The Joys of Coming and Going at Will

You know that saying, the grass is always greener on the other side of the mountain, or over the septic tank or other place; well that is usually only a cliche. There are times when moving can’t be avoided and you will have to live with it. When you yearn to go to a place because it seems....., well, after you get there it could certainly be a downer.

I have been bellyaching about the city and wanting to move out to a saner, orderly, and perhaps even quieter locale but I would want all of the comforts and conveniences that I have now. I am not sure that they exist in the same way in other places but I am looking around. Being able to get where you want to go, when you want to go is truly priceless and is an obvious lure to this city.

I met a woman at the bus station last week-end waiting for the bus to Philadelphia. I arrived about half an hour before the scheduled departure and she was already on line. I struck up a conversation, complementing her on her dress. She was wearing a lovely green linen skirt set – avocado green, very nice. We then talked about this and that, to pass the time. As we talked, she remarked that she wants to settle down in New York City. She apparently commutes often to Philadelphia, shuttling between family members in the two cities. She didn’t mind the travel, but her desire to remain in NYC is fueled by her perceived loss of independence while in Philadelphia; the independence to come and go at will.


The word independence means governing or not requiring or relying on something or someone else; not subject to control by others, according to Merriam Webster Dictionary. When we use the word, the implication is varied and depending on when or what or who is involved in the conversation, it could mean or imply just freedom of movement, the ability to get from place to place by your self or by your own means. You may drive a vehicle, ride a bicycle, pay for mass transit, walk, run, but traveling as you desire or choose.

The mass transit system or public transportation system is not good in the area where she is staying, she said. She is therefore dependent on family members while in Philadelphia to get around. In NYC she has several modes of public transportation and easy access to them. She can come and go as she pleases and for a reasonable sum of money. This limitation to her movement or inability to go to the stores for example causes her some amount of stress and unhappiness. She otherwise enjoys the quiet, easy pace of life there but the lack of means to move around kills her interest to settle there, at least in the area that she knows.

I understood her plight thoroughly and had some flashbacks of my own encounters. I remember being in places where I had to rely on a set schedule to get out and back 'home.' I didn’t like the confinement and loss of freedom to move at will. This loss takes a toll on the psyche and creates a longing for places and times when access and freedom to move at will was/is the order of the day! So despite all of the issues and concerns and dislikes we have about living in this city, somethings are not negotiable. The joys of being able to come and going at will is priceless.

Independence: what does it mean to you?

Back to College Moving and Storage Made Easy

The SMARTBOX Way!

As I unwind from the college road trip to move-in for the '09-'10 year, I have some news to share. I think everyone should know about this and have the option to make the move-out/move-in experience less harrowing. Of course an elevator building also helps, but that is a bit more challenging. I have to give the biggest shout out to SMARTBOX Portable Storage!

Let me tell you, they are g-r-e-a-t! It is the smartest way to move and store your stuff. We used them for the first time at the end of last semester and it is well worth it. The process was so simple and reasonably priced. The staff is very pleasant and helpful. We placed the call to request the service, paid the fee and the box was delivered as arranged. The SMARTBOX came with all of the necessary packing tools and materials - boxes, tape, etc. We had more than enough supplies for the super duper load that my daughter managed to accumulate. The SMARTBOX itself was huge.

Just like the pick up, the drop off was a breeze. We called Dave and requested delivery, gave the location, (you know my pet peeve with the annual move) and when we arrived on campus, voila! the SMARTBOX was there and intact. Everything was there with minor shift of the stuff inside the container. What a joy! Nothing was broken, nothing was missing or damaged. SMARTBOX, you can count on my business any day. As their slogan goes; convenient, flexible and affordable. I can tell you they deliver. You order what you need and pay for what you use. Amen to that too!

So, I am very happy that we got this move under the belt and with such finesse and joy. I am not that happy about the bucks we spent at the malls, but I am happy that my daughter is set up nicely, and she is, and we made the round trip safely - although it was an escapade to get home, we made it back safely.

I have one more kid to get ready for college this year but luckily, the travel will be way less than this one, and I am hoping that the purchases will also be less. But as I said earlier, there is something funny about going back to school and the lure of those merchants.

I wish all you students good health, good friends, much success, peace and Gods grace in this New Year!

Thanks SMARTBOX, you're the best!

It's The Back to School Trip Day

So, sadly, it's that time of year again. The back to school trip time.

As the summer draws to a close it beckons a new beginning; not just the fall or Autumn but the beginning of a new school year. New school year's always occupy and engages the entire family. The merchants in that cottage industry are well pleased. I guess for us moms with college aged children especially, that is a blessing and a curse.

It is a blessing because we can easily find the stuff the kids want and the things you think they ought to have for your comfort sake. It is a curse because the shopping and collecting stuff breaks the bank every time. It seems that no matter how you prepare throughout the summer and plan to recycle etc, you still end up spending way more that you imagined or wanted to.

