Life's for Living Yeaahhhh

In the summertime
When the weather is hot
You can stretch right up
An' touch the sky
When the weather's fine
You got women, you got women on your mind
Have a drink, have a drive
Go out an' see what you can find

If her daddie's rich
Take her out for a meal
If her daddie's poor
Just do as you feel
Speed along the lane
Do a ton, or a ton an' twenty five
When the sun goes down
You can make it, make it good in a lay-by

We're not grey poeple
We're not dirty, we're not mean
We love everybody but we
Do as we please
When the weather's fine
We go fishing, or go swimming in the sea
We're always happy
Life's for living, yeah, that's our philosophy

When the winter's here
Yeah, it's party time
Bring a bottle, wear your bright clothes
It'll soon be summertime
And we'll sing again
We'll go driving, or mayby we'll settle down
If she's rich, if she's nice
Bring your friends, an' we'll all go into town

~Mungo Jerry

Mirror Reflection

1. Describe what you see..

A face that screams of a heritage that nobody recognizes.

Eyes baggy with ambitions that may not be achieved.

Somebody so on the go that if a person were to reach out to them, they wouldn't be found.

An eye sore that drags up unwanted memories.

A person who doesn't know their place.

A freckled face wisecracker with creases in her forehead.

My mother's daughter.

My father's regret.

Somebody given too much to do in too little time.

A social butterfly with a dimple in the right cheek.

A dismal puddle of "A Believer."

An antagonizer.

A little girl who curses like a sailor and enjoys doing men's work.

A prideful independence that will hurt someone eventually.

An individual fed up with low expectations because of her gender.

Child of God, only because that's what you're supposed to say.

An asker of questions with no answers.

A girl who wants to be taken care of and loved but is too afraid that no one will, so she takes on the world alone to avoid being let down or left behind.

Somebody who has been rejected.

A comedian by way of coping, not for kicks.

A thirst to provide because of nature- not obligation.

A lost soul in a fish bowl.

A friend.

A ball of energy and well constructed smiles.

Focus Fox

Rhapsody

Sat in the cheap seats 

Of Symphony Hall, squinting

As the instruments tuned up

I could pick out only you:

Fourth row back and clutching

Your viola, bright hair spilt

Across the strings. You were

Deep in a flurry of pages

With bitten lip, too

Intent on forcing that

Melody right to the cheap seats

To notice me up there, ears straining

To block out any sound but yours.

- Ben Ziman-Bright

In the Eye of the Beholder

"Then in my mind's eye I see the bronze statue of the college Founder, the cold Founder symbol, his hands outstretched in the breathtaking gesture of lifting a veil that flutters in hard, metallic folds above the face of a kneeling slave; and I am standing puzzled, unable to decide whether the veil is really being lifted, or lowered more firmly in place; whether I am witnessing a revelation or a more efficient blinding."

~Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

Life Lessons from Larry

Never marry for love.

Watch out for dream killers.

You can always add more water.

Homo says 'What?'.

Rocks are complicated things.

You can never get sick of the Beatles.

Date, a lot.  But no relationships.

Girls, you have all the power.

Feed the ego.

If you get married, remember, he wants you to be the same fun and silly girl that he dated.

Women marry men under the impression that they'll change them, this doesn't happen so get that outta your head.

You bringing up the past is like trying to get revenge.

You can never drink too many sodas.

It's better to get married than burn.

Home is where the heart wants to be.

I miss Indo. I'm wondering though if it's Indo I miss or the thrill of being away from everything I know. The past couple weeks it has been very difficult to keep the eye on the prize, for the first time in two years I don't really want to be back at Westmont. I want to gallavant and explore, not sit at a desk and learn how to teach. I'm between a rock and a hard place; to get to where I want to go I need to get my education... but at the same time I need to leave my education to go learn. The traveling and the classroom education are dependent on each other, I wish it was as easy as choosing one over the other but if it weren't, I wouldn't be needing this inner dialogue to figure it out.

I am where I am, and that's where I need to be and apply myself fully. I can make myself at home here for now...

Bus and Bike Rides

I love people. I learned that in Indo, I had always been vaguely aware of the fact that I enjoy people, but after coming home it is very evident that I do. This realization finally hit me while I was waiting around for the VISTA bus to come back from Ventura. As I sat there a man who I would have normally ignored sat down next to me and I was itching to start conversation. We talked about tons of stuff, cars, bikes, college, his kids... When that topic came up low and behold- his oldest daughter was my high school guidance counselor! She was the one that told me to apply to Westmont despite the super steep finances. I was so stoked to have met her dad!

People are great, especially when you don't automatically assume they're all out to get you.

After that glorious bus ride I nearly keeled over riding up to school from my house. A majority of the ascent was spent talking to myself about how I was outrageous for thinking I could go up that hill. I got up eventually, and once I did it was so good to see all the Physical Plant folks! Plus going down the hill was mantab!

There's No Place Like Home....

So apparently it is way more difficult for me to adjust to sleeping here than it was in Indo. I got sick this afternoon right after 2nd service and I think part of that was the fact that I didn't fall asleep till 3 AM AND I ate an AMAZING chocolate cheesecake piece... It might have been worth it now that I think of it.

Like any sane traveller I made the wise choice of going glow bowling my first night back in Santa Barbara, to get back in the swing of things if you will. I BROKE 100 MUAHAHAH. And we went out to In-n-Out and I had a cheeseburger with chocolate shake... delicioso.

Other than being physically whacked out, I'm glad to be home. I might go back to sleeping on the floor and possibly recruiting people to sleep in the same room with me. I'm super thankful that I've gotten to hang out with Frontline Kiddos already and various other friendly faces that make this place so great.

I LOVE YOU GUYS A LOT!!!

Reverse Culture Shock

I just had my first taste of reverse culture shock and I am not pleased at all.

The entire plane ride I was really excited to get to talk to my family as soon as I was back in California.  I got a slap in the face when I called my mom's work and was coldly told by the manager that she was busy.

A. I haven't spoken to my mom in a month

B. We're super close

C. She would drop whatever she was doing to just say hello

Unfortunately my impression of the new manager is one of frustration and anger.

BAH

Homeward Bound

Here we come!

Back In Two Days

Hey all we've made it back to the "mainland" if you will. We'll be jetting out to Singapore tomorrow spending the night, then we'll hop on a plane for hong kong and then home.

so bear with us, the internet is down so we're at some knappy internet cafe... and our time is almost up here so

peace ya'll see you soon!

News Flash

We woke up this morning feeling way better. The desire to throw up has abated and right now we're just taking it easy. We both feel a little hot, but that could just be the fact that it is way hotter inland than out on the islands.

