Ripples come, and ripples go, and ripple back to me

Jan 3, 2012 by Rochelle

My three day entrance into 2012 was in a word tiring. Lots of hosting and cleaning and serving and cleaning and serving. Goodness. I’m actually quite glad to be at work today so that I can relax.

First picture in 2012.

Last night around 10 I went upstairs and dug out an old journal that I started writing in the year 2000. It has big gaps but essentially hits the high points of the past 12 years. Back in 2001 I wrote the most and so much of it was about my daily life coming into work. I was still a student employee for the most part that year and so it’s odd to read about those days. My office and my work and all that. I was clearly much less mature and I spent the majority of my time worrying about my love life.

Now, a decade later, I have definitely risen through the ranks and grown. Yet I’m still here. Still in the same building that I’ve been coming to for years and years and years. I wonder if there are ghosts of my former self roaming the halls, because I certainly feel there are ghosts of the people who actually got out of here. It’s strange. Like an old hard drive, written over and over.

Basically – I feel old today. Like older than I’ve felt in a long time. I think I’m okay with that, but I sort of wonder how much further I can push this, because there will certainly be a time when I walk in one day and think back to when I was 32 years old and how young I was. I know how that goes, I just wish I could feel it.

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At the Bottom of Everything

Dec 30, 2011 by Rochelle

When thinking of a post title to wrap up 2011 I decided I would put on a song at random in my iTunes library and Bright Eyes’ “At the Bottom of Everything,” was it. Kind of perfect, huh? Marissa would be proud.

What to say about this year? I certainly didn’t do a lot to document it (bad me). I was happy almost always. When I was sad, it’s because I was watching a fine film or read something sad. With the one serious exception of Mike leaving CU. That was one of the worst days of my life and it was so hard to bounce back from that. But I did. He did. And he and I are better off for it.

Friends and family were great. Nothing new there.

I read 12 books, five in December. That seems crazy for me. There’s just some really beautiful words out there.

I wrote. Not enough of course, but enough to get those juices flowing again.

Today is the last day at work for the year. It’s been quiet for me. I love being here on this day. It always reminds me of the past. I can’t believe I’ve worked here for so long.

I’m sure I’ll be back with resolutions and all that, but I just wanted to mark this point in time and reflect on 2011. Nothing terribly specific to say about it, just that I was happy and I loved it.

“I’m happy just because.” ~At the bottom of everything.

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Reason to Breathe by Rebecca Donovan

Dec 29, 2011 by Rochelle

Reason to Breathe by Rebecca Donovan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book literally caused physical reactions. Anger, fear, stress, happiness, and heart flutter after heart flutter. Like others, I couldn’t put it down. I had to know. Thank goodness there will be a sequel. I’ve never yearned for a character’s comeuppance so badly in my life.

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The Grail Conspiracy by Lynn Sholes

Dec 26, 2011 by Rochelle

The Grail Conspiracy by Lynn Sholes

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Another bargain book I got through a Kindle daily deal. It was a definite page turner and a fun read, no matter how far fetched. It was a solid piece with likable characters and a few twists I didn’t see coming. Unfortunately it referenced old technology by name which drives me crazy. Just something that we have to get used to in fiction these days.

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The Fourth Quarter

Dec 16, 2011 by Rochelle

So here we are, late December just before Christmas. Life ticks on and I’ve grown older and more responsible. I find that I’m moving just a bit slower and I’ve settled into a routine of sorts.

In the fourth quarter of this year, there’s been happiness and peace and growing and fun.

Isabelle and Erica's snowy pants after frolicking in the snow.

I went to San Diego in November. Originally it was just for a work conference where I met some great new people, learned a few things, and picked up an award for a video I made.

My director, Marin, and I with our awards.

I extended my time there and my dad and Cathy came out to vacation with me.

Cathy and My Dad in La Jolla

We saw the ocean.

La Jolla Cove

And hiked.

Torrey Pines State Park

And ate.

The menu said this mac 'n cheese would change my life.

In November, I also wrote for NaNoWriMo, which is a challenge to write a novel in one month (50,000 words, about 150 pages). I got to 30,000 words, which I was so proud of considering my vacation and my work.

During this time I also moved into a new office at work. I love a change of view and a new arrangement. It was the perfect thing to refresh my perspective and it has already brought me a lot of happiness at my home away from home.

The view from my office on a beautiful day in December.

And there’s been football. Folks in Denver are going crazy for Tim Tebow, and I’m right there with them. His fourth quarter miracles have made football fun again. Each week I just can’t wait for Sunday to get here so I can live through it all again.

It's all about Tebow.

Other fourth quarter favorites…

Books. Something Borrowed. I read the book in about two sittings and then watched the movie right after. Absolutely loved it! Right now I’m reading Christmas is Murder, a simple little mystery that takes place in England during a big blizzard at Christmas time.
Music. I’ve lately been reflecting on just how much I love to listen to music through out the day. From the moment I wake up it goes on all the way into my office and through out the day when I’m at my desk, to when I walk to my car and drive home. A full day with interruptions only to talk to people or be in meetings. Current favorites: Florence + The Machine, William Fitzsimmons, Adele, Bon Iver, and just about everything else that sounds like them. Lots of Pandora, lots of playlists.
Television. Loving Revenge and Once Upon a Time. The Daily Show/Colbert is an absolute must every single day that’s it’s on. There’s also been Days of Our Lives which has it’s ups and downs.
Learning. I’ve been spending more time learning new ideas and strategies for work. About how to be a better supervisor (I took a five week course), and how to be a better leader, and how to be a better manager. The conference in San Diego really gave me a boost and I’m a bit addicted to learning new things.
Inspiration. Lately, I’ve been finding inspiration and beauty everywhere. I guess that means I must be really happy.

Beauty is everywhere.

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At Bertram’s Hotel

Oct 15, 2011 by Rochelle

At Bertram’s Hotel by Agatha Christie

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It was quite a slow start, but it ended rather strong. It wasn’t my favorite Miss Marple tale, but it’s MIss Marple. Even when it’s bad, it’s still quite good.

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