tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24405906317197048072024-03-20T04:19:09.071-07:00Private Thoughts Gone PublicI have a lot of thoughts on things which don't often fit into everyday conversation. So now they're up for speculation!Dinosaurceresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09403626902261514412noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440590631719704807.post-19109777993505080202014-08-29T15:46:00.001-07:002014-08-29T15:46:05.739-07:00Inside Story: My Tattoos Part 1So way back when, almost a year ago, I got my sixth tattoo and shared the story behind it with you all.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://privatethoughtsgonepublic.blogspot.com/2013/05/evil-is-inevitable.html"><span style="color: blue;">Here's a refresher for you.</span></a><br />
<br />
I realized that I haven't shared anything of my others with you or why I chose to have them done. So, in the next few posts, I'll open my personal world with you and share some stories.<br />
<br />
Since my first post was about my most recent tattoo, I'll go backwards from the fifth to the first.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9h-EsjJVJ5p2G9r1kOC_cKaDpMD52z7Vf6BZJIcbzzbiek6jBU3yD3w8SMe6I4gS8fARnqXcL4H83zlfCSh498tMRLaywp_7QwSLOUGRm0FEUnGM73I6H4rEoOHEeHnVEQa0fvQLzAY/s1600/WP_20140828_002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9h-EsjJVJ5p2G9r1kOC_cKaDpMD52z7Vf6BZJIcbzzbiek6jBU3yD3w8SMe6I4gS8fARnqXcL4H83zlfCSh498tMRLaywp_7QwSLOUGRm0FEUnGM73I6H4rEoOHEeHnVEQa0fvQLzAY/s1600/WP_20140828_002.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pardon the bad photo quality. Taking a pic of your own ankle is a tad difficult.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
Spirit. What does it mean and where does it come from?<br />
<br />
Well, let me give you some background information. There's a book series that I love. Not many people know about it; it's kind of got one of those cult followings. It is called the Sword of Truth Series. The author, <a href="http://www.terrygoodkind.com/index-full.shtml" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Terry Goodkind</span></a>, is an amazing writer. Detailed, emotional, complicated plot lines, character development (even for the minor ones), love, war, death, life, celebrations, magic, dragons, wizards, witches, sorceresses, philosophy, religion, etc. It's wonderful. Look into it.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>If these books are of interest to you, caution! There will be some spoilers!!</i></b></div>
<br />
At the very end of the fifth book,<i> Soul of the Fire</i>, one of the main characters that you follow from the first few pages of the series is in trouble. She's a powerful woman who's above kings and queens, and people of magic, and regular folk. She is also a being of magic,not a witch or anything, but a living weapon created from powerful magic many years ago (that's summing it up a Lot). Anyway, a negative part of her lineage is that she cannot bear a male child. If so, he will become evil. In an earlier book, a witch predicts that if she ever becomes pregnant, the child will be male. So, to prevent this from happening, she tries not to become pregnant. Due to a failed magical item, she becomes pregnant, but doesn't tell her husband right away because she knows she has to abort the child to save the future.<br />
<br />
She gets a potion that will do the trick, and walking back to the place she's been staying at, she decides she's not going to do it, that it's her kid and she's going to try to raise him so he doesn't become evil. So she dumps out the liquid, ready to tell her husband the amazing news, and she's attacked. Jumped by a group of men willing to do anything to kill her. They beat her senselessly, to a bloody pulp, so much so that she's on the brink of death and once discovered is no longer recognizable - by her husband. He's a nice guy though, takes care of her for a bit, and after a few weeks, realizes it's her. (Crazy!)<br />
<br />
In the sixth book, <i>The Faith of the Fallen, h</i>e takes her away to a secluded area to care for her until she's better again. This spans the time of about 6-8 months (about 18 chapters). At one point she wakes and asks if the baby's okay. It died in the beating and that's how her husband finds out that he was almost a father. (How sad is that?) Anyway, she's been in pain for so long that once she's actually better, she doesn't believe it and feels absolutely worthless; she wants to die and stop being a burden. She's afraid that if she tried to move or get up, she'll be in pain again. While she's feeling sorry for herself, her husband widdles out a wooden statuette for her. He tricks her into getting up one day by leaving a glass of water out of reach for her. Afterwards, he gives the statuette to her, she connects with it immediately.<br />
<br />
He names the statuette <i>Spirit</i>. In the book, it says, "it invoked in her some visceral response, a tension that was startlingly familiar. Something about the woman in the carving, some quality it conveyed, made Kahlan hunger to be well, to be fully alive, to be strong and independent again." From there, she committed herself to gaining her strength and muscles back, to be 100% again and take back her life.<br /><br />This book, especially that chapter, was just so inspirational that I was taken aback by it. The name of the carving held so much meaning and power it just resided in me ever-so-strongly. I had to get it.<br /><br />The reason for putting it on the bottom of my ankle was for symbolic purposes.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Kahlan could see <i>Spirit</i> standing in the bedroom window, looking out at the world, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
her robes flowing in the wind, her head thrown back, her back arched, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
her fists at here sides in defiance of anything that would think to bridle her."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
To stand your ground, to fight for your life and what you believe; it starts with putting your foot down. Feet have to move forward in order to carry the rest of you with (for the most part), so <i>Spirit</i> starts from the sole of your feet and moves through the rest of the body, hence why I chose to place it there.<br /><br />Thanks for reading today!<br /><br /><3 Tawny</div>
</div>
Dinosaurceresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09403626902261514412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440590631719704807.post-75746561342894678302014-08-18T14:30:00.000-07:002014-08-23T13:48:07.634-07:00Lessons in ReligionIf you were to tell me three years ago, or really anytime in the past, that I would find and become a part of a church community, I would probably laugh in your face. But that has been the case for me as of late. I actually look forward to Sunday mornings. I've talked about the basics of the church in <a href="http://privatethoughtsgonepublic.blogspot.com/2014/02/today-i-went-to-church.html">a past post here</a>, so I won't go over that again.<br />
<br />
But, about a week or two ago, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnTWY3MFQSc"><span style="color: black;">we watched a UU minister perform a sermon</span></a> about spreading the word of Unitarian Universalism. (His name is Aaron White and I've linked this sermon a few times for you here.) The main takeaways I want to point out to you are centered in italics.<br />
<br />
In the past when someone has told me about their religion and their church, they would tell me why it's the best and why I needed to convert that very moment. Because, you know, if I didn't then I would go to Hell. Telling someone you'll go to Hell because they don't believe what you were raised to believe is not an effective way to sell your religion. The same goes for telling someone they'll be denied admission to Heaven. If you're talking to someone, for example, who doesn't believe in God to do so, talk to them in a way they can understand you, not the way they already don't believe.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>If you want people to learn about your religion, you have to speak in their language.</i></div>
<br />
The minister said that religion should be about bringing Heaven to Earth (something I've always tried to achieve in other words). Why can't we make the world we live in now the best possible world?<br />
<br />
Everyday I see people making choices that will hurt others, just so they can succeed, so they can have a better life, and so they can go to Heaven. From what I've always understood, the first rule of just about every religion is LOVE. He reminded me about that rule.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Religion is about love and building a world that loves.</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
In order to love each other, we have to understand each other. I've quickly grown to hold dear the community I found here. It's a nice escape from the close-minded world of living in West Texas. <br />
<br />
I know it may not be the place for everyone, but I want to share my community with others. I enjoy discussing it, but I also enjoy learning about others' religions and I respect the multitude of things people believe in. We should be sharing our beliefs with each other. But when you share, you should never condemn others for sharing. We are all individuals and as individuals we have differences. It is inevitable. That's part of what makes life awesome.<br />
<br />
The UU church cam to be by people who believed in building a better world. Our roots actually stem from Christianity. Thomas Jefferson was a Christian (later a Unitarian) who believed in love, science, and the future. He even believed that by this day and age, everyone would be a Unitarian Universalist.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion.</i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
(Not to be confused with liberal politics.) And we are not the only ones. There are plenty of religious congregations that have more liberal beliefs as well. Most UUs do not find the church until after being raised Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, etc. and come in with a lot of religious baggage. I was not raised with religion and even I carry some baggage - perceptions of religion that I either didn't understand or only knew negative stereotypes about. But I'm learning now that not all religion is as bad as I once thought. :) I am at a comfortable point of knowing that I can never know the truth for sure. My new religion let's me hold this untruth as my truth (if that makes sense).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>God is not fully known to us.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Each member sees God in a different way. Whether one of our members are Atheist, Agnostic, or non-denominational, we're all just searching for the truth. For some, that truth is science. For others, that truth may lie in the secrets of nature. For me, it's science and love. And yes, I struggle sometimes, but that's why I've started on this journey; why I decided to join the church.<br />
<br />
I want to be a better person. I want to love as many people as possible. I want that love to spread to others as well.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"God is too big for any one religion to own," <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnTWY3MFQSc"><span style="color: black;">said the minister we listened to</span></a> that day.</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
He reminded us that our religion is not a creedal church. We do not require our members to believe in the same things in order to remain members. The only thing we require is openness and acceptance. We may not verbally express God in everyday practice, but this is how we see Him in relation to us and our world.<br />
<br />
