C.J. Sullivan's Blog, page 7
February 16, 2015
A Eulogy for Winnie Jones
"Winnie"a eulogy by Carrie Sullivan
Who was Winnie Jones? To begin with, Winnie was one of the biggest animal lovers to grace the planet. It is impossible, when thinking of the woman, not to also think of all the happy dogs and cats she gave her home and love to over the years—and one very protective Chihuahua in particular who was a permanent fixture on her lap. I'm certain that her beloved pets who have passed on are now overjoyed to see her again.Winnie was fearless and quite the tough cookie. If you had to choose anyone to have your back during a fight, you'd want to pick her. Tiny-framed woman that she was, she was also a force to be reckoned with, and loyal to the end.Winnie was my Easter Bunny. For a number of years, her daughter, Misty, and I celebrated Easter together. Though we were teenagers, Winnie always had an Easter basket waiting for us at the house. She even hid Easter eggs out in her fabulous gardens for Misty and me to hunt. It didn't matter that we were way too old for that by society's standards. I always looked forward to those baskets filled with candy, eggs, and a smiling fuzzy stuffed animal. Winnie was a source of patient warmth. She never minded if I wanted to spend the night with her daughter. I was always welcome. She enjoyed it when Misty and I dressed up in our home-made costumes and paraded around Lawton making our amateur movies—she'd even sit down afterward and watch the final product, fully engrossed, a true fan. She was one of the "cool moms" who let us stay up as late as we wanted, even if it was a school night. She gave us free reign of the entire living room during our Academy-Award-watching nights and helped to start our Oscars tradition that Misty and I still do today. Finally, Winnie was a devoted mother. Many years ago, she was willing to open her home to a little girl who would later become my best friend. She not only adopted Misty in name, she chose to love her throughout the years as her own daughter. That love transcended the common bonds of blood. She watched Misty grow from a child, to an adolescent, to a teenager, and finally to a woman with her own children. And her adoration for her daughter and grandchildren never wavered for an instant. They were part of her family. Period.
Winnie was all of these things and more to those of us who knew her. When we think of her, let us remember the way she loved. Let us remember her strength. And let us remember her generosity of spirit. She will not be forgotten. She will be greatly missed.
February 13, 2015
Consider Donating to my Friend's GoFundMe for her Dying Mother
Many of you know Misty from my posts--she's been a friend of mine for such a long time that I consider her family. Her mother, Winnie, has not been in good health for a while, but it appears as if she may be leaving us soon. The funeral costs are of course astronomical. Most importantly, there's a certain amount that has to be paid up front in order for the plot to be dug up. The family's in real need of some financial help so that this funeral can even take place. If you would, take a moment to read the details and consider Misty's GoFundMe -->here<--.
February 12, 2015
V-Day
If you're paired up, do something sweet and special this weekend. If you're single, do something nice for yourself. Eat chocolate. Watch a funny movie. Cook something delicious. Go for a walk. Read a book. Snuggle with your dog or cat. Give your kids Valentines. Give your parents Valentines. Call your aunts and uncles and grandparents that you rarely talk to. Let people know you love them. Yes, it's a commercial holiday, but it's also a good day to hop on the Love Vibe and ride that thing because there will be lots and lots of happy energy out there. Don't be a curmudgeon. Just go with it. Valentine's Day can be whatever you want it to be--it doesn't have to be romantic love. Just...love!
February 3, 2015
Big News in the World of Literature
I just read that Harper Lee is releasing a To Kill a Mockingbird sequel this summer. Guys, I think this could quite possibly be the biggest book release in the history of book releases! Check out the article here.
January 29, 2015
Goooooal!
Since I first posted about MyFitnessPal, I am happy to say that I've reached my goal weight!
Part of the reason I've reached it so quickly is because I'd been cursed with a month-long bladder/kidney infection that pretty much scared me away from all alcohol and sugar. So even on my "cheat day" I was eating pretty healthy. Counting calories really works, y'all. You have no idea how much of what you're putting into your body until you start counting calories, and it also helps being aware of how many cal's you burn when doing certain exercises. So now that my first goal weight has been reached, I'm going to shoot for that *extra* 5 lbs since I now have the confidence I can do it!
