tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73290422862805003912024-02-19T23:29:45.035-07:00it starts with livingThis is the wind in my hair. This is the salt on my lips. This is my life, my heart.bubblegum.princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15346049141151869556noreply@blogger.comBlogger224125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329042286280500391.post-75309804505407704382014-01-26T21:17:00.002-07:002014-01-26T21:24:13.376-07:00Stop the wars!<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Recently I've noticed quite a few people posting a link to a <a href="http://herscoop.com/posts/empowering-photo-series/"><span style="color: red;">photo series</span></a> based around the idea of "Mommy wars". This is essentially a call to women (Moms in particular) to stop judging one another for the decisions they make as parents. This is everything from breast feeding or formula feeding, to using cloth or disposable diapers, and even how long it takes before Mom goes back to work - if she ever returns. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm not sure why it shocked me to see a photo series like this. Maybe because I'm not in a Mommy stage of life, or maybe because I never really thought about the idea that Moms would care about what other Moms do, and truly think they have a say in it. Or, maybe it's really because I hoped that at this point we would all be over judging one another for <i>any</i> choices that we make. I mean, we are adults. Right? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">See, I know judgment is not a new phenomenon. I distinctly remember in grade school how everyone cared about:</span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What people wore in school ("Oh my god is she REALLY wearing those overalls?")</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What people said ("I can't believe she would say something like that to her own parents!")</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What people did in their time off ("Ugh, what a loser. Who listens to THAT band?!")</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The disappointing realization, though, is that this childish, petty mindset doesn't appear to go away. In your 20s it's, "How could she date him? He's so ridiculous." And, "Could you imagine doing that job for the rest of your life? I'd hate myself." </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then once you get married, not only are you judged for what you wore on your wedding day, but for how you decorated, how good the speeches were, and even whether or not you married (someone else's idea of) the right person. REALLY??</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And now, there is just more judgment to look forward to. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well, I think we need to <b><u>stop</u></b>. It's depressing there even has to be a photo series asking, begging, people to stop hating on one another. We need to love and encourage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Life sucks. Life is hard. Life would suck less and be a lot less hard if people realized that their opinion has absolutely no place in someone else's life story. None. <b><u>Zero</u></b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, focus on you. No one else can live your life, because you are. Live it your way. Forget the opinions and judgments of others. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And please, I implore you, please stop judging other people for what you deem as their shortcomings and missteps. Nothing, I repeat <u><b>nothing</b></u>, gives you the right to decide how someone else should live their life. Do you. That's </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">all you can (and should) control.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">xo</span> </span></div>
bubblegum.princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15346049141151869556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329042286280500391.post-76998302602544044102012-10-23T21:59:00.002-06:002012-10-23T21:59:23.850-06:00cutest ever<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXtGJxb9Izv6Tm-RUZrKmDNiUw0RZHSh2Eqls9z4gHNdAZQ3QqBseD0bWWCFDw7h0kSVJITH8CIkHrxWtkz6IMlCucyLHq-1W-Fkz9B8guauy4FpwLuxB77zaKNTeazecq-SGGZ4Ivok/s1600/doggy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXtGJxb9Izv6Tm-RUZrKmDNiUw0RZHSh2Eqls9z4gHNdAZQ3QqBseD0bWWCFDw7h0kSVJITH8CIkHrxWtkz6IMlCucyLHq-1W-Fkz9B8guauy4FpwLuxB77zaKNTeazecq-SGGZ4Ivok/s320/doggy.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<br />
I want this dog one day. For real, cutest ever.<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
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bubblegum.princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15346049141151869556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329042286280500391.post-31378355186308468672012-10-23T21:55:00.000-06:002012-10-23T21:55:52.959-06:00quote<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">This is lovely:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">“</span><span class="quote" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px; margin-top: 0px; outline: none 0px;">Let me also say that I want you<br style="display: inline; margin-top: 0px; outline: none 0px;" />sleepy-eyed in the morning waking at my side<br style="outline: none 0px;" />like a warm summer sky born from<br style="outline: none 0px;" />so much softness the horizon cries every time<br style="outline: none 0px;" />night fall comes to take you.<br style="outline: none 0px;" />Let me also say that I want to make you sandwiches and soup<br style="outline: none 0px;" />and peanut butter cookies, though<br style="outline: none 0px;" />the truth is peanut butter is really bad for you<br style="outline: none 0px;" />cause they grow peanuts in old cotton fields<br style="outline: none 0px;" />to get the toxins out of the soil<br style="outline: none 0px;" />but hey, you like peanut butter and I like you.<br style="outline: none 0px;" />Let me also say I’ve never seen anything more<br style="outline: none 0px;" />gorgeous than you were that night<br style="outline: none 0px;" />the moon bending through the window blinds<br style="display: inline; margin-bottom: 0px; outline: none 0px;" />I told time by the light casting shadows across your face.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">”</span><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 10px; outline: none 0px; width: 100%px;"><tbody style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline: none 0px;">
<tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline: none 0px;"><td style="border-width: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline: none 0px; padding: 0px 10px 0px 20px; width: 1px;" valign="top">—</td><td class="quote_source" style="border-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline: none 0px; padding: 0px;" valign="top">Andrea Gibson,<i> <span style="margin-top: 0px; outline: none 0px;">Wasabi</span></i></td></tr>
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bubblegum.princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15346049141151869556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329042286280500391.post-17108709101617221242012-08-27T19:23:00.005-06:002012-08-27T19:25:37.969-06:00successHow dictionary.com defines success:<br />
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<div class="header" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 2px; text-align: left; word-wrap: break-word;">
<h2 class="me" style="color: black; display: inline; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
suc·cess</h2>
<sup style="bottom: 1ex; font-size: 0.75em; height: 0px; line-height: 1; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"></sup> <span class="pronset"><span audio="http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/dictionary/audio/luna/S10/S1079800.mp3" class="speaker" default="http://dictionary.reference.com/audio.html/lunaWAV/S10/S1079800" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://static.sfdict.com/en/i/dictionary/newserp/Sprite_New.png); background-position: -287px -194px; background-repeat: repeat repeat; cursor: pointer; height: 19px; padding-left: 22px; width: 20px;"></span> <span class="show_spellpr" style="display: inline;"><span class="prondelim" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">[</span><span class="pron" style="display: inline; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">s<span class="ital-inline" style="display: inline; font-family: Georgia, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic;">uh</span><span class="luna-thinspace"></span>k-<span class="boldface" style="font-weight: 700;">ses</span></span><span class="prondelim" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">]</span> <a class="questionmark" href="http://dictionary.reference.com/help/luna/Spell_pron_key.html" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://static.sfdict.com/en/i/dictionary/newserp/Sprite_New.png); background-position: -176px -215px; background-repeat: repeat repeat; color: #333333; display: inline-block; font-size: small; height: 16px; position: relative; top: 2px; width: 16px;" target="_blank"></a> <span class="pron_toggle" style="display: inline;"><a alt="Toggle for IPA" class="pronlink" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7329042286280500391" style="color: #999999; cursor: pointer; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11px; margin-left: 11px; text-decoration: underline;" title="Click to show IPA">Show IPA</a></span></span></span></div>
<div class="body" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; margin: 0em 0px 0em 0em; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
<div class="pbk" style="font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="pg" style="display: inline; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; padding-right: 3px;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword">noun</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="dnindex" style="color: #7b7b7b; display: block; float: left; font-weight: bold; width: 28px;"><span id="hotword">1.</span></span><br />
