single somethin' or other...

Starting in the middle of January, a series of events have prepared me for the glorious day of February 14, 2009. Lessons, talks, books, conversations...all have tried to influence me to have a positive experience with St. Valentine's Day this year, and frankly-I'm amused by it. I get the feeling that society is concerned by my attitude toward the celebration of such holidays. Last night while, I was trying to fall asleep, I went over some of my most memorable Valentine's Days in my lifetime: a) 5th grade. We made our own boxes. I sliced my finger open while scoring the posterboard for my secret crush's box. Still have the scar; b) Rexburg. I remember standing in one of the most beautiful snowfalls I've ever seen and nearly crying because there was SO MUCH snow and I was severely lacking in Vitamin D. Also, had my first quality experience with NyQuil. Went to Wal-Mart for the supply and went home to bed. Missed my roommate dancing at half-time of the basketball game, but was pleasantly surprised when two very dear friends showed up with a Valentine/Get Well card and a box of chocolates. Still have the card. c) Last year. I had a short day at work and went home to have my own little "single-awareness" evening. Instead I went to visit my brother and help him clean his house for his first Valentine's Day with his wife. I stood there and felt the first of a series of heart-breaks that helped me to realize (once again) that the Lord is in charge and it all works in HIS timetable. Later that night my brother and sister-in-law showed up with a flower for me. I felt loved to say the least.
This year I choose to find people who love me or need my love and spend time with them. It doesn't have to be a "single-awareness" day. I just watched SOME LIKE IT HOT. I don't think it gets much more appropriate...love, flowers, pretty girls, St Valentine's Day massacre, Chicago mafia, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis in drag, Osgood-land. What is there NOT to love about this movie? It's a classic. There is so much to be learned from Sugar's attraction to tenor sax players even though she KNOWS that they are nothing but trouble. And then there are always Osgood's famous last words, "nobody's perfect." This year, I choose to accept that thought/concept and embrace the fact that nobody is perfect and I look forward to St Valentine's Day with something like unto optimism. Go team. Don't let me down...

denial

In all reality, this is not the first post I have written called "denial". In all reality, it probably won't be the last either. The first was a response to the past week in which I really decided that most of the world lives in denial. It was illustrated by points taken from recent film (ie THE BUCKET LIST and HE'S JUST NOT IN TO YOU) and recent experiences from my life and the lives around me, but then reality hit me. MY BEDROOM LOOKS LIKE A NUCLEAR TORNADO HIT IT!!! I realized it is because I have partially finished projects ALL over the room. It is literally ridiculous. This is the conclusion that I have come to. If my mother were to see it, she would ground me. In the spirit of my mother (because I do love her), I have officially grounded myself until my bedroom looks like a real person lives there. If that entails re-arranging furniture, so be it. Something has got to change. Denial is no longer acceptable. I am embracing reality.

the never ending awkwardness...

remember larry? he's married now. (way to keep the commitment!) his wife came with him to his appointment today. (yay for the happy couple!) now, as the receptionist, i do a lot of "filtering". management doesn't always want to to talk to EVERY patient that walks in. i was a bit surprised when larry's wife stephanie (name once again altered for hippa compliance) walked right up to me and asked to speak with the office manager. i asked her what it was in regard to and she told me that she had heard that we were hiring and was interested in applying for a job. REALLY!!! can my life get any more awkward? oh wait...shouldn't have asked that question. i just cursed myself. someday i'll learn, right? i'm pretty sure that this is some higher power's way of keeping me humble. yay me. i'll learn someday.

Factoids...

1) I don't like fish, but I do like sushi.
2) I was on the Math Team in high school.
3) I love Utah sunrises and Nebraska sunsets.
4) I graduated from college in English and did not read another book for 3 years.
5) I tend to over analyze things…to the point that my father (the straight-faced courtroom attorney) told me that I suck the fun out of things.
6) I hated everything about the great outdoors until I was 18.
7) I never wanted to learn Spanish.
8) I am perpetually lazy.
9) I write with my left hand to make myself stay awake.
10) Currently, my greatest fear is chronic pain.
11) I have worn the same pajamas since 2002. LOVE SCRUBS!!!
12) I am totally and completely fascinated by the human body-but not enough to study medicine.
13) Since I graduated from college my attention span has decreased exponentially.
14) I run without music.
15) I have a memory bank full of useless trivia.
16) I am a copy artist. I rarely have an original idea.
17) I don’t drink soda and don’t really eat candy-my body hates me when I do.
18) I have a freakish memory.
19) I knew who Frank Sinatra was before I knew who Tom Cruise was.
20) In 3rd grade I was voted most studious.
21) I broke the same elbow twice in less than one year.
22) I’d rather sleep than eat—but the more tired I am, the more I fight going to sleep.
23) I have paid for one hair cut in the past 6 years.
24) I have plans to see the Pacific and Atlantic coasts before Mother’s Day.
25) I have no idea who is playing in the Super Bowl.

I have to quit answering questions...

I was at work one day and one of our patients requested to speak with me. I was in the back, but I came out the following conversation ensued. (Names have been changed for HIPPA compliance.)
Larry: I have to preface this by "I'm getting married."
Me: Really? Congratulation! That's so exciting!
Larry: But I just have to know-are you married?
Me: No.
Larry: Engaged?
Me: No.
Larry: Dating someone?
Me: No-contentedly single.
Larry: I saw you wearing a ring...
(I wore a ring once. It was April Fool's Day.)
Me: No, I don't wear jewelry. -showing my hands for proof-
Larry: Well, I just want you to know-I think you are a beautiful woman and I love your personality. And I really wanted to ask you out once, but I couldn't get the guts to do it.
Me: (What the junk?!?) Oh.
Larry: I have to know. If I had asked you out, would you have said yes?
Me: I don't know Larry. I was kind of dating someone there for a while. It depends on where things were with that.
Larry: Oh...okay.
Now. Adding a little more detail to the story, Larry is 41. I...am not. To quote our dear friend Charlie Brown, "GOOD GRIEF!"-how the devil do I get myself into these things? I know-it really isn't my fault. Sometimes things just happen. (yay for opportunities for learning and growth.) But this is my concern, THE MAN WAS ENGAGED!!! Is there no commitment in that?!? Seriously now...some are concerned by lack of importance that people are placing on marriage and the home and family. Frankly, after this experience (and others-Larry isn't the only offender) I'm not surprised. Until people value their word and the commitments that they have made, there will always be a reason for concern. But in the mean time...we know that I'm amused to say the least.

Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference.
Virginia Satir

this weeks goals

1) get a better attitude about cold and sleet.
2) find a GOOD recipe for minestrone.
3) run 4 days this week.
4) finish alice in wonderland.
5) keep a clean space on my floor.