A Day in the Life...

I just discovered this meme and annual event yesterday! (I love this graphic!) 

This is the brain-child of Trish of Love, Laughter and a Touch of Insanity!

I particularly appreciate the bit of history she provides to the establishment of this event!

It is a rather unique idea and after reading several other bloggers' posts decided I would give it a go this year, too. Although I am a bit tardy, it's okay, right?!? :)

My Thursday, March 24, 2016

5:23AM Although my alarm is set for 5:30AM, I awake and wonder what time it is. It feels

              close to awakening time, but I'm not sure. Usually, I do my best NOT to look at my 

              phone/alarm, since I have found that can sometimes get my mind working and it 

              can be a task to turn it off once again and resume sleeping! (I read this tip

              about 20 years ago and it made sense to me. Once I started noticing, I discovered 

              it did sometimes happen to me! Hence, it is one of the hints I suggest to those 

              friends who may complain about not being able to sleep soundly.) 

              However, I probably should greatly qualify this statement since my husband may 

              read this and comment...the truth is...I rarely have ANY trouble sleeping! Rarely! 

              Even if awakened, I am able to go right back to sleep immediately 99.9% of the 

              time! My comment to him periodically is..."Remember, awaken me only for a 

              natural disaster, 'cause I'll probably not be aware..." I do sleep like a log. And, 

              typically once I'm in bed and the light is out, it is at most only a matter of a 

              few minutes before I'm snoring away. :) And, yes, especially as I get older 
              (approaching 60!) I appreciate this ability more and more!

5:30AM And as it should my alarm on my phone begins to bring me out of my deep sleep 

              over the course of 20 minutes. Yes, you read that right, 20 minutes! As easy as it 

              is for me to fall asleep, it is in turn at least that difficult for me to wake up in the 

              morning!! :) (As both my grandmother and mother could confirm from my youth!) 
              I had been looking at "Zen" alarm clocks throughout the years. These use sounds 
              that gradually bring your mind out of a deep sleep rather than shocking it to 

              wakefulness with loud noises. (Which honestly rarely worked for me!) They were 

              priced at $150 and up--beyond what I was willing or, let's face it, able, to spend for 

              an alarm clock. With my first smart phone purchase I searched through available 

              alarm clock apps and discovered Progressive Alarm Clock. Upon reading about it, 

              I was more than happy to pay the small price of $3.99 to try it. (I see the price is 

              currently $1.99-- a bargain! ;)) And...I love it! Not only does this gently persuade 

              me to full wakefulness, it also ensures I am not ANGRY about having to get up! 

              That was definitely a new experience for me! A very pleasant change, I might add!

              I keep snoozing off and on...until...

5:48AM Okay, alarm off, phone and charging cable in hand and glasses on. I'm ready to 

              exit the bedroom and start my morning routine. (I try to be quiet so as not to wake 

              my husband!) Per the usual, I am escorted out by my beautiful 18-year-old feline 

              housemate, Smokie! (I wonder if she believes I am unable to make my way out on 

              my own! :) Though I love having her 'attend' to me first thing!) I change clothes, 

              start water heating in the tea kettle, and pet and wish a "Good morning!" to all 5 

              felines with whom we share our abode. While my tea steeps I complete five 
              minutes' practice of "five animals." This is a Chi Kung exercise. In the past I would 
              complete a short form of Taichi, then Chi Kung forms, then a hand-held weights 
              workout for a total of 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes of physical exertion. I 

              have not done much of this in my mornings since I began caring for my mother 

              about 4 years ago. And, trust me, I can tell. Having dealt with osteo-arthritis from 

              the age of 18, I can attest to the benefits of working the body's chi and getting the 
              blood pumping with weights. I am at the beginning stages of renewing my efforts in 
              this area of my life. As my new D.O./Primary Care Provider said, "It only takes 5 
              minutes per day of exercise to make a positive change in your fitness level." So 
              true! So rather than think of the 60 minutes or more for me to complete the whole 
              workout, I am simply starting with 5 minutes, and so far it is working! As I feel 
              better I will keep adding to it. Note: I have my husband to thank for Taichi and Chi 
              Kung, as he teaches both (along with Sword Form). Just one of the many many 
              benefits of having this man in my life!

