1. Nothing is wasted.
2. Batter doesn't clog the drain.
3. "Oopp-sies" are discovered before they go into the oven. ...and can be fixed.
4. It's fun.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Image is Everything.
Especially in the great city of Washington DC. The suits. The fancy stores. The gorgeous water fronts. The spectacular monuments. Everything about this city is posh. Image is important for the nations capitol. People buy into this idea. Fancy suits doing government work and making big decisions. Would we trust a sloppy politician? Probably not. (I mean, most people don’t trust them anyways. But it’s the system we have, you have to have some faith in the intended good a democracy can do. – But that’s another conversation.)
Now do I believe image IS everything? I have grown accustomed to two specific and opposing perspectives.
1. The Student Affairsy (humanistic) Perspective – what’s on the inside counts! Development of the whole individual is important. Reflecting moments.
2. The fashion industry perspective – coming from a Merchandising background, I was taught how to study dress, image, put together a “look”, a line and forecast upcoming trends. Essentially, study the concept of image. Image is everything.
I pulled in at 4 pm and began unloading my car. I have never seen so many people strolling on the sidewalk dressed to the nine at 4 pm on a Friday afternoon. After hitting up a popular night neighborhood, the images overwhelmed me. My hoodie and rolled up jean capris seemed so far out of place, it’s not even funny. I’m so used to the small town college schools, where jeans and flops were 100% acceptable at the local bars. I always have enjoyed spiffing myself up to stand out in these situations, but now it’d just be ‘acceptable.’ And probably still underdressed. My wardrobe is limited in this sense. (I know, surprising.)
Here’s a fun fact: as I was driving In I heard on the radio about a group that has been discriminated against and there are no laws to protect – dun dun dun, the unattractive. At first, I thought, ridiculous. But then I began to ponder it. Yes, its probably true. If you are attractive, people pay attention to you, want to talk to you, etc. I feel I have been blessed with a bit of an attractive gene. I’m no Jessica Alba, but I feel I have received some of the advantages society provides those who look decent. Then I started thinking about legislation to protect ugly people… I’m not sure how that would even begin. Blah.
So this brings it back to image. Money and time goes into establishing my look and image everyday. (So this then benefits those who have the resources?)
And while this is fine and dandy, I also don’t want this to be my only asset to society. I would like to think my thoughts and ideas contribute to progression. But yet, if the smartest person in the world showed up to a job interview looking sloppy, there is no chance this individual would secure a job, solely based on image.
It’s an interesting dichotomy I struggle with every day, as I am sure many others do as well. The goal is to find your own balance.
Now do I believe image IS everything? I have grown accustomed to two specific and opposing perspectives.
1. The Student Affairsy (humanistic) Perspective – what’s on the inside counts! Development of the whole individual is important. Reflecting moments.
2. The fashion industry perspective – coming from a Merchandising background, I was taught how to study dress, image, put together a “look”, a line and forecast upcoming trends. Essentially, study the concept of image. Image is everything.
I pulled in at 4 pm and began unloading my car. I have never seen so many people strolling on the sidewalk dressed to the nine at 4 pm on a Friday afternoon. After hitting up a popular night neighborhood, the images overwhelmed me. My hoodie and rolled up jean capris seemed so far out of place, it’s not even funny. I’m so used to the small town college schools, where jeans and flops were 100% acceptable at the local bars. I always have enjoyed spiffing myself up to stand out in these situations, but now it’d just be ‘acceptable.’ And probably still underdressed. My wardrobe is limited in this sense. (I know, surprising.)
Here’s a fun fact: as I was driving In I heard on the radio about a group that has been discriminated against and there are no laws to protect – dun dun dun, the unattractive. At first, I thought, ridiculous. But then I began to ponder it. Yes, its probably true. If you are attractive, people pay attention to you, want to talk to you, etc. I feel I have been blessed with a bit of an attractive gene. I’m no Jessica Alba, but I feel I have received some of the advantages society provides those who look decent. Then I started thinking about legislation to protect ugly people… I’m not sure how that would even begin. Blah.
So this brings it back to image. Money and time goes into establishing my look and image everyday. (So this then benefits those who have the resources?)
And while this is fine and dandy, I also don’t want this to be my only asset to society. I would like to think my thoughts and ideas contribute to progression. But yet, if the smartest person in the world showed up to a job interview looking sloppy, there is no chance this individual would secure a job, solely based on image.
It’s an interesting dichotomy I struggle with every day, as I am sure many others do as well. The goal is to find your own balance.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Blogging at the Farm
Since I have not had internet access or cell phone service for four days, here are my delayed thoughts...
Sunday, May 16
I just met my 18 month old cousin Joshua for the first time. The child is blabbing all over the place, almost walking and is a chipper young fellow. Babies have a thing for me, I’m not sure what it is, but he took to me right away. Heni said he’s teething as well. Everytime he wakes up, he’s excited. Growing, learning. It’s exciting for him.
And I said right back: “Like college students. They’re growing and teething too. Just in grown up ways.” Funny, how people develop the ways they do, no matter the age.
