My very favorite thing in the whole world is to meet and be with people. I love it even more than gardens, even more than design, even more than the purple hippopotamus I'm going to have one day.
I love it even more than water basketball.
I met a new friend a few days ago. She's a lawyer that lives downtown and served a mission in Kyoto, Japan for the LDS church. We're getting together at her place next week after she gets back from DC. We're having sushi and I get to meet her roommate - I have a feeling these two are going to be some great friends. I think we'll all go to China together - or Europe. Yeah - either one.
Just tonight I stopped by my old place to pick up a tax document. Morgan, who is from South Korea, is living there now. She's learning how to make violins. Next Thursday we're going to meet up downtown for lunch. It's great!
Last week I also became better acquainted with Marie - a very cool lady indeed. We're going to play a practical joke on a fellow friend this week. It's gonna be hilarious. It's going to create some good memories.
I just met a guy with the last name Moses. How cool is that. He laughs easily - those types of people are always good to have around as friends, especially when their humor is genuine.
I continue to have a growing relationship with my dear friend Gloria. And even though we are 51 years apart - we have too much fun sitting in her front room chatting for hours, raking leaves together to fill 21+ bags full, going out to a long lunch, chatting in the driveway, laughing and gabbing for hours on the phone - and just smiling together. I give her fresh flowers every time I pay rent and she gave me a book for my birthday which I will always treasure.
Memories are made by spending time together. NOTHING replaces face to face time. Nothing does - and nothing ever will. It's when you do the normal everyday things together that you really get to know a person. There is no replacement. No phone call, no email, no text will ever replace being in someones presence. The others are great yes, and I enjoy all methods of communication. But there's something unique about face time because it's human time. The human connection.
Going to buy groceries - going driving just to listen to some tunes together, looking for a shirt or some cool tights, a walk in the park - checking out some event that even though it turned out lame, was still fun because you were with someone and a memory was created and a moment was experienced. I would love it if someone called me and said "Hey, I'm going to wash my car - wanna come?" Um... yes!
That's when inside jokes are created, that's when you get to act like a goof and it's okay. That's when people may have a chance to see your real, sincere - "this is really me" side. The side of imperfections and mess-ups are what make people real and that's when I feel like I can really connect with someone - and when I let someone see all the dumb and silly things I do, then I feel more real around them. And when they're still your friend even after getting to know you - that's a friend you keep and trust. It can take some time, but it's time that's worth it. So here's to face time. May we all get a little more of it and value it when we do.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Three Cheers for January
January hasn't been such a horrible month. Actually I have for the most part enjoyed it very much. Which makes me think that February is not going to be so bad either! Especially considering a southern desert getaway (you better watch your back Tre!) and a distant Vancouver to keep me entertained. It's not that these months are supposed to be unfriendly - they're not. It's just that sometimes I get a little stuck in these slow times and when there's no one to dig you out (and I'm finding that only you can really dig you out) - it does get a bit numbing and droney-like. :I
I used to go to the gym 6 days a week - weights and running were a constant. My day wasn't complete until I hit the building full of machines and motivated people. Then I got really busy and my schedule was wacked, after that I forgot, then I think I got lazy - and then I became *gasp* ....unmotivated.
It's true. And while my ideals stayed very motivated (as most of ours do, ahem), my body hasn't really been interested in what my ideals where saying.
So - to shake the numbness from me bones-me bones, my body has finally aligned with my ideals! (blessed stars above)
It's nice to be apart of the real-time, instead of ideal-time, motivated crowd again.
And I am still fairly neat.
Three cheers for January.
I used to go to the gym 6 days a week - weights and running were a constant. My day wasn't complete until I hit the building full of machines and motivated people. Then I got really busy and my schedule was wacked, after that I forgot, then I think I got lazy - and then I became *gasp* ....unmotivated.
It's true. And while my ideals stayed very motivated (as most of ours do, ahem), my body hasn't really been interested in what my ideals where saying.
So - to shake the numbness from me bones-me bones, my body has finally aligned with my ideals! (blessed stars above)
It's nice to be apart of the real-time, instead of ideal-time, motivated crowd again.
And I am still fairly neat.
