Priorities

I guess I don't really post here much b/c nobody really reads it! :) I've been working on thesis editing for our seminary, at first an interesting endeavor which quickly turned into drudgery. I've been feeling a little nostalgic because of all the changes soon to happen at work. And 2 reunions coming up this summer, the high school class as well as my volunteer corps group. Thinking about all that makes me feel old. At the same time, though, I feel way too immature to deal with some things that I have to deal with. In spite of all this, I'm drawn to thinking about all the wonderful things with which I have been blessed. Yes, I am a "glass is half-full" sort of girl. Things I love, in stream-of-consciousness order:

• Nate, who deals with all my baggage and lets me deal with his in return.
• Students who are incredibly fun, talented, and smart. They teach me more than I teach them, no contest.
• Rainy days and green grass.
• Singing & ringing.
• Young adult friends.
• Being called upon for information. We matter, we really do!
• The excitement of finals, graduation, and summer.
• My annual 15-minute massage during National Library Week.
• Planning menus & using coupons, dorky I know.
• Getting the mail if there's something good.
• Checking blog stats.
• Vanilla ice cream with Nate's homemade chocolate syrup.
• NPR.
• Real respect from faculty who matter.
• Collection development.
• Catching up with Bloglines.
  

Looking ahead

Now I'm in the anger stage. But at least I can name it--that's healthy, right? ;)
And I'm actually starting to look ahead. I was so proud of myself yesterday for coming up with a creative teaching idea out of the blue. I'm hoping to try it in the fall with new first-year students--it has to do with investigating internet hoaxes and some non-hoaxes that sound too weird to be true. What sources do they use to determine credibility? This is what I generally don't have--the ability to come up with creative lessons, topics & strategies that will actually engage students and make research relevant for them. Maybe someday I'll have that ability.

Enough about work. We are relaxing this weekend, enjoying the nice weather, and did some fun stuff. Went to see UD's improv group, Spartaneous, last night. Very fun. This morning we went to the Flight Team's breakfast out at the airport. I like supporting our students outside of class as well as in class.

Other than that, not much going on. Sunshine is good, warm weather is good, and I am actually pretty good as well. Trying to think positive, challenging as that is right now!

I'm back, sort of

I realized (thanks Terry) that I was WAY behind on my blog. It's just not a high priority right now and frankly I'd forgotten about it. I do have some updates, so here's the short version:

I'll have a new position @ work starting June 1. This is a promotion to Assistant Director. It was open b/c my boss is leaving @ the end of May. I don't feel like editorializing about this right now b/c I'm in between denial & anger in the stages of grief (about the latter part, not the former). More later.

I also realized (thanks again Terry) that exercise is a good stress reliever. Big surprise, I know. The bottom rung of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is not happening so well for me right now b/c of stress, so hopefully exercise will help my eating & sleeping. I did Pilates tonight and that was great. Must keep up. Sound like Bridget Jones.

Words to read until I convince myself of their meaning:
We cannot do everything
and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.
This enables us to do something,
and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way,
an opportunity for God's grace to enter and do the rest.
-Oscar Romero

Entire prayer

Seriously. Enough already!

Yet another blizzard today. I feel like I'm in pioneer days and it's just blizzard all winter! The performance was cancelled today. Good thing--the roads were dangerous. I went to church and really shouldn't have! On my way home, I slid right past our driveway and ended up parking down the street!

I've shoveled 4 times today (3 in front, 1 in back). And it's drifting a lot so tomorrow getting out to work should be interesting. But you can't help but laugh. Here are a few pics. They don't do it justice...

Permission to relax

This week I gave myself permission to relax. When I wasn't shoveling that is! We had a snow day on Wednesday. Good thing because we got about 12 inches! It was awful. I didn't even go to church for Ash Wednesday! I shoveled 4 times that day just trying to keep up. So yes, 95-pound weakling Anne Marie shoveled the wet heavy stuff all by herself. And is a little sore. BUT it was good exercise.

Aside from that hard work, I vegged out with a cup of hot chocolate & a movie, made some awesome bread pudding, and just tried to stay warm!

Today Nate is at his AEA class again so I'm on my own. And what does a girl do with a little time on her hands? Shop! I don't want to spend much, but I did need a pair of work pants & maybe a few tops. So I went to our Goodwill SuperStore for only the 2nd time. I hadn't shopped for clothes there before and holy cow! I'm never going to shop anywhere else for clothes! I think b/c of the location on the west side of town, there are great brands like Aeropostale & Old Navy. I got a pair of pants, a cute sweater and a brand new (with tags!) Old Navy shirt for only $4 each! And a great Nine West purse for $1.25. Seriously I feel like a new woman.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do the rest of the day. I don't have rehearsal until tomorrow night, so I can just chill and maybe do some projects around the house. It's nice to have some relax time. And even better with permission to not do anything!