Today, I'm a bit overwhelmed with everything I need to get done and the efforts I need to make for my future.
However, I know that being overwhelmed is unproductive. All I need to do is break things down and take it
One
Thing
At
A
Time
If I work hard and do everything I can, that's all I can do.
Things will work out how they should.
And, that's that.
(Plus it is sunshiney and warm in Baltimore today!! Definitely puts me in a great mood!)
This weekend, Chris and I went on a walk along the new High Line Park. We saw these adorable little birds and soaked up the sun. Gives me hope that spring is on her way?
It's that time again! That's right, campaign season is here once again. Every time you turn on the news you find updates on the primaries and the latest candidate faux pas. Isn't it great?
Aren't you excited for all of those informative calls from the candidates? How about the delight of unexpected company as people come door to door looking for votes?
No? That's not you? You aren't thrilled to participate in the joys of this electoral season?
For some of you, the time has come to unplug your landline phone and hide in your living room when you hear those knocks on your door.
Well, if you find yourself frozen, crouched in an awkward position beneath your entryway windows holding your breath, you may want to consider the other side of the story.
This is the story of the campaigner;
The story of the one who sacrifices their days, nights, entire life and potentially their soul for almost no pay and no guarantee of a employment at the end of their tenure.
Summer 2006: Casey, Jason, Me
This is the story of the coffee fetcher, who doesn't know whether to be honored or insulted that they are assigned to get coffee for the Governor.
This is the story of the idealist, who believes that their candidate is different than the rest, this is the person who is really going to change things, shake things up.
They believe this candidate will be, no, is the next Kennedy or Reagan.
This person is truly great and won't compromise.
This person sticks to their guns and doesn't get caught up in the ugly political games.
They believe this with everything in them, and believe that this grunt work, the tireless calls, the interactions with crazy people, the door to door weekend marches in the unbearable midday heat of summer...will be worth it.
They believe it will be worth it because of their cause.
People will be helped; life as we know it will change.
Social ills will be righted.
Former Maryland Governor Ehrlich
And then September comes along. People get desperate. Any lingering semblance of time away from campaign HQ disappears. Everyone eats, sleeps, breathes campaign, the adrenaline is amazing. Corners are cut. Mistakes are made. Cynicism creeps in. The political game is played.
The worst of it?
Knowing that all of your blood, sweat and tears are measured inone night - that first Tuesday in November.
And yes, when I say blood, sweat and tears, I mean blood sweat and tears.
Do you know how many paper cuts you get from stuffing those envelopes?
How much you sweat while standing on a street corner; waving while balancing a sign that's bigger than you are?
2006: Casey, Beth, Me
How quickly you cry when you haven't slept properly in weeks and you stub your toe due to your increasing lack of coordination?
Yet you have that adrenaline, and it keeps you going.
Everything is wrapped up in that final count!
Your future, your year of crazy, the relationships you've put on hold, everything.
So, in tribute to those who have experienced this unique life
and understand its joys, pains and particular forms of torture:
I give you this video, which captures perfectly the "bang your head against the wall" sort of moments that phone banking provides.
While we can't determine causation or correlation, I would assume it has something to do with the cost of voice minutes as compared to unlimited texting; that and the ease of texting, particularly due to the lack of thought required.
Unfortunately, there is an entire generation that has not learned proper phone etiquette. I went to a party that my 14 year old sister hosted, and there were groups of kids standing around, each of them with their phones out while they were talking to each other. They were texting and zoning out while their friends without phones tried talking to them. The entire conversation centered around what was being texted.
Verbal conversation requires articulation and thought on a more immediate basis than a brief text with misspelled words does.
Although I definitely fall into the category of someone who texts regularly, I feel as if there is a gap even between my younger sisters and myself.
Actually, I know there is a gap because we share a phone plan and my monthly text total is less than 50% of theirs.
Maybe it has something to do with the fact that we spent the 90s talking on the phone every night to our girlfriends, until we got in trouble for tying up the phone line. The first thing we did when we got home from school was run to the message machine to check the tape for messages. We had no access to a cell phone - outside of the "family plan" for calling in case of emergencies.
In middle school, I remember thinking it made so much sense, when I heard that one of my guy friends had written a list of topics on a sheet of paper before calling a girl he liked. He prepared himself so he wouldn't sound stupid when they ran out of things to talk about.
I guess my age group was right in that transition phase where we had phones as teens but we grew up without texting or Facebook. The most immediate communication we had was via AIM when our parents let us tie up the phone line (until they realized they needed a second line just for the internet!).
