Ari's Babysitting experience

Last week, Mika and I were out taking a final or returning our textbooks. When we came home, Brad was in the dining room trying to study. Ari and her neighbor/friend Presley were in the living room...undecorating the christmas tree. And Ellie was lying down on the couch, nicely arranged on a pillow...very close to the edge of the couch. Not close enough that we ran in panicking to catch her. But close enough that if she had started to roll (which she only does a little) too much she would have fallen over the edge. Here is how things went:



Mika: Brad, how can you sit there while the kids undecorated the tree?!

Brad: The kids are doing what? I thought they were playing, so I did not think anything of it. (I should mention that the dining room and living room are right next to each other w/o a wall really to divide them. There's an archway.)

Mika: And why did you put the baby so close to the edge of the couch?

Brad: The baby is not in her crib?


I thought it was all very funny until the baby part. What happened is that the dog escaped and so Brad ran after him. Right when he left, the baby started to cry and Ari, being the little mother that she is, decided to go get her. Here is how Ari and Presley describe what happened:


Ari: I climbed into her crib and Presley waited on the ground right next to her crib. I lifted her up and gave her to presley. Presely held her real tight so that she wouldn't fall. Then I climbed down and took her from Presley and carried her into the living room. She liked it.

Me: But Ari, she could have fallen and been hurt.

Ari: But May, I held her super tight and I hold her all the time. We were very careful.

Me: Yes, but still, accidents happen.

Ari: But May, I would never hurt her. And she was very happy. She didn't cry. And we're big girls.



And thankgoodness both of these girls are beastly strong because I have nightmares when I think about what could have happened. I am also a bit impressed that they were able to think of a good system and pull it off. While being careful. Not once did Ellie cry. What a brave little thing. I think she enjoyed herself, actually. With these girls, it's always one adventure after another. Life is never dull!

Man

There is something just very sexy and intriguing about Latin men.  They manage to be very open and very mysterious all at the same time.  They make you feel beautiful and appealing.  And who can forget their sexy accents. 

Actually, this is also how I feel about European men.  They do not play the games that American men do.  Very straight forward.  Even if it is to ask you to sleep with them within ten minutes of knowing them.  At least you know where you stand. 

This not a hit at anyone specifically, to be honest.  I was just reflecting.  I've gone out with man of different backgrounds, race, culture, and viewpoints.  And it's interesting to note some differences and similarities.  If any of you want to share some of your viewpoints on this, please, let me know.

Breaking up is hard to do

Relationships are really interesting. I thought once you broke up, that's it. You don't really think about the other person and you move on. I must admit that I never understood when others would talk to me about how hard they found it to open a new door in their lives that did not include the other person. Well friends, I apologize for not understanding what you meant then. And if I was ever overly critical. I've had to go through that lately (thankgoodness am past that stage now)and it has made me a more compassionate and sympathetic person. It's always good to learn something from your trials, right? That's the whole point, I guess :).

Hmmm

It was brief but deep
He knew me well but not at all
I left him...but he left me
My heart is relieved as it is breaking.

The Passionate Shepherd to His Love

Come live with me and be my love,
And we will all the pleasures prove
That valleys, groves, hills, and fields,
Woods, or steepy mountain yields.

And we will sit upon rocks,
Seeing the shepherds feed their flocks,
By shallow rivers to whose falls
Melodious birds sing madrigals.

And I will make thee beds of roses
And a thousand fragrant poises,
A cap of flowers, and a kirtle
Embroidered all with leaves of myrtle;

A gown made of the finest wool
Which from our pretty lambs we pull;
Fair lined slippers for the cold,
With buckles of the purest gold;

A belt of straw and ivy buds,
With coral clasps and amber studs;
And if these pleasures may thee move,
Come live with me, and be my love.

The shepherds's swains shall dance and sing
For thy delight each May morning:
If these delights thy mind may move,
Then live with me and be my love.

Poem by Christopher Marlowe

Half-Marathon 2

I ran my half-marathon as planned in Monterey California and it was fantastic! I was extremely nervous that I would not be able to do it because the longest I had ran by that point was 4.5 miles. But something happened during the race. I got lost.

I mean that I got lost in the people, the weather, the ambiance, and more. I felt like the more I ran, the more energy was filling my body. To the point where I felt like I could have ran forever. We ran right next to the ocean. I must admit that there where some points in time where I felt like the water was beckoning me and I cold just throw myself in it and it would catch me. It was that inviting looking. The weather was absolutely perfect. Seriously. And there were so many volunteers out to give us drinks (H2O, Gatorade, Beer)as we ran by. People came out of their stores and houses to cheer us on. It meant so much. They added fuel to my fire.
It was one of the most amazing things that I have ever done. And I am so glad that I had my sister there experiencing it with me. She was a big part of what made it so wonderful. I definitely would like to do it again.