Blog a day in May: Day 6

Day 6: If you couldn't answer with your job, how would you answer the question, 

'what do you do'?

What do I do?
I actually get this question weekly. Why? Because I do not have a job at the moment. Most of the time people are asking purely out of curiosity. Other times I sense a slight bit of sarcasm in their voice. 

Well I currently do not work. So what do I do? I do a lot of things. Most days are relatively uneventful for me. My main squeeze leaves for work in the am, and I shortly follow. 

What I do with my day is basically left up to me & my mood(s). 

I knit. I workout. I blog. I email. I read. I Skype. I craft. I photograph. I clean. I bake. I stretch. I learn. I pinterest. I facebook. I instagram. I think. I look. I listen. I draw. I walk. I talk. 

I just do.

Blog a day in May: Day 5

Day 5: Publicly profess your love and devotion for one of your blogger friends. What makes them great? Why do you love them? If you don't have blogger friends talk about a real-life friend, or even family member.

Well, well, well, I must shamefully admit that I don't have any "blogger friends".
I have friends that blog, but not friends thru blogging.

So, with that said... I obviously love all my friends and family for very unique and beautiful reasons. 

But today I'll publicly profess my love and devotion to my friend Justine. She's a bad ass biker babe. Steen owns her own harley, as well as her own house. She has always had more than one job at a time. She's an independent, hard working chick. Justine and I have been friends since the sixth grade. We sat next to one another in health class. I was mystified by her beautiful long, blonde, curly hair. We had group together at one point as well. Group was a free counseling service offered to kids in middle school. We discussed our family issues and compared notes with one another under the guidance of a counselor. It was actually really beneficial I'd say. We managed to stay friends all thru high school (which can be difficult for girls). Steen drove a giant Lincoln. We called it the Stinkin' Lincoln. She drove it like it was a sports car. After high school, Justine moved out right away. She moved to Uptown (like a boss). I remember actually going over to her house almost every night. We have fallen in and out of contact for all of our friendship. But it doesn't matter. No matter how long we've gone with out talking, as soon as we do, it's as if time has stood still. I can literally tell Justine anything with out fear of judgement. Please believe she'll tell you her opinion (even if you don't want it). But it only comes from a loving place. She's never once questioned any of my decisions. She's been nothing but supportive since the day I met her in Middle School. For that I'm eternally devoted to our friendship. With her I can dance like no one is watching. We have partied like it's our job. We've been thru hard breakups together. We've literally grown into adults together.

 Love you Steener!

Blog a day in May: Day 4

Day 4: Favorite quote (from a person, from a book, etc) and why you love it.

This is a bit difficult. I'm a real lover of powerful quotes. I've got a couple tattoos of quotes on myself.

"These violent delights have violent ends" on my left forearm -William Shakespeare

In case you haven't already noticed I'm a huge fan of shakespeare quotes. I got this tattoo in regards to some personal matters in my family. I was having a particularly hard time a while back and that quote really resonated in me with what I was going through.

I also have "Young hearts run free" on my upper back.

This was my first "major" tattoo. I was having a tough time in my early twenties. I was going thru a lot of big life changes. One day I was watching Romeo and Juliet (the Baz Luhrmann version), and it got to the Young hearts run free scene with Mercutio. Listen to it here. A feeling took over my body. I had been wanting a tattoo for a while, and just like that, I knew what I wanted. I felt really connected to the meaning behind it. I guess I feel like I'll always be young at heart or some junk like that.

Here's a dodgy photo of it whilst I was party rocking.

Justine was my rock while I got this tattoo. She held my hand the whole time & went with me to both appointments. She was so supportive and excited for me!

Funnily enough, I must admit that while I love both the above quotes, they are not "my favorite". 

If I had to choose one quote as my favorite, it would probably be... 

"Birthdays was the worst days, now we sip champagne when we thirsty."

-Chris Notorious BIG Smalls

I know it's seems like a silly quote, to be the favorite. But I've seriously always loved this quote. It's from the song juicy. It's about coming up from a struggle. I've always related to this song. I can't help but sing along and dance every time I hear it. It gave me hope when I was a kid that one day I'd make it. My siblings and I came from a single mother household (four kids, three dads). Our Mom had custody for weekdays and every other weekend. We watched our Mom day after day struggle to pay the bills and get food on the table. If nothing else this quote serves as a motivating force to fight through the struggle, and stay positive.

