"Tell the devil I said "hey" when you get back to where you're from..."
As an employee, I'm responsible, hard-working and a team-player.
I will do what I'm required and go above and beyond.
But that stops as soon as you take advantage of my willingness to do more than just my part,
...that stops when you are condescending,
...that stops when you make me feel worthless and lazy.
Others feel the same way.
I'm just saying it and making it known that it is not okay.
I'm not accepting the status quo.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
NaBloPoMo - February!
The email I got from NaBloPoMo about February blogging:
Greetings, bloggers! The theme for February blogging is CHARACTER. It's a flexible theme, allowing you to blog about all sorts of things:
1. The people in your life who stand out in regard to their outstanding (or lack of) character -- the use of pseudonyms might be prudent here;
2. Experiences in your life that have helped you build moral character, and the work you might still need to do;
3. It's a chance to try writing in character -- try on different personas and voices for fun, or to address things you might not normally talk about;
4. Character is another word for a letter or symbol, if you feel like it's finally time to indulge in some font nerdery.
I know a few characters. I also like to create characters for stories I never get around to writing. Maybe working on some interesting character development this month will get me motivated for - at the very least- a short story or two. We'll see.
Happy Blogging, NaBloPoMo kids! Just think, at the end of THIS month, it'll be March and we can **hope** the weather will be a bit warmer.
Yours blogging from the Blizzard of Oz,
Bailey
Happy Blogging, NaBloPoMo kids! Just think, at the end of THIS month, it'll be March and we can **hope** the weather will be a bit warmer.
Yours blogging from the Blizzard of Oz,
Bailey
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
a year ago
Amazing what can change in a year.
A little over a year ago, I cried late at night, by the fireplace at my old house, over a stupid boy. A stupid boy whose goal in life was to be a high school football coach in a small town (sorry Meg, I know you're friends). The next day, in an effort to be around people and not be so mopey, I went to lunch with someone who over the previous few months had become a good friend. And I complained about what happened with the stupid boy.
It took us a few more months, but that friend and I finally figured out we both wanted to be more than just friends. And the past six months have been amazing :)
And I wouldn't change a thing.
A little over a year ago, I cried late at night, by the fireplace at my old house, over a stupid boy. A stupid boy whose goal in life was to be a high school football coach in a small town (sorry Meg, I know you're friends). The next day, in an effort to be around people and not be so mopey, I went to lunch with someone who over the previous few months had become a good friend. And I complained about what happened with the stupid boy.
It took us a few more months, but that friend and I finally figured out we both wanted to be more than just friends. And the past six months have been amazing :)
And I wouldn't change a thing.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Garden State
I watched Garden State with Phil last night. It had been well over a year since I had last seen it. I haven't even had my copy since January when I loaned it to someone to make a point. Either they A) didn't watch it or B) didn't get or care for my point. Either way, I've moved on and now really just want my damn movie back.
My point is, it's been at least a year since I last watched it. Maybe closer to two years. And let me tell you, a lot has happened in that time. And this is important because Garden State is my favorite movie. Not just because the action or the story or the characters are great but I watched it at a time that it really had an impact on me. No, it didn't changed me but it was just the perfect movie to come along at the time it did. I had started my sophomore year in college. I had had an awful summer in Des Moines with my family (it ended up being the last one I spent there) and, you know, I was trying to figure stuff out. I had lost that idea of "home". Not just a place, but the connections I had and the people I surrounded myself with. This has continued to evolve since then but it was really very profound then. I was shifting from being a part of nuclear family to being the oldest child in a family with newly-divorced parents. But I was also two states away and I really didn't have to deal with it. And holidays from then on out always seemed to have some drama. My sister and I were yelling at each other or my mom was annoying me or I was mad at my dad. I was never sure where it was going to come from but something was not going to go well. So, Lawrence became my home. I wrote about this before. My shift from Iowa to Kansas. But Garden State stuck with me. I had to buy a copy. I had to own the soundtrack. Every so often, it made me feel better. It's the idea that you do what you want to in life, you do the important things and you spend time with the important people. And you do your best and sometimes it still sucks. But you have to hold on to the good moments and the laughter.
