tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34064684847367908962024-03-14T03:00:15.101-04:00Hither and YonEllie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07941391725199833504noreply@blogger.comBlogger375125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406468484736790896.post-31922006275634851192020-08-07T13:24:00.000-04:002020-08-07T13:24:08.794-04:00Ten Things I'm Thinking About Right Now (Besides the Pandemic, the Election, What it Means to be an Ally to BIPOC, and Climate Change)<p><br /></p><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="404" scrolling="no" src="https://gfycat.com/ifr/CarefulMixedAsianconstablebutterfly" width="640"></iframe><p>1. Normally I dress like an Eastern European potato farmer but today I am wearing a button down with lemons printed all over it and I feel like walking sunshine.</p><p><br /></p><p>2. Freckles are so weird. Like why do some people get them and others don't? I've noticed, particularly this summer, the tops of my arms are absolutely peppered with freckles and the undersides are smooth and pale, with one or two dots. I can't help but wonder what it would look like if my whole body was as white and unmarked as my stomach, which has never seen the sun. Then I picture myself like a rotisserie chicken, stuck on a spit to become evenly browned. Though I suppose that's an ungracious way to describe a tanning bed, which already exists. </p><p>People without freckles/overt sun damage to their skin, do you acknowledge your privilege and how it has impacted your life? <i>*presents microphone*</i></p><p><br /></p><p>3. Am I too old to (re)learn how to rollerskate? Do I have the courage and good enough health insurance?</p><p><br /></p><p>4. Flowers. I am never NOT thinking about flowers. In a world where I am independently wealthy, I move out into the country and start a small flower farm, selling cut flowers at farmer's markets and doing small-scale floral design, documenting the whole thing on social media (naturally). Right now in particular, however, I am wondering if I can coax the newly planted clematis to cover the chain link fence in my backyard.</p><p><i>Grow, my precious. Wrap your spindly green arms around the links and blossom. Help me pretend I live the lifestyle that can afford more attractive fencing.</i></p><p><br /></p><p>5. People who listen to music loudly without headphones are public enemy number 2 and must be stopped. (Public enemy number 1 is, obviously, people who refuse to wear masks in a global pandemic.)</p><p><br /></p><p>6. At lunch I saw a girl across the parking lot with a really cute skirt on and I was like, I am coveting that skirt, it is so cute. And then I looked down and realized I was wearing the same skirt, so, great taste, me.</p><p><br /></p><p>7. What song can't you get out of your head right now? For me, it's Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart". It featured in my dream last night. I was getting married to Justin Long--yes, the actor-- and I walked down the aisle lip-syncing it. So much to unpack there but that's for me and my therapist.</p><p><br /></p><p>8. I like to window shop online (who doesn't?) and sometimes I come across things that I can't believe are for sale, like who in their right mind would spend $55 (that's on sale even!) on a <a href="https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/dried-babassu-seed-pod?category=sale-home&color=020&type=STANDARD&size=One%20Size&quantity=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">dried seed pod</a> from Anthropologie for decor? Speaking of, will someone else look at this <a href="https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/clare-v-for-anthropologie-la-plage-beach-umbrella001?category=sale-home&color=001&type=STANDARD&size=One%20Size&quantity=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">insanely overpriced beach umbrella</a> and tell me you see "testes" printed all over it too?</p><p><br /></p><p>9. I miss Freedom. This time last year, my whole family was there, maybe for the last time. I think part of me felt it as we drove away. Did I appreciate it enough? I'm glad there are so many things in life to remind me of my heart home--- hollyhocks growing by a fence, a cool foggy morning, the sound of Papa's voice...</p><p><br /></p><p>10. Thank goodness for the weekend. I've been house and dog-sitting all week and I'm looking forward to my own bed. Also, I miss my plants. They don't need to be let out to use the bathroom at 5:30 in the morning. But I also can't take them on walks, so...</p><p><br /></p><p>HEY THANKS FOR READING, I LOVE YOU.</p>Ellie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07941391725199833504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406468484736790896.post-58358038363710117722020-02-27T15:30:00.003-05:002020-02-27T15:30:58.993-05:00Sick Person Score: C-<span id="docs-internal-guid-5c6b5f43-7fff-5482-a60f-1fef4c72a92e"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BgpCy0a-uHo/Xlgmz_y3a8I/AAAAAAAAIEs/LFJ134Nx63oyWTZ9nXHw58COrkwqZT04gCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/hanna-postova-5XMs6tQ6SWM-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BgpCy0a-uHo/Xlgmz_y3a8I/AAAAAAAAIEs/LFJ134Nx63oyWTZ9nXHw58COrkwqZT04gCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/hanna-postova-5XMs6tQ6SWM-unsplash.jpg" width="425" /></a><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #111111; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: nowrap;">Photo by </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/@annapostovaya?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: whitesmoke; box-sizing: border-box; color: #767676; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-skip-ink: auto; transition: color 0.1s ease-in-out 0s, opacity 0.1s ease-in-out 0s; white-space: nowrap;">Hanna Postova</a><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #111111; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: nowrap;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/crying?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: whitesmoke; box-sizing: border-box; color: #767676; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-skip-ink: auto; transition: color 0.1s ease-in-out 0s, opacity 0.1s ease-in-out 0s; white-space: nowrap;">Unsplash</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Feeling like a lukewarm plate of garbage today. If you could get a grade for being sick, I would get a C-. Not a D or an F, because I still show up when I absolutely have to, but also not an A or B because my inner monologue while ill is the stuff of Shakespeare.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“But hark! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the East and Coronavirus is the sun!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It doesn’t help that this week at work, I have been answering questions nonstop about how the epidemic will affect client travel/can they cancel/are we all going to die? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes Judy, just not all from coronavirus and not all today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now that I think about it, maybe I contracted this chest cold from the amount of time reading/talking/writing about viruses. Or FaceTiming my sister whose entire family has been passing it around like a diseased hot potato. Little tiny particles traveled through the series of tubes that make up the internet, erupted from the screen and into my nasal passages. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Someone alert Vice President Pence! His first order of business is to scrub the airwaves.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Can you imagine if we could transmit disease electronically? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wait, never mind, don’t imagine that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But I digress. I know it wasn’t the internet, or the power of suggestion. It was my coworker. One of the things my brain likes to do is fantasize that it knows the exact moment of disease transmission. Like an episode in a medical drama, a montage of moments plays in my mind:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I walk back to the breakroom to refill my water bottle. Coworker is there, washing his </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">lunch dishes. I turn from the fountain at the same moment he turns, coughing. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I hold my breath as I walk through the invisible cloud of cough, but it’s too late. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Time slows. Minute water droplets, infected with the virus, hang suspended in the air. A</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> few enter my lungs, milliseconds before my mouth snaps shut. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That song from </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Platoon</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> plays as over the next 48 hours, my immune system begins to</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">battle the intruder.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That’s it, that’s how it happened.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fortunately I live alone, and have only myself to take care of. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Can you imagine if I had a husband or children? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Small ones, Mommy is unwell. Play quietly to yourselves for the next eight hours til your father gets home. If you get hungry, there are fruit snacks in the cupboard above the stove. Just push a chair over to the counter to climb up. Change your own diapers, or better yet, potty train yourselves. Not too much noise now, it hurts my head.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So props I guess, to moms and dads and caretakers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As for me, I will wrap myself in my fuzziest scarf, drink hot tea, and hope the power of positive thinking heals me quickly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just kidding, I will call my mother and complain, tweet about it, and finally write a blog post.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stay healthy, my friends.</span></div>
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</span>Ellie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07941391725199833504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406468484736790896.post-29410902935446404992018-05-22T17:17:00.000-04:002018-05-22T17:17:14.933-04:00Ten Things I'm Thinking About Right NowIn the absence of proper content, here are ten of the many things in my brain at this moment.<br />
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1. I have a very specific pain in the crook of my left arm. It is upsetting, and I am struggling not to Google it.<br />
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2. Speaking of pain, it makes me sad that animals can feel pain. Except cockroaches. I have no remorse for any pain they may feel.<br />
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3. I went three months without Facebook and the only reason I came back is because I missed being able to immediately share with 700 people when I thought of something hilarious. Yep, that's it. I do not care about missing other people's content. Hashtag, definitely narcissist.<br />
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<i>Ok, except for this kid I babysit, his mom and dad are on there and I did miss the hijinks/photos of the little dude.</i><br />
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4. I really <i>really</i> want these obnoxious <a href="https://www.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/converse-womens-chuck-taylor-all-star-sequin-high-top-sneakers?ID=2731839&pla_country=US&cm_mmc=Google-PLA-ADC-_-Women%27s%20Shoes-NA-_-Converse-_-888755050576USA&CAWELAID=120156070006786281&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=47685649119&CATCI=pla-401771435459&CATARGETID=120156070006979779&cadevice=c&gclid=Cj0KCQiAtJbTBRDkARIsAIA0a5MXBjnby4LQXoVyTCzoXW8BjayHvnSqfcePHObI29FCH3vV0fQ-BtkaAgAnEALw_wcB" target="_blank">sequined high-tops</a>. I saw them in a Madewell over Christmas and I'm still sad I didn't buy them.<br />
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5. Somebody just told me that this summer the USPS is issuing scratch and sniff stamps with popsicles on them and if they made that up, I will be very sad.<br />
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<i>Can't Google it to confirm though, because I will definitely Google the arm pain immediately following.</i><br />
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6. I feel kind of bad about the Facebook thing, but not really, because you all need to know that in real life I can be a selfish villain. A Disney villain, but still.<br />
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7. Sharp cheddar is the only cheddar worth eating.<br />
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8. I got a sample of Marcelle NewAge Precision 8-in-1 Power Serum (definitely not enough words in the name, for sure!) and it's the best thing I have ever put on my skin GOODBYE, THE END. I think it's made out of butterfly chrysalis? Jk it's probably not, but my face looks like a brand new baby.<br />
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9. Despite having baby skin now, I could never be Instagram-famous because my hair is always a mess. I just have to make peace with that.<br />
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10. I live in constant fear of leaving the bathroom with my skirt tucked into my underwear because it happened once. The first day I relax is going to be the first day that it happens again. CONSTANT. VIGILANCE.<br />
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What's on your mind, friends? It's ok if you don't want to share, I'm only asking to be nice.<br />
Jk, really, tell me.Ellie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07941391725199833504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406468484736790896.post-72992858494911772982018-05-15T11:59:00.002-04:002018-05-15T11:59:35.670-04:00Travel Tuesday: How to Find the Best AirfareContinuing the theme of last travel post, let's talk about how to find the best airfare.<br />
