What Makes a Friend..."True"?

When asked the question, "Would you rather have many friends that are skin-deep or a few friends that are 'true', what would you choose?" I would always go with a few true. But I also feel like I have a combination of the two, which is a constant struggle. The struggle is in figuring out which are skin-deep and which are true. I've told a lot of people that getting engaged last May was really telling with regards to who your true friends are.

So...

You know you're "true" if...
1. When your friend gets engaged, no matter your situation in life, you are TRULY happy for her. You have no feelings of jealousy, but simply relish in the fact that your friend is happy.
2. You can go months without talking or seeing one another and not take it personally.
3. You can go months without talking or seeing one another and when you finally talk/see, you pick right back up where you left off.
4. You don't get jealous when your friend goes out with another friend and you didn't get invited. You understand that one-on-one time is necessary to develop any friendship and are happy that both friends are taking time for one another. You know your time is next.
5. You understand that it's ok to compartmentalize friendships. Yes, it's also ok to have all your friends hang out, but sometimes you need to spend time with "certain groups". Meshing of groups is fabulous, but it's also completely ok to compartmentalize.
6. When you have an issue/problem with a friend, you do not handle the issue through email, text, Facebook. You TALK to your friend directly, and not through other friends. Too much he-said/she-said.
7. TO BE CONTINUED.

Where I'm From

So I've been on Ocracoke Island this week attending an NCCAT seminar entitled "North Carolina Is My Home". I feel like I've learned a lot and have even had the opportunity to meet some incredible people...not just fellow teachers, but published authors from NC. On the first day, Georgann Eubanks was giving us a tour of the state through photographs of author's homes. She then shared a poem written by George Ella Lyon entitled, Where I'm From. Our exercise that day was to create the same poem, only changing aspects to make it where we are from. I really dislike poetry (only because you're not supposed to say "hate"). Mostly because it doesn't make any sense to me. But this poem did make sense to me and was really fun to write. I didn't share it with the group during sharing time because I felt like it was too personal...so instead, I'm going to publish it on my blog. (see the sarcasm?)



Where I'm From

by Shanti Ammen Clancy



I AM FROM CLIFFS

OVERLOOKING THE PACIFIC

I AM FROM RED ROCKS

CLIMBED IN THE HEAT OF THE SUN

I AM FROM THE FLAT LAND

OF THE CITY OF AUTOMOBILES

FROM THE PARKWAY, BLUE HILLS

SNOW, WIND, BREATHTAKING VIEWS



I AM FROM TOOTSIE ROLL POPS AND SLEDDING

FROM HOCKEYTOWN AND SILVER DAIRY

I'M FROM THE FAMILY BUSINESSES

AND THE 4-WHEELER

FROM "RISE AND SHINE"!

I'M FROM HOLISTIC HEALING

WITH MEDITATION

AND HARMONIUM MUSIC



I'M FROM DAN'S SUBS AND DISHWASHER DORITOS

COFFEE CAKE AND SUGAR COOKIES

FROM THE STRUMMING OF DAD'S

GUITAR AS HE SINGS BEATLES TUNES

THE SMELL OF MOM'S GRILLED CHEESE WITH THE FIXIN'S

BEHIND OUR HOUSE WERE LEAF PILES

COVERING FAIRY VILLAGES.

THE CREATION OF TWO

GIRLS WITH IMAGINATION

I AM FROM SUNDAYS AT GRANDMA'S

WITH A FAMILY CONTINUALLY GROWING

JUST ONE OF MANY

Precious!

Why call my blog "Precious"?
Because it's one of the most used adjectives in the South (from my experience). And...I find myself saying it ALL THE TIME. Cute picture of friend's child="Precious"! A student said something that made me giggle="Precious"! A husband/boyfriend of good friend does something sweeth for said friend="Precious"! Get the point?

Things that are precious to me:
My husband
My family - too many to individually name, but I can if I need to.
My friends (and their families) - only the ones who are true.
My education
My home
My car
My puppies - Ella and Louis
My students
My pictures
My memories
...to be continued

My Bucket List

A few years ago, Pat and I watched the movie The Bucket List. He then decided that he wanted to run a marathon before he died. So, I thought I'd train with him. Except, that only led to me running a dozen or so 5Ks. I'm getting from that, that was not a realistic drop in the bucket. So, here's my "real" bucket list (and the reasons for each entry):
1. Read the top 10 Classics - I don't even really know what they are, but I love to read and want to be well read.
2. Watch all the movies people constantly quote - I don't like it when people say, "What do you mean you haven't seen that movie?"...kinda makes me feel like I'm uneducated.
3. Go to Spain - Something I've wanted to do since I began taking Spanish in high school. I'm nowhere near mastery of the language, but I want to see La Tomatina, and the running of the bulls. Plus I'd like to take a million pictures of the landscape and culture.
4. Get a degree in photography - I am a self-proclaimed photographer but have only ever taken 1 class. Although it was greatly helpful, I want to learn more. It's not that I necessarily want photography to be my profession, but I would like to be able to do something with it.
5. Publish 3 books; a children's book, a coffee-table photography book, and a novel - I love to write, and feel like I have some really good stories somewhere inside of me. I also think I'm good at writing rhyming couplets---which would be the children's book. The coffee-table book will be a collection of photographs of North Carolina's old barns/buildings that are completely worn down. Along with the photographs will be the history and location of each building.
6. Learn to love vegetables - I am a "vegetarian" who hates vegetables. Well, that's not completely true. I love corn and peas and lettuce and tomatoes and potatoes and carrots. Anything else, YUCK! I want to learn to love broccoli, asparagus, squash, zucchini, spinach (and that will be a milestone b/c I would rather shoot off my foot than eat spinach)...etc.
7. Start completely over in a new state - I've done this before, so this probably shouldn't be on my Bucket List. However, I created an amazing life for myself when I left MI for NC. Now that I'm married, I'd love to pick up (with my husband) and both start somewhere new together. We've talked about it and have a general idea of where that would be...
8. Celebrate a 50th (wedding) Anniversary - This means I will defy divorce. I will do whatever I can to stay with my husband, whatever I can. I want to be one of the few who stay married through thick and thin. I want to love him more than I ever thought possible, especially when I am 80 years old.
9. Get my doctorate in education...or curriculum - I am the kind of person who can't sit still...even to watch a movie. I have to constantly be doing something. This pertains to my career, too. Once I grow comfortable in what I do...I feel the urge to do something more/new. I have a feeling that within the next 10 years that will mean getting my doctorate. With my doctorate, I would like to become an assistant superintendent of curriculum/instruction...or teach at a University.
10. Learn to ski or snowboard - Some friends and I tried this a few years back but chickened out. If I move to my new location (see #7), I'd have to know how to ski or snowboard because it would be a waste of location not to. I'm terrified of heights also, and had a bad experience on a tow rope in 5th grade...so this will help me overcome my fears/past.

MORE TO COME??? As I complete something on my list hopefully I will update it with something new. I guess #8 will be on here until I'm 80. :)