OMG I LOVE CUTE THINGS.
#1. Slow Loris Being Tickled. This Wins. Hands down. I've been watching it over and over all morning.
#2. CuteOverload
#3. Cute Roulette
#4. Cute Things Falling Asleep
#5. Things that make you go ahhh
I'm pretty much OBSESSED with everything and all things cute. You should waste time on all of these sites. Do it. Right now.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Wobbly Bits
Not having worked out in approximately two months, I keep thinking I'll be horrified every time I glance in a mirror. My arms arms jiggle even more than usual, my tummy is quite a bit rounder and my thighs are pure fluff.
I kind of like it.
I feel full and a bit voluptuous -- like a nude in an old painting. I fill out my clothes a little better. I'm generally soft and fluffy. I love it. AND I love that there is no one to make me feel guilty about it. None of my girl friends are obsessed with being skinny and so many of my male friends always talk about how much they like girls with curves. I'm fat and happy.
Of course, I don't believe that I am actually fat. I would not let myself get too far beyond this. I want to be healthy and I should exercise a little more just for the sake of my energy and my mood. Yoga, running and riding my bike are all things I can and should do a few times a week.
This isn't an "I learned how to love myself" kind of blog. I didn't learn to love myself. I have plenty of other things to pick on. I just like being fluffy.
I kind of like it.
I feel full and a bit voluptuous -- like a nude in an old painting. I fill out my clothes a little better. I'm generally soft and fluffy. I love it. AND I love that there is no one to make me feel guilty about it. None of my girl friends are obsessed with being skinny and so many of my male friends always talk about how much they like girls with curves. I'm fat and happy.
Of course, I don't believe that I am actually fat. I would not let myself get too far beyond this. I want to be healthy and I should exercise a little more just for the sake of my energy and my mood. Yoga, running and riding my bike are all things I can and should do a few times a week.
This isn't an "I learned how to love myself" kind of blog. I didn't learn to love myself. I have plenty of other things to pick on. I just like being fluffy.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Budgets and Scorecards
#1 I am taking the GRE (new revised test) on August 20. The studying will commence right after this post. I would like a decent score to prove to myself that I am an intelligent, worthwhile person.
Today, Doris was studying for the LSAT and unknowingly distracted me from the real studying I should have done (reading comprehension) by introducing me to logic games. I LEARNED that I LOVE LOGIC GAMES. I WANNA DO LOGIC GAMES ALL DAY EVERY DAY. However, I'm not taking the LSAT and August 20 is quickly approaching.
It is my goal to study a little bit every day and at least a few hours on the weekends. I'm going to be honest with myself, though -- YEA RIGHT! I'll probably study a few times a week and for an hour on Sundays. I've never been good at studying. Most college studying consisted of re-reading some of my notes the night before the exam and then going for ice cream instead.
#2 I'm broke. Since making new friends, getting back in touch with old friends and keeping in touch with as many college friends as possible, I've spent a TON of money in the past 2 months. AND I've spent quite a bit on my car and gas to go see everyone I know and love. When I first arrived in beautiful Decatur, I put myself on a strict budget and managed to save $100 at the end of each month. Since May, when I stopped using my fancy excel spreadsheet, saving my receipts and clipping coupons, I've managed to deplete my savings by $600. I have an equal amount waiting for me, but in order to avoid dipping in to that stash any further, I can only spend $130 between this moment and August 5.
Almost one whole month on $130 (groceries excluded as I have other sources for that budget). This $130 includes one month of gas, one month of parking and laundry quarters, one month of NOT eating out, one months of NO bar tabs, one month of thrifting (heaven knows I can't stay away) and one month of general living which could possibly include medicines, car repairs and other accidentals.
Can I do it? Again, I'm going to be honest -- I don't believe so. I was raised as a good American cog in the economic system. I'm a natural born consumer. I spent $35 on clothes this weekend alone (granted they were all thrift or clearance). I bought six puzzles and another book. I already own more puzzles than I have time to do and more books than I can read in five years' time. I haven't learned anything on this home front today. I wish I could say that I've found the secret to living a simple life, free from the concerns of consumerism and want. It still makes me happy to buy coffees and ice cream and shoes and books and craft supplies and make-up and purses and ugly decorations and coffee cups and other assorted items that fit on this never ending list.
