Tuesday, November 08, 2011

The Autism Quotient

I have always had a distinct dislike for any disease or disorder that becomes the "go-to" diagnosis in the medical field.  I resisted going to a doctor for depression for several years, not because I didn't want to admit to being depressed, but b/c I didn't want to be thrown into a diagnosis unless it was a true diagnosis.

In the 80s and 90s, children were being diagnosed hand-over-fist as being ADD or ADHD.  Then there was majoe depressive disorder (also known as clinical depression) and manic-depressive disorder (also known as bipolar disorder).  The latest "go-to" diagnosis is autism.

I know several people that have autistic children, all of which are on the severe end of the spectrum.  I marvel everyday at the things they deal with and the special things they have to do just to get through a normal day.

Recently, I have been reading up on what is being called the Autism Spectrum Disorder.  ASD is a proposed revision to the DSM-5, released in May 2013 (I'll refrain from going out on a tangent about my feelings regarding calling it the DSM-5, as opposed to the DSM-V), where the diagnosis of ASD will encompass all of the following: Autistic Disorder, Asperger's Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.  In other words, instead of being diagnosed as autistic or as suffering from CDD, etc., a person would now be diagnosed as suffering from ASD, and will be described in terms of (a) severity of social communication symptoms, (b) severity of fixated or restricted behaviors or interests, and (c) associated features.

Several years ago, I took the AQ, or Autismm Spectrum Quotient.  It's a fifty question test that looks into whether adults of average intelligence (high-intelligence is generally typical of autism patients) have symptoms of autism spectrum conditions.  According to Wikipedia (which I trust only to a certain extent), in the test's initial trials, "the average score in the control group was 16.4, with men scoring slightly higher than women (about 17 versus about 15). 80% of adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders scored 32 or more, compared with only 2% of the control group.  The authors cited a score of 32 or more as indicating "clinically significant levels of autistic traits"."  Scores of 25-31 can be indicative of Asperger's Syndrome. NOTE: THIS TEST IS NOT INTENDED TO BE USED TO SELF-DIAGNOSE. However, I scored a 40 out of 50.

Asperger's Syndrome is a form of high-functioning autism.  The symptoms can range from mild to severe, and often include:
-problems with social skills
-eccentric or repetitive behaviors
-unusual preoccupations or rituals
-communication difficulties
-limited range of interests
-coordination problems
-skilled or talented
-unable to cuddle or be comforted

More specifically:
-inability to start and maintain a conversation
-dislike any changes in routines
-appear to lack empathy
-unable to recognize subtle differences in speech tone, pitch and accent that alter the meaning of speech; very literal
-have a formal style of speaking
-avoid eye contact or stare at others
-have unusual facial expressions or postures
-be preoccupied with only a few interests, and be extremely knowledgeable about those interests.
-talk a lot, have one-sided conversations, and/or verbalize internal thoughts
-have delayed motor development
-heightened senstivity to and become overstimulated by loud noises, lights, or strong tastes or textures
-most students with Asperger syndrome or high functioning autism have average mathematical ability and test slightly worse in mathematics than in general intelligence
-problems with sleep, including difficulty falling asleep and frequent nocturnal awakenings
-excellent auditory and visual perception

According to webMD, "although teens with Asperger's can begin to learn those social skills they lack, communication often remains difficult....will want friends but may feel shy or intimidated when approaching other teens. He or she may feel "different" from others. Although most teens place emphasis on being and looking "cool," teens with Asperger's may find it frustrating and emotionally draining to try to fit in. They may be immature for their age and be naive and too trusting, which can lead to teasing and bullying...some teens with Asperger's syndrome are able to make and keep a few close friends through the school years. Some of the classic Asperger's traits may also work to the benefit of your teen. Teens with Asperger's are typically uninterested in following social norms, fads, or conventional thinking, allowing creative thinking and the pursuit of original interests and goals. Their preference for rules and honesty may lead them to excel in the classroom and as citizens."

Regarding adults with Asperger's, webMD continues, "Asperger's syndrome is a lifelong condition, although it tends to stabilize over time, and improvements are often seen. Adults usually have a better understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses. They are able to learn social skills, including how to read others' social cues."

Many people with Asperger's syndrome also have symptoms of the following conditions:
-attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
-anxiety disorder
-depression
-nonverbal learning disorder
-obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
-social anxiety disorder

*a note on nonverbal learning disorder:
Children with nonverbal learning disorder often have difficulty with math.

We have long thought that I am numerically dyslexic.  By the time I figured out what the problem was, I was out of school and didn't see the need to get an official diagnosis.  However, if I ever go back to college, I will be looking into the issue.  I won't make it through 5 years of scientific math and calculus without some kind of help.

Check out all the orange in the above information.  If it's orange, it's me.  It's not that I want to be diagnoxed as having Asperger's Syndrome.  But the more I read about it, the more I wonder if I might be right htere on the edge.  So many of the symptoms have always been chalked up to other things, all of which do seem to fit.  But isn't it interesting that EVERY SINGLE ONE of the symptoms fits under one single diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome?

Monday, October 03, 2011

Day 28 of 30 - Something that stresses you out

I suffer from clinical depression with associated anxiety, clinical adjustment disorder, and a lesser form of social anxiety.  It doesn't take much to stress me out.  However, over the past ten years, I have learned to recognize many of the symptoms that tell me I'm about to go over the edge into madness.  I've learned many of my triggers, and 90% of the time, I can remove myself from the situation before things get bad.  I also have a nice collection of drugs.  And I promise you, they're all legal.

All the above being said, there are certain things that are guaranteed to cause atleast minor stress, no matter how hard I try to just roll with it.

