Kommotion

Some things that made me smile lately…

Sitting my my neighborhood lake (it’s small, with a beautiful surrounding of crepe myrtles and perfectly mowed green grass and landscaping) and reading or sketching. I did a quick sketch of the apartments across the lake, as the sun cast it’s lasst rays of the day upon them, and it reminded me how much drawing somthing makes you notice the small details. Beautiful!

As I sat by the lake, doves kept fluttering by me. Soon I realized that the small concrete filter that barely poked above the waterline was their object- it was the perfect little perch for them to have a cool drink. It was very neat to watch them!

There was also a bunny that stopped a group of about 10 or 12 ladies with Coldstone ice cream in the tracks. The bunny was so cute, and after a few seconds of being stared at or staring at the ladies, he hopped into the bushes. I love that there is wildlife here!

I went to the library. I love libraries, and I forgot how much! I can lose all track of time there. I found several books- two wine books, one clothing book, and one novel. It looked like it might be a good romp to read. I read some of the wine book, and then picked up the novel. It was slow in starting, but soon I could not put it down. I read late into the night and finished the entire thing! How pleasant!

This morning I noticed how the rising sun cuts across and plays with the spaces between my apartment buildings. There are so many opportunites to artistically play with light and color and shape around my little villiage.

God bless you, my reader, with a lovely day!

My Thursday:

Saw two hotties down by the pool this morning. Wow, finally! I tried to smile at the cutest, I don’t think he was amused- but I was, so I really didn’t care.

In the afternoon, I rode the local train downtown to the art museum. It was a perfect afternoon- warm, breezy… I dressed stylishly artsy and enjoyed the train ride down. Here are some rondowm thoughts of the day:

-There sure were a wide variety of people on board the train… there was this skater dude who looked scary at first, but then I really looked at him. His dress was all black, he wore chains, he had a strange haircut hidden beneath a black cap, and he had a multitude of tattoos, but the attitude of his mouth was pleasant, and his eyes reminded me of a very kind person I know. He looked scary- but of all the people on that train, I think he was probably the nicest one on that train. If I were in trouble, somehow I felt he’d be the first to try to help me. I caught his eye shyly once or twice and then he got off. There is so much truth in the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover.”

-I got downtown and sauntered down the sidewalk the several blocks from the train stop to the art museum. Fabulous! Had an absolutely fab time! Walked the museum, at least a part of; I made sure to visit the special exhibitions. Which were, by the way, all very interesting and enjoyable! Sometimes I find that the special showings are rather odd, but this visit every single one inspired me in some way. Around six o’clock I walked to the atrium and café to hear the complimentary live jazz that plays every Thursday night at this museum. I was thirsty and hungry, so I went to the café line to get some refreshment. I didn’t have a lot of time and the line was long, so I wondered what I was going to get. While standing in line, pondering this and deciding upon a drink and a snack, I struck up a conversation with the man behind me. He was a charismatic guy, dressed in a relaxed, odd-print button down and pants I cannot recall; kind of “jazzy” and suave for a man his age. We talked about the jazz, my being an artist and just moving back to town, his being unable to enjoy a cookie because he was training for a racketball tourney and needed to trim up. Then it was my turn at the counter, I ordered, he ordered, and I left him without any words or ado. It was just a random conversation with a nice man, I thought, and therefore I did not think too much of it. I went on my way to enjoy my snack. There weren’t any empty tables so I found a seat and proceeded to enjoy my diet coke and giant, chewy chocolate chip cookie. Not but a couple minutes had passed, when a hand on my shoulder startled me. It was the gentleman again, suddenly handing me a cookie and his business card with his cell number written on it! A quick “hello” and “nice to meet you” and he was gone. I looked at the card, and as it would turn out, he is the dj on a local radio station I occasion to listen to!!! I was trying not to laugh out of my surprise. I have another cookie now, and I was flattered. I really didn’t think a lot of it but my brother insists he was hitting on me. But he was at least 40, if not older! I am twenty-five!!!

-After that little strange event, I then joined the sketching group that meets at 7. We all met up, and then had the leader take us to a particular part of the museum and give us general guidelines for our work. Then she told us to sketch away! That was so enjoyable. Our “assignment” was to make a beautiful sketchbook page, to focus on creating a nice layout. We sketched for an hour and a half, and then everyone gathered to set up their work along the wall to share. I finally found someone to talk to- and older gentlemen. He was funny, and he goes every week. Sadly I can’t remember his name, but I am sure I will learn in. I really felt at home there, and I loved the museum. I think I will become a Thursday regular at the museum.

-On the way back, riding the train I directed a visiting volleyball team. Funny I just rode the train today and I’m already giving directions!

