Sweet Potato Festival

My First Sweet Potato Festival

September is the Sweet Potato Festival. Jenna’s mom asked if we would like to go and my mom said yes. This will be our first time to check it out thou it had been going on for years. It is an annual festival held in our town of different cultures. I heard there’s a lot of activities’ going on this day. In fact, my classmate told me to bring at least $50 to spend on this festival. I am not sure how true it is but decided to ask dad $100, which he immediately gave without fuss. I gave the $80 to mom and kept $20 in my pocket just in case I get separated. This is my first time and does not know what to expect. There will be fun rides for the kids and the animals to pet as well. Jenna mentioned about feeding camel.  I have seen camels but have not got so near like feeding them. What would be camel’s food, I wonder? Oh, it must be a potato! Sure, there will be lots of potato on this day, being a sweet potato festival. It makes me wonder what they do with sweet potato during the festival. Are there sweet potato fries? Maybe, sweet potatoes for sale at a bulk, for a cheaper price but my mind drifted to all the rides there is…

It starts at three, according to Jenna’s mom and plans to get there early. It was already half after 3 when we drive by the place. Mom was looking for a parking spot at the big space intended for parking. Since this is our first time, mom did not know where to park. You know, being cautious not to pay more like in the fair, you have to pay to park whether inside or outside. She went into the parking area but changed her mind, made a U-turn and park by the roadside instead. It was good to be early, get a good parking spot by the roadside. We decided to park across the ground where it was held. At the time, there were few cars already parked but it’s still pretty much empty. Behind us is a blue sedan, a big gap and three more cars in different brands. I called my friend’s mom to find out where they are so we can join them. At the end of the line comes “Hi”, Jenna’s mom must have expected my mom calling, a pause followed by “We decided to walk to the ground” is what I hear.  Oh ok. I hang up and waited for them live across the soccer field. It did not take long for them to show up, their heads pop out of the corner, the kids running as they cross the street without cars. We got out of the car and followed them.

“I heard that they have Indian dances today.” Jenna’s mom said as we catch up with them. So they want to watch the dance with a good seat in the front row. That is the reason they want to be early. I see. Brisk walking to where the stage is supposed to be, we look around to see if there is any vacant front row seats. There was no time schedule for when the program will start and so we waited. The music started with a deafening sound, we kids covered our ears for we were sitting close to the box. Everyone was startled with the loud noise and then it was bearable. A guy was up on stage, connecting all the microphones, came down to where a big guy was turning knobs between square shape black metal box or are these the sound control box and they talk a little bit. He went back on stage and tried the other accessories, came back to the other guy, hand him a CD and went back on stage but haven’t started yet. By then it was already 4 o’clock. The girls were getting tired of waiting and hearing the deafening sound, so close to their ears. This is what we get for setting in the front row!

The weather was fine, a bit sun and a bit cool but having seated for half an hour with no entertainment, the heat is starting to get to our skin. You know how it is when you are focusing on the sun because there was nothing else to focus on in front. My mom saw Jackie, the lady in charge of this festival and went to ask, “What is going on?” Jackie explained that the guy in charge was late and so the schedule was off. He has to set it all up before the program starts. Oh well, I wish to disappear and enjoy the festival but I can’t because Jenna’s mom wants to watch the performance. Finally, around 4:30, the first dance performs. We were glad but it was short-lived. After the first dance, the two guys were back to doing something with the equipment and the spectators end up waiting again. The music was loud but no presentation to show.  It was irritating but we stayed for the sake of the dance. After half an hour, a beautiful costume lady came up the stage to announce the second dance and by then it was already 5 o’clock. It sucks! The dance went on for 12 minutes or more and I do not enjoy it anymore, especially it’s in a language I do not understand. While they were dancing, I noticed some other kids lined up at the right side of the stage. I recognized a few of them. They are wearing fancy dresses, so colorful, I feel like having one. They are going to dance next. I would like to watch them dance. I have seen them before but only seen the last part of the dance for less than a minute. And we did! It was nice to see them swirling around with their beautiful dresses. We left afterward so we kids can go for rides.

