Many jobs are thankless. And a lot of people feel that they work in a thankless job. I am not one of those people. Maybe it's because I feel appreciated by small things. And I work with great people. Really great people. But, the garbage collector is a person I don't ever see to thank. Same with the mail carrier and my utilities workers. This week, I'm going to take a moment to thank teachers.
I am an advocate and product of the public school system. (I am choosing to ignore the onslaught of jokes that could be made here about my intelligence.) I think it is great. I think that the men and women who are educators, by and large, are people who wanted to teach. These people wanted to make a difference, to be around children, to see the potential in the future through the small people who will create it.
Everyone I know has at least one teacher who made a difference in his or her life. Every teacher has a student who has become something great. Teachers get the chance to see the fruits of their labors much much later. It's not a job of instant gratification. It's not a job for people who can't deal with commotion or silliness or forgetfulness. Teachers get the chance to watch as a student grasps a concept for the first time. Teachers get to watch progress and feel the joy of growth. Teachers get to love other people's children in a way that isn't creepy.
Lest I wax poetic and therefore, sugary enough to force a gag-reflex, I will just be brief: Thank you Teachers. I remember each and every one of you and could tell you a memory or a story for each...but I won't. Just thanks.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
Life imitating art
I know that the saying is "Art imitates life" but I find that often, my life imitates art.
I suppose one of the reasons I love to read is because I love transporting myself to other times with other people. I love to imagine things in other places. I love to put myself into the situations the characters are in. And I would like to think that I would handle myself in a different manner than the heroes/heroines in the stories I read, but sometimes I wouldn't know better because of the time in history. Or sometimes the rules of the land wouldn't allow for me to behave in the manner of my choosing. It's a strange thing about books, isn't it.
Another artistic medium I relate to is visual media. I love movies and I'm a TV junkie... enthusiast, rather. I, once again, enjoy a world where people do things I would love to do if I didn't have the totally awesome life I have now. There are thrilling stories and a view from every angle. I can laugh at a funny saying and maybe adopt it so I can use it at an appropriate moment to make others laugh. Or I can struggle to believe any of the situations could actually happen--and be entertained by the delicious ridiculousness of the whole thing. Yum. But, these pieces of pop culture become part of conversation for me. Maybe that's part of what is so delicious to me.
At any rate, I find myself putting pieces of people I enjoy from art forms into who I am. It's part of my progression, I think. I enjoy a certain character trait, realize it in myself (or wish I had it) and try to emulate it. Or seeing a flaw in a character and wanting to never respond as that character does. And there you have it: my life imitating art. Hopefully not from every angle.
I suppose one of the reasons I love to read is because I love transporting myself to other times with other people. I love to imagine things in other places. I love to put myself into the situations the characters are in. And I would like to think that I would handle myself in a different manner than the heroes/heroines in the stories I read, but sometimes I wouldn't know better because of the time in history. Or sometimes the rules of the land wouldn't allow for me to behave in the manner of my choosing. It's a strange thing about books, isn't it.
Another artistic medium I relate to is visual media. I love movies and I'm a TV junkie... enthusiast, rather. I, once again, enjoy a world where people do things I would love to do if I didn't have the totally awesome life I have now. There are thrilling stories and a view from every angle. I can laugh at a funny saying and maybe adopt it so I can use it at an appropriate moment to make others laugh. Or I can struggle to believe any of the situations could actually happen--and be entertained by the delicious ridiculousness of the whole thing. Yum. But, these pieces of pop culture become part of conversation for me. Maybe that's part of what is so delicious to me.
At any rate, I find myself putting pieces of people I enjoy from art forms into who I am. It's part of my progression, I think. I enjoy a certain character trait, realize it in myself (or wish I had it) and try to emulate it. Or seeing a flaw in a character and wanting to never respond as that character does. And there you have it: my life imitating art. Hopefully not from every angle.
Friday, April 24, 2009
They have a pill for that
I am amazed at the different medications on the market now. There is one for almost everything. And a commercial to go with it.
You have mucus, here take this mucus-reducing pill. You have allergies, here take any one of these histamine-blocking pills. You have heart-burn, here take one of these acid-neutralizing pills. You have a back-ache, tooth-ache, head-ache. You have low blood sugar, low sex drive, low platelet count. There's a pill for that. You can take a pill to sleep, a pill to stay asleep, and a pill to keep you awake.
