Thursday, January 28, 2010
It's kind of fun to confuse people sometimes
So, the girl that is always late for work (I'm so not proud) is here over an hour early. There is only a small handful of people here because the sun is just rising. And they are only here because they are preparing for a large meeting. I'm not part of this meeting, which has confused them further. And, I'm wearing Chucks and jeans...very perplexing...
Friday, January 22, 2010
Unexpected
I have found a new and totally unexpected way to feel very single. I have just been asked to travel to the beach for work. Don't worry - I'm not trying to get sympathy or pity for this. The strangely single sympathy part comes from looking at the list of accomodations. All furnished condos with full kitchens or something of the sort. Very few options with just 1 bedroom. All featuring activities for the kiddies. All the information pointing to the truth of this conference and trip - that it is meant for families.
For most physicians, this conference serves as their annual family beach vacation. This was starkly apparent when my mother was hospitalized during last year's conference and all of our usual go-to local docs were out-of-town.
I guess people don't go to the beach by themselves. Unless they are having some sort of life crisis, and then they usually write a book about it. At this rate, this trip could make me have a life crisis. (No worries - I won't let it!)
I know what to do in these situations. I know you invite friends, make it fun, and make sure people see you working so you don't get in trouble for inviting friends. You do the fun things that make the exasperated parents that aren't getting to rest on their vacation look at you with envy and longing for their single days. You order (virgin) drinks with little umbrellas and take pictures for facebook.
And yes, you have fun and thank God for your fabulous life.
Little gifts of moments with people
I was feeling pretty inefficient this morning. My weaknesses all seemed to be on display and I'd only been awake for 2 hours (granted - I'm not a morning person AT ALL - so that's when my weaknesses are more likely to appear). I was running late to get my car to the shop for brakes, which meant I was also late for work, and my car was a horrendous mess since I still hadn't fully cleaned it from taking a lot of items to the thrift store and taking my dog on several adventures. My gas light lit up on the way to the repair shop. Of course. Just another way for the auto shop people to learn I don't have it all together. (Not that they really think about these things as long as my check is good).
I got it to the shop, they didn't care that it wasn't there at 7am, and I declined the free ride to work because I could walk. There was an elderly man in the lobby that stood and said "Come on, I'll give you a ride. You know you don't really want to cross that street." He was right - I hate crossing that street. He said he was on his way to the bank but had waited in case I'd needed a ride. I agreed, and nobody in the shop stopped me, so I figured he was safe. If not, he seemed old enough to not pose any real danger. I could take him. And, this is the South, where free rides were commonplace before these modern days made us all defensive and paranoid.
He started in on his story right away. Turns out, he had started this shop (the one most known and trusted among all the locals and athletics coaches), and had left it to his son when he retired a few years ago. This son has a 10 year old girl that is real sick and in the hospital, where the man volunteers two days a week. Since the family is at the hospital, he's stepping in and doing what he can at the shop. He's had 4 children and one of his daughters lives in Florida now. But the son that runs the shop has this 10 year old daughter, and she has Down Syndrome, so she catches whatever comes along and doesn't fight it so well.
I got all of this information while he literally just drove me across the street. It was one of those moments where I realized it was a gift for me to be in that old blue minivan. Like it was God showing me His love for me and all of His people, and Him putting my head back on straight after my morning of silly mess.
This man didn't have to share any of his life to with me or talk to me at all, but I'm so glad he did.
I got it to the shop, they didn't care that it wasn't there at 7am, and I declined the free ride to work because I could walk. There was an elderly man in the lobby that stood and said "Come on, I'll give you a ride. You know you don't really want to cross that street." He was right - I hate crossing that street. He said he was on his way to the bank but had waited in case I'd needed a ride. I agreed, and nobody in the shop stopped me, so I figured he was safe. If not, he seemed old enough to not pose any real danger. I could take him. And, this is the South, where free rides were commonplace before these modern days made us all defensive and paranoid.