6:05AM All settled in "my chair" with earbuds in, Holosync meditation playing on my 

              phone/in my ears, two kitties in my lap, one on the back of my chair, and one on 

              the arm! I play several games on my phone, then read The Cay by 
              Theodore Taylor. (Part of my Re-Readathon project hosted by Bex of 

               An Armchair by the Sea!) Meditation lasts 60 minutes, so... (NOTE: I also have 
               my husband to thank for the Holosync recommendation. I discover it helps me 
               immensely with remaining calm and more focused throughout the day.)

7:15AM I force myself out of the chair to complete the morning routine and head out to the 

              office. :) (I find it tough to put the book down...but that is typical for me!) I feed the 
              fur-babies their first of two 'wet food' feedings for the day, also refilling their bowls 
              of dry food and water. As they eat (I have one I must watch because she will chase 
              others away from their bowls sometimes...), I consume my Isagenix meal-
              replacement shake, and check the weather on my phone so I can know how to 
              dress for the temperature, etc. (BTW, I have used Isagenix about 7 years now and 
              attribute it with keeping me off the anti-inflammatory medications!) I dress, comb 
              my hair (quit wearing make-up about 10 years ago), brush my teeth, get my 
              cooler packed, kiss my husband, and head out the door at... (NOTE: I always have 
              a soft-side cooler with me during the workday because I haul my own super-
              filtered water to drink! Yes, I am THAT picky! I usually drink 1-1 1/2 liters of water 
              during the workday, some of that with green tea. I also haul all our drinking and 
              cooking water into the house! I admitted I am picky!)

7:45AM My commute is roughly 45 minutes and I usually use this time to (1) check my 

              phone for traffic jams as I near the city, (2) listen to NPR on the radio or use my 

              phone to listen to NPR podcasts, Ted Talks, etc. 

8:35AM I clock in at work. Today is a busy day at work as I have much to do to finalize 

              preparations for tomorrow. :) Our students will be here for a day-long finale to their 

              current clinical rotation. Since I am the administrative assistant who coordinates all 

              the details (scheduling, paperwork, certification, etc.) for the rotations, I must be 

              organized and ready! :) I field emails, organize files, complete forms, etc.

10:05AM Time for a cup of green tea and a snack! Plus a bathroom break!

10:20AM Back at it. Finalizing, posting, and emailing Information Sheets, printing and 
                organizing materials for upcoming Accreditation review, entering evaluation data 
                and scheduling information into our electronic tracking system students use while 
                on clinical rotations. Dealing with students' questions, email messages, etc.

12:58AM Hungry, but not too. Another cup of green tea and some crackers and cheese and
                homemade cream of asparagus soup! Yay! Short break. 

1:12PM More of the same work tasks from this morning. (Never done... Job security I 
              guess! :)) More emphasis on pulling reports from the electronic system this 
              afternoon and planning tasks for the student worker to complete next week. (Next 
              week will be quite a break. Only two faculty in, me, and our student worker during 
              her scheduled hours. It is Spring Break so no students to interrupt me! It should be 
              very productive!)

2:30PM Yipes! Meeting with the Clinical Coordinator to update the rotation schedule for the 
              next 5 months! 

3:30PM Return to office and take break to get more tea and eat some cottage cheese! :)

3:50PM Back at it! I feel as if the electronic files are NEVER fully organized, especially my 
              email folders! But that doesn't prevent me from persevering!

5:40PM Time for a restroom break and some more tea. I have about an hour to complete 
              all my tasks.

5:50PM Finishing the final list and emailing students.

7:00PM Done! On my way home. I could stop at the library to pickup a book I had on hold, 
              but I really just want to get home, especially since my husband is teaching this 
              evening and I want to feed the 'feline herd'!

7:45PM The fur-babies greet me at the door. They're ready for that second wet food 
              feeding of the day! I feed them, refill their dry food and water, and eat some yogurt. 
              Then...I have dessert! Ice cream! It is one of our absolute favorite foods! (I fully 
              admit that one of the advantages of an "empty nest" once my three children were 
              out on their own, is that I can eat whatever I want to eat whenever I want to eat it!) 
              I unload the cooler, change, and settle into my chair to read and blog.

8:30PM I finish the children's book I am reading for Bex's Re-Readathon--The Cay by 
              Theodore Taylor, and begin re-reading Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell for my 
              book club meeting this Saturday. This is an awesome book and I'm looking forward 
              to immersing myself in it tomorrow evening so I'll be ready for book club on 
              Saturday afternoon. (I read this at the end of 2014, so must refresh my 
              memory to enable discussion...since I'm old!) I also catch up on games on my 
              phone and complete my blog post/review of Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys, which
              is an absolutely amazing book that I believe everyone should read! :)

10:20PM My husband is home and we talk for a bit. I change and get ready for bed. 