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<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword">the</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">favorable</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">prosperous</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">termination</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">of</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">attempts</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">or </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword">endeavors.</span></span></div>
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<div class="luna-Ent" style="background-image: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 5px;">
<span class="dnindex" style="color: #7b7b7b; display: block; float: left; font-weight: bold; width: 28px;"><span id="hotword">2.</span></span><br />
<div class="dndata" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 37px;">
<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword">the</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">attainment</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">of</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">wealth,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">position,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">honors,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">the</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">like.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Success has many possibilities. Obviously what I define as 'success' could be vastly different from someone else's definition. In fact, I might feel I've attained success if I raise a family. I might feel successful if I become a Manager, a VP or the President of a large corporation. Hell, it might mean becoming the Prime Minister for some to view themselves as successful.</span></div>
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<div class="dndata" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 37px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="dndata" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 37px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;">I feel like many people muddle through life hoping, wishing for success but not knowing what that means for them. Is success finding love? Trying your best? Earning a long-service award? Learning a language? Seeing the world?</span></div>
<div class="dndata" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 37px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="dndata" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 37px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;">I think success could be hard to define while I'm in a transitional phase of life - working a potentially temporary job, not finished school, unclear on where I want to live or what exactly I want to do with my degree once it's over. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;">So maybe, for the time being, success could be more simply defined as being content with where I am, who I am, what I've become so far and what I am becoming. I think I am successful, even now, because I am content.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;">How do<i> you</i> define success? </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;">xo</span></div>
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bubblegum.princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15346049141151869556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329042286280500391.post-22313417054646070442012-08-13T21:35:00.000-06:002012-08-13T21:35:39.570-06:00goodbye to a favouriteMy favourite author, Maeve Binchy, passed away on July 30, 2012. It's hard to believe that someone could feel affected by another person's passing when they do not even know them. Maybe through her books I feel like I've known her, but truth be told, I do not know her at all.<br />
<br />
I was in Victoria, BC, last week and went in to a bookstore that is closing. Everything in the store was $1.00. I went to the novels section and the first ones I noticed were Maeve Binchy's. At one point I owned all of her books. However, when moving province-to-province I had debated, packed, rethought, unpacked, and finally repacked all the books and sent them to goodwill. I missed them. Of all the books I've read, the only ones I've ever desired to read more than once are Jane Austen and Maeve Binchy. It was at this store that I heard of her passing. The bookstore owner informed me that she had died about a week prior to my being there. My initial response was, "What! No!" He apologized for being the person to break the news to me and I simply said, "It's just so sad."<br />
<br />
You see, Maeve Binchy was single-handedly the person that got me interested in visiting Ireland. Through her descriptions in her books of small-town Ireland, I was certain I would like it there. I didn't know until years (and 16 books) later that I would fall in love with it.<br />
<br />
I found Maeve Binchy's website prior to leaving for my trip to England and Ireland in 2011. I found her email address on it and I wrote her an email, essentially asking her if I could meet her on my trip. But then, while looking over the email draft, I thought it silly to ask someone so famous for time out of their day to meet a fan. Plus, what would I say to someone incredibly talented with her words? And what questions could I possibly ask? In short, I felt inadequate to make such a request of her and I subsequently deleted the email draft. In hindsight, I wish I had at least tried. Who knows what would have happened.<br />
<br />
Life is too short for regrets. Follow your gut instinct - you never know what will come of it.<br />
<br />
For me, now, I will wait for the post-humous release later this year of her very last book, "A Week in Winter." Oh, and I'll probably re-stock my Maeve Binchy novel collection.<br />
<br />
xobubblegum.princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15346049141151869556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329042286280500391.post-91135181084575613832012-07-29T16:54:00.000-06:002012-07-29T16:54:29.355-06:00growing up<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a child I was desperate to grow up. Inquisitiveness and
always feeling older than my years added to my desire. Many have told me that I
have an “old soul”, but back then, I didn’t know what that meant. All I wanted
was to be 16, wearing a pink dress and blowing out my birthday candles. I
wanted to be graduating high school. I wanted to be kissing boys. I didn’t
understand that with age came responsibility, and the potential for a world of
pain I was protected from just then. I viewed being grown up as glamorous - a
life filled with freedom, expensive clothes, and no one to answer to. I could
eat candy and pizza all day and dance and smoke cigarettes by night. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As an adult, I can make my own decisions on where to go, I
can eat whatever I choose, and I could smoke if I wanted to – which I don’t.
But being an adult brings problems. Problems I never would have known then,
fears I didn’t know I had. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I was small, a dilemma involved asking, “which toy will
I play with next?” or, “why is that kid mean to me?”. Now a dilemma may be, “which
person will treat me as a toy and how will I pick up the pieces once I’ve let
them and they’re done?” or, “how will I explain this spectacularly
life-altering poor choice to my friends and family?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some days, I wish for the simplicity of being a child. But
most days I wish that I hadn’t spent my childhood wishing and that I just
enjoyed. In adulthood, I choose to enjoy. Every step, and every misstep. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->bubblegum.princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15346049141151869556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329042286280500391.post-48062928290812748402012-07-02T20:29:00.002-06:002012-07-02T20:29:28.127-06:00a new outlookRather than focusing on my failure to keep my sock blog going, I am choosing to see the positive side. I've decided to go a different direction with my blog; a more sustainable direction.<br />
<br />
It was impossible for me to find the time to blog every single day. I'm an inconsistent blogger at best. Because of this, 365 days would have taken me three years (or more). Truthfully, I didn't have enough interesting things to say each day. I mean, it's hard to believe that my life is not fabulously captivating all the time, but alas, it's just not. And it was probably a tad selfish for me to think writing every day about myself and my life would be interesting for people to read.<br />
<br />
Instead, I decided to go with a more traditional blog. One where I can express myself freely, when I feel like I want to. Yes, this is much more sustainable for me.<br />
<br />
There will be more posts to come. More thoughts to share. More stories to be told.<br />
<br />
Follow, or don't. This is cathartic for me and I think I'll enjoy less pressure much better...<br />
<br />
xobubblegum.princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15346049141151869556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329042286280500391.post-3497172547854676232012-01-21T20:44:00.000-07:002012-01-21T20:49:04.823-07:00Day 213: Transparent Heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVD-x2Cw85eqmiXm4iBR99zjrADoOubm291GD656GbB3KD8T9-CHAX6825U9WVZF-wHPuNRCxZ8eDUo89pDEtHMc4C7B7U0nvzFI6hDjnAiAVu7FtNSe5bwdKsjMzrRr6YqH2rrkq_3A/s1600/IMG_0497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVD-x2Cw85eqmiXm4iBR99zjrADoOubm291GD656GbB3KD8T9-CHAX6825U9WVZF-wHPuNRCxZ8eDUo89pDEtHMc4C7B7U0nvzFI6hDjnAiAVu7FtNSe5bwdKsjMzrRr6YqH2rrkq_3A/s320/IMG_0497.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Day Five: England 2011/2012<br />
