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Category Archives: The Life of the Historian
The Teacher in Me
I have had 5 jobs in my life. The summer after high school I had two jobs: a camp counselor at a Girl Scout camp and a cashier at Walmart. That was actually my 5th summer at the camp, so I enjoyed teaching newer counselors in the ways of the camp.
As a cashier (something I did on and off through college), I loved training new cashiers. At my other college job as a phone solicitor for the university, they would ask a few of us a couple of times a month to come on and help new callers train by being the “alumni” on the other end. I loved doing it.
At my first “grown up” job, I was given the responsibility to run 3 tax sites, overseeing and training the volunteers. That was my favorite part of what I did.
Did you catch the common theme?
In every job I’ve ever had, I’ve fallen into the trainer/mentor role. And it’s happening again.
I love my job. I work for a company who seeks to foster talent and wants their employees to grow and pursue the skills they need to do the job they want. A little while ago, they asked me to take some tasks that needed a dedicated individual. Since what they were asking wasn’t (yet) enough for a full-time job, they asked me what else I would like to do. I asked that training become a part of this new role, and they agreed. The next day, they were handing the reigns of my department’s fledgling training program over to me.
I love that they’re letting me do this. As much as I think I have to give and teach, I have a whole lot to learn, too. I’m excited for the challenge!
Photo by Photomatt28
One Year Later
Cupcakes for my team! Lime green (like our company color) and sprinkles (because who doesn't love sprinkles?). Our team is growing, too, so I made more than those that are pictured here!
Today is a year since I’ve stared my current job. When I look back on the last year, I look back on a year of blessings. While there are the inevitable stresses in any job, I truly enjoy what I do. Even better, I love my coworkers with whom I’m blessed to spend 5 days a week.
Out of curiosity, I looked back on my journal entries written in the last few days before I started. I expressed 2 concerns looking forward to this job, both of which were non-issues. The first was my lower back pain that flared up again last January. Whether because of added exercise or the fancy chairs they provide for us, I’m not sure, but my back pain hasn’t once been an issue. In fact, it’s been months since I’ve felt the desire to take over-the-counter medicine for the pain. Such a blessing!
The other concern was that I would withdraw, instead of engage with my coworkers. Now, it seems so foolish to worry about that, but I did. From day 1 I’ve made friends and have enjoyed as those friendships continue to blossom and deepen.
Here’s to another great year!
The Story that Almost Was
Phone pic from that night. I sent this to my family because they love my "lipstick smile" I'm displaying here (how I smiled when I wore lipstick all through middle/high school).
Last friday night was my work’s holiday party. Traveling light, I packed my small purse with a little cash, a credit card, ID, and lipstick. When I got home from the end of the night and unpacked my purse, I realized my credit card wasn’t there. I never needed it, and never touched it or my ID, which I thought were wrapped in the cash.
I did a quick search of my car and the walk to my apartment, but not finding it, I called the credit card company to report it lost. Turns out, it was already reported lost.
After going through the late-night thoughts of “What if the credit card is Big Brother and saw me lose my card?” I realized that someone had found my card and reported it.
At this point, it was only 4 hours after I initially packed my purse, so not only did the the stranger who discovered my card do a good deed, they did it quickly. This was such a huge blessing after a emotional and stressful week. I could have had another source of stress on the week…but I didn’t.
I wish I could say thanks, but I don’t know who it was. So instead, unknown stranger, you get this post. Thank you.
Made to Move
As I got back into the pool last week (between hiking, the temporary closing of my favorite pool, and busyness, I’ve let myself get away from this for a couple of months), I once again pondered why I liked swimming so much.
I think the big draw for me is the sensory deprivation. All I see (through fogged-up goggles) is the bottom of the pool, the ceiling, then the bottom of the pool again. All I hear is my own rhythmic splashing and the occasional muffled shout or whistle from someone on the other side of the pool. All I can feel is the soothing, warm water. The task before me requires no thought: I’ve done it hundreds of times before. My mind wonders where it will, allowing me to process my day without any distraction.
But that’s not the only draw. I think exercise has it’s own appeal in and of itself. Professionals might tell you about the endorphin or other physical byproducts of exercise that creates a good sensation when you workout, but I don’t know much about all that. What I do know is that we were created by a loving God to move.
The good God who gives us pleasant sensations when we do the most menial tasks of life (eating, drinking, and going to the bathroom), also gives us pleasant feelings when we do the harder tasks. This was an accident.
We were never designed to sit on our duffs for the majority of our days. Throughout all cultures, sitting for long stretches was reserved for the sick, disabled, and elderly, not for people with able bodies. Sitting was a luxury, anyway, as most people (in history, and even today in the greater world) have to physical exert themselves to meet their own needs and the needs of their families.
I want to making movement more of a part of my life. I always drive to the grocery store, but really, it’s less than a mile away. Most weeks, I don’t buy enough food to be overly encumbered on a mile walk back home. I opt for the drive thru instead of walking in (or better yet, making the food myself). I mindlessly followed the culture around me in these habits, but I want to work on making movement a habit.
Photo by Adam Tinworth
One Year Further Down the Road
I love the starts off things, though endings are usually bittersweet. The last few weeks I’ve already been thinking about fresh starts as I turned 30.
There are many things I want out of 2013, mostly from myself. I’m impatient to become the woman I want to be, the woman I believe God wants me to be. I know that I’m going (slowly!) in the right direction, but I want to reach the end of the journey already. But God is much more patient than I am.
So instead of wanting to reach the end of my journey, I want to focus on getting one year further down the road in 2013. I don’t want to lag behind pace, but I also don’t want to rush ahead, potentially missing something along the way.
