This has been an interesting year. I would have to say it has not been my best. I've had a lot of ups and downs, and many stressors, some I've blogged about here and others I have not. Overall, I am glad to see this year go, and look forward to seeing what 2008 has to offer.
I had a nice, relaxing, somewhat low key Christmas weekend.
Saturday: Did my shopping while Mom went to the grocery store. Was quite aggravated by it. Note to self: Stick to the SuperTarget near home. Going to other Targets that are arranged differently is confusing.
Sunday: Helped clean and bake cookies, watched movies.
Monday: Lazy morning for me. Mom finished baking. Dad was working and so was Jena, so Mom and I went to an open house some friends were having. Dad cooked the traditional steak dinner, although the meat was poor this time...we will not be getting steaks from that grocery store for a while! Waited up for Jena to get home from Duluth and went to bed.
Tuesday: Was up around 10:3o and we sat and watched TV for awhile. Jena was not feeling well but we woke her up long enough to open gifts about 2 pm...probably the latest Christmas "morning" I can remember. Made the usual calls to relatives. Mom, Dad and I went to see family friends for Christmas dinner, which was a very nice time. Upon arriving back home, met Jena's new boyfriend who had come over.
What I Got:
Wishing the best to everyone out there in blog land. We will have our traditional steak dinner tonight and tomorrow will join another family, some of our oldest friends, for supper.
Lint is meowing and jumping in my lap, so I figure she wants food. Upon going downstairs, I notice it is quite cold. I round the corner into the kitchen. What do I find?
The back door is wide open and Pumpkin is walking in off the porch.
That's right...Pumpkin OPENED THE DOOR and LET HERSELF OUT.
Cats...
If you are looking for the perfect holiday gift, or perhaps just a laugh, our friend Matt has some ideas, folks:
MRLT Culture Guru--Holiday Gift Guide
(Yes, I know the Frat Brother gifts are "rated R"...just laugh at the description and avoid clicking the link, boys and girls)
Alicia Says:
After the holidays?! I don't think I can wait that long to find out! :D
Neither can I. The suspense is going to drive me crazy.
I want to take a minute to address something that's been bothering me lately: the demise of some of my favorite blogs. In the years I have been a part of the blogosphere I have seen many come and go, it is a natural cycle.
Recently, though I am starting to notice people dropping their blogs (and Facebook) for reasons beyond being tired of them. I'm seeing great blogs die because the writers are becoming overwhelmed with a feeling of overexposure or are tired of dingbats leaving nasty comments under the guise of "Anonymous."
It's really sad. While I am fully aware that we all have to watch ourselves online, blogs are supposed to be a medium of free expression. They are supposed to be the writer's domain. Obviously there is a line...we shouldn't be writing slanderous lies about our friends and enemies, but being authentic should be applauded.
Am I authentic? Yes. Could I be more so? Yes, but some personal details need not be revealed just for revelation's sake.
When did openness and honesty in blogging become a bad thing?
Now, even my MOTHER has begun to question me about my blog and Facebook profile. I had to remind her of two things:
1) I have studied blogging and writing online
2) I participated in several discussions about Facebook profiles and the ability of employers to see your online identity.
Thus, I do not believe there is anything on this blog, or on my Facebook page, that I would fear getting out there. I'm pretty sure I've scarecely used a swear word on here in 3+ years with the exception of "hell" which is debatable as a cuss word to begin with.
And in fact, the ability to function in an online world may actually prove a benefit in my professional life over time, since email/blogs/Facebook etc. are the ways students communicate, and even staff communicate, to a degree that will grow over time.
What do you think?
The meeting I had yesterday went very well. Thank you to all that had crossed fingers. I'll have a better idea of things after the holidays.
I was called by someone in one of the offices at the U of M. She and her supervisor want to talk to me about some ideas and a possible position. Scheduled to meet with them at 10 on Tuesday.
Could things be looking up?
This morning I attended the services for Jared. It was a packed house...the kid was sure loved by many, many people. It was nice to see so many of the current and former student leaders of MSUSA there. It's often said that the association is like a large fraternity or extended family. And just like a family, people may not always agree but in the end they come together to support one another.
There were plenty of tears and lots of hugs, but also lots of laughter. His sister told a few great stories, and the pastor remarked about having Googled him and coming across the posts from I Don't Hate America. "I'm not sure the meaning of that, but I'm glad you don't" he said, eliciting a chuckle from many of us.
In another funny moment, Jared's father came over to our table during the after-service gathering. Upon learning I was a grad of BSU, he tried to get me to sing the school song and do the school cheer, since he attended BSU as well. One problem--I am a bad Beaver and can't do either from memory. He started singing and the entire table cracked up. As JJ said, we know where Jared got his sense of humor.
I'll close this entry with a quotation of Jared's that I have seen in several places the last few days as folks have reflected on his life. It speaks to his passion for leadership and is really how those of us that are student leaders or who strive to work with students professionally should look at each day. It will also be placed in the sidebar as the first of my new "Quotable Quotes" series.
Posts
All Comments
