B-town...

This embodies so well how I feel about the outsiders in Boise.

"So if you're from out of town, please get this one thing down. It's really not hard to pronounce... There is no Z in Boise."

Not your run-of-the-mill feminist rant

I have always considered myself a type of feminist. Not the bra-burning type, although I was once accused of being such. No, rather the I-can-do-anything-I-want-to type. This has always meant going into the world, getting a great education, having a meaningful career, and making a difference. It has never meant "just being a mom."

Now, I know that so many of my wonderful friends and family will say that is a career, and that is making a difference, etc. I am in no way arguing those points. My point today is about the beauty of feminism, the way I see it... the I-can-do-anything-I-want-to type of feminsim. And I applaude you women who are moms and love it. Who accomplish this standard of feminism by doing exactly what you want to do. That is the beauty of this day and age. That we, as women are no longer required by society to be stay-at-home moms, but have the opportunity to make the choice to do so. How much more powerful can we be as mothers who actively choose to stay home with kids. I hope someday, despite my wonderful career and masters degree , I will make that choice as well.

And a thousand thanks to my wonderful mom who made that choice and has definitely made a difference in the lives of her five children.

Wherever you are... Be there.

I have this awful habit of looking beyond the mark. I am always looking for something better than what I have now, in almost every aspect of my life. Which precludes me enjoying what I have. I love the quote above: "Wherever you are, be there." My mom says it to me quite often, and yet I still struggle living it. But such is my continuous goal. Renewed again today.

Eternal Optimist...with a dash of cynicism.

I feel like I am quite a positive person. I think theory always works in application. I think that everyone can change. I think we make decisions and therefore make things happen. I think seizing an opportunity brings results. I think I can make a difference. I am an optimist.

Nevertheless, I live and work in a world of cynics. They call themselves realists. And sadly (at least in my opinion) these "realists" have rubbed off on me a bit. Sometimes it comes out. Sometimes I think the impossible is, well... impossible. Life experience has added a dash of cynicism to my optimistic outlook. I hope it doesn't change the flavor too much.