Okay, so we've technically been home for almost six weeks but today was the first time I really felt like I was home.
Today was the first day that I saw my best friend after more than two years. Two years during which she graduated, married and moved. Two years during which I moved across the sea, moved cities again, loved and lost my first pet as an adult and my first hospital stay.
This friend of mine, she is home to me. We can pick up after 2 years of intermittent Skyping and be just like we were only apart 2 weeks. We were laughing, joking, telling stories and catching up.
This friend of mine, she is like a long lost sister to me. Next year we will have been friends for only 10 years, but to me, it feels like we've known each other a millennium or more.
This friend of mine, I feel like we belong together. We fit together seamlessly. Even as the years pass, as we change and grow and become new versions of ourselves ,we still fit.
We each have husbands who we each love dearly and completely. She doesn't replace my husband or I hers. I don't mean to describe our friendship as if we are that counterpart for each other. Rather, I think we complement the husbands (or maybe the husbands complement us!). We fill in the girl-talk and squealing about penguins gaps. The baking chocolate cherry cakes and shelling nuts for baklava gaps.
Our friendship is older than our marriages can ever be but it is not better, only different. It is strong and constant, through the changes. A sisterhood bond that is mirrored in movies but only truly understood by like pairs.
Now that I've seen her again and we've started, not the the catching up process, but the moving on together process, I feel as if I'm officially home. I only hope that I can be as much to her as she is to me, this friend of mine.
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Tuesday, 3 November 2015
Thursday, 6 August 2015
The Epidemic
What epidemic?
Well, I don't want commit to a name right now, because something better might come along. So, for now we'll just stick with "The Epidemic".
In the last 2 years, I've really noticed this problem among the expats living in Korea. But if I'm going to be honest, "The Epidemic" was present in my life in America as well.
You see, I would invite people to a party and only half the people who RSVP'd "yes" would actually show up.
"I was sick."
"I got lost."
"I forgot it was the same day as my niece's birthday."
"I fell asleep watching Netflix."
Or, I'd let someone know I'd be in their city for a few days and would love to get together. The reply? Something along the lines of "Text me when you get here and we'll make a plan.". I'd do as requested only to get one of the above responses a few days after I was back home again.
Why does no one make plans in advance anymore? Why are we afraid that if we commit to something we will miss out on something else? Why do we respect the people we call our friends so little?
Our fear of "missing out" on something "better" is causing us to do just that. We are missing out on relationships, on memories.
A friendship is more than just a string of text messages and "we should"s. It's a collection of "we did"s and "remember when"s and time spent together.
Well, I don't want commit to a name right now, because something better might come along. So, for now we'll just stick with "The Epidemic".
In the last 2 years, I've really noticed this problem among the expats living in Korea. But if I'm going to be honest, "The Epidemic" was present in my life in America as well.
You see, I would invite people to a party and only half the people who RSVP'd "yes" would actually show up.
"I was sick."
"I got lost."
"I forgot it was the same day as my niece's birthday."
"I fell asleep watching Netflix."
Or, I'd let someone know I'd be in their city for a few days and would love to get together. The reply? Something along the lines of "Text me when you get here and we'll make a plan.". I'd do as requested only to get one of the above responses a few days after I was back home again.
Why does no one make plans in advance anymore? Why are we afraid that if we commit to something we will miss out on something else? Why do we respect the people we call our friends so little?
Our fear of "missing out" on something "better" is causing us to do just that. We are missing out on relationships, on memories.
A friendship is more than just a string of text messages and "we should"s. It's a collection of "we did"s and "remember when"s and time spent together.
Wednesday, 5 November 2014
Seventeen
The Mama Kat prompt that intrigued me the most this week was about a memorable summer. Whenever I think of that summer, I think of Tim McGraw's song "Seventeen".
My 17th summer was a major turning point in my life. It was this summer that I began to chart the course for the rest of my life.
As summer approached, I faced the decision of choosing between spending a week with the Amish or a month long Governor's School at the College of Charleston. I chose Charleston and it was a decision that changed everything.
Prior to that summer, I dated a boy for several years. By some standards, he could have been considered mentally or emotionally abusive. Despite my straight A track record, he told me I was stupid and that no one else would want "a girl like me". Whatever that meant.
That summer, I met my friends. Friends that I still hold dear to my heart. They encouraged me to end the relationship and stood by me when it turned it explosive. We went on picnics, shopping excursions and beach trips. We played board games, went on scavenger hunts and to the Imax. We laughed, and made enough inside jokes and memories to last a lifetime.
