As I am now a Colorado resident (new license and plates!), I decided to take part in my civic responsibilities and vote on November 2. I'd done my best to prepare for the election by researching candidates and issues that would be on our ballot.
However, I was in for quite the surprise when I got to the end of the ballot. After deciding on amendments for lowered taxes and abortion rights, I read this question:
Initiative 300
Shall voters for the City and County of Denver adopt an Initiated Ordinance to require the creation of an extraterrestrial affairs commission to help ensure the health, safety, and cultural awareness of Denver residents and visitors in relation to potential encounters or interactions with extraterrestrial intelligent beings or their vehicles, and fund such commission from grants, gifts and donations?
Say whaaat? I thought it was a joke, and actually looked around my polling precinct for the hidden camera, but no camera. This was serious business. Luckily, more than 84% of Denverites voted down the ordinance. For now, no UFO commission, but I heard that Denver is an "ideal" location for an extraterrestrial experience, so I'll keep you posted. :)
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Embracing the Adventure - Part 2: The Reflection
I'm slowly beginning to recognize that this series of events was always God's plan. Things have not gone my way for the last year and a half, and for good reason. See, I'm an ultra prideful person. And the worst part is, I never realized it was a problem. I was blinded by my own pridefulness. The changes to my plan are God's way of saying "Hey Cathy, I'm going to bring you down a notch because I have incredible things planned for you and your huge ego and plans are getting in the way." There's a difference in "being proud of my accomplishments" (New Year's 2009) than the pridefulness that fueled my thoughts and actions. For example, I always had this attitude that nannying was "beneath my expertise." WHAT? Get serious. I used so much of my teacher training during my nannying experience and have realized all over again why I love working with children. I'm so embarrassed to admit that; so many of my dear friends have nannied and I always secretly felt sorry for them. WHAT? Get serious. So, I'm terribly sorry and hope you can forgive my stupid thoughts against an honest, awesome way to work with kids.
Finally, I'm changing my attitude. Thanks to this unplanned experience, I've made some incredibly dear friendships, been challenged professionally, and developed spiritually. I've found an outlet to volunteer with elementary educational tutoring/mentoring, and will substitute here in local school systems while I'm reapplying for my professional Colorado teaching license.
This is the adventure I was seeking. I don't know what's in store for my life in the next 6 months, much less the next year or the next 10 years. All I know is that I'm asking God to change my heart for honest and altruistic motivations, and to help me abandon my selfish nature to glorify Him. I'm trying to constantly seek His plan, and trying my best to keep my ego in check. I think my 2011 resolution should be a nice mix of the last two years:
Embrace God's adventure for my life, no matter what the future holds.
Amen.
Finally, I'm changing my attitude. Thanks to this unplanned experience, I've made some incredibly dear friendships, been challenged professionally, and developed spiritually. I've found an outlet to volunteer with elementary educational tutoring/mentoring, and will substitute here in local school systems while I'm reapplying for my professional Colorado teaching license.
This is the adventure I was seeking. I don't know what's in store for my life in the next 6 months, much less the next year or the next 10 years. All I know is that I'm asking God to change my heart for honest and altruistic motivations, and to help me abandon my selfish nature to glorify Him. I'm trying to constantly seek His plan, and trying my best to keep my ego in check. I think my 2011 resolution should be a nice mix of the last two years:
Embrace God's adventure for my life, no matter what the future holds.
Amen.
Embracing the Adventure - Part 1: The Recollection
So I've been computerless for the last few weeks, and I finally sucked it up and bought a new one so we've got TWO NEW POSTS comin' at ya. You lucky.
I recently looked back about my New Year's Resolutions from January 2009 and 2010. Most of them are the same (e.g. staying physically and socially active) but there are a couple that stand out from each year:
2009: Be proud of my accomplishments, no matter what the future holds.
2010: Embrace the adventure.
