No idea who the author of this is, but a friend recently shared it with me, and I want to share it with you.
"Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or to help you figure out who you are or who you want to become. You never know who these people may be (possibly your roommate, neighbour, co-worker, longest friend, lover, or even a complete stranger) but when you lock eyes with them, you know at that very moment that they will affect your life in some profound way.
Some people come into our lives and quickly go.
Some people move our souls to dance.
They awaken us to new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom.
Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon.
They stay in our lives for awhile, leave footprints in our hearts,
and We are never, ever the same.
And sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible, painful, and unfair at first, but in reflection you find that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realised your potential, strength, willpower, or heart. Everything happens for a reason, nothing happens by chance or by means of luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness, and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, whatever they may be, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless. The people you meet who affect your life, and the success and downfalls you experience help to create who you become.
Even the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones.
If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious when you open your heart. If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because in a way, they are teaching you to love and how to open your heart and eyes to things."
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
1000 Gifts...
17. A mom that cares when I should care more.
16. On-the-fly cooking.
15. No cavities!
14. Giving a friend the perfect quote.
16. On-the-fly cooking.
15. No cavities!
14. Giving a friend the perfect quote.
Friday, August 12, 2011
1000 Gifts...
13. Homemade soft pretzels, raspberry mustard dip and root beer from the bottle.
12. Looking at the moon through a telescope.
11. Blanket burritos on the grass.
10. Eating food straight from the plant.
12. Looking at the moon through a telescope.
11. Blanket burritos on the grass.
10. Eating food straight from the plant.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Friday, August 5, 2011
1000 Gifts...
5. Proclaiming a new favorite food; huckleberries.
4. Swimsuits on sale.
3. Rosy cheeks.
2. The reflection of sunrise.
4. Swimsuits on sale.
3. Rosy cheeks.
2. The reflection of sunrise.
1. Braided hair.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Big Announcement
Hi Folks,
So some of you already know this, but to many of you it will be the saddest thing you have ever heard and will probably ever hear. So, grab a roll of toilet paper (for your incessant tears, of course.) and have a seat because I am about to drop a big freakin' piece of news.
In September I will be moving to Houston, GodBlessTexas, to pursue an alternative teaching accreditation through a program called Region 4. I was heavily considering staying in Bloomington to obtain a similar certificate but literally the day after I wrassled up all the requirements for my IU application, I decided Houston was the best option for me.
Here's the play-by-play:
IU: $17,000 Tuition=Major debt
vs
R4: $3,700 Tuition=Paid for by this summer's job.
IU: Certificate obtained in 3 semesters with a Masters to follow.
vs
R4: Certificate obtained in 2 semesters.
IU: Would require me to find a job and stay in the Bloomington area for several years after obtaining certificate to take Masters classes and would be hard to relocate with little teaching experience at a Masters salary.
vs
R4: Allows me to apply for job and move where ever I want to after May.
IU: Pay full rent in Bloomington.
vs
R4: Live with sister and get the family discount. :)
So that's how it's gonna be. Here are the reasons I am super excited and kinda bummed in list form:
Reasons I am Super Excited
1. In a little more than a year, I will hypothetically be a real person with real person lifestyle, salary and
responsibility.
2. I get to live with my amazing sister, incredible brother-in-law, hilarious niece and cuddly dog-
nephew.
3. As a teacher I will get summer breaks to do any/all of the following: travel, mission work, rock
climb, photography, learn to fly airplanes... whatever!
4. As a teacher I will get to problem-solve daily, teach kids how to think for themselves, mentor kids,
encourage kids, start DI teams, start Bible studies, start rock climbing clubs, coach volleyball, direct
plays... whatever!
Reason I am Kinda Bummed
1. I will miss being with all of the wonderful people in Bloomington. I will miss the community created
at the Canvas. I will miss Mark bringing me apples and thermometers when I am sick. I will miss
dancing, singing, praying and crying with Colleen whenever I want. I will miss running through the
golf course at midnight screaming obscenities with Katie. I will miss trying to convince Hannah D to
sleep on our couch every other night. I will miss Broderick providing me with a constant stream and
perfect balance of hilarity and insight. I will miss Abiola giving me hugs, telling me how white
I am and smelling like she just stepped out of Heaven. I will miss Jackie's boyfriend tees, Stephen's
jokes, Anna's laugh, Rachel and Alena's handstands, Charity's smile, Giff's vocal ellipses, Michaela's
bare feet, Brian's singing and so so SO much more from so many amazing people. You know who
you are (seriously, don't sell yourself short. I mean you!), and you are deeply loved and will be
deeply missed. You all are the people that have seen me grow and have helped me find who I was
made to be.
