Lessons Learned

I'm sure most, if not all, parents have experienced epiphanies while raising their children. It is not uncommon to experience those "Ah-hah!" moments when we come to understand some facet of human behavior by watching our children go through their experiences. Some of them can even be painful as we are brought up short with our own faults thrown back in our face. Today, I realized again that, while I may find certain behaviors and attitudes of my children to be annoying, I should really try to work on acting more like them.

They play hard, they love greatly, they are loyal (minus the occasional upsets that beset their sibling relationships, but beware the one who goes against a family member), they laugh deeply and often, they are honest and open, they call the cards the way they see them, and so much more.

It never ceases to amaze me how they can go from best friends, to bitter enemies, and back again, sometimes in almost the same breath. Peter will torment his sisters unmercifully and then turn around and work just as hard to make them laugh it off. Ellie dances the way she feels, she doesn't hold back. She doesn't hold back with much at all. They each have something so unique to offer the world, and it helps me remember that we all have something to offer. Liahna is unfailingly caring for other people. She often tells me about her friends at school that she helped in some way and she is generous to a fault (except for those occasional moments with her brother) with those that she is around. What life lessons are learned as they grow up.

The saying "I learned all I needed to know in Kindergarten" could easily be said "I learned all I needed to know when my kids finished Kindergarten."

Interests vs. passions

I attended a seminar in high school that has really stuck with me, and frankly, bothered me a bit. The subject of the seminar was "Finding your passion."

From the dictionary on my computer-
passion |ˈpa sh ən|
noun
1 strong and barely controllable emotion : a man of impetuous passion. See note at emotion .
• a state or outburst of such emotion : oratory in which he gradually works himself up into a passion.
• intense sexual love : their all-consuming passion for each other | she nurses a passion for Thomas.
• an intense desire or enthusiasm for something : the English have a passion for gardens.
• a thing arousing enthusiasm : modern furniture is a particular passion of Bill's.

Here I am addressing the intense desire or enthusiasm for something.

Also from my dictionary (much quicker to copy and paste than actually go downstairs, get my dictionary and type it in)-
interest |ˈint(ə)rist|
noun
1 the state of wanting to know or learn about something or someone : she looked about her with interest.
• ( an interest in) a feeling of wanting to know or learn about (something) : he developed an interest in art.
• the quality of exciting curiosity or holding the attention : a tale full of interest.
• a subject about which one is concerned or enthusiastic : my particular interest is twentieth-century poetry.
2 money paid regularly at a particular rate for the use of money lent, or for delaying the repayment of a debt : the monthly rate of interest | [as adj. ] interest payments.
3 the advantage or benefit of a person or group : the merger is not contrary to the public interest | we are acting in the best interests of our customers.
• archaic the selfish pursuit of one's own welfare; self-interest.
4 a stake, share, or involvement in an undertaking, esp. a financial one : holders of voting rights must disclose their interests | he must have no personal interest in the outcome of the case.
• a legal concern, title, or right in property : third parties having an interest in a building.
5 (usu. interests) a group or organization having a specified common concern, esp. in politics or business : the regulation of national interests in India, Brazil, and Africa.

So, when does interest become a passion? Passion seems to be an intense form of interest; passion perhaps begins with interest and gradually builds. To what extent are we satisfied pursuing our interests instead of our passions?

Some individuals seem to be blessed to know their passions and to have their passions be something to which they can fully devote themselves. Other individuals are not so lucky, they may not have a clear sense of who they are enough to know what truly interests them in order to discover their passion. It would be a sad thing, to be swayed and tossed by the world to accepting interests and perhaps even claiming a passion that is not one's own.

Here's to hoping that we are all fortunate enough to find our passion.

Water and heights

Most folks who know me know that I'm afraid of heights and water. I had great friends in high school who would take pity on me and help me change the marquis when that was my job. I had a great friend who signed up for a swimming class with me to help me work on my fear of water. I've made some progress regarding those two fears over the last few years, but I still have my moments, especially when the two elements are combined, like with bridges.

