Hate to Mow

Here's another story from Storypeople...

He told me once that he never planned to
settle down. It's not that I'm afraid of
commitment, he said, I just hate to mow.

I hate to mow so much that I hired two of my 10th grade students to come to my house and rake and mow. It seems that I never got to raking in the fall when all the leaves fell so they were essentially glued to the ground. So, with a generous offer two of my kids came over and finished a job that would have taken me all day! Yeah!

Lesson # 1,000,000

I know, I know, I'm 36 and just learning the big lessons of life, but I keep thanking the universe that I am learning late rather than never! So my newest lesson... what people say and do has NOTHING to do with you! So, as you know my principal called me to the office and was very negative and mean, but tried to make it out that I was the negative, mean one. Well after my hypnotherapy session I realized that our little conversation had absolutely NOTHING to do with me! I refuse to take on her issues and give any energy to the situation. She had me all worked up and now I realize that she has to deal with the situation of me quitting in her own way and it's all her stuff, not mine. WOW, what power. Now that you know that other people have their own issues and what they say and do is not about you, you can free yourself. Free yourself from taking on other people's issues. I am going to take my power back and not let other peoples' issues affect me. Yeah, deep breath and let it go...

The first goodbyes...

Tonight a couple BBW girls and I decided to go to Hamburger Mary's for dinner. A few tricks from the waiter and big juicy hamburgers later and we said our goodbyes! Yeah for me. I stepped up to the plate and enjoyed the company of my friends without slinking out the back door!

Busy Morning

So what did you do this morning? Oh, me, I just got up and bought a one way plane ticket from Raleigh to Burma! Yes, I've committed. I was able to push the "book" button and now I'm one step closer to my journey... So I am flying from Raleigh to New York and then non stop to Taipei, Taiwan and then to Yangon, all for the discount price of $1100. Apparently I do fly west from NYC.

True Confessions

Deep dark thought: if I isolate myself from everyone, then I won't have to say goodbye.

Action: I don't need this or you (while snapping fingers in a circle)

Deep dark thought: It'll be too sad to say goodbye, I'll just slip out unnoticed

Action: Oh, I quit Bath and Body Works via email last week...

Deep dark thought: I am ready to move on from this place

Action: Hey did you hear the daily gossip today at work? Oh, well let me tell you...

Deep dark thought: What will I say to the people that come to a going away party for me

Action: Hey, let's cancel that party for Friday and just go out for drinks.

Deep dark thought: what will be the last thing I say to you?

Action: I'll just start ignoring your calls now...

I did it for science...

So we have this new guy at work that we suspect is a mole... So as the science person of the group I decided to conduct a little experiment. In a meeting I purposefully said something to see if it would get back to the boss. Well, in less than a day I received an email and sure enough I was called to the Principal's office... In the meeting I was able to trick her into telling me it was a "he" and sure enough there was only one "he" at our meeting. I actually told my principal that it was all a science experiment and all she could say is "why would you do that?" A good question, but we do strange things in the name of science.

AAARRRGGGHHH

I am so used to this instant gratification, fast paced world, that I am fretting about moving to a place where there is no hurry. I have spent the past two hours looking for a one-way flight from RDU to RGN and I am about to throw my computer out the window! This is my first of many lessons in:
1. Take a deep breath
2. Let it go

I'm going to need a little more practice before I leave...

Is it my commitment issues that won't let me push the "book" button on any of the dozens of websites I looked at???

One World is Enough for all of Us...

This miraculous piece of art was made by my sister probably more than 20 years ago. Somewhere along the line I became a earth lover and as a present my sister (who is 8 1/2 years younger than me) created this art. I LOVE it. On average I move once a year and have been back and forth across the country and this always makes the cut when deciding what to keep and get rid of. In celebration of Earth Day, 2008 I would like to share not only how absolutely adorable this is, but the message.

Please make good choices to protect our Earth. My newest accommodation is bringing cloth bags to the grocery store. Such a small effort to make big changes. Your efforts make a difference. In the words of Sting... "One world is enough for all of us"

Bird Love

My morning was filled with a warm breeze and chirping birdies. I opened my front door and while I was just sitting I noticed that a family of birds were building their nest on my front porch. I observed a bird with twigs in it's beak and went for my camera and of course it flew away. So I spent the next few minutes waiting patiently (I know, can you believe it) for the bird to return. Of course he did, but without any more nest building materials. So I was able to snap a shot and enjoy. So off to work I went and this afternoon when I returned I heard more chirping except this time it seemed frantic and noticed that the two little birdies were mating on my porch. Ahhh spring is in the air.

