Being The Socially Awkward Kid

I Hello there all,

Tonight,  I went to a birthday celebration for a wonderful person full of genuinely interedting individuals.  AND It is difficult to put most of this into words because as much as I wish to be a typically open individual,  I am never this person.  Honestly,  I don't think that it is because I have trust issues.  It is more from some formula combination of not thinking that I am interesting,  feeling socially awkward, and not knowing how to approach subjects.

Let's talk about me at parties:

I so want to be socially engaged in conversations with others,  and I enjoy participating in these conversations.  However,  I often sit on the sidelines awkwardly fiddling with my hair because I dread approaching others to instigate conversation.  Once the conversation has started, I stress over making myself eloquent/witty and I trip over my words being terribly awkward.  What I have to say has validity,  and it is often times interesting.  BUT I trip and trip and trip untiI l am scared to continue.  Occasionally, the conversation will fly past my awkwardness, but I have to go do something (bathroom break,  grab a drink,  etc.)  and the group has dissipated into several directions upon my return.  So,  I feel aimless because I feel so strange lingering near groups of others to engage in conversation with that group. So,  I gravitate to new spots or stand awkwardly/alone while others interact.

I am getting better at the  art of small talk and the "getting to know you sentimentalities",  but I am just a terribly awkward and fretful girl that still greatly struggles.

In addition to these things,  I am not a fan of talking about myself which often hurts a conversation.  I can easily engage in a one sided conversation that is just a Q and A of the other person,  but if they ask me things,  I feel like the spotlight is on. This takes me back to the fear of saying the wrong things.

This is why at parties I: gravitate towards children/dogs (no social protocol),  keep myself busy doing strange things (don't know how to interact=finding something to keep me busy),  talking to those I know, and exploring random areas.

So,  here is to being the socially awkward kid around town and for trying even when you know this about yourself.

-Autumn

Snapshots

Hello there all, 

I slacked off last week with a Snapshots post because I didn't take too many pictures last week.  It would've been boring!  However,  this has been one eventful week. 

After a very blah day,  I chose to use that negative energy and turn it into something good.  I left this little surprise for a stranger on the sidewalk. 

Killing time at a bus stop.

My co-workers (and I)  were in need of a little uplift,  so I brought an insane amount of donuts to work. 

Found this silly note on a walk.  What is the "nauber"?  I need to know! 

This girl got an awesome new car!  YAY!  There will be a post all about this soon! 

Went to Casa Del Matador with some loverly friends in search of the best nachos in Portland.  Unfortunately,  I do not feel like these are the best,  but they ARE dang good.  I am just very picky and serious about my nachos. 

Here are the Texas size nachos.  Soooo big.  Soooooo good,  but I don't think they are THE best. 

Went to Bipartisan Cafe before going to the Academy Theater to watch Song of the Sea. Real talk: Song of The Sea is probably one of the most beautiful movies that I have ever seen.  It is an animated film that uses various styles,  and it was just so gorgeous.  I felt incredibly inspired afterwards. 

Earring collection

What would a weekend be without a trip to Hungry Heart? 

Frozen yogurt is good for all ailments. 

Creative field trips are necessary and wonderful.  Plus you never know what you can find on these trips. 

Just one of my recent silly drawings. It just a cutesie little forest. 

-Autumn 

Pressed Plants

Hello there all,

Recently, The Mister and I went on a little foraging walk to pick some flowers because I had a hankering for some pressed plants. It is such a wonderful way to make you take some time to really look at your surroundings and notice all of the little pretty things. We only grabbed greenery that had fallen or was at the park. When it came to the petals, we only took ones that had fallen because we want to keep the beauty around as long as possible.

The forage before the pressing. All of the pictures below are from after pressing.

 I feel like you really notice how beautiful some of the things you pass by constantly are when you see them like this.

The pattern on this petal. Swoon!

 I love it.

Face art. I was inspired to make this silly face art from some of my pressed plants from a RIDICULOUSLY famous artist that makes beautiful images of faces from natural things. However, I cannot seem to find her again. If you know what the artist's name is, please let me know, so I can give credit where credit is due.

