Today I have been spending over 4 hours straight in the library, and I’m expecting to spend 324,989,843,839 hours more. This lovely thesis is keeping me engrossed with numerous books and articles about identity. It’s funny how I am having the hardest time coming up with the benefits and reasons why my thesis topic of ethnic identity development is important to research. You would think that I would know the answer right away. Wrong. Well, at least I thought I knew all the reasons. Frustrated I went to the restroom for the 100th time in order to clear my mind.
After doing my duty, I looked up into the mirror while washing my hands. Well, there it is, my reflection staring right back at me. I noticed my black curly hair surrounding my face and my brown eyes staring right into my own soul.
I was looking at my identity.
My heritage was screaming from my features.Taking a deep breath, I freaked myself out and walked, very fast, out of the bathroom.
Strolling back to my seat through the bookshelves, I was looking at all the titles and noticed I was in Anthropology section. Then the Latin American books popped out at me. I couldn’t resist. I sat for about 20 minutes flipping page after page of images of the beauties of Latin America. At the same time, my mind began to fill with my own memories. Then I picked up the Guatemala book.
I seconded guessed if it was wise to go through that book. “Oh, what the hell”, I said to myself.
The images of the Maya Indians and the scenery pictures did more justice that I thought it would. With a pull at my heart, I placed the book on the self and walked back to my seat.
Papa Lima is driving from Guatemala to Houston as I type this. I was so jealous that he was able to go back to the Motherland. Reconciliation needed to happen. The next time that I will go back to Guatemala, it will be by myself. No external influences; just me, the motherland, and anti-diarrhea medicine.
My obsession with Identity development started in my senior year of undergrad, right after my study abroad experience (hence the thesis topic). I was doing an independent study in Cultural Anthropology, which then added fuel to the fire. When I read this quote in Anthropological Insights for Missionaries, by Paul G. Hiebert, it all made sense to me:
“We who live in the bicultural community are generally marginal people who in many ways do not fit anywhere. Since we live on the borderline between different worlds, we find that no matter where we are, we are not quite at home. We are never fully assimilated into our second culture, but after a while we no longer fit our first culture either, because we have been changed and influenced by our experiences... This loss of identity in our first culture is not only social. It is also cultural. When we return, we can no longer identify uncritically with our home culture, nation, or even denomination. Consequently, when we criticize them, we so arouse the suspicions of our relatives and friends that they accuse us of disloyalty and even heresy…
Psychologically, because we internalize two persons belonging to two worlds, we face an identity crisis and need to find out who we really are. As we have already seen, we may choose to reject one or the other of our two identities, but thereby we kill part of who we really are. We can compartmentalize our existences, living as one person in one world and as the other person in another world. The result is cultural schizophrenia. Or we can seek to integrate our two selves into a single integrated whole, but this is a difficult process, for we must find a resolution to the fundamental differences that do exist between our two cultural selves.”
As I am on this journey of finding my cultural identity, I know that I have one identity which beats out all theories or studies. My true identity is in Christ. Hands down. Yes, I have dark crazy hair and can't say all the English vowels correctly, but I am a child of God.
I am His daughter. I am His beloved. I am called to live that out every day.
My friends here in Indiana are His too. It’s not just my identity in Christ but they have it in Him too. We are called to come together and “become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
I Eat Baby Carrots Instead
(Note: This is a second post on little insights into my life. Also they are in no particular order.)
1) I prefer to be called Lima. Even though I have a pretty cool first name, Melissa, being called Lima brings another sense of identity. It may have to do with the fact that Lima is the capital of Peru, and I like it when people think I’m from Peru. Then they get confused of where I am from and then I look mysterious to them. (Side note: some people actually do call me Peru for that reason…which is also one of my favorite nicknames) “Lima” is shorter and it sounds cooler. It sounds triple cool when a two year old says it.
2) Just to clarify, when I say “I miss Texas”, it’s more of I miss the people that are currently located in Texas. The state itself does have some unique and beautiful things about it, but it’s not the “greatest nation” in the world. Officially, I am from Texas since I have been “living” there for four years. Yet when people ask me where I am from…I have no idea what to say, but that’s a different story. I miss my people down in Texas. Although, the Mexican food down there is not as bad. Oh yeah, and I have blood family down there. That would do it for me.