Everybody else is doing fine, they're all out on our third island. Hopefully we can join them later this afternoon. We have all been learning so much about ourselves, and the people of the smaller Indo. islands since we've gotten here. The dynamics and cultures are different on every island and it is astounding to see.

Well there isn't really much I can update on until I'm actually home (plus I wanna lay down) so that'll do it for now.

P.S. We won't be having any sort of communication, email or otherwise, until July 14th/15th, so don't worry, we're doing alright. Think of it this way, no news is good news.

Love.

Back to the Big Island

Em and I are sick as dogs.

Tis bad news bears that we are back home 2 weeks early.

Other than that all is well.

Goleta's on fire?

Over and Out

So we're off to the small islands tomorrow which means this will be the last post for a bit.

Be not afraid hahaha, it'll be fine. We're surrounded by experienced professionals, and loving locals so...yea there's not much else I can say to comfort those who would bother worrying except that I feel safe here. Example: We had to go on an excursion scavenger hunt to take pictures and I had to ask directions to the next spot. When I asked a man on a motorbike where to go he just shrugged and told us to follow him. In the states I would never for a minute trust anybody who would say "just follow me" because in our culture nobody has time to lead anybody anywhere. Here however there is tons of time for shooting the breeze and leading people places. One of our guides told me something very basic that I think everybody should know, "we walk slow enough so that we can talk while we walk."

I dunno if you've ever tried it, but she made me try it. First of all it is DIFFICULT for me to walk slow, second of all to be able to carry on a conversation comfortably you have to be walking especially slow.

So, while I am away, walk slow my friends. Walk with each other and walk slow.

Much love, be back in a few days or weeks I might not want to come back actually.. (just kidding mom, sorry that wasn't funny).

PEACE YA'LL!

Beh Che Sssss

I don't think I actually described much about Indo other than the fact that we didn't die on the way over.

First off driving is absolutely gnarly and terrifying. Today we went to the BCS mall (sound it out and it sounds an awful lot like beaches which sounds a lot like something else which is absolutely hilarious). On our way to the BCS I felt like I was running for my life across the street. Frogger times 20 because that's how many of us were sprinting and dodging cars. On the way home our guide just got tired of waiting and started walking toward the middle of the street pausing as traffic passed (yikes).

Tis hot and muggy and I couldn't be happier. We spent most of today learning bahasa and our trip to the mall was meant to get us out into the Indo world learning how to converse with people. Em and I were followed out of a supermarket by two guys in the instant soup section. People are very friendly and extremely amused by our lack of conversation skills. Can't say I minded too much I thought it was absolutely hilarious the way both parties struggled with filling awkward pauses, but it was all in good fun.

What else what else..... I think we get a free night so we're going to go adventure in our neighborhood.

P.S. being a white chick in this country is very amusing. Kids stop, point, and say "Bule!" (white person) and then run away giggling. One young boy was forward enough to lean back in his chair and say "Hey Ladies." Love it Love it.

Ben wants the computer I'm out.

We Made it!!

After a flight delay in LAX we missed our connection in Hong Kong to Singapore so we got to spend the night in a super ritzy hotel right next to the airport in Hong Kong.

Let me tell you, it was SWEET. Em and I went on an adventure and discovered that there was a buffet serving all kinds of glorious food. Unfortunately we didn't get to actually explore in Hong Kong but that hotel left a very good impression.

Oh by the way we made it safely to our destination and lost a day in the process...or did we gain a day..... I have no idea. I haven't been here twenty four hours and already ate a pepper that was WAY to hot for me, I'm not sure how I'll survive.

Other than that everybody is safe and healthy, a little whacked out from our bizarre sleeping patterns (or lack thereof) but all in all in good spirits.

I want to go to sleep right now.... so.... yeah...

Love you all WE MADE IT! And I'll try and update as soon as I can.

Peace Love and Granola

Have you ever rode an elephant in a real elephant situation?

In two hours I'll be sitting or standing in LAX airport people watching and probably being thoroughly stressed out.  OK I probably won't be stressed but Lauren will, but I'm saying it now IT WILL BE OK, DO NOT PANIC!

This morning I woke up and spoke with my mom on the phone on Em's driveway.  There are people sleeping EVERYWHERE in the house (even the backyard) so the driveway was the best bet.  While I was sitting there I noticed the house across the street had been TPed.  What an American thing.  Em lives in suburbia-ish and on the phone it was business as usual with my  mom.  I'm really curious to see how my perceptions of stuff like that changes after I come back.

We did all the most USA things last night, went to Target, the Dollar Tree, over heated a car.  It is amazing to me that we have all these things, these items, available to us and all we can think about is how to get the lowest price.  Strange huh? 

Any who Em's familia has been such a blessing on this trip.  Their hospitality and love is absolutely amazing.  Jan and Kevin have three kids, Rob, Em, and Michael, and all three are leaving home base within weeks of each other.  Rob to Virginia, Em to Indo, and Michael to Ukraine.  I am so amazed by their willingness to just let their children go out into the world.

Well it is now 7:34 am so I should go grab some breakfast.  Note to self take Dramamine and get ready for one heck of an adventure!!

P.S.  Goal: Keep an eye out for all the subtle and major differences in our culture and Indonesian culture but notice the consistent presence of God everywhere.

P.P.S.  Even the crabby airport lady who isn't making life easy is a child of God, so be nice.

Two Days

You would think that with two days left til Indo I would be so excited and stoked.

Not so. A few weeks ago we discovered that one of our team members' passport got rejected. After trying to resend it, the damn thing won't get here in time. This is one of the most frustrating times I've ever gone through. As soon as I found out that she wasn't going a torrent of curses came flowing from my mouth as I drove do the hill crying. Now if that's how I felt when I found out imagine the gut wrenching feeling that she felt when she found out.

I'm trying real hard to see the silver lining right now it is not as easy as it sounds. There were supposed to be seven, not six, seven. All the anticipation leading up to this trip has turned into anxiety about how to take care of crap before we fly out. I know it isn't my fault but I feel like if I had pushed a little more, tried a little harder we would've gotten the passport.

Blah, well anyway this blog is now going to be dedicated to Indo updates (although I'm not too sure how many I'll be able to make...)

Happy trails, call my mom if you miss me, because she misses me already.

Much love all.

The Last Day

Today was my last day of work before Indo and it couldn't have been better.  The shenanigans that went on today made me realize how much I'm actually going to miss the Physical Plant family.  

Things to remember about today:

 ~Dresser dumpster dilly-dallying.  "Phil Baker could have just thrown these down from Page with his pinky."

~ Auto Shop Pop- "Hey I haven't seen you all day Vitaliy!" "I know I'm avoiding you so I don't have to hug."

