Krista

My subject for this project is my friend, Krista Lewis. Our communication challenge was distance. We used to communicate on a regular basis. Since we had moved so far from one another, we had allowed the miles to silence our friendship.
This project symbolizes how close we have become in this last semester. We have learned to work across the miles to maintain and even build our friendship.
I found through this project that perceptions are very different. I had trouble trying to find a person with whom to communicate. I asked my friends which of them would like to improve our communication. The only one who responded was Krista. I was shocked because I felt of all of my friends, Krista and I communicated the best. Over this semester, I learned that even though I perceived our relationship as whole, she saw the holes I was blinded to. I learned that nonverbal communication is important. On our first visit together, we had problems being able to use gestures and looks to communicate. We had lost that ability being so far apart. Eventually, we came to be able to use the slightest gesture to communicate. We even had lunch with my mother during one visit. Later my mother asked me what Krista and I were talking about. She was only able to follow half the conversation because, without realizing it, we had half of the conversation in gestures and looks my mom didn’t understand. We also learned compromise. Living so far from one another, we had to make the effort to call, visit, or even email. This needed to be a two way street. I couldn’t go visit her all of the time. I also couldn’t expect her to make that trip each time either. But most importantly, we had to learn quality over quantity. It doesn’t help a relationship to talk everyday, if what you say is not meaningful. I believe that Krista and I have a better relationship after this project. I know we do. We learned more about each other not just facts and figures, but emotions and how we each handled life and its generous upheavals.
This semester, I learned that I am blind to many things in my life. While I perceive that my life is on a set course and that I am comfortable in my personal and professional relationships, those close to me see opportunities for growth. I have also learned that not every helping hand is waiting to pull me from the ledge only to let go. Those who have caught me before are still there, holding the net.

In the beginning, Krista was a friend. I would have said we were close, but we have gotten even closer.	The first thing we did to decrease the chasm in our communication was to spend more time together.	I learned that one of the most important things in Krista's life is her family. Despite their personality differences and some communication difficult
One thing we did while spending time together was to introduce Krista to a passion in my life, the SCA.	Krista fell into the SCA with all the passion I did. She enjoys the pageantry and the art of events. We have had so much fun learning about the past a	In Krista's passion and learning of the SCA, she has decided to make herself a mark. This is her device. Her personal arms of identification.
This is my device. We can't wait until they are approved.	This year, I refound my best friend. Not only that, I learned more about her, and myself.