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April 19, 2007
Some Days are Better than Others
Sometimes 5:30 a.m. feels like the middle of the night. And sometimes that's the best part of the day.
I thought it couldn't get any worse than this email. Then Lotus Notes chimes in that I have a new one. One informing me that the programming change I requested will cost $1080. I hit reply. "What in the name of Pete for?" Backspace. "Hahahahaha!" Backspace. "Is that with a monkey writing the code?" Delete message. Set reminder to follow up tomorrow.
The guy in the apartment above me must weigh at least 400 pounds. And it sounds like he gets heavier every time he walks across the room.
On the drive to work this morning, I was thinking about how much I'd like a puppy, but how it's not really feasible right now. Then, at the chiropractor this afternoon, an article in Reader's Digest stated that a doggie companion can have measurable health benefits. Then I started remembering putting my puppy of 16 years to sleep. Experiences like that can't be good on a person.
A little fall of rain can hardly hurt me now.
Posted by Megan at 09:17 PM | Comments (1)
April 17, 2007
One
How you live affects everyone around you. You can cause unimaginable amounts of pain, or you can touch lives for the better. Take responsibilty for your actions. Don't blame others.
The murderer at Virginia Tech accused his victims from beyond the grave in the note he left behind, saying, "You caused me to do this." Not so. He lived his own life. He made his own tragic decision. And in one final act of selfishness, he took his own life to escape the consequences of his actions.
Over thirty lives ended. Each life with a family and friends who are now mourners. Sorrow so overwhelming that it's rippling across the nation.
What kind of impact do you want to make?
Posted by Megan at 05:20 PM | Comments (1)
April 08, 2007
Easter Weekend
Friday, April 6 -- 3:55 P.M.
I call it a week and abandon my cube for the parking garage. I take I-235 in the opposite direction as usual to get out of Des Moines, heading for Omaha instead of Ames. Traffic isn't bad once on I-80, but the wind destroys my gas milage, so I watch for the smiley-face water tower and stop at Adair to fill up. Gas plus my Diet Coke and granola bar totals $39 and change. I cringe as I hand over my Discover card.
I love taking the I-680 split into Omaha. The rolling hills give no hint that a sprawling suburbia lies ahead. I've always loved cows, and today there are calves galloping around their older relatives in the fields. My heart melts.
I head straight to my parents' church for the Good Friday service. At one point, the background for the song lyrics on the big screens in front was a photo of a lamb with its legs bound and eyes closed. This image made my eyes well with tears. Not even the relatively realistic re-enactment of the crucifiction came close to having the same effect.
Saturday, April 7 -- 1:00 P.M.
My Dad wakes me up. Mom's off work in an hour, so we take her out for a late lunch. Her and I spend some girl time shopping.
Pat arrives at home. Mom's cousin calls. Pray for Uncle Harlan -- a calf crushed his knee and he's going in for surgery tomorrow morning. Isn't he pushing 80? Yes, but he doesn't realize he's old yet. I feel old and I'm 24.
Out for a steak dinner. I'm still full from lunch, so I order a salad. I'm so tired by the end of dinner. Why does it seem like I can never get enough sleep?
Sunday, April 8 -- 8:00 A.M.
Up for Easter church service, which is being held downtown at the Quest center. It's a big church. Especially on holidays. Hate traffic. Dislike crowds. It's ridiculously cold for Easter. Coffee machine inside -- Dad gives me a buck -- that improves the situation immensely.
Bump into a girl from church choir when I was in grade school. She's georgeous. And engaged. Figures. I'd hate her if she weren't so nice.
Her sister sings a solo at the start of the service. It's beautiful. Wish I could sing like that.
Good music. Good message. Why am I not as excited about Easter as I was when I was younger? I should have all of the emotions of excitement that Christ is risen. I try to force them. I feel guilty that I can't.
Good food. Family is so refreshing. Reminds me who I am. Get a much needed dose of unconditional love.
Can't stay awake for the reminiscing in the family room. Go lay down. Wake up quite a while later, just in time for everyone to leave. Feel sad for missing out. Why am I always so freaking tired?
Mom packs up leftovers for me to bring home. The drive is less windy, but traffic is heavier. People are speeding like crazy. Why are they in such a hurry to get back home?
I daydream on the drive about things I could do with my life that would give me some sense of fulfillment. Remember watching the news the other morning as the Iran hostages arrived home to England. Congratulations, you're heros. Now I'm off to do some insurance marketing.
Not enough energy to unpack. Tired again. Tomorrow's Monday.
Posted by Megan at 09:25 PM | Comments (3)
April 01, 2007
Psalm 27
The LORD is my light and my salvation --
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life --
of whom shall I be afraid?
When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh,
when my enemies and my foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then will I be confident.
One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.
Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the LORD.
Hear my voice when I call, O LORD;
be merciful to me and answer me.
My heart says of you, "Seek his face!"
Your face, LORD, I will seek.
Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
O God my Savior.
Though my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will receive me.
Teach me your way, O LORD;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
breathing out violence.
I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.
Posted by Megan at 08:38 PM | Comments (0)