Well, Korea has passed all of the last tests, packed up some of the national assets, and Fiji and America sent her off into the wild blue sunrise (It was 5am when we left headquarters...far from sunset)!
Oh the last days were good, the United Nations ended session with a bang. America and Korea went to Grand H(e)aven and walked the pier, had lunch, and had a little window shopping with the promise of a return on warmer weather (the wind was chilly).
Fiji lit a fire and cooked Lovo turkey, beef brisket, lamb, potatoes, and corn on the cob. Korea had some allies from school come over for the feast and it was nothing short of grand.
America and Fiji will greet Korea once again in the fall, where the UN sessions will again resume. Already the Headquarters feel empty as both Fiji and America miss seeing Korea pop up from behind the walls, corners, and spaces of the lower level. Korea had a way of just 'being there' because the country was quiet and America and Fiji hardly heard the pitter-patter of the feet up and down the stairs. O-so-excited for the next grand adventure with Korea!
Today, America is thankful for the opportunity to host Korea: "I know" Korea would say, "Can you pick me up?", "I have to study", and Korea talking in her funny language every few days. It was a pleasure to get to know you!!
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Thursday, May 10, 2012
UN Update
We have had a tumultuous few weeks, couple of months rather, here at the UN where (quite literally) reinforcements HAD to be brought in. America, Korea, and Honorary Spain all went to visit the WHO for a number of different reasons, Fiji got all excited when summer movies hit the theaters and the weather turned into cook-out weather (we have a Lovo planned!), Korea can barely contain itself with the excitement of going back to the motherland and share in the goodness that has been the past several months, and the Host Nations of the UN have been battling tax liabilities/assets for over two months!
Korea has been greatly improving in ability to play tennis. America gets to the (truly) international competitions as often as it can but still, that seems barely enough (can we say host guilt???). Korea also rekindled a love of international music as Korea pounds the keys on the piano several times a week now (Korea playing Austrian in America???) all in preparation for the world (history) fair at school. America could only dream of listening to the tickling of the ivories that Korea can do...it is simply fantastic!
Honorary Spain had visitors from the homeland unexpectedly drop by (amazing to say the least) and it was great for Fiji, America, and Korea to spend some time roasting marshmallows (among other activities, too many for details here) around a campfire after brats nearly exploded in the heat. Honorary Spain had accomplished all that the UN had asked of him and he 'graduated' from the University of Hard Knocks sooner than expected so he is going on for graduate studies (rejoining the UN of couse) in a few years. Lucky little duck Spain is, he got two graduation caps! (How jealous are the rest of us???)
Fiji is busy at work racking up comp-time so that later in the year, when time off is really needed, Fiji will not have any issues using up the 'banked time' that he has stored up over the months. It's almost like putting meat in a freezer for the day after you run out of grocery money.
America has been feeling better in previous weeks. And man is that a relief! Sometimes this condition doesn't clear up for months and all America would have left to do was suffer (and America avoids all suffering as much as possible, especially in an election year).
Man after all the adventures of the UN, America and Fiji need an international vacation... Where shall we go???
The weather is good, the company is great, and the atmosphere in the world is looking up! America, today, is thankful that world peace can be imagined!
Korea has been greatly improving in ability to play tennis. America gets to the (truly) international competitions as often as it can but still, that seems barely enough (can we say host guilt???). Korea also rekindled a love of international music as Korea pounds the keys on the piano several times a week now (Korea playing Austrian in America???) all in preparation for the world (history) fair at school. America could only dream of listening to the tickling of the ivories that Korea can do...it is simply fantastic!
Honorary Spain had visitors from the homeland unexpectedly drop by (amazing to say the least) and it was great for Fiji, America, and Korea to spend some time roasting marshmallows (among other activities, too many for details here) around a campfire after brats nearly exploded in the heat. Honorary Spain had accomplished all that the UN had asked of him and he 'graduated' from the University of Hard Knocks sooner than expected so he is going on for graduate studies (rejoining the UN of couse) in a few years. Lucky little duck Spain is, he got two graduation caps! (How jealous are the rest of us???)
Fiji is busy at work racking up comp-time so that later in the year, when time off is really needed, Fiji will not have any issues using up the 'banked time' that he has stored up over the months. It's almost like putting meat in a freezer for the day after you run out of grocery money.
America has been feeling better in previous weeks. And man is that a relief! Sometimes this condition doesn't clear up for months and all America would have left to do was suffer (and America avoids all suffering as much as possible, especially in an election year).
Man after all the adventures of the UN, America and Fiji need an international vacation... Where shall we go???
The weather is good, the company is great, and the atmosphere in the world is looking up! America, today, is thankful that world peace can be imagined!
