One of the traditions that I started when I went to Asia last summer was to collect journals from each country I visit. As of today, I only have three journals, but my collection is growing. Here are the three I have so far...
Purchased: PageOne Bookstore, Hong Kong
Cost: $16 HKD (appox $2 USD)
"Meng Xiang" (dream)
"Somene wanted to be a teacher when he was little."
Purchased: Phimphone Market, Vientiane, Laos
Cost: 19000 Kip, approx $2.39 USD
"Stop Global Warming"
"make quality make design style BSP"
Purchased: Cozumel, Mexico
Cost: $6 USD
"Cozumel, Mex."
It's made from "huun" (maya word that means handmade paper)
I hope to keep adding to my collection from every country I visit in the future!
Over Christmas break, I renewed my driver's license. It was actually the first time I had been in the DMV since I received my restricted license almost five years ago. Crazy.
In actuality, my visit went really well. I had been completing observations at a school in town, so I didn't make it to the DMV until 4pm, just an hour before closing. A lady at the front door helped usher me in quickly and I was in and out in about 25 minutes, including a new picture for my license. Hallelujah! Another ten years in my '01 Mustang, or until it decides to die.
When I was leaving, I checked my license to make sure it was correct and I realized I'll have this one license until I turn 31. Of course, this does not take in account moving or getting married, but a move within the state means you just apply for a duplicate license with a changed address. So, therefore, there is the possibility I could be stuck with this license for a while.
Interestingly, because I don't turn 21 until March, there is a note in red, capital letters that specifies "UNDER 21 UNTIL" my birthday. I was struck by the irony that even though I have a month and about a week until I turn 21, I will have that line on my license until I get married, move, or turn 31. (Not even going to mention that only slightly horrific picture.)
It's a bit like a reminder of who I once was. You know, even when we grow up, we are still, in a sense, products of our past. We can go through counseling, for example, and learn from our pasts. We can become Christians and go deeper with Christ, and we are saved from the sins in our pasts, but we are still who we are today because of those pasts.
I guess that's why I started this post with a reference to a song that was released the year my mom was born. The past doesn't define me, but it affects me. History is rich with art, stories, and lessons learned, I am affected by what has transpired before my time, and I can learn from the triumphs and mistakes of others. It's one reason we study events like the Holocaust, so we can avoid allowing similar tragedies to shape our generations. It's also why I like to listen to oldies music, because the art (good and bad) of yesteryear have something to say to us today, even if it's just "Go have fun."
"Mustang Sally," is the R&B hit referenced in the title of this post, which my dad happens to sing to me on an occasional basis. This is a live recording of Wilson Pickett's 1966 version of "Mustang Sally."
Well, Merry Christmas! So far this Christmas break, I have really enjoyed being able to cook for my family. In fact, cooking is one of the items on my list of things to do during this break. Let me share some of my victories with you...
I made "surprise" taco soup for my family! I use a taco soup recipe my grandma, mom, and I have perfected in the last couple of years. However, this last time I made the soup, I used ground turkey instead of ground beef and no one knew the difference! Organic turkey is so much better than beef, and I was really excited to try it out in an old favorite. My family's recipe to come soon.
Applesauce Muffins: the Apple Barn, a family-owned restaurant, store, and cider mill in Tennessee, makes wonderful apple-based foods all year round. The last time my grandmother took us to the Apple Barn, I bought some recipe cards, one of which featured applesauce muffins. These turned out great, since I made them completely from scratch with all natural applesauce!
Today, while trying to figure out what to eat among the miles of leftovers in our house, my mom and I whipped up a Holiday Leftover Pork Stir Fry. Google and the random stuff in our fridge helped make lunch much more tastier than dinner last night... Don't tell whoever catered our dinner. :)
And with that, we can cross off number 5! Sorry, no pictures for this one (ahem), but I got an early Christmas present and I crossed off another item on my list!
P.S. If you're looking for a great place to get fitted, Dillard's has trained representatives - and they aren't trying to sell you things you don't need yet. :)