My MOM kicks ass

Happy birthday Mama!

My mom deserves the most patient person award. As a teenager I was such a bitch to her. She could do nothing right. Yet, she hung in there and supported me through it all. She's the type of mother that would lay down on the train tracks to protect her children. We've been through a lot and with patience and love we've come out on the other end and now are very close. I am so grateful to have such a wonderful, loving, caring, supportive, funny, creative mother. Most people complain about their families and I get to just enjoy them. Thanks mama and have a good birthday... I'll see you soon!

FU snow, part 2

Lovely Verbena Park

Yes from 80 to 30 in a day... The white stuff is falling, falling, falling. I suppose we won't get three feet to cause a snow day.

Lisa the pretend mom

Me, Daisey and Vanessa

I was thinking of telling you about my girls that I mentor, and that got me thinking of my very first day teaching. You see I met the three girls during my very first teaching job in Denver. I was so excited to be a teacher and being the huge geek that I am sure I put out my outfit the night before. Ooh, here it was time to introduce myself and step up in front of my 7th graders and tell them how excited I was to be their science teacher. I'd cooked up a lesson on dinosaurs. I'm standing up looking into the brown faces of my student and BAM a wad of paper hits me in the forehead. EEEEEK. That first year was not about teaching science it was about creating relationships with my students so that in time with earned trust I could actually teach them. Of course I snuck in content everyday, but they didn't realize it at the time. That first year really taught me that teaching is so much more that spewing facts to a bunch of kids. It's about building relationships and creating a community in your classroom. This is when I met Daisey. I nominated her for an after school program that first year and there it was, a relationship. Two years ago I became her official "mentor" through a local program and we have tried to go out at least once a month. She is now a senior and with some more hard work will graduate on time in May. Her final mountain to climb is a 10 page research paper. Daisey called me last week and asked for my help. Tonight Daisey and I met at a burrito shop and for three hours worked on her paper. I am so proud of her! Her writing skills have come so far! Here is a girl that was born and raised in the ghetto. Mom and Dad have 5 daughters. All seven people live in a house with one bathroom! I know it gets frustrating to see people choose gangs and drugs, so when you get stuck on those thoughts think of Daisey and her huge accomplishments. Since I don't want biological children my mom has sort of adopted her as a grandma. Mom helps buy her school supplies and helps me with funds to take her out to dinner. In May I will be at her graduation. She proudly told me tonight that she has already bought my ticket. So, now, a question for you... what can I get her for her graduation? Is money tacky? She is talking about college, maybe taking a few classes at a community college. She still lives at home and plans on doing that for a while. I want to do something special for her, but what??

Give me an 8 (whooo), give me a 0 (whooo), what do ya got?

80 degrees! I have to report my first 80 degree day for 2008. I am truly grateful for a warm, cloudless day! I actually wore shorts when I went for a walk and although my bright white skin scared me a bit it was great to put on a pair of shorts for the first time in months.

So many [insert your noun here], so little time

I love being surrounded by books. Here is a group of books that I'm currently reading. I pick up one and read it for a few days and then it's on to another book. Back and forth, back and forth. Today I went to the library and ended up with two more books. What's that about? I've always thought I have commitment problems...

Change your thoughts, change your life

Last night a good friend and I went to see Dr. Wayne Dyer speak at a progressive, everyone (and I mean everyone) is really loved, church. The title of the talk was "Change your thoughts change your life: Living the wisdom of the Tao." Yeah, he is the guy who does PBS specials and a few weeks ago I tried to watch one and couldn't really get into it, so I was a little worried going in to the talk and told my friend that I was up for leaving early if it was lame. Well that wasn't very positive thinking and thankfully the Universe didn't listen to my pessimism.

Reflection... I've been recently teaching genetics to both my 7th and 10th graders. My 10th graders are supposed to know about phenotypes and genotypes. Basically a genotype is the actual genetic information in the nucleus of you cells that you inherit from your biological parents. Phenotype is the observable trait of a person. For example in your genes you inherited the genes to be able to roll your tongue. You can either be homozygous dominant (RR) or heterozygous (Rr) that equals genotype. That is in the genetic code on your chromosomes. Well the phenotype is the trait that when you put your tongue out you can actually make it look like a taco. So what does this have to do with anything. Well, our phenotype can be affected by environmental conditions. You see... you can inherit the actual genetic code to be tall, but if as a young person you have a poor diet you will not be tall. So "things" can affect your traits even though you are genetically disposed for something else. THIS IS GOOD NEWS!!! I have been genetically predisposed for depression. My brain works a little differently. I am predisposed to obsess, obsess, obsess and worry, worry, worry. (Although I think environmental factors reinforced this) I can feel it when something stressful enters my life. Well... I have power over this. I can manipulate my phenotype and decide, you know what I am NOT going to obsess about this. I understand that my genetic code is written a certain way, but I am not going to allow it to control my life. This is amazingly powerful.

