Try to be the person your dog thinks you are

Hmmm. Well. Ummm. No, not really.  Doesn't apply here!

I used to love this saying.  So simple. So pure.  So sweet.  Now, soooo...not true (at least for me - I'd like to be the opposite please!)  Maybe the person who said this underestimated their dog (or didn't live in a 400 sq ft box with it), or maybe my dog, Mason, is too smart to be duped into thinking that being fed = great human being.

People always say how their dog greets them at the door with an out of control wagging tail and the utmost praise.  Yeah, well Mason does the wagging bit (no praise), and then looks past me for someone better.

People always say how their dog sees the good in everyone and places unearned faith in strangers.  Nope. Not here. Mason hides from strangers on the street that try to pet him because he's "just soooo cute".

People also always say how dogs don't hold grudges.  Well let me just tell you...if looks could kill.

Actually - come to think of it - he does sound pretty dang smart ;)

But back to the saying - try to be the person my dog thinks I am - what?!  No way.  My dog thinks I'm nuts.  Which is somewhat understandable, as he only sees me in my "natural habitat".  I mean, I absolutely try to only be this "person" in private, for obvious reasons.

Mason definitely thinks I am:

- a prison warden (only letting him in and out of his cell three to four times per day).
- a home wrecker (who in their right mind would drag someone away from a perfectly good home, with a yard, a lake, more than one room, friends, etc. to THIS place).
- a drill sargeant (and a liar) - yes you will "jog" with me down the street without being able to stop and smell the trees, and yes we will tell people we "ran" for a half hour, when really these five blocks winded the both of us.
- a terrible singer (eh. I am.)
- a garbage disposal (yeah, I realize that items of food that fall to the floor are in most households considered a dog "gimme" - but not here - all's fair in the five second rule!)
- a flake (oh hmmm....you don't have any dog food left?  For the third day in a row?  We can just share my vegetarian dinner...that you "love" so much).
- a weekend day drinker (hey - you can't tell time, and it IS five o'clock somewhere).
- a lazy bum (yes, I know I'm just sitting on the couch staring at a book, and your whole purpose in life is to go outside as often as possible, but guess what I'm immune to your dirty looks and huffs).
- a slob (yup.  Those are all my clothes from the entire week slung over kitchen chairs, the couch, and the floor - deal with it).
- a cheapskate (well you shouldn't have destroyed the toy I bought for you YESTERDAY).
- a bore (yup, still sitting on the couch just staring at this book).
- a needy, and overly aggressive cuddler (beggars can't be choosers buddy).
- a pig (yes, I realize I ate an hour ago. I am aware. But no one but you and I will ever know about this - insert disgusting condiment here - i.e. entire jar of olives, spoonfuls of cream cheese, handfuls of shredded cheese...).
- a schizo (she's not even talking TO me...just talking...).

Yes, I'm not exactly the "ideal" person in your eyes.  I get it. I do. And Mason - I promise to you that I'm not JUST these things...but they are a part of me (and guess what, I don't exactly love to pick up your poo, but I do. Out of love).

You're stuck buddy - think of me how you like, but all we've got is each other, and you will love me faults and all!  And he does. Most of the time.  And really - that's all I need.

Glad to have you back in my life Mason.  We were clearly made for each other - big personalities and all!

Live Simply, Give More, Expect Less

Live Simply, Give More, Expect Less.

It dawned on my yesterday as I sat watching the world go by on my "TV" (nope - not that kind of TV, my gypsy TV, aka my window), that as I glanced around my newly decorated 400 square foot room that the quote over my bed is SO true.  And I'm kinda doing it.  Could this be the cause of my happiness?  Are these words subconsciously having an effect on me?  I mean maybe!  My last wall decal (again over my bed - thank you mom and Mississippi Mud) was "Be the change you wish to see in the world" by Gandhi. By sleeping under such words every night could they possibly take root in me?  Over the last few years I did end up doing as Gandhi said - I made changes (albeit small) in Africa, Thailand, and India.

Now, I feel as though I may be living out the words of Stephen Covey (don't worry - I had to look up who said it too), but apparently these are his words:

"Free your heart from hatred - forgive.

Free your mind from worries - most never happen.

Live simply and appreciate what you have,

Give more,

Expect less."

Wow.  It's funny. After seeing his name as the source, I realized my first encounter with Mr. Covey was the last time I lived in DC. Years ago.  At work we had a workshop over his book - The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.  At that time in my life I was doing none of this living simply, giving more, or expecting less business!  Annnnd was also not the happiest.

But I get it now.  And I truly think I'm starting to actually live it.

Live Simply.