That summer, I opened my heart to another boy, and he broke it. At the time, I was devastated. Today, I am much stronger because of it. If we had stayed together, he would have become my crutch. To this day, I cannot thank him enough. It was just what I needed to help me feel free.
Seventeen only comes once in a lifetime
Don't it just fly by wild and free
Goin any way the wind blew, baby
Don't it just fly by wild and free
Goin any way the wind blew, baby
My 17th summer was a major turning point in my life. It was this summer that I began to chart the course for the rest of my life.
Seventeen, livin on crazy dreams
As summer approached, I faced the decision of choosing between spending a week with the Amish or a month long Governor's School at the College of Charleston. I chose Charleston and it was a decision that changed everything.
Prior to that summer, I dated a boy for several years. By some standards, he could have been considered mentally or emotionally abusive. Despite my straight A track record, he told me I was stupid and that no one else would want "a girl like me". Whatever that meant.
That summer, I met my friends. Friends that I still hold dear to my heart. They encouraged me to end the relationship and stood by me when it turned it explosive. We went on picnics, shopping excursions and beach trips. We played board games, went on scavenger hunts and to the Imax. We laughed, and made enough inside jokes and memories to last a lifetime.
Legs hangin' off the Bayou Bridge
Feedin' fish potato chips
And talkin' about the mysteries of the universe
Yeah, the world was somewhere else
We had the Summer all to ourselves
And the stars went off like fireworks
Feedin' fish potato chips
And talkin' about the mysteries of the universe
Yeah, the world was somewhere else
We had the Summer all to ourselves
And the stars went off like fireworks
The summer ended and I was ready. Ready for love, ready for college, ready for God.
Rock and roll and faded blue jeans
And standing on the edge of everything
Seventeen
And standing on the edge of everything
Seventeen
One of my dear friends convinced me to attend Converse College and I truly believe that was the perfect place for me at the perfect time. Her friendship led me to the friendship of others who taught me a lot about my faith.
In addition to healing my heart and helping me to choose a college that summer gave me one of my closest friends. Luisa and I have stayed close since that summer together. We spent even more time together in college. Out respective campuses were only minutes apart. She was the Maid of Honor in my wedding and, regrettably, I will be away for hers. She is a true friend and always will be.
My 17th summer gifted me with a free heart, a new found strength, and a second sister.
Seventeen only comes once in a lifetime
Don't it just fly by wild and free
Goin any way the wind blew, baby
Don't it just fly by wild and free
Goin any way the wind blew, baby
Saturday, 25 May 2013
By The Light of the Moon
We held a bonfire party last night. It was a beautiful night, an almost full moon, a toasty fire, good food and even better friends.
We laughed, we talked and laughed some more. The comment I heard the most this morning was "my cheeks hurt". That's the sign you had a good time!
We sipped on pink bikinis and love and peace:
Everyone pitched in with the food and drinks. We had quite the spread, from fruit and veggie trays to jalepeno boats, chocolate pie, pasta salad, lucky salsa, banana boats and s'mores.
After everyone left, Mike and I sat alone by the fire. We shared thoughts about our jobs, our society, the Bible, and our future family.
His sentiment "And then there were two", brought a quick tear to my eye, as it was a modified version of one he shares with his army buddies, "The Triad", as they call themselves.
It was a fitting end to a magical night.
And it all happened underneath the Pennsylvania moon. (which strangely enough, when you're with the right people feels just like home)
We laughed, we talked and laughed some more. The comment I heard the most this morning was "my cheeks hurt". That's the sign you had a good time!
We sipped on pink bikinis and love and peace:
Everyone pitched in with the food and drinks. We had quite the spread, from fruit and veggie trays to jalepeno boats, chocolate pie, pasta salad, lucky salsa, banana boats and s'mores.
After everyone left, Mike and I sat alone by the fire. We shared thoughts about our jobs, our society, the Bible, and our future family.
His sentiment "And then there were two", brought a quick tear to my eye, as it was a modified version of one he shares with his army buddies, "The Triad", as they call themselves.
It was a fitting end to a magical night.
And it all happened underneath the Pennsylvania moon. (which strangely enough, when you're with the right people feels just like home)
Friday, 5 October 2012
You Know Whats HARD?
Have you seen the title of my blog?
Theres a lot of truth in that I'm discovering.
