Better than most...

#reverbbroads11 prompt for day 13 from Catie at http://catiecake.wordpress.com/ : What are three things you are better at than most people?

  1. Solving Sudoku puzzles. Perhaps it is because I was a math major and I enjoy puzzles, patterns, and logic, but I am pretty darn good at solving Sudoku puzzles. I especially love the "Samurai" Sudokus like this:

2. Making people feel like they matter. My top strength from StrengthsQuest is Relator, which essentially means that I love being around people who mean a lot to me. One of the ways that Twitter has changed my experience at professional conferences is that I have an opportunity to build relationships before the conference, that way, when we meet IRL (in real life), it already feels like I know you! I'm not one for much small talk, so already having a relationship formed allows me to start conversations about more meaningful topics and learn more details about you. 

3. Avoiding the mall. Seriously, I have a huge aversion to shopping in stores. I dislike the hustle & bustle. I don't like how every store sizes their clothes differently so you have to try everything on. People drive crazily in the parking lots. I think part of the problem is that I usually have some idea of what I want, and if I can't find it in a store (or if they don't have my size left in stock in the store), I get frustrated. Online shopping is a much better choice for me.

Peppermint patty therapy

Day 12 #reverbbroads11 prompt via Neha at http://whereyouarehere.blogspot.com/:

Name and explain the one guilty pleasure you can't live without. ie: that cupcake shop you visit weekly, a book you repeatedly read to find solace in, etc). Then explore the idea of how you would feel if you gave that thing up for a year. 

 

  These small dark chocolate, creamy round mints are my weakness. I almost always have a bag of them in my desk drawer at work. Tear open its little silver cellophane wrapper, admire its smooth, round, chocolate cover. And that first bite? That little "tthss" sound that they make when the white minty goodness separates from itself? Bliss.

Just one little patty in its silver package can change an afternoon. In my previous position, my coworkers knew that I almost always had peppermint patties in my desk. Stressful appointment? Swing by Sarah's office for a peppermint patty and momentary vent session. Survived a painstaking meeting? Peppermint patty and processing. Excited about a new opportunity? Celebratory peppermint patty.

They're so satisfying, even in its the miniature size, that I don't know if I could give them up for a year. Besides, it says right on the package that they are a low fat food. A serving size is 3 patties, but usually I am good with just one. I'm willing to sacrifice 50 calories per patty to build relationships with my coworkers or make it through a stressful afternoon.

Mom

#reverbbroads11 Day 11: How are you like your mother? And if you're a mother, how is/are your kid(s) like you?

  For the longest time, I thought I was just like my dad: outgoing, average height, musical, personable. As I've gotten older, though, I realize that I share a lot of characteristics with my mom.

 My mom is relatively introverted, but she will speak her mind when she has an opinion.

She is very creative, but in a methodical and calculated way. She quilts (which my dad doesn't understand because you just take a big piece of fabric, cut it up into small pieces, and then sew them back together to make a big piece again) and makes some of the most beautiful quilts. I haven't honed my sewing skills, but I like doing crafts.

On my wedding day. My mom walked in (this is the first she'd seen me in my dress that morning) and we both got teary.

 She is one of 11 kids, so that gives her some great perspective on life. 

While I was growing up, she was the breadwinner in our house. She has worked hard to get where she is, and even though she has made some amazing contributions to the health care system in Columbus, she is really humble about it.

 She isn't afraid to pick up a hammer or shovel. She and my dad have basically doubled the size of their house and renovated the original part on their own.

 She's not a huge fan of shopping (neither am I) and she's not overly concerned with having perfectly coiffed hair and make-up. 

 While we don't have kids yet, I can only hope to be the kind of mom to them that she is to me. (And she'll make a great grandma.) 

 

Home is where the heart is

#reverbbroads11: via Dana at http://simply-walking.com/: What is the best and/or worst thing about your life right now? 

As of the end of the month, this is our new house.

Our first house.


It needs a bit of updating, but it's (all-but-the-closing) ours!

I can't wait to be able to paint the walls, plant a garden in the summer, make it ours.

