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.

Season Snapshots

Merry Christmas Everyone 

and

Blessings in the New Year!

My Own Postcard.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Deck the Halls with Gingerbread. Houses on Display.

Here are some of the Gingerbread Houses from this year's festivities. As you can tell, we have multiple levels of talent :)

New Widget

Look to the right and you'll see a great new widget I've added. Thanks to BookJetty I can now catalog, keep, and display recent reads and wants. And no, I haven't cataloged any books yet - but the widget is up and working!

Very cool!

The Great Christmas Tree Hunt 2007

I pretty much have the best family ever. I mean check out the Santa hats. This family loves traditions and Christmas. Not sure how I ever managed to move away.
Every year around this time my Uncle Mark drives over with his big truck, picks everyone up for breakfast, and then we head out to Christmas Tree Hunt. It's the job of all of the cousins to pick out the best Christmas Tree for Oma & Opa and deliver it to them. Well if it isn't Santa's little helpers themselves...
Have you been naughty or nice??All the trees piled up on the truck ready to be delivered to all our families and Oma.

Things Explained.

I've blinked and it's winter. The yellow and brown of the leaves is now obscured by the white crisp snow. I sit in the living room, looking out through the porch screen as large white flakes fall to the ground. My eyes follow each snowflake as they spin before finding a final resting place. A view straight from inside a snow globe. Welcome winter, I say to myself.

I'd be fooling someone if I said I loved winter. The first snowfall is always magical, but the unyieldly wind and rushing to and from is tiresome on my body. It's hard to believe it has been nearly two years since I've traveled wintery streets filled with the sounds of snowplows and the smell of salt. But I still find myself eager to haul out a sled and a shovel. Last year it was fall and the beginning of winter that brought out some of the sharpest of edges last year, now it's like riding a horse you had been bucked off of before as you slip back into the cold mornings and grey skies that greet the sun for a few hours. Last year at this time was when it felt like my relationship with C was imploding, as it underwent the fierce growth of a relationship that was moving past a life hurt.

If you sift back through moments and memories you can count how many times conversations may have gone amiss. We can all reaccount times when two people were talking but they were talking about two different things. This happened last winter, with the fine brush strokes of different agendas and feelings and work being done. There's no use in trying to figure out what the reason for the pain was or why. Almost all of it was a product of external stresses: from work and life, that had become distilled in the small orbit of our love, although some was internal - new dreams being realized, a heart casualty, sleep deprivation, and a lack of time to ourselves.

So the trepidation is there. Only faintly visible in my pulse. Little snafus, a snag, it bears an undue weight even though we are so far from there; our love more like an aging merlot becoming integrated, refined, and full of rich spices and aroma.

Seasons are funny like this in their ability to conjure up accounts of change and growth, and reflect pivotal moments in life when unsteady ground turned into a rock foundation. Last season was marked with an angst, but a hope and steady drive toward betterment, and I am thrilled to no end to say that this season the angst has been bucked and that an effervescent confidence is flooding all branches of life.

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving happens to be one of my favorite holidays. It's a time to reflect and recount your blessings. There are so many things to be thankful for, like - health, safety, the troops, faith, relationships, and opportunities. Besides being full of blessings it's a time to gather with family, and if yours is anything like mine you are always in for a great time. My family certainly got into the holiday spirit - funny as they always are - we caught a great moment on video.
Prelude: My sister is completing a photography project for college and the theme is "Family Feet." You'll quickly see below what makes my family so special and unique - they are always game for helping someone out...it makes it so easy to love them. (One of my uncle's volunteering).

The greatest dog ever. Sam, after Uncle Sam, since they got him near the 4th of July. We just naturally look good together. It's a yellow lab thing.

Being studious or being three stooges? Turkey morning.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

The First Snow of Winter

The first snow of winter started to fall this evening. From the inside I could see it was lightly covering the ground with a blanket of white. From the kitchen the scent of gingerbread filled the air. Wine, snow, and gingerbread - great way to welcome the holiday season.

Home for the Holidays and Guitar Lessons

I flew into Chicago with no problem, amen, and was even able to catch an earlier flight. It's definately a bit colder up here, right now it's 37 degrees outside and a light rain is coming down possible chance of turning into flurries.

Woke up this morning and headed over to my aunt and uncle's house with some oven baked apple pancakes. I also picked up the guitar and attempted to learn few chords and frets with my cousin (who happens to be a born guitar genious) seen in pictures below -

Cousin placing my fingers on the strings & right frets. Learning point 1: Little fingers make this much more difficult...note this is a smaller guitar already.