1. changes in schedules/plans - it's that whole clinical adjustment disorder.  I live through my calendar.  If I have something to do, it goes on the calendar.  I'm anal about my calendar.  Truthfully, it's more of a memory thing that a stress thing; if it's not on the calendar, I will probably forget about it.  However, though I'm not what you would call a social butterfly, I do stay fairly busy.  Changing something at the last minute could mean that I am no longer able to participate in said thing, or atleast am not available for a month or more.  Also, since my father died 6 years ago, I've become the one that tends to do most of the planning, for events that often include upwards of 15-20 family members.  My family is pretty laid-back, and they can change things on a whim.  When I've spent several months planning something, and it gets changed, I tend to react a bit strong.  Most of the time, I overreact, and most of the time, I know I'm overreacting.  The problem with severe anxiety is that even when you know you're making something out of nothing, you don't have the ability, atleast at that time, to get a handle on your emotions.  Now, on the flip side of this issue, if I'm at home, or even if I'm out visiting friends or family, and nothing was ever planned, I'm so laid back that you can barely force me to make a decision.

2. travel - I LOVE to travel!  Absolutely LOVE it!  This year, I'll make 5 total trips to Florida, as long as nothing changes (no need to reference above discussion on changes...fifth trip is not set in stone yet).  While the 2nd trip to Florida was unplanned, and was not for fun reasons (I attended my aunt's funeral), I did take advantage of the time there to get out to the beach, and to Starbucks, and got to spend some pretty enjoyable time with my extended family, many of whom I don't get to see regularly.  I've already been to South Carolina several times this year, with several more trips planned (and SC trips can pop up quite suddenly, so more could be added).  I may or may not be going to Tennessee to visit family.  Next year, I'll be going to Washington DC in June, a trip that has been in the works for well over a year.  We're already starting to plan a trip to New York for 2013.  There will also be many, MANY more trips to Florida and South Carolina (though hopefully sometime in there, a house in SC will magically appear, and I'll be moving there, which will mean that there will be trips to Florida and Georgia).  So, again, I LOVE to travel!  But it never fails - the night I leave for a trip, SOMETHING will go wrong.  It's been flat tires, dead batteries, missing dive gear, and many other things.  No matter how hard I try, something goes wrong.  And I have a panic attack, which inevitably makes us even later.  I have made a pact with myself regarding the upcoming Florida trip, which begins October 28.  I will be packed, and have as much of the car packed as possible on Thursday, so that when I get off of work on Friday, I only have to load a few things, pick up Mama, and hit the road.  I'll let you know how it goes.

3. crowds - see the first paragraph, where I mentioned social anxiety.  Added to that, I'm claustrophobic, a condition that causes stress, and gets worse when I get stress.  It's a horrid cycle.  LOUD crowds are even worse.  I've reached a point where I can exist in a crowd, if I have time to prepare myself, but loud crowds (for instance, at a party) are still very hard for me to handle.

4. stupid people - I won't explain this one, because I think most people understand and agree.

I'm sure there are many other things that stress me out, but I think that's enough for now.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Day 27 of 30 - Original picture of the city you live in

Well, as usual, I'm going to change it up a bit.  First of all, I'm a little unclear as to what the title is really asking for.  An original, as in a photo that was taken when the city was coming into existence?  Or an original, as in a photo that I originally took?  Either way, this photo is neither.  It's also not of the city I live in.  It's the city I work in.

I must first make it known that I stole this photo.  I don't know who actually took it, but I found it on Google.  Funny enough, the link Google provided with the photo took me to the official website of the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences - the very college that I work for.  Hopefully, stealing the photo for the purpose of this blog will not result in termination of my employment.  I actually like this job sometimes.

So, for your viewing pleasure, here is one of the buildings on the University of Georgia's south campus (really more central campus, but there's no such thing as central campus at UGA - there's also no such thing as west campus, but's that's another story for another time).  Sitting sedately at the top of Ag Hill, in view of the Boyd Center, across from Geography, Chemistry and Biological Sciences, and just a hop, skip and jump away from Sanford Stadium is Conner Hall, the home of College's administrative offices.  Built originally in 1908, Conner was first named Agriculture Hall, a picture perfect addition to a school whose 1785 charter made it the first state-chartered University in the US, and a school that was, from the very beginning, set up as an agricultural college.  In 1923, Ag Hall was renamed Conner Hall, in honor of the representative responsible for the building of the Hall.  In 2008, UGA and College faculty, staff and students celebrated the Hall's 100th anniversary with Conner Crunch ice cream on the Hall's front lawn.


Conner Hall, c1908

Conner Hall, c2008

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Day 25 - PutYour iPod on shuffle - first 10 songs

First of all, I do NOT have an iPod.  I do NOT have an iPhone, iPad, iMac, or any other iProduct.  It's not that I don't like Apple.  It's more, at this point, that I refuse to spend the kind of money that buying an Apple product requires.

I do, however, have Spotify (which is currently synced with my HTC Aria), and at this point, I feel that I need to say, THANK YOU, SPOTIFY GODS!  You rock!

And now.....let the shuffling begin.

1. Rascal Flatts "She Goes All The Way"
2. Cartel "Honestly"
3. Paul Peterson "My Dad"
4. Savage Garden "I Knew I Loved You"
5. John Mayer "No Such Thing"
6. Matt Nathanson (featuring Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush, aka Sugarland) "Run"
7. Addicted "Dan Seals"
8. Herman's Hermits "I'm Henry VIII"
9. The Byrds "Turn, Turn, Turn"
10. Eric Johnson "Cliffs of Dover"
11. Brandi Carlisle "The Story"
12. P!nk "Raise Your Glass (Clean Version)"
13. New Kids on the Block "Tonight"
14. Boxcar Willie "King of the Road"
15. Plain White T's "Hey There Delilah"
16. Pam Tillis "Spilled Perfume"
17. Maroon 5 "Never Gonna Leave This Bed"
18. Emerson Drive "Moments"
19. Chris Young "Tomorrow"
20. Richard Marx "Now and Forever"
21. Jason Mraz "Please Don't Tell Her"
22. Alyssa Bonagura and Tyler Wilkinson "Killing Me"
23. Chely Wright "Shut Up and Drive"
24. Daron Norwood "My Girl Friday"
25. Plain White T's "Our Song"

There's an eclectic mix of tunes, if I've ever seen one.  All of the songs are fantastic, but I HIGHLY recommend numbers 6, 11, 18, 19, 22, and 25.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Day 26 of 30, part two - oh, you meant DREAM wedding!



