Weddings... they're AWESOME.

This past weekend, I had the great fortune of being bridesmaid.

*pause for the bridesmaid jokes*

Despite the jokes, it was truly an honor for me to be able to take part in such an important day with these glorious people that I love dearly. It was also very interesting to observe the human psyche on such an event. This isn't just an event of two people's lives becoming one. It's also the event of two families becoming one. So many people coming together and accepting each other for the benefit of two dearly loved people.

I'm not going to get all analytical about it. I'm just making a point. Weddings are made out to be a big deal, and they really are, but not for the stereotypical reasons that everyone automatically matches with 'The Big Day'. Weddings are often identified as expensive, excessive, and romantic; an occasion to get dressed up, get your hair and nails done, and buy those expensive shoes you've been drooling over for a month now; not to mention a good occasion to get your drink on. Although weddings are those things, they don't even begin to cover what this day is about.

A wedding is about love. Simply that. Two people joining into one life together, signifying it with a ceremony surrounded by their family and friends. It's a promise to put each other first, to always hold on, always love, and always try harder the next time. It's a promise to make their lives an example to others in the love and kindness they show each other, and a promise to open their lives and home to others. It's also a promise of family; past, present and future.

It's a huge commitment. One that I imagine I will make one day to someone I love dearly. But, for now, I'm very happy to observe someone else's union of love and know that on that very day, the world became a better place because of their union.

Congratulations Jeff and Sarah. :)

xo <3

Question...

I can't decide which is worse:

Making promises and then breaking them?

or

Not committing and refusing to promise anything?

I really can't figure it out. In this situation, I seem to be the one who encounters this battle a lot. I encounter a lot of people who promise me simple things, and then go and break it. Or, I encounter people who I know want to promise, but for whatever reasons, just don't.

I can honestly say that both hurt a lot. And it's really wearing me out. Especially when both of them present to you, and you go from the one extreme to the other. You get so... confused, misled, hurt, and broken.

Seriously, I can't decide which is worse. I would suppose the first one; but the second is also rather annoying, and in the end, rather hurtful.

Either way, I wish it would stop. People who don't keep their promises really tax my heart, because I tend to care a lot about them. They promise to care about me, and then disappear. Or, they won't even admit to caring about me.

W.

T.

F.

I just want it to be simple, for people to let go, make the choice, stand by me or not. Not jump all over the place.

Promises mean everything. But once you break them, sorry means nothing...

What happened to us?

What have we done?

How did we end up here?

We didn’t we see this coming

Suddenly we’re at the end

And it’s enough to scare me

What have we created?

What is this horror?

We made this place hell

Destroyed human kind

We’re all to blame, you know

Where will the terrible destruction end?

Will I have to tell my grandchildren what a polar bear is?

Life as we know it is gone

We need changes now

Put someone in charge to lead us now

Why is the world this way?

Why can’t we see ourselves?

We smash and burn and destroy

We demolish it like its nothing

Why can’t we stop?

Why is this lifestyle so addicting?

In our destruction, we destroy ourselves

We die and die and die some more

But yet we can’t stop

Why not? Why not?

We need a higher power

One that loves yet destroys

One to intervene into our chaos

One to put an end to this madness

One to heal our pain…

xo <3

My Psalm

How magnificent the loveliness of Your earth!

Its lands stretch forever, filled with your diverse children. Its seas abound in waves as You abound in love.

How vast is Your sky! We are so small in comparison

We cannot measure or comprehend its size.

O LORD, even to hold a paintbrush like You, I could not compare.

Your works are measureless, marvelous, fabulous, and simply fantastic.

We are lower and smaller than sheep compared to You.

We are more insignificant than a glob of clay on the potter’s floor.

But you pick us up!

You rescue us from the dust, dirt, and dryness.

You make us beautiful again, breathing life and vigor into our bodies.

You fill us up, and give use purpose.

I want to follow in Your steps, O LORD.

I want to be great, like You, for You, and with You.

But first I must walk beside You,

Follow Your teachings, and learn Your way.

I am the student to the Teacher;

The pupil to the Tutor;

The apprentice to the Master.

