Dear Joanne,
Thank you so much for sharing about your trip with your dad! That was so fun to read; you could be a travel blogger ;). And those pictures! I don’t know if you know this, but that light turquoisey blue in the ocean is one of my favorite colors in nature. The “Chotdae Bawi” rocks somewhat reminded me of what we call “hoodoo” rocks in the US– but it’s even cooler how the “chotdae bawi” stand so tall in isolation and not clumps. It makes their structure all the more striking.
Lastly, I’m STOKED that you’re driving and have had the chance to practice on a long trip! I think that’s the best (certainly the most fun) way to learn to drive! What a great experience to have with your dad.
Since you’ve shared about a recent life experience in your travel post, I figured I would respond with a life update post as well. You might have seen some highlights from The Cut: July Ed., but do bear in mind that those are highlights! Life may be pretty in the pictures we choose to post, and indeed life is beautiful, but it is not perfect. (I constantly want to be sure that I am genuine, and not putting on this plastic image of perfection. It’s phony, unconvincing, and unfair to everyone involved to do so). Here’s a More Genuine July Recap:
- I am so sorry for not posting weekly this month! I started work this month, and that’s taken up a lot of my time. This is my first “real” job other than babysitting, tutoring, and volunteering. Cons: I’m making minimum wage in a frozen yogurt shop, work is either eternally slow or insanely busy with no in between, and my income is taxed. Pros: I’m making an income and can look forward to a real paycheck! I’m making better use of my time than just sitting around on social media, and any time spent earning money is time that I’m not out spending money! All this to say, I’ve gotten a job, but I can’t post as regularly.
- This month I discovered the Enneagram. The enneagram is a personality test, kind of like the Myers Briggs, but I think better. I believe I’m a type 7. Do you know what type you are, Joanne? If not, the best way I’d suggest (other than the actual test that costs $12, ’cause who has the money for that? lolz) is to take a free test and then read up on the suggested results on the actual enneagram institute website. It’s been super interesting to read up on this, listen to podcasts, and hear the Sleeping at Last songs for each of the types! Hearing something so accurate makes me feel understood, and I also feel like I can love and understand those around me better when I find out their types and look into them. You should check it out! (and let me know what your type is when you do!)
- I’ve finally hit the point in my summer cross country schedule where I’m tired of training. I’m tired of running with music, but don’t want to run in silence either; I’m tired of the same routes, but don’t know where else to go. Only occasionally is someone else able to run or bike with me (the other day I literally texted a group chat with a BRIBE, saying I’d buy them dessert if they’d accompany me on my run!). I miss the days when we used to do sports together chica. Remember your traditional birthday run? Good times.
- This has been a difficult month for me emotionally, just because some of my relationships have been hard to manage. I’m cranky even with friends, argumentative, and find myself lacking tact with a lot of the things that come out of my mouth. I’m ashamed to not be the bubbly, positive light I usually am to friends. Thankfully though, they’ve continued to treat me with grace and love, and the correction/call-outs they’ve given me have been gentle and kind. My uncharacteristic fatigue in group settings this past month though, has really helped me learn the value of one-on-one hangouts, or time spent with just small groups. I’ve found those little get-togethers life-giving, relieving, and even refreshing :)
- I started helping lead worship at my church. It’s funny because I’m not super musical, just good enough to get by, but it’s been so fun to get experience in new things and step out of my comfort zone! I played a cajon (box drum) for the first time a few weeks ago, and I’ll be playing it in church tomorrow. I’m pretty scared, but all I can do is practice and hope it goes well!
- Remember my goals from New Years, to read 12 books this year and finish the Old Testament? Well, confession time, I am totally not on track to complete either of those. I’ve read 6 books this year (I think 3 of them were this summer), but I’ve gotten so busy, and even when I do have time now, I don’t have the mental energy necessary to read well. Currently I’m reading the Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning. I find it a little academic at times (though others, like my brother, would disagree completely!). Still though, if you can get past some of the wordiness, the idea he’s getting across is amazing. For it’s concept, 10/10 recommend. As far as my Old Testament Goal, I’v been stuck in the book of numbers all summer. I’m pretty passionate about the Bible, especially the OT, but man… I’d be lying if I told you the book of Numbers is interesting. Still, if it’s in the Bible, it’s got to be important, so I will continue trying to plug away at it!
- I move in back to school in nine days. It’s crazy that the whole summer has gone by. There’s things of the upcoming school year I look forward to, like starting work as an admissions intern, being with my cross country team once again, and having my own place (by “my own” I mean, sharing with four other roommates :) ). There’s things that intimidate me a little, like knowing I’ll have to commit to a major in four months, and having to learn to cook for myself. And there’s things, to be honest with you, that I don’t look forward to at all (dare I say, “dread” a little?). Like homework, writing papers, missing all of our friends, feeling constantly fatigued, and that nausea/dizziness I sometimes get when I wake up after the tenth consecutive night of getting less than six hours of sleep. Sophomore year is going to be a challenge, and I wouldn’t be completely honest with you if I told you I feel ready for that challenge quite yet. Still though, like starting a race, that gun’s gonna go off whether I’m ready or not. So I’d may as well step up to the line and accept the challenge.
Well Joanne, that’s all for me with my July life update! I hope all is well with you. Can’t wait for you to be in the same country as me once again so our time difference is easier to navigate! Talk soon! (Looking forward to that FaceTime call :)).
Love,
Mare.
this post, as you might be able to tell, was written in a letter format. My good friend Joanne and I are doing a summer blogging challenge, in which each of us writes a blog post every week. Sometimes, those posts are formatted as a correspondence between us. To see Joanne’s most recent post (to which this one is a response!), click here!
The More the Marianer 