I saw this movie this weekend: Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close. I'm still not sure how I feel about it, as I understand the idea behind it but I'm really not fond of the storyline (who let's their little kid run around NYC by themselves all day going into homes of complete strangers?). But, either way, it got me thinking about 9/11.
9/11 sucked. I'm pretty sure there really isn't a better way to put that. Everything about wars and terrorism sucks. But, this particular event--9/11--sucks more than the rest of them just because it happened and I/we/my generation was there for it. There's always Pearl Harbor, all of WWI & WWII and other wars, numerous battles etc., and even the completely-non-war-related Titanic that were horrible events where so many people were killed. We hear about them, and read about them, and we know they sucked too. But, we weren't watching the news or reading the papers or listening to the radio when these things happened like we were for 9/11.
Instead the halls in our schools were very hush hush while non-descriptive "letters" were passed out to us and we were sent home early to empty houses where we then turned on the news alone and tried to make sense of what was happening. Was it a coincidence? Was it a terrorist attack? Where even ARE the twin towers? Do I know anyone there? Many of the news stories, at least for me, will be the things that stick around forever as memories. Especially the stories in the days that followed where loved ones cried out at the cameras waving flyers and pictures at the camera of their missing family members.
We weren't there to see the aftermath for the others.
And I think it makes us stronger as a generation.
Showing posts with label Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life. Show all posts
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Not Even Sorry
I don't have much to say in this post. I have no pictures of this event, so I drew you a picture...
The other day we took Cleo and Blitz (who got adopted today! So we are back to a one doggy home!) to the park to see how Blitz did interacting with strangers, on a leash, etc. We walked him over to the playground to find some kids.
There were none.
So we played on the playground like the grown adults we are.
This "bucketseat" spinning contraption? Amazing. You propel yourself once, and then it spins you and you can't stop.
And if you're me, you laugh uncontrollably and nearly puke when you finally get up the balls to jump off the spinning death seat.
And then you're horribly embarrassed when a biker or 6 goes by.
The other day we took Cleo and Blitz (who got adopted today! So we are back to a one doggy home!) to the park to see how Blitz did interacting with strangers, on a leash, etc. We walked him over to the playground to find some kids.
There were none.
So we played on the playground like the grown adults we are.
This "bucketseat" spinning contraption? Amazing. You propel yourself once, and then it spins you and you can't stop.
And if you're me, you laugh uncontrollably and nearly puke when you finally get up the balls to jump off the spinning death seat.
And then you're horribly embarrassed when a biker or 6 goes by.
Monday, October 10, 2011
How Here is Different Than There
Moving to the other side of the country is obviously a big adjustment. But, some changes weren't really anticipated and we have to live around here awhile to get a hang of them. Mostly they are things you'd never think of that are suprising! Such as...
Traffic Lights
On the eastern side of the country, we have three lights at traffic stops: red, yellow, green. Occasionally we see a green arrow. And that's it.
Here, however, there are no "green lights" for turn lanes--there are only arrows. So you either get a green arrow (not that I've seen this), a flashing yellow arrow (which means proceed with caution), a regular yellow arrow (which means you better book it before the light turns red) or a red arrow. This seems particularly unintelligent since the flashing yellow and the regular yellow are in the same "circle" so you have to really be paying attention so see the change if you are waiting to turn.
Communication
Such as one area code for the entire state.
One news broadcast and, yes, it covers the entire state.
The news broadcast is horrible, too. It's so bad. We had a high school news produced by high school students and it was better than this. You can literally hear people in the background saying "ok...go" when they switch the cameras.
There are a large amount of radio stations, though. That was a GOOD surprise.
And I'm going to go ahead and throw "highways closed for high wind" into this one. Because the highway is pretty much the only way to get to any other city from here. And it's at least an hour away. The highways close way too often.
Lawns
The only lawns in this state that aren't brown are in our neighborhood. And that's only because we are required to water it three times a week.
However, we are not required to have the following in our yard, but can't seem to get rid of them: Prairie Dogs AND their lovely holes (Cleo likes to stick her head in them so..that's always fun) and antelope AND their lovely crap. Thankfully, Cleo is a pansy and after about 20 seconds of staring at the antelope that are consistently in our yard (eating my mums), she runs back to me or the house. Yea, she's a great herding dog ;)
Traffic Lights
On the eastern side of the country, we have three lights at traffic stops: red, yellow, green. Occasionally we see a green arrow. And that's it.
Here, however, there are no "green lights" for turn lanes--there are only arrows. So you either get a green arrow (not that I've seen this), a flashing yellow arrow (which means proceed with caution), a regular yellow arrow (which means you better book it before the light turns red) or a red arrow. This seems particularly unintelligent since the flashing yellow and the regular yellow are in the same "circle" so you have to really be paying attention so see the change if you are waiting to turn.
Communication
Such as one area code for the entire state.
One news broadcast and, yes, it covers the entire state.
The news broadcast is horrible, too. It's so bad. We had a high school news produced by high school students and it was better than this. You can literally hear people in the background saying "ok...go" when they switch the cameras.
There are a large amount of radio stations, though. That was a GOOD surprise.
And I'm going to go ahead and throw "highways closed for high wind" into this one. Because the highway is pretty much the only way to get to any other city from here. And it's at least an hour away. The highways close way too often.
Lawns
The only lawns in this state that aren't brown are in our neighborhood. And that's only because we are required to water it three times a week.
