It’s so strange for me to think that Lucy will never know a world where 9/11 is just another day on the calendar. That she’ll never understand the freedom of thinking that we are so far away (physically, politically, socially) from those who disagree with our way of life that they would never be able to harm us. To her, the attacks on September 11 will seem like the Kennedy assassination or the attack on Pearl Harbor. It will be a chapter in her history book.
I don’t like to write too much on this day because it seems cheap. Lazy. Never enough. I didn’t lose anyone close to me on that day, so who am I to talk about it? I was only 18 when the two planes slammed into the World Trade Center, another into the Pentagon and yet another into field in Pennsylvania and changed everything I thought about the world. Up until then, the biggest world events for my generation were the killings at Columbine High School and the murder of Tupac (seriously, I remember a journalism class in 2000 where these were the discussion topics). I always felt I was was pretty well informed, I was even taking two classes on Islam that semester. The year before I had befriended a Muslim man and even considered converting. To me it was, and still is, a deeply spiritual and wonderful religion. I was amazed at the similarities to my own Catholic upbringing, and how much I felt I could relate to it’s teachings. I had never expected what would happen that day. Who could have?
So, today I hope we can all put aside our arguments, our political wars, our disagreements, and remember those who died on that day. Those people who, on the day I sat in my warm sorority room, glued to the TV, were dying in those towers. Those who ran in to save others. Those who sat on doomed airplanes. Those who fought back. Take a minute today, despite what you may think about the wars we’re fighting now, and pray for them. I’m sure they’d do the same for you.
And someday, I hope Lucy can once again live in a world a bit more naive, so much so that an attack like this is unfathomable. I hope she can grow up being proud to be an American and really understand what it stands for. Hope. Love. Independence. Freedom. And I hope this world will welcome her with open arms.
I spent a good part of my weekend lying in bed with the worst stomach pains since I gave birth to that baby a year ago. I’m still not quite sure what I had [read: still have], but the pain has subsided enough that I can actually sit up straight and finally got some sleep yesterday and last night. I hate being sick, it always feels like a waste. Especially when it’s on a beautiful weekend like the one we just had. A very “end-of-summer” weekend, where the weather was actually nice enough to be outside in the early evening without tons of sunblock and a gallon of water.
Friday night, before the horrid cramping, I finished working on some pictures that have been sitting in my memory card for about a month. I’ll be uploading them to Flickr this week and will hopefully have a few more posts like this one (sans the sick talk) to show what I’ve been up to in the last month or so. For my birthday, Trent’s wonderful mother bought me some new photo editing software and I got a little enhance-happy this weekend, so excuse any pictures that look way over-photoshopped. Just call it art. Or something.
So, without further ado, the first installment of the Photo Chronicles, from our trip to my parents’ lake house in Council Grove, Kansas and some shots from Labor Day out at Trent’s parents’ farm house. Enjoy!
(For those of you that are computer illiterate, click on the smaller thumbnails under the larger picture to scan through each photo. Click on the numbers to go to the next page of photos.)
When I started this new job in April, I was a bit worried, as my last job was just horrendous. Frightening. Scary. A huge yuck-fest. But the new job has turned out to be the complete opposite. The people are fairly friendly and easy-going, the work is stimulating and I don’t feel like stabbing pencils in my eyes on a daily basis. A huge improvement.
And I really needed to be working in an environment like this. I was leaving my daughter, becoming the only breadwinner for my family, and with all of that stress, I needed my work life to not only be fulfilling, but fun. I know some people can separate work from personal life, and that works for them, but I need to enjoy the people I’m working with. I need to like them and feel like they enjoy my company as well. And even though I know we won’t always agree on everything (or anything), I do feel like we’re a team and we all are working toward the same goal. Now let’s all sit in a circle and sing kumbya! Damnit, people. Sing!
One of my coworkers, Kristi, has been a great support during these first few months. She’s drug me into the fray, somewhat kicking and screaming, and I’ve come out as a better employee and colleague. She also makes fun of my iPod playlists and buys me Zac Efron memorabilia, which is obviously a sign of a dedicated coworker. This weekend Kristi’s husband, Dan, who I only know through overheard cell phone conversations and long stories over beers is coming home from Iraq. I’m so happy and excited for her, and I’m really looking forward to meeting Dan the man. And asking if I can borrow his new camera. And use his new Mac. And if he’ll play Quake with my husband.
Don’t worry Kristi, I won’t tell him about all of the Disney channel movies you’ve been watching in his absence. It’s our little secret. And when I say “our,” I mean you, me and the Internet. I’m sure he’ll never find out.
