#I wish I’d taken pics of the individual financiers

[kataomoidane-blog]

お土産 (おみやげ)

[flames-bring-a-ton-of-ash]

Cuteness

I was tagged by @lucifers-trash-stash and thank you, because I needed to take a step back and think about this right now. 

Rules: List five things you like about yourself. Then, let us know that your favorite feature is and maybe post a pic of it! After that, go ahead and tag some people to spread the love!

We’ll put a “keep reading” tab, because this got long.

1. My Kindness/Open-Mindedness: I pride myself on being accepting of any and all individuals. Sure, I have internalized biases, as does everyone, but I work really hard on a daily basis to be aware of those biases and knock them down. And I try to be accepting and friendly to everyone I meet, even if they aren’t the friendliest back. I’m the person who, even when I am internally a mess, will always put on a smile for others and try to be kind and brighten their day, because no one deserves to have negativity spread to them, regardless of how I’m feeling on the inside. 

2. My Empathy: No matter who the person is, what they’re going through, how they act, etc., I have found that in 99% of cases, I can empathize with them, and sincerely care about their life and want to see them do better. And yes, this is beneficial when it comes to clients, but I also do this outside of work, with any individual I meet. I’m the woman who the Dunkin Donuts staff know me and my coffee order by heart, because I take the time to sincerely thank them for my cup o’ joe every morning and ask them how they’re doing, the woman who sincerely wishes the stranger who holds a door open for her a fabulous day (and watches as they look surprised bc who is that nice in the city? lol), and who makes a point to wave ‘good morning’ at the individuals sitting out on their stoops every morning when I walk from my car, past their houses, and into my office building. It never hurts to be kind, and you never know if that kindness will come back to you, when you need it most.  

3. My Self-Confidence: As someone who always struggled with hating my body while growing up, always feeling “fat” and not pretty enough, as well as feeling not good enough due to being a huge introvert and at times very socially awkward, I have come a long way. Sure, I still get my insecurities, and sometimes am afraid that I won’t be accepted by others, but I’ve learned to accept myself, both internally and externally. I might not be the “prettiest” person on the planet, but also, wtf does that even mean? Pretty is subjective. Beauty is subjective. I myself believe I am beautiful, flaws and all. This is the only body I will ever own, so why fight against it? It’s the one thing that is MINE and can’t be taken away from me. And as far as my introversion, I’ve come to accept and love that too. Introverts are way underrated (especially us INFJs) and while many people might not understand me, or might see my quietness and tendency to stay to myself as a fault, I see it as a strength. It’s allowed me to spend a lot of time with myself, and get to know myself, and, in the process, learn to love myself. It also means that I am very selective in who I let into my inner circle, and I am only willing to put my energy into friends who are as supportive and uplifting to me as I am to them, no exceptions. I can proudly say that I know I’m one kick-ass woman, and anyone who doesn’t agree can keep on walking, because their nonacceptance is on them, not me. Alright, I’m done rambling on this one.

4. My Wit/Humor: I am one of the most sarcastic individuals you will ever meet, and I have a witty come back for just about everything. Now, I know my humor isn’t for everyone, but, not gonna lie, if I utilize my humor around others, and they don’t laugh, I get confused, because I think I’m pretty fucking funny. I also love when others can be witty and sarcastic back with me. If you can respond to my witty comeback with a witty comeback of your own, then hold the phone, bc we might be soulmates. Except for my father (and maybe my sister), I have yet to meet anyone who can match me in sarcastic, witty comebacks for every situation and topic (well...Negan might give me a run for my money haha). 

5. My Independence & Refusal To Back Down or Quit: I can thank my mom for this one. She has instilled in me that I have every privilege and every right to be respected as the richest White man in the world, and I act like it (while also trying to stay humble and accepting, so it’s a weird balance at times). Basically, I refuse to be told I can’t or shouldn’t do something, ESPECIALLY by a man (so maybe this should actually be titled “My Feminism”. I remember my mom telling me when I was little, “Ashton, don’t you ever let anyone intimidate you. I don’t care if he’s a 6 1/2 foot tall man who’s in your face; you don’t let him corner you or make you back down, you fight and voice your opinion!” That shit has stuck with me. I’ve watched my 4′11″ mother go up against men over a foot and a half taller than her, while she verbally ran circles around them for whatever disrespectful thing they did or said to her. And she’s raised both me and my sister to be the same way. I’m even that person at my job who the supervisor tiptoes around with certain topics, because I’ve been known to call his ass out for any and all sexist and discriminatory comments, when no one else feels able to speak up. And, on top of all that, I also refuse to let things that aren’t people cause me to back down or give up. This apartment hunting business is a good example. Sure, I’m stressed the fuck out, and sure, I’d love to crawl into a ball, sleep nonstop, and be in denial of what’s happening, but I haven’t. I’ve been obsessively searching for new places and trying to put financial plans into action. And every time I think of something new to try, I text my mom with, “I’m going to try and do X to improve my situation, what do you think?” She usually responds with something like “that’s my girl” or “you’re putting in the work, something good has to come of it,” and it reminds me that I know I can persevere, no matter what the odds, because she’s shown me countless times how she’s done the exact same thing. Thanks to her, I’m a force to be reckoned with, when I put my mind to something, and you’ll either love me for it, or get the hell outta my way, because I’m not stopping <3

Wow...that got long....it was a bit cathartic to get out, though, and helpful for my mood right now, so what the hell, we’ll keep it.

