I Said THAT?! #Oops.

Round 587 of quotes..... ENJOY.

"I need people to back up so I can back-it-up!" - Linze

"I sustained them from the pool." - Linze
"We sustained them from the pool-pit!" - Spencer
*Crickets while I we alone died of laughter...*
I thought it was really funny. :)

"Have you heard of Temper Trap?" - Linze
"The temperature?" - Spence
"Temper Trap..." -Linze
*Taking his earphones out completely* "I thought you said, 'Do you have the temperature app?!'"

"We can sing ALL of the Wicked soundtrack!" - Linze to Spencer
Together: "... AND MARK CAN'T STOP US!"

 "Hell, Damn, Shiz, Bi%*@!" - She shall not be named, but it was CLASSIC! Clean that mouff out, girl!  Hahahaha...

"This is dangerous...." *BOOM* - Spencer
The chair back collapsed.
"Be careful poolside!" - Mama Minnick

"I guess my butt just needs to go in the crevas..." -Spence

"This is slow as Moses!" - Spencer
".... Molasses???" - Linze

"You can't ribbon to this - you need whips!" - Spence

"I'm going to therapy before I come up there." - Spence
"Oh ok.  Well, take all the time you need." - Linze
"By therapy, I mean tanning." - Spence

"I can do this ALL DAY!" - Derek and Cami... and now me... and all because of THIS:

"Man everything is quoted off pinterest.... God is Pinterest.  Quote Him." -  Yours Truly during RS...

"He didn't know how to spell commitment... That's why it's all jumbled together up there." - Court

"I'm not trying to be unspiritual, but all I could think of was damn and douche...." - Truth.

"Don't say my name!  I know who I am!" - Leslie :)

"If you're a polygamist and you can't get married..." - Mark

"You could catch-up..." - Linze
"I'm sorry. I can't hear you over the 20 points that separate us!" - Natalie

"I'll be Hitler." - Ashleigh

"They have peanuts to munch on." - Michelle
"They have what?!" - Me.

"Do you want a ratio?!" - Spencer :)  (I love that he's my best friend - hahahaha!)

"Maybe I could bloom here?!" - Linze

"Fine. You don't have to wear a suit." - Spencer
"Damn straight I don't have to wear a suit!...... Sorry.  I get feisty on Sundays." - Um, me. :)

"First World Problems." - Spencer

Speaking of first world problems, check the video my brother sent me... I love him.

Well, that gave you a good glimpse into the last few weeks of my life... It's been a good month.
*muah*

Song of the Day:  Well this should be SONGS of the day... Here are some of the best jam-out songs of 2012 in ONE!  Yep - In an epic remix.  Here is "Pop Danthology 2012" with a myriad of amazing jams - check it! (The video is REALLY cool too!)

Patience is More Than a Virtue

It's typical for girls of my age(ish) and generation to get frustrated on the lack of male participation in the dating world.  I often hear amazing women/girls say how they feel like they're on the right track and just waiting for the boys to step forward and "do something."  They are doing everything they can to further themselves educationally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  However, they can only do so much before a guy has to step in and make a move. However, I had a few thoughts about this for all those older young, single adult girls out there...

1 - Perhaps it's about patience and faith for a different reason than talked about previously.  We talk about how girls our age just need to "be more faithful" and really just have trust that everything will work out - I agree... and it will.  However, perhaps it's not as much for US personally as it is for our children.  This can go for the guys side as well when you're actively pursuing options and just not finding a match - In fact, all these points can apply to both sides... I'm just gearing thoughts more toward girls right now.  We're going into a time that's getting progressively harder and harder... and maybe we need to understand patience so clearly in order to understand our children clearly. Perhaps our faith is tested so we can help our children when their faith is really tested... so we know how to walk them through the feelings and situations.  At the same time it DOES help us grow, but it can then bless us in multiple ways.

