Retrospect: The Good and the Needs Improved

Being involved in writing and editing means that criticism and comments are my constant companion. That being said, I really appreciate those who give me examples where I made mistakes, and where I was superb. I am grateful for people who honestly give me both kinds of comments. I need to know how to improve, and it's also very helpful to know when and how I did a great job along the way.

Super Mario Galaxy!

My roommates have some Nintendo games, so I like to play them when no one else is using the TV. One of my favorite games in the collection is the Super Mario Galaxy 2 game. I've played the first one, and I was interested to see how this one would be.

So, you're familiar with Mario, right? The iconic red mustached plumber that jumps on turtles and throws fireballs? Well, imagine him jumping from planet to tiny planet, jumping with gravity and antimatter. It's challenging! There are many nerve-wracking puzzles in the game, too! All in all, a fun ride. I'm grateful for the Nintendo people for coming up with such a creative, "out-of-this-world" game as this.

So Late...But It's Alright

I woke up so late that I missed my bus by a good hour. With school traffic, I was about 90 minutes late! I was so frustrated with myself, because I like to think that I'm a good employee.

But, I figured I could arrive early and/or stay late at the office until I've made up all the minutes I lost. True, today I lost time. But, looking at the week as a whole, I will be right on time. Things will work out, if I have patience. I am grateful for that.

Moving Wards, Moving Records

Every time a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints moves to a new place, they typically work with local church leaders to have their membership records moved into the new ward (congregation). That's what I took care of today. I am grateful for an easy process to move from one welcoming ward to another.

Family Together, Father's Blessings

It is a bit of a ritual in my family, and many other families I know, for the father to give a blessing, a kind of prayer over each of his children before a new school year. That happened with my family tonight. Even though I am not in school, I received a blessing all the same. Why not, right? I am always grateful for the times I get to spend with my family when we are all together, including these special moments when my dad asks the Lord to bless each of us in our individual, promising futures.

Emailing IT Help Desk

The other day, I sent a help request ticket to the IT/maintenance department at work, asking them to tighten a loose door handle. Today, I noticed it was fixed! I sent another ticket, thanking them. :)

However, IT responded by saying that they didn't fix it, some Good Samaritan must have done it, but they appreciated my gratitude.

You know, even so, I am very grateful for the people behind the help desk, whether they be IT, maintenance, or both, or other. They do great work.

Podcasts! West Wing! The Best of Everything!

I think I've said before how much I love the TV show The West Wing. I completed the show a couple of years ago now. Well, recently, someone told me about some podcasts they were listening to, and one of them was talking about West Wing! Former actors and other collaborators from the show talk about it! Can life get any better?! Now, I have something to listen to when I exercise!

I am grateful to learn about a podcast about my favorite TV show.

Complete What Matters

As happens too often, I haven't been able to complete all I wanted to complete today. But, I didi get some stuff done, and better yet, I got the most important things done (for example, giving loved ones a call). I am grateful that, of what I have accomplished today, I've done the things that matter the most to me.

Catching Up, Almost Finished!

For the past couple of months, I've been working on a personal project to catalog all of the music compositions and arrangements I have written. Recently, I've gotten way behind schedule, by a couple of weeks, actually. I was frustrated enough to pick back up where I left off and get caught up. I did the extra work tonight, just before writing this post. I am very close to finishing this project now.

I am proud to say I did it! I'll be going to bed a little later than I'd like, but I feel much better about the project, and even about myself! This inspires me to get caught up on a couple of other personal projects (journal and other personal history records) I've neglected recently.

Ever since I was young, I have often struggled to finish any self-regulated project. I am grateful that I am pressing forward on my current projects now.

Paris

I noticed a friend of mine recently visited the city of Paris. I've been there myself, over a decade ago. In its own way it is beautiful and charming. Though I know only a little French, I feel I am much more fluent in French appreciation. I am grateful for Paris, for the culture and beauty the whole city contributes to the world.