The Disney Wedding Pavilion, Lake Buena Vista, FL


Bride and Groom Vinylmation


Classic decorations, with a touch of Disney

a coach fit for a Disney Princess 


a cake fit for a Disney Princess 

 bridal Mickey ears

a honeymoon on the Disney Dream

Day 26 of 30 - Dream Wedding

I'm going to skip around again.  Day 25 involves my mp3 player, which is currently at home, and probably not charged up.  I've been using my phone recently (Android, paired with the Spotify app, just rocks!), but after a recent update to my phone, I haven't had a chance to reinstall my Spotify account.  Therefore, I have no access to my lovely mix of music.  So....

My dream wedding.  Where do I start?  This is something I've long ago planned out.

Attendants: 5 (unless they decide they don't like me: Carol, Megan, Alicia, Erin, Jaimi)
Groomsmen: 5
Ushers: atleast 2
Flowergirl(s): TBD
Ringbearers: I can already tell you it will be Bug and Peanut (unless it is YEARS before I get married).


Cutaway Tux (formal before 6pm) - I prefer the slate tux w/grey pants


spring/summer wedding (groomsmen and ushers)
paisley (or other cool pattern) tie, yellow roses and purple pansies
 
fall/winter wedding (groomsmen and ushers)
paisley (or other pattern) tie, red roses and various pansies
 
groom's accessories (some shade of white)

my shoes

If cool ties are decided against, it will only be in favor of cool socks.



Friday, August 12, 2011

Day 24 of 30 - Something You've Learned

In 33 years on this earth, you'd think that I would have learned more lessons than I have, but sadly, this is not the case.  Too many times, I've let lessons and knowledge pass by the wayside, never to enter my thoughts again - or only to come back to me too late to do any good.  However, of the things I HAVE learned, certain ones stand out.

I've learned that I do a poor job of imitating my Savior, Christ Jesus.  On the flipside, I've also learned that God makes provisions for that, so my poor imitation is no reason to quit trying.  I hope to continue learning both of these lessons, on a daily basis, as long as Jehovah allows this system to continue.  The day I stop is the day someone needs to shoot me.

I've learned that growing old doesn't mean you've grown up.  Spend some time people watching.  You'll agree.

I've learned that a group's mentality is almost always led by the person with the WORST ideas.  Just turn on the news.  You'll probably agree with this, as well.  Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers.

I've learned that I really need to take things a day at a time.  First, goals are achieved slowly.  You can't win a marathon without taking the first step.  Second, the older I get, the faster time seems to fly.  Stop and take a picture of the rose today.  Tomorrow, it'll be past the blooming stage.

I've learned that the phrase "I'm sorry" as just as important in a relationship as the phrase "I love you."  Those two phrases can also be the most overused.  Take care when and how you use them.

I've learned that I can face my fears.  I've learned that I can conquer my fears.  But most importantly, I've learned that facing fears and conquering fears are not the same thing.  All fears can be faced.  Not all fears can be conquered.  Not as long as we live in this imperfect world.

I've learned that I'm selfish.  I've learned that I have a temper.  I've learned that I don't handle tooth/jaw pain very well.

Wednesday, August 03, 2011

Day 23 of 30 - Favorite Movie

I though about changing the subject of today's blog, since I discussed my favorite movies back on Day 7.  But instead, I decided to go with the EXACT subject, favorite MOVIE (singular).  That movie, again referenced on day 7, is Hoosiers.

Hoosiers was released in 1986, starring Gene Hackman as Coach Norman Dale, Barbara Hershey as Myra, Dennis Hopper as Shooter (the town drunk), and Sheb Wooley as Principal Cletus.  The movie follows the boys basketball team of fictional Hickory, Indiana, as they journey from the season's beginning to the state championship game.  Taking place during the 1951/1952 school year, the story is loosely based on the real-life Milan High 1953/1954 team out of Milan, Indiana.  Coach Dale's fiery courtside demeanor and no-nonsense attitude is loosely based on legendary college coach, Bobby Knight.  Jimmy Chitwood, one of the players, also has a loose basis is history.  Jimmy Chitwood is seen taking the final shot of the state championship game to bring the win home to the Hickory Huskers.  In real life, Bobby Plump took the final shot of the game to boost Milan over Muncie Central in 1954.

Having been raised by a tried-and-true Hoosier, I knew the story of Milan/Muncie Central before I could walk.  I still remember hearing that the movie Hoosiers was being made.  I fondly remember going to see it in the theater on opening weekend, and knowing even then that it would always be one of my favorites.

I am not the only person to think Hoosiers is a great movie.  Hoosiers is consistently rated as one of the best sports movies in history.  The American Film Institute (AFI) voted Hoosiers as #13 on it's 100 Years...100 Cheers list of most inspirational movies, and #4 in the sports genre in it's Ten Top Ten list. Hoosiers has also been selected by Library of Congress to be preserved in the US National Film Registry.  Coach Dale's locker room speech is also commonly played on the jumbotron at college sporting events (particularly baseball and football).

If you have not seen Hoosiers, pick it up from your local rental facilities, or put it on your Netflix queue.  You won't regret it.

Opening credits

Team arrives at State Championship facilities


Thursday, July 28, 2011

Dental Chairs are Comfortable!

