We Have Today

Highly doubtful if the thermometer reached 30 degrees today - in fact, it started out in the mid-teens according to the Today Show at the gym this morning. But, nevertheless, it was a perfectly wonderful day to be outside.

In fact, it was one of those days that I kept searching for a reason to go outside:

A quick jog to the gym (+treadmill run inside) and back - brr!...


A familiar walk up the street for a simple breakfast of chocolate-y chip goodness (in the form of a bagel) and a cup of joe from Panera with my sister...


A smooth drive to my school, where some of my students were playing in a basketball game - they won!


A brief trip to the GAP right at the corner of my street - it's hard to resist a buy one get one free sale...


A short "hike" to a nearby restaurant to meet my sister for dinner (after she went to Mass)...


I know the weather won't last like this much longer. Snow's bound to come and barometers are likely to fall sharply. But I had today.

Yes, I had today...

Immaculate Mary

Remember, it is almost impossible to reach Jesus without Mary's mediation. Therefore, entrust everything to her, especially your soul.

~ St. John Bosco

Mary, Help of Christians, Pray for Us!

This short, simple prayer says it all. (I love how the Salesians make it so simple!) When we draw near to Mary, we draw near to God.

So, clearly, Marian feast days are the best: Happy Feast of the Immaculate Conception!

Opportunity's a-knocking

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

- Thomas Edison

If I teach my students one thing this year (in addition to coming closer to God), I want it to be that they should not be afraid of working hard. I want them to look a challenge (or a hard word problem in math) in the eye and believe they can do it. Even if they have a chance at failing, I want them to make that leap. If not here in a safe learning environment, then where? when?

Is that too much to want for my students? I know I always harp on the fact that if something was easy, then everyone would do it. But an opportunity occurs when you work hard to create it. Plus, isn't it that much better when we finally achieve something after working hard at it?

Yes, Thomas Edison sure was a bright guy.

So, the question is, when opportunity knocks, will we be prepared to answer, even if the "work" seems hard?

A Laughing Matter

Sometimes laughter is the best medicine.

And what makes it really neat is when that laughter comes as part of your job, and you take the time to really appreciate those little funny moments.

I was fortunate to have a few of those moments today.

And for those I am truly grateful.

Words, Don't Fail Me Now

My Grandpa

(A Memory Rhyming Poem)

December 3, 2011

A man of few words,

but wise, nonetheless.

Stubborn to a fault

as his patience we'd test

He served in the Air Corps,

was a civil engineer

And a good man to his family

year after year

He bled green and white -

A Spartan fan true.

Best beware of "the look"

if you mentioned "Go Blue."

Ev'ry morning he'd have

his coffee without fail

As he read the newspaper

and sorted through mail.

He liked everything plain -

a no fuss kind of guy.

On his burgers, no "garbage"

on the side, he'd have fries.

His dislike for pickles

was one of a kind

"I'm allergic to them" -

he had made up his mind.

Manhattans and Mai Tais,

a cold beer or two

Celebrating with friends -

that he knew how to do.

Public Broadcasting programs

and NCIS

USA, Big 10 network -

on TV, those were best.

He taught us to play card games -

Pinochle was fun.

And we always enjoyed it,

no matter who won.

He gave generously

of his money and time

For he believed that to give

any less was a crime.

A brother, an uncle

a grandpa and dad

A friend, a coworker,

an MSU grad

Words simply can't tell

how I miss him - I've tried

It just hasn't been 

the same since he died.

But his memory I'll carry

with me where I go.

Blessed to be his granddaughter -

that I sure hope he knows.

Grandpa, Sparty, and Me

As a twelve year old kid, I confess I didn't know much in the ways of the world. (And perhaps I still don't, but that's another story.) The point is that it was that year when I really started watching college basketball.

And, let's face it, it wasn't just any college basketball - it was Michigan State. (I'm pretty sure I dubbed myself an honorary member of the Izzone.) A fanatic (me) was born.

Why Michigan State? You know, people still ask me that to this day, and I love telling the story.

Actually, it's not much of a story, per se. It's really just for one simple fact - I wanted something in common with my grandpa. (I guess I realized even then what an incredible man he was.) Whether watching in the same room or on different TVs across the country, I knew that we would always be able to either celebrate or lament the team's results and stats at the end of each game. Without fail, it would be something we shared.

And we did just that for 14 years.

Eh, who am I kidding? He's still watching (wherever he is), I'm sure of it.

And I'll definitely keep watching too - heck, the team picture and schedule is the desktop background on my computer.

As I'm sure my grandpa would say, Sparty on...

Meeting Adjourned

How quickly things change. And how fast life keeps moving forward even when you want it to just stand still (or even go backwards)...

Grandpa, I miss you so much. Because of you my blood will always run green and white. (Go State!) I will forever hum "Waltzing Matilda" and hear "The Bedbugs and the Cooties" rhyme in my head. And, as you constantly reminded me, I will "save my money and buy whiskey." Whenever I see a pickle on my plate, I will remember how you always claimed you were allergic to them just so you wouldn't have to deal with that nonsense. (Pure genius.) And when it's time to leave the table, I'll always note (at least to myself) that the meeting's adjourned. I love you, and I am so proud and blessed to be your granddaughter.

(In loving memory, July 11, 1924 - December 2, 2011)