3) Pet peeve: When people chew with their mouth open and talk with food in their mouth. Close your mouth when you eat. It’s gross…I don’t want to see it. Ew.
4) I’m addicted to coffee. Enough said.
5) I watch too much TV and movies. Society also puts a damper on how bad it is for watching TV and movies in mass quantities. It’s not like I sit all day on the couch with a bag of potatoes chips and watch reruns of “Everybody Loves Raymond”…I eat baby carrots instead. I will admit that I like to watch the wittiness of Juno and listen to the melodies of Grease.
6) I get this high satisfaction feeling when I find a new favorite song. I will listen to that song over and over again until I can sing it in my sleep. I would like to take this time to thank Starbucks and itunes for providing free “discovery” music.
7) I hate wearing wet clothes. They stick to your body. Then they get damp and it gets more uncomfortable. I feel like I can’t touch anything. I don’t want to sit anywhere. I just feel stuck.
8) I think in both English and Spanish. I also dream in both languages. Side note: if I am yelling at you in Spanish that means that I’m too upset to translate it in English.
9) I love books and art.
10) I do not like living alone. It’s creepy. It’s boring. It’s lame.
1) I prefer to be called Lima. Even though I have a pretty cool first name, Melissa, being called Lima brings another sense of identity. It may have to do with the fact that Lima is the capital of Peru, and I like it when people think I’m from Peru. Then they get confused of where I am from and then I look mysterious to them. (Side note: some people actually do call me Peru for that reason…which is also one of my favorite nicknames) “Lima” is shorter and it sounds cooler. It sounds triple cool when a two year old says it.
2) Just to clarify, when I say “I miss Texas”, it’s more of I miss the people that are currently located in Texas. The state itself does have some unique and beautiful things about it, but it’s not the “greatest nation” in the world. Officially, I am from Texas since I have been “living” there for four years. Yet when people ask me where I am from…I have no idea what to say, but that’s a different story. I miss my people down in Texas. Although, the Mexican food down there is not as bad. Oh yeah, and I have blood family down there. That would do it for me.
3) Pet peeve: When people chew with their mouth open and talk with food in their mouth. Close your mouth when you eat. It’s gross…I don’t want to see it. Ew.
4) I’m addicted to coffee. Enough said.
5) I watch too much TV and movies. Society also puts a damper on how bad it is for watching TV and movies in mass quantities. It’s not like I sit all day on the couch with a bag of potatoes chips and watch reruns of “Everybody Loves Raymond”…I eat baby carrots instead. I will admit that I like to watch the wittiness of Juno and listen to the melodies of Grease.
6) I get this high satisfaction feeling when I find a new favorite song. I will listen to that song over and over again until I can sing it in my sleep. I would like to take this time to thank Starbucks and itunes for providing free “discovery” music.
7) I hate wearing wet clothes. They stick to your body. Then they get damp and it gets more uncomfortable. I feel like I can’t touch anything. I don’t want to sit anywhere. I just feel stuck.
8) I think in both English and Spanish. I also dream in both languages. Side note: if I am yelling at you in Spanish that means that I’m too upset to translate it in English.
9) I love books and art.
10) I do not like living alone. It’s creepy. It’s boring. It’s lame.
Me trying to be artisty at a museum in Dallas, TX.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
With the Uncles Making Jokes
Sitting here in my office on this Saturday night, I am fighting the urge of jumping in my car and driving the 18 hours to Houston. This lovely thing called a thesis, has been keeping me occupied with research and writing. Yet no matter how consumed I am in identity development theories and the effects of study abroad, my mind still wanders home. I did not realize how much family means to me until this past week. Receiving a phone call from my mom on Tuesday night, turned my world upside down. The family is going through a rough time, she said. What is going on, I thought to myself.
Why is this happening? Why am I here in Indiana when I want to be in Guatemala and Houston? When my mom informed me of the news, my heart broke into a million pieces. I felt hurt, dissapointed and pain, but also powerless. I knew that no matter how emotional I was, I had no control over the situation.
