I have struggled with rejection for much of my life. I’m not saying this as a victim asking for sympathy or trying to be an after-school special, but as someone that knows what rejection feels like and who has been striving to live in love, acceptance, and freedom instead. I spent most of my life trying to be good enough and trying to be a person that others would find easy to continue to love with little effort. This behavior was fairly self-imposed and I’ve long been mad that I am not perfect. At times, I have even been frustrated with God for continuing to show me grace and favor when I’ve messed up (I know – I wasn’t thinking clearly).
Last night, I went to the Christmas service at the main campus of my church. The message focused on Emmanuel meaning God with Us, and what that really means. How Jesus lived on earth for 30 years as one of us before he ever began his ministry. He had a family with problems, he had a job, he most likely lost his father prematurely, etc. He truly went through everything we go through as a human so he could show compassion and love to us. During this message, Isaiah 53:3 (see below) hit me like a ton of bricks, but good bricks :-). It finally sunk in that Jesus was rejected. I’ve heard and known that my whole life, but last night I realized that he was PERFECT and REJECTED, at the same time.
No matter what I do on this earth, there is no way I’m going to be as good as Jesus. We cannot be perfect. We cannot be cherished by everyone that we would like to cherish us. Jesus was perfect and he is love, and even he gets rejected on a daily basis.
If you’re ever wondering what you did wrong, what you could have done differently, realize that Jesus did everything just right and it didn’t matter. He was still rejected. He died for people and they still rejected him. The point is, he’s with you. While you’re sitting there wondering why and how, he’s with you. He truly has been there and it hurt his heart just the same.
Isaiah 53:3 (New International Version)
3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Isaiah 53:3 (The Message)
2-6The servant grew up before God—a scrawny seedling,
a scrubby plant in a parched field.
There was nothing attractive about him,
nothing to cause us to take a second look.
He was looked down on and passed over,
a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand.
One look at him and people turned away.
We looked down on him, thought he was scum.
But the fact is, it was our pains he carried—
our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us.
We thought he brought it on himself,
that God was punishing him for his own failures.
But it was our sins that did that to him,
that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins!
He took the punishment, and that made us whole.
Through his bruises we get healed.
We're all like sheep who've wandered off and gotten lost.
We've all done our own thing, gone our own way.
And God has piled all our sins, everything we've done wrong,
on him, on him.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Girls Are Funny Like That
Girls can be thoroughly ridiculous, and we're fully aware. Sometimes we can't seem to help it, the mix of insecurities and hormones just do us in. One of the oddest patterns of girl behavior I've observed is how we behave when we're intimidated by another woman because we think she's cool, and how this often delays fabulous friendships that could have been giving us joy much earlier than we let them. I have many examples, but I think the most appropriate would be me and my beautiful friend that is getting married today (We shall call her ABC).
I have known ABC for years - most likely since 2002 or so. She's a lovely, sweet, petite blond with a warm spirit that cares about making sure people are treated right and well. That combination not only brings all the boys to the yard, but it also can be pretty intimidating to other women. Especially since ABC is also really good at putting outfits together, and at the time I met her I was excited when I put jeans and t-shirts together successfully.
So, for a couple of years we went through that pattern where you really want to speak to someone, but have no clue what to say past "hi", and that is if you get the courage to say that. Sometimes we would speak and it would be great. Other days, we would see each other and not even acknowledge each other. I remember being so excited when I sustained a real conversation with her on one of our church young adult retreats, and someone took a picture, so it was documented!
Over time, she moved and I moved, but we both wound up back here. Then, we found ourselves on the same small beach trip together. And, as we know, friendships are never the same after a beach trip, and it's usually for the better. Turns out, ABC is a lot like me (except she's waaaay more organized). We are both actually pretty shy in our own quirky ways, and are more shy on some days than others. That's what was really going on for those years when we both wanted to be each other's friend but weren't sure how to make that happen.
This story really hit home with me last night at her wedding rehearsal dinner. I was so humbled at the opportunity to be a part of that family moment and to have the chance to honor and serve her. Her friendship has meant so much to me and she has been there for me in hugely important ways when she didn't even know it. I was so thankful that God allowed us the opportunity to get past whatever insecurities and quirks had kept us from being friends earlier.
It also made me wonder what other relationships I'm keeping from myself by being too intimidated to speak.
Congratulations ABC!!!
I have known ABC for years - most likely since 2002 or so. She's a lovely, sweet, petite blond with a warm spirit that cares about making sure people are treated right and well. That combination not only brings all the boys to the yard, but it also can be pretty intimidating to other women. Especially since ABC is also really good at putting outfits together, and at the time I met her I was excited when I put jeans and t-shirts together successfully.
So, for a couple of years we went through that pattern where you really want to speak to someone, but have no clue what to say past "hi", and that is if you get the courage to say that. Sometimes we would speak and it would be great. Other days, we would see each other and not even acknowledge each other. I remember being so excited when I sustained a real conversation with her on one of our church young adult retreats, and someone took a picture, so it was documented!
Over time, she moved and I moved, but we both wound up back here. Then, we found ourselves on the same small beach trip together. And, as we know, friendships are never the same after a beach trip, and it's usually for the better. Turns out, ABC is a lot like me (except she's waaaay more organized). We are both actually pretty shy in our own quirky ways, and are more shy on some days than others. That's what was really going on for those years when we both wanted to be each other's friend but weren't sure how to make that happen.
This story really hit home with me last night at her wedding rehearsal dinner. I was so humbled at the opportunity to be a part of that family moment and to have the chance to honor and serve her. Her friendship has meant so much to me and she has been there for me in hugely important ways when she didn't even know it. I was so thankful that God allowed us the opportunity to get past whatever insecurities and quirks had kept us from being friends earlier.
It also made me wonder what other relationships I'm keeping from myself by being too intimidated to speak.
Congratulations ABC!!!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
I'm an Adult
Most of the time, I still feel pretty young, or still not completely grown up. I still automatically assume people that are married or have children or own a house are older than me, and clearly that is not true. Sometimes I still feel like I should be cut some slack for being younger or like I'm not respected for being the kid in the room.
Then, I'll catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and see myself as I really look now. Those moments of "Who's that? Oh, it's me. Oh, I must look like an adult to other people." Then I fight the early signs of aging through expensive skincare and realize it's time to color my hair again, and there's a bit more gray in there than the last time. And I can't leave out the growing number of younger people calling me m'am these days.
Then, I'll catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and see myself as I really look now. Those moments of "Who's that? Oh, it's me. Oh, I must look like an adult to other people." Then I fight the early signs of aging through expensive skincare and realize it's time to color my hair again, and there's a bit more gray in there than the last time. And I can't leave out the growing number of younger people calling me m'am these days.
I'm thrilled to be alive and thrilled to have a future; but that doesn't mean those glimpses don't throw me for a loop.
The Great Christmas Card Race
First of all, sending a picture of you by yourself is a little awkward. It can be interpretted as lonely, vain or as "Why does she think I want a picture of her?" The single person has to have a really cool picture in order to justify sending out a picture of themselves alone. And, they have to top this picture every year by being more cool, more adventurous, or more Christmasy. This also forces the risk of looking as though you're trying to brag and show off your fun single life to the moms that would really like to get out of the house every now and then.
Which is another thing - Families have kids. Kids grow and look different each year. Unless a single person dies their hair purple or has gastric bypass surgery, he or she pretty much looks the same - so you have to make the picture exciting and worthwhile in some other way. (Married couples without kids can totally get away with the picture card because there is 2 people to look at.)
You can feature a picture of you and your dog or cat each year, but that can be misconstrued as pathetic or weird (which it totally isn't - I mean, have you seen how stinkin' cute my dog is?)
I have had two single-person photo Christmas cards in the past. The first was when I was living and working in DC and it featured a picture of me at the White House press room podium. Totally fit all of the criteria of a cool picture in an exciting time of my life. The second card featured a trio of pictures - including one of me with the Rockefeller Christmas tree, one of the angels beside the Christmas tree, and one of my dog looking super cute in a red bow. This fit the criteria of not just being me, being a cool experience, being Christmasy, and being super cute.
This year, I racked my brain as to what picture to use, and had a great idea but it would have required a photo shoot. Life and Christmas are stressful enough - so while standing in a checkout line and freaking out about what all I had to do that day, I decided to release myself from all the pressure and just send cards. From TJ Maxx. And on sale. But still, so very cute.
Photo of strangers from Snapfish :).
Friday, December 11, 2009
Comfort Zone
My late twenties and early thirties have largely been about getting out of my comfort zone. I thought of this last night when I wore my sequined black dress to church Christmas party. I had bought the dress almost 3 years ago. It was on clearance or I never would have bought it. I needed it for an event and viewed it as more of a costume than an actual wardrobe item, and decided I was ok with spending $14 on it. It had to be a costume, because like I’d ever wear a black sequin dress? It just wasn’t me, and I’d be uncomfortable and pull on it all the time, and surely they didn’t make such things in my size, and people might look at me if I wore that, etc., etc., etc.
The next year, I got a little more adventurous and wore it a friend’s fancy dress birthday dinner. This year, I had forgotten about owning it until roaming town for wardrobe ideas for my various holiday festivities. I saw a similar dress in a boutique and thought “Oh how fabulous!” Then I realized that I basically already owned the dress. Then I realized that I wanted to wear it and I would be totally comfortable wearing it, and just how far I’ve come in 3 years.
The next year, I got a little more adventurous and wore it a friend’s fancy dress birthday dinner. This year, I had forgotten about owning it until roaming town for wardrobe ideas for my various holiday festivities. I saw a similar dress in a boutique and thought “Oh how fabulous!” Then I realized that I basically already owned the dress. Then I realized that I wanted to wear it and I would be totally comfortable wearing it, and just how far I’ve come in 3 years.
So, I wore the dress to my church fancy dress Christmas party last night. And it was perfect for the event and I was comfortable and it shined in the light and I didn’t even care :-).
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Just Breathe
So, one of my biggest struggles is feeling like I generally suck at life. I get deep down that this is generally not true, but I’m plagued by often feeling like I never measure up (If not to other people’s standards, then to my own). I was once described as having an “overly-punishing super-ego”. I’m not exactly sure what that means – but I can see where it sounds just about right. Thankfully, this has been diminished with age, confidence, and God’s ever merciful freedom; but it’s still a fight.
I don’t think I’m the only one out there like this. I think it’s a pretty common plague, particularly among women like me. Therefore, I’m sharing a few mini-revelations I’ve had about this lately. Not to brag, for these aren’t necessarily bragging-rights kind of things – and because I would consider bragging something to punish myself for ;). No, instead, to show in some mundane examples how sometimes we’re not as bad as we think we might be.
I first thought of this a few weeks ago when I was not feeling well and knew I would miss a routine staff meeting. Freaking out about this and its appearance, I emailed my absence along with my report for the meeting. When I got to work 2 hours later, I expected guilt for not being there – instead, I got a lot of “gee whiz – you’re really on top of things”. Seriously not what I was feeling like on the inside.
