100 POSTS! That is rather impressive. Sort of. I have had this blog for an AWFULLY long time.
HERE IS MY LIFE IN A QUICK SUMMARY:
Listening to:
Elliot Smith Either/Or
Ben Folds and Nick Hornby Lonely Avenue
The Format Dog Problems
Reading:
Ned Vizzini It’s Kind of Funny Story
Eating:
Delicious, fresh-picked apples and everything you can make with 30 pounds of apples.
Starting:
A style blog
Stressing out about:
College Applications
Loving:
Everything else in my life
Friday, October 22, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
Hey world.
I am thinking of starting a personal style blog, and pretending people care about what I wear. I really love the way that style bloggers work/inspire each other, and it would be nice to be involved in that community. Also, I like to take pictures of myself. Except, not really.
So, I will keep everyone updated on that...
IN OTHER NEWS, I am supposed to be reading Great Expectations right now, but obviously I am not. I actually like it quite a lot, but it also has a fascinating ability to put me to sleep. So, you know, I have been sleeping a lot today.
S.
So, I will keep everyone updated on that...
IN OTHER NEWS, I am supposed to be reading Great Expectations right now, but obviously I am not. I actually like it quite a lot, but it also has a fascinating ability to put me to sleep. So, you know, I have been sleeping a lot today.
S.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Hello There
Sometimes, I lay in my bed and think, "I could be sitting at that desk, typing up a blog post, telling the world about my life." I then proceed to remember that no one really reads my blog, and that the desk is at least two yards away, and that I really should just go to sleep.
But right now, I am avoiding working on my college applications, which I am doing to avoid cleaning my room, which I am doing to avoid finishing my Stat packet, which I am doing to avoid reading Great Expectations. So, basically I decided it was time to update everyone on my life.
LIFE UPDATE, STARTS NOW:
1. I start Senior year of high school on Monday.
2. I still haven't decided on where I want to go to college.
3. I really like small bunnies and kittens.
4. My own darling kitten/cat is not doing so great, but he is hanging on. Keep Berkely in your thoughts. (That is an order)
5. Today, I cried at least 5 times because kept seeing little posts about the passing of the great nerdfighter Esther Earl. I barely knew anything about her, but I knew she was awesome, and I knew the entire nerdfighter community felt the loss. Rest in Awesome, Esther.
6. Today, I also assisted my technology in-adept mother put music on her iPod. It was amusing.
7. Tomorrow I have all sorts of things to do, so I should really be in bed, but today my sleep schedule got really whacked out, and I am not tired. Drats. Back to the college applications.
Much love,
Sophia
But right now, I am avoiding working on my college applications, which I am doing to avoid cleaning my room, which I am doing to avoid finishing my Stat packet, which I am doing to avoid reading Great Expectations. So, basically I decided it was time to update everyone on my life.
LIFE UPDATE, STARTS NOW:
1. I start Senior year of high school on Monday.
2. I still haven't decided on where I want to go to college.
3. I really like small bunnies and kittens.
4. My own darling kitten/cat is not doing so great, but he is hanging on. Keep Berkely in your thoughts. (That is an order)
5. Today, I cried at least 5 times because kept seeing little posts about the passing of the great nerdfighter Esther Earl. I barely knew anything about her, but I knew she was awesome, and I knew the entire nerdfighter community felt the loss. Rest in Awesome, Esther.
6. Today, I also assisted my technology in-adept mother put music on her iPod. It was amusing.
7. Tomorrow I have all sorts of things to do, so I should really be in bed, but today my sleep schedule got really whacked out, and I am not tired. Drats. Back to the college applications.
Much love,
Sophia
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Also, Photos.
So, I don't know how many of my four (4!) followers haven't seen these already, but I uploaded all 436 of my photos to flikr (and facebook).
At some point, I hope to go back and put some of them in the actual posts, but here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theelementsofsophie/
Apparently, flickr won't let me show you more than 200 photos at a time, so ENJOY 200 of them...
Sophia
At some point, I hope to go back and put some of them in the actual posts, but here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theelementsofsophie/
Apparently, flickr won't let me show you more than 200 photos at a time, so ENJOY 200 of them...
Sophia
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Day 8
I am currently at cruising height, somewhere over some large body of water. I already miss every single one of the people I have met on this trip. Apparently I have become to sound like a broken record, repeating the fact that I miss people over and over again,
This has been one of the best weeks of my life.
