I'm very aware of time. When a new month turns over, I take notice and become sentimental about what's happened. And of course New Year's Eve is a concentration of that. This past year, for me, has been a turning point. A launch pad. A runway. A catalyst. The details of where I feel myself being propelled are nonexistant. I just don't know. But I'm excited.
However, I look back at the year and see. Retrospection is a good thing. My Best Friend has remained faithful, involved, active. Not always understandable. Hardly ever expected. Sometimes I doubted. And yet I see this great work that He is doing all over the place, and I see a handful of times where I got to be a part of it. And He's changed me.
I thought about putting up different highlights of the past year of my life. Then thought against it. I never remember it all, but I am the product of it. Those Women of Vision at school did the clothes drive with me for Iraq. They showed me some hefty things in life and people. My trip to California with the family giving my tired heart room to breathe taught me much. Going for walks and jogs with the girls in my hall at all hours of the night through the country roads of Ohio.... I did portraits of kids this summer, learning to capture moments of happiness in chaos and help others savor those moments gave me the idea to do the same with life. But then the highlights get more and more personal. Too personal. From the end of July til right now, the mess my life has been shaken into, and the honesty I had to gain to come to grips with those pieces... It's brilliant. Just too personal.
Yes, this year was fantastical. Almost unreal. Ideal. Broken and mended. Really high, frustratingly low. Irreversible. Loved it.
I swam in both the Pacific Ocean and the Irish Sea. I went down parts of the Grand Canyon and explored some of the depths I can experience on my own. There were lots of new introductions, and some good-byes that actually tore my insides. I found myself at the top of the Eiffel Tower and the top of my world. Met people from every continent and became friends and family with them all. And there was much that was not so glamorous. I eventually made my way back to my home... on the couch with Emma, in the gym with Hannah, talking with my Mom stopped in some random parking lot, and talking personality types with Dad while he made pancakes.
This is the year that the Lord has made. I can rejoice. :) So can you.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Sunday, December 30, 2007
How I see we want something greater...
I've seen a lot of different people these past few weeks. Being an emotional person, I walk away from most interactions with some kind of impression, something to process. I leave feeling uplifted, or with nagging thoughts wanting to be sorted, or even feeling like I need to recover. Regardless, people have an affect on me almost every time. Hence, I've spent a lot of time observing people, and analyzing my own reactions to them.
When I watch people, I usually see myself a bit more accurately. I see a person who is striving for approval... dressing to please, smiling to please, staying silent to please. It initially makes me sad. Then I realize how much of that is what I'm prone to do. I recognize that I was made to create. Now I do so usually with some filter in mind of who will see my creation and what will they be most impressed by. Maybe it's taking a picture, cooking food, or what I write up here. This also tells me that I was meant to create for something. Or Someone. My inner drive to make something beautiful was given to me with purpose. The times when I long to write down something, anything, come with a goal. Maybe not a tangible goal. But I want it to mean something. I start to feel like there's a reason for that.
My faith would tell me that a lot of what I just wrote is not completely off base. Many of those thoughts come from a real source. I was created, by a Creator, who has the greatest imagination and flare of any being ever. And He instilled in me this desire to use movement and color and snapshots of life and words for.... a reason. To enjoy it, by enjoying how much I see/experience/recognize HIM in it. It reflects Him. I hope so anyway.
There are others things... more features that I notice in other people, then find accentuated in myself. A desire to be loved. A great frustration at injustice. Insecurity and therefore, second-guessing. A people-pleaser. A need to be silent and still. Wanting to understand. Obsessive. There are all these traits, positive and negative, that reveal. I've never been all that great at veiling who I am or how I'm feeling in the first place. How I make decisions, what makes me cry, what I really believe... It can easily show much of myself... sometimes too much. The anger I get at injustice shows that I believe there's a right and wrong. My bank statement would tell you how much I value material things, even in direct contrast with the desire I have to live simply and generously. I see God as being so generous and simply beautiful, yet I find enough of my worth in the eyes of others to feel the need to make silly purchases. Part of me wants to be affirmed by those around me. Part of me wants to give up everything, because my Jesus did. And His life is beautiful.
I sense this is getting confusing. I guess my thoughts are just this... I think people are complex, yet we have these needs and drives that we were created in. And we try to fill them, meet them, thrive in them. We make our attempts in many ways. And the different avenues that you or I pursue on a day to day basis betray the greatest guises of what human beings are really for. Something greater.
When I watch people, I usually see myself a bit more accurately. I see a person who is striving for approval... dressing to please, smiling to please, staying silent to please. It initially makes me sad. Then I realize how much of that is what I'm prone to do. I recognize that I was made to create. Now I do so usually with some filter in mind of who will see my creation and what will they be most impressed by. Maybe it's taking a picture, cooking food, or what I write up here. This also tells me that I was meant to create for something. Or Someone. My inner drive to make something beautiful was given to me with purpose. The times when I long to write down something, anything, come with a goal. Maybe not a tangible goal. But I want it to mean something. I start to feel like there's a reason for that.
My faith would tell me that a lot of what I just wrote is not completely off base. Many of those thoughts come from a real source. I was created, by a Creator, who has the greatest imagination and flare of any being ever. And He instilled in me this desire to use movement and color and snapshots of life and words for.... a reason. To enjoy it, by enjoying how much I see/experience/recognize HIM in it. It reflects Him. I hope so anyway.
There are others things... more features that I notice in other people, then find accentuated in myself. A desire to be loved. A great frustration at injustice. Insecurity and therefore, second-guessing. A people-pleaser. A need to be silent and still. Wanting to understand. Obsessive. There are all these traits, positive and negative, that reveal. I've never been all that great at veiling who I am or how I'm feeling in the first place. How I make decisions, what makes me cry, what I really believe... It can easily show much of myself... sometimes too much. The anger I get at injustice shows that I believe there's a right and wrong. My bank statement would tell you how much I value material things, even in direct contrast with the desire I have to live simply and generously. I see God as being so generous and simply beautiful, yet I find enough of my worth in the eyes of others to feel the need to make silly purchases. Part of me wants to be affirmed by those around me. Part of me wants to give up everything, because my Jesus did. And His life is beautiful.
I sense this is getting confusing. I guess my thoughts are just this... I think people are complex, yet we have these needs and drives that we were created in. And we try to fill them, meet them, thrive in them. We make our attempts in many ways. And the different avenues that you or I pursue on a day to day basis betray the greatest guises of what human beings are really for. Something greater.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Coffee to tripping to cooking to laughing to stillness
It's almost three in the morning. I'm needing sleep desperately, but today was rather eventful, so I'll stay up a few more moments to put them down.
I went to coffee with my friend Hayley this morning. We've gone to school together from the age of 6 to age 18. The time together was good. We are very different people. In high school, this was problematic. We kinda disliked each other off and on. Since going to college, we've started to appreciate each other. The differences have sharpened us over the years. Now we recognize it. And enjoy it. Hayley is creative, even when she doesn't try to be. She's blunt, so if she doesn't agree with me, I'll know it. Which is fantastic, because when my thoughts stay unstirred, they grow stagnant and useless. Hearing Hayley talk about life is sometimes like watching TV. You'd ask yourself if this was really happening. Is she really saying that? Then you'd see that it's actually really close to how we all think. So yes... good morning coffee.
