Resolution #1: Think of a Good Title

1.4.2016

I feel as though I have so much to say, and yet as I sit here the words are all somehow locked. It’s always interesting – this transition from Christmas to the new year. As Christmas decorations come down and new year’s resolutions go up, I see many people (myself included) reflect on their past year – the good, the bad, the unresolved, and the answers we wish we had.

As I’m writing this, the Beatles are playing from my itunes as if they’re trying to give their input. “But tomorrow may rain, so, I’ll follow the sun.” Personally I love the rain and would be happy to follow it around, but they have a point. One we’ve always known, but often forget to apply. Being here is really teaching me to live each day, for itself. Not for what it will mean for my future, but what it means now. There are endless things that will always need to be done. Endless planning to do. If not for the project just finished, but for the neglected one in the corner, or the one coming in the mail. There’s always something to take us from today and launch us into what we need to do for tomorrow. Now, don’t get me wrong, it would be irresponsible to neglect things necessary for the future. That isn’t how things work. If tomorrow’s gonna rain, perhaps consider buying an umbrella. But it’s so easy to get caught up in those kinds of things. When I’m on break from school at home, there’s always things to do – planning for the following quarter, projects around the house, etc. I’m rambling now but seriously. Why don’t we push ourselves out of our comfort zones more often? Why do we wait for a vacation before we do something exciting? I’m trying to do that here – do things I’m scared to do. Take full advantage of opportunities, even if I don’t know how it will all work out. Obviously I’ve got a lot of learning to do, but that’s how it goes. And if I can do that here, in what some would say is an exotic setting, why can’t I apply the same principles at home? Food for thought for myself.

Speaking of exciting, Happy New Year everyone! Wanna guess how I rang in the new year? Sound asleep. What?! I’m 20 and I slept through the new year?! Yep, and it was great! New Year’s Eve was spent with a lazy morning, a late afternoon run through the tea fields, and a good dinner with the Haytons. Then I retired and, super excitingly, was able to skype some of my favorite people before I ran out of internet. So it wasn’t the most thrilling New Year, but I woke up New Year’s Day feeling refreshed and loved. I hope you all woke up feeling the same!

School has been somewhat lax this past week because of the holidays and surprising number of birthday parties, so that’s been nice for the boys. Last Wednesday was spent putting together a Christmas gift of Jett’s, which though it looks quite easy to build took Benson and I all morning to complete! Every single piece had to be screwed in as well as all connecting pieces. We probably had at least 30 screws as well as figuring out how all the pieces fit together. And only picture examples – no word descriptions. I could have sworn it came from IKEA. BUT I am pretty proud of the finished product and the boys all love it! I even drop cars down the ramp occasionally. Never too old right? :) This week we’re slowly getting back on schedule, and currently we’re reading “Snow Treasure.” It’s a happy feeling to have the boys beg for “one more chapter” because knowing they like the book I brought for them is a tiny success. I really enjoy teaching them – something that somewhat surprised me. I didn’t know teaching could be so rewarding! I mean it’s what teachers always say, but until you step into the role yourself, you never quite understand it.

The down times are good too though. I received a tin of peppermint hot chocolate in a care package and it’s wonderfully relaxing to make a hot cup and sit out on the covered porch of the guest house – during a rain storm. It’s a good place to get lost in thought. I always feel that rain has amazing cleansing qualities, not to mention it makes everything green! You’ll have to excuse my PNW blood showing through! ;)

With that I’ll being my post to a close. For everyone who has snow in their front yard at the moment, enjoy it! For those in the sunshine, go find some rain. Just kidding. Enjoy the sun! :) Happy New Year to all, and to all a good night. <3 Here are some pictures of the Haytons and various animals/insects!

Going to market last friday, Dustin and I came across some guys playing mancala, but a different version than I grew up with. We both watched in awe and then Dustin gave it a go. He won, but neither of us really understand it still! New goal I suppose.