Today I am so very thankful for my grandma.
I went home this weekend for my extended family's Christmas party. As per usual it was at my grandma's house, but the children/grandchildren cooked the meal instead of my grandma. I had a wonderful time enjoying her presence and that of my cousins and other family members.
It was a somewhat sobering experience. I had a fluttering thought in my head that this may be the last Christmas I have with her in my life. Some say this is just the course of events that occurs when we get older. I understand that. BUT, I lived with my grandma for the first few years of my life. She is my second mother. I don't know my life without her. When I got home tonight, I had some time to myself to reflect. After talking with my husband about how I was feeling, I called my grandma to thank her for the wonderful Christmas party and for the gifts she gave us. We ended up talking for 45 minutes. I was so happy to be able to just pick up the phone and hear her voice on the other end.
Lesson for this weekend: don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today. I have always taken the gift of her life for granted, but now I am facing the reality that this will not always be the case.
I love my grandma, and am so grateful for all that she is and has been to and for her family.
December 20, 2009
December 17, 2009
Modern Medicine
Today I am quite thankful for Advil.
After a long day at work and a head full of disorganized information, I grabbed a glass full of water a couple of Advil. My wrists are suffering too, so it serves a double-purpose.
I know before modern medicine there were natural remedies, but I am sure we as a society have destroyed whatever they were...so ibuprofen it is.
Aaaah...relief.
After a long day at work and a head full of disorganized information, I grabbed a glass full of water a couple of Advil. My wrists are suffering too, so it serves a double-purpose.
I know before modern medicine there were natural remedies, but I am sure we as a society have destroyed whatever they were...so ibuprofen it is.
Aaaah...relief.
December 15, 2009
My job
Today I am thankful for my job.
Though it is not always fun, I am very grateful for having a job, especially right now. I am challenged daily and my co-workers are very nice. I know quite a few people who are without a job right now and how hard it is for them.
Also, I am learning so much about this field of research, and it will be very useful knowledge to have when I enter medical school. I feel like my contributions actually have the potential to have an impact on the lives of patients around the country.
For all those who have made this job possible for me, I give thanks.
Though it is not always fun, I am very grateful for having a job, especially right now. I am challenged daily and my co-workers are very nice. I know quite a few people who are without a job right now and how hard it is for them.
Also, I am learning so much about this field of research, and it will be very useful knowledge to have when I enter medical school. I feel like my contributions actually have the potential to have an impact on the lives of patients around the country.
For all those who have made this job possible for me, I give thanks.
December 14, 2009
Creativity in the kitchen
Today I am thankful for my mother teaching me how to cook. She never used recipes and always just "dumped" spices in the dishes she was making. Well, that was my foundation for cooking for myself as an adult.
This method has proven successful most every time, although I have learned that you really do need a recipe for baking most all goodies (that is a whole different post!). So, today I made a chicken dish which I had never made before, and....it turned out great! I even have leftovers for lunch tomorrow.
If you know me, it is very rare that I don't use some sort of structure in work/activities, which is why it is very unlike me to not use some sort of recipe in making my meals. Even when I do use a recipe, I usually end up modifying it somehow. I am very satisfied with the way my cooking skills have been acquired, and I feel like I am a better cook using this "dumping" technique than if I had a recipe to dictate what I have to do with my dinner.
So, thank you, mom, for showing me how to create fantastic meals with the ideas that come to life in your cooking!
This method has proven successful most every time, although I have learned that you really do need a recipe for baking most all goodies (that is a whole different post!). So, today I made a chicken dish which I had never made before, and....it turned out great! I even have leftovers for lunch tomorrow.
If you know me, it is very rare that I don't use some sort of structure in work/activities, which is why it is very unlike me to not use some sort of recipe in making my meals. Even when I do use a recipe, I usually end up modifying it somehow. I am very satisfied with the way my cooking skills have been acquired, and I feel like I am a better cook using this "dumping" technique than if I had a recipe to dictate what I have to do with my dinner.
