Little Darlings
I find it interesting what some hold dear and others discard as if it was garbage.
As a precursor to this entry, I'd just like to say that if I could spend all day reading blogs and people watching, I believe I would. I want to study what makes everyone tick. What motivation or experience does a person have to sit in a certain place, or use a certain word in their speech or writing, or even to take a certain route when walking from A to B? That's what I want to know.
Thankfully, some genius decided long ago that when you live at school it's best to have roommates. About 4 months ago, with the exception of one, I didn't know that any of the people I live with now were even alive. This thankfully, gives me an opportunity to find out their story. Where have they come from and where do they want to go? What are the "little darlings" that they hold close to their hearts? Are my observations and their speech consistent with each other?
I find that when things bother me, if I think about them in this way, I don't get so upset with them. I think, 'I wonder what drove you to say that and why on earth would you tell me?' Also, I think to myself, 'I wonder where that mannerism comes from.' If you just look at people with their face value you can never really know who they are. Think about it this way: Each person that you meet you make certain "face value judgments." What clothes they wear may suggest somewhat of their background, their speech might reflect where they come from, and their topic of choice when in conversation may suggest their passion. But, does anyone really ever let you in on their whole life when you first meet? Lasting friendship reveals past heartache, joys, curious habits, and awkward tendencies.
I find that what I talk about first, isn't what I'm most passionate about. It probably is because of the Sermon on the Mount statement "Don't cast your pearls before swine." I find myself reserved. The things I hold most dear are not necessarily the things that I talk to acquaintances about anymore. This partly stems from the odd looks, gestures, and speech that follows someone answering such questions as 'Where are you from?' Now, on the whole, people don't experience what I do when others are asked where they come from. They don't get stupid questions like 'Do you surf?' or 'Where's your accent?' I've been asked if I go to Disney everyday, 'then how come you're so white?', and if I have an orange grove in my backyard.
The people I meet that ask me that question make face value assumptions about me with just that small amount of information. Now, mind you, I'm not bitter. Disregarding the access we have to the world around us, thank you internet, that's what people have gathered from what they know of where I live. This is just a small example of how this can happen over and over again with varied situations, questions, and answers.
I must say, my most favorite question that follows 'Where are you from?' is, 'Why are you in Idaho?'
I ponder that decision more now then I probably should. I know why I came here. It's not something that can be found at face value, so how do I answer? Generally my answer to such a question is something stupid like 'Um, to go to school.' Of course, for a person who's genuinely curious, that wouldn't be enough of an answer and they might want to know more. They might ask 'Then why not go to school in Florida?' But, because I protect my pearls and most people aren't as curious, not one person that I've met really knows. They don't care what compels a person to move ALL the way across the country, leave their family and friends behind along with ALL of their childhood memories. For all they know, I could be a convict in Florida. On the other hand, I could be one of the richest people to live there and I needed to escape the media that was always surrounding me. I could have allergies that are aggravated in Florida, but my family can't move with me. However ridiculous any fake reason I can come up with is, they don't really care to find out, even if it is just as simple as me feeling that this is where I need to be.
We had a party last night at my house. It was themed. Mormons love themed parties. Don't ask why because I have no idea. I got to people watch. It sparked a lot of though and thus resulting in this entry. Many of the people in my house last night I didn't even know. Heck, I STILL don't know many of them. I don't even know if they knew the whole party was my idea in the first place or if I even lived here! Their enjoyment provides me with hours of thought that someday could possibly be arranged into some sort of personal journal, or, in a far distant and unrealistic future, a book!
Sometimes the more important question is 'What are you coming from, not where. That's something to think about.
I started this entry with a different purpose. Funny how thoughts can change.
Oh, and, I have an 18-year-old roommate. Two actually, but one in particular. I know 18 isn't that far from 19 and that some of my dearest friends aren't even out of that age group yet, some haven't even arrived. But, the more I watch her, the more I think that I missed a stage in my development.
