Bus Conversations #1

Seeing that I spend about 2-3 hours of my day on public transportation, I am bound to have or overhear plenty of interesting converstations. I have decided to start recording those here. :)

Two weeks ago, 2 young gentlemen were speaking of a young woman they knew who apparently was doing something crazy:

"She's nuts! She ain't goin' peanuts. She's goin' freakin' WALNUTS. Off. the. WALL. NUTS."

Letter to Sickness

Dear Sickness,

Thank you for your most recent visit. You were actually quite welcome this weekend as an excuse to lay around all day watching old movies and drinking delicious soups. However, it is now almost Wednesday and I still must survive the rest of the work week! You are now making it slightly difficult to show kindness towards my co-workers, roommates, and most importantly to exhibit patience to the kids in my after-school program. Think of the children, dear Sickness! They do not respond so well to crabby Miss Klarrisa. I am giving you some drugs and a full night of rest. In the morning I expect you to be gone. Thank you again. Please allow your acquaintances Health and Happiness to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,
K. Frank

Keyword: Someday

Last night I got into a conversation with a dear friend about this "problem" she seems to think I have. The problem being: my singleness. I'd like to start off this blog by saying that I dearly love this friend, and that I truly support relationships and would indeed like to be in one someday. Keyword: someday.

This holiday season amidst old friends and family, I'm anticipating the questions... "So are you seeing anybody right now?"... "Do you have a boyfriend?"... "Why not?" Now, there's nothing wrong with those questions. However, (correct me if I'm wrong) there often seems to be this idea behind them that because I don't have a significant other that I'm missing something terribly or that I'm not completely "whole" without someone else. I have no problem answering the question truthfully and with dignity, but I do have problems with the pity party that follows my answer. If I felt fine about my life before their question, my life will often seem null and void along with a dropping self-esteem after our conversation.

Me: "No, I'm not really seeing anybody right now."

Inquisitor: "Oh really? Why not? You're so [insert 'compliment' here]!"

Me: "Thanks, I just haven't really found someone.... I guess."

[Thoughts of why if I'm so ____... why don't I have someone? start to appear]

Inquisitor: "There weren't any guys at school? Work?"

Me: "Nope..." [Do I just suck at meeting people? Hope this ends soon...]

Inquisitor: "Oh... [begins hosting pity party]... well you'll find someone soon!"

Me: "Thanks..." [becomes reluctant guest at pity party for 'pathetic' love life]

Oh life...and people. It takes so much patience, don't you think?

Anyways, the point is that I understand your concern for my life in general, but I am happy and fulfilled with a lot of the relationships around me. If I were to meet someone right now, that would just be an added plus to the people that I already have in my life. For now, I plan on living my life day to day with people... in this beautiful city:

And you know... if someday I meet someone that doesn't mind the craziness that is my life, then great!

Keyword: someday

In One Act

Last night I went to see my lovely roommate's one act, along with about 7 others' one acts. I feel that SPU's Theatre Department is slightly under-appreciated. I wish everyone could have seen the talent that was presented last night. So here's to you SPU Theatre!

PHX

Sometimes it's weird to miss a place that I hated for so long.

While Arizona is not a place I see myself living in ever again, there are certain aspects of it I miss sometimes.

1. On cold, rainy Seattle days, I often think of the August monsoon season in Arizona. There's this hot, dry wind that starts it off. Then as the clouds roll in, you hear the sound of thunder cracking in the distance. Shortly after, the clouds open up and dump buckets and buckets of water. Then just as suddenly it all stops. It's truly amazing.

2. Something I miss terribly when I'm feeling stressed is taking a long drive out on the windy roads that lead to no where. It's freeing to be able to just drive for miles and miles... *sigh* Mix that with some monsoon or #3 and you have happiness.

3. Lastly, Arizona sunsets are hard to beat. There's not even a photo that can possibly do it justice. A photo just can't capture the colors and vibrancy... This one tries, but still fails even though it's beautiful.

"Well I made my way back down to the valley,

Right on past 83rd Street,

That's where we once belonged

But I'm gone,

I swear I'm long gone...

God, I miss those songs we used to sing

Talking like getting away would be the greatest thing

Well me, I got out,

And you, you kept singing to me

Like that's really going to set this free..."

-"Give it Up" by The Format

Joyful Experiences.

It's been a long time since I've written. Anything.

Lately as I think about my future options, I have tried recalling experiences in my life that have truly brought me joy. Most of those joyful experiences involve being in relationship and community with amazing people. However, there are a few other things that stick out as well:

1. Writing. Throughout high school I would write poems, articles for the school paper, and general blogs. I continued writing somewhat through college, but never really past the pages of my journal. Which is totally fine, but there's something about posting your thoughts out there in cyberspace in the hopes that someone will read them that is really exhilarating. :)

2. Art and music. When I was younger, I really enjoyed using creative outlets (such as art and music) to express myself. As I've been reflecting on why I've stopped doing these things, the word "fear" continually sticks out. Fear of what... I'm still not quite sure.

3. It's kind of nerdy, but one event that continually sticks out in my mind is this end of the year celebration I planned for my newspaper senior year of high school. I had so much fun just planning out all the details and getting it ready. The best part was being able to appreciate my staff and reflect on the experiences they had during the year.

4. Hospitality and International travels/missions. Since high school when my family would host Japanese exchange students to last year with SPRINT, hospitality and missions have been a huge part of my life. Even before that, my life has always been about helping the people I love and care about through.... life. That's a little vague, huh? Whether that's helping my Chinese grandmother at the grocery store or helping a random hotel guest find a nearby restaurant, there's something about helping others feel at home when they may feel out of place that really brings me joy.

These are just a few and hopefully as I continue to reflect... more will come.

Meet Daniel Timti

Daniel Timti is an amazing man. He is a Christian, nurse, husband, father, son, and community leader. He was my homestay father when my team stayed in Njinikom, Cameroon. I learned so much about the people in the Northwest Province of Cameroon from Daniel. I also learned how powerful the use of hope is by the people within a community. Daniel had so much passion for health and for the people of Njinikom. One night he told us about how he wanted to start his own NGO and was processing the papers that week. We asked him what his NGO was going to do and he told us how he wanted to create a place for senior citizens. He went on to basically describe what we consider a senior center in America. When I told him that we had those in America too, he was overjoyed and pressed me for details of what our senior centers look like. He wants to see his plans for a senior center in Cameroon through so that the senior citizens in his community have a place to gather and improve their health. By playing games, doing crafts and gathering together, they will hopefully improve their health by lowering their blood pressure. I once learned that your vocation is when you find the place where your passions and the world's greatest needs meet. Daniel has found that in his community. I am truly thankful to have met Daniel and seen the work God is doing through him for Cameroon.