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When you're searching the web for fares to a specific destination, it can seem so arbitrary, like there's a cockatiel in some back office randomly pecking keys to assign prices to routes and days of the week. <i>Even knowing a bit about how it works it still makes me believe it's all just a bird.</i><br />
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<a href="https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/airline-pricing-secrets/index.html" target="_blank">Here</a> is an article that explains the history of airfare, and how it's evolved to what it is today. Basically it comes down to <b>airline revenue management</b>. The airlines want to maximize profit on selling seats by constantly playing the game of ,"how much can we charge without losing out to the competition?". It involves complicated algorithms and constant, real-time adjusting of prices.<br />
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If you're <i>really</i> interested in learning more, there's a training course from the <a href="http://www.iata.org/training/courses/Pages/airline-revenue-management-talf51.aspx" target="_blank">International Air Transport Association</a> (IATA) that requires 45 hours of study and a 3 hour exam for the low low price of $650. Sure, it's an investment, but at the end of it, you'll be able to build an airline from the ground up! (Of course, you'll still need planes and pilots and what not...)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So what are my tips for finding the best airfare?</span><br />
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<i>Let technology do the work for you</i> - there are a number of websites and apps that search for the best fares across most airlines. Here are some of my favorites:<br />
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<b>Google Flights</b> - this is my go-to for checking fares across multiple airlines at once. It searches almost all airlines across the world (excluding Southwest and a few smaller regional airlines - it will display the schedule, but NOT the live availability or pricing). You're able to search round-trip, one way, or even multiple city stops.<br />
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<b>Why I Like It: </b>On a desktop/laptop computer, I use the Google Chrome web browser. If I'm in a hurry, just typing the city pair into the web address bar will bring up Google Flights as the first search result. Additionally, when I'm ready to buy, it takes me directly to the airline's website, so I'm not purchasing it through a third party. This works in the mobile Chrome app as well.<br />
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<b>Note:</b> For a roundtrip or multi-city ticket, the flight price displayed on the first result is the t<b>otal price</b>, not just for that segment of your trip. It's also the total for however many passengers you've entered into your search bar. (The default search is for one passenger, and even if you change it, it will continue to display the aggregate price of all segments for all passengers.)<br />
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<b>Hopper</b> - this is an app (available for iPhone and Android) that attempts to predict the best time to buy a fare for particular dates and a specific route, or the best dates to travel for the lowest fare, if you're flexible. It's not perfect, as not all airlines share their data with Hopper (notably Delta and Southwest are missing), but it's incredibly user-friendly.<br />
<br />
<b>Note:</b> I do not purchase flights through this app, only use it to watch fares (I'll explain why later).<br />
<br />
<b>Why I Like It:</b> The 'Watch This Trip' function. I plug in my city pairs and dates and it sends me an alert every time the price changes. In particular, I'm usually watching airfares to San Antonio (hello sister!) on American Airlines at any given time, since they usually have the best schedule/price from my home city.<br />
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For <b>international itineraries</b>, sign up for one of the many low fare alert companies, who literally spend all day searching for fare sales/mistake fares to send out to their email subscribers. My personal favorite is <a href="https://scottscheapflights.com/" target="_blank">Scott's Cheap Flights.</a>; it's how I got round-trip airfare to Iceland for under $300 last March.<br />
<br />
<b>Note:</b> This is best if you are flexible on your travel dates/times/departure airports. Some of these fares are a result of the really crummy scheduling - for example, a 16 hour layover somewhere, or 3+ stops, resulting in a much longer total travel time than usual. The caveat to my amazing airfare to Iceland is that I had to drive 8ish hours to Newark, which is obviously not super convenient. (The airline I flew now has departures from Chicago, but at the time, that wasn't an option).<br />
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The second tip for international itineraries in particular is to call a travel agent and <b>bundle</b>. We work with bulk consolidators who have negotiated contracts with airlines to offer fares at <b>below market rates.</b> These are fares that you <i>will not find</i> by searching the web. To sell the fare, it must be packaged with a hotel stay and/or a rental car. <br />
<br />
<b>Actual example: </b>Last year, my cousin took her family to the UK for Christmas and I was able to get all their flights (6 tickets) AND a 7-passenger van rental for 10 days for the <i>same price </i>as if they had just booked their air alone on the internet. That's basically a free rental car.<br />
<br />
<b>The biggest mistake people make when purchasing their own airfare is doing it through third-party online travel agents (OTAs), such as Expedia, Momondo, Cheapo Air, etc.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
It's fine to use those sites to price shop, but when you're ready to buy, either purchase it directly from the airline or through a trusted travel agent.<br />
<br />
<i>Why is this a mistake?</i><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
If something goes wrong with your flight, or you need to change something, it takes an <b>obscene</b> amount of time to get it fixed. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
If you book a flight on Expedia, and something happens while traveling and you call the airline directly, they won't help you. They'll refer you to the original booking agent, in this case, Expedia. Then you call Expedia (and wait on hold for some rando in a call center), only to be put on hold, because THEY have to call the airline and make the change.</blockquote>
<br />
<i>But if I book through a regular travel agent, won't I have the same problem?</i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
No, because you'll call the travel agent first, the person you have an established relationship with, and then go have a cocktail or stress-eat some Twizzlers while they figure it out for you.</blockquote>
<br />
<i>What if I book it myself directly with the airline?</i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Then you can call the airline directly and have them work on it for you.</blockquote>
<br />
So, what do you think? Any other methods you use that I didn't mention?<br />
Let me know if this post was helpful, and if you book a ticket using any of these tips.<br />
<br />
Until next time!<br />
<br />Ellie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07941391725199833504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406468484736790896.post-41193179386325399232018-04-10T09:00:00.000-04:002018-04-10T09:00:09.190-04:00Travel Tuesday: Airfare and Schedule Changes<div class="tr_bq">
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Plane tickets, you guys. <i>What a can of worms.</i><br />
<br />
The cost of airfare all by itself can be the catalyst or hindrance for an entire vacation, am I right?<br />
I'm sure you'd like a post on how to find the best deals, when is the best time to buy, and all that, and I'll do that soon.<br />
<br />
<b>First though, it's imperative you understand what you're actually getting when you purchase airfare.</b><br />
<br />
Say you find a great deal on tickets to Switzerland in nine months for the whole family.<br />
Perfect - you found the cheapest fares by leaving Tuesday at 11 AM and returning the following Friday, home by 9:30 PM.<br />
You buy those tickets and start to plan the rest of the trip: securing accommodations, booking guided tours, etc, because the getting there and back part is set in stone, right?<br />
<br />
<b>Not necessarily.</b><br />
<br />
When you purchase airfare, you're entering into what's called a <b>Contract of Carriage</b>.<br />
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Simply put, the airline is agreeing to transport you from point A to point B, <b>but the time, routing, schedule, and equipment used is entirely up to them and subject to change at any time.</b> Furthermore, they are not responsible to you for any inconveniences that arise as a result of any of these changes and events beyond their control (or Force Majeure, as they call it, such as weather, war, government, labor strikes and 'Acts of God' , to cover themselves for all the rest). </blockquote>
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If they issue a major schedule change that does not work for you, they will refund your money. <b>They are NOT obligated to offer you extra compensation (i.e. business lounge passes, paying for a hotel stay, reimbursing a rental car, etc).</b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
There is plenty more in the fine print about baggage, oversold flights, etc but that's the gist of it.</blockquote>
<br />
So, back to you and your trip to Switzerland.<br />
<br />
Three months pass and you get an email.<br />
<i>Subject: There has been a schedule change to your flights</i><br />
<br />
<i>Insert Any Airline Here</i> has changed the time of your connection from New York to London, so you will miss your final flight from London to Zurich, meaning you'll be stuck in London overnight.<br />
<br />
All is not lost, friend, you now get the pleasure of calling the airline directly and walking through the following options with a reservation agent:<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Scenario A</b>: The airline can re-accommodate you on other flights, getting you in at around the same time as previously scheduled but you now have an extra stop on your outbound flights, so you'll have to leave at 5:45 AM for the airport. Painful, but doable.<br />
<br />
<b>Scenario B</b>: The new schedule is the best available, so you'll have to stay in London one night. Better call the hotel in Zurich and let them know you'll be delayed checking in a day. You will still have to pay for that missed night, because your hotel was booked nonrefundable, but at least they won't cancel your reservation.<b> $</b><br />
If you don't want to sleep in the London airport overnight, you have to find a hotel nearby. <b>$$</b><br />
Oh and also, you had yourselves booked for an afternoon walking tour that you'll miss too. Also nonrefundable. <b>$$$</b><br />
<br />
<b>Scenario C: </b>You hate all options offered by <i>Insert Any Airline Here, </i>and don't want to have to change your land reservations. You demand your money back and attempt to re-book yourselves on another airline altogether. Except, oops, the amazing fares from three months ago have disappeared. <b>$$$$$$</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
None of the options above are ideal, and all require a great deal of time on the phone with the airline, but it happens all. the. <b>time</b>. <br />
<br />
Now, if you're working with a travel advisor, they will take care of this for you, and should have already made you aware of this possibility from the beginning.<br />
<br />
If you booked these tickets on your own, here is my advice:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>+ </b></span>As soon as you get the schedule change notification, get online and look for other flights <b>operated by that same airline</b>. If it's a weather event, of course pickings will be slim, but the airlines will re-book you on the schedule of your choosing, <b>if the flights are operated by them, or by a partner airline on a codeshare.</b></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>+ </b></span>If your personal schedule allows, <b>consider tweaking your outbound or return dates a day or two</b>. If you can find a better schedule by leaving a day earlier, the airline will usually re-book you without charging the standard change fee. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">+</span></b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span>Finally, <b>consider purchasing travel insurance</b>, particularly if the destination is international, or it's a big bucket list trip and you're spending a lot of money. Travel insurance covers all prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses, and will reimburse you for any extra expenses that incur as a result of things like this (up to a certain dollar amount).</blockquote>
<b>To recap: airlines can change their flight schedules at any time for any reason, but you have options when this happens.</b> Just don't expect them to pay for a night at the Ritz Carlton for your inconvenience. Forewarned is forearmed!<br />
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Until next time, friends!<br />
<br />Ellie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07941391725199833504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406468484736790896.post-7774538545003807252018-04-05T16:04:00.001-04:002018-04-05T16:04:29.270-04:00New Series: Travel Tuesday<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nAQ75lu_ld8/WsZ_6bg4YHI/AAAAAAAAHUM/sxr81ja2hGsv10F6j0qqszFbDIJn-6kNwCLcBGAs/s1600/Travel%2BTuesday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1022" data-original-width="1600" height="408" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nAQ75lu_ld8/WsZ_6bg4YHI/AAAAAAAAHUM/sxr81ja2hGsv10F6j0qqszFbDIJn-6kNwCLcBGAs/s640/Travel%2BTuesday.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For starters, I recommend using a map when planning a trip. It's more helpful than a blank piece of paper. But this is a stock photo and Random Hands don't know any better.</td></tr>
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<br />