Yesterday was another similar day. I was very frustrated because 1.) I was to start the day with my monthly check-in meeting with my boss and had no report prepared, and 2.) I was running around because I was turning in a project I really cared about on the day of the deadline, yet again. Then, I found out I was the only person that actually kept my monthly check-in meetings. Later, a much respected professor that I have had a long-standingly tense & critical relationship with said he’d like to use the syllabus I turned in with the project as his new template. Really?
So, see, maybe we’re not always as bad as we think we are when we think we’re really terrible. This post is not to be misconstrued as justification for sin or anything like that, but to encourage you as you try to do your best and glorify God in the day-to-day cogwheels of life.
I don’t think I’m the only one out there like this. I think it’s a pretty common plague, particularly among women like me. Therefore, I’m sharing a few mini-revelations I’ve had about this lately. Not to brag, for these aren’t necessarily bragging-rights kind of things – and because I would consider bragging something to punish myself for ;). No, instead, to show in some mundane examples how sometimes we’re not as bad as we think we might be.
I first thought of this a few weeks ago when I was not feeling well and knew I would miss a routine staff meeting. Freaking out about this and its appearance, I emailed my absence along with my report for the meeting. When I got to work 2 hours later, I expected guilt for not being there – instead, I got a lot of “gee whiz – you’re really on top of things”. Seriously not what I was feeling like on the inside.
Yesterday was another similar day. I was very frustrated because 1.) I was to start the day with my monthly check-in meeting with my boss and had no report prepared, and 2.) I was running around because I was turning in a project I really cared about on the day of the deadline, yet again. Then, I found out I was the only person that actually kept my monthly check-in meetings. Later, a much respected professor that I have had a long-standingly tense & critical relationship with said he’d like to use the syllabus I turned in with the project as his new template. Really?
So, see, maybe we’re not always as bad as we think we are when we think we’re really terrible. This post is not to be misconstrued as justification for sin or anything like that, but to encourage you as you try to do your best and glorify God in the day-to-day cogwheels of life.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Thanksgiving Remix Is Not For Me
I saw an article in the New York Times this week that listed 101 ways and recipes to get an early start on Thanksgiving. The pictures were gorgeous, and the recipes sounded very intriguing and tasty, but highly experimental, like Thai Squash Soup with Ginger-Apricot-Prune chutney. All of the recipes felt cold to me and I imagined them to be something that Joe Fox's girlfriend in You've Got Mail would make (or pay someone to make) if she were in charge of a holiday meal.
To me, the point of Thanksgiving food is to celebrate comfort food at its finest. Take the foods of your family and heritage, kick them up a notch, and indulge. Kicking it up in the South tends to mean more butter, more pecans, more marshmallows, and making sure orange juice is in the sweet potato casserole. Granted, comfort food is different for every person and culture (This really dawned on me one day when watching Giada DeLaurentis cook her favorite easy comfort foods - all of which were completely foreign to me and sounded really difficult - but I'm not Italian.).
Culture and heritage is the same reason why I likely won't even touch sausage or oyster stuffing, but cornbread chicken and dressing is my favorite food on earth. This is why Southerner's are completely perplexed by segments on Today show about whether or not to actually cook your stuffing in the turkey. Like we'd ever do that in the first place (granted - a cajun stuffed chicken is an entirely different matter). You're supposed to use the official dressing pan that was passed down from your grandmother and basically make washtubs full of dressing. This is why women in the South have freezers full of cornbread and Sunbeam Thrift Store white bread that they have gathered throughout the year in preparation, and why my Momma is considered a master because she knows the exact perfect proportion of bread to chicken stock and celery to sage.
This said, I am hypocritically baking a Nutella pound cake for tomorrow's dessert. But, if you ask me, I will say it is merely a chocolate swirl cake - because I want my nephews to actually eat it.
To me, the point of Thanksgiving food is to celebrate comfort food at its finest. Take the foods of your family and heritage, kick them up a notch, and indulge. Kicking it up in the South tends to mean more butter, more pecans, more marshmallows, and making sure orange juice is in the sweet potato casserole. Granted, comfort food is different for every person and culture (This really dawned on me one day when watching Giada DeLaurentis cook her favorite easy comfort foods - all of which were completely foreign to me and sounded really difficult - but I'm not Italian.).
Culture and heritage is the same reason why I likely won't even touch sausage or oyster stuffing, but cornbread chicken and dressing is my favorite food on earth. This is why Southerner's are completely perplexed by segments on Today show about whether or not to actually cook your stuffing in the turkey. Like we'd ever do that in the first place (granted - a cajun stuffed chicken is an entirely different matter). You're supposed to use the official dressing pan that was passed down from your grandmother and basically make washtubs full of dressing. This is why women in the South have freezers full of cornbread and Sunbeam Thrift Store white bread that they have gathered throughout the year in preparation, and why my Momma is considered a master because she knows the exact perfect proportion of bread to chicken stock and celery to sage.
This said, I am hypocritically baking a Nutella pound cake for tomorrow's dessert. But, if you ask me, I will say it is merely a chocolate swirl cake - because I want my nephews to actually eat it.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Blessed Indeed
I love my job about as much as I love Southerners' need to feed folks. You can imagine my excitement when the two came together last Friday at my work Thanksgiving lunch. It also celebrated my favorite holiday - so I was on Cloud 9. See the pictures below:
Ham, Turkey, and Dressing
Dessert Table #1
Ham, Turkey, and Dressing
The Salads
The Side Dishes
Dessert Table #1
Dessert Table #2
Yum, Yum, Get Ya Some.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Oh Martha...
I admit it. I love Martha Stewart. I can't help myself. I'm not saying I want to hang out with her or have tea - No, that would scare me near to death. I'm just saying she's pretty fascinating.
I haven't bought her magazine in ages, but it beckoned to me in the checkout line on Sunday night. I was feeling all Christmasey... it's cover was all sparkly...I gave in. Sure enough, it included all sorts of Martha Stewart ridiculousness.
I found this month's featured dessert to a perfect example of the ridiculousness, so I will re-type some of the article here:
From, "Martha's Famous Croquembouche" - (Which, FYI - means "Crunch in the mouth" in French. I looked it up)
This French dessert is a showstopper but is easier to make than it looks. Croquembouche - pate a choux puffs with a creamy filling, dipped in hot caramel, and stacked into a pyramid - is one of my favorite special-occasion desserts. Sometimes I make a towering one and adorn it with spun sugar, but this year I kept it small, simple, and sweet. The cookie stars look like ornaments on a tree.
It's not hard to assemble a diminutive croquembouche like this one. Don't worry about making it perfect - a homeade look is part of its charm. Use the cookie stars to hide gaps between puffs. To make the cookies, follow the sugar cookie recipe on page 222, using small star cutters and medium-size ones. Decorate with royal icing, page 224, and sprinkle the icing with fine sanding sugar; let stand until set.
In comparsion to this, I would like to share a story from last week. I made cookies for a baby shower. I felt a bit guilty that they were so easily made because they used a cake mix. They weren't exactly amazing, but a minor step above Pillsbury. The other ladies in attendance were just proud that one of us baked. This is the reality of 2009.
Photos from Martha Stewart Living.com
I haven't bought her magazine in ages, but it beckoned to me in the checkout line on Sunday night. I was feeling all Christmasey... it's cover was all sparkly...I gave in. Sure enough, it included all sorts of Martha Stewart ridiculousness.
From, "Martha's Famous Croquembouche" - (Which, FYI - means "Crunch in the mouth" in French. I looked it up)
This French dessert is a showstopper but is easier to make than it looks. Croquembouche - pate a choux puffs with a creamy filling, dipped in hot caramel, and stacked into a pyramid - is one of my favorite special-occasion desserts. Sometimes I make a towering one and adorn it with spun sugar, but this year I kept it small, simple, and sweet. The cookie stars look like ornaments on a tree.It's not hard to assemble a diminutive croquembouche like this one. Don't worry about making it perfect - a homeade look is part of its charm. Use the cookie stars to hide gaps between puffs. To make the cookies, follow the sugar cookie recipe on page 222, using small star cutters and medium-size ones. Decorate with royal icing, page 224, and sprinkle the icing with fine sanding sugar; let stand until set.
This is followed by the full page recipe for the easy croquembouche.
In comparsion to this, I would like to share a story from last week. I made cookies for a baby shower. I felt a bit guilty that they were so easily made because they used a cake mix. They weren't exactly amazing, but a minor step above Pillsbury. The other ladies in attendance were just proud that one of us baked. This is the reality of 2009.
Photos from Martha Stewart Living.com
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Minnie Pearl, The Tennessee Girl
Last night, I went on a random trip to Kmart to buy some house shoes I'd seen in a sale ad. I did actually need house shoes, but perhaps not 2 pair like I wound up with. One pair is indoor only, good for traveling, and a very Golden Girls meets Uggs combination. The other pair is hot pink with white pom-poms, a furry lining, and an outdoor sole that makes them my new dog-walking shoes.
On my 2nd or 3rd trip to take the dog out in my new dog-walking shoes, I noticed that I hadn't taken the tag off yet, and that I didn't mind. I thought to myself "I must still be Minnie Pearl after all."
You see, when I was a kid, I didn't take the tag off of anything. Especially nothing I was proud of. This meant that most of my stuffed animals still had their tags. Along with my music lesson book-bag, my tape case (and my cd case later in life), and anything else I had received for Christmas or my birthday that was not an item of clothing.
At that time, we were living in Tennessee and would frequently visit The Grand Ole Opry. My grandparents were in Alabama, but we would visit them as much as possible. The mix of living in TN and keeping the tag on everything led my nick-naming grandfather to call me "Minnie Pearl, The Tennessee Girl" much more often than he called me by my given name. This was quite alright with me, since I thought Minnie Pearl was the funniest and coolest person at The Opry.
Quite unintentionally, I wound up going to Belmont University - the same college as Minnie Pearl, otherwise known as Sarah Ophelia Cannon, where they have a scholarship in her honor. She was actually quite intelligent with a extensive theatre training. Minnie Pearl, the boy-crazy-tag-loving country bumpkin from Grinders Switch became her most famous character. Later on, during a very intense and rapid-fire phone interview for a fellowship in the U.S. Senate, I listed her as one of three famous people through history I'd want to have dinner with. This is the only time my interviewer stopped to take a breath, as my answer completely caught him off guard. He said he'd never gotten that one before. So, Minnie Pearl just might have gotten me a job that changed my life.
As of now, the tag is still on my house shoes. I'll probably take it off in a week or so, after I've gotten the shoes worn in good. Or, maybe I won't.
(I lost the link to the picture - but it's from The Country Music Hall of Fame)
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Thank You Friend!
I have a friend named Brooke. She has two (yes two!) awesome blogs that are life-giving and great work-day stress relievers. One of her blogs is about Southern story-telling, which is one of my most favorite things. Today, she was sweet enough to post a poem I wrote for class, and she picked the most perfect picture to go with it.
Check out Stories from the Back Porch and her other great blog, Playing Grown Up.
Don't forget her Etsy shop! You can find it at:http://www.etsy.com/shop/PlayingGrownUp.
Check out Stories from the Back Porch and her other great blog, Playing Grown Up.
Don't forget her Etsy shop! You can find it at:http://www.etsy.com/shop/PlayingGrownUp.