Sadly, this is an ongoing saga through out the school year but certainly not to the same degree as getting set up. Just expect to be shelling out the bucks for something else as the year goes by. But that being said, on move-in day, you will walk away feeling that your student is well prepared with all of the desired creature features and is ready to dig in to the program ahead.

This is the first year that the move-in day experience was a relative breeze on our brawn, but not the purse. Yay for the housing lottery system, it was merciful. A step or two got us onto the platform leading to the doorway of a building with an elevator! woohoooo!

We drove back home feeling really good for this stroke of luck. We were too thrilled that our muscles were so relaxed ater the exercise. We did not have to climb stairs or lift boxes up xxx number of flights of stairs. It was a lift on and off the hand trucks. It's amazing! I could do this again tomorrow with no problem, if I had to. Yay for the housing lottery this year. The dorm is lovely!

I guess it gets better with time. More details will follow on this trip.

How was your back to school trip this year?!

Creating a Mindset of Positive Attitude

I was away from home this weekend so I visited a local church for Sunday Service. This was my first time attending that church. It was a small congregation but a friendly, welcoming group. It was an interesting experience. I am sharing this story because of the connection to something I have been thinking about recently; Mindset.

The message for the service was changing mindset to create positive attitude.

You may know that I follow Breaking Mindset blog. I enjoy the posts and appreciate the insights there. The Title of the blog caught my attention and got me to think about how mindset affect or impact what we do or say. I have been very alert to issues or concerns of mindset lately as a result.

While I was in the bookstore last week shopping for the book The Third Chapter, I came across a book about mindset. Oh wow! Hmmm. I stopped and perused the book. I didn't buy it but I looked through it. Now, about a week later, I went to this little church, over 100 miles away and the sermon was on changing mindset! Naturally, I have to say something here.

The focus of the sermon was what else; how our mindset dictates our behavior and if left unchecked can be dangerous to self and others. The Minister reminded us that our frame of mind or mindset determines the thoughts and actions that we usually unleash on others. Some of these actions are evil, and can be damaging. The Minister continued that he has encountered people with negative mindset that lead to devastating behavior toward co-workers or neighbors. It is therefore something for us to pay attention to.

The take home message here was that everyone needs to make a concerted effort to change their mindset to make it a positive one. The Minister sent us out to remember that it is important to keep our eyes on our mindset and take the time to examine ourselves and make adjustments so that we maintain a positive attitude and behavior. This he says will make the world a better place.

What do you think? Is it our mindset that is negative or the circumstance of our environmental situation? Is there a difference between the two?

Let me know what you think.

Team Work Makes the Hero

Yes We Can
The current buz word of the day is Yes we can. It was the political catch phrase of the recent presidential election. It was also a slogan for previous political campaigns. We made a big deal out of it during this campaign as if it were a novel idea or a new discovery. The issue or the point here is not on the yes we can, but on the celebrations of heroes. This rant is the result of reading TVChurch Blog recently. They had a post on the topic and it got me cheering. We have to remember that the WE should get some public acclaim because it is the essential ingredient that leads to the success.

The reality is this. Everything we do or accomplish is a result of yes WE can. Even if we are remotely connected, or connected from afar. The contribution or input of the manufacturer, the seamstress, dishwasher, typewriter/word processor, farmer, teacher, etc., is major in the final product. WE can do more than ME even when ME takes the credit more often than not, disregarding or not acknowledging the contribution of others in the success or production. WE that contribute to the final product - can and does make it happen even if the 'front guy/gal' is a single person. Believe it or not we all have limitations of some kind and is therefore dependent on or need the involvement or contribution of others or things.

You know the old saying, 'behind every successful man is a woman'; sadly it is the men who usually take the credit. But I guess we all know better. Let's take our heroes. Name your favorite hero. The behavior or the results will likely be the same. There is one person or individual in front as THE hero, the wise guy, the star! Yeah, they may take the biggest risk, put their name on something. I am here to tell you that they have a side kick, a crew, scientists, the look out man, the work horse, the finisher, proof reader, the writers etc. Michael Jordan had Scottie Pippin, Koby had Shaq or Shaq had Kobe. Johnny Carson had EdMcMahon, James Bond had Ms Moneypenny and the scientists. Need I go on? Afterall, the Lone Ranger had Tonto!

Ok, so we hear about Bonnie and Clyde, but that's different.

So yes WE can, is a social marketing theme but it is the way we achieve. It is important and necessary that WE share in the work and WE are acknowledged as part of the team. Our President not only says Yes We Can because it is a catchy phrase, for example, but because WE all need to work together to achieve the goals and the changes for prosperity. Remember another popular slogan; united we stand divided we fall.

Yes WE can! because the hero and the Lone Ranger is a vital part of the team with their supporters or side kick. Hooray for the side kicks, the credit goes to you too.

This time your acknowledgement is in the public eye!!

Thanks for all that you do so that we can celebrate our heroes.