I've been needing some time of quiet. Rest. A place for the thoughts to just kinda stumble out so that they can be dealt with. (That may not make very much sense to you, but inside my head it does. It's crazy in there.) So when I found that home would not be a very serene place this afternoon, I started to lose it. Bruce Springstein blared. Cabin fever set in. I packed up my journal and started to head out of the house. Three steps from my front door down the brick pathway to my car, I felt my feet lose connection with the slushy ground. The camera in my hand found shelter beneath my left arm. My right wrist and both knees took the brunt of a huge wipe out. This fall did not so much for my mental state at that point. That was the low point. After an hour or so at the coffee shop, mostly spent just sitting in silence, I found calm returning.
Later on, I went over to Hannah's and helped her make Moroccan chicken for her husband Tony and our friend Josh. I've loved all the family time I've had, and the different looks that has taken. Getting to spend time with Hannah and Tony as friends with their friends... it's been so good. Life-giving. We talked and laughed. We went to Atz's for ice cream. Excellent time.
A couple of friends of Hannah's from high school, Phil and Jerry, were coming over to my house with Hannah and Tony. Countless rounds of cards, more ice cream. Coffee. Laughing until I cry. It went from 7:30 until almost 1. In the end, it was just my mom, Phil, Jerry, and I playing cards. I tend to get a little competitive, so there may have been some trash talk. Maybe. But the fun didn't stop there. Phil, Jerry, and myself went to Steak-n-shake. For those of you unfamiliar with this place, some details... Open 24/7, supposedly famous for steakburgers, it's a diner that has french fries, shakes... Stuff like that. So the hour from 1-2 was spent there. What a fantastic time!
Really, this day was so full. Mostly in good ways. I've loved getting to be around new people and hear their perspectives of the world. Or even of things smaller than the whole world. I just like people. Even if I'm not like them. Still...
I'm feeling like I need to sit still for a bit. Maybe just literally sit in silence. Read. Breathe. My mind is always going so fast. So full. I think of my ever present Jesus, and I know that it's okay to just be. Be. Just be... with Him.
I went to coffee with my friend Hayley this morning. We've gone to school together from the age of 6 to age 18. The time together was good. We are very different people. In high school, this was problematic. We kinda disliked each other off and on. Since going to college, we've started to appreciate each other. The differences have sharpened us over the years. Now we recognize it. And enjoy it. Hayley is creative, even when she doesn't try to be. She's blunt, so if she doesn't agree with me, I'll know it. Which is fantastic, because when my thoughts stay unstirred, they grow stagnant and useless. Hearing Hayley talk about life is sometimes like watching TV. You'd ask yourself if this was really happening. Is she really saying that? Then you'd see that it's actually really close to how we all think. So yes... good morning coffee.
I've been needing some time of quiet. Rest. A place for the thoughts to just kinda stumble out so that they can be dealt with. (That may not make very much sense to you, but inside my head it does. It's crazy in there.) So when I found that home would not be a very serene place this afternoon, I started to lose it. Bruce Springstein blared. Cabin fever set in. I packed up my journal and started to head out of the house. Three steps from my front door down the brick pathway to my car, I felt my feet lose connection with the slushy ground. The camera in my hand found shelter beneath my left arm. My right wrist and both knees took the brunt of a huge wipe out. This fall did not so much for my mental state at that point. That was the low point. After an hour or so at the coffee shop, mostly spent just sitting in silence, I found calm returning.
Later on, I went over to Hannah's and helped her make Moroccan chicken for her husband Tony and our friend Josh. I've loved all the family time I've had, and the different looks that has taken. Getting to spend time with Hannah and Tony as friends with their friends... it's been so good. Life-giving. We talked and laughed. We went to Atz's for ice cream. Excellent time.
A couple of friends of Hannah's from high school, Phil and Jerry, were coming over to my house with Hannah and Tony. Countless rounds of cards, more ice cream. Coffee. Laughing until I cry. It went from 7:30 until almost 1. In the end, it was just my mom, Phil, Jerry, and I playing cards. I tend to get a little competitive, so there may have been some trash talk. Maybe. But the fun didn't stop there. Phil, Jerry, and myself went to Steak-n-shake. For those of you unfamiliar with this place, some details... Open 24/7, supposedly famous for steakburgers, it's a diner that has french fries, shakes... Stuff like that. So the hour from 1-2 was spent there. What a fantastic time!
Really, this day was so full. Mostly in good ways. I've loved getting to be around new people and hear their perspectives of the world. Or even of things smaller than the whole world. I just like people. Even if I'm not like them. Still...
I'm feeling like I need to sit still for a bit. Maybe just literally sit in silence. Read. Breathe. My mind is always going so fast. So full. I think of my ever present Jesus, and I know that it's okay to just be. Be. Just be... with Him.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Merry Christmas!
I woke up and some form of illumination came through the window. It wasn't sunshine. It wasn't street lights. I think it was just dawn. A gray sort of dawn. This may not seem significant. And maybe it's not. But for some reason, it's simple things like that where I see God. And I love when those kind of moments are the first of my day. Merry Christmas.
We started the Christmas celebrating with a big meal. My parents, Emma, Hannah and Tony, my Grandma, and my aunt Liz all present. And myself. Hannah doesn't live at home anymore. Grandma's from California. I'm in and out of house. It was good to all be together. And it was fully everything "being together" should entail. There's part of humor that is best accentuated with those closest to you. We laugh a lot together. And it wouldn't be a real Kowatch experience if one of us didn't end up crying at some point. And one of us did, though I think it's unnecessary to specify which one.
We had the typical Christmas events... opening of presents, Christmas movies, food... We like to play games, whether it be cards or something like that. This year we played this sort of tag game, which would take entirely too long to explain. I will say that by the end, Hannah, Tony, Emma and I were sweaty and I sustained a floor burn on my arm and a bruise across the top of my foot. Worth it. So yes, typical Christmas celebration.
Among my favorite gifts... a book of poetry, "Traveling Mercies" by Anne Lammott, yoga mat, electric tea kettle, a book of photography from Ireland, and arm warmers.
After evening, I went with Hannah and Tony to some friends' house. We sat drinking tea, talking, sitting silent, petting the dog, holding their 7 week old baby. Just being together. My heart felt calmed. I don't think it's a surprise to anyone who knows me that my mind has been full. Busy. Running. Even in a good way. Being around people and hearing their thoughts and lives soothes so much of me that feels a bit raw. Another amazing present of the day.
One place my thoughts are often... Jesus. The more I live life, small as that may be, the more I realize that what I believe is crucial. And not believing is not an option. We all believe something. But I'm staking all I've got on Jesus, or at least trying to. So I want to know everything about Him. I love Him. I'm fascinated by Him. I want to know. One thing I've been learning about Him is how to see Him. Sometimes I start looking at Him through lenses of what He's done for me... or who I've been told He is. When I start at the beginning, and just kinda introduce myself to Him, I think the vision is a bit clearer. Jesus was a man. He spoke of amazing life, new life. He spoke of peace. He taught of hardship and generousity. He claimed to be God. He upset people. He was killed. He surrendered Himself to it. He came back to life, showing to Himself to be greater than death. And now He is the fulfillment of every longing. He is salvation. He is freedom for all captivity. He is, and always has been, love. And I first met Him when He became a man. Jesus. My Jesus. What a beautiful name!
