The end of the semester....yippee

So I had my last exam on Monday...I doubled checked my work, said thank you to my professor and left the classroom for the last time. I was so relieved I almost felt like crying. Way too much stress for me this semester. I am so thankful it is over...now the wait for the final grade has begun. I can only hope that next semester will be a bit gentler on my brain.....ummm

(This photo is a practice for me, its my pine cone arrangement from Big Bear. It worked! haha now I know how to upload photos....again yippee!)

Exams...and exercise

Another day...another exam....

Today I got up, went back to the YMCA, did a great workout on my old friend the elliptical machine. I visited with the dumbbells, the sit up board, and the treadmill. It was an hour of hell, but it was so worth it. I haven't been to the gym since the middle of September. OUCH. I was so into studying and working that I was neglecting the most important aspect of my life....to work off stress and help my "old" body stay in shape. I went yesterday also after class....I was so energised last night that studying was almost fun.

So after the gym I went to take my exam...I think I did OK. I came home to start the next study sessions and felt like...no, not yet, the dogs and I need a hike, but more importantly I needed to clear out all the clutter in my head so I could put some more into it.....Now my dogs are sleeping and I feel I can study more effectively.

My advice....Exercising is good not only for the body but for our minds....get up, get out and as my friend Kim says "smile a mile"!

"It is very important to generate a good attitude, a good heart, as much as possible. From this, happiness in both the short term and the long term for both yourself and other will come." Dalai Lama.

PAY IT FORWARD, please....

I had a really hard day at work the other day, lots of drama. I am not a drama girl, I like things to just roll along and whatever comes my way I deal with it the best I can and them move on to the next issue or problem. I have a hard time with people that are always looking for something to complain about or the ones that play endless head games with others. I just don't do well with those types...we all have problems but it does no good to make others miserable with complaints and criticisms. When I meet someone like this I try to redirect as much as possible with positive topics, sometimes though it is just not in the cards. Too sad.

So....after a day that I referred to as "one flew over the cuckoos nest", I came home and was welcomed by my awesome dogs who think I am just the best thing in the world, (this may have something to do with the fact that I feed and walk them) lit the fireplace and changed my clothes and was just about to unwind when my phone rang.....(first thought...what did I forget to do at work now?).  A person who is connected to a resident where I work called me to tell me I was doing good by her mother and she was grateful. WOW. Those words were so nice to hear, my heart nearly broke in half. It made me feel OK about my work and the way I try to treat others.

Though it is not always possible, and sometimes you may not feel so charitable in life...please try to pay it forward, a kind word can go along way in someones life. Sometimes it is the littlest things that can help a person feel much better.

"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible."   Dalai Lama