Technically, you can't literally touch anything. The atoms that you are made of and the atoms of, well, everything else, repel one another. This means we're not technically walking on the ground. We all float just slightly above it. So slight, it's basically meaningless. But, I feel much cooler floating than not, so even if it's meaningless, I'm still opting to count that minuscule gap between me and the floor.
See, I told you I can fly.
Candidly,
Cookie
Saturday, April 18, 2015
Friday, April 17, 2015
Don't Let Me Forget!
The present is as uncertain as the future.
And right now the future is pretty uncertain.
I was so certain that I wouldn't miss this place. I'm so excited to go home that perhaps I overlooked all those frivolous things, that, as the time to leave draws nearer, I realize I might actually miss. There's so many little things I want to remember.
I want to remember that waking up on the right side of the bed is not an option. Maybe that explains some of the difficulties of college life. I suppose I could sleep in the empty bed on the far wall with my feet facing the door. Then I could get up on the right side of the bed. But I'm a creature of habit and that's too much change.
Though at times it keeps me awake and I hate it, I want to remember the laughter that echoes down the halls because the doors and walls of the dorm halls are parchment and they keep few secrets.
I want to remember late night runs with Laura, the crisp air so cool and fresh, the snow at the top of the mountains hovering like a cloud, glowing softly in the moonlight. It always felt so good. I could never help but smile and even laugh. Laura would look at me as if to say, "What is there to laugh about?" I never told her. But, Laura, I'll tell you now. On my playlist of the songs I run to is "Wonder of Wonders, Miracle of Miracles." This song, from Fiddler on the Roof, lists a number of Biblical miracles and then concludes, " . . .But of all God's miracles large and small the most miraculous of them all is the one I thought would never be: God has given you to me." That's why I laughed Laura. I was thanking God for a beautiful night and a wonderful friend to spend it with. I still remember when we walked to the creamery together to get french fries and you said to me, "You're a good friend," then paused and added, "At the beginning of the year I had no idea we'd be friends." To which I could only smile. I'd known. And I'd just waited. Luckily, you came around.
I want to remember sharing soup out of the pan we cooked it in because we didn't want to do dishes.
I want to remember watching Collabro's Britain's Got Talent audition so many times that I had the judges comments memorized. Seriously guys, it's so beautiful!
I want to remember stopping by the ice-cream counter and sampling a couple flavors every day on my way home from class. I'd just take my sample and leave, but don't worry, they got their money's worth. Occasionally, after work, myself and a fellow coworker, Brighton, would stop by on our way home. I want to remember splitting a banana split with her or running to the creamery at 11:00 to grab some french toast or a grilled PB and J (which is quite delicious by the way).
I want to remember coming back from a run with friends at 10:30 at night freezing, grabbing a grilled PB and J and sitting outside talking till almost 1:00. I remember as it neared midnight and we sat under the stars shivering and eating our sandwiches, I'd spoken out loud the thought of how different it would be if midnight were actually lunch time. "Wouldn't it be interesting," I said, "if life were completely different" (I sound so smart after midnight, don't I? :). To this Margaret responded, "Wouldn't it be different if life was completely interesting."
Well, that's college for ya.
I want to remember the majestic mountain mornings and the splendid setting sun. I want to never cease to let it take my breath away.
I want to remember these guys, my dish room crew, the Sud Squad.
I want to remember playing darts with the forks against a grate, bowling down the conveyer belt, playing frisbee with the shallow plastic baskets, counting how many pegs were in the dishwasher (3,288 in case you were wondering), dancing to the swing station, and singing "Hallelujah" and "I'm on top of the World" every night as we closed up.
Hallelujah! the year is over. And man oh man, I'm on top of the world. I may not know what's in the future - what my major is, where I'll work, if I'll like my roommates, where to work over the summer . . . but you know what? Right now, life's pretty darn good, and if I can just always say that, then life always will be.
The future is as uncertain as the present.
And the present is certainly good.
Don't ever let me forget that!
Candidly,
Cookie
And right now the future is pretty uncertain.
I was so certain that I wouldn't miss this place. I'm so excited to go home that perhaps I overlooked all those frivolous things, that, as the time to leave draws nearer, I realize I might actually miss. There's so many little things I want to remember.
I want to remember that waking up on the right side of the bed is not an option. Maybe that explains some of the difficulties of college life. I suppose I could sleep in the empty bed on the far wall with my feet facing the door. Then I could get up on the right side of the bed. But I'm a creature of habit and that's too much change.
Though at times it keeps me awake and I hate it, I want to remember the laughter that echoes down the halls because the doors and walls of the dorm halls are parchment and they keep few secrets.
I want to remember late night runs with Laura, the crisp air so cool and fresh, the snow at the top of the mountains hovering like a cloud, glowing softly in the moonlight. It always felt so good. I could never help but smile and even laugh. Laura would look at me as if to say, "What is there to laugh about?" I never told her. But, Laura, I'll tell you now. On my playlist of the songs I run to is "Wonder of Wonders, Miracle of Miracles." This song, from Fiddler on the Roof, lists a number of Biblical miracles and then concludes, " . . .But of all God's miracles large and small the most miraculous of them all is the one I thought would never be: God has given you to me." That's why I laughed Laura. I was thanking God for a beautiful night and a wonderful friend to spend it with. I still remember when we walked to the creamery together to get french fries and you said to me, "You're a good friend," then paused and added, "At the beginning of the year I had no idea we'd be friends." To which I could only smile. I'd known. And I'd just waited. Luckily, you came around.