In other news, school's started back, and I'm enjoying my semester. It's my second-to-last semester in the TESOL master's program at my university, and I can't believe the first year went by so quickly. There's plenty of work to do this semester, but it's all interesting and applicable. I like my professors and classmates, which also helps motivate me. Being in this profession, I also get to meet other professionals (not to mention students) from all around the world, which I always find to be very exciting.
The latest book I finished reading was Black Like Me , which I hadn't heard of before my dad recommended it. If you've never heard of it, check it out. It's a true account of a white male journalist who dyed/painted his skin black and shaved his head in order to immerse himself into the black culture in the South, circa 1959. Pretty fascinating read, and also a good reminder that racism is still a big problem in America. I'd love to see the day when it's not, but until then, we've gotta keep reminding ourselves to move forward toward a solution instead of sticking our heads in the sand. That's what his book was all about.
That's all for now! Hope everyone's had a nice January!
Part of the reason I've reached it so quickly is because I'd been cursed with a month-long bladder/kidney infection that pretty much scared me away from all alcohol and sugar. So even on my "cheat day" I was eating pretty healthy. Counting calories really works, y'all. You have no idea how much of what you're putting into your body until you start counting calories, and it also helps being aware of how many cal's you burn when doing certain exercises. So now that my first goal weight has been reached, I'm going to shoot for that *extra* 5 lbs since I now have the confidence I can do it!
In other news, school's started back, and I'm enjoying my semester. It's my second-to-last semester in the TESOL master's program at my university, and I can't believe the first year went by so quickly. There's plenty of work to do this semester, but it's all interesting and applicable. I like my professors and classmates, which also helps motivate me. Being in this profession, I also get to meet other professionals (not to mention students) from all around the world, which I always find to be very exciting.
The latest book I finished reading was Black Like Me , which I hadn't heard of before my dad recommended it. If you've never heard of it, check it out. It's a true account of a white male journalist who dyed/painted his skin black and shaved his head in order to immerse himself into the black culture in the South, circa 1959. Pretty fascinating read, and also a good reminder that racism is still a big problem in America. I'd love to see the day when it's not, but until then, we've gotta keep reminding ourselves to move forward toward a solution instead of sticking our heads in the sand. That's what his book was all about.
That's all for now! Hope everyone's had a nice January!
January 15, 2015
MyFitnessPal
If any of you would like to keep track of your calories/salt/fat/sugar/carb intake, as well as log in exercise, come join me on MyFitnessPal. The app is free for your phone, and you can also use the desktop interface: www.myfitnesspal.com. My name on there is CarrieJillSullivan. Come join me as I suffer--ahem--make "healthy life choices"!
January 14, 2015
A Little Wisdom from The Big Book
Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,
so honor is not fitting for a fool.
2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,
a curse that is causeless does not alight.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
and a rod for the back of fools.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly,
lest you be like him yourself.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool
cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
7 Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless,
is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8 Like one who binds the stone in the sling
is one who gives honor to a fool.
9 Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard
is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 Like an archer who wounds everyone
is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.[a]
11 Like a dog that returns to his vomit
is a fool who repeats his folly.
12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road!
There is a lion in the streets!”
14 As a door turns on its hinges,
so does a sluggard on his bed.
15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes
than seven men who can answer sensibly.
17 Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own
is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.
18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death
19 is the man who deceives his neighbor
and says, “I am only joking!”
20 For lack of wood the fire goes out,
and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into the inner parts of the body.
23 Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel
are fervent lips with an evil heart.
24 Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips
and harbors deceit in his heart;
25 when he speaks graciously, believe him not,
for there are seven abominations in his heart;
26 though his hatred be covered with deception,
his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.
28 A lying tongue hates its victims,
and a flattering mouth works ruin.
Proverbs 26
so honor is not fitting for a fool.
