Sunday, May 30, 2010
LOST: I swear this is my last post on the matter
Saturday, May 29, 2010
2010 Graduation #1
Regular readers of this blog will remember that I love graduation season. It is full of hope, full of joy and usually full of crap. I love hearing 17 year-olds talk about life. It makes me smile.
That being said I covered the first of a handful that I'm writing about this year and it was a tiny one.
Only 37 graduates. I'm pretty sure that I've been to a preschool graduation that had more kids than this Christian school. That being said, other than size, it was a fairly traditional commencement. Starting with opening remarks, words from the salutatorian and the valedictorian as well as the guest speaker. For the most part the graduates and those in attendance were well behaved. No silly string; no blow up dolls.
Dr. Seuss was not quoted, which is always a let down for me. Surprisingly, an advertisement from an Apple computer campaign made it into the valedictorian's speech.
"Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently…they push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”
Here's hoping that one of those kids knows a little bit about plugging up oil spills. The Gulf Coast sure could use some help.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Struggling with Selfishness
I like to keep this blog generally lighthearted but sometimes you just need to vent. Venting by nature isn't very lighthearted.
About a week ago, I learned that my former pastor committed suicide.
That was a bit of a sucker punch.
Here's some back story. When we first moved to Pennsylvania in 2005 we struggled with finding a church that fit us. The church family we left behind in Ohio was difficult to replace. The area we moved to wasn't exactly overly welcoming.
We church hoped for a while.
We stayed at Church A for about a year...visited Church B and Church C. And then we found Church D.
Church D seemed welcoming. Not too small, not too big and plenty of children our children's age. We weren't planning on driving nearly 25 minutes every Sunday morning, but we really liked the place.
We grew to respect the pastor as well as his wife and children.
We stopped church hopping and settled there but after attending, as well as volunteering, we were unable to truly connect. We always felt like we couldn't really breach the inner circle. We were kind of on the outside looking in, no matter what we did.
We left.
It wasn't because of the pastor.
It wasn't because of the congregation.
It was simply because we weren't getting our needs met.
We started at Church E and ended up at Church F. We are still at Church F and we have been there for about a year and half now. Hubby seems to have found his inner circle. I'm not sure if I'm still looking for mine.
A few months ago, around Christmas, we found out that the Pastor at Church D wasn't who he was portraying himself to be. He was unfaithful in his marriage and was involved with some women at the church. To say I was shocked would be an understatement.
It felt like a sucker punch.
Granted, we were no longer attending there. However, it felt like everything he had ever said was just a bunch of crap. How could he preach about love and grace while he was stepping out on his wife? On his children? How could he marry our good friends and not repect the vow he was instating.
Still when my hubby told me that he decided to end his own life, it felt like he sucker punched me again.
He made a mistake and it cost him his family.
A mistake that he apparently could not forgive himself for.
It pains me that he lost everything because of his own selfishness. His own need. He leaves behind three beautiful teenage daughters who could have learned how to forgive and move on.
Now that option is gone.
If I'm confused, I can't even fathom what they must be thinking.
About a week ago, I learned that my former pastor committed suicide.
That was a bit of a sucker punch.
Here's some back story. When we first moved to Pennsylvania in 2005 we struggled with finding a church that fit us. The church family we left behind in Ohio was difficult to replace. The area we moved to wasn't exactly overly welcoming.
We church hoped for a while.
We stayed at Church A for about a year...visited Church B and Church C. And then we found Church D.
Church D seemed welcoming. Not too small, not too big and plenty of children our children's age. We weren't planning on driving nearly 25 minutes every Sunday morning, but we really liked the place.
We grew to respect the pastor as well as his wife and children.
We stopped church hopping and settled there but after attending, as well as volunteering, we were unable to truly connect. We always felt like we couldn't really breach the inner circle. We were kind of on the outside looking in, no matter what we did.
We left.
It wasn't because of the pastor.
It wasn't because of the congregation.
It was simply because we weren't getting our needs met.
We started at Church E and ended up at Church F. We are still at Church F and we have been there for about a year and half now. Hubby seems to have found his inner circle. I'm not sure if I'm still looking for mine.
A few months ago, around Christmas, we found out that the Pastor at Church D wasn't who he was portraying himself to be. He was unfaithful in his marriage and was involved with some women at the church. To say I was shocked would be an understatement.
It felt like a sucker punch.
Granted, we were no longer attending there. However, it felt like everything he had ever said was just a bunch of crap. How could he preach about love and grace while he was stepping out on his wife? On his children? How could he marry our good friends and not repect the vow he was instating.
Still when my hubby told me that he decided to end his own life, it felt like he sucker punched me again.
He made a mistake and it cost him his family.
A mistake that he apparently could not forgive himself for.
It pains me that he lost everything because of his own selfishness. His own need. He leaves behind three beautiful teenage daughters who could have learned how to forgive and move on.
Now that option is gone.
If I'm confused, I can't even fathom what they must be thinking.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
LOST: The End
It has been challenging for me to wrap my head around the finale of LOST. That being said, I am not a hater. I know some of you out there were very disappointed. I wasn't. I'm not going to recap the episode piece by piece. But I will leave you with some of my thoughts.
I was surprised by the twistiness of the end and I may have it all wrong but that is, after all, the awesomeness of LOST.
The entire series I was, like many, under the impression that the title inferred that the characters we grew to love were lost on an island. I'm now willing to admit that I think I had that all wrong.
I think they were lost souls struggling to let go of all of their unfinished business.
The show wasn't about polar bears or black smoke. It was about people. It was about accepting people regardless of their beliefs. Regardless of their past. Regardless of their color. Regardless of their handicaps. It was about letting go of your own short comings, your own regrets. It was about moving on.
