Finding Yourself

I am almost done with The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. I've thoroughly enjoyed it, like a box of chocolates with none of the guilt. The one thing that really sealed the deal for me, the one line that made me march right up to the (virtual) counter to buy the book, was that the author states unapologetically that you don't need to go to India or drive across the country to change your life for the better. You can stay at home and sleep in your nice, soft bed while you learn to be happier.
This is something I've always found fascinating: the fact that so many people think you have to do something drastic before you can make any significant change in your life. I wasn't around for the first half of the 70s, but from what I gather from "The Wonder Years", the prevailing thought was that you have to go on a road trip to find yourself. (Apparently, that thought is still around, as documentaries such as "Into the Wild" will attest.) I love road trips, but I also love to sleep in my own bed at night. I've never been able to see any reason why I shouldn't be able to find myself while I spend my days here at home, sticking to my routine (which allows daily quiet time for prayer and reflection.) No, I find myself in my routine. As I take care of our home, I realize how grateful I am for it. As I nurture and maintain relationships, I realize how pivotal relationships are to my very being. I tinker with technology, and find that I enjoy the challenge of learning something new. And as I write this post, I learn that I enjoy making myself write even when I don't feel like it.
For now, I'm going to find myself sitting in the sun with an iced mocha . . . and tonight, when I reflect on my day, I'll be glad I wrote this.

The Great Northward Migration of 2012.

The meeting place was San Francisco. The event, a wedding. Some drove and stayed with relatives or old room mates, others flew and stayed at a motel. Some were from the east coast, many were from L.A.

This is the second set of weddings to which my mate and I will migrate. The first set consisted of our peers. Our little circle of friends all went to Florida for the wedding of one of our own one year, and we all went up to Oregon for another wedding the next year.
Now that Mr. M and I are on staff with our church's college group, I'm sure we'll be part of many more marriage migrations.

Celebrating our Second Set of 16 Years . . . In San Francisco

John Cougar Mellencamp, in one of his ditties, suggests that "the thrill of living" goes away after the teenage years. I couldn't disagree more. Mr.M and I married shortly after our teenage years, and 16 years later, we are still enjoying the "thrill of living". We were thrilled to be part of our friends' wedding this weekend, and I expect that we will be just as thrilled with friends' weddings 16 years from now.

Reminiscing on Family and Technology.

The year was 1994. I was about to start college, so my mom deemed it necessary to trade in my faithful Smith-Corona electric typewriter for a computer. So we looked up "computer" in the yellow pages, and drove to a warehouse deep in the heart of L.A. The salesman explained to us the wonders of the mouse, and the scrolling, never-ending page. We loaded the car with our wares, and headed home. Somehow, we got the thing set up, and I started using it to write papers. Then I got married. Mr. M., technological genius that he is, didn't have a computer. He inherited mine, but I needed a new computer now, one with the ability to use this music software that I had had to buy for a different college class at a different college. That was Mr. M's first time becoming intimately familiar with computers. Now he can make a new one with the flick of his wrist. That was our first year of marriage-Mr. M at work, and me at home trying to study while laying on the floor because all of our furniture was covered in plastic while the house was being painted inside and out. That was several computers ago. Our house has been painted and repainted since, and has undergone many a remodeling. But still, here we sit, typing on our computers. Some things never change; other things never stay the same.

Whose Rules are we Playing By?

I have been trying to live up to my own standards. I have a picture in my mind of the good qualities God wants to see in me. I neglected, though, to see if my ideas of the qualities God wants me to display are the same qualities that He says in Scripture that He wants to see in my life. Was I really working on treating others the way I want to be treated? (Luke 6:31.) Was I doing whatever it took to love God with all my heart, soul and mind? (Matthew 22:37.) Was I requiring myself to act justly and love mercy and walk humbly with my God? Because that's what God requires of me, and what He requires is all that matters. (Micah 6:8.) I need to rid myself, free myself of my own requirements, and just live as God requires me to live-in love and obedience to Him.

Am I in a Horror Movie?

I was leisurely reading as I sat in the sun streaming in from the window. Mr. M had already left for work, so I was alone in the house. All of a sudden, in the middle of a paragraph, I heard a haunting and beautiful music note. Then I heard another . . . and another. I recognized the melody. It was a favorite Chinese music box that has been in the family for generations. Like the news ticker at the bottom of the TV screen, the thoughts of any and all possibilities ran through my head. A burglar? Ghosts?? A squatter hiding in the house? Aliens?? BIGFOOT???!? My (irrational) fear escalated. As I tiptoed into the room, I was ready for anything. What I saw was this: the music box had tipped over because of the weight of a pillow, and had started playing. I rearranged a few things and righted the music box. It stopped playing. I went back to my (silent) reading.

