Love Earth Life Happiness.

3.14.2011

LOST

Here's how lame I am.. I just get back from Paris, and what do I decide to write about today?......

LOST.

For those of you who don't like to read... this post isn't for you. But for those of you who are deep thinkers like myself, feel free to read away. If you have time to read this, I think you might get something out of what I have to say :)


It has taken me forever to finally get the final season of Lost, but the coolest part about it, is I watched this last season at the perfect time for me in my life. I don't know if I'm different than others because of how much this season affected me personally.. but the last episode sent me on a crazy journey of thought and actually brought a lot of things together, creating some type of peace in my mind. What did I learn you ask??...


This season (specifically the last episode) brought peace to my mind, in the fact that I'm not alone or strange for thinking that there has to be more to life after you die. That there is some type of life when we have learned what we need to learn here in this Earthy existence. I often wonder if there is even a point to try as hard as I do to "be good" and serve people and learn as much as I can here, if we're all just going to die and be done with everything. Living outside of Utah, I've realized just how many people really do feel that when you die, everything is over. But for me, I've always thought for some reason that I have to be "the perfect mormon" in order to have life after death. After watching Lost, I realized that there are more people out there who think this way, and not only the religious people. Lost isn't even a "religious" show, but the cool part about it is if you look deep into the meaning and symbolism behind it... it actually gets pretty spiritual.

I personally was sobbing during the whole last episode because it confirmed to me that I AM here, doing what I'm doing for a reason. That I AM actually working right now to figure out all that I can and take in as much as I can mentally and physically so that I can make it to a place in life after I die that will be my perfect place. In LOST, I feel that I resemble Jack's character. He's often uncertain why he does things... but he always ends up doing it becaues he feels that it is what he is "supposed" to do. In the end, Jack finds such a strong peace and you can see how truly grateful he is once everything ties together for him. It's like he finally realized that everything happened how it did, and when it did on purpose. Sometimes things don't happen the way he wants them to, or when he wants it to because he is simply not ready to hear it, or go through it yet. When these things in life happen, if it happens at the right time, or when it is "supposed" to happen... that's when you will get the absolute MOST out of whatever it is.

Not done yet.. :) Also, it really hit me that everyone was able to be with each other in the end, forever. Here in life, we definitely meet the people that we do for a reason. I can even point out the largest and the smallest of things that I've learned from every single person that I've met. And honestly, looking back in my life, I know that these people came to me at the time that I needed them to in order for me to be who I am today. And I know this pattern will continue on and I will keep building different relationships because they are who I need in my life. I just can't deny that it isn't by coincidence that all of these things happen the way they do.

Being so far away from home in Holland, I have 2 choices. 1: Dwell on the fact that I miss everyone at home, my family and friends.. and count down the days until I will be at home with them again. Back to the life that I am comfortable living, which would make this experience last way longer than I want it to... or 2: Let go of the "missing" thoughts and step into a possibly uncomfortable atmosphere... meet new people who can help build me up.. and really learn all that I can for myself while I'm here, realizing that I ABSOLUTELY will have the chance to be with my family and the ones I love at home again, no matter what happens. This way, I keep myself free to learn things I never knew and possibly couldn't learn at home in the States. Living like this will keep me not watching the clock or sitting on the fact that I'm here for 6 months. These thoughts block you from learning all that you can learn at that place and at that moment in time. I've kept my mind open to meeting others and building these relationships while I'm here to make this strange place feel like home. Of course it takes time... nothing happens in 2 seconds.. but basically what I'm getting at... is the process of life is completely beautiful. I LOVE watching these different concepts unfold before my eyes, finally feeling that things just flat out make sense. The whole point of my blog is to keep people up to date on what is going on with me here.. and I hope to teach others the lessons that I have learned for myself as well. Of course I don't know EVERYTHING... who does? But that's the best part about it. The journey.. and how it will all unfold later in "the end".

I'll write about Paris later hopefully. This post is long enough to last a couple weeks. haha Over and out, I hope everyone has a beautiful day! Watch all 6 seasons of Lost if you get the chance and if you haven't already. :)


Enjoy

3.08.2011

Laun.Dry.

When is the best day to be at my crib????

LAUNDRY DAY. (aka roomdry day)

Seeing that I freaking have to pay 1.50 euro to wash my laundry.. I like to do it in bulk. Not to mention.. I have to pay another euro to dry it. Once again, call me cheap.. but I was not about to pay a precious euro for a machine to dry my laundry. Why not dry it Sami-style?





I guess it brings a new meaning to the word "Laun Dry day". Roomdry day is what we'll start calling it! This is my version of an art museum. The room-dryer exhibit. Visitors welcome.

Not only does this save energy, but it makes my room smell bounty fresh!!

Leaving for Paris tomorrow, for four days with some of my roommates!! I'm a Paris virgin, so expect lots of pictures when I come back! Until then....

Enjoy!

3.06.2011

Carnaval

For those of you who aren't "carnaval educated" yet.. this is what it's all about. Honestly, I'm not sure what the background of this holiday is, and when I asked Dutch friends last night if they knew what it was.. they said, "I don't know, some Catholic holiday or something." This holiday is pretty dang big in Tilburg. During the day, all you see are people dressed up in orange and green (which some lady told us are the Tilburg colors) and everybody is drinking and there are marching bands playing Carnaval music... there are parades.. you name it. At night, it kind of reminds me of a more wild version of Halloween. Everyone was dressed up in costumes and in the street with all of the bars.. it is PACKED with people all night long. The craziest part about this holiday is that it lasts for a straight 6 days LONG! Most of my Dutch friends have actually told me that their advice is to lock my door and stay inside my home all week long. haha I was seriously considering doing this.. but then I decided not to poop on the party and go witness this holiday with my own eyes just for one night.

