Plans

I have been thinking a lot about plans this week. I briefly contemplated a dramatic change in plans. A friend advised me to pray. And then I remembered a great Bible verse, one that was so helpful in college when you wonder what you're going to be when you grow up (although I still wonder that now).


Jeremiah 29:11-13

From The Message "I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for me, you'll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed."

From Today's NIV "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. "

From The New Living Translation "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me."

In the realm of plans, I am leaving for vacation in Peru next week. The top site in Peru? Machu Picchu. Thankfully God has "plans for good and not for disaster." This week it's disasterous for tourists because of mudslides (and other delightful things, like washed out train tracks and price gouging) that come from the heaviest rains in 20 years. It may turn out that our plans will have to change and MP will wait for my next visit. One of the friend's I am traveling with is Peruvian and he has promised to be my friend for the next 30 years, so I think it's probable I'll go back.

Daybook 2 (the Fox edition)

(from the Simple Woman's Daybook)

January 25, 2010

Outside my window...there is a crack.  Which reminds me that I need to stop by Lowe's to arrange a visit to get the window measured for replacement.

I am thinking...that I am blessed to have great friends and family. 

I am thankful for (serious)... my sister.  She advises people for a living and today, that included me.  She's brilliant!  

I am also thankful (silly)... that our employees cleaned out their lockers so we didn't have to bag too many smelly shoes.

I am wearing...my workout clothes.  I hit the gym at 8:45pm and feel much better.  The preliminary weigh-in for our weight loss challenge at work is this week!

I am remembering...what a fantastic weekend I had in Breck with my friends.

I am going...to rock my corner of the world.  One day at a time.

I am currently reading...Newsweek.

I am hoping...that I don't have to justify my decisions to anyone this week.

On my mind...a debate about helping those in other countries as opposed to helping those in your own community. 

Noticing that...I can bring my happiness wherever I go, or wherever I stay.

Pondering these words..."if he was chocolate he would lick himself" (a quote about self-confidence)

From the kitchen... white chocolate chex mix...aka "crack"

Around the house...birthday gifts that arrived via the USPS!

One of my favorite things...sitting in a hot tub while the snow falls.

From my picture journal...

Fox in the Snow - Breckenridge  - Ski Day with Friends

Blessed

Last week the getting to know you question I used in one of my training classes was "what's a word a good friend would use to describe you?"  We had a wide variety, from enthusiastic to tenacious.  But the word that struck me was blessed.  I don't hear many people say that they are blessed.   I don't know if it's because they aren't religious, or don't consider what they have a blessing. 

It takes a certain kind of strength sometime to admit the positive. 

Much less that the good things in your life come from God.

Daybook

I saw a link on a couple blogs to the Simple Woman's Daybook.  Apparantly it is tradition to update your "status" each Monday.  Alas, it is Tuesday, but I think I'll do it anyway (what a rebel!).

Tuesday January 19, 2010

Outside my window...it is night.  We've had beautiful weather this week, but I'm really wishing for snow before our ski weekend in Breckenridge.

I am thinking...that I should be doing my Spanish homework.

I am thankful for...a great place to work and co-workers that are a lot of fun.

From the kitchen...after having a 3 course birthday week lunch in Altitude, I should have skipped dinner altogether, but had some pizza.

I am wearing...clothes.

I am creating...a riveting blog post for your reading pleasure.

I am going...to Peru in 16 days!

I am reading...Budget Traveler magazine.

I am hoping...that it will snow!

I am hearing...the weigh in on the Biggest Loser.

Around the house...Chey is running up the stairs.

One of my favorite things...today was filming our department skit for the awards party.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Spanish class, Samba Room and Breck!

