TrashFlower

I’ve noticed a lot of people have been posting things they’re thankful for on a regular basis – even now that it’s half-way through February.  I’m assuming it was a New Years Resolution, and it’s one that I, for one, hope they’re able to keep up. And, as a way to add to that a little in my own way, I present:

The Things I’m Loving This Week!

1. Buying music again (and this time from Amazon!) I’ve been on a bit of a music hiatus lately, although for no real reason in particular. I went music shopping today though, and discovered some great deals on Amazon. If you’re looking to buy a whole album, and you’re not shopping with gift cards, I’d definitely check out their selection. They’ve got 100 albums for $5 or less right now – and that’s a hard deal to beat.

2. Small Dog Puppy Classes. Claire, my almost-6-month-old Silky Terrier puppy started her second round of obedience classes this week. This time, I was able to find a class that’s exclusively for small dogs, and it’s making a world of difference. They even have a designated playtime. Watching 5 dogs under 5 pounds each frolic and play has to be one of the happiest times of the week.

3. The Increase in Greek Mythology at My House. I started reading The Lightening Thief at about the same time that SPJB started playing God of War. I’ve always been a big fan of mythology, so having both video games and books based on these stories brings little bits of joy to my soul. It also makes me want to re-read Joseph Campbell.

4. Reading. I just mentioned wanting to re-read Joseph Campbell, which leads me to loving reading in general. I’d started to forget how much I love diving into a good novel. I wish I could get a job for a professional reader. I’d happily read and write reviews for the rest of my days.

5. Neatness. Since I turned 29, my resolution has been to be neater. I’ve tried to make the bed more often, not leave laundry sitting in the dryer, and put my dishes away as soon as I finish with them. Spending those extra 2-3 minutes (or even 45 seconds as the case may be) makes the house a better place to be.

So, that’s it my friends. What are you loving this week?

Why in the world would someone post about their gastro-intestinal issues on Facebook? Particularly how they’re solving them (aka – exlax and juice). I understand that Facebook is all about sharing what’s going on with your life, and making connections. But do we really want to connect over poo (or the lack thereof)?

In our hyperconnected world, I’ve come to realize there really is such a thing as over-sharing. While I still update my Facebook status on a regular basis, and I’ll continue to maintain my blog – I hereby promise to never over-share. I will not go into gory details about my illness, or those of my loved ones or pets. If I need you to know that I’m sick, you’ll hear that I’m sick of being sick, etc. And if you really really need to know what kind of sick I am, you can send me an email and ask.

Since last I updated, things have changed. Of course, we can all say that, since life changes minute to minute. I’ve overcome my little crisis through the power of self-delusion. We’ve all heard of it – “fake it ’till you make it.” Well, I faked it long enough to make it, and I feel like the bulk of the crisis has passed.

The other biggest change is a new addition to the family. Yes, she’s a bundle of joy. But not the bundle of joy that you may think. In late November, I adopted a silky terrier puppy.  Claire is smaller than an average silky, weighing in at just 4.5 lbs at 5 months old. She’s quickly become the highlight of my days, and nights. (With the exception of the 4 am bathroom breaks, that is). The condo is now buried in tiny dog bones and squeeky toys. I never thought I’d be a purse dog person, but the moment I saw Claire, I knew it was meant to be. I’ll never doubt “love at first sight” again.

I’m also very excited about a new personal venture I’m working on. Details to come soon, but be sure that it may be something that changes everything (at least for me).

So, what’s new with you?

Found an interesting message board, tied to the authors of the original Quarterlife Crisis book:

http://www.quarterlifecrisis.com/forums/

Once I get my registration approved (hello, administrators!) I look forward to connecting with the other 20-somethings, and sharing what I have learned, and getting some camaraderie with others feeling the way I do.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately (as may be evidenced by my lack of writing) about who I wanted to be when I grew up. As a child, I told people I wanted to be a corporate lawyer, a writer, a librarian, and President of the US. As I got a little older, I still wanted to be a writer, and study literature, and then decided on becoming a genetic counselor/therapist. Of course, that all changed when I actually got into college and worked in a lab. I was so… bored.

