Easter

I've found that I'm more likely to blog when I'm irritated about something. I realize that we live in a world that's already obnoxious in shoving negativity down our throats that it hardly makes sense (well, actually it makes no sense at all) for me to be throwing fuel onto that fire.

But I'm irritated about something, and we need to talk about it. It's an irritation caused by those who are, or at least claim to be, Christian. I include those belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) as Christian, because—quite frankly—we profess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and Savior of mankind. Last I checked, that's Christianity.

Anyway.

As the snow falls outside, it's hard to believe that Easter is only a week away—and it came later this year, so I was really hoping for that magical “springy-bunnies and chicks frolicking in green fields” Easter this year. Maybe the weather will cooperate next week, but probably not. Not pessimism, just the reality of living in the Rocky Mountains.

My annoyance isn't caused by the weather. It's caused by, well, hypocrisy. At least the weather knows what it is—April always comes accompanied with snow, and it doesn't profess to be anything different. People, though—even and especially Christians—tend to be a different story. Myself included, but I'm trying really, really hard to remedy that.

Truth is, I'm a little fed up, in general, with the way terms and words are used nowadays. Words flow from our mouths, from the television, from the lyrics of our music. Our words are spoken, printed, and digitalized, but I often wonder if those words mean anything. We can say we're Christian, but what does that really mean? Especially during this time of Easter—what should our profession of Christianity during Easter mean? And shouldn't a Christian's celebration of Easter mean a little more to them than it would to a non-Christian celebrating Easter?

You see, we've commercialized our holidays. It doesn't bother me so much on Thanksgiving or Halloween or Independence Day. These are, of course, secular holidays—maybe not in origin, but they certainly are now. Naturally, I'm not going to get all in a tizzy when we treat a secular holiday as a secular invention. If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, talks like a duck, and smells like a duck, it's probably a duck. (Except for the talking part. Ducks don't talk.) PS—Don't forget Mother's Day. It's coming up too.

Then there's Christmas and Easter. I'm not saying Christmas and Easter shouldn't involve Santa Clause or the Easter Bunny. I'm not saying kids shouldn't be introduced to Rudolph or Easter egg hunts. These are traditions which bring families together, which is at the very core of Christian values. What I am saying, is that there are some stark contrasts between the religious celebration of Christmas and Easter and the secular celebrations of Christmas and Easter. What I am saying is that far too many of us “Christians” are Christian by tradition only.

I do not hold any non-Christian people at fault for hypocrisy in Easter or Christmas celebration. I would never expect my Hindu or Muslim or Buddhist friends to revere my religious holidays. If they want to take part and celebrate—cool. But I would, in no way, expect them to worship Christ, which is what the holidays are supposed to be about.

Now, Christians. That's a different story. We do worship Christ. We're supposed to. We do believe that he was born, that He lived a perfect life, that He atoned for our sins, that He rose from the dead. Explanation of “how” aside, we do believe that, don't we? So how is it that going to Church only on Christmas and/or Easter is acceptable? How is it that participating in Lent (ps—I didn't even know what that was until about two years ago) is enough to demonstrate our believe in Jesus Christ? How is listening to a couple of sermons—and then blatantly disavowing those teachings during the rest of the year—revering Christ?

What is more important: 1) buying spiffy Easter outfits to impress everyone at Church? 2) gorging ourselves on Reese's peanut butter eggs (which are, somehow, waaaaay better than the cup kind)? 3) patting ourselves on the back for dutifully attending church twice a year—adherence to actual church doctrine optional? OR 4) living a Christ-like life, observing loyalty to Him, and doing our utmost to keep His commandments all of the time, because we love Him?

Hint: The correct answer is number four. (Number two is a close second, assuming your gall-bladder can handle that kind of abuse..... Yes, I'm still not over that ball-bladder thing either.)

So, yeah. If you're that kind of hypocrite,... you suck.... (Myself included, at times.) The good news, though, is this: Easter happened. I would hope that all of us take the time to read the Biblical account of that event. Of Christ's Atonement. Of His trials before the Jews and then the Romans. Of His crucifixion. Of His Resurrection. Of His invitation to us to follow Him, to repent and receive forgiveness, to find new life and new purpose as we do so. If we've been less than valiant in our adherence to true Christianity, we can change that—rather, He can change that. If we let Him.