This is why Christmas is a big deal. It resonates.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Sculpture
I love sculptures. Almost every time I'm in a museum, the stone and marble figures are what intrigue me most. I can't fathom how you would go about doing something like that. I would stand in front of a big rock with a hammer and chisel and not even know where to begin. And yet I see the life size forms that are frozen in a very life like moment. I love when fabric looks like it's falling. Or when the muscles of the face show that a smile was beginning.
When I look at sculptures, life seems to slow. Because I'm examining this one moment, and all the thoughts and emotions that could be coupled with it, I feel my own mind and heart slow down. And it usually takes a lot to get me to do that. I'm constantly accused of thinking too much and of being too emotional. Guilty.
Wouldn't it be neat if we could stop everything at different points of life and just look? Look at our faces and surroundings and just evaluate it all. Maybe we would understand ourselves better. And if we could do the same for each other, maybe we could understand each other better. I would like to look at your life like a sculpture.
An idea: maybe you, whoever you are, could leave a comment just telling me what you're up to. Or what's going on in your heart or head. Just a little piece of the scuplture that is your life, so that I can know. Whether I see you everyday or hardly ever, I would love that. Plus, I would see who actually reads this.
Please take 30 seconds and leave me a few words on your life. I bet it's beautiful!!
Friday, December 21, 2007
Mad as the Mist and Snow
"Bolt and bar the shutter,
For the foul winds blow:
Our minds are at their best this night,
And I seem to know
That everything outside us is
Mad as the mist and snow."
-W.B. Yeats
I had written a good bit about what I did today, then realized it was not too pertinent to life in general, just to me. So I replaced it with a picture of my house and some words by my favorite Irish poet. I like those words.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Reminders
They're everywhere... reminders of Ireland. I was just walking around doing some Christmas shopping. I saw a Borat DVD and a set of The Vicar of Dibley episodes and immediately found my mind with some friends in Dublin. And found myself smiling. I turned on the radio and heard a version of Amazing Grace that an Irish friend introduced me to, and then found myself a bit emotional. I like it though, the little reminders. It shows how closely my life in Ireland and my life here mesh. They're not mutually exclusive.
Cold is another reminder. This morning I took my puppy for a little walk through the snow frosted streets. She gets a little excited when we're outside, so we'd sprint every now and then to let out the energy. Those times of running made my face burn with cold. But I like that. Reminds me that I'm alive. A handful of my favorite experiences abroad are coupled with intense cold. Swimming in the Irish Sea, standing on top of the Eiffel Tower, sleeping in a tent in Florence, outside at a rugby match... Very cold... Very alive. I think it's fantastic that God created cold and that our senses can perceive the differences in temperature. It makes me more than a little happy to feel that same sensation here as I did on the hills of Glendalough. Even if the similarity is small... it's there.
I had coffee with my dear friend Jamie this morning. We are both finding ourselves in a place of transition, going from something so loved and so ideal to a place seemingly less inspiring. We believe in God. We believe that He has asked us to live a full life, one characterized by freedom and light. It's true that God is bringing me back to Cedarville and the cornfields of Ohio. And it's true that Jamie has to start a new job. But it's also true that it's still an adventure to be lived with our God, just because that's HIS nature. That reminder was exciting to me. It doesn't cancel out emotions connected with ending a elated, joyous phase. It raises hopes and expectations of what is to come. And I'm increasingly comfortable being uncomfortable in that tension. I am reminded that Jesus is more creative than I am.
Cold is another reminder. This morning I took my puppy for a little walk through the snow frosted streets. She gets a little excited when we're outside, so we'd sprint every now and then to let out the energy. Those times of running made my face burn with cold. But I like that. Reminds me that I'm alive. A handful of my favorite experiences abroad are coupled with intense cold. Swimming in the Irish Sea, standing on top of the Eiffel Tower, sleeping in a tent in Florence, outside at a rugby match... Very cold... Very alive. I think it's fantastic that God created cold and that our senses can perceive the differences in temperature. It makes me more than a little happy to feel that same sensation here as I did on the hills of Glendalough. Even if the similarity is small... it's there.
I had coffee with my dear friend Jamie this morning. We are both finding ourselves in a place of transition, going from something so loved and so ideal to a place seemingly less inspiring. We believe in God. We believe that He has asked us to live a full life, one characterized by freedom and light. It's true that God is bringing me back to Cedarville and the cornfields of Ohio. And it's true that Jamie has to start a new job. But it's also true that it's still an adventure to be lived with our God, just because that's HIS nature. That reminder was exciting to me. It doesn't cancel out emotions connected with ending a elated, joyous phase. It raises hopes and expectations of what is to come. And I'm increasingly comfortable being uncomfortable in that tension. I am reminded that Jesus is more creative than I am.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Happy to hurt a bit
I've been home a couple days now. I promise I won't always reference life from when I left Ireland... but for now, I still feel like it. I look at the date, and I see that it is the 19th. It's strange to me, because for four months I saw nothing past December 16th. Now I'm on the other side of it. And to be honest, I'm not quite sure what to do with myself.
I could probably say a lot about how hard it is to be away from friends in Ireland, or go on about how much I miss the hills. There's a plethora of thoughts along those lines. But perhaps the details of those ponderings need to stay within me for a while. Maybe. Besides, I'm still overwhelmingly thankful that my experience was even that great that I miss it this much. I think it's brilliant that I even know those people back in Dublin to miss. If I didn't ache being removed from it, it would have been no great thing. And it was incredible... beyond superlatives. So I'm grateful for the hurt, as it reminds me of how good I've had it. And I'm also very much aware of the blessing it is to have this family to come back to. So the hurt and the smiles and the tears and the laughter all comingle... and I can't complain.
I could probably say a lot about how hard it is to be away from friends in Ireland, or go on about how much I miss the hills. There's a plethora of thoughts along those lines. But perhaps the details of those ponderings need to stay within me for a while. Maybe. Besides, I'm still overwhelmingly thankful that my experience was even that great that I miss it this much. I think it's brilliant that I even know those people back in Dublin to miss. If I didn't ache being removed from it, it would have been no great thing. And it was incredible... beyond superlatives. So I'm grateful for the hurt, as it reminds me of how good I've had it. And I'm also very much aware of the blessing it is to have this family to come back to. So the hurt and the smiles and the tears and the laughter all comingle... and I can't complain.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Life is Loved
I thought I needed to change the title of my blog since I'm no longer living in Dublin. I'm still alive, and still loving it. And I don't know the reason for anybody reading this after I'm back from excursions abroad except to see what I'm doing in life and what I think about it. Well then...
I love life. I do. Life is full, unexpected, often hard, colorful, changing, purposeful... I love it. I like living it. So even though I've changed locations, I'm not going to stop getting really excited about little things and seeking to do big things. I'm walking this life with my God, so I'm excited to see what will come next. Whatever it is, it'll be up here.
Whatever you see from my pictures, or gather from words written here, I just hope that you see something of the nature of life, when life is loved. Not when life is lived perfectly, or when it is understood, or even when it is easy. When life is loved. My God is the creator and giver and sustainer of life. He is love. There will be struggles. There are some now. And yet, life is loved.
