I am so very far behind in my blogging. I do plan on publishing many posts from the last few weeks but at the moment, this is what I'm contending with...
Luke is sometimes hard to get to sleep, but once he finally nods off, we usually don't have to worry about him for hours. However, not tonight...
The boys are 4 months, 1 week & 1 day old.
Showing posts with label life in general. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life in general. Show all posts
Monday, October 12, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Saturday Morning Love
Sleeeeep, baby, sleeeeeep...
Joseph, such a little angel - when he's sleeping... :)
Luke says Naptime's over, bishes!
Well, helloooooo there!
Who is this goofy man?
With his funny faces?
And good morning to you too, Milk Machine!The boys are 12 weeks and 2 days old.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Bump Progress: 31 Weeks
Me and the belly - wow...
It's hard to believe I still have about 5 to 7 weeks of expansion ahead. People keep telling me that This is nothing. And Just you wait. You're going to get sooooo much bigger.
And to that I say, UGH!
Let's see. What's new?
It's hard to believe I still have about 5 to 7 weeks of expansion ahead. People keep telling me that This is nothing. And Just you wait. You're going to get sooooo much bigger.
And to that I say, UGH!
Let's see. What's new?
- Sitings of my ankle bones have been few and far between for the last two weeks. The swelling has begun in earnest. My big, roomy flip flops are even betraying me, leaving strap indentations in my feet.
- I might need to invest in a back brace. They make these things now that are similar to what weight lifters wear to support all that extra tonnage. I think 40 - yes, FORTY - extra pounds of baby weight qualifies.
- That extra 40 lbs is killing my feet too. Maybe I can convince Greg to start giving me foot rubs. (Ahem, hint, hint...)
- Ok, enough winge-ing, as my husband would say... Focusing on the good now... Still loving the belly acrobatics. Every now and then my bump will jump so violently that I can't understand how Greg didn't catch it from across the room. It's still a thrill to see those bounces & little alien movements just under the surface.
- We had another ultrasound last week. At that point, 7 lbs & 6 oz of my 40 were baby! They're growing about an ounce per day, which would mean that today I've probably got 8 lbs & 2 oz of baby on the inside. Holy crap! Can I call 'uncle' yet? I know the answer is NO, but I like to fantasize. Greg and I are convinced that we're going to have a couple of 7-pounders on our hands by the end. C-section is sounding better and better...
- At my doctor's meeting last week, my OB told me that she was "very impressed" with my "very strong" cervix. Probably the weirdest compliment I've ever received. But maybe also the most important, I guess. It means these babies have been behaving and staying put so far. Let's hope they stay that way.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Co-dependency Backlash: Day 8
Yesterday was a bit of a zen-like day. All was calm & happy & even-keeled. Thank goodness. I need a break from the crazies every once in a while.
I actually got out on the patio outside my office for about an hour and a half while I graded lab notebooks. Maybe the sunshine & this spring weather were a factor in my mood. Must remember to get outside more often before the heat kicks in and becomes unbearably oppressive.
As for films, I finally saw some good ones! Two documentaries. The first was The Way We Get By, about 3 elderly folks who give real meaning and purpose to their lives by greeting or sending off the troops that travel through their Bangor, Maine airport. For most soldiers this airport is their last stop before heading off to or coming home from Iraq. The greeters don't necessarily support this war, but they do support our troops, which I think many, many people can relate. Tear-jerker.
The second was The Yes Men Fix the World, a doc about a group of activists who draw attention to important issues (and sometimes the absurdity with which they are being dealt) by pulling off elaborate and ballsy pranks. They basically set up fake company websites and wait for someone to contact them. More often than not, they're invited to be speakers and representatives of that company at various conferences and show up with some remarkable presentations, props, and grandiose statements about the company's intentions to right their own wrongs. The most elaborate - or perhaps most far-reaching/attention-grabbing - stunt was when the BBC actually broadcast their live interview with a man who they thought was a representative of Dow Chemical on the 20th anniversary of the horrible Union Carbide plant explosion in Bhopal, India that killed thousands and continues to affect over 120,000. This clip is a long one, but it sums up this particular episode quite well.
Toward the end of the interview, the BBC reporter goes after Andy for raising false hopes for the people of Bhopal. In the documentary, Andy & Mike actually travel to the region and talk to the survivors. It may be edited in their favor, of course, but they spoke with several people who are in the trenches in Bhopal, dealing with the aftermath. If anything, they seemed grateful that someone still cared and was willing to shine a light on this tragedy.
After the film, Andy & Mike were up on stage to answer questions and said that they've never been sued or been the target of any kind of legal action as a result of their pranks. I suspect they're banking on the fact most of these companies wish they and the controversy they stir would just go away. Anyway, excellent film. Highly recommended.
