Conversation with Anna

As I was sitting with one of my very good friends at a picnic table during a graduation party, low and behold, one of my favorite high school teachers came sauntering by along the street where this house was. Both my friend and myself became rather excited and I am sure we both shared the same feeling, but also overjoyed when she joined us at the table. Before going any further, some background is required.

Anna Simpson was the high school choir director for my sophomore through senior year. I somehow even managed to get into the auditioned women's choir, Ars Pristina, my junior year and remained in it through my senior year. This was one of my absolute favorite classes, especially when I was in Ars Pristina. It allowed me and 15 other girls to work hard at our music while having a fun time with one another. Also, Anna was the person to introduce this class to our school. She also developed a Jazz Combo and since I have left, a men's choir named Mirth. Everyone who is in her class, especially her auditioned classes work really hard for her, and always feel like shit when they've let her down. And though she developed a lot of musical classes, she also, within those classes helped the music programs develop a larger repertoire as opposed to years past, when simple English songs were all that we sang, gave us some musical history (which also never happened before), added two concerts to the year, added a fund raiser Variety Show, and brings the choirs and bands on tour, not to Seattle (which is wonderful), but to Disney Land and other great music festivals.

As a person, she is very understanding of and sympathetic to people and is easily approachable and wonderful to talk to. While in Ars Pristina, there were many great conversations that took place, prayer concerns shared with honest sincerity, and laughs and giggles vocalized. We even had a day where all we did was learn different dances. It was a safe haven and a wonderful way to end the day.

So today, the three of us were slightly catching up on the happenings in our lives, but also discussing the differences between college and high school, how boys actually communicate and how it is difficult for people to be understanding of one another, which is what leads to cliques. Though the first topic is pretty well understood amongst most college aged people and the second is one that only girls should discuss with one another (though she had some very interesting observations...), the third is what sticks with me.

People are people and should be treated as such, was the main gist of this conversation. But the tendencies of our human nature are to be exclusive and not understanding. This is a painful reality when one realizes it and takes it to heart. I realize that I talk about this a lot, but that must mean it is something that affects me a lot. Then we talked about even though our human nature tends to be this way, it is through grace that we are going to be able to overcome this and be more inclusive. Christ was the premium example of this; he, through his grace, brought all of the outcasts to him. The people who were in the "in" crowd, such as the wealthy, the religious leaders, etc. were more 'out casted' by Christ, if that can be said, because of this. They were cold to the people that he drew near. And when we read in the Scriptures, I know I grow upset with those people and ask, "how could they be that way to other people?" Then yes, the realization sets in, followed by shame.

Anna told us that her husband grew up in a church that was rather large and tended to have cliques, but that his father, as the pastor, was never really apart of that. He was the person who brought the outcasts together in his home. They housed foster children and invited the 'stranger' people of the congregation over for gatherings. As a result of growing up in this kind of environment, her husband was willing to be friends with anyone at school and beyond that point. He was able to see them as people and not put them into stereotyped groups. That got me to thinking about how I would want my children to be raised. I would want them to be able to see people as people, and not as unapproachable because of one thing or another. I would want them to love people for who they were on the inside, not because of material or outer things. It is painful to think about all the opportunities that I have had during my life where I could reach out to someone, but let the opportunity pass because of what labels I would be associating myself with. I don't want my children to have that feeling, but this would mean that I would have to show them through my own life and actions, which is easier said then done.

So anyhow, this got really long. And as you can see, I am still working on stuff that I have been thinking about and struggling with for months. Until next time, pay your bills and drive sparingly... Peace out.

Benefits of learning a not-so-common language...

If you guys are looking for something that is fun to do... pick up another language that does not include Spanish or French. It is absolutely wonderful to listen to and speak with people in a language not many people understand.

First off, you can pretty much say anything about anyone and it doesn't matter, because no one else understands what you are saying. This happens a fair bit when my family from the Netherlands comes over for a bit. Oh what fun... though I do sort of feel bad for those people who have no idea what is going on.

Secondly, sort of in addition to the previous point, you can say all of the inappropriate things that would be considered uncouth in your homeland. For example, today at Boondocks my Opa said he needed to go to the "pisbak". Look it up, if you can, you may get a giggle, because my family sure did.

Finally, there is the simple joy of being able to speak a particular language, and if ever you reach the country of it's 'origin' you will be able to converse with the local people, even if it is not as fluent as you like. Also, you will be able to find your way around a bit easier than one who does not speak the language.

Well, these are only a few of the benefits of learning a not-so-common language, but they pretty much are the bones to the skeleton. Hopefully, from this very commercial blog, you will begin to work on a language (other than French or Spanish, which too have there benefits) and will be able to understand what I mean by these three points.

