The CragBaby

As usual, the grateful list is accompanied by a pretty picture. This one is from Holland.

Pretty cranky today. I think it is the combination of busy full-time job + finals in school + being sick + never feeling like I can get enough done within 24 hours of the day + perhaps some leftover stress from the last month (dissolution of family, moving, health issues, getting used to living with kids, etc). The key to crankiness evaporation is a grateful list. So as I sit in my last Java class (thank goodness. I really liked this class and especially liked the teacher, but this class just moved too quickly for me as I struggled to grasp the language at the rate expected), I am going to write ten things for which I am grateful.

1. I am grateful for all that I have learned in school, even though it has been rough fitting it in with my work schedule. I think I have an American mentality in the sense that I feel as if I am always supposed to be working…. watching all trends, always learning and never being inefficient. Whew. I am exhausted. I hit the exhaustion wall right around the time I had to move into my new house. Regardless, I am glad I took these computer science classes for the sole reason that I really believe I picked up some knowledge that was helpful in my deal screening at work.
2. I am grateful for people who take the time to read my blogs. My blogs are pretty silly, so I must have some good friends out there, but I appreciate them. I also appreciate the spare time people take to comment and give trackbacks. Thank you.
3. I feel like I am going to cry today. I am grateful that this feeling comes on rare occasion. Now, I just need to figure out how to avoid bawling in front of someone.
4. I am grateful for my new bike, the Free Spirit. Blog post about this beauty is coming soon.
5. I am grateful that this CS Teacher of mine really is quite humorous. The class might move too quickly for me, but he really does provide the best examples. It makes me smile.
6. I am grateful that winter is almost over and spring is budding.
7. I am grateful that I soon will be able to climb more than once per week again. I miss climbing and being able to blow off steam by clipping bolts.
8. I am grateful that my friend the Route Slayer had the chance to run in the Boston Marathon. Not only did she get to participate, but she finished in the time of 3 hours and 46 minutes. I am real proud of her. She is a rockstar!
9. I am grateful for the funniest email I just received from Steve Spencer. He was putting out positive vibes for me and my java class and is was written in such a humorous manner. =)
10. I am grateful that through this blog post I was able to contain my emotions. Perhaps I can now talk to my teacher after class without my mascara running. =)

Today was a great day, perhaps because it started out with gratitude. I want to keep the positive energy pulsing as lately the negative air has been suffocating. So here are ten more things to keep up the positive vibe, plus another pretty picture, this time from China. =)

1. The day with the entire EPIC team was real productive, with many great take aways and exciting goals.
2. As soon as I got home from work, I went for a fantastic jog. It felt great just to run around and my ankle barely hurt because I remembered to tape it.
3. I took the CbGbers for a walk. She is getting so smart and heeled the entire time. I am lucky to have the little rat around, even if she makes finding a new place a little tricky.
4. Once again I realized today that I have full discretion over who and what is in my life. I am grateful for this choice and grateful that I am independent enough to utilize it.
5. I am grateful for an upcoming long weekend and the new people I will meet and the sites I will see. Plus I am happy that I will be able to once again see old friends.
6. I am pretty sure I get to pick up my girl scout cookies today. w00t!
7. I’ve noticed that new friends of mine are tracking and commenting on my blog. Welcome friends and thank you for reading!
8. I saw the prettiest sunset while walking the CbGbers. It was a sunset resembling summer time and the melting away of dreariness and cold. It was spectacular and warmed my sad heart.
9. I am an honest person. I think this is a rare characteristic in today’s society and I can hold my head up high and proudly proclaim it.
10. I am jazzed on who I am and where I am going. My life has already been and will continue to be an interesting road. I look forward to every new adventure.

What a great day! I bet tomorrow will be even better as the future is always bright.

Whew… emotionally charged weekend. Need to combat negativity with a list of ten things for which I am grateful. And of course, add in a nice picture, again from Ireland.

1. I have some stellar friends. Thank you, all, for being in my life.
2. I think I have found a new home, living with a good friend of mine.
3. I like who I am… I need to remember that.
4. I am glad it is spring break at school and so I can just focus on work this week.
5. I am grateful that I was able to see Mark and his family last night. It is always a pleasure to see the Campbell family.
6. I am happy this morn, real happy and enjoying the morn with some delicious coffee.
7. I am excited that work today will be with the whole team (even our New Mexico office will be there). It is great to have everyone together and usually very productive.
8. I am grateful that I will have more time to climb this week.
9. I am excited for the 2008 year and the new opportunities it will bring.
10. I am grateful for each new day. Everyday seems to usually be better than the last.

It has been one of those days. Instead of being cranky, I am going to do my normal practice of listing 10 things for which I am grateful (and adding in a pretty picture from Ireland).

• I am glad my friend Sam has the opportunity to move to Guam. Tonight he is playing music at a SLC house party and I am excited to see him before he goes. Sam is one of my best friends and I am so excited for his chance to leave Utah and expound on his career.
• I am excited that it is 2008. Good things are in the pipeline this year. I am excited for those things to come to pass.
• I am on the waiting list to donate platelets on Sunday. I hope I can get in because I miss this volunteer opportunity as I haven’t done it for about a month.
• I love my dog. She is always excited to see me.
• I am grateful for opportunity and the feeling that it always exists, that I am not stuck in one place. I feel like the only thing that limits me are the invisible boundaries I imagine.
• I think a crew of us are doing a day trip to Ibex tomorrow or down to Joes to hop on some ice. I’m stoked for that.
• I am glad I stopped practicing the Mormon faith five years back. I don’t mean to offend any of my Mormon friends by that statement, but the religion wasn’t a good fit for me and I am exponentially happier since. My emergence from the religion helped me desire a career, a degree, to travel, to be independent and realize that I can make a difference. I realized that I could have a bigger role in life than to get married and have many children. I am completely a different person now and I like who I currently am a lot better. (Disclaimer: Note that I am not saying you have to leave the religion to figure these thing out. I am listing my experiences only.)
• I work with one individual who is just such a great person, genuinely a good person. He cares for everyone, has a wonderful marriage to a fantastic wife, is extremely motivating and is one of the few people I turn to for advice. I am lucky to work with him.
• I love these computer science classes even though the work load is heavy and I can easily fall behind. I love that I have had the opportunity to start learning another skill set.
• I am grateful that I like who I am. The world can be a little rough sometimes, but I am so content by myself that it doesn’t matter. Life is good even when I am all alone. Perhaps even better when I am alone. =)