Since I didn't see anything on Wednesday night, I had missed the frenzy that is the start of the SXSW music festival. Not so last night! My films were at the Austin Convention Center and the Alamo Ritz so I was walking around right in the thick of it. I have to say, one of my favorite things about Austin is the people and consequently the people-watching. And what better opportunity than a ginormous music festival. Love it! Love the vibe, love the music you can hear at every turn, love the skinny hipsters, love it all! But I was also painfully aware of how I must look to all these guys. Here they are, half of them drunk or stoned or both, and up plods this pony-tailed, flip-flop wearing, woman sporting an enormous pregnant belly. Tragically un-hip. Oh well. Still fun even if I did get more than a few sideways glances.
I actually got out on the patio outside my office for about an hour and a half while I graded lab notebooks. Maybe the sunshine & this spring weather were a factor in my mood. Must remember to get outside more often before the heat kicks in and becomes unbearably oppressive.
As for films, I finally saw some good ones! Two documentaries. The first was The Way We Get By, about 3 elderly folks who give real meaning and purpose to their lives by greeting or sending off the troops that travel through their Bangor, Maine airport. For most soldiers this airport is their last stop before heading off to or coming home from Iraq. The greeters don't necessarily support this war, but they do support our troops, which I think many, many people can relate. Tear-jerker.
The second was The Yes Men Fix the World, a doc about a group of activists who draw attention to important issues (and sometimes the absurdity with which they are being dealt) by pulling off elaborate and ballsy pranks. They basically set up fake company websites and wait for someone to contact them. More often than not, they're invited to be speakers and representatives of that company at various conferences and show up with some remarkable presentations, props, and grandiose statements about the company's intentions to right their own wrongs. The most elaborate - or perhaps most far-reaching/attention-grabbing - stunt was when the BBC actually broadcast their live interview with a man who they thought was a representative of Dow Chemical on the 20th anniversary of the horrible Union Carbide plant explosion in Bhopal, India that killed thousands and continues to affect over 120,000. This clip is a long one, but it sums up this particular episode quite well.
Toward the end of the interview, the BBC reporter goes after Andy for raising false hopes for the people of Bhopal. In the documentary, Andy & Mike actually travel to the region and talk to the survivors. It may be edited in their favor, of course, but they spoke with several people who are in the trenches in Bhopal, dealing with the aftermath. If anything, they seemed grateful that someone still cared and was willing to shine a light on this tragedy.
After the film, Andy & Mike were up on stage to answer questions and said that they've never been sued or been the target of any kind of legal action as a result of their pranks. I suspect they're banking on the fact most of these companies wish they and the controversy they stir would just go away. Anyway, excellent film. Highly recommended.
Since I didn't see anything on Wednesday night, I had missed the frenzy that is the start of the SXSW music festival. Not so last night! My films were at the Austin Convention Center and the Alamo Ritz so I was walking around right in the thick of it. I have to say, one of my favorite things about Austin is the people and consequently the people-watching. And what better opportunity than a ginormous music festival. Love it! Love the vibe, love the music you can hear at every turn, love the skinny hipsters, love it all! But I was also painfully aware of how I must look to all these guys. Here they are, half of them drunk or stoned or both, and up plods this pony-tailed, flip-flop wearing, woman sporting an enormous pregnant belly. Tragically un-hip. Oh well. Still fun even if I did get more than a few sideways glances.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Three Bits of News
Since I'm back on the blogging train, I can resume boring you once again with the mundane-ery of our lives. I know what you're thinking. You're thinking Yay, I just love the minutia of friends'/strangers' lives. But that's what personal blogs are all about, right. So here goes.
First, G and I hit up the Linens N' Things going-out-of-business sale this week-end and finally found a bed set that we liked! It's only taken 2 years!
Check it out! Decorative pillows and matching sheer curtains, thereby making this the single most coordinated room of the house. Quite possibly the most coordinated room of either of our lives...
Close up of the kitty cuteness - only because it's been a while. Now to my Jedi mind tricks. There are no crumpled, messy clothes on this bed. This bed has only two adorable kittens. All else is order and tidiness.
You can't see it now, can you? Amazing how that works...
Second bit - I bought us a webcam! Now we can call Ewa in England and Jola in Poland via Skype, and we can see each other while we gab. Technology is wonderful, isn't it. Especially when you actually use it. I'm a bit embarassed that Greg's mum had a webcam before we did, but we're catching up to you Ewa!
Thirdly, you can use this handy-dandy webcam to take gratuitous pictures of yourself when you're bored. I spent a good 5 minutes entertaining myself tonight, capturing goofy faces while Greg slept downstairs. Here's a not-so-goofy one showcasing my new bangs.
Yes, bangs. The last time I had bangs was probably around 13-years-old. I hadn't meant to get them, but I said the word "bangs" to my hair dresser and that's what she gave me. I don't hate them as much as I did last week.
First, G and I hit up the Linens N' Things going-out-of-business sale this week-end and finally found a bed set that we liked! It's only taken 2 years!
Check it out! Decorative pillows and matching sheer curtains, thereby making this the single most coordinated room of the house. Quite possibly the most coordinated room of either of our lives...
