Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Goodbye Winter!
There are a lot of people, rather, a majority of people, who deride Michigan winters and Michigan in general. But there's something amazing about seasons changing when the last one was brutal. The sunshine out my window reminds me of hope, and the hammock on my deck reminds me there is another opportunity for hearing birds sing and experience the frozen ground melt into rich smells of varying hue.
We had a 70-degree day this week, which did much to dissolve lingering winter blues in my coworkers. Now all I need is to cut a hole into my office window!
We had a 70-degree day this week, which did much to dissolve lingering winter blues in my coworkers. Now all I need is to cut a hole into my office window!
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Uncle Bill
aMAYFIELD — William Curtis “Bill” McGary of Hopewell Road, Mayfield, Ky., passed on peacefully at his home from Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) Sunday morning, March 6, 2011, at the age of 83.
Bill was a farmer, devoted father and husband, and passionate local historian and storyteller.
William was born near Kirbyton in Carlisle County, Kentucky, on November 15, 1927. He was the eleventh and youngest child of Victor and Effie Dura Gourley McGary.
He farmed in West Kentucky across seven decades beginning as a young child on the family farm.
He began his education at the one-room Dewey Corner School. In 1941, Bill attended Cunningham High School and enthusiastically played on the school’s basketball team.
After high school Bill farmed for several years with his father, still working only with horses. In December of 1950, he volunteered for the United States Air Force. He studied at Boston University Aircraft School and served as a B-36 Electrical Specialist for the Eleventh Wing at Carswell Air Force Base, Fort Worth, Texas.
While in Texas he met his future wife, Betty Jo Evans. They were engaged at Palo Duro Canyon State Park and were married August 2, 1953, in Halfway, Texas.
After his time in the service, they moved to Petersburg, Tx., where he farmed cotton, maize, and other row crops for several years with Betty’s father and brother.
In 1965, they bought a farm in the Mayfield Creek Bottom off of Hopewell Road, where for the next four decades they added acreage and grew white corn, yellow corn, popcorn, soybeans, wheat, and canola. In later years, Mike Nesler was instrumental in running the farm as well as a small long-haul trucking operation.
Betty kept the books and managed operational details and Bill’s brother-in-law, Henry Wells provided assistance in various capacities.
Bill often enjoyed breakfast with local farmers and neighbors at the Longhorn Restaurant near Mayfield. He could always be counted on to spark up conversations with complete strangers, often to have a new audience for his stories, but just as often to make a personal connection with a fellow traveler. In 2009, he completed his memoirs of growing up in the Jackson Purchase Area entitled “William-Billy-Bill,” published by Lulu.com.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Betty; as was a son, Kenneth “Ken” of San Francisco, Calif.; daughters, Thana of Rutland, Vt., and Lawinna of Greene, New York. Lawinna and her husband, Joe Ingold, have three children, Evan, Loren and Liam. Bill is also survived by his sister, Adell McGary Hurt of Toledo, Ohio.
Bill’s siblings were Ava Boswell, Zela McGary, Vernice Wells, Theron, James Thomas (J.T.), Wilbur, Alda Brower, Adell Hurt, Learon, and Wilford.
Bill was a member of Open Door Baptist Church.
Visitation will be Friday evening, March 11, from 5-8 p.m. The funeral service at Byrn Funeral Home in Mayfield starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 12. Burial will be at Highland Park Cemetery.
In memoriam, contributions can be made to Emmeaus Perpetual Cemetery Fund, c/o David Wells, 12272 State Route 129, Fulton, KY 42041, or to the American Red Cross, 1-800-733-2767.
Bill was a farmer, devoted father and husband, and passionate local historian and storyteller.
William was born near Kirbyton in Carlisle County, Kentucky, on November 15, 1927. He was the eleventh and youngest child of Victor and Effie Dura Gourley McGary.
He farmed in West Kentucky across seven decades beginning as a young child on the family farm.
He began his education at the one-room Dewey Corner School. In 1941, Bill attended Cunningham High School and enthusiastically played on the school’s basketball team.
After high school Bill farmed for several years with his father, still working only with horses. In December of 1950, he volunteered for the United States Air Force. He studied at Boston University Aircraft School and served as a B-36 Electrical Specialist for the Eleventh Wing at Carswell Air Force Base, Fort Worth, Texas.
While in Texas he met his future wife, Betty Jo Evans. They were engaged at Palo Duro Canyon State Park and were married August 2, 1953, in Halfway, Texas.
After his time in the service, they moved to Petersburg, Tx., where he farmed cotton, maize, and other row crops for several years with Betty’s father and brother.
In 1965, they bought a farm in the Mayfield Creek Bottom off of Hopewell Road, where for the next four decades they added acreage and grew white corn, yellow corn, popcorn, soybeans, wheat, and canola. In later years, Mike Nesler was instrumental in running the farm as well as a small long-haul trucking operation.
Betty kept the books and managed operational details and Bill’s brother-in-law, Henry Wells provided assistance in various capacities.
Bill often enjoyed breakfast with local farmers and neighbors at the Longhorn Restaurant near Mayfield. He could always be counted on to spark up conversations with complete strangers, often to have a new audience for his stories, but just as often to make a personal connection with a fellow traveler. In 2009, he completed his memoirs of growing up in the Jackson Purchase Area entitled “William-Billy-Bill,” published by Lulu.com.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Betty; as was a son, Kenneth “Ken” of San Francisco, Calif.; daughters, Thana of Rutland, Vt., and Lawinna of Greene, New York. Lawinna and her husband, Joe Ingold, have three children, Evan, Loren and Liam. Bill is also survived by his sister, Adell McGary Hurt of Toledo, Ohio.
Bill’s siblings were Ava Boswell, Zela McGary, Vernice Wells, Theron, James Thomas (J.T.), Wilbur, Alda Brower, Adell Hurt, Learon, and Wilford.
Bill was a member of Open Door Baptist Church.
Visitation will be Friday evening, March 11, from 5-8 p.m. The funeral service at Byrn Funeral Home in Mayfield starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 12. Burial will be at Highland Park Cemetery.
In memoriam, contributions can be made to Emmeaus Perpetual Cemetery Fund, c/o David Wells, 12272 State Route 129, Fulton, KY 42041, or to the American Red Cross, 1-800-733-2767.
Sunday, March 06, 2011
Family
Late last night I heard the message that my great uncle was receiving hospice care. This afternoon I received the message that my great uncle had passed away in the night. Uncle Bill battled cancer, has been married for about 57 years, has 3 children and 3 grandchildren; and still I cried when the voicemail told me his body is the only part of him here on earth anymore. He has finished his earthly race, and the rest of us left behind have to carry on without him.
That's what I feel the most when loved ones die that I know had accepted Christ' gift of life. I feel a tension that I'm supposed to be glad for them, and am jealous, even, but I sorely miss them.
Uncle Bill was a great southern storyteller (this coming from a northern girl). He was the youngest of 11 (10 lived to adulthood and now only 1 is still living), born and raised on a farm although he did manage to go to high school in rural west Kentucky, something only 1 of his brothers also did. The luxuries you get as the youngest, I guess. A bus started running when he was a kid, so they only had to walk 1.5 miles to the bus which took them the rest of the way to the schoolhouse. Our culture is so different now - I don't think many Americans would dream of letting their children walk a mile to go to school. We might even call it cruel and unusual.
A piece of history that lived on through him is gone, now, it seems. It will be ever easier to think that the way things are now is the way they should be, or better, because we deserve more. And we'll forget as a culture where we came from, sons and daughters of immigrants and revolutionaries and oppressed peoples, fighting against the grain to provide for our children and allow more of them to live longer, instead of seeing several of our children die as infants and a few, hopefully, to live to adulthood.
I am so glad for Uncle Bill's stories, that I could see that other world he grew up in and it's not just a story we learn in school, that we didn't always have cars and electricity and phones, and it wasn't really that long ago.
That's what I feel the most when loved ones die that I know had accepted Christ' gift of life. I feel a tension that I'm supposed to be glad for them, and am jealous, even, but I sorely miss them.
Uncle Bill was a great southern storyteller (this coming from a northern girl). He was the youngest of 11 (10 lived to adulthood and now only 1 is still living), born and raised on a farm although he did manage to go to high school in rural west Kentucky, something only 1 of his brothers also did. The luxuries you get as the youngest, I guess. A bus started running when he was a kid, so they only had to walk 1.5 miles to the bus which took them the rest of the way to the schoolhouse. Our culture is so different now - I don't think many Americans would dream of letting their children walk a mile to go to school. We might even call it cruel and unusual.
A piece of history that lived on through him is gone, now, it seems. It will be ever easier to think that the way things are now is the way they should be, or better, because we deserve more. And we'll forget as a culture where we came from, sons and daughters of immigrants and revolutionaries and oppressed peoples, fighting against the grain to provide for our children and allow more of them to live longer, instead of seeing several of our children die as infants and a few, hopefully, to live to adulthood.
I am so glad for Uncle Bill's stories, that I could see that other world he grew up in and it's not just a story we learn in school, that we didn't always have cars and electricity and phones, and it wasn't really that long ago.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Towering
The beauty of an ice storm...when the sun comes out and before it all melts away into memory.
Iced Out
It's lovely to have friends all over. Yesterday there was a massive ice/snow storm that dumped about half an inch of ice and several inches of snow on my homeland. Not even sure there's power at my apartment. Which is why I'm staying put elsewhere!
Tried to talk my mother out of lunch yesterday since she lives an hour away, but we compromised and met halfway. It took us each double the time to get there.
The fantastic part is we're celebrating Washington's birthday today, and my employer has given us a paid holiday. So here I rock, holding a cup of coffee and bundled up with two great protector-dogs (what I mean is they bark at any old thing and sound vicious but they're really just 70-lb babies) while surfing for something on a steal from Dealnews...
Who's who in this goodbye between mother and daughter?
'I love you'
-'Love you too'
'Take care -- Call me if you need anything, OK?'
-'OK'
Happy President's Day!
Tried to talk my mother out of lunch yesterday since she lives an hour away, but we compromised and met halfway. It took us each double the time to get there.
The fantastic part is we're celebrating Washington's birthday today, and my employer has given us a paid holiday. So here I rock, holding a cup of coffee and bundled up with two great protector-dogs (what I mean is they bark at any old thing and sound vicious but they're really just 70-lb babies) while surfing for something on a steal from Dealnews...
Who's who in this goodbye between mother and daughter?
'I love you'
-'Love you too'
'Take care -- Call me if you need anything, OK?'
-'OK'
Happy President's Day!
Saturday, February 05, 2011
train!
Another popular way to get around, which isn't so popular here in the US (although I wish it were!) is by train. Yes, it's slower than plane, but so much cheaper!
This here is an image from the train going from Beijing to Ningxia
View Larger Map
Which was quite a trip!
This one is actually a subway ride in Shanghai taken by my friend Lance:
Touch being a love language of mine, it wasn't such a travesty to be squeezed into the subway while in China. It was a lonely time for me, seeing as how my father had passed away just months before and I didn't know anyone walking into this place. So riding the bus and subway were times of being near people- even though we weren't 'near' to one another. True, it has its downfalls, such as pickpocketing (which more than one of my friends experienced in China in large part because we were 'laowai', but hey, it happens)
Now here in the states, I'm not sure they understand how many people can fit on a subway car.
