10 Zs

I'm a frequent visitor at Disha's blog and found this post. I followed the instructions and she gave me the letter Z.

Z?!!!!!! Cruel, cruel. But I'm gonna do it anyway...just because. I know it's long overdue. My brain went to hibernation mode. I think it's back now. hahahaha. Slightly groggy. But back...

"The Instructions: Comment, and I shall give you a letter. Go back to your journal, and write ten words beginning with that letter, including an explanation of what those words means to you and why."

1. Zero. The level of stress that would have been ideal. hahaha. I used to envy people who were so easy going--who seemed to live stress-free lives. But then, I realized that I can't be like that. Without stress of some sort, I am not motivated to do anything. I work best under pressure. Some of my most creative ideas come to me when I'm racing against time (i.e. I procrastinated and I better come up with something before the night is over! hahahaha). Thus, zero stress might be utopia for some people, but I think that would kill me.


2. Zany. The Italian origin--Zanni--is a nickname for Giovanni (or John in English). Literally, the word means "one who acts the buffoon to amuse others" [Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary]. How fitting. Laughter is the best medicine, and my hubby, John, provides me my daily dose:) I think I'll start calling him Zanni. hehehehe.
   


3. Zoom. The sound of my days as they go rushing by. One of my closest friends, Kitty, once told me that I should slow down. I guess you could say I haven't taken heed of her advice.
   


4. Zonked. How I feel at the end of the day (or in the wee hours of the morning when I finally get home). This is attributable to # 4 and #10 (ok, so you have to read ahead for reference...). That's also how I felt after I walked out of my Finance final exam. Zonked and disoriented! hahahahah
   


5. Zone. This one is for Disha. hahaha. Her research is on FLOW--or the state of being "in the zone". These are the moments of sheer inspiration...when you are productive at anything you do--and actually like doing it not just because you're on a deadline. I would so love to be in the zone with my research. But I know that I am at my best, in the zone, when I am teaching. BUT, research is a necessary (though not sufficient) task that I need to accomplish so I can get the credentials to teach. I have several mentors who envision me as a researcher in the future. Although I think that research is good and that it has to be done, I'm not necessarily convinced that I'm the one who needs to do it! I am a teacher, first and foremost:)


6. Zeal. [n.] Enthusiastic devotion to a cause, ideal, or goal and tireless diligence in its furtherance [answers.com]. I'd like to think that I infuse passion in everything that I do. If it's not worth being zealous about, why bother? Some of the things that I hold near and dear to me are: my family, my friends, and my teaching (refer to #5). I also found an article that spoke of relating zeal to spirituality. "True Zeal has God for its object." After all, passions are made much more meaningful and substantive when it is God-centered. I don't mean that I preach about God to my friends, family, or students, but that I endeavor to use my God-given talents in the most appropriate ways so that I make a difference...so that I can make someone's life a little better...so I can inspire others to go out and pay it forward. I like this last quote, "Zeal should drive us to take the obviously right paths with great vigor: patience, gentleness, the pursuit of wisdom and knowledge, prayer, self discipline, sacrifice and above all, selfless love. Strangely, doubt and uncertainty can help purify and direct Zeal, by focusing on the one thing we know for sure: 'God is love'."


7. Zest. Just as passion is important in everything, I think that a zest for life is just as vital. Some people have very strong beliefs and will sacrifice their life for it. And although I think that it is admirable, I don't think it's a direction I would like to go. I mean, our life is a gift from God too. Even if he meant for us to use our life as an instrument for his Word, I think he also meant for us to enjoy and appreciate it. I believe that it makes a stronger impression (and a more believable testimonial of his generosity and love) when we are able to enjoy life even while we live spiritually.


8. Zoo. What the room feels like when I am with my closest friends. Laugh trip, a flurry of activity, non-stop chatter, good food, and good company. It's also probably how our houses look like after a sleep-over (our poor parents!)--a zoo where all the animals were let loose! hahahahahha
   


9. Zinfandel. I had to put something culinary, of course. I know that some people think that White Zinfandel isn't exactly good quality wine (as my friend calls it, "that's just wine for pansies"), but it's one of my favorites. I think it's just refreshing, especially with a nice salad of baby spinach topped with some fruit and almond slivers tossed in peppered bacon vinaigrette, or mild cheese with rye crisps, or delicately herbed baked fish, or maybe even chicken teriyaki! yummmmm. By the way, the red Zinfandels are pretty good too (I still prefer Shiraz or Pinot Noir, though).
   


10. ZZZZ's. Okay, so that's not technically a word. But it's the universal lingo for sleep. And although I know how important it is to get at least 8 hours a day, I don't think I've ever had that on a regular basis. Even in high school, I've always had a plethora of activities that either kept me up late...or got me awake awfully early:) Those early morning archery practices were killers. hahaha. I also used to wake up at 3am to study because I was too wiped out at night from volleyball practice or the other school activities. That cycle never really changed as I went through college. Now that I'm in grad school, sleep deprivation is normal. My Mom always said that this lack-of-sleep syndrome will catch up with me when I get older. It hasn't caught up yet, so I guess I'm not old yet. hahahaha.

Ok, so it's your turn! Leave me a comment and I'll give you a letter. I promise not to be as evil as Disha. I will not give you X or some insane letter. hahahaha.