I was listening to random music on my computer and the song, "Let there Be Peace on Earth," started to play. Usually this song makes me laugh at how UN-ish (United Nations) it sounds…but today it caused me to reflect. Going to school in the Philippines was fun; we had so many all-school events/festivals like UN Day. That was the celebration I immediately thought about when the song came on. During UN Day, the whole school would celebrate all the different countries students were from. In my class we had people from the Middle East, Korea, Japan, Italy, the Philippines (of course) and the US.
During the festival, people would bring in food from the specific country they were from and everyone would have a feast! The Americans would bring Chili and brownies every year, I remember being so proud of my mom’s chili because it tasted so good! She and a few other moms would wear blue jeans and white shirts with red bandanas. Red, White, and Blue. I remember feeling so proud to be an American, but also very proud to LOVE Asian food. Janna and I would get Filipino, Japanese, Indian, and Korean food each year! It was a blast going to each booth and eating the food, learning about the country and just enjoying the different ethnicities represented. Even when I was in elementary school and 6th and 7th grade, I thought it was cool that so many countries were found on Brent School’s campus.
Another common part of UN Day, were the plays that every class would have to perform for the parents. Usually these plays were about peace and countries coming together and cooperating. They were all usually pathetic, but it was just another reason to perform for our parents and for our class to work together as a group. The reason all of these memories flooded my mind was because each year we would sing "Let There Be Peace on Earth"…so now seven, eight years later, I am missing UN Day and the community I felt at Brent International.
Sometimes it seems like the U.S. doesn’t acknowledge other countries like the rest of the world. The closest they get is Black History Month. But in some ways it feels like the only reason they celebrate is because the States feels bad for the horrible slavery that happened in this country. From an early age, the schools and just the culture pump their kids with thoughts of "The U.S is the best country in the world." "America can beat any country in war." "You are privileged to grow up and live in the States." "The rest of the world wishes they could be like America." Maybe those are exaggerations, but I felt and saw those thoughts when I moved here. Yes, America is blessed. Yes, Americans can travel anywhere without much of a problem (except for maybe France and the Middle East). And both those things are good, but where is the gratefulness? The humble thanksgiving for the blessing? I don’t know. I have to say that there are days where I am thankful to be an American. But more often I am glad I was born somewhere else and have an appreciation for other countries. I am glad I was given the ability, through my years overseas, to take a step back and look at America and see it from the outside in.
Friday, August 27, 2004
Monday, August 16, 2004
Charlie
Hurricane Charlie~
It actually hit us in Orlando...the first time the weather people were actually right about the direction of a hurricane in our area. There was a bad case of 'crying wolf' for a couple years now. The news would get everyone flustered over a hurricane that 'was about to hit' that never did. But Charlie did...and he hit my home.
If anyone were to drive by my house they would find quite a few things missing. One-we don't have our huge oak tree in the front yard anymore. Yeah, that fell into our neighbor's yard (thankfully missing our house and theirs!). It is now currently cut up and heaped on our lawn. Two-the fence surrounding our property is now flat. That is also currently cut up and heaped on our lawn adding to the pile. Three-there are shingles missing from our roof. Mom said it sounded like people were on our roof as they were being ripped off during the storm. This is the scariest thing I think...our roof could have blown off! But it is a blessing in disguise because we needed to re-shingle our roof anyway! :)
Anyway....it was hard for me to be in Tallahassee and not with my family as all of this was going on. They called me while inside my sister's closet during the storm. My brother was telling me that our tree was falling and that shingles were being ripped from our house. Very calmly I might add...which was brave, I would have been freaking out and probably yelling at him to get inside the closet! School was cancelled for them today and tomorrow, since their schools are also cleaning up messes left by this hurricane. What an ordeal...it's going to be weird to come home now to a house without a tree. That tree was even the home of a very nice squirrel. It had claimed that tree and was even storing nuts for the winter at the base of it. :( I'm sad that it's home was blown away. Hopefully it will relocate to a better tree--one that can withstand hurricane force winds. I just re-read that part and it made me laugh out loud...here in my room. Brigitte says that was the most pathetic thing she's ever heard! ha, it's fun being quirky!
It actually hit us in Orlando...the first time the weather people were actually right about the direction of a hurricane in our area. There was a bad case of 'crying wolf' for a couple years now. The news would get everyone flustered over a hurricane that 'was about to hit' that never did. But Charlie did...and he hit my home.