However, we are not required to have the following in our yard, but can't seem to get rid of them: Prairie Dogs AND their lovely holes (Cleo likes to stick her head in them so..that's always fun) and antelope AND their lovely crap. Thankfully, Cleo is a pansy and after about 20 seconds of staring at the antelope that are consistently in our yard (eating my mums), she runs back to me or the house. Yea, she's a great herding dog ;)
Monday, August 15, 2011
Colds in the Summer
The progression of the cold vs. my evening at my favorite downtown restaurant:
Step 1: Throats a little weird, but fine still as long as I'm chewing bubble gum or drinking something
Step 2: Sneeze 8 Billion times.
Step 3: Go gome with fever and actual illness.
...who gets a cold in the summer????
Step 1: Throats a little weird, but fine still as long as I'm chewing bubble gum or drinking something
Step 2: Sneeze 8 Billion times.
Step 3: Go gome with fever and actual illness.
...who gets a cold in the summer????
Sunday, July 24, 2011
The Shop Around the Corner
This week, Borders announced that they will be selling the store to a liquidator and would be closing after 40 years. In all fairness, it's not something that us employees were shocked by. Borders declared backruptcy last year and closed 200 some of the 600 some stores, leaving about 400 open. eReaders have done considerable damage in the world of books, just as Netflix and Redbox have done their part to force Hollywood Video into liquidation and Blockbuster video into bankruptcy.
All I can think about, though, is Meg Ryan in You've Got Mail, so sad about her "little shop" closing because the "big" chain around the corner put her out of business. It's weird, because we're the big store.
Although I've only been back in Borders a short time after a stint a couple years ago, I've always fully enjoyed working there. I always say I have two jobs, but I only enjoy one...and Borders is it. It's such a relaxed place to work, and also intellectually stimulating, and we've made strong friendships within each other. I don't think there is any retail job that can possibly be more relaxing.
But, now we have signs like these plastered all over the store. Giant signs hanging off the cielings in several places, at least one %off sign every 4 feet, all sales final, no checks, etc.
This is a sad time for all of us, employees and customers alike. This time is, however, made harder with some customers who fail to put things in perspective so, in the interest of all 11,000 Borders employees who are about to lose their jobs, I ask you to please remember a few things as you come through the final sales and get your good deals:
We understand that you may have paid to upgrade your card with us and are now upset that you are out $20. We have no control over this, and please remember that your $20 is a small inconvenience--we would gladly trade your $20 for our jobs.
Although we appreciate that you are sorry we are closing and you may be generally interested in what we, individually, are now planning to do with our umemployed lives, we can only hear such things so many times in the day before we get frustrated. It's kind of like when you make comments like "Wow, you're only 6 months?!" and "Wow, you're huge!" to a pregnant woman--it's good natured, but when you look back on it you realize it's really not a compliment. Plus, it's depressing.
We don't know what day, specifically, we will be closing. We don't know when the sales will be changing. We no longer have the ability to use coupons or give discounts of any kind. Everything is now under control of the company that bought us, and we have zero say in what we do or don't do. It's kind of like being held captive.
Generally, please just remember that although our closing is getting you amazing deals, it's also taking the livelihoods of thousands of people. And don't be a dick.
All I can think about, though, is Meg Ryan in You've Got Mail, so sad about her "little shop" closing because the "big" chain around the corner put her out of business. It's weird, because we're the big store.
Although I've only been back in Borders a short time after a stint a couple years ago, I've always fully enjoyed working there. I always say I have two jobs, but I only enjoy one...and Borders is it. It's such a relaxed place to work, and also intellectually stimulating, and we've made strong friendships within each other. I don't think there is any retail job that can possibly be more relaxing.
But, now we have signs like these plastered all over the store. Giant signs hanging off the cielings in several places, at least one %off sign every 4 feet, all sales final, no checks, etc.
This is a sad time for all of us, employees and customers alike. This time is, however, made harder with some customers who fail to put things in perspective so, in the interest of all 11,000 Borders employees who are about to lose their jobs, I ask you to please remember a few things as you come through the final sales and get your good deals:
We understand that you may have paid to upgrade your card with us and are now upset that you are out $20. We have no control over this, and please remember that your $20 is a small inconvenience--we would gladly trade your $20 for our jobs.
Although we appreciate that you are sorry we are closing and you may be generally interested in what we, individually, are now planning to do with our umemployed lives, we can only hear such things so many times in the day before we get frustrated. It's kind of like when you make comments like "Wow, you're only 6 months?!" and "Wow, you're huge!" to a pregnant woman--it's good natured, but when you look back on it you realize it's really not a compliment. Plus, it's depressing.
We don't know what day, specifically, we will be closing. We don't know when the sales will be changing. We no longer have the ability to use coupons or give discounts of any kind. Everything is now under control of the company that bought us, and we have zero say in what we do or don't do. It's kind of like being held captive.
Generally, please just remember that although our closing is getting you amazing deals, it's also taking the livelihoods of thousands of people. And don't be a dick.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
To Facebook or Not to Facebook
Lately, I've been thinking about the benefits versus the issues that come with having a facebook. I recently read an article by someone who spent a year without using facebook--to my surprise, she lived. I don't, for the life of me, remember what I did before Facebook. But, the superficial friendships and the lack of any commonly accepted rules on the site get to me every once in awhile.
I mean, do I really have 387 friends? No, no I don't. And I've deleted some 100+ friends in the past month. And do I have to add my boss if they ask to be my friend? Do I have to add my grandmother? My husband's aunt? My 10 year old nephew? If I add all those people, then I have to watch what I say because what I'd like to say may not be condusive to what my grandmother and my 10 year old nephew should be reading, or my boss to be knowning. And doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose of having a profile when nothing you say or do is actually what you'd like to say or do?