Some friends and I are doing an 8 Week Get Healthy Challenge. I can eat the fruits and veggies- I love them. I can make myself do pilates and aerobis because in the long run I love them. I can drink half my body weight, in ounces in water. Because thats all I drink most days.
But to only eat sweets one day a week?!!!
ARE YOU INSANE?
My body runs on chocolate!
My blood may be paritally chocolate.
Thats why my eye are brown.
Unless you ask my husband, he may give you a slightly different reason.
Last week was week 1 of this makerachelwannajumpoffabridgeintoariverofchocolate thing we're calling a "challenge". And I couldn't do it. I couldn't eat chocolate just one day a week.
For goodness sakes I've had 3 different chocolate cookies today!
So Week 2 rolled around and I decided "cold turkey" is not for me. I want to be healthy and eat less junk. (Don't tell the Reese's I said that) so I am "weaning" myself off of what has become my "self-medication". My husband chews tobacco, I pop M&Ms like thier Vicadian.
Anywho, this week I'm allowed chocolate everyother day. And next week every, 2 days. Week4 every 3 days, and so on until I reach the point where I can go with eating it just once a week or (gasp) not at all.
PRAY FOR ME.
(And my husband's sanity)
PS: Where have I been? I've been spending my writing time working on a book. I hope to post more often because I MISS YA'LL. (NO, I will not say you'ns. WILL NOT)
Monday, 27 June 2011
Chocolate Cherry Cookies!
I bought a pound of cherries at Aldi for around $2. I ate a few in my ice cream and failed at making a cherry milkshake, but there were still a lot left so I decided to make cookies!
I found a great recipe at Cooking Debauchery, based on a recipe from Alton Brown who I think is fabulous.
Ingredients:
2 sticks butter
2 1/4cups flur
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
1 egg
1 egg yolk
6 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 ½ cups milk and/or semi sweet chocolate chips
1 cup sour cherries
Steps':
1. Pit and slice the cherries. Pour vanilla over them and let stand for 1 hour.
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2. In a small saucepan melt the butter over low heat. Cook on lw until the butter turns a golden caramel color Set aside to cool for a few minutes. (I missed the cooling step and think I almost caramelized my sugar!)
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3. Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt.
4. Put the sugar in a bowl and add the butter. . Mix on medium until the sugar is thoroughly coated and beginning to melt. With the mixer still running add the egg, egg yolk and milk. Once thoroughly combined begin adding the flour mixture in several parts.
5. Stir in chips and cherries. Transfer dough to fridge for a least one hour.
6. Preheat oven to 375. Cook 6 on a tray for approx 12 minutes at a time.
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These turned out yummy, but a little more cake-like in texture than I like my cookies to be. That didn't stop me from eating a handful of them. But I did make some to share!
I wonder what lucky person will receive this later in the week:
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I found a great recipe at Cooking Debauchery, based on a recipe from Alton Brown who I think is fabulous.
Ingredients:
2 sticks butter
2 1/4cups flur
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
1 egg
1 egg yolk
6 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 ½ cups milk and/or semi sweet chocolate chips
1 cup sour cherries
Steps':
1. Pit and slice the cherries. Pour vanilla over them and let stand for 1 hour.
3. Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt.
4. Put the sugar in a bowl and add the butter. . Mix on medium until the sugar is thoroughly coated and beginning to melt. With the mixer still running add the egg, egg yolk and milk. Once thoroughly combined begin adding the flour mixture in several parts.
5. Stir in chips and cherries. Transfer dough to fridge for a least one hour.
6. Preheat oven to 375. Cook 6 on a tray for approx 12 minutes at a time.
I wonder what lucky person will receive this later in the week:
Sunday, 12 June 2011
Strike One
Whoops!
I've offically lost on my goal to post every day in June! That just means I've got to make up for it in July! I'm not letting myself off the hook for June though- I'm still going to try to post everyday. Hopefully this week I can get some posts built up so I don't have to worry about missing.
Anyway, here's why I didn't post yeterday:
I was having fun!!!
We had a couple over for dinner and game night and we had such a blast playing scategories
, taboo
and loaded questions
(my 3 favorite games!). The couple have been friend with Mike for many years and I'd met them via Skype when we were in Korea but this was my first time hanging out with them in person. It was fabulous! We laughed the whole night through and I felt like I had known them forever. I hope we have many more nights of laugheter ahead of us
I made a pot roast in the crock pot with asian spices and root veggies. I southerned it up a it and made a broccoli casserole. Although, I'm not sure how "southern" a recipe is if you get the recipe from a Californian while you're in Glasgow Scotland!
