So, you know how there are people who actually DO laugh out loud at t.v. shows, as opposed to those of us who just sort of smile and maybe let out an occasional smirk (though, watching "Community" has proved to be the one show that elicits actual guffaws from me on a weekly basis)?
Well, I'm more like the person who, rather than just merely being sad, cries at t.v. shows/movies/commercials. It's ridiculous, really. Most of the time, I'll cry once or twice, and then grow to anticipate what lies ahead in a given episode. Sometimes, however, I know that the only preparation I can do is to grab the Kleenex and wait. Here is an abridged list of shows, etc., that make me cry:
1. Mr. Holland's Opus (both when they discover that Cole is deaf and at final concert at the movie's close).
2. Big Fish. Who doesn't cry at the end of this movie?!?
3. E.T. (With this one, I've literally turned the movie on with only 10 minutes left to go and STILL bawled like a baby).
4. The series finale of "Friends". I only cried the first few times I watched it, but come on...that's ridiculous.
5. Father's day Hallmark commercials. Seriously. Every year.
6. That one episode of "7th Heaven" that I haven't seen in years, when "Mom", the pet golden retriever, dies.
7. Almost every episode of Glee. The one when we first met Sue's sister and the season finale proved to cause exceptionally large tears.
8. Dance With Wolves. Maybe the horses won't get shot one time. Then, and only then, will I get through it.
9. Multiple episodes of "Scrubs", especially when Laverne dies. Also, when I was pregnant with Andy, I watched the episode when Turk and Carla discover that they're expecting about 320989 times. And cried every single time.
10. UP! I mean, come on Disney, did you have to jerk tears from us twice in the first 10 minutes?!?!?
11. And, while we're on Disney movies, we can't forget "The Fox and The Hound"...
12.Armageddon. Bruce, DON'T DO IT!!! Every time he says goodbye to Liv Tyler I feel my lip start to quiver...EVERY TIME.
13. The series finale of "Gilmore Girls". I miss Luke, Sookie and the rest of the gang, too!!!
14. The Green Mile. Poor John Coffey.
15. The Notebook. Duh.
16. The Lion King. Stupid Scar and his stupid hyena friends.
17. Beaches.
18. Pay It Forward.
19.Second Hand Lions
20. Life Is Beautiful
21. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
22. Schindler's List (oh, you girl in the red coat, how you tug at my heart strings)
23. Swing Kids (I actually gasp and tremble when I watch this one).
24. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
25. Steel Magnolias.
And, I'm sure that if I ever actually sat down to watch it (which I won't, since I know what happens), that Old Yeller would pull me in and cause me to be inconsolable...for a little bit, anyway.
How about you? Are you as big a baby as I am? Did I leave out any obvious movies?
(P.S. Titanic doesn't count. I refuse to watch it, I think it's dumb. Judge if you want to, but it will never make my list).
9.30.2010
9.27.2010
When You Least Expect It
Life is crazy. Sometimes, I just think about the ridiculously crazy series of events that needed to happen exactly as they have in order to land me in the position that I'm in right now. There have been countless moments that, with only slight modifications, would've completely changed the course of events in my life.
There are days when I get really frustrated because I want things to be a certain way, and/or because I want to have answers and/or because I feel very confused about what I'm supposed to be doing and/or a multitude of other things. But, the reality is this: I'm happy. I'm enjoying life as it is today, and so I ought to be grateful for all of the things that have gotten me here.
I'm happy to be married to a man as wonderful as Joe, and to have a son who amazes me daily. I'm happy to have a family that loves me, despite knowing that I'm as crazy as they come. I'm happy to have friendships that continue to change and grow and be strengthened. Some of the people who I count as very good friends have only been in my life for a few short months, and I only know them because I made about 100 decisions that landed me working at Starbucks for the third time.
I know that life isn't perfect, and sometimes I wish I could walk down a different path (the PhD thing being the dream I most wish I could've followed) but, in the end, I wouldn't trade this. Maybe the PhD will happen. Maybe I'll finally get that book written. Or, maybe I won't. But, for today, I am happy and blessed and loved and strengthened and content in ways that only this life--my life--can allow.
