This is me at work.....

Get this off me!

Have you ever decided to wear something that you can not wait to get off when you get home? I'm in NO WAY suggesting joining a nudist colony, but sometimes it's just something that doesn't feel quite comfortable or maybe it's not sitting right on you, and you can't get home fast enough to change into something else. I am having one of those days! No No...let's not all at once look at my clothing of choice for the day. Just know that it is killing me, and I'm desperate to get home and put something else on. Case closed.

When peace doesn't come

I was having coffee last night with a friend of mine, discussing some of life's more difficult issues. Such as, what happens when I have no desire to be obedient to God's Word? What happens when I have no faith to see the purpose of obedience? And what happens when I've barely managed to push myself enough to be obedient and blessing and peace do not immediately follow? Nothing. Sometimes, nothing happens. It is in these moments of uncertainty, when my faith does not seem strong enough to even see the purpose of obedience that the Lord is making me stronger. My friend reminded me that many times in life our theology has to trump our experience. My experience right now feels like darkness surrounds me, but I know that it is in darkness that the light of God's Word is most visible. And when it seems peace will never be given, God reminds me of the promise, "weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."

I'm unbeatable...

19

I stole this little quiz from Jen Yeadon (err Richardson!) It seems so wrong, yet unbelievably hysterical. I wouldn't want to go up against her, though, because her 22 5-year olds could probably take my 19. Although maybe if my 5 year olds were a little more scrappy we could take em'. Something to ponder.

Cha, Ching

Today I received not only my regular bi-weekly paycheck, but my sweet reimbursement from Uncle Sam. My plan is to leave the funds in my bank account for a couple days and revel in the fact that I don't have to ration out $22 for the next 5 days which is an all too typical scenario. Don't you worry folks, I'm not suddenly able to pack it up and retire with all these riches. It's as if the money isn't even there with the fact that I'm saving for school, which starts in August. For the next two or three days, though, "I'm loaded with papers"!

Silence, please

Dear Office staff and students,
Currently I am drinking the very best cup of coffee I have had in a really long time. It's the right flavor, the right mixture of cream and sugar, and the right temperature. Yes, I am going to close my eyes and sip it slowly to savor each delicious drop. Please, do not talk to me, look at me or try to signal for my attention. Consider me busy.
Sincerely,
Contented

I'm taking a moment....

To acknowledge that the Lord is always overwhelming me with blessings! I don't deserve them at all, yet for some reason He still delights in giving them to me. As I am embracing this new day of life that stretches out before me, it is with a light heart that is filled with joy :)

Why am I talking to you?

Have you ever been mid-conversation with someone and you think, I don't value your opinion...I don't even know why I'm talking to you! A couple days ago, I was talking with someone and we got on a topic that we did not see eye to eye on. And during this conversation I was like, I'm out! I'm done with this discussion! NO MAS!
Truthfully, everyone bases their thoughts and opinions on their own value system. It's not a discussion of what's right for you is not always right for me, I firmly believe in absolute Truth. Yet, not everyone places the same value on such Truth. It's tough to keep your conversations limited to people you will always agree with, and where is the fun in that anyway? However, I'm learning in my old age about the importance of keeping my cards close to my chest and valuing only select people's judgement and opinions. And might I say, it's a tough lesson to learn.

Earth Day 2008

In keeping with the emphasis of today being Earth Day, I decided to post some simple every day tips for greener living. These suggestions not only improve the environment around you, but also your own health.

Green tips you can practice every day

Water
1. Fix any leaky faucets, toilets or water pipes. Even a small drip can add up to a lot of water over time.
2. Wash your car the natural way - wait until it rains.
3. Install water saving faucets.

Energy
1. Conserve energy by turning up the AC at night and while you are away from your home — or install a programmable thermostat.
2. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs.
3. Fix air leaks with weather stripping and caulking.
4. Insulate your electric hot water heater and pipes.
5. Avoid using cars — walk, cycle or use public transportation whenever possible.
6. Buy locally — not only is it good for the local economy, it will save energy because products haven’t traveled across the globe to get to you.

Toxics
1. Use non-toxic cleaning alternatives in your home, such as the ones listed in the booklet.
2. Avoid the use of aerosols.
3. If you have a furnace, fireplace or gas heater, have them serviced regularly to prevent deadly fumes and install a carbon monoxide detector.
4. Ensure you have good ventilation and balanced humidity in your home to prevent the growth of mold and mildew, which can be harmful to your health.

Waste
1. Do not throw out your toxic household wastes, such as paint, paint thinner, and car fluids, in the garbage or down the drain. Check with your local facilities for proper disposal and avoid these products in the future.
2. Take your own bags to the grocery store. If you take plastic bags, use them until they are worn out.
3. Compost your food waste and use as nutrient rich soil for your lawn.
4. Avoid excess packaging.
5. Always use reusables mugs, lunch containers, batteries, pens, razors, etc.