I got back home around 10, and I decided I looked too hot in my blue knit dress and heels not to go out. I walked down to the town area that is part of the little village I live in. It’s a ritzy little nightlife street, and I stepped into a bar that I’d always been curious to see the intertior. Promptly ordered a glass of merlot and found a cozy little seat to take in the view. After a few minutes some guy tried to talk to me, but I kind of blew him off. That and I had my sketchbook out so I looked busy. I wasn’t sure that I really wanted to talk to anyone, unless I spotted someone that looked interesting and I myself felt bold enough to go talk to them. There was a small group of slightly attractive guys sitting at the small round table next to me, but I didn’t know how I felt about them, and they were all in such a tight circle chatting I couldn’t even catch a single one’s eye to even share a smile. But alas, after a few minutes the first guy came back. He was nice enough, quite gentlemanly, a little touchy feely but nice. His married girlfriends randomly stopped by and vouched for his niceness as well. But he was older-looking, or maybe it was just his mustache and beardish thing. (I much prefer clean shaven guys, with only a few exceptions.) So I sat there and had my merlot and he had his Shiner Boch, and we ended up talking of our shared German heritage and traveling and fashion snobs, and upon finding out I was alone and had bought my own drink, I think he was quite taken aback at my bold lack of fear of, well, being quite alone. And to top that, I didn’t want another glass of wine. (I probably would have been fine with another, but my limit generally is one, unless I am with friends who will take care of me!) He must’ve thought I was quite odd, but he seemed intrigued. He finally asked me to dance, and by then the party was getting crazy. It was kind of fun, because I love to dance. But the dance floor was really packed, and he had his hand on my back and I just didn’t like some stranger touching me like that. I told him after one dance that I needed to go. If I had been attracted to him I might- and that’s a big might- have stayed but I was really ready to get out of the noise and kommotion. Of course he walked me outside, and I think he was hoping to walk me home. And he wanted my digits, but there was no way I was giving my number to a random stranger! Fortunately he asked in such I way that I could let him down easily. I really wasn’t out to meet guys anyways. I think he realized that. I told him I might see him there again… and I thanked him for the lovely conversation. I really appreciated him talking to me, and he gets major props in my book for coming over to talk to me! No one else even tried. Not that I’d care if everyone left me alone; people watching is enough for me. But it was flattering and very nice of him. So wherever you are Dean, thank you. I’m sorry you spent time and didn’t get a number in return, but I really appreciate that you weren’t afraid to come talk to me!!!

Sorry to not write lately. I will post some random things that I have thought or seen here now:

-I have been dissappointed with the “scenery” at my apartment. You see, I have a pool view, and as of yet I do not recall seeing even one really cute guy who was a) not attached already, b) not gay, and c) not covered with some ugly tattoo. Oh well. I ventured to one of the other pools in my complex yesterday, and there was a cute guy, but he looked just a hair old for me.

-In the past, I have always turned music on while I sleep. I started the habit when I lived in the dorms, and I really am attached to the habit. The other day, I watched “Becoming Jane” the movie, and the music was so beautiful that I found the classical station on the radio and turned it on for the night. I loved it. It’s my new “off to dream” music. I think my dreams are more romantic and peaceful now.

-My little balcony is so nice. If I had a chair on it, it would be nicer, but I like sitting on the floor too. I like sitting out there in the evening, after it is dark. Or if I can’t sleep, I will go sit outside for awhile. Its perfect for thinking and praying (something I’m doing alot of these days) or sketching or reading my favoroute novels, the Jane Austen novels.

-Today I shall venture to the art museum, after doing some cleaning and laundry. I can’t wait! I haven’t gotten to go to a museum and spend hours wandering aimlessly towards whatever appeals to me most since… Since I visited the MET in NYC. I enjoyed that so much I do not know why I haven’t made it a habit to wander museums more frequently. This museum also has several activiites this evening that I cannot wait to enjoy: free jazz at two different times, and “sketching in the galleries.” I’m going to use my big huge purse (so fab, of my own design constructed from a Scalamandre fabric sample) and make sure I have the following: sketchbook, pencils and charcoals, camera, and of course a fab little jacket in case I get cold. It shall be lovely!

-I wanted to ride my city’s mass-transit train to the museum, but I may get back after dark and I wasn’t sure that would be a good idea. I’d have to traipse through town a few blocks in the dark, alone, and ride the train, alone. If it were a perpertually busy city like NYC, I wouldn’t worry about it. But this city’s downtown is actually not that familiar to me. I’m still debating my choice, but I am leaning towards waiting until I have a friend to accompany me, at least the first time. Besides, I like driving! (Although, between the gas and parking, riding the train would be cheaper… hmmm. I’m still debating.)

Well, that is all for now. Take care, and enjoy your summers!

In light of some things going on in my life, I just felt like repeating this:

“God can turn the most impossible situation around; He can use even the most unusual situation for something great. There is a reason for everything, and sometimes God has plans so big, we can’t even see them. We just have to trust Him and be patient.”