There is plenty of space for us and the pup, plus some space for when our family (hopefully) grows in the future.

I couldn't be more excited!

On-again, off-again

As part of a month-long challenge to blog daily, I am following the directions from #reverbbroads11. Today’s prompt: Why blog? Why do you or why do you like to blog (recognizing that these are not always the same thing)? (from Kristen, http://kristendomblogs.com)


My relationship with blogging has been casual, at best. I started this particular blog in July 2008, shortly after receiving my first professional job offer. For the past three and a half years, I have gone on posting spurts, not even reaching 100 posts (although tomorrow will be the 100th!), and honestly, after this month of blog prompts, it's entirely possible that I might go quiet again. Not for any particular reason other than life (and writer's block) getting in the way. I also have a more professional blog, focused on my work as an academic advisor, but that posting schedule also has been erratic.

Despite my best efforts to come up with new, exciting, creative writing topics, I suffer from what I can only describe as low blogging self-esteem. I don't doubt my ability as a writer: I was an English major in college, so I can put together a solid paper. Perhaps part of the issue is that I read plenty of other peoples' blogs. In fact, I have subscribed to 103(!!) different blogs, many of which are updated on a regular basis. My blog reader list shows my varied interests: academic advising blogs, crafting blogs, fashion blogs,  food blogs, higher education blogs, home blogs, sports blogs. What I feel my blogs lack is a particular voice or point of view. I'm not working through renovations on my house (yet); I don't do significant research on the impact of social media on students; I haven't pledged to only spend $365 on clothes in one year. Sure, the writing is all my voice and my point of view, but so often I don't feel like I have a different spin on the topic. Why should I write a post when someone else has already written what I would have said? Isn't it just easier to share the link on Twitter or Facebook and tell others to read the post?

To be perfectly honest, I've even contemplated not writing some of the #reverbbroads11 prompts that I haven't felt "inspired" to answer. Who would notice? But that's not what this month is about. Even though my readership has skyrocketed (really, 20+ readers per post?!), that's not why I'm writing. I don't have to pen the next great American novel. I don't have to inspire anyone to become a student affairs professional. I don't have to have the most original idea, the funniest writing voice, or the most creative story.

But I do need to practice my voice. And I need to stretch my creativity. And I need to take my mind off of all of the stress of closing on our first house at the end of the month. I've learned more about some really great women, some of whom I've met in person and others who I just know virtually. I've realized that we all have our struggles, our strengths, and our silliness.

So why do I blog? Well, because a lot of other great people do and I wanted to jump on the bandwagon. But why do I keep blogging? Because, in the end, I really do like writing. I just don't always take the "thinking time" to come up with my voice. With practice and time, my ideas and my voice will get stronger.

Funny guy

I can pick my dad's laugh out of an audience. He laughs so loudly. And it happens all the time. Comic strip in the Sunday paper? Laughing out loud. Funny passage in the latest book he's reading? Laughing out loud. Heaven help us while watching sitcoms like Big Bang Theory. One funny line and you miss the next 30 seconds to a minute of dialogue.

Partially because of the loudness of my dad and partially because I'm just a quieter person, I rarely laugh out loud at media. Sure, I'll crack a smile at a funny book, TV show, or movie, but I don't come anywhere close to the decibel of my father.

Now, don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good laugh, but there aren't many things that I find so hilarious to warrant an outburst. I tend to find witty or intelligent humor the most funny, but babies and animals can be pretty hilarious as well.

But this guy.

Even when I am in the worst mood ever (which he would argue happens just about every day), he knows just what to say or do to make me crack a smile, stifle back laughter, guffaw loudly, laugh until I can't breathe with tears rolling down my cheeks and the best kind of stomach ache. It's probably a good thing that we found each other: he balances my serious side so well.

In case you don't have your own hilarious partner, here are a couple other videos that I can't help but laugh at:

My other go-to for a good chuckle is The Big Bang Theory. Seriously, if you haven't watched an episode before, you are totally missing out. It is nerd humor at it's best.

