tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13590715430932328892024-02-20T10:52:01.819-08:00SwartyforceHeatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09575968911392988824noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1359071543093232889.post-31451098322573900482015-03-06T11:27:00.002-08:002015-03-06T11:29:52.048-08:00Resolutions, End of February Update<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><s>1.<span style="font-stretch: normal;"> </span></s><!--[endif]--><b><s>Leave the country</s></b><s> <b>by myself</b> <o:p></o:p></s></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last month I went on a
cruise, probably the easiest way of leaving the country by myself. After
finding Princess Cruises Representative at the airport, I basically wasn’t
responsible for getting myself anywhere for the next 7 days. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There were three ports
of call: Cozumel, Roatan, Belize City. I only left the port in Belize, so that
is my official check-off-the-resolution country, but even then I was with an
excursion that took care of timing and transportation. I’m not sure it took as
much bravery as I expected, and I certainly don’t feel any more confident in my
traveling skills after this, but I enjoyed myself. Also, I will have a few blog
posts about some new experiences…but I took almost zero pictures. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><b>Go to Canada- </b>No plans yet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3.<span style="font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><b>Workout three times a week</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am on track to
complete this. I had too few workouts for January, but balanced it out with
more in February. My favorite workouts are yoga and pilates videos from YouTube
(<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXU591OYOHA" target="_blank">especially these videos</a>), which is totally different to the Zumba
and Wii Fit plan I made at the beginning of the year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4.<span style="font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><b>Apply for jobs in South Korea. – </b>I’ve researched and
collected documents, but I have no real progress yet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Travel where I live</b><o:p></o:p></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p>I went to the North American International Auto Show, and I have the
Detroit Institute of Art on my radar for this month. Even though I could be
more intentional about finding ways to explore metro-Detroit, I also know that
this will get easier as the weather warms up.</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09575968911392988824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1359071543093232889.post-1422288466151021772015-02-19T10:01:00.001-08:002015-02-19T10:01:33.396-08:00How to Drive in Snow<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
This winter I’ve driven to work on a sheet of ice, and both
during and after the fastest accumulation of snow metro-Detroit has seen in
decades. Here in Michigan, we don’t call snow days easily. If it snows 6
inches, you still drive to work on Monday morning. And if it snows 12 inches?
You might get away with showing up late.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Between many of my Brazilian students’ impressions of
driving and <a href="http://www.curiositytravels.org/how-not-to-rent-a-car-in-iceland/" target="_blank">this post about an Icelandic road trip</a>, I’m starting to realize
that not everyone views snow the same way I do. If you think snow is beautiful,
here is some advice* for taking it on in a motor vehicle.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Be Careful<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Drive slowly.</b> If
the speed limit is 50, but you can only control your car at 25 miles per hour….
