Dear Friends,
During the past 15 months, in the midst of daily circumstances that ranged from challenging to disheartening to downright blues-inducing, this blog has been a wonderful shining thing for me. My life is richer today than it was in October of 2004, before I was What, You Too?, before I knew you.
This forum has given me a place to exchange ideas, to interact with people on a non-transactional level, to put my best foot forward (and sometimes my worst one), to explore a whole new genre of communication and trust. It's given me a place to pour my heart out when I couldn't keep it all inside anymore. And you have done precious things for me: you've listened and counseled and hugged and encouraged. You've shared your stories with me, you have invited me into your lives, and some have stood silently by, taking it all in.
It's that "standing silently by" that I'd like to address. Of course it's allowed - you may do as you wish here. But for the record, my curiosity is piqued. If this were a party, I would cross the room to introduce myself to you. "Hi! I'm Jess... it's really nice to meet you." And I would mean it! I find new people fascinating, because everyone has these stories and talents and ideas that I wouldn't have otherwise experienced.
No pressure here, but know that I'm already inclined to like you because you've stood by my side, some of you on a daily basis, and listened to me and encouraged me with your presence. Let me return the favor. It's official De-lurking week. Please do!
Love,
Jess
Saturday, January 14, 2006
invitation
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8 comments:
I've posted before, but it's been awhile, so consider this a re-de-lurk. You are a regular stop on my blogtrain and I greatly enjoy your insight. I am mostly impressed by how you are living and working and functioning in a foreign country. It's all I can do just to make it through a week's vacation in a place that doesn't speak English. :)
Hi, Jess. I'm Angela. I have been wanting to write for a while to tell you how awesome you are, so this is the perfect opportunity. I am not a blogger myself, just a reader. I "met" you about three months ago, and now I read your blog faithfully. I love the way you write, the insights you share, and being privy to the details of your life.
A little about me...I live in the midwest (near Chicago). I am new to the area, and I have a demanding and completely unfulfilling job where I work too long and too hard to get out and meet people. I'm only 250 miles from "home," but things are so different here. The people, the weather, everything seems harsher. I don't feel like I belong here, like I might as well be in a foreign country, like it was a mistake to leave the comfort of home in search of greener pastures, but financial and other considerations mean I must stay here for at least another year or two. Some of the challenges you face seem so similar to mine, although your situation is so much different. I try to remain optimistic and find what joy I can given the way things are, but it is a challenge, much as it is for you.
Thanks for coming across the room to introduce yourself, and look forward to each new blog entry you share with us.
Hey Jess. Not exactly a lurker, but thought I'd say hello anyway. :-)
*lurks*
Hi Jess, nice to meet you, how's the weather, how 'bout that Martin Luther? =) I apologize for being a semi-lurker; I don't generally have a lot of pithy comments to add. But I have got to say, way to make it in the WB for TWO YEARS. (speaking from personal experience) You continually amaze and astound me.
Regarding June: The host family must have it wrong, since I'm applying for a 3-week program and definitely not a job. Sorry, but I'm not that crazy and/or nostalgic. Though the application's deadline is in two days and I just found that out today...so fate might have decided for me! I'll keep you posted. =)
Not a lurker, but I thought I'd say hi anyway. :)
Hello all - lurkers and non,
A big hearty hello to Caspian, certainy-not-Charlie, and Arabella... thanks for being there. :-)
Soleil, I check your blog all the time too! It's about time I introduce your blog officially. I will get right on that (yours too, Arabella, and Caspian's new address).
Angela... wow, hi! It's really nice to meet you. :-) Thank you for the kind words, and for the reminder that it's easy to feel out of place, even in your own country. If you want you can e-mail me (what_you_too @ yahoo.com) and I can introduce you to a couple of nice people in Chicago. Sounds like you could use some local friends. :-)
Bridget, you know you're welcome to stay at my place if the whole application process works out for you. We can even speak German the whole time if you want practice! Hee hee. :-)
Anyone else out there? It just occurred to me that plenty of you read my blog from work, and that yesterday was a holiday over yonder... so, maybe today...
I, too, read your blog on a semi-regular basis. I first linked to your blog from my friend Steph's blog. We went to college and were roommates in North Dakota.
Good blogging! Keep it up!
Lisa
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