Bitter Cold with a Happy Ending

Hello, dear Readers! It's currently 2:18 in the morning, I've finished all my homework, and I have no desire to go to bed.

Today was one of those freezing-cold-with-a-gray-sky type of days. I was expecting it to be a little warmer, because it's Texas. In October. Oh, well. Nothing I can't handle.

Except for me, being the idiot that I sometimes am, decided to wear shorts this morning. 

I still really don't know what possessed me to think that shorts were a good idea. Maybe because I knew that I had color guard practice today...? But I survived. And changed into sweats the first chance I got. I proceeded to wear said sweats for the rest of the day (besides practice).

Where does that happy ending come from, you ask? Well, my guard captain, who gives me rides and feeds me tacos took me by Sonic where we ordered drinks to go. I was pretty thrilled; I never get to go to Sonic anymore!

On another note, my family is coming down this weekend! It's hard to explain just how excited I am, because I haven't seen these folks since August! Which, for me, is quite a long time. Two months, as a matter of fact.

Also this weekend? Homecoming. Probably one of the craziest times of the year here at Baylor. Between all the activities of the week and the return of the alumni and other visitors, Friday and Saturday are jam-packed with events, leaving no room to breathe.

But I'm excited. I've been to Baylor Homecoming before, but it's my first time as a student here. Plus, there's the fact that I get to march in the parade too. (Unfortunately, this means that I can't swing dance in the parade. My aerials partner is not amused.)

Have you ever seen a two in the morning face? 

Well, now you have. Now don't you feel edumacated? 

I really do need to get around to posting some real photography on here. Last weekend was Fall Break (aka "You get a Friday off! Plus your weekend! Yay!"), so while almost everyone went home to see their families, I got some photography practice in. Plus I tried a Whataburger burger for the first time.

I feel like an accomplished individual. Here's a shot from the trek to Whataburger.

Foreboding storm clouds as I cross over a six lane highway. Sounds like a mini-adventure to me!

A Letter to Gentlemen

Dear...well, Gentlemen,

I've really enjoyed going to a school in the south. Why? Well, one of the reasons is that there are so many of you around! All the time I see you opening doors for myself and others, as well as clearing my dishes on occasion and walking me to my dorm so I won't be alone on campus after dark.

I'm fully aware you don't have to do this. You don't really need to, but because you do anyway, I thank you.

I love seeing a spot of kindness to a stranger or a friend on any given day, even if it's a lousy one. It warms my heart to see people taking the time do something nice, whether it be out of goodwill, or because of how they're raised.

I read an amateur article recently about how girls are more attracted to the "bad boys", and how nice guys really do finish last. Guys, don't radically change your personality on the whims of one girl. Let her respect you and appreciate you for being...you.

Chivalry isn't dead. You guys are the ones keeping it alive. And all in all, you are helping to make the world a better place. Keep on keeping on, my friends.

Sincerely,
Me

How do you like the new layout?

I absolutely loved the picture I used for the background (I snapped that postcard shot while I was in Germany one spring), but I didn't like how it was multiplied, so I decided to give the ol' blog a fresh redesign! I hope you all like it! :)

Family Weekend

This past weekend at college was Family Weekend. Baylor planned a full schedule for families, making sure that everyone could spend quality time together. There was even a football game that weekend; the band planned the most kid-friendly show that we (I'm in the color guard, you know!) could possibly do: Pixar. (You don't even understand how excited I was when they announced the theme.)

It was the best show ever. One of my all-time favorites, really. Only one problem, though. My parents couldn't come down. However, since my cousin is a freshman here as well, I did get to chill out and have lunch with my aunt, uncle and cousins, so that was pretty enjoyable.

Here's the thing, though. When you live ten to eleven hours away from home, you don't get to see your family much. I haven't seen mine in a month. Believe it or not, this is the longest time that I've been separated from my parents and little brother. That's not too much of a problem, because I'm pretty busy with guard, LEAD, and a few other clubs. Not to mention the piles of homework I get every night. But...I miss my family.

At the game, I watched as all the other band members left with their families, or chatted excitedly about where they were going to eat, or what they were going to do next.  Kids were everywhere giggling, throwing footballs, chasing each other around, tugging on their parents' or collegiate sibling's shirts. I felt more lonely than ever.

But this little depressing tale does have a happy ending. I got to Skype with my family that night. It was refreshing to see their faces again. Even though I have a month left until I'm reunited with my loved ones, I know that the time's just going to fly by. In the meantime...I'm going to work on my swing dancing.

*Picture doesn't belong to me. It was stolen from  found on Google. Just giving credit where it's due!

Faraway Kindess

I am naturally not a very open person. I don't show too much emotion most of the time, and I don't share things with others unless I really want to. As an introvert, I have more of a reserved personality. However, at the beginning of the summer, I read a chapter in a loaned book from my mom about being vulnerable and opening up to others. I stopped reading that book after that.