This clip makes me think of China, even though it's Japan...
You might not believe it until you see it. Have a peek.
This here is an image from the train going from Beijing to Ningxia
View Larger Map
Which was quite a trip!
This one is actually a subway ride in Shanghai taken by my friend Lance:
Touch being a love language of mine, it wasn't such a travesty to be squeezed into the subway while in China. It was a lonely time for me, seeing as how my father had passed away just months before and I didn't know anyone walking into this place. So riding the bus and subway were times of being near people- even though we weren't 'near' to one another. True, it has its downfalls, such as pickpocketing (which more than one of my friends experienced in China in large part because we were 'laowai', but hey, it happens)
Now here in the states, I'm not sure they understand how many people can fit on a subway car.
This clip makes me think of China, even though it's Japan...
You might not believe it until you see it. Have a peek.
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
transportation
So...in my line of work, transportation is really important. Granted, I don't live in a small village where you can walk anywhere you need to be, or hop on a moving car/bike. Half the year, practically, our world is snowed in and biking/walking are not at all appealing options in subzero temperatures. (today, for instance)
But really, there are lots of ways to get around. I'd like to take a stroll down memory lane with you photographically.
There is the ever-popular biking option,
Yes, a mother and toddler are riding on the back of a bicycle with a bucket counterbalancing here. I saw this a lot in China, unfortunately there aren't any photos from that time I have taken. I got pretty decent at riding sidesaddle on the back when in China...can hardly believe that was 5 years ago...
Ever-popular way to transport wood, this is a little zealous in my estimation. At least it's dry season and there aren't massive amounts of mud to contend with on those dirt hills they'll be riding this wood through!
These folks don't let a few stairs deter them! Looked for a photo of massive amounts of people riding in Shanghai, but pretty much everyone has seen that picture by now. Not everyone has seen how in the cities stairs have a bike track on the sides and sometimes in the middle for people to carry bikes up, like this.
Even a white shirt and tie with black pants, there's no excuse for not riding around here :)
Well that's all for now. I'm going to go enjoy my state of emergency blizzard evening...
But really, there are lots of ways to get around. I'd like to take a stroll down memory lane with you photographically.
There is the ever-popular biking option,
Yes, a mother and toddler are riding on the back of a bicycle with a bucket counterbalancing here. I saw this a lot in China, unfortunately there aren't any photos from that time I have taken. I got pretty decent at riding sidesaddle on the back when in China...can hardly believe that was 5 years ago...
Ever-popular way to transport wood, this is a little zealous in my estimation. At least it's dry season and there aren't massive amounts of mud to contend with on those dirt hills they'll be riding this wood through!
These folks don't let a few stairs deter them! Looked for a photo of massive amounts of people riding in Shanghai, but pretty much everyone has seen that picture by now. Not everyone has seen how in the cities stairs have a bike track on the sides and sometimes in the middle for people to carry bikes up, like this.
Even a white shirt and tie with black pants, there's no excuse for not riding around here :)
Well that's all for now. I'm going to go enjoy my state of emergency blizzard evening...
Saturday, January 29, 2011
for mom
So recently Lance & Kristen got married and had a photo booth at their reception. Typically a photo booth is filled by a couple friends or a couple, or parents and kids...or sometimes 6 crazy friends. They had props and everything, so we made the most of it.
It was great to see friends from years past all in one place again. The kind of moment you wonder will ever happen when you are saying goodbye to a set of friends at the end of a phase. Pretty delightful.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
winter update
So - I looked back to that post about winter excitement, and that has subdued somewhat.
While it's beautiful to see snowflakes and watching flakes fall from heaven, most of the time it has just been in the way of getting where I want to go. Ah well :) Such is life.
But in the next couple weeks, hopefully there will be some snowboarding in this future. There will definitely be some stalking of amazing bookstores in Traverse City, and a day of cross-country skiing followed by a day of questioning the wisdom of cross-country skiing.
Tata for now.
While it's beautiful to see snowflakes and watching flakes fall from heaven, most of the time it has just been in the way of getting where I want to go. Ah well :) Such is life.
But in the next couple weeks, hopefully there will be some snowboarding in this future. There will definitely be some stalking of amazing bookstores in Traverse City, and a day of cross-country skiing followed by a day of questioning the wisdom of cross-country skiing.
Tata for now.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
for Caleb
This post is dedicated to Caleb, my little amazing friend. He turns 4 tomorrow. I eagerly awaited his birth since the day I first knew about it in summer 2006. A tightnit group of Americans working with English-teacher hopefuls in China, we all considered ourselves like aunts and uncles to our own little 'Heartbeat'. Heartbeat turned into a bouncing baby boy, then a beautiful toddler, and now a precocious and boundary-testing 4-year-old.
Although my days are spent working with parents, Caleb reminds me of the joy children bring. Yesterday a sweet 2-year-old died in a bad car accident not far from my home, her little sister will remain unborn, and her mother teeters on the edge of death. I grieve for that situation, and have to stop myself from feeling bitterly toward people (even myself) who complain for things so much smaller than loss of life, and have negative outlooks.
All people are a gift, particularly delightful when they are tiny ones. I'm so thankful that Caleb has come so far, from being a tiny miniscule speck to a couble dozen pounds and so smart, laughing, and smiley. Thank you God for reminding us of joy in the midst of suffering. Wholeheartedly I can't help but believe there is more to our lives than a beating heart that one day stills.
So thank you Caleb. I'm excited to see the person you're growing into.
Although my days are spent working with parents, Caleb reminds me of the joy children bring. Yesterday a sweet 2-year-old died in a bad car accident not far from my home, her little sister will remain unborn, and her mother teeters on the edge of death. I grieve for that situation, and have to stop myself from feeling bitterly toward people (even myself) who complain for things so much smaller than loss of life, and have negative outlooks.
All people are a gift, particularly delightful when they are tiny ones. I'm so thankful that Caleb has come so far, from being a tiny miniscule speck to a couble dozen pounds and so smart, laughing, and smiley. Thank you God for reminding us of joy in the midst of suffering. Wholeheartedly I can't help but believe there is more to our lives than a beating heart that one day stills.
So thank you Caleb. I'm excited to see the person you're growing into.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Insatiable
This year it seems like winter took a little longer in getting here, but we didn't really notice that it was not until December 1 that there was any significant snowfall to speak of. Someone told me that normally we have had about 8 inches of snowfall in the month of November.
Might explain why now on the 10th of December I am still very excited about the season. It doesn't hurt that skiing, ice skating, and sledding (as well as people to drag along with) are within an arm's grasp. This winter hockey is on the agenda (watching, not necessarily playing) as well as snowboarding.
This little guy wasn't so excited about winter. But I have to admit, he was placed in this position post-mortem. He died in a nice warm(ish) attic!
What's got you excited this weather season?
Might explain why now on the 10th of December I am still very excited about the season. It doesn't hurt that skiing, ice skating, and sledding (as well as people to drag along with) are within an arm's grasp. This winter hockey is on the agenda (watching, not necessarily playing) as well as snowboarding.
This little guy wasn't so excited about winter. But I have to admit, he was placed in this position post-mortem. He died in a nice warm(ish) attic!
What's got you excited this weather season?
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Christmastime is here
And this video just makes me smile and cry a little, it's so lovely..
I know it's completely viral and you've probably already seen it, but just in case...this one's for you mom.
I know it's completely viral and you've probably already seen it, but just in case...this one's for you mom.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
NYC Report
Well, I had a fabulous time in the city that never sleeps, and managed to get a few winks of sleep. Not enough, though, to keep me from getting ill on my return to the homefront. C'est la vie.
Before I forget all the things I did, these things have to be written down!
-Spending a day with an old high school friend and crazily-busy New Yorker Jeff who is a website developer, nonprofit founder and director, and artist of course
-Visiting Little Italy, Chinatown, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, South Seaport, Staten Island, Chelsea, the NY Public Library, American Museum of Natural History, watching the Thanksgiving parade from Times Square...
-Seeing a bible from about the year 900, a first-edition year 1611 King James Bible, 13th century Samaritan Pentateuch, year 1333 edition of the Qur'an and many other pieces at the Three Faiths Abrahamic exhibition at the New York Public Library
-Watching an incredible performance of Uncle Tom's Cabin by the Metropolitan Playhouse. Each person had 2-5 roles and each actor was amazing
-Watching Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind (commonly known as TMLMtBGB which was pretty awesome. Don't worry, they have a more famous troupe in Chicago if you midwesterners want to go. The cost is $10 and the roll of the die!
-Doing a job-shadow at a middle school in the Bronx of my amazing teacher-friend Amber
-Staying up past 3 a 2nd year in a row because of commuting around Manhattan
-BAGELS
-Seeing Wallace Shawn (the Sicilian from The Princess Bride) and some of his friends (Fran Leibowitz, Julianne Moore, Mary-Louise Parker, Josh Hamilton, and others) read some of Shawn's writings at CUNY grad-school from the 4th row
-Ice-skating for free in Bryant Park and dodging the other 200 people on the rink
-Thai food, pizza, Chinese food, baozi, home-made cranberry sauce, Butterball turkey and dinner made by an Albanian :)
-Watching a food cart for the vendor because he had to go to the store (he did come back)
There are just so many fun things that happened. I'm thankful that I can go and do them and have friends in so many different places. It's difficult to live so far away from them sometimes, and impossible to live with them all because everybody's so spread out, but while building community in my little town in Michigan I'm grateful to have friends and family to run to from time to time. So this Thanksgiving I'm thankful for my job, friends, family, and so many colorful experiences that those three things have shaped into something that's called life.
Before I forget all the things I did, these things have to be written down!
-Spending a day with an old high school friend and crazily-busy New Yorker Jeff who is a website developer, nonprofit founder and director, and artist of course
-Visiting Little Italy, Chinatown, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, South Seaport, Staten Island, Chelsea, the NY Public Library, American Museum of Natural History, watching the Thanksgiving parade from Times Square...
-Seeing a bible from about the year 900, a first-edition year 1611 King James Bible, 13th century Samaritan Pentateuch, year 1333 edition of the Qur'an and many other pieces at the Three Faiths Abrahamic exhibition at the New York Public Library
-Watching an incredible performance of Uncle Tom's Cabin by the Metropolitan Playhouse. Each person had 2-5 roles and each actor was amazing
-Watching Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind (commonly known as TMLMtBGB which was pretty awesome. Don't worry, they have a more famous troupe in Chicago if you midwesterners want to go. The cost is $10 and the roll of the die!
