2010 Recap

It is better late than never to present a recap of the year that was 2010, right? I've decided that I really liked how my friend Ashley of Have Heart set up her recap post so I thought that I would play copycat.

2010

In January I reigned in the new year with my boyfriend's family in Missouri, began an internship with a local radio station, and took the GRE.

In February I started my blog, bought my ticket to Bonnaroo, and ate at The Yellow Porch on a romantic and classic Valentine's date with Eliot.

In March I attended the local Big Ears festival, celebrated Eliot and I's two year anniversary, watched endless hours of basketball during the NCAA tournament (Go Vols!), and took a spontaneous trip to New Orleans for Spring Break.

In April I began to appreciate the warm weather more than ever before; I was outside constantly. I watched Daniel Tosh perform at a comedy club, and came head to head with my inner struggle as to what to do with my life in regards to the immediate future. 

My life was also being predominantly led by my photojournalism course in which I had two major projects that month: Crunching Numbers and our surprisingly fun class trip to LaFollette, TN.

In May I went to the pool...a lot. I attended my last Volapalooza ever, GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE, purchased my MacBook, and received my Bonnaroo ticket in the mail.

In June I moved back home, attended three weddings (and photographed two), discovered Francesca's Collections, went to Bonnaroo, watched a lot of soccer, and took a spontaneous trip to Washington DC with my dad.

In July I helped my best friend cope through her first break up, was fortunate enough to see Modest Mouse for the second time, and I took some promotional photos for a prominent local radio personality.

In August I traveled to my birth town of Shreveport, Louisiana for a family wedding, went to Florida, celebrated my 100th blog post, saw Arcade Fire and Spoon in Alpharetta, Georgia, attended The Black Keys in Nashville, and was provoked to do a lot of soul searching.

In September I took my little sister to the zoo, was coming to my wit's end with serving tables, celebrated my 22nd birthday, rejoiced in the coming of my favorite season, and moved to Washington DC for an internship.

In October I received a visit a from Eliot in DC, took a trip to the Botanical Gardens, saw Joan Baez and Steve Earle in concert, and spent Halloween with my closest friends in my former college town.

In November I enjoyed DC during the height of fall, a close family friend and her family moved away, and I spent an eventful Thanksgiving with my family; leaving me scatterbrained and not wanting to return to DC for my final weeks of the internship.

In December I moved back home, our family dog of 14 years passed away, I waited until the last minute to do the bulk of my Christmas shopping, and I experienced my very first white Christmas.

[2010 was a fantastic year with rough patches throughout, of course, but fantastic nonetheless. 
I hope that 2011 brings just as much travel, family, and live music, but with the financial and physical stability to round it out.
That is truly my only new year's resolution; to find a job that I enjoy and that brings stability along with a foreseeable knowledge of the future.]

Life List.

Consistently in progress.

I call this a "Life List" as opposed to a "Bucket List" because the following is not a set of goals to achieve "before I die."

They are things to do while I am living.

(Online Edition)

--To receive a professional massage

--Hot air balloon ride

--To receive a professional pedicure and manicure

--To become fluent in Spanish, striving to live abroad for a year

--Get a tattoo

--To travel to at least one new city per year

--To legitimately visit all 50 states (Airports do not count)

--To set foot on 6 continents (Bonus points for Antarctica)

--Learn to cook well in order to provide a decent dinner at least 4 nights a week for my future family

--Physical trainer, making the gym a habit and not a chore

--To not lose sight of my innate creativity

--To travel abroad with a significant other

__________

In terms of my blog, aside from the obvious changes (I am aiming for a more simplistic approach), I've also created a separate page that revolves specifically around this list so that it can be updated when necessary.

Another day hails another list.

I feel that a $0.30 tip warrants a "part two" to last night's rant.

Whiney? Maybe.

Truth? Yes.
Confused? Click here and catch up!

The following is a second list of everyday occurrences in my workplace that causes frustration to my person.

ahem:

Check, please!- the customers that usually consist of two separate parties that each offer to pay for the bill. It is a renowned fact that neither person truly wants to pay for the entire check, but politeness entitles them to offer. This is especially confusing to those on my end of the situation.

Will this be all together or on separate checks?

Diner 1: All together, I'll take it.

Diner 2: No no, I'll take it.

Diner 1 looks at me sternly: Give it to me.

