Over the holidays I read Landline by Rainbow Rowell. It was on the Goodreads top list for the year I think, that's how I found it.
Its about a woman who is all about her work. Her work always comes first despite the fact that she has a husband and children who need her. When the choice comes between spending the holidays with her family away and working for some amazing opportunity that has come up with a deadline, she chooses work.
After her family leaves, she is unable to get ahold of them and this drives her crazy. She forgets to shower, she lives in her mothers clothes, she moves back in with her mother and sister for a few days. She doesn't work even though that is the reason she stayed back to begin with.
She makes calls on her mothers land line phone and that phone brings her back in time to the man she knew before they were married. She spends hours on the phone talking to her past. She embraces the calls and spends days thinking of nothing else. Only after a few conversations and long thought processes does she realize that she needs to be with her family and she goes.
For me, this book is interesting on two levels. One, the idea of a phone that can call the past and such. There are plenty of people I would love to be able to speak with again and know what I do now. The fact that Georgie gets to have these conversations and is at the stage she is in now is a reminder to her of what she could be having if she just remembered to look, to be.
Two, Rowell has three characters in the book that interact on the same level. One is Georgie, and the other two are the men in Georgie's life. These men are both interesting because one is the more obvious choice for Georgie. But Rowell puts her main character with Neal, her husband, and he doesn't fit. But, yet, they do fit. Seth, her coworker is the more obvious choice for a man to be with Georgie, and even in the end, Rowell gives him opportunity to be with her, but she chooses her husband. Its not the ending one would expect, but it was a good ending.
Was it a happy ending? I guess it depends on the reader. I think that Georgie flying out there to see and spend time with her kids and such means that she is ready to make it work, but... the fact that she didn't go to begin with means that she may always chose her work.
This was a light and entertaining read, one that I would recommend.
Friday, December 26, 2014
Monday, December 22, 2014
Weekend before Christmas
First it was my birthday, then there was supposed to be an awesome night out with my brudder and Jess, then there was the office holiday dinner, and then there was Sunday and such...
Not all of this happened. But it was a good weekend before Christmas anyway. So let me start with this.
^^ this turned into that >> real quick. Worst part though is that I am STILL NOT DONE!
Then there was Saturday. I ran around like chicken with my head chopped off trying to get things ready for our office holiday dinner. Everyone and their families were there (minus one physician, but I was okay with that). I think overall it went well. I know that I had a good time and really that is all that matters. I ended up getting some food for free (catering at Olive Garden) because it took so long for me to get the food. Free food tastes soooo much better, right? I didn't get any pics of the evening and I so regret that. It was the first one we decided to do as an office and I completely forgot. Next year though...
And then yesterday was Sunday, my "stay at home and relax day". That didn't happen because it is the weekend before the holidays and I need to be present at my rents house to help them. Let me tell you though, I cannot wait for it to be Wed at 1:00pm. I have the rest of the day off, then Thursday off and maybe even Friday if I decide to take it.
Cannot wait.
Not all of this happened. But it was a good weekend before Christmas anyway. So let me start with this.
This is from the birthday dinner. This is where my brother continuously had to shout out that I was 30 years old. (I am not 30 yet) This is where everyone at my table decided to sing happy birthday to me even though its not something that was done at this restaurant. This is where my father left my number on the bill for the waiter who flirted shamelessly the whole time. It was a nice evening out with my family.
Then Friday came along and I was supposed to go to a tacky light tour through Richmond limo and drinking style, but everything fell through and we decided not to go this year. I wasn't disappointed however, this meant that I FINALLY could get my wrapping done. Add some wrapping paper, gifts, wine, music and one hell of a mess and I was done.
Then there was Saturday. I ran around like chicken with my head chopped off trying to get things ready for our office holiday dinner. Everyone and their families were there (minus one physician, but I was okay with that). I think overall it went well. I know that I had a good time and really that is all that matters. I ended up getting some food for free (catering at Olive Garden) because it took so long for me to get the food. Free food tastes soooo much better, right? I didn't get any pics of the evening and I so regret that. It was the first one we decided to do as an office and I completely forgot. Next year though...
And then yesterday was Sunday, my "stay at home and relax day". That didn't happen because it is the weekend before the holidays and I need to be present at my rents house to help them. Let me tell you though, I cannot wait for it to be Wed at 1:00pm. I have the rest of the day off, then Thursday off and maybe even Friday if I decide to take it.
Cannot wait.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Because you wanted to know of course
You were dying to! 11 weird facts about myself. Lets see if I can come up with 11. (because we all know I am in no way shape or form weird or any kind of abnormal)
1. I have a fur child named Maddie, this is well known, but what you didn't know (probably) is that I looked for Maddie for years. I mean years. I talked to people from Craigslist who had cocker spaniels for sale or free, I went to pet adoptions, I went to stores but none of the ones that I saw were my Maddie. I had a name for her and I knew exactly what I was looking for. Then one day I talked to my papa about it seriously and we talked about going to this place that had breeders and rescued puppies. Didn't really want a puppy and he said "its easier to say you're sorry than to ask for permission". But let me tell you, when I walked in a saw that golden face with those green eyes and the pink nose I was like "huh, potential." I walked over to her and she got on her hind legs and scratched at my thighs for me to pick her up. It was literally love at first sight for the both of us. I cannot have another animal at the moment because she is the one. But if I ever did... A black girl (some kind of spaniel, doesn't need to be cocker) named Juliet or a multicolored boy named Scampers.
2. I went to college for English (waste) and ended up with a degree in English studies, a degree in Pyschology (another waste) and then after all that I got my masters in Business Administration with a certificate in healthcare management. This one is what I am currently working with, but I had the job before I finished my degree. So the 45k that I owe in student loans to get a degree I didn't really need, just pisses me off.
3. I was born 10 days late. The week before Christmas (which is tomorrow). And ONLY because my mothers doctor was going away for the next week and she didn't want someone else to deliver me so she was induced the day before he left for Christmas vacation. Otherwise who knows when I would've come out. I may have been a Christmas babe.
4. I haven't been to many of the US states, I really haven't been anywhere much compared to how big the world is. But I have been to 20 of the US states and to some Caribbean hotspots(Jamaica, Belize, Mexico, Honduras, Cozumel, Dom. Republic...) BUT I have been to Bermuda 4 times in a span of less than 6 months. This was due to me finding a hot guy who lived there on a visa (he was born and lives normally in Scotland. Yes the accent got me). He flew me to and from every time. I need to find someone else like that...
5. My closet generally only has blue and black clothes in it. I went to go pack for a recent trip and I realized all I had out were blue and white stripped shirts and jeans. -_____-
6. When I was a kid and living in NY, I set my backyard on fire. Not on purpose. The whole back 40 was engulfed in flames. The chickens were frantic in their coop until papa cut them out and they flew off (they all came back around when it was dinner time though, even the ones we could've lived without. Mean red eyed bastard). All the trees were singed. My mother called the fire department and the person who took the call asked to speak to "an adult" so they didn't get there any time soon. But eventually everything was taken care of.
7. My family didn't find out that I had hearing difficulties until I was in elementary school. Then my mother apologized for years for all the yelling she did because I couldn't hear her and she thought I just wasn't listening.
8. I get nervous when I have to call people. This pretty much stems from the fact that no one can ever hear me on the phone. And if they can hear me, they don't understand what it is that I am saying. Its not that I mumble or anything. Its just that I talk so softly (yes even though I'm deaf, it's weird I know). And down in VA I have an accent so some people don't understand that either.
9. Since moving from NY I have lost all the weight that I gained after high school. I didn't gain it the "freshman fifteen" way though because I hated college and going out and all that jazz. I did it while working with the fucking kids at the school I used to work for. I don't know how the kids these days are obese because let me tell you, the food that they ate, fuck... 50 pounds. When I moved down here I worked really hard to get it all off. Now I am at my high school weight again and if Im lucky I even get below the high school weight. I would love to be around a buck twenty, but shiiiiiit. That's gonna take me a little while and even more hard work. But I'm working on it.
10. My boss and I fight like cats and dogs, husband and wives, brother and sister, you get the drift. There are days when we get along great, there are days when we don't. He is one of those people who always think that they are right. NO MATTER WHAT. I could put out evidence in front of him and he would tell me its incorrect. I could say something like "why are we changing things when we've always done it this way" and he'll say "what have we always done why don't you understand". He gets under my skin like no one else, but he also puts up with my shit on a daily so I cant complain too much.
11. I am the first person in my family to graduate from a four year college and I am the second youngest. Granted, some have done two years, but I hold the record for a four year degree first. Then comes my brother.
Facts, weird or not. But facts. What are yours?
1. I have a fur child named Maddie, this is well known, but what you didn't know (probably) is that I looked for Maddie for years. I mean years. I talked to people from Craigslist who had cocker spaniels for sale or free, I went to pet adoptions, I went to stores but none of the ones that I saw were my Maddie. I had a name for her and I knew exactly what I was looking for. Then one day I talked to my papa about it seriously and we talked about going to this place that had breeders and rescued puppies. Didn't really want a puppy and he said "its easier to say you're sorry than to ask for permission". But let me tell you, when I walked in a saw that golden face with those green eyes and the pink nose I was like "huh, potential." I walked over to her and she got on her hind legs and scratched at my thighs for me to pick her up. It was literally love at first sight for the both of us. I cannot have another animal at the moment because she is the one. But if I ever did... A black girl (some kind of spaniel, doesn't need to be cocker) named Juliet or a multicolored boy named Scampers.
2. I went to college for English (waste) and ended up with a degree in English studies, a degree in Pyschology (another waste) and then after all that I got my masters in Business Administration with a certificate in healthcare management. This one is what I am currently working with, but I had the job before I finished my degree. So the 45k that I owe in student loans to get a degree I didn't really need, just pisses me off.
3. I was born 10 days late. The week before Christmas (which is tomorrow). And ONLY because my mothers doctor was going away for the next week and she didn't want someone else to deliver me so she was induced the day before he left for Christmas vacation. Otherwise who knows when I would've come out. I may have been a Christmas babe.
