The Child Within Us

by moodyisajerk (dA)

When we become adults (accept responsibilities, work, pay bills, etc.) we forget an aspect that is nearly inherent in children: an understanding that we don't have all the time in the world-- that an extra five minutes painting and coloring really does have value. You might not be able to get much more done in those five minutes, but you have them and you use them as much as possible. Splash on that  paint, get aggressive with the brush, move the pencil faster. As an adult we want those extra five minutes, we want to run around with friends after school, paint our hearts out, but we allow the daunting load of responsibilities to hold us down. I'm not saying let someone else do the laundry (because there is no one else unless you live with your mother); I'm saying that don't let it consume you. Don't do the laundry and allow yourself to be 'stuck' on the computer because you have that chore to do. Open your mind to what there is to do while you're waiting for that washer to quiet or the dryer to shout.
Kids understand that they need to pick up their room, but they play while they do. When I was little I would pretend my toys were putting themselves away-- which was sometimes terrifying because at one point I thought my dolls needed oxygen so I made sure my Barbie box was cracked open so they could breathe.
When we're little we hold precious the time we have and we make the most of it. "Mom can I ride my bike with Lisa?" "Yes but only for fifteen minutes. Dinner is almost ready." "Okay!"
As adults we often groan at the thought of limited time.
As kids we understand the limitation but we let it go so we can fully enjoy what we have. Perhaps it's comfort in knowing we are given everything we need as a kid. Doing finger painting? Mom bought our finger paints, the paper, the towels, and lined the table with newspaper. She made sure we didn't wear our nicest clothes. All we had to do was show up and stab our fingers in the paint and start swirling.  When everything is there, as kids, we take full advantage. Yet, as adults, there is a delay: we are concerned about a mess, about the bills-- we are absent in that moment when we should be enthralled the way a child is when they get to go to the zoo for a first time.
We forget to believe in the now and we lose something when we don't submit to the child within us-- we lose fun.

Busch Gardens. Finally.

He still loves me even though I'm a scare-dy cat with heights.

We finally made it to Busch Gardens and Alex got to witness my roller coaster screams for the first time. The first ride of the day is always tough for me; I don't like heights and the feeling of falling paired with it is frightening to me as well. I sat with Kaitlin so Alex wouldn't have to experience my full set of lungs. Kaitlin, as always, is super comforting when I'm stressed. So after getting on Montu first thing, I had my adrenaline. The rest of the day was on and off with rides because of storms (they have to wait 10 minutes after each strike because all the rides generate heat).

AH! <3

Luckily there's plenty to do between rides-- watch Elephants play and eat, see Kaitlin burn for Otters lol. My favorite, of course, were the elephants. They were playing and puzzling over these toys with food inside them. It was so fascinating to watch them learn.

Baby elephant statue

I didn't know my phone zoomed... would've been handy at comic con.

My favorite ride? Cheeta Hunt. Combined with speed and height, the relaxing slow-down spots were marvelous. For me, it was worth the wait-- just wish it wasn't over an hour.

The Rhino Rally ride was fun too, though it should have been longer-- I want to see ALL the animals! Just like with the elephants, I find such simple magic amongst the animals-- they live and love just as we do, always working to figure things out and survive. I feel that there is some lost beauty when simplicity is overcome with frill and profit. I take comfort in thinking about how spending money at the park goes towards taking care of the animals. While they may not be in their natural habitat nor do they have the immense room to roam that they should, it's nice to see that they can still find ways to be happy... At least some of them. There are animals at zoos that when you look at them you see this almost inherent sadness in their eyes-- whether they were born in captivity or saved from unnatural injuries (bald eagles with shot wings).

While Busch Gardens was lots of fun (and I'm super happy Kaitlin got to come) it was not my favorite event of the week. My favorite was still yet to come.

 

Green Peppa (ROCK LOBSTA!)

If you read my blog (or at least the most recent posts), you know that Alex and I are building up our tool belt for cosplaying at Megacon next year. So that we don't have to dump a bunch of money all at once, we've been getting some things here and there that we are sure we will need for our cosplays and any sewing adventures. Today we got our patterns from The Green Pepper in the mail (only about $5 each-- shipping costs are low because it's pretty much just paper). I was very impressed that it only took them two days to get the order out and shipped. I admit I had my doubts because you can only order over the phone or through snail mail but I must say I am very pleased. (In comparison, I ordered a needle clam for the sewing machine from Sewing Parts Online over a week ago and just this evening did it get registered at the post office for shipment). Not only were they quick to send out and have the items shipped, their quality is wonderful. They folded the patterns the least amount possible and everything came in proper condition. The patterns we ordered were sport tights and then a racing suit. Both can potentially be altered to be a catsuit for red lantern and numerous other cosplays.
The Green Pepper also sells fabrics and notions-- mostly geared towards outdoors-y projects because it's a outdoors-y company. You can get some of their patterns at Joann's but not many.
Another thing I'd like to rave about real quick before I get ready for bed is this awesome bag of chips. They're called Boulder Canyon: Ancient Grains and they are amazing. AMAZING. You take a nice crisp bite and you're in chip-bean heaven. These delicious crunchies are gluten free and are made with brown rice, corn, quinoa, pinto beans, black beans, chia seeds, and a bunch of other yummy goodness. I bought them at BJ's and they go great with classic hummus. If you think it's just for vegans/vegetarians, Kaitlin (who is a happy good-food, no discrimination against meat eater) enjoyed them a bunch too!
I hope everyone's Friday help their weekend get off to a good start.
Namaste.