-Doing a job-shadow at a middle school in the Bronx of my amazing teacher-friend Amber
-Staying up past 3 a 2nd year in a row because of commuting around Manhattan
-BAGELS
-Seeing Wallace Shawn (the Sicilian from The Princess Bride) and some of his friends (Fran Leibowitz, Julianne Moore, Mary-Louise Parker, Josh Hamilton, and others) read some of Shawn's writings at CUNY grad-school from the 4th row
-Ice-skating for free in Bryant Park and dodging the other 200 people on the rink
-Thai food, pizza, Chinese food, baozi, home-made cranberry sauce, Butterball turkey and dinner made by an Albanian :)
-Watching a food cart for the vendor because he had to go to the store (he did come back)
There are just so many fun things that happened. I'm thankful that I can go and do them and have friends in so many different places. It's difficult to live so far away from them sometimes, and impossible to live with them all because everybody's so spread out, but while building community in my little town in Michigan I'm grateful to have friends and family to run to from time to time. So this Thanksgiving I'm thankful for my job, friends, family, and so many colorful experiences that those three things have shaped into something that's called life.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Voting Update
Autumn
This season has me eating lots of soup, starting to run again (ran a mile yesterday), and eagerly anticipating Thanksgiving week in the south Bronx.
:)
:)
Monday, November 01, 2010
VOTE!
Unless you've been living in a hole (or outside of TVland coverage) you know that it's almost time to see you at the polls. I'm frantically researching who to vote for since I still haven't decided all the people I'm going to vote for.
One person I do know I'm voting for, however, is my cousin, Kristie. She's in a different sort of election. She's an elementary school teacher working on a severely restricted budget in Michigan. She decided to try and get a small grant from Dole to help pay for classroom supplies and fruit for her detectives to snack on.
She's an amazing teacher. Totally fit to the wee ones she educates. So would you be so kind as to click this link and type the letters to validate your humanness? 30 seconds should do it. And you could vote every day if you were so inclined. Or share the link. Or both :)
Vote for Kristie
One person I do know I'm voting for, however, is my cousin, Kristie. She's in a different sort of election. She's an elementary school teacher working on a severely restricted budget in Michigan. She decided to try and get a small grant from Dole to help pay for classroom supplies and fruit for her detectives to snack on.
She's an amazing teacher. Totally fit to the wee ones she educates. So would you be so kind as to click this link and type the letters to validate your humanness? 30 seconds should do it. And you could vote every day if you were so inclined. Or share the link. Or both :)
Vote for Kristie
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
I've been worried about you...
That's what Mr. D said to me a couple weeks ago after staff meeting. After seeing the perplexed look on my face, he went on to explain that so often when he first knew me, I was smiling and laughing. Lately he hadn't seen that glow about me.
Hadn't even noticed. Actually, what I noticed was myself feeling a little better lately. The past couple weeks I had worked hard to be more involved, working and playing harder and showing the spark. Granted, this fella doesn't see me that much, but it brought me down a bit to think that for someone who had appeared so nice and encouraging I was beginning to wither and smile with faded eyes.
He encouraged me to make sure I get out there and have fun, because all work and no play makes Sarah a dull girl...So with a smile I told him of my plans for the weekend.
A week later he was laid off.
How quickly things change, don't they? 'Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow you may die' is a little bit of the feeling we have when others we grow to depend on (or ourselves) get laid off/fired/given life-altering news.
So I'm encouraged to remember what's important. To act when thoughts come, not just to simmer on them until the outcome is highly likely to be exactly what I desire. Because we all know there's not enough time in the world for all that. So carpe diem. Make sure you take hold of that day you have, figure out what you're supposed to do with it, and do that. And again tomorrow. And again tomorrow.
Hadn't even noticed. Actually, what I noticed was myself feeling a little better lately. The past couple weeks I had worked hard to be more involved, working and playing harder and showing the spark. Granted, this fella doesn't see me that much, but it brought me down a bit to think that for someone who had appeared so nice and encouraging I was beginning to wither and smile with faded eyes.
He encouraged me to make sure I get out there and have fun, because all work and no play makes Sarah a dull girl...So with a smile I told him of my plans for the weekend.
A week later he was laid off.
How quickly things change, don't they? 'Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow you may die' is a little bit of the feeling we have when others we grow to depend on (or ourselves) get laid off/fired/given life-altering news.
So I'm encouraged to remember what's important. To act when thoughts come, not just to simmer on them until the outcome is highly likely to be exactly what I desire. Because we all know there's not enough time in the world for all that. So carpe diem. Make sure you take hold of that day you have, figure out what you're supposed to do with it, and do that. And again tomorrow. And again tomorrow.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
ArtPrize Grand Rapids
This year I made it to the show at least once. This weekend is the final weekend of ArtPrize, where 1700+ artists are showcasing their best in hopes of being chosen by the viewer to win the $250,000 prize. It's an amazing show. It can be a little difficult to discuss an artist's work while they're right there ready to tell you all about themselves and what their piece represents. The real bummer, though, is that you have to register in person to be able to vote. The first week we have been able to vote up or down for any work at all. The 2nd week each registered voter has only one vote to use for the top 10 finalists. ONE vote!
It's amazing.
Go see!
ArtPrize
Friday, September 24, 2010
Dedicated to Jack Horkheimer
One of the unfortunate things about not watching the daily news and focusing on international news is that some memorable events are missed. Like Jack Horkheimer's passing on, unknown to me until this evening. The Star Hustler hustled me right into awe of the starry night - well, the ability to focus on certain happenings in that starry night, anyway. I watched his last episode and noticed he did sound pretty raspy. But that legendary enthusiasm still shone through.
His epitaph, which he wrote years ago for himself:
"Keep Looking Up" was my life's admonition;
I can do little else in my present position.
Goodbye Jack!
His epitaph, which he wrote years ago for himself:
"Keep Looking Up" was my life's admonition;
I can do little else in my present position.
Goodbye Jack!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Martin family
My great grandmother Bernice (Weiss) Gable 1895-1976 is mentioned at the tail end of my ancestors lineage in this book. It details Martin history from before coming to New England in 1635 and the Martins who helped found a colony there, all the way to Posey Chapel in Three Oaks, Michigan back in 1840, just shortly after Michigan became a state in the Union!
Alice Martin died at age 91 in 1870. And here I thought we've been living longer and longer. It's incredible to see the amounts of time some of my ancestors have lived. And the amounts of children that they have!
Thursday, September 02, 2010
September
Is it really 9 months of the way through 2010? I can remember the days when I thought the 2000s were so very far away. A weird little kid, that girl who wondered if she would see the world at all like Laura Ingalls, who saw the turn of a century, and Helen Keller, who also experience the turn of the century. She actually was born in 1880, just about 100 years my senior. What did they think about the changing world? How would they be coping with such drastic changes like television, internet, cell phones, texting? Would Helen have had that surgery that reconnects your vision to your brain? She was so incredibly intelligent.
There's so much to learn!
There's so much to learn!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Weekend in August
This past weekend nuptials took place in this location. We drove to Marquette, MI then 20 minutes further north and down a dirt road. Then we abandoned the cars for a 10 minute trail in the woods to come out on rocks overlooking the pond seen in this picture.
It was lovely.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Fear
I listened to the words of a song by Mat Kearney this evening:
She got the call today
One out of the gray
And when the smoke cleared
It took her breath away
She said she didn't believe
It could happen to me
I guess we're all one phone call from our knees
I wonder if people really think about this? In the quiet moments I find myself dreading a bad phone call that will change my life in one single moment. But maybe it will be a single good phone call. There's this feeling that it's going to happen, probably more than once in a lifetime. Those turning-points can sometimes be pinpointed to one clear moment, can't they? Are you thinking of a moment?
Closer To Love
She got the call today
One out of the gray
And when the smoke cleared
It took her breath away
She said she didn't believe
It could happen to me
I guess we're all one phone call from our knees
I wonder if people really think about this? In the quiet moments I find myself dreading a bad phone call that will change my life in one single moment. But maybe it will be a single good phone call. There's this feeling that it's going to happen, probably more than once in a lifetime. Those turning-points can sometimes be pinpointed to one clear moment, can't they? Are you thinking of a moment?
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Riding *yawn* Part II
Alright, the story: rode over the mighty I-94 to the PCBP and saw many interesting things, mostly in the people and dog department. So many dogs are teeny-tiny! I don't really think I'd want a super small one. Or maybe I just felt really tall because of zooming by on a bike?
Who knows.
Anyway, I had my helmet with me because when I was 12 I was in a mysterious accident and not wearing a helmet. Went to the hospital via ambulance, apparently, thought I was dying, and repeatedly told my father that I loved him. What I remember is pulling out of school and then waking up the next morning wondering why I was in the guest bedroom downstairs.
So the helmet was with me. Since the ride started out in a slow residential area, I was cool and not wearing it. Until I found myself on a 5-lane highway going 20 miles an hour, I remained cool, then became stupid as I realized how fast I was going and how much faster (and disconcertingly close in spite of a well-marked bike path section) cars were driving by me.
I'm no stranger to crazy bike/auto closeness. My very first bike ride on the road in China resulted in an accident. Not mine, but someone who didn't realize I was a 'laowai' foreigner being careful. Yep. Caused an accident. We'll not go into details now as to how it ended. Not one of my proudest moments. Let's just say I wasn't taken by the police for questioning as I was terrified might happen.
Anyway, I'm now exhausted with a satisfied belly and clean hair!
Who knows.
Anyway, I had my helmet with me because when I was 12 I was in a mysterious accident and not wearing a helmet. Went to the hospital via ambulance, apparently, thought I was dying, and repeatedly told my father that I loved him. What I remember is pulling out of school and then waking up the next morning wondering why I was in the guest bedroom downstairs.
So the helmet was with me. Since the ride started out in a slow residential area, I was cool and not wearing it. Until I found myself on a 5-lane highway going 20 miles an hour, I remained cool, then became stupid as I realized how fast I was going and how much faster (and disconcertingly close in spite of a well-marked bike path section) cars were driving by me.
I'm no stranger to crazy bike/auto closeness. My very first bike ride on the road in China resulted in an accident. Not mine, but someone who didn't realize I was a 'laowai' foreigner being careful. Yep. Caused an accident. We'll not go into details now as to how it ended. Not one of my proudest moments. Let's just say I wasn't taken by the police for questioning as I was terrified might happen.
Anyway, I'm now exhausted with a satisfied belly and clean hair!
Riding Part I
I've lived here for too long now to have a good excuse for not having ridden about town yet on the bike. Last year I probably logged 200 miles in the summer riding about the Amish countryside, getting berries, over the hills to grandmother's house. And now it's past the middle of August. Haven't been out on the bike once other than a test ride for possible chain fall-off check.
:)
So this is it. It's a bad post, I know, since not much time has been spent on it, but I'll share with you my favorite pandora radio station, how about that? It's totally free and if you've not been introduced allow me. Type in the name of a couple songs or bands and the station takes off, playing music the system thinks you'll like. You're welcome to skip a number of times, give thumbs up and thumbs down, and the station gets 'smarter' accordingly.
I love it.
You'll hear from me post-endorphinized.
:)
So this is it. It's a bad post, I know, since not much time has been spent on it, but I'll share with you my favorite pandora radio station, how about that? It's totally free and if you've not been introduced allow me. Type in the name of a couple songs or bands and the station takes off, playing music the system thinks you'll like. You're welcome to skip a number of times, give thumbs up and thumbs down, and the station gets 'smarter' accordingly.
I love it.
You'll hear from me post-endorphinized.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Recovery
Physical recovery is pretty boring work, I think. Sure, there's some exercise you can do, but what I'd like to do is run around town - state - midwest.. Got to put down some more roots though. I know Kalamazoo isn't that difficult. Or maybe I'm just trying to convince myself of that.
