Sunday, March 29, 2009

Interesting Films

I deemed yesterday a "take it easy" day. This is code for: I watched a ton of movies, napped, and surfed the web. In the process I found two films that are fantastic. Both are a bit dark but address important issues-- immigration and the history of women's suffrage. The two films were pleasant surprises from my local video store's independent film section, so they might be a little harder to find, but are well worth the watch if you find yourself having a "take it easy" day.

The Visitor (2007)


Iron Jawed Angels (2004)

Thursday, March 26, 2009

The Wave

Ahh... It feels so much better to be on the up-side of the wave. I just needed to feel a little better after catching this nasty strain of the flu-- which I do-- and to put things back into perspective-- which I did.
Thanks Zicam, and good job, Self! Way to pull yourself out of the rut! :)

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Dear Negative Nancy...

Dear Self-

I would really like it if you could stop being such a Negative Nancy. I realize that it seems life is trying to bog you down-- the school slump/burn-out, still being sick for a really long time, the crappy Montana spring weather, missing spring break because you were sick for the ENTIRE week-- but seriously, snap out of it! Things could be so much worse!

You're no fun to be around! Where did the happy-go-lucky self go? You know, the one who always smiles, has a good laugh/snort, knows how to have fun, the creative person??? Can she come back please? Is life so bad that you can't turn that frown upside down? I'm worried that if you don't get this grumpiness under control, you'll chase away your friends and your most amazing gentleman friend-- that would be terrible!

Time to pull yourself out of this rut, Self. Ready? On three... One, two, three...

Monday, March 9, 2009

A step back...


My mom is the best. Every once in a while she'll send me a surprise package with some little treasure. It might be a new capaline shirt, a coupon for something I might need, a fuzzy pair of socks, warm winter mittens, or even a little note just to say "hi." But this time, I came home to find a really great treasure-- my baby pictures.


Some people might not think this is much to get excited about, but then again that "some" of people didn't have everything blow away in a tornado this spring. I am lucky I didn't lose a loved one, but of the things my family and I lost, one of the greatest losses was our personal photos. With time, though, some are trickling in, like the package my mom sent me the other day.


Apparently my aunt had saved some of those billfold-sized baby pictures from when my mom sent them out 26 years ago, and my aunt even took a few pictures herself. She gave them all to my mom, and now I have some of them. Needless to say, this package was priceless, and thank goodness it made the 1000 mile journey to Montana without incident! (Thank you Mr. Postman!)


Being able to look back at baby-me helps me appreciate all of the adventures and events that have happened over the course of my entire life. The pictures are the visual reminders of where I've been, what I was (even in my awkward junior high phases), and the people who were there along the way. Even if I would have lost the pictures for good, I still would have a history. But, the pictures are the visual reminder of that history; they are my porthole into the past reminding me of the little details that can only be captured by a snap shot. They help me remember and realize just how far I've come-- from my first smiles to my college graduation and everything in between and beyond. They remind me of my progress which is, of course, especially important on those miserable days when it feels like I'm sliding backwards instead of plowing ahead. And one day, I hope these pictures will help my kids see that I am not all that unlike them in looks or in experiences-- I too once had to learn how to smile, crawl, read, overcome adversity, grow, and be me.


So today's post is dedicated to my Aunt Linda and my Mom. Thank you for being you, for all the help you've offered me, and for giving me back a little chunk of my history. I am grateful.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

My Palisade Falls Haiku



Adventure buddies--
a priceless commodity
on bright afternoons

when the sun looks down,
and we stomp through the deep snow
to the frozen falls.


The forest is still,
but the snow crunches and squeaks,
pushed down by our feet.


Our voices are mute
as we huff up the steep hill,
our breathing in sync.


There, we snap photos
recording our adventure,
capturing the scene.


The frozen water
spills stiffly from the tall cliff,
white and glacier blue.


We stand together,
happily admiring
Mother nature's art.


In this winter-scape,
his warm, gentle company
chases out the chill.


Today, I am glad
my adventure buddy is--
here with me to "be."