I'm a health educator that just can't help herself
This is a bit out of the norm for my blog, but I'm posting a recent newspaper article I wrote on H1N1 (before the vaccine shortage!). I love me some infectious disease prevention :). Hope you get something out of it! And, yes, they actually publish my rantings sometimes. Perhaps I should be more aware of that when I'm writing them...hmm...
Your Guide to Preventing the Flu (Otherwise known as “Wash Your Hands People!”)
In this modern day and age, we expect some fancy way to avoid big-bad viruses. And yet, the CDC recommends 2 basic actions for preventing the flu:
1.) Take time to get a flu vaccine.
2.) Take everyday preventive actions.
You might be thinking, “That’s what the government brochure says, but how does it play out in my everyday life?” Good question. I’ll take these on one at a time.
First of all, let’s discuss vaccines. There are two different types this year, one for the regular seasonal flu, and another for H1N1, or “swine flu.” Please do not be afraid of these. It is always your personal choice whether to take a vaccine, but these are safe and are the best way to protect yourself from the flu. People have had a lot of questions about the H1N1 vaccine. It has been prepared and tested the same as the yearly seasonal vaccine, but it is an extra dose because the epidemic spread too late for manufacturers to include protection in the usual vaccine. If H1N1 had spread earlier in 2009, it would have been part of the annual flu shot. H1N1 vaccines have been tested and are FDA approved. Flu vaccines are very important for people at risk of a serious flu case, like young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease and people 65 years and older. Children up to age 9 will need to get 2 doses of the H1N1 vaccine, about a month apart. Please ask your doctor about these vaccines. I have had both the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 flu mist because I am a health care worker, which means I am more likely to be around people that have the flu. This was my first flu mist vaccine, which is only for people aged 2-49. I simply inhaled it up both nostrils. It did not hurt or smell. Later, I did notice some drainage down the back of my throat that tasted a little funny, but the taste was gone in 5 minutes. I had no other problems or side-effects.
It is worth it to take the time to get the shots or mist. It took me around one hour total time to get both vaccines on two separate days. In comparison, most people with H1N1 miss several days of work. It is worth your time!
Secondly, wash your hands with soap!! Hand-washing with soap is the single-best and cheapest way to prevent disease in the whole world. Do it! A recent study from the American Journal of Public Health found that only 32% of men and 64% of women washed their hands with soap after using the bathroom. Interestingly enough, women were more likely to wash their hands if there was a fact about hand washing posted in the bathroom. Facts had no effect on men, but they were more likely to wash their hands if there was a disgusting sign, saying something such as “Soap it off or eat it later.” (I wonder what would happen with a sign that said “Pretty women like men with washed hands.”) Relating hand washing to being a good person made both men and women more likely to wash their hands. We often judge people by whether or not they do the right thing when nobody is watching. Take this to heart with hand washing too.
If soap and water are not there, then an alcohol-based hand rub will do. Always cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue away, and wash your hands! (again with the gross factor). Cough into your elbow if you do not have a tissue handy. Touch your face as little as possible, because you most often give yourself a virus by putting your hand to your nose or mouth without realizing it.
Finally, if you are sick, stay home! Your coworkers and classmates really do not need your germs! They will be just fine without them and be glad you kept them to yourself. I promise.
In summary, the best defense against the flu in 2009 is good old common sense. And if you are not washing your hands, we know who you are, and we are grossed out.
1.) Take time to get a flu vaccine.
2.) Take everyday preventive actions.
You might be thinking, “That’s what the government brochure says, but how does it play out in my everyday life?” Good question. I’ll take these on one at a time.
First of all, let’s discuss vaccines. There are two different types this year, one for the regular seasonal flu, and another for H1N1, or “swine flu.” Please do not be afraid of these. It is always your personal choice whether to take a vaccine, but these are safe and are the best way to protect yourself from the flu. People have had a lot of questions about the H1N1 vaccine. It has been prepared and tested the same as the yearly seasonal vaccine, but it is an extra dose because the epidemic spread too late for manufacturers to include protection in the usual vaccine. If H1N1 had spread earlier in 2009, it would have been part of the annual flu shot. H1N1 vaccines have been tested and are FDA approved. Flu vaccines are very important for people at risk of a serious flu case, like young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease and people 65 years and older. Children up to age 9 will need to get 2 doses of the H1N1 vaccine, about a month apart. Please ask your doctor about these vaccines. I have had both the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 flu mist because I am a health care worker, which means I am more likely to be around people that have the flu. This was my first flu mist vaccine, which is only for people aged 2-49. I simply inhaled it up both nostrils. It did not hurt or smell. Later, I did notice some drainage down the back of my throat that tasted a little funny, but the taste was gone in 5 minutes. I had no other problems or side-effects.
It is worth it to take the time to get the shots or mist. It took me around one hour total time to get both vaccines on two separate days. In comparison, most people with H1N1 miss several days of work. It is worth your time!
Secondly, wash your hands with soap!! Hand-washing with soap is the single-best and cheapest way to prevent disease in the whole world. Do it! A recent study from the American Journal of Public Health found that only 32% of men and 64% of women washed their hands with soap after using the bathroom. Interestingly enough, women were more likely to wash their hands if there was a fact about hand washing posted in the bathroom. Facts had no effect on men, but they were more likely to wash their hands if there was a disgusting sign, saying something such as “Soap it off or eat it later.” (I wonder what would happen with a sign that said “Pretty women like men with washed hands.”) Relating hand washing to being a good person made both men and women more likely to wash their hands. We often judge people by whether or not they do the right thing when nobody is watching. Take this to heart with hand washing too.
If soap and water are not there, then an alcohol-based hand rub will do. Always cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue away, and wash your hands! (again with the gross factor). Cough into your elbow if you do not have a tissue handy. Touch your face as little as possible, because you most often give yourself a virus by putting your hand to your nose or mouth without realizing it.
Finally, if you are sick, stay home! Your coworkers and classmates really do not need your germs! They will be just fine without them and be glad you kept them to yourself. I promise.
In summary, the best defense against the flu in 2009 is good old common sense. And if you are not washing your hands, we know who you are, and we are grossed out.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Nose for Beauty
Here is a poem I just reviewed for my creative writing class. I rather liked it, although I don't think it is universally applicable for all dogs. I like to think that Mathilda does indeed have a nose for beauty :).
This poem is available online in the Summer 2009 edition of The Georgia Review.
by Todd Boss
My Dog Has No Nose
for beauty. She
knows not where it
nests, nor how it
flushes and goes,
nor how best
to close it
in her mouth’s
soft wallet, nor
whether, if she
brought it and
laid it at the feet
of her lord, he’ d
mete out any but
the usual reward.
This poem is available online in the Summer 2009 edition of The Georgia Review.
by Todd Boss
My Dog Has No Nose
for beauty. She
knows not where it
nests, nor how it
flushes and goes,
nor how best
to close it
in her mouth’s
soft wallet, nor
whether, if she
brought it and
laid it at the feet
of her lord, he’ d
mete out any but
the usual reward.
Tastebud Nostalgia
Lately, I've been having very odd food cravings. No worries - not of the pregnant kind, but of the elementary school kind.
I think it all started when I was in the store one day and felt the need to buy Kraft macaroni & cheese. Unfortunately, I bought the single microwave packs and one taste was all I needed to think those were gross. But, the cravings have evolved since then.
While at the Piggly Wiggly with my mom, I saw sloppy joe mix, and had to have it. I thought, why don't I eat sloppy joes anymore? I bought the jar instead of the canned options because it looked to taste better. I made it a couple of nights ago with ground white turkey, and it was amazing! My dad almost ate two sandwiches and was excited to eat the leftovers the next day. I honestly cannot remember the last time I ate sloppy joes before this week. Why have I been depriving myself of this delicacy? Oddly enough - that's what my sister made for dinner last night, so I must not be alone in this. And side note - I did learn to not eat sloppy joes before going to ballet class. They do not mix well with jumping. Of course, common sense should have told me that.
Last week, I got a sudden urge to drive to the store for some peaches and cream oatmeal. Thankfully, it is still delicious and I liked it much better than the microwave macaroni.
I think it all started when I was in the store one day and felt the need to buy Kraft macaroni & cheese. Unfortunately, I bought the single microwave packs and one taste was all I needed to think those were gross. But, the cravings have evolved since then.
While at the Piggly Wiggly with my mom, I saw sloppy joe mix, and had to have it. I thought, why don't I eat sloppy joes anymore? I bought the jar instead of the canned options because it looked to taste better. I made it a couple of nights ago with ground white turkey, and it was amazing! My dad almost ate two sandwiches and was excited to eat the leftovers the next day. I honestly cannot remember the last time I ate sloppy joes before this week. Why have I been depriving myself of this delicacy? Oddly enough - that's what my sister made for dinner last night, so I must not be alone in this. And side note - I did learn to not eat sloppy joes before going to ballet class. They do not mix well with jumping. Of course, common sense should have told me that.
Last week, I got a sudden urge to drive to the store for some peaches and cream oatmeal. Thankfully, it is still delicious and I liked it much better than the microwave macaroni.
Furthermore, I seem to have reverted back to preferring milk chocolate over dark. A year ago, I would have turned my nose down at a milk Dove promise, but right now I'd really go for one.
I even liked the Chuck E. Cheese pizza I ate last week. So, I'm not sure what's going on with me. I've been such a food snob for so long, maybe I'm rebelling a bit. Maybe I'm wanting things that seem real and comforting. So far, my taste buds don't seem to mind.
Gorgeous
If you don't already receive the anthropologie catalogue, I recommend you go online and check out November's edition. It is particularly lovely. I want the dress featured on page 9. (note that I said want and not need - I listened to my sermon on Sunday about financial stewardship).
Monday, November 2, 2009
Baby Carrots
I always feel guilted into buying baby carrots in order to find some easy way to work vegetables into my diet. Too often, I open my refrigerator door and just stare at them, then throw them out once they've dried all up. Then, there are days like today, when I make myself eat them and remember that I really do like them!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Addendum
Really, all of this is a testiment to the social networking that is facebook. How else could the husband of someone I was in youth group with and a real Transylvanian from my former salsa dance class have a socialized medicine argument on my wall?
Righteous Anger
I'm a policy person that doesn't like politics. Sometimes I think about being in a political office - but that would entail running for that office and making soundbite statements and that kind of makes me sick to my stomach. I like to read bills and think about different possibilities for bills and meet with communities (when they're not yelling at me). I like to think about what would make sense for people, but hate making hard decisions and coming to my final opinion. And again, there's that minor detail that conflict makes me cry and vomit.
Fortunately, just liking the policy and advocay parts of politics plays wonderfully into being a professor. You can teach the nuts and bolts and equip others to make their own decisions and do the work.
For some reason, that changed a bit this morning. Maybe I woke up funny, I don't know. But the House of Representatives health plan did not set well with me and I got worked up about it. So worked up, that I made a facebook status about it. Foolish, perhaps. I'm not one to make volatile or opionated statments on facebook, as I think they should largely be reserved for random statements or exciting life events. Of course, my status was misconstrued by some, but it was public and open for interpretation, which is what you get with the internet. I got annoyed and thought about erasing it all. But, then I decided "You know what, it's ok to make an educated and informed statement on something. And it's ok to get angry for the right reasons. And there's an awful lot of 20 year olds writing nonsensical twitters every 15 seconds, so why not state a valid opinion that I could defend with research, policy briefs, and the state budget if necessary?"
