Friends, Sacred Fire, and Running

Over the past month, I have been engaged in an e-mail "argument" with a dear friend of mine...sorry, I will refrain from the juicy details to protect her privacy.  It is hard to watch someone struggle, especially when I have strong opinions about how she should handle her situation.  My opinions does not really matter.  Ultimately, it is up to her to deal with her sadness.  The most I can do is just love and listen to her.  Human nature has designed us to run our mouths...that is why I think when individuals have mastered the skill of not talking, they are truly enlightened.  I am working on this.

So I decided to attend the Sacred Fire  out her house held once a month as a show of love and friendship.  Luckily for me she was friendly.  In case you are wondering, Sacred Fires affords the opportunity for people to gather together to talk, share, and tell stories similar to the ancient Native Americans.  It is very relaxing.  While sitting around the fire, I couldn't help but to smell my hands.  I actually made vegetarian red beans and rice (this is a huge accomplishment for me) and my hands smelled like onions, garlic, and campfire.  Yummy.

Finally, I am pleased to announce that I have actually started "training" for my first race.  Actually, I will practice with the 5K Shamrock "Stroll" this St. Patrick's Day.  My neighbor has kindly volunteered to help whip me into shape.  Running in an organized community event is on my list of "impossible things".  I haven't run since I served in the military!

What projects are you working toward you list of Impossible Things?

Birthday Dinner

Yesterday it was my mother's birthday dinner.  Usually my sister is the one to play hostess, kind of like a mini-Martha Stewart but not quite as neuritic.  So it was a little different and a challenge to step up and fill her shoes.  First of all, my parents arrived 40 minutes early with dishes in the sink and the table not cleared.  My son had barely finished vacuuming and I was still finishing up dinner.  We opened the door with a smile on our face and let them see the mess.  However, I think she was grateful that some things were unfinished.  My mom commented that she was glad to be healthy enough to help me (she is recovery from radiation for breast cancer treatments).  So I finished dinner, my mom did the dishes, and my husband cleaned the table.  We had a great visit and my dad told funny stories.  Actually, I should add that to my list of impossible things....to record my father's stories; he has some great ones!

Dreams...

Dreams are a funny part of mind.  Sometimes it is a reflection of our day or the last activity that we participated in.  Or sometimes I think dreams is a way to talk to ourselves about our joys, sorrows, or frustrations.  I also wonder dreams is a way for the universe or God to speak to us directly.  Last night I had four dreams (it is unusual that I remembered them at all) that all centered around the same theme: me looking for a job far away from my family.

Dream #1:  I am in Washington D.C. for a teaching job fair and I am by myself.  I have always traveled with either my sister or my husband, so it was unusual to be in the nation's capital on my own.

Dream #2:  I am in Singapore for a library media conference.  It is a meeting of school librarians all over the world.  I have never been to Singapore or overseas, so this really out of my league.  Again, I am traveling by myself with my family at home.

Dream #3:  This time I am in Chicago at a teacher's job fair for overseas school.  It is the last fair for the year in a frantic rush to fill teaching positions.  Same thing, I have only driven through Chicago once but never actually toured around.  I am by myself.

Dream #4:  I am back in Washington D.C. but this time I have my son with me.  My husband is at home.  My son and I are coordinating our evening plans and when we are going to meet up.  I am in the city for the same reason...a teacher's job fair.

Have you ever had strange dreams?  Were your dreams a message from the universe or from yourself?  Please share...

Staying "HOT" keeps me busy!

My goal this term is to stay HOT: Homework on Time!  Well, shock of all shock, when I am HOT it keeps me busy.  But this is a good thing.  It means that I am not just sitting around, twiddling my thumbs but work toward something productive.  Further motivation is to set a good example for my son!

I also joined Weight Watchers.  It is set like an AA meeting but still, a lot of good information to absorb.

Finally, in my studies I have come to conclusion that there is a lot I do not know, such as "RSS" feed, "Twitter", "wikis", or "delicious".  Any one want to help me out on this?  As a librarian media specialist, it my responsibility to figure out how to use these tools in the school environment.  This is the 21st century library!  HELP!

I think I gave birth to my own obnoxious little brother!

