My drive from Tallahassee to Rock Hill takes about seven and a half hours. Many people hate driving that long alone, but I have to say I kind of enjoy it. It is a long stretch of time that I am completely to myself. Of course, it includes lots of me belting out various songs within the confines of my Jeep, but I really enjoy the time it gives me. (This will not be a Billy D kind of list, just more of a reflection piece. ^_^)
I have made these lengthy drives a number of times now, and I have realized that I most often find solace in them. The time alone in the car allows for quality time alone with your own thoughts, or time to just not think at all. Sometimes I enjoy the fact that I just get so wrapped up in the scenery (I use this term loosely as today's drive did involve I-10 and I-95) and my music that I do not worry about the things that I may worry about otherwise. I can completely separate myself from work and sometimes even my personal life long enough to just be. And that can be pretty cathartic.
Other times I find myself have the chance to work through some things on my own. Occasionally these drives occur at the opportune time just when I need the chance to be alone and sort through some things. I have even found times when the drive allowed some creative thinking leading to a few poems and other creative thoughts. (For those of you who may not know, I do write poetry on occasion.) Today's drive even gave me time to think of some future blog topics I may explore, things I think may be good for me to explore using this medium.
So it is late, and this has been a long day. I am not sure right now if any of this is even coherent. I guess my point is we should all find that time to be alone. Maybe the ideal place is not in the car for everyone, but it can be good to find something. I tend to use my afternoons at the pool for the same thing. I just enjoy being in that moment where I do not have to worry about anything unless I choose to do so. Although I do have to throw in here that it can be fun to make these trips with other people (like my trip with Meredith to Columbia and our fun finds).
Of course I also enjoy driving distances because that means it is time for some Arby's!
And yes, this post is just barely making it in the deadline of the day, but hey, it did.
Sidenote: I cannot believe I just watched the season finale of LOST last night. Not only does this mean a long time until next season and the potential of lots of answers, but it also means next season is the last. Wow.
5/14/09
5/13/09
My Twin
Part of the reason I am going home to visit this weekend is because of my twin, Ashanti. The rock star that she is, she is completing her law degree at Michigan, and is actually interning in South Africa in the fall. She is in SC for the month of May to visit home before she leaves. Hence, I have to track her down before she leaves the country.
Ashanti is more than deserving of her own blog post for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that she has known me since 6th grade. I am pretty sure that no one should be friends that long, especially not us. However, we still are, even though we are living pretty far apart at the moment. We are twins because we share a birthday (and here she would scream that I am older by 3 hours...there, I beat you to it). We also happened to grow up in the same neighborhood.
However, we like to say we are twins more for the reaction than the reality of it. It got us some pretty good stares when we announced it at places like her first step show as a Sigma Gamma Rho. Of course, we are no strangers to odd stares when we are together. We just learned to embrace it, and occasionally go out of our ways to invoke them...ha. Ashanti also knows more about me than anyone ever, ever should. Want an embarrassing story? Just ask her. I know she would be happy to give it to you, although not without knowing I have one to return just as quickly.
Despite her enthusiasm to call me out, I love my twin. She is someone I can go months without talking to (although we are getting better about that) and still pick up the phone picking up right where we left off. We always swore we would get out of SC (well, more specifically Rock Hill), and we did. And, she is pretty much amazing! We always have a good time together, and who knows where we will end up next. (Philly or DC, right?) Crazy schemes in middle school, being nerds in high school, ridiculous nights out in Columbia, having whole conversations without words, long phone calls catching up...oh the times we have had...13 years is a long time, 'Shanti! Here's to 13 more!
And seriously...why do I not have any pictures of us??
Sidenote: I realized today that someone saying something nice about what you have done means so much more than getting an award for it. ^_^
Ashanti is more than deserving of her own blog post for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that she has known me since 6th grade. I am pretty sure that no one should be friends that long, especially not us. However, we still are, even though we are living pretty far apart at the moment. We are twins because we share a birthday (and here she would scream that I am older by 3 hours...there, I beat you to it). We also happened to grow up in the same neighborhood.