<br />
As mentioned in my Christmas post, Krista bought us a day at the spa. December 27th was that day.<br />
<br />
Since most of you reading this know me, you know that I am absolutely a girly-girl. I'm not ashamed of this. I am alright with the fact that camping, while marginally fun, is not my go-to vacation. I like clean. I like down time. I like dresses and makeup, shoes and hair. I like pretty things. So, a spa day as a Christmas present was really the best gift possible.<br />
<br />
The strange piece in all of this is that I haven't actually ever been to a spa before. 26 years without a facial. I'm serious. That's a big deal for a girl like me.<br />
<br />
We entered this spa, called Sanctuary. You check in and they give you a little electronic locker wristband and they give you a giant robe. They also give you your schedule for the day. We each had a massage, a facial, a sleep retreat and lunch. The rest of the time is free time.<br />
<br />
After changing into our swimsuits and wrapping up in our robes, we headed out to explore. As we walked down a staircase, there was a pool with a swing. Apparently it's quite iconic as it's been photographed numerous times for magazines, etc. This was a lounging pool mainly. Ladies just paddled around and enjoyed the warm water. There were so many big comfy chairs to sit on, including enormous bean-bag style chairs.<br />
<br />
When you head further downstairs you enter another pool and hot-tub area, with wet and dry saunas as well. Krista and I both swam for a little bit, went in the dry sauna for a little bit and then just chilled out in chairs and read magazines for a while before our sleep retreat.<br />
<br />
For the sleep retreat, we went into a room with individual beds with blankets, pillows and headphones. You put on the headphones and this lady is talking to you with gentle wave type noises in the background. As she started talking about going into a 'meditative' state, I was immediately skeptical. I was thinking to myself, "Oh blah, blah, what a load of garbage I will never sleep with this lady talking in my ears." She was talking about walking out to a yard with a hammock in it, then she said to walk over to the hammock and climb in.<br />
<br />
I kid you not, I was OUT. Like, completely dead-to-the-world asleep. When it was time to wake up, even the lady speaking again didn't wake me. Krista had to touch my arm before I even moved. So, I was wrong. The sleep retreat was incredible.<br />
<br />
After this we got to lounge for a little longer, in the huge and comfortable purple chairs upstairs. They had throws everywhere so you could just cuddle up in the lounge-style couches with a blanket and read.<br />
<br />
We had lunch. You were given your choice of appetizers, main course and dessert. So much to choose from. I can't remember exactly what my appetizer or dessert was. My main course was a butternut squash ravioli and, oh my goodness, it was some of the best ravioli I've ever had.<br />
<br />
After lunch I did a little bit more lounging and then went in a hot tub, prior to my massage. The massage was relaxing and I had upgraded it to an hour instead of 30 minutes. It was a really good choice.<br />
<br />
After the massage I headed to the wet sauna. I thought I could sweat some junk out of my face before my facial. Oh god was I ever right and wrong at the same time. As soon as you go into the wet sauna, you are instantly sweaty. Like, think the most sweaty you've ever been and multiply it by ten. And then you just sit there. In the heat. With sweat dripping into your eyes. I lasted five minutes. Defeated, I showered off and headed up to my facial.<br />
<br />
The girly-girl that had never had a facial before is a reformed version of herself. It was HEAVENLY. My face felt clean for days. I just wish I could have someone give me personal facials every day.<br />
<br />
All in all, it was an incredible Christmas present. A day well spent for sure.<br />
<br />
Then we went for dinner and drank two bottles of wine between the two of us and shared appies galore. It was perfect.<br />
<br />
xobubblegum.princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15346049141151869556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329042286280500391.post-9167398837035090222012-01-14T11:01:00.000-07:002012-01-14T11:02:43.954-07:00Day 212: Gray is Fattening for the Feet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQdSJ8veuN_9kdZwQoFpiiGWDmwbYEUpinpHjOl7dTnOnHPmCA47lob-QeTJ3L-4YZGoeZJ2Do1WMUCcRe1zhLmG7dqLhaxL-MHHVoBgD3PW1rkECDwL4BwarOg686C56B4F9EB-djxQ/s1600/IMG_0477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQdSJ8veuN_9kdZwQoFpiiGWDmwbYEUpinpHjOl7dTnOnHPmCA47lob-QeTJ3L-4YZGoeZJ2Do1WMUCcRe1zhLmG7dqLhaxL-MHHVoBgD3PW1rkECDwL4BwarOg686C56B4F9EB-djxQ/s320/IMG_0477.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
How did my feet end up looking massive in this photo? It's gross, really. I have some of the skinniest feet of anyone I know - and yet, this. THIS. Okay, I'm done.<br />
<br />
Day Four: England 2011/2012<br />
<br />
BOXING DAY!<br />
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Boxing Day has never been a huge deal for me. I'm not one of those people that anticipates Boxing Day even more than Christmas. I don't rush out of the house early in the morning, shop simultaneously with hoards of other people, stopping only for some lacklustre mall-food at lunch and then continuing shopping in a fat-induced stupor, coming home with things that you inevitably don't need, but are much too lazy to return.<br />
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That is not fun for me. Fun for me was Boxing Day in England.<br />
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There was a train strike, which meant even less people were out and about. Krista and I took a cab to Camden Market. For those that haven't been to England, Camden is England's hipster/artsy district. Lots of punk-style clothing, souvenir shops, tattoo places, etc. Camden market is huge. It's like a giant flea market, where most everything is new instead of used. I loved it. And, there was almost no one there. Krista was taking pictures of how dead it was and sending them to her friends. I was in heaven. We had free reign of an enormous market! I still had the nasty stall food for lunch, but I wasn't overwhelmed by people. I over-bought, but all cool things that I would never want to return. Well, except for when I realized I bought lights that have a british plug on them. That wasn't smart. But with an adapter, they are still beautiful and useful!<br />
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After our morning/early afternoon at Camden market, we headed to the "touristy" places. Trafalgar Square was next up. Obligatory photo by the London 2012 Olympic countdown clock. Then, a short walk to Big Ben.<br />
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We took photos of Big Ben, we took photos with Big Ben, we took photos of us in red phone booths with Big Ben in the background:<br />
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Then, Westminster Abbey. Could I really go to England and not see the church where Kate and Wills stifled smiles while marrying each other, because apparently marriage is a serious affair and you can't possibly be happy during the ceremony? Of course I couldn't. Westminster Abbey at night is a creepy and wonderful sight to see:<br />
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After all of this, we went to Krista's house and she whipped up some delicious pasta for dinner. Lots of veggies...mmmm.<br />
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Then, Winter Wonderland! This place is the Calgary Stampede turned Christmas. It was so enchanting! You wander around with your beer or mulled wine (yes! finally!) and take in all the bright lights of the rides. And as Krista and I discovered, a carnie is a carnie, no matter what city you are in. They are equally as strange in London as they are in Calgary - and likely have equal amounts of missing teeth. We took pictures with basically every Christmas statue we could find. I took my obligatory photo of me kissing a statue while on vacation. This one was a little bit more exciting though because as I went in for the kiss, Santa almost fell over. He almost got a little more than he bargained for, lucky old man:<br />
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After all the festivities of the day we were still gung-ho so we grabbed Starbucks coffees and went to Piccadilly Circus. I got hit on in the bathroom by an Italian man. The two washrooms shared a common sink area. While drying my hands, I was approached. Here's a tip, boys - don't try to pick up a girl in a dirty place like a bathroom. It won't go well for you.<br />
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Then we waited forever for a bus, since the train was out of commission and there was an accident blocking buses from getting through. It was an exciting trip back to Krista's, but we made it, exhausted.<br />
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xobubblegum.princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15346049141151869556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329042286280500391.post-6574006261500887902012-01-11T22:49:00.000-07:002012-01-11T22:49:05.081-07:00Day 211: Grimace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Day Three: England 2011/2012<br />
<br />
CHRISTMAS DAY!<br />
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Despite the 7:30am wake-up call Krista and I received from her family celebrating Christmas Eve in Canada, Christmas morning started splendidly. After the phone call, where Krista promised her Father it would be reciprocated, we decided to just get up and open the stockings we had bought for one another. Stockings have got to be one of the best parts of Christmas day. Mine had (surprise, surprise!) quite a few pairs of adorable socks - many of which you will see, hopefully soon once I get all caught up. Yes, I have been promising that for a long time. Maybe follow-through is not my forte at this point in life.<br />
