New Update - November 10th, 2010

I have been spending a lot of time thinking lately. I'm going through a weird phase of life over here in Ukraine. I guess you could say that I am trying to figure out who I am. Which I have not figured out in the slightest yet, but I think I am getting closer! :-) 
"My mother said I must always be intolerant of ignorance but understanding of illiteracy. That some people, unable to go to school, were more educated and more intelligent than college professors" -Maya Angelou

Common vehicle in Kyiv. This is at the Lavra.

This is yet another thing that I have learned while I have been abroad. Not only this, but I have learned that when my mom, Lena explains things that sometimes it is so simplified that it is explained even better than I ever could. Sometimes I wish I could simplify my thoughts the way that she does. 

Lena drinking chai right when she got her Anacortes, Washington mug

Journal Entry - Day 72 - November 9th, 2010

I got to skype with my sister last night after school for a bit and that was nice! I miss her! and Havyn! It sounds like havyn is growing up way too fast! I just wish I was around more like I was with Kenna, Kurtis, and Kobes. The last couple days I have had a lot of thinking time. I have made some life goals and I am trying to listen to some of my mothers and Sundays relief society lessons advice. I am also reading this awesome book...‘The Other Side of Heaven’ and there is a lot of good things to learn from that book. ‘Generally things work out if we are patient and sincere and willing to risk a little and listen a lot and feel for others more than for ourselves.’ ‘I am convinced that learning another language helps us understand our own language better. We see things we have never thought of before. Experts say that learning another language expands our mind about as much as any activity we can undertake.’ And one of my favorites in the book so far is this: Sometimes when things aren’t going right, we think we need to get away from a place or a person. Sometimes that helps, but most of the time what we need is to get away from our old self and our selfish feelings. We can leave a place behind, or we can stay in that place and leave our selfishness behind. If we leave a place and take our selfishness with us, the cycle of problems starts all over again no matter where we go. But if we leave our selfishness behind, no matter where we are, things start to improve.’ Anyway...there are a lot of really good points in this book. I am working on being more service-oriented and looking for opportunities to serve. 

I don’t know if I have mentioned it yet, but I got accepted to BYUH so I am for sure in! I am so happy about it and can’t wait to get over there. Life has been pretty good lately. Nothing too much to complain about I would say. 

love always,

         connie colleen