20 February 2011
5 February 2011
Laura has friends in town. Laura lived with Angela in NYC and Angela and her husband, A.J., are moving from Philly to San Diego. They stopped in Omaha. Neat. I'm thankful that I got to meet Angela and that their trip has been safe and uneventful, in the good way. It's nice having people here and I must admit that I'm glad they're Laura's friends. My friends come into town and stay with us a lot. Sometimes I feel badly about that. Since Laura has friends here now I feel like the scales are evening out a little. Just a little. But, it is nice. And they're nice people and I'm enjoying having them here. Woot! to that.
4 February 2011
I am quickly discovering a bit of an obstacle with this blog. You see, I spend a lot of my time with the same people doing approximately the same things. Laura and I cook and eat and watch movies and play tennis and generally spend our time together. Mae, Teddy, and I read and play trains and house and color and do puzzles and watch Arthur. When I see other friends we generally go out to eat or grab a drink or ice cream. I go to class and hang out on Creighton's campus. I go see Jackie in the English Department or visit Gerry upstairs. I get coffee with Brooke. I read. I write. I research. I go to mass. I spend time with the fam. I call friends who live far too far away or talk to my mom for hours on end. I love all of these things and am thankful for all of them. But, writing about them gets a bit tedious. So, I'm throwing in a new element. There are tangible things in my life I am grateful for. There are also memories from long ago I'm thankful for. So, I'm working some of those in.
So, this memory isn't from too long ago but it's not super recent either. Christmas 2009. We take a family Christmas picture every year. The rule is that we take the picture before we get to eat or open presents. This rule came out of many years of eating, opening presents, and then not wanting to take the picture (I think my mom and aunts were more opposed to the picture than the kids were). Eventually my grandma decided that we would take the picture first. If we put up a fuss, no dinner, no presents. It's actually pretty simple. This is probably the best family picture we have ever taken. It's so good that no one knows what the serious one looks like. This one is far superior. Enjoy. I certainly get a good laugh each time I look at it.
So, this memory isn't from too long ago but it's not super recent either. Christmas 2009. We take a family Christmas picture every year. The rule is that we take the picture before we get to eat or open presents. This rule came out of many years of eating, opening presents, and then not wanting to take the picture (I think my mom and aunts were more opposed to the picture than the kids were). Eventually my grandma decided that we would take the picture first. If we put up a fuss, no dinner, no presents. It's actually pretty simple. This is probably the best family picture we have ever taken. It's so good that no one knows what the serious one looks like. This one is far superior. Enjoy. I certainly get a good laugh each time I look at it.
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| Merry Christmas! |
16 February 2011
3 February 2011
I'm a little behind. I'll catch up. I always do.
So, Thursday brought about the much anticipated birthday dinner for Laura at P.F. Chang's. We've kind of made that our go-to for birthday dinners. They have a nice gluten free menu and a good deal for two people. I brought my camera with in order to take pictures and forgot about it until we were almost done with dessert. That's a bummer. But I do have a blurry picture of dessert. So, what am I thankful for? Well, I'm thankful we got to do dinner. I'm thankful for good food. I'm thankful for lively conversation. I'm thankful for a wonderful roommate. I think that makes for a decent day.
Slight problem: I have no idea where my camera cord is. This means no pictures. This is also unfortunate because I have photos of things besides dessert I wanted to upload. Bummer.
So, Thursday brought about the much anticipated birthday dinner for Laura at P.F. Chang's. We've kind of made that our go-to for birthday dinners. They have a nice gluten free menu and a good deal for two people. I brought my camera with in order to take pictures and forgot about it until we were almost done with dessert. That's a bummer. But I do have a blurry picture of dessert. So, what am I thankful for? Well, I'm thankful we got to do dinner. I'm thankful for good food. I'm thankful for lively conversation. I'm thankful for a wonderful roommate. I think that makes for a decent day.
Slight problem: I have no idea where my camera cord is. This means no pictures. This is also unfortunate because I have photos of things besides dessert I wanted to upload. Bummer.
