Another schizophrenic update follows... I can't say I've been bored or lacking things to do lately, that's for sure!
I experienced my first 4th of July ever on Saturday. It's really cool to see just how big a deal the 4th is, coming from a background of never really ever celebrating Canada Day... I guess the most I ever did was go to an all-day concert when I was 15? But I was there for the music, and the festival just happened to be on Canada Day.
In the early afternoon we went to a chili cook-off, another first for me! Although I didn't eat any chili (we got there just as most booths were running out) I did drink beer, and I've been assured this is another major chili cook-off activity, so I don't feel I missed out. I live in California right now, after all, and there's chili everywhere, even vegan chili!
We stayed at the park until the winners were announced; our friends won third in the open division! Yay master chili makers!
After that we stopped home to eat, and I promptly made a turn for the worst and stayed home feeling ill while everyone else went off to a party. OK, fine, I can deal with that, Life -- you're probably telling me to relax more or something. But then I just had to lock myself out of the apartment, didn't I? After a mini breakdown I had enough of that and broke in through a window, fixed everything, and debated sewing my keys to my body. (Decided against that though.) LIFE FAIL.
The next day was much better though!! Rambo woke me up with "want to go to Santa Cruz?" and mentions of a delicious veg resto, roller coasters, and beaches. Yeah, that's about my perfect day! And I was thrilled to drive out and see a few varied landscapes on the drive down. I love, love, love California. And now I love, love, love Santa Cruz and seriously would just about die to live there someday! SUCH a beautiful town, and I love the Boardwalk. I hadn't been on a roller coaster since I was 17 and riding the wooden classics again made me feel so alive!
But even before that, finally rushing into the Pacific Ocean and getting my feet wet (umm, and my dress, and my undies... but it was worth it). I've been waiting and dreaming of feeling the Pacific again since I last did in May 2007. I think I did pretty good, accomplishing my goal of returning in just over two years!
Nothing is perfect, though, and Santa Cruz Day was darkened when my dad called to tell me his mother died. Now, I do not have a relationship with her and hadn't for many years. From what my family tells me, we apparently mutually disliked each other since pretty much my birth. She loved and doted on my younger brother instead. I didn't really care. I had so many other awesome family members, what's one meanie? (OK one cousin's husband is also a dick but I haven't seen him in even longer.) But I cried on the phone, for my dad and the family and their tough time. It's sad when family dies no matter who they were. I feel guilty because I have no money and can't afford to travel for the funeral, but my dad says he understands. I'm just trying to not let on just HOW broke I am. I'm working, though, and will eventually get paid. Just ride out a little rationing first!
Deconstructing the World
Since my new MR set went up a lot of you have asked about my newly inked left arm -- what's on it, what it means, etc. People keep asking me in everyday life! So here's all the details.
There is once country, one US state, and three Canadian provinces. From the top: Poland (which a few Polish people have recognized, on SG and on the street!), Ontario and Quebec (where I spent the first 23 years of my life, where I was raised and where I raised myself), California (which is pretty much the only place everyone recognizes before asking what the others are), and British Columbia. These are all the places that, for better or for worse, feel like home to me.
Another common question is if I'm leaving it as-is or if this is just the beginning. Right now, both! I'm leaving my arm as is (or at least the countries part; I have a quotation I'd like to go on my inner arm) because I don't know if it's ready to be completed yet. If the meaning is to stay true, what if I have new places to add in the future? I can't commit to just five places on this planet just yet. I may have more homes to discover and make.
In the meantime, I can do awesome things like write "you are here" next to where I am. (Which sarahg did at Pride.
I'm sorry I haven't been online much lately! I've been really bad at finding time to keep on top of things. But I'll try to do better soon!
Happy week,
♥ yulia
I experienced my first 4th of July ever on Saturday. It's really cool to see just how big a deal the 4th is, coming from a background of never really ever celebrating Canada Day... I guess the most I ever did was go to an all-day concert when I was 15? But I was there for the music, and the festival just happened to be on Canada Day.
In the early afternoon we went to a chili cook-off, another first for me! Although I didn't eat any chili (we got there just as most booths were running out) I did drink beer, and I've been assured this is another major chili cook-off activity, so I don't feel I missed out. I live in California right now, after all, and there's chili everywhere, even vegan chili!
We stayed at the park until the winners were announced; our friends won third in the open division! Yay master chili makers!
After that we stopped home to eat, and I promptly made a turn for the worst and stayed home feeling ill while everyone else went off to a party. OK, fine, I can deal with that, Life -- you're probably telling me to relax more or something. But then I just had to lock myself out of the apartment, didn't I? After a mini breakdown I had enough of that and broke in through a window, fixed everything, and debated sewing my keys to my body. (Decided against that though.) LIFE FAIL.
The next day was much better though!! Rambo woke me up with "want to go to Santa Cruz?" and mentions of a delicious veg resto, roller coasters, and beaches. Yeah, that's about my perfect day! And I was thrilled to drive out and see a few varied landscapes on the drive down. I love, love, love California. And now I love, love, love Santa Cruz and seriously would just about die to live there someday! SUCH a beautiful town, and I love the Boardwalk. I hadn't been on a roller coaster since I was 17 and riding the wooden classics again made me feel so alive!
But even before that, finally rushing into the Pacific Ocean and getting my feet wet (umm, and my dress, and my undies... but it was worth it). I've been waiting and dreaming of feeling the Pacific again since I last did in May 2007. I think I did pretty good, accomplishing my goal of returning in just over two years!
Nothing is perfect, though, and Santa Cruz Day was darkened when my dad called to tell me his mother died. Now, I do not have a relationship with her and hadn't for many years. From what my family tells me, we apparently mutually disliked each other since pretty much my birth. She loved and doted on my younger brother instead. I didn't really care. I had so many other awesome family members, what's one meanie? (OK one cousin's husband is also a dick but I haven't seen him in even longer.) But I cried on the phone, for my dad and the family and their tough time. It's sad when family dies no matter who they were. I feel guilty because I have no money and can't afford to travel for the funeral, but my dad says he understands. I'm just trying to not let on just HOW broke I am. I'm working, though, and will eventually get paid. Just ride out a little rationing first!
Deconstructing the World
Since my new MR set went up a lot of you have asked about my newly inked left arm -- what's on it, what it means, etc. People keep asking me in everyday life! So here's all the details.
There is once country, one US state, and three Canadian provinces. From the top: Poland (which a few Polish people have recognized, on SG and on the street!), Ontario and Quebec (where I spent the first 23 years of my life, where I was raised and where I raised myself), California (which is pretty much the only place everyone recognizes before asking what the others are), and British Columbia. These are all the places that, for better or for worse, feel like home to me.
Another common question is if I'm leaving it as-is or if this is just the beginning. Right now, both!
I'm leaving my arm as is (or at least the countries part; I have a quotation I'd like to go on my inner arm) because I don't know if it's ready to be completed yet. If the meaning is to stay true, what if I have new places to add in the future? I can't commit to just five places on this planet just yet. I may have more homes to discover and make.
In the meantime, I can do awesome things like write "you are here" next to where I am. (Which sarahg did at Pride.
I'm sorry I haven't been online much lately! I've been really bad at finding time to keep on top of things. But I'll try to do better soon!
Happy week,
♥ yulia
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