So there have been some humorous things that happened in my life recently. But I will tell just three short-ish stories:
Story 1:
Rachel and I ventured north last weekend, which would be a very normal thing if I were carpooling with anyone but the marvelous Rachel. We got lost so many times, twisting and turning our way through Kankakee. If that weren't enough, we had to stop constantly to scrape the inside windows of her car. Apparently heat and her windows don't mix, which was fine because I couldn't stop laughing at the situation.
Also, (and I hope Rachel doesn't get mad that I tell you this) but she went over a curb (a very sharp-angle curb), looked at me and said, "Eh, it's not the first time." I love it -- even though I was scared for the car...after all it was our way home.
Story 2:
Skunks. Marta told me the funniest story about skunks. All I'm going to say is a man who shall go unnamed for the purposes of this blog blew a skunk to pieces in front of the home of two men who happen to be gay. They were terrified, and the unnamed man simply said, "Not my problem anymore." And walked away. I've been laughing about this story periodically for the past day and a half it seems. Best story ever.
Story 3:
My car is going nuts. All of the lights came on and the car started beeping incessantly. And every time I turn off the car and lock it, the alarm goes off. Not sure what is happening, but I'm hoping it's not a warning that it's going to blow up.
OKAY. That's all for now. These are quick-ish versions of these stories because I got to go do other stuff. Buhbye!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
The first month of 2011
What a whirlwind. The new year hit and almost exactly two weeks in, everything I knew as normal in life changed. I won't go into details, but one thing is for certain: 2011 is going to be like no other year I ever experienced.
I have mixed feelings about that. I am not sure whether I want to laugh or cry. I've done a little of both (actually a lot of both; thank you friends for the laughter).
But I realize had certain events not occurred, my life would not have changed or be changing. I would continue to live at home. I would continue to look on at others and yearn for what they have. I would continue to feel like an outcast, dependent and scared.
I realize how much I needed change, even though it meant letting go (continuing to let go) of the one thing I loved (still love) and cared (still care) the most about in this world. It means going through an excruciating feeling. It means facing that feeling and hoping for the best regardless.
It also means being confident I can make it through the day alone (in a physical human sense). I can make it, because I do not have to be afraid. It is hard to express exactly how I am feeling. But for a long time, I have been dependent almost entirely on others for happiness, which put stress not only on them but for me as well.
I have done and said a lot things I am not proud of all my life. I have acted out in ways I am not proud of, and in the same breath, I realize I have the power (through Christ) to change myself into the woman I am supposed to be.
When specific events occurred earlier this year, it was like a kick in the pants. I was going to have to face life head on and start living, pursuing my dreams instead of only encouraging others to pursue theirs and then watching them actually do it.
I am excited for my friends who are entering brave new chapters of their lives and even more excited to start a new chapter of my own -- however scary that may seem.
I have mixed feelings about that. I am not sure whether I want to laugh or cry. I've done a little of both (actually a lot of both; thank you friends for the laughter).
But I realize had certain events not occurred, my life would not have changed or be changing. I would continue to live at home. I would continue to look on at others and yearn for what they have. I would continue to feel like an outcast, dependent and scared.
I realize how much I needed change, even though it meant letting go (continuing to let go) of the one thing I loved (still love) and cared (still care) the most about in this world. It means going through an excruciating feeling. It means facing that feeling and hoping for the best regardless.
It also means being confident I can make it through the day alone (in a physical human sense). I can make it, because I do not have to be afraid. It is hard to express exactly how I am feeling. But for a long time, I have been dependent almost entirely on others for happiness, which put stress not only on them but for me as well.
I have done and said a lot things I am not proud of all my life. I have acted out in ways I am not proud of, and in the same breath, I realize I have the power (through Christ) to change myself into the woman I am supposed to be.
When specific events occurred earlier this year, it was like a kick in the pants. I was going to have to face life head on and start living, pursuing my dreams instead of only encouraging others to pursue theirs and then watching them actually do it.
I am excited for my friends who are entering brave new chapters of their lives and even more excited to start a new chapter of my own -- however scary that may seem.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Thoughts 1-26-11
Two things that made me laugh today:
- My mom put her salad on her plate instead of the bowl at Monical's.
- My mom dumped her soda into a to-go cup while the straw and its wrapper were still in it. She picks it up with it dripping and says, "She gave me a straw with a wrapper!" I respond, "Why wouldn't they?" She looks at it and then ...says, "I don't know!!" We start laughing.
Random things that happened today:
- My grandpa is going to be on the front cover of the Gazette's entertainment magazine tomorrow, which is featuring train conductors. It was completely random. A neighbor called and said it was on the "preview" section of the N-G, so I looked and sure enough, there he was! :) Soooo...look for him tomorrow! :) He's the man with the charming eyes, waving on the front cover. Thanks to Ben Halpern who took such an amazing picture. Our family didn't know who took the picture, but it's one of our favorites of him.
