Life starts when the pain stops?

I was flipping through channels on TV yesterday and saw an ad for Intermountain Vein Center. The ad seemed pretty similar to other ads for similar types of clinics, except for the company slogan: 

"Life starts when the pain stops."

I am not usually taken-aback by ads... unfortunately, we become so used to being bombarded by them that we hardly notice their constant presence, but I was definitely surprised by this slogan.

Seriously? You think life starts when the pain stops? Ha, well good luck chasin' that rainbow, my friend. I can definitely tell you that life doesn't start when the pain stops--it's in those moments that you're really experiencing the realities of life.

There's some truth to it--the aspects of life that we'd like to enjoy are certainly muted when we are experiencing some kind of pain or anguish. But, I believe those moments build us into the kind of people who know what living is all about. Living is taking what life gives you and trying to make the best of it. Of course, it's natural and commendable to eliminate pain when possible, but we must be careful to not separate pain from life. A life focused solely on maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain has a name--hedonism. 

I'm sure the people of Intermountain Vein Center are well-intentioned, so this is not a direct blow at them, really--just an example of why we cannot accept the messages our culture sends us without thinking about them and the philosophies that underlie them.  

Utah State Fair

A little over a week ago, three us us Provo-ites went up to the Utah State Fair for some good times! Fairs are always pretty great... you go on rickety rides, eat unhealthy and delicious food, hang out with barn animals... 

It's hard to see summer winding down, but this was a good summer-sendoff celebration.

Emily and I with the cow! He's a little stoic.

Nothing says "fair" like a funnel cake. Yum :-)

Megan and Emily were pretty scared when we rode on "Moby Dick." We had fun though and screamed quite a bit.

Emily enjoyed bonding with her goat friends. She grew up on a goat farm in Washington, and she felt right at home petting this little guy!

Job-Hunting.

I am officially unemployed. That's such an unflattering term but it's true. The word seems to suggest that I am not whole or complete without a job. I suppose that's true to some extent--but I'm trying to suppress the anxiety that comes from feeling like an unproductive member of society. I'm trying to find one, kids! My ticket out is not yet here, so until then, I am trying to see the temporary advantages of this extra time.

I just completed my undergraduate degree, and the reality of post-grad life has quickly settled in. There is no easy path laid out for us graduates, and that is both reassuring and disconcerting. I'm glad that it's up to me, and yet, I wish someone would just sweep in and answer the quandary I find myself in: What kind of job should I seek/take? Is this job good enough, or should I wait for a better one? Should I focus more on place or job? Should I take the first job that I'm offered that's half-way decent?

I'm rolling around all of these thoughts in my head, and hopefully, they're helping me to make a decision. I don't want to jump onto the fear train and get a low-skilled, low-paying job, just because something hasn't been offered in the first week. And also I don't want to turn down multiple job offers because they aren't fitting my abstract definition of the "perfect" first job.

I know there probably isn't a perfect first job (for the majority of us out there). And let's face it, most of us will change jobs several times during our careers. So, how do we wade through these uncertain waters? Prayer is definitely helping, but I also know that I need to put forth my full efforts to make the best possible job opportunity happen.

In the meantime, as I do this, I find myself with a little (or a lot of) extra time. There's more time to blog, to take a walk in nature, to browse at Barnes and Noble, and to think about where I want my life to go. I'm trying to enjoy this time without falling into a trap of complacency. I'm grateful for it though, since I've felt the lack of free time that came during the last part of college. This last summer, I had a part-time custodial job, a part-time writing internship, and a full load of summer classes. I'm glad to be temporarily rid of the constant, looming cloud of schoolwork.

We'll see how this lasts. I might get a temp job if this process takes longer than a couple of more weeks so that I don't go crazy with the boredom (and so I don't end up living in a box. Unfortunately, I'm not independently wealthy, so a job is also a necessity). Until then, I'll enjoy the quiet moments I've been given. You might see a few more blog posts than normal, and my room might look abnormally clean. :-)

24 Hours in Door County

One of the highlights of my 3-week trip to Wisconsin was a short trip to Door County, WI, with my parents. Door County is the "thumb" part of Wisconsin on the map. (They say Wisconsin looks like a hand...) It's so beautiful up there! I hadn't gone since early high school, so I was glad to have the chance to hang out up there for a day/night. During the summer, this part of the state is very busy with tourists, but we went 2 days after Labor Day, so it was very quiet! Perfect.

The view of Lake Michigan from outside of the Square Rigger Lodge in Jacksonport, WI. 

There were butterflies fluttering all along the shore. I tried to get a picture of one in flight but it didn't work out--they're too fast! I kept following this particular one and he kept flying away from me. I think he was getting pretty annoyed. :-) After this shot, I let him be. Sorry little guy!

Going for a walk along the beach. 

We ate dinner here--at Al Johnson's. It's a Swedish restaurant that's been around for 59 years, and it's very popular! The goats grazing on the roof is definitely one unique reason why everyone comes here.

The three of us at dinner!

Mmm... Swedish meatballs! 

A peek at the Swedish-themed gift shop that's attached to the restaurant.

Mom and I gave the little gnome/troll a kiss on the way out!

The harbor was really pretty... it was fun reading all the names of the boats (one was called "Uff Da," hehe.), watching the sunset, and just enjoying the beautiful weather!

After dinner, we hit up the drive-in and saw "Hancock." The drive-in felt very fifties-ish, complete with Elvis music playing in the background before the show!

Mom and I had fun on the swings while we waited for the sun to set--that's when the show started.

The next morning the sky looked stormier, but I think it looked beautiful! I'm glad the day before was nice weather though, so we could enjoy being outside!

All in all, it was a success and I hope it's not another 10 years before I go back to Door County!