Hello friends,
I realize that it would have been less complicated to update this current blog, but I'm not a simple girl. SO, check out my NEW BLOG:
lulustidbits.blogspot.com
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Monday, June 7, 2010
C'est fini.
This is it.
In two hours I will wake up and get ready to go to the airport.
My flight leaves at 6:55am.
This is it.
I can feel my heart pounding in my chest.
In two hours I will wake up and get ready to go to the airport.
My flight leaves at 6:55am.
This is it.
I can feel my heart pounding in my chest.
Friday, June 4, 2010
God is good, yet again.
I am absolutely speechless. It started today with the Ifle brunch. We were all gathered in the girl's dorm kitchen, feasting on our various favorite brunch foods when I overheard my french teacher tell another colleague that I had written a song, half french and half english for her class and that she wished I would sing it for everyone. I at that moment decided to get over my fear of performing in front of others, walked up to her and told her I would do it if she really wanted me too. She told me to get a guitar and start singing so I asked my roommate if I could borrow hers. After retrieving the guitar I sang my little song. A little woman, seemingly in her 30s came up to me afterwards and asked if I could find her later and sing to her because she wanted to record my song on her tape recorder. I said yes and forgot.
Fast forward to later on that evening. Esther and I were to sing for vespers honoring those theology majors who are graduating this weekend. So we did. Afterwards I went to the restroom and when I got back I saw the woman and her little boy sitting in her lap in the bag row. I felt so bad for forgetting so I went up to her and asked her when would be a good time. She said after the program.
So, I just got finished singing for her and having such a lovely conversation with her. She is a pastor's wife and currently lives in Paris. She is African but was adopted by Italians and lived in Italy all her life. She married a guy from Martinique and now they have a cute little boy, his name I have already forgotten. They speak Italian and French to him. I love it. I have digressed so back to my point. We got to talking about life and God and before I could even really share much with her she told relayed to me everything that I was struggling with this year, without even knowing it.
Everything pertaining to my spiritual struggles, she touched base with. I felt like God was using her to show me that he cared. My issues with trusting God fully, and the influences of certain friends. My questions and curiosities, my doubts and fears. The list goes on and on but she really hit the spot. The funny thing is, this isn't the first encounter I've had this year. A few weeks ago I had a random encounter with another women who did and said most of the same things to me.
I think He's trying to tell me something.
Fast forward to later on that evening. Esther and I were to sing for vespers honoring those theology majors who are graduating this weekend. So we did. Afterwards I went to the restroom and when I got back I saw the woman and her little boy sitting in her lap in the bag row. I felt so bad for forgetting so I went up to her and asked her when would be a good time. She said after the program.
So, I just got finished singing for her and having such a lovely conversation with her. She is a pastor's wife and currently lives in Paris. She is African but was adopted by Italians and lived in Italy all her life. She married a guy from Martinique and now they have a cute little boy, his name I have already forgotten. They speak Italian and French to him. I love it. I have digressed so back to my point. We got to talking about life and God and before I could even really share much with her she told relayed to me everything that I was struggling with this year, without even knowing it.
Everything pertaining to my spiritual struggles, she touched base with. I felt like God was using her to show me that he cared. My issues with trusting God fully, and the influences of certain friends. My questions and curiosities, my doubts and fears. The list goes on and on but she really hit the spot. The funny thing is, this isn't the first encounter I've had this year. A few weeks ago I had a random encounter with another women who did and said most of the same things to me.
I think He's trying to tell me something.
Coming to a close
This is insane!! I am currently in my room surrounded by all my things, trying to figure out an effective way to pack. This year has flown by and so much has happened inside of me. I don't feel that much different, but something tells me that upon my arrival back in the states I'll be having a MAJOR culture shock.
Collonges has been my home for a year. I'm going to miss the sun peeking up over the Saleve every morning. I'll miss walking down to the Cocci Market to buy my groceries. I'll miss the painful walk up the mountain after spending a day in Geneva. I'll miss all the random encounters with people. I'll miss couchsurfing. I'll miss taking trips all over France and learning about the different cultures within the French culture. I'll miss watching French dubbed movies in the theatre. I'll miss spending time with my french friends; Aurélie, Benjamin, Audrey, and my friends from Portugal Rita, Sam, & Froid. And of course I cannot forget my Tahitian friends Virginie and Mattatini.
I've learned so much this year, but feel as if I could learn so much more. It's a bittersweet feeling. I've gotten accustomed to the life here. I've learned how to survive in a different country, and culture. I've learned how much I need God in my life more than anything else. I've really broadened my horizons while being here and I wouldn't take it back for the world. I've had my ups and downs sure but these things make us stronger. Sometimes, anyway.
So here I am, amidst all my belongings taking in the last few bits of France. I'll have to come back one day and visit my friend.
