20 May 2006

Palabras de ?Sabiduria? to the Princess

This weeks List Friday Challenge from Mrs Pom:
***She, "the Princess Graduate," could use a good list of reasons to be glad that college is over and life is beginning.
So for List Friday, please write a list of sound/funny/silly/advice for college graduates. What would you do again or wish you had done or would never do again?***

Well, much of what I did worked OK for me but I don’t know as I would advise others to follow my course. Obviously, if I knew then what I know now there would be much done differently but I will say that I learned many valuable lessons from the paths I chose. So, without further ado I will attempt to compile a list of “winsome, witty AND wise” things that I could have benefited from hearing upon graduation from college.

1. Don’t rush into anything. There’s plenty of time. Since you have the benefit of a peaceful home, use it to meditate on the possibilities available to you without having to be immediately immersed into the stress of supporting yourself and adjusting to a new life all by yourself.
2. If there is a significant other in the picture, consider carefully how much they affect any long-term decisions you make. (I did not do this.)
3. If you have any dreams, don’t feel they need to be fulfilled overnight but think about them and what direction you should be pointed in order to get there some day. In my case, I didn’t have any dreams that I was aware of. (Sounds like I was sort of shallow, huh?) In retrospect, though, my dream was to be self-sufficient, not having to depend on others for anything. Unconsciously I sauntered toward that end and eventually felt pretty self-sufficient- only to realize that maybe that really wasn’t my dream after all. Depending on others is an art I have only recently discovered the benefit of. (Even though you can do something "better" doesn't mean someone else doesn't have anovel slant to the task, right?) Still trying to cultivate the ability to practice this quality.
4. Until 20 years ago I didn’t realize either, the value of having God involved in all my decisions. I believed in God and was brought up to know the difference between right and wrong but when it came right down to it-when I would consider my steps- I didn’t even have a fleeting thought as to how God would feel about it. Often I made good decisions by chance but could have alleviated much heartache if I meditated on how my actions would affect God.
5. Don’t take yourself too seriously.

6. Attempt to be balanced.
7. Listen to all opinions but follow your own after careful thought.

I just read some of the other lists and wish I had read them when I graduated. I'd like to read a list from Mrs Staggs whose insight I adore. And Mrs. Pom...your advise is as sage and practical and at the same time feeling and loving. Maybe different advise than what you may have given when we made the step to graduation ourselves but I sense the same qualities behind the words.

12 May 2006

Bloomin' List Friday

  • There's no way to keep this list to ten. Mrs. Pom evidently was in the same quandry so decided to expand her list. I don't even know if I have only one favorite TYPE of garden. I do love those Victorian cottage gardens but am always drawn to the impossible to duplicate beauty of a Japanese garden. Then there's the geometric uniqueness of the English garden complete with topiary and loaded with round and square box elders.
    I get particular joy from flowers that are difficult for me to grow. They have differed over the years as varied climates I've lived in changed the species that were difficult. However the dainty
    Clematis vine is one I've always had difficulty with and each time they exude a flower from their delicate vine I get a lump in my throat.
    Purple irises also thrill me, especially when they first begin to bloom and the little purple heads just peep out of the strong, tall stems. I also love the smooth, porcelain-like bark of the
    Crepe Myrtle and it's tender clusters. Along around March, Texas splendor appears in the fragrant
    Mountain Laurels. They line my driveway and the perfume is intoxicating every time you walk outside.

    Receiving very honorable mention (no pics available) are:
  • Pansies, johnny-jump-ups, violas, with their perky colorfulness. The stoney look of
  • Hens and chicks. The fragrant, discreet flowers of the
  • Mock Orange shrub. The summer blooming
  • Fire Bush and it's red trumpet-like flowers and the papery bracts of the
  • Bouganvilla. And finally, #10, the tropical look of the
  • Hibiscus, in it's array of assorted colors and varieties.

I'm not at all sure these are my favorites but I do like 'em! And this list has done it's job because thinking of them has kept a smile on my face the whole time I've been trying to recall each beautiful one. Except for the moments, three to be exact, where the blogger program glitched and I had to start over.

06 May 2006

List Friday

Too busy to post this on Friday so here's my list on Saturday:
OK Mrs Pom, here's my faves from yesteryear:

(Remember that teen years are long and many changes occur from 13 to 19 so what I hated or liked at 13 often changed drastically when I was 19)

  • a tweed, green mini skirt. It first belonged to my MOM but once she grew into the size I have now grown into, she passed it on to me. In 9th grade I would wear it at least once a week but would have to roll up the waist once I left the house. Then I'd roll it back down once I got home.
  • cut off jeans and jean shorts.
  • Platform shoes, real high. I'm still only 5 foot tall so I still like high shoes, although now I prefer a thinner heel.
  • Clogs. I love how you can just slip them on, no straps to buckle or laces to tie. Am I lazy or what?
  • Danskin leotard, off the shoulder with no bra.
  • My SUNY college gym shorts. My daughter is still wearing them and recently commented on their deplorable condition. Not bad though for being 32 years old.
  • Peasant blouses and ruffled peasant skirts. I still like them.

I'll probably think of more later but that's all I can think of now.