Going to a company Christmas party?

Why yes I am . . . 
Planning to pick up a hot manager? No, but I don't blame you if you thought that. 

Lucille!

I haven't had a lot of successful romantic relationships in my life. That's unfortunate for a couple of reasons. Most pertinently, I really want children. 
My sister's solution to this has always been to buy me something living. One time after a break-up/rejection she said to me "since you won't be having any exotic children, here are some exotic flowers!" 
She's also presented me with many plants to mother so as to curb my maternal itch. 


Two years ago, I found a different solution. My roommates and I got a cat. I babied this cat like nothing else. She died last January - I didn't consider this a good omen for my romantic relationship reality. I didn't have plans to get another cat when I moved to St. John's but Lucille was just waiting for me to rescue him, so I didn't really have a choice. The reality of this cat being a boy makes him harder to love than Duckie was but I really do think he's one of the better things to happen to me while in Newfoundland. It is Newfoundland after all. And besides, when he's sleepy he has to snuggle or he can't sleep. And that's just irresistable. 


I made this video of my cat being silly. It's long I know but it's also very funny. Really maybe only if you like cats. Maybe not at all if you don't. You know what, if you don't like cats, just don't watch it. It might make you stop following me. 
So anyway. Here he is in all his glory . . . and stupidity. 


Lucille! 

Surgery.

Today in my teenage angst, my dad went in for surgery. 


Now is the time to share with you, once again, that I watch a lot of TV. In my life, I've watched a lot of doctor/hospital shows. It started with ER - a classic and favorite until Carter and Lucy were stabbed and I was sent into a fear spiral for a full year. Then a few later I started in on House. What a captivating cast and dysfunctional place of employment. But that show follows a very clear formula that I got tired of. In the midst of House, I started watching Grey's Anatomy. This continues to be my favorite and something I never tire of. The characters are interesting and well developed - as are their relationships with each other. The story line is solid and always leaves you wanting more. It's also very light - in comparison to ER which was very dark and dank and continually depressing. Though it takes place in Seattle - one of the rainiest cities in America - the producers have created the set to have a lot of windows and the patient rooms to be well lit. I've seen almost every episode of Grey's at least twice. 


Beyond its intelligence in creative story-telling, it has also informed me very broadly in the area of surgery. I know things about cardio-thoracic surgery, orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, general surgery, emergent surgery and others. Because of this knowledge, seemingly every time I enter a hospital, I expect something like what happens on a Grey's episode to occur. 


Today in my teenage angst, as I wait for news of my father's surgery, I'm assuring myself that this is a simple general surgery that Miranda Bailey performs probably over ten times a day. The other reality is, however, that I have seen a lot of simple surgery's go terribly wrong. 


And so my angst cannot be stilled. I can, however, be assured that no intern is performing this surgery, nor have I been informed that any interns will be present in the operating room. So I can rest assured that the attending's know what they're doing because they wear the navy scrubs and have been through absolutely everything. 


Here's a pic from after the surgery. He wrote me a note. Cute. 

SNOW DAY!

Decisions of youth.

Today in my teenage angst I rebelled against outerwear. In other words, I didn't wear a coat to school. It was a poor decision. 


In the later years of my first undergrad degree, I looked down upon freshmen who didn't wear coats in the dead of winter as they were likely using it to show their daring independence. Today, as I left my classes for the day and was met by driving rain/nearing hail, I became one those people regarded by onlookers as ridiculous and sad. 


This wasn't my aim. I swear to you. 

Gryffindor colors and a scar on my forehead.

I think I'm ready for my release party. Just kidding, I'm not having a party. Well I am but it's a personal thing.
One might call it a party for one. 
I re-watched Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince last night and have a hard time dealing with how brilliant the world is that J.K. Rowling has created. Furthermore, she captures her readers on a deep enough level that by the end of the series, they understand that world as though it was their own. What a feat. I'm jealous of her creativity and literary genius. 
I'm choosing to engage, however, rather than resent her for it. 


I hope you get to see the movie sometime this weekend! 
P.S. If you're not an HP fan, get on board now. I command you. 

Day Thirty - Who are you?

What a let down. The last day of my blog project and this is the question? No one has time to try and figure out the answer to this question or even AN answer to this question. So I'm not going to. 


Instead I direct you to this video. If you're not a cat person, you probably won't think its funny but I almost peed. So here you go. This is the last post of my project and will be returning to Today in my teenage angst oriented posts as quickly as possible. 

Day Twenty-nine - In the past month, what have you learned?

In the past month . . . yeesh. I'm a student so let's hope I can find something.


In my political science study I have learned that feminism is not the aim of elevating women above men but rather doing away with the western ideology of dominance. I have also learned within this class that Google image should not be used in academia. 