We went to feed the camel first. I was right! We will be feeding sweet potatoes to the camel. It cost a dollar to do just that. We got our tickets and one by one we fed the camel with sweet potatoes. Each of us was given two small sweet potatoes and as soon as I got close to the fence, the camel came to check if there’s any sweet potato for him. I assume he is a he. I do not really know. He was quick to lower his face to me as if he was trained to do so. One by one we feed him until no more sweet potatoes left. The camel was so tall, with only one hump. He has dirty brown shade and probably stands tall to 10 ft. his face is so huge, I feel like he can swallow my whole face with his mouth. It was scary at first but with my friends around, it gave me a bit of support knowing if they can do it, so can I. Next, we petted the goats and pig. One of the goat is male with pointed horn, I was hesitant to get close to it but Jenna’s older brother Gabriel went to pet the male goat. He was brave to do that, I suppose. Finally, it is time for rides.

We rush to the line so we can be the first in line but I do not have tickets yet. Just then Mia passed by, tagging along her little brother Kyle. Mia used to play in the same soccer team with me and Jenna but we were never close. She goes to a different school and that is why. Jenna and Gabriel already went for rides using their day old bracelet from yesterday while I went with Mia to get a bracelet for unlimited rides. I wasn’t going to get a band but since Mia is staying with me, I better get one for she has one too. We can ride together with our unlimited bracelet for $25. Sometimes, Kyle would ride with us but there are rides he cannot go with us for he is shorter. Melissa showed me around since she has been to this festival a few times.  After a few rides, you can see more people walking, coming in, some with food on one hand. I watch this ride where it goes up and drops by surprise, the riders were closing their eyes as if in prayer. Isn’t it funny that people like to have fun and get scared but wants to go back again and again on the same ride? I guess, that is just the way people are. The crowd was getting more crowded at this time. The crowd is not that much yet but seems like growing every minute as the day creeps to night.

We were standing in line waiting for one ride when I saw my friend Roma. She is a year older than me but we kind of like each other, being country girls. We enjoyed our laugh, catch me if you can games and country life. I have not seen her for months and it was fun to see her again. Wish we could have a play date. She is really nice. We hug and talk a bit but with the other friends around, it’s kind of hard to concentrate on her because she doesn’t want to go on rides. Bummer!!!  “Come on, Roma.” I encourage her but she just won’t. I wonder if she feels shy with all the other friends I have. Just then I saw Becky on the other ride. I waved to her and she waved back to me. So many friends I met today, I feel so blessed. We were all standing – Romy, Becky, me, Mia and Jenny. It’s like the old time again, like we were in preschool. They were my preschool buddies and after 6 years we meet again here in sweet p  otato festival. There are friends everywhere, I feel like I was in Hollywood. Hahahah… dreaming moment of my life.

One by one they went home. Jenna first, followed by mia Roma next and last but not the least was Becky. I was the last one standing. I stayed with another classmate who is older than me and we went for rides, not paying attention to hunger and cold. It was getting late, around 8 in the evening and the weather was changing. But I plan to make the most of my bracelet until my body can’t stay active anymore because I was hungry and cold. The last ride I took was the coldest ride I ever had. I came out cold and wanting to go home. On the way home, I throw up and still feeling dizzy from the last ride. I had a warm shower as soon as I step in the house, had tea, blow dried my hair and went to bed early. I was beat up by sweet potato festival.

The next hour, I felt much better and warmer after a good warm shower. But I learned a lesson: don’t forget to stay warm.

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Love Crisis

What Is a True Friend?

The definition of a friend has changed in today’s technologically connected world. Today we may think we have many “friends.” It is true: we do enjoy the ability to be informed and to stay current with what is happening in the lives of many of our acquaintances as well as current and former friends and even people we have not met personally whom we call our friends.Sometimes our preoccupation is on havingfriends. Perhaps we should focus on being a friend.

In the context of social media, the term “friend” is often used to describecontacts rather than relationships. You have the ability to send your “friends” a message, but this is not the same thing as having a relationship with a person one on one.

Sometimes our preoccupation is on having friends. Perhaps we should focus on being a friend.

There are many definitions of what it means to be a friend. I will never forget hearing Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speak about what it means to be a friend and the powerful influence of friends in our lives. His definition has had lasting impact in my life. He said, “Friends are people who make it easier to live the gospel of Jesus Christ.” In this sense, seeking another person’s highest good is the essence of true friendship. It is putting someone else first. It is being strictly honest, loyal, and chaste in every action. Perhaps it is the wordcommitment that unlocks the real meaning of friendship.