But something in the last year and a half changed. The move felt different. I had the realization that most of the characters in the movie are about 26 years old. I am 26. I am no longer a 19-year-old college student. Other than that, I can't say for sure what else was different about the viewing of this movie. I still laughed, I was still sad during the melancholy moments. But there was a tone to the movie, a different layer, that I understood. The characters seemed more like peers; not the grown-ups I had thought them to be when I was 19. I can unequivocally say I was viewing the movie as an adult.
Definitely still my favorite movie.
"I know it hurts. That's life. If nothing else, It's life. It's real, and sometimes it fuckin' hurts, but it's sort of all we have."
My point is, it's been at least a year since I last watched it. Maybe closer to two years. And let me tell you, a lot has happened in that time. And this is important because Garden State is my favorite movie. Not just because the action or the story or the characters are great but I watched it at a time that it really had an impact on me. No, it didn't changed me but it was just the perfect movie to come along at the time it did. I had started my sophomore year in college. I had had an awful summer in Des Moines with my family (it ended up being the last one I spent there) and, you know, I was trying to figure stuff out. I had lost that idea of "home". Not just a place, but the connections I had and the people I surrounded myself with. This has continued to evolve since then but it was really very profound then. I was shifting from being a part of nuclear family to being the oldest child in a family with newly-divorced parents. But I was also two states away and I really didn't have to deal with it. And holidays from then on out always seemed to have some drama. My sister and I were yelling at each other or my mom was annoying me or I was mad at my dad. I was never sure where it was going to come from but something was not going to go well. So, Lawrence became my home. I wrote about this before. My shift from Iowa to Kansas. But Garden State stuck with me. I had to buy a copy. I had to own the soundtrack. Every so often, it made me feel better. It's the idea that you do what you want to in life, you do the important things and you spend time with the important people. And you do your best and sometimes it still sucks. But you have to hold on to the good moments and the laughter.
But something in the last year and a half changed. The move felt different. I had the realization that most of the characters in the movie are about 26 years old. I am 26. I am no longer a 19-year-old college student. Other than that, I can't say for sure what else was different about the viewing of this movie. I still laughed, I was still sad during the melancholy moments. But there was a tone to the movie, a different layer, that I understood. The characters seemed more like peers; not the grown-ups I had thought them to be when I was 19. I can unequivocally say I was viewing the movie as an adult.
Definitely still my favorite movie.
"I know it hurts. That's life. If nothing else, It's life. It's real, and sometimes it fuckin' hurts, but it's sort of all we have."
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
"You all know that I have been sustained throughout my life by three saving graces – my family, my friends, and a faith in the power of resilience and hope. These graces have carried me through difficult times and they have brought more joy to the good times than I ever could have imagined. The days of our lives, for all of us, are numbered. We know that. And, yes, there are certainly times when we aren't able to muster as much strength and patience as we would like. It's called being human. But I have found that in the simple act of living with hope, and in the daily effort to have a positive impact in the world, the days I do have are made all the more meaningful and precious. And for that I am grateful. It isn’t possible to put into words the love and gratitude I feel to everyone who has and continues to support and inspire me every day. To you I simply say: you know." -Elizabeth Edwards
""You know, you really have two choices here. . . . Either you push forward with the things you were doing yesterday, or you start dying [and] let cancer win before it needed to," she told CBS News anchor Katie Couric. "I don't want to do that. I want to live.""
"For many months, she visited Wade's grave site every day. She took him his SAT score when it arrived after his death. She read him books from his classmates' school reading list, she said in her memoir. It was after his death that she, who had always used her own family name professionally, became Elizabeth Edwards.
"I took my son's name," she told Ms. magazine in 2004. "I didn't take my husband's name."
[www.washingtonpost.com]
""You know, you really have two choices here. . . . Either you push forward with the things you were doing yesterday, or you start dying [and] let cancer win before it needed to," she told CBS News anchor Katie Couric. "I don't want to do that. I want to live.""
