Walking

Today, as it was the 12th day of Ridvan, I did not go to school. I didn't do any homework. It was fabulous. And what made it even better was that it was a mild, sunny day, and I walked all over Ithaca. I walked up to the shoe store, returned the shoes I did not like, and got two new ones that I like very much. I got to venture to Staples, always exciting, grab a smoothie, briefly stop by Buttermilk Falls, then walk down to the music store. While walking there, I got a very important telephone call that my job for the summer is finally definite! Nothing's clear, but it is for sure :). Plus, I ran into one of the other young Baha'i women here, and we enjoyed the creek and the sunshine together. Then, I spent an hour at the music store looking through all the different horn books and music that they had. It was fantastic. No store clerk bothered me, no one looked at me funny, it was just me and the music. I got some new stuff which I'm really excited to play. Then, I also got a beginner's flute book for my new summer project. I'm going to be musical this summer. Start playing my horn regularly (now that I'm actually interested in it because I have interesting music), and teach myself to play the flute. Why the flute? Well, because I know people that own flutes, I tried playing it in high school and had fun, it's a very compact instrument, and it can be used for devotional programs and not drown out anybody speaking. Plus, I can practice it without bothering my neighbors. And it has lots of keys that make cool sounds when you close them :). On my walk back home with my exciting purchases, I met a dog. Yep, a dog. He/she was just wandering down a sidewalk. The mother in me came out extremely. I was rather worried about this dog and where its owner might be. I called the number on its tag and got a voicemail. I didn't want to leave it because I didn't want to be irresponsible. But my mom convinced me that since it was a fully grown dog, it could find its way home (especially since the dog didn't seem too anxious about anything). So, it followed me another block or two and then stopped and gave me a "Where are you going?" look. I continued walking, and ran into yet another young Baha'i woman and her mom who is here visiting from Madagascar! Oddly enough, within a block of where I met the first one :). It was great! I've never run into Baha'is not on campus before :).
Just a little while later, I walked back down to the Holy Day celebration, thoroughly enjoying the fact that Baha'is live close enough for me to walk to their place and that it's not painfully cold so I actually can walk. And almost as soon as I got there, a 4 year old girl attached herself to me, and it was splendid! She and I played all evening together, mostly with her on my lap. Except for the brief time that I played with an 18 month old. It was beautiful. Filled me up so much. It hurt so bad to see the girl's face when I said that I had to go home. But it was a beautiful night.
Tomorrow is my last day of classes of my first year of grad school. By tomorrow at 4 pm, the only thing left will be one take home final and then I am free. Many fun things are planned for this summer. Exciting new (and old) places and people and challenges and opportunities. Plus, it's going to be warm :), even hot.
I've reconnected with several old friends recently, mostly because of Facebook. And for that, I have a new appreciation for it. I love reconnecting with close friends. This one sister in particular it was especially wonderful to talk to her. She and I are opposites in almost every way, which meant that we both learned a lot from living together ;). As she said once, "Ours is a friendship that it doesn't matter how long it has been since we've talked to or seen each other, but the moment that we do, it's exactly as it has always been." That closeness will never disappear, and I am truly grateful.