Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
The Tea Box
Don't make fun of me.
About 9 months ago, my aunt sent me a housewarming care package. In it was a box of Trader Joe's Irish Breakfast tea and some great towels with palm trees on them - plus a matching trash can. Thanks, Auntie!
The tea was nice to drink through the winter, and it was also a pleasure to have iced in the summer. I took the box of tea to work with me when I was hired at my current employer, and it has sat on the shelf above my computer there ever since. Each morning I grab a bag and make some hot tea in my water bottle, then add cool water to make it "iced". Since I don't like to drink much coffee, it's a nice alternative and I still get some caffeine. I love it.
Today, I used the last of the tea. After putting the bag in my water bottle, I picked up the box and took one last look at it before throwing it out.
I really shouldn't have taken that look.
Suddenly, the tea box transformed itself into an old friend. All the memories of moving into the new place, getting used to being in a new place and all the good and bad that comes with it while drinking the tea came roaring back into my head. This was NOT just a STUPID TEA BOX, this was a FIXTURE from my EARLY DAYS HERE and right then, in front of the garbage can, it felt like I was losing a piece of my very heart and soul! WHY WOULD I DO THAT?!
(Ahem...I realize it's just a stupid tea box.)
After casually tossing it in the garbage like it didn't bother me (oh but it did), I glanced around to see if anyone was looking and took it out of the trash. It's back on my desk. Empty. There is even a corner that came unglued. It's not a useful box anymore, but there it is.
Maybe it's because I'm still adjusting to living somewhere new and still feel a little vulnerable. Maybe it's because my aunt gave me the tea and I miss my family, or maybe it's because I am batshit circus crazy and need to be in a straitjacket. I JUST DON'T KNOW.
But it's not leaving my line of vision. Not yet.
It's just too soon.
About 9 months ago, my aunt sent me a housewarming care package. In it was a box of Trader Joe's Irish Breakfast tea and some great towels with palm trees on them - plus a matching trash can. Thanks, Auntie!
The tea was nice to drink through the winter, and it was also a pleasure to have iced in the summer. I took the box of tea to work with me when I was hired at my current employer, and it has sat on the shelf above my computer there ever since. Each morning I grab a bag and make some hot tea in my water bottle, then add cool water to make it "iced". Since I don't like to drink much coffee, it's a nice alternative and I still get some caffeine. I love it.
Today, I used the last of the tea. After putting the bag in my water bottle, I picked up the box and took one last look at it before throwing it out.
I really shouldn't have taken that look.
Suddenly, the tea box transformed itself into an old friend. All the memories of moving into the new place, getting used to being in a new place and all the good and bad that comes with it while drinking the tea came roaring back into my head. This was NOT just a STUPID TEA BOX, this was a FIXTURE from my EARLY DAYS HERE and right then, in front of the garbage can, it felt like I was losing a piece of my very heart and soul! WHY WOULD I DO THAT?!
(Ahem...I realize it's just a stupid tea box.)
After casually tossing it in the garbage like it didn't bother me (oh but it did), I glanced around to see if anyone was looking and took it out of the trash. It's back on my desk. Empty. There is even a corner that came unglued. It's not a useful box anymore, but there it is.
Maybe it's because I'm still adjusting to living somewhere new and still feel a little vulnerable. Maybe it's because my aunt gave me the tea and I miss my family, or maybe it's because I am batshit circus crazy and need to be in a straitjacket. I JUST DON'T KNOW.
But it's not leaving my line of vision. Not yet.
It's just too soon.
Friday, July 24, 2009
So it begins...
Today is July 24th. It is also the 12 month anniversary of my setting foot on Oregon soil. This time last year, I had just stopped with my friend Becka and we checked into the HolidaySuperBestFloralCurtain SupremeContinentalBreakfastWhatever motel just off I-84 in Pendleton and talked the night through making excited plans of what we were going to do when-
No, actually. That's not quite right.
We stopped in Pendleton, but FIRST visited the supermarket TO BUY A BOTTLE OF WINE for two reasons.