I was thinking about it. I wonder why there is no pill for patience (I'd be popping those like jelly beans). Or a pill for improving your mood (some people use retail therapy for this). Or a pill to bring overly-happy people back to a level playing field (although, is that really what anyone would want?). There are so many things that we medicate for and I sometimes wonder if we are making things worse or better.
Not to sound ungrateful because I love that medication is available. It's good. And I'm grateful that I live in the USA where we encourage pharmaceutical advancements. I just think that issues regarding dependency and side-effects overshadow the goodness of these advancements.
Perhaps my attitude is just rotten. I'm sure they have a pill for that.
You have mucus, here take this mucus-reducing pill. You have allergies, here take any one of these histamine-blocking pills. You have heart-burn, here take one of these acid-neutralizing pills. You have a back-ache, tooth-ache, head-ache. You have low blood sugar, low sex drive, low platelet count. There's a pill for that. You can take a pill to sleep, a pill to stay asleep, and a pill to keep you awake.
I was thinking about it. I wonder why there is no pill for patience (I'd be popping those like jelly beans). Or a pill for improving your mood (some people use retail therapy for this). Or a pill to bring overly-happy people back to a level playing field (although, is that really what anyone would want?). There are so many things that we medicate for and I sometimes wonder if we are making things worse or better.
Not to sound ungrateful because I love that medication is available. It's good. And I'm grateful that I live in the USA where we encourage pharmaceutical advancements. I just think that issues regarding dependency and side-effects overshadow the goodness of these advancements.
Perhaps my attitude is just rotten. I'm sure they have a pill for that.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Starving through school
One of the men I work with is sending his son to medical school in two weeks. His son will be going abroad for school and his little family's life will be changed forever. He said he hopes his son and daughter in-law get hungry, but not his grandkids. And he hopes they don't make really dumb financial decisions. As this man reflected on his own time going to medical school and how difficult things were then, he was hoping that things wouldn't be too different for his own son. He talked about how the 39 cent burritos for lunch every day were sick, but they were cheap. And how he studied from 5 in the morning until 8 in the morning, walked to class, came home and hit the books again. He talked about $5 date nights with his wife courtesy of the park and the hot dog stand. And how they were very hungry most of the time.
I respect this doctor I work with a lot. And maybe that's part of the reason. He is busy and therefore wealthy, but he is also generous and not showy. At all. His wife refuses to pay full price for anything. He's one of those millionaires next door.
An attorney I know moved to Oakland, CA to go to law school. He and his wife lived in an apartment that was about 500 square feet and they couldn't even put their milk carton upright in their fridge. He clerked for a judge who was awful making very little. He studied every chance he had. He's very successful. And worked hard to get there.
I think there are many people who starved their way through school. Many who didn't, but a lot who did. I think those who sacrificed and worked hard to starve through school appreciate it more. There is a sweet moment, way after the work, when someone looks at the success and is envious. When a snide comment comes their way sounding like, "My medical bill paid for 15 shingles on his roof." Or, "I can't imagine how hard it must be to drive a car with leather seats." But at moments like these, the doctor I work with can say, "I never have to eat 39 cent burritos again for lunch, have you ever?" And the attorney can say, "I once lived in an apartment where I couldn't fit my milk upright in my fridge; do you have that problem?"
They may not know it, but their sacrifices have inspired this dreaming writer to push my own kids toward starving through school because what is left after graduation is a stellar professional.
I respect this doctor I work with a lot. And maybe that's part of the reason. He is busy and therefore wealthy, but he is also generous and not showy. At all. His wife refuses to pay full price for anything. He's one of those millionaires next door.
An attorney I know moved to Oakland, CA to go to law school. He and his wife lived in an apartment that was about 500 square feet and they couldn't even put their milk carton upright in their fridge. He clerked for a judge who was awful making very little. He studied every chance he had. He's very successful. And worked hard to get there.
I think there are many people who starved their way through school. Many who didn't, but a lot who did. I think those who sacrificed and worked hard to starve through school appreciate it more. There is a sweet moment, way after the work, when someone looks at the success and is envious. When a snide comment comes their way sounding like, "My medical bill paid for 15 shingles on his roof." Or, "I can't imagine how hard it must be to drive a car with leather seats." But at moments like these, the doctor I work with can say, "I never have to eat 39 cent burritos again for lunch, have you ever?" And the attorney can say, "I once lived in an apartment where I couldn't fit my milk upright in my fridge; do you have that problem?"