This obscenely dark photo was the blueprint for a Mother's Day/Birthday card that we sent to The Mister's mom. They are just a bunch of pressed daisies that I pressed in the microwave. Has anybody else heard of this? Interested in a tutorial?

With all of this beautiful weather going on, I know that I will be pressing some more plants. It is such an easy way to remember little events like I have pressed clovers and leaves from trips that The Mister and I have taken together. 

Happy pressing, 

Autumn

What Am I reading? 2

Hello there all,

As you may remember from my goals for 2015, I planned to read 12 books for this year   Here you'll find the other books that I have read this year. I am happy to brag that I have already passed that number, and we still have over half of the year to go. WOOT!

What Have I Been Reading?

• The Maze Runner Series by James Dashner (The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trials, The Death Cure, and The Kill Order)
• Still Alice by Lisa Genova
• The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery
• The Giver Series by Lois Lowry (The Giver, Gathering Blue, Messenger, and Son)

My Thoughts

• The Maze Runner Series is a series that constantly keeps you on edge wondering what is going to happen. You will bite nails, you will lose hours of sleep reading, and you will probably need blood pressure medication because you will be so stressed (in a good way). The mystery can be excessive as their are some things that characters don't reveal, but I don't think that it hinders the overall story line. Unfortunately, I do not feel like I should divulge too much information about the series because you are supposed to be clueless. However, I will say that the initial book follows a character that has his memory wiped and finds himself in a very strange environment and doesn't know how or what brought him there. The first book is my favorite, and they go in order of my favorite as you move along. Although, I really liked the first three books I LOATHED the last book (Kill Order). It felt unnecessary and like something that could've been discussed in the previous three books. There were times when I had to force myself to read it because I just didn't find it interesting.
• Still Alice is something that really struck a chord with me as it chronicles the life of a woman that develops dementia (specifically Alzheimer's). It is so heartbreaking to read this story because it shows what so many people that I work with are going through. They are being faced with losing a part of their identity while clinging onto what they can. It is a wonderful read for everyone (not just those that know others with dementia) because if you don't know someone with dementia currently, you will know someone with dementia soon (1 in 3 seniors folks). Recently, Julianne Moore starred in a film adaptation that I have heard is really great, but I haven't seen it yet.
• The Little Prince is a great story for everybody (kids and adults). It is an easy read full of pictures that shows the fantastical story of a little prince that travels through the universe and meets a man on Earth. The story has some great whimsy for the youth, but there are some surprisingly deep themes for a children's book which an adult will appreciate.

• The Giver Series is a young adult sci-fi/fantasy series set in the future. All 4 novels have semi-separate stories that interweave into a larger story. However, it all stems from a young boy named Jonas that discovers some things about himself and the world he lives that changes everything. Unfortunately, the series leaves some things unanswered which kind of bummed me out, but they are still 4 beautiful novels. I really liked all four of them for their different characters and how they attached to the storyline.

What are you reading right now? Have any recommendations?

-Autumn

DIY: Lace covered planter

Hello there all, 

With it being Spring and every blogger posting a ridiculous number of planter revamps,  I have been jonesing to spruce up a planter of my own.  Recently,  I received some mail with some pretty lace in it.  I knew that I could find something to do with it,  so I hoarded it for just the right project.  (Someone please tell me that I'm not the only one that does this).  When The Mister and I were on one of our weekly Goodwill trips,  I ran into a set of cheap planters and POOF an idea was born!  Lace planters. 

Here is what you'll need:
Planter
Lace
Dishwasher safe Modge Podge
Paint brush
Paint
Scissors

Here's how to make something lovely:

1.) Paint the entire planter (inside and out).  Depending on the color,  you may need to paint more than one layer. I didn't care as much about painting multiple layers on the inside. Wait for the paint to completely dry before starting the next step. 

2.)  Cut the lace to the size of your planter. Then,  Using your paintbrush,  put some of the modge podge on the planter and then place the lace on top of the modge podge.  Wrap the lace around the planter and then cover the lace with more modge podge. While you are wrapping your lace,  you may need to fold some bits of the lace under the planter.

3.) Let the modge podge dry and put a second layer ontop of the lace.

