November 23, 2011: His Story

Today I tested a man at work, and he shared some of his life story with me, which was full of darkness and trouble but mostly sadness.  But he smiled and laughed.  Despite his life spiraling out of control, he believed in God.  And told me to have a blessed day and pray to God-whatever his name was-whenever I needed help, because he'd always be there.  His story reminded me of the what's true and important in life and why I should not be so discouraged by trivial nothings.  We need stories like his from time to time to stay human, I think.

November 23, 2011: Fun Forward Looking

I have plenty of wonderful things to anticipate, which I am thankful for as well:

• Vacation!  I have three paid days of vacation.  That's a jackpot in nanny world!
• Thanksgiving!  I'm super bummed my parents got the flu and can't make it out to Denver for T-Giving, but I am so thankful that I have a second family out here to spend it with.
• Youth Lagoon is playing a show on Friday.  Enough said.  I avoid Black Friday like the plague, but I'll brave the streets to see this kid.  Pure talent.
• Sleep is finally here, because I submitted my last final via email two minutes ago.  What what!  1/6 finished with my MSW!!!!!!!  That's absolute crazy talk. (oops, not supposed to say "crazy" anymore... that's a rough one to kick.)

November 21, 2011: A House

Today I am thankful that I have a house, an apartment to be exact.  It's nice to be warm and snug inside my tiny place, protected from the wind.  A lot of people will be outside tonight, and I'm thankful that I don't have to worry about that sort of thing.  That I go to bed full and sleep well, snuggled in my blankets.

It's been brought to my attention:

To the five of you following the blog, thanks :)  I hope you follow into the future, when I attempt to write something more tangible and focused.  You know, like a real blog... well, sort of real.  As real as it gets for me...

November 20, 2011: College is good for... friends.

Seriously, I have the best friends in the world.  No comparison, so don't try.  You'll be disappointed.

I have friends from all over the world (literally) and across the country, but my Colorado ones will always be the "friends" when referring to "my friends."  People say you have a hometown [E.C., WI - Woop!], but when you leave it, you get a new home, which has happened to me here.  My Colorado friends are my second family, the family I chose.  :)  Cheezeball-I need some crackers!-but truth.

Our baby college, which was more like Christian summer camp on steroids, might have been slightly ridiculous [if you don't believe me, picture the steroids thing... that should be convincing enough!], but because of it we know one another.  We arrived wanting to prove we were cool, mature, and worthy of each other's friendship, and even though that worked in establishing a relationship, it wasn't necessary, I don't think.  Sometimes there are people we are drawn toward, and I would say it's the case with these ones.

I am impressed with them; they're going to change the world.  Whenever I get into a dismal-spiral (also known as the existential crisis during a graduate program) and discouraged that nothing can change, and doing the work is pointless, I think of my friends.  The ones who want to go abroad and have an adventure, finding work and living life in a new culture, getting to know people and loving their stories.  And the ones who are brave enough to do the Peace Corps and give up two years of their lives to help people in another, foreign place develop their community.  And the ones who work harder than anyone I know to pursue education and employment with excellence to model to others that life is more than what we see on the surface.  Gosh, these people are beautiful, and my heart feels closer to where it's supposed to be when thinking of how blessed the world is to have my friends in it, caring and dreaming and doing.

So, yes, I'm thankful for them.  And my heart will break a thousand times over when they leave me within the next year or two, but it's for something good, better, and I'm willing to share them others for awhile, as long as I get to visit them.  And play with their puppies.  And maybe be an honorary aunt if the need ever arises.  I promise to bring presents!

You know who you are; much love.  My heart couldn't be happier for the you.

November 19, 2011: Sweatpants

Yep, I'm super duper thankful for them.  And that today I allowed myself to take a complete break and stay in them the whole day after my massage this morning.  I watched an entire season of Parks and Recreation and ate half a pizza.  Glorious.

Okay, pretty glutinous, actually, but for the first time, in a long time, I've gotten to fully relax and rejuvenate all by myself.  And I napped.  I feel rested for the first time in a few months :)

November 18, 2011: Paper Pass!

Today I am thankful that the paper which kicked my butt earned an A.  That's all.  Thank heavens it's over!