Snail Mail

I enjoy nothing more than at the end of a long day, coming home, checking my mailbox (the ACTUAL one..not my GMail inbox) and receiving a little note from someone I love.


I can't explain why this simple joy never ceases to make my day except to say that it is a thoughtful gesture that was only extended in order to show that this person cares.

In a world that is focused on efficiency, speed, and technology, snail mail has become all but extinct.


This, to me, is unfortunate considering how much a hand-written note can mean to someone. It is a lost art...but one that I greatly enjoy. I am most likely the only bride that has ever truly enjoyed writing her hundreds of thank you notes. I enjoyed it so much so that I have decided to continue writing notes and have set the goal of writing one note per week to someone I love and care about...for no other reason than to tell them just that.


Snail Mail may not make the cut when considering factors such as time and ease. But every once in a while, what is so wrong with taking the extra time to hunt down that ellusive address, picking up a stamp, and penning a note.


Life is a constant race to keep up. To keep up with the changing technology, the tumultous economy, the trends of fashion, music, and your next door neighbor. But maybe sometimes it would be better to slow down, to stop racing, and to stop trying to keep up.


Maybe that little note that I take fifteen minutes out of my day of racing around is forgotten after I drop it in the mailbox, or maybe it makes someone else's day...and that, to me, makes it all worth it.

JOBless

Keeping up with current events has become a hobby of mine, a welcomed mid-day reprieve from the daily duties of my job. While browsing the news for fresh and interesting stories—aside from Irene or stale coverage of the 2012 Election, I stumbled upon this article that references yesterday’s shocking headline.

http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/08/24/7464410-challenges-of-an-apple-without-jobs

Steve Jobs has resigned. The whole world, it seems, has reeled at this momentous juncture in Apple’s history.

What will happen to this incredibly influential company? Who can possibly replace one of the greatest businessmen and inventors of our time? Will Apple continue its reign with the iPhone and iPad, or without its creative genius at the helm, will it flounder and surrender to its competitors?

Only time will tell.

I would argue, though, that Steve Jobs is replaceable. Maybe Apple itself will not survive the disruptive and tumultuous times ahead, but there is no doubt that someone will. Because that is what we do. We adapt, we forge on, we fail, learn, and try again until it works. It is the American way.

It is the way that our private sector is intended to operate. To allow people like Steve Jobs with incredible talent, imagination and vision to develop a dream and see it to fruition. It is survival of the fittest. Just as Sony (mentioned in the article above) did not advance with the times; it suddenly found itself becoming obsolete as Apple seized those opportunities, took the risks, and rose above. Steve Jobs will certainly not be forgotten, and his contributions to Apple and to society at large with his technological revolutions will forever be associated with his name; but the world keeps turning. He will be replaced, and whether his replacement is a viable one or not remains to be seen.

Apple may rise out of this time stronger and more influential than ever, or it may become antiquated—a mere memory as another company takes its place and their products becomes just as common. But no one can ever take the iPod, iPhone, or iPad away from Jobs or the existing company of Apple, and that is as it should be. Whatever the future may hold, and as technology continues to transform culture and societal norms, Jobs will always be accredited with raising the bar; setting the standard. For thinking outside the box, and taking risks that no one else would.

Well done.

A world without Jobs is certainly imaginable…but without his influence? Now that is a true debate.

Time Well Wasted

Who is to say what a plausible excuse for wasting time should be? The term "wasting" itself insinuates time spent in a useless or unproductive manner. To me, however, time well wasted is time I spend investing in something other than myself, my routine, or my obligations.


You see, I view time as an investment. And what I choose to invest in is what I deem valuable in my life. Unfortunately, and embarrassingly enough, I often find my "free" time invested in such mediums as Facebook, ridiculous reality TV, or even this blog. These are investments that I am not necessarily proud of...and definitely not time well wasted.


When I think about time I have wasted and felt was a good investment, I think about my closest relationships. Don't get me wrong, I do not think these relationships are useless or unnecessary, but sometimes the extra mile is seen as such. The extra mile as in calling a family member on my way home from work when I would rather just listen to music, or getting up an extra hour early to meet a friend for coffee who really needs to talk. Penning a note to someone I love just to tell him or her that, or simply sitting with my husband when he has had a long day and does not want to talk. These stolen moments are time well wasted; moments investing in relationships and the people I love.


