The Little Things
Truth.
Change is hard. Growing up is harder. My life has changed a lot this year and promises to change even more in 2017 so I’m having a hard time just keeping up. Some of these changes are good and some I didn’t exactly see coming but I’m doing my best to stay positive through everything. And in order to do that, I’m going to focus on the good things I’ve got going for me. This is a little late for Thanksgiving but it’s never too late to give thanks!
- I have a great family and I love them all (even the ones who drive me crazy. And vote for Trump…). My family isn’t perfect but we care about each other and do what it takes to ensure we’re all relatively taken care of.
- I have a great husband and he does things like buy me flowers and chocolates and wine on days that I snap at him on the phone (this may or may not have happened just today). He’s my best friend, he has my back and I love him.
- I have great friends as well and they supported me through quite a bit this year. Some of them also danced on a stripper pole at my bachelorette party so clearly they are all awesome people.
- I have a very good job that I seem to do very well. Or so I’m told. I like the people I work with and the work I do and I am thankful for the opportunities, perks and benefits that I receive through my employment. Hell, just a few years ago I was laid off right around now so I’m thankful to be employed at all! But I’m even more thankful to be where I am.
- I live in a great city full of interesting, new and exciting things to do. And I even go out and do some of them! Chicago allows me to flourish in my geeky ways and places like The Field Museum only contribute to that. I’m grateful to live in a place that allows me to do so many different things and love so many different kinds of people.
- I’m healthy and most of my loved ones are fairly healthy as well. Yes, I lost my grandfather this year but it was one of those deaths that was bittersweet…I miss him every day but know he’s better off and I’m thankful for the all the time we shared. Most everyone else I truly care about are in decent health as well and I can only hope that continues to hold true.
I have many other things I can be thankful for but having my loved ones in my life, a decent job and a roof over my head are all that really matters so I’m going to end there. And no matter what the upcoming year brings, I have a few things that will always make me smile!
Now What?
I’ve had a hard time posting lately because the last three months or so have been a complete roller coaster of emotions for me. The death of my first grandparent and unfortunate news about my dad’s health were difficult things to deal with and they were juxtaposed with the happiest day and night of my life – mine and Scott’s wedding! The support, love, joy and pure elation we felt that day was something wonderful to be surrounded with. Everything was perfect – and then the election happened. I really do try not to get too political around people who may not want to hear it, but life has not been so rosy after I learned that Donald Trump will be our next President. I’m not going to go into the multitude of reasons why I think this is a terrible, awful, really no-good idea because there are plenty of other people out there talking about that. So instead of focusing on the worry and fear that I feel, I’m insteading choosing to focus on what I can do about it. And here’s what I’ve come up with (so far):
- I’ve started monthly donations to Planned Parenthood (in Mike Pence’s name…which put a smile on my face), the ACLU and the Sierra Club. I’m not able to give tons of money but every dollar helps.
- I took a self-defense class, because I feel helpless and impotent and have some legitimate fears about the safety of myself and my loved ones over the next few years. I’m not exactly Rambo now but it was empowering and I’m going to go back for more.
- I’ve purchased a trash-picker-upper and will be using it to gather the garbage in my neighborhood. Eventually I’m going to rally my neighbors to do the same – we may not be able to clean up Washington but we can at least take care of our own backyard.
- I’m continuing my volunteering with the food pantry and the Field Museum. I decided long ago that two causes I feel strongly about are education and poverty, specifically hunger awareness. Volunteering at the pantry and the museum allows me to literally get my hands dirty while making a difference.
- I’ve called my local congressional representative to tell them that I’m opposing Trump’s pick of Steve Bannon as his Chief Strategist and urging him to pressure Trump to remove this known white supremacist from the White House.
- I’ve bought bus tickets for myself and Scott to attend the Women’s March in Washington DC over Inauguration Day weekend. It’s going to be a long weekend spent mostly on a bus but we’ll be there to stand and march with others promoting equal rights. This isn’t a protest but instead a rally to unite women and those who believe in minority causes.
- I’ve talked about this. I’m talking about this right now! I have refrained from getting into long Facebook arguments because I don’t feel that’s very constructive and instead I have talked with my friends and allies about what we’re feeling and what we’re going to do about it. I’m also trying very hard to keep in mind that four and eight years ago the other side was feeling like I do now. Some of the hate and rage I’ve been seeing from the left is very reminiscent of what I saw during the birth of the Tea Party and it’s scary. It’s also not something I want to be associated with. Not that staying positive and not spewing hate is easy – I want to rant and rave with the best of them but I’m trying not to do so publicly. I would rather put forth an effort to be the change I want to see.
There’s more coming. And even if Trump turns out to be the best President the country has ever seen, the things I’m doing now will still be beneficial in the long run. I believe there’s always been more good in the world than bad and I’m going to do my damndest to keep that true for as long as I’m around to fight!
Pale Blue Dot
My wedding was perfect and magical and wonderful and beautiful and everything that Scott and I could have asked for and more. I’ll probably write more about it later so you can share in our excitement! We were euphoric and oh so happy, floating idyllically on Cloud 9 for days…well, for four days, to be exact. Because not long after we got back, the election happened.
I know people have different viewpoints and opinions and I really, truly try to abide by the whole “live and let live” ideology. That said, I take offence when others try to shove their own personal beliefs down my throat and I take even greater offence when the newly elected President of the United States is…well, who he is. And has done the things he’s said he’s done with little to no remorse. I honestly feel like our President-elect is a misogynistic, racist, narcissistic, arrogant, ignorant terror of a “man” and he scares the hell out of me. So I’m trying to process the roller-coaster of emotions I’ve felt over the last few days and it’s proving to be difficult. It’s even more difficult to imagine what the next four years will be like but I’m trying to stay positive. When that doesn’t work, I think about this:
If you can’t read this, Google “Pale Blue Dot” by Carl Sagan. Better yet, watch on YouTube.
This isn’t the best time in the world but it’s certainly not the worst. And no matter what happens, no matter what is or isn’t done to our planet and for our future, this pale blue dot will continue to be a pale blue dot for a long time to come. The types of mammals around to witness it might be in question, but this Earth will be just fine. At least that’s something.
Here Comes the Bride!
Thetimehascomeandournearlytwoyearengagementisoverandherewego – I’m getting married on Saturday!
As someone who never really thought I’d get married and figured I’d elope to Vegas if I did, the fact that I’m having this relatively traditional wedding and reception is a little strange to me. But I think we made the right choice and I am so excited to marry my best friend in a room full of our loved ones!
Not our wedding cake but it should be!
This blog has come a long way from when I started it, back when I had just been dumped and was lonely and trying to fill some time. Now I’m so busy I can barely even post! Though you can be sure I’ll have a nice wedding-related post when I return.
And I’ll return a married woman! Also – GO CUBS!!!
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