Sunday, August 26, 2007
Ray Ramono?
Okay so as I was standing on my bed to remove the spider lurking above me as I sleep, tissue in my right hand, dust pan in my left (for a safety precaution- can't have little spiders crawling on me at night) Anita and I heard a voice. It said, "Ray Ramono". Where this voice came from...we do not know. Needless to say we're a bit scared! Now I must leave on our mission to discover where this mystery voice! Wish us luck!
spinning around and around
The last two weeks have been a crazy ride. After I got back from Canada my life seemed to just take off in all directions. From 21st birthday parties to packing everything up to move into an apartment, to practicing for the freshmen orientation's diversity skit I haven't had the chance to stop and catch my breath until now. Classes start tomorrow and I already feel like I'm in my own little bubble.
Thinking back on the past two weeks certain moments that have taught me things about myself.
-I realized that jumping on a bed is so stress relieving for me. I just can't help but have fun and laugh while doing it! I know that may seem so silly but its one thing that will always make me happy!
- When it comes down to routines and being organization- I need it as a foundation. I couldn't stand to have my apartment in shambles the first few days. I wanted everything in its place so that I could just go on with my life and relax.
- One thing the cable guy taught me- chocolate retrievers are not a good kind of dog to get. When he told me that I was so disappointed! Apparently they have some mental problems because of the way they've been bred. (Aka family members with family members). Crazy fact to hear from your cable guy- I know!
- After hours of practice and 9 skits later I realized that I can push my nerves down inside of me and effectively play a role in a skit.
- Lastly, I have to say I'm really proud of the way my discussion groups went after the skit. Knowing that I was able to set an environment for a group to discuss their feelings on some uncomfortable issues reassures me that I can be a counselor in the future.
I'm looking forward to taking my time this school year. I want senior year to feel like it lasts a while with lots of fun times!
Sunday, August 12, 2007
8/11
It’s amazing to me how passion can be something inspirational, moving, empowering but on the other spectrum something blinding, restrictive, and dividing. People who deeply believe in their cause make changes in the world but there’s a point where the passion is so great that person can no longer see from other perspectives. Passion can be a positive characteristic to have. Being blinded by passion to the point where a person cannot step back and see from another perspective can be dangerous. I guess being blinded by passion is how a lot of confrontations start. There are levels to passion, and going beyond the healthy point can hurt relationships and cause turmoil in lives.
Being opposed to a point of view doesn't have to mean you're opposed to the person!!
Being opposed to a point of view doesn't have to mean you're opposed to the person!!
8/3
So today as I walked up towards the cottage from the beach I over heard the kids talking about doing different types of jumps into the water. “Do the Amanda jump” I heard someone say so I stopped to watch what this jump named after me might look like. One of the cousins explained…it’s like a pencil jump but not as straight- hands flared out, knees and feet bent to one side and a squeal like ooeee! I thought that was too funny. I never realized that the kids paid attention to the way I first get into the chilly lake! I don’t consider myself as an “older” cousin here, but hearing the younger kids talk made me realize that they really do pay attention to the “older” cousins’ mannerisms.
Later in the evening we tried to make a bon fire but the wind from the approaching storm made it impossible. All the kids came running down to the “older” cousins to watch the lightening. I think we all liked the idea of having safety in numbers and that we shared feelings of nervousness and excitement about the big storm that was coming our way. We ran to Natasha’s bungalow for shelter from the rain and watched the storm pass over us.
I’ve reached the point during my vacation where all my clothes smell like bon fire, I can sit around in quiet and not be bored, and I’m used to having no contact with the real world- but- those black flies are still finding their way to biting me in the most random places!
Anyway, I’m having a great time with my sometimes wacky family but we’d be boring if we didn’t have our silly moments.
Later in the evening we tried to make a bon fire but the wind from the approaching storm made it impossible. All the kids came running down to the “older” cousins to watch the lightening. I think we all liked the idea of having safety in numbers and that we shared feelings of nervousness and excitement about the big storm that was coming our way. We ran to Natasha’s bungalow for shelter from the rain and watched the storm pass over us.
I’ve reached the point during my vacation where all my clothes smell like bon fire, I can sit around in quiet and not be bored, and I’m used to having no contact with the real world- but- those black flies are still finding their way to biting me in the most random places!
Anyway, I’m having a great time with my sometimes wacky family but we’d be boring if we didn’t have our silly moments.
7/30
Despite the ravenous black flies that make you bleed after they bite, my time here is going really well. I can’t lie, I’m a bit buzzed. The “older” cousins /cousin’s boyfriend and I have had a few drinks tonight around the bon fire (and we moved into the basement for some “kings” fun when it started to rain). So after sharing funny stories, laughs, and memories we decided it’s about that time where the rum can’t help but put you to sleep.