However, we like to say we are twins more for the reaction than the reality of it. It got us some pretty good stares when we announced it at places like her first step show as a Sigma Gamma Rho. Of course, we are no strangers to odd stares when we are together. We just learned to embrace it, and occasionally go out of our ways to invoke them...ha. Ashanti also knows more about me than anyone ever, ever should. Want an embarrassing story? Just ask her. I know she would be happy to give it to you, although not without knowing I have one to return just as quickly.
Despite her enthusiasm to call me out, I love my twin. She is someone I can go months without talking to (although we are getting better about that) and still pick up the phone picking up right where we left off. We always swore we would get out of SC (well, more specifically Rock Hill), and we did. And, she is pretty much amazing! We always have a good time together, and who knows where we will end up next. (Philly or DC, right?) Crazy schemes in middle school, being nerds in high school, ridiculous nights out in Columbia, having whole conversations without words, long phone calls catching up...oh the times we have had...13 years is a long time, 'Shanti! Here's to 13 more!
And seriously...why do I not have any pictures of us??
Sidenote: I realized today that someone saying something nice about what you have done means so much more than getting an award for it. ^_^
5/12/09
The Many Shades Of
I got a hair cut yesterday (at Chelsea Salon), nothing out of the ordinary, just a little shorter to shape it up and get some bulk off now that it is Florida summer time. However, I realized that in getting my hair cut just the little bit, I am officially back to my natural hair color. Now some people my not think that is a big deal, but if you know me at all, it is. This is the first time since, well, I do not even know anymore, that my hair is dye-free.
I have been dying my hair in some shape or form since at least high school, although it may have started in middle school. It started with that popular Manic Panic semi-permanent color. Hot pink, purple, blue, green, red...yea, I was that girl. And yes, my mom helped me do it. Her logic: if that was the worst I was doing, she figured she would help me do it right. (Love you mom!) These colors usually washed out in about a month, allowing me to change it up pretty often.
Of course, I then started dying more permanent colors. Usually some shade of red, burgundy, etc. Then I would decide to try to get back to something of my natural color, using mixes of browns and blondes. Although, I quickly learned that my natural hair color does not exist in dye form. Even when I came close, however, I usually broke down and dyed it again. And these many years of dying of course came with a few fun mishaps, like the time it was burgundy and my mom and I tried to add blonde chunks. They turned a fun shade of orange. I went to my hair dresser the next day. But it still did not stop me from dying it later.
The last time I dyed my hair now was around October of my second year in grad school. I actually turned it a fun shade of purple on accident. I put another shade on top the next day and came up with a pretty cool color. For some reason after that, though, I have decided to stop dying it. Now, this has not been an easy habit to break, but about a year and half later, I am back to my natural color. It is even starting to do its old summer habit of getting blonder as I actually get out in the sun. Woot.
It was fun to realize when sifting through pictures from grad school that I could organize them by hair style. I am not really sure I can give an exact reason that I found solace in dying my hair like I did. Of course an obvious reason is form of expression, and it is surely easier to change your hair color than your cut on a whim. Nonetheless, it really became a part of who I was, and well, who I am. I do not really have anything deeper to say about it at the moment, and I cannot promise that I will not show up one day with a new hair color. But for now, here it is people, the all natural.
I have been dying my hair in some shape or form since at least high school, although it may have started in middle school. It started with that popular Manic Panic semi-permanent color. Hot pink, purple, blue, green, red...yea, I was that girl. And yes, my mom helped me do it. Her logic: if that was the worst I was doing, she figured she would help me do it right. (Love you mom!) These colors usually washed out in about a month, allowing me to change it up pretty often.
Of course, I then started dying more permanent colors. Usually some shade of red, burgundy, etc. Then I would decide to try to get back to something of my natural color, using mixes of browns and blondes. Although, I quickly learned that my natural hair color does not exist in dye form. Even when I came close, however, I usually broke down and dyed it again. And these many years of dying of course came with a few fun mishaps, like the time it was burgundy and my mom and I tried to add blonde chunks. They turned a fun shade of orange. I went to my hair dresser the next day. But it still did not stop me from dying it later.
The last time I dyed my hair now was around October of my second year in grad school. I actually turned it a fun shade of purple on accident. I put another shade on top the next day and came up with a pretty cool color. For some reason after that, though, I have decided to stop dying it. Now, this has not been an easy habit to break, but about a year and half later, I am back to my natural color. It is even starting to do its old summer habit of getting blonder as I actually get out in the sun. Woot.
