Be Nicer Than Me.

You know those people who you simply CANNOT tolerate? We all have them, the people in our lives that every single thing that escapes their mouths makes us want to tear all our hair out and every single thing they do makes us want to jump off the roof just to get away from them. I tell other people to be patient with them, I tell myself to be patient with them, but somehow, when faced with one of these least-favorite people, I forget all too quickly. A situation that is pertinent to this topic occurred today, while I sat in U.S. History, minding my own business. I sit near the front of the room, close to the projector screen. We were watching a historical film about the 13 colonies, in which actors in powdered wigs prance around in front of a backdrop, declaring independence doing all those things that they did back then. Since the nice, quiet girl who usually sits behind me was gone, a certain intolerable individual came from his seat in the back of the room to sit in all-too-near proximity to me in that empty desk, intent on getting the BEST possible view of a movie no one really cares about. At the start of the film I was mildly annoyed just because he was near me, but when his legs hit the back of my desk for the millionth time, and once I realized he was being a brat on purpose, I lost a bit of my cool, whipped around and demanded rather rudely "MOVE your legs. Now." he swore at me under his breath, but I did not care in the least. I was working on pretending he wasn't there when he decided to intrude on my feet with his feet. Why a person would think they need the room under their desk AND mine is beyond me, yet there he was anyway, tapping me feet with his, pretending that they weren't my feet and that I didn't actually want to punch his teeth out. That time I almost lost it completely, and giving him the eyes of death, said loud enough for most everyone to hear, "WHAT IS YOUR DEAL!?" He wasn't thrilled about that either, but I've heard all those words before. So, I was not patient today. I am guilty of being a controlling and cranky teenage girl. On top of it all, the room smelled like feet. I blamed it on him. I shouldn't have been impatient, I shouldn't have yelled at him. I tell you this because I understand, sometimes people are terrible, but learn from my mistakes, and be a nice person, because things will be happier if you do.

Not Quite Home Anymore.

It's been three weeks since I got back to the U.S.A. I wish I could find the words to tell you about Ethiopia, but everything that happened there and all the things I learned are tied up and tangled inside my little brain. The team that I had the pleasure of traveling and spending two weeks with could not have been better. We bonded so much, and I formed some strong friendships that will hopefully last a lifetime. Ethiopia changed me, just like I knew it would. A little piece (or maybe a not so little piece), was fractured off and left in that marvelous country. Maybe it's because I had never really traveled before, or maybe it's because I'm young and impressionable, but I think it might be that God led me over there because he knows I'll be going back. I've already made some general plans for how I'll get back and when. I'll keep that to myself though, because when these plans of mine become concrete, trust me, I'll let you know. In the three weeks that have passed since my return, I've started my Junior year at Bozeman High. Let me tell you, folks, after experiencing the best two weeks of my life, living everyday to the most, helping people with incredible need, and basically just doing what I love, high school can be a real dragola. When people ask me how I'm readjusting to the "real world," I want to let them see what I've seen in Africa and yell: "THAT is the real world! That." Life is so much more than appearances, money, possessions, meaningless fake relationships, and the million other things that we worry about on a daily basis in our dry and stagnant lives. However, determined not to let my new perspective fade, I've made up my stubborn mind to make the best of this year and to make a difference regardless of where I am, whether it is the place I'd like to be or not. I'm entering this new chapter of my life with an open mind and an optimistic spirit (even if it means working hard to maintain that optimism). So, there will be many more posts relaying my small experiences and adventures, keep your eyes out for those, and read up on them when you can. Remember: Your life is big, and there is plenty of room in it, but it's your job to fill it up. Go.