November 17, 2011: Family Christmases

Honestly, I can't remember the last time we were all together at Christmas.  Okay, I remember it.  It was junior year, but I was high on vicodin post-knee surgery and dropped an F-Bomb, because my grandpa kicked my leg inadvertently.  Yeah, oops, not a shining moment for me atop the Christmas tree!

Anyway, holidays are sort of... ridiculous...around the Morris household, but this year we might all be together for Christmas eve.  Even if it doesn't happen, the hope that we might have it is enough for me.  I'll be the only single child there without a baby, but, hey, I'll be able to talk about white privilege!  Just kidding, I'll be holding out for that conversation until Christmas day.  Just kidding again.

Anywho.  I'm thankful that every family's a little dysfunctional but, despite that, thing can change and become more, er, functional.

November 16, 2011: Two Things

As a side note:  Blogger is archaic... I'll be converting over to WordPress sooner rather than later.  And I'm toying with the idea of writing a legit blog.  Like one with real topics and points, since I'm sure these little caveats are less than thrilling.  I mean, look at my five followers... reality check for the self.

1.  Today I am thankful that my internship will be better next quarter, potentially new as well, but either way, it will be more challenging and ground-breaking for me.  Wwwooooosssshhhh!  That being said I am thankful for the things I have learned thus far at Hep C (which requires a separate blog post in and of itself):  non-profit management, systemic bureaucracy, population underrepresentation, the unfairness of the American insurance system, why healthcare reform is integral to a nation's success, and how leadership impacts-good and bad-an agency's effectiveness, etc.  If you want more details, ask me at some point when our lives cross.  And I'm thankful that it's okay to admit when something isn't working without fear of reprisal, which is [apparently] part of professional maturation.

2.  Twinzies!  Oh twinzies.  How can I not be thankful for them?  Especially when they pee in the tub, eat my muffins, and draw all over my sweatpants with chalk.  I'll miss them when I'm no longer with them, but it'll give me a nice-likely five to six year-hiatus to rest up, if and before any children of my own enter the life picture.  I just really love how they give me hugs and kisses every day and get real excited to see me; it's totally selfish, but it gives me a super good feeling all up in my heart.  Yep, those goobers are cute.

The Puppy Hat:  My absolute fav.

So full of life.  I love!

November 15, 2011: Three More Days (But Technically Six)

I am thankful that, in three more days, all my classes will be over.  And after next Monday, my last final exam will be complete.

I am thankful that in a week from today I will be able to sleep for many hours and go for a run.  That will be nice!

November 14, 2011: Dad

Today I am thankful for my Dad.  He's super thoughtful and shows that he loves me through little things like surprise emails, silly text messages (silly because he hasn't totally gotten the hang of how to do it...), snail-mailed cards, and tickets to BON IVER HOMECOMING!!!!  I can't wait until December 12!!!!

I love my dad.  He's has a distinct compassion for people and a unique ability to meet people where they are.  I like that.  And we're going through social-work-like school together!  :)

The Weekend Thankfulness

November 11th:

I am thankful that I have a break in one week.  A very long break.

November 12th:


Today I am thankful for Kelly, her insight and compassion.  And her laugh.  It's great!

November 13th:

Today I am thankful that I'm feeling better and about to embark on my last week of the first quarter! :)

November 10, 2011: Reconnections & Supervisors

Today I had lunch with my old supervisor from my CCU Residence Life days.  Ever since graduation I have not missed college for one second, but I miss being in Res Life sometimes.  Not the actual being a RA or ARD aspect but being part of a community that pushed me to be excellent and live purposefully.   A big part of loving Res Life was working with Kusch, because he challenged and encouraged me simultaneously.  And he believed I could do it when I was greener than green.  It was great!

Recently I have missed having Kusch as a supervisor or having a supervisor who was intentional about developing leaders.  I miss the challenge to find God in things and go the extra inch when all I want to do is sit on my ass.  And I miss the awkward Sandy Patty sign language jokes.  Probs for my whole life and the rest of my professional career I'll miss Kusch.  There's a reason why they call the best supervisors "the best."

November 9, 2011: I Am Who I Am

Today I am thankful that I am found in Christ.  That I am who I am, because he is who he is.  That's a whole lot of Scripture-quoting, but it's beautiful truth.  For the past week, I've been writing one of the most difficult papers I've ever (and probably ever will) write.  There will be an upcoming blog on the experience that the paper's based on soon... when I have two, consecutive moments to breathe.  But all that to say, I found myself writing and writing and writing everything that the professor wanted me to say, because I was so afraid that she'd fail me if I said the wrong thing.  So I researched and read and processed and wrote.  And then, because desperate times call for desperate measures (this blog is full of trite tonight!), I consulted my EX-BOYFRIEND for theological sources, because I knew he'd know of something, and my brain was trying to eat my heart, and I needed something to ground me.  Of course Trev knew of something, and he helped me out quite graciously.  *Another note of thanks*  But, then, it dawned on me that I was so preoccupied and busy with being PC and not hurting my professor's feelings or looking incompetent that I wasn't being me.  And that's the worst feeling ever.  So I gave it all up and was brutally honest.  With some compassion mixed in.

We'll see... it might not get an A, but oh well.  I gave myself an A, which is more important, because at the end of the day, it's me who's got to answer to me.  And then to God.  And tonight my heart's right, a living testament to a good, good God.  Mmm peace.

Sweet dreams, Loves.  Sweet dreams.