I am the poster child for how NOT to take care of your teeth.  Oh, I brush them, but that's about it.  I floss...occasionally.  I haven't been to the dentist since the checkup with the oral surgeon after having my wisdom teeth removed.  I had the teeth removed in late December 1994, so I probably had the checkup in January 1995.  After the horrific experience I had during that surgery (I woke up while they were drilling and cutting), I refused to go back to a dentist.

However, recently, I had a tooth started showing symptoms of a cavity.  As in, it started breaking.  Still, it's taken me several months to work up the courage to make an appointment with a dentist.  I asked around for recommendations, did LOTS of research, and otherwise attempted to psych myself out, but finally, last week, I called a local dentist and made an appointment for a checkup.

Yesterday, I visited the dentist for the first time in 16 years.

Did you know that they do instant digital x-rays now?  It's incredible!  The assistant took the first picture, and I was amazed!  I said something about technology coming so far, the last time I had x-rays, you had to bite on the cardboard film holder, and then you had to wait until the film was developed before knowing what was going on in your mouth.  The technician laughed, but I think it was more of a "oh, you poor child, we're going to get SOO much money out of you!" laugh.

Did you know that there's this really awkward machine that spins around your head, and takes full x-rays of your jaw?  I had no idea my jaw looked like that.  I also had no idea that the roots of my teeth were that long!

The things you learn when you actually go to the dentist.

Another thing I learned yesterday is that, despite a sixteen year gap in dental visits, my teeth and gums are mighty healthy!  No gum disease, no bone disease, no major worries about the crowding of my teeth (though he did give me a recommendation for an orthodontist who specializes in Invisaligns, if I were ever interested), very little tartar and plaque buildup on my teeth, and only ONE cavity! Once that one is filled (next Tuesday), that will make a total of TWO fillings in my mouth.  Yeah, I swear I've had more cavities filled, but if I did, they were baby teeth.  Dr. Hall said I only have one filling currently in my mouth, plus a couple of sealants.

Note to self:  if you ever have children, have sealants done!

The only question I'm left with is: Why did the gums around the tooth with the cavity not hurt before, but now that I know they're going to have to trim the gum where it's growing into the cavity, has it decided to start aching?  Is it psychosomatic?

Monday, July 25, 2011

Day 22 of 30 - A Day of Reflection

Actually, Day 22 is supposed to be What's In Your Purse?  But since I answered that on Day 12, I decided to make this a day of reflection.

Today is a very bittersweet day.  Twenty-four years ago, for the very first time, I woke up in the morning after a full night's sleep with only one kidney.  The anesthesia from the day before was beginning to wear off, and steps were being taken to finally rid my body of the infection that had been ruling it for so many years.  Twenty-four years ago was the first day of a new life for me.

Six years ago, I was sitting at a desk on my first day of a new job at Wynn Salon Services.  I was tired, it was stressful, but it was nice to have a job again.  I was thinking I'd turned a corner.

Only a few hours later, I was sitting in a private room at the hospital, being told my father was dead.  I guess that was the wrong corner to turn.

As I sit here thinking of my dad, I have a wide collection of emotions.  I'm happy that he's done fighting, and that he's no longer in pain and suffering.  For the most part, I've gotten over the shock of him not being here.  I've grown somewhat accustomed to life without him in it.  Most of the time, I don't expect him to walk in the door at the end of the day, or call my from his cell phone to ask me if I saw that catch on the Braves game.

Now, it's different things that make it hard.  It's watching that Braves game, and realizing that Daddy didn't see Brian McCann play in the All-Star game his first full year in the majors (2006), let alone every All-Star game since then (Go, Mac!).  Dad has no idea that Jason Collier, of Indiana, Georgia Tech, and Atlanta Falcons fame, died tragically of a heart condition in October 2005.  He has no idea that I'm friends with my Indiana heroes (Luke Recker and Kirk Haston) on Facebook.  Actually, Dad had probably never even heard of Facebook at the time he died.  Can you imagine what he would say if he know Mama was active on Facebook?!!?

What's difficult is making plans to go to a college basketball tournament with Gerald in November, and realizing that I've never been to a college basketball tournament without Dad.  College basketball was what he loved SO much.  If he were alive, you can bet that he'd be going down to Orlando with us.  And he'd probably figure out a way to take me to Disney while we were down there.

Daddy has no idea what Hurricane Katrina was, or how devastating the earthquakes in Haiti and Japan were.  He has no idea that both of the Rice boys are fathers (and maybe it's a good thing he doesn't know, as the thought might just frighten him to death).  He doesn't know that Brandon and Megan just celebrated their fifth anniversary, or that Michael has two kids.  The fact that life has continued on, as if nothing happened on that day, six years ago, is sometimes difficult to grasp.

But the hardest thing of all is to catch myself looking at a family photo, and realizing that I can't remember what my dad looks like.  The picture looks like him, and yet....I can't really remember.  Is that really what he looked like?  I can't always see his face, I can't hear his voice.  I know this doesn't mean that I'm forgetting him.  It's simply that a long time has passed, and things don't stay clear and sharp when we don't see or hear them constantly.  It's part of moving on, which we need to do.

And yet, a part of me still feels like I'm bad daughter because I can't always remember.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Day 21 of 30 - Favorite Picture of Yourself ALL TIME - and why?

Finally, FINALLY, I got up the courage to try scuba diving.

Last checkout dive, Lake Jocassee, SC
Certified Open Water diver as of July 2010.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Day 20 of 30 - Nicknames

My parents had three possibilities in mind when they were trying to decide on a name for me:
Laura Charlotte
Laura Nicole
Laura Diane

They chose the one that had no obvious nickname - Laura Diane.

