best christmas song...ever

my cuddly cat

Aside from her crazy antics and doggish way of chewing on things, my cat is pretty awesome--especially when she likes to cuddle.  Mmm I like to cuddle, and a cat, being a cat, only likes to cuddle when they like to cuddle.  Yesterday, though, she definitely had a need to cuddle.  I was watching a Jeeves & Wooster episode and she had been walking all around me and over me trying to find a place to settle down.  Eventually, she finally settled in my arms, of all places, and proceeded to watch the rest of the episode with me.  Now, I know she's a football (also known as soccer) fan as she went crazy over the world cup--chasing those players (not the ball) all over the screen, doing her best to tag each one supposedly running away from her.  Would that make her boy-crazy?  I am delighted, though, to find that she is also a fan of British comedy.  This is my kind of cat.  Now if I can only get her to a place where she can play outside in the snow......  :-)

A Child's Innocence

On my long ride to church yesterday, a nanny/aunt/mother (?) and young girl sat in the seat in front of me on the bus.  The girl was tiny--about the size of what I would think of a 1 year old--but most likely around 2-3.  She had an incredible vocabulary, and desperately wanted to use it on me.  I would have loved to talk with the girl, except, I still can't understand much of the language here.  This frustrated the girl a little, but she kept trying to communicate, settling for gestures and playing with objects, like the book I had been reading.  She had a plastic bracelet that she fiddled with, wanting me to play a pulling game with her.  At one point the nanny/aunt/mother playfully put the girl's incredibly short hair up with the soft bracelet.  I was admittedly a little shocked that a girl had so short of hair in a place where long hair is deemed beautiful.  However, I thought the cut fit her personality well.  Beyond her playfulness and confidence, what I loved most about this child was when she sang.  For about the last full 10 minutes they were on the bus, the girl sang an amazing rendition of ...some song.  I had obviously never heard the song before, nor did I understand the words, but her sweet, clear voice filled the bus.  The silence that filled the bus after she got off was incredible; I think we all missed her instantly.  

Tell Me A Story

I was recently talking with my dear friend, Sarah.  We were discussing different ways I could start my own business, to not be tied down to one place...eventually.  :-)  One suggestion was to write a book on my experiences in my current living conditions.  Apparently, she finds my stories amusing.  I'm so glad I can amuse you, Sarah.  :-)

Her favorite story is about when I ride my bicycle around town (my 'small' area of town).  There is a particular corner (let me say here that it happens at more than just this one corner, but it is inevitable at this corner) where some motorbike taxi drivers rest.  When I walk by, they are very prone to call out 'Madame! Hello! Madame! Motorbike?! Hello! Madame!'  This is understandable.  I, being a young foreign woman, walking, they think I should need a ride, and they should give me one.  However, when I ride my bicycle past the same corner, they still call out, 'Madame! Hello! Madame!'  At this point I stop paying attention, as I am mostly past them.  However, I swear I can still hear 'Motorbike?!' being called out.

This I don't get.  I am on a bike.  Why would I need a ride for my bike and myself.

Part of me thinks they are just calling out.  If they are, it is just for jest, as most other people don't mind me when I am riding my bicycle, especially if I am on the go and not stopped.

Maybe one day I won't be in a rush to get home and stop to find out exactly what it is they want from a foreign lady on a bike.

i &> fungus

Yes.  You read that correctly.  Well, mostly.  I can't say I love the stuff.  However, in more than one recent conversation, I have been made to say that I like mushrooms; and found myself shocked as I actually believed myself.
I will say 'Ew.' one more time.  However, button mushrooms, have started to become my friend.

Hi, strange, new friend.

Junebug-Robert Francis

Harsh storms with monsoon-ish rain, thunder, lightening.

:-)

Temperature drops.

:-)
:-)

Sweatshirt and coffee weather.

:-)
:-)
:-)

Happy Birthday Jen!!!

To the most amazing older sister--

I hope today is incredibly special.

&>'s

From 'Upwords'

Before you change professions, try this: 


change your attitude toward your profession.


--Max Lucado

Happy Birthday Dad!!

It's been a great 60 years!!

Well, from what I can tell.  ;-)

&>'s