Sunday, April 29, 2007

My New Fav - Will Ferrell

This has to be my new favorite Will Ferrell movie moment from Stranger than Fiction. It's the song, Maggie Gyllenhall and the fact that she tells him "I want you too" Plus, how can you possiby not love Will while he sings "I'd go the whole wide world just to find her." oh, so cute!

Saturday, April 28, 2007

Tragedy or Comedy? You Choose.

The thing to determine conclusively is whether you are in a comedy or a tragedy. Life has to be one or the other.
Have you met anyone who simply might loathe the very core of you?
If you answer: I'm an IRS agent. Everyone hates me.
Well, that sounds like a comedy!

or you might just make someone meatloaf and chocolate pudding, and know you are comedy.

But really - there are measurable differences in the tragedy hero and the comedic protagonist. The way each major character views, reacts, and thinks about life places you in one category or the other.

Each of us in the end boil down to either a "Tragedy" person or a "Comedy" person. It goes beyond taste in movies, but more in the way in which we approach life. In my comedic protagonist ways, I like to keep the plot moving along. I may suffer occasionally from lack of patience. Like right now and my need to move my butt up to DC.

But I also recognize being a comedic protagonist means believing that we can move beyond our human conditional flaws, that each person does want to do good (some aren't sure how), and that we can choose - choose our lives ultimately.

So the next time you feel down, ask yourself, is your life a tragedy or comedy? You can choose, and you can choose right now your next movement in plot.

True.

As Harold took a bite of Bavarian sugar cookie, he finally felt as if everything was going to be ok. Sometimes, when we lose ourselves in fear and despair, in routine and constancy, in hopelessness and tragedy, we can thank God for Bavarian sugar cookies. And, fortunately, when there aren't any cookies, we can still find reassurance in a familiar hand on our skin, or a kind and loving gesture, or subtle encouragement, or a loving embrace, or an offer of comfort, not to mention a good run with no socks on, soft-spoken secrets, and Fender Stratocasters, and maybe the occasional piece of fiction. And we must remember that all these things, the nuances, the anomalies, the subtleties, which we assume only accessorize our days, are effective for a much larger and nobler cause. They are here to save our lives. I know the idea seems strange, but I also know that it just so happens to be true.

Friday, April 27, 2007

The Squid and the Whale

A social commentary on the family unit, I engaged in a thought provoking Friday night with a independent film, The Squid and the Whale. At base level the title appears childish, and vague, but the movie provides room for greater dissection through it's consistent metaphors to Kaufka's "Metamorphisis" and the frequent references to Pink Floyd's "Hang On."

The characters, the plot, and the quick liners are funny, gut wrenching, and hit you on a visceral level reminding one of times when we perhaps experienced our greatest strength during our greatest pain.

When the two sons are forced to reconcile their relationship with their parents post divorce, they react out in order to assert themselves and their identity. In the final moment, the eldest son meets with the school therapist and is asked to recall one of his favorite memories. Having retailitiated against his mother, he ends up revealing to the therapist that his most authentic moments of happiness were actually with her.

In the end the movie truly shows how impactful language can be, and it's effects on our relationships. Beautiful.

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Brains are Sexy.

What I've been up to:

Interviews with-

Achieve Inc.
ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development)
IHEP (Institute of Higher Education Policy)
NCCEP (National Council for Community and Education Partnerships)
AU Advisory for FWS students

Packing my most precious things into flimsy cardboard boxes that I'm sure movers will treat with the utmost of care.

Registered for masters classes! Feel smarter already

Details, details, details. Countdown has begun till my summer programs are launched. I'm past the part where you hammer the nail into the wall, now I'm hanging up the picture, and making sure it's in balance.

Cheers to work and all that je ne sais quois!

Monday, April 23, 2007

It's About to Get Cheesy.

It's about to get cheesy, bear with me. I'm going to gush and be a girl right now. Considering that I have Alicia Keys "If I Ain't Got You" playing in the background and I'm entering into the ultimate girl time of the month, (yes men you know it's your fav), the time when I'm feminine and my curves feel extra curvy, I'm going to allow myself to take a moment, or two or three.

