Monday, January 19, 2009

The Obama Nation

(source)

Yes we can! I am so uplifted to live in this nation today. I watched all morning with tears of joy running down my face. His daughters looked so proud of their daddy and his wife...I don't think you need to be a wife to understand how proud Michelle must be today.

I am proud of us as well. Of a nation that just four years ago we were so unhappy with and its process that didn't listen to its people. Well, it worked this time! It is so amazing to me that the day we have been waiting for, for 120 days is finally here. That finally we are being led by a smart man, a man that won an election after hard work and NOT through friends in high places.

My daddy would have loved to be here today and he was here...I saw him. I saw him in our new President. That wink he gave his kids, his soothing yet strong voice...I remember that. I can't wait to see where this man who reminds me so much of my Dad (a man I miss so much) will take our country. I can't wait to see what the next four (eight, I should say!) years will bring for this amazing man, his family and and our great nation.

Yes we can!

Saturday, January 17, 2009

New Year, New You (It's long, I've got a lot of work to do)

I'm not sure where I heard that slogan but this year I'm applying it to myself. I know, I know, it's practically the end of January...but cut me some slack! This is a brand-new blog. And I'm just getting started...

I've set a few goals for myself this year and plan on sticking to them. More than one or two but I'm aiming high! :)


1. My first goal for myself is to get a proper job. Don't get me wrong. I love coaching the kids and my ideal job would allow me to see them improve every afternoon. But lets face it, minimum wage isn't going to get us that house, is it? Working in an office could be nice but a job working with kids would be best. I would have to go back for my teaching credential if I wanted to teach so that's out for now. I need more of a stable money stream before I can undertake more debt...and to get that, I need a job. :( Hum...the cycle continues.

2. Going along with number one (and #3 for that matter) is my #2 goal and that is save more money. It's important to the both of us that by the end of the year we get ourselves to the point where we can seriously think about purchasing our first home. My weakness is that on my commute to and from work all those yummy restaurants keep luring me in. Hmm...be strong Steph, be strong!


3. Get healthier! It's been way to long since I have had a proper workout and my previously fit body has become well...not so defined. I really want to try and get back that awesome feeling a hard workout rewards. And not just work out, I want to eat healthier too. That means less fast food (the horror!) and more lighter snacks (and not just 100 calorie packs either). I'll need help with this one...so I've enlisted the hubby. I think he's more excited than I am!


4. Take a new class/learn something new is number four on the list. Way back in September, someone asked me what I was going to do with myself now that I didn't have a wedding to plan. I thought about it and I decided that I would love to take a class and learn something new. I thought a tap dance class would be fun or even a class at the local community college. Well it's four months later. I think it's time to get my butt into gear and follow through.


5. My fourth goal for 2009 is to become more independent. I think that after all the thinking and planning leading up to the wedding (and afterward setting up our nest) and trying to become a more permanent "we" I have lost a little of me. I think that if I try and achieve all the goals I have set forth for myself that independence and my sense of confidence will return. Just something I need to work on and recapture.


6. My sixth goal (but not final...it'll be a long year) is to improve my Spanish. My grandparents and parents (and cousins!) speak the language perfectly. Granted they have all lived in South America at one point but I think that it is still important for me to be able to converse fluently with my familia. Don't get me wrong, if I were dropped in Ecuador tomorrow I could communicate and hold up my end of the conversation well enough, it's just the little stuff that trips me up. I tend to confuse the correct conjugations of words and I'm hoping this little tool (pictured above) will help me get better at it. It might not be Rosetta Stone, but I think having this fun with this learning "game" will reacquaint me with the finer points of the language.

I think that about covers my list of goals for 2009.It's a long list but there they are. Putting them down on (virtual) paper will help me, I think, to keep them up front and center. It'll serve to remind me what I hope to achieve within the coming months. Whew...I'd better get started!

Friday, January 16, 2009

Across the Universe

I just saw the most amazing movie ever.

Those who know me, and have ridden in my car, know that I am a huge fan of 60's music. Motown, classic rock, pop, you name it...I love it. There is only one band's music (although the Temptations come close) that will invariably make me turn it all the way up and sing my heart out in the car, not caring who sees me. And that band is The Beatles.

I think, I take that back, I know that the main reason I love this group, and their music so much, is a direct result of my father's love of their music and his weekly devotion to Breakfast with the Beatles. A weekly radio show that we would listen to on the way to church every Sunday and that I'm surprised my parents could hear over our our unhappy, protesting cries. Unhappy because we (my younger brother and I) wanted to hear some "good" [read: current] music of the 90's. Yeah, I'm glad they ignored us!

Anyway, during Christmas 2007 I heard a new movie with a Beatles soundtrack was being released. My father had just passed away and I just couldn't handle 2 hours watching "his" music without my him. So, I passed. I figured I would see it later, if ever and I'd be fine.

Cut to this past weekend: Brandon and I were hanging out and watching the movie channel, and guess what's up next? Across the Universe. So we watched it.

OMG! What an experience. It is so visually stunning to watch. The vivid colors and the amazing directing make it a beautiful movie and the seamless way the music is written in and transitioned make it fantastic to hear. It is really a crash course to the 60's and what the Beatles tried to get across with their music. Amazing! I HIGHLY recommend watching this movie if you haven't, and if you have, watch it again. It's that good.

My mom has all my CD copies of the Beatles albums and I really must get them back. I want to listen to all their songs one more time. And, can you believe that as many times as Brandon has heard these songs on the radio (or on Target commercials...what travesty) and in my car he didn't recognize the songs as we watched the movie! I'm off to educate him...and to get my own copy of this movie because I want to watch it again!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

If all my friends jumped off a bridge...

...would I do it too?

And the answer is a resounding "Yes!" At least in this context.

Welcome one and all, I've started a blog. I always said that I would never do it. Who would read it? What would I write about? Am I really that interesting? Witty enough? I guess we'll find out.

I've really been inspired by all the great blogs I've been reading as of late. I've become a blog stalker...an honest to goodness, constantly refreshing, link-clicking (and clicking and clicking) blog stalker. Therefore, I thought I'd give back to cyberspace. This might be a paltry gift, but at least I'm giving.

This will be a crazy ride...but I'm strapping in. Thanks for tagging along!