Babysitter for Sale

So today in summer school one of my students decided to tell me about his babysitter. It started with the comment that his babysitter was mean. I didn't pay too close attention to that as lots of kids say that about people that they love when they don't agree with what the adult has done something the kid doesn' t like. But the child kept telling about the babysitter. He said that the babysitter picks his nose and eats it (at this point I was paying attention). The child also said that his babysitter tries to make him eat his "boogers"... ah... the details that little kids give you. I really didn't know what to say at that point and then the child said, "I'm gonna put him in a bag, tie it up and sell him. Then he won't be on my nerves anymore." Yes, I can quote it because the child said it so many times... just about peed myself in class today. And that's good for a Monday morning!! haha

Far From Home

I've been living overseas for 10 years now. And I have loved almost every minute of it. I say almost because there are times where all I want is to be closer to home and my family and friends there. I've missed weddings of family and friends, I've missed funerals of family members, I've missed the births of nephews and nieces and the children of my friends, I've missed family celebrations and gatherings with friends. I've missed a lot and I feel missed. But thanks to technology that rules (when it doesn't drool), I am able to at least see pictures, hear voices online and over telephone, occasionally I get to see videos, and I get to see lots of emails and so on. So even though I am far from home and I have been for a long time know, I feel closer than I have ever felt.

Giving

You know that first time you buy clothes for someone? It is so nerve racking!!

Recently, I just purchased a bunch of shirts for my man for his birthday. I was excited and happy to pick something out for him (I admit, I went a little crazy). It was a blast to pick out things that I want to see him wear and to feel like I could bless him with some new things. But once I sent the box off, I felt like a nervous wreck. I was worried that they wouldn't fit, or that he'd hate the colours or styles that I liked so much. So tonight when I called and he told me how much he loved each and every shirt... well... I was able to breathe again!! hahaha.

It is a wonderful feeling to give something to someone you care about and it feels even better to know that you have pleased them in some way.

The Observations of Strangers

So yesterday I was grocery shopping (I am going back to an Atkins style approach with my diet) when a stranger made an observation about me and it got me thinking. Here is my best recollection of what happened: I was in the ethnic food aisle when an attractive African American man came by and said, "You look so sad... and you are too beautiful to be sad." I, of course, started and then laughed and said "Thank you!" A little later he passed me again in another aisle and said, "I hope that whoever he is, he is taking good care of you!" To which I replied, "He does."

Now, I know that the last part was him hitting on me (which was much appreciated....it always a nice thing to have someone make a pass at you). But it was the first statement that he made (which I also know was part of him hitting on me) that got me to thinking. I don't see myself as a sad person, but he seemed to see that in me. I began to wonder what others see in me that I don't. Have you ever looked at a stranger and seen more about them in that one look than you see about yourself in the mirror? I think I have a time or two... it's interesting what is revealed when we aren't guarding ourselves.

Art Work

Big Girls and Bikinis

As a North American growing up, I always thought that bikinis were for the skinny chicks. If you had the right body, you were meant to flaunt it. Then I moved to Asia and that was driven further into me just by being around all those skinny chicks. In fact, I kind of had the feeling that all clothes were intended for the skinny chicks of the world (wait, that may have been because clothing above a size 10 was simply not available when I first moved to Korea). Then came the magic of moving to Oman. It was there that I learned to love and appreciate my curves. It was there that I bought my first 2 piece swimsuit and a love affair was born! After that, I let my my swimwear get smaller and my confidence grow bigger. Now that I am living the the USA (land of the skinny bikini babe), I wondered if I could survive with my confidence and big girl curves. Well, I can and I am here to tell you that you can too! Yesterday I went to the pool at my apartment complex in a bikini. I had to wear my iPod so that I wouldn't hear the uncultured, rude and unnecessary comments of anyone at the pool, but I got there, took off my wrap and layed out in the glorious Virgina sunshine. But guess what, not another soul was at the pool!! hahaha But people did show up near the end of the time I was going to be there, so I felt brave!
So big girls, wear your two piece or one piece suits and be proud!!

Technology Rules (when it doesn't drool, that is)

This morning I am watching Wimbledon with my roommate. We are watching the men's final between Roddick and Federer. It's been fun to watch it, but with the power of technology, I am also watching it with my good friend in England, another friend in Thailand and others across the US and Canada. So fun!! Now that is the beauty of technology at it's best.