Tuesday, December 25, 2007

My Opa and I on Christmas.


He's is one of the most genuine and loving people you'll ever meet. Each moment spent with him is so special to me.
Merry Christmas.

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Merry Christmas Everyone 
and
Blessings in the New Year!

Saturday, December 15, 2007

The Christmas Bell.

One year in high school, at the begining of the christmas season, my mom gave me a snow man bell to tie to my assignment notebook and said "everytime you hear this bell ring remember that life is more than just thinking about yourself. every chime you hear, think about someone else. how you can better serve them. who they are. what their story is."

and i think every one of us needs a bell to carry around. a bell to remind us to think beyond the too common words of "me, I, and my" that run through our head.

this christmas season my prayer and "lesson" I'm finding myself learning in life is to get beyond myself, my stories, and my achievements. and to focus on others.

when you hear the bells this christmas, think of this. the focus is not so much inward, but outward.

Sunday, December 09, 2007

12 Months.

Another year has almost come to close
A new beginning
Of another chapter in our favorite book.
So hard to imagine 12 more months gone by
But if a ruler were to measure
From 4cm to 12 inches
This close went to thisclose.
And now your hand almost part of my own geography.
Watched you grow, watched us grow
A better man and a better woman.
How does this happen?
Silly question; we walk together.
So excited about the future,
Because I think it rare to feel and know this love
Every single day of 12 months.

Saturday, December 08, 2007

What I Want.

It's the end of my first semester of graduate school. Yes. At this point, I'm tired, in need of a mind break, and ready for new classes & ideas. The boy is about to graduate with his MBA and my Christmas spirit has been spreading the cheer for over 8 days now. But overall, I'm very pleased with DC and really starting to enjoy living in this city. Now I need this next month to put down on paper my objectives and true ambitions that will drive me into the new year.

Funny thing is, for the past few years, beginning junior year of college, life has seemed somewhat of a consistent game of chess. The planning ahead, the goal setting, the strategizing so that when I make the next move it's the best. Some people think I seem to go with what's in front of me, others see the opposite - and that I've been on a brief tour of the east coast lately and wonder how I can possibly live so far from my family and be so aggressive. But honestly, I don't really care what others think, and am happy with what experiences I've had, where I am, and where I'm going.

What I am noticing is that I'm ready to plant some roots and really invest myself fully into one place, and not have to think about moving for at least two years. I'm just starting to create solid relationships here, know the ins and outs of the little hole in the wall places I like, and feel comfortable. This is part of what's driving me to finish up graduate school by the end of next July. I don't want to be a transient anymore, and really need to finally figure out what state I live in. Ha. Plus the fact that many other factors are lining up, and that I actually enjoy taking 4 classes as opposed to 3. I don't have the energy, no less the navigation skills to continue to master new cities every other year. No joke.

I know I have many tools that I need hanging on my current toolbelt, and need to finish gathering some more here in DC so that I can really build that quality foundation that I want.

Thursday, December 06, 2007

Saying Thanks to Troops- Xerox.

Something cool that Xerox is doing

If you go to this web site, LetsSayThanks.com you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq

How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!! This is a great site. Please send a card. It is FREE and it only takes a second.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these? Whether you are for or against the war, our guys and gals over there need to know we are behind them.


I would like to say thank you to Megan from the Virgin Islands and Matthew from Tennessee for their postcards. I read them aloud to my section and everyone was happy to get the support from back home. Thank you all for taking time out of your day to do a little for us. Thanks again and we will be seeing you back at home in a few months.

An Air Force sergeant

A Few of My Favorite Things

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Stretching after a run.
New Favorite Book.
Coming home
to the Christmas Tree lit.
Cup of Earl Grey tea in the afternoon.

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Snow in DC!

First snow of the season arrived in DC today! I woke up this morning, looked outside, and found myself giddy as a child again. My roommate still asleep, I tiptoed around, but secretly wanted her to wake up so I could share the joy. I bundled up in my Columbia jacket, named fittingly - Double Whammy. I felt round and puffy, but warm when I finally made it outside. Good thing too - or else I would have been having a few hot flashes sooner or later. (Think Ralphie in The Christmas Story). Equipped with stripped finger mittens, all but my head was feeling winter's kiss. I stood a few minutes waiting for the shuttle, and once again was mesmerized by the snow falling to the ground. Really, my imagination kicks in and all of a sudden - I'm living in a snow globe.
After getting in my office, I took off my jacket, and lightly dusted the snowflakes off my hair. I was so happy to be back up north - rosy cheeks and all.

Sunday, December 02, 2007

Defining Peace

I've been thinking a lot about peace lately. We can all probably recite songs of peace, or come up with at least 50 symbols. War or peace, love and hate. These words get tossed around all the time. It's as if they are only on a global scale, and shades of grey don't exist. I'm not talking about world peace, we have to start smaller. What about in our daily interactions. The smile at a stranger or holding the door open one minute longer. There's the little quarrel or snapping remark the couple makes while doing the dishes, the sting lasting long after the words erupted from him mouth. But all is not lost in one moment, there's the young man giving his seat up to the elderly and all hope is born again.

These are our daily choices. These words and actions that we choose can bring us one step closer to the peace that this season stands for. Just one word or gesture. It's your choice. But before we can even begin to look at others, I will first examine myself. So let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now. With every step I take may this be my solomon vow.