"For many months, she visited Wade's grave site every day. She took him his SAT score when it arrived after his death. She read him books from his classmates' school reading list, she said in her memoir. It was after his death that she, who had always used her own family name professionally, became Elizabeth Edwards.
"I took my son's name," she told Ms. magazine in 2004. "I didn't take my husband's name."
[www.washingtonpost.com]
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
Giving up cable. And the internet?!
Real conversation I'm overhearing right now:
Person 1: "I'm convinced I'd be better off without cable television and the internet"
Person 2: "I'll give you the cable but not the internet".
I can attest to not having cable. I'm fine without it. I read more. I watch movies. And ya know, it's pretty easy to watch a lot of what's on tv online.
But the real question, is can our society really function without internet at this point? If you're reading this (especially during the day) you're probably at work and need it for some function of your job. I couldn't go without it professionally. And I like connecting with people online (this blog, for instance. And Twitter!)
Could you go without using the internet for personal (non-work) use?!
Another snippet from the same convo: "I did breakdown and watch Glee last night..." ha!
Person 1: "I'm convinced I'd be better off without cable television and the internet"
Person 2: "I'll give you the cable but not the internet".
I can attest to not having cable. I'm fine without it. I read more. I watch movies. And ya know, it's pretty easy to watch a lot of what's on tv online.
But the real question, is can our society really function without internet at this point? If you're reading this (especially during the day) you're probably at work and need it for some function of your job. I couldn't go without it professionally. And I like connecting with people online (this blog, for instance. And Twitter!)
Could you go without using the internet for personal (non-work) use?!
Another snippet from the same convo: "I did breakdown and watch Glee last night..." ha!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
#30!!!
This, ladies and gentlemen, is post number thirty for the month of November. As you can see by the fancy, flashy, shiny new badge on the left side of my post.
Right here
<----
No, down a bit more.
Isn't it fun?! And kind of snarky/sarcastic?! Love it.
I also love that I made it to the end of the month with 30 posts! I didn't quite get one posted every day but I doubled up several days to make up for it. 30 posts, 30 days. Never done before by this blog.
I hope you've enjoyed them! Some were silly and done with very little effort and some of them meant a lot. This one, too. And this one, definitely.
I don't think I could have done it without blogging pressure (only the good kind, of course) from Debbi, Amerika, Jenn and Eric. It really is true it's easier to do things with others. There were quite a few other people doing NaBloPoMo and I hope there are even more if we do it in February!
Edited to add: my friend Megan in Japan was just 5 posts away! So close!
And another Megan (in Lawrence) was part of the fun, too.
But can you believe it? December is tomorrow. TOMORROW!
What I'm excited about in December:
Right here
<----
No, down a bit more.
Isn't it fun?! And kind of snarky/sarcastic?! Love it.
I also love that I made it to the end of the month with 30 posts! I didn't quite get one posted every day but I doubled up several days to make up for it. 30 posts, 30 days. Never done before by this blog.
I hope you've enjoyed them! Some were silly and done with very little effort and some of them meant a lot. This one, too. And this one, definitely.
I don't think I could have done it without blogging pressure (only the good kind, of course) from Debbi, Amerika, Jenn and Eric. It really is true it's easier to do things with others. There were quite a few other people doing NaBloPoMo and I hope there are even more if we do it in February!
Edited to add: my friend Megan in Japan was just 5 posts away! So close!
And another Megan (in Lawrence) was part of the fun, too.
But can you believe it? December is tomorrow. TOMORROW!
What I'm excited about in December:
- my goal of commenting more on other blogs
- working on my own website (this is a maybe or a Jan/Feb sort of thing- my computer access is limited in a few weeks)
- spending Christmas with this goofy guy
- the first snow fall (I LIKE snow. Don't hate.)
- holiday baking fest 2010
- hopefully, a possible job interview (my grandma and I keep dreaming about it - that's gotta mean something, right?!)
