Loving Technology

I definitely cannot call myself a technological genius. In fact, my friend Chris from WJU, would undoubtedly argue the opposite as he has suffered through many late nights of explaining to me over the phone why it is a very bad thing for me to press buttons on my computer during bouts of impatience. But, I have to say that, looking back, I've been on a consistent road of technological improvements over the past couple of years.

First, I was moved to purchase my Dell laptop. This is my precious possession that goes just about everywhere with me. I have learned to use it in so many ways when I originally bought it to write papers--great justification, right? But, I now use it to watch DVDs in the comfort of my bed, upload pictures from my digital camera, and access music.

My laptop took on a whole new importance, however, when the same Chris from above very kindly took a roadtrip to my new home in Philadelphia back in August and introduced me to the possibilities available through wireless internet. He helped me get it all set up, with the cooperation of Madonna, and I have been in heaven since with it. I had been so used to dial-up in Wheeling that I immediately reaped the benefits of always being able to have my internet up and running.


My absolutely favorite and newest technological addition to my cache, though, is the one and only... Apple iPod Mini. This pink beast has become like an extra appendage. It helped get me through the crazy holiday season in retail as I would escape outside with my tunes as the customers milled around the store. It was wonderful to have on the train ride home for Christmas, and it has been great to have here at home. It's such a great size and so easy to keep with me at all times. iTunes is awesome software that has only renewed my love of my computer. And the list of positives about this newest addition to my technological history goes on and on.

I'll save the sentimental details, however, and just leave it at that...you get the idea. I love technology!!!

A Look Back at 2005

In preparation for a new year, I would like to take some time to look at 2005 in retrospect, recording the highlights and celebrating the changes the seemed to lurk around many corners. Overall, I'd say 2005 has been one of the best years of my life, so I hope the tales I have to tell are entertaining and good reading, too.

In January of 2005, I was still roaming the halls of Wheeling Jesuit University in Wheeling, WV. The spring term was quite stressful due to graduation in May and senior thesis up until then. But, February proved great in that I competed in the West Virginia University Literary Research Symposium and took third place, which on the state level seemed pretty acceptable in my mind. I got to spend the last months as a WJU undergrad, enjoying good times with friends and living up the last days of undergrad life--something I'd later realize was far different from graduate life. In any case, I enjoyed the term, and I thoroughly enjoyed the graduation festivities--who am I kidding? I love any excuse for festivities. I spent the summer teaching at the English Language Institute at Wheeling Jesuit, and I had the opportunity meet so many wonderful international students and very gifted ESL teachers.

Then came August...time for my big move to Bryn Mawr, PA, and Villanova University. What a great blessing it was that I could do this. I remember the day I was driving out with all of my stuff in the back of my car and Pamela in my passenger seat. While I never led her to believe that I was that stunned that I went through with it (in fact, I spent some time trying to convince her otherwise), I kept feeling as though I needed to be pinching myself. But, it was such an exciting time, and it has only proven to get better every week that I live there. School, while admittedly a huge challenge, has been a very cool experience. This new experience in a new setting and with new peers, etc., has proven to me in a major way that EVERYTHING in life is only what you make of it. I squandered away some time during my first semester, but I can now see that I'm on the right track (there were definitely days of doubts). I love Villanova--mainly because it's challenging, intellectually stimulating, and can't be beaten as far as aesthetic beauty goes (this matters!).

The other portion of my transition came in the form of work. I went from a very cushy job as a writing tutor at WJU, to a teacher (rather cushy also), to a bookseller at Borders. In both of my first two jobs, I now feel as though I was rather sheltered. The retail world is a very demanding setting, but it's also a great challenge. I always swore that I could NEVER sell anything...however, I've learned that I can do it with things that I adore--like books. So, my job at Borders has been very rewarding, and it has been so in several ways. First, as alluded to, it has taught me much about myself. It has forced me out of my shell when it comes to strangers, and it has really improved my people skills in general. Second, and even more important due to my new geographical location, it has proven the main place where I have met some fantastic friends. The normal group--Liza, Jen, Sara, Greg--all hail from there, and I'm thankful each and every day that I had the opportunity to meet them all. So, the world of Borders and Villanova have basically passed the last bit of 2005 time for me. And I can say at this point, now that I have made it through the initial months, that I am fully satisfied with 2005 and the way it has unfolded for me. There's nothing like being able to turn around and see a long road that you have made great progress on...that road being life of course. I'm not sure I can ever stay stagnant again because change is now sort of an addiction for me--it's like a rush each time I do something outside of my comfort zone.

So, here's to many more years of happiness, peace, good times with others, personal growth, and many many life lessons.

A Christmas Tribute to Memories

While I have dedicated some space here and there on my blog in honor of specific individuals, my trip home has reminded me of how special one particular person in Wheeling was to me...and always will be. Just as I'm spending this holiday being grateful for all of my friends--both new and old--I think it's best to blog about the one person who has been weighing on my mind since I arrived here in Wheeling.