I know that we live in a time where I may offend some in saying, but I know that Jesus is the Christ. He is who he said He was. His is not a Gospel of inactivity, but a Gospel where His disciples are commanded to actively and purposefully emulate His teachings everyday, even if it's inconvenient or politically incorrect. I know that as we strive to do as much as we can to follow Him—the Resurrected Lord—we will find peace in this world and everlasting life in the world to come. Because that's what Easter is all about.

Dating Double Standard

I'm at an awkward impasse in my life. It's a situation in which more people find themselves than you'd think. I hate this phase—never have liked it much in the past, and I definitely don't like it much now. You see, I just finished reading a book (Words of Radiance) that has consumed most, if not all, of my free time for the better part of a week. And now I have all this free time that I feel should be spent reading more. But I don't want to start a new book, because that would be like cheating on the old book. And, let's face it, no book is going to be as good as the one I just finished. (They never are.) ANNNND I figure I might as well reread the same book again in case I missed a few words.... Like I said. Awkward impasse.

Yeah. I'm at that inconvenient interval until I decide to either a) start a new hobby, b) read another book, c) read the same book again, d) write a book of my own, e) dress up my dogs in medieval costumes and re-enact important European historical events..... OK, so there are a lot of things I could be doing. But, really, I just want to know if Kaladin and Dalinar are going to be able to reunite the Knights Radiants and save Roshar before the Everstorm destroys everything.... (Feel free to read above mentioned book to understand what I just said.) Blasted series books.

Anyway, now that I'm done with reading, I can write about something that's been mulling over in my mind. It has to do with double standards and –dare I say—hypocrisy. (Which, if you think about it, they're pretty much the same thing.)

I want to talk about the criticism and judgment thrown at those of us who are single by those in our lives who think we should not be. (Sorry—didn't realize our relationship statuses were so burdensome in your day-to-day activities. We'll get on that right away so that you can sleep well at night.)

We've heard it all, my single friends and I: “You just don't want it.” “You're not trying hard enough.” “You need to make yourself more available.” “You need to move someplace where there are more people your age. You're not doing much where you're at anyway.” “You're too picky.”

That's the one I want to talk about. “You're too picky.”

During the course of my teenage years, I heard numerous discourses and attended many Sunday school classes where I was told how great I was. Not just me. All of us—girls in particular. Contrary to popular belief, women in the Mormon religion are actually revered and highly respected. Yep. We're that cool, and all we had to do was be born with two “x” chromosomes.

We were told to set our expectations high, especially when it came to choosing a future companion. Many, many times we were told to make lists, set goals. One list we made included qualities we expected in our future spouses: Upon conclusion of the list, we were advised to develop those same qualities within ourselves—be the person we expected a husband to be. We were told to never settle for anything less. I'm sure my list looked something like this:

1. returned missionary
2. tall
3. super hot
4. no, seriously, super super hot
5. like movie star hot
6. rich
7. funny
8. likes kids
9. good cook
10. athletic
11. musical
12. artistic
13. strong
14. good at shooting guns
15. smart
16. h-o-t

And now—ten years later—I'm being told that I'm too picky. Well, let me tell you, based on the list I made when I was 14, yep. I'm too picky. I would say my list is not only a bit vapid, but it's also a tad unrealistic as far as expectations go. However, my list has changed a bit since then. In many ways, my expectations have been re-routed to the “this would be nice” list, rather than staying put on my “must have” list. Unfortunately, though, my added years of life, experience, and learning have actually raised my bar. Nowadays, the list looks a bit more like this:

1. has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ
2. honors his Priesthood
3. has a desire to be sealed/married in a temple
4. honors me and respects me—will treat me as an equal
5. will put his whole focus into being a worthy father
6. develops his specific skill sets to improve his life and the lives of others
7. is kind
8. is loyal
9. is honorable and courageous in upholding that honor
10. has integrity
11. is not easily tempted
12. is not easily angered
13. is capable of caring for himself and others (financially, emotionally, physically, etc.)
14. is an, overall, happy person
15. sense of humor
16. appreciates my “nerdiness”
17. has passions, goals, and interests
18. isn't just a romantic interest, but a sincere and best friend

etc. etc. etc. (I'm not going to share everything. That's personal.)

Of course, I'm being “too picky” now. If I were 19, my list would be totally acceptable. Not so these days. So, what changed?

Well, there's my age. I got older. As a result, the message I'm getting is this: as a person ages, they deserve less. While ten years ago “not settling” was the expectation, the expectation now is to “settle for what you can get.”

