73 days until I marry Juan—the man who got me listening to country music. I never thought that would happen. But somehow it did ;)
On Graduating College…
…and Being Engaged at the Same Time.
It is hard. Harder than I expected. I don’t like feeling weak, tired, and overwhelmed all the time. Motivation has been at an all time low, even though I know that there are only three weeks left. Three weeks! And then I have freedom, and about two lazy months to finish planning the wedding.
Until then, I am pressing through. My fiance is encouraging me, and helping me have a good attitude about my homework, and my responsibilities in general, which is such a blessing.
Four major papers and a final art project, along with other miscellaneous assignments separate me from graduation. Oh, plus finishing invitations for the wedding, which ought to go out…last week.
I’ll get there. We all will, even though it doesn’t feel like it right now.
Solitude and Reflection
Though filled with cars, the parking lot is quiet. A van parks, a woman disappears into a building, and I slouch behind the wheel, oblivious.
With school winding up for the grand finale, I have difficulty finding times to wind down. So I sit in my car, with a breeze wafting through an open window, and take a deep breath.
I am an introvert. Not intensely so, but just enough to make me retreat in times like this. For the next five minutes before my next appointment, I will just be. I will absorb all the interactions, ideas, sights, and sounds of the past week. As they settle in my mind, my heart can rest as well.
Question for you: How do you find rest in busy, stressful times?
People Watching: Bookstore Style
Whenever I go to the bookstore, I generally see the same clientele. Students chat in the cafe, over daunting textbooks. A guy flips through rock climbing magazines, and checks his phone every minute. The air smells like coffee and new books. Recently, the scene has changed.
Twice now, I have seen an older gentleman, looking like he emerged from a time capsule. He must have recently returned from hobnobbing with F. Scott Fitzgerald about his new Gatsby book, because now he settles down in the twenty-first century to write science fiction as the modernist movement has never seen.
As he sits in the cafe chair, he adjusts the crocheted pillow behind him and taps away at his computer. With his mysterious black ring and fedora, the computer seems out of place. A typewriter would fit much better. But of course, he doesn’t want to be too conspicuous. Classical guitar drips out of the speakers overhead.
After taking a few refreshing strolls about the store, he closes the computer and pulls out some popular fiction. His phone rings.
“Hi Denise,” he says. “Yes, I’ll be there. See you. Bye.” The gentleman looks at me. ”That was my niece,” he says. “I’m going to pick her up at three.”
Before I can respond, he puts his book in front of his face again. The time machine, the revolutionary sci-fi opus, and Gatsby all vanish. In front of me is a stylish, aging gentleman, who is proud to pick up his niece at three in the afternoon.
Someone I Admire
For journalism, I have been asked to post about someone I admire, or someone who has influenced me.
I could write about strong influences, the types that sift into my subconscious, and stay with me throughout the years. I could relate the love of my Aunt, the patience and devotion of my core-group leader, or the encouragement of my parents. When we started dating, my fiance made it onto that list as well, as he challenged me to be a better person. The elders at my church could easily be mentioned, because of their dedicated service and continual edification of the church body. And then I could add my high school and college friends—listing them all would take too much time.
As I consider the people I admire or who have influenced me, I realize how blessed I am.
Since I grew up reading a lot, I could even explore fictional worlds, where my favorite authors reinforced lessons of courage and integrity. Sara Crewe endures hardship with the grace of a true princess. Sam Gamgee’s loyalty presses the quest one step further.
My question is, how could I choose just one?
Here are my kusudama flowers! This shot only shows a few of them. But aren’t they pretty?
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