tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61508831964320156142024-03-04T23:03:34.158-05:00making electricityone click at a timeJamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17313724711649993237noreply@blogger.comBlogger288125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6150883196432015614.post-39984725094581240122012-05-02T21:33:00.001-04:002012-07-20T10:42:18.522-04:00finally.<br />
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<a href="http://helloadventureblog.blogspot.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zT_tP8kPhT0/T6HfwrlnlrI/AAAAAAAACtk/wB-xoh-SM3k/s400/blogger-image--1729577452.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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it's real, it's real, it's really real! </div>
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<a href="http://inkandadventure.blogspot.com/">hello, adventure.</a></div>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17313724711649993237noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6150883196432015614.post-51232164855386684902012-04-30T06:30:00.000-04:002012-04-30T06:30:00.141-04:00to myself : 27<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Uiikg-o2aSc/T2JPfQfqALI/AAAAAAAAClk/_jpyZ60vjrw/s640/blogger-image--37575029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Uiikg-o2aSc/T2JPfQfqALI/AAAAAAAAClk/_jpyZ60vjrw/s640/blogger-image--37575029.jpg" /></a></div>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17313724711649993237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6150883196432015614.post-6598246441569401882012-04-28T10:11:00.000-04:002012-04-28T10:11:40.052-04:00getting readysaturday morning blogging + breakfast + coffee ritual.<br />
<br />
I hate to say it, but I don't think I have too many of those left over here.<br />
<br />
last night I had a breakthrough with the Taiwan blog. one of those moments where you realize "I can do this" and then <b>you do</b> and you hi-five yourself for being so awesome. totally a geek moment, but still a victory. the prompt of this celebration? I figured out how to design my own social icon buttons for my sidebar. some free logo downloads [I love the internet] and some photoshop magic... voila! and when they didn't have all the logos I wanted... I literally mocked up my own. and figured out the HTML to get them in the right place instead of being all awkward like my poor little arrows.<br />
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I also found an incredible resource for my banner. I had downloaded something previously that was ok, but what I really wanted was something I couldn't legally use. and with all the theft I've had happen to me on the baking blog I couldn't do that. but then. I found this site which is licensed under creative commons [again, I love the internet] and it works incredibly with the vision I had.<br />
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I think I'm almost ready to start writing. I know... I don't leave for 3 months and I'm still not done with work... but this design thing just got me all fired up.<br />
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I do still have a few reservations. I've been blogging in one way or another for about 10
years now, and even though my blogs were never <i>private</i> they didn't really seem public. other than the baking blog, I haven't really advertised the
fact that I write. [and of course the baking blog never got that personal.]
it's scary to just go and put ME out there. not my baking, not my photography. <b>ME</b>.<br />
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the fear is not necessarily opening up to an
indeterminate number of strangers on the internet. it's the people with names
and faces that terrify me. the ones who have preconceived notions of who I am
and are about to get a slap in the face. a lot of people who
"know me" are going to read this blog. people who are going to discover that
they actually really don't know me.<br />
<br />
but I need to launch this new blog and write openly and freely
about my life. because I can't deny who I am anymore,<b>
I just can't</b>. I have to write with all the deep thoughts and messy emotions and
run-on sentences. I have to wear red pants and whip out my DSLR at embarrassing
moments and paint my nails twice a week. I'm not capable of writing some
pretty-picture fluffy travel blog. I'm sure Taiwan will bring unicorns and
rainbows but I have to write about the cockroaches too.<br />
<br />
how will it be received? I'm not sure. but I can't write for them, I need to write for me. so... give me a few weeks to obsess over my first post, and come to terms with leaving this blog and its 3 years of history behind, and we can say our goodbyes and hellos. </div>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17313724711649993237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6150883196432015614.post-8471567710579382822012-04-26T13:02:00.000-04:002012-04-26T13:02:03.705-04:00some days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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some days you have trouble seeing the glass as half full,
because it seems closer to all-the-way empty.</div>
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so that’s when you need to pour yourself a drink. [sometimes
literally, but mostly I mean figuratively.] you need something<b> good </b>to fill you
up. </div>
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maybe that means coming home on your lunch break to make a
salami sandwich and eat it standing at your kitchen counter while you blog out your emotions in run-on sentences. some
days you just need to write it out. some days you need an escape –even for a
few minutes- to remind you that you are still you. you are not your job or your
car or your [how does it go?] khakis. you don't even <i>own</i> a pair of khakis anymore. you're a red pants girl, a mint green happy dance pants girl.<br />
<br />
if someone tries to tell you that the pattern on
your shirt isn’t olives but ping-pong paddles? you tell them after a few
martinis they’ll be olives. what they think doesn't matter, it's your perception of reality
you have to live with. so own it. make it yours. fill yourself up with
that makes <b>you</b> happy. <br />
<br />
besides, it’s your shirt.</div>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17313724711649993237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6150883196432015614.post-6079833151096476032012-04-23T18:03:00.000-04:002012-04-23T18:03:32.053-04:00click your heels three times<br />
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a not-exactly-unexpected trip to Kansas for a funeral. 3 beds in 4 nights. absolutely no cell service... which was actually kindof nice. a whole