06 February 2011
JFK
Yeah, yeah. After Jack and Bobby you would think I'd be bored of presidential stuff. Not so much. Laura and I watched the Kevin Costner film JFK. First, don't watch it unless you have 3.5 hours on your hands. If you do have 3.5 hours on your hands, watch it. I had never seen it before (which is odd considering what I grew up watching) and I loved it. It was also a throwback to Communications class senior year of high school. Mr. Ascroft was a huge fan of conspiracy theories and we spent a lot of time on JFK. Allie, Shari, and I even hijacked the board in French class to draw maps to try to figure things out for ourselves. Dorks. I know. Anyway, who killed JFK and why has always been at the top of my list of things to ask God when (if) I make it to heaven. I couldn't care less about the dinosaurs. I want to know about Kennedy.
I'm grateful for the film because it was interesting and thought provoking and well done. Plus, I love the style of the 1960s and I thought Costner gave a great performance.
I'll try to steer clear of presidential stuff for a bit lest ye think I'm planning to run for office.
I'm grateful for the film because it was interesting and thought provoking and well done. Plus, I love the style of the 1960s and I thought Costner gave a great performance.
I'll try to steer clear of presidential stuff for a bit lest ye think I'm planning to run for office.
SNOW!!!
1 February 2011
Class was cancelled tonight. The older I get, the more I love snow days. There has to be something wrong with that. I find this is true among all my teacher friends as well as among those of us in post-grad programs of any kind. Snow days are just more fun when you're not a kid. It's not that I don't enjoy school. It's just that the random day off seems so special. Woot! Snow day!
Class was cancelled tonight. The older I get, the more I love snow days. There has to be something wrong with that. I find this is true among all my teacher friends as well as among those of us in post-grad programs of any kind. Snow days are just more fun when you're not a kid. It's not that I don't enjoy school. It's just that the random day off seems so special. Woot! Snow day!
Jack and Bobby
31 January 2011
This may sound weird, but I'm thankful for a short-lived WB television show from 2004. I didn't watch it at the time. That was when I started college and I was a bit disconnected from everything in the world of tv. Anyway, Jack and Bobby chronicles the adolescent years of two brothers. Those years take place in 2004 while the story is being told from 2049. The viewer knows that one of the brothers goes on to become president and near the beginning we find out that brother is Bobby. We also find out that Jack dies young. It's fascinating because it is being told by those closest to the president including his senior counsel, wife, and VP (who is a woman). It's interesting to see what moments define Bobby in his 14th year of life. It's also interesting because an entire history of the United States form 2004-2049 needed to be fabricated. On the show they reference the War of the Americas and a nuclear attack on Chicago. They also talk about what makes a president great and what moments define a presidency. I'm also kind of a fan of their mom who is a crazy, liberal, pot-smoking history professor at the local university. This is quite possibly my favorite thing she has said, "Oh, and if your class wants to know about my decision to specialize in History just tell them that English was too hard." Thank you, Grace McCallister.
The reason I'm thankful for this show is that it has provided a welcome distraction from all things normal. I'm also sad that it only lasted one season because I think the spin is unique and I actually find the storytelling compelling. Unfortunately, it did devolve a bit into a typical WB show with drinking, drugs, sex, and teen pregnancy. But it handled things in a mostly realistic way. I appreciate that. I also appreciate the idea that we may someday have a president worthy of the title "The Great Believer".
This may sound weird, but I'm thankful for a short-lived WB television show from 2004. I didn't watch it at the time. That was when I started college and I was a bit disconnected from everything in the world of tv. Anyway, Jack and Bobby chronicles the adolescent years of two brothers. Those years take place in 2004 while the story is being told from 2049. The viewer knows that one of the brothers goes on to become president and near the beginning we find out that brother is Bobby. We also find out that Jack dies young. It's fascinating because it is being told by those closest to the president including his senior counsel, wife, and VP (who is a woman). It's interesting to see what moments define Bobby in his 14th year of life. It's also interesting because an entire history of the United States form 2004-2049 needed to be fabricated. On the show they reference the War of the Americas and a nuclear attack on Chicago. They also talk about what makes a president great and what moments define a presidency. I'm also kind of a fan of their mom who is a crazy, liberal, pot-smoking history professor at the local university. This is quite possibly my favorite thing she has said, "Oh, and if your class wants to know about my decision to specialize in History just tell them that English was too hard." Thank you, Grace McCallister.
