A month ago I was finishing up my first ever cruise to Alaska. It was so wonderful! There was so much beauty to see, so many delicious foods to eat, and so many interesting people to meet. There's no way to write about the experience and completely capture just how amazing it was. So instead, let's talk about the one thing I absolutely hated about the trip.
Any time I was asked what I did, I told them I worked part-time in the children's department of a library. Now don't get me wrong--I love working at the library. It's the best job I've ever had. But I completely left out the part about me being a writer. You know, the thing I spent hundreds of thousands of dollars getting a degree in and hope to become successful in. I didn't catch it until the end of the trip, but once I did I felt horrible. And I vowed never to forget what I truly was again--a writer who enjoys working part-time in the children's department of a library.
Back in Indiana, there's not as many chances to introduce myself as a writer who enjoys working part-time in the children's department of a library. Too many people already know me and what my goals are. So I did the next best thing and went hard-core back into writing. Obviously not on my blog! Haha! But I've been doing a lot of work for Omnibus Journal, as well as a little work on my novel, and I hope to keep up the pace now that I'm settling back into everyday life. Keep an eye out for more posts!
"Easter is new beginnings--new life. Easter's about hope." ~The Easter Bunny, Rise of the Guardians
This is one of my favorite quotes from Rise of the Guardians, and it actually occurs during one of the saddest scenes. It just goes to show that you can have something beautiful even during the darkest times. You just have to have hope.
Strawberries taste different up at my Mammaw's house. A lot of foods taste different up there, but for the most part it's understandable. My Mammaw had a way with food. I think most peoples' grandmas have a way with food. Secret family recipes and all that.
But strawberries. All my Mammaw did was wash them, cut them up, and sprinkle some sugar on them. My mom does the exact same thing when she makes strawberries. But still they taste different.
No other fruit tastes different. Just the strawberries. Even after all these years.
Even when my Mammaw was too weak to make them herself.
It is the happiest last memory I have with her. Instead of her making me breakfast like she used to do when I was a kid, I served her dinner (mind you, I didn't make it--I'm not so skilled!--my aunt pre-made it). She didn't eat a lot. I didn't either. But like good old Mammaw, she wanted me to know there was desert. Shortbread cookies. Strawberries. Maybe some ice cream in the crowded freezer. Ice cream was another one Mammaw had a special touch with.
I told her I'd make some strawberries. She decided she didn't want any--maybe just a couple cookies instead. So I ate all of them myself. And they tasted just like they did when she'd make them.
I'm sure everyone has a special treat that they eat when they're with their grandparents. I love the strawberries up at my Mammaw's house, but even more than that, I loved spending the time with her. I loved her.
When there's so much going on that you have to get sick in order to have a few days completely free, and you hear a brand-spankin' new song on a popular radio station about your favorite Disney character, that song instantly becomes a perfect song. Ruth B's "Lost Boys" was that song for me.
I love anything that has to do with Peter Pan, even if it's something terrible. (Damn you pansy fairies of PAN!) So the minute Ruth B sings "Peter Pan--that's what they call me" I was hooked! (Pun only intended after I saw it.) YouTube should start collecting stats on how many times people hit the repeat button!
On the third or fourth listen through, I actually started paying attention to all of the lyrics. And during this more intensive listen, I realized that while yes, I would love to be "...a lost boy, from Neverland, usually hanging out with Peter Pan..." and sometimes even "Run, run lost boy, they say to me. Away from all of reality." There were a bunch of lines that didn't seem to fit me. ("As we soared above the town that never loved me, I realized I finally had a family.")
I actually got depressed because I thought maybe Peter Pan wasn't as perfect as I thought (yes, he kills Lost Boys who get too big for the tree house--I buried that under happy thoughts, leave it alone!). Then I read a quote from the singer:
I think in a sense we all have our own Peter Pans... for me, music is my Peter Pan. It's what I go to when I'm feeling lost or down, and I think people can relate to this. It could be an actual person, a hobby, sport--anything that makes you feel at home.
Instant love again!
So my question to you is: Who/what is your Peter Pan?
And my challenge to you: Think a happy thought.
“I
think in a sense we all have our own Peter Pans…for me, music is my
Peter Pan,” she explained. “It’s what I go to when I’m feeling lost or
down, and I think people can relate to this. It could be an actual
person, a hobby, sport—anything that makes you feel at home.”
“I
think in a sense we all have our own Peter Pans…for me, music is my
Peter Pan,” she explained. “It’s what I go to when I’m feeling lost or
down, and I think people can relate to this. It could be an actual
person, a hobby, sport—anything that makes you feel at home.”
Sorry I haven't bee around lately! My toys came alive and tried to drag me back to childhood. They kidnapped me and forced to wear a fruffy dress while we had a tea-party. I would say it was a harrowing ordeal, buuuttttt then I'd be lying. :)
The truth is, I get distracted very easily. Not the "Oh look! A Squirrel!" distracted, but the kind that's a result of having too many interests. I really want to write, but then I really want to volunteer and go on adventures and watch movies and hang out with friends.
What's awesome about me (and what can be awesome about you if you find yourself in a similar situation) is that I'm a comeback kid. If there is something I love to do or something that I love to see or someone that I love to spend time with, I will always make my way back to them at some point. It may not be as frequently as I like, or it may even become such a regular thing that I want to gouge my eyes out because I've had enough. But I will always come back.
So my question to you is: What's something you'd like to get back in the habit of doing?
And my challenge to you: Do it!