I've been going to this church since February(ish). I didn't realize how much I actually enjoyed going until recently. I find myself talking about it any chance I get. It's like falling in love. You want to tell as many people as possible. And trust me, the more I learn about, the more I plan on sharing.<br />
<br />
It's difficult to share everything in one post, and he says everything a lot more eloquently than I've just done here, which is why I've<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnTWY3MFQSc"><span style="color: black;"> linked the video</span></a> throughout this post. Listen to it while you're sending emails or sweeping at home. It's a nice listen.<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading at least,<br />
<br />
<3 Tawny</div>
</div>
</div>
Dinosaurceresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09403626902261514412noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440590631719704807.post-961885458019626232014-07-07T11:21:00.002-07:002014-07-07T11:21:41.397-07:00What's Wrong With Femininity?Okay, I've been refraining from positing this for a while. It's been in my draft box for a long time and in my mind even longer. I have to warn you, this post goes everywhere, because my mind is kind of everywhere. So I'm sorry if some parts don't flow.<br /><br /><br />
<b>Women can do what men do, but not the other way around:</b><br />Now, don't get me wrong, I'm all about girl power and if a woman wants to be CEO then by all means, go for it. If you want to be a female president, shoot for the stars. <br /><br />But if you want to be a stay at home mom... well, then you're just not aiming high enough. <br />Why do we say this kind of stuff? A woman should be able to have her own goals, dreams, and aspirations. Feminism claims this to be the ultimate truth but I see contradictions everywhere I turn. <br /><br /><a href="http://hellogiggles.com/feminism-attacks-must-go-cinderellas-shoes">I don't consider myself a feminist</a>, only because to me, the term is not very inclusive. But I do believe in equal rights among all. Without putting a label on myself, I would consider myself to be an <i>egalitarian</i>. It's not just about girl power for me, it's about allowing men to show a bit of femininity. I don't think that many realize that men aren't always given equal opportunities themselves. <b>But before you lash out on me</b>, know that I'm Not talking about the pay gap or workforce inequality among genders. That's an entirely different topic.<br /><br />I work in very female dominated field. I also have a bachelor's degree in a very female dominated field. Coincidence? I don't know. I don't really believe in them. This just happened to be the path I chose. But let me try to find a way to break this down.<br /><br />Men become engineers. Women become teachers. <br />Can/should women become engineers? <i>Most definitely!</i> Can men become teachers? <i>Yes.</i> Should they become teachers? <i>Maybe?</i> Do many people find it odd to see a male elementary school teacher? <i>Yeah, just a bit.</i> Why though?<br /><br /><b>Contradictions:</b> I've noticed this happen a few times in the area that I work in. For example, when we're required to dress professionally, the men wear suits and the women are excited to break out their <u>power suits</u>. <u><b>Power</b>. Suits</u>.<br /><br />Why, tell me, can't they be power suits for men, or just suits for women? Yes, this is a very small matter, but if you think about it. This makes it seem like women can only get power from dressing like men. (That statement is a bit over-exaggerated, but I'm trying to get you to think.)<br /><br />Or when trying to hire people, if a woman appears to be bossy, well, that's just not what we're looking for. Or a guy is really shy, well, he's not going to be successful. Why? How do you know? You're judging someone on preconceived ideas of how a (fe)male's personality should be. How dare you? Hire people on the skills they have and will be able to pick up through training and experience. <br /><br /><b>Feminine aspirations:</b><br />
I feel that in today's society, traditional feminine aspirations among women are scoffed at sometimes. Yes, we're encouraged to wear the dress that highlights our curves and make-up that highlights our natural beauty. But we're also expected to climb that ladder, break that glass ceiling, over and over and over. In my field, getting a PhD is expected - especially if you're female. But if you don't, well then why would you go into the career? Or if you do, then you might want to get your PhD before you have kids, because then it becomes exponentially more difficult to reach that goal. Personally, I just don't want a PhD. I don't really ever want to be a VPSA (Vice President for Student Affairs). That's just never been an aspiration of mine. <i><br /><br />But Tawny, you have so much potential and skill. Why wouldn't you want to climb the ladder? We need more women at the top. Don't you want to make more money?</i><br />- Well, readers. Potential, skill, and the need to fill a gap just isn't enough motivation for me to put more stress and responsibility on my shoulders. Money's a good motivator, but I would rather live a simpler life if that meant spending more time with my future family. I want babies. I want to spend time with them. I don't want to be the mom who brushes off little Timmy because I have a dissertation chapter to write. I don't want to be the person sending emails late at night to keep up on work. That's just never been an aspiration of mine. <br /><br /><b>Here's the Truth:</b><br />
I finally decided to touch on this topic (trust me, this is only skimming the surface. I could talk about it for days.)<b> </b>because of an article I read about <a href="http://www.today.com/entertainment/kirsten-dunsts-gender-relationship-views-spark-backlash-defense-2D79501413">Kirsten Dunst</a>. In the article, she talks about how she personally feels that being a mom is the highest honor and "sometimes you need your night and shining armor". I loved this, but other people were outraged. Why? These are <i>her</i> values. If you were really a feminist, you would appreciate her for sticking to what she believes is right for her. She's not ruining anything for you. She's not making a law declaring we go back to the 40s lifestyle. She's making the choice that all of you are fighting for her to be able to do.<br /><br />You can knock Disney all you want but you know what? Snow White came out in the 30s. That was a much different time. Also, <a href="http://hellogiggles.com/feminism-attacks-must-go-cinderellas-shoes">Cinderella is allowed to wear glass high heels if she wants</a>. If you're afraid your child will fall into the gender binary because of a movie, then you might want to rethink your parenting. Just because Legos come in a blue box doesn't mean your daughter can't play with it. And just because a doll has pink clothes, doesn't mean your son can't learn how to care for another. Get over yourselves and stop picking fights over things that don't matter. <br /><br /><b>So what's wrong with feminitiy?:</b>There shouldn't be anything wrong with it. If you want to take over the world, do it. If you want to be a model, do it. We need to just stop knocking down people for wanting to do what they want to do. We shouldn't be knocking people down for voicing opinions. We shouldn't be blaming all of our failed relationship ideas on Disney princesses. We shouldn't scoff at people who don't want to be CEOs. If you're a feminist, or call yourself something else, and you truly want us to have equal rights, then you have to start acting like it. A suit isn't going to make you any more or less powerful just because you're a woman. You don't even have to wear a suit to dress professionally anyway. Stop it. I think you just want attention.<br /><br /><br />Thanks for trying to follow along with this mini, scattered, post,<br /><3 Tawny<br /><br /><br />Dinosaurceresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09403626902261514412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440590631719704807.post-14344061952432668382014-07-06T11:37:00.002-07:002014-07-06T11:37:28.816-07:00I'm Coming BackI realized today that I have not posted in about two months. I'm ashamed.<br /><br />But today I've decided that I'm coming back, and I'm coming back in full force. Since I started graduate school, my posts have been infrequent, censored, and overall limited. The purpose of me starting this blog in the first place was to express my thoughts, feelings, comments, and concerns in a forum that I just can't in everyday life. I can't sit in a meeting at work and start talking about how much the Texas GOP's recent decisions unnerve me. I can't start a conversation in the middle of class and rant about something I saw on Facebook that offended me that day.<br /><br />Yes, I understand I'm working in a field where people are constantly observant of my actions. Where I'm being monitored on my professionalism and maturity. I have been told in the past that I should be careful and conscious of what I post on here because a coworker or a student might read my thoughts and view me differently. I've been told that I should conform to the norm so that I'm more accepted. I've obeyed and it only made me miserable. How can I be thought provoking and make changes if I'm conforming to others' values?<br /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>So I'm back.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>I'm angry. I'm confused. I'm joyful. I'm saddened. I'm excited. I'm outraged. I'm human.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>And I am voiceless no more.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Shall you condemn me for speaking my mind and being my own person, then that is fine by me. But if you think my blogging will affect my work ethic, my school work, my professionalism, or your perception of me as a human being, then I ask you to unfriend me on Facebook, quit following me on Twitter, and delete this URL from your browsing history. <br /><br />This blog is a piece of me and if I can't be me on here, then I can't be me anywhere. This is the only place where I feel appropriate and comfortable to voice my opinion to the extent that I feel necessary. So please, if you would like to join me on my journey, I encourage you to subscribe by email on the right hand side of the page. You don't need a blogger account to subscribe, just an email. <br /><br /><br />Thank you for reading,<br /><3 Tawny</div>
Dinosaurceresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09403626902261514412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440590631719704807.post-7766686335502708352014-04-29T13:40:00.000-07:002014-04-29T13:42:04.452-07:00Love's Paradox: Highlight and Giveaway!!Follow the Blog Tour {{Here}}
Paperback, 1st, 288 pages
Expected publication: May 5th 2014 by Revolution Publishing, Inc.<br />
<br />
Stalked by her abusive ex-fiancé, Rae Zachery retaliates by singing karaoke and spilling all their dirty secrets to the entire bar. When her ex attempts to silence her brazen performance, sexy, leather-clad Parker comes to her rescue and soundly punches her ex in the face. As valiant as that may be, Rae finds Parker’s violent assistance unsettling, yet she can’t help but be drawn to him and his tragic past.
Fighting her attraction for Parker is a battle Rae can’t win, and soon their night of sharing secrets morphs into an undeniable bond. But fate won’t so easily relinquish her grip on their happily-ever-after. Instead of blissfully skipping into obscurity, Rae and Parker are subjected to her ex-fiancé’s vicious proclivities. Who knew love could hurt so good?
<br />
<br />
Join the Facebook Release Party! Party kicks off May 5th!
https://www.facebook.com/events/770397436311246/
Gift Card is open INTERNATIONAL
Paperback copies open to US Residents
Rafflecopter Code:
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9722f5194/" id="rc-9722f5194" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>
