Tomorrow is the start of a New Year. A start of something fresh. A clean slate. A chance to set new goals. And, if you're like me, you already have appointments and meetings and rendezvous galore filling up your calendar. Why is it that we get so busy so quickly? Will there ever be a chance to just relax?
When you try to plan things with people, you often hear them say, "things have just been so busy lately. Maybe we can try for next month when things slow down." But, do things ever slow down? Why is it that our schedules are full nearly every month of the year?
We put things off around the "holidays" because, well, it's the holidays. "When things settle down 'after the holidays,'" you hear people say, "then maybe we can set something up." We are busy with parties and gatherings and family flying in to see us and us flying out to see them. Christmas has just occurred and New Year's is around the corner and the kids are out of school for the week. So, it's just too busy to plan anything. But then when New Year's rolls around, you've gotta get the kids back into school and start to get organized again. Then, slowly, January starts filling up and we're into February. When February rolls around, you still haven't planned anything with anyone yet because someone's birthday is occurring and you are throwing them a party. So, all your energy has been centered around planning that party and it's just "too much" to try to plan anything else.
When March comes around you're getting exhausted. There was a big snow storm that came and the kids have been out of school for a week again, and things have been hectic. Little Jimmy lost his first tooth and you have had too many Dr.'s Appointments for yourself and for the kids to try to fit in another dinner date with someone. Maybe in late spring, you tell them and yourself, we can try to hook up.
But April rolls around and there's a spring play at school for the kids. Your parents have flown in town and they are staying for a week to see the play and to visit. You're also participating in the 1/2 marathon you've been training for as well, so you haven't got time to relax.
When May comes you are starting to plan your summer vacation beach trip and you've been really occupied with that. You've spent most of your evenings and weekend nights looking into deals and trying to get the best package. You're tired from the marathon and really just need time to relax. So, no extra events for you in May.
June is here and and you really think you can meet for a coffee. So you actually do squeeze in a 30 minute coffee date on your lunch break with your best friend. But it is rushed because you have a big presentation later that day and that is all that's been on your mind. Your friend feels a little neglected and you don't even notice it because you are so busy.
July comes fast and all that's on your mind is the vacation you've been planning for two months. The first week is spent prepping for your vacation, the second week you go on your vacation, and the last two weeks of the month are spent "winding down" from your vacation.
The August heat makes anything pretty much unbearable. So, you spend your time trying to find ways to stay cool and at the same time you start gearing up for football season. The kids are at the stage of summer boredom and you have to find ways to keep them occupied.
September quickly becomes busy with school supply shopping and book buying, and perhaps college move-ins. It's one of the busiest months of all.
Halloween rolls around and everyone is getting geared up for Fall. You've been to three weddings since September and your wallet is running dry. Every time you think of planning to see your friend again, there is another excuse.
November quickly comes and Thanksgiving is all that you think about. You're busy gathering recipes and trying to make plans for family.
As December hits we are back where we started. Planning and going to parties, buying gifts, and going nonstop is what your life has been consumed with. And by the time Christmas hits you are in "wind-down" mode again before the New Year comes.
As soon as you know it, the entire year has flown by and it is 2010. You have had coffee with your friend one time for 30 minutes on your lunch break. Why? Even if we don't have children are we that busy that we can't stop for an extra hour once a month to visit an old friend or meet a new one? Are we really that tired too pick up the phone to wish Grandma a happy birthday or send a card to Uncle Paul for his? I thought life was about cultivating relationships and sharing with those we love. How can we do this if we are so busy all the time?
I know for me, that is what 2009 was. I was constantly on the run. I had no time, or made no time, to focus on the friendships and relationships that mean the most and my goals and dreams were brushed to the back. I'm going to try, hard, to wipe the dust off some of those old dreams and try to put more effort into things that matter the most. I guess you could say that is a New Year's Resolution. I'm not going to make a promise I can't keep, but I really want to slow down in 2010. I really want to try to enjoy it. I really want to see more friends and have more fun and focus on goals that I have pushed aside for so long. I want to focus on eternal truths and not temporary highs. As we all well know, we don't get younger, we get older. And as a wise man (Dr. Rutland) once said, "you can be 5 years older with your degree, or 5 years older without one." Maybe for you this is not a degree or an education. Maybe it's a promotion or reorganizing your address book or making a movie, or learning how to sew. Or, perhaps it's just making a commitment to meet a friend for coffee once a month.
What will you choose?
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Christmas
Thanks to my wonderful husband,
for the necklace I received.
You always have good taste,
when it comes to me.
Big: the meatballs were outstanding,
the pepperoni all the more.
We ate so much pasta,
I'm surprised we fit through the door.
Big and Anna:
Thanks for the lovely teapot,
and my favorite lotion, too.
Also for the entertainment that Big provided,
When he tripped over that shoe.
Carrie:
The Euphoria perfume was a surprise!
The earphones and candy as well.
You always remember what I like,
And obviously my favorite smell.
Mom and Pop:
More perfume from you, my favorite kind;
Thank you so much.
The socks and book were so thoughtful,
A special touch.
Gramie:
Thanks for the gift card,
That'll come in handy!
I'm sorry your present got switched,
that's just dandy.
Isaac liked his presents too,
Especially the Redskins stuff;
Mom, it's OK you got him a woman's shirt,
It could've happened to any of us.
Cindy:
The wine is always great,
Especially Passaggio Unoaked Chardonnay.
We will probably have a glass of that,
Sometime today.
To all our friends and family,
Thank you so much.
We're glad you're in our lives,
and such.
for the necklace I received.
You always have good taste,
when it comes to me.
Big: the meatballs were outstanding,
the pepperoni all the more.
We ate so much pasta,
I'm surprised we fit through the door.
Big and Anna:
Thanks for the lovely teapot,
and my favorite lotion, too.
Also for the entertainment that Big provided,
When he tripped over that shoe.
Carrie:
The Euphoria perfume was a surprise!
The earphones and candy as well.
You always remember what I like,
And obviously my favorite smell.
Mom and Pop:
More perfume from you, my favorite kind;
Thank you so much.
The socks and book were so thoughtful,
A special touch.
Gramie:
Thanks for the gift card,
That'll come in handy!
I'm sorry your present got switched,
that's just dandy.
Isaac liked his presents too,
Especially the Redskins stuff;
Mom, it's OK you got him a woman's shirt,
It could've happened to any of us.
Cindy:
The wine is always great,
Especially Passaggio Unoaked Chardonnay.
We will probably have a glass of that,
Sometime today.
To all our friends and family,
Thank you so much.
We're glad you're in our lives,
and such.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Christmas Eve
Surprisingly today I did not find myself running a mile a minute like I usually do (I actually did that yesterday). I usually wait until the very last minute (again, yesterday) to finish all my shopping up. Last year I did pretty good, though, getting most everything done a few weeks early. But, today was actually a day of semi-rest. I wrapped presents in the morning by myself and had a nice bit of peace and quiet while Isaac was at work. Sipping coffee and watching the news is a rarity for me, especially in the morning by myself. Gosh, I sound like I have kids or something.
I did go out to pick up Isaac's gift and to visit Mema and Uncle David. It was great to see her face light up when I gave her the purple down blanket I picked out. Sidenote: I met her Caregiver (Mema lives in an Assisted Living apartment right down the street) and her parents live in Ghana with her 24 siblings. I know, small family right? It was interesting to hear someone say "Ghana." That is where Dr. Rutland, SEU President and Isaac and I's all time favorite preacher, started his foundation. It's refreshing meeting new people and learning their story. Anyway, I had a fun visit with Mema and David. I sent "Dad" (Isaac's) a few pics and videos of them. Mema is his mom and David is his brother. Dad loves it when I do that.
By the time I had done all that it was too late to go to the gym. I mean, technically the gym was still open, but let's face it, who wants to go to the gym on Christmas Eve? Not me, even the most-of-the-time fanatic.
So, Christmas Eve service was beautiful, as always. Saw lots of familiar faces and was in the company of many good friends, lots of babies, and tons of young kids. Mom cooked a great meal -- spiral ham, scalloped potatoes, fruit salad, cranberry sauce, and green beans. YUM! And what is Christmas Eve dinner without a little White Zin...followed by some Christmas Trivia. Yes, I did always wonder if the North Pole was 44mm larger in radius than the South.
