Under the same sky

Last night as I looked at the stars, and this morning as I reveled in the beautiful sunrise, I thought about how everyone in the world lives under the same sky. If nothing else, that is one thing that connects us all. This thought came to me as I was thinking of all the families, teachers, staff, and kids in Newtown, Connecticut. That under the same sky as me exists a community filled with grief, pain, bewilderment along with support, love, and care for one another. It is a powerful realization and feeling, one of connection that I wish the gunman had felt for his fellow community members and even his own family. (This is a photo I took of a sunrise from the cabin in Estes Park. I had this same feeling of this beautiful sky blanketing us all at the time I took the photo. It is a little bit of comfort in a time of sadness and anxiety. That blanket of love that covers us all).

Perspective

Have compassion for all beings, rich and poor alike; each has their suffering. Some suffer too much, others too little-Buddha. This quote is certainly appropriate for today. While I complain about getting up early to work, one of our clients got dragged by a bus last night. She slipped and the bus didn't see her and took off; she was dragged by the bus and had to have major surgery on her arm and her head. Already, this resident is struggling with sobriety; her son has been taken away from her; and she just can't get traction. It is pretty amazing what some people go through and they keep on going. The concept of resiliency is very interesting to me because the same negative event will affect people in completely different ways. Some people are able to keep perspective and put one foot in front of the other; some people may just fold. I hope this client is the one foot in front type...

The 7am shift

I know that a lot of people don't have steady work right now, so I don't want to come across complaining about a good thing...and I don't work at the shelter very often, just one day a week...but it seems to always be the early shift. I was in bed fairly early last night and one would think waking up at 5 to head into the shelter wouldn't be that big of a deal...but with the busy week I have had I would rather sleep in today! The good thing is that there is a bed in the counseling office so I may be able to catch a few ZZZ's before residents wake up and start needing me. I wish you all a day of relaxation and Sunday laziness! This is just my speed right now...

Finally!

After 3 appointments with my regular stylist, one with a new stylist at a posh salon, and today at Floyd's with Renee (love!), I have finally gotten my hair the length and style I have wanted!

I am so incredibly happy. I will now be one of those people whose stylist is separate from her colorist. What next? First class trips to the Seychelles? No, not really. But I am finally very happy with my cut. Who knew going from long to short would take so much effort?

Just another week

I haven't been inspired to write lately. Not sure why...I guess life is happening and I keep forgetting to document things. So, let's see...school is out for the winter break. I am just now getting into my "no school/homework" groove. I do go to my internship but that is such a treat! I absolutely love my internship. It doesn't even feel like work. The people at the hospice are just awesome. I get to do a lot of different things which is nice. My supervisor is very relaxed and if there isn't anything for me to do I go home, which makes for a nice week. I am starting to get my own patients to see, so now I can finally put all this learning into action! Sunday night I treated myself to the Hotel St. Julien in Boulder. I shopped, ordered room service, enjoyed the hot tub and fitness center, and slept in with no alarm. It was a really nice way to celebrate the end of the quarter. And now...it is Thanksgiving! So much to be thankful for. I just got over a really nasty bout of some sort of sickness, and now that I have joined the humans again one major thing I am grateful for is my health. Wow...I was down for the count for a few days and utterly miserable. Misery leads to depression, which leads to not wanting to do anything, which leads to more misery. Now that I can get outside, grocery shop for myself, and not cough up a storm I am really grateful for being healthy. I think of all the people out there with chronic or terminal illnesses and how hard getting up in the morning might be...how difficult it could be to see good things through the depression and misery that pain and illness brings. And along with health, good friends and my family are another reason to be grateful. Without them, I would definitely not have that spring in my step that accompanies me through each day. I love this... I had the blues because I had no shoes until upon the street, I met a man who had no feet. – Author Unknown Happy Thanksgiving to you all and may you not have enough fingers and toes to count your blessings! XO

Di de los Muertos

I threw a Dia de los Muertos party on Saturday night. Who knew celebrating the dead could be so fun? Lots of good people crowded into my house. We enjoyed some traditional Mexican fare, like "Bread of the dead" and chips/salsa and taquitos. We had some drinks and everyone mingled and chatted. The little people all did really well and watched out for one another. All in all, it was a success! Here is the altar we created as the night wore on. People lit candles, brought memories of loved ones, and placed pictures on the altar. It was beautiful!

The things I do...

...for the love of Chester. I painstakingly go to PetSmart and other such places to buy chews. Chester can be a little bit spoiled when it comes to his rawhide. If it isn't "just right" he will refuse to take it, standing in front of me waiting for me to magically make the new and right one appear. So, I have taken to smearing peanut butter all over his chew because I do not have another brand to give him. He is a rawhide snob.