2 - I was listening to a CES Fireside by Elder Bednar and his wife this morning as I got ready for the day... He talked about "not shrinking."  He told a story about a couple who had just gotten married and then the man found out he was deep into having cancer.  When Elder Bednar came to visit this couple, he felt impressed to ask him a bizarre question. "Do you have the faith to NOT be healed?"  Sometimes I have the habit of saying, "Okay, Heavenly Father... I submit my will to you completely   You can make what I want happen on your own time."  That's not real, true submission.  I thought it was, but I realized today it's not.  I have a sneaking suspicion that I'm not the only person who has thought this way.  True submission is saying, "Heavenly Father.  I'm on your time table AND plan for me... If what I want doesn't happen, that's okay... because I know your plan for me it ultimately better."  That is HARD!  I tell you... especially for an independent, "I-can-do-this-myself" kind of girl.  However, it's how true faith and submission works.

Thus, here is a dramatic example... I truly believe that I will get married and have kids in this life.  I'm not concerned about it in the long run.  However, I need to be able to say that I'm okay if that doesn't happen, because that will be the right thing.  Therefore, I am okay with that in my life.  I'm content to let the Lord completely lead me - no matter the outcome(s).  Again - this is a dramatic example and I'm sure it'll work out in this life for me (and most of you), but I needed an example to relate to this point.

3 - A few weeks ago I saw Sheri Dew speak at an Institute Forum and she made this comment: "If all the prayer and righteous deeds in the world could get you married, I'd have been married awhile ago."  This wasn't said in a cocky way in the least... It's more like a reality call to stop beating yourself up.  If you're making good choices and doing good things, sometimes it's just not TIME yet.  I hate that answer too.  Haha!  However, it makes me realize how aware HF is of my needs personally - He knows me SO well.  He knows YOU too.  You'll be thankful when the right when comes along, or you realize who the right one is, and you're still able to be with that person.  You'll be so overwhelmingly thankful how it all went down - promise.

I know. I know. This all said from the single girl who has had very few boyfriends in her life... but I still think I can know and speak truth.  Hear me out... It'll all work out.
*muah*

Song of the Day:  I went down to St. George with some friends for the Macklemore concert... So fun!  Thus, here is a song from Macklemore and Ryan Lewis called "Gold" - it's one of my faves.  I'll post pics of the trip later in the week.  Enjoy!
 

I am NOT a Utah Name...

... Not that there is anything wrong with having a "Utah name," but I am most definitely NOT a Utah named child.  My parents didn't get creative and choose a cute name then spice it up.  I mean, I'm spicy enough without a spicy name.  For real.

My name belongs to my great-great-grandfather.  Yes, grandfather.  Linze was a popular boy's name in The Netherlands many, many years back and it just happened to become more a girl's name over here in the US.  My parents liked the family name, and therefore, I became Linze - spelling and all.  My grandmother's name is Kate.  Thus, when my parents were naming me I carried forward BOTH of their names and became Linze Kate.  The two names compliment each other quite nicely, and I'm excited to thank my great-great grandparents someday for sharing them with me.  I am Linze Kate.

The unique spelling is different, like me, and it fits me perfectly.  Seriously - its perfection with my personality.  It was no random, creative act - I'm tied to it in lineage and tradition.  I just wanted to express this somewhere.  Haha!

Now, for your comedic relief...


Did you see how they ALMOST used my name?  Yep - not quite.
*muah*

Song of the Day:  I currently have an obsessive love for this song.  Here is Olly Murs with "Troublemaker."  Enjoy!

ED SHEERAN.

Be still my aching heart.... I saw Ed Sheeran live in concert this Wednesday.

He was amazing - insanely, awesomely, incredibly amazing.  I was struck by how good he was live - even better than his CD!  He played with melodies, added verses and rap into his songs, and really entertained us as an audience.  I loved his music before (seriously, he's one of my top 5 faves), but now I'm even more a lover of his melodic messages.... I adore Ed Sheeran.

Highlights:  
 - "Grade 8" - probably because it's my favorite, but he also added a new verse and linked his guitar, mics, and loop pedals to the back screen to visually show what he was playing.  It was awesome.
 - "The Parting Glass" - seriously gorgeous and haunting.... It's always been a fave of mine.
 - Singing "U & I" at the top of my lungs with Courtney!  It was pretty epic.
 - "Small Bump" = SO moving... It's about an unborn baby on it's way and then there's a miscarriage.  He had a heart monitor beeping in time with his song on the big screen, which was way creative and moving.  Loved that one.
 - Going with three of my favorite girls to see a man whose voice I adore!  It was super fun and made me walk around in dream-land for at least a day...

