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ColoradoGrams
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Written by cmg
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Wednesday, 13 January 2010 03:16 |
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Today would have been Bryan's 29th birthday. Bryan was a wonderful friend of mine from high school in Sanford, North Carolina. On June 28th, 2001 Bryan died in a car accident. Bryan was one of the most genuine and "real" people I've ever met, and was always getting into mischief - his smile was a constant reminder of that. When he died, the church was packed with family and friends, fraternity brothers, and community members; we were all numb from his sudden and tragic death. At the conclusion of the service, a bagpipe player walked down the aisle to the front of the church playing "Amazing Grace" and back outside, marking the close of the ceremony. I am reminded of Bryan all the time - a car similar to what he drove (he had a passion for fixing up classic muscle cars) or hearing the familiar, friendly twang of a southern accent. I always take these reminders as signs that Bryan is doing okay and is watching over his friends and family from heaven. Twice a year (once on Bryan's birthday, and once on the anniversary of his death), I always try to find a quiet place to reflect, remember, and pray. For the past five years, as I've been living in Colorado, I have been drawn to the serenity and peace of the Garden of the Gods. This year was no exception. I found a small outcropping of rocks, away from the roads and trails full of tourists enjoying the warmer than average Colorado weather and climbed to the top of a rock that gave me a spectacular view of the rest of the park. After about 20 minutes of reflection and prayer, I heard the indistinguishable tone of bagpipes resonating off the rocks. The melody, jumbled at first, resolved into "Amazing Grace." I listened for about ten minutes as "Amazing Grace" turned into a variety of other tunes, but could never quite determine where the music was coming from. I scrambled down from the rocks, hopped in my car, and drove around the main formation of rocks in the park with windows down, hoping to spot the mysterious bagpiper. Finally, I spied a figure in red holding a set of bagpipes on top of a rock located a fair distance off the road. I parked, jumped out of my car and ran up the muddy, icy trail. As I approached, he finished playing, looked at me, and I said simply "Thank you." I went on to explain about Bryan, and how much it meant to hear "Amazing Grace" at a time when I needed to hear it. The man asked me more about Bryan - what he was like, what I missed about him, and then asked me to write down Bryan's name, birthdate, and date of death in a notebook he had in his pocket. I did, thanked him again, and turned to head back down the trail. After a few seconds of silence, I heard the rumblings of a bagpipe start again, and "Amazing Grace" followed me back to my car.
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 13 January 2010 03:58 |
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Written by cmg
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Saturday, 02 January 2010 03:12 |
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Happy New Year! As 2009 came to a close I was amazed by the number of people who had a bad year. It seemed that everywhere I looked (okay, so via Facebook) people were posting about how miserable 2009 was and how much they were looking forward to 2010. 2009 was challenging, no doubt, for a variety of reasons. But, I know I learned a lot from the year and I think (and hope!), I'm a better person for it. Last night Paul and I stayed in. After celebrating Christmas week in Oklahoma with both sets of parents, we wanted to spend a quiet night at home. Nothing says "Happy New Year" like home made buttermilk biscuits and chicken teriyaki, right? After getting a midnight kiss from my love and watching the Adaman Club's incredible fireworks from the top of Pikes Peak (seriously, go check out the link), we crashed. I wanted to start my day off the way I want my year to go - motivated, healthy, and making good choices. So I made it to the gym on base by 8am for a great New Years Day workout. (I'm a dork, I know.) As I was on the treadmill, CNN had a snippet on making resolutions more viable and likely to be kept. CNN said that resolutions should be written down (complete with subgoals and concrete steps on "how to"), and shared with friends for accountability. And since the television doesn't lie... ...here are my resolutions for 2010: 1. Continue working out: this includes lifting weights 4 times a week and doing cardio 6 times a week. **Cardio Subgoal - increase length and distance and speed of runs. Goal for running is at least 30 miles a week (but I realize this may take some time to work up to).
2. Be healthy - body, mind, soul **Eat healthier - goal to get back into size 6 jeans comfortably (I debated whether to share this particular point online, but what the heck). Follow predetermined meal plan. This also includes not eating any chocolate until Elizabeth and AJ's wedding on May 21st. (They are having their reception at the Melting Pot, so I can indulge then!)
