Figuring things out

So I usually like to joke around a lot and keep things on the surface, but every now and then I reflect on things to see what I've learned. I figure it's my history, but the principle is the same: those who don't learn from the past are doomed to repeat it. And there are moments in my past that I'd do anything to avoid repeating, so I better be learning as I go... So, despite being a slow learner at times, here are some things that I've figured out about me and my little world:

1. If I can't muster a laugh, then something is wrong.
2. If I'm mad at, or feel frustrated or hurt by someone, then I can't look them in the eye.
3. Eyes tell a lot, so I avoid eye contact when sharing something extremely personal.
4. Tommy Boy was a stroke of comedic genius.
5. I deserve to be treated with love and respect. And so does everyone else...
6. I've made some bad choices, but I am stronger and wiser because of them.
7. Motherhood is hard - especially alone.
8. I don't need a man in my life in order to have personal value. But I can still want a man in my life.
9. Marriage is the time to be picky.
10. You can take on a project (crafts, fixing up a house, etc.), but you shouldn't marry one.
11. I'm happier when I'm thinner, but I love food. How do I reconcile that?
12. Shutting off my emotions was essential to protect myself from bad things that were happening at the time. Turning them all back on has proven somewhat more difficult.
13. Spirituality can be very emotional. A lack of sensitivity to emotion can create a lack of sensitivity to spirituality.
14. All men are not responsible for one man's actions, and they shouldn't be punished for them.
15. I don't know how to fall in love.
16. I desperately want to travel the world.
17. I'd love to be on a writing team for a sitcom.
18. I have no idea how to be on a writing team for a sitcom.
19. I've never had a loving relationship with a guy.
20. Some of the losses in my life are the result of my choices.
21. The future is full of possibilities.
22. Even bad things in life can bring beautiful gifts.
23. Regret doesn't change the past, so let go and move on.
24. Friends keep me going.
25. Watching a baby sleep is like peeking into heaven.
26. A sincere compliment brightens my day.
27. I feel happier in a clean and orderly environment.
27-a. When I feel crazy and cluttered on the inside, my environment changes to match it.
27-b. Criticism of my environment hurts me to the core.
28. Criticisms and judgments are remembered long after they are given.
29. Kindnesses and loving gestures can be quickly forgotten in the rush of life.
30. The sound of moving water calms me. It also makes me need to pee.
31. Under the surface, old "tape recorders" remind me that I'm not good enough. And those are hard to drown out.
32. My brain knows that I have inherent value, but Pretty Woman is right: "The bad stuff is easier to believe."
33. I want to be a happy, confident, successful person, so I can choose to make that happen.
34. I like the combination of tans, beige, and chocolate brown. I also LOVE sapphire blue. These colors are calming and natural for me.
35. I'm tired a lot, and I miss having nap-time. Never mind preschool - start having nap-time at work!
36. I don't trust a lot of people.
37. I love the smell of 5 a.m., but I love the warmth and security of my pillow and blanket even more.
38. I like to visit and play in the snow, but I don't really enjoy living in it.
39. If I could live anywhere, I'd move back to California. I love it there! And I'd love to raise Hannah there.
40. I would love to have fresh flowers in my house year-round.
41. I want to learn to read hieroglyphics.
42. I want to make a difference.
43. I love to feel needed.
44. I like to be the expert at something - even if it's something dull and ordinary to others.
45. There is good in everyone if you look close enough.
46. I've got a lot more to learn.

Underused words

Ok - For those that have been living under a rock, I'd like to come out of the closet and let you all know that I love... words. I collect unabridged dictionaries, especially old ones. I get the Word-of-the-Day emails every morning. I love that musty smell of an old book. If I have spare time, I love to wander through used book stores looking for old reference books. I have been known to look up new words and try to use them for a week. I even have one specific dictionary that I used to mark words off in. One quirk, of many, folks.

At any rate, I've found that there are several words that we just don't use enough. So here are a few of my favorite off-the-wall and underused words:
- absurd
- super
- great (but you have to drag it out like a slightly medicated Tony the Tiger)
- kibitzer (that guy that keeps popping his head over the wall of your cube while you're trying to work...)
- Paraskavedekatriaphobia (but only applicable a few times a year)
- ridiculous
- hirsute
- rancid
- gastronome
- flippant
- ergo
- appalling
- sacrosanct
- stodgy
- spry
- chortle
- fascinating
- obstreperous (think terrible two's...)
- bailiwick
- rotund
- milksop (think Fab Five)
- preternatural
- wiseacre (a nice alternative for wise-ass)
And just for the holidays - tintinnabulation.

A silly list, I know, but something to pass the time. As opposed to the homework that I should really be done with already. But aren't random words more fun than stringing them together for a homework assignment? Let's be honest...

Microsoft v. Apple...?