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Alas, I digress. We opened our stockings and then exchanged "big gifts". Krista booked us both in for a day at the Sanctuary Spa! My first ever facial, as well as a massage and a 'sleep retreat'. And it was only two days away! Excited was definitely an understatement.<br />
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A bit later in the morning, Krista and I headed over to Susie's place for Christmas brunch. When we arrived, the adorable Sam was there to greet us.<br />
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Seriously. That face. So cute!<br />
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We ate. And we ate. And we ate some more. In fact, other than our jaunt around Kensington Gardens, we basically just ate all day. However, it was really tasty food. Susie went all out. And I even ate shrimp - and <i>enjoyed</i> it. Tiny Tim would be so proud. It was a true Christmas miracle.<br />
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While eating shrimp, eggs, baked oatmeal, fresh fruit, pastries, sausage rolls, cheese (oh god, so much cheese), prawn bites, etc, etc, etc. And drinking champagne and OJ by the keg-full, we watched some movies. Christmas classics, of course: Love, Actually and Meet Me in St. Louis. We also made time to watch the Queen's speech. Being from Canada, I never knew this was a British tradition. Oddly, it was like being at Christmas church service. It was a little bit about the struggles of England, more about royal weddings the past year and then it was all about baby Jesus.<br />
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I don't know what you did on Christmas, but I heard a sermon from the Queen of England.<br />
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We also went for a walk. It was a nice, long walk. Poor Sam was tuckered at the end of it. This walk was significant for me though. As many (ok, all) of you know, I adore the movie Peter Pan. In fact, I've been Peter Pan obsessed since I was a small child. This has culminated in me having enough Peter Pan memorabilia to effectively furnish a room, simply with Peter Pan goods.<br />
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Therefore, the walk in Kensington Gardens was significant, as it is where J.M. Barrie is said to have come up with the idea of Peter Pan. As such, there is a magnificent Peter Pan statue and plaque erected there. Obviously, a photo with me and Sam playing "Nana" was in order. Sam was a pretty good sport about us emasculating him with our request that he pose as a girl dog. What a champ.<br />
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All in all, it was an extremely relaxing Christmas day, with delicious food and fabulous company throughout. I'm grateful.<br />
<br />
xobubblegum.princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15346049141151869556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329042286280500391.post-14055842780770441552012-01-09T20:40:00.000-07:002012-01-09T20:40:18.009-07:00Day 210: Inner Hippie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Day Two: England 2011/2012<br />
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On my second day in London, I didn't wake up until around 9am. It was a glorious 12-hour sleep. I don't think I even moved. I was just out.<br />
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Upon waking up and after getting ready, as people do, Krista and I headed to the Southbank Christmas Market. I had requested that we do something Christmas-y on Christmas Eve, as it's my favourite day of the year. Krista came up with the Christmas Market - and it was perfect!<br />
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We wandered around the market, took some photos with Big Ben and the London Eye in the background. We purchased some treasures, including artwork for Krista's flat. It was a relaxing morning/early afternoon.<br />
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We then headed back to Krista's place to pick up the things we needed to make Christmas dinner at Sarah and Irene's place. These two girls are a lot of fun - as are Alicia and Sally! Us six girls did Christmas dinner (with Krista cooking most of it and myself helping with some of the slicing and dicing). I was the Sous Chef to Krista's post as Master Chef.<br />
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The meal was absolutely delicious. I can't think of anything feeling more Christmas-y on my favourite day of the year than an entire Christmas dinner.<br />
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All the ladies did a gift exchange, which was great fun. Then we watched Home Alone and part of Home Alone 2, before Krista and I had to leave so that we didn't miss the last tube home.<br />
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Back at home we watched the Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special before retiring for the evening, anticipating Christmas Day!<br />
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xobubblegum.princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15346049141151869556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329042286280500391.post-7922996223884313102012-01-07T16:03:00.001-07:002012-01-07T16:03:17.262-07:00Day 209: Stripes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Alright, friends. It's officially catch-up time! I am going to go day by day and tell you what I did on my England and Ireland trip. I kept notes so it'll be just like you were there with me! And you'll get to understand the inner workings of my brain as well - how did you get so lucky?!<br />
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Day One + Two: December 22-23, 2011<br />
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These two will count as one day because December 22nd I went to work at 6am, then came home at lunch and did last minute packing. At 1:30pm my family and I went to Peter's Drive-In. So delish. At 3:00, I was at the airport ready to go! My plane left at 6pm. Let me tell you, I did not sleep at all. I think it was excitement of what was to come. Seriously though, it was awful. I watched The Help, which was not a great movie in comparison with the book (I hate that!). The 9-hour flight went by quickly though, so I was glad for that.<br />
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Upon arrival at Heathrow (10am, Dec 23), I felt like a movie star. As I walked out of the doors to the reception area, there was a man filming the arrivals. I was the only person that walked out at that point, so I wished I had my sunglasses to play it up a little.<br />
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Krista and I eventually found each other and maybe cried a little upon getting to hug again for the first time in approximately six months! So good!<br />
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We took the tube back to Krista's - my first time back on the London Underground since I was a 14-year-old. We ate Ketchup chips, which I had brought with me from Canada specifically for Krista. England has gross chip flavours (and they call them 'crisps' not chips). Prawn cocktail flavour, anyone?...I didn't think so. Yuck.<br />
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We had lunch at a pub near Krista's house called "The Mitre" and I had my first bottle of Bulmer's Cider. The pasta I had was so yummy and the cider was perfect. At this point I started to really feel only 45 minutes worth of sleep on the plane, but I needed to push forward until bed time to get on a proper schedule.<br />
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We then walked in search of a clinic because Krista's nose piercing decided to hibernate under her skin. This ended with us in "A&E", which is England's version of Emergency - but only after this delightful mixup:<br />
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<i>Walk in to clinic attached to hospital.</i><br />
<i>Clinic Worker: We've just closed.</i><br />
<i>Krista: I'll just explain what's happening. It may only take a minute to fix. </i><br />
<i>Clinic Worker: Alright.</i><br />
<i>Krista: <explains nose piercing issues></i><br />
<i>Clinic Worker: Why are you here?</i><br />
<i>Krista: Because you are a clinic and I thought you could help.</i><br />
<i>Clinic Worker: Ummm...we're a sexual health clinic.</i><br />
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Oops. That explained the gigantic poster about STIs that I was laughing about on the way in.<br />
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We went to A&E and Krista got all fixed in no time - not like the year-long waits in Canada. Then we went to Oxford Circus and walked down Regent Street. I probably messed that up, but I was SO tired at this point. We had dinner at a HEAVENLY restaurant called Mother Mash. It was bangers and mash. The mash I chose was Irish with cheese and green onions in it. The gravy was onion. The bangers were I think Cumberland Sausage, but I don't quite recall. It was incredible food.<br />
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We walked (read: I stumbled, barely putting one foot in front of the other) to the tube and headed home.<br />
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Krista was successful in keeping me awake until 9pm and I was very thankful for it after I woke up the next morning feeling rested.<br />
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xo<br />
<br />bubblegum.princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15346049141151869556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329042286280500391.post-60318787639930493932011-11-24T09:56:00.001-07:002011-11-24T10:09:50.171-07:00Day 208: Snoopy<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
- love others</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
- make everyone you meet feel worthy of your time</div>