Monday, November 29, 2010
Amazing Grace
Tonight the girl scout troop I volunteer with had a music event on the KU campus. They went and learned about music, made musical instruments, learned about composition, learned about different types of instruments. They also made music. It was so sweet to hear this group of girls sing "Amazing Grace".
The one time I remember singing "Amazing Grace" was ten years ago. I had gone with my girl scout troop (yes, I was 15) to Philmont - the boy scout camp in New Mexico. The last morning of our 10-day hiking and camping trip we woke at 3am and hiked about two hours to our last high spot. As we watched the sun rise, we sang "Amazing Grace". I'm not sure what it was about the moment. It may have just been so amazing we were compelled to sing the most beautiful song we could think of. It is definitely on my top 5 favorite moments in life list.
The one time I remember singing "Amazing Grace" was ten years ago. I had gone with my girl scout troop (yes, I was 15) to Philmont - the boy scout camp in New Mexico. The last morning of our 10-day hiking and camping trip we woke at 3am and hiked about two hours to our last high spot. As we watched the sun rise, we sang "Amazing Grace". I'm not sure what it was about the moment. It may have just been so amazing we were compelled to sing the most beautiful song we could think of. It is definitely on my top 5 favorite moments in life list.
Monday, Monday
This semester (yes, I work at a university, thus time is measured by semesters...) I have been working in another department on Monday mornings. I have to drag the laptop to this office as well as my purse and bag of food for breakfast and lunch for the rest of the week. Oh, and my coffee.
This morning, it was quite the load on the crowded bus.
This being my first day back to work, the productivity seems low. It usually kind of is on Monday. Unless I have a bunch of appointments. Forced productivity, I guess.
Mondays aren't anything special, really.
But they used to be...
Nine months ago, a friend hit up The Sandbar when she was waiting for her son to be done with an art class downtown. A couple of us joined her. She went again the next few weeks and a few more of us came. This was in February and I think we all just needed out of the house. Then the spring and summer months came and what better way to enjoy the warmer months then on the patio?
The group of us that always went got a little busy. And got a little low on cash so we haven't gone in some time. I expect us to need to get out of the house in February again so that might be our next Margarita Monday evening.
It sure did help make Mondays more special.
Mondays aren't anything special, really.
But they used to be...
Nine months ago, a friend hit up The Sandbar when she was waiting for her son to be done with an art class downtown. A couple of us joined her. She went again the next few weeks and a few more of us came. This was in February and I think we all just needed out of the house. Then the spring and summer months came and what better way to enjoy the warmer months then on the patio?
The group of us that always went got a little busy. And got a little low on cash so we haven't gone in some time. I expect us to need to get out of the house in February again so that might be our next Margarita Monday evening.
It sure did help make Mondays more special.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
A word on National Blog Posting Month...
28 days into National Blog Posting Month (this is post #27) and a few thoughts about it.
It's been nice to have a group of people (via Twitter) helping with the encouragement. Nice to "report" to someone even if, I'm pretty sure, they aren't going to Fail me in life if I don't post something.
It's nice to have (just a bit of) pressure to constantly be thinking about ideas for blog posts - even if they're not the most compelling of stories.
But has this helped with getting comments (I love feedback): not really. I think what has helped is actually posting the blog links to twitter. I wasn't really doing that before (because sharing is scary sometimes!) And with more posting, it does seem like there have been more comments - but only in relation to the amount of blogs I post. I'm not getting dramatically increased comments per blog.
Have I devoted more time to reading other blogs? This past week, I've tried. I've really tried to keep on blog reading. But I didn't work! I had lots of free time. This month I did attempt to make more comments on blogs when I was reading posts. Because who doesn't love comment love? I know I do!
What do you get out of posting or sharing more blog entries? What has National Blog Posting Month done for you? What do you think we should do differently (this is aimed to the group who plans to participate again) in February?
It's been nice to have a group of people (via Twitter) helping with the encouragement. Nice to "report" to someone even if, I'm pretty sure, they aren't going to Fail me in life if I don't post something.