Yesterday I wanted to blog about a job offer I recieved Friday via voicemail through a staffing agency I've been trying to work with. They left the message at noon while I was cashiering. I called back at 3:30 when my shift ended and the offer had been filled! Why did they even bother leaving a message?!
So tomorrow I am applying at Aldi because they are advertising a starting rate of eleven bucks! Sounds good to me! I'm also dropping my resume in the mail for an activities assitant job that I think would be really fun to have.
Tomorrow I'm attemptinh my first ever CVS and Rite Aid couponing trips. My fingers and toes are all crossed that I'll make out okay. I've gotten deal match ups from a few different blogs, have cut my coupons and sorted them into envelopes labeled with the store names. I've also included coupon policies and an instuction sheet that breaks down my shopping list into transaction listed in the order they should be completed. Learning couponing is exciting and fun, but also a bit exhausting, confusing and nerve racking at the same time. But it is something I am dedicated to learning so I'm going to push through and see if I can figure out how drugstore couponing works.
I've offically lost on my goal to post every day in June! That just means I've got to make up for it in July! I'm not letting myself off the hook for June though- I'm still going to try to post everyday. Hopefully this week I can get some posts built up so I don't have to worry about missing.
Anyway, here's why I didn't post yeterday:
I was having fun!!!
We had a couple over for dinner and game night and we had such a blast playing scategories
, taboo and loaded questions (my 3 favorite games!). The couple have been friend with Mike for many years and I'd met them via Skype when we were in Korea but this was my first time hanging out with them in person. It was fabulous! We laughed the whole night through and I felt like I had known them forever. I hope we have many more nights of laugheter ahead of usI made a pot roast in the crock pot with asian spices and root veggies. I southerned it up a it and made a broccoli casserole. Although, I'm not sure how "southern" a recipe is if you get the recipe from a Californian while you're in Glasgow Scotland!
Yesterday I wanted to blog about a job offer I recieved Friday via voicemail through a staffing agency I've been trying to work with. They left the message at noon while I was cashiering. I called back at 3:30 when my shift ended and the offer had been filled! Why did they even bother leaving a message?!
So tomorrow I am applying at Aldi because they are advertising a starting rate of eleven bucks! Sounds good to me! I'm also dropping my resume in the mail for an activities assitant job that I think would be really fun to have.
Tomorrow I'm attemptinh my first ever CVS and Rite Aid couponing trips. My fingers and toes are all crossed that I'll make out okay. I've gotten deal match ups from a few different blogs, have cut my coupons and sorted them into envelopes labeled with the store names. I've also included coupon policies and an instuction sheet that breaks down my shopping list into transaction listed in the order they should be completed. Learning couponing is exciting and fun, but also a bit exhausting, confusing and nerve racking at the same time. But it is something I am dedicated to learning so I'm going to push through and see if I can figure out how drugstore couponing works.
Saturday, 4 June 2011
A Short Shoutout...
to my soul sisters!
Two of my bestest buds now have blogs all their own:
K10 @ Yada Yada Yada
And the chica I call Lyric, over at Life is a Many Splendored Thing
And of course I can't forget the blog I share with my friend Luisa- Hotglue Baking Challenges. We're getting ready to have a "meltdown" over there and share 14 no bake recipes to help you get your sweets while still beating the summer heat. Feel free to leave us comments suggesting recipes for us to try- here or over there-.
And don't forget to stop over and show my two buds some love and encouragement!
Two of my bestest buds now have blogs all their own:
K10 @ Yada Yada Yada
And the chica I call Lyric, over at Life is a Many Splendored Thing
And of course I can't forget the blog I share with my friend Luisa- Hotglue Baking Challenges. We're getting ready to have a "meltdown" over there and share 14 no bake recipes to help you get your sweets while still beating the summer heat. Feel free to leave us comments suggesting recipes for us to try- here or over there-.
And don't forget to stop over and show my two buds some love and encouragement!
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
Hotglue, I love you!