It doesn't seem quite right that a person afraid of heights and water should live right next to the Mississippi River. There are two bridges here in town that connect Iowa to Illinois and one a few miles upriver that I really, very highly dislike. I have named that particular bridge "The Goat Trail on Stilts."

Some people agree with me and others don't see what is so bad about driving over expanded metal. I've even been stopped on the middle of that bridge because of road construction- not my happiest memory. Yes, that bottom picture is the view below the car when we were stopped on the bridge.

To drop James off at the airport we had to cross over. When I took him to drop him off they were doing construction on the north bound lane but because it was way early in the morning when I dropped him off, it wasn't too bad, other that the fact that the left lane was blocked and lanes are too stinking narrow to begin with, but I made it. It didn't occur to me that when I went back to pick James up- they would have moved the construction to the south bound lane as well- by the time I realized this, it was too late and I ended up in bumper-to-bumper, one-lane traffic going over the river. I was somewhat distracted by my frustration about one my biggest pet-peeves, people who try to go as far up the lane that ends. When it says merge, people should MERGE! Not drive up as far as they can to get further up the line, because it's those idiots that contribute to the bumper-to-bumper aspect of driving through road construction.

Anyway, we made it, I survived going over the bridges and I suppose I'll either get used to it, or go even crazier than I already am.

Houston

James is completing his last residency for Walden University this week in Houston and I got to come with him. We've been to Galveston Island, played on the beach of the Gulf of Mexico, driven across Pelican Island (not much there), attended the Houston Temple, eaten dinner at Chilo's Mexican Seafood Restaurant (which is an interesting experience), and James has enjoyed his sessions of the residency at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Houston and I've enjoyed my quiet days in the hotel room. We'll be going home on Sunday.

Chilos Mexican Seafood Restaurant- We were hungry when we finally got to Houston, so we looked around for a place to eat and our GPS turned up the name Chilo's. I called to find out when they closed and was informed they didn't close until 2 am, although I could hardly hear them because there was a lot of background noise. It was close, so we ventured out and entered another world. We were the only Gringos there that weren't there with a Hispanic companion. They had live entertainment that was good, but LOUD. The food was so dang good. We decided to go back the next night because it wasn't expensive and it tasted so good. I'm pretty sure we had the waitress we had because she spoke the best English. The second night I decided to try something new and I ordered Tilapia. I tried to disguise my reaction when they brought me a whole fish that had been breaded and fried. I wish I had a picture of it. It was very good, but still through me off a bit.

Galveston Island-
We went to the visitor information center that is in the carriage house of the Ashton Villa. The lady there directed us to a great little local place to eat "Shrimp-n-Stuff". James of course enjoyed his fried oysters and I enjoyed way too much catfish and I even ate one of James' oysters (something I've never done). Then we went to the beach.
I should have known it would happen. It had rained on us about 80% of the way down to Houston and the lady in the visitor center had talked about how much they needed rain. As soon as we got the beach, it started raining. We went into a shop that was along the beach and wandered around for a while. When we had decided we'd go out in the water anyway and went to put our stuff away in the van, it started raining even harder. We sat in the van, finally had decided to just drive around for a while, and it stopped raining. We went, played in the Gulf of Mexico, buried each other in the sand, and just had fun. We went back again for a bit last night, made a small sandcastle, of course I didn't have the camera with me. As we were gassing up the van to head back to Houston, a man approached James and said, "Here, give this to your lady and tell her it was made by a real Galveston beach bum."
He proceeded to make me a palm rose. James and I both want to bring the kids down there for a vacation someday.

Houston Temple- It's been a long while since I've been to the temple. I'm always amazed by the feeling inside and how simply beautiful everything is.
I'm glad we were able to go. We performed the sealing for Linda's parents, which is a neat experience. I can't wait for them to finish the Kansas City temple so there will be one a little closer.

James' residency is being held at the Hilton America's in downtown Houston. We were luck enough to find an inexpensive hotel about a mile and a half away from the downtown area that is quick and easy to get to and from. I drive over and drop James off and then go pick him up. I will say, I kind of like driving here. James thinks I'm a natural city driver. It's always important to communicate clearly about when and where I'll be picking him up. There was some misunderstanding the first day and I spent about 2 hours driving around and around and sitting in an abandoned parking lot a couple block away and then driving around and around. It doesn't take long to get pretty familiar with an area.