 ~Wet Switzerland and Turkey soccer- "Look how nice that field is..."

~ Chased by Peter and Mike- *THUD**THUD* "Holy shit!!"  "Mike flew out?!"  "Gimme my nutty bar."

 ~Phil and Graham- "It's your last day?" "I wrote it on the calendar..."

 ~Picking Vitaliy up from the observatory after his party- "I had a dream with you in it Kaleb, 

and you told me that Westmont was racist."

~Two O'clock Break- "Peter! What are you doing?"  "I'm switching my blog information." "... and you're getting paid how much more than we are?" "I haven't decided if I'm getting paid."

 ~Kaleb & Kirra Pole Crash- "TOM BEVRIDGE IS RIGHT OVER THERE!!"

 ~Branch under cart- "What the heck was THAT?!" "It's just... wedged in there."

 ~Big line at the dump- "You want this cup?" "Nah."

~ Graham mows all day long- "Sing, sing I don't know the words to this part of the song."

 ~Moments with Domingo- "Ees hot."  "He stood in the mud and said "uh oh!"."

~The breaks don't work- "Hey wait.  Why is Kirra driving?" 

~Giving Ricardo a ride- "Give Larry a ride he's old like me." "Si, put Larry in the back."  "Hey, that's discrimination."

I'm gonna miss these guys so much.  Everybody keeps telling me I'll get over it once I'm in Indo but I just don't know about that.  There's something so endearing about the reckless abandon with which our days play out.  We're not so obsessed with the clock that we can't find time have fun now and then and get ourselves in ridiculous situations.  Those are the best kind of memories from work incidents, the ones that probably wouldn't have happened if not for the silly mood you were in.  The best part is, there's always time to stop what you're doing to talk to each other.  LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM!

Gotta love working at Plant Plant.

Kodachrome

So I'm listening to Kodachrome by Paul Simon and could not stop laughing because it reminds me so much of Larry.  Larry who seems to revel in the past while loathing the present.

Ok maybe he doesn't loath the present, but he certainly does favor the past.

"If you took all the girls I knew when I was single

Brought them all together for one night

I know they'd never match

My sweet imagination

And everything looks worse in black and white"

Now I'm wondering, would the girls be better than he imagined or worse?  I think they'd be worse, it seems like we (being silly humans) have a tendency to elevate people and things to such a degree of amazingness that when we look back on them we think "Holy smokes how is it that I survive without that person/thing?"

Maybe I'm being ridiculous right now but I'm pretty sure there are plenty of people who know exactly what I'm talking about.  Wouldn't it be nuts if we could just what the song says though?  Bring all those elevated things or people together and realize that they aren't actually all we build them up to be.  Not to say that people who are remembered as being wonderful aren't, just that they probably aren't nearly as perfect as made out to be.  

This is probably just stress and pent up gobble-dee-goop talking...  Sometimes you just need to blab to figure out what it is you're actually thinking.

Indo in five days.  Holy crap.

A Sterilized Street

Really?  A sterilized street?  It is discovering that crap like this, or rather lingo like this is still used by people.  I was lurking it on my friend's Facebook pictures of a trip to the Middle East and came across a caption that said "A sterilized (no Palestinians allowed) street in Hebron".

Really? Sterilized?  I am so furious I could scream. I sort of did after reading that but still....  The worst part is that language like this is used all the time by all sorts of different people but I just choose to focus on the positive places where this isn't said.  No wait I found something even worse, people KILL other people because of lingo and ideas like that.  I just UGGGHHH I'm so frustrated at the world we live in.  

What I don't get is why people are so quick to accept grace but never quick to be graceful towards others.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

I'm Uptight

I'm uptight and I like to be on time.  I think it is a sign of utter disrespect when people are late to stuff and make others wait.

I can't help it, I  like to be punctual.

My bad.

A-Ha!

I had a total "aha!" moment last night while I was listening to The Light Reprise by Scott McAlvany and Braddigan from the Walking on Water soundtrack.  There's a lot more to life than falling in love.  I know it is hard to believe but tis true.  As a young woman going to a Christian college it's a little hard not to think about because it seems to be on a lot of people's minds.  Yeah I'd like to get married and all that good stuff but that shouldn't be the only thing that I (or any one else) strives for in life.  So many books and movies try to bash it into our heads that if you are alone you're probably unhappy.  People at church do it too, they don't mean to, but especially for single women there is an expectation to jump on it and find a good husband.  Men can be as single as they want but heaven forbid a woman do the same.  

Again, I wouldn't mind one bit being a relationship, but I just get so fed up when that's all people want or expect from their lives.  God has equipped us to do so much more than look around for a soul mate.  So I'm thinking that instead of sitting around waiting for (or searching for) the love of our life we should bip around doing what God calls us to do and if we happen to find love on the way, sweet man.  If not, that is equally sweet.

Ok So Here's the Earth

So here I am just chilling out in Santa Barbara with no idea of what is going on in the world around me.  Because I'm going to Indo I've started reading up on Islam because I'm a curious person, and I don't want to offend anybody while I'm over there.  Learning about Islam coinciding with my reading of Three Cups of Tea has turned me a little crazy with wanting to know as much as I can about Islam (especially the Middle East).

My newest attempt at education has been watching a film called Sadaa E Zan (voices of women)  It was made in 2002 and is made up of interviews with women from Afghanistan and Northern Pakistan about their lives during the rule of the Taliban as well as post-Taliban experiences.  

I had no idea that women, no, not even women, that human beings could be subjected to what these women went through.  Here I am getting pissy when one of my co-workers assumes I can't carry something when there are women who have been confided to their houses and then severely punished when they left their homes.  I'm not really sure what was more painful, the fact that I was ignorant about all of this, that these women have lived through this, or the fact that many others are equally unaware.  

No education, no freedom, no access to good medical facilities, lost family members, psychological obstacles.  Grant it, the movie was produced right after 2001 and I'm sure (actually I'm not sure, I HOPE) that things have changed since then, but I AM sure that there is much more that needs to be done.  

These women do not need to be Americanized, as far as I know Islam calls for women to be below men (not to the extent the Taliban took it) and if they want to be true to their religion we should help facilitate that, but to do this they need security and safety before we can just rip off their veils.  

On top of that I read today in the news that Marines who opened fire after a car bomb went off in Jalalabad, killed 19 unarmed civilians, are NOT going to be punished in any way shape or form.  I know that it is Memorial Day and that I should be grateful for those who have gone before us to protect us, but to what extent has our quest for our own security injured the security of innocents that aren't "us" ? No one, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, what have you, should live in fear- and since we do live in fear we should learn  how to help each other escape those fears by respecting each other and working together.