When my daughter, Emi, was 15, she made a decision about what kind of friends she would seek. One morning I noticed her copy of the Book of Mormon opened to Alma 48. She had marked the verses that describe Captain Moroni: “Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; he was a man of a perfect understanding. … Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ” (verses 11, 13). In the margin she had written, “I want to date and marry a man like Moroni.” As I watched Emi and the kind of young men she associated with and later dated when she turned 16, I could see that she was exemplifying those qualities herself and helping others live up to their identity as sons of God, priesthood holders, and future fathers and leaders.

Key Ideas about Friendship

“Choose friends who share your values so you can strengthen and encourage each other in living high standards.

“To have good friends, be a good friend. …

“As you seek to be a friend to others, do not compromise your standards.”

For the Strength of Youth(booklet, 2011), 16.

True friends influence those with whom they associate to “rise a little higher [and] be a little better.” You can help one another, particularly young men, prepare for and serve honorable missions. You can help one another remain morally clean. Your righteous influence and friendship can have an eternal effect not only on the lives of those with whom you associate but also on generations to come.

The Savior called His disciples His friends. He said:

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

“Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you” (John 15:12–15; emphasis added).

As you live and share the gospel of Jesus Christ, you will attract people to you who will want to be your friend—not just a contact on a social media site but the kind of friend the Savior exemplified by His words and His example. As you strive to be a friend to others and to let your light shine forth, your influence will bless the lives of many with whom you associate. I know that as you focus on being a friend to others, as defined by prophets and the examples in the scriptures, you will be happy and you will be an influence for good in the world and will one day receive the glorious promise mentioned in the scriptures about true friendship: “That same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with eternal glory”

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How To Find A Good Friend

 How To Find A Good Friend

Here are some ideas on how to go about finding that special person.

Method 1 of 3: Putting Yourself Out There

1. 1
   Take the initiative. When it comes to finding a true friend, you can't afford to be lazy. A real friend won't just magically materialize on your doorstep, so you need to be willing to put some work in. Take matters into your own hands and start socializing.
   

   • Stop waiting for other people to do the work for you. Call people up and ask if you can hang out with them, or organize an event yourself.
   • Don't worry about seeming desperate or needy. Focus on you and your goal. If it all works out in the end, then who cares?
2. 2
   Meet new people. You won't make friends by sitting at home alone every night. You need to be proactive, so force yourself out of the house and meet as many people as possible. It might be intimidating at first, but it'll be worth it in the end.
   

   • One of the easiest ways to meet people is through friends you already have. Tag along to a party or social event and get your friend to make the introductions.
   • Meet people through hobbies or classes. Friends are generally people that you share a common interest with, so the people you meet through hobbies or classes are excellent potential friend material.
   • Meet people through work. You might have a work colleague who you feel a connection with, but you've never hung out socially. Now is the time.
   • Meet people online. Sometimes there's a stigma attached to meeting people online, but it can be a genuinely great way to meet people. Blogging, social networking and posting on online forums are all perfectly viable ways of socializing.
3. 3
   Don't be oversensitive. Meeting people for the first time can be tough. They may seem disinterested or unwilling to make an effort. Or else you might hit it off instantly, but you never hear from them again. Don't be disheartened. Finding a true friend takes time.
4. 4
   Don't be picky. Keep an open mind about who you hang out with. When you're trying to make friends, being picky is not a good strategy. Your initial goal is to meet as many people as possible, so talk to everybody and keep an open mind.
   

   • Even if you meet someone who looks or seems like someone you'd have nothing in common with, talk to them and give them a chance.
   • You're not going to know a true friend at first sight - you'll have to get to know them first - so consider every possibility!
5. 5
   Be persistent. Even if your first attempt at putting yourself out there isn't as successful as you had hoped, don't despair! People can take a little while to warm up, so the second or third time meeting someone might go a lot better than the first.
   

   • If you invite someone to hang out, don't be upset if they can't make it. Chances are they have a genuine excuse, it's not because they don't like you. Give it a week or two, then ask again.
   • Sometimes it just won't work out with someone and that's okay. Consider it a practice run for when you meet the real deal.
6. 6
   Be patient. It takes time to really get to know someone, especially when you're looking for true friendship. If you continue to put yourself out there and make an effort to hang out with as many people as possible, eventually you'll find someone you genuinely connect with.
   

   • Be realistic about how much time it'll take to really get to know someone. Sure, you might hit it off and feel like you've known someone for ten years rather than ten minutes, but usually it'll take much longer, depending on how often you hang out.
   • In the right situations, you can make new friends very quickly - like when you start college, move to a new city, or join a sports teams.