Collonges has been my home for a year. I'm going to miss the sun peeking up over the Saleve every morning. I'll miss walking down to the Cocci Market to buy my groceries. I'll miss the painful walk up the mountain after spending a day in Geneva. I'll miss all the random encounters with people. I'll miss couchsurfing. I'll miss taking trips all over France and learning about the different cultures within the French culture. I'll miss watching French dubbed movies in the theatre. I'll miss spending time with my french friends; Aurélie, Benjamin, Audrey, and my friends from Portugal Rita, Sam, & Froid. And of course I cannot forget my Tahitian friends Virginie and Mattatini.
I've learned so much this year, but feel as if I could learn so much more. It's a bittersweet feeling. I've gotten accustomed to the life here. I've learned how to survive in a different country, and culture. I've learned how much I need God in my life more than anything else. I've really broadened my horizons while being here and I wouldn't take it back for the world. I've had my ups and downs sure but these things make us stronger. Sometimes, anyway.
So here I am, amidst all my belongings taking in the last few bits of France. I'll have to come back one day and visit my friend.
Monday, May 31, 2010
8.
today i took my last state tests.
it went pretty well.
in 8 days this adventure ends and a new one begins.
i can't wait!
it went pretty well.
in 8 days this adventure ends and a new one begins.
i can't wait!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
tests
We get quite a few of those in life. Sometimes more than I would like, really.
Today we went into Annency for our writing and comprehension tests. I couldn't wait to get out of the testing room. It was pouring rain outside and since the french don't have air conditioning in their buildings, the room of about 150 test-takers was muggy, humid and extremely warm. I made it through the first test alright but the second one I felt really light headed and my thoughts kept drifting off. Despite my grammatical errors, I think I passed. All is well.
tests.
The fact that I even came out to Europe to study for a year has blown my mind. A test that I believe I have passed, maybe not with flying colors, but I've passed. You see, I've never been the type of girl to do anything extraordinary. I dream big sure, but nothing really comes out of my dreams except this time. I actually came. A year ago this was just a thought taunting me. It became a reality. It's taught me quite a few things, this test. I've learned that I do like to travel but not by myself. I've learned to rely on God more than anything, realizing really how small and insignificant I am in this world (Mt. Blanc really helped with that) and now I feel as if the doors have opened. There's only an ocean between me and the world. I'll have to explore it more.
tests.
Talk about a spiritual jolt, that's what I have been experiencing this past year. Revelations and findings that have blown me away making me realize my frailty. My morality has been examined and probed. He's been speaking. I'm trying to obey.
tests.
Now, I have to return back to my life, back to the "normal" stuff that I do. Putting everything I learned here into practice might be a little difficult. I'll just have to see how that pans out. That's one test I don't have the results too and I'm okay with that. I figured out a great study guide to help me along the way. He's been pretty efficient. I can't wait to see what He planned for me.
___________________________________________________________________
on another note some interesting happenings from my day today:
1. While I was in McDonalds today, I had to use a code to get into the bathroom. I felt like a secret agent getting into a chamber. It was pretty awesome.
2. I heard a song on the radio today and these were some of the lyrics:
"I want to be a guy, so I can be gay, and have a boyfriend."
This was sung by a female.
3. Well, I don't really have a #3 but just felt like writing something because three interesting happenings seem better than two. Even though it doesn't exist.
Today we went into Annency for our writing and comprehension tests. I couldn't wait to get out of the testing room. It was pouring rain outside and since the french don't have air conditioning in their buildings, the room of about 150 test-takers was muggy, humid and extremely warm. I made it through the first test alright but the second one I felt really light headed and my thoughts kept drifting off. Despite my grammatical errors, I think I passed. All is well.
tests.
The fact that I even came out to Europe to study for a year has blown my mind. A test that I believe I have passed, maybe not with flying colors, but I've passed. You see, I've never been the type of girl to do anything extraordinary. I dream big sure, but nothing really comes out of my dreams except this time. I actually came. A year ago this was just a thought taunting me. It became a reality. It's taught me quite a few things, this test. I've learned that I do like to travel but not by myself. I've learned to rely on God more than anything, realizing really how small and insignificant I am in this world (Mt. Blanc really helped with that) and now I feel as if the doors have opened. There's only an ocean between me and the world. I'll have to explore it more.
tests.
Talk about a spiritual jolt, that's what I have been experiencing this past year. Revelations and findings that have blown me away making me realize my frailty. My morality has been examined and probed. He's been speaking. I'm trying to obey.
tests.
Now, I have to return back to my life, back to the "normal" stuff that I do. Putting everything I learned here into practice might be a little difficult. I'll just have to see how that pans out. That's one test I don't have the results too and I'm okay with that. I figured out a great study guide to help me along the way. He's been pretty efficient. I can't wait to see what He planned for me.
___________________________________________________________________
on another note some interesting happenings from my day today:
1. While I was in McDonalds today, I had to use a code to get into the bathroom. I felt like a secret agent getting into a chamber. It was pretty awesome.
2. I heard a song on the radio today and these were some of the lyrics:
"I want to be a guy, so I can be gay, and have a boyfriend."
This was sung by a female.
3. Well, I don't really have a #3 but just felt like writing something because three interesting happenings seem better than two. Even though it doesn't exist.
