Spring and Snow

Our last day together, a quiet walk in the snow

It's March 24, 2014 and last night it snowed. Thankfully here in the Southern part of Ohio it didn't stick, as it did at my parent's house up north, still... an irritating shock.

Either because of that, or an interesting reflection of my mood the high spirits that I had last week between sunshine and loose dresses, dear friends visiting, silly photoshoots, and celebrations of life have plummeted into utter misery. Alright, it's not that bad, but certainly I am not the ball of bouncing joy I was last week.

So an attempt to cheer my own self up, and because I haven't written in a while heres a little summery of things, and/or major thoughts in my life. I finally have friends here! A solid group of people to contact when I need a dinner companion or someone to take a walk with, and that is wonderful. I have had a few moments of severe irritation when non-local friends have been quite absent from my life when I felt I most needed them, but I guess just a way to further connect with those around me.

Classes going well, I love my dorm more then ever, and becoming very familiar with the Athen's community I live it. The OUtlet, a radio station I work for is a constant back and fourth struggle  of pride at work i've done, annoyance at "the system", and numerous other wonderful life lessons (which you know in the present moment means calling my dear mom and crying to her about the unfairness of life.)

Finally this week I sold dear Mara. My lovely little red horse that I have grown to love so much, from our first days of long walks together, to long gallops along the train tracks, through flower fields and snow covered paths. I shall miss our time, but she is going to a wonderful home, and it is the end of that part of my life for now. So lots of emotions to deal with, and been on a bit of a mental roller coaster,  but the end is near.

Less then five weeks till I pack up and go home, and while I don't have any idea (this freaks me out far more then I would like to admit) that shall be a wonderful change of pace and hopeful warmth. In addition reenacting, that strange, beautiful culture that has kept me alive the last year begins once again on the weekend following exams and I plan to embrace it fully.

Till next time

Kindness

I'm writing this at ten to two am. Let me rewrite that 1:50am. I have done much traveling in more short life and this ranks as one of the worst trips of all time. 

    That's not entirely true, actually it was awesome. I took a bus to DC, I went to museums, the national mall, and the zoo. Ate lots of delicious food, and met some really cool people who inspired me to pursue my career with gusto. 

   But the actual travel part? Never again. I took greyhound for the first time and was astounded at the utter lack of service the provided. I was left stranded, not once but twice due to a lack of my connecting bus not being there. This second time after arriving at seven I have waited and waited until finally my angel of a day left for an eight hour trip to pick me up from Pittsburgh, PA and bring me home. 

    Have I mentioned my father is literally the worlds best dad? I don't think I have enough, he seriously is. That dad of mine contains more love and compassion then one would think possible for a human being to have. Think of Ghandi, now think of my dad. There you go! 

    Anyway despite an underlaying ticking annoyance at greyhound I actual sat down to write this smiling. I don't know if this is in the line of my freaky ability to make friends, or that God or whomever is up there went to himself "hey you've had a rough day I'm going to give you a little something" probably both, one in the same, hand in hand. But waiting for the bus, any bus, that never came I made friends with three wonderful girls from NYC, in my boat traveling for almost 24 hours, a trip that takes about 9 (more or less depending) they were going to Cincinnati for a dance competition and immediately included me in their circle. Acting like mature 20 year olds we built a luggage fort, spread blankets and coats on the ground, shared food having a picnic, and watched videos. I'll probably never see them again but a handful of hours spent with three strangers, making a potentially terrible and scary night a wonderful memory. 

   It's these things that make me love travel, that make me so appreciate the world I live in. My friends always comment on how I'm so brave to travel alone, but it's more a glee in loving to collect memories. A feeling that refuses to be put aside or suppressed. When was the last time you relaxed enough to sleep next to complete strangers? Ok that sounds terrible written out, and maybe it's just my fortune that I am still able to trust, that I can from a crowd of hundreds of people find three that I can trust. The girls found a direct bus home, and my dad is coming, heartfelt goodbyes made, but instead of being angry and tired, I feel like yet another small corner of my heart has been opened by kindness, finding kindness in a frustrating world. As its turns... Fast, spinning, you collide with hundreds of people, and yes anyone of them has an entire life they are living, but all of that combined keeps you supported and standing. Whether you know it or not there are people everyday holding you up, and sometimes you meet some of those people. At least that's how I look at things and I'm smiling. 

    I suppose that's enough sleep deprived ramblings for a night, I'm going to press publish now... I hope you could read/enjoy this. Sweet dreams world!