Ol Geezers vs. Young Whippersnappers

I seem to be hearing all over the place "the problems with this generation" or "the issues with young people." And I wonder to myself, do they not realize I am a young person?! The people who are talking are of an older generation, and I recognize the trouble with transition and the quick changing of times. However, I believe if you are going to slam a group of people (that you obviously do not understand), do not try to gain agreement from a person who identifies with the previously named group!!!

I feel at edge about this because it seems like I am constantly bombarded with assumed jargon. In one minute, they (unnamed because I see the accused groups on a regular basis) are grasping at ends to understand the younger generation, and the next minute, they are telling you everything (wrong) with the younger generation. Some of their frustration, I believe, comes from trying to connect or at least understand people under 30, but you don't get there by making statements.

I was told today that young people do not know how to communicate. I did not respond to him at the moment because I was thinking "do you realize I am a young person", but I strongly believe the opposite to be true. In my case, I am tired of being told what I think. I am tired of people ignoring or talking over my thoughts and questions because I obviously don't have enough experience or it's too radical or it's unrealistic or that's not how it has been or whatever. So rather than approach a person's physical body and discuss it, I write a blog. My generation has not stopped communicating; we are just talking to more people. Sure, the consequence of that is that we sometimes miss the local faces, but don't rule out how we express ourselves, please!

Bridging the generational gap is certainly cross-cultural. And with that, there is a sensitivity that needs to be had. My knee-reaction is to blindly defend my generation, my IDENTITY, but I know we are not perfect. In honesty, I think we are simply reacting to (or perhaps against ) those before us. And in the automatic swing back and forth, we misstep, but perfection did not exist "when I was your age" or "the good ol days" either. Society did not all of a sudden crap out the day Generation X, Y, or Millienials were born. (So in knee-reaction, please stop blaming us for how the world is today! Thank you.)

We need to have bridges between generations because older people have so much wisdom from the life they have lived, but they need us young people too. We can offer a renewed sense of hope and perspective. We can aid each other through the transitions. So we all need to stop assuming things about each other. We need to be open and ready to learn as if we were entering another country and culture- because we are.

When you gotta go...

Last week we got a lot of snow. About 8 inches over Sunday night through most of Monday. And Pilar being of short stature does not like to go potty in the snow. (Pilar is a slightly obese chihuahua.) She'll be ready to jump out the door or run to the grass, but as soon as she sees the snow, she stops dead in her tracks. She is not a cold temperature dog, so I shoveled out a piece of grass for her to go potty in as any good pet owner would do. But she must have been too cold because all she did was pee really quick and then run back to the garage door to go back inside.

Now, Pilar poops a lot. If I let her sniff around long enough, she'll poop at least 3 times a day. But this time around, she held her poop for nearly 2 days. 2 DAYS!!! She didn't poop from Sunday night until late Tuesday afternoon.

Well last night we got another dumping of snow. At least six inches from Wednesday night to Thursday morning. And early Thursday morning, I took Pilar to the garage with my shovel in hand to make her some potty space. Well, apparently it was an emergency because as soon as I opened the garage door enough, she jumped into the snow and took a squat. I didn't even get a step outside or a swing with my shovel before she was letting loose. I was astounded, but when you gotta go, you gotta go.

Blurry-Eyed and Hunting

I did not realize that my last post was in August. I suppose that clearly illustrates how insane last semester was. I was working about 20 hours a week at the pharmacy, taking a full load of classes, and doing an internship another 20 hours a week. I am a crazy woman. I wasn't sure I was going to make it near the end, but everything was completed on time and in relatively good shape. :)

I am certainly glad that I have a bit of a break before the next semester starts. Although I will be honest, I am quite nervous that as quickly as last semester went this semester will be even faster. Don't get me wrong, I am overly ecstatic about the fact that I will be graduating in May (with one summer class to take to "actually" graduate). But then there's the realization that I may actually be growing up or perhaps dare I even say that I have... grown up. Frightening yet exciting yet terrifying yet awesome. It's a mix of emotions, obviously.

So here I am at the beginning of 2011 wondering where the last 5 months went as well as knowing that the next 5 will be equally insane. I guess I live on the thrill. And with that thrill I am so thankful to be in Kansas City. I love it here. While it hasn't always been easy for various bumps in the road, I am grateful for where I am in life.

And so I venture into 2011 trusting God with the "after a little over 5 months" part. I have no idea what I will be doing or even where I will be. I am open to all opportunities in any location. I plan on staying State-side until I pay off my school loans though. But if you know of any church positions open ( in the areas of community development/compassionate ministries or even associate pastor) or rich people wanting to help a poor ministry-oriented female with the heavy weight of education loans... let me know. ;) Seriously though, let me know.