However, all is not lost just yet.
I will be in Bloomington for a little bit before I drive down to Texas. I will come down around August 17th and be in town for a couple days before leading my final kayaking trip for IUOA to Michigan until the 24th. I'll then probably bum around for a week and a half until Stephen and Lydia's wedding on September 4th and leave for Texas shortly thereafter. I am super-duper pumped for this time and can't wait to leave town officially and in style. :)
*PS. I lost my phone in Delaware, so if you made it to the end of this message, you win. Send me a text with your name in it to redeem your major award.
So some of you already know this, but to many of you it will be the saddest thing you have ever heard and will probably ever hear. So, grab a roll of toilet paper (for your incessant tears, of course.) and have a seat because I am about to drop a big freakin' piece of news.
In September I will be moving to Houston, GodBlessTexas, to pursue an alternative teaching accreditation through a program called Region 4. I was heavily considering staying in Bloomington to obtain a similar certificate but literally the day after I wrassled up all the requirements for my IU application, I decided Houston was the best option for me.
Here's the play-by-play:
IU: $17,000 Tuition=Major debt
vs
R4: $3,700 Tuition=Paid for by this summer's job.
IU: Certificate obtained in 3 semesters with a Masters to follow.
vs
R4: Certificate obtained in 2 semesters.
IU: Would require me to find a job and stay in the Bloomington area for several years after obtaining certificate to take Masters classes and would be hard to relocate with little teaching experience at a Masters salary.
vs
R4: Allows me to apply for job and move where ever I want to after May.
IU: Pay full rent in Bloomington.
vs
R4: Live with sister and get the family discount. :)
So that's how it's gonna be. Here are the reasons I am super excited and kinda bummed in list form:
Reasons I am Super Excited
1. In a little more than a year, I will hypothetically be a real person with real person lifestyle, salary and
responsibility.
2. I get to live with my amazing sister, incredible brother-in-law, hilarious niece and cuddly dog-
nephew.
3. As a teacher I will get summer breaks to do any/all of the following: travel, mission work, rock
climb, photography, learn to fly airplanes... whatever!
4. As a teacher I will get to problem-solve daily, teach kids how to think for themselves, mentor kids,
encourage kids, start DI teams, start Bible studies, start rock climbing clubs, coach volleyball, direct
plays... whatever!
Reason I am Kinda Bummed
1. I will miss being with all of the wonderful people in Bloomington. I will miss the community created
at the Canvas. I will miss Mark bringing me apples and thermometers when I am sick. I will miss
dancing, singing, praying and crying with Colleen whenever I want. I will miss running through the
golf course at midnight screaming obscenities with Katie. I will miss trying to convince Hannah D to
sleep on our couch every other night. I will miss Broderick providing me with a constant stream and
perfect balance of hilarity and insight. I will miss Abiola giving me hugs, telling me how white
I am and smelling like she just stepped out of Heaven. I will miss Jackie's boyfriend tees, Stephen's
jokes, Anna's laugh, Rachel and Alena's handstands, Charity's smile, Giff's vocal ellipses, Michaela's
bare feet, Brian's singing and so so SO much more from so many amazing people. You know who
you are (seriously, don't sell yourself short. I mean you!), and you are deeply loved and will be
deeply missed. You all are the people that have seen me grow and have helped me find who I was
made to be.
However, all is not lost just yet.
I will be in Bloomington for a little bit before I drive down to Texas. I will come down around August 17th and be in town for a couple days before leading my final kayaking trip for IUOA to Michigan until the 24th. I'll then probably bum around for a week and a half until Stephen and Lydia's wedding on September 4th and leave for Texas shortly thereafter. I am super-duper pumped for this time and can't wait to leave town officially and in style. :)
*PS. I lost my phone in Delaware, so if you made it to the end of this message, you win. Send me a text with your name in it to redeem your major award.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)