Growing up, I always wanted a nickname.  Daddy called me Daura Liane, but that wouldn't have worked at school and with my friends.  Leonard called me George.  In high school, Hot Rod sometimes called me Larry.  One day, when discussing nicknames, Mikey decided that he would nickname me George.  How two people came to call me George, I'll never know.  When I worked in daycare, the kids usually called me La-La (Teletubbies was extremely popular at that time).  The Bug called me Lo, then Toe, now it's Dawa.  Not really nicknames, just the pronunciations of a child, but I was so hoping Lo would stick.

The nickname I use online is Eldabee.  My "big brother", David R., was always amused at the fact that I signed everything with my initials (LDB).  One day, his girlfriend started running the letters together, and calling me Eldabee.  It stuck.  For quite awhile, the two of them actually called me that.  Since then, it's gravitated to mostly an online identity.

I've come to like and appreciate my name.  I think, after all these years, that I prefer not having a nickname.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Day 19 of 30 - Something You Miss

The obvious answer to this is that I miss my dad.  I miss Aunt Jan.  I miss many other people lost to death, so many that I could probably spend an hour or more just trying to remember tham all.

I also miss being able to buy skinny clothes (ok, not skinny, but atleast not plus size).  I miss my Mustang convertible.  I miss Ian.  I miss Mikey and David.  I miss spending summers on the road, seeing the country.  Sometimes, I even miss that first Christmas season in retail - but only sometimes.

But sitting here at my desk, at work, what I really miss are the days of childhood, when my whole life was ahead of me.  I miss those Saturday mornings when I had to clean the livingroom before I could go out and play, but WHILE cleaning the livingroom, I could turn on the TV and watch Dumbo's Circus, Welcome to Pooh Corner, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, or Flipper (depending on the time and channel).  I miss the Saturday afternoon naps that I HATED (why, oh why can't we have naps as adults?!!?).  I miss the hot afternoons playing basketball in the yard with all the neighborhood kids.  I miss being a kid, when days were long, and summers even longer, and the two best days of the year were the first day of school....and the last day of school.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Day 18 of 30 - Favorite Place to Eat

It amazes me how one simple phrase - favorite place to eat - can bring up a long-forgotten favorite.
 
Duff's country buffet
Wow, I'm having some serious flashbacks of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans.
 
Mighty Casey's fast food chain
It's funny, I'm not (and never have been) a huge fan of hotdogs.  And yet, Mighty Casey's was my FAVORITE place to eat as a child.

As an adult, though, I'd have to say that my favorite restaurant is Jo-To's Japanese Steakhouse on Siesta Key.

A more generic way to answer would be to say that my favorite place to eat is by the water.  That could be a restaurant like Jo-To-s, Leverock's (oh, how I miss thee), or the Sandbar Grille in Buxton, NC, or it could be as simple as a picnic by the lake.  If it's by the water, I'm content.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Day 17 of 30 - Something You're Looking Forward To

Where do I start?  There's:
-Washington DC trip
- scuba trip to swim with the manatees and dive the springs
- this weekend's picnic with Peanut and the Bug (oh, and the adults that always have to come with them)
- 2 trips to Florida in November, one to visit family, and one for a basketball tournament
- if this system goes on long enough, plans to apply to attend the next International Assembly

But what I'm really looking forward to?  The time that's not so far away, when I wake up in the morning refreshed, and I don't have to take medication.  The time when I can walk to a nearby house and see my daddy, or to another house and "meet" Robin again.  Or, if I want to travel a little farther, I can go to that house over there, and ask Joseph what it was really like being separated from his family, and working everyday in such close proximity to the Pharaoh.  I'd love to have the opportunity to be around when John the Baptist is taught how all the prophecies about Jesus were fulfilled.

And since I'll have all the time in the world, I want to hike the Appalachian Trail, the Continental Divide, and the Pacific Crest Trail.

In the meantime, I plan on working towards just BEING there.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Day 16 of 30 - Dream House

If I could have any house in the world, I would have three houses.  There are three distinct styles that I absolutely love, and I see no way to combine them into one house (without making it outrageously ugly).

I have always wanted a house with multiple levels, with a deck on each level, the whole thing overlooking the ocean, and atleast one floor having a widow's walk.  As much as I love the beach, I've never wanted the house to be on the beach.  I've always dreamed of it being on a cliff overlooking the pounding waves, in an area like Big Sur (California), and having to walk a trail down to the beach.

However, 5 years ago, I went to Hatteras Island, and found Hatteras Harbor House.


Hatteras Harbor House, April 2007 family trip

Hatteras Harbor House is on the south end of Hatteras Island, at the end of the jetty, just past the docks where you catch the ferry to Ocracoke Island.

An old farmhouse has also been a dream of mine for many years.  Old, rambling, spacious, on lots of land in the middle of nowhere.  White with barn red trim, or yellow with white trim and a red barn roof.  I like both color schemes, and both look great on old farmhouses.  The latter is perfectly displayed on the buildings and house of Rolling M Ranch in Tignall, GA.  I will have to drive out and get some good pictures.  The ranch is gorgeous!

But, on the chance that I can have neither the shoreside house or the farmhouse, I will take a simple set of rooms on stilts, over the water.  Like this one, in Bora Bora.


The St. Regis Resort, Bora Bora

Friday, July 08, 2011

Day 15 of 30 - Bible Verse

Revelation 8:2
2 And I saw the seven angels that stand before God, and seven trumpets were given them.

It's a running joke that this is my favorite scripture.  For me, it's proof that we were never meant to be angels who sat on fluffy clouds playing harps.  Where in the Bible does it say that angels were given harps?  No, Jehovah knows that the only instrument of true import is the trumpet.



Marching band, Senior Year, 1995-96

Isaiah 40:31
31 but those who are hoping in Jehovah will regain power. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not tire out.”

This is truly my favorite scripture.  I can see how the scripture is being fulfilled today, as people stand firm and endure, despite persecution and hardship, as they trust in Jehovah.  But it also reminds me that there will be a time when we will truly regain power, and taste life as Jehovah meant us to live it.