Dear Spain,
For a long time I have wanted to shorten your name to Ant. For a couple of reasons actually. First, an ant can carry 50 times it's body weight while gathering food for the winter (ants live in the ground and when the ground is covered with snow, their food source is gone so they have to stay alive by collecting food during the warmer months otherwise they will starve to death in the colder months when no food is available). Second, ants do not have a leader. Each ant knows it's place in the colony and knows what is expected of them and can work in conjunction with the other ants in the colony to accomplish the massive task of collecting food for the winter. By itself the ant would probably not be able to collect enough food for itself during the summer months and then extra for the winter months, but because of the great number that a colony has, all the ants survive because each does what it is uniquely and individually designed to do.
And so you are. The past few months, several months, you have carried the weight, 50 times what others in your shoes have carried. You have faced trial, disappointment, and injury. And for these 'summer months' you have endured more than has been asked of you in the beginning. But in light of the trials, and your handling them with grace, you are able to endure the winter months that lie ahead, months that food will be largely unavailable and scarce. You have and will survive, not because you have done this alone, but because you have become part of a colony. Even though you could not make it until June, the colony has made absolutely certain that you will indeed survive past all trails that winter will bring. You have wool socks, a warm winter jacket, and most importantly, you have people that have never stopped praying for your success.
So next summer, when food and energy has run low and you are back to collecting, rest assured that whether or not you collect food till the very last day Ant, you will survive. You only need to expect the best out of yourself, even if the best is simply getting out of bed in the morning and brushing your teeth. You need to be satisfied that this is your best and your best is enough. If you go to bed or rest for the winter and look at the stock that you have brought in and you think to yourself that this was not your best effort, then — AND ONLY THEN — can you or I allow you to be disappointed in yourself. You have put forth, what I believe is, your best effort in the past several months. You have endured trials, disappointments, and injury and you came out of it knowing a lot more about yourself than you ever imagined. You will realize in the coming months and years just how much you have grown and how much this has changed you.
So as you start this next season of your life and you go back to all that is the same while the core of you has changed, remember that the set of expectations for you needs to be determined only by what is considered to be your best Ant. How much you carry? And then, leave the rest of the food for the rest of the colony to carry, we all have our own unique and individual portion to bring in. If you bring in too much or a portion that is not yours, well, you know what happens.
Love always,
Fiji, America, Korea, and the rest of the UN.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Dear Jacque
Dear Jacque,
Easter passed again this year and, as in the past 7 years, most of my thoughts about Easter are about you. I remember Easter seven years ago and to me, you embodied what Christ did for us.
You describe the depravity and darkness of humanity without Christ and, with such power, you told me about the victory Christ has over that darkness. What an amazing testimony. I can only hope that you still live and pray and tell others of that magnificent story. I do, every Easter.
So whether I spend Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, or Resurrection Sunday in church, at home, walking the streets, or whatever, I remember you. I remember the beauty that God created in you and how, that Easter seven years ago, God showed us his amazing and unconditional love.
With all the best God has for his people,
Kelly
Easter passed again this year and, as in the past 7 years, most of my thoughts about Easter are about you. I remember Easter seven years ago and to me, you embodied what Christ did for us.
You describe the depravity and darkness of humanity without Christ and, with such power, you told me about the victory Christ has over that darkness. What an amazing testimony. I can only hope that you still live and pray and tell others of that magnificent story. I do, every Easter.
So whether I spend Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, or Resurrection Sunday in church, at home, walking the streets, or whatever, I remember you. I remember the beauty that God created in you and how, that Easter seven years ago, God showed us his amazing and unconditional love.
With all the best God has for his people,
Kelly
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Blog-Worthy
Yeah, I know, a lot of time has passed. But things have been sort of same-o, same-o here at the UN. And on top of that, America has not been feeling well the past several weeks and the UN has been starting to anticipate more member nations/territories in a couple of different capacities so there has been a mild bit of up-hevel in the month or so that has passed.
Last night, laughter erupted however. America was tired (to say the least...doesn't it always start that way???). And Fiji, America and Korea were sitting around the living room talking about stuff in general and movies came up. America made the remark that Honorary Spain thought there was quite a bit of difference in watching American movies in Spain verses watching them here in America. So, America being o-so-curious wondered if Korea felt the same way.
"So do you notice the difference in watching American movies in America...Fiji...whatever country you come from?" Far before the 'whatever country you come from' came out of America's mouth, America knew she was in trouble. There was no answer to that question, at least not for a while...
There was too much laughing at America. America laughing too.
Apparently though, there is no difference to Korea to watch an American movie in "whatever country Korea is from". LOL...quite literally.
