Family Comparisons

I'm still thinking that it's August. Not really a good thing, eh?

The moving extravaganza ended today, for I moved into my apartment. Hmm. I suppose that's a lie, because I still don't have a bed there, and I'm currently back at my parent's house. Yuppers.

Earlier today, I was thinking about comparisons. Not like the comparison I've talked about before (grades, skills, etc.), but when other people compare you to someone else.

Personally, I hate being compared to other people. When I was younger, I would tell people that I wanted to be the original, don't compare me to that person. Honestly, I think it's still a good way to think about ourselves. For instance, there are plenty of quotes out there explaining how there's no other person like you, so why be someone else? ...Or something along those lines. I'm getting off topic though.

The point is, comparisons are not my thing. I'm fine with being compared to my mom- I get why I'm getting the comparisons. We're very similar. However, there are times when I really don't want the comparison.

"Oh, that's so like          , haha!"

You recoil back in horror. Really? Like that person? What if it's a person you really don't want to be compared to? Ever? I saw this happen to my sister, and saw her eyes grow large in terror. Did they really just say that? Yes. Yes they did. And they find it to be a loving comment. Which you do not agree with.

And I know this horror, because I've had it happen myself.

You can't say anything either, because they'll know your true bitchy thoughts.

I'll admit it. I'm a bitch. I know it, but I also know proper etiquette. And that means don't say that you hate their comparison.

The one comparison I surprisingly don't mind? When my cousin calls me Alicia. It's just funny.

Like, whatever!

Have you ever been compared to someone you wished you weren't compared to?

A Turn to the Cold

Oregon has gotten the memo that it's fall. This is something that isn't a great thing to us Oregonians. We tend to spaz when we finally get sun, and when it disappears... we freak out.

One of the things that we always try to avoid when the weather gets cold again is going into hibernation mode. As much as I hoped to avoid it, today the hibernation sucked me in.

I moved slowly. I sat next to the heater. I looked at things that I needed to pack, and huddled into the couch once more.

This? This needs to stop. I'm sure that I'll be less hibernate-y once school starts, but doesn't it feel weird when it's cold again? Like we should go like the bears and rumble into caves? Why is that?

All I know is that if the patterns continue, I will become a blob encased in an over sized sweatshirt. Ridiculous.

Welp, apparently the cold weather is affecting the way I write as well. Therefore, I'm signing off for the night.

How does the colder weather affect you?

Pre Move-In Jitters

This week has officially become the week of moving. This time, it was moving my sister to her apartment. Yes, fun times.
When helping friends move, there are usually a couple of benefits. Maybe some lunch or something, right? Moving family means you do it, or you're a bitch. It's just how things go. What can you do?

It's weird going from a room mate that you've known for years to room mates that you didn't know until you decided to room together. I mean, I'm not even living there yet, and I still don't know how to correctly interact with them. When hearing the two of them talking in Chinese the few times I've been there, I wonder what they're talking about. Is it something I did?

How is it going to be when I move in, you know? I have no idea.

I started thing about this when seeing my sister interact with her room mate. Now, she's not close with her room mate, but she at least had connections with the person before moving in. I suppose it's all part of living with other people.

Who's the strangest room mate you've ever had?

Digging through the past

I was so close. Close to having a good chunk of my things packed up. Close to actually having walking room on the floor of my bedroom. Then I got to what I call The Art Box. Packed up in a specific box last summer, the art box contained quite a few sketchbooks, and hundreds of pieces of paper. All with drawings on them. Somehow, this lead to a cleansing of the pile. Every so often (it's about every year), I go through the pile of drawings, and look to see which ones I don't like anymore. Sure, I see plenty that have awful proportions but that's not what matters. What matters is if the drawings bring out certain memories and such. Some do, some don't.

As I've said before, I used to be a major art person. I even became art student of the year at my high school. That's what makes it so weird to think I never draw these days. I mean, it was a huge part of my life for years! Where did that go?

Most of the time, I don't think about it but going through the pile made me miss it. Along with drawing, there were multiple characters I created and some had very detailed stories. Sure a few of them were ridiculous, but I grew attached. ...it's an art kid thing.

There are some things that I don't think I'll ever return to from my past, but hopefully I can get some of my art self back.

What's something you used to do all of the time that you never do anymore? Why not?

Prepping for School

I move into my first apartment in a couple of days. That thought is bizarre to me.