The day started off going to the city with my Finnish friend, Pirita. We walked around the city for a while and watched all of the people (all ages) having a good time in the streets of Tilburg. Listening to the bumpin carnaval music was pretty fun. We decided that the genre we would place this music in... is medieval techno. Everyone was in green and orange and this one lady that we talked with actually told us that we can't walk around without SOMETHING in green and orange. After that, I decided I had to cave and buy at least a scarf with the Tilburg colors. :)






It was pretty fun to see everyone so happy celebrating this holiday. Maybe everyone was so happy because it was one of the first days of this 6 day party and they didn't have hangovers yet. I don't know?

During the night, I went to Annoeska's house who had a pre-night-carnaval get-together. I learned how to make Dutch pancakes.. very tastey! Then it was time to venture into the city. I was surprised at how many people were outside! At this point in the night, I re-realized just how much of a non partier I am. I am definitely the one who poops on the party. I was home in my bed no later than 1:15. and we didn't even go outside until about 11 or later. haha oops. Typical Samijo. Plus I found my self eyeballing the clock when it was getting close to midnight thinking... crap, I have to be home for curfew. Maybe "curfew" was just my excuse for saying.. ah my bed sounds really nice right now. :)

(A video at the dance our group went to)

All in all, I had a good time. Met some great people last night and some not so great.. haha My experience with Carnaval was a success. A definite one-timer.. but a success nonetheless.

There's my schpeal on Carnaval. Take it or leave it peeps.

Enjoy!

3.03.2011

Less is more.

I think I'm in love.... with an item called, Charmin Ultra Toilet Paper.



I am very happy to advertise for this product right now. Here's the scoop on my toilet paper situation. Since I've been here in Tilburg, I actually have managed to not buy one roll of TP. Call me cheap, I don't mind. hahaa So what have I been doing when I need to wipe? No.. I don't use leaves or my sleeve or anything weirdo like that... I've just been using the school to my advantage and have borrowed? (I prefer borrow rather than steal) a couple of handfuls from the bathroom every once in a while. But no worries, I do not do this anymore! Why? Because my parents are amazing and they sent me the greatest package. Seriously guys, you know the amazing feeling that you get after eating Nutella on bread? When I saw the note on my door saying that my roommate had my package in her room.. I felt that warm Nutella feeling times like 1500.

Anyways, one of the many great things in this package was Charmin Ultra Toilet Paper. Each time I use it now.. the theme song from the commercial goes off in my head. I know you all know it - "when we say less is more, less is more... Charmin Ultra... less is more." Man, were they right. Sure, Europeans have better bread than Americans.. but they don't got NOTHIN on our toilet paper. The saying, "you know you're a college student when...." definitely applies to me now. I didn't realize how much I appreciate our soft, fluffy, American TP. I guess what I'm trying to get across with this blog post is.... Realize the small things in life you guys! If you take the time to look around.. you will start to notice that even things as little as toilet paper can be SO amazing. The world is great. Have a happy day and of course..... ENJOY!

3.01.2011

Learning and Sleeping.

Picture of the day.....

Today is the day that I post about the only thing I can think about... sleep. It was a very intense day for me today! Here's how it went... I woke up at 7:20.. had my favorite granola and yogurt, left on the bike at 8am for school. My dance schedule? went like this... 8:30-10:15 Ballet.. 10:30-12 Hip Hop... 12-1 Lunch.... 1-2:30 Limon with Raymond... Then CDK with Raymond until 4.. 4:30-6pm Tap.... and 6:30-8:15pm Jazz Fusion. Then I had to bike home.       Pretty much an hour break in between a full day of 8:30am-8:15pm. And some intense dancing today, might I add. This little foreigner is not used to this! Really, my energy level isn't that bad.. it's just my muscles that are yelling at me. So here is my shout out to the dancers at Fontys... you guys are tanks!

Update--- all is well here! I am absolutely learning a lot. I'm getting a better understanding of all of the different cultures, I'm learning a ton about myself, and I'm learning a lot as a dancer. I'm getting the chance to really get inside and finally am having the chance to analyze my body in ways that I never have before. Some of the classes here are a bit more basic than what I've had before, but I didn't realize the importance of this until now. I've realized how much I've skipped over in my life as a dancer and it's so nice to kind of go back and correct some of those mistakes. Some of the main things that I've learned... are that it really isn't about how high you can get your leg all of the time, or how many turns you can do... of course those are great additions and are important at times, but dancing doesn't always have to be about that. You can take the most basic of steps and make them incredible by choosing how your body portrays each movement. I mean, honestly.. at the end of the day, who would you rather watch...A: someone who just shows off their legs or turns a lot and is very technical and up tight.. compared to B: someone who truly FEELS the music they are listening to, and invites you as the audience to come with them inside the dancers mind to feel the story they are dancing? Personally, my eyes go directly to the dancers who are simply enjoying and having fun while dancing. My goal for myself.. is that if there is one thing that I can take from this semester, it is to open up my heart and let those around me come inside my soul and feel the emotion that I feel as I dance. Whether it be sad, happy, crazy, a longing for something/someone, love, hatred, pain, strength... any emotion that I am feeling... I want everyone to feel it with me. THAT is what dancing is all about.

I can't believe how fast this is going... on Thursday this week, it is already 4 weeks that I've been here! WHAT?? It's March already! This experience is going to cruise by like crazy. Carnival this Saturday... Paris in a week from tomorrow... My mom comes to visit at the end of March... WOO! Lots of things that I'm excited for :) Anyway, that's it for today. I'll keep posting blogs and taking pictures. Everyone... have a great day! And make sure to think about me next time you get to sleep in until noon! Lucky people.... ;)

Enjoy!