Maybe you've experienced it, maybe you haven't, but I have. The point where you're in a relationship, and the person becomes more and more attractive to you everyday as time goes on. It's that everytime we talk, or are together, I constantly get reminded of why I'm attracted to him - like when he makes me laugh when I'm feeling a lil feisty or takes my hand when we pray.

It's the inside jokes about "boob presses" and wheely chairs in the kitchen, and the fact that we both know a few Phil Collins songs. Go ahead and laugh, we do too. And the fact that I find the way he eats popcorn so cute, or how I really enjoy power cleaning his apartment - and like doing "home projects" together (okay so maybe just hanging up the shower curtain while drinking vodka tonic). But still, it's that we accomplish things together.

It's knowing that someone supports and believes in you just as much as you believe in them. And that if you are having a bad day, or need to vent - that persons there, and can bring it all back into perspective, and remind you how cute of a butt you might have, and that your brain is just as sexy. Gosh, how can you not love that. It's that he helps me to be the best version of myself, and inspires me everyday to be a better woman. And that I help him to be a better man.

I'm really a blessed girl. A blessed girl whose extra big heart has found someone extraordinary to love. It's good, about as good as cheesy can get.

Saturday, April 21, 2007

Crocodile Hunters.

Look mate, I see a big one... I bet if we snap a pic, well scare the croc away! Hurry smile and shoot! (australian accent)

212 Degrees

At 211° water is hot. At 212°, it boils. And with boiling water, comes steam. And steam can power a locomotive. The one extra degree makes the difference.

Turn up the heat.

And with that it's off to the gym this Saturday morning.

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Risk Taking

Vision is not enough, it must be combined with venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps, we must step up the stairs.

Vaclav Havel

If you believe that you deserve the opportunity, put yourself out there. Then put your plan into action.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

You know it's a good day when...you get a card with a piece of dark chocolate in it. My staff is really trying to butter me up. I like it!

Monday, April 16, 2007

I just had a most wonderful weekend. Picture your favorite dessert, filled with lapislazuli, the best homemade chicken noodle soup, raindrops, handsome boy, and dogwood flowers. Still doesn't give it justice....

Mi amor crece cada día.

Wonderful. Buenos noches'

Thursday, April 12, 2007

If you're boss is in a bad mood do you (for many days):

a. Smile and say hey how are you?

b. Submit approval for a vacation request day

c. Say, lead by example?

d. Think about the fact you are leaving early tomorrow, at 11am, from the office on a Friday.

Yep, and then I offered him tea called "positivitea"

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

on the list:
renovate a house and build a large walk around porch on the front.

Interesting.

Women may be scarce in senior management, but here’s an intriguing finding: Those who do make it into the executive ranks get there faster than men. So conclude researchers from Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business and Loyola University who analyzed data on nearly 10,000 Fortune 1,000 executives to create one of the most granular pictures we have of companies’ executive makeup. Though nearly half of Fortune 1,000 firms still have no female executive officers, those that do seem to be aggressively hiring and promoting them into the top ranks.

Harvard Business School

she likes it rough

When I tend to not have time to workout I pretend to do funny stretches and yoga in my hotel room or bedroom to keep me flexible. The kind where you lift your leg over your head and then bend it backwards. So yeah. But the thing I really hate is when you get knots in your neck and back. It keeps a girl up at night.

So when this happens, I'm not one who runs down the street to get a massage, first and foremost the thought of having some person I don't know run their hands over my body while I'm not clothed...it just kinda freaks me out. Especially if the massuse were a male. (yeah im conservative, even been called prissy, but don't get any ideas). its my midwest upbringing.

This being said, someone in my office, another female volunteered one morning in DC to just give me a little back massage as I was working at the desk. It felt good, and as my shoulders were getting a rub down I thought to myself, ow this hurts a bit. Blamed it on the knots. But the other morning when I had just gotten out of the shower, I squinted a bit to notice a small blue smudge mark in the reflection of the mirror, between my shoulder blades. Ow! I said as I pressed it to see what was up. I turned back and forth, taking stock of the beating I’d received for the sake of a small massage. Then I smiled the smile of a very satisfied customer and got dressed for work.

