Reconnecting

I recently received an e-mail from a former school mate announcing a new website for my High School class. The website is a terrific walk down memory lane. Our senior portraits appear next to the names on each page - a few have more recent photos and written details posted what people have been up to since graduation. It was like stepping back in time, slowly reacquainting myself with once familiar names and faces.

What surprised me was the myriad of feelings confronting me, when I was faced with deciding what information I was willing to share on the website. I played it safe and sent my phone number and email address.

High school was a time I suffered through. I struggled with wanting to be popular and fit in, while not wanting to be another mindless copy, defined by the popular hair styles and dress codes. I longed for something different - exotic - unique. I believe those thoughts are what drove me to attend a college out of state. I wanted to move on and leave the homogeneous, predictable life I'd known behind me.

After graduation, I counted the minutes until I left for college. I planned a fresh start where I could become anyone I wanted. When I returned home the summer of my freshman year, my college experience had already changed me. I had forged new bonds with new friends and no longer fit back into the lives of the friends I'd left behind. I couldn't wait to return to my life at college, where I truly belonged.

Many years and many experiences later, I am now living thousands of miles from my childhood home. My life has taken some pretty amazing twists and turns - with quite a few life lessons thrown in along the way.

After graduating from college, I thought about adventures. I considered joining the peace core - but talked myself out of it, because I couldn't see working in an under-developed nation without a daily shower and creature comforts I took for granted. I toyed with the idea of graduate school, but convinced myself that I didn't have the smarts or the dedication, not to mention a clear vision on a course of study. I had fallen in love for the first time during college, where I also learned to put another person's needs and wants before my own - a recurring theme that has plagued most of my adult life.

While I've always been drawn to the foreign, different, exotic - I've never really stepped out of my own comfort zone. I've been more of an observer in life and less of a participant. It's not easy learning to take risks, but I'm still a work in progress. I'm still learning about me. Every new day is a door to future possibilities.

I hope to travel abroad, see more of the world and experience people and places first hand - not just through travel documentaries or images provided by friends from other countries and cultures. I still toy with the idea of graduate school - after all, you're never too old to learn. More importantly, I am learning to push myself from my comfort zones and learning to take steps towards making any dreams I have become reality...

I've already been in contact with a few friends from High School and I'll admit it's rather exciting to reconnect. I realize that we all share a common bond that never truly leaves you - no matter where you've been since then. Life is an amazing journey. You just never know where it might take you next...

Beat the Heat

After enjoying almost the entire month of June in below-average temperatures, the triple-digit days of summer finally arrived. The increased heat makes it tough to stick to the twice daily walking routine I've recently established with my neighbor, Carrie. We try to fit in a walk every morning before work [weekends, too] and a second go-round in the evenings once the sun sets. As a way to beat the heat, we've started taking our "walk" into the pool. It's been a great way to fit in a little exerise with out even breaking a sweat. In fact, after spending over an hour in the pool last night, I was so chilled I broke out in goose bumps... I've also discovered our nightly pool-walk has resulted in more regular contact with neighbors I might not see until sometime in September when the temperatures drop again. Carrie and I now converse through the pool fence with neighbors out walking dogs or passing by the pool area. One night in particular our mutual neighbor, Julie, was returning from a walk she'd cut short due to the uncomfortable heat and decided to join us in her walking shorts & tank top! I think she now knows that a pool walk in the evening is the only way to go.

So, to anyone who can't quite fathom how to actually enjoy an evening in 100+ degree temperatures, I say - come join me for a refreshing pool walk.... it's the a great way beat the heat.

Self-Evaluation

It's review time again at work. A time for reflection on past accomplishments, future goals and areas I need to improve upon. I do find it interesting that I am asked to provide a completed self-evaluation before receiving feedback from management. Like, do they really need me to point out my best attributes and weaknesses? Or is this their way of checking to see if I have a realistic grasp on how others at the Firm see me?

This year, I felt good about my accomplishments and strengths. I was happy to point out a list of my incredibly positive contributions to the workplace. I look forward to a glowing review. Yes, I'm feeling that good about me.

I also tried to express my support to a co-worker who was dealing with some recent happenings that will no doubt have a slightly negative impact on her upcoming review. But, as we are both learning to do, we worked as a team to prepare her self-evaluation, making sure her best attributes with specific examples were presented and addressing those areas she will need to improve upon with clear steps on how she intends to improve. Having been in her shoes more than once in my life, I know the best way to get through the bad days is to realize you cannot change what happened in your past, but you can take steps to make create more positive perceptions of you going forward.