4. I haven't been to many of the US states, I really haven't been anywhere much compared to how big the world is. But I have been to 20 of the US states and to some Caribbean hotspots(Jamaica, Belize, Mexico, Honduras, Cozumel, Dom. Republic...) BUT I have been to Bermuda 4 times in a span of less than 6 months. This was due to me finding a hot guy who lived there on a visa (he was born and lives normally in Scotland. Yes the accent got me). He flew me to and from every time. I need to find someone else like that...
5. My closet generally only has blue and black clothes in it. I went to go pack for a recent trip and I realized all I had out were blue and white stripped shirts and jeans. -_____-
6. When I was a kid and living in NY, I set my backyard on fire. Not on purpose. The whole back 40 was engulfed in flames. The chickens were frantic in their coop until papa cut them out and they flew off (they all came back around when it was dinner time though, even the ones we could've lived without. Mean red eyed bastard). All the trees were singed. My mother called the fire department and the person who took the call asked to speak to "an adult" so they didn't get there any time soon. But eventually everything was taken care of.
7. My family didn't find out that I had hearing difficulties until I was in elementary school. Then my mother apologized for years for all the yelling she did because I couldn't hear her and she thought I just wasn't listening.
8. I get nervous when I have to call people. This pretty much stems from the fact that no one can ever hear me on the phone. And if they can hear me, they don't understand what it is that I am saying. Its not that I mumble or anything. Its just that I talk so softly (yes even though I'm deaf, it's weird I know). And down in VA I have an accent so some people don't understand that either.
9. Since moving from NY I have lost all the weight that I gained after high school. I didn't gain it the "freshman fifteen" way though because I hated college and going out and all that jazz. I did it while working with the fucking kids at the school I used to work for. I don't know how the kids these days are obese because let me tell you, the food that they ate, fuck... 50 pounds. When I moved down here I worked really hard to get it all off. Now I am at my high school weight again and if Im lucky I even get below the high school weight. I would love to be around a buck twenty, but shiiiiiit. That's gonna take me a little while and even more hard work. But I'm working on it.
10. My boss and I fight like cats and dogs, husband and wives, brother and sister, you get the drift. There are days when we get along great, there are days when we don't. He is one of those people who always think that they are right. NO MATTER WHAT. I could put out evidence in front of him and he would tell me its incorrect. I could say something like "why are we changing things when we've always done it this way" and he'll say "what have we always done why don't you understand". He gets under my skin like no one else, but he also puts up with my shit on a daily so I cant complain too much.
11. I am the first person in my family to graduate from a four year college and I am the second youngest. Granted, some have done two years, but I hold the record for a four year degree first. Then comes my brother.
Facts, weird or not. But facts. What are yours?
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
I cant even
That about sums everything up. I cant even...
Yesterday my heart hurt for those in Sydney. There were only 2 casualties, and I don't mean that their lives were less, but there were two and a gunman. Today I wake to 126 dead and most of them were children because of some sick Islamic belief.
Look at the news an hour ago and the number has risen to 144.
I cant even.
It's my birthday week and everything is supposed to be super freaking fantastic! Shit brews at work, bosses say mean things, boys are dumb and really, really I just want to sleep. But all of that seems so small. SO SMALL in comparison to what Sydney and Pakistan are going through.
But life is just this... It's trial and tribulations. It's work and fear. It's happiness and encouragement. It's hugs and kind words. It's sadness and grief. Not every day is perfect, but there are oh so many days that are perfect to rule out the absolutely horrible ones.
I certainly hope that those who have lost their family members and loved ones can find their perfect days again.
Yesterday my heart hurt for those in Sydney. There were only 2 casualties, and I don't mean that their lives were less, but there were two and a gunman. Today I wake to 126 dead and most of them were children because of some sick Islamic belief.
Look at the news an hour ago and the number has risen to 144.
I cant even.
It's my birthday week and everything is supposed to be super freaking fantastic! Shit brews at work, bosses say mean things, boys are dumb and really, really I just want to sleep. But all of that seems so small. SO SMALL in comparison to what Sydney and Pakistan are going through.
But life is just this... It's trial and tribulations. It's work and fear. It's happiness and encouragement. It's hugs and kind words. It's sadness and grief. Not every day is perfect, but there are oh so many days that are perfect to rule out the absolutely horrible ones.
I certainly hope that those who have lost their family members and loved ones can find their perfect days again.
Monday, December 15, 2014
Weekends with Willow
So this weekend I spent most of the time at my rents house with Willowbug and Jess making cookies and candy and such for the holidays and the upcoming events. Willow was sick the whole time and did nothing but sleep. The kid never wants to sleep or just be quiet and lay down, but this weekend she did nothing but that. I was sad for her.
Before we realized however that she may not have been feeling well we took a trip to Walmart. This is pretty much when we got the hint because she wanted to be held and coddled. But we made the best of it. We hid things in my shirt so Papa wouldn't see us throw it in the cart. Bandaids, fruit snacks (this one was hard cause the box was so big) crayons. I had to put my foot down with Elsa heels though. After all, Santa is coming next week right?
Like I mentioned above, she was too sleepy to walk much so this happened. And then she nestled herself in my arms for the remaining walk around the store. Needless to say, I hurt.
We bought LOTS of candy. She wanted this one pound bar of chocolate, but I couldn't really justify the price knowing full well that she would never eat the whole thing. So I tried to deter her in some other direction. Instead we got mini chocolate Santas and a reindeer that poops chocolate. That one, though, is for Travs stocking. She couldn't wait to tell Papa and Mama Jude that "it poops chocolate! Ahahahahaha!" as loud as she could in the middle of the store. So redneck, but she's three.
Sunday Jessica spent the day with us. We made cookies, we made arrangements for our trip to CO next month. We sat around and ate. We tended to Willow. We snuggled with some adorable pups. (see below) It amazes me how they snuggle so well together. I would boot my younger brother right off the bed if he did that to me.
Then Travis called and said "uhm, I found a puppy". The puppy looks just like one of theirs. It was too late to call the shelter to see if anyone was missing a baby and too cold to just walk away. So Trav loaded her in his car until we got there after dinner to see her. We brought her back to Jessicas to spend the night until we can think of something to do with her. She is about 5-6 months old. She was super precious and sweet. Had a huge scar of the top of her head, but was not malnourished or anything. She walked in to Jessicas garage, ate some, played some and then went into the kennel to sleep. So she's crate trained. But look at that face. I hope someone comes and claims her, because Jess and Trav already have two, the rents have three if you count Bella as theirs, and I have Maddie (who would NEVER, EVER share me). So this family really just cant have another animal.
This week is going to be crazy busy. But I'll make it work.
Friday, December 12, 2014
Reading Menu
I have three books to read to hit my 100 books for 2014 goal.
Earlier this week I was reading Hidden by Catherine McKenzie. It was decent. I rated it two stars. Not because I didn't like it per say, I just didn't much care for it. The author had the characters all over the place with no definition of who was who. It was hard to keep up with who was narrating the storyline for the first couple of pages of each chapter. With three main characters in the book, one can see why this would be an issue. Secondly, there was no real message with the book. I guess other than the "don't cheat on your spouses", there truly wasn't. And then the ending sucked. But I digress. I wouldn't run out and buy it immediately, but if its free, why not?
But now I am reading Oh, Never Mind by Mary Choi. This is a quick little non fiction read about an Asian living in NYC with a green card who moves to the west coast. The story is mostly about her trials and tribulations in life while in NYC.
I didn't live in NYC, but I've been there a few times, so for me, I get it. Her humor with some of her stories made me literally laugh out loud. I am also a single woman trying to get through in life, so, I get that too. I am not a writer, I work in the medical field, but there have been many, many times where all I can do is say "You know what? Fuck it, never mind" so again, I get it. Overall the novel is refreshing and humorous.
Earlier this week I was reading Hidden by Catherine McKenzie. It was decent. I rated it two stars. Not because I didn't like it per say, I just didn't much care for it. The author had the characters all over the place with no definition of who was who. It was hard to keep up with who was narrating the storyline for the first couple of pages of each chapter. With three main characters in the book, one can see why this would be an issue. Secondly, there was no real message with the book. I guess other than the "don't cheat on your spouses", there truly wasn't. And then the ending sucked. But I digress. I wouldn't run out and buy it immediately, but if its free, why not?
But now I am reading Oh, Never Mind by Mary Choi. This is a quick little non fiction read about an Asian living in NYC with a green card who moves to the west coast. The story is mostly about her trials and tribulations in life while in NYC.
I didn't live in NYC, but I've been there a few times, so for me, I get it. Her humor with some of her stories made me literally laugh out loud. I am also a single woman trying to get through in life, so, I get that too. I am not a writer, I work in the medical field, but there have been many, many times where all I can do is say "You know what? Fuck it, never mind" so again, I get it. Overall the novel is refreshing and humorous.
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Ruin
I had a conversation the other day with someone that I don't normally like to converse with because things can get out of control and I like things to maintain within my control. I need to keep things at a professional level at all times (well most times, and always within the presence of said person). But yesterday said person was being sweet and maybe he got laid, or maybe he got hit in the head with a "you better be nice she can fuck up your life" moment, but he was being sweet. It was a touching moment for me that made me think about myself in a way that I haven't. Not in a while.
"You're an attractive woman, very attractive. And you have the world in front of you. I can see you going places within the office and even above and beyond if you so choose to do so. Don't let anyone ruin you. Don't let anyone ruin you." And with that he walked away.
So the first part wasn't what got to me. It was the "don't let anyone ruin you" part that got to me. I had a dream last night that woke me and I couldn't fall back asleep and that sentence was what I thought about. Its like his words haunt me now.
I could take his words a hundred and one ways, but I would like to think that in his gentleness he meant them in a kind way as well. First though, I was thinking maybe he meant, do let anyone steal my sunshine. Then I thought (because he is very religious) that he meant, do let anyone steal my virginity. But that thought did last very long.