Some great quote moments from the night:

"Is this all about milk?" - Steph

"You don't need Shazam when you're sitting next to Sha-Linze." - Yours truly.

Oh, and as an added note, he had two great openers.  First, a guy named Foy Vance from Ireland who I really enjoyed through MOST of his songs.  He had a great voice.  PLUS, a group I had NO idea was opening for who have been no my running playlist for quite a bit now - Rizzle Kicks!  They came out and I was thinkin' "They sound familiar," but couldn't place it.  We looked em' up and discovered it was them singing (they still hadn't said their names yet) I realized I needed to listen to the rest of their CD!  Haha... They were SUPER entertaining!  Not the best voices in the world perhaps, but really fun to watch.  You should probably check out their song "Mama Do the Hump" and the dance they have with it - so classic.  Also, see their song "Down With the Trumpets" below.


Thanks girls for a great night!  Thanks Ed for making my month.

Who needs a Valentine when I have Ed's voice to sing to me???  Okay, okay - I'll take a Valentine listening to Ed with me. :)
*muah*

Song of the Day: Here is a good, tender one... "Small Bump" LIVE in SLC, by Ed Sheeran!

Why I Cry...

I can say that I'm not emotional person, but that's a flat-out lie. I don't mean to lie, but when I say that it just comes out. Truth is, I'm VERY emotional. However, my emotional is not a crying fest. If yours is there is NO judgement here - it's probably a little bit sad that I have so much trouble crying in front of others. I mean, I should be able to show that form of emotion, but unless I'm on a stage or by myself... It's typically a dry faucet.

However...

 ... There are moments I let the water-works loose. Why, you ask? Well, there are a few categories and one major one is film. If there is a moment in film that really moves me, I will often let it rain. It IS usually in a dark theater, so... Haha!

Here is the recent explanation for my outward display of emotion - three times, each time. Did that not make sense? It's about to. On Christmas Day I went with my family to see the film version of the musical Les Miserables.  A few days later I went with my friend, Amber, to see the movie again.  The following Monday for FHE, I went yet again to see this amazing film.  Yep, I went three times in two weeks.  Haha!  I regret nothing.

I know there were imperfections.  I know that Russell Crowe was NOT up to par for this film - not his voice, nor his acting in all reality.  I know that some people really hated all the up-close action - and though I didn't love it all the time, I did appreciate the emotions evoked from some of those shots and the way you could see the work behind the actors.  I know that usually you want acting to look natural, and I did feel like a lot of it was natural (well, as natural as you can be when singing your daily dialogue - haha!).  However, I appreciated that there was emotional effort so often put forth from the actors, and that we could really see that in them.

So, there were imperfections, I truly loved Les Mis.  For me, it was the therapeutic outlet I needed in my life after recent events.  What events you might ask?  Well, I was debating if I should put it in the open or not, but I decided that not only will this be a further form of therapy, but it might help someone else who falls into a similar situation in ANY way.

A few months ago I started "dating" a boy who I met at church after he got up and bore his testimony.  He was cute, sweet-talkin', and into a lot of the same things as I am... Or, so he said he was.  We began as friends for a few weeks and spent time getting to know one another just as friends.  After a short time, we began "dating" for about a month and a half - I put it into quotations because we both SAID we were dating, and we were going out on dates, but that was 100% not his intention.  After about a month and a half of dating he had borrowed a LOT of stuff from me and was really avoiding giving things back to me.  Also, he was showing some interesting colors.  He hit on another girl in front of me.  He took off and left me in a club after I cooked him dinner.  He wasn't into taking pictures with me or ANYONE (you can hate pictures, but this was weird).  His stories began to have inconsistencies   He said his wallet was stolen, and after I got him a new one in Nicaragua, he was suddenly using the old one again...  Don't think I didn't call him out on all of these things either.  We fought enough to the point that I was prepared to break up with him, but just wanted my stuff back first.