First off just let me state that I think it's so hypocritical when a phrase like this is written on a pin or a bookmark or a keychain (or I guess even a wall decal - but mine was a gift so I'm not making fun of myself - obviously!  But seriously. The very phrase "live simply" means you DO NOT buy this crap people!)  Anyway.  Just my opinion.  But now I will make fun of myself - I have now lived in DC for 36 full days, and as I write this it is the first time I've done laundry since I've been here (obviously this is only due to the fact that I put on my very last pair of clean underwear this morning) - now that is definitely not living simply.  I mean who, after a stint in India throwing away every pair of underwear owned (at least 50 pairs), still possesses 36 (or actually 37 as I do have some on right now) pairs of underwear!?  I'm aware this is not normal.  And working on it (well not really, because doing laundry every 36 days is actually kinda "simple" ;)

Okay, but living simply; I don't know how much simpler you can get than this:

• I live in a 400 square foot room (I mean yes, the closets are jam-packed to the point of danger upon opening them of my past pack rat ways! I unloaded 1200 pounds (and I wish that was a joke) of mostly crap from my pod.  Old yearbooks, college tassels, an unopened set of lobster forks (?!), 2 crock pots (two?!), piles of old unsorted (and unopened) mail, old dirty cleaning rags, I mean the list just goes on and on.  No!  This is not okay!  And so not simple. 

However, I have bounced back because:

• My kitchen is like living on an RV.  One of those RV's with no dishwashers that is.
• I have no internet (or smartphone).  
• Which also means I still use maps (real paper maps) to get around.  Quaint huh.
• I have no iPod dock for an iPod, or a stereo.
• I have no TV (trust me this window I've got though is way better than any reality show - living in downtown DC I've definitely got myself a mix of Cops, The Biggest Loser, with a bit of The Dog Whisperer thrown in).
• I walk to work (aka no car and/or bike).
• My building is not state-of-the-art, or even close to new.  It is however rent controlled (heyyyy scary, um I mean eclectic, neighbors who have resided here since the day it was built, and are also probably paying pennies for the same space as me).  

So yeah, all in all I'd have to say if my wall decal is my only "extravagence" then I'm doing okay :)

Give More.

I'm making an effort to volunteer at least one to two times per week.  It's fun.  It's a great way to meet like-minded and new people.  It's rewarding and fulfilling. It's free (which is key!). It's all I've got to give.  My time. No money (see previous entry re: free).  And it keeps me out of the bars (see previous two entries re: free).

I'm also making a concerted effort to give more of myself to people.  To acquaintances. To friends. To family. And yes - to strangers.  This too is a work in progress, as I do tend to talk WAY too much about myself in conversations (surprise surprise).   

With friends, I try to remember important events, give advice (thoughtful advice, not cliches) when asked (or not asked, frankly), and I also work very hard at keeping in touch.

All this "giving" of myself is making me feel as though I may be too nice for this town.  Ha. No, but as my grandmother would say of herself - "I've never met a stranger" - well that's now me!  I talk to absolutely everyone.  And I mean everyone.  People in the elevators (who want nothing to do with me with their earphones on, or me eavesdropping AND adding to their conversations), to the grocery store checkers (people behind me definitely love this one, as the checker usually forgets their task at hand to chat with me), the CVS stockers (in this instance I was actually making fun of them, as days earlier I had witnessed a tower of crates come crashing down onto the sidewalk from their loading dock), to the liquor store owners (and I quote, "You must not be American - you're way too happy and smiley!"), to the men selling their wares at the flea market (hey - inner jealous gypsy), to the homeless guys along the streets.  Yup.  Grandma be proud!  I've turned this big city into my own personal Hutchinson, Kansas!

Expect Less.

This one is the most difficult in theory, and in life for me.  I first ran across this concept in Buddhist Thailand, and trust me my first instinct was - "What?!  No.  That's stupid that you can't ever not expect anything out of others - how is that any way to live?"  It all seemed very pessimistic at the time.  But slowly I think I'm getting it. (Kiwi - correct me if I'm wrong...but): You control you.  You control your feelings.  And you control your actions.  If you're always building things up and just expecting that everything will work out in your favor, you'll most likely end up disappointed.  You only control you. Not any of those other, outside factors.  Just you. And because of this you cannot expect.  You can hope I guess, but not expect.  It's hard for Americans to grasp this (trust me I'm still struggling), as we always want to be in total control of any and all situations (or at least think that we are).  But that's not life.  We aren't in control.  And I'm learning that slowly but surely.  You got to start somewhere.  With the little things.  

So um post man - I'm expecting the print I ordered (because they emailed me to tell me they shipped it) days ago!  So seriously where is it?  I do hope it arrives soon! :)

Live Simply, Give More, Expect Less.

So, next time you see that person in front of you yapping away to the checkout attendant, don't automatically assume they have no one else to talk to in their lives (though this could be true - but don't judge) - just appreciate that time you have and read the rag magazines so you don't have to spend money on that crap! 

Just me and DC

Ahhhhhhh. Alone.  Just me.  My first 24 hours of solid alone time in months.  Nope make that in 99 days!  I have zero furniture, zero food, just the two bags I've been living out of for the last three weeks, and 400 empty (and expensive) square feet of my own space.  Nevermind that today I had to drink out of an old medicine bottle I found in my purse (cups weren't high on the list for the three bags) - and obviously I have since upgraded to beer bottles and half gallons of milk...no offense to you Mom, Dad, Aliza, Chris, Beth, or Matt - but it's just me and DC.  Finally.


