This "nickname" was given to me by a very special student that I struggled with greatly one summer. She'd ignore me, talk back, and disappear. This would really frustrate me because I knew she was such a good kid and didn't understand what was up with her. She also couldn't pronounce my last name which I never hold against anyone since the name is not very common. Instead of calling me Ms. Nightingale she decided to call me nightgown which at first I thought, "Is this scandalous? No. That would be a nightie. Its just pajamas, Anna." It was really cute that she called me that even after she learned to pronounce my name. Other students started calling me that too. The main reason I am writing this blog is for the Jr/Sr Scholars students. Not that I think that they will anxiously be wondering about my whereabouts for the next two years, although some may (Shamika; hehehehe). I don't want to leave the program that has done so much for me and the people that are a part of it that have taught me so much its hard to explain. So this is my way of not leaving. I know I'll be back, hopefully with skills and wisdom that will better help the program upon my return. I can never see myself cease being a part of something so incredible. This is also for my family and the great friends that have lasted through the years.
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Words found on this blog reflect my personal thoughts and experiences. They do not reflect the views of the Peace Corps or the United States government.
About Me
- amnightingale
- Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala; 2008-2010; Youth Promoter
You have to take risks, he said. We will only understand the miracle of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen.
Every day, God gives us the sun--and also one moment in which we have the ability to change everything that makes us unhappy. Every day, we try to pretend that we haven't perceived that moment, that it doesn't exist--that today is the same day as yesterday and will be the same as tomorrow. But if people really pay attention to their everyday lives, they will discover the magic moment. It may arrive in the instant when we are doing something mundane, like putting the front-door key in the lock; it may lie hidden in the quiet that follows the lunch hour or in the thousand and one things that all seem the same to us. But that moment exists--a moment when all the power of the stars becomes a part of us and enables us to perform miracles.
Joy is sometimes a blessing, but is often a conquest. Our magic moments helps us to change and sends us off in search of our dreams. Yes we are going to suffer, we will have difficult times, and we will experience many disappointments---but all of this is transitory; it leaves no permanent mark. And one day we will look back with pride and faith at the journey we have taken.
Pitiful is the person who is afraid of taking risks. Perhaps this person will never be disappointed or disillusioned; perhaps she won't suffer the way people do when they have a dream to follow. But when that person looks back--and at some point everyone looks back--she will hear her heart saying, "what have you done with the miracles that God planted in your days? What have you done with the talents God bestowed on you? You buried yourself in a cave because you were fearful of losing those talents. So this is your heritage: the certainty that you wasted your life."
By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept-Coelho
Every day, God gives us the sun--and also one moment in which we have the ability to change everything that makes us unhappy. Every day, we try to pretend that we haven't perceived that moment, that it doesn't exist--that today is the same day as yesterday and will be the same as tomorrow. But if people really pay attention to their everyday lives, they will discover the magic moment. It may arrive in the instant when we are doing something mundane, like putting the front-door key in the lock; it may lie hidden in the quiet that follows the lunch hour or in the thousand and one things that all seem the same to us. But that moment exists--a moment when all the power of the stars becomes a part of us and enables us to perform miracles.
Joy is sometimes a blessing, but is often a conquest. Our magic moments helps us to change and sends us off in search of our dreams. Yes we are going to suffer, we will have difficult times, and we will experience many disappointments---but all of this is transitory; it leaves no permanent mark. And one day we will look back with pride and faith at the journey we have taken.
Pitiful is the person who is afraid of taking risks. Perhaps this person will never be disappointed or disillusioned; perhaps she won't suffer the way people do when they have a dream to follow. But when that person looks back--and at some point everyone looks back--she will hear her heart saying, "what have you done with the miracles that God planted in your days? What have you done with the talents God bestowed on you? You buried yourself in a cave because you were fearful of losing those talents. So this is your heritage: the certainty that you wasted your life."
By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept-Coelho
1 comment:
Awww! I love this. Yeah Of course I am going to be wondering what your doing and how many days before you get back to the states. Its hard to let you go so far knowing that I wont be eating East China In for a while. Whose going to laugh and chuckle at me when my bones Snap, Crackle and POP! Who am I going to Ripp on? Gosh. But there will be many memories for me to remember...Nightgown! Love you lots....~Ms.Legit~
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