Jeff and I went to Branson last week for a family reunion. Have you ever been there?
It is a throwback to the '70s. Lots of shows, Dixie Stampede, family-oriented activities, and lots more super fun things to do. We liked it well enough, especially seeing the group "Six."
Boy, that brings me back. I fell asleep in the first half and couldn't sit still for any portions I was awake. It was two hours of beat-boxing torture. Talented guys, sure, but not my cup of tea.
Another highlight of the trip was seeing real, wild foxes everywhere around our hotel/resort. Can't recall seeing one before this. I also loved the 100-degree, worse-than-Houston heat. And the crazy WOD (code for CrossFit workout of the day) that Jeff, his brother Ryan and I did. It involved three 2.5-minute rounds of running up a super steep, long hill (our car struggled to scale it, let alone our legs), then finishing the time with push-ups the first round, air squats the second round and back extensions the third round. I think I actually mixed up the push-ups/squats/back extensions, but you get the picture. We also went boating. I really loved boating. It was my first time on a boat ever, except for fishing boats. We went tubing too! Jeff and I rode together. He tried to stand up a few times and fell off. He also let me push him off one time, which was fun.
I loved spending time with Jeff's family, especially our niece and nephews. Our little nephew Paxton loves me so much! He kept saying "Eesa, Eesa!" when he would see me. And when he wouldn't. Nothing makes me feel more special than a little kid's affection. (Is that weird?)
I have pictures, but somehow I managed to have a weird look on my face in all of them. Next time, I guess.
The best part of the trip for me was definitely going to St. Louis. We spent time with Jeff's grandma, who I've decided is my surrogate Grandma Betty. She is so sweet. Does justice and more to all a grandma should be. Of course, being back in my mission stomping grounds is revitalizing enough. It was so good to see people I taught, see them strong in the gospel. I loved being a missionary!!! Again, I wish I had more pics. Jeff and I aren't picture-type people, I guess.
Jeff takes the GMAT this Thursday. Everyone say a prayer for him please!!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Changes
Last night, Jeff and I went with some friends to Miller Outdoor Theater. It's a huge, obviously outdoor theater here in Houston that puts on free shows for anyone who wants to come. We've seen the Houston Symphony, Chinese Acrobats, Houston Grand Opera Company, Houston Ballet Company, and countless other shows. Last night we saw Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew." It was a great show. Well staged, well acted, well done overall. But this isn't what I want to write about.
As we headed back to our car, we were followed by a young man and his date, who were engaged in a "deep" conversation about Shakespeare, his time period, and themes from the play. The guy apparently loved to hear himself talk, based on some of his inane comments. Such as this: "Some people argue that the British thought the Italians had a glamorous lifestyle, so that's why all of Shakespeare's plays take place in Italy." Or this gem: "The Taming of the Shrew brings up so many human elements and questions. Like, can people change? Is change possible?"
Yes, we were chuckling at him. (Can you blame us?)
Fast forward 22 hours and I'm thinking about change. How ridiculous that guy's scholarly diatribe was. But mainly how I've changed. The terms I would use to define myself today are wholly different than those I would have used five years ago. Even three years ago. Even one year ago!!!
I hear all the time, from co-workers largely, but also from what little TV I watch, that change isn't possible. "That's just the way I am," people say. Lady Gaga preaches we're "Born This Way" and Ke$ha or whoever sings that dumb song says "We are Who We Are." I don't know how anyone can believe this though, because it's not true.
We are all completely in control of who we are. Some people are dealt worse hands in life than others, but we can effect change in our lives in so many ways.
One of my former CrossFit trainers, who competed this weekend in the CrossFit Games, (and ranked in 28th place--INCREDIBLE results for anyone, let alone a first time Games competitor and for someone who's been CrossFitting for only about 18 months) once said, "If you want something bad enough, you'll do it," or something like that. In my experience, he is 100% right.
I sometimes see inconsistencies in myself, and in others, where we say we want something but put forth no effort to get it. Maybe we're lazy. Maybe we lack the know how. Or maybe we really just don't want it all that much.
I'm not going to list all the ways I've changed on here because I think I talk enough about how much I love CrossFit and eating Paleo in daily life so my blog doesn't need to hear about it too. Just know that I will never buy the excuse "I can't" because what you really mean is "I don't really want to." So own it!
At the end of the day (and the end of this rant), I truly believe we can be anything, any way, and anyone we want to be, if we want it badly enough. We can change ourselves--our bodies, our minds, our spirits--if we want it badly enough.
And don't let anyone tell you otherwise!!
As we headed back to our car, we were followed by a young man and his date, who were engaged in a "deep" conversation about Shakespeare, his time period, and themes from the play. The guy apparently loved to hear himself talk, based on some of his inane comments. Such as this: "Some people argue that the British thought the Italians had a glamorous lifestyle, so that's why all of Shakespeare's plays take place in Italy." Or this gem: "The Taming of the Shrew brings up so many human elements and questions. Like, can people change? Is change possible?"
Yes, we were chuckling at him. (Can you blame us?)
Fast forward 22 hours and I'm thinking about change. How ridiculous that guy's scholarly diatribe was. But mainly how I've changed. The terms I would use to define myself today are wholly different than those I would have used five years ago. Even three years ago. Even one year ago!!!
I hear all the time, from co-workers largely, but also from what little TV I watch, that change isn't possible. "That's just the way I am," people say. Lady Gaga preaches we're "Born This Way" and Ke$ha or whoever sings that dumb song says "We are Who We Are." I don't know how anyone can believe this though, because it's not true.
We are all completely in control of who we are. Some people are dealt worse hands in life than others, but we can effect change in our lives in so many ways.
One of my former CrossFit trainers, who competed this weekend in the CrossFit Games, (and ranked in 28th place--INCREDIBLE results for anyone, let alone a first time Games competitor and for someone who's been CrossFitting for only about 18 months) once said, "If you want something bad enough, you'll do it," or something like that. In my experience, he is 100% right.
I sometimes see inconsistencies in myself, and in others, where we say we want something but put forth no effort to get it. Maybe we're lazy. Maybe we lack the know how. Or maybe we really just don't want it all that much.
I'm not going to list all the ways I've changed on here because I think I talk enough about how much I love CrossFit and eating Paleo in daily life so my blog doesn't need to hear about it too. Just know that I will never buy the excuse "I can't" because what you really mean is "I don't really want to." So own it!
At the end of the day (and the end of this rant), I truly believe we can be anything, any way, and anyone we want to be, if we want it badly enough. We can change ourselves--our bodies, our minds, our spirits--if we want it badly enough.
And don't let anyone tell you otherwise!!
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