My eyes may be open, but that doesn't mean I can see

Maybe I should slow down and take a moment or two to actually see what is going on around me.

I feel like sometimes I get so caught up in nothing that I miss out on everything. If that makes sense. I'm just going thru the motions of everyday not allowing myslef time to think or time to feel anything.

"Even though my eyes are open, I'm not really seeing anything at all..."

all for the sake of adventure

Awhile back I had a conversation with a friend about why girls seem to be more attracted to the "bad boy" image. After putting more thought into the matter I decided that most women at one point or another seek out a "bad boy" relationship (fling). The only thing that I can really come up with is that the who bad boy image is more appealing because we associate it with adventure, spontanity, and a little danger. In the book Undressed: The Naked truth About Love, Sex, and Dating the author states that - "Bad boys are dangerous and adventurous. They don't set out to be nice. They break rules, ignore traditions, stir up chaos, and live life on the edge. They are rebels who are tough, unbound, and free..." So many books about dating say things like girls are waiting to be rescued, they just need to know they're worth fighthing for, etc. And guys are supposed to be that knight that comes galloping in on a horse to the rescue. But what most of them fail to say is that girls want to be in on the adventure. So it's only in our nature to seek out people who seem adventurous.

More to come on this later.....

You got any flannel!?!

One of the true joys of working retail is the people that you get to interact with. I love people - just being around them, trying to read them, or just interact with them in general. Sometimes I wonder where people get off though.... In the last few days of work I have had more than my share of entertaining customers, a few odd requests, questions, and interactions.

- The first and probably one of the more awkward requests came from a man (a little older than myself) I'd helped him out in the store and then set up a fitting room for him and after that was done he invited me into his stall to "help" him try on the items we'd picked out together. I politely declined the offer... yes it is my job to be friendly and give good customer service but I think that may have slightly crossed the line.

-Another customer asked me to check him and and tell him how attractive I found him/ how good (or not good) he looked in the outfit he was trying on. Unfortunately for him I can be brutally honest when it comes to clothing, but I seem to be able to sugar coat it when necessary... so that's what I did. Best part was he thanked me for telling him that he didn't match, and that he needed smaller pants and so on.... isn't it weird that I get paid to check people out ;)

- I learned a valuable lesson about getting dressed for work, when you're going to wear a dress or jumper you should probably wear leggings or something of that nature underneath. If not it can and more than likely will result in yet another odd conversation.

-My favortie customers thus far have to be a couple that had just recently gotten married, and were looking for some clothes. Or should I say the girl wanted something new for her husband because he "didn't major in fashion" funny thing was of the two of them he was the fashionably dressed one. So the girl shoves her husband at me and the proceeds to just stand there while we pick out some options for him. Another great thing about retail is that you get to hear people's life stories. The reason for his "lack of fashion" was due to his growing up in a little hick town that had no mall or let alone store. He always wears jeans and t-shirts cuz everything else isn't practical for farm life. And then the most amazing statement ever came out of his mouth... " SO ya got anything flannel!?! I wore flannel at my wedding.... " Uhhh.... how do you respond to that kind of thing :) well with a smile of course!

So what if I wear my heart on my sleeve

I have a heart, it knows what it wants, and it's time to let it speak. It's time for me to be vulnerable... my heart is on my sleeve... so be gentle with it...

Go for long walks, indulge in hot baths. Question your assumptions, be kind to yourself, live for the moment, loosen up, scream, curse the world, count your blessings, just let go, just be.

-Carol Shields

Sometimes I feel like I don't know myself anymore...

oh i feel like marilyn....

Skirts and windy days on campus don't make happy combinations..... hello construction workers!! although i did get a few waves and shouts..... yeah needless to say i've limited my skirt wearing at work to only once and awhile now, instead of several times a week.

Summer sunshine

So it's summer time and while i am enjoying my unlimited pool use to an extreme, i've learned just a few things about tanning and swimming....

- That whole skimpy top that you tan in doesn't really double as a diving top. Unless you're offering up a free show to anyone that's in the pool.

- While large sunglasses are "incredibly" in style, they are not the appropriate eyewear for when you are laying out in the sun. Just ask my sister, she fell asleep while tanning only to wake up hours later with a look that slightly resembled a racoon. Not that huge white tan lines the cover almost half your face aren't really cute.

-When you have a pool, you often get uninvited and unexpected pool users. Neighbors, family friends, high school boys, ... etc... anywho sometimes it would be nice to know that they are coming over....

- if you fall asleep while laying out try not to leave your hands laying on your chest or stomach unless you want handprints...

