Achieving My Childhood Dreams

I am sitting in my room getting everything together to head to Livingston for a funeral tomorrow. My best friend's mother died Saturday night. Between that and reading "The Last Lecture" I have been thinking a lot about life lessons and leaving a legacy.

I watched the video of Randy Pausch's "Last Lecture" several months ago and awaited the book in my stocking. (I was with my mother when she bought it.) I have truly been inspired by the book to think about my life and my own dreams - not for what I can do for myself, but what my life will mean for others.

I have achieved many of my dreams already, but I sit here today and wonder if I fully understood what those opportunities meant. Did I fully appreciate the experience of achieving my dreams? I don't know - lots of journal entries logged in the past couple of days.

For my blog readers I will include a list of my childhood dreams (not yet achieved):

• Graduate with my PhD (or EdD)
• Become a News Anchor (I could really care less about this dream these days)
• Visit New York City
• Publish a book
• Own a house
• Be a wife and mother (although not yet achieved I have had the opportunity to love on and care for a number of children)

For the most part my childhood dreams are pretty blah, but I do hope that I will take some time to examine how I go about accomplishing these things in my life. I also hope that I take the time to step back from my dreams and help others achieve their personal dreams.

Take some time to check out the video or read the book - very good! www.thelastlecture.com

Christmas Vaca Quick Update

Just a quick update from the FABULOUS Christmas break! I would like to start off by saying I left work Friday afternoon, December 18, around 12:45 and did not return until yesterday morning. (Have I told you that I like this new gig?)

I had a wonderful time in Livingston visiting the fam. My nephews are getting so grown up and it was great seeing them. Little Roper is just precious! I got to love on him so much! Basically my week was just spent catching up with old friends and hanging out with the fam. I spent hours snuggled under a blanket and watching NCIS and Criminal Minds marathons. I cross-stitched things for my grandmothers and great aunt for Christmas. It was all pretty mindless and restful.

Christmas traditions are not really traditions anymore. Too many others things going on. That makes me a little sad around the holidays, but life goes on I guess. I was abundantly blessed with presents. I got a camera and an electric toothbrush - which is my favorite. I got money from grandparents and other relatives, which was given as a gift to the family of my compassion child. I am so blessed to be in a life stage where I can pretty much buy whatever I want. It is wonderful - and stressful at the same time. I don't want to become consumed with things and forget the actual needs people have. I don't ever want to take for granted what is given to me - I sometimes remind myself of that 3 and 4 times daily.

I went to Austin to visit Courtney on Monday and got to see the capitol. (I also learned when to use capitol vs. capital - thanks to the Texas History teacher herself!) On the way home I visited some peeps in College Station and got to stock up on some new A&M gear. (Jenny - the 2014 shirts reminded me of you and made me cringe a little bit - that is 11 years past when I graduated - YIKES.)

I came back to Houston for New Year's Eve and hung out with The Wilson and Blazine Clan. We had a super fun evening. I am a little old for NYE I guess - I was asleep on the couch before 11:00. I slept and lazed around most of the day Friday.

Saturday/Sunday I crashed the outlet malls and got a new purse and a cute new dress! I also got to spend some wonderful quality time with an old friend. :) It was a perfect ending for my holiday!

Vaca Movie List:
Sherlock Holmes
Up In The Air
Nine
Did You Hear About the Morgans
It's Complicated

*I wasn't super impressed with any of them!*

Peanut Update: Things aren't looking up for my sweet girl. She will be having her surgery (which I said I was not going to do - but you see how far that got me) in 2 weeks. She is still on a no stair policy. They will be watching to see if the disc will go back in place - if it pops out of socket things are not good AT ALL!

BIG NEWS for 2010: I have officially decided to buy a house this year! I had my first conversation with my financial planner. I am excited and scared all at the same time!