10:55PM I am in bed, set my alarm, and snuggle in. 
               (A couple of felines come in to check on me!)

Not so interesting, but it's rather fun to write it all down, isn't it? 

Although our days seem mundane, really, we do accomplish a lot, don't we?

Now I'm anxious to read others' posts! 

A Re-Readathon!

This is a new one for me! A Re-Readathon! 

I really wanted to support this event that Bex of An Armchair by the Sea is hosting, but...

much as I wanted to participate, I realized my 'reading schedule' wouldn't permit me to fit in a reread or two during this time frame. 

But then I realized that one of those books on my "must-read by a certain date" list was Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell. This must be read by March 26, 

so that works out very well, since this will be my second time 

to read this absolutely wonderful book! (The above link is to my review.)

I. Cannot. Wait! 

I very seriously doubt I'll have time enough to reread any others, though I might manage to squeeze in a children's book or two...we shall see! :)

I have one that I just recently purchased for my grandkids that I want to re-read and review sitting next to me: The Cay by Theodore Taylor. 

I just remember reading this as a child and loving it. 

I am anxious to see what I think of it now...

The only thing I can honestly remember is surviving on the island.

How about you? What would you like to re-read?

If you can do it yet this month, you should register to participate in Bex's event!

Do you have one book you re-read periodically? 

Those Two Crazy Kids!

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

I had no real expectations when I started reading this book. In fact, I put off purchasing a copy to read for quite awhile and just kept wondering  about it, until...I...finally...succumbed... And I'm so very glad I did! My curiosity was well rewarded with this reading experience! For me, this story is all about acceptance and willingness to open ourselves to experiencing others just as they are... At least for this book, Rowell ranks right up there with John Green, in my opinion!

Eleanor had a very tough time during her life and survived and thrived despite many challenges. I, myself, was provided the basics and some extras throughout my childhood, so my heart hurt for the disparity Eleanor had to endure: no new clothes, nor even clothes that actually fit but were several sizes too large, no personal toiletry items, not even deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush... Nor the right to privacy while bathing, etc.! (There was no door on the one bathroom in the household, per her stepfather's demands. Now that's just creepy, in my opinion!) I have known children and adults who must endure despite similar deprivation, and that creates its own level of unhealthy stress, typically leading to emotional challenges and imbalances. Life is already tough enough, but such circumstances make it ever so much tougher! 

Additionally, it is so very difficult for her to reconcile her mother's apparent kindness and caring about her and her siblings with that same person's insistence to remain with a man who abuses her children in so many ways: negligence and certainly verbal and emotional abuse, at the very least. No child should be forced to live in such an environment! Research keeps proving that these other forms of abuse are just as harmful as physical abuse.Although the only person Richie appears to physically abuse currently is his wife/Eleanor's mother, there is always a threat of that same pain being inflicted upon the children, with Eleanor hinting at the possibility of sexual abuse, as she makes it obvious that she feels this could certainly be happening now or will more than likely occur in the future with her younger sister (remember the door-less bathroom...), hence her feeling of utter desperation to rescue her siblings from life with this man in his house. Yet, realistically, she cannot...

Although Eleanor did file a report to involve Child Protective Services, she was then sent to live elsewhere by her mother for a year as punishment. (And I suspect, to protect her from her stepfather's anger.) She was only allowed back in the house on condition that she never again report anything to anyone about their lives. As I read, it was difficult for me to imagine why this man kept this woman and her children with him. Although it had to be the power and control that he could wield daily; abusers are all about controlling and manipulating their victims.

This girl's life is rather obviously unlike that of children we typically know in the U.S. middle class, though I always wonder just how many of them are actually hiding similar deprivations and physical threats in their physical lives, so they can appear to be as "normal" as possible, and thereby hopefully "get along" in society at large. My heart goes out to them. For, as Harold states in The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce:

        The world was made up of people putting one foot in front of the other, and a life 
     might appear ordinary simply because the person living it had been doing so for a long 
     time. (58)

And so many times children simply learn to cope as best they can, particularly when living with an abuser in their own home. So never assume from appearances alone that anyone, particularly a child, has a "normal" life. Though Park has never endured any such deprivation as Eleanor, he still, as do all of us, must conquer his own demons, so to speak! And it is especially difficult to be a teenager, perhaps even more so in current times. (Though I'm convinced every generation feels they have it much worse than those in the past. :)) 