Diner 2 furiously nods his/her head from side to side.

People, this does not help! I walk away without an answer to my initial question and am left with only one option: to print the check and set it down equidistant from each person and watch them squabble over who will follow through with their initial proclamation.

Illiterates- Do you have french fries?

No. If we did serve french fries then they would be listed in the menu, most likely under the "sides" portion.

What comes on the House Special pizza?

Actually, if you took the time to read 1/9 of a centimeter below where you are reading presently, you will find all of the ingredients listed in an orderly fashion.

There are menus for a reason.

Table Savers- Sometimes I see tables being pushed together. This could mean just one thing, that a large party is coming my way. Minutes later I check back to see how the progress is developing and whether or not the party has inevitably shown up. The most disconcerting happening is returning to the meshed together tables with 9 chairs surrounding them and only one body present.

5:45 p.m: Could I get you something to drink or put in order for an appetizer while you wait for the rest of the party?

No, they should be here soon.

6:14 p.m: the remainder of the party arrives.

It truly would not be insulting to anyone if you were to wait in the lobby instead so as to let me have my table free for other potential guests.

Yes you can- My favorite scenario is when somebody wants something served under certain conditions that are in no way plausible.

Well, I've done it before.

Are you sure about that? Because it truly is not only out of my control, but it is an impossible feat.

The customer is not always right.

Are you open?- Oh the notorious customers that come in five minutes before the restaurant closes! Don't get me wrong, I understand the argument that if the store hours are declared open until 10 p.m., then at 9:58 a person should be able to walk in and sit down and expect a fine dining experience. However, while you will definitely get a meal, please do not expect the cleaning process to halt because of your presence. Closing down a restaurant is a tedious and time dragging endeavor. Also, this last minute presence means that the server on the floor will be at work an hour longer than scheduled, so please please tip adequately and help to make their extra time spent worth their efforts.

The One-way Conversations- these happen to me much too often and typically proceed as follows:

Me: How is everyone doing this evening?

Diner: I'll have a water with lemon.

Me: Can I get you something to drink?

Diner: How big are your calzones?

Me: Would you like to start off with an appetizer?

Diner: We would like to order a large pepperoni and mushroom pizza.

Me: Could I get you another Coke?

Diner: Can I have another Coke?

The Nightmares- I think that the nightmares are the worst part of any job, especially serving. These dreams are so troubling because it all seems so real, too real for my taste. In my dreams, everything that could possibly go wrong does. Coke machines are down, we're out of this and we're out of that, drinks are spilled, customers are holding me hostage at their table while they figure out what they want to eat, and to top everything off, I am being quadruple sat with parties of 15.

Come on, conscience! The last thing I need is to be stressed out while I sleep! Throw me a bone, here!

Alright alright, for the sake of your sanity and for my own, I promise to stop this silly little rambling once and for all- no more talk about serving tables or the like. Forever. I mean it. 

Dear blog,

Thank you for giving me such a forgiving outlet of which to vent. 

You have been too kind.

I promise to no longer bore you with my petty rants.

Yours truly,

Emmy

Oh, a rant/list combo? Ok, sure.

I started serving tables at the beginning of my college career in order to acquire a modest, though much needed, extra income. It certainly is an entertaining job and a way to encounter an array of personality types. Quick cash and flexibility are main attractions to many college students.

Today, however, I realized that I am beyond ready to take the next step and to venture onward with my life. Thanks to a seemingly never ending shift consisting of one personal pet peeve after the other, my mind began to race with all of the annoyances that a waiter encounters on a daily basis. Even the tiniest maneuvers can wear a server's patience thin.

I discovered today, for example, that my biggest pet peeve when serving tables actually occurs during the cleaning process.

Returning from my final trip to the dish room I set my eyes upon the sight of sights- an empty section, clean tables, and filled condiments. All I lack now is a swift sweep under the table and then I'm all finis--wait--wha--NOOO.

My world suddenly comes to a crashing halt as I hear the faint clinking sound of metal being strewn about amidst the broomstick and the floor.

A fork.

A lonesome, solitary fork has somehow been left carelessly lying beneath the table.

Truly, is there anything worse than just returning from the dish room on the other side of the restaurant with nothing but thoughts of your immediate departure only to discover that you now must walk all the way back to where you came from for the sake of one stupid, insignificant fork?!

Then, the internal battle takes place- the denial.