Friends, I'm not going to turn this blog into an advertorial about why you should work with a travel advisor, but since I <b>am</b> one (officially card-carrying, even!), I figured I could use this space once a week to talk about all things travel-related. Due to the nature of my job, I am occasionally asked questions about various aspects of travel, and I think this might be a good place to answer those that come up most frequently. I'd also like to talk about destinations that inspire me, share tips and tricks I've learned from the travel industry, and highlight unique travel methods/styles.<br />
<br />
Today is obviously not Tuesday, but I wanted to give you a heads up that this is a thing I'd like to start. I can't promise it will be every week (hello, track record), but I'm hoping to give this blog a little more structure.<br />
<br />
<b>Next Tuesday I'll dive into one of the most important (and complicated) aspects of travel:</b> <b>understanding</b> <b>airfare.</b><br />
<br />
Until then, please let me know if there is something in particular you'd like to discuss. <br />
<br />
<i>In the event that colleagues at my current agency stumble upon my blog, I am stating for the record that all opinions and comments are my own and do not necessarily represent the views/policies of the agency I work for</i>.<i> Also, please seek a licensed doctor for medical advice.</i>Ellie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07941391725199833504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406468484736790896.post-87563727293179908952018-04-04T13:27:00.001-04:002018-04-04T13:47:10.065-04:00On Shopping for Swimsuits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-neytkZO0I9g/WsUJJLOIjYI/AAAAAAAAHTU/AyBbmaZ7LLotFXYQZ--5wUkcyP782ofcwCLcBGAs/s1600/vintage%2Bswimmers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="339" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-neytkZO0I9g/WsUJJLOIjYI/AAAAAAAAHTU/AyBbmaZ7LLotFXYQZ--5wUkcyP782ofcwCLcBGAs/s640/vintage%2Bswimmers.jpg" width="372" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Image </span><a href="https://i.pinimg.com/564x/15/8a/e0/158ae089a3ba05185a575f20d35f0e51.jpg" rel="nofollow" style="font-size: small;" target="_blank">via</a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />Remember the good old days of bathing costumes?</span></div>
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The last time I went swimsuit shopping, I was at a mall in Texas with my sister.<br />
<br />
We stopped at a place called Everything But Water, which at first glance appeared to be full of fabric samples that you could pick from to have a suit made. Upon closer inspection, the bits of fabric turned out to actually be fully formed suits. We left because neither of us had thought to bring a magnifying glass along.<br />
<br />
Next we headed to an activewear store called Athleta, in the hopes that they would have sporty but attractive options. We were in luck! However, they must use the metric system to number their sizes, because what I would fit in in any other store was so comically tight, I had to take a brief nap in the dressing room after prying it off. Also, a store associate barged into my booth while I was changing so obviously I can never return. Not because I'm embarrassed, but because the kaleidoscope of body parts she witnessed will probably never leave her brain, and she needs time to make peace with that.<br />
<br />
That was nearly a year ago, and the search is still on. I'm going on a cruise in a couple of weeks and I'd like to go swimming in the ocean at least once without being that person in drippy shorts and a t-shirt.<br />
<br />
ugh.<br />
<br />
UGH.<br />
<br />
Is there a woman alive that enjoys the process? I feel like even the most toned and tanned among us still has body parts that she wishes she could hide, or at least de-emphasize. Even if it's just like, her left knee.<br />
<br />
I'm not toned or tanned. I'm white and fleshy, and in a bathing suit,vaguely reminiscent of bread dough left to rise too long in a warm place.<br />
So naturally, I don't spend much time subjecting people to that image.<br />
Weirdly though, I also don't spend a lot of time begin self-conscious. My body is what it is, and putting on a bathing suit doesn't reveal anything people don't already know.<br />
<br />
<i>Surprise! I have a tail.</i><br />
<i>Just kidding.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
But I digress. My main issue is with what's available in the swimsuit market --for everyone. There are suits with SO many cute prints and patterns but they're on tiny two piece bikinis, or my personal favorite, the "monokini", which is basically a bikini that they forgot to finish cutting out completely.<br />
<br />
There are suits that shape and slenderize and cover completely, but where are the cute prints and patterns for those? Why are we still using garish, poorly placed floral designs in dated colors? As though enormous pink hibiscuses on black fabric are going to distract the observer from the flesh it's struggling to contain.<br />
<br />
WHERE IS THE MIDDLE GROUND???<br />
<br />
It's not like swimwear companies aren't trying -- there are all kinds of "plus size" lines out there attempting to bridge the gap. The problem is, they're just taking the tiny suits with their plunging necklines and weird cutouts and making them bigger. Which, fine, but personally my wobbly bits aren't here for your sad game of hide and seek.<br />
<br />
Or...get this...adding zippers to make the conservative one pieces look more interesting. ZIPPERS. Can you imagine taking a baby to the pool while wearing a swimsuit with a zipper down the front? It'd be 30 seconds before the baby got grabby and someone called the cops to report public indecency.<br />
<br />
Basically all I'm asking for in a swimsuit is for it to cover the bits that have never seen the sun without being a) hideous or b) ankle/wrist length burkini in which i tragically die from heat exhaustion.<br />
<br />
That's it, you guys. That's all I need.<br />
And I don't want to have to try on 300 more to find it.<br />
Are you out there, magical swimsuit? Let me know. </div>
Ellie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07941391725199833504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406468484736790896.post-60880567076889523182017-12-25T13:58:00.000-05:002018-04-04T16:30:38.174-04:00Holiday Letter 2017<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Happy Christmas and Merry New Year!!!</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0lrwWcvmfEQ/WsUxdQxuMmI/AAAAAAAAHTw/AvAmPeg_N4wXMlBSqmvqr0TXIlNP_GPAgCLcBGAs/s1600/Iceland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0lrwWcvmfEQ/WsUxdQxuMmI/AAAAAAAAHTw/AvAmPeg_N4wXMlBSqmvqr0TXIlNP_GPAgCLcBGAs/s640/Iceland.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Iceland, March 2017</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What a 2017, friends. It has been a very mixed bag of jellybeans,
some tasting of blueberry and some of sour milk.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The world we live in feels a little more every year like a
smoldering compost heap about to burn down the barn while everyone’s in the
front yard pruning the roses. I am overwhelmed when I think of all that is bad
and broken on the Earth. It feels socially irresponsible to consciously stop
paying attention to the daily details but I have had to for my own peace of
mind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The key lesson for me this year was to focus on being a force for
good in my immediate surroundings FIRST. Really that’s the best we can
hope to do, isn’t it? And if enough of us do it, the positive energy we radiate
outwards will overlap and reach into the barren places. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Listen, I don’t know what
that means either, the tag on the teabag this morning said Perfect Energy, so
I’m feeling in touch with the universe.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyway, we’re here to talk about ME. Here is the story of my 2017:
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s been a year full of exciting <b>TRAVEL</b>. In March I
explored the fairytale/Viking nation of Iceland with my brother Sam and two
dear friends. In August, I rented a cabin in the woods of Brown County,
Indiana with friends, and we camped like queens. In September, I took a work
trip to the gorgeous province of British Columbia. In a few weeks, my whole
family will be celebrating Christmas in Boston. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s been a year exploding with <b>BABIES</b>. My sis continues to
win the family house cup by announcing she’s expecting a second child. She’s
not alone, I did a study<sup>*</sup> and there’s been a 63%
increase in babies among friends, family members, and random people I follow on
Instagram. 2017 was a banner year for propagating the human race, my
friends.<sup>**</sup><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Let’s keep the trend going-- the world needs more purity and
innocence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Don’t look at me though, I killed two houseplants and a gifted
rosemary bush is slowly wilting from inattention.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s been a year of <b>MOSTLY</b> <b>POSITIVE CHANGE</b>. I
switched travel agencies, making for the first time a job change within the
same industry. (What? Building a career?) It’s been just over a month and I’m
wondering why I waited so long to make the leap. I am so much happier! I have
health insurance! No one wastes an afternoon arguing with the entire office
trying to figure out who broke the toilet seat in the employee bathroom!<sup>***</sup><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I briefly went paleo. How brief? 4 days. One night I
demolished half a head of roasted cauliflower and had such a terrible stomach
ache afterwards, I ate a grilled cheese the next day out of spite. I haven’t
looked back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">(I said mostly positive change, remember.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I think I’ve finally taught Grampie how to stop burning microwave
popcorn, so you’re all invited back to the house on Sunday nights again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I went zip lining not once, but TWICE, which is a huge deal
because I am terrified of heights/my feet leaving Earth. YOU GUYS, the second
time was <i>between two mountain peaks</i>. I mean, I cried at the end,
but I still did it. I CAN DO ANYTHING!! The trick is to start screaming <i>before
</i>you leap. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DfiSYOWnGy0/WsUy8MOHukI/AAAAAAAAHT8/YqUjt_IfrYo-54x1VWynoVoL5iKjKNP0wCLcBGAs/s1600/Vancouver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DfiSYOWnGy0/WsUy8MOHukI/AAAAAAAAHT8/YqUjt_IfrYo-54x1VWynoVoL5iKjKNP0wCLcBGAs/s640/Vancouver.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">British Columbia, September 2017</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What will 2018 hold? For the world, I’m not even tempted to guess.
I think it won’t matter, as long as I greet each day as an opportunity, rather
than an obligation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Sorry, I had another cup of
Peace Tea. </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m so so thankful for my family, my friends, clean water, air,
and sunshine. I’m thankful I can digest gluten. I’m thankful for replacement
hormones that appear to be stopping my distressing hair loss.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m thankful for all of the things I have that I do not deserve. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m thankful for plants and dogs and babies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m thankful for deep, abiding fellowship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m thankful for mercy and <b>grace</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I hope I can keep all of these things in 2018. I hope that if I
can’t, I have courage in the face of adversity, and patience and faith in the
face of the unknown. And you too, my friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I love you all so very much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Please enjoy the enclosed page of photos from my travels. I have
no babies or dogs for you to hang on your fridge, but you will note the shot of
me standing pompously in front of a float plane, overcompensating for all the
other areas in which I lack.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Have a sparkling day,<sup>****</sup><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ellie</span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">*No I didn’t.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">**Listen, I just got up from my
desk to stretch, accidentally elbowed a lady and a baby fell out. Just now, I
mean it. His name is Isaiah Succotash and his parents are over the moon. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">***It was Patricia (fake name) and everyone
knows it.</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">****The best email I got in 2017 was
from a Parisian hotel concierge who finished a very business-like exchange with
this delightful phrase. I’ve included it and this footnote to drive home the
fact that I am so cool, hahaha ok I’ll stop.</span></div>
<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Ellie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07941391725199833504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406468484736790896.post-75309744511396274412017-07-12T17:11:00.001-04:002017-07-12T17:11:09.583-04:00Welcome<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QkWvkgIaWGE/WWaPqGyZagI/AAAAAAAAG44/m_L2bm1sBSMftQ6Ku5BGkvO8dsuS_X5SQCLcBGAs/s1600/hello.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="795" data-original-width="600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QkWvkgIaWGE/WWaPqGyZagI/AAAAAAAAG44/m_L2bm1sBSMftQ6Ku5BGkvO8dsuS_X5SQCLcBGAs/s1600/hello.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Illustration by <a href="http://halloheute.blogspot.ru/" target="_blank">Ina Hattenhauer</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div>
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Hello, and welcome to the new and improved Hither & Yon<br />
<br />*hands you an ice cold bottle of Smartwater™*<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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As you came in, I’m sure you noticed the new title graphic.
