Getting Older

There is a particular lady in my vicinity that lives in an "aged care facility".  She is usually seen hanging around the shopping complex nearby where we live.  Her attire is always intriguing - polka dots mixed with stripes, bold colors, layers upon layers of clothing... a bit eccentric lets say. Adding to the array of fashion disasters, is her bold red lipstick which is placed about 2 inches around her lip outline. She definitely stands out.

Her name is Elizabeth, and most people know OF her.  She is usually sitting on the bench, asking someone if they could spare a stamp, or if she sizes you up correctly, asking you if you could spare a smoke for her. Shes harmless, and seems to enjoy her moments in life.

Not too many people stop and say hello, due to her 'colorful' clothes, or the fact that random stranger sitting there seems harmless.. but most dont give her the time of day. But, everyone is aware of Elizabeth - they know her name, and where she lives, and everyone knows shes going to ask you to spare something.

I always say "hello Elizabeth" as to which the standard reply, "do you have a spare smoke ( or stamp)?"  I usually tell her no, but somedays I do give her a smoke... probably out of just being nice, or guilt, or that I feel a bit sorry for her.  Im not sure which really.

The other day, after seeing her for many days in a row, I said, "hello Elizabeth" and she responded with, 'I'm sorry, I have forgotten your name, do I know you?"  I told her my name, and that I live in the area, and she acknowledged me, and we began chatting.

She told me how when she was 12 her sister & parents moved from England to come to Australia. They guaranteed her dad would have a job when he arrived off the boat.  They set sail for a promise of a new job, and new beginnings.  You can imagine the turmoil when there wasnt any jobs for her dad after arriving in Australia.  Eventually, he took a job 'with an American company' she tells me 'NCR, you know, National Cash Register' which of course I did know (being American and all!). She proceeded to tell me snippits of her life and it was nice to hear her revel in some memories. Some good, some not so good. She asked a little bit about me, my family, and was curious as to why I didnt have any children (she has none either). 

After about an hour, I had to leave to get on my stuff, and she had to leave to make it back to the aged care facility for dinner. She asked me if I could spare a smoke (I know.. imagine that!) and I asked if she was allowed to smoke.. she said yes.. to which I responded, well, if you arent, you didnt get them from me Elizabeth.." She giggled, as if she was the 12 year old girl she was only reminiscing about earlier to me.  I handed her a few smokes, said goodbye, and off we went, each to our own lives.

It was neat to share for a moment with someone, almost a stranger, and yet such a familiar face. To make someones day by chatting away, asking how they were.... I guess I didnt realize how much it would make my day as well.

Thirty. 30 . ten times 3

A friend turned 30 yesterday. And, with all my years of experience ... I told her that the best advice I could give her was something along the lines of:


When your in your 20s people expect you to make mistakes. They forgive you.  People believe that you are in the stages of your life that you are still learning from your lessons, and still able to have a bit of fun.

When your in your 30s... well, people expect you to stand up for the person that you have become. They will become to know the real you. Your morals, ideals, etc.  And, if you want to be the person who is shy & stands below all and not speak your mind.. .this is the time to do it... you are setting in motion the rest of your life. However, if you are a person who wants to speak what they say, stand up for oneself & others, then you must, as people will come to expect you to react & act in a certain way from here on out... depending how you are in your 30s.

This is the time to shine. This is the time to make your life happen. To enjoy the roses along the way, to have the fun & good times (with more smarts than previously! HAHA) and to sculpt your life & world to your desires.

So, that was my advice to her.  What advice would you give her?

My first blogger award!

Thanks Food Mazaa for my award! Everytime I head to her page, I end up so hungry looking at the photos... and BEST YET, is the recipes are listed... so you can make it at home too!

Check it out: http://foodmazaa.blogspot.com/

Hurry up to wait

I have made plans to head back home for a few short weeks in the MN summer. Im anxious, excited, ready to shop, dreading certian things, thrilled to catch up with some, cringing that I have to catch up with other, and hoping and praying that I can keep my tact enough in tact to not say anything stooopid to particular people. 

The thrill of seeing some of my family & friends is overwhelming. To hold them and hug them again is going to be great.  And to hear their stories, and chat like we just saw each other yesterday is the love of the familiar and comfy-ness that I so love.  To kick back and actually spend time with them. To hear them laugh, cry, giggle, and just BE. To get ready to venture out for a night on the town, get all dalled up, and have a great time... just like the old days (without most of the shit).

Then sets in the achy-ness of knowing that there are going to be those moments with some people where I will have the urge to want to back hand them. I know its wrong, but sometimes I just cant handle the mundane and ignorant parts of it all. And, I SHOULD really be nice... and then I think.. honey, Im only here for a little over 2 weeks, do you really think I care that _______ happened, or that you have ____________ to your _________________?  No. But thanks, glad I spent all that money & time & MY HOLIDAY to come here to listen to your shit forever, all while you ask me NOTHING about me. Yeah, good times people. Good freaking times.

But, its what you do. Right? You have certain people high on the list, certain people low on the list.

Theres also this part of me that just wants to play up a bit.... I mean Im back home, in my environment and yet such a stranger to everything that I once knew as normal.  I can walk into my old life, play up, met with certain friends, and then walk away from it again - tuck it in a bag until my next trip home.... all my own little secrets for just me.

Then there is the shopping, the outlet stores, the cheap yet gorgeous clothes. Oh, how I love to go shopping there... and yet I hate doing it here.

So much fun & adventures to be had. And, yet, the time isnt here yet, and already I feel as if Im not going to be able to do everything I want, see everyone I want.. etc.

Maybe so much of this stems from the fact that there are just certain people who cant be pleased, and I know that Im going to disappoint them. I need to get over that.

Also, its the first time going back home as a Permanent Resident here. Which means, that Im legally, forever, entitled to come back HERE ..... which means that I dont nec have to look as THAT home as the 'what if' option anymore. 

Ah who knows. Maybe Ive just had too much Vitamin C this evening. Yeah we will go with that.