Don't Worry, Be Happy!

Worry.  To feel uneasy or concerned about something; be troubled.

I think everyone has something they worry about.  It's hard not to worry about something at some point during your life. Earlier in the month I posted about how silly it can be to worry about something you have no control over- like the weather.  Something else I have thought about that you have very little control over is what people think of you and about you.  Unfortunately, people can think some pretty horrible things about others and be very critical of the way you do things, what you wear, and why you are the way you are.  And there are some people who just don't care what they say and speak up about those things that they are thinking (they obviously didn't get raised with my mom's best advice).  I don't know what is worse- knowing exactly what someone thinks of you because they blabbed their big mouth about their [inappropriate and unnecessary] thoughts or wondering what others are thinking about you.

If you tend to be a bit of a "people pleaser", you might find yourself worrying far too much about what others think.  For those of you who consider themselves a "people pleaser", do you find yourself worrying more about what the people who matter are thinking (friends, family, loved ones) or do you find yourself worrying more about those people that don't really matter in your life's bigger picture (co-workers, strangers, enemies)?  If your answer is that you worry more about what the people who don't really matter worries you more, then you might want to consider working on training your brain to think differently.

I really think that when push comes to shove I would be far more disappointed in myself if I knew that those close to me were thinking poorly of me more than those who I interact with minimally.  But what helps me do this?  A lot of inner dialogue.  If I have a time where I feel insecure and find myself ruminating over the thoughts running through a person's head, I try to stop myself and say: 1) Does what I am worrying about have a bigger impact on my life?  2) Will I be thinking about this in a couple of days?  3) Does this person's opinion about me make me feel like I need to reflect and make changes about myself?  4) What power does this person's opinion have over my total life?  If I answer mostly "no" do those questions, it's pretty safe to assume that it might be worth considering what possible bad thoughts the person could have about me and then move on from them. 

It is important to challenge yourself to figure out what your strengths and weaknesses are and others can help you figure those out.  In the grand scheme, though, only challenge yourself if you are going to make some really good self-improvements.  Otherwise, be comfortable with who you are and accept that you have very little control over what people think about you.  Do what you can to make a positive impression, but don't tire yourself with it.  Try thinking more positively about others too!  Maybe that will help you feel better about yourself if you aren't so critical of others.

You have bigger things to worry about.  At the end of the day, what matters is that the people you love and care about know and understand who you are. 

Just Smile

How often do you smile and say hello to the people you run into everyday?  Are you one that looks at the ground and avoids eye contact with the person you're passing?  There's no need to stop and strike up a conversation with every single person you pass, obviously.  How much effort does it take to at least smile, though?  Not much at all!

When I'm walking around campus I find myself doing a lot of smiling and saying hello.  Some of it is because I'm not always sure if it is someone I should recognize, if they live in my building, etc.  I figure I'm safe if I smile at everyone.  Who knows, doing that might make someone's day and they might begin to pass it along to the next person.

To be honest, one thing that irks me is when I outright say hello when passing someone in a small hallway and I don't even get a nod.  I think it's almost human instinct to reciprocate the behavior.  Now, I understand not everyone is comfortable looking at strangers let alone speaking to them, so I try not to let it bother me too much.

The other day I was at Christmas Tree Shops.  As I was gathering my bags at the cash register, the man in line behind me (who was having quite a hearty conversation with someone he seemed to know) looked at me and said "have a nice day, miss!".  I was quite surprised!  I smiled, thanked him and said "you too!".  Shopping experiences would be so much more enjoyable if people were more like that and less likely to grumble about the annoyances in life.  His simple "have a nice day" made my day and got me thinking about how simple it is to be a kind and decent human being.

How often do I get a nasty look from someone at Walmart when our carts almost collide leaving an aisle?  It's pretty bad, actually.  It's not like I'm the first one to almost run them down with my cart.  And I'm sure they too have almost run into someone.  No need to sneer at me.  I almost always smile, laugh, and say sorry!  And I will continue to do this until traffic lights are installed at the end of the aisles.  I encourage you to do the same.  It's really not the end of the world.

Culture has a huge influence on the way that people are with others, right down to personal space.  Typically, in the American culture a handshake is enough.  If I don't know you then don't even think about coming up to me and hugging me.  But how many people out there aren't lucky enough to have someone to hug them when they are feeling down and had a bad day?  I know a simple hug can sometimes make you feel better.  Touch is something that humans need to experience.  I find it interesting, though, that someone offering free hugs on the street can be viewed as controversial.  Granted, our minds always go straight to the worst...is he a killer, is he going to stab me, is he going to grab me and kidnap me?  It is sad that it's come to that.

So, if you don't want to make someones day by holding up a sign giving out free hugs, the very least you can do is smile when you walk by someone.

I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends

The Beatles said it best.

I need some help.  I would like to sell my photography and related projects.  I have had some recent success in word of mouth, etc but I would like to be able to set something up online where people could, at the very least, order their own prints without having to go directly through me.  Ultimately, I'd also like people to be able to purchase any projects (framed pieces, magnets, etc) that I do.  I also don't want to have to spend a ton of money.  I have thought about e-bay and have done a few searches for some ways to sell prints, but they have either been too expensive for me to subscribe to or people would pay a ridiculous amount for something as small as 4x6.

