Isn't it amazing how a smell can instantly take you back to a memory- a time, place, or person in your life that you haven't thought of in years? Today, I had one of these experiences. It was from chap-stick. The original, black label, disgusting smelling chap-stick brand lip balm.
I was in 2nd grade. It was Mrs. Stone's class, and it was just before Christmas break. I had chapped lips, so I was wearing the aforementioned lip balm. Just before lunch, Chad Lukavsky became ill and was showing signs of vomit. He began to gag and everyone started running away from him. I was just feet away when he vomited all over the floor. From that day on, I was terrified of him, and for the rest of the school year I was afraid to go near him. Not because I didn't want him to vomit on me, but because there was something scary about someone getting sick right in front of me like that. It was a very traumatic experience. To this day, the smell of original chap-stick reminds me of that day, and of the smell of vomit.
Of course, I also have many smells that bring back pleasant memories, or memories of people I love.
What smells bring back memories for you? Are they pleasant or unpleasant?
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Imperfections
One of my favorite movies of all times is "Mean Girls." Most people know this about me, because I quote it all the time. It's just so clever and hilarious, and I feel like there are so many moments in it are easy to relate to from my high school days.
One scene, in particular, comes to mind at this moment. I've been thinking a lot about how critical I am of myself and how much everyone is critical of their imperfections. There is a scene in the movie when Lindsay Lohan's character realizes there are many things that can be wrong with a person besides just being "fat" or "thin."
I remember the exact time in my own life when I came to this realization. Up until this point, I was blissfully ignorant of the things I should have been worrying about. Maybe I was still too young to notice or care, and my more mature friends just brought them to light. I had one friend in particular, we will call her Sue. Sue had reached well before I had, and she was my closest friend. She was ALWAYS complaining about her hips, her breasts, the way her body hair was darker than most people's, her legs, and on and on. I had never considered these parts of my body before, or that there could be things wrong with them. And once I considered it, I realized there were lots of things wrong with me, too. It kind of ruined my life. (That might be slightly dramatic.)
I can't really blame Sue for my enlightenment, if it wasn't her, it would have been somebody else. Maybe it's a sign of the state of our society, or maybe it's just a reflection of my own issues and the way I internalize things, but I have never been the same since that fateful day in 8th grade. And you know what? I'm tired of feeling insecure. I'm tired of putting so much effort into worrying about how I look. I'm almost 30 years old, and at this age shouldn't we all be past the shallow criticisms of our younger days?
Some people might look at me and think that I don't care what I look like, because, honestly, most days I don't try too hard. I don't wear much make-up, half the time my hair is in a ponytail, and if I could, I'd wear sweatpants every day. But just because I'm not outwardly showing it, I'm still inwardly worrying about it. I have spent near entire days with my office door closed because I'm embarrassed about a huge zit on my face. It's pretty ridiculous.
I don't think that I'm the only person who feels this way. I don't even know who we are all trying to impress, or why we're trying to impress them. These things don't matter. I'd like to give my family and friends more credit than that, because I truly don't believe that they are all shallow jerks.
Let's all just stop this nonsense. If I worry about something, I want it to be because it directly affects my health or well-being, or someone else's feelings, not because I'm worried whether another person will like it. If you hear me complaining about something that is not important and has to do with my looks, call me out on it, and I will do the same for you. :)
One scene, in particular, comes to mind at this moment. I've been thinking a lot about how critical I am of myself and how much everyone is critical of their imperfections. There is a scene in the movie when Lindsay Lohan's character realizes there are many things that can be wrong with a person besides just being "fat" or "thin."
I remember the exact time in my own life when I came to this realization. Up until this point, I was blissfully ignorant of the things I should have been worrying about. Maybe I was still too young to notice or care, and my more mature friends just brought them to light. I had one friend in particular, we will call her Sue. Sue had reached well before I had, and she was my closest friend. She was ALWAYS complaining about her hips, her breasts, the way her body hair was darker than most people's, her legs, and on and on. I had never considered these parts of my body before, or that there could be things wrong with them. And once I considered it, I realized there were lots of things wrong with me, too. It kind of ruined my life. (That might be slightly dramatic.)
I can't really blame Sue for my enlightenment, if it wasn't her, it would have been somebody else. Maybe it's a sign of the state of our society, or maybe it's just a reflection of my own issues and the way I internalize things, but I have never been the same since that fateful day in 8th grade. And you know what? I'm tired of feeling insecure. I'm tired of putting so much effort into worrying about how I look. I'm almost 30 years old, and at this age shouldn't we all be past the shallow criticisms of our younger days?