Time well wasted is when I step outside of myself, my routine, my obligations, my problems and my daily circumstances, and I invest in someone or something else. Usually, at first, this time appears to be a sacrifice, but inevitably, I always feel as though I have gained more than anyone. I have looked beyond myself, invested in someone else, and found that this time wasted always turns out to be time well spent.

With Perseverance

LET US run with PERSEVERANCE

the race that is set before US
                                                         Hebrews 12:1

Running is an integral part of my life. So imbedded, in fact, that if a stranger were to ask me who I am, it would probably be in the top five facts I give to him about myself. I am a runner.

As I start training for my first half marathon (what was I thinking signing up for this?!?), I have been thinking a lot about commitment and perseverance. Running takes both. Every morning when my alarm goes off I need to re-commit myself to my goal, and every run-about halfway through—I need to tell myself to persevere. I love to run.

I enjoy the clarity I feel while running and the ability it gives me to push harder, go further. I relish in it as one of the few moments each day that is completely for me. I like the energy boost it brings and the great feeling of accomplishment I get after I am done. But I think what I like most about running is its applicability with many different facets in my life.

Now, as I am about to transition, yet again, I feel this is a very relevant challenge for me to take on. To persevere. To finish strong the race that is set before me. I have to motivate myself, much like when I go for a run, to honor my commitment, to persevere until the end. As I leave this job, and begin another, I want to leave knowing that I did the best job I could, I gave it my all until the end.

I can't always determine my circumstances, I can't necessarily control the situations I find myself in, but I can control how I react. I can persevere through the hard times and learn so much from them while in the midst of them.

So, like finishing a run with that last burst of energy and drive, I will finish this race. I will do my best, and I will persevere.

Sweet Serendipity

ser·en·dip·i·ty

/ˌsɛr ənˈdɪp ɪ ti/ [ser-uh n-dip-i-tee]

Noun

1.  An aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident.

2. good fortune; luck: the serendipity of getting the first job she applied for.

I love this word and often find myself searching for ways to use it in my every day happenings. I love it for two reasons. The first being the way it sounds as it lithely pops from my lips. It is a happy word to say. The syllables bounce up and down and it ends with that crisp “t” that just makes every word better—at least for rhyming purposes.

The second reason that I gravitate towards this word is that I don’t agree with its definition. Don’t get me wrong, I have serendipitous happenings all the time…moments in my day where I find myself elated at the smallest of findings, the most random of encounters, or the most unexpected of surprises. But luck is never something I have put my faith in, or spent my time and energy trusting.

Serendipity, to me, means taking the time to enjoy my life--looking at the ordinary as a little more extraordinary than usual. For instance, instead of dreading my daily commute that adds up to be about an hour and a half, I’ll be thankful and appreciate the quality time I get on the phone with my mom. I’ll roll down the windows on the way home and catch that last little bit of Vitamin D before the sun goes down on the way home. I’ll eat my dessert before my dinner just because I can, play with Froggie—the sweetest most devoted dog in the world, kiss my hubby like it’s the last time, and the whole time I’ll be savoring in the sweet serendipity of my everyday life.

Nothing unusual, nothing special. Except for the fact that I took time to enjoy it, took time for my family and friends, a breath of fresh air, or even just to dance to my favorite song on the radio. Sometimes it is not your circumstances that change, but rather how you look at them…and I am choosing to be thankful for mine—as much as I can, and always.

Serendipity does not happen to me, it is something I choose when I choose to look at the little moments of each day as if they were more than just insignificant and monotonous minutes, and more like gifts to delight in. Not letting life pass me by because I’m “getting through it”, but truly living my life, always savoring the serendipity of it all.

Dear Marmie & Ryan

 Your wedding day was perfect, a beautiful affair,

Every detail was lovely and cannot be compared.

The flowers, the music, the moments of pure bliss,

The looks on your faces, no one could miss.

The lace on your dress, the look in your eyes,

Marmie you made such a beautiful Bride!

The love and devotion shown from your face,

The first time Ryan saw you, it took his breath away.

The vows that you made, to have and to hold,

Will hold true forever, no matter what the future unfolds.

August 6, 2011 will always be a special day for you,

And may you remember forever the promises you hold true.

Skinny margaritas and Mint Julips, too,

A night from Kentucky—it was so you!

