Free Tilly?

This is a long article. But, it's a super interesting topic that is in the middle of an increasingly heated ethical debate. What can I say?* I am fascinated by whales, and fascinated by training. What I'm not sure I care for is theme parks putting the two together to make a fortune.

*Apparently I cannot say much, as I am being a total blog cheater and letting the article do the talking rather than doing any myself. But seriously. Read it.

In the past several weeks...

...Gabe has:

1. Eaten an entire chocolate cake (yes, the entire thing), resulting in a trip to the emergency vet, which then resulted in two shaved front legs (for where they had to use IV's on him).
2. Gashed his eyebrow open on a picnic table at the dog park while he was rallying every single other dog to chase him (read: showing off. Typical). Just another hairless spot to match his poor leggies.
3. Gotten sick in the middle of the night, causing me to rush him to the bathroom (since I didn't know if we could make it upstairs and outside in time), and watch him puke in the shower, then PASS OUT. Literally. He stiffened up and fell into the shower wall. I was freaking out.

I recently read that an intelligent dog can learn about 250 words. That's about the same as a 2-year-old child. I think it is safe to say that Gabe qualifies as the equivalent of a human toddler in more ways than one. Just thought you should know.

Lately I Have Wondered...

...how to weigh out what is most important.

How important is place? Or maybe, how important should we let it be?

If I have some of my most steadfast, deep relationships in one place, but a vocational calling in another place, how do I decide what is most important?

I'm inclined to put the relationships first. But, when I do, I still have a yearning to find my 'calling' in life. My own personal story. To find out how I can be fulfilled and use the gifts and/or education God has blessed me with. We are called to invest in others and love well while we have time on this Earth. And yet, we are also called to respond to God's orchestrating in our lives and to acknowledge the individuality he has created in each of us. This looks different for every person...how should it look for me?

No matter what, I lose something.
No matter what, I will slip and fall.
No matter what, I will grow.

I don't know if I should feel more comforted or more uneasy that there may not be a black and white right or wrong choice in this situation. But, change is inevitable, one way or the other. And, maybe because every season is fleeting, I just need to get 100% better at living in the moment.

My Quirks

1. I follow certain high-profile cases on the news really closely. One time, I read an entire book about the JonBenet Ramsey case. Lately, I have been anxious to learn more about the case of Dawn Brancheau.

2. I hate soggy paper. It just grosses me out. If you drop a napkin in a glass of water, I will squirm.

3. Ke$Ha's voice might as well be nails on a chalkboard. I cannot stand her 'music', and if you don't believe how bad she is, you need to watch this.

4. I dislike over-matching.

5. There may not be a bigger baby than me in the world when it comes to hot, humid weather. God didn't create me with that DNA.

A Confession

I have a confession to make.

A lot of times, when people talk about 'right-wing' or 'left-wing' in regards to politics, I have to scramble to remember which one is which. Maybe because I, to this day, remain unaffiliated from any one party.

But never fear.

A fad of the past known as Beanie Babies has helped me avoid complete forgetfulness. As a kid, a good friend of mine bought Lefty the Donkey, even though it made her a little uneasy that he was the symbol of Democrats. But, he was just a lot cuter than the Elephant, Righty.

Ladies and gentleman, I give you Righty and Lefty:




Because what could be a better mnemonic device than a stuffed animal?

And they said this fad would die out. Not quite. Not quite yet.

My True Talent: Dragging My Feet.

Hey.

I kind of miss this blog. I've been doting more on this one lately, but maybe this one still could serve a purpose too.

You probably don't bother checking it any more. Neither do you. Or you.

But, that's ok. I sort of want to nurse blog back to health, audience or no audience.

Instead of summarizing the entire year of 2010 so far, I will just tell you a little about this current moment.

My degree has proved to be pretty non-helpful. I'm supposed to find a career. There are so few careers that will have me.

My vocation is working with dogs. There is no way I can deny that. But, I have to figure out if my vocation will be the same thing as my occupation or not. Would I love to own my own business? Yes. And no. I think the answer would be yes if I knew a single thing about business. Or if I had money to start one.

And, do I have something relevant and helpful to offer the dog-owning/loving world? It's possible...but I like to tell myself otherwise. God didn't craft me to be a very natural risk-taker. Or a person who has a ton of confidence to try things and make mistakes and keep going. There is a battle raging on inside of my soul; one side beating my little, weak, dim hopes into submission, and the other daring me to fight back by just doing something.

Emo maybe? Hopefully not. It's actually the truth. And, if there is one crucial thing I have learned this year, it's that being transparent with others may be uncomfortable, but it's so necessary. Ew, I don't even like admitting to admit that. There I go, being honest again.