Just pray, my mom said. I want to go home, I responded. I know, she replied.
Driving past the cornfields that Tuesday night, my mind flooded with memories of my childhood and Guatemala. I recalled the times I spent playing marbles with the neighborhood boys. I remembered how I would go to the market every day with my grandma to get tomatoes and beans. I remembered the beauty of Guatemala’s scenery. I remembered snuggling close to my grandfather while he rambled on about politics. I remembered squeezing between my cousins on the overcrowded bus. I remembered picking mangoes off my great grandparent’s trees in their garden. I remembered the smell of coffee overflowing my aunt’s kitchen. I remembered the parties that lasted till 3am. I remembered eating tamales. I remembered falling on my butt while playing soccer in the mud and how all the boys laughed at me. I remembered walking through the streets of my dad’s small hometown and looking up at the stars. I remembered how blissful it was to be a child in the beautiful country of Guatemala.
I am thankful for the community that Taylor University provides. I have gracious and compassionate professors who say that “there are some things in life that are more important than a thesis.”
I love my family. I get frustrated with them. I am frustrated with them. They make mistakes. We do not have similar views and perceptions about life, but I make mistakes too. They are my family. They were there for my surprise quinceañera party. They love me even though I am the “odd ball” of the family. They will do anything for me in heartbeat, just like I would.
My mind wandered for a bit while I was writing my thesis earlier this evening. I started looking over my pictures of Costa Rica. Love that place. It was there that I started to embrace who I was. (Hence, my thesis topic) In Costa Rica, I realized how much I appreciate my family and how much they keep me grounded. I can easily get so consumed with life here in Indiana. My family keeps me true to my roots. They remind me that love is all I need. In Costa Rica, I witnessed different family interactions that were similar to my family. It was there that I missed my family. I missed the yelling at each other in Spanglish. The babies crying. The loud aunts nagging. The rosters. The uncles making jokes. The tile floors. The grandpa talking about who knows what. The cousins picking on each other. The heat of Guatemala. The food. The smell. The laughter. The tears. The comfort. The love. I miss it all.
Why is this happening? Why am I here in Indiana when I want to be in Guatemala and Houston? When my mom informed me of the news, my heart broke into a million pieces. I felt hurt, dissapointed and pain, but also powerless. I knew that no matter how emotional I was, I had no control over the situation.
Just pray, my mom said. I want to go home, I responded. I know, she replied.
Driving past the cornfields that Tuesday night, my mind flooded with memories of my childhood and Guatemala. I recalled the times I spent playing marbles with the neighborhood boys. I remembered how I would go to the market every day with my grandma to get tomatoes and beans. I remembered the beauty of Guatemala’s scenery. I remembered snuggling close to my grandfather while he rambled on about politics. I remembered squeezing between my cousins on the overcrowded bus. I remembered picking mangoes off my great grandparent’s trees in their garden. I remembered the smell of coffee overflowing my aunt’s kitchen. I remembered the parties that lasted till 3am. I remembered eating tamales. I remembered falling on my butt while playing soccer in the mud and how all the boys laughed at me. I remembered walking through the streets of my dad’s small hometown and looking up at the stars. I remembered how blissful it was to be a child in the beautiful country of Guatemala.
I am thankful for the community that Taylor University provides. I have gracious and compassionate professors who say that “there are some things in life that are more important than a thesis.”
I love my family. I get frustrated with them. I am frustrated with them. They make mistakes. We do not have similar views and perceptions about life, but I make mistakes too. They are my family. They were there for my surprise quinceañera party. They love me even though I am the “odd ball” of the family. They will do anything for me in heartbeat, just like I would.
My mind wandered for a bit while I was writing my thesis earlier this evening. I started looking over my pictures of Costa Rica. Love that place. It was there that I started to embrace who I was. (Hence, my thesis topic) In Costa Rica, I realized how much I appreciate my family and how much they keep me grounded. I can easily get so consumed with life here in Indiana. My family keeps me true to my roots. They remind me that love is all I need. In Costa Rica, I witnessed different family interactions that were similar to my family. It was there that I missed my family. I missed the yelling at each other in Spanglish. The babies crying. The loud aunts nagging. The rosters. The uncles making jokes. The tile floors. The grandpa talking about who knows what. The cousins picking on each other. The heat of Guatemala. The food. The smell. The laughter. The tears. The comfort. The love. I miss it all.