I knew right then that the chapter had been written for me. But I was having none of that. I don't want to open up! I thought. I'm fine just the way I am. Nobody needs to know about me.

Dead. Wrong.

This summer, God put me on a mission to open up, to reveal more of my true colors instead of the stoic personality that I wrap myself in.

I became a junior counselor at a camp, I went to a foreign country to supply clean water to a village. People wanted to know what happened to me there. They wanted my stories, my pictures.

I was scared. I still am.

But let me tell you a story. This story really knocked my world into perspective.

It was raining on the first night of the job in Cambodia. My teammates were giggling and running into the storm. Not I. I was curled up on a cot, shivering with fever. I couldn't move, my eyelids were fighting to stay open. Eventually, after a sponge bath, my fever broke. That didn't mean I was better. Oh no. I was bedridden for three days, to weak to do much but sit up and eat. Even stumbling to the doors of the girls room for a breath of fresh air was a challenge.

What saved me? God's grace, Tylenol, and a couple of ladies I like to call the Mings.

The word "Ming" in the Khmer language is a term of respect that you use when you speak to a woman of superior standing. The English equivalent would probably be "aunt".

But over the course of the ten days I was at the job site, the Mings became so much more to me than aunts.

These ladies didn't even know me, but they jumped to my rescue anyway when I first became sick. They were the ones who gave me a sponge bath that first night. They helped me with things that I normally could do myself: bathing, eating, walking, even going to the bathroom was a struggle, yet they were patient as I struggled with basic daily activities.

They even held me as I sobbed in frustration, shaking with the fever and the effort. But one more thing.

The Mings couldn't speak my language, and I couldn't speak theirs. 

Even today, the thought still blows me away. They loved me like one of their own, even though I had never spoken much to them before. Just the amount of kindness poured out amazes me. I was forced to open myself up to complete strangers...and I was blessed beyond all I could have ever expected. The actions of the Mings inspired me.

I shared more. I talked more. I breached the boundaries of my shell.

It still isn't easy to talk to people I don't know, but if I can bring comfort and peace into someone's life like the Mings brought into mine, I could consider my days well spent.

 I haven't seen the Mings since this picture was taken. I miss them both very, very much. 

Childhood Dreams

When I was a kiddo living in Japan, there were many things that I got to do that many of my American peers never had the opportunity to experience. Riding a MAGLEV, for example. Or walking by a Power Ranger battle on the way to get groceries. I've never encountered Godzilla, though. But I digress. 

Near my house in Tokyo was a sports center. It was a place where you could drop by and work out. I'm thinking that it's similar to a YMCA here in the U.S. of A. Anyways, when I went, I would always peek into the windows of the gym to see if the local club was practicing the combat art of kendo. I would always wish to myself that someday, I could try something like that too.
What is kendo? Since I'm horrible at explaining things myself, I'll let Wikipedia fill you in. "Kendo is a modern Japanese sport/martial art, which descended from traditional swordsmanship and uses bamboo swords and protective armor. Today it is widely practiced within Japan and many other nations across the world."

Never beyond my wildest dreams did I ever think that I was going to get an opportunity to try kendo. On the way back to my dorm tonight, my heart was swelling in joy. 

Sometimes the things that are the most simple are the most beautiful. Even when they involve combat (did I mention that I also enjoy fencing?) 

Pictures copyrighted to their respective owners.

In Transition

I must begin with a sincere apology.

I'M SO SORRY! I'M SUCH A HORRIBLE BLOGGER FOR NOT UPDATING SOONER. 

But I'm back.

I've waited so long to post because I don't even know how to describe the events in my life over the past month. There's just so much substance there. I'm still reeling.

First of all, I'd like to say that everyone came back from that trip alive. As everyone seems to be posting on social media of our location, I'll go ahead and let you all know where I've been.

Cambodia. Beautiful Cambodia.

That trip changed my life in ways I never thought possible. Our objective was to build a water tank for a rural village, to bring people basic medical care, and to teach hygiene. Even though I was there for only two weeks, it felt like a lifetime. I probably will dedicate many future posts to my adventures, but I have to move on to another topic of importance...

That would be college.

Yes, I've made the move to Baylor University, and I've been living here for almost two weeks. Today was my first Friday. I have one more class, though, that I need to be getting ready to leave for, as it's on the COMPLETE OTHER SIDE OF CAMPUS.

Previews for future posts!

Missing this little rascal today! He visited my hammock when I was trying to nap off sickness.

Collegiate guard freshmen!

Friends from Line Camp in June. 

My hair was a common place to place various local Cambodian flora.

These crazy transitions have kept the blogging on hold, but I plan to be more active in the future! Thank you for sticking with me!

(And all those page views! Wow!)