tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64878001070737000152024-03-12T19:47:04.371-04:00welcome to my lifeThis blog has documented my life (some years with more post frequency than other years) since I started college in 2009.
It's been entertaining at times to write out my random, mundane thoughts. Also, though, it's been a huge source of self-discovery to process what I can't THINK my way through.Cecilly http://www.blogger.com/profile/02183789574544936411noreply@blogger.comBlogger287125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487800107073700015.post-81214613188102885162021-10-02T19:31:00.002-04:002021-10-02T19:54:51.591-04:00Because life is sacred, I'm pro choice<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Let me be clear: </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9sJ4eF6qNAPvimm9Lhv29fUvFVBKsBXRUhc09SoODbYb-7jpQ7u24ZkU-iRleRWTWwuzkbfoSsGyj7cBwC-VDDa1LrQ3TTuvlXkC3yjsvJQ-G2tsP1aU_tfNScgkciVP60tvIFh2fRxA/s2048/20211001_120207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9sJ4eF6qNAPvimm9Lhv29fUvFVBKsBXRUhc09SoODbYb-7jpQ7u24ZkU-iRleRWTWwuzkbfoSsGyj7cBwC-VDDa1LrQ3TTuvlXkC3yjsvJQ-G2tsP1aU_tfNScgkciVP60tvIFh2fRxA/s320/20211001_120207.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span id="docs-internal-guid-4786972b-7fff-63ae-7ded-0550647f2138"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hate. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Conflict. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I would rather crawl under a rock and hide for the rest of my life than to disagree aloud with someone, especially if that is someone I love. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Emotional, people-pleaser, highly-sensitive person</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">validation-seeker</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">... These terms could all be used to describe me. I’m in therapy for said reasons and trying to get my feet under me, but just know going in how INCREDIBLY HARD it is for me even to speak up. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then I think of a quote that always grounds me: </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Speak your mind, even if your voice shakes.” </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(famously attributed to Ruth Bader Ginsburg but attribution should go to Maggie Kuhn. #AttributionMatters) </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With my personal disclosures out of the way, let’s dive in: the conversation around pro-life and pro-choice. I purposefully say </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">conversation</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> rather than debate because if there is one thing I believe it is that </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">rather than avoid topics like politics and religion, learn to discuss politics and religion civilly. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-8xio04ABKMKpgpLc13csqe1lK5gw2gXZd1LY2pP_n7fqLsfgx3eZq3axj_lAq25rYczU3c4t1Mftl1RfonbjNpi-VFzDyUvsIOC4kWoWm8cJS0xtaVrDC3mf-NjONEzkOJ2HnhyHTw/s2048/20211002_135410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-8xio04ABKMKpgpLc13csqe1lK5gw2gXZd1LY2pP_n7fqLsfgx3eZq3axj_lAq25rYczU3c4t1Mftl1RfonbjNpi-VFzDyUvsIOC4kWoWm8cJS0xtaVrDC3mf-NjONEzkOJ2HnhyHTw/s320/20211002_135410.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I grew up pro-life with the underlying belief of the sanctity of life. I felt that abortion was murder, all babies should be given the chance to be born, and if someone didn’t want their baby, there were enough couples seeking to adopt that all could be solved by bringing the baby to be born and put up for adoption. </span></span></span><div><span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If I recall correctly, that encompassed my belief set. </span></span></span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Since being that girl, I’ve changed my tune. Today I took part in my first-ever gathering</span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(some would say </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">rally </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">or </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">protest, </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">but it truly was a peaceful gathering with speakers on the topic and an open mic to share experiences. If I share something heard during the gathering, I’ll </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">underline</span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, as I can’t directly attribute it to something I thought of, but also cannot accurately attribute it to any one individual.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Where I stand now:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I feel that life is sacred. Children deserve to be born into a loving environment. For the safety of the child and for those who would birth or raise that child, I believe that the mother should have the ability to choose for herself how to proceed with potentially bringing a child into the world.<b> </b></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>There is collateral damage to children (born to circumstances they otherwise wouldn’t have been).</b> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Growing up, I saw abortion as what a (forgive young Cecilly for how she saw the world. She really didn’t know differently yet) girl might do because she was having sex irresponsibly </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(tbh didn’t know what that even meant, but that was the party line)</span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and didn’t want to take responsibility for her actions. </span><div><span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yY9RuPdtbQSZqcpt2YVLsPLW_bjLAbPMCbBdOUTPWRicnaX6aH_FyGUsGpxTqTR5XtpHNs9J_otM2CEfcfb63fbmP_bpR5EJ3MFatC_jAdBOIC4BZGbSxpsHSMF_huOdqNjkzv4adoI/s2048/20211002_131104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yY9RuPdtbQSZqcpt2YVLsPLW_bjLAbPMCbBdOUTPWRicnaX6aH_FyGUsGpxTqTR5XtpHNs9J_otM2CEfcfb63fbmP_bpR5EJ3MFatC_jAdBOIC4BZGbSxpsHSMF_huOdqNjkzv4adoI/s320/20211002_131104.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(SO. MUCH. TO. UNPACK. THERE.)</span></span></span><div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Abortion is a medical decision. </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are a myriad of reasons someone may reach the conclusion of abortion. It MAY be irresponsible sex practices. Digging into causes of why someone would make an irresponsible sexual decision, it could stem from: a lack of education of how to be responsibly sexually active, no access to contraceptives, stigma, abstinence-only teaching, or many other reasons.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If we go with the logic that, okay, someone is pregnant and we mandate they birth that child, I am truly baffled with the logic. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you trust me with a child, why can’t you trust me with a choice? </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are going to be a myriad of choices after the birth of that child, but you are mandating the very first and then (another topic) making no effort to help that child once they are born. </span></div><div><b style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The pro-life debate makes no accounting for privilege.</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If someone is mandated to bring a child to term, then once they do, the very system they are born into looks down on that mother for the requested assistance to raise the very child she was (forced) to have. Those affected by anti-abortion laws are those already marginalized and cut off from resources. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>In the words of Taylor Swift (who would I be to not quote her here? :) “these are not my [Utah] Christian values.”</b></span><div><span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksD7fyah5w2_kI4Cw5NGfBI_7lCu0vMbGpF4li0dwnA4g_NrGHpi_xxJOT3z7gC7Sol44-D2tVeL9jPl607TWe6s5rBE2scvuYv3ztaOyM71xo0QTfIYVBMxUV6OTkZGniIkHmFSZLCQ/s2048/20211002_141254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksD7fyah5w2_kI4Cw5NGfBI_7lCu0vMbGpF4li0dwnA4g_NrGHpi_xxJOT3z7gC7Sol44-D2tVeL9jPl607TWe6s5rBE2scvuYv3ztaOyM71xo0QTfIYVBMxUV6OTkZGniIkHmFSZLCQ/s320/20211002_141254.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p></p><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On a religious side-note, this was an incredible way to spend my General Conference Saturday. It felt like a testimony meeting with all the people from truly all diverse walks of life sharing their stories and their <b>why</b>. What a beautiful display of people owning their truth. Many, similar to myself, started in this life as pro-life. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Returning to the topic of being irresponsibly sexually active… Someone COULD be doing everything to be sexually responsible and still become pregnant. There could be reasons they are not equipped to carry a child to term: mental, emotional, financial, or it is NOT SOMETHING THEY WANT. I personally do not believe that the reason matters, but I find it interesting that there are SO MANY effects of having a child that oftentimes do not get considered in a Pro-Life approach. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If we want to stop abortions, it’s time to reconsider why the onus falls only on women. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Want to stop abortions, have men get vasectomies. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Truly, when I used to hear about the “war on women,” I thought those alt-right feminists burning their bras were being dramatic. But <b>WHY IS IT </b>that women are the <b>ONLY ONES</b> bearing the burden of this decision? </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRATD-5SvkUtmIPQOOJPst0uWWZAZFdfRx0lVNANwjGYzxA90YZRVlJdDIZmXKp4dcP582MuF5u0GqU8acFWpvQm1MSObAN5qLVqxTOvm8UZ5WcPZPKmuBgPIyo_1u9Nu4mfPTj6d9eFA/s2048/20211002_134200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRATD-5SvkUtmIPQOOJPst0uWWZAZFdfRx0lVNANwjGYzxA90YZRVlJdDIZmXKp4dcP582MuF5u0GqU8acFWpvQm1MSObAN5qLVqxTOvm8UZ5WcPZPKmuBgPIyo_1u9Nu4mfPTj6d9eFA/s320/20211002_134200.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">It takes sperm to create life. If there are two in the equation to create life and the intended outcome is to ensure life is created responsibly, we need to regulate both parts of the equation: men and women. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One thing that stood out to me during the gathering today was how many children and teenagers joined in. Several school teachers spoke and talked about how </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">kids are absorbing the inequities, whether you choose to talk about it or not… They’re gonna ask each other if they don’t ask you, and the “each other” is not afraid to talk about it. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hearing that was HONESTLY the first time in a LONG TIME that I actively thought about how I used to want kids. I want to raise strong children to reason through difficult topics like this. I want to </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">have the ovaries (not balls) to talk to them about it. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To wrap up today’s beautifully, emotionally draining day, I thought it powerful that someone brought up how </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">there seems to be a gap in information where we’re told not to talk or share our stories. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Truly, as I listened to so many people with VERY DIVERSE reasons for getting, not getting, being grateful for the choice to CHOOSE whether this medical decision was best for them in their life circumstance, I realized that truly the framing I had surrounding this pro-life/pro-choice topic was VERY misguided. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">I didn’t have all the information. It comes down to AGENCY and allowing people to choose. </span><div><span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhuISraBDHtdik4KjPovsIspH3ozU18FmGv0SawM88Y8UCP2QtPVsMfI33a9AGw6yAMZN5STB52DI76bDGM44rK4-Wl-W6T8KtxQuDEvswlvBfTjkniiA9pFddP3FKDXmTDDtTec_Amh8/s2048/20211002_134012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhuISraBDHtdik4KjPovsIspH3ozU18FmGv0SawM88Y8UCP2QtPVsMfI33a9AGw6yAMZN5STB52DI76bDGM44rK4-Wl-W6T8KtxQuDEvswlvBfTjkniiA9pFddP3FKDXmTDDtTec_Amh8/s320/20211002_134012.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p>I was brought up in a religion which focused intensely on giving people the ability to CHOOSE, and I’m shocked that the very institution that prided itself on giving people that privilege to choose would just as quickly take it away and make the decision for its followers. And. I. So. Blindly. Followed. Without. Thinking. Because. Thinking. And. Disagreeing. Was. So. Stigmatized. Also another topic.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don't know if I've articulated this well, but I believe the conversation needs to focus more on that we are asking for the CHOICE. I'm not saying that abortions should be required for every pregnancy. I also know that universally making one decision for everyone ignores that each individual and their care provider can make the best decision for their circumstance. That's all that's being asked for. The ability to choose. </span><u style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don't want an abortion? Don't get one. </u><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qTdYWMz0pU4_-yk8-WWol-NxMZs_IWBVV3zX3UMkhsSiXtOl6jVlp_xoKuEg71caGuyScMD2hocqsHoXVLi93krbc3UwwSicvB_Vvz9AQWq0XLKQyJKiD1Xr0sP9gtoP7B0ypLb6Ftg/s2048/20211002_145509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qTdYWMz0pU4_-yk8-WWol-NxMZs_IWBVV3zX3UMkhsSiXtOl6jVlp_xoKuEg71caGuyScMD2hocqsHoXVLi93krbc3UwwSicvB_Vvz9AQWq0XLKQyJKiD1Xr0sP9gtoP7B0ypLb6Ftg/s320/20211002_145509.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>That people would rather force others to do something that could mentally, physically, financially, emotionally harm themselves and do it in the name of “love” SICKENS. ME. I truly YEARN to understand how, in good conscience, a blind-eye can be turned on the MANY people impacted by regulating the choices of another person who knows BEST FOR THEMSELVES IN THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">The God I believe in would NEVER, EVER wish that upon His/Her/Their Children. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">I used to be quiet and only mentally disagree, but it’s true that those who feel differently than me ARE NOT QUIET ON THE SUBJECT. I hope to always keep people in my life who see the world differently than I do because I want to constantly check myself. But it is time to </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">stand up and shout out. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I hope to always </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">speak for those who can’t speak for themselves</span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Because at one time, I was that girl who couldn’t speak for myself. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">I started with a disclaimer so I’ll end with one: </span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">I reserve the right to change my mind at any time and extend that same right to you. xoxo </span></b></span></p></div></div></div></div></div></div>Cecillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01481630759998651082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487800107073700015.post-62056577460488252742021-04-15T08:00:00.006-04:002022-11-22T17:15:38.602-05:00MY EXPERIENCE ON BUDGET TRAVEL IN CHINA<p> </p><section class="ef-section -s" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-family: "EF Circular Latin", Helvetica, "Open Sans", "Gill Sans MT", "Gill Sans", Corbel, Arial, sans-serif; padding: 96px 0px; position: relative; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; width: 1277.33px;"><div class="ef-container" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 1200px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><div class="ef-row -s-12" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; flex: 0 1 auto; margin-left: -12px; margin-right: -12px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><div class="ef-col -s-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; flex: 1 0 50%; max-width: 50%; padding-left: 12px; padding-right: 12px; position: relative; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><h1 class="ef-h4 u-f-bold" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-text); font-size: 32px; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 24px; max-width: 65ch; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">MY EXPERIENCE ON BUDGET TRAVEL IN CHINA</h1></div><div class="ef-col -s-6 u-text-right u-show-m-up" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; flex: 1 0 50%; justify-content: flex-end; max-width: 50%; padding-left: 12px; padding-right: 12px; position: relative; text-align: right; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><div class=" css-1ewpjjm e3f9pwe0" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><div class="css-16ofe9o e3f9pwe1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; align-items: flex-start; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-direction: column; margin-left: auto; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; width: 138px;"><picture style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Cecilly Author EF" class="authorImage media css-1pcnwwj ensu3ku2 lazyautosizes lazyloaded" data-sizes="auto" data-src="https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/60x60/filters:focal(0x0:1x1):quality(90)/f/86150/432x576/2dd20b819b/cici.jpg" data-srcset="https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/60x60/filters:focal(0x0:1x1):quality(90)/f/86150/432x576/2dd20b819b/cici.jpg 60w" sizes="48px" src="https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/60x60/filters:focal(0x0:1x1):quality(90)/f/86150/432x576/2dd20b819b/cici.jpg" srcset="https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/60x60/filters:focal(0x0:1x1):quality(90)/f/86150/432x576/2dd20b819b/cici.jpg 60w" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 50%; border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; flex-shrink: 0; height: 48px !important; margin-bottom: 16px; max-width: 100%; min-height: 100%; object-fit: cover; object-position: 50% 50%; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; width: 48px !important;" /></picture><div class="ef-text-caption css-1ri31tb e3f9pwe2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.333; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Author</div><a class="ef-text-ui u-text-left css-1ri31tb e3f9pwe3" href="https://www.english1.com/blog/authors/cecilly-francisco/" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.714; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Cecilly Francisco</a></div></div></div></div><div class="ef-row -s-12" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; flex: 0 1 auto; margin-left: -12px; margin-right: -12px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><div class="ef-col -s-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; flex: 1 0 50%; max-width: 50%; padding-left: 12px; padding-right: 12px; position: relative; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="color: var(--color-text); font-size: x-small;">This was originally published for EF English First on https://www.english1.com/blog/money/my-experience-on-budget-travel-in-china/ and is re-published here.