The pops and I trying to catch our breath while "walking" through a rainforest in Costa Rica.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Only a Week
I have been back in the states for only 5 days and I’m still processing my week in El Salvador. Its funny how even though I was there for a week, I am still taking a good while to process what happened. (Yes, there is a popular conversation among Christian circles about short-term missions and if they are still effective or not, but that is a whole another can of worms) I am talking about how in that short week and the relationships I started can spark a week or even a month of me reflecting and basking in the memories. I found myself zoning out in the beauty of the view of the volcanoes and wondering how I could be looking at God’s beauty and not be awed. I caught myself several times to stop the tears whenever a flashback from my childhood overwhelmed my mind. I questioned myself what was I do now that I have heard different voices.
What am I to do with all this knowledge? What am I to do with all this experience?
We arrived back in Indiana on Tuesday morning at 1:30am. I had class all day from 9am to 4pm. At 10:30am, I found myself lying on my bed. I hit a wall. Physically and emotionally, I was done.
What was I suppose to do? What just happened? What do I do now?
I was back to asking myself the same questions a year ago when I was experiencing re-entry from my semester abroad. Yes, it was only a week. Technically a week is not even a scratch on the service when it comes to culture shock. It will take at least a month for the “touristic” feeling to wear off and reality hits you in the face. But in this specif past week, different emotions and memories were triggered. Lying on my bed, I couldn’t move. Not only was I sick to my stomach but my mind was stuck. I felt frustrated.
Shouldn’t I be use to this? My whole life I have been faced with cross-cultural experiences. Ever since I was 6 months old, my mother would take me back to my roots in Guatemala. Now I am 23 years old and still seeking out my identity. I should be a pro at this. The funny thing is I am not.
Fast forward a couple of days, I am back to my “old self” again. I am even working out again and taking warm showers. But I’m still wondering. I’m still thinking. I’m still processing. I have this incredible desire to throw my thesis into the garbage, fill my backpack with clean underwear and anti-diarrhea pills and jump on the next plane to Guatemala or Costa Rica. Yet a part of me is so relieved to be back in my comfy bed and carpeted floors. I guess what my main point is that I feel as though I am split into two different people. The adventurous Lima that says “Pura Vida” and backpacks through Latin America and then there is the settled Lima that enjoys easy access to materialism and Starbucks. I am not stating that balances these both sides is not a major struggle. Yes, it’s hard but it’s who I am. It is who I am created to be. What I am required to do is embrace them and continue to seek out how to live these two sides in the will of God.
He has placed me in this context for a reason. His glory shines through all of this.
There is a reason why my parents immigrated to the states in the 70’s.
There is a reason why I was born in southern California and raised in New Hampshire.
There is a reason why I am a first-generation graduate student.
What am I to do with all this knowledge? What am I to do with all this experience?
We arrived back in Indiana on Tuesday morning at 1:30am. I had class all day from 9am to 4pm. At 10:30am, I found myself lying on my bed. I hit a wall. Physically and emotionally, I was done.
What was I suppose to do? What just happened? What do I do now?
I was back to asking myself the same questions a year ago when I was experiencing re-entry from my semester abroad. Yes, it was only a week. Technically a week is not even a scratch on the service when it comes to culture shock. It will take at least a month for the “touristic” feeling to wear off and reality hits you in the face. But in this specif past week, different emotions and memories were triggered. Lying on my bed, I couldn’t move. Not only was I sick to my stomach but my mind was stuck. I felt frustrated.
Shouldn’t I be use to this? My whole life I have been faced with cross-cultural experiences. Ever since I was 6 months old, my mother would take me back to my roots in Guatemala. Now I am 23 years old and still seeking out my identity. I should be a pro at this. The funny thing is I am not.
