This time of year always warms my heart. Seems like family and friends become a little bit closer during the holiday season. For that I am grateful.
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Because, we all deal with trying people at work sometimes:
http://clientsfromhell.tumblr.com/
November 25, 2009
November 20, 2009
Growing Pains
Two wonderful bloggers, WiliKat and Doaleigh both blogged about inner beauty. They made wonderful points, and are great writers...go read them. I'll wait.
As I read Kat's recount of junior high life, I was taken back there myself. I knew her then (still do). I don't remember this too-skinny gangly girl. I remember long flowing blond hair and laughter. And smart, I remember that too. (See, how people remember your adolescence different than you do?)
About my own awkward junior high years, I remember trying to fit in. I remember a big school and lots of new people. I remember being in the middle of popularity (there were lots of kids much cooler than myself, for sure). I remember meanness. Fights. Threats.
I remember a girl calling me one night to warn me that another girl wanted to beat me up over my new "boyfriend." (It was a silly junior high boyfriend, we only talked on the phone and it had been one day since we decided to "date"). I was never good at hiding my feelings, immediately my parents knew that something was wrong. In my teenagey angst I had to tell them the whole story. I was mortified. Yes, I'm "dating" this boy, and now someone wants to beat me up. (Trust me when I say that fights happened once or twice a week in our junior high.) My parents were really cool about the situation. They helped me brainstorm a way out of it - skip history class (which this girl was in). That was the moment I learned I could always trust my parents with anything. Anything.
I played sports, which I think helped me to feel like I fit in. I do remember idolizing some kids, who seemed super cool. They turned out to not be that nice of people, they themselves idolized other kids. I had my own body issues, I just tried really hard to not let it show. I remember "compliments" from boys - things like "nice butt" and I soared. I look back and realize how shallow that was - of both them and me. Beauty is not based on physicality. My butt was a product of genetics and sports. My self worth was so much bigger than that.
Junior high was a time of change. Our bodies, minds, attitudes, and friendships were all changing. All at once. It was definitely a time of trial and error, perhaps a lot of errors. I remember the hurt of being shunned by those that I thought were cool. Although I'm sure I failed at times, I tried to never make anyone else feel shunned or ignored by my own actions.
When I felt out of place or not sure what was going on, I did my best to fake it.
I never had a major self-image defining moment. But, I did have other "ah-ha" moments during those formative years. As I settled into high school, I learned that not everyone is nice or honest. I learned how back-stabbing and catty girls can be. I learned that some people will do ANYTHING to fit in. I learned that I was not one of those people.
I learned that putting myself out there lead to wonderful rewards... After having several classes with J, and being in-class friends, I called her one night to go to a movie. She later told me how cool it was. "We always talked about hanging out, and you actually made it happen, you called me to do something." I learned I was a do-er.
Most importantly, I learned that no one has everything figured out. Ever. I remember coming home from school my junior year, in tears. A popular girl at school had been talking about her college and career plans. She knew exactly what she was going to be and how she was going to become it (she ended up dropping out of college). I was faltering between several different life plans and felt like I was doomed for failure. My mother patiently listened. She then told me about her graduating class. How the class president is now overweight, divorced, and doesn't have that great of a job. He peaked in high school, she said. Those other popular kids, they're the ones who come to the reunions looking to re-kindle old flames. Your dad & I, my mom said, weren't at the top of our class, but look where we are now (very happy and very successful). She reminded me that it isn't where you start, it's where you end up. As Kat's brother told her, my mother told me - some people peak in junior high or high school...and that's where they stay for the rest of their lives. That's their "high." Some of us are lucky to soar past that.
I believe that you have to keep looking forward, keep reaching up. That's how you grow into the most beautiful and wonderful person (inside and out) that you can be.
As I read Kat's recount of junior high life, I was taken back there myself. I knew her then (still do). I don't remember this too-skinny gangly girl. I remember long flowing blond hair and laughter. And smart, I remember that too. (See, how people remember your adolescence different than you do?)
About my own awkward junior high years, I remember trying to fit in. I remember a big school and lots of new people. I remember being in the middle of popularity (there were lots of kids much cooler than myself, for sure). I remember meanness. Fights. Threats.