My friend, Cindy, whom I met as a budding teenager about 10 years or so ago, was and remains a cornerstone in my life. Unfortunately, when I met her, she was in remission from Hodgkin's Disease, a commonly cured type of cancer. The unfortunate part was not that she was in remission, rather it was that the disease would prove insurmountable in force. After a bone marrow transplant, several years of chemotherapy and radiation, and years of being in and out of remission, she died on July 19th, 1998. Instead of dwelling on the details of her death, however, I think it's best to try to relay what made her such an unforgettable human presence in the lives of so many.

I think most people would like to think that when they do exit this earth, they'll leave behind some type of legacy whether through their family line or not. Cindy's legacy as an unbelievable teacher--in so many ways--will live on, and I can say this because she's proven the most influential compass in my life and she's been gone for over 7 years now. What did she teach? Well, she taught, through both her words and actions, that a genuine, unconditional love is what fosters happiness. She showed this towards everyone in her life, and the effects it had were so clear as everyone gathered to celebrate her life that July. She was just a soul, a very young one, but she touched so many. The epithet on her grave, "She taught us all," properly communicates her influence in my life and the lives of others. She's the first thing I think of upon entering Wheeling now, and her memory was never something I could shake before moving away from here.

My tribute this Christmas, though, is to express the joy that still lingers in my soul from this meeting from many years ago. She may be gone, and there will always be a piece of me that will crave her presence, but her lessons and spirit are here. It took many years, but I am now able to look for the same sort of fulfillment in friends again, and I've been blessed to find it readily available to me. Cindy taught me how good friendship can be and how important it is to realize its value. I only hope I can serve others as well and effortlessly as she did. What an awesome example to have available.

Zen Travel

Since my travels back and forth between Ireland and the U.S., I have not been lucky enough to do much exploring. Today, however, I had the chance to remind myself how much I love the actual travel part of going away.

I decided to use the train instead of flying home for Christmas, and I think it's my newest obsession. I got to take in the 30th Street Train Station in Philadelphia, which was fabulous. The train was running a bit behind, so I had some time to explore the station and take in the sights. While there was a lot of bustle from holiday travelers, it was not nearly as overwhelming as the airport can be. Once I boarded the train, things went very smoothly. I even got lucky and sat next to a girl who got off of the train less than an hour after I boarded. Thus, I got to switch from an aisle to window seat, and the only other seat partner I had was a man who was on for another very short period of time. Maybe beginner's luck?

This was about a 7 hour trek across the state of PA, but with great reading some restful sleep and iPod in hand, it didn't seem nearly that long. I have NEVER felt that way on planes...they're too crowded and stuffy. All of the Amtrak employees were very nice and willing to help with any problems, and the atmosphere stayed surprisingly quiet, even with a family of very small children sitting in front of me.

My feelings of contentment surrounding my travels today greatly reminds me of my Ireland travel time because even though there were small glitches, I still thoroughly enjoyed the trip. And the more I thought about it, I realized that in both of these cases (which seems a little backwards because travel can oftentimes be very stressful) I felt the same type of content. It's a strange combination of conquering fears and doing things for the first time and some good time alone. And those feelings are like the fuel that keeps my passion for travel very much alive. Here is to many more train rides in the future...hopefully on another continent.

Trees All Aglow

Just a brief note tonight about what is foremost in my mind for the day. I have many visual triggers for inner peace and comfort. One of those things I only get to experience for a small part of the year. That happens to be a lit Christmas tree. My preference is white lights on an otherwise somewhat simply decorated tree (nix the elaborate ornaments and just throw on some cream/gold trimmed bows). The other requirement for full satisfaction, though, is gazing at this lit tree in the dark. The glow of Christmas lights just causes me to feel a calm that I've not really found in other sources of light. Perhaps the fact that this source of light is not overdone (spread throughout the entire year) helps to keep it a fresh source of enjoyment for me. Who knows...just one of the many things I have chosen to overanalyze. Happy holidays!

A Few Words from the Inner Movie Critic

One thing that I always love doing is viewing a good movie. Over the past month or so, I have seen a few noteworthy, and not-so-noteworthy, movies that I thought I'd share some thoughts on today.

The weekend after Thanksgiving, I joined my friends Liza and Jen for a night at the Wayne Cinema where we saw the newest Harry Potter movie. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was actually a fantastic movie. Harry, Hermione, and Ron have begun to blossom as real human beings and the effects were incredible on the big screen. It's kind of funny because I think I'd consider this what Sara calls a guilty pleasure. I told Liza afterwards that it's one of those movies that make you feel the magic of childhood imagination. I had seen the other movies on DVD, so this was the first Harry Potter/cinema experience, so I have to say that I would prefer the cinema setting. Moving right along...

