Well friends, no anxious brain tonight, but certainly a racing heart. This week's combination of too little sleep, too much caffeine, and a few celebratory margaritas have all made it quite unhappy with me. No worries, it'll settle down once I get back into a routine.
So I'm sitting here, sipping peppermint tea and listening to I'd Run Away by The Jayhawks. The truth is though, there's no place I'd rather be than right here, right now. How funny to say that, since I would have given anything to not be me not long ago. Truth is, I feel like everything is falling into place.
My life is once again packed into boxes and over the course of the next week, I will move into The Burrow, our house for the next 12 months. Not only will I be living with three of the most energetic, genuine, and overall amazing people I've ever met, but I'll be surrounded by many incredible faces this summer. Many friends, including recent grads, are living close to me and plans for many happy ventures are already in place. If The Burrow is anything like my friend Rosina's house, it's going to be 12 months of crazy awesomeness. I'm looking forward to many nights in the backyard, blasting music, watching the sunset, and sipping more celebratory margaritas. My song of the summer is Ain't It Fun by Paramore. Look it up, but listen to it with the video--changes the connotation in my opinion.
Life has switched gears, but still feels 100% chaos and 100% relaxed contentment. It's officially summer, and the sun is making more and more of an appearance, even if the wind still keeps a chill. My finals are all done and forgotten and grades are trickling in. So far so good. I don't know what to say about this summer, other than I am overwhelmingly looking forward to all of it. I have so much time, but so many things to do. Soon I will start preparing for the GRE, hardcore researching graduate programs, and getting together with all those friends I mentioned. I also perfectly intend to curl up and watch some heavy amounts of Game of Thrones, Grey's Anatomy, House M.D., and Breaking Bad. Oh, and to convince you that I'm not just going to melt my brain on Netflix, I also plan to read exorbitant amounts of John Irving novels.
I am happy and content, but also cautious. Life has a terrible impermanence to it. This last week, I watched many friends graduate, which was all a bundle of sad, happy, nostalgic emotional everything. That will be me sooner than I think, but before then, I still have some crazy things to do. With luck, I'll go to Scotland (as I mentioned in the last post) but I'll also write and perform a lot of poetry, write a lot of non-fiction essays, play with rats, make some pottery, grade some psychology assignments, and go to a giant writing conference. If I get my ducks in a row, I'll also present at a conference in Illinois and work on more research-related things. After that, I'll graduate and move somewhere far away. Life is impermanent.
For now though, it's summer. And I am fully embracing the sun and the time... even though I might have to bring an umbrella to work today...
Peace and epicness,
-Megan
Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
"Do you believe that time heals all wounds?"
Dear Reader, that title comes from one of my favorite songs by Skillet titled The Older I Get, and since it just popped into my head and this post will be mostly about time, I figured it was a good fit. So, I'm sipping a Sunkist pop while munching on cucumbers and ranch. My taste buds are happy and life is good. I can't remember the last time I had a Sunkist--I looked at the can and it says, "Celebrate 20 years of dreams" I smiled at how fitting it seemed since I'm still adjusting to that whole "being 20" thing, and to my knowledge, have had an awful lot of dreams in that time. Still do.
Now to that whole "time" thing. I guess I've never really met anyone who was fully content with the pace at which time changes things. Sure, hindsight is 20/20, and eventually we get to a point where we see distinct differences between who we are and who we were, but waiting to get there isn't always easy.
I used to hate the saying "Time heals all wounds." absolutely hate it. I was much more in the camp of "Time forms a scab capable of being ripped open at any moment. Then some pretty ugly scar tissue forms which is usually very painful in its own way." I guess healing took place with both but "time heals all wounds" seemed far too sugar coated and simplistic for the cynical little me. Now that I'm older, I can understand the reasoning behind the phrase a little more. It's just hard to wait for time to do its job, especially when no one will ever know how much time is necessary.
For the record, I still find the phrase a little too simplistic. I think "time" has to be seen as an umbrella term in this case which encompasses a heck of a lot more than just the ticking of a clock. Time needs a little bit of help sometimes, whether that's the right person showing up at the right time, a lucky break, an animal--anything. Time exposes you to agents of change and agents of healing, and even though there might be a lot of pain involved in waiting for that healing, it will come. And you'll be able to feel it when it finally does--even if it took a lot longer than you were hoping or expecting.
Be epic, be well, and enjoy the last few days of summer.