I used to be so tired from school. Now it’s refreshing. Learning is exciting. I’m so not “over school.” Bring it on.
On a side note, this is the first time I’ve been to the farm in over a decade. It’s peaceful. There’s time to think. I haven’t had that in a while. Well, at least not the cluttered thinking time I usually have. The cousins are here. I haven’t seen them in ages. I love how May brings people to the farm. The peacocks are out honking and running around. A fire ant already bit me on a toe. The birds are chirping. Gumbo is brewing on the stove for dinner tonight. I think the crew is going canoeing tomorrow.
Actually, on second thought, the peacocks sound exactly like the …whatchamacallit birds from “Up!”. Emily always talks about hunting them, as a joke. Because they don’t exist.
And here are some epically awesome quotes from some epic women.
Tuesday, May 18
Me: “Grandma, Aunt Milldred called. She wanted to know if you needed anything from the liquor store?”
Wednesday, May 19
Grandma: "No one gets rid of their bad boy."
Sunday, May 16
I just met my 18 month old cousin Joshua for the first time. The child is blabbing all over the place, almost walking and is a chipper young fellow. Babies have a thing for me, I’m not sure what it is, but he took to me right away. Heni said he’s teething as well. Everytime he wakes up, he’s excited. Growing, learning. It’s exciting for him.
And I said right back: “Like college students. They’re growing and teething too. Just in grown up ways.” Funny, how people develop the ways they do, no matter the age.
I used to be so tired from school. Now it’s refreshing. Learning is exciting. I’m so not “over school.” Bring it on.
On a side note, this is the first time I’ve been to the farm in over a decade. It’s peaceful. There’s time to think. I haven’t had that in a while. Well, at least not the cluttered thinking time I usually have. The cousins are here. I haven’t seen them in ages. I love how May brings people to the farm. The peacocks are out honking and running around. A fire ant already bit me on a toe. The birds are chirping. Gumbo is brewing on the stove for dinner tonight. I think the crew is going canoeing tomorrow.
Actually, on second thought, the peacocks sound exactly like the …whatchamacallit birds from “Up!”. Emily always talks about hunting them, as a joke. Because they don’t exist.
And here are some epically awesome quotes from some epic women.
Tuesday, May 18
Me: “Grandma, Aunt Milldred called. She wanted to know if you needed anything from the liquor store?”
Wednesday, May 19
Grandma: "No one gets rid of their bad boy."
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Ducks in a Row
I constantly find myself saying, "I never thought I'd say/do/hear/see..." Well, one of my RAs knocked on my apartment door this morning. As she was about to head out for the summer, I wanted to say goodbye. I threw on some pants and opened the door. There was Missy, with a mischievous look on her face. Then I heard some chirping in the background. "Missy, are those birds?" "Well, they're ducks..." Wait, ducks? Sure enough two yellow 4 week old ducklings were sitting in our service elevator. "My residents left them, and I can't take them home. What should I do?"
Unfortunately, every animal shelter we called was closed because of Mother's Day. So we walked them over in their bucket to the Duck Pond. They needed to walk around, feel the ground, and swim in the pond. I'm going back tomorrow to check on them to make sure they're okay. ARF may receive a phone call tomorrow. I'm worried for their survival.
This begs two separate thoughts. First, the need for freedom. These poor ducks were stuck in a plastic green tub. Was it more humane to keep them in the bucket and wait until the morning to call? Knowing all well I didn't know how to care for them, they were dirty, hungry, and thirsty. Or was it more humane to let them feel freedom, swim on a pond, gather their own food, drink the available water, but know they may not survive because they have been held in captivity for 4 weeks?
Secondly, as a whole, the world knows how to rock your life. When it seems as though you've reached the end, there is always something that happens to catch you off guard. When I woke up this morning, the only thing I could think about was packing for my summer internship in DC and finishing up building closing items. But nope, there were two ducks sitting in the elevator, quaking away.
Time to go back to packing. Only kitchen things done so far!
Unfortunately, every animal shelter we called was closed because of Mother's Day. So we walked them over in their bucket to the Duck Pond. They needed to walk around, feel the ground, and swim in the pond. I'm going back tomorrow to check on them to make sure they're okay. ARF may receive a phone call tomorrow. I'm worried for their survival.
This begs two separate thoughts. First, the need for freedom. These poor ducks were stuck in a plastic green tub. Was it more humane to keep them in the bucket and wait until the morning to call? Knowing all well I didn't know how to care for them, they were dirty, hungry, and thirsty. Or was it more humane to let them feel freedom, swim on a pond, gather their own food, drink the available water, but know they may not survive because they have been held in captivity for 4 weeks?
Secondly, as a whole, the world knows how to rock your life. When it seems as though you've reached the end, there is always something that happens to catch you off guard. When I woke up this morning, the only thing I could think about was packing for my summer internship in DC and finishing up building closing items. But nope, there were two ducks sitting in the elevator, quaking away.
Time to go back to packing. Only kitchen things done so far!
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