For you

I guess I could use my blog as a place to post my grievances about losing a very important and special person in my life a year ago today.  I guess I could use my blog to post my feelings and thoughts about it.  I guess I could use my blog to gain condolences...

But I won't.  Yes, it's been a year since my grandma passed away.  Yes, it's been a very very difficult year (one of three deaths in one summer, but hers, obviously, being the closest to  my heart).  Yes, at times I've felt lost and not in the right place at the right time or with the right decision.  No, I'm not trying to be all stoic and cold, so please don't think that.  But, yes, I have learned a lot in this past year about her, about me, about my family and about the people around us. 

It's still hard to travel to Alabama and not be able to see her.  And it's still hard for me not to walk up to her and get a hug with a smile.  It hurts that I can't just lay down next to her on the couch, put my head in her lap, even if she's in the middle of a conversation, and have her play with my hair.  It's hard as hell to not be able to ask her advice on what to do with a bunch of 5 year olds! 

But, you see, all of those things are things that are hurting me.  I've been grieving for me and my loss, not taking into account that she is no longer feeling the unexplained chest pain or seeing Grandpa the way he is... Yea, we can say that we wanted her at our weddings, to see us graduate, to hold our kids in her arms, to teach them the same things she taught us, but she has!  Grandma had taught us patience, virtue, smiles, hugs, warmth, and how to make Kraft Macaroni and Cheese.  And what we can do, as her descendants, is take those special quirks she has given us, her defiant thoughts and beliefs and feelings, her love and learn more from those in our own ways with her guidance.  We can try our hardest to grow up to be people she would think are awesome and special and smart and talented.  We can "be" her in a different way, as long as we hold her close to our hearts. 

I can't say I will no longer grieve for my loss, because then that would be a lie.  But I can say that I will remember her patience and love and understanding and I will try my hardest to implement those learned things into my own life so people can look up to me the way so many people looked up to her and learned from her, so people can love me the way she was, and still is, dearly loved. 

So, with that, I love you, Grandma.  You will never leave my thoughts.  Your great smile, laugh, hugs, and cute clothes will forever be with me. 

"..you feel no pain"

Music.  I love love love it.  I dislike it being quiet, especially when you can listen to music!  I must admit, though, that I have been lacking on keeping up with music like I used to.  Sad, but true.  There are other things that have started to fill my time that, I guess, are more "grown up" or whatever. 

Anyways, this past summer I've downloaded a couple new albums that I really dig.  Some of my newest and bestest albums are: the Givers, Neon Trees, Zac Brown Band, Frank Ocean, and Flo Rida (haha to the last one). 

And here are some new releases that I'm super super stoked about!!!!!! : Mumford and Sons, Matt & Kim, the Avett Brothers, Wiz Khalifa, and Lupe Fiasco!  YAY!  Here are a list of other awesome releases, including, but not limited to: Muse, Calvin Harris, DMB, Imagine Dragons, and Minus the Bear!

I listen to music as often as possible.  I am always up for broadening my music selection, too, so if you have anything you want to share, please do! 

Peace, love, & music (duh)

These Days...

Watching the news these days is usually a bone-chilling, heart-heavying, tear-inducing affair.  There is rarely anything good that we hear going on in the world.  What comes on the news are things about shootings, murders, bombings, political fuck ups, and the likes.  (I type this as I sit and watch the breaking news on NBC Today on the Colorado shooting).  Because of these things, I feel like we need to take more time to be grateful and smile and say "I love you" (S/O to Katie Mitchell for inspiring these words).  With all the horrible things going on in the world, we need to take the time out of our "busy" and "hectic" days to sit and reflect upon what makes this world a good place, because there are good things happening every day even if they aren't broadcasted, even if no one is begging for attention because they did something good, there are good things. 

Some of my good things:

• friends that stay in touch
• family that will always hold you dear
• hugs and kisses
• laughter
• a job that provides a roof over 
• my head and food in my mouth
• the ability to dream
• the power to achieve those dreams
• the ability to feel
• being able to see the world
• to meet new people 
• to share new/old experiences
• learn about new things from people, places, etc.

And so so much more... What are your good things?

Peace, love, & LOVE.