I started up this blog as a way to get myself out there a little bit more.  I have a great time doing it!  As a result more and more people are becoming aware of me and my work.  If you have any thoughts, tips, suggestions, please leave me a comment.  I believe I have my settings so anyone can comment, so please...lend me some help!

No words of wisdom from me today.  I have some topics building up in my head.  I'm hoping you can provide me with some wisdom today!  Thanks!


P.S. Don't forget to check out my Flickr page to see pictures I don't include on my blog!  There's lots on there.  Anything you see is available for purchase or we can talk and I can do a project for you!  Pictures of my projects coming soon!

Think Whatever You Want...Just Don't Say It

When it comes to our competition, why is it we always fight dirty?  Why do we always identify what is wrong with the other person?  Why not focus on why we are the better option?  Why do so many people talk negatively about others?  Why not focus on the positive things?  Why are we so judgmental?

We are well into campaign season for the upcoming November elections.  Any time you turn the television on you are likely to see some form of campaign commercial.  I honestly can't think of a single campaign commercial that I have seen where I heard all about what the candidate is going to do if elected.  Instead, they dig up the nastiness that their opponent has in their closet...lies they have told, things that they have which don't add up, why their ideas are awful.  It's tiring to listen to all of them.  Just once I'd like to just hear the positive reasons for why I should vote for the candidate.

How often do you find yourself slamming your opponent?  Whether it is a co-worker you're neck in neck with for attention, your competition for a position, the "other" person that your romantic interest talks to, or someone someone who might do something better than you...do you find the faults of that other person and/or their work?

Something I would like to try to do more is focus on solely what makes me the better option when I feel like I'm in a situation where a choice has to be made.  I might quietly consider the faults of the other person, but anything I say out loud should be positive things about me.  I challenge you to do the same.  It's not easy.  Sometimes it could be a little more fun to discuss the faults of the other person, but focusing on what makes you the better option will be more rewarding in the end.

I always try to find the good in others.  I'm the kind of person who will give someone the benefit of the doubt, come up with excuses for a negative behavior, or justify why someone did what they did.  It's not always a strength, but I think it makes me feel more human.  I know that I would like to think that people I interact with would do that for me, so I try to do it for others.  Give it a try sometime.

While growing up, my mom always told me to "think whatever you want, just don't say it".  This is something I try to live by and I wish more people did.  Maybe better things will happen in your life.  After all, positivity breeds positivity, right?

Love Like You've Never Been Hurt

"Love like you've never been hurt". 

Easy to say. Hard to do sometimes, but well worth it.  No use in dwelling on the past.  Better to learn from the past and move forward.  You'll be better for it.  I think it's important to follow your heart, trust your intuition, and use your head.  Your heart is almost always right.  Listen to it.  It's important to factor logic in with matters of the heart, but the heart wants what it wants. 

Laughter

Laughing is good for you.  Do it everyday.  It can feel so good to just let go and laugh.

Laugh at yourself.  If you can't laugh at yourself, what can you laugh at?  Sometimes I think I find myself laughing at myself more than anything else.  I laid in bed the other morning, not wanting to leave the warmth of the blankets, making bird noises and laughing like a fool at the fact I was making bird noises.  I promise that I have maintained my sanity.  I think back to a time that went running (while brushing my teeth) to let my sister into the building, slipped on a freshly mopped floor, and gracefully fell to my knees, then my stomach.  I made a thud.  I laid there on my stomach and laughed for a bit, my sister completely confused about what was going on.  It still makes me laugh.  Someone asked if I was ok after I got up.  So much less embarrassing to sit there and laugh it off than to get all angry and upset.

Laugh at something you are watching.  A typical Saturday night routine for me is to turn on Saturday Night Live for a bit before going to bed.  I'm not the biggest SNL fan, but from time to time there is a pretty good skit on there that gets the best of me.  That happened this Saturday.  The skit about hair restoration was, in my opinion, one of the funniest they've had in awhile.  I sat there and laughed and giggled.  It's up there with the Oops I Crapped My Pants skit from a few years ago.  The best part is how serious they are...just like the real commercials.

Laugh with someone else.  I encourage you to not to laugh AT someone, but to laugh with someone.  Sometimes it's hard to not laugh about something that happened to another person, but making sure they are laughing first can save you some possible tears and an argument. Once you know it's ok to laugh, let it out!  It's contagious.  The more you laugh the more the other person will laugh, which will make you laugh even more.  Laugh until you cry.  Pay attention to your friend's laugh...how funny is it when they reach that uncontrollable laugh....do they snort, squeak, gasp for air, slap their leg, get horribly loud?

Laughter is great medicine.  And it's cheap.  Everyone can do it.  If you're having a so-so day, find something you know will make you laugh and do that.  It will help improve your mood!  It'll work those muscles in your abs, diaphragm, back, and shoulders.  Laughing even burns calories!  Best of all, laughing is so much better than complaining and being negative.  It can help lift any emotional stress you are under.

Laugh.  Here...I'll get you started: laugh out loud funny.

