Ok, so today is the last day of this years Blogrimage. I must say that I have enjoyed the journey. Even though I did not complete all I set out to do, I was able to learn more about the nations of the earth. It has also been a great experience to write a blog, as I have never done one before.
I must say, I also LOVED reading people's blogs. There were some fascinating endeavours that were embarked on and some great products wer produced. I really want to give a shout out to Seldon Music blog by Joe Schmidt...I loved the songs that he produced. I have them all in my itunes library now. Also, Pradeepan, thanks for making me laugh with your comedy! I hope you keep on writing! And to all those blogrime runners out there, well done! I can't say you inspired me to run, because I strongly dislike running, but you did inspire me to set a goal to get back in shape which I hope to begin as soon as finals are done.
Well, Blogrimage 2011 is complete...see you all next year!
Friday, April 15, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
A Green Plastic Token: Day 27
Well, I must say that I have not been the most dedicated to this 30 day blogrimage personally, but I have enjoyed reading everyone elses. I think next year I will try again, but will pick a topic that does not include as much research.
This afternoon in another homework avoidance session, I was scheduling out my week, going through old messages on facebook, and reading through some of the notes that i wrote on facebook...btw, whatever happened to facebook notes? It took me a few minutes to find them on my homepage, and could not find them on my profile :( Anyways, I found this note I wrote on August 24th, 2008, and it is very indicative of what I am thinking about now. It is called a Green Plastic Token and it is a reflection of my some of my time in Kiev, Ukraine. I have really been thinking and praying for Ukraine recently, as I am the Team Leader for the team going to Ukraine in July. When I get there, it will have been 3 years since I was last year. In a way it feels like just yesterday, but it also feels like it has been a lifetime.
So, for today's blog, I give you:
A green plastic token...to some this would seem like nothing of significance, but to me it means more than I ever imagined. When I was in Ukraine, this green plastic token was my way around the city. It was my entrance into many different adventures. Who would I see? What would I experience? These questions filled my mind as I dropped the little token into the slot and walked through the gates. As I wait for the tram to come I wonder which stop should I get off at? The Metro in Kiev was where an adventure always awaited. It was where I could sit and watch people, be inundated with culture, and a place where I would stand out just because of the smile on my face. It was a time to be like the people, to give up my seat for the elderly, to laugh with the teenagers (though I really had no idea what was so funny), and to practice some of my Russian. To most in Ukraine, this was a boring everyday occurrence but to me it was a highlight of my day.
I remember my first time on the Metro after I moved there. I had this feeling of excitement and anticipation. I was getting ready to go and see the city, the place where my heart resides. As I was on the Metro a huge smile was on my face. As I looked around at the different people, I remember feeling my heart go out to them. Then I looked at this one lady. The second I looked at her, she turned her head away. I knew she was watching me. A few seconds later a turned my head towards her again and caught her eyes. I smiled really big and nodded my head. She looked shocked and then laughed. When I got off the Metro she waved good-bye. It must be said that this happening is not an everyday event. When you are riding on the Metro, stranger’s eyes hardly ever meet, smiles are never shared and are purposely avoided…unless you are friends, know each other, tourists, or are trying to pick up a hot date. I say all this to share with you one of my experiences on the Metro
I could keep going on and on about the different things I saw and experienced while riding the Metro; since I rode it at least an hour every day. I could tell you about the times that this guy would play the guitar, sing and walk on the not so smooth ride. Or this other guy who was literally swinging from the handle bars. There was also this one time when this Babushka (grandmother) got in at this stop and in a loud voice said “stand for the Babushka” and had most of the people sitting near her offered their seat. There were also times when I would get off at a stop I had never been to before and wonder around the city. Kiev Adventures is what I called them. I am also reminded of my last ride on the Metro before leaving to America. It was late at night, the last run of the night. I had just said good-bye to my best friend, and there was nothing left to be done. So, as I took my last 30 minute ride home, I wrote these words “I want to cry, but the tears just won’t come. My heart is breaking, longing to be home. My heart is torn, because I cannot choose just one. One people, one place, one tribe, one tongue.”
I found a green plastic Metro token in my pocket today, and this is what it means to me.
This afternoon in another homework avoidance session, I was scheduling out my week, going through old messages on facebook, and reading through some of the notes that i wrote on facebook...btw, whatever happened to facebook notes? It took me a few minutes to find them on my homepage, and could not find them on my profile :( Anyways, I found this note I wrote on August 24th, 2008, and it is very indicative of what I am thinking about now. It is called a Green Plastic Token and it is a reflection of my some of my time in Kiev, Ukraine. I have really been thinking and praying for Ukraine recently, as I am the Team Leader for the team going to Ukraine in July. When I get there, it will have been 3 years since I was last year. In a way it feels like just yesterday, but it also feels like it has been a lifetime.