As Mr. M is out for the day, a few girlfriends of mine are coming for a movie later. I love entertaining, and I'm so glad I'm a girl. One reason is that my friends are happy to sit around and talk, so there is no pressure to be the smooth movie entertainer that is Mr. M. I have no confidence when it comes to technical gadgets, like movie projectors. I always appoint a technical adviser when I host a party so that I don't absorb all the blame. What can I say? I like to share. Even with a blame-sharer, though, it is hard not to sweat bullets when I have all eyes on me, wondering why I don't know how to use my own stuff.

One Bite at a Time.

As you can see in my sidebar, I have written a post for the Incourage site. (I don't know why they spell it incorrectly.) That is something I did to further pursue my goal of getting more traffic on my blog. I have also posted on Christian Women Online and Women of Faith. These are just small steps, I know, but like my friend said when someone asked him how he planned to tackle a large project, "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time."

What Ever Do I Do?

To summarize Ecclesiastes 9:10 and 1 Corinthians 10:31, whatever you do (eat, drink, write, raise children, read), do it with all your might and do it to God's glory. How many things can I do with all my might? Not many, and that's why it's so important to consider what's most important in your life, and make prioritizing a priority. Jesus said to Martha that she was doing more than necessary (Luke 10:41,42)and Paul, in a similar vein of thought, told the Corinthian church that all things were permissible for them but not all things were beneficial or constructive. (1 Corinthians 10:23.)
Mr. M is a consummate gadget guy - the gadgetiest guy I know. We've found that, without fail, when a gadget has the ability to do several things, it doesn't do any of them well. I think we humans are much the same. When we try and do too much, the quality of the things we do is compromised. When we take on too many projects, ministries, roles, they all suffer. We need focus. We need to prioritize, and pare down our activities, focusing on doing a limited amount of things with all our might, to the glory of God.

A Sunday in L.A.

It is another gray day here, but there is a great lightness in my heart and soul because of what this day has been, and will be. We had a great introduction to the study on which we are about to embark, a study of Deuteronomy. The time between then and now was filled with a blur of friends and laughter, taquitos, chimichangas, and a little rain. Soon, Mr. M and I will again be driving down to church to enjoy communion, A.K.A. The Lord's Table, where the church gathers to remember Christ and all that He saved us from. I was again struck this morning by just how important the Church is to a believer. My fellow church members keep me accountable in my walk with Christ. These people I see week after week remind me of the joy and privilege I have to daily walk with Christ, and sometimes that reminder is sorely needed. People-mostly college students-ask my advice on subjects ranging from dating to missions, and I get to ask advice of other, more mature Christians. I have the opportunity to see a need and to fill it, and I have the chance to ask others for help where I need it. The church is very give-and-take, a vital institution for anyone who desires to walk with Christ. My favorite thing about the church is that I know it is God's will for me to be there. There is no question about that.

Lemon in Iced Tea, or The Best of Both Worlds

Thank God for new beginnings! I feel like I've made the fresh, new start I've always been curious about. I've often wondered what it would be like to move and start all over with new friends and a new church, etc. I've pretty much done that, and I didn't have to move out of our comfy little home or leave our friends. I've made some great new friends, and Mr. M and I are on staff with our church's college ministry, which gives us a plethora of new experiences. I am glad that I didn't have to move to add those new elements to my life. I love our home. Mr. M and I have lived here since the day we were married, and every one of our friends has come over for dinner or a movie or a cup of tea, or all three. We love our church and are established there. We are enjoying the life we've always led, now with a fresh, new twist. Like a refreshing slice of lemon in a glass of regular (but still good!) iced tea.

New Desk, Green Desk.

Mr. M and I just finished assembling my new desk, and there are some pictures on my Flickr site.

In the Throes of Grammar and Goals

I'm resolved to have resolutions this year. That is my goal: to have a goal. Gretchen Rubin had a goal, and she documented her journey toward reaching it in The Happiness Project. Jeff Deck did the same in The Great Typo Hunt. I am doing it on my blog. But what is my goal? To write on my blog. And how do I go about reaching my goal? By writing on my blog. What will fuel my writing? My reading. I will live observantly, and write about amusing, everyday things. What is the greater good of my goal? I have no idea.

A New THING! and Traffic

Yes, I know. I live in L.A. where traffic is ubiquitous. It's all over the streets, and I don't like it-not one bit. However, there is a place where I wish there was more traffic, and that is here on my blog. SO . . . you will now see the faces of some of my favorite writers in my sidebar, and links to their blogs. Hopefully, my blog will soon generate enough traffic to justify the purchase of my new, green desk that awaits me at Ikea.

