Meeting Immaculee

 How do you prepare to meet your favorite author? How do you prepare to meet an amazing, holy, faith filled woman who inspired you all these years by reading her books? You feel like you know her. You don't really, but you know her story from what she's written, about surviving the Rwandan Genocide. 

I had no idea I would meet my favorite author, Immaculee Ilibagiza the author of my favorite book, Left to Tell. It seems that most Februarys I have read this amazing book. (Not sure why, maybe because Februarys can be a hard part of the year?)  And now, in February past weekend I attended a retreat, an event where she spoke. God's sense of humor. 

A year ago, I was reading it, at work while on my break. I even told a coworker about this book in passing. I've it read a number of times, and somehow it doesn't get old. I find something new or purposeful every time. I felt like it gave me hope and inspiration when I was reading it at my job last year since I too felt like I was in my own 'small bathroom'. The author during the genocide was hiding with a few other women for 3 months. There was no breakroom at my old workplace, no privacy, just a chair in the back. Thinking of her story gave me a dose of energy and inspiration when I felt uncomfortable in a small workplace and with a creepy coworker. 

There were other times where this book helped me in my faith, and all that she had to go through and endured, with losing nearly all her friends and family. The Pandemic and working alone in my classroom while helping students the best I could on zoom. It was a very solitary and lonely time, day in and day out. But reading Left to Tell lifted up my spirits and even inspired me a little with the French language since Ilibagiza knows French as one of her languages she speaks. 

I remember while working at a Preschool 6 years ago, I pulled out Left to Tell while the toddlers had their nap time. It was in February. I thought about Africa, particularly Rwanda and how different life would be and culturally while looking at a map in that classroom. It was inspiring to let my mind wander as that season and that job for me were rather challenging. 

I can remember first reding Left to Tell back in 2012. I heard about it from my sister, and I started reading it in February. I also remember reading it while waiting for my math class. I was so intrigued by her story and even wrote about it on my old and first blog. 

Upon seeing Immaculee in person for the first time, I was succumb with tears. Thinking about all the different times and seasons of my life reading her books and especially Left to Tell and telling others about it. The moment was hard to describe in words, but it was blessed. 

To Get Rid of and Gain

 I'm going to get rid of old mascara a friend gave me a couple years ago. I didn't like how it looked, easy to smear and droopy on the eye lashes. It feels worn out and dull. 

I'm doing away with social media this week. Less noise, distraction, even comparison. Openness, appreciation, inspiration and pray and peace are what follows. 

I'm going to get rid of discouragement and negative thinking. Really about anything. Hope, trust, faith, and positive thinking transforms. 

I'm practicing washing my face. Something I do often. But last night, I used a honey typed face wash that looks like and feels like honey, golden and sweet-smelling goodness. It feels restorative and relaxing in this dry air and winter season. 

I'm practicing gratitude, and cultivating awareness in simple, everyday things like...

Having a warm cup of white chocolate mocha this morning (just a little since its really strong), looking at beautiful blooming Fushia roses, my dad asking how I am and giving each other a hug this morning, principal evaluation going better than expected, and receiving compliments on my green skirt as well as the pretty turquoise earrings my sister made that I'm wearing today. Listening to an interesting lesson from a DARE officer, and the kids were engaged. Going to adoration after work so close by. These are blessings and God's love and mercy I can easily miss. 

The Road That leads To the Ocean

 Driving those roads brings back fond memories. It's relaxing, slow paced and the cool, sea air lightens the mood. Everything is lush and green. With the cooler weather or the clear view down the quaint streets with the sparkling ocean in the background, this feels nothing like the East Bay. 

When my mom and I visited Half Moon Bay a few weeks ago, we walked more than usual. I almost didn't realize how everything is super close to each other. Walking slows down time but also helps with sense of direction. We went the roundabout way from the lunch spot we ate it (our favorite every time) to Our Lady of the Pillar church. There were still Christmas decorations up- how lovely! It's always so peaceful and such a gift to be there and pray for a little while. We found out that there is an adoration chapel they have now, but we weren't sure where it was. 

Driving to the beach has those fun memories like the time we bought Dunkin' Donuts to bring home just because. They've closed now:( Or enjoyed an ice cream treat at the Baskin Robbins a few times, (one time even for my birthday.) Thrift shopping with sisters and my mom many times and finding quality enough items that don't constitute as junk. :)

And passing by that Peets coffee that always looked so inviting. It's where we stopped while I was with a young adult ministry for a beach day about 2 years ago and we also got sandwiches for lunch at New Leaf next door. It's where I had a somewhat tangled and disjointed conversation in Mandarin Chinese with a young adult guy while we were on a way with the young adults back home from the beach. The wildflowers and greenery all faded to the background as I tried to muster up my knowledge of spoken Chinese while riding in a minivan with other catholic young adults, though it was only him and I were who speaking this foreign language, while everyone else was mildly listening. 

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The wind in your face, the sand sticking to your feet like glue, the bird watching while they glide and dance over the sheer blue water, and people watching- watching them walk their dogs, take photos, play with their children, play volleyball, frisbee or soccer, or simply looking out at the shimmering waters and horizon like we do. Nothing beats time with my mom when we go to this special place.