Food
I am absolutely STUFFED right now. Like, Thanksgiving Turkey stuffed. We’ve started a recent Christmas Eve tradition of cooking a big breakfast!! Pancakes or French toast, bacon, sausage, hash browns, eggs, orange juice … the works! So the morning started off BIG!! We then exchanged presents between siblings and nieces and nephews and then went to (my favorite) OLIVE GARDEN! It’s not that their food is so amazing, well their breadsticks – yes, but it’s not about the food. It’s about the atmosphere and the feeling I get when I’m there. But needless to say, I walked out FULL!!
Thing I have taken for granted number 21
Never being hungry
Yes, I complain that I am hungry. I sometimes even misuse the word starved. But I’m not. I am very well nourished. Everyone I know is. It’s ironic, actually. They say we’re in this big depression and that Bush messed up the economy so terribly. But from what I’ve heard… most of us don’t even know what a depression looks like. The stories I hear about the great depression consist of families not eating for DAYS, and when they did get to eat it was little more than the size and consistency of a piece of salami. I know that people ARE hurting right now. I am not ignorant to this. People are jobless, people are struggling with money. I know people have it harder than those from certain times before… but honestly… we don’t know what it is to go hungry. At least none of the people I work with, go to school with, live around… or anyone else I know in my life for that matter. Talk to your grandparents about wanting.
Now go look in your refrigerator, and be thankful.
Religion
Anyone who knows me, knows that religion has been complicated for me.
I go through stages in my life when I can’t believe that PEOPLE actually believe the things they do. We are treading through out own mistakes and hypocrisies. I don’t like to think that when I die I’m done. POOF! Nice try, but you’re done. No deals, no buy ins, no persuasion. At the same time I don’t want to worshiping the people who give me rules to live by or I will go to hell. I don’t like that! I one point I went completely atheist. There is NO higher being our there. We are here alone. But one afternoon, I was driving in the winter. It was icy and had been snowing all day. As I began to turn, the ice took over and slid my car any which way it wanted to. And I prayed. I don’t know to who, and I don’t know why, but I did. And it really made me think. Why would I do that if I didn’t believe that SOMEONE was listening, or something? Maybe when I speak, maybe when I ask for help…I’m not just talking to myself. Because when the car stopped, The car was fine. Everyone else was fine. I was fine.
And the final three, my TOP three - need no explanation. And I don't think i could put it into words even if I wanted to.
3.Health
2.Love
1.Family
peace.love.happiness.
12.25.2008
12.23.2008
down me hands
I went to a party Friday night. NO, not one of those crazy wild college parties, more of a get together of people who were on my forensics team last year… combined with people from the team this year. Everyone looked great, cheery and Christmas-y, in good spirits. Many of us hadn’t seen each other in some time! As I sat talking with G, I noticed her Necklace, two silver keys on a chain. She went on to tell me that it was somewhat of a family ere loom. Passed down from girl to girl in the family, and now her.
Thing I have taken for granted number 20
HAND ME DOWNS
I can’t deny that I LIKE getting new stuff. It’s human nature. BUT some of the best things I have ever gotten in my life, once belonged to someone else. T-shirts, sweatshirts, necklaces. I LOVE things that have a history to them. That’s why I never want to build my own house. I want to move in somewhere that has a story behind it. A place that is above and beyond just MY existence. Christmas is kind of the Holiday of new things… but the best gift I’ve received was not new at all. When I was little, my mom had this ring that was give to her by my dad. It’s called a star sapphire. I used to LOVE looking at it. My mom would tell me that it started out as a regular sapphire, and that my dad had reached up in the sky and put a star in it for her. I LOVED hearing that story. I would ask all the time, just to hear it. And a couple years ago, my mom and dad had that very ring resized to fit my finger. It’s probably my favorite piece of jewelry, or favorite anything for that matter.
So cherish those things that didn’t come right for the warehouse to your home. Those are the things that make life interesting…. That make life special.
peace.love.happiness.