What in the world is that clinking sound? Hmm, odd. Oops, I accidentally swept it into the dust pan. Darn.

Of course, by the time this entire thought process has taken place, valuable minutes have passed and thus, have been wasted. Conscious active, I inevitably squat, bend, reach, grab, and stalk angrily back to the dish room, fork in hand.

Other pet peeves, you ask? Perhaps some of you could relate:

(Please do not take offense to the following message. Ideas are based on a general population.)

Silent customers- those who suddenly become intimidated when asked, "What could I get you to drink?" even though seconds prior to the encounter they had been speaking with fluidity to the person across from them. It reminds me all too well of cartoons when everything suddenly falls silent, and the only sound effect taking place is the blinking of the character's eyelids. (*blink blink*)

I promise that this is not a trick question.

Bickering customers- Nothing could be more awkward than performing a simple task like taking one's order and having a fight break out before your very eyes. Do I stay here while you argue vigorously about what size pizza to order, or should I quietly back away? I'm at a loss.

Fibbers- Do we need a couple of more minutes to decide or are we ready to order?

We're ready. Ok kids, what do you want?

Really?

Cellphones- Nothing messes up my flow more than a person on a cell phone because it is, in fact, an entirely unpredictable scenario. There are those, for example, who expect their server to greet the table between 30 seconds to a minute after being sat and will gladly tell the person on the receiving end of the line to hold as they place a beverage order. On the contrary, this cannot be assumed of everybody. I've learned to not take it personal, for example, when eyes are rolled in my direction as I approach to greet a customer in the middle of their important phone call. I should know better, after all. It's rude to interrupt! Quickly I give a knowing "silly me" glance and turn around until the patron is ready for my presence.

Stiffers and Teenagers- Whether it is prejudice or ignorance, your waiters make little over $2.00 an hour. Tipping poorly or not at all will NEVER be taken lightly. Rude. Rude. Rude. It is at times quite easy to weed out the customers that have also worked in a restaurant from those who haven't the slightest idea of how such an establishment operates.

Pen Stealing- Do you steal garments from the mall? No? Then do not take my property either. Thank you.

Campers- customers who sit at a table for two hours and do not tip adequately. Since servers are not paid by the hour, the amount of money made is largely dependent on the turnover of the tables. Go take a nice walk when you're finished. It's better for the digestive system. (Actually, I made that up. Just leave my table please. Thanks!)

Two Drinks- I'd like a Diet Coke and a Water.
Oh really? Yeah? You need both of those?

By the time the meal is over, take a guess as to which of the two has been consistently refilled and which has yet to be touched.

Side work- Nothing irks me more than having the ice bins filled to the brim until another server receives a party of 14. Which ice bin do you suspect is then chosen to fill 14 glasses of water?

I do my best to stifle my cringe. Oy, please let my freshly stocked ice be!

_____________________________

Wow, how the list could go on and on and on and on. However, it truly isn't all that bad. 

I, for example, work with some incredible people who are all going to do great things some day. And at the end of the day I cannot help but to feel accomplished as I walk out the back door with a wad of cash in hand. I guess one needs to take the good with the bad (as with any job), but to be truthful, I am in disbelief that television networks have yet to create a reality show based on a restaurant staff. The drama and entertainment value would be tremendous.

Then you better start swimming or you'll sink like a stone.

I was truly inspired by Danielle from Sometimes Sweet with this post. It is an older post, but inspiring nonetheless. She lists 10 important life lessons that she has experienced and learned through living out her 20's. Though I am only on the verge of turning 22, I fully agreed with half of what she has said while also still living and trying to come to the same conclusion myself in terms of the other half.

Though still figuring it all out, personal experience throughout high school and college have left its own impressions on me whether it is of a positive or negative nature.

Here is what I've come up with so far. These are things that both triumph and loss have taught me.

1. The MAJORITY of first love relationships do not work out. People change, and that is okay. 

I've come to fully believe that everybody that we encounter serves a purpose in our lives no matter the allotted time of their presence. My first real relationship was full of trial and error happenings (as I'm sure is the norm), and I learned many things about myself that I have since either enhanced or changed completely. If this relationship had never taken place then I am certain that my current boyfriend and I would not be as happy as we are today. It is so so SO hard to let go and to move on when the time comes, but it is possible, which is something that can probably only be believed if lived it.