Close up of the kitty cuteness - only because it's been a while. Now to my Jedi mind tricks. There are no crumpled, messy clothes on this bed. This bed has only two adorable kittens. All else is order and tidiness.
You can't see it now, can you? Amazing how that works...
Second bit - I bought us a webcam! Now we can call Ewa in England and Jola in Poland via Skype, and we can see each other while we gab. Technology is wonderful, isn't it. Especially when you actually use it. I'm a bit embarassed that Greg's mum had a webcam before we did, but we're catching up to you Ewa!
Thirdly, you can use this handy-dandy webcam to take gratuitous pictures of yourself when you're bored. I spent a good 5 minutes entertaining myself tonight, capturing goofy faces while Greg slept downstairs. Here's a not-so-goofy one showcasing my new bangs.
Yes, bangs. The last time I had bangs was probably around 13-years-old. I hadn't meant to get them, but I said the word "bangs" to my hair dresser and that's what she gave me. I don't hate them as much as I did last week.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Whole Lotta Nuthin'
That pretty much sums up our week-end activities. And it was wonderful.
Lately our Friday-Sundays have been jam-packed with productivity, bar-hopping, travel, or worst of all, work. And while I generally enjoy most of these things, sometimes its nice to just turn everything off, tune everyone out and wallow in unwashed, solitary introspection. Or maybe not introspection so much as a state of complete anti-social vegetation.
The only foray we made into the civilized world this week-end was to catch Run, Fat Boy, Run at the Drafthouse with our friends Katie and Derek.
It was actually the second time I've seen this movie this month. The first time was at the Paramount during the SXSW film festival when it was introduced by the director, one Mr. David Schwimmer. Its a nice, simple, funny movie, but do yourself a favor and divert your eyes during the blister-popping scene. Why, David, why??
Geeky cute
I won't say who, but apparently she was all cute and smitten afterward. They were apparently texting each other all the next day, and we haven't heard from her since so don't know if there was ever any follow-up. The last we heard, he said he was going to take her on some trip with him. I'm eager to hear any future reports. Ha!
Lately our Friday-Sundays have been jam-packed with productivity, bar-hopping, travel, or worst of all, work. And while I generally enjoy most of these things, sometimes its nice to just turn everything off, tune everyone out and wallow in unwashed, solitary introspection. Or maybe not introspection so much as a state of complete anti-social vegetation.
The only foray we made into the civilized world this week-end was to catch Run, Fat Boy, Run at the Drafthouse with our friends Katie and Derek.
It was actually the second time I've seen this movie this month. The first time was at the Paramount during the SXSW film festival when it was introduced by the director, one Mr. David Schwimmer. Its a nice, simple, funny movie, but do yourself a favor and divert your eyes during the blister-popping scene. Why, David, why??p.s. SXSW Aside: Moby was in town to play a show during the music festival. And I know someone who MADE OUT WITH HIM! THE Moby!
Geeky cuteWednesday, March 5, 2008
Spring Break Survival Kit
As I arrived on campus this morning and made my way through the West Mall, or The Gauntlet as I like to call it, I was handed a "Spring Break Survival Kit" by a co-ed representing University Health Services. It was a green, hard-shell, zippered sunglasses case. And when I opened it, this is what I found:
Like a chump, I abstained and kept at least a semblance of virginal innocence (if not actual virginal innocence). I'm sure I made Mama real proud though.
Ah, missed opportunities. ::sigh:: Whattaya gonna do?
- one sample packet of Banana Boat sunscreen - thank you very much
- one condom, wrapped in a cover printed with the assurance "Relax, we've got you covered"
- one small tube of ID Glide sexual lubricant
- one handy-dandy blood alcohol calculator, subdivided for men and for women
- a card demonstrating the "Bacchus Maneuver", apparently the correct position in which drunken and unconscious friends should be placed so as to prevent asphyxiating on their own vomit (This, by the way, is one of Greg's greatest fears.) On the back are listed the warning signs of alcohol poisoning and a somber reminder that "Friends don't let friends die drunk"
- a card advertising confidential HIV and STD testing
- and finally a card explaining emergency contraception
Like a chump, I abstained and kept at least a semblance of virginal innocence (if not actual virginal innocence). I'm sure I made Mama real proud though.
Ah, missed opportunities. ::sigh:: Whattaya gonna do?
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Nature vs. Nurture
Its funny, and somewhat frightening, how living with my sister for the first time in 12 years has led to occasional digressions into my formerly exorcised, obnoxious teenage self.
I thought that girl was all grown up. Or dead - killed by sheer will power and a little life experience. Apparently not. She's beginning to stir from hibernation.
I've noticed a recent surge in belching around the house. And once, I regret to report, in public. Walking down 4th street no less! I think some random guy actually turned around to find the source of such crudery. Imagine the shock he must have felt to find two prissy girls dressed for bar-hopping instead of idiotic pubescent boys. Yikes. Gotta rein that kind of behavior in! Or at least save it for the privacy of my own living room and not inflict it on the general public.
