2008 started out as a bad news year. I’ve had news of friends and family members losing their jobs, serious illnesses within my extended family, and the death of a cousin who was so loved and will be deeply missed by many. All this bad news came while I, along with everyone around me, it seemed, fought off a miserable winter virus with chicken soup and hot tea. I spent the first month of 2008 just wishing things would get better for everyone who is having a bad time.
Having lived through similar challenges myself, it was not difficult for me to empathize with the troubles of my friends and relatives and to become sad when thinking about how quickly good times can turn bad. Sometimes I need to remind myself how important it is to be grateful for all the good in my life. A habit of gratitude enriches the good times and helps us through the tough times that are bound to come. In my volunteer work, I talk to folks who are in some very tough circumstances, and I’m constantly surprised by how cheerful, strong, and optimistic some are. Their gratitude, whether it is for a long life that was good most of the time, people who care, small everyday pleasures, or memories of loved ones who are gone, keeps them going and helps them find the joy in life underneath the sadness.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Saturday, February 16, 2008
California Dreamin'
Last Saturday evening, we watched a postcard-perfect, orange and purple sunset from Kincaid’s on Redondo Pier, while waves lapped over the breakwater and families leisurely strolled the boardwalk. It was enough to make me forget the 25-minute gridlock we had just escaped in the parking garage. That, in a nutshell, is why people love living in Southern California . . . and why they hate that so many other people love living in Southern California.
In the last several years, condos and town homes have sprung up on every inch of spare land in the South Bay, including industrial/commercial areas and former swamp land, bringing in more people and more cars. As a result, the once laid-back South Bay now has traffic that more resembles downtown LA. While I try to avoid the beach on weekends during the peak summer season, I sometimes forget that there are now so many locals who also want to take advantage of a sunny Saturday during the off-season.
I’m not complaining much, though. After all, it’s February, and most of the country is dealing with snow, ice, and floods while we complain that beach parking is too crowded! This is the good life, folks. (But don’t tell anyone; there are too many people here already.)
In the last several years, condos and town homes have sprung up on every inch of spare land in the South Bay, including industrial/commercial areas and former swamp land, bringing in more people and more cars. As a result, the once laid-back South Bay now has traffic that more resembles downtown LA. While I try to avoid the beach on weekends during the peak summer season, I sometimes forget that there are now so many locals who also want to take advantage of a sunny Saturday during the off-season.
I’m not complaining much, though. After all, it’s February, and most of the country is dealing with snow, ice, and floods while we complain that beach parking is too crowded! This is the good life, folks. (But don’t tell anyone; there are too many people here already.)
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Beyond Super Tuesday
Well, Super Tuesday is over and, thankfully, so are those endless Indian Gaming ads. Tom and I each voted for different candidates by mail-in ballot, and they both have dropped out, so we’re even.
Seriously, though, this election year we all have some critical choices to make, and no matter who wins, things are going to change. That’s exciting. I think everyone agrees there are many issues that urgently need to be addressed, including health care, the economy, Middle East policy, immigration, energy. My only hope is that all Americans vote with their heads and support the candidate whom they believe has the ideas and the leadership ability to get things done and solve these problems.
What a great country we live in to have such a diverse field of candidates to choose from! But in the end, gender, race, age, religion, or even political party should be irrelevant. The problems are complex, and Congress has been ineffective in solving them due to partisan bickering and political b-s. Our next president must be someone who can end the stalemate and start fixing what’s broken.
Seriously, though, this election year we all have some critical choices to make, and no matter who wins, things are going to change. That’s exciting. I think everyone agrees there are many issues that urgently need to be addressed, including health care, the economy, Middle East policy, immigration, energy. My only hope is that all Americans vote with their heads and support the candidate whom they believe has the ideas and the leadership ability to get things done and solve these problems.
What a great country we live in to have such a diverse field of candidates to choose from! But in the end, gender, race, age, religion, or even political party should be irrelevant. The problems are complex, and Congress has been ineffective in solving them due to partisan bickering and political b-s. Our next president must be someone who can end the stalemate and start fixing what’s broken.
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