Incoherence & Sun Shy by Dresses

Improving in the living room, suggested songs, suggested artists, flying body, whipping hair; whatever I want 

Timing, levels, turning, jumping, feeling, being; passionately

strumming, pounding, singing; swerve

..............

new friends, new memories, new feelings, new eyes, new understanding; wanting it all

a small smile, open eyes, a wink here, a wink there; so close to home on so many levels

singing, playing, reminding; filling in spaces 

..............

an open heart, a stolen heart; confused, but not really- I know where it is 

(maybe)

a different chapter, a different title; so different, but so good.

Mmmmm-ing and Ahhh-ing, wide mouthed and drooling

These are a few of my favorite things

(so far)

ADVENTURE SOME TODAY

CHLOE

XXX

"Doors"

Living in another country where the church isn't as big has really made me appreciate Mormon boys. I've had the pleasure of meeting a few in my 3 weeks of being here, and I am nothing less than impressed with them. 

I've also come to see how time works it's way out in ways we didn't even see. Life often opens doors, giving us the chance to walk through them, or close them. I met "a door"... And I would love to walk through that doorway; get to know the frame, what makes the doorknob turn, see what the door is made of, and get to know the hallway proceeding from the door. In just the few hours I spent studying "the door" you can see that there is more than meets the eye. The grains in the wood run deep, and the way things fit together on that door are interesting. It's the kind of door I've always wanted mounted on my house. 

There are so many doors I will open in the 6 weeks remaining of my trip, but I hope this one stays open. It's a very nice door. 

Life works out in funny ways, and I pray in thanks that that's the way things are. 

The church is true. I know it is with every thing that I am. I'm so excited to go out and serve the people of this world and bring them happiness and truth- to burn out the fear that so many men and women have, and replace it with peace and knowledge that everything will be okay; that our Heavenly Father loves us, every single one of us, no matter out lasts, our presents, or our futures. 

Happy Friday. I hope all is well wherever you are. Smile at a stranger today- it works miracles. 

Chloe

xxx 

Naked Kids- literally

Today I witnessed, in a small fraction, what Europe is best known for; nude beaches. Only differences were that I wasn't at a beach and they weren't completely nude. But let me tell you, it was quite a shock. I started to laugh at the ridiculousness of it all once I got over the initial shock of it all.

Boys run around naked, girls are topless. Nudity is not something to be ashamed of here. To be seen in a two-piece, completely modest swimsuit was a bit embarrassing because it seemed so natural to be scantily dressed.

Now, to put at ease the strange feelings you may be having about this, the boys are girls running naked and free were all mostly under the age of 8. But to see a topless little girl was still a little shocking. I know that my father would never have it, even when we were 6 years old and completely innocent.

Another strange feature of German swimming pools is the scale at which women view themselves. To explain, women here are EXTREMELY comfortable in their skin. The women are wrinkly and old and have front bums and they wear bikinis. Mothers that have birthed 9 kids are in bikinis with the same physical features.

Every young girl I saw had cottage cheese legs, or those that would quickly become cottage cheese legs within the next 4 years. And the best/worst part of this: NO ONE GAVE A ROUGH. They were just at the pool having a good time. The girls were with boys, they had boyfriends, some were married. And no one (except maybe me) payed any attention to these practicalities. Huh. Imagine that. A place where physical appearance didn't really matter. What a strange concept it still is to me.

Despite the easiness these women had, I still strive to have no cottage cheese and toned legs and a flat belly. I'd call it chemical imbalances in the brain. They often get me to eat less than I should, and no sweets (which is very hard living in Europe), and have me losing the calories due to the stress about the calories. Yes, I'd say I'm somewhat back in the same place I was last year. But I think today, seeing women being content and happy in the wrinkly and cheesy legs, made an impact in the positive way I've been praying so desperately to find.

I've read a great book: Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson. I recommend it.


Hi. Europe rocks. Hard.


Met a kid named Heber today and felt really close to home (Heber, UT. Get it?). And he's mature for his age (so I've been told), so I think we'll get on quite well. Hi, Heber. Thanks for having a nice name.


Loves from Germany
Chloe
xxx

also, I won this swimsuit.