First, when I was still in Africa, there was this:
http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2013/02/hottest-colleges-2013/62153/
And now this:
http://www.creditdonkey.com/small-cities-beer.html
but no, I still don't drink beer.
Keep it Classy Indiana...
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Monday, July 22, 2013
A Healing Heart
Last night I couldn't sleep. my heart was breaking. I had spent the weekend celebrating my best friend's wedding. the mother of the bride left the rehearsal dinner because the bows for the seat covers at the reception came in the wrong color. I never understood the materialization of contemporary weddings in Westernized countries, but after going to Africa...it's even more perplexing to me. for all the planning and decoration, why wasn't the reception more enjoyable? if all this stuff was to make the bride happy, why wasn't it ensuring happiness for the rest of us? while I had a great time dancing with the friends and family of the bride and groom, the moment I stopped the hollow feeling would return. Finally last night it hit me like a ton of bricks. I miss Africa. I miss speaking in Bemba. I miss having someone to speak in Bemba too. I miss being around people who took the time to really try to understand you and your feelings and help you understand how to use those feelings to grow. I miss being around people who understand what it is to live with so little, and the fact that it isn't so hard/difficult/miserable/impossible as western culture would have us believe.
I know God will use these feelings for something, so I give thanks for that, but I don't know where I'm going next, and that is the hardest part.
I know God will use these feelings for something, so I give thanks for that, but I don't know where I'm going next, and that is the hardest part.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Just A Glimpse
Well kids, contrary to popular belief I have not fallen off the face of the earth. However, I have been a busy, busy bee. For the last month, I have been adjusting to my new responsibilities at work. The last few weeks I have managed to make it to the trail more often than not. I go before work a) because no one else is around and I enjoy the quiet time and b) because I'm much less likely to sunburn that early. I have also re-watched the entire Harry Potter series. I even watched the last four movies twice, because I can do what I want. Of course, now I have to reread them because you just can't cram all of those details into a 2+ hour movie. I have also been quilting. That's right: I watch Harry Potter while putting together patchworks. I'm 27 going on 77. But, as previously stated, I do what I want. My most recent finished project is my Bible cover, because I was tired of its dust cover looking much worse for wear. Here it is:
I'd like to think it's very "me", whatever that entails. But I enjoy it, and I didn't have to buy a book cover that I wasn't crazy about, and I used fabric that was already lying around so it was a fun, easy project. I have a bunch of things I plan on making in the same theme, probably including something for my netbook and a purse. Also, I finally hemmed four pairs of pants that have been on my "to-do" list for...honestly, years [minus one pair of work pants that were a recent addition] what can I say? Short girl problems... I'm also getting ready to turn some of my dresses from my trip to Africa into skirts, that I'll hopefully get to wear in Africa again one day. And I'm going to get around to working on my chitenge. Busi gave me advice on sewing a string into the top to make it more secure. The chitenge will be the dark navy peacock print fabric, which I bought in the Kitwe Markets in Zambia. [And yes Dave, I still think that print is fabulous!]
Speaking of Africa, I also completed a 35 page scrapbook with photos, mementos, etc, from my two months there. And, contrary to popular belief, I am kind of creative sometimes. Ok maybe not creative persay, but I play with oil paints, which counts for some level of creativity, right? Anyway, I painted the scrapbook cover. I painted the Africa part around five years ago, and I got the idea for the rest in May.
Regardless of creativity, I had a blast painting and really like how it turned out. So there you have it: I read children's books, sew, scrapbook, and attempt to paint. Add cooking and baking to that list. Currently I have been testing out cookie recipes in order to decide what cookies I'm making for my best friend's wedding reception. Throw in a local Strawberry festival with my favorite dates: my two nephews!, celebrating my best friend's upcoming wedding with an afternoon of wine tasting and an evening cooking lesson with Miss Laurie, lots of catchup with my girlfriends and disc golf with good friends.