So, thank you, mom, for showing me how to create fantastic meals with the ideas that come to life in your cooking!
December 13, 2009
My Senses
Today I am extra thankful for every one of my sense. I attended a holiday gathering this afternoon, at which was the most amazing jazz band I have ever seen! We were so graciously invited by a co-worker, and I must say that I was not quite sure what to expect, but it exceeded any expectations I could ever have.
First, taste/smell. The food spread was amazing, so many different dishes welcomed us when we walked through the door. I had this great salad of chicken and cilantro and field greens with a lime dressing. This would be a great, light summer salad. I also had a spoonful of cheese from a cheese ball with sesame seeds with a slice of bread, of which I could not identify the type. Nonetheless, amazing! Someone had also made paella. It was served in the traditional Spanish pan and the taste was right on! I really wanted more of this dish, but it was quickly devoured by the rest of the crowd. I also snacked on a tamale and enjoyed a new wine. The wine is called "Conundrum" because it is a proprietary blend of California White Wines. It was great, and I highly recommend giving it a try. And, of course I sampled a few sweets. I had peanut butter rice crispy treats, a bite of a brownie, a chocolate chip cookie with salt on top (perfect amount of sweet/salty). My mouth and nose were in heaven. The smell of the holidays was in the air. I could smell baked goods and coffee and casseroles, oh my! Just amazing.
Second, touch. Today as a beautiful day and the weather could not have been any more cooperative. When we arrived it was probably about 70 degrees and we took our seats outside. There was a gentle breeze to keep our toes a tappin'. Perfect weather for such a pleasant afternoon.
Third, sound. The hosts of the party hired a jazz group from Dallas and they were OUTSTANDING! I have never heard such a talented group of jazz musicians. It was very obvious they have played with each other for quite some time. They had non-verbal cues while playing their instruments to signal each other to go into solos and when to end the song as well. It was really quite impressive. The lead member was a saxophone player and he had such a great spirit about him, your body could not resist the natural urge to bounce along to his rhythm. He even serenaded the audience with a Christmas song, and his voice was just as impressive as his instrumental abilities. Each member of the band had such a great unique personality, and that really enhance our experience while listening to them make such beautiful music.
Fourth, sight. As I hinted to above, these guys had personality bursting at the seams. They each played as if no one was watching, eyes closed, bouncing to the rhythm they were creating with every passing second. Though they were in a relatively small space, they were not afraid to express the natural emotions created by playing each instrument.
What a day. I was reminded of so many things for which I am thankful. I am blessed to be here experiencing this all.
First, taste/smell. The food spread was amazing, so many different dishes welcomed us when we walked through the door. I had this great salad of chicken and cilantro and field greens with a lime dressing. This would be a great, light summer salad. I also had a spoonful of cheese from a cheese ball with sesame seeds with a slice of bread, of which I could not identify the type. Nonetheless, amazing! Someone had also made paella. It was served in the traditional Spanish pan and the taste was right on! I really wanted more of this dish, but it was quickly devoured by the rest of the crowd. I also snacked on a tamale and enjoyed a new wine. The wine is called "Conundrum" because it is a proprietary blend of California White Wines. It was great, and I highly recommend giving it a try. And, of course I sampled a few sweets. I had peanut butter rice crispy treats, a bite of a brownie, a chocolate chip cookie with salt on top (perfect amount of sweet/salty). My mouth and nose were in heaven. The smell of the holidays was in the air. I could smell baked goods and coffee and casseroles, oh my! Just amazing.
Second, touch. Today as a beautiful day and the weather could not have been any more cooperative. When we arrived it was probably about 70 degrees and we took our seats outside. There was a gentle breeze to keep our toes a tappin'. Perfect weather for such a pleasant afternoon.