Our hotel is a pretty nice stay. I was impressed with the appearance of the room, especially considering the price we are paying.

After we'd been here a couple days, I noticed there was a black light above the bed. The pictures will explain the rest.Just wait, there's more

All in all, it's been a fun trip. I'm glad I had the chance to come with James. I can't tell my in-laws thanks enough for taking care of the kids and letting me come.

For additional pictures of our trip click here.

Feelings

Tonight, my littlest one came to my room crying and sad. I picked her up and she put her arms around my neck and hugged, and wrapped her feet around me. I put in our bed and tucked her as she said, "Thanks." I sang her her song and then went back to what I was doing. She blew me a couple kisses before she drifted off to sleep.

So many feelings in life. They may be an abstract concept but they are very real. For instance, I really wanted to say "There are so many feelings in life" but after all these years, having had Mrs. Wanda pound it into my head during English that you can't start sentences with "there is," "there are," or "there was" because they aren't subjects, I still can't do it. Such a simple thing, but the effect is there.

Feelings can uplift and strengthen or they can drag us down. Some of the best feelings I've felt are love, friendship, hope, happiness, joy, etc. and it doesn't get much better than having little arms around your neck. The diversity of feelings never ceases to amaze me. What would life be like without feelings? Would there be any meaning to existence? I don't think so.

I'm glad for the feelings I've experienced, even those I didn't enjoy at the time I felt them such as sorrow, despair, hopelessness. Without the comparison the good wouldn't seem as good. So, I will continue to throw myself into each new day, intent on experiencing feelings to the fullest, wringing out every last drop to make the experience more full.

Character

"Character is simply habit long enough continued." -- Plutarch

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved." -- Helen Keller

"Everyone has the obligation to ponder well his own specific traits of character. he must also regulate them adequately and not wonder whether someone else's traits might suit him better. The more definitely his own a man's character is, the better it fits him." -- Cicero

"You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one." -- James A Froude

"People seem not so see that their opinion of the world is also a confession of their character." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Most people say that is the intellect which makes a great scientist. They are wrong: it is character." -- Albert Einstein

"Character, in the long run, is the decisive factor in the life of an individual and of nations alike." -- Theodore Roosevelt

"Character, not circumstance, makes the person." -- Booker T. Washington

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

"If you will think about what you ought to do for other people, your character will take care of itself. Character is a by-product, and any man who devotes himself to its cultivation in his own case will become a selfish prig." -- Woodrow Wilson

"We are what we seem to be." Willard Gaylin

"Our lives teach us who we are." -- Salman Rushdie

A simple Google search will reveal all kinds of quote on all kinds of subjects. If only we had a Google search engine inside us that could perform the same service. I remember taking a class from SLCC, it was a college success class and I remember the professor using the analogy of a worker inside our brains who had the job of retrieving, managing, and filing things for us. It would be interesting to interview that worker of ours to see what logic is used for putting things where they are put. Is part of that logic reflective of our character? It makes me think of the country song that says "It's the little things, that make me love you so" and the chorus says "Those little things you do that make me love you/They're all I need to make my dreams come true/And you know what tears me all to pieces/Is the way you tell me that you love me too." (It was hard to type that without singing it to myself in my head as I typed). Anyway, it's the little things that show our character to those around us.

As Emerson also said, "What you are doing thunders so loudly in my ears that I cannot hear what you are saying." It is the things we do that say who we are. The good news is, if you don't like what you are portraying, it's always possible to change it, one little thing at a time.

Frisbee

Frisbee has been a favorite past-time of mine since I was a teenager. Maybe because I always had fun playing frisbee and always had such good company when I played. I remember playing with my brothers out on the street in front of our house. I didn't even mind too much when I almost took my eye out on a branch in Lafaye's orchard when I had to jump over the fence to retrieve the frisbee. We'd play "500" with the return missionary friends who were visiting, although I wasn't the best at that. We even took a frisbee out in the sand for one of my birthday cookouts and I think it's still out there. Jeff used to play very patiently with me (I've not always had the straightest throw) and Trent and Joshua used to play Frisbee with me after I'd get off work my first year in college.

