Year 2, Day 56: 11/6/12

Election Drama: I said I wasn't going to watch the election results, but I can't help it - it's too important for me to pretend that I don't want to know what is going on.  I started the night down, feeling as if we didn't have a chance, but the rest of the world is saying "hold on" because nothing is written in stone.  It's tight, is all I know.  I know people say that Obama winning in 2008 was big and it was a big deal for our country.  But it would be an even bigger deal if he won tonight, because it would prove that we could look past our prejudices, past our insecurities and make a decision based on real issues.  We'll have to see.  The larger counties in Florida are still out, so it's not over yet.  I might not be able to sleep tonight...

Year 2, Day 55: 11/5/12 - "Foolish Games"

"And I watched from my window

Always felt I was outside

Looking in on you.

Well excuse me, guess I've mistaken you for somebody else

Somebody who gave a damn

Somebody more like myself..."

-"Foolish Games" by Jewel

Letting Go: It's so easy to hang on to something because it gives you comfort or hope.  But there has to be a time when you let those false things go, especially when you realize that they are based on a false idea.  I knew that there was a never a chance for us - knew that we would never be together, but I always had hope.  Thank you for taking that from me, today.  I am a bit thick-skulled at times and I didn't want to see the message, but it was loud and clear.  I'm so glad I never told you how I felt - because now I don't ever have to and I can at least still have the one thing that is true, and that is our friendship.

Why I Teach, and Why I Will Continue to Teach:  I got the following message from one of my student's who took my class back when I was at NCSU:

hey kawanna,
I am in vet school now and we are doing application based learning exercises right now which requires lots of library research. I just wanted to let you know I appreciate the leg up your class gave me in my research and citation skills. I am using refworks account I made for the class :)

Now, if that isn't a reason to be happy to be a teacher, I don't know what else is!  It helps that this was a bright student (though, I think all of my students were bright!).  I know she'll be a great vet and I can't wait to see what else she does in life!

The Future of America?  I've often expressed my concern about the ability of the generation that is coming up now to actually keep our society going in any positive direction.  Today I had those concerns (fears?) affirmed (or reaffirmed?).  I was on the 2nd lap of my morning run around the park that is near my house, and what do I smell?  Smoke.  But not just any smoke - marijuana smoke (no, you don't have to smoke it to know what it smells like).  There was a group of kids standing next to one of the park benches and I saw one of them spew the smoke out and then place his hand behind him as I approached.  Did he really think that I couldn't smell the smoke?  Does he really think that people are that stupid that they don't know what he and his friends were doing?  My response, I asked them to at least take it away from the track.  I can't make them make better choices about their lives (not smoking marijuana before getting on the school bus or driving off in your car would be a better choice), but at least I can let them know that the rest of us aren't oblivious to what they are doing.  We aren't stupid either.  I'd also appreciate not having my air contaminated any more than it already is - I want to run and get an endorphin high, not a drug high!

Year 2, Day 54: 11/4/12 - "Losing My Religion"

"That's me in the corner
That's me in the spotlight
Losing my religion
Trying to keep a view
And I don't know if I can do it
Oh no, I've said too much
I haven't said enough..."

-"Losing My Religion" by R.E.M.

Why Are Sunday's So Rough?  This is the 3rd Sunday in a row where I've dealt with a headache for the full day.  I've tried drinking more water, exercising, resting, not reading, etc., and nothing seems to be working.  I'm on the verge of having a migraine here, and that is definitely not something I want to try to deal with leading into the work week.  I can only hope that I'll be able to sleep tonight and wake up tomorrow feeling rested and headache free (I can dream, you know!).

Moving the Story: For those who are reading my story, Four Crossings, I'm moving it to it's own blog.  I have a habit of posting the chapters for the story as if they are my true blog post, and that is not the intention of my blog.  So, if you are reading it, here is the link to the new blog just for the story.  Feel free to leave comments there so that I can know how to improve the story.  If anything doesn't make sense, let me know that as well! http://fourcrossings.blogspot.com/

Year 2, Day 53: 11/3/12

Creative Day:  I decided to spend today working on my book and knitting.  The end result?  Over 2,000 words on my book, and over 20 rows knitted on my blanket (which is around 2,000 stitches, give or take!).  Overall, not a bad day for my creative projects.  I'm hoping to continue the theme tomorrow and see if I can do the same number of rows and words.  I also managed to clean the living room, partially clean the bedroom, run 6.3 miles, make (and burn) pancakes, and watch lots of football.  Not bad for a Saturday in November!  Tonight I'm enjoying the extra hour from Day Lights Savings Time and sleeping in tomorrow!  Got lots to do and have to keep my momentum up!

Year 2, Day 52: 11/2/12 - "Simple Man"

"Oh, take your time, don't live too fast
Troubles will come and they will pass...

"Forget your lust for the rich man's gold
All that you need is in your soul...

...don't you worry, you'll find yourself
Follow your heart and nothing else..."

-"Simple Man" by Shinedown

Quiet Day: I'm pretending that today was a quiet day, but really it was a crazy one!  Nothing too extreme happened, but I did find out something about someone that makes them someone to add to my "watch" list.  And I also found out that there is always more work to do than there are people to do it.  This is often exacerbated by a few individuals who do not want to do any work!  But really, it was a quiet day...

Year 2, Day 51: 11/1/12

"Blah"  That was my word of the day today - just didn't feel well!  Too bad too, because it was absolutely beautiful outside.  I came home early to rest and knit - it made me feel a bit better but I'm still not "right."  At least tomorrow is Friday and if I can get through that, then I have the weekend.  No plans this time, unlike last week.  Haven't decided yet if that is good or bad!!!!

Year 2, Day 50: 10/31/12 - "Anything Goes"

"But anything goes,
When everything's gone
You ain't around to give a damn,
Whether I do right or wrong
So bring it on,
Anything goes,
When everything's gone."

-"Anything Goes" by Randy Houser

My, My, Aren't We Forgetful!  So last night was truly the first night that I simply forgot to post on my blog.  I've posted late before, usually because I realize that I hadn't done my post right as I was getting into bed.  But I didn't think about posting until later today.  So officially....I forgot.  My excuse?  I don't really have one other than just being overly tired and thinking about too many things.

Halloween Fun:  I don't actually like Halloween...I know, I'm a scrooge for any holiday, not just Christmas.  I had lots of candy this year, though, since I figured there would be kids in the complex who would come around.  But then I found out about the Halloween fair down the street at the park and I knew there would be no kiddies this year.  I wound up getting only 2, really late in the evening.  The rest of the candy has been taken to work to haunt my co-workers.  I did have some fun with baking and made some cute chocolate cupcakes with white icing and orange Halloween themed cookies stuck in them.  Check them out:

Here I Come!  I manged to get both of my tickets for Thanksgiving and Christmas for flights on Southwest, combined for $500.  I have to fly on odd days but I think it will be worth it to see my family.  Of course, it means I have to use up every last bit of my vacation since I don't have much saved up, but so be it!