School??

Like everyone else in the student world, I have been spending my last week or so STUDYING big time for final exams. I seem to have this wall that I hit, when if I study ANYMORE, I will start losing information! I hit that point about five minutes ago. It's been a weird semester. Going from ALL general education classes, to ALL classes that apply to my major! This semester was very scary to go into. I was VERY worried that I would take all of these classes and decided : oops... I really don't like this after all. Thank goodness I'm having the exact OPPOSITE reaction. YES, I did realize that I have a LOT of work ahead of me and it's going to be a very demanding degree.... but I enjoyed my classes this semester, and if hard work is all that it's going to take... then I'm GAME! 

Thing I have taken for granted number 7:

My Education. 

Now I am going to say something that will probably sound ridiculous to most people I went to High School with... but I LOVED COD. It was an amazing start to my higher education, and if it were a four year school, I would still be there, by choice. I had some AMAZING teachers that really inspired me, and made me think that I can accomplish some amazing things. If it weren't for one of those teachers I never would have done speech, I never would have become a National Champion (in anything, probably ever), I never would have realized how much I LOVE public speaking, and I never would have done such a kick ass honors projects! I am so thankful for COD and my teachers there. NIU had a very tough act to follow. While I am still adjusting to it quite a bit, my teachers have really made it as good as it could possibly be. I'm being taught by ALL PHD's. (no, that doesn't stand for what Phoebe was told....) It's intimidating being taught by people who have so much knowledge. At the same time, it's extremely rewarding! 

I can only hope that things continue to get better and better, like it did at COD. 

For those of you who go to COD (or went there)  be PROUD. The college is amazing, and the teachers are some of the best in the nation. Don't listen to the people who bash it, they don't know a good thing when they see it. Make your time there amazing! 

Most importantly, don't give up on your education! It's so important, and above all a PRIVILEGE! Remember that. Going to college is something you GET to do, not something you HAVE to do. 

Good Luck on your finals!

peace.love.happiness. 

Company

I got up at about nine this morning, extremely pissed off at the fact that I didn't really fall asleep until about three hours earlier at 6ish. I go in and out of Insomnia cycles, and one night of non-sleep usually signals that it's going to be a LONG and frustrating few weeks worth of nights. With finals coming up next week, I'm in dire need of my sleep! Needless to say, I was pretty darn cranky. BUT at about 9:56 or so, I got a phone call. Because of the Switchfoot ring tone, I knew right away it was L. She used her jedi mind power to get me to Dunkin Donuts, which in case you didn't know - America Runs On. As I was walking out the door I said bye to the fam and assured them I would be back shortly. 

hmmm.... I lied. Unintentionally of course. 

Thing I take for granted number 6:

Good Company and a Good Gab Session 

One conversation melded into another and into another and so on. After being at a new school, where I really don't know a whole lot of people, I haven't really had any REAL conversations with anyone. And until this morning, I didn't really realize how much I had been missing. 

It's nice to sit and talk, especially when you and the person you're speaking with think so much a like. I realized how very therapeutic an hour and a half could be. Venting about what we needed to (and oh did we need to!), problem solving the problems that needed solving, giving advice, sharing secrets, and dreams (literally the dreams we had the night before, which were so weird!) I could go on.... but hopefully you all know and experience the value of friendship. 

So I'll cut it short tonight... to hopefully catch up on the sleep I missed last night?? fingers crossed. 

peace.love.happiness. 