Honorary Spain spent the weekend with us this weekend and America thinks it did everyone a bit of good all the way around. Friday night was spent with just America and Fiji (so nice to have a night by ourselves!) because Korea has been practicing ever-so-hard for the World's Talent Showcase (School's Talent Show) that is coming up this Saturday. Spain came Saturday afternoon and stayed till Sunday. It came as a shock to Spain when Spain realized that he only had about 30 days of school left. Shocker...10 months of school down to 30 days. So, after all the ups and downs of the trip America believes there is new motivation to seek out some things that Spain, perhaps, has been missing. Time to cross things off the bucket list!!
Along with the World's Talent Showcase, Korea also started playing Tennis...do we have another international athletic competitor on our hands???
Korea has been talking mostly about coming back. There seems to be a good chance that Korea will be back in the UN next school year which will be cool because America, Fiji, and Korea already know each other and so all that awkwardness will be avoided next fall...at least with Korea. America and Fiji are thinking of adding another country too...Fiji is voting for another Asian country: Taiwan, China, Japan, Vietnam, ...the list goes on... America thinks spicing things up with a little European flavor wouldn't be terrible but then again, biting off more than America can chew is not necessarily something that appeals to America at the moment. All things considering, whether Korea has another member nation from her region of the world or not, America is definitely up for adding a territory to the UN!
...Two or three member nations to the UN for next fall?! You may think we're crazy, and we probably are, but only time will tell who lands at GRR and steps over our door steps!
Last night, laughter erupted however. America was tired (to say the least...doesn't it always start that way???). And Fiji, America and Korea were sitting around the living room talking about stuff in general and movies came up. America made the remark that Honorary Spain thought there was quite a bit of difference in watching American movies in Spain verses watching them here in America. So, America being o-so-curious wondered if Korea felt the same way.
"So do you notice the difference in watching American movies in America...Fiji...whatever country you come from?" Far before the 'whatever country you come from' came out of America's mouth, America knew she was in trouble. There was no answer to that question, at least not for a while...
There was too much laughing at America. America laughing too.
Apparently though, there is no difference to Korea to watch an American movie in "whatever country Korea is from". LOL...quite literally.
Honorary Spain spent the weekend with us this weekend and America thinks it did everyone a bit of good all the way around. Friday night was spent with just America and Fiji (so nice to have a night by ourselves!) because Korea has been practicing ever-so-hard for the World's Talent Showcase (School's Talent Show) that is coming up this Saturday. Spain came Saturday afternoon and stayed till Sunday. It came as a shock to Spain when Spain realized that he only had about 30 days of school left. Shocker...10 months of school down to 30 days. So, after all the ups and downs of the trip America believes there is new motivation to seek out some things that Spain, perhaps, has been missing. Time to cross things off the bucket list!!
Along with the World's Talent Showcase, Korea also started playing Tennis...do we have another international athletic competitor on our hands???
Korea has been talking mostly about coming back. There seems to be a good chance that Korea will be back in the UN next school year which will be cool because America, Fiji, and Korea already know each other and so all that awkwardness will be avoided next fall...at least with Korea. America and Fiji are thinking of adding another country too...Fiji is voting for another Asian country: Taiwan, China, Japan, Vietnam, ...the list goes on... America thinks spicing things up with a little European flavor wouldn't be terrible but then again, biting off more than America can chew is not necessarily something that appeals to America at the moment. All things considering, whether Korea has another member nation from her region of the world or not, America is definitely up for adding a territory to the UN!
...Two or three member nations to the UN for next fall?! You may think we're crazy, and we probably are, but only time will tell who lands at GRR and steps over our door steps!
Monday, February 6, 2012
Four Words:
"Is it done yet?"
Oh my goodness! When all the anticipation of Superbowl Sunday finally came rolling around, those were the famous words of Korea. The country did good...stuck it out till the end of the first quarter before something else caught her attention. America thinks it was because of the whoop-la over the commercials more than anything. Then the next day in school, Korea found out that all the best commercials deserved class time. What school does that???
After the first quarter, Korea would go back to her little camp and then come up every half hour or so to check on America and the happenings up in the living room. She would poke her head up and say those four magic words (even though America said that the broadcast lasted until 10pm. "No, not done yet. But you missed a good commercial!"
"is the football game still on?"
"Yep. Couple hours yet."
"Is it...?"
"Nope."
"..."
Anyway, the day after the Superbowl Korea came home and laughed with America (and honorary Spain) about the best ones, a few were mentioned (America's personal fav's: m&m and the VW/Starwars Sequel; honorable mentions are the Betty White commercial; most noble being the halftime in America) and thoroughly enjoyed by all three countries.
America fizzled out too after a while. The country lasted until the middle of the third quarter before the commercials seemed to no longer be up to par for the Superbowl. But really $3.5 million dollars for a 30 second spot and they fizzle out in the third quarter...that's a lot of money to spend outside the making of it and to not be putting your best foot forward!
Today, America is thankful for IOC for promoting international and friendly competition.
