American Reflections

I am GLAD and GRATEFUL to be an American!!!! The years I have spent overseas were fun, rewarding, challenging, amazing, etc. but all those emotions do not equal the joy of returning to American soil and knowing I can call it HOME.

I am grateful for the opportunities that I have here as a woman. I am grateful that I can choose my clothes, grateful that I can choose and apply for jobs. I'm grateful that I can be single and still a fully functioning member of society. I'm especially grateful that I can pursue an education!!!!

My favorite partriotic moment: during the 2002 Olympics in SLC, I had the chance to attend a concert with guest artists and choirs. The concert was held in the Tabernacle, already a place rich in heritage and spirit. I heard the Olympic Hymn started to play and children lined the aisles in international costumes and flags. Then the climax of the Hymn began and two children began to march down the main aisle. One was holding the Olympic flag, the other the American Flag. It may seem like a small moment to some, but for me, it was an unforgettable (and speechless) moment.

I also have great respect for families who have legally entered the United States, those who have left all that they hold familiar and dear to take a leap and make a better life for their families. I encounter many such families in my line of work.
I gained this respect from learning a lesson during my year in Taiwan. I came to Taiwan, financially being able to afford to do, coming from a good home, well-educated. But because I couldn't speak/write/read a word of Mandarin, I may as well been a middle school dropout, living on the streets. I learned that I was in no place to judge those who have come here to make a better life. For all I know, they were highly educated and affluent in their home countries. It was a powerful lesson and I hope I never forget it....... (not trying to stir up political opionions here, just remembering acceptance of others......)

And They Say Being Prepared is a Good Thing......

I have operated for many years under the premise that being prepared is a good thing. Well, the other I found an exception to this idea........

I had a girlfriend over for dinner for dinner of fajitas and fruit salad. I checked ingredients before I left for work that morning, what I didn't have I picked up on my way home from work so that once I did get home...... I could just get started cooking. Cut the chicken, pepper (courtesty of my parents garden-thanks Mom!) onion (without crying-thank you very much) saute, add seasoning and water, stir, simmer.

So while that was going I put out plates, silverware, etc. Washed blueberries, washed and sliced grapes, sliced bananas. Mmmmmmm.......

Usually at this time, just before dinner, I'm running around, sweaty, trying to do 3 things at once, etc. But this time, aside from grating cheese, I was actually ready! On time.

Which explains why when I did remember about the fajitas, (I was so prepared that I'd forgotten about them) they were burned. I'm talking scrape the bottom of the pan, black stuff on the bottom of the food, onions gone from clear to blackened, etc. Out came the knives and we scraped the black of the bottom as best we could. Then we ate.

Ahhhhh...... life. At least the grated cheese, tortillas and esp the fruit salad were unscathed!