Lamps in a cafe in San Juan Islands

Uneasy Feeling

03.30.06

There are certain situations that make me feel uneasy. These are the elements of a detached world–the unreal, the surreal, the nightmares. I know it sounds funny, but I get creeped out by three main life circumstances that happen to millions of people each day, I am sure.

The first situation is drug abuse. In watching movies featuring characters with drug issues(Ray, Walk The Line, Trainspotting), and seeing the effects of it on people in Seattle (and sometimes my students), I get almost angry at what happens to people who use drugs. They become shells of themselves. Enigmas, but hollow ones. The life that they feel they are rising to is a false one, and it alienates those around them. Irreparable damage inevitably ensues. And I just get plain creeped out. By the way, this includes drunkenness, anesthesia, and other reality-changing experiences.

The second is infidelity. Again, my response tonight regarding this situation is due to watching movies, but I think the reason this bothers me so much is because when you invest so much in someone else and realize that he or she is living a separate life that doesn’t include you, the trust is gone, the common bond is gone, the solidarity is gone, and doubts come in to haunt you for the rest of the relationship. Doubts, distrust, and a new reality that you aren’t everything to that person.

The last is clowns. No, just kidding, but I am sure that there are more of these situations that I will wrap my words around in the near future.

In the news

03.28.06

So..in the last two weeks, I’ve:
-seen a musical at the 5th ave theater
-eaten out 5 times, twice with Lesley, Justin and the Ogles, twice with Anna, CJ, and Justin, and once with Dawn
-gone running (one time, it was 5 miles!)
-seen Inside Man at the theater
-drove around Seattle for fun
-went to a Mary Kay Career Conference in Tacoma
-had a film night (Luther)
-had 4 job shadowers passing through
-gone to multiple meetings regarding budget, school structure, etc.
-pinned my sister, Anna, as a Mary Kay consultant
-had a free pedicure, thanks to Joy
-went to a book group meeting
-had no grad school homework
-done at least 6 loads of laundry

There’s probably more that I’m forgetting, but it’s been a mixed-up last couple of weeks. This week is back to “normal,” but it’s far from boring. I’ve not watched American Idol in a few weeks, and I just watched Gray’s Anatomy for the first time in March, I believe.

Apologies

03.13.06

Wow. I was just reading over my posts from last March and I realized how negative many of my posts have been. I don’t mean to be negative, but sometimes I feel like I can rant to my blog faster than I can write in my journal. I apologize for being so negative–my life is really good!! And here’s to better writing in the future…I think my writing has declined in quality and quantity.

Running

03.13.06

I like running. I really do. But I have to be GOOD at it to like it, and that requires not falling out of practice, which I have. The last “run” I did was the Brew-Ha-Ha 5K in October. I need something to run for…to work towards…to keep me consistent. So….I haven’t really decided “for sure” on this yet, but Aaron asked if I wanted to run in a 1/2 marathon in June. It would be fun to take a weekend trip with Justin to the San Juans (where the marathon is), and I need something to run for. If a little toning up and weight loss happens along the way, I won’t be complaining! Here’s to the running season (and a new pair of running shoes, perhaps?).

One Down…One to Go…Then Three More!

03.11.06

This week has been full of grad school work. Justin and I worked on our curriculum design Tuesday night, Wednesday night, and Thursday night, and we did the WHOLE portfolio for another class on Friday. We have finally completed one of our classes, and next week we’l wrap up the curriculum design class. Granted, I think my work could have been much better if I had been working on it all quarter, but these days, that’s not how I operate.

Next quarter, I have to wrap up my independent action research project and my professional certification portfolio. The last “real” class I have is curricular issues, and it will be the 9th or 10th class I’ve had with the same teacher. So….the countdown is on! Graduation is exactly three months away today!

Not So Bad Sunday

03.05.06

Most Sundays I freak out. This week isn’t so bad. This weekend, we’ve done SO much socially, and maybe that’s helped, but here’s the rundown:
Friday evening: Justin’s birthday party at home
Saturday: walk, big breakfast, laundry, grad school homework
Saturday night: Bubblin’ Brown Sugar (all-city high school hip-hop competition)
Film Night: Before Sunrise
Sunday: monthly “everybody” church; new journal from Elaine; work on school stuff
tonight: dress up for the Oscars party at the Martins!

Gotta get ready!