Coming from the mouths of my sister, my brother, and my mother:
"Big booty, big booty, big booty...hey, big booty."
Standing in a circle in the kitchen...keeping beat by alternately clapping and slapping their legs.
Please...help us now. No alcohol has been consumed this evening either.
Hard to believe, but true.
31 December 2007
22 December 2007
Holiday travel update
I know it's been over a week since I last posted. Too true. My only excuse is that I was road-tripping to North Carolina again, this time with Leslie.
We stayed with the Edwards' near Charlotte and thoroughly enjoyed the southern cookin', warm weather, and general hilarity of being with that family.
The trip takes 10 hours each way. It's much easier with a driving partner, and yet...by the end of yesterday's driving, Leslie and I were ready to be done with each other. We still have two days where we are each other's only conversation partner, and we're making it. Today passed by quickly with sleeping in, vacuum sealing my windows with two-sided tape, plastic, and a hair dryer, taking a 5-mile walk, and doing four loads of laundry. She's going out tonight to a friend's and I'm staying in to soak up the "me" time and get some music swapping done from her laptop to my computer. I love sharing music.
I'm tired, though, and ready to see other people. I have a date planned with Leslie D., one with Amanda, and hopefully I'll see a few other old school people while in Roch. We're excited for Evan's birthday gaming fun on New Year's Eve, too.
We stayed with the Edwards' near Charlotte and thoroughly enjoyed the southern cookin', warm weather, and general hilarity of being with that family.
The trip takes 10 hours each way. It's much easier with a driving partner, and yet...by the end of yesterday's driving, Leslie and I were ready to be done with each other. We still have two days where we are each other's only conversation partner, and we're making it. Today passed by quickly with sleeping in, vacuum sealing my windows with two-sided tape, plastic, and a hair dryer, taking a 5-mile walk, and doing four loads of laundry. She's going out tonight to a friend's and I'm staying in to soak up the "me" time and get some music swapping done from her laptop to my computer. I love sharing music.
I'm tired, though, and ready to see other people. I have a date planned with Leslie D., one with Amanda, and hopefully I'll see a few other old school people while in Roch. We're excited for Evan's birthday gaming fun on New Year's Eve, too.
13 December 2007
Feeling completely domesticated...
I baked cookies last night, my favorite kind: molasses crinkles, with the intention of giving them to my neighbors who are my friends, that is my friendly neighbors.
The list is...well...short. Mary Ellen, my 70-something duplex-sharer who is so sweet, whose children refurbished the outside of my home when they did her's, and who has a tiny mini-yorkie named Ginger who is so adorable I almost can't stand it. Dereck, my across the street, caddy-corner neighbor who has been a friend since we lived in the same dorm my sophomore year of college, that is to say, five years ago. Liz & Chalupa, my dear friends who keep me sane and who have fed me and entertained me more than anyone else here in Upland. I've known Liz since Freshman year and Chalupa since she married him last year. I love them both.
As Dereck is rarely home due to his somewhat schizophrenic job, I couldn't deliver the cookies to him last night. But I did visit Mary Ellen and Ginger, where we exchanged phone numbers and had a pleasant chat about Christmas/winter plans. I really want to be this woman's friend. I think we should play dominoes or scrabble this winter. How fun would that be?
When I got to Liz & Chalupa's, I was greeted by four people--Sara & Landon were there--which was very exciting. I'm not sure I've seen much of them since they got married in July. Sara made me a besprinkled and frosted snowman cookie before I left.
At work yesterday, I discovered a co-worker loves molasses cookies and he told me if I brought him even a half of a cookie it would make his month. I brought him six. He's happy.
Being neighborly is fun. You learn interesting things about people and are given cookies in exchange for your cookies. I remember when I used to think fostering relationships was a waste of my time. It wasn't even that long ago. I'm glad I got over that. Loving people, in whatever way you can, makes a difference for them, but also in you. Loving people has changed me, even if it's as simple as walking next door.
It's Christmas. Do something kind and generous for someone else. See if it brightens their face and your mood.
The list is...well...short. Mary Ellen, my 70-something duplex-sharer who is so sweet, whose children refurbished the outside of my home when they did her's, and who has a tiny mini-yorkie named Ginger who is so adorable I almost can't stand it. Dereck, my across the street, caddy-corner neighbor who has been a friend since we lived in the same dorm my sophomore year of college, that is to say, five years ago. Liz & Chalupa, my dear friends who keep me sane and who have fed me and entertained me more than anyone else here in Upland. I've known Liz since Freshman year and Chalupa since she married him last year. I love them both.
