Then follow the link to this blog post
Because I Said So- The official Blog of Author and Mom Blogger Dawn Meehan
This is a blog that I visit from time to time, and this post about American Football terms totally cracked me up. I was laughing so hard, that I was happy no one was home to see me and think I'd gone crazy. The funny definitions of all the terms are just brilliant. I hope you enjoy it too.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Under stress?
After reading a short article on managing stress, I asked the students in my English class to each say one thing they find helps them deal with stress in their lives. I got the usual answers right away, “Pray to God”, “Take a few minutes for quiet meditation”, “Try to find the solution to the problem that’s causing stress”. But one woman gave a different answer. She said, “I go somewhere by myself, don’t talk to my family, and I keep saying to myself ‘I am in stress’.”
After telling her the correct term is “under stress”, I asked her to explain what she meant. It didn’t seem to me that telling yourself that you are stressed would be a way to help you calm down. But after she explained, I realized that this woman had touched on a key, but often overlooked factor in dealing with the problems of life.
It’s something I like to call, “This too shall pass”.
One of the best pieces of advice I was ever given is that it’s important not to make any major decisions when you are upset, or going through a particularly difficult period.
For me, those difficult periods come in the form of depression. It’s something I’ve struggled with from time to time for years now. While I used to think that I would find a magic key that would completely cure me, I’ve now come to accept that it’s a problem I will always have to deal with from time to time. This has helped me to find keys to keeping it on a manageable level.
Reminding myself that I am simply going through a difficult time and that it soon will pass and everything will go back to normal, is a vital key which helps me to keep the bigger picture of life in mind instead of getting overwhelmed by what I am experiencing at the moment.
I imagine this would work very well for times of stress too. In staying away from your friends and family you could ensure that you wouldn’t snap at them or say things that you might later regret. By telling yourself that this is just a stressful time, you put the blame back onto the problems causing the stress, and remind yourself that it’s not going to stay this way. As soon as the situation is resolved the clouds will pass, and you will find yourself feeling happy and calm once again.
After telling her the correct term is “under stress”, I asked her to explain what she meant. It didn’t seem to me that telling yourself that you are stressed would be a way to help you calm down. But after she explained, I realized that this woman had touched on a key, but often overlooked factor in dealing with the problems of life.
It’s something I like to call, “This too shall pass”.
One of the best pieces of advice I was ever given is that it’s important not to make any major decisions when you are upset, or going through a particularly difficult period.
For me, those difficult periods come in the form of depression. It’s something I’ve struggled with from time to time for years now. While I used to think that I would find a magic key that would completely cure me, I’ve now come to accept that it’s a problem I will always have to deal with from time to time. This has helped me to find keys to keeping it on a manageable level.
Reminding myself that I am simply going through a difficult time and that it soon will pass and everything will go back to normal, is a vital key which helps me to keep the bigger picture of life in mind instead of getting overwhelmed by what I am experiencing at the moment.
I imagine this would work very well for times of stress too. In staying away from your friends and family you could ensure that you wouldn’t snap at them or say things that you might later regret. By telling yourself that this is just a stressful time, you put the blame back onto the problems causing the stress, and remind yourself that it’s not going to stay this way. As soon as the situation is resolved the clouds will pass, and you will find yourself feeling happy and calm once again.
Swedish Proverb
Fear less, hope more;
Eat less, chew more;
Whine less, breathe more;
Talk less, say more;
Love more, and all good things will be yours.
–Swedish Proverb
Eat less, chew more;
Whine less, breathe more;
Talk less, say more;
Love more, and all good things will be yours.
–Swedish Proverb
Monday, September 20, 2010
When's the last time...
…you offered to buy someone a meal, not a beggar, not even a visibly poor person, just because you had a feeling you should.
My parents were tired when they went out one day to take a couple of hours off work. My dad had just returned from a long trip where he’d been attending a series of seminars and workshops. In his absence my mom struggled to keep up with the difficult task of managing a large mission center without the support of her husband and two other colleagues she usually relied on.