the speed limit is 25. Leave <b>space
between vehicles</b>, and leave <b>time </b>between
commitments. You want as much time to stop as possible, and you do not want to be
stressed on the road. These things are common sense, so make sure to do them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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You use more <b>gas</b>
in stop and go traffic, moving slowly, and braking often. Running on fumes is
not a choice you can make; especially on a road trip, walking to the nearest
gas station could be life-threatening. <b>Top your tank off </b>before you are at one
quarter full.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Think about the <b>worst case scenario</b>. Who will you call? Put
those numbers on your fully charged cell phone. What if you are stranded? Know
if you can safely walk to shelter, pack food in case you can’t, and pack all
the warm clothes and flashlights you will need. Keep your winter boots in the
car: you will need them no matter what the emergency situation.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Know How to Move<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Losing control </b>of your vehicle is normal, especially without
four wheel drive. Slipping out is like when your body falls on the ice and your
legs “slip out” from the rest of you, except this body is a ton of metal. When
you feel it for the first time, you will know and you will probably panic. <b>Don’t
Panic.</b> Find a deserted parking lot that hasn’t been plowed and practice. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Start out trying to stop. Figure out how long it takes to
stop, and get familiar with the grinding feeling under your foot as you brake
without enough traction. Assuming your car has an <b>anti-lock brake system </b>(ABS);
the car will release and reapply the brake as long as you keep your foot down. If
you don’t already know how, don’t drive in snow without ABS.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now try to start on snowy and icy ground. If <b>nothing happens</b>,**
gently and slowly push the gas and release the gas until you have traction and
start moving. You will do this often at intersections. If you hold the gas
down, you’ll move too quickly when your car finds traction and go shooting off
too fast. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Know Where to Steer<o:p></o:p></div>
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Next, drive doughnuts in the parking lot. Make<b> little
circles or figure eight patterns </b>until you slip out. When most people give you
advice, they’re all using different words to tell you how to handle this
situation. Try all of it: turn the direction you’re slipping, keep the wheel
pointed where you’re going, turn towards where the rear of your car is going. Slip
out until you panic less, and until you can regain control.<o:p></o:p></div>
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On the road you have basically <b>three choices </b>for where to
steer: your lane, oncoming traffic, off of the road. Pay attention; know if
there is a brick wall or an empty field off of the road. If you lose control
moving too fast, especially if you’re driving on what you consider the “wrong”
side of the road, make sure you <b>Do Not steer into oncoming traffic</b>. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Good Luck. </div>
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Have you ever driven in snow? Is my advice helpful? What other advice have you heard?</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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*Advice. Not a guarantee. You are an adult (or responsible
young adult) who makes your own choices. Make your own driving decisions at
your own risk, et cetera.<o:p></o:p></div>
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**Some cars have a little light to tell you that there’s no
traction. It will appear on the dashboard and look like a car with little squiggle lines coming off of the
wheels. Try to feel for the moment anyway.<o:p></o:p></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09575968911392988824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1359071543093232889.post-56266588285517105802015-01-20T20:18:00.000-08:002015-01-20T20:21:50.069-08:00Survivor: State of the Union<div class="MsoNormal">
President Obama made many notable statements during the
State of the Union Address, and Boehner’s facial expressions (or lack of facial
expressions) were notable too. Unfortunately, I was distracted from both by the
idea of the Designated Survivor. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The State of the Union Address is pretty much an assassin’s
dream; he could take out dozens of officials with one weapon. So the Secret
Service picks a person in the line of succession, usually the Secretary of
Something-whose-department-won’t-make-headlines, to survive any possible
attack. The only requirements are that they are eligible: they must be a natural
born citizen and over 35 years old. For one night, this person receives
presidential level security in an undisclosed location and, despite being maybe a dozen deaths away from the
role, mentally prepares to become the next POTUS. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Like most things of the Cold War Era, I’m skeptical about the
logic behind this plan. It seems like having an Apocalypse Plan: compelling to
think about but not likely to be needed. Even if it is needed, I’m not convinced
that the 15<sup>th</sup> next person in line to the Oval Office is ready to maintain
a cohesive control of the government. Designated Survivors aren't even given special
briefings or instructions. Still, the “what if” possibilities are fascinating.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If the worst had happened during the State of the Union
Address in 1984, we would have had our first black president, Samuel Pierce.
Black men have been designated three times since. There have also been one Lebanese, two Japanese, one Chinese, and three Hispanic Designated Survivors.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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During the Presidential Inauguration in 1985, a mass
assassination would have led to our first female president, Margaret Heckler.
