One of the habits I started to get into since moving to Florida is spending a number of weekends out by the pool. Usually I spend a couple of hours either on Saturday or Sunday and prop myself up by the water. Sometimes I have some friends join me, sometimes I sit by myself. Often I take the time to catch up on whatever I am reading at the moment.
This habit has been a great way to relax. I love just being able to sit outside and not worry about anything else for a little while. Sometimes it can be a good way to sit with my thoughts and process. Of course, it can also be some fun people watching time...ha. The point of it is not so much about getting a good tan (I use good sunscreen to protect my skin and more so my tattoos), but it is more about enjoyment. As long as I am not surrounded by a bunch of crazies, as does happen at a community-type pool, I can really use the time to find a moment of peace. Thanks, Florida Sunshine. ^_^
Sidenote: I've had a pretty good weekend. I was able to hang out with good people and see Abbey, even if it was for a short time. And if you decide to go see "UP," be prepared to be depressed.
5/31/09
5/29/09
And it is Over!
Today is also the last day of the Blog-A-Day-In-May challenge. (Yes, the last day of May is Sunday, but we agreed in the begining that weekends did not have to count.) The criteria and winners are still to be determined. This should get interesting. We are unfortunately 2 challengers down...really Reg, I cry for you. So stay tuned for the results!
And the Search Begins Again
Many people know about my frustrations with my current apartment complex. Also, it is pretty much breaking me. So the solution is, Reg and I are looking for a place to move together. (She also wrote a post about why we can't live together...which really we shouldn't...for a number of reasons...ha.) Searching for a place to live is fun and so not fun at the same time. Of course I hate moving, but I am excited to get into a better place, save some money, and more than likely have a pretty good time.
We looked at a few places today, nothing definite yet, but they were pretty entertaining. In particular, we had one property manager practically want to wine-and-dine us to move in to their complex. She even chased us out the door to say good-bye and then shout "I'll waive your pet fee!" I cannot explain how hilarious this woman was. And the offer is of course tempting.
I just hope we can find a place that is reasonable with all we are looking for so that the next time I move will not be until I am leaving Tallahassee. Most of what we need is space for Dixie and all our furniture. Neither one of us wants to lose our living room pieces, and yea, my entertainment center is pretty ginormous. (Gotta love IKEA!) Plus we definitely need 2 baths.
So keep your fingers crossed that this is an easy search. Have to move out by the end of June...woot.
We looked at a few places today, nothing definite yet, but they were pretty entertaining. In particular, we had one property manager practically want to wine-and-dine us to move in to their complex. She even chased us out the door to say good-bye and then shout "I'll waive your pet fee!" I cannot explain how hilarious this woman was. And the offer is of course tempting.
I just hope we can find a place that is reasonable with all we are looking for so that the next time I move will not be until I am leaving Tallahassee. Most of what we need is space for Dixie and all our furniture. Neither one of us wants to lose our living room pieces, and yea, my entertainment center is pretty ginormous. (Gotta love IKEA!) Plus we definitely need 2 baths.
So keep your fingers crossed that this is an easy search. Have to move out by the end of June...woot.
5/28/09
So I Thought I Could Dance
I spent most of my life growing up dancing. My mom put in me in dance classes when I was about five, and I pretty much did it up through high school. I started to dance competitively after only two years, when generally the rule was you had to wait three. (This may be part of the reason I am such a competitive person in general now...ha.) I loved it. It was seriously all I did, and it was completely worth it. Once my sister was old enough, she started too, and competed shortly thereafter.
We would travel every spring to all sorts of competitions, and we generally did pretty well. My last year, we actually swept nationals with one of our routines. The trophy was taller than I was...haha. (Okay, I realize I am short, but it was a tall trophy!) The end to my dance career was pretty sad, but I think that is a story for another day.
The point of this is I still love and respect dance and dancers. This is part of the reason why I am completely obsessed with the show "So You Think You Can Dance." I love to watch these dancers put their souls on stage, and I have a chance to live a little vicariously through them. Dance is truly a way of life. I love that this show brings dance to a world that may not appreciate it otherwise. Okay, it may be a little sad it has to be through a reality-type show, but it is still pretty awesome.
