Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Friday, August 17, 2007
i need a new blog
I feel like I need to put this blog to rest...
I closed the Australia chapter of my life. But at the same time, it's pretty hard to let every part of that experience slide to the back of my mind. Today when I was unpacking/cleaning my room (which I've been doing for the past two weeks and am just now nearing the end of it,) I found my notebook from Australia. I usually don't keep a planner, so I just carry around a notebook that I scribble in whenever I need to remember something. It's full of to-do lists and phone numbers, dates, little memorabilia from places I've been, budgets, etc. It is basically my entire life stuffed in a notebook. In this case, it was a little green notebook, which is now outside stuffed in the overflowing "rubbish bin" on the curb. Adieu, adieu, adieu...
In other news, wedding planning is going well, I just finished registering for the classes I'll be taking in the fall, and I'm finally starting to settle in at home. My room is almost in livable condition, although it will be sad to part with the guest room bed...
I'm not working yet, but I'll start after labor day weekend. In the meantime, I'm playing House Elf, cooking and cleaning for my parents and basically being their personal slave. This month is really crazy for both of them at work, so I'm more than happy to help out. Perhaps the domestic goddess side of me will stick around for a while.
Well, theres my measly update, I'll write more soon - perhaps once I think of a new name for my blog.
I closed the Australia chapter of my life. But at the same time, it's pretty hard to let every part of that experience slide to the back of my mind. Today when I was unpacking/cleaning my room (which I've been doing for the past two weeks and am just now nearing the end of it,) I found my notebook from Australia. I usually don't keep a planner, so I just carry around a notebook that I scribble in whenever I need to remember something. It's full of to-do lists and phone numbers, dates, little memorabilia from places I've been, budgets, etc. It is basically my entire life stuffed in a notebook. In this case, it was a little green notebook, which is now outside stuffed in the overflowing "rubbish bin" on the curb. Adieu, adieu, adieu...
In other news, wedding planning is going well, I just finished registering for the classes I'll be taking in the fall, and I'm finally starting to settle in at home. My room is almost in livable condition, although it will be sad to part with the guest room bed...
I'm not working yet, but I'll start after labor day weekend. In the meantime, I'm playing House Elf, cooking and cleaning for my parents and basically being their personal slave. This month is really crazy for both of them at work, so I'm more than happy to help out. Perhaps the domestic goddess side of me will stick around for a while.
Well, theres my measly update, I'll write more soon - perhaps once I think of a new name for my blog.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Home and Away
I'm finally back in the states, and have been for about a week now.
Naturally I came home with a sinus infection and nasty cold, probably caused by the freezing cold New Zealand weather and the stress of coming home. This past week has gone by way too quickly. I was looking forward to relaxing and spending time catching up with friends and with Jon. Instead, I ended up spending way too much time wedding planning with my mother, that and sleeping. Obviously I needed the rest since I was sick, but I just saw the week slipping away and now it's Saturday and I'm leaving again for another week. I should be loading the car right about now, but I'm not even packed. The thought of putting my life in a suitcase again, even if it's only for a week, makes me want to cry. I'm not ready to travel again, I just want to be comfortable and home and with my family.
This week has been draining. Jon has been here and it's been a struggle learning how to allow him into my life again. I got so used to being completely independent. I'm not used to being hugged and cuddled and it's weird having that again so suddenly. I'm starting to get comfortable again, but I guess I was expecting my Australia barrier to be more emotional than physical, and it was in fact the opposite.
So today I'm heading to my cabin in Central Oregon, and then over to Black Butte tomorrow. I'll be there until Friday, then Jon and I will head back to the Portland area for a wedding. I'm really looking forward to vacation, although I'm a little stressed. It's really hard to let people cook for me, especially after all the issues I had with my host mom and food in Australia. I also don't know several of the couples who will be there, and as it turns out, I can be pretty shy when first meeting people. I would love to just stay home and rest, but I need a vacation as well. I love Black Butte so much and it will be wonderful just to enjoy nature and peace and quite for a week. I'm a little bummed that they don't allow fireworks though :(
Well, off to try and pack.
-Kristin
Naturally I came home with a sinus infection and nasty cold, probably caused by the freezing cold New Zealand weather and the stress of coming home. This past week has gone by way too quickly. I was looking forward to relaxing and spending time catching up with friends and with Jon. Instead, I ended up spending way too much time wedding planning with my mother, that and sleeping. Obviously I needed the rest since I was sick, but I just saw the week slipping away and now it's Saturday and I'm leaving again for another week. I should be loading the car right about now, but I'm not even packed. The thought of putting my life in a suitcase again, even if it's only for a week, makes me want to cry. I'm not ready to travel again, I just want to be comfortable and home and with my family.
This week has been draining. Jon has been here and it's been a struggle learning how to allow him into my life again. I got so used to being completely independent. I'm not used to being hugged and cuddled and it's weird having that again so suddenly. I'm starting to get comfortable again, but I guess I was expecting my Australia barrier to be more emotional than physical, and it was in fact the opposite.
So today I'm heading to my cabin in Central Oregon, and then over to Black Butte tomorrow. I'll be there until Friday, then Jon and I will head back to the Portland area for a wedding. I'm really looking forward to vacation, although I'm a little stressed. It's really hard to let people cook for me, especially after all the issues I had with my host mom and food in Australia. I also don't know several of the couples who will be there, and as it turns out, I can be pretty shy when first meeting people. I would love to just stay home and rest, but I need a vacation as well. I love Black Butte so much and it will be wonderful just to enjoy nature and peace and quite for a week. I'm a little bummed that they don't allow fireworks though :(
Well, off to try and pack.