branch of Husband's family I met for the first time. nothing green to eat in sight that wasn't battered and deep fat fried. a look into the Walker family history and dynamics. lots of well-wishes for our move to Taiwan. some really fantastic steak. and more martinis than I've ever
had, ever. [including my first with GIN and I actually liked it. learning to
make a good martini just re-escalated itself on my to do list.]</div>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17313724711649993237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6150883196432015614.post-81446427068497100172012-04-16T17:33:00.003-04:002012-04-16T17:33:43.876-04:00love what's yours<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I went to dinner the other night with friends and we had an interesting conversation. we were talking about facebook and how annoying certain people can be. and how- yes, we admit it- we can be jealous of these people sometimes. "why does she get to go on so many tropical vacations?" or "look at his new car/tv/house..." or "I feel like every day she posts something about how amazing her job is" and we get in the habit of comparing our lives to theirs and it ultimately feels like we are lacking.<br />
<br />
but you have to stop and consider a few things. you are only seeing what this person wants you to think their life is like. they have complete discretion on editing things out and adding things in. what they are projecting as their life is only the highlights they choose, not the whole story. you don't know what is going on in the background, or even if what they say is true.<br />
<br />
think of it like watching a movie trailer. sometimes the movie looks incredible, and then you realize after you see it that they put all the good stuff in the trailer. <br />
<br />
though sometimes, the trailer is spot on. which means you also have to remember we are all individuals with varied capabilities and sensibilities. what is important and meaningful to me might be crumbs to you. we place value differently, measure worth in different coins. even though we both call it blue, the color I see when I look at the sky might not be the same through your eyes.<br />
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the point is: the only reliable source of happiness is accepting and enjoying your own life and what is around you. comparing to others can only detract from that. you have to love what's yours. something I've been working to remember and attempting to infuse into my way of thinking.<br />
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<br />Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17313724711649993237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6150883196432015614.post-79169332946461015232012-04-15T21:58:00.001-04:002012-04-15T21:58:10.036-04:00the mint green jeans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EAH5BWJfVRw/T4t6LQUbIYI/AAAAAAAACqo/Oi7UTBahTlM/s1600/IMG_2938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EAH5BWJfVRw/T4t6LQUbIYI/AAAAAAAACqo/Oi7UTBahTlM/s640/IMG_2938.JPG" width="425" /></a></div>
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oh hey. just some vacation photos of me hanging out in my mint green [or really I think they might be teal or aqua or seafoam] pants. nice and senior picture awkward. and then I tried to climb that fence to be cute and then thought I was going to stab myself on the palm tree on the way down.<br />
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one thing I miss about my 52 weeks project from last year was constantly having decent photos of myself... maybe I need to just pick a day and go have camera playtime.Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17313724711649993237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6150883196432015614.post-51013625413940427732012-04-14T11:04:00.000-04:002012-04-14T11:04:52.640-04:00obsessed: color block nails<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've been battling incredible allergies this week on top of a nasty cold, and Wednesday I wound up staying home on the couch. I read and did some blog redesign and then of course turned to <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/118430665171247896/">Pinterest</a> which inspired me to try these color block nails. they were so easy, and turned out so great, that last night I spent 10 minutes rifling through my collection coming up with possible combinations. [though that could have been the cold meds fueling my enthusiasm]</div>
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I painted my nails solid with <a href="http://www.essie.com/shop/turquoise-caicos-p-347.html">turquoise and caicos</a>, then cut a strip of scotch tape to cover the center part of my nail. I used<a href="http://www.essie.com/shop/go-overboard-p-406.html"> go overboard </a>on the base, <a href="http://www.essie.com/shop/marshmallow-p-98.html">marshmallow</a> on the tips, and peeled off the tape. the marshmallow is a sheer white, so the blue came through from beneath. the colors ended up so pretty, and I love the striped look. I'm thinking a summery purple/fuschia/coral combo is next...</div>
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happy weekend!</div>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17313724711649993237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6150883196432015614.post-31122427753634310072012-04-09T19:03:00.000-04:002012-04-09T19:03:06.070-04:00on being seen.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRu10uIukdF226ntrW3z4JavDSJZdGcDwJi3sJLoqYpCyQOj4KWS0VnmMgmyfcZmIwNTagByxAgFBBoKdlSSHUfYVnkWurUMsc13al4zvc9oIP26NvmG9T0Uz2AOXhLa1qu0r3Bn4TEdF/s1600/IMG_2997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRu10uIukdF226ntrW3z4JavDSJZdGcDwJi3sJLoqYpCyQOj4KWS0VnmMgmyfcZmIwNTagByxAgFBBoKdlSSHUfYVnkWurUMsc13al4zvc9oIP26NvmG9T0Uz2AOXhLa1qu0r3Bn4TEdF/s640/IMG_2997.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm going through vacation photos and <strike>editing</strike> not really editing, mostly just deleting. sometimes I get a little freaky going through photos. especially when [as is the case with these vacation photos] I have not been shooting very often recently. and though part of photography is knowing which pictures not to keep, it can be rough trashing 80% of what you jut loaded. sure, they're only vacation snapshots, but how easy it is to slip back into self-criticism and doubt. <i>delete, delete, delete.</i> that's not very interesting. no one wants to see these. <i>delete, delete, delete.</i> should I even bother to post these to facebook? <i>delete, delete, delete.</i> I wish someone would have told me my hair was messed up. <i>delete, delete, delete.</i><br />
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but then I stumble across the above. <br />
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not so much that this is some genius work of art. but Husband, <b>he sees me</b>. the potential that's waiting there under the surface, just waiting for me to figure myself out enough to let it thrive. he sees me, better than I see myself.<br />