I've been thinking about dating lately. But I don't just want to date. I don't have time for that. I really just want to get to know someone and then date. Which is, I guess, the purpose of dating to begin with. But I like sitting in my house, watching tv, going to the gym, and whatnot far too much to have someone I only just met to ruin that. So his statement I am putting to heart and I am being choosy. I am putting me first, if someone I am dating and even just someone I know doesn't like that then fuck 'em. I'm too tired to be anything different at the moment.
Maybe this time next year I'll actually have someone to bring to the holiday dinner and family dinners and such. Maybe. Maybe not. But what I wont let anyone do, is ruin me.
"You're an attractive woman, very attractive. And you have the world in front of you. I can see you going places within the office and even above and beyond if you so choose to do so. Don't let anyone ruin you. Don't let anyone ruin you." And with that he walked away.
So the first part wasn't what got to me. It was the "don't let anyone ruin you" part that got to me. I had a dream last night that woke me and I couldn't fall back asleep and that sentence was what I thought about. Its like his words haunt me now.
I could take his words a hundred and one ways, but I would like to think that in his gentleness he meant them in a kind way as well. First though, I was thinking maybe he meant, do let anyone steal my sunshine. Then I thought (because he is very religious) that he meant, do let anyone steal my virginity. But that thought did last very long.
I've been thinking about dating lately. But I don't just want to date. I don't have time for that. I really just want to get to know someone and then date. Which is, I guess, the purpose of dating to begin with. But I like sitting in my house, watching tv, going to the gym, and whatnot far too much to have someone I only just met to ruin that. So his statement I am putting to heart and I am being choosy. I am putting me first, if someone I am dating and even just someone I know doesn't like that then fuck 'em. I'm too tired to be anything different at the moment.
Maybe this time next year I'll actually have someone to bring to the holiday dinner and family dinners and such. Maybe. Maybe not. But what I wont let anyone do, is ruin me.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Ahhh... the holidays.
Tomorrow marks the two week point until Christmas, the three week point until New Years and the, I'm sad to admit this, but the one week point until my birthday. For my family, the Eve's are always more important, more joyous, more celebrated than the Days, (except for the birthday because no one cares about the day before a birthday).
Needless to say, everyone is gearing up. The trees are decorated. The cards are sent. The presents (for the most part) are bought. Now we just need the cookies, and the holiday parties (muh, mines the 20th this year) to be over and we get the actual holidays.
But I digress... Heres my list of wants for the next couple of weeks:
Yep, that's the BMW x4. I want one some kind of bad. I know, yet again, that no one will buy me this $45k vehicle. But its on the list because maybe after the new year I'll buy it for myself.
Needless to say, everyone is gearing up. The trees are decorated. The cards are sent. The presents (for the most part) are bought. Now we just need the cookies, and the holiday parties (muh, mines the 20th this year) to be over and we get the actual holidays.
But I digress... Heres my list of wants for the next couple of weeks:
Yes, I know, who's going to be me a ring if not me right? But hey, I like it so it goes on the list. And besides, I still have a papa. He wont buy it though, because its Tiffany and I could go somewhere else and buy the same ring for a fourth of the price. But here it is.
Gold foil scratch off world map. I want to be able to scratch and go and see all that I've explored. Albeit its not very many places at the moment, but some day. Some day I will explore my fair share of Earth.
Camera. Because I don't own one. And I want to explore remember. So I need ways in which to document and remember. For those children of which I've no desire to have.
For one of my spare rooms. I want Willowbug to be able to sleep over, or have guests stay at the house and at the moment, they be sleeping on the couch if this were to happen. So I need a bed. Also, it gives a reason to go to Ikea. Queen though, not king. I don't need my brother finding reasons to never leave if for some reason he feels the need to stay over one night.
I want to be able to have people over and hang out in the backyard around a nice fire. This would be nice.
Or we could hang out in this.
Like my absurdly expensive wish list that no one will even think of buying me? Maybe its more of a shopping list for myself.
2 more weeks people.
Monday, December 8, 2014
518 to 804- Holiday edition
Okay so one would think that the temperament and the vibes from others wouldn't change from one state to the next. Let me tell you something... it does. I will never forget my first holiday season down here. Let me tell the story:
Trav didn't move down yet permanently, but he was visiting for the holidays and decided to stay from Thanksgiving until New Years (yes, he didn't have a job so he could do that). I decided to take him to Walmart for god knows what now, but we were there for something we thought was important. Everything was normal right up until we were walking out and this man stopped Trav in the parking lot to ask what our plans were for the holidays and to have a very merry Christmas and all that jazz. I never saw Trav so like "what the fuck" in my life.
Let me say this about my birth state: people can be nice. People can be nice in public. But mostly, there isn't such pleasantries in the middle of parking lots or walking down the streets as there are here in the south. Down here, everyone is smiling and willing to talk to one another whether they are known to each other or not. If you're in Albany and you walk too close to someone, most likely that person is going to be perturbed, forget pleasantries. There's no random "hi's" or "hello's".
People talk down here. We can be sitting at a restaurant and someone in the table next to us will overhear our conversation and pitch in like its no big deal. The funny thing is though, it doesnt feel rude, it doesn't bother anyone, it just happens.
All of this happens all year round, but there is an even bigger sense of it during the holidays. Like people want others to know that they are appreciated. In NY no one cared. I certainly didn't. And granted, I am not the first one to say "hi, how are you" or "happy holidays" but I wont ignore the person that said it to me either like I would in NY.
Its just that different.
Trav didn't move down yet permanently, but he was visiting for the holidays and decided to stay from Thanksgiving until New Years (yes, he didn't have a job so he could do that). I decided to take him to Walmart for god knows what now, but we were there for something we thought was important. Everything was normal right up until we were walking out and this man stopped Trav in the parking lot to ask what our plans were for the holidays and to have a very merry Christmas and all that jazz. I never saw Trav so like "what the fuck" in my life.
Let me say this about my birth state: people can be nice. People can be nice in public. But mostly, there isn't such pleasantries in the middle of parking lots or walking down the streets as there are here in the south. Down here, everyone is smiling and willing to talk to one another whether they are known to each other or not. If you're in Albany and you walk too close to someone, most likely that person is going to be perturbed, forget pleasantries. There's no random "hi's" or "hello's".
People talk down here. We can be sitting at a restaurant and someone in the table next to us will overhear our conversation and pitch in like its no big deal. The funny thing is though, it doesnt feel rude, it doesn't bother anyone, it just happens.
All of this happens all year round, but there is an even bigger sense of it during the holidays. Like people want others to know that they are appreciated. In NY no one cared. I certainly didn't. And granted, I am not the first one to say "hi, how are you" or "happy holidays" but I wont ignore the person that said it to me either like I would in NY.
Its just that different.
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Wednesday Reading Menu
Today I'm reading Blood Magick, it's part of the O'Dwyer trilogy. Its chick lit. But more importantly I want to talk about what I read over the weekend.
Denise Grover Swank has a new "half" book. Ever heard of her or read 'em? I got started a while back when she first wrote Twenty Eight and a Half Wishes. The series is part of the Rose Gardner mystery series. Now she's up to six books in the series. It's been a whirlwind of characters, emotions, thrills...
I enjoy the books. She writes in a way that keeps me entertained without having to think too much into things, but also I don't always know what is coming, and I like that. It's not a total mind fuck, but its entertaining to say the least. The characters are balanced for the most part, they are funny and I like that too. Any book that can make me laugh out loud is a good book. I don't do it nearly as often as I would like.
I would put it under mystery, humor, romance, YA category.
A little synopsis about Rose: she can see things. When people get too close or she touches them, she can see bits and pieces of what is to come. And whats worse for her, the moment the phase ends, she blurts out whatever it is that she just saw. She sees someone murder someone and she blurts out "you're going to kill someone". Pretty much makes me never want to get close to another person ever. Think about it, if I blurted something like that to someone, they would want to kill me just to shut me up, and the characters that Rose meets do. They hunt her, harass her, use her all the time. She's always up to her ears in trouble, but that makes it all the more interesting.
Her life is a crazy, good, stressful one, but she makes it work. She is young and in love and she is being chased by not one, but two men that adore her. She couldn't ask for more. Or can she? the sixth book just came out last weekend so now I have to wait to see more...
Denise Grover Swank has a new "half" book. Ever heard of her or read 'em? I got started a while back when she first wrote Twenty Eight and a Half Wishes. The series is part of the Rose Gardner mystery series. Now she's up to six books in the series. It's been a whirlwind of characters, emotions, thrills...
I enjoy the books. She writes in a way that keeps me entertained without having to think too much into things, but also I don't always know what is coming, and I like that. It's not a total mind fuck, but its entertaining to say the least. The characters are balanced for the most part, they are funny and I like that too. Any book that can make me laugh out loud is a good book. I don't do it nearly as often as I would like.
I would put it under mystery, humor, romance, YA category.
A little synopsis about Rose: she can see things. When people get too close or she touches them, she can see bits and pieces of what is to come. And whats worse for her, the moment the phase ends, she blurts out whatever it is that she just saw. She sees someone murder someone and she blurts out "you're going to kill someone". Pretty much makes me never want to get close to another person ever. Think about it, if I blurted something like that to someone, they would want to kill me just to shut me up, and the characters that Rose meets do. They hunt her, harass her, use her all the time. She's always up to her ears in trouble, but that makes it all the more interesting.
Her life is a crazy, good, stressful one, but she makes it work. She is young and in love and she is being chased by not one, but two men that adore her. She couldn't ask for more. Or can she? the sixth book just came out last weekend so now I have to wait to see more...
Monday, December 1, 2014
Currently loving...
1.... I made it through Thanksgiving! And I didn't gain any weight. That very well may be due to the fact that I've been going to the gym religiously, not because I didn't eat like a pig.