Have it Your Way

Burger King tells me that I can "have it my way".  Yay!  Thank goodness I can get food just the way I want it.  But wait...shouldn't this almost always be the case?  I don't grow my own fruits and vegetables or have cattle, so I only have so much control over my food, but I get quite a bit of control over what I am eating.  You can too.  How?  Don't go out to eat as much and buy less pre-made items.

According to an article about eating out, about half of our food consumption is "away from home food".  HALF.  According to the same study, about 38% of 700 consumers living in New Jersey eat out once a week.  25% eat out 2-3 times a week.  Only 10% claim to eat out almost every day.  Based on my own observations, listening to people talk about what they have done over the last few days, I feel like more people eat out more than once a week.  Why eat out so much?

This guy would have to forage for his food in the wild.  We've got it easy.

As I'm sure you have noticed, I blame a lot of the changes in the American culture on this belief that there just isn't enough time in a day to get everything done.  Now if I believed this, why would I want to take the time to go get groceries, put them away, figure out what I want to eat, and then (gasp!) take the time to actually make it?  That's a whole lot of time that I could probably be doing something else.  Probably easier to just run through the drive thru at a local fast food joint (which, I admit, I did on Monday because I didn't feel like making anything when I got back from my Fillmore Glen trip), or take an hour or so and go to a tasty sit-down restaurant.  But what about that dreaded wait if the place is busy?  Talk about wasted time.

What else is to blame?  Some people just lack the skills to throw some ingredients together and create something edible let alone tasty.  I would describe myself more as a baker than a cook.  I do not possess the skills to mix ingredients together all on my own and make something that I can eat and enjoy.  But give me a recipe for about anything and we're talking!  I actually just got done making some homemade Rice Krispie Treats...which, in my opinion, are a million times tastier and fresh than the pre-made store bought ones.

When was the last time you had a nice sit down meal with your entire family?  Considering I do not live at home with my family anymore it was some time ago, but when I do go home we will most likely be sitting down at the table and eating together.  We're even likely to wait until my sister to get home around 7 and have her join us (a typical dinner time would be between 5-6).  It makes me sad to think that so many American families no longer sit down and enjoy each others company, talking about their days at school, work, or at home.  I even saw a commercial the other day for some kind of ready-made dinner (or something of the sort) that was giving tips on how to have a good family dinner (turn off that TV).  Last time I checked, it was pretty common sense on how to have a family dinner.  I was a spoiled child, especially in comparison to many others out there.  My mom, known as the barefoot baker in our house, always made sure we had some tasty homemade treat to eat in our lunches that we brought to school and my dad brought to work.  Even to this day, I know I can count on going home and there will be at least a container of brownies and usually another thing of some homemade cookies.  I would take home-baked treats any day over Chips Ahoy, Oreos, and the cute little Keebler Elf.  Growing up, my mom made my lunch for me to take to school and always included a little note.  Meals were always when dad got home and we always sat at the table.  As a result, I have a strong relationship with my mom, dad, and sister, did well in school, made mostly good choices all through college, and now live a happy and balanced life as an adult.  I was absolutely thrilled when I met my boyfriend and found out his family was the same way and still is!  Anytime we visit there, we have some sort of home-cooked meal, eating it together at the table.

I am very glad the feminist movement happened.  I love that I can hold a job and have a job in a leadership role.  I enjoy my right to vote.  I am glad that I am not expected to stay at home and be "barefoot and pregnant".  So don't get me wrong about what I'm saying next.  I believe that the fact that so many mothers now have full time jobs heavily contributes to the fact that meals are grab and go.  By the time that both mom and dad get home after a long day at work, who wants to slave in the kitchen?  Instead it's here kids, have some Chinese tonight! I'm sure you can tell that I grew up with a stay at home mom.  For most of my childhood she stayed home and worked her booty off making a great home for her family.  Despite the fact that society almost seems to frown upon this "old-fashioned" idea of mothers staying at home, I consider myself the luckiest child growing up and to this day.

Even if you spend your days working, it's still possible to make yourself something tasty.  I currently have a boneless pork roast in my slow cooker, covered in Dinosaur BBQ sauce that has been cooking all day.  All I had to do was spend about $8 at Price Chopper for the pork, $2.50 for a pack of 6 Kaiser rolls, and around $3.50 for the BBQ sauce.  I could have pinched a few more pennies by opting for the non-Dinosaur BBQ brand of BBQ sauce.  You might think this sounds pricey when you add it up, but it's not.  I can easily get 6 Pulled Pork sandwiches out of the $14 I spent.  That's about $2.30 per sandwich.  And the best part?  I got it yesterday before it got cold, rainy, and windy.  I don't even have to go outside to eat it.

Something else that I will probably make over the course of the weekend is some Baked Macaroni and Cheese.  Mmm, my mouth waters just thinking about it!  Most of the ingredients I already have on hand...flour, margarine, salt, pepper, and milk.  I just have to get a box of pasta (88 cents) and 2 blocks of cheese ($2-4/block, depending on brands/sales).  It takes about a half hour to make the cheese sauce.  But once I do that I just have to heat my oven to 375 degrees and pop it in for a half hour.  You can do this too!  On Sunday, get the macaroni and cheese all made, cover it, and toss it in the fridge.  Now all you need to do when you get home is throw it in the oven!  And you don't have to deal with the lines and people.