The difference between how packed and ready I am this year as compared to last year is wild. I remember that I started packing up for college as soon as that graduation cap flew off my head last year, and was all done by the end of the month. This year, I've hardly got anything done. I packed a few things earlier, but the majority of my packing just started this evening. Preparation at its finest, eh?

It's weird because it feels like it should be a new start since it's a new school, but... at the same time, it's like I've already done this before. There are just a few tweaks. Like a much bigger school. Plus not in a dorm. Plus I won't know anyone. Honestly, I'm not sure how to feel about the whole situation.

Other than that, my room looks like my closet threw up everywhere. (classy) That's what happens when you're in the process of organization. Still, I feel gross being in a gross room. Ah well.

Did your college prep change each year? How did it change?

Road Trip Recap

I can't believe it's already Saturday again. I didn't feel like I was gone for about a week, but here we are.

Now that I'm at my own computer again, I can write posts that have (some) sense in them. Truthfully, while I was on my trip I didn't want to be writing at all, but the whole thing involved a lack of planning. Anywho...

If you've seen any of my gibberish from this week, you might have known my sister, mom and I road tripped it up towards the north. On our first day, we ended up not actually getting to, you know, road trip status. We went to where I pretty much go every weekend, my cousins' house. The reason we ended up staying the night was because we ended up being part of a cleaning spree that happened in my grandma's room while she was away. I don't know if it's age, or collecting tendencies, but if my grandma lived alone she might end up having a house on Hoarders. I found a ton of empty containers, a good amount of toothbrushes... Ridiculous.

Our next stop was in the next state, Washington. As I said, drivers up there be crazy! We talked about how maybe the cops don't care as much about speed laws because they have sales tax, so money distribution with taxes is different. I dunno.

I don't know who out there is from Washington, but we've decided y'all are scrappy. Along with your zippy cars, my mom and sister spotted signs that apparently said "Don't litter, or we will hurt you." Something along those lines.

We were able to stay the night at my aunt's house up there, which was really nice. They live by some pretty nice houses. (Their house is nice too.)

While we were in Washington, we spent a day in Seattle. I've never been to Seattle, (except when I was really young), so it was fantastic. While there, I bought a nice cheese. Then my mom bought me two more, some salami, and a mini baguette. Another nice thing about traveling with family? I think so.

Buying my cheese.  It was called... Manchego? It was from Spain! Delish.

Oh, and a trip up the Space Needle!

Geez, I need to start wearing some color on my lips. And cut my hair. And other stuff.

It's funny how dependent we are on technology. While we were on our trip, we used our phones for directions, looking up places to go, information... until we crossed the border. Once we passed that border, it became: "Would you like to pay a fortune on phone usage?" I think not.

My comment on the people of Vancouver still stands. Obese people do not exist up there, and there are hardly any slightly overweight people. It was a bit intimidating, but at the same time kind of motivating. So if you want to stay thin, go to Vancouver and live there.

Being on a running schedule is kind of weird on vacation because you have to plan around it. There were times that I hated it because I felt like everyone was waiting on me to get my run done to do anything, but I'm glad I did. Running in Washington was extremely hilly, but not a bad run at all. Then there was my run around Stanley Park in Vancouver, which was fantastic. Seriously, if you're a runner and you go up there on vacation, go there. It's about 6 miles, but if you take a wrong turn and keep running on the beach, you can get your 8 miles in like I did. Another nice thing about my Stanley Park run was my sister rented a bike and went along with me. I've been running alone all this time, so it was really nice to have some company.

A lot of this trip involved visiting markets of some kind. They were cool markets!

Good gosh, I love cities. I told my sister to punch me if in the future I don't end up living in a city for at least a year of my life.

I could go on and on, but I should get going. I had to drive the car home from my cousins' house last night, so the mom and sis do not have a way to get home... Yeah.

In other news, today's run was good. 20 miles running, then a 2.8 mile walk/jog back home. Did not plan very well for that. Still, I just wanted to get 20 miles in, and I did. Yes!

What was the last trip you took? Was it with family or friends?

Getting Back Home

Welp, I'm back in Oregon.

After being in a car for about 12 hours today, I'm a little drained. Why is that? I didn't do much driving, yet I'm quite tired. It shouldn't be like that since I didn't, you know do anything. Eh. That's life.

So, I have to get ready for my run tomorrow, meaning there's not much time to talk about things. Boring, I know. I'll be back up to par tomorrow!