The place where Zan goes

“Be broad-minded, Whole, without relying on others.”  -Hongzhi Zhengiue

As part of my recent quest to open my mind to different viewpoints and lifetstyles (especially in the area of spirituality) I’ve been listening to a podcast called “Speaking of Faith”. I’ve most recently listened to an episode about Pentecostalism.  I, for whatever reason, thought Pentacostals were similar to Catholics or Lutherans.  I was very very wrong.  You know that “speaking in tongues” thing you hear about occasionally?  Yeah, that’s a part of the Pentecostal faith.  Boy do I have a lot to learn.

I’ve been doing some research lately on Community Supported Agriculture.  I have decided to join The NV Ranch CSA for the 2009 season.  We will probably do all three programs.  I’m really excited about getting fresh local food every week.  This will also force me to cook at the same time as it saves me from having to do as much shopping at the store.  My food will taste better, and will be something different as we will likely receive things in our weekly share that we wouldn’t normally buy and experiment with. Yay CSA!

So Tony finally got his inheritance money and was able to buy some much needed and long awaited video equipment.  Receiving the lump sum brought about ideas on our future plans.  I’m scared.  Not that worry will change anything, but as a young couple preparing to make some very big financial decisions all this news about economic crisis has me feeling somewhat insecure.  I know things will work out, they always do.  But what if, when we are ready to purchase a home, we can’t because the banks aren’t lending to anyone without a lengthy and spotless credit history?  Our credit isn’t bad, but it’s not absolutely perfect and we don’t have extensive history being as young as we are.  I guess this is what has to happen to strike balance.  For a while all you had to have to get a home loan was a pulse, now things may shift the opposite way.  Ho-hum.  Even if there is some doubt with all this negative financial news, I still do enjoy looking at real estate.  A few weekends ago my buddy and I looked at some property online and found some really great options in my price range and in the right area.  This is a relief, because not so long ago I thought it would be a real challenge to find anything decent without spending way more than we are comfortable parting with.  I would like to be able to purchase a home and still have the means left over to make some improvements to the property.  Here’s to hoping.

“And it came to me then…
That every plan is a tiny prayer to Father Time” -Death Cab for Cutie

It was a rough day today.  It seems lately like the things I plan to get done always get shoved aside in favor of other tasks deemed more critical.  It’s annoying and stressful, but also exciting.  The days pass by too fast, weekends way too fast.  I didn’t get a chance to turn on my computer at the office until 8pm.  Yes, that’s PM.  I catch myself trying to tease out the important things in life and hold on to them, to avoid losing them in the everyday merry-go-round.

I’m on to lead Spirituality Group on Thursday morning.  It’s been difficult to approach Spirituality as it relates to my clients attempts at changing their lives because I don’t really know where I stand on God, the Universe, and Everything.  I think I will talk about Agnosticism and where it fits in to 12-step treatment.

Blarg.

Ok, so this picture has nothing to do with fitness, frappe’s, or my new home.  I ran accross it while reading news articles from the BBC and found it to be so…different (read: disturbing) that I just had to share.  According to the BBC, this is the Paralympic mascot performing with some children at the Paralympic opening ceremonies.  Looks to me like he’s hunting a junior kid’s meal, if you catch my drift.  I hope they have the good sense to run away.

So it seems that McDonald’s has added a delicious concoction to their McCafe line of fancy coffee drinks.  I discovered this quite unexpectedly while attemting to satisfy my recent McIcecream McCone cravings.  I saw it on the menu and had to try it.  Think of a Starbuck’s frappuccino with vanilla soft serve in it, and you get the idea.  Fantabulously delicioso.  Problem was, the next day I decided I wanted one I discovered not all McDonalds carry them, and even worse that I couldn’t remember at which McDonald’s I had found my latest treasure.  I ran around to a couple local establishments only to be disappointed enough to have to order an ice cream cone (the treat that started this whole mess) for comfort.  I gave up, feeling dejected, thinking that I would find it again like I had found it the first time.  By pure, lucky chance.

This morning I decided to let myself obsess over getting  Wii Fit, which I have wanted for a while but hadn’t put forth much effort into actually obtaining.  With no success in sight, I decided to create what little victory I could and started calling all the McDonalds establishments in my area until I hit the frappe jackpot.  Only 10 miles from my house, and delicious enough to make the trip worth it.  20 miles and 45 minutes later, I was curled up with my prize and enjoying an episode of Grey’s Anatomy.  All of this in a day I had intended to use to turn my house from a box palace into a home.

Oh well, my best days are often the most unplanned.  As an ENFP, I tend to easily go off on weird adventures and get excited about the strangest of accomplishments.  I used to denounce my wandering habits and my lack of desire to focus on the simple tasks of every day life, but I’ve since given that up and am trying more to focus on the strengths of who I have become.  I’m a big-picture person, and don’t think putting my socks away is going to count for much when I have to judge the meaning of my life as I have chosen to live it.  HOWEVER, a clean and organized place to live gives me a peaceful feeling when I walk in the door.  Also, when I am stressed I tend to hyper-focus on small tedious things, and a messy house can send me completely off my rocker during those bad times.