One other great thing about cooking at home is having a lot of control over the ingredients going in.  I can use low-fat milk in my macaroni and cheese instead of whole.  I can put in as much salt as I want to.  I could use only organic if I choose.

If you are looking to save on some money, eat healthier, build better relationships with your family, or spend some more time relaxing try making your own food at home.  Have your spouse and kids help out with cooking and setting the table.  It's a great bonding time.  Get everyone involved in the clean up efforts too!  If you happen to be single, still prepare the food and then you have all sorts of left overs for other meals throughout the week (think spaghetti and meatballs tonight, a meatball sandwich tomorrow).  Just take some time to think about what you'd like to have for your meals (time you'd spend looking over a menu), make a list for grocery shopping (time waiting for the food to be made), and make a visit to the grocery store (time spent waiting in line at a restaurant).  The time you take to make a list will help cut down on the time you need in the store.  Then all you need to do is store your groceries and then prepare your meals!  Not so bad.  Plus, you'll burn some calories walking around the store, putting your goods away, and then making the food.  It's a win/win situation. 

Burger King is right.  You can totally have it your way.  And you don't need to eat at Burger King to have it that way.  Thank you to whoever created that great slogan!

Weather Worries

I have no control over the weather.  Neither do you.  Sorry.  

Though, we worry about the weather sometimes more than we worry about the things we have total control over.

As I watched the local news from about 5-6:30pm tonight I lost count of how many times the weather report came on.  It was a mix between a quick update showing a blue, green, and yellow filled Doppler radar, the forecast for tonight and tomorrow, and the forecast for the weekend, and the forecast for the next week.  What is funny is time and time again I've sat there watching the weather on TV, hit refresh a million times on the radar page, hoping that something would change or that the beautiful brown of the clear radar would stay.  As good ole Dave Longley tells me to make sure I bring a jacket to the Chief's game, get my mowing done before 7pm tonight, or to keep my outdoor picnic plans for the weekend I find myself saying "yeah, ok Dave...we'll see about that" because so often their predictions are so off!  I can't even begin to count the times they've majorly messed up on their forecast even when they're talking about the very next day.  Nothing annoys me more than "today is going to be a beautiful day all over Central NY" and I look out my window and see the telltale signs of rain.  And how many times do they predict a gorgeous 4th of July weekend a week prior, only to have it be a complete stormy washout?  What about those times they predict a horrendous, dangerous snowstorm where you wake up to schools already being closed, only to find out as the day goes on it really wasn't so bad?

But I still sit and watch.  Goodness, I often find myself pretending to be a weatherman, telling people to just wait and the weather is going to clear up and the temperatures are supposed to increase.  I'm sure you still watch to.  And chances are, we complain about it.

Could you imagine having a job like that?  You make more mistakes, lie, and change your report almost daily and yet you still keep your job?  Maybe I should try it out sometime, see how far I get..."No, supervisor, I did not use the Residence Life purchase account to get my groceries at Tops"........"No I am not letting random people sleep in the empty beds in my building"...."Oh, I thought I was supposed to give the locked out student my Master key to get into their room".....I don't think I'd get very far.

I'll probably watch the 11 o'clock news tonight long enough to see the weather forecast.  But really, the most it is going to do is help me decide what to wear and if I should grab an umbrella.  But I'll still complain about the fact that it's raining.  The fact is, I wouldn't be able to get beautiful waterfall photos if it didn't rain every so often.

My suggestion:  find something more useful to worry about.  Maybe you'll solve world hunger.  Maybe I should take my own advice.

It's Ok to Be Lazy Sometimes

Today is one of those days where I have spurts of energy where I get a bunch done, but mostly feel unmotivated and lazy.  It was a gorgeous day outside, so I got out and took some pictures for work.  Once that one done I found I just couldn't motivate myself to do much at all! After work I was very happy to work on my relationship with my couch, read some of my book, thumb through some catalogs, and watch some television.  It actually felt quite nice to do some mindless things.

When was the last time you just spent some time doing a little bit of nothing (edit: and actually enjoyed doing nothing)?  I am a firm believer that you don't always have to keep yourself busy and productive, that it's ok to take some time to just veg.  I don't think it's good to all the time, but definitely worth it every so often.  I should have probably waited and had Friday be my lazy day because of the crazy nor'easter that's supposed to be coming in (described as rainy, windy, and raw).  So next time you feel like doing nothing, as long as you don't have things that need to be done, then give yourself permission to do just that...nothing.

Whatever Happened to Patience?

Instant gratification.

We are addicted to it.  Everything is at our fingertips.  Everything needs instant results.  I really blame technology.  And this drive to always get ahead and be the best.  But mostly technology.  This addiction to instant gratification made me ask myself "whatever happened to patience?" today.

I have found myself telling the car in front of me driving under the speed limit to hurry it up, riding up on their butt even though I had absolutely nowhere to be at any particular time.  I've complained about slow shipping for something I ordered online when I could have just taken a drive down the road and bought it.  I've gotten anxious when I didn't get an immediate response to an email or text that I'm pretty sure should have received one.  And I've found myself staring at the computer screen, waiting for the other person on the instant messenger to start typing, wondering what was taking so long.  Goodness, I don't even know how I would have functioned without my LCD screen on my camera displaying the shot I just captured!  But why?