Three cheers for January.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
PWS 103
I really do love my class. I have 31 wonderful students that are eager to learn, willing to participate, not afraid to ask questions, and sometimes they laugh at my attempted dry humor.
I teach once a week for 2.5 hours at a time. 2.5 hours may seem like a long class, especially when it hits right in the middle of dinner-hour.
*Yawn*
And although I have seen some people shut their eyes (I think it was just a really long blink...with both eyes...), they are for the most part quite attentive and the 2.5 hours really gives us time to feel bonded. It's like a big group of friends that just happens to love to hang out in a class room together and listen to me ramble on randomly about landscapes and design, beauty and inspiration, lizards and purple hippopotamus....
They are excited for their assignments and generally start them earlier than later, which is different from last semester. They don't whine about the work load, which is different from last semester (at least I haven't heard that they do.....yet). I have twice as many students this semester, and I am keeping up better with everything administratively thus far. Cross my fingers. XX. I think since I am a better teacher this semester, I have better students.
Today I had many students stay afterward to talk, to ask a question, get feedback, etc. It's great. Really I teach 3 hours if I include the after class time with students. This evening one student brought pictures of a water feature he designed and built for his parents when he was 14. He was eager to show me the pictures and I just thought that the greatest thing ever - that someone would want to show me what they had created, hoping that I would be excited about it as well. And I was. It was important for him to show me these pictures, and you don't treat that lightly.
I have received emails from my students with comments like:
"I can't wait until next Tuesday."
"I really enjoyed our first class!"
"I am really excited!"
"This class is going to be amazing!"
How can you not be excited to teach a class that makes comments like that! Hullo.
I am really grateful for the opportunity to teach at a university. It's creating a better designer, thinker, and individual out of me. I love education in all it's forms - how could one ever get bored by learning, I ask you!
("I ask you" to be read with an English accent, in the Scarlet Pimpernel fashion of course...lol!).
I teach once a week for 2.5 hours at a time. 2.5 hours may seem like a long class, especially when it hits right in the middle of dinner-hour.
*Yawn*
And although I have seen some people shut their eyes (I think it was just a really long blink...with both eyes...), they are for the most part quite attentive and the 2.5 hours really gives us time to feel bonded. It's like a big group of friends that just happens to love to hang out in a class room together and listen to me ramble on randomly about landscapes and design, beauty and inspiration, lizards and purple hippopotamus....
They are excited for their assignments and generally start them earlier than later, which is different from last semester. They don't whine about the work load, which is different from last semester (at least I haven't heard that they do.....yet). I have twice as many students this semester, and I am keeping up better with everything administratively thus far. Cross my fingers. XX. I think since I am a better teacher this semester, I have better students.
Today I had many students stay afterward to talk, to ask a question, get feedback, etc. It's great. Really I teach 3 hours if I include the after class time with students. This evening one student brought pictures of a water feature he designed and built for his parents when he was 14. He was eager to show me the pictures and I just thought that the greatest thing ever - that someone would want to show me what they had created, hoping that I would be excited about it as well. And I was. It was important for him to show me these pictures, and you don't treat that lightly.
I have received emails from my students with comments like:
"I can't wait until next Tuesday."
"I really enjoyed our first class!"
"I am really excited!"
"This class is going to be amazing!"
How can you not be excited to teach a class that makes comments like that! Hullo.
I am really grateful for the opportunity to teach at a university. It's creating a better designer, thinker, and individual out of me. I love education in all it's forms - how could one ever get bored by learning, I ask you!
("I ask you" to be read with an English accent, in the Scarlet Pimpernel fashion of course...lol!).
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Memo:
Howdy, hello, and hiyall!
This is me - signing off for a while! So - if you don't see any posts on this here blog - no worries - still around if you need to knock on my door. Otherwise - I'll be but a memory for a time. Wish y'all the best!
Later -
This is me - signing off for a while! So - if you don't see any posts on this here blog - no worries - still around if you need to knock on my door. Otherwise - I'll be but a memory for a time. Wish y'all the best!
Later -
Friday, January 08, 2010
This Place
I have a certain affinity for where I live. And I feel that where I live, has a certain affinity for me. Thus, we strive to treat each other very well.