My tongue seems to have sharpened itself a bit more lately too. I'm blaming it on muscle memory. Delivering whithering insults used to be a particular hobby of mine, and one that I was rather skilled at. In fact, it was my favorite. I'm not quite in fighting shape yet. And I filter the worst of it (for the most part). I'm hoping it stays that way.
But its not just me. Oh no. Mel actually spit water at me through the gap in her two front teeth tonight. Oh yes, she did. And now its a matter of public record.
Big Sister's Revenge, sucka! Bwaahaaahaaahaaa! see that... another example of my steady decline...
But I'm happy to report that aside from these momentary lapses, things have been relatively smooth so far. All things considered... :)
I thought that girl was all grown up. Or dead - killed by sheer will power and a little life experience. Apparently not. She's beginning to stir from hibernation.
I've noticed a recent surge in belching around the house. And once, I regret to report, in public. Walking down 4th street no less! I think some random guy actually turned around to find the source of such crudery. Imagine the shock he must have felt to find two prissy girls dressed for bar-hopping instead of idiotic pubescent boys. Yikes. Gotta rein that kind of behavior in! Or at least save it for the privacy of my own living room and not inflict it on the general public.
My tongue seems to have sharpened itself a bit more lately too. I'm blaming it on muscle memory. Delivering whithering insults used to be a particular hobby of mine, and one that I was rather skilled at. In fact, it was my favorite. I'm not quite in fighting shape yet. And I filter the worst of it (for the most part). I'm hoping it stays that way.
But its not just me. Oh no. Mel actually spit water at me through the gap in her two front teeth tonight. Oh yes, she did. And now its a matter of public record.
Big Sister's Revenge, sucka! Bwaahaaahaaahaaa! see that... another example of my steady decline...
But I'm happy to report that aside from these momentary lapses, things have been relatively smooth so far. All things considered... :)
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Things I Am Thankful For...
- I have married the most kind, generous, loving man I've ever known.
- We have a beautiful house together.
- Our kitties are sweethearts.
- My sister is moving in with us. Yes, Mel, I listed this as a positive too. :)
- My friends and family are all healthy.
- This time next year, I will be out of grad school.
- I've gotten to travel to some pretty amazing places.
- I get the opportunity to try teaching and working closely with students.
- Shoes - and not the practical kind
- People who still believe in manners and friendliness
- Independent movies
- Public transportation
- Claritin
- Girly evenings with my book club(s)
- Fiesty evenings with my soccer team
- A new presidential administration
- ...
I feel better already. :) Everyone should make this list from time to time.
Thirty-One, O.M.G...
I'm turning thirty-one tomorrow. Holy crap!
Thirty-one. Three One. 3-1.
Deep breath. Its only a number. Its only a number. Its only a number...
This morning as the realization sank just a bit deeper, I started taking stock. Its only natural that since I'm here at work and feeling swamped that I immediately focused on the negative aspects. Here goes:
I am one overwhelmed, sometimes-frantic, often-crying stress-ball.
The most logical short-term remedy? Pampering. Definitely.
Yesterday I had my hair cut and highlighted. (Yes, Mom, I highlighted my hair! No lectures!) Tomorrow I'm getting a pedicure, a gift from my birthday last year. (Thanks, Claus & Morgan!) And my lovely husband has organized a little party for later that night. This week-end I'm hoping to relax and catch up with the family - my mom, brother and sister will all be here- and take a little reprieve from the worry.
And I'm also going to force myself to come up with a more positive list for taking stock. This is no way to start a new year in my life.
p.s. Ewa, I got your birthday card yesterday. Thank you! It had a big sparkly high-heeled shoe on it surrounded by little (shoe?) fairies. Plus, I have a $10 discount at DSW. I think that's a sign if I've ever seen one.
Thirty-one. Three One. 3-1.
Deep breath. Its only a number. Its only a number. Its only a number...
This morning as the realization sank just a bit deeper, I started taking stock. Its only natural that since I'm here at work and feeling swamped that I immediately focused on the negative aspects. Here goes:
- I'm still in grad school, nervously & anxiously fretting about the outcome of this loooooong interlude in my life.
- I'm still running experiments that probably will not work.
- I need to be writing my dissertation at the same time.
- I may or may not have bitten off more than I can chew with this class that I'm taking over.
- Soon I'll be out - one way or another- and I'll have to find a "real" job.
- I'm surrounded by pregnant women.
- As of tomorrow, we will be sharing our house with my little sister for some months, which is not really a negative until I remember how bitterly we used to fight as kids. And this worries me.
- I'm a full-blown allergy sufferer now.
I am one overwhelmed, sometimes-frantic, often-crying stress-ball.
The most logical short-term remedy? Pampering. Definitely.