Got a chord! Jam time! (I did try to sing while playing 2 chords in a row...yeah. Ha.)

Texting Thank You to Troops

On my drive to work this morning, I had the radio on. There was a report on about texting troops Happy Thanksgiving and reminding them that we are thankful for their service. After I heard the message and managed to remember the number, 89279, I texted a short message of thanks and blessings for their service this Thanksgiving. Within about fifty seconds I received a message back saying thank you for remembering us.

I went onto the internet when I got into the office to check out this text messaging the troops a bit further and to make sure it was legitamate. And sure enough it was. I was happy to see that a student at Chapman University organized the texting after her brother was shortly shipped out. Check out Texting Thank You - Sending Thanks to Troops and let them know you are thankful for them this Thanksgiving.

NSO Performance and Filomena's in DC

This past weekend the Boy came in for a visit and we went to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to see Mark Evans, of the National Symphony Orchestra on Friday night. A truly gifted cellist, Evans performed two Cello Suites by Bach. One in G Major and the other in D Major. A special highlight goes out to Target and Fannie Mae, who sponsor a free performance each Friday evening, on the Millennium Stage, where the entire city has the opportunity to enjoy great performances such as the one we saw.

We were in awe of Evans' animated playing and passion put into every note. In addition to a fantastic performance, we followed the concert with an amazing dinner at Filomena's Ristorante in Georgetown. This is one of the Boy's top restaurants in DC. Honoring an upcoming birthday of mine, we started the evening at Mr. Smith's piano bar around the corner until our table was ready. Beginning with delectable calamari that melted our mouths, we dined upon the best Italian lasagna and smoked chicken ravioli ever created. At the end of our courses, we made the decision to not resist dessert. A two page menu of the photographed homemade desserts made this pretty easy. Tempting our palettes with cheesecake and raspberry mouse` we toasted the night with the restaurant's signature Peppermint Schnapps and 3 coffee beans: 1 for health, 1 for luck, and 1 for love. Okay, and maybe a few kisses.

This was an amazing evening, and only the start of our weekend. Great music, great food, and the best company ever. Many thanks to the Boy for such a special night!

Google Me.

Officially on the Staff Now

Thankful

It was good to be able to finally put a name to what had been bothering me the past few days. It was one of those so happy that she cries moments -except happened a few days later. Life is funny this way.

And everything lately seems to point me back in one direction; a voice reminding me of all to be thankful for.

...thankful for having a strong shoulder to cry on. For the steadyness & strength. And for the willingness to always dream with me, however wild me ideas may be. For the ability to wrap me in kind words even after reluctance to say goodnight, with the distance still hanging in the air, but because of him feels so much less.

...thankful for earl grey tea in the morning. The first sip feeling romantic. And the way the sun shines through the windows. For the ability to write anytime, anywhere, anyplace lately and letting things come and go in whole new ways. For honesty and truth and expression.

...thankful for sisters and girlfriends and chats that string life together in simple ways.

Complimentary

I had originally started drafting a post about Fiedler's leadership theory, but found my mind wandering to my own situational awareness. Prompted by dinner conversation that made my mind blink twice before coming up with the right response, I've become strikingly more aware lately of who I am and who I'm not.

While others may be considering where to go to eat after work I can usually be found at my desk in the office, preparing for another night's worth of classes. I've traded the drinks in (as if I ever really liked beer..haha) for a cup of tea or diet coke and when daring a coffee. I like reading the Wall Street Journal, and trying to work all the new vocab words from my studies into my daily existence.

And it's through my interests, hobbies, and decisions that make it really interesting to navigate this so called phase of life. Many of those who are my age seem to be doing quite different things, or yet almost speaking different languages. Okay, so maybe not everyone. But, somehow talking about personal intimacies or the latest star gossip doesn't put my engine in first.

But while I may be making less then a handful of good friends out here, and battling the occasional awkward conversation and getting weird looks because yes it's a Friday night and I am staying in - because a) I'm either exhausted or b) need to work on some things, it makes me really appreciate those who I keep close to me in my life - namely a Boy that I seem to find more complimentary to who I am everyday.

she was comforted by the knowledge that they were helpless without her.

- We all need this magnet every now and then :)

Painting Project.

For today's Friday project I painted the an accent wall in the apt.'s family room. After waking up in a semi-crabbish mood (I wouldn't have even wanted to talk to me but my nicest boy did), pmsing, and feeling blah some good manual labor was just what the doctor ordered. Here are the results!

