k.e.g. on tap: life, quotes, and random musings

Upon meeting me, I think it is generally quite evident that I care about the people around me. I am always conscious of how people feel. I work hard to make others feel included and as if their views matter. I try to be polite and acknowledge those around me (even if they are not favorite person). This all stems from my view that we are all human. That in itself requires us to treat everyone with respect and dignity. That is not to say that we must like every person we encounter or that we need to agree with everyone's position on volatile issues. We do, however, need to recognize our joint humanity and respect that. This is something that has been on my mind since sometime around August, when my co-workers and I took a personal leadership assessment. It was at this point that I was designated as the "touchy, feely" one in the office. I didn't see anything wrong with this. So I care about those around me in addition to doing a good job. What is the problem wit...

Howdy hey there! So I realize it's been quite awhile since I've written. I guess I just haven't felt inspired to write about anything lately. Today that changed... Here are a collection of random thoughts for the day It is super freakin' fanstastically awesome when you find that someone has dug your car out of the 1 1/2 feet of snow that surrounded it! Thank you Verlyn!!! You are a rockstar at life! It is also fantabulous when that same person lets your dog ride shotgun in their snow plow after she invites herself in for a ride! People who live in your building should not steal your favorite pink and green socks from laundry and then wear them around the building (especially when there are only 8 girls in the building). It's just not cool! I now have 2 incomplete pairs of socks. I refuse to wear one pink sock and one green sock. They need to match!!! Students should not walk around a common area in only their boxes that are literally falling apart. Being connected...

So I am all for the use of reusable grocery bags. I think there is no need to waste resources and to make so many plastic bags. They will probably just end up in a landfill anyways. I can't say that I am always the best at remembering to take them to the store, but I have been getting better at it. I went grocery shopping the other day and took 3 of my reusable grocery bags with me. I didn't have a ton of groceries, and they would have easily fit within in three bags. They lady who was checking me out asked, "how heavy do you want them?" I said, "Just spread the groceries between the 3 bags. I don't want them to be heavy." I guess she wasn't listening or thought she knew better. She ended up cramming all my purchases into only 2 of the bags. As a result, they were overly heavy and awkward to carry. In the end, one of them ended up ripping. This isn't the first time this has happened. It hasn't been at the same store either. Why is...

I have noticed that in recent days it has not taken much for my mood to change from positive/optimistic to frustrated and downtrodden. I have not been a fan of how much it has been happening. Generally, I am extremely optimistic and peppy about life. I like being like that. It keeps me going even during the rough patches. I have been trying to figure out what needs to change so that I can continue to be the peppy person that I have the tendency to be. I don't know that I have figured out exactly what needs to change, but I feel like I am taking steps in the right direction. I found a quote today that I think is going to be helpful. It should help keep things in perspective! Dennis & Wendy Mannering once said, " Attitudes are contagious. Are yours worth catching? " I suppose at first glance, this isn't the most astounding quotation ever, but at the same time, if you stop to think about it, it is quite profound. If you have a negative attitude, why would pe...

Why is it that everyone assumes that a philosophy major is instant career suicide? Do people honestly not realize that philosophy is the backbone of pretty much everything else in the world--math, science, religion, business, ethics, law, psychology, etc. According to Merriam-Webster, philosophy can be defined as "a : pursuit of wisdom b : a search for a general understanding of values and reality by chiefly speculative rather than observational means c : an analysis of the grounds of and concepts expressing fundamental beliefs." Stop giving me some BS line about how your business degree is so much more "practical" than my philosophy degree! I can do anything I want with my degree. You know why BECAUSE I CAN THINK!!! It's a hell of a lot more practical than it gets credit for. It's not my fault you couldn't hack the intro class. I stuck it out for the whole major. It influences the way I think of just about everything. I love studying ...

I suppose I have always had certain assumptions/plans about how my life would go. Elementary school, middle school, high school, college, career... I figured it would be a pretty straightforward/nothing too exciting existence. Surprise, surprise. It hasn't really worked out at all as I had assumed. The great thing about that is that is SO MUCH better than I could have ever imagined. There have, of course, been some less than ideal moments all throughout, but on the whole, life is great!!! I have had the blessing of getting to attend not one but 2 colleges that I have absolutely love! I had the opportunity to spend 4 incredible months abroad in Italy with the best host family anyone could ever ask for. I have a great position at a school I love working in an area that I am passionate about. The best part about all of it is that I didn't expect any of it. All of these great opportunities seemed to come out of nowhere. They weren't in the original plans. They came up a...

In light of recent events in the lives of an individual very close to me, I have spent a great deal of time contemplating the value of the advancement of technology in our lives. Does it really do more harm then good? Does it really simplify our lives? Does it create unnecessary stress? Are we becoming closed off from the world around us? If so, these are serious implications. I don't know that I can safely say I am comfortable with all of the answers I have come to. Here are my reflections thus far... Topic #1: Facebook I will honestly say that in most instances I could be considered a sizable fan of Facebook. I can keep in contact with friends from Texas, Indiana, Cottey, Coe, my study abroad experience in Italy, and even my host mom. I love the ability to connect with people in a different way than just an email or text. In some ways, now that I am out of college, Facebook does not seem to be a great a part of my life as it was in college. My levels of free time has ...