Yesterday I had my hair cut and highlighted. (Yes, Mom, I highlighted my hair! No lectures!) Tomorrow I'm getting a pedicure, a gift from my birthday last year. (Thanks, Claus & Morgan!) And my lovely husband has organized a little party for later that night. This week-end I'm hoping to relax and catch up with the family - my mom, brother and sister will all be here- and take a little reprieve from the worry.
And I'm also going to force myself to come up with a more positive list for taking stock. This is no way to start a new year in my life.
p.s. Ewa, I got your birthday card yesterday. Thank you! It had a big sparkly high-heeled shoe on it surrounded by little (shoe?) fairies. Plus, I have a $10 discount at DSW. I think that's a sign if I've ever seen one.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Back to Reality
Well, we said our tearful goodbyes to Ewa at the airport today. It was an absolutely lovely visit. And I think we all had an even better time of it than we were expecting.
Now, unfortunately, its back to normal life for the family K. Over the last 3 weeks, we've eaten a bit too much, drank a lot too much, thrown money around more liberally, and skipped work more than was absolutely necessary. So our detox diet starts today. Or rather the business of shrinking our tummies back to normal size and getting back on track with savings and work schedules begin. Boo! That just doesn't sound fun at all.
But it had to happen some time. Tomorrow I have an all-day retreat learning more about the program I'm working for this semester. My first lecture is on Monday so I'm busy preparing lots of checklists, memorizing students' faces and tweaking lab instructions. Its going to be a hell of a lot of work, but I'm actually really excited about the opportunity to jump in. Now if I can only finish this stupid PhD...
Now, unfortunately, its back to normal life for the family K. Over the last 3 weeks, we've eaten a bit too much, drank a lot too much, thrown money around more liberally, and skipped work more than was absolutely necessary. So our detox diet starts today. Or rather the business of shrinking our tummies back to normal size and getting back on track with savings and work schedules begin. Boo! That just doesn't sound fun at all.
But it had to happen some time. Tomorrow I have an all-day retreat learning more about the program I'm working for this semester. My first lecture is on Monday so I'm busy preparing lots of checklists, memorizing students' faces and tweaking lab instructions. Its going to be a hell of a lot of work, but I'm actually really excited about the opportunity to jump in. Now if I can only finish this stupid PhD...
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Happy New Year!
Happy 2008, everyone!
Ever since I escaped the hell that is high school, every year has just gotten better and better. So I have no reason to doubt that this is going to be the best year yet. :)
I don't really hold much stock in New Year's resolutions. They're usually forgotten within the first few weeks of making them. And yet I feel compelled so here goes:
1. I will get out of grad school this year - with or without a PhD.
2. I will figure out what I want to be when I grow up.
3. I will start my running schedule again and lose this loathsome spare tire that has newly taken up residence on my midsection.
4. I will try my best to avoid arguments and/or bloodshed with my sister when she moves in later this month.
5. I will be happy and celebrate my 31st birthday as if it did not solidify in my head the fact that my 20's are now completely and utterly gone.
Cheers, everyone. And I hope your 2008 surpasses all of your hopes and expectations.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Eerily Quiet...
My boss is gone (on his fab tropical holiday conference, grrrr...). Its dead week here on campus so the students are nowhere to be found. The weather is cold and cloudy and drizzly. Its Monday.
In short, I feel like I should be at home in my pj's, sweats and fluffy socks. Instead I'm trying to motivate myself to write exam questions on my least favorite biochem subjects (amino acid and nucleotide metabolism, if you're wondering). Work, ugh.
The week-end was good though. We stuffed ourselves with Aussie meat pies at Mark & Brianna's, followed by a pathetic go at Dance Dance Revolution. Pathetic in that I suck! I also went on a baking spree and whipped up 3 different kinds of cookies. Now the problem is getting them out of our house and in the mail to friends as quickly as possible. Greg finally chopped down all the scraggly, dying bushes in our backyard. I shudder to think about uprooting them and preparing the soil for new plants. The never-ending joys of home ownership. :) We lost our second game of the new soccer season, but as always, we had a great time doing it. And that's our super exciting week-end in a nutshell. Oh, what glamorous lives we do lead.
In short, I feel like I should be at home in my pj's, sweats and fluffy socks. Instead I'm trying to motivate myself to write exam questions on my least favorite biochem subjects (amino acid and nucleotide metabolism, if you're wondering). Work, ugh.
The week-end was good though. We stuffed ourselves with Aussie meat pies at Mark & Brianna's, followed by a pathetic go at Dance Dance Revolution. Pathetic in that I suck! I also went on a baking spree and whipped up 3 different kinds of cookies. Now the problem is getting them out of our house and in the mail to friends as quickly as possible. Greg finally chopped down all the scraggly, dying bushes in our backyard. I shudder to think about uprooting them and preparing the soil for new plants. The never-ending joys of home ownership. :) We lost our second game of the new soccer season, but as always, we had a great time doing it. And that's our super exciting week-end in a nutshell. Oh, what glamorous lives we do lead.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Accidental Overdose
Have you ever made it to 3 in the afternoon and suddenly realized the only thing you've consumed all day is coffee?
