I have a few minutes to sit down and write, so I thought I'd post a few things about what I've been up to lately before life gets hectic again tomorrow.
1. Easter was lovely. Just what I needed it to be- lots of beautiful music, worshipful thoughts, dear friends, good food and fun. I am sad that it's gone- but glad that it will come again next year! I think Easter morning is one of my favorite mornings of the year!
2. Monday evening, I started fighting the annual allergy mess that invades my sinus cavities. This time, it got the better of me yesterday afternoon and my manager sent me home from work. I guess I was too zoned out and sleepy to get any decent work done! I slept for 4 hours, ate some homemade chicken soup for dinner (Thanks, Maureen!), and went back to bed.
3. Tomorrow, I'm headed to Columbia for my friend Katherine's wedding. I'm in it, and another bridesmaid who lives in Philadelphia is driving down to Annapolis tonight and we are going to head to Columbia together tomorrow. It will be nice to have company in the car since I'm used to driving to SC alone. I'm looking forward to the wedding...it's been about 3 years since I was in a good, old-fashioned Southern wedding! I'm also looking forward to warmer temperatures...
That's about all that's going on with me. Hopefully I'll have some fun pictures from the weekend to post next week!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Holy Week and Easter
For some reason, I tend to get homesick for SC every year around Easter. It's the only time of the year that I really get homesick for the state itself. I think part of it is usually that it's been a while since I've seen my family. I also miss the spring-like weather of SC. While it's 70 there in late March and the dogwoods are blooming, it's still 48 and windy here.
When I was growing up, Easter was always one of my favorite holidays. On Easter morning, the Easter bunny would leave a trail of chocolate eggs to my sweetgrass Easter basket filled with yummy and cute things. As I got older, the chocolate became Godiva and the gifts were always pampering things like make-up and perfume and jewelry. I would hunt for eggs in the backyard. We ate Easter dinner in the dining room with the Peter Rabbit china and the sterling silver. In high school, my friend Sallie and I would always trade Easter baskets. Holy week Episcopal church services and a glorious Easter morning service were always a part of the mix as well.
My first Easter in Annapolis snuck up on me quickly and steathily. I hadn't even thought about the fact that it was my first Easter (that I can remember) away from SC and my parents. I'm not sure what I expected, but I went to church, and with the exception of a breakfast and a cross-centered message, the service was no different from any other Sunday. It was also cold, rainy, and cloudy. I got so homesick and emotional during the service that I cried the whole way home! Thankfully, my cousins Claire and Jeff called about 5 minutes after I was home to tell me that Claire and her husband Aris were in Baltimore visiting Jeff and invited me up for the afternoon. I was so thankful for that invitation so I could spend some of my Easter with family!
The next year, I was asked/invited myself to sing at an Episcopal church in Annapolis. That was one of the best moves for me because even though I was away from my family, I had just seen my mom the week before and being at the service really felt like Easter to me. I didn't live at Maureen's house yet, but I went over there for Easter dinner. After that year, I resovled to spend Easter at an Episcopal church no matter what! Last year, I was singing there, and was still overcome by a bout of homesickness. I had not seen my family since Christmas (which was almost 4 months gone at that point) and I really missed them! I kept crying in the middle of the church service! Apparently, my mom was missing me too, so my Dad bought her a ticket to fly up and see me the next weekend.
This year, I think I have the emotions under control. :) I'm singing all of the Holy Week services at an Episcopal church, I saw my Dad a few weeks ago, and I'll be in SC next weekend. Too bad it's taken 4 years to figure out how to combat the homesickness. I suppose I could just plan to go to SC for Easter, but then I'd probably experience the same emotions I had this year at Christmas.
I love Holy Week services at an Episcopal church. Even though I have a different theological perspective than I did when I attended an Episcopal church, I like the reflective attitude that comes from the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services. And I love the joyous music and attitude that permeates the Easter morning service. I do truly believe that we should celebrate Jesus' death and resurrection every day, but I also like having a day set apart each year to really celebrate it. It's like a birthday in a sense. We should be thankful for life every day, but it's nice to have a special day each year to celebrate our birth.
So, I'm looking forward to being in church the next 4 days...singing beautiful music in minor keys today and tomorrow....and listening to those keys changing to ethereal and strong major keys on Sunday. Hopefully, the minor keys will cause reflection, and the major keys celebration.
When I was growing up, Easter was always one of my favorite holidays. On Easter morning, the Easter bunny would leave a trail of chocolate eggs to my sweetgrass Easter basket filled with yummy and cute things. As I got older, the chocolate became Godiva and the gifts were always pampering things like make-up and perfume and jewelry. I would hunt for eggs in the backyard. We ate Easter dinner in the dining room with the Peter Rabbit china and the sterling silver. In high school, my friend Sallie and I would always trade Easter baskets. Holy week Episcopal church services and a glorious Easter morning service were always a part of the mix as well.