I love life. I do. Life is full, unexpected, often hard, colorful, changing, purposeful... I love it. I like living it. So even though I've changed locations, I'm not going to stop getting really excited about little things and seeking to do big things. I'm walking this life with my God, so I'm excited to see what will come next. Whatever it is, it'll be up here.
Whatever you see from my pictures, or gather from words written here, I just hope that you see something of the nature of life, when life is loved. Not when life is lived perfectly, or when it is understood, or even when it is easy. When life is loved. My God is the creator and giver and sustainer of life. He is love. There will be struggles. There are some now. And yet, life is loved.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Final Post From Ireland
When people ask me how my time in Ireland was, the best answer would be "an ocean". I won't say this often, but it really works best. It was big and indescribable. It was deep and full. It was invigorating and exciting. It was menacing at times. It held so much, some things expected, most things weren't. And as the tide changes the shape of the coastline, so the days, hours, moments spent in Dublin have changed me. It was an ocean.
Thank you to my friends here. I love you all, with the deepest part of me. You've impacted me as you've carried me, laughed with me, cried with me, talked with me, ate with me, danced with me, ran with me, swam with me, climbed with me, sang with me, sat still with me... Like it or not, a part of me is left there with you.
It must be said... I will miss the hills... the trees... the water...
I say good-bye to Ireland with all the grief good-byes are prone to have. And I greet the coming days with expectation and hope. I lived life here; I'll do the same back home. God is love. And He is life. I hope to walk on with Him, because He's been my best friend.
"The LORD your God who goes before you will Himself fight for you, just as He did in the wilderness, where you have seen how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way that you went until you came to this place."
Deuteronomy 1:30
I will keep posting on this blog. The content will change. But I will keep writing, because life is life, near or far. And as always, there will be pictures.
Great is His faithfulness to me.
Thank you to my friends here. I love you all, with the deepest part of me. You've impacted me as you've carried me, laughed with me, cried with me, talked with me, ate with me, danced with me, ran with me, swam with me, climbed with me, sang with me, sat still with me... Like it or not, a part of me is left there with you.
It must be said... I will miss the hills... the trees... the water...
I say good-bye to Ireland with all the grief good-byes are prone to have. And I greet the coming days with expectation and hope. I lived life here; I'll do the same back home. God is love. And He is life. I hope to walk on with Him, because He's been my best friend.
"The LORD your God who goes before you will Himself fight for you, just as He did in the wilderness, where you have seen how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way that you went until you came to this place."
Deuteronomy 1:30
I will keep posting on this blog. The content will change. But I will keep writing, because life is life, near or far. And as always, there will be pictures.
Great is His faithfulness to me.
The End of the Road
The days continue to go by quickly, despite my objections. I'm still learning how to deal with it. To be honest, I'm struggling to know how to deal with it, and not really believing that it's okay to be at a loss. Which I am.
My last full day, we went to Glendalough, one of my favorite places in all of Ireland, Europe... the world really. Trees everywhere. I always go with a good friend or two or three. Conversation. Space to think. Room to cry. Hills to climb. Mud and water. Nature. Paths to walk or paths to opt not to take for some unbeaten trail. It was good to remember and soak in.
Since I'm still not sure what to say about many things, I'll keep it brief. I'm overwhelmed with emotion, at many points on the spectrum. This journey is almost over, and like a day at Glendalough, it's been fulfilling and invigorating, and yet a big part is sad to see it done. At least for a time.
Pictures. :)
My last full day, we went to Glendalough, one of my favorite places in all of Ireland, Europe... the world really. Trees everywhere. I always go with a good friend or two or three. Conversation. Space to think. Room to cry. Hills to climb. Mud and water. Nature. Paths to walk or paths to opt not to take for some unbeaten trail. It was good to remember and soak in.
Since I'm still not sure what to say about many things, I'll keep it brief. I'm overwhelmed with emotion, at many points on the spectrum. This journey is almost over, and like a day at Glendalough, it's been fulfilling and invigorating, and yet a big part is sad to see it done. At least for a time.
Pictures. :)
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Good-bye Killiney Hill, Good-bye Dear Ones
We lived today, like I've lived a lot of my Dublin days.
We woke up and went for a run, after a breakfast of muesli. Eventually, we went up Killiney Hill... It was my last time, at least for this phase of my life. And it was as beautiful as ever.
Dinner was with Vera and Kristyn back at my house in Dalkey. In traditional, Irish fashion, we had shepherd's pie. Then Kristyn, Hannah and I went to the Queens, the last venture to that familiar pub. Eventually, I finished packing up all my things from the house. I stood in my empty room, evaluating my feelings on it all. I was sad. So sad. I didn't cry though.
I explained it to Hannah, Katelyn, and Kristyn as just knowing that I have no regrets. I feel whole. Sad, slightly bruised... but just very at peace. And very comfortable with feeling all those things, and more at the same time. Saying good-bye to Vera, Pat, Kristyn, and Katelyn hurt. And it felt slightly unreal. But looking back, I see so much good. It's hard to grasp the reality of it. That's no surprise though.
We woke up and went for a run, after a breakfast of muesli. Eventually, we went up Killiney Hill... It was my last time, at least for this phase of my life. And it was as beautiful as ever.
Dinner was with Vera and Kristyn back at my house in Dalkey. In traditional, Irish fashion, we had shepherd's pie. Then Kristyn, Hannah and I went to the Queens, the last venture to that familiar pub. Eventually, I finished packing up all my things from the house. I stood in my empty room, evaluating my feelings on it all. I was sad. So sad. I didn't cry though.
I explained it to Hannah, Katelyn, and Kristyn as just knowing that I have no regrets. I feel whole. Sad, slightly bruised... but just very at peace. And very comfortable with feeling all those things, and more at the same time. Saying good-bye to Vera, Pat, Kristyn, and Katelyn hurt. And it felt slightly unreal. But looking back, I see so much good. It's hard to grasp the reality of it. That's no surprise though.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Sisterhood...
Dublin city center is a comfortable place for me. We fit together, we have great memories today. I love it. That's where Hannah and I went today. My feet stepped the familiar route to retro second-hand clothing stores, my beloved arcade, and drizzly streets, my sister with me. I kept trying to tell myself to savor it, because it just may be the last time. But eventually I found that I was just enjoying those places, like I always do. Whether it's the last time or not doesn't change it. To start the day off right, we took the Dart into town. Love the dart.
Once in town, we meandered around, just taking in all the city is. Really, it is a neat thing to see someone you love appreciating places that you love. Thus the joy of today. We went to that favorite tea place of mine, where Hannah bought a few bags. I put out a few euro for a couple more teas. They also gave me one of the boxes they ship it in, which excited me greatly.
We stopped by the Immigrant Council. I wanted Hannah to see where I work, and it was a chance to say good-bye to Nusha, Brian, Ruth, and Moire. Sad. It's always sad saying good-bye. I hate saying them. But I love the experiences I've shared with them, and the possibility of being with them again. Someday. I've heard that you're not supposed to peak in your career until your at least in your 40's... something like that. The amount that I relished working at the ICI tells me I may have hit my peak far too soon. Oh well...