But I love Maurice

I am trying to decide what to bring with me and what to part with... I am going to have a yard sale and sell all my furniture and etc... but what is the etc... So as I try and organize I find myself feeling a sense of power and weakness at the same time. You see, I love books and rocks. Every year when Tim moves me he complains about my boxes and boxes of books and rocks. So, first step, I gathered up my books and decided to donate them to my school library. I love our librarian so I knew that my books were getting a good home. I donated over 200 books and yesterday one of my former students yelled down the hall, "Hey Miss, I'm reading one of your books!" Cool. I have decided to keep a few and I don't think they'll actually make it to Burma, but they will make it to Jane and Larry's attic. I've promised mom that I would weed through the multitude of boxes already in her attic. OK, so now for my rocks. You see I love rocks. They tell a story. A story of a time millions of years ago when they were being formed. My favorites are sedimentary rocks because of the presence of fossils, but I have a nice collection of lava. Even a piece from the top of Kilimanjaro (as far as I'm concerned a much better souvenir than a wooden elephant). I also have adopted a ventifact from Antarctica. The original owner really wants it back, but I've been taking care of it for over 10 years now and I'm kind of attached. And if that wasn't enough, I have Maurice. I love Maurice. Maurice has been with me since I bought my first house in Denver. Originally he was on my roof for protection, but when I had to get my roof re-shingled he came down and decided he liked the living room better. At one point I was moving from NC back to Denver in my little car. Everything I was bringing was in my car and Maurice rode shotgun (much to the dismay of my father, who could only wonder when I would "grow up"). So I want to have a few possessions. I know you get that, even if you don't relate with the possessions I choose. Does it make sense to keep them in storage? Does it make sense to hold on to something you have in a box in a closet?

FU Snow... FU

So as I work on letting the small stuff go, and I have to say, I've become quite good at it... there is one thing that always makes my head explode and that is snow in the forecast. Yeah, yeah, I live in Denver, but I was counting on global warming to kick in. Here it is April 9, and the weatherman is calling for 3-6 inches of snow in the metro area. As far as I'm concerned the snow needs to stay west of the continental divide, but all too often the white devil creeps over the peaks and lands here in the city. Ok, so you're thinking, oh, but it's sooo beautiful... yeah, if you are sitting in a cabin with the fireplace lit, wrapped in a cozy blanket, but the rest of the world has to get up and drive on the roads with all the idiots. No I don't have a four wheel drive, my car still has rolly windows and regular locks, I'm lucky it starts. Now I have to adjust my attitude and put a happy little smile on my face. I am grateful for sunny, warm days, so fortunately I can wait 10 minutes and in Colorado the weather changes...

Winter doesn't seem to have a problem
with me, she said, so I think it's right that I
should be the one to leave. I think it'll
make it easier on everyone.
-Brian Andreas
Storypeople

You put the ass in class

In preparation to study the digestive system I took out our plastic torso (affectionately named "dead Fred") and started to pull out organs in front of my students. I was trying to get to the stomach when I pulled out our largest internal organ, the liver. My students were observing while I was doing this.




The following is a real conversation in a 10th grade (may I emphasize 10th) biology class:

Me (teacher, holding the liver): Hey you guys, what's this?
Student: ooh, ooh, miss that's the thing that helps you breathe!

Step Number One

Yangon Airport

So have you looked on a map to see where Myanmar (Burma) is in relation to where you are? Well today I took the next step for my journey and called a travel agent to see what my options are for flying to Yangon. The plan is to leave from NC since I'll be there all summer. Yes, the countdown to leaving Denver has begun. I'm leaving as soon as my lease ends here and apparently I've signed up to be a servant in Jane's garden of weeds from hell. Unfortunately I'll be too busy lounging to actually do any slave labor. So anyway, the travel agent found a direct flight from NYC to Bangkok with an "elapsed time" of 17:35. WHAT? As you all know I am so good at sitting still for, yeah, about 13 seconds. Actually as I've aged I think I've worked up to around 20 seconds. Seventeen hours. Seventeen hours. How many Sudoku's do you think I can do in 17 hours?

