Lady of Lorien

So how has everything been going? Are you back at school now? I hope things have slowed down a little by now, so that you can have some breathing space. I'll continue praying for you, that all goes well and according to God's will.

Yeah I applied at a community college that had a solely baking program but the college was being stupid.

Now I'm going to apply at Wendy's because a guy I know is a manager there, he's got to be able to influence the application somehow.

I think if you're not backing out on it that's a good sign.

I went to a culinary school for a tour and hated it because they were snobby stuck up people, thus my issue with finding a school.

It's just very annoying because I get job interviews and they're so friendly and encouraging and then they don't follow through.

I think f you like the idea of nursing it's pretty awesome to go through with it, I could never do it.

I just graduated from highschool. I want to get into baking, cakes specifically, but that's a hard thing to find training for.

I have too. XD I'm taking a year off school so no college right now, I just desperately need a job like so many other people.

Freaking out is fairly normal just don't let the freaking out take over.

I'm okay, fairly bored and impatient and a couple other things but okay.

Hey! How are you?

ah i see. thats what I thought... that makes more sense. fast and cheep is great yah... sounds pretty intense

Wow! Intense! :O Yah, that's pretty surprising. That makes sense. I'm not sure how it works at the Masters level though... So have you applied for a school yet? been accepted?

haha thats ok
so true. Yah, it is a very wide degree. Any idea what you would want to specialize in?

Yah, its a big decision... But, I still have a few months to think about it.

Then over the summer, as I attempted to gain at least a basic understanding of older Hong Kong, I discovered many great and little delights of city life. A crazy mix of cultures, completely random traditions, the language!, and the shared memories. I learned to love the city, even if the lights and noise and crowds still get too much. I guess I’ll just have to make occasional trips to the country in an attempt to retain my sanity.

oh wow… four posts?? seems like I shared my entire story from hating cities to loving cities. I promise, I'll try to condense my messages in the future!
*offers cookie*

I got to thinking more about cities, and it seemed that suburban life was almost an attempt to flee the ugliness of cities. No beggars, no homeless people, no legal or illegal immigrants working in inhumane conditions to feed their families. Who in their right mind would want to live in the city if they could afford to go elsewhere?


But of course, I grew afraid of forgetting all the terrible darkness in cities. I’m always afraid of forgetting, and now I was afraid that a life in the country, which I had always dreamed of, would wash away the memories. Not that I liked the ugliness of the cities, but one shouldn’t pretend that it didn’t exist. So I promised myself to live in the cities, at least most of the time, lest I forget.

I've always loved the country, though. My cousins live in the country, though they live right beside a relatively busy road (by country standards). I love staying at their place. The trees, grass, animals, and the very noisy summer nights, when the sun sets almost after our bedtimes, but we stay up playing "capture the flag" in the dark, then fall to the ground afterwards and stare at the stars. I love the stars. I've lived in the city almost all my life, and have thus been star-deprived. And I so love the enormous sky! It's just so breathtakingly big.

Last summer I was still wondering how I could ever live in the crowded, noisy, light-polluted city again. The lights and noise where driving me crazy, but there was no place to hide from them. If we hadn't gone to America to visit our cousins when we did, I don't know what would have happened.

Then one day half way through the school year, I suddenly realized that I hadn't seen a beggar since leaving Hong Kong.

That is indeed a quick decision. I have a few friends studying nursing, which you know can be a very demanding program. Will you be starting this fall? Then things must be hectic at the moment, since you have to deal with all those applications! Or will it be later this year? Any idea where you'll be studying yet? (No need to tell me where exactly, I'm just curious if you already know or are still looking.)

It seems that the rest of your summer is going to be busy. I'm glad you've come to a decision concerning the next few years, and I pray that the Lord will continue guiding you and giving you strength and wisdom. I wish you the very, very best as you go off to school again, and I hope things won't be too crazy!

As for suburbs, I rather dislike them too. They almost seem too perfect in their practicality. And they're too ... uniform.

[to be continued...]

That's another thing. Nursing is so broad. So many different specializations...places, as you point out, different needs in different areas of the world. And whatever happens, even if the whole system falls apart, the sick will always be with us, so there will be something for a nurse to do.

Wow, Japan. That would be brave. But as you point out, perhaps not prudent, for the sake of your children as well as yourselves. I can see that side of the issue for sure. May God grant you the prudence and wisdom to do the right thing.

That is quite true, dear. There always seems to be a need for nurses. And, traditionally, nurses seem to be able to cross international borders that people from other professions cannot. That is an absolutely honorable reason for this choice! Haha, but at least, both motives are present, not just the practical ones. Nope, it's ok. I understand. Right now, my almost husband and I are considering the opportunity to go teach in Japan that we have had for several months. After the tsunami and radiation problems, the opportunity doesn't seem as safe and sound... We are praying for wisdom since radiation not only would effect us, but any future generations that we start. But, we also have opportunities in other countries. God will lead us where he wants us. Same with you.

ah i see.
wow, you have been doing a lot of thinking recently! Why nursing? Must be a God thing, because that IS a sudden change!
Depends... But probably. I am also going to apply at some other places in Asia too. My fiance likes the idea of South Korea, though, which is always a plus.

internship in TESOL (teaching english as a second language). A nanny, aye? Do you have pleasurable kids to watch? Going back to school so soon? I graduate in January... I think that I am going to wait before pursuing more schooling...
Nursing? Wow, that is a change! That is pretty exciting though! Have you decided what school yet? or are you still working on that part? Yah, preppy for college with just a month or two sounds pretty stressful.
It's been really good. I feel like I am getting lots of great, valuable work experience. And, I have a possible job opportunity here as well.

I'm glad you found a wonderful "family" to support you through college. I have one too, and I miss them. But it's also wonderful to be home again, of course.

I know. It's always sad when history actually becomes only history. There are so many people with so many stories to tell, and yet, so soon, all those stories would be completely forgotten. And unlike books, one can't find them again. And not just people. Lovely old buildings are being torn down, characteristic old streets are being compeltely revamped. You can't even find a live chicken at the wet market anymore! rolleyes I like old Hong Kong, and I would like to see as much of it as I can.

I also want to see what American cities are like. All my relatives are in the suburbs or country side, and my college is in the suburbs, so I've rarely set foot in cities. I like cities. They hold so many stories, though of sorrow as much as joy.

haha sure!!! Was it a good birthday!?