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January Sweets
I blog because there are so many things to talk about that if all I did was journal I wouldn’t be able to share. It’d be like reading a good business book and not having a discussion to go with it. Lucky (?) for you that even though I slowed down again since the start of the semester, this won’t be one long multiple topic post. Instead, you’ll have more to look forward to (if you enjoy this one).
What my young friend was pointing to in this book was a description of his gerbils. He has two of them and was happily letting everyone know as they entered the house so they would go with him to his room and visit. Even more special, though, was the reason he was all dressed up. It was his mom’s wedding day and his responsibility to give her away (he eventually asked what that meant during the month before). What I liked was the genuineness of it all. How could you look at the photograph below and not believe in love?
I felt that at another wedding about a year and a half ago. That one was bigger and was a longer day of photographing where the one yesterday was smaller and simpler. The bottom line is that they both felt “real.” When I know so many who are or have ended relationships, it’s nice to meet people in ones that have lasted and seem like it really will “as long as you both shall live.”
Does it sound like a song? Whether it is original, such as with the Chili Pepper Songwriting Club, or a karaoke birthday serenade (below), relationships are a definite song topic. In fact, one of my friends said he wanted to date Taylor Swift just so she would break up with him and he would be famous in a song. Lol.
The other relationships that I am always hopeful will stand the test of time are the parent and child, whether the child is a teenager or adult.Cheers to all of it and the hopefulness it brings!
What do you think?
Thanks for reading! (and commenting/liking)
Stacy
The First Day
Window View
Whether you are in the Midwest or not, if it looks cold outside in this picture, you would be correct. It snowed most of the day and the high was in the teens. The windchill made it feel below zero at times. This didn’t stop people from participating in Kalamazoo’s 31st annual One One Run, though.
Starting line
Several of my friends and I joined the crowd of people who decided to brave the weather and move by walking or running in the annual event. Participants have a choice of running or walking, and going around the course once for 2.2 miles, or twice for 4.4. The first time I tried this, in 2012, I walked. This time, I wanted to run. It is much warmer! Plus, the runners start first, and although I have run the distance of one lap before, I ended up switching off between running and walking. The course was snowy and the wind whipped pretty good at one point off the lake.
Cheryl and Stacy
One of the greatest challenges with this weather is figuring out how to layer well. When I saw a friend there and asked to take a picture, I had to debate whether or not to remove any of those layers. Cheryl commented that we get to see faces. We were in a tent at this moment, and decided that it was not worth less layers for a picture. The range of layers and outfits was interesting to see, including some people wearing shorts. I kept pretty warm other than my nose. It probably took 10 minutes before I felt comfortable overall, and by the end, I was definitely at a good temperature and ready for the treats in the tent!
We did it!
Five of us arrived together. Three chose to walk and Dave, the male of the group, ran two course laps. This was the third time Dave and Margaret (in front with glasses) participated. I was with them in 2012, too. Despite the weather and some of the doubts, we all had fun and enjoyed going. It is an untimed race and we are all listed as #1. Plus, as I heard someone on the course say, “You are first place in your name category.”
What are you doing to get moving in 2014?
Thanks for reading! (and commenting/liking)
As Basic as Breathing
Happy New Year!
I don’t think I’d be a true blogger without writing something regarding New Years and resolutions. Since I don’t participate in resolutions, how about this: remember to breathe. It seems so easy, right? What we do naturally. Yet, on a weekly, and sometimes daily, basis, I am reminded to breathe. Sometimes it is in my Yoga class and directed at all of us. As basic as breathing is, we still seem to want to hold our breath and, unless we are headed under water, what’s the point? Why do we stop and think that will keep us from moving?
Stacy on NYE
What I try to do is change lifestyles. Sometimes, this is uncomfortable when going against the flow of others. For NYE, all I wanted to do was see friends and play games. I decided I really wanted to play pool more than board games, and one of my friends was the DJ nearby. The good thing about a dive bar? I could wear my hoodie instead of dressing up. It was a bit crowded for my taste, but I did stay long enough to play a couple games of pool with my friend Magic (yes, he is a magician!)
Stacy and Magic
I also was able to see another friend at the same place. This was my favorite picture.
Stacy and Bob
Bob liked this one better:
Stacy and Bob on NYE
And, as mentioned, my friend was the DJ. It was a mix of karaoke and music (yes, I did a song for karaoke). The pictures came out a little bit strange because of the lighting. Here are a couple of them:
Stacy and Brando
Stacy and Brando on NYE
After all that, I decided to go down the road and sit with Tiffany while her boyfriend was the DJ. It was the same thing – music and karaoke mix. Another dive bar, and really, not my favorite type of place to go. It was all about the people, though, and everyone mentioned I don’t get to see very often or haven’t seen in awhile. The picture at the top of the post is with Tiffany. Here are more that include others sitting at the same table:
NYE
Stacy and Tiffany
So, to bring this all back to the original point: I work on changing things in my life that will be continuous. Being reminded of something as basic as breathing on a constant basis seems to me like I need to change something or things so the breathing really IS more natural, and practicing Yoga is definitely a step towards that goal. The ability to chill with friends is another piece.