He started in on his story right away. Turns out, he had started this shop (the one most known and trusted among all the locals and athletics coaches), and had left it to his son when he retired a few years ago. This son has a 10 year old girl that is real sick and in the hospital, where the man volunteers two days a week. Since the family is at the hospital, he's stepping in and doing what he can at the shop. He's had 4 children and one of his daughters lives in Florida now. But the son that runs the shop has this 10 year old daughter, and she has Down Syndrome, so she catches whatever comes along and doesn't fight it so well.
I got all of this information while he literally just drove me across the street. It was one of those moments where I realized it was a gift for me to be in that old blue minivan. Like it was God showing me His love for me and all of His people, and Him putting my head back on straight after my morning of silly mess.
This man didn't have to share any of his life to with me or talk to me at all, but I'm so glad he did.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Mmm..Mmm..good
I love this picture from our work break room because it proves what every good Southerner knows - the best part of a cream cheese pound cake is the gooey/crispy top center.
(Those poor cake bottoms - I'm sure someone will come along to claim them.)
Potty Humor
Ok, I really have an issue with whoever designed my work building and decided to put one women’s restroom on the first floor. It has a sufficient number of stalls – that is not my problem. The issue is that an awful lot of women of all kinds of personalities work on the bottom floor and so everybody knows everybody’s business – literally.
There are those that view the women’s restroom as a water cooler of sorts and hang out to catch up.
There are those that think it’s the best place to yell at their husbands on their cell phone.
Other women think it’s the best place to schedule meetings with a friend from another department in order to gossip about all the other women in their respective departments.
I can’t leave out the former employee that was actually mentally ill, paranoid, and always freezing in her office – so she would just come to work and hide in the bathroom – sometimes in a stall but sometimes just standing in the corner staring at you.
Or the former employee that wrongfully accused another employee of assaulting her in the bathroom because the boss liked her better.
Of course, there are also students, random people lost in the building, community members, drug monitors, etc.
There are other options, but none are really favorable. There is the one-seater in the library – but who wants to make a trip to the library for that? Not to mention that libraries are quiet and the bathroom door is not that thick. There is the one-seater in the Family Medicine department – but it is by the office manager’s desk, and you have to tell her you have come upstairs to use their bathroom. The best choice seems to be the patient’s restroom upstairs. You may be in there with other people, but at least you’re anonymous and you’ve added stair climbing to your day.
Things have gotten better than they once were. They have moved the employee whose office location enabled her to identify you by walking gait and shoe noise and count how many times a day you went to the bathroom – which she would tell – to you and anybody else willing to listen.
I do love my job. I’m just saying that our bathroom makes those weird “women’s lounges” in department stores make an awful lot of sense.
Image from: http://www.shorpy.com/node/5724
Thursday, January 14, 2010
I can’t imagine the devastation of Haiti. Tornadoes I kind of get, hurricanes I can at least begin to relate to, massive earthquakes I cannot even fathom; much less ones that destroy most of a country’s infrastructure.
My thoughts immediately went to people in my life who already had a call and heart for Haiti. How devastated they were and what relief work they were enacting. As one friend said, they already had a hard time getting food and water to the poor, and now their food suppliers no longer exist. I think of aid workers’ hearts for children they provide for and have not heard from. I see all of the pictures of the children on the news and cannot help but think of the children in Brazil and Mexico that still change my life daily even though I haven’t seen them in years. While watching the news coverage of these kids, I kept thinking about how in my blessed world even my precious mutt has all of her needs met.
It also reminds me that there are things in life we just can’t protect ourselves from and that money just can’t fix. Earthquakes don’t care how fancy your house is, where you work, or what clothes you wear.
While I drove to work, I tried to imagine what it would be like if every single building I passed was destroyed or cracked and if every person in them had to be outside along the street with nowhere else to go. Granted, in that situation I could not even go to work because I’d have to cross a large bridge to get there.
This may be nothing anybody wants to read, but I felt it would be wrong for me to not take a moment to attempt to process this shared human event and the number of lives involved.