Is it Racism?

I had the pleasure of attending a meeting this morning that decides on the applications of international students. One of our Chinese faculty in the meeting made the statement, "No offense to you (pointing to the Indian faculty member) but I don't ever want to hire an Indian student. It's been my experience that they are not hard working." This statement was accepted as no big deal, whereas; I was appalled. How dare he make a blanket judgement statement against an entire culture of students based on an experience he had with two, many years ago. Racism is not defined as a single duragatory remark against one individual, but rather reducing an entire culture or people group to its lowest common denominator. For him to judge an entire culture on the work ethic of two students he had a long time ago really rubbed me the wrong way. It would be, hands down, accepted as racist if said by the white, American faculty member who was also present. Can racism really be defined differently depending on who is making the comments?

Parentals, cover your ears

Yea so I was chillin last night with a friend of mine. We were making a late night target run when I spotted the newly opened ABC liquor store next to the mall. I suggested we get a little something for the movie we were going to watch back at her place. Good times! I brought the remainders home with me. I am currently enjoying some of the sweetness right now. If it's possible, I might become a raging alcoholic one sip of watermelon schnapps at a time.

Simple pleasures

There are so many big things in this world that bring joy to individuals, such as relationships or having children, a job promotion or accomplishing a large goal like school. These pleasures bring joy to most people, yet it is the simple pleasures that define us and make us the individuals we are. For me, the sun shining on my face or hearing the heartfelt laughter of someone I care about are pleasures that make up everyday life. It's also the simple and sweet gestures people do to show each other they care about them. It's the knowing glance between someone you connect with or a friend who brings over flowers to make you smile. Life is filled with these moments. They never last long, and they are never to be repeated quite the same way. What is truly important is if we take the time out of our busy lives to acknowledge and smile when we experience them.

A tribute to sweetness

I have to say there are few as thoughtful as my co-worker, Judy. She seems to know exactly the days I'm rushing around in the morning trying to get everything done, yet also getting rid of unecessary things in order to make it to work on time. This morning was one of those mornings. I had already removed shaving, blow-drying the hair, breakfast, liter boxes and watering the garden from the daily routine in order to make it to work on time. I'm ok with all of those except breakfast. I drove to work thinking about how hungry I was and contemplating that maybe if I drank 5 cups of coffee it would take away the hunger long enough to make it to lunch. This is when I get to work and notice the orange dunkin' donuts box sitting next to the coffee pot containing the best muffins in all the world. What sweetness!

You are a joy to work with, a treat to laugh with and a completely lovely woman (and for way more reasons than bringing in muffins)! You make working here positively enjoyable, and you and I both know what THAT is saying :)

I love you Ikea, just not right now.

In my attempt to reduce my use of plastic, I visited the Ikea store in a search for some cheap ceramic/glass containers that were microwavable for my lunches. I found a great one, ceramic bottom and glass top which indicated the important feature of microwave and dishwasher safe! I was heating up my deliciously-prepared, homemade food in my trendy, Ikea container when I heard a crack. I immediately stopped the microwave and checked out the horrendous sound. There before me was my Ikea container shattered, much like my love of the store itself. The glass top had broken. I threw the glass top away and inspected my food. After having visions of shards of glass going through my intestinal tract, I threw my homemade goodness away.
I now needed some food. I walked to the Einstein's on campus and purchased a pre-packaged, in a factory in Nebraska no doubt, salad. I get in a very long line only to get to the register and be told, "That will be $6.70." Dejected, I handed him my money to pay for my salad that was very much packaged in plastic.

Forizzle?

There is another office on campus that keeps signing for my packages. We have a history. I haven't always been sweet to them, they haven't always been apologetic. The last time we talked, I might have said a few things about recommending they not be idiots and suggesting they not sign for stuff that isn't their's. We don't like each other.

This brings me to today. They signed for another package of mine. I am listening to her and her giddy voice that is telling me to walk down to her building and pick up the box, "If I would like it." What I wanted to say was, "you know what sweety, I'll tell you what I'd like. I'd like for you to have some sense. I'd like for you to make some good judgement decisions. I'd like for you to take a peek at the boxes when they're delivered to you and only sign for them if you know they're yours. I'd like for you not to continually try and teach me a lesson of patience and kindness!". What I ended up saying was, "oh well of course, I mean I'd love to walk down there and get my box. I'm already looking forward to it".

Bite me MicroBiology, really, all of you collectively, as one big giant unit of women who can't seem to handle simple tasks.