speak for my heart

We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey. ~Kenji Miyazawa

Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose. ~From the television show The Wonder Years

If you're going through hell, keep going. ~Winston Churchill

We acquire the strength we have overcome. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Courage is being afraid but going on anyhow. ~Dan Rather

You can clutch the past so tightly to your chest that it leaves your arms too full to embrace the present. ~Jan Glidewell

There are things that we don't want to happen but have to accept, things we don't want to know but have to learn, and people we can't live without but have to let go. ~Author Unknown

Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.-- Helen Keller

Eventually you will come to understand that love heals everything, and love is all there is.-- Gary Zukav

Forgiving does not erase the bitter past. A healed memory is not a deleted memory. Instead, forgiving what we cannot forget creates a new way to remember. We change the memory of our past into a hope for our future.-- Lewis B. Smedes

Our sorrows and wounds are healed only when we touch them with compassion.-- Buddha

The soul is healed by being with children.-- Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Amen.

june 24th

when this presentation and class that i've been intensely working on will end.

when my summer will finally start.
when i'll be able to focus more on my house,
my yard, my sleep,
my nainai.

when i'll be able to start enjoying life
a little more.

yeepie.

a little distressed

been thinking about control.

how much control
or little control
i have on my life,
or the next curve
that takes me for a spin.

control
the urge to keep it
still in my hands

ymt

talked with ymt the other day.

nothing like family love & support.
the unexpected gifts that life brings.
the miracles that enter our lives
to shift the way we carry ourselves,
listen to ourselves and each other,
love one another, realize the hole that
would be without each other, the
beauty that is the core of our love,
of our lives, and our dreams/hopes.

believe.
trust.
life will teach all there is to learn.

love you sis.

life at light speed

living life at the speed of light.

that's what it feels like.
a constant rush of excitement,
chased by squeaking urgent anxiety.

Not the greatest combination.

what i ask for is aligning in my path..
and i know it'd be foolish to ignore.

so help me. remind me.

to breathe, to be grateful.
to live all i can
before life ends on its own terms.

DC

Leaving for DC on June 1st for NCORE (National Conference on Race & Ethnicity) with 4 students & a colleague. Looking forward to the week-long conference, dialogues, reflections - and DC sights, foods, company, and memories.

Last time I was in DC was in 9th grade for a weeklong program for youths who were "New" Americans - learned about the government, making and passing a bill, shook hands with President Clinton, and debated with MN House Rep (at the time) about why we couldn't use the money for the infamous ice castles towards resources and shelters for the homeless. I remember not getting sick because the program staff made sure we had a gallon of water & cups in every room - and made sure that we were constantly hydrated. Very empowering experience, for a 14 year old.

DC in the horizon.

my happy place

my happy place = the farmer's market

weekend morning routine
in spring and summer

excitement & joy
at the vision of
fresh fruits
and vegetables
roasted corn with butter
loaded brats - with slices of green, yellow, red peppers
fresh squeezed lemonade and limeade

traffic jam by feet
surround sounds and chatters
adding to the chaos

plants, flowers, herbs
handmade soaps, utensils,
jewelry, clothes, creations
and treats
adding to the calm peace

a happy peace that is all mine