Sometimes, it 's good for a person to have a strong opinion. Even if it's me.
Fortunately, just liking the policy and advocay parts of politics plays wonderfully into being a professor. You can teach the nuts and bolts and equip others to make their own decisions and do the work.
For some reason, that changed a bit this morning. Maybe I woke up funny, I don't know. But the House of Representatives health plan did not set well with me and I got worked up about it. So worked up, that I made a facebook status about it. Foolish, perhaps. I'm not one to make volatile or opionated statments on facebook, as I think they should largely be reserved for random statements or exciting life events. Of course, my status was misconstrued by some, but it was public and open for interpretation, which is what you get with the internet. I got annoyed and thought about erasing it all. But, then I decided "You know what, it's ok to make an educated and informed statement on something. And it's ok to get angry for the right reasons. And there's an awful lot of 20 year olds writing nonsensical twitters every 15 seconds, so why not state a valid opinion that I could defend with research, policy briefs, and the state budget if necessary?"
Sometimes, it 's good for a person to have a strong opinion. Even if it's me.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Glory Upon Glory
I have lived and continue to live a very blessed life, but it has not come without hard work and a big heap of God’s free favor. This truth has been a main subject of my internal dialogue for years – trying to make sense of it, trying to accept it freely, trying to make good use of it.
With age, I have found myself waning in enthusiasm and struggling with a lack of vision that I once had boiling over. This has been in conflict with my goodie-goodie-honor-student-affirmation-seeking self. Part of the issue, is that much of my previous motivation was rooted in fear, making other people happy, keeping peace, and proving my right to air space. Ironically, being set free from fear – which is another gift from God and ongoing process – left me clueless at how to go about my day. This freedom was brand new and I had no clue what to do with it – how to get myself out of bed without telling myself I’m a bad person if I don’t. How do I set goals and achieve them if they are truly for me and what I want and for the betterment of my future? That is freakin’ scary!!
As many of you know, I started dance classes again this summer. It just makes me happy. I’ve never been in a dance class and wished to be somewhere else (except for my D.C. Tango class – but that’s a whole other story). I signed up for tap and ballet. The tap came back in a week or two, but that was to be expected. I’m not the world’s greatest tapper or anything, but it was always a more natural and fun movement for me.
Ballet is a whole other story. Ballet is about technique and discipline. It’s about standing at a bar and doing one movement over and over until your body is trained to do it in a perfect way that sets you apart from all the non-ballerinas of the world. How very Russian of it. I hadn’t been in a ballet class since I was 17. Needless to say, I struggled. In fact, I was terrible. At 30, with a Ph.D. and a padded resume, I was flat out bad at something I wanted to be good at. Granted, I’m bad at plenty of things, but the wanting to be good at something was the burn.
I was so frustrated. But, I was still having fun because I was in a dance class. Regardless, I decided I could switch to the lyrical dance class and play to my strengths and stop being the tall girl with big hips in the black skirt and pink tights – which they don’t even really make for people my size. I could go to the lyrical class and move my arms around a lot and express myself and be free from my inabilities to remember French words and have a good turn-out in 5th position.
Then, during class one night, I maintained my balance in Releve Sou-sus. I hadn’t done that in years, and it felt good. For a second I thought “Hey, maybe I can do this. Maybe I’ll get better.” So, when fall registration came around, I stuck with ballet and I’ve noticed a change every week. I may not get everything right – but I get more right than I used to. And for the first time in ages, I’ve felt the joy of working towards something – a feeling seemingly extinct in this generation.
Somehow this small accomplishment in ballet has crossed over into my work life. Yes, I still procrastinate about writing my 5-year research plan and submitting a grant (which is what I'm doing by writing this), but it’s not nearly as frightening as it was. I have ideas and potential collaborators and somehow things seem much more possible than they did before.
I came across this scripture, which initially is a tad offsetting. Why would accomplishments be bad for you? Because you take goals and vision and hard work for granted. Because you become disillusioned. Because it can have the opposite effect of expected, and you can actually lose joy.
It's not smart to stuff yourself with sweets, nor is glory piled on glory good for you.
Proverbs 25:27, The Message
As adults, and as people that go to the same job every day, it can be easy for us to lose vision and to become accustomed to the day-to-day. Is there anything you want to be good at that you have to work for? Is there a forgotten about dream that maybe it’s time for you to pursue? A first love that you need to return to? (Meaning God and/or the things that you have known you loved from the very start).
I feel like this post may be disjointed and not flow – but it’s where my head and heart is at the moment, so I just hope you can make some sense of it and that it blesses you J.
With age, I have found myself waning in enthusiasm and struggling with a lack of vision that I once had boiling over. This has been in conflict with my goodie-goodie-honor-student-affirmation-seeking self. Part of the issue, is that much of my previous motivation was rooted in fear, making other people happy, keeping peace, and proving my right to air space. Ironically, being set free from fear – which is another gift from God and ongoing process – left me clueless at how to go about my day. This freedom was brand new and I had no clue what to do with it – how to get myself out of bed without telling myself I’m a bad person if I don’t. How do I set goals and achieve them if they are truly for me and what I want and for the betterment of my future? That is freakin’ scary!!
As many of you know, I started dance classes again this summer. It just makes me happy. I’ve never been in a dance class and wished to be somewhere else (except for my D.C. Tango class – but that’s a whole other story). I signed up for tap and ballet. The tap came back in a week or two, but that was to be expected. I’m not the world’s greatest tapper or anything, but it was always a more natural and fun movement for me.
Ballet is a whole other story. Ballet is about technique and discipline. It’s about standing at a bar and doing one movement over and over until your body is trained to do it in a perfect way that sets you apart from all the non-ballerinas of the world. How very Russian of it. I hadn’t been in a ballet class since I was 17. Needless to say, I struggled. In fact, I was terrible. At 30, with a Ph.D. and a padded resume, I was flat out bad at something I wanted to be good at. Granted, I’m bad at plenty of things, but the wanting to be good at something was the burn.
I was so frustrated. But, I was still having fun because I was in a dance class. Regardless, I decided I could switch to the lyrical dance class and play to my strengths and stop being the tall girl with big hips in the black skirt and pink tights – which they don’t even really make for people my size. I could go to the lyrical class and move my arms around a lot and express myself and be free from my inabilities to remember French words and have a good turn-out in 5th position.
Then, during class one night, I maintained my balance in Releve Sou-sus. I hadn’t done that in years, and it felt good. For a second I thought “Hey, maybe I can do this. Maybe I’ll get better.” So, when fall registration came around, I stuck with ballet and I’ve noticed a change every week. I may not get everything right – but I get more right than I used to. And for the first time in ages, I’ve felt the joy of working towards something – a feeling seemingly extinct in this generation.
Somehow this small accomplishment in ballet has crossed over into my work life. Yes, I still procrastinate about writing my 5-year research plan and submitting a grant (which is what I'm doing by writing this), but it’s not nearly as frightening as it was. I have ideas and potential collaborators and somehow things seem much more possible than they did before.
I came across this scripture, which initially is a tad offsetting. Why would accomplishments be bad for you? Because you take goals and vision and hard work for granted. Because you become disillusioned. Because it can have the opposite effect of expected, and you can actually lose joy.
It's not smart to stuff yourself with sweets, nor is glory piled on glory good for you.
Proverbs 25:27, The Message
As adults, and as people that go to the same job every day, it can be easy for us to lose vision and to become accustomed to the day-to-day. Is there anything you want to be good at that you have to work for? Is there a forgotten about dream that maybe it’s time for you to pursue? A first love that you need to return to? (Meaning God and/or the things that you have known you loved from the very start).
I feel like this post may be disjointed and not flow – but it’s where my head and heart is at the moment, so I just hope you can make some sense of it and that it blesses you J.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Thank God for Age and Wisdom
During lunch last Friday, I decided to stop into an upscale boutique that I had never been to. I knew it was upscale, but thought - "So what, I'm just going to look, and surely there is something in there I could afford if I wanted to." Or not. The clothes were all miniature and the shirts seemed to start at $300 - except, of course, for the tiny $48 wife-beater tank tops. (Which I saw on sale for $4 at the Gap later that same day). When the designer label shoes are the cheapest thing in the store and spending $125 on summer sandals in October begins to look practical, there is a problem. The large glass containers of rolled up thongs around the cash register further proved that I did not belong in this store.
The salespeople were all very nice and did not treat me as though I couldn't afford their products - even if nothing came in my size, and I was wearing a 9 year old dress, a clearance cardigan from Gap Body, and mary-jane crocs. I realized that the other shoppers (which, surprisingly, there were real customers) and the employees were teenagers, early 20's tops. I stood there thinking, I would have to have a six-figure salary to honestly afford these things, but this girl just found something new to wear to the Innisfree tonight.
I found myself thinking, "I'm not a redneck. I've lived in cities and been blessed to work with rich and influential people. I've traveled internationally. I've shopped in big cities and felt no qualms about entering expensive stores in Georgetown or even being stuck for an extended time inside a New York Prada. But this store is just ridiculous."
I'm not sure why I was so shocked by it. Maybe because it's in a small town. Maybe because I know the people that actually have wealth and power usually don't feel driven to needlessly flaunt it through a $600 mini puffer vest (unless they are in the entertainment industry).
Once upon a time, going in that store would have given me a complex. I would have found a way to buy something just so they didn't think I was poor or unrefined or something like that. Last Friday, I just realized how foolish it all was, kept my head up, and walked out.
The salespeople were all very nice and did not treat me as though I couldn't afford their products - even if nothing came in my size, and I was wearing a 9 year old dress, a clearance cardigan from Gap Body, and mary-jane crocs. I realized that the other shoppers (which, surprisingly, there were real customers) and the employees were teenagers, early 20's tops. I stood there thinking, I would have to have a six-figure salary to honestly afford these things, but this girl just found something new to wear to the Innisfree tonight.
I found myself thinking, "I'm not a redneck. I've lived in cities and been blessed to work with rich and influential people. I've traveled internationally. I've shopped in big cities and felt no qualms about entering expensive stores in Georgetown or even being stuck for an extended time inside a New York Prada. But this store is just ridiculous."
I'm not sure why I was so shocked by it. Maybe because it's in a small town. Maybe because I know the people that actually have wealth and power usually don't feel driven to needlessly flaunt it through a $600 mini puffer vest (unless they are in the entertainment industry).
Once upon a time, going in that store would have given me a complex. I would have found a way to buy something just so they didn't think I was poor or unrefined or something like that. Last Friday, I just realized how foolish it all was, kept my head up, and walked out.
Can't read my pumpkin face
I never really understood why Jack-O-Lanterns were supposed to scare bad people and spirits away, because I have always found them to be so cute. Instead of frightening me, they draw me in.