Yesterday was our last day of work. I returned Zaragosa, to say goodbye to everyone. It was a half day, but we all put in as much work as possible, just to see how much we could get in. It was weird, knowing that it was the last time I would probally see any of these kids ever. They are the sweetest kids I have ever met, and leaving was so hard, but I would rather have met them and had to say goodbye than to have never known them. When we walked down the hill to the village, all of the kids were waiting for us. Sofia was there, as well as Helen, and another girl Paulina. They all rushed towards us, giving us hugs.
We brought them donuts, as a sort of good bye gift. They were really good donuts, and the kids were so happy to see them.
I am having trouble conjuring up words to explain how I felt and what I did. I had the same problem last night at reflection. I just sputtered about how much everything meant to me and how it was nice to be there. The whole trip is all just a blur of love and friendship and happiness.Yesterday, I helped Sofia and Helen make bracelets, and played tag and ride the Sophie-pretending-to-be-a-pony with Sofia and Paulina. I taught them Ring Around the Rosie, and counted jump rope jumps.
As the day’s arts and crafts project, we made paper Leis (I am getting really good at them). I helped the kids cut and design and string their necklaces, and, as I was doing sow, I was struck with how much my Spanish has improved. I was able to explain how to do things, and the kids (usually) looked like they understood what I was talking about.
After lunch, we played a game of soccer. I played goalie, and did pretty poorly. I kept saying the score was “Sophie is a really bad goalie to three” and “Sophie is a really bad goalie to four”. It was fun though, and I got appropriately muddy.
After my astounding loss, it was time to say good bye.
It was the hardest part of the entire trip. I held Sofia and Helen and Paulina for like a hour, and then everyone began to walk to the bus. We all were hugging each other, and carrying the kids, and saying goodbye and adios over and over again. We got to the bus, and it took 20 minutes just to get in the vehicle--there was too much love and sadness to leave too quickly.
After we drove away, the fact that I am probably never going to see any of the kids again really sunk in. I cried.
After leaving Zaragosa, we met up with everyone at the hospital/house/church where Oscar Romero died. I made the obligatory jokes about not knowing who he was. I froze because of over exposure to air conditioning.
We went back to the house, ate dinner, had reflection, and listened to a local band and watched a local dance group. It was a good ending to a wonderful week.
I would like to thank everyone for reading and commenting and sharing my blog with everyone, it made it easier to force myself to write it. I hope you were able to live vicariously through me. =]
Sophie
This has been one of the best weeks of my life.
Yesterday was our last day of work. I returned Zaragosa, to say goodbye to everyone. It was a half day, but we all put in as much work as possible, just to see how much we could get in. It was weird, knowing that it was the last time I would probally see any of these kids ever. They are the sweetest kids I have ever met, and leaving was so hard, but I would rather have met them and had to say goodbye than to have never known them. When we walked down the hill to the village, all of the kids were waiting for us. Sofia was there, as well as Helen, and another girl Paulina. They all rushed towards us, giving us hugs.
We brought them donuts, as a sort of good bye gift. They were really good donuts, and the kids were so happy to see them.
I am having trouble conjuring up words to explain how I felt and what I did. I had the same problem last night at reflection. I just sputtered about how much everything meant to me and how it was nice to be there. The whole trip is all just a blur of love and friendship and happiness.Yesterday, I helped Sofia and Helen make bracelets, and played tag and ride the Sophie-pretending-to-be-a-pony with Sofia and Paulina. I taught them Ring Around the Rosie, and counted jump rope jumps.
As the day’s arts and crafts project, we made paper Leis (I am getting really good at them). I helped the kids cut and design and string their necklaces, and, as I was doing sow, I was struck with how much my Spanish has improved. I was able to explain how to do things, and the kids (usually) looked like they understood what I was talking about.
After lunch, we played a game of soccer. I played goalie, and did pretty poorly. I kept saying the score was “Sophie is a really bad goalie to three” and “Sophie is a really bad goalie to four”. It was fun though, and I got appropriately muddy.
After my astounding loss, it was time to say good bye.
It was the hardest part of the entire trip. I held Sofia and Helen and Paulina for like a hour, and then everyone began to walk to the bus. We all were hugging each other, and carrying the kids, and saying goodbye and adios over and over again. We got to the bus, and it took 20 minutes just to get in the vehicle--there was too much love and sadness to leave too quickly.
After we drove away, the fact that I am probably never going to see any of the kids again really sunk in. I cried.
After leaving Zaragosa, we met up with everyone at the hospital/house/church where Oscar Romero died. I made the obligatory jokes about not knowing who he was. I froze because of over exposure to air conditioning.
