Lessons from the Couch: March '09 - April '09

March and April Couchsurfing (and hosting) held some very special and unique experiences for the Harrignton Family. As they approach one year of being hosts, The Harrington's are continually amazed by the opportunity and experiences they have recieved via the Couchsurfing avenue. This season did not only bring them great guests and stories, but also their first publication outside of The Harrington Times. The Harrington's were able to share part of their Couchsurfing experience with REACH, a University of Wyoming Publication. Find the magazine on campus or stop by the Harrington home to check the article out.

Saturday March 14: Lindsay from Cheyenne, in town for the beautiful Steinken/Schroeder Wedding.

Hello My Friends!
Thank you so much for housing my puppy and I. We had an enjoyable sleep and were glad to have a place to eat and sleep and play. Mike, I am sorry my Dog doesn't like you, maybe you did something unforgiveable in a past life? I don't know. But we are Grateful!
We thank you for all the wonderful tea and Bread! We both do love you!
Lindsay and Lucy

Saturday March 14: Mike and Melissa

Time with Lindsay and Lucy provided:

• Pleasant reminders of why Lindsay is a dear and beloved friend.
• Beatles Songs
• A chance to witness a beautiful Wedding Ceremony and celebrate the beginng on a lives lived together. Hoo-Ray!

Sunday April 12 - Easter Sunday: Family and Friends

The Harrington's made the bold decision to host Easter in the small basement apartment. Many family and friends took them up on their offer and the death and resurection were celebrated in the company of 14 friends and family.

Melissa and Mike, Thanks for having a wonderful Easter Celebration. Love ya, Mom and Dad!

Thanks for the great food! It was delish, even if it was dumpster food :) Molly

Thank you for having us for Easter and all your love. Papa and Grandma

Thanks for inviting me! It was a joy to share Easter dinner with you again. It was all delicious. Love, Katie.

Merry Flippin Easter! Xavier's B-day...Ok, Ok...Thanks for having me...it was nice :) Travis

It was great to see you guys! Happy Easter! Thank you for the great meal! And for sharing the Shell-a-Bration! Hahaha! :) Happy Easter Seester & Mike! Luella

Happy Easter you guys! And thanks for having Lue and I to your humble abode. Safe Travels. -Alex

(Refused to sign: The Bartholomew Family).

Sunday April 12- Easter Sunday: Mike & Melissa

• It is possible to feed 14 people using a small oven, storing things in a small fridge, and keeping within the months food budget (so long as you have a few supplementary food items).
• You can even feed them Chicken Kiev and Teriyaki Salmon!
• Making Mii's is fun! Playing the Wii is even more fun!
• Teaching new people to play Catan - AWESOME!
• Melissa will never have the right to claim a NEED for bigger space - she sufficed just fine.
• Family and Friends that are like family, make for the best get togethers.
• Smiles - all day!

Tuesday April 14: Carolyn & Ana - TOMS Vagabonds

Thank you SO much for opening your home to complete strangers. Our stay was absolutely lovely. We really appreciated your flexibility with us coming late and found your hospitality to be indicative of the nature of this entire town! may your Couch-Surfing adventures be as wonderful as you make them for others! Cheers! Northwest Vagabonds.

Tuesday April 14: Mike & Melissa

• Hoo-Ray for TOMS Shoes! Check 'em out!

Now Taking Recommendations

The time has come. Mike and Melissa are prepared to share their summer plans. The couple remains at the drawing board when considering life after August 2009, yet recognize that there is plenty of time for those plans to come into focus.

Now, prepare yourself for the unvieling of The Harrington Plans for Summer 2009...

The summer will begin with the Harringtons serving as Program Co-ordinators for High School Summer Institute. This position will occupy the Harringtons from June 6th - June 27th. They will enjoy the days resting and working a desk shift or two. Evenings will be full of entertaining AWESOME high school students (and being entertained by high school students). Weekends will provide some great experiences as well, including a trip to Denver, complete with a Colorado Rockies game and trip to the IMAX theater.

Upon the close of this position the Harrington's will pack their car. The month of July will be an exciting time of Road Tripping, ending in either Sturgis, SD or Cheyenne to work some big events. This is were you come in. Travel Plans for the summer are a simple sketch at this point, the Harringtons want the input of trusted friends and fellow travellers so that they can reap the greatest experience possible. Here's the sketch: The Harringtons will be making a loop starting either by going to South Dakota or Colorado then looping through Arizona, South Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington, Canada, Idaho, and Montana. The couple plans to visit many National Parks and sleep on many couches. What the couple is hoping for is any pointers regarding obscure tourist traps, shops, restaurants, sights, etc. that you, our readers, are familiar with! They WANT your recommendations for places to see on the West Coast or in any states within our path!