It was some "great times" tonight. We laughed, we ate, we made up new words, and spun some new memories. You know, the usual Weaver family fun. But then there are some folks out there who while you're having fun making jokes about Christmas Trivia, wish they could enjoy that Christmas Trivia with you, even if it is learning that the Grinch's breath actually smelled like garlic, not onions. After all, Christmas is really about spreading love.
So, here I sit writing to you on Christmas Eve while my husband is fast asleep. I'm getting ready to watch The Devil Wears Prada for like the 90th time. I never get sick of it. It inspires me about fashion. Remember...accessorize (my last blog)!
Sleep tight. Don't let the bed bugs bite. And enjoy your families - especially the ones that flew miles to see you.
I did go out to pick up Isaac's gift and to visit Mema and Uncle David. It was great to see her face light up when I gave her the purple down blanket I picked out. Sidenote: I met her Caregiver (Mema lives in an Assisted Living apartment right down the street) and her parents live in Ghana with her 24 siblings. I know, small family right? It was interesting to hear someone say "Ghana." That is where Dr. Rutland, SEU President and Isaac and I's all time favorite preacher, started his foundation. It's refreshing meeting new people and learning their story. Anyway, I had a fun visit with Mema and David. I sent "Dad" (Isaac's) a few pics and videos of them. Mema is his mom and David is his brother. Dad loves it when I do that.
By the time I had done all that it was too late to go to the gym. I mean, technically the gym was still open, but let's face it, who wants to go to the gym on Christmas Eve? Not me, even the most-of-the-time fanatic.
So, Christmas Eve service was beautiful, as always. Saw lots of familiar faces and was in the company of many good friends, lots of babies, and tons of young kids. Mom cooked a great meal -- spiral ham, scalloped potatoes, fruit salad, cranberry sauce, and green beans. YUM! And what is Christmas Eve dinner without a little White Zin...followed by some Christmas Trivia. Yes, I did always wonder if the North Pole was 44mm larger in radius than the South.
It was some "great times" tonight. We laughed, we ate, we made up new words, and spun some new memories. You know, the usual Weaver family fun. But then there are some folks out there who while you're having fun making jokes about Christmas Trivia, wish they could enjoy that Christmas Trivia with you, even if it is learning that the Grinch's breath actually smelled like garlic, not onions. After all, Christmas is really about spreading love.
So, here I sit writing to you on Christmas Eve while my husband is fast asleep. I'm getting ready to watch The Devil Wears Prada for like the 90th time. I never get sick of it. It inspires me about fashion. Remember...accessorize (my last blog)!
Sleep tight. Don't let the bed bugs bite. And enjoy your families - especially the ones that flew miles to see you.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
It's Official...
...Isaac has been accepted into the Police Academy. My husband...the once drawn to dream of shiny desks and pretty laptops while number crunching in high rise buildings has changed his career path and focus. He will now become a Police Officer for Prince William County. I don't know what got into him, but ever since he joined the Army in 2007, he's had a different mindset. I like it.
He will start the Academy on January 13th where he will undergo 6 months of what I'm sure will be intense training. Cindy, his mom, was also a Police Officer for Prince William County several years ago (I think it was Prince William) and underwent the same training (she is now a Wine Chemist in San Francisco, California).
He has spent nearly two years undergoing a number of tests, phsyicals, interrogations (joke), bloodwork, interviews, etc. It is a much more detailed process than I thought. They talked with so many of our family members including my parents, his parents, my sisters and brother-in-law, a number of our close friends, Army Sergeants, past and present employers, as well as one or two of our neighbors. He deserves a big round of applause (virtually) for his hard, persistent work.
He actually applied two years ago, as I mentioned, and went through a lot of the processes I outlined already. And when they decided to cancel the Academy for July of '08, he was bummed. They remembered his name though and kept his resume and application on file. I guess he made an impression on them especially with all of his Army experience. Now, he will be one of the highest paid starting Police Officers in Prince William County because of his education and military experience. I am so proud of him!
It will be a lifestyle change, though. There is no doubt I'll be worrying every day and praying he is okay on the streets (though I'm sure a lot of it will be proudly handing speeding tickets out). I'm expecting me and my family members to be slyly pulled over by him from time to time when we're speeding as well (very funny, Isaac). I imagine that will be after he gets bored from eating all the sweets from Dunkin' Donuts. Hey, maybe he'll gain a few pounds. This would be great!
I dunno' if I'm ready for it, but I support him no matter what. It will suck when I am just about to wake up and he is just getting home, or vice versa. It will be no fun when he has to work on certain holidays or will have to pull a side job patrolling traffic, but it is pretty cool to know that I'll feel protected, and so will our neighbors and our families. Just think...when we are buying a coffee at 7-eleven and a mean man holds up the lady behind the counter for all her money with a toquito hanging out of his mouth, and Isaac is in his Reebok sweats, he can whip his badge out and save the day. Hopefully that will never happen and the weapon the dude is holding is a watergun. But to think that my husband, your son(in law), our friend, your brother-in-law, and the community's courageous servant will be looking to save us is a feeling that I will love knowing I can have, until he becomes a DETECTIVE!
He will start the Academy on January 13th where he will undergo 6 months of what I'm sure will be intense training. Cindy, his mom, was also a Police Officer for Prince William County several years ago (I think it was Prince William) and underwent the same training (she is now a Wine Chemist in San Francisco, California).
He has spent nearly two years undergoing a number of tests, phsyicals, interrogations (joke), bloodwork, interviews, etc. It is a much more detailed process than I thought. They talked with so many of our family members including my parents, his parents, my sisters and brother-in-law, a number of our close friends, Army Sergeants, past and present employers, as well as one or two of our neighbors. He deserves a big round of applause (virtually) for his hard, persistent work.
He actually applied two years ago, as I mentioned, and went through a lot of the processes I outlined already. And when they decided to cancel the Academy for July of '08, he was bummed. They remembered his name though and kept his resume and application on file. I guess he made an impression on them especially with all of his Army experience. Now, he will be one of the highest paid starting Police Officers in Prince William County because of his education and military experience. I am so proud of him!
It will be a lifestyle change, though. There is no doubt I'll be worrying every day and praying he is okay on the streets (though I'm sure a lot of it will be proudly handing speeding tickets out). I'm expecting me and my family members to be slyly pulled over by him from time to time when we're speeding as well (very funny, Isaac). I imagine that will be after he gets bored from eating all the sweets from Dunkin' Donuts. Hey, maybe he'll gain a few pounds. This would be great!
I dunno' if I'm ready for it, but I support him no matter what. It will suck when I am just about to wake up and he is just getting home, or vice versa. It will be no fun when he has to work on certain holidays or will have to pull a side job patrolling traffic, but it is pretty cool to know that I'll feel protected, and so will our neighbors and our families. Just think...when we are buying a coffee at 7-eleven and a mean man holds up the lady behind the counter for all her money with a toquito hanging out of his mouth, and Isaac is in his Reebok sweats, he can whip his badge out and save the day. Hopefully that will never happen and the weapon the dude is holding is a watergun. But to think that my husband, your son(in law), our friend, your brother-in-law, and the community's courageous servant will be looking to save us is a feeling that I will love knowing I can have, until he becomes a DETECTIVE!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Some Good Movies
As Christmas "break" sets in and work comes to a halt for a week or two, I'm thinking back on some good movies I've seen (in preparation to watch them again), and looking ahead at viewing some new ones. I think two of my all time favorites are "Something's Gotta Give" and "The Holiday." Coincidentally, they were both directed by Nancy Meyers. There is also a new movie coming out on Christmas Day called "it's Complicated," which is also directed by Nancy Meyers. So, I'm thinking I'll probably end up seeing that too and probably devour it. I guess I like her style.