2.... My cousin came down for a surprise visit from Long Island. Well actually, she was on her way home from North Carolina and decided to stop at the house for a breather. We wished that she could've at least stayed the evening, but she and her man were eager to get home. I don't blame them. Its a long drive. Not one that I am ever eager to take.
3....The gym. Running, stretching, weight lifting. I feel awesome!
4.... The little gem of an Christmas present I got for Willowbug. Can be found here. I cant wait for her to see it and us play in it. I'm a child, this I know.
5.... Planning on building things with my papa. He really is the love of my life. We are going to make my garage a work place for us to do the work I want done in the house. I want to make my office the way that I've always dreamed it to be. Sort of like the library in Beauty and the Beast, but in a realistic world. When that gets started, be sure pics will be followed. I am super pumped!
6.... Some little fur baby sleeping through the night. For almost a week straight! She went to my rents a few months ago and since then she has decided not to sleep ever. So we've done a routine of she gets to play, goes outside, gets a benny and we sleep. I figure if I can get her in a routine we are both happy with then the benny can go, but for now, I am determined to get her to sleep.
7.... Holidays and work parties and such. Enough said
8.... Maybe a Wizards game in February. Just saying.
9.... and a trip to Colorado in January.
10.... Work going by quickly today.
Not currently loving the fact that my birthday is coming up and I am going to be 29. Twenty freaking nine.
That means next year is 30. Where the hell did time go? I swear it was just a few years ago that I was in high school skipping classes (routinely).
But on the plus side, we are talking a trip at the end of the year next year to celebrate all the big birthdays. Jess is 25, Trav 28 (not significant), Heather is 30.... and I'm 30. Ugh, the thought.
2.... My cousin came down for a surprise visit from Long Island. Well actually, she was on her way home from North Carolina and decided to stop at the house for a breather. We wished that she could've at least stayed the evening, but she and her man were eager to get home. I don't blame them. Its a long drive. Not one that I am ever eager to take.
3....The gym. Running, stretching, weight lifting. I feel awesome!
4.... The little gem of an Christmas present I got for Willowbug. Can be found here. I cant wait for her to see it and us play in it. I'm a child, this I know.
5.... Planning on building things with my papa. He really is the love of my life. We are going to make my garage a work place for us to do the work I want done in the house. I want to make my office the way that I've always dreamed it to be. Sort of like the library in Beauty and the Beast, but in a realistic world. When that gets started, be sure pics will be followed. I am super pumped!
6.... Some little fur baby sleeping through the night. For almost a week straight! She went to my rents a few months ago and since then she has decided not to sleep ever. So we've done a routine of she gets to play, goes outside, gets a benny and we sleep. I figure if I can get her in a routine we are both happy with then the benny can go, but for now, I am determined to get her to sleep.
7.... Holidays and work parties and such. Enough said
8.... Maybe a Wizards game in February. Just saying.
9.... and a trip to Colorado in January.
10.... Work going by quickly today.
Not currently loving the fact that my birthday is coming up and I am going to be 29. Twenty freaking nine.
That means next year is 30. Where the hell did time go? I swear it was just a few years ago that I was in high school skipping classes (routinely).
But on the plus side, we are talking a trip at the end of the year next year to celebrate all the big birthdays. Jess is 25, Trav 28 (not significant), Heather is 30.... and I'm 30. Ugh, the thought.
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Twitches
Is it a sign when you get facial twitches only while at work?
One of my girls at the office yesterday told me to ice it. Take some ice and hold it to the twitch spot for a few minutes. I immediately thought that was ridiculous, but when she said it again, I decided to do it at home when it happened later in the evening.
Much to my surprise when I got to work this am and realized that I did not have any facial twitches last night. BUT, my forehead and left eye are at it again as I type. Ugh....
Stress? Lack of sleep?
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving so I will get a day to do nothing but wake up and tend to my fur child and then travel the 25 minutes it takes me to get to my rents to pig out on some food. And Friday, well, my ass is working on Friday, but that is by choice. Mainly because I want to get some work done that I have not been able to do in the past couple of weeks/days because of lack of staff (and interest to be 100% honest). Also because I want the days after Christmas and New Years off. Besides, I'm the boss, if I didn't want to work, I wouldn't.
My ONLY responsibility for tomorrows dinner festivities is a veggie tray. I offered to do more, what little of it I know how to do, but I got out with a veggie tray. Yes!
I'm going to ice my twitch now... before it becomes noticeable to others, if it hasn't already.
One of my girls at the office yesterday told me to ice it. Take some ice and hold it to the twitch spot for a few minutes. I immediately thought that was ridiculous, but when she said it again, I decided to do it at home when it happened later in the evening.
Much to my surprise when I got to work this am and realized that I did not have any facial twitches last night. BUT, my forehead and left eye are at it again as I type. Ugh....
Stress? Lack of sleep?
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving so I will get a day to do nothing but wake up and tend to my fur child and then travel the 25 minutes it takes me to get to my rents to pig out on some food. And Friday, well, my ass is working on Friday, but that is by choice. Mainly because I want to get some work done that I have not been able to do in the past couple of weeks/days because of lack of staff (and interest to be 100% honest). Also because I want the days after Christmas and New Years off. Besides, I'm the boss, if I didn't want to work, I wouldn't.
My ONLY responsibility for tomorrows dinner festivities is a veggie tray. I offered to do more, what little of it I know how to do, but I got out with a veggie tray. Yes!
I'm going to ice my twitch now... before it becomes noticeable to others, if it hasn't already.
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Reading Menu--of sorts
I am reading When You Were Older by Catherine Ryan Hyde. Ever heard of her? She's got a few books under her belt. This is the first I've read of hers, but throughout the whole novel thus far, she's had me thinking and I want to read more.
One question that comes to mind is "where was I for 9-11?"
That's easy. I was home. I was "sick". I hated high school. For me being "sick" was a common theme. Hell, I'm surprised I graduated, not because my grades were bad, they weren't, I just never went. When I was there, physically at the school, I was never in a classroom. I had connections.
I remember my mother calling me and me having to get out of bed in order to answer the phone. All I heard on her end was "Oh my God, Mands are you watching this?" Watching what mom? I was sleeping before you rudely interrupted my blissful rest. Sleep was better than the history or gym class I was most likely missing at the time of the phone call. I turned the news on and then became glued to the screen. By the time my parents got home, I was able to tell them everything that the news reporters knew verbatim. I became more attuned to what was going on in the world on that very day.
I grew up in New York, like mentioned before, but the city was a good two and a half to three hours away from where I lived. So the accident didn't affect my every day activities like it did those in the city. But I knew people who were there, people who sat on the runway waiting for their flights to take off, only to find that they were not going anywhere any time in the near future. I knew people who went to school there. Knew people who lived there. I am fortunate to say however, that I did not know anyone who's life was taken far too soon on that horrific day. I just knew people who were in the right place at the right time, not in the air, not in the towers, not around the towers. I certainly didn't know anyone in the pentagon.
I went to school the next day and everyone was a buzz about what happened. I remember after that, we started having what the school called "lockdowns". Where everything would stop. Everything would shut down. We would have to find places to hide, turn off all the lights, and remain silent until the police and their dogs came around or the school administration thought we had been through enough and could resume with our days.
Having the planes fly into the towers and into the pentagon and destroy all those lives did not make me go to school more, it did not make me think less of Muslins, or be hateful to those of a different race or beliefs, it did not make me grounded. What it did do, was make me relish in my family more, it did make me take a second to think about whether I want to fly or drive anywhere (flying usually wins because my legs drive me batshit crazy after a few hours of sitting) and it did make me follow the news more and more. When I get home every night from work CNN of Fox (depending on how I want to view the world that day) will be on my television at some point throughout the evening.
I can argue the lefts and rights, I can argue the rights and the wrongs, I can argue the whites and the blacks and even the grays. I became more aware of what was going on around me.
The novel isn't so much about 9-11, but its about someones story after 9-11 and what he did, how he overcame and what he had to deal with in his life. So far it's a great story and I would recommend to anyone who wanted to listen.
Do you remember where you were when the towers were hit?
One question that comes to mind is "where was I for 9-11?"
That's easy. I was home. I was "sick". I hated high school. For me being "sick" was a common theme. Hell, I'm surprised I graduated, not because my grades were bad, they weren't, I just never went. When I was there, physically at the school, I was never in a classroom. I had connections.
I remember my mother calling me and me having to get out of bed in order to answer the phone. All I heard on her end was "Oh my God, Mands are you watching this?" Watching what mom? I was sleeping before you rudely interrupted my blissful rest. Sleep was better than the history or gym class I was most likely missing at the time of the phone call. I turned the news on and then became glued to the screen. By the time my parents got home, I was able to tell them everything that the news reporters knew verbatim. I became more attuned to what was going on in the world on that very day.
I grew up in New York, like mentioned before, but the city was a good two and a half to three hours away from where I lived. So the accident didn't affect my every day activities like it did those in the city. But I knew people who were there, people who sat on the runway waiting for their flights to take off, only to find that they were not going anywhere any time in the near future. I knew people who went to school there. Knew people who lived there. I am fortunate to say however, that I did not know anyone who's life was taken far too soon on that horrific day. I just knew people who were in the right place at the right time, not in the air, not in the towers, not around the towers. I certainly didn't know anyone in the pentagon.
I went to school the next day and everyone was a buzz about what happened. I remember after that, we started having what the school called "lockdowns". Where everything would stop. Everything would shut down. We would have to find places to hide, turn off all the lights, and remain silent until the police and their dogs came around or the school administration thought we had been through enough and could resume with our days.
Having the planes fly into the towers and into the pentagon and destroy all those lives did not make me go to school more, it did not make me think less of Muslins, or be hateful to those of a different race or beliefs, it did not make me grounded. What it did do, was make me relish in my family more, it did make me take a second to think about whether I want to fly or drive anywhere (flying usually wins because my legs drive me batshit crazy after a few hours of sitting) and it did make me follow the news more and more. When I get home every night from work CNN of Fox (depending on how I want to view the world that day) will be on my television at some point throughout the evening.