1. Celebrate!
2. Lavish in the fact I CAN DO THAT NOW WHENEVER I WANT!
For you see, dear children, wine is not sold anywhere in the great State of Utah save for the state run liquor stores (unrefrigerated), which create all the ambiance and atmosphere of your local DMV (now with more beige!) so, to celebrate no longer needing to purchase alcohol from a dispensary unit (i.e. placing a chit in the chute and hoping for zinfandel), I made sure to buy wine at the supermarket!
WINE at the SUPERMARKET!
Seriously. I am still not over that. Walking through the supermarket has not been the same for me since last July.
(LOVE IT.)
Then we drank the entire bottle and talked the night through making excited plans yadda yadda I already said that part.
THE NEXT MORNING...we awoke with slight hangovers and made our way gingerly through the Gorge and into Portland.
It was the most exciting drive I have ever made in my life.
(TREES!)
Now I am here. Now I am employed. Now my employer HAS OFFERED ME A CONTRACT EXTENSION FOR TWO YEARS (oh did I mention that?) and have absolutely no regrets. My boyfriend (who is an Oregon native, by the way) once said "You know, Oregon looks good on you."
I couldn't agree more.
So let's see what the next 12 months bring. After my experiences and everything else I've been through this past 12, I am ready for damn near anything!
So happy. :)
No, actually. That's not quite right.
We stopped in Pendleton, but FIRST visited the supermarket TO BUY A BOTTLE OF WINE for two reasons.
1. Celebrate!
2. Lavish in the fact I CAN DO THAT NOW WHENEVER I WANT!
For you see, dear children, wine is not sold anywhere in the great State of Utah save for the state run liquor stores (unrefrigerated), which create all the ambiance and atmosphere of your local DMV (now with more beige!) so, to celebrate no longer needing to purchase alcohol from a dispensary unit (i.e. placing a chit in the chute and hoping for zinfandel), I made sure to buy wine at the supermarket!
WINE at the SUPERMARKET!
Seriously. I am still not over that. Walking through the supermarket has not been the same for me since last July.
(LOVE IT.)
Then we drank the entire bottle and talked the night through making excited plans yadda yadda I already said that part.
THE NEXT MORNING...we awoke with slight hangovers and made our way gingerly through the Gorge and into Portland.
It was the most exciting drive I have ever made in my life.
(TREES!)
Now I am here. Now I am employed. Now my employer HAS OFFERED ME A CONTRACT EXTENSION FOR TWO YEARS (oh did I mention that?) and have absolutely no regrets. My boyfriend (who is an Oregon native, by the way) once said "You know, Oregon looks good on you."
I couldn't agree more.
So let's see what the next 12 months bring. After my experiences and everything else I've been through this past 12, I am ready for damn near anything!
So happy. :)
Monday, July 06, 2009
Today is my Dad's birthday.
Yesterday they had a surprise birthday party for him. My Mom asked me to write something about him that she could read at his party, so I wrote this:
My Dad is responsible for my drive to learn. Fitting, since he's a teacher, but I guess that is what he loves to do in life - to inspire thirst for knowledge. He clearly didn't scrimp on me when it came to that.
Any time I ever wanted to know about something, I went to him. My walking encyclopedia. If he didn't know the answer, he damn well knew how to find the answer and would educate me as soon as he did. As a result of his influence, I have always taken the time to study both sides of an issue, I have never been confounded about my nation's government and how it operates and I have always learned the correct way to pronounce foreign words just in case I find myself somewhere that might come in handy.
The world is fascinating to me and I have my Dad to thank for that. He drove me to school in the mornings with NPR on the radio - where I first learned about different types of music from other countries. When I was in college and my studies in English, Political Science, Public Speaking, you name it, had come to a screeching halt, he swooped in for the rescue and got me motivated again.
When I wrote anything out of creativity, he would read and applaud it, then encourage me to write more. Most importantly, he was the one who got me my first National Geographic subscription as a child with an issue featuring beautiful photos from an interesting city called Portland. He opened my mind and encouraged me to never be afraid to ask a question. He showed me how to peacefully exist with others in this world.
He taught me how to live.
Thank you, Dad. I am a better person because of you and I will never, ever forget that.
Happy Birthday. Love you.
