Twinsies

I mean, we're basically the same person.

Communication

The only way I see my husband these days.

My jokes aren't as funny via Facetime.

I'd like to think this is what Jay-Z and Beyonce do when B is on tour.

So, yeah, it's pretty much like I'm Beyonce.

33 will be a great year!

I had a great birthday doing some very Eugeny things like disc golf, running 3.3 miles (since I'm in no shape to run 33 right now), cooking hotdogs out at Dexter, watching the dogs romp and swim, and dinner and wine tasting at King Estate Winery. 

But the even better present is the idea that next year I get to have my birthday back home in NC. I'm happy to officially announce on the blog that we are moving back to NC...again...but this time for real!!

To be funny

There are some basic cultural differences between the East coast and the West coast. Of course, there are the obvious ones like the laid back attitudes vs. more direct, aggressive ones or that sprawling feeling vs. the crowded one. There are also other less palpable differences that one could only understand having lived in both places.

For me, the most stark difference between the East coast and the West coast is the sense of humor. Basically ya'll, I'm not funny here.  I've always considered myself to be a "funny" person, not comedian funny or anything, but funny enough that I bring a laugh to those close to me. Here though, I am not a funny person. No one laughs at my jokes. In fact, most jokes that I crack are received in absolute silence followed by distant sound of crickets chirping. What's up with that?

Aside from the fact that this has completely messed with my sense of self, it also has me very interested in this East coast/West coast cultural dichotomy. Like, what is it about my humor that is lost here? And what is it about the East coast, or more specifically my home, that better equips people to find the humor in my jokes? And on a larger scale, what does this mean about people in general?

Deep thoughts...

It's just too good

to be savored

Have you ever enjoyed reading a book so much so that you didn't actually want to read it?

This is a seldom occurance, but when it does happen it happens hard. I am currently rationing out The Goldfinch page by page because I just don't want it to end. This book is meant to be savored.  I just may never get through it.

I liken this phenomena to when I was a kid, sorting and rationing my halloween candy as if I were preparing for an apocalypse in which candy would never be found upon the Earth again. I would sort by color, genre, and texture, save my favorite pieces for the end, sometimes never even getting to enjoy these bites-the chocolate having gone grey and flakey.

No, I did not grow up during the depression era, instead I just really have an obsession/problem/attachment to never wanting a good thing to end.  At least now, I can recognize this in myself and learn to enjoy the things that I enjoy. The Reese's cup that is The Goldfinch will not go grey and flakey, but instead it will be delicately devoured bite by tiny, bite.

Making Progress

Carolina Beach, NC- July 2011

Bikram Yoga Durham Demonstration, NC- May 2012

Oregon Coast- March 2013

Roberts' Lake House Dock, NC- June 2013

Mt. Scott Crater Lake, OR- August 2013

Malibu, CA- October 2013

Eugene, OR- January 2014

Grand Canyon, AZ- May 2014

I've done a lot of Standing Bow Pulling poses in my life thus far. Between the many yoga classes and traveling "take a picture of me in standing bow" indulgences, I can't even begin to count.
However, I can say that I'm making progress. I will straighten my leg. I promise.

Continuously Keep Kicking

Me and Boss (or Boss and I)

Here's my official graduation photo from Teacher Training. 

Feels good to have accomplished this! I strangely miss it.

My photo turned out pretty good considering that 315 of these were snapped.
There are some with some pretty funny faces.

I Love My Name

When I was little, I always wanted to be a Stephanie or a Jennifer. I couldn't understand why I couldn't just have a "normal" name. Now, I love my name. Just look at it!

7 Beautiful Women I Just Can't Stop Looking At These Days

Beyonce! Because, well...duh!

Cat Power (aka Charlyn Marshall)
Devine singer with devine style.

Kat Dennings.
Hilarious and Hot.
And the star of her very own mediocre and slightly raunchy sitcom, 2 Broke Girls.

Aubrey Plaza.
Another hilarious brunette.
Check her out on Parks and Recreation  being snarky and awesome.

Zoe Deschanel.
She's adorkable.
She can sing.
And she has bangs every girl would kill for.

Christina Hendricks.
Or Joanie,  the saucy, indispensable secretary as you may know her from Mad Men.
Curves for days.

Oh, and myself of course!
Not in an arrogant way.
But ladies, it's important to love yourself and find beauty in you.
Especially when we're bombarded with media images of "perfect" women as I've presented above.

No-Things

I love doing nothing.

Like, seriously. I really like when I have nothing to do.

I suppose this is why people love the weekend, vacations, and the like.  But I think those people like to do nothing for a bit, and then get back to doing stuff. Those people say things like "I'd go crazy if I had nothing to do".

I wouldn't.

I suppose that makes me lazy, directionless, and destined for failure.
Oh well...

Exhibit A- me doing nothing in a hammock at the lake a year ago.

Awesome and Sad

Much like this kid with a shaved mullet, leaving school this year is awesome and sad.

Reasons for which it is awesome:
-no more annoying ladies talking to me all the time about things which I do not care
-no more whining kids
-no more working my bum off for very little pay (hopefully...)
-no more trying to herd cattle
-no more being trapped inside a fluorescent lit, germ filled, musty old building all day with no option to leave
-no more ridiculous staff developments in which I am treated like a child
-no more helpless feeling of being trapped inside of a broken system (hopefully...)

Reasons for which it is sad:
-there are some kids that I will really miss seeing
-it's going to be weird not going to the same place everyday that I've been going to for the past 5 years
-non-stop laughter at kids
-awesome notes like this

"Dear Ms. Barbee, I had an awesome time with you. You were super funny. Thank you for helping me when I needed help.  This year was fantastic. Well, I'll miss you!!"

-my partner in crime and taking funny school pictures together:

My Spring Frill

When you're moving to Oregon in T-minus 75 days (holy crap), it's kind of important to save money.  I really love buying things for myself: clothes, shoes, bags, expensive salads, $4.00 coffee drinks, 6 packs of craft beer for $10.99, and I could just go on...

But, I have really tried to control myself and my spending, so that I am not completely broke and destitute for our move.  Not to mention, acquisition for more stuff, just means more stuff to move.

However, a girl has to treat herself every now and then.  Too much saving and denying of ones desires can lead to terrible things.  So, I did buy myself these, for a little spring pressie.

Minnetonka Thunderbird Moccasins 

Not a Competition

Yesterday was the demonstration at Bikram Yoga Durham.  There was about 14 of us who got up in front of our yoga peers and demonstrated the progress of our practice.  Though it wasn't a competition exactly, it held the format of a typical Bikram competition sans scoring and judging.  Basically, this means that we had to include the 5 basic postures designated for competition and 2 postures from the advanced Bikram series.  We had to bow before and after our routine, and announce the names of each posture before we did it.  There are also weird rules about which direction you have to face when doing whatever posture.  That was hard to remember.  I went last which was extremely nerve inducing as I had to watch each of the others demonstrating, finishing, and plopping down on the floor in relief.  I had no idea how nervous I would be once I got up on the podium.  I was shaking, folks.  It's one thing getting up in front of people and speaking, or singing, or whatever.  But getting up in front of people in tiny little shorts and trying to balance?  Scary.

My Routine:

Standing Head to Knee Pose (not the full expression, I guess the camera-man missed that)




Standing Bow Pulling Pose



Bow Pulling Pose




Rabbit Pose





Stretching Pose



Bound Lotus Pose





Headstand with Lotus Pose (Again, my camera man missed the full expression of this one, but got me "gracefully" moving into it)




The group who demonstrated. This was an awesome group of people with whom to do this.  Representing a variety of levels and ages, each and every one of us have such unique practices and are on such different yogic paths.  It was very inspiring to share this experience with each of them.





What a learning experience!  My postures are not perfect, in fact I could probably go through and pick apart each one, but that is not the point.  The point was to share my progress, and demonstrate my experiences and love for the yoga.  I feel honored to have been asked to participate and I would do it again in an instant!

Worst Place on Earth? Quite Possibly.

Today, a normal girl on her spring break just tried to buy a delicious sandwich and was nearly rear-ended and backed into at the same time over a parking spot.  Then upon navigating a battlefield of Priuses, bike guys, and over dressed Dookie girls,  she was almost run over on her way into the store.  Later, inside the store, said girl was cut in front of and "accidentally" jabbed with keys while ordering her sandwich.  It was a Whole lotta trouble for some Foods, if you ask me.

It was real, ya'll.  Real real.

A sexist palate

I'd like to assert that my palate is sexist. I believe this because 9 times out of 10, I prefer cocktails, coffee beverages, and snacks prepared by men. Why is this? Is my palate subconsciously having a sexual relationship with whatever I eat? Possibly. Would it be the other way around if I were a man? Are there others out there like me?

Perhaps I should start a support group. Sexist palates anonymous. Yes, yes I will do this. But, for now I am going to enjoy the delicious baby soy latte prepared for me by a MAN!!

gasp!

Today, in passing I heard "July 11th". To the person speaking, it was only a day, a date, like any other. To me, that date will always bear such importance. That's my birthday!

Then, I realized that this year I will be 29.

Then, I realized that next year I will be

GASP

30.

And then, I realized that I can start all my sentences with "In my 20's...", and people will think that I am very sage.

Top 10 Things That Everyone Should Have For This Summer

With summer just around the corner, I find it quite important to take inventory and assess ones needs for a successful and awesome summer season. These are the top 10 things I think we should all have this year:


1) A great pair of effortless cut-off jean shorts



2) A good moisturizer with SPF



3) An array of tissuey soft colorful tank tops

4) A simple comfy black skirt

5) An awesome pair of shades


6) A great pair of running shoes

7) A great pair of flip flops and a comfy sandal shoe



8) A nice yoga mat



9) An easy little versatile dress



10) A nice cold glass of white wine on the porch



Numbers 1-4 and 7-9 are ready to go. Number 6 is in the mail. Number 5 is still in need; anyone willing to finance this?
And, number 10 will hopefully be happening in the near future.