As Dereck is rarely home due to his somewhat schizophrenic job, I couldn't deliver the cookies to him last night. But I did visit Mary Ellen and Ginger, where we exchanged phone numbers and had a pleasant chat about Christmas/winter plans. I really want to be this woman's friend. I think we should play dominoes or scrabble this winter. How fun would that be?
When I got to Liz & Chalupa's, I was greeted by four people--Sara & Landon were there--which was very exciting. I'm not sure I've seen much of them since they got married in July. Sara made me a besprinkled and frosted snowman cookie before I left.
At work yesterday, I discovered a co-worker loves molasses cookies and he told me if I brought him even a half of a cookie it would make his month. I brought him six. He's happy.
Being neighborly is fun. You learn interesting things about people and are given cookies in exchange for your cookies. I remember when I used to think fostering relationships was a waste of my time. It wasn't even that long ago. I'm glad I got over that. Loving people, in whatever way you can, makes a difference for them, but also in you. Loving people has changed me, even if it's as simple as walking next door.
It's Christmas. Do something kind and generous for someone else. See if it brightens their face and your mood.
12 December 2007
11 December 2007
I realize...
I haven't been very talkative via the blog for a while.
It's not because things have been bad or I've been blah. No, not at all. Life is very good, at the moment, and I have so many fun things going on.
Some of them, I'm not inclined to share on a blog, but others--like the upcoming road trip with Leslie--keep me excited and eager to finish out this week.
I will say this. I love my job, the people I work with and the grand scheme of what I do. However, I need a break. A Christmas break.
I don't think I'd survive in the real world, the one outside of academia. I'm pretty sure if I only had a week of vacation a year, I'd shrivel up into the most hermitous hermit, or else I'd become the most bitter old wench.
Thank God I found this profession!
It's not because things have been bad or I've been blah. No, not at all. Life is very good, at the moment, and I have so many fun things going on.
Some of them, I'm not inclined to share on a blog, but others--like the upcoming road trip with Leslie--keep me excited and eager to finish out this week.
I will say this. I love my job, the people I work with and the grand scheme of what I do. However, I need a break. A Christmas break.
I don't think I'd survive in the real world, the one outside of academia. I'm pretty sure if I only had a week of vacation a year, I'd shrivel up into the most hermitous hermit, or else I'd become the most bitter old wench.
Thank God I found this profession!
09 December 2007
By that time, I'll be 90 years old...
Tomorrow, my grandparents celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary. They've lived through a world war, a cold war, and a war on terrorism. They survived raising five children, watching 21 grandchildren grow up and get married, and welcoming 21 great-grandchildren into their ever-expanding family.
Their children planned a celebration for them yesterday which involved the presence of 60 people; only seven were absent. We have a huge family.
As grandma pointed out, it's quite a feat that we're all here. Grandpa was one order away from the invasion of Japan which could have cost him his life. Thus preventing the establishment of this family. We're all respectful and respectable people. Friendly and kind, thoughtful and loving. Even more amazing is that we gather for reunions and parties about fives times a year.
In thinking about us en masse and individually last night, I realized how uncommon it is to have a group of 67 people who love each other and who are committed to Christ and living according to his example. Many of us have traveled the U.S. extensively, and some of us have been overseas several times. While we can never know the true impact that each of us has had in the various places we've traveled, we can know that from the love of two young people in the 1940s, people who didn't even know each other very well, the world has been touched, perhaps has been changed. By two people who shared values and made the choice to be vulnerable, to take a risk (as every relationship is), and to love.
Their commitment to each other and to raising an educated, Godly family is inspiring. I calculated, and if I were to get married this year (giving me 22 days to seal the deal), I'd be 90 before reaching my 65th anniversary. They are 87, healthy, and clear-minded. They are supportive and interested in each child, grandchild, and great-grandchild.
Despite the fact that I prefer small gatherings to large ones, yesterday was a special time of hearing stories about the beginnings of a relationship that impacted (and created) us all, about a war which changed a young man forever, and about the hardships of raising a family in the Depression and educating them (debt-free) in an era where many did not get that opportunity. It blessed me to be there, to watch the varied personalities interacting, the children playing, the cousins trading stories.
I love this family; as much as I don't show it, I truly do.
Thanks, Prent and Doris, for making us each feel special, for having the capacity to love a gigantic family with Christ's love, for being an example of what commitment truly is: sacrifice and prayer.
