What a pleasure to teach in City Space this morning!
Lunch and dogs licking kids and happy (gay) couples on the Downtown Mall.
Tea and bread and friend's help unpacking and loving the potential in my new living room!
A spectacular show at Gravity tonight! Ray Suen is indeed a rock star! Devon posts a new song!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
Friday. The Thirteenth. Of February.
New house. Great sunrise view from the kitchen window overlooking the park!
Strange series of bizzare-o world events. I'm going to go with Anne Lammott's theory that when bad things happen, they are serving to distract you from interfering with something beautiful that is trying to be born. Yes.
Busy at work & cranking up the Debtor Edu for the next few months.
Still running - I think I'll start planning Sunday long runs, a switch from Saturday.
Did I mention the park!? With the swing set practically in my front yard, and the summer time spray ground!?
Strange series of bizzare-o world events. I'm going to go with Anne Lammott's theory that when bad things happen, they are serving to distract you from interfering with something beautiful that is trying to be born. Yes.
Busy at work & cranking up the Debtor Edu for the next few months.
Still running - I think I'll start planning Sunday long runs, a switch from Saturday.
Did I mention the park!? With the swing set practically in my front yard, and the summer time spray ground!?
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
In the news
NPR reports that health care, specifically nursing, is still a growing field, despite the downturn in the economy. So is urban planning with a focus on green, clean technology, I might add.
I like Malcolm Gladwell for his keen insight which allows him to draw comparisons between seemingly unrelated ideas, for example between the analysis done by a NFL football scout, and analysis needed to select effective teachers. And, I keep thinking that I'd like to subscribe to the New Yorker. And, I wonder if this article is talking about someone I know... Hmmm...
This is bullshit. I've been ready for months!
Poor Michael Phelps. It just goes to show that you can be talented as all get out and still have bad judgement.
I like Malcolm Gladwell for his keen insight which allows him to draw comparisons between seemingly unrelated ideas, for example between the analysis done by a NFL football scout, and analysis needed to select effective teachers. And, I keep thinking that I'd like to subscribe to the New Yorker. And, I wonder if this article is talking about someone I know... Hmmm...
This is bullshit. I've been ready for months!
Poor Michael Phelps. It just goes to show that you can be talented as all get out and still have bad judgement.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
My new home
Sometime in the next week, I'm not sure exactly when, I'll be moving into a new home. In an effort to stay positive, here are some things that I'm looking forward to about it:
A gas stove - haven't had one of those since Italy!
Hardwood floors throughout.
Room for my dining room table.
A big kitchen.
A sun room with a view of the park and Monticello.
Hosting potlucks and parties.
Staying in the 'hood, which means not having to find a new grocery store.
Having less grass to mow, and having a little garden spot.
A gas stove - haven't had one of those since Italy!
Hardwood floors throughout.
Room for my dining room table.
A big kitchen.
A sun room with a view of the park and Monticello.
Hosting potlucks and parties.
Staying in the 'hood, which means not having to find a new grocery store.
Having less grass to mow, and having a little garden spot.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Productive Tuesday - Snow/Sleet
I proudly now have an actual PO Box in my favorite city.
UVA application submitted!
Connecting with an old mentor - over Facebook, no less. That dang website continues to surprise me.
Small victory on the work front, earned on it's own merit, with only a little bit of pathetic sounding begging on my part - but for a good cause! This actually made me giddy, and few things seem to do that anymore!
More packing...
UVA application submitted!
Connecting with an old mentor - over Facebook, no less. That dang website continues to surprise me.
Small victory on the work front, earned on it's own merit, with only a little bit of pathetic sounding begging on my part - but for a good cause! This actually made me giddy, and few things seem to do that anymore!
More packing...
Friday, January 23, 2009
Thankful for...
Waking up every morning since Tuesday wondering what my President is up to today!
Making progress on the to-do list.
Family.
Friends.
Making progress on the to-do list.
Family.
Friends.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
To do list - late Jan/early Feb
In no particular order...
1) Solidify new house details
2) Pack my life into little boxes that are well labeled and not too heavy
3) Complete grad school application - due Feb. 1
4) Test kitchen for one more batch of cupcakes
5) File tax returns
6) Hire movers(?)
7) Take car to dealership for warranty work (in the next 200 miles!)
8) Trip to Charleston
9) Remember what I'm forgetting
10) Move
11) Celebrate the inauguration of a new president!
12) Spring semester class begins Jan. 20
1) Solidify new house details
2) Pack my life into little boxes that are well labeled and not too heavy
3) Complete grad school application - due Feb. 1
4) Test kitchen for one more batch of cupcakes
5) File tax returns
6) Hire movers(?)
7) Take car to dealership for warranty work (in the next 200 miles!)
8) Trip to Charleston
9) Remember what I'm forgetting
10) Move
11) Celebrate the inauguration of a new president!
12) Spring semester class begins Jan. 20
Monday, January 12, 2009
Service Above Self*
One of the things that my parents have instilled in me - mostly by example - is the idea of "Service Above Self". For many years as a kid, I watched and participated with my parents as they engaged in their community by way of very active memberships in the Rotary Club of Camden County, Georgia. Today, they continue to engage by teaching and mentoring adults in college in the Atlanta area.
In my own life, my contributions to community have barely been a drop in the bucket compared to others', but my vision for my life certainly includes Service Above Self, and I recognise that we all have something unique and important to contribute. Every little bit can make a difference. I am very excited, therefore, to see that President-Elect Obama has created a service initiative called Renew America Together, and he has called on each of us to participate in a service activity this coming Monday, January 19th, on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday. The web-site address is http://usaservice.org and here you can find volunteer opportunities or post information about an event that your organization is hosting. I was excited to see that there are at least a half-a-dozen events in the Charlottesville area already posted on the site.