"Something's Gotta Give" was a great movie for me because it was the perfect length (as was "The Holiday"). It was not too short, but not too long. It had great characters and good senses of humor. And I loved, loved, loved the beach house. It was so...perfect. It was not too beach-y and not too unrealistic. It made me want to redesign my house to look just like it. And, the fact that Erica used an Apple computer instead of a PC, for her writing, made it all the more relatable. It was so clean, too. Not clean from a sexual or vulgarity standpoint, but in a fresh way. Maybe crisp is a better word. Everything about the house from their outfits and attire, to their food and wine and choice of restaurants, to the fresh ocean air surrounding them seemed refreshing. I think it was the way they portrayed their lifestyle that made the movie a breath of fresh air to watch.
Diane Keaton did get on my nerves a bit. She always does and I don't know why. I think part of the reason is because they had the "some 'older' women can still be attractive" mentality when they made the film. However, showing someone's full bodied figure at, what, 57, is not really something I want to see. Period. Sorry. At any rate, I wanted to waltz right into that house and make it my own. And the fact that the whole family seemed classy and prosperous in a subtle way made it enjoyable as well. They did not seem to flaunt their success or make it seem to outweigh any real problems they had. Divorce is still hard to deal with (Marin dealing with her dad remarrying) and new heartbreak is tough to swallow (Erica and Harry). It was life. And life for them was real--and good.
"The Holiday" is another favorite of mine. I think I like it more than the former. Again, Meyers just has a way of finding great, ripe actors and developing their characters into ones we fall in love with. I love the story of Amanda and Graham. Cameron Diaz and Jude Law developed those characters so well. It was such a unique way of finding love and one we probably cannot relate to but dream of. And Ira and Miles' love stories were beyond relatable. Ira--a typical girl who fell in love with Jasper Bloom who has been unavailable for years and will never become available. Finding gumption, it seemed, was the only answer. How many stories are there like that out in the world? We could all use a little gumption.
From the moment you set eyes on this double love story unfolding with all it's twists and turns it envelops you in a way that finds no retreat. Even though the love parts of the plot were semi-typical (especially the Amanda and Graham story) it is still sensational to watch. The way that Meyers even plays their English accents (including little Sophie and Olivia) into the movie was brilliant and the part with Arthur Abbott just adds another exciting dimension.
'
I'm really excited to see what Meyers' next movie, coming out Christmas day, holds. She has great ideas, great subjects, and amazing talents that she brings to every motion picture.
I think I've found my new, and first, favorite director.
"Something's Gotta Give" was a great movie for me because it was the perfect length (as was "The Holiday"). It was not too short, but not too long. It had great characters and good senses of humor. And I loved, loved, loved the beach house. It was so...perfect. It was not too beach-y and not too unrealistic. It made me want to redesign my house to look just like it. And, the fact that Erica used an Apple computer instead of a PC, for her writing, made it all the more relatable. It was so clean, too. Not clean from a sexual or vulgarity standpoint, but in a fresh way. Maybe crisp is a better word. Everything about the house from their outfits and attire, to their food and wine and choice of restaurants, to the fresh ocean air surrounding them seemed refreshing. I think it was the way they portrayed their lifestyle that made the movie a breath of fresh air to watch.
Diane Keaton did get on my nerves a bit. She always does and I don't know why. I think part of the reason is because they had the "some 'older' women can still be attractive" mentality when they made the film. However, showing someone's full bodied figure at, what, 57, is not really something I want to see. Period. Sorry. At any rate, I wanted to waltz right into that house and make it my own. And the fact that the whole family seemed classy and prosperous in a subtle way made it enjoyable as well. They did not seem to flaunt their success or make it seem to outweigh any real problems they had. Divorce is still hard to deal with (Marin dealing with her dad remarrying) and new heartbreak is tough to swallow (Erica and Harry). It was life. And life for them was real--and good.
"The Holiday" is another favorite of mine. I think I like it more than the former. Again, Meyers just has a way of finding great, ripe actors and developing their characters into ones we fall in love with. I love the story of Amanda and Graham. Cameron Diaz and Jude Law developed those characters so well. It was such a unique way of finding love and one we probably cannot relate to but dream of. And Ira and Miles' love stories were beyond relatable. Ira--a typical girl who fell in love with Jasper Bloom who has been unavailable for years and will never become available. Finding gumption, it seemed, was the only answer. How many stories are there like that out in the world? We could all use a little gumption.
From the moment you set eyes on this double love story unfolding with all it's twists and turns it envelops you in a way that finds no retreat. Even though the love parts of the plot were semi-typical (especially the Amanda and Graham story) it is still sensational to watch. The way that Meyers even plays their English accents (including little Sophie and Olivia) into the movie was brilliant and the part with Arthur Abbott just adds another exciting dimension.
'
I'm really excited to see what Meyers' next movie, coming out Christmas day, holds. She has great ideas, great subjects, and amazing talents that she brings to every motion picture.
I think I've found my new, and first, favorite director.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
A Note About Accessories
You always hear people say, “I don’t have any clothes.” If that really meant what it said, I wouldn’t want to be your friend. I prefer my friend’s fully dressed. My instincts tell me this just means you are tired of the wardrobe your have in your closet and feel like you have worn each article of clothing one too many times. My gut tells me you’re genuinely ready for some new looks and styles.
I am the same way. I actually do think I need to go clothes shopping because I have had some of the same clothes for years, including a pink Roxy sweatshirt that I bought when I was practically in high school. Some things you just never want to give up. But, I have a fashion secret: all you need is a little accessorizing. Accessories, non-fashion speaking, are the little balloon designs on top of birthday cakes. They’re the pictures hanging on the walls in your house. They’re the wine charmers on your wine bottle. They’re the shiny new glass knobs you installed on your dresser drawers. They’re the spoilers (ugly) on the back of your cars. They’re the cute strawberry hand towels you have hanging on your refrigerator door or the blanket you have thrown over your couch. All these things add a little “something” to the dullness that is.
The same way you decorate your house, your car, or your food, you can decorate yourself. But please don’t take a tube of frosting and draw balloons on your favorite sweater or drape a strawberry towel over your shoulder. I said accessorize your clothes, not wear your bedspread to work.
What I am suggesting is simple. If all you have to wear are black shirts, you can rotate them out every week. Wear a scarf with one Monday, earrings with one on Tuesday, a necklace with one Wednesday, a belt with one on Thursday, and a vest over one on Friday. No one will ever know that you are wearing the same shirt over and over again. The following week you could wear the scarf with the earrings and the belt with the necklace, or the belt and the scarf together. Making sense?
Let’s say you don’t have a belt. Wear your scarf as a belt. If you have two necklaces, wear both of them together to make a cosmopolitan look. I will say that less is more, but you can wear lots of different things and still make your outfit look simple. Do your hair different too. Wear it up in a clip on Monday, down on Tuesday, half up on Wednesday, in a bun on Thursday, and put a headband it in on Friday. People will appreciate and value your sense of fashion and respect you more. Trust me!
People always ask me where I get my clothes or my jewelry or where I got a certain purse. The truth is, I’ve gotten a lot of things at Target and even Wal-mart (alright, not a whole lot at Wal-mart, I’m a Ross and Marshall’s girl). But, the key is to dumb it down and play it up with embellishments and add-ons. You can buy so many cheap things and make them look fancy by creating different looks. Adorning your outfit with different things is the key to a successful and sassy wardrobe.
Rings are good accessories too – even fake ones. People kill me when they think that only real jewelry is classy. True it might be “classy” and classy is good. There is a time and a place for classy. But sexy and flashy can be good as well. If you are concerned with being too sexy at work, you should be. That’s good. It shows you have a good sense of awareness. But there is a way to be sexy and classy at the same time. For instance, wear one of those black shirts we talked about, but find one that is slightly more open in the front than the rest – one that shows a smidgen of your shoulders, but not too much. Make sure it is fitting to your stomach. Then, drape your neck with a shiny, silver, slim, and sleek chain. Simple. Wear a pencil skirt with a belt that wraps your waist at the midline. Throw on some stilettos and you are good to go! People respect classy and sexy together. They think it’s a smart and sophisticated look.
Baggy is good too. I love my baggy sweaters. But, pair them with skinny jeans and accessorize them with boots and a long pearl necklace so it gives your outfit variety. Or, drape that baggy sweater with a low-hanging belt.
