Friday, August 27, 2004

You can disagree or agree with this poem, but it makes you think! My sis found it on the net today.

Jesus was a radical,
Jesus was a Jew.
He was born of Mary, The Son Of God,
To salvage me and you.

Jesus was a Liberal,
Jesus was a freak.
He condemned those who cast first stones.
And loved the mild and meek.

Jesus preached forgiveness.
Jesus practiced love,
He encouraged peace and understanding.
Jesus was a Dove.

You say your God's Consevative,
You claim He's on your side,
You should hide in shame, from the Prince of Peace,
Your words and acts, He never would abide.

Thursday, August 26, 2004

Hello all! Well I am now a full-time Wisconsin resident. I moved back into my mom's place in Madison on August 15th. It has been hard being here, just because I so love my independence, and being thrust into a situation where I am basically staying temporarily is difficult for me.

When I got paid last wednesday I went on my (hopefully!) last trip to REI (That stands for Recreational Equipment Inc. Emily!) for my India stuff. This trip was basically to get my backpack, but on an earlier trip I bought lots of outdoor stuff, the most exotic item being my mosquito net. Other India stuff that I have been doing is looking over my tour books, making copies of important documents, and explaining all of my financial stuff to Leah, who will be looking out for my financial well being over the next 9 months.

People keep asking me if I am nervous to go, and I am really not. I am just extremely excited and curious, and that could equate somewhat to nervousness. I want to know what my room will look like, whether I will like the classes or not, how much Hindi I will speak, that type of thing. I am actually more anxious now than ever, since I no longer have a place of my own to live in!

I have been mostly biding my time here, watching alot of the Olympics on TV. But last weekend Leah and I got the opportunity to go out to Colorado for a girls retreat. Eric and Leslie Ludy had an "Authentic Girls Weekend" where young ladies from all over the country gathered to hear teaching from the Ludy's. I felt really lucky to be there, especially because there was such a long waiting list. All the girls were amazing. The age range of women went from 17-25. Each of us had a unique spirit and yet we all had tons in common. Leah and I both fell in love with Colorado, and we didn't want to leave. For me, the whole weekend was just amazing, but the best part may have been just being able to ask Eric and Leslie questions about anything. It was so awesome that they made themselves available to us. When we left, it felt like we all had been together for more than just 48 hours. The time went by so fast, I didn't want it to end!

Friday, August 13, 2004

So I am having the most incredible week so far. I have been SOO tired, but very happy. My friends have made me feel so loved this week with making time to spend with me before I leave and how they are excited for me and all that. It is great.

I had dinner with Emily tonite. I am so jealous of her apartment! I wish I lived there! Part of me wishes that I could stay, because then I could have lived there. I just worry that I will miss so much while I am gone overseas, and that I will come back and not catch up!

I am now all finished at my job at the library (after putting in 3 years!). I have been there so long that one of the students I started with is my boss now! And my security stuff ends Friday. This India thing is really happening. Right now I am at the point where I am just so ready to go. I don't want to deal with anymore logistics of taking care of travel plans, filling out paperwork, cancelling things, forwarding things, moving things. I just want to be done with the whole affair and flying away.

Tuesday, August 10, 2004

So, its been awhile. I haven't been able to get into this to write. But finally it worked. Anyway, I am moving out of my apartment this Saturday, and I will no longer be a Minnesotan (although I never really was one to begin with). I am surprisingly not sad or nervous or anything, but I am sure that will all change very quickly. Emily and I went out to the Dakota, a jazz club in Minneapolis, on Sunday. Neither of us had been there since it moved, and it was so fun to go out and relax. The women who performed were super versatile, going from O Mio Bambino Caro to the yodeling song from the Sound of Music. They were so much fun to watch. It seems that in addition to working 40 hrs this week I am also trying to cram all of my "last nights out" with my girls.

As far as India goes, my visa came a few weeks ago, and my plane ticket should arrive any day. I am busy buying all my last minute gear and supplies, and I am finally working on my pre-departure readings, so these last few weeks might actually be hectic for me even though I won't be working. It looks like Leah and I are going to make a trip up to our dad's house to see family, and a stop in Green Bay to see the most adorable little girls EVER before I leave.

Next Friday Leah and I fly off to Denver for a retreat with Eric and Leslie Ludy. They are the authors of these great books, and they are doing a retreat weekend for young women. There are 12 girls in all, Leah and me included and they are from all over the country. It should be fun to get to know them, and then I get to spend time with my sis before I leave the country.

Guess thats it!