new things in my life:
not being able to sleep at night.
(believe me, this is NEW.) I have prided my self for the past 21 years in the fact that i can sleep anywhere, anytime. Now, i don't know what is wrong with me. I do know, that it is getting a little ridiculous to wake up at four in the afternoon. And no, I am not depressed, thanks.
i'm remembering my dreams.
while i lived in fiji i would dream all the time and i remembered them, but that is very strange in my life and usually i never remember my dreams. . .except, now, living in illinois, it is my new thing. which, unfortunately, is not something i am super pumped about. especially when they are disturbing.
getting hired and then unhired.. three days before i start work
believe me, thats a first. turns out, i got a really rockin nanny job and after waiting weeks for her to make up her mind b/c she was concerned about me leaving sometime in the spring for my mission, she called me and gave the go ahead. so i turned down three other job offers and told everyone i got the job and was super pumped about it. then, thursday night ( i was supposed to start monday) she emailed me and unhired me. unhired me, and left me in a puddle of confusion/panic on how i am supposed to pay off my debt in the now 2 fewer months i have left b/c i wasted my time with herrrrrr. no, i'm not bitter, just annoyed.
EMAILED me. ugh..
not being stressed with school/midterms this time of year.
no, i'm not graduated. in fact, i have two more years of school. my grand plan was supposed to be: move home, work full time, pay off debt accumulated from two summers of volunteeringgggggg, prepare for the mission, leave on mission. (all within 6 months tops of living in this place).
i know, i know, life doesn't work out how you plan.
well, i must say the weather here is rainy and cold.
no, i'm not complaining. i love 50 degree weather. LOVE. makes me want to curl up with some cocoa, ditch class, and watch a movie with my roomies. unfortunately, it is strange b/c there is no class to miss, and my roommates consist of an 8month old whose attention span for chick flicks is nilch, and his parents that have parent things to do like pay bills, pass the bar exam, cook dinner, clean, and prepare for their new home in the city.
in other news, conference is tomorrow. THANK GOODNESS. i will be intently listening and watching.
life is good. good is life.
here's to another day!
--tor
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Better Late than Not
Adjectived. (sort of)
HAPPY DAY of BIRTH, MOM. (september 17th)
Thanks for enduring 5 other kids so you could have ME!!! (and then enduring all six of us..)
Sorry, it's a day or two late. But none the less, you rock.
Beautiful. Talented.
Blue eyes. Legs we're jealous of.
Cook of the century.
Great Smile.
Intelligent.
Great Facial Expressions.
Musical. Musical. Musical.
Trustworthy.
Greatest Grandma.
Best nickname (uschi)
The calm one who gets you through a crisis.
Service. Service. All about the service.
Selfless.
Seamstress.
Knowledgable.
Adventurous.
Brave.
Faithful.
Proactive.
Tear a wall down and build it up too.
Teacher.
Hardworker.
Epitome of a dedicated, loyal wife.
Efficient.
food becomes art.
LEADER.
Perfectionist.
Creative.
will take french bread and havarti over chocolate anyday.
Quick on her feet.
Well spoken.
Funny.
German.
LOVES that I call her URS.
HAPPY DAY of BIRTH, MOM. (september 17th)
Thanks for enduring 5 other kids so you could have ME!!! (and then enduring all six of us..)
Sorry, it's a day or two late. But none the less, you rock.
URS and Noel in Europe some wheres. (07)
Some family time at Blackberry Farm. (09)
Grandma and Grampa at Kiera's wedding. (05)
URS and Me. Prom sophomore year. (04)
Adventurous train ride with little spank. (09)
Love you Momma!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
hope you don't mind..
"Oh the countless ways of having your heart broken-there are the cruel words and then there are the words that are neglected. There are the joyous times that you don't want to end, the times when you long for something more, the times when tears flow for someone else's pain that you can't appease. A situation, a picture, a song-all have been categorized as heartbreaking-and that's ok. I would rather have my small heartbreaks everyday, my struggles, and my happiness than any lie or fabrication." --R.A.H.
thanks xanga from 4 years ago. sure, i'm bringin it back.
thats some good writing, eh?
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Charity
"A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race.
Observe charity, wisdom and fellow-feeling, with love one towards another in all things, and under all circumstances.