</span></div></div></div></section><section class="ef-section css-y5b6cs e1bl87ly0" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-family: "EF Circular Latin", Helvetica, "Open Sans", "Gill Sans MT", "Gill Sans", Corbel, Arial, sans-serif; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; width: 1277.33px;"><div class="section-container ef-container" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 1200px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><div class="u-s-pb-m css-gv0fw egg899g0" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding-bottom: 24px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><div class="ef-row " style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; flex: 0 1 auto; margin-left: -12px; margin-right: -12px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><div class="ef-col -s-12 -m-auto " style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; flex: 1 0 0px; max-width: 100%; padding-left: 12px; padding-right: 12px; position: relative; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><div class="text-rte css-8fouub esbz7zr0" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-text); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 65ch; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="color: var(--color-text);">The highlight of my time in China was most certainly the time spent travelling. Although I lived in</span><span style="color: var(--color-text);"> </span><a href="https://www.english1.com/story-fragments/jobs/city-descriptions/china/city-description-beijing" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: border-box; color: black; text-decoration-line: none; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;" target="_blank">Beijing</a><span style="color: var(--color-text);">, a city that I could never tire of exploring, I wanted to spend every minute of my weekends continuously exploring the fascinating country I was living in. My favourite way to end a fun-filled week of the Hello Song, children’s laughter, and lesson plans was to take a didi (China’s Uber/Lyft), my packed duffel bag, and head out on a night train… going anywhere.</span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-text); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 65ch; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Once I discovered how easy and cheap train tickets were, my life was never the same. Through WeChat, the only app you need in China, I could choose to start the weekend’s adventure from any of five railway stations throughout Beijing or if I was really looking to move even more quickly than the 215 mph (350 km/hr), I could fly.</p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-text); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 65ch; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">The first trip I took was dipping my toes in solo travel, and I decided to visit another metropolitan city—<a href="https://www.english1.com/story-fragments/jobs/city-descriptions/china/city-description-shanghai" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: border-box; color: black; text-decoration-line: none; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;" target="_blank">Shanghai</a>. Train tickets I perused and booked on a subway ride to work came to around $75 round-trip. My new best friend was a website (not an ad) <a href="http://www.trip.com/" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: border-box; color: black; text-decoration-line: none; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">www.trip.com</a>, which helped me find cheap hostels and hotels during my various travels. A tip I learned from a foreigner friend that had lived in China for several years is to ensure the hotel or hostel booked allows foreigners to stay, because they are required to register you there and not all hotels can register foreigners. I ensured this in my research by finding English reviews from previous foreigners, and it always worked for me. I’m a hostel kind of person, because my time in a new city includes: arrive, drop bags, go explore, go to sleep, wake up and repeat. Hostels were anywhere from $5 and a private hotel room could start as low as $25.</p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-text); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 65ch; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">After the confidence of a successful Shanghai trip, my next endeavor focused on going somewhere that took my breath away in pictures – the Avatar Mountains. This time I flew into a very small town, spent $6 on a hostel (found through my favourite website), and found myself on the most majestic mountainside I’d ever seen. Interestingly enough, I met another hiker on the trail who was camping and who also worked for EF in another city. Such a small world, I tell you.</p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-text); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 65ch; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">With a nice train-ride, flight, and several hostels and hotels under my belt, I was ready to level up and went to South Korea over a holiday weekend. The flights were shockingly cheap (somewhere, if I remember correctly, around $150-$200 round trip). I got to experience Seoul and at the same time appreciate how cheap my life in China was as I saw how I was spending a <i style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">lot </i>more than the $6-$25 on hotel rooms.</p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-text); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 65ch; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Later trips included visiting <a href="https://www.english1.com/story-fragments/jobs/city-descriptions/china/city-description-nanjing" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: border-box; color: black; text-decoration-line: none; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;" target="_blank">Nanjing </a>on an overnight sleeper (for about $20), then taking a quick 2 hour train ride to the quaint city of Hangzhou ($10), struggling to chat with the gentleman next to me in my very basic, but very determined Chinese. I saw (and really enjoyed) that my taking Chinese study books on the night trains or day trains was a great conversation starter with those around me, who eyed me curiously already. Those very basic, very kind interactions propelled me to continue my studies excitedly. Once in <a href="https://www.english1.com/story-fragments/jobs/city-descriptions/china/city-description-hangzhou" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: border-box; color: black; text-decoration-line: none; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;" target="_blank">Hangzhou</a>, I visited a tea house overlooking West Lake and stayed for less than $15/night.</p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-text); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 65ch; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Other trips were scattered throughout the year, but the culminating was visiting <a href="https://www.english1.com/story-fragments/jobs/city-descriptions/china/city-description-harbin" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: border-box; color: black; text-decoration-line: none; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;" target="_blank">Harbin</a> Ice Festival with a group of friends to experience the -30<span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">°</span>C Siberian temperature for ourselves. With several of us travelling together, it was easier to pack the 4-bedded cabin room. This time tickets were around $50 and well-worth it to get the sleep in before arriving to the colored ice castles. We packed into a hotel room, split the $15/night for the room, and instead spent our money going to EVERY. SNOW. AND. ICE. CASTLE.</p></div></div></div></div><div class="u-s-mb-l css-gv0fw egg899g0" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 32px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><div class="ef-row " style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; flex: 0 1 auto; margin-left: -12px; margin-right: -12px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><div class="ef-col -s-12 -m-auto " style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; flex: 1 0 0px; max-width: 100%; padding-left: 12px; padding-right: 12px; position: relative; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="China cashless" class="emvterb3 emvterb2 media css-7u5o1f eszh7mx0 lazyautosizes lazyloaded" data-sizes="auto" data-src="https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/1920x1920/filters:focal(1723x1274:1724x1275):quality(100)/f/86150/3264x2258/50a48ab9d1/img_0212.JPG" data-srcset="https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/1920x1920/filters:focal(1723x1274:1724x1275):quality(100)/f/86150/3264x2258/50a48ab9d1/img_0212.JPG 1920w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/200x200/filters:focal(1723x1274:1724x1275):quality(100)/f/86150/3264x2258/50a48ab9d1/img_0212.JPG 200w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/400x400/filters:focal(1723x1274:1724x1275):quality(100)/f/86150/3264x2258/50a48ab9d1/img_0212.JPG 400w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/600x600/filters:focal(1723x1274:1724x1275):quality(100)/f/86150/3264x2258/50a48ab9d1/img_0212.JPG 600w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/800x800/filters:focal(1723x1274:1724x1275):quality(100)/f/86150/3264x2258/50a48ab9d1/img_0212.JPG 800w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/1000x1000/filters:focal(1723x1274:1724x1275):quality(100)/f/86150/3264x2258/50a48ab9d1/img_0212.JPG 1000w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/1200x1200/filters:focal(1723x1274:1724x1275):quality(100)/f/86150/3264x2258/50a48ab9d1/img_0212.JPG 1200w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/1400x1400/filters:focal(1723x1274:1724x1275):quality(100)/f/86150/3264x2258/50a48ab9d1/img_0212.JPG 1400w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/1600x1600/filters:focal(1723x1274:1724x1275):quality(100)/f/86150/3264x2258/50a48ab9d1/img_0212.JPG 1600w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/1800x1800/filters:focal(1723x1274:1724x1275):quality(100)/f/86150/3264x2258/50a48ab9d1/img_0212.JPG 1800w" sizes="588px" src="https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/1920x1920/filters:focal(1723x1274:1724x1275):quality(100)/f/86150/3264x2258/50a48ab9d1/img_0212.JPG" srcset="https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/1920x1920/filters:focal(1723x1274:1724x1275):quality(100)/f/86150/3264x2258/50a48ab9d1/img_0212.JPG 1920w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/200x200/filters:focal(1723x1274:1724x1275):quality(100)/f/86150/3264x2258/50a48ab9d1/img_0212.JPG 200w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/400x400/filters:focal(1723x1274:1724x1275):quality(100)/f/86150/3264x2258/50a48ab9d1/img_0212.JPG 400w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/600x600/filters:focal(1723x1274:1724x1275):quality(100)/f/86150/3264x2258/50a48ab9d1/img_0212.JPG 600w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/800x800/filters:focal(1723x1274:1724x1275):quality(100)/f/86150/3264x2258/50a48ab9d1/img_0212.JPG 800w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/1000x1000/filters:focal(1723x1274:1724x1275):quality(100)/f/86150/3264x2258/50a48ab9d1/img_0212.JPG 1000w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/1200x1200/filters:focal(1723x1274:1724x1275):quality(100)/f/86150/3264x2258/50a48ab9d1/img_0212.JPG 1200w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/1400x1400/filters:focal(1723x1274:1724x1275):quality(100)/f/86150/3264x2258/50a48ab9d1/img_0212.JPG 1400w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/1600x1600/filters:focal(1723x1274:1724x1275):quality(100)/f/86150/3264x2258/50a48ab9d1/img_0212.JPG 1600w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/1800x1800/filters:focal(1723x1274:1724x1275):quality(100)/f/86150/3264x2258/50a48ab9d1/img_0212.JPG 1800w" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; flex-shrink: 0; max-width: 100%; object-fit: cover; object-position: 52.8% 56.4%; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; width: 588px;" /></div><div class="ef-col -m-auto -s-12 css-1nnfkfk e10tidb10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; flex: 1 0 0px; max-width: 100%; padding-left: 12px; padding-right: 12px; position: relative; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="" class="emvterb3 emvterb2 media css-7u5o1f eszh7mx0 lazyautosizes lazyloaded" data-sizes="auto" data-src="https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/1920x1920/filters:focal(1248x1077:1249x1078):quality(100)/f/86150/2448x3264/efd883d896/img_20180605_171453.jpg" data-srcset="https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/1920x1920/filters:focal(1248x1077:1249x1078):quality(100)/f/86150/2448x3264/efd883d896/img_20180605_171453.jpg 1920w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/200x200/filters:focal(1248x1077:1249x1078):quality(100)/f/86150/2448x3264/efd883d896/img_20180605_171453.jpg 200w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/400x400/filters:focal(1248x1077:1249x1078):quality(100)/f/86150/2448x3264/efd883d896/img_20180605_171453.jpg 400w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/600x600/filters:focal(1248x1077:1249x1078):quality(100)/f/86150/2448x3264/efd883d896/img_20180605_171453.jpg 600w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/800x800/filters:focal(1248x1077:1249x1078):quality(100)/f/86150/2448x3264/efd883d896/img_20180605_171453.jpg 800w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/1000x1000/filters:focal(1248x1077:1249x1078):quality(100)/f/86150/2448x3264/efd883d896/img_20180605_171453.jpg 1000w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/1200x1200/filters:focal(1248x1077:1249x1078):quality(100)/f/86150/2448x3264/efd883d896/img_20180605_171453.jpg 1200w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/1400x1400/filters:focal(1248x1077:1249x1078):quality(100)/f/86150/2448x3264/efd883d896/img_20180605_171453.jpg 1400w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/1600x1600/filters:focal(1248x1077:1249x1078):quality(100)/f/86150/2448x3264/efd883d896/img_20180605_171453.jpg 1600w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/1800x1800/filters:focal(1248x1077:1249x1078):quality(100)/f/86150/2448x3264/efd883d896/img_20180605_171453.jpg 1800w" sizes="588px" src="https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/1920x1920/filters:focal(1248x1077:1249x1078):quality(100)/f/86150/2448x3264/efd883d896/img_20180605_171453.jpg" srcset="https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/1920x1920/filters:focal(1248x1077:1249x1078):quality(100)/f/86150/2448x3264/efd883d896/img_20180605_171453.jpg 1920w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/200x200/filters:focal(1248x1077:1249x1078):quality(100)/f/86150/2448x3264/efd883d896/img_20180605_171453.jpg 200w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/400x400/filters:focal(1248x1077:1249x1078):quality(100)/f/86150/2448x3264/efd883d896/img_20180605_171453.jpg 400w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/600x600/filters:focal(1248x1077:1249x1078):quality(100)/f/86150/2448x3264/efd883d896/img_20180605_171453.jpg 600w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/800x800/filters:focal(1248x1077:1249x1078):quality(100)/f/86150/2448x3264/efd883d896/img_20180605_171453.jpg 800w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/1000x1000/filters:focal(1248x1077:1249x1078):quality(100)/f/86150/2448x3264/efd883d896/img_20180605_171453.jpg 1000w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/1200x1200/filters:focal(1248x1077:1249x1078):quality(100)/f/86150/2448x3264/efd883d896/img_20180605_171453.jpg 1200w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/1400x1400/filters:focal(1248x1077:1249x1078):quality(100)/f/86150/2448x3264/efd883d896/img_20180605_171453.jpg 1400w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/1600x1600/filters:focal(1248x1077:1249x1078):quality(100)/f/86150/2448x3264/efd883d896/img_20180605_171453.jpg 1600w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/1800x1800/filters:focal(1248x1077:1249x1078):quality(100)/f/86150/2448x3264/efd883d896/img_20180605_171453.jpg 1800w" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; flex-shrink: 0; max-width: 100%; object-fit: cover; object-position: 51% 32.99%; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; width: 588px;" /></div></div></div><div class="u-s-pb-m css-gv0fw egg899g0" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding-bottom: 24px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><div class="ef-row " style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; flex: 0 1 auto; margin-left: -12px; margin-right: -12px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><div class="ef-col -s-12 -m-auto " style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; flex: 1 0 0px; max-width: 100%; padding-left: 12px; padding-right: 12px; position: relative; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><div class="text-rte u-s-pb-m css-8fouub esbz7zr0" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding-bottom: 24px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-text); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 65ch; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Travelling was not only so easy to plan, but so cheap to do that every month I made a point to go somewhere outside of the city. The sites I saw, new friends made, and memories created will forever be a cherished part of my time in China – and it didn’t make (too) big of a dent in my bank account!<span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"> </span></p></div></div></div></div></div></section>Cecillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01481630759998651082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487800107073700015.post-44603795683707228582020-11-07T08:00:00.009-05:002022-11-22T17:23:44.810-05:00CHINA: A CASHLESS COUNTRY<section class="ef-section -s" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-family: "EF Circular Latin", Helvetica, "Open Sans", "Gill Sans MT", "Gill Sans", Corbel, Arial, sans-serif; padding: 96px 0px; position: relative; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; width: 1277.33px;"><div class="ef-container" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 1200px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><div class="ef-row -s-12" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; flex: 0 1 auto; margin-left: -12px; margin-right: -12px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><div class="ef-col -s-6 u-text-right u-show-m-up" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; flex: 1 0 50%; justify-content: flex-end; max-width: 50%; padding-left: 12px; padding-right: 12px; position: relative; text-align: right; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><div class=" css-1ewpjjm e3f9pwe0" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><div class="css-16ofe9o e3f9pwe1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; align-items: flex-start; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-direction: column; margin-left: auto; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; width: 138px;"><picture style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><br /></picture></div></div></div></div></div></section><section class="ef-section css-y5b6cs e1bl87ly0" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-family: "EF Circular Latin", Helvetica, "Open Sans", "Gill Sans MT", "Gill Sans", Corbel, Arial, sans-serif; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; width: 1277.33px;"><div class="section-container ef-container" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 1200px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><div class="u-s-pb-m css-gv0fw egg899g0" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding-bottom: 24px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><div class="ef-row " style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; flex: 0 1 auto; margin-left: -12px; margin-right: -12px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><div class="ef-col -s-12 -m-auto " style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; flex: 1 0 0px; max-width: 100%; padding-left: 12px; padding-right: 12px; position: relative; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><div class="text-rte css-8fouub esbz7zr0" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-text); line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 65ch; text-align: left; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">This article was originally published for EF English First at </span> https://www.english1.com/blog/living-in-china/china-a-cashless-country/ and is re-posted here. </span></div><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-text); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 65ch; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">During the summer of 2020, my state was beginning to open restaurants once again with restrictions. One precaution that restaurants were taking was to place a QR code on each table that guests would scan to view the menu. The difference of that dinner and my time in China as an EF teacher was that in China, scanning a QR code could settle my bill, not just let me view the menu. Being stuck home during covid when borders closed made me realize just how convenient my </span><a href="https://www.english1.com/blog/teaching-abroad/how-to-start-working-abroad" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: border-box; color: black; text-decoration-line: none; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;" target="_blank">life in China</a><span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"> had been.