#012: Realizations...

I tend to romanticize people. When I see people who do things that I think are interesting or adventurous, or who are just in a position that I consider of greater value than my own life position, I tend to turn them into some perfect being in my head, marveling at their life and wondering how (if) I will ever be as good or exciting as they are.

But then reality hits and something happens that makes me realize they're only human. It's usually something small and pretty insignificant: an unkind word, a doubting thought, an altogether-human aspect of their being. They are probably still awesome and exciting, but not the perfect person I thought them to be.

And this is sometimes disappointing. But also very relieving and comforting.

Because now I know I don't have to be perfect either. 

#011: Oatmeal.

My best fasting friend.

#010: Sisters

#009: Being loved, even from afar.

I talked to Susan & E-bear on the phone.

I chatted with and Skyped with Brynjamin.

I had lunch with Thom in Indiana.

I fb'd Coll (this one's sub-par Coll... we gotta step it up!)

Even though we live hundreds or thousands of miles away from each other, when I talked with each of my Uganda remas (or remis? I don't remember!) it was just a breath of fresh air, a reminder of what has been

and what still can be. 

#008: Little angels & nice bus drivers

Two very small events in my past week made me realize that goodwill and small gestures can make a huge difference in someone's day.

1: Last week Andrea and I got our (actually our roommate's) car stuck in the snow. We were standing in the street, obviously in need of help, frustrated, almost late, clearly not strong enough to get our care out of the snow, and calling out for help. Several strong-looking men walked right past us without even offering to help. We were about to give up and go home to get help when a girl our age walked up and asked if she could help us. "Sure..." I said, knowing that this tiny, skinny little lady wouldn't be able to help us. Andrea got in the car and started driving, and the girl and I pushed from the back. After 3 big pushes, the car was free as could be. We thanked her and she humbly walked away. "Maybe she was an angel," Andrea said.

2: Walking out of church on Sunday, we saw our bus approaching, just about to pass us as we walked out the door. Unfortunately, there is no bus stop on the corner of the block our church is on, so despite our waving arms, the bus driver couldn't stop for us. We thought we'd have to wait another 20 mins for the next bus, but the nice bus driver waited at the next block for us to hurry down the icy sidewalk and climb aboard. 

#007: Spring in February

After church on Sunday we shoveled the snow off of our porch and sat in the sunshine and did our homework and listened to She & Him.

 It was 40 degrees out.
And it was wonderful.

#006: Little Inspirations.

I've been having a little trouble getting back into the swing of things with school and reading for hours every day; I slipped this picture into my most difficult and longest book as my inspiration: I need to read this book so I can get my degree and go help more babies like this one. 

It worked.