In honesty, looking back he was saying and doing shady things from the BEGINNING.  I should have had two eyes open, but I didn't.

Really, what it comes down to is I felt off.  I felt off from the beginning.  I knew right away that something was off and I felt no peace in being with him.  Why did I continue on?  Well, I felt like I must have been having trust issues or just be being scared.  Honest to goodness - I have NEVER had trust issues or been scared in a relationship.  Nope, never.  However, here I was second guessing myself constantly.  I can finally say I know what a "stupor-of-thought" feels like and what a "Martin Harris" moment is like... No disrespect to him, but it's a good way to describe this situation.

Anyway, getting to the brunt of this tale, this boy was not who I thought he was in the least.  His name is Cory Kellogg.  Yep, I'm writing his name in here - you can click on the name for a picture too.  I do it not to be malicious  but to warn any other girl who come into contact with him that he has some serious issues and is not a good person.  I know people can change, but hear me out.  Cory (who had given me a different spelling to his name, by the way) is a convicted felon MANY times over with a history of forgery and theft.  He creates "alternate identities" and "forged stories" to gain respect, trust, and establish relationships with people.  His main targets are girlfriends and family members, but it doesn't end there.  He goes after many people.  He had created an ENTIRELY different identity with me and my friends... He doesn't go to BYU; doesn't play basketball.  He didn't serve the mission he said he did...  He doesn't work in marketing and is not traveling when he says he is (Mr. can't leave the state).  He is a COMPLETELY different person than who he said he was originally...

I saw the signs.  I didn't listen.  It's like Taylor Swift's new song, "I Knew You Were Trouble."  I knew... and I ignored.


Now, how does this all tie into Les Miserables.  Well, that movie is what has truly helped to lock in the healing process.  When I found out everything about Cory, how he had fully lied to me and stolen money and things from me... I was angry.  I'm talking so livid I was shaking and in literal defined shock.  I walked into a room and knelt down right away and just prayed... Prayed for the power to forgive.  I prayed for the ability to move on and know what to do in this situation.  I prayed for comfort and feelings of love.  Those feelings came immediately, but it had been hard at time to keep them in my heart.  I feel like just in the past few weeks  I've started to let go of all that anger because I'm talking openly about how I felt/feel.  Sometimes putting on a happy face is genuinely not the best avenue to take... talk about things openly.

Les Mis - promised I'd get there! Les Miserables is all about love and forgiveness.  It's all about moving forward in life and realizing what "side" you're on in life.  In the final scene, Jean Valjean tells Cosette the truth about his past through a letter and says he never really learned forgiveness and love till she was in his life.  You see the priest in the end still carrying such a place in Valjean's life because he forgave Valjean for stealing his silver and let him know God would forgive all his other sins.  This movie/story is all about forgiveness, redemption, and standing up for what's right.  In the very final moments of the film you see all those who have passed on at the barricade.  They talk about the power in coming into the "light" and being on the side of the Lord in the end - it has a veiled message of worrying about yourself and letting go of others choices...

Do you hear the people sing?
Lost in the valley of the night
It is the music of a people who are climbing to the light 
For the wretched of the earth
There is a flame that never dies
Even the darkest nights will end and the sun will rise 

They will live again in freedom in the garden of the lord 
They will walk behind the plough-share
They will put away the sword
The chain will be broken and all men will have their reward!

Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade is there a world you long to see?
Do you hear the people sing?
Say, do you hear the distant drums?
It is the future that they bring when tomorrow comes!

I don't know what it was, but when I heard them talk about the darkest night ending, I realized that the feelings I was having because of Cory would fade and end.  Truth is, they have now - I'm completely free.  When they talked about all men having their own reward I thought of the choices I am making in my life and how I can improve - how can I gain the reward I desire and be on the side of the Lord in the end?  I thought about the world I long to see that's past the insignificant crap I was feeling because of current situations and the promise of a bright future when tomorrow is here - meaning, not just the next life, but the next situations in my life now.  I can't fully explain it, but I just felt free.  I felt relief and compassion.  I felt forgiveness in my heart and a realization that I had learned new things about myself and life from this experience - in some ways, it was a blessing in disguise.

