TALE(s) to Spare

**Complete as of June 2014** Relatable, reliable, and (sometimes) plain ridiculous. Just some girls with "tales" to spare.

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E in "Endings"

I never do well when things I enjoy end. I like the protective comfort of having something familiar and routine. I didn't quite think that I would ever feel so comfortable with this project simply because it is such a personal work. But here I am, surprised that a year has passed so quickly. I've thoroughly enjoyed keeping up with the girls through such a medium. It has helped me to understand each of them on a deeper level and respect them more as friends and colleagues. T, thank you for pushing me to do this. Even when I wanted to bite you for reminding me oh so persistently to post, I really did enjoy working on this. I wish I had more time to devote to my posts in the past few months, but school really did need my attention. Well, I guess I must bid this lovely tumblr account adieu for now. Who knows, maybe one day I'll see you all again as partners in the internet sphere working on some other creatively charged project. Or maybe it will just be a trip to disney where we can be silly and look back fondly on our secret tumblr account. Thanks for following us, folks. It's been real. Potatoes, cookies, and love, ~E

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A on "Endings"

I'm not really the greatest at showing my emotions. Outwardly, I'm just usually pretty mellow. Yet on the inside, I'm in a constant flurry of emotional overthinking and worrying and obsessing. (This post is gonna be pretty short due to how incapable I am of expressing myself emotionally.) So when something is ending, it's like I completely bottle it up as if I don't have a care in the world. And sometimes I don't, because endings generally bring beginnings, which I'm rather fond of. But more often than not (and generally after it comes), endings leave me an emotional mess. I tend to be end up being way more sentimental than I like to believe and saying good bye becomes a really sad thing for me. Nevertheless, all things come to an end. And instead of dwelling on loss, I try to remember the memories and look forward to the future. So as much as I’m going to miss the routine of this blog and, the therapeutic outlet for my messed up emotions, and the new tidbits of my friends that I get to learn about, the future looks brighter with this experience under my belt. I did something I never thought I would ever do and learn things I never knew about myself. Thanks for coming up with this idea, T! IT’s been fantastic!

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T on "Endings"

Unless we’re talking about action films, math classes, or really awkward situations, I don’t really like endings. If I’m not mistaken, I believe I told you all that in my very first post. To me, endings mean wrapping things up, bidding farewell. And while I’m very good at starting things (see my “Work-in-Progress” post), finishing stuff is usually a lot harder.

Maybe it’s because I like to stay in the midst of things. The fun is being wrapped up in whatever you’re doing. You don’t remember that you’re sitting in a crowded movie theater until the credits start rolling. You don’t think about the fact that you’re swimming until you break the water’s surface. And you definitely don’t realize that you completed a yearlong online project with your friends until you’re writing your very last post for it.

But everything, as we know, must come to an end. Whether or not we want it to. So I think I’ll keep this post short and sweet.

Thank you, E, for breaking out of your carefully crafted comfort zone to come and share this experience with us. I know that this was asking a lot of you—and I appreciate that you jumped into the mix with only my proffered hand and hair-brained ideas to guide you. Thanks for sticking through it with its ups and downs, and for pulling me back from the emotional edge when I questioned my very reasons for creating the project in the first place.

And thank you, A, for just being you. No matter how crazy or stupid or blind I can be, you always know exactly what to say to set me straight. You’re my twin (the better one, if we’re being honest). Thanks for peering out of your shell for a bit (though I long suspect that that shell has been cracking for a while) to take part in this. And thanks for watching that one episode of Downton Abbey. *coughcough*

(And I'm sorry for the consistent nagging about posting each week. I promise I won't bring this one up to either of you.)

This blog has been writer-blocking, challenging, longsuffering, hilarious, revealing, exciting, nostalgic, happy, frustrating, creative, and most importantly, fun.

To quote a favorite character from Roger and Amy’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson: “Saying good-bye is basically an invitation not to see a person again. It’s making it okay for that to be the last conversation you have. So if you don’t say it—if you leave the conversation open—it means you’ll have to see them again.”

Cheers, ladies. See you soon.

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Week 52: T

Topic: Endings

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E on "Punishment 8"

