within the first two weeks of school, APU told me to go away! I come here and now you are telling me to leave. okayyyyyy............And I think that I am going to. I have been on a few mission trips and all of my experiences have been wonderful. Every time I feel like I got so much more from them than I did for them. They have shown me what it means to live a life without a focus on material possessions. They have shown me the joy that can be found in the hard times through Christ. They have taught me so much about myself and I do not think they know that. I want to go on a mission trip and not feel this way. Doesn’t that sound odd? I want to go and get nothing back. Just go to love them, even if they don’t love me. I feel like this is what God has called us to do. It’s easy to love those who love you that comes naturally. But to love those who hate you, who don’t even like you, that’s impressive. I want to go away and demonstrate God’s love with out saying anything. APU is obsessed with the Saint Francis of Assisi quote, “preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” As much as I feel this quote is overused, here I am using it! I want to go and not use words, just actions and love. I want to go and study somewhere and experience the culture there. I want to be immersed in an uncomfortable place and love people. I want God to place me where He wants me and right now I don’t know where that is. I would like to think it is in South Africa, but maybe it is somewhere else. I pray that what breaks God’s heart would break mine and that he will open my eyes to where I am to go. I want to go away. Doesn’t that make you feel all warm and fuzzy, you need to just go away!
This is me.
and I am going away right now!
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
Basically I'm everything that's white and burns under the sun....
So basically, I am everything that is white and burns when it comes to my ethnicity. I have never experienced any sort of prejudice towards my race. I have witnessed various forms of prejudice and discrimination whether it is because someone was the awkward kid or because of the clothes soneone wears, or even because of the life style one chooses to lead. Some people just will not like you for who you are and well, sucks for them because most of the time, they lose.
Racism makes me sick! When I saw the movie "Hotel Rwanda," I was in shock. First, I had never really heard about the genocide in Rwanda to the extent to which it took place. Living in America, I am often sheltered to the harsh culture that surrounds other countries. Rwanda cannot be repeated in Defer. It has already gone too far. It sickens me; the Janjaweed from Sudan will kill villages of people, take their belongings, and set the huts on fire. Not only that, but when they encounter young women alone, they rape the girls and bite them to mark them as "unclean." On return to their homes, the girls are rejected for they can no longer marry and are shoved aside. The Janjaweed claim they are "cleansing the race" just like the Hutus and the Tutsis in Rwanda and just like Hitler in World War II. Second, what are we doing to help? We need to rise up and help these people. The White House had yet to even call Darfur's killings a “genocide" until the international forces influenced and convinced them that this is an ethnic cleansing movement. And this has been going on for 4 and half years!! The war was recently resolved in the spring of this year, however there is still a need for assistance and recovery.
We cannot let history repeat itself like this over and over again. Racism is ugly, cruel, and unjust. It makes me sick and I hate that is so relevant in our world today. I hate that jokes about race have become socially acceptable or funny to so many people. These jokes sometimes justify actual prejudices that people hold.
We need to work towards an America that works to accept and care for those who come here instead of judging and discriminating against them.
This is me :)
Racism makes me sick! When I saw the movie "Hotel Rwanda," I was in shock. First, I had never really heard about the genocide in Rwanda to the extent to which it took place. Living in America, I am often sheltered to the harsh culture that surrounds other countries. Rwanda cannot be repeated in Defer. It has already gone too far. It sickens me; the Janjaweed from Sudan will kill villages of people, take their belongings, and set the huts on fire. Not only that, but when they encounter young women alone, they rape the girls and bite them to mark them as "unclean." On return to their homes, the girls are rejected for they can no longer marry and are shoved aside. The Janjaweed claim they are "cleansing the race" just like the Hutus and the Tutsis in Rwanda and just like Hitler in World War II. Second, what are we doing to help? We need to rise up and help these people. The White House had yet to even call Darfur's killings a “genocide" until the international forces influenced and convinced them that this is an ethnic cleansing movement. And this has been going on for 4 and half years!! The war was recently resolved in the spring of this year, however there is still a need for assistance and recovery.
We cannot let history repeat itself like this over and over again. Racism is ugly, cruel, and unjust. It makes me sick and I hate that is so relevant in our world today. I hate that jokes about race have become socially acceptable or funny to so many people. These jokes sometimes justify actual prejudices that people hold.