Until I was scared this morning by my very own cute kitty smiley face pumpkin that had been completely overtaken by black mold in the night. I was walking my dog back up the stairs and came face-to-face with the pumpkin and literally yelled out-loud. Then cracked up. I knew it had some stuff growing in there and had gotten some of it out, but I was hoping I could keep it going until Saturday. I didn't take its scary picture, because I prefer to remember it as pictured below, in all of its original cuteness glory.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
No fear
I was about to write something I hoped would be inspirational, when I went to The Church of the Highlands One Year Bible devotional to find a reference, and found today's devotional to be exactly what I needed and very share worthy. So, here ya go. It's written by Pastor Larry Stockstill and can be found at: http://www.churchofthehighlands.com/oneyearbible/
October 22, 2009
Fear can oppress and mask wonderful talents. In his youth, Timothy was naturally timid and fearful. He thus tended to hide his gifts for fear of rejection. Paul exhorted him "to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you" (2 Timothy 1:6).
God gave you unique gifts and talents to use in His service, and "you must never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord" (2 Timothy 1:8). Fear causes those special gifts to lie smoldering inside you, smothered by intimidation and dying for lack of encouragement. When you begin to pray in the Holy Spirit, however, the latent gifts within you begin to burn brightly and become visible.
The Holy Spirit's power came upon Timothy through the laying on of hands, a method used throughout the Bible to impart blessing and release giftings. This was also the way Moses imparted the spirit of wisdom to Joshua (Deuteronomy 34:9).
David refused to let fear control and smother his life. Instead, he stated, "Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor fear the dangers of the day" (Psalm 91:5).
Rise up, stir up, and speak up. Release your gifts, and be not ashamed!
October 22, 2009
Fear can oppress and mask wonderful talents. In his youth, Timothy was naturally timid and fearful. He thus tended to hide his gifts for fear of rejection. Paul exhorted him "to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you" (2 Timothy 1:6).
God gave you unique gifts and talents to use in His service, and "you must never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord" (2 Timothy 1:8). Fear causes those special gifts to lie smoldering inside you, smothered by intimidation and dying for lack of encouragement. When you begin to pray in the Holy Spirit, however, the latent gifts within you begin to burn brightly and become visible.
The Holy Spirit's power came upon Timothy through the laying on of hands, a method used throughout the Bible to impart blessing and release giftings. This was also the way Moses imparted the spirit of wisdom to Joshua (Deuteronomy 34:9).
David refused to let fear control and smother his life. Instead, he stated, "Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor fear the dangers of the day" (Psalm 91:5).
Rise up, stir up, and speak up. Release your gifts, and be not ashamed!
Long lasting long lashes
Ok, I have to do a follow up to the mascara recommend. (I'm sure the guys that read this are thrilled). Last night, I went to take off my makeup. I was surprised at how my mascara looked exactly the same as it did when I put it on hours before. I thought, "Gee, this stuff really is good." Then, I tried to take it off. I used a ton of makeup remover and wound up with little black flakes all over my face. I knew this stuff was supposed to come off weird, but I thought it was supposed to come off in little tubes. I began wondering if I was causing premature aging around my eyes by fighting to get the stuff off.
I thought, surely I'm not the only one with this problem. So, I took to the internet for tips. I found that Too Faced sells an eye makeup remover that it says will take the stuff off. Of course, it costs $23.50. But, it also says that you shouldn't need their stuff, that it should come off with normal eye makeup remover or soap and water. So, I took to other websites where people gave feedback. Over and over again, I read how the mascara comes off easily in little lash tube socks. I only read of 1 or 2 people that had the trouble I did. If you know the trick, please tell me!!
In contrast - there is another recent product find that I don't expect to recount. That would be the Nivea "A Kiss of Flavor" Cherry Tinted Lip Care. For $2.50 you get moisture & the exact perfect red tint to your lips! they have other colors too, but I started with cherry :).
I thought, surely I'm not the only one with this problem. So, I took to the internet for tips. I found that Too Faced sells an eye makeup remover that it says will take the stuff off. Of course, it costs $23.50. But, it also says that you shouldn't need their stuff, that it should come off with normal eye makeup remover or soap and water. So, I took to other websites where people gave feedback. Over and over again, I read how the mascara comes off easily in little lash tube socks. I only read of 1 or 2 people that had the trouble I did. If you know the trick, please tell me!!
In contrast - there is another recent product find that I don't expect to recount. That would be the Nivea "A Kiss of Flavor" Cherry Tinted Lip Care. For $2.50 you get moisture & the exact perfect red tint to your lips! they have other colors too, but I started with cherry :).
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Luscious Lovely Lashes
Every woman has a favorite cosmetic item that she collects or prefers to seek the best of like it’s a holy grail. For me, it’s mascara (well, aside from lip balm and lip gloss). I rarely buy the same kind twice and gave up on most brands long ago. Even when I find one I like, I seem to keep searching. They all sound so enticing. I recently sprung on some eye brightening Cover Girl mascara, knowing I’d be disappointed, but it was on sale and I had a coupon – so it was low risk.
The mascara most often recommended to me is Lash Injection by Too Faced. I had never tried it. Partially because the women recommending it always had on about 20 coats of it and I was afraid. Also, because it supposedly forms little tubes around each lash that are really weird looking when you take the mascara off. Then, there’s the matter that Too Faced has just never really called out to me like the other brands.
Today, I made a brief cheap visit to Ulta during my lunch hour, wherein I shunned several new “innovative” mascaras. I had I would wait and not make my next mascara purchase on a whim. Then, near the checkout, I saw a mini version of the Too Faced mascara for half the price. So, I decided to cave and try it. I applied it immediately, and found that it takes more time and application than usual, but it really does work, and plushly covers each lash to the tip. So much so that my left eye looked like I was celebrating Halloween early until I fixed it. I don’t know that I applied quite enough to make the “tubes” form or to make myself look like the ladies at the store, but it works. It even still looks decent after the sunglasses/glasses test.
I don’t know if it is better than Lorac’s Multidimensional mascara or any of the MAC line (particularly like plush lash – and it’s $7 cheaper than most high-end stuff), but it does work better than most mascaras. Next on my list: Benefit’s Bad Gal Lash.
Little side note – never ever try Too Faced Lip Injection. You may go to the hospital. Seriously. I saw Meredith Viera have a reaction to it once on The View, but I tried it anyway one time when I got a free sample from Sephora. I have never put anything on my face or skin that hurt that bad. I had to wash it off immediately. I’ve heard other reports of people having serious reactions to it. A few months ago, I was in Ulta and thought I’d put some on my hand, just to see, and sure enough – it burned my hand. Yeah, the stuff works. It’ll make your lips bigger – but it’s because they are on fire.
The mascara most often recommended to me is Lash Injection by Too Faced. I had never tried it. Partially because the women recommending it always had on about 20 coats of it and I was afraid. Also, because it supposedly forms little tubes around each lash that are really weird looking when you take the mascara off. Then, there’s the matter that Too Faced has just never really called out to me like the other brands.
Today, I made a brief cheap visit to Ulta during my lunch hour, wherein I shunned several new “innovative” mascaras. I had I would wait and not make my next mascara purchase on a whim. Then, near the checkout, I saw a mini version of the Too Faced mascara for half the price. So, I decided to cave and try it. I applied it immediately, and found that it takes more time and application than usual, but it really does work, and plushly covers each lash to the tip. So much so that my left eye looked like I was celebrating Halloween early until I fixed it. I don’t know that I applied quite enough to make the “tubes” form or to make myself look like the ladies at the store, but it works. It even still looks decent after the sunglasses/glasses test.
I don’t know if it is better than Lorac’s Multidimensional mascara or any of the MAC line (particularly like plush lash – and it’s $7 cheaper than most high-end stuff), but it does work better than most mascaras. Next on my list: Benefit’s Bad Gal Lash.
Little side note – never ever try Too Faced Lip Injection. You may go to the hospital. Seriously. I saw Meredith Viera have a reaction to it once on The View, but I tried it anyway one time when I got a free sample from Sephora. I have never put anything on my face or skin that hurt that bad. I had to wash it off immediately. I’ve heard other reports of people having serious reactions to it. A few months ago, I was in Ulta and thought I’d put some on my hand, just to see, and sure enough – it burned my hand. Yeah, the stuff works. It’ll make your lips bigger – but it’s because they are on fire.
Image source:
Monday, October 12, 2009
Yikes
I am sitting at my desk trying my best to write my personal statement on research training and my future research plan, including both short and long-term career goals.
Yes, I've been avoiding this. Yes, trying to write this is making my heart race. I'm trying to take deep breaths and realize I can totally do this and that the plan is not a tiger that is about to eat me, but I'm struggling...
Yes, I've been avoiding this. Yes, trying to write this is making my heart race. I'm trying to take deep breaths and realize I can totally do this and that the plan is not a tiger that is about to eat me, but I'm struggling...
Friday, October 9, 2009
Relative Risk
I’m not really sure what to say about this – but it is something my mind keeps pondering during this breast cancer awareness month.
There is a risk factor in the literature that cannot be ignored that no one seems to know how discuss. This would be the increased risk in women who have not had a child by age 30. I think a lot of us read over that and try to ignore that it’s there because 1.) It’s annoying, 2.) Who needs another reason to think about all the “what ifs” & insecurities it brings up?, and 3.) We’ve already got to deal with that increased risk of developmental disorders when having children at age 35 and older – why throw something else on top of it?
However, I could not ignore the Relative Risk value in the chart before me during our special breast cancer lecture; nor could the presenter, an extremely accomplished older female physician. So, she said “To the dismay of all the career women, here is the increased risk from having children after 30.” And then later, she placed it in a special category titled “Potentially Modifiable Risk Factors” and verified that women may or may not have control over when they have children.
I’m not sure why I have such an unsettled feeling about this. Perhaps because in this day and age when women are trying to figure out the modern world, getting judged a little bit less for pursuing personal life goals, but still wanting to be fully a woman and find balance in family and work – here is science coming out to judge us and get in our way. Not old-school folks saying we should be in the kitchen, but basic epidemiology taking on the voice of your mother and asking why you haven’t produced grandkids yet. Aaargh. I’m gonna cling to the scientific fact that relative risk is indeed relative.
There is a risk factor in the literature that cannot be ignored that no one seems to know how discuss. This would be the increased risk in women who have not had a child by age 30. I think a lot of us read over that and try to ignore that it’s there because 1.) It’s annoying, 2.) Who needs another reason to think about all the “what ifs” & insecurities it brings up?, and 3.) We’ve already got to deal with that increased risk of developmental disorders when having children at age 35 and older – why throw something else on top of it?
However, I could not ignore the Relative Risk value in the chart before me during our special breast cancer lecture; nor could the presenter, an extremely accomplished older female physician. So, she said “To the dismay of all the career women, here is the increased risk from having children after 30.” And then later, she placed it in a special category titled “Potentially Modifiable Risk Factors” and verified that women may or may not have control over when they have children.