Tuesday, 30 November 2010
A Bachelorette Guest Post by Hot Glue, Herself
This past Saturday was my best friend’s bachelorette party…also known as the Maid of Honor’s final exam. We had a wonderful time, and while I would like to pretend that I waved some sort of magic wand to compile our lovely weekend in a cabin, followed by a day out in Asheville, getting to this point was quite the challenge and was only possible with the help of a lot of really great people! For one, all of the bridesmaids are in college, and by association pretty scarce on funds (not quite Ramen noodle poor…but almost) but by the grace of some heavenly force we found a fabulous little cabin in the mountains that we all absolutely adored and could afford, and which set the scene for our bachelorette shenanigans (it had a loft!)
I know bachelorette parties are fairly notorious for joining the club of things not talked about by those not involved (along with Vegas trips, and really any type of childbirth stories…although my boyfriend’s mother once found it appropriate to tell me about going into labor during a blizzard). But I’ll be generous and share some details: homemade pizzas, a real fire started by one of our own in our fireplace, smores, good drinks and even better company.
And of course…cheesy games! We played a hilarious remix version of pin the tail on the donkey, except our version involved a “stud” and some bright pink kisses that we had to hit on target on different parts of his body (clean thoughts…clean thoughts!)
We also had a toilet paper dress competition, which I successfully won with my innovative toilet paper hula skirt design (and the help of a very patient and lovely model).
I know bachelorette parties are fairly notorious for joining the club of things not talked about by those not involved (along with Vegas trips, and really any type of childbirth stories…although my boyfriend’s mother once found it appropriate to tell me about going into labor during a blizzard). But I’ll be generous and share some details: homemade pizzas, a real fire started by one of our own in our fireplace, smores, good drinks and even better company.
And of course…cheesy games! We played a hilarious remix version of pin the tail on the donkey, except our version involved a “stud” and some bright pink kisses that we had to hit on target on different parts of his body (clean thoughts…clean thoughts!)
We ended the night with dancing, more smores, more drinks and a very classy game of Truth or Dare (of course).
It was a great night, but I will admit getting a little sad in between smores as I realized that part of a bachelorette party means officially sending off one of our own to start a brand new life. Rachel and I have stuck through some pretty rough times and a whole bundle of changes. When we met we were both wide-eyed 17 year olds with wild imaginations, and I’m proud (and relieved) to say that while we’ve definitely matured since then, our imaginations haven’t. And while I will certainly miss her with the same intensity I miss donuts during a diet, I already know frequent visits/invasions by me and daily talks are in order (her fiancé has been warned…my nickname is hot glue for a reason!)
Our adventure ended the next day after an incredible brunch in Asheville at the Early Girl Eatery (they support organic produce and their food is amazing!) and an afternoon stroll through the city, which never fails to surprise (for example, a run in with a very persistent fortune teller and incredible peanut butter chocolate pie).
I hope she enjoyed her day as much as we all did. It was a perfect weekend, and the only thing that makes me happier than knowing my best friend is heading into her wedding with a proper send off is thinking about her preparing my couch for me when I come to visit! ;)
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
I'm so Thankful for my Crafty Friends: Wedding Planning Updates
I tend to have wonderful (in my opinion, at least) craft project ideas. However, the domestic/craft fairy skipped me when she was doling out talent. Thankfully, I've been blesses with the sweetest of friends who happen to have heaps of crafty ability. They've come in very handy in the wedding planning process. Want examples?
A few of my friends and I got ALL of my invitations assembled, tied, addressed, sealed and ready to be stamped and sent out.
A few of my friends and I got ALL of my invitations assembled, tied, addressed, sealed and ready to be stamped and sent out.
Envelope Front: 2 State Flag Stamps
Envelope Back: Sealed with a foreign stamp
Lyric made my flower girl baskets. I bought Easter baskets on clearance at Ross, pulled off the eggs and let Lyric have at them! (Pictures not on my camera....coming soon)
Lyric also decorated my mailbox, which will hold my postcards after the guests have filled them out. The papermache mailbox came from Hobby Lobby for like $2 and she painted it and covered it in $1 scrapbook paper.
Lyric decorating the mailbox
The finished product. It looks 80X better in person. I think its absolutely gorgeous and have to find a use for it in our home.
I thought maybe this pic would let you see the scrapbook paper better.
Hotglue and I sewed my ring bearer pillows. The fabric came from the wrap that came with my 9th grade pageant dress.
Hotglue had never sewn before!
I hadn't sewn in years.
I think she did a pretty good job!
We're going to tie the extra invitation ribbon around them.
AND I found some awesome shoes that complement my dress perfectly! I found them at David's Bridal and they've got lace on them, which is perfect for my all lace dress.
Cute huh?
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