My work is going well, albeit exhaustingly. Now that I have the internet at home it's going to be easier to go home at closing time but more difficult to let my personal computer continue to be used exclusively for personal and not employment use.
But back to recovery. I went to the doctor on Thursday. He told me that when I find a doctor in my new home it's not likely that there will be much in my chart (which is about 1/2" thick if that) that will be really useful for them. My last visit had been for scabies which had been got in China in 2006. I was so embarrassed at the time. Anyway, pretty much all that bulk was from my medically uneventful and healthy childhood.
I'm glad to have been relatively healthy outside of that little major back surgery thing 13 years ago, but it has made dealing with sickness more difficult - for me, anyway. People who are sick more often have to have learned how to cope better than me! Or they've got to be truly miserable. Since I returned from China in '06 I've experienced facial woes like I'd never had before. It's probably from that fateful day we ate at the fancy vegetarian restaurant where they made fake chicken fingers out of tofu. Just the annoying kind that most teenagers learn to deal with. Never had to wash my face much outside of showering, and I didn't know what I was being blessed with! Now I have to wash with Aquaphor twice a day. And since Africa the allergies seem to have increased too. Hardly ever had hayfever before. Must be getting old quicklier ;-)
One nice thing about this recovery thing has been the 1 month subscription to Netflix. It's been so nice to just lay around watching movies. Scratch that. I've Loved watching the Firefly series for the first time and can't wait to be with friends who love it more than I to watch Serenity.
My work is going well, albeit exhaustingly. Now that I have the internet at home it's going to be easier to go home at closing time but more difficult to let my personal computer continue to be used exclusively for personal and not employment use.
But back to recovery. I went to the doctor on Thursday. He told me that when I find a doctor in my new home it's not likely that there will be much in my chart (which is about 1/2" thick if that) that will be really useful for them. My last visit had been for scabies which had been got in China in 2006. I was so embarrassed at the time. Anyway, pretty much all that bulk was from my medically uneventful and healthy childhood.
I'm glad to have been relatively healthy outside of that little major back surgery thing 13 years ago, but it has made dealing with sickness more difficult - for me, anyway. People who are sick more often have to have learned how to cope better than me! Or they've got to be truly miserable. Since I returned from China in '06 I've experienced facial woes like I'd never had before. It's probably from that fateful day we ate at the fancy vegetarian restaurant where they made fake chicken fingers out of tofu. Just the annoying kind that most teenagers learn to deal with. Never had to wash my face much outside of showering, and I didn't know what I was being blessed with! Now I have to wash with Aquaphor twice a day. And since Africa the allergies seem to have increased too. Hardly ever had hayfever before. Must be getting old quicklier ;-)
One nice thing about this recovery thing has been the 1 month subscription to Netflix. It's been so nice to just lay around watching movies. Scratch that. I've Loved watching the Firefly series for the first time and can't wait to be with friends who love it more than I to watch Serenity.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
back again
After 10 years away from the hospital, I decided to make a little visit on a account of a little kidney stone last week.
And still I am recovering! Sheesh. I'm done with this. Hopefully tomorrow will be a first full day of work for the week. Reward? 2 days off. Sigh.
More later.
And still I am recovering! Sheesh. I'm done with this. Hopefully tomorrow will be a first full day of work for the week. Reward? 2 days off. Sigh.
More later.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Spoiled
Moving to a new apartment with a malfunctioning computer resulted in my choice not to get internet access quite yet. Good thing, in a way, because it reopened my eyes to what it's like to be 'net-less at home. The days go by so quickly, and are so concentrated on the here and now, that although I do miss the easy ability to send an email to someone overseas or see pictures of another friend's latest adventure, I don't miss the way it really sucked my life up in blocks of time I didn't even realize had passed.
That said, the computer is pretty much brand-new again and I'm overjoyed that I can get my homework done and keep my music up loud while typing! Once I get it, that is. Another week or two and I'll probably even have the internet again. Dang, it was hard not being able to type my thoughts out - I had to relent to pen and paper methods :)
So I'm sorry, friend, if you have felt I've been gone. I have. Not just for you. But things are falling into place and after my cousin's wedding this weekend in Louisville and the audit next month I am sure things will calm down. I can just feel it.
;-)
That said, the computer is pretty much brand-new again and I'm overjoyed that I can get my homework done and keep my music up loud while typing! Once I get it, that is. Another week or two and I'll probably even have the internet again. Dang, it was hard not being able to type my thoughts out - I had to relent to pen and paper methods :)
So I'm sorry, friend, if you have felt I've been gone. I have. Not just for you. But things are falling into place and after my cousin's wedding this weekend in Louisville and the audit next month I am sure things will calm down. I can just feel it.
;-)
Sunday, May 16, 2010
The new job
I was talking to a friend last night who asked me if the rest of the world is like our lives in camping-world.
There are yes's and no's, of course. What you gain in having a life outside of your camping life is the need to work harder to build friendships. In camping, everyone (okay, almost everyone) wants to know you - who you are, where you came from, what's your story. But when I left that world (and the world of my hometown) it's conceivable to spend days without significant conversation outside of work. People are wrapped up in their activities, raising their kids, making the paycheck stretch, doing a couple things they like with mostly the same set of people week in and week out.
I thought it was just a small-town problem I had, breaking into the rhythm just about everyone else was already flowing with. But of course, it's something everyone faces who moves.
It just seems more difficult when you have come recently from such a close-knit lifestyle.
Another thing you do get, though, is space to breathe. Time to think outside the 'tyranny of the urgent' as one of my favorite people likes to say.
That said, my job in particular still holds some of that 'tyranny of the urgent' while I'm at work. We still will stop everything to focus on one thing together from time to time, as a catastrophe looms over us. I'm smiling as I think about its similarity to camping, where each day of the summer could affect someone's life for years afterward. This is the start of my 2nd summer outside of that world, but those memories sure are continuing to affect me.
There are so many things I'd like to get involved with now that I have the time and commitment to stay in this place awhile. So many, that I'm stymied in figuring out which one to grab hold of first.
Until next time!
There are yes's and no's, of course. What you gain in having a life outside of your camping life is the need to work harder to build friendships. In camping, everyone (okay, almost everyone) wants to know you - who you are, where you came from, what's your story. But when I left that world (and the world of my hometown) it's conceivable to spend days without significant conversation outside of work. People are wrapped up in their activities, raising their kids, making the paycheck stretch, doing a couple things they like with mostly the same set of people week in and week out.
I thought it was just a small-town problem I had, breaking into the rhythm just about everyone else was already flowing with. But of course, it's something everyone faces who moves.
It just seems more difficult when you have come recently from such a close-knit lifestyle.
Another thing you do get, though, is space to breathe. Time to think outside the 'tyranny of the urgent' as one of my favorite people likes to say.
That said, my job in particular still holds some of that 'tyranny of the urgent' while I'm at work. We still will stop everything to focus on one thing together from time to time, as a catastrophe looms over us. I'm smiling as I think about its similarity to camping, where each day of the summer could affect someone's life for years afterward. This is the start of my 2nd summer outside of that world, but those memories sure are continuing to affect me.
There are so many things I'd like to get involved with now that I have the time and commitment to stay in this place awhile. So many, that I'm stymied in figuring out which one to grab hold of first.
Until next time!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Really?
It seems that writing has become more difficult. When I go on vacation it is easier to set aside time to write. But living in-between makes it more challenging. Lately my focus has been more on finances and fitness.
On the financial end, I am really enjoying managing my funds. What an odd duck. And beginning to see a retirement account rise up has been fun. Allocating, setting aside, watching it grow a little..I digress.
And on the fitness end things are also going well. For several months now I have had an average of 2-4 workouts per week, and last month began running with success. Hopefully the end of this spring there will be a 5K race! Once moved to Kalamazoo, I hope this will become easier to manage, especially since it's getting warm and therefore less hassle to get out and RUN.
That leads us to the writing, however. The writing has got to increase. If this dream of doing something with writing is to ever go anywhere, it has got to become more polished. And I do so hate editing. But not yet will I focus on that. First comes the substance. The actual getting-thoughts-down-on-screen. So here's an exercise...a tidbit on the book I'm diving into currently:
Beneath a Marble Sky (BAMS from here on out) is the text, and I am reading it for a book club. Not so sure I'll finish before we meet next, but here's hoping. After finishing this post that's exactly where I'm going; to get my nose in those pages!
Anyway, BAMS is a fictionalized account regarding the building of the Taj Mahal. I'm realizing what a sucker I am for culturally-different writing. I love doing exactly what the princess has tried to do since taught by her mother as a child: imagining what you would do if you were someone else. And therefore how to act in order to see the results you deem most fitting. I'm not that conniving, of course ;-)
BAMS drove me nuts at first because the point of view is from a 12-year-old princess. But it's written by a man who I don't believe is from India. It seemed fake. But who am I (girl from a small-town who dabbles internationally) to know what really is fake concerning this historical fiction?
So I continued with John Shors' words. And glad I did. Princess Jahanara soon gained a few years and grew into her pretentious speech. I'm only 2/3 of the way through, but it's a bittersweet tale of passion and duty fighting for control in the royal family and the building of the Taj Mahal - well, in the mind of the princess, anyway. It's no longer a chore to keep turning the pages.
Well, I'm off to put my nose you-know-where!
On the financial end, I am really enjoying managing my funds. What an odd duck. And beginning to see a retirement account rise up has been fun. Allocating, setting aside, watching it grow a little..I digress.
And on the fitness end things are also going well. For several months now I have had an average of 2-4 workouts per week, and last month began running with success. Hopefully the end of this spring there will be a 5K race! Once moved to Kalamazoo, I hope this will become easier to manage, especially since it's getting warm and therefore less hassle to get out and RUN.
That leads us to the writing, however. The writing has got to increase. If this dream of doing something with writing is to ever go anywhere, it has got to become more polished. And I do so hate editing. But not yet will I focus on that. First comes the substance. The actual getting-thoughts-down-on-screen. So here's an exercise...a tidbit on the book I'm diving into currently:
Beneath a Marble Sky (BAMS from here on out) is the text, and I am reading it for a book club. Not so sure I'll finish before we meet next, but here's hoping. After finishing this post that's exactly where I'm going; to get my nose in those pages!
Anyway, BAMS is a fictionalized account regarding the building of the Taj Mahal. I'm realizing what a sucker I am for culturally-different writing. I love doing exactly what the princess has tried to do since taught by her mother as a child: imagining what you would do if you were someone else. And therefore how to act in order to see the results you deem most fitting. I'm not that conniving, of course ;-)
BAMS drove me nuts at first because the point of view is from a 12-year-old princess. But it's written by a man who I don't believe is from India. It seemed fake. But who am I (girl from a small-town who dabbles internationally) to know what really is fake concerning this historical fiction?
So I continued with John Shors' words. And glad I did. Princess Jahanara soon gained a few years and grew into her pretentious speech. I'm only 2/3 of the way through, but it's a bittersweet tale of passion and duty fighting for control in the royal family and the building of the Taj Mahal - well, in the mind of the princess, anyway. It's no longer a chore to keep turning the pages.