</span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-text); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 65ch; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">When I first arrived to China as an EF Teacher, I couldn’t wrap my mind around the norm being to use my phone to pay a restaurant bill, checkout at Walmart, Ikea, or to grab a snack at the 7-11 next to my EF center. The highlight of ending my day was to stop by the local corner by my apartment to buy vegetables and practice my numbers with the owner (let’s just say he can probably best attest to my Chinese improvement). All I would do was hand my items to be rung up, then scan the QR code at the checkout (or displayed on the phone of the kind man at the corner store).</span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-text); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 65ch; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Contrast those brief interactions to being home in the U.S. and having to remember my wallet, ensure the correct cards were inside, keep track of said wallet & said cards (that’s a full-time job in itself!), keep receipts (if work-expense-related), then stay current with the zip codes with my ever-frequent address changes… suffice to say, the simplicity of life in China is 10/10 in my books.</span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-text); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 65ch; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">I recall being at a hotpot dinner in China with some friends and the simplicity to split the bill after simply scanning the QR code on the receipt. I contrast that to the nightmare of going out with friends stateside (pre-covid, obviously…) and going down the list of which payment app they have set up –Venmo, Cash App, PayPal, Apple Wallet, Facebook pay … or the fan-favorite: cash.</span></p></div></div></div></div><div class="u-s-mb-l css-gv0fw egg899g0" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 32px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><div class="ef-row " style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; flex: 0 1 auto; margin-left: -12px; margin-right: -12px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><div class="ef-col -s-12 -m-auto " style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; flex: 1 0 0px; max-width: 100%; padding-left: 12px; padding-right: 12px; position: relative; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="China cashless" class="emvterb3 emvterb2 media css-7u5o1f eszh7mx0 lazyautosizes lazyloaded" data-sizes="auto" data-src="https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/750x500/filters:focal(431x228:432x229):quality(100)/f/86150/750x500/75c3762880/pay.jfif" data-srcset="https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/750x500/filters:focal(431x228:432x229):quality(100)/f/86150/750x500/75c3762880/pay.jfif 750w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/200x134/filters:focal(431x228:432x229):quality(100)/f/86150/750x500/75c3762880/pay.jfif 200w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/400x267/filters:focal(431x228:432x229):quality(100)/f/86150/750x500/75c3762880/pay.jfif 400w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/600x400/filters:focal(431x228:432x229):quality(100)/f/86150/750x500/75c3762880/pay.jfif 600w" sizes="588px" src="https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/750x500/filters:focal(431x228:432x229):quality(100)/f/86150/750x500/75c3762880/pay.jfif" srcset="https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/750x500/filters:focal(431x228:432x229):quality(100)/f/86150/750x500/75c3762880/pay.jfif 750w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/200x134/filters:focal(431x228:432x229):quality(100)/f/86150/750x500/75c3762880/pay.jfif 200w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/400x267/filters:focal(431x228:432x229):quality(100)/f/86150/750x500/75c3762880/pay.jfif 400w,https://storyblok-image.ef.com/unsafe/600x400/filters:focal(431x228:432x229):quality(100)/f/86150/750x500/75c3762880/pay.jfif 600w" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; flex-shrink: 0; max-width: 100%; object-fit: cover; object-position: 57.47% 45.6%; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; width: 588px;" /></div><div class="ef-col -m-auto -s-12 css-1nnfkfk e10tidb10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; flex: 1 0 0px; max-width: 100%; padding-left: 12px; padding-right: 12px; position: relative; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"></div></div></div><div class="u-s-pb-m css-gv0fw egg899g0" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding-bottom: 24px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><div class="ef-row " style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; flex: 0 1 auto; margin-left: -12px; margin-right: -12px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><div class="ef-col -s-12 -m-auto " style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; flex: 1 0 0px; max-width: 100%; padding-left: 12px; padding-right: 12px; position: relative; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><div class="text-rte u-s-pb-m css-8fouub esbz7zr0" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding-bottom: 24px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-text); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 65ch; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">WeChat, the only app you really, actually to need to live in China, makes all payments simple. When I say even my grandpa could learn it, I mean it. Even the older generation use WeChat pay. Can you imagine that… a world not explaining to your mom, dad, grandma, or grandpa how “technology works these days”?</span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-text); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 65ch; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">You can anticipate using WeChat on the daily to buy groceries, top up subway cards, go shopping at the mall, and buy train or plane tickets. My greatest feat 4 months in was to buy a movie ticket by searching all theaters in the city, finding movies in English, choosing the seat, and paying for the ticket all in the WeChat app. Then I showed up with my friends, scanned the QR code, and vwwwwwalllla! We were good to go. Let the show begin.</span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-text); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 65ch; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Another fun use of WeChat pay was during Chinese New Year – the biggest celebratory week in China. Friends and family send each other virtual </span><i style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">hongbao (“red envelopes”) </i><span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">in celebration. I remember when my Center Director sent every teacher in our school a red packet – WeChat randomized it so everyone got different amounts, which made it fun to jest with each other.</span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-text); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 65ch; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">One of my favorite parts of China being a cashless society was being able to leave my house and need only my phone. A typical day for me looked a little like this:</span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-text); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 65ch; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">· Order my Didi (Uber/Lyft) to work (through Wechat)</span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-text); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 65ch; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">· Grab a </span><i style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">jianbing </i><span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">(street food) (scan the street vendor’s QR code)</span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-text); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 65ch; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">· Hop in my Didi & head to work. While in my didi, order my Luckin Coffee to be delivered to my center (there was an ongoing joke at my center that my coffee would always arrive before I did), & pay directly from my WeChat pay</span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-text); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 65ch; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">· Midway through the day, the teachers at my center were prone to do a tea order and WeChat the money to the person ordering</span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-text); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 65ch; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">· Lunch, of course, was all purchased with WeChat pay (cue jokes around the office of which of my 3 favorite meals I’d be ordering today)</span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-text); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 65ch; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">· After work, likely hit a shop on the way home, scan that QR code at checkout</span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-text); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 65ch; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">· For going home, I’d usually take the subway because … not in a rush to get home like I am to get to work 😉 I’d walk to the machine in the subway, scan the QR code on it to top up my subway card, then hit the subway with friends from my center. As I’m sitting on the train, usually I would order food or even a grocery items to (hopefully & typically) beat me home – all through WeChat, of course.</span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-text); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 65ch; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Yes, the cashless society has its benefits.</span></p></div></div></div></div></div></section>Cecillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01481630759998651082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487800107073700015.post-20693646324310490042019-10-25T10:34:00.000-04:002019-10-25T10:34:01.661-04:00scrapbooking my way through depression<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxJJj1MpYa3JKik4uNMZhG5yxn2ffFIwfkMkwIFUR7NLIo27RyQ-Rt_Q0nb-EHsDqgP2hiMl1lDQ1eg78xahw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Mental health</b> </span>is that heavy topic <span style="font-size: large;"><b>no one</b></span> yet <b><span style="font-size: large;">all</span> </b>of us <b><span style="font-size: large;">millennials</span> </b>want to talk about. Suffice to say, life has <b><span style="font-size: large;">highs</span> </b>and <b><span style="font-size: large;">lows</span> </b>and on several (painful to recall) moments, the lows have felt too <b><span style="font-size: large;">dark</span> </b>to bear. <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Inconsolable</b></span>. Desperate. <span style="font-size: large;">Heart-breaking</span>. Overwhelming. <span style="font-size: large;">Exhausting</span>.<br />
<br />
In the process of learning to <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Life</b></span>, I probably didn't always handle it very well, but<i> did</i> learn to turn to trusted <b><span style="font-size: large;">loved ones</span> </b>to share the pain and seek <b><span style="font-size: large;">help</span> </b>to get out. There are people who hold a <b><span style="font-size: large;">hallowed</span> </b>place in my <span style="font-size: large;"><b>heart</b></span> for the role they played in<b> <span style="font-size: large;">showing up</span></b> for me when I needed someone to sit in the untouchable <b><span style="font-size: large;">darkness</span> </b>with me.<br />
<br />
After I came back from <span style="font-size: large;"><b>China</b></span>, I found myself slowly <b><span style="font-size: large;">slipping</span> </b>back into that dark hole. It's a <b><span style="font-size: large;">scary</span> </b>place to be, because I didn't want to share that I was in <b><span style="font-size: large;">pain</span> </b>because I felt like<i> I</i> hadn't figured it out quite yet. I felt somehow <b><span style="font-size: large;">ashamed</span> </b>to be depressed. This led me to a new fav life motto: <br />
<br />
It's <b><span style="font-size: large;">okay</span> </b>not to be <span style="font-size: large;"><b>okay</b></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> </b>;</span><br />
<br />
Slowly I <b><span style="font-size: large;">added</span> </b>things into my life that brought me <span style="font-size: large;"><b>joy</b></span>: studying <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Chinese</b></span>, organizing the <span style="font-size: large;"><b>spaces</b></span> I inhabit, <span style="font-size: large;"><b>authentic</b></span> conversations with <b><span style="font-size: large;">true</span> </b>friends, and... decorating my <span style="font-size: large;"><b>planner</b></span>.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigOC_M-Xw0iAHq4BrpfEtLiMxnc9j4aPGN6nH-2sr90afVqeF8F9DfJsiAdAf569aVfEA19se5KuwDqfUY83b8ZJZTS6LyIAJSlssqn9Gzi8TbN48N8JpaStPE684Xd1BCPM2o0wRt65c/s1600/scrapbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigOC_M-Xw0iAHq4BrpfEtLiMxnc9j4aPGN6nH-2sr90afVqeF8F9DfJsiAdAf569aVfEA19se5KuwDqfUY83b8ZJZTS6LyIAJSlssqn9Gzi8TbN48N8JpaStPE684Xd1BCPM2o0wRt65c/s320/scrapbook.jpg" width="320" /></a><b><span style="font-size: large;">Satirically</span> </b>one day I wrote "<b><span style="font-size: large;">scrapbooking</span> </b>my way through <span style="font-size: large;"><b>depression</b></span>" at the top of my planner page.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
But then I realized...<br />
<br />
That may <b><span style="font-size: large;">very well</span> </b>be the thing that would get me through this.<br />
<br />
I have found (and continue to find) an<i> <span style="font-size: large;"><b>obsessive</b></span></i><b> </b>amount of <b><span style="font-size: large;">joy</span> </b>in <b><span style="font-size: large;">decorating</span> </b>my <b><span style="font-size: large;">planner</span> </b>(far more than actually<i> <span style="font-size: large;"><b>planning</b></span></i> in it) to reflect the <b><span style="font-size: large;">life</span> </b>I live. The life I <span style="font-size: large;"><b>love</b></span>.<br />
<i><br /></i>
Things have gotten <b><span style="font-size: large;">much</span> </b>better. I realized that, for a <span style="font-size: large;"><b>time</b></span>, I would need <b><span style="font-size: large;">medication</span> </b>to help me <b><span style="font-size: large;">stabilize</span> </b>and not hit such <b><span style="font-size: large;">low</span> </b>of <span style="font-size: large;"><b>lows</b></span>. It was something I never saw myself <span style="font-size: large;"><b>needing</b></span>. Me? Always <span style="font-size: large;"><b>happy</b></span>, energized <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cecilly</b></span>? Need <span style="font-size: large;"><b>anti-depressants</b></span>? <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Did</b>. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><u>Not</u></i></b></span><span style="font-size: large;">. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Compute</b>. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
But I am <b><span style="font-size: large;">grateful</span> </b>for every <b><span style="font-size: large;">resource</span> </b>available, while being<i> very</i> cognizant of the effects and dependency of anti-depressants. It was never meant as a<b> </b><span style="font-size: large;"><b>long-term</b> </span>solution, but I am<i> <span style="font-size: large;"><b>grateful</b></span></i> it was an option.<br />
<i><br /></i>
I've been <b><span style="font-size: large;">wanting</span> </b>to blog since last<i> <span style="font-size: large;"><b>year</b></span></i><b> </b>but couldn't quite put my finger on where to pick back up.<br />
<br />
I think<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">👏</span><b></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>this</b></span><br />
👏<br />