Blog a day in May: Day 3

Day 3: Things that make you uncomfortable.

Hmmph, plenty of things make me uncomfortable. I won't deny it, I'm an awkward individual. 

So I suppose I'll just make a small list.

-People staring. I hate that ish. I don't know what they are thinking and that makes me uncomfortable.

-Starting a new job. I prefer to be really good at my job. So I don't like starting from scratch. Hence the reason I've managed to hold onto two long term jobs.

-Going out in an outfit I don't like. Yep, I'm that caddy. If I'm not comfortable in what I'm wearing I'll have a terrible time. My friends can attest to that. I once tried to convince my friend, Mara that we needed to go home (from the bar), so I could change, because I disliked my outfit.

-I hate having dry skin. Itchy/ashy skin is not a good look.

-I don't like leaving the house with out having earrings in. I feel naked with out earrings.

-Meeting new people. That sounds rude but, I'm terribly shy (until I get to know you). I don't know how to talk to strangers. I'm hopeless at making small talk.

-Walking alone. If I'm not with Mr. F out and about I look down & walk fast. I'm terrible at being in new places all alone.

-Eating food I don't like. I have a ridiculous gag reflex (I choked twice as a young girl). If I don't like something...I will gag. So I have to very careful with what I choose to eat.

-Looking for the bathroom somewhere I've never been. I don't like having to ask people where to go relieve myself.

-Feeling boogars in my nose. Blagh! Worst.feeling.ever.

-Losing a friendship. I hate losing a friend. I will happily forgive and forget if it means not losing a friend.

-Public speaking. My face turns bright red. I stumble over my words. If it's an emotional topic I'll start crying and not stop.

-Chipped nail polish. If my nail polish is chipped I all but have a heart attack.

-

Blog a day in May: Day 2

Day 2: Educate us on something you know a lot about or are good at. 
Take any approach you'd like (serious and educational or funny and sarcastic).

I find this topic rather difficult. I don't feel like I'm overly good at or educated in any particular topic.
I chose to defer to my boyfriend in hopes that he would give me some brilliant idea.

Alas, he thinks I'm good at everything according to him. I beg to differ.
Some of his suggestions are as follows:

Mr. F-"You're really good at knitting."

Me-"No I'm not, I'm still learning."

Mr. F-"You're really good at being crafty. You love saving jars."
Me-"I'm really good at saving jars?!"

Mr. F-"You're really good at getting cards & writing things to people."
Me-"Aw, yes. I am good at writing things to people?!"

Mr. F-"You're good at loving me."
Isn't he cute...

Then...hazaah!
Mr. F-"You're good at shopping."
Me-"Yes! Yes I am!"

So there you have it folks. My boyfriend has enough confidence in me for the both of us. I chose to go the funny/sarcastic route. That's a bit more up my alley. As I've stated a fair few times I'm addicted to shopping. I'd say it all started when I was about 10 years of age. My big sister Molly had some bangin' tennis shoes with heels; two pairs of the bad boys, one black and one white. I so desperately wanted to wear them. But to my dismay they were WAY too big for me. Molly is four years older than me, and had much bigger feet. Every morning when she went to school, I snuck in her room and tried on her shoes. I willed my feet to grow, so that I could wear them. By the time my feet were FINALLY big enough to wear them, they were no longer cool.

For the next few years I lovingly gazed at things in stores I wanted. I knew my parents would never buy a lot of the silly things I "needed". At 15 I got my first job. My friend Tasha and I both applied at Once Upon a Child. I ended up working there for five years. My first couple of pay checks ended up going negative in my checking account. I was that good at spending money. I literally had it spent before I was paid. I would make a mental checklist of what I was going to buy. My Coach obsession began in high school. I've since lost my interest in Coach. I would go to Marshall's every week to check out the new shipment. I went from shopping for clothes for school to shopping for clothes for clubbing, back to shopping for clothes for college. Then I was a big girl and needed clothes for work. At one point I owned somewhere around 200 shoes. I had to buy a plastic toat just to hold my swim suits. In high school all I cared about was fancy brands. I've slowly but surely shifted my wants vs. needs. I don't need brand names or designers. But I do still want some. I've managed to sniff out many a bargain. But the one designer that has always been out of my reach is Chanel. I know a $2,000 bag is beyond ridiculous. But a girl can dream, right?! I still want one before I die & I don't care how obscene the cost.

GIMMEE!