I guess that would explain the shaky hands and queasiness...
I guess that would explain the shaky hands and queasiness...
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Sneaky Years...
So I was helping administer some oral exams to undergrads yesterday. And as I was standing out in the hall, waiting for the exam room to be unlocked, one of the students who was sitting in a chair waiting her turn started looking around a bit nervously. My presence had obviously slightly perplexed her, but why? The next thing I know, she had stood up and sheepishly offered me her chair.
That kinda threw me for a second... First of all, I'm not used to the manners. Don't get me wrong - I am thankful for them. Really I am. But secondly, what the ***? This kind of question is usually reserved for the geriatric set on the bus.
My gut response was torn between appreciation and moderately hurt feelings. I know I may be a decade older than you, kid, but I'm not ready for the senior citizen treatment just yet, thank you kindly.
Seriously!
But then I realized, I really am a decade older than these freshmen and sophomores! Oh my God. When did that happen???
That kinda threw me for a second... First of all, I'm not used to the manners. Don't get me wrong - I am thankful for them. Really I am. But secondly, what the ***? This kind of question is usually reserved for the geriatric set on the bus.
My gut response was torn between appreciation and moderately hurt feelings. I know I may be a decade older than you, kid, but I'm not ready for the senior citizen treatment just yet, thank you kindly.
Seriously!
But then I realized, I really am a decade older than these freshmen and sophomores! Oh my God. When did that happen???
Friday, November 16, 2007
Another Rough Week
Poor Greg is living with a psychopath these days. I've taken to calling him during the day from time to time when I feel like crying or need to vent about something particularly heinous. He's taking it like a champ, but I know it can't be easy for him to endure me lately.
I feel, for the sake of a happy marriage and his sanity, I should assist him in any way possible. So to avoid redundancy and stream-line the process by which he handles my meltdowns, I thought I'd implement a new recording system for these occasions.
Also when I'm repeating myself, he can quickly access the proper file that documents the fact, and he can show me that he's heard it all before.
And on a related topic, I cannot wait until I'm out of grad school.
I feel, for the sake of a happy marriage and his sanity, I should assist him in any way possible. So to avoid redundancy and stream-line the process by which he handles my meltdowns, I thought I'd implement a new recording system for these occasions.
Also when I'm repeating myself, he can quickly access the proper file that documents the fact, and he can show me that he's heard it all before.And on a related topic, I cannot wait until I'm out of grad school.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Not So Subtle
My boss just made a point of showing me his lunch. A South Beach diet boxed meal.
Um.... Yeah. Is he trying to tell me something?
*sigh* I need to get my ass to the gym...
Um.... Yeah. Is he trying to tell me something?
*sigh* I need to get my ass to the gym...
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Quick Break...
I'm feeling psychotic and overwhelmed again today. The muscles in my neck and back and shoulders are tensing up so tightly that they feel like they may just crack and shatter. Aside from the worse-than-average work stuff that has me freaking out, I'm also stressing about silly stuff that should be fun. Tonight Greg is cooking dinner for me and an old friend & work-mate of his that is in town for some kind of conference. He's a French guy named Christophe who knew both Greg's ex-girlfriend and my ex-boyfriend. For some reason I'm a little nervous about meeting him. Why? I don't know, but I think it has something to do with the fact that he's only known Greg as being with another person. Its silly. I fully realize this but can't help myself.
On top of that, we're going "back country" camping with our friends Mark & Brianna on Saturday at Lost Maple State Park. Its only a 2-mile hike in so I guess really the main concern is that it will be at a primitive site. Greg has slept in a tent before, but that's about the extent of his camping experience. So he's leaving the planning and preparations for this trip completely up to me. Fine. However, I really only have gear for me. I have to somehow scrounge up enough extras for Greg too. And I have less than 3 days to do it. Ahhh!
I need a bubble bath...
On top of that, we're going "back country" camping with our friends Mark & Brianna on Saturday at Lost Maple State Park. Its only a 2-mile hike in so I guess really the main concern is that it will be at a primitive site. Greg has slept in a tent before, but that's about the extent of his camping experience. So he's leaving the planning and preparations for this trip completely up to me. Fine. However, I really only have gear for me. I have to somehow scrounge up enough extras for Greg too. And I have less than 3 days to do it. Ahhh!
I need a bubble bath...
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Compassion and Generosity
I started crying on the bus today.
I was reading Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, an autobiography about a woman trying to find peace and healing after a messy divorce. My book club chose it, and I'm so glad they did because otherwise I never would have picked it up.
Anyway, back to the part that has me crying on a public bus before I've even had my morning coffee...