As a society we expect instant results.  Instant changes.  An immediate response to fix that pending problem.  I see it every day with the students I work with.  I've had emails sent to me on a Saturday afternoon requesting what I would consider an emergency work order, that I don't get until Monday morning.  I've had people knocking on my door because their question is of utmost importance and must be answered at this exact moment...questions that the answer involves something that cannot be done until the next day.

I honestly despise the BlackBerry, iPhone, Droid...any of those phones that allow you to connect to your email and get online at any moment.  I will never own one.  I am quite content with my Motorola Entice...it does all that a cell phone needs to do...makes and receives phone calls and sends and receives text messages (though texting is nice and efficient, is that even necessary??).  My phone even takes pictures!  In a conversation I had with my boyfriend over the weekend, we talked about whether or not we could even call them "phones" anymore.  I mean, what did we used to do before we could pull that hunk of plastic out of our pocket, pull up Google, and search for the best place to eat in the area.  How did we ever survive???

Is technology all that is effecting our patience?  Probably not, but it definitely has a huge influence on it.  Have you ever caught yourself complaining about someone not answering their phone because, well, they should have it with them and on every minute of every day?  What happened to relying on good old fashioned answering machines?  I can't count the number of times my mom has told me stories about people calling my dad during the day (while he's at work) for things related to his TC Riders Snowmobile Club and when she tells them he isn't home a likely response is "oh, is there a cell phone that I can reach him at?".  My mom always responds with "no" because my dad's cell phone is for that quick phone call home or in case of an emergency.  The worst part about it is people always act shocked when she says no!  As if leaving a message just isn't enough.

I have to be honest, last year I did not like my job very much.  I had a staff of 17.  And a building of 500 students.  I felt like I was pulled in a million directions.  I hated hearing my phone go off with a text message on the weekend, especially when I was sitting in a room with all that I care most about.  I dreaded the "hey is it ok if....[insert work kind of question here]?".  I felt like I was always reachable and available to all 17 of them.  And the worst part...it is MY phone!  I shouldn't dread hearing it go off, especially since I pay for it.  After a lot of reflecting and thinking, this year I decided to not share my cell phone with my staff.  It's one of the best decisions I've made all year.  I am provided with a phone in my apartment, which I gave to my staff, so I told them that if they need me after hours or on the weekend to call there.  If I am available to help with a situation then I will answer the phone.  If I don't answer, then I shouldn't be reachable because I'm probably off doing Sarah-type things.  Some of my returning staff still have my phone number, but honestly, I ignore their texts or calls (sorry guys...you have my apartment number!).  It is a great feeling to not reward the instant gratification behavior that so many people expect.

My challenge for you today is to be patient.  Don't tap your toe while you are standing in line at Walmart and all the cash registers have long lines.  Don't rush somewhere if you don't have to.  Ignore that non-emergency question until you're working tomorrow.  Try to find a tasty place to eat all on your own without Mr. Google showing you your options.  Take a walk instead of driving that short distance.  Go to a park and turn your phone off and just enjoy the silence.  If nature is your thing, when was the last time you let yourself just go enjoy a scene like in the picture with this post?

All these things will keep you from stressing and aging way too fast.  It will keep you healthy.  And God knows what kind of issues we will have years down the road from the radio waves emitted from all these phones that do everything but fold my clothes and put them away.

Life is too short.  We shorten our lives every day by stressing about those things that just don't matter.  If you don't have to dial 911 over the issue, do you really need to stress about the situation at hand?

Think about it.

It's the Little Things

So today is Monday.  Columbus Day.  I spent most of my day working, but it was a very laid back day, so I can't really complain about that!  It turned out to be a pretty nice day outside. 

After I finished work, I decided to take advantage of the fact that it was a nice warm-cool and overcast...perfect for some waterfall photographing!!  I gathered up my stuff and set out for Fillmore Glen State Park in Moravia, NY.  I was very glad that I went!  I spent about 3 hours there, took about 180 photos.  Of those 180 photos, many of them were good shots, which is just super exciting!  I spent a half hour at the Cow Sheds falls and luckily only ran into a couple of people.  I did a little "illegal" climbing around to get some new points of view of this waterfall, which I was very pleased with.  After that I spent the rest of my time along the trail and didn't run into a single person (other than a woman that I was walking behind for a bit).  It was the best!  Definitely one of the highlights of my day.

It's those little things that you make yourself do every day that are great.  While I was walking back from work, I went back and forth in my mind about whether or not I should bother going or if I should just laze around for the evening.  Going was the best decision I made all day!

Me along the trail!!!

I want you to challenge yourself tomorrow!!  Do something you don't do every day, but something that you know will make you happy!

See more photos from my mini trip here!

Live Everyday

How many times do you say "is it Friday yet?" or "I can't wait for [insert task, event, etc. here] to be over"?  We all fall victim to wishing away time like this.  Maybe it's a long week at work or you have something really fun to do on the upcoming weekend.  How many times have you or have you heard someone say "I'll be so glad when Christmas is over"?  Now, how terrible is that!?

