❣ Chile in a Photography ❣
almost home
"I'm Dorothy Gale from Kansas"
tumblr dot com
hello vonnie
No title available
blake kathryn
Game Changer & Make Some Noise
ellievsbear
YOU ARE THE REASON
The Stonewall Inn
Cosmic Funnies
No title available
Discoholic 🪩
todays bird
One Nice Bug Per Day
gracie abrams
No title available
Today's Document
Fai_Ryy
seen from United States
seen from Germany
seen from Germany
seen from Philippines
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Singapore
seen from United Kingdom
seen from United States
seen from Iraq
seen from United Kingdom
seen from United Kingdom
seen from Iraq
seen from Brazil
seen from Sweden
seen from Venezuela
seen from Germany
seen from United Kingdom
seen from United Kingdom
seen from Canada
@myrawrmily-blog
I am re-reading this book on the plane (it’s like a 14 hour day between flights and layovers) and I am stoked!
It’s one of those books thats creepy so it keeps my attention, but not so creepy that I can’t sleep that night. That perfect sweet spot.
So close yet so far.
Hawaii soon approaches!
I mean, relatively. Seven months ago when this whole process started I would have given almost anything to be as close as we are now. Except somehow those days flew by and today every time I look at the clock it hasn’t moved.
Time is relative. That was Einstein right? I can’t tell you have many times a day that line goes through my head. When I’m killing time before bed by cleaning, it feels like it takes me hours and really ten minutes has gone by. When I kill time before bed by watching stupid youtube videos its 1AM before I know it.
Today has been a cleaning day. It feels like it should be 4 or maybe even 5PM at here we are... we haven’t even gotten to the afternoon yet!
I guess, as long as Hawaii time is this slow too, I won’t complain. Although we all know Hawaii will go faster than stupid-youtube-time.
Oh well, at least it’ll be in Hawaii!
Triggered.
Bean and I have a mutual friend, we’re going to call her Tessa (that’s actually her dog’s name but ever other name I could think of was terribly mean.) and Tessa is… something.
Tessa is married to her husband Navi (another dog name… I’m going with it now…) and Navi is a great guy. I enjoy spending time with Navi more than Tessa to tell you the truth. Tessa, well she just angers me like no one else I know. Tessa is one of those people who thinks they have the hardest life ever and so therefore the deserve to have everyone around them bend backwards to help them out.
Tessa doesn’t have the hardest life ever. Does she have struggles, sure! Who doesn’t? But does Tessa cause most of her own struggles herself? You bet your bottom dollar she does!
Example 1: When Nave and Tessa were in their first year of marriage they lived really close to Hubby and I, so we would see them a few times a month and do group hang outs. I also went over often to help Tessa with different things (they bought a new couch and needed help getting it in, Tessa’s car shut down and she needed a boost, they would go away for the weekend and I would look after the dogs, etc.) Then Navi and Tessa decided to move.
Well, to be more accurate, Tessa decided they needed to own a home and Navi needed to make that happen. This meant that Navi ended up working full time in a manual labor job (because it paid super well) and part time at a desk job (which didn’t pay as well but was flexible and would work around his labor job) and Tessa worked… part time… seasonally.
Now, I know some couples work this way, the wife doesn’t do much work and the husband brings home the bacon. I know this because Momma and Poppa are those people and have been my whole life. However, I also know Navi and know this wasn’t exactly what he signed up for when he said, “I do.” He has never complained to me, but the poor guy is perma-exhausted and does his best not to show it.
The worst part of this arrangement was how ungrateful Tessa was! If I didn’t know Navi before they were married and had only heard about him through Tessa, I would assume he was the worst. She talks about him like he’s an idiot who barely lifts a finger. She must clean the whole house herself, he leaves dishes in the sink and she must fight with him to get help with the housework. She walks the dog all by herself every day, and he is never home to spend time with her.
I want to slap her when she complains about this.
