This I Believe (Thursday)

It's been one heck of a week, and the world is reminding me that it's not quite over yet and so there is more to come.  So I'm sorry I missed posting on Tuesday for my This I Believe.  But I'm making up for it now...

This I Believe Tuesday Thursday - I believe that decisions are not easy.

My colleague and I have had to make many decisions this week, and none of them were easy.  There are other people that have had to make difficult decisions this week as well, and I know they were not easy for those individuals.

I came home from work last night at midnight and looked in the mirror and what did I see?  My shoulders were practically touching my ears!  The tension in my shoulders and back was building up to the point of me *scrunching* my shoulders without even noticing it.

Suffice it to say that decisions are not easy.  They affect the individual, they affect others, and they have an effect on dynamics.  But each decision one makes, they learn from it.  One's decision may bring about respect, or it may bring about hate.  And you know what?... it's your decision to determine how you feel about another person's decisions.  I challenge me (and you) to think about how you decide to react to certain things.  Let's show some more respect for the person making the decision, knowing that decisions are not easy.

What do YOU believe?

Being sick sucks...

I haven't showered in two days.  Yes, that's probably TMI, but it's the truth. 

My head is pounding like I drank 3 bottles of tequila... not that I've ever done that, it's just how I imagine it would feel.

I can count how many hours I haven't been sleeping easier than I can count how many hours I have slept.  (I have been awake 4.5 hours out of the last 36...) 

My migraine has also decided to have a little friend join it, a fever.  And what comes with a fever??  Chills!  Lots and lots of chills.  I keep putting on and taking off my favorite sweatshirt, given to me by The Speedbumps (a pretty awesome band from Ohio).  I can't get to a comfortable temperature in my apartment. 

In my late twenties and all I want is my mommy.  Yea I said it.  And she's not even the most sympathetic person, but she makes me feel better. 

I have taken two days off of work, and can't stop thinking about all of the things that need to get done.  Yet I still sit here, one leg under the blanket and one leg over, sleeping.  I guess I just need to get over it and accept that my body needs this rest to recover from whatever is going on. 

I get put back into perspective, though, when I think about how much worse things can be.  One of my mentors was hit by a car while crossing the streets of NYC a few days ago.  He is in ICU.  I know someone who is facing cancer (and this ain't her first rodeo) and the battle is tough.  A family friend just recently had a serious heart attack, with recovery still a long ways away. 

And I'm sitting here complaining to the four or five of you that read this blog.  I need to be thankful for the health that I do have, because it could be worse.

But whether it's a migraine, fever, major accident, heart attack, or cancer...

Being sick SUCKS! 

So I'm going to go continue to get my rest so that I can be back to 100%, and be thankful because many people out there in the world may never get back to their 100%. 

This I Believe Tuesday

This I Believe started out as a radio show, then moved into books, and now has moved onto the internet.  It is a movement to get people to express what they believe in, their core values, and the stories behind them.

Our Common Book at Virginia Tech this year is This I Believe II.  I absolutely love this book!  It is a collection of short essays, giving you a glimpse into 75 individuals' lives and personal philosophies.  We are finding ways to integrate the book into our daily work at the university, which I have been finding very rewarding.

So I have decided to try and do a This I Believe Tuesday... putting out there what I believe for the current time and situations that I have encountered in my recent history.

So to start this first one off...

This I Believe - I believe that everyone has a story, a story worth knowing.  

Recently in my class, I assigned a paper in which the students had to write their story.  It was as simple as that.  They could choose what they wrote about, how they wrote it, and what they expressed about themselves in their story.  I was fascinated by what my students had to say.  Had I not had them complete this assignment, my knowledge of these individuals would have been just barely scratching the surface.  These are people who have experienced difficult childhoods, poverty, health conditions, loss of family members, living in different cultures, and so on.  They each had a very unique story... a unique story that is worth knowing.  I am honored that they were willing to share their stories, and now I hope to find ways to share my story with them.

What's YOUR story?  What do YOU believe??

Y3W: Just keep swimming...

The point of Y3W (aka Your Three Words) is to sum up your week in just three words.

I first saw it on a fellow blogger's site and I've now been inspired to do it.

So my three words for this week are {drum roll please}...

Just keep swimming

I've been dealing with a lot of crap -- yes I said it... CRAP -- this week and I've had to tell myself multiple times to just keep swimming.  Sometimes things can get you down but if you keep treading that water, you will eventually get to the other side.  (You may just be doggie paddling it all of the way.)

If you would like to start participating in the Y3W challenge, click on the button below.

It's been a long time

Wow.  Where has all the time gone?  Oh yea...

• Moving
• Training
• More training
• Even more training
• Moving some more
• Opening
• Teaching
• Supervising
• Advising
• Creating
• Planning
• Mediating
• Learning
• Playing
• Sleeping (a little)
• Responding

As you can see, it has been a very busy time since I last wrote... which was back in July... sorry blog friends (all 4 of you). 

Although it has been hectic and stressful and exhausting, the time has also been reaffirming, exhilarating, and AWESOME.  I have learned a lot about myself, Virginia Tech, and what I want for my future.

I am really enjoying the relationships that are growing with my RAs and with my fellow RLC.  I already feel like I have a solid group of friends here that I can count on.  Seeing the community I'm living in go through its growing pains is a rewarding experience.  There is no doubt in my mind that this was and is the right move for me.

However I am finding it difficult to have time to sit and talk with friends.  I barely even call home anymore, which I guess is a good sign because that means I must be happy.  The great thing is that I get to see some of the people I love the most more frequently.  I've already seen my parents three times since I moved here.  And Liz and Adam came through for the first home football game.

Ahhhh football... It has been way too long since I've had a constant dose of live VT Hokies football, and boy does it feel good!  I spent too much money on getting the season tickets, but I consider it a strong investment.  Fall is here my friends... fall is here.

I have even almost survived my first week of duty.  I say almost because the week isn't over yet.  But you bet your bottom that on Thursday night, after I have handed off the phone to the next lucky person at noon, I will be enjoying a nice cold adult beverage.  CHEERS to that!

It's good to be back in the world of blogging!