In My Head

A group of people can participate in the exact same event together, and yet, each person’s interpretation of that experience is different.

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about the saying “To understand someone, you need to walk a mile in his/her shoes, whether or not they fit.”  I’ve been trying to practice this more and more – though with some people it’s hard. Some people don’t let you in, so borrowing their shoes is difficult.  Still, I continue to try.

In the absence of being able to walk that mile, I am left without understanding.  And without understanding, it is hard for me to accept.

So now I’m also trying to practice acceptance of those things which I cannot understand, and coincidentally, of those things which I cannot change.

Post Script:  “Acceptance: Life is easier when you learn to just give up.”

Sleep (noun): the natural periodic suspension of consciousness during which the powers of the body are restored.

My site has been interrupted by Kanye!

Last fall I started a master of science program in human resource management & development. I attended classes part-time during fall/spring/summer (2 classes per semester – 1 class at a time, every 6 weeks).

Then, in my quest to move on to bigger and better things, I decided that I was going to go to school full time (4 classes per semester, 2 classes per 6 week period) while working full time in order to graduate in May. A little nuts, sure, but I can do it.

No question…. I can do it.  But what will be the results of this ambitious endeavor?…

This week I started the first fall term with two masters classes: 1) Managing Inclusion & Cultural Diversity and 2) Compensation & Benefits Strategy & Plan Design.  It’s a compressed term, 6 weeks instead of 12, but still doing the work of 12 weeks. I just finished tonight’s class and now I have to read 8 chapters, complete a written homework assignment and a self test before bed tonight so that I can be ready for class tomorrow.

For each of the 2 classes I have a weekly (or nightly) assignment, an individual paper, a group project, a mid-term exam, and a final exam.

My morning starts at 5:30 AM with a workout, then work at 7:30 AM, then class from 6-9  PM.  As long as I can get my work done Thur-Sun, I should be ok.  It’s just the homework assigned on Monday night for Wednesday night that might be a bit tricky.

Yes, I can do this.  It’s not going to be easy.  But I can do this…

Seems fitting…

Winds 20-30 mph

The “Tribute in Light” near the
World Trade Center site in New York City.

Eight years ago, al Qaeda terrorists hijacked airplanes to crash them into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. 2,751 people lost their lives after American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the north and south towers of the World Trade Center. Another 184 victims were killed when American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon’s west wall. In Shanksville, PA 40 passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93 died when the hijacked plane went down in a field there. The passengers and crew, aware of the fate of at least some of the other hijacked planes, fought the men who had taken control of their aircraft, leading to its crash. In total 3,017 people, including 24 presumed dead and 19 hijackers, died in the attacks.

The number 9 in Chinese culture, being the greatest of single-digit numbers, was historically associated with the Emperor of China; the Emperor’s robes often had nine dragons, and Chinese mythology held that the dragon has nine children. Moreover, the number 9 is a homophone of the word for “longlasting” (久), and as such is often used in weddings.

For date night tonight, the hubby and I went out to take night shots.  Specifically of the full moon.  Below are shots taken with a Nikon D40X at various settings.  The final photo is of the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge (previously known as the Triboro bridge).

(Click on photo to see it individually with the camera settings, and click on it again for a larger version.)