Our number one rule for our Indo trip is DO NOT PANIC.  I hope we (and hopefully others) can stick to that.

Merry Happy

Kate Nash's Merry Happy is a truly merry happy song, I highly recommend it.  Today has been a day spent sitting around watching Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation and thinking about how to learn from pervious experiences.

Previous experience: waiting around for something to happen... to change.

Thing Thought about and learned: "One who does nothing but wait for his ship to come has already missed the boat". 

 It was right in front of me for ages, taped to Julio (my computer) but it wasn't until I initiated something that I realized the only way anything is ever going to happen is if I make an effort to change it.

I'm feeling pretty empowered right now, lesson has been learned, if you wait around not much is going to happen, so take a leap of faith and get out there.

Worky Worky Worky

I love working grounds crew.  Naturally the weed eating gets old after awhile, but the shenanigans never end so it is all good.  Today we attacked a weedish tree with hand saws... I felt like I was going to war.

On top of all this fun stuff Phil Baker is one of my most favorite people, I wish I could dedicate a club to him called "my boss could snap your boss in half with his pinkie toe".  He's just this HUGE dude who is so stinking nice.  SO nice I can't believe how lucky I am to work for somebody like Phil.  Hooray

Right now I'm watching Cassidy slave over a cake and considering helping, except that I know I'll end up ruining it some how.

Life is good

I Wanna

I wanna go to Israel.

Now.

Ok maybe not now, but soon.

BLAH!

Birdy Bird

I'm a bird in a cage with far too few choices. (according to Dana's Zoology class haha)

Too bad the best choice really is the best choice, but won't ever be an option.  So I can't help but think to myself, "self, why are you putting yourself through all this caca?"

You always want what you can't have.  Why is that?

"That's when I knew

that I could never have you

I knew that before you did

still I'm the one who's stupid"

S.O.B. This is a bummer summer, but it will be A-OK eventually, it always is.

Food for Thought.

"Prayer is better than sleep." ~ the hazzan (call to worship)

That's quite the statement, especially for a constantly sleep deprived college student.  Sleeping and eating are pretty high up on my list (I dunno about the rest of you folks) so to actually see that in writing has made me reassess my priorities.

I frickin' love sleep, and if prayer is better than sleep...well.... I should frickin' love prayer even more.

I found this quote in the book Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson (my new hero) and was completely miffed when I found out that he was in Santa Barbara speaking at the Arlington, an hour after the presentation began.  I know I know, life is rough.

The thing is.. I have 11 pages left in this book and I can't bring myself to read them.  It isn't because I don't have time or that I'm bored with what I'm reading.  It's because once I finish the book, I'm done reading this amazing story.

And once you finish a book like this you can't help but feel like anything you do may turn into a life changing passionate pursuit.  He started out as a mountain climber and ended up a humanitarian, who would have thunk it right?  So I'm a little scared/excited that after reading this book something will turn into anything and and and, oh look I'm panicking now. haha

Any who, point being PLEASE read this book you will not regret it one single bit, if anything you'll feel more at ease knowing that there is a purpose in everything that you do, or that happens to you.

PLEASE READ!!!

Into Africa??? NO WAY DUDE!!!

So I spoke to a friend of mine last night and was completely baffled by what I was told.  He's studying to become an engineer and as such he needs to complete a senior project.  So I'm sitting there thinking he's going to be building some solar powered candy cane maker or something of the sort when he throws me a complete curve ball.

"Well, I went to some meeting about this sugar making thing that needs to get designed and....well... hopefully by winter break I'll be going to Mali."

Note: This guy isn't Africa inclined, I recall several conversations where he would complain about Christians constantly going to and talking about Africa and that people just need to get over Africa.

Apparently he's joined a program that's funded through the Peace Corps in hopes of creating a juicer that will get sugar out of the sorghum plant.  The plan is to construct the juicer out of materials that are efficient and abundant in Mali.  After juicing the plant, the liquid can go through a process (hey I'm gonna be a 3rd grade teacher so I dunno all this jargon) that will solidify it into sugar, which is a pretty hot item in regards to trade.

If all goes well they'll be able to teach people how to make and operate the machines and then sell the sugar to make money for food, shelter, education, whatever.  The best part is that the idea is to create something that will make the people of Mali self-sufficient in trade and manufacturing.

I'M SO STOKED BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING COMPLETELY OUT OF THE BLUE FOR THIS GUY TO BE PARTICIPATING IN!

I can't help but be a cheeseball by thinking of the line from that song Through Heaven's Eyes

"No life can escape being blown about 
By the winds of change and chance 
And though you never know all the steps 
You must learn to join the dance"

It has been a year since being "over Africa" and all of a sudden there was this change in him... and now he could be well on his way to changing tons of lives for the better.  This is a crazy example of how God can use the most unlikely characters as part of a great story.

STOKED.

Question

Ok, so I'm reading this book Three Cups of Tea about this guy who starts building schools in remote areas of Pakistan.  Cool yea?  Well it is, but reading this has raised a question (and I should probably know the answer to this except that I had Christian Doctrine at 8 am first semester last year) 

When people who don't believe that Christ died and resurrected are really good people and do awesome stuff like Greg Mortenson, is it because of the Holy Spirit or something else?  I guess a simpler way to put it is: Are all good deeds done by all men because of the Spirit?  I've been putzing around in my Biblia trying to figure it out but I just can't come to any conclusions about it.

Any ideas? (And please if it's a really obvious answer don't make me feel stupid!)

Where's Larry?

I'm dirty, tired, covered in poison oak, and I love it.

It has only been day two of my job on grounds crew for physical plant and I have forgotten how good it feels to just go home and collapse on the couch after work. I'm outside, surrounded by all sorts of characters that you couldn't possibly encounter anywhere but physical plant. My favorite thus far is Larry.

Larry tells you to go do something and then disappears. When you go searching for Larry and can't find him, you find a co-worker with his number. After calling and telling him that you went (remember that) to Armington you drive back to that dorm. When he isn't there a second time you proceed to drive back to physical plant. While there, Larry drives by, spots you and yells "I thought you were waiting in Armington!" Then speeds off again. Then you go chasing after him only to find that he outran you yet again and is nowhere to be found.

We found him eventually, after 20 minutes of driving in circles, but hey it was all in good fun.

Hooray for working outside.

Times Change But We Stay the Same

I keep waiting to hear it from someone, anyone, "My how you've changed!"

Physically I've changed, a little more sunburnt, a little blonder, hair's a little bit longer. But there hasn't been much change otherwise... I was under the impression that "college changes you SO much" but I haven't seen it, and I haven't heard of it.