Coexist

It's FRIDAY, so naturally I made my way home for the weekend. It's not really that far of a drive, but some days it seems longer than others. It's interesting, every time I'm driving home, I always come across a truck with no back, only a ladder.... random thought. Anywho. As I drove along, listening to my Xmas playlist on my iPod, I saw a light blue van with a bumper sticker. Normally I don't like bumper stickers, but this one caught my attention. Some of you may have seen it before. It's the word COEXIST and each letter is a symbol that represents a religion or belief.   http://www.peacemonger.org/images/CoexistMeaning.jpg  The C is the symbol for Islam, O is peace, E (which is different on some designs, but in the one i saw) was the male/female symbol, X is the Star of David, the i is dotted with a wiccan pentangle, the S is the yin-yang symbol, and the T is the Christian Cross. What caught my eye with this particular sticker was that most people use a bumper sticker as a way to force their idea (religious or not) down everyone else's throat. How many "McCain AND Obama are awesome" stickers did you see this past year? Exactly. I enjoy any symbol that promotes free thinking and the idea that that person is not going to judge you based on a belief you hold so close to your heart or try to FORCE you believe in something they hold dear to their heart. Isn't this America? Isn't this country about Freedom of.... everything? Once I googled this bumper sticker, I found a surplus of sites that offer t-shirts, stickers, sweatpants, bags, mugs.... etc. Plenty of items I would be proud to display in my life. 

Thing I've taken for granted number five: 

Understanding and Forgiveness (and all people who value and practice these ideas.) 

While I would have LOVED to have screamed and swore at that RED truck going EAST on I-88 at about 10:04 this morning (Iowa License Plate) , or perhaps the 3 cars (one was a Black Pontiac Gran Prix) that illegally did NOT stop for the school bus letting out a child headed WEST on Butterfield Road at about 2:19 this afternoon (what was a school bus doing dropping kids off a 2:19 anyway??) I remembered that this IS the holiday season, and decided to remind myself by singing obnoxiously "IT'S THE HOLIDAY SEASON the holiday season " and remembered that I don't want to be on Santa's Naughty list this year. 

So let me be your reminder: STOP being crabby!! QUIT being mean!! OVERCOME your irritability and get in the Christmas spirit for goodness sake! 

peace.love.happiness. 

Something we should ALL be thankful for ALL the time

I was doing some Christmas shopping at WalMart today. I'm still not used to the WalMart here, so of course I have to go up and down every aisle to make sure I get what I need. However, loving walmart the way I do... I don't mind spending a little extra time there. I was quite impressed too, because I didn't even have to wait in a check out line... which is unheard of during the holiday season. After I got everything on my list, I went to the little girls department, to look around for  a present for my gorgeous niece. (whom everyone says looks exactly like me... so did i just compliment myself?) As I held up a top, analyzing it a little too much... I heard a voice. He said with a chuckle, "Well that top would look just fine on you." I turned to find a man, probably in his late 60's. And then I stood there for that awkward moment, you know - when you're not sure if it was just a comment in passing or the start of a conversation. After a few seconds, I decided that in the holiday spirit - I would start the conversation. I asked him if he had children and grandchildren and his face lit up like nothing I had ever seen before. He told me how much he enjoyed shopping for them - more so when they were little kids -  now it was just too hard to follow what they liked. I gave him my insight on some computer games I thought they might like. As he was informing me of not knowing anything about computers, I noticed he wore a hat. On it was a patch that said "Veteran of the United States Army." 

Thing I have taken for granted for too long number 4:

Our service men and women (which is sad, considering my brother-in-law IS a veteran)

As he was beginning to thank me for the suggestions on the computer games, I was amazed at how someone who risked his life for the country I hold so dear -  who deserves to be treated with the utmost respect - was so gracious and thankful to ME... for suggesting computer games. These people, these men and women.... are of a different breed. I stopped him as he turned to walk to the electronics' section, and told him how thankful I was for him and what he did for me, my family, my friends, and our country. He looked at me, smiled and said "you are most welcome." and added, "Well I better go find my better half." 

I am so thankful for our service men and women. You have a place in my home, a place at my dinner table, and most importantly -  a place in my heart. THANK YOU!

peace.love.happiness. 