People don't actually paint w/ their hand touching the wall...Pictures hung, looking snazzy...
And here she is. If you look hard enough you may spot a pair of the famous granny shoes. Work wouldn't be as good without em'

Path-Goal Theory

We all know there are tons of different theories and ideas floating out there about leadership and decision-making. Some are more touchy-feely, while others rely on more statistical models and numbers. For our reader's sake and my own, I will be highlighting these different theories throughout the next few months.

I read up on the Path-Goal Theory and thought I would share a little bit about it.

Developed by: Robert House

Based on: Expectancy Theory of Motivation and Situational Leadership

Basis: The manager's job is to coach and guide workers so that they choose the best path to help them reach their goal.

Defined by the Path-Goal Theory, leaders are expected to change leadership roles based on the situation. They are to clarify the path for employees so they know which way to achieve their goal best. In addition, the leader is expected to remove obstacles that may get into the subordinates way and also increase the level of rewards along the way as the employee achieves more.

Four Leadership Styles Used in Path-Goal:

• Supportive Leadership - the guide, coach, cheerleader


• Directive Leadership - telling what is to be done and at what time


• Participative Leadership - taking others opinion and using it to help make the decision


• Achievement-oriented Leadership - setting standards for both work and self improvement

Weaknesses I Found:

• Assumes leader knows what situation is appropriate for each leadership style


• Assumes leader can easily adapt and adjust to be a different leadership style


• Assumes that only a leader can see the correct path to reach the goal and the follower cannot


• Assumes there is only one correct way to reach a certain goal

Ambassador for a Week

Russian delegate and I All in a Good Day's Work!

My Dad Waiting For Me

I finally saw Him today for what had almost been a year. He ended up meeting me at school since I had a lot of work related things going on and couldn't find time to escape. I was in the middle of wrapping up a guest speaker for the delegation when my phone rang and I stepped out to take the call.

"Hi M" he said. He told me he was downstairs in the lobby of the building waiting for me. I told him I'd be five minutes and he said that was fine. Excited, nervous, and anxious feelings flooded me all at once. It was hard to pick and choose, so I let the feelings wash over me like waves as I descended the stairs to meet him.

I saw him right away from the side. He was standing in the middle of the lobby in his nice navy blue suit, with a baby blue shirt and lightly striped tie on. His hair was the same salty gray color. Dad I yelled. Hi! He turned and opened his arms wide to give me a hug. His tall stature enveloped me completely. For a second I felt myself melting into his shoulder, like a child again being held. We exchanged hellos and how are yous and he helped me finish up a few work things and carry some items in prep for the next event over to the other building.

It was so great to look into his eyes and see the Dad I remembered from all of the happy moments. There wasn't that sadness there filling the dark brown of his eyes anymore, but instead a bright reflection of the man I knew existed all along. He told me how proud of me he was, how grown up and beautiful and smart I am. And I the same. How proud of him I was and so glad he took the time to see me.

It was a reunion of more then just a father and his daughter. It was a reunion of two hearts. It was a letting go of something old and a receiving of something new and so much better. We put the past aside to see each other in the present. I won't forget the feeling of knowing that just downstairs my dad was waiting for me. And that he came to see me. This visit was very special and one that will stay with me for a very, very long time.

I look forward to the next time I get to see him again.

Footie Pajamas

Remember those footie pajamas? The one's that have the feet connected. I could have used a pair of those tonight. My roomate keeps her windows open throughout the day so it's like an icebox when she goes to bed. When I retire into my bedroom at night it feels like I'm skating across the tundra while I'm slipping through the hallway. Brrr.

I'll be having lunch with Him tomorrow. I've choosen a Thai resturant so at least my favorite food can be a comforting companion. I'm looking forward to the meeting, this time meeting Him even more as a woman then before. Perhaps we can begin to retie the knot that had sheared and frayed over the past years, and make a newer, stronger one.

So as winter comes with the crisp winds and colder mornings, I welcome it and say see my heart, it's very warm. And if I get a pair of footie pajamas, my feet will be too!

Wheels Up.

It's funny when you see perfectly healthy young men, who carry their books and materials in those backpacks with wheels. I want to ask - are you going to class or on vacation?