Their anniversary had come and gone while they were apart, so they headed out for a simple lunch to celebrate. Money was tight at their mission center. Most donations went straight into their projects and basic running costs with very little left over for extras.
Still, they looked like a nicely dressed middle aged couple, not the sort of people you would immediately think needed financial help. So it was a surprise when their waiter, a young man making an average wage, on hearing about their charitable projects said, “The Lord told me to set aside a sum of money to bless someone. Can I pay for your meal?”
My parents were touched by his offer and gratefully accepted the young man’s generosity. As they were leaving he handed them some folded up bills. “For the mission work,” he said. When they reached home they were amazed to see the sum was about four times more than they’d originally thought.
When’s the last time you were used to bless somebody?
We all can be channels of God’s blessings simply by carrying out random acts of kindness regardless of whether or not the recipient looks particularly needy. And in blessing others we too will be blessed.
“Kindness is like perfume. You can’t put some on someone else without getting a few drops on yourself.”
My parents were tired when they went out one day to take a couple of hours off work. My dad had just returned from a long trip where he’d been attending a series of seminars and workshops. In his absence my mom struggled to keep up with the difficult task of managing a large mission center without the support of her husband and two other colleagues she usually relied on.
Their anniversary had come and gone while they were apart, so they headed out for a simple lunch to celebrate. Money was tight at their mission center. Most donations went straight into their projects and basic running costs with very little left over for extras.
Still, they looked like a nicely dressed middle aged couple, not the sort of people you would immediately think needed financial help. So it was a surprise when their waiter, a young man making an average wage, on hearing about their charitable projects said, “The Lord told me to set aside a sum of money to bless someone. Can I pay for your meal?”
My parents were touched by his offer and gratefully accepted the young man’s generosity. As they were leaving he handed them some folded up bills. “For the mission work,” he said. When they reached home they were amazed to see the sum was about four times more than they’d originally thought.
When’s the last time you were used to bless somebody?
We all can be channels of God’s blessings simply by carrying out random acts of kindness regardless of whether or not the recipient looks particularly needy. And in blessing others we too will be blessed.
“Kindness is like perfume. You can’t put some on someone else without getting a few drops on yourself.”
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
I'm an anomaly
I feel very at home here in Nepal, and am happy to have had a bit of an unconvential upbringing and education, with a lot of travel, being home schooled, etc.. But every so often something happens that reminds me of what an anomaly I am. Like today.
I've been studying art at the government campus here for several months now. The tuition fees are very reasonable. I get a cheap study visa, and am learning about painting which is something I love. So it works out well all around.
It's time for exams now and I've had a bit of a time figuring out the whole process, schedule, tracking down translations of the texts in English, etc. Since my Nepali isn't fluent I haven't been able to attend some of the classes, but so far that hasn't been a problem with the tests. There's even an Alternative English test that can be taken instead of the Compulory Nepali. That was the test that I needed to take today.
The morning started out good. I managed to get transport straight to where I needed to go making only a 15 minute trip instead of the 45 minutes it took me last time. When I got there though, I realized that there were only announcements up for the Complusory Nepali exam.
Undetered I went up to the office and showed them my entrance card. "This exam is not for you." I was told.
"I know. I'm not taking Compulsory Nepali. I'm taking Alternative English."
They turned and talked to themselves in Nepali. I understood that one of them was saying there wasn't an Alternative English exam. Another one said, "Yes, there is but it isn't today." At this point I asked them if they had a schedule. I'd looked it up on line to make sure I wasn't getting up early for nothing, and it was on the schedule for today.
When they pulled out the schedule I pointed it out to them, and they became even more confused. "I need to phone the office," one of them said. On the phone to the head office he complained that there was a forigner asking for the Alternative English exam and they didn't know what to do.
