Moments of Musing

Meet My Blogger Big {Rhymes & Ribbons}

Filed Under: Uncategorized //

I’m so excited that today is my and Tim’s “Friday.” I’m also really excited that today is the day I introduce you all to my Blogger Big!

When the Big and Littles signup came around in, I decided to give it another go. It didn’t really work for me the first time but I’m all for second chances (most times). I was lucky enough to be paired with a blogger whose blog I’d actually already been following and whose posts I enjoyed reading. We also share a bit in common, from being Gamma Phis to our love of Nutella and travel. Today, we’ve swapped guests posts.

Readers, meet my blog big, Amanda from Rhymes and Ribbons, an American girl living in England!! And head on over to her blog to read my post about a favorite trip of mine to China.

Enjoy!

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Hi guys! My name is Amanda and I blog over at Rhyme & Ribbons! Jackie and I were matched in the Bigs/Littles programs which is brilliant, because, as you her readers know, she is fantastic! (Plus we were both Gamma Phis and that’s always exciting as well!) I grew up in New Mexico, went to university in Georgia and have been living in England for the past 3 years.
I want to talk a bit about English stereotypes today. Any traveler or expat is usually at least aware of them. It’s normal to have expectations of another culture.  And some people say that is stereotypes there are grains of truth.  Now, I’m not so sure about that.  But there are some fabulously absurd ones!
1. English people have bad teeth.  In fact, in some parts of Mexico bad teeth are called “dientes ingles” English people in general do not have bad teeth. Some Brits do, some don’t.  Just like in America.  However, there is (completely reasonably) less importance placed on the “Hollywood smile”. So millions of preteens that have slight overbites probably won’t be getting braces in the UK.
(Thank you The Simpsons)

2. The English are cold (in personality not temperature). Again, obviously false.  In my opinion this stereotype comes from the fact that people just aren’t as loud boisterous in England in public as in America.  The first time I took the tube I was like, “why is everyone so quiet? wtf?”  I know that when I’m upset everyone around me knows because I am that obnoxious, whereas most of my English friends would wait to express upset in private.  I must embarrass them all the time. 
3. All English people smoke. Again, this is obviously not true.  But I have found that it’s much more  looked down on in America than it is in England.  Come on, everyone in America has been that girl that when a smoker has walked past them and accidentally blown a cloud of smoke in their face they exaggerate their coughing.  (Or maybe that’s just me?) But that’s much less likely to happen in England. I think there are actually a lot more smokers per capita in the US than in the UK but American non-smokers tend to be more judgmental than British non-smokers.
(Not cool Harry Potter, not cool.)

4.  Everyone drinks tea. Well not everyone, but tea consummation in England is miles higher than in the US.  The UK is the 3rd largest tea consumer (after Turkey and India). It’s the equivalent of saying all Americans drink coffee.
5. Food is terrible in England. This is just patently false.  Of course there are traditional English dishes that I find disgusting (any meat in a pasty, meat pies, scotch eggs, etc) but you find gross things in any country (frito pie, anyone?). I could give you 100s of restaurant recommendations in the UK.
I absolutely adore being an expat in England! Please come by if you want to read more about my adventures in the UK.

I’ve found him

Filed Under: love //

Finding my compatible someone has been one of the happiest things in my life. The night we met is forever etched in my memory. There was something about him that just struck a cord within me. And now, years later, I’ve been lucky to see that he is that “someone” I’d been looking for all along.
 I am admittedly a lot to handle. Tim acknowledges it and dislikes it at times (i.e. our recent spats/ my rants over cleaning … maybe I’m more my mother’s daughter than I thought…) but overall, he embraces it. And I know deep down he actually likes (most times) being challenged and balanced by someone with a more fiery personality.
Everyone comes with baggage. Find someone who loves you enough to help you unpack. 
When we  began our relationship, I had doubts. There was the distance. There was the chance of heartbreak after just having been through one. I was scared to let him in, only to lose him for whatever reason. But he promised me he’d prove my doubts wrong and he’d stick by me. And stick by me he has.
find the one... 
 I am overall an extremely positive person but there have been moments when I have been inconsolable. And Tim has been there – to listen, to hold me, to try to understand. We’ve made it through the unthinkable. I count my blessings to have a man who stands by me and makes my heart smile when it feels like my world is crumbling.
Lucky ducky me.

This or That?

Filed Under: Uncategorized //

     I don’t recall where I saw this but I wanted to give it a try:

      Neutrals or Colors: Hmm it really depends on the day. I’m a huge fan of both. I do try to incorporate color as much as possible.


      Diet or Regular: Hmm doesn’t really matter because I don’t really consume beverages of which there is a diet or regular. I prefer water, water, and more water. 

      Winter or Summer: This is easy: SUMMER. I’m a summer baby (my birthday was the 5th) and I just love the sun and warmth. My favorite thing about Winter is a biggie though – the Christmas season. I’m pretty obsessed with it.
        