There have been two other female Designated Survivors, one of whom was
designated twice. The only Designated Survivor who would have rocked the boat
in both race and gender is Lebanese female Donna Shalala. <o:p></o:p></div>
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What do you think? Is this over preparedness, or completely
necessary? Would the US have accepted a female president or a president of
color 30 years ago?<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09575968911392988824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1359071543093232889.post-11639807706974726752015-01-12T14:35:00.001-08:002015-01-20T20:21:04.732-08:00Official New Year's ResolutionsOnce upon a time, I started this blog with the best of intentions. Pretend this post is dated January first.<br />
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<div>
My official new year's resolutions are:</div>
<div>
<ol>
<li><b>Leave the country</b> <b>by myself</b> before August, at least one time. Canada is only 1 hour from my house, it does not count for this experience. </li>
<li><b>Go to Canada</b>. I've never been as an adult, and it is the least scary border to get myself across. Also, <a href="http://thatbackpacker.com/" target="_blank">Audrey</a> and <a href="http://www.nomadicsamuel.com/" target="_blank">Sam</a> make it look like fun. </li>
<li><b>Workout three times a week</b>. I want to be stronger, and I need to do something to make this happen. </li>
<li><b>Apply for jobs in South Korea. </b>I've been interested in Korea for awhile, and interested in living abroad even longer. </li>
<li><b>Travel where I live.</b> Detroit has some awesome museums, and there are so many things to do within one day's drive. Especially with gas prices the way they are, there is no excuse for me not to check some of them out. </li>
</ol>
</div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09575968911392988824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1359071543093232889.post-81366922479099501882014-12-27T15:41:00.003-08:002015-01-20T20:20:48.650-08:00New Year's Resolution Preparations<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This year I’m making
New Year’s Resolutions. Not the typical “get in shape, eat better, over by
January fourth” resolutions, but real ones. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Traveling has always
been a goal, but it’s always vague and faraway, so I have decided that 2015 is
the year. I might take a small trip, a long trip, or move abroad… but I’m
going. There’s some planning and budgeting that I should make a part of my
resolution, but so far “GO” is the only goal I have.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Making healthy habits is
also very vague, but as much as I hate routine I want some patterns in place
when I travel. I want to know what I’m doing when I pack a jump rope or
resistance band, and I think a little muscle would make me feel more confident
and less anxious about luggage and walking tours. An exercise routine and some clear meal plans
will help me out here.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">What resolutions have you made? </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Which resolutions have you kept?</span></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09575968911392988824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1359071543093232889.post-15763793633315755212014-11-09T18:52:00.003-08:002015-01-20T20:21:30.252-08:00Banjoleles, Taylor Swift, and Iconic Works<div class="MsoNormal">
Is the influence that the banjolele had on the popularity of
the ukulele in 1920s Vaudeville interesting? Maybe, but it was not a thing that
my dad needed to spend time explaining to me. Today, however, he explained something
that does interest me. We were talking about Taylor Swift*. <o:p></o:p></div>
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My dad pointed out that 1989 is the first album that my
sister and I have both bought. We both decided that having the CD now, instead
of waiting for the other to share, was worth going out and exchanging money. (If
you don’t agree that the packaging is worth owning, you clearly have not bought
a copy. Yet.) This means that 1989 is the only music compilation in the past 10
years that (A) we both want to listen to and (B) neither of us can wait even a
few days to borrow. <o:p></o:p></div>
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There are now exactly three things that we have ever felt
this way about; Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the
Deathly Hallows, and 1989. And so, if anybody asks me about life defining artists,
they only need to hear about J.K. Rowling and T. Swift. <o:p></o:p></div>
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*If you’re reading this in the far future, please remember
that this is November 2014, everybody is talking about Taylor Swift; tumblr, news
stations, even 55 year old men. It is wonderful.<o:p></o:p></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09575968911392988824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1359071543093232889.post-76175138186204490032014-11-08T19:38:00.000-08:002014-11-08T19:38:08.099-08:00How can I be scared of a month?<div class="MsoNormal">
I think I’m scared of NaNoWriMo. I tried it once, and things
didn’t work out. This year I had an idea for a novel in October, and that just
seemed too obvious. So this year I am trying NaNoWriMo again. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Unfortunately, I don’t write. </div>
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Okay, obviously I write. Somehow I
earned a degree in humanities, and somehow my thoughts are written on this blog.
