PebHmong Discussion Forum
Creative Corner => Online Journal => Topic started by: LadyLionness on December 11, 2013, 10:46:47 AM
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Greetings from Anytown, Florida...
It's been a bit of a struggle, but a few friends suggested some things and I think I have finally settled on a strategy.
I am going to live the pseudo-single life, as if I am single (without the looking for a relationship, mind you), but
definitely the, "I have all this free time, what in the world am I going to do?" kind of a thing.
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So far, I haven't done much or gone anywhere exciting, but I have found a few wonderful restaurants.
Dave's Boathouse serves raw oysters on Thursday night for $4/doz. I ate $8 worth and it was MORE than enough.
The next restaurant I really like was Green Papaya. Oh my goodness, their Papaya Salad was so delicious. And their soup was to die for. It's a bit pricey for me b/c I am thrifty. But I would not mind going there again.
I saw a Chinese - Japanese Buffet a while back and have been wanting to try it. It was wonderful. For $14, I can eat all the sushi I want, they even have sashami and the salmon tasted like eating little slabs of butter. They even have three different kinds of roe as well.
Next, I think I will explore the beach and this one really old and ancient town. My co-worker have been suggesting that I go there, but haven't really gotten to it yet.
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I know. I am sitting here thinking... what the heck?! People PAY hundreds if not thousands of dollars to come here for vacation and here I sit... not wanting to go anywhere...lol . :D
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HS, remember I told you that I am really more of a homebody and not one to travel and explore? That I am just as happy sitting on my couch as I am in some exotic place?
Well, I guess it's really true. lol... but doesn't mean I can't grow, right? So, yeah... I am going to take a leap of faith and try something totally out of the ordinary for me.
Thinking about it, this is the very first time in my life that I don't have to worry about anyone but myself. So, I should explore this experience to the fullest (with the condition stated in the original post).
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I could go outside in shorts and tank top if I was inclined. It's been usually warm the last few days. The land lady even turned on the air conditioning.
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It used to be really hard, but I am kind of getting the hang of it. Still feel guilty when I go out to eat though, lol. Except for the oysters. :2funny:
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Not yet. By the time I get out of work, it's dark.
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I am thinking about going back to eat some raw oysters. Maybe I will just limit myself to 12 pieces and only pay $4. I moved much closer to this place now, so it might not be such a bad idea. I am thinking of eating it every week until I have to move again... making this my "little tradition."
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I wanted to be dangerous, but might just end up being boring? lol. :2funny:
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Working on the mindset, lol. :D
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Are you serious? Do you have any idea how extremely stubborn I am? lol... you know a person is stubborn when they can't even reason with themselves... :2funny: :2funny: :2funny:
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OK, so I did went down to the old town and it was sooooooooooooo o touristsy, I hated it. Gave me a huge headache, but I drove down 45 minutes, so thought I would give it a chance.
Here's me getting ready for the outing.
Paid $23 for a trolley tour. They had 22 stops along the tour and you could stop and take photos, etc. What I didn't know was that I should have gone super early, park for free, and use the trolley as my travel through the little town.
Didn't see too many things worth taking pictures of, the the sun was hitting this bridge at such a beautiful angle, I snapped a picture.
(http://i.imgur.com/0SXJ9L4.jpg)
Saved $10 by parking in the restaurant's parking lot, which was waived if you eat there. There was a two hour wait, so I walked around a little and took some photos. So many people and all the shops were meaningless... just for tourists and everything was at least $10 more than I have seen at other places. I did come across a shop that had the most beautiful amber jewelry settings.
(http://i.imgur.com/GuWiDcA.jpg)
On the tour, this was the only thing I saw that was worth taking a photo of, so after dinner, I went back to find this church and took a picture of it. This is the Memorial Presbyterian church built by business tycoon Henry Flagler. His daughter died and he wanted to have a brand new church to do a memorial service for her, so this church was built in 363 days.
(http://i.imgur.com/jUsEGaU.jpg)
What drew me down was the Christmas lights. People kept talking about how the whole entire city is lit up for Christmas. It's just mostly downtown where there is virtually no place to stop and take a picture. I was not too impressed. There is another area closer to me that if I get off work early, I might stop by to take some photos.
(http://i.imgur.com/Os0s48O.jpg)
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After my outing, I didn't feel any more adventurous... more like I wasted time. Lolz. Anyway, I figured at least I did it.
Now, onto the next adventure.
After this trip, I realized something, I don't like the popular stuff. I like things off the un-beaten path, so I will have to find my own little niche and treasures in this city.
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So, after a week or so of "living" the pseudo-single life, here is what I found:
First and foremost, it's extremely awkward and strange. I feel for those who are truly single and trying to re-acclaim themselves to the world.