Cher was so glamorous in Clueless because she and Dion had their own phones and could use them whenever they wanted.
A lot of younger kids I know don't even like calling to order a pizza, they opt for online ordering.
As we go forward, will talking on the phone become obsolete? If so, what implications will that have?
It will be interesting to see how things play out. Think about how awkward you were when you were younger. Think about those awkward pictures, those awkward comments, those awkward moments, those awkward romances.
Now think about how instant communication has become. Now think about how quickly things can be made public. Now think about how all those pictures can be texted and forwarded and posted on Facebook. Now think about the lack of judgement young teens have...or any teens for that matter.
I guess, I wonder what the benefit is for these kids?
Yes, they are learning how to be tech savvy, and yes, many parents are getting better at learning what to monitor as information becomes more public, but there's almost unlimited access to instant information and communication.
We just booked our tickets to go visit a dear friend in New Orleans over Presidents' Day weekend.
Can't wait!
Does anyone have travel recommendations for us?
What should we check out while we're there?
Thank you for all of the suggestions you offered for my bedroom! I have some great ideas now and can't wait to implement them.
This weekend, I caved and purchased a TV. Chris helped me mount it on my wall. I'm now a proud owner of a DeWalt drill as a result!
I think it will be nice to have the news on in the mornings as I get ready for work. Hopefully, I will keep things in balance and not have it on constantly!
What did you all do this weekend? Anything fun and exciting?
The sinking of the Costa Concordia is nothing short of heartbreaking.
The thought of what the passengers and crew (not to mention all of their family and friends) went through, and are still going through, is inconceivable.
Everyone on that ship had to fight for their lives and many faced the impossible decision of helping others before themselves.
In fact, the captain is under global scrutiny for "abandoning" the ship prior to complete evacuation.
We can only hope that if we were faced with a similar situation, we'd do the right thing. But, when it comes down to it, who really knows?
When you are confronted square in the face with your mortality, who can honestly predict your reaction?
All this to say, I encourage you to remember the victims' families and friends, those still missing, and the survivors in your prayers.
She's choosing happiness in the face of overwhelming stress and turbulence.
Last week, I found myself in the depths of winter dreariness and I kept trying to readjust my focus and regain perspective.
It is so encouraging to see that other people do the same; that I'm not the only one who has days where I have to actively choose happiness.
On a lighter note, that dose of vitamin D I got from my time in the sunshine this weekend started my week in a very cheerful place!
Last night, I got to spend time with my housemate who I've been neglecting recently with all of my travels. We shared a bottle of wine over dinner and caught up on our lives and loves.
Good girlfriends are definitely one of the most valuable things in this world. You know the ones who don't mince their words, hold a mirror up to you and make you look, and get what you're trying to say without any explanation? Those are the girls to keep in your life.
I heard a funny thing the other day from a guy - apparently, if a girl doesn't have girlfriends, it is the number one giveaway that you should run the other direction because she is either crazy or mean.
I don't know that it's always true.
Some girls are shy or are surrounded with crazy girls in which case, the lack of girlfriends is proof of sanity.
I suppose though, as a general rule, it's probably pretty on point.
Chris' buddies welcomed us to Miami on Friday evening. This was my first time meeting his friends from Miami and I was warned ahead of time that it might be a bit overwhelming, in the way that only a group of guys bro-ing out can be.
I had nothing to worry about.
They were a great time and treated me like gold the whole time I was there.
We were woken up Saturday morning with summons to come out to the balcony. I jumped out of bed and scrambled for my camera.
The guys had climbed from the second story balcony onto the roof above.
Quite the early morning wake up call!
Chris warned me that we might be in for a bit of a raucous weekend, but we didn't go to any bars while we were there.
His buddy, Alex, had just gotten a gorgeous 42ft fishing boat and we spent most of our time out on the water.
The sea was a bit rough, but I loved every second of it. We even encountered waves close to 8ft, but this boat handled it like a gem.
Sunday evening, things were a bit calmer, and we took the boat to dinner in Miami. We pulled the boat up to the dock and ate amazing seafood on the porch overlooking the water.
I finally got a chance to see the "U"'s campus after hearing so much about Chris' college days! Don't get me wrong, St. Mary's was amazing and I loved every second of it, but the University of Miami has a definite resort feel. They took the fun that we had on the waterfront 3 months out of every school year, and extended it to the full year. This weekend was one of their coldest weekends, with lows in the high 40s and highs in the mid 70s. It was heaven. Can you imagine that much sunshine and warmth?!
We went out kite fishing and were 0 for 2 on sailfish. The reel stopped working and the fish escaped. Chris did get a mackerel while we were bait fishing though!