But, if you don't use facebook, it's like your missing out on everything. You can't see when other people get married, have children, move, or (the worst) die. And how am I supposed to know if my child is cute without 300 people hitting "like" on their pictures?
I try really hard to keep my profile private. Everything on it is set to "friends only" and my profile is unsearchable. But, that doesn't seem to really matter--I can't stop myself from showing up in other people's "people you may know" section, I can't stop friends of my friends from seeing things I put on their walls or pictures they put up of me. Everytime my friends and I go out we have "posting rules" with photos--we can't risk the whole world seeing everything we do.
Keeping connected is great, but I often wonder if it's truly worth the stress and the fakeness that tends to come along with it.
Thoughts?
I mean, do I really have 387 friends? No, no I don't. And I've deleted some 100+ friends in the past month. And do I have to add my boss if they ask to be my friend? Do I have to add my grandmother? My husband's aunt? My 10 year old nephew? If I add all those people, then I have to watch what I say because what I'd like to say may not be condusive to what my grandmother and my 10 year old nephew should be reading, or my boss to be knowning. And doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose of having a profile when nothing you say or do is actually what you'd like to say or do?
But, if you don't use facebook, it's like your missing out on everything. You can't see when other people get married, have children, move, or (the worst) die. And how am I supposed to know if my child is cute without 300 people hitting "like" on their pictures?
I try really hard to keep my profile private. Everything on it is set to "friends only" and my profile is unsearchable. But, that doesn't seem to really matter--I can't stop myself from showing up in other people's "people you may know" section, I can't stop friends of my friends from seeing things I put on their walls or pictures they put up of me. Everytime my friends and I go out we have "posting rules" with photos--we can't risk the whole world seeing everything we do.
Keeping connected is great, but I often wonder if it's truly worth the stress and the fakeness that tends to come along with it.
Thoughts?
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Blogging Failure
I realize that I stink at blogger this year. So, here's a quick overhaul of the major happenings lately:
I got a new car!
I graduated college.
...and so did my sister, so she went to graduation and I stole her cap and gown to take my own pictures as if I went to mine :)
B and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary! 2,000 miles apart. He sent me these pretty flowers:
And Brady started playing soccer. For approximately 2 minutes a game. And then she picks flowers and plays in the dirt. What can I say...she's 3.
And that's about it! Maybe I'll get back into this soon...
I got a new car!
I graduated college.
...and so did my sister, so she went to graduation and I stole her cap and gown to take my own pictures as if I went to mine :)
B and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary! 2,000 miles apart. He sent me these pretty flowers:
And Brady started playing soccer. For approximately 2 minutes a game. And then she picks flowers and plays in the dirt. What can I say...she's 3.
And that's about it! Maybe I'll get back into this soon...
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Car Shopping is for the.......Humans
I'm finally doing some serious car shopping! After my failed Cash for Clunkers attempt where I decided on a Saturday to trade my car in for a new, tiny one and then they decided Saturday night to end the cash for clunkers deal a couple years ago...B and I have finally decided (well, with the Air Force and the 18 hours my car has to go to get to our new home) that it's time to get a new car for me.
Hopefully, my car will hold on until May/June-ish, and I'll be getting one then. But, I've been doing some serious research and I've narrowed it down to two vehicles that are highly similar that are both 2 wheel drive, automatic, 4-cylinder, small suvs. Only difference is about $3,000--however, one is a little bigger than the other so the difference makes sense. I'm going to try to test drive both in the next couple weeks.
The nominees are:
Toyota RAV4 (yes, this color)
OR
Hyundai Tuscon (yes, this color)
Thoughts?
Hopefully, my car will hold on until May/June-ish, and I'll be getting one then. But, I've been doing some serious research and I've narrowed it down to two vehicles that are highly similar that are both 2 wheel drive, automatic, 4-cylinder, small suvs. Only difference is about $3,000--however, one is a little bigger than the other so the difference makes sense. I'm going to try to test drive both in the next couple weeks.
The nominees are:
Toyota RAV4 (yes, this color)
OR
Hyundai Tuscon (yes, this color)
Thoughts?
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Tidbits and Things
Not too many exciting things have been going on lately. Tomorrow is Valentine's Day! Exciting! Unfortunately, B and I aren't even in the same state so it will kind of be a bust. Maybe I'll hang out with my single friends? I think that's a viable option.
However, I get to see this shining face ALL next weekend:
B just went to Alabama for a training, and that's a minor 10 hours from here compared to the 18 hours Wyoming is, and I have a 4 day weekend so I'm going to see my hubby! I'm excited!
In other news...
Brady was sick not this last weekend but the weekend before that, slept with me, slept on my face, and I STILL have some of her illness.
I've decided that I need to move my chapstick because Brady knows it's location too well. When I cleaned yesterday I found three stray chapsticks stuck around under furniture and stuff. Usually, she just gets some out, holds it up and says "Mammay did you buy this for me?" My thought is usually something like ...yes, and that's why I put it wayyy back in that drawer so it would be easily findable--surprise! But I just say "yes" and she goes "thank you for buying this for me Mammay. i love it." And then we go shopping and she tells me everything I try on looks "beautiful" on me while doing this...
And all is forgiven.
