This has been a most interesting week... I had several self-imposed "blasts from the past," and I'm left confused and slightly saddened. I taught at my old school on Wednesday for 5 hours, and I loved it. I saw almost all my old students, who were psyched to see me (and I them). It was bittersweet, indeed! However, after just 5 hours of teaching, my throat was sore, my feet were in pain, and I was pretty tired. I forgot how much straight teaching takes out of you! However, it was a good experience.
Today, I went to an AWESOME conference on adolescent brain development. Four other gals from my department came, and it was great. Except for the fact that an unexpected guest (my ex) also attended. Shocked the crap out of me!
Anyway, I've been thinking: how does one become grateful for what one has? I've been plagued with what I call the GIGS ("grass is greener syndrome") since I was a teenager. I want to "kick the habit," so to speak, and I'm not quite sure how to go about doing it. Time's flying, life is good... but there's this persistent little part of me that wants to cling to the past! Why!??
Hm. In other news, "The Office" season 4 premiere was on last night... It was great! Unfortunately, I missed 15 minutes of it (grrr)... Hm.
I always start these "entries" with the best of intentions & ideas, but they get lost somewhere between my snapses and my fingertips. Go figure. For now, I sign off, ready for a fun weekend of working (which I'm actually loving) and friends! Ciao!
Friday, September 28, 2007
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
On Russia, animals, and politics
So apparently Russia's quite the interesting country this week! Not only does its President (Vladimir Putin) name a new Prime Minister (Victor Zubkov), but it also claims to have the "dad of all bombs." That's right: Russia built a huge honkin' bomb that is much bigger and badder than the United States' "mother of all bombs." In case you want the details on how much better Russia's bomb is than ours, here's the article.
In other news, I'm actively looking for a cat (or two) to make life a bit more enjoyable. I really, really miss my two kitties (one ran away before I moved, and I had to take the other to a Humane Society when I moved). I may try getting my original cat back, but I'm really trying to get a FREE cat (or two), including shots.
ANYWAY, I was on craigslist, and there is a LOT of whacked-out stuff about animals. There is one family who wrote an entire blog about their dog... it's got a LOT of drama and a LOT of details... it's actually almost annoying. Here, decide for yourself! :P
Ay, ay, ay, people! In other news, I was talking with my coworkers today about politics. We're pretty much on the same (liberal) page politically, which seems surprising in a small-ish town in Arizona. We were talking about U.S. presidents: the good, the bad, and the ugly. One coworker openly disdains all politicians; another is very decided on her stances; my boss is relatively closed-mouthed on the topic; I am admittedly underinformed (aren't we all??). Anyway, we were talking for a while, and agreed that politics are quite frustrating; the more you read, the less you really know for sure. The less you know for sure, the less you feel you are able to do about certain situations. This all, of course, can easily lead to apathy. I've always been astounded at how EASY it is to remain apathetic about anything political (in the U.S.).
I suppose I'll just keep doing the best I can.
In other news, I'm actively looking for a cat (or two) to make life a bit more enjoyable. I really, really miss my two kitties (one ran away before I moved, and I had to take the other to a Humane Society when I moved). I may try getting my original cat back, but I'm really trying to get a FREE cat (or two), including shots.
ANYWAY, I was on craigslist, and there is a LOT of whacked-out stuff about animals. There is one family who wrote an entire blog about their dog... it's got a LOT of drama and a LOT of details... it's actually almost annoying. Here, decide for yourself! :P
Ay, ay, ay, people! In other news, I was talking with my coworkers today about politics. We're pretty much on the same (liberal) page politically, which seems surprising in a small-ish town in Arizona. We were talking about U.S. presidents: the good, the bad, and the ugly. One coworker openly disdains all politicians; another is very decided on her stances; my boss is relatively closed-mouthed on the topic; I am admittedly underinformed (aren't we all??). Anyway, we were talking for a while, and agreed that politics are quite frustrating; the more you read, the less you really know for sure. The less you know for sure, the less you feel you are able to do about certain situations. This all, of course, can easily lead to apathy. I've always been astounded at how EASY it is to remain apathetic about anything political (in the U.S.).
I suppose I'll just keep doing the best I can.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
A bit of joy for you!
So things here are happy & relatively busy. Here are some hilarious/adorable cat pictures for you!! :) For some reason, they get partially cut off... sorry about that. I'll try to figure out how to fix it. The original source is icanhascheezburger.com, if you're interested!