The reason I'm thankful for this show is that it has provided a welcome distraction from all things normal. I'm also sad that it only lasted one season because I think the spin is unique and I actually find the storytelling compelling. Unfortunately, it did devolve a bit into a typical WB show with drinking, drugs, sex, and teen pregnancy. But it handled things in a mostly realistic way. I appreciate that. I also appreciate the idea that we may someday have a president worthy of the title "The Great Believer".
02 February 2011
Birthday Girl (30 January)
It's no real secret that I'm thankful for Laura. How I wound up with such an incredible roommate is completely beyond me. That's a level of comprehension I just don't have. See, the great part about Laura is that she fit so well into my life. It was like she'd always been there. In some ways I think she has. Sure, we didn't grow up together; we didn't even go to college together. But, we've been connected fore a long time. She is my best friend and the closest I come to having a sister. She makes me laugh and lets me cry and pushes me to give everything my all. She's my person. Yep, I'm a pretty big fan of Laura. And I am unbelievably grateful for who she is as a person and who she is in my life each and every day. Happy Birthday, Roomie! I'm glad you were born.
Oh, I'm also thankful for the lovely birthday brunch we had. Not only was the food good (am I allowed to say that if I cooked?) but the company was incredible. I love having an apartment full of friends.
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| I had to get creative to get 25 candles on that cake. Sort of. |
FRIENDS
This weekend saw the arrival of numerous friends for a Creighton alumni basketball game and general good time. This makes me pause and give thanks for all the people I have met at Creighton and because of Creighton. There is something that attracts good people to the university and I am incredibly grateful for it. I'm also thankful for the lovely time I was able to have with these friends (Trina especially). It was a nice reminder of the fact that there are people who are kind and decent and good and that they happen to be in my life. That part really rocks.
It's also pretty nifty that Sean and Alicia got engaged. Congrats!
It's also pretty nifty that Sean and Alicia got engaged. Congrats!
Med. Schtuff
A huge shout-out to all medical professionals. You do good things, and I'm thankful for you and your expertise. I imagine it can't be easy. You work hard, make tough calls, and try to keep people healthy. That's a big deal. Included in this shout-out are all the people who work in medical offices (ahem...Mom). That really isn't an easy job. You get to deal with the crazy/sick/angry/confused people on the phone and in person every day. Explaining the ins and outs of the medical world to people each day cannot be fun. But, it is appreciated, even if we don't always say it is. So, thank you. You make the world better. And healthier. That's something to be thankful for.
Thursday (Fun Day)
Okay, Thursday may not have been a "fun day" in the generally accepted definition of the phrase. But, you'll see why I titled the post this way in a moment.
I'm thankful for ingenuity. I'm thankful that, throughout the centuries, people have used their imagination, creativity, and intelligence to come up with some of the world's greatest inventions (the wheel, the light bulb, sliced bread!) and some of the world's oddest creations (the shake weight?? aquariums in old televisions??). The point is, the human mind has an incredible capacity for innovation and ingenuity. I think that's pretty neat. I also think it's neat when people come up with really interesting ideas, put them into practice, and prove a point. Check out this video:
I tend to take the stairs pretty regularly, but I'd take them all the time if I could play the piano while doing so. Granted, as anyone who knows me will tell you, I have absolutely no musical ability. It would still be awesome. Way to go ingenuity!
I'm thankful for ingenuity. I'm thankful that, throughout the centuries, people have used their imagination, creativity, and intelligence to come up with some of the world's greatest inventions (the wheel, the light bulb, sliced bread!) and some of the world's oddest creations (the shake weight?? aquariums in old televisions??). The point is, the human mind has an incredible capacity for innovation and ingenuity. I think that's pretty neat. I also think it's neat when people come up with really interesting ideas, put them into practice, and prove a point. Check out this video:
I tend to take the stairs pretty regularly, but I'd take them all the time if I could play the piano while doing so. Granted, as anyone who knows me will tell you, I have absolutely no musical ability. It would still be awesome. Way to go ingenuity!
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