Of course, if it isn't my age that makes me undeserving, then—perhaps—it's that, in others' eyes, I never deserved what I wanted in the first place. And they lied to me when they said, “don't settle.”

So—am I picky? Yes, absolutely, and for all the right reasons. Keep in mind, these expectations aren't only the standard to which I hold a potential “someone,” these are also the expectations to which I hold myself. We've all heard the adage, “You are what you eat.” I'd like to say, “You are who you date.” To lower the expectations, to settle, to become “not so picky,” I would have to lower my own expectations. I would have to settle on the lowest common denominator of myself. I would have to believe that my personal worth has diminished over time, and I continue to lose value everyday.

I don't think that's true for me. I don't think that's true for anyone.

So, if you're worried that your single friend is “too picky,” maybe you should focus your efforts and concerns on building your friend up—giving them hope that they deserve to accomplish their goals, whatever those goals might be.

And for you single friends who are still playing the field—even though everyone expected you to be “retired” by now—keep on keeping on. Keep growing, and don't lose hope. Expectations shouldn't have expiration dates, especially when it comes to the important things.

True Love

I know I already posted about Valentine's Day, but-- hey-- I'm waiting to hear back about whether or not a HIDA scan has been scheduled, so... "free" time.  As I spend this afternoon, I've been browsing the internet for possible field trip locations (a planetarium) and been wondering what it would be like to actually be able to afford a fancy vacation (in Seoul).  It's interesting to me how smart the internet is:  Side-bars know everything about me, it seems, and know exactly how to tempt me to over-use my credit card.


Yeah, the internet is smart.  It also knows how to celebrate Valentine's Day.  Its ads come equipped with phrases like, "Earn a love-swept vacation for 2 to Paris."  "Give him something he'll really love this Valentine's Day."  "Show her you really care.  Roses on sale."...  Cool....  I like roses.  Never been to Paris, but I'm not really interested in changing that.  I wonder when these things became to depict "love."


I think love is one of those words we tend to over-use in our English language, but it's not necessarily our fault.  Other languages-- Spanish, Greek, and Korean, for example-- have many words and phrases to express "love."  There's love-- like the way we love that purse (but would never, ever pay more than $10 for it).  There's love-- like the way I would love to be able to eat chili-cheese fries someday.  There's love-- like the way I love my job.  There's love-- the way I love my friends.  There's love-- the way I love my family.  And there's love-- the kind that teenagers think they understand.


I think all of those kinds of love can be true love.  But, being bombarded as we are with "love" messages from the media, I can see how it's easy to get confused about what true love is.


As I see it, true love isn't winning trips to Paris, giving someone roses, or investing in uncomfortable lingerie.  True love isn't holding hands in public.  It isn't dinner and movie or snap-chatting.  To me, those are only artificial ways to represent (or misrepresent) our feelings.


In the romantic sense, sometimes true love is choosing to be alone.  I'm often asked by coworkers and acquaintances if I'd ever consider dating or marrying someone who's not Mormon.  My quick answer is, "No, because there'd be a conflict of culture, and it would be very difficult to raise a child under those circumstances."...  It's not a lie.  The more precise answer would be, "I need to be married in a Mormon temple where my [hypothetical] sweet-heart and I can be promised to each other for time and all eternity."  'Till death do us part' isn't what I want for my true love story.


True love is the way my dogs come running when they hear me come home from work.  Tails wagging.  Eyes shining.  Not for any reason.  Just because I came home, and I take care of them, and they love me.  Even the husky, stubborn as she is, insists on staying at arm's length whenever I'm home; and even chose not to run away when she had chances to.  (That's true husky love, friends.)  Their love may be instinctive, but it's true love nonetheless.


True love happens when a family member gets sick, and all the others wish it would have been them instead.  It's when the sick family member is thankful that they're the sick one and not someone else.  True love is when a family member drops everything to buy a $6 California roll for a sister, because that's the only thing she wants to eat.  It's coming to the defense of a brother or sister or son or daughter whose character is being attacked by bitter and unforgiving critics.  It's putting in sprinkler systems-- one after the other-- and building playhouses and swing-sets.  It's moving pianos and couches and washing machines.  That's another way that true love can look.


