lessons from life
"Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. Love like you've never been hurt and live like it's heaven on Earth." -Mark Twain
It's right at times when I think that I have gotten the hang of my day-to-day life when I get a shocking bit of news to absolutely bamboozle me once again.
Just as I turned 30, with a new lease on life, you might say, I jump to Chicago, and I found out that a few days prior, one of my former students had been brutally murdered. What an incredibly young precious life was taken long before her time. She had so much to offer, and could turn the world upside down with her smile and optimism.
Today, I'm about to embark on another trip, and I received a call that a friend, a colleague that helped lead several junior high weekends years ago at Camp Sumatanga and Camp Springville, died in a tragic accident. As I sit in the airport, I'm still in absolute shock. He would prank call me at work and lead me on and make me so frustrated, and then let out his boisterous laugh before his authentic pronoucement of my name that was completely his trademark. Yet again, another life gone long before his time, and someone who could change your life and make you think, make you smile, and make you want to prove to him that you could do better.
Of course, it's always selfish to think that people are taken before their time and to want them back to say everything you wanted, but we aren't allowed those moments all the time. But, it's in these glimpses of time when we do realize that we need to tell the people we love that we do love them… to embrace those who mean so much to us… We never know the next time we will see each person on our path.
Live your life to the fullest. Love those around you with all your heart. You never know when you won't have the chance to do so.
why it’s great to “rock the red”
[crossposted on pickmyNHLteam.com on December 31, 2009]
The Washington Capitals… up until a few years ago, locals and people across the country paid little attention to this talented team on the ice. Now, they’re the most discussed team in Washington, D.C., and they get mentions during NFL coverage of Washington Redskins games. Right now, the Caps are the hottest team in the city, and one of the hottest teams in the NHL. And there are a few reasons why this team deserves the love it gets… (in no specific order, mostly) Read more
bowl frenzy
It's that time of year again… BOWL SEASON! It's a southerner's dream vacation time, if possible… sitting around watching football ALL. THE. TIME. And, if you're lucky like this year and you follow the Southeastern Conference, ten of twelve teams accepted bids to bowl games. Unlike most of the world, which I found out recently, SEC fans usually cheer on other SEC teams. We like to make sure that we're always on top of the list when it comes to college football. Of course, sometimes that means cheering for your arch rival (as I found myself doing last night, even though the Vols completely fluked in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl), just for the sake of the conference. In talking to others, not so many people do this in other conferences… and I'm boggled by this.
Anyway, in the craziness that was December, I TOTALLY forgot to make all of my college football bowl picks. So, instead, I'll just post all of them for the games from here on out. Of course, I don't claim to be a pro. I always like to make guesses with friends and family on who will win and why. Feel free to argue… I enjoy the rivalry and competition.
Picks (in bold) after the jump… Read more