My first Easter in Annapolis snuck up on me quickly and steathily. I hadn't even thought about the fact that it was my first Easter (that I can remember) away from SC and my parents. I'm not sure what I expected, but I went to church, and with the exception of a breakfast and a cross-centered message, the service was no different from any other Sunday. It was also cold, rainy, and cloudy. I got so homesick and emotional during the service that I cried the whole way home! Thankfully, my cousins Claire and Jeff called about 5 minutes after I was home to tell me that Claire and her husband Aris were in Baltimore visiting Jeff and invited me up for the afternoon. I was so thankful for that invitation so I could spend some of my Easter with family!
The next year, I was asked/invited myself to sing at an Episcopal church in Annapolis. That was one of the best moves for me because even though I was away from my family, I had just seen my mom the week before and being at the service really felt like Easter to me. I didn't live at Maureen's house yet, but I went over there for Easter dinner. After that year, I resovled to spend Easter at an Episcopal church no matter what! Last year, I was singing there, and was still overcome by a bout of homesickness. I had not seen my family since Christmas (which was almost 4 months gone at that point) and I really missed them! I kept crying in the middle of the church service! Apparently, my mom was missing me too, so my Dad bought her a ticket to fly up and see me the next weekend.
This year, I think I have the emotions under control. :) I'm singing all of the Holy Week services at an Episcopal church, I saw my Dad a few weeks ago, and I'll be in SC next weekend. Too bad it's taken 4 years to figure out how to combat the homesickness. I suppose I could just plan to go to SC for Easter, but then I'd probably experience the same emotions I had this year at Christmas.
I love Holy Week services at an Episcopal church. Even though I have a different theological perspective than I did when I attended an Episcopal church, I like the reflective attitude that comes from the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services. And I love the joyous music and attitude that permeates the Easter morning service. I do truly believe that we should celebrate Jesus' death and resurrection every day, but I also like having a day set apart each year to really celebrate it. It's like a birthday in a sense. We should be thankful for life every day, but it's nice to have a special day each year to celebrate our birth.
So, I'm looking forward to being in church the next 4 days...singing beautiful music in minor keys today and tomorrow....and listening to those keys changing to ethereal and strong major keys on Sunday. Hopefully, the minor keys will cause reflection, and the major keys celebration.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Snooze Button
In the past year, I've really gotten terrible about not getting up on time. I used to be the type of person who popped up as soon as the alarm went off, and was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Now, I'm lucky if I can get to work on time!
The ironic thing is that I'm getting more sleep now than I have in years. I get a solid 8 hours of sleep every night. But for some reason, when my alarm goes off at the reasonable hour of 7 AM (at my old job I had to leave for work at 7), I absolutely cannot get up on work days. I hit snooze AT LEAST until 7:20...more often 7:40.
What's even funnier is that if I need to, I can get up earlier on the weekends. During marathon training, I was often up at 6 AM on cold, rainy mornings, knowing that I was heading out to run 20 miles! This past Sunday, I was up at 7:00 to get ready to sing at church. But come Monday morning, my hand was slapping the snooze button again!
While I seem to be regaining discipline in other areas of my life, getting up on time does not seem to be one of them. I find that it is easier to get up when I get less sleep, but then I am tired midway through the day. At this point, I'm glad the Lord has not made me a Mama yet. My poor kids would starve while I slap the snooze button!
The ironic thing is that I'm getting more sleep now than I have in years. I get a solid 8 hours of sleep every night. But for some reason, when my alarm goes off at the reasonable hour of 7 AM (at my old job I had to leave for work at 7), I absolutely cannot get up on work days. I hit snooze AT LEAST until 7:20...more often 7:40.
What's even funnier is that if I need to, I can get up earlier on the weekends. During marathon training, I was often up at 6 AM on cold, rainy mornings, knowing that I was heading out to run 20 miles! This past Sunday, I was up at 7:00 to get ready to sing at church. But come Monday morning, my hand was slapping the snooze button again!
While I seem to be regaining discipline in other areas of my life, getting up on time does not seem to be one of them. I find that it is easier to get up when I get less sleep, but then I am tired midway through the day. At this point, I'm glad the Lord has not made me a Mama yet. My poor kids would starve while I slap the snooze button!
Monday, March 17, 2008
A Warm Welcome
What is it about a group of people that makes us feel welcome or unwelcome? Is it an attitude? Words? Body Language?
