Loops and Pluto:
Threadless:
Cafe Press:
March Madness 2018
8 years ago
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
What You Don't Use, You Lose
In order to avoid losing a few vacation days, being I can only carry over 10 days, I decided to work a very short week this week. So, alas, it's my Friday!
First order of business: Dress clothes off, sweats on...check! Combine that with a hearty bowl of chili (and a few Peachie-O's L so kindly surprised me with) and that, my friends, is my "Friday" night. (...why am I single again?!?)
Sunday evening while planning this short week out in my head, I thought, "Oh how great it will be, L will probably have Wednesday off, because she always has Wednesdays off it seems, and we could spend the day in the East Village." Unfortunately, L had today off and works tomorrow, and all my other friends are working as well, so now that I don't have anyone to play with, I had to come up with a plan B....
Plan B: A morning jog (pronounced yog), followed by a few household chores and a few errands, including a pit stop to the library to pick up the next book on my list, Born To Run. I'm hoping for a relaxing afternoon, curled up on the couch with my new book while basking in the sun (from the inside, of course) By no means an adventurous day, but honestly, a day away from my cubicle is enough to get me amped up.
I have a more adventuresome Thursday and Friday to look forward to, as my mom, sister, and Regan will be in town. We try to get a shopping trip in around this time every year - get some Christmas ideas rolling and possibly purchase a gift or two. I know the mall will be visited, and I'm hoping for some extra time to visit a few local spots in Valley Junction, Beaverdale, and the East Village.
Time for the mini vacay to begin!
First order of business: Dress clothes off, sweats on...check! Combine that with a hearty bowl of chili (and a few Peachie-O's L so kindly surprised me with) and that, my friends, is my "Friday" night. (...why am I single again?!?)
Sunday evening while planning this short week out in my head, I thought, "Oh how great it will be, L will probably have Wednesday off, because she always has Wednesdays off it seems, and we could spend the day in the East Village." Unfortunately, L had today off and works tomorrow, and all my other friends are working as well, so now that I don't have anyone to play with, I had to come up with a plan B....
Plan B: A morning jog (pronounced yog), followed by a few household chores and a few errands, including a pit stop to the library to pick up the next book on my list, Born To Run. I'm hoping for a relaxing afternoon, curled up on the couch with my new book while basking in the sun (from the inside, of course) By no means an adventurous day, but honestly, a day away from my cubicle is enough to get me amped up.
I have a more adventuresome Thursday and Friday to look forward to, as my mom, sister, and Regan will be in town. We try to get a shopping trip in around this time every year - get some Christmas ideas rolling and possibly purchase a gift or two. I know the mall will be visited, and I'm hoping for some extra time to visit a few local spots in Valley Junction, Beaverdale, and the East Village.
Time for the mini vacay to begin!
Monday, November 2, 2009
¡Baila el Chiki-chiki!
When driving home from work each day, my mind often wanders. Tonight, to distract myself from the negative feelings I had towards driving home in the dark at 5:30 P.M., my mind wandered off to Summer 2008 when I vacationed in Greece.
One thing that I'll never forget is the music. I remember feeling a little piece of home every time I heard Madonna or Justin Timberlake. (both of whom they just love over there) I remember the feeling of excitement I felt when I recognized a Top 40 Greek tune. And then there's a certain little ditty that became both an inside joke and somewhat of a guilty pleasure while over there....maybe it was too much sun or the Sambuca, I don't know...but it always got us laughing and made us dance, like in Skiathos, when I danced to this little number with Reenie and the boys while the sun was rising.
A little background - Baila el Chiki-chiki was Spain's 2008 entry to Eurovision, which is comparable to our American Idol. It didn't win...not sure why :)
One thing that I'll never forget is the music. I remember feeling a little piece of home every time I heard Madonna or Justin Timberlake. (both of whom they just love over there) I remember the feeling of excitement I felt when I recognized a Top 40 Greek tune. And then there's a certain little ditty that became both an inside joke and somewhat of a guilty pleasure while over there....maybe it was too much sun or the Sambuca, I don't know...but it always got us laughing and made us dance, like in Skiathos, when I danced to this little number with Reenie and the boys while the sun was rising.
A little background - Baila el Chiki-chiki was Spain's 2008 entry to Eurovision, which is comparable to our American Idol. It didn't win...not sure why :)
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Dancing With Rose
I finally finished Dancing With Rose today. It's by no means a hard read, I guess just business and laziness as to why it took me so long. But the timing of reading this book couldn't have been more appropriate. I'm not willing to explain why over my blog...it just seems too private of an issue to write about in this type of public forum.
The book is about a woman, who after losing her mother to Alzheimer's, decides to start working at an Alzheimer's nursing home, in an attempt to understand the disease better.