-Megan
Now to that whole "time" thing. I guess I've never really met anyone who was fully content with the pace at which time changes things. Sure, hindsight is 20/20, and eventually we get to a point where we see distinct differences between who we are and who we were, but waiting to get there isn't always easy.
I used to hate the saying "Time heals all wounds." absolutely hate it. I was much more in the camp of "Time forms a scab capable of being ripped open at any moment. Then some pretty ugly scar tissue forms which is usually very painful in its own way." I guess healing took place with both but "time heals all wounds" seemed far too sugar coated and simplistic for the cynical little me. Now that I'm older, I can understand the reasoning behind the phrase a little more. It's just hard to wait for time to do its job, especially when no one will ever know how much time is necessary.
For the record, I still find the phrase a little too simplistic. I think "time" has to be seen as an umbrella term in this case which encompasses a heck of a lot more than just the ticking of a clock. Time needs a little bit of help sometimes, whether that's the right person showing up at the right time, a lucky break, an animal--anything. Time exposes you to agents of change and agents of healing, and even though there might be a lot of pain involved in waiting for that healing, it will come. And you'll be able to feel it when it finally does--even if it took a lot longer than you were hoping or expecting.
Be epic, be well, and enjoy the last few days of summer.
-Megan
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Wanderlust
Good afternoon Reader, I hope you've had a nice Thursday so far. I've always liked Thursdays--I spent about two hours almost every Thursday for 8 years as a martial arts student and assistant instructor. I just think Thursdays are good in general.
I have worn the self-imposed mental label of malcontent for a very long time now. I am not so sure I was right when I gave myself the label, but so far, this summer has involved long stretches of discontented solitude punctuated by periods of absolutely lovely chaos. Ultmately, it will go down as the summer of travel and wanderlust. Wanderlust, by the way, is a strong, innate desire to rove or travel about. I've seen and understood the phenomenon in other people, but this is the first time I remember it being so tangible in myself.
I rarely travel. I've been lucky enough to travel all over Minnesota, but my extended family is so centralized here that we have little reason to travel out of state other than for traveling's sake alone--which we never do. (Oh, and I actually despise living out of a suitcase, but have discovered it's a non-issue if you're with the right people.) My recent adventures to Iowa for MBLGTACC '12 and all over the south for the National Youth Gathering coupled with the fact that I've been glued to the Olympics has sparked in me wanderlust like no other. Not to mention that the National Youth Gathering will be in Detroit in 2015--I hope to go if I am able, and MBLGTACC '13 is in Lansing, Michigan. I've been considering forming my second semester schedule in a way that makes it most convenient for me. :P
I leave in two days for another adventure, this time it's a week long semi-working vacation as I tag along to a camp in the northern part of North Dakota. I need to decide whether or not I want to work there next summer, and my parents have taken that as meaning I'd be moving out once and for all. A very rational conclusion, but intimidating all the same.
All this recent pounding of pavement has served to define my traveling likes and dislikes. I've decided I much prefer travel by road vs. air. Planes are fun, but it's far too Point A and Point B for me. It really negates that all-important line segment in the middle. It cuts down on the potential of the journey. Plus I like to drive. :P When I think about it, the superficial demarcation lines on a map serve as a mental barrier. To me, Louisiana felt worlds and worlds away, but as I was on the roads, I realized that while I was seeing landscapes and cultures shift, I was never seeing any sort of severing of a connection. There is no giant line in the sand separating us completely. The only real barrier I now feel between me and anywhere else, is time. I've heard it's a Midwestern thing to measure distance in time. I'm two and half hours from the Fargo-Moorhead area, The Twin Cities are about an hour away from where I live, etc. I feel like the means to go somewhere is rarely what holds us back--the real problem involves time. Give me enough time and I'll be able to get anywhere... And I guess from now on I'll be trying to listen to the part of me asking for that time.
Wanderlust or not, this influx of travel has been epic and I hope it continues.
Be well and be lovely,
Megan
I have worn the self-imposed mental label of malcontent for a very long time now. I am not so sure I was right when I gave myself the label, but so far, this summer has involved long stretches of discontented solitude punctuated by periods of absolutely lovely chaos. Ultmately, it will go down as the summer of travel and wanderlust. Wanderlust, by the way, is a strong, innate desire to rove or travel about. I've seen and understood the phenomenon in other people, but this is the first time I remember it being so tangible in myself.