We need to work towards an America that works to accept and care for those who come here instead of judging and discriminating against them.
This is me :)
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Oh the awkward years!!
This week at beginnings we talked about some sensitive subjects. The one that related most to me was body image. As a little kid, I had my own stash of candy hidden in my room. If you think I like sweets now, you obviously never knew me when I was a kid. I never really struggled with body image until about sixth grade. Middle school= the awkward years! For me this was no exception. I had braces, was kind of chubby and wore huge baggy sweatshirts to cover it all. I hated it! I never felt like I fit in and longed so much to feel that sense of belonging. I never realized how I perceived myself until I entered my freshman year of high school. Here I switched schools and knew about two people in my grade and maybe four in the entire school. I wanted to look cute and the first day I planned my outfit out for three days and probably changed ten times! I began to learn how uncomfortable I was with my body. I wanted to wear a two piece swimsuit but never felt comfortable to break away from the tankini. Then I started to row for a local rowing club and started to kick my butt into shape. When you are working out three hours everyday with about three ten minute breaks throughout the whole thing, you get a built body. Rowing works your whole body: legs, back, arms, shoulders, abs. I was happy with myself and confident in a bikini. Then I stopped rowing due to the pressures of school and my teammates. Everything changed, my body wasn't used to not working out all the time. This is where I am at now, while I am happy with myself, I still compare myself to other people. Now more than ever I realize that God made me perfect in his eyes and there is not a single thing that he would change. I am wonderfully made and no one and nothing will change this. I just need to rest in this thought all the time. and of course,
This is me :)
This is me :)
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Drinking with Jesus? huh...
I now, my titles are witty and dumb! but hey they can grasp your attention right? Anyways, my philosophy on drinking.....
I don't get the point of getting drunk. What fun is it to not be in control of yourself. I personally like to be fully aware, this is how my parents have raised me, to be aware of my surroundings. I do not see the problem in tasting alcohol, a few sips among social conversation around dinner. When I was in Italy two summers ago, I had sips of wine and I don't feel like a sinner for drinking a little wine. Drinking, in my opinion, is based on your motives. Some people choose to get drink because they feel it is cool, others to be accepted, and some just because they just drink in moderation because they honestly enjoy it. I realize we are called to follow the laws of the land as Christians, so yes I am not going to drink until I am 21, however I do not see the big ordeal with me trying sips of my parent's drinks. It in no way inhibits my awareness and it is just to taste it, not to gain acceptance. Some may argue that this mindset is not correct, oh well. Honestly, and this might sound weird, if I was to come face to face with Jesus when I am 21 or older, I would drink wine with Jesus, hey I would have a beer with Jesus (even though I don't think I would like beer). It's the idea that alcohol in of itself is not "evil," it is the manner in which you choose to use it that can cause you to abuse it. I do not want people who drink excessively to be cool or gain some one's approval to feel judged, but I feel it is their choice to live that lifestyle and whether they think so or not, it does affect how people view you as a person and as a Christian. That's why I never went to crazy, alcohol parties in high school because my desire to drink like that doesn't exist. I really do not want to drink, my sips in Italy were for the experience of Italy because seriously I do not if I will ever go back there. I'm not defending my sips, but I am not really justifying them either. This topic is so gray area because it is a major worry today to not offend anyone. Tolerance really. This is what I think and well, like always.....
This is me :).
I don't get the point of getting drunk. What fun is it to not be in control of yourself. I personally like to be fully aware, this is how my parents have raised me, to be aware of my surroundings. I do not see the problem in tasting alcohol, a few sips among social conversation around dinner. When I was in Italy two summers ago, I had sips of wine and I don't feel like a sinner for drinking a little wine. Drinking, in my opinion, is based on your motives. Some people choose to get drink because they feel it is cool, others to be accepted, and some just because they just drink in moderation because they honestly enjoy it. I realize we are called to follow the laws of the land as Christians, so yes I am not going to drink until I am 21, however I do not see the big ordeal with me trying sips of my parent's drinks. It in no way inhibits my awareness and it is just to taste it, not to gain acceptance. Some may argue that this mindset is not correct, oh well. Honestly, and this might sound weird, if I was to come face to face with Jesus when I am 21 or older, I would drink wine with Jesus, hey I would have a beer with Jesus (even though I don't think I would like beer). It's the idea that alcohol in of itself is not "evil," it is the manner in which you choose to use it that can cause you to abuse it. I do not want people who drink excessively to be cool or gain some one's approval to feel judged, but I feel it is their choice to live that lifestyle and whether they think so or not, it does affect how people view you as a person and as a Christian. That's why I never went to crazy, alcohol parties in high school because my desire to drink like that doesn't exist. I really do not want to drink, my sips in Italy were for the experience of Italy because seriously I do not if I will ever go back there. I'm not defending my sips, but I am not really justifying them either. This topic is so gray area because it is a major worry today to not offend anyone. Tolerance really. This is what I think and well, like always.....
