New Life Goal

I want to be on the Amazing Race.  I'm going to make it happen. 

Here is a clip from a challenge they had (I think in Austria) where they had to climb a hill and get wheels of cheese until they had a certain amount of cheese at the bottom of the hill.  I die laughing every time. 

The best part is totally the Austrian guys cracking up at the bottom of the hill. 

I'm pulling for the deaf guy, Luke, and his mom.  They make me happy.

"Perform the most manful exercises as well as most men"

Alternate title: My guide to de-stressing, Part One.

This semester has been...interesting.  Good, in that I am doing well academically, but only because I hardly ever leave the library.  And not-so-good in that I set unrealistically high expectations for myself, then get frustrated when I fail to meet them.  I have to keep reminding myself that the whole point of this is to learn to be an excellent SLP, not to walk in the therapy room already knowing how to do everything...because then I wouldn't need school.

Anyway, I have implemented a de-stress regimen, to try to relax a little.  Step One: indulge in my first love (in academia): U.S. History.  I picked up a neglected history book off my shelf:

And let me tell you: America's Women are pretty kickass.  And if they can travel to the New World, shoot down wild cattle, and fight their own legal battles in a time when women had few rights, then I suppose I could deal with some nights in the library.  Seriously.

So it's a two-for-one: relaxation and inspiration all wrapped up in 15 minutes of reading before bed.  You should try it.

And since I said I would post haircut pictures (which you probably won't be able to tell a difference in), here you go.  This is before (2 weeks ago): 

And this is right after.  The way you can tell is that I would never EVER do my hair this way:

There.  That's a little better. 

And if you would like to share your guide to de-stressing, feel free.  I could use some suggestions.

Taking a break.

That's what I've been doing for the last week.  Spring Break is pretty much the best invention ever. 

I got some exercise at Lake Hefner in the beautiful weather, caught up on all the TV I haven't been watching, finally saw Slumdog Millionaire, and slept (and slept and slept). 

I also enjoyed a lunch and study date outside with this lovely lady: 

And let's be honest, it was more lunch than study. 

We ate at the Red Cup, where there are always several vegan soups made fresh, and paraphernalia like this (my number card):

But beware: the staff, not so nice.

There were other things I did this week, like studying.  I actually went to school one day to get ready for my new clients and study with a classmate.  Please don't share the news of my intense lame-ness.

I also got a haircut...a few inches are long gone.  I'm mourning them, even though a cut was desperately needed.  I will share a picture sometime.

Tonight, on this last night of break, I made myself one of my favorite foods: sweet potato fries.

My complete meal: sweet potato fries, and a spicy black bean burger on an onion roll with cheddar cheese, baby lettuces, and tomato.  

I could die happy.

War Dance.

Hello again, friends.  Spring Break is obviously giving me more time to blog, and more things to blog about (but I know you love hearing about my time in the library...right?).

I got War Dance through Netflix a couple of weeks ago, and it has been sitting on my counter waiting to be watched.  I finally popped it in last night, while folding laundry and enjoying a glass of wine. 

And it was so, so, so good.  Take a peek:

I have many thoughts after watching this...too many to get out in any coherent fashion.  But here are some first impressions:

* I was a blubbering mess at multiple points throughout the documentary, but when this beautiful boy, with pride in his voice says:

"In my heart, I am more than a child of war.  I am talented.  I am a musician.  I am Acholi.  I am the future of out tribe."

I was so proud of him.  Really, I felt like his mom or something.

* The stories these kids tell are incredibly tragic.  Many have been orphaned by rebel raids through the villages they lived in.  Some were even abducted and forced to be child soldiers. Yet, there is redemption, even there, in that camp.  The larger injustice hasn't been made right yet, but this was a great reminder that redemption doesn't always happen in huge leaps.  Sometimes it happens when some sweet kids get to compete in a music competition against all odds.  The world IS being put to rights, and that redemption is beautiful, even if it's incremental.  The small victories need to be celebrated, too.

* The language they speak (which I think is Swahili) is beautiful.  The cadences are amazing, it's like listening to music.

* If I can hop up on my soapbox for a second (*ahem*)...there is no way you can watch this film and tell me that music and arts education should be cut from school curriculum.  Music gives these kids pride, and purpose.  It enhances their lives, and gives them hope for their futures.  And if you think that doesn't translate to our schools...you're crazy.  

Basically, you all need to watch War Dance. And if you're a netflix subscriber, you can stream it online.  

Currently on repeat..

I promised myself I would be back in the library by Wednesday, so here I am..with the small population of students who are neurotic enough to feel the need to study over Spring Break.  Maybe they have three midterms coming up, too.

My library stay is made better by:

1. Reduced hours during break - aka I get out of here at 5pm.

2.  This song that I have been listening to on repeat, because Ingrid Michaelson is amazing. The song HAS to make you smile.  It just has to.

You're welcome.

Welcome to therapy.

I saw this commercial the other day, and let me tell you: many, many, many therapy sessions sound exactly like this (except after 5 tries, I give up and they get a turn at a game).

I love the end, "Do you hear me?!" Aah yes, I feel your pain, filet-o-fish.

I should also say that I think the filet-o-fish is perhaps the grossest thing on the menu at McDonald's.  And that's saying something.

Wisdom from Thomas Merton.

The amazing-ness of Spring Break has begun.  I slept approx. 12 hours last night to try and recover from the deficit I had been accumulating. 

I also picked up a for pleasure book for the first time in a great while.  It was New Seeds of Contemplation, by Thomas Merton, which I had shelved due to school. 

Appropriately enough, today's reading was about consumption. 

"The contemplative life certainly does not demand a self-righteous contempt for the habits and diversions of ordinary people.  But nevertheless, no man who seeks liberation and light in solitude, no man who seeks spiritual freedom, can afford to yield passively to all the appeals of a society of salesmen, advertisors, and consumers.  There is no doubt that life cannot be lived on a human level without certain legitimate pleasures.  But to say that all the pleasures which offer themselves to us as necessities are now "legitimate" is quite another story."

Which is a good word to me today as I was trying to legitimize a purchase I don't need to make.  Today will be another groceries-only shopping day.  Well, groceries and a hat, which one of my classmates rationalized is a medical necessity for someone who has a history of skin cancer.  And I'm choosing to agree with her.

Friday night.

I'm 23 years old.  Exciting time in life, right?  It should be fun!  

Then why am I doing this on Friday night?

Because I voluntarily chose to have my soul annihilated.  

But wait!  My night got a bit better...

Yes, wine can even make studying more bearable. 

But even better?  A friend forfeiting a Friday of fun to study inferential statistics too.  With me. And with wine.

Lovely.  Kind of.  One day it will be friends, wine, and no inferential statistics.  I cannot wait.