Lunch=Wagamama's. Ethnic food is very typical of Dublin city life. It's such a diverse place with people from all over. Indulging in some Japanese food seemed to fit the occasion. Delicious.
I had my last class today, just to get our final articles turned back to us, so for a couple hours, I left Hannah to explore. To be honest, the class wasn't very challenging as far as amount of work or theories of journalism is concerned. That's just the way it was. I love writing, yet in journalism scenarios, I just find my writing to be sub-par in so many ways. Anyway... those thoughts are for another time. Not for this day with Hannah. :)
Meeting as planned, we continued through the city that was now illuminated by the thousands of Christmas lights hanging above. No kidding, they have chandeliers of Christmas lights. Lovely. I think so anyway. Hannah did too. We went to Leon, a French place serving desserts and pastries. I've walked by it before, admiring the artistic skill obviously required for the food, yet also appreciating the distance between my budget and their prices. But with Hannah here... it's just a different story.
Banoffi is a fantastic dessert that I get along with very well. Apple pie is a classic. Splitting seemed like a good idea, so we got both.
I meet with some folks from my church on Wednesday nights. We eat food, share in life, talk about Jesus, and talk to God about it all. These people, oh these people, how very dear they are to me. Mandy and Richard, the couple I first found friendship with in Ireland, just had a baby. Ryan and I became good friends right away.
Once again, hate saying good-bye. Loved the privilege (and a privilege it is) to get to know them. People are so close to my heart. Many people. It rips to be away from them. Some of my friends in Ireland are the best I've ever known. They weren't just fillers for the semester. I understand this is a part of life. I don't have to like it though.
One person that I've been away from for far too long, and I'm more excited than words to be reunited with is.... EMMA!! Being with one sister makes me want to have the other here too. Em, I miss you so incredibly much. Ah! I can't wait to talk with you and hear you laugh about things. I want to know how you're doing, deep down. But right now, more than anything, I want you to be here with me. You're so special. I tell everybody this. I'll see you soon. Just know that you're missed. I love you!!
Once in town, we meandered around, just taking in all the city is. Really, it is a neat thing to see someone you love appreciating places that you love. Thus the joy of today. We went to that favorite tea place of mine, where Hannah bought a few bags. I put out a few euro for a couple more teas. They also gave me one of the boxes they ship it in, which excited me greatly.
We stopped by the Immigrant Council. I wanted Hannah to see where I work, and it was a chance to say good-bye to Nusha, Brian, Ruth, and Moire. Sad. It's always sad saying good-bye. I hate saying them. But I love the experiences I've shared with them, and the possibility of being with them again. Someday. I've heard that you're not supposed to peak in your career until your at least in your 40's... something like that. The amount that I relished working at the ICI tells me I may have hit my peak far too soon. Oh well...
Lunch=Wagamama's. Ethnic food is very typical of Dublin city life. It's such a diverse place with people from all over. Indulging in some Japanese food seemed to fit the occasion. Delicious.
I had my last class today, just to get our final articles turned back to us, so for a couple hours, I left Hannah to explore. To be honest, the class wasn't very challenging as far as amount of work or theories of journalism is concerned. That's just the way it was. I love writing, yet in journalism scenarios, I just find my writing to be sub-par in so many ways. Anyway... those thoughts are for another time. Not for this day with Hannah. :)
Meeting as planned, we continued through the city that was now illuminated by the thousands of Christmas lights hanging above. No kidding, they have chandeliers of Christmas lights. Lovely. I think so anyway. Hannah did too. We went to Leon, a French place serving desserts and pastries. I've walked by it before, admiring the artistic skill obviously required for the food, yet also appreciating the distance between my budget and their prices. But with Hannah here... it's just a different story.
Banoffi is a fantastic dessert that I get along with very well. Apple pie is a classic. Splitting seemed like a good idea, so we got both.
I meet with some folks from my church on Wednesday nights. We eat food, share in life, talk about Jesus, and talk to God about it all. These people, oh these people, how very dear they are to me. Mandy and Richard, the couple I first found friendship with in Ireland, just had a baby. Ryan and I became good friends right away.
Once again, hate saying good-bye. Loved the privilege (and a privilege it is) to get to know them. People are so close to my heart. Many people. It rips to be away from them. Some of my friends in Ireland are the best I've ever known. They weren't just fillers for the semester. I understand this is a part of life. I don't have to like it though.
One person that I've been away from for far too long, and I'm more excited than words to be reunited with is.... EMMA!! Being with one sister makes me want to have the other here too. Em, I miss you so incredibly much. Ah! I can't wait to talk with you and hear you laugh about things. I want to know how you're doing, deep down. But right now, more than anything, I want you to be here with me. You're so special. I tell everybody this. I'll see you soon. Just know that you're missed. I love you!!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
A little honesty
I thought I had changed so much. These experiences are supposed to change you for life. Has it really? I've enjoyed a lot. Done new things. Met great people. But have I really been changed? Altered for the better? I thought so.
HOWEVER... I'm seeing in myself quirks, bad habits, and just plain faults still alive and well. Still. I find myself doing random, fidgety things with my hands when I'm insecure. I hum when I'm eating, even in public. And I think I'm as selfish, defensive, and proud as ever. Maybe moreso. I enter conversations with an idea of how it would go best for me. I guess I feel like I shouldn't be wrong. And I think other people should at least believe I had good intentions when I'm wrong. Slightly grotesque, but true. So have I really changed? Or have I just seen pretty things?
Maybe change or even progress can't be measured in a list of boxes to be checked or a destination to be arrived at. After writing that, it seems obvious. Maybe it doesn't matter if I'm seen as different, as long as I've moved forward. Now, I don't know for sure, I don't have answers, but I'm thinking that's it.
Some of me will stay the same for always, things that should and things that shouldn't. I just want to keep walking onward and upward, though. Tripping is frequent and it's a dirty process. I just want to keep going.
A man named Paul once (and probably on more occassions) lamented his seemingly hopeless state. "Oh, wretched man that I am! Who will save me from this body of death?" Very heartfelt and mournful discription of self. I think we had a similar thought process on this one. But I will try to make my answer to that question the same as his, as I keep stumbling onward. "Thanks be to God through Christ Jesus our Lord."
HOWEVER... I'm seeing in myself quirks, bad habits, and just plain faults still alive and well. Still. I find myself doing random, fidgety things with my hands when I'm insecure. I hum when I'm eating, even in public. And I think I'm as selfish, defensive, and proud as ever. Maybe moreso. I enter conversations with an idea of how it would go best for me. I guess I feel like I shouldn't be wrong. And I think other people should at least believe I had good intentions when I'm wrong. Slightly grotesque, but true. So have I really changed? Or have I just seen pretty things?
Maybe change or even progress can't be measured in a list of boxes to be checked or a destination to be arrived at. After writing that, it seems obvious. Maybe it doesn't matter if I'm seen as different, as long as I've moved forward. Now, I don't know for sure, I don't have answers, but I'm thinking that's it.
Some of me will stay the same for always, things that should and things that shouldn't. I just want to keep walking onward and upward, though. Tripping is frequent and it's a dirty process. I just want to keep going.
