Love along the way..

Probably until the end of December, all my posts will be about the future.

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:01:46 -0500

In which I realize how much I've grown up (So far).

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:01:13 -0500

The last year was a completely tumultuous experience. 52 short weeks enveloped more beautiful, difficult, enlightening, and maturing moments than I could have imagined.

I’m better with missing people, with goodbyes. I’ve honestly accepted the idea that people don’t stay friends forever; that people drift and relationships change and that’s okay. My friend-circle has almost completely shifted since this time last year - most of my friends now are the ones who were too afraid to stand up for me last year.

And that situation, where it felt like it was me against much of my class. I toughened it out, truly believed it would ‘be better ~~tomorrow~~ in the future’, figured out who really was there for me. As a result, I’ve solidified some of the strongest bonds I’ve ever had with people.

But I also lost a plethora of people along the way. Despite promises of keeping in touch while away at college, I knew that after I said goodbye it would be a very long time before I heard from them again. And that’s okay - I realized I was just a part of their previous chapter, as they were in mine. I guess you could say I closed my own chapter, too. As a result, one of the people whom I loved dearly and felt I could relate to on almost every account has truly become a part of the past. I tried a few times to get together but it was to avail. So I let it go. And it didn’t feel sad or depressing, it felt natural.She was happy, I was happy. There was nothing wrong with that.

On another note, I also became quite realistic about school. I found this balance where the greatest times that could be had set nicely up against the ~~good~~ sweet grades I’m pulling in. I’m now able to put into perspective the important things regarding school. It’s so very important to study, but sometimes I’ll take a hit on a pop-quiz, and I just have to accept that. And I have. And I feel less burdened than before. It’s liberating.

Aside from school, I’ve also gained much more patience. Always known to have a short fuse and a hot temper, I’ve managed to curb my fiery ways in a couple of respects. People who used to make me want to scream and cry and spontaneously combust all at the same time? They glimmer in the back of my mind, not really affecting me anymore. Circumstances that never should have happened but did because of some capricious choice? They are stuck in the ‘sometimes this stuff happens’ pile and placed in the shredder, the unimportant details forgotten only the bigger picture remaining. 6 words: “Will this matter in 5 years?” As cheesy as it is, I use this so much.

Needless to say, I’m not completely a cool, serene collected person all the time. People who don’t pull their weight? Lord have mercy on their souls, for my frustration knows no ends on this one. When I have to rely on someone to get a job done and they don’t, regardless of how much extra leeway I give them? Oh, hell hath no fury.

But like I said, this is just how much I’ve grown up so far. I have a feeling, though, that this little spark inside me may never be puffed out.

Here’s to new personal discoveries and new dreams in 2010.

Ryan Adams | Dear Chicago (via thertc)

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:46:42 -0500

Ryan Adams | Dear Chicago

(via thertc)

Watched last night: The Mothman Prophecies Not really that...

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 17:30:51 -0500

Watched last night: The Mothman Prophecies

Not really that scary. I feel like I’ve read a book that was similarly themed, and then talked about something similar. The concept wasn’t anything new for me. Overall, a well-played movie, but not a grab-the-nearest-hand jumper.

Mihai Traistariu | Tornero Romanian finalist of the 2006...

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 14:45:00 -0500

Mihai Traistariu | Tornero

Romanian finalist of the 2006 Eurovision Competition

Best! I remember watching this and for the first time my family agreed for three minutes that we didn’t resent the European status of Romania.

illinoisairship: Forget Paris. Romance is a Sunday. I love...

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 10:03:01 -0500

illinoisairship:

Forget Paris. Romance is a Sunday.

I love sundays. Sundays are the absolute best. Forgetting about the trepidation of work following on Monday and just making the day an absolute non-productive/all relaxed span of time. I plan on making this true forever. Even in the future. And sharing that slow and quiet stretch with whoever I end up with. I look forward to domestic bliss in a way completely unbefitting of being the city mouse who likes tall buildings and the siren song of ambulances when he goes to sleep.

Because we can claim Sunday as our own. In the morning, in our house. White walls and old paint, our kitchen table will be oak and across it will be spread layers of newspaper, newly dropped off, for us to comb through and share. As we read and sip our coffees the sun will shine through the windows overlooking our snow covered yard. The morning light will hit the sill and the bright columns of colored light will intermix with glittering dust particles. Our robes will be clean, our toes will be warm and I see no reason why we can’t go back to bed if we want to.