Today
/4 Comments/in Lucy, World /by MeganIt’s so strange for me to think that Lucy will never know a world where 9/11 is just another day on the calendar. That she’ll never understand the freedom of thinking that we are so far away (physically, politically, socially) from those who disagree with our way of life that they would never be able to harm us. To her, the attacks on September 11 will seem like the Kennedy assassination or the attack on Pearl Harbor. It will be a chapter in her history book.
I don’t like to write too much on this day because it seems cheap. Lazy. Never enough. I didn’t lose anyone close to me on that day, so who am I to talk about it? I was only 18 when the two planes slammed into the World Trade Center, another into the Pentagon and yet another into field in Pennsylvania and changed everything I thought about the world. Up until then, the biggest world events for my generation were the killings at Columbine High School and the murder of Tupac (seriously, I remember a journalism class in 2000 where these were the discussion topics). I always felt I was was pretty well informed, I was even taking two classes on Islam that semester. The year before I had befriended a Muslim man and even considered converting. To me it was, and still is, a deeply spiritual and wonderful religion. I was amazed at the similarities to my own Catholic upbringing, and how much I felt I could relate to it’s teachings. I had never expected what would happen that day. Who could have?
So, today I hope we can all put aside our arguments, our political wars, our disagreements, and remember those who died on that day. Those people who, on the day I sat in my warm sorority room, glued to the TV, were dying in those towers. Those who ran in to save others. Those who sat on doomed airplanes. Those who fought back. Take a minute today, despite what you may think about the wars we’re fighting now, and pray for them. I’m sure they’d do the same for you.
And someday, I hope Lucy can once again live in a world a bit more naive, so much so that an attack like this is unfathomable. I hope she can grow up being proud to be an American and really understand what it stands for. Hope. Love. Independence. Freedom. And I hope this world will welcome her with open arms.
The Photo Chronicles Continue
/0 Comments/in Family, Photos /by MeganI spent a good part of my weekend lying in bed with the worst stomach pains since I gave birth to that baby a year ago. I’m still not quite sure what I had [read: still have], but the pain has subsided enough that I can actually sit up straight and finally got some sleep yesterday and last night. I hate being sick, it always feels like a waste. Especially when it’s on a beautiful weekend like the one we just had. A very “end-of-summer” weekend, where the weather was actually nice enough to be outside in the early evening without tons of sunblock and a gallon of water.
Friday night, before the horrid cramping, I finished working on some pictures that have been sitting in my memory card for about a month. I’ll be uploading them to Flickr this week and will hopefully have a few more posts like this one (sans the sick talk) to show what I’ve been up to in the last month or so. For my birthday, Trent’s wonderful mother bought me some new photo editing software and I got a little enhance-happy this weekend, so excuse any pictures that look way over-photoshopped. Just call it art. Or something.
So, without further ado, the first installment of the Photo Chronicles, from our trip to my parents’ lake house in Council Grove, Kansas and some shots from Labor Day out at Trent’s parents’ farm house. Enjoy!
(For those of you that are computer illiterate, click on the smaller thumbnails under the larger picture to scan through each photo. Click on the numbers to go to the next page of photos.)
Homecoming
/0 Comments/in Work /by MeganWhen I started this new job in April, I was a bit worried, as my last job was just horrendous. Frightening. Scary. A huge yuck-fest. But the new job has turned out to be the complete opposite. The people are fairly friendly and easy-going, the work is stimulating and I don’t feel like stabbing pencils in my eyes on a daily basis. A huge improvement.
And I really needed to be working in an environment like this. I was leaving my daughter, becoming the only breadwinner for my family, and with all of that stress, I needed my work life to not only be fulfilling, but fun. I know some people can separate work from personal life, and that works for them, but I need to enjoy the people I’m working with. I need to like them and feel like they enjoy my company as well. And even though I know we won’t always agree on everything (or anything), I do feel like we’re a team and we all are working toward the same goal. Now let’s all sit in a circle and sing kumbya! Damnit, people. Sing!
One of my coworkers, Kristi, has been a great support during these first few months. She’s drug me into the fray, somewhat kicking and screaming, and I’ve come out as a better employee and colleague. She also makes fun of my iPod playlists and buys me Zac Efron memorabilia, which is obviously a sign of a dedicated coworker. This weekend Kristi’s husband, Dan, who I only know through overheard cell phone conversations and long stories over beers is coming home from Iraq. I’m so happy and excited for her, and I’m really looking forward to meeting Dan the man. And asking if I can borrow his new camera. And use his new Mac. And if he’ll play Quake with my husband.
Don’t worry Kristi, I won’t tell him about all of the Disney channel movies you’ve been watching in his absence. It’s our little secret. And when I say “our,” I mean you, me and the Internet. I’m sure he’ll never find out.
Welcome home, Dan!