-Kristin
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Lasts
Today was a day of lasts...
The last time I rode the bus. The last time I went to Pancakes. The last time I saw the Opera House and the Harbor Bridge. The last time I got coffee at my favorite stand. The last time I went to Market City. The last time I saw Newtown. The last time I went out with Gail and Tinga. And the saddest part, it was the last night Sarah and I walked to Burwood and back. I'm going to miss her.
And now is the last time I will be sitting at this table... in this living room... at this apartment... it is my last night in Sydney and I'm heartbroken to be saying goodbye to all the things I have begun to love so dearly.
In less than 12 hours I will be leaving this city. Perhaps forever. It's so bittersweet.
The last time I rode the bus. The last time I went to Pancakes. The last time I saw the Opera House and the Harbor Bridge. The last time I got coffee at my favorite stand. The last time I went to Market City. The last time I saw Newtown. The last time I went out with Gail and Tinga. And the saddest part, it was the last night Sarah and I walked to Burwood and back. I'm going to miss her.
And now is the last time I will be sitting at this table... in this living room... at this apartment... it is my last night in Sydney and I'm heartbroken to be saying goodbye to all the things I have begun to love so dearly.
In less than 12 hours I will be leaving this city. Perhaps forever. It's so bittersweet.
Sunday, June 03, 2007
How Have I Grown?
As part of our Australian Studies Program, I am required to write an 18-page critical reflection paper on what I've learned since I've been here. The paper is broken down in to two page sections, each in regards to a different unit we studied (ie - foreign policy, government and politics, hospitality, etc.). I've already started thinking about this paper, wondering what it is that I've learned, and I guess I wanted to write my own mini-reflection here to perhaps inspire my paper, as well as give myself the chance to really process how I've changed.
When I came to Australia, I expected to grow a lot closer to God.
I though I would be lonely, depressed to be away from friends and loved ones, and I'd end up spending a lot of time in the word and pursuing my relationship with God on perhaps a deeper level than I had been before this trip. My first couple weeks here, I did. I spent a lot of time reading my bible, in prayer, and just reflecting on my life and relationship with God. Then I made friends, and that faded into the background, perhaps more than it should have.
...Yet, I am leaving this place changed. Perhaps not externally, minus the few extra pounds I've packed on, but internally. The classes I've taken here have taught me more about God than I've learned in a lifetime of church. Perhaps I should have realized this earlier in my life, but the pursuance of knowledge is invaluable. To understand God in a historical, academic context lays the foundation for a stronger relationship with Him. This semester I did not grow close to God in the way I expected, but I learned an incredible amount about Him, knowledge that I will carry with me for a lifetime, and it will help me to understand the God I already love.
Anyway, that's my little blurb for the day.
Only 19 days until I'm home.
I can't believe this is almost over.
-Kristin
When I came to Australia, I expected to grow a lot closer to God.
I though I would be lonely, depressed to be away from friends and loved ones, and I'd end up spending a lot of time in the word and pursuing my relationship with God on perhaps a deeper level than I had been before this trip. My first couple weeks here, I did. I spent a lot of time reading my bible, in prayer, and just reflecting on my life and relationship with God. Then I made friends, and that faded into the background, perhaps more than it should have.
...Yet, I am leaving this place changed. Perhaps not externally, minus the few extra pounds I've packed on, but internally. The classes I've taken here have taught me more about God than I've learned in a lifetime of church. Perhaps I should have realized this earlier in my life, but the pursuance of knowledge is invaluable. To understand God in a historical, academic context lays the foundation for a stronger relationship with Him. This semester I did not grow close to God in the way I expected, but I learned an incredible amount about Him, knowledge that I will carry with me for a lifetime, and it will help me to understand the God I already love.
Anyway, that's my little blurb for the day.
Only 19 days until I'm home.
I can't believe this is almost over.
-Kristin
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Monday, May 28, 2007
Longest Week Ever!
I have four papers due this week as well as a presentation.
Today I turned in the first two essays, one was 12 pages and the other was 6.
Tomorrow I have an 8 page paper due.
Wednesday I have a 4 pager paper due.
Friday is my presentation on Aboriginal sports.
I am so exhausted already. I haven't been sleeping much since I've been doing homework perpetually, plus I'm getting sick. Thankfully I have a caring roommate and host mum who are force feeding me orange juice and tea. Only two more days of paper writing, presentation writing on Thursday, then I'm (almost) home free!
I cannot wait to come back. I'll be on vacation for two weeks, just relaxing, catching up with friends and family, and eating lots of dark chocolate :)
Leaving here will be bittersweet, but I'm ready to go back. I only have 19 days left in Sydney, 5 days in New Zealand, and then I'LL BE HOME! I am so, so, so excited.
Today I turned in the first two essays, one was 12 pages and the other was 6.
Tomorrow I have an 8 page paper due.
Wednesday I have a 4 pager paper due.
Friday is my presentation on Aboriginal sports.
I am so exhausted already. I haven't been sleeping much since I've been doing homework perpetually, plus I'm getting sick. Thankfully I have a caring roommate and host mum who are force feeding me orange juice and tea. Only two more days of paper writing, presentation writing on Thursday, then I'm (almost) home free!
I cannot wait to come back. I'll be on vacation for two weeks, just relaxing, catching up with friends and family, and eating lots of dark chocolate :)
Leaving here will be bittersweet, but I'm ready to go back. I only have 19 days left in Sydney, 5 days in New Zealand, and then I'LL BE HOME! I am so, so, so excited.
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