[HANASHIR:6192] Re: T,T]

[Callie Maidhof <anomocal...>]

As someone who used to have the same shyness and anxiety about approaching new 
people-
especially in situations like Hava Nashira where people already know eachother- 
I really want
to address the issue.  This was my second year at Hava Nashira, but I still 
felt at the
beginning a little out of place even though I have generally gotten over these 
fears.  Last
year, there were several hours that I was there before we had anything really 
scheduled,
during which I was able to find people who were jamming my type of music, so by 
the time we
had dinner, I felt I had people to sit with, talk to.  This year there were 
things already
going on when I got there- on time.  I know it can be hard with all these new 
people who seem
to know eachother but I have to say please please face your fears and go talk 
to someone.
Even if you're older, or younger, or somehow different from everybody else, 
because I am.  For
two years, I have been nearly the youngest person there.  BUT what I have found 
is that every
person there has something in common that tramples the mountains of age, 
gender, skin color,
and continent.  We've all tried to describe it in one way or another.  The 
music that fills
our head (in a language gentile friends don't understand!), etc., etc.  The 
fact is we're all
in love with one another.  I can't think of a single person I don't like at 
Hava Nashira.  I
love you all.  So please, to the people who felt alienated this year, or have 
never come but
are on the mailing list and are thinking of coming, PLEASE next time you come 
(because you
better return!) just put your fears aside for two minutes and approach someone. 
 I promise
you'll find something special.  Oh, and to the rest of us- should we see 
someone sitting or
standing alone, let's see what's up, eh?

Love,
Callie Maidhof
Overland Park, Kansas
anomocal (at) swbell(dot)net