Second, I am extremely boring. I don't get bored, but I am an extremely boring person. Sad, huh? I have always thought that I am an exciting and spontaneous person, but nope. I am a chicken and boring as heck.
Third, I am not giving up. I am going to give this another shot.
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First thing on the agenda is to issue a disclaimer. Yes, I know, it's been at least a week already. But I figured I will issue one anyway.
Disclaimer: PH is a playground. The things posted in this thread may or may not necessarily reflect the truth. When in doubt, please do ask.
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You should. Lol.
You love me, so I know you won't steer me wrong.[size=78%] [/size] :2funny:
I am actually excited about this weekend.
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Nothing much. I am planning to look through the farmer's market near here on Saturday and then some more exploring on Sunday, this time, I am going to try and find something from the off-beaten path. I heard this weekend would be back in the 80s... so it should be nice.
I would like to find some nice place to practice using my camera on.
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The old town is where I was at last weekend. It has been build into a tourist attraction and I didn't care for it as much. When the days are longer, I would like to go back down and just explore some of the older buildings, like that inside of that church I took pictures of.
I haven't googled, but maybe I will.
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HS, I took your advice and google. Might stop by here this weekend to practice using my camera.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60805-d2648889-Reviews-Jacksonville_Arboreteum_Gardens-Jacksonville_Florida.html (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60805-d2648889-Reviews-Jacksonville_Arboreteum_Gardens-Jacksonville_Florida.html)
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I do too. A crowded city is not my kind of thing. But this park is inside of the city itself, so should be interesting.
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Architecturall y beautiful buildings... I love chicago and pittsburg... not sure about other places... Jacksonville so far, doesn't seem to have too many... but I should take a walk down the street to see if there are any.
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There's actually a Korean Karaoke Bar near here... but they have different rooms and each group get their own room. It's bring your own liquor... but I have no one to go with and I can't sing worth a lick.
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There's a country / line dancing club 2 blocks from my work... and then several latin dancing places around here... but I am waiting for when I am so stressed and then I will go and dance some stress away. For now, I haven't found the need b/c I go home once a month... plus, I talk to my baby from the moment I walk into the door until the moment she and I both go to bed.
I know, I am boring. Hahahaha. You should come down and show me how it's done. :2funny:
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Yes, I am flying home Christmas for 5 days and then coming back here. I will be here new years eve, so I might look for something... should be big enough of a crowd for me to get lost in it and not look awkward.
As for co-workers, I have decided to keep business and pleasure separated. I don't mind going with them if it's work related like tonight, we are going bowling... but if it's strictly pleasure and for fun, I would rather do that by myself.
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No, she is not here... but we are on the phone the whole time... through out the evening. We have the phone on and then go about doing our own thing and talk to each other as the need arise.
It has been helping b/c after the first month of me being here, she was going into a deep depression. Since we have been leaving the phones on every night, she have been doing much better and stable again.
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We could, but it's easier to take the phone around from room to room... b/c I am using cooking dinner or doing laundry... and she is doing homework or taking care of her brother.
Plus, sometimes, we watch K-drama together and we need the computers for that... so it's easier for us to just have the phone on.
She is a little mama... bossing me around and lecturing me about finding some friends to hang out with so that I don't get lonely. Lol.
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So, maybe the single life isn't always about go go go and then go again. Maybe the single life is doing exactly what we want, WHEN we want... and if that means doing nothing then so be it.
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Stopped by the farmer's market on Saturday and had an adventure that satisfied my non-adventurous soul. Picked up some really cool and awesome Christmas gifts for the kids and even caught a free show of Belly Dancers. It was beautiful and an hour flew by in no time at all. I will have to say that those ladies have stamina... and when I get to their age, I hope I can stay on my feet for half as long.
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The single life, whether pseudo or real... can be pretty boring and uneventful, not to mention unfulfilled... or maybe I just suck at it.
Anyway, I have been thinking a lot about the big gap between the minds of our Hmong men and Hmong women. It seems like the gap is just growing bigger and bigger, with neither side willing to budge. Hmong men want their Hilltop llifestyle back where all they have to worry about is put a roof over the wife's head and make sure that there's food for her to cook and put on the table. Hmong women, on the other hand, are discovering that they want more out of marriage than a roof over their head and food on their table - for the most part, they can do that themselves.
When it comes to love, it seems like we are speaking different languages.
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If I was someone's girlfriend, I would be the worst and most boring girlfriend ever! >:D
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I need to learn how to be a little bit romantic. :-\ Who shall I practice being romantic with?
:blob1: I know, I know! Me! Yes! Perfect.