I want to revel in Your beauty for the rest of my days.

I want to dance in Your field of exquisiteness, and sleep in the hammock of Your serenity.

I want to leap among Your mountains like stepping stones;

And dawdle in Your seas like rain puddles.

I want to see Your face in the sunsets;

And feel Your breath in the wind.
I long to be close to You, in all I do,

And I forever want Your grace in my life.

LORD, be near to me.

Show me Your presence in my daily life, so that I might honor You.

Grant me the strength to do your will;

The knowledge to recognize Your plan;

The grace to represent You;

The patience for the trials;

And the opportunities to praise You.

Amen.

xo <3

Only a female will understand this...

So, I have very uncontrollable hair. It can be very difficult some mornings. All frizzy instead of curly, or all flat one side and poofy on the other. Any one with two X chromosomes will tell you that a tough morning with your hair can ruin your day. Also, it's very hard to find the perfect hair product to tame that uncontrollable hair.

I, however, was lucky enough to stumble upon just such a product. A curling serum so light and silky but with such great hold that I didn't think was possible.

*insert Hallelujah chorus here*

It only come in 200ml bottles, and a very little goes a long way, but I order a few bottles at a time typically. I had to order it specially through Avon, so I was always careful that when I was on the last bottle to order more.

The following is a true account of horrific proportions.

I was dealing with the hair one morning and reached for the last bottle. Recalling it was the last in my drawer, I opened up a quick email to my Avon rep (don't you love the internet?). I fired off a quick message, thinking nothing of it.

'Hey Pat! I'm almost out of the curling serum. Can you put me down for 4 bottles on your next order? Thanks!'

I went about my day as normal, until I got an email on my lunch break:

'Hey Megan. Sorry, but Avon has discontinued the curling serum. I'll ask around to see if I can find more for you, but it's not likely. I'm bummed, since I love that stuff. I'll let you know. Thanks, Pat'

What followed was the five steps of hysteria:

1) Denial. ("No effing way!!")

2) Hysterical Screaming.

3) Rocking back in forth in the corner.

4) Angry threats to no one in particular.

5) Resigned sobbing and searching online for a similar product.

Upon much digging on Pat's part, we discovered that they were 'temporarily removing' the product and 're-introducing' it in September. I rationed what little I had left and will survive until my order comes in in two weeks.

Still, this pissed me off. WHY would you discontinue a popular product with NO warning, just because you wanted to 're-introduce' it later. If I see anything in the magazine saying "Back by popular demand!" next to the curling serum, Avon's complaint department will be hearing from me. Seriously. This, was a load of cock and bull. All that hysteria for nothing.

I might snuggle a bottle when I finally do receive it, because I will be that relieved. I'm quite tired of looking like a electrified poodle.

SERIOUSLY.

xo <3

News Flash #5

So, about two blocks from my house (right along my daily route to work) is a house on a corner lot of a small subdivision. Ordinary house. Ordinary retired couple living there. Or so I thought when we moved in here years ago.

Every since, every summer season, as I drive by on my way to work, this elderly gentleman is outside on his sidewalk watching the grass grow.

Really. Watching the grass grow.

First, I should point out, no he is not looking at another person or object. He's staring straight down at the ground, eyes squinted, whilst studying each individual blade for imperfection. His pants are always hiked up to his armpits, and just fall three inches short of his brown loafers. Of course, his shirt is tucked in in a less than attractive manner.

Secondly, I should point out that he's not alone. Sometimes, there is a rake in one hand. Other days, there is a spray bottle of weed killer. And on those desperate days, it's the garden hose.

But, to the man's credit, he does have a damn good looking lawn. I suppose lawns grow better and greener when someone stares critically all day long. Seems like a lot of pressure. I'd probably crack if someone stared at me all day.

Lastly, I should point out that although the man looks ridiculously funny and I have ripped him apart here, it's very...comfortable... for me to see him on my way back and forth. Once, while there was construction being done on the road, I hit a harsh bump and pulled over near his house to make sure there was no serious damage. He set aside his bottle of weed spray, came over and said hello, and then looked himself. He said it looked okay and suggested that I reserve my Evil Knievel stunts for the track.