WATER

After a cold, snowy day here in Dekalb,  I was ready for some serious Nap Action. And so I cuddle up with my pink fuzzy blanket, pretend that my pillow was my dog... and doze off. I was all warm and cozy, until i realized that i was going to have to get up and eat and do things normal people do... So I crawled out from under the blankets, put on two hoodies on the way to the door, and shook to the kitchen. Made some warm dinner, that DIDn't warm me up. Finally, enough was enough. It was hot shower time! Have you ever really took a nice hot shower for no reason. Not to get clean, not to look nice, not to wake you up.... but just to take one. Well I did that today. I got into the shower a grumpy cold girl. I let the water run a little bit warmer than usual... and I just kind of stood. I stepped out a happy warm girl. A shower transformed my whole day. Any achy bones, cold feet, bad feelings just melted away with this shower. I take these showers for granted everyday. Think about people who don't have showers, or can't shower often. Of course It's terrible because they can't clean themselves. but on a psychological level.... they don't have the opportunity to just melt a bad day away with a ten minute shower. The power of the shower is stress relieving. 

 

Go visit a friend with kids. tell them you will watch them without pay while he or she goes and takes a nice warm LONG shower!! It will make their whole day better!! 

What's cooking good lookin?

Thing I have taken for granted number two:

A home cooked meal!! Tonight I had some of my family over for dinner (and really missed the others!!). I cooked dinner myself. And although I didn't make a fancy meal or even something difficult, I was very nervous! Is is good? Is anything over done, under done? Did I put too much of this, too little of that? And here I was only cooking for my family, who would grin and bare it not matter how bad it tasted... well maybe not my brother... but I'm sure SOMEWHERE deep down, he would appreciate it. But maybe it was MORE important because it was the people I love. I wanted to impress them on a much more personal level than anyone else I know. As I prepared dinner, I thought of my mom. Who, by my calculations, has probably cooked about 11,000 meals in her adult life. (probably more.) And all the times I complained, letting her know that I thought it was "yucky" or "ewwie" Although it was probably just that I didn't like the taste, and wouldn't have liked it even if a gourmet chef made it.... I wonder if it hurt her feelings. Or after a while did she just get so used to it, it stopped? And either way, it makes me sad. Even the most simple meal takes work... even going to pick up takeout takes time... and here I was nearly every night... ungrateful. And now tonight, my mom sat at MY dinner table, eating the meal I prepared... and although she could have gotten back at me.... she assured me countless times that it was "amazing" and "excellent." She even helped me with the dishes - which I doubt I did very often. 

So there it is...

Don't underestimate a home cooked meal, and if you can - get out to a homeless shelter this season, or donate canned goods. Spread the cheer with food for those who can't afford it themselves. 

peace. love. happiness.  

December 1st, 2008

I have been amazingly overwhelmed with how many things I take for granted every day. However, there was one thing that really stuck out.  So here it is, thing I have taken for granted #1:

Having someone to take care of me. 

My nephew was sick today. This normally playful little boy was curled up under a little blanket. While he should have been bouncing off of the walls, he was plastered to the couch. My motherly instinct kicked in. Setting him up with a blanket, tucking him in, getting him a little portable TV tray to eat his lunch off of, even lifting the triangular cut piece of jelly sandwich to his mouth. And it made me curious. How did I know what to do? what made me do what I was doing? how did I have that "just right touch" to make him feel better vs just making him feel annoyed? 

Answer to all of the above: my mom and my dad.

 I wasn't an overly sick child but I had my colds, my flu's, my infections. And now I picture myself back then: little, achy, curled up on the couch with my blanket and my koala. And for the entire time I was sick, I didn't have to move from that spot. A little TV tray would make it's way over to my side, a cup with a top and a straw was constantly replenished. Something I loved was on TV or in the VCR. Anything I wanted (within reason of course) would find its way to me. My dad would always bring home the Ginger Ale or the Cherry Sucrets. My dad, my mom, or both would sit with me at the doctors office, holding my hand, playing with my hair, tickling my back. It was as if the whole world stopped for my to get better. But when I look back now... my parents just stopped THEIR whole world to take care of me. It's ironic that of all the days I've spent sick in my life, what I remember is being cared for. Even at my worst, when I was hospitalized at age Two, the ONLY thing I remember is my mom holding my hand the entire night. Everything else about those sick days have long since faded away. 

So pay it forward. Take care of someone else when they are sick. Even if they're not a little kid. Everyone needs to be taken care of every once in a while. 

So there you have it, folks. The first item to my list.

peace. love. happiness.