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Suggestions to have a rollicking good time summer romance with yourself!
http://galadarling.com/article/how-to-have-a-summer-romance-with-yourself (http://galadarling.com/article/how-to-have-a-summer-romance-with-yourself)
Court yourself
The first days of fresh love are delightful & tender. You get to see the absolute best parts of whoever it is you’re seeing — such a lovely thing! Maybe it’s time to start awakening to your most fabulous features, too, & to start being gentle with yourself, regardless of the situation. Think of yourself as a new lover. Think about how supportive & sweet you would be if your new squeeze was going through a hard time, & then make an effort to extend that kind of love & grace to yourself.
Come on, now. Be good to you. If you won’t, who will?
Listen to yourself
Relationships often involve a lot of listening, especially as you’re getting to know the object of your affections. I know you’re thinking, ‘This is all well & good, but if it’s just me, what do I have to listen to?!’
The answer is that you need to start listening to yourself. Your actual, true, authentic, genuine, uncensored self. That voice which tells you whether you should do this or that. Not the rational, logical voice which takes over when we’re trying to convince ourselves of something, but the voice that speaks from a place of instinct & intuition.
It’s amazing, you know. We each have all the answers we need inside us at all times. We may think we need to ask other people, or read a book, or ask Google, but really, when it comes to what we should do about a given situation, we already know. Sometimes I like to remind myself of this by visualising my belly as a little all-encompassing galaxy, swirling with stars & question marks & answers & big, blinking exclamation points.
So make an effort to listen to your intuition. When it flashes at you — & it does, several times a day! — start paying attention. Do what it tells you, & see if it improves your life. (It will!)
Learn to compromise
This goes hand-in-hand with the point I made under ‘Court yourself’, which is about being good to yourself. That means that if you have a massive work-load but you’re exhausted & sick, you need to learn to put yourself (& your health) first. Similarly, if you’re feeling depressed & withdrawn but your friends have invited you to go out, you should probably accept their invitation. It’s all about doing what will make you feel better in the long-run.
Photobooth fun
Take sweet pictures
Yes! Romantic relics! A good photobooth strip is worth a lot. While normally you would pile into a photobooth with your beloved, have a smooch & wait for the photos to come out the other side, this time you have to go it alone. But don’t be afraid! Taking photos alone is funnnn! Dress up, blow kisses into the camera, dance around, pull silly faces, & when you’re done, put the pictures somewhere prominent so you can remind yourself how gorgeous you are on a regular basis!
Go out on dates
The best thing about romancing yourself is that you can go on dates that no one else could ever possibly understand. Want to check out the train museum, spend hours in the bakery supply store, stare at skateboards or attend a seminar on podiatry? You can, & you don’t have to convince anyone else to go along with you! Get dressed up, take yourself out & have a damn good time.
Buy yourself flowers, too. They’re an important part of the process.
Write yourself love letters
Love letters, or loved-up communique in general, is one of the best parts of being involved in a romance. It gives you something real, like a record of what’s happened, to hold, clutch to your chest, pore over obsessively (don’t tell me you haven’t done it!), & whatnot. Passionate letters are like the souvenirs of love.
If you’re having a summer romance with yourself, you might feel like this is just an arena of the lurve game you’re going to miss out on. But it doesn’t have to be that way! You can write yourself love letters — & they will probably ultimately have more meaning to you than anything someone else could write.
What kind of thing am I talking about? Well, they could range from a series of amorous haiku to something snappier, like, Hey Gala, I noticed your ass is looking mighty shapely these days. Kudos!
They don’t have to be enormous, long-winded, flowery pieces of prose — you can keep them short & sweet & have them be just as effective. Even a couple of sentences is better than nothing. Make it part of your regular routine, a daily ritual if you can. Write one on a Post It during your lunch break, scrawl some endearing words in your journal before bed, rearrange the letter magnets on the fridge… Do it however you like, just make sure it happens!
Those are my ideas. How will you romance yourself this season?
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But there is another way to approach this celebration of love and giving – romance yourSelf!
Typically, we expect romance to come from a partner, a lover, or a significant other. Wanting to love and be loved is fundamental to our nature. Yet, when we don’t have that special someone in our lives, the absence of romance can leave us feeling dull. And sometimes, even when we do have a significant other, we still sometimes sense that lack luster feeling of detachment and emptiness.
It doesn’t matter if you have a partner or not. You don’t need to depend on another person for you to feel loved, whole and cherished. In fact, since the main person in your life is YOU, ideally you should be taking steps to honor and respect yourself every day.
What exactly is romance?
Everyone has their own specific definition of romance, but we can agree that romance means to have affection, to provide an interest in your own contributions, and to feel passion and strong feelings.
“Romancing Yourself” happens when you take life into your own hands – when you get to know yourself, spending time with your likes and your joys. When you romance yourself, you do the things that nourish and bring out your inner radiance. You place attention on the details that are important and meaningful. And you delight in your senses, opening up to how wonderful things smell, taste, look, and feel. Romance is the little things – showing yourself that you care.