2. Parents do not know everything. And marriage is only a word. 

I'm sorry if you choose to believe otherwise, but we are all human, after all. Our parents have experienced more and can thus give us great advice the majority of the time. However, everyone makes mistakes and that goes for mommy and daddy too. I was unfortunate enough to figure this one out at an early stage in life, but I think that I am better for it now. The sooner one learns this lesson, the sooner one's own future marriage and parenting are put into a more realistic perspective. Maturity in age does not always directly correspond with emotional maturity. 

Adults make mistakes too. Adults say things to their kids that shouldn't be said. Adults do not always have a backbone. Adults spoil their children. Adults give in to temptation. And adults break their promises. It's only natural. This in no way discredits them as good parents as much as it reassures their existence as true human beings. Kids, it is okay to not fully delve into your parent's developed belief system and to explore some of life's biggest questions for yourself.

3. Gossip reaps insecurities. 

"If you are surrounded by chatty people who talk about others behind their backs, they are probably talking about you behind yours also" - point blank.

4. What works for one person does not necessarily work for you (as applied in all realms of life). As seemingly cliche as this sounds, it is amazing as to how frustrating it can be when a person on the other side of the conversation has not yet fully realized this. I've encountered countless persons of age that still do not understand just how powerful the influence is of one's past experiences, physical environment, and genetic makeup. Sharing your thoughts on a matter is one thing, but excessively pushing your views on a subject onto another will not always be taken lightly. Such protocol can be adhered to religion, parenting, career expectations, schooling, and the like.

I really cannot put it into better words. To quote Danielle, 

"Don't let anyone else's definition of happiness/success/life make you question your own definition of those things."

5. Take advantage of your youth. 

If keeping up with my blog you would know that though I am a spontaneous traveler at heart, I had a recent mental lapse in this area in terms of a destination internship. I'm happy to say that I have fully recovered and that I am ready to take advantage of any opportunity that comes my way, despite the distance.

To put it simply, take a chance! Go abroad, visit a foreign city on a whim, enroll in a school that is far away from the group of friends that you've known since you were five. Do this now because let me tell you, time flies and these opportunities will not always be there. As the years advance, priorities change.

To quote my own self, "Do things for yourself and focus on YOU while you are still allowed to be selfish enough to do so."

6. We cannot please everybody (no matter how hard we try).

What an important lesson to be learned! So important and so necessary. I understand that a lot of people have this sort of disposition- my boyfriend especially. We want everyone to like us, and it is so hard to cope when we find out that someone doesn't. What did I do wrong? What happened to make him/her think such a thing? How can they say that when they don't even know me? But the truth is, it is IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE EVERYBODY ALL OF THE TIME. I learned this in high school, and then I relearned it recently as my family steadily grew from an accustomed family of four to an unconventional family of nine. Since reading minds isn't an option, unless we physically sit down with every person each day in order to rationalize everything that we have done and will do in our lives, nobody will truly know our genuine intentions. There are many jaded, negative people in the world, and if that is how they choose to look at you then you simply cannot let it have an effect. We do the best we can! And if that isn't enough then why bother?! They aren't worth it!

7. Quality is better than quantity. 

I was once caught up with the longing notion of being "popular"- of being a pretty girl with a lunch table full of other pretty girls that were alongside the cute boys that always accompanied said pretty girls. So many friends they had- so it seemed. My group of friends, on the other hand, has always been smaller by nature because I personally thrive through the one on one connection. My boyfriend always teases me and says, "Your presence might not immediately command a room, but just one conversation with you and a flash of your smile and anyone would fall in love." (<-- By the way, I love him.)

Anyhow, the point is that through building quality relationships with people I can truly say that I can count on EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. of my friends to be there for me at the drop of a hat. There is a stark difference between a quality friendship and numerous frivolous lunch dates and acquaintances. These lasting friendships are imperative for reasons that would take days to explain. Loyalty outshines a high number any day of the week, which is why I very much encourage a bond of this nature to be formed.

8. Modesty is admirable, insecurity is a turn off.

This is something that I struggled with for the longest time and am just now coming to terms with. The biggest example I can conjure up has to do with my current boyfriend. Since the beginning of our relationship I for some reason put him on a pedestal of sorts, which was a result of our high school years many moons ago. He was fairly popular throughout the years and had an abundance of friends and a natural coolness about his person to boot. When the two of us hit it off I was in a state of disbelief. Me?! Subconscious thoughts would arise in my head, I'm not good enough or pretty enough. What does he see in me? Boy, I'm lucky to have him! When I voiced these tormented thoughts aloud it would feel fantastic to have him counteract them and to reassure me. 