Thing I have taken for granted number 20
HAND ME DOWNS
I can’t deny that I LIKE getting new stuff. It’s human nature. BUT some of the best things I have ever gotten in my life, once belonged to someone else. T-shirts, sweatshirts, necklaces. I LOVE things that have a history to them. That’s why I never want to build my own house. I want to move in somewhere that has a story behind it. A place that is above and beyond just MY existence. Christmas is kind of the Holiday of new things… but the best gift I’ve received was not new at all. When I was little, my mom had this ring that was give to her by my dad. It’s called a star sapphire. I used to LOVE looking at it. My mom would tell me that it started out as a regular sapphire, and that my dad had reached up in the sky and put a star in it for her. I LOVED hearing that story. I would ask all the time, just to hear it. And a couple years ago, my mom and dad had that very ring resized to fit my finger. It’s probably my favorite piece of jewelry, or favorite anything for that matter.
So cherish those things that didn’t come right for the warehouse to your home. Those are the things that make life interesting…. That make life special.
peace.love.happiness.
12.22.2008
Solomente!
Alone time. Everyone needs it, but not everyone gets it. For new parents, it is a precious commodity. Being back in a house with 4 adults and 1 three year old, it’s interesting to see that I didn’t really realize how much is going on in a house that big. I guess I was so used to always having so many people around. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE having a lot going on, and it got pretty lonely in my apartment this past semester, BUT it’s weird coming back into a life of… tamed down chaos. On my later days for school, my alarm was what woke me up, but in the U house, it’s R’s little feet pounding in the upstairs hallway. And while many people would grunt at this and be annoyed, I find it so comforting. So I’ve been back in my house now for the longest I’ve been at one time since the summer… and I needed some time away.
Thing I have taken for granted number 19
Alone Time
So I find myself here, at Barnes and Nobel, enjoying my Mocha that I purchased with the gift card I’ve had in my wallet for WAY too long. It’s quiet, but not too quiet, and it’s EXACTLY what I need. Being alone is an interesting thing. I try to go several place (a restaurant, a movie, a coffee shop – without a lap top or book to read, etc) a year, COMPLETELY alone. I don’t really tell people because they always somehow feel bad for me. And when I walk in, yes – people look, well STARE is more like it. They ask me if I am waiting for someone and give me a look of pity when I say no. However, going to a public place alone is the best kept secret. Waiters treat you better and give you WAY more undivided attention. Sales people talk to you AFTER trying to sell you something, more people smile, and more people make little comments in passing. Maybe it is just because they feel bad for me. Maybe some people feel less threatened by a person alone, because I don’t have anyone to judge them with when they walk away. Whatever the case may be… I think it’s really healthy to go out, and be alone somewhere. Show the world your independence! LEAVE your comfort zone. Make being alone a personal CHOICE, so that when you are forced to be alone – you can cope and turn your loneliness into happiness.
An you’ll be amazed that it will help you enjoy being around other people THAT much more.
peace.love.happiness.
Thing I have taken for granted number 19
Alone Time
So I find myself here, at Barnes and Nobel, enjoying my Mocha that I purchased with the gift card I’ve had in my wallet for WAY too long. It’s quiet, but not too quiet, and it’s EXACTLY what I need. Being alone is an interesting thing. I try to go several place (a restaurant, a movie, a coffee shop – without a lap top or book to read, etc) a year, COMPLETELY alone. I don’t really tell people because they always somehow feel bad for me. And when I walk in, yes – people look, well STARE is more like it. They ask me if I am waiting for someone and give me a look of pity when I say no. However, going to a public place alone is the best kept secret. Waiters treat you better and give you WAY more undivided attention. Sales people talk to you AFTER trying to sell you something, more people smile, and more people make little comments in passing. Maybe it is just because they feel bad for me. Maybe some people feel less threatened by a person alone, because I don’t have anyone to judge them with when they walk away. Whatever the case may be… I think it’s really healthy to go out, and be alone somewhere. Show the world your independence! LEAVE your comfort zone. Make being alone a personal CHOICE, so that when you are forced to be alone – you can cope and turn your loneliness into happiness.
An you’ll be amazed that it will help you enjoy being around other people THAT much more.
peace.love.happiness.
12.21.2008
My FaVoRiTe
Thing I have taken for granted number 18:
Staying in for the night
From my last post, you can obviously tell that I enjoy going out. It's nice to have someone else taking care of everything. BUT in the same breath, I am VERY much partial to a night in. So for your I am going to make a personal check list of things to need to make a perfect night in, complete with all of my favorite things. Some new, some old.
