Adventuring

One of the best ways for me to internalize events, explore my thoughts, express my emotions, and spend some time with myself is to go adventuring.

When I was little, adventuring meant scrambling over rocks and between branches in the little patch of trees behind our garage. My dad called it the "Hundred Acre Wood" just like the forest in Winnie the Pooh. As I got older, adventuring became bike rides all over town, and hiking in the town forest with my friends. When I got to college, I found that adventuring was the perfect way to leave behind the stress of classes, homework, and social anxiety. I walked and biked miles of trails and roadways, discovering the most beautiful and tranquil places to sit and think.

I have experienced almost divine serenity in these places. Before I graduate, (in less than a month now) I feel that I must share with the world those wonderful spaces which helped me through my four years at school.

This may come as a shock, but...

With all the political uproar surrounding human rights in America, I feel that I must make myself clear about my personal beliefs. Firstly:

I identify as a Christian. But I do not subscribe to a specific sect of Christianity because I find that Christian philosophy is just one aspect of my spiritual self. I do not believe that Christianity is the "one true religion" or the "only way to salvation", because I think that truth reveals itself to each person in a different way. For instance, I find truth in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. But I also find truth in the words of Martin Luther King Jr., the wisdom of the Buddha, and the Zodiac. My faith and spirituality are my own. No one should be able to tell me if my soul is "saved" or not, because ultimately the God which I believe in is the judge of my soul. I do not condemn others, even if they do not share my faith. Jesus taught the Golden Rule-- to love others as you love yourself. This rule translates across all faiths, cultures, and beliefs.

I identify as a political Liberal. It is a source of constant amazement to me that people believe Christianity and Liberalism to be mutually exclusive. I believe in fair and equal opportunity for all people. Isn't that what Jesus wanted as well? He taught His followers to pray for God's "kingdom [to] come, [His] will be done on earth as it is in heaven." How are we to create a heavenly kingdom on earth if we cannot treat each other with respect and love? Humans are humans no matter their sex, age, gender, race, culture, faith, class, ability, sexual orientation, or interests. Limiting human rights should not be the role of anyone, much less a government which bases its existence on premises of liberty.

Despite my strong self-identification as both a Christian and a Liberal, I do not believe that a person should be classified by one identity or another. Therefore, I have listed the many other complex things by which I am identified. Keep in mind that any one of these things cannot fully describe who I am, so look at me in the entirety of my personal identities.

I am:

• a feminist
• a woman
• the descendent of immigrants
• an American
• a student
• a nurturer
• an historian
• a seamstress
• a gardener
• a lover of nature
• a sister
• a daughter
• a niece
• a granddaughter
• a friend
• silly
• clumsy
• feminine
• educated
• intelligent
• a musician
• and so much more! 

So when you speak or act, think about how it will affect other people and their happiness, instead of how it will affect your personal identities and happiness.

The Blessing of Opportunity

So it's a fact: I'm going to be a graduate student. Where will I be? I haven't a clue yet. But I have been officially accepted into three of the four programs to which I applied, including the Museum Education program at George Washington University. To be honest, I think that this program was always in the back of my mind when I imagined continuing my education. At the time, I didn't know how difficult it was to be accepted, but I later learned that although thousands of hopefuls apply, only fourteen are selected. I feel extremely blessed to have been given this opportunity--all these opportunities--no matter what decision I make in the coming weeks.

I once read that only 1% of the world's population is privileged enough to receive a secondary education. Although I wish the numbers were different and that everyone could further their education if they chose it, I recognize that I am one of those privileged few. To think that I am a woman pursuing a Master's degree is baffling when I compare my life with the lives of American women 100 years ago, or women in some societies even today! I am indeed very blessed.

(Also, I couldn't resist throwing in this picture of me wearing my rustic orange dress. I made it in January by altering a 1950's pattern, and I love how swingy it is when I dance. I believe credit for this picture goes to my dear friend Alexa.)