The generic nail polish remover bottle glanced outside of her newly buffed medicine cabinet. It was the first field trip of the year and she was so afraid of losing her little ones. A line of tittering, chattering nail polish bottles stood beside her. In her nervous state, she didn't see their colorful inner personas but their fragile outer shell, the way a first time mother looks at her child. Despite her hesitations, the remover bottlw knew they had limited time if they wanted to enter and exit the city before dark. She pushed open the mirrored door to the cabinet, catching the patient glance of the make up mirror mounted on the wall beside the cabinet, waiting to safely transport the group to the porcelain countertop below. He flashed his mirror light in greeting at the remover bottle and her collection of colorful munchkins as he lowered them to the counter's surface. They saw the great toothbrush monument that chabged twice a day, the sink whirlpool where the rebels gathered to show off their bravery,  the make up forest, and finally the jewelry box, the main attraction in their city. The nail polishes gazed longingly at sparkling earrings and golden necklaces that gleamed elegantly in the flourescent lighting. The remover bottle was just getting nervous as the antsy children began to touch the priceless items when the door to the bathroom opened. Everyone froze. Steam and the sound of running water filled the room. The nail polish remover bottle knew that she had only a short amount of time to get back to the medicine cabinet. She rushed through the brush riddled makeup forest and ignored the daredevils at the whirlpool. She rushed past the toothbrush monuments, not letting the children stop for one last glance. Before she knew it, she was safely back in the medicine cabinet. She returned the children, safe and unbroken, to gracious parents and relaxed with a capful of neosporin to calm her nerves.

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A on"Big City"

Big city. THE big city. The city that is big. And um...yeah. I...haven't actually ever been to one. Like, ever. Not really. I lived in one for a while, but just the suburbs half. I honestly have no experience with any proper cities and I don't have an interest in them either. Crowds freak me out so much - even a grocery store with too many people stresses me out. I couldn't imagine trying to navigate a city; I'd get swallowed whole. It's not a huge deal or anything, they just aren't for me. Sorry, I've been trying to come up with something better to say, but I really don't have much else.

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E on "Big City"

Pass 1: E I hate to do this so close to the end but I started work this week, I'm moody, I'm having a bad reaction to some mosquito bites, today was my only day off this week, and I am so creatively stifled that it's becoming painful. I'm so sorry for using a pass.

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(Paris - as seen from halfway up Notre Dame Cathedral.)

T on "Big City"

Little-known secret of T's: Big cities freak me out.

Huh? you might be asking. Didn't you say you like to travel? What's with this photo from Paris, then, hm?

Well... I do like to travel. And believe it or not, I have been to my fair share of big cities in my short life. Each and every one was fascinating, with different aspects that made me really happy to be visiting. Take Philadelphia, for instance. I saw the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. In D.C., I saw the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington Cemetary. In Chicago, I stood under The Bean and watched my reflection jut out in a million different directions. In Paris, I climbed Notre Dame Cathedral and stood in front of the Mona Lisa. San Francisco, Las Vegas, Portland, Charlotte, Boston, Atlanta, Houston, Cheyenne, Denver; they all have their amazing upsides.

But there's something about being in a big city that sometimes makes me tense up the minute I leave a museum or landmark. There's a quality to a packed environment, with crowds of unknown people speaking various languages that reminds me to duck my head and keep walking. I feel this strongly in New York, in Paris, and for the first time most recently in my favorite city: London. I love the UK--from the limited portion I've seen of it, but even then, riding the tube back to my dorm from class one morning, I found myself glimpsing over my shoulder as I shifted uneasily on the train car.

I don't belong in the Big City. And that's okay.

I want to make something clear: Cities can be wonderful. They are cultural breeding grounds, out of which emerge fashion, music, cuisine, languages, art, and not to mention, people. The old saying about New York jumps to mind regarding most of them: "If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere." I just know now that I don't think that will happen for me.

So while I can appreciate their charm and why so many people (including myself) continue to book plane tickets to go see the wondrous things these places have to offer, I realize that I kind of like living on the outskirts. Or at least, that's where I believe I belong. There's a peace, a beauty to the quiet suburban. And travel makes for an exciting adventure into the unknown--but there's nothing quite like coming home.

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Week 51: E

Topic: Big City

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E on "Something New Challenge"

Out of comfort zone challenge I am currently on vacation with my family so the thing that I am doing for this challenge is actually happening tomorrow (Monday) due to scheduling. Tomorrow we are touring Gallaudet University, the most renown and prestigious school for the deaf in the U.S. due to my fascination with deaf culture and my interest in potentially becoming an interpreter, I want to visit this university. But, as a hearing individual from a hearing family with very limited experience signing, I'm petrified. Everyone will know we're hearing and I'm afraid we'll  do something stupid or offensive. I've met deaf individuals before and we communicated well and had a grand time, but this will be different. I will be obviously hearing too because I'll be saying words to my family. We will have an interpreter but I will still be incredibly far from my comfort zone. I'm excited and terrified. I will post an update tomorrow as an addition to this post talking about my visit. My apologies for the timing, but this is the perfect thing to write about for this challenge. *EDIT* Omg. It was wonderful. Gallaudet is not only a beautiful school but so rich with unbelievable history. My family wasn't the only hearing family on the tour which made me feel less insecure because I can at least sign a bit. We met a couple who lives ten minutes from us. So cool. And I did alright speaking to them too and my family did a great job focusing on the speaker rather than the interpreter. I'm so proud. I'm glad I did this. I was terrified this morning but now I feel great. Who knows, maybe I'll be back in dc in a few years working in the interpretation department. I guess I'll wait and see what the future holds.