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- tell people how you feel</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
- trust</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
- be open to other's ideas</div>
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- be understanding</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
- focus solely on the people that are physically present </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
- never forget those that are far away</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
- think before becoming angry </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
- be patient</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
- let people cry on your shoulder</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
- be there for the people in your lives with whatever they need (food, hugs, someone to listen)</div>
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<br />
Life is fragile. Show compassion and love others. Always.<br />
They may be struggling with experiences and feelings more complex than you could comprehend.<br />
<br />
xobubblegum.princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15346049141151869556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329042286280500391.post-33473356444578563252011-11-22T22:19:00.001-07:002011-11-22T22:36:03.992-07:00Day 207: Bear & Clouds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In class tonight I was handed a paper where I was given 1 out of 3 possible marks for grammar, spelling, etc. Normally I would take the "meh" approach and move on with my life, however, the professor started an in depth discussion with the entire class about paper-writing skills. It was interesting to hear my peers describe the struggles they have when writing papers. Commonly, we were frustrated with the University Library website for having conflicting referencing information (such as APA format stated in two different ways). Most of us haven't received terrible grades before while at University, even if our papers had a myriad of errors. I completely agree with the professor that this shouldn't be acceptable.<br />
<br />
If someone hands in a paper that is strewn with spelling and grammar errors, they should fail the paper. How frustrating do you think it is for a professor with a PhD to read a paper that should be at University level, but appears to be written by someone in grade 8?<br />
<br />
Obviously people make small mistakes. Myself included. I often put commas in the wrong place or use a semi-colon inappropriately. If my professors don't call me out on it though, I may never know what I'm doing wrong.<br />
<br />
While I think that a harsher correctness policy will be hell, I truly believe that it would make me work harder to ensure that everything I hand in is of highest quality.<br />
<br />
My prof. tonight was telling us that some industry contacts she has have told her that they often hire grads from my school for junior to intermediate level positions. For management or senior level positions, they will be more likely to hire from the more well-known, prestigious Universities nearby. This was disheartening. I realize we just became a University this year. The transition from College to University could be a long, tough process, but I don't want to be painted with the brush of only being good enough for intermediate level work.<br />
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I'll be taking this as a challenge. All of my papers for the rest of the semester will be edited with the utmost attention to detail. I'm going to see if I can change my usual A papers into A+ papers by being more careful and attentive.<br />
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xobubblegum.princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15346049141151869556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329042286280500391.post-56469595007762111812011-11-21T22:36:00.001-07:002011-11-21T22:43:09.632-07:00Day 206: Only the Ocean and Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4CwbqJoJz009v6oviqeWw64UVrxrLQNlfK_7VG0jiAaSBwHQOQNPlV2L5ArvZLSpD5XvH61XnDhwWBc2vsZj4MI2SEip_vUMGCIz-ABIRmi1a12ircH85fAJdgLzQEahAk0abKmPYNFM/s1600/IMG_0434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4CwbqJoJz009v6oviqeWw64UVrxrLQNlfK_7VG0jiAaSBwHQOQNPlV2L5ArvZLSpD5XvH61XnDhwWBc2vsZj4MI2SEip_vUMGCIz-ABIRmi1a12ircH85fAJdgLzQEahAk0abKmPYNFM/s320/IMG_0434.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Ridiculously honest post:<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After 5+ years of not being in a serious relationship, I don’t really remember what it feels like to be in love. I don’t remember butterflies in my stomach. I don’t remember what it feels like to have my heart broken. Seriously broken, by just a few words from the mouth of someone I care deeply for. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What holds me back from relationships? I’m realizing, it’s me. Myself. I.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As soon as someone shows interest, I usually internally pick them apart for all their small quirks or think about all the reasons why it would be impossible with them. I essentially talk myself out of giving them a chance. I sabotage my own shot at love. At hurt. At <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">feeling</em>.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to love. I want to hurt. I want to feel. But, my own internal dialogue is making this impossible. I think my heart is scared, so my brain takes over and rationalizes my heart’s feelings. My brain tells my heart that it’s understandable, even admirable, to be scared. It tells my heart that the pain of being hurt isn’t worth the love that brings it, so why even bother? It tells my heart that no one I meet is worth the fight and that couldn't be further from the truth.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My brain needs to stop. My true heart, the heart desirous of love regardless of the consequences, likely needs to be more open.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Work in progress?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">xo</span></div>bubblegum.princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15346049141151869556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329042286280500391.post-38461757820243401282011-11-13T21:31:00.001-07:002011-11-13T21:43:56.030-07:00Day 205: Hannah Montana<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhn0QZFFpKeJXc-mUu5_Y2TgYdyO1NbhWU-TFfdrsB1aUvJnvug1ZzVha-scPFCYKNogny1I3eepsP5ZQ4vGHBOTw5GAtUa1MqR4MtCEnCYg8nBCreVcuiTAYFgujlVN984MftUMc6Aw/s1600/IMG_0433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhn0QZFFpKeJXc-mUu5_Y2TgYdyO1NbhWU-TFfdrsB1aUvJnvug1ZzVha-scPFCYKNogny1I3eepsP5ZQ4vGHBOTw5GAtUa1MqR4MtCEnCYg8nBCreVcuiTAYFgujlVN984MftUMc6Aw/s320/IMG_0433.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
These socks were gifted to me by a very dear friend. Obviously because I love Hannah Montana (aka I've never seen it) and because I love Miley Cyrus (aka can't stand her except that one song that I forget the name of). So, yeah, I'm a big fan!!!!!!!<br />
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I've been spending some time today thinking about how awesome it would be to live in the olden-days. And I don't mean the 1960's where I could wear bell-bottoms and tube tops and rock long hair and flip flops. I don't mean the 1920's where I could wear sparkly flapper dresses and fun headbands with feathers and nylons all the time. Thankfully! Nylons are the worst. No, the olden-days I would love to have lived in are around the late 1800's era. The long dresses. The curled hair. The bonnets. The adorable shoes with buttons all up the side. The "dances" that people attended. The lack of really doing anything all day but reading and learning about the world through books and other people. Maybe I appreciate the perceived simplicity of the time. However, I'm totally against the idea that the women were basically oppressed, had no rights, and were essentially on Earth to be wives and mothers.<br />
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I wonder if I lived in those times if I would go along with life the way it was "intended" and be a silly girl, obsessed with boys, get married to the richest man my family situation would allow and have as many children as possible, possibly daydreaming all the while that my life was different - or would I fight it and try to be independent and prove my worth, despite being a woman? Would I travel? Read? Learn to write? Play music and sing?<br />
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I'd love to think that I would try to read and learn and explore as much as possible. I imagine my wanderlust would probably still be a part of me, even if I was living in an oppressive society.<br />
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Hmmm...hoping for dreams of big dresses, tight corsets and cute shoes tonight!<br />
<br />bubblegum.princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15346049141151869556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329042286280500391.post-75872966006535272562011-10-25T22:25:00.002-06:002011-10-25T22:25:44.325-06:00Day 204: Pink, Black & Gray<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJwwHQkSme0dkR1xc_4AuTqqXb-N_S8gQZeVuvyfFF7brcUEvuVTKa735SIwR9CoOo7C5ssP_cKCqM0FPXeVIhfWB96m0Sk7kIlXndTMkBcxov9SZ1nzd3kSgX8O3uWv03aZfj5Lzoag/s1600/IMG_0432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJwwHQkSme0dkR1xc_4AuTqqXb-N_S8gQZeVuvyfFF7brcUEvuVTKa735SIwR9CoOo7C5ssP_cKCqM0FPXeVIhfWB96m0Sk7kIlXndTMkBcxov9SZ1nzd3kSgX8O3uWv03aZfj5Lzoag/s320/IMG_0432.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Princesses. Real life princesses.<br />