Then, it became a habit- much too much of one. Sooner or later I could tell that my consistent self-conscious nature was causing him to become weary. Finally, whenever I would passively say something stupid along the lines of "I look fat," he would immediate follow with the response, "Then do something about it. Change it." I would get so irritated at first! But I'm NOT FAT! That wasn't the right answer! I realized that although those insecurities weighed heavily on my mind, the truth was also deep down, buried somewhere beneath. I just had to bring it upon myself to realize that I AM comfortable with myself, and I do not need constant reassurance from others for me to feel that way.

[Deep breath]. And this is all. For now. I'm still living and always learning. And constantly thinking.

Get a grip.

The other day Eliot and I were goofing around, and I promptly told him to "get a grip." Do you remember saying that as a child of the 90's? I sure do. I couldn't stop laughing at the thought for about an hour, at least. And then I began to think about all of the other funny sayings of my childhood.

Here are some of my favorites:

• Get a grip- used when in need of telling someone that they need to take life more seriously.

• Look it! (Not "look," not "look at that over there," but LOOK IT.)

• Whatever. Alicia Silverstone should have patented this word.

• All that (undoubtedly spawned from the hit Nickelodeon TV show "All That"- the SNL for 8-15 year olds, and a forgotten treasure in my opinion.)
• Doy! (The even more irritating version of the word, "duh")
• WHASSSSSUUUUUP- I do not think that anybody at the time could fathom as to what a cultural phenomenon this simple 1999 Budweiser commercial could turn into.
• Dawg- "Who let the dogs out? Woof Woof." I personally love 90's music, but I guess they can't all be gems.
• Not!- Thank goodness I never pulled a "not" moment to anyone as a kid...NOT!
• Tyte- In my preteen years I had a friend whose mom overheard her saying that her new jacket was "tyte." The mother's response was, "Well, why didn't you buy a bigger size, sweetie?"
• Your Mom- In the 90's "Your mom" was used as a come back, but not in a funny Napoleon-Dynamite-"your mom goes to college" kind of way. It was simply, "your mom." Nothing more.

"You have ugly shoes."

"Psh, your mom."

• Like- Like, thanks so much, like, 80's valley girls for like, passing this trend on to like, your children...like.
• Duuuuuude-

"A dude is an individual, typically male, particularly somebody well dressed or who has never lived outside of a big city. The female equivalent, which is used less often, is 'dudette.' However, "dude" has evolved to become more unisex to encompass both genders."

Though I'm not completely sure on the accuracy of this definition according to today's standards, I AM sure that the "dude" prospered in the 90's. Not only was it a noun, but an adjective as well- an exclamation used at the beginning of a sentence. For example, "DUDE! Did you see that?" or "Dude! Look at that guy!"

From Nickelodeon's Hey Dude and Good Burger (a must see) to Blink 182's Dude Ranch album to stoner favorites like Southpark and Beavis and Butthead...the "dude" remains still, in my opinion, as the top, overused word of the 90's.

 

I mean, I'm just so busy.

Wow UT, you really know how to pile the work on the week before spring break, don't you? Perhaps it's my fault for taking 18 hours this semester...but I really didn't have a choice, you see.

Not if I wanted to enjoy my summer that is.

3 more days, I can do it.

But I need a kick ass playlist to help relieve my stress.

Whenever I get this stressed out I can always rely on these tunes to motivate me, whether it be for the lyrical content or simply for the powerful, uplifting instrumentals or beats.

1. Bob Dylan- Like A Rolling Stone

Kind of a cliche Dylan song to choose I know, but if I am EVER feeling below par the minute Dylan comes on I suddenly can't help but to catch myself belting- and this, cliche or not, is undoubtedly his best belting song to date. Or sometimes if I've just accomplished a really hard homework assignment, Positively 4th Street is fun to sing. I like to pretend the unknown subject he is singing about (whether it is government, a girl, etc.) is my homework...and I just conquered that shit!