There's a warmth, a love and a heart in this house. I feel it everyday. And as I have had many hours, from dawn until dusk - and into the late hours of darkness - to sit and to be in this house (which sometimes I refer to as a dream), I feel we have established a certain bond, and this bond is cherished and honored by both parties.
This place...
...this place is a space in the world where time is freedom.
Where dreams sail out on distant seas...
...and distant lands seem ever so near.
A place where gold and silver both belong,
one not being better than the other.
one not being better than the other.
And where the effects of light and shadow are studied - both on the surface of these walls and on the chambers of my soul.
It's a place where the imagination ignites, where it is never childish to believe in the unseen.
Where life and energy are ever present...
...and where new worlds are waiting to be explored and discovered.
A place where ambitions are chased after...
...and where a wall waits for a painting.
I feel secure and safe here - it's a refuge from this sometimes turbulent and shifting world,
where I am learning to Forever Rely On God...
...and where love encircles hope.
Why it has been a great day thus far:
1) I have emailed three Japan contacts in an endeavor to further pursue a dream and to keep one friendship and two acquaintanceships alive and breathing.
2) I had eggs with little bits of cheese and sliced avocado, salt and pepper, for breakfast.
3) I had an important dialogue exchange that hopefully will lead to additional important dialogue exchanges.
4) I told a dearest friend that I was thankful for each year of their life here on Earth. Because I am.
Why it shall continue to be a great day:
1) I'm having a grapefruit with almonds for lunch.
2) I'm preparing for my class next week - which I am a bit intimidated by, but I usually find it's a good thing for me to keep just a little nervousness or apprehension about my work...it keeps me humble and a hard worker. It keeps me green.
3) I shall be attending DC this evening. About a year ago I started a Diners Club so I could make friends. Well, it worked. However, due to economic situations, I resigned from being the ring leader/pilot and haven't attended for a few months. I won a bet a few days ago - so now Tyler (who was my co-pilot, turned pilot for DC) shall pay for my meal. Yipee.
4) I have a phone meeting set up with my rock star accountant for 10 pm tonight. Yes, I am taking care of taxes early.
1) I have emailed three Japan contacts in an endeavor to further pursue a dream and to keep one friendship and two acquaintanceships alive and breathing.
2) I had eggs with little bits of cheese and sliced avocado, salt and pepper, for breakfast.
3) I had an important dialogue exchange that hopefully will lead to additional important dialogue exchanges.
4) I told a dearest friend that I was thankful for each year of their life here on Earth. Because I am.
Why it shall continue to be a great day:
1) I'm having a grapefruit with almonds for lunch.
2) I'm preparing for my class next week - which I am a bit intimidated by, but I usually find it's a good thing for me to keep just a little nervousness or apprehension about my work...it keeps me humble and a hard worker. It keeps me green.
3) I shall be attending DC this evening. About a year ago I started a Diners Club so I could make friends. Well, it worked. However, due to economic situations, I resigned from being the ring leader/pilot and haven't attended for a few months. I won a bet a few days ago - so now Tyler (who was my co-pilot, turned pilot for DC) shall pay for my meal. Yipee.
4) I have a phone meeting set up with my rock star accountant for 10 pm tonight. Yes, I am taking care of taxes early.
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Thursday, December 31, 2009
putting things away
I haven't always had the habit of putting things away - away to where they properly go. I am really good at moving things. From spot A to spot B to spot C, but never to spot this-is-where-you-belong. Examples:
When brushing my teeth I pull the toothpaste out of the cupboard and then set it on the edge of the sink or the counter. It may sit there for a while - then when I "organize" I put it back in the cupboard where I originally got it.
When removing shoes I leave them where I remove them. Which usually isn't in the shoes-go-here location.
I'll put a dirty pan from one side of the sink to the other.
The bag of almonds that I just got out of the cupboard is placed on the counter and left there.
Socks left on the bathroom floor, coat draped over the back of the couch, magazine lying open on the floor where I was when last reading through it...
I think you get the picture.
While you are getting the picture - please note that I am a clean person and not some loathing pig in the mire. It's just that while I have been quite clean - I have not always been extremely neat. And for my mom's sake - I will say that she did teach us kids to put things back (she's nodding her head right now and saying, "yes I did!!!")
I have been noticing over the past year that it seemed like I was always organizing, always putting things back from spot A-Z, always cleaning. It seemed that's all I did with my life! Enough.
