Blind

The view from the inside, or lack of view.

I was just reflecting on an experience I had several months ago when I was rock climbing with some friends.

I made two climbs that day. The first climb was fun, enjoyable; I wasn't tired so I could enjoy life going on around me. The second climb was a different story.

The second climb: half way up I became consumed by the fatigue my body was feeling and the difficulty of the climb. I became blind. Blind to opportunities of ledges and cracks that were close by. Blind to the fact that all I had to do to reach the top was straighten my legs. I was so consumed in my world which appeared difficult, that I was ready to give up.

But my friends around me were not blind. They could see the whole situation. They could see the ledges and cracks which would provide perfect handholds. They could see that my leg was still bent and all I needed to do was straighten it. They were my eyes and my encouragement to reach the top.

When I reflect back on the situation, I think to myself... "If only I didn't let fear and fatigue blind and paralyze me, then I would have been able to reach the top without so much emotion and difficulty. I could have done it so much better. I wouldn't have needed help."

Is that the goal, to not need help?

Hmm... I don't think so. The goal is to get to the top, to finish the race. And I am thankful to those around me who can see clearly the whole picture when I am blinded by my circumstances. I want to learn to keep trusting those around me who can see the whole picture and want to help get to the top.

Think this applies to more than just rock climbing?

Friend's Wedding

My friend Alex was married Sept 1st. I was one of her bridesmaids.

Here's the pic. Can you find me?

Extra Powers

My extra sensory powers are not with me today.

You know the ones that keep you in touch with things happening more than 2ft away from you.

Today things have to be starring me in the face for me to realize what is going on, if even then.

New Sister!!!

Just back from my brother's wedding. I have a new sister. Her name is Jenny.

She loves animals (horses included), loves outdoor stuff and has a super sense of humor. I am excited to have her as part of our family.

Contrats, Mark!!!


My Chinese fortune from lunch today is, "This is a good time for you to take a risk. You will succeed."

Guess I just need to come up with a risk to take.

1st Sister In-Law

Two days from now I will get my very first sister in-law.

My brother Mark is getting married!

I'll post a picture of 'em soon.

13

My department moved office locations this past week. We now work of floor 13.

Good thing I'm not superstitious.

Learning

A quote I read.

"That which we persist in doing becomes easier--not because the nature of the task has changed, but our ability to do so has increased."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

I heard a lecture on how adults learn about 2 months ago. Something that stuck out to me was when the speaker said, you can't expect to learn if you continue to do things you are comfortable with.

I robbed someone...

of the oppertunity to be generous. Have you ever been in the situation where someone whats to give you something or do something for you that will clearly be a sacrifice for them? And so your automatic response is to refuse their offer because "you don't deserve" their gift or service and you may be capable of doing it or getting it yourself.

This situation recently came up (and has many other times in my life). I refused and did a good job of refusing it. Then it hit me.

I was robbing this person of the opportunity to be generous. I felt really bad.

I remembered something I was taught back when I was a teen working at a summer camp. We were responsible for carrying the luggage of the campers from their cars to the luggage tent and the haul it up the mountain to their cabins. The guys that were also working kept taking the suitcase away from the girls who were working, you know being "gentlemen". It was sooo frustrating. So we had a lesson (or the guys did rather) about serving others by letting them serve.

I need to remember to let other people serve and be generous.

Even though I don't deserve it. Cause let's face it, I really don't deserve anything. I am a broken, selfish person. It is my nature.

Heading to India

Hi, I'll fill you in on more details later. But I'm heading off on an adventure. Here's where I'll be.

Pictures from April's Meeting

Pictures from our April Pony Club Meeting!

A couple of chivalrous knights taking a break from Dressage....

A Great Sound In the Parking Deck

I love it when the Hawks have home games because the C.R.E.A.M. Drum Corps practice in my parking deck before the game. This means when I leave the office, I get to hear the greatest rhythmic beat there ever was in any parking deck. I LOVE IT!!!!