This afternoon, after a long morning of job searching and running errands, my exhaustion finally hit me. I decided to sit and watch tv for a while. Flipping through the channels in search of something halfway worthwhile to watch, I stubbled upon something familiar: Veggietales. I stopped to watch for a moment. I couldn’t turn it away! Even though it is a child’s show, the simplicity of the message always catches my attention. This particular show was the story of Esther, of course told in veggie-version. But the message remains the same. This story has always been one of my favorites. Queen Esther was put in a situation she didn’t understand, but she trusted God and stood up for what she knew was right. It reminds me how God can turn the most impossible situation around, and how He can use even the most unusual situation for something great. There is a reason for everything, and sometimes God has plans so big, we can’t even see them. We just have to trust Him and be patient.

My recent move created a small problem for me in the area of hair and face care. I’m not really that prissy, but recently I discovered (thanks to my mom) that the difference between chemical filled soaps and conditioners and all natural, all organic varieties of wash is quite significant. I’ve found a particular brand of shampoo and conditioner that I love, as well as a facial cleansing bar that, combined with Burt’s Bees toners, is the only sure way to keep my face clean and clear- especially in the hot, humid weather characteristic of my state’s climate.

In preparation for my impending move, I ordered these items as soon as I knew I was moving in hopes that they would arrive before I had a new residence. I hadn’t actually signed my new lease yet, therefore I felt sending the items to a new address that was not yet officially mine was slightly presumptuous. I had them sent to my parent’s address instead, which has been my address as well, until the beginning of June.

Unfortunately, these items did not arrive in time. Nay, they showed up the day after I left. Therefore, I was put in the sad position of spending money on something, anything, to fill in until I could figure out a way to retrieve the good stuff from my parent’s house. Not wanting to spend alot of money on something I didn’t even want to be using, I decided that buying a travel size shampoo and conditioner would be perfect. After browsing the selection of three different brands, I picked Herbal Essences. I had to pick one of these chemical tragedies and actually use it on my hair, so why not pick the brand that supposedly smells incredible and turns your shower into an experience? (As the commercials would suggest, anyways.)

So I opening the little shampoo bottle, and was suprised to see that it was BLUE. Do I really want to put blue stuff in my hair? I wondered how much chemicacl coloring went into that. I put it in my hair. It smelled okay- but very fake. I’ve gotten used to the fresh, natural scent of my organic stuff, and this stuff smelled like it was trying too hard. This strange blue gel and it’s accompanying lighter blue, but still very blue, fluffly conditioner was an experience, but not the one I was looking for. I suppose it cleaned and conditioned my hair alright. But I was not impressed.

I fared better with the facial soap, which is even more important than the hair care, considering the delicacy of a face. I happily discovered Almay, and while it wasn’t Coconut oil and Tea Tree infused like my favorite, it did appear to be alot more natural than I was expecting after my shampoo and conditioner experience. It does smell a little weird, but it actually hasn’t been bad. The soap has kept my face relatively clear, especially considering the stress of moving and the general kommotion in my life the past couple of weeks.

Today as I write this, I am sitting in my old room at my parent’s house, very happy to have fianlly had the opportunity to retreive my happy shampoo and conditioner, and my wonderful soap. I also got my baby (my sewing machine) back from the shop for it’s first annual “oil change.” (The sad thing is, I’ve had the machine for six years already…) I am happy. Now all I need is a full-length mirror for my room, so I don’t have to go stand on the edge of my roommate’s bathtub in order to see my whole self in the mirror at once, so I can make sure my outfit and shoes match.

Yesterday I finally realized why I hadn’t been sleeping all that well, and why I had been having such weird dreams. (Not very pleasant ones at that.) My mind recalled that I had been awakening to a rather warm state of body. Being hot while sleeping tends to produce unsettled sleep and phsycidelic sorts of dreams for me, and I thought that this might be the problem. I thought to glance up at the vent in my room and was introduced to the root of my sleeping angst- the vent was closed, leaving me hot and tossing and turning and then dreaming during whatever little sleep I managed to catch. I promptly opened the vent and was met with a wonderfully refreshing blast of cold air. Last night was the first night of the opened vent, and I must report that I slept beautifully!

Today internet and cable were at last to be installed in my new apartment home. I was very excited about this, for I had been surviving on only my brother’s wi-fi card that was as slow and unreliable as dial-up. The installer was to arrive sometime between the hours of 2 and 5, and unlike my expectation to be waiting long after 5, the man arrived around 3′o’clock. The install was rather uneventful until he tried to connect my laptop to the internet. It just would not connect. He finally decided that I did not have the wireless card needed to connect, and I was left with the idea that I might have to buy another thing in order to FINALLY be connected.