Thursday, July 07, 2011

Day 14 of 30 - A Picture of You Last Year - How Have You Changed?

Lake Jocassee, SC - June 27, 2010
When this picture was taken, I was an open water dive student.  By the end of the day, I was a certified Open Water Diver.  That's one change.

I'd lost 10lbs at that point, which I've since gained back.

I am a more spiritual person, in that I've really been working on my study habits and meeting attendance.  I'm not where I want to be, but I'm getting there.

All in all, I don't think I've changed that much since last year.

Wednesday, July 06, 2011

Day 13 of 30 - Goals

What are my goals?  Do I even have any clear cut goals?  These questions are going to take some serious thought.

Spiritual goals:
1. Read the entire Bible in a year (and once it's read, start reading it again)
2. Read all publications released in 2011 in a timely manner
3. Increase field service hours and effort

Personal goals:
1. Lose 95lbs
     a. Lose 45lbs by Washington, DC trip
2. Finish photography program at UGA in time to graduate in 2012
3. Train for a 2012 5K race (Athens Eco-Adventure Challenge, Warrior Dash or a Disney 5K)
4. Pay car loan off in 3 years (by original loan-end date, not refinanced date)
5. Continue scuba diving
     a. Specialty certifications (bouyancy, marinelife identification, wreck diving, night diving)
     b. Dive GA Aquarium
     c. DiveQuest at Epcot

Tuesday, July 05, 2011

Day 9 of 30 - A Favorite Picture of Your Best Friend

A special treat!  I'm going backwards today, and catching up on the almost-forgotten Day 9!

I can't narrow down my best friend to just one person.  It's not possible to choose.  But there are only a handful of people that make it onto my "bestest" list.  Megs, Harper, Mikey, Alicia, Michael, Erin, can even throw Colin in, Brandon, Jaimi.  I don't have a picture that encompasses everyone.  But I do have a great picture that covers half of that group.


clockwise from top: Colin, Erin, Richard, Michael, Alicia

Day 12 of 30 - Something I Don't Leave Home Without

After being away from blogging for a week while getting ready for this year's District Convention, I am now back and better than ever!  Well, I'm atleast back.....

I now own a purse.  OK, it's not really a purse, it's a camera/binoculars bag, but I'm using it as a purse, and it works quite well.  I don't leave home without my purse.

It's not the purse that I can't live without, but the things inside it:
-wallet, which holds driver's license, DPA/medical directive, debit card, Starbucks gift card
-pens.  LOTS of pens
-pocket calendar
-book (currently the yb11-E)
-keys
-hand sanitizer
-cell phone
-collection of photos of friends and family

It's not that interesting, these things I carry.  But on most days, somewhat necessary.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Day 11 of 30 - Favorite TV Show

Once upon of time, my list of favorite TV shows would have looked something like this:
Dawson's Creek

That was it.  No other show mattered.  Then Kevin Williamson left the creative staff of the show, and my list began to look more like this:
Mercy, Trauma, Friday Night Lights, ER, Three Rivers, Surviving The Cut, Life After People, Glades, Bones, NCIS, JAG, House, Kings, Pretty Little Liars, Jericho, Related, Wildfire, Kyle XY, Make It or Break It, Life Is Wild, Max Headroom, Gossip Girl, Defying Gravity, E-Ring, Falcon Beach

Then, I got rid of my satellite service, and had to rely on Hulu and Netflix for my TV fix.  My list of shows turned into this:
Standoff, Murder One, Law & Order (any version), Roswell, Beautiful People, Veronica Mars, Lost, Off The Map, October Road, Rookie Blue, Battlestar Galactica, Caprica, The Event, FlashForward, Covert Affairs, Dark Angel, Brothers & Sisters, Fringe

In reality, I don't watch a lot of TV shows anymore.  There are just too many to keep up with, and I don't have the time to get involved in all of them.  But if I had to narrow down the list to my absolute favorites, they would be:
Friday Night Lights
Veronica Mars
Off The Map
Jericho
Kings
Sadly, the only one of those shows that is still on television is Friday Night Lights, and it's wrapping up the final season.  Looks like I'm going to have a bit more time on my hands.

Now, if including mini-series events is allowed, I would have to add in Band of Brothers, The Pacific, Pillars of the Earth, and Into the West.  Some of the best television ever created!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Day 10 of 30 - Something You're Afraid Of

I know, I know.  I can't count.  This is Day NINE!  Unfortunately, if you remember back to the list of topics for this blogfest, the topic for Day 9 revolves around a picture of my best friend.  And at this point, I don't have access to those pictures.  So, Day 9 is getting postponed.  And that brings us to Day 10.....

What AM I afraid of?
-small, ankle-biting, yippy dogs
-earthquakes
-panic attacks
-enclosed spaces (claustrophia)
-people - not joking!  Seriously terrified of people and social situations.  They bring on the already-mentioned-and-dreaded panic attacks, as well as bouts of claustrophobia
-failure
-disappointing Jehovah

So....
That wasn't much fun to write.  I need to go home and find pictures to scan, so that I can backtrack and get Day 9 up.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Day 8 of 30 - A Place You've Traveled To

I've been to 45 states (still missing Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Hawaii and Alaska), Mexico, Canada, and numerous islands in the Caribbean (Jamaica, Haiti, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands).  I have many, many fond memories of travelling.  I have amazing snapshots stored in the recesses of my brain that slip out to comfort me when I need them.  I have favorite places to visit (Walt Disney World, Siesta Key, Lake Tahoe, the Outer Banks, Indiana cornfields, South Carolina lakes).  I also have places I want to visit (the 5 states I haven't visited yet, Belize, Bora Bora, Scandinavia, the Atlantis Hotel on Paradise Island, and Atlantis Cayman Brac, the Atlantis dive in of the Cayman Islands).  But recently, my mind has stayed mostly on Washington, DC.