As sure as the sun sets in the west and the moon rises in the east... Peace out!

Update:

Now I am home and have been for about a week and a half. The Monday after I got home, I started to work once again at Pazzles. No break for me this time, I've got to make some money. It sucks to have that kind of pressure. Working at Pazzles isn't as awful as I imagined it would be. Despite the fact that I don't particularly enjoy production, the people there are what make it worth while.

Pete is our repair tech that immigrated over from Hungary during his early teen years. He's quite funny and has some interesting tattoos. He pretty much helps brighten up my day whenever he's around.

Lisa is our... I don't quite know... but she does a lot. She too is an emigrant and is from England. She is my primary source for figuring out what I should do or make, but I believe there will be a new person coming in this week that will start doing that. She too is quite hilarious and doesn't take herself too seriously, which at this job, you shouldn't.

Tatum is a sweetheart and quite opinionated. She's quite an interesting person to be with and has a good sense of humor. I believe she takes technical support calls and does other random things like print stuff for me or whoever.

Amanda, who used to babysit me, is just funny and amazing and gets herself into situations where people tend to make fun of her. She does it all by herself too. She gets the job of working with the design team and basically decides what supplies they get to use for whatever craft projects they have planned. I think she also helps with the choosing of the theme.

These are only a few of the people who help make my workday by giving me a giggle or two. Its because of the office dynamic that we are all able to do our jobs and maintain a level of sanity, because it sure as the sky is blue is not because of the nagging customers.

But anyway... enough about work...

My grandparents from the Netherlands are here. They actually arrived the Thursday after I got home, so now I am sleeping in the guest room and they are in my bedroom. There is a simple explanation for why they aren't sleeping in the guest room... my oma had hip replacement surgery about 7 months ago and is not able to get out of the bed in that room as easily as she is able to get out of my bed. So my mom kicked me out for the five weeks of their visit. Funny thing is, I leave for the Netherlands 2 days before they do, so I will not be reunited with my own bed until almost the end of July. Sad story, I know, but its for a good cause.

Also, just Sunday I got to hang out with my friend KT for a couple hours. It was so nice to talk with her in person once more. While we were hanging out, I realized that we are quite scarily similar despite our differences. It was really cool.

I'm looking forward to happenings in the next couple weeks. For instance, next Wednesday, Walhof is driving through and said he would give me a call once he arrived at Jeremiah's. I'm pretty stoked to see him again. Then the Wednesday after that Paul is coming to town for a week. I guess I'm stoked to see him too. And then the Monday after he leaves I will be taking off for the Netherlands and get to hang out with 7 more Dordt people and an amazing professor. It will be nice to see people from school during the summer as opposed to having nearly 4 months of absence.

So yeah... despite the frustrations of becoming part of a family unit once again, there are many things that are coming to help keep me sane. I love my family dearly, but coming back with the combined stress of not being in my own room has been having its tole on me. Oh well...

In conclusion, things are going well here and I am still alive and kicking. Hopefully I will not wait this long to write another blog... sorry... Its not like I haven't tried to write, I just couldn't figure anything out to write about... Anyway...

Until next time... water your flowers and feed your dogs.

This is for those of you who think I have completely forgotten about blogging...

Well I have news for you, I haven't. Lately, whenever I open the blog-writing-window, nothing comes to mind for me to write about, and since I haven't been too keen on writing about what I feel may be complete nonsense, I have simply not written. Sorry, from the bottom of my heart.

However, now I am giving myself about 8 more minutes to write some quick things down before I go and study for 3 hours for my final test. It has sort of been a flustered past couple days, just trying to plan out when to study, when to pack, when to clean, and when to simply spend time with friends. Well now the walls of my dorm are bare, two boxes are in storage and one test remains. Fortunately, having done well enough in my classes, none of these tests are stressing me out to an unbearable point, giving me the chance to do things I must.

Tomorrow, after my final, will be devoted to the packing and cleaning of the remainder of the dorm. We are technically going to check out tomorrow at 11 am, which I do not necessarily understand why so soon, because I sure don't have time to prepare. But anyway, the fact still lies.

It's bitter-sweet to be doing all of these things. Yes, it will be nice to go home for the summer and work and go on vacation and such, but at the same time... I am going to miss people. Although, at this point in the year, it will be nice to get away from all the things that have been happening, and simply reflect on them. Oh yes, reflection is wonderful.

Good news!!! I got my summer job back, which is amazing and wonderful, because that means I can earn money for my trip and tuition. YAY!

Well, time's up! Hope all of you have a blessed rest of your week. Tune in next time and don't forget to tip your waiters!