happy thanksgiving!

there's so much to be thankful for. if only i had the time to write it all down. til then, my favorite comics from today's paper.

how far we've come - matchbox twenty

i'm waking up at the start of the end of the world,
but it's feeling just like every other morning before,
now i wonder what my life is going to mean if it's gone.
the cars are moving like a half a mile an hour if that
and i started staring at the passengers who're waving goodbye
can you tell me what was ever really special about me all this time?

but i believe the world is burning to the ground
oh well i guess we're gonna find out
let's see how far we've come
let's see how far we've come
well i, believe, it all, is coming to an end
oh well, i guess, we're gonna pretend,
let's see how far we've come
let's see how far we've come

i think it turned ten o'clock but i don't really know
then i can't remember caring for an hour or so
started crying and i couldn't stop myself
i started running but there's no where to run to
i sat down on the street and took a look at myself
said where you going man you know the world is headed for hell
say your goodbyes if you've got someone you can say goodbye to

but I believe the world is burning to the ground
oh well I guess we're gonna find out
let's see how far we've come
let's see how far we've come
well I, believe, it all, is coming to an end
oh well, I guess, we're gonna pretend,
let's see how far we've come
let's see how far we've come

almost thanksgiving!

and finally. there are only two days until we all get a much needed break. i can feel everyone wearing down and tiring out - it did not help me that i was on a leadership retreat this weekend and therefore got even less sleep than usual but oh well. i'm excited to go back home and be with family and friends again before diving back into the chaos and stress of impending finals (mine unfortunately include a paper, a comprehensive test, a project and ready? a 24 hour shoot yourself write two 5-6 page papers and make them good take-home test) on the plus side, if i'm on top of my game then i get to leave for winter break earlier than most people and really truly relax.

also. its cold. but i'm still wearing flip-flops. do not worry.

postsecret

from postsecret a cool blog slash community art project where people mail in secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard

5 things that make me happy

i was asked to think about this for a friend. so here is what i ended up with

1. laughing or smiling - they both lift me out of crummy moods. esp love laughing so hard i can't breathe slash when laughing so hard it hurts
2. being crazy with friends. but also friends who it doesn't matter what we talk about (silly, serious, illogical, deep) or what we do or how often we get to see each other, we'll still be friends.
3. writing letters and then getting letters back
4. baking. esp fruit pies and cookies
5. traveling to different places and a. seeing awe-inspiring feats of nature b. seeing cultural related places that have deep histories and meanings for many people c. meeting people who's perspectives on life are completely different from mine on a variety of levels but who i will still be able to find something in common with
6. weather a. crisp fall mornings when the leaves are changing colors b. big fluffy snowfall with snow on the ground (think winter wonderland) c. flowers in bloom d. rain (esp dancing in said rain)
7. singing along with music (loud, soft, whatever)

ok ok i said 5. i thought of three things while thinking of numero five so i just put them all down.

comment on yours if you have time!

tracy kidder

i know, i know. i go to too many talks and why did i call this "tickle my life" when it's not actually very funny? i guess what it comes down to is that i may never again be surrounded by the opportunity to go to so many unique talks and before college burns me out, i might as well go if i have time. also tracy kidder is just really cool for all that he is most certainly a better author than he is a speaker (this is not to say that what he had to say was not interesting - it was). anyways, he talked about burundi and village health works and before there was a fundraiser dinner where students swipe in and money gets donated (this is definitely one of the cooler/nicer things that the college does). food was yum, especially the pink bean soup. the other thing that the dinner made me realize was that i know nothing about africa. i dont' even know it's geography let alone it's massively confusing history of conflict. that's now my winter study project for all the free time i anticipate having (yes, that's added on to an already long list of things to do). in any case, the project is extraordinary in that it has such a large indigenous support base and tons of local volunteers, most particularly women. when a belgium road company said that it would cost thousands of dollars to expand the road leading to the clinic that was built, the locals, upon hearing of the dilemma, said that no money would be paid, they would do it themselves. and they did. it gives me hope that there are people who have the passion and willpower to really make positive change no matter the adversity faced. and it gives me hope that not everything done in philanthropic attempts to make the world better is fruitless. so contribute if you have the ability, money in africa goes an awful lot farther than it does in the us.


(and total side note, in case you're wondering, the tickle comes from me being ticklish and not in any way from the content of my ramblings)

the economic crisis, if nothing else, is good for a laugh