Caley in Real Life

I've seen the movie Dan in Real Life about five times, plus or minus one. There's one part in the first half of the movie where one of the characters asks Marie to describe how her perfect day would be. Each time, it causes me to contemplate what would comprise my perfect day, but I never fail to remain clueless. What makes a day perfect? New experiences or old ones? Friends or family? Relaxing or going on an adventure? Europe, Asia, Africa...or home? Ideally, it'd contain all these; but alas, no 24-hour period, even a perfect one, can.

Last night, as I lie in bed, I decided, as paradoxical as it sounds, that the perfect day is actually not perfect at all. It can be one of an infinite number of combinations of normal situations rather than extraordinary experiences. With that said, I think the past two days have been perfect.

Yesterday did not begin well. In a rush to get ready for breakfast and Sherpa training, I spilled wet coffee grounds all over my newly made quilt, lost my keys and ID card, forgot to bring my books and paper to training, and spilled coffee all over the table at breakfast--including my pants and poor Megan's binder and folder. Not too great of a morning, right? Yet, miraculously, everything turned out okay. My good friend (and now hero) Mandie found my Tide stick so the coffee stain could be removed successfully from my quilt, everyone at breakfast helped me clean my spilled coffee, and at lunch I found my keys and ID. And if the simple rectification of my unfortunate situations wasn't enough to brighten my mood, I had the delightful opportunity of spending time praying with Mandie before training for the day started. To top it off, I got to spend the entirety of my afternoon painting signs for my Terra Firma group (yay Pacific!) and for the camp buses. I never knew painting could be so rejuvenating. Following the evening's activities, I returned to my room where I got to laugh and discuss important issues with Liz, my roommate. Afterward, we went on a very distracted expedition to Meijer, at Frosted Mini Wheats, and watched Asian shows till three in the morning. It was after all that that I went to bed and thought to myself, "Today was perfect." Why was it perfect? I got to spend it with three of my favorite people. I learned a lot. I laughed a lot. I painted. I accomplished a lot, but relaxed a lot. I loved a lot. 

Today was perfect again. Today almost seemed like an extension of yesterday. After getting up at ten, I started reading the first chapter of my Spanish book, got ready for the day, did devotions with Liz, watched more Asian TV all afternoon, visited and had coffee with Mandie, and spend the night with fellow Sherpas. We talked, read from Mark 8-11, sang, and prayed. I love that there are so many wonderful, encouraging people in my life. I couldn't have asked for a better, or more perfect, beginning to my year.

One thing's for sure: Sherpa training does NOT leave me with the ability to write decently. I just wanted to post something anyway saying how wonderful it is being back in Michigan. The rest of this summer did not allow me to relax nearly as much as I've done this past week. I slept in, ate ice cream, went to the beach, got sunburn, visited friends and family, played Scrabble, watched movies, celebrated birthdays, explored playgrounds, decorated a mailbox, and even read a book. Contrasting the rest of the week, today was crazy. Sherpa training began with 12 hours of information overload. Although I agree with the many comments I overheard about how long the day was, I'd say overall I enjoyed it. It's awesome to see the faculty's enthusiasm for the Terra Firma program, to interact with the other Sherpas, and simply to be back on campus. Beside all that, we got to end the day by painting pictures--how fun is that?! It just suddenly hit me how exhausted I am, so I will write more some time in the next couple weeks after new student move-in, camp, and everything else that's occurring in the process.

In the words of Jack's Mannequin...

I'm ready. I leave in just over a week and a half. It's such a short time, it's really not that bad, and I've gotten through the rest of the summer just fine. Now, though, more than ever, I'm filled with such an intense sense of anticipation that it seems like I should be moving out momentarily. A week ago, I was so worried about getting everything done on time. I had to pack, read a book, write a paper, finish one of my projects, and make a big back-to-school Target trip...all while getting my wisdom teeth out, recovering, and working. I still have quite a bit to accomplish, but I did virtually all my packing on Saturday (minus clothing of course), went to Target today, and have been working on everything else so that my list has greatly decreased in length. To top it off, everyone I know is finishing their summer jobs, internships, vacations, etc., and I'm here. I'm ready for Michigan, for the familiar faces of those I lived with for nine months, for hugs, for community, for walking around campus, for being on my own, for carrying around a backpack, for dodging goose droppings wherever I go, for new opportunities, and for memories that will be revived the second that I return. This year will be different. Many adjustments will need to be made. This year is going to be challenging, and I'm a little nervous, but I'm ready.