Magnanimous

My grandparents have been visiting from out of town for the past few days so I have retreated into my own little family world. It's been nice. We have these big family meals for breakfast and dinner; something I'm not accustomed to. With my dad out of town for weeks at a time, my mom and I tend to fend for ourselves, especially with me in school getting home at sporadic times.

I think it's been years since we've had apple juice in the house.

On Thursday, when they arrived, we visited outdoors, enjoying our lovely backyard. I used to live close to a Nature Center growing up and every time I look outside it reminds me of my childhood and how much I want to throw on some boots and explore!

We then took my grandparents out to eat at the same restaurant we held their surprise 50th wedding anniversary. It was amazing to have close to 50 out-of-state family members make the trip down here last year to surprise them!

On Friday, my mom had to work, so my dad, grandma, and I went to Lowes in search of flowers to plant. We settled on some delicious purple, white, and peachy flowers that we hoped mom would like. My grandma and I are addicted to HGTV, so we entertained ourselves on that. When we came home, my grandpa and dog were sitting on the front porch. Apparently, we had locked them out! Then we picked up mom and did a little grocery shopping.

On Saturday, I worked until late (around 7:30 AM, haha) but came home to have dad making a huge breakfast consisting of scrambled eggs, hash browns, toast, sausage, chocolate milk, cranberry juice, AND apple juice. I truly felt special. And then I crashed into sleep.

My boyfriend came over to visit after dinner and I'm pretty sure talked to my grandpa for three hours (Grandpa's a big talker). I fell asleep. By the way, the digital short with Betty White was hilarious, even though I'm not much of an SNL fan.

I have trouble sleeping on the weekends. I finally get two days off to sleep when normal people do, but instead I toss and turn until 5 AM. Somehow, the daylight signals my brain to emit tryptophan or something because that's the only time I feel like sleeping (unless I have to work of course).

Today was the last full day with the grandparents. Unfortunately, I couldn't stay awake for most of the day due to my sleep apnea from the previous night and I felt so uncomfortable, sick, and languid. I've been feeling this way for awhile so mom and grandma want me to go to the doctor. But I don't wanna! What are they going to say? Sounds like you've got a case of working at an overnight shipping industry? Prescription: graduation from college. Only then will I have relief! By the way, that's two years away.

My dad's really into hunting down our family tree and brought a bunch of stuff out today to share. I was surprised at many of the things I learned! We have found not-so-distant relatives that immigrated from both England and Germany that we have recorded. I also discovered a genetic disease prevalent within my family, along with the knowledge that my grandpa's uncle totally robbed a bank and went to prison for seven months. He also had five wives. I also learned a secret about my great-grandmother that even my grandfather just learned today. I felt so proud to be a part of these moments. (I also just inherited my great grandma's china). All of this was just crazy to me. I never knew we were so... varied. None of our ancestors were ever rich and that kind of makes me proud. Look at how far we've all come. We're still not rich but we work hard and take pride in what we have. I love my family for that.

I've been feeling like I've been in a funk lately. I'm not exactly where I want to be. I want to have more faith, more knowledge, more energy, the ability to be more open and friendly with people, more forgiving of my mistakes and flaws, etc. I've especially been feeling this because of last week at work. But my grandpa said something that could've very well been pointed to me had we been in a movie or an episode of Full House.

Even though our family has a varied, and not always unblemished history, we're honest. It was something along the lines of...

"It doesn't matter what you do as long as you own up to it. He robbed a bank! That's what he'd done! There was nothing he could do to change it. Not telling the truth about it wasn't going to make it go away."

It was just a simple comment. But my stomach did that little turn when you feel something magnanimous; and that moment was to me. What has happened has happened. I can't change who I am. My integrity lies in my honesty, even if that means being a martyr in an unfair trial. I feel like God sees things like this happen and instead of plotting revenge, hopes we overcome adversity for His sake.

I love my family.

I feel like this blog not only helps you get to know me better; it helps me get to know me better too.

Here's a little bit more about me:

Favorite colors- plum and I love red & turquoise together.

Favorite foods- American, Italian, and Mexican fare. I despise Chinese food (so does the boyfriend, naturally we are meant to be together), thin crust pepperoni pizza from Pizza Hut, seafood.

I dislike Carrie Underwood and John Mayer. But not for the same reasons.

I think the word "foodstuffs" is ridiculous.

Favorite bands- Obviously, The Beatles. Followed by The Doors, Jefferson Airplane, The Shins, Rilo Kiley, The New Pornographers, The Raconteurs, and... is it shameful to say Aly & AJ? Because I LOVE THEM. I would scream in a front row of their concert... Apparently they go by 78violet now. (These are just the essentials; there are many more, as I am an avid music lover).

Favorite things- Could it get more general? I love polka dots (white on black, not black on white), gingham, florals, plaid, arabesque, plum, dark (but not hunter) green, stained glass, the designer Sara Richardson of HGTV for designing beautiful modern country houses inspired by fabrics, Paris, light pink and black, etc. These things make my head spin.

The only two TV shows currently still airing that I keep up with are Glee and Ghost Whisperer (say what you want! I am a huge Jennifer Love Hewitt fan as guilty as I feel for admitting it).

My favorite show of all time as many of you may already know, and if you don't you probably will... GILMORE GIRLS.

All of those shows start with a G.

I love to scrapbook, (try to) take artistic photos, aspire to acquire a professional camera, creatively write, imagine, design in my head, subconsciously match, browse Pottery Barn, Pier 1, etc albeit expensive and illogical. Target is a nice alternative.

Favorite subjects- It's been English since I learned how to read. I also enjoy foreign languages (woo for a Spanish minor as of next semester!), history and science (but not the classes), and I have an irrational love of choir music. It is the most beautiful sound to me. I imagine the gates of Heaven opening to "Lux Aurumque" or "O Magnum Mysterium" (or sometimes the instrumental part of "Baba O'Reilly" at the end). Choir music gives me chills and to be a part of a choir for most of my adolescence gave me the greatest feeling of comradery and accomplishment. You work so hard, for months perfecting a song, to unveil it in three minutes. It almost makes me want to cry, imagining those nervous feelings of being on stage with the spotlights blinding me. I love to sing and I love choir!

Favorite flower- sunflower

I'm sorry if reading this was the longest post of your life. I didn't want to bog myself down with pictures this time. I just wanted to let the thoughts honestly flow. Thank you for listening.

I love My English Life.