Another Good Life November 29, 2007

I don’t know, I have to agree with Heather on this one because I am also kind of sick of our weekly blogs.  It’s a really bad time of the semester to have to “look for the good life”.  Maybe it’s because I’m moody with all the stuff that I have to do for school.  I thought this week was bad, ha!  Just wait till next week, I tell myself.  Then I might just very well be cursing in my blog!  Just kidding!  It’s tough right now but it will be over soon.  But for now, it sucks and I don’t feel like putting my energy into blogs.

Well, with all  the Christmas lights up and the music on the radio, I thought about how much I would LOVE to go to NYC during the holidays to see the city and tree all lit up.  I was only in NYC once or twice, and never saw the tree lit or the city at night.  I really love the holidays, and all the lights, decorating, family too.  Can’t forget family time!  Can’t forget snow either!!  I LOVE the snow.  I can’t wait to get our first storm.  I think it’s so beautiful to watch it fall.   So yeah, I would love to go to NYC and see the city this time of year.  I get annoyed because it feels like the semester is over and the next day, Christmas is here.  You barely have the time to enjoy the season when you’re in college.  At least that’s what it feels like to me.

Well good luck to everyone these last couple weeks of the semester!  I know I can’t wait to say goodbye to this one!

14 November 15, 2007

I can’t believe yesterday was 14 years since I lost my mom. It really is crazy how time flies. It still feels like it was not that long ago, I don’t know why. All of the memories flood back into my head and I remember lots of details. “Breathe Again” was on the radio when my sister and brother in law went to the hospital that night. I didn’t go, I stayed there with my two friends. It was your typical mid-November day, with leaves everywhere, on the grass, some still lingering on the trees and all over the sidewalk. The scent was fall-like, kinda like wet leaves. Then when I walked into my house, I saw this beautiful 8X10 picture of mom when she graduated from college. It’s stayed there ever since.

I have always tried to think about the happier times, but it’s hard to on days like yesterday, when so much of what’s surrounding me reminds me of memories of the tougher times.  The weather is similar each year during this time, so it brings back those memories with all the sights, scents and feelings.  There is a definite feeling of emptiness that even my body felt yesterday, and I never realized that I could actually feel the emptiness.  I guess it’s sometimes harder the older I get because I have lived so long without her, that I don’t know what she thinks of the person I’ve become.  I can only hope that she is, I guess.

Generation Y’s Good Life November 8, 2007

I came across a really great article that did a pretty good job of described Generation Y and I was completely drawn in.  It gave some really interesting stats on minimum wage, rising costs and our materialistic views.  Materialism just happens to be characteristic of what some also refer to as “generation debt”.

This article was great because it really seemed to take in different perspectives and look at things from different angles.  Yes I have to agree that college students are very often overworked and have great difficulty making ends meet.  I am one of them who is going through a very intensive program where you are highly encouraged to not work during the semester because it is so time consuming.  I also haven’t had health insurance in I don’t know how long, at least 4 years.  My boyfriend and I will also have a lot of student loans to pay off.  But the article pointed out that we have at least our basic necessities covered (something far too many of us don’t have-the basics of food, water and shelter) plus more.   We have laptops, cell phones and nice cars and at least have the opportunity to go to school.  But I do feel that a college education is becoming a luxury, as not many people can afford it.

We’re also spending more than we make, which makes me think a lot about my Dad.  He has always been so hell bent against credit cards, never wanting us to get into debt and get into the habit of spending money that we didn’t have.  I have to agree with him because I think many of us use it as a crutch, and don’t realize how far we’re digging ourselves into debt.

Good Life….. November 1, 2007

I really needed a good laugh, and needed to do my weekly blog after a really tough day.  A really really tough day.  I wasn’t in the mood to even think about the good life and didn’t know where to look for my reference to the good life either.  So I thought about how to attain this laugh.  What puts a smile on my face every time?  I thought about America’s Funniest Home Videos.

It brings back great memories for me.  I think when it first came out, with the ever so cheesy and goofy Bob Saget, it was on Sunday’s at 7 or 8 if my memory is correct.  Wonderful memories with my mom as we laughed at all the babies, oh we loved the babies and kids!  And the weddings, and the practical jokes.  Actually we laughed at almost all of them back then.  They were all good.  And now, there’s still some good episodes, but not like they used to be.  Even though it was so agonizing while Bob told jokes or asked audience members stupid questions, it was still one of my favorite shows.  I’m sure that has a lot to do with the great memories it brings back of my childhood.  Memories of mom, memories of laughing, not enduring stress, hardships and letdowns, and just not having so much on my mind.

So even though I still don’t feel like smiling, I’m gonna make myself.  I’m gonna watch this video (above in the link!  I think I finally learned!) and I’m gonna tell myself to get it all out, get over it, and always try to “Keep on the Sunny Side” just like Johnny and June told me to!