I know that forgiveness can be hard - really hard - but we can receive great blessings and relief in our life as we just let go of things and as we forgive others.  I know that we are blessed in our forgiveness.  Grudges are like splinters that stay under your skin and fester - they only hurt you more and more.  Let go and move on.... and love.

"To love another person is to see the face of God."

I'm thankful for the film version of Les Mis - really, I am.  For whatever reason, this adaptation struck me differently than the story has before.  I've seen the musical twice and listened to the CD recordings over 200 times in my life.  I even sang some of the songs for competitions or recitals in High School - it wasn't as cliche then, promise.  I have always loved Les Mis, but this time things struck me differently.  This time, I was healed from the words and music.

And so, I cry... and I'm oddly okay with tears.
*muah*

Song of the Day:  DUH.  Here is the finale sequence of Les Mis's finale with the 10th Anniversary Cast.  Enjoy!!!

Response Memo...

In response to THIS ARTICLE --> Click on "THIS ARTICLE" to read original...

If you don't read that article first, this entry won't make a lot of sense... if any.

Here's my take.  First point – I think what she is REALLY saying is that those who are bored need to #1 change their attitudes.  That was not reflected in my statement above, so I apologize.  I SO truly believe you get what you put in.  Honest to goodness, most Sundays I leave and feel incredible.  I have taken what I can and need to from the speakers and lessons... What she is saying is that we expect these big manifestations to happen and they don’t to everyone… well, not in those ways of old.  However, in my personal life, I've felt just as amazing and powerful manifestations in my heart – literally, JUST as powerful I’m sure.  I believe that for most people, it’s an individual thing – that’s the beauty of the gospel.  However, how I read her point is that most people EXPECT more than that and if we would just listen to the quiet manifestations, we would see God is ALREADY present in our meetings.  There’s that.

Second point – I agree and disagree with this point.  I think that some wards are spot on with having a balance about sharing facts about Christ and the church, and getting more at the why it matters.  However, many wards skip out on the WHY.  I am a BIG advocate of the WHY in everything.  What do I mean by that?  Well, why does it matter where Christ comes from and what he said in the lessons he taught?  Why does it matter what the Saints went through at the start of the restoration?  We have to teach more than “what happened” and teach why is matters to you as a Latter-day Saint.  How can your testimony grow and change from learning the importance of WHY we teach the doctrine?  If your ward is doing this, then I’m obviously not talk about the revamp in your ward.  If not, then perhaps trainings and ideas shared on how to talk or teach is appropriate, like in point #4. 

Third point – I learn through music best.  Sincerely, that is my “multiple intelligence” if you will… Everyone learns differently (visually, audibly, kinesthetically, etc.), and my main avenue is music.  When I’m at General Conference, I genuinely write down more notes from feelings I have during the songs than the speakers.  I LOVE MUSIC.  Knowing that, know that I love a lot of hymns from the hymn book.  However, we could have some revamp there.  Perhaps a good chunk of it is the tempo on songs needs to improve, but I think it’s more than that… We want to be respectful of the chapel and the place where one of the most sacred ordinances takes place, but we could still have music that a bit more joyful and even upbeat – I’m not talking going crazy to the point the spirit is driven out, but if done in the right tone and maturity from the congregation, there’s nothing wrong with a “worship” piece.  You can disagree – it’s fine – but I think that it would only enhance the service.  Also, what’s wrong with allowing the acoustic guitar into a service if it’s used reverently and can respectfully to worship… Just thoughts.

Fourth point – What is wrong with offering training to individuals and helping us all BE BETTER?  We are not just here on earth to grow spiritually, but in all manners of life.  That’s why we’re told to become educated –to study and learn from the best books – and those are not solely scriptural.  Thus, what is wrong with offering opportunities for growth in public speaking, teaching, and communication in general?  Especially when learning to communicate could only help us articulate and share the message of the gospel with greater comfort, accuracy, and passion, I believe this to be a wonderful idea for ALL individuals.  Even the BEST speakers could benefit from training on talking about the gospel.