I can argue the lefts and rights, I can argue the rights and the wrongs, I can argue the whites and the blacks and even the grays. I became more aware of what was going on around me.
The novel isn't so much about 9-11, but its about someones story after 9-11 and what he did, how he overcame and what he had to deal with in his life. So far it's a great story and I would recommend to anyone who wanted to listen.
Do you remember where you were when the towers were hit?
Monday, November 24, 2014
Reading Menu
So it's been a while since I've talked about what it is that I am reading. I don't even know where I left off, but I will start with Robert Crane. Ever heard of him?! Me neither until Amazon was giving away free books from the "In the Box" series. Books 1-3 to be exact. And by the time I was done with the third book, I was hooked so badly that I couldn't wait to get my hands on the fourth... and fifth.. and sixth... and seventh... and eighth... and ninth... and that's when I had to wait. But it was good for me to wait a little longer to find out about Mr. Crane, because I spent about two weeks reading about a world I wasn't used to reading and I loved it. Waiting for the tenth book was not my favorite.
Here's a little synopsis of the first series:
Sienna is a meta human, a sarcastic, lost, super strong meta human (read the books, you'll figure it out). Although she doesn't know it yet because she was locked in a house or a box growing up, and when she does figure it out, she gets even stronger and helps the country defend its kind from villains. There are all sorts of meta humans with different types of powers. Hers is the power to kill someone with her touch (try living with that power). Needless to say, she struggles with relationships and her definition of herself. The series is all about her fights, struggles, successes, and triumphs with her kind and the villains she defeats. There is ten books in the "In the Box" series.
Then Mr. Crane gives me even more of Sienna's sassiness and gives me the "Out of the Box" series. I've only read the first book, the second comes out early 2015, but the start of this series is about Sienna on her own, being a part of something bigger to protect her kind. She is working with the US government to help catch those who are destructive and cruel. Normal people cant catch meta humans, so police cant do the job. Sienna, in book one, is brought over to the UK to help them with a mass meta murderer. The end of the book leaves much promise for a seriously riveting series with Sienna.
It's an easy read, super quick for me, but good.
I didn't expect to like it because it is so outside of something that I've ever read before. But I did.
Here's a little synopsis of the first series:
Sienna is a meta human, a sarcastic, lost, super strong meta human (read the books, you'll figure it out). Although she doesn't know it yet because she was locked in a house or a box growing up, and when she does figure it out, she gets even stronger and helps the country defend its kind from villains. There are all sorts of meta humans with different types of powers. Hers is the power to kill someone with her touch (try living with that power). Needless to say, she struggles with relationships and her definition of herself. The series is all about her fights, struggles, successes, and triumphs with her kind and the villains she defeats. There is ten books in the "In the Box" series.
Then Mr. Crane gives me even more of Sienna's sassiness and gives me the "Out of the Box" series. I've only read the first book, the second comes out early 2015, but the start of this series is about Sienna on her own, being a part of something bigger to protect her kind. She is working with the US government to help catch those who are destructive and cruel. Normal people cant catch meta humans, so police cant do the job. Sienna, in book one, is brought over to the UK to help them with a mass meta murderer. The end of the book leaves much promise for a seriously riveting series with Sienna.
It's an easy read, super quick for me, but good.
I didn't expect to like it because it is so outside of something that I've ever read before. But I did.
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Pregnancy dreams and other useless info
Last night I had a dream that I was pregnant. Let me tell you this... fuck. no.
It was so surreal this am when I woke up and it totally took me a minute to realize that my dream was in fact, only a dream. I did not have to run to the OBG-YN this am. I do not have to pee on a stick and pray for 3 or 5 or however many minutes it takes for the little blue or pink line to appear. In order to become pregnant, you need to have sex. In order to have sex, you need to have a man. Again... fuck. no.
Someone else in this family can have kids. Leave my uterus alone.
Secondly, I want to go away somewhere. Somewhere warm. My next trip is to Colorado in the middle of January. I don't know what I was thinking when those plans came about. Was I sober? I had to have been, but for real... Colorado? I did some research and the average high there for January is 21. 21 degrees. I may have to change this...
Anyway, that's enough for now... I need to go feed my love child that's brewing in my tummy, but first, I have to find food.
It was so surreal this am when I woke up and it totally took me a minute to realize that my dream was in fact, only a dream. I did not have to run to the OBG-YN this am. I do not have to pee on a stick and pray for 3 or 5 or however many minutes it takes for the little blue or pink line to appear. In order to become pregnant, you need to have sex. In order to have sex, you need to have a man. Again... fuck. no.
Someone else in this family can have kids. Leave my uterus alone.
Secondly, I want to go away somewhere. Somewhere warm. My next trip is to Colorado in the middle of January. I don't know what I was thinking when those plans came about. Was I sober? I had to have been, but for real... Colorado? I did some research and the average high there for January is 21. 21 degrees. I may have to change this...
Anyway, that's enough for now... I need to go feed my love child that's brewing in my tummy, but first, I have to find food.
Monday, November 10, 2014
Currently Loving
2// The Chex I am currently consuming by the handfuls for breakfast.
3// Not dragging this bleaky Monday morning. I don't know why, but for the most part, the beginning of the weeks always fly by for me. It's the end of the weeks that drag and then the weekends are non-existent.
4// The fact that maybe, just maybe my brother has given up on the idea that I am the one who needs to give the rents their first grandchild simply because I am the older one. He talked about giving the rents one just yesterday as Jess and I gave each other high fives behind his back. Maybe, just maybe, he's growing up a bit. I think the gender reveal for the neighbors grandbaby this weekend got to everyone. Hell, even I was thinking about it... but without a thing called a boyfriend, that shit is kinda hard to pull off. BUT, I asked my mother what she wanted for Christmas and she very quickly responded with a "for you to have a boyfriend" so maybe I'll start contemplating that idea as well. Maybe. (How many times do you think I could say "maybe" in this blog today?)
5// Can we get back to #1 a minute with this one?
He looks like a Frenchie here with his little arms and ears up in the air, but he's not. He's a mutt.
6// The holidays. Normally I discourage the holiday spirit because I am the one in the fam without anyone to bring to all the dinners, but this year I cannot wait to have a break and celebrate with the fam.
7// Willow. I spend some time with her yesterday and she continues to outsmart me on many levels. Like we were watching a game and there was what I thought was a snake. I said something about it and she looked at me sternly and said "its not a snake Aunt Manda, its a sand serpent". What. The. Fuck. She'll be four. Jess' bday is this weekend and Trav wants to take her out somewhere, so I told them I would watch her for a bit. I may have her for her first sleepover at Mandas house. I don't know whether to laugh or cry. I love her, but I love my freedom more... right?! But its only one night. Maybe.
8// Then there's this miserable face all weekend, mad at me because of # 1 and 5.
My world.
9// Boots. Want boots for Christmas and birthday.
Can be found here.
And here.
They're not expensive. At all.
10// The fact that I finally finished Allegiant (the last book of the Divergent series). It was awful. I hated it. I wanted it to be like the first two, but no. Veronica Roth lost me on the last one. Mind you, I didn't care that Tris died, when I heard that she was going to before I even read it I was like okay, makes for a more interesting story line. Then she lives through the "death serum" and dies because she was shot? What. The. Fuck. Who does that? Why let her live through the serum then? And I couldn't get over the whole PMS thing from both Tris and Tobias. I really wanted them to stop whining, hating and then loving each other and just grow up. I felt like the end of the series was such a waste of my time. I should've stopped after the first two.
Friday, November 7, 2014
"You Tried to Kill Yourself?"
I don't think there needs to be anything more said about this. I am obsessed.
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Reading Menu
I really wanted to be done with the Divergent Series by now... but I'm not. Between work and illness and such I just haven't been that into.
Also, I think a huge role of it is that the third book is kind of dragging for me. The first two books had me hook, line and sinker. I thought about them the moment I woke up thinking that I needed to somehow figure out a way to read in the shower, read while driving, just read while "working". With this last book, however, I am really struggling.
I still like the ideas. The fact that everyone is trying to fit in somewhere is generally the same with real life, we just don't have such specific guidelines. If I'm in the nerdy clique in school, I can still be an athlete, still be compassionate, and can still be cruel. With the people in the book it's one thing or the other, you cant be both.
The first two are written from Tris perspective. The third one is from both Tris and Tobias. I am having a hard time following with that because they are both within pages of each other and both in the same situations. It's like a read a page thinking that I am read through Tris and I get to the next page and realize its been Tobias the whole time. It's a little over(under)whelming to try to keep up.
I am halfway through the last book. We'll see how I like the rest of it...
Also, I think a huge role of it is that the third book is kind of dragging for me. The first two books had me hook, line and sinker. I thought about them the moment I woke up thinking that I needed to somehow figure out a way to read in the shower, read while driving, just read while "working". With this last book, however, I am really struggling.
I still like the ideas. The fact that everyone is trying to fit in somewhere is generally the same with real life, we just don't have such specific guidelines. If I'm in the nerdy clique in school, I can still be an athlete, still be compassionate, and can still be cruel. With the people in the book it's one thing or the other, you cant be both.
The first two are written from Tris perspective. The third one is from both Tris and Tobias. I am having a hard time following with that because they are both within pages of each other and both in the same situations. It's like a read a page thinking that I am read through Tris and I get to the next page and realize its been Tobias the whole time. It's a little over(under)whelming to try to keep up.
I am halfway through the last book. We'll see how I like the rest of it...
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Feeling
Smug. Like the Republicans took control of the senate. Not so much a win for the republicans as it is a show of poor faith in the dems. The country is going to hell in a hand basket.
I stayed up wayyyyy to late watching the outcome. It wasn't an easy win. All the wins that the reps had wasn't by a landslide, hell, I'm sure there are even going to be some recounts because all the states that the rep picked up, it was like a 49-48, or 52-48 margin.
