Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Politics

I am not sure why, but this year, I am simply not excited about the upcoming election. It really has less to do with who the candidates are and more to do with me just not being interested in keeping up with it all. I am usually a faithful watcher of the democratic convention, and even tune in to parts of the republican convention so I can see what they're up to. But I have yet to watch any convention coverage this week. In my over-analysis, I think it's due at least in part to a combination of things. First, I just spent a great deal of time watching the Olympics and losing sleep as a result. I feel too tired to stay up and watch the convention at night. School started this week, so I can't sleep in anymore and I have to get to bed earlier than my summer schedule allowed me. The second thing is that I have lost my excitement about politics since my choice for NC Governor, Bob Orr, came in last in the republican primaries. He is a member of my church and a good man. I even changed my registration to independent so I could vote for him in the primary election. Lastly, I am really coming to like my new Independent/Unaffiliated political status. It reminds me of when I was in college. I rushed to be in a sorority my freshman year and fell through, as they say. It was devastating to me, but I soon realized that being an "Independent" suited my personality much more than being associated with a particular sorority. So much so, that when one sorority actively recruited me my sophomore year, I felt strong and independent and confident that I didn't need nor want to be involved in "Greek" life. So I turned them down. I guess I'm sort of going through a rebellious period with politics. It's like I'm in the stage right after falling through Rush and just discovering that being independent is a true blessing.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Milestones









Yesterday was a big day for both of my kids. Here are some photos from MC's first day of dance class. Her teacher said her class was very bright and she will be "upgrading" the class from Creative Movement, which it is called now, to Creative Pre-Ballet sometime this fall. That just means she'll actually start using some ballet terms with the movements as they learn them.
Jay started third grade. This picture was taken when he got home. He's wearing his new backpack to replace the one he had the last 3 years. So far he reports that 3rd grade is better than 2nd. One big plus is that his 4 closest friends at school are all in his class. We're all looking forward to a good year.
As for me, I am happy to be returning to a more structured and routine-filled home life. MC is home this week, but starts preschool next Wednesday. Then I'll have 5 mornings a week without the kids to do Helen-directed activities.



Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Endorphins

It feels good to exercise. That is a statement I wouldn't have made in my earlier life. But now it really does feel good. This summer my exercise has been irregular and I'm looking forward to making it more regular. With both kids in school 5 days a week coming up, I hope to be at Curves 3 times a week and run 2-3 times a week. I'll also have taekwando twice a week. Today I was able to complete 3 full push-ups for the first time ever. A newspaper article that's posted in Curves says an adult female should be able to do 17 of them. I don't remember who made that determination or how it came about, but it's a worthy goal. If I'm on my knees, I can do more like 10 or 12 push-ups. This has all come about through taekwando.
By the way, J has added Taekwando Instructor to his list of things he wants to be when he grows up. James suggested that he could be the first zero-gravity taekwando instructor and J thought that was a great idea.

slideshow feature

I added a new blog gadget today. It's a cat-photo slideshow. I can change the topic of the slideshow. I'm hoping I can figure out how to use some of my own photos. Meanwhile, I typed in "cat" and these appeared. If the changing of the photos bothers you, click on the photo and you'll see the pause button which you can click to stop it while you're reading. I'll try it for a while and see if I like it.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Approaching 40

I've been thinking a lot lately about my upcoming birthday - the big 4-0. I have several friends who have passed this milestone recently and they appear to be thriving. I guess I am thriving too, but I certainly have a good deal of analyzing and reflecting and wondering going on. At times it feels like what they call a mid-life crisis, but when I take a closer look, there really is no crisis, which makes it feel more like a crisis. Where's the crisis that I'm supposed to be having?! Of course I really don't want a crisis. I just feel like I need to be prepared for one. So I'm working out all of my latest contingency plans for anything that could possibly go wrong. The way I work, I am ready and willing to edit my plans as/if needed. I just conjur them up so I can feel like I at least have a starting point should such crisis arrive at my door. I allow that I really can't anticipate how I will react in the moment, so I am okay if I need to revise my plan. In the midst of all this crisis thinking, I am also looking back at what I've accomplished (with God's help) in my 39 years, and it's not bad. Here are some of the highlights (in random order):
  • ran a 5K
  • started taking Taekwando lessons
  • married 11 years
  • two wonderful children
  • earned master's degree
  • travelled to Europe several times
  • own a home
  • have many good friendships that have lasted over the years
  • maintain a good relationship with my parents and family
  • started a blog and write in it occasionally

Of course there are more, but these feel good to me right now. I'll work on setting some goals for my 40's.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

I'm Still Here

I'm still here, just haven't blogged in a while. The family went to Hilton Head for a week with James' parents, which was fun. We've also been taking family tae kwan do lessons this summer; and that has been at times interesting, challenging and fun. It's consistently been exhausting both physically and mentally (especially for James and me when it comes to motivating certain family members to participate). Swimming lessons have gone well. Both kids are making good strides. J has one more week of camp starting tomorrow, and he will have lessons this week as part of that. MC finishes up her lessons this week too. I swam some laps of sorts during one of her lessons last week instead of sitting in a chair watching her. I'll do some more of that this week too, I think.

We're going to the mountains with my folks for a few days next week too. I'll enjoy the cooler weather there (hopefully it will continue to be cooler there than here when we go).

I'm drawing a blank about what to write now, but I'll try to come back again soon.