Dancing, celebrating, and posing for the photo booth,

It was a fabulous time for all—this is the truth!

The love that you share,

Was such an unforgettable sight to see.

And everyone who was there,

Was so happy to witness the beginning of your journey.

A life full of love,

And adventures untold,

Moments of tears, but of laughter tenfold.

With your best friend by your side,

And your future ahead,

Dear Marmie and Ryan:

There is just one thing that is left unsaid.

Congratulations, Dear Friends, on beginning this chapter,

May your life be full of love, and a whole lot of laughter.

Today is the first day of forever together,

May each day, each moment you share, only get better.

20/20

Brian and I, over a year ago, made the road trip from my parent’s home in Kansas up to Cleveland which would be our adopted hometown for the following six months. On our way up, we heard a Bowling for Soup song on the radio called, “Ohio (Come Back to Texas)” and all we could do was laugh at the irony in this lyrical tribute to our lives:

“She said she needed a break,
A little time to think.
But then she went to Cleveland
With some guy named Leelan (Brian)
That she met at the bank (Matitto’s).

There's nothing wrong with Ohio…
Except the snow and the rain.
I really like Drew Carey
And I'd love the Scene, the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame!

So when you're done doing whatever,
And when you're through seeing whoever,
You know Denton (Dallas) County will be right here waiting for you....

Come back to Texas!
It's just not the same since you went away,
Before you lose your accent
And forget all about the Lonestar State!
There's a seat for you at the rodeo,
And I've got every slow dance saved.
Besides the Mexican food sucks north of here anyway.

I think I made a mistake.
It's not that easy to take.
She went to make a deposit,
Then she cleaned out her closet
Guess I'll sit here and wait.

For her to come back home,
It shouldn't take very long,
I bet she misses the sunrise,
And Mrs. Baird's fruit pies but I could be wrong…

Troy Aikmen (Abbie) wants you back.
Willie Nelson (Pat Green) wants you back.
NASA (haha, yeah right) wants you back.
And the Bush twins want you back.
And Pantera (Pokey-o’s) wants you back.
And Blue Bell wants you back.

I got a premonition
I'm taking a petition
And the whole state's gonna sign!!”

**rephrased just a bit.

I laughed because otherwise I would have cried. Moving to Cleveland was a very difficult time, a huge leap of faith for me. I left behind my family, my friends, my life. I was very lonely and discouraged by the difficulty in finding a job and in building relationships.

But that was then. And hindsight, as always, is 20/20. Now I can see the tremendous blessing that was my time in Cleveland, Ohio. Brian and I learned to lean on each other, and to support one another through both our shared and our separate difficulties.  We took advantage of the beautiful summer and now, being in a near record-breaking hot summer in Dallas, we appreciate it all the more. This is why I have created a Top-10 list about our six months in Cleveland. The best parts about it, the parts I appreciate and yes, even miss, just a little.

10. The “Becca” Bridge--The view from my condo overlooked downtown and there was this beautiful bridge across the Cuyahoga River that I deemed as mine because I loved looking at it in all lights of the day, and used to run across it on my runs with Frog Dog.

9.  Browns, and Indians Games—the only place I ever lived that I could walk from my house to watch the MLB and the NFL, I could have walked to the Cavs arena too, but who wanted to go there after “The Decision” last summer?!

8. Buffalo mac n cheese at Barley House—so, so good.

7. Sailing on Lake Erie with Brian’s co-workers & rowing on the Cuyahoga with our crew team, not to mention winning our regatta!

6. The beautiful metro parks—we biked and hiked and explored all summer and fall.

5. Experiencing fall for the first time since 2^nd grade & taking advantage of the gorgeous summer weather
4. My job at Cleveland Magazine—I absolutely loved what I did, and everyone I worked with. Events at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and at 688 were such great experiences.

3. Junior League friends/ Dg Friends/ Christia—miss you girls!!

2. Gaining the smallest/ cutest member of the family—FrogDog! Seriously the best dog ever.

1. Being so close to Michigan, getting to know the Tochman/ Hogge side of my family and all of our date trips to MSU!! Go Green!

Cleveland was a season, a quick six months of my life. But looking back, I learned so much, met so many wonderful people, and really grew as an individual. I am so thankful for that time, and look back on it very fondly. I miss a lot of the advantages of living up there—especially weekends on the lake!