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A on "Something New" Challenge

So I'm somewhere between the ages of 17 and 24. (And sometimes I feel like each of those ages plus some.) Generally though, I feel safe in assuming that my maturity is far beyond my years. It's just a fact that has always been true. Nevertheless, (and even though I am beyond the age of when it is typical to have such a thing) I don't have my driver's license just yet.

Yeah, I know. I've heard it all before. But it's just something I've never felt the need to worry myself with. I have tons of reasons as to why I haven't gotten around to it and despite being rather open on this blog, I'm not going to share them because I've never felt the need to share it with anyone. All that matters is that I'm okay with now checking this thing off my list of Things I'll Get to Eventually.

So what does any of this have to do with anything? Well, yesterday I drove on the road for the first time. Like the actual, real street. Not just the same parking lot I've been driving around for  years. And it was horrible and terrifying and just the worst thing and I went back to bed afterwards for three hours to try and get over. It was crazy and one of the scariest things I have ever done. Completely unsettling.

But then today happened. And even though I didn't want to, I let my mum drag me out of bed and go driving at 6:30 this morning. And it was pretty okay. I drove us to the grocery store. Like, I did that! Me! And it still frightening, but also kinda cool.

Do I see what everyone thought I've been missing all this time? Nope. Do I give a crap that I'm a "late bloomer" or something? Never. Because I did something new in my own time because I wanted to. And it really shouldn't be any other way.

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A on "Punishment 10"

A unicorn! It's horn is jutting to the left as it charges forth!

  Can you see it? The darker bit? Quite clearly a dragon breathing fire (the fire is going to the right)! He's kinda adorable!

  Godzilla stalking towards another unsuspecting town as he leaves the rubble of the last one behind him.

  A fluffy, contented kitty hanging out (probably on a couch).

  I see a face there. I really do and I just don't know how. A bit of a carrot noise? I'm thinking a elf-dwarf snowman? Yeah. Abstract self portrait of an elf-dwarf snowman.

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T on "Something New" Challenge

Pass 2: T

I think I did do a few new things this week, but nothing I think I can talk about just yet. Anywho, apologies for using up my second pass.

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Week 50: A

Challenge: Something New In honor of nearly a year of this blog (something that was extremely new for all of us), this month's challenge is to do something new - something you have never done before. It can be anything - something big and out of your comfort zone or something you can do right from your bed. Do it, write about what it was and how it worked out for ya.

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T and E on "Punishment 10"

A, for missing Week 49, you must take five photos of clouds in the sky and interpret them to the best of your ability. For example, if you see a creature in a cloud, you must tell us who/what it is and what it happens to be doing. Good luck!

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E on "Dreams" Ever since I was young, I've always had very vivid dreams. This is my best depiction of this horrible recurring nightmare I used to have as a child whenever I was under the weather (which was, unfortunately, often). In my dream, I was this tiny, miniscule creature accompanied by an even smaller presence with a weak voice trapped in a horrible rust colored room. The tiny presence told me everything was okay while the massive shadows of two angry parents yelled at me through the doorway in an unintelligible language. These big parental creatures just kept yelling at me and making me feel even smaller until I would finally wake up.My dreams don't usually scare me at all. This particular dream was the only one I would ever consider a true nightmate. Everything else is just weird and confusing. My dreams are always quite realistic, almost always incorporating people that I know in real life. It is so confusing. I wake up in love, angry, crying, or ecstatic due to my dreams and always dealing with random people. I've awoken angry with friends, sad about being cheated on by some random person I know,  ecstatic about nonsense events, and in love with random kids I met in grammar school. I actually have to focus on reality for about ten minutes before talking to anyone because I'm afraid my dream emotions will seep into my real life interactions. See? I told you it was weird and confusing. Even though my dreams are bizarre most of the time, I really do enjoy waking up with a memory of my dreams. I like to talk abiut them and try to understand them. Dreaming is mysterious and I love it.

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T on "Dreams"

I admit: I must have some very weird dreams. I've been told I sleep-talk when I'm excruciatingly tired (currently sitting in London Heathrow airport after a sleepless night, by the way) and in the midst of some sort of sleep. My roommate on this trip has informed me that I have asked strange questions in my sleep ("Is it time to go?"), babbled incoherently ("Turn them over"), and even--somehow--spoken some sleep language that sounds like French. I wonder if it is actually French. I rarely remember my dreams, but I'm always left with the impression that they must be quite vivid if I feel the need to speak out during them. Also, I'm pretty sure I dream in color. Sorry for the rambling this week. Like I said, I didn't sleep. My airport shuttle left our facility at 3:30 in the morning--and now I'm dreaming of dreaming.