A man named Paul once (and probably on more occassions) lamented his seemingly hopeless state. "Oh, wretched man that I am! Who will save me from this body of death?" Very heartfelt and mournful discription of self. I think we had a similar thought process on this one. But I will try to make my answer to that question the same as his, as I keep stumbling onward. "Thanks be to God through Christ Jesus our Lord."
Hannah is here....
Hannah is here! Unbelievable. For a few reasons really... One, because it forces me to mesh my life back home with what I've been living here. Two, because it means this particular time in Ireland is almost at its finale. And three, because Hannah is one of the best people in the world. Her presence challenges me, teaches me, and makes me feel happy. Plus she thinks I'm funny, so I like having her around.
She's only been here a day and she's already seen some of my favorite things here: my house, the Dart, Dalkey harbor, the Fry's... This list will grow. The past 3-4 months consist of a plethora of monumental experiences. (Even if they wouldn't seem that way to other people, they are to me.) For someone so close to me to see the place where much of it occurred... it means a lot. But I wouldn't want just anyway to see it, at least from my point of view. Because it is so deep and personal to me. Anyway... Here are some photos of what we've done so far.
After getting back from the airport, we went to the little health food store in Dalkey. We split a goat cheese and vegetable pita, which was amazing.
This last week here, Hannah and I are staying in a flat at adjacent to the Fry's. It has a little kitchen, a fire place, and lovely little table by a window where we ate breakfast. It felt so good to be back in conversation with Hannah again.
We took the bus into town. This picture verifies the words of a member of my homestay family: "You're the image of yourselves."
We just got back from visiting the National Gallery, a lovely museum of Irish art. Jack B. Yeats, the brother of W.B. Yeats, had a special exibit there. So good. Then Hannah and I had some soup before coming back to relax.
Tony, she misses you. I'm sure you miss her two. And family, I miss you. But will be seeing you soon.
She's only been here a day and she's already seen some of my favorite things here: my house, the Dart, Dalkey harbor, the Fry's... This list will grow. The past 3-4 months consist of a plethora of monumental experiences. (Even if they wouldn't seem that way to other people, they are to me.) For someone so close to me to see the place where much of it occurred... it means a lot. But I wouldn't want just anyway to see it, at least from my point of view. Because it is so deep and personal to me. Anyway... Here are some photos of what we've done so far.
After getting back from the airport, we went to the little health food store in Dalkey. We split a goat cheese and vegetable pita, which was amazing.
This last week here, Hannah and I are staying in a flat at adjacent to the Fry's. It has a little kitchen, a fire place, and lovely little table by a window where we ate breakfast. It felt so good to be back in conversation with Hannah again.
We took the bus into town. This picture verifies the words of a member of my homestay family: "You're the image of yourselves."
We just got back from visiting the National Gallery, a lovely museum of Irish art. Jack B. Yeats, the brother of W.B. Yeats, had a special exibit there. So good. Then Hannah and I had some soup before coming back to relax.
Tony, she misses you. I'm sure you miss her two. And family, I miss you. But will be seeing you soon.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Vertical
Quick update on the past day or so. Went to a rugby match on Friday night. Absolutely loved it. Jonny and I got free/amazing tickets, and it was just a brilliant night. Leinster thrashed Edinburgh, which is a good thing. And I left amazed that human men can be that massive.
Went out with Kristyn and Katelyn last night to The Queen, a pub in Dalkey that the three of us have met up at more than a few times. It was kinda our last deal together. Which is sad. But the Banoffi tasted good, and it was great to be with them, thinking back on the semester. (Sigh.)
Tonight we had the Carols by Candlelight, and I said good-byes to friends at Grosvenor. It made me excited for Christmas, amazed at what Jesus did (and daily does) for me, sad to leave the people, ready to see my real family again. Okay, that's all the day-to-day stuff of the weekend.
I've been thinking about people a lot, and how the interaction between people ebbs and flows and really confuses. Different individuals of different genders from different age groups from different cultures all interact so differently. We adapt so quickly to each other, and come to need or to be repelled by different interactions. The way people can be around eachother so often and either become deeply connected or incredibly indifferent is astounding to me. And I guess I don't know about you, how exactly your interactions with people go, but I'm beginning to see some trends in myself.
I'm deeply affected by people. Their actions, their words... I pick up on a lot and almost none of it goes by unnoticed. Someone laughing at something that I don't even know about can make me laugh. Small comments can leave a mark. Someone else's hurt can inflict me with pain. But I would rather be exposed to them for the sake of just feeling connected, then to be without that vulnerability. I'm learning that this can be good, but I also need to be cautious. How quickly I become dependent on people and attached! How important their opinions can be. This shouldn't always be the case.
But I love people. I love hearing about their lives... Even more, I love being a part of them. I love feeling like I can contribute to their life. It's a scary, but true thought that there may often come a time within those relationships where it's time to put distance in. I hate distance when it is between two people. Hate it. But just like I had to leave my family for a time, I have to leave a great many people here for an uncertain amount of time. There are new relationships I need to foster, and ones I need to put space in. Ebb and flow.
A wise man once explain relations in two categories. There's the horizontal relationships, which are important in so many ways. And then there is the one vertical relationship with the GOD of the universe. The horizontal ones change. They can even break. The state of my vertical relationship is what dictates who I am and where I am. And it's that vertical relationship that has become so strong, and so precious to me through out the past 6 months of my life. And I think I've realized this as the horizontal relationships have changed, added to my life, hurt me, been broken, or just fallen away. I need that vertical. I am given life by that vertical. The vertical pulls me to purpose, adventure, peace, joy. And it makes me appreciate the horizontal in a completely different way.
Friday, December 7, 2007
"These days, a little bit longer than the last... a little bit stronger than the past."
Just a little overview of my day...
Woke up at 7:30. Went for a run. First one in three weeks. Went down by the harbor and ran as the veiled sun came up. Came back tired and sweaty. But happy.
Went with Sylvia to the women's Bible study where I watch kids. Read childrens books to the kiddies. Played with Ella, Leo, and Owen. Kids thought it would be cool to start running and jump/sliding into me. Got a nice bump on the lip from one of 'em. Ella and Leo gave me a card that they made. I almost cried. Love those kids. Took pictures.
Back at the Fry's... learned to make Christmas cake. Hung out with Sylvia and Laura. Listened to Christmas music. Copied recipes of dessert. :) Kept snacking. Laughed. Took pictures.
Hiked up Killiney hill with Sylvia and the dog, Holly. Loved the mud beneath my feet and eventually up my ankles. Took many photos of the view, of the trees, and of the earthy goodness. Mentally cemented the feelings of the wind at the pinnacle of the hill. Soaked in the wind. Got refreshed by the simplicity of nature. Realized that those hills will be one of the most missed things when I'm back home. Felt emotional. Ran after the dog. Loved being outside. Came back with numb fingers and rosy cheeks.
Drank some hot tea. :)
Woke up at 7:30. Went for a run. First one in three weeks. Went down by the harbor and ran as the veiled sun came up. Came back tired and sweaty. But happy.
Went with Sylvia to the women's Bible study where I watch kids. Read childrens books to the kiddies. Played with Ella, Leo, and Owen. Kids thought it would be cool to start running and jump/sliding into me. Got a nice bump on the lip from one of 'em. Ella and Leo gave me a card that they made. I almost cried. Love those kids. Took pictures.