Laura Kreitzer is a best-selling fantasy and science fiction author who hails from western Kentucky. Her full-time 9-5 job used to be working in a lab devoted to water dye-tracing investigations at Western Kentucky University, though her passion was always writing. After seven years of dedicating her life to the environment, she made the tough decision to leave the university to pursue her writing career. Now Laura has two series and eight novels published, with several more in the works.
Website † Facebook † Twitter † GoodReads
HTML POST – Just copy & paste and add your review/excerpt and/or teaser.
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPBLD5ls6q2biE1C5-LLAFdMhpEhnK4ZcipZPnuVdbuLbhsCgpIHcwNZcDNDOqGKEnitSEqgS793SH7ReobCV7eX-fZon_VtGNrP5HXgnTSjayS5LqMGJDgz80gh4OArJITnENxCEnbyb/s1600/Love's+Paradox+Banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPBLD5ls6q2biE1C5-LLAFdMhpEhnK4ZcipZPnuVdbuLbhsCgpIHcwNZcDNDOqGKEnitSEqgS793SH7ReobCV7eX-fZon_VtGNrP5HXgnTSjayS5LqMGJDgz80gh4OArJITnENxCEnbyb/s1600/Love's+Paradox+Banner.png" height="160" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Follow the Blog Tour {{<a href="http://gcrpromotions.blogspot.com/2014/04/Lovesparadoxtour.html" target="_blank">Here</a>}}</b></div>
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9eKFdUkMtMebVF6rs7XTmA2J2FjzW3PbdVSvFXkA34tdmhAh3Y3lDHUv2oaarBCyk-XYxXqXl2l2o2jCuI2ACXU5MfD_Lg_-BzLtu6TU_Jd4z33Vakb_Qi9D7fySRnk2Yri1_7JvBFy5n/s1600/Love's+Paradox+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9eKFdUkMtMebVF6rs7XTmA2J2FjzW3PbdVSvFXkA34tdmhAh3Y3lDHUv2oaarBCyk-XYxXqXl2l2o2jCuI2ACXU5MfD_Lg_-BzLtu6TU_Jd4z33Vakb_Qi9D7fySRnk2Yri1_7JvBFy5n/s1600/Love's+Paradox+Cover.jpg" height="400" width="275" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Paperback, 1st, 288 pages</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Expected publication: May 5th 2014 by Revolution Publishing, Inc.</b></div>
<br />
<blockquote>
Stalked by her abusive ex-fiancé, Rae Zachery retaliates by singing karaoke and spilling all their dirty secrets to the entire bar. When her ex attempts to silence her brazen performance, sexy, leather-clad Parker comes to her rescue and soundly punches her ex in the face. As valiant as that may be, Rae finds Parker’s violent assistance unsettling, yet she can’t help but be drawn to him and his tragic past.<br />
<br />
Fighting her attraction for Parker is a battle Rae can’t win, and soon their night of sharing secrets morphs into an undeniable bond. But fate won’t so easily relinquish her grip on their happily-ever-after. Instead of blissfully skipping into obscurity, Rae and Parker are subjected to her ex-fiancé’s vicious proclivities. Who knew love could hurt so good?</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20655909-love-s-paradox" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0D2bflj2v1bkGa7QTbBBx1ttszrtcQ_APz7S4_YC9sp2tsiHWfuFNXkbma4FrZAqNGxs4HdX0DpQqZew8zV8JDgemoEMjHX7Z1uGJQZf3uVUy0dQSHO0RZQls81XU8lwE6MlJiZG2CsGE/s1600/AddtoGoodreads.png" /></a>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfT9iZ7L8tvNf8Z6l-2hkqWyQ9ePm47o7Ilzqqay8vnExBL_FcVyYNbYLP7b52XWr4oTHfuZgu3joUqo6uhrYEhGPulmYR5tlMzOSsfMVD5lTW8avTZ6Rddl8uqY_OafTEJVQb1pxZA4a/s1600/grey-divider-no-background-hi.png" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Josefin Sans Std Light'; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfT9iZ7L8tvNf8Z6l-2hkqWyQ9ePm47o7Ilzqqay8vnExBL_FcVyYNbYLP7b52XWr4oTHfuZgu3joUqo6uhrYEhGPulmYR5tlMzOSsfMVD5lTW8avTZ6Rddl8uqY_OafTEJVQb1pxZA4a/s1600/grey-divider-no-background-hi.png" height="27" width="320" /></a>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">You can read the first 5 chapters of LOVE'S PARADOX </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">{{{ <a href="http://www.laurakreitzer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Loves-Paradox-Laura-Kreitzer-Sample.pdf" target="_blank">HERE</a> }}}</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="font-size: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Lu2TdmhvG3vD7Rwv3Gt-cPIxW9qp0AlYRPz-mD6s9psidP18GrQ4PIUQJOJayFMp7eeYZD3pLaKTAa-dQvOcvWev82Gtb1mOR48m7jwRLB5rHnvSUlA_bkPxA51BSNKpGbuUL61nrf2s/s1600/grey-divider-no-background-hi.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Lu2TdmhvG3vD7Rwv3Gt-cPIxW9qp0AlYRPz-mD6s9psidP18GrQ4PIUQJOJayFMp7eeYZD3pLaKTAa-dQvOcvWev82Gtb1mOR48m7jwRLB5rHnvSUlA_bkPxA51BSNKpGbuUL61nrf2s/s1600/grey-divider-no-background-hi.png" height="27" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="font-size: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Molengo, 'Trebuchet MS', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_v6Q7CryFEAUHXXgmemjT7JZCLOrPY9qxF4y1q16ju5mg34tAnc1FYGHGnpPXfbSPm-RnQ5aeXPROnw4lG5k9uQnntzjkzeiOIkVO0QNoaE3WkUspMGmh18ebQoG3AJ4eJQWZiUR-wqa/s1600/LPFBBanner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_v6Q7CryFEAUHXXgmemjT7JZCLOrPY9qxF4y1q16ju5mg34tAnc1FYGHGnpPXfbSPm-RnQ5aeXPROnw4lG5k9uQnntzjkzeiOIkVO0QNoaE3WkUspMGmh18ebQoG3AJ4eJQWZiUR-wqa/s1600/LPFBBanner.png" height="147" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="font-family: Molengo, 'Trebuchet MS', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 22.399999618530273px; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;">
Join the Facebook Release Party! Party kicks off May 5th!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Molengo, Trebuchet MS, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/770397436311246/">https://www.facebook.com/events/770397436311246/</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Molengo, Trebuchet MS, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uM4Ib3RvTiZrLGkVUCOt9kPQAXVkNxwcZDAk04hCXqGeyYOGKZAWlxJjWb6OOfvwKWoQMY-N3aEXpXjEuF5De_OTWCaG1WRBpBdNIUq9_qQfUa-9QOSYg2EFla5wT-Ry98VQYyTY5iZC/s1600/giveawaynew.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uM4Ib3RvTiZrLGkVUCOt9kPQAXVkNxwcZDAk04hCXqGeyYOGKZAWlxJjWb6OOfvwKWoQMY-N3aEXpXjEuF5De_OTWCaG1WRBpBdNIUq9_qQfUa-9QOSYg2EFla5wT-Ry98VQYyTY5iZC/s1600/giveawaynew.png" height="90" width="320" /></a>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Gift Card is open INTERNATIONAL</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Paperback copies open to US Residents</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9722f5194/" id="rc-9722f5194" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsiDB9C69FmHTOziVBwNDybF2S0E4mgtUu8yjHIGqqw4C2bqGX72MWTFN2EWcQIp9GFEdTEhXIjve_DCEWCvy1PMn3VCAZHEceG4MEszTmpPkYo3OdC4eK0m3USzoIRbP8h0AYNBPj7lW/s1600/abouttheauthor.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsiDB9C69FmHTOziVBwNDybF2S0E4mgtUu8yjHIGqqw4C2bqGX72MWTFN2EWcQIp9GFEdTEhXIjve_DCEWCvy1PMn3VCAZHEceG4MEszTmpPkYo3OdC4eK0m3USzoIRbP8h0AYNBPj7lW/s1600/abouttheauthor.png" height="53" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbgW5CNo7HOddU6KFLD8tfvpS431FIbUHk_I3-euyi-ZwLCmMwh7k2kuwQVKGwv1e5WpZxf73JsHt5xk0nBNn4zxMuKEdAXbZW9uxN_Ilrq4CIjjtuonJyREVOMf14N4K3qx8ZwmnpT5q/s1600/3396910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbgW5CNo7HOddU6KFLD8tfvpS431FIbUHk_I3-euyi-ZwLCmMwh7k2kuwQVKGwv1e5WpZxf73JsHt5xk0nBNn4zxMuKEdAXbZW9uxN_Ilrq4CIjjtuonJyREVOMf14N4K3qx8ZwmnpT5q/s1600/3396910.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: normal;">Laura Kreitzer is a best-selling fantasy and science fiction author who hails from western Kentucky. Her full-time 9-5 job used to be working in a lab devoted to water dye-tracing investigations at Western Kentucky University, though her passion was always writing. After seven years of dedicating her life to the environment, she made the tough decision to leave the university to pursue her writing career. Now Laura has two series and eight novels published, with several more in the works. </span></blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://laurakreitzer.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> † <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LolaKreitzer" target="_blank">Facebook</a> † <a href="https://twitter.com/LauraKreitzer" target="_blank">Twitter</a> † <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3396910.Laura_Kreitzer" target="_blank">GoodReads</a> </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoblSB-cqlD97D-pnrZqmUIVj_ltlglUBWyiYvhN4jzz0m6nwgwtgC7hhXfw7Go0NQ0Hv5TBgj_psusRWh5gf96EzZzBVHVPAGmNaHsv28cnpiHvitqu8y__xA1pvmKBVyY7rwqH_YARup/s1600/Hosted+By+Banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoblSB-cqlD97D-pnrZqmUIVj_ltlglUBWyiYvhN4jzz0m6nwgwtgC7hhXfw7Go0NQ0Hv5TBgj_psusRWh5gf96EzZzBVHVPAGmNaHsv28cnpiHvitqu8y__xA1pvmKBVyY7rwqH_YARup/s1600/Hosted+By+Banner.png" height="78" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Dinosaurceresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09403626902261514412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440590631719704807.post-61990134992643369412014-03-28T10:20:00.000-07:002014-03-28T10:20:07.752-07:00Tigers, Horses, and Goats?You know how I have strange dreams every now and then? Well, I had another one last night/this morning.<br /><br />
I was walking around downtown at some city, and there was one of those large, shallow fountains that are usually just, pretty outdoor decorations, ya know? Well anyway, baby farm and zoo animals were running around everywhere along with horse-drawn carriages giving people tours of the downtown square that I was in. And I guess I was with a large group of friends, but all I remember for sure is that my sister was there with me.<br />
<br />
Well, she was playing with this baby goat (he was adorable by the way) and then a tiger cub was released for people to play with. My sister threw the baby goat into my arms and ran away. I decided to put the goat into the fountain and sit on the edge and dip my feet in. But then water all of a sudden became super deep and I couldn't see the bottom anymore. I handed my phone to my sister so that it wouldn't get damaged.<br />
<br />
And then the goat jumped out of my arms into the water. I got super scared because I didn't know if goats could swim and some random person said, "Calm down, he's fine. Goats are excellent swimmers." But the goat was barely holding his head above the water and as I reached in to grab him, I turned to my sister and she had put my phone on the ground to play with the tiger cub. The water in the now pool-fountain-thing started overflowing and now my phone was soaked. I yelled at my sister and grabbed the phone. Somehow it was covered in a plastic waterproof case. I was still angry though, and then I started falling into the pool-thing.<br />
<br />
<br />
I don't understand my brain. And sorry if this was a boring post for y'all, but I really felt that I had to share. I think my subconscious misses San Antonio and the zoo animals. Also, I'm terrified of drowning. So this dream was quite fun for me... not.<br />
<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading!<br />
<3 TawnyDinosaurceresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09403626902261514412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440590631719704807.post-13045863215033986402014-03-24T09:26:00.001-07:002014-03-24T09:26:41.431-07:00Love's Paradox Cover Reveal<a href="http://laurakreitzer.com/books/paradoxical-world/loves-paradox/" target="_blank"><em>Love's Paradox</em></a> is the first book in a New Adult Contemporary Romance series by <a href="http://laurakreitzer.com" target="_blank">Laura Kreitzer</a> to be released May 5, 2014. And today I'm revealing the cover!
But first, a little bit about the book:
Stalked by her abusive ex-fiancé, Rae Zachery retaliates by singing karaoke and spilling all their dirty secrets to the entire bar. When her ex attempts to silence her brazen performance, sexy biker Parker comes to her rescue and soundly punches her ex in the face. As valiant as that may be, Rae finds Parker’s violent assistance unsettling, yet she can’t help but be drawn to him and his tragic past.
Fighting her attraction for Parker is a battle Rae can’t win, and soon their night of sharing secrets morphs into an undeniable bond. But fate won’t so easily relinquish her grip on their happily-ever-after. Instead of blissfully skipping into obscurity, Rae and Parker are subjected to her ex-fiancé’s vicious proclivities. Who knew love could hurt so good?