Nevertheless, a win is a win, and maybe the reps taking control of the senate will mean some changes. Maybe. Hopefully.
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
518 to 804- WaWa
Okay so the 518 has Stewart's and in many, many ways that nothing can compare (maybe just a few) (maybe just one). The 804, the 804 has this place called WaWa. For those of you that have never been and have been down south, south of the Mason Dixon, you need to go. They have everything you could possible imagine, and then some.
Like I want mac and cheese for lunch because its cold out, WaWa.
Want a frozen mocha coffee, WaWa.
Want a milkshake, WaWa.
Want a sub, made any way, without having to talk to people ever about it, WaWa.
They have these touch screens to order from, so really you go in, don't have to make eye contact or pleasantries with anyone. Pay for your shit and walk out.
They've every kind of coffee imaginable.
A regular gas station, so beer, chips, sodas, ice cream.
But then they've got the "healthy" section too. With fruits, salads, humus, wraps all pre-made to grab and go.
Stewart's, yes, they have the made to serve ice cream in multiple flavors that I have missed over the years, but that's about the only thing I miss from that store. Well, that and the memories. I do have some pretty legit memories (many I cannot share, ever) of my days spent both working and shopping at the store.
If it was ever a fight between the norths Stewart's and the souths Wawa... I think this is one fight that the south may actually win.
Like I want mac and cheese for lunch because its cold out, WaWa.
Want a frozen mocha coffee, WaWa.
Want a milkshake, WaWa.
Want a sub, made any way, without having to talk to people ever about it, WaWa.
They have these touch screens to order from, so really you go in, don't have to make eye contact or pleasantries with anyone. Pay for your shit and walk out.
They've every kind of coffee imaginable.
A regular gas station, so beer, chips, sodas, ice cream.
But then they've got the "healthy" section too. With fruits, salads, humus, wraps all pre-made to grab and go.
Stewart's, yes, they have the made to serve ice cream in multiple flavors that I have missed over the years, but that's about the only thing I miss from that store. Well, that and the memories. I do have some pretty legit memories (many I cannot share, ever) of my days spent both working and shopping at the store.
If it was ever a fight between the norths Stewart's and the souths Wawa... I think this is one fight that the south may actually win.
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Thursday Confession Session
One \\ Scandal. I find myself both wanting to be more like Olivia Pope and then I find that there are ways that we are similar and I dont want to be like her anymore.
But then she says shit like that and I want to be her all over again.
Two \\ Sleep.. is missing from my life and I need it back. Like ASAP. I was away all weekend, hoping around like some teenager or 21 year old going on a binge. I stayed up way too late, woke up too early, was here, was there. Now I'm home and I still cant get back to my "home by 6, in pjs by 6:05, curled up with dinner and my DVR by 6:10" routine. I have dinner meetings, dinner parties, work shit that needs to be done. All I have to say is whomever makes me do anything this weekend will get kicked.
Three \\ Halloween. Havent bought candy for those little twerps that will most likely be knocking on my door. Havent decided if I want to go to Jess' house or not to celebrate and see Willowbug. Havent spoken with her about it to see if I was still invited to begin with now that her and Trav are at odds. Havent thought about going out because I never go out and certainly not dressed up as anything for Halloween.
Four \\ Dinner meetings. I hate them. Especially when I know who is going to be at these dinner meetings. I dont have the patience.
My papa is going to be at this dinner meeting though. Its the only plus side. The only reason why my soul doesnt plead for me to end the suckiness that is my job. I guess its one of the best perks of working in the same field as my father. I dont have to work with him every day, but I get to have meetings, get to consult, and chat about anything I need to with him. It makes things easier. However, on the daily, trying to deal with some people makes me not want to get out of bed... ever.
Five \\ Sibling nonsense. I really want to punch my brother in the face sometimes. I mean, most of the time. He can be sweet, loving and kind, but damn if he aint the biggest ass 95% of the time. I dont get his antics or why he does what he does sometimes, but then again, there are moments when I see pieces of me, pieces of who I used to be in him, and I want to warn him. I cant however, because we cant have that conversation. It would only make me look absolutely batshit crazy. But for real, I think if he knew now, what I know, then he would be different, he would be happier.
Six \\ "She is well practiced in the art of losing herself. I can't say that same of myself." Tris- "Divergent" Makes me think about myself, my brother and some of the other people that I know. I wake up every morning thinking a certain way, and then by the end of it, something changes. I lose myself to the person I need to be at work, then I lose myself to the person I need to be in front of my rents, and in front of my friends. All three of those people combined dont even make the me I think I am. With my brother its the same thing for the most part. Although, I am really starting to think that hes bipolar because.... fuck! He loses himself, or what I think is himself when he drinks, when his eyes change color, when the lights go out. Its never the same. He is never the same for long. I am always changing. Maybe for the best, maybe not, but everyday I portray atleast three different versions of me.
Seven \\ Vacation. Need one. Thinking tropical. Island. Fruity drinks. Books galore. Carefree fun. and sleep, lots and lots of uninterrupted sleep.
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Reading Menu and Whatnot
All right so what have I read since last week...
Not much. I finished the "Not Quite" series. Like I mentioned last week, I enjoyed them, but it was a super easy, fun read. Nothing to make me think or nothing to make me miss it when the books ended.
But I did some traveling this weekend and while en route on the plane I decided to watch some movies. One of them was August: Osage County and Divergent. August on the way there, Divergent on the way home. August I couldve lived without seeing, ever. But Divergent... Divergent I watched twice because the flight was so bumpy and awful I felt like I needed something to occupy my mind (pretty much to keep me sane and without tears).
I was adamant about not reading the series that everyone was talking about. I read the Harry Potter series and I read the Twilight series, and though I liked both, I didnt want another book series passion just yet. I liked Twilight, but I think the movies ruined it for me. Now I see the characters in my mind of those who I've seen in the movies, and lets be honest, whoever cast Kristen Stewart as Bella should have been fired immediately. I dont see the characters that I had in my mind while reading the books, and for me that sucks. But Harry Potter, I could stay at home all day and watch the movies and read the books. They are things that I want to share with Willow, presence permitted or with kids that are in the family whether they be mine (heaven forbid) or Travs (lately thats a scarier thought). I bring HP to my daily life with thoughts, quotes, images from both the movies and the books.
I havent read The Hunger Games series and I havent read The Divergent series. I've watched both first movies and THG I've no desire to start reading even after the movie. But Divergent, I picked up immediately. I couldnt wait to see the characters in my mind and read what the story was behind the movie. I want to see how it all plays out in the end. So last night, when I was climbing into bed, I opened up book one on my kindle and read until I fell asleep.
That took about two minutes because I was exhausted from flying the red eye and family time and all that. So needless to say I didnt get very far into it, and will have more on the series next week.
Not much. I finished the "Not Quite" series. Like I mentioned last week, I enjoyed them, but it was a super easy, fun read. Nothing to make me think or nothing to make me miss it when the books ended.
But I did some traveling this weekend and while en route on the plane I decided to watch some movies. One of them was August: Osage County and Divergent. August on the way there, Divergent on the way home. August I couldve lived without seeing, ever. But Divergent... Divergent I watched twice because the flight was so bumpy and awful I felt like I needed something to occupy my mind (pretty much to keep me sane and without tears).
I was adamant about not reading the series that everyone was talking about. I read the Harry Potter series and I read the Twilight series, and though I liked both, I didnt want another book series passion just yet. I liked Twilight, but I think the movies ruined it for me. Now I see the characters in my mind of those who I've seen in the movies, and lets be honest, whoever cast Kristen Stewart as Bella should have been fired immediately. I dont see the characters that I had in my mind while reading the books, and for me that sucks. But Harry Potter, I could stay at home all day and watch the movies and read the books. They are things that I want to share with Willow, presence permitted or with kids that are in the family whether they be mine (heaven forbid) or Travs (lately thats a scarier thought). I bring HP to my daily life with thoughts, quotes, images from both the movies and the books.
I havent read The Hunger Games series and I havent read The Divergent series. I've watched both first movies and THG I've no desire to start reading even after the movie. But Divergent, I picked up immediately. I couldnt wait to see the characters in my mind and read what the story was behind the movie. I want to see how it all plays out in the end. So last night, when I was climbing into bed, I opened up book one on my kindle and read until I fell asleep.
That took about two minutes because I was exhausted from flying the red eye and family time and all that. So needless to say I didnt get very far into it, and will have more on the series next week.
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
518 to 804- Weather
I figured I'd use this as a stomping ground to go through some of the things that are different down here in the 804 (VA) compared to that of the 518 (NY) where I lived for the first 25 years of my life.
What comes to mind today is the weather.
When I was growing up, I did not go trick-or-treating for Halloween. My parents just bought us candy because it was ALWAYS cold and rainy. I dont mean like a little bit cold either, I mean like on a borderline snow mix rain kind of level and theres no point in dressing up when you have to wear a sweatshirt UNDER the princess costume and a jacket OVER it, really whats the point.
Halloween is 3 days away and its 82 degrees outside today. The weather report for Friday is 70 something. That means I'm going to have all those little punk kids knocking on my door ((that is if I dont go out with Willowbug)) and pissing Maddie off because the weather is going to be nice.
Granted now it does get a little cooler at night in the Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb months, but the days can be anywhere from 30-70. I remember last year sitting on my porch in Jan singing "Sunny and 75" because it was warm at 75 and there were daffodils already in my front yard.
The fall doesnt have the foliage that NY does with the vibrant colors and all, but the leaves do change color. But its not the same as driving through the mountains in the Adirondacks with such amazement at the colors and brightness of everything.
The summer months get warm, but not ridiculously warm. There were maybe two days where I walked outside and thought to myself "OMG I cant breathe" but for the most part, its just beautiful.
The spring months are my favorite weather. This is when its a little warm, a little cool. The evenings are 60-70, the days are 70-80. Its perfect leave the windows open in the house kind of day.