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and though I might not see what he sees, I know that he sees it. this incredible, extraordinary person that I only catch glimpses of. and when you see someone seeing you like that, it's damn hard not to try and be that person they know you are.<br />
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maybe that doesn't make any sense. at the very least you can agree that when you're going through and see a shot that Husband so very obviously took, you'll burst out laughing:<br />
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more vacation shots and awkward photos of me in my mint green pants to come.<br />
<br />Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17313724711649993237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6150883196432015614.post-85670631201109998452012-04-06T12:29:00.000-04:002012-04-06T12:29:58.450-04:00the keys to life and other musings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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another shot at this bravery thing. over the past year I have been going through what Husband calls my "renaissance": questioning my identity, exploring new [or newly discovered] talents, struggling with my emotions, developing self-worth, wondering about the future.<br />
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as you can imagine, it has been a turbulent time to live inside my head. my instinct is to put up walls to keep it in, to block it out. don't let the emotions leak out. don't let anything get inside where it can hurt you. but. that's not really living.<br />
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I decided to seek some help in dealing with it all, and spent about 3 months visiting weekly with a therapist. she didn't give me all the answers, or magically cure me. but she helped. and she gave me what I needed to get on with my life.<br />
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I'm still working on self-improvement. voicing my needs and my wants, feeling entitled and not guilty. but my eyes are open and I see what I don't want to become. what I do want- writing, photography, a successful business, motherhood- is undecided. <b>I'm still working to define what defines me.</b> but I know now that it's ok. my life may get messy but it's my mess. and so much of it is good.<br />
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<i>Let life touch you. Yes, it will hurt sometimes. But far deeper would be
the pain if you were to build an impenetrable wall around yourself.</i><br />
<i>-<a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/ralphmarston">Ralph Marston </a></i><br />
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I don't have it all figured out. but this I know for certain: <b>the key to life, is to live it.</b> otherwise there's no point to any of it. <br />
<br />Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17313724711649993237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6150883196432015614.post-66792240473037176822012-04-03T18:26:00.001-04:002012-04-05T13:05:45.903-04:00vacation, briefly.<br />
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historic (and photogenic) downtown Wilmington. salt water taffy. flowers
in bloom. sunshine peeking through palm trees. morning coffee in
bottomless mugs. and the ocean, even if it's cloudy...</div>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17313724711649993237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6150883196432015614.post-81100488113120551422012-03-30T12:21:00.000-04:002012-03-30T12:21:44.291-04:00things to love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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just a few things to love about this week...</div>
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1. we finally went to see the Hunger Games. I was a little put off when I finished reading the series [I didn't really like the last book] but the movie was great! they did a good job of portraying all the violence without it being too bloody. the parts they cut or changed didn't hurt the storyline. I also enjoyed having an outside perspective, instead of just Katniss' point of view.</div>
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2. wearing my mint jeans. I paired them with my chambray shirt + a skinny belt. and it made me feel like I had just stepped out of a <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/pants/chinoutilitypants/PRDOVR%7E62443/62443.jsp">JCrew catalog</a>. [minus the effortlessly tousled hair... mine refuses to cooperate and just looks overworked. we can't all be perfect.]</div>
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3. new iPhone apps for editing photos. Katie always texts me when she finds something cool, and I've been loving CameraBag ever since I loaded it. they have a ton of filters and that's where all my recent polaroid-esque photos are from. I also discovered Phonto and SketchBook from <a href="http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/2012/03/iphone-app-mixology.html">this blog post.</a> [I've recently been obsessed <a href="http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/">with this blog</a>, if you can't tell from my <a href="http://pinterest.com/jamiethewalker/">pinterest boards</a>.] Phonto is an easy to use app for adding text, and they have a TON of fonts and you can customize your colors. I used it in the first photo of my mint pants. Sketchbook is a little more complicated, but it lets you draw on photos! you have to go into layers and import a photo, then you use your finger to doodle. it takes some practice on the iPhone, but I bet it would be awesome with the iPad.</div>
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4. making steps to launching the Taiwan blog. I've been playing around with headers and finally settled on this one. I still haven't officially decided when to start blogging... does 4 months before we actually move sound ridiculous? maybe I'll wait until I'm unemployed. that would be 2.5 months before. part of me says I should stop debating and just start it already. but part of me is scared that people will get bored with me posting about home and whatnot and stop reading before I even get to Taiwan. that's something I've thought about <b>a lot</b>. I know I should focus on just writing. the main point of this blog is to keep people updated and to record what's happening in our lives, but I'm overly ambitious. I shouldn't be concerned with growing a large readership, but I'm vain enough to want one. I think my success with the baking blog spoiled me. since I'm giving up my food blogger niche along with my oven, I've been considering what else is out there. "lifestyle" seems to be the genre I'm falling into [which is basically what I do here, unless "iPhone nail photos, irrelevant rambles, and lengthy lists" is a genre] I suppose one way to look at it is: I'm a complicated person, with varied interests and hobbies. why should my blog be limited to one thing? and that is exactly why I've always felt weird having both this and the baking blog. I'm one person, not two. time to merge!</div>