I think most people are amazed at how quickly time goes by.  I know I do.  I feel like we were just ringing in the new year, but here we are in October.  Not only is it October, but it's October 10th.  Double digits.  I thought we just started October.  That's like 2 months and 15 days away from Christmas.

I often blame my job for making time go by so fast.  There's always something coming up that we work hard to prepare for, count down the days, and then it's over and we're onto the next preparation and countdown.  And there are some pretty awful things that just makes you want to say "ugh is it over yet?"...like Cortaca.  For those of you not familiar with Cortaca, it is an annual football game between SUNY Cortland and Ithaca College.  The victor of the game claims ownership of the Cortaca Jug.  Sounds like a great time to celebrate school spirit, Cortland, and football, right?  I would agree.  Sadly, the focus of the Cortaca Jug isn't school spirit and cheering on your school per se.  It becomes a huge party, many people drinking all weekend (think Kegs and Eggs, Bagels and Beer).  Hoards of people come to visit and party...so many we have to limit the number of guests each student can have to one and we require them to pre-register said guest.  That guest is then required to wear a wrist band all weekend that highlights their name, host, birthday, and cell phone.  Not only is Cortaca viewed as a huge party, but the rivalry between the colleges is borderline horrendous.  I have seen more nasty, derogatory t-shirts surrounding the event.  But I'm sure not every student is that bad.  It's just a lot of the good ones go home that weekend.  The event is usually the worst when Cortland is hosting.  Which is the case this year.  I'm trying not to dread that weekend.  And I'm trying not to say "Oh I can't wait for Cortaca to be over", but it's hard.

What do I want you to get from all this today?  No matter how bad something is that you have to do...no matter how exciting your upcoming plans might be, take some time in every day leading up to the end of that horrible thing or your plans to find something that you really enjoy and appreciate.  If you can't find something, make something happen that you appreciate.  Go for a walk, treat yourself to your favorite restaurant, call a friend...do something that makes you appreciate every single day.

Don't focus so much on the future.  Focus on the right now.  It might help slow time down.

Beautiful Saturday!

Hello everyone!  I hope that everyone has had a wonderful Saturday so far and had an opportunity to get out and enjoy the gorgeous weather!  I had a chance to get out and and about today.  I took a walk around the Nature Preserve on the Binghamton University campus.  Luckily, the colors of the leaves are popping so I got a chance to get some really pretty pictures (I think, still need to get them on the computer).  Nonetheless, it was a great day to get out!  A little on the chilly side, but not so bad when you are moving around in the sun.

No matter what you have going on this weekend, definitely try to get out and about.  Tomorrow is supposed to be another nice day and a little more warm.  Who knows when this weather will leave us, so take advantage of it!

Count Your Blessings

I am a Residence Hall Director.  That's right.  An RHD.

It is my job to work where students live on a college campus and be a resource for any sort of issue that may arise.  For those of you not familiar with the structure of a typical Residence Life department at my college, it's like this: Resident Assistant (hired undergraduate students), Residence Hall Director (professional, holds at least a Bachelor's, but many have a Master's).  From there, the RHDs are supervised by Associate Directors.  When I tell people what my job is, I often get a response like "what is your major?", "oh, so you get to live in a suite?", and "what do you want to do when you graduate?".  My favorite responses to these questions: "Well, my major WAS Psychology and I got my Master's in Recreation and Leisure.", "No, I don't live in a suite, but an actual apartment in the building with 2 bedrooms, and cable, internet, phone, and heat all paid for", and "I already graduated...with a Master's degree.  This is my JOB".

Why am I writing about my job?  Well, it's the kind of job that makes you step back frequently and really count your blessings for a million bajillion reasons.  I have been in this RHD position for a total of 4 years, working on my 5th.  As each year passes, that age gap between me and the incoming freshmen gets bigger and bigger.  I am now almost 10 years older than the shy, timid freshmen that sets foot on campus in August, feeling an overwhelming sense of independence.  It is my job to help said freshmen reign in their independence and to help those sophomores, juniors, seniors, and transfer students find their way in the world, help them make smart decisions, and mold them to become the leaders that our businesses, schools, etc will have someday.

There are some days that I'm forced to remind myself how lucky I am to have a decent salary and to have a gorgeous newly renovated apartment to go home to at the end of every day...one that I don't have to actually pay for.  But let me tell you, I do pay for it...I just don't have to write a monthly check.  How do I pay for it?  Let me tell you.  On a typical Friday and Saturday I get to listen to variations of "Wooo!!!" screamed as people walk down the echo-filled hallway, waiting for the elevator.  I get knocks on my door after I am done "working" for the day all because a resident deemed losing their key as an absolute emergency. (For your reference, my emergency equals someone is bleeding, not breathing, hurting themselves or someone else, or planning on hurting themselves or someone else).  I get to smell stale beer as I walk out to the parking lot.  I get to yell, swear, and curse at that car that is parked in my reserved parking spot (how would you feel if you couldn't park in your driveway!?!).  I get to count the dents in my beautiful [still pretty new] car because people just don't pay attention when opening their doors all because I don't have a driveway.  I am on call once or twice a semester which involves carrying around a cell phone everywhere I go, answering phone calls at all hours, hearing all about how a student had to be transported to the hospital because they were just too drunk.  Talking about vomit and other bodily fluids doesn't even cause me to blink an eye.  And where does my biggest payment come from?  Listening to the troubles that my residents are experiencing with their roommates and suitemates.