Do you make resolutions for the new year? If so, what is on your list or what are your other thoughts/comments?
Thanks for reading (and commenting/liking)
Happy 2014!
The Age of Sassiness
Yesterday, October 1st, was my birthday. During the month or so leading up to it, I was having a hard time about it. Sometimes, whatever the number of the chronological age is, I am fine. This time, the idea of being officially midway between 40 and 50 was hard to grasp. How could I really be that old? How was it possible to give a personal example that was “twenty years ago” or more? Were others having similar issues at this stage? (are/did you?)
One of my closest friends happens to be about 8 months older than me (and between his birthday and mine, we pick on each other for being “younger” or “older”) and we’ve been having discussions about it. I agree with what he says about being “ageless.” I mean, no one really knows how old either of us is. We fit with those younger or older and go with the flow of it. Yet, the number is challenging for both of us.
While still contemplating these thoughts during the final countdown to my birthday, I decided to take a picture of the sunset. It wasn’t the end or even any part of a vacation, yet it felt significant. It was the end of being a particular age. What a beautiful site, don’t you think?
My birthday celebration officially started last Thursday when I went to karaoke because a friend of mine was hosting. It continued on my actual birthday with more karaoke and friends. What made me feel better was what I did in-between. Take a look at my hair in the picture above, and how it looks now, as it does in the picture with my cat:
Notice the change in color? Somehow, that transformation to RED was more than dying my hair. It makes me feel “sassy.” Therefore, I have changed my attitude from being “close to fifty (OMG!)” to “This is my age of Sassy-ness.” I think my cat may agree, too. How has the thought of an age effected you?
Thanks for reading (and commenting/liking)!
Boot Camp Part III: The Graduation Album
As you may have guessed from seeing the bonfire pictures in the Bonding by Bonfire post, there was more than burning photographs happening. Someone was taking pictures that evening. I actually lent my camera after asking ahead of time, and didn’t know what I was going to see until they were downloaded. I already had a “Fast to Fabulous” type book for graduation from Creative Memories. The idea of that book was to put everything together, fast.
I started with the celebration at school that was a couple of nights before the big ceremony.
Then included pages with pictures taken while waiting and during the ceremony.
Next was the celebration with family, and later (not shown here), with friends:
Finally, was the bonfire celebration:
If it took longer than the hour it was only because I had many, many, many more pictures than the expected layouts for this book and didn’t stick to the format. Overall, a pretty fast process, considering. It is nice when albums are themed or designed to accomodate several. The cover of this one was a sparkly black and could have been used for a wedding, graduation, or anything similar.
What do you think?
Thanks for reading (and commenting!)
The Gift
Graduation was less than a week ago, as I write this post. The main speaker throughout was the President of Western Michigan University. It turned out to be a beautiful day in Michigan on the day of the graduation ceremony. In fact, one of the first really nice weather days in awhile, since Spring has been slow in bringing the warmer weather. Dr. Dunn stated that for a closing he usually quotes a well-known leader, such as Winston Churchill, Robert Kennedy, or someone similar. For this one ceremony (I cannot confirm the other two), he decided to “Change it up” and return to a time when we were all much younger:
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…” Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
I LOVED his choice. It is a good representation for college graduates, too. We have ended one path and have a choice of where we can go next. It is quite an emotional mix of excitement, anxiety, and sadness.
As a part of dealing with my own emotional stew, I signed up for a writing workshop (mentioned in Identity Thief) about rewriting your life. The first week was about the past and the second week was about the present. (Next week, I am attending the 3rd and final session). The part of the discussion I found interesting was the definition of “present.” Since the past is done and dead, and the future is not guaranteed, the present is a gift. Everyday, right now, is a gift.It is such a great way to look at the moment. What are you going to do with your gift today?
On that particular graduation day, I had many, many gifts that deserve acknowledging. Besides the beautiful weather, a gift was being able to celebrate the ceremony with my mom and her husband and also with my brother and sister-in-law afterwards at dinner. Plus, for the ceremony, it was a gift to have friends there, most of whom were my classmates. Another gift, unrelated to graduation, was a new cafe that opened in my neighborhood which is focused on open mics and poetry. I had a chance to meet the owner and look around briefly before going out for the night. That, of course, brings me to the gift of my friends who were able to celebrate following my ceremony, at the bar. It goes further than that, though, since the lead singer of the band that was playing is also one of my friends. He may not have been hired to be there for me, yet, in a sense, he was. I’m so excited that Nate and the 9ers were there. Don’t try to hire them for a wedding or other function, though. They are a combination of Nate’s former band mates (it can vary for each show) who play for the fun of it, without practicing or having a set list. If it sounds like a party, that’s cause it always is, which was a great way to end graduation day.
The celebration began several days before, thanks to the Haworth College of Business, for all the MBA and MSA graduates. I had family represented by my brother, and a close (“sister”) friend there, many classmates, plus faculty and staff. I am even ok about the speech we were required to give before receiving a gift to go along with our certificates of achievement. It’s been a wonderful week.
This all ties back to the Dr. Suess quote, since graduation is done, school is done (for now), and it is time to steer. What do you think?
Thanks for reading (and commenting)!
sundayswithstacy 