Well, I'm off to put my nose you-know-where!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Newses
Started the new job this week! And it took me 4 different sites in a mere 5 days - which could have been 5 had I done orientation this week instead of last week :)
Here's hoping I'm not a new-job-junkie, but I really enjoy being the semi-new gal on the block. It's interesting to note how the energy level significantly drops upon beginning a new venture then increases as the days pass and you get more acclimated.
Here's hoping I'm not a new-job-junkie, but I really enjoy being the semi-new gal on the block. It's interesting to note how the energy level significantly drops upon beginning a new venture then increases as the days pass and you get more acclimated.
Monday, March 08, 2010
Reach
This is the reason for my silence the past week.
I've been out chasing kites on the edge of the Pacific!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Like Dora from Finding Nemo
Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...swimming, swimming
And so I'm writing again, although I really don't want to be doing this on a Saturday afternoon. I'd much rather be reading Blood Brothers.
I've got some laundry in the wash and am getting ready for a quick little trip to Portland, Oregon. It also happens to be in my top-5 list of places in the US I would live if one could be chosen based upon how much I like the area. Portland, unfortunately, is situated 4 hours' plane ride and 2.5 hours' car drive away from most of my family in Michigan. And it's cloudy there a lot. Those are two big negatives in my mind. But on the positive side, it's not too far from the ocean, it's in the mountains, a few of my most favorite people live there, and the cultural scene is simply fantastic (Powell's, anyone?). It's definitely one of the most cycle-friendly cities ever; I am also a huge fan of the great job Portland has done on public transportation.
And the hunt for a home in Kalamazoo continues. I'm a little gun-shy since the longest I've lived in any area since graduating high school is 1.5 years and at this point I have been living in southwest Michigan now for a year. So buying is definitely not in my sights.
Will I bolt? No, probably not. But I'll definitely be hard pressed to not dream and scheme of ways to go away again. Here's to finding a healthy mix of travel, study, work, play, community, and solitude!
And so I'm writing again, although I really don't want to be doing this on a Saturday afternoon. I'd much rather be reading Blood Brothers.
I've got some laundry in the wash and am getting ready for a quick little trip to Portland, Oregon. It also happens to be in my top-5 list of places in the US I would live if one could be chosen based upon how much I like the area. Portland, unfortunately, is situated 4 hours' plane ride and 2.5 hours' car drive away from most of my family in Michigan. And it's cloudy there a lot. Those are two big negatives in my mind. But on the positive side, it's not too far from the ocean, it's in the mountains, a few of my most favorite people live there, and the cultural scene is simply fantastic (Powell's, anyone?). It's definitely one of the most cycle-friendly cities ever; I am also a huge fan of the great job Portland has done on public transportation.
And the hunt for a home in Kalamazoo continues. I'm a little gun-shy since the longest I've lived in any area since graduating high school is 1.5 years and at this point I have been living in southwest Michigan now for a year. So buying is definitely not in my sights.
Will I bolt? No, probably not. But I'll definitely be hard pressed to not dream and scheme of ways to go away again. Here's to finding a healthy mix of travel, study, work, play, community, and solitude!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Preview - soon to be renamed
My next blog is going to be about processes.
I like to think that I'm all spontaneous and change plans/adapt at the drop of the hat. And it's true, I do think, that I will flex pretty easily. But more and more, it seems, plans need to be made (which are highly-open-to-be-adaptable) which take much longer than a few hours.
My current plan in place is one of caretaker independence. Every time I leave my hometown I get this sense of incredible glee.
And yet again we are on the cusp of one such occurrence. In a few weeks I am moving an hour's drive north to the great city of Kalamazoo. Each time it has been different, but each time including growth. Even the moving back to the hometown, slow as I am to admit it, has included growth in its experience.
So more to come on that note. I'm too tired to carry on tonight in this vein of thought.
:)
I like to think that I'm all spontaneous and change plans/adapt at the drop of the hat. And it's true, I do think, that I will flex pretty easily. But more and more, it seems, plans need to be made (which are highly-open-to-be-adaptable) which take much longer than a few hours.
My current plan in place is one of caretaker independence. Every time I leave my hometown I get this sense of incredible glee.
And yet again we are on the cusp of one such occurrence. In a few weeks I am moving an hour's drive north to the great city of Kalamazoo. Each time it has been different, but each time including growth. Even the moving back to the hometown, slow as I am to admit it, has included growth in its experience.
So more to come on that note. I'm too tired to carry on tonight in this vein of thought.
:)
Monday, February 22, 2010
Practice, Practice, Practice
I've always wanted to 'be a writer'. And I decided long ago that I'm really not. I listened to those people who said you either are or you aren't. If you don't have the need to write... the feeling that you'd simply not be able to exist without writing, then, you're not a writer. No need to think further.
And so I discounted myself. Sure, I have abilities in the writing area. It's usually pretty easy for me to BS my way through things with writing. Or to answer questions in thoughtfully written prose. But actually being dedicated to it, spending time to research, to creatively write, and that dreaded word: EDIT are not things I would like to dwell on if I had the opportunity.
Because let's face it, I've had the opportunity. I lived in the upper peninsula of Michigan for one very long dark and cold winter, on the edge of a protected bay 8 miles from town. What did I do? I read. MEL was my best friend. In fact, he just may be my ticket. Maybe I can convince the State of Michigan's program developers for MEL to hire me.
Well anyway, regardless of what happens in that department, I am going to be more dedicated to writing at the least on this blog. One of the things Steven King wrote in his book On Writing was the importance of practice.
So if there's something that you want to do, my friend, go and do it. And don't be discouraged that you're not great at it from the start. If you enjoy it, then, at the very least you've found something you enjoy. Take it from a beginning runner: you can't run a mile at the start. But after a month or two, you can.
I have.
And so I discounted myself. Sure, I have abilities in the writing area. It's usually pretty easy for me to BS my way through things with writing. Or to answer questions in thoughtfully written prose. But actually being dedicated to it, spending time to research, to creatively write, and that dreaded word: EDIT are not things I would like to dwell on if I had the opportunity.
Because let's face it, I've had the opportunity. I lived in the upper peninsula of Michigan for one very long dark and cold winter, on the edge of a protected bay 8 miles from town. What did I do? I read. MEL was my best friend. In fact, he just may be my ticket. Maybe I can convince the State of Michigan's program developers for MEL to hire me.
Well anyway, regardless of what happens in that department, I am going to be more dedicated to writing at the least on this blog. One of the things Steven King wrote in his book On Writing was the importance of practice.
So if there's something that you want to do, my friend, go and do it. And don't be discouraged that you're not great at it from the start. If you enjoy it, then, at the very least you've found something you enjoy. Take it from a beginning runner: you can't run a mile at the start. But after a month or two, you can.
I have.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
On the move.. again!
It's still hazy, and the way is treacherous, but the way is up and there has got to be a top to this mountain!
The last time I made a big move was over a year ago now. And I didn't intend this 'pitstop' to be quite so long. After returning to the states after being gone for a couple months (and sort of missing the whole economy fall-apart and unemployment skyrocketing) my own lack of employment brought me up to speed pretty quickly.
So when I got a decently (albeit part-time) paying job in employment services, I was just glad to have a job. Then I was very pleasantly surprised to see that my main employment goal (a great work environment) was also met. Then I was so glad to find out I actually enjoyed what the job was. I helped people with minimal unemployment questions, pointed them in some directions toward employment, and directed them toward skills for getting said employment. Can anyone say computer skilz? Yep. I taught basic computer classes! Networking! And introduced many to the wonders of indeed.com.
So when my mother had some big health issues come up, I was glad to be near enough to her to not have to stop everything I was doing to go help. The part-time and very understanding employer gave me the time needed to be present for her needs too. And the past couple months we've been on the upswing toward wellness.
Then comes today. After months and months of searching online for jobs for other folks, I found a couple that I wanted to jump after myself. And through some naturally forged connections that the job made possible, I landed a good one.
So next Friday we're having a breakfast party (one of my favorite kinds!) and my dear coworkers are saying farewell as I move to the office up the street. I'm looking for a place in the Zoo and looking forward to helping a new set of people. This time they're mandated to come to me for case management, and since most of them come from generations of low-income city families, it's going to be quite the learning curve for me to come to a place where we 'get' one another.
Bring it.
Monday, February 08, 2010
Social Networking and Online Branding for Joe Shmoe
This is the title of my employment readiness workshop. Lately in my spare time at work (hah!) I have been surfing around a bit on LinkedIn and BrazenCareerist to understand a little more about this networking business.
Sure, I've been doing it for years through minimal blogging here, keeping up a photo site, and emailing; but really, I just started wading into the waters, reading blogs (from friends, friends' friends, and the generally interesting blogger) and occasionally commenting.
So I put it out there myself.. If you were to present to a group of dislocated workers (probably in their 30s-60s) a discussion or presentation regarding social networking, what would you do with it? Hit 'em with a lot of facts? Show them what a personal page or online professional profile looks like?
Sure, I've been doing it for years through minimal blogging here, keeping up a photo site, and emailing; but really, I just started wading into the waters, reading blogs (from friends, friends' friends, and the generally interesting blogger) and occasionally commenting.
So I put it out there myself.. If you were to present to a group of dislocated workers (probably in their 30s-60s) a discussion or presentation regarding social networking, what would you do with it? Hit 'em with a lot of facts? Show them what a personal page or online professional profile looks like?
Monday, February 01, 2010
Trees
Oh, how I love beautiful trees. In my symbol-loving mind, when I think about trees, I think about interconnectedness, the need for light to grow, and the beauty of creation.
Which makes me think about where I want my own tree to grow. There has always been in me an awareness of root structure. Where your base is, your roots grow.
And the more you replant, the wider and shallower your root system. My roots are based in my hometown and the places my extended family lived while I was growing up. But my roots have branched out widely, dipping into China, Tanzania, the Upper Peninsula, southern Ohio...
Now, it seems, we come to another branch growth. Where to spend the next period of time's focus? Knowing as I get older, it might get harder to leave?
Questions aside, I still revel in the beauty of the tree. Those unexpected branches, those twists of vibrant persistence, that healthy above-ground vision that hides an intense network of undergrowth deep down.
(o:
Friday, January 22, 2010
A favorite.
Pop White died this week. 88 years young. I don't think he really liked getting older. Especially when they told him he simply must cut back on salt intake. Goodness, the stories.. He left behind 10 children (two sets of twins!), 41 grandchildren (maybe some more twins?), 63 great-grandchildren (more twins??), and even a great-great grand-kiddo here.
What a legacy. I can hardly imagine having that many descendants while I'm still alive. Certainly would not be able to keep track of all those names and ages. Because really it's more like double those numbers. Because that doesn't include his 3 brothers' and 3 sisters' families, or all those spouses that had a hand in making all those little ones make their way into the world.
What I can see for certain, though, is this outlook, printed in his service folder:
My life is not
a journey to the grave
with the intention of arriving safely
in a pretty and
well-preserved body.
But rather,
I will skid in broadside,
thoroughly used up,
totally worn out,
and loudly proclaiming...
Wow! What a ride!