I’m not sure why I have such an unsettled feeling about this. Perhaps because in this day and age when women are trying to figure out the modern world, getting judged a little bit less for pursuing personal life goals, but still wanting to be fully a woman and find balance in family and work – here is science coming out to judge us and get in our way. Not old-school folks saying we should be in the kitchen, but basic epidemiology taking on the voice of your mother and asking why you haven’t produced grandkids yet. Aaargh. I’m gonna cling to the scientific fact that relative risk is indeed relative.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Seriously
I’ve had a lot of potentially awkward social run-ins lately, and am bound to have more in the future. I had one in Target just now on my lunch break which followed the traditional pattern of: 1.) you see the person; 2) you decide whether to look away, hide, or step up; 3.) you brace yourself, and then 4.) insert awkward smile with meaningful eye look and say (fairly loudly) “Hey girl!! How are you?”
You know what? I’m over it. Done. I don’t have hard feelings, back-stabbing revenge plans, or guilt that should make me uncomfortable to speak with anyone. We don’t go to church together anymore? Fine, I miss you and appreciate you, but I was supposed to move on and that had nothing to do with anybody but me. We don’t hang out anymore? Either life or other people’s decisions made that happen, it had absolutely nothing to do with whether or not I genuinely care for you. You tried to create drama and I didn’t respond? Fine, I do my best Mary J. impersonation every day and usually don’t play along, but I do forgive and move on want good things for you.
I feel like this may sound angrier than I intend – when really I’m just asking why do we always do this? Why do make situations awkward when they could be life-affirming instead? I’m tired of trying to make every cell in my body extend unspoken messages of goodness because of some potentially awkward situation. It’s exhausting. I just wanna say “Yes, that sucked. We’re fine. Let’s move on. How are you really?”
You know what? I’m over it. Done. I don’t have hard feelings, back-stabbing revenge plans, or guilt that should make me uncomfortable to speak with anyone. We don’t go to church together anymore? Fine, I miss you and appreciate you, but I was supposed to move on and that had nothing to do with anybody but me. We don’t hang out anymore? Either life or other people’s decisions made that happen, it had absolutely nothing to do with whether or not I genuinely care for you. You tried to create drama and I didn’t respond? Fine, I do my best Mary J. impersonation every day and usually don’t play along, but I do forgive and move on want good things for you.
I feel like this may sound angrier than I intend – when really I’m just asking why do we always do this? Why do make situations awkward when they could be life-affirming instead? I’m tired of trying to make every cell in my body extend unspoken messages of goodness because of some potentially awkward situation. It’s exhausting. I just wanna say “Yes, that sucked. We’re fine. Let’s move on. How are you really?”
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
These Are My Confessions
I have a confession to make. I just bought a Twix bar from the vending machine in the staff lounge next door. And I ate the whole thing. This is not the first time I’ve done this. I wouldn’t even call it uncommon anymore.
You might be saying, “So what?” The so what is, I’m a certified health educator. I’m supposed to be working tirelessly to limit access to junk food in work places and schools across the country, not give the machine my money. Much less purchase a candy bar inside a medical center – where a candy bar should never be! Furthermore, I’m a Weight Watchers Lifetime Member, and I didn’t even try to count those points.
At first, I was afraid for people to even see me near the vending machines. But now, I live in junk food freedom. While possibly counterintuitive, I view this as a victory. It means I’m not afraid anymore and it means I’m celebrating my independence from food by eating food that I want.
I grew up as the chubby kid in the class with the pediatricians that kept telling my mom to watch my weight. She did a great job of feeding us fresh, well-balanced, homemade meals and limiting me to one piece of candy or sweet item a day. However, this made “off-limits” foods taboo for me, and this lasted for years.
I remember a very telling moment in graduate school, when the girl in the desk next to me bought M&Ms from the vending machine during a night-class break, and then continued to eat them as though it was nothing while chatting with the other girls. It blew my mind. Here was a very pretty, thin, smart young woman publicly buying and eating M&Ms without any shame. I felt like I was watching a white rhino walk down the street. How could this be possible? I remember thinking “Is it possible that I too could buy M&Ms from the vending machine? And eat them? And it be ok?”
Fast forward 9 years, and here I am continuing to maintain my lowest weight since elementary school while buying Twix bars from the vending machine. Am I a stick? No. Do I have to really work at it? Yes. Am I healthy and happy? You bet.
image: marshealthyliving.com
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Wisdom from the ET girl
Drew Barrymore was on the Today Show this morning talking about her new movie “Whip It” and how it is really a mother-daughter story. She focused a bit on her famously rocky relationship with her own mom and how that influenced her to make this movie. Not that I consider her my guru, but she did say something rather poignant (that I can no longer perfectly paraphrase – please forgive). She said "When I was in my 20s, I believed in happy endings. In my 30s, I’ve grown to appreciate a good day.”
I think this speaks enormous wisdom to any of us with family-induced anxiety (which covers pretty much 99.9% of the population). In the past couple of years, I’ve taken family events day-by-day. The past 2 Thanksgivings and Christmases have been totally conflict free! Even a birthday or two! At the end of these days, I take a deep breath and accept them for the gift that they were. I can’t change my family, and they don’t always act the way I want them to, but man do we have moments of greatness :).
And by the way – why couldn’t Drew have been there last Thursday when I was there in person???!!! Instead I got 4 segments of MacKenzie Philips! Geez!
I think this speaks enormous wisdom to any of us with family-induced anxiety (which covers pretty much 99.9% of the population). In the past couple of years, I’ve taken family events day-by-day. The past 2 Thanksgivings and Christmases have been totally conflict free! Even a birthday or two! At the end of these days, I take a deep breath and accept them for the gift that they were. I can’t change my family, and they don’t always act the way I want them to, but man do we have moments of greatness :).
And by the way – why couldn’t Drew have been there last Thursday when I was there in person???!!! Instead I got 4 segments of MacKenzie Philips! Geez!
This week’s new adventures
So, my voice kind of totally ran away from me this week. It basically became non-existent and trying to talk made me cough and gag, and that’s never any good. Therefore, the lovely nurse practitioner at the clinic told me I had to go on “vocal rest” and that I shouldn’t talk for at least 2 days.
First of all, going on “vocal rest” makes you feel like a diva. I kept pausing to type things out on the notepad on my iPhone and hand it to mother to read . All I could think about was the overly dramatic music majors in college that would go on rest to prevent nodes from growing on their throat. They usually made sure everybody knew about it and carried dry erase boards with them to communicate. One girl even went about in a wheel chair, which we never quite were able to connect to the vocal nodes.
After leaving the clinic, I was faced with the challenge of really wanting some Taco Casa tea. Thankfully, my mom was there, but the combination of her unfamiliarity with the menu and her leaning across me to yell into the speaker meant that our order was wrong. And they gave me a Diet Coke instead of a Half & Half tea and they insisted that it was a tea, and that my diabetic mother had really wanted sweet tea, and then had to make 2 additional drinks before it was all figured out. My attempts to communicate were totally futile in this situation.
Then, there were other moments, like having friends call (that you really wanted to talk to!) and just having to stare at my phone because there really was no point in trying to answer it. I also realized that not talking removes some of the meaningful parts of day-to-day relationship. For example, when I was watching television and my dad was playing on his computer, I couldn’t tell him random stories or ask how his day had been. We just did our own thing.
Despite this, I learned that it’s probably a good idea for me to go on self-imposed vocal rest every now and then. I really do use far more words than I have to, give long and confusing answers to questions, and say random things to fill up the space. While I try to convince myself that these are charming attributes, they are not always necessary or useful.
On top of being silent, I also came in to work yesterday with almost no makeup on. A thin layer of foundation and mascara only! And I’m not wearing much more today! Granted, this didn’t feel all that dramatic since I hadn’t work makeup since last Saturday anyway. I also recommend you try this every once in a while. Yeah, I’m pale as all get out, but I feel kind of free.
Photo credit: http://worshipfan.net/2009/08/silence/
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Grace and Ease
Ok, I have not blogged in a very long time. I've been planning this little thing called a stinkin' big conference (big for me anyway). That is done now, and thankfully was a great experience overall.
In the aftermath of all of this, I was reminded of something that really struck me a few years ago. You may have already heard me say this or tell this story, and some of you may have even been there, but I thought "Hey, why not let that be what I write down for today?"
A few years ago, Sela Ward came to The Hill to lobby for some new adoption policy. As usual, people were all aflutter that an actress was around and several people in my office saw her, but somehow I missed her. There were several stories about how nice she was, and that by the end of the day she was even walking around barefoot while carrying her heels.
Shortly after that, I attended a party and was seated at the same table as a Senator. He started to recount his visit with Sela, and he point blank said she was the most beautiful woman he had ever met. He said this with complete respect, and he continued to describe his meeting with her. Never once did he mention her face, her hair, her legs, or whether she looked good for her age. What he did mention was how she was completely herself and full of grace, educated and passionate about the issue, how she put others around her at ease, and how this made him want to work for her cause.
The lobbyist that accompanied Ms. Ward on her visits was at the table as well. He said he had never seen anyone be more effective. She made every Congressman(person) want to take time with her and listen. The Majority Leader even pulled out his family tree and they started discussing genealogy and having genuine conversation. Change began on her issue within the week. He had never seen anyone have this effect in DC, not even on his visits with the infamous Ms. Jolie.
I may not have exact words for it - but I know there is a big meaning here. It's something about the beauty that women are born with, that it's not the stuff they sell us in commercials, and that it is powerful when used for good.
I certainly have not contacted Sela Ward to tell her this story, but I think there are few better things in this world that could be said of a woman. That by being herself she was even more beautiful and that potentially made a dramatic difference in thousands of childrens lives.
In the aftermath of all of this, I was reminded of something that really struck me a few years ago. You may have already heard me say this or tell this story, and some of you may have even been there, but I thought "Hey, why not let that be what I write down for today?"
A few years ago, Sela Ward came to The Hill to lobby for some new adoption policy. As usual, people were all aflutter that an actress was around and several people in my office saw her, but somehow I missed her. There were several stories about how nice she was, and that by the end of the day she was even walking around barefoot while carrying her heels.
Shortly after that, I attended a party and was seated at the same table as a Senator. He started to recount his visit with Sela, and he point blank said she was the most beautiful woman he had ever met. He said this with complete respect, and he continued to describe his meeting with her. Never once did he mention her face, her hair, her legs, or whether she looked good for her age. What he did mention was how she was completely herself and full of grace, educated and passionate about the issue, how she put others around her at ease, and how this made him want to work for her cause.
The lobbyist that accompanied Ms. Ward on her visits was at the table as well. He said he had never seen anyone be more effective. She made every Congressman(person) want to take time with her and listen. The Majority Leader even pulled out his family tree and they started discussing genealogy and having genuine conversation. Change began on her issue within the week. He had never seen anyone have this effect in DC, not even on his visits with the infamous Ms. Jolie.
I may not have exact words for it - but I know there is a big meaning here. It's something about the beauty that women are born with, that it's not the stuff they sell us in commercials, and that it is powerful when used for good.
I certainly have not contacted Sela Ward to tell her this story, but I think there are few better things in this world that could be said of a woman. That by being herself she was even more beautiful and that potentially made a dramatic difference in thousands of childrens lives.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
It's About Time...
For a lot of different reasons, my PhD graduation was not a very good time for me. Despite all of the support, gifts, efforts, and encouragement of my family and friends - it was very difficult and shadowed over. I felt confused, scared, and at times didn't even seem to know myself anymore. All of which is pretty uncharacteristic for me.