All help and input is greatly appreciated. All advice will be fully considered and given a fair chance to enter the Road Trip plans of Mike and Melissa Harrington. Thank you for your help and consideration.

Of Futures and Opportunities

As is surely common for many young couples, young singles, visionaries, nomads and gypsies; Mike and Melissa have found themselves recently plagued with a desire to leave. The desire is preceded and surrounded by questions regarding the future. A range of questions from where shall they live, what shall they do, when shall they go and for how long. However, it has not been the questions that have left them scratching their heads, but rather the vast range of opportunities that are presented around each bend. As of this moment in time, the Harrington's have simply concluded, "We will live in Laramie from now until summer of 2010, but between now and then - no firm plans, and after then - no firm plans."

Here, in no particular order, are some of the considerations the Harrington's are making in regard to their futures; short-term and long-term.

This summer; shall they go or shall they stay?

Having been gifted a National Parks Pass by sister Luella, Melissa is anxious and desirous to spend summer 2009 travelling the U.S. exploring parks, mountains, rivers, canyons, restaurants, and of course couches. Mike also sees the reasoning behind this but has his heart set on World Cup 2010 and looks toward ways of saving money as to see the actualization of this dream. Compromising may include working Cheyenne Frontier Days and/or Sturgis Motorcycle Rally as a means of funding some future fun and travel. However, the Harrington's may also choose to stay in the Wyoming area so that they may enjoy the coummunity of friends here and events such as Mud Volleyball and Nowoodstock. To complicate matters further, Mike is also considering enrolling in a construction/contracting course offered by LCCC so as to gain a skill that would surely bring about great benefit to the happy couple.

After World Cup; what shall they do?

The Harrington's have been given tons of information regarding teaching English in Hong Kong. Teaching English where ever they wish is also an option! Most recently, the Harrington's have been chatting with their good friend Mark and were lead to consider WOOFing (Working on Organic Farms). These opportunities would provide room and board and teaching may even provide an income. A serious consideration at this point would be to purchase an around the world ticket and visit many of their desired locations choosing to work on farms, teach English or seek out other service opportunities.

Long-term future; should they even consider this?

Whether the answer is yes or no, the fact is the Harrington's have been considering what they may want to do in order to fulfill their passions, desires and talents. Here, in no particular order are some thoughts and musings from the Harrington conversations: Be a mother/father, Run a Bed and Breakfast, Manage a small eBay business, Sell Tea (obviously), Start up a Non-Profit Organization called 'Books for Babies', Repair homes, and Serve as a 'Disaster' specialist - building and repairing homes in locations of devastaion.

What the Harrington's decide to do is still in the Hands of One who is much bigger and wiser and they have no desire to push into the future unguided and unaware. They do however, look forward to the days and years ahead with great anticipation and seeing the ways in which their passions and talent are put to work and even changed as each day passes.

Lessons from the Couch: December '08 - February '09

To the greater community: The Harrington's still exist and continue to many of the same things they have always done. This includes the heralded Couchsurfing. Although the couch is not in as popular demand as it once was, the couch has still served a great puporse and offered a few travellers a good nights rest. Here are there stories and advice.

Tuesday December 9: Shaun from Pittsburgh, PA

"I felt very welcome in your home and that is always greatly appreciated by anyone on the road. The enchilasagna was delicious, and the tea and cookie too. If you ever make it out to Pittsburg we'd be delighted to host you and show you around. Unless we're living here, of course. Best wishes and perhaps I'll be living in a house near you soon."

Tuesday December 9: Mike and Melissa

• Not everyone has yet had the chance to play the Nintendo Wii - Thank you mom and dad Harrington for gifting this to us so we can spread the joy!
• Sometimes enchiladas don't work they way you want them to, but can still become a delicious dinner.
• People choose to interview and move to Laramie despite warnings of cold weather :) (Who are we kidding, we love living in Laramie!)

Friday January 23 - Sunday January 25: Kristy and Cleo - beloved friend and dog!

"Thank you so much for welcoming Cleo and I into you home. I loved baking with you and with free food from the dumpster, apple and sausage and potato hash which is delicious with a fried egg on top and sour cream and leftover pizza Quiche which was delicious. I also really enjoyed getting to talk to both of you and drink tea and work on convincing you guys and Mark to teach in Hong Kong...thank you for sharing so much of who you are and being so real. I just really enjoy being in the presence of the Harrington family and being surrounded by your warm and loving hearts."