I remember a girl calling me one night to warn me that another girl wanted to beat me up over my new "boyfriend." (It was a silly junior high boyfriend, we only talked on the phone and it had been one day since we decided to "date"). I was never good at hiding my feelings, immediately my parents knew that something was wrong. In my teenagey angst I had to tell them the whole story. I was mortified. Yes, I'm "dating" this boy, and now someone wants to beat me up. (Trust me when I say that fights happened once or twice a week in our junior high.) My parents were really cool about the situation. They helped me brainstorm a way out of it - skip history class (which this girl was in). That was the moment I learned I could always trust my parents with anything. Anything.
I played sports, which I think helped me to feel like I fit in. I do remember idolizing some kids, who seemed super cool. They turned out to not be that nice of people, they themselves idolized other kids. I had my own body issues, I just tried really hard to not let it show. I remember "compliments" from boys - things like "nice butt" and I soared. I look back and realize how shallow that was - of both them and me. Beauty is not based on physicality. My butt was a product of genetics and sports. My self worth was so much bigger than that.
Junior high was a time of change. Our bodies, minds, attitudes, and friendships were all changing. All at once. It was definitely a time of trial and error, perhaps a lot of errors. I remember the hurt of being shunned by those that I thought were cool. Although I'm sure I failed at times, I tried to never make anyone else feel shunned or ignored by my own actions.
When I felt out of place or not sure what was going on, I did my best to fake it.
I never had a major self-image defining moment. But, I did have other "ah-ha" moments during those formative years. As I settled into high school, I learned that not everyone is nice or honest. I learned how back-stabbing and catty girls can be. I learned that some people will do ANYTHING to fit in. I learned that I was not one of those people.
I learned that putting myself out there lead to wonderful rewards... After having several classes with J, and being in-class friends, I called her one night to go to a movie. She later told me how cool it was. "We always talked about hanging out, and you actually made it happen, you called me to do something." I learned I was a do-er.
Most importantly, I learned that no one has everything figured out. Ever. I remember coming home from school my junior year, in tears. A popular girl at school had been talking about her college and career plans. She knew exactly what she was going to be and how she was going to become it (she ended up dropping out of college). I was faltering between several different life plans and felt like I was doomed for failure. My mother patiently listened. She then told me about her graduating class. How the class president is now overweight, divorced, and doesn't have that great of a job. He peaked in high school, she said. Those other popular kids, they're the ones who come to the reunions looking to re-kindle old flames. Your dad & I, my mom said, weren't at the top of our class, but look where we are now (very happy and very successful). She reminded me that it isn't where you start, it's where you end up. As Kat's brother told her, my mother told me - some people peak in junior high or high school...and that's where they stay for the rest of their lives. That's their "high." Some of us are lucky to soar past that.
I believe that you have to keep looking forward, keep reaching up. That's how you grow into the most beautiful and wonderful person (inside and out) that you can be.
November 16, 2009
two steps forward
one step back.
I realize that life is full of challenges. Everyone faces obstacles and life-altering moments. We all come to a crossroads. We all have tough choices to make. We all struggle.
These are the times that alter our course through life, forever.
Our choices build upon each other, creating the path of our life that lies before us.
Some of the toughest decisions I've made in my life have hurtled me into a new direction. The decisions were difficult, painstaking, scary. But, ultimately for the best.
Some of my very best girl friends in life I've known for less than 4 years. I'm settled into a wonderful, supportive group of friends. I met these amazing women by making a difficult decision to change my life. I've struggled. I've felt beaten. I've grown stronger. I've had many ups and downs, but ultimately, I'm up. Way Up.
One decision put my life on a new course, a wonderful one.
The old adage "no pain, no gain" is not just applicable to sports or exercise. It's applicable to life. Sometimes tearing that bandaid off, although it might hurt at first, is the best thing you've ever done. I look forward with great hope and loving friends... and now, with a loving boyfriend. I am happy to be where I am today. I look back at my personal growth, and it makes me proud. I look around at the wonderful people I have added to my life and feel warm. I look forward to the wonderful things that lie ahead of me and feel excited.
I know that we all face these great challenges and decisions...and although we may not always aknowledge each other's struggles, friends, I am proud of what you have accomplished. I'm proud of who you have become.
