Several days ago, I received my print copies of Better Software magazine with my article in it:

A few of you have expressed interest in reading it. Let me know if you do want to read it (and believe me, I will not be at all offended if you don't...it isn't everyone's cup of tea ), and I can scan in the pages and e-mail it to you (unless you're Mom and Dad...in which case you will probably be receiving your very own copy via snail-mail some time...lucky you, eh? ).

I am also in the process of writing a pitch for another magazine article for a different publication. I'm sure there is a lot of rejection in my future as I continue to try to ramp up more freelance writing on the side, but I am enjoying the fact that I've been bit by the writing bug as of late. I just hope I can keep up the momentum!

-Em

...looking out.

-Em

With a winter storm passing over and more lake-effect snow to come today and tonight, more than 200 local school districts/agencies are closed. Just one of the perks of working in education, I guess!

Hmmm...wonder if there'll be another snow day tomorrow...

-Em

This year, I've been trying something different. This year, I have made a conscious decision to choose my attitude. And, what I've decided is that...I choose happiness.

I have never been much for New Year's Resolutions...something about setting yourself up for self-defeat, then having to wade through the self-defeating inner-loathing that comes from not accomplishing any of those goals you set out for yourself. I'm tired of being so hard on myself, and I'm tired of feeling guilty for not quite being the person I'd like to be (or that others think I should be).

This year, my only real goal is to give myself a chance at happiness. Happiness, it turns out, doesn't necessarily come from all of a sudden having those things (I don't just mean material things) in life you so desperately want. Happiness comes from living a life of gratitude every. day. Happiness comes from surrounding yourself with the people and things (again, things has a broader definition) you love. Happiness comes from spending less time beating yourself up about what you didn't accomplish, what you struggle with, what is out of your control. Happiness comes from taking a little bit of time for yourself every day to take care of yourself physically and ponder these things, which keep us "in tune" mentally and emotionally...what you're grateful for, affirmations to yourself about what it is you want out of life, and praying for strength to continue on in this way.

I'm not going to be so naive as to say that I'm a new person all of a sudden, more optimistic than pessimistic...able to shrug off hardships, sweep them under the rug, then go dance a little jig.

But I am trying. I'm learning that happiness is not something that I'll all of a sudden achieve when the stars align, the gods smile, and I am deemed "worthy" to be granted my heart's desires.

Happiness is something I have to try at a little each day.

-Em

I'm not going to get into discussing politics much here, but I thought I would pass along this link that I heard about on NPR this morning. I know many of us take the time to learn about where each candidate stands on a variety of major issues, but this "quiz" automates it a bit. For each question, you select the "answer" closest to what you believe, then indicate how important that particular issue is to you (as most of us feel more strongly about certain issues than others).

Give it a try. I was actually a bit surprised by my own result.

-Em

P.S. Here's Detroit Free Press' helpful resource on what each candidate's stance is on the major issues.