In my anthropological study I have learned that there is a way to question the social and cultural actions of people groups without a condemning critique. I have also learned that as a first year student at Mun, my academic pursuit does not generally matter . . . (this is not actually true but it is the general message sent from my Prof who has clearly been in the academic realm too long. She's a little jaded.) 


In my economic study I have learned that understanding my economic context influences every step of my consumerist life. I have also learned that this field is not only fascinating, but exciting. 


In my folklore study I have learned that folklore is not a valid field. In my general opinion, it is incomplete anthropological study. I wish I was kidding about this, but I'm not. Folk-literature, maybe. Folklore alone? Not so much. I really do wish my feelings were different. 


So there you go. That's my learning. For other learnings not mentioned here, reference the next most recent post. 

Day Twenty-eight - A picture of you last year and now. How have you changed since then?

This is a picture of me and my roommate last year around this time. We had to get our grad pictures done for the plaque that may or may not now be hanging up in Briercrest's academic hallway. That makes it sound like they only have one. I'm just referring to the academic administration hallway. This is also where they hang all the grad plaques. 


I feel like I've had to re-learn a lot since this picture. I spent last year being taught the importance of community. I was blessed with an amazing group of people who seemed to make it their aim to teach me (once again) how to love and be loved. Then I left it all. I left it all when I graduated and re-learned it over the summer. Then I left it all again and have had to re-learn it here. I've now been here for two and a half months and only now am I coming to appreciate where I have been placed this year (and probably a few more). 


It took me a long time to find my niche. I sank into survival mode pretty quickly upon my arrival. Searching out new places. Discovering what exactly was and wasn't necessary for my survival until I could go back home at Christmas. With that settling into survival mode came and enjoyment of the life I had built. I guess that's what our lives are - an enjoyment of (or lack of enjoyment of) our survival modes. It seems drastic to call them this, but that's what we're all aiming to do - survive. 


Recently I've discovered a community that is literally saving me. They gather on Sunday mornings and several nights throughout the week. I have entered into these gatherings and they have made it their mission to teach me the same things the people last year were teaching me. I am feeling blessed as the hand of God continues to guide me through what sometimes feels like a barren desert that happens to be on a coast line. They are filling my heart almost every day with love and encouragement and something to look forward to as they make me a part of their lives and ensure that I am provided for. 


Thank God. 


This is me only a few days ago. I got new glasses and wanted to show them off. 
Check out Zenni Optical for more information. 

Craft night.

Ask anyone. I don't do crafts. I tried for most of my life not to make things. But then I started baking. Then I started making cards - none of which were anything to behold. Then I started knitting. Most of that was just to pass the time. But last night I went out and crafted. 


My church was having a Christmas craft night and I thought, why the heck not. A couple of stamps and some bags. We're good to go. So I went and took Ashley with me.


Check out my successful craftiness. 

Never in my life did I think this was possible, but I did indeed come home with several wonderful Christmas craft creations. 
I am once again a creator. Yay me. 

What a find.

Walking down to Ashley's birthday dinner I discovered the gem of all gems. 

A Yarn Shop called "A Good Yarn" which is apparently witty because a yarn is sort of tale one might tell of daring adventures and the like. 
I wasn't aware.
We bought some yarn so I could make us all some hats.
What a great find.

Me and Lady Gaga.

Today in my teenage angst, I decided against pants. 


I once told my father that I wasn't a fan of pants as they're restricting and generally uncomfortable and he informed me that I had that in common with Lady Gaga. 


So anyway, I became one of those people that wears a long enough shirt that their tights or leggings are sufficient leg coverings. And in an effort to be publicly comfortable with my body, I decided that it was okay. 

Day Twenty-seven - Why you are doing this 30 day challenge.

Why am I doing this thirty day challenge . . . 


I love my blog. That's a fact. I love the idea that people I don't know might be reading it. I love that it gives me the opportunity to be published without belonging to a label. I love that it gives me the opportunity to be heard. 


The problem for all of us is however, that our creative juices sometimes run dry. We can go through weeks (sometimes months in the darker times) when we can't post. Not because we don't want to, but rather because we can't stir up anything to post. 


This thirty day challenge has given me thirty days (minus day thirteen) of topics to post. It's like free creativity. It's not cheating, it's a platform on which to build my creativity. 


I tend to think of myself as a little creatively challenged. But I love my blog. So thank you, 30 Day Challenge, for helping me continue this love. 

Hillcrest Shoutout!

Day Twenty-six - What you think about your friends

I tend to be, more often than not, a little ridiculous. I make loud and strange noises; I talk with large hand gestures; I dance . . . everywhere. 


I also tend to make friends with people who are, more often than not, less than ridiculous. This is not to say that they don't have these tendencies - they do I assure you. Their ridiculousness, however, might stem out of a state of restlessness, fatigue or stress. 


I always know I've made a friend when someone can deal with my ridiculousness and find it endearing, rather than irritating. 


So this is a thank you to my friends who take my 'nature' and look on it with love. 

Day Twenty-five - What one would find in your bag.

My 'bag', and by this I assume they mean purse type carrying device, usually consists of . . .  


- about a hundred pens in the pocket. They tend to collect.
- my wallet
- some lip-balm
- hopefully my keys
- a water bottle 
- my iPod
- my journal - I'm in a constant state of thinking I'm going to 'need' it.
- a reading book - I'm in a constant state of thinking that at some point I'm going to have to wait for something.
- some mittens in the winter.
- a pair of sunglasses in the summer.


I'm a practical purse carrier. I did the excess thing for a long time but no more. It's just not worth it to carry that extra weight. Generally true about life . . . you tell me. 

Day Twenty-four - A letter to your parents.

Dear Mum and Dad, (I always speak in an english accent while writing letters)


Hi! How're you doing? 
I miss home desperately and can't wait to see you in only a few weeks.
Things are pretty good here. My professor has a cold which is making his voice easier on my psyche. 
It's rainy today and I have a hole in my new boots. I'm going to take them back to the store to see if they'll give me a refund. Even kids shoes are guaranteed to last longer than ten weeks. What a let down. My need to have canvas shoes only is not working my benefit today. I might need to talk to you further about this problem. 
So anyway. I love you lots. 
I'll be home soon. 


Love, your dear (and favorite I'm sure) daughter,


Hannah

Day Twenty-three - Something you crave for a lot.

In terms of food - pizza. Always pizza. Though this summer I went through a three week phase of craving hamburgers almost every minute of almost every day.









In terms of everything else - physical touch. It's my love language. I give it as much as I need to receive it and I have been starved of it now for eight weeks. That's how long I've been in Newfoundland. So you can guarantee yourself I'll be stocking up on that over Christmas.

Day Twenty-two - What makes you different from everyone else.

Kids. I love kids. I need them. For my sanity, for my health and for my happiness. I think they are the most important people on earth. 


Here are some pictures with some of my favorites. 

Day Twenty-one - Something that makes you happy.

This is pretty simple. Few things in life make me as happy as the show Friday Night Lights. 

Based on the story of a Texan High School Football team who overcame all odds to win the State Championship after losing their quarterback to a tragic injury, it takes every element of American life that we love and puts it on our best friend - television. 

It is beautiful. If you want a new show to watch, you will do no better than Friday Night Lights. 

Can we also just talk about how amazing NBC is? They most definitely take the cake for best television network. 

Cautionary nothing . . .

Today in my teenage angst, I disregarded caution tape for the first time. I figured it probably wasn't protecting a crime scene so it was okay. A campus enforcement officer was talking to his partner in his car and I feared he was going to turn around and yell at me but his conversation was apparently engaging as I left the restricted area unscathed.
That kind of disobedience is pretty empowering though. 
Challenge: Do something you're obviously not supposed to do today. Not illegal, but something that could be mistaken for ignorance. You however, are clearly not ignorant. 




Speaking of ignorance . . . this is funny.

Day Twenty - Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future.

Is this topic for real? Well here's a confession, I'm 23 and I'm pretty sure that I've had the answer to this question at least four times in my life. I'm probably not going to get married to any of those men.

So my answer is that I would like to marry Matt Damon. Because his smile is winning, his physicality will keep me safe and his vocal tone sooths me and makes me giggle a little.

Sadly I think that's a bit of a pipe dream.



This is our engagement photo.

Day Nineteen - Nicknames you have and why you have them.

Nicknames are not my forte. I like them because they can give a person a sense of identity in a group where this might be hard to find. On my favorite show, Friday Night Lights, everyone on the football team has a nickname that derives either from their last name or their jersey number. I appreciate this. 

I don't do nicknames though. Unless they're my professors - but then I never say it to their face. I had a prof whose last name was De Jager and I once called him 'The Jaguar' in a chachi sounding voice. He wasn't very happy about it. I was.


My nicknames consist of 'Nanner' (from my mother - who knows why?) and 'Ham' (from my sister). 
I sometimes like to call my sister Beth, 'Beef' sometimes because this mean girl in her grade one class told her that her name would be beef in French. What an idiot. 
My use of this name bothered her to the point that she decided that if I could call her Beef, she could call me Ham. She's kept this up better than I have and extends the nickname by adding ham dishes on to the end. I've been called Ham Sandwich, Ham and Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Quiche. She's unique.