Oh my goodness! When all the anticipation of Superbowl Sunday finally came rolling around, those were the famous words of Korea. The country did good...stuck it out till the end of the first quarter before something else caught her attention. America thinks it was because of the whoop-la over the commercials more than anything. Then the next day in school, Korea found out that all the best commercials deserved class time. What school does that???
After the first quarter, Korea would go back to her little camp and then come up every half hour or so to check on America and the happenings up in the living room. She would poke her head up and say those four magic words (even though America said that the broadcast lasted until 10pm. "No, not done yet. But you missed a good commercial!"
"is the football game still on?"
"Yep. Couple hours yet."
"Is it...?"
"Nope."
"..."
Anyway, the day after the Superbowl Korea came home and laughed with America (and honorary Spain) about the best ones, a few were mentioned (America's personal fav's: m&m and the VW/Starwars Sequel; honorable mentions are the Betty White commercial; most noble being the halftime in America) and thoroughly enjoyed by all three countries.
America fizzled out too after a while. The country lasted until the middle of the third quarter before the commercials seemed to no longer be up to par for the Superbowl. But really $3.5 million dollars for a 30 second spot and they fizzle out in the third quarter...that's a lot of money to spend outside the making of it and to not be putting your best foot forward!
Today, America is thankful for IOC for promoting international and friendly competition.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Weekend at the UN
Well, it was a good weekend at the United Nations. We had lots of fun! Honorary Spain made an appearance and spent the night...just like old times, our Haiti representative joined us for all of Sunday, and we had dinner by a representative from Guatemala. Sound like a great weekend? ...Don't you wish you lived here!
Friday was pretty normal... It was the end of exam week and Korea, America believes, finished strong despite some questionable performances in the exam room. America thinks there was a bit of relief when Korea walked out of that last exam but was surprised to hear that the country had extra credit due!??? Well, apparently there is a borderline grade involved and assurance was needed to boost that little sucker up to a point of confidence. At any rate, Korea still celebrated the end of exams by spending the night out. Yay for Korea!!
Saturday, after Fiji did the normal volunteer work for food aid to the world's hungry, the host-member-nations went to see Spain compete in world sport competitions. Spain came home with the UN and stayed that night. Spain and Fiji went to see a movie, America tended to Korea after the country went to stir the economic pot at the mall with native allies. That night was spent at the UN Headquarters with all four member nations under one roof once again.
Sunday was simply an amazing day - or so America thought. The long lost Haitian representative made an appearance for the first time in a LONG time: America can hardly remember - it was a warm day (and not warm by January standards, real warm) and Korea had just become a new member of the UN when Haiti asked America to help move the geographic location back to an institution of higher learning. So...long time.
We participated in religious activities - went to church - and we were quite the collection: Fiji, America, Haiti, Korea, and Spain (that's what you get when you mix a Fijian and an American). After church, we had lunch, watched a movie, took a nap all before the UN returned to church and then had dinner hosted by Guatemala. It was delicious. The weekend was great!
Today America is thankful for the United Nations. Although they were originally built upon the principles of maintaining something like world peace or, at least, positive international relations in the post World War Two era, the United Nations has fill our lives (Fiji and America's) with abundance. But then again, I guess we really have to thank God for that!
Friday was pretty normal... It was the end of exam week and Korea, America believes, finished strong despite some questionable performances in the exam room. America thinks there was a bit of relief when Korea walked out of that last exam but was surprised to hear that the country had extra credit due!??? Well, apparently there is a borderline grade involved and assurance was needed to boost that little sucker up to a point of confidence. At any rate, Korea still celebrated the end of exams by spending the night out. Yay for Korea!!
Saturday, after Fiji did the normal volunteer work for food aid to the world's hungry, the host-member-nations went to see Spain compete in world sport competitions. Spain came home with the UN and stayed that night. Spain and Fiji went to see a movie, America tended to Korea after the country went to stir the economic pot at the mall with native allies. That night was spent at the UN Headquarters with all four member nations under one roof once again.
Sunday was simply an amazing day - or so America thought. The long lost Haitian representative made an appearance for the first time in a LONG time: America can hardly remember - it was a warm day (and not warm by January standards, real warm) and Korea had just become a new member of the UN when Haiti asked America to help move the geographic location back to an institution of higher learning. So...long time.
We participated in religious activities - went to church - and we were quite the collection: Fiji, America, Haiti, Korea, and Spain (that's what you get when you mix a Fijian and an American). After church, we had lunch, watched a movie, took a nap all before the UN returned to church and then had dinner hosted by Guatemala. It was delicious. The weekend was great!
Today America is thankful for the United Nations. Although they were originally built upon the principles of maintaining something like world peace or, at least, positive international relations in the post World War Two era, the United Nations has fill our lives (Fiji and America's) with abundance. But then again, I guess we really have to thank God for that!
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