Oh, and I'm thinking of adopting a cat (or two). Fortunately, the roommate's on board. :)
Also, it appears that it's 9/11 today... Six years since the tragedy. Perhaps (if you're so inclined) take a moment to send a nice thought (or prayer, if you're of that persuasion) to the families of all those involved.
Without further ado, the cats:
Oh, and I'm thinking of adopting a cat (or two). Fortunately, the roommate's on board. :)
Also, it appears that it's 9/11 today... Six years since the tragedy. Perhaps (if you're so inclined) take a moment to send a nice thought (or prayer, if you're of that persuasion) to the families of all those involved.
Without further ado, the cats:
Saturday, September 1, 2007
On America
Just a few thoughts...
First, I was disheartened (though not entirely surprised) by Ms. South Carolina:
Having taught last year, I am now much more aware of the apathy and ignorance that plague many schools. While I'm sure there are myriad reasons why this is (lack of parental support, apathetic/ignorant teachers, media, etc.), I'm trying to figure out what can be done. It's hard to fight an uphill battle when you're one of the few.
Also, I'm currently reading John Steinbeck's Travels with Charley: In Search of America.
It's absolutely PHENOMENAL, and I love it. I wish that I could make the careful observations he does about people and areas. Sigh.
Anyway, in the book, Steinbeck notes that America's identity is slowly becoming streamlined. He suggests that regional "personalities" are disappearing in lieu of a more national identity. (Keep in mind that this book was written in the early '60s.) He says that, because of mainstream radio and television, regional dialects and accents are being erradicated, and there is more of a push for homogenous speech. Only in the Deep South and the East Coast are accents really noticeable anymore, Steinbeck observes. Interesting... and I'm inclined to agree. When I moved to Arizona, I'd assumed it'd be like a different country- new geographical region, perhaps a specific (and different) dialect... But no! Arizona is comprised largely of Mexicans and Midwesterners. Go figure.
So, otherwise, life is good. Wednesday and Thursday, the coworkers and I went to an awesome conference in Phoenix... We stayed at a POSH resort, and it was incredibly awesome. The 17th Surgeon General (Richard Carmona) was the keynote speaker, and there were numerous other really good speakers as well. Wednesday night, we went to the attached water park for several hours, had margaritas, and basically relaxed. See the pics to follow! :)
<< The Surgeon General (center, with the black tie)... SUCH a good speaker! :)
The water park at the awesome resort where we stayed!!
>>Some gorgeous palm trees at the resort
First, I was disheartened (though not entirely surprised) by Ms. South Carolina:
Having taught last year, I am now much more aware of the apathy and ignorance that plague many schools. While I'm sure there are myriad reasons why this is (lack of parental support, apathetic/ignorant teachers, media, etc.), I'm trying to figure out what can be done. It's hard to fight an uphill battle when you're one of the few.
Also, I'm currently reading John Steinbeck's Travels with Charley: In Search of America.
It's absolutely PHENOMENAL, and I love it. I wish that I could make the careful observations he does about people and areas. Sigh.
Anyway, in the book, Steinbeck notes that America's identity is slowly becoming streamlined. He suggests that regional "personalities" are disappearing in lieu of a more national identity. (Keep in mind that this book was written in the early '60s.) He says that, because of mainstream radio and television, regional dialects and accents are being erradicated, and there is more of a push for homogenous speech. Only in the Deep South and the East Coast are accents really noticeable anymore, Steinbeck observes. Interesting... and I'm inclined to agree. When I moved to Arizona, I'd assumed it'd be like a different country- new geographical region, perhaps a specific (and different) dialect... But no! Arizona is comprised largely of Mexicans and Midwesterners. Go figure.
So, otherwise, life is good. Wednesday and Thursday, the coworkers and I went to an awesome conference in Phoenix... We stayed at a POSH resort, and it was incredibly awesome. The 17th Surgeon General (Richard Carmona) was the keynote speaker, and there were numerous other really good speakers as well. Wednesday night, we went to the attached water park for several hours, had margaritas, and basically relaxed. See the pics to follow! :)
<< The Surgeon General (center, with the black tie)... SUCH a good speaker! :) 
The water park at the awesome resort where we stayed!!
>>Some gorgeous palm trees at the resort
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