19 Positive Ways to Romancing Yourself:
Get to know, and appreciate, all of who you are! Below are nineteen ways to rekindle your love affair with yourself! Take yourself out on a date this valentine’s …. ;)
Take yourself on your ideal date. What have you always wanted to be asked out to do? Here’s a secret: You don’t have to wait to be asked. Go ahead; splurge. You’re spending an evening with the most special person you’ll ever be blessed to meet: yourself.
Treat yourself to that special restaurant, the one with the flower filled outdoor patio. Read your favorite book by the table's candlelight, occassionally pausing to look up at the starry night sky.
Take yourself out to a four star movie. Buy a big tub of popcorn. Laugh uproariously.
Listen to what pleases your ears on a breezy summer afternoon. Let your eyes tear and your imagination wander.
Spend a Sunday afternoon in the park. Watch the kids play catch catch, and be sure to walk barefoot in the cool grass.
Keep a journal. Write down random thoughts, snippets of poetry, or your dreams. Draw a portrait of the person who always sits across from you on the bus/train ride to work.
Spend an afternoon at the art museum. Melt into the paintings. Visit the natural history museum. Be a tyrannosaur. Hungrily devour the humans walking oh so quietly through the museum halls. Its fun to be with yourself ;)
Play with Legos and colored pencils ¯ creativity is good for the soul.
Sit quietly in your room early in the morning. Breathe soundly and listen to the sound of the dawn. Know your beauty in silence.
Be generous to yourSelf materially. Yes, that means buying something just for you! Don’t wait for someone else to purchase something for you. If you have had your eye on that gorgeous set of earrings, then buy them! You, my dear, are worth it. He can buy you the matching necklace ;)
Be generous to yourSelf with time. Instead of running around all day in a frenzy of activity for your job, family, school or whatever else you give your time to, take some time for you. Whether it be a day off of work, an hour long soak in the tub or ½ day curled up in a good book, give yourSelf permission to enjoy some down time.
Forgive yourSelf. What’s done is done, and your expectations for yourSelf are probably higher than anything you’d ever ask of someone else. Whatever you feel you have done “wrong,” learn from it and forgive yourSelf. You’d do the same for another person, so why not for you?
Let go. This goes hand in hand with forgiveness. If you find that you are carrying around anger or a grudge toward someone else, why not just let it go? The only person you are hurting is yourSelf – and that doesn’t make much sense, does it?
Take care of your body. It is good to you, carrying you around and allowing you to get on with your life. Make sure you nourish it with healthy food once in a while, take supplements and get some exercise. Your body will thank you!
Eliminate the word, “should.” Every “should” statement is laden with unnecessary guilt. If you say that you “should” do something, that means that someone else expects you to, perhaps even yourSelf. If your “should” is something that you honestly don’t want to do, then don’t do it. You always have a choice.
Affirm yourSelf. You’re good enough, you’re smart enough, and doggone it, people like you! Telling yourSelf wonderful things about yourSelf makes you feel great! If you hear something enough, you will begin to believe it. So why not make sure that you are hearing the good stuff?
Pamper yourSelf. Treat yourself to a massage once a month, or once a week. Feel how good it is to be at home in your body. Go for a manicure, a pedicure, a massage or whatever else makes you feel special. After all, you ARE special and you deserve these things!
Support yourSelf. People need people. Do you have a circle of friends that you can talk to? If so, spend some time with them. If not, brainstorm about how you can meet other women. Research has shown that women who have a close circle of friends feel more positive on a day-to-day basis.
Replenish yourSelf. Spend some quiet time in prayer, meditation, walking in nature or whatever makes you feel connected to a Higher Power. Quieting your mind and connecting with something or someone bigger than you are can bring about an intense sense of inner peace.
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Task: Think of yourself as a new lover. Think about how supportive & sweet you would be if your new squeeze was going through a hard time, & then make an effort to extend that kind of love & grace to yourself.
:sex: Kat, it's ok that you didn't buy the ticket with Southwest. All you have lost is a couple of hours. At least now, you get to spend another two full days with the family. Yes, it cost quite a bit more, more than you wanted to spend, but time with the kids is so precious at this moment. Besides, you can stay up all night on New Year's eve with the children and then just go straight to the airport. You can sleep on the plane and when you get back here. It's gonna be ok. :)
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Hmm... it is kind of nice! :D
When I get back, I will need to iron my clothes though. These past few weeks I have been wondering why I don't look quite as nice as a few weeks ago and I realize that I have just been pulling my clothes out of the dryer, hanging them up and then putting them on. While that is ok, it doesn't have the same quality of being crisp and well put together.
I am also going to go back to sleep earlier too so that I have more time to pamper myself in the morning. I like this feeling. :)
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That's enough romance... lol. I really suck at this... :P
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Maybe it's not just Hmong men that have no idea what love is... maybe Hmong women are just as clueless... ;D ;D ;D
Well, I am gonna learn to be a hopeless romantic. Time to stop denying my other half.
