March 30, 2011

  • lovely things

    I've been feeling more than a bit whiny, shallow, navel-gazey, needy, self-righteous and crabby this past week.  So focusing on some lovely things today.

    • (pic from the Messiah Sing a Long at the Walt Disney Concert Hall)  Singing Loudly, Earnestly, and Joyfully to Cheesy and Genius Musicals (hello, late night Newsies soundtrack sing-a-long have you met Messiah Sing a Long?).  There's something about song and music that just hits my brain and heart differently.  When Baz Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge was new and strange and wonderful, there were several Ewan McGregor interviews dealing with how something so stupid and cheesy when merely recited can hit you with a punch or be experienced as emotionally authentic when experienced as a good song.  Okay, it doesn't work with everything (e.g. Rebecca Black's "Friday") but I think the fundamental point is sound. 

    • I'm not sure what flowers these are, but I love them. Dahlias? I wish I was less practical and bought more flowers when I was employed.  I often thought that their lack of practicality and inevitable death meant I should be responsible and refrain from purchasing them for myself (or even others, I regret not buying them more for those around me).  Thinking about flowers really makes me want to laugh in delight and thankfulness for beautiful, foolish things, and God's extravagant grace.  But also, I laugh at myself.  I think in the back of my head I want to be Anne of Green Gables who loves beautiful things and helps those around her to see the bright wonders of the world, with her whimsy and charm that is the icing to the kind and loving person she is on the inside.  But in my heart I know I am more like Marilla, minus the hardworking part for now.  At least I'm less of a pill than Marilla.  ... I hope. 

    • The Generosity of Friends (old and new).  Whenever I take pause to reflect (not nearly often enough), I am always astounded by the generosity of my friends. They have offered their time, shared their struggles, put up with my love of puns and obsessions, allowed me to meet their families, fed me, prayed for me, inspired me, given fashion tips, tempted me with their baking skillz, given encouragement, labored with me, forgiven me, enthusiastically shared music and television and reading recommendations, provided hugs, challenged me, and so much more.  I definitely get more than I give in pretty much everything.  I think I should work on that.  I'll probably be asking you for some help on that. (joke! but seriously. I am in awe of the people I have been blessed to know.)

    • (Hummus from the Hummus Place many years ago. I miss this so much.  Any leads on anything similar in Los Angeles will be more than appreciated) Access to Diverse and Delicious Foods and the Taste Buds to Enjoy Them.   My heart and stomach rejoices though my scale mourns. Yay, food!

    • (adorable baby "reading" a children's korean book. sadly it may be up for debate whose korean skills are superior, mine or baby's :T) Libraries!  I've always been a lover of books and what a delight it is that there as a society we provide the means to allow people to continue to grow and learn and be challenged and entertained, no matter the economic or intellectual status.  This is kind of amazing.  My world is so much bigger because one day I might decide to wander over to the religion section, the travel section, history, fiction, or whatever else might catch my eye and read! And I can take it home with me for what feels like free merely to return it a few weeks after.  I love it.

    • The Internets.  As ridiculous and shallow and stupid the interwebs can be (whenever I make the mistake of reading youtube comments I despair for humanity) I am grateful to it for the tools that help me keep far flung friends in my sphere; for the wise, humorous, and insightful blogs my buddies have; the capability to learn and connect with so many different topics (hi, wikipedia!); to chat and spew nonsense with my friends in real time (hi gchat! and i still think of you fondly:icq and aim) and of course xkcd. My life is more complete with XKCD in it