This boat flies - we went 60+ mph.
Imagine sitting on the hood of your car and flying down the highway - add some better scenery and you've got it.
Chris and I climbed (yes, you have to hold on for dear life and climb your way forward when you're going that fast!) our way forward to the bow and held onto the anchor line for stability.
Exhilarating doesn't begin to describe the feeling.
As much as the guys care about fishing...I really - don't. It's nice, but it doesn't get me crazy excited, so just having time out on the water was so much fun.
My favorite part of the whole weekend was Sunday morning out on the water. We only had 4 people on the boat including me and we cranked great tunes, had a few beers and soaked up the sun. I helped a bit with the fishing, but mostly just hung out. The guys enjoy each other's company so much and it was a lot of fun to spend time with them.
All in all, I'm crossing my fingers for good weather next weekend. If the wind is right, we're going back for a boat trip to the Bahamas.
Last night I took stock of my life. I looked at the things that were upsetting me and the things that were making me happy. Then, I took some steps to make some changes. Now, although nothing has dramatically changed, I feel significantly better about the small progress I made. Then again, I might just be happier because the sun is shining and I'm headed to Miami tomorrow :)
What are you doing this weekend? I'm dreaming of sunshine, sand, water, sundresses, bikinis, flops and sunnies...
Also, a friend sent me a link to this promotion to create and send a free card! I just created mine and it was so easy and turned out really well if I do say so myself. Valentine's Day is coming up and even if you don't have a special someone, it's always fun to brighten someone's day with a random card!
Today, I want to scream. I can't tell if the gray cloudy skies have taken over or whether it's the day.
I have a million things to do and every time I get started on one, ten more arrive.
I know my life is not rough, by any stretch of the imagination. So many people have it worse than I do.
I'm trying to be grateful for the wonderful things around me and regain perspective. The things that irk me today won't matter in the long run. Although they seem indomitable at the moment, I'm sure they are not truly overwhelming.
I guess, I just need to take a deep breath, and keep on going. Here are some pretty things to brighten your day and chase away some of the January gloom that has snuck up on me.
Mid January. Although we've had bipolar weather recently, it is midwinter. I'm hoping we'll have at least one snowpocalypse since we're stuck with this chilly air!
In preparation for said snowpocalypse, I have compiled some of my favorite movies, which I recommend you collect for when you are stuck indoors.
I also recommend you stock up on yummy snacks, comfy pjs, and floppy toed socks.
Isn't this elephant adorable? Chris thought I had lost my mind when I insisted we stop so I could take a picture of it. Whenever I visit him in NY, we end up walking all over the city. I love that we can ramble all over and never run out of new things to see.
The UN Building
Do you know that couple? The super cute one, they exercise together? The girl, she's tiny and has a headband that matches her spandex. Every step she takes looks effortless and it's obvious, she's never sweat a day in her life?
I'm not that girl.
Saturday, we went on a run along the east river path (read: Chris ran, I jogged, stumbled, walked and wheezed). What possessed me to attempt this - I still don't know!
We did luck out with balmy weather!
Let's be honest though, if the temperature had not hovered around 60, there's no way he would have persuaded me to try out this running nonsense.
Along with, or perhaps despite Chris' new role as personal trainer from hell, the view provided enough motivation to keep me moving. With the sun shining brightly, a slight breeze coming off the water, the sound of seagulls cawing and Chris yelling "DON'T STOP MOVING, KEEP GOING", I almost believed spring was here!
Sunday morning's walk to get breakfast quickly reminded me that it is in fact January. It was nice to get a bit of respite from my recent hibernation, however short it was.
Sunday, we wandered through Tudor City and had the temperature not plummeted I would have taken pictures of the distinctive architecture. We'll have to go back the next time I visit!
Chris took me out to dinner with some of his co-workers at Alta on Saturday night (by the way, Alta's food and sangria are amazing!), so I decided on Sunday that it was my turn to treat him to dinner. I made a delicious Chicken Parm and served it over pasta with sides of garlic bread and salad with homemade dressing and croutons. It may not have been our lowest calorie meal, but after the running I felt like we earned it!
And on that note, don't you think he owes it to me to try out yoga now? Especially since he's planning on making me do this running thing again! Even more especially because I still cannot walk properly two days later?!?!
All in all, we had a great weekend together.
Is it bad that, this morning, in my bleary state on the 4:40am train, all I could do was console myself with the fact that Miami is only 5 days away?
I know I should try to live in the present, but recently I find myself living for our weekends more and more.
Maybe when school starts up again it will force me to focus more on the day to day.