It's nice to have (just a bit of) pressure to constantly be thinking about ideas for blog posts - even if they're not the most compelling of stories.
But has this helped with getting comments (I love feedback): not really. I think what has helped is actually posting the blog links to twitter. I wasn't really doing that before (because sharing is scary sometimes!) And with more posting, it does seem like there have been more comments - but only in relation to the amount of blogs I post. I'm not getting dramatically increased comments per blog.
Have I devoted more time to reading other blogs? This past week, I've tried. I've really tried to keep on blog reading. But I didn't work! I had lots of free time. This month I did attempt to make more comments on blogs when I was reading posts. Because who doesn't love comment love? I know I do!
What do you get out of posting or sharing more blog entries? What has National Blog Posting Month done for you? What do you think we should do differently (this is aimed to the group who plans to participate again) in February?
Girl Scout cookies!
Hey Lawrence!
Wanted to let you know you can get girl scout cookies this week! No, you don't have to pre-order... you can get the ACTUAL cookies!
Location is at the 23rd Street Hy-Vee - we will be selling next to the Christmas trees!
There are two troops - one group of brownies, one group of juniors - so come out and support local girl scouts! Part of the proceeds of every box go to the individual troop and part go to the local council.
Make sure you are briefed on current (including some new!) girl scout cookies. Samoas are my favorite!
Wanted to let you know you can get girl scout cookies this week! No, you don't have to pre-order... you can get the ACTUAL cookies!
Location is at the 23rd Street Hy-Vee - we will be selling next to the Christmas trees!
There are two troops - one group of brownies, one group of juniors - so come out and support local girl scouts! Part of the proceeds of every box go to the individual troop and part go to the local council.
Make sure you are briefed on current (including some new!) girl scout cookies. Samoas are my favorite!
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Sweet, cherry pie
I am making a cherry pie for my my (2nd) Thanksgiving dinner this weekend, which is this afternoon with my mom's side of the family.
It's my favorite. I think, before too long, I will make a cherry pie from scratch, even if that means pitting the cherries myself, because I don't think buying pie crusts and cherry filling really counts as homemade even if I do put it in the oven myself.
I credit my cherry pie (my favorite of the pie varieties) love to the cherry tree that grew in my neighbors yard when I was growing up. It was definitely a tree in his yard but much of the tree hung over the fence between the properties and over the driveway next to my house growing up. Dan, my neighbor, let my sister and I pick cherries when they were ready and we would take heaping bowls home. My mom sometimes made fresh pie and sometimes we would pit them and eat them fresh. It is definitely one of those warm childhood memories I know will continue to be the reason for my choice in pie.
But now to look for that perfect cherry pie... this one looks like a winner.
It's my favorite. I think, before too long, I will make a cherry pie from scratch, even if that means pitting the cherries myself, because I don't think buying pie crusts and cherry filling really counts as homemade even if I do put it in the oven myself.
I credit my cherry pie (my favorite of the pie varieties) love to the cherry tree that grew in my neighbors yard when I was growing up. It was definitely a tree in his yard but much of the tree hung over the fence between the properties and over the driveway next to my house growing up. Dan, my neighbor, let my sister and I pick cherries when they were ready and we would take heaping bowls home. My mom sometimes made fresh pie and sometimes we would pit them and eat them fresh. It is definitely one of those warm childhood memories I know will continue to be the reason for my choice in pie.
But now to look for that perfect cherry pie... this one looks like a winner.
escape
I won't get into too much detail -- who needs to hear about other people's family drama, really? -- about how Thanksgiving went on my Dad's side of the family. It was good! And then it wasn't. Isn't that always how it works? Everyone is manageable until someone reaches the tipping point with the number of alcoholic beverages and says something stupid. And that one comment is the igniter for the blow up.
*sigh*
I never know from which way it's coming either. My dad. My sister. My mom. My aunt. Odds are usually in one or two family members' favors but you never quite know. This time, it sucked, but really, it wasn't a surprise. And that's the sad thing.