I rarely travel. I've been lucky enough to travel all over Minnesota, but my extended family is so centralized here that we have little reason to travel out of state other than for traveling's sake alone--which we never do. (Oh, and I actually despise living out of a suitcase, but have discovered it's a non-issue if you're with the right people.) My recent adventures to Iowa for MBLGTACC '12 and all over the south for the National Youth Gathering coupled with the fact that I've been glued to the Olympics has sparked in me wanderlust like no other. Not to mention that the National Youth Gathering will be in Detroit in 2015--I hope to go if I am able, and MBLGTACC '13 is in Lansing, Michigan. I've been considering forming my second semester schedule in a way that makes it most convenient for me. :P
I leave in two days for another adventure, this time it's a week long semi-working vacation as I tag along to a camp in the northern part of North Dakota. I need to decide whether or not I want to work there next summer, and my parents have taken that as meaning I'd be moving out once and for all. A very rational conclusion, but intimidating all the same.
All this recent pounding of pavement has served to define my traveling likes and dislikes. I've decided I much prefer travel by road vs. air. Planes are fun, but it's far too Point A and Point B for me. It really negates that all-important line segment in the middle. It cuts down on the potential of the journey. Plus I like to drive. :P When I think about it, the superficial demarcation lines on a map serve as a mental barrier. To me, Louisiana felt worlds and worlds away, but as I was on the roads, I realized that while I was seeing landscapes and cultures shift, I was never seeing any sort of severing of a connection. There is no giant line in the sand separating us completely. The only real barrier I now feel between me and anywhere else, is time. I've heard it's a Midwestern thing to measure distance in time. I'm two and half hours from the Fargo-Moorhead area, The Twin Cities are about an hour away from where I live, etc. I feel like the means to go somewhere is rarely what holds us back--the real problem involves time. Give me enough time and I'll be able to get anywhere... And I guess from now on I'll be trying to listen to the part of me asking for that time.
Wanderlust or not, this influx of travel has been epic and I hope it continues.
Be well and be lovely,
Megan
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Grad Parties
I sincerely hope your summer is eventful and you're staying cool in the heat wave. I hear it's supposed to last all week. Oh well, it's a taste of what the New Orleans trip might be like. ;) Two weeks! I can't contain myself much longer.
Summertime for us freshman coming back home and for the graduating high school seniors means one thing: Grad parties. In my area, they last well into July if not all summer. I hear that's a little bit strange but it's how we do. Last weekend I went to parties for my friends Sabrina, and Taylor. This weekend I went to the party for my friend Kendra (who is a future Cobber!) and next week I'll go to a party for my cousin,William.
Grad parties are epic for several reasons. You've got the food, everything from taco bars to pulled pork sandwiches, all sorts of salads, and ice cream! Oh, and anyone with a chocolate fountain gets some major points from me. Grad parties have been a wonderful opportunity for me to see friends who weren't in my graduating class, and to talk a bit about college and answer any questions. It's been lovely, but coming back and going to all these grad parties has made one thing painfully evident... how much of a difference a year makes.
We, meaning my graduating class and I, are in a completely and totally different phase of life than just a year ago. I don't necessarily believe it's an issue of drifting apart, but everyone is off doing their own thing, living their own lives. I expected to see certain people, and I didn't. In some ways the grad party ushers in this phase of consciously removing yourself from a group state of mind and basing your decisions on yourself and what you need.
I always say that leaving my hometown for college was one of the best decisions I ever made. I will always stand by that statement, because I didn't compromise my happiness for ease. To their credit, I believe all my graduating friends have understood the importance of doing what's right for them and have acted accordingly. I'm proud of all of them. I think the summer before you leave for college is the best and worst possible. You do whatever you can to have as much fun as possible, but the impending separation is too tangible to ignore.
It may be painful, but it can also be exciting and wonderful at the same time. I guess a lot of changes in life are like that...
Be well, stay cool.
All my love,
Megan
Summertime for us freshman coming back home and for the graduating high school seniors means one thing: Grad parties. In my area, they last well into July if not all summer. I hear that's a little bit strange but it's how we do. Last weekend I went to parties for my friends Sabrina, and Taylor. This weekend I went to the party for my friend Kendra (who is a future Cobber!) and next week I'll go to a party for my cousin,William.
Grad parties are epic for several reasons. You've got the food, everything from taco bars to pulled pork sandwiches, all sorts of salads, and ice cream! Oh, and anyone with a chocolate fountain gets some major points from me. Grad parties have been a wonderful opportunity for me to see friends who weren't in my graduating class, and to talk a bit about college and answer any questions. It's been lovely, but coming back and going to all these grad parties has made one thing painfully evident... how much of a difference a year makes.