-have highlights- prepared to go lighter... big time.... yeah like full fledged blonde!

curveballs coming my way

Lately I've felt like I keep getting stuck in some "sticky" situations. I turn one way... nothing.... so I turn the other way.... and I still can't move. And well at times it's one of the most frustrating experiences you deal with. Focusing on it, isn't exactley worth your time either. It's not going to get you anywhere, it's simply wasted time and energy. I continuely have to remind myself that it's just a curveball, and I will get through it. God is constantly testing me in my walk with Him, and part of growing in that walk is being faithful and content no matter what kind of curveball he throws me. It's like a tree when it's roots grow deep and are grounded in the soil it thrives, but when its roots are close to the surface and aren't planting themselves deep it lacks stability.
I want to be firmly rooted in my faith, I want to be a servant and to be used by God. However, before that can happen I need to learn how to handle the bad and even sticky situations as well as the good ones. They will pass, and will change you. Things happen for a reason and with faith in Christ you can get through them, with flying colors.

Lessons Learned

So spring break ended and i have decided that if college doesn't work for me i could either become a flight attendant because you get to wear heels, smile, talk about barf-bags, oh and i made friends with a pilot! :) And after all of the flying we did i pretty much have the little safety speech down. If that doesn't work i could just become a comedian because i have 18 yrs of insanity stored up that makes for some rather ammusing stories (compliments of my grandparents of course! mainly my grandpa) Spending a week with them was eye-opening... no it was fun over all but it did have its moments.

Chelsea's traveling lessons...

• People's true colors surface while traveling, this may or may not be a good thing. i'm not sure if this applies to the whole 4 am travel thing or not.

• 47 lbs. will allow two girls to pack - 2 pairs of running shoes, 3 magazines, 2 bibles, a devo book, sunblock, an ice pack, 2 blow dryers, 1 hair straightner, 1 curling iron, 1 beach towel, and all of our hair products, bathroom stuff, and makeup.... now if that's not sad i don't know what is...

• when booking your flights you should really think about what time it means you're going to have to wake up to get to the airport on time... 2:15 am is not the ideal wake up. however there is little traffic on the road at that time so it's not all bad

• when letting your grandpa drive you should be aware that he's not the only one driving... you are as well, just not behind the wheel! it's more backseat driving paired with hanging on for your life. yikes!!
• this is a fun one... airport security - although it is impossible to take a little thing of vasaline on the plane with you in your carry-one, you can take lotion and even a razor... crazy i know since both items are on the banned list. once you are on the plane it is best to not yell at the top of your lungs "i have lotion" when your traveling buddy says "man my hands are dry"... you should also make sure the flight attendant is not in the row behind you when you scream this

• when cute possibly mute boy sitting next to you spills his drink on your lap, you simply smile and just say "it's ok, really".... you suddenly will learn that he is not mute and should hide the look of shock that has just spread across your face... also when he goes to place his napkin on your leg you should just take the napkin from him, this will be an attempt to prevent an awkward situation.. less awkward for you...not the same for him.

• When sitting at the gate waiting to start boarding the airplane, you should put a lot of thought into were you'd like to sit, this one pertains to girls, because guys just have to wait til the girl is sitting down. you should either pick a spot full of familys or on the end of a row where there are no seats near you... if you don't do this it will result in quite the following of creepy men sitting down near you and looking at you, watching your every move. occasionally you'll get one the the newspaper peepers- my personal fav. these are the guys who act like they are reading the paper but keep peeking out from the side of from the top to look at you, it's especially neat when the paper is upside down...

• When your ticket says United Express it does not mean nice big plane..no it means small cramped 50 person jet.

• If you feel so inclined as to take a peak at the playlist on the cute guys ipod you should remember that it's important to contain your laughter. especially at 6 am. Not everyone one is ready to be made fun of for having spice girls on their ipod... also because it is so early chances are you are likely to fall asleep on the airplane, however when you wake up to find the guys face just inches from yours with his mouth wide open and oh so fresh morning breath surrounding you... don't scream, simply turn the other way... actually just turn and look at the seat back in front of you because chances are you're going to come across that same open mouthed, glazed over sleeping look on your friends face.

being stuck in seats B and E suck... oh the amazing middle seat! you don't even get to look out the window and if you have to pee... hold it cuz typically the lucky aisle seat person... is asleep. and attempting to crawl over them is well... quite an experience.

this one is compliments of my roomie- when you see a group of rather attractive males, and only one of them is not good looking/ is significantly over weight...don't get your hopes up because he will be the one sitting next to you...

• Once you have finally reached you vacation destination and you are waiting to claim your luggage, remain calm while your grandpa tells your life story to whom ever is standing near....

• Also, if the first question you are asked by your grandparents is regaurding your love life, and why you are currently single... just smile and let it go... chances are there will be something much better to get mad about later in the week.

• Sleeping in is not an option... if you attempt it you might have a bell rung in your face... this of course will only happen on sunday morning when it is crucial that you are up and awake, so that you can go to church to see the whole SAU baseball team. Also, know that when your grandpa says he's going over 45 min early to save seats... he's really going over to let the team know you are there and are terribly excited to see all of them.

• Look cute when you go to the beach, that whole roll out of bed and go thing is not an option, because pictures will be taken... and they will be shown all over... ( learned this the hard way :( )