There’s still a bit of day to be salvaged to put stuff away, throw out boxes, and not feel lazy.  I could use it, but really, what’s wrong with being lazy anyway?

As many know, the husband and I have recently moved into a new place for the last leg of our KC metro journey. After a long day of moving, as I was blasted against the back wall of the new house shower by the fire-hydrant like stream coming from the pipes I thought “this might not be working out.” My initial fears were confirmed by the two feet of water I stood in after the first 30 seconds of what was supposed to be very relaxing first shower in my new home. The shower head was not low flow, it was a nipple-burning flesh-eating power washer.

On to Lowe’s to choose a shower head…boy there were a lot of choices! We finally went with the one that will run occasional errands and do some light cleaning around the house. Plus, it caresses me softly during cleansy-time like gentle rain. Come and take a shower at my house, experience perfect shower bliss and you’ll know what I mean.

Tony and I have been watching Seinfeld, all episodes in order.  I’m hoping soon we will get to the episode where Kramer paints over the white lines on a main thoroughfare to create bigger, more “leisurely” driving lanes.  I don’t remember exactly how it happens, but Newman ends up driving a van down this road and catching on fire.  Maybe you had to be there, but it’s really hilarious.

In other news, the husband got a job at the Apple store in KC.  An “ijob”, as a mutual friend decided to call it.  He’s really happy, and I’m really happy for him.  Now we just have to roll with it and see what impact the high gas prices will have on his higher salary.  Break even?  Hope so.

In other other and sadder news, I will not be completing my practicum for my master’s degree this coming fall semester as I had previously planned.  Enrollment was too high, too few slots for too many students.  It’s not the end of the world, but it does alter my future plans slightly.  It also caused some depression, thoughts of quitting altogether, and general feelings of doom.  Ho-hum.

That’s all, I’m tired.

Hey there guys,

I don’t normally get all excited about dropping a junk of change, but I gotta say I’m really happy about this one. The hubby and I bought this on a whim today. Not at that price, of course. We found a good deal on woot.com and figured “what the hell? we’re gonna buy one sometime in the future anyway, so why can’t the future be now?” A frivolous spending I usually am not, but I’m REALLY stoked about having so much space for movies and tv shows, and psyched about playing MYST and some of my other silly puzzle games on the big tv. Then there’s the leisure of browsing the net on the couch. That’s cool. I can barely contain myself here, folks!

Hey guys, I’m testing the blog posting function in Word 2007. Does it work? Let’s check and see!

That’s right folks, I got a new and way awesome keyboard. It’s got a lot of cool features and hotkeys. The best part is the ergonomic design allowing your hands and fingers to rest in a more natural position as you type. It takes a bit of getting used to, but I’m already noticing my typing speed increasing a little.

Oh, another small note, if anyone out there is changing their lifestyle (ie exercise and eating habits, etc) check out www.sparkpeople.com.  It’s a pretty good motivational site to track progress and get some support while you’re at it.

Cheerio!

“The best preparation for a better life next year is a full, complete, harmonious, joyous life this year.”

-Thomas Dreier

I’ve been trying lately to juggle happiness now with planning for happiness in the future. It’s been difficult with our present living situation. I think the hardest part is that we’re all friends, and that makes me want to cut them as much slack as possible. However, it also leaves me feeling used. I understand not making much every month and simply not having money to pay your bills. But why would anyone put themselves in a position to use a friend? Of course, I’m sure nobody knew they would be in this predicament. But all actions have consequences. I feel like my roommates, through their actions however unintentional, have put themselves in a situation where I have to pay for my life and theirs too. More like my giant mistake and theirs too. I can also hear them saying “but we’re doing the best we can, it’s not like we’re giving you nothing.” Yeah, I know. I get that. My point is that it should have never been this bad. This is partially my fault, I suppose, for not being more forceful sooner. What the hell could I have done, anyway? I can’t kick anyone out, and even if I did I would be out what little money I am getting back.

Final conclusion: just don’t have roommates. If you must, then live with only those you would absolutely trust with your life and are so close to that you would have no problem beating the crap out of them. Because you just might have to.

The husband and I looked at several places to rent last week. We got pretty into it, and then realized we might be tying our own noose trying to pay 2 rents for however long it takes to find a new tenant for the place we’re in. We could make it, but we’d be one accident or unexpected expense away from real trouble. Not good. Speaking of the husband, I’ve had a couple people ask me if our present living situation has put any stress on our marriage. The answer is both yes and no. I’m sure we’d be happier together without this crap. And we have had some pretty glorious fights these past months concerning money and roommates (namely, the lack of money because of the roommates). Overall though, our marriage has come through fine and will likely continue to do so. I think we both realize that we’re on the same team here. We used to fight because the husband didn’t think I cared that people owed us. Truth was I did care but I knew that getting mad about it wouldn’t do any good. Now that I’m much more openly pissed, I think he knows I’m on his side.

Doh, time for work. More later if you’re lucky!

Hello friends,

As many of you may already know, Tony and I are moving soon.  We need all of your available boxes!  From home, from work, we don’t care!  If you know of a place that I could get lots of boxes, please tell me.  If you gather some up for us I would be more than happy to collect them.  Oh, and if anyone is just in LOVE with packing, you are more than welcome to help.  Good times!