I find these two particularly interesting for a few reasons. January 2009 marked the beginning of my last semester in college. I knew the future was fairly uncertain, even though I certainly HAD a plan that I thought should be exactly executed haha In January 2010 I had already spent one full semester out of college and NOTHING that I expected to happen did. That's when I changed my attitude...sort of. God obviously had other plans for me, and it took me almost 2 years to recognize it. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let me back up.
The plan all along was to secure a teaching job prior to graduation, move out to Colorado Springs, and live happily ever after. What actually happened was this:
Summer '09: No job at graduation - Not really hearing anything from Colorado schools - Kept summer student job (expecting to pickup and move at any moment) - August arrives and I still don't have a job - Too prideful to be a nanny, accept job anyway.
Fall '09: Having an incredibly experience with my nanny family - They encouraged me to move to Denver instead of the Springs - Called for a temporary position in student affairs - Accepted my new job to start in January.
Spring '10: Loving my job in student residential life - Making the ultimate decision to move to Colorado with no job and no friends
Summer '10: Make the move - Accept a part-time nanny position - Hop back on the retail train until something in education comes up - Temporary teaching license expires - Too qualified for para positions, not qualified enough for classroom teaching without a current license
Fall '10: Making the realization and accepting that I may be waiting until the 2011-2012 school year to finally secure my own classroom - Getting everything in place to substitute and network.
That's quite different from my fairytale one-line original plan, huh?
I recently looked back about my New Year's Resolutions from January 2009 and 2010. Most of them are the same (e.g. staying physically and socially active) but there are a couple that stand out from each year:
2009: Be proud of my accomplishments, no matter what the future holds.
2010: Embrace the adventure.
I find these two particularly interesting for a few reasons. January 2009 marked the beginning of my last semester in college. I knew the future was fairly uncertain, even though I certainly HAD a plan that I thought should be exactly executed haha In January 2010 I had already spent one full semester out of college and NOTHING that I expected to happen did. That's when I changed my attitude...sort of. God obviously had other plans for me, and it took me almost 2 years to recognize it. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let me back up.
The plan all along was to secure a teaching job prior to graduation, move out to Colorado Springs, and live happily ever after. What actually happened was this:
Summer '09: No job at graduation - Not really hearing anything from Colorado schools - Kept summer student job (expecting to pickup and move at any moment) - August arrives and I still don't have a job - Too prideful to be a nanny, accept job anyway.
Fall '09: Having an incredibly experience with my nanny family - They encouraged me to move to Denver instead of the Springs - Called for a temporary position in student affairs - Accepted my new job to start in January.
Spring '10: Loving my job in student residential life - Making the ultimate decision to move to Colorado with no job and no friends
Summer '10: Make the move - Accept a part-time nanny position - Hop back on the retail train until something in education comes up - Temporary teaching license expires - Too qualified for para positions, not qualified enough for classroom teaching without a current license
Fall '10: Making the realization and accepting that I may be waiting until the 2011-2012 school year to finally secure my own classroom - Getting everything in place to substitute and network.
That's quite different from my fairytale one-line original plan, huh?
Monday, August 2, 2010
This Is It
I am happy. I mean, I’m generally a happy person; really “smiley.”
There have been many times since my trek to the west that I haven’t been so happy – there’s a lot more involved with moving half-way across the country than I originally thought: (still) dealing with life after college, striking out on my own without my friends or family, not having a full-time job, and feeling completely, utterly, and hopelessly lost.
Fortunately, I’m also an adaptive person. So I stuck to my guns, smiled my best smiles, tried new things and places, met new people, and have already made some incredible memories. I am finally beginning to feel like I belong in this new place – I’ve even picked up some of the local lingo – I’m totally on my way to being a Coloradi :)*
And now that I’ve already experienced practically every awkward moment imaginable (yeah, that’s right), I am incredibly happy. I know that sometimes I use this blog as a way to complain or talk about what’s wrong, but this time, I’m talking about what’s right. And I also know that my move was not as far away as some of my friends have so bravely done, but it was no less momentous and no less awkward haha.
So great the next day with one of your best smiles, repeat my personal mantra – “a day without laughter is a day wasted,” and just.be.happy.