As a precursor to this entry, I'd just like to say that if I could spend all day reading blogs and people watching, I believe I would. I want to study what makes everyone tick. What motivation or experience does a person have to sit in a certain place, or use a certain word in their speech or writing, or even to take a certain route when walking from A to B? That's what I want to know.
Thankfully, some genius decided long ago that when you live at school it's best to have roommates. About 4 months ago, with the exception of one, I didn't know that any of the people I live with now were even alive. This thankfully, gives me an opportunity to find out their story. Where have they come from and where do they want to go? What are the "little darlings" that they hold close to their hearts? Are my observations and their speech consistent with each other?
I find that when things bother me, if I think about them in this way, I don't get so upset with them. I think, 'I wonder what drove you to say that and why on earth would you tell me?' Also, I think to myself, 'I wonder where that mannerism comes from.' If you just look at people with their face value you can never really know who they are. Think about it this way: Each person that you meet you make certain "face value judgments." What clothes they wear may suggest somewhat of their background, their speech might reflect where they come from, and their topic of choice when in conversation may suggest their passion. But, does anyone really ever let you in on their whole life when you first meet? Lasting friendship reveals past heartache, joys, curious habits, and awkward tendencies.
I find that what I talk about first, isn't what I'm most passionate about. It probably is because of the Sermon on the Mount statement "Don't cast your pearls before swine." I find myself reserved. The things I hold most dear are not necessarily the things that I talk to acquaintances about anymore. This partly stems from the odd looks, gestures, and speech that follows someone answering such questions as 'Where are you from?' Now, on the whole, people don't experience what I do when others are asked where they come from. They don't get stupid questions like 'Do you surf?' or 'Where's your accent?' I've been asked if I go to Disney everyday, 'then how come you're so white?', and if I have an orange grove in my backyard.
The people I meet that ask me that question make face value assumptions about me with just that small amount of information. Now, mind you, I'm not bitter. Disregarding the access we have to the world around us, thank you internet, that's what people have gathered from what they know of where I live. This is just a small example of how this can happen over and over again with varied situations, questions, and answers.
I must say, my most favorite question that follows 'Where are you from?' is, 'Why are you in Idaho?'
I ponder that decision more now then I probably should. I know why I came here. It's not something that can be found at face value, so how do I answer? Generally my answer to such a question is something stupid like 'Um, to go to school.' Of course, for a person who's genuinely curious, that wouldn't be enough of an answer and they might want to know more. They might ask 'Then why not go to school in Florida?' But, because I protect my pearls and most people aren't as curious, not one person that I've met really knows. They don't care what compels a person to move ALL the way across the country, leave their family and friends behind along with ALL of their childhood memories. For all they know, I could be a convict in Florida. On the other hand, I could be one of the richest people to live there and I needed to escape the media that was always surrounding me. I could have allergies that are aggravated in Florida, but my family can't move with me. However ridiculous any fake reason I can come up with is, they don't really care to find out, even if it is just as simple as me feeling that this is where I need to be.
We had a party last night at my house. It was themed. Mormons love themed parties. Don't ask why because I have no idea. I got to people watch. It sparked a lot of though and thus resulting in this entry. Many of the people in my house last night I didn't even know. Heck, I STILL don't know many of them. I don't even know if they knew the whole party was my idea in the first place or if I even lived here! Their enjoyment provides me with hours of thought that someday could possibly be arranged into some sort of personal journal, or, in a far distant and unrealistic future, a book!
Sometimes the more important question is 'What are you coming from, not where. That's something to think about.
I started this entry with a different purpose. Funny how thoughts can change.
Oh, and, I have an 18-year-old roommate. Two actually, but one in particular. I know 18 isn't that far from 19 and that some of my dearest friends aren't even out of that age group yet, some haven't even arrived. But, the more I watch her, the more I think that I missed a stage in my development.