2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,
a curse that is causeless does not alight.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
and a rod for the back of fools.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly,
lest you be like him yourself.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool
cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
7 Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless,
is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8 Like one who binds the stone in the sling
is one who gives honor to a fool.
9 Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard
is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 Like an archer who wounds everyone
is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.[a]
11 Like a dog that returns to his vomit
is a fool who repeats his folly.
12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road!
There is a lion in the streets!”
14 As a door turns on its hinges,
so does a sluggard on his bed.
15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes
than seven men who can answer sensibly.
17 Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own
is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.
18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death
19 is the man who deceives his neighbor
and says, “I am only joking!”
20 For lack of wood the fire goes out,
and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into the inner parts of the body.
23 Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel
are fervent lips with an evil heart.
24 Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips
and harbors deceit in his heart;
25 when he speaks graciously, believe him not,
for there are seven abominations in his heart;
26 though his hatred be covered with deception,
his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.
28 A lying tongue hates its victims,
and a flattering mouth works ruin.
Proverbs 26
December 30, 2014
Real Neat Blog Award
Elyzabeth M. VaLey has given me the Real Neat Blog Award! Thank you, Elyzabeth!
Rules:
1. Put the award logo on your blog.
2. Answer 7 questions asked by the person who nominated you.
3. Thank the people who nominated you, linking to their blogs.
4. Nominate any number of bloggers you like, linking to their blogs.
5. Let them know you nominated them (by commenting on their blog etc.)
QUESTION 1 Where do most visits to your blog come from?
Mostly the United States but with Russia in 2nd place and Germany in 3rd.
QUESTION 2 What is your favourite sport?
I'm not really big on the mainstream sports, but I love watching The Olympics, especially ice skating.
QUESTION 3 What has been a special moment for you in 2014?
I returned to school to get my master's. Half-way done!
QUESTION 4 What is your favourite quote?
A quote I like right now is "All the arts are brothers; each one is a light to the others." - Voltaire
QUESTION FIVE. What was your favourite class when still at school?
High school? It'd have to be Theatre or English.
QUESTION SIX. Anything you wished to have learned earlier?
Hahaha...isn't this the million-dollar question. Well, I think I wish I'd learned that what you see is usually what you get. Rarely do other people or their situations change, even if you think you have the power to influence them. And if they do change, it's all in their own time.
QUESTION SEVEN What musical instrument have you tried to play?
I've tried to learn piano several times. Failed miserably!
*****
And now for passing on the award! I'll slide it over to...
Kim at Life in a House of Testosterone!
Rules:
1. Put the award logo on your blog.
2. Answer 7 questions asked by the person who nominated you.
3. Thank the people who nominated you, linking to their blogs.
4. Nominate any number of bloggers you like, linking to their blogs.
5. Let them know you nominated them (by commenting on their blog etc.)
QUESTION 1 Where do most visits to your blog come from?
Mostly the United States but with Russia in 2nd place and Germany in 3rd.
QUESTION 2 What is your favourite sport?
I'm not really big on the mainstream sports, but I love watching The Olympics, especially ice skating.
QUESTION 3 What has been a special moment for you in 2014?
I returned to school to get my master's. Half-way done!
QUESTION 4 What is your favourite quote?
A quote I like right now is "All the arts are brothers; each one is a light to the others." - Voltaire
QUESTION FIVE. What was your favourite class when still at school?
High school? It'd have to be Theatre or English.
QUESTION SIX. Anything you wished to have learned earlier?
Hahaha...isn't this the million-dollar question. Well, I think I wish I'd learned that what you see is usually what you get. Rarely do other people or their situations change, even if you think you have the power to influence them. And if they do change, it's all in their own time.
QUESTION SEVEN What musical instrument have you tried to play?
I've tried to learn piano several times. Failed miserably!
*****
And now for passing on the award! I'll slide it over to...
Kim at Life in a House of Testosterone!
December 29, 2014
Baby Noam
So if you have a copy of the 2nd book in The Divided series (Blade of the Divided), and you read the dedication, you'll know that I dedicated that one to Misty.
