Short People

I thought I was short until I discovered that the average female height in the U.S. is just under 5' 4''. At 5' 2.5'', I'd say I'm pretty middle-of-the-line, and everyone else is just too dang tall.

Even if this implies that I can't claim to be short, I still feel like I am. Because it is often all too obvious to me in my daily tasks that I am vertically challenged in comparison to most people I interact with on a day to day basis.

Just today I walked over to the Children's Hospital for a building rededication ceremony and the moment I walked in I was swallowed by a large and milling crowd of physicians and staff members and before I knew it I couldn't see where I was going. I have always hated crowds, and I think one reason why they make me feel so miserable is because once I get into them, I can't see a thing because all I can see are shoulders, backs, chests, etc. I can't even see where the door is to escape.

I would also like to mention that parking lots are hazardous places for little people. This is obvious when you see mommys and daddys holding their childrens' hands as they walk through a parking lot, so that they don't get hit by cars. But for short folks, the same potential hazard applies. I can't even count the number of times I have almost gotten hit by the rear end of a car who didn't see me walking by while they were trying to back out of a parking spot. I should just buy a 3 foot tall hat to wear exclusively in parking lots so that people can see me.

Does anyone else ever have problems with those sensor activated toilets that are supposedly supposed to flush after you stand up? I am pretty sure that a tall person invented those things because more often than not the sensor thinks I've stood up when I've only just sat down. Obviously, it does not see me because I am too short for it.

Of course there are always the items I can't reach. I frequently stand on my desk in my office because it's the only way I can reach those top shelves. Thank goodness I live with a taller than average male (he is almost 7'' taller than average!) who is always willing to get something for me so that I'm not climbing on chairs every hour of the day. I'm considering buying a step stool just so I can reach things and see out of the front door peephole when Nate's not here.

Of course, being a small person does have its perks. Like living longer. And I can fit into small spaces, duck behind things and hide, and see things that are too low for others to notice. While we were at the lakehouse last weekend (pictures to come later!), we spent the better half of our first evening there in partial darkness because we couldn't figure out how to turn on the kitchen and dining room lights. We tried every switch in the entire house without any luck, until I later found a set of switches tucked beneath the bar that only a short person would see, of course. First there was a short person. And then there was light.

I leave you with one final thought: If 5' 4'' is the average height of a woman, I would like to know why women's clothing is made for women who are 5' 9''? Why do I have to shop in the Petite section? Or hem every pair of pants I buy? I should be able to shop in the regular women's department and everyone who is taller should have to shop in a section for Giants!!

The least I could do

This morning on my run I passed a dead cat on the sidewalk. It was black, and as I approached it, I prayed that it was a garbage bag, and not an animal. Sure enough, as I passed by, I identified it as a cat. And it was long gone. And mentally, so was I.

I really can't handle seeing dead creatures. It's not the blood, or the mangled nature, or the position of the animal, but it's the idea that this animal is inanimate, and it shouldn't be. And on top of that, was there any suffering? My entire body is chilled- whether it be a dead bird, or frog, dog or cat. The image is enough to make me jump, shriek, and then feel an immense sense of sadness for the animal and any owner involved.

I went home and immediately called to have someone remove the cat (with Nate's help). It was the least I could do.

On a brighter note, Nate and I are headed out this weekend with the Hendricks for a 3-day weekend at a lakehouse. Happy Valentine's and Presidents' Day!

Sweet Cheyenne

A couple of my favorite features that Cheyenne has are her bushy tail and the tufts of fur in her paws.

Weekend Highlights

This morning at church we were reminded to be always thankful to God for his awesome creation (Psalm 8). I am always struck with awe at the vast amounts of water that the ocean holds, and what lies beneath. We were able to enjoy an afternoon at Surfside Beach on Saturday with the sand between our toes.


In other news, Nate and I annihilated an entire chicken this afternoon (see scraps below). I love the fact that we can unashamedly eat like barbarians- grunting, using our hands, food flying through the air, and with food particles all over our face and in our hair*-- and that we try never to waste a morsel of food. That is the very reason why we were meant to be together.


*I'm exaggerating, but you get the idea

Tagged!

I was tagged by Beth...

Here are the rules:
1) Choose the 4th folder where you store your pictures on your computer.
2) Select the 4th picture in the folder.
3) Explain the picture.
4) Tag 4 people to do the same.


The fourth folder I opened was the "2006" folder, and the fourth photo (which was in the Ahern Christmas 2006 folder) was this one. I believe this was taken by Nate's sister, Mary Grace, at Grandma Zollner's house on Christmas Day 2006 in Grand Junction, CO. The traditional Christmas dinner at Grandma's always includes a grapefruit-avocado salad, featured here (in an interesting swirl?). Nate and I weren't in attendance that year since we spent the holidays in DFW, but we have an entire folder of pictures that we were sent so that we could see all the fun and food that we missed out on.

Here is a clearer version of the same dish:


I tag...
1. The Hansons
2. Kate Schmate
3. The Currys
4. Drew and Emily

Laughing Matters #3

I saw this for the first time a while back through Nate's family somehow and thought it was the actual work of Nate's cousin Peter (but it's not). A friend of mine recently forwarded it to me with a bunch of other similar concepts, and once again, I find it incredibly hilarious. (Is it the math nerd in me that likes it so much?)

January Wrap-up

January went by in a flash-- It was certainly a great way to start 2009.

Since transitioning from student life to work life, I have really been relishing the weekends. It's so nice to be out of school and not have the pressure of feeling like I should be studying or working on my thesis. Every "fun" thing I ever did on the weekends made me feel guilty and even more stressed. Now, at 5 pm on Fridays, I can kick back, relax, and enjoy the weekend with a clear conscience!

We had a jam-packed weekend which started out with a marriage conference by Paul Tripp on Friday night and Saturday morning. After the conclusion of the conference, Nate and I went to Schlotzskys for lunch, so that we could use some coupons we had picked up at the Marathon Expo a couple weeks back. The coupons were enough to confuse the cashier so much that she gave us our lunches for free! We took our food over to Eleanor Tinsley Park where we had a great view of the Houston skyline. The weather could not have been more perfect this weekend. This weekend was one in particular where I wouldn't have traded being anywhere but here.

After lunch we browsed around at the 1/4 priced bookstore--- Nate looked like a googly-eyed kid in a candy store. The privately owned store gets all of its books from local Houstonians (unlike stores like Half Price Books which uses a distribution company) and carries an extensive selection of books that far exceeds the usual used book store, as well as rare and out of print material.

Later in the evening we headed out to Pearland to meet up with some friends for dinner. Pearland Town Center was enough to turn me into a googly-eyed kid myself and I am already planning my return for a day of shopping.
Today after the church fellowship luncheon we returned to Eleanor Tinsley Park with our books and spent the afternoon reading on a blanket while basking in the sun. The weather was just too nice to pass up being outdoors. We took a walk along the trails before heading home. I learned that Nate's brisk walking pace is equivalent to my jogging pace. What a sight to see! I am sore from trying to keep up with those long legs!

And in between all of this, I was even able to clean the house, get groceries, and do the laundry. Oh, and watch some superbowl. I am continually amazed at how massive those football players really are.

I'll leave you with a few more photos from last month. Happy February! I hope the Groundhog sees his shadow tomorrow...

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Red Bean Buns for Chinese New Year!

Dinner with friends one weekend (mostly Bible Study buddies):