...and they finally opened the gates !
What a legacy. I can hardly imagine having that many descendants while I'm still alive. Certainly would not be able to keep track of all those names and ages. Because really it's more like double those numbers. Because that doesn't include his 3 brothers' and 3 sisters' families, or all those spouses that had a hand in making all those little ones make their way into the world.
What I can see for certain, though, is this outlook, printed in his service folder:
My life is not
a journey to the grave
with the intention of arriving safely
in a pretty and
well-preserved body.
But rather,
I will skid in broadside,
thoroughly used up,
totally worn out,
and loudly proclaiming...
Wow! What a ride!
...and they finally opened the gates !
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Hrm.
Well not so much happened in the 'figuring out last year' end of things this week.
BUT there was an upswing in mood. FInally! Praise the Lord, dark feelings don't last forever. It only feels like it might possibly while in the midst of it :)
In sad news, there's Haiti and the many families stranded from loved ones, both permanently and temporarily in this world. There's a part of me that feels guilty for being glad the family and friends of the people I know live way over in Ouanaminthe.
The Lord has given, and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. I know it sounds crazy. :)
BUT there was an upswing in mood. FInally! Praise the Lord, dark feelings don't last forever. It only feels like it might possibly while in the midst of it :)
In sad news, there's Haiti and the many families stranded from loved ones, both permanently and temporarily in this world. There's a part of me that feels guilty for being glad the family and friends of the people I know live way over in Ouanaminthe.
The Lord has given, and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. I know it sounds crazy. :)
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Goal
This week, I intend to examine the past year. From that information, I intend to plan for the year to come.
Glad the 'holidays' are over. Except today I heard a commercial for Valentine's Day. Oh dear.
Glad the 'holidays' are over. Except today I heard a commercial for Valentine's Day. Oh dear.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
sometimes i wonder
Sometimes in my days, in particular the last few, that is:
I wonder if a manic bipolar state is ever permanent for anyone. How in the world can folks refuse to take their medicine if it causes them extreme delusions like those I've seen? And I know I've not seen the worst.
God bless those who work in mental hospitals, on psychiatric units, and daily with those living through grand and terrible psychoses.
I wonder if a manic bipolar state is ever permanent for anyone. How in the world can folks refuse to take their medicine if it causes them extreme delusions like those I've seen? And I know I've not seen the worst.
God bless those who work in mental hospitals, on psychiatric units, and daily with those living through grand and terrible psychoses.
Sunday, December 06, 2009
Purple Flowers: a world through rose-colored glasses
It's the imagined title of a book I sometimes write in my head about the story of an only child of a bipolar mother and a late father who yearns.
Someday :)
Someday :)
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Terribly Exciting!
So what's new? Not much - more cleaning and researching what to learn next! Language? History of a region where I might move to in the next couple years? auditing a college course for free on oercommons.org??
Until I figure that out, though, when not reading Middlesex (awesome website, by the way, gives you one place to look for lots of different reviews and compiles them) or Africa: Altered States, Ordinary Miracles (this one is a social networking site for readers and gives short reviews from Joe Shmoe) I've been spending time learning personal finance and how to invest. Knew I'd be opening pandora's box, but there it is. 25 and getting a handle on retirement/investing/saving/paying off school debts!
There are SOOO many places to look. It's kind of fun to research at the library. I've never really looked into something that was current where I had to do research. Whereas in literature you're looking at old reviews in books and literary magazines (the way I researched anyway, and I didn't really have a penchant for it...I like just reading the text and discussing it in person), in this case the research is on websites and current popular magazines as well as what I'm used to. Add in the fact that my library and I are at odds currently (they say I have fines for not letting them know I renewed MEL books on my own before they went overdue) the only time I can use library materials is in person rather than checking more out. Sigh. If only I didn't have to be somewhere else during most of the hours they're open!
So my favorite picks so far: hard-copy of Money which assumes for the most part that I have a lot of money, Get Rich Slowly which doesn't assume, The Simple Dollar a good starting point, and even Suze Orman's 2009 Action Plan which was a quick leaf-through but definitely helpful with question/answer sections from a proven expert in personal finance.
Yep. That's what I'm up to. Figuring out whether to head toward max-out contributions for Roth-IRA and 401k and how much, exactly should be set aside as an emergency fund. Still trying to understand possible investing past retirement funds. Maybe I'm too poor for that just yet. I'll stick with my INGDirect savings account at 1.3%!
Until I figure that out, though, when not reading Middlesex (awesome website, by the way, gives you one place to look for lots of different reviews and compiles them) or Africa: Altered States, Ordinary Miracles (this one is a social networking site for readers and gives short reviews from Joe Shmoe) I've been spending time learning personal finance and how to invest. Knew I'd be opening pandora's box, but there it is. 25 and getting a handle on retirement/investing/saving/paying off school debts!
There are SOOO many places to look. It's kind of fun to research at the library. I've never really looked into something that was current where I had to do research. Whereas in literature you're looking at old reviews in books and literary magazines (the way I researched anyway, and I didn't really have a penchant for it...I like just reading the text and discussing it in person), in this case the research is on websites and current popular magazines as well as what I'm used to. Add in the fact that my library and I are at odds currently (they say I have fines for not letting them know I renewed MEL books on my own before they went overdue) the only time I can use library materials is in person rather than checking more out. Sigh. If only I didn't have to be somewhere else during most of the hours they're open!
So my favorite picks so far: hard-copy of Money which assumes for the most part that I have a lot of money, Get Rich Slowly which doesn't assume, The Simple Dollar a good starting point, and even Suze Orman's 2009 Action Plan which was a quick leaf-through but definitely helpful with question/answer sections from a proven expert in personal finance.
Yep. That's what I'm up to. Figuring out whether to head toward max-out contributions for Roth-IRA and 401k and how much, exactly should be set aside as an emergency fund. Still trying to understand possible investing past retirement funds. Maybe I'm too poor for that just yet. I'll stick with my INGDirect savings account at 1.3%!
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Cleaning
From 2000, age 16... My personal favorite is my view of what my mind, parent's mind, friend's mind, and teacher's mind looks like!
What is the first thing you remember learning?
tying my shoelaces for my kindergarten teacher
If you won the lottery guaranteeing you $1000/week for life, how would you spend the first $1,000?
Rend a car and take some friends around the country. Use rest of money for gas, food, and accommodations.
Complete the statement:
My mind is like a... rainforest, wild with unexpected treasures (memories) hidden throughout
My parent's mind is like a... prarie (rich life in the grass)
My best friend's mind is like a... secret door
My teacher's mind is like a... window
If you ever wrote a book, what would be its title?
Remember When...
If you could change your first name to any other name, what would it be?
I wouldn't change it. Stay Sarah
What's the hardest thing you've ever tried and actually accomplished?
Tried out for a high school play and got a good part.
What are two goals that you would like to accomplish this year?
I'd like to get a job and find out what I'll do after HS.
Who do you trust the most?
God
Which of these ideas is the most important in your life today:
Love, truth, time, change or freedom?
You're nothing without love. Love is the biggest reason you could have for living, whether it be being loved, loving others, or loving yourself for what you are.
What is the first thing you remember learning?
tying my shoelaces for my kindergarten teacher
If you won the lottery guaranteeing you $1000/week for life, how would you spend the first $1,000?
Rend a car and take some friends around the country. Use rest of money for gas, food, and accommodations.
Complete the statement:
My mind is like a... rainforest, wild with unexpected treasures (memories) hidden throughout
My parent's mind is like a... prarie (rich life in the grass)
My best friend's mind is like a... secret door
My teacher's mind is like a... window
If you ever wrote a book, what would be its title?
Remember When...
If you could change your first name to any other name, what would it be?
I wouldn't change it. Stay Sarah
What's the hardest thing you've ever tried and actually accomplished?
Tried out for a high school play and got a good part.
What are two goals that you would like to accomplish this year?
I'd like to get a job and find out what I'll do after HS.
Who do you trust the most?
God
Which of these ideas is the most important in your life today:
Love, truth, time, change or freedom?
You're nothing without love. Love is the biggest reason you could have for living, whether it be being loved, loving others, or loving yourself for what you are.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Whew
I've been neglecting much writing of any kind lately. Not that I've been particularly busy; I don't know quite what it is. Except that it's probably not depression. I know some people mark their happiness or unhappiness by how much they're writing. And I've been writing in journal-form since about the age of 10. But there are phases. Heavy-writing and non-heavy-writing. I used to think it was linked to happiness.
Now, rather, I believe it's linked to sunlight and community.
My community as of late was been my workplace crowd and the bits and pieces of scattered friends and family around the globe. The friends and family one has been lagging. Always the one to be good at keeping in touch, it's odd not to be that person. Just got exhausting and maybe some self-esteem built up for myself. No longer do I need those connections to feel secure in myself. It's nice to mature sometimes. If indeed that's what it is.
Sigh.
Although not written down, there have been a myriad of thoughts swirling in my brain. About the near future, about the friends and relationships changing, about the distant future. So many are getting married. I hope, hope, hope, that they don't follow the route more than half the population in the US is following, and divorcing. But being real, there must be some that will. My people are not an exception to the rule, no matter how I hope. And so I'm wondering who will be having kids then divorcing, remarrying, divorcing again. And who will divorce before children. Talk a out a downer.
Then there's the thought, what if this generation is will act differently? What if, because of war and young men and women dying overseas as the norm, 9/11, economistic woe, and a general negativity toward marriage, makes us more likely to be committed to marriage relationships (when and if we do finally dive in) than our older examples?
Maybe I'm just trying to justify my hope.
:)
Now, rather, I believe it's linked to sunlight and community.
My community as of late was been my workplace crowd and the bits and pieces of scattered friends and family around the globe. The friends and family one has been lagging. Always the one to be good at keeping in touch, it's odd not to be that person. Just got exhausting and maybe some self-esteem built up for myself. No longer do I need those connections to feel secure in myself. It's nice to mature sometimes. If indeed that's what it is.
Sigh.
Although not written down, there have been a myriad of thoughts swirling in my brain. About the near future, about the friends and relationships changing, about the distant future. So many are getting married. I hope, hope, hope, that they don't follow the route more than half the population in the US is following, and divorcing. But being real, there must be some that will. My people are not an exception to the rule, no matter how I hope. And so I'm wondering who will be having kids then divorcing, remarrying, divorcing again. And who will divorce before children. Talk a out a downer.
Then there's the thought, what if this generation is will act differently? What if, because of war and young men and women dying overseas as the norm, 9/11, economistic woe, and a general negativity toward marriage, makes us more likely to be committed to marriage relationships (when and if we do finally dive in) than our older examples?
Maybe I'm just trying to justify my hope.
:)
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Things
The memory of what happened around this picture and this picture makes me very, very happy.
Hunting for beachglass in Kenosha and giggling at silly kiddie pictures of Ryan and Catie in Milwaukee... And to top it all off, dessert of the best apple pie in America with Susan in Chicago.
Doesn't get much better than that. Unless you add what happened this weekend!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
MEL Books
I have a date with Michigan Electronic Library yet again tonight, with special guest Amazon. Amazon helps me choose the best dishes, and MEL serves them up like an excellent chef.