We, meaning my graduating class and I, are in a completely and totally different phase of life than just a year ago. I don't necessarily believe it's an issue of drifting apart, but everyone is off doing their own thing, living their own lives. I expected to see certain people, and I didn't. In some ways the grad party ushers in this phase of consciously removing yourself from a group state of mind and basing your decisions on yourself and what you need.
I always say that leaving my hometown for college was one of the best decisions I ever made. I will always stand by that statement, because I didn't compromise my happiness for ease. To their credit, I believe all my graduating friends have understood the importance of doing what's right for them and have acted accordingly. I'm proud of all of them. I think the summer before you leave for college is the best and worst possible. You do whatever you can to have as much fun as possible, but the impending separation is too tangible to ignore.
It may be painful, but it can also be exciting and wonderful at the same time. I guess a lot of changes in life are like that...
Be well, stay cool.
All my love,
Megan
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
When Life Gives You Lemons...
Woah Readers, woah. I know I haven't blogged since the last days of college, and I know it's been FOREVER, (literally it has been over a month) but I needed some time to relax and not blog and the time has also let the epicness accumulate so there's more excitement for you to come back to when I finally decided enough was enough. Here we are, June 12th, and My Epic Life is officially off hiatus.
You know the saying, "When life gives you lemons make lemonade" right? Who doesn't know that saying? Long story short, I take it to mean something like, "When life gives you an opportunity, take it and do something good with it." Well, about three weeks ago, life gave me lemons. Here's the story:
So I had been going to church with Nicole (the mastermind behind Dorm Room 718) almost every Sunday ever since the beginning of the school year. I think the first time I went was in October? Anyways, I got to know people there and soon I had a church family. I didn't really see that coming, but I figured I would just go with whatever happened.
Throughout the entire year I kept hearing about this July trip to New Orleans for the ELCA National Youth Gathering and thought, "Hey cool, I can't wait to hear about it in the fall when I see people again." Now here's where the lemons come in. On May 23rd, Nicole told me they had someone drop out and people wanted to know if I would consider filling the slot as an adult leader. *CUE FREAKOUT*
After losing WAY too much sleep over it, I said yes on June 5th and here I am, trying to mentally and physically prepare for an intense 11 day trip in July. It all feels a bit surreal, like I never imagined I would be doing something like this or taking such an opportunity despite the financial strain. At the expense of my dignity, I will use the acronym YOLO just this one time.
I'm feeling overwhelmed... this is like, SO MANY BUCKET LIST ITEMS BEING CROSSED OFF AT ONCE! Here are some of the things I'm excited for:
1. I get to lead amazing kids and hopefully be the most epic leader with the most epic discussions ever. If I remove my playful side for a second, it means I get to do my best to help them learn from each other, learn from themselves, and learn from me. As an added bonus, I get to learn from them as well.
2. I might get to see my old roommate who lives in Omaha, NE
3. Seeing Switchfoot in concert and all the events at the Superdome in NO.
4. Getting to see the cities of St. Louis, Memphis, New Orleans, and Kansas City, and see states new to me which include the following: Nebraska, Kansas (if we drive through it), Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Arkansas.
4. Just plain traveling and all the shenanigans that'll be happening. Oh, and did I mention I get to go to the Civil Rights Museum, French Quarter, Beale Steet, and go on a swamp tour? EPIC!!!
As you can see, my life has taken a turn for the even more epic. I'm sure more blog entries about NOLA are to follow. I'm so excited, and suuuper nervous at the same time. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go pinch myself repeatedly.
I send ALL the love! Be epic and be well.
-Megan
You know the saying, "When life gives you lemons make lemonade" right? Who doesn't know that saying? Long story short, I take it to mean something like, "When life gives you an opportunity, take it and do something good with it." Well, about three weeks ago, life gave me lemons. Here's the story:
So I had been going to church with Nicole (the mastermind behind Dorm Room 718) almost every Sunday ever since the beginning of the school year. I think the first time I went was in October? Anyways, I got to know people there and soon I had a church family. I didn't really see that coming, but I figured I would just go with whatever happened.
Throughout the entire year I kept hearing about this July trip to New Orleans for the ELCA National Youth Gathering and thought, "Hey cool, I can't wait to hear about it in the fall when I see people again." Now here's where the lemons come in. On May 23rd, Nicole told me they had someone drop out and people wanted to know if I would consider filling the slot as an adult leader. *CUE FREAKOUT*
After losing WAY too much sleep over it, I said yes on June 5th and here I am, trying to mentally and physically prepare for an intense 11 day trip in July. It all feels a bit surreal, like I never imagined I would be doing something like this or taking such an opportunity despite the financial strain. At the expense of my dignity, I will use the acronym YOLO just this one time.