Instead I hear "you're exactly the same" or "you haven't changed a bit". There's been no growth in regards to my personality, my sense of humor, nothing. I still laugh at things that were funny 4 years ago. I don't get it, and I'm starting to wonder if I'm not taking full advantage of my college experience because I haven't been subject to much change.

Maybe I'm just having a drama yo mama moment because it's finals and I'm leaving school and won't see people for 7 months.

Yeah... I think that's it...

Note to self

Go for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

April 26, 2008

Nikki's best friend from home, Riley came to visit and we got to see a side of Nikki that we haven't seen before. There's something so unique about the relationships we have with friends from "way back when". Having Riley around made me very aware of how amazing and diverse friendships are. This leads me to the fact that I had a perfect day yesterday.

We did not plan some giant road trip anywhere, we just putzed around in town. Shane's birthday is next week, but that's the week of graduation so we decided to have a surprise party for her. The plan was to take her out to Ross Dress For Less while some of our friends drove out to Freebirds and got burritos. Then we would meet at the rose garden infront of the Mission and have a grand old time.

She had no idea, it worked flawlessly, it was so fun at Ross, not because we were shopping but because we were working so hard to do something sweet for our friend. I love birthday's and preparing for them, surprises are the best- they show the person that they are so worth the effort. I don't really know how to explain but the gift of a pleasant surprise is one of my favorites.

After making new memories with my newer friends I went out to UCSB with Jon to visit the old. It was so great to just get together with people who know me so well and chill out. We saw the Legendary Albino Raccoon and all was well.

After that I went skinny dipping at 2 am haha, it was the most liberating thing in the world!!

I am so stinking happy and grateful that I know the people I know. I'm pretty sure this post doesn't convey how absolutely wonderful yesterday was, and that's fine, the fact that I have the memory is good enough for me.

I guess the moral of the story is, be with your friends however new or old they may be, and love them, love and be loved and never take advantage of such a precious gift of a good caring friend.

Martha.....Stewart???

Good News: Malaria pills are actually only $43, I switched brands (brilliant I know) and freaking AAA takes $20 off of typhoid pills.

FLIPPIN' SWEET!!

Bad News: Martha Stewart is plotting to subdue baby-kind via ridiculous costumes of food...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_-wj6ppCYM8

What has this world come to?

Catch My Disease

Polio.... Check (-$35)
Hepatitis A...Check (-$75)
Tetnus (3 years too late)... Check (-$45)

Malaria Pills (Approx -$300)
Typhoid Pills (Approx -$70)

According to my calculations I will be about $525 less rich....

As Em so eloquently put it, I felt like a five-year-old when I was told by the woman at the pharmacy that it would cost $370 to fill a prescription for Malaria and Typhoid. I'm making an assumption right now, that I should just bite the bullet and by my drugs, and that it'll be worth it.

But naturally I talked to Travis about the fact that he didn't have Malaria pills in Egypt and Emily who won't take an while she's in Africa.... I'm trying to figure out whether or not I'm nearly as reckless and thrifty as these folks.

I don't think I am... Ayyyye I need a get rich quick scheme pronto.

Well I guess I won't ever get Polio, Hepatitis A, or Tetnus (Well....for at least 10 years...)

That's good, right?

Oh Waves

So... it has taken me approximately 18 years to finally understand my dad's reasoning for naming me after Kirra Point in Australia.

I'm not really sure why it has taken me so long to realize that I was brought up to be surf rat (for whatever reason it didn't hit me until yesterday).

All I wanna do is go to the beach and attempt to catch waves. Needless to say my paddling out is downright embarrassing because I'm absolutely horrible at surfing... I can probably count on my hands and toes how many waves I've caught, the thing is, I'm finding that it isn't about how good you are, or how often you go out, it's about how you feel when you're out in the water, and how excited you are on your way home after a great day at the beach.

I guess I'm just super stoked because this realization has hit right before summer, so now I can set goals for myself to at least try to become more dedicated, and a better surfer. The skill may not be there, but I sure do love it, I have for awhile I think, but I've always been to scared of embarrassing myself. Well, I'm over that garbage, so now's the time to just start having fun trying.

Heheheheh I'm so stinking excited for this summer : )

Mary Speaks

Christian rock bands can kiss my butt.... Well ok not all of them, but I keep discovering over and over again, that they have NOTHING, not a dang THING on choral music...

Mary Speaks

Text by Madeleine L'Engle
Music by Daniel E. Gawthrop

O you who bear the pain of the whole earth, I bore you.
O you whose tears gave human tears their worth, I laughed with you.
You, who when your hem is touched, give pow'r, I nourished you.
Who turn the day to night in this dark hour, light comes from you.
O you who hold the world in your embrace, I carried you.
Whose arms encircled the world with your grace, I once held you.
O you who laughed and ate and walked the shore, I played with you.
And I, who with all others, you died for.
Now I hold you, now I hold you, now I hold you.
May I faithful to this final test,
In this last time I hold my child, my son;
His body close enfolded to my breast:
The holder held,
The bearer borne.
Mourning to joy, darkness to morn.
Open my arms, Open my arms.
Your work is done.

P.S. I cried every single time we sang this, because it focuses on something that we often forget...There's so much emphasis on Jesus as the son of God that we forget that he was also Mary's son, and that it must have been so painful for both of them to know what had to happen. I get really overwhelmed when I think about what that must have felt like, luckily though it all worked out in the end :)

Pride.

Pride has always been an issue, and my mom seemed to know that about me from the get go. Any time I was in an argument with a friend at school, or in need of a ride home, or just needed to ask somebody to help me with something- she would always remind me "You know, the seven deadly sins, Pride's one of them so you better just let go of it right now."

It isn't a pride where I'm better than everyone and their mother, it is a pride in being self- reliant, a... I am woman hear me roar type of pride.

Case in point (this just happened about five minutes ago): Graham and I were getting a ride home from Warren. I live on the bottom of campus, Graham lives at the top, so obviously if anybody were to walk anywhere, it would make more sense for me to walk downhill than for Graham to walk uphill. When Warren asked where we lived we answered in turn and right away I said "I'll just walk down from Emerson." Whether or not they were aware of this, both guys had the same reaction: They looked at one another then proceeded to say at the same time "Are you sure?" and "I'll walk up from V.K."

It took all my willpower not to argue for my way, because I realize that it might have unnerved them to think of me walking around campus at dark when Graham could have easily done it.

This idea of male as protector absolutely fascinates me, my father gave me no sense of comfort or protection growing up, so I've been raised "holding my own" so to speak. This doesn't mean I don't get scared or anything- walking around Westmont is freaking creepy at night when you're alone... but I think I have an issue with my pride and sense of independence. I feel like I should offer to be subject to discomfort just as easily as a guy would, even if I don't necessarily want to, it's just the fact that I know I'm capable (for the most part) of doing what guys do, they shouldn't feel like they always need to step it up for girls.