We went back to the house, ate dinner, had reflection, and listened to a local band and watched a local dance group. It was a good ending to a wonderful week.
I would like to thank everyone for reading and commenting and sharing my blog with everyone, it made it easier to force myself to write it. I hope you were able to live vicariously through me. =]
Sophie
Day 7
Day 7.
Today was Sunday, so we didn’t go to any of the worksites. Instead, we woke up, got dressed up in nice clothes (which was real weird), and ate breakfast. After breakfast, we gathered up, and instead of doing our usual pre-work prayers, we read through the readings that would be read at the mass. I can’t say I was super attentive, but I do remember one of the stories was the one about the beggar and Samaritan that is in Godspell. So all I could think about was puppet shows.
The mass itself was long, but interesting. It was all in spanish, so I understood about three words, but it was incredible to see how dedicated the people here (both on my trip and in El Salvador) are to their faiths. I felt a little left out, because I had NO idea what was going on with the prayers and such, but I tried my best to stand when people stood, kneel when people knelt, and shake their hands when people shook hands. I didn’t go up for communion (I never do), and I just sat in my seat looking slightly confused.
After the service, we went below the Cathedral to the crypt. We saw the tomb of Oscar Romero, which was very interesting. The brass of the statue, is well-worn and well-loved--he truly is a great and inspiring man.
I need to go to bed now, but I will write more tomorrow.
Well, I lied when I said I would right “tomorrow”, because now tomorrow is yesterday. Time is weird that way.
But I will try to remember the rest of the day.
After we went down to the crypt, we all got back on to the bus (your standard issue yellow school bus) and went to the Marcada for a bit of shopping. It was actually the first time we had really been in the city, outside of the compound. We were given an hour to wander around, and I wandered with Kat, and Hannah, and Colette. The Marcada is an indoor market; basically, it is a room filled with little stalls that all sell just about the same thing: purses, bracelets, keychains, odd knicknacks and vegetable-shaped napkin holders. I spent around $60 on presents and gifts and jewelry for my self. We were supposed to/allowed to barter and bargain, but I was pretty bad at it. I wish I would have tired harder, I could have saved like 20 bucks. Some of the other girls got really into it; Fiona got a pair of 15 dollar shoes for nine by going on and on about needing money for the train. There aren’t any trains in El Salvador.
We left the market, some more bag-laden than the others, and went back to the compound. There, we were allowed to eat upstairs (which was a real big deal) so we could watch the World Cup final. I haven’t really been following the tournament that closely, but everyone answered all of my annoying questions, so I figured out what was going on. I started the game supporting the Dutch, because I like their outfits better, but about 20 minutes in I decided that Spain was better, and I changed my allegiance. No one really seemed to care that much.
Three quarters of the way into the the game, Sister Gloria announced that it was time to leave. Everyone (well, like me and six other people) were upset about missing the end of the game, but we got ready to go to the orphanage. We all used lots of bugspray, and protected our heads and got on the bus. I sat with Kat, and we talked about home and life and doing more volunteer work when we return. We talked with the other volunteers about the music they liked, and about their schools, and all sorts of other nonsense. We finished listening to the soccer game, and celebrated when Spain won. After 45 minutes or an hour of bus riding, the bus stopped. I was in the back of the bus and wasn’t really paying attention, so I was surprised to hear that the bus had broken down. At first we (well, I) thought it might be some sort of joke, but the rising levels of panic among the adults proved otherwise. Luckily, we were only about 100 meters away from the orphanage, and we were able to walk along the side of the road. It was probably one of the most nerve-racking minute and a half of the entire trip. I am nervous person, and walking on high-speed high ways freaks me out at home. Add in the fact that it was sort of raining and it was in El Salvador, and I almost had a panic attack.
People had warned me that the orphanage was going to be sad, and they were right, to an extent. It was heartbreaking to see the children who had given up--they were silent, hard to engage, and didn’t look like they cared about much of everything. Mostly this was the older girls--the sisters that run the orphanage have to move the boys out when the turn ten, but they keep the girls until they are old enough to go to the states of get a job. That said, some of the children were happy and joyful, and really excited to see us. I strung leis and cut paper snowflakes and made god’s eyes and “played” soccer with them. I tried to learn all of their names, but failed. They were adorable, all dressed up in their Sunday best, running around, having fun.
After the orphanage, we went back on the bus, and we sang show tunes and americana songs and interviewed each other and had all sorts of good times.
We then ate dinner and had reflection and hung out, I think.
At reflection, we read a story about a single snowflake breaking a branch--it was one of millions, but it was that one snowflake that made all the difference. If I take anything away from this trip, I want it to be that story. No matter how small and insignificant an action seems to me, it can be the one that changes the world.
