Mergh

People are silly.

If I walked onto the beach with just a bra and underpants on, it would be completely unacceptable.

If I enter the same beach with a string bikini, it would be appropriate and possibly attractive.

Why society? Why so many inconsistencies?

And why does your inconsistencies make swimsuit shopping into such a challenge?

I protest. Mergh.

Rabbit Food

Today, someone walked into my work and asked for rabbit food to feed the squirrels. Literally, food you feed to rabbits. Why, one might ask herself, did this man walk into a Wild Birds store when there is a perfectly good pet store about 5 minutes away? And why does he want rabbit food instead of peanuts or hazelnuts or corn or sunflower seeds or even suet? Who knows.

People are weird.

House Sitting

Meet Mushroom (aka Mushy), my new buddy. I'm house sitting while her family is in England for two months. Which means I will be covered with a permanent layer of cat hair for the near future, as I have won her temporary alliance with a cunning combination of chin-scratches and canned cat food.

World Cup

"Ohmygoodness! I get to do this every four years!"

My mom on the phone as she freaks out about the World Cup.

Now this is kinda making my day.

Many kids my age don't want to move back in with their families. They love having their own lives, their own places, their own piece of independence. Me? I am savouring every moment at home. Not because I never want to leave - the lure of having my own place is quite strong in this one - but because these people and this time are precious. All four of us living at home as adults is fun and interesting. Soon, hopefully, this part of life will end, but until then, it's nice to have my family making my day.

Disney

Listening to my brother singing Disney at the top of his lungs.

It's kinda making my day.

The Dilemma of Pots

I love a good pot of tea, but I always find myself faced with a dilemma. Will I drink the whole pot? What if I waste good tea? Did I put enuogh leaves in? Should I put the milk in the pot or in each individual mug? Do I want to go downstairs to reheat it everytime or did I just want the taste? And if I make this pot of tea, will I ever convince myself it is worth leaving the house before it's gone?

All these and more come with making a pot of tea. Still, my love affair continues and I am forever devoted to my lovely teapot (currently filled with Whittard's Darjeeling loose leaf).

Father's Day

Tomorrow I get to celebrate my dad. Except, I forgot a present. And a card. And everything father's-day-ish.

So, I'm not winning an A for best daughter right now. I'm not failing - I could have gotten him smelly socks - but I have nothing interesting going for me either.

My dad's reaction to all of this "It's enough to have you as my daughter, I don't need a present."

Now, every good dad knows to say something like this in reaction to his children, but how many children truely believe it? I am able to 100% tell you that my dad is perfectly happy getting a hug tomorrow morning instead of a gift. He loves me and my brother enough that he doesn't need presents or cards to celebrate it.

While I'm disapointed that no inspiration for that one perfect gift struck and I haven't given the time to write a meaningful card, it's special to understand that Dad loves me and not the things I do.

Thanks Dad! Happy Father's Day! (Also, it's not fair that you gave me a gift instead of giving you one :P Maybe I make you cookies so we're even?)

Bird Shop Tales

My friend requested that I write up little stories from my work, since I randomly stop and start my blog. So here's one:

There's a little 92-year old lady who comes into our shop about once a week and buys SO MUCH SEED. But only in the 5 lb bags, because she is so tiny she can't lift the 10 lb or 20 lb bags. By tiny I mean under 5 feet and thin - in many ways this lady resembles the sparrows she feeds.

Last week, she wandered into the store, bought seed, and then asked for my help out with all the bags. As we went to her car, I learned about her husband and the hole his death had left in her life about 15 years ago. The birds were her hobby and her company these days, apparently, giving her something to watch and nurture and enjoy. It made me think about all the things we fill our lives with and how little we appreciate the people that take up so much of our time. When they're gone, what do we end up having left? Is it good or bad to use something as "simple" as birdfeeding to bridge some of the gap absences create?

It's different for everyone, I'm sure, but it challenges me to live my life in a way that will allow me to find contentment in every stage. Even if my life centers on feeding birds.

Update

No profound thoughts for today! Instead I'd like to give an update on my goings on, as I seem to have settled down at least until Christmas.

I'm living at home with my parents and brother, thoroughly enjoying some more time with the four of us. There's a part of me that's still wanting to be out the door, but time spent watching tv, eating meals, and chatting about our days is much more important. Also, I have no money. Ha.

But I do have a job! I'm working fulltime at a birdseed shop in the bellevue area. It's fun to listen to people's stories and give practical advice about how to attract any type of bird in any situation. The hours are good, the pay is ok, and I like my coworker (yes, I have exactly one coworker + one boss).

Grad school is definitely on hold, but I'm looking at possibly going for an environmental policy masters in a couple years. Not for a while, but it's nice to have a goal again.

Most importantly, there is a male Anna's hummingbird frequenting our backyard :3 Mom seems to have adopted him as her new friend. It's cute. I'm happy. Yay.

So there you have it. My life in a few short paragraphs. Not as interesting as it could be, I guess. Still, it's a fun sort of life, with the potential for flexibility and to meet new people and new experiences. Could be worse!