I got a new smartphone. Much different than my basic slider with no keyboard was. However, it's autocorrections are simply fantastic. I tried to type something about my mom being home to take someone to the airport today and it replace "mom" with "abduction".....good times!
And, lastly, I discovered that I'm missing a Reba CD and a Sara Bareilles CD case. I'm pretty sure they are together having a super awkward party. But, in any case, I'd like to rediscover both of them!
See what you haven't missed in my seriously pathetic lack of posting?? ;)
However, I get to see this shining face ALL next weekend:
B just went to Alabama for a training, and that's a minor 10 hours from here compared to the 18 hours Wyoming is, and I have a 4 day weekend so I'm going to see my hubby! I'm excited!
In other news...
Brady was sick not this last weekend but the weekend before that, slept with me, slept on my face, and I STILL have some of her illness.
I've decided that I need to move my chapstick because Brady knows it's location too well. When I cleaned yesterday I found three stray chapsticks stuck around under furniture and stuff. Usually, she just gets some out, holds it up and says "Mammay did you buy this for me?" My thought is usually something like ...yes, and that's why I put it wayyy back in that drawer so it would be easily findable--surprise! But I just say "yes" and she goes "thank you for buying this for me Mammay. i love it." And then we go shopping and she tells me everything I try on looks "beautiful" on me while doing this...
And all is forgiven.
I got a new smartphone. Much different than my basic slider with no keyboard was. However, it's autocorrections are simply fantastic. I tried to type something about my mom being home to take someone to the airport today and it replace "mom" with "abduction".....good times!
And, lastly, I discovered that I'm missing a Reba CD and a Sara Bareilles CD case. I'm pretty sure they are together having a super awkward party. But, in any case, I'd like to rediscover both of them!
See what you haven't missed in my seriously pathetic lack of posting?? ;)
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Actual Update Say Whaa?
I know it's been awhile since I've made an actual life update instead of just pictures! But, this time, it's happening! In fact, I don't even have a picture for this post. Fact.
I got back to Ohio on December 27th and left my poor hubs at our new base wayyy out west. I started teaching again on January 3rd. I really do like teaching, but I've been to several different schools for my degree in the last couple years and, frankly, they were starting to make me hate it. This particular placement, however, is absolutely amazing. I have juniors and seniors, which is quite a different scene from the freshman and sophomores that I have had in the past, and I love it. Looove it. Plus, I have a pretty awesome teacher working with me this time, which is also a far cry from the usual.
B is lonely out in the middle of nowhere, but he really loves his job so it's not that horrible. He has some training about 10 hours from here in February and I have a 4 day weekend, so I'm going to head down and see him then. I think I'm also finally going to make the jump from my local cell phone service to Verizon so we're on the same phone plan.
Question: Droid Incredible--yay or nay?
I haven't been too super busy lately as I have no classes this semester and I only work my part-time job on the weekends. I'm not used to not being busy. I'm not sure how to handle it--I was bored within 30 minutes of waking up today.
Fortunately, this is a pattern that looks like it's going to continue for awhile. The last couple years I feel like everything I've done, I've done super quick. Last year I had to hurry up and get all my finals done in May, because our wedding was that weekend. The morning after I finished doing 10 credit hours in 5 weeks last summer we left for our honeymoon. The morning after I finished taking all my finals early in December, we left to move 18 hours away. It's been go-go-go.
But, this summer, I have nothing to do. It's just me and work, and some glorious weekends at the lake! B will be at a training, so I'll visit once or twice, but other than that...I have nothing until August.
I hope I don't go stir crazy!
I got back to Ohio on December 27th and left my poor hubs at our new base wayyy out west. I started teaching again on January 3rd. I really do like teaching, but I've been to several different schools for my degree in the last couple years and, frankly, they were starting to make me hate it. This particular placement, however, is absolutely amazing. I have juniors and seniors, which is quite a different scene from the freshman and sophomores that I have had in the past, and I love it. Looove it. Plus, I have a pretty awesome teacher working with me this time, which is also a far cry from the usual.
B is lonely out in the middle of nowhere, but he really loves his job so it's not that horrible. He has some training about 10 hours from here in February and I have a 4 day weekend, so I'm going to head down and see him then. I think I'm also finally going to make the jump from my local cell phone service to Verizon so we're on the same phone plan.
Question: Droid Incredible--yay or nay?
I haven't been too super busy lately as I have no classes this semester and I only work my part-time job on the weekends. I'm not used to not being busy. I'm not sure how to handle it--I was bored within 30 minutes of waking up today.
Fortunately, this is a pattern that looks like it's going to continue for awhile. The last couple years I feel like everything I've done, I've done super quick. Last year I had to hurry up and get all my finals done in May, because our wedding was that weekend. The morning after I finished doing 10 credit hours in 5 weeks last summer we left for our honeymoon. The morning after I finished taking all my finals early in December, we left to move 18 hours away. It's been go-go-go.
But, this summer, I have nothing to do. It's just me and work, and some glorious weekends at the lake! B will be at a training, so I'll visit once or twice, but other than that...I have nothing until August.
I hope I don't go stir crazy!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
A Word About Passion
This is going to be one of those actual "writing" posts. I know, crazy. Not even a picture.
I was thinking about passion this week. In the two weeks of break from my summer classes and my fall classes, I read a couple books. I chose both for specific reasons, none of which were really important, and finished them fairly quickly. But, when I was done, I came to a horrible realization: I don't know if I liked them or not. Somewhere in the past couple years, I basically lost the ability to tell whether I enjoyed what I was reading or not. How do I not know if I like it? And if I don't know, who the hell does? I could easily point out the things about the books that I didn't like, but that didn't mean to me that I didn't like the book as a whole. I live a lot of my life in the grey matter. It was good, but it was also bad. Neither means I did or didn't like the book.