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5. and finally, I'm only a few hours away from officially being on vacation. Husband and I are heading down to NC to meet up with my parents and sister and brother-in-law. hopefully I'll be getting in lots of relaxing + beach time. after this I'll be swamped through my last month of work, and then packing + moving will take over my life. I also decided I'm going to reactivate facebook. [this decision was met by several cheers] hopefully I can keep the obsession to a minimum, and since I cleaned out a lot of "friends" before I left the annoyance can be [mostly] avoided. so yes, reactivating.<i> after</i> vacation.</div>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17313724711649993237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6150883196432015614.post-3332202177780317282012-03-28T12:31:00.000-04:002012-03-28T12:31:00.363-04:00debating the virtues of facebooklately I've found myself reconsidering my facebook hiatus. tomorrow marks the 2 month point of going without. I'll admit I was a compulsive facebooker before I deactivated... it was like quitting smoking cold turkey [or so I imagine] at first it was difficult but liberating. now I'm used to it for the most part. occasionally I get a craving for it. it does make me feel a little left out when husband tells me about the giant message chain all our friends have going making plans for a weekend getaway this summer. but on the flip side, when he goes off about some ignorant statement so-and-so made I'm glad I don't have those things shoved in my face anymore.<br />
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I think about the fact that we are leaving. I wonder how I will get the word out about my new blog... how I will keep in touch with people after I move and don't have an economically textable phone. maybe I can go back and keep my level of involvement more casual. maybe I could at least <i>try</i> and see if I'm able to restrain myself.<br />
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maybe.Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17313724711649993237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6150883196432015614.post-41945881445267027842012-03-26T17:56:00.000-04:002012-03-26T17:56:00.377-04:00something completely different<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm not really one to openly discuss religion. my mantra for a while now has been "what I believe is between me + God." but this stuff has been floating around in my head and needs to come out. there's a lot I'm trying to figure out in life right now, and I guess theology just gets wrapped into that. I know it's a risk I may come off controversial or offensive. but my intent to be open and honest, and maybe a little brave. so, here it is:<br />
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I was raised Christian, Lutheran. I went to church and bible study every sunday, and Lutheran schools during the week from K-12. I had doctrine and doxology shoved down my throat daily. I was required to memorize and regurgitate the entire small catechism and most of the Bible without really thinking about what it said or meant. I was told to follow the rules, so I did. I was meek and repentant and turned the other cheek and believed I had no worth on my own.<br />
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there were times when I felt close to God, that I could really <i>feel </i>my faith. but those times are far outnumbered by moments when all I felt was obligation and a sense of duty. the church did not make me feel like I was part of a community. it made me feel like I was continually being judged, and continually failing. I'm sure part of that was my own perception, but it still makes me hesitant to walk into a church.<br />
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maybe it was your typical go-away-to-college-and-learn-how-to-think-for-yourself story. but at some point I started questioning, not just blindly accepting what I was told. I stopped going to church, much to the dismay of my parents. and I started to realize that maybe I was worth something. maybe my opinion had value. maybe I didn't have to go through life apologizing for existing. maybe, just maybe, I could actually enjoy being alive.<br />
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I actually felt guilty about it for a while. but eventually it occurred to me that God might want that- <b>for me to enjoy being alive.</b> for me to feel good about myself. for me to be confident and healthy and kind and compassionate. I think he would want me to run, enjoy my body and what it can do, to use that talents I have to appreciate the good in the world he created. and I think that maybe out there somewhere I can find something- a church, a doctrine, a people- to align with that view.<br />
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at this point in time, I'm not exactly clear on how to define what I believe. I don't trust that the Bible is an infallible document because I don't trust humans to accurately transcribe God's words without putting their own spin on it. I'm not saying I want to deny Christianity. but I don't exactly believe in what I was taught anymore. I need more time to explore my thoughts and feelings, and more information.<br />
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the other day Husband and I got into a theological discussion over dinner. one thing led to another and we wound up in the philosophy + religion section of a bookstore. a place I don't think I ever frequented before. I <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Buddha-Walks-into-Bar/dp/1590309375">saw this book</a> on the shelf and laughed at the title, and decided to pick it up. I read the description and instantly decided to buy it:<br />
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<i>"The Buddha Walks into a Bar </i>is a book for those who are spiritual but not religious, who are disillusioned by the state of the world, who are sick of their jobs (and just started last Tuesday), who like drinking beer and having sex and hate being preached at, who are striving to deepen their social interactions beyond the digital realms of Twitter and Facebook. This is Buddhism presented to a generation leaving the safe growth spurts of college and entering a turbulent and uncertain work force. <br />