The only thing I can say in my favor is that I am a master thrifter and extreme bargain hunter. I hate paying full price for something. My Grandpa James (mama's papa) used to always make us guess how LITTLE he spent on his shoes. I am always so proud to tell people "I paid a dollar for this" or "I bought this on sale for 75% off and it perfectly matches these shoes I bought for $4!" This extreme bargain hunting often leads to stock piling, or what others may call "hoarding." Thank goodness I have a huge attic!!!
Today, Doris was studying for the LSAT and unknowingly distracted me from the real studying I should have done (reading comprehension) by introducing me to logic games. I LEARNED that I LOVE LOGIC GAMES. I WANNA DO LOGIC GAMES ALL DAY EVERY DAY. However, I'm not taking the LSAT and August 20 is quickly approaching.
It is my goal to study a little bit every day and at least a few hours on the weekends. I'm going to be honest with myself, though -- YEA RIGHT! I'll probably study a few times a week and for an hour on Sundays. I've never been good at studying. Most college studying consisted of re-reading some of my notes the night before the exam and then going for ice cream instead.
#2 I'm broke. Since making new friends, getting back in touch with old friends and keeping in touch with as many college friends as possible, I've spent a TON of money in the past 2 months. AND I've spent quite a bit on my car and gas to go see everyone I know and love. When I first arrived in beautiful Decatur, I put myself on a strict budget and managed to save $100 at the end of each month. Since May, when I stopped using my fancy excel spreadsheet, saving my receipts and clipping coupons, I've managed to deplete my savings by $600. I have an equal amount waiting for me, but in order to avoid dipping in to that stash any further, I can only spend $130 between this moment and August 5.
Almost one whole month on $130 (groceries excluded as I have other sources for that budget). This $130 includes one month of gas, one month of parking and laundry quarters, one month of NOT eating out, one months of NO bar tabs, one month of thrifting (heaven knows I can't stay away) and one month of general living which could possibly include medicines, car repairs and other accidentals.
Can I do it? Again, I'm going to be honest -- I don't believe so. I was raised as a good American cog in the economic system. I'm a natural born consumer. I spent $35 on clothes this weekend alone (granted they were all thrift or clearance). I bought six puzzles and another book. I already own more puzzles than I have time to do and more books than I can read in five years' time. I haven't learned anything on this home front today. I wish I could say that I've found the secret to living a simple life, free from the concerns of consumerism and want. It still makes me happy to buy coffees and ice cream and shoes and books and craft supplies and make-up and purses and ugly decorations and coffee cups and other assorted items that fit on this never ending list.
The only thing I can say in my favor is that I am a master thrifter and extreme bargain hunter. I hate paying full price for something. My Grandpa James (mama's papa) used to always make us guess how LITTLE he spent on his shoes. I am always so proud to tell people "I paid a dollar for this" or "I bought this on sale for 75% off and it perfectly matches these shoes I bought for $4!" This extreme bargain hunting often leads to stock piling, or what others may call "hoarding." Thank goodness I have a huge attic!!!
Friday, July 8, 2011
A Dream Come True
I was listening to my Disney Pandora station while washing dishes -- okay, and I'm still listening. I used to think I related to Disney Princess and one day I'd play one at Disney World. However, I found out you have to be tall, beautiful and graceful to do so! NEVERMIND!
The song "Belle" came on and I know every word, of course. The line I always related to most was "I want so much more than they've got planned." I imagine this meaning that I will travel the world and change the lives of everyone I come in to contact and I'll be world renown for my goodness and the good works I do. Tonight I realized that what Belle meant by that was... to marry a handsome prince and live happily ever after.
As a little girl, you believe in happily ever after. It happens to every leading lady! Everyone finds their prince! But after they win the prince, the movie ends. You so rarely see what happens next. Yea, I've had what I considered movie-love. But then the movie ended and life went on. Sleeping Beauty was never cheated on! Belle didn't have to choose between a career and a family (not that I've had to choose either). Cinderella didn't have to deal with mental illness and family issues. You never even see them "grow apart" and "move in different directions" or have "irreconcilable differences."