Fast forward a couple of days, I am back to my “old self” again. I am even working out again and taking warm showers. But I’m still wondering. I’m still thinking. I’m still processing. I have this incredible desire to throw my thesis into the garbage, fill my backpack with clean underwear and anti-diarrhea pills and jump on the next plane to Guatemala or Costa Rica. Yet a part of me is so relieved to be back in my comfy bed and carpeted floors. I guess what my main point is that I feel as though I am split into two different people. The adventurous Lima that says “Pura Vida” and backpacks through Latin America and then there is the settled Lima that enjoys easy access to materialism and Starbucks. I am not stating that balances these both sides is not a major struggle. Yes, it’s hard but it’s who I am. It is who I am created to be. What I am required to do is embrace them and continue to seek out how to live these two sides in the will of God.
He has placed me in this context for a reason. His glory shines through all of this.
There is a reason why my parents immigrated to the states in the 70’s.
There is a reason why I was born in southern California and raised in New Hampshire.
There is a reason why I am a first-generation graduate student.
There is a reason why I am in Indiana.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
In four days
The time for Spring Break is coming close. In about four days I will be boarding a plane, along with 12 students, to our final destination in San Salvador. Along with essentials and clothing, we will be carrying supplies of vacation Bible school materials and clothes to be able to perform some construction work. We will be fighting all different ranges of emotions from excitement to anxiety to nervousness to fear. For some of us, this will be our first time traveling to a different country. For the rest of us, this is another experience that we would be able to put on the list of places where we saw God working. Due to the time of the flight, some of us would be functioning on 1-2 hours of sleep or nothing at all. Three of us would have to reassure ourselves that, as leaders, we have got this and to expect the unknown. For the 12 of us, we have to trust the leadership and open our minds to what will be present to us. One of us would fight to not think about their thesis proposal that is due the day after they come back. Some of us would enter that flight not knowing that we may be the ones that got sick because we drank the water. A number of us would be grateful for the change of the scenery we would be exposed to. One of us would remember the time when they were a freshmen going on her first spring break mission trip and how that would change the course of her life.
Leading the trip to El Salvador is already stretching and growing me in so many ways that it will probably take me a couple of weeks to process. I am learning a good amount of leadership with my co-leaders. They remind me that it’s crucial to think about the details and that it is ok to have a plan. They also provide insight to the logistical aspect of the trip. I know that I’m already having an effect on them due to the trust that they continue to place on me. They ask for my insight and advice on how a certain situation should be dealt with or how a student would feel.
In four days, I would be facing a week of new lessons and experiences. I would have to make some decisions that would be uncomfortable or awkward. I would have to rely on the students and their abilities and skills. I would have to let go on what is happening back in grad school. I would have to remind myself what leadership is about. I would have to give up a couple of luxuries to fully enjoy the opportunity I have. I would have to embrace humility and vulnerability in front of my students. I would have to remind the students of the simple life lessons. I would have to remind myself to stop talking and listen.
I’m not nervous. I’m anxious. Let’s get this thing started. I want to already be there. Bring it on, El Salvador, bring it on.
Leading the trip to El Salvador is already stretching and growing me in so many ways that it will probably take me a couple of weeks to process. I am learning a good amount of leadership with my co-leaders. They remind me that it’s crucial to think about the details and that it is ok to have a plan. They also provide insight to the logistical aspect of the trip. I know that I’m already having an effect on them due to the trust that they continue to place on me. They ask for my insight and advice on how a certain situation should be dealt with or how a student would feel.
In four days, I would be facing a week of new lessons and experiences. I would have to make some decisions that would be uncomfortable or awkward. I would have to rely on the students and their abilities and skills. I would have to let go on what is happening back in grad school. I would have to remind myself what leadership is about. I would have to give up a couple of luxuries to fully enjoy the opportunity I have. I would have to embrace humility and vulnerability in front of my students. I would have to remind the students of the simple life lessons. I would have to remind myself to stop talking and listen.