If you wear your hair up, offset that neck, again, with a necklace. If you wear your hair down, offset your hair with a belt or a scarf. And remember, black goes with everything. Though, too much black can be Goth-like. Also, pink is not child-like. It’s sexy, if worn with the right piece of something else. It can represent softness and a sense that you like to feel pretty. But, make sure you pair it with something to offset the pink or else you may be labeled too flashy.
Earrings, necklaces, headbands, belts, scarves, bracelets, bobby pins, clips, barrettes, rings, boots, stockings, leggings, heels, and even makeup, in my opinion, are all forms of accessories. Use them, take advantage of them. Spoil yourself with what they can do for you. Dress yourself up, or dress yourself down. Add a big or small touch of flair to anything you own, but remember – play it smart by not always playing it safe. Take a risk!
I am the same way. I actually do think I need to go clothes shopping because I have had some of the same clothes for years, including a pink Roxy sweatshirt that I bought when I was practically in high school. Some things you just never want to give up. But, I have a fashion secret: all you need is a little accessorizing. Accessories, non-fashion speaking, are the little balloon designs on top of birthday cakes. They’re the pictures hanging on the walls in your house. They’re the wine charmers on your wine bottle. They’re the shiny new glass knobs you installed on your dresser drawers. They’re the spoilers (ugly) on the back of your cars. They’re the cute strawberry hand towels you have hanging on your refrigerator door or the blanket you have thrown over your couch. All these things add a little “something” to the dullness that is.
The same way you decorate your house, your car, or your food, you can decorate yourself. But please don’t take a tube of frosting and draw balloons on your favorite sweater or drape a strawberry towel over your shoulder. I said accessorize your clothes, not wear your bedspread to work.
What I am suggesting is simple. If all you have to wear are black shirts, you can rotate them out every week. Wear a scarf with one Monday, earrings with one on Tuesday, a necklace with one Wednesday, a belt with one on Thursday, and a vest over one on Friday. No one will ever know that you are wearing the same shirt over and over again. The following week you could wear the scarf with the earrings and the belt with the necklace, or the belt and the scarf together. Making sense?
Let’s say you don’t have a belt. Wear your scarf as a belt. If you have two necklaces, wear both of them together to make a cosmopolitan look. I will say that less is more, but you can wear lots of different things and still make your outfit look simple. Do your hair different too. Wear it up in a clip on Monday, down on Tuesday, half up on Wednesday, in a bun on Thursday, and put a headband it in on Friday. People will appreciate and value your sense of fashion and respect you more. Trust me!
People always ask me where I get my clothes or my jewelry or where I got a certain purse. The truth is, I’ve gotten a lot of things at Target and even Wal-mart (alright, not a whole lot at Wal-mart, I’m a Ross and Marshall’s girl). But, the key is to dumb it down and play it up with embellishments and add-ons. You can buy so many cheap things and make them look fancy by creating different looks. Adorning your outfit with different things is the key to a successful and sassy wardrobe.
Rings are good accessories too – even fake ones. People kill me when they think that only real jewelry is classy. True it might be “classy” and classy is good. There is a time and a place for classy. But sexy and flashy can be good as well. If you are concerned with being too sexy at work, you should be. That’s good. It shows you have a good sense of awareness. But there is a way to be sexy and classy at the same time. For instance, wear one of those black shirts we talked about, but find one that is slightly more open in the front than the rest – one that shows a smidgen of your shoulders, but not too much. Make sure it is fitting to your stomach. Then, drape your neck with a shiny, silver, slim, and sleek chain. Simple. Wear a pencil skirt with a belt that wraps your waist at the midline. Throw on some stilettos and you are good to go! People respect classy and sexy together. They think it’s a smart and sophisticated look.
Baggy is good too. I love my baggy sweaters. But, pair them with skinny jeans and accessorize them with boots and a long pearl necklace so it gives your outfit variety. Or, drape that baggy sweater with a low-hanging belt.
If you wear your hair up, offset that neck, again, with a necklace. If you wear your hair down, offset your hair with a belt or a scarf. And remember, black goes with everything. Though, too much black can be Goth-like. Also, pink is not child-like. It’s sexy, if worn with the right piece of something else. It can represent softness and a sense that you like to feel pretty. But, make sure you pair it with something to offset the pink or else you may be labeled too flashy.
Earrings, necklaces, headbands, belts, scarves, bracelets, bobby pins, clips, barrettes, rings, boots, stockings, leggings, heels, and even makeup, in my opinion, are all forms of accessories. Use them, take advantage of them. Spoil yourself with what they can do for you. Dress yourself up, or dress yourself down. Add a big or small touch of flair to anything you own, but remember – play it smart by not always playing it safe. Take a risk!
Friday, September 11, 2009
9.11.01
After reading my last post over again and catching a glimpse into my portrayal of workweek bitterness I realized that instead of complaining about how tired and downtrodden I am I should have been paying tribute to our soldiers and civilians who lost their lives as a result of 9/11...and the military men and women fighting our enemy, protecting our country, and risking their lives to keep America free.
I remember I was in chapel when we got the word that the Twin Towers were hit. Where were you? How did it make you feel? Will you ever forget it? I will never forget the way it wove together a unique group of college kids with one passion: to save the lost of those still living and affected by this tragic circumstance.
Will you ever forget the way it struck you when you got the news? Have we forgotten what it's like, already, to have lived through such a tragic moment in history, and have we put it all behind us?
Let us not forget those who boldly went where no one else wanted to go when they stood up and took a stand for freedom. Those fighting today are true heroes and examples of disciplined, honorable, grounded soldiers who deserve the funds we have instead given to a senseless effort like global warming.
I will never forget that day. I will never forget that moment. And I will always try to remember the pain and suffering of the lives affected by that tragedy when I am raging about my own minute problems that are nothing but small heartburns compared to the evil and massive destruction that ruined the lives of many.
God bless America.
I remember I was in chapel when we got the word that the Twin Towers were hit. Where were you? How did it make you feel? Will you ever forget it? I will never forget the way it wove together a unique group of college kids with one passion: to save the lost of those still living and affected by this tragic circumstance.
Will you ever forget the way it struck you when you got the news? Have we forgotten what it's like, already, to have lived through such a tragic moment in history, and have we put it all behind us?
Let us not forget those who boldly went where no one else wanted to go when they stood up and took a stand for freedom. Those fighting today are true heroes and examples of disciplined, honorable, grounded soldiers who deserve the funds we have instead given to a senseless effort like global warming.
I will never forget that day. I will never forget that moment. And I will always try to remember the pain and suffering of the lives affected by that tragedy when I am raging about my own minute problems that are nothing but small heartburns compared to the evil and massive destruction that ruined the lives of many.
God bless America.
Hello, Friday.
This was one of those weeks I just couldn't wait to end. From wedding shower shopping to babysitting I am exhausted. I know, sounds stressful doesn't it? Tuesday was a day to catch up on bills and one other thing I needed to do, but that was my only day of relaxation, at the beginning of the week no less, and I knew that it would be my last until today. TGIF.
I've gotten to the point each day where I'm too exhausted to put a good effort into "straightening up the house" after I get home from work or to even make dinner. It probably has a lot to do with the fact that I'm a perpetual night owl and get no sleep, AT ALL, during the night (tossing and turning doesn't help, either). I used to never be like this. I actually felt bad when I went to bed with dishes in the sink or came home, took off my shoes, and missed the mat. But I am in no state, as of late, to so much as lift up a finger to wipe the crumbs off the counter. Forget ironing clothes, I can't even find energy to boil a hot dog for dinner. I've chosen to point my finger at my husband to do chores, instead (somehow, though, I end up doing them anyway). I guess he has an excuse: work, Army, and school will do a body tired (*cheez*).
It's sad, too, cuz' Friday nights used to be my thing. I can't remember the last time I actually didn't want to go out to eat after a week of work or want to stay up late and see a movie. Are we getting that old? I don't even have kids!
I'm at the point where I want a maid. Once a month would work. What happened to my energy and charisma? I think it plummeted south when I went to war with the metro.