There are days when I get really frustrated because I want things to be a certain way, and/or because I want to have answers and/or because I feel very confused about what I'm supposed to be doing and/or a multitude of other things. But, the reality is this: I'm happy. I'm enjoying life as it is today, and so I ought to be grateful for all of the things that have gotten me here.
I'm happy to be married to a man as wonderful as Joe, and to have a son who amazes me daily. I'm happy to have a family that loves me, despite knowing that I'm as crazy as they come. I'm happy to have friendships that continue to change and grow and be strengthened. Some of the people who I count as very good friends have only been in my life for a few short months, and I only know them because I made about 100 decisions that landed me working at Starbucks for the third time.
I know that life isn't perfect, and sometimes I wish I could walk down a different path (the PhD thing being the dream I most wish I could've followed) but, in the end, I wouldn't trade this. Maybe the PhD will happen. Maybe I'll finally get that book written. Or, maybe I won't. But, for today, I am happy and blessed and loved and strengthened and content in ways that only this life--my life--can allow.
9.24.2010
Without Filters
What would happen if we all lost our ability to filter through and censor our thoughts before we communicated them? What if we just spoke out about our beliefs/our opinions/our feelings/our thoughts/our judgments/our choices/ our values without reservation?
Would you have more friends or less? Would you offend people more or would more people be aware of your love for them?
If I spoke without censoring my own words, I'd probably have to apologize much more frequently. I'd certainly be written up at work for offending more than a couple of customers. My struggles with self doubt would be more evident. And I would sound much more confused about my beliefs than I do now, what with my internal filters always allowing me to get to the "right answers".
I learn so many things from my husband, all of the time. He and I are different in many ways, and there are so many things about him that I respect, admire and love. One thing that is very true about him is that he is blunt. He tells me exactly what he thinks about a situation, no more and no less. Sometimes, it is very difficult for me to hear what he has to say. But, when he says positive things, I am especially grateful for them because I know that he doesn't manufacture things just to make me feel good. He's genuine.
One of the things that I've really come to learn from him is that words are important. What he says matters. He isn't one to fill the space with meaningless jabber. But, also, he's just honest. He doesn't hide behind something because he worries what others will think. He'll talk about his faith, his politics, his struggles, his loves, whatever...and he does so unapologetically. AND, if that weren't enough, he also knows how to listen, even to people with whom it's clear he doesn't agree. He will listen, think, absorb, respond. Now, of course, there are times when certain topics are inappropriate, and he abides by those norms, but when the floor is open, no one will ever feel like he's not up front with them.
I am good Talker, both casually and in more formal circumstances. On the other hand, Joe is a good Communicator. I am glad he's here for me so that I can continue to grow and learn from him.
Would you have more friends or less? Would you offend people more or would more people be aware of your love for them?
If I spoke without censoring my own words, I'd probably have to apologize much more frequently. I'd certainly be written up at work for offending more than a couple of customers. My struggles with self doubt would be more evident. And I would sound much more confused about my beliefs than I do now, what with my internal filters always allowing me to get to the "right answers".
I learn so many things from my husband, all of the time. He and I are different in many ways, and there are so many things about him that I respect, admire and love. One thing that is very true about him is that he is blunt. He tells me exactly what he thinks about a situation, no more and no less. Sometimes, it is very difficult for me to hear what he has to say. But, when he says positive things, I am especially grateful for them because I know that he doesn't manufacture things just to make me feel good. He's genuine.
One of the things that I've really come to learn from him is that words are important. What he says matters. He isn't one to fill the space with meaningless jabber. But, also, he's just honest. He doesn't hide behind something because he worries what others will think. He'll talk about his faith, his politics, his struggles, his loves, whatever...and he does so unapologetically. AND, if that weren't enough, he also knows how to listen, even to people with whom it's clear he doesn't agree. He will listen, think, absorb, respond. Now, of course, there are times when certain topics are inappropriate, and he abides by those norms, but when the floor is open, no one will ever feel like he's not up front with them.