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This is what Krista and I get to be on our last night in Ireland, when we stay here:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3WrRoqSAqEDOxWY5UXTg9FeaCiTaoc0s_GJ2MuIraLGMmKMf9rfndlnCn15a0W5_fbaWfo5loXx_2gKUp9XLkQBiuL2eGlXuHpIpEGGrvZ7RBWZmZw5M7ZfKpwwgmpxJFmuLG1RlS5cs/s1600/Ballynahinch+Castle+Hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3WrRoqSAqEDOxWY5UXTg9FeaCiTaoc0s_GJ2MuIraLGMmKMf9rfndlnCn15a0W5_fbaWfo5loXx_2gKUp9XLkQBiuL2eGlXuHpIpEGGrvZ7RBWZmZw5M7ZfKpwwgmpxJFmuLG1RlS5cs/s1600/Ballynahinch+Castle+Hotel.jpg" /></a></div>
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Ballynahinch Castle Hotel. We can't even pronounce it, but we will own it.<br />
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xobubblegum.princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15346049141151869556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329042286280500391.post-24243782976139358272011-10-20T22:44:00.003-06:002011-10-20T22:44:49.384-06:00Day 203: I'll be late for work in these socks<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fHp1Rt2r8WQ5iAfl21RY6ItGr0aRkIUTGtSuorTZ-M3kHxlUAq4dULUIJ9TqQKKIIasBxXfWfft72PWPCIjp4c9U4n3btcfy14DIsKeYiW3_HIKO8z1kGkzGPNr3LKU-dqo6de0wWQ8/s1600/IMG_0419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fHp1Rt2r8WQ5iAfl21RY6ItGr0aRkIUTGtSuorTZ-M3kHxlUAq4dULUIJ9TqQKKIIasBxXfWfft72PWPCIjp4c9U4n3btcfy14DIsKeYiW3_HIKO8z1kGkzGPNr3LKU-dqo6de0wWQ8/s320/IMG_0419.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Intelligence. What is it? What does it mean? Why is it such an attractive quality in the opposite sex?</div>
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First: Definition.</div>
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<h2 class="me" style="color: black; display: inline; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/intelligence">in·tel·li·gence</a></h2>
<span class="hwc" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span><span class="hwc" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> </span> <span class="hwc" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span><span class="pronset" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><embed align="texttop" flashvars="soundUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fsp.dictionary.com%2Fdictstatic%2Fdictionary%2Faudio%2Fluna%2FI02%2FI0222600.mp3&clkLogProxyUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fdictionary.reference.com%2Fwhatzup.html&t=a&d=d&s=di&c=a&ti=1&ai=51359&l=dir&o=0&sv=00000000&ip=4b9cbf83&u=audio" height="15" id="speaker" loop="false" menu="false" quality="high" salign="t" src="http://sp.dictionary.com/dictstatic/d/g/speaker.swf" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="17" wmode="transparent"></embed> <span class="show_spellpr" style="color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="prondelim" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">[</span><span class="pron" style="color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">in-<span class="boldface" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">tel</span>-i-j<span class="ital-inline" style="color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: Georgia, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">uh</span><img alt="" border="0" class="luna-Img" src="http://sp.dictionary.com/dictstatic/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.png" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://sp.dictionary.com/en/i/dictionary/newserp/Sprite_Serp.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -491px -482px; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; cursor: move; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" />ns</span><span class="prondelim" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">]</span> <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/help/luna/Spell_pron_key.html" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><img border="0" class="luna-Img" src="http://sp.dictionary.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://sp.dictionary.com/en/i/dictionary/newserp/Sprite_Serp.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -491px -482px; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; cursor: move; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" /></a> <span class="pron_toggle" style="color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a alt="Toggle for IPA" class="pronlink" href="" style="color: #333333; cursor: pointer; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" title="Click to show IPA">Show IPA</a></span></span></span><span class="hwc" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span><span class="hwc" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span></div>
<div class="body" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<div class="pbk" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span class="pg" style="color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="hwc" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">noun</span><span class="hwc" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span></span><div class="luna-Ent" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; color: #333333; display: block; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span class="dnindex" style="color: #7b7b7b; display: block; float: left; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 28px;"><span class="hwc" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1.</span></span><div class="dndata" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 37px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span class="hwc" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">capacity</span> <span class="hwc" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">for</span> <span class="hwc" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">learning,</span> <span class="hwc" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">reasoning,</span> <span class="hwc" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">understanding,</span> <span class="hwc" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">and</span> <span class="hwc" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">similar </span><span class="hwc" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">forms</span> <span class="hwc" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">of</span> <span class="hwc" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">mental</span> <span class="hwc" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">activity;</span> <span class="hwc" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">aptitude</span> <span class="hwc" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">in</span> <span class="hwc" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">grasping</span> <span class="hwc" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">truths,</span><span class="hwc" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">relationships,</span> <span class="hwc" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">facts,</span> <span class="hwc" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">meanings,</span> <span class="hwc" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">etc.</span></div>
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Does this definition excite anyone else?! Intelligent people are the people that "get it". The people that can learn, comprehend and grasp high-level information, as well as detailed information. They are often the people in class that get bonus marks for including too much detail or the people that understand what is being talked about when the speaker has barely even skimmed the surface of the topic.</div>
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I believe that one key to intelligence is being <i>receptive</i> to the world around oneself. Not that the person picks up on every subtle hint others throw their way, but that they actively engage in the world. In order to "grasp truths, relationships, facts, meanings" I believe there would need to be a conscious effort to be present in interactions with others. This can be in a classroom setting by listening, taking notes, etc. This can be in a friendship/relationship/family setting by focusing on the person and the conversation, rather than being distracted by other things in the room.</div>
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This is attractive in someone of the opposite sex because it shows that they take information in, mull it around, and form rational conclusions in their mind. In essence, they <i>think</i>. Because of the time spent thinking and forming conclusions, they have opinions. Opinions make for interesting conversation. Now, not everyone's opinion is necessarily intelligent. However, you can spot those individuals right away, because when they start to share their opinion, they have nothing to back it up. Intelligent persons will have solid, rational information to back up their thought process, or will at least be transparent about how they've formed the conclusions they have, in order to possibly gain insight from others about it. </div>
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Those that are engaged in conversations are the most attractive. Not only does it show intelligence - to me, it shows they care.</div>
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xo</div>
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</div>bubblegum.princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15346049141151869556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329042286280500391.post-23525292952880273792011-10-10T16:53:00.001-06:002011-10-10T16:56:47.678-06:00Day 202: Lemon-Limeade<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6GtfSGyWIiTHjje0wt-2Lqgs73kd-tkgQcsLKyqE41ALEbW0I3FE3tiz1ehn6j5VSUyihRNGh_YtT3D7d9saWQiXA3WYEtSp8jXjlhl5GB4jZIzhT9r2Z8UyyNUHceDlp_16BsiEjFA/s1600/IMG_0417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6GtfSGyWIiTHjje0wt-2Lqgs73kd-tkgQcsLKyqE41ALEbW0I3FE3tiz1ehn6j5VSUyihRNGh_YtT3D7d9saWQiXA3WYEtSp8jXjlhl5GB4jZIzhT9r2Z8UyyNUHceDlp_16BsiEjFA/s320/IMG_0417.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Today is Thanksgiving Monday; the Monday of the weekend where most everyone eats a delicious meal with family and/or friends. Some families eat turkey, some chicken, some lasagna (as my Nana just informed me they did this time). It doesn't matter what you eat, as long as you are together, enjoying one another's company.<br />