Back to those black flies though- I can’t understand how they manage to get into the most awkward spots of your body. Inside your ears, down my underwear, etc!!! They are ridiculous little buggers. I’m so fed up! – They’re not like regular mosquitoes because they really make bumps that last a week or so. Currently I have one on my neck that could be mistaken for a hickie. Really, these guys are feisty. Last night I was driving my Sitty (Lebanese for grandma) home and I feel something dripping down my eye. Yeah, well one of those damn black flies bit me in the crease of my eyelid!
Anyway, one thing I love about being with the family here is church on Sunday. My family is religious so we all go to the same country church together. There are about 30 of us packed into the pews singing away and feeling special because the priest is our cousin/uncle. I guess making faces at all your cousins throughout the mass makes the church experience more fun or maybe it’s just the comfort in knowing that you’re surrounded by family.
I met my new baby cousin Mathieu today. He is so adorable! Jacob (his brother, now three) is so talkative now! He’s into Darth Vader, reading French and English books, and discovering things on the ground. He’s one of the few relatives who actually look like me so automatically we have a bond.
Right, so about that rum putting people to sleep- I’m going to go do that now.
Back to those black flies though- I can’t understand how they manage to get into the most awkward spots of your body. Inside your ears, down my underwear, etc!!! They are ridiculous little buggers. I’m so fed up! – They’re not like regular mosquitoes because they really make bumps that last a week or so. Currently I have one on my neck that could be mistaken for a hickie. Really, these guys are feisty. Last night I was driving my Sitty (Lebanese for grandma) home and I feel something dripping down my eye. Yeah, well one of those damn black flies bit me in the crease of my eyelid!
Anyway, one thing I love about being with the family here is church on Sunday. My family is religious so we all go to the same country church together. There are about 30 of us packed into the pews singing away and feeling special because the priest is our cousin/uncle. I guess making faces at all your cousins throughout the mass makes the church experience more fun or maybe it’s just the comfort in knowing that you’re surrounded by family.
I met my new baby cousin Mathieu today. He is so adorable! Jacob (his brother, now three) is so talkative now! He’s into Darth Vader, reading French and English books, and discovering things on the ground. He’s one of the few relatives who actually look like me so automatically we have a bond.
Right, so about that rum putting people to sleep- I’m going to go do that now.
7/26 quiet time in my mind
You don’t really know what quiet is until you’re sleeping alone in the basement of a cottage in the country. Claire’s not here and I’m lonely without her. I need someone to chat with before I go to sleep! I’ll get used to it, and it might be good for me? Actually keeping up with things on my “to do” list seems more likely now that I’m on my own more.
The drive up here didn’t seem to take as long as usual. Maybe I’m finally used to the long hours in the car after 21 years of driving to Canada. Anthony and his family are here as well. He’s leaving early to skateboard across Newfoundland for charity. I’m bummed that I won’t have my buddy here, but I know skating is what he loves and he’ll have an amazing time. So there go my two wing people! (Claire and Anthony).
After dinner Anthony built a little bon fire (which by the way he is the pyro king) but for some reason I must have some sweet blood streaming through me because the flies were on me tonight despite the smoke. They bit through my sweat pants and underwear twice to get some of my bum. After some catching up talk and getting fed up with the flies Tomie, Philip, Maria, Anthony and I played a few rounds of cards- drug dealer and “bumhole” aka asshole. Say hello to your future president thank you very much! I had Anthony stand on his porch to watch me walk through the little pathway in the woods between his bungalow and mine.
Well I might as well start the country life early and go to bed now so that I can wake up fresh in the morning for a nice swim.
Dear bugs who I’m sharing the basement with, please don’t crawl, land, or snack on me tonight!!! You’re space is on the floor all the way near the door and mine is in the corner protected by the pillows.
Sincerely,
The unadjusted suburban girl, Amanda
The drive up here didn’t seem to take as long as usual. Maybe I’m finally used to the long hours in the car after 21 years of driving to Canada. Anthony and his family are here as well. He’s leaving early to skateboard across Newfoundland for charity. I’m bummed that I won’t have my buddy here, but I know skating is what he loves and he’ll have an amazing time. So there go my two wing people! (Claire and Anthony).
After dinner Anthony built a little bon fire (which by the way he is the pyro king) but for some reason I must have some sweet blood streaming through me because the flies were on me tonight despite the smoke. They bit through my sweat pants and underwear twice to get some of my bum. After some catching up talk and getting fed up with the flies Tomie, Philip, Maria, Anthony and I played a few rounds of cards- drug dealer and “bumhole” aka asshole. Say hello to your future president thank you very much! I had Anthony stand on his porch to watch me walk through the little pathway in the woods between his bungalow and mine.
Well I might as well start the country life early and go to bed now so that I can wake up fresh in the morning for a nice swim.
Dear bugs who I’m sharing the basement with, please don’t crawl, land, or snack on me tonight!!! You’re space is on the floor all the way near the door and mine is in the corner protected by the pillows.
Sincerely,
The unadjusted suburban girl, Amanda
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