Tonight I have a hankering for Julia Child specials. Julie & Julia and My Life in France, for starters. Then we might delve into some necessary studious vegetable options regarding Parkinsonism. A little less delightful than The Joy of French Cooking, but it is what it is.
Speaking of books, here's the last and most delightful one I bought, being devoured by the most handsome 2 1/2 year-old dude I know:
Tonight I have a hankering for Julia Child specials. Julie & Julia and My Life in France, for starters. Then we might delve into some necessary studious vegetable options regarding Parkinsonism. A little less delightful than The Joy of French Cooking, but it is what it is.
Speaking of books, here's the last and most delightful one I bought, being devoured by the most handsome 2 1/2 year-old dude I know:
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
My family
My great aunt has 5 children, 20 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren.
I have an Uncle Doc. He's great.
One of my cousins is having twins.
My grandparents have been married over 60 years.
I recently found out some of my great (7 greats, that is) grandparents were Isaac Martin and Phoebe Webb Harland, Wendelimus Schneider, Matthew Adams and Mary Undersee. They all lived in the mid-1700s.
The familial saga continues.
I have an Uncle Doc. He's great.
One of my cousins is having twins.
My grandparents have been married over 60 years.
I recently found out some of my great (7 greats, that is) grandparents were Isaac Martin and Phoebe Webb Harland, Wendelimus Schneider, Matthew Adams and Mary Undersee. They all lived in the mid-1700s.
The familial saga continues.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Uploading to YouTube
Finally, after half a year and more, a few of my videos are coming up on YouTube.
Like the monkeys.
Looking at little Binti dancing in Amba's kitchen, taking another tour of her house, even looking at some old college videos has me smiling with delight. It's so wonderful to look back and remember what great times I've already had with dear friends.
For instance, there was this one time all my classes for the day were canceled due to hail and ice. Of course I had already walked halfway to my building before hearing that...but I was able to capture the sparkle since my camera was always with me!
And there was another time friends at Cedar Campus filled the camp van with more people than I had thought was humanly possible.
I've worked with some great people so far. I hope the next 25 years brings even better memories! Some people claim that the best times of their lives were high school, or college, or right after. I hope that I'm not able to say the same. There's a lot of living and a lot more to do with the wisdom and experience that are yet to come, I'm pretty much sure of it!
Like the monkeys.
Looking at little Binti dancing in Amba's kitchen, taking another tour of her house, even looking at some old college videos has me smiling with delight. It's so wonderful to look back and remember what great times I've already had with dear friends.
For instance, there was this one time all my classes for the day were canceled due to hail and ice. Of course I had already walked halfway to my building before hearing that...but I was able to capture the sparkle since my camera was always with me!
And there was another time friends at Cedar Campus filled the camp van with more people than I had thought was humanly possible.
I've worked with some great people so far. I hope the next 25 years brings even better memories! Some people claim that the best times of their lives were high school, or college, or right after. I hope that I'm not able to say the same. There's a lot of living and a lot more to do with the wisdom and experience that are yet to come, I'm pretty much sure of it!
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Surrounded!
It seems I am surrounded by people getting married or having babies (or both..)
Which is normal, given my 20-something age. The odd thing in my thoughts, however, is the fact that so many are becoming younger and younger. A tad frightening.
They all look so happy in their cute little facebook pictures, and gush so prettily. And I'm happy for them. I am! But I am also so not there.
The exciting thing in my life right now is trying to figure out when I can make my way south to Houston and visit cousins, or east to New York and visit Ambakisiye. Good place to be in, if you ask me!
In some ways, travel becomes more expensive - since you have to book plane tickets for two. But if you're driving, it's cheaper, because you can cut the cost in two. You also don't get the quiet and the ability to belt out those songs on the radio, though (you know, the ones where they keep changing the words you're sure you knew...)
The fact remains, though; I'm surrounded by matrimonious relationships and babies. Singles, don't all leave me in the dust, please!
Which is normal, given my 20-something age. The odd thing in my thoughts, however, is the fact that so many are becoming younger and younger. A tad frightening.
They all look so happy in their cute little facebook pictures, and gush so prettily. And I'm happy for them. I am! But I am also so not there.
The exciting thing in my life right now is trying to figure out when I can make my way south to Houston and visit cousins, or east to New York and visit Ambakisiye. Good place to be in, if you ask me!
In some ways, travel becomes more expensive - since you have to book plane tickets for two. But if you're driving, it's cheaper, because you can cut the cost in two. You also don't get the quiet and the ability to belt out those songs on the radio, though (you know, the ones where they keep changing the words you're sure you knew...)
The fact remains, though; I'm surrounded by matrimonious relationships and babies. Singles, don't all leave me in the dust, please!
Monday, July 06, 2009
Yesterday
Spoiler: This will be a rather lame post. I'm really just delaying my need to get dressed for work this morning. And enjoying having time to breathe before getting in there, like last week. Starting the workday at 8am is harsh for Silly Sarah.
Yesterday I had a fantastic time doing absolutely nothing except surf and watch a season of sitcom on dvd, a good way to recover from a day with the extended family and their friends, a combined reunion/birthday/anniversary/birthday/independence day celebration.
The biggest task now? Figuring out which weekend goes where - PVM, C+C, Chicago, Detroit.. but the weekend of August 7 is sorted out! I'm one of the happiest passengers to Portland, OR for a delightful little wedding in the west and introduction to a new member of the family.
Yesterday I had a fantastic time doing absolutely nothing except surf and watch a season of sitcom on dvd, a good way to recover from a day with the extended family and their friends, a combined reunion/birthday/anniversary/birthday/independence day celebration.
The biggest task now? Figuring out which weekend goes where - PVM, C+C, Chicago, Detroit.. but the weekend of August 7 is sorted out! I'm one of the happiest passengers to Portland, OR for a delightful little wedding in the west and introduction to a new member of the family.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Hills
I rode up the steepest hill today. Just about killed me. I had to get off the bike halfway up and walk the rest of the way, it was so long and grueling. Made me feel like such a twerp of a rider. And as I was walking, still getting out of breath, I was deciding that this hill would be nice to come down but I was never, ever, ever coming back this way again. The hill just wasn't worth it.
But when I got to the top, there was an equally satisfying descent.
And all my plans changed. I just might have decided to go that way every time, because even though there's great cost to my fragile little ego in the climb, there's incredible reward in the 30 mile per hour + coast down the other side.
Seems to me that might just be the key to enjoying fitness. For me, anyway, the tougher it beats me up and pays me back, the more I appreciate it.
But tomorrow I might just take a break from riding...
But when I got to the top, there was an equally satisfying descent.
And all my plans changed. I just might have decided to go that way every time, because even though there's great cost to my fragile little ego in the climb, there's incredible reward in the 30 mile per hour + coast down the other side.
Seems to me that might just be the key to enjoying fitness. For me, anyway, the tougher it beats me up and pays me back, the more I appreciate it.
But tomorrow I might just take a break from riding...
Monday, June 15, 2009
2nd time
So today I hop in the car without my sandals on because I left them in the back seat earlier this weekend.
I drive to work, glad to have free feet (it's easier to shift without those particular sandals on.
Get to work, look behind me, and no sandals.
But...joke's on me (yes, for the 2nd time) since they're under my blanket back there...
HAH!
I drive to work, glad to have free feet (it's easier to shift without those particular sandals on.
Get to work, look behind me, and no sandals.
But...joke's on me (yes, for the 2nd time) since they're under my blanket back there...
HAH!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Status
I don't quite know what to do with myself when there is unscheduled downtime. Unless it's read a good book...
And after this week's over-read night (I got to sleep after 3:30) I'm taking a break from reading.
Can't even go out for a ride - there's no sun out there and after 3+ hours walking in the Relay for Life last night, biking probably wouldn't be a good idea :)
Maybe I'll...organize my book collection?
And after this week's over-read night (I got to sleep after 3:30) I'm taking a break from reading.
Can't even go out for a ride - there's no sun out there and after 3+ hours walking in the Relay for Life last night, biking probably wouldn't be a good idea :)
Maybe I'll...organize my book collection?
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Goal
I'm pretty sure I haven't blogged about this yet, but since biking around at Cedar in the summer/spring/fall, I've decided that this form of physical exercise is very enjoyable to me, mostly for the following reasons:
- Cycling is much better for the knees and my metalrod scoliotic back than running
- Since I shouldn't really be running but still like being cooled by speed, walking isn't enough but biking is way better
- You can go farther biking and feel more accomplishment. A long ride for me right now is 20 miles
- It smells so good to be outside (unless allergies drive you inside, I really have a hard time understanding why people choose the gym)
- Even when it's hot out, if you're biking it feels cooler!
- As a form of transportation it's much cheaper than driving, especially around town. Problem is nighttime...
Friday, June 05, 2009
Only 5 pages in!
And already I have a favorite line. In the book Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart, Gordon Livingston talks about Kindness: "This most desirable of virtues governs all the others, including a capacity for empathy and love. Like other forms of art, we may find it hard to define, but when we are in its presence, we feel it."
Food for thought.
Food for thought.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
She has her books...
I had my books, stacks and stacks of them. I kept them beside my bed, hauled them and myself to the library on my bike, and read there for hours until I felt as if I'd emerged as a distinctly different person from the one who had parked at the front door. You could disappear there; make sure your old self never came back. --Daughter of the Queen of Sheba by Jacki Lyden
You know, I think the outdoors can be like a library as well. Sometimes, when I'm riding through the countryside. The places those smells, those sights...they just take hold and sweep you away sometimes, don't they?
I was sorry to see the spring slip away from me, but glad to find that the coming of summer brings more delightful scents.
And those great Midwestern USA thunderstorms!
You know, I think the outdoors can be like a library as well. Sometimes, when I'm riding through the countryside. The places those smells, those sights...they just take hold and sweep you away sometimes, don't they?
I was sorry to see the spring slip away from me, but glad to find that the coming of summer brings more delightful scents.
And those great Midwestern USA thunderstorms!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
It was jean day at work today. I had to pay $3 toward Relay for Life in order to feel like my normal casual jean-wearing self.
Felt great.
How long can I submit to this culture, though? (Probably quite awhile.)
Good thing it becomes bike-time and play-in-the-pool-time and sweatshirt-culture outside of work!
Felt great.
How long can I submit to this culture, though? (Probably quite awhile.)
Good thing it becomes bike-time and play-in-the-pool-time and sweatshirt-culture outside of work!
Monday, May 18, 2009
New Ground
I'm in a place I've never been to before...
In a job, in a place that I could realistically imagine staying more than a year or two..
There was college, volunteering, part-time jobs, doing the camp thing for over a year, then traipsing about the world a few months!
Which brings us to now. Now, in a job where I'm not the youngest person present nor the lowest on the totem pole of staff. I have a computer, a desk, a personal phone number, and responsibility! Most of the people I work with have been there for years. Not working in my hometown is a nice change of perspective.
Kalamazoo is a bigger little town than I've given it credit for. I feel a bit landlocked here, but with the opportunity to maybe work my way up to biking to lake Michigan this summer, the water feels closer even if it's not. :o) I've gone 20 miles a couple days this week, we're getting there slowly but surely.