Third, sound. The hosts of the party hired a jazz group from Dallas and they were OUTSTANDING! I have never heard such a talented group of jazz musicians. It was very obvious they have played with each other for quite some time. They had non-verbal cues while playing their instruments to signal each other to go into solos and when to end the song as well. It was really quite impressive. The lead member was a saxophone player and he had such a great spirit about him, your body could not resist the natural urge to bounce along to his rhythm. He even serenaded the audience with a Christmas song, and his voice was just as impressive as his instrumental abilities. Each member of the band had such a great unique personality, and that really enhance our experience while listening to them make such beautiful music.
Fourth, sight. As I hinted to above, these guys had personality bursting at the seams. They each played as if no one was watching, eyes closed, bouncing to the rhythm they were creating with every passing second. Though they were in a relatively small space, they were not afraid to express the natural emotions created by playing each instrument.
What a day. I was reminded of so many things for which I am thankful. I am blessed to be here experiencing this all.
December 8, 2009
My husband
Today (and everyday!) I am thankful for my husband. His birthday was yesterday, and I had a chance to reflect on what his presence in my life as my husband means to me. I always feel comfortable around him and comforted by him. His humor always leaves me doubled-over laughing, and his confidence in his abilities really is quite sexy. He is extremely loyal and is an amazing cook! I believe in him. For the gift of his soul on earth, I have endless gratitude.
December 6, 2009
A love for eternity
I was out of town with no access to the web since Thursday, so I have missed a few days of posts. But, I think the event I attended this weekend can provide a reminder of a few things for which I am very thankful.
I was in my friend's wedding this past Saturday. I was luckily enough to witness the union of these two souls. It was so obvious how much they loved each other. The way the husband so lovingly embraced his new wife made me tear up. The husband was adopted as a child and so I teared up once again during the mother-of-the-groom dance. The love the mother had for this child who had no prior connection to her was astounding and obviously unconditional. This restored my hope in humanity. I am thankful for eternal and everlasting love.
The preparation for the wedding itself also got my wheels turning. A large group of people turned out to help decorate the banquet hall with one goal in mind...create the couple's fairytale wedding. All involved gave their time and energy to help this couple prepare for the exchange of their vows. These sorts of events really highlight the consideration we have for those around us. My gratitude goes out to all those who have taken the time to always be considerate of my needs and feelings.
I was in my friend's wedding this past Saturday. I was luckily enough to witness the union of these two souls. It was so obvious how much they loved each other. The way the husband so lovingly embraced his new wife made me tear up. The husband was adopted as a child and so I teared up once again during the mother-of-the-groom dance. The love the mother had for this child who had no prior connection to her was astounding and obviously unconditional. This restored my hope in humanity. I am thankful for eternal and everlasting love.
The preparation for the wedding itself also got my wheels turning. A large group of people turned out to help decorate the banquet hall with one goal in mind...create the couple's fairytale wedding. All involved gave their time and energy to help this couple prepare for the exchange of their vows. These sorts of events really highlight the consideration we have for those around us. My gratitude goes out to all those who have taken the time to always be considerate of my needs and feelings.
December 2, 2009
Patience
Today I am thankful for the gift of patience. I had many challenges today that required quite a bit of patience. Thankfully, I had enough understanding to just sit, listen, absorb and be patient.
Becuase I am learning how to let things run their course and try to understand what is facing me, I didn't say anything irrational.
Becuase I am learning how to let things run their course and try to understand what is facing me, I didn't say anything irrational.
December 1, 2009
Water
Today I reflect on the gift of clean water. We do not think twice about the quality of water flowing from our tap. We expect/demand safe and sanitary drinking water.
A basic right, yes, but close to half of all people in developing countries suffering at any given time from a health problem are suffering due to water and sanitation deficits. (2006 United Nations Human Development Report)
Did you have a glass of clean water today without second guessing its quality?
A basic right, yes, but close to half of all people in developing countries suffering at any given time from a health problem are suffering due to water and sanitation deficits. (2006 United Nations Human Development Report)
Did you have a glass of clean water today without second guessing its quality?
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