Soulmates

I've been reading the third installment of the Twilight series and finished it the other night. For those of you who don't know much about it, the main storyline is that Bella, the main character, is in love with a vampire, Edward. However, she also loves Jacob, a werewolf. She can't live without Edward, but loves them both.

This got me to thinking - is there more than one soulmate out there for everyone? Bella's choice is to become a vampire so she won't have to live without Edward. She mentions in her thoughts that she has seen her life with Jacob if she decided to stay human. Now, maybe it's far-fetched, but how far-fetched is it that there's only ONE person out there for each of us? What if that one person for you lived halfway around the world from you? What's the chance that you would meet them?

It makes me wonder if people can see themselves with someone else, like Bella did with Jacob. Is there an alternate "universe" where everyone is with someone else? I realize that sounds a little "X-Files" like, but I'm kinda weird like that...lol.

Or - can soulmates change throughout your life? No one is the same throughout life, and everyone grows, changes opinions, and has different interests. Is this how people grow apart or why divorces happen? I realize that there are many ways people can grow apart, but is part of that because soulmates change?

I also believe that soulmates can become your best friends - they don't have to be a romantic partner by any stretch of the imagination. This could be part of the reason why as we get older, we have fewer good friends. It's not that less people like you, it's that you really connect with those people...

I've always believed that there is more than one person out there for everyone. It's hard for me to believe that out of all the people in the world, there's only ONE per person. While there are a lot of things I don't particularly like in the Twilight books (such as Bella being so WHINY), I still read them and this was something that I felt really made sense to me and felt compelled to share it.

Friends

I know a lot of people - whether it's through work, the Jaycees, since high school, or other means. But, I honestly don't have a lot of friends. The few that I do have, I tend to be fiercely loyal to.

So today brings me to this thought: I feel horrible when I can't help one of my friends out. Especially when at times, they do so much for me. It puts me into a funk when I try to cheer someone up, but it doesn't work. I want to do everything in my power to help people.

I've learned many times though that even with being loyal to my friends, there are only a very few people that would help me out as I would help them. Which, is why I've determined I have very few good friends anymore. I know our circles get smaller as we get older, but I'm still trying to grapple with it.

Blogging to keep busy...

I haven't blogged in almost two weeks. Life has just gotten in the way. I went to Tulsa, OK last weekend, and started a blog entry while I was waiting for my first flight, but it went by the wayside. I really don't have much to report in the food department, except that the restaurant at the Hilton we stayed at was horrible! It was overpriced, the food was bad, and service was bad.


I was there for the US Jaycees Leadership Academy. It was a great weekend, overall, where I got to get to know some of the other presidents from Michigan, met lots of Jaycees from all over the country and even the world, and got lots of new ideas.


This weekend was Local Officer Training for Jaycees, and then the year end banquet for our chapter. I was officially sworn in as the 81st President of the Lansing Jaycees on Saturday night, and let me tell you - I won't forget it. Especially since I had to yell my speech over the sounds of a band that was playing Chicago covers...lol.


Sunday turned out to be a lazy day, and was going alright...until I received a phone call around 9pm, telling me that a friend of mine, a fellow Jaycee from Muskegon, was killed in a snowmobile accident Sunday afternoon. I didn't really cry last night, until I got home, and started thinking about the last time I saw him, about two weeks ago...and how I'm glad I gave him a huge hug then.


I'm still sitting here in disbelief. I didn't know him long - met him in August, to be precise. But we had really started to talk more and get to know each other, and he was really fun. He texted me on Saturday night after getting back from Dallas, to ask how the banquet went. I was tired, and figured I'd get back to him the next day...and I didn't get that opportunity. So I'm having this "what if" questioning of myself...I know I shouldn't, but it just happens.


My thoughts go out to his wife, family, and friends. R.I.P. Adam.

...

"It is the unknown we fear when we look upon death and darkness, nothing more." - Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Today started off pretty well. Then I got to work. I found out that a co-worker of mine in the caucus had a heart attack yesterday and passed away. It threw me off all day. Over the last few months, this particular co-worker is one that I've gotten to know much better, through spending so much time at work together. I was just out to lunch with him on Thursday, which was the last day I was at work.