I want to remember sharing soup out of the pan we cooked it in because we didn't want to do dishes.
I want to remember watching Collabro's Britain's Got Talent audition so many times that I had the judges comments memorized. Seriously guys, it's so beautiful!
I want to remember stopping by the ice-cream counter and sampling a couple flavors every day on my way home from class. I'd just take my sample and leave, but don't worry, they got their money's worth. Occasionally, after work, myself and a fellow coworker, Brighton, would stop by on our way home. I want to remember splitting a banana split with her or running to the creamery at 11:00 to grab some french toast or a grilled PB and J (which is quite delicious by the way).
I want to remember coming back from a run with friends at 10:30 at night freezing, grabbing a grilled PB and J and sitting outside talking till almost 1:00. I remember as it neared midnight and we sat under the stars shivering and eating our sandwiches, I'd spoken out loud the thought of how different it would be if midnight were actually lunch time. "Wouldn't it be interesting," I said, "if life were completely different" (I sound so smart after midnight, don't I? :). To this Margaret responded, "Wouldn't it be different if life was completely interesting."
Well, that's college for ya.
I want to remember the majestic mountain mornings and the splendid setting sun. I want to never cease to let it take my breath away.
I want to remember these guys, my dish room crew, the Sud Squad.
 |
| You know life is good when work gives you friends and food :) |
 |
| "Sud Squad on three - One. Two. Three. SUD SQUAD!" |
I want to remember playing darts with the forks against a grate, bowling down the conveyer belt, playing frisbee with the shallow plastic baskets, counting how many pegs were in the dishwasher (3,288 in case you were wondering), dancing to the swing station, and singing "Hallelujah" and "I'm on top of the World" every night as we closed up.
Hallelujah! the year is over. And man oh man, I'm on top of the world. I may not know what's in the future - what my major is, where I'll work, if I'll like my roommates, where to work over the summer . . . but you know what? Right now, life's pretty darn good, and if I can just always say that, then life always will be.
The future is as uncertain as the present.
And the present is certainly good.
Don't ever let me forget that!
Candidly,
Cookie
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Me Day
 |
| It really is as peaceful as it looks. |
 |
| Chillin in my gorgeous easter socks. I still can't get over my fuzzy pillow. |
 |
| ^Life |
Today I took three finals. That's right. Finals. And you know what that means? That means the semester's almost over! Bless you beautiful finals.
Anyhow, to celebrate I declared today a Me day, a date with myself so to speak. And so in the name of chivalry I had to get myself ice-cream because, at least in college life, every good date involves ice-cream. And the best part about a date with yourself? When you share, you get double :).
Then I took a walk because gosh darn it, the world is so gorgeous this time of year! This morning as I was walking up to campus the wind whispering through the trees told me they need some appreciation. I thought, that's not so much to ask in return for all these beautiful blossoms scattering the sidewalks. And the trails around campus are so peaceful.
Then I rented a puppy to play with. Because, yeah that's what you do in college. But no shame. Sofie was adorable. And nothing makes fast friends like a cute little puppy. Sofie made me famous :) and oh so happy.
 |
| Meet Sophie |
 |
| She curled up like this all on her own |
 |
| And then we took naps . . . :) |
Then, as the grand finale, I started packing because I'm just that excited to come home. Packing may not sound like the most fun way to end a Me Day, but it is what you make of it. I jammed out to "All Star" and "Smash Mouth" and my oh-so-kind date made me popcorn.
Candidly,
Cookie
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Writing from the Heart
So I'm a college freshman living in the freshman dorms with a couple papers to write, sunk deep in the momentary bliss of procrastination and not even feigning a fight with my bottomless craving for anything sweet and preferably chocolaty. Last night was no exception. I came home from work wanting ice cream when, whata ya know? my two good friends came down the hall with ice-cream from the vending machine. I had found my justification and no sooner found myself enjoying a small pint of cookies 'n cream while listening to music and talking about -- Can you guess? Boys.
I'd actually been waiting for another friend to come home so we could go running -- by now it is almost 10:00, the perfect time for a run -- so maybe I hadn't really thought through the ice-cream . . .
I was saved when she proposed a movie instead.
Have you ever watched "The Dead Poet's Society"? If you haven't, cancel your plans for the day and watch it. Maybe it's because I'm an English major, but I got chills and goosebumps and little warm fuzzies. Okay, so maybe some of the warm fuzzies came from the chocolate my friend brought over to share, but seriously, it's a great movie.