This month, I'm participating in #reverbbroads11 with a lot of awesome people. Today's prompt: Who or what makes you laugh so hard that milk shoots out of your nose and why? Slapstick, dry witty comedy, your kids, Monty Python?

Although Justin Bieber* would tell me differently...

 As part of a month long challenge to blog daily, I am joining some honest, funny, and real women in #reverbbroads11. Day 6: List 10 things you would never do. 

In no particular order, and with varying levels of seriousness, I present my list of 10 things I will NEVER do.

10. Be in Guinness Book of World Records for longest fingernails. (It's too gross to even post a picture!)

9. Swim the English Channel. (It is cold and I'm not that great a swimmer!)

8.  Get any additional piercings. (One hole in each ear is plenty for me.)

7. Participate in a casino heist a la Ocean's Eleven. (That is one good looking group of people, though!)

6. Run for political office. People are mean and will look for every reason to smear you. I'm not thick-skinned enough to handle that.

5. Stand in line for midnight madness or early-bird specials on Black Friday. I can't think of anything that I would want that badly to forgo sleep over.

4. Become a crazy cat lady. Enough said.

3. Be ungrateful for my health. There are so many people who are dealing with outrageous medical bills, terminal diagnoses, and daily pain.

2. Stop being thankful for my loving husband. He is my best friend. He is loyal, hilarious, creative, and my perfect other half.

1. Take my family for granted. I would not trade these 90+ people for anything! It is amazing that we can all get together and have so much fun together. I am blessed that I have so many great relatives who have become friends over the years. (Video courtesy of my dad from our Winter 2009 family gathering at Virgina Beach, VA.)

*lame nod to "Never Say Never" by the Biebs. Add that to my list: I will never see that movie!

Wedding bells

I married my best friend four and a half years ago and was blessed to have four amazing women stand with me on that day.

In the past four years, I have definitely attended my fair share of weddings, but I had only ever been in my own. I was hoping that, at some point, I'd be able to participate in someone's wedding and help make their day as memorable as mine was. As more and more of my friends started pairing off, I wondered whether I would have the opportunity to be a bridesmaid. Well, this past summer, I was in three bridal parties... in the course of 5 weeks!

I can't say that 3 weddings in 5 weeks (in two different states, three different cities) was necessarily something that I had always dreamed of doing, but I couldn't have been happier to support these three amazing women on their wedding day.

And, I'm proud to say that none of them were bride-zilla. :)

As part of a month-long blog challenge, I am responding to prompts from #reverbbroads11. Day 5, courtesy of Amy at http://2bperfectlyfrank.blogspot.com/: What is the one thing you finally did this year that you always wanted or said you were going to do, but in your heart of hearts never thought you would actually do?

"Life's a Happy Song"

I have really mixed feelings about this time of year. On the one hand, I love the family gatherings, the church rituals and songs, the food, the overall good feeling of knowing that a new year is ahead. On the other hand, though, I get so annoyed with the commercialization of the holidays, the buy-buy-buy mentality that tells us that what we have isn't good enough.

If you haven't seen the new movie "The Muppets," stop reading and immediately go to the theater. It is a feel good movie that helps remind you that your friends, family, loved ones are what really make this life special.

I would love to have the Muppets star in a movie about my life, especially if someone as talented, fashionable, and cute as Amy Adams were playing me! The drama level would be just about perfect (not too much, but just enough to keep the action going), the comedy would be corny, and the music would be catchy.

I am completely blessed in my life to have wonderful family and friends, a good job, a roof over my head, food to eat, and good health. I want for next to nothing. My life is a happy song.

Now, can I borrow Amy Adams' cute costumes and hair/make-up stylists for a bit?

As part of a month-long blog challenge, I am responding to prompts from #reverbbroads11. Day 4: In the movie version of your life, which actor/actress would play you and the significant players in your life? What kind of movie is it (e.g., made-for-TV, action, emo/indie, etc.)? What would be the major plot points, and how will it end?

"I don't wanna grow up..."

