Monday, November 24, 2008

One of Many Wars Against My Parents

A war against my parents. So, it was about a couple of years ago and I was getting extremely annoyed at all the the annoyed looks I was getting. I would receive these annoyed looks from people whenever I asked someone too many times to borrow their cell phone.

One day when I was all worked up even more than usual because someone had finally put it bluntly and was like, "When are your parents going to get you your own phone so you can stop using others?" And I was said, "Well, that is a good question. I'll ask them." That's exactly what I did, too. I went home and practically yelled at my parents.

Previous to this day, I have actually had this conversation with them before and they have always said NO without even batting an eye. It wouldn't matter how many good explanations I came up with or actually good reasons for having a cell phone they just didn't seem to care.

That night I yelled at my parents all in one breath, "I'm getting so sick and tired of people always being annoyed at me because I have to keep asking them to use their cell phone because it is the only phone that is around and available." My parents response was the usual, not even looking at me as they are saying it, "Well what do you want us to do about it?" And in my head I'm thinking isn't obvious I want you to buy my a cell phone. Even though this whole time I know, that they know, that I have been wanting a cell phone for a while now.

But in response to their question I don't even make it an option I said, " I NEED a CELL PHONE!" At this they finally look at me and then just keep looking at me until I kind of shook my head and put that look on my face, well? Then they said, "They are too expensive and you wouldn't even use it that much anyways," even though I would use it and I know that they aren't too expensive for us, "so, NO we are not going to get you a cell phone."

And, well, that was the end of that. Another war against my parents lost. The little scene above took place around sophomore year and to this day I still don't have a cell phone. Not that I'm bitter about it or anything! =} Anyways, my parents and I actually get along pretty well most of the time even though it may not sound that way.

Monday, November 17, 2008

A Story from Work

This is to those who commented on my last post and thought that I should include something about my achievement of going to Africa. About a couple of years ago I was able to go to Zambia with my aunt Teresa to visit my aunt Lynn who lives there.

The first couple of weeks I spent at the village my aunt lives in: Mukingi. There, I did random acts of volunteering at the hospital or schools. Some of these things included organizing the surgery supply room, handing out some of our old stuffed animals to the kids in the children ward at the hospital, and finding workers to help build an orphanage.

The story I want to tell you about though, is the one where my aunt Teresa and I went to a school. So one day we got out of bed early and went to a nearby elementary school. While we were there all school day (7am-1pm) we did various activities that was part of the everyday routine. They had lecture time, reading time, resses, and a lot of work in educational work packets about reading, math, grammar, and other things. While they had work time this one girl became very fond of me and my help. She would come to me for all of her questions in the work packets that she may have, she would tell me what was happening next, she would hold my hand when we went outside to play, and much more. It just made me feel good about myself that I was able to teach her something, but at the same time make her day as well and that she was able to help me along. To teach me something: How it all works in this part of the world. I had an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment and selflessness. I was surprised at how easy it is to help people who are really in need of it. Even if it is just holding a hand to lead the way out through a door. It was one of the most enjoyable things that I had done throughout the whole trip, as simple as it was.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Possibility

This I believe: that anything is possible. My mom, dad, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and many more people through out my life have all encouraged me to follow my dreams. It doesn't matter what those dreams are if it is important to you and you really want it then you can achieve it.


These dreams may be dreams that take fifteen years or only a couple of days. If you break it into baby steps, set your focus, and keep your head up high it will never be out of your reach. It's all about the old saying "the sky is the limit." I guess you could say that this is one of the important ideas that I was raised by.

I could pretty much pick anyone from my family and write about the things that they have accomplished. My aunt Lynn has been living in Zambia, Africa for about the last 16 years. Another aunt of mine has found money to travel to a whole bunch of parts of the world even though she's only a teacher. My own dad has worked his way up to be vice president of a small construction company. I have an uncle that is in the UW Hall of Fame for being an amazing runner. My coach has participated in the Olympic trials. My mom has had a few setbacks including having me, but she went back to college and now is working in the UW Law School. As for myself I haven't yet reached my long term goals, but I was able to convince my parents after about 6 months to get a puppy for the family.

Sure their was a ton of things that was preventing them from getting a dog, but through patients and baby steps we now have had a puppy for about three months and everyone is loving it.