I realize that life is full of challenges. Everyone faces obstacles and life-altering moments. We all come to a crossroads. We all have tough choices to make. We all struggle.
These are the times that alter our course through life, forever.
Our choices build upon each other, creating the path of our life that lies before us.
Some of the toughest decisions I've made in my life have hurtled me into a new direction. The decisions were difficult, painstaking, scary. But, ultimately for the best.
Some of my very best girl friends in life I've known for less than 4 years. I'm settled into a wonderful, supportive group of friends. I met these amazing women by making a difficult decision to change my life. I've struggled. I've felt beaten. I've grown stronger. I've had many ups and downs, but ultimately, I'm up. Way Up.
One decision put my life on a new course, a wonderful one.
The old adage "no pain, no gain" is not just applicable to sports or exercise. It's applicable to life. Sometimes tearing that bandaid off, although it might hurt at first, is the best thing you've ever done. I look forward with great hope and loving friends... and now, with a loving boyfriend. I am happy to be where I am today. I look back at my personal growth, and it makes me proud. I look around at the wonderful people I have added to my life and feel warm. I look forward to the wonderful things that lie ahead of me and feel excited.
I know that we all face these great challenges and decisions...and although we may not always aknowledge each other's struggles, friends, I am proud of what you have accomplished. I'm proud of who you have become.
November 13, 2009
Embarassing Moments
There was the time, when I was all of 20 years old that someone mistook me for the mother of a person my same age. "So, is that your son?"
How about when I had boy-short pixie hair (poorly cut) in college, and a nasty eye infection that forced me to wear my 6+ year old glasses and I knew I looked ugly, but the little boy in front of me at a baseball game said "Mom, is that a boy or a girl." (His mother was mortified.)
Upon first meeting me, a girl (who was drunk) asked "Do you have a cold?" (it was the middle of the summer). I replied "no." Her response "Oh, you always talk like that?"
Sometimes, in life, you have to take what people say to you with a grain of salt. One off-handed comment might just be an extraneous piece of data, something that should be shrugged off. Now, if I was constantly asked if I had a cold or questioned to be the parent of someone my own age, I would probably have developed a self-esteem complex by now. However, with one or two incidents of embarassing, but odd, encounters like this, all I can do is look back (now) and laugh.
How about when I had boy-short pixie hair (poorly cut) in college, and a nasty eye infection that forced me to wear my 6+ year old glasses and I knew I looked ugly, but the little boy in front of me at a baseball game said "Mom, is that a boy or a girl." (His mother was mortified.)
Upon first meeting me, a girl (who was drunk) asked "Do you have a cold?" (it was the middle of the summer). I replied "no." Her response "Oh, you always talk like that?"
Sometimes, in life, you have to take what people say to you with a grain of salt. One off-handed comment might just be an extraneous piece of data, something that should be shrugged off. Now, if I was constantly asked if I had a cold or questioned to be the parent of someone my own age, I would probably have developed a self-esteem complex by now. However, with one or two incidents of embarassing, but odd, encounters like this, all I can do is look back (now) and laugh.
November 9, 2009
Dear Credit Card,
This is absolutely unfair. I am not happy that you are changing the terms of our agreement. I am appalled that you want me to transfer $3000 by mid-December. If I refuse to do so, you will cancel me. I do not appreciate being bullied. Either I transfer $3000, which I DO NOT want to do. Or, I have my credit card (which I rather liked before this incident) canceled and am forced to find a new credit card. Opening a new credit card will, in turn, hurt my credit score (albeit temporarily). So, credit card... YOU SUCK!
I'm angry with the money industry in general. Stop making gigantic stupid decisions/business practices which impact a great population of people. And, yes, credit card, I know you're one of the institutions in financial dilema right now. Sorry, not my fault. I should not be punished for your "mistakes" (please note, I don't believe they are mistakes, so I use that word very losely).
I am now shopping for a fair and honest credit card company who will not pull the rug out from underneath me.
I'm angry with the money industry in general. Stop making gigantic stupid decisions/business practices which impact a great population of people. And, yes, credit card, I know you're one of the institutions in financial dilema right now. Sorry, not my fault. I should not be punished for your "mistakes" (please note, I don't believe they are mistakes, so I use that word very losely).
I am now shopping for a fair and honest credit card company who will not pull the rug out from underneath me.