#reverbbroad11: Day 3: How did you become more of a grown-up this year? Or did you pull a Peter Pan and stubbornly remain childlike?

Yesterday's prompt immediately got the old Toys'R'Us commercial stuck in my head. You know the one:

Truth is, I've always acted older than my age. A friend of my husband has a theory that everyone is born one age, and you continue to act that age for most of your life. I turned 27 in March, and I have to say, so far, 27 has been a good year. I feel like my "born" age is probably somewhere close to this.

I've had some great professional successes this year. These successes felt like a big step towards being a bona fide "grown-up."

After three years of only having one car (which really wasn't too bad, most of the time), we bought our first car together in August. It was our first major purchase together, other than electronics, like our TV and laptop. Step two towards grown-up-ness.

In September, after accepting a job near my hometown and needing to move quickly, I moved back in with my parents. Two steps forward, one step back. Jared and the dog moved in with us in October, so now we're two couples sharing one roof. I am really grateful that my parents gave us the option to move in with them, but I definitely didn't think that I'd be 27, married, and living under my parents' roof again. C'est la vie.

We're now in the middle of negotiating to buy a house. It's been quite a process so far, with some great excitement, and some even greater frustrations, but the hope is that we'll get the keys to our own place on December 29.

For the past three years, we've felt like we were in limbo. We moved almost every year; we didn't feel like we had much of a community; we want kids, but aren't financially at a point where that makes sense right now.

Since returning to Ohio in September, I finally feel like we're moving forward to all of the things that we've been wanting for three years. I'm really looking forward to being able to paint the walls, garden, renovate. I know that home ownership is a lot of work, but I am really looking forward to the adventure. It seems like a HUGE grown-up step. Contrary to the commercial jingle, I'm happy to be growing up.

(I still really love toys and animated movies, though, no matter how old I get!)

Let go & live

"What is the stupidest thing you did this year? What about in your whole life? You can take stupid to mean: embarrassing, dangerous, funny, lame, whatever you consider "stupid." - #reverbbroads11

 Admission: I am kind of a control freak.

  I kind of can't help it. It's a core part of my personality. My Myers-Briggs personality type is ISFJ: on the first three areas, I am fairly close to center on the assessment. But my "J" tendencies are strong. It suits my profession, though, because I have to remember a lot of details and be organized.

 But where being a control freak fails me is in letting loose, being spontaneous & having fun.

I have to be in so much control that I don't even trust myself to have a few drinks with friends, even if I have no where to go or if someone else is going to be the designated driver.

I get really frustrated when my husband doesn't pull over and park the car when we're lost so that we can figure out exactly where we need to go without just driving around aimlessly.

I have a really hard time coming up with something spur-of-the-moment to do for fun.


I spent almost 2 years living in a place and trying to get somewhere else because I didn't like the work it was taking to form a community.

So the stupid thing that I did this year?


I didn't really let myself LIVE.

Be spontaneous.


Let loose.

Build stronger relationships.

 I was too busy trying to be in control of my life.

Source: vanessachristenson.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Dear 10 year old me...

Several other bloggers that I've read inspired me to try to participate in this blog writing month. Today's prompt:

December 1: #reverbbroads11 Prompt: "If the you of today could go back in time and give advice to any of the previous yous, which age would you visit and what would you tell them?"

 Dear 10 year old me,

You are beautiful.

You might be the tallest girl in your class this year (which is hard to believe since you don't end up growing any more after 5th grade) and you might weigh more than a lot of the girls, and your hair is never going to be completely straight and non-poofy, but you are beautiful.

Despite what Jacob says to you on the walk home, calling you "Sarah the Sumo", you are beautiful.

And you grow up to be strong. And independent. And a handsome, musical, caring man falls in love with you.

And you get married.

And you look beautiful on your wedding day.

Sure, you will still have your insecurities and sometimes glimpses in the mirror make you cringe or point out all the areas that you would love to change.

But you are a beautiful person, inside and out.

Keep reminding yourself of that every day.

Source: health-heaven.tumblr.com via Sarah on Pinterest