It's like a scary movie: you expect it, you just don't know when it's coming. And it freaks you out. But you can't say you didn't know it was coming.
This has made me want to scurry back to Lawrence ASAP. At my first available opening. In this instance, it's tonight. After the 2nd Thanksgiving dinner of the weekend has been prepared, eaten and cleared away. After most of the family has left the clubhouse at my mom's condo. It will probably be dark but ces't la vie.
It also makes me consider my Christmas plans a bit differently. Instead of trying to please others, I'm going to do what I want. And spend it with who I want to be with most.
But for this weekend, I'll be escaping from all the family time. Escaping to Lawrence. Escaping to home.
*sigh*
I never know from which way it's coming either. My dad. My sister. My mom. My aunt. Odds are usually in one or two family members' favors but you never quite know. This time, it sucked, but really, it wasn't a surprise. And that's the sad thing.
It's like a scary movie: you expect it, you just don't know when it's coming. And it freaks you out. But you can't say you didn't know it was coming.
This has made me want to scurry back to Lawrence ASAP. At my first available opening. In this instance, it's tonight. After the 2nd Thanksgiving dinner of the weekend has been prepared, eaten and cleared away. After most of the family has left the clubhouse at my mom's condo. It will probably be dark but ces't la vie.
It also makes me consider my Christmas plans a bit differently. Instead of trying to please others, I'm going to do what I want. And spend it with who I want to be with most.
But for this weekend, I'll be escaping from all the family time. Escaping to Lawrence. Escaping to home.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Packing
A couple months ago I was at my Grandma's visiting. She was preparing to pack her suitcase for a cruise on the shores of New England and southeast Canada. She was fretting about what to bring, if she would have enough luggage space and if she would have enough outfits for all her days on the cruise ship. I finally asked her "why don't you just start putting all the things you want in the suitcase and see what happens?!" I then proceeded to pack her suitcase for her.
I was amused because my grandma has been going on bus trips, cruises, month-long stays in northern Minnesota for years (last year she went to China!). She's been travelling for more years than I've been alive. I told her she had "more experience packing then I did". She responded that she did not and that my grandpa had done all her packing for her when he was alive (this is my grandpa who died in 2004).
As I continued packing she told me that one time she forgot to pack his underwear and he did all the packing after that one time; she was just supposed to lay out what she wanted and he would pack it for her. I'm not sure why, but I thought this was adorable. I called my sister and told her - she was very amused as well. We thought back to how, before my grandparents two month trips to Minnesota, there would be stuff ALL over their house. It was because my grandma prepared it all and my grandpa packed it all. I'm not sure why this has stuck with me.
So really, my grandma went almost 50 years without packing her own suitcase and has just been responsible for packing herself for a few years. I guess I am better at it than she is.
I was amused because my grandma has been going on bus trips, cruises, month-long stays in northern Minnesota for years (last year she went to China!). She's been travelling for more years than I've been alive. I told her she had "more experience packing then I did". She responded that she did not and that my grandpa had done all her packing for her when he was alive (this is my grandpa who died in 2004).
As I continued packing she told me that one time she forgot to pack his underwear and he did all the packing after that one time; she was just supposed to lay out what she wanted and he would pack it for her. I'm not sure why, but I thought this was adorable. I called my sister and told her - she was very amused as well. We thought back to how, before my grandparents two month trips to Minnesota, there would be stuff ALL over their house. It was because my grandma prepared it all and my grandpa packed it all. I'm not sure why this has stuck with me.
So really, my grandma went almost 50 years without packing her own suitcase and has just been responsible for packing herself for a few years. I guess I am better at it than she is.
me
I am thankful to be the kind of person who can appreciate people despite their flaws, recognizes people as individuals and hates individuals who are not genuine (even if I can't always recognize it right away). I like that I don't necessarily always say what I think, but if I say it, it's probably true. I'm thankful I know there's more to life than being skinny (although I'd like to be).
I'm thankful for the people in my life who love me because of (or despite) these things. Because without the people in my life I depend on, none of the above would even matter.