I am the youngest of four children with eight years between me and the second youngest.  It almost seemed like I was an only child.  However, this past school year, my beautiful baby boy is 12 going 16 with a major attitude.  He is lazy, argues over EVERYTHING, and refuses to practices his trumpet he though loves to play it...go figure that one.  My husband says we fight like we are brother and sister.  So no, my son is not literally my brother, but I feel like if I ever had a little brother, he would have been like my son...annoying and obnoxious!

Why, why, why, won't he make the connection that if he writes in his planner, practices his instrument, and does his homework, we (his parents) will BACK OFF.  Is it because that is just way to simple?  Is it our inherent nature, that between 12 and 16, we must make things as difficult as possible?  Is that part of the learning curve?

On top of this frustration, my worst fear is beginning to come true.  Since I struggle with organization and turn in my homework on time (I have written about this all over my blog), my son is using me as a basis for his laidback mentality toward school.  Even more motivation, besides professional growth, to step it up!

Holy S*%$! Are you doing your homework? No wonder it is snowing...

The title of the post is quoting my husband as he fought the urge to pass out from shock because I was actually doing my homework with it not being a month late.  My theme for the winter term is to be HOT: Homework on Time.  Further motivation to be HOT is the gentle chiding I received from the academic advisor about turning my work in late.  If I want a good recommendation from the university, I need to step things up.  It is not to late to turn myself around but I certainly cannot afford anymore mistakes.

3 Types of To-Do's for the Renaissance Person

While I wish that I can claim credit for this idea, I also cannot.  I am borrowing Joel Runyon's concept on how to balance several projects that are going on at the same time.  Basically, you group what needs to get done into 3 categories or 3 types of To-Do's:  there is what cannot be accomplished NOW, SOON, and IN THE NEAR FUTURE.  This is my new strategy for me to not procrastinate and to get my projects completed on time; it will be an experiment.  So here goes:

NOW: right this second and beyond

• stick to my workout routine (that I have just created) for the "race" I want to participate in March
• sub as often as possible to save for the summer
• HOT (Homework on Time)
• seek fabric donation for girls vests (I volunteer with Somalian refugee Campfire girls)
• weekly group plans for Campfire 
• refine resume and apply to Saudi Aramco training center
• count steps

SOON: 1 week to 1 month

• HOT (Homework on Time)
• seek grant for Campfire girls
• begin to sew vests; seek helpers
• apply for scholarships
• apply to the National Endowment for Humanities for teacher summer workshops (in case Saudi Aramco does not work out)
• count steps
• scrapbook pictures
• workout routine
• purchase fabric to sew professional wardrobe
• sub as many days as possible for the summer

IN THE NEAR FUTURE: 1 month to 6 months

• Shamrock Stride--March 13 (walking a 5K)
• HOT: (Homework on Time)
• search and purchase plane ticket to visit sister in Saudi Aramco (in case job with Saudi Aramco does not work out)
• Shu Ren Gala
• sew professional wardrobe
• sew vests for Campfire girls
• scrapbook
• sub as many days as possible for the summer

In order to accomplish some of my "List of Impossible Things" I need to sub (part-time teaching in the classroom) 45 days before the end of June!  I need to save for:

• visiting my sister in Saudi Arabia
• spending money for the summer (teaching is 9 months out the year = summers off!)
• $ for China trip my son will take next year as an 8th grader

If you want to know how to create your own 3 Types of To-Do's for the Renaissance Person then visit Joel Runyon's "Blog of Impossible Things".

As usual, I invite to share your thoughts and/or suggestions.

The Girl in the Mirror

If an anorexic is someone who thinks of themselves as fat but is actually skinny, then what do you call someone who thinks of themselves as skinny but actually is fat?  That is me.  I think of myself as thin, gorgeous, and full of confidence waiting to burst out...then I see the girl in the mirror and I reminded that I am obese.  The other day when I was subbing the class room, I waved my hand (part of the activity) and my whole arm waved with it.  A student noticed and started to laugh.  I knew why but choose to ignore it; truth be told it was really embarrassing.  My dream fantasy is to be the sexy, "hot librarian", but how to get to the point.  It is a daunting task.  So here is my first goal, a tangible goal, which is to drop one dress size by birthday on February 25th.  Plus, I am going walk in the Shamrock "Stride".  I even have a walking partner which is really exciting for me.  Now I am committed!

I invite you to leave your thoughts, stories, or words of encouragement.