So, for today's blog, I give you:
A Green Plastic Token
A green plastic token...to some this would seem like nothing of significance, but to me it means more than I ever imagined. When I was in Ukraine, this green plastic token was my way around the city. It was my entrance into many different adventures. Who would I see? What would I experience? These questions filled my mind as I dropped the little token into the slot and walked through the gates. As I wait for the tram to come I wonder which stop should I get off at? The Metro in Kiev was where an adventure always awaited. It was where I could sit and watch people, be inundated with culture, and a place where I would stand out just because of the smile on my face. It was a time to be like the people, to give up my seat for the elderly, to laugh with the teenagers (though I really had no idea what was so funny), and to practice some of my Russian. To most in Ukraine, this was a boring everyday occurrence but to me it was a highlight of my day.
I remember my first time on the Metro after I moved there. I had this feeling of excitement and anticipation. I was getting ready to go and see the city, the place where my heart resides. As I was on the Metro a huge smile was on my face. As I looked around at the different people, I remember feeling my heart go out to them. Then I looked at this one lady. The second I looked at her, she turned her head away. I knew she was watching me. A few seconds later a turned my head towards her again and caught her eyes. I smiled really big and nodded my head. She looked shocked and then laughed. When I got off the Metro she waved good-bye. It must be said that this happening is not an everyday event. When you are riding on the Metro, stranger’s eyes hardly ever meet, smiles are never shared and are purposely avoided…unless you are friends, know each other, tourists, or are trying to pick up a hot date. I say all this to share with you one of my experiences on the Metro
I could keep going on and on about the different things I saw and experienced while riding the Metro; since I rode it at least an hour every day. I could tell you about the times that this guy would play the guitar, sing and walk on the not so smooth ride. Or this other guy who was literally swinging from the handle bars. There was also this one time when this Babushka (grandmother) got in at this stop and in a loud voice said “stand for the Babushka” and had most of the people sitting near her offered their seat. There were also times when I would get off at a stop I had never been to before and wonder around the city. Kiev Adventures is what I called them. I am also reminded of my last ride on the Metro before leaving to America. It was late at night, the last run of the night. I had just said good-bye to my best friend, and there was nothing left to be done. So, as I took my last 30 minute ride home, I wrote these words “I want to cry, but the tears just won’t come. My heart is breaking, longing to be home. My heart is torn, because I cannot choose just one. One people, one place, one tribe, one tongue.”
I found a green plastic Metro token in my pocket today, and this is what it means to me.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Blogrimage Day 18: Madagascar
Ok, so to be perfectly honest, I am getting very bored of my blog. Being a full time student, the last thing I want to do everyday is more research. So, I am trying to decided ways in which i can still learn about these countries, but also add some variety. I do still love the nations and want to learn about them, yet doing research everyday is BORING!
Any suggestions?!
I do want to share a story. On Wednesday night at Generation Church, we were worshiping to the song "Jesus Your Beautiful" by John Thurlow and the lyrics to this song are amazing:
At one point in the service, Pastor Dan asked the question: what does Jesus' beauty look like to you?
I do want to share a story. On Wednesday night at Generation Church, we were worshiping to the song "Jesus Your Beautiful" by John Thurlow and the lyrics to this song are amazing:
I know that Your eyes are like flames of fire
I know that Your head is white as wool
I know that Your voice, it sounds like waters
Jesus, You’re beautifulAt one point in the service, Pastor Dan asked the question: what does Jesus' beauty look like to you?
I then began thinking about this question, and this is what I saw: I saw myself standing outside in this open area, surrounded by kids from all around the world. I then saw their faces, and it was in seeing their faces, that I saw the beauty of God. Their smiles were like light piercing the darkness of the world, with such joy and peace. Their eyes were a deep well of knowledge and wisdom yet to be shared, and still filled with such love, that you couldn't stop looking into their eyes. Each child represented a story waiting to be told, they were full of such innocence, excitement and imagination. It was pure joy looking into their faces, all so different, yet uniquely the same. To me, the beauty of Jesus is represented in children of the world....what does the beauty of Jesus look like to you?
Madagascar:
Capital: Antananarivo
Official Language: Malagasy and French
Here is a clip from the movie Madagascar...just for fun :)
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