This got me thinking along the lines of likes and dislikes. Plus, with my extra time this week, I was able to submit some writing pieces to various publications, do some painting, and even do some drawing. All of which I like to do. Then I realized: I don't have a passion for all of those. I like to do a lot of things. But...who was it that said this?..."I can do anything I want to do, but I can't do everything I want to do." If you say you have passion for many things equally, then you spend little time on each and never spend enough time on any to make them effective. There has to be some kind of focus. One or two things that hold your passion, and not just your enjoyment.
I do a lot of things I don't like to do. Everyone does--I'm not some ultra-sacrificing woman, no one can do what they want to do all the time. I don't like doing laundry. I don't like cleaning the bathroom. I'm not a big fan of dishes. But we all have to do them. That's fine. But, I think a lot of time we get lost in doing things we "should" be doing and forget to do things we "want" to do--things we have a passion for.
And therein lies the question: what is your passion? I like to draw and to paint, but not for long periods of time. I like to bike and kayak, but often I find myself forcing it. I like to write, but many times my brain prefers to focus on 928392 other things while I'm writing and that's makes the process frustrating. So, what do I love to do?
I don't know. It seems like an easy question. I mean, it's me...no one knows me better than me...this shouldn't be difficult. But, I do know that there are a few things that I'm waiting for right now that may point to my passion. I'm waiting for our PCS date, so that I know when I'm going to be on the other side of the country. So I can call the RedCross there and set up disaster relief training. And I know that if I hadn't ever started dating B, I'd be getting my assignment for the Peace Corps next year. But, does that mean that because my life with B took a higher priority than my Peace Corps plan that my dream--my passion--is lost? No. It just means that I have to look for my passion in other things. And that's okay.
As long as I'm passionate ;)
I was thinking about passion this week. In the two weeks of break from my summer classes and my fall classes, I read a couple books. I chose both for specific reasons, none of which were really important, and finished them fairly quickly. But, when I was done, I came to a horrible realization: I don't know if I liked them or not. Somewhere in the past couple years, I basically lost the ability to tell whether I enjoyed what I was reading or not. How do I not know if I like it? And if I don't know, who the hell does? I could easily point out the things about the books that I didn't like, but that didn't mean to me that I didn't like the book as a whole. I live a lot of my life in the grey matter. It was good, but it was also bad. Neither means I did or didn't like the book.
This got me thinking along the lines of likes and dislikes. Plus, with my extra time this week, I was able to submit some writing pieces to various publications, do some painting, and even do some drawing. All of which I like to do. Then I realized: I don't have a passion for all of those. I like to do a lot of things. But...who was it that said this?..."I can do anything I want to do, but I can't do everything I want to do." If you say you have passion for many things equally, then you spend little time on each and never spend enough time on any to make them effective. There has to be some kind of focus. One or two things that hold your passion, and not just your enjoyment.
I do a lot of things I don't like to do. Everyone does--I'm not some ultra-sacrificing woman, no one can do what they want to do all the time. I don't like doing laundry. I don't like cleaning the bathroom. I'm not a big fan of dishes. But we all have to do them. That's fine. But, I think a lot of time we get lost in doing things we "should" be doing and forget to do things we "want" to do--things we have a passion for.
And therein lies the question: what is your passion? I like to draw and to paint, but not for long periods of time. I like to bike and kayak, but often I find myself forcing it. I like to write, but many times my brain prefers to focus on 928392 other things while I'm writing and that's makes the process frustrating. So, what do I love to do?
I don't know. It seems like an easy question. I mean, it's me...no one knows me better than me...this shouldn't be difficult. But, I do know that there are a few things that I'm waiting for right now that may point to my passion. I'm waiting for our PCS date, so that I know when I'm going to be on the other side of the country. So I can call the RedCross there and set up disaster relief training. And I know that if I hadn't ever started dating B, I'd be getting my assignment for the Peace Corps next year. But, does that mean that because my life with B took a higher priority than my Peace Corps plan that my dream--my passion--is lost? No. It just means that I have to look for my passion in other things. And that's okay.
As long as I'm passionate ;)
Friday, June 18, 2010
No Pictures
I have so much to blog about, and so little ambition. I don't even have a picture for this post because I just bought a new computer and there are no pictures on it yet. And I hate pictureless posts. But, apparently transferring my iTunes was higher up in importance to me due to the three computers that are currently adorning this desk.
Coming up in the land of whenever-via-finds-ambition:
-B's commissioning
-National AF Museum
-Computer shopping
-Professional wedding photos (mini-series)
-wedding scrapbooking
-our [booked] honeymoon
Hopefully I'll find my ambition soon before this list becomes too ridiculous!
Coming up in the land of whenever-via-finds-ambition:
-B's commissioning
-National AF Museum
-Computer shopping
-Professional wedding photos (mini-series)
-wedding scrapbooking
-our [booked] honeymoon
Hopefully I'll find my ambition soon before this list becomes too ridiculous!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Snomagedden.
It's been snowing here all week. We are not unaccustomed to snow...each year we get one or two snows that total out at a minimum of 15" and several little snows. But, from the way our city closes down when even the slightest bit of snow falls, you'd never know it.