Afterwards, I wanted to try writing a poem like the one Todd creates in the movie - literally a spattering of the first thoughts that come to mind, continuing down the various paths of a frayed piece of yarn until they magically wind themselves up and come together. Often the poem knows where it wants to go before you can direct it there, so quit racking your brain for Shakespearean couplets. Quit studying a topic until your passion has burnt out beneath the heavy air of eloquence. Quit looking to reason and logic. Look in your heart, and write.
Well, here's my first attempt. Can't say it's flawless, but beauty never was.
I'd actually been waiting for another friend to come home so we could go running -- by now it is almost 10:00, the perfect time for a run -- so maybe I hadn't really thought through the ice-cream . . .
I was saved when she proposed a movie instead.
Have you ever watched "The Dead Poet's Society"? If you haven't, cancel your plans for the day and watch it. Maybe it's because I'm an English major, but I got chills and goosebumps and little warm fuzzies. Okay, so maybe some of the warm fuzzies came from the chocolate my friend brought over to share, but seriously, it's a great movie.
Afterwards, I wanted to try writing a poem like the one Todd creates in the movie - literally a spattering of the first thoughts that come to mind, continuing down the various paths of a frayed piece of yarn until they magically wind themselves up and come together. Often the poem knows where it wants to go before you can direct it there, so quit racking your brain for Shakespearean couplets. Quit studying a topic until your passion has burnt out beneath the heavy air of eloquence. Quit looking to reason and logic. Look in your heart, and write.
Well, here's my first attempt. Can't say it's flawless, but beauty never was.
I want to write something more beautiful
More beautiful than the way the praying mantis
Strokes a lotus flower
As he bequeaths his prayers to the wind
On which the birds fly forth like a hurricane
That whispers sweet destruction
As it turns the malting leaves
In slow and wistful swirls
Circling back again and again like time
In it’s perfect clockwork
Counting the moments that seconds can’t measure
That dreams can’t encompass
And hearts can hardly hold
That fingers cannot type
And lips cannot impart
Because they are so ordinary
That eloquence and ornaments are gods
That sit aloft and mean to my heart nothing
Candidly,
Cookie
Saturday, March 14, 2015
And I was Happy
I was reading an article yesterday in which it asked the reader the question, "What do you want? What do you really want?"
I stopped and thought about this for much longer than I think the question was intended to merit, and I do believe it was intended to merit some thought.
I'll admit when I read "what do you want?" the first things that came to mind were the generic superpowers. I want to fly, I want to be insanely intelligent, I want to breath underwater and run like lightning.
Then I thought a little deeper. I want to be able to sit and watch the sunrise without any thoughts of obligations and worries and without any awareness of the passing time and the tense anxiety such tends to bring.
I want to sit on the beach reading a good book, hearing the waves crash, feeling the wind blow drops of sunlight into a fine mist, without ever having to get up for a drink or a snack and with nothing to draw me back from the beach until my book is finished.
I thought about these things, but ultimately I dismissed them all. They all shared one problem: they were things I could not have and no one was ever the happier for wanting what he could not have.
You may wish to fly and that is a fine wish, but you will never get your wish and so it can bring you no joy. Me, I would much rather wish for some simple thing I know I can obtain, and upon obtaining it, I will find joy.
And so, what is that I want? What do I really want?
A hug.
And you know what? That very same day, I got my wish.
And I was happy.
Life is good. And so are these great people. Spent a whole day playing at the park after a delicious picnic. When a bunch of kids came out to play on the other playground I began to wonder what group they belonged to. Was it a summer camp? Oh yeah, school's in session.
As much as I love school, it was great to forget for a day. Short sleeves, shorts, playgrounds and bike rides . . .The seed of summer's been planted. Hurry up and grow my precious seed!
Candidly,
Cookie
I stopped and thought about this for much longer than I think the question was intended to merit, and I do believe it was intended to merit some thought.
I'll admit when I read "what do you want?" the first things that came to mind were the generic superpowers. I want to fly, I want to be insanely intelligent, I want to breath underwater and run like lightning.
Then I thought a little deeper. I want to be able to sit and watch the sunrise without any thoughts of obligations and worries and without any awareness of the passing time and the tense anxiety such tends to bring.
I want to sit on the beach reading a good book, hearing the waves crash, feeling the wind blow drops of sunlight into a fine mist, without ever having to get up for a drink or a snack and with nothing to draw me back from the beach until my book is finished.
I thought about these things, but ultimately I dismissed them all. They all shared one problem: they were things I could not have and no one was ever the happier for wanting what he could not have.
You may wish to fly and that is a fine wish, but you will never get your wish and so it can bring you no joy. Me, I would much rather wish for some simple thing I know I can obtain, and upon obtaining it, I will find joy.
And so, what is that I want? What do I really want?
A hug.
And you know what? That very same day, I got my wish.
And I was happy.
Life is good. And so are these great people. Spent a whole day playing at the park after a delicious picnic. When a bunch of kids came out to play on the other playground I began to wonder what group they belonged to. Was it a summer camp? Oh yeah, school's in session.
As much as I love school, it was great to forget for a day. Short sleeves, shorts, playgrounds and bike rides . . .The seed of summer's been planted. Hurry up and grow my precious seed!
Candidly,
Cookie
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