The Facets of Family

Call me a sap, but you know what, I don't care. Sap isn't necessarily a bad thing, people.

Family (defn.): a group consisting of parents and children living together in a household; a person or people related to one and so to be treated with a special loyalty or intimacy.

Boeding Family Reunion

Mom's family. I rocked that blue dress.

I just have one thing to say: I have an awesome family. Over the summer I had the pleasure of seeing all sides of my family- at the Boeding family reunion in Seneca, KS, celebrating Independence Day in SD with the Keisers, visiting Brunswick where I spent a lot of my childhood to see my Mom's parents and siblings. Mind blown. I've always loved my family, but these people are seriously cool. And at the ripe old age of 21, I suddenly had an epiphany: I am really lucky to have the family I was given. 

Coral sisters

My Sheeby

They are there for me. They stick up for me. They welcome me back with open arms. They evoke my dreams. They hug. They love. They laugh with me. They take care of me. They accept me for who I am. They spur me on in the things I do and love. They bring good memories. They represent good times to come.

I do believe family doesn't just have to be blood related. Let me give you some examples:

My beautiful friend Morgan

I'm a part of Coral (which is the name of our delightful, little, fading pink house), my cozy family of college friends who have been there for me, watched me grow, and helped me keep my sanity throughout the roller coaster ride that is Truman. They have taught me a lot about what it means to be a good friend and we laugh a lot. Just think dance parties (usually solo on my part), porch swings, and good company.

The old gang

I have the girls I still talk to from high school who I can catch up with and it's like no time has passed at all. We've definitely been through enough and know enough about one another to be considered part of the family. These are the people I actually want to see when I go home over a break.
 
My newest family is that of Indigo Wild. They made me feel like part of their tight knit family the minute I stepped into the factory as their summer intern. We listened to Margaritaville every day (I'm fairly positive that plays every day), always talked about food, and they invited me to come work over my breaks now that I'm back in school (not that I need school...okay not necessarily true). My love for these women grows exponentially and I am thankful they love me as much as I love them.

Indigo- they welcomed me with open arms

My conclusion: I live the good life. Yeah I have some struggles, but at least I have those people that I know I can lean on to get me through. The future weighs pretty heavy on my mind right now with graduation approaching (yes it's in May and I know it's 7 months away, but still) and though my circumstances will change, I know these people won't. And I like that.

(2) You know you're in Beirut when...

1. While you're stuck in traffic you notice that there is every kind of car- Kia, Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Suzuki, Nissan, Citroen, Renault- but the most popular seem to be the big hitters- Land Rovers, BMWs, Jaguar, and Mercedes Benz. It's just different when children live at home through their twenties- they have more money to spend on the luxurious things in life!

2. Though you do see women wearing ridiculously high heels, although not the Blago five inchers I was used to, the popular shoes are Birkinstocks and Converse. Riddle me that.

3.You see posters and billboards everywhere advertising fashion, food, and old political leaders. 

4. When everyone I meet asks, "Where have you been? Have you been to the beach yet?" 

5. You can travel the whole country in a matter of hours. Border to border, it is so close and there is everything. Sea and mountains. Valleys and caves. Forests and a big city. It's gorgeous. 

6. When something happens that would shock the world, like most of what is happening in the Middle East right now, and they ask, for kids, "So there is school tomorrow?" and for adults, "What do you want for lunch?" (during the week)

7. You go to a "pub" and it is a mix between a pub (the talking atmosphere), a club (the music), and an outdoor bar (the tables).

8. You can see a mosque and a Catholic church right next to each other. It is a beautiful dichotomy. 

Ce-dars the way of life

So there has been quite the press attention for Lebanon lately. "Clashes in Beirut" and "Lebanese pilgrims kidnapped in Syria", etc. So really, to the world, it looks like a disaster and it seems as if the fighting that is going on is right outside my doorstep. The world media has a way of twisting the story, as they do with many other subjects and places. Yes, there was protesting in Beirut over the last few days because of things (in)directly related to Syria, but the thing the world doesn't understand is that the fighting isn't happening everywhere. I am not sure if that is comforting to know or not, but that is how it is. Not everywhere is violent with deadly intentions. Daily life goes on just as it does at home or in Europe. We go to work and we go home and people are still seen walking around outside, the traffic just becomes a lot lighter the day after. 

This is a beautiful country with wonderful people and a wonderful culture. People are quick to judge this region when they haven't experienced what it has to offer. I have only been here a little over two weeks, but this is an extraordinary place. I went to the Cedars of Lebanon and it was breathtaking. The drive was two hours through mountains speckled with green and orange tiled roofs and deep gorges and valleys that steeped so low you could hardly see the bottom.  The Cedars themselves are so majestic and peaceful. I haven't seen anything like it in my life.

The other really big adventure I've taken since I've been here has been to Harissa, the Virgin Lady of Lebanon. On top of a hill overlooking the entirety of Beirut, you can't help but appreciate what this small country has to offer. You have beautiful huge trees that lead to the city and then beyond is the sea. Gorgeous blues and greens as you gaze below you, taking in this amazingly unique city.