I get phone calls, emails, and office visits from students who are just plain fed up with their living situation and absolutely, positively need to move because there is no way the situation is going to be resolved.  I am sorry if that sounds mean.  I in no way intend to belittle the problems my students face.  It's just that, as I mentioned, as that age gap increases, my ability to feel empathy for some of these problems decreases.  What are some of the typical problems that people just need to move out over?  "My roommate parties and I don't", "I can't get any sleep or study because my roommate likes to watch TV", "My roommate likes to sleep with the window open and fan on and my room is freezing", and my all time favorite "We just cannot possibly get along".  When students come down to voice their concern about their roommate my first questions is always "Well, did you talk to your roommate about the issue?", which almost always gets the response of "No".  Well, then how is the problem going to get fixed if you don't speak up and say anything?  I then find myself asking myself, do they really know how lucky they are?

It's so easy to find problems in your life, to dwell on those things that aren't the way they should be, figure out the things that could be better, and to complain about things.  Next time you find yourself complaining about something that really probably isn't that big of a deal, counteract it by finding something positive about the situation.  When my students complain about a window being left open at night, I wish they would stop and think about how fortunate they are to 1) be at college, 2) have a place to sleep with blankets on their bed to keep them warm, 3) have food to eat every day (everyone needs a meal plan to live on campus), and 4) have people to talk to.  In a few years, these issues they are just so stressed over won't even cause them to blink an eye later in life.

What do I want you to get from this?  I encourage you to stop and really count your blessings...especially the next time you find yourself complaining.  You are fortunate enough to use a computer, probably your own, since you are reading this.  Did you get to eat today?  Where will you be falling asleep tonight?  What will you be doing for fun later?  Who do you surround yourself with?  Think about all those things and maybe you'll realize life really isn't that bad.

Always Go for #1

#1 photo in the Post Standard.

Anything is possible.

Reach for the stars.

If you can dream it, you can do it.

There are so many little phrases and sayings out there that encourage people to dream big and to do big.  Look at Walt Disney!  He was the one who said "If you dream it, you can do it".  Do you have something you want to do that you consider impossible?  Have you truly considered the possibilities, though?  Think back to when you were a child and everything truly seemed possible.  How many kids have a goal of becoming president?  As a child, there are no limits, no one shoots you down for dreaming and imagining.  Why does that have to stop?  Yes, as we grow older we develop the stronger ability to reason, analyze, comprehend, etc.,  but why don't we use these abilities in our favor more often?  Why don't we use these abilities to help us reach for the stars?

The fact remains, however, that in order to reach our goals, live our dreams, we have to invest time.  Time that might not always be available.  I encourage you to think of it this way: each minute that passes is a minute you will never, ever get back.  Take a look at how you spend your time...is there a lot of time in there wasted complaining about life, messing around on Facebook, or doing things that just don't have a positive effect on your life?  If you said yes to any of these, try spending that time figuring out how you can achieve one of your dreams...and then make it happen.

One of my dreams is to be a famous nature photographer...and to be famous before I die.  I have no idea if that will actually happen, but I do what I can from time to time to make it at the very least a possibility.  I am going to share a few things with you that I have done to help me take a few steps in the famous direction.

Lost in Thought
This is a photo of my sister taken at Buttermilk Falls State Park in Ithaca, NY.  I submitted this photo several years ago in a competition sponsored by the New York Institute of Photography. It was voted into the top 20 by visitors to the site.

After the Rain
I took this photo a few years ago after a rain storm in Cortland, NY.  It was taken at the Cortland Water Works under this gorgeous and huge maple tree that had just shed it's leaves.  I submitted it on News Channel 9's website as part of a Autumn photo gallery.  It was then selected to be a part of a competition where viewers voted for their favorite.  Mine was voted to be #6 out of 10 photos.

Untitled

This is one of my most famous photos.  I have gotten a lot of mileage out of this one.  This is the same waterfall as seen above in "Lost in Thought".  It's along the trail at Buttermilk Falls.  This photo was Explored back on October 21, 2007.  What does this mean?  On Flickr, one of the most honorable things you can receive is to have your photo chosen to be on Explore. Thousands upon thousands of photos are uploaded to Flickr every minute. Flickr highlights 500 of the most interesting photos daily, and this photo was one of those!  The most exciting thing that has happened with this photo involves some national exposure.  Back in the summer of 2008, I submitted this photo as part of a series that Good Morning America was doing about the Seven Wonders of the World.  They asked viewers to submit their Hometown Wonders, so I chose this one!  I received a phone call a few weeks later telling me that they wanted to use my photo on the show and actually do a phone interview with me!  So here is my photo, my name, and my voice on national television!!!