Isn’t it divine? The ampersand is in the latest shade of yellow from France.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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To our right, you’ll see an updated sidebar, with a photo of
the author that was taken sometime in the last three years. <i>Fabulous!</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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If you click on her face, it will take you to her ‘About Me’
page, but that <i>hasn’t </i>been updated in
the last three years, so don’t. I mean you can, but I have it on good authority
that she is no longer a fan of vintage suitcases OR Polaroids, so it’s wildly
inaccurate. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The navigation is mostly the same, with the addition of a
slideshow of her Instagram photos, so you can see she’s still alive when it’s
been weeks between posts.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Hopefully it won’t be weeks between posts anymore, but let’s
be real, you can put a fresh coat of paint on a leopard, but it’s still a
leopard.<i> Now it’s just super angry
because it’s covered in paint.</i> <i>Don’t
do that to animals, you guys. I can’t believe I even have to mention it.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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So what do you think? <o:p></o:p></div>
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I love it, I all-caps LOVE. IT. <o:p></o:p></div>
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All the props to Kelly of <a href="http://kikicocreative.com/" target="_blank">Kiki & Co. Creative</a>. She knows
what she’s about. Check out more of her work <a href="http://kikicocreative.com/blogger/" target="_blank">here</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyway, that’s all really. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>I’m sorry for speaking
in the third person earlier; that was weird. Also, I don’t have any Smartwater™
for you. Go get a drink from the faucet, don’t be wasteful.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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I’ll be back later with a post on my trip to Iceland
(finally).<o:p></o:p></div>
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Ok bye! ;)<o:p></o:p></div>
Ellie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07941391725199833504noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406468484736790896.post-24901783823213124792017-07-07T21:55:00.001-04:002017-07-07T21:55:08.798-04:00Happy Weekend<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pgygqb-ZBD8/WWA6dA1uDuI/AAAAAAAAG4E/Nyp2y5y6Js0mTL7ZOKZFDOhVPxCaWVBzgCLcBGAs/s1600/floating%2Bpineapple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="534" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pgygqb-ZBD8/WWA6dA1uDuI/AAAAAAAAG4E/Nyp2y5y6Js0mTL7ZOKZFDOhVPxCaWVBzgCLcBGAs/s1600/floating%2Bpineapple.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://vsco.co/deanmartindale/media/55b7cff524331eae428b4572" target="_blank">Source</a></span></div>
<br />
Because of the Independence Day holiday, the work week was short, but somehow I arrived at Friday evening just as worn out. I'm particularly thankful for friends who meet me for lunch in the middle of a crazy day and let me hold their adorable baby. <i>I'm looking at you,</i> <i>Janet and Charlie</i>. Other things that brightened my week include long July evenings, 2 Corinthians 3, and unsweetened iced tea.<br />
<br />
Also, here is some stuff I clicked on this week and liked:</div>
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<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">+</span></b> I scream, you scream, we all scream, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BVsjbHoDgu5/" target="_blank">"I'M CHARLENE!"</a><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">+</span></b> There is a store in New York that <a href="https://cwpencils.com/" target="_blank">only sells pencils</a> and pencil-related things, and between that and bagels, I think the universe is telling me to move to NYC.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">+</span></b> I might be turning into one of those people who uses natural deodorant but I'm not willing to try them all and subject people to that process, so <a href="https://greatist.com/live/best-natural-deodorant" target="_blank">thank goodness for this girl</a> who already did.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>+</b></span> In defense of <a href="https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/best-small-towns-in-america" target="_blank">small towns</a> as a long weekend vacation destination<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>+</b></span> As much as I'd love to be one of those people who subscribes to minimalism, <a href="https://domino.com/memphis-design-trend#all" target="_blank">this design trend </a>way more accurately encapsulates my personality.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">+</span></b> A song for your weekend: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUFJJNQGwhk" target="_blank">"To Build a Home" - The Cinematic Orchestra</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Just like Charlene, if you need me this weekend, I'll most likely be looking at pictures of baby goats. Or in this case, reading about<a href="https://www.thedodo.com/close-to-home/duck-friends-arrested-loitering" target="_blank"> ducks up to no good</a>. Oh animals, you hilarious things.<br />
<br />
Take care of yourselves, friends.<br />
xx</div>
</div>
Ellie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07941391725199833504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406468484736790896.post-27763933017786934562017-06-29T16:08:00.003-04:002017-06-29T16:08:51.404-04:00If by Rudyard Kipling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l9UvDKXZgSI/WVVd6xj9ZBI/AAAAAAAAG3Q/w8ybBCor-DoR4d3B207ByvVl5rjYAgZYwCLcBGAs/s1600/rain%2Bstitch%2Bwoman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="564" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l9UvDKXZgSI/WVVd6xj9ZBI/AAAAAAAAG3Q/w8ybBCor-DoR4d3B207ByvVl5rjYAgZYwCLcBGAs/s640/rain%2Bstitch%2Bwoman.jpg" width="516" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">(<a href="http://design-milk.com/stitching-photographs-various-approaches/" target="_blank">Flore Gardner, Rain, 2014</a>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you can keep your head when all about you </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> But make allowance for their doubting too; </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Or being hated, don’t give way to hating, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you can dream—and not make dreams your master; </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim; </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> And treat those two impostors just the same; </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you can make one heap of all your winnings </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And lose, and start again at your beginnings </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> And never breathe a word about your loss; </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> To serve your turn long after they are gone, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And so hold on when there is nothing in you </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’ </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> If all men count with you, but none too much; </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you can fill the unforgiving minute </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12px; text-indent: 0px;">Source: </span><em style="border: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A Choice of Kipling's Verse</em><span style="font-size: 12px; text-indent: 0px;"> (1943)</span></span></div>
Ellie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07941391725199833504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406468484736790896.post-78504336390506078062017-06-16T00:00:00.000-04:002017-06-16T12:08:44.935-04:00To Rowan, Two Days into Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i-NRfnHqi4M/WUPuub7SM2I/AAAAAAAAG24/3O5gsBZQd0Aga14duQ0IYORQwikinM6nwCLcBGAs/s1600/StockSnap_2VGEM9IPR5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i-NRfnHqi4M/WUPuub7SM2I/AAAAAAAAG24/3O5gsBZQd0Aga14duQ0IYORQwikinM6nwCLcBGAs/s640/StockSnap_2VGEM9IPR5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s called </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">acute</span><span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> renal failure, as if we have been particularly blessed.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> “This is fatal, but isn’t it darling? It was chosen especially for you.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As if the Alzheimer’s was merely a dressing gown, worn for twelve years,</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">exchanged at the last minute for a painful, shimmering evening dress.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh Rowan, I'm sorry you've come in the midst of all this. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You’ve just arrived as Nana is leaving.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You, a little dinghy, fresh in the water,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">bobbing by a battered frigate</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Limping into harbor. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The soldiers have long deserted,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Leaving only the current to push her home.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What are we to do? What am I to do?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’ve excused myself to cry in private three times today.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Why do tears feel like they can show up without an invitation?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Does it look like I have time to cry, now, in the middle of a conversation about airline tickets?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I want to stare at your sweet face for the rest of my days.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I want the newness of life to erase the pain of loss.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But I am at work and you are in Texas.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Squeaking and grunting and seeing only grey shapes, inches away.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am glad you are brand new.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am glad you are too smooth and round and soft for grief</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">or love</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">or loss</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">or joy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You don’t even know words, only sounds. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The sound of your father’s voice and your mother’s heartbeat, </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sounds to grow on.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Acute renal failure” means nothing to you.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And now I have to go home and pick up the house</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Scrub the bathroom</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Place clean sheets on the beds</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">and take stock of the pantry.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There are faces and voices arriving,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To hover, whisper, reminisce and smile.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And wait.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And I have to pretend to care about their comfort,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">their sleep,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">their appetite.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When all I care about is Nana.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And you</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And the quiver of your bottom lip,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-2465d24b-a694-5b22-9972-b56662f02025"></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As you sigh in a dream.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Written June 16, 2016, 2 days after the birth of my nephew Rowan, and 2 days before my dear sweet Nana finished her earthly journey</i></span></span></div>
Ellie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07941391725199833504noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406468484736790896.post-74477973534827349832017-04-26T14:33:00.001-04:002017-04-26T14:33:14.796-04:00Things That Aren't Real Problems But Annoy Me Anyway, Part 2<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C6pqJ5mHSPs/WQDmTqT6AvI/AAAAAAAAGz8/l1VrsYvm6V444pCUdKYll8AwHWEIrg8eACLcB/s1600/pouting%2Bmodel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C6pqJ5mHSPs/WQDmTqT6AvI/AAAAAAAAGz8/l1VrsYvm6V444pCUdKYll8AwHWEIrg8eACLcB/s640/pouting%2Bmodel.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image <a href="http://blackswandive.tumblr.com/image/88914011526" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Back in 2013 (WHERE DOES THE TIME GO), I <a href="http://ellieishitherandyon.blogspot.com/2013/03/things-that-arent-real-problems-but.html" target="_blank">wrote about minor inconveniences</a>, as I live a full and comfortable life uninterrupted by undue hardship or tragedy and this is all I know. It was not a comprehensive list, as in the intervening years I have come upon more things to whine about, and so here we are.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">+</span> <b>People who slow way down (or heaven forbid, come to a complete stop) on entrance/exit ramps </b>fill me with an incandescent rage so blinding, my eyelid twitches. I am immediately transported to medieval times, in full chain mail atop a horse, screaming, "MERGE OR DIE, SIMPLETON!"<br />
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Now to break this down, I am <strike>always</strike> usually running late, so having to come to a stop in a place where I normally seamlessly transition lanes makes me thirty seconds farther behind schedule than I've already accounted (and forgiven myself) for. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">+</span> <b>Bathroom stall doors that swing inwards</b>, particularly in airports. What is the deal with that, getting in is ok, but when I'm trying to get out, stuffed in there with all my worldly possessions, trying desperately not to touch the toilet or anything else, the last thing I need is the door scraping across my midsection. Were I of a more athletic form, I'd climb atop the toilet (stepping on a paper seat guard of course) and vault over the frame entirely, executing a dismount worthy of Olympic Gold circa 1996.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">+</span> The fact that <b>our toes grow hair on top</b>? I'm sure it once served a biological purpose, but I have no need for individual toe sweaters <i>thankyouverymuch</i>.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">+</span> This new thing on Facebook where you have to watch <b>a 15-second ad in the middle of a 60 second video</b> on how to make lard waffle hamburger paninis or whatever. Too far, Facebook. Is it too much to ask to watch uninterrupted a one minute video of a recipe I'm judging people for sharing? Obviously every minute of my online presence is fair game to targeted advertising but joke's on you, ad algorithms, every company that interrupts my Buzzfeed Food binge-watch gets added to a list of corporations I will never give money to.<br />
<i>Yes. Corporate take-down, one dollar at a time.</i> *cackles*<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">+</span> <b>Group text messages.</b> It is too stressful for me to be subjected to seven other people's immediate thoughts and reactions to whatever is the topic du jour. Anyone who has ever wished to have the ability to read minds just needs to join in to a mass text chain trying to make plans, and they will be instantly cured of that desire.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">+</span> <b>When someone makes me feel bad, even though they made the mistake. </b>Example: last week I was short-changed after going through a drive-thru so I went inside to ask for my change and they gave me a hard time about it. Listen, I'm the type of pacifist who apologizes to inanimate objects for bumping into them, I don't need the added guilt of your poor character weighing on my conscience. It know it was only $2.75 but it wasn't even my money, I was picking up lunch for someone else. Rude.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">+</span> <b>How long it takes a pot of water to boil.</b> I'm sorry, but I was raised in the age of instant gratification, so I'm going to need the laws of thermodynamics to adjust to my short attention span. End of discussion.<br />
<br />
Well, I'm sure I can think of more, but that's enough for one day. Obviously there are much worse things than these that could cause someone to pout artfully in the sun (re: above photo), but write what you know, etc.<br />
<br />
Tell me, what minor thing has been bothering you lately? Let us share in life's little indignities!<br />
<br />Ellie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07941391725199833504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406468484736790896.post-70261480617298567122017-04-24T17:10:00.000-04:002017-04-24T17:11:20.148-04:00On not doing things, and then doing them again<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WR23ggzhdm4/WP5pM9edhUI/AAAAAAAAGzc/Nss3fXf5dosSD_ebCvyGLcGhZ8ToNX7tACLcB/s1600/StockSnap_0TW4AS1G7D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WR23ggzhdm4/WP5pM9edhUI/AAAAAAAAGzc/Nss3fXf5dosSD_ebCvyGLcGhZ8ToNX7tACLcB/s640/StockSnap_0TW4AS1G7D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image <a href="https://stocksnap.io/author/575" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hello my darlings. My precious petals. My sweet baby
ducklings.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It's been so long
since I've done one of these that I don't know how to begin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I feel like I should
practice this in my old bedroom, pacing the floor as a contingent of stuffed
animals looks on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“What’s that you say Eeyore? Yes, I should probably
explain myself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Begin as I mean to go on?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">You give good advice for a sad blue donkey.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>*pacing intensifies*</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When we last spoke, it was December of 2015. I was a
few months into a new job at a travel agency. In a twist no one saw coming, I
still work there!! (WHAT? Consistency?) Nothing has really changed in my
day-to-day. Same job, same basement apartment, same general lack of forward
momentum.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the last 16 months I have gained a nephew and lost
a grandmother (within a week of each other, if ever there was a time of joy and
sorrow interwoven). I have gained some
weight and lost some hair. (TMI? Who cares—you can see it in my face and the
way I part my hair, it’s not a secret.)
I have gained complacency and lost motivation. (This worries me the most.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have no less than six (6!) posts in draft that were
started and then abandoned—ironically enough—on the idea that I have trouble
finishing what I start. Perhaps about
twelve months ago I took on a new methodology: don’t start anything at all. Can’t
be a quitter if you don’t even participate in the first place. And so I stopped
doing all the things that make me <i>interesting</i>
as a person – writing, reading, creating, maintaining friendships, even
watering my plants (which was particularly cruel, the poor things). I began to
simply exist – eat, sleep, work, repeat. Praying as though it were a ritual, and not an
honest-to-goodness conversation.
Interacting with others like a robot playing a human role. Basically extending as little effort as
possible to actively participate in my own life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I recently turned 29. I have less than 365 days before
I enter a new decade—the one where even by today’s lenient standards, I will
officially be an adult, firmly established in my habits, good or bad. I’m scared
of being thirty years old and still feeling like I have to justify why I’m not
a better person. I’m terrified of being
forty years old and still making the same mistakes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And it’s not about having the perfect job, or body, or
relationship, or even about where I am in life relative to others. It’s about being comfortable in my own skin.
It’s about being able to look in the mirror at the end of each day and saying, “I
did my best.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Not, “I AM the best” (impossible) but “I DID my best”
(attainable).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now don’t worry, I’m not going to turn this blog into
some chronicle up the mountain of self-actualization, with Pinterest quotes and
yoga pants. With this post, I’m merely speaking
out loud to myself the need to TRY and DO. Which means writing more. And
putting effort into the things that matter to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’ll be back with stories, because there are quite a
few to tell. Despite robot-ing my way through 2016, there are some things worth
sharing. For starters, my nephew is just a pudgy little blueberry muffin of
love and I have to introduce him to you.
Also, I swallowed not a small amount of anxiety and went to LAS VEGAS for
a work conference last August. I drive a
Prius now (??). And then in
March of this year, I went to Iceland (cool thing alert!!). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the meantime, keep doing your thing friends. Like
DOING it though, and not just pretending to.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ellie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07941391725199833504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406468484736790896.post-30722411748046034482015-12-04T13:19:00.000-05:002015-12-04T18:30:47.856-05:00Oh, December<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oixiGLK201M/VmHVSzkrC5I/AAAAAAAAGNg/34IWeTgH-Bc/s1600/decemberwreath1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oixiGLK201M/VmHVSzkrC5I/AAAAAAAAGNg/34IWeTgH-Bc/s640/decemberwreath1.jpg" width="635"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Illustration by <a href="http://kelseygarrityillustration.blogspot.com/2012/11/december-already.html" target="_blank">Kelsey Garrity-Riley</a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I love December and I don’t care who knows.</span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u1:p></u1:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I love it because winter feels fresh and anyone who complains
about snow at this point is just being a whiner.<o:p></o:p></span><u1:p></u1:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I love it because that guy who never took down his Christmas
lights from last year is patting himself on the back for his cleverness.<o:p></o:p></span><u1:p></u1:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I love it because it has the most work holidays of any other
month. Well, two. But still. This is America, we didn’t fight off oppression
from the monarchy just to sit around twiddling our thumbs. Yes we did but we
want to get<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>paid</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>to do it.<o:p></o:p></span><u1:p></u1:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Anyway, here’s my December to do list:<o:p></o:p></span><u1:p></u1:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">a.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Gingerbread house – this is
non-negotiable. In fact, this year I’m bringing in the expert help of the dude
I hang out with on the weekends. He’s two, so expect great things.<o:p></o:p></span><u1:p></u1:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">b.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Visit Seattle. My family is heading there
for Christmas “just because” and I’m crazy excited for my very first visit to
the PNW, land of foggy beaches and pensive bearded hipsters. Bonus: two of my favorite squinkies live there now.<o:p></o:p></span><u1:p></u1:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">c.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Get up early enough one morning to
properly photograph the hoar frost. #instagramgoals<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">d.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Audit my sweaters. I have almost more
sweaters than there are days in a month and that is nonsense. Let’s be real,
some of them need to be put out to pasture. Part of me wants to make slipper
booties out of old sweater arms but I can’t sew, and also calm down, Pinterest.<o:p></o:p></span><u1:p></u1:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">e.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Read two books from my unread shelf. Yes,
I have an entire shelf of books I own but have never read. What is wrong with
me. I’m thinking The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff and Ellis Island by Mark Helprin.<o:p></o:p></span><u1:p></u1:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">f.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Ice skating. Or rather, the annual attempt
to live out my Michelle Kwan dreams until my feet hurt or I fall catastrophically,
whichever happens first.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">g.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://stepable.com/recipes/590/hot-cocoa-cookies-with-marshmallows">Hot
Chocolate Cookies</a>, get in my oven.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">h.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Wear plaid flannel everything. I want to
feel like I just crawled out of a tent on a frosty morning in a forest and am
brewing coffee in an old tin pot over a campfire. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">i.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Update
my blog design. I love you blog, but you need a facelift.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">j.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Support
my mom, brother, and aunt who are running a 10 mile “fun run” on the 19<sup>th</sup>.
And by support I mean stay home and cook them a big post-race breakfast. And by
that I mean sleep through my alarm and text them the address of a nearby Cracker
Barrel. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span>
</span><br>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">What are your plans
this month?</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Ellie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07941391725199833504noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406468484736790896.post-74794644876540869252015-12-01T13:12:00.000-05:002015-12-01T13:12:06.605-05:00Words on Words<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n2ALr0H_4Ho/VljJ7e2U6LI/AAAAAAAAGNM/1QHG4ZWzkKw/s1600/TalkingHeadsShe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n2ALr0H_4Ho/VljJ7e2U6LI/AAAAAAAAGNM/1QHG4ZWzkKw/s640/TalkingHeadsShe.jpg" width="444" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.larissahailyaguado.com/STUDIEN-UBER-HYSTERIE" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Source</span></a></div>
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: inherit; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit , serif;">Within my imagination,
there is a struggle of constantly wanting to write but not knowing what to
write about. Am I writing to pass the time or because I have something to say?</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit , serif;">How do I add value to
the universe with my words and not just take up space better used by something
else-- by a conversation, or a news item, or a song? Why do I feel the
need to make words that are music for the eyes and food for the brain and fuel
for the imagination?</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit , serif;">Words can be tattoos
on the mind, more permanent than ink on skin, than an etch in stone. They can
be life-changing, life-directing, even life-giving. But what are words if they
are not received? A word of wisdom falling on deaf ears is a precious gem
dropped on the floor. Where does it go? Does it roll under the dresser, never
to be found again? Or if another is nearby and sees it fall, does it still hold
the same value if that person picks it up? It’s diamonds to one but coal to
another.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit , serif;">Words can be poison,
the most insidious kind--a little sting, over and over again until it breaks
the skin. It’s the kind of poison that seeps into the marrow quietly, changing
the way the blood flows, until one day the uncomfortable ache becomes
unbearable agony. Where did this come from? Nobody remembers the origin story.
Nobody was paying attention when the first word found its mark.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit , serif;">Words can build, but it’s
disheartening how many more words it takes to build than it takes to destroy.
If you must speak hard words, layer them with kind ones.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit , serif;">There’s not
necessarily safety in numbers – thousands of untrue words repeated over and
over hold a thimbleful of water that leaks out slowly. A man would die of
thirst in a lake of insincere words but feed for a week on a single morsel of
truth.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit , serif;">Sometimes it’s not the
words themselves, it’s the method of delivery. Are they issued forth from
the lips of a loved one, scribbled in the margin next to other words, or
overheard in secret? Some words aren’t meant for us but we receive them anyway.
Impassioned words incite nations to war. Make people believe your words and they
will die for you. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Words mean everything and nothing. Entire conversations occur in
silence. In the blink of an eye, the story can be rewritten between an inhale
and an exhale.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So what does it come down to? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit , serif;">Say only the words you
mean and never be afraid to let the silence speak for itself.</span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
And therein lies the
struggle: knowing when to speak and when to keep my peace. How to
not be overwhelmed when the silence is roaring. How to find the right
words when someone asks.<br />
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Today these are my words. What are yours?</div>
Ellie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07941391725199833504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406468484736790896.post-38414595460976446192015-11-20T14:12:00.001-05:002015-11-20T14:12:24.443-05:00Ten Things I Love Today<div class="MsoNormal">
1) I fell asleep last night with soaking wet, tangled hair.
Naturally I woke up with a balsam fir on my head. Instead of moaning about it,
I put on a bright red dress and plaid tights. There is no blending in with the
scenery today. IF I’M GONNA LOOK LIKE A TREE, BY GOLLY I’M GONNA LOOK LIKE A
CHRISTMAS TREE. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TnsBB75wGmc/Vk9tIKufhxI/AAAAAAAAGMc/6QYLlaCV374/s640/blogger-image-98477574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TnsBB75wGmc/Vk9tIKufhxI/AAAAAAAAGMc/6QYLlaCV374/s640/blogger-image-98477574.jpg" /></a></div>
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2) I forgot to set my alarm but I woke up sort of on time
anyway. AW YISS.<o:p></o:p></div>
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3) <a href="http://www.nenaandco.com/carryalls/" target="_blank">Nena and Co</a>.
Everything.<o:p></o:p></div>
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4) It’s almost Thanksgiving and I’m less than a week away from
being reunited with my favorite Bostonians. I’m also less than a week away from
my favorite feast of the year. FYI, we’ll be serving from both ends of the
health spectrum, from lentil loaf to deep fried turkey. <o:p></o:p></div>
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America, y’all.<o:p></o:p></div>
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5) You’ve probably seen it already, but <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2015/11/18/french-dad-explains-paris-terror-attacks-son-touching-video/75990360/">this
video</a> of a little boy and his father being interviewed about the attacks in
Paris. I’m still crying. <o:p></o:p><br />
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6) It’s that time of year where I play George Winston radio nonstop
on Pandora. If Norman Rockwell paintings
were made into a movie, it would be scored by George Winston.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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7) I have way too many material possessions and <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/the-biggest-reason-you-re-still-drowning-in-clutter-and-what-to-do-219239" target="_blank">this</a>
explains why.<o:p></o:p></div>
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8) I still can’t get over this sky from Tuesday night.<o:p></o:p></div>
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9) For the first time in my life I have real and true business
cards. I have never felt more like a kid pretending to be an adult. I finally have something to give people other
than <a href="http://www.papersource.com/item/Stop-Talking-Cards/440446.html" target="_blank">these</a>.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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10) Adele’s new album. Basically crying for the rest of my life.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Have a good weekend my dears. xx</div>
Ellie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07941391725199833504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406468484736790896.post-65401407332108636472015-11-19T16:40:00.001-05:002015-11-19T16:40:58.321-05:00Sunday Morning in Penthalaz, a Haiku<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>This post was inspired by <a href="http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/" target="_blank">Mama Kat's</a> Writer's Workshop. Write a haiku about something you're thankful for.</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0YdgSApq3zI/Vk4dVqoHnoI/AAAAAAAAGME/cpR-3_neWMQ/s1600/penthalaz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0YdgSApq3zI/Vk4dVqoHnoI/AAAAAAAAGME/cpR-3_neWMQ/s640/penthalaz.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">April 2011</span><br />
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Ten souls communing,</div>
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Golden vials around the throne;</div>
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My purpose renewed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Ellie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07941391725199833504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406468484736790896.post-23997039136450935352015-11-13T17:00:00.000-05:002015-11-13T17:00:07.928-05:00How to be a College Alum<div>
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<b> 1. Attend Homecoming</b></div>
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This past Saturday I drove down to my alma mater for one of those classic college student experiences, you know, the kind you’re supposed to have while you’re still in college. I went to a good old-fashioned, all-American football game with my friends.</span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes, pick your jaws up off the floor, I spent my own money and free time to attend a sports game. It wasn’t even to impress a boy! That’s how good of a friend I am. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But really, let me tell you about these friends. A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, a gaggle of fresh(wo)men were randomly assigned into a student orientation group based on where they lived in student housing. A few of these girls came and went, but fast forward to the present day and a core of them remain, affectionately referred to as Starship Windsor. (I’m not telling you why, it’s incredibly nerdy and you weren’t invited to make fun of us, so there.) </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So anyway, when Starship Windsor plans a reunion, you go. Even if it means displaying your incredible lack of basic sports facts. (Actual things that left my mouth: “Who has the ball right now?” “Why are the guys from Foot Locker on the field?”) </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2. Be frustrated by how much has changed since you left.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The first thing I remembered upon arrival was how terrible it is to find parking as a visitor. Your options are to either get there at dawn or pay $20 to park in the cattle pen that is the Ross Ade stadium lot. Or, a third option, drive around for 45 minutes, cry, and then pay a random church $10 to park in their lot, having already missed kickoff. Obviously I went with option 3.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Walking through the campus, I felt incredibly lost. I’ve only been gone five years but it might as well have been fifty, so much has changed. There are new buildings where fields used to be, new buildings on top of where old buildings were, streets with new names, and streets with no names. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And the students! They look so young. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SO. YOUNG</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. These girls in their Purdue sweatshirts and yoga pants with sleek, glossy hair and too much eye makeup, who laugh too loudly. These guys dressed in culturally-insensitive costumes for Breakfast Club, casually strolling by campus cops, red plastic cups in hand. WHO ARE THESE NOISY VAGRANTS? This isn’t MY Purdue!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3. Feel incredibly old.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PyHibmCnnyk/VkZaWtSX0jI/AAAAAAAAGJ8/Kb5kLyZGfMY/s1600/IMG_9045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PyHibmCnnyk/VkZaWtSX0jI/AAAAAAAAGJ8/Kb5kLyZGfMY/s640/IMG_9045.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Literally only Jordyn and Bri are cooperating right now, not even me and I'm taking the photo</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">T</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">he thing that struck me the most was how grown-up I suddenly felt, despite sitting at a football game with my friends. Jordyn made sure we all had on sunscreen, I shared a granola bar with Julie, and when the fireworks went off during halftime, I got a little panicky at how big the blaze was instead of being excited at the pretty display. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“But won’t somebody catch fire?!”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> We complained about how much money things cost, how we feel about our jobs, and even discussed all the foods we can’t handle anymore. Then we laughed at how old we sounded.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Julie asked me if I would go back. I thought about it for only a moment. “I would, but only if I could go back as the person I am now.” And it’s true: I loved college more than any experience I’d had in my life up to that point, but I didn’t love myself. As cheesy as it sounds, I only had a vague idea of who I was and I had even less confidence in embracing it. That feeling of desperately wanting to be an independent, outgoing adult while still clinging to the safety of what was familiar was an uncomfortable intersection to dwell at for four years. I’m not saying the person I am now is at the pinnacle of self-actualization, but I seem to have grown out of that deep-seated anxiety about my identity.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4. Feel an overwhelming surge of school spirit.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FhSjd6ZviPA/VkZaW1-3ljI/AAAAAAAAGKA/i8zyR2HpmAg/s1600/IMG_9049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FhSjd6ZviPA/VkZaW1-3ljI/AAAAAAAAGKA/i8zyR2HpmAg/s640/IMG_9049.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Basically no one is paying attention at this point. We were losing by a lot. Cheerleader group photo!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ll be honest with you: I barely watched the game. It’s really boring when you don’t know what’s happening. Fortunately, there’s 20 other things going on at the same time: the cheerleaders, the band, the student section, the fans from the opposing team, the little girl in the next section having a meltdown, etc. Plus, when you’re with friends, you can unashamedly be yourself and yell irrelevant things just to add to the noise:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“5th DOWN!” *chortle*</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“DONALD RUMSFELD!!” *chuckle*</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“BENGHAZI!” *laughing harder*</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“SOCCER IS THE ONLY REAL SPORT!!!” *silence*</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“...too far, Julie.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And then it’s half time and they’re paying tribute to the “Voice of the Purdue All-American Marching Band”, who’s retiring after SIXTY YEARS and the field is full of students and alumni. There’s fireworks and music and finally the school fight song and there are actual tears in your eyes. Your voice breaks on “...of all the days we’ve spent with you, all hail, our own Purdue!” and you feel the need to hug people and kiss babies. This is it, this is the feeling I came for. Despite every imaginable difference, the thousands of people in this stadium are united in this moment by one institution. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, with the exception of those Illini fans...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>5. Wallow in nostalgia.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Ok but like, two people are missing. Katie and Suz, where are you?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After the game, my friends and I walked through the academic part of campus and it started to feel more familiar. Ah yes, good old Heavilon. In which we took all our English classes and once, Cassandra reminds me, a Bio lecture, when something suspicious started leaking through the ceiling in Lilly Hall. Oh and there’s Stanley Coulter, where I waded my way through French and the Classics, with the professor who looked like he’d be more at home teaching at Hogwarts. And HSSE, my favorite third floor library hide-out. It had that classic smell of old books mixed with the musk of quiet desperation, a perfect place to agonize over finals.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This was my Purdue. It wasn’t tailgating and football games, it was class schedules and studying and lunch dates at Oasis in the Union. My Purdue was working shifts at my residence hall front desk on Saturdays. My Purdue was res hall life and student governing boards and free pizza at callouts for clubs I had no intention of joining. My Purdue was no better or more profitable or more worthwhile than anyone else’s, but it was mine. And the places it overlapped with other people’s made it special.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6. Leave with new memories.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Good job us. Smiling like grown-ups, finally.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Perhaps my favorite part of the whole day was at the very end. We went out to eat before parting ways but carpooled to the restaurant. On our way back, six of us had to pile in Cassandra’s Kia Rio for the short distance to our cars. Poor planning on my part left me stuffed in the middle of the back seat, underneath Suz, unable to reach into my pocket to retrieve my phone containing a map. I had almost completely lost my voice at that point and to make matters worse, I only had a vague idea of where the church lot was that contained my car. In my haste to get to the game, it never occurred to me to pay attention to little details like the name of the church, what it looked like, or even what street it was on. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We drove around for way longer than necessary, the others laughing helplessly at my feeble, squeaky shouted instructions. “Turn here! That’s it! No it’s not! Is it?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>7. Promise to not wait so long before the next time you visit.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The Boilermaker</i> by Ross Ade Stadium</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We found my car, eventually. Hugs all around, “drive safe!”, promises to meet up again soon. I smiled the whole way home. Oh Purdue, you giant, money-hungry, frustrating, wonderful, emotional, life-changing animal. I love you. I miss you. Please stop calling. Thanks for the memories. Thanks for the friends. Thanks for the education, I guess.</span></span></div>
Ellie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07941391725199833504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406468484736790896.post-67323562326509042292015-09-02T14:10:00.001-04:002015-09-02T23:19:19.789-04:00It's My Minestrone and I'll Cry if I Want To*<i>*no actual crying occurred</i> <div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FeROL2Dhs10/Vec7lH-7hvI/AAAAAAAAGDQ/1-PmLs9zkLc/s640/blogger-image-1794076721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FeROL2Dhs10/Vec7lH-7hvI/AAAAAAAAGDQ/1-PmLs9zkLc/s640/blogger-image-1794076721.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am not a person who generally considers soup to be a legitimate meal. I've said it one hundred of times before, but eating soup is only good if you want to be hungry again in thirty minutes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But that was in the olden days of being in college, of canned Campbell's chicken noodle for supper when I had used up my meal plan for the week. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm still one who generally skips that portion of a restaurant menu, but I have come around to the idea of soup as a satisfying lunch or dinner. Turns out, watery broth with thin noodles and tiny bits of chicken from a can is at the bottom of the soup quality scale. Rich, creamy potato with scallions and bacon or hearty minestrone garnished with fresh basil and Parmesan are where it's <b>at</b>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So let's talk minestrone. I have made it before and my favorite recipe is by Ellie Krieger of the Food Network. (Can't be bothered to link to it, you can use the Google.) But the beauty of minestrone is that it's a very accomodating type of soup. You can add or subtract ingredients as you please. A learned chef might argue that if you add and subtract too many things, you end up with something that's not minestrone at all. To them I say semantics won't make the soup taste better. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Today at work (in my kitchen job) we were dreadfully slow so I decided to make minestrone for lunch for myself and the other employees. My number one love for my job is the latitude to create whatever I want in the slow periods, time and ingredients permitting. Seriously. WHATEVER. I. WANT. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I grocery shop for the weekend supplies on Thursdays, so the pantry and fridge were on the bare side. Every recipe I pulled, I was missing three or four of the major ingredients. One even called for cabbage. What is wrong with you, Martha? No one likes leaves in their soup! I put all the recipes aside and made the soup with what we had on hand that sounded good to me. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Why is this noteworthy, you ask, that sounds like a normal course of events to the seasoned cook. But here's a secret about me: I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M DOING. EVER. I'm winging it in there, 24/7. I've never been formally trained. I make a mess, use too many bowls, and I hope you never have to witness my knife skills. I've broken spatulas, glasses, the butter dish, pots and pans, and even started two (2!!) small fires. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My saving grace is that I know two important safety tips: always cut away from yourself and never use water to put out a grease fire. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Seriously, those are the only reasons why I still have all of my fingers and eyebrows and I have never burned down a building. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Were it not for my winning smile, can-do attitude, and innate ability to never overbake the cookies, my dear boss would have sent me packing ages ago. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">And so I rarely improvise. I'll substitute and skip a step here and there but for safety (and insurance) reasons, I FOLLOW DIRECTIONS. Until today. I threw caution to the wind (but carefully and away from any open flame) and made soup. And here it is. </font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><b>ELLIE'S MINESTRONE</b></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">(Me Ellie, not the Food Network lady)</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">1 tbsp olive oil </font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">1 tbsp minced garlic (about 2 cloves)</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">1 green onion, diced</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">1 celery stalk, diced</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">1 tsp Italian seasoning</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Salt and pepper (whatever feels right)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">1 can of diced tomatoes</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">1 15 oz can Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">1 14 oz can French-style green beans, drained</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">4 cups chicken broth </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">2 cups water</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">1 cup elbow macaroni</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">1. Heat the oil in your soup pot. Add the garlic, onion, and celery; sauté til celery softens, about 5 or 6 minutes. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">2. Add the seasonings and the diced tomatoes, juice and all. Let cook a little more. (No idea how long, really. A minute or two? Just until it smelled yummy and tomatoey.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">3. Add both kinds of beans, the broth, and the water and bring to a low boil. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">4. Add the pasta and let simmer 10-15 minutes. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">5. Ladle into bowls, pray it tastes ok, and then dig in. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">(Spoiler alert: it tastes ok. Good, even.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">There's at least eight things wrong with this recipe, including things like sautéing in a soup pot (amateur hour!) and using green onion (all onions are not created equal, you moron!). Also, in a perfect world, I would have added carrots and fresh green beans and grated parm--WHATEVER, IT WORKED. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Those are the things I had, I put them together, and most importantly, <i>I didn't apologize for the outcome.</i> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">"Soup's up, take it or leave it."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We took it. And we <i>liked</i> it. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><b>Day 2: Try improvising</b></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div>Ellie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07941391725199833504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406468484736790896.post-56493601567102342082015-09-01T23:57:00.001-04:002015-09-02T00:02:51.022-04:00An Orange Wingback Armchair<div><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w6z3wifi820/VeZ06VwLLeI/AAAAAAAAGC4/IDuZ7x3Ubxw/s640/blogger-image-1839312822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w6z3wifi820/VeZ06VwLLeI/AAAAAAAAGC4/IDuZ7x3Ubxw/s640/blogger-image-1839312822.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div>I'm afraid of moving forward and terrified I'm sliding backward, and so I grow roots right where I am, inconveniently in the middle of the street, and tremble in fear and indecision as time roars by around me. The wind of passing opportunity yanks out my leaves, creating bald spots in the canopy. Loud and troublesome crows are nesting in my hair. <div><br></div><div>I'm so <b>so</b> scared that ten years will pass with a quick inhale and ten more before the same breath leaves my lungs. And I'll still be right there, a bit of grass at my feet and empty branches above. </div><div><br></div><div>Where will I be? What will I be doing? <i>Will I be all alone?</i></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div>I don't know anything about trees. I assume it's easiest to move them at two points in their lifespan: when they are saplings and when they are dead. Transplanting at the ages in between would require an enormous amount of effort and machinery and patience, I'd imagine. Does one dig up the entire area around the base of the tree and get it all in a ball? If you cut away at the roots, will that make it more difficult for it to thrive in a new environment?</div><div><br></div><div>Something must be done. I cannot possibly remain here in the road. For one thing, I'm creating potholes. But have I waited too long? Are the roots too deep?</div><div><br></div><div>Enough about trees. Enough with metaphors. I'm stuck in a hole and my twenties are marching on. I'm ninety-three and it's only half past eleven in the morning. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm doing nothing, dreaming about everything, and the time is passing all the while. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm not even writing. I'm afraid to write because it's a mirror more effective than glass, than a powerful camera lens with 300x optical zoom. In words I can see past my skin and eyes and hair, past my bones and muscles, straight into the center of my heart. </div><div><br></div><div>There's a fifth chamber in there, a secret chamber that the blood flows around, but never in. The chamber is comfortably appointed, with a rug and a slightly worn orange wingback arm chair and an oak side table with a large book on it. The book contains all the reasons for who and why and what and where I am. </div><div><br></div><div>But it's like the journal Harry Potter finds in the second book, blank until written in. It absorbs the ink, dissolves the words I wrote, and writes out the answers. I'm afraid to see into the chamber, put words into the book, and see what it has to say.</div><div><br></div><div><i>"You're afraid of failing so you don't even try. And by not trying, that's the greatest failure of all." </i></div><div><br></div><div>And there it is. </div><div><br></div><div>I've failed without even trying. </div><div><br></div><div>And so I stay exactly where I am, doing the same exact thing, and roots shoot deep into the earth, curling like fists around the bedrock. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm ready to uproot, I don't want to be here forever. So it's time to try. Try what? Literally anything. For thirty days. Maybe one thing, maybe thirty things. Exercise? Pottery? Vegan mayonnaise? The universe is my oyster. </div><div>(Except oysters. Because food poisoning.)</div><div><br></div><div>I've already failed without trying, so let's see if I can try without failing.</div><div>*softshoes off stage*</div><div><br></div><div><b>Day 1: Try writing again</b></div>Ellie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07941391725199833504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406468484736790896.post-7944247888250927312014-07-17T08:00:00.000-04:002014-07-17T08:00:08.914-04:00A Day in the Life: June 2014Hello again! Here is installment six of the Day in the Life series, a monthly linkup hosted by Manda at <a href="http://musicalpoem.me/day-life/" target="_blank">Musical Poem</a>.<br />
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<b>Wednesday, June 18, 2014</b><br />
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Oh June. I found myself in yet another transition period. For reasons I'll not share on the Internet, I parted ways with the company mentioned in my last post. Though it was not a good situation, I was naturally quite down about having to start all over again. AGAIN. Good things happened in June, but I was in a funk for most of this month. I'm telling you all this because this post is probably the most boring Day in the Life yet. Just so you have some context.<br />
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<b>// 8:30 am</b><br />
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Good morning, glasses. Good morning, ugly ripped window shade that is always stuck in the down position.<br />
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<b>// 9:00 am</b></div>
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We had company over and so breakfast was a delicious treat. Dutch Baby Pancake with maple syrup and strawberries. Not the healthiest way to start a Wednesday but soooo. gooood.<br />
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<b>// 9:30 am</b></div>
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Lego building time with my new friend Jackson before he had to head back home. Thanks for stopping by! </div>
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<b>// 12:30 pm</b></div>
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I don't remember what I had for lunch, but I followed it up with a piece of s'mores pie leftover from the previous night's dinner party. It was tasty to the max and I regret none of it.</div>
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<b>// 2:00 pm</b><br />
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Long afternoon of resume-tweaking and job-searching. I pulled the shade aside from time to time to gaze outside but it did nothing but pour. Good. Let the weather match my mood then.<br />
*insert Grumpy Cat face*<br />
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<b>// 6:00 pm</b></div>
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Headed to a gospel meeting. No selfies today because I'm grouchy and you don't need to see that. I wore extra bright shoes to compensate for the lack of expression on my face.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qXsLe8PKuUo/U8boRZe6CoI/AAAAAAAAFfA/oIfg0MHVo_c/s1600/IMG_5228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qXsLe8PKuUo/U8boRZe6CoI/AAAAAAAAFfA/oIfg0MHVo_c/s1600/IMG_5228.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Digging my bro's blue on blue outfit choice.<br />
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<b>// 8:40 pm</b></div>
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I had a laugh in the bathroom at the hand dryer. Apparently this particular one doubles as a hair dryer. Not a bad idea, considering the weather, but this was in a small town library. It struck me as an odd place for one.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3WIrLx9xjHg/U8boUTYBe1I/AAAAAAAAFfQ/4k1GawnRJ2A/s1600/IMG_5233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3WIrLx9xjHg/U8boUTYBe1I/AAAAAAAAFfQ/4k1GawnRJ2A/s1600/IMG_5233.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>// 10:00 pm</b><br />
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Home and bed. I'm afraid I went to bed in much the same self-pity party I woke up in. I know it's incredibly selfish and unfair to feel that way, considering how privileged I am. It was just one of those days where I was feeling motion sick from my hamster wheel. I ran too fast, got ahead of myself, and the when the motion of the wheel caught up to me, I was thrown for a loop.<br />
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Oh well, tomorrow's another day!Ellie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07941391725199833504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406468484736790896.post-89989182518866703422014-07-16T16:43:00.003-04:002014-07-16T17:23:24.413-04:00A Day in the Life: May 2014<b>HEY LOOK A POST.</b><br />
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Only two months to the day since my last one! #winning<br />
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I'm tired of apologizing for my lack of consistency. Sometimes I have enough on my plate just processing my life as it happens, you know? Never mind meticulously cataloging and packaging it up for my blog. This summer I've given myself a break and haven't blogged because, well, I haven't felt like it.<br />
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However, I am still participating in the Day in the Life challenge, where I post snaps from a day in my life once a month. (Hosted by Manda at <a href="http://musicalpoem.me/day-life/" target="_blank">Musical Poem</a>, thanks!!) I just haven't posted them since April. I feel the need to play catch-up, so this post and the next two are to fill in those gaps.<br />
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Let's begin with MAY!<br />
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<a href="http://musicalpoem.me/tag/day-life" nbsp="" target="_blank" title="A Day in the Life: A Linkup by Break the Sky"><img alt="A Day in the Life: A Linkup by Break the Sky" src="http://musicalpoem.me/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/aditl-1.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a><br />
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<b>Thursday, May 22, 2014</b><br />
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<b>// 6:30 am</b><br />
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The start of day four at a brand new full-time job as office minion at an unnamed company. Still getting used to the rhythm of the 8-5 grind, clearly.<br />
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<b>// 7:00 am</b></div>
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Multigrain Cheerios in almond milk and fresh strawberries. Can't complain about that.</div>
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<b>// 7:20 am</b></div>
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Heading out to work. Our new place out in the country has its ups and downs but I'm not mad at the quiet 30 minute drive to the office.</div>
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<b>// 8:00 am</b></div>
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My view for the day. Just for reference, I'm 5'3" and my shoulders barely cleared that window when I stood in front of it. I hated that window. HATED. IT. It always made me feel trapped in a box.</div>
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<b>// 12:30 pm</b></div>
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Five minutes from the office was a gorgeous park and I looked forward to my lunch hour more than was healthy. Every day, I was out there eating my lunch, lolling about on a blanket like I was on holiday without a care in the world.</div>
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Today's menu included the classic brown bag selection of turkey on wheat, carrots, and strawberries. Shout out to <a href="http://texasbywayofindiana.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Hattie</a> for that water bottle. It always makes me feel extra classy and reminds me that she gives the best birthday gifts.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y7YxbYASdTc/U8bcAf2oPyI/AAAAAAAAFdY/ALc8lmnkMcw/s1600/IMG_4841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y7YxbYASdTc/U8bcAf2oPyI/AAAAAAAAFdY/ALc8lmnkMcw/s1600/IMG_4841.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i>Well hello, Food Magazine, yes I'm available for photo shoots.</i></div>
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<i>This was just a week before I had another quarter life crisis and chopped off 8 inches of my hair. I miss you sometimes, long ponytail.</i><br />
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<b>// 5:00 pm</b><br />
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Time to go home!!! And time to take a picture of my OOTD, obviously. This is my new favorite maxi skirt, particularly because I can wear my favorite neon yellow flats with it.<br />
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// 6:00 pm<br />
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Too tired to function. I don't even think I had dinner that night. I laid on my bed and flipped through the summer preview J. Crew catalog because I bought a t-shirt there once so I'm going to get their catalogs until I die.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z9p-BuKtw6M/U8bcj8hTiVI/AAAAAAAAFeA/9iydMvrZ79Q/s1600/j+crew+catalog.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z9p-BuKtw6M/U8bcj8hTiVI/AAAAAAAAFeA/9iydMvrZ79Q/s1600/j+crew+catalog.png" height="640" width="640" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z9p-BuKtw6M/U8bcj8hTiVI/AAAAAAAAFeA/9iydMvrZ79Q/s1600/j+crew+catalog.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">I dig your summer camp vibes, but I do not know a single serious outdoors woman that would wear a silk sheath dress or white cropped trousers while camping. If any of my friends showed up wearing that, I would laugh them out of my canoe. Get real, J. Crew.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><b>// 7:00 pm </b></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Spencer showed up asking for help in making a pie chart for a school project. The only reason he did so is because every other person in our house was not around. I am not good at homework help, you guys. Not. good. Thank goodness he's only in fifth grade.</span></div>
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<b>// 8:00 pm</b></div>
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LUSH bubble bath time. I take way more baths than an adult should, but I don't feel bad about it. The only thing keeping me from taking baths everyday is that they are time consuming and kind of a waste of water. But if I was Beyonce...you just watch out. Hold my calls, Jay-Z, I'm going to go have a soak.</div>
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<b>// 10:00 pm</b></div>
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SLEEEEEP. One more day til the weekend!</div>
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<br />Ellie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07941391725199833504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406468484736790896.post-66575449459332813062014-05-16T08:00:00.000-04:002014-05-16T08:00:01.521-04:00Happy Weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oxtI4cX7zZs/U3FsN_blL_I/AAAAAAAAFb4/t7HW7JQGhpU/s1600/red+stripes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oxtI4cX7zZs/U3FsN_blL_I/AAAAAAAAFb4/t7HW7JQGhpU/s1600/red+stripes.jpg" height="640" width="438" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://holaghost.tumblr.com/post/4131937617" target="_blank">(Source)</a></span></div>
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Well my dears, I think I did a good job of breathing a little more life into the old blog this week, eh? Can't promise the posts will be this bountiful in the coming weeks but as life becomes a bit more ordered, I'll be able to spend the time I want and need into creating and sharing in my little corner of the Internet.<br />
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Do you have anything exciting planned for your weekend? Not me, I'm afraid. This is the last weekend before my grandfather comes to live with my family so I will be helping to get things ready for his arrival. In this new house, the basement is a three-bedroom apartment all on its own with a full kitchen, one and a half baths, and a washer and dryer. Until now I've had it all to myself but I am rather looking forward to having Grampie across the "hall". <br />
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Anyway, here are some cool things I've found around the web this week:<br />
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+ Amazon is amazing all on its own but if you need help picking out a gift for your favorite hipster/design minimalist, <a href="http://canopy.co/" target="_blank">Canopy</a> is here to streamline that process. If Amazon is a giant warehouse, Canopy aims to be the catalog of the coolest stuff in the store. They have curated the best that Amazon has to offer and you can add things to your Amazon cart right from the Canopy website. The "under $20" tab is already going to be a problem for me, I can tell. <i>(via <a href="http://www.refinery29.com/2014/05/67772/canopy-amazon-design-products#slide" target="_blank">Refinery29</a>)</i><br />
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+ One of my favorite photographers, Gray Malin, is doing this incredibly cool project featuring rainbow-colored sheep in the Australian bush. He explained the inspiration for and meaning behind the photos over on <a href="http://www.graymalin.com/lifestyle/a-tie-dye-surprise/" target="_blank">his blog</a>. The sneak peaks posted to <a href="http://instagram.com/graymalin" target="_blank">Instagram</a> are amazing and I can't wait to see the finished product.<br />
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+ In case you have an extra color ink cartridge, here is some really pretty <a href="http://ohhappyday.com/2014/05/printable-floral-gift-wrap/" target="_blank">printable gift wrap</a>. Or you could just do like me and use the image as phone wallpaper.<i> (via Oh Happy Day)</i><br />
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<i>+</i>Incredible <a href="http://www.viralnova.com/weekly-chalkboard-art/#XyAUToOopkj2aoog.01" target="_blank">chalkboard art</a> by two random students at Columbus College of Art and Design <i>(via <a href="http://connotationsofgreen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Laura</a>)</i><br />
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+ My bathroom is getting remodeled this summer and I can't get over these blue large scale <a href="http://maisonboheme.blogspot.ca/2012/02/blue-floral-bathroom.html" target="_blank">floral wallpapered bathrooms</a>. And that copper sink? Yes please.<br />
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+ Summer is upon us and I can't wait for all that fresh produce. As soon as I get some ripe tomatoes, I'm going to make this <a href="http://anthologymag.com/blog3/2013/05/17/essential-panzanella/" target="_blank">panzanella</a>. <i>(via Anthology Magazine)</i><br />
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<i>+ </i>I shared this on Facebook last week but I've got it on repeat: check out this little girl doing an amazing cover of one of my favorite songs. I can't believe she's only seven!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/rFWs2Z_RZ3Y?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Wherever you are, have a good one!<br />
xxEllie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07941391725199833504noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406468484736790896.post-71252180691087430032014-05-12T15:20:00.000-04:002014-05-12T15:20:02.966-04:00Chocolate Madeleines <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p8UWZnNJzII/U3EOlqDQWVI/AAAAAAAAFbA/CypfNynHJLQ/s1600/IMG_3831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p8UWZnNJzII/U3EOlqDQWVI/AAAAAAAAFbA/CypfNynHJLQ/s1600/IMG_3831.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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One cold snowy day in March, I was nosing around the kitchen when I found a Madeleine pan I picked up a few months ago. I decided it was time to see if these delicious French treats were really as easy to make as the recipes claim. After a little bit of research I went with <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oQRiv8v4VsrqGPfHGF_ibGy9kNksfFFRxF8E6RBB9hE/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">this recipe</a> and was very pleased with the results. (<i>That link is to a Google Doc, which is easily read and printed so you're welcome.</i>)<br />
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Well, file this under "Fancy yet almost Foolproof Desserts", which is rather narrow category as any baker will tell you. But what exactly are Madeleines? They are small, spongey, shell-shaped tea cakes that come in every flavor and are often best enjoyed at afternoon tea with Marie Antoinette. But just in case you don't live in pre-Revolutionary War France, they also make for a lovely after-dinner treat when paired with coffee. You know, when you want something sweet and decadent without the commitment of a four-layer chocolate torte. <br />
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Traditionally, Madeleines are a vanilla flavor with a hint of citrus from orange or lemon extract but if you know me at all you know it's chocolate or get out of my kitchen. To be fair, traditional Madeleines are incredibly delicious, especially if they are drizzled in a light vanilla glaze. Here is a very detailed and beautifully photographed <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-classic-lemon-madeleines-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-187109" target="_blank">tutorial</a> from The Kitchn on making classic Madeleines, if chocolate is not your fancy.<br />
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There are <b>three things</b> to remember for achieving that slightly crispy outside and soft, spongey inside texture that is unique to Madeleines:<br />
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1) Grease the pan very well, whether it be with butter and flour or cooking spray. A Madeleine stuck in the pan doesn't do anyone any good.<br />
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2) Do not under or over fill the molds. As you can see with my first batch, the cakes were a little small and so a bit dried out. <br />
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A generous tablespoon of batter does the trick. This was my second batch.</div>
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3) Do not overbake. The chocolate Madeleines are a little harder to judge by sight, as they do not change to the beautiful golden brown of the classic ones. Everyone's ovens vary, but I found right about nine minutes to be the sweet spot. The cakes were soft, moist, and sprang back when I touched them.<br />
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You can get extra fancy and dust them in powdered sugar or melted white chocolate but I found they tasted lovely as is. The only downside is that these little cakes only last for a day or two, but they are so yummy that it's not usually a problem. <br />
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Well, what do you think? Do you see yourself making these? Any variations out there that I should try? <b>Most importantly</b>, will you travel to Versailles with me? I have a sudden urge to take tea in the palace garden...<br />
Ellie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07941391725199833504noreply@blogger.com1