I visited Washington, DC, in October 1988, when I was 10 years old.  It is one of those places where I only have brief snapshots stored in my head for memories.  I remember the Spirit of St. Louis, the Wright Bros flyer, and the Rutan Voyager at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum.  I remember the torn and tattered American flag at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.  I remember the Hope Diamond at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.  I remember NONE of the famous monuments, though I know we visited all the biggies.  I do have a vague memory of walking up to one, but I don't know which one it was; I only remember the feeling of walking up to a huge monument.

Most of my memories of that trip are from Arlington National Cemetary.  I remember vividly seeing the eternal flame at the grave of JFK (and learning then that he'd had other children, not just JFK, Jr, and Caroline).  I remember seeing the grave of Audie Murphy, and asking, "You mean Eddie Murphy?"  Daddy then explained who Audie Murphy was.  Audie Murphy is now one of my favorite historical people.  I remember seeing the mast of the USS Maine, and then making a point to learn what part the ship played in US history.  I remember the memorial to the astronauts on the Space Shuttle Challenger, and already recognizing and understanding how much that disaster affected my life.  I remember the Tomb of the Unknowns, and the changing of the Guard, and having no clue at that time how fascinated I would become with the US military.

I'm 23 years older, and atleast a few years wiser.  I understand so much more about the history that DC and it's surrounding areas house.  I can appreciate it now in ways I couldn't even dream of when I was 10.

Stay tuned:  I return to DC in spring of 2012.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Day 7 of 30 - Favorite Movies









AND MY FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME IS......



1980 Me

Yes, I know.  I didn't blog over the weekend.  I'm sorry, but I had better things to do.  I had the opportunity to return to my childhood, so I visited the 1980s for a few hours on Saturday night, by visiting Lakewood Amphitheater and watching Heart and Def Leppard in concert.  Yes, for once, I actually did something fun and interesting!

Friday, June 17, 2011

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Day 5 of 30 - A Song to Match Your Mood

Gerald's refurbished (and classic) Nintendo NES system arrived in the mail yesterday, along with a small selection of games.  This has been playing in my head ever since.


Otherwise, here's my song of the hour (year).

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Day 4 of 30 - My parents

My parents have always been my rocks.
My father was born and raised in Indianapolis, IN.  He was an avid sports fan, and played golf, baseball and basketball, and loved to bowl.  Some of my early memories involve me sitting in a both at the local bowling alley while my dad competed with his league of US Postal employees.
I got my love of sports, specifically basketball, from my dad.  I also got my love of travelling from him.  Like Dad, I've always got my next few trips planned, and I'm rarely at home when I can be on the road.
My mom was born in St. Petersburg, FL, and raised in Whiteland, IN, just outside of Indianapolis.  She was a fairly typical girl of the 40s and 50s, in that she learned early how to cook and clean for a large family, how to sew, and how to crochet, and always knew that she was to be a wife and mother.  She tried to pass that on to me.  It didn't take
My parents met in Whiteland, IN, when my mom was 15 and my dad was 17.  They were 16 and 18 when they got married in 1960.  They had 5 children (1961, 1963, 1965-46 years old today!, 1978 and 1980).  During their marriage, they lived in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Florida and Georgia.
Among most of my school friends, I was the odd one out.  I still had both my parents, TOGETHER, STILL MARRIED, in the same house with me.  Shocker!  Sure, they had their issues, their fights.  But they always worked through them, and I never questioned their love for me, or their love for each other.
Throughout the years, my dad worked as a breadman, a cookieman, a US Postal worker, and various other route work.  My mother worked in daycare, at the local elementary school, with my father one various routes, as operator/owner of her owning sewing business, and more recently, as seamstress and customer service assistant at a dry cleaning business.
I was always a daddy's girl, but as I've gotten older, I've developed a very close relationship with my mother.  I find it interesting that I feel I need my mommy more as an adult than I ever did as a child.  Maybe that's because I was such a daddy's girl.
On July 25, 2005, my father suffered a massive heart attack and passed away.  He was a month shy of his 63rd birthday, and 3.5 months short of his 45th wedding anniversary.
My mother continues to amaze me with her strength and fortitude.

back row (L-R): David, Jr., Leonard, me, Gerald
front row (L-R): Daddy, Mama, Carol

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Day 3 of 30 - First Love

Again, a day late...but it's only Day 3.  Habits take awhile to form.

So, my first love.
Wow, a tough one.
In general, my first love would obviously be my family.  I was especially close to my dad, Carol and Leonard growing up.  I also loved my PawPaw and Robin, though I don't really remember them in detail.  Jeremiah and Jonathan F, Michael and David, and the other Michael are friends from my early childhood that have always held a very special place in my heart.  Those could also be considered first loves.

Romantically, it becomes a question that is more difficult to answer.  I had interests throughout the years.  DFF, Kelly, Will R, Ben, Jonathan W, Hot Rod, Will F.  Nothing serious, more fun than anything.  JP started out as a friend (in fact, I couldn't figure out why anyone would actually be interested in him, b/c I was absolutely NOT attracted).  But we gradually grew closer, and before I knew it, I loved him.  I honestly don't know if I was IN love, b/c I always knew that nothing would ever come of our relationship.  He wasn't ever going to make certain changes, and I wasn't going to promise my life to someone who couldn't make those changes.  But I loved him, and therefore, he had the power to break my heart.  Which he did.



It wasn't until I was in my 20's that I actually started thinking seriously about marriage.  I want to get married - if I meet the right person.  If not, I'm content to stay single.  I've only met two men in the past 10 years that actual registered on my radar as a man that I could see in my future.  The first was ZTN.  Things didn't develop with him, but we are friends.


The second man is JD.  He is one of my best friends, and my relationship with him has really cemented my idea of what I want in a spiritual husband, especially as I watched him embark on his own courtship, and more recently, celebrate his first anniversary with his wife. 