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When I look at magazines and see all these beautiful celebrities walking through the airport, it looks so glamorous. Maybe tomorrow, I will also dress gorgeously for my trip home. If I do, I will definitely take some photos to share. I want to live each moment and experience as an adventure.
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For anyone who is feeling blue this Christmas season, just know that a little romance can do wonders for your soul. I feel so much better now, so I am going to go and get some work done. Wishing y'all lots of love and joy this holiday season. May God watch over all those traveling and may all your wishes and dreams come true, even if just for a few brief moments and just a few days.
Always,
Kat
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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How do you like the pseudo life so far?
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I would rather be home with the family, but since I am here... trying to make the best of it. The first month was awful. But it's getting easier and since I started this adventure and try to think of things to do, etc... it's actually kind of nice. I think the anticipation of the "next" adventure helps to ward off the pseudo-single life. Maybe that is why single people spend so much money and time traveling and doing things in their free time.
The one thing that I have gotten down pat is cooking for one person. When I did this 4 years ago, I basically starved myself b/c I couldn't adjust to cooking for one. I think I starved the first week here too, lolz. Meals are simple but delicious, so it's kind of cool.
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That's very brave of you to do it alone, although, naturally a part of me hopes that you keep yourself safe. I've never gone at it alone when I traveled for work. I always felt safe with a group of people and have always enjoyed that...althoug h once, I did go alone and was scared as heck (not work related though)...and totally forgot to enjoy, but I digress. Do continue to share your experience and I hope you'll write a lot more because I enjoy reading. Don't mind the photos either.
I think single people spend because they need to find something to fill in that emptiness that married or coupled people have. I give them credit for hanging in there and doing what they can because I (we) were once there. :)
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Moonangel,
I am always overly cautious, which is part of the reason why I haven't really ventured out too much yet. I was talking to one of my co-workers about where to go, etc... and I asked him if it's safe, he said, "Of course, nothing is going to happen."
I replied, "Sure, that's because you are a guy. I am a woman and the world is a whole different place when you are a woman." Lolz.
Anyway, I think planning things and looking forward to them help to fill in some of the emptiness. One thing I am so thankful for is that this is ONLY a psuedo-single life and not a real one... thus I don't have that gapping hole in me. But it is a sort of a rude awakening of how hard it would be to meet potential partners for those who are truly single. Walking down the street, through the malls, etc... there are thousands of people, but none of them could careless about you or are interested in knowing who you are.
Growing up in the late 80's, early 90's, meeting people were so easy, so we tend to think that it is still just as easy, but as I move about this city, I am beginning to realize how disconnect people are now-a-days.
I was so excited to find a Hmong family living here, I called them and got a hold of the husband, he basically didn't care, etc. He said there is another Hmong woman (married to a Vietnamese guy) living here too, but they don't connect or do anything together.
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I will continue to write, just b/c I am curious... lolz. But I find that I am awfully boring and chicken... lolz. I bored myself, so I think y'all might be bored too. I will try to be more interesting.
I think that it would be just as awkward and hard for someone who is truly single and trying to find their footing again.
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family as well, HS.
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Update:
I thought that traveling on Christmas day would be pretty deserted so I would be able to take lots of photos. Nope. There were tons of people and I didn't want to look foolish, so I wasn't really able to take any pictures in Jacksonville's airport, nor in Atlanta's airport. As I was sitting on the plane, thinking about that, I looked outside and remember that I had always wanted to capture the beauty of looking down on the clouds.
I have always imagined that this is what Heaven would look like.
(http://i.imgur.com/1J4Zls2.jpg)
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As I was walking through St. Louis Airport, I saw the cutest and most unique Christmas display.
(http://i.imgur.com/lG5rG3p.jpg)
I was trying to get a picture of me with it. No luck.
Before I left for the trip, I had thought that it would be kind of nice to dress pretty and take some pictures. There were a lot of people and I was not able to find a secluded place to take some pictures. As I was waiting for the train to take me to meet up with my husband, this little area at St. Louis airport was pretty deserted so I was able to snap a few.
Looking at the pictures now, I am not so excited about the outfit as I was at the time. I WAS very comfortable, so that part was good. That was the main priority. It wasn't too bad looking, but it's boring. I think I would try more colors next time.
Not very glamourous, right? lol. I feel like a woman trying to find her footing in the world again. I guess the glamour world isn't so easy to enter or conquer. The quest continues.
In any case, I was showing my kids the cloud pictures and had to scroll past these... my daughter said, "I have never realized mom's butt was so big." She quickly added, "Not in a bad way, I just never paid much attention." lol.
I am such a chicken ... even when it comes to clothing. I don't know how some people have so much courage.