You can’t ask your husband to pay for a house by himself (fresh out of college too btw) and then complain that he’s out working and never home! That is completely unfair to him! The expectation that he should be able to work like her Daddy does and get paid large amounts of money for little work is unrealistic. Your dad has been working his whole life at the same job, so he’s making double (if not triple) the wages of someone who has just started! That’s how the workforce functions.
I also can’t handle how she talks about him when he is around. I have heard her say, “Well, if you can’t remember to feed the snake (oh ya, they have a snake too…) you are going to be a terrible father.” Talk about a low blow! The guy is working a job and a half for you and barely has time at home, let alone time to take care of the many animals you insist on owning and he is going to be the terrible parent??
I think this bothers me so much because I feel like Navi deserves better. He is a guy who is just trying to do his best to provide for his insane wife’s demands and she still can’t say “thank-you” or “I appreciate your efforts” or anything like that. She still complains and wants more.
Sometimes I think Navi needs to toughen up a little and tell Tessa to cut it out, but that probably wouldn’t go well. They’re in this pattern now, were Tessa tells Navi what to do and he does it because they’re married and that’s his role. It frustrated me as someone who’s also married, because that’s not how I would participate in my marriage, but also because I can see this exploding in a few years.
Navi will have had enough and will blow up, and for Tessa it will seem like it’s come out of nowhere even thought she has been planting these seeds for years. To work it out will take years of work because even now (like 4 years after their wedding) they have so many built up issues.
Tessa also likes to rope me into her complaints because I am married too. She’ll say things like, “Navi left in a mood this morning. You know how husbands get like that? He just woke up on the wrong side of the bed, I guess. I asked him to do one simple thing because he hasn’t helped all week and he just grumbled at me and left for work. Does Hubby ever do that to you?” and usually I just say, “Nope.” Or don’t even answer (she’ll just keep going if you don’t say anything for long enough) because I want to yell at her and tell her to leave the poor guy alone and not be so terrible to him all the time.
It just makes me sad because I know how awesome and uplifting a good relationship can be and how depressing a bad one is.
No one likes seeing someone in a bad relationship, especially when they’re making it worse.
the phrase “curiosity killed the cat” is actually not the full phrase it actually is “curiosity killed the cat but satisfaction brought it back” so don’t let anyone tell you not to be a curious little baby okay go and be interested in the world uwu
See also:
Blood is thicker than water The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.
Meaning that relationships formed by choice are stronger than those formed by birth.
Let’s not forget that “Jack of all trades, master of none” ends with “But better than a master of one.”
It means that being equally good/average at everything is much better than being perfect at one thing and sucking at everything else. So don’t worry if you’re not perfect at something you do! Being okay is better!
These made me feel better
Also, “great minds think alike” ends with “but fools rarely differ”
It goes to show that conformity isn’t always a good thing. And that just because more than one person has the same idea, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a good idea.
what the fuck why haven’t i heard the full version to any of these
“Birds of a feather flock together” ends with “until the cat comes.”
It’s actually a warning about fair-weather friends, not an assessment of how complementary people are.
I’ve always felt like these were cut down on purpose.
I really like these phrases and plan on spreading this knowledge.
The early bird catches the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.
I want to make designs out of these.
Funny how all the half-finished ones encourage uniformity and upholding the status-quo, while the complete proverbs encourage like…living exciting, eclectic lives driven by choice and personal passion.
The legendary thread is back
I love knowledge.
Actual footage of Bean and me watching Disney movies together.
Me seeing Bean after four months apart.
Bean!
My beffel (BFFL = best friend for life) came home late last night and I get to see her tonight! I am so excited!
We met in university, she had one year in music classes with me and then left to go to another university in another town for 3 years (rude) then she moved back for even more schooling (I am just now realizing how many people in my life have done ALL THE SCHOOL) and then she moved away again for even more school.
*sigh*
She’s on Christmas break now though, and back again! Yay!