So, in my mind, those two together are what I consider my first love.  I was never in love with either one, not even close.  But as our relationship changed, grew, backpedaled, altered, and ultimately strengthened, I was given the opportunity to develop within myself a blueprint for the type of man I want, and therefore, the type of person I need to be in order to have that man.

Of course, I feel like I have to send a shout out to the person that I consider to be absolutely the best-looking, hottest person I've ever had the pleasure to lay eyes on.

 Oh, Luke.......

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Day 2 of 30 - Meaning behind my blog name

Yes, I realize that Day 2 was supposed to be yesterday, but we had a little power outage result from the crazy storms that came through.  So, we're a day delayed.  Deal with it.

Well, first of all, the original name for this blog was Tequila on Ice (which explains why the URL is http://www.tequilaonice.blogspot.com/).  I love tequila.  I also love beer, but Beer on Ice just didn't have the same ring to it.

I was thinking one day about what kind of blog I wanted this to be, and I realized that I wanted it to be about me.  Yes, I will talk about beer and tequila at some point.  But ultimately, the only theme to this blog is me.  What I'm doing, what I want to do, things I'm dealing with, things that make me laugh/cry/angry/bitter/jealous, etc.  So, what would represent my dreams and hopes and life better than Tequila on Ice?  And so I thought some more......

And I remembered some really awesome movie lines about alcohol.

"I don't care how liberated this world becomes - a man will always be judged by the amount of alcohol he can consume - and a woman will be impressed, whether she likes it or not."

"I am the last barman poet / I see America drinking the fabulous cocktails I make / Americans getting stinky on something I stir or shake / The sex on the beach / The schnapps made from peach / The velvet hammer / The Alabama slammer. / I make things with juice and froth / The pink squirrel / The three-toed sloth. / I make drinks so sweet and snazzy / The iced tea / The kamakazi / The orgasm / The death spasm / The Singapore sling / The dingaling. / America you've just been devoted to every flavor I got / But if you want to got loaded / Why don't you just order a shot? / Bar is open."


And one can never forget:
"Coughlin's diet: cocktails and dreams."


Yes, I am a fan of the 1980s Tom Cruise.
Let there be, forever, cocktails and dreams.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Day 1 of 30 - Introduction, picture, and 15 facts

Hi, I'm Laura.  I am not an alcoholic, drug addict, or Gulf War vet.  However, I probably DO need a 12-step program of some kind, for something.
Let's see....brown hair, brown eyes, average height of 5'6", above-average IQ (or was that number my weight?).  Live in a family commune (you think I'm joking), with 3 of my siblings within walking distance.  Work for the biggest rival of my all-time favorite college team.

Mama, Coach Vince Dooley, and me

1. Broke my first bone in May 2009, at the age of 31 - and the blasted thing STILL hurts!
2. When I started driving, I swore that the two places I'd never drive near were the mall and a college campus.  I was a retail manager for 5 years.  I've now worked for a large public university for more than 4 years.  Never say never!
3. I LOVE chicken.  All shapes, sizes, colors and flavors.
4. I am a certified open water diver.
5. I am a HUGE Atlanta Braves fan.
6. When my brother and I were younger, we'd travel to Panama City Beach with our parents every year.  Every year, we'd make up our PCB Vacation Book, with pages for what needed to be packed, what we planned on doing, where we planned on eating, etc.  G and I have recently been planning a trip to Washington, DC, and in the discussion, we discovered that to this day, when we plan trips, we both still make vacation books to assist us.  I guess old habits die hard.
7. I play the trumpet.  And the french horn.  And the guitar.  And, sort of, the piano.  I can play ON violin, cello, saxophone, bass guitar, flute, drums.
8. I have been to 45 of the 50 US states.
9. My three favorite things to do outside are geocache, hike and swim.
10. I am in love with someone named Bug.
11. I've never wanted kids of my own, but I'm often happiest when I have a baby in my arms.
12. Disney trivia - that is my forte!
13. I plan on moving to South Carolina at the earliest possible convenience.
14. I really want to move to Florida, but I will NOT move that far away from Bug.
15. DOLEWHIP!  It's not a dessert.  It's an obsession.

The 30-day challenge

I know, I know.  It's been done before, by a good portion of people who blog.  But I've been enjoying reading the posts of a friend who is doing her own 30-day journey, and I couldn't help thinking that this might get me into the blogging habit.  So, here I go.....

The 30-day challenge is just what it sounds like.  A personal (and public) challenge to blog consistently for 30 days.  The subjects are provided (if you're interested, just Google "30-day blog challenge" and you'll find LOTS of different ones).  All I have to do is blog.  I think this will be fun.  I enjoy blogging....when I have something to write about.  Most of the time, my life is not interesting enough.  This, I believe, will help.

Day 1: Introduction, recent picture of yourself, 15 interesting facts about you
Day 2: Meaning behind your blog name
Day 3: Your first love
Day 4: Your parents
Day 5: A song to match your mood
Day 6: A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 7: Favorite movies
Day 8: A place you've traveled to
Day 9: A favorite picture of your best friend
Day 10: Something you're afraid of
Day 11: Favorite TV show
Day 12: Something you don't leave the house without
Day 13: Goals
Day 14: A picture of you last year - how have you changed?
Day 15: Bible verse
Day 16: Dream house
Day 17: Something you're looking forward to
Day 18: Favorite place to eat
Day 19: Something you miss
Day 20: Nicknames
Day 21: Favorite picture of yourself ALL TIME, and why?
Day 22: What's in your purse?
Day 23: Favorite movie
Day 24: Something you've learned
Day 25: Pur your iPod on shuffle, first 10 songs
Day 26: Your dream wedding
Day 27: Original photo of the city you live in
Day 28: Something that stresses you out
Day 29: 3 wishes
Day 30: a picture of yourself this day, and 5 good things that happened since you started the challenge