2. The Beatles- Getting Better

Well you knew that this would be on here. And as a head's up, you could probably expect a Dylan and Beatles song on every playlist that I make. I'm sorry, but if their songs weren't so damn applicable to almost every aspect in life then maybe it would be different. I mean, come on- listen to this song if you're stressed out and tell me it doesn't bring a refreshing sense of positivity. At times like these, the first line is all I really need.

"I used to get mad at my school, the teachers that taught me weren't cool. You're holding me down, turning me round, filling me up with your rules."

But you know what, I have to admit it gets better (all the time). There is always a light at the end of the tunnel, and if you are strong enough, you can always reach it.

(Unfortunately the site I download my Playlists do not have this song uploaded, so go buy Sgt. Peppers for yourself!)

3. Jimmy Eat World- Sweetness

Whether or not this song has timeless merit, it certainly deserves a solid fist pump when played. And fist pumps, boys and girls, will bring a smile to anyone's face.

4. Animal Collective- My Girls

This song is absolutely fantastic simply for the fact that when I am worried and stressed about minute, insignificant things (which I assure you, it happens way too often), I can listen to this song and remember that the simple things in life are what is important.

"There isn't much that I feel I need, A solid soul and the blood I bleed. But with a little girl and by my spouse, I only want a proper house.

I don't care for fancy things or to take part in the freshest wave, But to provide for mine who ask, I will with heart on my father's grave."

5. Arcade Fire- Wake Up

Every time I hear this song I think to myself, "When I get a real job and earn enough money to invest in a personal trainer (hence, if and when I ever hit the gym again), I would LOVE to run to this on my iPod. Such an inspiring build up right from the get go.

Oh, and that is saying something because...I hate running. Loathe it, rather.

6. Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers- Learning to Fly

This song reminds me of my mommy!

Ok, sorry- that was irrelevant. Or was it? My mom, after all, is quite an inspirational woman. After all of the emotional ups and downs in her life she is still able to attain a positive attitude 95% of the time. Perhaps I subconsciously think of this every time I hear the song and therefore become more motivated in whichever endeavor I am embarking on at the time.

Although, I also really like the overall message. It correlates nicely with my slogan that I have adopted- Emmy, In Progress. Petty's lyrics for this particular song have a "Life, In Progress" tone to it, don't you think? We're just figuring it out as we go. We can't get caught up with silly things like homework (ahem, UT!)

7. Something Corporate- Punk Rock Princess (Sorry Eliot!)

Haha, I just can't help it. Andrew Mcmahon's poppy upbeat Something Corporate days were the best! I'll always be put in a good mood if this is playing. It reminds me of a simpler time...you know, high school- the most emotionally traumatic years of a teenage girl's life.

What a fairytale this song is- and so fitting to the times of my young, teenage angst.

8. Relient K- College Kids

And if I'm going to include Something Corporate, it seems a must that I add Relient K to the list. This song, after all, is perhaps the most relevant to my current situation. Sometimes you just want to throw in the towel on this conventional, 4 year college thing. It's nice to know that there are others out there that feel the same way. If only I were so lucky as to have the musical talent as a back up like these guys do.

"Arts and Crafts is all I need!"

9. Modest Mouse- Missed the Boat

I know it isn't exactly "cool" to have a favorite song of an artist if it's on their last CD that they have put out. The common response I think is (and remember to insert your rebel, 15-year-old-think-you-know-everything-about-music-voice), "Yeah, they're first album was good," or "Man, they're such sell outs," or how about, "They're old stuff is like...so much better!"

But, whatever.

This song literally brings a tear to my eye every time the chorus approaches. I don't know what it is, but Isaac Brock's lyrics are so captivating. And so fitting if you need a bit of a lift- or rather, if you simply need peace of mind knowing that everyone gets confused and overwhelmed at times.

"Everyone's unhappy, everyone's ashamed; Well we all just got caught looking at somebody else's page;
Well nothing ever went quite exactly as we planned, Our ideas held no water but we used them like a dam"

10. Radiohead- Jigsaw Falling into Place

Again, this song is on "In Rainbows" (their last album release). I don't know why this keeps happening, but this song has to be included. Just look at the title! It's inspiring to me because I can pick out several moments in my life where I was overwhelmed and didn't see how I would ever make it through the situation. Whether a test was moved to a different day for some unknown reason or an unexpected person upon happenstance invited me to lunch on a day that would have initially not been available, things always seem to work out. Like a puzzle piece falling into place.