In conclusion, I hope nobody reads this. Just kidding. But seriously.

If you have an extra hour or so...

I highly recommend watching this! I heard about this documentary in 'Bark' magazine, but then forgot about it until I stumbled across it on the internet. It is quite an eye-opening look at the world of purebred dogs and some of the sobering health issues arising due to inbreeding and the irresponsibility/greed of some breeders and owners.

I'm not trying to be an extremist by sharing this video. Most of you know I own a mixed breed and he is the greatest dog ever. But, this is not to say that I dislike purebred dogs, think they are all unhealthy, or think that no one should own one. However, it is the responsibility of all dog owners or potential owners to do their homework before getting a dog of any kind. Furthermore, it is the responsibility of breeders to bring dogs into this world only for the bettering of the breed - not to cut a profit, to selfishly build up their ego, or produce dogs focusing strictly on appearance. What matters most is that a dog, whether purebred or mixed breed, fits well with its owner and lives a long, full life. And as a dog owner, trainer, and devotee, it is my responsibility to help educate people on the pros and cons of having a dog of any kind.

If these issues interest you at all, please watch each segment of the video and contemplate just how serious things could get regarding the welfare of dogs everywhere. The video may present a pretty bleak, pessimistic outlook on the situation, but even if you think it is exaggerated, it is better to be informed than ignorant.


Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

someone just tell me to delete my blog. srsly.

i thought i was ready to go to sleep. guess i was wrong.

the end.

what i have learned...

...in my first week as a nanny.

1. six year olds will always beat you at the memory game. always.
2. getting paid to jump on the trampoline, play board games, watch 'high school musical', and read stories is quite a good deal.
3. my girls are much better company than the average customer at some kind of store.
4. 3rd grade homework is blissful. kindergarten homework is even better.
5. spaghetti-o's are a gift to mankind.
6. always check homework.
7. the ability to contort one's body into inhuman shapes is helpful when playing hide and seek.

Blog Ignorer

That's what I am. A blog ignorer.

But it's really good. Because it means I have had other things to do and I have been having fun doing them.

I live with cool roommates. Three girls and two guys and Gabe, currently the first place dog in the contest!! (Keep up the votes until September 10th!)

I got a job that I am starting on Monday as a nanny for two little girls. It's definitely a blessing and a provision. Plus I get nights and weekends off - WHEN HAVE I EVER HAD A JOB LIKE THAT, YOU GUYS?

Zoe's is a coffee shop we are helping get off the ground and running in the next few weeks. (It looks so good inside).



It's almost fall. And that is never a bad thing.

I am making some new friends and reconnecting with the old ones.

My parents live close enough that I can make a weekend visit if I want.

A lot of people wrinkle their nose and scratch their heads when I tell them that I moved BACK here. And sometimes I wonder the same thing. But mostly this place holds a special place in my life. I like the simplicity of this life. I like the down to earth nature of this place. I like that not every luxury is available and at my finger tips. I like being a part of bringing new life back to an old place, and I like the people I am working alongside. Lately, when I am asked how I feel about Jesus right now, I just say 'thankful' and 'blessed'. Because both are so true.

VOTE FOR GABE!

I am sorry that you have to make a stinking account to be able to vote, but I would really appreciate it if you have the time! Everyone is allowed one vote per day, so I think we could easily win if we got a crew of people to pull for Gabe. We could win free training classes and some food/treats!

Rotten Apple...AGAIN

For the second time in its short two-year lifespan, my computer ate it. As in, won't turn on and probably will be completely wiped clean by Apple, ate it. Last time, it was a fried logic board. This incident was eerily similar in nature, so maybe I'm dealing with the same thing again. I am still quite the fan of Apple, but really? Twice in two years? Does anyone else have such luck? (Or should I say lack thereof...)

I will survive. I can deal with not checking my email from my bed, or watching a movie as I go to sleep. I'll get over not being able to edit pictures for a while. But you guys. MY RESUME IS ON THAT COMPUTER. And I need a job. EORTIJLFGJDSLJKFSLDJFKSALDFJKAS

Sometimes, all we can do is suck it up and wait. I have a roof over my head, friends to live and laugh with, and the world's greatest dog. I think that all makes a computer seem a little less important.

grumpy old woman

i thought of a form of torture last night.