I’m not nervous. I’m anxious. Let’s get this thing started. I want to already be there. Bring it on, El Salvador, bring it on.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
random information
Throughout my day, I always think of the random things. I always wish I could write down everything I think. Maybe when I get rich I’ll hire a midget scribe that will write everything that I verbally process. In the meantime, I’ll just stick with carrying around a journal in my purse with a little stack of post-its. The problem with that is I don’t really take the time to stop whatever the heck I am doing and write down the current event or thought that is occurring. When I actually do have a moment or two, I usually forget the comment or funny joke I made. I guess that’s what happens to scattered brained people. I just jump from one though to another. No wonder why I fascinate people. They wonder how a brain can switch over mindset so quickly and disregard the previous thought. I also think that because I get bored easily that I can automatically change my mind like that. It must be frustrating to others but I think that I’m just doing fine.
Anyways, back to my main point, I have decided that I will actually take the time to sit down and write down what goes through my head sometimes. Again, I’m going to remember everything that passed through my head but I figured it wouldn’t hurt for me to write down a couple of things. Anyways, so here are some random thoughts that I think the world can benefit or observe:
1) It has always and will always bother me when people you have a conversation before completely ignored you the second time you see them. It’s like they completely forgot that you have existed before that second time. Then when you do make eye contact to hopefully pass a smile, they divert their eyes. That just makes my blood boil. Then the whole situation brings numerous questions to my mind: Did they just forget our previous conversation about communism? Was I too forward about asking them about their interests? Was I supposed to laugh at all their jokes? Did I talk to loud? Did I have coffee breathe? Did it bother them that I touched their arm? Did they forget my name? Were they drunk at the time? Or were they high? Did I sound dumb? Or are they dumb? Do they suffer from short-term memory loss? Was I boring? Was I too much fun?
The funny thing is this happens more than once, which makes me wonder if it’s me or just the world. Then again, the people who are actually taking time out of their lives to read this blog are thinking in their heads, “Poor Lima, she has no clue.” I just don’t understand how it could is be possible to completely ignore a person after sharing a conversation about how boring the meeting was. Or is this some common rule about society that I should know about but I seem to bypass that rule when I was birthed into this world? I just would like a smile back or a little acknowledgment that I still exist in the world.
2)There is one thing that I do miss about Texas. Other than relationships with friends and great Mexican food, I miss the beautiful sunsets that we are able to see about everyday. Here in Indiana, the constant theme of gray skies seems to be the popular item of the day. In my opinion, we are all a little over it. I never realized how much I do miss those Texan sunsets that produced warm little fuzzies in my belly.
3)I don’t understand why people make their beds. I personally think it’s a waste of time. Why are you making your bed if later on you are going to mess it all up again? The five minutes that you take to make your bed, you can do so many productive things in your life. At the same time, if it takes you longer than five minutes to make your bed, then you are spending way too much time on making pieces of cloth look pretty. In those five minutes you can: make coffee, read a news article, tweet, go to the bathroom, write a little journal entry, practice a guitar cord or two, make a sandwich, eat a cupcake, write an encouraging note, make a joke up, braid your hair, scratch someone’s back, give a hug, take a shower, tie your shoes, watch about four commercials, watch a youtube video, watch a music video, make a fortune teller, write a journal entry, and…you get my point.
I’ll do admit that I’m pretty lazy when it comes to little tasks that will take up some of my time. But let me explain something, I’d rather spend sometime with people that I care about then make my bed. Life is too short to spend on making a bed. Life is too short to not take advantage of the little moments that we can share with others and God. I know I probably I should learn on how to make my bed, in case my future husband doesn’t pick up on the habit.
4)I like to chew on ice. Whenever I grace myself with a fountain drink, I look forward to the end where I can chew on ice when a hint of flavor of the drink I just had. This is probably a habit that I will lose when I experience giving birth.
5)Whoever invented the concept of a sandwich is pure genius. Put a piece of meat in between two pieces of bread = awesome.
Ok, that’s good for now. I’ll hit yall later with some more amusing information about me.