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Read the first 5 chapters for free by <a href="http://www.laurakreitzer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Loves-Paradox-Laura-Kreitzer-Sample.pdf" target="_blank">clicking here</a>.</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">Now the cover! Are you excited? I know I am.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.laurakreitzer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Loves-Paradox-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-1769" alt="Love's Paradox" src="http://www.laurakreitzer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Loves-Paradox-2-703x1024.jpg" width="338" height="491" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">Don't forget to add <a href="http://laurakreitzer.com/books/paradoxical-world/loves-paradox/" target="_blank"><em>Love's Paradox</em></a> to Goodreads!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"></div>
<div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20655909-love-s-paradox" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter" title="goodreads" alt="" src="http://www.laurakreitzer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/goodreads.png" width="139" height="50" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">If you're a reviewer, check out <em>Love's Paradox</em> on <a href="https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/show/id/45052" target="_blank">NetGalley</a>!</div>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.laurakreitzer.com/"><img class="wp-image-1784 alignleft" style="border: 5px solid black; margin: 5px;" alt="laurakreitzer" src="http://www.laurakreitzer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/laurakreitzer-300x200.jpg" width="162" height="108" /></a></p>
<div style="text-align: justify;">Laura Kreitzer is a best-selling fantasy and science fiction author who hails from western Kentucky. Represented by <a href="http://forewordliterary.com/foreword/pam-van-hylckama-vlieg/" target="_blank">Pam van Hylckama Vlieg,</a> partner at <a href="http://forewordliterary.com/" target="_blank">Foreword Literary</a>. Laura's full-time 9-5 job used to be working in a lab devoted to water dye-tracing investigations at Western Kentucky University, though her passion was always writing. After seven years of dedicating her life to the environment, she made the tough decision to leave the university to pursue her writing career. Now Laura has several novels published, with several more in the works.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">You can find her online here:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://laurakreitzer.com" target="_blank">Website</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://twitter.com/laurakreitzer" target="_blank">Twitter</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://facebook.com/lolakreitzer" target="_blank">Facebook</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/117636618540536404240/" target="_blank">Google+</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://goodreads.com/laurakreitzer" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://laurakreitzer.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Tumblr</a></div>
<div></div>
Dinosaurceresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09403626902261514412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440590631719704807.post-3458480277595313372014-02-18T11:09:00.001-08:002014-02-18T11:09:27.068-08:00Am I Pretty or Ugly?After you read this, I want you to share this. I want you to send it to your friends and family. I want your daughters, nieces, granddaughters, students, neighbors, etc, to watch these videos.<br />
<br />
This is serious stuff, and sharing on FB isn't enough because guess what? The majority of these girls who are affected by the media and self-esteem issues are young, and they're getting younger.<br /><br />I also want to recognize, before going any further, that this does occur in men and boys also, but the videos I've found specifically address women, so if I find some strong notes on men, I'll post on that another time. But for now, maybe even show boys these videos as well. It might just be beneficial.<br />
<br />
Little girls, starting at the age of 5, sometimes younger, are concerned that they aren't pretty enough. They've resorted to asking strangers on YouTube if they're pretty or ugly. And the comments don't help! There are actually folks out their, other children, teens, and adults, who are encouraging this denial of beauty to these young, impressionable ladies by leaving terrible comments!<br /><br />You can search the words, "Am I Pretty" into YouTube, and MILLIONS of results show. Look at that number. Look at this video. This is the first one that pops up. The top comment? A very hateful message left for this child. Keyword: Child!<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/tLSFmYX45nc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I saw this next video a while ago, posted to FB from Upworthy. It included a compilation of these little girls, but they recently changed it instead to show teens who embrace their quirky characteristics. I decided to attach it, even though the original message has changed, to show some uplifting words from girls. The video is linked directly below.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.upworthy.com/these-little-girls-are-asking-the-most-devastating-question-i-can-imagine?c=ufb1">http://www.upworthy.com/these-little-girls-are-asking-the-most-devastating-question-i-can-imagine?c=ufb1</a><br />
<br />
And I have one more quick point to add before leaving today. This TED Talk that was posted, presented by an actual model. Her answer to the question that all young women ask her, "How can I become a model," is something I would never expect. But she makes a great point. And if you're curious to hear what she has to say, watch this video too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/KM4Xe6Dlp0Y?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
Watch more. Talk to the young ladies in your life who trying to understand the meaning of beauty. Sit down and have a talk with them. Watch YouTube together, read inspirational books, watch documentaries. Show them what beauty is and what it is not. It's not in the media. Those pictures, videos, movies, aren't real. Let them know.<br /><br />And above all, tell them that They Are BEAUTIFUL! (And so is everyone else, we don't need them to continue to tear others down.)<br /><br />Thank you,<br /><3 Tawny<br /><br />P.S. I hope that you do share these, at least with one person.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Dinosaurceresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09403626902261514412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440590631719704807.post-2341974359645497032014-02-16T20:51:00.000-08:002014-08-18T13:30:36.626-07:00Today, I Went To ChurchAnd it was very new to me, but also a little refreshing.<br />
<br />
I attended a service that, before it even started, stated that no one in the room had to believe or agree with a word that was said. There was no prayer, there was no communion, there was no scrutiny for not contributing to the collection plate, just a wonderful welcoming crowd of individuals.<br />
<br />
The first part of the day was a small class called <i>Intersections</i>, where we learned about opposite strengths and how we use those to our advantage, staying in our comfort zone, eventually getting stuck, and finding a way to push out of that zone and into a new feeling of refreshment. But what does that have to do with religion or church? It means everything that it's all based off of.<br />
<br />
Love, appreciation, and understanding: Not just of others, but of ourselves.<br />
<br />
And that's what the service was about today also. The topic? Trust and Tolerance. And who facilitated the service? Not a priest/minister/father, etc. But a professor with his doctorate in Philosophy of Religion. A man who spent years studying literature of many different religions. A man who understands the basis of human beings.<br />
<br />
I went to a Unitarian Universalist church. :)<br />
<br />
But unlike many churches that I've been to, as soon as we walked in the door, we were greeted with open arms and a plethora of handshakes. We met just about everyone before the first session had even started. Everyone joked and laughed and it wasn't like other churches that I had been to, where everyone was serious and grumpy because they were up at 6am on a Sunday morning. Nope. It started at 10am instead and there was coffee and tea for everyone to enjoy while they sat in session or at service.<br />
<br />
And, there were the traditional aspects of candle lighting, concern/joy voicing, greeting your neighbors, and there was even a cutesie little hymn at the end.<br />
<br />
Then there was a potluck after, but we didn't stay for it, though. I gotta ease into the whole business.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I may go again next week. Part 2 of the intersections session is next week!<br />
<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading,<br />
<3 TawnyDinosaurceresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09403626902261514412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440590631719704807.post-71026242602433918242014-02-11T14:55:00.000-08:002014-02-11T14:55:10.204-08:00Planning a WeddingAnd spending thousands of dollars on a 6 hour event scares the living crap out of me.<br />
<br />
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm excited and everything about getting married in the future. It's what I've wanted since like, I was 5 years old. And I've been pinning random ideas for the past couple of years on a board called, "<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/tawknee/someday/">Someday</a>". But now, thinking about actually Buying things? Spending all of my money on this event? It's scary. It's even scarier knowing that I have champagne taste with beer pockets!<br /><br />I'm getting the question,"Is there a date yet?" I wish I had an answer! No! there's no date. There's no budget. There's no solidified ideas yet even! I get asked this question, and you know what happens in my brain? Whirlwinds of information, thoughts, fears, numbers, logistics, etc. *shakes head quickly with widened eyes*<br /><br /><b>Here's why:</b><br />
I went to <a href="http://www.costofwedding.com/">this website</a>, saw <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/these-diagrams-are-everything-you-need-to-plan-your-wedding?bffb">this buzzfeed post</a>, and a ton more other information out there that was just... overwhelming. One blog post said something along the line of, <i>Think of a budget. Now add $20,000 more to that. and That's how much your wedding will be.</i> NO. Thank YOu.<br />
<br />
I laugh every time an article says, "Traditionally the bride's family pays for this and the groom's family pays for that..." HA! Ain't no one got the funds for that. I've seen enough episodes of SYTTD to know that allowing others to pay means they have to like it. Sorry. But I ain't about that life either.<br />
<br />
Then it's the logistics. My family is in WI. My bff is in IL. His family is in NC and FL. How is this even going to be possible? Where are we going to go? Because I sure as heck don't want a TX wedding! (No offense y'all!)<br />
<br />
It's just all too scary to think about!<br />
<br /><b>The Dress Alone is Enough to Freak Out About:</b><br />
I actually tried on a few dresses one day with a couple of friends. Just for a little stress reliever... Yeah um, I put one dress on, and I felt naked. I said it was because of the dress, but I felt naked in all of them. For some reason, it just felt wrong, like I wasn't supposed to be there. I don't know why either! I love looking at them and everything, but trying things on, was a whole new experience.<br />
<br />
A new collection came out at David's Bridal. I saw one dress and thought, I want this. My best friend said that I needed it. Desperately. I looked at the price... $1350. Not including the veil(if I choose to have one), alterations, shoes, jewelry, etc. etc. That's way more than half of what I would want to spend on a dress. If my dream dress is going to cost me that much, how much am I going to pay for a classy-ass wedding? I ain't doin' no outdoor barn wedding with mason car candles. I mean, it's cute and all, but I am not a country girl. And neither is Chris. Which is great and all, but that means we have more expensive taste now.<br /><br /><b>I Just Don't Wanna:</b><br />
Every time I look at a magazine/website/blog post/Pinterest item now. I start mentally hyperventilating and tell Chris, "You plan this thing. I don't wanna do it anymore." Is that bad? Are my feelings to blame? Am I being over-dramatic? I don't know. This is Not like planning a residence hall program. I don't have the qualifications for this. hahah<br /><br />Just know this. Right now, I have no answers. On anything. And I don't know if I'm ready to find those answers.<br /><br />Thanks for reading,<br /><3 TawnyDinosaurceresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09403626902261514412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440590631719704807.post-70272983478834436592014-02-09T14:32:00.001-08:002014-02-09T14:32:17.344-08:00Motivational PornWhen life is great and we're sailing along, getting things done, and convincing ourselves that we're going to change the world. We don't need any help with motivation! The world is in our hands!<br />
<br />
But then life starts becoming a little difficult or we have that one last paper to write before a vacation, and all motivation to continue is lost. We just don't care anymore.<br />
<br />
Then we look for someone else to pick up the slack that our mind gave up on.<br />
<br />
<b>Self-Motivation:</b><br />
Why can't we use the same drive -- the kind we have when we wake up on that rare Sunday morning, clean the entire home, do all the laundry, iron everything down to the underwear, catch up on every show that we're behind on, finish the crafts we've been neglecting, call all of our family members, and read 100+ pages of our favorite book, all before 3pm -- on the mundane things in life?<br />
<br />
Why is it that, as soon as we actually <i>have </i>to do something, we now have no more motivation?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://global3.memecdn.com/somehow-motivating_o_964846.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://global3.memecdn.com/somehow-motivating_o_964846.webp" height="330" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
For example: the end of semester is coming up and you have a schiesty ton of work to do. Two assignments "standing in the way" between you, and a long awaited break. What do you do?<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Complain to FB</li>
<li>Watch Netflix until the last possible hour</li>
<li>Search Pinterest for quotes from a historical figure to help push you through</li>
<li>Tell yourself that the faster and harder you work now, the more time you'll have to enjoy everything else later</li>