Back at the Fry's... learned to make Christmas cake. Hung out with Sylvia and Laura. Listened to Christmas music. Copied recipes of dessert. :) Kept snacking. Laughed. Took pictures.
Hiked up Killiney hill with Sylvia and the dog, Holly. Loved the mud beneath my feet and eventually up my ankles. Took many photos of the view, of the trees, and of the earthy goodness. Mentally cemented the feelings of the wind at the pinnacle of the hill. Soaked in the wind. Got refreshed by the simplicity of nature. Realized that those hills will be one of the most missed things when I'm back home. Felt emotional. Ran after the dog. Loved being outside. Came back with numb fingers and rosy cheeks.
Drank some hot tea. :)
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Leaving
Last day at the Immigrant Council of Ireland. I am sad.
I love this job. Probably in a way some people never experience about their occupations. People who work at NGOs are a unique breed. Nusha, probably the one I'm closest to here, will be missed. Her Bulgarian accent is my favorite. I could go on about the different things I like about her, but that's not really the point. Just getting to work with the people I have, is amazing. Most of them are immigrants themselves, and the stories would amaze you.
Getting the opportunity to help people on a daily basis... Getting to speak out to influence change... Getting to be a voice for those who don't have one... I'm privileged, honored. And incredibly humbled.
Nusha and I discussed this whole leaving business. "You will be back. I have this feeling." You have to picture this almost Russian inflection and pronunciation. "Not like Arnold Schwarchenegger, but you'll be back." Oh Nusha. Oh me. Oh dear.
Maybe I will be back. Who knows.
For now, 11 days to leave a bold exclamation point on my time here. Now. Just now.
I love this job. Probably in a way some people never experience about their occupations. People who work at NGOs are a unique breed. Nusha, probably the one I'm closest to here, will be missed. Her Bulgarian accent is my favorite. I could go on about the different things I like about her, but that's not really the point. Just getting to work with the people I have, is amazing. Most of them are immigrants themselves, and the stories would amaze you.
Getting the opportunity to help people on a daily basis... Getting to speak out to influence change... Getting to be a voice for those who don't have one... I'm privileged, honored. And incredibly humbled.
Nusha and I discussed this whole leaving business. "You will be back. I have this feeling." You have to picture this almost Russian inflection and pronunciation. "Not like Arnold Schwarchenegger, but you'll be back." Oh Nusha. Oh me. Oh dear.
Maybe I will be back. Who knows.
For now, 11 days to leave a bold exclamation point on my time here. Now. Just now.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Talking tea to turkey
One of my favorite places in all of Dublin is the Market Arcade. This market is found in a tunnel that goes right through the middle of all the large buildings. It is the epitome of a hole-in-the-wall kind of place. Little booths with clothes and scarves from the east, an almost cafe where I get soup a few times a week, and my favorite tea place are all located in the Arcade. Every time I meander through there I encounter something or somebody new.
Today, I was just picking up my weekly tea. I decided about 5 weeks ago that I would buy one bag a week of the loose-leafed goodness to reward myself for working that week. This is silly because I love my job, it's not work. And because I usually go on Tuesdays, before the week is even over. Like today.
I was talking with Aaron, my tea-selling friend, and basking in the aromas of my new Jasmine leaves. Our weekly chit-chats have become a routine. It's great. It's not usually spontaneous or leading to anything out of the ordinary.
But then David walks up. I didn't know David, but now I do. He's a friend of Aaron's, working in one of the booths in the Arcade. Since he sells war antiques, collectibles, and these old buttons with political jargon on them, he's unique from the get go. He's only a couple inches taller than me, but very large. He had a mug of cappuccino, white hair down past his shoulders, and a British accent. Having just returned from the States, we all started talking about his time in Pennsylvania.
"Apparently, they don't like it when you take road kill."
Seriouly? Seriously. The story goes, he was driving along toward Philly when he hit a turkey. This is strange to me. I've seen lots of road kill in my time in America, but not turkey. Anyway, he explained that after hitting the turkey and finding that it was still alive, he picked it up and took it with him.
"They are easier to pluck when they're still warm." Too much information. He made sure to tell us that even though he learned that it is illegal to pick up (and therefore eat) road kill in Pennsylvania, it did not stop him from enjoy a great many turkey sandwhiches. And even trying to get it back to Ireland by plane. Ha. Amazing.
I hope you enjoyed that half as much as I did.
Today, I was just picking up my weekly tea. I decided about 5 weeks ago that I would buy one bag a week of the loose-leafed goodness to reward myself for working that week. This is silly because I love my job, it's not work. And because I usually go on Tuesdays, before the week is even over. Like today.
I was talking with Aaron, my tea-selling friend, and basking in the aromas of my new Jasmine leaves. Our weekly chit-chats have become a routine. It's great. It's not usually spontaneous or leading to anything out of the ordinary.
But then David walks up. I didn't know David, but now I do. He's a friend of Aaron's, working in one of the booths in the Arcade. Since he sells war antiques, collectibles, and these old buttons with political jargon on them, he's unique from the get go. He's only a couple inches taller than me, but very large. He had a mug of cappuccino, white hair down past his shoulders, and a British accent. Having just returned from the States, we all started talking about his time in Pennsylvania.
"Apparently, they don't like it when you take road kill."
Seriouly? Seriously. The story goes, he was driving along toward Philly when he hit a turkey. This is strange to me. I've seen lots of road kill in my time in America, but not turkey. Anyway, he explained that after hitting the turkey and finding that it was still alive, he picked it up and took it with him.
"They are easier to pluck when they're still warm." Too much information. He made sure to tell us that even though he learned that it is illegal to pick up (and therefore eat) road kill in Pennsylvania, it did not stop him from enjoy a great many turkey sandwhiches. And even trying to get it back to Ireland by plane. Ha. Amazing.
I hope you enjoyed that half as much as I did.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Hold up, wait a minute. Put a little LOVE in it.
December is here. This means Christmas. But may I introduce you to (or remind you of) a lesser known holiday.
Human Rights Day. December 10th.
There's a quote up on the UN's website in regards to this holiday:
"Today, poverty prevails as the gravest human rights challenge in the world. Combating poverty, deprivation and exclusion is not a matter of charity, and it does not depend on how rich a country is. By tackling poverty as a matter of human rights obligation, the world will have a better chance of abolishing this scourge in our lifetime...Poverty eradication is an achievable goal." From last year's Human Rights Day.
I think this is brilliant! Wanting to do something about global poverty is not an issue of being guilted into it or trying to conjure up some emotion of compassion. You and I are human. As humans, we understand that we have to have some things to survive. (Though that "have to" probably includes a lot less than what we think.) And yet constantly, other HUMAN BEINGS are denied these things. Water, clean water. The means to not go to bed hungry. Doing something about this can't be about a "neat opportunity to be useful". That's not urgent enough. Allowing people to continue on in destitution is an affront to beings who are made in the image of God. Hm...
And the statement that this is an "achievable goal" calls up support. Ghandi said, "This world has enough to satisfy everyone's need but not everyone's greed." And more important than what Ghandi says, it is a fact that 20% of developed nations consume 86% of the world's resources. And furthermore, Jesus told us that what we did for the least of these, we did for HIM.