I am thankful that, even though I love to shop, I am not one to do it at 5am on a holiday weekend. Happy Black Friday everyone! If you've got money (I don't), please spend it (I wish I could) - the improving economy can only help all of us!
I'm thankful for the people in my life who love me because of (or despite) these things. Because without the people in my life I depend on, none of the above would even matter.
I am thankful that, even though I love to shop, I am not one to do it at 5am on a holiday weekend. Happy Black Friday everyone! If you've got money (I don't), please spend it (I wish I could) - the improving economy can only help all of us!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving!
Writing from my grandma's kitchen in Des Moines. I just helped her with the turkey and it is now in the oven. Drinking some coffee and looking through the ads (stack is twice as large as the actual paper). I don't think I can actually afford anything but hoping to get an idea of what to get my Dad for Christmas. He's always the hardest to shop for. I can never tell if he likes what I get him. He should be over soon to my grandma's soon and we'll start the other food for our planned 3:30 feast.
Did I mention the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade is on?
Turkey, parade, cold weather. I'm a fan of tradition. Especially when so many people across the country are doing the same thing.
Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday weekend! Happy Thanksgiving!
Did I mention the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade is on?
Turkey, parade, cold weather. I'm a fan of tradition. Especially when so many people across the country are doing the same thing.
Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday weekend! Happy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
home
"Andrew Largeman: You know that point in your life when you realize the house you grew up in isn't really your home anymore? All of a sudden even though you have some place where you put your shit, that idea of home is gone.
Sam: I still feel at home in my house.
Andrew Largeman: You'll see one day when you move out it just sort of happens one day and it's gone. You feel like you can never get it back. It's like you feel homesick for a place that doesn't even exist. Maybe it's like this rite of passage, you know. You won't ever have this feeling again until you create a new idea of home for yourself, you know, for your kids, for the family you start, it's like a cycle or something. I don't know, but I miss the idea of it, you know. Maybe that's all family really is. A group of people that miss the same imaginary place."
-From Garden State, my favorite movie (Phil, did you really add this one to you Netflix queue? I was serious about this one...)
As I was traveling to Des Moines this afternoon, I was thinking about home. Ten years ago, I lived in a house with my mom, dad and sister. We lived in the house I had lived in since I was two years old. West Des Moines, Iowa was the only place I had known as home.
Now, I have lived for the majority of the past seven years in Lawrence, Kansas. First it was just my college town; my college town that I anxiously returned to from weekends at my home in Iowa. But my Iowa "home" had changed. My parents divorced right after I graduated high school. Too many memories existed in the house we lived in when we were a whole family. My parents sold it and move on to other places. These places I've visited on my returns to Des Moines on holidays and school breaks. But these places were not my home.
Now when I'm home I always try to stay with my grandma at least one night - this has been my family's home for something like 50 years. The paint is more colorful, the futon in the "pit" (office/spare bedroom/tv room) is brand new and probably much more comfortable then the four-inch mattress in the old hide-a-bed but it is still my the closest thing I have to my "home" when I'm in my home state.
Now, my home has become the college town where I have lived the past seven years. Semesters went by and I found the shortcuts through town, the weekends to avoid Target (move-in weekend!), my favorite coffee spot, favorite Monday night margarita stop, favorite bar on a Saturday night. Some friends have moved on, some of those friends I no longer speak to. But some friends became family.
Now I learn and love and grow in Lawrence. Once my college town. Now my home.
Sam: I still feel at home in my house.
Andrew Largeman: You'll see one day when you move out it just sort of happens one day and it's gone. You feel like you can never get it back. It's like you feel homesick for a place that doesn't even exist. Maybe it's like this rite of passage, you know. You won't ever have this feeling again until you create a new idea of home for yourself, you know, for your kids, for the family you start, it's like a cycle or something. I don't know, but I miss the idea of it, you know. Maybe that's all family really is. A group of people that miss the same imaginary place."
-From Garden State, my favorite movie (Phil, did you really add this one to you Netflix queue? I was serious about this one...)