Friday January 23 - Sunday January 25: Mike and Melissa

• Pizza Quiche - enough said!
• It is good and right to deal with emotions, it is even more enjoyable along side another.
• Yay for Puppy Rescues and the life of Cleo!
• Hong Kong just may be the "land of Opportunity" for the Harrington family...

Friday February 6: Trevor - Representative of International Studies Abroad

"To all Future Guests:

Be glad you are in the company of kind, generous people. After a long day I arrived in Laramie wondering if I could give my hosts the personable guest experience they deserved for opening their home to me. I was tired, a little cranky, like an old man. This all changed though upon meeting Mike and Melissa. I felt at home, but with heaping portions of Indonesian cuisine instead of mom's potatoes and steak. Somtimes you just know people are good. Sometimes its an instinct you feel in their presence (the opposite is certainly true; bad intentions are hard to hide). Sometimes this goodness comes out in the first words spoken. Other times, it just takes a look, I knew I was in for an enjoyable stay when, from the bottom of the stairs when I foolishly knocked, Mike acknowledged the act with a simple, friendly glare that could not be interpreted as anything less than: come in, you're welcome here. Thank you."

Friday February 6: Mike and Melissa

• If done correctly, travelling can be cheaper than staying and living.
• If you host, you will be hosted.
• It is good to have cake and sweet things on hand, you never know when one will come to your home on their Birthday.
• International Studies Abroad is a GREAT choice for studying abroad :)

Christmas Letter: 2008

‘Tis the season of giving and receiving. Yet we are foolish to believe that this is the only season for such expressions of love and generosity. For Mike and Melissa Harrington this has been a YEAR of gifts received and given. There is much to be thankful for as one sits down to remember the joys and the blessings that have been received in the year Two Thousand Eight.

We have received the gift of relationship.
As husband and wife
As son- and daughter-in-law
As cherished friend
As co-worker

We have received the gift of memories.
A year together; travelling, staying, playing
A spring break tradition of being at the Harrington cabin, enjoying fireplaces, outdoor activities, fellowship and great food
A woman beloved by all, who has left us lessons to learn even after her last breath
A community of friends that challenge, encourage and even entertain us, leaving us with the best sort of memories

We have received the gift of employment.
As paraprofessionals at Elementary Schools
As Pizza Delivery Man
As Independent Let’s Do Tea Consultant

We have received the gift of knowledge.
To live in Financial Peace
To discover and use spiritual gifts
To make new things, from hand-bound journals, to fresh cows cheese, to homemade carrot cake
To teach, to sell, to be and to love; to make time for others and to leave time for ourselves

We have received the gift of Joy.
By teaching children in public school and Sunday school
By having friends over regularly for Settlers of Catan and/or tea
Be being able to freely give of our time, home, talents and money

We have received the gift of great stuff.
A bike rack for the 1st Anniversary
A high-quality camera via monetary gifts for graduation and birthday
A slew of Pampered Chef products via monetary gifts for a birthday

We have received the gift of adventure.
In Couchsurfing, the process of inviting strangers into our home, to eat with them, to explore with them, and to provide a bed for them
In snowshoeing and exploring the winter wonderland of Laramie, Wyoming
In owning a car as a ‘Harrington’

We have received the gift of Peace.
In our finances
In allowing our physical bodies to truly rest with some frequency
In knowing Jesus, whose birth we celebrate and to whom we choose to Thank for all the gifts, those mentioned and those left on our hearts and minds.

May this Holiday Season leave you with surety of the many gifts you have received and the gifts that you have given, especially that of your friendship and love. Trust that you are a gift in our lives no matter the distance whether in miles or years. May you and yours forever enjoy the gifts of this season and the year to come.

Lessons from the Couch: November '08

November found the couch with a little more down time but nonetheless, the Harrington's had two significant visits for the eleventh month of the year.

Tuesday November 4: Matt en route to California

"Today is a very important day to me, the night of the most important election in the history of the world. Every American will remember where they were and what they were doing on this historic evening. I will remember that I was in Laramie, Wyoming with 3 new friends, Mike, Melissa and Mark...I will also remember listening to John McCain make his concession sppech and then listening to Barack Obama accept the nomination as President of this United States. We listened on Radio, so much nicer than television...It is interesting to me that my gracious hosts, being from Wyoming and voting Republican, and myself, environmental activist and door-to-door Obama compaigner, were together for this occassion...It does not matter who is president, it is up to us to make our world how we want it to be. One way to do this is to have good people around, so thanks for the couch but more importantaly thank you for spending this evening with me, I'll never forget it. Always remember, whenever in doubt, 'Yes we Can'."