So over the past month or so - since I moved to my new chez - I have been rather vigilant in this area of my life. I have been putting things back where they belong - and doing it promptly and consciously. I have been neat. It is such a relief and it only takes five extra steps here - two more minutes there - one brain cell more in being just that much more disciplined. And I am finding that I am cleaning and organizing and arranging less and less and less. It's like a revelation. Now one thing that I do believe, in order to be neat, is that everything needs a place where it does actually belong or it will always be left out - moved around - etc. So ample storage space is necessary and then being neat and organized within that storage space is vital as well. It's no good to open a drawer or a cupboard door or your closet and find a disarray of who-knows-what. Sure, we have all stuffed our piles of clothes under the bed as someone coming to visit just pulled up outside, or pushed all that nonsense that's all around the front room into the nearest closet, hoping that during the visit you won't need to access that space. Maybe you haven't done this, but I surely have!
But I am happily a changed person - and it's great. I am not perfect at it yet - but just give me a few more weeks of consistently and consciously restoring everything to it's proper place and then I still won't be perfect at it - but I will be that much closer.
***And if you have more stuff then space....maybe you should consider reversing that. Time to de-junk or creatively create more space.***
When brushing my teeth I pull the toothpaste out of the cupboard and then set it on the edge of the sink or the counter. It may sit there for a while - then when I "organize" I put it back in the cupboard where I originally got it.
When removing shoes I leave them where I remove them. Which usually isn't in the shoes-go-here location.
I'll put a dirty pan from one side of the sink to the other.
The bag of almonds that I just got out of the cupboard is placed on the counter and left there.
Socks left on the bathroom floor, coat draped over the back of the couch, magazine lying open on the floor where I was when last reading through it...
I think you get the picture.
While you are getting the picture - please note that I am a clean person and not some loathing pig in the mire. It's just that while I have been quite clean - I have not always been extremely neat. And for my mom's sake - I will say that she did teach us kids to put things back (she's nodding her head right now and saying, "yes I did!!!")
I have been noticing over the past year that it seemed like I was always organizing, always putting things back from spot A-Z, always cleaning. It seemed that's all I did with my life! Enough.
So over the past month or so - since I moved to my new chez - I have been rather vigilant in this area of my life. I have been putting things back where they belong - and doing it promptly and consciously. I have been neat. It is such a relief and it only takes five extra steps here - two more minutes there - one brain cell more in being just that much more disciplined. And I am finding that I am cleaning and organizing and arranging less and less and less. It's like a revelation. Now one thing that I do believe, in order to be neat, is that everything needs a place where it does actually belong or it will always be left out - moved around - etc. So ample storage space is necessary and then being neat and organized within that storage space is vital as well. It's no good to open a drawer or a cupboard door or your closet and find a disarray of who-knows-what. Sure, we have all stuffed our piles of clothes under the bed as someone coming to visit just pulled up outside, or pushed all that nonsense that's all around the front room into the nearest closet, hoping that during the visit you won't need to access that space. Maybe you haven't done this, but I surely have!
But I am happily a changed person - and it's great. I am not perfect at it yet - but just give me a few more weeks of consistently and consciously restoring everything to it's proper place and then I still won't be perfect at it - but I will be that much closer.
***And if you have more stuff then space....maybe you should consider reversing that. Time to de-junk or creatively create more space.***
Monday, December 28, 2009
Monday Monday Monday
I am feeling very unsettled and a bit frustrated this morning - not an enjoyable way to start off a day or a week. And my frustrations stem from no one or no where else except myself.
Frustration #1: I had a great class last semester at BYU - 15 students. And as I have just finished grading their finals - I am quite impressed with the results of every single person. That makes me feel positive about how and what I did with the class time for the past 4 months - but I did pretty horrible in others areas - mostly the administrative area (like grades and stuff like that). I fell behind far too often on these matters and it's not very becoming of a college adjunct professor. That frustrates me.
I start with a new class, as in a different subject - a week from tomorrow, with twice as many students. Huh. I have a chance to do better administratively, but at the same time - I am having to learn a whole new syllabus, curriculum, assignments, how to fill 2.5 hours of class time, etc - which is what sucked up all my time last semester, hence the administrative side suffered. Sigh.