Consider the state of the afflicted and try to alleviate their suffering; let your bread feed the hungry, and your clothing cover the naked;..do good to all men...that you may be harmless and blameless, the sons of God without rebuke."--the prophet Joseph Smith
Observe charity, wisdom and fellow-feeling, with love one towards another in all things, and under all circumstances.
Consider the state of the afflicted and try to alleviate their suffering; let your bread feed the hungry, and your clothing cover the naked;..do good to all men...that you may be harmless and blameless, the sons of God without rebuke."--the prophet Joseph Smith
My Last Email about FIJI! VINAKA!!
Bula Vinaka for the last time!
Hello to all my very supportive friends and family! I apologize for not updating all of you for about a MONTH. Thats ridiculous and I am so sorry! I'll be honest though, after returning from New Zealand it became very chaotic and busy for us in Fiji. As most of you know, I am home now sitting on a CHAIR in my dining room and typing on a laptop with wireless internet! CRAZY. For the past few days I kept feeling like I had to go to some internet cafe to check my email, and then I realized I could just plop down right here in my air conditioned home. I have been home for less than a week, and getting back to my life in America. It is a great place, this land we live in, and I always love when the person at customs stamps my passport and says, "Welcome Home."
Now, just a few high lights from my last weeks:
Well, I spent my last few weeks teaching a lot of health lessons and focusing more on Mind/Body Health and the benefits of understanding the power of our mind. In Yaladro, one of the last lessons was on optimism/healing power of laughter/ gratitude. I know I have mentioned my love for the people of this settlement but it only grew as we discussed the different times in our lives when we have noticed the consequences according to our attitude. It was a powerful lesson and I made gratitude journals for them and challenged them to write five things in them daily. The next week I gave them a whole binder of all the lessons that were ever taught, and I discussed with them about the knowledge they had gained and the daily life changes they had made. They also had a huge meal prepared for us which consisted of: roti, rice, curry and potatoes, vegetables curry chicken (with bones), roti balls that were spicy, indian treats, donuts, cocoa, and more and more curry. It was a sad sad day saying goodbye to those incredible people, but they will not soon be forgotten.
Our goal as HELP was to empower the women, build confidence so that the women could teach others the skills they learned and continue to be motivated to find new opportunities to gain knowledge. The people in Yaladro expressed their desire to share with others what they've learned and how their life has been improved. Sister Wilson specifically was very excited about this. We hope that they will be able to continue living their life according to their goals and be an example to their families and people they interact with daily.
Natalie and I also had a very unique opportunity to interview women throughout Tavua Town for a special research project in regards to women's opinion about health. This was extremely interesting to learn what they consider healthy, what worries they think about daily, and what makes them happy or feel successful. I think more than anything I learned that though we are women from different cultures and thousands of miles a part, we are human with very similar struggles and pain, and a desire for companionship, love, and protection. These people really are remarkable, and I loved being a part of their lives, if only for a short time.
I finished my tutoring and lessons with the little kids by teaching a lesson on social health with Natalie and handing out certificates. They were incredibly adorable and loved getting their certificate of achievement.
We also had a great time building some stoves the last few weeks with members of the church, including a bunch of little kids. The stove projects, though stressful at times, could be so much fun and required a lot of effort and team building that you couldn’t find elsewhere.
Now I am home and juggling jet lag and the stress of job hunting while I remember my 3 1/2 months living in the islands of the Pacific. Vinaka Vaka Levu (Thank you very much!) for your support and love and for following my adventure this past summer.
Now for the big question that many people have asked me: So which is better, Africa or Fiji?!?
After much thought on this very topic I realized a few things. First, Africa was an experience that I reflect upon and consider to be almost sacred as it taught me about the joys of life and the foundations of faith, the inhumanity of this world, and my specific purpose on this earth. It was an experience unlike any other, and it changed me. I discovered a lot about my strengths and weaknesses, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of all humanity. I will never forget summer 2008, nor the best friends I made as we lived, worked, laughed, and struggled together. It is because of Africa that I am a Public Health major and I want to do international health as a career with development work. It completely changed me. That being said, it was difficult to adjust back to my life in America after Africa, but it also made the decision to go to Fiji very clear for me. I needed to go.