True love is hearing that a new niece or nephew is going to be a part of the family.  That their existence, even in the womb, is already so programmed in with the family unit that we can't remember what life was like without them.  It's loving those babies completely and totally.  It's watching their parents, though exhausted and worried, light up whenever their children enter the room.  Missing those little ones, holding a little sock longingly, tracing over little hand-smudges on the bathroom mirror, and planning the next big tea party-- that's love.  Watching those children pick dandelions for their mom, or watching them squeal when they see Grandma and Grandpa-- that's true love.


True love is my Gramies and Gramps.  It's when, later in life, they were in a car accident. Gramps was saying what he thought would be his final good-byes, yet-- upon hearing that his wife had suffered from a heart attack and needed surgery, his demeanor changed.  He demanded to be made healthy again so that he could be with his wife who needed him.  Love was watching Gramies recover from that surgery, because she demanded to be with her husband who needed her.  True love was watching them care for each other.  Even now, after his death, I feel my Gramp's love envelop their home.  True love is like that.


True love is a Savior who suffered every injustice, every misdeed, and every miserable experience-- through no wrong-doing of His own.  It was suffering those experiences to a point surpassing death, even suffering those things alone.  True love is a Heavenly Father who allowed all of it to happen so that all of us would know just how infinitely and perfectly we are all truly loved-- collectively and individually.


True love is believing that we are worthy of receiving and giving these expressions of love in return, as much as we are capable.


So, my hope is that artificial or expiring love won't take the place of true love this Valentine's Day.  Or ever.  True love is more than a Hallmark card, a box of chocolates, and a candle-lit dinner.  If that's all we're seeking, then we're certainly missing the forest for the trees.  Because true love doesn't expire, doesn't need a holiday, nor does it need to be advertised in a pop-up window.


May we all feel loved, truly loved, this Valentine's Day.  No purchase of Paris vacation needed.

Surviving Valentine's Day

It's February!  Good things that I suspect will happen this month:  every one of my students' parents will show up for parent/teacher conferences, I'll have a productive appointment with my internal medicine doctor to make me healthy again, and my anonymous snow-shoveling friends will keep up the good work.  Oh... and Valentine's Day is happening.


Not to talk myself up or anything, but I'm pretty much an expert at spending Valentine's Day alone.  Come to think of it... I don't know that there was ever a Valentine's Day where I had an official "valentine."  Not unless you count elementary school when everyone was required to bring valentines for the class.  Yep.  Take it from a girl who hasn't had any suitors since 2008-- you, too, can survive and thrive "alone" on Valentine's Day.  (No hoarding or unreasonable purchase of cats necessary.)  Here's what to do/remember:

• Watch this link.  It explains life:  All the good ones are taken.
• It's just one day.  One day out of 365.25 a year.  Love doesn't limit itself to just 24 hours or just one set of experiences.  Who's to say that March 14 or April 14 can't be just as special as February 14?  Every day has the potential to be a special day.
• Don't be bitter toward those who have a valentine with whom to spend the day.  Whether looking up or looking down on others to judge them-- both situations are wrong.  Don't criticize those who, in their loving relationships, make a big deal about Valentine's Day.  I hope that my friends and family have a blast sharing the day with their significant others.  When others are happily celebrating, it doesn't mean that my reservoir of happiness suddenly becomes depleted.  Joy isn't a competition-- be happy that someone else is happy.
• For the realists who can't stand the sappy sentiment:  Feel sorry for the high percentage of couples celebrating who will probably break up and/or divorce before the year is over.
• Depression is a sign of selfishness.  Stop being selfish.  I'm not talking clinical depression.  That's something else entirely (and not selfish at all).  However, becoming easily irritated, moody, and overly emotional because of a holiday-- that's selfish.  If you must, throw a tantrum, and then get over yourself.  Think of someone else.  Chances are, there are dozens of people you know who would appreciate a call or a visit on Valentine's Day.  Maybe there's your grandmother who's missing your deceased grandfather?  And what mother wouldn't like to receive a call from a child saying, "Happy Valentine's Day, Mom.  I love you."  I bet she'd like that better than whatever bouquet Dad is going to bring home.
• Take yourself to dinner and a movie.  Be your own valentine.  Why rely on outside sources to validate your importance?  Love yourself enough to celebrate-- not because it's a holiday, but because you genuinely believe that you are important.  You are important, so act like it.
• If dinner and a movie is a bit out of budget, make it a night in.  Treat yourself to a night of your favorite movies, TV shows, and/or videogames.  Since Valentine's Day is on a Friday this year, you won't even have to keep an eye on the clock.  The day will be over before you know it.  (I also recommend eating your own weight in Valentine's candy... assuming your body can take it.)
• Adopt a pet.  Ok, ok-- I know I mentioned above that no unnecessary purchase of pets was necessary.  If you're afraid of becoming the crazy-cat lady, then disregard this suggestion.  However, I've gotta admit that my pets have put into perspective what it means to truly care for someone else.  For some (**cough**hack**Mom**), pets = bacteria and carpet stains.  For me, pets = unconditional love.  What better way to express the love in your heart than to save a life?
• Put it in perspective.  Having someone to love, and someone to love you, is a powerful thing.  I don't imagine there are too many people who hope to be alone forever and ever.  We tend to put our relationships on a pedestal for a reason, after all.  (Wait one sec.  I've gotta get on my soap-box here.)  I don't think a loving God would plan for any of us to be eternally alone.  The unfortunate statistics are that, yes, some of us may have to spend our entire mortal lives without ever finding a special someone with whom to spend that life.  But, that's ok.  In comparison with eternity, a lifetime really isn't so long-- just a blip on infinity.  Call me crazy, but if love is what gives us great happiness in life, I doubt that Heavenly Father will suddenly choose to have us live without it.  He promises that every person who follows Him diligently will receive every deserved reward.  That reward includes love, a very special someone with whom to share eternity.  Whether in this life or the next, it's a promise.  So enjoy the phase of life which you're in, because all good things are promised to those who are obedient.