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<i>The Buddha Walks into a Bar </i>is Buddhist teacher Lodro Rinzler's introduction to Buddhism for anyone who wants to ride the waves of life with mindfulness and compassion. You'll learn how to use meditation techniques to work with your own mind, how to manage the pervasive "Incredible Hulk Syndrome," how to relax into your life despite external pressures, and ultimately how you can start to bring light to a dark world."</blockquote>
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it just really spoke to me, so now it's next on my reading list. I'm not necessarily converting to Buddhism, but I think there are valuable practices and tenets to be found there. I'm trying to be open minded, since my "world religions" unit in school didn't even touch on anything eastern. please know I feel that everyone is entitled to their own beliefs, so long as they aren't forced upon or used to harm others. I'd love any suggestions on books or websites [even Christian denominations] to check out... just trying to quench my thirst for knowledge while I mull things over.<br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-479CHq3roeM/T286FJvv62I/AAAAAAAACmU/CldjeZw6wmk/s640/blogger-image--1060351105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-479CHq3roeM/T286FJvv62I/AAAAAAAACmU/CldjeZw6wmk/s320/blogger-image--1060351105.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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ever since I bought my red pants, I've been contemplating another colored pair. [I went so far as to buy some turquoise jeans from Target, but they were definitely a size too small and I talked myself out of keeping them just because I wanted them to fit.] mint green is all the rage right now so when the other day I stumbled across <a href="http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=btms_pants&ProductID=2011408256&VariantID=">this pair at Forever 21</a> it seemed like fate that the TWO pairs left happened to be in my size. that <b>never</b> happens. so for a whopping $15.80 they came home with me. [they are sold out online of the mint but have some other great brights.]</div>
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I'm not entirely sure what the color qualifies as. the tag says mint but they're a little bold... but not blue enough for an aqua. teal? seafoam? regardless, I love the color and have already started google-ing ways to wear them. here's what I found:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVu90n0L5oiHW7yKaQdLesaFLOsvVCnljdc_1xJ2vgV_jCBZKMhnRCB64I_zvwZlJB-qVUUcpKXDHCOfNpNtXbfR_4OPHL_wgN6TU2TUfuo4fC3EI3JlRwTCEXiTHmECcsNER7GdnL_s/s1600/nf6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVu90n0L5oiHW7yKaQdLesaFLOsvVCnljdc_1xJ2vgV_jCBZKMhnRCB64I_zvwZlJB-qVUUcpKXDHCOfNpNtXbfR_4OPHL_wgN6TU2TUfuo4fC3EI3JlRwTCEXiTHmECcsNER7GdnL_s/s400/nf6.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.candiceelaineh.com/2012/02/striped.html">stripes</a>, obviously. navy + white, grey + white, or even multicolored. I also think these are pretty close to the color of my pants [maybe mine are a little lighter]</div>
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<a href="http://www.instyle.co.uk/sites/default/files/imagecache/portrait_large_300x500/29474021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.instyle.co.uk/sites/default/files/imagecache/portrait_large_300x500/29474021.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.instyle.co.uk/fashion/look-of-the-day/wednesday-13-july-2011/cheryl-cole-50">a neutral cream or white top</a>. black or solid navy would work too, but the lighter colors keep it springy and fresh. also digging on the nude shoes.</div>
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<a href="http://blog.denimtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/how-to-wear-pastel-denim-street-style.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://blog.denimtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/how-to-wear-pastel-denim-street-style.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://blog.denimtherapy.com/2011/08/rough-up-your-pastel-denim-with-vintage-rocker-t-shirts/">a vintage tshirt.</a> I would never wear it with that much midriff showing, but maybe a little off-the-shoulder action? I DO have an Iron Maiden concert to attend later this summer...</div>
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<a href="http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g440/seeannajane/DSC_0089-1-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g440/seeannajane/DSC_0089-1-2.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://seejaneworkplaylive.blogspot.com/2012/02/minted-see-jane-wear.html">and finally, chambray.</a> to me it seems the most logical thing when you're wearing colored jeans is to wear a jean-colored top, yes?</div>
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I'm so ready for spring and sunshine. the past week was gorgeous but the weekend brought in a grey and rainy cold front that looks like sticking for the next few days. no reason I can't encourage the weather along by wearing a little spring...</div>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17313724711649993237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6150883196432015614.post-22890925785226062052012-03-21T18:05:00.000-04:002012-03-21T18:05:12.328-04:00running, lately<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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running is a very emotional thing for me. likely some complicated function of high school track, knee injuries, shin splints, physical therapy, and the fact that I'm just an emotional person. as with most emotional things, I don't like to put them out for public display. which means I typically don't like to run with other people.</div>
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my usual running spot is the canal. soft dirt and gravel are kind to my knees. if you start at the right spot, you can go 10 miles without having to stop to cross a road. and [in the mornings at least] it isn't very crowded. I also like the scenery. birds chirping, sun shining through the trees, reflections on the water. it's peaceful. calm. private.</div>
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last night, I was feeling tired and rather un-motivated to run. I did something very out of character. I went to run with Husband. he took me to a local high school to do a track workout. I have not done a workout on a track since... high school. we did intervals: 400m and 200m. I hate the 400m. it was painful. and the lacrosse team was in the middle of practice and I felt so awkward doing laps around their field. but I did it. and I finished. and that was glorious. [so much that we had to celebrate our victory with a drive up to Chipotle.]</div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p0xGfpXHSxY/T2ns8DbJYcI/AAAAAAAACmM/zJCaRSsjDEU/s640/blogger-image-1714154655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p0xGfpXHSxY/T2ns8DbJYcI/AAAAAAAACmM/zJCaRSsjDEU/s400/blogger-image-1714154655.jpg" width="333" /></a></div>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17313724711649993237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6150883196432015614.post-86980459543871856152012-03-17T09:24:00.000-04:002012-03-17T09:24:06.899-04:00saturday morning ritual<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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saturday morning ritual. </div>
