Something's Missing

Lately work has been a little hairy. Not my area, per say, but there have been rough and rocky patches that I sure wish I could eliminate. But what's the difference between those that are struggling with rocky patches at work and those who are not? Students who are succeeding and those who are not? Offices that are thriving and those that certainly aren't? What's the missing link?

I've been telling my students that what I'm really looking for in a leader is enthusiasm. And although this may be true, I don't know that it's the missing link. I mean, it is so important to have an excitement and enthusiasm about what you do, and a lot of things will follow once enthusiasm is there, but I think there's something deeper than that.

And what makes some offices or departments or individuals angry, what makes them fail dastardly at projects, what compels them to become liars or cheaters?

I have come to the determination that what is missing, as ridiculous as it may sound, is love. Think about it. If a person truly, deeply loves another, do they lie to them, or cheat, or hate, or stay angry? Rather you want to take care of them, do your best for them, show them compassion, and fight for them.

And if a true love is developed for what you do, can you not apply similar principles?

I have fallen in love with where I am right now. And the last thing I want is to do wrong by it. So all the things that need to flow next do: enthusiasm, excitement, passion, honesty, wanting to do my best, wanting to fight for my cause...relentless love brings about all these things.

So, as I grow into this place that I love, I find myself praying ever more fervently to bring love to this place. Bring love to the employees, the students, the programs, the administration. And when its true, there will be a noticeable, un-ignorable difference. I long for that day and pray hard.

Fun in the Kitchen

In place of a blind-date-road-trip that I thought was going to take place today, I decided to clean my house and then undo most of that with some fun in the kitchen.

For the first time ever, I tried my hand at homemade pasta. It wasn't too tough, a cup or so of flour, three eggs, and a tablespoon of olive oil. But it was sure messy! After mixing the ingredients in the recommended manner (on the counter...which I wouldn't necessarily recommend), you then have to let it sit and, then roll it out thin, cut it all up, and let it rest again. And the sauce? A creamy parmesan cinnamon acorn squash sauce. Oh yeah, I did that.

It was one of those recipes that I figured I would either love or hate. Here's what's in it:
Squash (the recipe called for pumpkin...whatever)
butter
half and half
onions
garlic
cinnamon
parmesan cheese

Weird right? Yeah, that's what I thought, but it actually tastes great! Kind of savory and creamy, but it needs a little something. I'm eating it right now trying to figure out what that other thing might be. Perhaps some salt...I'll let you know.

The Hunt is On!

Well, after much debate and even more stalling, the hunt is officially on. I've set the appointment with the realtor, my family's on board with a variety of options in hand, and I want to find a home that I love.

There are so many things that I'm excited about that come a long with searching for a house. First is, of course, the hunt. I've been drooling over houses that I want to see online for weeks, and next week, I'm going to get to walk through them and critic them and think about all the things I could do with them. But then there is the moving. I have got to be one of the few people on earth that doesn't mind moving. In fact, I'm already starting to prepare for all the things that come with a move. In the past, it has not been all that tricky to move. Pick up and go. And I have...so many times. But this time there's so much more: new driver's license, car registration and plates, utilities set up, a million address changes....

So, naturally, I have created a binder (I almost bought one, but that seemed silly), with all of the things I can possibly think of that will need to happen before, during, and after a move. It's so far about seven pages long. Yep, I'm a nerd.

I'm also excited to have projects of my very own...someday. I hope to fix things up, decorate rooms, buy new furniture to help fill rooms, and maybe even garden...or try to garden. :) Even the prospect of mowing (ooh, going to need a mower), and scooping snow sound a little exciting to this perpetual renter.

So, with all the excitement, and the realization that this could take a while, my goal is to find a place, buy it, and move in by summer....we'll see. But I just wanted to share my enthusiasm with someone now. :)