Tuesday November 4: Mike and Melissa

What We learned:

• Share things, like music - whatever you have.



• We are not the only ones with bad car luck.



• Apples and Peppers make for delicious Pizza toppings!
  

Tuesday November 25: Mandy Litton (Friend of Melissa)

"Thank you so much for blessing me with a place to sleep. I love to see where you are in life and how much you seem to make of each moment...I think your generosity is admirable and something I wish more people showed. Thank you both for making me feel welcome. It's great to see God use people. I wish you both the best..."

Tuesday November 25: Mike and Melissa (mostly Melissa)

What we learned:

• Some friends need no re-introduction, even after 5 years



• You can make someone's day by offering to go out to breakfast while still wearing pajamas



• There is always time for Christmas decorations!



• There is also, always time for knitting!

Lessons and Stories from the Couch: October '08

October proved yet another exciting month of couchsurfing for Mr. and Mrs. Harrington. Not only was the Harrington Family blessed to meet and greet new friends, but they also had the privilege of welcoming family into their home and onto their couch.

Friday October 3 and Tuesday October 7: Tom Harrington (Father of Mike Harrington)

"Thanks so much for the hospitality!! The salvaged salmon surprise was wonderful, the 'settlers' humbling and the time spent with both of you priceless. It is a joy to see you two together and sharing your values and discoveries. Together you are better than each separate one! Continue on in your journey with love, understanding, and always together."

Friday October 3 and Tuesday October 7: Mike and Melissa

What we learned:

• Goat cheese is pretty amazing!


• Family ties are a beautiful thing - there is always love to receive from a Father


• Teriyaki marinade + Salmon Fillets + Blackberry Preserves = One DELICIOUS dinner!

Sunday October 12: Maryanne and Helen (Sisters Extraordinaire)

...

"Other things we'd like to Mention:

1 - The bathroom scale is really cool! (I want to weigh myself.)

2- We'd like to be honorary sorority sisters! (Sorry Mike-no boys allowed.)

3- The totem pole in the living room is also really fascinating. We'd borrow it and take pictures with it in neat places if it were smaller.

4-As the sole Wyoming natives we've met, you guys are #1 and #2 BEST! (You vote on who is which...) (this may be a trick!)

5- Anyone who likes Harry Potter is "a-okay" by us!

In Conclusion, YOU ARE ENDORSED BY US!

Sunday October 12: Mike and Melissa

What we learned (and enjoyed):

• An Obama bumper sticker was surprisingly welcomed in Lusk, WY


• 'Maryanne and Helen are America (and you can too)' - That's their Blogspot and basically our inspiration to do a good "across America road trip".


• Animal hides are not for everyone.


• A little blue VW bug is NOT a buffalo's best friend!

Tuesday October 14: David from Northern Ireland

"I really enjoyed your warm hospitality, friendly welcome and a good chin wag. The elk and mashed toties rocked, I loved a good home cooked meal, and I'll look at elk in a different way now, thinking 'I know how you taste mister!'...You're very welcome to come stay on my Irish Potato farm and experience delicious roast potatoes and some of mum's home cooking, if you make it across the pond anytime."

Tuesday October 14: Mike and Melissa

What we learned:

• Around the World Tickets!!! They exist. They save you money. They help you travel around the world!!!


• We will definitely enjoy South Africa when we make it there.


• Nothing beats meat and potatoes for dinner!

Sunday October 19: Harland and Brenda Allen

"Thank you for letting us sleep double in a twin bed. It was wonderful time meeting your journey group. Dad had a great time carving a pumpkin with Melissa. As always we enjoyed our conversations, laughter and time together."

Sunday October 19: Mike and Melissa

What we learned:

• Packing peanuts are worth a U-Haul


• E-bay continues to be a booming business for the Allen family


• Again - family ties are a beautiful thing!

Perhaps the most resounding theme for the month of October was the presence of family. From visiting with our own family members to spending time with a couple of sisters travelling across America, the Harrington's were encouraged by the love that family provides for one another. It is their hope that readers of The Harrington Times will find valuable time to spend with their families and friends as the weather cools and the holidays approach. Until the end of November - that's Lessons from the Couch.