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.
Friday, September 11, 2009
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.
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