THE SIMPLE LIFE

UPDATE CONTINUED…

5. Seasonal Allergies.
I’ve never had them prior to coming down to Chicago so when I was sneezing and tearing like crazy last year, I told myself to just tough it out cuz to buy drugs would be admitting that I did have allergies (I am so stubborn about stupid things). I probably shouldn’t self-diagnose but given that it’s spring and the general malaise I feel...I finally bought Claritin. I seem to sneeze less but the whole runny nose thing isn’t giving up. So future docs/pharm ppl – any new recommendations to alleviate my symptoms? Can I ever get rid of allergies? And why did I start getting them now? These are all answers that I should know from my own classes but I don’t pay attention cuz I find immunology confusing.

6. Crunch Time
So only 4 more weeks until I come home!! I’m so excited and yet at the same time, I’ve never dreaded coming back more. I want to see everyone – but realizing that I won’t get to. I want to spend time with family – but realizing that means that they’re leaving soon. I want to lounge around at home – but realizing that I won’t have a home after this visit. Getting to be an emotional basket case again. I need a hug…someone just hold me and tell me everything’s going to be okay.

7. Thankful
Was reminded once again just how much I need to be thankful for. I had a conversation with someone over the weekend that just totally amazed me. They were only a few years older than I was and yet, seemed to have lived a lifetime more than me already. I am so glad that they were willing to be so open with all their tough times…especially since some of them haven’t even passed. And yet, this person is filled with such hope and is able to have such a positive outlook; to be so thankful. Sometimes I look at our lives and I think just how comfortable we really are. We’re all in the same bubble…family who loves us, parents who work hard, good education, etc., etc. We have nothing to complain and be upset about. Honestly now. So why be frustrated or bitter?

8. Lost Boys of Sudan
It was through my conversation with this person that I first heard of the Lost Boys. How even though there are organizations to help send refugees over, these kids have no clue how to use a can opener to open the food that’s been donated. The things that they have witnessed and experienced themselves. Just hearing about this scares me…to think that at this moment, there is so much pain, hate and loss in other parts of the world. I was reading about this woman who got beaten to death in China for handing out Christian literature. She left behind a 4 yr old son. I mean, she can’t be much older than I am…if anything, she’s probably younger.

How can I justify living here so contently when there is so much more going on around me? How can I say that I believe in certain things when I do not put them into action? How much can I do...or rather, how much am I willing to do? These thoughts are so uncomfortable that I’d rather take the easy way out and just not think about it. Maybe if I ignore them enough, I can go back to the mentality that all other countries are similar to how we are and not real people; with real personalities and real feelings being lost.

“When you visit me in Sudan, I will buy you a cow”

And so the disparity continues to grow… Funny how the simplest things hold the most value. Kind of makes me wonder what I consider most valuable.