I've Been Welcomed

Another long day of moving things around from one living space to another. But, we got it all done! Now...I gotta unpack...ugh...

On the plus side, I've received a warm, friendly welcome to my new space. I am grateful for welcoming people in a new apartment complex.

I Can Make Fire...With Some Help!

Had a bonfire with family today. I always enjoy those. I was the most recent Boy Scout in the group, so people turned to me to start the fire (even though I only got up to the rank of Star). I got things set up, and with a little help (especially in operating a small lighter), we got a fire going! I am grateful that I know how to start a small, safe fire for family occasions like this. :)

My Home of Four Years

For the past four years (with the exception of that one semester in D.C.), I have lived in the same apartment complex. It has been good enough for me, and has served as a fantastic home during my college years. Now, I must move to my new living arrangement. I am grateful for my four-year home. Many lasting memories and friendships were made there. I will miss it for a little bit, but I am very excited for the adventures I can see in the months and years ahead.

Here's to another life chapter!

Roommate for 2016...So Far

Once again, I have been blessed to have become good friends with my roommate. Since it is not the interim between school semesters, he has left for home until school starts again. Though we will likely run into each other again, it's still a change, and I will be moving soon as well. Anyway, I'm grateful for a roommate and a friend I've known for the entirety of 2016 so far. I am grateful for his goodness and diligence. I am especially grateful for his friendship.

When I "Chews" to Wake Up

I was feeling so tired and sleepy today at work. I was really dozing off at my desk. So, I decided to go get some peppermint gum. Chewing the gum actually helped me stay awake! Who knew? I am grateful that I could "chews" to stay awake today.

Bus On Detour...No Problem

One of the buses routes I used today was on detour. I noticed the early left turn and wondered if I would be able to figure out when I should get off to get to my place. I soon got my bearings, and I was--and am--grateful that I'm familiar enough with the city that I didn't get lost.

Sharing Space

One of my roommates recently bought a really fascinating space exploration/survival game. I was so intrigued by it when I saw him play it. The video game looks and feels like a vivid dream. He was kind enough to let the rest of us play it if we wanted to.

And I wanted to.

I am grateful that my roommate was willing to share the space exploration experience with me.

Connecting with Old Connections

It's not something I'm in the habit of doing, keeping consistent contact with people who have moved on, away from me. But, it is refreshing to hear from a good friend. That's what happened to me today, an hour-long phone call from a friend I haven't seen in years. I am grateful I could connect with an old friend, an old connection, today.

Brazilian Grills

I very much enjoyed lunch at a Brazilian grill restaurant today. I appreciate the unique dining experience in such places. The diners are given unique control over when and what type of foods (mostly meats) they will have while they are there, while also favoring a diversity of flavors. I am grateful for Brazilian grills.

Engagements

Summer is beginning to end, and that means I've survived yet another torrent of engagement and wedding pictures/posts on social media. I am at that age where many of my friends are deciding that marriage is a great idea and sharing that with the internet.

But, I am grateful for engagements. The couple is happy, all their friends get to send their congratulations and best wishes, and I just generally see a lot of good that comes from them. I'll admit that these past few years I've felt frustrated at times to see so many people hop on the engagement and marriage train. But, I'd like to get there too someday, so someday I will be one of those people. Life goes on, and we continue to celebrate and congratulate on these happy occasions.

Michael Phelps

His collection of Olympic medals is incredibly impressive, but what impresses me the most is his story as I've heard it. Shortly after the 2012 Summer Olympics, Phelps got into trouble and found himself in some tough situations. The media reported how far he had fallen. Tonight, I watched him compete in his swimming events, a reformed man. He is, once again, the champion people knew from 2012.

This is just a high-profile example of how people can change for the better, how people can become their very best and recover from great setbacks. I am grateful for such human examples.

Who's On First?

This is, by far, my favorite comedy sketch of all time. I really enjoy other comedians: Bryan Regan, Studio C, and others, but this Abbott & Costello classic just gets me every time. I am grateful for "Who's On First?"