Liz, the author, is in Bali and meets and befriends a local medicine woman who has given up everything to escape an abusive husband that sent her to the hospital many times. She fought for 2 years, selling every last posession she could find to pay a lawyer, so she could also rescue her young daughter. In Balinese culture, where everyone lives as a huge, extended family unit and divorces are rare, mother and daughter lead a somewhat lonely, unstable existence. They are constantly moving as rents increase and money runs low. The daughter spends all day drawing pictures of houses and praying for a home. And on top of it all, the mother has also adopted two orphan girls, rescuing them from a life of pan-handling on the streets. The lease is up, and the family will have to move yet again because rent has increased. That's when Liz is inspired.
She goes and emails all her friends and family in the States, asking that, in lieu of a party and presents for her up-coming 35th birthday, everyone please make a small donation to help this family buy a home of their own. She will match all donated funds with her own money.
After the first day, she already had hundreds of dollars. By the second day, her email had been passed along to complete strangers who were donating money to help a family they had never met. A friend's new husband, who Liz had never met, pledged to match the total raised. Friends she knew to be broke even donated. By the end, she had raised over $18,000!
And as I was reading this, I just became overwhelmed by how wonderful people can be. Even in this scary world we live in sometimes, we haven't lost the ability to tap into that humanity.
It reminded me of the day my mom became my hero.
One of my parents' friends was in a devastating car accident and sadly was killed instantly. He left behind a handicapped wife with two boys and a young, new baby. It was my first experience with real-life tragedy, and I remember it being such a horrible shock to realize that someone so central in your life could vanish in a split second.
My mom had lost contact with this family after her divorce and probably hadn't spoken to any of them in years. But when she heard about the accident, she, a single, struggling mother of 3, swiftly took action. We went to the store and loaded our cart with groceries, canned goods, baby food, diapers, shampoos, toothpaste, everything we could think of. Then in the wee hours of the following morning, we drove to their house, unloaded the bags and bags of the basic necessities of life onto their porch and drove off without a word to anyone. No note. No follow-up. In fact, this may be the first time I've ever told that story, but I never forgot how proud I was of my mom at that moment. I wonder when she last thought of that day.
The book's story also reminded me of a time when I was the recipient of that kind of grace. In the two years before moving to Austin, I lived in Boulder, Colorado. And I absolutely loved it! I made some great friends there, but I didn't quite realize just how great they were until just a few months before I moved away.
While on a back-country camping / hiking / mountain-climbing trip with three fantastic, heroic friends, I was hurt in a scary accident (that, honestly, could have turned out so much worse than it did). I was uninsured at the time, and my emergency room visit was a daunting financial stress on my limited income. I don't think I ever mentioned this to anyone, but my friends knew I was uninsured. Two of the guys who had been with me on that trip (and who were probably significantly more scarred by the accident than I was) were roommates. They threw a party at their house a little while after the accident - I still had a limp, a black eye and a cast on my wrist. Unbeknownst to me, during this party they were collecting sneaky donations from anyone who wanted to contribute to the Poor Larisa fund. A few days after the party, Sean sat me down and told me what they had done. I was absolutely stunned. Then once the shock wore off, I was so incredibly touched. All of these lovely people, most of whom were still students, and their inherent generosity... How could I ever repay them?
I couldn't, in fact. Sean flat out refused to tell me anyone's name so I didn't even know who to thank. No amount of begging and pleading would intice him. Instead he insisted that I hand over my bills so he could use that money to take care of them. To this day, I still don't know who my secret benefactors are so I remain grateful to every last one of those people up there.
Every time I think of those two incidents, I get a little choked up. And I just hope that when the opportunities arise, I will have a chance to show the same compassion and generosity to pay it forward.
I was reading Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, an autobiography about a woman trying to find peace and healing after a messy divorce. My book club chose it, and I'm so glad they did because otherwise I never would have picked it up.
Anyway, back to the part that has me crying on a public bus before I've even had my morning coffee...
Liz, the author, is in Bali and meets and befriends a local medicine woman who has given up everything to escape an abusive husband that sent her to the hospital many times. She fought for 2 years, selling every last posession she could find to pay a lawyer, so she could also rescue her young daughter. In Balinese culture, where everyone lives as a huge, extended family unit and divorces are rare, mother and daughter lead a somewhat lonely, unstable existence. They are constantly moving as rents increase and money runs low. The daughter spends all day drawing pictures of houses and praying for a home. And on top of it all, the mother has also adopted two orphan girls, rescuing them from a life of pan-handling on the streets. The lease is up, and the family will have to move yet again because rent has increased. That's when Liz is inspired.
She goes and emails all her friends and family in the States, asking that, in lieu of a party and presents for her up-coming 35th birthday, everyone please make a small donation to help this family buy a home of their own. She will match all donated funds with her own money.
After the first day, she already had hundreds of dollars. By the second day, her email had been passed along to complete strangers who were donating money to help a family they had never met. A friend's new husband, who Liz had never met, pledged to match the total raised. Friends she knew to be broke even donated. By the end, she had raised over $18,000!
And as I was reading this, I just became overwhelmed by how wonderful people can be. Even in this scary world we live in sometimes, we haven't lost the ability to tap into that humanity.
It reminded me of the day my mom became my hero.
