Addictions

Addictions are an interesting thing. I know people who are addicted to drugs, alcohol, and some people are even addicted to pain. Pain might be the creepiest addiction in existence--just listen to the Rihanna and Eminem song that's exploding onto the billboard charts. The lyrics are sickening. Anyway, I digress. I think that my preferred addiction, after ice cream, is service. How great would it be to have to help others, as a way to survive?

I walked past the Center for Service and Learning on campus yesterday and one of the service opportunities was: "101 Year-old Woman Needs a Friend." Honestly, how hard is it to be a friend? So, I jotted down the number and called it up. The woman who made the posting was so kind, and we're getting together tonight for a visit. For just one hour, I can make someone's day. Really. And how much is an hour? People waste an hour on facebook every day, or just looking at the clock thinking of something to do. I've even spent a half hour just sitting and not doing anything more than letting my thoughts fly around in my head.

Conclusion: one hour a day or week is easy to give in order to help someone, and I can't think of a better weekly addiction than that of service to others. It helps the person being served, it lifts the person doing the serving, and in the end, there really isn't a downside.

Let's start a service epidemic!

Outta Control

So, I just found out that none of my siblings will be attending my graduation. It's kind of like a kick in the face to me, as it seems to be the biggest thing in my life for a long time coming, and I'm moving to Austria again for a year. Cool. Maybe I'll see you again in a year. REALLY?!
On the other side of the argument, two of them just got new jobs in the last two weeks, and another is coming out to Utah for her brother-in-law's wedding in October. The last one has three kids, and still might be coming. In that light, it's understandable, but it still hurts.
I'm learning how to face the facts with grace, rather than choosing to ingore them for the next 8 weeks until I leave for Salzburg. We'll see which wins out in the end--emotion or self control.

Alas, It's Time to Start Blogging

Well, the time has come. I have avoided the blogging addiction for 4 years since people started telling me to blog in 2006. This will be the blog that I update, and I'll do my best to let everyone know what I'm up to and what my vacation days are for those who plan to visit. If you're interested, I'll even learn how to post pictures to the blog... although I'll let you know in advance: I'm not much of a photographer. For the next year, plan on seeing about one blog a month--if I'm really ambitious.