Their children planned a celebration for them yesterday which involved the presence of 60 people; only seven were absent. We have a huge family.
As grandma pointed out, it's quite a feat that we're all here. Grandpa was one order away from the invasion of Japan which could have cost him his life. Thus preventing the establishment of this family. We're all respectful and respectable people. Friendly and kind, thoughtful and loving. Even more amazing is that we gather for reunions and parties about fives times a year.
In thinking about us en masse and individually last night, I realized how uncommon it is to have a group of 67 people who love each other and who are committed to Christ and living according to his example. Many of us have traveled the U.S. extensively, and some of us have been overseas several times. While we can never know the true impact that each of us has had in the various places we've traveled, we can know that from the love of two young people in the 1940s, people who didn't even know each other very well, the world has been touched, perhaps has been changed. By two people who shared values and made the choice to be vulnerable, to take a risk (as every relationship is), and to love.
Their commitment to each other and to raising an educated, Godly family is inspiring. I calculated, and if I were to get married this year (giving me 22 days to seal the deal), I'd be 90 before reaching my 65th anniversary. They are 87, healthy, and clear-minded. They are supportive and interested in each child, grandchild, and great-grandchild.
Despite the fact that I prefer small gatherings to large ones, yesterday was a special time of hearing stories about the beginnings of a relationship that impacted (and created) us all, about a war which changed a young man forever, and about the hardships of raising a family in the Depression and educating them (debt-free) in an era where many did not get that opportunity. It blessed me to be there, to watch the varied personalities interacting, the children playing, the cousins trading stories.
I love this family; as much as I don't show it, I truly do.
Thanks, Prent and Doris, for making us each feel special, for having the capacity to love a gigantic family with Christ's love, for being an example of what commitment truly is: sacrifice and prayer.
04 December 2007
In other news
Friends have been introducing me to all kinds of new (to me) music in the past few months.
Most notably, I have morphed from a self-proclaimed John Mayer Hater to a ginormous fan of his newest work, Continuum.
Other artists that have joined the list of Lana's Fall Favorites include:
A Fine Frenzy (I love everything about this girl)
Gavin DeGraw (mostly his live music--check out his song Belief)
Mat Kearney (thanks to Sara's Thanksgiving Music mix, I know now how sweet Mat Kearny can be)
Jordin Sparks (last year's American Idol winner, she continues to be phenomenal and to open me up to the realm of R&B and Soul)
Over the Rhine (everything they've done...I love them)
Carrie Underwood (although I haven't listened to Country music since the 90's, Franz bought Carrie's latest venture and we all loved her vocals--and humor--during Thanksgiving break)
Most notably, I have morphed from a self-proclaimed John Mayer Hater to a ginormous fan of his newest work, Continuum.
Other artists that have joined the list of Lana's Fall Favorites include:
A Fine Frenzy (I love everything about this girl)
Gavin DeGraw (mostly his live music--check out his song Belief)
Mat Kearney (thanks to Sara's Thanksgiving Music mix, I know now how sweet Mat Kearny can be)
Jordin Sparks (last year's American Idol winner, she continues to be phenomenal and to open me up to the realm of R&B and Soul)
Over the Rhine (everything they've done...I love them)
Carrie Underwood (although I haven't listened to Country music since the 90's, Franz bought Carrie's latest venture and we all loved her vocals--and humor--during Thanksgiving break)
Faux pas
Though I've never claimed to be fashionable, I generally try to live with semblance of fashion, meaning I try not to clash or commit any critical faux pas.
However.
Today, well, really it wasn't my day. I've been feeling cold-y for a few days and I had an early dentist appointment this morning. I made minimal effort for that event, but planned to shower and dress normally for work this afternoon.
Turned out, I somehow put on white athletic socks after my shower and never changed. Thus, I'm wearing a purple shirt, jeans, brown shoes, and white socks.
They stick out like a French aristocrat in Wal-Mart, so I am trying to keep them hidden behind my desk.
However.
Today, well, really it wasn't my day. I've been feeling cold-y for a few days and I had an early dentist appointment this morning. I made minimal effort for that event, but planned to shower and dress normally for work this afternoon.
Turned out, I somehow put on white athletic socks after my shower and never changed. Thus, I'm wearing a purple shirt, jeans, brown shoes, and white socks.
They stick out like a French aristocrat in Wal-Mart, so I am trying to keep them hidden behind my desk.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)