      Sedan or SUV: Though I currently – and have only – drive a sedan, I prefer the size and sleekness of SUVs instead.

      Dog or Cat: I’ve never had a pet …besides fish. But I am much more of a dog person. Cats freak me out a bit and the cats I’ve been around have been quite … boring (in that they really just stick to themselves). (No offense to cat owners!!)


      Blonde or Brunette (red, gray, white, black): Definitely brunette. I love my dark hair and have even dyed it darker. When I was younger I tried blonde but the roots were too much and I thought it looked a bit cray with my tan.

      Up or Down Hair: Depends. My hair is usually up if I’m home or down if I step out – besides when I’m in my work out clothes or rocking a bun.

      Coffee or Tea: I’ve had multiple cups of coffee a day this summer. Good thing there are benefits to that stuff. I do love tea, though – my favorite being jasmine followed by green because of its benefits.

      Heels or Flats: Heels for {fancy} nights out. Flats all other times.

      Action or Drama Movies: Hmm I’m much more into dramas. But I do love a good action flick every now and then AKA when it’s Tim’s turn to pick a movie.

      Salad or Pizza: SALADS. I could – and practically do – have one everyday. Not only because they’re healthier but because they’re so yummy if dressed right and with good toppings.

      Rich or Poor: Rich, of course. But but but not necessarily with money – though that would be nice. Rich with experiences and adventure. With wonderful people in my life. With good health. With love.

      Tropical Vacation or Mountain Trip: Tropical vacation. But this is a big reason why I love Hawaii – you can get the tropics with the hikes. I’m into adventure so I love doing both but usually vacation = relaxation = the beach with a bahama mama or mai tai in hand.
       
      Linkup: Friend Connect Blog Hop

        Soaking it all in: my choice

        Filed Under: aloha //

        As I was enjoying my weekend here in Hawaii with Timmy (i.e. surprise news of a Big Island trip, Lanikai beach, Lanikai Juice, North Shore, Chinaman’s Hat, the Commissary & Whole Foods), I realized: For the first time in my life, I am not positive about what my next step is. I’ve accepted a job in Chicago but it’s contingent upon passing the bar the first time. I’m currently living in Hawaii with Tim but I’d have to leave to get ready for my move. And regardless, there’s a chance he’ll be deploying. But if he doesn’t and I don’t wind up in Chicago – do I stay here to study or head back home and study there, and would we live in NY or NJ? And what about a job for me??
         
        It’s all very scary and those questions stress me out. But I’ve made the choice not to dwell on them because it’s out of my hands right now. So as stressful as it can be, I’m actually RELIEVED. I’m relieved to have this down time. To have this quality time with T. To be living in this paradise. I’m choosing to soak it all in and enjoy this life right now. I’m choosing not to stress about the future. I’m choosing to be (as) carefree (as I can be). The future will inevitably come and decisions will be made. Everything will work out. One thing is for certain – this experience of living in Hawaii with my love is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I won’t waste it worrying. 
         
        I will embrace the uncertainty that lies ahead to savor every single moment here. 
        Image may contain: cloud, mountain, sky, outdoor, nature and water
         
        Linkups: Weekend Shenanigans, Monday Mingling
         

        #latergram

        Filed Under: aloha //

        As most of you know, I will be in Hawaii for the next couple of months. Excited is an understatement as to how I’m feeling.

        No automatic alt text available. 
        Sunrise at Kailua Beach Park, May 2012

        I’m not quite sure how I’ll fare with the bugs, though last time I fought my fears and was a bug-killing machine in no time. I had little choice when Tim was at work. Tim will be working when I go this time around, obviously. And I don’t know what I’ll do with my time. I can’t see myself being able to spend hours at home doing nothing day after day. I’ve thought about volunteering or getting a part-time job while he’s working – call me crazy. Problem is, he works nights. Maybe I’ll just have a lot of blogging time on my hands. I should probably realize that this is one of the last times I’ll have to relax like this before starting a quite hectic and stressful career. So maybe I should just relax. Yes, yes that’s probably what I’ll do.
        Anyway – to the point of this post.
        I’ve decided I won’t be a muploading (mobile uploading) machine when I’m with Tim. Life and my time with him is too precious and too fleeting. Soooo, I’m going to try to do what I did in May – keep my phone at bay. Take photos, of course. But either upload a photo as is or simply enjoy the moment rather than spend 10 minutes picking a filter when I could be enjoying 10 minutes of time with him. (Sidenote: As much as I love technology, it’s a bit sad that I even feel the need to think about it this much.)

        MAYBE that’s what I’ll do when he’s at work – mupload like crazy! The only difference is my instagram uploads will be a whole lot of #latergram’s, meaning they won’t be posted in the moment. They’ll be posted hours or days later.
        Photos will be up, though, and I will still be posting.
         Aloha!
        P.S. You can follow my instagram here