November 7, 2008
We spent the evening with some friends, and I am constantly reminded of how blessed I am. I have so many dear friends, and I never forget how special that is. Many of my best friends I have known for years and years, but some are relatively new. But it doesn’t matter, because each one of them has changed me and made me a better person, helped make me the woman I am today, and probably in ways that neither of us is fully aware of.
November 5, 2008
This summer was hard: I was depressed. It wasn’t as deep as I’ve been before, but it was worse than it’s been in a long time. I wasn’t sure what was wrong at first, but slowly, I think I figured it out. Plus, I understand that, just like diabetics need insulin to keep their bodies running normally, sometimes I need pills to get the happy brain chemicals flowing correctly. I understand that, and it helps me deal.
And my husband understands too. You can hide a lot of You from a lot of people,
November 2, 2008
Rob and I spent this weekend in Berlin celebrating his mother’s 50th birthday and enjoying our birthday gift from his family (Blue Man Group tickets), and every time we’re here, I’m reminded why I love it so much. I had never been before last August after my interview, but I had always wanted to go. That desire intensified when I met and subsequently fell in love with Rob. He grew up here and absolutely loves this city. Now I know why.
October 12, 2008
Two weeks ago today, I became a marathoner, but what’s next? I was pretty sure that I would like running this type of race, but now I know that I do. However, I have a different type of marathon that I have to run right now, The Dissertation marathon (“The Diss”). Once I’ve crossed that finish line, I’ll be returning to the 26.2-mile variety. Maybe in the meantime, I can do some relays: Who’s with me?!
October 10, 2008
Let me explain my problem, and then I’ll let you offer your suggestions. I have a long and sordid history with the drug, caffeine. I’ve tried over and over to cut the habit, but I get withdrawal headaches. Plus, even if I have managed to climb on the wagon, soda and coffee is all around me. Especially in America, in the land of free refills, it is very hard for me to say no. (Here, it is a little easier. I just drink beer instead. It costs the same and is perhaps a bit healthier than pop.)
September 24, 2008
We are safely back in Germany, and we’ve got my dad and step-mom with us! We met them at the Frankfurt airport this afternoon, and we’ll be leaving for Berlin tomorrow! But on to the subject of this post…
You might remember that I dyed my hair black last November.
September 15, 2008
Today is September 15, and I am two weeks away from the starting line. Before I started running, I had always heard that runners are really friendly people, and I have found that that is more than true. The runners I have met both in person and online are always more than willing to help out,
August 22, 2008
Everyone go over and cheer on Sarah! Leave her some comments on her blog or on her Facebook profile. Tomorrow she runs her first triathlon, the Tiger Tri. She’ll swim 300 meters, transition, then a 12 mile bike, then a second transition, and then she’s off to her 3.1 mile (5k) run!
August 14, 2008
Christina, my dearest friend here, lent me the book on marriage Covenant Hearts: Marriage and the Joy of Human Love by Bruce C. Hafen on Monday. Covenant Hearts is written by an experienced family lawyer and it covers marriage as the Mormon church believes it should be, along with the many problems the changes in the American legal systems has caused to marriage today. I haven’t read much of it yet, but today is a special day in the Mueller household, so I want to share some thoughts inspired by the book.
Because he is writing to an LDS readership and from the perspective of a Mormon, Hafen regularly discusses the difference between covenant marriages and contractual marriages.
April 13, 2008
Take a moment to watch this short film, called “Possessed,” which
enters the complicated worlds of four hoarders; people whose lives are dominated by their relationship to possessions. The film questions whether hoarding is a symptom of mental illness or a revolt against the material recklessness of consumerism. When does collecting become hoarding and why do possessions exert such an influence on our lives?
