My Country Makes Me Smile

Daily, I enter into my workplace with stories to share about the international students I have become friends with. Regardless as to if I have seen the students the day prior or not, they are oftentimes on my mind. I love to tell of my times with them. Each student is unique. Each one brings something different to the table of friendship. As I ramble on and on about them to my boss and coworkers, questions arise. Those that work alongside of me are just like the students themselves-curious. Days ago, I was asked what the screening process was for the students to enter the United States. I knew that they must go before the U.S. Embassy for an interview but I had no idea what questions they must be prepared to answer. Several nights ago, 2 of the students treated me to dinner (so sweet of them!). As we visited during our meal, I inquired about their entry into America. They shared with me the questions they were asked by the embassy (for those wondering, let me know and I will fill you in...only 3 questions were asked of them) & said that whether or not they passed the interview was dependent upon the mood of the one conducting the interview. While both of the students I was speaking to made it through on their first try, some of the other students were not as fortunate. After we discussed the embassy, I began my own interrogation of them. Not really...I promise. I did wonder some things though and they were kind enough to allow me to ask questions. Having met a great number of students who have siblings or other family members pursuing an education in Australia, I questioned why that was as well as why those here in America selected our nation for schooling. Without taking any time at all, one of the students quickly responded by saying that the U.S. is the greatest nation in the world and that he knew he would have more opportunities if he came to school here. I must admit, I felt prideful. I felt as though I ought to pull out an American Flag & begin to wave it and begin chanting "USA! USA! USA!" One of the other students had shared with me months ago that one of the things that impressed him most about our country was the fact that someone who was raised in poverty with nothing could one day, become one of great financial wealth and success. In his home country, such would never happen. If you were born poor, you would die poor. As the Olympics are days away from coming to an end for 2010, I've had a chance to watch a number of the competitions. Like most, I love my country and sit on the sofa watching the TV in high hopes that the Americans will bring home the gold, silver and bronze every time. Right now, we (and by "we", I mean the U.S. For some reason I feel I am a part of that "we") lead all countries in the medal count with Germany closing in behind us. Our German friend, Claudia, has been over to watch some of the Olympic Games with us & she's commented that we (again, "we" meaning America) always win the most medals and she doesn't understand why someone else can't win. I just about slapped her silly one day. I was quick to let her know that she need not be upset about our hogging all of the medals..she should be happy for us. Then again, there is absolutely no enthusiasm whatsoever that flows from me when her country (or any other country for that matter) wins a medal rather than us. When we win a gold medal & our athlete stands upon the podium and our flag is raised and our anthem plays, each and every time, it is an emotional experience for me. Tears begin to spring up within and a smile comes across my face. I may not always agree with our government and like all things, it's easy to find negatives. Overall though, there is no place I'd rather be (unless God calls me elsewhere...which, some friends of mine are praying that he calls me to China to be with them) than in this....the land of the free, the home of the brave...The United States of America.

Lady Antabellum

I am not one to generally jump to get the word out about bands and/or artists, nor do I usually find an album in which I like each and every song. Lady Antebellum came onto the music scene a while ago and when I first heard them, it was while watching the Crook & Chase show on a cable TV show. I was less than impressed. The hosts of the show spoke of them being the next big upcoming group in country music and they raved about them. I could not understand why. Months after, I heard their song "Run to You" on the radio & thought it was "just OK." The more I listened to the song, the more I liked the song. In fact, I grew to love the song. Some time ago, their song "Need You Now" began to be heard on the radio and immediately, I loved it. Not recognizing their voices, I wondered who it was singing. Back in October, I ventured out to buy the CD which had that particular song. I bought a CD..not realizing that the song was not on there. However, I listened & became a fan of every single song on their debut CD. I learned that "Need You Now" was not yet out..it would not be out until January of this year. From October until January, I listened to their first CD pretty much non-stop. A friend would often ride with me & he would say, "Do you always listen to this?" No, I did not tire of it. On the day that their new CD came out, I booked it to the store to get a copy. Since I picked it up, it has been playing continually in my car as I drive. Not one song has been a disappointment to me. Below are a few of my favorite Lady Antabellum songs. If you're not familiar with the group, check out their music...they are incredible. As I said, it's very rare that I can say I like everything that a particular musician does...I can say that for this trio. I eagerly await their concert here on June 19th.

Nepal Has My Heart

Me & the Nepalese crew

Back Row: Dilesh, Smriti, Bharosa, Arpit, Ishwor, Me, Narayan and Pratik

Front Row: Parmeswor, Prasoon, Durga and Keshav

Little Brother Dilesh and his didi (big sister)

Me & Ishwor

Bharosa and myself

Me & the guys..Pratik (or The Rockstar as Haley calls him) and my Little Brother, Narayan

Me and another little brother, Keshav.