*Disclaimer: They’re Coloradans, not Coloradis – I just wanted to make sure you knew that I knew the correct local lingo*
There have been many times since my trek to the west that I haven’t been so happy – there’s a lot more involved with moving half-way across the country than I originally thought: (still) dealing with life after college, striking out on my own without my friends or family, not having a full-time job, and feeling completely, utterly, and hopelessly lost.
Fortunately, I’m also an adaptive person. So I stuck to my guns, smiled my best smiles, tried new things and places, met new people, and have already made some incredible memories. I am finally beginning to feel like I belong in this new place – I’ve even picked up some of the local lingo – I’m totally on my way to being a Coloradi :)*
And now that I’ve already experienced practically every awkward moment imaginable (yeah, that’s right), I am incredibly happy. I know that sometimes I use this blog as a way to complain or talk about what’s wrong, but this time, I’m talking about what’s right. And I also know that my move was not as far away as some of my friends have so bravely done, but it was no less momentous and no less awkward haha.
So great the next day with one of your best smiles, repeat my personal mantra – “a day without laughter is a day wasted,” and just.be.happy.
*Disclaimer: They’re Coloradans, not Coloradis – I just wanted to make sure you knew that I knew the correct local lingo*
Monday, July 19, 2010
Stuck at the Starting Line
I had an epiphanical (if that’s not a word I just made it one) moment on my way home from work today followed by some serious reflection while listening to (none other) The Avett Brothers which was so rudely interrupted by some lady trying to cut me off and cause an accident during rush hour traffic. Thankfully, I did get in some good thinking before my thoughts wandered to some more “choice” words.
We’re doing this series at church entitled “I have a friend who…” and a couple of weeks go we dealt with “struggles with being single.” Ok, we’re about to get ultra vulnerable here, so just buckle up. This girl was once in a serious relationship. Big time serious. Abandon-your-friends-and-family-just-so-you-can-have-more-time-with-each-other serious. I was certain that “God blessed the broken road” that led him to my life, and we were headed for the aisle. Wrong.
Two years later and I have a couple of wounds that are still healing mmm…more like scarring, and they’re ugly. (A quick aside, I love my friends. You know who you are – you watched me cry, yell, get so angry I couldn’t even think of an outlet to express it and just shut you out.) Sometimes I feel like I’m stuck at the starting line, waiting for my life to start when I’ve found a career and a guy to share it with. As if my life has no significance while I’m still single. This was identified as the “Traditional View” of singleness during the lesson, so at least I know I’m not alone...haha isn’t that ironic?
The rest of our time was spent building us singles up. I learned that we have a ridiculous advantage. We can follow God’s call whenever, wherever – those decisions are only affecting one life. We also should have ridiculous appreciation – God is saying: “Cathy – accept this gift of singleness that I’m giving to you today” and that’s it. Accept right now for right now. The world needs my gifts, and my heart for others, and my want to serve.
Today, on my way home from work, I stopped pouting about being single. This is where I am for now, not forever, and I’m beginning to finally recognize that the one who will find me, to get rid of my singleness forever, is worth waiting for. The gun has gone off, and I’m starting my life.
We’re doing this series at church entitled “I have a friend who…” and a couple of weeks go we dealt with “struggles with being single.” Ok, we’re about to get ultra vulnerable here, so just buckle up. This girl was once in a serious relationship. Big time serious. Abandon-your-friends-and-family-just-so-you-can-have-more-time-with-each-other serious. I was certain that “God blessed the broken road” that led him to my life, and we were headed for the aisle. Wrong.
Two years later and I have a couple of wounds that are still healing mmm…more like scarring, and they’re ugly. (A quick aside, I love my friends. You know who you are – you watched me cry, yell, get so angry I couldn’t even think of an outlet to express it and just shut you out.) Sometimes I feel like I’m stuck at the starting line, waiting for my life to start when I’ve found a career and a guy to share it with. As if my life has no significance while I’m still single. This was identified as the “Traditional View” of singleness during the lesson, so at least I know I’m not alone...haha isn’t that ironic?