Apart from the happily ever after fallacy, Disney also encourages girls to pursue men, not careers. The newest classically styled movie, The Princess and the Frog, does encourage girls to reach for their career dreams. However, this princess also gets her prince.
I found this Second City series that gives advice from Belle, Ariel and Snow White. There were also a bunch of videos dubbing popular movie audio over Disney characters. This basically proves my point about Disney movies and Love movies in general: all the same formula, none realistic. This is coming from a total sucker for formulaic love movies.
But we all know there are flaws in Disney movies. The racism, sexism and stereotype is blatant but the catchy tunes always reel me in! I will always sing Disney songs and watch Hercules and Aladdin over and over again, but I'm gonna be mad about it!!!
The song "Belle" came on and I know every word, of course. The line I always related to most was "I want so much more than they've got planned." I imagine this meaning that I will travel the world and change the lives of everyone I come in to contact and I'll be world renown for my goodness and the good works I do. Tonight I realized that what Belle meant by that was... to marry a handsome prince and live happily ever after.
As a little girl, you believe in happily ever after. It happens to every leading lady! Everyone finds their prince! But after they win the prince, the movie ends. You so rarely see what happens next. Yea, I've had what I considered movie-love. But then the movie ended and life went on. Sleeping Beauty was never cheated on! Belle didn't have to choose between a career and a family (not that I've had to choose either). Cinderella didn't have to deal with mental illness and family issues. You never even see them "grow apart" and "move in different directions" or have "irreconcilable differences."
Apart from the happily ever after fallacy, Disney also encourages girls to pursue men, not careers. The newest classically styled movie, The Princess and the Frog, does encourage girls to reach for their career dreams. However, this princess also gets her prince.
I found this Second City series that gives advice from Belle, Ariel and Snow White. There were also a bunch of videos dubbing popular movie audio over Disney characters. This basically proves my point about Disney movies and Love movies in general: all the same formula, none realistic. This is coming from a total sucker for formulaic love movies.
But we all know there are flaws in Disney movies. The racism, sexism and stereotype is blatant but the catchy tunes always reel me in! I will always sing Disney songs and watch Hercules and Aladdin over and over again, but I'm gonna be mad about it!!!
Ellie Lou Eeze
In other news, we had a very pleasant vet office experience. We went to the Animal Clinic of Decatur, which is approximately 5 blocks from my apartment (Ellie didn't want to walk there, though). Ellie shed all over me as we listened to a parrot in the other room saying "Hallo? Hallo?." Ellie weighs 7.5 pounds (he said she looked bigger than that, but its just because she's fluffy!). Hopefully she stops costing me so much money!!!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
A Witch Worth Reading About
I thought when I graduated, I would have unlimited time to read books and do crafts. This was true for a month or two. But life moves quickly and once I started making friends and getting involved in the community, it has been difficult to find time to immerse myself in someone else's fictional life.
Last week I started readin The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho. Unfortunately, I kept having to put it down, but not by choice. This was one of the most engrossing stories I've read since graduation (another is The Red Tent by Anita Diamant). This book touched on many themes that I am struggling with in my own life.
The story of Sherine Khalil, who calls herself Athena, is told through the eyes of those who knew her best and were a significant part of her journey. On her search for meaning, Athena learns to connect with "The Great Mother" (Mother Earth) through ritual dance. Athena struggles against traditions in her attempt to bring knowledge to the world.
One of the themes I connected with immediately was this struggle against tradition. In my work and my life, I have questioned "the way its done." The message Athena brings is embraced by many she touches, but she also sees a brutal backlash which threatens her work, her life and the safety of her family. The institutions and powers that be (i.e. the Church), feeling threatened, use the media to bring her down. They distort her message and tell blatant lies about her intentions and rituals.