So here’s to walking one year further down the road.
Top 5 Moments of My Trip to Kansas
5. Walking in the blustery cold with my brother. In a stroke of genius, I decided the easiest way to fight laziness while at my parents’ house was to work on goal #29, to walk 10,000 steps/day for a week. I started on Saturday before my trip, conveniently requiring 10,000 steps out of each day. When Tuesday reached a high of 22 degrees (with 26 MPH wind, making the windchill in the low single digits), my brother braved the cold with me, which was an awesome distraction. We were both glad to have a mug of my mom’s wassail when we got back.
4. Receiving a “pet” as a present. My sister-in-law is a big pet lover and I’m definitely not. She has tried to convince me to get a pretty, but I’ve just not been interested. A cat? I’m allergic. A dog? Too smelly. Any of a number of small rodents? Both smelly and too much work. Finally, we had settled on the idea that a Venus fly trap was as close as I would come. That said, I laughed out loud when I discovered that they got me Venus fly trap seeds and small pots to plant them in. I’ll have to post pictures once I get them to grow.
3. My plane got struck by lightning. Fifteen minutes after we had taken off from Atlanta, I awoke from my catnap to a flash of yellow light and a bang. If the plane hadn’t seemed entirely unphased, I would have thought the engine blew. Our flight attendant let us know that it was lightning, and that in 7 years of flying, it was only the second time he had experienced it.
2. Almost giving blood. I haven’t given blood in 11 years, in part because of my foreign travel, but mostly because I almost passed out the 3 times I did give (not during, but after). When my brother and sister-in-law asked me if I wanted to try again, I said sure. I was all ready to do it until after two prick’s they determined my iron was too low. That was a first for me. Will have to try again another time.
1. My niece crying for *me* to pick her up. Most of our two days together, if I dared to pick up Bean, she would cry for mom. But at one point I was in the right place at the right time. The dogs were barking and she wanted to check out why, but from the comfort of someone’s arms… And I was the most convenient someone. It was good to hold her for a few minutes while she wasn’t fighting to get away.
Entering a New Decade
Today’s the big day: I’m turning 30. I’m not the type to dread this milestone birthday (age really is just a number), but this birthday has been on my mind for months. Primarily because of it was the end of my “30 Before 30″ list and when I could start a new goal list (yes, I’m a nerd. Surely you knew that already.).
Beyond the excitement of starting a list, my primary thoughts have been about my singleness. I try not to define myself by my singleness, but of course it’s a huge part of me. Some years ago I was told, “Yeah, you’re single, but you’re not really single until you’re in your 30s and single.” This comment has stuck with me, so now I wonder if being 30 is going to make my feelings of marital-status-induced loneliness more acute.
I go through phases where I struggle with contentment, and I’ve been there the last couple of months. Not that this is my normal train of thought. It’s more that desire to be sharing my life with one special person sneaks in during the small moments.
I truly do love my life now and am constantly reminded of ways that it would change if I were to marry, which gives me pause. Given the right guy, I’d gladly say yes, but I definitely see no room for settling.
So, I’m facing my 30th birthday optimistically. Why shouldn’t I? My life has been overwhelmingly blessed thus far and I can’t wait to see what God has in store for my next decade.
Photo by mag3737
29 Things at 29
I always enjoy reviewing the year, though they’re getting more difficult as they get longer. Here’s past lists: 25 things, 26 things, 27 things, and 28 things.
1. I published my novel.
2. My niece was born.
3. I got a new job (and oh yeah, these first 3 items happened in the same week).
4. I completed my 30 before 30 list (or, you know 22 things on it).
5. I learned I really like hiking.
6. I started volunteering in the youth group.
7. Stayed in Kansas for the longest time since college (a niece is quite the draw).
8. I voted for a Libertarian.
9. I worked my first presidential election.
10. I wrote a 101 in 1001 list (to be started tomorrow!).
11. I went to my first North Carolina state fair.
12. I stopped using shampoo (haven’t touched the stuff in 6 weeks…and no one has noticed).
13. I used my A/C for only one week.
14. Freezer-canned tomatoes for the first time.
15. Made pickles (so good!) for the first time.
16. Gave up television for a month (and probably should do it again).
17. Drove my car its 100,000 mile.
18. I started my new job.
19. I’ve had 4 desks (in 3 different offices) at this new job.
20. I jumped back into the pool.
21. I read 130 books.
22. I broke my nose.
23. I started working on Saturdays for the first time since I was at Walmart. Discovered I actually really like my schedule.
24. I also started working earlier than I have in a long time. I now think of waking up at 8 AM “sleeping in.”
25. Bought a TV for the first time (my first I won at after-prom), HD and all.
26. Made homemade dishwasher detergent and laundry detergent. Very happy with it.
27. Enjoyed routing for Team USA during the summer Olympics. I must admit I’m most patriotic at Olympics time.
28. Prayed desperately as I watched on TV that a tornado was passing very close to my parents house. Technology is great, but it can add to your anxiety.
29. Babysat my niece while my brother and sister-in-law went to the movies. She cried half the time, in large part because my brother’s ornery dog woke her up.
12/12/12
Today is “12/12/12.” I don’t pay too much attention to these types of dates, but then I remembered that this is last one of the sort any of us is likely to see in our lifetime (I assume there aren’t any preteens or younger reading this).
That makes me kinda sad, like I missed out on something. Other than the obvious 01/01/01, I couldn’t tell you what I was doing on any of those other special dates. I doubt I’ll remember 12/12/12 either, other than the fact that it’s right before my birthday, which increases the likelihood I’ll remember today.
With that in mind, it’s only 3 days until my 30th birthday!