doctoral candidate in rhetoric and scientific and technical communication
just a thought
over time
06 years ago
by dawn
in just a thought
I was watch a movie on ABC Family this weekend with Harvey Keitel in it. He was playing a reclusive writer who was living in Italy with his three daughters. It was quite charming and I enjoyed it very much. And then he threw out a quote. I knew I had heard it before so I jotted it down and then went in search of it (okay, the search took all of 3 seconds, thanks to Google!).
He said, “The years teach much which the days never knew.” It’s actually a Ralph Waldo Emerson quote but it really spoke to me when I reheard it.
We spend days on end fretting about little things. Some of us (not me, apparently) have a bad day when our hair isn’t just perfect or our makeup doesn’t go on just right. Others (this might be me) fret when traffic is going a little more slowly than normal.
We let these things get to us and shape the rest of our day.
Really, though, are they important? If I’m late to work one day because traffic patterns have changed during that day (or some idiot decided to cut me off and drive 10 miles under the speed limit, thereby forcing traffic patterns to change all on his own), I shouldn’t let that affect my entire day (and I don’t, typically).
If I looked back over the years and had let each bad day affect me, I would have either been a basket case or dead, I think. There were some days that were so awful that I didn’t think I’d escape them. And then…the years rolled by and my life became better. I held out for that because I knew it would happen.
I learn a lot by looking back, assessing what I’ve done, and by using my mistakes as a way to move forward.
The years do teach much, thankfully. If they didn’t, I think I’d be lost.
monsoons and enlightenment
06 years ago
by dawn
in just a thought
Arizona has a monsoon season. It’s nothing like the monsoons of India or the Asian continent. We get downpours but they aren’t typically torrential (although they do cause major flooding and the dry creek beds fill quickly, catching people off-guard and stranded in the middle of 5 foot high floods, waiting to be rescued by helicopters).
Today’s rain is beautiful. I was walking across campus a few minutes ago and it reminded me of Scotland and Hawaii.
Two totally different places, you’re saying. I know. I understand. They do seem different…until you look closely.
Both are inhabited by people who were overtaken by the closest strong nation. Both are fiercely loyal to their rich histories and to what makes them unique. Both are beautifully green with these lovely misty rains that cover the land from sea to sky. Both were run by Kings. Both still full of beautiful cultures and some of the nicest people I’ve ever met.
Lovely rolling hills with steep mountains. Amazing seas. Beautiful music. Gorgeous people.
Hawaii and Scotland
freedom
06 years ago
by dawn
in just a thought
I’m having one of these days…when I just want to let loose and fly away, fly into the barren stratosphere and soar over the lands.
I want to be unencumbered today. I don’t want to have any responsibilities beyond my beagle and me.
I want to be free.
I don’t want to hear anymore phones ringing. I don’t want to hear anymore complaints. I don’t want to hear how difficult some student’s life is who is totally supported by his or her parents.
They don’t understand responsibilities. They don’t have to work to be able to go to school. They don’t have mortgage payments to worry about.
I long for that freedom.
For just one day.
new paths
06 years ago
by dawn
in just a thought
I’ve been a bit lax in writing lately. I think that ever since the whole job debacle happened, I’ve been reticent to say too much, share too much, or be too open.
I think, too, that I went into my protective fetal position and hid there for the last month or so.
I’m out now.
Things are going well.
I’ve gotten a new job at the university. While the pay isn’t as good as I was making, the job also isn’t as stressful. The people are really great. My tuition for grad school is practically free ($25 for up to 9 hours – which is considered full-time for grad students anyway). They are awesome about employees taking off for school. All around, it’s just a really good move for me and I’m thrilled that it has happened.
I graduated from the university with a bachelor’s of English on May 14th. It took me twenty years but it was worth it. I want to have a plaque made up that says, “It doesn’t matter how long the journey takes; it only matters that you took the journey at all.” That is my motto right now.
I have an idea for a book. I want to collaborate with a friend on a book (the friend doesn’t know about this…heh). I think that we both have a similar perspective on this issue and that it could be an eye-opener for a lot of people.
I’m so into my photography right now. I think in terms of framing. I look out a window and think about what it would look like in the lens of a camera. *laugh* Also, I’m actually getting out, specifically for photography, and traveling around the area to take pictures. It is so much fun. I’m having a blast doing it.
My journey is taking a turn now: grad school, new job, and new adventures.
I can’t wait to see where it takes me.
YAY!!!
06 years ago
by dawn
in just a thought
Please forgive my silence the last week or so. I am graduating from university on Saturday (after nearly 20 years) and I’ve been busy getting things done to do so. I’m having a big party on Saturday to celebrate and it’s been hectic.
I will get around to responding to e-mail and to seeing your sites. I promise.
yay me!
06 years ago
by dawn
in just a thought
I know I haven’t written a whole lot in the past few days.
I haven’t been around to see people at their sites, either, and for that, I apologize.
I’ve been fairly busy with school and family and dealing with these personal issues.
I will say this, though. Today I stood up for myself. I actually was proactive and stood up for myself. I will not let my supervisor or anyone else walk all over me without standing up for myself.
For me, that’s a HUGE step.
I’m quite proud of myself today.
another day, another dollar?
06 years ago
by dawn
in just a thought
This cabin is up near the base of Mount Elden in Flagstaff. I took this picture on Sunday when I was out driving around doing errands.
