My lovely mother is coming to visit me tomorrow! yay! So of course I tag her in my facebook status, announcing my excitement over her visit. Mom can be a little technologically slow, so I was surprised when she wrote back, "I love you too Punky!" She calls me punky after Punky Brewster: my childhood look-a-like. In response to this cyber exchange of love, a family friend of ours posted that she hopes her and her young daughter can have this type of relationship in the future. So I have (finally) reached the point of this blog post: how did we do it?
It hasn't always been sunshine and rainbows for Mom and I. When I was little I was loud, opinionated, and simply defiant at times. And as a teenager I could almost literally cut you with the tone of my voice. After one of my episodes my Mom sought the advice of my great-grandmother Vern. Vern was a special woman...and that's kind of an understatement. She broke the boundaries of feminism by attending college and graduated from Western Washington University in the 1920's. Straight off the family farm in Soap Lake, WA, she always looked ahead. Vern and my great-grandfather Jerry opened Wehmeyer's TV and Appliance in the 1950's. And rumor has it, Jerry was not the brains of the operation. But he thought he was. Vern, the genius, figured out a way to make Jerry feel like he in control, when really he was just the male figure standing behind her. Smart smart smart. HUGE digression....
Vern told my mother something that has become a sort of theme between my parents and I. She said, "whatever you do, don't break her spirit." Again an example of Vern's ability to guide her loved ones without controlling them. And that is what my parents did. I learned to channel my energy into dance and acting. Something I never mastered is controlling the tone of my voice. I can be kind of....how you say....snotty? bratty? rotten-no-good-spoiled-(etc.)? I'm a work in progress alright! leave me alone! ---it's because I can't hide my judgment of others. And quite frankly, I don't want to!
My family and I have always done things together. Whether it be snow skiing, water skiing, hiking (ugh), or [insert outdoor activity here] we always did it as a family. This disconnect from technology, and insertion into silence, forces you to communicate. Communication is a trick that came naturally to me - once you get me talking it's hard to shut me up. But seriously, I think this has to be a huge part of our friendship. We go on walks together for hours...just talking. We sit in the hot tub for hours....just talking (and sharing some beers). I know I can tell her anything without her judging me. (though we still haven't had the "virginity" talk. and we will NEVER have that talk). We have a safety-zone understanding.
Being around my mom also makes me a better person. I strive to be more like her. I'm notoriously my father's daughter - and believe me there is nothing wrong with that! It's just that, sometimes I wish I were gentle and feminine like my lil' Kell Bell. I think she's rubbed off on me. And every time I see her stand up for herself, I think maybe I have rubbed off on her also. She's just like the most welcoming, huggable person on god's green earth. She was made to be a mother. With her quiet and kind disposition, you can't help but love and respect her. She is literally the only person I don't judge! And this is why we have a great relationship:
communication
respect
judgment-free
**the hot tub**
wine tasting
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
excuses, excuses
I feel like in my never-ending attempt to diversify my workout, all i wind up with is another problem. Another reason why it's not working. I promise that they are legit excuses! Here's the rundown:
Crossfit - wound up in the hospital. unable to stand erect. unable to roll over in bed without assistance. ouchie poo.
Hot yoga - slipping hip joint. too painful to run more than a mile. pulsing pain at night.
spinning - I hate it. I'll throw a big whiny fit when approached with the idea of spinning class.
So I've decided to continue hot yoga for the amount of classes I've pre-purchased. I like it so much I believe that it deserves another shot....but this hip pain is seriously annoying! But if it continues I'm pulling out. Like an addict going to rehab: I quit. I'll go back to alternating days of running, elliptical, and weights. At least then I'll get to read a magazine while elliptical-ing :) Gots to keep current on fashion news while attempting to maintain a size that designers make!
Crossfit - wound up in the hospital. unable to stand erect. unable to roll over in bed without assistance. ouchie poo.
Hot yoga - slipping hip joint. too painful to run more than a mile. pulsing pain at night.
spinning - I hate it. I'll throw a big whiny fit when approached with the idea of spinning class.
So I've decided to continue hot yoga for the amount of classes I've pre-purchased. I like it so much I believe that it deserves another shot....but this hip pain is seriously annoying! But if it continues I'm pulling out. Like an addict going to rehab: I quit. I'll go back to alternating days of running, elliptical, and weights. At least then I'll get to read a magazine while elliptical-ing :) Gots to keep current on fashion news while attempting to maintain a size that designers make!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
A true American family
I think I threw up in my mouth a little bit today at the mall. When you think that this type of crap is only seen in left-wing-type cities where the sun shines just a little too often (like the blonde hair dye has like totally seeped into my like super thin skull)....you'd be wrong. Background story as to why a diligent law student like myself was at the mall in the middle of the day on a Wednesday:
Heidelberg is this saturday! Hberg is a banquet held at the end(ish) of the year where the law school gets together, hands out awards, and drinks too much wine....which leads to inappropriateness on the dance floor. So of course this is my favorite event of the year! And since it's my last opportunity to embarrass myself in front of professors, lawyers, and (eek!) judges, I made the executive decision that I needed a great dress from Nordstrom. Ah Nordstrom. Remember that scene from Friends where Monica takes Ross's new girlfriend shopping at Bloomingdales and Pheobe says to her: "that's like cheating on Rachel in her place of worship!" - that is how I feel about Nordy's. Anyhooshier...where was I. Oh yes, the hideous sadness that was this new American phenomenon.
As I was paying for parking I looked to my left and saw her: A thirty-something woman in spandex booty shorts; her overly-tanned and rail thin legs making huge strides across the mall. Her hair was perfectly died a great shade of blonde and curled meticulously in that California wave that I so envy. Her face looked like it had a been freshly injected with botox. Perfect makeup. - you may ask: (1) what is so bad about that? and/or (2) how did you see her face so clearly? And I'll answer you...I saw her face when she turned to yell at one of her frumpy, overweight (borderline obese) children in tow. One boy and one girl being drug behind her like embarrassing garbage. The boy had a sucker in his mouth. The little girl had ROLLS. her pudgey hand being held by her mother's dainty hand, rock-sized diamond perfectly fit onto that one finger that supposedly means forever. I mean, REALLY!!?!! How is it that this woman has so much time to obviously go to the gym, the salon, the mall, the plastic surgeons, etc. and doesn't have time to pack her children a nutritious lunch?! Have you no shame?!
What is wrong with our culture is that we've put WAY too much emphasis on what we look like on the outside and not who we are to the world around us. Of course I'm throwing this woman under the bus in a huge way: those kids could have not been hers or she could have been a nanny. Whatever. The point I'm making is that if parents think they're so entitled to raise children, maybe they should be less selfish with their time. I know mothers who stay in great shape without compromising the care for their children. I had one such mother. Their is an obsession with age and looks that I just find repulsive. I want to scream at these woman: "act your age! you're not fooling anyone by shopping in the Juniors section and getting facelifts! you don't look younger! you look like you're trying to be younger!" christ almighty people...
So it's clear that I have two beefs with this woman: the first being her lack of age-appropriate clothing and the second being the health of her children in direct contrast to herself. It blows my mind that children are obese. Doesn't anyone go play outside anymore?! So so so so so avoidable. so so so so so sad.
Put down the Botox needles. Pick up a string-cheese. Hand it to your obese child.
I'll try not to slip and knock myself out on the way down off my soapbox.
that is all
Heidelberg is this saturday! Hberg is a banquet held at the end(ish) of the year where the law school gets together, hands out awards, and drinks too much wine....which leads to inappropriateness on the dance floor. So of course this is my favorite event of the year! And since it's my last opportunity to embarrass myself in front of professors, lawyers, and (eek!) judges, I made the executive decision that I needed a great dress from Nordstrom. Ah Nordstrom. Remember that scene from Friends where Monica takes Ross's new girlfriend shopping at Bloomingdales and Pheobe says to her: "that's like cheating on Rachel in her place of worship!" - that is how I feel about Nordy's. Anyhooshier...where was I. Oh yes, the hideous sadness that was this new American phenomenon.
