Tonight was a great night. Over the past weeks, I have befriended a group of people who cook in the kitchen around the same time I do. Sherry and Fiona are my two closest friends of the group: both chinese students. We decided a ways back to have a teaching dinner: they would teach me how to cook a classic chinese dish, and I would teach them a Jewish dish. Well, as these things typically go, a party of 3 turned into a party of 15. 15 close, good friends who each brought a cultural dish. Two Americans cooked Mexican, someone made a classic American pasta salad, I made Kugel, Rohan (australian) made coconut biscuits, and Sui Ching and Keiv (Malaysain) cooked chicken curry. It was a meal literally from around the world. We even cracked out some Italian food and made some garlic bread.
This dinner was perfect. All my favorite people were there. Lisa came for a while, Temi ate with us; it was really ideal. At the end of the meal, I served the Kugel and everyone learned about a new food. It was a smash hit. We all sat around the table laughing and the atmosphere was blissful. We laughed about cultural differences; laughed about language difficulties; laughed about studies. I found it funny how sometimes Sherry and Kiev used me as a translator for one another. They both speak fluent Chinese, but solely used english at the table.
Our dinner gathering, that began as a dinner for just three, transformed into a dinner party. No alcohol, no loud music, just good people, enjoying each other's company. Sometimes I think people forget how important it is to appreciate one another. The reason the dinner was so successful wasn't because the food was spectacular, nor was it attributed to everyone knowing each other. The dinner was a success because everyone for a moment, loved each other. Okay, that sounds like a hippy statement, but it's the truth. I sat between Corey and Kiev, two people of whom I don't always hang out with, and we were best friends for the entire meal. Everyone bonded.
As we all left the dining room to clean up, I became sad. I am so bad at goodbyes. I know, I have over 40 days remaining. That is plenty of time. But in the large life spectrum, that is nothing. I really and truly love these people and I know that when I leave for home, our relationships will change. A few "oh em gee I miss you!" on facebook or perhaps a skype date once in a blue moon, but if I have learned anything from goodbyes, it is that our friendships will change. Is it really that selfish of me to want one thing in my life to remain the same? I am so sick and tired of how dynamic life is. Leaving for college back in '07 was difficult, but because I was entering Whitman for the long term, I entered friendships fearlessly. I left Whitman for Tassie knowing I would be returning to the same people I have grown to love. But what of the friends I have made in Tassie? What are to become of them? It's weird because the best friends I made at Whitman took me almost a year to establish. In Tasmania, it took only 3 months. This group of friends is my world. They are the ones I trust, the ones who insist on celebrating my birthday even though they have finals, the ones I don't want to have to fly across the country/world to go to visit. Sometimes I wish that I didnt have friends here. I would be fine with hanging out with acquaintances. I can leave acquaintances. I cannot leave friends. I dont want to leave friends. They make me who I am, and without them, who am I? I would like nothing more than to cook a stupid, simple dinner with these people and just be with them. I want to go home, I do. I love home. I love my bed, my home friends, my family. But then why did I have to go and be ambitious and find a new place to call home? Hobart! psh, what kind of name is that? Ho-bart. It sounds like a hick version of the BART in San Fran. Could I have not just been content in Walla Walla or Los Angeles? Are two homes not enough? Come on Passover morals, kick in aleady! DI-freaking-AYNU.
But no. I came to Tasmania and met the most spectacular human beings this world has to offer. I forged a new family, a new community.
I know I dont have any contact with New Jew anymore, but I really have to thank that school. It taught me powerful lessons and values: the importance of deciphering a big thing from a small thing, learning through exploration and risk, and most significantly, the power of a community. The reason why this dinner was so successful was not just because we are all amicable persons, but rather, at that moment, we were a functional community. This dinner though simple, was in the words of Bruce Powell, a big thing. It demonstrated a shared respect of everyone at the table, an equal friendship.
There are many different kinds of friendships--those that last a lifetime, and those that last a few moments. Whatever kind of friendships I have created here in Tasmania, I hope and pray that these people know what kind of impression they have made on me. I hope that they realize the significances their lives have played in my life.
Now on a completely different note: I am going backpacking tomorrow!! Woo!! Lisa invited me on a hiking/mountain climbing adventure with Tasmanian people who I dont know (but Lisa does) and it shoud be epic...and cold. I will be sure to post photos and details later. As Ian so kindly mentioned to me today was that my trip has been defined by three main factors: hiking/backpacking, studies, and going out. Yea. Well, now we can add to the list making friends. OH. I FINISHED MY CHAIR IN METAL WORK!! I am a welding PRO. You guys have no idea. None whatsoever. Professional welder. It is a functional, weight supporting device also commonly referred to as a chair. Now I have to make a frame and a container and I can leave that class satisfied :) Catch yall later!
-Alie
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