My thoughts immediately went to people in my life who already had a call and heart for Haiti. How devastated they were and what relief work they were enacting. As one friend said, they already had a hard time getting food and water to the poor, and now their food suppliers no longer exist. I think of aid workers’ hearts for children they provide for and have not heard from. I see all of the pictures of the children on the news and cannot help but think of the children in Brazil and Mexico that still change my life daily even though I haven’t seen them in years. While watching the news coverage of these kids, I kept thinking about how in my blessed world even my precious mutt has all of her needs met.
It also reminds me that there are things in life we just can’t protect ourselves from and that money just can’t fix. Earthquakes don’t care how fancy your house is, where you work, or what clothes you wear.
While I drove to work, I tried to imagine what it would be like if every single building I passed was destroyed or cracked and if every person in them had to be outside along the street with nowhere else to go. Granted, in that situation I could not even go to work because I’d have to cross a large bridge to get there.
This may be nothing anybody wants to read, but I felt it would be wrong for me to not take a moment to attempt to process this shared human event and the number of lives involved.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Keeping Humble
Yes, it is still frigid outside. Today is supposed to be our coldest. Which has resulted in something I feel like I go through at least once a year - the last year's sweater embarassment. You see, those of us in the South don't own a lot of sweaters, or at least not a lot of non-cotton sweaters. Therefore, we feel extreme pressure to pull out those 1 or 2 sweaters with a hint of wool or angora to wear on the coldest days because it is their one shot on being worn for the year. But, wearing a sweater just once a year greatly decreases its chances to be properly laundered (at least, in my world it does) and increases the chances that there is a bit of a mustard stain on the end of the right sleeve.
Which leads to days like today. The one day I pull out the angora cowl neck sweater, which would still be too warm if it weren't for heat being out in parts of the building. Sure enough, while eating my lunch (which means I'd been in this sweater for at least a good 4 hours) I realized that there were some spots on the right side of the collar. And then, look, there are spots on the right cuff. In the harsh light of the ladies room, I notice that yes, there are spots all along the right arm. Evidently, the last time I wore this sweater - whenever on earth that might have been - something splattered along my whole right side.
The good thing about these sweaters is that usually the weave makes the spots easy to disguise to others throughout the day. The bad thing about these sweaters is you still go into that meeting with your boss and you still sit there knowing you have spots down your right side.
The sad truth is, given my schedule, I will most likely be in this sweater until at least 10pm tonight - wearing my jacket when appropriate and opting to turn my left side towards the light when possible. Oh, would you look at that, there's a spot on my left shoulder too. Hmm...Well, at least I'm not on television.
Which leads to days like today. The one day I pull out the angora cowl neck sweater, which would still be too warm if it weren't for heat being out in parts of the building. Sure enough, while eating my lunch (which means I'd been in this sweater for at least a good 4 hours) I realized that there were some spots on the right side of the collar. And then, look, there are spots on the right cuff. In the harsh light of the ladies room, I notice that yes, there are spots all along the right arm. Evidently, the last time I wore this sweater - whenever on earth that might have been - something splattered along my whole right side.
The good thing about these sweaters is that usually the weave makes the spots easy to disguise to others throughout the day. The bad thing about these sweaters is you still go into that meeting with your boss and you still sit there knowing you have spots down your right side.
The sad truth is, given my schedule, I will most likely be in this sweater until at least 10pm tonight - wearing my jacket when appropriate and opting to turn my left side towards the light when possible. Oh, would you look at that, there's a spot on my left shoulder too. Hmm...Well, at least I'm not on television.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Grateful
I find that I most often wish I were married on days when I am without transportation. Not out of sadness, but out of convenience I think. It may seem strange, but I think it’s because it hits at the notion of a shared life and always having a first person to call. My coworkers are always leaving to do something because the wife/husband called, and that seems to be socially acceptable and for the most part overlooked when reporting leave time. However, it’s trickier for the single. Who should you call and who can justify leaving whatever they are doing in order to come? Thus, it is things like getting new tires that make me realize I’m single. (I also feel like married people are more likely to have recent oil changes, fixed washing machines, and groceries because there is more than one of them to run the errands or be home for that 8-4 service window – but that could be my whole “Grass is greener” thing).