It's just unreal. Part of me can't stop thinking that it didn't really happen. But then I keep thinking about different things about him. He was always smiling and funny.

On the other hand, I just feel like it shouldn't affect me so much. But it does, and I can't quite explain it.

"You're so wise. You're like a miniature Buddha, covered in hair."

If you saw me right now, you wouldn't know that I'm super excited that tomorrow is Thursday. I have Friday off from work this week. But, I'm starting to feel like I'm getting sick. I am hoping I can stop it by sleeping and drinking fluids. Luckily, I've been getting some rest, as I've been able to leave work early this week.

The next few days are going to be pretty busy. I've been baking cookies a lot, but no more for this week, unless I do them in Muskegon on Friday. I have to do a ton of laundry all day Friday, and while that's in, I'm hoping to watch a movie or two. Maybe do a little baking. We'll see though. I have to head back to Muskegon tomorrow night, which means I have to pack, get the dog ready for the trip, get gas, etc. Then I have to get out of here, spend all day Friday in Muskegon, go to Eric's holiday work party, then drive back to Lansing on Saturday morning.

I will be attending my first ever MSU basketball game at Breslin Center on Saturday. It should be fun. I've been to the UM/MSU game before at Crisler, but I have never been to Breslin, and I'm curious to see it. It should be fun. There will be sushi beforehand, so that makes me happy!

I have a quick gripe, and it's something that I've always kind of dealt with. Clearly, I'm a female. All my life, I've been better friends with guys. I don't know why, I think I just get along better with guys. I'm kind of a tomboy, so maybe that's what makes it easier. Anyway, why can't I just be friends with guys? Is there a reason that whenever a girl and a guy are friends, everyone else thinks there's something going on? I know most of the time, people just joke about it, but after awhile, it just starts to get on my nerves. I'm not sure if anyone else ever has this problem, or if it's just me. Ha.

A Happy Thanksgiving to all...

This won't be the most eloquent post, but I'm taking a few minutes out of my lazy time today to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving. Most of the day, I've taken time to reflect on the people in my life, and I am so grateful for them. I have many new friends who I am still getting to know and are becoming a big part of my life. There are also my old friends who have been around for the long haul that I won't forget. And, there are many great people that I wish I talked with more, but just don't. I'm thinking of all of you today.

"Let's never come here again because it will never be as much fun."

I think it finally hit me - I basically just fell off the face of the planet the last couple of months. When I look back, I really haven't done much! Well, ok, I have, but there are some things I have just neglected. I'm sure that happens for everyone at some point or another.

I'm finally starting to get back into the swing of things. Reading a new book, hanging out with people, watching movies. Now I have to start scrapbooking and making some jewelry again. I have all next week off, and I'm super excited about it!

This week, we're going to the UM/OSU game. ESPN Gameday will be there, and that means we'll be getting up extra early to go. I want to make a sign - does anyone have any ideas?

I got my haircut this past weekend. I don't have a good picture of it yet, but when I do, I'll post it. I really like how it turned out. It was a total of 6 inches that got snipped off! I felt weird the next day, using too much shampoo. Haha.

Off to go do some reading...

"I've just recently decided that the things we know aren't black and white."

The title of this blog is from the movie "Elizabethtown". Remembering it makes me want to watch the movie again, so maybe I'll do that this weekend.

Days like today make me feel like a total failure. I woke up late, have had a headache most of the day, and just downright didn't feel very well. I stuck it out at work for the rest of the day, but didn't feel productive at all. Then, of course, my night isn't very exciting. Me, food, TV, and my book. Woo hoo.

Lately, I've been starting to feel run down and unfocused. I can't quite figure out how to get myself to start doing anything again other than sleep. I want to scrapbook, make jewelry, read, but I just don't when I get home. I have been watching some movies, so I suppose that's a start. For awhile there, I was just hanging out and listening to my iPod.

I will also finally be getting my hair cut this weekend. It's been awhile, mostly because I'm lazy and couldn't afford to go. Haha. I'm really excited, because I think it will help.