Here is picture I am sharing...because registration for the 2010 Colorado Bike MS is now open to the public

Becoming Perfect

I'm assuming there is a book genre called "Christian Chick Lit."  Or maybe it's "Inspirational Women's Fiction."  In either case, I just finished a very fun read called Perfecting Kate by Tamara Leigh.  The main character (wait for it) Kate has a gorgeous roomate and one of her best friend's is getting ready to have a baby.  She isn't quite there yet.  And maybe a little jealous.  Throughout the book she goes on a self-improvement quest, with some of the improvements being suggested by others (including her boyfriend at one point calling her "potentially fat"....how delightful). 

As it's still the season for New Year's Resolutions it makes me wonder how many resolutions are spurred because the person actually wants them (ie "I've always wanted to learn_____" (insert language here) and how many are really a reflection of others in ones life (my best friend loves yoga, so I should too....).    Like millions of other Americans I have goals for the new year.  I assume I am doing them for my own benefit, education, & enjoyment.    Am I trying to become "perfect" for the right reasons?

Pirate English

It's not enough that we can celebrate "Talk Like a Pirate Day" each September.   You can change your facebook language to Pirate English, which makes everyday posts much more entertaining.  For example one friend is now flying the flag of Breckenridge, CO and people who post excessively from FarmVille (or other apps) will now show as "harken the 2 redundant squawkings." 

Continent Six

In early February, I am taking my first trip to South America.  It's the only continent I haven't visited (yes, I know there are 7 continents, but food and people are primary motivations when I travel, and penguins alone aren't enough of a draw, so I'm not giving Antarctica it's full due).   Some place had to be last.  Europe was first in 1986 (and a few times since), Africa in 1998/9 and 2006, Australia in 2007 and Asia in 2009.  No slight to all the fantastic people in SA, the opportunity had not presented itself before now.  And in the frenetic travel competition that I have with my mom and sister (I was the third to get to Asia), I will be the first to get a South American stamp in my passport.   

I'm excited to see one of the main attractions in Peru, which is Machu Picchu.  Although we are going in the rainy season and there is a chance that there will be weather and my pictures will not look like the postcards....not the first time.  Case in point, Mt. Haleakala in Maui.  We were up at the top of the mountain for the famous sunrise.  The sun never rose (but the bike ride was fantastic). 

"Sunrise"

The vagaries of airfare never cease to amaze me.  Our tickets from Denver to Lima were very reasonable (only about $100 more than if I wanted the direct flight from Denver to the Quad City International Airport in Moline, IL).    The airfare for the one and a half hour flight from Lima to Cusco?  About $100 less than the flight to Lima.  Crazy. 

Last week we had family movie night at church watching the movie UP.   One of the funniest lines to me?

Little Ellie:  "When I get big, I'm going where he's going. South America. It's like America, but south."

The Solution

In general church sign slogans are not nearly as funny as the ones you get forwarded to you in your email.  But sometimes I see ones that make me think, which is probably better all around.  En route to my church, I see this sign "Resolve to be part of the solution." 

There are two sides to this.  One, your own resolutions.  If your "problem" is that you need to lose 10lbs or that you haven't ever been to New York City, you can be part of the solution, setting yourself up to achieve your goal.  Most likely you are the only person standing in your way.   The other side is other people's problems, community and global issues.  You can resolve to care, to get involved, volunteer, etc.  This is the alternative to complaining about it and taking no action. 

In either case, I support being part of the solution.

Day One

Day one of a new decade.   After panicking on December 1 that I only had a month to get done anything I needed to in the past decade, it's nice to start new.  At the beginning of last year I actually put together a list of goals.   Shockingly, some of them actually actualized.  And others (more exercise) will need to be added to this year's list.   My sister's facebook post put it succinctly "The first couple hours (or days) aside, I am going to make smart choices in 2010!" 

"Smart choices" are different for each person, it may be eating more vegetables or eating less ice cream.  It may be going out and being more social, or staying in and being less.  It may be the year of the 'staycation' or the vacation.    My day one was sleeping in and skiing.   Both things that are good for me and that I don't get to do often enough.   Even better, I was paid to do it.