growing wings

A friend and I always joke around how nice it would be to grow wings and fly around the world. Though my wings haven't sprouted yet, I am on my way to traveling around the world yet again. Two weeks from today I fly out of Chicago to Cape Town. Crazy yuh? Gosh I can't believe it is happening.
I feel like so much has yet to come together, yet realize and am thankful for all that has come together. Things working out: money. it's a huge blessing to have the funds stream in from family and friends. it is one of the most humbling experiences to rely completely on God and other people to come through with the money for a trip like this. connections. the Life Community Welfare is still up for having us and super stoked to have us around. Alistair brought over pictures of the kids and some names...which leads me to some things that need to happen:
Pronunciation: I can't pronunce most of the kids names. As most of you probably know, pronuncing is not my strong suit in life...
Subletter: I really really need someone to live in my room this summer and pay for rent. The ones that were originally going to live there backed out...so back to the drawing board...or the bank account, either way.

That's life so far. I can't wait to go. I'm stoked and ready emotionally to hit the road. But a lot stands in my way...14 days to be exact. Including Frisbee Nationals, Joanna's grad party, writing thank yous, finishing school, getting shots, getting teeth cleaned, spending time with parents...oh and so much more. race is on!

stress and finals

It is a weird thing to me when your life seems consumed with one thing, one idea, one person, or one event. I mean, life is a complex connection of millions, billions of people, places, situations, relationships, experiences...right? so why do I get this false sense sometimes that life revolves around a test or a project or a paper or a trip? It's such a lie.
Take finals week for example. I mean what college student actually likes finals? My forehead breaking out ridiculously is a good indicator it is a stressful time. It seems as if the world depends solely on passing this test or succeeding in a project. I have had to remind myself there are far more joyous things to look forward to, and this is a temporary state.
Another thing, money. I really dispise all the complications that come with money. I have been incredibly fortunate to have to opportunities and funds I have had in the past. However there are those financial worries you just want to throw up your hands and scream, "ENOUGH!" Much in the case of subletters falling through. The minute I start thinking about the fact I have yet to get a subletter and leave the states in two weeks...well I about poop my pants. Then I got back to point number 1: Life does not revolve around one aspect. I was talking to my dear friend Katie last night and was saying how vulnerable it feels to really really need something to happen. However though that vulnerability and desperation is not enjoyable and not desired, life will continue and no one will die from it. positive yuh?
so there you have it, my random thoughts on stressful finals week. i wish it upon no one.

seasons

When snowflakes start to pour out of the sky, I can just smile. It is beautiful. It sets a mystic, glorious, peaceful tone throughout the streets even if I'm rushing somewhere. Snow itself is such a weird concept for me. So it falls from the sky and has so many effects. It is slippery but firm when you fall on it. It can be packy, flaky, powdery. It can hurt (especially when it is in a round form zooming from your brother's glove to your face). It can protect (hiding behind a bank from wind or from the next snowball...).
Though I love the season, I have to admit I get stir crazy. I want to be able to run outside with shorts on again. I want to ride my bike to my practicum every day and not have to worry about the crazy brown slush ruining the few nice clothes I wear. I want to sleep on Bascom hill while I'm pretending to do homework. I want to sit outside and read my articles instead of on buses. I want to slackline. I want to see all my friends in their full glory and not hidden behind fourteen layers of jackets, scarves, mittens, hats and every article of clothing they own.
But I will enjoy winter. I would miss the extreme seasons. Plus if my trip to South Africa comes through this summer I'll get two winters in a row...oh joy.

Frisbee

This is the first year I've done frisbee and absolutely love it. I love being part of a sports team and working out with others. It's awesome and makes me really energized. I'm realizing there is much more to learning a sport than just the rules and techniques. There is strategy, there is understanding your teammates, there is the game-related lingo. I was telling my brother Joel today how it's been weird even learning what the expected uniform is. It is long, baggy shorts with a semi tight fitting t-shirt jersey, unlike the high short/short sleeve uniform of cross country. Even the cheering is a lot different like yelling, "hot D", "sweet bid", or "siiiick".
It's a good time. and i love it.

Free Food Revolution

So starting a new blog has turned out to be a flop, but try number two should be golden. I feel like the last month or so has absolutely flown by. I realized I haven't been home (in Madison) on a weekend for over a month. Crazy. But what have I been up to you may ask...well a lot of randomness: frisbee tournments in the cities/in Lousiana, ALPs (adventure learning programs--my new job) training weekend, chaperoning Snow Camp for Blackhawk Church's jr. high. In midst all the business one of my favorite things has been Sunday afternoons at 3:00 at the end of State Street. Free Food Revolution. It is amazing. A little background: a couple decided to start bringing food outside to feed the homeless, and creating a potluck atmosphere: whoever can bring food brings food to share and chills/eats/talks to everyone. It is sweet. A couple of stories. On one particular Sunday I think it was the coldest it had been all year. A roomates mom had given us handwarmers to bring as well as a big pot of warm soup. Though there were less people around (most were warming up in the library or capital), those who came were extremely thankful. The handwarmers were a hit. My roommate Katie was wearing a scarf I had made in the hopes of giving it to someone who needed it. A man, speaking mostly Spanish, asked her if there were any scarfs to give away. Though when she offered the one I had made which was around her neck he refused, he eventually took it after her attempt to explain it's purpose in Spanish. The same man was with a group of other Spanish speaking men, all coming after hearing we had gloves we were giving away. All the gloves had been taken, but after realizing how cold it was outside, especially to live out in it, Katie and I gave up our mittens. The thing I like best about Free Food Revolution is that it doesn't create a superior/inferior atmosphere but a community helping when it can. I love hearing the stories and histories of the people I've met. Stereotypes and ideas I've held, often unconsciously, are being broken down and replaced with real experiences and relationships. and I love it.

addicted

After blogging for my travels in Cape Town for 5 months and getting used to having a venue to pour out my ideas and thoughts, it's weird not having it anymore. Thus a new blog was begun. and yes i made it while I should be in my bed sleeping, but I have my priorities straight.
I just got back from a frisbee tournament in Winona today and realize how much I like being sore from a lot of physical exercise. It is such a satisfying feeling for me, but I'm not sure everyone shares this opinion with me...though i know my bro Joel does. It's just that being sore, you think, "yaaa, I pushed my body! my muscles are being broken down to be built back stronger!" It's a good thing. Plus it is the reward for a fun, tiring tournament. There was only a female sub for 1.5 of the 7 games so to say the least I got a lot of playing time. A blast in half for sure. I'm liking the game more and more (it helps when I'm learning what is going on and how i can actually play correctly). It's kind of intimidating playing with a bunch of people who have been playing forever, but after I got over my pride it was fun learning and hanging out with fun people.