But we won’t. We’ll get dressed and take the dog on a walk, maybe into town. You’ll go to that used bookstore where you like to run your hand along the spines of books as you walk down the aisles and take great intakes of breath smelling the yellowing pages and aging covers. I’m going to stop in at Ed’s and have my hair cut and listen to him talk about friends from the army and baseball players long forgotten. We’ll meet back at the square next to the statue and begin a slow leisurely walk home as the sun dips deeper toward the trees that line the horizon on all sides. Maybe we picked up a movie that we can half pay attention to as we sit and decide what we want for dinner. After this, we can sip tea and watch the streetlights buzz on. Then to bed and after what transpires there I want to read a book I’ve always loved as you slumber beside me, one hand outstretched and laying against my chest.

Oh my fucking god, that’s going to be so fucking AWESOME. FUCK PARIS.

Oh. Well. This is amazing.

Glee Cast | Don’t Rain on My Parade FUNNY GIRL?! Yes...

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:04:54 -0500

Glee Cast | Don’t Rain on My Parade

FUNNY GIRL?! Yes please! Thank you, Glee Gods.

Week in Review

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:02:00 -0500

This week was incredibly long. Even with the day-off on Wednesday, I felt like an extra in a low-budget film, waiting for my chance to do something but instead having to play director’s bitch and run three-thousand erroneous errands.

However, there were some beautiful things to be thankful for, too. I got a one-hundred on the hardest paper of the year thus far; volunteered for eight hours last weekend at the beautiful historical estate mentioned in earlier posts; talked to the boy an awful lot; caught a side-glace of my calf in the mirror at the gym today and was excited to see some mean definition (vain moment, pardon please); the Glee finale last night; and a delicious pita pocket at lunch today.

Of course, the week wasn’t without its Holy-Mother-please-just-suck-the-life-out-of-my-body-now-and-let-me-rest-under-the-floor-tiles moments, but when I look back at my archive - I don’t want to remember that! So happy thoughts all the way, kids.

Friday Memory: Little town just outside of Oslo, Norway.

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:54:00 -0500

Friday Memory: Little town just outside of Oslo, Norway.

Four Fact Friday!

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:52:49 -0500

I saw this somewhere, but I’m afraid I don’t remember whose blog it was! If you know the origins, please do tell!

Four Facts about me:

My spine is ‘double-jointed’. That is, I can lie on my stomach and bring my toes up to touch the crown of my head.
I’ve always wanted to have a voice that could carry on Broadway.
To meet Kofi Annan is a dream. A long, long dreamed-of dream.
I firmly believe that the existence of cats is unnecessary.

101 Amazing Ways to Reduce Stress

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 18:38:17 -0500

lindsaydinkins:

jennyjennjen:rhymeorreason:itssspaigefoo:skillz2pillz:

1. Get up 15 minutes earlier
2. Prepare for the morning the night before
3. Avoid tight fitting clothes
4. Avoid relying on chemical aids
5. Set appointments ahead
6. Don’t rely on your memory … Write it down
7. Practice preventive maintenance
8. Make duplicate keys
9. Say “no” more often
10.Set priorities in your life
11. Avoid negative people
12. Use time wisely
13. Simplify meal times
14. Always make copies of important papers
15. Anticipate your needs
16.. Repair anything that doesn’t work properly
17. Ask for help with the jobs you dislike
18. Break large tasks into bite size portions
19. Look at problems as challenges
20. Look at challenges differently
21. Unclutter your life
22. Smile
23. Be prepared for rain
24. Tickle a baby
25. Pet a friendly dog/cat
26. Don’t know all the answers
27. Look for a silver lining
28. Say something nice to someone
29. Teach a kid to fly a kite
30. Walk in the rain
31. Schedule play time into every day
32. Take a bubble bath
33. Be aware of the decisions you make
34. Believe in yourself
35. Stop saying negative things to yourself
36. Visualize yourself winning
37. Develop your sense of humor
38. Stop thinking tomorrow will be a better today
39. Have goals for yourself
40. Dance a jig
41. Say “hello” to a stranger
42. Ask a friend for a hug
43. Look up at the stars
44. Practice breathing slowly
45. Learn to whistle a tune
46. Read a poem
47. Listen to a symphony
48. Watch a ballet
49. Read a story curled up in bed
50. Do a brand new thing
51. Stop a bad habits
52. Buy yourself a flower
53. Take time to small the flowers
54. Find support from others
55. Ask someone to be your “vent-partner”
56. Do it today
57. Work at being cheerful and optimistic
58. Put safety first
59. Do everything in moderation
60. Pay attention to your appearance
61. Strive for Excellence NOT perfection
62. Stretch your limits a little each day
63. Look at a work of art
64. Hum a jingle
65. Maintain your weight
66. Plant a tree
67. Feed the birds
68. Practice grace under pressure
69. Stand up and stretch
70. Always have a plan “B”
71. Learn a new doodle
72. Memorize a joke
73. Be responsible for your feelings
74. Learn to meet your own needs
75. Become a better listener
76. Know your limitations and let others know them, too
77. Tell someone to have a good day in Latin
78. Throw a paper airplane
79. Exercise every day
80. Learn the words to a new song
81. Get to work early
82. Clean out one closet
83. Play patty cake with a toddler
84. Go on a picnic
85. Take a different route to work
86. Leave work early (with permission)
87. Put air freshener in your car
88.. Watch a movie and eat popcorn
89. Write a note to a far away friend
90. Go to a ball game and scream
91. Cook a meal and eat it by candlelight
92. Recognize the importance of unconditional love
93. Remember that stress is an attitude
94. Keep a journal
95. Practice a monster smile
96. Remember you always have options
97. Have a support network of people, places and things
98. Quit trying to fix other people
99. Get enough sleep
100.Talk less and listen more
101.Freely praise other people