I found her to be so intriguing. The more she worked at the nursing home, the more she was able to accommodate her patients. She didn't just go through the motions and do the daily chores this job required of her. She put thought into it. She studied her patients, their mannerisms, and their needs. She spoke with family members to gain a better understanding of who her patients were before Alzheimer's set in. She found ways to communicate with them and connect with them. She would try to figure out what world they were living in at the time and join them. (This known as validation therapy)
What was most intriguing to me, though, was the outlook she had about Alzheimer's when she stopped working at the nursing home. She used to think, like many people, that Alzheimer's was something to fear, and that death is almost a blessing for an Alzheimer's patient. But after working at the facility, her beliefs were beginning to change. She says of the old beliefs, "I find the remarks disquieting. They deny the person's humanity, as if the person ceased to be entitled to life because he or she had a disease."
She also says, "...but part of me has come to think of Alzheimer's, despite its obvious horrors, as a disease of freedom. It's not just memory that one loses. It is inhibition. It is pretense. The thin layer of civility that forces us healthy people to operate with equanimity even when we are tired or crabby or don't like someone or just want to be left alone-that's gone too. What remains is some unvarnished, unprotected self, maybe the self a person would have been had culture and society, gender and class, manners and mores not overlaid it. The buried self, the unlived self....But there's one thing about the folks of Maplewood, about people with Alzheimer's in general: they are real, even the ones like Frances M. and Marianne, who are seriously deluded. They don't have ulterior motives. They don't manipulate. They don't play games. They just are."
She also contemplates the controversial idea that Alzheimer's is a form of Zen enlightenment. She had spoken to a professor who said, "...Alzheimer's is a detaching disease. It detaches people from their memories, their selves. We can look at that as tragic and awful, or we can change the frame....Consider Zen which is all about clearing your mind, detaching from your thoughts, grounding yourself in the moment. Well, that's Alzheimer's."
Although I admire her unconventional thoughts towards the disease, I'm nowhere near the point where I can think in such a way. Truth be told, I see it as a painful and depressing feat, one that scares me than most things. I think one of the saddest days I could ever experience is the day a family member or friend would not remember who I am. I hope I never have to go through that.
The book is about a woman, who after losing her mother to Alzheimer's, decides to start working at an Alzheimer's nursing home, in an attempt to understand the disease better.
I found her to be so intriguing. The more she worked at the nursing home, the more she was able to accommodate her patients. She didn't just go through the motions and do the daily chores this job required of her. She put thought into it. She studied her patients, their mannerisms, and their needs. She spoke with family members to gain a better understanding of who her patients were before Alzheimer's set in. She found ways to communicate with them and connect with them. She would try to figure out what world they were living in at the time and join them. (This known as validation therapy)
What was most intriguing to me, though, was the outlook she had about Alzheimer's when she stopped working at the nursing home. She used to think, like many people, that Alzheimer's was something to fear, and that death is almost a blessing for an Alzheimer's patient. But after working at the facility, her beliefs were beginning to change. She says of the old beliefs, "I find the remarks disquieting. They deny the person's humanity, as if the person ceased to be entitled to life because he or she had a disease."
She also says, "...but part of me has come to think of Alzheimer's, despite its obvious horrors, as a disease of freedom. It's not just memory that one loses. It is inhibition. It is pretense. The thin layer of civility that forces us healthy people to operate with equanimity even when we are tired or crabby or don't like someone or just want to be left alone-that's gone too. What remains is some unvarnished, unprotected self, maybe the self a person would have been had culture and society, gender and class, manners and mores not overlaid it. The buried self, the unlived self....But there's one thing about the folks of Maplewood, about people with Alzheimer's in general: they are real, even the ones like Frances M. and Marianne, who are seriously deluded. They don't have ulterior motives. They don't manipulate. They don't play games. They just are."
She also contemplates the controversial idea that Alzheimer's is a form of Zen enlightenment. She had spoken to a professor who said, "...Alzheimer's is a detaching disease. It detaches people from their memories, their selves. We can look at that as tragic and awful, or we can change the frame....Consider Zen which is all about clearing your mind, detaching from your thoughts, grounding yourself in the moment. Well, that's Alzheimer's."
Although I admire her unconventional thoughts towards the disease, I'm nowhere near the point where I can think in such a way. Truth be told, I see it as a painful and depressing feat, one that scares me than most things. I think one of the saddest days I could ever experience is the day a family member or friend would not remember who I am. I hope I never have to go through that.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Enough Already
It seems like over the past month and a half, those involved in my life in one way or another, have been dealing with hardships. From co-workers, to friends, to my own family - it's like a domino effect. It seems we can't catch a break.
I know it could be worse, but I also know it could be better. And I'm hoping soon things will turn around and I'll hear nothing but positive and blissful things from everyone.
It's easy to get in a funk when you experience unfortunate events in your life, and when you hear about the events of others, so I'm trying to make it my mission to focus on the positive aspects of life for the next few days, in hopes to avoid drowning in a pool of negativity.
For even during our hardest moments in life, we can't help but see how fortunate we are to have the love and support of our family and friends, and the way they reach out to us in our times of need. Whether it's a grand gesture or simply a few kind words, I believe that's what gets us through the hardships.