So many wise, intelligent, forward-thinking would-be leaders are brought down before they are able to achieve their "mission," as Athena refers to it. The world is stuck in the traditions of capitalism and an idealized 1950s mentality which threatens to destroy the very planet which sustains us. In June 2010, I attended the US Social Forum where I was part of a movement to advance progressive ideas here in the United States and abroad. Thousands of people flooded the streets of Detroit, Michigan in a peaceful march and attended workshops for one week. There was no national media coverage of the event. Missing white children, Tea Party bloggers and the latest political sex scandal filled the airwaves instead. The winds of change may be blowing, but we are locked up inside our air-conditioned suburban homes and cannot feel the refreshing breeze. Athena is called "a woman of the twenty-second century living in the twenty-first." I can relate to this feeling, but I believe that I am a woman of the twenty-first century. I believe we live when we are meant to live. There is a purpose for me to be here at this time. I hope that purpose is to bring people out from their ivory towers and their glass houses and in to their communities. That is my "mission" and I know I will not survive to see it fulfilled. But I, with like-minded friends and strangers, will continue.
Another theme in The Witch of Portobello is Love. Coelho's depiction of love is quite different than our usual vision of love. In Athena's final interaction with another central character, she explains that "Love is not a habit, a commitment, or a debt. It isn't what romantic songs tell us it is-- love simply is." I tried to analyze this quote to show that I understand, but this is not an academic paper. I understand this quote because I have suffered through a habit believing it to be love, I've tried to force a commitment from someone I love and I have loved purely because I was loved. I understand because I've lived our incorrect perceptions of what love is supposed to be.
But I will admit, I love love. I drop "I love you" like its "pass the salt." Love is one of the driving forces of my life. I don't need to look for love because I am surrounded by it. Love flows like a river from my lips and my hands and my heart -- sometimes the water is high and the current is strong, sometimes a dry spell slows the waters, but the water always flows. One thing I'VE LEARNED is that there is always more love. Love is not a sum-zero game. You do not replace those who you used to love with those who you love now. The river may change directions, a new tributary flows in, a new stream may branch off from the main river, but my river, hopefully, will continue to flow.
ALLLL RIGHT! Enough with the sap and the metaphors. Time to start a new book. I will pass this one on to as many people as I can find to read it because its lessons should be shared with all those willing to listen.
Last week I started readin The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho. Unfortunately, I kept having to put it down, but not by choice. This was one of the most engrossing stories I've read since graduation (another is The Red Tent by Anita Diamant). This book touched on many themes that I am struggling with in my own life. The story of Sherine Khalil, who calls herself Athena, is told through the eyes of those who knew her best and were a significant part of her journey. On her search for meaning, Athena learns to connect with "The Great Mother" (Mother Earth) through ritual dance. Athena struggles against traditions in her attempt to bring knowledge to the world.
One of the themes I connected with immediately was this struggle against tradition. In my work and my life, I have questioned "the way its done." The message Athena brings is embraced by many she touches, but she also sees a brutal backlash which threatens her work, her life and the safety of her family. The institutions and powers that be (i.e. the Church), feeling threatened, use the media to bring her down. They distort her message and tell blatant lies about her intentions and rituals.
So many wise, intelligent, forward-thinking would-be leaders are brought down before they are able to achieve their "mission," as Athena refers to it. The world is stuck in the traditions of capitalism and an idealized 1950s mentality which threatens to destroy the very planet which sustains us. In June 2010, I attended the US Social Forum where I was part of a movement to advance progressive ideas here in the United States and abroad. Thousands of people flooded the streets of Detroit, Michigan in a peaceful march and attended workshops for one week. There was no national media coverage of the event. Missing white children, Tea Party bloggers and the latest political sex scandal filled the airwaves instead. The winds of change may be blowing, but we are locked up inside our air-conditioned suburban homes and cannot feel the refreshing breeze. Athena is called "a woman of the twenty-second century living in the twenty-first." I can relate to this feeling, but I believe that I am a woman of the twenty-first century. I believe we live when we are meant to live. There is a purpose for me to be here at this time. I hope that purpose is to bring people out from their ivory towers and their glass houses and in to their communities. That is my "mission" and I know I will not survive to see it fulfilled. But I, with like-minded friends and strangers, will continue.
 |
| US Social Forum Opening March 2010, Detroit, MI. |
Another theme in The Witch of Portobello is Love. Coelho's depiction of love is quite different than our usual vision of love. In Athena's final interaction with another central character, she explains that "Love is not a habit, a commitment, or a debt. It isn't what romantic songs tell us it is-- love simply is." I tried to analyze this quote to show that I understand, but this is not an academic paper. I understand this quote because I have suffered through a habit believing it to be love, I've tried to force a commitment from someone I love and I have loved purely because I was loved. I understand because I've lived our incorrect perceptions of what love is supposed to be.