True Colors | Glee I was so happy when they did this song...

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 18:38:00 -0500

True Colors | Glee

I was so happy when they did this song two weeks ago!

(via lifeswonders: idareyoutoclickthis)

Hi new followers! My name is Lillian, and I enjoy studying language, women jokes, and the taste of...

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:37:05 -0500

Hi new followers!

My name is Lillian, and I enjoy studying language, women jokes, and the taste of fresh, cold water.

I also have an ongoing love affair with piano solos, sunshine on my shoulders, and aloe vera.

GPOYW: Because finding pictures on your hard-drive from a few...

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:25:20 -0500

GPOYW: Because finding pictures on your hard-drive from a few months ago is lovely.

Happy Birthday to Jeremy! I’m sure you’ll understand...

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:42:50 -0500

Happy Birthday to Jeremy! I’m sure you’ll understand the MJ reference. (:

"The right to development is the measure of the respect of all other human rights.That should be our..."

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:10:59 -0500

“The right to development is the measure of the respect of all other human rights.That should be our aim: a situation in which all individuals are enabled to maximize their potential, and to contribute to the evolution of society as a whole.”

- Kofi Annan, UN Secretary-General (via caraobrien)

When I was seven, I turned to my sister at the dinner table and told her I wanted to be Kofi Annan’s exectuive assistant. Three years later, I just wanted to be Kofi Annan. This situation remained for years and years.

"Many doctors have prospered from the fee-for-service system, and are resistant to the uniform..."

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:59:22 -0500

“Many doctors have prospered from the fee-for-service system, and are resistant to the uniform standards that would be imposed by a corporate model such as Geisinger’s because they enjoy the autonomy and prestige of their positions, argued Reinhardt, who is also an adviser on health care economics to government, nonprofit organizations and industry. “Physicians still view themselves as the last frontier of free enterprise,” he said. “Once a physician becomes an MD, he is God.”

“The very idea of what Geisinger is doing would be viewed as fascism in this country,” he said. But for Janet Tomcavage, vice president of health services for Geisinger Health Plan, results are more important than ideology. She cited the example of a patient who was brought in to a clinic on a Friday afternoon, complaining of swelling and redness in her calf. A hospital scan detected a blood clot, and the patient was given a clot-busting medication and then sent home where she was visited by a nurse that evening. The clot was successfully treated at home. The episode showed a successful coordination between the clinic, the hospital and the home-care nurse while avoiding a costly hospital admission, she said. “The old M.O. would have been to send her to the emergency room,” Tomcavage said. “It’s really not rocket science.”

- Inside a U.S. healthcare island of excellence | Reuters

I really encourage reading the entire piece.

(via apsies)

This is the system implemented in my home state. I’ve seen it work. The article is definitely worth the read.

"Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s..."

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:35:00 -0500

“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.”

- Mother Teresa

(via caraobrien)

brokensocial: A super-intimate performance of Skinny Love by...

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:18:16 -0500

brokensocial:

A super-intimate performance of Skinny Love by Bon Iver.

"At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we..."

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:06:55 -0500

“At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by “I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.””

- Mother Teresa (via caraobrien)