For that I love it and will continue to love it for many years to come.
Do I understand why some people were disappointed or felt slighted by the ending. Sure I understand. But like all of the episodes in the past, LOST leaves us with more questions than answers and I'm thankful for that.
I don't want to be spoon fed explanations for all of the idiosyncrasies that make up LOST. I don't need to be told what happened to Walt or why Michael wasn't in the church. I want to make up my own reason.
Michael is still LOST. Still stuck on the island, not ready to move on because of what he cannot forgive himself--for letting down Walt, for making bad choices. Walt already moved on and for many seasons tried to help the others still struggling to move on too. That is why he appeared to them in the forest.
Yes. I think that was baby Aaron with Charlie and Claire in the church at the end. He died in the plane crash too.
Supposedly there are credits at the end that include dates of death for those obsessed with details. I may watch the finale again and scan the screen for them just for kicks.
I love me some Rose and Bernard. And Juliet and Sawyer...together again. What's not to like about that? The scene with Jack and Vincent was touching. When his eye shut, I knew it was really over.
But that's okay. I'm ready to let go and move on.
Your thoughts?
Monday, May 24, 2010
Weekend Update: Friends and a Finale
As I'm sure know, I spent most of Sunday watching the finale of LOST and I'm still processing my final thoughts. I hope to have them posted either tomorrow or Wednesday by the latest. Did you watch it? Were you happy? Were you disappointed. Right now, I'm a little bit of both.
I had surprise company to watch the finale with. It would have been better if they were Losties too, but alas they had never seen an episode. I'm sure my reactions were more entertaining than the actual episode.
Here's one of the cuties I spent the evening with and below is his sister. Mom and Dad were here too. But let's face it, once you have kids you are second fiddle. LOL JK B&B I love you guys too!
How was your weekend???
Friday, May 21, 2010
What I learned in the cafeteria
This week in the cafeteria, I learned:
- The importance of the dishwasher: One of my favorite home appliances is my dishwasher, and this week I've learned how much I like the one we have at work. Because it is my co-worker's turn to be in the dish room, she has been hand washing all the pots and pans. Hand washing, rinsing and sanitizing. At least we are using paper trays.
- end of the year breakdown: It's not only the kids ready to be done with the school year. It's apparently all of our appliances. This week the freezer broke.
- Middle-Eastern American meal: I don't know whose idea this was, but apparently May is Middle-Eastern American month. Seriously? Our district decided to honor this made up holiday with a meal of Jawaneh, Kousa, Al Koozy and assorted fruit. Say what. In case you are curious it's lemon garlic chicken, spicy rice and a zucchini and tomato salad. Surprisingly, many of the kids like it.
- Soup: Serving soup on paper trays is not a good idea.
- Repetition doesn't work: Every morning the kids in my building say a pledge. In that pledge there is a line that says, "I will treat others they way I would like to be treated." Everyday they say this. Today, I watch a 2nd grader spill his entire tray of peas in the hallway and not a single student stopped walking to help him pick up the mess.
What did you learn this week?
Thursday, May 20, 2010
LOST: Why they died
I can't believe that LOST ends on Sunday.
Are you having a viewing party? Or are you, like me, watching it alone. Hopefully, with minimal interruptions.
Tuesdays episode set things in motion for a wild ride to the finish.
On the island:
We see the last four, Jack, Kate, Hurley and Sawyer. They are on their way to rescue Desmond. He is still trapped in the well. Sayid told them on his way out that they would likely need him.
On the way, the finally have a sit down with Jacob. They can all see him, that can all hear him. He tells them that one of them must step up and be the new protector.
To the surprise of no one, Jack steps up.
We find out that Kate was scratch from the cave of wonders because she became a mother.
We see what side Ben is on and it appears to be the evil side. He kills Charles Whitmore and doesn't even flinch when Flocke cuts Sarah Palin's throat.
Where did Miles disappear too? Was he hidden somewhere at Ben's?
Richard took quite a hit from smokey, but I have a feeling that he will reappear on Sunday.
The island cast has been weeded and when Flocke announced he was going to destroy the island, I believed him.
OFF the island:
Desmond is working his magic. He helped Ben see some flash of his former life by kicking his ass, which looked like a lot of fun.
Ben had a family bonding moment with Danielle and Alex. I have to admit it made me smile a little. John took steps towards walking again. Jack bonded with Claire and made a promise to be at his son's concert even if his mystery mother would also likely attend.
Anna Lucia helped Desmond bust Kate and Sayid out of jail. Hurley continues to be awesome, on and off the island. He seems to be just as in touch with his other life as Desmond is.
When he brought the bribe that secured Kate and Sayid's freedom, he didn't bat an eye lash at seeing and remembering Anna Lucia.
Where is Desmond taking Kate? To Jack's son's concert....Where is Miles taking Sawyer....to Jack's son's concert.
What will play out at this concert, I can only venture to guess. What will happen on the island? I can't wait to find out.
How do I picture the last scene?
Jack and Flocke are sitting on the beach. He is wearing white, Flocke is wearing black.
Flocke: "Do you know how much I want to kill you right now?"
Jack: "Yes. I know. But what happened happened."
Flocke: "I wish you had believed me."
Jack: "I wish I would have believed John, not you."
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About Me
- kisatrtle
- I'm a 41 year old (gasp) freelance writer, school cafeteria manager, wife and mother. I have three children and one anxious and overweight beagle. I use my blog to make others laugh, to share some cool crafts, to document my lunchlady adventures and to lament about the challenges faced by us all on the journey called life. Thanks for visiting. Please leave some crack...um...I meant some comments.
