The Packing Process of an Indecisive ISFJ

I had to laugh at myself this morning as I began packing to go home for spring break.

The average college student when preparing to go home for break, has perhaps three bags they take home. 1) A duffel full of all the remaining weather-appropriate, clean clothes they could round up, 2) A full laundry bag of dirty clothes, and 3) A backpack with some homework for the week in it. I would guestimate that the amount of time it takes to pack those three bags is about 15=2-, mostly dependent on the cleanliness of their room. The most thought that is put into what clothes to bring is "do I need tank tops and shorts, or sweaters and jeans?"

Had you been in my room this morning, that is not what you would have observed.

I plan what I wear on a day to day basis based on whether I have clinic or not, the weather forecast, how recently I have worn particular clothing items, how much I like particular clothing items, and what's clean. So you can understand why I have a hard time choosing what to pack, especially for longer vacations/stays at home. I don't know what the weather will look like in the morning (weather forecasts can change quite a bit) and I don't know what I'll *feel* like wearing.

What a terrible predicament to be in, I know. I have, however, found a solution that works for me. First step, pull up the extended weather forecast online. Next, based on the predicted highs for each day, decide which days will be short sleeves and capris, short sleeves and jeans, or 3/4 sleeves and jeans days. Then, look through entire wardrobe and sort shirts into "maybe" and "no" piles. Return the no's to their proper place and pick out the needed number of short sleeved and 3/4 length sleeved shirts from the remaining piles.

It was during these last two steps that I realized how ridiculous it looks. At one point I must have had about 7 piles of clothes scattered around the room. My family, friends, roommates, and boyfriend have all at times told me I'm crazy (in more loving terms, of course), but this is what works for me in my minor OCDness.

Introspection is Not Always My Friend

I go through this phase periodically. Lots of apathy and a general melancholy feel. I know myself well enough now that I'm almost amused by it, simply for the reason that I'll start thinking "wow, I'm so different from how I was in high school."

HA!

I am, but not really. There's the same me deep in there, I've just learned more than I knew when I was 16.

Presently I'm *supposed* to be studying for my motor speech disorders test on Monday. But I'm bored, and lonesome. I havn'e t talked to my family today (parents are in Honolulu) and Tad is currently working overtime until further notice.

I'm entirely aware that this post is sporadic and rambly and probably doesn't make sense, but that's how my inner monoluge is right now. So I'm not going to try to fix it.

I think my main point in posting, was to say how funny it is that I still see my high school self in my thoughts from time to time. In a way it's a comfort, no matter how many changes I go through, I'm still me.

6-4 Bucharest to LAX

Our last morning was spent with a special "popcorn staff edition of hotseat" in which we got to ask the staff members some of the questions we had been asking each other. Then it was time to clean up, and head out to the airport.

The flights home were relatively uneventful, I slept quite a bit more than I had on the ones over. Our transfer in London was only slightly less of a whirlwind than the first time (and that was probably because we'd only just got off a 3 hour flight rather than a 10 hour). Some amusement was provided when Stephen ended up by himself on the tram to the other terminal, oops, haha

We made it back safe and sound to LAX and had the usual delays when you come back from internaitonal flights, but made it back to Biola. Stephen and his girlfriend gave me a ride home, and I crashed for the night.

And now...I'm trying to figure out how and when I can get back to Romania.

6-3 Debriefing and Final Day at Peris

(I'm ashamed that it's 9 months later and I'm still finishing these)

As a special treat for us on our last full day in Romania, Jim announced a "special breakfast edition of hot seat". This was mostly so we could get through everyone before we headed home, but it was fun. Following breakfast, those who still needed to do some shopping (mostly for gifts for sponsors) went to take care of that while the rest of us helped clean up the team house. Most of our cleaning was organizing the things we were leaving for the kids.

When the others came back, we began our debriefing process. It wasn't until I got home that I truly appreciated that this was a part of our trip. I really went through a major culture shock when I got home, which I wouldn't have expected if Jim hadn't told us about it.

Jim had us all go around and say our highs and lows of the trip, and three words we would use to describe our trip. For me they were as follows:

Lows: thinking about the babies at the baby hospital during the thunderstorm, and having to leave the kids
Highs: worship at Alfa & Omega, and Marius' huge smile at Voluntar on Children's Day
3 Words: love, sovereignty, and fellowship

We paused our debriefing here for lunch, and our final visit to Peris. I spent my time there chasing Alina around the play yard, giving her and Ana piggyback rides, and laughing at some of the older boys giving Brinn a hard time about Volle. Goodbyes were hard, especially when some of the younger ones got emotional, but the H2H staff eventually ushered us back to the vans and got us back to Pipera.

We were given Schwarmas for dinner, and then ushered off to finish our debriefing by writing our story in one page, and then in one paragraph. We finished off the night with the final edition of hot seat.

Recent Life Happenings

Life in grad school is always busy (as demonstrated by the fact that I started this blog over two weeks ago and am just now getting back to it), but I do find time here and there to have a little fun.

The weekend after Valentine's Day, Tad and I joined the Mission Nazarene college group to make the communion elements for the week. We hung out and had Pat & Oscars for dinner, and then set to work making grape juice and bread. Yes, that's right, we made grape juice. We squished up the grapes, added sugar, boiled them, and then strained out the skins. I certainly wouldn't drink a whole glass of it, but it wasn't bad. It was also nice getting to know some of the others a little bit better.

The following weekend I spent at home, partially to celebrate Dave's birthday, and partially to go to Elizabeth's bridal shower. It was a beautiful shower, at the Grand Del Mar hotel. I got to meet and chat with friends I hadn't met as well as some of her family and family to be. We had a wonderful lunch, played a couple fun shower games, and watched her open gifts. I can't wait for the wedding next month! :)

the beautiful bride-to-be

After the weekend, Tad moved from the room he'd been renting to his own apartment. It's a one bedroom in a gated community several blocks from SDSU. It isn't the area he'd wanted, but it's affordable rent, and I can walk there from my building. We've spent quite a bit of time over the last few weeks gathering furnishings for the apartment. I've spent enought ime there that I'm starting to feel like I'm moving in, which makes it hard not to take over ont he decorating! haha

I went home again this past weekend, and did NO homework, whatsoever. It was glorious. I spent time in our now complete jacuzzi in the backyard, cooked with my mom, and went out to lunch with Raelene. I love my weekends at home with my family.

And now I'm home sick. On one hand it stinks being sick, on the other, I don't really enjoy Tues night's class, and being sick now will hopefully mean I'll break my streak of getting sick in April :o)