And don't discount the power of faith. Counting our blessings and reflecting on all the wonderful gifts we've been given can work magic. We may not always understand why things happen the way they do, but in the end, we have to just hang onto our faith and believe.
And don't forget to keep in mind the things we have to look forward to in our lives, be it big or small. Although the bigger events, i.e. vacations, purchasing a new car or house, etc, can provide a rush of excitement, it's the littler events that carry us from day to day.
Here are a few small things that I'm looking forward to for the rest of my week:
Thursday: The end of my work week will arrive! It's been a long week and I'm ready to break free from my cubicle walls. When 5:30 arrives, I'll be walking out the door, taking in a deep breath of fresh air, and welcoming in my weekend with open arms.
Friday: My dad will be taking the long way home, after spending a few days in Clear Lake with my grandparents, and making a pit stop in Des Moines to take me out to lunch and visit for a few hours. There's nothing like one-on-one bonding time with Dad (and/or Mom), especially when they go out of their way to do so! Friday also marks D-Day...the Single Ladies will be hitting the streets of downtown Des Moines to celebrate Halloween. Although I'm a little nervous to take my leotard out for a night on the town, I'm super excited to be spending time with my friends, which always guarantees a lot of laughs and a lot of fun.
Saturday: Looking forward to another Hawkeye victory!
I think it's okay to bury our heads in the sand and feel scared and sad and frustrated when things don't go as planned in our lives, but we can only do that for so long. My time is up and I'm ready to lift my head up and brush off the sand.
I know it could be worse, but I also know it could be better. And I'm hoping soon things will turn around and I'll hear nothing but positive and blissful things from everyone.
It's easy to get in a funk when you experience unfortunate events in your life, and when you hear about the events of others, so I'm trying to make it my mission to focus on the positive aspects of life for the next few days, in hopes to avoid drowning in a pool of negativity.
For even during our hardest moments in life, we can't help but see how fortunate we are to have the love and support of our family and friends, and the way they reach out to us in our times of need. Whether it's a grand gesture or simply a few kind words, I believe that's what gets us through the hardships.
And don't discount the power of faith. Counting our blessings and reflecting on all the wonderful gifts we've been given can work magic. We may not always understand why things happen the way they do, but in the end, we have to just hang onto our faith and believe.
And don't forget to keep in mind the things we have to look forward to in our lives, be it big or small. Although the bigger events, i.e. vacations, purchasing a new car or house, etc, can provide a rush of excitement, it's the littler events that carry us from day to day.
Here are a few small things that I'm looking forward to for the rest of my week:
Thursday: The end of my work week will arrive! It's been a long week and I'm ready to break free from my cubicle walls. When 5:30 arrives, I'll be walking out the door, taking in a deep breath of fresh air, and welcoming in my weekend with open arms.
Friday: My dad will be taking the long way home, after spending a few days in Clear Lake with my grandparents, and making a pit stop in Des Moines to take me out to lunch and visit for a few hours. There's nothing like one-on-one bonding time with Dad (and/or Mom), especially when they go out of their way to do so! Friday also marks D-Day...the Single Ladies will be hitting the streets of downtown Des Moines to celebrate Halloween. Although I'm a little nervous to take my leotard out for a night on the town, I'm super excited to be spending time with my friends, which always guarantees a lot of laughs and a lot of fun.
Saturday: Looking forward to another Hawkeye victory!
I think it's okay to bury our heads in the sand and feel scared and sad and frustrated when things don't go as planned in our lives, but we can only do that for so long. My time is up and I'm ready to lift my head up and brush off the sand.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Hold the Line
Do you ever feel guilty for screening phone calls even though you aren't the slightest bit busy?
I've caught myself on numerous occasions feeling pangs of guilt as I silenced the ringer on my phone, opting not to talk to the caller on the other end. But when I take a step back and think about it, I don't think there's anything wrong with that. Sometimes I'm just flat out not in the mood to chit chat, and I think that's perfectly okay.
I think the guilt is stemming from the fact that I know the person on the other end knows my phone is with me about 99% of the time, and usually (because my life is not that exciting) I'm available.
Frankly, I find it somewhat liberating to leave my phone behind from time to time. It's like I can disappear for a while and no one can find me. I'm left with my full attention on my family, or friends, or even my own thoughts. I think it's a healthy escape from the almost too-connected world we live in today.
I've caught myself on numerous occasions feeling pangs of guilt as I silenced the ringer on my phone, opting not to talk to the caller on the other end. But when I take a step back and think about it, I don't think there's anything wrong with that. Sometimes I'm just flat out not in the mood to chit chat, and I think that's perfectly okay.
I think the guilt is stemming from the fact that I know the person on the other end knows my phone is with me about 99% of the time, and usually (because my life is not that exciting) I'm available.
Frankly, I find it somewhat liberating to leave my phone behind from time to time. It's like I can disappear for a while and no one can find me. I'm left with my full attention on my family, or friends, or even my own thoughts. I think it's a healthy escape from the almost too-connected world we live in today.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