This is me :).
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Work It!
Work it baby! That's what I tell myself with these strengths. I can strut my strengths through a variety of ways at APU. Let's just say strategic definitely helped me last night at capture the flag! Hence why a girl and I definitely brought a pumpkin home for the North side! But seriously now, I will really answer this prompt in the serious sense. I know it is out of character, but I kind of have to! haha!
So my strengths...... at APU I feel like my strenthgs are going to help me to help others. Starting with adaptability, I feel like in situations that are new like getting involoved with Best Buddies, I can thrive by ability to be comfortable with the often times uncomfortable. This is a blessing to me because I enjoy being in new situations and figuring them out. This ties in with strategic because I plan it out. I also think that this strength benefits me in class or when I have a lot of homework because I can create a game plan to accomplish all tasks. Moving on to positivity, this is so crucial to who I am. I feel like this embodies who I am and that by being positive I can brighten other people's lives through laughter and awkward moment stories. These stories are told through my strength of communication. I know how to formulate my ideas and reiterate them to others well. At this school, I feel like this will aid me well in getting to know other people and in confrontations that are often inevitable when living in a dorm hall with 36 other girls! My final strength being woo conjoins the whole bundle in the idea that I am a people person by nature and it is in me to want to get to know others. This is going to help me meet people and get to know them in a deeper level!
I hope I worked this out to your satisfaction. Now I am going to catwalk my way to begginings! Love, Love!
This is me :)
So my strengths...... at APU I feel like my strenthgs are going to help me to help others. Starting with adaptability, I feel like in situations that are new like getting involoved with Best Buddies, I can thrive by ability to be comfortable with the often times uncomfortable. This is a blessing to me because I enjoy being in new situations and figuring them out. This ties in with strategic because I plan it out. I also think that this strength benefits me in class or when I have a lot of homework because I can create a game plan to accomplish all tasks. Moving on to positivity, this is so crucial to who I am. I feel like this embodies who I am and that by being positive I can brighten other people's lives through laughter and awkward moment stories. These stories are told through my strength of communication. I know how to formulate my ideas and reiterate them to others well. At this school, I feel like this will aid me well in getting to know other people and in confrontations that are often inevitable when living in a dorm hall with 36 other girls! My final strength being woo conjoins the whole bundle in the idea that I am a people person by nature and it is in me to want to get to know others. This is going to help me meet people and get to know them in a deeper level!
I hope I worked this out to your satisfaction. Now I am going to catwalk my way to begginings! Love, Love!
This is me :)
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
My Strengths
My top five strengths are according to strengthsquest.com:
“Adaptability
People strong in the Adaptability theme prefer to "go with the flow." They tend to be "now" people who take things as they come and discover the future one day at a time.
Communication
People strong in the Communication theme generally find it easy to put their thoughts into words. They are good conversationalists and presenters.
Strategic
People strong in the Strategic theme create alternative ways to proceed. Faced with any given scenario, they can quickly spot the relevant patterns and issues.
Positivity
People strong in the Positivity theme have an enthusiasm that is contagious. They are upbeat and can get others excited about what they are going to do.
Woo
People strong in the Woo theme love the challenge of meeting new people and winning them over. They derive satisfaction from breaking the ice and making a connection with another person.”
As I examine each of these strengths, I can see how they apply to my life and to my personality.
Adaptability has enabled me to be relaxed in my life style. To take things as they come and live a generally carefree lifestyle. It has allowed me to take one task at a time while also being able to take a break and have some fun.
The strength of communication has given me the gift of conversing with others. It has blessed me in my ability to explain myself well in confrontations. It has also allowed me to feel comfortable in presentations. It has helped me to journal and write my thoughts as a form of processing events and information.
