Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Eye of the beholder

Don't you love those people who can take amazing photos? What talent!

Well the other day I looked at the photos on my phone. Please don't expect to see those type of amazing pictures here! The option to be able to take your own photo was great idea! (sarcasm font if there was one) What would we ever do without it? Keep in mind she's 3...








 Doesn't she have an amazing eye??



Maybe we eat out too much?! Nah...





















Just think of the photos we could have if digital would have been available when we were young? Oh the possibilities...

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Note to my former self


Since October is National Bullying Prevention Month; it has caused me to reflect on my tween/teen years. I've always felt fortunate that I had the ability to be in one place for all if my schooling. I have friends that I have literally known since I was 4 years old. I have no doubt that I was bullied as well as being a bully myself. In fact I worry so much about the latter that I have a hard time believing the goodness of my children. {Because I perceive that I was so bad and they are a part of me how are they so good?} They really are nice kids though and that’s not just me talking, that’s others…but I digress.
 
Anyway so here are a few ideas I wish I either knew or accepted while in my adolescence…
 
Pay attention in all math classes...I know as I sat there I kept thinking "but when will I really use this?" The real world application comes when you have to help your child (or someone else’s) with their homework. That's how teachers should answer too - more people may pay attention…or not, it would have a least been an answer which would be more than what was said to me when I actually vocalized it.


Let it go - for all the times your boyfriend may be stolen or leaves you - let it go. To borrow a line from "Sixteen Candles" "That's why they call them crushes. If they were easy, they'd call them something else." Let it go - there's something better out there. You just can't see it yet.



Move on - for all those times you think your friend stabbed you in the back - learn from it, but move on. You may not have all the information to make an informed decision. Or they didn’t have all the information to make an informed decision. Either way – move on. Remember to only say something behind someone else’s back you would say to their face.
 
 
Don't be in a hurry/Slow down - I  loved my dad. He had this philosophy that he didn't want me to work while I was in high school & when asked about it he told me "you will have your whole life to work". As I reflect on just how right he was I hope I can give this freedom to my kids.
 
 
Always have your picture taken – OK this sounds a bit odd and I don’t particularly like my photo taken, but follow me here, I think you’ll get it. In my first life (1989-2002) I was a travel agent. Back in the days when you could go for a very small price. My first trip was to London. To be more specific, 48 hours in London & Bath. I found my pictures recently. Lots of scenery & buildings – not one of me. Only because I’m an honest person do you know I was actually there – if I had been in at least one of them you would have no doubt. Basically I’m saying you need to have your photo taken as proof you were there. Just saying…
 
Now none of these revelations are earth shattering. They probably won’t change the world, but they seemed thought provoking to me. I do hope I can steer my children through their rough years with fewer tears and torment than I had. I hope I can give them a positive self-image and the desire to do good to everyone.