She is one of those friends who, even though I don’t see her every day, we text often (usually with meaningless memes or gifs and little else) and she is the friend I want to tell all my big news to. Like, when Hubby and I decided to try for a little one (thanks for wrecking that dream cancer!) we decided we would each tell just one person, she was mine and Hubby’s Uncle was his. (It might sound weird that Hubby’s Uncle is his closest friend, but he’s more of a brother than an Uncle, there is like 4 years between them in age and they travel and hang out on a weekly basis.) Bean was the first person outside of Hubby that I told about Poppa’s cancer and how they would be coming to live with us. We spend nights watching musicals and Disney (and singing along with crazy harmonies that work well... mostly) and we have crafty nights where we paint or make cards. We bake together (we baked our other friend’s wedding cake!) and we go camping together (last time we went Bean broke her back in a car accident on the way home, that was not a fun memory to make).
We had a challenge this last summer to go to every outdoor pool in the immediate area (there were like seven I think) and we didn’t complete it, but we did get to spend at least one night a week exercising and hanging out together in the summer! We like to create reasons to spend time together as well as spending time together for no reason whatsoever. She’s my bestie. I actually kind of hate that term, because Hubby would be who I would classify as my “best friend” but it’s different with Bean. She is the person who I am closest to outside of my marriage. She is a rare person who can spend time alone with Hubby and he doesn’t hate it (that’s an Asperger’s thing) they talk about video games, play video games, watch anime or do nothing together in the same room and love it.
Bean is an introvert, which means she fits in well with Hubby and me. Hubby is, by definition, an introvert (Asperger’s trait) and I am *coughs for effect* an introvert with extrovert tendencies which is just a fancy way of saying I like being around people but that I need to be alone (or with only special select people) to recharge. Bean and Hubby are the only two people I feel like I can be around when I’m just done with the world. Hubby because I know there isn’t any expectations for me to look like a person or do anything productive when I am that exhausted, and Bean for the same reason. Bean is doing some psychology courses and so we’ve had some interesting conversations about expectations in relationships and have literally said to each other, “You can say you don’t want to spend time with me, I won’t be offended, enjoy your time alone.” Which I think is rare in a friendship.
She is my person. I think that’s a Grey’s Anatomy thing, but I’ve never watched that show so I’m not totally sure about that. But she is. She is my person who I can talk to about life, marriage (even though she’s single, she has some of the best perspectives on relationships I’ve ever known), family and friends.
I’m excited to bake cookies (yes, MORE cookies) tonight and watch Disney and catch up with my Bean!
Es-ca-pay
I don’t know if you are aware of the craze that has sprung up in North America, but escape rooms are everywhere!
EVERYWHERE.
I like the concept and I have done a few (like five?) with a different group of people each time and they are pretty fun, but I don’t get the people who go regularly. It isn’t the cheapest thing you can do, and it’s on a time limit. I have done spooky ones, funny ones, and some really complicated ones, and while they’re all fun I always think to myself, “Would I pay this much money to do this again?” and I’m never sure. It was fun, we made some memories (like the time Biggest Brother shoved me at a skeleton that came crashing down into a one way mirror and scared the pants off of him) but would I pay that much money to be thrown into a skeleton again? I don’t think I would.
I would love if the prices came down a bit, then I think I would try more of them. I’m also cheap though (woohoo for being on a budget!) so maybe it’s just me. Maybe everyone else thinks they’re reasonably priced?
Well, anyway, we are going tonight as a work event and I am stoked! Not because I love escape rooms or anything, but because I want to see my 50-year-old (and above) co-workers fight to outsmart each other and to win. It will be a good time, I think.
Let’s just hope there are not skeletons hiding in this one.
Time is relative.
We are in the single digits until we leave for Hawaii!!!!!
I have to say that this week has gone slower than any in human history ever before it. I was sick for the first half of it and catching up on work for the last half.
I have to many things to count down to so I am paying way to much attention to the time which is just making this whole week feel like it’s a month long.
I have my bestie coming home this weekend (YAAAAS) and then next weekend we are flying high (to Hawaii, not on drugs… Well Poppa will be on drugs, but they’re prescription and for his cancer so he gets a pass).
