Month: February 2016

Sometimes it’s crazy reminiscing on memories. You’ll look back 5 years and think of how quickly time flew. But then you’ll sift through those memories in your mind. You’ll run through those folders over and over again trying to remember details, specific events, or accomplishments.

You’ll notice the happy and sad memories rise to the surface in a heartbeat. Those feelings and thoughts immediately come rushing back like waves at the shore. You notice how much time you’ve invested and how much love you’ve given away. But you’ll realize one day that you’re blessed. Because all those years, the same time and love was invested right back in you.

You’ll stumble upon the childish actions that caused dismay. However, those same actions were what brought your blessings to life. And to think you weren’t going to take that one step or notice that one individual. Your life would be different, so different that it scares you.

Everything does happen for a reason and I know I wouldn’t change a thing in my life. The good, the bad, even the ugly. You’ll eventually notice these events make you stronger as an individual and even as a partner.

You’ll need to remember, that you are loved in someone’s eyes. And that love, is what makes your life complete.

I’m blessed, thanks to you.

With love,

-A (your turtle dove)

Last June, my friends and I decided to take a day trip to Helen. We wanted to fit a fun adventure in before Ramadan started. Who knew that a harmless trip could take an interesting turn of events.

We started the morning off climbing Mount Yonah. And definitely did not expect to be climbing over huge rocks and walking on narrow paths. I had a feeling we would give up before we made it to the top. It surely becomes a struggle when 5 different people need breaks at different times. Some of us were dissing nature and all the bugs around us. And it was hot!! Sadly, we really didn’t think this hike through because we even began salvaging the water we had. We hadn’t even made it half way and were soooo out of breath. What else were we to do but to save our water? Obviously, we were not prepared for this hike.

Just when we were ready to quit and satisfied with a semi-pretty view, we encountered this nice couple who encouraged us to continue hike 10 more minutes. They told us we were almost there and that the view was breathtaking. We even met a man who camped out overnight at the top of the mountain by himself!! We had to continue, I mean we drove all this way and struggled enough already. We finally made it. Wow! The view really was breathtaking. I had brought my camera with me and could not stop taking pictures. See for yourself:

So that was that. We had a lot more planned that day. M and I wanted to go zip lining. We went to Zip-N-Time and were convinced to conquer The Thriller Giant Swing. Never again. It felt like we were asking for death, maybe I’ll share the video with you guys one day. The zip lining however was awesome, the drive up the path not so much. It was bumpy and steep going up part of the mountain. M was smart and made an awesome video while zip lining. I however was too chicken and closed my eyes during half the ride . Regret? Yes, only because the view was beautiful!

After this tiring day, we decided it would be nice to end the day with river tubing. A nice relaxing, peaceful ride in the river. HA! If only it was what we hoped it would be.. We attempted to stick together, but M and I lost the rest of our group immediately. We got stuck on a rock and I injured my toes. It hurt like hell, but I didn’t think anything of it. We then got stuck again, I was in the middle of the river crying with cramps in both of my legs. I couldn’t even move and I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A RIVER. What are the freaking odds?! M had to let go and promised she wouldn’t leave me there stranded. In attempts to save me, she fell and got a huge bruise on her back.

After what felt like 10 hours, we finally made it to the end. But not before M and I lost ONE shoe each. We found the rest of our crew and found some injuries there as well. We found out one of our friends had drifted away and got lost, a couple actually saved her! Anyways, we were soaked, injured, and so ready to go. My toes still hurt and two of us walked with a limp from injuries. I struggled while driving home with swollen toes, but we arrived safely. After a trip to the doctor and a few x-rays later, I found out that I actually fractured two of my toes, fun!!

This was probably one of the most memorable days of my life. And at least I have a fascinating story to go along with my broken toes!

With love,

A

Valentine’s Day is considered a special day for people around the world. Love is in the air with so many memories to reminisce on. But the strongest memory of Valentine’s Day I have is saddening. The memory has defined me as the person I am today. It is my turn to reminisce on the day of love. 

My dad’s a pilot so I moved around a lot as a child. I’m a pretty outgoing person, however these drastic moves caused me to shy away from other kids. I didn’t want to burst in on friendships that were already created, so I normally stuck to myself. In 4th grade, I finally was able to start fresh entering into a new class along with other students. I made a friend, who eventually became my best friend over the year. Let’s call her S. 

S and I got along so well and we always had fun together at recess. But apparently, my friendship wasn’t enough for her. So what does this have to do with Valentine’s Day? Well during the school Valentine’s Day party for our class, our teacher decided to set the desks in a wide “U” shape. She wanted to make class interesting and fun. So she chose one student to sit in the first seat. They were in turn allowed to choose the next person they wanted to sit next to them. Eventually someone chose S. I watched as that kid whispered in my friends ear and suddenly my heart sank as she did not choose my name. She didn’t want to sit next to me. But why? What did I ever do to her? We were the best of friends and suddenly I was a confused and hurt 9 year old. 

I stood helplessly waiting for someone to call my name. As I was the last one called, I sat down embarrassed that I was everyone’s last choice. Especially my best friend’s. 

The end, right? Sadly, no. How could a 9 year old’s Valentine’s Day get even worse?

It was time for recess and S came up to me with her new found friends. They seemed excited and asked me to play with them. I was ecstatic and immediately forgot what happened earlier that morning. They all wanted to play hide and seek. I knew I could be super sneaky so I hid behind the big tree near the playground! I waited and waited and waited. I couldn’t be that sneaky? So, I decided to peek around the tree and there was S and her new friends playing on the playground as they were glancing towards the tree. They were all smiling and laughing. No one was looking for me. They left me there on purpose. I plummeted to the ground and began to cry behind the tree for the remainder of recess. 

I was hurt, shocked, embarrassed, angry. So many emotions were flooding my body, I didn’t even know how to control them. The teacher blew the whistle to come back inside. I attempted to comfort and gather myself into sanity before I walked back towards the classroom. 

It was finally time to open our decorated Valentine’s shoe boxes. Remember how the bigger cards were always meant for your friends or teacher? Yeah, I immediately wished I could take that back. I had given S a big Monsters Inc Valentine’s card. I sat alone sifting through all my cards and looked for the candies. All of a sudden S showed up with my card in her hand. She said she loved it and apologized. I told her that I had chosen that card just for her and she immediately said she got me a big card too! It was a Shrek card. I remember the day like it was yesterday. 

We stayed friends but that day changed my life. You can always forgive, but you’ll never forget. Especially the day you were a neglected Valentine. 

—A