As I was paying for parking I looked to my left and saw her: A thirty-something woman in spandex booty shorts; her overly-tanned and rail thin legs making huge strides across the mall. Her hair was perfectly died a great shade of blonde and curled meticulously in that California wave that I so envy. Her face looked like it had a been freshly injected with botox. Perfect makeup. - you may ask: (1) what is so bad about that? and/or (2) how did you see her face so clearly? And I'll answer you...I saw her face when she turned to yell at one of her frumpy, overweight (borderline obese) children in tow. One boy and one girl being drug behind her like embarrassing garbage. The boy had a sucker in his mouth. The little girl had ROLLS. her pudgey hand being held by her mother's dainty hand, rock-sized diamond perfectly fit onto that one finger that supposedly means forever. I mean, REALLY!!?!! How is it that this woman has so much time to obviously go to the gym, the salon, the mall, the plastic surgeons, etc. and doesn't have time to pack her children a nutritious lunch?! Have you no shame?!
What is wrong with our culture is that we've put WAY too much emphasis on what we look like on the outside and not who we are to the world around us. Of course I'm throwing this woman under the bus in a huge way: those kids could have not been hers or she could have been a nanny. Whatever. The point I'm making is that if parents think they're so entitled to raise children, maybe they should be less selfish with their time. I know mothers who stay in great shape without compromising the care for their children. I had one such mother. Their is an obsession with age and looks that I just find repulsive. I want to scream at these woman: "act your age! you're not fooling anyone by shopping in the Juniors section and getting facelifts! you don't look younger! you look like you're trying to be younger!" christ almighty people...
So it's clear that I have two beefs with this woman: the first being her lack of age-appropriate clothing and the second being the health of her children in direct contrast to herself. It blows my mind that children are obese. Doesn't anyone go play outside anymore?! So so so so so avoidable. so so so so so sad.
Put down the Botox needles. Pick up a string-cheese. Hand it to your obese child.
I'll try not to slip and knock myself out on the way down off my soapbox.
that is all
Monday, March 8, 2010
My happy place
I haven't written a post in the past few weeks because I haven't had any real inspiration as to a deserving topic. Life has been extremely fulfilling lately. Maybe I'm one of those writers who's inspiration comes from pain (ha!). And by "writer" I mean frustrated law student who likes to read her own thoughts. So what's a writer to do when the block comes? Carrie Bradshaw would know what to do! Home is where the hear it! Her's may be New York City, comso in hand. But my happy place is Cashmere - Blue Moon in hand.
I've been in Seattle for the weekend visiting Ian and getting to know my new home-to-be (I'll be moving there in May). We drove around looking for the right neighborhood for my future apartment, went on a run through UW's campus and visited the UW law school, where I'll be in the fall. It was over 60 degrees on Saturday! And they have a Nordstrom! and H&M! Holy fashion haven! I love it there, truly I do, but there is nothing like coming around the bend on highway 2 and seeing the hill with my parents' house perched atop. Right now I'm sitting in our kitchen chatting with mom and looking out as the sun lights up the snow on the cascades. You can make fun of Cashmere's size, but no one can doubt that it's breathtakingly gorgeous here. but shhh! Don't tell anyone - it's a secret.
This week off will be used to relax, sit in the hot tub, run with Cooper, and read a book for fun. And hang out with two of my favorite people: Scotty and Kellbell. This week is about getting out of Spokane. About happiness. Find yours cause I'm currently in mine and let me tell ya what...It's good times. Now all I need is a back rub. Any takers?
I've been in Seattle for the weekend visiting Ian and getting to know my new home-to-be (I'll be moving there in May). We drove around looking for the right neighborhood for my future apartment, went on a run through UW's campus and visited the UW law school, where I'll be in the fall. It was over 60 degrees on Saturday! And they have a Nordstrom! and H&M! Holy fashion haven! I love it there, truly I do, but there is nothing like coming around the bend on highway 2 and seeing the hill with my parents' house perched atop. Right now I'm sitting in our kitchen chatting with mom and looking out as the sun lights up the snow on the cascades. You can make fun of Cashmere's size, but no one can doubt that it's breathtakingly gorgeous here. but shhh! Don't tell anyone - it's a secret.
This week off will be used to relax, sit in the hot tub, run with Cooper, and read a book for fun. And hang out with two of my favorite people: Scotty and Kellbell. This week is about getting out of Spokane. About happiness. Find yours cause I'm currently in mine and let me tell ya what...It's good times. Now all I need is a back rub. Any takers?
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