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Since I am living the pseudo-single life, I should have some hot get-a-way trips, right? Well, just planned a last minute get-away with one hot sexy guy that can get me all hot and heavy just listening to him talk to other people. Destination is Atlanta, GA.
Will take some pictures to share. It's a 5.5 hours drive, but bus tickets are only $60 round trip, and it's only an hour longer than driving... so yeah... the trip is sexy, but the mode of transport is anything but... that's ok. I will have more money to spend having fun.
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Lost my charger, so limited on battery on my camera. Will do what I can.
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Yes, tomorrow after work.
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Adventures of a psuedo-single woman... so, I have never ridden The Dog before, but the tickets were so cheap, it would not make any sense to travel any other way. Going up wasn’t so bad because I started out early, at 4:35 pm and would be picked up by mystery man at 12:10 am. Coming back down was a little disconcerting as I would have a one hour and 30 minutes layover from 12:30 to 2:15 am.
I asked the guy at the counter if it would be safe during my layover. He said that he isn’t sure as they have problems every day and that they get all sorts of people. He said that some people who ride the dog are people who recently gotten out of prison, etc. Being precautious, I took off all my jewelries, including my wedding rings, my diamond earrings, my diamond bracelets and even my Invitica watch.
I wanted to look “poor” on the way back down, not that I am rich by any means... lol. But didn’t want to look like I carry anything of worth. Couldn’t think of anything that would make me look scruffy as I mostly have work clothes with me. Lucky that when I first came down, I packed lots of casual clothes, so I was able to come up with a scruffy look: dark blue skinny jeans, two black Joe Boxer t-shirts for layering, my pink sweater vest, Liz Claiborne jersey moto jacket (dark blue), and my royal blue Silent and Noise Moto jacket. I added a black and grey scarf for warmth and my white leather gloves. It actually kept me warm and looking like a bum... yeah!
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The ride up was very comfortable. I hate flying, so I wondered why I have never done this before. I wondered if I would look odd traveling on the dog for business trips. I guess the downside is that it may not be very safe to dress in business suit and carry one’s laptop, etc onto the dog.
After a while, I fell asleep. When I awoke next, we were at a smaller station. Some people were getting off and some were getting on. The driver told us that it would just be a quick stop so no lingering. I went in and after refreshing myself, I saw a baskin robbins. Well, I could not resist. Baskin Robbins will always hold a special place in my heart. So I bought a great big delicious white chocolate winter wonderland ice cream cone. I hurried back onto the bus because I didn’t want to be left behind. As the driver started driving off, someone called out from the back, “Hey, the guy sitting here has left.” The driver went back in and looked everywhere but could not find him. After waiting another 10 minutes, he walked from across the street. He went to Burger King to get some food. I cannot imagine what I would have done if I had gotten left behind there.
I slept most of the way and then we got on the last leg of the trip. From Savannah to Atlanta was about a 2 hours and 15 minutes ride so I decided to freshen up my make up a little bit. Must look good for mystery man. I put on a little more than what I would normally for work. Wanted to change my walking shoes into my knee-hi boots, but the boots were in the suitcase and the suitcase was under the bus, so I made do.
As I got off the bus and walked out onto the sidewalk, looking for mystery man, I heard a male voice called out, “Kat!” I looked and there he was! In a shining white car… not quite a shining knight on a white horse, but eh… close enough.
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Mystery man did not like taking pictures, so we only took a few. Plus, this camera didn’t take very good pictures, so I basically gave up. Will upload what I took later on.
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Will share in our little village, in my journal.
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I am working today because I am taking Valentines Day off. I am going home.
My brain is just about dead, but I am only half way through what I needed to get done. So I am going to keep trucking along.
I am flying southwest, which means that I can check in two luggage for free, so I am going to to carry some fruits home. I checked out the "rich" people's farmer's market a while ago because it was close to my work, but they don't have a lot of fruits or vegetables, certainly nothing really Asian except for a few boy choy.
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OK, so, even I know that I tend to not look at things along the road when I am driving and often miss stuff, but I have been living at this place for 2 months and driving this same road for a month before I finally noticed that the Farmer's Market I have been searching for is right along my daily route. I could just hear my sister's voice, "Kat, you're such a dork."
Last weekend I finally stopped by and I was delighted to find lots of Asian fruits and vegetables... and they were a lot cheaper than the rich people's farmer market. I was like kid in the candy store. I bought $20's worth of groceries and could barely carry it all to the car. I bought a lot of lemon grass because I wanted to make Sweet Tears' hot pepper. And I did. It was very good, but I don't have a hot pepper pounder with me, so the flavors didn't mix together too well. It was kind of interesting because the different flavors of the pepper, garlic, and lemon grass were all very distinct and would be more pronounced as I chew on each bits.
Anyway, I am planning to stop by there tomorrow and buy some fruits and vegetables to take home with me.