To be fair, this wasn't a small amount of snow. I thought I would go stand in the snow just to show you how deep it is compared to my legs. But then I went to the edge of the snow, and decided it wasn't worth getting my jeans soaking wet.
The high school I'm teaching at now has had two snow days already this week, and is on a 2 hour delay for tomorrow (translation: it will be a snow day by the morning, and we'll be making up days). Even my Uni closed yesterday, and opened at 10am today. I showed up to my night class today, however half the class didn't so it was canceled.
So, besides watching a ridiculous amount of television and finding multiple fire hydrants to photograph...
I read a book.
True English major confession: I haven't read anything other than school related material in probably over a year, and even then it was mostly sparknotes. It's sad, but it's so true.
But I picked this one up after somehow finding it related to the Joyful Heart Foundation (February's Tuesday Tribute). It's by a woman named Andrea Buchanan...who is somehow also related to JHF, though I don't really know how.
It's pretty good. It's 30 essays of inspiration for women, basically. It wasn't as inspiring as I wanted to to be, though admittedly what I really wanted was for the book to reach out and slap me when I got to the "Inspiration Especially for Via" section. Turns out, books don't have arms...or sections especially for me.
It is kind of like a Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul, but for women.
...but that kind of already exists. So...really it's just a smaller, more expensive, pink one.
BUT. Joyful Heart Foundation is in the running for a funding of $250,000 from the Pepsi Refresh project. And you should go vote for it right quick here.
To be fair, this wasn't a small amount of snow. I thought I would go stand in the snow just to show you how deep it is compared to my legs. But then I went to the edge of the snow, and decided it wasn't worth getting my jeans soaking wet.
The high school I'm teaching at now has had two snow days already this week, and is on a 2 hour delay for tomorrow (translation: it will be a snow day by the morning, and we'll be making up days). Even my Uni closed yesterday, and opened at 10am today. I showed up to my night class today, however half the class didn't so it was canceled.
So, besides watching a ridiculous amount of television and finding multiple fire hydrants to photograph...
I read a book.
True English major confession: I haven't read anything other than school related material in probably over a year, and even then it was mostly sparknotes. It's sad, but it's so true.
But I picked this one up after somehow finding it related to the Joyful Heart Foundation (February's Tuesday Tribute). It's by a woman named Andrea Buchanan...who is somehow also related to JHF, though I don't really know how.
It's pretty good. It's 30 essays of inspiration for women, basically. It wasn't as inspiring as I wanted to to be, though admittedly what I really wanted was for the book to reach out and slap me when I got to the "Inspiration Especially for Via" section. Turns out, books don't have arms...or sections especially for me.
It is kind of like a Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul, but for women.
...but that kind of already exists. So...really it's just a smaller, more expensive, pink one.
BUT. Joyful Heart Foundation is in the running for a funding of $250,000 from the Pepsi Refresh project. And you should go vote for it right quick here.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Tidbits.
This is just kind of a quick recap of what's been going on around here. In small increments. There is a wedding planning update post coming soon..ish...so be ready!
-I got my car back. It now starts (read: my cousin attached the wires to the starter he forgot to attach the first time). It also decided that it's going to shift again. I feel in less danger of melting the engine...again.
-My uncle had a heart attack a couple weekends ago. It was massive, and he was home and recovering, but now he's back in the ICU with blood clots, aneurysm, and other complications and I can't even begin to recite. Surgeries have been planned and canceled, and no one really knows what's going down at this point.
-My great aunt is flying in from OK tomorrow. My mom and I are very happy about this, because my grandma is not having a good time dealing with my Uncle's situation, but she's in a great mood when her sister is here, and that helps me and my mom out tremendously.
-We bought a sofa yesterday. It was cheap. It is cheap. But it's pretty for now, and will work for a few years. And it's freaking comfortable.
-B and I went to dinner at a gorgeous and delicious restaurant downtown last Thursday. A great Italian joint. I love it. And it has the best view of the city. It was lovely.
-My computer and I have been fighting this week. I don't know what's going on with it, but it's been slow and freezing and...not nice. So if I disappear from your comment sections for awhile, don't take it personal!
-Also found out I'm going to be teaching an hour away from my home this semester. My 17mpg vehicle will be sucking me dry in the money department. I'm so excited! (note sarcasm).
-Made a plan to go check out our new city at the end of March. Have no idea if I'll actually be able to go. There is one week in which I absolutely CANNOT miss at my placement, or I will fail--problem is that we don't know what week that is yet. But I'm betting it's that week.
-Sometime over the last week my bedroom turned into a creative mind'sdisaster workshop. I had a window project, painting project, and photo project all going at the same time. I made myself less crazy and put all but the photo project away somewhere yesterday. Sadly, that means I won't see the other ones again for some months...BUT the chaos is gone, and focus is back! :)
-I got my car back. It now starts (read: my cousin attached the wires to the starter he forgot to attach the first time). It also decided that it's going to shift again. I feel in less danger of melting the engine...again.
-My uncle had a heart attack a couple weekends ago. It was massive, and he was home and recovering, but now he's back in the ICU with blood clots, aneurysm, and other complications and I can't even begin to recite. Surgeries have been planned and canceled, and no one really knows what's going down at this point.
-My great aunt is flying in from OK tomorrow. My mom and I are very happy about this, because my grandma is not having a good time dealing with my Uncle's situation, but she's in a great mood when her sister is here, and that helps me and my mom out tremendously.
-We bought a sofa yesterday. It was cheap. It is cheap. But it's pretty for now, and will work for a few years. And it's freaking comfortable.