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breakfast + coffee. blogs + pinterest. </div>
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then blogging + more coffee.</div>
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it's a misty, grey morning here and I'm recovering from late night chicken wings and Spartan victory. my bracket was completely destroyed yesterday, but totally worth it to watch both Duke and Michigan lose, and South Florida win. it's certainly an interesting tournament this year. planning to head into the city this afternoon to perhaps watch a few games and get a little Irish. [and by "the city" I of course mean New York City. sorry, I'll probably do that for the rest of my life.]</div>
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<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-acbRxJ4h-wk/T2SISrYZCpI/AAAAAAAACls/7niqjf7PV7c/s640/blogger-image-1679619408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17313724711649993237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6150883196432015614.post-69327096920962995392012-03-15T17:52:00.000-04:002012-03-15T17:52:00.685-04:00bracketology<div style="text-align: center;">
when picking brackets, I say:</div>
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<b>be brave</b> and <b>go with your gut</b>. </div>
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Sparty on. </div>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17313724711649993237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6150883196432015614.post-80990301457606671842012-03-14T12:59:00.000-04:002012-03-14T12:59:01.690-04:00some random thoughts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FNXoARfL6N8/T1tqWF-AMZI/AAAAAAAACjw/ryRLtb6h8SY/s1600/IMG_2696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FNXoARfL6N8/T1tqWF-AMZI/AAAAAAAACjw/ryRLtb6h8SY/s640/IMG_2696.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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ok. so the news is out. we're moving to Taiwan.<br />
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now what?<br />
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I mean seriously, how do you follow a post like that? in lieu of anything with real substance, I bring you some random thoughts in list form:<br />
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1. my new passport arrived. it's one of the special ones with the built in chips. I should probably get one of those <a href="http://www.katespade.com/cute-stationery/personal-organizers/harrison-street-passport-holder/PWRU1961,default,pd.html?dwvar_PWRU1961_color=689&start=2&cgid=kate-spade&q=passport&navid=search">cool</a> <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/mens_feature/weartoworkshop/accessorieswork/PRDOVR%7E62255/99102577596/ENE%7E1+2+3+22+4294967294+20%7E%7E%7E0%7E15%7Eall%7Emode+matchallany%7E%7E%7E%7E%7Epassport/62255.jsp">leather</a> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/89521691/passport-cover-genuine-leather?ref=sr_gallery_25&sref=&ga_search_submit=&ga_ref=auto&ga_search_query=passport+cover+leather&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_ship_to=US&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=">passport</a> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/70358159/personalized-passport-case-leather-hand?ref=v1_other_2">cases</a>, right? I wonder if people who actually travel use those, or if they just get in the way. I also picked up our paperwork from the consulate... time to mail everything to Taiwan and hopefully get some visas in return.<br />
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2. the other day my iPhone decided that it wouldn't update. for NO REASON. email, twitter, instagram, anything. I sortof panicked. and then realized that even though I've banished my facebook dependency, I'm still addicted to these other forms of social media. [but seriously, the most annoying thing is watching that little wheel spin and spin even though I've got 5 full bars of service]<br />
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3. I think I'm back on running again. the weather has been gorgeous lately so that helps. I've accepted morning runs will not be happening anytime soon, but with daylight savings I can make it out after work. trying to weasel my way into running the broad street 10 miler in May, so training would be a good idea. I also have this fantasy that once I'm done with work I'll wake up and run every morning. here. in Michigan. in Taiwan. [maybe.]<br />
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4. I've been working on our bucketlist, with help from Husband. most of what we've come up with so far is food related. not surprising, but definitely will need to keep running if we're going to cross all that off the list. I also started <a href="http://pinterest.com/jamiethewalker/to-see-in-taiwan/">a pinboard</a> of things to see IN Taiwan. I haven't gotten very far yet but trying to actually do some research into these things first.<br />
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5. happy pi day. [now I want pie]Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17313724711649993237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6150883196432015614.post-81125456438033886182012-03-08T07:08:00.002-05:002012-03-08T07:08:54.569-05:00confession.ok, people. my heart is pounding from the adrenaline of writing this all. I'm so excited to finally be able to share this news! <br />
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<b>Husband and I are moving to Taiwan.</b><br />
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[take a moment to breathe.] yes, you read that correctly. we are moving to Hsinchu City, Taiwan. this is the adventure I've been gearing up for and dropping hints about for... a long time. and finally I can come clean about it.<br />
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some basic FAQ that I've been receiving about this recent development:<br />
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<b>why are you moving to Taiwan?</b> moving abroad is something Husband and I have always talked about, always wanted to do. this particular opportunity came at the right time in our lives... and so we're going. we looked at a lot of locations, but as things progressed it all just fell into place that Taiwan was where we would go.<br />