1. have someone sleep in a very hot bedroom. top floor of the house, no ac, just one window to open. (make sure said room faces the street outside.)
2. release stupid, white, drunk, immature, disrespectful college kids into the street outside. wait for the yelling to commence. (best if person in hot room has just drifted off to sleep when the yelling starts.)
3. allow it to continue for an extended period of time.
4. watch as sleep becomes impossible.

i couldn't have thought this one up on my own - you have to experience it to believe it.

why is it more hot inside my house than outside? this may motivate me to spend a lot more time outside.

minus the army of mosquitoes unleashing its fury after a very wet spring.

ok. now that i got that off of my chest, i would like to say that i am glad to finally be on the last leg of my journey since unemployment. in a few weeks, i won't have another move hanging over my head. i won't live out of a suitcase. i might even have a bed! i won't be a sub-leaser any more. some stability will be nice.

i will, however, be 'that' girl - the one looking for a job. or at least some sort of odd jobs to piece together. anything to pay the bills. and no, hypothetical employer - just because i have a lip piercing does not mean you should discriminate against me or think that i am a bad worker. i just don't understand that philosophy at all.

looking forward to living back in that sleepy town.
serving a church.
living with a dear friend and hopefully making a few more.
not throwing my money down a landlord's drain.
and eating at pita pit - whenever i want.

it's gonna be good.

if i was something found in a household, it would probably be a lazy susan.

Well, it took me a while. A long while. But after almost two months of being unemployed, I think I am finally reaching the point of 'I do not want to live out of a suitcase any more.' And also, 'I want to stay in one place for a while.' (aka longer than a few weeks here and there). I might even be ready to look for a job again. And even contemplate the option of GOING BACK TO SCHOOL. Sick. But good. Stay tuned for more on that matter.

On the other hand, my current lifestyle is wonderfully conducive to a day of recovery from all the travel. I feel embarassed even admitting this, but here is what today looked like:

11:00 am - woke up.
12:30 pm - went back to bed.
3:30 pm - woke up. Had lunch.
4:00 pm - watched 'The O.C.' and talked to sweet Tory.
5:00 pm - fed the dogs. Uploaded FAILs to Facebook. Drank coffee.
6:30 pm - talked to sweet Megan.

and now, here I am. Still unshowered, starting to feel somewhat awake, and doing laundry. I would be lying if I said I didn't feel guilty for having a day like this. But then again, what else would I be doing? Ok. Showering might be one option.

Anyway, I am looking forward to having some sort of settled feeling in a month or so. To be challenged. And molded. And invested in something worthwhile.

That's all really.

For now, I am hanging out with my doggies. It brings an amazing amount of contentment.

tourist

as we walk down the street in juneau alaska, a woman pops out from an alley way, beckoning for the man standing behind her to come forward.

'see? i told you. white. WHITE.'

all while pointing at my legs.

uh...lookin's for free. touchin's gonna cost you.

i looked like an eskimo when i was born...

This week. The cruise is finally here.

The best vacation I never earned.

The goods:

I will practice my picture taking.
I will always look for whales.
I will have a drink for the first time with my baby sister.
I will enjoy my family.
I will finally get to see a place I have always wanted to go.
I will dress up - at least, dress up in a manner that suits me.

The bads:

I will miss my puppy. If you don't think it sounds too silly, say a little prayer for Gabe and me both. We're not used to being apart. There could be tears tomorrow morning. I will feel guilty every single day I am gone. He will act forlorn every single day I am gone. All I ask is that he's still here, waiting for me when I get back.

Colorado Thoughts

Who knew you could produce so much hail?

I am appreciative of every day that I can go outside and not feel suffocated.

Thank goodness for your natural geography that helps me find my way around.

DIA - we have a love|hate relationship.

The Front Range feels more like home than I would have thought growing up.

You are such a nice combination of liberalism and conservativism.

In general, I adore you.

Stooping to This Level

I am a little funny about girly movies. I hated the new 'Pride and Prejudice', rolled my eyes at 'The Holiday', didn't cry in 'The Notebook', and have never finished watching 'How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days'.

But in the last month, I have seen not just one, but two chick flicks I found worth watching. 'New in Town' and 'The Proposal'. Both a little predictable, as is to be expected. But really funny, and really cute.

PS: But I still didn't cry in either of those. If you want to see me cry, make me watch a dog movie.

Productive

I would now like to brag (to myself) about everything I have done in the last several days.

- Changed light bulbs in the dining room light fixture.
- Bought groceries.
- Medicated the dogs.
- Unpacked boxes. SO MANY.
- Threw away stuff. SO MUCH STUFF.
- Got rid of boxes. More than I could count.
- Set up the internet.
- Set up my mom's computer with wireless.
- Moved my mom's computer downstairs.
- Got the house key copied.
- Did laundry.
- Did dishes.
- Got rid of the pie.
- Ordered mail keys.
- Cut the hairballs off of Maci.
- Tried to wash the windows of my car, only to realize I was not using window cleaner. Hello, streaks.
- Sort of learned my way around. To Wal Mart. I've been four times.
- Took out the trash. More than once.
- Freed Chloe.

It actually felt longer than that list. Fail.