Point five – Her language and point comes across slightly pompous, I admit.  Okay, her language through most of this comes across rather pompous.  However, I think her intentions are pure… Remember, Elder Utchdorf stated, “…it is quite easy to judge other people, often assigning dark motives to their actions in order to justify our own feelings of resentment.”  I don’t believe her intentions to be malicious or impure by any means. 

Now - Like my friend Brook said, ordinary people doing extraordinary things is the beauty of the gospel.  We don’t need theologians giving all our talks and lessons – nope, we just need those with willing hearts.  We do not need a change in the people or our leadership.  Those called are inspired and called of God – I know that for myself.  So point five is where I disagree with her… However, I think as those in our generation are coming into leadership callings it is important to realize that we are there for a reason – not to keep things exactly the same, but to look for ways to constantly strive to make things better.  The GOSPEL it perfect, but the people aren't – I am FAR from it… Why not give me tools that I need personally?  For example, in regards to point four, I feel VERY confident in public speaking and teaching, and I know I’m good at it – I better be as it’s my profession.  Haha!  However, of course I could use more training on speaking about the gospel!  That’s just one example.

Point is, there is NOTHING wrong with sharing a new or different idea.  That gospel has provided a safe space that should encourage individuals to share thoughts and impressions.  They may or may not work, but who knows if you voice a thought what glorious program or slight change could come forth to benefit someone or many.  There’s my two…. ten cents.

I will support and go with what the brethren say – always.  I’m just giving my ideas… and as a future and current leader in the church, I think we are blessed with minds and opinions to share.  Things don’t change if no one says anything… and perhaps they don’t need to.  However, we are on this world to be heard and to share the inspiration and thoughts that come to our minds… that I precisely why God has given us the ability to think and be inspired.

*muah* 

Song of the Day: My friend, Sean recommended this band to me  and I am IN LOVE!  They are fabulous... Here is The Orbit Group with "Typical."  Take a listen and you will NOT regret it - Enjoy!

Nicaragua Part V: Final Day, Final Thoughts

My final day in Nicaragua was more of a sight-seeing, relaxing adventure - similar to Saturday's trip to Masaya and Granada.  We had the opportunity to wake up a bit later that morning and have a chill morning till 10:30am... but a group of us (some LDS/Mormon and some not) opted to attend the local LDS services just a few blocks from the hotel.  Our bus driver, Alberto, was kind enough to drive us around to find the church bldg. and then even attended the service with us.  I didn't understand about 90% of the service, but the one thing I did understand was the spirit.  It sounds cheesy, but I just love how the gospel is the same wherever you go.  I knew exactly what was happening and why, and I could feel the overwhelming love that these members had for the gospel and for each other.  I was really grateful that Cami got all the information together to make it possible for us to attend sacrament meeting.

Sidenote:  It was fast and testimony meeting and they went a good few minutes over because people just kept getting up.  Again, not so different from the states. :)

After the church service we slipped out and headed back to the hotel to change and head to Lake Apoyo (volcano lake) for the afternoon.  If you ever want to experience a piece of paradise, check out Lake Apoyo... Oh my word.  It was gorgeous and SO peaceful!  I was so relaxed and just chill while there.  Don't get me wrong, after lunch I jumped in the lake for a little swim and then spent three and a half hours playing games on the water raft 30-40 feet off shore. It was a blast playing Ninja, Chilean children's games, and Down By the Banks on the river raft then taking a million "action shots!"  However, after that it was nice to just read and lay by the side of the lake for an hour or so... It was a little piece of Nicaraguan heaven.

 Me and Laura!

 Our MAT raft crew!

 HOOK inspired shot...

 Mermaid Dancing?!?

After the swim I realized my mistake of not having worn ear-plugs... I always forget that when swimming a lot in a day, but I get swimmer's ear fairly easily when in the water for an extended period of time.  That night made for a pretty nasty, tearful night (with only about 3 hours of sleep) because of plugged ear, but it's slowly healing now and there's no pain anymore - I can't quite hear out of it fully yet, but hopefully soon!

Going back to Nicaragua, we headed back to the hotel post swimming and relaxing to eat dinner and then meet up for a final reflection discussion.  We were all groaning a bit about having to have the final reflection, but I don't know why... I always end up loving those kind of discussions.  I love dissecting feelings and experiences and talking about them openly.  Is that weird?  Eh.  Oh well!