Water Baby

Yesterday, the family and Taylor went kayaking!  Yay!  It was a lot of fun.  My shoulders are a wee bit sore, but nothing I can't handle (*caveman grunt*).  And I'm burnt, go figure.  Anyways, while on the water yesterday, I just kept thinking about how I loooove water.  Ever since I was little, I loved it and then the love strengthened (awwwww) when I started rowing crew in high school.  Just amazing.  

Continuing on, I love water.  From Slip n Slides, running through a sprinkler, pool time, splashing in the waves to rowing, white water rafting, kayaking, and tubing!  Love it. 

I've been fortunate enough to do all of these and some in countries outside of the States cos I'm awesome.  For example:

Kayaking: Rappahanock River, Virginia; Koh Chang, Thailand; Vang Vieng, Laos; Oklahoma.
White Water Rafting: Chiang Mai, Thailand; South Korea; Costa Rica
Ocean/sea time: Atlantic, Pacific, Indian Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, Dead Sea, Gulf of Thailand, Yellow Sea/South China Sea
Jet Skiing: Virginia, Texas, Kuwait

I'm hoping to add on to this [places] list this coming year!  I'm also hoping to add on to the activity list scuba diving!  That's right.  I'm pretty sure I want to try out scuba diving.  Everyone in the family does it, but me, so it's my time now!  Luckily, I know someone that can help me get certified in Kuwait.  Rock on.  I'm excited and nervous and scared all at the same time, but I think it'll be fun...

 

Anyways, guess I gotta go be productive...

Peace, love, & water.

A Month and Two Days

I only have that much time left in the States til I fly out of Oklahoma City to Dallas to London (for 12 hours!) and, finally, to Kuwait.  That's five weekends, guys.  FIVE.  Not a whole lot when you count by weekends, eh?

I'm excited and nervous and sad and excited.  I miss my Kuwait friends a lot and I miss being around kiddies (which I'll have a whole lot of time of come September 3rd)! 

Anyways, for my five weekends left, I've got much to do:

Wednesday, July 18 - kayaking with the family and Taylor!
Saturday, July 21 - take the OGET (teacher test) and a concert in DALLAS!
Sunday, July 22 - fun times in Dallas
Friday, July 27 - fly to VA Beach & reunions with my sisters!
Saturday, July 28 - Tarenne & Chris' wedding!  And more reunion!
Monday, July 30 - visa stuff runs to Richmond and DC
Wednesday, August 1 - bonding time with Lil C!
Friday, August 3 - Dewey beach with Mollie and Amanda!
Monday, August 6 - fly back to OKC
Friday, August 10 - HOPEFULLY Austin for the weekend!
Sunday, August 19 - fly out!

Yikes!  That's a lot (but not at the same time).  I've enjoyed being back in the States and being able to text friends easily (they should just get WhatsApp or Kakao already).  I'm really excited to see old friends, too!  Insh'Allah everything will go smoothly and great!

Peace, love, & 33 days!

Future Sophia's Problem?

Procrastination has hit again, guys!  Geez.  I think it has something to do with Mercury Retrograde, which probably means I should re-read Gala Darling's post on it.  This is part of what Gala has said about it:

"I often find that Mercury retrograde makes me want to go into hermit mode. I feel like half my brain is missing so I’m really not that interested in interacting with anyone, plus every conversation seems to go in an unusual, confusing direction. I feel much more irritable & frustrated & things just don’t seem to go how I want them to."

And oh how I can relate, especially in terms of going into hermit mode and my brain missing!  Anyways.  Here are some things I learned today whilst procrastinating on my homework.

• my hands seem really small.  
• I like a lot of posters.
• I didn't drink enough water today.
• most of my Instagram pictures are done using the same style or whatever it's called.
• Katie Dale had a great time in NC and Toronto.
• Susie makes delicious-looking spaghetti sauce.
• Lindsay & Phil are about to be swallowed by water.
• pencils are fun.
• I chew too much gum.
• my ring I wear on my left hand has gotten slightly bigger.
• my back hurts.
• Daddy is really good at installing dishwashers.
• Grandma wrote some crazy/silly things in her journal.
• I miss football and didn't know as much as I thought I did.

Guys, that's it.  I'm bored of writing this list.

Peace, love, & water

ACA

Hey all,

Momma, sister, and I are currently on our way back to Oklahoma. I've been on Facebook every so often today checking up on ACA's page and I'm getting even more excited.