Holding On and Letting Go

Why do we name months, but we don't name years?  I decided I'd start.  2014 is now to be called "Crit."  It's "crap" and another word (that I can't say unless I'm doing yard-work or sewing) put together.  I thought of that today, at about 10 o'clock, when I felt a cold coming on.  I guess it was to be expected, seeing as how a good proportion of my class has been in and out this week with various ailments.  And I'm the lucky one who gets to throw away their Kleenexes when they forget to.  (And teachers don't get paid enough....  Yeah....  Right.)


At any rate, it's just a cold.  A stupid cold, in addition to the dysfunctional digestive tract (which I'm sure you're all tired of hearing about) that gives added dimension to what it means to be sore from a cold.  My poor students.  I'm sure they want their old teacher back-- the one who teaches them Yoga at lunch or line-dancing after school.  Or who throws that rubber rock at them whenever they give really dumb answers to obvious questions.  (They do it on purpose, I swear.)


Because I'm in such a mood, I think it's appropriate to predict what other events will occur this Crit:

• My cold will turn into the flu.
• My flu will turn into a weird strain that the CDC will insist on studying.  I'll be quarantined, and they won't even give me a TV or books.  Just old copies of Seventeen magazine about Justin Beiber.
• My weird flu strain will turn into the zombie virus, and I'll become the one responsible for the impending zombie apocalypse.  You're welcome.
• My dogs will run away, because I never walk them anymore.  I always mean to, but... alas....
• My car's engine will fall out.
• Every appliance will decide to stop working.  Not just my appliances.  Every appliance everywhere.
• Someone will make me watch The Lone Ranger again.  (Bad movie.  Bad, bad movie.)
• Juan Pablo won't find true love.
• My bladder will go out, and I'll have to wear Depends.
• I'll have to pay a ridiculous amount in taxes equaling a month's paycheck.  (Oh, wait.  That was last year.)
• If I had a boyfriend, he'd break up with me.

Oh, Crit.  Why?  Just, why?


Actually, though, I don't say this so that anyone feels sorry.  (Unless you want to walk my dogs.  Then, feel sorry for me.)  I really don't feel sorry for myself.  Besides my initial reaction to getting a cold, I'm all right with this.  I'm holding on to the good (that I'm mostly functioning) and letting go of the bad (that my Emergen-C failed me).


The older I get (Pushing 30, folks!  I know what I'm talking about!), the more I realize that learning to live happily has a lot to do with holding on to some things and learning to let others go.  As a teacher, I learned quickly that I can't control what goes on in my students' homes.  I can, however, control what my classroom's environment will be-- safe, reliable, consistent.  Holding on to that responsibility, and focusing on that, helps in learning to let go of what I cannot change.


Remember a couple of posts ago?  Worry about what "is," not what "if."


