Some ramblings

You know those people who, instead of being excited for you, happy for you or well-wishing, seem to enjoy bursting your bubble? I will never understand that. They say say things like "well plans don't always work out" (yes someone actually said this to me when learning that I decided to go on a mission). People are already telling my sister "oh you are totally going to get married first". Well that might be true, but is it really necessary to point it out? It's like saying "no I don't believe in your dreams at all, so let me point out all the worst case scenarios that might happen to you because I'm sure they haven't occurred to you yet." Or better yet: "I'm a pessimist and I want you to be one too, even when you are happy and excited at the moment." No one ever says that, but that's what it feels like. It's like the person, who when you mention you love swimming in the ocean or something feel the need to start quoting stories about shark attacks. I've been trying to think of a witty/funny-but-gets-the-point-across comeback, but sadly I'm all out of then at the moment. Any ideas? It's usually after the fact that I think of them. The French call it "l'esprit de l'escalier", or the spirit of the staircase. In other words, it's the feeling, when you are halfway down the stairs after a conversation when you suddenly realize "oh I should have said that! It would have been perfect!" It definitely happens to me all the time.

In other news, it was my moms birthday yesterday (well it technically still is, because I'm eight hours ahead and I'm awake absurdly early because my roommate needed the phone at 6:45 am, and my host was really loud getting up at 5:30 in the morning. So now I'm awake, and suddenly wanted to blog, even though I'll probably (hopefully) go back to sleep). Annnyways. It was my moms birthday, and I'm bummed that I'm halfway across the world for it. Don't get me wrong, my research is interesting and all, but I only have 3 weeks left, and I'm getting to that point when I want to go home and enjoy summer, without writing down every little thing I observe. So, cue list of things I'm excited about for summer:

• Seeing my family
• Going home for the first time since Christmas
• Reading books for fun
• Hanging out with friends
• Starting my papers
• Swimming!!
• Walking my dog
• Getting some sun (it's still 55 here and raining half the time.)
• Driving my car instead of taking a bus
• Seeing how much my siblings have grown

Basically I can't wait. Luckily the days go by quickly here, so soon enough it will be over, and I'll get to Provo (anyone want to pick me up from the airport?) and then a week later I'll be going home! The first thing I'm going to eat is a burrito with Yumm sauce. They don't have any mexican food over here. (or any flavor at all, they only use salt and pepper. It's either really bland or way too spicy. Or seafood. What happened to using herbs??)