Needless to say I have good memories of playing frisbee. I still enjoy playing and I've found a new companion to enjoy it with me.

Frasier is always excited when I get down the Frisbee and we head out the door. It is a great way to give him exercise. He's got his eye on the Frisbee right there and is ready to go.

This is the gravel piles the City keeps a half a block east and north of our house. I do like living on the edge of town. Even if I don't throw the Frisbee over the gravel piles, Frasier will usually detour over at least one on his way back to me.
As you can see, he takes some detours on the way back. The above picture, I had actually thrown the Frisbee over the big pile in the middle, but going over one pile wasn't enough for him.Here he is returning from a bathroom trip at the corner of the lot. The first couple times after we head outside he takes the Frisbee with him to do his business before he brings it back. He makes it so easy on me. I throw the Frisbee, watch him chase it down, often hurtling over the top of the gravel piles, and then when he's on the way back, I bend over and hold out my hand and he brings it right to me, even if it means he has to circle me a couple times to slow down. Frasier knows how to make me happy.

Here's a link with more pictures of our Frisbee trip today.

https://picasaweb.google.com/hyamiranda/Frisbee?authkey=Gv1sRgCOqp14nZnYaaRg&feat=directlink

"Could we change our attitude, we should not only see life differently, but life itself would come to be different." -- Katherine Mansfield.

I still love quotes. Someday I'll have to put all my quotes together in one place.

Interesting-what does it say about you?

I was yellow.

http://www.careerpath.com/career-tests/career-quiz/

I was an organizer.

http://www.careerpath.com/career-tests/color-test/

My turtles and fish

I have to say that I love my turtles. I could watch them all day. My favorite thing is to feed them by hand. They are actually pretty good at not biting me.

Of course, we know that if children hold something close enough for them to bite onto, they don't let go until they are out of the tank and then they go flying. The turtle was none the worse for it's 5-6 foot flight and landing on a wood floor. It tucked in its shell and the kids gathered around, and then, they scattered as he came out and started crawling.

We like to supplement their diet with feeder goldfish. It's best to buy the cheapest fish possible because they typically don't last long, with the exception of our 6 remaining goldfish. We also have "the monster fish" which is a large plecostamus.

Painted turtles are spread, with different varieties, across the US. They are aquatic and do great in the water as long as they have a basking area to sit on. They are fun to watch when they are hunting. I still can't believe how fast they are.

They are very inquisitive, very interactive, and have very good eyesight. They'll see me in the kitchen and start scratching at the tank when they are hungry. Of course, they decided to be camera shy.

Here is a link to more pictures in my online album. https://picasaweb.google.com/hyamiranda/MyTurtlesAndFish?authkey=Gv1sRgCLvq0pyV-ImQKA&feat=directlink

Quotes

"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence." Hellen Keller

"Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit." E.E. Cummins

"Excellence is not an act but a habit. the things you do the most are the things you will do the best." Marva Collins

"Make voyages! -- Attempt them! -- there's nothing else..." Tennessee Williams

My thoughts- truth comes from many sources. Sometimes we see it when it comes, sometimes we don't. Sometimes we need to see it from one place because we won't see it from another. The search for truth is an ongoing journey that can be as exciting as we want it to be.

better late than never

So, I've been typing the bedroom the last 3 1/2 days instead of working in the office which is right off the living room. Why, you may ask? Well, to avoid interruptions, kids and dogs that can push the door open, TV, Internet, etc. Anyway, I've been sitting on the floor with a lap desk, working away, thinking to myself, "This just doesn't seem right, I need small desk or something so I sit on the couch. What did I use last time I was working back here?" Today, as I sat on the floor ready to work and shift and fidget again for hours of uncomfortable typing while sitting on the floor, I looked across the room, and the lights came on, or maybe I should say someone finally came home. Literally right across the room from me is my piano bench. It's probably been sitting there the last few days smugly laughing at me every time I fidget or adjust my position, wondering how long it would be before I figured things out. Better late than never, but that piano bench could have reminded me a lot sooner. :)