I liked the tin roof and the rubber covering in the door and the wood. They all have such different textures and I think it shows well in this image. Add in the fluffy clouds and the pine trees and this image felt very old to me. I felt like I was taken back more than a few years to a different place and time.
It was on private property so I couldn’t get up close and go inside (which I think would be fabulous!). I ended up taking the pictures of it from the edge of the road, hoping no one would be offended by me shooting. You never know, sometimes people are very private and/or paranoid about photography.
—
Today was a twisty-turny day.
I did get some good advice and it’s something I had considered when I wrote the post last night anyway. Jonathan’s mom suggested that I may not want to post some things in regards to work especially in this environment of people firing employees over their blogs. I had considered that last night when I posted the entry but then I blew it off. She’s right, of course. I do need to be more careful.
I had a meeting with my grad school advisor. I found out that I can take my entire grad program via the web so I can, theoretically, move anywhere in the world and still get my Master’s degree. Woohoo! That’s actually VERY freeing. I know I’m not stuck here for the next two years and should something else arise, I will be able to make changes in my location without worrying about missing out on my degree.
In addition, my advisor said that the grad school faculty are very excited to have me in the grad school because of my skills that I’ve been honing over the last 10 years. She said they want me to help them move forward with some of the technology they want to work in and to help with some of the classes. That’s really nice to hear. They are excited to have me. Wow!
I have to say that the last few days have really taught me something. There are people out there who care about me and who make the effort to tell me they care about me. Jonathan and his mom have been incredibly supportive and helpful in their advice during the last two weeks. My brothers have called me daily to make sure I’m okay and to listen when I have things to share and have offered excellent advice (oftentimes mirroring what Jonathan and his mom have offered). My sister really has stepped up and offered her support. My two sister-in-laws and one brother-in-law have also been incredibly supportive. Top it off with friends calling me to give me support, all of you, here, giving me support, and even classmates offering suggestions on available jobs, I’m truly touched.
I was feeling incredibly lonely last week and it hit me today that I’ve never been alone through this. There have been many people right by my side.
Thank you all for that. You’ll never know how much it has meant.
—
I wanted to apologize for not responding to e-mails or getting out to say hello to everyone in their blogs/photos. I haven’t had much time and when I do have the time, I’ve been incredibly lazy.
I will get around by week’s end to say hello. I promise.
christ church cathedral
06 years ago
by dawn
in just a thought
This church is a beautiful piece of Vancouver history.
It is situated in between contemporary glass buildings and surrounded by modern amenities of traffic signals, automobiles, and public transportation.
While I wasn’t able to get inside the church (although I did try), I found the doors and windows of this building to be quite charming and reminded me so much of my time in London.
post a secret
06 years ago
At the postsecret site, people send in anonymous postcards or send in an anonymous audio file to share a secret they carry.
Some of these secrets are interesting (or maybe a warning to parents who use babysitters???).
When I was a young teenage, I used to babysit my next door neighbor’s son. When he was asleep I would go into their bedroom and go through their bedside drawers. I found a packet of condoms. I put a pin through the middle of each of them and thus ensured myself years of babysitting.
Some make my heart ache.
I hate people who remind me of myself.
Some are sad.
Everyone who knew me before 9/11 believes I’m dead.
Some ring a bell.
I make everyone believe that I like to be different,
but really I just don’t know how to fit in.
Some tell us that we’re not alone.
I haven’t spoken to my dad in 10 years…and it kills me everyday.
While I haven’t sent a secret in, I find this site a study of humanity and very thought-provoking. I feel like a voyeur into some of the most secret secrets of peoples’ lives. I feel like something sacred is being shared with me. I feel like I should reach out more, listen more, hear more. I feel like I should be involved.
If you are interested in posting a secret, here is the information to do so:
You are invited to anonymously contribute your secrets to PostSecret. Each secret can be a regret, hope, unseen kindness, belief, fear, betrayal, desire, feeling, confession, or childhood humiliation. Reveal anything – as long as it is true and you have never shared it with anyone before.
Create your own 4-inch by 6-inch postcards out of any mailable material. But please only put one secret on a card. If you want to share two or more secrets, use multiple postcards.
Please put your complete image and secret on one side of the postcard.
You may mail your postcard inside an envelope if you prefer.
Tips:
Be brief – the fewer words used the better.
Be legible– – use big, clear and bold lettering.
Be creative – let the postcard be your canvas.PostSecrets are more likely to be displayed if they are short, easy to read, and creative.
Mail your secrets to:
PostSecret
13345 Copper Ridge Rd
Germantown, Maryland
USA 20874-3454Email questions or comments to: Frank [Email address: Frank #AT# docdel.com - replace #AT# with @ ]
tulips
06 years ago
by dawn
in just a thought
click image for enlargement
When I first looked at this photograph, I was very disappointed. It was blurry and hazy. I hadn’t done the flowers justice. They were beautiful. Pinks and yellows surrounded by greens. It was a beautiful sight.
We had spent some time at this flower shop taking pictures of flowers (and one another). I was in macro heaven. :-)
I clicked and clicked, moving this way and that, trying to capture all of the beautiful flowers that were right before me.
What I found, as I looked at this image again, is that there is beauty and enjoyment in the imperfect. My shots don’t have to be perfect every single time. Sometimes, even in imperfection, I will find a perfect shot.