The winter months have some coolness, but very little, and I mean very little snow. Maybe a dusting at most. (although I heard this winter is going to be bad according to the almanac) Unlike NYs feet (not foot) but feet of snow.
Its not the same. The weather between here and there. I enjoy the weather here more. We have what my mother likes to call the "Virginia Sky". Probably 300 days of the year its blue sky. I dont just mean blue sky, I mean not a cloud in the sky blue sky. Theres no either or when it comes to the clouds down here. Either they fill the sky completely, or there arent any at all. And the blue, the blue is different too. Maybe because we are closer to the ocean here than in NY, but the sky is a deeper shade of sky blue, less white more blue. Its beautiful. (really)
What comes to mind today is the weather.
When I was growing up, I did not go trick-or-treating for Halloween. My parents just bought us candy because it was ALWAYS cold and rainy. I dont mean like a little bit cold either, I mean like on a borderline snow mix rain kind of level and theres no point in dressing up when you have to wear a sweatshirt UNDER the princess costume and a jacket OVER it, really whats the point.
Halloween is 3 days away and its 82 degrees outside today. The weather report for Friday is 70 something. That means I'm going to have all those little punk kids knocking on my door ((that is if I dont go out with Willowbug)) and pissing Maddie off because the weather is going to be nice.
Granted now it does get a little cooler at night in the Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb months, but the days can be anywhere from 30-70. I remember last year sitting on my porch in Jan singing "Sunny and 75" because it was warm at 75 and there were daffodils already in my front yard.
The fall doesnt have the foliage that NY does with the vibrant colors and all, but the leaves do change color. But its not the same as driving through the mountains in the Adirondacks with such amazement at the colors and brightness of everything.
The summer months get warm, but not ridiculously warm. There were maybe two days where I walked outside and thought to myself "OMG I cant breathe" but for the most part, its just beautiful.
The spring months are my favorite weather. This is when its a little warm, a little cool. The evenings are 60-70, the days are 70-80. Its perfect leave the windows open in the house kind of day.
The winter months have some coolness, but very little, and I mean very little snow. Maybe a dusting at most. (although I heard this winter is going to be bad according to the almanac) Unlike NYs feet (not foot) but feet of snow.
Its not the same. The weather between here and there. I enjoy the weather here more. We have what my mother likes to call the "Virginia Sky". Probably 300 days of the year its blue sky. I dont just mean blue sky, I mean not a cloud in the sky blue sky. Theres no either or when it comes to the clouds down here. Either they fill the sky completely, or there arent any at all. And the blue, the blue is different too. Maybe because we are closer to the ocean here than in NY, but the sky is a deeper shade of sky blue, less white more blue. Its beautiful. (really)
Friday, October 24, 2014
Letters
90% of the time I do not answer the phone. Not at work because I hire staff to do that shit so I dont have to. Not at home because when the phone rings I look at Maddie like "wtf is that" until I realize that yes, yes I do have a home phone. And rarely on my cell unless I know who it is or I want to talk. (I usually have to call back because I missed the first call anyway.) So when the phone rings and I DO answer it, please try not to be dumb. I know that for some this is a hard concept. When I answer, dont say "Hey this is (enter stupid name here)...." and pause for an abnormally long time until I say something. Just tell me why it is that you are calling. Dont waste my time while you blubber and try to remember why it is that you called in the first place. And then, this is the best part, dont get pissed at me because I dont tell you what it is that you want to hear. I'm not here to placate you, I dont care, just do whats expected of you. And while you're at it, stop calling me.
Dear Anxiety,
I don't like you. Lately you have become something that I do not want around 90% of the time. I do not do well with you sitting on my chest like a thousand pound elephant. I cannot breathe. You make me worry, you make me stress, you make me unable to focus on the shit that I need to be focused on. Most importantly though, you make me not have fun. For a little while, I want to have fun. So cut the shit out.
I love you. But you piss me off something fierce. I cannot fix everything for you. Nor do I want to. At some point you need to grow up and be the man that I know you can be. You just have to want it. Sometimes, I see that man coming through. I get glimpses of him in the little things that you do and say, but other times, I really just want to strangle the fuck out of you because really?! REALLY?! Not everything is about you, the world doesnt owe you a damn thing. Stop acting like it does. Simply enjoy what life gives you and be fucking happy about it. You deserve to be happy too. If you could just get out of your own way and your own head for a little bit, things would be so much different for you. Things would be better. Let people love you, surprisingly enough, some WANT to. Yet you push them away because you feel like you dont deserve it. If I love you, you little bitch, you deserve it. So cut the shit out and grow up.
Dear Airports,
Dont do me wrong today. I hate flying. Not so much the being in the air, take off or touch down part, but the "oh shit did I lose something?" or "do I have everything I need?" part. On the last trip I went on, my OCD and anxiety fucked me up so bad that literally every 2 minutes I was checking my phone to make sure I wasnt late, peed so I didnt have to do it en route, and checked to make sure I had my ticket. Well guess what, somewhere between security and the check in, I LOST MY BOARDING PASS. I started crying. The flight people had to know that I was indeed on a flight otherwise I wouldnt have gotten through security, but it took its toll on me. Things would be a lot easier on me if they didnt have a thing called a "layover". Direct flights only please. And now with this ebola scare, getting through security is going to be twice the burden. I cant wait (thats a lie, and utter and total lie). I dont want to catch anything, I dont want to panic and be stressed, I really just want to go and do my thing and be satisfied at the end of the day. Please allow for that to happen. Thanks.
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Currently Lovin'
Normally Thursdays are bittersweet for me. I enjoy Thursdays after 5, it's before 5, or maybe from 1-5 that stresses me out. But today I find that there are a few things that I am thoroughly enjoying. To name a few...
Currently lovin' #1
The fact that in a few hours I get to curl up in front of the television with my child for some awesome prime time. Thank God It's Thursday. Shondaland. Tony Goldwyn makes me wet.
Currently lovin #2
My new nail polish for the fall season. Now that I actually have nails (when I'm not stressing anyway) I can splash some polish on them to make them look fancy. I enjoy this color. Can buy at any pharmacy or grocery store.
The "Not Quite" series on my kindle. I am going away this weekend and this series is an easy read, but has me entranced. You can buy them here.
Currently lovin #4
The weather. Not cold, but not too warm either. Just right to sit outside after work and read for a bit while Maddie runs around exploring. And even though I'll be away, it looks like a fabulous weekend coming up for my friends and family. And then next week....
Currently lovin' #1
The fact that in a few hours I get to curl up in front of the television with my child for some awesome prime time. Thank God It's Thursday. Shondaland. Tony Goldwyn makes me wet.
Currently lovin #2
My new nail polish for the fall season. Now that I actually have nails (when I'm not stressing anyway) I can splash some polish on them to make them look fancy. I enjoy this color. Can buy at any pharmacy or grocery store.
Currently lovin #3The "Not Quite" series on my kindle. I am going away this weekend and this series is an easy read, but has me entranced. You can buy them here.
Currently lovin #4
The weather. Not cold, but not too warm either. Just right to sit outside after work and read for a bit while Maddie runs around exploring. And even though I'll be away, it looks like a fabulous weekend coming up for my friends and family. And then next week....
Currently lovin' #5
My new blankie that my mother bought me. It was supposed to be a Christmas/birthday gift, but I stole that shit. I am in love. What's worse, my child loves it too. We climb into bed and she paws her way around the blankie to make sure that shit is just right. Wont sleep where she slept before, now she needs the blankie. Let me tell you something, if you dont have this in your life, you need it. You can buy it here.
And as always, I'm lovin' this little face
Look at that. How can one not love that?!
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Wednesday's Reading Menu
All right, so I finished Gone Girl. Then started and finished the Park Service series. Then started and am in the middle of the Not Quite series, but I'll get to all that.
Gone Girl...
Really the book was such a mind fuck. One minute he did it and had me believing that he did it and somehow managed to forget. The next minute he didn't do it, would never do such a thing. The way that Flynn moved in and out of the characters, giving them both ample reasons and opportunites was done in a great way to master the mind fuck of not really knowing who did what until the climax. (That could be just me though, others may have known from the beginning). As much as I enjoyed the book, I hated the ending. I really hope that the writers of the movie changed the ending because that bullshit just sucks. Who's allowed to set up murder, allow for a manhut and then just get away with it? Straight bullshit.
Favorite quote: "Give me a man with a little fight in him, one that calls me on my bullshit."
In general, I feel the same way. I dont want a relationship to be compliant. I want someone to love me enough to be like "you're fucking crazy at times, but...".
Park Service Series.
I started the trilogy a few months ago. Read the first book and then forgot about the second one until the third one came out. So I read both of them this weekend.
The Park Service trilogy is about a boy who comes up from living in the underground looking for Eden. Only when he comes up, he doesnt find the place that he was always told was rainbows and butterflies, he finds that the world is full people who live forever wanting to take over all earths creatures.
Think of it this way. We live on earth where there are trees, sun, ocean, etc. but there could be a whole different world 100 feet below the surface that only dreams about living up where we live. Thats what this series is about.
There are 2 main characters who are stuck in the upper world trying to fend off the Park Service group that is trying to destroy the world and all its liveliness. This is a group of people who have taken some longevity serum to keep them alive for 1000 years and then want to run the world and all its creatures. The only way to do that is to wipe out the world as they know it. When Aubrey comes to the surface from the underworld he is being hunted by those who want to destroy everything.
This is Aubrey's story and his friendships with the people and creatures he makes along the way. It is a story about friendships, betrayal and the fight for survival.
Gone Girl...
Really the book was such a mind fuck. One minute he did it and had me believing that he did it and somehow managed to forget. The next minute he didn't do it, would never do such a thing. The way that Flynn moved in and out of the characters, giving them both ample reasons and opportunites was done in a great way to master the mind fuck of not really knowing who did what until the climax. (That could be just me though, others may have known from the beginning). As much as I enjoyed the book, I hated the ending. I really hope that the writers of the movie changed the ending because that bullshit just sucks. Who's allowed to set up murder, allow for a manhut and then just get away with it? Straight bullshit.
