Missing My Peeps

Introverts get fueled or re-charged by spending time alone. That is me to a tee. BUT I’ve got an extroverted side, too, and I’m trying to let my extrovert, social-butterfly-self free a bit more often. Recently I let loose just a bit, and my extroverted side reemerged from her cocoon ready to fly off and socially mingle as much as possible. HA! Apparently, I’ve been holding in my extroverted self far too long.

Last week I attended a new Bible study for singles only, and I really enjoyed it. The Bible study, which is based on The Story (the Bible in a narrative format), seems like it will be interesting. So that’s great.

However, it was there in the midst of the 140+ other area singles that I realized just how much I’ve missed people. All right, so I’ve not exactly been holed up in a cave somewhere. I’ve been going to work, church and family gatherings. I’ve been meeting friends for lunch and dinners. I’ve been social, but something has been missing. I’ve missed that interaction with people with whom I have so much in common, too. You know, others who know what it’s like to be single and approaching 40 or beyond. GULP! I've been out of that mix for a while, and somehow, it was refreshing to jump back in.

That evening, in the span of less than two hours, I got caught up with some old friends – hugs and chatter all around. I also got acquainted with some new friends – people I could identify with, names I am trying to remember, etc. So while I might be an introvert to my very core, I do love people and thoroughly enjoy making new friends, building friendships, connecting one person to another, etc. It was awesome! Got to do more of that!

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things...

Sure is hard to believe, but we are already in the 2nd week of 2011. I’m in denial I guess because I’m still wanting to recap 2010 one more time, and so in line with Julie Andrews, I made a list of my favorite things…

FAVORITE GOD-STORY: My home invasion: GOD kept me safe and provided for my needs!

FAVORITE NEW FRIENDS: My Chancel choir friends

FAVORITE SPECIAL EVENT: Janet (my niece) and Chris’s wedding day

FAVORITE MOMENT: Being there to experience Becky’s sheer delight at meeting Jars of Clay (and Brandon Heath) in person

FAVORITE ALBUM: Mercy Me’s The Generous Mr. Lovewell

FAVORITE MOVIE: on TV Masterpiece Theatre’s Emma + in theatres The A-Team (hey, I love it when a plan comes together!)

FAVORITE NEW TOY: My DROID phone (aka home to my “Angry Birds” game)

FAVORITE ADVENTURE: Rediscovering Dawes Arboretum on my own one sunny Friday 

FAVORITE BIG NEWS: Learning that my parents were ready to go with me to Europe in 2011 - WOOHOO!!

The Brits Do It Again

I had trouble falling asleep last night. I just lay there with a silly grin on my face, my mind a million miles away. I was in love. In love with yet another British series, Downton Abbey. The first episode aired last night on PBS’s Masterpiece Theatre, and I was immediately captivated by the twisting story lines, the 1912-1913 era, the English country house setting, and the riveting characters. It was pure magic.

Now I have confessed more than once that I am a period film junkie, and if it’s British, all the better. Yes, I do have a weakness for all things British, and my travels “across the pond” have done anything but cure me of my obsession. Truly, my affliction is even greater. A film shot using the English landscape now causes me to reminisce and sigh with a near-homesick tingle in my throat. Even if I didn’t visit that house, walk those gardens or photograph those particular sheep, they still seem familiar to me.

Fact is that I’m a lost cause, and this series has left me incorrigible. SIGH! Oh well! This is who I am, and this girl is eagerly anticipating the next installment on Sunday, January 16th and until then will dreamily linger with bated breath...

Just My Opinion...

I recognize that the Times They Are A-Changin’. Sure, fads and fashion trends come and go, modesty standards adjust, and things continue to evolve. Over the centuries, standards of decency have fluctuated back and forth. I get that, but sometimes, I really don’t like what I’m seeing out there.

I find myself shocked to discover what young women are wearing today and what pictures of themselves they are willing to post on Facebook and other sites. I KNOW, this officially classifies me as old, but I can’t help it. I’m concerned about them, I’m curious where their parents are, and I’m even a little bit embarrassed for them.

I don’t consider myself a prude. I have my limits on what I would personally wear in public – enough said! And no, I don’t want us to go back to the era where it was indecent for women to show their ankles and 10 layers of clothing was deemed standard attire even in the middle of summer. I love the freedom to choose my own style and be my own person. BUT, sometimes I think we females take our liberties too far…

On the flip side, I CANNOT and WILL NOT excuse men who look, touch or take more serious advantage of these same young women who believe it is their right to have maximum skin exposure. But I am also a realist, too, and I believe that you get results (just perhaps not what you wanted) when you dangle meat in front of a hungry predator. Don’t set yourself up as bait! Be smart!