Headache and Tired Eyes

I had a lot of that today, especially at work. It was hard to focus and it felt like a very unproductive day. I decided I would try to rest my eyes on the bus ride after work. I wondered if these symptoms were the result of turning my eyes from one screen to another throughout the day yesterday. I felt better after I had some dinner and some shut-eye to rest and rejuvenate myself for the rest of the day. Strangely enough, I am grateful for the headache and tired eyes I had today, because such pain makes me aware of ways I can change my life for the better.

Collaborative Editing

Normally, we spend most of the work day in our individual cubicles. Silence is punctuated only by the sound of punched computer keys. This morning, however, for various reasons we spent a few hours working in pairs. During those hours. we were much more chatty and it was more enjoyable to work with someone else. We were all getting used to a new system and we were helping each other. I am grateful for collaborative editing. It was fun while it lasted. :)

The Joy of Teaching Someone A New Game

I enjoy teaching, especially if it involves teaching someone how to play a favorite game. I got to do that today. For several hours today, I got to teach a friend how to set up and play a role-playing game. It's always a blessing to share interests and hobbies. I am grateful for the experience of teaching someone a new game.

I Know My Limits

My original plan was to spend all day at an amusement park, but around dinnertime I felt exhausted. I decided, along with the friends I was with, to call it a day earlier than expected. It was still a wonderful and enjoyable day. I am grateful that I can be aware of my own limits and act accordingly.

Olympics!

They're finally here! I will confess, it's not likely that I will actually see much of the Olympics this year. I don't really have my own TV, and I've never been a follower of sports. But I've always loved what the Olympics represent. I especially love the amazing opening and closing ceremonies.

Also, my office had Office Olympics and each team was assigned a country. I represented France today in a friendly competition of Table Tennis. France didn't win anything today...

I am grateful for the Olympics! There is so much good that can come and does come from it.

Audiobook Actors

What exactly do you call those people who speak in audiobooks? Book tellers? Book speakers? Book voice actors? I think actors fits the bill here. I've tried my hand at it myself, and it is quite difficult! I find myself stumbling over words and correcting myself. Hardest of all is the need for water. Your throat dries out, and you need to stop...but you want to keep reading and acting because it's so enjoyable...

I have great appreciation and respect for audiobook actors. I'm grateful for them.

Writing Groups

Besides a few writing classes in college, I've never been part of a writing group before...until now. I'm excited about it! As part of such a group, I get to read, write, and edit fiction! I get to grow a little in a field I enjoy! There is something special and fulfilling about being part of a group of people that can create awesome things. I am grateful for writing groups.

Family Bonding: A Friendly Family Feud Over Netflix

My family shares one Netflix account, and Netflix only allows two users in that account on at one time. For the past couple of days, I was involved in some enjoyable text message conversations in which one person would say, "Hey, who's hogging the Netflix?" and we'd all admit it and let others go on, and so forth. I admit I was part of the problem because I was indulging in one episode after another of Top Gear. But, who am I to take all the Netflix space?

This never became a fight, but a delightful and open discussion about coordinating our times so we don't step on each other's "nets" as we get our internet TV "fix." I dare say this is yet one other thing our family enjoys bonding over, even with the distances that currently separate us. I am grateful for a friendly, family feud over Netflix. (I think "feud" is a strong word here, but it starts with "f," I absolutely adore alliteration!)

Those "Dolly Levi" People

Do you have a "Dolly Levi" or a "Yente" or a Jane Austen "Emma" among your friends and associates? These are the kinds of people that like to be matchmakers. I don't know exactly what it is about these people who like to try to arrange people's lives, but they exist, to the annoyance or enjoyment of their friends and family. I've met a few of them. One of them even set me up on a blind date a year ago. I think there is something endearing about these people because, if their heart is right, they only want to see people happy. I am grateful for people who try to help other people to become happy.