</ul>
<div>
The answer? 9 times out of 10 it's probably not the last choice. But why not?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In my opinion, the answer is simple. We live in a society that encourages knowledge and education, but ignores the reality of hard work. A society that pushes for balance, but rewards those who become experts in one small detail of life. There's too much pressure put on us to be this perfect, well-rounded, intellectually balanced person. But then again, if you're a smart scientist, you won't get nearly as much recognition for your work than an upcoming movie star who's already been treated for two drug addictions. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I think we should stop focusing on what the world wants us to be, and start putting more faith in what We want to be individuals, what We can contribute to the greater good.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Time to Re-Evaluate:</b></div>
<div>
If you're in a job where you need constant motivation to get through a day. Get out.<br /></div>
<div>
If you're in school and you're constantly screening quotes for the perfect combination of words to get you through a semester. Maybe you should rethink your education. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Why are you where you are in the first place? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Why are you still there?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Why Aren't you somewhere else?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Who's looking up to you? (I think we forget that aspect constantly.)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Who do you want to be?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Who can you be? (The answer is anyone you want.)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You are the only one in charge of your happiness. If you're not where you want to be, FIX IT. Stop relying on others and take on the world the way you planned to when you were that ambitious little 6 year old who couldn't wait to grow up.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thanks for reading again,<br /><3 Tawny</div>
Dinosaurceresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09403626902261514412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440590631719704807.post-5764267979002355592014-01-27T13:39:00.004-08:002014-01-27T13:39:45.927-08:00I Have Always Been An OutcastI've been reflecting on this subject a lot recently. And it's been kind of bringing me down. So I figured I needed to vent about it in the best way that I know how... by letting the whole world in on my thoughts.<br /><br /><b>Elementary School:</b><div>
I was a cute kid until about 4th grade. I don't know what happened, and I don't remember much. I just know that whenever I had a birthday party, I would invite all of my 'friends' and most would reply with statements like, "I can't because my family will be spring cleaning," or, "My mom has to do her taxes, so I can't." I don't know. Dumb reasons. I had a couple of close, good friends, but we lost touch as soon as we "graduated".</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Middle School:</b></div>
<div>
I was pretty much ugly and awkward throughout middle school. I had some friends, but they had their own besties, who always took precedence over me. I was picked on by the pretty girls, and even though I dated one of the cool guys in 8th grade, the pretty girls still didn't like me. I was told, to my face, that I didn't deserve to be with anyone like him and that I wasn't worth it. And I didn't have a best friend to back me up. I was outcasted.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>High School:</b></div>
<div>
There was maybe one girl who for a while, I considered to be my best friend. We always chatted in school and we were on track together. But we never hung out outside of school. There was always another friend that she would hang out with. I, of course, never noticed that. I started becoming a lot less awkward in my Sophomore year and got more involved and came out of my shell a little more. I had more friends, but they were people that only hung out with me when we had group projects or small get-togethers. It was never just me and a friend being goofy like I always saw with other friends and their besties. I joined cheerleading, thinking I would maybe fit in with a different crowd. Yeah, that didn't work.<br /><br /><b>College:</b></div>
<div>
Here again, I was friends and/or acquaintances with whomever was in my involvement circles, but I can honestly say that I never really felt like I had that close, real friend. I have Alyssa now, and I'm so thankful she's in my life, I would probably keel over and die if I didn't have her as a rock for me. But other than her? Just friends I would casually hang out with during work functions, programs, or bumping into at the bars every now and then. And maybe it's just me, but one on one interactions were great, and I loved my institution and my peers, but in big groups, I never felt like I quite fit in.<br /><br /><b>Now:</b></div>
<div>
I have friends, and we hang out. But that really only widdles down to about 3 or 4 consistent people. I love my fellow co-workers and all, but sometimes I feel like I'm trying harder than I've ever tried to fit in before. I will force myself into conversations just so that I can feel like I'm truly a part of the group. And I know I don't need to be everyone's friend, but their are times that I feel a little excluded from group activities, or I'm the last one to know about a certain event. It's always been difficult for me to reach out to particular individuals and I try to initiate things when I can, but sometimes it's just hard to hear that someone hosted a game night one day and invited a bunch of people, but never though about me. And then proceed to talk about it in front of me. Games are my favorite past-time people. Am I really that un-likeable?<br /><br />Don't get me wrong, by all means I love my job and I love my institution, and I love the folks I work with, but a lot of the time I just feel like the black sheep of the family. Everyone else seems to have inside jokes with each other. When people see each other in meetings, they squeal each other's names. I don't get any of that, though if I did, I would probably be scared for my life. But I've accepted my outcast status years ago. And I know that is just my life, it's just hard when the only best friend I've ever had lives 1000+ miles away and the friends I have here only invite me to things that Everyone else gets invited to. I don't know. Maybe I'm being overdramatic. Or maybe I really am Not trying hard enough... Or maybe I should just be grateful for the handful of close friends I have.<br /><br />I just wanted to get that out there. Thanks for listening to my soapbox. I know this isn't usually how I operate my posts on here.<br /><br />Love,<br /><3 Tawny</div>
Dinosaurceresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09403626902261514412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440590631719704807.post-69983962265590249092014-01-13T11:18:00.001-08:002014-01-13T11:18:04.857-08:00You May Think I'm CrazyBuuut I really don't care.<br />
<br />
I've never enjoyed doing things the way they're "supposed" to happen and I make my own rules quite often.<br /><br /><b>Time is Irrelevant</b><br />
You should brush your teeth for exactly two minutes.<br />You should only steep your tea for two minutes.<br />You should only weigh yourself before 9am.<br />You should never eat within three hours before bedtime.<br />
You should sleep 8 hours every night.<br />
You should only tap 20 minute naps.<br />You shouldn't drink coffee after noon.<br />You should wait half an hour after eating before swimming.<br />
You should spend 3 hours for every credit of classes studying, per week. (I'm sorry but, never.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
I will drink coffee and eat snacks right up until I'm ready to turn off Netflix and go to sleep.</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
I will swim and eat at the same time... if I ever swam.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
I will "study" exactly what I need to do well and then I will go right back to Netflix.</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
I will sleep for however long my body tells me. </div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
I can't nap. They make me angry.</div>
<br />
I don't believe that we should live our lives on a set timeline that some random magazine has published in an article. I don't think that it's right to have everyone living the same lives.<br /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is why you may think I'm crazy.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
To my faithful readers: I have not blogged in a long while. But I've been busy. And quite lazy just as well. Sorry not sorry. But I think you'll like this next thing.</div>
<br /><b>I. Am. Engaged</b><br />(Reader say what?!)<br />
Yes. It's true. I just didn't post it on FB.<br />I didn't post a cutesy-pie status saying, "He asked and I said yes." Those are boring. And partially annoying.<br />I didn't post a surprise picture wearing a ring all of a sudden causing mass panic amongst my friends and family.<br />
I just don't do things the way I'm expected to.<br /><br />
<b>Why Didn't I Tell You?</b><br />Well, because I didn't want to hear the same questions/comments over and over again.<br /><br />
"When did he ask?<br />How did he ask?<br />And you've only been dating for how long?<br />You're not ready for that!<br />You don't know enough about each other!<br />You haven't had a screaming match/ground-breaking fight!"<br /><br />I don't give a damn.<br />
<br />
<b>"But you've only known each other for five months!"</b><br />We're still in school, so don't worry, no plans anytime soon.<br />
<br />
Yes, we haven't known each other for very long. We haven't dated for very long either. We haven't lived together. Yes, yes. This I know. But even though I'm not following the socially-constructed timeline that's expected of me. Technically, I'm ahead of everyone else in this society.<br /><br />I'm in grad school. I have a job. I don't have any kids. I have a future. Etc. Etc.<br /><br />Why is it such a surprise? Why is it so controversial? Because it's not how you want it?<br /><br />Why, is it that we see a 70 year old couple, hear a story that they met and got married within two months and are still happily married, and think it's the cutest story in the world? I think if you react a certain way towards me, you're not giving my relationship a chance.<br />
<br />
Because there are people in this world who date for 12 years and still aren't sure that they're ready for a commitment, even though they have a family, house, and life with this person. It's a scary world, eh? Divorce rates so high? Because people get married just to get married these days, or they're so concerned about finding the perfect partner that they spend their lives thinking there has to be someone better for them.<br /><br />
I've found my perfect counterpart, and I'm claiming him because I'm positive that he's my match.<br />
<br />
If you think I'm wrong then,... for the first time ever... I don't want your opinion. You may think I'm crazy, or dumb, or whatever, but this is my life and I will live it however I choose.<br /><br />Thank you,<br /><3 TawnyDinosaurceresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09403626902261514412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440590631719704807.post-66021752872080497172013-12-15T14:22:00.000-08:002013-12-15T14:22:42.457-08:00First Semester Wrap-UpI'll keep this short.<br /><br />But longer than a silly ol' FB status.<br /><br />First off, congrats to all of my friends who have just graduated yesterday! Y'all are awesome folks and I can't wait to stalk your FB profiles to see where you end up next! ;)<br /><br />Now, to turn the attention back onto me.<br /><br />I was "done" with my first semester of graduate school last week after I turned in my last paper.<br /><br />But todayyyy, we're officially done because we got our grades back!<br /><br />Now, to say I did well, is one thing, but to say I kicked ASS is definitely more accurate.<br /><br />This hasn't happened to me since my first semester of 6th grade.<br /><br />*In sing-song*<br />I Got Three Aaaa's!<br />
That makes a 4.000!<br />
<br />Take that lollipop and suck on it!<br /><br /><br />Sorry. Is that too much? My bad. Just a tad excited over here.<br />Actually I'm not sorry!<br /><br />I'm happy to know that I am in the right profession and learning about exactly what I want to learn about.<br />Now, to relax for two weeks before I think about school again.<br /><br />Peace out folks!<br /><br /><3 TawnyDinosaurceresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09403626902261514412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440590631719704807.post-63633783403597786932013-11-22T13:41:00.003-08:002013-11-22T13:41:46.304-08:00"The Movie Just Wasn't As Good As The Book"No sh!t, Sherlock!!<br />
<br />
<b>I'm Annoyed:</b><br />One of my biggest pet peeves is the title of this post, or some rendition of it.<br /><br />"The movie just didn't give the book justice."<br /><br />"I think the movie was great, but it left some things out from the book. It's a little upsetting."<br /><br />You know what? Shuuuuut uuuuuppp!<br />
<br />
<b>I've Been Waiting for this Moment:</b><br />
I have been wanting to post this for quite some time now. But I wanted to wait for the perfect time. And with the new Hunger Games movies out now, I feel this is it.<br /><br />In the history of time, have you EVER heard someone say, "Wow! That movie/tv show/webisode was WAY better than the book. Ugh! The book is terrible in comparison!"<br /><br />No.<br /><br />No.<br /><br />Just... No.<br /><br />It doesn't happen.<br /><br />You know why?<br /><br />You can put more detail into a 600 page book than you can a 2 hour movie. When reading a book, you get into the characters' heads. You feel for them. You grow with them. You have more time to process their story. You can visualize the scenery, imagine the smells, you have so much more autonomy to create the story as you see it in your mind. You can take the 3 chapter walk through the woods and walk through the plot development.<br /><br />If you wanted a movie to portray your book page by page, then it would end up being and 8 hour movie. Can you sit through that? I know I sure as heck can't!<br /><br />Do you really expect to enter the movie theatre being blown away by the verbatim script from the book? Do you really expect that the director isn't going to try to make it Blockbuster worthy? They're trying to win awards, not copy someone else's work line by line!<br /><br />Do you really want to hear intrapersonal dialogue of the main character?<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
"I saw the twig lying in the middle of my doorstep, and I knew at that moment someone had come to my door. But no one was around. So I instead went back into my house and made a sandwich." </div>
I don't know about you, but If I'm watching a movie, I'd much rather see Character open the door, look around, and shrug her shoulders as she walked away. It's a lot less annoying and a little less time.<br /><br />This is why, I just don't read the books first. Especially if I know they'll be a movie. But by then, I've been annoyed that it's become more of a fad than anything and I don't want to read it anyway. But I know that's not the case for you, because you little to be fashionable. But that's another post (maybe).<br /><br />You know you'll be disappointed in the movie, so why not wait for it to come out, be blown away, then read the book, and gain an uber amount of respect for it. This way, you don't get let down by other and you can appreciate both as separate entities, instead of getting your hopes up and becoming crushed later.<br /><br />Doesn't that make So much more sense?!<br /><br />It does to me.<br /><br /><br />Thanks for reading again y'all!<br /><3 TawnyDinosaurceresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09403626902261514412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440590631719704807.post-36683390601334168162013-11-19T10:31:00.003-08:002013-11-19T10:31:52.970-08:00HATEHate is such a strong word. Such a terrible word. It's a scary feeling. An all-consuming emotion.<br />
<br />
It starts with a tiny flame brought to life by a bad idea, and it festers, it burns, it snuffs all of the oxygen from your spirit. It causes you to tremble with rage with a flicker of thought, or sight. For some, it inflicts an uncontrollable need to sob the pain away. It hurts. For some, it causes illness. For many, it's an overbearing desire to scream, yell, punch, hit, kick, pull, and push. This flame, this fire, that has taken over your mind and body, goes by the name of hate.<br />
<br />
Yet so many people carry hate in their lives.<br />
<br />
Whether it's the fact that you hate a musical artist, a vegetable, a "type" of individual, or even yourself, it's a horrible thing to hold in your heart.<br />
<br />
<b>What Exactly Is Hate:</b><br />
According to Dictionary.com, the first definition for hate is, "to dislike intensely or passionately; feel extreme aversion for or extreme hostility toward; detest"<br />
<br />
Synonyms listed are: Loathe, Execrate, Despise, Abhor, Detest; Abominate.<br />
<br />
Do we really want to feel this way?<br />
<br />
Is this feeling necessary?<br />
<br />
<b>On A Personal Note:</b><br />
I know I say that I hate a certain number of things, but it fills me with guilt as soon as the word exits my mouth. I try my hardest not to use that word, but sometimes it's difficult, because it gets thrown around so often. Like the word "Love," it's difficult to define it, to know when it's true, or if it's just a heat-of-the-moment situation. For the most part, I'll use words such as despise, or I may really not like something, but do I really hate anything? Do I really hate anyone? I don't know if I could.<br />
<br />
I mean, the slightest whiff of pickles will make me want to spew the past three days of food all over the place, but I don't hate pickles. I've never even eaten one I don't think. I just can't stand the smell!<br />
<br />
I'm terrified of spiders and creepy-crawly bugs. I don't hate them, on the contrary, I find them fascinating! Every once in a while, I'll look one up on the computer and when I can't take it anymore, because I've just subjected myself to terror, I'll stop. When I see one in real life, I become paralyzed temporarily and my heart will race. But I don't hate them. I've just had a Lot of bad experiences with them. (Maybe another post.)<br />
<br />
There's just too much love and appreciation for this world in my heart that I have no room for hate. It doesn't really exist. It's just a word that I accidentally toss around on occasion.<br />
<br />
<b>What About You:</b><br />
Tell me, why do hate whatever/whomever it is that you do so much? What's the reason? Is it sufficient? Is it reasonable? Is it necessary to spend you time hating it when you could utilize that energy to love someone/something more?<br />
<br />
In my opinion, it takes more effort to hate a brand of chips, than it does to love three human beings. So why not make room in your heart for that? I bet you'd feel a lot happier with life, work, friends, and whatever have you if that were the case.<br />
<br />
Take some time to think about it.<br />
<br />
Is hate what you're really about?<br />
Is that what you want to be known for?<br />
Is that how you want others to see you?<br />
<br />
Thank you for reading,<br />
<3 TawnyDinosaurceresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09403626902261514412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440590631719704807.post-16333899085681708692013-11-18T10:50:00.001-08:002013-11-18T10:50:20.818-08:00StrengthsQuest and Personal GrowthFirst off, I know not all of my readers are well-versed in the world of StrengthsQuest. So I will briefly explain it.<br />
<br />
<b>What is <a href="http://www.strengthsquest.com/content/141728/index.aspx">StrengthsQuest</a>:</b><br />
So basically, you take this really in-depth test that's about 160-175 questions long. It takes about 20-30 minutes to complete. It asks questions such as, "I would much rather take charge in a situation than sit back and observe." Then it calculates your answers to some fancy unknown algorithm. and out of 34 different possible strengths, it tells you your top 5.<br />
<br />
It was created because many professionals and career fields are often driven by the thought of needing to improve their weaknesses to remain competitive. According to researchers, this notion goes against the reality of what we're able to do. The fact is, our weaknesses are just that. They will always remain that way, and that's okay, we're human! Sure, we can work to improve, but they will remain inferior to our stengths.<br />
<br />
What the test does is highlight those strengths and provide some tools for us to highlight those Strengths in our everyday life. Whether it be school, work, families, etc, we can be better people and more productive in our lives when we know what we can do well. It's an amazing tool and is slowly becoming the norm in colleges and universities alike.<br />
<br />
<b>My Strengths:</b><br />
I originally took a StrengthsFinder test for RA training needs in the summer of 2010. Back then, my results were:<br />
1.) Consistency<br />
2.) Positivity<br />
3.) Harmony<br />
4.) Developer<br />
5.) Communication<br />
<br />
(I won't go into depth with these because they're old. But I just wanted to show for comparative purposes.)<br />
<br />
For my new job, we were required to inform our supervisor(s) of our strengths. I didn't think my old strengths reflected my personality today, so I decided to take it - three years later, and this is what I got:<br />
1.) Connectedness<br />
2.) Maximizer<br />
3.) Communication<br />
4.) Developer<br />
5.) Individualization<br />
<br />
When I saw the new results, I was surprised initially. But after a few moments of reflection, it made a lot of sense. With just eight words, I saw a flash of the past three years and how I've grown as a person.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.strengthsquest.com/content/143324/themes-full-description.aspx">What Does It Mean</a>:</b><br />
First off, there are lengthy, in-depth definitions that I could provide, but then you would be reading forever. So I will say what I think/feel about each one. I've also provided the link if you want more information on what all 34 Strengths are/mean.<br />
<br />
Connectedness: It means I'm a believer. I believe that everyone and everything in our world is intertwined together in some sort of fashion. I believe that everything has a purpose and everything happens for a reason, great or small. I take this as a very philosophical-based concept, and that's how I base my entire life. So, it makes sense for it to be my number one.<br />
<br />
Maximizer: This one is my favorite. When I first read that this was in my top 5, I was upset. I thought, "Oh great, I've just been labeled as a perfectionist..." No one wants to be labeled as that. But after these past few months of me taking the time to appropriately reflect on what it means, I LOVE IT! This terms says that I make things better. I find a process, product, thought, or idea, and improve it. I seek out the strengths in individuals and help them highlight their own abilities. How great is that?!<br />
<br />
Communication: This one has been in my top five both times, which means it holds a lot of strength for me. Also, seeing that it's gone up in the list means saying that I value communication in real life actually holds true. "Ideas are a dry beginning. Events are static. You feel a need to bring them to life, to energize them,<br />
to make them exciting and vivid." It's so true.<br /><br />Developer: I think this one is perfect and goes hand in hand with Maximizer. This is also something that has been of constant value of mine through the years. Basically, it says I love bringing the best out of people and working to develop them as an individual. (I think this also means I'm in the right profession.) Which brings me to my next and final Strength.<br />
<br />
Individualization: I hate labeling people and can see unique qualities in each and every person. It also says I'm a great gift giver (even though I find it to be one of the most stressful things for me). I love that I have this Strength, because I really think it ties all of my Strengths together. I love people, and even though I often say that I can't stand them, I don't. I truly love people, and I think there's beauty in everyone - some are just more difficult to find than others.<br /><br /><b>Why Share All of This:</b><br />
Long story short? Comparing my current Strengths with ones from three years ago, I can see in an instant the amount of growth that has occurred in me as a person. I can see my motivation, my drive, how I want to develop myself even further in the next couple of years while I'm still in graduate school. When I become a true professional in the field. I use my Strengths everyday at work, in my personal life, and I've seen them come to fruition throughout my class work this semester.<br /><br /><b>My Challenge to You:</b><br />Whether you've taken the test or not, take some time to evaluate your Strengths. Do you know what you're good at? Do you take advantage of them?<br /><br />If you're a professional, did you take the test, think about them until the day after, and let them gather dust in the back of your mind? Or do you take the time to implement your Strengths in your everyday work? If you're a strategic thinker, and you're sitting in a meeting not saying anything, unhappy, maybe you should utilize that amazing quality within yourself and contribute! Ask questions! I promise you'll be a lot happier. A lot more satisfied. You'll feel useful, valuable, important.<br /><br />You are those things. You just need to feel it yourself. Everyone else already does. Utilize your strengths. Stop focusing on the 'I can't's,' and more so on the 'I can's!"<br /><br />I dare you.<br /><br />Thanks for reading,<br /><3 TawnyDinosaurceresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09403626902261514412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440590631719704807.post-61679356509079743632013-11-12T10:31:00.001-08:002013-11-12T10:31:38.393-08:00Is Training Truly Effective?This post will be a little less personal than usual, but still something I want to talk about.<br /><br />I have a bachelor's degree in Human Resources -- hiring, firing, recruitment, training, payroll, insurance, etc.<br /><br />My current job works solely with recruitment and training. I mean, it's in my job title. Honestly, those were two of my favorite things to learn about in my undergrad classes, so this job is perfect for me.<br /><br />But I was having coffee this morning with a colleague and we were talking about training. At Tech, each residence hall complex has, to an extent, the autonomy to decide how things are run. When we go through training, we learn the overarching goals, policies, and general key points. Which is great, in theory... but is it enough in actuality?<br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>"Training provides you a swimsuit, but it doesn't teach you how to swim.":</b></span><br />
As soon as he said this, I thought, I need to talk about this.<br /><br />It's so true, in many aspects. For my first professional staff training, it lasted 3 weeks. But not being an in-hall staff member, I felt that the training was geared towards those folks in particular. Whenever the question was asked, "What about those who aren't in-hall?" the answer was, "I'm not sure." I've simply found that most of what I learned just doesn't apply to me. Next semester, I begin on-call duties. I'm never in the residence halls. I don't know how I'm going to make it out alive! I don't remember where everything is. I don't remember all of the procedures. I'm just praying to God that the on-call binder is easy to maneuver, because that thing will not be leaving my side.<br /><br />But what about those folks swimming in their halls on an everyday basis? Each hall is different. Each hall runs their desk differently, each hall holds Complex Council differently, and each hall Looks different! Yes, there are policies that everyone has to follow and deadline that reign over the entire department, but as for everyday procedures, No one does it the same way. They've got their swimsuits, but like babies, they're thrown into the pool with the expectation of learning to swim in an instant. I'm not saying the parents are careless or not watching, but there's just that underlying expectation of their children.<br /><br />As for student staff, for Spring training, we're planning on fitting everything into ONE day. One day. I'm curious to see how well this works out for everyone. But I have to say, I'm not sure I like it. Fall training lasted one week. ONE. WEEK. At my undergrad, our training lasted 2.5 weeks. Yes, we had to be back super early for school, but I felt prepared going into my job. I don't know if one week is feasible for students to learn the intricacies of such a demanding position.<br /><br /><b>Feeling Empowered:</b><br />Then I hear about a lack of motivation, time management, commitment, adherence to policies, and respect for their job. I'm not saying this doesn't happen at every institution with some folks, or that it's Everyone here, but I can't help but wonder. Are we being effective in preparing our students for the jobs we expect them to do? Is there more we can do? What can I do in my position to improve our processes? Don't worry, I am working on it. I keep mental tabs on what I hear from in-hall staffs, from students, from central staff, I relate them to my experiences, and trust me, I fight for what I think is right. I'm hoping to help improve training.<br /><br />I want to make sure we all know how to swim before being thrown into the deep end of the pool. But I know I can't do it on my own. And that's where the <i>Maximizer</i> in me starts to feel defeated.<br /><br />Am I overreacting? Maybe I just don't have the full story. Maybe this is just how things are here. Doesn't mean I won't try though. To quote one of my mentors from undergrad, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it... but that doesn't mean an upgrade isn't worth it."<br /><br /><br />Thanks for reading y'all,<br /><3 Tawny<br /><br />p.s. Don't be afraid to leave a comment for me below or subscribe to my posts via email over on the right-hand side of the page.<br /><br />Your supported is appreciated more than you know! :DDinosaurceresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09403626902261514412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440590631719704807.post-54097753920302440572013-11-11T13:32:00.001-08:002013-11-12T11:06:23.150-08:00The Pressure to Eat HealthyI started writing this post last night, soo as to make I didn't forget to express myself today. And, so while I'm at work waiting for my video file to finish processing, I shall finish it!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b>Backwards List of Food Intake As of Sunday:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
As I am writing this sentence, it is 10:56pm. And I just ate a peppermint patty.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
For dinner, I had a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal.</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
For lunch, a quesadilla.</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
No breakfast.</div>
<br />
<b>Background Info:</b><br />
I just, don't like eating 'healthy'. I eat what I want, where I want, when I want. I will eat in my bed, I will eat past 10pm, I will drink my milk, and I love fried foods. I'm from Wisconsin. At our state fair, we have <b><i>fried butter</i></b>... among other things.<br />
<br />
In our professional development sessions, we learn how to take better care of ourselves. In one especially we got talked to by a Registered Dietitian. She told us about all of the foods we could eat, shouldn't eat, and definitely weren't allowed to eat. It was scary, it was depressing, it was demotivating. My first meal after though, I was determined to eat something healthy. It didn't work out too well. It was unknowingly spicy, and I had no milk to wash it down, because milk is naughty. After that, I. Was. Done. Forget about it.<br />
<br />
Nothing ever works. I even saw that Food documentary, the really gross one that turns die-hard carnivores into vegans? The only thing I thought about during that film was, "Man, I could go for some fried chicken right about now." Does that make me heartless?<br />
<br />
<b>Why I Refuse:</b><br />
It's not just because it's hard, or it doesn't taste good, or it's too expensive.. It's because of the pressure! If I choose to eat healthy, then it's a consistent effort to be conscious of my food choices! But if I manage to succeed at it, and then slip as soon as I crave a BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger with Sauteed Mushrooms, I become a failure. Then the guilt comes.<br />
<br />
I gave in to temptation. Now I have to start all over. What will society think of me? Am I being judged? Would someone shun me for my poor food choices? I know it's weird to think this, but it happens!<br />
<br />
Also, I'm lazy. I will come right out and say it. I. Am. Lazy. I hate working out. And I'm not athletically coordinated, so it's not like I have a creative outlet for my energy. My idea of a workout is walking up the stairs to class every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. (Those stairs will even knock the wind out of in-shape folks!) I don't even own a pair of tennis shoes. I don't want to spend $60 on a pair of shoes! Also, what happens when I Do go to the gym? That place is one giant room of intimidation. No way. I'm good where I'm at.<br />
<br />
There's just too much pressure. But these not the only reason why I refuse.<br />
<br />
<b>Body Image:</b><br />
I used to be terribly self-conscious of every aspect of my body. But I can tell you about all that later. That's not what this post is about. At this point in my life, I love my body. I've got great curves. I look and feel like a woman. I may be short, I have a bum that is next to impossible to fit a pair of jeans over, and I may only be able to shop at a few select stores shirts made big enough for my boobs, but small enough for my waist... but that's fun for me!<br />
<br />
I wouldn't trade my body for anyone else's.<br />
<br />
So why should I have to eat and act healthy for society? Why should I have to worry about eating brown rice versus white rice? Why should I not have both of those donuts? And why in the HELL, would I ever give up bread?! I have no allergies, I don't get headaches, my metabolism is great, I'm rarely sick, and I'm going to take advantage of my blessings for as long as I have them!<br />
<br />
I'm totally and completely healthy!<br />
<br />
To me, telling me to worry about what I put in my body and that I should be more active only worsens my body image. To me, making my feel guilty about eating the peppermint patty before bed, makes me feel unnecessarily guilty. To me, this is just another fad that I'm supposed to buy into! Well, let me tell you, I can't afford to make this purchase at this point in my life.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1459715_10151796265726275_2003555027_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1459715_10151796265726275_2003555027_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of the "Being Liberal" FaceBook page.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Leave me alone.<br />
<br />
Also, I'm ready for lunch number two. Or pre-dinner. Whichever you prefer. Either way, I'm digging in to some leftover Panda Express as soon as I publish this.<br />
<br />
Don't tell me what to do!! >_<<br />
<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading,<br />
<3 TawnyDinosaurceresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09403626902261514412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440590631719704807.post-76219450570252789532013-11-10T16:58:00.001-08:002013-11-10T16:58:47.850-08:00True Love's KissEveryone know that I Love fairytales, stories about princesses, and terribly romantic love stories. What can I say, I'm a hopeless romantic and secretly also a princess. Okay, well, I'm not, but I want to be one.<br /><br />When I was a little girl, I dreamed about falling in love with some wonderful boy who would sweep my off of my feet.<br /><br />Since I was 12, I've thought about what I would name my future children. Yes, I do have some up my sleeve, but I shall not tell! It'll ruin the surprise... if it ever happens.<br /><br />Since about high school or so, I lost track on the timeline, I've been "planning" my future wedding. Now, I'm not one of those crazy girls who's Pinterest is loaded up with 18 boards on wedding ideas alone. No. I would do everyone a favor and slap myself for you. *shiver* But I have thought about general ideas that would be interesting to have if the day ever came for me. I do have a Pinterest bored, it's called <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/tawknee/someday/">Someday</a>, but it's not filled entirely with obsessive wedding details. Just a few, and most of it has nothing to do with even that!<br /><br /><b>Why Am I Telling You This:</b><br />Today, I watched 27 Dresses. A story about a girl who's been waiting for her day since she was 8 years old. Then, she watches the love of her life almost marry her little sister, and she goes crazy. All the while, there's a guy who she had no interest in whatsoever, and at the end of the movie, they get married. Ah. True love. Romance. Perfection. Beauty. Makes my heart swell up. With happiness. For a fictional character.<br /><br />Then, I watched Enchanted. I love this movie. Who doesn't? But here's what always throws me for a loop. Giselle is about to marry Prince Edward. Tragedy strikes and she meets another man. You can tell they fall for each other, yet throughout the entire movie, she can't wait for the man of her dreams to find her so that they can live happily ever after. Then, as soon as he does find her, she really doesn't want him anymore. She want New Dream Man! But he's taken. In fact, he's been taken for about five years(?). Yet at the very end, he throws that relationship away for a chance at happiness with Giselle. And they... they trade partners basically. Is that weird or what? Nope, not for them, because the Prince can be married now and the girl can escape her reality of being broken up by someone who was about to propose to her for a girl who destroyed multiple sets of curtains in his home! I don't get it.<br /><br /><b>Moral Of The Story:</b><br />If true love is this important, magical, powerful force of nature, how can it be found, released, and traded to easily? Falling in love is difficult to do but but falling out is easy? (Or is it the other way around?) Was it really ever love then? Was it really ever true? Or was it just a means to an end? Maybe I'm pulling from <a href="http://privatethoughtsgonepublic.blogspot.com/2013/04/failed-relationships-lessons-learned.html">past experiences</a>, but really, if it's such a loose ideal, why do we wrap ourselves up in it?<br /><br />I'm not saying we should or shouldn't, I'm simply saying we should ask ourselves why? How do we know if what we have is what we really want? What we need? How do we know?<br /><br />I love thinking and dreaming and hoping for my happily ever after, and who knows, maybe I will get it, maybe I have that now, I won't know until it's happened though. But I realized this a while ago. I can't, and won't focus on the laters. At this stage in my life, yes, I have those future children names picked out, but I'm not clinging to them as my only options. They're just daydreams.<br /><br />Do I think about my future wedding every once in a while? Yes, I do. I won't lie. I am muy guilty of it. But, I don't spend hours lost in thought about the color scheme, the location, the dresses, the lighting, the music, and whatever else. If and when I do have a wedding someday, it won't be just mine, it'll be his too. So I want to leave the planning up to the two of us and our incomes, cuz that shtuff is expensive as heck. Remember ladies, it's not Your wedding... you wouldn't have one if he wasn't there.<br /><br />Just some thoughts I wanted to ponder with y'all.<br /><br />Now, excuse me while I swoon over more love stories and drama in Once Upon A Time. ;)<br /><br />Thanks again for reading,<br /><3 Tawny<br />Dinosaurceresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09403626902261514412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440590631719704807.post-57666330001705975002013-11-09T22:00:00.001-08:002013-11-09T22:00:25.700-08:00Self-Inspiration - Don't Ask HowI was hanging out at Barnes and Noble, not always the best idea for me, and I almost got out of the store without splurging on some random book, game, toy, or whatever. But then I got to the checkout area.<br />
<br />
Right before it, you know, that area where it has random crafts and interesting items that don't fit in anywhere else in the store? Where Everything is always on some kind of markdown?<br />
<br />
Well, you see, there was this sketch book. I bought it. So cute! Plain, tan colored book, says the word "sketch" on top and has 240 pages for me to draw/doodle in. It was $7. I think that's a darn good deal!<br /><br />As soon as I brought it home with me, and began drawing random lines and swirls and was asked, "What are drawing?" I had no idea. Until I was about 3/4 done with the page. Once I finished, a poem was inspired within my brain. Never had that ever happened before.<br /><br />Usually, when it comes to poems, something cool will pop up in my brain, and I'll write it down. Then, if I try to make a poem or limerick out of it, it sounds like a four-year old's poem. I can't rhyme, I don't have rhythm, I'm not creative with my diction, I'm just no good!<br /><br />But, this one, not too shabby. So, I am willing to share, not only my drawing, but also my poem with you. Especially since I have not had recent bloggable inspirations, I figure this will be a good way to get back in the game.<br /><br />Both the picture and the poem are called, <i>LIFE</i>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDLg7HHmq_AuNxlyW4wMRGuNKgeF83ZEagRVRafRcUGvoDEnCpQGwTRP-Sal9s48RnTOaGKqgM_cpJKrJjvv77AOqSV9FgE0j6V787d3ZerTmHv1u0sETj1Hje8SvVfuRqj901towdQpY/s1600/WP_20131109_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDLg7HHmq_AuNxlyW4wMRGuNKgeF83ZEagRVRafRcUGvoDEnCpQGwTRP-Sal9s48RnTOaGKqgM_cpJKrJjvv77AOqSV9FgE0j6V787d3ZerTmHv1u0sETj1Hje8SvVfuRqj901towdQpY/s640/WP_20131109_001.jpg" width="356" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Life, is like a burning fire.<br />Causing destruction wherever it goes.<br />Filling your heart and mind with ire.<br />Yet after it's gone, new life, it grows.<br />And sometimes through the thick, black smoke,<br />The most delicate things in life survive,<br />Tending to be as strong as the great white oak.<br />Nothing in life strictly defined,<br />Chaotic as the Devil's mind.<br />Free to explore, yet imprisoned by space,<br />It thrashes around, yet stays in place.<br />Somehow, still full of wonder, and grace.<br />Sometimes as fragile as a ribbon of lace.<br />Constant and thriving no matter which stage,<br />Yet never looking the same as before.<br />Sometimes it rains and sometimes it pours.<br />It's shocking, terrifying, full of undying rage.<br />And even through the never-ending war,<br />None will ever reach its core.<br />Life, it will shine with beauty, once more.<br />Just like a burning fire,<br />Its passion will always be admired.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There's a lot going on, and there was really no reason for how it came about. I just wanted to break in the book and wanted to create something fun. And somehow I managed to inspire myself, and break through this creative barrier I've been facing lately, and really dig into some thoughts and feelings that have been sitting in the back of my mind gathering dust.<br /><br />I've shared a piece with you all that I don't share often. It's a different kind of art that I'm not used to putting out on display, but what's the name of this blog again?<br /><br />Oh yeah, <a href="http://privatethoughtsgonepublic.blogspot.com/">Private Thoughts Gone Public</a>.<br /><br />I hope you enjoyed this,<br />And I hope this brings me back to regular blogging. (Darn grad school!)<br /><br />Please comment if you thought this was at least okay. If not, then I will go back to my regular rants and keep the drawings and written work to myself and close(r) friends.<br /><br /><br />I appreciate you,<br /><br /><3 TawnyDinosaurceresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09403626902261514412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440590631719704807.post-85695745836131676482013-10-16T14:18:00.001-07:002013-10-16T14:18:06.977-07:00Graduate School UpdateI'm about halfway through my first semester as a graduate student in the Higher Education program at Texas Tech University.<br /><br />I figure it's a good time to do some reflection.<br /><br />So far, it's been an amazing experience for me. I won't talk about work, or my personal life, because there's just too much for me to talk about. I will say though, that I've met some amazing people in which I can't wait to see where our friendships take us, and I'm seeing some great things happening in the workplace and I love being a part of it.<br /><br /><br /><b>Having A Cohort:</b><br />I remember when I was interviewing with schools at OPE, the word cohort was dropped as if it should have been in my vocab for years. It was not. I didn't understand what that was even through my first on-campus interview. I would just smile, nod, and say, "This sounds great!"<br /><br />For those of y'all who may be in the position I was in: Basically, a cohort is a group of students that take the same classes together from the beginning of the program, to the end of the program.<br /><br />I love this, because already, my cohort has begun to build an amazing bond with each other that I don't think would have happened otherwise. We actually want to hang out outside of class. Who does that?! Cohorts. That's who. I'm so excited. (We're planning a get together for this weekend!)<br /><br />In class, we take turns making fun of each other, and then flip sides to back each other up. Because we're comfortable with each other, and it's great. I love it.<br /><br /><b>Classwork:</b><br />