Now I bought the computer under the impression that all the necessary components for wireless internet were already included. So I began researching online, dragging out the manuals, and at last I found something that just might need to be set-up before I could connect. Now, I had an idea of what I was trying to do, but I don’t remember exactly what I did and I couldn’t do it again if prompted to do so. But I will tell you this- I solved a problem the internet/cable guy who’s been doing this for 5 1/2 years couldn’t figure out. Needless to say, I am pretty happy with myself!

So aside from hanging a few more pictures, and buying some drawers to organize the chaos beneath the bathroom sink, I am quite settled in. I can’t believe what a nice place I have been so suddenly blessed with. I have my own balcony, a pool view, a safe little village to take pleasant walks about, a huge closet for all my creative stuff, a room big enough to set-up my work table and my sewing table and my dress form, and after all that even my bed, too! My room is filled with pictures of loved ones who inspire me, things that remind me of my dreams, my teddy bear (well, he’s a polar bear but he fills that need excellently!, and even a cat. Not a real one, mind you, he’s stuffed. But I suppose with my room and my crazy collection of stuff, that’s probably for the best.

I wonder how I got here, and what I’ll be doing. I don’t know exactly yet. But I feel like I’m right where I’m supposed to be, according to God’s plan. And if you feel that way, then there is nothing to worry about.

Goodnight my dear readers, and God bless!

After spending the earlier part of my day- and half my afternoon- cleaning, unpacking, making sure the maintenance guy fixed all the random things that needed attetion in my new apartment, running errands ranging from groceries to a new printer, and then toting all the stuff I purchased up the stairs, I decided that it probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to chill a bit. My beautiful pool view inspired me to take myself down to the pool and take a nap in the sun. Aside from nearly having a chair blown into me by the ferocious wind we experienced today, the experience was very relaxing. Despite the wind, the sun was still hot and I finally felt the urge to cool off in the crystal clear water. I got up, and gracefully carried myself to the edge of the water, and stepped down the steps, slowly lowing myself into the COLD water. (the way the pool is situated, the sun is blocked by a building rather early in the day, and the pool’s water stays very cool.) It was quite invigorating, to say the least. A few minutes served to cool me off, so I stepped up the steps out of the pool. The steps lead right out of the water in a way that reminded me of how an actress would be seen so impossibly seductively and elegantly rising out of the pool. I decided, why not try to be as graceful as possible? I am a fashion designer, and as such I should start being more elegant. Unfortunately, there weren’t any hott boys to catch the eye of, but there were some folks enjoying the pool (very loudly) as I was. So out I came, and up the steps I carried myself with a little extra swagger. But alas! As soon as I stepped onto the rock deck, the water combined with the slick surface to send me sprawling! I caught myself before I pulled any muscles or hit my head, and I don’t think anyone saw me. So I pulled together my composure and walked gracefully to my sunchair.

But I guess there goes my acting career. At least acting in scenes that include sauntering out of a fabulous pool.

In other news: either I cannot peel carrots, or I need a new veggie peeler. I’m going to get one tomorrow. I’m determined that this skill won’t go onto the short list of things I will never master that includes such things as ironing.

I’m sure this real life thing will keep getting more interesting.

I’m moving. Moving, as in moving out of my parents house. It is an odd feeling, not like the one I got when I headed off to college. No, this is the feeling of “I’m an adult now, and it’s time for me to live on my own and make a living for myself. Figure out what I’m gonna do when I grow up. Even though in some circles I would already be considered grown up.” I’ve been attempting to avoid thinking too hard about this feeling, but last night I walked into my room and saw an official-looking document on my desk. Upon further inspection, I saw that is was my birth certificate. My dad had left it there for me. He said it was time for me to have it, since I’d be on my own and might need it someday. It was such a small thing, but it signified so much for me. That paper says that I’m alive, and says where I belong. Proves that I am really me, with my name, and my parent’s names, and where I was born and what time and what day. I possess that now, and somehow with the transfer of that piece of paper it hit me how much I will now be completely responsible for me. Not that I wasn’t during college, but in those days I knew I’d come home every summer and holiday.

So here’s to jumping out on my own. Who knows what I might get myself into. I’m sure I’ll have stories that will inspire posts here. Hopefully most of them humorous in hindsight at least, if not at the time.

But until I can strike out on my own, I have to pack and plan this moving adventure. So back to it I go.

It’s the tagline for Nationwide insurance, and it is actually quite true. Just a month ago, I was still working at my old job, still had the same residence, still carried some things inside I shouldn’t, and was just bumping along. Now I am looking for a new job that will challenge me, in a new town, with new people- basically, I’m embarking on a completely new and different adventure. I don’t know how it will all turn out, but I’m excited. Stay tuned, I suppose. The rides seem to get more and more interesting as I grow up…