These moments are also when I get to appreciate my family and friends that are in my life and be so grateful for them. I got that opportunity this morning when I went into the freakish frigid cold and found my car wouldn’t start. I guess my Southern battery wasn’t prepared for Arctic air. But, I could call my sister, and then her husband, who sent my niece to get me and take me to work. The whole process was drama free and took less than 20 minutes. Then there is the wonderful coworker that is bringing me back some chick-fil-a (!) for lunch, something that I love but never think to get for myself. And the other great coworker that is taking me home. These are the reasons why I’m grateful to be where I am, at least for this season in life. My life may not be full of big-city excitement and entertainment, but it is full of care.
These moments are also when I get to appreciate my family and friends that are in my life and be so grateful for them. I got that opportunity this morning when I went into the freakish frigid cold and found my car wouldn’t start. I guess my Southern battery wasn’t prepared for Arctic air. But, I could call my sister, and then her husband, who sent my niece to get me and take me to work. The whole process was drama free and took less than 20 minutes. Then there is the wonderful coworker that is bringing me back some chick-fil-a (!) for lunch, something that I love but never think to get for myself. And the other great coworker that is taking me home. These are the reasons why I’m grateful to be where I am, at least for this season in life. My life may not be full of big-city excitement and entertainment, but it is full of care.
It's all relative
I'm attaching a link to a blog I follow called Nashville Shopping. It's not quite as superficial as it sounds, promise. Ok, maybe it is, but it's a fun lunch break outlet. I wanted to share today's post, titled "Shame on Vogue." It includes a link to an article by Vogue about a model that is 5'10" and a size 4, and therefore the fatty of the modeling world. The blogger is asking for feedback. I'm not planning to respond, but as a woman that is 5'11" and thrilled that Weight Watchers helped me get in a size 12 - clearly I have thoughts. But, instead of getting on my "I Am Woman" soap box today, I am more reminded that chasing the world can be a bad idea and can bring you sadness - like the alcoholism that this model developed because she couldn't get skinnier than a 4 no matter what she tried. And I'm reminded that all of our perspectives are skewed one way or another, so be you and love how God created you.
http://blogs.tennessean.com/shopping/
http://blogs.tennessean.com/shopping/
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Motto for 2010
Ok, so I tried coming up with a motto for 2010. I wasn't very successful - mostly because none of the things I wanted to express rhymed with "ten". HH said it best with - No dating my kin in 2010!
I thought - No more sad 2010, Sad free 2010 - and most importantly - Momma ain't puttin' up with no mess (literally and figuratively) 2010.
Regardless of the lack of rhyme, I'm feeling pretty good about this year's fresh start and all the possiblities that I'm not even aware of yet. I'm thinking this will be my scripture theme for the year:
Psalm 4: 7-8 (NIV)
You have filled my heart with greater joy
than when their grain and new wine abound.
I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O LORD,
make me dwell in safety.
The Message:
Why is everyone hungry for more? "More, more," they say.
"More, more."
I have God's more-than-enough,
More joy in one ordinary day
Than they get in all their shopping sprees.
At day's end I'm ready for sound sleep,
For you, God, have put my life back together.
I thought - No more sad 2010, Sad free 2010 - and most importantly - Momma ain't puttin' up with no mess (literally and figuratively) 2010.
Regardless of the lack of rhyme, I'm feeling pretty good about this year's fresh start and all the possiblities that I'm not even aware of yet. I'm thinking this will be my scripture theme for the year:
Psalm 4: 7-8 (NIV)
You have filled my heart with greater joy
than when their grain and new wine abound.
I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O LORD,
make me dwell in safety.
The Message:
Why is everyone hungry for more? "More, more," they say.
"More, more."