I've been a part of my "circles" here in Annapolis for awhile now, so I've forgotten what it feels like to not be in the middle of things and feel welcome. However, this past week, I have been associating with a group of people of which I am not officially a part. I know a fair number of people in this group, some of whom I consider very good friends. Yet, I do not feel welcome. I have interacted with this group for the past few years, so most of them know who I am. The unwelcome vibe is almost imperceptible, but I can still feel it. No one has been rude, but only one person has been outwardly welcoming.
It has caused me to examine my hospitality- not in my home but in groups where outsiders may be brought in. Do I exude a spirit of superiority? I can say that I don't go out of my way to welcome those I don't know well. After my experience this week, I hope that will change. I don't want people that come into my circles to feel the way I've felt this week.
But, where is the line between being welcoming and seeming desperate for new people? Sometimes new people feel uncomfortable answering lots of questions about themselves. It's a hard balance, but I think I too often fall out on the side of being unwelcoming and ignoring people.
Am I the only person who experiences this? I wonder, because I have a strange quirk to my personality. I'm very outgoing with people I know well or in situations where I feel very comfortable, yet very shy in other situations.
I've been a part of my "circles" here in Annapolis for awhile now, so I've forgotten what it feels like to not be in the middle of things and feel welcome. However, this past week, I have been associating with a group of people of which I am not officially a part. I know a fair number of people in this group, some of whom I consider very good friends. Yet, I do not feel welcome. I have interacted with this group for the past few years, so most of them know who I am. The unwelcome vibe is almost imperceptible, but I can still feel it. No one has been rude, but only one person has been outwardly welcoming.
It has caused me to examine my hospitality- not in my home but in groups where outsiders may be brought in. Do I exude a spirit of superiority? I can say that I don't go out of my way to welcome those I don't know well. After my experience this week, I hope that will change. I don't want people that come into my circles to feel the way I've felt this week.
But, where is the line between being welcoming and seeming desperate for new people? Sometimes new people feel uncomfortable answering lots of questions about themselves. It's a hard balance, but I think I too often fall out on the side of being unwelcoming and ignoring people.
Am I the only person who experiences this? I wonder, because I have a strange quirk to my personality. I'm very outgoing with people I know well or in situations where I feel very comfortable, yet very shy in other situations.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Don't Flush the Toilet...I'm on the Phone!
I realized recently that I have rediscovered a pet peeve. People talking on their cell phones in the restroom. Really, it's less of a pet peeve and more of a "Really?". I'm not the biggest cell phone fan under any circumstances, but I think that having a complete conversation on your cell phone in the restroom is just plain rude. It's rude to the others you are disturbing in the restroom and forcing to hear your conversation. It is also rude to the person you are talking to...especially when they can hear flushing in the background.
My rediscovery stems from a few encounters I've had with an employee and her cell phone here at my office. My first experience was about a month ago when I walked into the bathroom and heard someone in the last stall talking. I wondered if she was talking to me...until I heard more of the conversation. I don't want to be too graphic, but there were signs that she was not just "hanging out" in the restroom on the phone. Ewww.
Last week, I pushed open the restroom door and heard someone screaming "You bleepity bleep bleep! I can't believe you bleep bleep!". There was no one in the stalls, and the voice was clearly coming from the changing room. I quickly left the restroom...not wanting to walk into the middle of a domestic spat occuring on a cell phone. It made me very uncomfortable. I went back into the restroom 10 minutes later, and the same woman was still on the phone, crying and screaming. I left again. A few minutes later, I checked again and was able to go into the restroom without being assaulted by an angry voice.
I understand not wanting to have intensely personal conversations out in the open at one's desk. But the restroom is not a private place either! Some of the same people who can hear the conversation at your desk can hear it in the restroom, too! If I have a personal call that I don't want anyone to hear, I go oustide if the weather is nice, and to my car if it is not. This woman in particular always seems to be taking personal calls, so maybe she would be spending all her time outside. She always takes those calls into the restroom- WHETHER SHE IS USING THE RESTROOM OR NOT. The restroom is not a personal phone booth or conference room for employees to hold cell phone conversations! Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I must admit that I have answered the phone while standing in the restroom before if it is a family member or close friend. I usually say- "Hey, I'm standing in the restroom...can I call you back in just a minute?" I'm sure that they are thankful I don't continue the conversation with flushing in the background!
Really, I think we just need to learn to be considerate. Even if someone doesn't mind having a conversation with you on a cell phone while you are in a public restroom, it can make others in the restroom uncomfortable! So please, try to consider your fellow women and take your conversation outside.
My rediscovery stems from a few encounters I've had with an employee and her cell phone here at my office. My first experience was about a month ago when I walked into the bathroom and heard someone in the last stall talking. I wondered if she was talking to me...until I heard more of the conversation. I don't want to be too graphic, but there were signs that she was not just "hanging out" in the restroom on the phone. Ewww.