A fireplace. It's a must! Nothing says cozy like a fire place.
A nice warm fuzzy blanket to keep away the draft - L knows all about that.
Christmas lights, even if it's not Christmas.
Really Warm socks.
A GREAT feel good movie. (The Holiday is a great suggestion, even if you've seen it.)
Some good hot cocoa or tea, possibly some "chocolate"
Great company, although sometimes you need alone time - and that can be very healing
A camera, to document the great evening
AND most importantly is to drop your worries at the door. This is a must. There is no point in having a night in like this, if you're going to spend it dwelling. Turn your phone OFF, don't look at your watch, eat and drink whatever you want regardless of calories.
Take an night for you!!
peace.love.happiness.
Staying in for the night
From my last post, you can obviously tell that I enjoy going out. It's nice to have someone else taking care of everything. BUT in the same breath, I am VERY much partial to a night in. So for your I am going to make a personal check list of things to need to make a perfect night in, complete with all of my favorite things. Some new, some old.
A fireplace. It's a must! Nothing says cozy like a fire place.
A nice warm fuzzy blanket to keep away the draft - L knows all about that.
Christmas lights, even if it's not Christmas.
Really Warm socks.
A GREAT feel good movie. (The Holiday is a great suggestion, even if you've seen it.)
Some good hot cocoa or tea, possibly some "chocolate"
Great company, although sometimes you need alone time - and that can be very healing
A camera, to document the great evening
AND most importantly is to drop your worries at the door. This is a must. There is no point in having a night in like this, if you're going to spend it dwelling. Turn your phone OFF, don't look at your watch, eat and drink whatever you want regardless of calories.
Take an night for you!!
peace.love.happiness.
12.20.2008
Better Late than NEVER!
No excuses, I'm behind!
So Wednesday night I went to the Claim with L and M. We decided to go out, have a good meal, fun, exchange presents.... etc. While there are a million and one things I am thankful for from that night, I'll take the one that I haven't already mentioned somehow.
Thing I have taken for granted number 17
Going out to eat.
So think about it. Most of us prepare and bake our own meals, it can take minutes - but sometimes takes hours, we do everything ourselves, we even clean up everything afterward. BUT when you go out to a restaurant, it's like walking into what your life might be as a millionaire. You're greeted at the door by your "butler." How many of you have a butler at home, yea. You never have to walk in and clean things up, so obviously you have a "maid." You have a "servant" who gets you everything you need so that you don't have to get up off your butt! You have your pick of the Menu (how many of you get to pick off of a Menu at home??). You have a chef, usually more than one. You have someone to clean up everything when you're finished with it. Seriously, I should spend more time in a Restaurant! :) We spend so much time complaining when we go out to eat. We waited to be seated, our food took to long, it wasn't perfect, something was wrong with what we ordered, our server was too slow.... BUT in the same breath, when we see or hear of rich people treating their staff like that, we are appalled. And then we make excuses about how it's their job and they are paid to do it... but so is that rich persons staff. Having worked in a restaurant for my fair time, I know how sad it is to have people treat you like you don't matter. Like this is all I am going to amount to ever. I didn't let it get to me too much, because I know what it can be like on the other side of the counter ... but still - I think we all need to be a little more appreciative of restaurants and the people who work in them. Especially around the Holiday's... because many of them are leaving their boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife, mom/dad, brother/sister, best friend, and the worst to leave - Their children. So don't forget your pleases and thank you's.
peace.love.happiness.
So Wednesday night I went to the Claim with L and M. We decided to go out, have a good meal, fun, exchange presents.... etc. While there are a million and one things I am thankful for from that night, I'll take the one that I haven't already mentioned somehow.
Thing I have taken for granted number 17
Going out to eat.