is<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">👏</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>it</b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">👏</span></span>Cecillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01481630759998651082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487800107073700015.post-81157299126476261002018-04-13T00:31:00.004-04:002018-04-13T00:31:42.060-04:00this is me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I had to do a self-intro </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>powerpoint</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">for the </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>parents</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> of my classes, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and had so much </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>fun</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> doing it I just wanted to </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>share</b></span><span style="font-size: large;">. ;) </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TG_cS5fHXIBZwd6Qns7LFY9DpP7rCinl3QI3QbjtjttL5GTT-0soyWEHLAnm9B-Cs1lrvS0UOf01xHT8KTQGql-SpWu7ZIAioKodpn2knP7UQv7BQ_inEhgPnMFejpQ1I8Xqmr6Mlto/s1600/Self+Intro.001.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TG_cS5fHXIBZwd6Qns7LFY9DpP7rCinl3QI3QbjtjttL5GTT-0soyWEHLAnm9B-Cs1lrvS0UOf01xHT8KTQGql-SpWu7ZIAioKodpn2knP7UQv7BQ_inEhgPnMFejpQ1I8Xqmr6Mlto/s640/Self+Intro.001.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwgWhWWRgDsxwQmZEKfzD2_QNfv9YH2FrISrvfdXVVbgk6MYgBjc-Lxki44rz5CjD5fEa9rEKVvM9dy3b_AmpT23T2gRDYDOA6hlAJwDvSiKLvSCkgeQXNs4FM_mtTyQ-bnCsWDut8E4/s1600/Self+Intro.002.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwgWhWWRgDsxwQmZEKfzD2_QNfv9YH2FrISrvfdXVVbgk6MYgBjc-Lxki44rz5CjD5fEa9rEKVvM9dy3b_AmpT23T2gRDYDOA6hlAJwDvSiKLvSCkgeQXNs4FM_mtTyQ-bnCsWDut8E4/s640/Self+Intro.002.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Cecillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01481630759998651082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487800107073700015.post-54850411688781555472018-03-28T07:58:00.004-04:002018-03-28T07:58:42.157-04:00Is this what I want??<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Growing up, in junior high, high school, and in early college, I thought that I would one day have an </span><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">epiphany</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> moment and just KNOW what I wanted to do for work. That thought was tied to the </span><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">expectation</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> that I’d be a stay-at-home </span><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">mom</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">. I didn’t really think to </span><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>think</i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> of a different career path. </span></div>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Fast forward to the impending college <span style="font-size: large;">graduation</span> three months away where I hadn’t had that epiphany moment <span style="font-size: large;">yet</span> and needed to make a decision and do <i><span style="font-size: large;">something</span></i>. So I made a choice that seemed pretty solid, with enough career growth opportunities down the line. </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jKK_PGKgo0Q/WruDE1Y2wxI/AAAAAAAAEU4/VJqVxXvYVggF88_NIMNSWFle3xQ9QLHFQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1136" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jKK_PGKgo0Q/WruDE1Y2wxI/AAAAAAAAEU4/VJqVxXvYVggF88_NIMNSWFle3xQ9QLHFQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1506.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Three years <span style="font-size: large;">later</span> I found myself asking myself, “<i>is this what I want</i>?” frequently enough to know that it <span style="font-size: large;">wasn’t</span>.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">So I made the choice to switch to a foreign <span style="font-size: large;">career</span> path {for me} and figured... why not do it in a foreign <span style="font-size: large;">country</span> while I was at it? </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">A month into being here in <span style="font-size: large;">China</span>, I’ve found myself asking myself <span style="font-size: large;">again</span> “<i>is this what I want??” </i></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">This question has prompted a lot of soul-<span style="font-size: large;">searching</span> and hitting some pretty <span style="font-size: large;">meta</span> topics, including but not <span style="font-size: large;">limited</span> to:</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">I realized that my job <i><span style="font-size: large;">doesn’t</span></i> wholly define who I <b><span style="font-size: large;">am</span></b>. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">It doesn’t <b><span style="font-size: large;">need</span></b> to. It <b><span style="font-size: large;">shouldn’t</span></b>. It <b><span style="font-size: large;">won’t</span></b>. It <b><span style="font-size: large;">can’t</span></b>. </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OmtvRKP4lzY/Wrt6w14AIhI/AAAAAAAAEUo/cwn3fqeXfYgur1APjGcN10qXp04AexXfACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_1320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="722" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OmtvRKP4lzY/Wrt6w14AIhI/AAAAAAAAEUo/cwn3fqeXfYgur1APjGcN10qXp04AexXfACEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_1320.JPG" width="223" /></a></div>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-szcjPMy_vK8/Wrt6w3LE3FI/AAAAAAAAEUg/_Tf7BunEZLAu894lElYASt7Wrv2OM4A8ACEwYBhgL/s1600/3B40A913-1D65-416A-B2B3-09C7291F1A8C-1446-000000510D91CF11_tmp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">I’ve been searching to find a job that fulfills me in <span style="font-size: large;">every</span> way and that I can use to <span style="font-size: large;">define</span> myself. That search has led me in frustrating <span style="font-size: large;">circles</span> with ultimately no career emerging as “the <span style="font-size: large;">one</span>” that could define me. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">From the beginning of college to <span style="font-size: large;">now</span>, I was searching for a career that would somehow let me off the hook for developing <b><span style="font-size: large;">ME</span></b> outside work. It’s so much easier to throw <span style="font-size: large;">all</span> of who I am into work and be able to say “<span style="font-size: large;">look</span>! This is me. My work here. See, this is me.” It’s a lot harder {and, ahem, here comes Brene Brown. I was wondering how long it would take until she entered the picture} and a lot more <span style="font-size: large;">vulnerable</span> to say... “<span style="font-size: large;">look</span>. This is what I do for work. I enjoy it for ya ya ya reasons. And <span style="font-size: large;">look</span>, over here, this is who <b>I <span style="font-size: large;">am</span></b>.” </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">My work and I are not mutually exclusive in defining who <b>I am</b>. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">I love how layered that statement is.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">I love it because the underlying <span style="font-size: large;">reason</span> I felt an extreme desire to bury my identity in my work was, going back full circle to what <span style="font-size: large;">younger</span> me always thought my life’s work would be—being a </span>full-time-<span style="font-size: large;">mom</span>—when that wasn’t happening {ahem isn’t happening}, I felt <span style="font-size: large;">inadequate</span>. Like I wasn’t <span style="font-size: large;">enough</span>. Like I couldn’t be anything as worthwhile and fulfilling as that. So I tried to do a 180 and at least build a <span style="font-size: large;">reputable</span> career. But then I felt like a square peg in a circle hole, since I was trying to <span style="font-size: large;">become</span> my work without feeling like it was an accurate portrayal of who I <span style="font-size: large;">was</span>.<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-szcjPMy_vK8/Wrt6w3LE3FI/AAAAAAAAEUg/_Tf7BunEZLAu894lElYASt7Wrv2OM4A8ACEwYBhgL/s1600/3B40A913-1D65-416A-B2B3-09C7291F1A8C-1446-000000510D91CF11_tmp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="910" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-szcjPMy_vK8/Wrt6w3LE3FI/AAAAAAAAEUg/_Tf7BunEZLAu894lElYASt7Wrv2OM4A8ACEwYBhgL/s400/3B40A913-1D65-416A-B2B3-09C7291F1A8C-1446-000000510D91CF11_tmp.JPG" width="288" /></a><br />
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<br style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">But, as I’m now very recently <span style="font-size: large;">embracing</span>, {s’more Brene Brown}, <b><span style="font-size: large;">I am enough.</span></b> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">It’s also enough {for me} to lean into new work and realize that it’s <span style="font-size: large;">okay</span> if I don’t feel like my job is <span style="font-size: large;">💯</span>% <i><b><span style="font-size: large;">me</span></b></i>, because my job <span style="font-size: large;">isn’t</span> all of me. I can enjoy my work and lean into developing skills that will help me succeed and become <span style="font-size: large;">better</span>, while enjoying even only parts of my overall job. But if I don’t wholly identify with my job, that’s <span style="font-size: large;">okay</span>. Because I am a <span style="font-size: large;">person</span> outside my work. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">And <b><span style="font-size: large;">I am enough</span></b>. </span><br />
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Cecilly http://www.blogger.com/profile/02183789574544936411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487800107073700015.post-20635124186561601372018-03-21T23:42:00.000-04:002018-03-21T23:42:09.043-04:00game-changer<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nN069lEfEKk" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>Cecilly http://www.blogger.com/profile/02183789574544936411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487800107073700015.post-2995250200372460022018-03-06T10:57:00.001-05:002018-03-06T11:16:20.657-05:00Fast-Forward One Week<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7lWtiTuJlq0/Wp69S3nLzVI/AAAAAAAAETI/y19bh4wl4U41qFaR78ZgabGiaXyWc777ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7lWtiTuJlq0/Wp69S3nLzVI/AAAAAAAAETI/y19bh4wl4U41qFaR78ZgabGiaXyWc777ACLcBGAs/s200/IMG_5630.JPG" width="111" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6CUXEfI3a0I/Wp69zLEvQOI/AAAAAAAAETs/qSjB2IZqCogXrEXOPy93MOZeaiwtIaI9wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6CUXEfI3a0I/Wp69zLEvQOI/AAAAAAAAETs/qSjB2IZqCogXrEXOPy93MOZeaiwtIaI9wCLcBGAs/s200/IMG_5675.JPG" width="111" /></a>I've now been in <span style="font-size: large;">Beijing</span> almost a solid <span style="font-size: large;">week</span>, and I must say that time has flown. I feel like I never have a moment of silence to <span style="font-size: large;">myself</span>. I go from <span style="font-size: large;">waking</span>, prepping for day, breakfast, and work <span style="font-size: large;">training</span>. Throw in some frantic <span style="font-size: large;">apartment</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c4UqBjbESA8/Wp69S-KCxXI/AAAAAAAAETM/oLbWLIbEu-4hfk9Y4Vf5lWKzRnIahjx5gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c4UqBjbESA8/Wp69S-KCxXI/AAAAAAAAETM/oLbWLIbEu-4hfk9Y4Vf5lWKzRnIahjx5gCLcBGAs/s200/IMG_5617.JPG" width="111" /></a>searches during the day or squeezed {squoze? ha ha} in there somewhere... {{usually through screenshots of <span style="font-size: large;">Chinese</span> websites {switch off VPN}, upload the pic to Google Translate app {switch on VPN}, and then <span style="font-size: large;">highlight</span> the part I'm trying to understand.}} My phone "<span style="font-size: large;">text</span>" history is with a bunch of <span style="font-size: large;">Chinese</span> numbers where I'm usually doing something very similar to the copy & paste, translate, reply back in English or translate it back to <span style="font-size: large;">Chinese</span> and paste my response in Chinese.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nothing could go wrong w</span><span style="font-size: large;">ith this plan. :)</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4bhoD5E9IZU/Wp69y1WmLuI/AAAAAAAAETk/7GA_NslZeV0HyDJ9H66cmw4cHyXrJ72EgCLcBGAs/s1600/CD1BFE4F-2C15-4EA3-B460-5BC9224D2C3F-3398-000000D02B02ED59_tmp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4bhoD5E9IZU/Wp69y1WmLuI/AAAAAAAAETk/7GA_NslZeV0HyDJ9H66cmw4cHyXrJ72EgCLcBGAs/s200/CD1BFE4F-2C15-4EA3-B460-5BC9224D2C3F-3398-000000D02B02ED59_tmp.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iVPwUyY0Euk/Wp69xrEhHjI/AAAAAAAAETg/Ff_DTK1mo2siWVSUuGOidtcQxCJqqSziwCLcBGAs/s1600/C4B28098-CD2A-4816-975D-9154AB07EB16-3398-000000D03FF22F5F_tmp%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iVPwUyY0Euk/Wp69xrEhHjI/AAAAAAAAETg/Ff_DTK1mo2siWVSUuGOidtcQxCJqqSziwCLcBGAs/s200/C4B28098-CD2A-4816-975D-9154AB07EB16-3398-000000D03FF22F5F_tmp%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ScPQ6--O_c/Wp69xg7lA4I/AAAAAAAAETY/5alT_YQ9YZsjYw99gAKQTiY2jouW_dseACLcBGAs/s1600/4358493E-FEA4-4839-836B-7699AF4CC909-3398-000000D03B8A4A91_tmp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ScPQ6--O_c/Wp69xg7lA4I/AAAAAAAAETY/5alT_YQ9YZsjYw99gAKQTiY2jouW_dseACLcBGAs/s200/4358493E-FEA4-4839-836B-7699AF4CC909-3398-000000D03B8A4A91_tmp.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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I'm slowly getting accustomed to donning a <span style="font-size: large;">mask</span> before I step outside {still figuring out how to stop my glasses from <span style="font-size: large;">fogging</span> while it's on ha ha}, flipping my VPN on & off, depending if it's a function/search on a <span style="font-size: large;">Chinese</span> or western app. Checking the <span style="font-size: large;">air</span> quality as I wake up is a normal routine. The <span style="font-size: large;">food</span> fascinates me and nothing has been too strange at all yet. <span style="font-size: large;">Metro</span> makes sense. I watch <span style="font-size: large;">time</span> nostalgically and think of family and friends waking up as I'm <span style="font-size: large;">winding</span> down and <span style="font-size: large;">ending</span> the day as mine <span style="font-size: large;">begins</span>. Such a weird feeling.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pNV1h2W3PXA/Wp69TzY20ZI/AAAAAAAAETQ/KwtoSpPKiBomMyiTkTeyLYxe38VlrDvUACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5673.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1334" height="179" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pNV1h2W3PXA/Wp69TzY20ZI/AAAAAAAAETQ/KwtoSpPKiBomMyiTkTeyLYxe38VlrDvUACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5673.PNG" width="320" /></a><br />
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I'm surprised how I can get by without knowing much more Chinese than a <span style="font-size: large;">handful</span> of phrases. That being said, that's not the <span style="font-size: large;">long</span>-term solution for me. :)<br />
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All things <span style="font-size: large;">considered</span>, I think the first week has been a <span style="font-size: large;">raging</span> success.</div>
Cecilly http://www.blogger.com/profile/02183789574544936411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487800107073700015.post-26231871857492473622018-03-06T10:37:00.000-05:002018-03-06T10:46:17.461-05:00Just Remember<style type="text/css">
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two of my life <span style="font-size: large;">loves</span> are:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Hamilton</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tay</span>lor Swift</span></li>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Commonality: </span><span style="font-size: small;">music</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">. I just feel like…. life is </span><span style="font-size: small;">better</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> through the lens of <span style="font-size: large;">music</span>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">There’s a song from the musical </span><i><span style="font-size: small;">Into the </span><span style="font-size: large;">Woods</span> </i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">that says:</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span class="s1"><i></i></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Just </span><span style="font-size: large;">remember</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">…<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> someone is on your <span style="font-size: large;">side</span> </span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> someone else is <span style="font-size: large;">not</span></span></i></span><br />
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>While we’re seeing <span style="font-size: large;">our</span> side,</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> maybe we </span><span style="font-size: large;">forgot</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">...</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span></i><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"> No one is <span style="font-size: large;">alone</span>.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></b></span><br />
<span class="s1"><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span>...someone is on <span style="font-size: medium;">your</span> side...</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span> n</i><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">o one is </span><span style="font-size: large;">alone</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">.</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">As I sat on the plane about to leave the U.S. and embark on an adventure that gives me </span><span style="font-size: large;">anxiety</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> in the best of ways, I thought of the many </span><span style="font-size: large;">kind</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> and </span><span style="font-size: large;">encouraging</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> words and comments people have shared. I want to leave myself a solid </span><span style="font-size: large;">pep</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> talk for those days and moments when I’ll </span><span style="font-size: large;">desperately</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> need it. Also because I want to paste/<span style="font-size: large;">glue</span>/cram all these cards into my </span><span style="font-size: large;">planner</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> so e’ry day I see them, but my poor planner would then be even </span><i><span style="font-size: small;">more</span> </i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">heavy</span> than it already is….</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Usually I’m all about </span><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Cite your</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">source</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">!</span></i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> but for those who shared these kind words you <span style="font-size: large;">know</span> </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">who you are. ;) <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><3 font=""></3></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Remember, <b>YOU ARE NOT ALONE. EVER. </b>and maybe it doesn’t feel that ‘God is always with you’ way. I must confess that I often don’t really feel His presence beside me. BUT. I do know and believe with all my heart that He puts people into our lives so undeniably there is someone beside us. Don’t be afraid to look at those people that ARE around you and ASK for help if you need it.</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">God does not have a hard & fast timeline for our perfection. He just wants us to try, which I have watched and continue to watch you do! Don’t give up on yourself, Cec. You are allowed to fail and try again. You are more wonderful than I think you give yourself credit for. I know Beijing will be exciting and also probably tough. I am here… And no matter how things work out or what you struggle with or how your day goes, I will be here as your cheerleader… One day at a time and some delicious Chinese food wouldn’t hurt, either. :)</span></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S_iTysoiKcM/Wp627izvu-I/AAAAAAAAES4/SisK8QQIVeMA7o2ehWaEwWCSkHkQdw_WQCLcBGAs/s1600/planner.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S_iTysoiKcM/Wp627izvu-I/AAAAAAAAES4/SisK8QQIVeMA7o2ehWaEwWCSkHkQdw_WQCLcBGAs/s400/planner.jpeg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span class="s1"><i></i></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Just remember…<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>When times are great, then enjoy it.</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Even when they are bad, enjoy it.</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>I believe in you.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span class="s1"><i></i></span><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span class="s1"><i></i></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">About the comfort zone…. it sucks.</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">If you decided to stay, what would be different? What do you have to show that you’re not gonna get bored again?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">And I know friends are amazing! And cool. BUT! To tell you something, you don’t even know what kind of people are waiting for you and who/which/how many friends have been prepared to meet you!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Like someone told me before: “Sometimes we have to leave and take our bags into a plane for us to know how important people are in our life.”</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">It’s normal to feel crazy about it. But if you trust God and especially trust your heart, you’ll learn from this. You’ll be more than happy.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span class="s1"><i></i></span><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span class="s1"><i></i></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">it’s ALWAYS sad leaving places and people you love; even if you are meant to go, you’re making a BIG move and HUGE change which is exciting and thrilling and maybe a little exhilarating.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">but goodbyes tend to be hard, and things ALWAYS seem better when moving away from them {Good things become WHY WOULD I EVER WANT TO GIVE THIS UP?! and even not so good things become ‘aw, it really wasn’t so bad, was it?’ I’m so melodramatic; we had good times!} all part of change. All your feelings are completely normal. YOU ARE SO STRONG. and an impressive packer.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">When you’re homesick, the worst thing you can do is call home.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></span></div>
