AHHHHHH.

It's here. I just filled out my intent to graduate.

To the Real World: Hi?.. Hello?.. Be nice!

E-I-E-I-O

Time Magazine had so many interesting articles this week, but this was a highlight. The article is about Daniel Coudreaut, the head chef of McDonalds. You're obviously thinking this is nonsense, but I assure you it is not. The most interesting part for me can be previewed in the quote below:

"And anyway, there is literally not enough celery root grown in the world for it to survive on the menu at McDonald's — although the company could change that, since its menu decisions quickly become global agricultural concerns. Not long after he arrived at McDonald's in 2004, Coudreaut added to the menu an Asian salad that included edamame. The Soyfoods Council, a trade group, immediately got calls from consumers across the nation looking to buy edamame at their grocery stores. "Now you can find it in supermarkets all over," says the council's executive director, Linda Funk, who has even seen the immature soybean pods sold near her small hometown of Janesville, Wis."

Literally, McDonalds has to think about this sort of thing. It goes on to say that McDonalds cannot use cherries on their salads because the percentage of cherries with pits is too high, making them a liability. It probably shouldn't, but the breath of McDonalds power amazes me.

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1963755-2,00.html#ixzz0g8tcaskN

Ch-ch-ch-changes & nostalgia

I recall a perfect mixture of exhaustion and elation; my bags were absent but I had just arrived at Summer, a perfect four months early. Walking the diagonal path through Light Square, I was wearing black leggings for the third day in a row and a purple-tank top I had purchased at Target 24 hours earlier. It was midday, my first full day in Australia and I was going exploring. I remember looking up at the clear sky, completely lost in the moment and completely unaware of what the day had to bring, but I was ready. That was a year ago, Sunday.

I often relate back to my travels. Parts of me emerged on that trip. Some were dark and weak; I struggled with loneliness and anxiety. Others were vibrant. I relied on myself, tried new things and explored. I learned how to travel, for which there are no guidelines or rules. Traveling is a breading ground for growth, and I believe that is why I ponder it so often.

I've never seen the movie this quote is from. Probably the the third time we communicated through e-mail, Jethro sent it to me after he learned of some big changes in my life, including leaving the country.

"I'll miss the sea, but a person needs new experiences. They jar something deep inside allowing us to grow. Without change something sleeps inside us and seldom awakens. The sleeper must awaken." -- Frank Herbert

Tough guy

TRUTH:

I have officially been a non-smoker for one year. I don't feel comfortable claiming the non-smoker status without fessing up to the four I've had: one outside a pub in Wellington, NZ, two on my 21st birthday and one at Andrea's birthday celebration. And really, none of them were worth it.

What worked for me, you might ask?
It's what I like to call the Jethro Waters Guilt Trip and Cigarettes in Australia are $12 a Pack combo. I highly recommend it! All you need to do is apply for an Australian visa, book a five month vay-cay, make your connecting flights without loosing your dignity (actually, that is optional) AND find yourself a super sexy man who would prefer if you didn't prematurely croak and is willing to remind you how great suffocating is. I'm pretty sure he said nothing short of, "YOU ARE GOING TO COUGH UP BLOOD, SHIT YOURSELF AND DIE!"

Noted.

01.06.10

Today Jethro's horoscope read:

You have infinite organizing powers.

I let him know it would be fine with me if he tapped in to those at any moment.

Afternoons with Rune and Mara Part II

I am not a dog owner. I think to be a dog owner you have to be willing to pick up the dog's shit, and I've clearly exempt that from my responsibilities. I point in the direction Rune pooped and Jethro goes out with the baggie. I am a dog watcher, a dog lover, a wannabe.

Today I sent this e-mail to the Dog Owner:

Dear Daddy,

Today your dog thought it would be really funny to escape the back yard. He never does this even if the gates are open, but today he knew I was dressed in pink capris with white tube socks pulled up to eliminate my calves from showing, bra-less and in a t-shirt. As I opened the back door to call him in, I noticed he was not hiding behind the tree; he was gone. I frantically ran up the stairs, jumped out of my pants and into jeans, put on my coat and grabbed my cell phone. On my way down, I hit my elbow so hard on the ledge and was unable to stifle The F Word. I took off running in the open gate's direction and there he came, waddling in like WHAT'S UP, MOM? I WAS JUST SEEING IF THERE WAS ANY BETTER GRASS OUT THERE. CHILL OUT!

Pushy little fella. And oh-so smart.

Always,
Mara

Rune is a great dog. When Jethro reads that he is going to agree with Rune: I need to CHILL OUT! because he knows (and I should know) Rune will return. But I've never taken care of any live being before (or dead, for that matter) and I panic at the unknown. What if outside the gate there is a middle aged dog snatcher? THEN WHAT? I would never forgive myself. So Rune, until the day you enter doggie heaven, know I am always going to panic when you pull normal doggie stunts. And that is how I know my love for you.