As I was traveling to Des Moines this afternoon, I was thinking about home. Ten years ago, I lived in a house with my mom, dad and sister. We lived in the house I had lived in since I was two years old. West Des Moines, Iowa was the only place I had known as home.
Now, I have lived for the majority of the past seven years in Lawrence, Kansas. First it was just my college town; my college town that I anxiously returned to from weekends at my home in Iowa. But my Iowa "home" had changed. My parents divorced right after I graduated high school. Too many memories existed in the house we lived in when we were a whole family. My parents sold it and move on to other places. These places I've visited on my returns to Des Moines on holidays and school breaks. But these places were not my home.
Now when I'm home I always try to stay with my grandma at least one night - this has been my family's home for something like 50 years. The paint is more colorful, the futon in the "pit" (office/spare bedroom/tv room) is brand new and probably much more comfortable then the four-inch mattress in the old hide-a-bed but it is still my the closest thing I have to my "home" when I'm in my home state.
Now, my home has become the college town where I have lived the past seven years. Semesters went by and I found the shortcuts through town, the weekends to avoid Target (move-in weekend!), my favorite coffee spot, favorite Monday night margarita stop, favorite bar on a Saturday night. Some friends have moved on, some of those friends I no longer speak to. But some friends became family.
Now I learn and love and grow in Lawrence. Once my college town. Now my home.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
friends
Had a chat with my friend, Erin, the other night about friendships having a "purpose". Notably, once having moved on in a friendship, being able to recognize what that friend brought you or what you learned from them? It may seems selfish. to "get something" from a friend. But you do.
Sometimes these friends bring you to other people; important people in your life. Sometimes you learn something about yourself. You learn about others. You learn something about how you are compared to other people. You learn what you love about yourself and you learn what you don't like about yourself. Sometimes you don't figure this out until a friendship is over. And sometimes, because of past friendships, you figure out how to get over more recent-past friendships sooner. Because you realize, sometimes, there are friendships that aren't healthy. Friends you won't know forever. Friends sometimes are around for awhile before you realize their value. Realize, you WILL know them your whole life.
So, what do you get from your friends? Do you become your best around them? Because you should.
Sometimes these friends bring you to other people; important people in your life. Sometimes you learn something about yourself. You learn about others. You learn something about how you are compared to other people. You learn what you love about yourself and you learn what you don't like about yourself. Sometimes you don't figure this out until a friendship is over. And sometimes, because of past friendships, you figure out how to get over more recent-past friendships sooner. Because you realize, sometimes, there are friendships that aren't healthy. Friends you won't know forever. Friends sometimes are around for awhile before you realize their value. Realize, you WILL know them your whole life.
So, what do you get from your friends? Do you become your best around them? Because you should.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Kitty Snores on Saturdays
I've spent far too long in bed today. But, it's a Saturday and I have the next week off from work.
And I'm catching up on my Google reader. And listening to my cat, Emmy, snore. It's really quite adorable.
And planning my late afternoon of errands. Cat food (they're spoiled, I tell you, spoiled!) and exchanging birthday shoes for the right size and a stroll along Mass Street on a beautiful November day. There may even be some hand-holding (if I'm lucky).
November really is the best month.
*Second post today. Why? Because I've missed at least 4 days of NaBloPoMo. So, instead of 1 post actually posted every day, I hope to have a post to represent every day in November.31. 30. (Who actually thinks there is 31 days in November?!?! *bewildered glance* Not this girl!)
And I'm catching up on my Google reader. And listening to my cat, Emmy, snore. It's really quite adorable.
And planning my late afternoon of errands. Cat food (they're spoiled, I tell you, spoiled!) and exchanging birthday shoes for the right size and a stroll along Mass Street on a beautiful November day. There may even be some hand-holding (if I'm lucky).
November really is the best month.
*Second post today. Why? Because I've missed at least 4 days of NaBloPoMo. So, instead of 1 post actually posted every day, I hope to have a post to represent every day in November.
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