It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown

Because it wouldn't feel like Halloween without it. :)

Neuroplasticity

What we call the "self"--how we experience ourselves--is the result of all that we internalize from people and events.
Because we are always having new experiences--and can internalize these--we are always, to some degree, remaking who we are.
Every activity we engage in provides us with feedback about ourselves: our abilities, how we're perceived by others, our character. In selecting what we do, who we do it with, and how we do it, we can structure our experience to create mirrors of success and mastery.

Inbox Nostalgia

Oh how time has passed recently. Much quicker then usual; time seems more and more like a dear child who you hold in just one hand, but then find, in what seems only moments later, that the same hand is waving goodbye as the school bus pulls up.

Time is a friend though. And while we all have boxes of notes hidden away somewhere, guarding old memories, many of mine camp out right there in my inbox. So instead of rummaging through what would have once been someone's box of memories, made up of cards, notes, letters, and black and white photographs, I can open up my gmail account to account for what traces I have of my story. It was the pristine garden, with the lovely couple in it that got me thinking about all that had come about over the past year, in every facet of life. Got me thinking that even though some parts of the story have jagged edges and sharp points at times, it's somewhat comforting to know that part of the human story is the struggle, and part of the human beauty is the triumph.

Before I get too caught up in nostalgia, I'm reminded of what time it is again, as the contrast of my bright screen to my dark room signals to me that sleep must be near. But there's something to be said about these new boxes of notes. That at the click of a button I can remember and recall all the correspondance I sent forth that asked for help, or wished a friend a good day, or let a loved one know I cared. It's really wonderful to be able to recall this, but even more remarkable to be reminded of the response. Gnight'

West Wingers

The Boy and I were invited on a special tour of the West Wing a few weeks back. Here are some of the snapshots from a very fantastic evening and once in a lifetime memory! I even broke out the pearls for this event.

The Boy and I strolling through the Garden (I love this pic.) Outside the House
The Very Official Seal (isn't he so handsome).

Meet the Press

Live from the Press Room-

The Boy Correspondant

The Nicest Reporter this place will ever see.The Power Couple
Our questions got answered, so we're smiling.

Cool

Because this is cool and I wanted to try it out!

Munching on Things

Fall is starting to usher itself intothe city, and with that a good road trip always comes to mind. Now that I'm back up East I took advantage of a long weekend and hit the road. Due to the lack of rain the colors didn't change as much, but I still did some leaf peaking. (And thanks to lack of Ipod juice a bunch of radio surfing). But I survived.

Along with channel surfing, I surfed my own thoughts a bit. Taking record and checking in with myself. I've had some things on my mind - and good things. Most recently, I've really been a) learning a lot thanks to grad. school and b) thinking more and more about my focus for life. Ever since I was little I've wanted to be a professor - but along with that comes time and more time. So I have to evaluate if this is what I really want, what it's going to require, and where it will put me.

The positives are that the program will be fully funded and paid for if I get in. How great would that be! Bottom line is I really want to teach college level coursework. It's so much more stimulating then high school curriculum, and you have more time and less boundaries to delve in deeper into the real meat of the topic. I love people, love connecting, and love sharing knowledge and getting people to see things from new perspectives. And second, the actual Ph.D. is in something that is rather a rare specialty. Cool. (As you can see I'm not yet ready to reveal all details yet). I still have a bunch of charting and mapping and munching to do on this.

But what's the most exciting is knowing that this opportunity exists, and is available to me if I want it.

P.S. Great sentence I read recently: "Venice is spooky under its grainy November skies. The city creaks and sways like a fishing pier."
I love me some good writing'

At this point in my career I have to be realistic about my value and my time.

- Business. You have to be your own advocate. I still laugh at what people try to get away with.

Shiny

My body feels a bit like a sanctuary today. The temperature has gone down a bit that I can leave the windows open without having the fan blowing. I managed to get myself up and go for a run this morning, and my body is praising me for it. Every step I took, bits of yesterday's tarnish shattered across the pavement and got left behind. And with a shower the shinyness is back again. With a cup of coffee in hand, I have been quietly scribbling away at the finishinings of a paper, while the echoes of NPR float from the radio. Today's a new day, and one that can be shiny.

Have a great day~

And too often we forget, that when we are right, we are like a ripe summer peach; in perfect time.

the physical

there are times when I miss him so, but im not speaking of the emotional, but the counter partner to this half - the physical. His presence is one of strength, and not just the muscle strength, the heart and spiritual and just masculine strength that only a true man can offer a woman. and while I am well aware that I can easily function without this actual physical presence, and don't need it, my little heart loves it. it jumps at the thought of looking into the abyss of blue that springs from his eyes. and the energy that emits from him always makes me feel restful, yet energized, peaceful yet sparked. to hold these array of emotions all at once makes one feel very alive. And he's good with small gestures, very good, ones that only i pick up on, ones that make me feel like the most beautiful woman in all the world. it's true. And yes, his voice and words sing this to my delicate heart, but there's something that you can only get from a hug, or holding of the hand that speaks to this other part of myself.


ah. to be spoken to in so many ways; it's like meeting yourself on a different plane.

