Curiosity.

“We make our world significant by the courage of our questions and by the depth of our answers.” – Carl Sagan

Highlights.

Lemme tell you something about America. I LOVE IT. The snow, the people, the mountains, the beds, the showers, the food, the people, the culture, the school, the adventure, the people. Some of these things I came to love because I didn't have them in China. Others of these things I came to love because I learned to appreciate that I had them in China and everywhere in my life. People mostly fit in this category. And adventure. What are the highlights so far?

Let's start with my major. You know you are in the right major when you can't even choose a favorite or least favorite class because you love it all! And I love the people in my classes. MAN, PEOPLE. Love 'em. And I get to volunteer for my major so I think I'm going to hang out with my homies at a nursing home down the street.

And the material in my classes! I can't get over it. It's all about happiness and how to create happiness especially through recreation and leisure. This is ground breaking stuff. I'll probs write a whole post dedicated to quotes in my text books, no lie.

Another highlight: Grandma Simmons. She's 94 (I think) and a delight to visit. I saw her the other day and I happened to be wearing a hat I crocheted that is bright and made with every color of the rainbow. She kept eying my hat and eventually mustered the courage to ask if I'd make one for her. She's so dang cute! This is the grandma that had bright green shaggy carpet. So. I think she'd love it.

I also went to my dear friend, Marissa's farewell. And her talk was PHENOMENAL. All about courage--having it to act, to accept yourself and others, etc. It was so touching and I know was felt in so many hearts. After, we all crowded around the piano and sang hymns. And I felt like we were all part of God's army. Which we are.


I dunno. I can't even begin to give all the reasons why life is great. And of course I get discouraged, but it's so GOOD. I look at the snowy mountains and think how grateful I am for every moment of life--right now.

And here's a pretty picture...I may or may not be here SOON.

Special Space

I had a chance to spend just a few moments in one of my favorite spaces on this Earth. I couldn't help but breathe in and out slowly and with care like I had done so many times treading those boards.

It was so powerful to be there again, breathe, look out, and remember what it was like looking out at those seats whether they were filled with family, friends, strangers or just completely empty--a place to release my whole heart, body, mind and soul to anyone who would take it.

And I remembered, I can experience this anywhere. And I have. This stage was only the beginning.

THE WORD

Spirit [spir-it]
n. an attitude or principle that inspires, animates, or pervades thought, feeling, or action. With spirit, she had the courage to live life whole-heartedly.

Origin: 
1200–50; Middle English  (noun) < Latin spīritus  orig., a breathing, equivalent to spīri-,  combining form representing spīrāre  to breathe+ -tus  suffix of v. action


THE RESOLUTIONS:

Give my time to those in need, visit cute old people, give goodies, make dinner for someone, write letters, visit friends...less time on the internet or doing nothing. Why not do the things worth doing?

Open my whole heart to everyone I come in contact with, say what I feel, be open minded

Share my talents more often

Change it if it's worth changing. Do it if it's worth doing. (As in, do the freaking SWEET stuff I have on my monthly bucket list)

Define each day with a quote/work of art/song

Keep my room CLEAN. Yeah...it's like I'm 5 still. But this'll bring the Spirit into my life.


I thought long and hard about what the word would be this year. My resolutions aren't necessarily record-able but these are things that I want to work on this year and need in my character. It's a little different! I feel like Spirit is all-encompassing for what I wanted. It went from Selfless to Charity to Courage and then finally to Spirit and it just worked with all that I wanted and for the things that I have in store for me this year. I've got some big and constant changes ahead and I need the the Lord's Spirit to guide me and my own guiding Spirit to motivate me to do the things I want to do with my time. Man. Life is GOOD. 

Chyeah.

MMM! Yeah. Mumford. This is how I'm feeling.

Merry Christmas!

THIS is what Christmas is about. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

I. LOVE. YOUUUUU!!!

I don't know a better send off than what I got from these kids! They are my cute 2nd graders and I already miss them so much. I have a video of almost all of my classes and I'm finding myself watching them over and over.

Our last night in Tongcheng we went to our headmaster/Dumbledore's wedding. Hahahaha oh man. What the experience. First, they asked Maddy and I to sing so we prepared to sing "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis and we had harmonies planned and everything. But then, this piano guy there was like "Oh! I can just improv it and accompany you." And we're thinking that he has got mad talent skills...plus we didn't have much say in the matter. So then we sing our song. And. Just be glad we forgot to record it because it was a train wreck!! I dunno if the applause was just a courtesy clap or what but I was trying SO hard not to laugh while singing.

And then there was so much smoking that when we took pictures, they all turned out blurry. GROSS!! My clothes and my hair smelled sooooo bad. Speaking of cigarettes, the couple played this game, if you will, where each held one end of a string in their mouths and in the middle was a lit cigarette and they had to light a candle with the cigarette. I mean, I've never seen THAT before. And then there was lots of karaoke. It was interesting!

The next morning we said good-bye to Annie, our best friend and liaison. I will miss her, our school and our students so, SO, much. My experience in China has been life-changing. Even though it was so hard, it was worth every little frustration and sadness. And I CAN'T wait for the day when I get to see those people again, whether it's here on earth or in Heaven. And then we'll be able to understand each other.

And I am so much more grateful for America. Man, I love this place. AMURICA!