Anyways, back to my main point, I have decided that I will actually take the time to sit down and write down what goes through my head sometimes. Again, I’m going to remember everything that passed through my head but I figured it wouldn’t hurt for me to write down a couple of things. Anyways, so here are some random thoughts that I think the world can benefit or observe:
1) It has always and will always bother me when people you have a conversation before completely ignored you the second time you see them. It’s like they completely forgot that you have existed before that second time. Then when you do make eye contact to hopefully pass a smile, they divert their eyes. That just makes my blood boil. Then the whole situation brings numerous questions to my mind: Did they just forget our previous conversation about communism? Was I too forward about asking them about their interests? Was I supposed to laugh at all their jokes? Did I talk to loud? Did I have coffee breathe? Did it bother them that I touched their arm? Did they forget my name? Were they drunk at the time? Or were they high? Did I sound dumb? Or are they dumb? Do they suffer from short-term memory loss? Was I boring? Was I too much fun?
The funny thing is this happens more than once, which makes me wonder if it’s me or just the world. Then again, the people who are actually taking time out of their lives to read this blog are thinking in their heads, “Poor Lima, she has no clue.” I just don’t understand how it could is be possible to completely ignore a person after sharing a conversation about how boring the meeting was. Or is this some common rule about society that I should know about but I seem to bypass that rule when I was birthed into this world? I just would like a smile back or a little acknowledgment that I still exist in the world.
2)There is one thing that I do miss about Texas. Other than relationships with friends and great Mexican food, I miss the beautiful sunsets that we are able to see about everyday. Here in Indiana, the constant theme of gray skies seems to be the popular item of the day. In my opinion, we are all a little over it. I never realized how much I do miss those Texan sunsets that produced warm little fuzzies in my belly.
3)I don’t understand why people make their beds. I personally think it’s a waste of time. Why are you making your bed if later on you are going to mess it all up again? The five minutes that you take to make your bed, you can do so many productive things in your life. At the same time, if it takes you longer than five minutes to make your bed, then you are spending way too much time on making pieces of cloth look pretty. In those five minutes you can: make coffee, read a news article, tweet, go to the bathroom, write a little journal entry, practice a guitar cord or two, make a sandwich, eat a cupcake, write an encouraging note, make a joke up, braid your hair, scratch someone’s back, give a hug, take a shower, tie your shoes, watch about four commercials, watch a youtube video, watch a music video, make a fortune teller, write a journal entry, and…you get my point.
I’ll do admit that I’m pretty lazy when it comes to little tasks that will take up some of my time. But let me explain something, I’d rather spend sometime with people that I care about then make my bed. Life is too short to spend on making a bed. Life is too short to not take advantage of the little moments that we can share with others and God. I know I probably I should learn on how to make my bed, in case my future husband doesn’t pick up on the habit.
4)I like to chew on ice. Whenever I grace myself with a fountain drink, I look forward to the end where I can chew on ice when a hint of flavor of the drink I just had. This is probably a habit that I will lose when I experience giving birth.
5)Whoever invented the concept of a sandwich is pure genius. Put a piece of meat in between two pieces of bread = awesome.
Ok, that’s good for now. I’ll hit yall later with some more amusing information about me.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Don't need no title
During my month of January, I had the chance to work at LeTourneau as an intern. I got to work with the international students which was an amazing experience. I'm including some reflections from that experience:
On my first day at LeTourneau and I learned a very valuable lesson that I would hope to continue throughout my life. I realized that it does not matter the title that you carry, what does matter is the impact you have on people you interact with. Throughout my whole life I have watched my parents work hard at their low-paying jobs. Through that example they taught me the value of working hard without the big title. They also taught me that it’s the hard workers to keep an eye on because they are the ones that teach the sincere life lessons about humility and leadership. During my time of being a student the people who I engaged in great conversations with were the secretaries of the departments. They were the women that know my name and were always eager to hear what was happening in my life. They also knew my sweet tooth and always saved the best candy for me. Even though there may be some secretaries out there that may be grumpy, there are still those out there that are genuinely the sincerest people I have interacted with.
On this particular day I sat down with a woman that had the title “secretary” yet what others did not know is that she works as a full-time student services worker. I could feel passion for the international students while she spoke. I took the opportunity to meet with her to ask to gain important knowledge on working with the international students at LeTourneau. The majority of LeTourneau’s international students are from Korea due to the sister school relationship with Hangdong University but LeTourneau still receives other students from different countries from different continents as well. Already having a stable relationship with this woman, I had the confidence to ask some hard questions about what was actually happening in the office. She was not afraid of being honest of what she observed and experienced. She knew what was true and biblical. There was just something different about her that didn’t have me fooled. I knew that was she was actually saying was the truth and that she had a reason behind it all.
