One of Those Weeks

It was one of those weeks, a few weeks ago. The ones where it really is the little things that just add up. Mole hills become mountains and they continue to multiply until you just feel like you are being kicked while you're down. I shed some tears, drank some wine, "talked it out" to my obliging husband, called my parents... Finally, however, I realized that I was doing it all wrong. I was going to myself to fix my problem of not feeling good about myself. There in lies the actual problem. Me. Me. Me. A little more me with a side of, what was that? Oh yeah, me.

It hit me during a conversation with a friend about a completely non-related topic. I am the daughter of the heavenly Father- a jealous Father, who will not be shared.  I was putting Him on the back burner and all my oh-so-big (cough...petty..cough) woes in the fore front. I did what I tell my students to do all the time- pray. Realize that you cannot change others, only yourself. And finally, empty yourself of you and pray that God will fill you with Him. Listen. Stop worrying, working, wandering, and wasting your time searching else where for the answers. Be still and know. "And that has made all the difference."

One of Those Helpers

We now live in a world where chivalry is dying a slow and painful death. This is no slam against men at all, but the world in which we live does not seem to acknowledge not celebrate this gift, and thus, it is deemed not important. Or, when it is displayed, it is often mistaken for something else and is scoffed at. It seems our own problems are always a little too big to stop and help someone else. We always seem to be in a rush and our precious time cannot be wasted or borrowed, as it were, by some other individual who may or may not be deserving. So, to have someone pull a random act of kindness is few and far between.

That was what happened, however. Yesterday, Olivia and I went on what has to be our 20th trip to Target this week. I swear, we practically live there. Between baby items, and then everything else that our budget goes to, let it be said that we frequent our local Target quite often. Anyway, Olivia and I had finished out latest expedition and were heading out the second set of double doors. I tend to choose the automatic doors. One usually does when one's hands are full of a beautiful baby and bags of supplies. However, the second set stayed shut. I look slightly more than slightly ridiculous. I couldn't open it and there was actually a line forming behind me. At Target. At 8:34pm. On a Thursday night- what gives? Before I could get too flustered, though, an extremely nice couple escorted me to the manual set of doors, opening them for me. I thanked them, but our paths crossed again due to our proximity in the parking lot. They asked if I needed any help putting everything into the car, especially with Liv. I had it, but I thanked them again. We parted ways and I realized, on the way home, that an extraordinary thing had happened. I had been sincerely helped and thought of by total strangers. It was a wonderful feeling!

I have thought about that a few times throughout today and relished the happiness of having someone else care. Not that I don't feel cared about, but by total strangers who simply were going on a evening shopping trip to Target. Chivalry is not dead! Selflessness is not completely out of style. The actions we put on our daily repertoire make a huge impact on those around us. I pray that I can be that act of kindness to someone else.

One of Those Trips

This week is finally over halfway over. It has not been an innately bad week or sad week or depressing week. It has simply been a busy week thus far; one where, at the end of the day I cannot remember many of the details and all I want (simultaneously) is a drink and some sleep. And no- I am not quite sure how that would work.

It is during this hectic, crazy, nearly third quarter, tax season period when I most want to get away and travel. It could be some grand, African safari or an incredible sabbatical through Europe. I envision living it up in New York, basking on the beaches of southern California, or hiking along the forested paths of the Black Hills. Anywhere not Nebraska- heck, anywhere outside of Lincoln. Not that I have anything against "the good life," I just want to digress from my 26 year old self and want to give back the responsibilities, the tasks at hand, the going above and beyond. I want to be somewhere where no one knows me; anonymity can be a good companion sometimes.

I have been getting nostalgic and reminiscing about some of my favorite trips. Vacations to my grandparents, family adventures at KOA campgrounds, student teaching in Orange County, studying abroad in Dublin, visiting friends in NYC, and lively discussions on back country roads come to mind. Such fabulous trips with wonderful people. And, as I think about wonderful people, I hear a little cry from upstairs in our tiny, two bedroom duplex.

I have had such wonderful adventures on this journey of life, and there are more to come. However, I have my best friend and our daughter to share them with. I am absolutely in love with my little family and this little half-a-house is our home. It is our safe haven; our getaway. Nebraska is not the tropics of the South Pacific, but it can be all four seasons in an afternoon. I can plan and plot out the future travels of the Olp clan. I can get lost in the anticipation of waiting for that next escape. I have the two best people in the world to explore with me the vast world in which we live. So, bring on Thursday and Friday. Bring on the appointments, the grading, the meetings, the rehearsals, the cooking and cleaning, clothes folding, pet feeding, the grad school paper writing, and anything else this week has to offer. I am ready. As Ellie from "Up" would say, "Adventure is out there!" And it is.

One of Those Days

I have found that the phrase, "It's been one of those days," usually notes a negative connotation where the person saying it has had a bad day filled with unpleasant coincidences or unhappy endings. However, "those days" could indeed be positive and enjoyable. There are so many types of days, each full of their own ups and downs. As a new mom, newer wife, and not so new teacher, I have had many of "those days." In fact, each day is "one of those days." This blog is dedicated to the every day activities that make up the days the are included in this incredible journey called life.

Today was one of those days where I, once again, realized how much a girl needs her friends. It has been a haphazard, up and down sort of week. It began with my husband, Landon, and I not being able to keep our food in and our 9 month old, Olivia, not being able to push anything out. That progressed into both Landon and I having to take off some work, put in some weird hours to make it up, and finally, ending the week with all three of us in decently good health, after a few visits to the doctor- we're new parents- so sue us. I was exhausted.

Today, I was able to meet up with a dear friend from college, Hannah. We met up at the mall and she and I, pushing my little lady, Liv, set off on a refreshing turn 'round the shopping center. The walking and blatant people watching (I need to learn to do this much more stealthily, but, such is life) was relaxing and entertaining. We heartily agreed to take some of the samples off of the trays of the food-hander-outters in the food court with no intention of buying any. We let the ladies of Bath and Body Works put apple-berry-banana-I-have-no-clue-what-other-fruit-you-can-shove-in-this-concoction lotion on the back of our hands because apparently its not kosher to put it in ones hand. We had a nice guy who told us his life story of growing up in India try to sell us some rather potent smelling hair product. It was fun- the closest we will even become to being a celebrity and have squads of professionals to help us out.


The best part was grabbing a coffee and just talking. Letting off some steam. Talking about things that weren't school related. I love my job, but its nice to get away every once in awhile. Laying my heart out without fear of judgement or gossip. It was therapeutic. Liv was giggling at another stroller-bound baby and we all parted ways, hearts lighter. Friends are so vital. Friends who let you be you. Friends who remind you that your value does not lie in your job, salary, degree, weight, or anything else that is inconsistent and unimportant. Friends who make you laugh and, for a time, forget the worries of life. It was one of those days where I was, much like in high school, so thankful for an afternoon at the mall with my friend.