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To commemorate Thanksgiving on this Monday, October 10, 2011, I thought I would write ten things that I am thankful for.<br />
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1) <b>Food.</b> My brother, Chris, laughed at me when I said this at the Thanksgiving dinner table. But seriously, I love food and I am grateful that I have access to this whenever I want. There are many in the world that do not have such a luxury.<br />
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2) <b>School. </b>I complain about this all the time. I complain about homework, I complain about the cost, I complain about my professors, but I am lucky to be able to attend school that will one day bring me the possibility of the career I desire.<br />
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3) <b>My job. </b>I am gaining experience in HR, while going to school for HR. What more could I ask for?<br />
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4) <b>Family. </b>I appreciate my family. I appreciate all they have done for me and all they continue to do for me. We may not agree on many things in life, we may be very different people from one another, but I have no doubt in my mind the depth of my family's love for, and faith in, me. And I hope that each and every one of them sees the depth of my love for, and faith in, them. I truly don't believe I would be the person I've become without the help and direction my family has consistently provided.<br />
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5) <b>Slippers/Shoes. </b>My feet are always cold. I really appreciate items that keep me warm. And really, shoes are just so <i>cute</i>.<br />
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6) <b>My laptop. </b>Being "plugged in" 24/7 is important to me. Whether it's a manifestation of being a part of Gen Y, or just a constant need to be nosy, I appreciate the connectedness to the world that my laptop provides me.<br />
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7) <b>Men. </b>Being single is fabulous, but being single wouldn't be half as fun without having the ability to wonder about men with other single girlfriends. So for that, I thank men. Thank you for being confusing, maddening as hell and all around a complete puzzle. Life cannot be boring if men continue to be a part of it.<br />
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8) <b>"Me" Moments.</b> I cherish time alone to sort out ideas in my head, discover who I really am, spend hours doing nothing, spend extended periods of time in my pajamas and not put on any make-up. "Me" time is important to my sanity.<br />
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9) <b>Sponsor Children.</b> Receiving letters from my sponsor kids brightens my day. Sometimes they draw me pictures, sometimes they tell me how thankful they are for me, and sometimes they ask me what my favourite crayon colour is (yellow, if you're wondering). They are both adorable and 10 years old. One is a girl named Carmen from the Dominican Republic. The other is a boy from Columbia named Camilo. I have kept every one of both of their letters and try to write back as often as I can.<br />
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10) <b>Showers/baths.</b> Both have their merits. They make me feel clean. I smell so nice when I get out. They are warm (or super hot) and relaxing. Sometimes when I'm stressed, the only thing that helps is a shower, or a bath, and crawling into bed. Tonight, after studying basically all day, that's where I'm headed.<br />
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There are many other things that I am very thankful for that are not mentioned in this list, but this is a pretty good list nonetheless.<br />
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xobubblegum.princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15346049141151869556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329042286280500391.post-50014481919448689922011-09-25T16:12:00.001-06:002011-09-25T16:12:31.824-06:00Day 201: Wrapped up in Shades of Gray<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rjMCfSOjflzLqdbTDhnfJwb1rYK6NkcV0Rv26D1So2bLu_Na5ArC0__oMhSFhf25_3mbMdKucp_REeh3rxI4EhLf6KTCX_YJbY-_awuyzYn42i4FzczmT36Dp84g49t7rmSI-pjpEc8/s1600/IMG_0415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rjMCfSOjflzLqdbTDhnfJwb1rYK6NkcV0Rv26D1So2bLu_Na5ArC0__oMhSFhf25_3mbMdKucp_REeh3rxI4EhLf6KTCX_YJbY-_awuyzYn42i4FzczmT36Dp84g49t7rmSI-pjpEc8/s320/IMG_0415.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Break from homework time, woooo!<br />
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I have spent the majority of today (11:30am - 4pm) doing homework for one class. ONE CLASS. I would not mind this so much if it was later in the semester when big projects are usually due, however, this project is only worth 10% of my mark, and so far I have spent over 8 hours on it. That much of my time for a measly 10% seems hardly worth it. Oh well, I will soldier on with it, since once again I am gunning for As.<br />
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While studying at a coffee shop today, I did take a five-minute break for some people watching/hardcore creeping. This is my story:<br />
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<div style="color: #444444; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s just sort of cute to be studying in a coffee shop and happen to notice two people who appear to be on a first date. </span></div>
<div style="color: #444444; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First dates are probably one of the small joys in life. Or big joys when it’s my life and there are very few of them…but that’s besides the point.</span></div>
<div style="color: #444444; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First dates are gloriously awkward. You usually don’t know the person all that well, or if you think you do, you quickly realize that there is a whole world of idiosyncrasies within that person that you have yet to see. </span></div>
<div style="color: #444444; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This particular “couple” is fairly cute because they seem to enjoy each other’s company (smiling, laughing, excited sharing about their lives), however, it’s interesting to watch their body language. The man is sort of laying his arm across the table as if he wants to touch her arm or hold her hand. The woman is a hand-talker and is talking quite a bit. When not talking she places one hand in her lap and one on her coffee cup. Eventually, he appears to give up and crosses his arms loosely in front of him on the table...</span></div>
<div style="color: #444444; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now I’ve realized I’ve been staring at this couple for a solid five minutes from the top floor of the coffee shop (they are down below) and I am officially a total creep.</span></div>
<div style="color: #444444; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHO DOES THAT?!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">xo</span></div>
bubblegum.princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15346049141151869556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329042286280500391.post-62264595912613722302011-09-24T17:13:00.001-06:002011-09-24T17:13:50.738-06:00Day 200: A video!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw5nhkfe5KP_-eChZ8_2J2CDFSuQpwogQ5AfHsEds842rGx630agPg8BnBKSfmUf5quETOu0SAA4NBRYdVl5w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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I realize this movie is not going to be winning me any Oscars, a la Colin Firth (swoon), however, it is my first time making one! Maybe I'll do videos once in a while for this blog. :)bubblegum.princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15346049141151869556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329042286280500391.post-16925657736752275892011-09-15T10:17:00.002-06:002011-09-15T10:17:44.155-06:00Day 199: Midnight Black<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsVhrpMjlXvcJtOMDysmvWoEgs5ww_tQ7vNYQt4ttzenGo5UklopnzcElZOlwT_6aWspQuTF9ZoXc_nyu1SrIP3c5BeugETUqBuhu5nq8DReuSz-ockAJ4PZcus3Ve0PCrQHRxliP4pc/s1600/IMG_0413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsVhrpMjlXvcJtOMDysmvWoEgs5ww_tQ7vNYQt4ttzenGo5UklopnzcElZOlwT_6aWspQuTF9ZoXc_nyu1SrIP3c5BeugETUqBuhu5nq8DReuSz-ockAJ4PZcus3Ve0PCrQHRxliP4pc/s320/IMG_0413.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
These socks could easily be taken as a bad omen for school. Or the stupid 5 hour break I have in my school day. Or the Zumba class I'm starting today. Or the fact that I didn't get paid today, when I was supposed to, and now I still have no money until Monday. Being a poor student again already sucks.<br />
<br />
So let's go back to that comment about Zumba. I feel much the same about this class as I did about my yoga experience: a little apprehensive because I haven't done it before. I've heard it's fun, but people said that about yoga, and let's be honest, I'm not a huge fan. The other part I'm apprehensive about is looking disgusting for my Stats class that starts an hour after Zumba ends. I contemplated showering after Zumba, but then I have to bring a lock, a big workout bag, with a change of clothes, a towel, toiletries, etc. So I brought a smaller bag and really the only thing missing from it is a towel. So, the genius plan of bringing a small bag wasn't actually that much different in hindsight.<br />
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Oh well, we'll see how yucky I look after working out in the middle of the day and then sitting through 5 more hours of class. At least I brought clean clothes to change into!<br />