I suppose that all of us, at some point or another, feel like we have to face the armies of the world with nothing more than a toothpick with which to defend ourselves.  Whether it be a battle of finances, a battle of health, a battle of belonging, etc, etc.  (Etc. means I got tired of thinking of things to list.)  That's life, right?  You either cave in and fail, or you don't.  You either hold on to every little thing and let it crush you, or you learn to let go.  You learn to hold on to what little slivers you can control, and you cling to the glimmers of sunlight that give you joy.  That's life.  For those of us who don't quit, I firmly believe that this refining pressure will turn us into diamond-like versions of ourselves.


Luckily, I don't think any of us were ever meant to face these obstacles alone.  What would going it alone really accomplish?  Even though my family and many close friends aren't readily available, should I need them, I am lucky enough to work with many elect ladies (who are also friends) who could help me stare down those armies of misfortunes I face.  And even if they weren't available, I still don't feel alone.  (But isn't sitting alone in your house every night being alone?....  Hey, peanut gallery, let me explain-- sheesh.)


Yeah-- this is going to get religious.  Again, I invite you to stop reading if religion is the kind of thing which offends you, or if it's something you find incomprehensible.  That's Ok.  We can still be friends.


There's a song I heard once growing up.  (Not an expression.  I really only heard it once.)  I don't remember the exact words, but it was about a girl growing up.  As a little child playing with her friend, they struggle to find an appropriate way to share.  The girl asks her friend, "Which part is yours, and which part is mine?  I think I'm unsure."  As an older girl, she had a problem and needed her mom's help.  She went to her mom and said, "Mom, which part is yours [to worry about], and which part is mine?  I think I'm unsure."  She wanted to do her best, but she also knew that she needed help.  Several verses later, the girl is married and raising teenage children.  Sending her child out one night, she finds herself nervously kneeling in prayer.  She says, "Lord, which part is yours [of raising my child], and which part is mine?  I think I'm unsure."....  I really wish I could remember more about the song, so that I could have y'all listen to it too.


At any rate, I find myself in that position a lot lately.  "Lord, which part is yours?  Which part is mine?"  Or, what are those things that You'll care for?  What are those things which I should be doing?  What should I be holding onto?  Of what should I be letting go?  More often than not, I find that my portions of my own agony are much smaller than His portions of my agony.  Not quite sure how it works out like that.


That's what having a relationship with Jesus Christ does for me.  Somehow, not just magically and metaphorically, but very literally, through His Atonement, my armies of frustrating challenges are eliminated from before me.  Somehow my toothpick becomes a walking stick, and I'm able to move forward as I keep His commandments, do all I can to endure, and leave the rest to Him.


Yeah.  I don't know what the rest of Crit is going to look like.  I suppose it doesn't really matter.  From an eternal perspective, all of these small things will eventually amount to one very important thing: the development of myself into who my Heavenly Father would have me be.

Favorite Things

A young Julie Andrews once instructed me that, should I ever encounter the more bitter vicissitudes of life, I should... think of my favorite things.  Upon trying her words, I realized just how many favorite things I really have.  Here's some:

Raindrops on roses

Seriously.  I love roses.  And rain.  And roses and rain together!

and mittens on kittens.

And he shall have some pie.

Stuff about science.

...or history, or literature, or art, or music, or... basically anything that could be on Jeopardy.

When books are well written.

I love books so much that I even blogged about it!

Speaking in Spanish.

el idioma de los cielos


Life under the sea. 

Except when my dive buddy abandons me.  Thanks, Dad.
These are a few of my favorite things.

My Big Apple City.

Forget San Francisco.  I left my heart here.

The Doctor on Hulu.

Well.....  Allonsy!

Cuddling with babies.

All day.  I could do that all day.

The wisdom of gurus.

What he said.

Playing a Steinway

Seriously.  I, physically, cannot pass up the chance to play a Steinway.

and when huskies sing.

Not that I recommend getting a husky.  Talk about high maintenance!
These are a few of my favorite things.

The Captain

...gu.... tongue tied.

and pirates

As an elf is also acceptable.

and Korean dramas.

They will take over your life if you let them.  Fighting!

My nieces and nephews

Sorry, guys.  They're just too cute to be showing off on public sites.

and talking to llamas.

Yeah.  I know.  It's an ibex.  I'm pretty sure that's almost the same thing as a llama.

Bollywood dancing

Hadippa!

and homemade ice cream.

Assuming it digests well, of course.
These are a few of my favorite things.

When the bills bite
or my side stings
or I'm feeling marginally frustrated,
I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don't feel....  much different than I did before, but I had a great time looking at pictures of Chris Evans.  A+ for attractive.