Frustration #2: I recently reconnected with a dear friend - one of the most important friendships that I have had to date. The kindred connection that once tied us closely seemed like it has dissipated into a somewhat formal friendship. I pretend like I don't care, but it does hurt.
Frustration #3: I have trouble waking in the mornings. I hate staying in bed too late. But mornings are so hard for me and have been for a while. There's no one to rouse me or tell me how ridiculous it is that I am still in bed, so I stay there all tired-like. That is super frustrating. I really can get out of bed in the mornings just fine, even quite early - I just need a little help.
Frustration #4: I am still feeling bleck from being sick over the weekend.
Frustration #5: I could go on, but I won't. It's probably healthy to release some frustrations - but not make everything that is bothering you at the moment into a frustration - then it all just escalates and I really don't need to live with a magnifying glass under my nose. I just need a dose of some good fight in me. Not so that I can beat stuff up - but just so I can keep going - like Kate Bush told me this morning - I know you have a little life in you yet, I know you have a lot of strength left. Oh - I need some of that.
Although - I wouldn't mind a deep hot pink punching bag and some gloves to match.
Frustration #1: I had a great class last semester at BYU - 15 students. And as I have just finished grading their finals - I am quite impressed with the results of every single person. That makes me feel positive about how and what I did with the class time for the past 4 months - but I did pretty horrible in others areas - mostly the administrative area (like grades and stuff like that). I fell behind far too often on these matters and it's not very becoming of a college adjunct professor. That frustrates me.
I start with a new class, as in a different subject - a week from tomorrow, with twice as many students. Huh. I have a chance to do better administratively, but at the same time - I am having to learn a whole new syllabus, curriculum, assignments, how to fill 2.5 hours of class time, etc - which is what sucked up all my time last semester, hence the administrative side suffered. Sigh.
Frustration #2: I recently reconnected with a dear friend - one of the most important friendships that I have had to date. The kindred connection that once tied us closely seemed like it has dissipated into a somewhat formal friendship. I pretend like I don't care, but it does hurt.
Frustration #3: I have trouble waking in the mornings. I hate staying in bed too late. But mornings are so hard for me and have been for a while. There's no one to rouse me or tell me how ridiculous it is that I am still in bed, so I stay there all tired-like. That is super frustrating. I really can get out of bed in the mornings just fine, even quite early - I just need a little help.
Frustration #4: I am still feeling bleck from being sick over the weekend.
Frustration #5: I could go on, but I won't. It's probably healthy to release some frustrations - but not make everything that is bothering you at the moment into a frustration - then it all just escalates and I really don't need to live with a magnifying glass under my nose. I just need a dose of some good fight in me. Not so that I can beat stuff up - but just so I can keep going - like Kate Bush told me this morning - I know you have a little life in you yet, I know you have a lot of strength left. Oh - I need some of that.
Although - I wouldn't mind a deep hot pink punching bag and some gloves to match.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Christmas Day
I am sure the shepherds had it - after all, they were up all night and generally live exposed to the elements.
Joseph must have been exhausted by the long journey to Jerusalem, so his immune system must have been down. I am sure he had it too.
The wise men, even with all their spices and wisdom probably couldn't keep from catching it.
And Mary - goodness....she must have had it the worst. So tired and worn out!
***
I have had a ragged cough that has been journeying with me the last few weeks - this morning it decided to take it to the next level. You know, step it up a notch. More sore of a throat, body a bit warmer than usual, fatigue... Bleck.
I just wanted to fit in with the Christmas story!
Tomorrow I am knocking it off it's podium. Christmas will be over after all.
Joseph must have been exhausted by the long journey to Jerusalem, so his immune system must have been down. I am sure he had it too.
The wise men, even with all their spices and wisdom probably couldn't keep from catching it.
And Mary - goodness....she must have had it the worst. So tired and worn out!
***
I have had a ragged cough that has been journeying with me the last few weeks - this morning it decided to take it to the next level. You know, step it up a notch. More sore of a throat, body a bit warmer than usual, fatigue... Bleck.
I just wanted to fit in with the Christmas story!
Tomorrow I am knocking it off it's podium. Christmas will be over after all.
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