A haiku I wrote probably a little over 3 years ago

I found this while I was looking for something else. Enjoy.

Last haiku before I graduate

senior project sucks
will not get a job with it
i don't like the news

cop-out project choice
made up a story with eggs
would rather write books

made a dumb promo
incorporate video
dumb capstone project

relate to major
make it about broadcasting
further your career

wish to be teacher
or author or homemaker
or missionary

short term not long term
write books that inspire people
make them think; wonder

Just when you forgot they existed

Let's see how I'm doing on my 9 goals for 2009 (thanks for keeping me on track, Lauryn).

1. Start and complete a 500-1000 piece jig-saw puzzle.
Done and done.

2. Work my way up to eating 5 servings of fruit per day.
Really have sucked at this. But it is finally summer, so I've done better. Also, since I found out avocado is a fruit, I've done somewhat better. I should start by maybe eating one serving of fruit per day and working my way up to 5. Today in a salad, I ate some tomato. Tomato is a fruit.

3. Reduce more, Recycle more, Reuse more (not because it's green, but because it's what I've been taught since childhood)
I'm wearing a reduce, reuse, recycle shirt today. You know the one. Will try to be more proactive with this in the autumn.

4. Continue to try to like tea. Learn more about the different kinds enough to have an educated conversation about tea with someone who loves it.
Fruity teas and chai, I like (ironically, if you consider #2). Since being home, I haven't been offered tea as much.

5. Practice Lithuanian
Again, since summer started, haven't spoken it as much. Sometimes will slip it into everyday conversation, much like spanish.

6. Learn the Russian alphabet, and some words
I actually did start doing this with the help of some wonderful students! More to come this autumn, hopefully! (might have to relearn some)

7. Read the manual for our camera
Crap.

8. Stop touching facial blemishes
Starting now, I will be intentional about this.

9. Learn more about the church calendar
Still haven't done this. Still really want to. I'm glad I put it on the list. I would've forgotten otherwise.

Summertime

Summer took it's time, but it is f i n a l l y here.
Please remember to use sunscreen. Even if it is after 2pm and you don't plan on being outside for that long. Because you could change your mind and stay out for a couple hours.

Steve made this picture while we watched the sun set over the lake. In case the tattoo wasn't enough evidence, the extra red birthmark indicates that it was me who forgot to put on sunscreen. For shame. Awesome tanline though.

Strengths

So just recently I found out my strengths via strengths finder. I must say, I wasn't too surprised with the results. So what I should say is, just recently, my strengths were articulated for me in 5 words.

Learner -- "You love to learn. ...whatever the subject, you will always be drawn to the process of learning." This is true. I like to learn in all ways, but I am primarily a visual learner. If money were no object, I would go back to school and study a variety of topics.

Futuristic -- "Wouldn't it be great if..." you are the kind of person who loves to peer over the horizon. The future fascinates you. ...a better product, a better team, a better life, or a better world -- it will always be inspirational to you. You are a dreamer who sees visions of what could be and who cherishes those visions." Hit the nail on the head. As of late, I cannot go to a restaurant or a church without daydreaming the whole time about ways to improve it.

Input -- "You are inquisitive. You like to collect things. ... Whatever you collect, you collect it because it interests you. And yours is the kind of mind that finds so many things interesting. The world is exciting precisely because of its infinite variety and complexity." I mostly collect information, facts, books, quotations, etc. I'm not really the type that has a collection of alike tangible objects.

Intellection -- "You like to think. You like mental activity. You like exercising the 'muscles' of your brain, stretching it in multiple directions. ...it simply describes that you like to think. You are the kind of person who enjoys your time alone because it is your time for musing and reflection." Yes, yes, yes, and yes.

Responsibility -- "Your Responsibility theme forces you to take psychological ownership for anything you commit to, and whether large or small, you feel emotionally bound to follow it to completion. Your good name depends on it. If for some reason you cannot deliver, you automatically start to look for ways to make it up to the other person. ...Your willingness to volunteer may sometimes lead you to take on more than you should." My mom told me that even as a little girl, I had more of a sense of a responsibility than most adults. For better or for worse, my plate is always full (not my food plate). I'm trying to work on finding balance.


Ok. Enough about me. What are your strengths?

On restaurants and water

On thing I love about the good ole US of A is that when you go to any restaurant, the water is free. For my whole life I just thought I was a cheap date, but it turns out that I actually just really like water. The more refills, the better.

One thing that I don't like is when we go to a fast food place. They give you water in a 6 ounce cup. When my husband orders the 32 ounce (medium) coke, and I order a water, what makes you think that I only want the infant amount?

In that topic, since being back (and being in nearly a constant state of road trip), I've remembered how much I really don't like going to fast food places in the first place. They are kind of like an abusive boyfriend. They don't treat you well, everyone knows that they're not healthy for you, but you keep going back because you think they might have something to offer you. Or I imagine. I've been fortunate that I've not had an abusive boyfriend. But I've seen them on TV. Sorry if this is the worst analogy ever. I haven't blogged in a while, and I feel compelled to type something.

Speaking of fastish food, about a week ago on the road, we stopped at a panera for some lunch. I'm a fan of "you pick two" so I can have a cup of the broccoli cheddar and what ever sandwich suits my fancy (that, and a french baguette). Anyway. We were enjoying our lunch. Steve finished his and was sitting in the standard "I'm finished" way (leaning back, arms folded, plate empty except for a used napkin and overturned silverware), while I am contentedly dipping my bread into my half empty bowl of soup (I'm not a pessimist. I was in the middle of emptying the bowl, therefore it was half empty). This young-ish worker comes over to our table and says politely to Steve:

"Sir, can I take you plate for you?"

Steve says sure, and the boy picks up the plate and turns to me:

"Ma'am? Can I take your plate for you?"

I, with my mouth full, pieces of bread in each hand (dripping with soup), manage to say:

"Um....no thank you, I'm still eating."

How could you be mad? He was very polite. Not one ounce of common sense. Ah well. To tie it all together, one thing that I've noticed about being back in the US is that people are so eager to keep checking up on you and rush you right on out of a place so that someone else can sit at your table. I kind of like being able to sit there until I'm done, and then ask for the receipt. That is, if you can find a wait staff to give it to you.

Thanks if you've read this far. And thanks if you still read this blog. Sorry it's been a month or so. I shall try to be better.