She spoke to me about how in everything I do, it must be Holy Spirit filled. God is everywhere and we cannot ignore the fact that he has total control of everything. She told me of numerous stories of how she watched different people worked with different ways. She incorporates scripture and prayer into her daily life and integrates into everything she does at LeTourneau. I know she is not alone on doing that but I can fully see it in her. She always puts the students before everything else she does. Her own sons help her out if there is a student that needs a ride or a study buddy to work with. Talking with Mrs. Higgs was not only a reminder of that valuable virtue in my life but also made me grow in appreciation of those educators that do not have the title. Throughout the rest of the time I spent at LeTourneau the door to her office was open. She was there for me to vent but also to process what was happening my whole month there.
For the rest of the week, my life was consumed with the preparation for the new students. My main focus was the preparation for welcoming the international students specifically. I immersed myself in gaining cultural sensitivity information from staff that interacts with Korean students and tried to grasp an understanding. I knew in the back of my mind that I would still have a bit to learn when actually interacting with the students. When they first arrived, I recalled my memories when I first arrived in Costa Rice during my experience studying overseas. I remembered all the anxiety and nervousness I first felt. I could just imagine myself all over again about how I was about to go on an adventure and be challenged in so many different ways.
On my first day at LeTourneau and I learned a very valuable lesson that I would hope to continue throughout my life. I realized that it does not matter the title that you carry, what does matter is the impact you have on people you interact with. Throughout my whole life I have watched my parents work hard at their low-paying jobs. Through that example they taught me the value of working hard without the big title. They also taught me that it’s the hard workers to keep an eye on because they are the ones that teach the sincere life lessons about humility and leadership. During my time of being a student the people who I engaged in great conversations with were the secretaries of the departments. They were the women that know my name and were always eager to hear what was happening in my life. They also knew my sweet tooth and always saved the best candy for me. Even though there may be some secretaries out there that may be grumpy, there are still those out there that are genuinely the sincerest people I have interacted with.
On this particular day I sat down with a woman that had the title “secretary” yet what others did not know is that she works as a full-time student services worker. I could feel passion for the international students while she spoke. I took the opportunity to meet with her to ask to gain important knowledge on working with the international students at LeTourneau. The majority of LeTourneau’s international students are from Korea due to the sister school relationship with Hangdong University but LeTourneau still receives other students from different countries from different continents as well. Already having a stable relationship with this woman, I had the confidence to ask some hard questions about what was actually happening in the office. She was not afraid of being honest of what she observed and experienced. She knew what was true and biblical. There was just something different about her that didn’t have me fooled. I knew that was she was actually saying was the truth and that she had a reason behind it all.
She spoke to me about how in everything I do, it must be Holy Spirit filled. God is everywhere and we cannot ignore the fact that he has total control of everything. She told me of numerous stories of how she watched different people worked with different ways. She incorporates scripture and prayer into her daily life and integrates into everything she does at LeTourneau. I know she is not alone on doing that but I can fully see it in her. She always puts the students before everything else she does. Her own sons help her out if there is a student that needs a ride or a study buddy to work with. Talking with Mrs. Higgs was not only a reminder of that valuable virtue in my life but also made me grow in appreciation of those educators that do not have the title. Throughout the rest of the time I spent at LeTourneau the door to her office was open. She was there for me to vent but also to process what was happening my whole month there.
For the rest of the week, my life was consumed with the preparation for the new students. My main focus was the preparation for welcoming the international students specifically. I immersed myself in gaining cultural sensitivity information from staff that interacts with Korean students and tried to grasp an understanding. I knew in the back of my mind that I would still have a bit to learn when actually interacting with the students. When they first arrived, I recalled my memories when I first arrived in Costa Rice during my experience studying overseas. I remembered all the anxiety and nervousness I first felt. I could just imagine myself all over again about how I was about to go on an adventure and be challenged in so many different ways.
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