No Regrets?

Maybe all one can do is hope to end up with the right regrets. 

-Arthur Miller

I have my share of regrets. It's annoying that I do because I feel pretty strongly that one should never regret the choices one makes. And yet, I have made choices and done things in my life I am not proud of.

I think the best one can hope, is that even if things didn't turn out like you expected, that maybe something important was learned anyways.

Is "Courting" Dead?

I saw a new short play at the Fertile Ground Festival in Portland today that referenced online dating and the man in the play said he wanted to court the girl. I had to stop and think to myself when the last time I had really been courted was.

Seems like these things happen, right? Guys take ladies out to dinner, go on walks with them, make them something, give them a flower, stop to surprise them with coffee... you know... court.

Lately I have been feeling, however, that all the guys I know seem pretty hands off. I am told from time to time by friends (both male and female) that I am "a catch" and that "anyone would be lucky to date me" or "not to settle". So, what gives? Am I not putting out the vibes? Or are guys done courting? Maybe I just need to find my own guy to court. Seems like most guys interpret this as "needy" or "stalker-ish".

I've also noticed that when I really am into someone lately that I have a bit of a tendency to get nervous and run away. Awesome. That seems super helpful. Yeesh. Dating.

Turns out cross country skiing is hard

I'm not joking around here. It kicked my butt last week.

I went with a few friends up to Teacups (past Mt. Hood Meadows) and we skied for several hours. And I fell 4 times. Embarrassing, right? Because I downhill ski and don't usually feel like I fall that much.

I blame:

• The tracks you get stuck in 
• The icy conditions
• The bends in the long and fat downhills
• My exhaustion at the end of the day

Sounds like I am complaining but truly, I had a great day. We had a beautiful blue sky all day with magnificent views of Mt. Hood peaking out. My skis worked great and my boots fit like a dream. I got a great workout, got to be outside, and got to hang out with my friends all day. 

Afterwards we went up to Timberline lodge because I'd never been there before and the traffic going home was terrible. We got some great drinks and got to enjoy a beautiful building with snow climbing up the windows and a sunset view of Mt. Jefferson and the Sisters. It was truly a fantastic end to the evening. I was both exhausted at the end of the day and completely filled with the beauty of the day. A Sunday well spent. 

My Guilty Pleasure/Confession

Here is is folks. This is embarrassing... I watch The Bachelor.

I don't just watch it on a regular basis, but I LIKE to watch it. In fact, I would even go so far as to say I look forward to it.

Now don't get me wrong, I know a lot of it is fake, staged, set-up, edited, and whatnot.

Maybe it's that I like to watch because it makes me feel better about myself and my own life, maybe it's that it's such an interesting study of people and human interaction, maybe it's that I'm a sucker for the drama, or maybe it's just that despite my education and upbringing I'm just a girl not unlike any other girl hoping to someday fall in love.

Wise Words

Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught. 

-Oscar Wilde 

Commuting

Sometimes, I have to admit, I really enjoy my commute. It gives me time to decompress. And some days, when I am driving I get to see Mt. Hood and Mt. Saint Helens along the Columbia River. And I think to myself that, just maybe, I am catching a small glimpse of what Lewis and Clark might have witnessed. Nature has a wonderful way of writing its own poetry.

Karaoke

I don't get out an awful lot but I've been hitting up the karaoke scene this past year quite a bit more than normal. I love singing. I love hearing other people sing. I love singing along with other people or support dancing. And when you have a great crew it pretty much makes your night unbeatable.


I present to you, Team Karaoke:

Teaching Middle School

Sometimes when I am teaching my middle school students, 

I realize that I am really just a big kid myself.