A Plant Grows in Brooklyn

I didn't set a challenge for myself this past week.  Last Sunday, Jeff suggested that I try "not complaining" for a change.  I laughed and told him that that was the stupidest thing I've ever heard.  Actually, I tried it for a day and felt like I would fail the second I opened my mouth.  I had no sense of self and certainly no sense of humor.  I don't consider myself a huge complainer (although, Jeff might disagree), but it's an immediate bond between strangers, co-workers and friends.  Waiting on the platform you lock eyes with a fellow passenger, and say, "seriously, where is this train?".  And honestly, we'd like to know, "where the F is the F-train"?  But that's complaining.  At work on Wednesday, our building security announced on the intercom, "We are inspecting a suspicious package on the fourth floor. Please stay calm". "Ugh, this is so annoying, I'd prefer to panic and stay alive", I say to my colleague.  But, that's complaining.  And our monthly girls night dinner was this week.  And if you can't complain, you might as well cancel. So yeah, I was right about it being a stupid idea.

On a more positive note, being without a challenge, I had spare time to reflect on some of my recent accomplishments.  A few were of them were a long time in the making.....I'm talking months, even years.  For example, I finished a great book, Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese which I started this fall, I dropped off a bag for Goodwill, which I also started this fall.  I threw out my old jewelry tangler/box, and rearranged all my jewels, which I have been wanting to do since fall '07.  I also registered for two semester-long professional development classes at NYU, took a snowboard lesson, visited the Brooklyn Museum, and escorted a blind women to the grocery store.  My proudest accomplishment is my healthy and vibrant plant. I've never had a plant live more than 6 months.  This plant isn't 6 months old yet, but I can tell this one is going to make it!  I still forget to water it and keep it in the sun, but I'm using this plant food my sister Shawna bought me for my birthday, and it's magic.  Next challenge: Open an arboretum.