Beirut has everything to offer. They get all types of American brands, like Heinz and Cheetos and McD's, and they have all kinds of shopping with H&M, Mango, Promod, and they have absolutely delicious local foods that I am still learning how to pronounce; good thing I have family tour guides! Lebanon, and Beirut more specifically, is a misunderstood place that deserves more respect for its way of life. Not everyone here is looking for a fight, although the honking in traffic might suggest otherwise. Yet, this is all part of the charm of Beirut. It is a culture that has a lot to offer and teach the world, I just wished more people wanted to know it better. 

I was just in Bulgaria and I learned a lot about living there and what they consider important and how their culture operates. They are still getting over their post-communism ways after decades of being caught in a puppet act, and people are very serious and outwardly reserved. They like to drink a lot and love to people watch in the middle of the day at cafes. The food everywhere is mainly the same options and after a while you just rely on ham and cheese toast to get you through life (well that is what I did at the end of the semester, partially because I knew I wouldn't be getting it again, even though it's a panini-ed ham and cheese. Nostalgia was kicking in, alright?!). Lebanon is completely different and I am still getting used to the generosity and friendliness of everyone here, and I am learning that they love family and huge get togethers and being loud and having fun. It's inherent here, which is something I am coming to love more and more each day. The food is delectable and healthy and there are so many certain Lebanese dishes that I have tried and still need to try. 

Life is about experiencing the world God gave us and taking what you learn and using that in your life. Learning certain things more fully from different people and different cultures and becoming a meld of all that you have been through. I guarantee that you will come away changed forever. How could you not? The best advice I could give from all that I have seen and experienced is to be open. Don't close yourself to a custom because you haven't done it before. Be open to new perspectives in the people you meet because chances are you will come across something extraordinary. Always try something at least once, that way if you don't like it, you know you don't like it instead of just snubbing your nose at it. Plus, the people you are with will appreciate your enthusiasm and desire to get to know their culture.

It's hard to step outside the box that you have gotten yourself into, but do it. Take the risk. No souvenir could possibly impact you more than getting out and doing it yourself. The memories you'll gain and the friendships made will make your life that much richer and more meaningful. I watched the movie the Way, about a father who walks the Camino de Santiago in Spain after his son died starting it. In a scene where the father is taking his son to the airport, he says, "It may not seem like much but this is the life I've chosen," and his son replies, "You don't choose a life. You live one."  Go, live life, and appreciate whatever comes your way, good or bad, because in the end, it makes you who you are.

You know you're in Beirut when...

So if you haven't noticed, the title of my blog has changed because I am no longer in Eastern Europe enjoying my surrogate home, but have now ventured to a new, exciting and completely different place: Beirut, Lebanon.  I am staying with family and while I've only been here roughly five days, here are some observations:

1.  the Lebanese are very hospitable. Whether it's food, a drink, a bed, or just a warm welcome, they are willing to give you the shirt off their back if that is what it takes to make you comfortable.

2.  it's smoggy.  It gives San Fran a run for its money except it's pollution and not just fog.

3.  driving is ridiculous. Only the brave venture out and even then it's scary to ride; it's a LOT of honking, cutting people off, getting inches away from each other, not following lines, running red lights. It makes for a racing heart and a thank you to the Lord for getting me to point B safely. (parents, it's not as bad as I'm making it out to be...).

4.  the food is delicious and above all, healthy. I eat veggies and fruit everyday and the meals are really nice. The lunch eating time is similar to that of the Spanish, especially on weekends.

5.  it feels as though everyone knows how to speak French, Arabic, and English and when talking they use them interchangeably, so in a two sentence span you could possibly hear three languages. It puts my lousy English to shame. I really need to get on this language learning thing real quick.

6.  they call light brown hair blond. It's a cultural thing, but light brown is still brown. I would know what blond is; the stares say it all. 

7.  plans are kind of sporadic and made on the fly, which fits me perfectly because I tend to just go with the flow. And it's similar to in the Bulgs in that people are fashionably late (that's what we will call it).  

MASH and other assorted candies

I wish I could go back to the days of Looney Tunes valentines and suckers and class parties in second grade. I wish I could go back to the days when it wasn't about love and whether you were single or in a relationship. I wish I could go back to the days when your parents were your valentine (thanks for being mine, Dad and Nikki). 

Yes, I know that it's a few days late, but I feel that it should be said. Valentine's Day is consumerism at its finest. Hallmark makes millions on the "holiday" that people either loath or love.  But really, there is nothing special about Valentine's that couldn't be celebrated any other day.  Men buy their ladies gifts and flowers and chocolate and take them on a usually expensive date while the single people have pity parties proclaiming they don't have someone special. 

