Daily Mug Shot 5/14/14

I love my part time job.

Daily Mug Shot 5/13/14

5/13/14 (LATE) - Better Homes and Garden 

A Simple Way to Mitigate Some of the Problems of Adulthood

My friend Stephanie and I were roommates for our last two years in college.  We were suitemates a year before that.  We graduated, she moved to the south for nursing school, I moved to another apartment.  We went from talking every day to talking maybe once a month.  That’s no fun. 

It’s pretty common, though.  Most of my friends agree that one of the hardest things about becoming adults is maintaining friendships with the people you’ve grown close to over the years.  It’s one thing to grow apart from a friend, realizing you’re just not as interested in being friends as you used to be.  It’s another to never see your closest friends, to only ever hear their voices when you reach their voicemail.  (Phone tag.  We are never near our phones or able to talk at the same time.  Grrrrr.)

So then what?  Facebook.  It’s good for knowing when to congratulate a friend on some achievement.  “Hey, a picture of you receiving an award popped up on my newsfeed.  Congrats!”  “Whoa, you’re engaged?!  Wait… you’ve been engaged for three months now?” 

Yikes. 

So that’s one main struggle of being (sort of) an adult. 

Another?  Bills.  All of the bills.  I swear, there is at least one bill in my mailbox every day.  Copayment for this doctor visit, electricity went up, student loans.  You get the idea.  It’s so stressful.  Every day, this happens:

I was talking to a friend the other day about mail – how when we were younger, we would run to the mailbox hoping there would be something with our names in there.  

You may be thinking, “What would a kid get in the mail??”

I’ll tell you.  This, my friends: 

 

THIS.

Reasonable or not, running to the mailbox was exciting as a kid.  When you saw nothing with your name on it, you were disappointed. 

Well, that’s changed.  I avoid my mailbox like the plague.  If I pass it and there’s stuff in it, I pray that it’s for my roommate.  (Sorry, roommate, for wishing bills from hell on you.)  Retrieving the mail is just no fun anymore.

But guys, there’s a way to fix this problem AND the long distance friendship problem AT THE SAME TIME. 

PEN. PALS. 

I think Stephanie thought I was kidding when I first asked if we could just be pen pals from now on.  I was sick of calling her, getting voicemail, seeing a few hours later that I missed her call back, and then repeating that.  It’s like that God awful gym game from elementary school: never-ending tag.  Oh how I hated that game. 

But once we went back and forth, Steph was all, “this is fun!”  And I was surprised that we both stayed on top of it (at least for the most part). 

The first pay off of being pen pals is that you get to talk again.  When it’s a phone call, IF you ever actually achieve such a thing, it’s usually a limited amount of time.  Not so with a letter.  We talk about funny things: I was elected to the board of this club!  I’m so proud.  I mean, sure it was uncontested, but whatever.  We vent about stressful things:  Dude, I’m having job problems.  We think about what the future will look like:  Hey, maybe we’ll end up being neighbors!  (I hope so!)  Of course nothing is as good as actually physically being with friends, but getting to write long letters in which you can cover ALL OF THE THINGS is pretty nice. 

The second wonderful thing about having pen pals?  Retrieving the mail isn’t so depressing anymore!  Oh sure, there’s hundreds of dollars worth of bills in that box, but – but! – there’s also the exciting prospect of getting a letter from your friend.  (And let me tell you, even the more serious letters can brighten your day.)

So no, I don’t know how to solve all the problems of adulthood…

“Income taxes?  You’re taking a third of my income?!  When GE doesn’t pay anything?!”

“Wait, so like, when did walking up the stairs become a strenuous activity?”

“What’s transmission fluid?  More money?  Isn’t an oil change enough?!”

“Do I need to get out of bed… and make breakfast… and put clothes on?  Ugh.”

But, having a pen pal is a way-fun solution to the “We never talk anymore!” and “Oh my God, will I ever get a piece of mail that isn’t an advertisement or a bill again?!  EVER?” problems.  

Me and Steph

__

Charlotte

Daily Mug Shot 5/12/14

My idea of fun.

Daily Mug Shot 5/11/14

At-home mug, Bible reading and letter writing. 

Weekling: W.1

So, a few of the blogs I read do this thing every weekend where they write a post about things that happened that week, exciting things that WILL happen the next week, favorite links, things they're thankful for, ideas, etc.  I thought it might be fun, so I hopped on that train.  Yes I did. 

Here goes!  Weekling: W.1

Happenings 

Guys, this week was a mix.  I was sulking around for most of the week.  I'm really glad I finally have health insurance, but not having it for several years really screws a person up.  So now I'm dealing with all these health issues AT ONCE, and it's really kind of miserable.  Don't get me wrong.  I am so, so happy that I'm finally able to take care of this stuff, because being in physical pain literally every day is awful.  But needing to get blood drawn three days in a week?  And passing out while doing so?  Not so fun.  Not so fun at all.  So I spent most of the week sad, tired, and bummed out.

Blood work?  Again?!?!

But, like I said, there were a few good things.  Tuesday was my birthday, and it was a ton of fun having a bunch of my friends together for dinner.  Joining two different groups of friends can go one of two ways, and I think this was good.  

A part time job opened up at a place where I'd love to work.  I already have a job, but this would be something that would allow me to do actual Good things.  Also, there aren't a ton of things I'm great at in life, but the few things I am good at would be put to good use here.  I don't know that I'll get the job, but just thinking about what it would be like made me a happy camper. 

One of my favorite friends came home this week, so of course that was a high point.  

I finally sat down and watched Delivery Man and I laughed so many times. It isn't exactly hard to make me laugh (My bar for comedy is pretty average; I thought Adam Sandler's Jack and Jill was stupid, but I have no shame admitting that I thoroughly enjoyed We're the Millers.), but I thought there were a lot of hilarious lines: 

"I think of you like a son." 

"I am your son..." 

"I know.  That's why I think of you like a son."  

(I told you I laugh easily.)

(Real quick - I don't like abortion and lean more towards the pro-life side though I wouldn't identify myself as part of that group.  And I know in real life abortion is not a laughing matter, but in this fictional movie, this line was funny.)

"You have to talk her into getting an abortion." 

"What?  No!  And how could you say that in front of your kids?"

"My kids know they're too old to be aborted."

Thankful for

My friend Stephanie, for being my pen pal.  (More on this later.) 

Health insurance. 

Books I'm reading now

The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis - I tend to really enjoy Lewis and think I am going to have to read the Narnia books next.  We'll see.  I was told to read The Great Divorce because I really liked Dante's Inferno, and so far, I'm glad I took the advice. 

The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis - I'm not very far into this book (I've been distracted), but I'm enjoying it.  The story is interesting, but really, what gets me is the writing.  Oh my gosh the writing is so good.  I wish I could write like Mathis does.  Check this imagery out: 

"Hattie clambered from the train, her skirt still hemmed with Georgia mud, the dream of Philadelphia round as a marble in her mouth and the fear of it a needle in her chest."

Sigh.

Best Kid Quotes - I work part time with kids, and they're hilarious.  

"Yeah, my eyelashes are long.  It's annoying because they hit my sunglasses, but that's okay because it attracts the girls." 

-nine year old boy

"Write one thing you are good at or like about yourself."

"I'm adorable." 

-seven year old girl 

Random

As I write this, there is a festival of sorts going on in the park behind my building.  It's loud.  And there are cars EVERYWHERE.  So many cars, so little parking.

This is the first Saturday in three weeks that I'm not hunched over in pain.  I have headaches every day, and usually at least 7-8 times a week they get to the point where I need to lay down and close my eyes.  I'm not allowed to take ibuprofen anymore because of some medical stuff, so now I just deal with it.  The last two Saturdays the headaches were absurd and I was terrified that today would be the same.  Thank God it isn't.

This is my new favorite outfit:

I don't remember the last time I took a picture of myself... I'm not a selfie person.  I'm not the most confident person in the world and I'm awkward and as you can see from that picture, I don't know how to (or really care to) pose.  Oh well.  I usually can't find comfortable clothes, but this outfit fits PERFECTLY.  I'm not talking looks, I'm talking comfort.  Fits so nice.  Added bonus is that I think it looks alright, too.  So naturally I decided to wear it on a day that I'm not leaving the house... shmaaaart. 

To-do

Can we just talk about how rad both of these projects are?  My friends and I throw DIY ideas around often, and I love both of these. 

1. Super Easy Lamp Redo - Life as a Thrifter

2. DIY Wall Art - Young House Love

The first one really does look very easy and I think the end result is pretty cool.  I imagine it wouldn't cost much, either. 

The second one is awesome.  Pictures make all the difference, and DIY is cheaper and more sentimental than a lot of the art you can buy.  I'm particularly fond of those framed keys - I think I might do that soon.  Like now.  

Links worth looking at 

These weren't necessarily written/posted this week, but it's stuff I've come across this week.  Some sad, some happy, some hilarious.  