If you should choose, here are some ways to celebrate this Human Rights Day. Do it on your own, make it a family activity, lead your class in the action, make it a staff collaboration, go with a buddy or a significant other, incorporate it into your holiday shopping.
Learn a little:
Go to news.bbc.co.uk to read about what's going on in the world and personally raise your awareness of the current human rights violations.
Give a little:
www.amnesty.org/actnow/
http://one.org/takeaction/
http://donate.wvus.org/OA_HTML/xxwvibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?a=b&lid=85&lpos=top_drp_WaysToGive
https://giving.samaritanspurse.org/c-7-gift-catalog.aspx
(Because I am not techno-savvy, you will have to copy and paste the links into your search bar. If someone wants to show me how to put links into my blog, it would be much appreciated.)
Love a little:
Really though, let's look around. I think back to fifth grade and I can vividly see this girl being bullied. That is a human rights violation. The elderly are marginalized, and that is a human rights violation. Let's put a little extra change in our pockets for that person looking for some help. Maybe we can just keep our eyes open to the dignity and need for love of people we come into contact with...
every.single.day.
God is love. We were made in HIS image. What reason more do I need to see the value in him or her, and do something to show HIM/LOVE?
Human Rights Day. December 10th.
There's a quote up on the UN's website in regards to this holiday:
"Today, poverty prevails as the gravest human rights challenge in the world. Combating poverty, deprivation and exclusion is not a matter of charity, and it does not depend on how rich a country is. By tackling poverty as a matter of human rights obligation, the world will have a better chance of abolishing this scourge in our lifetime...Poverty eradication is an achievable goal." From last year's Human Rights Day.
I think this is brilliant! Wanting to do something about global poverty is not an issue of being guilted into it or trying to conjure up some emotion of compassion. You and I are human. As humans, we understand that we have to have some things to survive. (Though that "have to" probably includes a lot less than what we think.) And yet constantly, other HUMAN BEINGS are denied these things. Water, clean water. The means to not go to bed hungry. Doing something about this can't be about a "neat opportunity to be useful". That's not urgent enough. Allowing people to continue on in destitution is an affront to beings who are made in the image of God. Hm...
And the statement that this is an "achievable goal" calls up support. Ghandi said, "This world has enough to satisfy everyone's need but not everyone's greed." And more important than what Ghandi says, it is a fact that 20% of developed nations consume 86% of the world's resources. And furthermore, Jesus told us that what we did for the least of these, we did for HIM.
If you should choose, here are some ways to celebrate this Human Rights Day. Do it on your own, make it a family activity, lead your class in the action, make it a staff collaboration, go with a buddy or a significant other, incorporate it into your holiday shopping.
Learn a little:
Go to news.bbc.co.uk to read about what's going on in the world and personally raise your awareness of the current human rights violations.
Give a little:
www.amnesty.org/actnow/
http://one.org/takeaction/
http://donate.wvus.org/OA_HTML/xxwvibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?a=b&lid=85&lpos=top_drp_WaysToGive
https://giving.samaritanspurse.org/c-7-gift-catalog.aspx
(Because I am not techno-savvy, you will have to copy and paste the links into your search bar. If someone wants to show me how to put links into my blog, it would be much appreciated.)
Love a little:
Really though, let's look around. I think back to fifth grade and I can vividly see this girl being bullied. That is a human rights violation. The elderly are marginalized, and that is a human rights violation. Let's put a little extra change in our pockets for that person looking for some help. Maybe we can just keep our eyes open to the dignity and need for love of people we come into contact with...
every.single.day.
God is love. We were made in HIS image. What reason more do I need to see the value in him or her, and do something to show HIM/LOVE?
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Living in Dublin, home away from home....
Ireland is beginning to get very cold, windy, and wet. Overall, as I've said before, the weather has only been obliging to me. Usually somewhat sunny, only minor spots of drizzle, and usually welcoming a walk. Not so with this weekend. I've still enjoyed it though. I think knowing I only have two weeks left, and looking back at the life-giving time this semester has been, makes the abrasive weather not so forboding.
I put in an extra day of work on Friday at the Immigrant Council, I like it that much. While there, I handled one of the most difficult situations yet. A social worker from the hospital called me, inquiring into the situation of one of her patients. The problem was, the girl came from Sudan and immediately went to the hospital to get treatment for her leukemia, that's in a very progressed stage. She has no medical insurance, so the hospital is threatening to withold treatment. And on top of all this, her visa is only valid for a few more weeks.
"Can you do anything for us?" she asked. As Nusha (one of my colleagues) and I discussed later, it's a shame that our passion isn't the bottom line in getting these people help. After lots of deliberating and research, the best we could offer was that she go back to Sudan and attempt to get a medical treatment visa. In this scenario, the effort to find a soluation and the agreement in frustration at the situation was of more help and encouragement than the actual answer.
After work, I got to meet up with some friends who were visiting Dublin from Oxford. Seeing familiar faces has been a rare occurance during this semester, and it is always interesting for me to try to mingle what I've known here and that good ole familiarity. It was great to have a comfortable dinner at a pub and just laugh and share stories/thoughts from our time abroad. Then we met up again yesterday for a few hours. Strange it is to try to show people around. I mean, what I do day to day, is not the highlights of Dublin. And to be honest, I'm slightly ignorant as to what the tourist attractions are here. I just kept asking them if they'd want to go hiking. That's just me. :)
More than ever, I feel at home here. Not that this is my ultimate home, or that I feel most settled here. But it is a home of sorts. I love Dublin. I like the quirks about it, the green/rickety Dart, the familar streets, and the diverse, crowded nature of the city. I love it.
I put in an extra day of work on Friday at the Immigrant Council, I like it that much. While there, I handled one of the most difficult situations yet. A social worker from the hospital called me, inquiring into the situation of one of her patients. The problem was, the girl came from Sudan and immediately went to the hospital to get treatment for her leukemia, that's in a very progressed stage. She has no medical insurance, so the hospital is threatening to withold treatment. And on top of all this, her visa is only valid for a few more weeks.
"Can you do anything for us?" she asked. As Nusha (one of my colleagues) and I discussed later, it's a shame that our passion isn't the bottom line in getting these people help. After lots of deliberating and research, the best we could offer was that she go back to Sudan and attempt to get a medical treatment visa. In this scenario, the effort to find a soluation and the agreement in frustration at the situation was of more help and encouragement than the actual answer.
After work, I got to meet up with some friends who were visiting Dublin from Oxford. Seeing familiar faces has been a rare occurance during this semester, and it is always interesting for me to try to mingle what I've known here and that good ole familiarity. It was great to have a comfortable dinner at a pub and just laugh and share stories/thoughts from our time abroad. Then we met up again yesterday for a few hours. Strange it is to try to show people around. I mean, what I do day to day, is not the highlights of Dublin. And to be honest, I'm slightly ignorant as to what the tourist attractions are here. I just kept asking them if they'd want to go hiking. That's just me. :)
More than ever, I feel at home here. Not that this is my ultimate home, or that I feel most settled here. But it is a home of sorts. I love Dublin. I like the quirks about it, the green/rickety Dart, the familar streets, and the diverse, crowded nature of the city. I love it.
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