I always did like it a little rough.

Monday, April 09, 2007

A wise person recently shared with me the 80 % 20% rule.

You have to make the decision and go there which is the 80% knowing what's going to happen

The 20% is having faith, and until you are committed to the decision and you're there you won't be able to fully uncover or know the 100%.

This is the 20% miracle factor.

I like it.

Sunday, April 08, 2007

Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

proverbs 3:5-6
Very early on Sunday morning, the women came to the tomb, taking the spice they had prepared.
They found that the stone that had been covering the entrance had been rolled aside.

Luke 24:1,2

Jesus is risen. Rejoice and be blessed.

Saturday, April 07, 2007

I usually don't do this...

I usually would'nt do this, but I apologize, I am shocked.

I went to the gym for the first time since I've been back today and got on the scale. I stood there, and had to keep moving the little weight down, I was thinking any minute it would even out. But it didn't, I had to keep pushing it down. Until it was under 120, and just above 118.

I haven't weighed 119 since I was in high school, maybe a semester during college. But really I can't remember the last time I was in the teens. But it makes sense now. No wonder everytime I put on my pants it feels like they need to be washed or shrunk again. I just want to look and be healthy, and not like some stick girl with a boys bod. Thankfully, even if my curves around my hips are getting smaller, there's one portion of me that manages to stay curvy (see top).

So after my scene at the gym, I decided to go out and buy a new pair of jeans. A pair that would fit. I'm standing in the dressing room, with an armful of jeans - sizes 2,4, and 6. I put on the 6, too big, put on the 4 too big. (what*!?) I put on the 2 and they fit, even with some room.

This is a day in history. Size 2 me. But don't worry my personality is still plenty big:)

The Tiny Monster, and the Confident Woman

I am happy and back in Florida. Sun's shinning through my blinds right now as I wake up.

I was so blessed these 3 weeks. I learned a very important lesson, one that I would not have learned if it hadn't been for my job and it taking me to DC.

Going to DC I thought I had already made my decision about grad. school, but after spending some time up there, looking at apartments, and then receiving some news on DePaul my mind was a bit frazzled and well - overwhelmed.

Talking to some good friends (blessing #2 of the day) and talking with myself I realized that I was letting some little monster called fear get into me.

Eventually with all the talking I was doing about school I realized a few things:
There was a reason I left Chicago after I graduated, a reason that I moved to Florida. And it was because I did not feel like Chicago was the place where I wanted to settle down, that I was not ready to settle down and that I wanted more. More experiences, more networks, more learning. For me, that meant I had to take myself out of my usual element. (hence chi-town to fl move).
Well I'm in the same boat again, and so I came to the question - why would I go back to Chicago if I knew I wanted more, and that it wasn't the place for me to rest my bones. Exactly.

I mean, I would be very frusturated with myself if I ended up going back to DePaul only to find that out again. So I visited a class, met with my advisor, and have been seriously pursuing the DC apartment search. *i think i've found one* (should know this afternoon). Keep you posted, also send a few prayers up that I get this job I'm interviewing for at AU on Friday.

I'm ready to venture somewhere knew. I'm excited and refreshed about the idea. And I look forward to taking all of you there with me.

So thanks friends and thanks life for helping me to realize that I need to keep going, and to let that confident woman (see picture below, note big smile) emerge even more, and tell that tiny monster fear to take the backseat.

Thursday, April 05, 2007

Spring!

What a great time in DC!



Sunday, April 01, 2007

Staircase through the Clouds

It's not one decision that will make me significant, or even successful for that matter.

It's tiny decisions each day. Picture it like a staircase that goes up, up, and up through the clouds. You may have an idea of what your goals are, what it looks like, you may want a family, or think of the ideal job. But perhaps its fuzzy right now. That's okay. You have to keep climbing up the stairs, each day getting one step closer. You might not be able to make out right now exactly what it looks like, but it's there, just keep climbing.

ETM Notes:

It's better to make an investment, then to just have an impact. Investing is adding to something, adding to someone else.

It's better to be significant, then just successful. Significant it making a difference in someone else's life.