I am still so amazed that I could easily translate this! (part of my test)

Frustrations with religion

Religion is a wonderful thing; absolutely essential to mankind. It is also a source of pain and destruction. One need look no further than the crusades and september 11 for proof. The damage, however, is not limited to catastrophic events.

I have been religious, orthdox even. I know what it's like for convictions to rule your life, and to be absolutely certain those beliefs are true. It is very powerful.

I was always urged to be tolerant of others' beliefs, while standing up for my own. But how is this accomplished? I always thoguht it meant that I could believe and worship as I saw fit, while allowing others to do the same. I have since determined that this not enough. It may seem obvious that it is necessary to consider whether you behavior will hurt another, however in my experience, this is idea is often overlooked. One area where this is only too common, is the family.


I think it's a shame when religion, which often proclaims the sacredness of the family, causes the collapse of families. If your beliefs vary from those of your family, you probably know what I'm talking about. No one likes to be told their beliefs are incorrect. No one likes to be criticized for having different ideas. No one wants to be in an environment where they feel scrutinized, pressured, or rejected. And yet, this is so often the case when contrasting beliefs meet under one roof. This kind of behavior only drives people away.

I realize that concern for the salvation of those close to you is often the cause of divisive behavior. But can't we all just have an open mind and realize that we're all doing the best we can, and will all be ok?

Do you really want to sacrfice family relations now, in the hope of saving a family member later?

It seems to me that the sacrifice of family has little chance of saving anyone.

Just some thoughts.

It's good to not judge others. It is better to accept others as they are. It is best to treasure others for who they are.

college

So, I am confident no one reads this because I haven't written on it for a very, very long time. More or less since I went to Africa. But I just got an email from Mary Williams telling me to read hers, so I thought-what the heck?-why not start mine back up again. Journal writing has pretty much disappeared anyways, so this'll be good for me. 

Cornell is fabulous. I can't imagine going anywhere else. It'll be so weird to go home this Christmas. I tend to forget there's a world outside of our little haven here. I'm not sure how the admissions office managed to get so many nice, down to earth people here, but they did. I love the girls on my dorm floor and my roommate, Lizzie, is pretty fantastic. I love her to death. Andrew is the awesome guy I'm dating. We're together an awful lot. In fact, the other day it dawned on me that since we got together, there hasn't been a single day I haven't seen him. Slightly ridiculous perhaps. It's pretty easy to see just about everyone, everyday here. The school is so small and compact that you can't help but run into everyone. 

My life pretty much consists of studying, working in the library, studying, working on music (voice,choir,piano), studying, eating, occasionally working out, studying, watching a movie or two, playing on my new MAC (!!!!), studying, and uh I guess that's about it. A pretty darn decent life.  Oh, and praying to the angel Moroni (pronounced-Moronee), sorry only Andrew would get that, but he doesn't read this anyways. 

It's amazing how quickly we can adjust to a new way of life. It feels like I've been here forever. I can't believe it's only been a few months. The people here feel like family and my dorm feels more like my room than the room I lived in for two years in Utah. It's hard to imagine living elsewhere. 

However, the best things about Cornell are probably the Chai in the library, wireless internet, granola w/rice and soymilk everyday, having a work out room, and the tiny town feel. 

It's amazing how much college changes you. It's such a different way of life. I guess it's inevitable. Ok, enough journal writing for me today. 

Gypsy Child

So, I'm pretty sure that's what I am now...a gypsy child. I never seem to know where I'll be when or what I'll be doing. New Mexico...Utah...New Mexico...Utah...Africa...Utah...New Mexico...Iowa...I'll probably be in the Netherlands in a month.

Anyways, I'm here in NM right now. At Carrie's house. Today I gorged myself at a Methodist potluck. It was tasy, but I'm regretting it a little now. So, tonight Carri'es going to Farmington with Clay and I'm going to stay here. Should be an adventure. Actually I'm surprisingly not panicked by being left by a friend for a night when I'm staying at their house. Guess I"ve matured. We can only hope.

I've got to figure out where I"m living in NM and where I'll work. Oh well. Life is good.

Finally!

I have officially made my deposit! I will be in Iowa for the next four years. I have not visited the campus, which is a somewhat terrifying thought, but it just feels right and the contact I've had with counselors and students and the information I've recieved has convinced me. I am absolutely thrilled although a little nervous about living so far away from a home and all the things available in it (aka a clean bath and food and supplies).

Two and a half weeks till graduation! I've finished my online classes and am getting ready for finals and finishing up projects. It's finally coming to a close. So long Lone Peak!

Guess I'll continue...

I hadn't intended to continue this blog after my trip to Ghana, but I'm thinking maybe it'd be a good thing. Now that I say that though, I don't have much else to say.

The main thing that's going on in my life right now is the oh-so-important college decision. Out of the thousands of colleges and universities in the nation, I have managed to narrow it down to two.

Westminster College is in Salt Lake and is a small liberal arts school. It's rated pretty highly, has a nice campus, and good programs.

Cornell College is pretty prestigious, has good programs, is also a small liberal arts school (1,500) and is in Mt. Vernon, Iowa. Pretty far away. I'm leaning towards Cornell, but I've yet to visit it, so we'll see. I've gotta make a decision pretty quick though, so wish me luck.

Other than college I'm just trying to get graduated. I did get my drivers license last week (thank goodness!). It only took me about two years, but better late than never I guess. Now if I can just convince mom that I can drive...
I'll probably need more luck for that than for a college decision!

One more day (!?!?)

I am officially depressed. I do not want to go home. I'm hoping Christmas will help cushion the fall, but I really wish I would be here longer. And what is even worse is that I will be in high school when I go back. With high schoolers. Oh boy. I've spent all my time with people either twice or four times my age or three years old. High schoolers. Some of them are great, but I might go insane spending another five months in high school. That's what I'm looking forward to the least. I'm excited to be back with family again and have hot showers and a luxurious bed and plenty of fresh vegetables and whole wheat bread, but I am really distraught. I've seen mud houses, the most disgusting goat slaughterings, eaten tons of plantain, fallen in love with the children, been called obroni a thousand times, made friends with raggae- loving- pot smokers on the street, met and worked with people from over ten countries and now I'm going back to America. Utah. Wow.