It’s all so close yet SO FREAKING FAR.
I’m not a patient person in case you couldn’t tell.
The zoo!
Hubby and I went to the zoo yesterday! It was so much fun! They had this Christmas event happening with lights and the animals out. It was a nice pick me up after a few weeks of being perma-exhausted.
We got hot chocolate and then went for a walk in the cold (we’re talking -20 degree weather… cause Canada is COLD) and got pink cheeks and noses while we looked around at the animals.
The zoo is SO different at night! We both really like to go to the zoo at least once a year. We have a list of animals we almost never see.
- Foxes. These are a personal favorite of Hubby and I’s. We love the mix of cleverness and mischievous behavior in foxes. They’re like the best traits of a dog and cat combined. We have seen the fox at our zoo ONCE. We’ve been going there for five years (at least… could be up to seven actually) and have seen the fox ONE TIME. So, we know it exists at least.
- Red Pandas. These buggers are just freaking cute! They were really hard to see for a while, but they’ve put them in an indoor enclosure for a short while, so we got to see them more up close yesterday which was THE BEST. They have the cutest faces and little paws.
- Porcupine. This guy is supposed to be in an enclose with bats…. it’s hella dark and hard to see! Needless to say, we’ve never seen this guy and doubt he is actually in the enclosure and it’s all an elaborate prank by the zoo.
I guess I just didn’t realize how many animals were nocturnal until last night! We went to the bat enclosure and they were very active! (Yes, I am aware bats are nocturnal) Usually it’s a game to see who can spot one curled up and hanging down first but last night we couldn’t see them because they were flying around so much! We also saw a sloth, which usually is hiding away for the day, he was motoring around at 0.05 km per hour like a mad man.
We also saw the elephant up close! She was walking around with her handlers (I think it’s a she??) and scoping out the other enclosures. She got close to an open exhibit that usually has the meerkats in it, but because it’s cold they’ve been moved inside. So, the elephant walked up to the fence, looked back at her handler and then stuck her trunk over the small fence and toward the ground inside. Her handler goes, “Hey!” and she slowly pulled her trunk back and dropped her head down. It was adorable and sad at the same time.
I love the zoo. Always a good time.
I sat down with Poppa and Momma and watched Moana yesterday. I’m stoked to go to Hawaii and learn how to sail a ship by the end of one song too now!
But for real, I love the music in that movie…
Christmas in the sun.
As I’ve mentioned before…
I’M GOING TO HAWAII!
Currently, I live in a climate where during December it’s cold and snowy and the sun only shines for about 5 hours out of the day. I am going to be transitioning to sunshine and toasty weather!
The downside to this is that I am a red-head.
I’m gonna buuuuuuuurn…
If anyone out there in the world has amazing tips (other than sunscreen, I have ALL the sunscreen) for how to keep my skin from matching my hair in color, let me know!
Lobster look alike possibilities aside…
I’M GOING TO HAWAII!
Typing to seem busy.
I am guilty of being that admin person who typed louder and faster on her keyboard when someone is in the waiting room.
In fact.
I’m doing right now.
I work in an office that lends itself to interesting people walking through the door. Sometimes this is great, I get to have some really fascinating conversations. Other times I get to hear about someone’s boils that they tried lancing themselves, or their latest woodworking project or even the deer they just shot last weekend.
It ranges all over the map so sometimes I nod politely and when there is a sort of a natural pause (or an unnatural one) I will turn to my screen, make a bit of a focused face and then type like a maniac. Usually people get the hint and say, “Oh sorry! You’re at work, you’re busy! I’ll tell you about it later.” Which is great. Sometimes they just keep talking but if they decide to do that, I can usually fake an important call I have to make or whatever.
It sounds mean, but it’s awkward to know that much about a stranger’s life! I don’t mind small talk with people and honestly, sometimes there are older people who come in who just want someone to listen to them and I can do that. I have done that. Other times people want me to be their therapist and I’m not OK with that. There is a fine line between professional politeness and being someone’s sound board because you happen to be nearby.