Now I realize that that time with Brian, his parents, our friends and co-workers was a tremendous blessing; a gift. I am SO thankful to be in Dallas, and appreciate it so much more after leaving, but will never regret my time away. And as hardships and times of loneliness and despair arise in the future (which they inevitably will), I will remember my time in Cleveland and how much it now means to me. The lessons that were so hard and difficult to learn at the time, are now sweet remembrances of how far I have come, and are instilled in me as I continue to grow and to learn.

Hindsight is 20/20 and now I am able to thank God for that time, for how it has shaped me now, and for how it has prepared me for my future.

Football Fan(atic)

Crisp air.  Cool breeze. Clear blue skies. Painted faces. Pumped up players, crowd chants, packed bleachers and devoted fans.

Some of my favorite aspects of my favorite sport: Football. 

I love the camaraderie that football brings to its fans. I love watching the ball slowly, painfully, make its way down the field. And then the very next possession is a quick pass for a touchdown. The quarterback calls plays and reads the field like a general going in to battle. The running back swiftly and nimbly cuts through the defensive linemen as he works his way down the field, yard by yard. The cornerback, deflects passes and intercepts for game-changing turnovers. The refs and the coaches negotiate back and forth, and every fan in the stands offers their expert opinion on each call.

It is a virtuoso sixty minutes.

Whether college or pro, whether SMU, Texas, K-State, Michigan State, or the New England Patriots—I am a fan. My earliest childhood memories were watching Monday night football with my dad and brothers. The Patriots are our team...and historically, the Buffalo Bills, as well. Some of my favorite high school memories are K-State tailgates and games with my brother and family. In college it was SMU and Texas, and now I’ve added Michigan State to my repertoire of teams. I love my teams, all of them.

I love the energy and excitement of a football game. I can sit in the stands or watch on TV, either way, a day watching football is a day well spent. I love that, in my mind, football and fall are inextricably linked, and that I cannot imagine one without the other. I love watching the season progress, and just as the leaves change and the temperatures drop, so the rankings and the statistics of my teams are unpredictable yet inevitable.

Football is a way of life. A way to get through a long Monday and a way to spend an entire Saturday. When everything else in this world is turbulent and every news station is reporting the latest widespread devastation—by natural or political causes, the game of football does not change. Games are aired every week, and every team has a chance to redeem themselves, game after game. Every fan has the equal opportunity to revel in the unbelievable game-winning catch, and to commiserate with their fellow fans at a fumble that threw the game.

Whoever your team is, whatever league and division they are in, it is great to be a football fan.

The Sky is the Limit

Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'! 
~Audrey Hepburn 

A life Well Lived

I find myself wondering on many a Monday morning what the point of it all is. Going to work, day after day, week after week and month after month begins to feel monotonous and purposeless. Does the little bit I contribute to my company make a difference? Do I have an impact on anyone or anything in my position?

Somedays I really don't know.

But, while Brian and I were in Kansas with my family this last weekend, we went to the church that I grew up in and it just so happened to be Pastor Andrus' last Sunday behind the pulpit. After four decades of preaching in this church, and many others, he was finally retiring and passing the torch.

His message was on legacy and transition, and, as always, it was very challenging and applicable. But the moment I will never forget was the benediction. An associate pastor came up to give him some accolades and to end the service in prayer. As he finished, the entire congregation rose for a standing ovation. And it continued. For probably five solid minutes this man was honored by the applause of his congregation. The people he had dedicated his life to serve. The people he had spent long, hard nights with. Cried with, rejoiced with, grieved with and prayed with. He had poured his life in to these people, and they were, in some small way, thanking him for his time, energy, prayer, and wise words on their behalf.

It was moving to witness such a life well lived.

Now, I know not everyone's retirement is such a public event, witnessed by thousands, but I really do believe that everyone has the opportunity to impact the lives of people around them. I have no desire or ambitions to become a pastor, but I do believe that I can serve the people around me, right where I am at. When I come to retirement, there will not be thousands to witness my last day, there will be no standing ovation, nor accolades recited. But, will there be people out there to say that I helped them in some small way? I made their life, or even just their day, better? I did everything I could to put my time and energy in to their lives, that I loved and believed in them? I truly hope so.

Whether I am an assistant, manager, CEO or a stay at home mom. Wherever I am, whatever I do, I hope that I serve others, love them, and help them to the best of my ability.

I hope I have a life well lived.