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Thank you. Kids, they are so very honest... hehehe. :2funny: :2funny: :2funny:
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It's a whole house, so full kitchen and everything.
The only time I go out to eat is if I want some sushi or raw oysters. Otherwise, I cook all my own food. I cook enough for two in the evening, eat half, and then pack the other half for lunch. It has been working out well and I am actually eating really good food.
I will try to remember to take some pictures of the farmer's market. It's actually quite cool.
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I asked my kids if I was sexy... they said, "Ew, mom... we can't think of you in that way." :2funny: :2funny: :2funny:
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ST,
Your nephew is too funny. How old is he?
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I moved in right after thanksgiving. Some of my roomates were hot sexy men... but they are all kids... lol.
One guy... he kept calling me "ma'am." It's a southern thing, indicating that he was well mannered and brought up well, but did it ever made me feel old. Hehehe.
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You know, you XIONG people ought to open a school to teach the rest of us how to flirt... lol. :D :D :D :D
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I enjoy talking to kids that age. They see the world in such a real and unclouded way. And they tell exactly as it is.
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lol... that would be too funny. The one guy that is there now... he is really quite. Barely talks and barely says, "hi." So I just keep my distance as well.
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Love this song. I could listen to it for the rest of my life. It's the only song that I can actually sing on tune b/c I listen to it so much.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDbllO1LrvM# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDbllO1LrvM#)
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Friends.
enough said... :D
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My thoughts for the day, since I can’t concentrate at work anyway.
I still believe very strongly that we ought to have integrity in our life. Be clear and firm about who you are. Most importantly, in all that you do, do it with joy and don’t forget to have fun.
I have dealt with many difficult people in the past and one thing I have learned is that you are damned if you do and damned if you don’t. There is absolutely no way to please people who have their own issues that have nothing to do with you. I see these as weak people who don’t know how to solve and deal with their own issues. Therefore, unless I am doing something that I feel is wrong or hurtful to others, I do not allow these people to dictate my life or have any bearings on it.
I prefer to live my life as I see fit, not as some weak and demented person think that I ought to live. I know what is right and what is wrong. I try hard to stay on the narrow and straight path. Once in a while, I may stumble, but I will find myself back on the right path again.
I have learned that if I live my life to please God, that is all that matters. People are fickle and don’t know what they really want anyway.
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I know that those of you up north are dealing with worse… but I have never seen “sheets of rain” with my own eyes. My office is on the 8th floor and when I looked out the window, there were sheets and sheets of rain everywhere. It was so cool, but I forgot to take out my camera to capture a pic. Found this one on Google.
(http://i.imgur.com/iH2SnNO.jpg)
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On February 22, 2014, I have the privileged to live out one of my fantasies. As a teenager and into most of my adulthood, those sexy Scottish warrior was every bit as much a part of my life as anything else. I could go on and on about all the different warriors and their clans, along with their heroines. One of my favorite highlander author was Jude Deveraux.
I have read so much about all festivals and how much it means to them, I wanted to see it first hand. I was hoping to see Mel Gibson riding down the tournament ground. Lol. They didn't have any of those, but it sure was a wonderful experience. I fell involve with the pipe musician. He was sooooooooooo good and he was dressed up in a kilt. He had his own local band, but he also played for the mainstream band that they brought to sing at the concert. I was wonderful and I had a great time.
I was torn about what to wear. I knew it was at a fair ground, so most people would be really casual. I didn't want to dress casual, but I didn't want to be overdressed. As I was trying on different outfits, I thought it would be a great opportunity to wear my hybrid Hmong clothes.
More photos to follow... as time permits.
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I gave blood today and there was this cute Hmong girl there. I wanted to talk to her until someone stuck a need in my arm and as the blood came rushing out of me all I could think about was how much blood I'm losing.
And now I feel like I'm on my period. It's too hot in here, I feel like I'm going to faint, I wish someone would turn down the ducking heat, and bring me a maxipad while they're at it. I'm bleeding over here.
(http://s21.postimg.org/l54jqxsef/20140325_133525_1.jpg)
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Knight in Shining Armor is one of my absolute favorite as well. I also enjoyed the one about Callie and Tally. I don't remember the name of the book.
I have't read the Carolina Island.
MinorCharacter ... so you lost your chance to connect with that cute Hmong girl, huh?
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I went to a country music concert a few weeks ago. It was a beautiful day and the music was great. I didn't know the singer, but it was free. I went by myself, but I had a great time.
(http://i.imgur.com/B9EGXGN.jpg)
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A weekend get-a-way to Cedar Cove, FL. It is a small fishing town. You could probably walk every street and every block in 4 hours. A bystander was kind of enough to take this picture of us together.
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Catching the last rays of the sunset. This is absolutely gorgeous! The clouds are the perfect canvas for the sun to paint its colors on.