Then he told me to "wait for some time". Here when you are told to "wait for some time", some time can mean anywhere up to a couple of hours. But there was nothing else to do, so I sat down to wait. Every person that walked into the room while I waited asked what I was doing there, and was told that I was waiting for the question sheet to come. I hoped I wasn't waiting for someone to physically bring it all the way from the main university as that's about an hour and a half trip. But fortunately they did have enough modern technology to get it faxed over -- and the power was working which is always a plus. So after "some time", meaning about 45 minutes, I got my question sheet and was directed to the exam room.
So, I got to feel like a special case, being the only person taking an English exam. And even though my Nepali is no where near good enough to consider taking the Nepali one, I congratulated myself that at least I could understand all of the conversations going on around me while I waited.
I've been studying art at the government campus here for several months now. The tuition fees are very reasonable. I get a cheap study visa, and am learning about painting which is something I love. So it works out well all around.
It's time for exams now and I've had a bit of a time figuring out the whole process, schedule, tracking down translations of the texts in English, etc. Since my Nepali isn't fluent I haven't been able to attend some of the classes, but so far that hasn't been a problem with the tests. There's even an Alternative English test that can be taken instead of the Compulory Nepali. That was the test that I needed to take today.
The morning started out good. I managed to get transport straight to where I needed to go making only a 15 minute trip instead of the 45 minutes it took me last time. When I got there though, I realized that there were only announcements up for the Complusory Nepali exam.
Undetered I went up to the office and showed them my entrance card. "This exam is not for you." I was told.
"I know. I'm not taking Compulsory Nepali. I'm taking Alternative English."
They turned and talked to themselves in Nepali. I understood that one of them was saying there wasn't an Alternative English exam. Another one said, "Yes, there is but it isn't today." At this point I asked them if they had a schedule. I'd looked it up on line to make sure I wasn't getting up early for nothing, and it was on the schedule for today.
When they pulled out the schedule I pointed it out to them, and they became even more confused. "I need to phone the office," one of them said. On the phone to the head office he complained that there was a forigner asking for the Alternative English exam and they didn't know what to do.
Then he told me to "wait for some time". Here when you are told to "wait for some time", some time can mean anywhere up to a couple of hours. But there was nothing else to do, so I sat down to wait. Every person that walked into the room while I waited asked what I was doing there, and was told that I was waiting for the question sheet to come. I hoped I wasn't waiting for someone to physically bring it all the way from the main university as that's about an hour and a half trip. But fortunately they did have enough modern technology to get it faxed over -- and the power was working which is always a plus. So after "some time", meaning about 45 minutes, I got my question sheet and was directed to the exam room.
So, I got to feel like a special case, being the only person taking an English exam. And even though my Nepali is no where near good enough to consider taking the Nepali one, I congratulated myself that at least I could understand all of the conversations going on around me while I waited.
Friday, September 10, 2010
At 5:30 in the morning…
I’m NOT a morning person. But here’s what I’ve discovered on the mornings when I’ve had to get up early for my exams.
The air is cold, crisp, and refreshing.
The sky is still pink as the sun is just rising.
All the dust and pollution hasn’t quite settled in yet.
The people who are out that early are all busy doing something or getting somewhere, so they’re friendly but not overly talkative.
The tiredness from the early morning wake up doesn’t really sink in until much, much later in the day, and by then the day’s work is winding down anyways.
It’s nice to be fully awake and starting work instead of stumbling through the first couple of hours wondering when that cup of coffee will finally kick in.
I probably still won’t be a morning person, but when circumstances force me to be up and about early it’s actually kind of nice.
The air is cold, crisp, and refreshing.
The sky is still pink as the sun is just rising.
All the dust and pollution hasn’t quite settled in yet.
The people who are out that early are all busy doing something or getting somewhere, so they’re friendly but not overly talkative.
The tiredness from the early morning wake up doesn’t really sink in until much, much later in the day, and by then the day’s work is winding down anyways.
It’s nice to be fully awake and starting work instead of stumbling through the first couple of hours wondering when that cup of coffee will finally kick in.
I probably still won’t be a morning person, but when circumstances force me to be up and about early it’s actually kind of nice.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Father & Child
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| Father & Child: charcoal pencil on paper, drawn in about 20 minutes during a workshop at my college |
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