Made. My. Day.

Now, when I drive by and he breaks his death stare from the grass, he will wave to me and I'll wave back. I call him my Grass-Nazi-Man, or GNM for short. I'd miss him if he didn't obsess over his lawn all day.

xo klaterbye <3

The Praying Hands.

Around 1490 two young friends, Albrecht Durer and Franz Knigstein, were struggling young artists. Since both were poor, they worked to support themseleves while they studied art.

Work took so much of their time and advancement was slow. Finally, they reached an agreement: The would draw lots, and one of them would work to support both of them while the other would study art. Albrect won and began to study, while Franz worked at hard labour to suppor them. They agreed that when Albrecht was successful he would support Franz who would then study art.

Albrecht went off to the cities of Europe to study. As the world now knows, he had not only talent but genius. When he had attained succss, he went back to keep his bargain with Franz. But Albrecht soon discovered the enormous price his friend had paid. For as Franz worked at hard manual labour to support his friend, his fingers had become stiff and twisted. His slender, sensitive hands had been ruined for life. He could no longer execute the delicate brush strokes necessary to fine painting. Though his artistic dreams could never be realized, he was not embittered but rather rejoiced in his friend's success.

One day Durer came upon his friend unexpectedly and found him kneeling with his gnarled hands intertwined in prayer, quietly praying for the success of his friend although he himself could no longer be an artist. Albrecht Durer, the great genius, hurriedly sketched the folded hands of his faithful friend and later completed a truly great masterpiece known as 'The Praying Hands'.

Today art galleries everywhere feature Albrecht Durer's works, and this particular masterpiece tells an eloquent story of love, sacrifice, labor and gratitude.

News Flash #4 (The indignity!)

So, the other day, my boyfriend had the nerve to insult my beautiful car and my driving skills. It was a darn good thing he was far away, or else I might have attempted to tickle him to death.

Someone should point out the following to him:

1) My car gets more hugs and kisses than he does (it's a long distance relationship).

2) My car has more pet names of affection than he does.

3) I've been driving five years. He's been driving... zero.

4) We live in two different countries. What's bad to him must actually be pretty decent in this country.

5) I cannot WAIT to teach him winter driving in 3 feet of Canadian snow next winter. We'll see who's a good driver then, won't we?!

Just kidding. I love you, ca- I mean boyfriend.

XD

xo <3

News Flash #3

The following is a painfully true story.

(Scene: I am talking on the phone with a client, booking the patient at my elbow in the schedule, typing an email to my boss on a work related question, printing an invoice for the patient on the phone, and sorting through a pile of charts on my desk for another coworker. Annoying Co-Worker #1 is standing beside my (<--- note: MINE) desk, reading a single page document to himself. Yes, out loud, mumbling it to himself.)

*Background noises: Various people chatting, my two awesome coworkers behind me also talking with clients and working hard*

Me: "Yes, I can book you for that time Mrs. Smith. Did you need a reminder card for your appointment? You do? Okay, one second please... Yes, Mr Johnson, I just printed your invoice and I'll be mailing it to you. New address? Okay, go ahead..."

Annoying Co-Worker # 1: "Could you (as in, all three of us) keep it down? I can barely hear myself think and I need to focus."

*Stunned silence as three of us stop working to stare at him in complete disbelief*

Me: "You know, Annoying Co-Worker #1, we're trying really hard to handle the influx of patients currently in the clinic, and since you are hovering over our desks reading, perhaps you should move to another part of the clinic - your desk, for example- because I do not believe we can talk any quieter than we already are."

*Of course, as soon as I open my mouth, he's already walking away and I need to raise my voice to make sure the message is heard as he shuffles away*

*more staring in complete disbelief and thought of throwing heavy objects at Annoying Co-Worker #1 continues*

*slowly, work starts up again, and productivity returns*

The End.

Exaggerated? My response only. I just mumbled a few choice thoughts and ignored him. I sincerely doubt anyone else really took notice of this idiocy.

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One thought: Why me?

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xthnxbai