One of my parents' friends was in a devastating car accident and sadly was killed instantly. He left behind a handicapped wife with two boys and a young, new baby. It was my first experience with real-life tragedy, and I remember it being such a horrible shock to realize that someone so central in your life could vanish in a split second.
My mom had lost contact with this family after her divorce and probably hadn't spoken to any of them in years. But when she heard about the accident, she, a single, struggling mother of 3, swiftly took action. We went to the store and loaded our cart with groceries, canned goods, baby food, diapers, shampoos, toothpaste, everything we could think of. Then in the wee hours of the following morning, we drove to their house, unloaded the bags and bags of the basic necessities of life onto their porch and drove off without a word to anyone. No note. No follow-up. In fact, this may be the first time I've ever told that story, but I never forgot how proud I was of my mom at that moment. I wonder when she last thought of that day.
The book's story also reminded me of a time when I was the recipient of that kind of grace. In the two years before moving to Austin, I lived in Boulder, Colorado. And I absolutely loved it! I made some great friends there, but I didn't quite realize just how great they were until just a few months before I moved away.
While on a back-country camping / hiking / mountain-climbing trip with three fantastic, heroic friends, I was hurt in a scary accident (that, honestly, could have turned out so much worse than it did). I was uninsured at the time, and my emergency room visit was a daunting financial stress on my limited income. I don't think I ever mentioned this to anyone, but my friends knew I was uninsured. Two of the guys who had been with me on that trip (and who were probably significantly more scarred by the accident than I was) were roommates. They threw a party at their house a little while after the accident - I still had a limp, a black eye and a cast on my wrist. Unbeknownst to me, during this party they were collecting sneaky donations from anyone who wanted to contribute to the Poor Larisa fund. A few days after the party, Sean sat me down and told me what they had done. I was absolutely stunned. Then once the shock wore off, I was so incredibly touched. All of these lovely people, most of whom were still students, and their inherent generosity... How could I ever repay them?
I couldn't, in fact. Sean flat out refused to tell me anyone's name so I didn't even know who to thank. No amount of begging and pleading would intice him. Instead he insisted that I hand over my bills so he could use that money to take care of them. To this day, I still don't know who my secret benefactors are so I remain grateful to every last one of those people up there.
Every time I think of those two incidents, I get a little choked up. And I just hope that when the opportunities arise, I will have a chance to show the same compassion and generosity to pay it forward.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Starbucks Is My Crack
A few months ago a new Starbucks opened on campus. I pass by it every day walking to and from my bus stop. It has quaint, little umbrella-ed tables out front, perfect for people-watching as you sip your coffee and reflect on your fellow man, studies, or the finer aspects of this life - whichever appeals to you most at a given moment. Inside boasts an intimately lit ambience quietly pulsing with hip music and caffeine-induced focus and creativity. And the smell. Oh, the smell! It seeks me out like reptillian cartoon vapors winding their way through the air to my eager nostrils, filling me with longing and chipping away at my resolve. I will not buy over-priced psychoactive stimulants from multinational corporations. I will not!
Most days I resist temptation and press doggedly on. But on rare days when my resolve isn't as strong as it should be, I make it all the way to lab only to realize that I absolutely need my fix. I fight it briefly and with little heart until eventually I realize the futility of the struggle and give in. Who am I kidding? I accept my limitations. I take that long walk of shame back to the shop, stand in line with the 20-or-so other addicts, and order another hit.
I can't help but feel a bit ridiculous and pretentious as I look my dealer in the eye and order a grande sugar-free, fat-free caramel macchiato or the equally addictive venti mocha frappaccuni light. A drink requiring more than two descriptive adjectives seems overly fussy and decadent to me, a little like wearing a slinky, sequined cocktail dress to a party where everyone else is in jeans and t-shirts. Its complete overkill. And its also slightly embarassing.
In my rational mind, I know I can get the same fix from the perfectly free coffee brewed right there in my office. And yet, it just does not hold the same appeal. Why must I love my $4-a-cup coffee so? WHY?
Most days I resist temptation and press doggedly on. But on rare days when my resolve isn't as strong as it should be, I make it all the way to lab only to realize that I absolutely need my fix. I fight it briefly and with little heart until eventually I realize the futility of the struggle and give in. Who am I kidding? I accept my limitations. I take that long walk of shame back to the shop, stand in line with the 20-or-so other addicts, and order another hit.
I can't help but feel a bit ridiculous and pretentious as I look my dealer in the eye and order a grande sugar-free, fat-free caramel macchiato or the equally addictive venti mocha frappaccuni light. A drink requiring more than two descriptive adjectives seems overly fussy and decadent to me, a little like wearing a slinky, sequined cocktail dress to a party where everyone else is in jeans and t-shirts. Its complete overkill. And its also slightly embarassing.
In my rational mind, I know I can get the same fix from the perfectly free coffee brewed right there in my office. And yet, it just does not hold the same appeal. Why must I love my $4-a-cup coffee so? WHY?
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