Favorite quote: "Give me a man with a little fight in him, one that calls me on my bullshit."
In general, I feel the same way. I dont want a relationship to be compliant. I want someone to love me enough to be like "you're fucking crazy at times, but...".
Park Service Series.
I started the trilogy a few months ago. Read the first book and then forgot about the second one until the third one came out. So I read both of them this weekend.
The Park Service trilogy is about a boy who comes up from living in the underground looking for Eden. Only when he comes up, he doesnt find the place that he was always told was rainbows and butterflies, he finds that the world is full people who live forever wanting to take over all earths creatures.
Think of it this way. We live on earth where there are trees, sun, ocean, etc. but there could be a whole different world 100 feet below the surface that only dreams about living up where we live. Thats what this series is about.
There are 2 main characters who are stuck in the upper world trying to fend off the Park Service group that is trying to destroy the world and all its liveliness. This is a group of people who have taken some longevity serum to keep them alive for 1000 years and then want to run the world and all its creatures. The only way to do that is to wipe out the world as they know it. When Aubrey comes to the surface from the underworld he is being hunted by those who want to destroy everything.
This is Aubrey's story and his friendships with the people and creatures he makes along the way. It is a story about friendships, betrayal and the fight for survival.
Monday, October 20, 2014
Weekends with Willow
This weekend I spent most of my time with my three year old future, surrogate niece. She is my brothers girlfriends daughter. She is 40 pounds of pure innocence (not) and laughter rolled into one. Here's five of the things I remember from her this weekend:
1.While shopping in a store looking through jewlery she hands me a necklace and tells me that "Mommy neeeeeeeds this."
Now, my brother practically shits himself every time someone brings up the words "ring", "wedding", "engagement", or "wife" so the fact that she picked out this very neckalce had me rolling with laughter.
2. We are walking around the mall and she's focused on not stepping on any cracks because "that'll hurt mommy" and she's rambling about what we are all going to be for Halloween. The list goes as follows:
Mommy- A beautiful butterfly, next year shes going to be a witch just like me though
Daddy- Well Travis is going to be a racecar driver, a slow one, with a yellow outfit
Papa- A pirate, with two legs though and no thingy over his eye
Mama Judy- a ghost, with blue eyes
Me- a cook, to either cook bacon or do baking, I couldnt really tell, she was mumbling. But most likely the bacon one because she's a ham.
And little Willow herself is going to be a witch. A mean one that kills us all, one that goes "oooooooooooooooo" in a little ghost voice.
Even hours later, she could tell me exactly what it was we were all going to be.
3. We are at Walmart getting the promised movie because she's not mine and I can spoil her and she stops in the middle of the isle and just points with a big smile on her face. I asked her if she likes what it is that she is pointing at and she tells me that "Papa needs this at the house! But he needs to bring his big truck to get it because it wont fit in your car Amanda. Call him and make him come!"
1.While shopping in a store looking through jewlery she hands me a necklace and tells me that "Mommy neeeeeeeds this."
2. We are walking around the mall and she's focused on not stepping on any cracks because "that'll hurt mommy" and she's rambling about what we are all going to be for Halloween. The list goes as follows:
Mommy- A beautiful butterfly, next year shes going to be a witch just like me though
Daddy- Well Travis is going to be a racecar driver, a slow one, with a yellow outfit
Papa- A pirate, with two legs though and no thingy over his eye
Mama Judy- a ghost, with blue eyes
Me- a cook, to either cook bacon or do baking, I couldnt really tell, she was mumbling. But most likely the bacon one because she's a ham.
And little Willow herself is going to be a witch. A mean one that kills us all, one that goes "oooooooooooooooo" in a little ghost voice.
Even hours later, she could tell me exactly what it was we were all going to be.
3. We are at Walmart getting the promised movie because she's not mine and I can spoil her and she stops in the middle of the isle and just points with a big smile on her face. I asked her if she likes what it is that she is pointing at and she tells me that "Papa needs this at the house! But he needs to bring his big truck to get it because it wont fit in your car Amanda. Call him and make him come!"
(SN: papa agreed that he needed it in the front of the house)
4. She's watching Shrek on papas laptop on the couch, I have the big tv on in front of her and I am reading on my ipad and she looks at me with utter disgust and says "you're wastin 'lectricity with that big tv on, turn it off." I told her that its papa's house and its okay to have two on at the same time. She looks at me and says "I saiiiiiid turn. it. off." Needless to say I did.
5. "I'm bigger than you." As shes standing on the couch while I am sitting. "But I'm never gonna grow up, just be big enough to ride the ambulance ride at the fair and that 's it."
And I cant forget when she melted my heart a little bit when she cuddled up to me and whispered "I love you".
She's not blood, but she might as well be, besides when has that ever stopped anyone from loving someone?
Friday, October 17, 2014
518 to 804
Almost 4 years ago I moved from a small town in upstate New York to an equally small town in central Virginia. By upstate New York, I dont mean just a little north of the city like Newburgh, or west like Buffalo. I mean Mass border, 2.5-3 hours north of the city. Not too far from Saratoga, where the races are held (if you're fancy and are one of those people).
I hated my job. I was making little to nothing and working all the time. Driving in crazy weather just to make sure I got to work and then because I was the only one to show up, had to stay all day. I was in the process of buying a house I didnt think I would ever be able to afford on my salary, but I didnt want to be one of those kids who lived at home forever (despite my papa's wishes). New York had become something that I didnt like. I didnt like who I was becoming, or rather who I was and I wanted to change.
My parents had moved down to Virigina and I was living in the house that they were going to sell (any day now) with my college going, always drunk and having parties at the house, irresponsible brother whom I was ready to kill. So much so that I was constantly traveling to other parts of the world just to "get away".
So I quit my job and started to look for one in VA. I had talked to my rents about letting me stay with them until I found a job/housing arrangements and such. Of course they agreed because who doesnt want their children to live with them forever, and ever... and ever.
I packed up the house that I was living in because even though it was on the market, there was all my stuff and half my parents stuff that they hadnt moved down south yet simply because they didnt have the time to pack it all up. Packing and arranging and cleaning became my full time job for a month. Then one beautiful day my father pulled up in a moving truck and we headed south.
We had like a dozen good bye parties at the house for friends and family. I didnt want to leave them, but at the same time I was ready for a new beginning I was ready to start something different and end the New York chapter of my life.
Since moving down here I have been to what was my "home" for 25 years twice. Both of those times added up to 4.5 days.
It was like somewhere between the 500+ plus mile drive down here I decided that I didnt like who I was anymore and I was going to change that. My little fur ball was in the back seat sleeping, I was jammin' to something (I cant remember what, but probably Sugarland at the time) and everything changed. I woke up one morning at 4 when it was freezing cold in NY and started driving. I was able to see the sun come up and by the time we stopped in Maryland to stretch it was warm. I'm not talking like a 5-10 degree difference either. I'm talking like we left and it was 30 and we stopped and it was 70. We pulled into my parents new house and it was 80. I could not believe that this was where I was going to live. Does it even hit 80 in the summer time in NY? Yes, but growing up as a kid it sure as shit did not feel like it.
There are a world of differences between life in NY and life in VA such as:
I hated my job. I was making little to nothing and working all the time. Driving in crazy weather just to make sure I got to work and then because I was the only one to show up, had to stay all day. I was in the process of buying a house I didnt think I would ever be able to afford on my salary, but I didnt want to be one of those kids who lived at home forever (despite my papa's wishes). New York had become something that I didnt like. I didnt like who I was becoming, or rather who I was and I wanted to change.
My parents had moved down to Virigina and I was living in the house that they were going to sell (any day now) with my college going, always drunk and having parties at the house, irresponsible brother whom I was ready to kill. So much so that I was constantly traveling to other parts of the world just to "get away".
So I quit my job and started to look for one in VA. I had talked to my rents about letting me stay with them until I found a job/housing arrangements and such. Of course they agreed because who doesnt want their children to live with them forever, and ever... and ever.
I packed up the house that I was living in because even though it was on the market, there was all my stuff and half my parents stuff that they hadnt moved down south yet simply because they didnt have the time to pack it all up. Packing and arranging and cleaning became my full time job for a month. Then one beautiful day my father pulled up in a moving truck and we headed south.
We had like a dozen good bye parties at the house for friends and family. I didnt want to leave them, but at the same time I was ready for a new beginning I was ready to start something different and end the New York chapter of my life.
Since moving down here I have been to what was my "home" for 25 years twice. Both of those times added up to 4.5 days.
It was like somewhere between the 500+ plus mile drive down here I decided that I didnt like who I was anymore and I was going to change that. My little fur ball was in the back seat sleeping, I was jammin' to something (I cant remember what, but probably Sugarland at the time) and everything changed. I woke up one morning at 4 when it was freezing cold in NY and started driving. I was able to see the sun come up and by the time we stopped in Maryland to stretch it was warm. I'm not talking like a 5-10 degree difference either. I'm talking like we left and it was 30 and we stopped and it was 70. We pulled into my parents new house and it was 80. I could not believe that this was where I was going to live. Does it even hit 80 in the summer time in NY? Yes, but growing up as a kid it sure as shit did not feel like it.
There are a world of differences between life in NY and life in VA such as:
-taxes
-prices of almost everything
-language
-food
-cars
(all of these I will get to at a later date)
(all of these I will get to at a later date)
I shit you not, everything is different. I miss my family and friends, and I miss certain things, but for the most part I wouldnt change it for the world.
After I moved down here, I finished with my masters, got a "big girl" job that I love, working for someone who took a chance on my "maybe being okay at the job" and bought a house. Things changed so completely and I don't think that would've happened had I still been living in NY.
Let me tell you something. If someone gives you the opportunity to pack up all your shit and start somewehere new, fucking take it and run. It was the best decision I have ever made.
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