Sometimes it seems like it is the strangest things that make me feel happy inside. Now keep in mind these are not the only things in life that make me feel whole, but these are the things that bring the smile to my face, make me feel a little more kick ass, or help me remember how good life can be in those inbetween moments.
1) I am currently the youngest person in my masters class. For some reason this really makes me feel accomplished. Here I am, finished my bachelors in '06 and in '08 I am more than 3/4 of the way through my masters. I lack the professional experience and the life experience in many cases that my classmates have, but I am still holding my own. It makes me feel good about myself and it helps me continue the challenge.
2) My mom is asking me questions. In 1973 my mom graduated college with a degree in education. Since then she has taken numerous classes, taught in a variety of school settings, and has taught everything from 8th grade to preschool (where she is at now). I always valued my mother as a professional. You cannot buy the lifetime of experience she has or learn a fraction of it in a classroom, but for some reason she is asking me questions. She is taking classes towards her masters and early childhood endorsement. She calls me to help her write papers, to iron out ideas, to ask questions. This is something she never helped me with when I was in school, which now I realize that despite her body of work she lacked the confidence to help me. But now by asking me questions you can see her become more confident in her own work and it is kind of cool. It is nice when a person you admired, starts admiring you.
3) Myspace-top friends. When I am avoiding what I should be doing, you will probably find me on myspace looking at people's profiles. Some of people that I know, sometimes complete strangers. Well today while cyber stalking I noticed I had climbed the "top friends" rankings for 2 of my friends. I don't know why it matters to me if I am in someone's top 8 vs. their top 12, but for some reason it does. I like knowing I matter 4 people more than that chick.
4) 120 minutes. Remember this show? Two hours of alternative music videos that used to play late night on MTV, you know when MTV actually played music videos. Anyways, I just rediscovered it on VH1 Classics tonight. I was sitting in my new recliner and happened upon a Cure video. Of course I stopped, but then I was greeted with They Might Be Giants, Hole, Love and Rockets, Depeche Mode, Dead Milkmen, The Specials, I mean the list goes on and on!! Seriously I wanted to wake Matt up from his sleep just so I had someone to share in my joy. These are the videos at the heart of my love for music. I went through a period as a child were I only listened to oldies and classic rock...this was the music that brought me out of that phase. This is the music that played as the soundtrack for so many moments in my life...and I found it again!
5) My new pajamas. I had the same old pajamas in rotation that I bought the summer before I left for college, in 2000. The had cows jumping over moons, stars and moons- you get the idea. They had wear and tear and had shrunk so much over the years- they had to be retired. So in their place I purchased an entire new pajama wardrobe. Out with the cows and running spoons- in with poka dots, lace trim, and comfy, yet cute, adult pjs.
1) I am currently the youngest person in my masters class. For some reason this really makes me feel accomplished. Here I am, finished my bachelors in '06 and in '08 I am more than 3/4 of the way through my masters. I lack the professional experience and the life experience in many cases that my classmates have, but I am still holding my own. It makes me feel good about myself and it helps me continue the challenge.
2) My mom is asking me questions. In 1973 my mom graduated college with a degree in education. Since then she has taken numerous classes, taught in a variety of school settings, and has taught everything from 8th grade to preschool (where she is at now). I always valued my mother as a professional. You cannot buy the lifetime of experience she has or learn a fraction of it in a classroom, but for some reason she is asking me questions. She is taking classes towards her masters and early childhood endorsement. She calls me to help her write papers, to iron out ideas, to ask questions. This is something she never helped me with when I was in school, which now I realize that despite her body of work she lacked the confidence to help me. But now by asking me questions you can see her become more confident in her own work and it is kind of cool. It is nice when a person you admired, starts admiring you.
3) Myspace-top friends. When I am avoiding what I should be doing, you will probably find me on myspace looking at people's profiles. Some of people that I know, sometimes complete strangers. Well today while cyber stalking I noticed I had climbed the "top friends" rankings for 2 of my friends. I don't know why it matters to me if I am in someone's top 8 vs. their top 12, but for some reason it does. I like knowing I matter 4 people more than that chick.
4) 120 minutes. Remember this show? Two hours of alternative music videos that used to play late night on MTV, you know when MTV actually played music videos. Anyways, I just rediscovered it on VH1 Classics tonight. I was sitting in my new recliner and happened upon a Cure video. Of course I stopped, but then I was greeted with They Might Be Giants, Hole, Love and Rockets, Depeche Mode, Dead Milkmen, The Specials, I mean the list goes on and on!! Seriously I wanted to wake Matt up from his sleep just so I had someone to share in my joy. These are the videos at the heart of my love for music. I went through a period as a child were I only listened to oldies and classic rock...this was the music that brought me out of that phase. This is the music that played as the soundtrack for so many moments in my life...and I found it again!
5) My new pajamas. I had the same old pajamas in rotation that I bought the summer before I left for college, in 2000. The had cows jumping over moons, stars and moons- you get the idea. They had wear and tear and had shrunk so much over the years- they had to be retired. So in their place I purchased an entire new pajama wardrobe. Out with the cows and running spoons- in with poka dots, lace trim, and comfy, yet cute, adult pjs.