November 4, 2009
manipulation
this morning, on my drive to work, i was listening to a morning show. this particular radio station tends towards rap and hip-hop and generally caters to a younger crowd. they have many contests/skits on the morning show that make me roll my eyes and turn the station in disgust. this morning, however, i was suckered into listening. it was like a train wreck for my ears, i couldn't turn away.
first the dj talked about "the 4 main reasons a man wont marry a woman"
he listed off these 4 reasons, discussing each one. some made more (logical) sense than others.
then, the dj claimed that most men make the excuse that they "can't afford the ring she deserves". so, this dj is offering to buy the girl a $1000 ring. then, live on the radio, they will show up to wherever this guy is and see if he will propose (right then and there) with the ring the dj bought. if he proposes and they get married within two weeks, the girl gets to keep the ring.
and some girl called in, wanting to do this.
um, WHAT?!?!
ok, how on earth could this plan possibly work out?
first off, they are putting the guy on the spot. why not put a gun to his head and make him propose? he probably wont want to look like a douche on the radio, so i suspect he'll do it.
secondly, where is this girl's sense of pride. how about you don't be in a hurry to tie the knot, or maybe you should propose to him?
thirdly, maybe he's got a plan. maybe he's working his plan (although slower than you'd like). i could maybe all afternoon...maybe he is a douche and you just aren't "the one".
there's a million different scenarios here, but honestly, would you really want a guy to propose to you because a dj bought a $1000 ring and you showed up at this guys door, live on the radio?
really, is that what you want???
first the dj talked about "the 4 main reasons a man wont marry a woman"
he listed off these 4 reasons, discussing each one. some made more (logical) sense than others.
then, the dj claimed that most men make the excuse that they "can't afford the ring she deserves". so, this dj is offering to buy the girl a $1000 ring. then, live on the radio, they will show up to wherever this guy is and see if he will propose (right then and there) with the ring the dj bought. if he proposes and they get married within two weeks, the girl gets to keep the ring.
and some girl called in, wanting to do this.
um, WHAT?!?!
ok, how on earth could this plan possibly work out?
first off, they are putting the guy on the spot. why not put a gun to his head and make him propose? he probably wont want to look like a douche on the radio, so i suspect he'll do it.
secondly, where is this girl's sense of pride. how about you don't be in a hurry to tie the knot, or maybe you should propose to him?
thirdly, maybe he's got a plan. maybe he's working his plan (although slower than you'd like). i could maybe all afternoon...maybe he is a douche and you just aren't "the one".
there's a million different scenarios here, but honestly, would you really want a guy to propose to you because a dj bought a $1000 ring and you showed up at this guys door, live on the radio?
really, is that what you want???
November 3, 2009
Radnom-andom-ness
I just read an article about how blogs are supposed to be opinion, not fact. It also said there should be interaction (comments) and a call to action. Interesting.
Last night I had a migraine and laid on the couch for 5+ hours.
The sky gets dark about 6pm now, it's sad. The light in the morning is not an adequate trade-off, I'd rather have sunlight until 7 pm.
Children express opinions in magnificent ways. Sometimes, my nephew gets mad at me (if he thinks it's been too long since I last saw him) and he'll refuse to talk or look at me.
I have a couple of really great friends that I only talk to once in a great while. They are still very near and dear to me.
Izzie's short hair cut on Grey's Anatomy makes me want to cut my hair boy-short...again.
I don't understand the point of Twitter. I don't care how famous you are, who cares that you ate a banana or went to the loo?
sorry blog-world... things to accomplish over here, I'm out.
Last night I had a migraine and laid on the couch for 5+ hours.
The sky gets dark about 6pm now, it's sad. The light in the morning is not an adequate trade-off, I'd rather have sunlight until 7 pm.
Children express opinions in magnificent ways. Sometimes, my nephew gets mad at me (if he thinks it's been too long since I last saw him) and he'll refuse to talk or look at me.
I have a couple of really great friends that I only talk to once in a great while. They are still very near and dear to me.
Izzie's short hair cut on Grey's Anatomy makes me want to cut my hair boy-short...again.
I don't understand the point of Twitter. I don't care how famous you are, who cares that you ate a banana or went to the loo?
sorry blog-world... things to accomplish over here, I'm out.
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