One of my most stress-filled weeks, when I was caving from graduate school pressures, Liza suggested we watch a completely no-brainer movie; so, we settled in for a night of Mean Girls. Can I tell you how funny I've always thought Tina Fey is? This movie only further confirmed her incredible ability to make people laugh. She captured the horrors of high school, added a touch of sentimentality, and topped it off with a couple characters played by her fellow SNL crazies. Bottom line: It served its purpose--we laughed uncontrollably.

The next movie I saw, at a very bad time (the night before my huge paper was due), was Donnie Darko. This was a fairly good movie. The overall message behind it was very good...the alien/satan-like rabbit that was human-sized and rather freaky was not so cool. Jake Gyllenhaal has always been one of my favorites, and he gets to team up with his sister in this 2001 movie, so it's an interesting watch. It kind of redefines willing suspension of disbelief.

Next, I saw Vanya on 42nd Street. This was a great movie, based on the play by Anton Chekhov. The cast was supremely talented and the character portrayals were unbelievable. Wallace Shawn and Brooke Smith were my two favorites...their performances were the ones that made the movie.

Another very good one that I had the chance to see was The Others, with Nicole Kidman and many other greats. The only thing I can compare this to was the moment in the theater when I went to see The Sixth Sense and realized the twist in the plot. This is one of those where, at the very end of the movie, you're forced to rethink almost every element of the movie. Fantastic brain teaser.

Finally, and on a less enthusiastic note unfortunately, we watched Ladies in Lavender last night. While two of my favorite actresses starred (Judi Dench and Maggie Smith), I have to admit that the storyline was a little flat and missing some arch. Janet (Smith) and Ursula (Dench) are very round characters, but there are several characters and elements of this plot that leave you wondering why they were even made a part of the movie. Not the best movie of the year...left me pretty disappointed.

So, there you go. A brief rundown of how I've been filling my time. More later...and there will probably be another similar listing later in my break because I have many recommendations coming in, including The Passion of Anna, Enchanted April, and Gosford Park. Oh! And I can't forget the generous offer from Jen and Greg to sit me down for a Star Wars marathon...I feel eerily uncomfortable that they both seem very eager to turn me into an experiment of sorts. I expect some slack for not seeing one of the movies in all 23 years of my life, but I'm a little nervous about their observations as I watch. (This is a joke...I look very much forward to this gathering just like all of the others.)

The Turning Over of a New Blog Leaf: Welcome Back

Welcome back, Tribute to Life readers! What a great feeling to be returning to the blog. I've thought about it so much over the past month, missing my blogging time. I have been very busy, though, with the end of my first semester of graduate studies and lots of Borders work time. I'll try to be brief and catch you all up on the latest and greatest:

Big thing #1: I had a wonderful surprise holiday visitor for Thanksgiving. A week or so before, a friend from Wheeling, Pamela (the poor soul who helped me move out here), braved the busy airports and flew out for a couple of days. I have to admit that nothing makes one feel more normal in a "new" place than to have the old and the new meet. Let me explain. Some days, as wonderful as every last one of my friends is here, it feels like I've entered the realm of the surreal. I have no more than a 3 month history with any one person, I live with an individual who was a complete stranger months ago, I drive down roads that are nothing like the ones from home, I tell people I'm from WV and they gaze at me like I'm from a different planet...and the list goes on. So, having the chance to have the comfort of a friend from home in the confines of my new home was a big relief. We basically ate our way through Bryn Mawr, Wayne, and Ardmore. Afterwards, I realized it was just what my struggling and restless soul called for...

Big Thing #2: Pamela's visit helped me realize what I had come here for in the first place, and, even more so, why I had come here for that. What I'm, of course, referring to is school. I think it was normal that I went through a stage of distraction, being out on my own in a very fun place for the first time ever. But, I also knew I was straying from my core purpose. What Pamela helped me do as we chatted was realize that it's fine to allow friends, work, etc., provide the garnish, but I do have a responsibility--both to myself and Villanova University. So, as soon as she flew home, I put my plan of action to work, beginning the adventure of my first graduate seminar paper. I don't think I've ever had so little sleep, and I don't think I ever care to repeat that sleep-deprived experience again. The way to prevent that: begin the seminar papers more than 3 weeks in advance.

Big Thing #3: I've reached a balance here. I still love my job--am putting in many extra holiday hours because the others with whom I work are like family and my customers (at least most of them) are incredible people. I still miss some of the things from home, but I'm not as disturbed by those feelings on a daily basis. Since I turned my seminar paper in Monday, I've decided to use the break to get re-centered and reaquainted with what I want to be doing with my life. Like what am I working through this program for? Asking myself these types of questions that lend a little direction.

To those from home who have stayed in touch and continued to be loyal, thank you--you're irreplaceable. To those of you who I have met here in Philadelphia, thank you--you're irreplaceable. Now that we're caught up, back to the daily blog observations tomorrow.