Oh, How I've Changed

Our blog prompt for June is to talk about how we've changed since moving abroad.  I, myself, moved to Sydney at the very end of February in 2012.  I had friends whom I left behind.  When I got to Sydney, I tried to keep in touch with everyone, but it never seemed to be enough.  It took quite a long time for me to come to terms with the fact that even though I wasn't there, everyone else sure moved on pretty quick.  It didn't seem like I was missed much.

Again, this isn't a post to try to get sympathy.  It's fine.  I'm fine.

But it's changed me.  I still make friends.  But I don't get attached.  I enjoy meeting new people.  I enjoy spending time with my friends.  But I also don't share all of myself anymore.  I'm hoping it'll help me to not be so hurt when I leave again.

I'm learning to be more self-sufficient.  I don't need anyone else.  I'm enough.  Reading, shopping, quilting, etc ... all activities that only require that I'm there.

Birds outside our balcony entertain me occasionally.

I'll admit that I get jealous of people who have been besties since grade school.  I don't have relationships like that.  It would be nice, but that ship has sailed.  I find that I'm sometimes too sensitive about whether people like me or not.  This sort of thing never concerned me before, but in the past few years it's always on my mind.

As it stands today, my best friend is still my mom.  And there's nothing wrong with that.  :)

Coming Clean ...

I took this quiz on Facebook a few days ago.  It was about identifying your mental disorder.  So, yes, I took the silly quiz.  I say "silly" because I feel that while we shouldn't make light of this sort of thing, it's human nature to be inquisitive.  At least it is for me.  So I take these silly little quizzes with a grain of salt and just have fun with them.

So mine said that I had OCD.  Just to be sure (wink wink, nudge nudge), I looked up OCD on the internet.  I realize after reading a bit about it that I probably do have  a couple of little weird habits, but they don't bring me too much stress or anxiety so I doubt I really have true OCD.

I admit to not liking some numbers.  Now, I won't freak out or anything, but I generally don't like my radio dial to have the volume set on anything not in 5's.  For instance, the volume can be on 5 or 10 or 15, but nothing in-between.  Usually.  When 5 is too soft and 10 is too loud, then I try to look the other way when setting the volume so that I just won't know.  But I will definitely not leave it on anything with a 6.  I loathe the number 6.  For some reason, the number 6 means the devil to me.

I like everything to be in its place.  Cans should be facing you so that you know what's in them.  Similar things should be stored together.  I'm not going to insist that all the towels are the same level, but it sure would be nice for symmetry's sake.  But like I said, I don't freak out about this stuff.  Usually.

Also, I have an obsession with bags.  Not handbags.  Regular paper bags that you get at all the best stores.  If you give me my purchases in a plastic bag, chances are I won't be back unless something you sell REALLY impresses me.  Here are some of my favourite bags:

Crabtree & Evelyn
They set the standard high in bags.

This is the inside of the Crabtree & Evelyn bag.
Not only are their bags top notch, 
but their products are superb, as well.
This is my fav place to shop for lotions and the like.

Magnolia has very nice bags and boxes.
Their jewellery is delicate and beautiful.

L'Occitane ... I have no idea how to pronounce it properly,
but they have very nice products, too.

Hobbysew has nice paper bags, too.  
The only problem with theirs is that if you are 
not careful, the string will pull out of the hole.
It's got these hooks on the inside that don't always stay put.

Swarovski

Tiffany & Co.
'Nuff said.

Who doesn't love the Victoria's Secret bag?
I love pink.

Kikki.K
Stationery store in Sydney

My stash of bags that I cannot part with.

So now you know some of my "dirty little secrets."  What are yours?