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<b>what are you doing there?</b> Husband will be teaching high school [in English, to students who understand English] and I have no idea yet what I'm doing. there's a chance I could teach English as a second language, or take classes to get a certification to teach middle school or whatever and be an <i>actual</i> teacher. currently undecided, suggestions welcome.<br />
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<b>you really don't know what you're going to do?</b> no, and it's both the most exciting and terrifying thing to me. thanks to cost of living and Husband's situation with the school I won't <i>need</i> to work. but if I'm able to, everything I make will be savings for when we come home... aka down payment on a house. <br />
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<b>will you be blogging?</b> yes. I'm working on setting up a new blog. I'm hoping you kids will follow me over there once I get it together. still trying to figure out how to break it to <a href="http://bakedwithloveandbutter.blogspot.com/">these people</a> that I won't have an oven in my new apartment. but I want to take this opportunity to reinvent myself, and of course share our adventures through pictures and words. <br />
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<b>when are you leaving?</b> Husband's report date to the school in Hsinchu is August 1st, which means we will have to fly out a few days beforehand. from mid-May to mid-June [between when I leave my job and when husband is done] most of my time will be spent elbow deep in packing boxes or driving down the PA turnpike moving our stuff back to MI. mid-June to end of July we will be hanging out in the mitten with friends + family. exact itinerary TBD.<br />
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<b>what next?</b> I'll still be blogging here for a while, so stick around for more updates. [likely I'll spend a lot of time procrastinating packing by blogging.] I have a feeling I'll start some kind of "to-do before Taiwan" bucketlist, and who knows what other kind of projects. I tried to cover the basics here, but if you have any other questions feel free to ask away!<br />
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xoJamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17313724711649993237noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6150883196432015614.post-12686869086797658372012-03-06T17:29:00.001-05:002012-03-06T17:29:37.038-05:00lightning.I had one of those everything-falls-into-place moments recently. actually, I had three of them.<br />
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it's funny how you can overthink a problem to death and never come up with a solution, but if you sit back and let it be... sometimes the answer will just slap you in the face.<br />
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I'm not saying that you should just wait and hope that solutions will fall into your lap. that almost never happens. I believe in working to get what you want. but on occasion we want something so badly, we focus in so tight that we blind ourselves to the bigger picture. if you spend all your time obsessing over one tiny detail, of course you won't figure it out. every now and then you have to walk away and get some perspective.<br />
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and that's usually when lightning strikes. clarity. an understanding. or at least something to work with.<br />
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the discovery of electricity was, after all, 99% accidental.<br />
<br />Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17313724711649993237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6150883196432015614.post-70015173053813153252012-03-04T17:42:00.001-05:002012-03-04T17:42:40.500-05:00anthropologists anonymousI have a problem. [admitting it is the first step right?] <br />
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I'm obsessed with <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/index.jsp">Anthropologie</a>. it started a while ago, but took off last year when I realized there was a store close enough to stop by on my lunch break. since then my closet has been accumulating Anthro. it's where I picked up my <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/118430665170656916/">red pants</a>, a <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/118430665170595669/">blazer</a> or two, and this <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/clothes-dresses/24157042.jsp">killer dress</a>. I try to buy "investment pieces" that are more classic than trendy so they'll last me a while, and watch for sales because it can get pricey. but usually the quality of the piece makes it worth it.<br />
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since I just finished a 2-day purge of my wardrobe [nothing from Anthro in the donation pile, sorry Princeton thrifters] I thought it would be fun to share 3 of my recent purchases, which I plan to wear on my upcoming vacation to North Carolina. if you <a href="http://pinterest.com/jamiethewalker/">follow me</a> on Pinterest these probably look familiar. [my "dream closet" board has turned into more of a shopping list / styling inspiration board. more on that later.] <br />
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first: this <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/clothes-loungewear/A24472631.jsp">incredibly comfortable and versatile dress</a>. I have <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/118430665170488170/">another Puella maxi</a> [navy + white stripes] I bought last spring which I absolutely adore. at first I didn't think the maxi trend would work for me but that dress changed my mind. the fabric has held up well, so I knew this basic black number would be a great investment piece. I'm picturing it with a jean jacket + scarf for travel, gold belt + chunky turquoise necklace for sightseeing or dinner. I'm definitely going to be wearing this one all summer.<br />
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I also picked up these <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/clothes-pants/24416380.jsp">bubblegum pink shorts</a>. they are super soft and such a flattering length. I've been in a weird limbo with shorts since I graduated college... I'm old enough to realize short-shorts are not appropriate, but bermuda shorts make me look 4 feet tall. these are the perfect in-between. long enough to be appropriate- no cheeks showing- but not momish. [sorry to the moms out there but you know what I mean] I have a feeling these are going to be the summer equivalent to my red pants. stripes, solids, chambray... anything goes. they also have these in regular <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/clothes-pants/23839509.jsp">blue jean</a> which I think I need to invest in as well. right?<br />