Cecilly http://www.blogger.com/profile/02183789574544936411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487800107073700015.post-54688372072492263472018-02-24T00:17:00.001-05:002018-03-04T04:09:16.444-05:0053-51<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8bKJXZ2eLfI/Wpu3kJhZm0I/AAAAAAAAESg/w1BkSLO__qAcnK3EhFgRWpW3Esqi6VgdwCLcBGAs/s1600/stuff2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8bKJXZ2eLfI/Wpu3kJhZm0I/AAAAAAAAESg/w1BkSLO__qAcnK3EhFgRWpW3Esqi6VgdwCLcBGAs/s320/stuff2.jpeg" width="240" /></a>Marie Kondo would be <span style="font-size: large;">proud</span>.<br />
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What started as <span style="font-size: large;">2/3 </span>of my life <span style="font-size: large;">piled</span> on top of two suitcases {what I called <i><span style="font-size: large;">Round One</span>} </i>whittled it's way down to <b>only</b> the most essentials of essentials {2/3 <span style="font-size: large;">scrapbook</span> materials, <span style="font-size: large;">nostalgic</span> memorabilia/cute <span style="font-size: large;">travel</span>-themed <i>anything</i> that my <span style="font-size: large;">heart</span> simply can't part with & 1/3 basic <span style="font-size: large;">clothing</span> I wear every day, and literally a toothbrush & deodorant to represent some desire for <span style="font-size: large;">hygiene</span>.}<br />
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I've gotten very comfortable with "Can I <span style="font-size: large;">buy</span> it there?" and my <span style="font-size: large;">leave</span>-behind pile is growing larger & larger. Similar design as another shirt? Enjoy the <span style="font-size: large;">U.S. of A</span>, my friend.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AhFHP1IA_Dk/Wpu3kI6jMoI/AAAAAAAAESk/7rD0B4Z2xnAEvMZSBR7WVPFzMrjc6OF_gCLcBGAs/s1600/stuff.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AhFHP1IA_Dk/Wpu3kI6jMoI/AAAAAAAAESk/7rD0B4Z2xnAEvMZSBR7WVPFzMrjc6OF_gCLcBGAs/s320/stuff.jpeg" width="179" /></a>I've got two 50-pound <span style="font-size: large;">suitcases</span>, a {<span style="font-size: x-small;">tiny</span>} carry-on and an {almost-too-<span style="font-size: large;">large</span>-to-be-considered-a<i>-</i>personal-item} to <span style="font-size: large;">shove</span> my life into. So.... thinking <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">skinny</span> thoughts here.<br />
<br />
Even when I'm <b><span style="font-size: large;">not</span></b> packing, <span style="font-size: large;">re-packing,</span> re-distributing weight, <span style="font-size: large;">re-weighing </span>suitcases and scribbling the weight down on scraps of paper so I don't lose track where I'm at now, my brain is <span style="font-size: large;">whirring</span> with thoughts like, "<span style="font-size: large;">56-51</span>... if I take <i>xxx </i>and <i>yyy, </i>I could fit <i>zzz</i> in <span style="font-size: large;">that</span> suitcase... which takes me to <span style="font-size: large;">53-51</span>... I could <b><i>work</i></b> that <span style="font-size: large;">smile</span> at the check-in counter and make it... <span style="font-size: large;">54-51 </span>is <i>pushing</i> it, though..."<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Almost there. </span><br />
<br />
Cecilly http://www.blogger.com/profile/02183789574544936411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487800107073700015.post-71916249049329859262018-02-19T01:33:00.000-05:002018-02-19T02:12:44.329-05:008 Day Countdown<div style="height: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">Getting to the </span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: large;">nostalgic</span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"> point of good-</span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: large;">byes</span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">.</span><br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fd7xUMVw9K8/Wopud9-HJzI/AAAAAAAAEFw/fPFFN3kzjMI-tSo6y_Rid5nzXKR2PYqrACLcBGAs/s1600/27892121_347277065788531_5439755597132070912_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fd7xUMVw9K8/Wopud9-HJzI/AAAAAAAAEFw/fPFFN3kzjMI-tSo6y_Rid5nzXKR2PYqrACLcBGAs/s200/27892121_347277065788531_5439755597132070912_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">Last week at <span style="font-size: large;">church</span> with the <span style="font-size: large;">new</span> friends.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">Last <span style="font-size: large;">FULL</span> day with <span style="font-size: large;">best</span> friend.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">Last <span style="font-size: large;">game</span> night.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">Last day with the <span style="font-size: large;">kids</span> I’ve been <span style="font-size: large;">nannying</span> as I waited for this <span style="font-size: large;">delayed</span> visa.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">Last D.C. <span style="font-size: large;">bucket</span> list.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">Last <span style="font-size: large;">kid</span> dates.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">Last week in my <span style="font-size: large;">planner</span> where I’m still <span style="font-size: large;">stateside</span>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"><br /></span>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xzIO2kAt3Ro/Wopud_eA0sI/AAAAAAAAEFs/2qsXoTVm-VMkFDqMwT8UuanzyUDPOh6pgCLcBGAs/s1600/27891879_959740707512107_7352776280363761664_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xzIO2kAt3Ro/Wopud_eA0sI/AAAAAAAAEFs/2qsXoTVm-VMkFDqMwT8UuanzyUDPOh6pgCLcBGAs/s200/27891879_959740707512107_7352776280363761664_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">I knew it was coming, but it went from </span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: large;">going</span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">-to-be-a-</span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: large;">whirlwind</span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">-and-</span><wbr style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></wbr><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">then-I’m-gone </span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">to </span><br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">I-have-way-</span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: large;">too</span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">-much-time-to-</span><wbr style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></wbr><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: large;">think</span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">-and-</span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: large;">psych</span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">-myself-out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">Don’t get me <span style="font-size: large;">wrong</span>—I’m very <span style="font-size: large;">excited</span>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">This makes <span style="font-size: large;">SENSE</span>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"><br /></span>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0tTe5NVQMZE/WopueHcYjUI/AAAAAAAAEF4/TPquHJFM87gt9iqMLZxw0W3IQMT7HNtFgCLcBGAs/s1600/28153038_332432130598552_8841331307146379264_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0tTe5NVQMZE/WopueHcYjUI/AAAAAAAAEF4/TPquHJFM87gt9iqMLZxw0W3IQMT7HNtFgCLcBGAs/s200/28153038_332432130598552_8841331307146379264_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">I didn’t want to stay in <span style="font-size: large;">hospitality</span> and have had an interest in <span style="font-size: large;">education</span> for about <span style="font-size: large;">4 years.</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">I also want {or <span style="font-size: large;">think</span> I want} to <span style="font-size: large;">live</span> and <span style="font-size: large;">work</span> abroad—preferably in <span style="font-size: large;">developing</span> countries {but again... this is what I <span style="font-size: large;">think</span> I want and could be prone to <span style="font-size: large;">change</span>.} </span><br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">I also have an interest in picking up a new <span style="font-size: large;">language</span>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">And what more <span style="font-size: large;">useful</span> {and <span style="font-size: large;">difficult</span>, therefore setting me apart} language than <span style="font-size: large;">Mandarin</span>? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">I’ve always thought being <span style="font-size: large;">single</span> and having no ties was a <span style="font-size: large;">black</span> mark, but now I see it as exactly what allows me to go do this. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">Another reason I’m <span style="font-size: large;">excited</span>: continue to <span style="font-size: large;">build</span> myself and not <span style="font-size: large;">wait</span> around to meet someone and start that <span style="font-size: large;">chapter</span> of life. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">So, for all these reasons it makes <span style="font-size: large;">SENSE</span> to....</span><br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D3gjZg0CPK8/WopueEYJlDI/AAAAAAAAEF0/i1PS_KYDIZwPfHa9mTyWQ3k7hmojC5rgwCLcBGAs/s1600/27877916_1530678913648605_1884896992564346880_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D3gjZg0CPK8/WopueEYJlDI/AAAAAAAAEF0/i1PS_KYDIZwPfHa9mTyWQ3k7hmojC5rgwCLcBGAs/s320/27877916_1530678913648605_1884896992564346880_n.jpg" width="256" /></a><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"><span style="font-size: large;">quit</span> my job, move to a <span style="font-size: large;">country</span> where the city I’ll be living in has a population <span style="font-size: large;">bigger</span> than any place I’ve ever even <i>visited</i>, I know <span style="font-size: large;">no one</span>, where the <span style="font-size: large;">culture</span> is so vastly different than my current <span style="font-size: large;">lifestyle</span>, and I don’t speak the <span style="font-size: large;">language</span>. Like at <span style="font-size: large;">all</span>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">So, for those reasons I feel a little <span style="font-size: large;">sick</span> right now but also just want to get on that <span style="font-size: large;">14-</span>hour <span style="font-size: large;">flight</span> so I have no choice but to <span style="font-size: large;">follow</span> through. </span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">This decision was a lot <span style="font-size: large;">easier</span> when I was coming off of a two-week <span style="font-size: large;">vacation</span> on the beaches of <span style="font-size: large;">Costa Rica</span>, I was wading through <span style="font-size: large;">clouds</span> of <span style="font-size: large;">depression</span> and didn’t feel like I fit in <span style="font-size: large;">anywhere</span> here, and I wasn’t <span style="font-size: large;">content</span> at my current job. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">That being said...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DrVXprkM430/WoptuZ2kLWI/AAAAAAAAEFk/X10Lqksi_8wqppKxhqMjaH5k-HU1c9gOQCLcBGAs/s1600/All.In..png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DrVXprkM430/WoptuZ2kLWI/AAAAAAAAEFk/X10Lqksi_8wqppKxhqMjaH5k-HU1c9gOQCLcBGAs/s200/All.In..png" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: right;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: x-large;"><b>I’m All In.</b></span></div>
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Cecilly http://www.blogger.com/profile/02183789574544936411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487800107073700015.post-2291174078994354162018-02-18T16:36:00.001-05:002018-02-18T16:36:22.208-05:00The House That Built Me<div class="sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html" data-block-type="2" id="block-92409ab1064a1a5b36d5" style="background-color: white; box-shadow: rgba(128, 128, 128, 0) 0px 0px 0px 1px inset; clear: none; color: #454545; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 15px; height: auto; line-height: 22.05px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 17px; position: relative; transition: box-shadow 0.2s ease-in-out;">
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<b>**Post originally from Friday, October 2nd, 2015**</b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ub03sSRALWc/WonrBiBd8dI/AAAAAAAAEEA/d9zImZulQ1INBiJ1qLyr0ahHdYGUhP5XQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ub03sSRALWc/WonrBiBd8dI/AAAAAAAAEEA/d9zImZulQ1INBiJ1qLyr0ahHdYGUhP5XQCLcBGAs/s200/IMG_9745.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
As Miranda Lambert once <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQYNM6SjD_o" style="border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; color: #1f1f1f; text-decoration-line: none; transition: 0.5s ease-out;" target="_blank">said</a>: <em id="yui_3_17_2_3_1487392919146_3250">I know they say you can't go home again...I just had to come back.</em><span style="line-height: 1.47em;"> </span></div>
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Visiting after a year was nostalgic. From the moment I stepped off the plane and for the next two weeks, the lyrics for "The House that Built Me" played on repeat in my mind.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c9-HSvpSKNg/WonrB4-DEfI/AAAAAAAAEEE/9mkqSIxPpFIZD0gMDgL2j9TaOgo4mbk4ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c9-HSvpSKNg/WonrB4-DEfI/AAAAAAAAEEE/9mkqSIxPpFIZD0gMDgL2j9TaOgo4mbk4ACLcBGAs/s200/IMG_9756.JPG" width="200" /></a>The trip started off right by visiting my favorite froyo--Yogurtland. With no locations in Ohio, it's been dearly missed.<br />
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Cafe Rio may or may not have been the second spot on my list of places to visit.</div>
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And thirdly came... home.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KoGx_a8cQYg/WonrDT3YsHI/AAAAAAAAEEc/H2uilgL_1sIQqCUyeAChujtUng9lBF9hgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KoGx_a8cQYg/WonrDT3YsHI/AAAAAAAAEEc/H2uilgL_1sIQqCUyeAChujtUng9lBF9hgCLcBGAs/s200/IMG_9907.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jkgiyzKTsck/WonrEmQRoBI/AAAAAAAAEE0/mPjOLi8fpj4W98AqmHb_ccJ-3mrATiAjACLcBGAs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_68ad.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1187" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jkgiyzKTsck/WonrEmQRoBI/AAAAAAAAEE0/mPjOLi8fpj4W98AqmHb_ccJ-3mrATiAjACLcBGAs/s200/fullsizeoutput_68ad.jpeg" width="148" /></a><em id="yui_3_17_2_3_1487392919146_3395">You leave home, you move on </em><em id="yui_3_17_2_3_1487392919146_3393">and you do the best you can... I got lost in this whole world and forgot who I am.</em></div>
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And off I was to my roots, to remember. Back to who I was before I donned a skirt and blazer and entered the working world. As I stepped inside the front doors of home, it was a breath of fresh air. Familiar air. Immediately, I felt enveloped by comforting memories. It's easy to move on and start a new story, but to go back and re-live an old one... there really aren't words to describe the feeling.</div>
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<em id="yui_3_17_2_3_1487392919146_3410">I thought if I could touch this place or feel it--this brokenness inside me might start healing. </em></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.47em;">I left Utah heart-broken, ready to lose myself in the next place I found. While that brokenness inside me has healed, to walk the familiar walks from childhood could easily heal any wound. It's a place of refuge. The backyard grotto that I used to call my "secret garden," the place where I had a window serenation and danced in the moonlight ;) , took pictures at the beginning of every school year, climbed out the window of the upstairs bedroom just because, talked about crushes with my best friend, did homework at the kitchen table.... </span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jWGoXxP3YCs/Wonq_0tx9YI/AAAAAAAAEDs/CogoFeFLKRAOAWO4pcS5GFwQEtrpL_2VACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jWGoXxP3YCs/Wonq_0tx9YI/AAAAAAAAEDs/CogoFeFLKRAOAWO4pcS5GFwQEtrpL_2VACLcBGAs/s200/IMG_0232.JPG" width="150" /></a>Back to the Property, where I strolled and lingered in Memory Lane. To the van trailers full of memories, of pictures. Had to re-stock my supply of pictures for #tbt. ;)<br />
<em style="line-height: 1.47em; text-align: center;"><br /></em>
