learning

orson f. whitney's response to "invictus" helps me to remember that i'm not always in control, and that's ok.

INVICTUS
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of Circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of Chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

THE SOUL’S CAPTAIN
Art thou in truth? Then what of him
Who bought thee with his blood?
Who plunged into devouring seas
And snatched thee from the flood?

Who bore for all our fallen race
What none but him could bear.—
The God who died that man might live,
And endless glory share?

Of what avail thy vaunted strength,
Apart from his vast might?
Pray that his Light may pierce the gloom,
That thou mayest see aright.

Men are as bubbles on the wave,
As leaves upon the tree.
Thou, captain of thy soul, forsooth!
Who gave that place to thee?

Free will is thine—free agency,
To wield for right or wrong;
But thou must answer unto him
To whom all souls belong.

Bend to the dust that head “unbowed,”
Small part of Life's great whole!
And see in him, and him alone,
The Captain of thy soul.

new hair goal

i've decided that i'm tired of bangs. or, maybe it's just that i'm tired of trying to make them do what i want. alexis mentioned jennifer anniston's grown out bangs, and i did some research. so...here's what i want my new hair to look like:

my newest passion

the rumor is true. i have become obsessed with family history. much to maiyah's frustration, it's all i can talk about, think about, work on. i have found an amazing connection with my dad's ancestors. his mother's paternal side comes from the netherlands, and his mother's maternal side from austria. i have read stories of many family members' journey to and settling of america. amazing people. so, cheers to my heritage...here are some pics.

HAAKSBERGEN, NETHERLANDS








BOHEMIA, AUSTRIA

hello mr. wade

this is a little late in coming, but it's so good that it's worth waiting for: dwaye wade took it to canada, and i caught it on film. lucky me!

eyelash update

Week 2: No new sprouts. Slightly worried. Still hopeful.

Week 3: Manifesting new sprouts. When i look in my car visor mirror, i swear i see more lashes than were there a week ago. But...that could be due to two things: car mirrors tend to show things closer (and perhaps thicker) than they appear and i'm getting nervous that my eye shall remain bare until i die.

Week 4: I asked for confirmation. Sade says my eyelashes are, in fact, growing back. Yes! There are a few that are actually at regualr length. Other than that, there are a few that seem to be growing also. Still, quite a bit of exposed skin on my little, sad lid. Till next week....

Week...i have no idea because it's been too long...happy to report that, yes, indeed, my lashes grew back completely. They're looking good!

sisterly love

i love my sisters, each of them for different reasons and in different ways. today...i love alexis for putting the following quote on her "quote of the day" post on the 6th of March 2008. i would say that it most closely defines my attitude about life.

so, thank you alexis, and thank you mark twain.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream." –Mark Twain

a question

what is it about getting in touch with old friends that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside?