Bailey,
If for one day you could understand everything I say to you, I would want you to know the following things. You are my guardian angel. Sure, some people (and dogs) don't believe in them. And maybe you don't....but I think you do (At least I think you do when I notice you barking at our bedroom ceiling). After your grandpa died, it was kinda lonely. And then we had to put Frieda down. You would have loved Frieda- spunky in her old age, she was! She was 16, and she helped raise me. But you are the thing that made me grow up. You helped me grow and you have helped me grieve the loss of someone so dear to me. I know that I may not always get the chance to play with you every single day because I often have a lot of school work to do on top of taking care of you. But I promise to you that I will always come home with a buffet of scents all over me every MWF just for you to enjoy. And I promise I will always give you unconditional love for as long as you are my dog. I love you mushy mushy.
24.1.11
19.1.11
Your Career: A Jungle Gym vs. a Ladder
One of the most powerful transformations in my own life happened when I was about to leave graduate school. I had worked hard for my degree in regional planning from Cornell University and had been offered a high-paying job in New York City with a top eight accounting firm. It seemed like the beginning of a grand and glittering adventure in the big city: posh apartments, pointy-toed shoes, and maybe even my first martini. But then an unexpected phone call came from my father, who needed me to come home to help him manage my family's tire and automotive business.This was completely unexpected and not at all in my cosmopolitan plans. Inevitably, there comes a point in all of our lives where our role as the child begins to reverse with our parents. Our protectors now need protection. For some of us, it comes while we are established in life, and for others it may come while we are young. But whenever that call comes, early or late, we pick up the phone and we respond. In my case, it meant packing up my heels and putting on my cowboy boots, getting back into that same old Ford pickup truck and heading back West.
...I started out the first morning back in Tucson, but this time out in the tire shop, learning the business from guys named Chuy and Frank. I learned the tire business from the ground up and also started to manage the company's philanthropic aims, the part that tried to give back to the community that had been so generous to us through the years. I started to see things about Southern Arizona that were not perfect and needed to change. So I ran for office determined to make that change and put right things that were wrong and represent those who didn't have a voice. And I realized then and there what my heart was saying: that for me, the highest calling in my own life was service to others. I have not looked back since.When that moment of realization dawns on you--as it eventually will, with its own unique message--I encourage you also to seize it and not look back.Do not focus your energies on making a living. That will come, I promise you. It will come almost as an accident, as a byproduct, without your even having to think about it. You are blessed to be living in a country that gives its citizens the freedom to bump around the scenery a bit, to try new things and make mistakes and stretch your talents and make adjustments and to find every rich and satisfying thing, and it will still be okay in the end.
-Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords
...I started out the first morning back in Tucson, but this time out in the tire shop, learning the business from guys named Chuy and Frank. I learned the tire business from the ground up and also started to manage the company's philanthropic aims, the part that tried to give back to the community that had been so generous to us through the years. I started to see things about Southern Arizona that were not perfect and needed to change. So I ran for office determined to make that change and put right things that were wrong and represent those who didn't have a voice. And I realized then and there what my heart was saying: that for me, the highest calling in my own life was service to others. I have not looked back since.When that moment of realization dawns on you--as it eventually will, with its own unique message--I encourage you also to seize it and not look back.Do not focus your energies on making a living. That will come, I promise you. It will come almost as an accident, as a byproduct, without your even having to think about it. You are blessed to be living in a country that gives its citizens the freedom to bump around the scenery a bit, to try new things and make mistakes and stretch your talents and make adjustments and to find every rich and satisfying thing, and it will still be okay in the end.
-Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords
17.1.11
Wind in the night
Life is all about taking chances and going forward, regardless of the risk for disaster or failure. It is about pushing yourself when you don't think you can go any farther than you already have. But once you push yourself, you find that you are extremely capable, and once you have achieved that you have courage to take even another giant step. Before you know it, you look back on all you have been able to do and shock even yourself...all the while, everyone else isn't shocked. Chances are...they believed in you even when you didn't believe in yourself.
