Introspection

At work a few weeks ago, I helped two people who were in the same situation. In both cases, the individual did not like the options that were available, and it was an inconvenience for both of the people, both time wise and financially. What amazed me was how differently each individual dealt with the situation.

The first lady was grateful, positive, and willing to try to make it work. She asked tons of questions, found ways that suggestions would work for her, and sent me an email the next day thanking me for the help, and telling me the solution wasn’t as bad as she thought it was going to be.

The second man was the exact opposite. He was angry, rolled his eyes at every suggestion I gave, and found reasons why every solution I gave him would not work for his situation. He also sent me an email the next day, but again was angry, and insisted that I was just trying to make things difficult for him.

Both of the individuals had the same situation, but one made it harder on himself by his reaction to his circumstances. By trying to show me how difficult I was making his life (even though I had nothing to do with the situation, and was only trying to help) he really just made his life more difficult, by refusing to accept the help I offered. It made me think of the times that I do this. It’s almost like I need to prove to myself and others how difficult my life is by making things even harder than they need to be. It was an eye opener for me, and I’m trying to find ways to be more like the first person. I think the keys are gratitude and humility.

In Which I Prove I Am Getting Old

So my last post about possibly being too old for Facebook got me thinking about all the other things I do that make me realize... Oh my gosh... I'm getting old...

1) I can't stand loud music. I used to love to drive in my car alone, with the sun roof open and the music blaring. But now? Why would I mess up my hair, and how would I even hear myself think?? Sometimes, I even drive with no music at all. I know!!

2) I totally don't get Twitter. It's the new thing, I hear. But seriously?? I just don't get it...

3) I find it hard to stay up past 11:00. Sometimes 10:00. Seriously.

4) I make fun of what 'the kids these days' are wearing (Ok, I never use that phrase exactly, but still, skinny jeans? On boys? Does it ever look good? Really??)

The Unthinkable

Today I had a break at work, and so like any other person, I decided to get on Facebook. It was boring. I knew this couldn't be right, so I thought it could just be that I was looking at it on my phone, not the best format. So at my next break I logged on again, this time on a computer. Nope. Still boring. I can think of a few reasons for this:

1) Everyone I know is acutally doing things, instead of talking about doing things on Facebook. Which really takes the fun out of Facebook stalking...
2) I'm getting old. This is probably not the case, becuase as we all know, old people are getting on Facebook at an alarming rate. There is even a Facebook group called "Old People are Ruining Facebook!"
3) Too many of my friends play those dumb games, so all my posts show is that Angela got a new cow for her farm, and James killed someone in MafiaWars.
4) I'm so self centered that I no longer care about anything but me, and so looking at other people's lives is boring. Unless they hapen to be talking about me!

I don't want to jump to any conclusions, but I think it might be #4.

New Hobbies?

I just finished the last page of my action research project!! When I hit 'save' I felt a huge weight lift from me! I'm done!! The wedding plans are also coming along, there isn't much left to do there either. And I got released two weeks ago. I have often wished for more free time, and now that it looks like I'll have it, I'm not sure what I'm going to do. So here are a few hobbies that I'm thinking of taking up:

1. Carving egg shells. When I was in college I had some awesome roommates. One night we stayed up too late and decided it was a great idea to make our likenesses out of eggs. They all looked something like this. I really enjoyed that, and could make it into a full time hobby, working my way up to this! And just think of all the omelets I could enjoy while practicing!

2. Design my own fashion line. Everyone is doing it these days. Lindsay Lohan, Jay-Z, Victoria Beckham. How hard can it be? I'll probably watch a few episodes of Project Runway to get ready.

3. Writing angry letters to businesses, and possibly my congressman. The bathrooms were dirty, the ice cream was runny, the lighting was bad in the dressing rooms, I don't like the new 'no cell phone in the car' law. Maybe I'll even get free stuff out of the deal!

4. Shoe collecting. I always avoid collecting anything, because I know that's all I'll ever get for presents for the rest of my life. But if I become an avid shoe collector? I would love getting those presents! Plus, this would give me an excuse to buy this Ikea shoe organizer! I have to have something to show off my collection!!

This explains a lot!

In December I posted a list of things I wanted to do in 2010.  The year is approaching being half over, so I wanted to check in and see how it was going! 
 
Here is the list:
 
1.     Get an actual stamp in my passport
2. GRADUATE!!
3. Get a Texas drivers license
4. Sit on the beach and do nothing for a whole day- and don’t feel bad about it (sitting by a pool is also acceptable)
5. Learn to cook something outrageously fancy
6. Go on vacation without a plan, or even a map
7. Use the free volunteer day from work
8. Get a free makeover at the department store makeup counter
9. Host a dinner party
10. Get a pedicure
11. Make a quilt
12. Donate blood

And my progress:

1.      Not yet.
2.    FOUR MORE WEEKS BABY!!!!
3.    Why even bother until after my name change??
4.    Maybe on the cruise?  Nope… probably not…
5.    HAHAHA!!!  This is what I have Steve for!!
6.    Not even close.  Turns out I have control issues.  Shocking, I know…
7.    Check!  Thank you San Antonio Food Bank!
8.     I tried.  Turns out you need an appointment.  Who knew?
9.     Planning on it, when I move in with Steve and we have all our fancy wedding presents to show off!
10.Check!  Thank you college roomies!
11. Who has time for that??
12. Twice!! But the second time, I passed out on account of eating nothing the day before because of a stomach flu.  True story.
 
Well, I’ve done 3, and have plans for 3 more.  Which will put me at half.  Not bad!  If only I had put Get Married on the list ;)

Pictures!!

Below are some of my favorite engagements pictures (at least I think these are them, in the picture selector, they are really small, and I don't have my contacts in yet!!). We are both such hams, in half of them one of both of us is cracking up or making a funny face, but luckily we ended up with a lot of good ones. These are untouched and I was having a bad skin day, so don't click to enlarge ;)




Here is our invitation! Don't let me know what you think unless you say that you love it, because I just ordered prints and I don't want second thoughts :)