Ok folks - As a newcomer to the 21st century, I am deciding which kind of MP3 player I would like to get. I work with a bunch of techno-nerds that are into gaming, etc... and most of them swear by the Zune. But other guys say the iPod will do what I want, plus I can get TV shows with the iPod and I can't yet with the Zune.

So is it just up to personal preference? What about price differences - are they basically the same, or will one save me loads over the other...?

What say you?

3 weeks!

So we get to have our first Blue Christmas EVER in 3 weeks! I am rather excited about it, and I'm struggling to maintain my composure... Who knows - maybe I'll meet some hunky Islander that appreciates curves. I'll be sure to keep dreaming!

Etymology of Blis

I thought I should explain the title of my BLOG. ("Blog" sounds like some kind of chest cold or digestive problem, when you drag it out. Ever notice that?)

So, my nicknames have evolved over the year. It started with Miss Melis, and then it was shortened to just Melis during jr. high. Then, freshman year of high school, there was a girl names Blyss in my Transition to Algebra 2 class, so my best friend Shana (aka: Bug) started calling me Blis. Later that progressed to Blistex, but I settled on Blis for the most part. Now I answer to most anything: Mel, MJ, Hot Stuff, etc... But I still refuse to answer to Missy - probably residual angst from the "Missy the Mutt" days of my youth. Thanks Mark.

First of many?

Hi All! This is definitely a first for me. I never considered myself nerdy enough to have my own blog, but now that Mark and Ellie have each had one (and they're not nerdy), I guess I'm okay...

I'd like to state right off the bat that I may or may not update this as frequently as I'd like, but I will do my best. And I will attempt to add pictures, too. I might have to ask one of the techie guys here in the Nerdery how to do it, though…

So, to bring everyone up to date on my life, here’s where things are at:


Work:

I work at Altiris, now part of Symantec – the 4th largest computer software company in the world. Luckily, though, I’m not forgotten in the masses of employees because our little Altiris Business Unit still operates separately. I am the sole sales support contact for the WiseSolutions sales reps for all of the US, which keeps me very busy. And I am sometimes contacted by our EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) sales support team for clarification, information/training and research. At least I get to hear fun accents when that happens, though, so I’m happy to help.

I have been quite frustrated in my work, since I don’t ADORE learning about computer software, but I recently found out that there may be some new and exciting growth opportunities in the future that would be much more appealing to me.


School:

Besides working full time, I also go to school full time through the University of Phoenix. Luckily this is done one condensed class at a time, so every 5 weeks I finish another class. This works out well for people with kids, jobs, and ADD, so I fit right in. Unfortunately, the quality of teachers is somewhat less predictable than at other colleges I have attended. Some are off-the-charts fabulous, and other are horribly boring and condescending. I have one more class and a Math CLEP test, to finish my GE’s and then I’ll be starting my Psychology courses, so I’m hoping that the teachers in my major classes will be much more enlightening. So far, my favorite class (and teacher) was my Philosophy 458 class – Creative Minds and Critical Thinking.

My goal is to finish my BS in Psychology (fitting, eh?), and then get my Masters so that I can become a therapist. I’m debating whether to finish my Bachelor’s at UoPx or to try to finish up at BYU. It would take a lot longer, but I might get a lot more out of the classes. Or – I could stay at UoP and then do my Masters at BYU, which would probably be extremely difficult but well worth it… In the meantime, I just keep plugging away – one class at a time. J


Dating –

Nonexistent. Know anyone?


Family –

Hannah is fairly fabulous in every way, and I love her more every day. I didn’t think it was possible, but I am happy to be wrong. Hannah is incredibly bright, which tells me that prayer works! She got my brain and his metabolism. Yay!!!

Hannah is in Kindergarten (again) because of her birthday, but they’re testing her to see whether to move her up to First grade, or just give her extra homework to keep her from getting bored. She’s can already read on her own, write, do math in her head, recite the states alphabetically, and she knows more of the US Presidents than I do.

As for future endeavors, Hannah currently wants to be either an artist, a pop star, or a mermaid when she grows up, so we’ve got some work ahead of us. She loves to sing and dance, and my next goal is to get her in some kind of dance class, so that she can work out some of her wiggles in a productive and aerobic way.


Me –

After work, school and Hannah, I’m lucky to get a few hours of sleep every night. So, I currently have simple goals: catch up on sleep, get my back and neck to stop hurting, get outside more, and lose weight. And it would be SUPER if they could all happen at the same time. J

In the future, I’d like to travel the world with Hannah, so that she can be more aware of the beauty and history of the Earth, and her part in the global community. I hope that this will foster a better attitude of gratitude in her as well.

And, if I were so lucky, I’d love to get remarried and add a hubby and a little boy to our family. I do pretty well most of the time, but it gets lonely, and I’d love to have someone in my life that loves me and treats me well. It’s always nice to try something new, right?


Well – Sorry for the long post this time. Future posts will probably be short and sweet. After all... “Brevity is the soul of wit.” – Hamlet, Scene 2