I am good Talker, both casually and in more formal circumstances. On the other hand, Joe is a good Communicator. I am glad he's here for me so that I can continue to grow and learn from him.
9.21.2010
Who Needs TV When There's Andy?!
My son is hilarious. I mean it. He makes me laugh. And laugh. And laugh.
But, also, he does things that are so stinking touching.
Basically, anything that he does elicits an emotional response that is exponentially greater than it would be if anyone else were to do the same thing.
Here are some of the things Andy's been doing lately:
1. He screams "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU" at the top of his lungs. Most recently, he did this at Marshall's while we were on the hunt for new shoes.
2. We have been working on the words to "Jesus Loves Me", which is fun. He seems to have a firm grasp on about 2/3 of the lyrics, though he says "He has a strong" instead of "He is strong." Not unlike the above note, he likes to scream this at the top of his lungs, too. You know, in the middle of the produce section at Giant Eagle. We have a missionary on our hands, I guess. The other day, Joe, Andy and I were in the car together, and Andy said, very matter-of-factly, "Jesus loves me, Mommy. Jesus loves me, Daddy." I have to be honest: we both got a bit blurry-eyed. Though Andy will (and ought) to take time when he's older to sort out for himself exactly what he believes, and why, it was amazing to hear him articulate something that Joe and I believe to be so important and true.
3. My kid is obsessed with the Pirates and the Steelers and the Browns and the Mountaineers. I'm on board with 75% of that. He loves sports. He knows he needs a glove to play "baseball" and, thus, he runs around the house wearing one (or both) of Joe's winter gloves. He usually demands that one of us wear one of the 4 or 5 hats that are floating around the house, and tells us where to sit or stand so that we can play ball with him.
4. Andy loves to read. I mean, he loves it. This is a wonderful thing. Joe and I are both avid readers, too, so we're thrilled to see that our boy, too, has grown to love this activity. One of his favorite books at the moment is The Napping House. He likes it so much, in fact, that it has earned a spot in his bed at night, next to the stuffed animals. Often, when he wakes in the morning, before I get him from his bed, I will hear him reciting various parts of this, and other, books. It is amazing.
5. Lately, Andy has been fond of taking off his socks and shoes in the car. Sometimes, he follows this by putting his shoes on to his hands and saying, "Look, Mommy! Shoes on hands!" Other times (most times, in fact), he puts his socks on his hands, tells me that he has puppets, then proceeds to allow his "puppets" to engage in wildly entertaining conversation. I love that his imagination is alive in such a way that he sees the potential in things--a sock is not just a sock; it's a puppet. A pot holder is also a hat. A paper towel tube is a megaphone.
I feel very privileged to have this little tot in my life. I can't believe he's almost two!!!!!
But, also, he does things that are so stinking touching.
Basically, anything that he does elicits an emotional response that is exponentially greater than it would be if anyone else were to do the same thing.
Here are some of the things Andy's been doing lately:
1. He screams "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU" at the top of his lungs. Most recently, he did this at Marshall's while we were on the hunt for new shoes.
2. We have been working on the words to "Jesus Loves Me", which is fun. He seems to have a firm grasp on about 2/3 of the lyrics, though he says "He has a strong" instead of "He is strong." Not unlike the above note, he likes to scream this at the top of his lungs, too. You know, in the middle of the produce section at Giant Eagle. We have a missionary on our hands, I guess. The other day, Joe, Andy and I were in the car together, and Andy said, very matter-of-factly, "Jesus loves me, Mommy. Jesus loves me, Daddy." I have to be honest: we both got a bit blurry-eyed. Though Andy will (and ought) to take time when he's older to sort out for himself exactly what he believes, and why, it was amazing to hear him articulate something that Joe and I believe to be so important and true.
3. My kid is obsessed with the Pirates and the Steelers and the Browns and the Mountaineers. I'm on board with 75% of that. He loves sports. He knows he needs a glove to play "baseball" and, thus, he runs around the house wearing one (or both) of Joe's winter gloves. He usually demands that one of us wear one of the 4 or 5 hats that are floating around the house, and tells us where to sit or stand so that we can play ball with him.