The rest of our time was spent building us singles up. I learned that we have a ridiculous advantage. We can follow God’s call whenever, wherever – those decisions are only affecting one life. We also should have ridiculous appreciation – God is saying: “Cathy – accept this gift of singleness that I’m giving to you today” and that’s it. Accept right now for right now. The world needs my gifts, and my heart for others, and my want to serve.
Today, on my way home from work, I stopped pouting about being single. This is where I am for now, not forever, and I’m beginning to finally recognize that the one who will find me, to get rid of my singleness forever, is worth waiting for. The gun has gone off, and I’m starting my life.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Help Wanted
I discovered my passion for education sophomore year of college. I was taking the very first available class – Foundations of Education. I found myself excited to go to class each day, literally eating up the discussion and assignments. Nothing else mattered when I researched for those papers – I had finally found something in which I could absorb myself completely.
Breaking the news to my family that I was going to major in Education and plan on teaching elementary school after graduation was not an easy task. My parents have always supported my decisions, and I knew I could tell them anything. And yet, it took a little getting used to, to imagine that the cost of 4 years at my private university would equal over 6 years of a teacher’s salary. I took my next two years seriously preparing for a teaching career, and had an amazing experience with my department.
Now I’m still in the search for a teaching job, but it’s not my favorite thing to talk about. Not that it’s a sensitive subject; it’s just hard to tell people over and over that I’m still seeking a job that I feel so prepared for. I worked so hard, and cared so much about my projects and assignments and teaching experiences, but now I’m fighting feelings that I’m not as good of an educator, or I’m missing something that everyone else knows. What could I have done differently during college to better prepare me for this time? What is the key phrase to tell possible employers “HEY! I’m the best person for this position, and all I need is a chance to show you.” I realize that moving to a new area means that I might have to start small – substituting, assistant teaching, or even volunteering – to get my foot in the door, and that’s something I’m willing to do.
I know God has a perfect plan for me, and I know education is the career for me, but right now, more than anything, I think He’s trying to tell me to be patient. Be thankful for this day, and this place, and these people that I’m surrounded by. Keep doing what I’m doing. Stay close to the field that I love so much, no matter what, and the perfect job will find me.
Breaking the news to my family that I was going to major in Education and plan on teaching elementary school after graduation was not an easy task. My parents have always supported my decisions, and I knew I could tell them anything. And yet, it took a little getting used to, to imagine that the cost of 4 years at my private university would equal over 6 years of a teacher’s salary. I took my next two years seriously preparing for a teaching career, and had an amazing experience with my department.
Now I’m still in the search for a teaching job, but it’s not my favorite thing to talk about. Not that it’s a sensitive subject; it’s just hard to tell people over and over that I’m still seeking a job that I feel so prepared for. I worked so hard, and cared so much about my projects and assignments and teaching experiences, but now I’m fighting feelings that I’m not as good of an educator, or I’m missing something that everyone else knows. What could I have done differently during college to better prepare me for this time? What is the key phrase to tell possible employers “HEY! I’m the best person for this position, and all I need is a chance to show you.” I realize that moving to a new area means that I might have to start small – substituting, assistant teaching, or even volunteering – to get my foot in the door, and that’s something I’m willing to do.
I know God has a perfect plan for me, and I know education is the career for me, but right now, more than anything, I think He’s trying to tell me to be patient. Be thankful for this day, and this place, and these people that I’m surrounded by. Keep doing what I’m doing. Stay close to the field that I love so much, no matter what, and the perfect job will find me.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
A Night on the Town
What an introduction to Denver nightlife.
My roommate and I decided that a Friday night out was exactly what we needed – while we’re not normally club-hoppers, there is something exciting about fixing your hair and doing your makeup and finding the perfect outfit…especially when your day-to-day life is typically very low maintenance.
