Portrait of Me

I hung out with a friend of a friend who is a photographer up here in Oregon. He had a really fun old school camera and his fancy new 5D Mark II which we played around with. Here are some photos from hanging out.

A barrel of Rabbits

So, I've decided that I really suck at communicating. I speak before I think, I say things and don't remember saying it, and I speak out of emotion and not out of a steady mind. Talk about a triple whammy. (Katie, there are only 3 sentences!)

I'd always thought that I was good at communicating because I'm good at talking. Talking and communicating are sooooooooooo very different. I don't know why I thought that because in Japan I was able to communicate a lot through not talking. Hand gestures, facial expressions, and body language. But being back in America I guess I dumbed down the facts of how to truly communicate. Not really, I've always kind of sucked at this.

Part of the issues is that I'm A. Impulsive and B. I don't hear what people really are saying because I'm so quick to hear what they are saying, instead of slowly listening to the whole thing. (Sorry mom. Had to use the "A" and "B" structure.) You know, I'm one of those annoying friends who tries to finish your sentence. Well, not all the time but often enough.

I think I get this from my dad. My mom is really good at listening, my dad and I hear what we want to hear. We get offended easily over things that aren't offensive. How does one learn to hear the correct translation?

It's odd. . . in Japan I spoke a very simple Japanese and they spoke very simple Japanese or English to me. Usually, there wasn't a lot of hidden words, or mistaken explanations because everything had to be spoken so plainly. I don't think I'm fluent in English. I get lost in what I think people are saying but they aren't really. Then again a lot of my conversations in Japanese were very shallow and never really got very deep.

It's all a barrel of Rabbits. I don't know why Rabbits but when I was thinking about this issue, I thoughts, "this is all a barrel of Rabbits". Again, lost in translation.

Buy her bag and not her body

My friend, Diana Mao, started Nomi Network when she was in grad school. Nomi Network is a leading non-profit organization bridging the private, public, and non-profit sectors through enterprise and education to end human trafficking. Check out their website.

Buy her bag and not her body.

http://nominetwork.org/

My heart is lost have you seen it?

My heart is lost have you seen it?

It's big, soft, and full of dreams.

If you do, please tread lightly.

Don't make any sudden moves to startle it.

Speak, softly, sweetly, and with care.

My heart is lost have you seen it?

It's incomparable to the rest.

How delicate yet strong my heart is.

The beauty within and the love it wants to give.

Be patient with my heart when you find it.

My heart is lost have you seen it?

Gently sooth it, for it's likely to be scared.

Pick it up and hold it but not too tightly.

Cradle my heart with your arms.

Let it's fears disappear as you comfort it.

My heart is lost have you seen it?

It's big, soft, and full of dreams.

The Elderly Say the Darnedest Things

Most of my friends and family now a days are quoting their cute little kids. Most people think of children saying the funniest things but working in an adult foster home I hear some of the funniest things.

I have one gentleman who always asks me, "when are we getting married?" and then starts saying, "My father was a drunk. Me mother was a wench. My brother was a bastard. And my sister was a Mr." Don't ask me. hahahhahha.

New Job

I started my new job on Monday and so far so good. I am working at an adult foster care home. It's not a foster home for adults. The house has 5 residents and I stay over night for 4 days and basically do cooking, cleaning, and caregiving like at an assisted living facility. I love my residents. It's hard work and a lot to remember but I'm getting the hang of it. I'm sure the first couple months will be a lot to get use to but it's nice to have a steady job. I'm thankful for the stability of a good job, good bosses, the ability to have health insurance in the near future, and so much more.

yayayyayyaya for a job!!!!

Lent

So I've decided to give up refined sugar ( and try to stay away from sugar substatutes in general) and anything with sugar within the first 3 ingredients. It's a lot harder then most people think. Oh, I'm doing this for lent. I've never really done lent and to be honest. . . I'm not 100% sure what the purpose of lent is. . . to imagine what Jesus went through to give his life for us? Not really comparable. . . sugar. . . life. . . hmm. . . but I thought I'd do Lent more for myself in the thought of sacrificing something to realize how thankful for all the things I have been blessed with. I have a roof over my head, an amazing family, amazing friends, food in my belly (sugar free food), and have my health. I'm am so blessed and I need to keep reminding myself that. So . . . sugar. . begone for I am a blessed lady :)