Oh, the joys of the 8 to 5 life. At least I have Facebook to come home to--to gain knowledge about how crappy other folks' day went, or to read the string of 8 posts on how someone, since 9am that morning, has been filled with an upmost chipper spirit. Or better yet--how they've beaten Mafia Wars and added a friend to their Farmtown. That really excites me. Perhaps I will lose some friends after I post this. Don't worry...I was going to delete you anyway.
I've gotten to the point each day where I'm too exhausted to put a good effort into "straightening up the house" after I get home from work or to even make dinner. It probably has a lot to do with the fact that I'm a perpetual night owl and get no sleep, AT ALL, during the night (tossing and turning doesn't help, either). I used to never be like this. I actually felt bad when I went to bed with dishes in the sink or came home, took off my shoes, and missed the mat. But I am in no state, as of late, to so much as lift up a finger to wipe the crumbs off the counter. Forget ironing clothes, I can't even find energy to boil a hot dog for dinner. I've chosen to point my finger at my husband to do chores, instead (somehow, though, I end up doing them anyway). I guess he has an excuse: work, Army, and school will do a body tired (*cheez*).
It's sad, too, cuz' Friday nights used to be my thing. I can't remember the last time I actually didn't want to go out to eat after a week of work or want to stay up late and see a movie. Are we getting that old? I don't even have kids!
I'm at the point where I want a maid. Once a month would work. What happened to my energy and charisma? I think it plummeted south when I went to war with the metro.
Oh, the joys of the 8 to 5 life. At least I have Facebook to come home to--to gain knowledge about how crappy other folks' day went, or to read the string of 8 posts on how someone, since 9am that morning, has been filled with an upmost chipper spirit. Or better yet--how they've beaten Mafia Wars and added a friend to their Farmtown. That really excites me. Perhaps I will lose some friends after I post this. Don't worry...I was going to delete you anyway.
Monday, September 7, 2009
"Bona Fide City Girl"
I watched a Sex and the City episode on DVD the other day. It was the one where Carrie labeled herself as a "Bona fide City Girl" and as I went hiking on Sunday, in the middle of nowheresville, I realized that that's what I am...a "Bona fide City Girl."
As we drove through Warrenton, past Skyline Drive, down to Sperryville, and into Syria (not the Arab Republic...*smirk*) I realized how far out into the country we were. The only time I remember being that far out in the country was when we went to visit Isaac's grandma in Orange County and drove through a very narrow road (per Google Map direction) to get through to an intersection we needed to go down to arrive at her house. It was so narrow that I think I remember our car nearly getting stuck as we trekked slowly past tiny houses on hills that were far apart from each other.
But we were. We were so far out into the country that we had approached the point of narrow, winding roads again (much like the ones in Orange County) and small towns with about three stores each that were colored in faint yellows and reds. I do say, it was a relaxing and peaceful drive, but it was such an eye opener to reality in the realm of the slow-life. People had clothes hanging on rope lines (I haven't seen that in a while). Not only clothes, but socks. One guy was hangin' out in his yard, sippin' a beer, while his socks were strewn across the clothesline waitin' to dry. Clothes I have seen, but socks? Hysterical.
We take so much for granted, don't we? I mean, it's no big deal for us to throw a load in the wash and let it run for us, or tote ourselves a block down the street to 7-eleven to grab a carton of milk or tub o' butter. We were actually in the midst of people who make that milk and tub of butter and sell it to 7-eleven!
After having passed the country world we drove deep into the woods and this "bona fide city girl" did some serious hiking. It was no small feat, either: 8 miles total, up and back. Don't get me wrong. I love the outdoors. I love getting sweaty and dirty and playing sports and even getting a good cut or bruise every now and then! And buddy, by the time we reached decent we were thinking we'd all need hip replacements. And when I say we, I am referring to Isaac, Isaac's boss, and Isaac's boss's fiance (if that isn't a mouthful). They had been on the hike once before and decided to take us along this time.
But true to heart I am a city girl. No, I didn't grow up in NYC (wishful thinking). No, I didn't grow up in D.C. (nearly), but I did grow up in Manassas (regretful...KIDDING...ok...maybe just a little). Manassas is not THE city or even a GREAT city, really. It is a city, no less, but it's not a very good one. The only part of Manassas that is very dear to my heart is Old Town. Every time I take a stroll down West, or Battle, or Center, or Church street I take a stroll down memory lane. It's such a quaint town. And yes, there may only be a few stores, but they're stores that I love and stores that have familiar faces to which will always be a comfort to me. Besides, I grew up on West St., which was a hop skip and a jump from Rohr's...my favorite five and dime candy store.
Anyway, it's not a very good city. It's rather crappy in areas. There are parts that are dungy and trashy and, well, gross. Some of the houses near Hayden Elementary (where I went to grade school) are cute as well, but other than that I can't say much. It will always be my hometown, though. And I'll always love it for that. But because I have grown up in the "city" and been exposed to things at my fingertips, I like it that way. I will never be a country girl no matter how hard I try to think I want to be or how much I try to expose myself to the "simple life", this is the simple life for me: 12am ice cream runs, 2pm (or 4pm or 6pm or 9pm) coffee breaks, wireless internet anywhere I choose at any time I want, shopping on nearly ever corner, new cars, new restaurants, and new faces. I love it. Every ounce. And I don't think I'd change it for the world.
As we drove through Warrenton, past Skyline Drive, down to Sperryville, and into Syria (not the Arab Republic...*smirk*) I realized how far out into the country we were. The only time I remember being that far out in the country was when we went to visit Isaac's grandma in Orange County and drove through a very narrow road (per Google Map direction) to get through to an intersection we needed to go down to arrive at her house. It was so narrow that I think I remember our car nearly getting stuck as we trekked slowly past tiny houses on hills that were far apart from each other.
But we were. We were so far out into the country that we had approached the point of narrow, winding roads again (much like the ones in Orange County) and small towns with about three stores each that were colored in faint yellows and reds. I do say, it was a relaxing and peaceful drive, but it was such an eye opener to reality in the realm of the slow-life. People had clothes hanging on rope lines (I haven't seen that in a while). Not only clothes, but socks. One guy was hangin' out in his yard, sippin' a beer, while his socks were strewn across the clothesline waitin' to dry. Clothes I have seen, but socks? Hysterical.
We take so much for granted, don't we? I mean, it's no big deal for us to throw a load in the wash and let it run for us, or tote ourselves a block down the street to 7-eleven to grab a carton of milk or tub o' butter. We were actually in the midst of people who make that milk and tub of butter and sell it to 7-eleven!
After having passed the country world we drove deep into the woods and this "bona fide city girl" did some serious hiking. It was no small feat, either: 8 miles total, up and back. Don't get me wrong. I love the outdoors. I love getting sweaty and dirty and playing sports and even getting a good cut or bruise every now and then! And buddy, by the time we reached decent we were thinking we'd all need hip replacements. And when I say we, I am referring to Isaac, Isaac's boss, and Isaac's boss's fiance (if that isn't a mouthful). They had been on the hike once before and decided to take us along this time.
But true to heart I am a city girl. No, I didn't grow up in NYC (wishful thinking). No, I didn't grow up in D.C. (nearly), but I did grow up in Manassas (regretful...KIDDING...ok...maybe just a little). Manassas is not THE city or even a GREAT city, really. It is a city, no less, but it's not a very good one. The only part of Manassas that is very dear to my heart is Old Town. Every time I take a stroll down West, or Battle, or Center, or Church street I take a stroll down memory lane. It's such a quaint town. And yes, there may only be a few stores, but they're stores that I love and stores that have familiar faces to which will always be a comfort to me. Besides, I grew up on West St., which was a hop skip and a jump from Rohr's...my favorite five and dime candy store.