<em style="line-height: 1.47em; text-align: center;">Out here its like I'm someone else, </em><br />
<em style="line-height: 1.47em;">I thought that maybe I could find myself.</em></div>
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Waking up early every morning certainly left me feeling like I was someone else. ;) And mom would dispute that any one of those mornings was actually early. </div>
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And as Francisco ways go, there must be work to accompany any good vacation. ;) So off we were, mom and I--to move sandbags.<br />
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And don't forget the beauties of yard-saling that were just awaiting us.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V0KY2mMm48A/WonrDa2T-oI/AAAAAAAAEEU/d_Vgv9PWsYAAqc_6ET5CKdoNWrzP2UbaQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V0KY2mMm48A/WonrDa2T-oI/AAAAAAAAEEU/d_Vgv9PWsYAAqc_6ET5CKdoNWrzP2UbaQCLcBGAs/s200/IMG_9898.JPG" width="200" /></a>It had been far too long since I had participated in such an exciting... (....and early....) endeavor. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QXcNNvSJhW4/WonrANjTj3I/AAAAAAAAEDw/ymaZ9ypPhPwKUnYpk_gzGqP2realalgogCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QXcNNvSJhW4/WonrANjTj3I/AAAAAAAAEDw/ymaZ9ypPhPwKUnYpk_gzGqP2realalgogCLcBGAs/s200/IMG_0282.JPG" width="200" /></a>I found it refreshing to return to old ways. Habits I'd since changed in my life (like... getting up early *ahem* at insistence* and yard-saling.)</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RRHFfWRM2yQ/WonrBSJhHUI/AAAAAAAAED8/V8y8xvwLCXoA_e262Gu4vYUMKC4q7uGxACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="149" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RRHFfWRM2yQ/WonrBSJhHUI/AAAAAAAAED8/V8y8xvwLCXoA_e262Gu4vYUMKC4q7uGxACLcBGAs/s200/IMG_1620.JPG" width="200" /></a><div class="sqs-block-content" style="cursor: auto; outline: none;">
<div id="yui_3_17_2_3_1487392919146_3451" style="line-height: 22.05px; margin-bottom: 1.25em;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9xYzI-uwtYg/WonrDgVojFI/AAAAAAAAEEg/gaPuGU9Izt8UP_GE52lx3Ba1tDbU2-dugCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9xYzI-uwtYg/WonrDgVojFI/AAAAAAAAEEg/gaPuGU9Izt8UP_GE52lx3Ba1tDbU2-dugCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9xYzI-uwtYg/WonrDgVojFI/AAAAAAAAEEg/gaPuGU9Izt8UP_GE52lx3Ba1tDbU2-dugCLcBGAs/s200/IMG_9914.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="color: #454545;">A highlight of the visit was definitely playing with two little nephews--one being but a month old--and my niece, whom I have not really grown up around.</span><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9xYzI-uwtYg/WonrDgVojFI/AAAAAAAAEEg/gaPuGU9Izt8UP_GE52lx3Ba1tDbU2-dugCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #454545;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9xYzI-uwtYg/WonrDgVojFI/AAAAAAAAEEg/gaPuGU9Izt8UP_GE52lx3Ba1tDbU2-dugCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #454545;">As I was playing with my niece and showing her my handprints from when we laid the concrete in the backyard patio, the lyrics kept flowing:</span></a></div>
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<em id="yui_3_17_2_3_1487392919146_3301">But these handprints on the front steps are mine.<br />And up those stairs, in that little back bedroom...<br />is where I did my homework and I learned to play guitar.</em></div>
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<br /></div>
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Only this time, the little back bedroom has become a toyroom. ;)</div>
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And I have to stake my claim that the bedroom is still, indeed, mine.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<em id="yui_3_17_2_3_1487392919146_3476">If I could just come in I swear I'll leave.</em></div>
<div id="yui_3_17_2_3_1487392919146_3470" style="line-height: 22.05px; margin-bottom: 1.25em;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xU9kT8vx_js/Wonq-uQM7fI/AAAAAAAAEDc/PJuErVy1lSUuLjtaSGM51lfH2ZNU8figgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xU9kT8vx_js/Wonq-uQM7fI/AAAAAAAAEDc/PJuErVy1lSUuLjtaSGM51lfH2ZNU8figgCLcBGAs/s200/IMG_0056.JPG" width="200" /></a>In the year since visiting home, I've certainly changed. These changes of personality were made most clear perhaps in interactions with friends. Yet how wonderful are those friends who still remind me of who I am... for when I forget. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cfV_ul4FjyI/WonrDQ0cVTI/AAAAAAAAEEY/FAtmCMMbM5wJh78fmwYwYJRmKWwENq_RQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cfV_ul4FjyI/WonrDQ0cVTI/AAAAAAAAEEY/FAtmCMMbM5wJh78fmwYwYJRmKWwENq_RQCLcBGAs/s200/IMG_9884.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKDWN70jtCU/WonrDKt9puI/AAAAAAAAEEM/fSKET52fGnQ1IbsFZ5n_L8GIEGRLKWsUwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKDWN70jtCU/WonrDKt9puI/AAAAAAAAEEM/fSKET52fGnQ1IbsFZ5n_L8GIEGRLKWsUwCLcBGAs/s200/IMG_9879.JPG" width="200" /></a>I was slightly afraid that I've changed to a point that my friendships wouldn't be have much base--we don't have much in common any more as far as lifestyles go. If I could just come into our friendship for one more time, I swear I'll leave if we don't have the same commonalities we once shared. </div>
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They're those friends with whom I can make jam (or... syrups, rather...), sit and watch movies with, clean with... really, we don't need a planned activity to enjoy ourselves--that prove that friendships last forever. :) Friendships never end, you might say. ;)</div>
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Every day seemed to afford time for lounging (or, um.... burning.... in the pool). #whatalife</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VcTBSXuBOfM/Wonq_vQglyI/AAAAAAAAEDk/fUjyC7dlFMI7MPW6f4cT44yXLu4KF9moACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VcTBSXuBOfM/Wonq_vQglyI/AAAAAAAAEDk/fUjyC7dlFMI7MPW6f4cT44yXLu4KF9moACLcBGAs/s200/IMG_0162.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;">I got to bid adieu to a good friend whose family I <3 and is moving to another part of Utah. #insertmanysongshere</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VdYdZuKkXlU/Wonq9jW066I/AAAAAAAAEDM/IIjOnB0U2PI9H8dL887nFB4OI-KWQVHiwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VdYdZuKkXlU/Wonq9jW066I/AAAAAAAAEDM/IIjOnB0U2PI9H8dL887nFB4OI-KWQVHiwCLcBGAs/s200/IMG_0011.JPG" width="200" /></a>And meet up with a best friend once again, now resettled in married life. It's interesting to see how much I've changed from who I was when we were roommates a mere 18 months ago. And the world spins madly on...</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dWG1k6AaIF8/Wonq9uZS1ZI/AAAAAAAAEDU/zXLClQGwalQ7L_IUdZ5_6X25izNAagulQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dWG1k6AaIF8/Wonq9uZS1ZI/AAAAAAAAEDU/zXLClQGwalQ7L_IUdZ5_6X25izNAagulQCLcBGAs/s200/IMG_0024.JPG" width="200" /></a><div class="sqs-block-content" id="yui_3_17_2_3_1487392919146_3310" style="cursor: auto; outline: none;">
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And another best friend who is ALSO recently married. He helped that <em>brokenness inside me start healing</em>. Going out to lunch was a wonderful way to get caught up on life, and re-affirm that I am doing okay now. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jDR04sWEFWI/Wonq9nkTr5I/AAAAAAAAEDQ/6wTaO_klZ4kE4fh-hDIZKBbfvQDf1KqUQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jDR04sWEFWI/Wonq9nkTr5I/AAAAAAAAEDQ/6wTaO_klZ4kE4fh-hDIZKBbfvQDf1KqUQCLcBGAs/s200/IMG_0022.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2BhdJ5jIIm8/Wonq-LwMWHI/AAAAAAAAEDY/erfCkz4oV9Y7nGEBI0wFFzgFoGla-_IlwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><div class="sqs-block-content" style="cursor: auto; outline: none;">
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And don't forget relative (literally) fun. It's funny to look at how much we have all matured (or... hopefully so... ) as we've graduated, gone to college, started working, and established our independence.</div>
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But not so much so that we have to forgo a little fun. :)</div>
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And a little bit of culinary enjoyment. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lV-9zvFzwv8/Wonq_LcGs3I/AAAAAAAAEDg/kCrccvlCrwwLXzYGk2eDT2h4SoDDvfQWQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lV-9zvFzwv8/Wonq_LcGs3I/AAAAAAAAEDg/kCrccvlCrwwLXzYGk2eDT2h4SoDDvfQWQCLcBGAs/s200/IMG_0156.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="line-height: 22.05px;">And... to go along with that culinary enjoyment, a little bit of bike riding. #newhobby</span></div>
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And before we knew it, off mom and I were to Education Week, which was a personal 2015 bucket list item for me. I'd been several years previously as a volunteer, and loved it so much I wanted to participate. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t91TIq-G3Ig/WonrENvRMRI/AAAAAAAAEEo/rqQCDAiNbcsar9G53gKu_mnzJgKR4f2HwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t91TIq-G3Ig/WonrENvRMRI/AAAAAAAAEEo/rqQCDAiNbcsar9G53gKu_mnzJgKR4f2HwCLcBGAs/s200/IMG_9979.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c819CZmEPzA/WonrD1VJpMI/AAAAAAAAEEs/FxxH0ZAt7soe0I-nUTKs5VFPnleOoXBKwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c819CZmEPzA/WonrD1VJpMI/AAAAAAAAEEs/FxxH0ZAt7soe0I-nUTKs5VFPnleOoXBKwCLcBGAs/s200/IMG_9975.JPG" width="200" /></a>Best summary of Education Week is a week-long series of courses from spiritual subjects to history, music, culinary, life skills.... It was an amazing week of learning, and I am so glad I was able to go. </div>
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Mom was a trooper for sticking around, even though it's a lot of sitting down. ;)<br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2BhdJ5jIIm8/Wonq-LwMWHI/AAAAAAAAEDY/erfCkz4oV9Y7nGEBI0wFFzgFoGla-_IlwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2BhdJ5jIIm8/Wonq-LwMWHI/AAAAAAAAEDY/erfCkz4oV9Y7nGEBI0wFFzgFoGla-_IlwCLcBGAs/s200/IMG_0042.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="text-align: center;">As I'm contemplating a different career choice in elementary education, I thought it a good idea to visit one of my close friends who is an elementary education teacher.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EC8gqr6krK4/WonrDr4_NJI/AAAAAAAAEEk/lTiHuY1ov5UFKIOWrywsIBMKldccl837ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EC8gqr6krK4/WonrDr4_NJI/AAAAAAAAEEk/lTiHuY1ov5UFKIOWrywsIBMKldccl837ACLcBGAs/s200/IMG_9935.JPG" width="200" /></a><div style="line-height: 1.47em; margin-bottom: 1.25em;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h8v3DmBMpZ8/WonrCtztWDI/AAAAAAAAEEQ/vETkEqssyPIPNHMEFm3NBbGqW5iWLK_zwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h8v3DmBMpZ8/WonrCtztWDI/AAAAAAAAEEQ/vETkEqssyPIPNHMEFm3NBbGqW5iWLK_zwCLcBGAs/s200/IMG_9869.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="line-height: 22.05px;">Our friendship took off from 2nd grade in some heated times table competitions, which we couldn't help but re-enact:</span></div>
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Nursery & Sunday School, ANY DAY.</div>
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I don't think there should be any questioning about it...<br />
<em style="text-align: center;"><br /></em>
<em style="text-align: center;"><br /></em>
<em style="text-align: center;">Mama cut out pictures of houses for years.</em><br />
<em>From 'Better Homes and Garden' magazines.</em><br />
<em>Plans were drawn, concrete poured,</em><br />
<em>and nail by nail and board by board</em><br />
<em>Daddy gave life to mama's dream.</em></div>
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The highlight of the trip home was definitely when the boys (AKA Dad & Isaac) came home. Everyone in the family but myself had been together in June, and I certainly felt I had missed out. So, I was delighted that we could all get together and have at least one family meal, all together. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rNPdOznoESY/WonrEgF1fzI/AAAAAAAAEEw/K1k_MK9Am-UFSCusQOzj2_rue2odGahiACLcBGAs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_6900.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rNPdOznoESY/WonrEgF1fzI/AAAAAAAAEEw/K1k_MK9Am-UFSCusQOzj2_rue2odGahiACLcBGAs/s200/fullsizeoutput_6900.jpeg" width="200" /></a>Which was the perfect photo-op for a (somewhat) updated family picture. </div>
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It was sure nice to get a new picture with dad. #yay!!!</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FggSVQu0eLI/WonrA28iyqI/AAAAAAAAED4/7Ir9QiN3DeA8y9s9Rh4ECaGWW_lui69agCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FggSVQu0eLI/WonrA28iyqI/AAAAAAAAED4/7Ir9QiN3DeA8y9s9Rh4ECaGWW_lui69agCLcBGAs/s200/IMG_0377.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="line-height: 22.05px;">The time came all too soon. Time to say good-bye. Even though I had been fortunate enough to visit for two weeks, the time felt too short. The whole 3 hour drive to the airport, my stomach was in knots. Usually, I am ready for the next thing, but leaving home was hard.</span><br />
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The final words of the song rolled through my mind:</div>
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<em id="yui_3_17_2_3_1487392919146_3343">Won't take nothing but a memory<br />from the house that built me.</em><br />
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Let's be honest here. I was taking a LOT more than a memory from the house that built me. It involved a checked bag of luggage that I didn't have on my arrival to home, as well as testing the limits of American Airlines' weight & dimension requirements. And back off to Cleveland...<br />
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Cecillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01481630759998651082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487800107073700015.post-85721391399104681262015-06-09T01:06:00.002-04:002015-06-09T01:18:58.350-04:00And the World Spins Madly On"And the World Spins <span style="font-size: large;">Madly </span>On."<br />
<br />
My internet <span style="font-size: large;">connection </span>name.<br />
A new-found <span style="font-size: large;">song </span>discovered in Africa.<br />
A great <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBk3ynRbtsw"><span style="font-size: large;">music </span>video</a>.<br />
Also words describing my <span style="font-size: large;">life</span>.<br />
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A friend recently posted <span style="font-size: large;">something </span>on her facebook account which <span style="font-size: large;">resonated </span>with me. It was regarding a conversation that is sometimes <span style="font-size: large;">difficult </span>to have, I'll be honest: the <span style="font-size: large;">ominous </span>"s" word. Now, before you go thinking Cecilly has gone all <span style="font-size: large;">crazy </span>on you, it's not that bad of an "s" word, I <span style="font-size: large;">promise</span>:<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">single</span></i>.<br />
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On this touchy subject, <span style="font-size: large;">said </span>Facebook friend:<br />
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"Okay, here it goes. I know a lot of you have been <span style="font-size: large;">wondering</span>, so I'm here to answer the question you <span style="font-size: large;">want </span>to ask. Yes, {boy} and I <span style="font-size: large;">broke </span>up. And you know what? It's <span style="font-size: large;">okay</span>. We're both doing well, and we left on <span style="font-size: large;">good </span>terms. Some things are just not <span style="font-size: large;">meant </span>to be, and this was one of those things, and we both <span style="font-size: large;">realized </span>it. I would <span style="font-size: large;">prefer </span>not to retell what happened over and over again, so here's the deal. {Boy} and I got <span style="font-size: large;">engaged</span>, he backed out and we continued to date because we thought that maybe we just needed to take it slower. Well, we weren't <span style="font-size: large;">progressing </span>any further and we both knew we wouldn't, so we decided to just <span style="font-size: large;">end </span>the relationship. I really am doing fine, so <span style="font-size: large;">please </span>don't tell me how sorry you are. That won't help the <span style="font-size: large;">situation</span>, and it will just make me feel <span style="font-size: large;">pathetic</span>."</div>
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<i>Especially </i>the <span style="font-size: large;">last </span>part. "That won't help the situation, and it will just make me feel <span style="font-size: large;">pathetic</span>."<br />
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I felt that way just <span style="font-size: large;">shy </span>of a year ago. But, after many moments involving <span style="font-size: large;">Taylor Swift </span>songs, moments of <span style="font-size: large;">hatred</span>, moments of peace, moments of <span style="font-size: large;">forgiveness</span>, moments of solitude, moments of sadness, moments of bitterness, moments of <span style="font-size: large;">healing</span>, moments of hurt, moments of insecurity, moments of <span style="font-size: large;">happiness</span>, life has magically moved on. <span style="font-size: large;">I</span> have moved on. It was <i>really </i>hard. Sounds so <span style="font-size: large;">dumb </span>to say, but... <i><span style="font-size: large;">whew</span></i>... it was hard. Took an unexpected <span style="font-size: large;">emotional </span>toll.<br />
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Being single, I get self-<span style="font-size: large;">conscious </span>sometimes that people think there's something <span style="font-size: large;">wrong </span>with me. Believe me, I've <span style="font-size: large;">wondered </span>that, too. I watch friend after friend get <span style="font-size: large;">engaged</span>, married, start a <span style="font-size: large;">family</span>. Yes, I am so incredibly <span style="font-size: large;">happy </span>for them I can't contain it. I look at (....#<span style="font-size: large;">stalk</span>...*ahem*.....) engagement, <span style="font-size: large;">wedding</span>, and family pictures so delighted for them and so <span style="font-size: large;">hopeful </span>for that day when I get that opportunity. And yes, it's a little <span style="font-size: large;">painful</span>. Yet I am so <span style="font-size: large;">thrilled </span>for each of them, and wouldn't want to <span style="font-size: large;">ever </span>diminish their happiness in any sense.<br />
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But, especially in the last month or so, I have been increasingly <span style="font-size: large;">grateful </span>for this opportunity to be <i>exactly </i>where I am in life right now. I've been able to <span style="font-size: large;">meet</span>, know, serve, be served by so many people whose <span style="font-size: large;">friendship </span>I highly cherish. And were I in another type of relationship, those <span style="font-size: large;">opportunities </span>would not have presented themselves.<br />