I decided it was about time to change that. Tonight, I went through a box and found my PhD party pictures and my graduation pictures (yes - I wasn't even sure where they were and had never downloaded the cds onto my computer! I had maybe seen them 1 time). I went through them all and smiled. Even at the ones that might otherwise hurt. This may sound overly dramatic, but I don't think I really claimed my accomplishment for myself until tonight. This was the first time that none of it was tinged with darkness or sadness. I was so happy, I posted them on facebook nearly 2 years late. Not because I needed or wanted more pictures of myself on there, but because I was taking it all back and making it joyous. I looked at the pictures and felt so blessed and felt all of the love.
If I didn't properly thank you during that time in my life, I apologize, and I thank you now. I wouldn't be me without you :).
Photo credit: my dad.
Football is Funny
As anybody around here knows full well, it's football season. The good 'ol University is preparing for the first home gome. On my return from Labor Day, I was greeted with football street signs and my parking lot already displayed the board telling us that we have to be out by 6:00 on Friday (aka - "This here is an RV lot and we make us some money on it - so get out!). When I left for lunch today, the port-a-potties were being set in place and there was a nice note on my car from Parking Services reminding me that I had to be gone by 6:00 tomorrow at the latest, but they would really prefer if I was gone by 5:00 or 5:30. I guess I should like the fact that my job kicks me out by 5 on Friday.
Seeing as I work at an actual medical center with medical doctors and nurses that treat patients, and seeing as we are in the middle of a flu pandemic, The University was nice enough to reserve a portion of a parking lot for us in case of emergency. But, you've got to know the password first or you can forget about getting in there. These are the high and lofty things we discuss at faculty meetings come football season.
Football also does strange things to the women in this town. Things like making us plan even now for what we'll wear on a Saturday in late November (I mean, what does a non-Greek yet still young-ish adult professional wear on The Quad? Especially if the sun sets early and it turns chilly, but I still need to look cute?!) and wonder whether or not getting a haircut at 10:00 am gives one sufficient time for tail-gaiting and other pre-game festivities for a 6:00 pm kick-off. It also makes us collect sufficent amounts of University themed serving items for those away games where we all gather to watch at someone's house and take appropriate game-watching food.
On top of all of the above, Fall really means I can forget getting all of my laundry done on Saturdays and my bathroom has even less of a chance of getting cleaned that day than it did to begin with, and that's just plain sad.
Regardless, I'm ready for some football!!!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Be Careful Little Ears What You Hear
This weekend, some friends were poking fun at one of my newly revealed habits. Despite having always been an energy saver, I leave the radio or tv on for my dog when I leave so she doesn’t get lonely. (She also gets pleasant and soothing worship music when we go to sleep at night.) I made the comment that I most often leave the tv on the Food Network because then I know there is nothing bad or ugly coming on the tv while I’m not there. Mostly, I don’t want anything I wouldn’t choose to watch being on the tv in my house. They were seemingly caught off guard by my concern over what Mathilda was exposed to.
I often want to leave it on the Today Show for her, but I don’t trust what will come on after the 4th hour. Will it be a Soap Opera? She doesn’t need to see that smut. Particularly since the recent commercials indicate that a witch has locked the General Hospital folks up in some creepy amusement park. Will it be custody battle on Maury? Like a dog with sensitive ears wants to hear all that yelling, learn those words, or be reminded that we have no clue who her real daddy is. So, instead, I have opted that she get a butter addiction and sweet tooth by watching too much Paula. And who knows, perhaps Giada will teach her some lovely facts about Italy. I have no fear of what she and my home are exposed to while I’m gone if it’s on Channel 68. Kelly noted that she might also safely enjoy the Travel Channel or the Weather Channel, although it can get a tad repetitive.
Despite all of these efforts, I did make a major faux-paux (sp?) last night. I thought it safe to leave it on the USA NCIS marathon, but when I came back from the movies, it had already switched over to Monday Night Wrestling. Oh well, you win some, you lose some.
(Please note that this entry is written with a wink and a smile).
I often want to leave it on the Today Show for her, but I don’t trust what will come on after the 4th hour. Will it be a Soap Opera? She doesn’t need to see that smut. Particularly since the recent commercials indicate that a witch has locked the General Hospital folks up in some creepy amusement park. Will it be custody battle on Maury? Like a dog with sensitive ears wants to hear all that yelling, learn those words, or be reminded that we have no clue who her real daddy is. So, instead, I have opted that she get a butter addiction and sweet tooth by watching too much Paula. And who knows, perhaps Giada will teach her some lovely facts about Italy. I have no fear of what she and my home are exposed to while I’m gone if it’s on Channel 68. Kelly noted that she might also safely enjoy the Travel Channel or the Weather Channel, although it can get a tad repetitive.
Despite all of these efforts, I did make a major faux-paux (sp?) last night. I thought it safe to leave it on the USA NCIS marathon, but when I came back from the movies, it had already switched over to Monday Night Wrestling. Oh well, you win some, you lose some.
(Please note that this entry is written with a wink and a smile).
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Target Quotes to Live By
As a "Valued Target Guest", aka - someone that lives in my town, I received a coupon book in the mail. It had some really fun quotes printed on some of the coupons. I thought I'd share my favorites:
- Disposable diapers shouldn't make you do laundry.
- Nothing says "I love you" like good hygiene. (Amen!)
- Clean teeth make people smile. (Amen again!)
- There's no such thing as a good-hair bad day.
- Bandages should be as comforting as the hug they come with.
- Moisturizing is like a vacation for your skin.
- Anxiety and laundry detergent should be strangers to one another.
- Sometimes happiness is as simple as a good fabric softener. (Mmm...I love the lavendar vanilla).
A welcome sight
Mushrooms have been popping up everywhere lately! I don't know why I find them so surprising and new. Perhaps because we have had several summers of drought and now have one of rain. Thankfully, Mathilda only smells them and doesn't try to eat them.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Sometimes I Wonder...
Sometimes I wonder about what I must look like when I walk my dog. It's usually in these moments when I realize perhaps I shouldn't wear my random-around-the-house get ups when going outdoors. For example, I just walked her wearing some hideous yet gloriously comfortable Alabama Croc flip-flops, pajama pants with honeybees all over them, a gray t-shirt, a new black and cream scarf I just purchased at Target (yes, with the tag and hanger still on), and the dangly wooden earrings and chunky gold ring I had yet to take off from work. Yep. Sounds like I'm jumping straight to the front of the line for eccentric cat lady.
How much liberty do I get merely by being a professor? Does my title make it more socially acceptable to roam around the parking lot and side-walk like this? Does the dog and leash give me more grace with people passing by? Or does the extreme looking smoking man that is always in front of the shop next door make me mild in comparison?
I think surely everyone must look like this around the house, it's just that more people around here have fenced-in yards to release their dogs to so we never see them. Or, maybe I'm just weird and seriously need to rethink what I wear when I walk to the dumpster.
This is why I love great coats in the winter. It never matters when you just throw it over your pajamas. You still look fabulous.
How much liberty do I get merely by being a professor? Does my title make it more socially acceptable to roam around the parking lot and side-walk like this? Does the dog and leash give me more grace with people passing by? Or does the extreme looking smoking man that is always in front of the shop next door make me mild in comparison?
I think surely everyone must look like this around the house, it's just that more people around here have fenced-in yards to release their dogs to so we never see them. Or, maybe I'm just weird and seriously need to rethink what I wear when I walk to the dumpster.
This is why I love great coats in the winter. It never matters when you just throw it over your pajamas. You still look fabulous.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
I heart dolphins 2
Ok - so I took these videos on a recent beach trip. I wrote a decent post on this earlier, then learned that I really don't know how to post videos, and am now to tired to write something nice all over again :). Basically, the dolphins were amazing (particularly the baby), made me stop and be in the moment, and made me thank God that He cared enough to create dolphins.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Creative Writing Assignment #1
I signed up for an undergraduate creative writing course following the suggestion of my NIH Project Director. I was accepted and enrolled, but only after The University waived the need for my high school transcripts, test scores, and undergraduate prereqs. Now, I have assignments just like an undergrad student, and that seems weird.
Here is my first assignment. I don't know that y'all really want or care to read this, as it is basically an email forward and it's just about me, but it's the only thing I've written for a while so I'm posting.
Discussion Board #1
Character Development Profile
4. Where you’d like to live in the future: Nashville, TN; Fairhope, AL; perhaps Colorado or New Hampshire.
9. Jobs you’ve held: childcare worker, clown, nanny, biology lab assistant, student center worker, graduate teaching assistant, computer skills teacher at a community college, skills teacher at a factory, special needs student summer camp counselor, radio personality, Congressional staffer
10. Job you hold now: Assistant Professor of Community and Rural Medicine
11. Your dream job: Food Network Star, and the job I have now.
12. What you’re majoring in/studying: I am a non-degree seeking student at the moment.
13. Favorite class you’ve ever taken & why: An Honors Cross Cultural Psychology Seminar in undergrad. We traveled to different places of worship and tried all different kinds of food. I went to a lot of places that I otherwise would not have visited, such as a mosque, a Jewish temple, and a Hindu temple.
14. Characteristic you most dislike in others: Humiliating others for personal gain or to degrade them.
15. Characteristic you most dislike in yourself: I am messy, and it’s very hard to get me out of bed in the morning!
16. Characteristic you most appreciate in others: Genuine people that really want to know you and how you work and think.
17. Characteristic you most appreciate in yourself: Adaptability
18. Favorite sport to play: Beach volleyball
19. Favorite sport to watch: SEC Football
20. Favorite character from a television show & why: Sydney Bristow from Alias. She was a graduate student that was also a black ops special agent that got to wear disguises, kick box, and kiss Michael Vartan. And she was played by Jennifer Garner. Need I say more?
21. Favorite character from a movie and why: Dolly Parton as Truvy Jones in Steel Magnolias. She’s a little bit of a Southern Every-Woman. She is a sassy small-business owner, seemingly underappreciated by her husband and son, a devoted friend, bluntly points out the truth when needed, and volunteers in the community. Plus, she’s just entertaining and gets to deliver great lines.
22. Favorite character from a book and why: My gut response is Miss Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice, but I feel that is a cliché answer. So, instead I will go with Miss Love Simpson from Cold Sassy Tree. She was a survivor that defied the small town’s expectations of her. She was sweet and pretty, but also smart and strong. She was a great balance of genuine soft charm and endurance.
23. Member of your family you like most & why: I’m going to go with my dog, Mathilda, on this one. She loves me, listens when I’m talking, and she’s extraordinarily cute.
24. Most annoying member of your family & why: I feel really awful to actually list out people, particularly in my immediate family. Therefore, I am going with my dad’s first cousin’s wife because she tried to coerce me into becoming a vitamin sales rep at this year’s family reunion.
25. Favorite food: Chicken and dressing with cranberry sauce smushed in without gravy.
26. Least favorite food: Mushrooms
27. One invention you couldn’t live without: Eyebrow tweezers.
28. One invention you would rid the world of: Tanning beds.
29. Favorite thing to wear: I love anything soft, particularly pajamas and socks, but I also like to dress up and feel pretty. If a pretty princess dress made from a fleece blanket existed, then that would be my favorite thing to wear. Oh, and cowboy boots.