So think about it. Most of us prepare and bake our own meals, it can take minutes - but sometimes takes hours, we do everything ourselves, we even clean up everything afterward. BUT when you go out to a restaurant, it's like walking into what your life might be as a millionaire. You're greeted at the door by your "butler." How many of you have a butler at home, yea. You never have to walk in and clean things up, so obviously you have a "maid." You have a "servant" who gets you everything you need so that you don't have to get up off your butt! You have your pick of the Menu (how many of you get to pick off of a Menu at home??). You have a chef, usually more than one. You have someone to clean up everything when you're finished with it. Seriously, I should spend more time in a Restaurant! :) We spend so much time complaining when we go out to eat. We waited to be seated, our food took to long, it wasn't perfect, something was wrong with what we ordered, our server was too slow.... BUT in the same breath, when we see or hear of rich people treating their staff like that, we are appalled. And then we make excuses about how it's their job and they are paid to do it... but so is that rich persons staff. Having worked in a restaurant for my fair time, I know how sad it is to have people treat you like you don't matter. Like this is all I am going to amount to ever. I didn't let it get to me too much, because I know what it can be like on the other side of the counter ... but still - I think we all need to be a little more appreciative of restaurants and the people who work in them. Especially around the Holiday's... because many of them are leaving their boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife, mom/dad, brother/sister, best friend, and the worst to leave - Their children. So don't forget your pleases and thank you's.
peace.love.happiness.
12.16.2008
Laughing Out Loud?
The News. They should really rename it the BAD news. I log in to my email account everyday, and I am forced to have a news feed come up, letting me know all of the horrific things going on in the world - in the past HOUR. I know that it's my responsibility to know what is going on in the world I live in... but sometimes, I just DON'T want to know. Children being killed by their parents? Father's and son's bombing banks together? REAL pirates trying to stir up trouble so they can get as much air time as Johnny and Orlando. I mean, COME ON! So about two months ago, after being so fed up with the friggin election, I changed some settings on my email account.
Thing I have taken for granted number 16
The entertainment tab on my new feed
Now, when I switched to this tab, I was then bombarded daily with the "drama" of celebrities lives. As I logged in today, of course I got an ?earful? about Hillary Duff. "I've been accused by the press of giving lap dances at clubs. I mean, little ol' me? It's shocking." Was this supposed be a joke?? Needless to day I felt so ashamed of CHOOSING to have these messages come up for me multiple times a day. So I switched to one of the other tabs, World News I think it was. I can't even tell you how many headlines had more the phrase "More than 20 people dead after...."
Screw that. I went back to my entertainment tab. It's not that I want to ignore the news, or pretend that it's not happening. I don't want to disrespect the people who are living through these tragedies and deaths. But at the same time, I would rather be laughing at the fact that the biggest problem Ms Duff is facing is whether or not she gave a lap dance while be glad that I know that there are bigger more important things out there, even if I don't want to be reminded of them all the time.
Find something to laugh about every day. It really does help soften the blow of the world we live in.
peace.love.happiness.
12.15.2008
sthgil samtsirhc
As promised, writing my BLOG earlier!
So I went out to lunch today with an old friend... that ended up lasting until dinner. But as I was sitting there, I noticed how it was decorated. With a little Christmas Tree, lights, ornaments, holiday signs.... And as we talked, I thought about how comforting these lights were, the decorations....
Thing I have taken for granted number 15
Christmas Decorations
I remember one year I was sick for just a day during the holiday season. It must have been before we got out for break, because I missed school. I had fallen asleep on the "sick bed" aka the couch in my font room, and when I woke up it was dark outside, but it was probably only 5 o'clock. As I opened my eyes, I saw the Christmas tree in the corner, with all of it's colorful, bright lights shining. I just remember that moment, how special I felt, how comfortable and warm, how much better I felt from the morning. That memory always comes back to my mind when I see lights and trees. They comfort me in a unique kind of way.
A few years later I got really sick during the week before Christmas break. I had stomach pains like I had never had before, and I literally cried every morning when I had to leave for school. We had no idea what was wrong with me, and it took a lot out of me. I was so little and was so skinny when I was young, and not wanting to eat was bad news. We found out later that it was only Lactose Intolerance, which was a blessing compared to other things it could have been, but when I was sick and didn't know, the Christmas Tree and the lights on the railing always made me feel so much better. It took my mind off of my stomach. I felt kind of like the lights had some magic healing power. That they radiated some medicine for my stomach, or something. I knew that it didn't really.... but the feeling just seemed to magical. And to this day, it makes me sad when we turn the tree off for the night, when we pack it up for the season...
So trust me, Christmas lights ARE magical! Just stare at the tree and TRY to keep from feeling happy... or smiling... you can't. Now go turn on your tree and be MERRY!!
peace.love.happiness.
ps: can you figure out what the title of this blog means??
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