But maybe they do... and I'm just gonna have to accept that, for the majority of the time, guys seem to prefer (correct me if I'm wrong) to be the ones offering to go the extra mile, whether it be walking alone in the dark, or lifting the heavy object.

Who knows, "Not I" said the Pig.

Tis the Season

To get sunburned! Ouchie caboodles I have seen my fair- holy crap caboodles is a word? Weird... Anywho, I have seen way too many bright red individuals walking around on campus. PUT SOME SUNSCREEN ON YOU CRAZIES DON'T YOU KNOW ABOUT SKIN CANCER!! It drives nuts, sure I like a good healthy looking tan, but jeez louise don't turn yourself into a piece of fried chicken for the sake of "looking good". Holy smokes... These people need to get their priorities straight- be able to wear a pair of jeans comfortably, or have the backs of your knees on fire.

It's that time of year again, where all we (students) want to do is lay out in the sunshine and frolic at the beach. Unfortunately this yearning is even stronger because the weather is very conducive to spending time outside versus locked away in our rooms writing papers and working on final projects.

The summer will come soon enough (or so I tell myself). I'm tempted to count down the days but I know that will just make me even more anxious about it.

Note to self.. Get typhoid pills before school's out. Typhoid, I know right? Apparently typhoid's pretty come in Indo... Who knew, I also have to get a Polio shot. Not stoked about that one bit.

SUMMER IS NEARLY HERE!!!! AHHHHH!!!

Vietnam

I am very thankful to say that despite earlier ranting about being tired of being in school, my education here has been amazing. A perfect example of this is the fact that we've been studying the Vietnam War for about two weeks now (and before I wouldn't have given the matter a second thought) but after reading Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam edited by Bernard Edelman, I realize that books like this should be required reading. So much more emotion can be felt when you read letters that real flesh and blood men and women wrote to loved ones, versus a textbook paragraph about the whole affair. I have become painfully aware of how many mixed up feelings soldiers went through during their time overseas, and it makes me wonder about our own troops in Iraq. Hopefully this rambling will turn into more than me just be super emotional.

"If you are able,
save for them a place
inside of you
and save one backward glance
when you are leaving
for the places they can
no longer go.
Be not ashamed to say
you loved them,
though you may
or may not have always.
Take what they have left
and what they have taught you
with their dying
and keep it with your own.
And in that time
when men decide and feel safe
to call the war insane,
take one moment to embrace
those gentle heroes
you left behind.

- Major Michael Davis O'Donnell
1 January 1970
Dak To, Vietnam"

Even MLK had to grow up

Aw my Yaya saves me when I need to be calmed down.

Thank you Dana, and you are right, even MLK had to grow up.

Thank God for friends.

Back In Black

I was hurrying to my room when I heard that song blasting from somebody's room, and naturally my mind began making bizarre connections

Black:
Civil Rights
Restlessness
Nightmares
Alone

Last Friday was big fat civil rights remembrance day; we watched a video in history about the Civil Rights movement in the 50s, talked about the ironic fact that it was the anniversary of MLK's assassination, and I cried. Every other thing made me emotional, a song, a statement, an image... The fact that people could justify spraying 100 lbs of pressure on children because they were "black and protesting". The fact that we justify all of this b.s. that we do and find ways to make it ok. "Oh it's a fallen world, so that's why this is happening." Yea I get it- this wasn't what God intended, that still doesn't mean it's ok for stuff like this to be going on. I feel helpless and foolish calling that statement a cop out. "Darn fallen world can't be helped" even if that is the truth it still seems... far too... I can't explain....too easy. What's the point of our following Christ if all we do is fall back on the fact that we're in a fallen world? I understand that it is naive to think that we can fix all problems, but I would much rather attempt to figure stuff out than just sit back on the fact that the world isn't what it was supposed to be.

I think I'm just angry at myself, everybody I live with, just everybody in general. I feel restless and terrible about my own laziness and hypocrisy. All I want to do is drop out of school and DO something, but whenever I feel like that I'll be told "you know, people need to learn how to wait and to listen to God." I'm mad and I'm jealous of all those people who get to go out into the world and get their bearings. I haven't been forced to mull over anything in the past month and a half, and the fact that I need to feel forced to do so is equally pathetic. I'm disappointed in myself, my lack of drive, my ignorance.

Since coming home from Aunt Belle's funeral I have come off as funny and ever well adjusted, this is untrue. I have become prone to terrifying nightmares lately. The kind of nightmares where you wake up at 3 in the morning afraid to move a muscle for fear of something terrible happening. In last night's episode I witnessed the beating and kidnapping of somebody and was locked in a car- unable to help, helpless myself. I've mentioned these dreams to a few people and everybody just writes it off as stress.

Maybe I am stressed, but I have also developed an uncharacteristic unwillingness to be by myself in my room. Prior to Spring Break I was happy as a clam working on stuff alone in my room- this has not been the case since then, I'm easily creeped out. I'm alone right now, but it's taking all my willpower to stay put. This refusal to be alone (which occurred before the bad dreams) has been bothering me for awhile now. I have no idea what is going on I'm upset, frustrated, and deeply afraid a majority of the time.

Blah Blah blah GANDALF!

Hairy Legs vs. Waxed Legs

Contemporary Worship Songs vs. Classic Sympathy for the Devil

Light On vs Light Off

And so it goes, the constant dance of being a roommate.  Whilst one is moody and finding it necessary to focus on God while singing out loud, the other is sinfully listening to the Rolling Stones via headphones trying to read for history.

As usual I am the heartless heathen that needs to study that wants just one song playing and of course it would be the super groovy Sympathy for the Devil.  While the Stones are wondering who killed the Kennedy's I'm reading about JFK's administration and Addison's disease.  Gotta love US history.  

It truly is crunch time, and this is evident by the fact that I am doing everything in my power to do that which is not necessary for my GPA to stay up.  These activities include: leg waxing, Trader Joe's adventuring, applying for jobs, babysitting, singing, talking to my mom and eating food that I bought even though I don't have the means to.

ahhhh college I lurve it.  I also lurve the fact that this year will be over in a matter of....a few weeks

oh god

"I just can't believe it Kirra!! This fits you!  It's short on me, and you have a BIG BOOTY!!"

Thanks Cassidy....and Emily....for your support.

Of course being from Hawaii Josh is the only one that agrees with me that length does not matter because it's a beach dress.  Silly inlanders.

Meningitis and Bathroom Breaks

During a quick break in Child Development I took a quick trip to the library bathroom (don't worry it gets slightly more interesting). After situating myself I discovered a pair of white velcro shoes sticking into my stall from the other....