Getting me through the day:
"I waited, waited for the Lord,
who bent down and heard my cry.
Drew me out of the pit of destruction. Out of the mud of the swamp.
Set my feet upon rock. Steadied my steps. And put a new song in my mouth, a hymn to our God. Many will look on in awe, and they will trust in the Lord." - Psalm 40:1-4
- My mom put her salad on her plate instead of the bowl at Monical's.
- My mom dumped her soda into a to-go cup while the straw and its wrapper were still in it. She picks it up with it dripping and says, "She gave me a straw with a wrapper!" I respond, "Why wouldn't they?" She looks at it and then ...says, "I don't know!!" We start laughing.
Random things that happened today:
- My grandpa is going to be on the front cover of the Gazette's entertainment magazine tomorrow, which is featuring train conductors. It was completely random. A neighbor called and said it was on the "preview" section of the N-G, so I looked and sure enough, there he was! :) Soooo...look for him tomorrow! :) He's the man with the charming eyes, waving on the front cover. Thanks to Ben Halpern who took such an amazing picture. Our family didn't know who took the picture, but it's one of our favorites of him.
Getting me through the day:
"I waited, waited for the Lord,
who bent down and heard my cry.
Drew me out of the pit of destruction. Out of the mud of the swamp.
Set my feet upon rock. Steadied my steps. And put a new song in my mouth, a hymn to our God. Many will look on in awe, and they will trust in the Lord." - Psalm 40:1-4
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Saturday, November 6, 2010
A bit of a story from my own life
I fainted in mass last Sunday. Man caught me. I survived. The end.
I think the brevity of that story may be the effects of NaNoWriMo.
I think the brevity of that story may be the effects of NaNoWriMo.
NaNoWriMo
As I breeze through this NaNoWriMo season, I'm realizing I'm a perfectionist. I'm in love with my story plot for NaNoWriMo, and I don't want to botch it up. I actually think I am going to try to get it published in the end, after I clean it.
I just love it that much. That might sound narcissistic, or something, but I think authors should be excited about their work. I think it should mean a lot to them. Take Louisa May Alcott, or "Jo", in "The Little Women". She made several attempts to write books, but it wasn't until the story about her family that she became passionate in her writing. It showed.
I have made several attempts at writing novels before, and I am not ashamed to admit they did not measure up. This is the only time that I feel engrossed in my story. That I'm excited about the story. The introduction doesn't do it justice really, and I already know there is going to be somewhat of a re-write of it. But that is a part of the process.
So, I suppose my NaNoWriMo tip is to truly care about what you are writing about. I think NaNoWriMo is good to some extent, because it gives people a jumping off point, but last year I just babbled on and on with no direction. A good story can motivate an author to write it though, so I would recommend having a good story to work with in the beginning.
My idea is inspired from an interview I did with a man four years ago. (I am a journalist. I aspire to be Mark Twain...sort of.) Anyway, I am drawing on this man's experiences. I am planning trips to experience some of these things myself. I don't want to tell you the plot right now. But maybe one day you will be able to read it. ::Crosses fingers.::
Another tip is to read good stories by good authors. I like to read fiction as well as true stories. I recommend: Sinatra story
I also recommend Twain, Dickens, Lewis or Proust. Challenge yourself to write at that level, and it will happen.
I just love it that much. That might sound narcissistic, or something, but I think authors should be excited about their work. I think it should mean a lot to them. Take Louisa May Alcott, or "Jo", in "The Little Women". She made several attempts to write books, but it wasn't until the story about her family that she became passionate in her writing. It showed.
I have made several attempts at writing novels before, and I am not ashamed to admit they did not measure up. This is the only time that I feel engrossed in my story. That I'm excited about the story. The introduction doesn't do it justice really, and I already know there is going to be somewhat of a re-write of it. But that is a part of the process.
So, I suppose my NaNoWriMo tip is to truly care about what you are writing about. I think NaNoWriMo is good to some extent, because it gives people a jumping off point, but last year I just babbled on and on with no direction. A good story can motivate an author to write it though, so I would recommend having a good story to work with in the beginning.
My idea is inspired from an interview I did with a man four years ago. (I am a journalist. I aspire to be Mark Twain...sort of.) Anyway, I am drawing on this man's experiences. I am planning trips to experience some of these things myself. I don't want to tell you the plot right now. But maybe one day you will be able to read it. ::Crosses fingers.::
Another tip is to read good stories by good authors. I like to read fiction as well as true stories. I recommend: Sinatra story
I also recommend Twain, Dickens, Lewis or Proust. Challenge yourself to write at that level, and it will happen.
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