I appreciate that Mr. Obama is asking each and every American to take ownership in their country and in their community and that he and his family are willing to lead by example. I look forward to engaging in my community more fully in the coming year, and to watching this initiative take root and bloom all across the country.
*Service Above Self is a motto of Rotary International.
In my own life, my contributions to community have barely been a drop in the bucket compared to others', but my vision for my life certainly includes Service Above Self, and I recognise that we all have something unique and important to contribute. Every little bit can make a difference. I am very excited, therefore, to see that President-Elect Obama has created a service initiative called Renew America Together, and he has called on each of us to participate in a service activity this coming Monday, January 19th, on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday. The web-site address is http://usaservice.org and here you can find volunteer opportunities or post information about an event that your organization is hosting. I was excited to see that there are at least a half-a-dozen events in the Charlottesville area already posted on the site.
I appreciate that Mr. Obama is asking each and every American to take ownership in their country and in their community and that he and his family are willing to lead by example. I look forward to engaging in my community more fully in the coming year, and to watching this initiative take root and bloom all across the country.
*Service Above Self is a motto of Rotary International.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Resolutions
I've always thought that resolutions made at the New Year were sort of silly, meaningless even. If you're going to resolve to do more of this or less of that, why wait for some arbitrary time marker to make the shift? Do it now, I've always thought. Anyway, most New Year's Resolutions for most people are like pie-crust promises: easily made, easily broken.
I've decided to make a resolution this year. Maybe even more than one. As I write this, I'm not firmly decided on what that one or two special thing(s) will be yet. Lots of times, there are things that I'd rather be or do. I think about them all the time. I'd like to...
...be more fun.
...drink more often.
...laugh more often.
...start running again.
...complete that project at work.
...throw parties.
...compost.
...waste less water.
...waste less food.
...meditate.
...conquer this lingering anxiety, or at least learn to laugh at it more.
...find the time, or courage rather, to engage in my community the way I dream about.
...stick to my budget.
...pay off my debt.
...cook from scratch more.
...call my parents more often.
...read more.
...spend less time on the internet.
...play like I did when I was a kid: swing, ride, climb, explore.
...be more artistic.
...be less flaky.
...be more honest with myself and others.
...walk more, drive less.
...eat more junk food.
...spend more time with friends.
...arrive at work earlier.
...teach more.
......
But, I can't resolve to do all of this all at once. Not realistically. Not if I expect to be 'successful' at any of it. Perhaps instead of any of these things, I should just resolve to embrace who I am, where I am. Be accepting. Realise that I'll never be that girl who is....whatever it is that I sometimes wish I could be...
While I'm pondering, pontificating, I think I'll just keep doing what I've been doing. Study hard, work hard, and be kind to myself and to the people around me - even to that guy who gave me the finger in the parking lot of the shopping center today.
I've decided to make a resolution this year. Maybe even more than one. As I write this, I'm not firmly decided on what that one or two special thing(s) will be yet. Lots of times, there are things that I'd rather be or do. I think about them all the time. I'd like to...
...be more fun.
...drink more often.
...laugh more often.
...start running again.
...complete that project at work.
...throw parties.
...compost.
...waste less water.
...waste less food.
...meditate.
...conquer this lingering anxiety, or at least learn to laugh at it more.
...find the time, or courage rather, to engage in my community the way I dream about.
...stick to my budget.
...pay off my debt.
...cook from scratch more.
...call my parents more often.
...read more.
...spend less time on the internet.
...play like I did when I was a kid: swing, ride, climb, explore.
...be more artistic.
...be less flaky.
...be more honest with myself and others.
...walk more, drive less.
...eat more junk food.
...spend more time with friends.
...arrive at work earlier.
...teach more.
......
But, I can't resolve to do all of this all at once. Not realistically. Not if I expect to be 'successful' at any of it. Perhaps instead of any of these things, I should just resolve to embrace who I am, where I am. Be accepting. Realise that I'll never be that girl who is....whatever it is that I sometimes wish I could be...
While I'm pondering, pontificating, I think I'll just keep doing what I've been doing. Study hard, work hard, and be kind to myself and to the people around me - even to that guy who gave me the finger in the parking lot of the shopping center today.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
A new year, already
Fighting off the cold and sore throat.
Finding a new home - fingerscrossed that all of the pieces fall in to place properly and on time.
But, I just keep thinking that what I really should be doing in this economy is scaling back - hunkering down and consolidating. Like, shouldn't we young, single, independent minded folks be combining resources and supporting each other? Not partitioning off? It's just so damn expensive, especially in this town... Ugh.
Move prep: Superduper under-the-appliances floor cleaning. And, what's the criteria for getting rid of old stuff? If I haven't touched it in over a year, can I donate or recycle it, even if I might possibly someday maybe use it again?
Nice company on the first day of the new year.
Finding a new home - fingerscrossed that all of the pieces fall in to place properly and on time.
But, I just keep thinking that what I really should be doing in this economy is scaling back - hunkering down and consolidating. Like, shouldn't we young, single, independent minded folks be combining resources and supporting each other? Not partitioning off? It's just so damn expensive, especially in this town... Ugh.
Move prep: Superduper under-the-appliances floor cleaning. And, what's the criteria for getting rid of old stuff? If I haven't touched it in over a year, can I donate or recycle it, even if I might possibly someday maybe use it again?
Nice company on the first day of the new year.
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