But I will admit, I love love. I drop "I love you" like its "pass the salt." Love is one of the driving forces of my life. I don't need to look for love because I am surrounded by it. Love flows like a river from my lips and my hands and my heart -- sometimes the water is high and the current is strong, sometimes a dry spell slows the waters, but the water always flows. One thing I'VE LEARNED is that there is always more love. Love is not a sum-zero game. You do not replace those who you used to love with those who you love now. The river may change directions, a new tributary flows in, a new stream may branch off from the main river, but my river, hopefully, will continue to flow.
ALLLL RIGHT! Enough with the sap and the metaphors. Time to start a new book. I will pass this one on to as many people as I can find to read it because its lessons should be shared with all those willing to listen.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
GirlTalkin' and Dubsteppin'
I used to be nearly morally opposed to club music. In college, I tried my best to avoid dance-y clubs full of drunken students grinding on each other. But, I'VE LEARNED to LOVE party music.
This past 4th of July weekend, my favorite Pat Schacherer took me to 80/35 Music Festival. Some of my favorite bands of the day were Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros and The Generationals.
The big headliner was Girl Talk. SO FUN. SOOOO FUN. We started off pretty far back in the crowd because PAT made us late. I had tons of fun just diving through the crowd every time a little path would open up. Pat followed me as I wove through the drunken, dancing mob to get us closer and closer to the action. By the end we were close enough for me to get some pretty sweet pics. I could only afford the time to look through a few so far.... There are many.
AFTER the Girl Talk show, we stuck around for the DJ at one of the free stages. My neck was sore for two days after the hour long Dubstep show. I had no idea I was so in to dubstep. This may start a new phase of my life if I can find someone to take me to some shows...... Just sayin.
The rest of the weekend was filled with more shenanigans and many scabble games. I spent more money than I make in a week and more than half of my monthly allowance after rent. Having fun isn't always great for my wallet. I understand why I have to live like this, but as a young 20-something, I want to be able to blow my money on bar tabs and dinners out. On ice creams and coffees and slices of pie. I want to buy cute new clothes and homemade crafts at the farmer's market. I did do a bit of this, but I'm having a bit of buyer's remorse for the extra lattes. However, I'm not sorry for the $40 for the festival or the equal number of dollars spent bar hopping in downtown Des Moines. I followed the advice of the VISTA trainers in Los Angeles this past April: Pay for experiences, not things. Even those lattes were part of the experience.
But now it is back to my real life. Back to analyzing data for the Macon County Juvenile Justice Council. Back to reading books with 12-year-olds and teaching the girls how to crochet rugs. Back to being poor and riding my bike to work to save 70 cents on parking and the more on gas. Back to sleeping in my twin bed with my only my kitty to talk to me. Back to Decatur for some more "Only in Decatur" moments.
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| Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. What a bunch of hippies! <3 |
This past 4th of July weekend, my favorite Pat Schacherer took me to 80/35 Music Festival. Some of my favorite bands of the day were Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros and The Generationals.
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| This was only zoomed in LITTLE! |
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| Confetti! |
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| Hot Sun + Girl Talk + Dubstep = Happy + Exhausted |
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| Pat-a-tat slurpin' down some Fresh Squeezed Lemonade at 80/35. |
But now it is back to my real life. Back to analyzing data for the Macon County Juvenile Justice Council. Back to reading books with 12-year-olds and teaching the girls how to crochet rugs. Back to being poor and riding my bike to work to save 70 cents on parking and the more on gas. Back to sleeping in my twin bed with my only my kitty to talk to me. Back to Decatur for some more "Only in Decatur" moments.
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