Winter Holiday 2008

I am back at home, and have been for the past three weeks. Its been a little awkward, since I don't know what to do around my folks. My parent reunited (they never split unofficial, but were giving each other the silent treatment), but I am still having issues with their dilemma. I have kind of kept distant, but in the next 2 days, I will be far away in Ethiopia...so space is no concern. Some good things have happened these past three weeks. I spoke to PAM! yeah! She has been absent from my life for a long time, but we finally spoke. It was a relief to hear her voice. We did not actually meet up, but I heard her voice. Another cool thing is I found a long lost gift. I knew I always had it, but now I know I have it...it relaxes me to know that it is always close by. haha! Finally I have made numerous friendship bracelets. About 3o. My hope is to make on for every orphan at the Layla house in Ethiopia. I have 120 to go...yikes! I have also been keeping myself busy with all the scholarship, and internship essays due in February. And since i will be gone till April, I have been doing it all now. almost done!!!!
The internship in Ethiopia is exciting. I am finally getting out of here...far away. It has been 6 years in the waiting. I can't wait to leave and see the world. I will have to through three airports...and I hate airports. After the Denver airport experience, which was after 9/11 I feel watched and watched for my every step. I am dreading this part of the journey. However, I am excited about the Layla House. I know I will make the most out of the trip. I am trying not to have expectations, so I can just thoroughly enjoy my time with the kids.
My friends from college have been oh so very nice. Rachel send me 3 mixed CDs with some of our favorite music...very thoughtful! I am sure it will be a great pleasure to listen to on the 16 hour flight. I know will miss the Cougs (jenny, rachel, amelie, anna and caitlyn) but I need this journet to regain perspective on my being, my goals and identity. It will be helpful to have this new experience.
Anna has connected me with a family friend in Addis Ababa name Alula (alex). He sounds very enthusiastic about meeting up with him and his friends. He seems like a very genuine guy. I am excited what he has to show us about his home country!!!!
Its been a very up and down holiday season. It snowed 1 ft. Trapped in the house. Christmas was just another day, and tonight (new year's eve) will be just another night, but day after tomorrow...i will be on my way out...out of salem, out of Oregon, out of the USA, and to a new and unkown culture....its finally here...yeah!!!!!

A Lost Soul

Last night I came upon some sad and horrible news. A friend and high school mentor had passed on. He wasn't a close friend, in fact other than being Thespians and Peer Mentors we never really hung out. But we had good times...laughing, playing around the basement of SSHS with all the other peer mentors and acting on the Theater stage. We had good times together. He, Ben Gerling, was a jovial, upbeat and a kind hearted soul. I remember him being super nice and welcoming to everyone, and was all ways the heart of the party. Whoever he was with, he made them smile...including me. His passing was in May... We weren't in touch other than facebook, and I didn't really hang out with him since our lives took different paths after high school. But I have to say, that this news has impacted me deeply. I remember hearing about through the grapevine, but thought it was just an absurd rumor. But now, I know its the truth. I think I was not ready to deal with it earlier, since it hits close to home. Knowing that such a inspiring person can be in such trouble and pain and no one knew...including me. His departure isn't unnoticed, and his presence will always be with us...always. He was an active man...ROTC-airforce, Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and was senior at Oregon State, just a few weeks shy of graduation. A man of his word and lived what he valued...a man that everyone should srtive to be. His absences just makes me a little more confused, and more of a lost soul.

Ben- I shed a few tears, cried a little stream, but in the end I came out smiling...just i always did when I was with you...it always has been smiles, and everytime I think of you, it will be just so. I am blessed and thankful that I had the chance to be part of your life. Om Mani Padme Hum!

An Eventful Weekend

It has been a fantastic weekend. Quite stressful, but yet eventful. I help raise 1250 dollars for the AIDS treatment cause in Rwanda, in honor of Worlds AIDS Day. I wrote 27 pages for three different classes, and crocheted 3 hats. Also taught Amelie how to crochet. It was legitimately a productive weekend. Now I am done with finals, and have four months of interning in Ethiopia ahead of me. No paper, no exams and no homework...just working in my passion. I can't wait...hopefully my check from Bill Gates will come before i leave...or i am pretty screwed. woops!
All i have left is to pack up and move out of 1518 Kincaid...and say bye to all me friends. SAD!