Sofia
Today was Sunday, so we didn’t go to any of the worksites. Instead, we woke up, got dressed up in nice clothes (which was real weird), and ate breakfast. After breakfast, we gathered up, and instead of doing our usual pre-work prayers, we read through the readings that would be read at the mass. I can’t say I was super attentive, but I do remember one of the stories was the one about the beggar and Samaritan that is in Godspell. So all I could think about was puppet shows.
The mass itself was long, but interesting. It was all in spanish, so I understood about three words, but it was incredible to see how dedicated the people here (both on my trip and in El Salvador) are to their faiths. I felt a little left out, because I had NO idea what was going on with the prayers and such, but I tried my best to stand when people stood, kneel when people knelt, and shake their hands when people shook hands. I didn’t go up for communion (I never do), and I just sat in my seat looking slightly confused.
After the service, we went below the Cathedral to the crypt. We saw the tomb of Oscar Romero, which was very interesting. The brass of the statue, is well-worn and well-loved--he truly is a great and inspiring man.
I need to go to bed now, but I will write more tomorrow.
Well, I lied when I said I would right “tomorrow”, because now tomorrow is yesterday. Time is weird that way.
But I will try to remember the rest of the day.
After we went down to the crypt, we all got back on to the bus (your standard issue yellow school bus) and went to the Marcada for a bit of shopping. It was actually the first time we had really been in the city, outside of the compound. We were given an hour to wander around, and I wandered with Kat, and Hannah, and Colette. The Marcada is an indoor market; basically, it is a room filled with little stalls that all sell just about the same thing: purses, bracelets, keychains, odd knicknacks and vegetable-shaped napkin holders. I spent around $60 on presents and gifts and jewelry for my self. We were supposed to/allowed to barter and bargain, but I was pretty bad at it. I wish I would have tired harder, I could have saved like 20 bucks. Some of the other girls got really into it; Fiona got a pair of 15 dollar shoes for nine by going on and on about needing money for the train. There aren’t any trains in El Salvador.
We left the market, some more bag-laden than the others, and went back to the compound. There, we were allowed to eat upstairs (which was a real big deal) so we could watch the World Cup final. I haven’t really been following the tournament that closely, but everyone answered all of my annoying questions, so I figured out what was going on. I started the game supporting the Dutch, because I like their outfits better, but about 20 minutes in I decided that Spain was better, and I changed my allegiance. No one really seemed to care that much.
Three quarters of the way into the the game, Sister Gloria announced that it was time to leave. Everyone (well, like me and six other people) were upset about missing the end of the game, but we got ready to go to the orphanage. We all used lots of bugspray, and protected our heads and got on the bus. I sat with Kat, and we talked about home and life and doing more volunteer work when we return. We talked with the other volunteers about the music they liked, and about their schools, and all sorts of other nonsense. We finished listening to the soccer game, and celebrated when Spain won. After 45 minutes or an hour of bus riding, the bus stopped. I was in the back of the bus and wasn’t really paying attention, so I was surprised to hear that the bus had broken down. At first we (well, I) thought it might be some sort of joke, but the rising levels of panic among the adults proved otherwise. Luckily, we were only about 100 meters away from the orphanage, and we were able to walk along the side of the road. It was probably one of the most nerve-racking minute and a half of the entire trip. I am nervous person, and walking on high-speed high ways freaks me out at home. Add in the fact that it was sort of raining and it was in El Salvador, and I almost had a panic attack.
People had warned me that the orphanage was going to be sad, and they were right, to an extent. It was heartbreaking to see the children who had given up--they were silent, hard to engage, and didn’t look like they cared about much of everything. Mostly this was the older girls--the sisters that run the orphanage have to move the boys out when the turn ten, but they keep the girls until they are old enough to go to the states of get a job. That said, some of the children were happy and joyful, and really excited to see us. I strung leis and cut paper snowflakes and made god’s eyes and “played” soccer with them. I tried to learn all of their names, but failed. They were adorable, all dressed up in their Sunday best, running around, having fun.
After the orphanage, we went back on the bus, and we sang show tunes and americana songs and interviewed each other and had all sorts of good times.
We then ate dinner and had reflection and hung out, I think.
At reflection, we read a story about a single snowflake breaking a branch--it was one of millions, but it was that one snowflake that made all the difference. If I take anything away from this trip, I want it to be that story. No matter how small and insignificant an action seems to me, it can be the one that changes the world.
Sofia
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