So the next time you feel you simply can't try something because of fear of failure, stick your head out the window as you drive (be careful, please!) and let the wind blow your hair every direction, heck even let it get messy. Let the wind turn your frown upside down. Let the wind blow the life and courage back into you...LIVE! Because I know Bailey does.
So the next time you feel you simply can't try something because of fear of failure, stick your head out the window as you drive (be careful, please!) and let the wind blow your hair every direction, heck even let it get messy. Let the wind turn your frown upside down. Let the wind blow the life and courage back into you...LIVE! Because I know Bailey does.
12.1.11
Luscious Lemons
People are meant to disappoint. Not just on occasion. Every hour, every day, every week, every month, every year, every decade, and on each and every planet that they exist. People are meant to disappoint.
I truly believe that is why animals were put on this earth. Sure, they disappoint us on occasion if they pee on themselves or eat our Lilly Pulitzer clothes. But if that is the worst thing they can do to us, no wonder we enjoy the relationship we share. They were put on this planet to remind us that when life gives you sour, rotten bitter lemons, that somewhere out there in the giant world there are sweet luscious lemons.
This my friends, is an example of one of those luscious, sweet lemons.
8.1.11
Dog Days Are Over
The past 4 years of my life have been a rollercoaster. A series of ups and downs- like the flickering of lights in a room, like the wind carrying over candles through open windows. But now, life is beginning to light itself on fire, like paper thrown into an open flame. All of my everyday ventures, experiences and adventures that often seem sporadic and outlandish to others are beginning to come together to form the shape of my life's next ventures. Which leads me to question, how does one EVER know that what they do from day to day is "their" life calling? And how are we ever expected to know what we want to be or do with our ENTIRE life at the age of 17 or 18?
The past 4 years I have been criticized, scrutinized, judged, and ripped apart by people's opinions about my life's future and what it may hold for me in terms of a career choice. People make comments like, "Oh jeez...another career choice, another major? What next, snake handling?" Little do they realize that their comments are hurtful, jabbing into the very essence of my driving force in my life- the sane reasoning that I know no matter where life leads me, I have a strong sense of motivation, drive and determination to always be the best I can be with the gifts I have been given. And I am often reminded, once I have let the pain subside and leave my heart, that this life is MINE to own. Not hers, his, theirs, yours, but MINE. If I decide to go back to school for 40 more years to become a 20 ft. pineapple growth extraordinaire, that is my choice. And I will never let someone take that away from me. Call it independence or just plain stubbornness, but whatever name you give it will never strip me of my own knowledge that I have potential. And not just ANY potential, but potential to change the world, one step at a time. And while you may feel your criticism is "mature", "adult", or warranted, what you cease to realize is that every time I have switched up my path it is because I do not feel like I am achieving my ONE goal- doing something that can radically change the world, even if it goes unnoticed or blends into what everyone else is doing. When I feel I am doing that "something" that justifies my goal, I will be satisfied. I will be able to wake up every morning with excitement and passion for life, because if you don't have constant drive, motivation and eagerness to change the world, why bother stepping out of bed?
My path into veterinary medicine was not sporadic, it was given to me as a gift. When I got Bailey, all doubts cleared and passed away, like the candle finally blowing out. There is no doubt in my mind that Bailey is my angel- the one thing that picked me back up after the hardest emotional rollercoaster I had ever faced in my short life. Bailey has shown me what it means to embrace life every day, even if it is spent simply chasing a rubber ball or leaves in the wind. Bailey has taught me that you follow what excites you. And screw just following it...pounce on it with all your weight, with all the weight of your heart. The first time I stepped into a OR, the leaves blew and the lights stopped flickering. But they didn't remain dark...instead the room of my life illuminated and all I wanted to do was pounce on those leaves with everything I possess. That, is how I know, this is my calling. I know the dog days are over.
The past 4 years I have been criticized, scrutinized, judged, and ripped apart by people's opinions about my life's future and what it may hold for me in terms of a career choice. People make comments like, "Oh jeez...another career choice, another major? What next, snake handling?" Little do they realize that their comments are hurtful, jabbing into the very essence of my driving force in my life- the sane reasoning that I know no matter where life leads me, I have a strong sense of motivation, drive and determination to always be the best I can be with the gifts I have been given. And I am often reminded, once I have let the pain subside and leave my heart, that this life is MINE to own. Not hers, his, theirs, yours, but MINE. If I decide to go back to school for 40 more years to become a 20 ft. pineapple growth extraordinaire, that is my choice. And I will never let someone take that away from me. Call it independence or just plain stubbornness, but whatever name you give it will never strip me of my own knowledge that I have potential. And not just ANY potential, but potential to change the world, one step at a time. And while you may feel your criticism is "mature", "adult", or warranted, what you cease to realize is that every time I have switched up my path it is because I do not feel like I am achieving my ONE goal- doing something that can radically change the world, even if it goes unnoticed or blends into what everyone else is doing. When I feel I am doing that "something" that justifies my goal, I will be satisfied. I will be able to wake up every morning with excitement and passion for life, because if you don't have constant drive, motivation and eagerness to change the world, why bother stepping out of bed?
My path into veterinary medicine was not sporadic, it was given to me as a gift. When I got Bailey, all doubts cleared and passed away, like the candle finally blowing out. There is no doubt in my mind that Bailey is my angel- the one thing that picked me back up after the hardest emotional rollercoaster I had ever faced in my short life. Bailey has shown me what it means to embrace life every day, even if it is spent simply chasing a rubber ball or leaves in the wind. Bailey has taught me that you follow what excites you. And screw just following it...pounce on it with all your weight, with all the weight of your heart. The first time I stepped into a OR, the leaves blew and the lights stopped flickering. But they didn't remain dark...instead the room of my life illuminated and all I wanted to do was pounce on those leaves with everything I possess. That, is how I know, this is my calling. I know the dog days are over.
3.1.11
Poppycock
I had no clue he had an interest in Poppycock.
Or is it just because it doesn't belong to him that it is interesting?
Bailey's Bed
Bailey has yet to enjoy a dog bed purchased for him...well, for the purpose of sleeping on that is.
He loves to rip them to shreds and rip out all the stuffing, however he never actually uses them for sleeping. So, Rich put the bed we got him on black friday under the air conditioning vent in the living room (his favorite spot) and he FINALLY uses it for sleeping! I'm so excited that my dog is SEMI-normal!
He loves to rip them to shreds and rip out all the stuffing, however he never actually uses them for sleeping. So, Rich put the bed we got him on black friday under the air conditioning vent in the living room (his favorite spot) and he FINALLY uses it for sleeping! I'm so excited that my dog is SEMI-normal!
Just....how CUTE is that face?
Things To Ponder
I found this list of "Things to Ponder" while sitting at a bagel shop over coffee one morning and wanted to share it with my readers!
- I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.
- Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.
- I TOTALLY take back ALL those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.
- There is great need for a sarcasm font.
- How the HELL are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?
- Was learning cursive REALLY necessary?
- Mapquest really needs to start their directions on #5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my own neighborhood.
- I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.
- Bad decisions make good stories.
- Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes out after Blu Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.
- I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of MS Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my 10 page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.
- I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.
- I think the freezer deserves a light as well!
- I wish google maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.
- I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.
- How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?
- I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!
- Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.
- Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.
- Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey- but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time.
- I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.
- Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.
- I TOTALLY take back ALL those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.
- There is great need for a sarcasm font.
- How the HELL are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?
- Was learning cursive REALLY necessary?
- Mapquest really needs to start their directions on #5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my own neighborhood.
- I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.
- Bad decisions make good stories.
- Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes out after Blu Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.
- I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of MS Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my 10 page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.
- I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.
- I think the freezer deserves a light as well!
- I wish google maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.
- I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.
- How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?
- I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!
- Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.
- Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.
- Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey- but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time.
1.1.11
2011- A Work in Progress kinda list
Here is my work in progress of my list of things I want to do in 2011:
1. Find out what a "nettle" is. I saw it in a traditional farmhouse fare recipe book from England given to me by my Nana Jess this year. It called for one bucket of "spring nettles".