Now, Fiji. Fiji was different than Africa, and it was also everything I wanted it to be. I had big expectations and a lot of goals and challenges laid out for myself. I had learned some intense things in Africa, and I wanted to apply them while I was in Fiji. I felt like for the most part I was truly able to do that. I wanted to go to Fiji and teach health and build relationships with the people, and put their lives and their concerns first. As I did that, I learned more about love and the value of giving than I had ever discovered previously. The people of Fiji are extremely loving and kind and have a way of showing their love that is remarkable. Often as Americans we disvalue the expression of love and underestimate its power to change lives and influence for the better. I literally witnessed the expression of love this summer and it was a humbling experience that I hope all of us reading will have the honor of witnessing one day. There is no shame or embarrassment in expressing your love for God, family, friends, or neighbors in Fiji. It is anticipated that you will say "Bula" or hello to every person you pass by, and a smile should accompany it. They believe that life is beautiful and they understand that if you love, life does work out. Their favorite saying is "Senga na lega" meaning, No worries. So, which was better, Africa or Fiji??? you may still ask. . .
Africa taught me why the world needs love, and Fiji taught me why we must show it.
I've now been able to live in two very different cultures in developing lands that have two very different kinds of poverty. I feel very blessed and extremely humbled because of these special experiences and the people I’ve lived with, loved, and served. Its been remarkable and only motivated me to want to do more of this similar work. Oh, one more thing….I guess I wanted to also mention this quickly what I learned about poverty.
I learned that poverty has different faces. Most people feel okay about helping africa because they can see the tangible pain and suffering as children walk naked and are malnourished. They see the AIDs results and the shamed faces of the victims of an unmasked war. I, too, fight for this poverty and for my beloved Africa. But, I learned this summer that poverty also comes from neglect, lack of opportunity and knowledge especially regarding proper health care, education, and freedom from oppression. In Fiji especially, Americans come and go seeing the touristy part of the island and the positive, laid back workers at the posh resorts. That is the Fiji the world knows. However, there is more to this beautiful island that many do not see nor have a desire to recognize. It was interesting when we would first meet fijians they would ask if we were here on holiday. As we replied, “No, we are volunteers living in Tavua,” their faces became shocked, and then humble and very grateful. It seems that the world most often forgets that Fiji has a lot of suffering, problems, and a huge desire to learn and gain knowledge. I guess it's true that sometimes there is much more than just what the eye can see.
So, thank you for listening to my tangents and supporting my life adventures as I learned about our world and fell in love with another culture. I hope you are enjoying the last of your summer, and I would still love to hear from any and all of you. If you have questions or comments about my summer in Fiji just let me know. But mostly, thank you with all of my heart for caring about my life and the people that I love.
Moce (bye)!
Loloma,
Victoria
Hello to all my very supportive friends and family! I apologize for not updating all of you for about a MONTH. Thats ridiculous and I am so sorry! I'll be honest though, after returning from New Zealand it became very chaotic and busy for us in Fiji. As most of you know, I am home now sitting on a CHAIR in my dining room and typing on a laptop with wireless internet! CRAZY. For the past few days I kept feeling like I had to go to some internet cafe to check my email, and then I realized I could just plop down right here in my air conditioned home. I have been home for less than a week, and getting back to my life in America. It is a great place, this land we live in, and I always love when the person at customs stamps my passport and says, "Welcome Home."
Now, just a few high lights from my last weeks:
Well, I spent my last few weeks teaching a lot of health lessons and focusing more on Mind/Body Health and the benefits of understanding the power of our mind. In Yaladro, one of the last lessons was on optimism/healing power of laughter/ gratitude. I know I have mentioned my love for the people of this settlement but it only grew as we discussed the different times in our lives when we have noticed the consequences according to our attitude. It was a powerful lesson and I made gratitude journals for them and challenged them to write five things in them daily. The next week I gave them a whole binder of all the lessons that were ever taught, and I discussed with them about the knowledge they had gained and the daily life changes they had made. They also had a huge meal prepared for us which consisted of: roti, rice, curry and potatoes, vegetables curry chicken (with bones), roti balls that were spicy, indian treats, donuts, cocoa, and more and more curry. It was a sad sad day saying goodbye to those incredible people, but they will not soon be forgotten.
Our goal as HELP was to empower the women, build confidence so that the women could teach others the skills they learned and continue to be motivated to find new opportunities to gain knowledge. The people in Yaladro expressed their desire to share with others what they've learned and how their life has been improved. Sister Wilson specifically was very excited about this. We hope that they will be able to continue living their life according to their goals and be an example to their families and people they interact with daily.
