thankful thursday: friends

While Mr. F and I were waiting at the Frankfurt airport, noshing on brotchen and delicious brie sandwiches, we started talking about what was happening.  Where we were going, where we had been, and we realized how quickly move of ours took place. From layoff to to take off was two weeks and two days.  Two weeks!  What had felt like an eternity to us as we were waiting for information to come in was really a blick of an eye.  A nanosecond in which, somehow, we packed up our whole lives in Cyprus and returned home.

The incredible success of our whirlwind move is due in large part to the help of our friends.  The packed boxes, fed us, gave us places to stay, listened to all of our concerns, and helped us sort out the nitty gritties.  A few nights before we left, we were able to say goodbye to a few of these wonderful people at an impromptu party.  With just a day's notice, a houseful of friends came by to wish us luck and exchange a few last hugs.  I was overwhelmed by how many people came, not realizing before the deep roots we had planted in Cyprus.

Friendship is an amazing thing as an expat.  It's not just friendship, it's family.  Your support system, playmates, confidantes, and allies, friends are what make your experience abroad into something more than pictures of ruins.  I have learned so much from these friendships and will carry them with me where ever life takes me next.

stitchin' sisters

My mother-in-law (hi Mom!!) has this really wonderful group of friends.  While their children were growing up, this group of moms all lived in the same community (for the most part) and experienced a lot together.  These women are pretty much sisters.  Every time I get together with Mr. F's family, he asks about cousins, grandparents, and how the families of these women are doing.  They even threw my bridal shower for me, welcoming me into this wonderful little family.

As the years have passed, these women have moved to different parts of the country but have kept in touch.  And every summer they reunite for quilt camp.  Now, some women might put something similar to this together and end up having a girls' weekend.  Not these ladies.  This is die-hard quilt camp.  They quilt for a week together, working on personal projects as well as preparing items for an annual service project.  I'm gonna be honest here, most of my desire to learn how to sew is so I can be cool enough to go to quilt camp one year.  They produce the most amazing quilts!  I always look forward to the "after" photos, where they display the fruits of their labors.  

Well, as if getting themselves and all their quilt gear to some remote location, quilting all week, a service project, and general tomfoolery weren't enough, they all bring gifts for each other.  Painstakingly selected gifts thought out for the entire year leading up to camp.  This year I was honored enough to do a piece for them.  I was seriously intimidated, knowing the calibre of their own work.  But I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to create for these women who have shown me such love as I entered their family.

I can't sew, but I can paint a quilt.  So here's a big thank you to those women who take care of our family while we're so far away and who have given us even larger family to be a part of.  You really do help us all keep our stitches straight.

how the czechoslovakian got his name

I have been getting many a question about the Czechoslovakian's name. Before you read any further, I must warn you that his name has everything to do with three silly college-age girls and absolutely nothing to do with his ancestry.

He's Irish.

Before we started dating, my two girlfriends and I had every wish to sit around and gossip about him. But he was always around, so we couldn't very well use his name in front of him. There had to be some sort of codename, something ingenious he would never figure out. There were only two ideas tossed around. First, Chewbacca, as in the big, hairy Wookie from the Star Wars movies. I couldn't bring myself to calling him that. No good reason beyond I would laugh too hard every time I tried to use the name.

Then without a moment's hesitation, my two friends simultaneously exulted, "The Czechoslovakian!" And it just fit. For no good reason what so ever. And so he has been known as such ever since.

life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

My heart and mind are full as I ponder events of recent days. I have so much to be grateful for though by the world’s standards, I have very little.

The discovery of my immense gratitude began over the weekend as I lay curled up beside one of my favorite people in the world. He studied for an exam as I read The Bookseller of Kabul, a piece of literature which investigates the sphere of one fairly atypical Afghan family. As the Student held my hand, I contemplated what the consequences of our current actions would be if we lived in Kabul. For me, the results would be catastrophic. For being with a man outside of my immediate family I would be severely beaten, let alone the fact that we were cuddling and holding hands. For these actions I would be labeled as promiscuous and tainted and my family would never be able to find me a husband.

In Afghanistan, I would no longer have any options.

The more I read, the more frustrated and heart broken I became for my female counterparts in the Middle East. The Student would listen to my lamentations and sympathize where he could. In his eyes I could see gratitude for me as a person, for my respect and love of others. For my intellect, opinions, education, wit, and conversation. To him, I am a companion, not just a baby maker.

In the days that followed, I prepared a lesson for a church activity on the founding of the United States of America, my home, in honor of the Fourth of July. Notions of independence and freedom, ideas which had already been running rampant in my mind, took new forms. I discussed with my friends how our country came to be. How a group of traitors of varying opinions came together to compose some of the most profound words the world has ever known. “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal...” After great debate, these representatives of thirteen colonies came together and voted that enough was enough. The United States of America would be and were independent of the tyrannical ties of Great Britain.

Because of this group of traitors, I had the opportunity to spend a Saturday afternoon reading curled up beside the Student. I am able to vote, have an opinion, be a mother, run for office, run a marathon. I can wear the shoes of my choosing, do a jig in a park, listen to music, pray whenever I want. I can study, I can go out in public alone.

I am indeed grateful beyond measure for all of the opportunities available to me. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are mine for the taking if I but reach out my hand to them.

vänskapet

Friends are such strange anomalies to me. Have you ever considered how you and your dearest friends came to be? For me, the moment when I solidified a bond is blurred somewhere in a lengthy history with individuals I would never wish to sever ties with.

Now I'm in this strange situation where every day I'm trying to make new friends. I'm in search of kindred spirits, shopping buddies, culture buddies, intellectuals, fellow geeks, conversationalists, and playmates.

What I keep pondering is the idea of trust. How is it that we match up with certain individuals and begin to trust them with our souls? Sometimes, this is not an easy task. It takes years of picking away at a granite block to reveal a David underneath. Then there are friendships that just come easily. Without questioning, the deepest of topics can be discussed. All sorts of friendship require trust. But who are we trusting; the other person or ourselves? Right now, I think I'm learning how to trust myself all over again.

positive reenforcement

I got the picture, that you finally sent.
I read your letter, and I know what you meant.
That's you and me, in Salt Lake City.
You sure look pretty.

Wish we could go back again.

And are you on my mind, every day, all the time?
And though you're far away, don't you know, I feel the same.

Oh well anyway, I just called to say,
Everything's gonna be okay.
Your friends aren't that far away.
Anyway.
Don't get so down on yourself.
Don't get so down on yourself.
Don't get so down on yourself.
Think of me with you.

Oh well anyway, I just called to say,
Everything's gonna be okay.
Your friends aren't so far away.
Tomorrow's another day.

Don't get so down on yourself.
Don't get so down on yourself.
Don't get so down on yourself.

Think of me with you.

Don't get so down on yourself.
Don't get so down on yourself.
Don't get so down on yourself.

Think of me with you.
Cause I do. I think of you

Chris Isaak, Don't Get So Down on Yourself