Compare and Contrast
Sometimes I find it entertaining to compare and contrast things--you know, like how they make you write essays on tests in college. Right now, it is pretty natural to compare and contrast the first half of 2010 in Yap with this second half here at Camp Wawona, or at least since I've been here. Here is what I came up with:
CONTRASTS
In Yap, veggie-meat was a rare gift sent by mail. At Wawona, I eat it every day--almost every meal.
In Yap, my voice was perpetually gone because I talked so much, and mostly because I had to talk so loudly to be heard over 2nd graders. At Wawona, I think I might be able to fit all the words I say in a day on a half sheet of paper.
In Yap, I usually slept without even a sheet to cover me, and a big fan blowing on me all night, as well as a ceiling fan...and maybe a cold, wet cloth on me. At Wawona, I usually turn on the heater at night and crawl under a pile of blankets.
In Yap, it rained a few times every day. At Wawona, I think it sprinkled two seconds one day in the month I've been here. Honestly, I sometimes imagine that the sprinkler hitting my window is really a nice rain storm.
In Yap, fresh fruits and veggies were rare. At Wawona, I live on them.
In Yap, sometimes I got to cook breakfast or supper for my flat-mates. At Wawona, I don't cook...or I help feed a hundred people.
In Yap, there were always kids around--even next door. At Wawona (so far) there are no kids.
In Yap, we ate bugs in our food (as long as they were small). At Wawona, everything has to be sanitized. (Not complaining. Food service laws are important. Maybe that's why I don't get sick now.)
In Yap, I had two flatmates. At Wawona (for the last few weeks), I have NO flatmate. (Hurry up and come back, Sonya!)
COMPARISONS
In both places there are mice lurking about.
In both places there is a dog to love.
In both places there is beautiful natural scenery.
In both places there are dishes to wash and places to clean.
In both places there is a small group of people isolated from the rest of society.
Yap and Yosemite National Park are roughly the same size. (Yap is a little smaller.)
In both places everyone I work with works for the SDA church.
In both places the job is not about the money.
Both places have lots of mosquitoes.
In both places, I know Jesus put me where I need to be, and has been teaching me a lot.
"Be glad for all God is planning for you." Rom. 12:12
CONTRASTS
In Yap, veggie-meat was a rare gift sent by mail. At Wawona, I eat it every day--almost every meal.
In Yap, my voice was perpetually gone because I talked so much, and mostly because I had to talk so loudly to be heard over 2nd graders. At Wawona, I think I might be able to fit all the words I say in a day on a half sheet of paper.
In Yap, I usually slept without even a sheet to cover me, and a big fan blowing on me all night, as well as a ceiling fan...and maybe a cold, wet cloth on me. At Wawona, I usually turn on the heater at night and crawl under a pile of blankets.
In Yap, it rained a few times every day. At Wawona, I think it sprinkled two seconds one day in the month I've been here. Honestly, I sometimes imagine that the sprinkler hitting my window is really a nice rain storm.
In Yap, fresh fruits and veggies were rare. At Wawona, I live on them.
In Yap, sometimes I got to cook breakfast or supper for my flat-mates. At Wawona, I don't cook...or I help feed a hundred people.
In Yap, there were always kids around--even next door. At Wawona (so far) there are no kids.
In Yap, we ate bugs in our food (as long as they were small). At Wawona, everything has to be sanitized. (Not complaining. Food service laws are important. Maybe that's why I don't get sick now.)
In Yap, I had two flatmates. At Wawona (for the last few weeks), I have NO flatmate. (Hurry up and come back, Sonya!)
COMPARISONS
In both places there are mice lurking about.
In both places there is a dog to love.
In both places there is beautiful natural scenery.
In both places there are dishes to wash and places to clean.
In both places there is a small group of people isolated from the rest of society.
Yap and Yosemite National Park are roughly the same size. (Yap is a little smaller.)
In both places everyone I work with works for the SDA church.
In both places the job is not about the money.
Both places have lots of mosquitoes.
In both places, I know Jesus put me where I need to be, and has been teaching me a lot.
"Be glad for all God is planning for you." Rom. 12:12
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| Yap: ocean, rainy, warm breezes |
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| Yosemite: mountains, desert, cool breezes |
Don't worry about the lack of talking in a week you will be talking heaps! I have the coolest gift for you that you will LOVE!
ReplyDeleteYou sure pick beautiful places to live! And it sounds like the quality of your dining has certainly taken a step in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteThat's a fun exercise. I think I'm going to keep that idea tucked away in my brain for a bit and try it out sometime.
ReplyDeleteAnd as for you-- you're one lucky lady, Andrea. This post reminds me of Philippians 4. "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
Kessia, I was just thinking today that I have not learned the secret of being content, and thought of this verse. But I really, really want to. I never connected that last part, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength" with the challenge of being content, though. I guess He can make it possible, and He's definitely giving me opportunities to learn.
ReplyDeleteThis was very interesting to me. The compare contrast method was a super fun way of me getting just a tiny glimpse of your life in Yap and you life now. The things that were different were super different, and the similarities were very surprisingly similar!
ReplyDeleteSo interesting! Glad you're doing well and hope you're not freezing yet.
ReplyDeleteGood job! Way to think and pray your way through it. Love you...can't wait to see you.
ReplyDeleteDad