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and finally, since it<b> is</b> a beach vacation, this <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/clothes-swims/23815723.jsp">newsprint bikini</a>. I fell in love the moment I saw it. a little bit of a splurge for swimwear but once I put it on I knew it was worth every penny. black and white is classic, the pattern makes it fun but not so trendy it will be out of style next year, and the yellow trim pop of color is just... perfect. <br />
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vacation is in 3 weeks so until then I'll be dreaming up outfits and keeping my fingers crossed for lots of sun. and trying to keep myself from any more shopping.Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17313724711649993237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6150883196432015614.post-24822171108470289812012-03-03T10:18:00.001-05:002012-03-03T10:18:23.996-05:00stalling...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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here we are, another saturday morning. rainy. french press + huevos rancheros. one kitten perched on the bookshelf, peering down on me as I type. another in my lap.<br />
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I'm stalling. today I told myself would finally be the day I purge my closet of all those things I never wear but for some reason still keep. I <a href="http://making-electricity.blogspot.com/2011/12/10-if-you-dont-use-it-you-should-lose.html">did some work</a> a few months ago, but really that didn't do enough. and of course I've been buying a lot of <b>new</b> things. my sense of self-entitlement seems to manifest itself in wardrobe additions. in fact I was writing a post about that, but decided before I let myself finish it I really should clean the old things out.<br />
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the other thing in competition with productivity today will be the Hunger Games. not the <i>actual</i> Hunger Games, but the book series. I started reading it this week and am 2/3 through the second book. I've been restraining myself. otherwise I would be done by now. the writing is obviously "young adult" reading level, which makes it go all the faster. at least she isn't one of those cruel / genius writers who ends their chapters in the middle of a conversation or event so you HAVE to start the next one. so I've been able to stop myself and not read through the nights.<br />
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ok. time to suck it up and get to work. Beau has climbed off my lap and my coffee's gone cold. see you tomorrow, internet.Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17313724711649993237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6150883196432015614.post-13970017514577663022012-02-29T07:00:00.000-05:002012-02-29T07:00:13.713-05:00one month without facebooktoday marks one month since I deactivated my facebook account.<br />
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the other day I was shopping, and at the checkout the cashier asked me if I was a fan of their store on facebook. I told her no, since I had deactivated my account. I was expecting some spiel about missing out on coupons when instead, she praised my choice: "that's awesome, good for you! I bet it feels amazing to have that kind of freedom..." I told her it did, and I meant it.<br />
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there are times when I think I miss facebook because it makes you feel like you're connected to people. up to speed, in the know. but the interactions I've had in the month since deactivating... those connections are <b>more</b> <b>real</b>. clicking a little thumbs-up button just doesn't cut it for me anymore. I want words. I crave conversation. seeing someone's face, hearing someone's voice, or at the very least reading words through text or email that are meant for me, and not for those who will read them.<br />
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I think a lot of people fall into that trap on facebook. you don't always say things with complete honesty, because you want to look good. you know that literally hundreds of people will see what you write. so we try to be funnier than ourselves, or more profound. we write what we think they want to hear, try to project an image of ourselves that is not always true. just for the sake of appearances.<br />
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thinking about it that way makes me not want to go back. maybe ever.<br />
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do I miss out on what's going on in people's lives? yes, but most of what I'm missing are things I didn't care to know in the first place. the people who matter reach out in other ways when there's something to tell. do I occasionally wish I could creep on those non-important people out of idle curiosity? yes. that's called being human. [don't lie, I know you creep on people too] does not being on facebook keep the people who I don't want creeping on <i>me </i>from doing so? absolutely not. they read this blog, or follow me on pinterest or twitter. [and with all the blogging + pinning + tweeting I've been doing in the last month they have plenty to creep on.]<br />
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but without facebook, life seems simpler. it feels a little more private. quieter. less pressure to pretend friendships and constantly compete in the boasting and bragging. a little isolated at times, but in a good way. I get to be alone enough to be myself. what I put out into the world is less influenced. so I think, for the time being at least, <b>I'll stay where I am.</b>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17313724711649993237noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6150883196432015614.post-72927394976446705232012-02-28T21:14:00.000-05:002012-02-28T21:14:11.663-05:00something to chase<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm glad you ran past me as I was stretching. </div>
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I'm glad you gave me the runner's nod so I knew you were for real.</div>
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I'm glad you wore a red shirt so I could see you up ahead. </div>
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I'm glad you sped up every time you heard me closing in behind you.</div>
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I'm glad you didn't turn around and see me take this photo.</div>
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to the guy ahead of me on the trail tonight:</div>
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thanks for giving me something to chase. </div>
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<br /></div>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17313724711649993237noreply@blogger.com1