Natalie and I also had a very unique opportunity to interview women throughout Tavua Town for a special research project in regards to women's opinion about health. This was extremely interesting to learn what they consider healthy, what worries they think about daily, and what makes them happy or feel successful. I think more than anything I learned that though we are women from different cultures and thousands of miles a part, we are human with very similar struggles and pain, and a desire for companionship, love, and protection. These people really are remarkable, and I loved being a part of their lives, if only for a short time.
I finished my tutoring and lessons with the little kids by teaching a lesson on social health with Natalie and handing out certificates. They were incredibly adorable and loved getting their certificate of achievement.
We also had a great time building some stoves the last few weeks with members of the church, including a bunch of little kids. The stove projects, though stressful at times, could be so much fun and required a lot of effort and team building that you couldn’t find elsewhere.
Now I am home and juggling jet lag and the stress of job hunting while I remember my 3 1/2 months living in the islands of the Pacific. Vinaka Vaka Levu (Thank you very much!) for your support and love and for following my adventure this past summer.
Now for the big question that many people have asked me: So which is better, Africa or Fiji?!?
After much thought on this very topic I realized a few things. First, Africa was an experience that I reflect upon and consider to be almost sacred as it taught me about the joys of life and the foundations of faith, the inhumanity of this world, and my specific purpose on this earth. It was an experience unlike any other, and it changed me. I discovered a lot about my strengths and weaknesses, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of all humanity. I will never forget summer 2008, nor the best friends I made as we lived, worked, laughed, and struggled together. It is because of Africa that I am a Public Health major and I want to do international health as a career with development work. It completely changed me. That being said, it was difficult to adjust back to my life in America after Africa, but it also made the decision to go to Fiji very clear for me. I needed to go.
Now, Fiji. Fiji was different than Africa, and it was also everything I wanted it to be. I had big expectations and a lot of goals and challenges laid out for myself. I had learned some intense things in Africa, and I wanted to apply them while I was in Fiji. I felt like for the most part I was truly able to do that. I wanted to go to Fiji and teach health and build relationships with the people, and put their lives and their concerns first. As I did that, I learned more about love and the value of giving than I had ever discovered previously. The people of Fiji are extremely loving and kind and have a way of showing their love that is remarkable. Often as Americans we disvalue the expression of love and underestimate its power to change lives and influence for the better. I literally witnessed the expression of love this summer and it was a humbling experience that I hope all of us reading will have the honor of witnessing one day. There is no shame or embarrassment in expressing your love for God, family, friends, or neighbors in Fiji. It is anticipated that you will say "Bula" or hello to every person you pass by, and a smile should accompany it. They believe that life is beautiful and they understand that if you love, life does work out. Their favorite saying is "Senga na lega" meaning, No worries. So, which was better, Africa or Fiji??? you may still ask. . .
Africa taught me why the world needs love, and Fiji taught me why we must show it.
I've now been able to live in two very different cultures in developing lands that have two very different kinds of poverty. I feel very blessed and extremely humbled because of these special experiences and the people I’ve lived with, loved, and served. Its been remarkable and only motivated me to want to do more of this similar work. Oh, one more thing….I guess I wanted to also mention this quickly what I learned about poverty.
I learned that poverty has different faces. Most people feel okay about helping africa because they can see the tangible pain and suffering as children walk naked and are malnourished. They see the AIDs results and the shamed faces of the victims of an unmasked war. I, too, fight for this poverty and for my beloved Africa. But, I learned this summer that poverty also comes from neglect, lack of opportunity and knowledge especially regarding proper health care, education, and freedom from oppression. In Fiji especially, Americans come and go seeing the touristy part of the island and the positive, laid back workers at the posh resorts. That is the Fiji the world knows. However, there is more to this beautiful island that many do not see nor have a desire to recognize. It was interesting when we would first meet fijians they would ask if we were here on holiday. As we replied, “No, we are volunteers living in Tavua,” their faces became shocked, and then humble and very grateful. It seems that the world most often forgets that Fiji has a lot of suffering, problems, and a huge desire to learn and gain knowledge. I guess it's true that sometimes there is much more than just what the eye can see.
So, thank you for listening to my tangents and supporting my life adventures as I learned about our world and fell in love with another culture. I hope you are enjoying the last of your summer, and I would still love to hear from any and all of you. If you have questions or comments about my summer in Fiji just let me know. But mostly, thank you with all of my heart for caring about my life and the people that I love.
Moce (bye)!
Loloma,
Victoria