I'm feeling overwhelmed... this is like, SO MANY BUCKET LIST ITEMS BEING CROSSED OFF AT ONCE! Here are some of the things I'm excited for:
1. I get to lead amazing kids and hopefully be the most epic leader with the most epic discussions ever. If I remove my playful side for a second, it means I get to do my best to help them learn from each other, learn from themselves, and learn from me. As an added bonus, I get to learn from them as well.
2. I might get to see my old roommate who lives in Omaha, NE
3. Seeing Switchfoot in concert and all the events at the Superdome in NO.
4. Getting to see the cities of St. Louis, Memphis, New Orleans, and Kansas City, and see states new to me which include the following: Nebraska, Kansas (if we drive through it), Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Arkansas.
4. Just plain traveling and all the shenanigans that'll be happening. Oh, and did I mention I get to go to the Civil Rights Museum, French Quarter, Beale Steet, and go on a swamp tour? EPIC!!!
As you can see, my life has taken a turn for the even more epic. I'm sure more blog entries about NOLA are to follow. I'm so excited, and suuuper nervous at the same time. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go pinch myself repeatedly.
I send ALL the love! Be epic and be well.
-Megan
Monday, April 9, 2012
Personal Experiment Completed!
Hi Reader,
I hope you had a wonderful Easter holiday!
A few weeks ago, in this post--> Personal Experiment I started my own personal experiment to see whether or not I could go the entire duration of Lent without eating meat. Essentially, I became a not-so-strict vegetarian. I am proud to say that I made it! I think I frustrated a few people with such an abrupt decision, but everyone complied even if they didn't know my logic or reasoning. I declared the experiment officially over and celebrated with ham yesterday. :P
The real goal of that decision wasn't really fueled by any desire to become a vegetarian. It was more like a personal challenge and a fun experiment that was spurned by a particularly long period of boredom and what felt like personal stagnation. Being vegetarian is really quite easy these days, especially on our college campus where everything is labeled as such. I do not envy younger or older vegetarians by any means, but that being said, I thought it would be more difficult. I really think mine was facilitated by the company I keep. It's, not surprisingly, easy to be vegetarian in the company of vegetarians. Do I see myself becoming full-fledged and long term in the future? Honestly, yes, I do. I just don't know if that's going to happen right now. Right now I just want some bacon.
So what did I learn? I learned that I really am capable of making life changes if I have the right type of motivation. I think I caught the experimental bug. I like to challenge myself and I'm beginning to realize that I'll learn the most and perhaps experience the most growth from challenges I impose on myself. So what should my next challenge be? Well, I definitely hope to do something over summer, whether that's write every day (not on the blog) or something else, but at least now I have some evidence that I can maintain a change.
I am so happy I did this.
Be epic, be well, and go experiment with your life.
-Megan
I hope you had a wonderful Easter holiday!
A few weeks ago, in this post--> Personal Experiment I started my own personal experiment to see whether or not I could go the entire duration of Lent without eating meat. Essentially, I became a not-so-strict vegetarian. I am proud to say that I made it! I think I frustrated a few people with such an abrupt decision, but everyone complied even if they didn't know my logic or reasoning. I declared the experiment officially over and celebrated with ham yesterday. :P
The real goal of that decision wasn't really fueled by any desire to become a vegetarian. It was more like a personal challenge and a fun experiment that was spurned by a particularly long period of boredom and what felt like personal stagnation. Being vegetarian is really quite easy these days, especially on our college campus where everything is labeled as such. I do not envy younger or older vegetarians by any means, but that being said, I thought it would be more difficult. I really think mine was facilitated by the company I keep. It's, not surprisingly, easy to be vegetarian in the company of vegetarians. Do I see myself becoming full-fledged and long term in the future? Honestly, yes, I do. I just don't know if that's going to happen right now. Right now I just want some bacon.
So what did I learn? I learned that I really am capable of making life changes if I have the right type of motivation. I think I caught the experimental bug. I like to challenge myself and I'm beginning to realize that I'll learn the most and perhaps experience the most growth from challenges I impose on myself. So what should my next challenge be? Well, I definitely hope to do something over summer, whether that's write every day (not on the blog) or something else, but at least now I have some evidence that I can maintain a change.
I am so happy I did this.
Be epic, be well, and go experiment with your life.
-Megan
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