Last week, I pushed open the restroom door and heard someone screaming "You bleepity bleep bleep! I can't believe you bleep bleep!". There was no one in the stalls, and the voice was clearly coming from the changing room. I quickly left the restroom...not wanting to walk into the middle of a domestic spat occuring on a cell phone. It made me very uncomfortable. I went back into the restroom 10 minutes later, and the same woman was still on the phone, crying and screaming. I left again. A few minutes later, I checked again and was able to go into the restroom without being assaulted by an angry voice.
I understand not wanting to have intensely personal conversations out in the open at one's desk. But the restroom is not a private place either! Some of the same people who can hear the conversation at your desk can hear it in the restroom, too! If I have a personal call that I don't want anyone to hear, I go oustide if the weather is nice, and to my car if it is not. This woman in particular always seems to be taking personal calls, so maybe she would be spending all her time outside. She always takes those calls into the restroom- WHETHER SHE IS USING THE RESTROOM OR NOT. The restroom is not a personal phone booth or conference room for employees to hold cell phone conversations! Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I must admit that I have answered the phone while standing in the restroom before if it is a family member or close friend. I usually say- "Hey, I'm standing in the restroom...can I call you back in just a minute?" I'm sure that they are thankful I don't continue the conversation with flushing in the background!
Really, I think we just need to learn to be considerate. Even if someone doesn't mind having a conversation with you on a cell phone while you are in a public restroom, it can make others in the restroom uncomfortable! So please, try to consider your fellow women and take your conversation outside.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Random Tidbits
1. I seem to be getting the sneezes. I've had a burning sensation in my nose for the past 12 hours, and I keep sneezing. Supposedly tree pollen is starting to come out. I guess that is why...let's hope that my sinuses don't start up until the concert is over this weekend!
2. Someone put odd pictures of rabid-looking raccoons on the back of the stall doors in my office bathroom. I have no idea what the significance of this is. I just know it is strange...
3. The other day, I was driving home in semi-darkness. After stopping at a light, I saw an LED glow emanating from the car beside me. Some guy had his laptop on the console between the seats, was typing, and on the phone. Then, when the light changed, he continued typing, talking, and was driving. Scary.
4. I've become a terrible procrastinator in the past few weeks. It took me a month to go get my passport photos taken so that I could renew it. "Passport photos" was a line item on my To-Do list every day... I just never got around to actually doing it until this past weekend. Lazy.
5. I'm signed up for a triathlon in August. Since I've completed a marathon, completing a triathlon seemed like the next logical step. I'm not a great swimmer, but I'm excited to get better at it. Some recent exercise has shown me that I need to get my arms back in shape, though!
6. **Warning: vague language ahead** I've officially crossed a line I thought I would never cross in an effort to make myself feel less helpless in regard to a particular situation. I've watched some friends cross the line, and I've stood and contemplated crossing this line quite a few times. Now I've done it, and I feel much less helpless. Please don't think this is a moral or spiritual line I've crossed... really it's more of a "best practice" type of line! Since I'm not sure who reads this blog, I didn't want to put what I've done out on the internet, but I felt it needed documenting. If you really want to know what I've done...email me.
2. Someone put odd pictures of rabid-looking raccoons on the back of the stall doors in my office bathroom. I have no idea what the significance of this is. I just know it is strange...
3. The other day, I was driving home in semi-darkness. After stopping at a light, I saw an LED glow emanating from the car beside me. Some guy had his laptop on the console between the seats, was typing, and on the phone. Then, when the light changed, he continued typing, talking, and was driving. Scary.
4. I've become a terrible procrastinator in the past few weeks. It took me a month to go get my passport photos taken so that I could renew it. "Passport photos" was a line item on my To-Do list every day... I just never got around to actually doing it until this past weekend. Lazy.
5. I'm signed up for a triathlon in August. Since I've completed a marathon, completing a triathlon seemed like the next logical step. I'm not a great swimmer, but I'm excited to get better at it. Some recent exercise has shown me that I need to get my arms back in shape, though!
6. **Warning: vague language ahead** I've officially crossed a line I thought I would never cross in an effort to make myself feel less helpless in regard to a particular situation. I've watched some friends cross the line, and I've stood and contemplated crossing this line quite a few times. Now I've done it, and I feel much less helpless. Please don't think this is a moral or spiritual line I've crossed... really it's more of a "best practice" type of line! Since I'm not sure who reads this blog, I didn't want to put what I've done out on the internet, but I felt it needed documenting. If you really want to know what I've done...email me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)