4. Andy loves to read. I mean, he loves it. This is a wonderful thing. Joe and I are both avid readers, too, so we're thrilled to see that our boy, too, has grown to love this activity. One of his favorite books at the moment is The Napping House. He likes it so much, in fact, that it has earned a spot in his bed at night, next to the stuffed animals. Often, when he wakes in the morning, before I get him from his bed, I will hear him reciting various parts of this, and other, books. It is amazing.
5. Lately, Andy has been fond of taking off his socks and shoes in the car. Sometimes, he follows this by putting his shoes on to his hands and saying, "Look, Mommy! Shoes on hands!" Other times (most times, in fact), he puts his socks on his hands, tells me that he has puppets, then proceeds to allow his "puppets" to engage in wildly entertaining conversation. I love that his imagination is alive in such a way that he sees the potential in things--a sock is not just a sock; it's a puppet. A pot holder is also a hat. A paper towel tube is a megaphone.
I feel very privileged to have this little tot in my life. I can't believe he's almost two!!!!!
9.09.2010
30 by 30.
My birthday was last Saturday, and I turned the big 2-9. This, along with the fact that I have watched every episode of "Friends" at least 6 times (probably more like 10), which includes the one where they all turn 30, has prompted me to think about making a list.
I know what you're thinking: I make lists every single day (it's what I do best, frankly). But, this list would have the following: 30 worthwhile things to accomplish by my 30th birthday (so, I have approximately 360 days to get movin'). I want these things to be valuable in some way. I want them to be memorable, important, real. I imagine that some of the things that find their way on to this list will be much more time consuming than others. Some will challenge me physically, some mentally, some emotionally and some, spiritually. I think that is a good thing. Some will allow me to use my imagination while others will require me to hone my skills in the area of organization and self-discipline. I hope that, while some will be fun and exciting, that others will be tough and even exhausting. There are not really any rules, as long as each of the 30 things that I put on this list have meaning (and they must be things over which I have some semblance of control).
Here are a few of the things that have made the initial cut. I would welcome suggestions, though, as I don't want to limit myself!
1. Run a 10K competitively.
2. Write a book.
3. Assemble a cookbook containing important family recipes. (No, J, roller coasters probably won't be included...) :)
4. Get the house organized and painted.
5. Plant and cultivate an herb garden.
6. Make a mix list with the best song from each year of my life.
7. Handwrite notes to people I haven't seen for awhile once a week.
8. Read 30 (as yet unread by me) books on the NY Times Best Books of All Time list
Ummmmmmmmmm..................what else?!? As I said, suggestions are welcome and encouraged. What have you always wanted to do? What do you wish you'd done more of when you were younger? Enlighten me. Please.
I know what you're thinking: I make lists every single day (it's what I do best, frankly). But, this list would have the following: 30 worthwhile things to accomplish by my 30th birthday (so, I have approximately 360 days to get movin'). I want these things to be valuable in some way. I want them to be memorable, important, real. I imagine that some of the things that find their way on to this list will be much more time consuming than others. Some will challenge me physically, some mentally, some emotionally and some, spiritually. I think that is a good thing. Some will allow me to use my imagination while others will require me to hone my skills in the area of organization and self-discipline. I hope that, while some will be fun and exciting, that others will be tough and even exhausting. There are not really any rules, as long as each of the 30 things that I put on this list have meaning (and they must be things over which I have some semblance of control).
Here are a few of the things that have made the initial cut. I would welcome suggestions, though, as I don't want to limit myself!
1. Run a 10K competitively.
2. Write a book.
3. Assemble a cookbook containing important family recipes. (No, J, roller coasters probably won't be included...) :)
4. Get the house organized and painted.
5. Plant and cultivate an herb garden.
6. Make a mix list with the best song from each year of my life.
7. Handwrite notes to people I haven't seen for awhile once a week.
8. Read 30 (as yet unread by me) books on the NY Times Best Books of All Time list
Ummmmmmmmmm..................what else?!? As I said, suggestions are welcome and encouraged. What have you always wanted to do? What do you wish you'd done more of when you were younger? Enlighten me. Please.
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