30. If you could spend a Tuesday doing anything you want, what would you do: Tuesday is a day full of joy because it is Chicken and Dumplings day at both City Café and Mr. Bill’s. If given a Tuesday, I would: sleep until 9am, drive to Birmingham, stop in Anthropologie, go to Whole Foods for groceries and lunch, drive home, walk my dog, take a nap, pick up some Chicken and Dumplings from Mr. Bill’s, and then watch DVDs of old Gilmore Girl episodes while baking cookies with my friends.
Here is my first assignment. I don't know that y'all really want or care to read this, as it is basically an email forward and it's just about me, but it's the only thing I've written for a while so I'm posting.
Discussion Board #1
Character Development Profile
4. Where you’d like to live in the future: Nashville, TN; Fairhope, AL; perhaps Colorado or New Hampshire.
9. Jobs you’ve held: childcare worker, clown, nanny, biology lab assistant, student center worker, graduate teaching assistant, computer skills teacher at a community college, skills teacher at a factory, special needs student summer camp counselor, radio personality, Congressional staffer
10. Job you hold now: Assistant Professor of Community and Rural Medicine
11. Your dream job: Food Network Star, and the job I have now.
12. What you’re majoring in/studying: I am a non-degree seeking student at the moment.
13. Favorite class you’ve ever taken & why: An Honors Cross Cultural Psychology Seminar in undergrad. We traveled to different places of worship and tried all different kinds of food. I went to a lot of places that I otherwise would not have visited, such as a mosque, a Jewish temple, and a Hindu temple.
14. Characteristic you most dislike in others: Humiliating others for personal gain or to degrade them.
15. Characteristic you most dislike in yourself: I am messy, and it’s very hard to get me out of bed in the morning!
16. Characteristic you most appreciate in others: Genuine people that really want to know you and how you work and think.
17. Characteristic you most appreciate in yourself: Adaptability
18. Favorite sport to play: Beach volleyball
19. Favorite sport to watch: SEC Football
20. Favorite character from a television show & why: Sydney Bristow from Alias. She was a graduate student that was also a black ops special agent that got to wear disguises, kick box, and kiss Michael Vartan. And she was played by Jennifer Garner. Need I say more?
21. Favorite character from a movie and why: Dolly Parton as Truvy Jones in Steel Magnolias. She’s a little bit of a Southern Every-Woman. She is a sassy small-business owner, seemingly underappreciated by her husband and son, a devoted friend, bluntly points out the truth when needed, and volunteers in the community. Plus, she’s just entertaining and gets to deliver great lines.
22. Favorite character from a book and why: My gut response is Miss Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice, but I feel that is a cliché answer. So, instead I will go with Miss Love Simpson from Cold Sassy Tree. She was a survivor that defied the small town’s expectations of her. She was sweet and pretty, but also smart and strong. She was a great balance of genuine soft charm and endurance.
23. Member of your family you like most & why: I’m going to go with my dog, Mathilda, on this one. She loves me, listens when I’m talking, and she’s extraordinarily cute.
24. Most annoying member of your family & why: I feel really awful to actually list out people, particularly in my immediate family. Therefore, I am going with my dad’s first cousin’s wife because she tried to coerce me into becoming a vitamin sales rep at this year’s family reunion.
25. Favorite food: Chicken and dressing with cranberry sauce smushed in without gravy.
26. Least favorite food: Mushrooms
27. One invention you couldn’t live without: Eyebrow tweezers.
28. One invention you would rid the world of: Tanning beds.
29. Favorite thing to wear: I love anything soft, particularly pajamas and socks, but I also like to dress up and feel pretty. If a pretty princess dress made from a fleece blanket existed, then that would be my favorite thing to wear. Oh, and cowboy boots.
30. If you could spend a Tuesday doing anything you want, what would you do: Tuesday is a day full of joy because it is Chicken and Dumplings day at both City Café and Mr. Bill’s. If given a Tuesday, I would: sleep until 9am, drive to Birmingham, stop in Anthropologie, go to Whole Foods for groceries and lunch, drive home, walk my dog, take a nap, pick up some Chicken and Dumplings from Mr. Bill’s, and then watch DVDs of old Gilmore Girl episodes while baking cookies with my friends.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Fresh Fruit
I have recently been in a place of reconnecting with God in a relational way. Neither one of us had gone anywhere, I just wasn't tuning in so well. As is His nature, He urged me to read Psalm 1 last night, because there just might be something waiting there for me. I looked, and there was no Bible conveniently beside my bed - because they were all by my computer from when I was doing a study in January (which says a lot). Except for my car Bible, of course. It was where it belongs - in the car.So, I got out of my bed and found my Message Bible. And, as I should expect from Him now, Psalm 1 did have something new for me.
This translation says the following in verse 3:
"You're a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month,
Never dropping a leaf, always in blossom."
To me, that sounds like the perfect explanation of life and beauty. It felt like fresh water. It's God saying, "Don't worry about this mess - I'm going to replant you in the most perfect place possible that only I know about, and you're going to be productive and happy there, and be full of things to bless others with because you won't be empty."
Thank you.
picture from Country Living
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
The Things I Did in Youth Group
Last week was the orientation for the first year medical students. As part of the program, they had to go to different nursing homes and assisted living centers around town. I thought, oh – no big deal – surely, they have done this before. Then, I realized the apprehension among the students and faculty about how this was a new and daunting experience. This made me think about how and why I’ve done so many of the community things I’ve done that are now a normal part of job and why they just seem like something you do. Then it dawned on me, because I’ve done all of these things previously in youth group.
In order to qualify for our mission trips, we had to regularly cold visit people’s homes (sometimes for evangelism – and sometimes to collect canned goods on a scavenger hunt) and go on nursing home visits. In fact, as part of youth and ministry groups I’ve: caroled; taught kids all kinds of songs, crafts, games, stories, etc.; been a clown making balloon animals; been a puppeteer; played hand bells; performed in numerous mall concerts; danced all over the place; carried wheel barrows of concrete up and down a hill; built a house; smashed some toilets and tore down walls; played with livestock and orphans in the street; had life-changing conversations through interpreters; been served strange fruit by drug-dealers; prayed for an elderly woman in a hut she built in the rainforest; etc., etc., etc.
I guess last Friday made me realize how well ministry experiences shaped and prepared me for my life and career; not just spiritually. Had I not been in youth group, or been raised by my mother, I would not have volunteered in a nursing home and would probably have been just as nervous as these students.
Granted, I also did other things in youth group like shove my mouth full of marshmallows, throw lots of water balloons, win a screaming contest, etc.
In order to qualify for our mission trips, we had to regularly cold visit people’s homes (sometimes for evangelism – and sometimes to collect canned goods on a scavenger hunt) and go on nursing home visits. In fact, as part of youth and ministry groups I’ve: caroled; taught kids all kinds of songs, crafts, games, stories, etc.; been a clown making balloon animals; been a puppeteer; played hand bells; performed in numerous mall concerts; danced all over the place; carried wheel barrows of concrete up and down a hill; built a house; smashed some toilets and tore down walls; played with livestock and orphans in the street; had life-changing conversations through interpreters; been served strange fruit by drug-dealers; prayed for an elderly woman in a hut she built in the rainforest; etc., etc., etc.
I guess last Friday made me realize how well ministry experiences shaped and prepared me for my life and career; not just spiritually. Had I not been in youth group, or been raised by my mother, I would not have volunteered in a nursing home and would probably have been just as nervous as these students.
Granted, I also did other things in youth group like shove my mouth full of marshmallows, throw lots of water balloons, win a screaming contest, etc.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
More favorite stuff
Ok - so I started the favorites list a while back but haven't added any other products. Again - this favorites list is actually an attempt for me to simplify things in life - realize what I like and don't like - what I need and don't need. Beauty products just seem to be a great analogy for this :).
3.) If you do want to eat the Mango Body Butter, then buy the Mango Lip Butter. This is my standard before sleep and before work lip treatment. It just works. And has a yummy smell and taste. Trust me, I've tried most every lip balm out there.
I love The Body Shop, eventhough they no longer have a single store in the state of Alabama. However, there is one conveniently located in the Charlotte airport and they now have full on-line shopping and home parties. Here are 3 of their products that I am totally devoted to:
1.) Hemp Ha
nd Protector
nd ProtectorIf you've seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding, then you understand what I mean when I say that this stuff is my dad's Windex. He really does think it will heal anything skin related. I am very picky about hand lotions and use them regularly and I have never found anything I like as much as this. They have gone up on the price in the past couple of years, but I'm addicted, and a little bit goes a long way.
2.)
My second favorite thing is the Mango Body Butter. Again, a little goes a long way, and this is the best stuff for those tough dry spots like your knees and elbows. Plus, it has a great natural tropical smell. You just might wanna eat it. Just sayin...
My second favorite thing is the Mango Body Butter. Again, a little goes a long way, and this is the best stuff for those tough dry spots like your knees and elbows. Plus, it has a great natural tropical smell. You just might wanna eat it. Just sayin...
Saturday, August 1, 2009
I'm Sorry Vera Bradley
I need to apologize to Vera Bradley. You see, I've long had a bitter distaste for this line of purses and accesories. I think I know why, and it's not just because of the label's bandwagon popularity.
The first time I saw a piece of Vera Bradley was during my senior year of college, and it was being carried by a girl named Kristy. She was on the cross-country team, which meant she thought a sports bra was always appropriate outerwear and all the boys loved her for it, including the ones I wanted to notice me. She was adorable and grew up on a farm in Kentucky and oozed this All-American sweetness that made you mad you couldn't hate her. Her quilted-wonder purse was with her at all times. I honestly thought it was a craft project that she'd made with her mom and grandma and I felt kind of sorry for her to carry it (but, of course, that really just served to further endear her despite my will). Then one day I heard girls talking about how jealous they were that Kristy was carrying that new Vera Bradley. Then I learned that craft project cost her an awful lot of money and that it was actually a status symbol. Thus established my disgust for the Vera.
That is, until today. Until I walked into a cute little shop and found the perfect match of bright patent green and quilted cuteness at 40% off. Yep, I am now the proud owner of a Vera Bradley wallet. I even bought a second one for my mom's birthday present. I gotta say, I never saw this day coming.
And, I'll be a grown up and say that maybe Kristy is the one I should actually apologize to.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
I really am!!!
I feel very vindicated at the moment. I just had my work wellness program check-in, where they took pretty much any information you can have about me, including height and weight.
I have long had a chip on my shoulder for people thinking I'm tall, but not as tall as I say I am. I've felt the need to doggedly prove it for years and am always asking others how tall they are and looking at the tops of their heads to compare.
I found a kindred spirit in this with a co-worker in DC. He also said he was 5'11" and that nobody ever believed him. We made several people verify that he and I were in fact the same height and we both said we were 5'11", and people still always said "Are you sure?". We felt like some of this height doubt came from the fact that we were not of the typical tall and stick-like body type, which gave us less "tall person impact" upon first sight.
Imagine my excitement this morning when I backed up against the measuring tape on the wall and the lady said "Huh, you're exactly 5'11".
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