If anyone were to drive by my house they would find quite a few things missing. One-we don't have our huge oak tree in the front yard anymore. Yeah, that fell into our neighbor's yard (thankfully missing our house and theirs!). It is now currently cut up and heaped on our lawn. Two-the fence surrounding our property is now flat. That is also currently cut up and heaped on our lawn adding to the pile. Three-there are shingles missing from our roof. Mom said it sounded like people were on our roof as they were being ripped off during the storm. This is the scariest thing I think...our roof could have blown off! But it is a blessing in disguise because we needed to re-shingle our roof anyway! :)
Anyway....it was hard for me to be in Tallahassee and not with my family as all of this was going on. They called me while inside my sister's closet during the storm. My brother was telling me that our tree was falling and that shingles were being ripped from our house. Very calmly I might add...which was brave, I would have been freaking out and probably yelling at him to get inside the closet! School was cancelled for them today and tomorrow, since their schools are also cleaning up messes left by this hurricane. What an ordeal...it's going to be weird to come home now to a house without a tree. That tree was even the home of a very nice squirrel. It had claimed that tree and was even storing nuts for the winter at the base of it. :( I'm sad that it's home was blown away. Hopefully it will relocate to a better tree--one that can withstand hurricane force winds. I just re-read that part and it made me laugh out loud...here in my room. Brigitte says that was the most pathetic thing she's ever heard! ha, it's fun being quirky!
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
Ohio Trip
Well I'm back in O-town and it definitely is lacking on a lot of levels. I miss Mandy and Mikey already and am glad I got a chance to see them for a mini-reunion. My flight back was better than going to Ohio and I discovered that the music channels on airplanes have gotten so much better! I basically listened to music the whole way back--country, pop, rock, Top 40...oh yes much improved since the last time I flew. Ted Airlines--you rock! (They even serve Starbucks coffee on board, they obviously know quality when they see it.)
Mikey--it was so fun to hang with you and laugh practically all day long. You are awesome! Wurtle! Yes, that is a word, and a candy. ;) I taught Mikey the Disney 3-fingered smile, and basically I could not stop laughing every time he did it. He was smiling so big that his left eye was closing! hahaha!
Curious on what this smile looks like? Well all you have to do is hold out three fingers and put them vertically in your mouth and then smile so that when you take away your fingers your smile is the same size as when they were in your mouth. Yes, it's a HUGE smile, but hey, it's Disney!! They are VERY happy. So do that and then look at yourself in the mirror, I guarantee you will giggle! Try it on your friends; they will fall out of their chairs laughing--especially at 11:00 at night. Mikey and I were in the midst of a game of Outburst, when we started doing 3-fingered smiles at each other...that's when I lost it and we both were basically useless for our team-mates!
Did you know that in Ohio they have these light, lantern things that kill bugs? It's so awesome! These lanterns give off a blue-ish light that attracts moths, mosquitoes, flys...bugs in general and when they fly into it...it electrocutes them and makes this zzzzeeeiiiitt pop noise. How great is that? Florida NEEDS these things! It would be so awesome to sit in your porch and know that every time you hear a "snap" a bug has died. hehehe....oh yes, I want one sooo badly. Bye Bye love-bugs! wahahaha!
I discovered that Florida State is also lacking in beauty--Ohio University has to be one of the prettiest campuses I've seen. If you click my link to OU's webpage you can see pictures of OU (refresh the main page to get new pics of their campus) It is set among beautiful hills--covered with trees that will change in the Fall, every building is brick, the grounds are covered in tall green trees, and the buildings are all unique. OU has a rock climbing wall inside their fitness center, and even has a lake and hiking trails ten minutes away from the campus. It made me want to transfer and be educated in such a gorgeous place. It was great to get away and see mountains, lakes, feel cool weather--too bad it was only six days! But who knows, maybe I'll live in a place like that!! (hint hint God) ;)
Mikey--it was so fun to hang with you and laugh practically all day long. You are awesome! Wurtle! Yes, that is a word, and a candy. ;) I taught Mikey the Disney 3-fingered smile, and basically I could not stop laughing every time he did it. He was smiling so big that his left eye was closing! hahaha!
Curious on what this smile looks like? Well all you have to do is hold out three fingers and put them vertically in your mouth and then smile so that when you take away your fingers your smile is the same size as when they were in your mouth. Yes, it's a HUGE smile, but hey, it's Disney!! They are VERY happy. So do that and then look at yourself in the mirror, I guarantee you will giggle! Try it on your friends; they will fall out of their chairs laughing--especially at 11:00 at night. Mikey and I were in the midst of a game of Outburst, when we started doing 3-fingered smiles at each other...that's when I lost it and we both were basically useless for our team-mates!
Did you know that in Ohio they have these light, lantern things that kill bugs? It's so awesome! These lanterns give off a blue-ish light that attracts moths, mosquitoes, flys...bugs in general and when they fly into it...it electrocutes them and makes this zzzzeeeiiiitt pop noise. How great is that? Florida NEEDS these things! It would be so awesome to sit in your porch and know that every time you hear a "snap" a bug has died. hehehe....oh yes, I want one sooo badly. Bye Bye love-bugs! wahahaha!