Changing the World

I would like to dedicate my poem to JoseJuan, Daisey, Osiel, Kelly, and Muller. The following people have touched the world and will continue to touch the world in countless ways that may or may not be recognized by any person. Thank you for being a part of my life!

Life isn't about color
or where you came from

It's about where you are going
Not because you look a certain way
or have certain things
But because you follow your heart

Living your dream and by
Doing so encouraging other
To live their dream

Small, small differences
Add up to big changes
World Changes

You may never realize the
Difference you have made
You are a pioneer and
Because of that the world
Can't begin to understand,
But it will...

Believe in Yourself

Most true greatness
Pure Greatness
Isn't noticed right away

I am proud to know you
And lucky to have you
In my life.

---LY
August 3, 2002

TGIF

I don't know how people work 12 months out of the year... In my attempt to be more positive and live in the moment I can't help but practically wish my weeks away starting every Monday morning. It is difficult to describe how I feel on Monday morning, but in my world I have an end in sight. I am going to go to work for the next 7 Mondays and then I'll have two months off. This picture of snoopy here does my Monday mornings justice. As my day came to an end today I felt a little light in my tunnel as I realized that tomorrow is Friday and I am one alarm and one snowy cold day closer to summer break.

RIP

Boston, MA

Boston, MA

Russian Orthodox Spirit Boxes
Eklutna, AK

Eklutna, AK

San Jose, Costa Rica

San Jose, Costa Rica

San Jose, Costa Rica

Moshi, Tanzania

I love cemeteries. Now I know you've already started to psychoanalyze me and have come up with several explanations already. I have yet to figure it out so if you have any great insight let me know. All I know is that cemeteries are peaceful. In a city full of cement and trash there is always one place to go where the grass is green and the trees are growing. Cemeteries are great places for wildlife. A safe haven for foxes, squirrels, rabbits, birds... an ideal habitat for animals and plants. Whenever I visit a new place I search out the cemeteries. A few years back when I was in San Jose, Costa Rica I found the city cemetery and there were statues there that were more emotional and amazing than some I saw in Italy. I know there is controversy of wasting space to bury the dead, but in a city with house, house, house, house, a cemetery is a welcome sight and leaves some green space. My recent trip to Boston included walks to a few burial grounds. The head stones were unique and something that I had not seen before... Very thin slate and instead of lambs and Jesuses there were skulls and crossbones. Cool. I do have to say that one of my favorite cemeteries that I've visited so far in my life is in Southport, North Carolina. Enjoy some pics of cemeteries...
P.S. I've always wanted to make a Cemetery coffee table book. I guess I should take some pics of the cemetery I walk in right by my house.

Share your strengths, not your weaknesses

It was 20 months ago that I went to the Apothecary to find out that my caffeine intake had to cease. The doctor described my brain as consisting of wires that should be tight and well, my wires are a little wiggly and the addition of caffeine was making me crazy. My brain chemistry is not compatible with caffeine and well, I grew up in Rhode Island and instead of chocolate syrup in our milk we use coffee syrup. At this moment I guarantee you would find at least 3 half gallons of coffee ice cream in my parents freezer. I love coffee. I love the smell, the taste, the rich, dark, silky, creamy texture of a hot cup of joe. A few months after giving up coffee I had a relapse and well, needless to say I felt awful. That was November of 2006 and I have been coffee free ever since. Now, some of you may think... Lisa you only live once and why deny yourself the simple pleasures of life... I totally agree with you, but I feel so much better without caffeine that I can't imagine my obsessive thoughts returning and shaking up the wires in my brain. So long story, longer, I started drinking herbal tea. Chamomile, ginger peach, roobios, mint, anything caffeine free. I've also experimented with dandelion roots and carob roots and I can assure you that it is NOT the same and most mornings I want a creamy, brown, $5 starbucks. Every once and a while I'll do decaf, and it tears up my stomach a bit, but most mornings I drink my tea. Well this all came to me this morning when I opened a package of Yogi tea... Yogi puts quotes on their tags and at 6:15 am I read: "Share your strengths, not your weaknesses" and I got to thinking... wow, how many of us spend our whole day sharing our weaknesses with people. I know that at this very moment you can come up with at least 10 things that you hate about yourself and I bet those are what you focus on every moment of every day. I'm guilty... I don't want to be. At that very moment this morning I thought, no today I am going to share my strengths...