Park describes Eleanor's mismatched ill-fitting clothing and accessories (a dozen necklaces with a man's flannel shirt and "scarves wrapped around her wrists): 

     She reminded Park of a scarecrow or one of the trouble dolls his mom kept on her 
     dresser. Like something that wouldn't survive in the wild. (8)

As she stands in the aisle of the bus on her first day at this new school, trying to find an empty seat (since every student sitting alone in their seat had scooted over to prevent her from sitting with them), Park suddenly scoots over:

        "Sit down," he said. It came out angrily. The girl turned to him, like she couldn't tell 
     whether he was another jerk or what. "Jesus-fuck," Park said softly, nodding to the 
     space next to him, just sit down."
        The girl sat down. She didn't say anything--thank God, she didn't thank him--and she 
     left six inches of space on the seat between them.
        Park turned toward the Plexiglas window and waited for the world of suck to hit the 
     fan. (9)

I started loving Park at that very moment! And, the "bullies" who sat at the back of the bus left him/her alone at that time, although Park does consider all the alternatives to not sit with her, he finally relinquishes and accepts her continuing presence in his bus seat. The progression of their relationship is definitely unique and Park works hard to get her to open up with him at all. (This relates directly to the cover picture.) As Park begins to reach out to Eleanor, he must be creative, because Eleanor has learned to be as invisible as possible to the world even to her own "parents" in her own home! It is a strategy to help her survive with as little humiliation as possible. But Park finally gives up on his own strategy to "seem cool" and ignore Eleanor, as he reaches out in unique ways to communicate with and get to know her. 

     ...maybe...he just didn't recognize all those other girls. The way a computer drive will 
     spit out a disc if it doesn't recognize the formatting.
        When he touched Eleanor's hand, he recognized her. He knew. (72)

     Disintegrated.
        Like something had gone wrong beaming her onto the Starship Enterprise. 
        If you've ever wondered what that feels like, it's a lot like melting--but more violent.
        Even in a million different pieces, Eleanor could still feel Park holding her hand...
     She sat completely still because she didn't have any other option. She tried to 
     remember what kind of animals paralyzed their prey before they ate them...
        Maybe Park had paralyzed her with his ninja magic, his Vulcan handhold, and now he
     was going to eat her.
        That would be awesome. (72)

I believe these passages exemplify Rowell's writing expertise; to me, this felt so authentic and yet aptly expressed Park's feelings of love and fascination, as well as Eleanor's dry sense of humor. Rowell does a good job of exposing prejudices and discrimination, both as victims and perpetrators, as well as progress with some of the characters learning to overcome such beliefs and learn to get to know people for who they are. I LOVE THAT!!

Once upon a time, Park had a thing going on with the most popular, and perhaps meanest, girl in the neighborhood, Tina. She still had his mother cut and style her hair. He would ignore her come-ons...

        He didn't even think Tina really liked him, deep down. It was more like she didn't want 
     him to get over her. And not-so-deep-down, Park didn't want Tina to get over him.
        It was nice to have the most popular girl in the neighborhood offering herself to him 
     every now and then.
        Park rolled onto his stomach and pressed his face into his pillow. He'd thought he 
     was over caring what people thought about him. He'd thought that loving Eleanor 
     proved that.
        But he kept finding new pockets of shallow inside himself. He kept finding new ways 
     to betray her. (178)

Wow...he really is growing up! Good for him! I particularly loved the fact that Park fought for Eleanor's "honor" and didn't use his martial art moves, fearing he might severely hurt his opponent. And later he is aware of the ways in which he could actually kill Richie--he finds the man drunk and disoriented on his own lawn.

        She was tired of missing Park. She just wanted to see him. [...] Even if he had spent 
     his formative years tongue-kissing Tina. None of it was vile enough to make Eleanor 
     stop wanting him. (How vile would that have to be? she wondered.)
        Maybe she should just go over to his house right now and pretend that nothing had 
     happened. Maybe she would, if it weren't Christmas Eve. Why didn't Jesus ever work 
     with her. (186)

Indeed. This poor child had no one and nothing, other than Park. I adore Park's parents for helping him help her when she needed it most. I trust those three words were "I love you." If not, then all hope is lost...and I refuse to just give up on these two wonderful people!

Oh, really...if you haven't read this, you should! An excellent book! I will be reading some of her other books, too. How about you? Thoughts on Rainbow Rowell's writing? This book?