-B and I went to dinner at a gorgeous and delicious restaurant downtown last Thursday. A great Italian joint. I love it. And it has the best view of the city. It was lovely.
-My computer and I have been fighting this week. I don't know what's going on with it, but it's been slow and freezing and...not nice. So if I disappear from your comment sections for awhile, don't take it personal!
-Also found out I'm going to be teaching an hour away from my home this semester. My 17mpg vehicle will be sucking me dry in the money department. I'm so excited! (note sarcasm).
-Made a plan to go check out our new city at the end of March. Have no idea if I'll actually be able to go. There is one week in which I absolutely CANNOT miss at my placement, or I will fail--problem is that we don't know what week that is yet. But I'm betting it's that week.
-Sometime over the last week my bedroom turned into a creative mind's
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Final Fantasies
I thought of that title before I wrote it down...and then I realized that it sounds more like a movie of continuous death than a week of finals. But, then I decided these finals could lead to death, so it may be appropriate anyway and kept it.
This is finals week. It's also final papers week. Personally, I think a class should have one or the other: a final paper, or a final exam. But, apparently the professors are not all of my side for this so most of my classes have both. And this week has gone as follows:
Sunday: Worked 9-4. Wrote 6 page research paper on Your Baby Can Read software vs. Linguistic Abilities. Accomplished zero studying, as paper took all night.
Monday: Worked 9-4. Went straight to campus. Studied for about an hour, ignored 250 definitions and 4 out of 6 chapters while doing so. Took linguistics final at 620. Got home about 845pm and started working on a Brit Lit paper.
Tuesday: Spent entire day writing 6 pages on the concept of chance in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead. Thanked sparknotes theme page. Turned in final at 615pm, returned home. Went to the mall to finish getting B's gifts from other people (the man will not buy the things he needs so he'll never be allowed to get cash as a gift).
Wednesday: Worked 830-330. Currently working on a 5 page paper about allegory in The Inferno (due 10am thursday). Really the easiest paper I'll have all week, but can't focus so instead I'm blogging. When completed, must study for the exam in Western Literature at 10am Thursday.
Thursday: Take exam at 10am in Western Lit and turn paper in. Drop by bank. Do take home final for Students with Exceptionalities. Study for in-class exam of Students with Exceptionalities.
Friday: Take Students with Exceptionalities final at 10am. Attend staff party at a place I don't work on the other side of town (:D), and work 3-930. Revise Linguistics final.
Saturday: work 10-5. SLEEP.
At some point, I have to sell my books back to the school for 10% of what I paid for them.
Needless to say, this week I HATE being an English major. Next semester? Zero English classes. Aha.
This is finals week. It's also final papers week. Personally, I think a class should have one or the other: a final paper, or a final exam. But, apparently the professors are not all of my side for this so most of my classes have both. And this week has gone as follows:
Sunday: Worked 9-4. Wrote 6 page research paper on Your Baby Can Read software vs. Linguistic Abilities. Accomplished zero studying, as paper took all night.
Monday: Worked 9-4. Went straight to campus. Studied for about an hour, ignored 250 definitions and 4 out of 6 chapters while doing so. Took linguistics final at 620. Got home about 845pm and started working on a Brit Lit paper.
Tuesday: Spent entire day writing 6 pages on the concept of chance in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead. Thanked sparknotes theme page. Turned in final at 615pm, returned home. Went to the mall to finish getting B's gifts from other people (the man will not buy the things he needs so he'll never be allowed to get cash as a gift).
Wednesday: Worked 830-330. Currently working on a 5 page paper about allegory in The Inferno (due 10am thursday). Really the easiest paper I'll have all week, but can't focus so instead I'm blogging. When completed, must study for the exam in Western Literature at 10am Thursday.
Thursday: Take exam at 10am in Western Lit and turn paper in. Drop by bank. Do take home final for Students with Exceptionalities. Study for in-class exam of Students with Exceptionalities.
Friday: Take Students with Exceptionalities final at 10am. Attend staff party at a place I don't work on the other side of town (:D), and work 3-930. Revise Linguistics final.
Saturday: work 10-5. SLEEP.
At some point, I have to sell my books back to the school for 10% of what I paid for them.
Needless to say, this week I HATE being an English major. Next semester? Zero English classes. Aha.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
The Hiney Flu
I went to lunch today with my grandmother and my mom. I am still laughing from this simple conversion:
Gram: "Let me tell you this funny story. You know that hiney flu?"
Mom: "...the what flu?"
Gram: "The hiney flu. You know, that one that used to be swine flu? That's what everyone is calling it now"
Mom: "You mean H1N1?"
Gram: "No, it's hini."
Mom: "Mom, it's H1N1, not hini."
I have no idea what her funny story was about, but it was absolutely irrelevant because my mom and I could NOT stop laughing before she even told it! Hiney flu! ;D
Another funny. My Gram and my nephew Little Man, who is the "aisle runner" at our wedding, were talking about the wedding the other day. My niece, Brady, is mixed race caucasian and african-american. Little Man does not have much racial diversity in his life and he's only 8, so he doesn't quite get it. What he does get? Dora.
Little Man: "I might have to help the flowergirls too."
Gram: "Who would you help?"
Little Man: (who is not great with names) "...that little girl. She's kind of brown. I think she speaks Spanish."
Lol! Gotta love kids!
Also, found some serving and place settings I do believe we're going to get. I texted B about them so he could check them out. What I meant to say was "I found some plates on clearance that are really cool." Apparently "plates" and "slaves" use the same numbers on texts, so what I really said was "I found some slaves on clearance that are really cool."