I love the expression of dance. In all forms, it is an extension of that person and a show of the human form. It is a body in its most raw element out there for the world to take in and digest. Done well, it can move you in ways you would never expect. The body in motion is so beautiful. Like any form of the arts, dance can bring us back to the most rudimentary element of being. Because of that, it is also something that breaks across cultural barriers.
As a dancer, it can express things that you could never express otherwise. Your body feels pulled by forces greater than you. You can just let go and be part of something outside of yourself. It can be exposure of yourself to a world in a way that is so unique. For me, I am a natural introvert (shocking, I know), but dance gave me a chance to show myself in a way that surpassed that.
If you have never watched the show, I would recommend it, even more so once the actual competition starts.
We would travel every spring to all sorts of competitions, and we generally did pretty well. My last year, we actually swept nationals with one of our routines. The trophy was taller than I was...haha. (Okay, I realize I am short, but it was a tall trophy!) The end to my dance career was pretty sad, but I think that is a story for another day.
The point of this is I still love and respect dance and dancers. This is part of the reason why I am completely obsessed with the show "So You Think You Can Dance." I love to watch these dancers put their souls on stage, and I have a chance to live a little vicariously through them. Dance is truly a way of life. I love that this show brings dance to a world that may not appreciate it otherwise. Okay, it may be a little sad it has to be through a reality-type show, but it is still pretty awesome.
I love the expression of dance. In all forms, it is an extension of that person and a show of the human form. It is a body in its most raw element out there for the world to take in and digest. Done well, it can move you in ways you would never expect. The body in motion is so beautiful. Like any form of the arts, dance can bring us back to the most rudimentary element of being. Because of that, it is also something that breaks across cultural barriers.
As a dancer, it can express things that you could never express otherwise. Your body feels pulled by forces greater than you. You can just let go and be part of something outside of yourself. It can be exposure of yourself to a world in a way that is so unique. For me, I am a natural introvert (shocking, I know), but dance gave me a chance to show myself in a way that surpassed that.
If you have never watched the show, I would recommend it, even more so once the actual competition starts.
5/27/09
Who Put Me in Charge?
I have hit one of the first major decisions in my career. I am having to decide on canceling a contract with one software company and hiring another. This decision involves thousands of dollars and lots of work for my office (and by my office I mean me and probably my graduate assistant). On the one hand, this is a scary thought for me. It makes me somewhat nervous to know that this decision is in my hands, and the outcome is on me. On the other hand, though, it is somewhat empowering to know I am being trusted to make this decision. (And by decision, I mean we are doing it.)
My official one year mark here in my job is quickly approaching. Because of the situation our office was in when I arrived, I actually took on lots of decisions and responsibilities within a short period of time. I will say I am grateful for the experience so far. Even with the arrival of our new director, we all have been given much autonomy in our positions. We have all been able to change things up, especially now that we have completed the academic year. We can look back, see what worked and what did not, and we are given the ability to make things better.
This is what I am hoping to accomplish with this system change. I spent much of my year dealing with frustrations with the current system (instead of being able to focus on actually helping student groups and their advisors). The new one appears to alleviate that while offering much more and for less cost. Really, making this decision probably is not such a big deal. I think it is just making things more real for me. I am being trusted to act on behalf of the university. Crazy.
Sidenote: What is the difference between really enjoying your job and just being good at what you do?
Extra sidenote: Boo Donut Kingdom on revoking the really cool deal on certificates we had. Boo!
My official one year mark here in my job is quickly approaching. Because of the situation our office was in when I arrived, I actually took on lots of decisions and responsibilities within a short period of time. I will say I am grateful for the experience so far. Even with the arrival of our new director, we all have been given much autonomy in our positions. We have all been able to change things up, especially now that we have completed the academic year. We can look back, see what worked and what did not, and we are given the ability to make things better.
This is what I am hoping to accomplish with this system change. I spent much of my year dealing with frustrations with the current system (instead of being able to focus on actually helping student groups and their advisors). The new one appears to alleviate that while offering much more and for less cost. Really, making this decision probably is not such a big deal. I think it is just making things more real for me. I am being trusted to act on behalf of the university. Crazy.
Sidenote: What is the difference between really enjoying your job and just being good at what you do?
Extra sidenote: Boo Donut Kingdom on revoking the really cool deal on certificates we had. Boo!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)