A lot of the other new hires are new teachers, just like me! I really like that. I like that ACA is giving new teachers a chance instead of not hiring them because they don't have "two years of experience." And I like it because now I know I'm for sure not alone.

I also really like that most of them are young, so yay! And two of the girls have taught in Korea like me! And there is a guy who is living in Thailand right now (like I used to!). I already feel like I have things in common with these guys and it makes me happy.

Yay!

Peace, love, & awesomeness

Kuwait in 41 Days!

I leave for Kuwait in 39 days and get there in 41 days (spending a day in London-town!).  It's crazy!  Time has been flying by.  I've been feeling really anxious about going back to Kuwait as a real teacher in a totally new school.  I mean, I'm excited about it, but nervous as heck, too. 

Anyways, as for my visa stuff, I'm pretty sure all of what I've sent out has made it to OK by now (Insh'Allah) and when I go to VA, I'm going to take it with me and have it all authenticated and sent to the Kuwait Embassy for my work visa!  Hopefully that will work out the way I see it in my mind...

But something else has also come up that has calmed my nerves a bit (about being in a new school, new people, new friends?!) and that is that our orientation leaders have made a Facebook page for us new hires!  How nice!  This way we get to see the layout of Kuwait, where the schools are located, meet each other, and check out a sneak peek as to what the apartments look like.  It's been really awesome conversing with the new and "old" teachers at ACA.  ACA has a lot of sport groups for their teachers, which is awesome!  I wish I was coordinated enough to do them!  Maybe I will just for fun?  I could use the exercise. 

So yea, it's been really nice having this opportunity to get to know the poeple I'll be working with next year and who I'll be hanging out with for orientation.  Yay for awesome orientation leaders!

Peace, love, & 39 days left in the USA!

TGFA - Thank Goodness For Alabama

Say what?!  I know!  Who would've thought I would say this as much as I joke about the south with my family who is FROM the south.  But, alas, I have found myself thanking goodness for Alabama the past two weeks.  There are a few reasons for this thankfulness, too!

One of them is that I, obviously, get to see my family.  Grandpa, my aunts, uncles, and cousins.  Grandpa seems to be doing okay.  We moved him into a new facility and it is 100x better than the old one.  Yesterday, we played pool with him and he was joking and laughing and smiling his cute lil smile.  Good times.  Now that the cousins are grown up a bit more, they are so much fun to be around, granted they don't really like hanging out with us (they're in that stage, ya know?)... I've really enjoyed hanging out with them, though.  They're so pretty and smart and they have a lot to say about different things.  :)

Another thing that I'm thoroughly enjoying while here are all the thunderstorms!!  YES!  There have been, like, 3 or 4 maybe!  It's so nice being able to sit out on the PORCH in ROCKING CHAIRS and watching lightening dance across the sky to the lovely sound of thunder!  Le sigh.  So beautiful.  

Peace, love, & Alabama

Momma and I enjoying a storm.          

                                          RAIN!

AMERRRICCCAAAAAA!

HAPPY 

INDEPENDENCE DAY, 

AMERICA!

 

Even Google is celebrating:

 

Peace, love, & AMERICAAAAA (eff yeah!)

Sweet Home Alabama

I'm currently sitting in ALABAMA!  Heyooo!  Superness.  It's nice being here with family AND we get to see the G-PA later today :)  AND he has a concert tonight with his Jazz Band!  Um, yes.  This is awesome.  They will be playing patriotic songs and everything cos of tomorrow's big day!

We spent the majority of yesterday in the car (pain in the arse - literally AND figuratively) and got here around 3:30 pm.  Sarah drives fast, Mommy freaks out about directions, and I have trouble driving more than 2.5 hours at a time.  Just some things I re-learned yesterday.

Tomorrow is the 4th of July aka Independence Day!  I haven't been in the States for the fourth since 2009 when we spent it in NYC, so I'm pretty excited.

2011 - middle of the Mediterranean?

2010 - South Korea

I'm really hoping that it will be a great day.  It probably won't consist of things that I have envisioned - cookout with hotdogs, hamburgers, chips, and dips and fireworks, but I'm definitely sure there will be family and fireworks, which is perfect.  

PS. If you haven't listened to the Givers yet, "Up Up Up," you should check them out.  I really dig their album. :)

Peace, love, & Independence!

Edit: We are NOT going to the concert tonight.  It's "too hot."