Well, this is Misty, and she recently gave birth to a baby boy, and guess what she named him...?
Noam!
For those of you who haven't read the trilogy yet, Noam is one of my good angels. He's a Thanatakran warrior, and Misty reeeeally liked him in the story. It is kind of ironic, though, that baby Noam has blond hair and blue eyes, which look more like Gidyon or Laphelle than Noam. But hey, I still think he makes a pretty cute little Noam! Now all he needs is a set of wings.
TTFN!
Well, this is Misty, and she recently gave birth to a baby boy, and guess what she named him...?
Noam!
For those of you who haven't read the trilogy yet, Noam is one of my good angels. He's a Thanatakran warrior, and Misty reeeeally liked him in the story. It is kind of ironic, though, that baby Noam has blond hair and blue eyes, which look more like Gidyon or Laphelle than Noam. But hey, I still think he makes a pretty cute little Noam! Now all he needs is a set of wings.
TTFN!
December 26, 2014
My Goal for 2015
I have a goal for 2015. I guess you could call it a New Year's Resolution. And it is to rediscover my Zen!
I don't know how I'm going to do this. If it takes re-reading the old self-help books, I'll do it. If it takes keeping one of those cheesy little gratitude journals, I'll do it. Whatever it takes, I'm going to get there, and I'm going to leave it up to my intuition to guide me as to how. Setting this intention right here, right now! Rediscover my Zen!
Part of the reason my Zen has slipped from my grasp is that it's been a really, really, really unusual year health-wise. And it's not anything I could have prevented. In April I got a major chest infection that uncovered some serious allergies and latent asthma. Also, forget calling it the Year of the Horse; this year has been the Year of the Migraine! I guess I should be grateful I can afford immuno-therapy and now have an allergy doc who informed me that I have migraines in addition to my allergies and asthma (which I thought I'd left behind in my childhood, boo). Now I can at least try to do something about it. Could be worse.
The bottom line here is that feeling like crap physically (especially when you can't get enough air in your lungs) tends to put a damper on things. And it has played a big part in causing me to lose my Zen!
However, the body I inhabit is bound to croak someday, just like all of our bodies. That doesn't mean I should constantly sit around wondering when that moment is going to be. These allergies and headaches are something I'm living with for the time being, and if this Moment is all we have, well, I need to suck it up and adjust instead of throwing fits and getting depressed. Perhaps Acceptance is the first step on this winding path back to Peace.
So, yes. Zen. In 2015. Gonna find it no matter what it takes. Wish me luck
I don't know how I'm going to do this. If it takes re-reading the old self-help books, I'll do it. If it takes keeping one of those cheesy little gratitude journals, I'll do it. Whatever it takes, I'm going to get there, and I'm going to leave it up to my intuition to guide me as to how. Setting this intention right here, right now! Rediscover my Zen!
Part of the reason my Zen has slipped from my grasp is that it's been a really, really, really unusual year health-wise. And it's not anything I could have prevented. In April I got a major chest infection that uncovered some serious allergies and latent asthma. Also, forget calling it the Year of the Horse; this year has been the Year of the Migraine! I guess I should be grateful I can afford immuno-therapy and now have an allergy doc who informed me that I have migraines in addition to my allergies and asthma (which I thought I'd left behind in my childhood, boo). Now I can at least try to do something about it. Could be worse.
The bottom line here is that feeling like crap physically (especially when you can't get enough air in your lungs) tends to put a damper on things. And it has played a big part in causing me to lose my Zen!
However, the body I inhabit is bound to croak someday, just like all of our bodies. That doesn't mean I should constantly sit around wondering when that moment is going to be. These allergies and headaches are something I'm living with for the time being, and if this Moment is all we have, well, I need to suck it up and adjust instead of throwing fits and getting depressed. Perhaps Acceptance is the first step on this winding path back to Peace.
So, yes. Zen. In 2015. Gonna find it no matter what it takes. Wish me luck
