Russian Roulette

Ok, so you remember that resolution I made to do something brave and new? Well, just my luck, one such situation has presented itself to me. One of my uncles left me a message on Sunday asking me to call him. He sounded serious. My first thought was, “What did I do?”

Maybe he heard I have a swearing problem from my mom, maybe my sister/roommate is complaining about me; maybe he wants me to sing with him… So I called him back on Monday and he asked me how I am, how school, etc is. Again, he sounded serious. He then asked if he could give my number to a guy in his ward.

Huh?

Stupid me, I thought maybe this guy needed the number to the shelter for a service project. I honestly asked him what for.

My uncle: So he can take you out on a date.
Me: Stunned to silence. Not really. Mostly I had the sudden urge to scream and then laugh. So I was pretty much holding my breath to keep from doing either. I’ve never accepted a blind date before. For good reason mind you…

…awkward pause…

My uncle: So… are you still there? Is that ok?

…awkward pause…

Me: (With a horrified look on my face, good thing he couldn’t see me.) Well, I don’t see why not… I guess so… ok?

…awkward pause…

Mostly I just couldn’t come up with a good excuse because he caught me off-guard.

He proceeded to tell me all the wonderful things he could think of about this guy. He didn’t tell me much. Nothing really about him, only the places he’s been; most recently, Iraq. He’s a marine. That’s cool.

But…my uncle was being so gentle it almost sounded like he was asking for a favor. But I was probably just reading too much into it because my normal response to the blind date scenario is HELL NO, I won’t go!

You see? Again with the swearing.
I definitely swore silently, but… well, I agreed to go.

Because I love my uncle.

I wouldn’t do it for anyone else. Keep that in mind. So some strange guy is going to call me sometime this year and ask me to go heaven-only-knows where with him and it could be a disaster, or he might be perfect. Russian roulette, my favorite. I’m hoping for perfect. But deep down I know that I always get the broken ones. Fingers crossed…

This is for all the beautiful girls...

One of my sisters found this great website that reviews all of the "natural" beauty products out there and gives the complete low down. If you're interested in beauty and health and conservation, check out www.saffronrouge.com.

I no longer have an enormous stash of miscellaneous makeup and will not purchase any beauty products unless I've researched them. As a result I'm purchasing less products and the products I choose are more effective, better for my skin, my health, and the planet. My skin is happier than ever. Some of the products cost more than I'm used to, but since I'm purchasing less and getting more use out of it, it's definitely worth it. As I try new products, I'll post my own reviews for you... Stay tuned!

green

I looked into the mirror today and noticed that I had a green mustache. A barley and herb stomach tonic green mustache. Not kool-aid or chocolate milk or anything I’ve ever experienced. It was a deep lush earth green; on my top lip. I felt that I had arrived. Where? I don’t know yet; but I like this place. Carried here by a liquid that in the past I would’ve had to plug my nose to drink. Today I relished it. My mustache reminded me of the stains I acquired as a child playing in the grass clippings on a Saturday morning. The smell of grass and gasoline and oil and my Dad’s sweat as he pushed the mower and raked the clippings. It’s amazing how many types of memories can be conjured by such a small thing as a green mustache.

Resolve

At New Year's I usually resolve to not make any concrete resolutions. Which is a contradiction, I know. But this year I want to set goals. I'm still thinking on what I'd like to resolve to do, but I know I want to do something brave and new at least once a month. I'm going to make a list of those things and then I'll post them here. That's one.

As of today, I don't want a career in hair. But I am going to finish school. And who knows, maybe I just feel that way because I've been stressed out and just got over a really bad cold. And because the American way is to take your dream and beat the hell out of it until it barely resembles what you originally conceived and you begin to resent it. But maybe the spark will re-ignite. Here's hoping. So that's the second resolution, I will finish school no matter what.

Thirdly, I will make time for myself. School and work are sapping me. And I've just been coming home and vegging out in front of the tv because I'm so tired. I'm going to use those few hours before bed to do constructive things. That's three.

Just as important, I'm going to save my money for a trip to see my friends after graduation. There's four. That's good for now. I'm going to get to work on that list and I'll get back to you.

I hope you all have a wonderful and fulfilling year!

Much love.


Nessa