Passion at a Price

I just bought a copy of The Great Typo Hunt by Jeff Deck and Benjamin D. Herson. I just walked right into the store and paid full price. What possibly prompted such hasty action on my part? Gretchen Rubin says in her book (which just arrived in my anxiously anticipating mailbox) that you CAN buy happiness. I don't know about that, but it is wise and prudent-and fun!-to spend a few extra bucks here and there-and it feels good when the purchase is planned or otherwise purposeful. I see buying this book for the MSRP as fully justified because it is a tale encompassing four passions of mine: road trips, grammar, humor, and friendship. (Having already read 8 chapters of the book, it has so many other positive qualities. I can't think of anyone who wouldn't like it.) It is interesting, too, to indulge my passion for grammar, and to consider the lack of it one of the most devastating and heartbreaking ills that plagues our society today, and to compare that concern with the abject poverty in Africa, something I'm also reading about. The poverty problem is far too big for me to handle . . . but I can control the grammar usage here on my "little plot of textual earth."

Big Birthday Present for my Blog, or Exposing Myself

Mr.M and I went to Ikea today and got inspirated, aspirated and exasperated. We need storage solutions. Also, since I am absolutely resolved to invest more time and effort into my blog, I am going to get a new desk-a green one! I'm so excited, but with this new resolve to cultivate "my little plot of textual earth", I am doing my best to get my blog more exposure, but I have run out of ideas, and I need your help. Any advise on getting more readers would be appreciated.

Coffee With a Side of Inspiration. Thanks, Dog!

I have now ordered Wordsmithy. I met a friend for coffee this morning, and I mentioned my dilemma. My friend said her mother had read the book. I was just about to ask her more when I was distracted by someone with very blond hair, and a completely black outfit. It was Dog the Bounty Hunter. Right after coffee, I went straight to the bookstore and I bought a book. More on that later.

Wordsmithy

That is the title of a book recommended to me by my friend T. I looked for the book on Amazon, but they don't have any copies for sale. So T suggested I pay full retail price for it elsewhere. I'm not aware of any changes to the law, but I believe that by suggesting I pay a higher price, T is now legally obligated to feed, clothe, and shelter me should I become unable to do so for myself due to a lack of funds. I'm pretty sure that's CA state law. I wouldn't make this stuff up. And now the whole world (or at least the two or three people who read my blog) knows T's legal standing.

A Very Cheesy Party

It all started last year. Some good friends planned an all-night New Year's Eve bash. They bought cheese for the guests; lots of cheese. The party came and went. It was now 2012, and still there was the cheese. So the same friends, in an act of brilliance, threw another party, a grilled cheese party to get rid of all the excess cheese. It worked! We ate all the cheese, and now my friends have leftover bread from the cheese party. Oh, but the sandwiches were amazing! Grilled paninis on sourdough with any cheese you chose, plus hummus and/or red pepper sauce. Great post-party party.

Can a Leopard Change His Spots?

After reading a book about a man crossing the Sahara and describing life in the villages of Africa, I am now reading the autobiography of a woman who moved to an African village with her family, to start a hospital. A Family Living Under the Sahara Sun is the name of the book. If you were to see me on the street and ask, "What's new?", I would surely mention whatever book I was reading at the time. My reading directs my thoughts. Since I write about whatever is on my mind, my writing can most likely be traced back to my reading.
At the raging New Year's Eve party I went to, I took a break from dancing for a few minutes to think about the African women who veil their faces and scurry to hide from any man who comes in sight. I thought how oppressive that would feel to me. But from their perspective, I'm sure they would consider me oppressed, going to a party where there were men and being expected to talk and socialize with them.
That is just one example of how my blog reflects my thoughts, and my thoughts reflect my reading.

I saw an ad yesterday about a non-profit organization that teaches young ladies to express themselves by writing. I thought I'd like to do that, but then I had second thoughts. I wouldn't know where to begin. I don't know that writing can be taught. It seems like trying to teach a non-writer to write would be like trying to teach an outgoing, gregarious, life-of-the-party type person to be shy. To me, writing is like a freckled face; either you have it, or you don't.

The Cycles of the M House

I have been reading Sahara Unveiled. In it, William Langewiesche writes about the cycles of the desert. One good rain year will be followed by three bad ones, and that pattern may continue indefinitely. So, too, with our modest home. It is now a mess due to a project involving computers and movies. Our living room has power tools lying around, and cables strewn about. I know, though, that it will get better. (Hopefully in time for my blog's big birthday blowout party.) Then, peace will reign throughout the land-the land in our living room, that is. The peace and orderliness will last a while, and then another project will come. And so it goes.

Happy Birthday to My Blog.

As of Jan.7, 2012, The Adventurous Life of Mine will be exactly 6 years old. I have written about love, loss, life, laughter, and alliteration. I am resolved to revitalize my blog this year, and to do something big - or just do a lot of small things and write about them. I will write about the party I am throwing for my blog. I've invited 12 friends for dinner and a movie. This will take place while Mr. M is attending the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. It was during the CES show 6 years ago that I was so lost here at home and I accidentally started a blog. Obviously, my blog has now become an international phenomena, the Kim Kardashian of cyber-space, if you will.

In lieu of monetary gifts, The Adventurous Life of Mine would welcome your comments.