They may not know it, but their sacrifices have inspired this dreaming writer to push my own kids toward starving through school because what is left after graduation is a stellar professional.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Let's Get Out of Here
It's the perfect line for a movie. If you think about the situations your favorite movie characters get into, "Let's get out of here" is the perfect remedy.
Aliens are attacking! The hero looks at the heroine and says, "Rosie, let's get out of here!" Like they want to have their brains scrambled to mush.
In a World War II barrack, two soldiers huddle together as bombs and guns go off around them. The one looks to the other and says, "Wilson, let's get out of here or you will never get to see Norma again." And it's true. At the end of the movie, Wilson and Norma reconnect because somewhere in the middle his best war buddy said, "let's get out of here!"
The piano plays a jazzy tune as the singer steps up to the mic. The room is filled with smoke and people. She begins her song and the man sitting at the bar is mesmerized. At the end of her song, he steps to the side of the stage where she is heading to her dressing room. He talks with her, charms her, and says, "I'd really like to talk with you. Somewhere more private. Let's get out of here. What do you say?" And soon they have fallen in love.
Two friends are hearing strange noises coming from the basement. They both have a secret and someone else knows what it is. They look at each other with terror on their faces. "Let's get out of here," stammers one to the other. And the run out to their car and a car chase ensues.
The brothers have just finished toilet papering the laser tag place they have been kicked out of. They chuckle as they nudge each other pleased with the job they have done. They hear a car pulling into the parking lot. They stop laughing and say, "Let's get out of here!" As they run away from the scene.
It's pretty much the most simple and completely applicable line for movie-dom. I say Well done screenwriters! And on that note, "Let's get out of here!"
Aliens are attacking! The hero looks at the heroine and says, "Rosie, let's get out of here!" Like they want to have their brains scrambled to mush.
In a World War II barrack, two soldiers huddle together as bombs and guns go off around them. The one looks to the other and says, "Wilson, let's get out of here or you will never get to see Norma again." And it's true. At the end of the movie, Wilson and Norma reconnect because somewhere in the middle his best war buddy said, "let's get out of here!"
The piano plays a jazzy tune as the singer steps up to the mic. The room is filled with smoke and people. She begins her song and the man sitting at the bar is mesmerized. At the end of her song, he steps to the side of the stage where she is heading to her dressing room. He talks with her, charms her, and says, "I'd really like to talk with you. Somewhere more private. Let's get out of here. What do you say?" And soon they have fallen in love.
Two friends are hearing strange noises coming from the basement. They both have a secret and someone else knows what it is. They look at each other with terror on their faces. "Let's get out of here," stammers one to the other. And the run out to their car and a car chase ensues.
The brothers have just finished toilet papering the laser tag place they have been kicked out of. They chuckle as they nudge each other pleased with the job they have done. They hear a car pulling into the parking lot. They stop laughing and say, "Let's get out of here!" As they run away from the scene.
It's pretty much the most simple and completely applicable line for movie-dom. I say Well done screenwriters! And on that note, "Let's get out of here!"
Friday, April 3, 2009
What I Want Most
A college professor of mine used to say, "Don't give up what you want most for what you want right now." Ten years later, I still have that phrase run through my head when I am making a decision. I was thinking about that today.
I have many things I want. Many are just superficial, some are short term and others are life goals. Superficial wants for me include a size 6 body (okay, maybe this post is taking a walk on the fantasy side of life), a perfectly white smile, no glasses, and fabulous hair. So what do I have to give up now for what I want most? A little sleep in the morning to go to the gym, chocolate (of maybe being a lot more than I size 6 is worth it) and other high calorie foods. Do I want that size 6 that much? I'm afraid the white smile, no glasses and great hair are just a matter of dentistry/Lasic surgery/my friend Fran who can whiten my teeth/zap my eyes/style my hair. And money.
Then the short term things I want. I really want to go to Disneyland early this summer. I think it would be great fun to take a little vacation to the happiest place on earth. I am not a frequenter of Disneyland, but I sure love the magic of the Magic Kingdom. Especially through the eyes of kids. Short term wise, I just buy fewer snacks at the grocery store and generic brands at that to save a quarter here or there. I drive my car less so I don't have to fill the tank as often. By doing small things, I plan to get what I want.
