95.

"Bring back Nelson Mandela, bring him back home to Soweto..."

Rest in Peace.

Things People Give Me #8 (Birthday Edition!)

I wasn't going to do this for my birthday, because I like to write about occasions when I receive something unexpectedly (as opposed to on a day when people are supposed to give me things). But I know that I haven't written one of these posts in a while, and I wanted to share this humbling experience with you.

As you know, yesterday was my birthday. But it was also the birthday of a residence hall staff member who lives on the same floor as me. Let's call her G. Two days ago I was really stressed and wanted to do anything but work, so I figured, why not make a birthday card for G? I did, but it was very basic and plain. A half sheet of printing paper folded in half, with a flower drawn on the front and a short message on the inside. The message went something like, I know I don't know you, but I saw that today's your birthday. And since we have the same birthday, well... Happy Birthday! Something like that.

I forgot to mention that I've never met G. I learned about her birthday from a bulletin board in the hallway a while back. Yesterday morning, I slipped the card under her door and went about my day.

This afternoon, I returned to my room after classes and found that this had been slipped under my door.

G made me a card in return! How kind is that? Hers is like a supercard, though. She wrote a message in a real card, then stapled it inside of a construction paper card that she had cut out and decorated. It opens like a book, with candy canes taped between the construction paper and stock pages. Her message:

Danielle,

Thanks so much! It meant a lot. Next Semester I will try my hardest to get to know you and the other girls.... I wish you a very Happy Birthday as well. I'm glad you're here also.

Sincerely, G

P.S.- I didn't know what flavor you liked so please enjoy both. :) I hope you like them. I know I do. The orange one is sour patch kids. :)

Wow. This was such a wonderful surprise. Maybe I should make birthday cards for strangers more often. Thanks for your kindness and creativity, G!

"Shining for the World to See..."

I woke up this morning with this song in my head, and it's been with me all day. Shine brightly, y'all. :)

21.

smile.21.poke.sillyface

I'm honored to be alive.

For me, every year there's always something wonderful about walking around on December 3rd and knowing Today is my birthday.

Any complaint or negative thought I could have, I just follow it with, "...but it's my birthday!"and it's like everything's all better. It makes me giddy.

Last night I was feeling really down, for no significant reason. I was tired and stressed. But midnight came, and I saw that "12/3" on my alarm clock, and nothing else mattered. I called Ma at that moment. She didn't even say hello; she just answered the phone singing "HAAAAPPY BIIIIIRTHDAY, HAAAAPY BIIIIRTHDAY, HAAAAPY BIIIRTHDAY TOOO YOUUUUUU!" Once I regained my breath after laughing so hard, I thanked her for raising me and keeping me alive for 21 years.

It's my birthday, y'all. I know I just posted a prayer about being ungrateful and from day-to-day it's hard for me to stay positive about myself and my life. Nonetheless, I know that I am still here for a reason, and being able to celebrate another birthday is a beautiful blessing. God has allowed me to see 21 years, and I am thankful.

I'm honored to be alive.

Ungrateful Prayer

Lord, please forgive me for behaving and thinking ungratefully. Give me grateful eyes, so that I may see past what I don't want. And give me a grateful heart, so that I may appreciate what I do have.

"We are Infinite."

I stumbled upon this movie over the weekend, and watching it made me reflect on my own life.

The scene where, after being ignored and bullied, Charlie meets a couple of strangers at a football
game, and those strangers (who later become his friends) invite him to sit with them, no questions asked and no strange looks given. The scene where everyone at a party gives a toast to Charlie and he's speechless because, "I didn't think anybody could see me." The scene where the dark memories from Charlie's past resurface, he relapses, thinks everything was his fault, and doesn't see any other option but to...

Those parts of the movie really touched my heart. Because I know what it is to feel like no one sees you. And I know what it's like to want to tell people your truth, but you don't really know how because you don't want to hurt them or make things worse for you.

Everyone goes through something and each person deals with their struggles differently. This film reminded me that there's nothing wrong with feeling pain. Sometimes, you can even share that pain with others, and no one will judge you for it. Things can get better and you can be okay, even better than okay, regardless.

Post-JLPT laughs

Me: Wait, today's December 1st?
 

Ma (commences eye-rolling): ...Yes, Danielle.
 

Me: But seriously though, where'd November go? Is it really December all ready?
 

Ma (commences head-shaking): ....
 

Me: Why are you shaking your head at me?
 

Ma: Danielle. It's been December all day.