I want to get back to the point where Valentine's Day is having a good time and celebrating life, whether you are married, dating, or single. Love is everywhere.  Everywhere. All you have to do is look close enough and realize it's not about getting chocolate and feeling lovey-dovey or depressed, it's about viewing this crazy life through the small window God gave us. And that is something to rejoice over. We all have valentines. And we are all loved. It's about moving past the physical love of this world and really looking for the heavenly love that we all have shining on us. 

I want to go back to the days of MASH. To the days of being silly and completely myself. And yet, I am back to those days; I never really left them. I have found them here, and at home, people that I can be myself with- in the craziest of times and in the most serious. And that is an incredible thing. I spent Valentine's opening a package from my parents, playing MASH to predict our futures, and going out to a wonderful dinner with my girls, and it was glorious in its simplicity. I was glowing with happiness. That is what Valentine's is all about: being with people you care about and just enjoying the fact that you get to live in a day utterly overflowing with love. It's something that I've realized recently. So don't sulk because there is no one romantic in your life; instead, feel grateful that we get to praise the greatest love everyday. I have been blessed with great friends wherever I go and to know that they care as much about me as I do about them. Now that is truly something to celebrate. 

Is it REALLY Christmas?

I love Christmas! It's my favorite time of the year, with snow (only it was not a white Christmas-what a bust) and non-stop holiday music, but the greatest thing about this season is the atmosphere. There is just something about it that makes me glow with happiness and I'm generally a happy person, but what is really cool is everyone else is really happy too. People pull together and there is a tangible camaraderie among everyone.  Who doesn't love seeing or feeling this? It's the tradition and fresh pine trees and baked goodies that you can't stop eating and family and Santa and stockings and sledding and warm fires and hot cocoa and bundling. Oh gosh, I'm just excited talking about it! 

Anyway, I reaped the mother load this year. I got a ton of stuff for my upcoming excursion to Bulgaria-a new travel backpack (!!!), a cocoon travel sheet, an inflatable pillow, a towel, a pack cover- and other things like a beautiful sweater that is super trendy (if you know my stepmom that explains a lot), Harry Potter parts 1 and 2, boots, wool socks, a bookmark (only a true bookworm would get excited about that), chocolates, a pencil case (also very excited about that), and a tea steeping mug which is awesome (my roomie would love this!). It was a crazy good Christmas with the presents and all. But that is not what made it great.

I have been home for a little over a week and I have had this time to spend with family and friends, like really good, quality time with the people who matter most. It started out with a book burning party for Jory's Spanish book, which I couldn't believe we actually did (we made s'mores from the fire). And then Ali B. (weird), Jory, and Shelby B. and I just sat around the table and talked for like a solid two hours about life and school and just random stuff. Then the next day I had the wonderful task of introducing them to AMC Mainstreet.  (Sidenote: If you haven't been, go. What are you waiting for? Jump in the car and drive now, but check time first and if you're under 21 make sure it's not Cinema Suites. It is the coolest theatre you'll ever go to. Especially the bathrooms and it may sound strange but for the people who have been there, you know what I'm talking about! So go, you'll be a new person walking out.[that might be a bit dramatic but still...])  Anyway, it was just really good to catch up with some really awesome friends I hadn't seen all semester.

Then I got to spend a day with Molley C. and that was so great. Just the fact that we've stayed good friends this long is amazing and a blessing. I then spent basically two whole days stamping cards; that's right people, I'm a stamper and I'm proud of it!  I would make my Aunt Sal proud.  I got to pick up my crazy brother from the airport and drove him home for the first time in a year. So nice to have him home, even if he is a butt sometimes. That night my friend Abbey was nice enough to invite me over and I got to hang out with her family and with Morgan and Molley S. and I caught up on their lives and the happenings of Platte City which I'm never up to date on.  Then a 7 hour trip to SD and here I am.  It's tradition and a wonderful transportation into the bliss of good food and even better company. 

I guess what I've learned over the past week and a few days is that it doesn't matter what I was doing or what I got as presents, it was who I was doing this stuff with or for. I have been more aware of what I truly have- good friends that are funny and honest and completely great in all their shenanigans, good family who is generous and loving and filled with laughter and stories, and good memories of times of sitting around the table talking or playing Taboo with my competitive family or getting to see 4 movies in 5 days. 

Because of the short time I have at home with them, it just makes all this time all that much sweeter- especially since my Uncle Steve is in the hospital and in critical condition, but he is stable right now thank God- and it has really made me think about what I have in front of me and the opportunity to seize it.  This spurs me to spend more time with them, trying to soak up all the familiarity that won't be there in two weeks. It's going to be a long, wonderful, beautifully difficult and rewarding road, these next six months, but i know with the family and friends and the God I have, there is no way I couldn't make it through. I am so thankful for what God gave me in community and why he would do that is beyond me but I'm not one to question the Big Man. I am just now learning what it means to TRULY appreciate what it means to have good encouragement...and it's not something I want to take for granted anymore. So in this time before New Year's, really evaluate what you have and be thankful. All else will fade and this will be the stuff left standing. 

You melt my heart, you really do. 

 Kelsey 

PS...I don't think this was much shorter than my other posts; sorry. But maybe not!