You Know It's Time To Go When...

You know it has been a long week and it is now time to go when...

my coworkers gather in the hall with a 2.5 foot long plastic golf club and are having contests to see who can hit the pin pong ball the farthest down the hall.

Rainy Daz

What to do on a rainy day?

Jump in puddles, catch rain drops on your tongue, watch people scurry from car to door and back, build dams in the gutters with leaves, and not worry about getting wet. I mean I'm not going to melt.

If only I could do those things now. Instead I am stuck in the office staring out my window. (btw you know in the movie Office Space where Peter knocks down his cube walls so he has a window view? well I actually have the window view! in fact all I have to do is glance past my monitor and I get to see the great outdoors). I'm not sure what is worse. Not being able to see outside or being able to see outside but not actually BE out there.

Back to work. In 7 weeks I'll be heading for the mountains in a far off place!

Dang It!

I'm wearing pink today.

Aaah, I realized that today was not the day to wear pink when I walked into my building and there was this table full of flowers to be delivered to people. I totally forgot. And now my coworkers are going to give me a hard time about being all "into" the Valentines holiday.

Argh.

Bells (not silver)

Just back from Europe.

Yes! We went to Europe for the holidays. My dad had to work over Christmas, so we decided to go on his trips with him. Spent a day in 's Gravenhage (The Hague), one in Amsterdam, and 2 in Kobenaven (Copenhagen). It was excellent!

The most amazing part was hearing every church bell throughout Copenhagen declare the birth of the Savior on Christmas Eve.

-- beach in Den Hague --

-- courtyard of townhall building in Copenhagen --

-- old church on square in Den Hague --

-- canal in Amsterdam --

Peels

I like to eat, eat, eat, apples and bananas...

Bananas are easy to peel. I like them.

I hate peeling oranges, tangerines, and other citrus fruits. They are oh so refreshing to eat. I would eat them more often if they weren't so dag-on-difficult to peel.

When I was a kid I got bleach in my eye while cleaning our swingset. The eye doctor said my cornea looked like an orange peel.

Pic of Some Friends

It's November

It is November and lots has happened since my last post. Here is a brief rundown.

End of Oct went to wedding of long-time family friend in Arizona and got to hang out with some wonderful people. Love just hanging out in life with them.

Had dinner in B.E.D and went to The Fray concert with some co-workers.

Went to a Thrasher's game and learned what a hat trick was.

And tonight I went to see Stranger than Fiction. You should see it!

So, that's the surface stuff. Now deeper, things that have been crazy. I can't seem to be on time to anything. Not that that is new. But I'm later, much later than I normally am. I can't think or plan much past a tomorrow. And I can't seem to stick to a particular attitude I say I'm going to keep at work.

Today, there was a guy, an author of a book rather, at the Walden Book store downstairs. I felt sorry for him because no one was there meeting him for the book signing. He offered a book mark to me as I walked by, but I refused. Will he go home feeling bad about himself? I want to be able to help people know that they are important, and special. I want people to know that they are created for a purpose. But what does it look like to know that you are special and loved and created for a purpose? Maybe this author will go home and feel discouraged because nobody came to his booksigning. But whether or not people go to his book signing doesn't determine whether or not he is significant. Does he know that? I wanted to stop and ask him about his book, but I didn't. I really wasn't interested in his book. Hmm...

Isqoutm Squash Embellishing Gala

These pictures are from our Isquoutm Squash Embellinshing Gala held in the 8N Large Conference Room. Yes, we had a pumpkin decorating contest at work. Some of my fellow FART members and I organized and hosted the event. I was very amazed at the ideas a bunch of accounting and finance people could come up with. Accountants are not known for their creativity.

-- all the entries in the contest--

--some of my coworkers--

--my team's pumpkin--

Horses and Halloween

Lots has been going on lately. Here are some pictures from our Pony Club Halloween Party on Sunday. Can you figure out which one is me?