Silver Linings and Clouds

It's been a whirlwind of a week but I've finally managed to pull all my shit together and get back on track, school-wise at least. And Thursday I came home to find a surprise waiting in the mail--my sister sent me an iPad! She bought a new iPad 2, so she sent me her older iPad. Not that I'm complaining or anything--I love it and there is no way I would EVER have been able to buy something like that on my own. So I've spent the last few days playing with my new toy, getting it all set up and downloading ebooks onto it.

It's actually really nice because it means that this summer when I go to Afghanistan, I won't have to drag a bunch of books with me--I can just bring my iPad!

However, there was one negative aspect to the gift--it meant that I had to call my sister to thank her. As usual, it didn't take long for our conversation to deteriorate into an argument. So that's the way it ended. And that is why I only talk to her on birthdays and Christmas.

We see the world through very different lenses, and with her being so much older than me (almost five years--not a lot now but a biiiiig difference when we were growing up), she feels the need to constantly instruct me in how I should be living my life and is not afraid to point it out when she feels I am making a mistake. Which is often. Because living a life different from hers is apparently a mistake. Also she keeps trying to get me to work with her, which I have no intention of ever doing.

Sigh.

Every silver lining comes with a cloud.

Blowing Bubbles

My sister blowing bubbles for my 5-year-old cousin Ava to chase at my parents' house in Georgia last month.

Back to Life As Usual

I actually can't remember if I've already posted this one, but I don't think so. And even if I did, I'm putting it up now anyway.

I'm glad to be back here, somehow over the last year it's become home to me. It's nice to be free again, and away from the oppressiveness that is my family. I know, they mean well, it's just that they come across as, well, somewhat condescending and superior. Maybe because they're all successful and I'm not? At least, not yet. Right now I'm content to just wait and see what happens with my life while they're all on the fast track to career and family. I'm still exploring my options (actually trying to decide just what those options are) while both my siblings chose a path right out of school and stuck to it, doing fairly well. I know that traditionally the youngest is supposed to be the black sheep of the family, and I guess I'm playing my part well because I'm definitely not the golden child. I'm far from being a troublemaker, or even terribly unusual, I'm just not quite normal enough to fit in easily.

My family likes normal.

Wisconsin Miserable

I'm back in Wisconsin again; this time because my sister is in town. She flew in for the week to visit our brother as well as the aunt, uncle, and cousins that live nearby. I drove up yesterday, even though I was just here two months ago, because I haven't seen my sister for more than a year. Of course, now that I've been here a full day I'm remembering why I don't like spending time with my family. They more than anyone else make me revert instantaneously back into the spoiled, selfish, childish 5-year-old I once was. Somehow any growing up that I've done disappears and I turn back into the little brat I used to be. I don't like that person, and while I've (for the most part) managed to rid myself of her, she comes back as soon as I'm back with my family and I'm helpless to do anything about it. I guess I'm just not a big enough person to swallow my pride and grow up. It happened today, yet again. Darn it! I think that being 24 is really only a number. I still have a lot of growing up to do.

Wisconin Wishing

Greetings to everyone from PackerLand! I'm in Wisconsin at the moment visiting my brother, who lives in Green Bay (only about a mile from Lambeau field for any of you Cheeseheads out there), for his birthday. I also have an aunt, uncle, and two adorable little cousins, aged 3 and 5, who live nearby as well, so I particularly like coming up here for visits. Unfortunately I'm only here for the weekend; I have to leave tomorrow so I can be at work bright and early Monday morning (7am). Uck. Can't I just stay here? I'd much rather do that. My cousins are adorable and I so rarely get to spend any time with them any more. Work is going to be crazy busy next week from what I hear, so I'd prefer to stay here and veg out as long as possible. But alas, that is not an option.

As for pictures, well, I brought my brand-new DSLR with me and planned to take all sorts of fantastic shots, but the battery died before I could do much more than snap a few of my cousins. Sorry!

My next update will be from back home in the Burg. See you then!