I discovered that Florida State is also lacking in beauty--Ohio University has to be one of the prettiest campuses I've seen. If you click my link to OU's webpage you can see pictures of OU (refresh the main page to get new pics of their campus) It is set among beautiful hills--covered with trees that will change in the Fall, every building is brick, the grounds are covered in tall green trees, and the buildings are all unique. OU has a rock climbing wall inside their fitness center, and even has a lake and hiking trails ten minutes away from the campus. It made me want to transfer and be educated in such a gorgeous place. It was great to get away and see mountains, lakes, feel cool weather--too bad it was only six days! But who knows, maybe I'll live in a place like that!! (hint hint God) ;)
Sunday, July 18, 2004
Inspiration on the OU campus
I am writing this blog from an apartment complex that is on Ohio University campus--what a beautiful place! So many hills covered in trees that would be gorgeous during the autumn months, I am so jealous! The campus buildings themselves are pretty too, all red brick and old looking. It makes you want to take a book and just read under a tree!
Man, I have loved my vacation trip so far! :)
Piqua, Ohio is the cutest town it has so much charm. For instance, it has an old-fashioned fire station--like the kind you see on movies or in the musical The Music Man. The houses are so spread out and the corn fields are plentiful. Wide open spaces. Makes me feel like I'm in the heart of America! I forgot how many things I miss living in Florida like hummingbirds. They are so cute to watch. Another thing is potted plants. Flowers shrivel up and die in the heat, but here they flourish and give the town vibrant color! I wanted to buy one and take it home with me as my friend, but I decided against it considering I'd have to carry it on the plane with me!! Hills are a plus--Florida is flat and probably sinking, so any type of landscape is actually nice to look at for a change! The green trees and 'real' grass is awesome as well. Palm trees are alright, but Evergreen and Maple are pretty all the time...and St. Augustine grass is just stupid. Soft grass is the way to go! One HUGE thing that I miss while living in Florida is temperate weather. This whole week we've had 70-80 degree weather (perfect) and I've experienced the sensation of cold at night. Wow, feeling cold in July--what a concept!!
I have been pampered to the max--Mandy you rock my world! She has gone above and beyond to make my stay here in Ohio awesome. I have eaten at The Spot--had a piece of their famous pie, eaten Ohio corn on the cob, had a manicure, pedicure, facial, and hair cut for free!! Her mom rocks my world as well--she is the beautician who gave us a spa day for free! Yes, I did say I got a hair cut and man is it short!! No more growing out my hair--I knew I would get tired of it. Well now folks, it doesn't even touch my shoulders!! It is what you would call a layered bob! What inspired me to chop my hair you might ask?? Well Mandy's friend Katie had this hair cut and that's all it took! One look and my goal of growing my hair long went out the window!! haha! Mandy has shown me her wedding dress--which is gorgeous, took me to a huge inside/outside mall in Easton, Ohio. That was crazy, it had very expensive stores. Let's just say that in Forever 21, they had real live models in their store windows. Like the girls would pose in the store's clothes and then change positions every five minutes. It was insane! The town reminded me of a mixture of Winter Park, Florida and the Millennia Mall. Well that's all I have time for today...more later!
Man, I have loved my vacation trip so far! :)
Piqua, Ohio is the cutest town it has so much charm. For instance, it has an old-fashioned fire station--like the kind you see on movies or in the musical The Music Man. The houses are so spread out and the corn fields are plentiful. Wide open spaces. Makes me feel like I'm in the heart of America! I forgot how many things I miss living in Florida like hummingbirds. They are so cute to watch. Another thing is potted plants. Flowers shrivel up and die in the heat, but here they flourish and give the town vibrant color! I wanted to buy one and take it home with me as my friend, but I decided against it considering I'd have to carry it on the plane with me!! Hills are a plus--Florida is flat and probably sinking, so any type of landscape is actually nice to look at for a change! The green trees and 'real' grass is awesome as well. Palm trees are alright, but Evergreen and Maple are pretty all the time...and St. Augustine grass is just stupid. Soft grass is the way to go! One HUGE thing that I miss while living in Florida is temperate weather. This whole week we've had 70-80 degree weather (perfect) and I've experienced the sensation of cold at night. Wow, feeling cold in July--what a concept!!
I have been pampered to the max--Mandy you rock my world! She has gone above and beyond to make my stay here in Ohio awesome. I have eaten at The Spot--had a piece of their famous pie, eaten Ohio corn on the cob, had a manicure, pedicure, facial, and hair cut for free!! Her mom rocks my world as well--she is the beautician who gave us a spa day for free! Yes, I did say I got a hair cut and man is it short!! No more growing out my hair--I knew I would get tired of it. Well now folks, it doesn't even touch my shoulders!! It is what you would call a layered bob! What inspired me to chop my hair you might ask?? Well Mandy's friend Katie had this hair cut and that's all it took! One look and my goal of growing my hair long went out the window!! haha! Mandy has shown me her wedding dress--which is gorgeous, took me to a huge inside/outside mall in Easton, Ohio. That was crazy, it had very expensive stores. Let's just say that in Forever 21, they had real live models in their store windows. Like the girls would pose in the store's clothes and then change positions every five minutes. It was insane! The town reminded me of a mixture of Winter Park, Florida and the Millennia Mall. Well that's all I have time for today...more later!