Untitled

This photo was a winner in a competition last year sponsored by the Syracuse Post Standard.  The Home and Garden section asked readers to submit their photos of all the spring flower popping up.  I submitted a few selections and this one was chosen as the winner out of over 50 submissions!  The prize?  A perennial care book that I gave to my mom.  I don't have any gardens right now, so I rely heavily on her beautiful gardens to fuel my hobby of photographing flowers.  I figured her having the book could only improve those gardens!





Crocus
This photo was one that I submitted on News Channel 9's Photo of the Day.  Every night, they choose a few submissions to highlight on their evening news, and mine happened to be chosen!  I had the news on that night and wasn't paying much attention.  All of  a sudden I heard my name!  Thank God for the invention of the DVR, I rewound it, grabbed my camera, and recorded the video which you can view below!



What do I want you to get from this post?  Exactly what I started with.  Think: "anything is possible".  I want you to reach for the stars.  I want you to remember that "if you can dream it, you can do it".  Maybe I won't be a famous nature photographer before I die, but I am certainly doing little things to make it a better possibility than what it would be if I just went, took my photos, and left them on the computer.  I enter competitions.  I made a Facebook Fan Page.  I sell my photos at local craft shows.

When you have some down time, think about those things you want in your life, what your dreams and goals are.  Once you've got those figured out, start thinking about what little steps you can take to get there.  And never forget, Google can be your best friend...it can help you figure out what those first steps are.


Anything is possible.


Reach for the stars.


If you can dream it, you can do it.

Take Some Time

What a beautiful fall morning it has been!  Granted, I haven't been outside yet to know just how cold it is, but based on the people I've seen walking around it's a bit on the chilly side.  But there is beautiful blue sky mixed in with some nice white clouds!  Considering we haven't seen the sun since Sunday, it's absolutely beautiful!

Fall is one of the most wonderful and colorful seasons.  Living in a place like Central NY is great because you get to really experience all four seasons.  We start the year off with winter, which can be breathtaking in and of itself...not only because of the cold winds, but after a nice, fluffy lake effect snowfall, the snow blanketing everything, stuck to all the branches and twigs on the trees.  Spring is always a sigh of relief from the cold, seeing crocus pop up everywhere, providing color we haven't seen for three or four months.  Summer lets us get out and experience swimming, sunflowers, and days in the park.  Then there is fall.  Fall is a welcome break from the 80-90 degree, humid days.  It's a breath of fresh air.  To me there is nothing more refreshing than taking a step outside into the crisp, cool morning.  As the leaves begin to turn and then fall, you can smell the season.  You know what I'm talking about...that smell of dry leaves.  Think back to when you were a kid and raked up a huge pile of leaves to jump into.  I think that fall is the most beautiful of seasons.  The amount of color that nature produces is amazing.  On a beautiful cloudless day, you have the blue of the sky mixed with greens, reds, oranges, yellows, and browns.  I encourage you to take a look at my Autumn photo set on Flickr.

I know everyone is busy with life, but in order to really experience life at it's finest, take some time on the next beautiful fall day (we have some coming up this weekend!) and get outside and take in the sights and smells that fall has to offer.  Visit your local pumpkin patch.  Go for a hike at a local park.  Go apple picking.  Take a trip to the Adirondacks.  Do some leaf peeping.  Just sit and look around.  Do something.  Before we know it, it will be hibernating for winter!  Don't know where to go in this huge state of NY to see some colors?  Check out the Fall Foliage Report.


Thoughts?  Suggestions? Anything you'd like to hear from me?  Let me know!

New Blog

Hello everyone!

For those of you not familiar with Sarah Unruh Photography, I thought I would take some time to acquaint you with it!  I am Sarah Unruh and describe myself as an amateur photographer.  I have been seriously interested in digital photography for about 4 years now.  I am self taught.  I got myself acquainted with the basics by using a Canon PowerShot S3IS and now use a Sony Alpha 300.

From time to time I will do portraits and other people-related photos, but my passion really lies in nature photography.  My favorite things to capture are flowers and waterfalls.  If you see me hiking in any of the NY State Parks in the Finger Lakes region, you will see me carrying my camera and tripod.  If you are looking to have portraits done, I would be more than happy to do them at any beautiful outdoor location.

I have been a Flickr member since March 2007 and utilized the website to share my photos with a wide variety of people. In addition to Flickr, I maintain a Facebook Fan page: Sarah Unruh Photography.  I have also tried maintaining a website through GoDaddy, but found it to be very time consuming.  This past weekend I participated in a local fall festival, the Great Cortland Pumpkin Fest.  I had many inquiries about my photography and wanted a way to be able to really connect individually with those who are interested in my work.  After thinking, I decided to try a blog to see if that would help!

Anything you see on my Flickr site is available for purchase.  I also love to customize photos that I have already taken with favorite quotes & sayings, anniversary dates, etc.  See an example included in this post!

Please take some time to review my Flickr!  If you see anything you would like to add some spice to your home, dorm room, or office... or if you are looking for that perfect gift, please contact me!  We can work out some very simple details and turn your idea into something tangible. 

Here are some very important links for you to check out!
Sarah Unruh's Flickr Account
Become a Sarah Unruh Photography Facebook Fan!

I can be contacted via email: slunruh83@gmail.com. 

Thank you for your interest in Sarah Unruh Photography!  Check back daily for updates!