While we were discussing the events from this week we were asked a few different questions.  The first (worded more articulately that this): What was your favorite highlight from this trip and why?  We were often asked to expand upon that by sharing how that experience would influence us as a teacher in the future.  I talked about my experience with Father Cardenal and how I feel more shaped as an individual after hearing him speak - how I set goals for myself as a person and as a teacher while sitting right in his lecture.  Again, it was THAT good.  I kind of saw him as almost a Nelson Mandela figure of his country and purpose... For real - he was incredible.

Anyway, I wanted to take a second to reflect once more.  We were asked to ponder the following questions for our "final reflection" in class tomorrow.  Though I already feel I touched upon these things, I feel it might be good to regroup my ideas and just share some insight to my overall experience.  First, we were asked how the travel seminar influenced our ability to learn about another culture.  

Truthfully, I felt this seminar to be one of the most powerful things I could do to understand and learn about culture while here at Westminster.  We talk a lot about the different cultural backgrounds our students can and will come from, but I don't believe that I fully understood until my experience down in Nicaragua how culture can affect a student in and out of the classroom.  So many kids down there are excited about and love school, but only have the opportunity to go through 6-8th grade.  This is because they have to work after that so their families can make money to eat and survive.  So, as an educator I was thoughtful of the students I will have that might have to work to help their family make ends meet.  How can I help those students succeed and grow? How will I react when a student comes in and says they don't have their work done because mom needed them to run family errands or work extra hours?  I don't believe in allowing excuses to build and enable students to not have to do work.  However, I can be more understanding and work with them to come up with a plan that will work for them if things arise.  It is going to take more effort on my part as a teacher,  but I want to be the teacher that goes the extra mile when needed.  Some other students won't think it's fair, but I have realized that education and learning (just like parenting) isn't about giving every child the same thing, but giving each child what they need to be successful.  Education is about the individual.

The second question: How will you continue to learn about cultures as a practicing teacher?  My thoughts are coming out in THIS fashion:

1.  Be familiar with your surrounding.  As a teacher, I will be aware of the cultures and values represented in that area.  I want to make sure that I know as much as I can about the background of each student and where they are coming from so I can understand their situations and struggles.  I want to be understanding of the kids that fall out of the cultural norms of the area's population, and determine how I can make those students feel included without singling them (or others) out.
2.  Be familiar with what is happening around the world.  At times, kids from other backgrounds and cultures are effected by the things that are happening halfway across the world.  If I stay up-to-date on the important things that are happening around the world, I can relate to those students and hopefully know how to better help them through any tough experiences.  Also, I can use cultural events from around to world to bring in information or ideas that may represent that student without singling them out or making them uncomfortable.
3.  In regards to English or theater, why not bring in literature or theatrical pieces from other countries or cultures?  If there is a piece originally written in a different language, I could bring in translations for class members.  I can use pieces that dig into cultural or societal issues (which many and most do in some way), and do more than perform or read them, but discuss them.  I think this is a vital piece of theater and studying literature, regardless - dissecting and discussing the real meaning behind a piece.
4.  Travel.  I have NO problem with this idea... The more I travel and observe different cultures, asking questions and walking the non-touristy path, the more I can come to better understand a culture or life style.  I love traveling SO much and experiencing new places, so this idea is heaven to me... Yep - I'm going to travel like crazy during my summer months.  It's research, right? :)  Think I can get funding for that?  Yea - didn't think so.  It was worth a shot though! :)

All in all, my experience to Nicaragua was life changing and incredible.  I really was so happy with the people I was there with and how we influenced and taught one another, as well as the experiences the Center for Global Education had laid out for us.  It really was the PERFECT trip and learning experience.  Westminster, I love you even more now... and I already loved you a whole lot.
*muah*

Song of the Day:  I think I post this video EVERY Christmas, but it is THAT good.  Here is Vocal Point (Feat. Ryan Innes) singing "He Is Born."  He is insane good - they all are.  BLOWS MY MIND.  Check out both versions (one is only half, BUT it's a better version I believe)... Enjoy!