Visitor's Log: Dad and Joe

Last weekend, my Dad and his best friend came to visit me in the little city of Washington D.C. A few months ago, I had mentioned that the Chiefs would be playing the Redskins this season at FedEx Field. He agreed that it would be fun to come watch the game. I then found RIDICULOUSLY cheap airfare and he bought a ticket for himself and Joe. That was that. All I had to do was buy tickets for the game. Thank you ebay for existing.

As soon as they arrived, I put on my tour guide hat and started pointing out everything as we drove by it. They flew into Reagan National, which meant there were tons of sites to see along the way to my house. The Iwo Jima Memorial was the only place we stopped to be tourist-y. I highly recommend going to see this in person. I did not realize just how big it was until going in person.

Joe and dad

Ten days out, Dad had me check the weather. It was supposed to be in the 50s on game day. Three days out, the forecast had changed slightly. They were calling for a wintery mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain with a high of 32 degrees. The weatherman tend to be wrong when calling for winter weather, so I was hesitant to believe it would actually play out.

So game day came...

Dad and me

Aaron and me

The pictures don't really show the extent of the wetness we endured. Let's just say, those ponchos were an enjoyment-saving investment. It snowed and rained frozen water droplets and sleeted. Good job weatherman, good job.

Writer's Block

As you can see from my frequent posting, I have had a slight case of writer's block. Typical I know. I'm a twenty-something, that has a blog about whatever I want it to be about, and yet, I have writer's block. I have several posts that I've started and never finished. And sadly, I believe I started those prior to my last post in March. I'll blame it on the beginning of the year, which held several major life changes: A got a new job, we switched churches, and moved closer to DC. I use "I blame" very loosely (meaning I know it wasn't that). I was probably just plain lazy and unfocused, which I shall blame on being a twenty-something. Man, I am good at assigning blame.

Really, I'm just poking fun at my generation and how sad we are. If you would like proof and comical relief, please view this video: Stuff Twentysomethings Say. Yes people, we are that pathetic. And yes, I really want to read the book 101 Secrets For Your Twenties by Paul Angone.

Alright, so what is the point of this post?  I honestly feel like I've had writer's block and I really am as lame as those people portray me, as a twenty-something, to be.

I live in America. I have a degree. I have an awesome job. I have an amazing husband. I have good friends. I have a great family. And most importantly, I'm free to have a relationship with God and not be persecuted for it. I have multiple positives in my life that should inspire me to write (on my blog that no one reads).

I know that I get caught up in my problems (or what I think are problems) and I know that I shouldn't do that. I lose sight of all that is good in my life when what I should be doing is putting on my big girl panties and dealing with whatever it is. Life is all about perspective.

What I'm trying to get across is said beautifully by Robert Frost. He says, "In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on." Pure genius.

-J

28 Days in a Black Dress...

Project Little Black Dress 2013

Well hello there! (I say to myself because I have a blog that I rarely write and have zero followers). Really that parenthetical part isn't necessary, especially after the February that I have just experienced.

Let's get started...

How much is a life worth? What is the price tag you would put on yourself? Pick one, "priceless" isn't an answer. So, now I have to answer that since I just made my non-existent followers answer that. Hmmm...this is a rather difficult one. I don't want to say too high because I like to think I'm humble, and I don't want to say to low because then I'm too humble. Let's go with $1 billion since this is a trick question anyway. My point is that it's difficult for us in the US to put a price tag on a human being. We think of ourselves as priceless or that we're invaluable.

Why does it even matter? Why am I even asking this question? Well, it all stems from my good friend, Elisa, over at the Average Advocate. This gal is quite an amazing person and I am quite fortunate to know her. She has a heart full of passion for those who suffer from injustice and a will to change the world. She is quite dangerous now that I think about it. She is the definition of an advocate. (Seriously, if you asked me the definition of advocate, I would say Elisa). She is always seeking to educate others on the injustice in the world and how we over here in the grand ol' country of the US of A can help those in need, those who can't help themselves.

Falling Down

And my first pause in writing has occurred.  At least it's only a pause this time around.  Normally at this point, I would give up because if I cannot be consistent then I shouldn't be blogging.  However, I usually have about three posts and I currently has 7 (this post will make 8).  Another contributing factor to the demise of my previous blogs were the content and the focus.  I as I mentioned in a previous post, I thought I needed a specific topic to always blog about.  I don't feel that way now, I think if this blog should have a specific direction to take, it'll emerge from my ramblings.  Hmmm...so I guess this post is to say this blog ain't going no where for now. :)

Also, a ton of things have taken place in my life since my last post.  Not all huge, massive life-changing things, but things that matter to me and the direction of my heart and my life (on a smaller scale).  Looking back now, it seems that this pause was a pause for me not necessarily from this blog.  The learning lesson I've just pulled out is that every now and then we need a pause.  A pause from life to think about things and regroup.  To pull out your life goals and reexamine them; then refine them.  If you don't have any, then maybe it's time to make them or at least begin to develop them (or realize you need them in the first place).

I really wasn't planning to have a deep and meaningful post, but as I was writing those thought popped into my mind.  I wouldn't call this the "deep and meaningful" post, however, it now as me thinking and I will be following up with a more though out response to the revelation I just had.

Stay tuned...

-J

Gratefulness?

Hmmm....gratefulness...  What does that mean?  Well obviously I know what it means, but I don't always remember to be grateful.  Just for fun I looked up the definition because I like to know official definitions of words, so here it is:

1. Appreciative of benefits received; thankful.

2. Expressing gratitude.

3. Affording pleasure or comfort; agreeable.

 

As a person that has had a pretty decent life, for that reason alone, I should be grateful.  On top of that, I am a Christian and believe that Christ died so that my sins are forgiven, I should show gratefulness for that one every single second of every single day.  I have an amazing husband and friends and family, again I should be grateful.  I have a good job and have had the opportunity to attend two higher education institutions.  My list of things to be grateful for go on and on and on and on and on and on.

 

And yet, I fail every single day to show and express my gratitude.  The question is, am I supposed to?  Are we supposed to express our gratitude?  I think yes, but to what extent.  Is there a point to which we have expressed our gratitude fully?  Is it Biblical to be grateful?  I'm sitting in class right now, so I can't actually go study to find out but it's on my to-do list.  It's too bad I don't have followers on here, because it would be nice to know what other think on this topic.  Without reading the Bible, I feel like it is probably written in there that we need to express gratitude and be grateful for life and things (even if they aren't too great) because God has provided them for us.  I do not have a response for how often or how to express it.  I think we do need to express gratitude but I'm not sure of the frequency.

Follow-up to come soon, I just wanted to point out that I have been a Debbie Downer and should stop being that way because I am complaining about things that others in the world will never have an opportunity to participate in or do.  I have a great life and I am grateful.  I just need to spend more time with the Lord so that I can express it.