I've recently started buying things in the kids section. Yep! The kids section. I'm just barely small enough to fit into size 16 in kids (only shirts). It's an easy way to pick something up for nearly half the cost. At home in the states the Target dollar spot is my heaven. We don't have that here :( However, we do have the reject shop. We've just recently hit up the reject shop in Fremantle & let me tell you, it is a palace! I live for the dollar store at home. I would buy all my cheesy holiday decorations. Not to mention: easter basket candy, envelopes, scotch tape, dishes, you name it! I picked up plates and coffee mugs while we were home. They're just white and plain with some textured circles around the outside. I think they're super cute! To those of you still living in the greater Mpls. area: the dollar store in New Hope is bangin'! I also love the dollar store in Blaine near Northtown.

I must admit since moving to Oz I've become much more thrifty. I haven't worked much while here. I've never had to depend on anyone for money (besides my parents, obviously). For the last 10 months I've been a kept woman. Mr. F pays the bills while I'm a stay at home girlfriend. For that I'm eternally grateful. The first few months here I felt really uncomfortable spending his money on frivolous things. I still do feel uncomfortable spending his money. Sooner vs. later (after this year is over) I'll be looking for some work. I have an amazing boyfriend. But I need to be able to get my shop on. I don't like spending his hard earned money on silly things.

Blog a day in May: Day 1

Today I'm starting the blog a day in May challenge. 

I'm linking up with Amber over at pinup at heart. Amber and I met while working together at TCSC in South Minneapolis. She's a rockabilly lover with a husband, and their three canine kids.
Check her out for yummy recipes and vintage inspiration!

Today's task is the story of my life in 250 words or less (or one paragraph, no one's counting...probably).

So here I am, starting a day late already!
Ready, set, go!

I was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota to two very nervous parents. My ultrasound showed cancerous cells. So I was moved from Abbott Northwestern to Children's Hospital. The cancer turned out to be calcium deposits, and I was a very healthy baby. My Mom already had two girls, Jessica and Molly. So I was more like a living doll when I was born.

In 1988 we welcomed my baby brother into the world. I hated him for a while. 

But now I can't imagine life with out him! I can cheesily admit that he's probably my best friend.

Our parents split when I was five. We moved to St. Paul, which I still consider to be home. Then we moved to the burbs. I started working at fifteen, so I could buy a coach purse. I had a boyfriend all through high school. After we graduated I left him in the dust. I was engaged to someone else at only 20. But we never made it to the alter. I was a lone ranger for about five years. I laughed, I cried, I kissed a few frogs, & partied entirely too much!

Then...

On my 25th bday in Vegas, I met him.

It was as close to love at first sight as it comes. We met drunkenly in the wee hours of the morning. 

We then 10,000 mile long distance dated for a year. 

Then I took the leap of faith and moved to Australia.

Here we are almost two years later learning and loving together.

Minnesota Nice

As I've stated before sometimes I get homesick. Paul is excellent at making me feel right at home here in Oz. We keep ourselves pretty busy. Most afternoons after work we go for a jog or a bike ride. On our 'cheat' days we'll go out for a coffee date. Sundays are reserved for the farmers market with the Dempsey clan. I've just recently started knitting too, thanks to Paul's Mum for teaching me. Knitting has become somewhat of an addiction. I've been knitting every day for the past week or so.
But every once in a while I feel like I need to show my Minnesota pride.

 In those times of weakness I make treats with my Minnesota cookie cutter;

purchased at i like you in Northeast Mpls.

Minnesota sugar cookies!

Minnesota pancakes!

I also like to wear my Grain Belt Twin Cities hoodie from Fifth Element in Uptown, Minneapolis.

Winter is coming. We've had to start bringing our umbrella with most days.

Coffee date with my better half.

We've got another month or so in Perth. After our weekend in Melbourne I'm starting to miss it a bit. I'm hoping we'll find some time to do a bit more exploring in Melbourne while we're home. Then we'll be heading back to our other home in about six weeks. Paul was looking at our flight information just yesterday. He noticed a count down till we take off, only 58 more days. Time seems to fly by. You never realize just how quickly life goes until you become an adult. I have no doubt our trip to Minnesota will creep up on us before we're ready for it! 

In other news: Today I slayed a cock roach. This is the second cock roach sighting in under a week. Aussies aren't phased by their presence. But I almost jumped ten feet when I saw one again today. Here's hoping I start to get over that fear!