Method 2 of 3: Getting to Know One Another

1. 1
   Start a conversation. The first step in getting to know a potential friend is to strike up a conversation. Find out a little bit about them and their interests. Once you get started on an interesting topic, the rest will come naturally.
   

   • Try making a general comment or asking a question about something generic, just to break the ice. For example, "Great party, huh?" or "How do you know John?"
   • Try to listen more than you talk. Show that you're interested in what they have to say.
   • Find out about their interests and hobbies. If you can find something you have in common, the conversation will flow more freely.
2. 2
   Get their contact information. If you hit it off with someone, make sure to get their contact information before you part ways, you'll need it if you want to organize to meet up with them again.
   

   • Get their phone number or email address, or ask if they're on Facebook. It doesn't matter as long as you have a way of reaching out to them.
   • Be sure to give them your contact details too. They might just invite you to do something fun.
3. 3
   Invite them to hang out. Here is where a lot of people falter. It's fine to meet people once and make friends with them on Facebook afterwards, but you won't develop a true friendship unless you take the next step and invite them to hang out.
   

   • You don't need to invite them to do anything special, just ask them if they'd like to go for a drink or hang out at the beach.
   • Even if they can't make it, they'll probably be flattered you asked. Try again in a week or so.
4. 4
   Accept every invitation. It's good to make your own plans to meet up with people, but if you get an invitation it's even better. Think of it as an easy opportunity to get to know someone better or meet more people.
   

   • Accept every invitation that's thrown your way, even if it's to see a movie you're not interested in or to play a sport you don't like. Once you're there, you will be glad that you made the effort.
   • You don't want to get a reputation as the person who never shows up for anything. That's a surefire way to never get invited anywhere.
5. 5
   Give the relationship time to grow. Deep, meaningful relationships don't just blossom overnight - you need to nurture them and allow them time to mature.
   

   • Once you've made the initial steps and established a routine of hanging out, just repeat, repeat, repeat.
   • To become a true friend with someone, you need to hang out fairly often, keep in touch, enjoy good times together, and get to know each other on a deeper level.

Method 3 of 3: What To Look For in a True Friend

1. 1
   Look for someone you can have fun with. A true friend is someone that you have a great time with. You should be able to make your own fun, laugh together, get in trouble, and genuinely enjoy one another's company.
2. 2
   Look for someone who will be honest with you. A true friend will always be honest with you, no matter what. It doesn't matter whether it's about something trivial, like whether your outfit looks good on you, or something life-altering, like if they found out that your partner is cheating on you. A true friend will never keep you in the dark.
3. 3
   Look for someone who will be loyal to you. A true friend will be fiercely loyal to you, whether you're present or not. This means that they'll stand by you, even if they don't agree with your decisions and stick up for you when nobody else will.
4. 4
   Look for someone trustworthy. You can trust a true friend with anything, whether it's to feed your cat while you're on vacation or to keep your deepest, darkest secrets.
5. 5
   Look for someone dependable. A true friend is there when you need them, to share the good times and help you through the bad ones. They return your phone calls. They show up to the lame double date you made them agree to. They don't go M.I.A. when the going gets tough.
6. 6
   Look for someone supportive. A true friend is supportive of you and your goals. They won't try to change you, make you feel uncomfortable or try to hold you back. They encourage you to be your very best

            Tips

• Express who you are! Don't pretend to like something or be someone you're not. Don't lie to sound impressive.
• A true friendship is hard to come by. It's a gift to have that kind of bond with someone. Don't push and try to make it happen with someone you don't get along well with, and if you do find it- keep it!
• Do not force friendship.
• Express yourself! Nothing says "let's hang out" like having everyone know who you are. Like Switchfoot? Wear a band T-shirt. Into Buffy? Wear a T-shirt again. You get the idea.
• Be yourself. You don't need to change for people to like you.

Warnings

• If you're chatting online, never try and meet up in person unless you're absolutely sure that this person is legitimate. It's hard to tell, but be extraordinarily cautious. This means not meeting someone in person right away, wait a year. If you do meet- always meet in a very public place where there is security. Also, bring a trusted friend.
• Never give out your personal information online.
• Not all people will be willing to be your friend, so just move on.     

***Sources and Citations=

http://www.succeedsocially.com/sociallife http://www.succeedsocially.com/deepenfriendship

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