2. Take Bailey to intermediate obedience classes. Oh yeh, and this time follow through 99.3% of the time.
3. Bailey needs a job, hence why I am workin' on getting him a modeling gig. Yes, I know, I'm crazy about my dog...get over it.
4. Make Banoffie Pie
5. Learn to speak some damn good Italiano <3
6. Get into a pre-veterinary post-baccalaureate program.
7. Start all my pre-vet course work!
8. Graduate Summa Cum Laude
9. Let Munchie & Bailey become...friendly. Yes, let's begin there. Friendly.
10. See the White House
11. Be at Times Square on 12.31.11
12. Blog everyday
13. Read all the Harry Potter Books
14. Make Bailey a HOMEMADE Birthday Cake!
15. Ride a horse
16. See a turtle hatch out
1. Find out what a "nettle" is. I saw it in a traditional farmhouse fare recipe book from England given to me by my Nana Jess this year. It called for one bucket of "spring nettles".
2. Take Bailey to intermediate obedience classes. Oh yeh, and this time follow through 99.3% of the time.
3. Bailey needs a job, hence why I am workin' on getting him a modeling gig. Yes, I know, I'm crazy about my dog...get over it.
4. Make Banoffie Pie
5. Learn to speak some damn good Italiano <3
6. Get into a pre-veterinary post-baccalaureate program.
7. Start all my pre-vet course work!
8. Graduate Summa Cum Laude
9. Let Munchie & Bailey become...friendly. Yes, let's begin there. Friendly.
10. See the White House
11. Be at Times Square on 12.31.11
12. Blog everyday
13. Read all the Harry Potter Books
14. Make Bailey a HOMEMADE Birthday Cake!
15. Ride a horse
16. See a turtle hatch out
Leg Sniffers and Champagne Parte Due
Last night was Bailey's FIRST New Year's Eve. He slept through most of it. I was more excited for him than he was excited for the experience.
He reminded me of the watchhound in 101 Dalmatians. He would sleep, hear the fireworks, then run out on the patio to keep guard. At midnight, he wanted some champagne. I said no, duh.
We went out on the patio together to hang out with Grandma Janet aka mom to watch the fireworks. Bailey is beginning to adjust..he always does.
Mom hands me her champagne glass, so she can take the picture, duh.
He reminded me of the watchhound in 101 Dalmatians. He would sleep, hear the fireworks, then run out on the patio to keep guard. At midnight, he wanted some champagne. I said no, duh.
We went out on the patio together to hang out with Grandma Janet aka mom to watch the fireworks. Bailey is beginning to adjust..he always does.
Mom hands me her champagne glass, so she can take the picture, duh.
New Years Eve also consisted of watching The Blind Side for the first time. Geez, is THAT a tearjerker. Mom could have prepared both Rich and I for that one. We both sob during Marley & Me, so I'm not sure why she expected this one to be any different.
Leg Sniffers and Champagne Part I
Bailey would NOT quit smelling my legs yesterday when I came home from visiting a family friend's farmhouse in West Boca. He raises sheep and owns some horses up in Okeechobee, and so I figured I would take a day to help him out with the sheep.
This is me with their one of their neighbors' baby lambs.
I kinda fell in love with it...it had a brown spot on its tushy. I almost took it home. Rich would kill me.
Did you know that you can tell if a sheep has worms usually by the color of the inside of its eyelid? The more pale in color, that's usually how you know they may be "wormy". I got to ride a sheep to check its eyelids..did you also know that once you get it on its back, it is paralyzed to submission because of how their bodies are designed? And..have you ever had the chance to ride a sheep to submission? If you answer no, you just may not be as cool as me.
I wore my mom's old riding/stable boots from college (old school=vintage=AWESOME), and Bailey could not contain his excitement. Yes, I meant to say excitement. After all, Bailey is a SNIFFER. HE WILL STOP AT NOTHING TO SNIFF SOMETHING HE HAS A DESIRE FOR. That is how I know he is my dog...he has a good sniffer like his mommy. My legs were the most exciting part of the day for him...after all, sheep is a rare scent for him!
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