4.) Wait 24 hours and clean up any bits that look a little "wonky"  with scissors or a utility knife. 

5.)Plant your plant.  I planted a little Aloe Vera plant which The Mister affectionately named Elvira the Aloe Vera. Too good. 

 

Happy planting,
Autumn

Snapshots

Hello there all,

Get a load of all the awesomeness recently.

 Tour inside the stone cabin at Leach Botanical Garden.

Delicious pizza and drinks at O'Malley's 

Guys, real talk: I think that I may have a Hungry Heart problem. I should at least consider becoming a business partner. Seriously, I want to go there for breakfast everyday.

Just some of the reading material around here lately. "Currently Reading" post coming soon!

 I love everything about El Cubo de Cuba. Their food is ridiculously amazing and leaves me randomly hankering for it. They also have great staff and fun vibes (check out the graffiti wall and real plants covering the ceiling). Also, I am currently listening to Cuban music because of this place.

 On May the Fourth, we ventured to Imperial Taproom where the crowd was cheering along with Return of the Jedi (my kind of people).

 In case you haven't figured it out, I am pretty about waffles. The Mister and I tried out a new food cart pod on Division, and we ate at Smaaken. It was good and definitely fulfilled my urge for waffle-y goodness. However, it fell short of some other great waffle places.

Rock hiding like always: "Aren't you a little short for a storm trooper?"

Just another foot picture. I felt like I was so Portland, too Portland this day.

For Mother's Day, we went to Saturday Market and had brunch at The Original which always has something tasty. In the middle of the "dinerant", they have a neat little succulent garden that made me swoon.

Some days, my job is way cooler than other days like Cinco De Mayo where I got to have virgin margaritas with all of my olderlies.

-Autumn

Free Find: Leach Botanical Garden

Hello there all,

This weekend, The Mister and I were able to venture to the Leach Botanical Garden which I have been meaning to go to for about a year. Last year, I saw a sign for it while riding the Springwater Corridor, and I have been meaning to go ever since. FINALLY, I set aside a day/time to go. We decided to go on a Saturday at 11 because it has a free guided tour. You can explore the garden independently, but I strongly recommend the tour (you'll see why).

 

The garden is located at the former residence of the Leach couple: Lilla and John. The residence was a little over 4 acres originally and now the garden is over 15 acres with miles of trails. Lilla Leach was a celebrated and honored botanist who brought her passion to her home. The land that their house laid on is a botany garden which works as a living museum of the flora of global regions. At this garden, you will see greenery from all over the world. You will find plaques labeling the plants with their Latin name, common name, and region where they are found. The garden has several different gardens found within it: physics garden (John used this for his pharmacy), rock garden, dry garden, etc.

Gate to the garden

Behind the manor (which you can explore)

Just some neat plants alongside the manor

 

This cabin is the original housing of the couple (before the manor), and one of the reasons it is so worth going on the tour. You actually get to go inside (which you wouldn't if you explored independently).

 

 

 

 

Flooring of the cabin

 

 

This garden has a bit for everybody, and it is FREE! However, we definitely donated because it was such a wonderful experience for us :).

We're excited to go again later this year to see how the garden has changed.

-Autumn

May The Fourth Be With You

Hello there all,

Happy May the Fourth!  Do you know whay today is?  It is Star Wars Day because of May the Fourth Be With You.  I miss the days where I was able to convince children to celebrate the holiday with me (like events at Boys and Girls Club that I put on) ,  but I still find my own ways to rock the holiday. 

For those of you that have missed it: I pretty love Star Wars.  Blame it on my brother or the Star Wars wallpaper that was up in my nursery (we were renting). I've always been doomed to love the saga. 

How will I be celebrating the holiday?

Well,  I'll be wearing this adorable little number. 

I'll be hiding these Star Wars rocks around town.  I made the rocks to have famous Star Wars quotes and with some Star Wars stickers that I had. 

Just marvel in some of my silly Star Wars decor: Darth Vader helmet,  light saber,  Star Wars lego sets,  and some action figures.  

Get excited for the new Star Wars movie and watch some of the original guys. 

May tbe Force Be With You, 

Autumn