In a few weeks I'm giving a presentation on my Africa trip at my Church. It is mind-boggling to try and wrap my head around everything that I saw and experienced into one presentation, but figuring out how to do that is the next project on my agenda. I was reading through my first journal, but I need to go back and finish because, surprise surprise, I got distracted. It is hard to think about my mindset prior to my experiences in Africa compared to what it is now. In some ways, I haven't changed all that much, but in other ways I have changed dramatically. Night and day. I'm immensely thankful and grateful. I'm happy where I am at this moment, but there is always regret towards the past and apprehension when I think about the uncertainty of the future. When my best friend got engaged, I of course imaged where I would be in my life when we were celebrating her marriage, and where I am vs where I thought I would be couldn't be farther apart. The disappointment that goes along with that realization might be palatable, but the anger is my current stumbling block. It's all part of life though, and with some more time to enjoy life - by doing what I want when I want and living by my own rules, I'll sort my feelings out and be right as rain again. Being at home has been far from easy. I have ups and downs all the time. In all honesty, I'd rather be in Africa, but I have to admit that overall it's shaping up to be a pretty fun summer here at home. I'm trying to enjoy it while I can, because I have no idea what God has in store for my future!
front cover:
back cover:
I'd like to think it's very "me", whatever that entails. But I enjoy it, and I didn't have to buy a book cover that I wasn't crazy about, and I used fabric that was already lying around so it was a fun, easy project. I have a bunch of things I plan on making in the same theme, probably including something for my netbook and a purse. Also, I finally hemmed four pairs of pants that have been on my "to-do" list for...honestly, years [minus one pair of work pants that were a recent addition] what can I say? Short girl problems... I'm also getting ready to turn some of my dresses from my trip to Africa into skirts, that I'll hopefully get to wear in Africa again one day. And I'm going to get around to working on my chitenge. Busi gave me advice on sewing a string into the top to make it more secure. The chitenge will be the dark navy peacock print fabric, which I bought in the Kitwe Markets in Zambia. [And yes Dave, I still think that print is fabulous!]
Speaking of Africa, I also completed a 35 page scrapbook with photos, mementos, etc, from my two months there. And, contrary to popular belief, I am kind of creative sometimes. Ok maybe not creative persay, but I play with oil paints, which counts for some level of creativity, right? Anyway, I painted the scrapbook cover. I painted the Africa part around five years ago, and I got the idea for the rest in May.
Regardless of creativity, I had a blast painting and really like how it turned out. So there you have it: I read children's books, sew, scrapbook, and attempt to paint. Add cooking and baking to that list. Currently I have been testing out cookie recipes in order to decide what cookies I'm making for my best friend's wedding reception. Throw in a local Strawberry festival with my favorite dates: my two nephews!, celebrating my best friend's upcoming wedding with an afternoon of wine tasting and an evening cooking lesson with Miss Laurie, lots of catchup with my girlfriends and disc golf with good friends.
In a few weeks I'm giving a presentation on my Africa trip at my Church. It is mind-boggling to try and wrap my head around everything that I saw and experienced into one presentation, but figuring out how to do that is the next project on my agenda. I was reading through my first journal, but I need to go back and finish because, surprise surprise, I got distracted. It is hard to think about my mindset prior to my experiences in Africa compared to what it is now. In some ways, I haven't changed all that much, but in other ways I have changed dramatically. Night and day. I'm immensely thankful and grateful. I'm happy where I am at this moment, but there is always regret towards the past and apprehension when I think about the uncertainty of the future. When my best friend got engaged, I of course imaged where I would be in my life when we were celebrating her marriage, and where I am vs where I thought I would be couldn't be farther apart. The disappointment that goes along with that realization might be palatable, but the anger is my current stumbling block. It's all part of life though, and with some more time to enjoy life - by doing what I want when I want and living by my own rules, I'll sort my feelings out and be right as rain again. Being at home has been far from easy. I have ups and downs all the time. In all honesty, I'd rather be in Africa, but I have to admit that overall it's shaping up to be a pretty fun summer here at home. I'm trying to enjoy it while I can, because I have no idea what God has in store for my future!
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