Friday, December 31, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
The Year of Being Brave
When I was in second grade, in an effort to bridge different schools within the same district, my classmates and I were assigned penpals from neighboring elementary schools. The letters were written in careful, round writing. I assumed my penpals copied their letters from the teacher's chalkboard, since they all followed the same topic, sentence structure, and phrases. My penpal asked me if I had any New Year's resolutions.
I didn't know what a New Year's resolution was and what it entailed. I remember thinking that it sounded really official and that I should find one, quick, because maybe we were all supposed to have one. Essentially, I didn't understand the point of having one. Even as a seven year old, I sensed that resolutions were like hot air balloons, pumped full of false hope and good intentions. It didn't seem substantial.
We ended up writing a response that was more or less copied from the chalkboard. I think I told my penpal that I wanted to be a better student/speller/whatever was written on the board, same as the other 30 students in my class.
Fast forward. Last year was the first year that I sat down and wrote a resolution. I was frustrated and stupidly optimistic and tired of trying. I was working in a nursing home and studying for the bar again and living in limbo. I resolved, somewhat naively, to Be Brave.
So I was brave. I was brave and bold and sometimes stupid and kinda reckless and mostly smart. Now December is on its way out and the world has dipped back into view. I'm amazed by my good friends, by the people I've met, by everything out there.
I didn't know what a New Year's resolution was and what it entailed. I remember thinking that it sounded really official and that I should find one, quick, because maybe we were all supposed to have one. Essentially, I didn't understand the point of having one. Even as a seven year old, I sensed that resolutions were like hot air balloons, pumped full of false hope and good intentions. It didn't seem substantial.
We ended up writing a response that was more or less copied from the chalkboard. I think I told my penpal that I wanted to be a better student/speller/whatever was written on the board, same as the other 30 students in my class.
Fast forward. Last year was the first year that I sat down and wrote a resolution. I was frustrated and stupidly optimistic and tired of trying. I was working in a nursing home and studying for the bar again and living in limbo. I resolved, somewhat naively, to Be Brave.
So I was brave. I was brave and bold and sometimes stupid and kinda reckless and mostly smart. Now December is on its way out and the world has dipped back into view. I'm amazed by my good friends, by the people I've met, by everything out there.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
three among many
1) I hate to complain about this type of situation, but I strongly dislike sleeping on wooden planks. And I'm not going to take this lying down!
2) I would like to wrap myself in a cocoon of roast duck skin and eat my way out.
3) I forgot how drop dead beautiful it is up here.
2) I would like to wrap myself in a cocoon of roast duck skin and eat my way out.
3) I forgot how drop dead beautiful it is up here.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
how apropos
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/12/fashion/12Modern.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&ref=modernlove&adxnnlx=1292457088-iUJ5vENMMVKwGYPFWmPWgg
Monday, December 13, 2010
From Russia with Love
Caroline: .....
i'd have to think about it
you should post on facebook
oh the magic of the internet
"seeking Russian
sponsor"
Sent at 5:19 PM on Monday
me: HAHAHAHA
I could elicit all sorts of inappropriate responses that way!
Caroline: yes!
do it!
it will be hilarious
my friend might know someone
he did peace corps in Kahzikstan
and might have some Russian connections
i wonder if the govermnet is monitoring this conversation
because I said Russian and connection
Sent at 5:22 PM on Monday
me: Russian connection! Russian connection!
run for the hills!
Caroline: there's a satellite pointing at you right now!!!!!
i'd have to think about it
you should post on facebook
oh the magic of the internet
"seeking Russian
sponsor"
Sent at 5:19 PM on Monday
me: HAHAHAHA
I could elicit all sorts of inappropriate responses that way!
Caroline: yes!
do it!
it will be hilarious
my friend might know someone
he did peace corps in Kahzikstan
and might have some Russian connections
i wonder if the govermnet is monitoring this conversation
because I said Russian and connection
Sent at 5:22 PM on Monday
me: Russian connection! Russian connection!
run for the hills!
Caroline: there's a satellite pointing at you right now!!!!!