Now I dunno about everybody else, but I wasn't expecting a pair of feet to be keeping me company whilst doing my business.

Attached to the feet and shoes were a pair of legs, simply sitting in the fetal position apparently leaning on the stall door, I ventured as low of a glance as I could without being caught, but I couldn't discover who it was....or why the heck they were sitting huddled on the moist cold bathroom floor.

Now a quick trip to the restroom was turning into a mind teaser of sorts. Should I ask her what's wrong? Maybe she's sick.. If I were curled in a ball on a public bathroom floor would I appreciate some Biznatch next door asking me questions? Do I have time to sit and listen to her life story if it is in fact an emotional problem? Should I let somebody know that there's a seemingly silent and despondent human being on the floor?

Naturally I did the easiest thing and simply left her alone. But I couldn't stop thinking about that odd near interaction. Why the hell was she on the bathroom floor in the school library!?!?!?! Maybe it's not nearly as perplexing as I find it to be.... it just seems.... odd....

Speaking of Meningitis... Apparently I haven't had my Meningitis shot and that isn't something you let leak out on a college campus. I had mentioned it to Nadia in passing at dinner and she just stared at me, "I knew a guy who went to UCLA, got Meningitis and then died a week later."

Thanks Nadia, maybe now I'll develop a neurotic tendency about catching it. I asked Cassidy what it was, and she started describing Mono symptoms and I just wasn't buying it. Nobody even knows what Meningitis is!!! All anybody tells you is "Oh you'll regret it if you don't get your Meningitis shot." or ask "They let you into school, I thought it was required."

Ok honestly if it was nearly as bad as everybody makes it out to be don't you think doctors would push for you to get the shot? Just a scad more than just mentioning in passing before shipping you off to some school "it's RECOMMENDED that you get this shot". Jeez Louise and now I'm all on edge so I called my mom and left a message informing her that everybody who knew I didn't have my Meningitis shot was threatening my life, "a shot is WAY better than dying."

She responded about an hour later, and I'm pretty sure she lied "Oh yea that one.... And hepatitis C." What she actually meant was "No you haven't had a shot in the past 3 years."

Everybody else was talking about how painful this effing Meningitis shot was, I'm thinking that if I had gotten it I would've remembered and complained for at LEAST a week later. But I have no recollection of that so I'm pretty sure that I'll drop dead in a matter of seconds after contracting Meningitis.

No but seriously in the back of my head I'm worried that now that I've talked about it so much I'll actually get it. Kinda like when you say "Oh I haven't heard *fill in the blank* in a long time" and then all of a sudden that song plays on the radio. That's kinda how I feel Meningitis will end up being for me.

Is it even that common?

Death rate extrapolations for USA for Meningitis: 849 per year, 70 per month, 16 per week, 2 per day, 0 per hour, 0 per minute, 0 per second.


Uh.... really? Who even keeps track of that....

Third US History Test in T-Minus..... 13ish Hours

Needless to say... There are far more important things to be doing right, my bad.

I got sucked into Spring Sing some how, haha what a pun "sucked in" I'm going to be a black hole with Kellyn.  But no Spring Sing costume design until AFTER my history test, Erikson paper, and Lit for kids essay.

I should be reading up all about the Cold War right now but I just can't do it.  It's kind of a bummer though because I don't have anything very exciting to write about.... I just feel like writing to avoid this stinkin' test.  

All I want are crackers and cheese right now.... 

So there are about fifty billion terms we're supposed to memorize for this thing.... Blah

Well I know for sure that there were 5 big issues that the US and USSR just could NOT get together on, kinda like when you try to convince people who like vanilla that chocolate is just as good, if not better, and they just won't listen.  

1. The Future of Poland was a toss up if I ever saw one.

2. The Future of Germany also couldn't be reconciled.  The US wanted to build Germany back up, help back on their feet, but USSR was pretty sketched out that the Germans would try and expand again.

3. Other East European govt's were testing grounds, whatever that means

4. We had opposing views about how to reconstruct the world economy.  The US was into capitalistic free trade and a world bank, the USSR preferred communism.

5. On top of all these squabbles there was a BIG deal of a disagreement going on about atomic bombs.  Blech.

Oh crap we're also covering the Great Depression... Jeez Louise I'm slightly overwhelmed....  But only slightly because Hump day is tomorrow and then the weekend will roll around HOOORRRAAAAYYY

Look At Pixie's Hair!

Well, I made it out of Bakersfield alive. Long story short, I have more cousins than I can count, one major incident is never ever enough, and despite how it seems now- life does go on.

First off, Aunt Belle died- a few days later Aunt Anne fell and broke her wrist in three places, then Jeffery's dog had a bizarre and traumatizing death. The dog's name is escaping me.... My mom, brother (we decided it was time he understood why we're so exhausted when we come home), and I showed up at Uncle Joe's house. We walked into the house and found Aunt Mary Poncetta (versus Mary Bunn) at the kitchen table.

"Well as if one death wasn't enough, Jeff's dog just died and we've been dealing with that...." We discovered my godmother Tina on the phone making preparations dabbing tears from her eyes. When she got off the phone she told us how the dog was fine and dandy and then all of a sudden started freezing up and falling over, unable to move. She and Nernie (her sister) took him to LA to the vet but to no avail, he was put to sleep and they decided to cremate him.

Then Nernie's cellphone rang and Tina answered,
"Hello?...Who is this?? Excuse me? Who is this? I don't want to start getting mean...Nern take the phone!" She handed it off to Nernie, "He asked if we're the ones who poisoned the dog, I don't even know this guy! Not very funny.... he's probably never had a pet... It's very traumatizing."


Dog aside, there was still a funeral to go to, and the shenanigans weren't over.

As we left Sacred Heart after the service I watched as my cousin Burt knelt down at the steps of the church and picked something up, a cigar. He caught me looking at him, "Well OBVIOUSLY I wouldn't take it in." As if I was being ridiculous by looking at him funny. Later on at the graveyard I observed a very funny exchange:
Burt stood over a tombstone away from the crowd, struck a match and began to puff at his cigar. An elderly woman, tilted her head at him quizzically, Burt looked at her and then down at the name on the stone then back at her, "It's not like he's going to be bothered by second hand smoke. He hasn't taken a gulp of air in oh.... ten years, I doubt he'll start now." Flustered she shook her head and walked away.

For whatever reason this last interaction with Burt made me realize that even though Aunt Belle's gone, we're still here, and we are what we are, despite the circumstances.