Anyway, it's not a very good city. It's rather crappy in areas. There are parts that are dungy and trashy and, well, gross. Some of the houses near Hayden Elementary (where I went to grade school) are cute as well, but other than that I can't say much. It will always be my hometown, though. And I'll always love it for that. But because I have grown up in the "city" and been exposed to things at my fingertips, I like it that way. I will never be a country girl no matter how hard I try to think I want to be or how much I try to expose myself to the "simple life", this is the simple life for me: 12am ice cream runs, 2pm (or 4pm or 6pm or 9pm) coffee breaks, wireless internet anywhere I choose at any time I want, shopping on nearly ever corner, new cars, new restaurants, and new faces. I love it. Every ounce. And I don't think I'd change it for the world.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The Homecoming for Starts
For Anna
Fall is, indeed, the homecoming for starts. It is the beginning of fall, the initiation of football, the start of the school year, the kickoff to autumn, the prelude to a wonder of good smells, and the time of year that begins a myriad of holidays. It presents the moment when we first think about breaking out that sweater we love so much that fits perfectly around our waist and makes us feel so warm or that sensational coffee drink that we only permit ourselves to indulge in one time of year. It is a period of joy: the air is crisp and the leaves are so pretty that we do not worry about anything else because the hope of what's to come is just around the corner.
Fall is, in one word, refreshing. It fills us with hopes and dreams of becoming better, of trying new things, of accomplishing goals, and becoming people we aspire to be. Why? Because it is much like the start of the new year, except it's not the start of a new year. It's actually, as we know, the beginning of the close to a year. I think the beginning of a new year is just a date--it really has no relevance to the timing of when we begin something new. Rather, fall holds the joys of new births.
Fall is a time when most people choose to mark their start of a new life together (I know of 5 people, right off the top of my head, who got married, or are getting married, in October). January is smack in the middle of winter. It's a dead month, a dreary month, a gray month. What if we made fall our start of new beginnings, instead?
Fall is my inspiration to dream big. It's my inspiration to be better, do better, and live better. It's marked with sweetness and color-coated events with bright lights that drive our souls to discovery. It's marked with simplicity and captivating sensations that sweep us off the floor and into the cool, breath of the night. For some reason, fall is the beginning of most things new. The calendar doesn't say so, but our hearts do--they pine for family gatherings, unplanned rendezvous, rich conversations on back porches, congratulations letters for making the team, first dances on the basketball floor, first kisses on the football stadium bleachers, first I love you's, first roommates in college, first time away from parents, first child going off to his first day of school, first real homework assignment, first A.
Take the word fall, for example. It means, "to happen or occur as if falling on something and enveloping in it; to begin to be in, or enter into, a specified state or condition; to begin doing something vigorously." All these definitions suggest embracement, beginnings, and starts.
Fall is embracement. It's embracing what lies ahead, what is to come, and what will be. It brings closeness, warmth, and love more than any other time of year. It is time to embrace today, now.
Fall is, indeed, the homecoming for starts. It is the beginning of fall, the initiation of football, the start of the school year, the kickoff to autumn, the prelude to a wonder of good smells, and the time of year that begins a myriad of holidays. It presents the moment when we first think about breaking out that sweater we love so much that fits perfectly around our waist and makes us feel so warm or that sensational coffee drink that we only permit ourselves to indulge in one time of year. It is a period of joy: the air is crisp and the leaves are so pretty that we do not worry about anything else because the hope of what's to come is just around the corner.
Fall is, in one word, refreshing. It fills us with hopes and dreams of becoming better, of trying new things, of accomplishing goals, and becoming people we aspire to be. Why? Because it is much like the start of the new year, except it's not the start of a new year. It's actually, as we know, the beginning of the close to a year. I think the beginning of a new year is just a date--it really has no relevance to the timing of when we begin something new. Rather, fall holds the joys of new births.
Fall is a time when most people choose to mark their start of a new life together (I know of 5 people, right off the top of my head, who got married, or are getting married, in October). January is smack in the middle of winter. It's a dead month, a dreary month, a gray month. What if we made fall our start of new beginnings, instead?
Fall is my inspiration to dream big. It's my inspiration to be better, do better, and live better. It's marked with sweetness and color-coated events with bright lights that drive our souls to discovery. It's marked with simplicity and captivating sensations that sweep us off the floor and into the cool, breath of the night. For some reason, fall is the beginning of most things new. The calendar doesn't say so, but our hearts do--they pine for family gatherings, unplanned rendezvous, rich conversations on back porches, congratulations letters for making the team, first dances on the basketball floor, first kisses on the football stadium bleachers, first I love you's, first roommates in college, first time away from parents, first child going off to his first day of school, first real homework assignment, first A.
Take the word fall, for example. It means, "to happen or occur as if falling on something and enveloping in it; to begin to be in, or enter into, a specified state or condition; to begin doing something vigorously." All these definitions suggest embracement, beginnings, and starts.
Fall is embracement. It's embracing what lies ahead, what is to come, and what will be. It brings closeness, warmth, and love more than any other time of year. It is time to embrace today, now.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
It Doesn't Really Matter
It is strange how the older you get the less you worry about what people think of you.
I have made, and still make, many mistakes. I've had many a fallout with friends through childhood, adolescent, and adult years, been made fun of, been judged, have judged, gotten into arguments and disagreements with people I like, and dislike, been talked about behind my back, talked about others behind their backs, said things I shouldn't have, done things I shouldn't have, and have worried about the repair of every relationship that's been affected by those things.
In your childhood years, it's not so bad. You don't really know who you are, yet. You think you're sure of, but not really aware of, your surroundings, but you aren't mature enough to even understand what real relationships are. You make these friends that you have fun with, play with, and share the same joys with--in the dirt, at the playground or on the sidewalk, but you don't really realize that you'll probably not ever see them again after you go off to middle school, then high school, and evenutually college.
In adolescent years, it gets a little worse. You constantly analyze what someone says about you wondering if you really do have ratty hair and jacked up teeth. You are dying to be popular and take every little thing to heart that someone says about you. You want the boys to like you, you want to fit in with the cliques at school, you kill to make the cheerleading squad and die to make the gymnastics team. If you don't, you look bad, and worry about what people think of you if you don't make it because you have to deal with them, every day of your life, for the next 180 days of the school year. Those relationships aren't easily mended because people at that age don't easily forgive you--tweens are mean and snotty and ridiculing. So, it takes you longer to get over the comments that hurt you, that upset you, and that made you cry because you are constantly pondering on why they said what they said so you can still fit in, which is your one, ultimate goal in mind at that particular period of your life.
As you grow older you realize that what people said about you doesn't mean much. The comments Suzy made about your dress in high school means nothing anymore because you haven't seen her in years, and looking back, neither of you really knew what fashion was anyway. So, as you become an adult you do not take things to heart, as much, if someone has said something about you in the same capacity, or if someone has a certain opinion of you. It could be that they have just not matured fully enough to realize, yet, that every person is equal and God made us with the same beauty as He made our co-worker, boss, partner, teammate, etc. They may not realize that in the grand scheme of life what they say and how they feel about you really don't matter anyway. And since you have come to this realization yourself, you are able to let things go.
Don't get me wrong: it may take longer to get over relationships, as you get older, because a bond you might have made with someone has been broken, but when you get older you don't really care anymore about the piddly things that once mattered when you were younger. You go to work, for work. You make friends because they're good company. You join a team because you want the carmaraderie and competition. You don't worry, anymore, about how someone thinks you look in your wedding tiara because you know it makes you happy for wearing it. And, if they are that concerned with your looks and your presentation and the opinions you make of yourself, then they have obviously not crossed over into the real paradigm of adult-hood and are still stuck behind, lost in a phase of immaturity and temporary rapture.
I have made, and still make, many mistakes. I've had many a fallout with friends through childhood, adolescent, and adult years, been made fun of, been judged, have judged, gotten into arguments and disagreements with people I like, and dislike, been talked about behind my back, talked about others behind their backs, said things I shouldn't have, done things I shouldn't have, and have worried about the repair of every relationship that's been affected by those things.
In your childhood years, it's not so bad. You don't really know who you are, yet. You think you're sure of, but not really aware of, your surroundings, but you aren't mature enough to even understand what real relationships are. You make these friends that you have fun with, play with, and share the same joys with--in the dirt, at the playground or on the sidewalk, but you don't really realize that you'll probably not ever see them again after you go off to middle school, then high school, and evenutually college.