3. Clean out the fridge and leftovers well before deciding to just throw away all the tupperware and buy new stuff. 4. Take at least one photo a day - just something that documents what my day is about. This particular resolution is a part of a project that my buddy Amy and I are taking on this year. I can't wait!
So there you have it. Nothing too complicated or life changing, but important to me nonetheless. Please, every once in a while, call me on these. Ask me what size jeans I'm wearing. Ask me if I've made any cookies just so I can eat the batter before they're baked. Ask me whether anything is growing in our fridge. 2010 is going to be a good, exciting year. Cheers!
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Last Updated on Saturday, 02 January 2010 18:36 |
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Does it Really Matter Eddie? |
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Written by cmg
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Wednesday, 16 December 2009 23:50 |
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As in many families, watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is one of many events that signifies the arrival of the Christmas season. Watching this fine piece of American film is much anticipated in our house as well as at my parents' place in Oklahoma. It makes my father laugh harder than anything else I've ever seen which, in turn, makes us laugh even more than just the movie. This year Paul and I have been holding off on watching it until it is truly our "Christmas Vacation." Paul has given all of his finals for the semester, and has two days of work left (grading, wrapping up the semester, etc). FRIDAY is THE night where we finally get to watch this movie for the first time this season. Since we are driving to Oklahoma on Monday, Paul and I will be celebrating our Colorado Christmas on Friday. All of our Christmas cards have been mailed, baking is done, wrapping is finished, and shopping completed. I'm looking forward to relaxing with Paul and our families for our Christmas vacation. Until then, I'm anxiously counting down the days (and almost the hours!) until I get to laugh so hard hot chocolate comes out of my nose. Jello mold, anyone?
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Last Updated on Thursday, 17 December 2009 00:08 |
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Cheesecake Brings Everyone Closer |
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Written by cmg
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Thursday, 26 November 2009 04:33 |
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It started with a quick gmail conversation about cheesecake. Specifically, ideas to help enhance a caramel apple cheesecake that Amy and I are both making for Thanksgiving. White chocolate chips -- mini or original size? Extra cinnamon? A combination of graham cracker, ritz cracker, and animal cracker crust? Cheesecake muffins - bake with paper baking cups or rely on good old Pam? Both cheesecakes have turned out looking successful, though the final verdicts will be known at some point tomorrow after copious amounts of other Thanksgiving deliciousness have been consumed. While I am overwhelmingly thankful for cheesecake (and really, who isn't?), the gmail conversation turned into an hour and a half long phone conversation with my best bud in New Jersey. We chat every once in a while, but between school, work, the different time zones, and well, just life getting in the way, we don't get to catch up as much or as frequently as we'd like. I am so thankful that this evening we got to catch up on so much. It was incredible talking without a deadline to keep in the back in our minds, an upcoming homework assignment that needs to be finished, or how the time is passing and getting closer to when our alarms will go off. We even got to share a glass of wine together during our phone call! Today I toast to friendships that last 30 years (and more) and to friends who, even across 1755 miles can finish each others sentences.
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Lifting Weights with Bon Jovi |
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Written by cmg
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Wednesday, 25 November 2009 04:21 |
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Music. I'm not sure where I would be without it. Especially today. I needed my ipod to get through an early morning workout at the gym. I set my ipod to shuffle throughout my entire music catalogue, and every once in a while I get to laugh out loud as 30 Seconds to Mars transitions into the Wicked soundtrack, or a Haydn Mass. I got to drive a friend to the airport in Denver today so she can go home and visit her family for Thanksgiving. It's about an hour and fifteen minute drive. On my ride back to Colorado Springs, I turned up the volume on my ipod (same shuffle set up as at the gym) and sang. It was a great day for turning the music up and singing at the top of my lungs. My day continued with choir practice. Our Christmas concert is in a week in a half - already! We are performing Haydn's Mass in Time of War and a Christmas cantata by Daniel Pinkham. Rehearsal today was exhausting, but great. I have a lot of practicing to do, but I love how singing Christmas music makes me feel peaceful and excited about the upcoming Christmas season. There was a slight cheesecake incident this evening. It's amazing what some good music (and a glass of wine) will do to help me relax, take a deep breath, and start over. So, today, especially, I am thankful for music. La, la, la!
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