3 Things to Do Every Day

The stupid Feeling snuck up on me tonight - like a menacing Pinkerton Detective. He didn't need to show his badge. Then Feeling starts to interrogate me, frisks me, searching for joy in my pockets. It's at this point that I pull the club from him and fight him back hitting him over the head with what my priorities are in life. To come back to the true meaning of life, cliche as that is. It's like a healthy dose of reality check. We all have to do this in our own way. For me, as much as I might want it to come through talking, writing really does it. It seems like it's the best way for Feeling to finally hit the road and realize he can't sleep with me tonight.

What do you really, really, really want?

I want to be a woman of God. A woman of grace and strength at the same time. To learn, and seek, and to be a woman of faith and values.

I want to put something beautiful forth in the world each and everyday for the rest of my life. Whether through a small gesture of a smile or holding the door open for an elderly woman, or within my profession - going against the odds to bring change.

I want to create. I want to create new things, systems, structures, and ideas. I want to create in my profession. To speak in front of people, to motivate, inspire, and bring forth new life. I want to learn always. To be open, to meet new people, to mentor and to be mentored.

I want to have a family. I want to raise children in good values, and create a safe, encouraging, and loving environment for them to grow and learn. I want to be a good mother, a great example of strength and faith, and enjoy all that is the miracle in raising children.

I want to be a good wife. To encourage, challenge, and support my partner. I want to play and learn together. I want to dare, risk, and dream to make a great life. I want to be strong in faith together - to raise each other up to our higher selves. I want to be the strong one, when he can't be. I want to be patient, and kind, and loving. I want to be a couple of significance, not just success. That as a couple, when we are together our goodness is even stronger and our ability to bring greatness even brighter.

Happiest moment of the day:
Being told I love you more times then I can count on two hands - and then laughing, laughing about Schitzous and diamond collars.

Focus:
Focusing on the great work I get to do right now and the harvest I am sowing. Great blessings of family, friends, health, and a creative mind. Great love.

You were given life; it is your duty (and also your entitlement as a human being) to find something beautiful within life, no matter how slight.

...people universally tend to think that happiness is a stroke of luck, something that will maybe descent upon you like fine weather if you're fortunate enough. But that's not how happiness works. Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, you strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it, you must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it. If you don't, you will leak away your innate contentment. It's easy enough to pray when you're in distress but continuing to pray when your crisis has passed is like a sealing process, helping your soul hold tight in its good attainments.

Peace is God.

It's nice to have found the place where I am strong, yet can find rest and shelter at the same time.

It's been nights of hardships and tears have been shed. There were days of building strength, but still times I knew I'd cry and collapse at night again. I dare even say my heart was broken a few times.

But to have been able to lay down that night and another and another, to meet my God, and to have the tears and the heavyness in my chest lifted is to know peace.

And now I sleep, and my heart is warm, and not by anything that is of this world.

Dove's Onslaught Film

Here is a great new film that Dove has just recently put out. Once again they are on game.

Analysts Analyzed

Analysts

- They do work by organizing attention, practically and politically, not only to the facts at hand but to why the facts at hand matter.

- Are selective organizers of attention to real possibilities of action

- They are actually pragmatic critics who must make selective arguments and therefore influence what other people learn about

- What gets done depends heavily on what gets said, and how it is said, and to whom

Comparative Classroom Ethnography

When I criticize people for calling their case studies and qualitative work ethnography they often reply, "it might not be the same thing you mean by ethnography, but I can call it ethnography if I want to. You don't own the term." I tend to reply with a riddle:

If you call a dog's tail a leg, how many legs does it have? The answer is four. You can call a tail a leg, but that doesn't make it a leg. Similarly, you can call a case study, with thick description, of a school in your own culture an ethnography, but that does not make it an ethnography.

- Joseph Tobin

I think Tobin has a good point that we can apply in general. Just because someone claims to "own" something, doesn't mean it's fact. Always question, that's the art of learning.

It's hard to keep my secret baker goodness a secret all the time...

Ta da!

And now you see two...Double ta da!