We got all dolled up, and headed to the lightrail station. This metro system will take you straight into downtown Denver from our neighborhood for a measly $4, a much better deal than the $15 parking decks or spending an hour fighting against those searching for the free street meters.
Unfortunately, the local place we were meeting up with friends was quite a hike from the lightrail station (and coincidentally, across the street from the former Real World: Denver house), and our feet were already beginning to hurt by the time we made it to the line. Reminder for next time: when you’re riding the lightrail, wear flats. We were the first of our group to arrive, and while we were waiting I discovered the following about the residents of my new city:
• The place is crawling with young people.
• The guys (try to) find creative ways to introduce themselves. A few samples from last night:
o OH MY GOSH…you’re beautiful.
o I saw you texting, but my phone’s not buzzing.
o I have some friends that would like to meet you.
o Where are you going next? I was going to go party with you.
o I’m a pro golfer, and I’ve played along side Tiger Woods.
Finally, we met up with our friends, and had a fantastic time of catching up and making weekend plans. But, soon it was time to call it a night. N* and I decided to catch an earlier train. The last pickup from downtown leaves at 1:45, so everyone who’s hanging around for those last moments of the night hops on then. We fortunately left a little after 1:00, but were not without our share of interesting characters on the train.
There was the 50+ woman who stumbled into, and hit on, any guy seeming to be under 30. There was the young-20s girl who was being supported by her friends, getting sick and falling asleep a couple of seats back. There was the mid-20s guy who fell into a deep sleep, rolled off his seat, and cracked his head on the floor. Since he appeared to be alone, N* called 911 and had an ambulance meet him at the next stop. He tried to say he was fine, and the Wackenhut security officers had to physically take him off the train to get checked out.
All in all, it was definitely an interesting night, and I couldn’t have been with better company. Each day I’m becoming better friends with my roommates, a true success story from Craigslist.
Next time, we’ll probably take the 1:45 train, just to see what happens.
My roommate and I decided that a Friday night out was exactly what we needed – while we’re not normally club-hoppers, there is something exciting about fixing your hair and doing your makeup and finding the perfect outfit…especially when your day-to-day life is typically very low maintenance.
We got all dolled up, and headed to the lightrail station. This metro system will take you straight into downtown Denver from our neighborhood for a measly $4, a much better deal than the $15 parking decks or spending an hour fighting against those searching for the free street meters.
Unfortunately, the local place we were meeting up with friends was quite a hike from the lightrail station (and coincidentally, across the street from the former Real World: Denver house), and our feet were already beginning to hurt by the time we made it to the line. Reminder for next time: when you’re riding the lightrail, wear flats. We were the first of our group to arrive, and while we were waiting I discovered the following about the residents of my new city:
• The place is crawling with young people.
• The guys (try to) find creative ways to introduce themselves. A few samples from last night:
o OH MY GOSH…you’re beautiful.
o I saw you texting, but my phone’s not buzzing.
o I have some friends that would like to meet you.
o Where are you going next? I was going to go party with you.
o I’m a pro golfer, and I’ve played along side Tiger Woods.
Finally, we met up with our friends, and had a fantastic time of catching up and making weekend plans. But, soon it was time to call it a night. N* and I decided to catch an earlier train. The last pickup from downtown leaves at 1:45, so everyone who’s hanging around for those last moments of the night hops on then. We fortunately left a little after 1:00, but were not without our share of interesting characters on the train.
There was the 50+ woman who stumbled into, and hit on, any guy seeming to be under 30. There was the young-20s girl who was being supported by her friends, getting sick and falling asleep a couple of seats back. There was the mid-20s guy who fell into a deep sleep, rolled off his seat, and cracked his head on the floor. Since he appeared to be alone, N* called 911 and had an ambulance meet him at the next stop. He tried to say he was fine, and the Wackenhut security officers had to physically take him off the train to get checked out.
All in all, it was definitely an interesting night, and I couldn’t have been with better company. Each day I’m becoming better friends with my roommates, a true success story from Craigslist.
Next time, we’ll probably take the 1:45 train, just to see what happens.
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