Sucks. But at the same time, it's kind of fun. And maybe it's just because I'm a bit of a perfectionist, but I Always stress out about an assignment thinking that I'm going to do terrible. Then I start panicking that I'm going to fail, get kicked out of the program, and have to move back to Wisconsin. Dear God, please don't make me move back to Wisconsin! Haha!<br /><br />I freak out, work my big ol' butt off, think it's the best thing ever, turn it in, go back to freaking out about how I could have improved some aspect, stop caring, then get an email with my grade. Freak out again, check it, and it's either full points or close to it. I'm doing quite well! I'm just a worried, nut-ball.<br /><br />But in all reality, I'm seriously enjoying my classes and the work I'm doing in them. I'm currently doing research in a field in which I know next to nothing about, and finding that there is actually not a lot of research in this area. Even though I'm finding it next to impossible to get what I need for my research, my professor in that class has provided me with nothing short of encouraging words that somehow take away any concerns and restore faith in myself. I have amazing support here and the faculty so far have been nothing but happy.<br /><br />I can't wait to learn more in these upcoming semesters.<br /><br />I'm also extremely proud to be a Red Raider.<br /><br /><3 TawnyDinosaurceresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09403626902261514412noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440590631719704807.post-74141595470088275122013-10-14T14:22:00.002-07:002013-10-14T14:22:14.305-07:00It's Just Another MondayI hear this every week. And it seriously bothers me.<br /><br />Every other conversation goes something like:<br />"Hey! How are ya?"<br />"Eh, you know, it's Monday."<br /><br />No. I don't know. Explain it to me. Or maybe I can explain it to you.<br /><br />Mondays are days like any other. I mean, I used to despise Thursdays because, I swear that for the longest time, something terrible happened to Teenager Tawny every Thursday and I ended up associating such negativity with it. But anyway.<br /><br /><br /><b>What's so bad about Mondays?</b><br />I have an idea. Mondays are socially constructed to induce negativity upon your poor brains so that you slosh around work and school feeling bad about your life. It gives you an excuse to be a negative Nancy and have people feel bad for you. Because it's Monday, and everyone else hates it. You've fallen into the lesson and have to hate it yourself.<br /><br />"Why are you so glum, munchkin?"<br />"It's Monday."<br />"Awe, yeah I know. Hang in their pumpkin, the day's half over and it'll be Tuesday before you know it."<br />"Yeah, I'm trying. Thanks Sue."<br /><br />No! Slap yourself for me. You're being ridiculous.<br /><br /><b>Guess what?</b><br />Mondays occur... EVERY... WEEK! And they don't just happen to you. They aren't out to get you. Everyone lives through Mondays right along with you. They're marked on every calendar you buy. What do you do? Dread them so much that you completely black the days out before you even bring your calendar home?<br /><br />"My birthday's on a Monday this year... this is going to suck..."<br />Why? Because you can't get schwasty-pants that night? Because you have to work the next day? Or just because it's a Monday?<br /><br />Why are you so upset?! Shouldn't you instead embrace the blessing of seeing another day's light? Shouldn't you be happy that you have the capability of working in general? Shouldn't you just be happy to be alive? Maybe you should actually try to enjoy your weekends more instead of just sitting on the couch all day in sweatpants eating potato chips and watching Breaking Bad marathons on Netflix. It sounds like fun at the time I bet, right? But in all reality, you've wasted a couple of precious days to have fun, work on a hobby, or get all of your errands done for the week. Because when Sunday night rolls around, you realize, "Oh no, I've wasted another weekend." And then you slum around all day Monday wishing for your weekend back and praying that the week goes by quickly in wait for Friday afternoon. <br /><br /><br />Shouldn't you learn by now? We're intelligent creatures, right? Stop letting a single word get you down. There's no avoiding Mondays. They are <b>Just. Days!</b> Get over it. Get over yourself. Turn the lights on at the pity party and be happy for once.<br /><br />Break away from the endless cycle of glum. Listen to some Bananarama and play some fun music if that's what helps.<br /><br /><br />This is life.<br /><3 TawnyDinosaurceresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09403626902261514412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440590631719704807.post-28959687517954771272013-09-29T01:42:00.002-07:002013-09-29T01:42:40.384-07:00Freedom Of MindI guess, in case you missed my (one of my) statuses last week on FaceBook, I wrote something that I really think everyone should not only read, but understand and remember.<br />
<br />
Many of y'all know, that the way my sister and I have decided to keep in touch while I'm away from home/living across the country, is through letters. On the occasion, if it's pressing or needs to be vocalized immediately, one may text, call, or tweet another. But we've left all our prime mode of communication to snail mail.<br />
<br />
1.) Who doesn't love getting mail, that isn't a bill or catalog that no one cares about? That's why we online shop, right? Not out of convenience, but just so we can get some fun mail send to us? Maybe it's just me.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
2.) I think it makes hearing from someone all the more special. Taking the time to write a letter is a lot more appreciated than calling someone on the phone while you paint your nails or play a video game.<br />
<br />
Recently, our cat at home passed away. He had a very advanced form of Leukemia that was discovered too late and his chances of life were next to nothing. So he had to be put down. I was informed of this via FB message. Not the best way of hearing about something like that, granted, the cat and I were never the best of friends, but my immediate thoughts went to my sister. How was she? I couldn't imagine her feeling any less than devastated and that's what tore my heart in half.<br />
<br />
Then I received a letter from her and it was just as I expected. I of course made the mistake of reading the letter, again, in my office (I can't help it, I just get too excited to hear from her.) I had to close my door because I started crying like a little baby. Surprisingly, her being sad wasn't what made me cry, it was the fact that she had taken that negative experience, and found the light at the end of the tunnel.<br />
<br />
Wise before her years. That's my sister. I'm so proud of her. She's becoming such a powerful young lady and she's only still in high school. That girl is going to move mountains in the future. I just know it.<br />
<br />
But here's what I said to her in which I will say to you all:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">"You may not have control over life or death, or anything in between, but you have complete control over yourself: your actions, your reactions; your emotions and your ability to process & cope. Take advantage of it. You have that ability and no one can ever take that away from you."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
As humans, it is easy to fall into the negatives in our lives. It's always easier to say, "Woe is me," than it is to say, "My life is amazing and it's only going to get better." It's hard to say the latter because we're only living our own lives. One day, we may have everything fall in place for us. The next, someone will overcook our eggs at breakfast and it will ruin our appetite for the rest of the day. Then it becomes a downward spiral from there. "Oh, woe is me. First my eggs were burnt, then I got stopped at every red light on my way to work, then my computer had to be restarted 3 times this morning before I could get any work done, then I got a bill in the mail from my last dentist appointment. Today sucks." </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
To you, this may seem like a horrible day. "For some, your floor may be their ceiling." I can't remember where I saw this quote or who said it, but it's true. Someone else will always have it worse for you. If your eggs were burnt this morning, well, at least they were under-cooked and gave you food poisoning. You got a dentist bill this morning? At least you have access to semi-affordable dental care.<br /><br />And I know these are small and trivial examples of something much much bigger, but I'm only hoping to get this small point across to everyone.<br /><br />Look on the bright side. It could be a lot worse. And, if it <i>is</i> a lot worse, what can you do to make it better. Maybe nothing physically, but you have all ability to think for yourself. You have that ability to look on the bright side. No one is making you feel sad and pitiful. That's all you.<br /><br />Take if from someone who used to feel like someone else had control over my feelings. That I was consistently wrong for having the feelings that I did. That I was the bad guy for thinking for myself. Take it from someone who overcame that, fought past it, and took her mind back.<br /><br />Take your mind back. Take it from the person who stole it from you. Take it from society, who implanted false hopes upon you. Take it back. Take that control back. Take whatever negative situation you're in, turn it around, and just be thankful for the amazing life that you've been blessed with. I bet others are thankful for you in turn.<br /><br />You'd be surprised.<br /><br />You'd be surprised how you yourself can make you feel. ;)<br /><br />Try it. I dare you.<br /><br /><br /><3 Tawny</div>
</div>
</div>
Dinosaurceresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09403626902261514412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440590631719704807.post-26007589987320609882013-09-24T09:42:00.002-07:002013-09-24T09:42:37.049-07:00Saying GoodbyeI had a random thought one night last week whilst lying in bed. <br />
<br />
I was going to simply post a small status on FB, but what I thought would be no more than three sentences max. Turned out to be a bit more. So, here I am, chattin' with y'all via this ol' thing.<br /><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
(It's also been in draft form for about a week, and I keep forgetting to finish/post the darned thing...)</div>
<br />
<br />
<b>A Contradiction Posed:</b><br />
Everyone says that they hate goodbyes. Saying goodbye, is associated with terrible feelings. I don't think I've ever heard anyone say they enjoyed goodbyes. I can't blame y'all though. I'm not necessarily fond of them myself. Saying goodbye isn't the most pleasant feeling in the world. It doesn't quite roll off the tongue.<br />
<br />
But here's where my mind pauses for thought. When someone close to us passes away - say a family member or a friend, its tragedy lies not in the death itself (necessarily), but in the idea of not having been able to say goodbye. For the most part, death comes when we least expect it. And when that happens, we suddenly regret our joking words of, "Later Gator!"<br />
<br />
We don't like goodbyes, yet we always end up regretting not being able to say so before one leaves our lives. Why do we do this to ourselves? Cause such unnecessary guilt?<br />
<br />
We have so many chances to say goodbye. But we never take them. We're greedy. We take these chances for granted. We don't realize that this one goodbye could be our last. We don't think that anything can happen in between, "See you tomorrow," and... well, tomorrow. We pass on the opportunity we're given, and expect that another will come our way when we need it, or when we think it should.<br />
<br />
And that's when that rug is pulled from underneath us.<br />
<br />
<b>Embrace It:</b><br />
For the longest time, I made it a point to never say goodbye and instead, always say, "See you later." Then, I think it was my freshman year of high school, or right before, my great aunt passed away. The last time I had seen her, she was telling me that she had to undergo some minor surgery, and I was leaving for vacation with my family soon. Upon leaving her, I said something along the lines of, "Good luck, and see you later!"<br />
<br />
Then she was gone. I had made tentative plans with her to see her in the near future. I can't remember what we were planning, but I was looking forward to it. Then those plans became null and void. I handle death pretty well, it's a necessary part of life. It's going to happen to everyone at some point. It's going to happen to me one day. I was sad she was gone, yes, but not in the traditional sense. I was more upset, that I hadn't actually said, "Goodbye."<br /><br /><b>A Lesson:</b><br />From that point on, I decided to make a point of saying goodbye to anyone and everyone whenever leaving their presence. Don't take life for granted, and especially don't think that life will always play out in your favor.<br /><br />Say goodbye, but go ahead and look forward to see that person again.<br />
<br />
It'll make the reunion that much more sweet and the parting that much more bearable.<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Sorry for a depressing post. I tried to make it somewhat uplifting. I hope it worked..?)</span></div>
<br />Thanks for reading,<br /><i><3 Tawny</i>Dinosaurceresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09403626902261514412noreply@blogger.com0