Peaks, Valleys, & Surprises

Waken up by an aunt wearing a safari hat, binoculars, and a sign reading, "Thornton Family Adventures", my reaction is a sincere "Ohhhhh!" After a night of blasting Taylor Swift jams, dancing like fools, and gabbing in the jacuzzi, the visiting cousins are greeted in the early morning by their Coachella Valley aunt with a sparkle in her eye and an adventure on the horizon.

Whenever I visit my Thornton family in Palm Desert, I am always impressed by the vast mountain ranges that majestically rise from each cardinal direction I look. The mountains are so impressive because we sit so lowly in the valley and they protrude from the ground so suddenly. We stare as they show off. 

Coachella Valley is perhaps best known for the large music festival that takes place in the Spring, now expanding to two full weekends of music. Yet Adventurous Aunt Sheila has something else in mind for her nieces and nephews to explore. Did you know there is a humungous 45 mile long body of water within the Valley that, using handy binoculars, you can see a mountain range in Mexico? You don't believe me? Read it and weep.

Salton Sea, Courtesy of Creative Commons

Yup, the Salton Sea is where Adventurous Auntie takes us, complete with a educational lesson. This sea is the largest inland body of water in the Western U.S. and one of the largest in the world at 45 miles long and 20 miles wide. Wow. Yet not until you are standing on the shore and looking out at this oasis in the middle of the desert that would appear to be an ocean, can you grasp how long 45 miles appears. Our safari aunt distinguishes a point in the skyline where we can see a neighboring Mexican mountain range at the south end. Wow. Adventurous Auntie also explains an environmental concern- an algae in the sea has one massive bloom once a year, hogging the oxygen from the Tilapia fish trying to live in it, causing many fish to die off and creating a stench that covers the Valley. Most recently, the stench has reached Los Angeles too. Now, the issue is being addressed and is in the workings. Yet I was the fortunate few that got to see this Salton Sea before it became big. Well, big in the sense of popularity.

I couldn't help but think about the massive peaks and valleys and the surprising bodies of water in relation to, well, the human living experience. Okay, I studied Comparative Literature; I can't help but make outlandish comparisons! Though this one makes sense. Back in college, my good friend Jenny started a Spiritual Sisters group in our sorority and we would share our peaks and valleys of the week with the girls. As obvious or redundant or corny as it sounds, I haven't said it yet so let me rant for a second: inevitably, life has its peaks and valleys. Through it all, we need to be wide-eyed seeking the new adventure because what may lie beyond the horizon is a huge surprising body of water just 30 minutes away via safari bus and a kooky aunt.

A fishy smell in the air, along with a satisfied bunch of adventurers, the cousins retreated to a date farm for their specialty date shakes and "How to get a date" video. 

Nobody likes to be barked at

The other day I saw a very common thing happen. I was at the park going for a little cruise around the lake, and I saw a runner pass by a couple with a medium-sized dog. Barking madly, the dog startled the runner. The owners proceeded to quickly apologize to the runner, and then scold the dog. The runner uncomfortably accepted the apology, gave a nod to the dog to say "I mean peace", and moved on with his midday jog. Dogs do it and people do it too, though the latter more harshly. Words hurt, especially when you bark them.

Dog taking a listen; courtesy of Creative Commons

That is why I was shocked for an OC driver to take the time to roll down his manual window and call me an asshole after I changed lanes in the lull of traffic. I was even more appalled to hear of a holiday shopper at Target who profanely insulted one of my best friends. I know things get dogged out there that bring out the inner 'bitch' but the next time you find yourself losing your temper, picture yourself as a madly barking dog. Try the cat's sly approach instead. Take a chill pill and a second to observe your surroundings before overreacting. Taking yourself, and the emotion, out of a situation can do wonders.

That being said, I bought two of my three Christmas presents online. Perhaps a turtle approach is best during holiday shopping season. Merry-done-with-shopping-day, also known as the eve before Christmas Eve, readers!

Standing up, and standing strong

Saydee, the 4-month-old angel I nanny, is learning how to stand. A great example of perseverance, she is not discouraged by a minor setback. Wobbling as her knees bend, she topples back into her safety net, or my arms. Wouldn't it be easier to let someone else do all the work? Her mom has been helping her meet the basics to grow: food, sleep, love. I guess growing up also means standing up as well.

Standing up is not easy; standing strong is even harder. I finished a book today, a series of essays written by a variety of educated, busy, and/or successful women who (not so) incidentally are practicing Catholics as well. As a maturing Catholic woman in America, I struggle with how to stand up for what I believe. I struggle with understanding what I believe in and why, for that matter. Maybe it starts with a lot of wobbling, a lot of practice, and some confrontation with the intended belief. Many of us take on a belief from our surrounding influences, but I challenge you, reader, to do some inner digging, some research, and figure out what, why, and how you believe that. Don't forget to consider the other side of the argument. I indeed have some work ahead of me.

