Today I got a package and a letter from my best friend,
Charlotte! She left on Tuesday for the mission field, so I'm very excited for
her, but also SUPER worried about her because she’s in a foreign country, in a
very poor community... But I know that the Lord will watch over her, and keep
her safe. I can only imagine what beautiful places she has seen, the people she
has already met, and the promptings she has received.
Sorry if this sounds really off, but this is honestly my
biggest pet peeve... Being taken advantage of! You know how there's people in
the world, who try to keep the peace? Who do all that they can to make others’
lives easier, by giving and sharing there things that they've worked hard for
without asking for anything in return? And then there are those people who
constantly cause problems. Use other peoples things without permission, or even
when they ask, they're all "sweet" about it, making it IMPOSSIBLE to
say no, because you WANT to stay on good terms! You don't want them to have a
grudge against you, because your friends, or roommates, or whatever! And those
people that are always "take take take" and they never give back to
those who contributed so much! That’s how I feel right now, because I can never
say "no" to anyone, when they ask me for help. I’m always afraid of
letting them down, or making them feel that they can’t trust me. But seriously,
I need to lock up all of my things, so that people don’t take advantage of me
anymore. Don’t get me wrong, I mean, I’m happy to help you however I can, but
are you going to be there for me when I need you? And these people that are
always asking for stuff, it seems like they never contribute their time to
others... whether its cleaning the kitchen, bathroom, or whatever... or even
just saying, "hey, thank you for all that you do around here. I truly do
appreciate it" would mean SO much to me. I guess that’s just how some
people are though... they were raised a particular way, and that’s how they
will always be. I’ve learned to just start saying "no" or,
"sorry, I don’t have any flour"... this way, it’s a win win situation.
They don’t feel like I’m not rejecting them, and I won’t feel upset if they
never pay me back. The independent lifestyle is the way to be, because I’m not
expecting anyone to take care of me. I am my own person, and have learned how
to survive off of what I’ve got.
Yesterday, I got a call from an apartment complex manager,
telling me that I have housing for spring semester! I am SO relieved that I
have a place to live, rather than having to quickly find a junky place, and
have to share a room as well. The place that I’ll be moving into, I’ll have my
own room. Yeah, it’s a really small "closet" but that’s ok, because that’s
all that I really need, honestly. And the complex has a workout room, and
really nice apartments! I’ll be sure to post pictures as soon as I get settled.
If I could, Id move in tomorrow! But I can’t until the 14th, unless I want to
pay $15 extra per day before the 14th.
This weekend, I and 2 of my other roomies are driving down
to Pocatello, Idaho for the weekend, to visit my roommate’s hometown, and
family. On Saturday, were also going to Lava Hot Springs, to relax and enjoy
the day with friends! After church on Sunday, we'll hit the road, and drive
home to Rexburg. I’m excited though, because it’s nice to get outta town for a
few days. Things around here can get pretty boring, especially if you don’t
know very many people quite yet, to spend your time with. I've also got 2 tests to take in the testing center before we leave at 5pm, so ill be cutting it pretty close!
Today, being Friday... I have been sick now for 6 days. I’ve
had a sore throat, cough, headache, aching back and joints, and a stuffy/runny
nose. The other day, I was so miserable, that I sounded like a man, even to my
own mom when I called her on the phone.
The festival of colors celebration is coming up here pretty
soon! The weekend of March 24th, to be exact! I’m trying to get a group of
friends from byu-idaho to drive down together, and spend the weekend in Utah.
~Quoted from Wikipedia~ "Holi (होली), is a religious spring festival celebrated by
Hindus. Holi is also known as festival of Colours. In most areas, Holi lasts
about two days. One of Holi’s biggest customs is the loosening strictness of
social structures, which normally include age, sex, status, and caste. Holi
closes the wide gaps between social classes and brings Hindus together.
Together, the rich and poor, women and men, enjoy each other’s presence on this
joyous day. Additionally, Holi lowers the strictness of social norms. No one
expects polite behavior; as a result, the atmosphere is filled with excitement
and joy.
Every year, thousands of Hindus participate in the festival
Holi. Waiting for the day after the full moon in the month of Phalguna, or
early March, These men and women are ready to spread the joy. Holi has many
purposes. First and foremost, it celebrates the beginning of the new season,
spring. It also has a religious purpose, commemorating many events that are
present in Hindu mythology. Although it is the least religious holiday, it is
probably one of the most exhilarating ones in existence. During this event,
participants hold a bonfire, throw colored powder at each other, and celebrate
wildly.
Originally, it was a festival that commemorated good
harvests and the fertile land. In addition to celebrating the coming of spring,
Holi has even greater purposes. Hindus believe it is a time of enjoying
spring's abundant colors and saying farewell to winter. Furthermore, Holi
celebrates many religious myths and legends. Rangapanchami occurs a few days later on a Panchami (fifth
day of the full moon), marking the end of festivities involving colours." When I was living down in Salt Lake City, I’d always wanted to go, but whenever
Id make the plans too, they’d seem to never work out! So, I hope this year will
be different so that I can spend the weekend with friends, throwing colored
powder at each other, coming out looking like I’ve been tie-dyed!