My long term goal list is big and started when I was about 14. I put together a list of things I wanted to do before I die. It includes things like: get married (done), go on an Operation Smile mission (still would love to), be a mom (I never stated anything about the quality of mom I wanted to be. This is also done.). It also includes things like: skydive, ride a Harley across the country, and receive a prestigious award. There are over 50 things on this long term list. Some I am willing to part with. I am surely not going to die if I never learn to surf in Oahu, and there are many things I would rather do (get a Master's Degree) before I surf. I look at this list from time to time and chuckle at my dreams or think I was very clever at 14 to think I could live in every state in the United States. I won't give up much to achieve some of these goals, and others of them will be the main focus of my life (enjoy every wedding anniversary).
I guess I'm just grateful that I had a professor who taught me to not give up my dreams because as I get entrenched in daily life, I think I really have nothing ahead of me but tomorrow. And who said tomorrow is a bad idea?
I have many things I want. Many are just superficial, some are short term and others are life goals. Superficial wants for me include a size 6 body (okay, maybe this post is taking a walk on the fantasy side of life), a perfectly white smile, no glasses, and fabulous hair. So what do I have to give up now for what I want most? A little sleep in the morning to go to the gym, chocolate (of maybe being a lot more than I size 6 is worth it) and other high calorie foods. Do I want that size 6 that much? I'm afraid the white smile, no glasses and great hair are just a matter of dentistry/Lasic surgery/my friend Fran who can whiten my teeth/zap my eyes/style my hair. And money.
Then the short term things I want. I really want to go to Disneyland early this summer. I think it would be great fun to take a little vacation to the happiest place on earth. I am not a frequenter of Disneyland, but I sure love the magic of the Magic Kingdom. Especially through the eyes of kids. Short term wise, I just buy fewer snacks at the grocery store and generic brands at that to save a quarter here or there. I drive my car less so I don't have to fill the tank as often. By doing small things, I plan to get what I want.
My long term goal list is big and started when I was about 14. I put together a list of things I wanted to do before I die. It includes things like: get married (done), go on an Operation Smile mission (still would love to), be a mom (I never stated anything about the quality of mom I wanted to be. This is also done.). It also includes things like: skydive, ride a Harley across the country, and receive a prestigious award. There are over 50 things on this long term list. Some I am willing to part with. I am surely not going to die if I never learn to surf in Oahu, and there are many things I would rather do (get a Master's Degree) before I surf. I look at this list from time to time and chuckle at my dreams or think I was very clever at 14 to think I could live in every state in the United States. I won't give up much to achieve some of these goals, and others of them will be the main focus of my life (enjoy every wedding anniversary).
I guess I'm just grateful that I had a professor who taught me to not give up my dreams because as I get entrenched in daily life, I think I really have nothing ahead of me but tomorrow. And who said tomorrow is a bad idea?
Thursday, March 26, 2009
We Both Wiped a Tear Drop From Our Face
The title of my post is a lyric to a song. It talks about the tears we cry for different reasons. This week, I cried for the loss of my husband's grandmother.
Darlene Stout, or "Grandma Dar" as we affectionately called her, was the only grandma I got to enjoy. My parent's parents died before I was born, or when I was too young to enjoy them. Grandma Dar was involved in my life. When I first met her in Las Vegas, Spencer and I were dating. We went down for his cousin Amy's wedding and Grandma was extra kind from the moment I saw her. She had a cheery expression. She loved everything about me--it seemed. She told Spencer if he didn't marry me than he'd have to work very hard to find another woman to take the place I'd created in her heart. (Not a direct quote, but that was the gist.) I love her and am grateful that my kids got to know Grandma Dar.
So, what other things cause a tear drop to be wiped from my face? A beautiful song. Music is just a way to get into my soul. A beautiful moment. That hug after the fight or the cute kid holding hands with her dad. A beautiful story line. That sweet moment where all that felt lost has been restored. A beautiful baby. There's simply nothing like a birth. A beautiful memory. Who doesn't want to be remembered?
On the other end of the spectrum... A well placed insult will always draw a tear. Those ones sting my very soul. A sacrilegious comment. The statements that just hurt the heart because they are so very wrong. A momentary lapse in judgment that takes an eternity to restore. A hammer hitting just the right nerve. Literally. All things that draw a tear.
Back to the song, and Grandma. As I watched her turn herself over to the ailments that would take her, the lyrics, "I guess the good Lord giveth and the good Lord taketh away..." ran through my mind. There will no longer be a Grandma. But somewhere in this beautiful life, a child was born. Somewhere someone is hurting, and somewhere someone is healing. Somewhere someone is dreaming, and somewhere someone is living their dream. It balances out. Maybe it's not the most effective coining of phrase, but the mere thought of it is worth the tears.
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