Being strategic has helped me when I get into a jam or have a project. I often have a vision, but not a way of best accomplishing that vision. This strength has granted me the opportunity to best tackle and complete my dream.
Having the strength of positivity has blessed me immensely. My parents always taught me to see the glass as half-full. I am an outgoing person and I love to get others excited about my passions and goals.
Woo is a huge part of my personality. I greatly enjoy getting to know people and understand where they have come from. I love sparking up conversation with strangers and break the ice to make a bond.
All of these strengths make up who I am, my personality, and…
This is me ☺
“Adaptability
People strong in the Adaptability theme prefer to "go with the flow." They tend to be "now" people who take things as they come and discover the future one day at a time.
Communication
People strong in the Communication theme generally find it easy to put their thoughts into words. They are good conversationalists and presenters.
Strategic
People strong in the Strategic theme create alternative ways to proceed. Faced with any given scenario, they can quickly spot the relevant patterns and issues.
Positivity
People strong in the Positivity theme have an enthusiasm that is contagious. They are upbeat and can get others excited about what they are going to do.
Woo
People strong in the Woo theme love the challenge of meeting new people and winning them over. They derive satisfaction from breaking the ice and making a connection with another person.”
As I examine each of these strengths, I can see how they apply to my life and to my personality.
Adaptability has enabled me to be relaxed in my life style. To take things as they come and live a generally carefree lifestyle. It has allowed me to take one task at a time while also being able to take a break and have some fun.
The strength of communication has given me the gift of conversing with others. It has blessed me in my ability to explain myself well in confrontations. It has also allowed me to feel comfortable in presentations. It has helped me to journal and write my thoughts as a form of processing events and information.
Being strategic has helped me when I get into a jam or have a project. I often have a vision, but not a way of best accomplishing that vision. This strength has granted me the opportunity to best tackle and complete my dream.
Having the strength of positivity has blessed me immensely. My parents always taught me to see the glass as half-full. I am an outgoing person and I love to get others excited about my passions and goals.
Woo is a huge part of my personality. I greatly enjoy getting to know people and understand where they have come from. I love sparking up conversation with strangers and break the ice to make a bond.
All of these strengths make up who I am, my personality, and…
This is me ☺
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Who am I?
Let’s be honest, I hate questions like this. There are so many ways to answer it! I am going to give it my best shot, so bear with me please. I am many things, each of which makes up who I am. I am shaped by my experiences and my past. I have learned from my trials and grown from my life. I have been told that I should be a certain way, whether it is to act perfect or to look perfect. But this is who I am.
I am a child of God, beloved and perfect in His eyes. I am a daughter and a sister. I am a student and a teacher. I am a listener and I am a talker. I am a woman who just wants to have fun. I am a woman who wants to make the most of every moment and opportunity in my life. I am a woman who still loves to pick flowers. I am a woman who can stare at a sunset and never get bored. I am an adult on the outside, but a child at heart. I am in love with my family, friends, and my boyfriend. “I’m in love, I’m in love, and I don’t care who knows it!” (a quote from the movie Elf).
I am a dork who loves to be goofy. I am silly and outgoing no matter what day of the week it is. I am loud and outspoken; I am quiet and reserved. It just depends on when you find me. I am a risk taker while still being a bit of a wimp. I am creative and competitive. I am a listening ear when you need to vent. I am a leader and a servant. I am in love with God and willing to let Him take my life and teach me what I need to learn.
This is me. ☺
I am a child of God, beloved and perfect in His eyes. I am a daughter and a sister. I am a student and a teacher. I am a listener and I am a talker. I am a woman who just wants to have fun. I am a woman who wants to make the most of every moment and opportunity in my life. I am a woman who still loves to pick flowers. I am a woman who can stare at a sunset and never get bored. I am an adult on the outside, but a child at heart. I am in love with my family, friends, and my boyfriend. “I’m in love, I’m in love, and I don’t care who knows it!” (a quote from the movie Elf).
I am a dork who loves to be goofy. I am silly and outgoing no matter what day of the week it is. I am loud and outspoken; I am quiet and reserved. It just depends on when you find me. I am a risk taker while still being a bit of a wimp. I am creative and competitive. I am a listening ear when you need to vent. I am a leader and a servant. I am in love with God and willing to let Him take my life and teach me what I need to learn.
This is me. ☺
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