Unexpected

Wow.  I don't know about you, but 2014 sure didn't waste time in slapping me in the face.  And it only has very little to do with the fact that the 9ers lost to that classless team (who will get their butts handed to them by the Broncos, PS).  Thanks a lot, 2014, for all of your twists and turns.  You're sure making me look forward to 2015-- trust me.


Yeah-- unexpected changes make life hard sometimes.  Take, for example, getting older.  Never did I expect to be fighting with acne and gray hairs at the same time.  (What is this?!  The Twilight Zone?  Seriously.)  Never did I expect that I'd have to be a morning person.  Never did I expect that I'd be living and working where I am....  But, here we are.


I certainly never expected the challenges of this year.  The unexpected passing of a cherished loved one.  The surgery and rehabilitation of another.  And I can't seem to get rid of this gnawing guilt that I have from having texted my mom late one night to get a ride to the ER (poor Mom)-- then again, that gnawing is probably just my gallbladder trying to digest dinner.  Yogurt and tuna, by the way.


I know that many make resolutions to live healthier lifestyles as a new year rolls around.  Yep.  Me too, but not by choice.  I've officially reached "old age," well... my gallbladder has anyway.  I'm just hoping I can hold out until summer when I can gorge myself on fat and grease, hopefully do enough damage that I can have the dang thing taken out.  Until then, it's nothing but rice, fruit, and protein shakes (Ensure, anyone?) for me.  Thankfully, I still have frozen yogurt to rely on should I start losing too much weight.  Maybe the occasional handful of Cheezits isn't totally out of the question, if I'm feeling brave.  Unfortunately, it's R.I.P. to my two favorite food groups-- chocolate and French fries.


Yep.  Unexpected changes.  We can adjust.  Or we can complain... and then adjust anyway.  Because there's really no choice not to.  Complaining isn't going to reverse the events which have already happened.  In the words of my Gramies, "You shouldn't worry about what if.  You should only worry about what is."


I was thinking about that the other day as I was recovering from a rather severe attack-- the same one that landed me in the hospital.  My side was aching, felt like someone had beat me up with a crowbar, and I was scared.  I was scared of how tired I was.  I was scared that I wouldn't be able to adjust to my job (which requires an abundance of energy).  I was scared to eat or drink, because I never again wanted to feel the pain that I had felt the night before.  On top of that, there was the worry, sadness, and stress of other expected and unexpected events which had occurred within the new year.  Yet, even feeling all of that, I realized something.  I was hurt.  I was weak.  I was scared.  But I was at peace in spite of it.


That was probably the most unexpected response of all.  Peace?  Really?  Yeah, maybe even with a little bit of "happy" mixed in too.  I don't know how, or when, or if all of 2014's issues will be resolved.  I don't know if I'll ever be able to indulge in Taco Bell again (without needing a side of morphine, that is).  Thinking about it, though, it's a good thing.  I've never been so motivated to take care of myself-- not just for me, but for my students and family also.


As I was pondering there, I also thought about how thankful I was for the parts of my body which function properly.  Think about it-- so much can go wrong in a human.  It's amazing any of us are alive at all.  So many things have to work just right, and most of them do.  Incredible.


I was thinking about my friends and family.  Through this unexpected health "crisis," I've had so many friends and family offer concern and help.  Being the stubbornly independent person I am, I rarely think about who can help me.  Needing to rely on others now, and realizing how many are willing to be relied upon, has been an unexpected blessing to me.


I thought about everyone else I knew who had gone through similar experiences.  While sympathy is an admirable and divine quality, I find that empathy offer a bit more in the department of understanding.  To all of my relatives and friends who have gone through this, I suddenly understand their past struggles much more than I used to.  For those who I encounter in the future...  well, maybe going through this is as much for them as it is for me.


Mostly, though, these last few days have put me to thinking about my Grandmas.  About how worried and sad I was for them.  I decided, in the end, it's good to worry and feel sad because of others.  Because, on the opposite side of that "worry and sad" coin is "love and joy."  Feeling pain, whether physical or emotional, is good.  It means we're capable of feeling.


So-- yeah.  It's certainly going to be an uphill battle through January.  I figure, though, (assuming I can keep a cool head when the hospital bill arrives) that unexpected is to be expected.  Yet, if we continue to do our best to search for those unexpected opportunities and blessings which arise from trial, it's not going to be such a bad year after all.