I have God's more-than-enough,
More joy in one ordinary day
Than they get in all their shopping sprees.
At day's end I'm ready for sound sleep,
For you, God, have put my life back together.
Fun experiments with baking
Ok, so I'm doing my best to stay awake and adjust back to non-holiday real life. I am writing this post to reminisce about the month long fest of eating I've just had and then move on with work :).
I am a baker. At least, I used to be back before my DC adventures, dissertation, and normal 8-5 job. I'm also a bit of a nutty professor/scientist type. I think my enjoyment of cooking and the fact that I survived my chemistry minor solely by loving lab experiments are directly correlated. The result is, I rarely make a dish the same way twice or actually follow a recipe to the letter because I'm always thinking "I wonder what would happen if I did this?..." This does not always mix well with the fact that I really enjoy sharing my food with others and really want them to like it, even when I don't yet know the results of my experiment. I "made up" 2 new recipes this year, and thankfully they are both keepers.
I was strolling down the aisles at Publix the week before Christmas when I discovered that they now make Craisenets and sell them on the candy aisle beside Raisenets and Goobers, and they were on sale! I immediately knew these belonged in a cookie. So, I modified my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe (Barbara Bush's Chocolate Chip Cookies from my Presidential Cookie cookbook - it also won the First Wives cookie cook-off when her husband was elected - yes this is a real thing) to include the chocolate-covered cranberries, pecans, and cinnamon. Oatmeal is already in this cookie recipe, so I didn't have to add that. My family went crazy for them and at them all up!! Even my super picky nephews!
I had decided to make rice krispy treats for our New Years Eve party because I already had the stuff and because who doesn't love a party with rice krispy treats? (side note - unless they are nursing home rice krispy treats, which is a whole other blog post). These are super fun to experiment with because there are so many things you can melt along with butter and marshmallows. It just so happened, I had 2 extra jars of nutella following the Thanksgiving Nutella Poundcake Snafoo of 2009. So, I added 1/4 cup of nutella to the marshmallows. So easy and so yummy!
I highly encourage you to try these ideas or make up new recipes of your own! But, whatever you do, do not store your food near the moth balls...(see nursing home reference above).
I am a baker. At least, I used to be back before my DC adventures, dissertation, and normal 8-5 job. I'm also a bit of a nutty professor/scientist type. I think my enjoyment of cooking and the fact that I survived my chemistry minor solely by loving lab experiments are directly correlated. The result is, I rarely make a dish the same way twice or actually follow a recipe to the letter because I'm always thinking "I wonder what would happen if I did this?..." This does not always mix well with the fact that I really enjoy sharing my food with others and really want them to like it, even when I don't yet know the results of my experiment. I "made up" 2 new recipes this year, and thankfully they are both keepers.
I was strolling down the aisles at Publix the week before Christmas when I discovered that they now make Craisenets and sell them on the candy aisle beside Raisenets and Goobers, and they were on sale! I immediately knew these belonged in a cookie. So, I modified my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe (Barbara Bush's Chocolate Chip Cookies from my Presidential Cookie cookbook - it also won the First Wives cookie cook-off when her husband was elected - yes this is a real thing) to include the chocolate-covered cranberries, pecans, and cinnamon. Oatmeal is already in this cookie recipe, so I didn't have to add that. My family went crazy for them and at them all up!! Even my super picky nephews!
I had decided to make rice krispy treats for our New Years Eve party because I already had the stuff and because who doesn't love a party with rice krispy treats? (side note - unless they are nursing home rice krispy treats, which is a whole other blog post). These are super fun to experiment with because there are so many things you can melt along with butter and marshmallows. It just so happened, I had 2 extra jars of nutella following the Thanksgiving Nutella Poundcake Snafoo of 2009. So, I added 1/4 cup of nutella to the marshmallows. So easy and so yummy!
I highly encourage you to try these ideas or make up new recipes of your own! But, whatever you do, do not store your food near the moth balls...(see nursing home reference above).
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