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Now that i'm done complaining, I am really looking forward to the fitness classes that I signed up for this year. I signed up for three! So working out three times a week again will be really good for me, right?! I'm hoping that by Christmas I'll look (and most importantly, <i>feel</i>) so much better. I was feeling a little down on myself by the end of this summer. This will help with that.<br />
<br />
xobubblegum.princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15346049141151869556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329042286280500391.post-41927491451257009502011-09-12T21:55:00.001-06:002011-09-12T21:55:46.094-06:00Day 198: Meeowww<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhvl2i955EDt2XuYBK2Y6BclmrC5JkhlY8poCYiuaqsErneD_3H9nQrYZkQb1zWzOA5hRwodWzqjh71LHqRX2YNUvJdgh0MZ1pOrSYHh5PZeVonfsvrTLA8ipIaItnBEYu5dgkbX8XVg/s1600/IMG_0411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhvl2i955EDt2XuYBK2Y6BclmrC5JkhlY8poCYiuaqsErneD_3H9nQrYZkQb1zWzOA5hRwodWzqjh71LHqRX2YNUvJdgh0MZ1pOrSYHh5PZeVonfsvrTLA8ipIaItnBEYu5dgkbX8XVg/s320/IMG_0411.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm adding a secondary title to this blog post: A World of Possibilities. Maybe that should be primary and "Meeowww" should be secondary, but too bad. The title on the blog has to match the socks. It's the rules.<br />
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Going with the idea of my secondary title though, I am seriously feeling the world of possibilities with the new job I've started. It's with a much larger company than any I have ever worked for before. For some, a large company is hell. They don't like being "just a number". I, however, don't mind at all. There are social committees to join, nice people in the cubicles around me, and a LOT of people to talk to on any given day, if I make the effort. The other reason I'm enjoying this job is the job itself. I have learned so much already and it's only been three days. My Manager and I have talked about all of the areas I will be working in, and some projects I'll be working on, and I am excited for it all!<br />
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The reason this opens up a world of possibilities is that they have already made it clear that they would like to hire me for my next two co-op work terms. Not having to job search it out and fumble around with those awkward first few days again makes me love the idea. Also, I'll get to travel again, which I love. It will mainly be in the Western Canada region (West being everything West of Ontario). It's no London, England, but this is the kicker. They have offices all over the world. So when I graduate, I have the potential to be hired at any of their offices. Anywhere. In. The. World. Well, practically. How amazing would that be?! I also have the potential to learn the ins and outs of an entire business and culture while I'm still in school so that when I graduate, a promotion is much more of a possibility.<br />
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I know, I'm gushing here, but I can't get over how this amazing job basically fell into my lap. Sometimes things are just meant to be.<br />
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Here's to hoping my rose-coloured glasses aren't shattered in the near future!<br />
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Oh yeah, and I started school again. As much as I know it's taking me places, my response to that is "ho hum".<br />
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xo<br />
<br />
<br />bubblegum.princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15346049141151869556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329042286280500391.post-18471346790609572872011-08-31T23:24:00.002-06:002011-08-31T23:24:51.803-06:00Day 197: The Polka of Dots<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJGtDY3YUNiZ0NMzsARmmovbdiVlmpZilMLt38k-yzPGFBmyRLscr_VCK4Ue2VUEJojJ6ejLlDSx-PmGAMyXxCHiMm9ltSD9BmOVuBj1TWWOAd1iSUKv31hIgNnIrS9hpQl3RC5uaqj4/s1600/IMG_0405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJGtDY3YUNiZ0NMzsARmmovbdiVlmpZilMLt38k-yzPGFBmyRLscr_VCK4Ue2VUEJojJ6ejLlDSx-PmGAMyXxCHiMm9ltSD9BmOVuBj1TWWOAd1iSUKv31hIgNnIrS9hpQl3RC5uaqj4/s320/IMG_0405.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm alive followers, I really am! I realize that I haven't posted since July 28th, which means an entire month and a bit has gone by without me sharing the ins and outs of my life. I have failed those of you that want to know what is happening in my life. And I have brought joy to those that don't give a crap and can't be bothered with reading my blog.<br />
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I spent almost the entire month of August working just outside of Edmonton. Four weeks of hotel living. This idea of spending the month of August in another city has become a theme. Last year I lived in Portland, Oregon for four weeks straight. This year, Edmonton, Alberta. While Portland is a way cooler city than Edmonton, the people I worked with in Edmonton were fabulous! They even took me to dinner and a (absolutely hilarious!) comedy show on my last night there!<br />
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My August was filled with: recruitment, driving rental cars, Panago, nausea (also a summer theme), packing, unpacking, repacking, hotel beds, hot tubs, sunshine, laughter, "smoke breaks", baseball, random encounters with celebrities, maid of honour tasks, new and improved texting abilities, messy situations, and a whole lot of Skype dates.<br />
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I loved August. I forged friendships with many people. I had some of the more interesting experiences of my life. I gained perspective on many life situations and my own feelings related to them. I feel like I grew as a person this month. I am thankful for my work term for ending up giving me space that I was craving and honestly, probably really needed.<br />
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I can't believe this month is over. Let's go, September!<br />
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xo<br />
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<br />bubblegum.princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15346049141151869556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329042286280500391.post-89676510586074120962011-07-28T09:20:00.001-06:002011-07-28T09:21:44.511-06:00Day 196: People.<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Guys, there is just a lot of war happening right now. A lot of fighting. A lot of not understanding where other people are coming from.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I, obviously, don’t have any fabulous ideas on how we can reach the elusive idea of world peace, because I don’t see how this world will ever get to a place where we respect one another, even if we are different. Where we love one another, even if we don’t agree. Where we put down weapons and embrace one another as people. As living, breathing, thinking humans. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We’ve heard many times that ‘variety is the spice of life’, and yet, we kill people over their ‘variety’: their religion, the colour of their skin, their political ideologies, their affiliations with certain countries – as if we all have a choice of where we are born. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sometimes in Canada, where life is pretty good, we forget how much death at the hands of another happens in other parts of the world. Sometimes we turn a blind eye to the news reports, assuming that the media is sensationalizing things again. Guys, 20 people have died in Afghanistan in the last two days via suicide bombers and gun fights. 76 people died in Norway because <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">one person</i> decided it was his duty to fight back against a perceived impending domination of a certain religious group. There is a famine in the Horn of Africa, where a South Somalia political leader is denying the famine is a problem in his area, forcing thousands upon thousands of people to walk many miles in the hot sun, often leaving sick children behind to die, in hopes of being given a bite to eat. Anything to eat. Imagine having to choose between your two children, knowing that one is definitely not strong enough to make it to the camp because they are so malnourished that they cannot even walk. They are so malnourished that they cannot even cry.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Why can we not love each other, or care for each other? Why is it so hard for us to see past titles of what/who people ‘are’ and focus on the fact that they are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">people</i>?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I don’t have the answers. I can’t claim to have never fallen into the trap of stereotyping/judging/disliking people. But, I can say for myself that I am trying. I am trying my best to love people, even if I don’t understand them. To show people I meet that they have worth, even if the world has told them that they don’t. I’m sure my own personal ‘Love Movement’ won’t bring about world peace, but hopefully it can make even one person feel more loved after having met me.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Share love. Share hugs. Don’t kill people.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It seems like common sense, but we're getting it <em>so</em> wrong.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">xo</span></div><div></div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpM8PMy9YTB5YAfWry-n5p-QI-asIeaIP38eAKYSkvoGZhwwXfnDc3_1WcTRzSiHDyPW4aBaObO2rs7fUx9KuuhO6Vq-PNqsvdZdJd7bG6qzkeaRzyUFuElEw-zWHYosNAZxocdMcUYMA/s1600/heart.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpM8PMy9YTB5YAfWry-n5p-QI-asIeaIP38eAKYSkvoGZhwwXfnDc3_1WcTRzSiHDyPW4aBaObO2rs7fUx9KuuhO6Vq-PNqsvdZdJd7bG6qzkeaRzyUFuElEw-zWHYosNAZxocdMcUYMA/s1600/heart.gif" t$="true" /></a></div>bubblegum.princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15346049141151869556noreply@blogger.com0