setting behind the vines was a fitting backdrop to the evening.
Interested in more events happening around Kentucky? Check back this weekend for a post that gives you a preview of things to come around town that the Durbins have on their “must-see/must-do” list for summer 2010!
Settlers Triumph.
Jun/100
Both girls teams triumphed over both boys teams at Settlers of Catan last weekend, during a fun friend-filled Saturday evening of grilling and games.
Wedding Fun – Photos!
May/100
Everyone should check out some of the lovely photos of my friends Lauren & Eian from their April 10 wedding.
See if you can spot Kristi in two of the shots!
10K Training
Kristi's Training Mileage:
Trevor's Training Mileage:
Good Reads
Kristi's read shelf:
Trevor's read shelf: