Hey Ya'll
Yep...that is a burro. Her name is Jenny. Isn't she so cute?
Anyway, I wanted to get these pics up. When I went home for Thanksgiving Becky McArther came to the house and took some great pictures of my family. With a few "point and shoots" she had captured some pretty great moments. Thanks Beck. If I end up getting married one day...you know you're my number one.
ENJOY!! PEACE out!
This morning was interesting.
As I was coffee deprived, I sat and tried to zone out the "Curves" conversation of cohabiting before you are married. Again, I was trying to zone out but when you get words like, not married...four years......and something about free milk, my eyes and ears started to follow the direction of conversation.
As they looked down on this couple who was cohabiting, and not wanting to marry I couldn't help but make it about me. I wanted to yell...Um...hi, I'm that person! I felt like they were telling my story. Yeah so I'm a little hungry for marriage. I'm a little hungry for lots of things and that topic is one of them. But it doesn't make it wrong or anything that should be frowned upon.
Oh but they continued....... about how it is just a "different era, and why would someone stay with a person, live with them, share their life if they have clearly stated they will never marry that person. In my day, you courted, married and then lived together." Yeah, well.....
My era things have changed!
We live in a world where women are successful, work their ass off, support their family and make time to cook, clean, taxi and socialize which gives new name to "House Wife."
We live in a world where two people (even of the same sex), live in a partnership, share life together and expenses. Even have children.
We live in a world where people spend the rest of their lives utterly alone due to early life decisions.
We live in a world where men and women stay in marriages for the children. When a part of them has been chipped away and when they look in the mirror, they don't recognize the reflection.
We live in a world where MARRIAGE is viewed as good and bad.
If you asked me: I would have to say...I'm 100% scared and 100% believer in marriage. How do you like them apples...eh!
So what if this couple that these ladies were talking about was still uncertain about their future? Wouldn't we say they were doing the responsible thing by "testing" the waters before they take the plunge? What if the guy in this relationship is apprehensive of marriage because he was hurt or had a bad experience? What if the girl doesn't feel he is the right one, but they still care about each other so they stay in the relationship, because it really is pretty good, they have a lot of fun together and it just works for the time being, even though there is no plan to marry.
I don't believe in Happily ever after...I do believe in Almost happily ever after which is pretty damn good. As humans we make mistakes, say things out of emotion, chemicals and hormones infest our bodies that cause us to do things, make decisions, and react in unexplainable ways. Almost happily ever after leaves room for those variables. Things are not perfect! Life is not fair! And it is all what you make of it. If for some reason you feel that the predicament you have gotten your self into is not working....then re-evaluate (favorite thing to do) and decide. Decide if what you are doing in your life, whether it is a relationship, job, responsibility or friendship, is the right thing and if it is making you happy. Because Happily Ever After is never going to happen. You decide your own fate and destiny in this world. You have that control. You can not wait for someone else to do it for you.
So...back to that "living in Sin, never marring", cohabited couple of urban Seattle, you don't know what the situation is. And before making judgement, maybe re-evaluate! There are two sides to every story and perhaps they are happy in their Almost Happily Ever After life.
"Suffering produces enduracne, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts throuh the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Romans 5:3-5.
October 25th was Raul's 32nd birthday. I got the troops together and we went to a Brazilian Grill called Ipenema. It was sooooo goood!!!! Meat on a stick, how can you go wrong.
I was such the fat kid and couldn't stop eating!
Hope you had a great B-day Raul!
The pressure of school and work may take a toll on some, however, I embrace it...and some days I just get through it.
Here is a typical day for me (Which can be very entertaining):
5 am: Alarm....wakes me up with the most annoying buzzing I've ever heard, so what do I do...I slap it in the face and nine minutes later it screams at me again.
5:20: "Alright alarm! I'm up."
Dressed, teeth clean, some sort of breakfast in a bowl a cup of tea and I'm out the door by 5:40. I only have about five or so minutes of mirror time which usually consists of a pony and some sort of head band to hide the crazy morning bangs. The makeup travels with me to work, sometimes it makes an appearance and sometimes (like this morning) doesn't have a chance with my face. Which is too bad, I like makeup.
At Work (Job 1), "Its great to be at Curves!" I listen to all the women. Its pretty interesting hearing stories and complaints. Most these women are the intelligent-stepford-wives type with careers and hobbies and overpower their husband's intelligent. They have me realize that we don't need men around. Women could rule the world, but because of that little necessity of a swimmer to procreate we need you men around. Feministic? Maybe...
Once the sun has come up and my coffee or tea has kicked in (which is an exuberant feeling), I'm off to my next adventure. Here is where it gets fun....and ya'll can sit back and say, "What the hell are you doing Audra?"
Obviously depending on the day of the week, but I either hop my little butt off to Home health care(Job 2), personal training (Job 3), or school! My home health care has been an interesting experience. I basically act as a house cleaner. We joke at our house saying, "How was cleaning?" I seriously clean this man's house for a whopping $12 an hour. NOT a bad deal huh?! I look at it this way, I need the hours for nursing school. Which doesn't really make sense does it? How does house cleaning relate to nursing?
Not sure but, It is what it is. What a great sentence by the way. I believe it is now the most over used sentence for 2009!...But, it is what it is right?!
After scrubbing stoves and floors, or taking my client through a workout, or listening to my psychology teacher...who I will get back to in a minute, lecture on the how we view the world, I drive "In SeAtTlE TRAFFIC" to coach at UW. I'm a volunteer coach for them now and I'm working closely with the multi events....God love 'em!
Oh but wait....it is still going.....now again, depending on the day of the week my evening is devoted to either Physiology class with a lab or Volleyball. Um...can anyone say, crazy? I'll say it: CRRRRRRRRRAZY!
But yet again, It is what it is. I know I'm doing these things for a reason. When I am old I can tell the children, "When I was going to school, I worked four jobs, walked barefoot in the "rain."
When I get home anywhere between 7:30-11 pm, I start making dinner. I try at least.
Well that's it in a nutshell. So where do I find time to study, blog, check my email, facebook a bit, and workout? Not really sure, it just happens. I seem to get it all done.
With these long days and nights, I do a lot of people watching and have many pensive moments. However I don't write much about it bc I'd rather sleep and eat. It is that whole survival thing that takes over. But I can't help but bring up the topic of ADULTHOOD.
To add insult to injury, my instructor for Life Span Psychology told us, Development in Adulthood is so subjective and not canalized, that is why psychologist do not like to study adult development and like to observe the predictable child.
As a child, we do things so systematically. By four months we are beginning to seek attention through promoting our caregiver, by 18 months we are aware of our surrounding and begging to seek proximity in our caregiver that has become our main source of where we receive our food and comfort. In the preschool stages we develop attachment, Freud comes into play here...which will lead to another interesting post that may strike some of you. But I love it. Freudian's are very few and far between but bring up pretty interesting points!
So basically what I'm saying is, as a child we are predictable...this is accepted world wide. We develop language in the same sequence whether we live in Japan or Chile. It has been inscribed in our DNA, through adaptive characteristics. We've got it made as a child. We are cared for, pampered, nurtured, and supported. And then one day, Society decides..."That's enough! You are on your own now! What ever you do has a consequence and it is up to you to decipher right from wrong." If not, you break the social norm....bad, bad, bad.
Holy Shit...does that mean I have to provide for myself? Does that mean I have to work four different jobs in order to survive? Does that mean I have to get a job that in one of the most competitive fields? This sucks!
Society says, "Hey, it is what it is!"
Here is where it completely depletes my hope. Our teacher starts out with, "ADULTHOOD IS MESSY!" Ya think? Adults are so unpredictable and that is why studies have been done about marriage and that so many couple's have one year of happiness and after that it becomes a complete struggle.
What??? So you mean all the love stories and couples that portray a life of sweet bliss in the movies don't model the real love stories and couples? NOPE! 70% or something insane like that result in couple's not making it after the 7th year. Hmmm...so that sucks. Erickson, your intimacy vs isolation was a great idea...thanks a lot.
Now the great thing about this is that you control your own fate and your own destiny. I had a friend just celebrate her 9th year of marriage. So I do believe that the potential of a successful marriage is possible however statistics are an underlining of great ammunition. And also, this is all based on studies for certain groups. Because adults are not as canalized there is so much variation and subjectivity that leaves possibilities for anything to happen. ANYTHING!
So thanks BOB for the great introduction to Adulthood, as if I was gonna have a chance anyway.
Since I’m going home in two weeks, I wanted to borrow Margo’s sick of studying-take it back a few years-hs memories! This is for you little Margo:
1. DID YOU DATE SOMEONE FROM YOUR SCHOOL? Yes...Cleve!
2. WHAT KIND OF CAR DID YOU DRIVE? Hot pink and blue Geo Tracker.
3. DID YOU PASS YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE TEST YOUR FIRST TRY? Yes but I didn’t get my license until I was a Junior (August baby!).
4. WERE YOU A PARTY ANIMAL? Not really…that came in college…hahaha
5. WERE YOU CONSIDERED A FLIRT? Yep…oh well.6. WERE YOU IN BAND, ORCHESTRA, OR CHOIR? Nope, that was just not the “cool” thing to do, hey Margo, didn’t Brock play Trupet?!
7. WERE YOU A NERD? A cool nerd with Margo, remember physics and chemistry?
8. WERE YOU ON ANY VARSITY TEAMS? Volleyball, Track, and basketball…State Champs, 2002 for Track and Bball!
9. DID YOU EVER GET SUSPENDED/EXPELLED? No, but I did get a detention for wearing a sleeveless dress…I’m such a rebel!11. WHO WERE YOUR FAVORITE TEACHERS? SQUIRES.
12. WHERE DID YOU SIT FOR LUNCH? Freshman year: Jennifer Brown’s and Luke’s (El Charro) and Mini Market! Rest of the years went home….Thanks Mom!
13. WHAT IS YOUR SCHOOL'S FULL NAME? Pima High School...
14. WHAT IS YOUR SCHOOL'S MASCOT AND COLORS? Roughriders...blue and gold.
16. IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND DO IT AGAIN WOULD YOU? Naaa, but it was fun.
17. WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT GRADUATION? Right before we walked, I looked at Denise and we both had a tear moment. Oh and Jared Thatcher and Jacob Bryce sprayed silly string everywhere.
18. WHERE DID YOU GO SENIOR SKIP DAY? Not sure, can’t remember! Margo? Help?
19. WERE YOU IN ANY CLUBS? Advisory council and I played Club Volleyball (if that counts)20. HAVE YOU GAINED SOME WEIGHT SINCE THEN? I think I got taller? My guns are bigger….haaahaaa!
21. WHO WAS YOUR PROM DATE? F: Waylon Smith, S: Brock Brown J & S: Cleve. However I wanted to go with Jacob Bryce that year…but he wouldn’t ask me…I was pretty bummed out, so I had to ask Cleve. LAME!
22. ARE YOU PLANNING ON GOING TO YOUR HIGH SCHOOL REUNION? Yes, can’t wait to see what Margo has planned.
23. DID YOU HAVE A JOB IN HIGH SCHOOL? DQ baby
24. WERE YOU AN HONOR STUDENT? No
25. DID YOU TAKE SEMINARY? Um no, but I did get treats from friends who had to bring them for seminary. Margo’s lemon squares…yum.
26. WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOUR MOST FUN TIME? Winning State in Basketball and driving home from a football game in Duncan in Margo’s mustang….I’m sworn to secrecy for the rest of the story.
27. WERE YOU CONSIDERED SHY OR OUTGOING? LOUD
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