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I <span style="font-size: large;">trust </span>in my Heavenly Father. He <span style="font-size: large;">truly </span>knows best, and I have<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><i><span style="font-size: large;">no doubt</span> </i>He loves me. He loves each one of you, fellow <span style="font-size: large;">blog</span>-readers. It's amazing to think that our Father--the <span style="font-size: large;">Father </span>to our spirits--watches over us and <span style="font-size: large;">cares </span>so deeply about us. That truth gives <span style="font-size: large;">purpose </span>to my life. And I am so <span style="font-size: large;">eternally </span>grateful for Him, and for that truth.<br />
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...And the World Spins <span style="font-size: large;">Madly </span>On....</div>
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Cecillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01481630759998651082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487800107073700015.post-84227523170263427002015-01-25T20:25:00.001-05:002015-01-25T20:25:44.382-05:00Playlist of the Year<div style="text-align: center;">In school, an English professor gave his class (I wasn't in the class) an <span style="font-size: large;">assignment </span>to make a <span style="font-size: large;">soundtrack </span>of their <span style="font-size: large;">life</span>, or something related to that train of thought. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I never ended up making a <span style="font-size: large;">soundtrack </span>of my life, but this week I was thinking about how much I love <span style="font-size: large;">music </span>and how it helps me <span style="font-size: large;">express </span>how I am feeling. This last year was a <span style="font-size: large;">roller coaster</span>, that's for sure, and I went through many songs--so I compiled a playlist of the <span style="font-size: large;">year</span>. </div><div style="text-align: center;">One song per <span style="font-size: large;">month</span>. </div><div style="text-align: center;">No <span style="font-size: large;">exceptions</span>.</div><div style="text-align: center;">For several months, <span style="font-size: large;">multiple </span>songs were in the running, but I ruled it <span style="font-size: large;">down</span> to the top 12:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLmRY1dxrTZb6zLDm1HAnnOHECCWpkrJz7" width="425"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">January: "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrvWcrY7SnM&index=1&list=PLmRY1dxrTZb6zLDm1HAnnOHECCWpkrJz7">Ball Cap</a>" -Glen Templeton</div><div><div style="text-align: center;">February: "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gwx4iTRLXG8&index=2&list=PLmRY1dxrTZb6zLDm1HAnnOHECCWpkrJz7">Just Give Me A Reason</a>" -Pink</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">March: "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQY4dIxY1H4&list=PLmRY1dxrTZb6zLDm1HAnnOHECCWpkrJz7&index=3">What Are Words</a>" -Chris Medina</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">April: "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7Gf2SOmz5Q&list=PLmRY1dxrTZb6zLDm1HAnnOHECCWpkrJz7&index=4">All About Us</a>" -Owl City</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">May: "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVrYpaMXoZc&index=5&list=PLmRY1dxrTZb6zLDm1HAnnOHECCWpkrJz7">Spark</a>" -Allred</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">June: "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzueDvbBxak&index=6&list=PLmRY1dxrTZb6zLDm1HAnnOHECCWpkrJz7">Give It All</a>" -He Is We</div><div style="text-align: center;">July: "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEValZuFYRU&index=7&list=PLmRY1dxrTZb6zLDm1HAnnOHECCWpkrJz7">Catch My Breath</a>" -Kelly Clarkson</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">August: "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVpUG4g7BYE&list=PLmRY1dxrTZb6zLDm1HAnnOHECCWpkrJz7&index=8">And Run</a>" -He is We</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">September: "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeCqQvBsHLs&list=PLmRY1dxrTZb6zLDm1HAnnOHECCWpkrJz7&index=9">Breathe</a>" -He is We </div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">October: "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qU4wxPw6t_g&list=PLmRY1dxrTZb6zLDm1HAnnOHECCWpkrJz7&index=10">Lego House</a>" -Ed Sheeran</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">November: "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rg9QnBwLYwg&index=11&list=PLmRY1dxrTZb6zLDm1HAnnOHECCWpkrJz7">Karma</a>" -J. Wride</div><div style="text-align: center;">December: "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MzExrN1QFU&index=12&list=PLmRY1dxrTZb6zLDm1HAnnOHECCWpkrJz7">Clean</a>" -Taylor Swift</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sneak Peak to the 2015 Playlist:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">January: "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Evqvefc4fqM&list=PLmRY1dxrTZb6zLDm1HAnnOHECCWpkrJz7&index=13">Take Your Time</a>" -Sam Hunt</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Cecillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01481630759998651082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487800107073700015.post-6828640263107793062015-01-20T22:10:00.001-05:002015-01-20T22:10:20.199-05:00Favorite.<div style="text-align: center;">Two weeks ago in Institute (a weekday religion class), we were asked to think about and come to the class with our favorite story from the New Testament. The question lingered on my mind throughout my work day, and upon arrival that evening, I had decided that I love every story including Peter--especially when he walks on the water toward the Savior. What a valiant follower, who was still growing, day-by-day in his faith in the Savior. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fast forward to today: I received the Bible Videos DVD in the mail (along with a Netflix movie.... it was a real trial of faith to decide which one to watch first. :) ) </div><br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3kLnlLhHLchQy6r0yvO_h1vaOwIKTOWthH8hfdue0RTI-qmTnuIH1nal36iM22qct4weLkWQ17EPoTLe16jkKzqrfnycFdPFXC8cpK2FDBKOp5bGbmOU_XZAYl1_mG4DAUEi2cuO-xk/s1600/Netflix.BibleVids..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3kLnlLhHLchQy6r0yvO_h1vaOwIKTOWthH8hfdue0RTI-qmTnuIH1nal36iM22qct4weLkWQ17EPoTLe16jkKzqrfnycFdPFXC8cpK2FDBKOp5bGbmOU_XZAYl1_mG4DAUEi2cuO-xk/s1600/Netflix.BibleVids..jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well, that little voice inside won, and I put in the Bible Videos. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was watching one that... became my new favorite. It is the story of Christ healing a lame man on the Sabbath. You really should watch it:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QhirAYf29VE" width="480"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">What do I love about it?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Watch the old man's face as the Savior asks, "Wilt thou be made whole?"</div><div style="text-align: center;">He has waited there for <i>years</i>, yearning to have someone help him into the water so he can be healed. Time after time, someone passes in front of him into the water. Now the Savior comes and asks him to, "Rise. Take up thy bed and walk." </div><div style="text-align: center;">In this video, he looks into the Savior's face with such faith and hope that <i>this time</i> he will be able to walk. That <i>today </i>he will be healed. </div><div style="text-align: center;">This story, so small and, to me, skipped over, was brought to my attention.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Favorite.</div>Cecillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01481630759998651082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487800107073700015.post-60174461904667130882014-12-19T10:31:00.000-05:002014-12-19T11:03:49.982-05:00Wordle of my blog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Cecillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01481630759998651082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487800107073700015.post-79058325085534746642014-12-12T19:19:00.002-05:002014-12-12T19:19:56.200-05:00Leaving on a jet plane<div>
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All my bags were <span style="font-size: large;">packed</span>, I was <span style="font-size: large;">ready</span> to go...</div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> the <span style="font-size: large;">dawn</span> was breakin', </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It was</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> early <span style="font-size: large;">morn</span>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">President</span> was waitin'</div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: center;">
He was blowin' his <span style="font-size: large;">horn</span></div>
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Already I was so <span style="font-size: large;">lonesome</span></div>
</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I could <span style="font-size: large;">die</span>....</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
One year ago today I was on a <span style="font-size: large;">jet</span> plane, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
didn't know when I'd be <span style="font-size: large;">back</span> again. </div>
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But oh, I hated to go...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-_QXoN3SlfqJ4mGUAPe9-Y15NFA1LMGs0cwIeZl7w6Vo17Llxry_HSai-PNQrOnz8pPoL9y1S315mZqzl9syp_iNjkyq9miv10rkvN1avCTO88N7J8Xh2ecO8Z9mLgi71qxUC5v2k6c/s1600/DSC04081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-_QXoN3SlfqJ4mGUAPe9-Y15NFA1LMGs0cwIeZl7w6Vo17Llxry_HSai-PNQrOnz8pPoL9y1S315mZqzl9syp_iNjkyq9miv10rkvN1avCTO88N7J8Xh2ecO8Z9mLgi71qxUC5v2k6c/s1600/DSC04081.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP779eRYV1w0BmWvgoEsO44Iie8LF78WoCW-uzN-up1jzQ6MBY3nqmMuy3wgsP8AZPtH3_J0-eIz9nILTJR58Vl24JTiRfwaZFwsdBZJForJg-5FNalMK322AYX93hiG7511qrq5KJFxU/s1600/IMG_1786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP779eRYV1w0BmWvgoEsO44Iie8LF78WoCW-uzN-up1jzQ6MBY3nqmMuy3wgsP8AZPtH3_J0-eIz9nILTJR58Vl24JTiRfwaZFwsdBZJForJg-5FNalMK322AYX93hiG7511qrq5KJFxU/s1600/IMG_1786.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Coming off that jet plane, in a short time </div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">I fell <span style="font-size: large;">hard</span> and felt deep pain,</span></div>
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I finished my <span style="font-size: large;">bachelor's</span> degree, </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzuqxUXfSLIKzgTUMoheIRoSMlj4tw4V9GCzHqsoQgRdeXVlK2OOmmukY8UdyrM8NUXMSza4xILuGwfwzAD1WUXJTVq1i3s2XLoENM3-xc08JdPse9OWOd2QcqgduwLqLil-7K8lkaHE/s1600/IMG_2752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzuqxUXfSLIKzgTUMoheIRoSMlj4tw4V9GCzHqsoQgRdeXVlK2OOmmukY8UdyrM8NUXMSza4xILuGwfwzAD1WUXJTVq1i3s2XLoENM3-xc08JdPse9OWOd2QcqgduwLqLil-7K8lkaHE/s1600/IMG_2752.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlO8NxgctRZH_OHUE2F8gsLmYOa38p_MUXWkKYZhbYqeOyF2MlLWQfiSGEN8LMkGKgiItYcPILJKD0YtZwG0EHyJaiIMi9e4h4vKMfKH_sb1TGg5C83gOvr0TbEBiSTUD3fysrdmw_p3I/s1600/IMG_2722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlO8NxgctRZH_OHUE2F8gsLmYOa38p_MUXWkKYZhbYqeOyF2MlLWQfiSGEN8LMkGKgiItYcPILJKD0YtZwG0EHyJaiIMi9e4h4vKMfKH_sb1TGg5C83gOvr0TbEBiSTUD3fysrdmw_p3I/s1600/IMG_2722.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I didn't spend <span style="font-size: large;">nearly</span> as much time with true friends as I <span style="font-size: large;">regrettably</span> wish.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The only <span style="font-size: large;">concrete</span> plan I had post-mission was to finish my degree, and that was checked off the list in the <span style="font-size: large;">blink</span> of an eye. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAR0M3A_U9z14mSLPGOrFmDDhaXCnAm0sYGgiyGYNxD0_r-kweh1L_0CW6GZrAIQwphk6wetzY5eXIokZV1aG3bXL1WEZmjyg1y305wXOekrJ7eZxCCFEFLJmRLEXtwxjg01eiM-Jk_g/s1600/IMG_2793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAR0M3A_U9z14mSLPGOrFmDDhaXCnAm0sYGgiyGYNxD0_r-kweh1L_0CW6GZrAIQwphk6wetzY5eXIokZV1aG3bXL1WEZmjyg1y305wXOekrJ7eZxCCFEFLJmRLEXtwxjg01eiM-Jk_g/s1600/IMG_2793.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uFPv2NynFANx2ZqRlWpeKhKDw9jljnxxbS4os6bmVxCbdatWh2Mh192bjEz3xq6a-KBISsrjX4982n14aQqwo9uoCvekqthw-eY_OMxEkPH0rk_77sxuXVrNMf9osbzDMxbEXdewhYM/s1600/IMG_2778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uFPv2NynFANx2ZqRlWpeKhKDw9jljnxxbS4os6bmVxCbdatWh2Mh192bjEz3xq6a-KBISsrjX4982n14aQqwo9uoCvekqthw-eY_OMxEkPH0rk_77sxuXVrNMf9osbzDMxbEXdewhYM/s1600/IMG_2778.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Before I knew it, I my bags were <span style="font-size: large;">packed</span> and I was ready to go, saying <span style="font-size: large;">good</span>-bye to my home--my <span style="font-size: large;">stomping</span> ground.</div>
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Not quite in a jet plane, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I moved across the <span style="font-size: large;">country</span> without much of a plan or a second thought.</div>
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And I <span style="font-size: large;">loved</span> it.</div>
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I found new <span style="font-size: large;">friends</span> and recovered.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgWGi4zvDgw8JcPCw2ysvjvjjKcQjpDw5n73m_COYrEJvmDdc8s4DJAqZboTS1Wbe_NIKz-9m4Tuzv_PhVBORVXyHvU3Am60w4mydqYynYa8OclHL3vgJzTaCReYS_Y2c6c0Ltku-HHI/s1600/IMG_3041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgWGi4zvDgw8JcPCw2ysvjvjjKcQjpDw5n73m_COYrEJvmDdc8s4DJAqZboTS1Wbe_NIKz-9m4Tuzv_PhVBORVXyHvU3Am60w4mydqYynYa8OclHL3vgJzTaCReYS_Y2c6c0Ltku-HHI/s1600/IMG_3041.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26OREr2PVABB3eI0JrCyfj-rALPxJ3BPM9VbzmzbrFSxSEna1fimiWmUnwm-wBQR2AtRDPEjnZ__Pdsnt96030VpP5E61Rg8s64_yKHRopHQlEQekggYJ3bkxVNIc7keIBw4dvceOL6Q/s1600/IMG_2983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26OREr2PVABB3eI0JrCyfj-rALPxJ3BPM9VbzmzbrFSxSEna1fimiWmUnwm-wBQR2AtRDPEjnZ__Pdsnt96030VpP5E61Rg8s64_yKHRopHQlEQekggYJ3bkxVNIc7keIBw4dvceOL6Q/s1600/IMG_2983.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfmzmL3odehx5mnnWzFgXOwgwfWf0YIVIIeTu2jtEDtFhn5F7zEoDRWwwaQDkG1BEVNiS7Q-L1aPScWX-_LRhDrMrvIY62QHfx1Ap1VHi6SYIcWkri0lyP2-8irvO18YIQnjlXyxYVa4/s1600/IMG_3784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfmzmL3odehx5mnnWzFgXOwgwfWf0YIVIIeTu2jtEDtFhn5F7zEoDRWwwaQDkG1BEVNiS7Q-L1aPScWX-_LRhDrMrvIY62QHfx1Ap1VHi6SYIcWkri0lyP2-8irvO18YIQnjlXyxYVa4/s1600/IMG_3784.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">
I found a safe <span style="font-size: large;">haven</span>.</div>
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Yes, sometimes distance IS the answer.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwznxHYxbg7Uua3qykEE3Z6-a8BtiRikCkGwOvAv7jrH_yZ2mJTxTKaa9yC_BIf8zNkjy8ZWVcIO3BnXfNHu6YAxk0AWOlz8NLvXtsp22hcRcseu61aPe0xIi42qx6oykqo2qXjGON2w/s1600/IMG_3028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwznxHYxbg7Uua3qykEE3Z6-a8BtiRikCkGwOvAv7jrH_yZ2mJTxTKaa9yC_BIf8zNkjy8ZWVcIO3BnXfNHu6YAxk0AWOlz8NLvXtsp22hcRcseu61aPe0xIi42qx6oykqo2qXjGON2w/s1600/IMG_3028.JPG" height="200" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXmCPyZD0NDDBG9pNW13pDDIaLhDWhPMGGs93oWgiUkmIoKjtMW_ytpK3awM3cUzpjJOHK9gLPeRZO_8r39Do2hDQW_VrQIEuFaS3g0nB9YwKLsWI9KXT6AmhfPWLAnKofgDkszhmZSc/s1600/IMG_3070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXmCPyZD0NDDBG9pNW13pDDIaLhDWhPMGGs93oWgiUkmIoKjtMW_ytpK3awM3cUzpjJOHK9gLPeRZO_8r39Do2hDQW_VrQIEuFaS3g0nB9YwKLsWI9KXT6AmhfPWLAnKofgDkszhmZSc/s1600/IMG_3070.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>Moving to Cleveland, I was... confession: pretty <span style="font-size: large;">hurt</span>. </div>
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Very hesitant to open up to <span style="font-size: large;">anyone</span> at all. </div>
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I can't honestly say <span style="font-size: large;">much</span> has changed, but I can see slight progress. :) </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Something</span> is better than nothing, right?</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Work</span> has been an amazing discovery and I have had to grow up in many ways. </div>
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First <span style="font-size: large;">real</span> kid job. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJUm5jpXxAIHFeYQYfwIcEug3orXvg21_FMqs4gOpYLJKsUbnvF7hYIm3dG9sh_V-YP59uLB3ZBUiygD4IBIcaxBxO0fklw7rGEI24pQ0b40otDZIRu-AfLegNNl3v00PcYof9ylImGg/s1600/IMG_3713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJUm5jpXxAIHFeYQYfwIcEug3orXvg21_FMqs4gOpYLJKsUbnvF7hYIm3dG9sh_V-YP59uLB3ZBUiygD4IBIcaxBxO0fklw7rGEI24pQ0b40otDZIRu-AfLegNNl3v00PcYof9ylImGg/s1600/IMG_3713.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>Time to enter the <span style="font-size: large;">workforce</span>. </div>
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Scary... but <span style="font-size: large;">exciting</span>. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Friends</span> have been crucial in <span style="font-size: large;">survival </span>and support. <span style="font-size: large;">#</span>ilovefacetime <span style="font-size: large;">#</span>thankgoodnessforskype</div>
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I sure did a lot of <span style="font-size: large;">packing my bags </span>(and my car) this last year......</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiul-otvEZ7eqyx6BAJywm21W6kcZeAmCISdnTCFAxuFqUAYyONVTEIa70kwK82a0UpiGwQOfQLmZ2myS7su4yJLCB5x9jlSs6tt4jSOjcciNidbUZ2dY5Ams-DLMvk3gjpOH7yJNml2yc/s1600/IMG_3829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiul-otvEZ7eqyx6BAJywm21W6kcZeAmCISdnTCFAxuFqUAYyONVTEIa70kwK82a0UpiGwQOfQLmZ2myS7su4yJLCB5x9jlSs6tt4jSOjcciNidbUZ2dY5Ams-DLMvk3gjpOH7yJNml2yc/s1600/IMG_3829.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I can't <span style="font-size: large;">believe</span> where I was <span style="font-size: large;">one</span> <span style="font-size: large;">year</span> ago.</div>
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I was still wearing a little black name tag. I was representing the Savior. </div>
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I hope since then, I have continued to represent Him without a little black nametag.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzq2KMnkRGmcGYyDhusN4PAXpmdav6AeSe5_RSgV3e8njODeYyWsCua1TDyXt5h_nKADbJhc7JXGsG2hzcdBEXPZ7xgsaEqAbHgJ1_emWImZcLweidRO4oj8D21bz30kChmJCxD4Gngw/s1600/102_4543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzq2KMnkRGmcGYyDhusN4PAXpmdav6AeSe5_RSgV3e8njODeYyWsCua1TDyXt5h_nKADbJhc7JXGsG2hzcdBEXPZ7xgsaEqAbHgJ1_emWImZcLweidRO4oj8D21bz30kChmJCxD4Gngw/s1600/102_4543.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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There's so many times I've let you down,</div>
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So many times I've played around</div>
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I tell you now, they don't mean a thing.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One year ago, I was leaving on a jet plane, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
didn't know when I'd be back again.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Heavenly Father, I hated to go....</div>
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Cecillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01481630759998651082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487800107073700015.post-66465078020216204332014-09-28T00:43:00.001-04:002014-09-28T00:43:20.072-04:00it sounds crazyI grew up where I had a keychain on my beltloop with favorite <span style="font-size: large;">scriptures</span>...<br />
