The Beauty and Ugliness of Politics

The dynamics of this year's presidential election is exciting to me. It is certainly on its way to being the most interesting political race I've experienced in my lifetime.

I love that we have the freedom to vote. I'm glad I live in a democratic country where we have the opportunity to choose our governmental leaders. I see it as both an honor and a responsibility for American citizens.

But I also hate politics.

I hate the mud-slinging, and nasty accusations. I hate the heated arguments that are caused by them. I hate how different political views can create rifts between family members, friends and colleagues.

The freedom to choose - to vote - is a beautiful thing. But sometimes it makes us say or do ugly things. I pray that this election season you have wisdom to discern the candidate you believe will be the best to lead our country and the grace to accept those who believe differently.

Hair & Self-Expression

My friends might think I have great hair now, but that wasn't always the case. I know enough now to get trendy cuts that flatter my facial structure and hair type, and invest in products that will help maintain the look. But I had traditional long, straight hair and bangs until partway through high school. It was the ‘90s and nearly every girl had long hair. Certainly all the popular girls did, but somehow it didn’t look as good on me as it did on them.

Every time I visited my trendy hairdresser – my mom’s best friend – she suggested I go for a shoulder-length ‘do instead of my usual inch off the end and bang trim. And one day my sophomore year I said “okay.” It caught us both a little off guard, and she stopped and looked me directly in the eye to see if I was serious. But once the word was out of my mouth, I decided to stick with it. And she didn’t pause to let me reconsider. I walked in with shoulder-blade length hair and walked out with layers that ended just above my shoulders.

I’m not sure what convinced me to take the plunge and trade in my traditional look for a bolder one. It might have been how fabulous her hair always looked. Or that I was ready to be adventurous, to declare myself an individual. Whatever the reason, my hairdresser was right - the shorter, trendy ‘do looked great on me. And it made me feel better about myself.

A new haircut or fresh hair color still makes me feel better about myself. It’s an instant boost in my self confidence. It makes me feel beautiful. It makes me feel bold and alive. Hair probably shouldn’t have such a strong correlation with one’s self worth, but it does for me.

It’s also a chance to be creative, to recreate myself and express who I am in a new way. When a stylist asks me what I’d like done, I always go for something different from the last time, because I'm a different person than I was 6 or 8 weeks before. It’s been immensely satisfying to experiment with new looks. And I can honestly say with all the different cuts and colors I’ve had, there hasn’t been one I didn’t like.

I’ve had really short hair, and shoulder-length hair. I’ve been a redhead, a blonde and a brunette, and a lot of colors in between the three. I’ve had funky, chunky highlights and more subtle, professional highlights. I’ve flipped my hair up and curled it under. I know what “stacked” and “blending” mean, to ask for a blend of "RO" and "YO" colors and that level 6 is probably about as dark as I want to go. At least for now.

I think life is about constantly discovering more about yourself, others, and the world. And if I’m changing as a person, why shouldn’t my hair change too?

Upcoming Event

I've been one of the main coordinators for a groundbreaking event coming up on Tuesday. It's been a fun and stressful project to work on; with more stress now that we're to the final stages of planning and prep work with set-up and the event itself. I'd appreciate your prayers that all will go smoothly.

The Wall

Sometimes the words, phrases and paragraphs come together naturally. An idea transitions easily from my head to the computer screen. And my editor and friend gives me positive feedback on what I've written.

But then I usually hit a wall. And the words and phrases won't come together, no matter how many times I write and rewrite. The computer screen mocks me, reflecting back an idea that remains as clear as mud.

For the past couple days, I've continued to hit the wall with my latest writing assignment. And it's making me mad. I would so like to find a way to climb over or dig under or run around this darn wall.

Just Because

A beautiful bouquet was waiting for me the other night when I got home from work. One dozen antique white roses with pink edges stood in a vase, with a yellow post-it note next to it.

It wasn't my birthday, or our anniversary. My husband had gotten me flowers "just because."

My day started off as an ordinary Tuesday, but my husband's surprise bouquet reminded me that you don't need to have a special day to celebrate the one you love. "Just because" is all the reason you need.

bookworm

I've always been a bit of a bookworm.

Growing up, when I wasn't in school or playing outside or in the basement, you could find me curled up with a book. It started with basic picture books, then simple chapter books and finally into full-length ones. "New books" were an evergreen item on my birthday and Christmas lists, forcing my dad to nail up some extra shelves to store them. Luckily the public library was only a short bike ride away, so we could borrow more books than we had to buy.

In my middle school English classes, we participated in the "Accelerated Reader" program where we read books and took tests to earn points. Every student was required to earn 15 points every month or two; I read so much I earned about 15 points every week. It was supposed to be a contest to see which student could earn the most points, but there wasn't anyone who came a close second to me. My parents have a picture from middle school graduation of me proudly holding up the prize: a navy blue t-shirt with "Acclerated Reader" written in yellow.

When I got a job at a publishing house, it seemed a little like a dream come true at first. I got to read books, work with authors, then tell others about the authors/books. And I got paid to do it. For the most part, it was wonderful. But not everything I had to read and promote was what I would have chosen for myself. Which ended up being a good thing sometimes. I was introduced to a variety of different ideas and authors that I otherwise might not have ever been introduced to.

But when I started my new job in health care, I went on a book boycott. After having to read books for work-even ones I really enjoyed-I felt like I needed a break. So instead of books I curled up with a magazine, or sat at the computer and read blogs. I didn't touch the stack of books on my nightstand.

Two months later, I got hungry again for a book and realized it was time to end the boycott. I missed the feel of a good hardcover or paperback, the sound of turning pages, the joy of good prose. I missed reading by lamplight before bed and allowing myself an extra chapter...or two...when I should have been sleeping.

So I got myself a library card, checked out four books and now a week and a half later, I've finished two books and am part-way into the third. The bookworm is back.

Travel Bug

My international travel bug has been acting up lately, giving me an itch to head to some foreign location.

I realize travel is a luxury, but it's something important to both Joel and I. From the lush, green New Zealand landscape to the clear, turquoise-blue waters of the Bahamas, each of the places we've been able to visit has been a unique, enriching experience. And it makes us eager to explore other parts of the big world beyond this corner we live in. So we dream and plan and save up to try and see the world in our lifetime.

Unfortunately travel dreams can't always become reality. We had planned on going to Peru this fall, but had to postpone that because of my job change. We'd want at least two weeks in Peru to spend time with his cousin as well as to do some sight-seeing and taking that sort of extended vacation has to wait until I have more time off.

Now we're tentatively planning on going to Europe in the spring, making brief stops in the Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, France and Switzerland. But these plans may also fall through if we buy a house before next summer.

I had started to come to terms with my travel itch until today, when we had a farewell BBQ lunch for Joel's cousin and his wife, who are head off to Taiwan for a year to teach English. I have no desire to live overseas for a year, but hearing about the travel the two of them hope to do during that time made me envious. Now the travel bug is back.