The sun set so fast, that we weren't able to take a lot of pictures. Caught this one after the sun went down.
(http://i.imgur.com/ziijFmi.jpg) (http://ladylionness.imgur.com/all/)
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Gourmet Meka food. A lot of my co-workers said that this place have excellent food. We spent most of the afternoon walking around and I choose this place for us to eat at because the sign stated that they will have a live band that evening.
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This was the restaurant that we ate at the night before (the food shown above).
(http://i.imgur.com/fCMACBu.jpg)
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We went to Cedar Cove because it was one of the places where we could see both a sunrise and a sunset over the waters. My husband was not a morning person, so he slept in while I got up early in the morning to go and wait for the sunrise. I was probably out there for about an hour or longer. Except for a few fishermen, it was quiet as can be. I probably stared at this sky for a good 45 minutes.
(http://i.imgur.com/YOVSd48.jpg)
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I got tired of waiting for the sun to rise, so I took a few random picture. The morning light made everything looked beautiful and mysterious. The restaurant that we ate at was no exception. At a time like this, I wish that I had someone to share it with. But he is not a morning person, so I am out here by myself.
(http://i.imgur.com/Px8vV1f.jpg)
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After I saw how beautiful the other picture looked, I turned around and took one in the opposite direction. This is where the sunset, but in the morning light, it is simply breathtaking. Most of our sunset pictures were taken just beyond that pink building in the distance.
(http://i.imgur.com/yqeVVsA.jpg)
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Finally, that lazy sun decided to make an appearance. That anchored boat made the perfect poetic piece to a beautiful sunrise.
(http://i.imgur.com/Pdxz5lz.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/NvVF89d.jpg)
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Once it peeked out, it rises fast.
(http://i.imgur.com/cQpWGO9.jpg)
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Beauty basking in the morning light...
(http://i.imgur.com/5VX43Ui.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Mlo7KEy.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/zgGumjg.jpg)
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After lunch, he wanted to take a nap, so I decided to play with the camera and took some selfies...
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Chasing the sunset... it took forever for the sun to rise, but it sets very quickly. The sky isn't as beautiful as the day before because there were no clouds, but we were prepared for how fast it went down and were able to take more pictures today.
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One of him. He doesn't like it when I post his pictures, so I am only posting a few here and there. The sunset is beautiful... but does not compare to the day before.
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"Big orange ball..."
(http://i.imgur.com/kwo3JOO.jpg)
Love love love this man's voice... it gives me goosebumps.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbNho4FopoM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbNho4FopoM)
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Both..two different sunsets and one sunrise.
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Went to the beach yesterday. Got there too late and was losing sunlight. Will need to go back and take better pictures.
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Went to Universal Studio Orlando with the family. We had a blast! $98 per person, but it was definitely worth it!
Will share more photos as I get them loaded up. Here is one of me as we were entering the gate.
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i'm posting just to see what the hidden gems are.
i could come back with a O0 or a :knuppel2:
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very nice pictures O0 O0
ur man must be very lucky to have you in his arms every night.
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Thank you, ICU2.
ST, you should come and get wet with me. Where I am staying, there is a pool... that is open 24/7... you and I can go for a midnight swim. Of course, the ocean is definitely an option too.
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I'm afraid of the ocean.. I almost got swept away once. LOL
Then the pool would be perfect. The water is always nice and warm... basking in the sun's loving warm rays all day long. Very private. We could even go in our birthday suits.
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That was would be awesome! I've always wanted to do that. hehe
Me too. Let's go melon bobbing. Hehehehe :2funny: :2funny: :2funny:
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I don't know if mine will float though. tHey are too heavy. :2funny:
I am sure they will. If not, I will hold them up. It's a dirty job, but somebody will have to do it so I volunteer!!! >:D >:D >:D
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I am sure they will. If not, I will hold them up. It's a dirty job, but somebody will have to do it, so I am volunteering my hands!!! >:D >:D >:D
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Sweet Tears,
In all seriousness, you will have to come down and see me. There's so much we can do!
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Take too long deciding and before you know it, I will be up there freezing my bums with you. >:D
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where's my invite :'(
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where's my invite :'(
Stop putting me on the spot! Koj mas! :knuppel2: :knuppel2: :knuppel2:
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Florida is beautiful!
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Willow, I am sure there are more beautiful parts... but I am a bit of a chicken and haven't really explored. Maybe I should plan something for this weekend...
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Sweet Tears,
Are you ready more even wetter pictures? lol
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Jude Deveraux is one of my favorite author too. She tells some very hot and sexy romance stories. ;D I especailly like the one "A Knight in Shining Amor" "Carolina Isand"
I liked her too! A Knight in Shining Armor will always be a favorite.
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I miss you.
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I want to see the pictures.