I love my job. I do. I get challenging problems to solve and generally the team works well together. Sometimes we have communication break downs (see earlier posts) but overall, my job has the best internal communication of any place I’ve ever worked at.
There is always something though isn’t there? Something that is irksome or makes your day just less than perfect.
You know what though? I am absolutely fine with less that perfect, it’s still pretty great.
Silence is golden?
One of Hubby’s favorite things to say to me is, “Your silences speak louder than some peoples words.”
It sounds deep, but really he’s just saying I make a whole lot of faces when I’m trying to keep my mouth shut.
Competence is my curse.
I have been told in my personal and professional life that I am very competent.
People mean this as a compliment.
I have found, it isn’t.
Competence means that people will look to me and say, “She can do that.” Or “Put it on Karla’s plate, she’ll figure out how to get it done.” And while I appreciate people’s faith in me (and I would say I am almost vain in my pride about this) it is such a double-edged sword. I get more put on my plate despite the fact that I have a full work load anyway.
I routinely - routinely - get stopped in malls and in stored because people think I work there. I can be (and have been) in sweats, with no makeup, sniffling from a cold and someone will tap my shoulder and say, “Sorry dear, where is the anti-fungal cream?” And I have to smile nicely and say, “Sorry, I don’t work here.” And people are always shocked and confused by that. Like I must be wrong or something…
Competence has become my curse.
I shouldn’t complain. I like that I am someone that can look at all the pieces of a puzzle and see how doing “x” now will affect thing “y” 7 steps later. I can be tiring sometimes, but overall, I like that I am that person.
However, I don’t like when people take advantage of this. It happens often at work where someone will give me work past the deadline or change something last minute and I just have to go with it. It makes me wonder why we have deadlines at all to be honest. I know I should have a servant’s heart and be able to graciously accept the things people want done and just do them, but sometimes I want to scream and shout about it.
That was today. I wanted to throw a fit and refuse to do anything anymore ever again!
Of course, this is a completely irrational train of thought, but it lets me get some of my emotions out. My biggest frustration is with the fact that I do my best to avoid last minute issues as much as possible at work. I have check lists of check lists and I touch base with people regularly to make sure they have things done and ready for me to work on them well in advance.
My recent frustration with my own competence came after an elderly lad screamed at me on the phone because my work had advertised that she could register for an event online and when she went to do that, there was no registration form. Shouldn’t I know it’s rude to waste peoples time? Especially elderly peoples time? It’s valuable!
The reason I was so frustrated with this was not because some old lady yelled at me (although that wasn’t super great) but because I had spent the better part of the week before that ad run asking our communications department if the link was going to be up in time. I got assured several times it would be, and in fact told not to worry about it because it would be up.
It wasn’t up.
I got the angry call.
What the heck?
It’s a first world problem I realize, but the emotion behind it is real. I don’t like being told I’ve done something wrong when I have in fact gone out of my way to ensure it was done right. After a certain point I can’t do anything about it, but that doesn’t make it any less frustrating.
The worst part is I can’t even yell back at the lady or tell her it’s not my fault, because that would be unprofessional.
We wouldn’t want to be unprofessional now would we…
Christmas cookies are made!
Yes those are ninja shortbread men. Be jealous.
My life IS like a sitcom!
Remember that post? Well… I have another episode to add.
I woke up at 4 am this morning to a LOUD cracking/crashing sound and jumped out of bed faster than I ever though possible. Someone (who was super inebriated) crashed into the front of our house with their car! It is winter, so this gentleman slid out after going much too fast down the road, hit the traffic sign, broke it and brought it up with the rest of his car to meet the house. His bumper is actually embedded into the wall.
The best part of this? Hubby and I’s bed is up against the wall he hit! His bumper is about 2 feet away from where Hubby’s head would be on the opposite side of the wall.
I guess now with the sign there, everyone else will know that our front lawn is a no parking zone.