Some people might look at me and think that I don't care what I look like, because, honestly, most days I don't try too hard. I don't wear much make-up, half the time my hair is in a ponytail, and if I could, I'd wear sweatpants every day. But just because I'm not outwardly showing it, I'm still inwardly worrying about it. I have spent near entire days with my office door closed because I'm embarrassed about a huge zit on my face. It's pretty ridiculous.
I don't think that I'm the only person who feels this way. I don't even know who we are all trying to impress, or why we're trying to impress them. These things don't matter. I'd like to give my family and friends more credit than that, because I truly don't believe that they are all shallow jerks.
Let's all just stop this nonsense. If I worry about something, I want it to be because it directly affects my health or well-being, or someone else's feelings, not because I'm worried whether another person will like it. If you hear me complaining about something that is not important and has to do with my looks, call me out on it, and I will do the same for you. :)
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
My love affair with running
I've recently started to run again. There are times in my life when I love running, and other times in my life when I think it is torture and would rather do ANYTHING other than running. Right now I'm in love with it. I'm even training to run the Dam to Dam 20K race (that's 12.4 miles) in June.
Let me tell you one of the reasons I started running in the first place. When I was younger, I was a bit awkward. (Shocking, I know.) I was also clumsy (still true). I enjoyed sports, but lacked self-confidence and hated that other people were relying on me not to mess up. What attracted me to running was that the only person who was negatively effected by me not doing well was me. I liked the idea that I didn't have to worry about dropping a ball or striking out.
This is how my love affair with running began. There have been times in my life when I have tried other sports (I also love swimming), but it always comes back to running. You don't need any special equipment or gym memberships to run. You can run any time of day and pretty much anywhere you want.
I've noticed many benefits since I've started running, some of them unexpected. I feel like my stress level is greatly decreased. Even though I'm getting up earlier, I feel like I have more energy throughout the day. My acne has actually gotten better. Best of all, it's a great time for me to think.
I know it isn't for everyone, and in 6 months I may be "over" it myself. In the meantime, if you want to go for a jog with me, let me know!
Let me tell you one of the reasons I started running in the first place. When I was younger, I was a bit awkward. (Shocking, I know.) I was also clumsy (still true). I enjoyed sports, but lacked self-confidence and hated that other people were relying on me not to mess up. What attracted me to running was that the only person who was negatively effected by me not doing well was me. I liked the idea that I didn't have to worry about dropping a ball or striking out.
This is how my love affair with running began. There have been times in my life when I have tried other sports (I also love swimming), but it always comes back to running. You don't need any special equipment or gym memberships to run. You can run any time of day and pretty much anywhere you want.
I've noticed many benefits since I've started running, some of them unexpected. I feel like my stress level is greatly decreased. Even though I'm getting up earlier, I feel like I have more energy throughout the day. My acne has actually gotten better. Best of all, it's a great time for me to think.
I know it isn't for everyone, and in 6 months I may be "over" it myself. In the meantime, if you want to go for a jog with me, let me know!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Love/Hate Relationships
Hello everyone! Remember me? Probably not, because I haven't blogged in MONTHS. I'm beginning to think this whole blogging thing isn't for me. I have a sort of love/hate relationship with the idea of it. In fact, I have a love/hate relationship with lots of things in my life.
Maybe this is a sign of my overall indecisiveness. Anyone who knows me can tell you without a doubt I am one of the most indecisive people in the world. Some days it takes me so long to decide what to wear that I'm late for work. (OK, that's MOST days.) Some days I spend so long deciding what to eat for dinner, that by the time the decision is made it's too late to cook anything, and we end up eating cereal. (I'm not a very good wife.)
Things I currently love:
Food
Running
Ducks
Coffee/caffeine
Things I currently hate:
Money
Taylor Swift
My phone
Ducks
What do you have a love/hate relationship with?
Maybe this is a sign of my overall indecisiveness. Anyone who knows me can tell you without a doubt I am one of the most indecisive people in the world. Some days it takes me so long to decide what to wear that I'm late for work. (OK, that's MOST days.) Some days I spend so long deciding what to eat for dinner, that by the time the decision is made it's too late to cook anything, and we end up eating cereal. (I'm not a very good wife.)
Things I currently love:
Food
Running
Ducks
Coffee/caffeine
Things I currently hate:
Money
Taylor Swift
My phone
Ducks
What do you have a love/hate relationship with?
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