It was fun to realize when sifting through pictures from grad school that I could organize them by hair style. I am not really sure I can give an exact reason that I found solace in dying my hair like I did. Of course an obvious reason is form of expression, and it is surely easier to change your hair color than your cut on a whim. Nonetheless, it really became a part of who I was, and well, who I am. I do not really have anything deeper to say about it at the moment, and I cannot promise that I will not show up one day with a new hair color. But for now, here it is people, the all natural.
Sidenote: The Student Activities Center cookout out at the Rez was way too fun this afternoon! Gotta love working with people who are just as competitive as you...
5/11/09
Family
In light of Mother's Day, I thought I would take a moment to reflect on the role of family in my life. It really comes down to how much they mean to me. I should probably start by saying I am glad the doctors were wrong when they told my mom she could not have children. Otherwise, I would not even be writing this! Nonetheless, I am especially grateful for my mom and my sister. For more times than I can count, it was the three of us. No matter what, I know I can count on them. (see the post "Threefold" on my other blog, Ink)
Of course, I am grateful for everyone in my family. I cherish those who were so impactful even in the short time they were in my life like my grandfather. (again, read "Holding On" on Ink) I lovingly miss others that are no longer with us like Uncle Howard, Granny Joan, Great Aunt Ann, and Great Uncle Herbert. I hang on dearly to those who are still around like Nanny Bill, and Paw Paw Bob, who have done more for me than I can ever thank them. And I could continue on to an invertible list of those I love.
However, I would just like to say thank you to:
my mom for unconditional love
my sister for understanding more than anyone could
my dad for giving me my attitude
my stepdad for being there more than he ever had to
my nanny and paw paw for always caring
I could probably do a post on each person and then some, but for the sake of length and getting too sappy for one post, I will stop here for now. Just know that I care for you all so much, and for better or worse, I would not be who I am now without you.
Sidenote: I get to see you all this weekend, and cannot wait to visit, even though it will be short!
Of course, I am grateful for everyone in my family. I cherish those who were so impactful even in the short time they were in my life like my grandfather. (again, read "Holding On" on Ink) I lovingly miss others that are no longer with us like Uncle Howard, Granny Joan, Great Aunt Ann, and Great Uncle Herbert. I hang on dearly to those who are still around like Nanny Bill, and Paw Paw Bob, who have done more for me than I can ever thank them. And I could continue on to an invertible list of those I love.
However, I would just like to say thank you to:
my mom for unconditional love
my sister for understanding more than anyone could
my dad for giving me my attitude
my stepdad for being there more than he ever had to
my nanny and paw paw for always caring
I could probably do a post on each person and then some, but for the sake of length and getting too sappy for one post, I will stop here for now. Just know that I care for you all so much, and for better or worse, I would not be who I am now without you.
Sidenote: I get to see you all this weekend, and cannot wait to visit, even though it will be short!
5/9/09
As the Blog Turns
I have to say I was pretty skeptical of this blogging thing. But with one week down, I guess it is not that bad (well, yet). The thought of being so connected to the internet world is pretty strange, but staying connected has been pretty cool. Plus, I am finding this to be an interesting way to get out my thoughts. And if people want to read them, sweet. I have certainly enjoyed the feedback so far.
I have also been stockpiling a few posts as I think of topics. I was saving them in case a day comes during this contest that I cannot think of anything to write. However, Reg (in her infinite blogging wisdom) mentioned it is probably better to post them as I think them. They are probably more relevant that way. And lord knows with our lives, I doubt I will severely lack in topics to blog about later. Just in one afternoon I could post about poolside etiquette, how hobos can make indecisive people decide, how Borders harbors some strange people, and I am sure there is even more.
So on the blogging goes, and I have a feeling it will continue past May...I hope.
I have also been stockpiling a few posts as I think of topics. I was saving them in case a day comes during this contest that I cannot think of anything to write. However, Reg (in her infinite blogging wisdom) mentioned it is probably better to post them as I think them. They are probably more relevant that way. And lord knows with our lives, I doubt I will severely lack in topics to blog about later. Just in one afternoon I could post about poolside etiquette, how hobos can make indecisive people decide, how Borders harbors some strange people, and I am sure there is even more.
So on the blogging goes, and I have a feeling it will continue past May...I hope.
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