Again....me & Narayan

After meeting one Nepali last semester, I got to know other Nepalese students quickly thanks to his introducing me to many. Soon, I had built relationships with them and had grown rather fond of my new friends. As I said goodbye to some great guys (miss you guys...Rabin, Sulove, Santosh, Pankaj...and more), I have said hello to new ones. Over the course of the last few weeks, it has been a true joy to get to know the new students from Nepal. They are an amazing group. I have seen such hearts of gratitude from them as well as very caring spirits. I was nearly brought to tears this past Tuesday night when one of the students (Dilesh) asked me if he could call me "didi". I asked why he would want to do that and his response was this: "Didi means big sister in Nepali and you are my big sister." For a few weeks, he had simply referred to me as "sister". When he asked to call me "didi" that let me know that I am special to him. Dilesh likes to joke around a lot so I had to make certain that what he was telling me was true..that "didi" did indeed mean "sister." He was being honest. So, I agreed....he may now call me "didi". The same night, one of the other guys gifted me with something I had been wanting badly...a specific item from Nepal. The day prior, he had heard me speak of wishing I had one of these caps and he decided to surprise me with one. I was so excited and did not even know what to say aside from thank you. I couldn't believe he was giving his cap to me. In addition to those two, one of the other guys sat with me and we shared a heartfelt discussion in which he asked me a few questions about something and was very honest in letting me know that he cared for me. Even if they have studying to do or work to tend to, if they know that Haley or I are present at the campus, they make it a point to come say hello to us. They greet us with a hug, they leave us with a hug. The time in between is filled with laughter, love and learning. To my new friends from Nepal: I was introduced to your homeland by those that came before you. Through your loving-kindness, I am falling in love with you and your country. Meeting people like you all makes me even more anxious to one day visit Nepal. I just hope that those I encounter there will be half as great as all of you. I know you speak of all that we do for you but you've no idea what you do for us. That you are eager to see us, you call us to check on us, you miss us when we are away, you call us your sisters.....that brings such a smile to our faces. You warm my heart more than you know.

Stepping Up to the Mic

Haley, Kurtis, me & Zach singing "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me"

After pondering what to get us for Christmas, my best friend Crystal decided not to give us individual presents but to instead, give us something that we could enjoy as a family. I was ecstatic when the gift was unwrapped and there before our eyes was Karaoke Revolution for the Wii. I saw no reason for us to waste time...we needed to bust it open and get to singin'. We had a blast playing that the first night. Days after, my coworkers and I were talking when one discovered there were other editions available as well. Though costly, I broke down to buy another one and my good buddy, Zach, was kind enough to contribute to the cost. We have had a number of international students in our home who have "stepped up to the mic" and performed for us and Haley and I have thoroughly enjoyed ourselves whether listening to others or singing ourselves. From Suman's singing "You're Beautiful" to Uyanga doing Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours", Claudia doing "Rehab", Zach's stellar performance of "I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing" there has been no shortage of laughs. However, no one can compete with Kurtis' 100% score on "Time of the Season" or "How to Save a Life." Which, two times of a perfect score is the very reason that Kurtis was declared the American Idol Winner of Karaoke. Hats off to Mr. Hoagland! I have come to learn that perhaps I don't know some songs quite as well as I thought I did too! Despite butchering some songs big time, it still is great entertainment.

M-I-Z....Z-O-U

For a number of years, Haley and I have been desperately wanting to go to a MIZZOU basketball game. However, time and circumstances never allowed us to do so. Still desiring to go, I got online and began to check on ticket availability and found some decent priced seats for the January 2nd game against the Georgia Bulldogs. Since I had that day off from work, I went ahead & ordered the tickets and let my dad and Haley both know that their tickets were a gift from me for their birthdays (my dad's birthday was New Years and Haley's is on Valentine's Day). We made the drive to Columbia on an extremely cold day and before we could go to the Hearne's Center for the game, I led dad to the Columbia Mall. We had lunch in the food court and better yet, enjoyed some Lollicup. Though uninterested in a slushee at first, after tasting mine, he decided to go ahead and order one for himself. Oh Lollicup...how I love thee! Parking for the game was an adventure as every entrance we came upon was reserved and we were unable to to park there. Finally, we found a lot and parked while we wondered if we would be in trouble for parking in that area. As we walked into the Hearnes Center, we received free t-shirts compliments of Fox Sports Midwest. Not a bad deal....cheap tickets + a shirt that equaled the cost of the tickets themselves...oh happy day! For our first basketball game, we could not have asked for a better game. The Tigers kicked some Bulldog butt!! We had an awesome time and it was good for my sister and I to be able to spend some time with our dad. Go MIZZOU!!

Ringing in 2010

Ringing in 2010

Typically, my New Years Eve's are spent with family. However, having made so many friends through ISI, my sister and I decided to host a New Years Eve Party at our home. Our guests came over and as usual, for quite some time, everyone was on a laptop doing something. Some listened to music, others talked to family and friends on their web cams, some watched TV programs online, etc. Eventually, we got around to playing a couple of board games. We looked up and saw that we were minutes away from midnight and quickly moved into the other room to count down while watching the TV to see the ball drop in Times Square. We toasted one another, hugged and celebrated the new year that we were ushered into. Many of us stared at the television wishing we were in NYC partying with the millions that were there. 2009 flew by and well...sure 2010 will also.