In adolescent years, it gets a little worse. You constantly analyze what someone says about you wondering if you really do have ratty hair and jacked up teeth. You are dying to be popular and take every little thing to heart that someone says about you. You want the boys to like you, you want to fit in with the cliques at school, you kill to make the cheerleading squad and die to make the gymnastics team. If you don't, you look bad, and worry about what people think of you if you don't make it because you have to deal with them, every day of your life, for the next 180 days of the school year. Those relationships aren't easily mended because people at that age don't easily forgive you--tweens are mean and snotty and ridiculing. So, it takes you longer to get over the comments that hurt you, that upset you, and that made you cry because you are constantly pondering on why they said what they said so you can still fit in, which is your one, ultimate goal in mind at that particular period of your life.
As you grow older you realize that what people said about you doesn't mean much. The comments Suzy made about your dress in high school means nothing anymore because you haven't seen her in years, and looking back, neither of you really knew what fashion was anyway. So, as you become an adult you do not take things to heart, as much, if someone has said something about you in the same capacity, or if someone has a certain opinion of you. It could be that they have just not matured fully enough to realize, yet, that every person is equal and God made us with the same beauty as He made our co-worker, boss, partner, teammate, etc. They may not realize that in the grand scheme of life what they say and how they feel about you really don't matter anyway. And since you have come to this realization yourself, you are able to let things go.
Don't get me wrong: it may take longer to get over relationships, as you get older, because a bond you might have made with someone has been broken, but when you get older you don't really care anymore about the piddly things that once mattered when you were younger. You go to work, for work. You make friends because they're good company. You join a team because you want the carmaraderie and competition. You don't worry, anymore, about how someone thinks you look in your wedding tiara because you know it makes you happy for wearing it. And, if they are that concerned with your looks and your presentation and the opinions you make of yourself, then they have obviously not crossed over into the real paradigm of adult-hood and are still stuck behind, lost in a phase of immaturity and temporary rapture.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Rant
If you don't know how to write an email, send an email, find a name in a directory, find a file, send a file, or be polite, then you shouldn't be working in the business world!
Perhaps you had one too many crumpets with your pinky finger raised in the air just high enough to the point that you forgot to put it down and set into reality. This business, as you should know it, is not into having an admin do your work. It is not into outsourcing your personal needs and preferences to someone else within the organization who can better do it for you. It is not about stepping on people's toes to get what you want. It is about being resourceful, tactful, compromising, and decent.
Just because you came in here with fresh ideas and a fresh outlook on processes does not mean you don't have to learn the ones that are already in place. . . and learn from the PEOPLE who are already in place. This is a two-way street, not a one way narrow path. Get with our program before you create one of your own. Have some class, some sense, and some "thinking outside of the box"-ness before you go trying to change, strategize, and implement all things new.
We welcomed you in. Now, help yourself by learning what you don't know before assuming people will know it for you.
Beaten? Nah...
Perhaps you had one too many crumpets with your pinky finger raised in the air just high enough to the point that you forgot to put it down and set into reality. This business, as you should know it, is not into having an admin do your work. It is not into outsourcing your personal needs and preferences to someone else within the organization who can better do it for you. It is not about stepping on people's toes to get what you want. It is about being resourceful, tactful, compromising, and decent.
Just because you came in here with fresh ideas and a fresh outlook on processes does not mean you don't have to learn the ones that are already in place. . . and learn from the PEOPLE who are already in place. This is a two-way street, not a one way narrow path. Get with our program before you create one of your own. Have some class, some sense, and some "thinking outside of the box"-ness before you go trying to change, strategize, and implement all things new.
We welcomed you in. Now, help yourself by learning what you don't know before assuming people will know it for you.
Beaten? Nah...
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Ballston is Not
You are hardly the DC/Metro area. You are on the utmost outskirts of your biggest counterparts. You are small, sad, and piddly. You have nothing. Your knockoff Central Park-like spot in the middle of this parish is your highlight, but it is hardly what they call part of "the city."
You have one hot dog stand. One stand-alone Starbucks. One, or two, stand-alone vendors selling jewelry. One, or two, decent bars and one, or two, nice restaurants (that actually rather suck). Do you really qualify as being part of the DC area?
Your mall is deceiving. You have maybe 3 good stores: Wet Seal, Victoria's Secret, and FYE. And those are good stores? Why do you have four levels if you only carry 3 halfway exciting places to go? You attract people with your big Macy's building that can barely be seen from the highway exit, but in reality, it is part of your deceiving strategy to lure people into your walls that have nothing of great value that can't be found at a better and bigger Macy's.
The cafe, or candy shop, or coffee shop, or whatever it is, that is front and center upon the metro exit atop the escalator is a joke. It is not a true cafe. It has nothing.
Rock Bottom, you are disgusting. Your food is gross and makes me sick.
Your building heights are premature and your night life display is embarrassing.
You have one block of 1/4 busy-ness, if that qualifies. Your lunch choices are scarce and you are only the first underground stop on the metro's way to the real heart of the metropolis. Why can't you have more life? A concert here, or two, on occasion...a festivity, more novelties, SOMETHING?
Are you really worth the one hour and forty-five minutes each way I spend in my cracked out car and out of date, unsafe, public transportation method I take to get to you?
You have one hot dog stand. One stand-alone Starbucks. One, or two, stand-alone vendors selling jewelry. One, or two, decent bars and one, or two, nice restaurants (that actually rather suck). Do you really qualify as being part of the DC area?
Your mall is deceiving. You have maybe 3 good stores: Wet Seal, Victoria's Secret, and FYE. And those are good stores? Why do you have four levels if you only carry 3 halfway exciting places to go? You attract people with your big Macy's building that can barely be seen from the highway exit, but in reality, it is part of your deceiving strategy to lure people into your walls that have nothing of great value that can't be found at a better and bigger Macy's.
The cafe, or candy shop, or coffee shop, or whatever it is, that is front and center upon the metro exit atop the escalator is a joke. It is not a true cafe. It has nothing.
Rock Bottom, you are disgusting. Your food is gross and makes me sick.
Your building heights are premature and your night life display is embarrassing.
You have one block of 1/4 busy-ness, if that qualifies. Your lunch choices are scarce and you are only the first underground stop on the metro's way to the real heart of the metropolis. Why can't you have more life? A concert here, or two, on occasion...a festivity, more novelties, SOMETHING?
Are you really worth the one hour and forty-five minutes each way I spend in my cracked out car and out of date, unsafe, public transportation method I take to get to you?
Friday, July 10, 2009
Remembering
I hung out at mom and pop's tonight. Pop was at a meeting and mom and I decided to get together so we put up yardsale signs and got a bite to eat at Tony's. The weather this summer is unbelievable. Can it really almost be chilly in July?
It was really a relaxing "minute". A break away from reality, from thinking about work, and priorities, and life in general. Hadn't relaxed over there in a while and it really reminded me of what a haven it really is.
I got into looking at some old pictures of Carrie, Anna, and I's childhood and pics of our aunts and uncles and their kids and old friends, and softball, and cheerleading pics, and pics of me wearing too much makeup in high school and Carrie and Anna before they got braces, etc. I look back sometimes and wonder why mom let me leave the house looking like what I did. How embarassing!
But upon looking at the pictures I was reminded of all the outfits I used to love and the neighbors I used to hang out with and things that we would do when we played together. Coming across pictures of the Stone twins, I remember this special kind of ham at the their house when my parents would babysit for Matt and Nancy. I always looked forward to that week or two because I felt like that special ham in their refrigerator was waiting just for me.
I remembered these special red shoes I used to have. My pop loved those shoes. They had alphabet shoe strings in them and I think he still has them to this day. I remembered all the bathrobes I used to wear and my special pink dress with the white belt I loved and saved to put on my baby doll one summer.
I had forgotten how scraggily I was, as a kid, and how I loved to dress up with the neighbor kids. Almost all of us are married now.
Boy does life happen quick. In the blink of eye people are having babies and moving to other states, taking on new challenges and experiencing life's hardships as adults.
Learning to remember is recounting lost innocence.
It was really a relaxing "minute". A break away from reality, from thinking about work, and priorities, and life in general. Hadn't relaxed over there in a while and it really reminded me of what a haven it really is.
I got into looking at some old pictures of Carrie, Anna, and I's childhood and pics of our aunts and uncles and their kids and old friends, and softball, and cheerleading pics, and pics of me wearing too much makeup in high school and Carrie and Anna before they got braces, etc. I look back sometimes and wonder why mom let me leave the house looking like what I did. How embarassing!