Favorite Feature: Oh shit, wait, I have to do my favorite feature now?! Ummmm.....I guess my hair? I had a love-hate relationship with it, growing up, since I got bullied a lot and called Ashy Washy George Washington, since the kids said my hair was white like George Washington’s wig. It’s so dumb now, but at the time, it hurt. Thankfully, I’ve since come to love my hair, even if the blonde stereotypes are frustrating to deal with (but also kinda satisfying to shatter). 

^this picture was a fabulous hair day, when I deep conditioned with coconut oil and just finger combed it as it dried, resulting in waves that I try daily to achieve again, but rarely do :P

I’m tagging (if you want to do it): @my-achilles--heel @strangersangel9 @hannibalssweaters @ericuhlorain @superwholoki @opheliadawnwalker3 @mamapeterson

[attendantdesign-blog]

New Post has been published on Attendantdesign

New Post has been published on https://attendantdesign.com/being-sydney-rose-was-the-best-and-worst-year-of-my-life/

Being Sydney Rose was the best and worst year of my life'

There’s no rule book on becoming a minor global controversy. Last August, after I called for a referendum on abortion and segued into a samba on the Rose of Tralee, one of the first matters I did was ship my boss an electronic mail. It read: “Am I inside the s**t?” I am a journalist. Not a complete time Rose. Despite going to fifty-two occasions this 12 months because of the Sydney Rose, being a researcher on one among Australia’s longest-walking and politically touchy news programs is how I pay my lease. These two responsibilities don’t sit down side-via-aspect without difficulty.

Before I left Australia, my friends involved I wouldn’t be taken severely as a journalist as

soon as I’d done a celebration piece in a tent in Kerry. After I got here domestic they have been worried I would be visible as a plant and stripped of my Rose name for writing about the festival from the interior. One of these humans may additionally had been my mum as I tapped out my first Irish Times piece on a body iPad at the teach back to Dublin. A few months later, I look into a journalist for beating up a story. He calls me a failed beauty queen. When I came out the Daily Mail for fabricating a picture on one among their memories, I land on their website complete with pics in my ball gown on the level. Whether I adore it or now not, the YouTube pictures of my Rose reign is forever a short Google away.

For nearly twelve months, this has been my lifestyles: smile, sash and different ladies’ testimonies of suffering I settle lower back into work. The news cycle moves on. Even the anonymous emails calling me a “child murdering whore” dry up. But I have accidentally begun a pen friend membership nobody desired to be a member of. Emails trickle in from women who’ve had abortions, who are waiting to have them, on their manner to have them, are going with pals who’re going to have them, whose daughter wishes one.

For nearly one year, this has been my life: smile, sash and other women’s tales of suffering. The matters they’ve faced force out the doubts I’ve carried since I started my bit up at the stage in Kerry.

Did I burn too many bridges? Did I scuttle any threat of a published Rose  information career, life best 

an enterprise that likes its ladies scandal-loose and impartial? Did I do a lawful activity? Will I be welcome in Tralee again? Have I ruined the following Sydney Rose’s probabilities? Should I care if vintage women are right and I by no means meet a man with Avenue frontage? These issues are embarrassingly small as compared to the girls within the emails. Most of those women are already mothers. Most are Irish. Most say they are able to manage to pay for every other baby – financially or emotionally. They explain their reasons: their companion is among jobs, they have kids with unique needs, they’ve just started returned in the personnel, they don’t have a permanent location to live, and their courting is breaking down or is abusive. Sometimes they simply don’t want a baby and don’t sense the need to supply an excuse. I don’t need them to.

I try to answer them lower back and a couple of us strike up returned-and-forth correspondence. Often I’m at occasions as the Sydney Rose, combating safety pins and fixing a crooked sash. In among the speeches and mini pies and the forgetting of names, I check my cell phone. Sydney Rose Brianna Parkins with Dáithí Ó Sé in 2016. Photograph: from Twitter Sydney Rose Brianna Parkins with Dáithí Ó Sé in 2016. Photograph: from Twitter The emails hold me going through the first-class and worst yr of my lifestyles. I improve cash for women’s reproductive health care. My relationship with a very good bloke fails, the existing cracks made wider via strain. I’m bought many pints by the Sydney Irish and I develop thankful for the family of expats who look after their own. I lose pals and some circle of relatives. I get asked to speak at occasions. I keep in mind getting police worried after threats to my safety preserve me up for days at a time.