"GOD DAMN!! Kerra! (nobody can pronounce my name...) Look, over there, look at Pixie's hair." I looked
"What the hell is that hair-do? She looks like a damn sumo wrestler, what was she thinking, jeez." Sure enough Pixie looked like a sumo wrestler with a small bizarre bun on her head and huge poofy bangs that stood up from her head instead of rest on her forehead. Burt excitedly went on to tell everybody else about Pixie's hair.

It's really strange how something like that causes you to make other connections, I'm not sure what it was about his mannerisms during this episode, but I was vividly reminded of both Aunt Belle and Aunt Mary and how much they loved to talk about people.

Funny how some things carry on through generations...

Families and Funerals

I can't remember what I said in the last blog and don't really care....

In a nutshell I gave up going to PC to be with my familia in Bakersfield and I don't regret it for a second. As Nernie continually said today, "We're where we're meant to be." For me that was not in Mexico, but by my mom's side when we found out that Aunt Belle died this morning.

Let me just say I have never been more glad to hear that somebody had passed away. No I'm not being mean, if you had seen how she was yesterday you would agree with me. We walked into her hospital room yesterday to a jarring sight; she lay on her bed with her mouth open unable to speak. She looked like a bad dream, and based on what we've been told by doctor's she was in immense amounts of pain, so it's good that she's back home with God. I'm all scrambled right now and can't think about anything except that two day trip.

Oh families and funerals.... Funny similarity between the two, both of them are inescapable. Nobody can out run death...and you're stuck with the family you're born with.

Just Chill Out Man

Sing Me to Heaven, music by Daniel Gawthrop, words by Jane Griner

"In my heart's sequestered chambers lie truths stripped of poets' gloss
Words alone are vain and vacant, and my heart is mute
In response to aching silence, memory summons half-heard voices
And my soul finds primal eloquence, and wraps me in song
If you would comfort me, sing me a lullaby
If you would win my heart, sing me a love song
If you would mourn me and bring me to God, sing me a requiem, sing me to Heaven
Touch in me all love and passion, pain and pleasure
Touch in me grief and comfort, love and passion, pain and pleasure
Sing me a lullaby, a love song, a requiem
Love me, comfort me, bring me to God
Sing me a love song, sing me to Heaven"

I just need to chill out and realize that at the nitty gritty I have a Father who has got it all under control; Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7

It's been out of my hands since the day it was born so I might as well embrace it and know that no matter what everything will end up just the way its supposed to.

Peace yo.

I'm F.I.N.E.

And by fine I really mean

Freaked out
Insecure
Neurotic
Excitable (in a bad way)


I was filling out envelopes and address for support letters for a trip when I realized that I didn't have some addresses. I called my mom and started going down the list of names that I still needed and came to Aunt Belle (my great aunt, my mom's aunt).

"About that... I just found out she's in the hospital, I'm trying to figure out when to visit her." I just kinda sat there like a lump of noodles. Apparently Aunt Belle fell down in her house about a month ago, and has been in the hospital ever since. All of those relatives live in Bakersfield with in five miles of each other, so when something happens they usually don't bother telling any of those who live out of town, so we don't find out until way later.

My mom proceeded to tell me the game plan, we're either heading up there this Wednesday, or the Wednesday of Spring Break. Now, I'm in a quasi-emotional state and I'm trying to figure out why. For a second I thought it was being bummed about missing P.C. week, but I realized it wasn't that, I can go to Mexico any time... I'm not one to cry about people dying, it happens, but for some reason I just don't feel like functioning at school anymore. I want to go home and be with my mom and Sean. I've put everything on hold except for going to class and working on my case study (and venting obviously).

Death is just such a funky thing. It happens to everybody, but as far as I can tell people don't really think about it all that much. Maybe they do, but they just don't talk about it I can never be sure, but I know for myself I never think "Oh she's old, she's gonna die soon, sweet man." There's this odd assumption that they're just always going to be around, regardless of age or physical health. I'm not sure if this is some sort of comment on my maturity level, maybe I need to grow up more, or if it's a comment on the fact that I just don't deal with people dying all that much. Death doesn't seem like much of a reality until you start dealing with it face to face.

Now I'm sure it's pretty morbid to just jump from a stay at a hospital to Aunt Belle's ultimate demise but I can't help it. I'm also sure that I'm coming off as very callous for finding the humor in the situation, oh well...


oops Christina's here Apa Kabbar

Ribbens...Riveters??

I just met my Potter's Clay contractor, Dan Ribbens and his wife Karen....can I just say.... LOVE IT!!! LOVE THOSE PEOPLE! We've only known each other an entire dinner and I can already tell that it is going to be an amazing experience working down in Ensenada with Dan. We've been doing some team bonding (we being Shelby and Curtis the fearless leaders, Trever, Laura, Andrea , Marissa, Britta, and myself) and I feel like it will make our trip a lot more fun and way less awkward than not knowing each other before hand.


Hooray for Potter's Clay.


So pretty much I'm stoked on life and God is good.... No he's even better than that.... God is cause for more joy than when you wake up in the morning thinking it's a school day, and then you stop and realize it's Saturday morning and you don't have to be anywhere; God's better than that feeling of relief.


YEA MAN!!

Ooopsy Daisy

I accidentally joined the Westmont Track team this afternoon. Looking back (all of an hour ago) I realize the only accident in the situation was that Coach O was teaching P.E. today, everything else seemed pretty deliberate. I was at the elementary school observing "my kid" for a psychology class; luckily she had P.E. when I got there (it's a beautiful day today). Standing behind the group of stretching 3rd grades was Coach Oatis. He wore a Westmont baseball cap and fleece that read "Westmont Track and Field" unwittingly I commented to him that I was going to throw last year for the team; he looked at me and smiled, "and why didn't you?" I began to make up some lame excuse about being a Liberal Studies major and not having enough time.

"Well if we're having a serious conversation about this, we only ask for 2 hours a day..." After this brief encounter I followed "my kid" to her social studies class and thought nothing of our conversation. After school we waited outside for her mom to pick her up, Coach O was regulating the pick up line.

"So what high school did you go to?" I smiled, I always felt silly answering because I lived so close to my college.
"Santa Barbara." A little surprised he chuckled and grinned at me,
"Once a Don..."
"Always a Don." We looked at each other and I couldn't help but laugh.
"That settles it, you have no choice but to come on Monday."

So pretty much my fate has been sealed, and I'm sorta glad because obviously I wouldn't have mentioned it unless I wanted some sort of comment. Well, I got my comment, and some persuasion, so now I'm stuck like Chuck and I don't mind one bit.

Except I need socks... I don't have enough for an entire week of practice....

Indonesia

This summer I'll be going on an expedition to Indonesia..... So to become used to doing things in a language that isn't my own I changed my setting to Bahasa Indonesian...... Maybe I'll start writing posts in the language (I hope so that'd be sick). So basically this is just a test run....