September 2009 to September 2010 Goal List

These are a few of the goals I have for the next year--hold me to them. Holleeeer!

1. Run a half marathon, complete a bike race or participate in a triathlon.
2. Jump off a waterfall.
3. Write a short story.
4. This one's a secret.
5. Kayak in San Francisco
6. Go to Dodgers spring training in Arizona
7. Learn how to snowboard
8. Volunteer at an inner city arts program
9. Go to the batting cages
10. Be a seat filler for an awards show
11. Be an extra in a TV show or movie.
12. Create something out of junk (which involves going to a junk yard)
13. Go to a shooting range.

BTW THE DODGERS MADE THE PLAYOFFS!!!

Blood Diamond

Since I'm stuck inside all day, I finally got around to watching Blood Diamond. It was overall very good, minus some unbelievable scenes in the end when the father surrenders everything to stupidly try to get his son back.

But there were a few things I took away from this movie. First of all, I'm shamefully aware of the life of privilege I live. I'm actually aware of this a lot, but I try to forget. I have a family and friends. I have a pretty decent life. And somewhere in the world is someone whose life is completely opposite of mine. I have luxury and I have privilege...makes it really hard to complain ever again to say the least. I was continually convicted over my lack of gratitude. We always want more. We're always seeking and asking for more...but why? Why do I want more when so much of the world has nothing?

I find myself continually drawn to really, actually seeing how I can help. Where do my talents and my skills fall into helping people who actually need help?

We live in this twisted celebrity-following, twilight-crazy, cell phone using, twitter following community where relationships and human one-on-one interaction are very very very taken for granted. And it broke my heart, somewhere, out there, right now as you read this is a hurting soul. A hurting child. A hurting parent. How can we look at ourselves and say our lives suck when there is so much poverty and so much pain out in other countries?

I'm incredibly moved after watching this movie. I feel like I have this constant battle in my heart. Between doing what I was suppose to do for my entire life: get a nice paying job, make nice paying money, get a nice paying house, start a nice pretty family. That's what I was suppose to do...continue a family line of hardworking professionals that worked their way through poverty and prejudice to get where they are today. How does one do that when all they want to do is make a difference in the world?

I want to travel. I want to see things. I want to be moved. I want my heart to break over what breaks God's heart. I want to cry when I see poverty, not look away with shame. I want to be able to give money to the poor, the shoes on my feet, the shirt off my back. How can one have a heart for the world but live in the world's richest state? Where do we draw the line? Where does reality start and ideals stop?

Can you be born into a life of privilege but still make a big difference? Can I sleep in my full bed and want to help someone who sleeps on the floor? Can I wear a different clean set of clothes every day and still help someone who doesn't have enough money for new clothes? Is it fair for me to even help them when I've been given everything and they've been given nothing?

There are too many dangers, too many hardships, too many hurts, too many conflicts to be passive and indifferent, to not care about what's going on in the world.

learning to rest

I'm officially learning how to rest. I went to see the doctor about a growing cyst that I have and she decided it needed to be removed right away because it's growing.

Here's the post op picture of me with the bandages. pretty hilarious. I can't decide if this is a big thing and I'm making it a small thing or what...can't be active for two days. No aspirin or alcohol, but tylenol and I am starting to feel something that resembles a headache/can smell the local anseptic now.

I'm also going to have a nice scar for a couple of years...

Don't let your mom stick up for you

Milton Bradley, a former Dodger, was indefinitely suspended by the Chicago Cubs for "conduct detrimental to the team." In an interview with the Daily Heard of Illinois, saying there wasn't a positive environment in the Cubs organization and "you understand why they haven't won in 100 years here."

His MOM then spoke to the media and said that he wants to just play baseball and he has been slumping this year because his 3-year-old son is facing racism at school.

Don't let your momma do the talking when you've messed up Milton! You only look worse than you already do.

Be Part of Someone Else's Big Moment

When you're part of someone else's happy moment, it automatically makes you happy. It's a beautiful thing--the way that joy and happiness can be contagious.

The big moment for Daniel and Karla!

My friend Jonathan and I with the newly engaged!

Don't sweat the small stuff

So this was on Kristina's desk today (the office manager I'm temping for) so I picked it up and started reading and now I'm hooked.

Some of the finer lessons I've picked up so far:

- Imagine that everyone is englightened except you
- Become more patient
- Create "patient practice periods"

Just remember
1.) Don't sweat the small stuff 2.) It's all small stuff

Stay tuned for more...

Be careful

Case and point why some people should not join Twitter (and I'm sure Crissa would agree).

To summarize, Washington Redskin rookie Robert Henson tweeted Sunday evening, calling fans "dim wits" and asked how people who "work 9 to 5 at Mcdonalds" could know what's best for the team.

Monday he apologized to the media and today he quit Twitter. And the best part of all of this is that Henson has yet to play in a professional football game.

Oh, the egos that go into professional sports!!!