...that solicited a quick phone call from my dear fiance haha!
What do you think? They are color-pop-awesomeness, in my book. They are also $85 for 8 place settings and a serving set, which basically means "I want them, because when I get sick of them I won't feel guilty throwing them away and getting new ones."
Gram: "Let me tell you this funny story. You know that hiney flu?"
Mom: "...the what flu?"
Gram: "The hiney flu. You know, that one that used to be swine flu? That's what everyone is calling it now"
Mom: "You mean H1N1?"
Gram: "No, it's hini."
Mom: "Mom, it's H1N1, not hini."
I have no idea what her funny story was about, but it was absolutely irrelevant because my mom and I could NOT stop laughing before she even told it! Hiney flu! ;D
Another funny. My Gram and my nephew Little Man, who is the "aisle runner" at our wedding, were talking about the wedding the other day. My niece, Brady, is mixed race caucasian and african-american. Little Man does not have much racial diversity in his life and he's only 8, so he doesn't quite get it. What he does get? Dora.
Little Man: "I might have to help the flowergirls too."
Gram: "Who would you help?"
Little Man: (who is not great with names) "...that little girl. She's kind of brown. I think she speaks Spanish."
Lol! Gotta love kids!
Also, found some serving and place settings I do believe we're going to get. I texted B about them so he could check them out. What I meant to say was "I found some plates on clearance that are really cool." Apparently "plates" and "slaves" use the same numbers on texts, so what I really said was "I found some slaves on clearance that are really cool."
...that solicited a quick phone call from my dear fiance haha!
What do you think? They are color-pop-awesomeness, in my book. They are also $85 for 8 place settings and a serving set, which basically means "I want them, because when I get sick of them I won't feel guilty throwing them away and getting new ones."
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Blahblahblah
Do you ever have those days when you are just blah?
Today and yesterday have been those days for me. I don't know why, there's no reason, I've just been blah. You know? You know. Right?
And I've been thinking. Thinking is usually where I go wrong--blah moods cause this and are caused by this at the same time, I've come to realize. Brains...they just get you in trouble.
But I've been thinking about honesty. I'm not typically the kind of person to not say what she's thinking, which is both good and bad, but there is a difference between thinking someone's shoes are ugly and thinking that someone is ugly. Not that I would ever tell someone I thought they were ugly, just that honesty has a different meaning and a different set of rules depending on what you are being honest about. ...that was a bad example. Did anyone make any sense of that? I don't think you're ugly, I swear. Hmph.
There are a few things about me that most people don't know. Some things a few people know, some one person knows, one no on knows. It's not an accident that these things fall into these categories. I put them there. These things are not "your shoes are ugly" type things. But even B doesn't know most of them, and I'm torn between whether or not that's okay.
It's not his fault--they are not things that would "come up" in conversation, no matter what the conversation was about. On one hand, I feel like these are my things and that they don't involve him and there is no reason he ever needs to know about them. On the other hand, I feel a little like "what's mine is yours" and that they do actually belong to him and that he should know them. And then I'm torn between the good that would come of it, like maybe him making sense of some of the things I do for what (now) seems like no reason, and the bad that would come of it, like B not knowing if he can/should say or do something that he would have previously said or done without a second thought because I promise that would happen. Sometimes I wish he just knew them magically, without me having to tell him. But then I start to think then I wouldn't really know how he really felt about it because that initial reaction is a true reaction, everything after it could be fake. But I almost feel like I'm protecting him in a way, too. That's stupid, I know. My brain is ob. nox. ious.
Does your husband/boyfriend/fiance etc. know everything about you?
I don't know.
See? Blah.
Today and yesterday have been those days for me. I don't know why, there's no reason, I've just been blah. You know? You know. Right?
And I've been thinking. Thinking is usually where I go wrong--blah moods cause this and are caused by this at the same time, I've come to realize. Brains...they just get you in trouble.
But I've been thinking about honesty. I'm not typically the kind of person to not say what she's thinking, which is both good and bad, but there is a difference between thinking someone's shoes are ugly and thinking that someone is ugly. Not that I would ever tell someone I thought they were ugly, just that honesty has a different meaning and a different set of rules depending on what you are being honest about. ...that was a bad example. Did anyone make any sense of that? I don't think you're ugly, I swear. Hmph.
There are a few things about me that most people don't know. Some things a few people know, some one person knows, one no on knows. It's not an accident that these things fall into these categories. I put them there. These things are not "your shoes are ugly" type things. But even B doesn't know most of them, and I'm torn between whether or not that's okay.
It's not his fault--they are not things that would "come up" in conversation, no matter what the conversation was about. On one hand, I feel like these are my things and that they don't involve him and there is no reason he ever needs to know about them. On the other hand, I feel a little like "what's mine is yours" and that they do actually belong to him and that he should know them. And then I'm torn between the good that would come of it, like maybe him making sense of some of the things I do for what (now) seems like no reason, and the bad that would come of it, like B not knowing if he can/should say or do something that he would have previously said or done without a second thought because I promise that would happen. Sometimes I wish he just knew them magically, without me having to tell him. But then I start to think then I wouldn't really know how he really felt about it because that initial reaction is a true reaction, everything after it could be fake. But I almost feel like I'm protecting him in a way, too. That's stupid, I know. My brain is ob. nox. ious.
Does your husband/boyfriend/fiance etc. know everything about you?
I don't know.
See? Blah.
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