Weekend Read: The ghost estates that also hang-out Ireland How to forestall your toddler being bullied – or being a bully Ross O’Carroll-Kelly: ‘Public transport is for the poor and fallen’ One moment of clean-eyed conviction final year has was months of discussion and doubt

A guy comes up to me at a celebration, his starting line “You’ve got some balls on you!” He later donates $5,000 to a seasoned-desire corporation. My kidneys get infected; again docs warning me in opposition to stress. I discover I’m an Irish Times individual of the yr on Christmas Day. Later that day, at lunch on my aunt’s cattle farm, my grandma looks at me and publicizes with none prompting: “Well, I didn’t want an abortion and I’m glad I didn’t have one.” One second of clear-eyed conviction ultimate year has become months of dialogue and doubt.

Why did I hassle turning into a Rose if I’m that plenty of a feminist?

Because you may be each, and plenty of Roses are. Am I unhappy I ruined it for myself and didn’t win? I stand by way of what I stated, however, I hope future girls competing in the pageant aren’t trapped between their Rose aims and their ideas.

Have I completed sufficient or did I make a number of noise without getting plenty executed? You can’t be an activist and journalist. Each compromises the alternative. I feel about as entitled to being a Rose as I do a journalist: now not very. I often sense like an imposter, determined no longer to be discovered out that I don’t belong. But the only element I do have sufficient self belief in is my perspectives on reproductive rights, even though I can’t marketing campaign as tons as I’d like.

My perspectives have been formed 10 years in the past. I am from one of the poorest suburbs in Sydney. You can nonetheless hear it in my accessory. It’s natural again blocks of Western Sydney, a long way from Bondi seaside. Most people there knew at least one girl who had an undesirable pregnancy. Dads sometimes disappear. School gets placed on hold. Public-housing ready-lists are 10 years long.

[reclusive-cat-lady]

Cuteness

I was tagged by @flames-bring-a-ton-of-ash

Rules: List five things you like about yourself. Then, let us know what your favorite feature is and maybe post a pic of it! After that, go ahead and tag some people to spread the love! 

1. My Eccentricity:  I don’t have interests, I have obsessions. Fandoms, cats, some obscure topic... something engages me and my whole life revolves around researching it, daydreaming 24/7 about it, quoting it, watching it, cosplaying it, you name it. This has always been a healthy and effective coping mechanism for me but I spent most of my life hiding my personality having been made to feel like there was something wrong with me. Teachers and friends told me they were concerned and that I needed to be normal leaving me to question my sanity for years. I learned to shut myself off in social situations leaving others to interpret my silence as being that I was either shy or snobbish. Thanks to a supportive best friend, an accepting co-worker/friend and Tumblr, I have never felt more comfortable being my weird self without fear of judgement. I proudly flaunt my crazy cat lady status and don’t mind now if people know me as the obsessive fangirl.

2. My Compassion Towards Animals:  The thing I’m most proud of is having rescued over 40 cats in the course of my life. Strays, ferals and a few shelter rescues found their way into my life so I could make theirs better. I live in an apartment now, so I can no longer actively engage in rescuing/fostering but I always keep a bag of food in my car to feed stray cats I come across.

3. My O.C.D. Organizational Skills:  I can’t tell you how many times people have invited me over to clean, declutter or organize. A friend even hired me to move into their house for that purpose. I have an organizational system for everything. My pantry is labeled and inventoried for the zombie apocalypse emergency preparation. My wardrobe is methodically organized. My office is full of notebooks and journals with lists, diagrams and charts.

4. My Determination:  If there is something I really want to achieve or change about myself, nothing will stop me until I find a way to success. While this has been an integral part of my self development, it's quite frustrating when it comes to more menial things. That Pinterest DIY coffee mug I HAD to make that was supposed to be oh-so-simple? I went on a three day rampage getting all the supplies. So there’s that...

5. My Friendships:  While I’m a major introvert and only have a few close friends, I’m extremely loyal to those I have. Anything they ask of me or need, I’m there no matter what. I continually strive for better communication and understanding so I can better myself as a friend. Being my friend involves listening to everything you never wanted to hear about my cats, The Walking Dead or Supernatural so I do my best to actively engage in their interests and hobbies as well.

Favorite Feature:  I would say my hair or my eyes. While I’m not a natural redhead, it feels inherently me. Additionally, I’m a bit of a makeup fanatic and love emphasizing my eyes.

Tagging (if you’d like to do it): @savior-simon-says @rickneganmorganlincoln @lucifer-in-leather @lucifers-trash-stash