Anyway, I'm sorry to anyone that I've come across and just been about as fun as a wet rag. I'm trying to snap out of my funk, but I probably haven't been all that fun to be around! Sigh.

In order to get to this point...

The last week or so has almost been a blur. Last weekend was the last couple of days of the month, which meant the Legislature had to come to a budget agreement. In which case, I spent 36 hours straight at work last weekend. It ended up being completely exhausting, but I'm really glad that I did it. First, I got to witness history in the making (it seems to be my trend this year. See: UM vs. Appalachian State.) I also got to see a lot of stuff that helped me understand the process. More importantly, in my opinion, I was able to spend a lot of time with my fellow staff members. For me, it's been a pretty good experience, because I don't get to see them all that much, being in different offices and all.

Which brings me to this point. I've been living in Lansing for almost two years (it will be at the end of the month). In the last few months, I've finally started to feel as though my life is there. I've gotten involved in the Jaycees more, I've made more connections at work, and I actually have things to do in the Lansing area other than sit and watch TV in my apartment.

So, in general, things are going pretty well. I feel like things are busy, but that's been good for me. I don't do very well when I'm bored!

You ever feel...

Like there's nothing you can do to help someone? A friend of mine, who recently found out she was pregnant, has been having problems this week. She went to the ER last night, and has now found out that she lost the baby. She called earlier, and I drove over to her house and hung out with her and her husband for a bit. But, I feel helpless - I wish there were more I could do for her.

Before that, I was really excited that it was finally vacation time!!!! This morning was the Lansing Jaycees Children's Shopping Spree. There was a big storm yesterday afternoon, around 4pm. During that time, I was still at work, but there was a tornado warning one county over. I ended up taking off from work so I didn't get stuck at work. Anyway, the storm knocked out the power at my apartment, so when I got home, nothing worked. I took a short nap, then tried to do as much stuff before dark as possible. Then I tried to fall asleep again. It took me until after midnight. Then, at 1:30am, my power went back on. Then I couldn't get back to sleep again. Then, my alarm rang at 6:15am....waaaay too early.

Off to the Shopping Spree - 3 of us ended up having only one kid, but it worked out great. He was an awesome kid, and we ended up getting him a whole bunch of stuff. After shopping, we went to McDonald's for breakfast.

Now, I'm back in Muskegon, and trying to unwind. I know I probably forgot to do something at work before I left for the week, but at the moment, I'm trying not to think about it. I'm just feeling this mix of feelings right now.

It's Not Unusual...

Last night I went to Hobby Lobby in order to scope out scrapbooking stuff for an album I’m going to make for Eric. He has a bunch of stuff from when he golfed in college – pictures, stats, newspaper clippings, etc. Anyway, they don’t make a lot of golf stuff, let me tell you. Then I was looking at all of the things they do have, and started wishing that I had taken more pictures of things when I was younger. I have vowed to be that parent that takes pictures ALL THE TIME. :-)

Then, this morning I started thinking about how much I’ve changed lately. Since when have I ever been crafty? Is this something that’s always been there, but I just never felt like dealing with it? I suspect not, but who knows. Maybe it’s just me getting old. I mean, I know I’ve become a very boring person (not that I was super exciting in the first place). I think that recently, I’ve just accepted that I’m a nerd, and I love it.

I don’t know – as we get older, things change. Our interests change, our friends and the kind of friends we have change. I mean, it’s not that I’m old yet, but things are just different. I know more people that are getting married or pregnant, you don’t hang out with people as much anymore. I have more people that I hang out with on a regular basis through work or something like the Jaycees. I still have my friends from high school that I keep in touch with, there are friends from college that have either drifted away or I’ve gotten back in touch with. At different ages, I think we expect different things from our friends. I know when I was younger, I had the same friends and hung out with them all the time. It’s very similar today, but it feels like there are fewer of those people. Then, there are your peripheral friends – people you keep in touch with, but don’t know the things that are going on daily in their lives. I think the internet has made it much easier to keep in touch with these friends – people you care about, but that are further away or super busy. And it’s ok to have those types of friends. Also, just because there are friends that drift away doesn’t mean we still don’t care for those people.

And with those thoughts, it’s time to go off to bed…