Moon over Manifest

I read a good book recently. It is called “Moon over Manifest”. It is the Newbery award winner for 2011. One thing I really liked was the theme of when we lose ourselves we find ourselves. That’s something I’m not good at. Not at all. I can never let go of myself I always am thinking. So that is something I learned from this book (and other places) it’s a good one. I highly recommend it.

Moon over Manifest by Clair Vanderpool.

May 23

Today was not my favorite day. But it is a Monday what can I expect?

This picture pretty much describes my day. I this lovely neighbor of mine parked leaving less than six inches between my car and their's. and what makes it worse is that every space to the left of it was open. All I can say is how rude. But oh well. They must have been in a huge hurry. I just thought this was something I will laugh about tomorrow and maybe you all can laugh about it today.


P.S. This day got a lot better when Kevin called (:

Power of Women

Well there has kind of been a lot of talk about the role of women in the world around me lately. Tonight I went to a fireside that added to that and I decided hey, I should write a post about that. So here it goes.

Today many women are pushed to get a career and go as far as they can in that and then MAYBE after they have gotten high enough in the career ladder they can start thinking about getting married and possibly having a kid. While this way of life is rewarding in the pocket book and maybe the self-esteem, another way is better. One quote that the speaker at the fireside gave tonight was “people don’t realize that by building families they are showing their faith.” I really liked that.  And it goes right along with what the prophets say, “get an education and start a family.” Women are expected to be knowledgeable and to know about things that are important in the world, but what it comes down to is that is for supporting their sons and husbands who support the family or will eventually.

Since there was a feminist unit in my English class last semester I kind of have a different perspective on how feminists look at things. Some think that it is unfair that the women are supposed the support the man in the work place and that the man is always the hero, but if it has been that way since the beginning of time, doesn’t it seem like maybe that is how it is supposed to be? Good vs Evil? Patriarchal societies? I think that it is no accident that it has been that way throughout time. Sometimes the “old fashion way” is the better way.

So, after all of this collaboration of ideas and different views of women in the world I really feel like I’m going to go with my plan and get as far as I can. I’m going to develop my skills and learn as much as I can in school, but in the end I want to raise children that will grow up to be valiant and strong men and women. 

Rain

Something's wonderful about the rain

Something, I can't quite explain.

But whenever I'm out

And the rain is about

From smiling, I can not refrain

Mothers Day

Today was a rainy day. But I walked in it and it was wonderful.

I love you mom! Happy Mother's day. I love you.

Old People

 I love these people! Especially the ones that are retired. I don't think it is just me that nine out of ten old people that I know or meet have a little sparkle in their eye. These people are so amazing. I just look into their eyes and I can get a taste of everything they have done with their lives. 

Sometimes that sparkle says achievement, like they own a successful business or something like that. Sometimes it's just that they are happy to have someone to talk to or look in the eye, they have a lot to tell with all the experiences in their life. But most of the time I think that sparkle is love. I've noticed that old people are past judging people. They know that everyone is trying their best in the spot they are at in life. Why do they know this? Because if they are old enough to be considered old they have been there and done that.  

Yesterday I was at the store. I was waiting to get some pictures printed. In front of me there was an old couple getting a thrill out of touching the touch screen on the machine. I had to chuckle (: Then one of their pictures printed out blue. How sad I know! The old man turned around and looked at me and said "Isn't this machine great? well we had to ask that young man to fix it a few minutes ago but now look at it go" His wife wasn't very happy with the blue picture but the other ones came out fine. When her husband saw the blue picture he said "call that young man again!" But she said "well we have to go to Grace's soccer game." Then the man looked at me and said "well thanks for waiting." 

Then I got my pictures in like 2 seconds. It was great. When I went to the line to check out the same couple was in line in front of me and it was so cute because he turned around and saw me so I said "Hello again (:" and he tapped me on the arm and said "You're patient." I don't know why but that just made my day. And I know that that is not the first time an old person has made my day.  

Spring Run

Today I got to go running for the first time in a while! It was so great! (: 

Running is one of the many things I love about spring. While I'm jogging along I love to just look at all the color! Today the grass was green, the sky was blue, and the flowers were all in bloom. The temperature was a perfect 60 degrees and there was a slight breeze. 

One thing I did differently on my run today was when I got to the big hill I usually run up I decided to look down at my feet instead of up at the top of the hill. As I did this I was saying to myself "just me and the pavement" over and over in my head. I was surprised that I was able to keep up a better pace than I usually do on that hill and when I finally got to the top I wasn't desperate for a break. 

I guess that this experience kind of helped build my belief in focusing on one step at a time. Because I focused on just putting one foot down in front of the other instead of how close I was to the top of the hill, I felt a lot more successful in the end. 

Of course I knew I was climbing a hill but it was where I was at the moment, on this beautiful spring day, that counted most. 

Family

Today and yesterday I got to spend a lot of time with my family. I love them so much! We talk about everything and we are so close. I love how we do holiday and birthday celebrations together. Anytime we are all getting together I know I can look forward to good food, good conversation and overall just a good time. One thing my roommates and I were talking about last night is that the people we let our tempers get the best of us around are our families and one of the reasons why is probably because we know that no matter what we do, they will still love us. I know that is true with my family. I know that because I feel the same way about them. No matter how many times my brothers tease me to the max or my sister asks so many questions that I think my brain will explode, I still love them.