In the case of Saydee, she's got some time before she is standing strongly on her own without arm support. In my case, I need all the support I can get- from books, to friends, to God. We all ought to take some time to figure out what it is that we stand up for, and then stand firm in what we believe. I could imagine it takes a lifetime of setbacks, questions, research, and supportive arms to persevere. For a little motivation, this song might do the trick:

Getting Festive: Tamales & Mariachi Divas

Tamales are a big deal. They come around once a year and are the center of attention at las posadas festivals, particularly one in Placentia, California. Going with my parents makes for an adventurous night of tamales. First, we made a bee-line for the beer, which helped us sustain through the long lines for tamales. I was amazed at how many people came out for a bite. Not knowing what I was walking in to, I immediately found myself enraptured in a crowd of ravenous stomachs. Fortunately, I was not what they were there for. This story would have another end if so.

After waiting in line for a good 45 minutes in a line 30 people deep, my parents decide to chat up the cashier in classic Palmer style. "So what's on the menu tonight?" We had been looking at it for 45 minutes. "Oh you don't have any green chili ones?" Never mind that the stand had hundred of people coming through before and after the Palmer Parents. Finding the need to spare the impatient cashier, I jump in and order a dozen. Meanwhile, my dad has his eye on something else on the grill. "What's that on the grill, chorizo?" he asks the cook. The cook explains it has been there all day, no good. My dad persists, saying oh no that looks good, I'll take one of those. As hard as my dad's stomach is, I'm glad the cook was not easily coaxed, and that the sausage wasn't in arm's reach of my dad. Leave it to the only Polish guy in the crowd to find a chorizo sausage.

Happy with our tamales in hand, after guzzling down our bud lights, we're about ready to go. Then. On to the stage. With a dramatic turn of our heads. Cue Mariachi Divas entrance. Cue trumpets, cue violin, cue accordion, cue vocal chords coming from the depths of those ravenous stomachs I mentioned before. Vocal chords that hit the sky's ceiling, and break through the atmosphere creating another ozone hole, and blasting into space. Needless to say, these women were great. My mom got enthusiastic when she heard they won a Grammy and bought a couple CDs, including a Christmas album.

This year I'm not coming home for the holidays. I am in the thick of it, whether I like it or not. I'm beginning to like it.

Bitter is Better

Birthday morning at Kean's Coffee

Profile: Kenny Palmer
DOB: 12/5/1985
Age: 27
Acts like: 12

Today is Kenneth Joseph Palmer's 27th birthday. Kenny Palmer is the type of guy who falls asleep on hardwood floors, who prefers plain donuts and his cinnamon rolls without icing, who daily rummages through his stuff looking to get rid of junk. Kenny can play a tune on the harmonica and loves cowboy books and movies. Evident in his donut preferences, Kenny prefers bitter over sweet. Coffee black, beer dark, wine dry, hold the icing. Yeah, he's a unique type indeed. Some may call it weird. As my grandma said when she would spit little wisdoms in her old age, "being picky is good, it makes life interesting." Preferences make life interesting, and wow this kid is a marvel!

Peace in the...Peace?

Courtesy of Creative Commons 

In big crowds, for instance at a music festival or marathon race, I can find peace by being an observer amongst a million others. With so much going on, so much to absorb and take in, I can comfortably be very silent and just look around if I please. Comparatively, when I am alone, I start to hear the beat of my own drum. Thoughts can grow and even develop into a hectic music festival inside and the more I think, the louder it gets. With the compounding thoughts, the more anxious I start to feel.

I have a lot of peace living back at home. I live very comfortably here. I don't have to start paying rent for another three months, my meals are provided, and I keep peace by doing dishes and other household chores to make Mama Bear happy. I'm over the stage of fighting with my brothers and sister, and I love going on runs with my dad. I have my own room, my own desk, and a window to open and listen to the rain fall outside on this quiet Saturday night. I am living in a peaceful environment indeed.

Inside of me, do I have peace? I get anxious when I don't have plans, when I don't hear back from the job or the boy, when I start trying to plan so much. I overwhelm myself inside, before I step back and decide not to fret but to trust in a divine plan. Then I reconcile with the gift this time at home really is. When again will all 5 of my family members and I be living under the same roof with such peace? I doubt this will last forever. As for now, I move north, south, east, and west with polar feelings, but I try to come back to earth and center myself so that I can enjoy this peace in the peace. I'm sure a storm is just over the hill.