The last three weeks have been culture shock at their finest - commuting in the Nation's Capital.  Everyone is always rushing.  Why?  Everyone is on an iPad, iPhone, or iPod.  Always.  Why?  Everyone always seems distracted and unhappy.  Why?  Don't you people realize how good you've got it!  You are living, breathing, and yes working in the Nation's Capital.  You walk by the White House on your way to work, in the winter that has been sunny and 50 degrees!  How can you not be happier, or at least glance down the street to marvel and take in your surroundings?!  How have so many of you become so disconnected from life that you feel the need to tune it out with earphones and downward-looking, hurried walking?  Maybe I'm crazy.  Just maybe. And highly probable (who pays $1600/month for 400 sq. ft of anything) - but I'm happy.  AND I'm that crazy lady who is taking pictures of the birds that are fed every morning on the sidewalk in front of Wells Fargo on K Street - and I hate birds!  Yes.  I'm that girl in the business attire and non-matching flat casual boots strolling around (in no rush) at lunch hanging out with the tourists in front of the White House.  Yeah that's me - I've seen your stares.  But guess what?  I'm not too good for this city (or just act like it), I haven't taken for granted anything, and I refuse to rush anywhere just to look or feel important.  


If I've learned one thing from my last year abroad - it is that work is not everything.  Unless you're rushing to put out a fire, save a baby's life, or stop world hunger then put that phone away (because quite honestly most of you nearly walk in to me while text-walking), and slow down.  Take in the day.  Take in the city.  Take in the people.  Those emails will all be there when you get to work and spend 12 straight hours indoors.  Trust me.  Breathe. You might enjoy it!


In celebration of being in the Capital for President's Day (apparently it IS more than a mattress sale) - I bring you some of my favorite presidential quotes (and UPack is about to bring me a whole pod of belongings that are to be hauled up four floors and shoved into my 400 sq. foot room - whether they fit or not):


I am a poor hater.  - James Garfield


I pity the man who wants a coat so cheap that a man or woman who produces the cloth will starve in the process. - Benjamin Harrison


You can do what you have to do, and sometimes you can do it even better than you think you can.  - Jimmy Carter


Testing oneself is best when done alone.  - Jimmy Carter


The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable.  - James Garfield


If wrinkles must be written on our brows, let them not be written upon the heart.  The spirit should never grow old.  - James Garfield


Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time.  We are the ones we've been waiting for.  We are the change that we seek.  - Barack Obama




And finally - this one sums it all up for you iPhone distracted Washingtonians:


There are two educations.  One should teach us how to make a living and the other how to live.  - John Adams.


Start living!  My life starts right after this cube gets unloaded ;)

Hello World. How’ve you Been?

No promises.  No expectations.  But more importantly, no feral dogs or poop stories.

That’s right; I’ve decided to start writing again.  It’s therapeutic for me in many ways – for starters it requires me just a tiny bit of “quiet time” – something I didn’t realize was so sparse in a country where you um speak the same language as everybody, have friends, family, phones, etc.

I’ve now been home coming up on two months and in that time I’ve traveled 3,820 driven miles, and on Sunday when my flight lands in DC I will hit 2,615 flying miles. Christ!  At 6,415 total miles I could be more than halfway back to Thailand! 

Which brings me to my country music inspired blog title “My Gypsy Soul”.  Thanks Zac Brown Band for summing it up for me:

“You ain’t ever gonna change

You got a gypsy soul to blame

And you were born for leavin”

Amen.  I truly believe that in my past life I was a gypsy.  Not the scary, unhygienic, thefting, crazy lady that pops into most of your heads at the mention of a gypsy.  No.  I was the happy, go-lucky, soul singing, banjo strumming lady with the mutt and car/wagon/bag full of flea market-type items to hawk.  Sadly all my past life left my present life was the mutt and the need to be on the move.

I still miss Thailand like an ex-boyfriend.  Constantly replaying all the good times (thankfully we had an amicable relationship so there’s no “bad” memories interfering) and thinking what it is “he” is doing at this very second of the day halfway around the world.  I know I’ll be back.  I will.  But first…DC!  It’s true I will be returning to Washington, DC .

“I’m gonna take my chances

Taking a chance I might find what I’m looking for

There’s gotta be something more”

– Sugarland

Yup.  My “something more” is currently located on the East Coast and back in the corporate world.  I’m returning to the city not with the feeling of wondering when it is my life is actually going to start, but with the feeling that I’m in it!  This is it – my life has finally begun and I’m going to embrace and enjoy it for all it’s worth! 

On one of my latest trips we met two women who started a company based on words that truly touched them both in different ways – “Trust Your Journey”.  And that’s what I’m doing – trusting where my gypsy soul takes me. 

Besides I’ve recently discovered that I've only been to 20 of the “top 100 places to visit before you die” (http://www.100placestovisit.com/) – so, I have a feeling life really has truly just started for this soul!

Again, no promises and have no expectations.  But I’m assuming I will have the urge to write in the same way that my body still has the urge to reject any and all preservatives (i.e. contained in all my favorite pre-Thailand food life) – so after 3 bottles of Pepto I’m back.  And obviously can’t even hold up my end of the deal with the no poop stories promise ;)

Welcome to my journey.  On this side of the world.