and I <span style="font-size: large;">memorized</span> them.<br />
<br />
I never went out on a Friday night to a <span style="font-size: large;">bar</span>...<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">23</span> years old, and I just entered my first bar.<br />
<br />
I've never <span style="font-size: large;">touched</span> alcohol...<br />
and I <span style="font-size: large;">never</span> will.<br />
<br />
I mention casually to friends that I am going to listen to a living <span style="font-size: large;">prophet</span> of God...<br />
and I can only <span style="font-size: large;">guess</span> what they're imagining up.<br />
<br />
I talk of my <span style="font-size: large;">mission</span>, mentioning that for a year and a half I basically gave up using a cell phone and internet, didn't talk to/flirt with/date boys, communicated with home only once a week via email, read scriptures for at least two straight hours daily, and....<br />
I <span style="font-size: large;">liked</span> it.<br />
<br />
In relationships, the greatest way I know to show <span style="font-size: large;">respect </span>and love is complete abstinence before marriage...<br />
something which <span style="font-size: large;">surprises</span> some.<br />
<br />
The environment I'm accustomed to is when I heard a swear word, I <span style="font-size: large;">cringed</span>...<br />
now, I think I don't even <span style="font-size: large;">notice</span>.<br />
<br />
I've always been taught that a <span style="font-size: large;">career</span> was second to the eternally rewarding career of raising a family...<br />
and now I find myself in a world quite <span style="font-size: large;">contrasted</span> with that belief.<br />
<br />
I went to a school where talking of an <span style="font-size: large;">afterlife</span> was a light lunch conversation....<br />
now it seems to be too <span style="font-size: large;">delicate</span> of an issue to discuss.<br />
<br />
I was always so used to <span style="font-size: large;">God</span> being a common ground...<br />
now I find myself stepping into <span style="font-size: large;">shoes</span> where that common ground is no longer held.<br />
<br />
<br />
I know...<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">it sounds crazy.</span><br />
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<br />
I won't lie, it <i><span style="font-size: large;">does</span> </i>sound crazy.<br />
Sometimes I take a step back and look into it as <span style="font-size: large;">someone</span> who hasn't grown up in it.<br />
And yes, <span style="font-size: large;">it sounds crazy.</span><br />
<br />
It sounds crazy to say that I <i>know</i>--yes, <i><span style="font-size: large;">know</span></i>--that there is a <span style="font-size: large;">Savior</span> of this world, and that He literally lived and died for us.<br />
It sounds crazy to bear testimony that <i><span style="font-size: large;">that</span> </i>knowledge is what gets me through the darkest of days--the fact that I have an Elder Brother who <span style="font-size: large;">understands</span> my pain perfectly.<br />
It doesn't sound <span style="font-size: large;">logical</span>.<br />
It doesn't sound <i><span style="font-size: large;">normal</span></i>.<br />
It sounds, let's be honest, a little <span style="font-size: large;">weird</span> to say.<br />
<br />
But, it's <span style="font-size: large;">true</span> to me.Cecillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01481630759998651082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487800107073700015.post-23364835949886067462014-09-06T13:10:00.003-04:002014-09-06T13:16:00.853-04:00A simple question. A not-so-simple answer.<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
A friend asked a <span style="font-size: large;">simple</span> question:<br />
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"What have you enjoyed most being away?"</span></div>
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The simple question <span style="font-size: large;">stumped</span> me for an entire day--the answer is not-so-simple.</div>
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What <i><span style="font-size: large;">have</span></i> I enjoyed most being away?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
The <span style="font-size: large;">unfamiliar</span> environment?</div>
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The <span style="font-size: large;">distance</span>?</div>
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The <span style="font-size: large;">work</span> I do?</div>
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The new <span style="font-size: large;">start</span>?</div>
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I certainly enjoy that I have no <span style="font-size: large;">crutches</span>. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
Being face to face with <i><span style="font-size: large;">me</span></i>.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
Independence of making <span style="font-size: large;">financially</span> costly decisions: what apartment to get for myself, insurance, furnishing an apartment... an <span style="font-size: large;">adventure</span> not provided in the safe confines of a college lifestyle.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
Feeling <span style="font-size: large;">empowered</span> to push myself in a career. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Diversity</span> of surroundings-truly, a breath of fresh air-learning so much of the world around me.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
First time in the U.S. to MOVE to a <span style="font-size: large;">foreign</span> environment. Africa and Honduras were different because I was a foreigner moving in to an obviously different environment--a whole new country. Now, I am moving to a <span style="font-size: large;">somewhat</span>-similar environment, but <span style="font-size: large;">foreign</span> to me. Provo doesn't constitute "foreign."</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
There was <span style="font-size: large;">more</span> of me to discover that I just wasn't <span style="font-size: large;">finding</span> in Utah. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
I don't <span style="font-size: large;">know</span> better but to be genuine; not one to mask feelings anymore. I'm <span style="font-size: large;">tired</span> of hiding, trying to <span style="font-size: large;">appear</span> perfect. It's <span style="font-size: large;">just</span> time to be <i>me</i>, with all my <span style="font-size: large;">weaknesses</span> and <span style="font-size: large;">imperfections</span>. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Independence</span>.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
Not independence to run <span style="font-size: large;">rampant</span> and "go off the deep end" since there is no one to tell me what to do, as I'm in a city where <span style="font-size: large;">nobody</span> knows me. True, it would be much <span style="font-size: large;">easier</span> to "fall off the deep end" where no one knows me, in a city of 390,000 people. But, my move here is like our move from our <span style="font-size: large;">heavenly</span> home to earth. My parents, currently, are separated <span style="font-size: large;">physically</span> from me. Just as our Heavenly Father. But, they still <span style="font-size: large;">support</span> and <span style="font-size: large;">love</span>, as does our Heavenly Father. I love the freedom of choice He has given me to <span style="font-size: large;">shape</span> and <span style="font-size: large;">mold</span> my life how I want to. I'm grateful my parents took the 23 years <span style="font-size: large;">teaching</span> me right from wrong, because now I am able to be independent-- but not <span style="font-size: large;">lose</span> myself in it.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
Starting over with new <span style="font-size: large;">faces</span> in new <span style="font-size: large;">places</span> doesn't hurt, either. :)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, <span style="font-size: large;">what have I enjoyed most being away?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Independence</span>. </div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Cecillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01481630759998651082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487800107073700015.post-8598769564943768432014-08-25T01:15:00.000-04:002014-08-25T01:39:14.437-04:00What I didn't expectWhen I packed my life <span style="font-size: large;">belongings</span> into my little car and started the 26-hour (in reality, 42-hour) drive with my mom to <span style="font-size: large;">Cleveland</span>, Ohio, I never realized how badly I needed this life of <span style="font-size: large;">new</span> <span style="font-size: large;">beginnings</span>.<br />
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I was <span style="font-size: large;">apprehensive</span> in coming. In part, I'll be honest, I was coming out of <span style="font-size: large;">desperation</span>--needing to leave behind some recent pain of <span style="font-size: large;">endings</span>. I didn't expect much from my cross-country <span style="font-size: large;">move</span>, and I was <span style="font-size: large;">okay</span> with that. My focus was <span style="font-size: large;">escape</span>.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">But what I </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">didn't</span><span style="font-size: large;"> expect was....</span></b></div>
<br />
to be treated so <span style="font-size: large;">kindly</span> at work--having two and a half days off to enjoy with my mom in Cleveland<br />
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to be <span style="font-size: large;">welcomed</span> so warmly by my new roommate---and temporary roommates<br />
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to feel confirmation after confirmation of <span style="font-size: large;">peace</span> that <i>this </i>is exactly where I need to be, right now, right here<br />
to come to <span style="font-size: large;">love</span> the sometimes-deserted-downtown-streets<br />
to <span style="font-size: large;">drain</span> my bank account so quickly in the costs of settling in<br />
to come to <span style="font-size: large;">love</span> those in my church branch so deeply, so quickly<br />
to prefer <span style="font-size: large;">Menchies</span> over Yogurtland<br />
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to receive so much <span style="font-size: large;">help</span> from branch members when car issues arose<br />
to make a new best <span style="font-size: large;">friend</span> so quickly<br />
to succeed at work and be <span style="font-size: large;">recognized</span> for my contributions<br />
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to be so <span style="font-size: large;">content</span> here I can't wait for the year to continue<br />
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<br />Cecillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01481630759998651082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487800107073700015.post-80048832405184043202014-06-17T18:04:00.001-04:002014-06-17T18:04:23.068-04:00Check.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Cecillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01481630759998651082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487800107073700015.post-88618741203032321102014-06-14T20:52:00.000-04:002014-06-14T20:52:11.027-04:00Inspiration<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes, I'm a little scared to be me. I'm afraid to make choices that would taint the image of who I have worked to become. But then I read this today in my study, and my perspective changed: </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="chunk hl-orange 96884240977937692260" id="chunk260052" node="260052" paranum="26" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" wrapper="52"><span style="color: #2f393a;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i>"Your service may not be in what the world would recognize as a lofty calling. When the real value of service comes clear in the judgment of God, some people who worked in quiet anonymity will be the real heroes. Many of them, perhaps most of them, will be the underpaid and under-recognized people who nurtured others. I never visit an elementary school and watch the teachers without thinking about that future day when the rewards will be eternal. I never visit a hospital and watch those who nurse and those who clean without thinking of that. I never visit a workplace where someone serves me and others well, earning wages barely enough to provide the necessities for a family, without thinking of the future. And I never see a mother juggling three little children who are crying while she is smiling, as she shepherds them gently, without seeing in my mind's eye that day of honor in the presence of the only Judge whose praise will finally matter."</i></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="chunk hl-orange 96884240977937692260 hl-id-3223710" node="260169" paranum="26" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" wrapper="169"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="chunk hl-orange 96884240977937692260 hl-id-3223710" node="260169" paranum="26" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" wrapper="169"><span style="font-family: inherit;">-Elder Henry B. Eyring, Oct. 2002, "Education for Real Life"</span></span>Cecillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01481630759998651082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487800107073700015.post-56939184170384943622014-06-03T15:20:00.001-04:002014-06-03T15:21:02.498-04:00crayon-colored walls7:45 a.m. Nannying, here I come.<br />
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I admit, I often drag my feet to arrive. But once I get there, something wakes up and lights up inside me. It's a constant, <b>stretching, all-encompassing</b> juggling act to clean, teach, do homework, read, entertain, cook, plunge toliets, wash hands, change diapers, wipe potty-training bums, listen, talk, help, care, love, watch, care for, worry about, and try to give my greatly-lacking best to these five precious children.<br />
This morning I arrived as their dad was making breakfast for the two-year-old, who was the first awake. I went up the stairs to check on the other sleepers. I was greeted at the top of the stairs to a work of art of dark blue/blackish crayon circles, squiggles, and varying undiscovered shapes--across the white wall. That certainly wasn't there the day before.<br />
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Before their dad left for work, I mentioned I would clean it up. He said it would be ideal for the one who made the mess to clean up the mess. That means a magic eraser in the hands of a two-year old.<br />
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Agreeing with the principle, after breakfast and getting dressed, the little one and I started on the task. I showed him how we have to "clean up" and motioned how we do it. He did the best a two-year-old can. His four-year-old brother watched by us. He offered to help, and helped clean the magic eraser when it started getting covered in color. He watched and cheered on the littlest one. Soon, I became the bystander as the two worked on it.<br />
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Then, when the littlest one tired, the four-year-old explained that he was going to do it now. His arms reached further, he had more strength and didn't tire as quickly. The caring older brother stepped in when the littlest one no longer could.<br />
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The moment was too perfect not to teach. "That's what Jesus does for us," I explained. "That's why we repent. Sometimes, we make messes, and He helps us clean it because we just can't do it ourselves."<br />
The four-year-old nodded in agreement.<br />
At one point, he said, "My arms are tired." But did he stop? Did he hand the magic eraser to his little brother? No. He switched arms and kept working at it.<br />
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I left the day touched by the experience.Cecillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01481630759998651082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487800107073700015.post-58501859398967719732014-05-13T19:11:00.000-04:002014-06-01T19:14:36.995-04:00Torn soul<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">(this was written on May 13, 2014. I hadn't posted it, but am onto a new blogging kick and now feel like posting it.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I entered the temple, I noticed that the beautiful spring flowers I had seen just one week before had been uprooted. Entering the temple, I thought, "How unfair. Those flowers were beautiful and healthy-I saw them just last week." I purposefully diverted my mind from the now torn-up soil and lost flowers, feeling that my life situation reflected a little too closely a similar scenario.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I exited the temple, my attention was drawn yet again to the torn-up soil and lost flowers. "Well," I reasoned, "I suppose what is coming in place must be better than what was here, or there would have been no need to tear up the soil." I paused my step to let it sink in and be accepted in my heart:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">HE is the Gardener. What seems unfair and a poor decision to uproot beautiful flowers has a higher purpose that, as an onlooker, I don't understand.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I learned an invaluable lesson. At first, I begged to understand why. Now, I choose to ask only for the strength to accept what He wills, even if that means torn-up soil for a time and a season. </span></div>
Cecillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01481630759998651082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487800107073700015.post-90006749907227388612014-04-10T15:35:00.002-04:002014-04-10T15:35:50.239-04:00an apple<span style="font-family: '.HelveticaNeueUI'; font-size: 17px;">The world is full of good people. I know that because of an apple. Stresses building, perceived failures mounting, and tears threatening to brim over, I paused for a moment to sit in the shade, to ponder and plead for comfort. Tears and allergies inevitably led to subdued sniffles I tried to suppress. It was then I heard the person near me gathering up her things to go. "Good," I thought. "A little privacy for me." She got up to go; I kept my eyes closed, holding backs tears of anxiety and worry. My surroundings were captured in my mind. Students shuffling to class. Laughter. Music. An atmosphere split with pre-finals tension and spring's carefree weightlessness. I heard my neighbor stop in front of me and opened my eyes to see an apple extended my way. "Here, would you like this apple? It's from my lunch, but I'm full." I reached forward and took it, pondering how Heavenly Father knew I needed a small demonstration of love. "By the way, I was sitting behind you admiring your hair. I want to learn to so braids like that." I mumbled out a surprised "thank you," and she turned to go, saying, "have a good day." "You too," I could get out as new tears pushed themselves out. But these tears were of gratitude. Because of an apple. </span>Cecillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01481630759998651082noreply@blogger.com0