Living the Life of a Taurus

Catherine,
A chance conversation with a stranger has the ability to open your eyes to all that is possible. You may find yourself caught in the middle of a tense situation today. Try to get yourself out of the line of fire. Let the parties find their own solution to the dilemma.

Really though.. These horoscopes are scary accurate recently.

Communication.. Understanding

Is it possible that all quarrels and problems exist due to a lack of effective communication? If we continue to feed off of someone else's emotions (anger, sadness, etc.) rather than attempt to create a dialogue that reveals the underlying problem, we only sustain misunderstanding.

Misunderstanding and ignorance attest to the prevalent issue of prejudice. I've come to realize that racist attitudes are not necessarily self-taught, and some people created opinions based on what they grew up around and the influence of others. However, when you call it to their attention that a term they used or something they said is politically incorrect, we can begin to rebuild their worldview and break down the ignorance that taints our country.

On a much smaller scale though, I know that many of my friendships would be healthier if people honestly said what they were thinking. No opinions should be silenced, and the only way we can work through issues is to communicate. If I found the courage to tell you exactly what prompted me to do what I do, perhaps you would respect my decision. If you told me what was on your mind and stopped hiding the thoughts behind your actions, maybe I could figure out a way to change.

In the near future, I hope we can reach true understanding. And then keep it to ourselves to prevent drama that inevitably follows.

This Could've Been Worse

Pay attention to what you're doing, and you'll be glad you did. You have forgiven an untrustworthy friend once too often. It is time to find companions you can trust as much as they trust you. Stop trying to be something you are not and your goals will be more easily achieved.


I'll admit it. I'm superstitious at times, but my horoscope has been so dead on recently (2 days ago and today) that I cannot help it. I was planning on writing about a recent pivotal decision, but it would have ended up as one that prompts the following response: "Uhm.. she's emo. And kind of delusional." So I refrain.

I am not really one to commit to change that I personally don't want, but this time I think it's not 100% for myself. Yes, it will benefit me in the long-run, but my choice came from the realization that I was selfish. When I looked at the situation, no one really won.. at least not while things stayed the same. Hence, change.

It is not my intention to hurt anyone, and I believe and hope that this will be the most difficult for me. Because if anyone else is affected more than I am, then perhaps I was wrong again.

Insomnia is Mental

For the last week, I've been in a period of unrest. I lacked momentum to do anything productive with my life, yet I had the mental motivation that would normally put me on the road to success (however short-lived).

For example, I recently found concrete reason to do well in school again, yet I have not been able to concentrate on my homework for the last week. I wanted to go out, meet people, and have fun on Saturday, but when the time came I decided to go to bed instead. Currently, I am writing this because although I want to to go to sleep, I cannot get myself to shower and get ready for rest.

I spent two hours talking to someone about what could potentially be the culprit wasting my mental energy. But I said everything I can say on that topic, and yet I sit here continuing to wonder why I am awake.

Why do useless things accumulate so much of my time?

So much has changed in the past year. The older we get, the faster change seems to occur. The more I open myself up to experience, the more I absorb.. maybe, the more I am confused. I believe college is the time to figure out who you are, but identity is a fluid concept that changes from day to day, even from hour to hour. In one moment, I am a student dissecting the words of Shakespeare. In another, I am sharing my opinion on the real meaning behind a spoken word performance. In yet another, I am discussing the positive aspects of a focus group. And after all that, I have a smile plastered on my face and luckily an assured voice that masks the chaos running through my head. What is the real purpose of any of this?

I can't slow down, but at the same time I have not moved an inch. Or, more accurately, time won't slow down but I have nothing to show for the last seven days of my life. I wonder if I have been wasting my time, or if taking a step back is what I need to figure out where I want to go.

I think too much.

I talk too much.

And in the process I lose something.. But what?

What makes a person successful? Is it their ability to set a goal for themselves and then reach it? Or is it their ability to take what they are given and work with it as best as they can? Is it doing something? Or is it learning from the experience?

What am I doing with my life? It's 4:10 in the morning, and I am asking unanswerable questions like I'm getting paid to do it.

Beyond Words

Nonage

Learn more at http://www.mynonage.com

Another Decade of Greatness

While most of my Winter Break has been spent lounging in my humble yet comfortable bed, I have been out and about a few times when I found a commitment luring enough to change out of pajamas/sweats.

One such occasion occurred yesterday, Tuesday, January 8, 2008. I woke up thinking it would be another day of Janice Dickenson Modeling Agency followed by Food Network Challenges and movies on HBO. (Hey, I'm not complaining.) However, a text received while I was sleeping informed me that despite the repeated message of a "sold out game," my friend found three tickets floating around San Francisco.

By some miracle, I would be attending the most intensely emotional basketball game, professional, college-level, or otherwise: The Bruce-Mahoney Basketball Tournament between St. Ignatius College Preparatory and Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory.

Three years out of high school, my best friend and I have been looking for tickets since December, and I had given up hope of attending until I finally walked through the USF gym doors (after 35 minutes of searching for parking..). The girls had just lost a major defeat, but I knew in my heart that tonight was still our night. As we three alumni climbed the familiar stairs to the upper level of the gym, I felt myself being transported back to high school. No matter how many years have passed since my time at SI, everything is just about the same. The students still show their spirit in the same way: red and blue layered shirts, bright socks, Varsity jackets, jerseys, Senior t-shirts, facepaint. Brother Draper and Ms. Cota still stand in front of the immense crowd of cheering Wildcats, making sure that we keep our cheers classy. Everyone wearing Red and Blue looks relaxed and happy, almost certain of the victory that is coming our way.

A victory it was, as the Cats led the crowd in a magnificent display of every heart-wrenching emotion of a true athletic event. We won 55-52 after starting the game with a disappointing first quarter (23-9 in the second) and never leading the game with more than 6 points. The most important thing was, we won the trophy for a tenth consecutive year. (Basically, the trophy has been in our possession since my oldest sister graduated in 1999.) I kept taking pictures of the scoreboard, knowing that somehow our team would catch up and defeat the "big green." I found myself joining in on as many cheers as I could, yelling and stomping my feet like it was my last year to celebrate.

A part of me wishes I showed as much school spirit in the past, not shying away from the extra facial decorations. But the beauty of SI is that you can always go back. Of course, it is no longer our time. We won't always find friends in the crowd. We won't always have the stamina to stand for a full hour and a half to scream at the top of our lungs. I did feel older than all these Cats; the oldest were freshmen when I graduated. But there is something that pulls you right back in. I am no longer afraid for the future of our school, because now I see us in them. The more years that pass by, the more alumni will join the Ignatian family. When you make that decision afterward to put on red and blue, you can be sure that no one will call you out once you stand on your seat and go crazy with that simple phrase, "We are SI."

So what is it that makes you blend in? The passion for the school, the support for the team, the spirit of our tradition, and the love between all Wildcats that transcends time and generation.

Oooh.. Ahhh.. You wish you were a wildcat.