Now, here I am, in a job that most would envy – a marketing position in a growing segment of an industry I’ve loved. And somehow, I’m still not content. It’s not that my job doesn’t challenge me (it does, even on days that I’m not working), and that I don’t believe in what I do. I thought that my job would provide the fulfillment that I needed.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t.

Maybe it’s because I work from home. Maybe it’s because I’m not involved in the community. Maybe it’s because I no longer find common ground with the people I once considered friends. Whatever it is, there seems to be a void that no number of hours can fill.

About a year ago, I discovered “The Quarterlife Crisis” – a couple of books that talked about what it feels like I must be going through. I’m planning on looking into the online groups dedicated to discussing the phenomenon, and maybe starting a local group. Living in a college town, there have to be more people here who feel this way!

I’m also re-dedicating myself to documenting this process, here, on my blog. Maybe it can inspire someone else who’s struggling. And if not, at least it gives me a voice.

Here’s to the future!

Are you one of those people who doesn’t want to set an idea or project free in the world until it’s finished? And by finished, I mean polished and perfected to the point that if someone were to uncover a flaw, you would already have discovered it, analyzed it and be able to defend why the flaw exists? I am completely that kind of person.

My yoga studio, however, is not built by people who live with that logic. At both the old location and the new, each studio has always been a work in progress. Finishing work that hasn’t quite gotten finished, areas where touch-up paint still needs to be touched up. In the excitement of allowing others to discover the peace and beauty that is yoga, they’ve decided that it’s “finished enough.”

Interestingly enough, I’ve never heard someone say “I can’t practice here because that section of wall isn’t finished.” Nobody’s ever mentioned it at all. My inner demons point to the flaws and say “How terrible that they didn’t have time to finish the walls! If only they had planned ahead, or closed for a day to get it done.”  I’m trying to grow through yoga though, so while I lay in Savasana and look at the unfinished window sills, I recognize that we’re all bits of unfinished business. No matter how hard we try, the loose ends of our days and our lives will never be tied up in a nice, neat package.

Today, I’m just saying thank you to my practice (and to the studio itself) for reminding me that it’s ok when things aren’t buffed and polished to perfection.

Oprah’s done a number of wonderful and fantastic things for women in America. I remember watching her show as a youngster, thinking “Wow, she’s going somewhere!” And now, she IS somewhere, as an icon in the media world. She brought book groups and reading back to the countryside, as well as personal development. Her focus on personal development, both emotionally and physically has helped women accept who they are, and grow to be better.

But I tell you – when she promotes products, I think she forgets that the average American woman does not have deep pockets (or get free products to test). I was looking through June’s Beauty Products, and was absolutely floored when I saw a $28 lip stain, $78 body oil, and $175 perfume. Buying those three products costs more than a month’s worth of groceries for me – and probably at least 1 week’s worth for a family of 4. In this economic time, I still believe in the power of mampering yourself, but $45 lipstick goes beyond pampering.

Related Link: June’s New Beauty Products

I’ve noticed a trend recently – facebook pages for fans of both silly and hilarious stuff.  Things like “not being eaten by a t-rex”, “I hate my Cell Phone” (and “I love my cell phone” and “I lost my cell phone”). While I absolutely love seeing these updates on my friend’s pages, I haven’t quite decided if I can really be a fan of not being eaten alive by sharks. I mean, I am a fan, but should I use social networking to broadcast that to the world?

It looks like the last time I updated my blog was something about waiting for your life to begin. Well, I wish I could say that I haven’t updated in a while because I’ve been out living my life. The simpler truth is that I’ve not updated because I’ve been quite busy working. Well, that’s all about to change! No – its not that I lost my job (at least not yet that I know of…), but more because I’m trying to find a better balance in the life that I do have.

I don’t mean to sound like one of those “find your authentic self” people, but that pretty much is what I’m trying to do. I was telling a good friend tonight that I default to “work” mode. It’s great for my employer, but not great for me. If I’m going to throw myself into hours and hours of work, I need to do more work on myself. If what I decide is my passion (for now) relates to work, then all the better for them. But I’d like to have a little something to default to after the 6-6 shift ends.

So, here’s a question for you: What do you default to? TV? Video games? Reading? Let me know in the comments!