My Dad is responsible for my drive to learn. Fitting, since he's a teacher, but I guess that is what he loves to do in life - to inspire thirst for knowledge. He clearly didn't scrimp on me when it came to that.
Any time I ever wanted to know about something, I went to him. My walking encyclopedia. If he didn't know the answer, he damn well knew how to find the answer and would educate me as soon as he did. As a result of his influence, I have always taken the time to study both sides of an issue, I have never been confounded about my nation's government and how it operates and I have always learned the correct way to pronounce foreign words just in case I find myself somewhere that might come in handy.
The world is fascinating to me and I have my Dad to thank for that. He drove me to school in the mornings with NPR on the radio - where I first learned about different types of music from other countries. When I was in college and my studies in English, Political Science, Public Speaking, you name it, had come to a screeching halt, he swooped in for the rescue and got me motivated again.
When I wrote anything out of creativity, he would read and applaud it, then encourage me to write more. Most importantly, he was the one who got me my first National Geographic subscription as a child with an issue featuring beautiful photos from an interesting city called Portland. He opened my mind and encouraged me to never be afraid to ask a question. He showed me how to peacefully exist with others in this world.
He taught me how to live.
Thank you, Dad. I am a better person because of you and I will never, ever forget that.
Happy Birthday. Love you.
Sunday, July 05, 2009
R.I.P. Billy Mays
Most of you already know that Billy Mays, inventor of OxiClean and a whole slew of other household cleaning products has passed away. He was too young and it is very sad.
At the supermarket yesterday I went to get a Tide pen to keep at my desk, and OxiClean was right next to it. The little spray bottle.
This one:
Anyhow, I decided on OxiClean rather than the Tide pen in honor of his passing (and due to it being cheaper).
I just got strawberry juice on my down comforter. Not a good thing. Luckily the OxiClean was right next to me so I gave it a test run.
Holy.
Crap.
This stuff is GOOD. All you do is spray it on the stain and it's GONE. Seriously! I can't see it and it was STRAWBERRY JUICE! The juice had even had time to dry and it still came off!
WOW.
Rest in peace, Billy Mays. Your contributions will not go ignored in my household.
At the supermarket yesterday I went to get a Tide pen to keep at my desk, and OxiClean was right next to it. The little spray bottle.
This one:
Anyhow, I decided on OxiClean rather than the Tide pen in honor of his passing (and due to it being cheaper).
I just got strawberry juice on my down comforter. Not a good thing. Luckily the OxiClean was right next to me so I gave it a test run.
Holy.
Crap.
This stuff is GOOD. All you do is spray it on the stain and it's GONE. Seriously! I can't see it and it was STRAWBERRY JUICE! The juice had even had time to dry and it still came off!
WOW.
Rest in peace, Billy Mays. Your contributions will not go ignored in my household.
Saturday, July 04, 2009
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!
Now, we turn our focus to the U.S. and its special day.
Did you have to sing this in elementary school? I did and I still remember (most of) the lyrics, not to mention all of our states in alphabetical order. Post a comment if you did!
Happy happy!
Did you have to sing this in elementary school? I did and I still remember (most of) the lyrics, not to mention all of our states in alphabetical order. Post a comment if you did!
Happy happy!
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Happy Canada Day!
Yes, I am going to make this cake from last year and live it up for the Canadians! Woohoo!
(eh.)
Additionally, I would like to show you this retrospective of Canada's early days, delicately researched to give you an accurate picture of what begun to make this nation so very intriguing (short answer: beavers). Such a very colo(u)rful history.
Celebrate our neighbors to the North! If you know a Canadian, tell them you love them! Give hugs! Play hockey! Put gravy on fries! TODAY IS THE DAY!
Happy Canada Day to all my Canadian friends.
(eh.)
(eh.)
Additionally, I would like to show you this retrospective of Canada's early days, delicately researched to give you an accurate picture of what begun to make this nation so very intriguing (short answer: beavers). Such a very colo(u)rful history.
Celebrate our neighbors to the North! If you know a Canadian, tell them you love them! Give hugs! Play hockey! Put gravy on fries! TODAY IS THE DAY!
Happy Canada Day to all my Canadian friends.
(eh.)
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