Girl Friends.

I had a girlfriend say to me once...

"You know how you meet those girls? The ones who claim they only get along with guys, and say can't they get along with girls because we are all dramatic or bitchy,etc.  You know what I always want to say to them: Do you ever think that it's because of the insecurities within yourself that you can't get along with other girls? There are so many ladies out there, who get along fine with the others. Maybe it's you. Maybe you're the one who is dramatic & bitchy. Not the rest of us." -JP

This has stuck with me since I first heard it. You see it everywhere you go: girls are judging one another, making each other feel bad, trying to bring each other down to make themselves feel better. I had a recent experience that exploded after a long time of build up, and sitting down now evaluating everything about it... all that I can think is: 

Thank God I am surrounded by amazing, supportive, intelligent, lovely 

girl friends.

I will be the first to admit I haven't always been the nicest girl myself. I've been immature, I've been catty, I'm sure I've hurt some feelings. I'm not proud of these things. I was young; I made some mistakes, we all do. Yet now that I am in a completely different phase of my life I am able to appreciate how much further everyone gets by just being kind, encouraging adults. 

Growing up in a small town it goes without saying that just because everyone knows each other - doesn't mean you like each other. There are girl fights over boyfriends, fights over class projects, fights over clothes, fights over prom committee, ...there are a lot of fights! hahah But that's middle school & high school. You'd think that once you're done high school, and move up and on, you leave that stuff behind. 

Girllll, we were WRONG. It is shocking to me that even out in the "real world" (even post-University) you encounter these females who just have so many personal insecurities that they wrap themselves up in bringing everyone else down. Don't you just want to shake them & say get over yourself?! And they're everywhere! They're at work, they're at the gym, they're in the washroom of the bar, they're in the elevator of your building, they're behind you in the grocery store line up. 

It seems like you just can't get away from them.

So what can you do about them? It's a tricky question. I can't even begin to pretend like I have an answer. What I can say is that it is mostly important to recognize the behaviours of these people, and try to avoid doing them ourselves. You know the saying, "You are the company you keep" ...? This definitely rings true for anyone in your life, but especially for us ladies. It is frustrating to see wonderful people who surround themselves with other females who are arrogant, who lack a moral compass, who are unmotivated, flat out rude, and mostly who are negative. These qualities tend to rub off on others and if you are subjecting yourself to it regularly, eventually you will probably be an unpleasantry too. 

An article was passed on to me today & this was part of it:

"Spend your time with nice people who are smart, driven and like-minded. Surround yourself with the people who reflect the person you want to be. Choose friends who you are proud to know, people you admire, who love and respect you."  ... "Some people will test you, some will use you, and some will teach you; but most importantly some will bring out the best in you."

...when it comes to female friendships I'm not sure there needs to be much more to it then that! It's really not as complicated as - for whatever reason - so many of us have been trapped into making it. 

I really just wanted to write this today to remind all of us ladies (and realistically, all the guys out there too!) that sometimes it doesn't hurt to take a big long look in the mirror; to evaluate ourselves, and those we surround ourselves with. If there are females of questionable character, there is no time like the now to be a grown up and make an important decision as to whether or not this insecure person & their negativity is something you really want in your own life for long term. Chances are, it's not. 

This post is dedicated to ladies in my life who are incredibly smart & beautiful;  inside & out. 


.: to view the mentioned articles click here:.

Raising a Pup.

Just around this time two years ago, I made a big life decision. I decided to get myself a dog. Not only was this the biggest life decision I have ever made, but it was also the best life decision I have ever made. 


Although I like to think I am not "one of those" owners who talks about and brags about her pup as if he's her child, I know that I kind of am. 
But I'm actually kind of OK with that. 
Elliot has changed a lot of things about my life. He's introduced me to chewed tupperware and goobers on everything. He has made wearing black and sleeping-in impossible. He has me taking 60minutes to do something that would otherwise take 20. But here's the thing; I would never, ever trade any of this. Despite the things you have to give up when you become a pet owner, it is astonishing how much you gain. 


I got Elliot at a weird life stage; it probably seemed irresponsible to those around me. I lived by myself, I was single, I went out more days a week than I stayed in. But really... he was exactly what I needed. Elliot taught me things in our first few months together that it otherwise would have taken me years to understand. He centered me. He grounded me. He made me realize that putting your time & energy into loving something was more important than many of things I thought were important at the time. 


I have to give tons of credit to my friends & family for stepping up to the plate and aiding me in my times of need as a "single mum". But I think on some level Elliot has brought something special into your lives as well, so you probably aren't too upset about those whiny nights or hair-covered jackets. 


It was a bit of a spur of the moment decision, but I did know what I was getting myself into. I don't recommend getting a pet without some serious planning. In fact - I strongly recommend borrowing someone else's pet so you understand just how much time & energy having a canine buddy takes. When you sign up for buying or adopting a pet - you need to understand that you are committing to being their care taker for life. 


It is interesting though... when you first get your puppy, you are thinking about the present, the now, and how they're so adorable you just can't stay mad at them for eating your undies. But you don't really think about all the major events these little creatures are going to be there for, and also just how much they are going to be there for you. I know now that there couldn't have been a better time, or stage of my life for me to take on the challenge of raising another being. He brings entertainment, amusement & unconditional adoration to me each & everyday. He is going to be with me through so many things; moving around, gaining or losing people in my life,  falling in love, career challenges, buying my first house, getting married, and most likely even having my first children. I know we are talkin' way far away here, but that is my point exactly. Thick & thin, exciting & scary, emotional & uncontrollable experiences are going to come and they are going to go. 


When I made the decision to get Elliot, I really made a decision that no matter what happens at the end of the day it is going to be me & my pup.
But I'm actually really OK with that.  

 snoozin' & treats. treats & snoozin'. 

Going For It.

I have always wanted to start blogging. I'm not sure what the hold up was, maybe I  thought I wasn't interesting enough. But I've come to realize that it doesn't really matter whether or not I think I'm interesting; it more so matters that I just may have something to say.

(And for those of you who know me - you know I always have something to say!) 

The Blogger world is pretty neat, I'm excited to get more deeply involved. Although not so much a blog-writer (yet!), I have always been a big blog-reader. I love cooking blogs, blogs on entertaining, blogs from sports personalities, Top 10 blogs, blogs with Tips, all those kinds of things. Except now that it comes to my own blog I am hesitant to pinpoint a specific area of discussion. I'm not exactly an expert at anything in particular, nor do I have an encyclopedia series worth of wisdom that I want to share with the world. However I am a bit of a free bird, and out of all the things I could be described as: boring is not one of them. 

I guess as your classic Aquarius you will find that I tend to thrive on eccentricity and open-mindedness. I value being a bit unconventional and a lot independent. I support social awareness and am curious about the world around me; near & far. 

I Try new things - I Travel - I Take a genuine interest in life. 

These will be the 3 Ts I intend to explore from week to week in a Tall Glass Of... 

Between a combination of these characteristics - plus a side of random - I believe it could turn "lil' uninteresting me" into a pretty good read every once & a while. 

I know I'm not going to be great right away. I know I'm going to need a little help here & there. But I am ready to get moving. To start learning, sharing, and proving to myself that I do have something interesting to say.

I'm ready to go for it.