I just mean that I don’t write much… in the face of 50,000 words, it seems like I
don’t write at all.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Since I have only opened my novel twice during the first week,
I will need to write 2300 words per day in order to reach word count. I'm scared that I want make it, and that makes me less excited to write daily. Wish me luck!<o:p></o:p></div>
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P.S. My novel is called <u>Dumblecrantz and Grindelstern</u>… I
feel disproportionately existential and clever whenever I say it.<o:p></o:p></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09575968911392988824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1359071543093232889.post-56999484604050493492014-11-05T19:01:00.004-08:002015-01-20T20:22:06.605-08:00Alice Rackham is my Idol<div class="MsoNormal">
Classic Alice documents Alice Rackam’s decision to stop
doing things by the book (figuratively) and start doing things by the book
(literally, life choices based on classic literature). Recently she decided
that she was too busy to choose a long book, which ironically led her to open
Rip Van Winkle, and she has to copy Rippy V in his attempt to avoid working at
all. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Her initial thought is that she needs to skip obligations,
like class and study sessions, and so she makes herself an alternative schedule
just as busy as her usual school schedule. Although she chose to let loose in
another way, I personally love her alternative schedule. She has just
brainstormed things that she is interested in doing, but has never done because
they aren’t a productive use of her regular schedule. How much fun would she
have, and how many stories would she make, if she followed her alternative
schedule? <o:p></o:p></div>
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The items on Alice Rackham’s alternative schedule, in the
form of an alternative to-do list:<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">visit a farm, potentially milk a cow</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">eat breakfast for dinner</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">eat dinner for breakfast</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">think important existential thoughts</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">have a picnic</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">write a letter to the president about literacy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">make jams and pickles</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">ride a train for hours with no…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">white wash a fence (find a fence)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">make friends with woodland creatures</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">drive a convertible too fast</span><br />
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Some of these break up normal routines, while others are a
new experience. I think my favorite is milking a cow, even though it isn't particularly
daring, it is out of the ordinary for an urban university student. It wouldn't
be hard to make it happen. Some of her ideas, like canning and corresponding
with the leader of the free world, have a value that doesn't directly
contribute to her academic success, whether they happen just once or become a
regular thing. There is no reason she can’t make these things part of her
regular schedule, she just doesn't.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So in the spirit of Alice, I am making myself an alternative
to-do list. What things will you put on your alternative to-do list?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">walk around before all of the fall leaves fall</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">write thank you note to Emma Watson</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">figure out how to make bibimbap</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">learn to play Stolen Dance on the guitar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">drive my car around a parking lot backwards</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">pick wildflowers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">paint designs on my nails</span></div>
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09575968911392988824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1359071543093232889.post-47829167621465353372014-10-13T19:23:00.002-07:002014-10-13T19:23:25.287-07:00Why Blog?<div class="MsoNormal">
One thing I have always done, since I have had my own laptop
at least, is follow blogs. Home design blogs, fashion blogs, travel blogs,
“lifestyle blogs,” inspirational blogs, the blogs linked in the comments of the
original blog. They have the best advice and the worst advice, and the most
awful and wonderful stories. </div>
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Blogs are like checking the contents of
somebody’s medicine cabinet, but then they show up and give you a tour. You have the sneak peek into their life, but they let you know
that “yes, the aspirin expires this Thursday” and “no, I hate that
organizer, but I bought it at Target if you want one anyway.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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For some reason there’s this idea in my head that in order
to comment on blogs, I should have a blog, A two sentence comment doesn't explain how my latest young adult crisis informs my vote on The Bloggess's latest poll or why Katie Bower put up that post right when I needed it. Two sentence comments seem incomplete. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And so, to justify my blog addiction despite that
inexplicable comment anxiety, here is my blog. Welcome.<o:p></o:p></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09575968911392988824noreply@blogger.com0