In Case Mother's Day is Hard For You - Hopeful World

I know I'm not the only one of my friends who isn't overjoyed when Mother's Day comes around every year.  Of course, this post doesn't encompass every difficult situation or relationship, but it gets to the point.

This is Why I'll Never be an Adult - Hyperbole and a Half 

My twenty and thirty-something friends, read this.  Nod in agreement.  Sulk in despair.  Then smile at the fact that you are not alone. 

Think You Have What it Takes to be a Teacher? - Upworthy

Ah, nothing like appreciating the unappreciated.  Yay Teacher Appreciation Week.  

This Week in GIFs: Amy Poehler Edition - Grist

Some fun GIFs corresponding to important environmental news. 

Oil, Rail Bosses' Profit Drive Causes Yet Another Fiery Train Explosion - The Militant

Trains crash, we blame the workers instead of the bosses who tell them to work way too many hours without sleep.  Trains carrying oil explode and kill or endanger people and communities, and no one gets punished, even though the bosses refuse to enforce safety because it's "too costly."  Dudes, capitalism doesn't care about human life, the earth, or Goodness.  Just money.   

What are we Supposed to do with Kids? Besides Dress them in Funny Clothes? - Daniel Bearman

This is probably my favorite of the bunch.  Education policy in this country sucks.  This article doesn't address every problem with education nationwide, but I think it talks about the biggest problem.  Education should let kids explore, learn about the world, and create.  It should let them grow in whatever special way they were meant to.  If a kid is great at music, our education system should honor that and help foster that kid's passion.  It shouldn't just be about money.  This post is Catholic-heavy (it's written by a Catholic for a largely Catholic audience), but I think everyone can appreciate its message.

Struggling Through the Transitions - Pray for Ben Sauer
This little boy was diagnosed with cancer when doctors discovered an aggressive brain tumor.  If you're someone who prays, pray for him. 

Jimmy Interviews Harry Styles

I laughed and laughed and laughed at this.  I've watched it more times than I care to admit.  It's Jimmy Fallon interviewing "Harry Styles."  Kristen Wiig is wonderful and I have a huge crush on Jimmy Fallon.  Watch it.

Jessica Meets Vanessa - Youtube

This is super old, but it's adorable x infinity.

Unrelated photo of Harry Potter stamps.  Because everyone loves Harry Potter stamps, right?

Bible action

"Better to be poor and honest than rich and dishonest."

Bonus 
Oh, it's Mother's Day?

I think that's about it.  Enjoy your Sunday. :) 

If you ever want to contact me, you can email me at fortyeightandme(at)gmail(dot)com.  

__
Charlotte

Pope Francis

This video made me cry.  Sweet as I think the video is, I think something's off with my hormones because normally it'd just make me tear up.  But I digress.  

A lot of my friends are atheists.  Or just define themselves as spiritual but not religious and not necessarily monotheists.  They're wonderful, Good people, they just aren't religious.  So a lot of them poke fun at me for being Catholic.  Don't get me wrong, it's not done maliciously.  I'm sure some of them think believing in God is ridiculous, but they're not "mean" about it.  

They all give a few different reasons for not being religious.  I can relate to some of them.  It's hard to understand why things like cancer and war exist if God is good.  I still don't think I understand it, really.  But a lot of them - too many - strayed away from the church because there are so many judgmental people who claim to speak on behalf of God.  "Gays will burn in Hell," "Women who get abortions are murderers," etc.  I can fully understand why someone would want to leave a community when all they're hearing from that community is a bunch of hate.  And they're not wrong, there should be less of it.  I think I just like this video so much because it's the complete opposite of that.  Pope Francis evangelizes via love instead of damnation.  I get that the main voices of Christianity in America are pretty much a bunch of fear mongers who judge anyone who makes them uncomfortable.  But as a whole, I don't think that's true.  Every Catholic (I know not all Christians are Catholics, but as a Catholic that's what I'm using) I know is welcoming and loving to anyone.  Everyone.  

In that video, I see a whole lot of love.  Let's be real - we barely like sitting next to people in waiting rooms or on the subway.  We're jaded.  But Pope Francis embraces the old woman and then the old man like family.  They're all greeting, hugging, and kissing each other despite the fact they've never met.  And if you look closely, you'll see the security guards smiling, HAPPY to physically lift another person up to join in on that love.  That's beautiful. 

I'm mostly rambling and I don't really know what point I'm trying to make here other than it was a beautiful scene and that if we all acted that way, if we treated each other that way, we'd probably see more people coming home to the church.  That's the way to evangelize.   

"Be sure of this: my pastoral heart embraces all of you with universal affection."

-Pope Francis, World Youth Day

__

Charlotte