I've never been in this place. People here, as a whole, are settled. I think that's the difference between what I experienced at PVM, Cedar (school and camp in general) and here. People come and go, yes, but Summer and Winter aren't so drastically different people/socially. I lucked out and still am working on summer programming, although it's less than I've worked on 'summer' things for over 7 years!
Happy day to you too.
In a job, in a place that I could realistically imagine staying more than a year or two..
There was college, volunteering, part-time jobs, doing the camp thing for over a year, then traipsing about the world a few months!
Which brings us to now. Now, in a job where I'm not the youngest person present nor the lowest on the totem pole of staff. I have a computer, a desk, a personal phone number, and responsibility! Most of the people I work with have been there for years. Not working in my hometown is a nice change of perspective.
Kalamazoo is a bigger little town than I've given it credit for. I feel a bit landlocked here, but with the opportunity to maybe work my way up to biking to lake Michigan this summer, the water feels closer even if it's not. :o) I've gone 20 miles a couple days this week, we're getting there slowly but surely.
I've never been in this place. People here, as a whole, are settled. I think that's the difference between what I experienced at PVM, Cedar (school and camp in general) and here. People come and go, yes, but Summer and Winter aren't so drastically different people/socially. I lucked out and still am working on summer programming, although it's less than I've worked on 'summer' things for over 7 years!
Happy day to you too.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Weekend!
This post is dedicated to the weekend and thoughts of how wonderful it is to be on the water in springtime with a friend.
Ilene and I walked on the riverfront this weekend, and that just makes me want to live in a city all over again. We visited an amazing place which popped up on our walk, ate incredible Indian and Middle-Eastern foods, and I loved the fact that I got great coffee for 25 cents because it was world fair-trade day.
Didn't even matter that it was graduation weekend, because we discovered the 40s station on Sirius.
Ilene and I walked on the riverfront this weekend, and that just makes me want to live in a city all over again. We visited an amazing place which popped up on our walk, ate incredible Indian and Middle-Eastern foods, and I loved the fact that I got great coffee for 25 cents because it was world fair-trade day.
Didn't even matter that it was graduation weekend, because we discovered the 40s station on Sirius.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Dad would be proud
So many things are going well at the moment. I'm soaking it up.
Tonight the only thing that's wrong is my most recent book was a huge letdown when I finished it last night.
On the good side, though, I have a bike to ride. Hopefully the old one is still seeing some good action up north at Cedar. It's very good that I have a bike now, because this is going to be my main mode of exercise and town transportation for the summer. Might even be my means of travel to work some too!
Today was a beautiful day and I was able to keep the window down and let the hair fly on the way home from a long day at work.
Willow and Silla only bark/jump a couple times when I come in the door now. They're growing on me. Being a cat person, I at least tolerate dogs but definitely prefer the quietness, purring, and independence of cats. These gals are good ones.
But what dad would be most proud of is my management of finances. Of course I can't go into much detail with it because I'm too private for that, but doing well with savings, insurance, income, and the paying off of those darned school loans are going great!
All this in the face of the people I work with - many who've lost jobs and many who are losing hope for a new job soon.
I'm blessed not just because things are going so well - but all this stuff adds together to make it easier to help others.
Tonight the only thing that's wrong is my most recent book was a huge letdown when I finished it last night.
On the good side, though, I have a bike to ride. Hopefully the old one is still seeing some good action up north at Cedar. It's very good that I have a bike now, because this is going to be my main mode of exercise and town transportation for the summer. Might even be my means of travel to work some too!
Today was a beautiful day and I was able to keep the window down and let the hair fly on the way home from a long day at work.
Willow and Silla only bark/jump a couple times when I come in the door now. They're growing on me. Being a cat person, I at least tolerate dogs but definitely prefer the quietness, purring, and independence of cats. These gals are good ones.
But what dad would be most proud of is my management of finances. Of course I can't go into much detail with it because I'm too private for that, but doing well with savings, insurance, income, and the paying off of those darned school loans are going great!
All this in the face of the people I work with - many who've lost jobs and many who are losing hope for a new job soon.
I'm blessed not just because things are going so well - but all this stuff adds together to make it easier to help others.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
3 years
Today marks 3 years since my last day oncampus as a student of CMU. Three years ago my plans were to work my butt off for the 4-day weekend and finish my heart-attack of a paper, attend a wedding shower, and somehow write and edit a monstrous amount of pages in a ridiculous amount of time.
But I woke up to a policeman practically beating my door down. And down with the door came news of my dad's sudden death.
Home I went. Adrift I went. Moved ahead with plans to travel and study in China for 6 months that fall. And returned again to finish that dratted paper, finally. Before the finish, I began to work at Cedar Campus as an intern. I ended up joining staff later and staying through two summers. It was a good place to heal, apart from the many memories left behind in my hometown.
A delightful detour to Africa and Europe, then I came back to this place. This house where my father lived the last 22 years of his life.
After a couple months of confusion about immediate future (thank you economic depression) I'm feeling back. I've got a job, a couple friends nearby, family, and it's finally spring in this place!
One little life, but God's brought me through a lot. There's still life after loved ones depart. I still miss him most days, even wonder if that car outside is him getting home; but missing 'em is one of the proofs that you love 'em isn't it?
Older and wiser, I hope. Wonder what's going to be coming around the corner?
Bring it!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Confession
I know that many people are annoyed by dog-eared books, and it's considered rude to do this to books which are not your own. But for myself, I don't mind. I less than don't mind; a dog-eared page to me is a sign of a treasure-hunt. Much of the time dog-earing is done only to hold the place for a page, but I always wonder - is it for some other reason? Was there a great line on this page? Especially if the dog-ear is not on the upper right side. Particularly if it's the bottom of the page.
So without further ado here are a couple of the memorable moments I deem most notable from books 5 and 6 of the Lord of the Rings. Otherwise known as The Return of the King!
The first one comes when Sam and Frodo are in the land of Mordor, and the darkness increases moment by moment as they come closer to the fire and the end of their barely conceivable mission. Sam sees a white star twinkle. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty forever beyond its reach. I can see a direct corelation to some of the things we see here on earth and the way I view goodness and God's love. It's something that only seems a twinkle at times. But it can't be winked out by something like hunger, family heartache, or war. Massive problems, yes, but bad as they are, there remains light.
And the second one comes after the ring has perished in the fire and Sam and Frodo are being honored by all the warriors. Sam had dreamed often of the idea that someday songs would be sung about the war of the Ring and their part in it. But I don't think ever thought it truly would happen for his ears to hear! When Sam heard that he laughed aloud for sheer delight, and he stood up and cried: "O great glory and splendour! And all my wishes have come true!" And he wept. And all the host laughed and wept, and in the midst of their merriment and tears the clear voice of the minstrel rose like silver and gold, and all men were hushed. And he sang to them...until their hearts, wounded with sweet words, overflowed, and their joy was like swords, and they passed in thought out to regions where pain and delight flow together and tears are the very wine of blessedness. What an idea. I know lots of people have said it before, but the thoght of pain and delight flowing together and the tears that come are blessed. There's sadness, yes, but great joy. I'll just leave it at that.
Oh. And the confession? I sometimes dog-ear particularly splendid passages of library books.
I think it's okay, though, because I pay for the library to buy lots of books with my overdue fines!
So without further ado here are a couple of the memorable moments I deem most notable from books 5 and 6 of the Lord of the Rings. Otherwise known as The Return of the King!
The first one comes when Sam and Frodo are in the land of Mordor, and the darkness increases moment by moment as they come closer to the fire and the end of their barely conceivable mission. Sam sees a white star twinkle. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty forever beyond its reach. I can see a direct corelation to some of the things we see here on earth and the way I view goodness and God's love. It's something that only seems a twinkle at times. But it can't be winked out by something like hunger, family heartache, or war. Massive problems, yes, but bad as they are, there remains light.
And the second one comes after the ring has perished in the fire and Sam and Frodo are being honored by all the warriors. Sam had dreamed often of the idea that someday songs would be sung about the war of the Ring and their part in it. But I don't think ever thought it truly would happen for his ears to hear! When Sam heard that he laughed aloud for sheer delight, and he stood up and cried: "O great glory and splendour! And all my wishes have come true!" And he wept. And all the host laughed and wept, and in the midst of their merriment and tears the clear voice of the minstrel rose like silver and gold, and all men were hushed. And he sang to them...until their hearts, wounded with sweet words, overflowed, and their joy was like swords, and they passed in thought out to regions where pain and delight flow together and tears are the very wine of blessedness. What an idea. I know lots of people have said it before, but the thoght of pain and delight flowing together and the tears that come are blessed. There's sadness, yes, but great joy. I'll just leave it at that.
Oh. And the confession? I sometimes dog-ear particularly splendid passages of library books.
I think it's okay, though, because I pay for the library to buy lots of books with my overdue fines!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Walking into Summer
I stepped out of the house this morning, and it happened.
For a couple weeks now, we've been dealing with the smell of rainy pavement (a smell I love) but today - well today it was the smell of summer in the air. Morning, wet, summer air. And I was tempted not to sniff, it was so tantalizing.
Such good memories, of so many days spent in summer air doing campy things! But those days are not present days. (Somebody's been reading of Middle Earth recently)
Today I was headed to the office, and it's an office in which my chair does not face a window, or even spin around to easily face a window!
I don't know how people can spend years working in offices like that.
And I am determined not to be one of them. It's simply not possible. My mental state just won't take it. For those of you living 9-5 in a windowless cubicle, goodness, I'm impressed by you. I don't know how you do it.
Bring it, summer! I think I need to go camping. And soon!
Red River Gorge, here I come...
;-)
For a couple weeks now, we've been dealing with the smell of rainy pavement (a smell I love) but today - well today it was the smell of summer in the air. Morning, wet, summer air. And I was tempted not to sniff, it was so tantalizing.
Such good memories, of so many days spent in summer air doing campy things! But those days are not present days. (Somebody's been reading of Middle Earth recently)
Today I was headed to the office, and it's an office in which my chair does not face a window, or even spin around to easily face a window!
I don't know how people can spend years working in offices like that.
And I am determined not to be one of them. It's simply not possible. My mental state just won't take it. For those of you living 9-5 in a windowless cubicle, goodness, I'm impressed by you. I don't know how you do it.
Bring it, summer! I think I need to go camping. And soon!
Red River Gorge, here I come...
;-)
Monday, April 06, 2009
Lions and Lambs
Monday, March 30, 2009
Scratch
Winter reared her increasingly unwelcome head again yesterday.
Snow.
aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Snow.
aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Spring has Sprung!
Birds chirping me awake every morning, snow disappearing,
Outside ice is a thing of the past,
How I've missed it.
I don't know if I can do this winter in Michigan thing again next year.
Seriously.
If not for the gray...maybe.
And the way spring is SO very welcome...
Well we've got a few months before need to decide that anyway.
:-D Spring is here!!!
Outside ice is a thing of the past,
How I've missed it.
I don't know if I can do this winter in Michigan thing again next year.
Seriously.
If not for the gray...maybe.
And the way spring is SO very welcome...
Well we've got a few months before need to decide that anyway.
:-D Spring is here!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