But upon looking at the pictures I was reminded of all the outfits I used to love and the neighbors I used to hang out with and things that we would do when we played together. Coming across pictures of the Stone twins, I remember this special kind of ham at the their house when my parents would babysit for Matt and Nancy. I always looked forward to that week or two because I felt like that special ham in their refrigerator was waiting just for me.
I remembered these special red shoes I used to have. My pop loved those shoes. They had alphabet shoe strings in them and I think he still has them to this day. I remembered all the bathrobes I used to wear and my special pink dress with the white belt I loved and saved to put on my baby doll one summer.
I had forgotten how scraggily I was, as a kid, and how I loved to dress up with the neighbor kids. Almost all of us are married now.
Boy does life happen quick. In the blink of eye people are having babies and moving to other states, taking on new challenges and experiencing life's hardships as adults.
Learning to remember is recounting lost innocence.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Sittin' On A Plane
Sittin ‘on a plane goin’ insane, trying to keep my head in place.
People behind me that I can’t see, talking so loud in my face.
Just finished invoices, tracking, and email, feeling ridiculously frail.
Running on no sleep just wanting to weep, hoping this flight is at its tail.
Language barriers are scarier, English please.
Stop kicking my chair lest I pull out my hair, bottle of red I need.
Wi-fi you’re a rip for this trip, $10 is too much for my wallet.
Something wild not mild, whatever you want I’ll try it.
Anything to get away, from these men in my way, in 60 minutes I’ll be on vacay. Hooray.
People behind me that I can’t see, talking so loud in my face.
Just finished invoices, tracking, and email, feeling ridiculously frail.
Running on no sleep just wanting to weep, hoping this flight is at its tail.
Language barriers are scarier, English please.
Stop kicking my chair lest I pull out my hair, bottle of red I need.
Wi-fi you’re a rip for this trip, $10 is too much for my wallet.
Something wild not mild, whatever you want I’ll try it.
Anything to get away, from these men in my way, in 60 minutes I’ll be on vacay. Hooray.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Home Alone
Isaac is gone this weekend in Ft. Belvoir. He has an overnight stay to do battlefield drill, whatever that means. I think he has to do some sort of artillery training and camp out in the woods. All I know is that he sent me a text at 10:08am saying that he was "On 95 in hummer." I take that to mean that he was bopping up and down in the backseat hanging on to his knapsack for dear life.
I'm really proud of him. He is a fearless soldier (regardless of an actual deployment anywhere). Every time I see him in that camouflage getup it makes me well up. I know what he went through took guts, courage, and endurance of pain. At least it's not raining so that he doesn't get soaked inside the tent tonight.
I am home alone sitting on the porch, sipping a marg, listening to The Fray, and typing to you. It reminds me of the days when he was gone at boot camp. He is leaving again in June for two weeks to go to Seattle for more training.
It has been a rough few months here in the NOVA MP life. Work is a killer. I don't think I can take any more reorgs or alignments or staff changes. Enough is enough for pete's sake and for some reason, my commute has upped from 1:15hrs to 1:45hrs EACH WAY. Maybe it is because I have been leaving at 6:30a instead of 6a, but it shouldn't make THAT much of a difference. I love working in Ballston, but gimme a break. At least when I got to work from home 2 days a week it was something to look forward to relaxation-wise. Now it's 5 days a week up and down 66. And that, my friends, is a nightmare. It only helps if you leave at, say 5a. Anyway, "no more silos and more collaboration" is what they say. I guess I don't really have a choice. I'm lucky to have a job.
I just can't wait till 5/28. FLORIDA! I am so looking forward to Sarasota and a time for the Springs (I hope).
I'm really proud of him. He is a fearless soldier (regardless of an actual deployment anywhere). Every time I see him in that camouflage getup it makes me well up. I know what he went through took guts, courage, and endurance of pain. At least it's not raining so that he doesn't get soaked inside the tent tonight.
I am home alone sitting on the porch, sipping a marg, listening to The Fray, and typing to you. It reminds me of the days when he was gone at boot camp. He is leaving again in June for two weeks to go to Seattle for more training.
It has been a rough few months here in the NOVA MP life. Work is a killer. I don't think I can take any more reorgs or alignments or staff changes. Enough is enough for pete's sake and for some reason, my commute has upped from 1:15hrs to 1:45hrs EACH WAY. Maybe it is because I have been leaving at 6:30a instead of 6a, but it shouldn't make THAT much of a difference. I love working in Ballston, but gimme a break. At least when I got to work from home 2 days a week it was something to look forward to relaxation-wise. Now it's 5 days a week up and down 66. And that, my friends, is a nightmare. It only helps if you leave at, say 5a. Anyway, "no more silos and more collaboration" is what they say. I guess I don't really have a choice. I'm lucky to have a job.
I just can't wait till 5/28. FLORIDA! I am so looking forward to Sarasota and a time for the Springs (I hope).
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Life in the Fast Lane
It is that indeed.
Parties, gatherings, errands, appointments, JOBS, cooking, cleaning, laundry. It never ends.
What has made it so hard this year? I think working from home a few days a week made it much easier, but once my company took that away it was required commuting to Ballston 5 days a week. Don't get me wrong, I like it there, but some days it takes me one and a half hours each way not to mention an extra $50 in metro fare that they won't cover in stipend.
All I keep hearing is "People shouldn't complain. At least they have a job." True. Very true. I guess you shouldn't really assume, though, that your company means what they say when they offer you such benefits as working from home and promise you a progression plan, especially in an economy like this. Who knew Obama would make it worse?
All I can do these days is drag myself through the front door of the condo and crash on the floor, which I'm about to go and do.
SOMEONE give me SOMETHING to be peppy about, PLEASE!
Parties, gatherings, errands, appointments, JOBS, cooking, cleaning, laundry. It never ends.
What has made it so hard this year? I think working from home a few days a week made it much easier, but once my company took that away it was required commuting to Ballston 5 days a week. Don't get me wrong, I like it there, but some days it takes me one and a half hours each way not to mention an extra $50 in metro fare that they won't cover in stipend.
All I keep hearing is "People shouldn't complain. At least they have a job." True. Very true. I guess you shouldn't really assume, though, that your company means what they say when they offer you such benefits as working from home and promise you a progression plan, especially in an economy like this. Who knew Obama would make it worse?
All I can do these days is drag myself through the front door of the condo and crash on the floor, which I'm about to go and do.
SOMEONE give me SOMETHING to be peppy about, PLEASE!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
The Unexpected Double Message
One thing rings true in the life of a Christian--you can always expect the unexpected.
I've had the pleasure of hearing God's word resound twice in my ear about the same thing over the past two weeks. Was it a coincidence? I think not. Forgiveness is what I keep hearing...forgiveness.
"God's well will never run dry so that you cannot keep drawing from it. There is no sin big enough that he will not wipe clean. There is nothing so dark, so shameful, so terrifying that you could do that He will not welcome you in His arms again for day after day after day." These are the words I keep hearing.
Directed towards me? Yes. Directed towards you? Yes. Spoken through Dr. Rutland and Jeff Ling? Yes. Revitalizing, refreshing, comforting, and necessary? Yes.
Thank God for doers and not just followers of Christ to bring us these words of wisdom and truth. Thank God they ARE true and we can lean and believe on them every day.
I've had the pleasure of hearing God's word resound twice in my ear about the same thing over the past two weeks. Was it a coincidence? I think not. Forgiveness is what I keep hearing...forgiveness.
"God's well will never run dry so that you cannot keep drawing from it. There is no sin big enough that he will not wipe clean. There is nothing so dark, so shameful, so terrifying that you could do that He will not welcome you in His arms again for day after day after day." These are the words I keep hearing.
Directed towards me? Yes. Directed towards you? Yes. Spoken through Dr. Rutland and Jeff Ling? Yes. Revitalizing, refreshing, comforting, and necessary? Yes.
Thank God for doers and not just followers of Christ to bring us these words of wisdom and truth. Thank God they ARE true and we can lean and believe on them every day.
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