The Show

Well this past weekend, my mom and I went to a dog show. Initially she was only planning on taking our two Lowchens, Liesl and Pia. Then we decided that a road trip would be good for all the dogs so Mom and I packed all 9 dogs in 3 crates, loaded them into the Jeep and we were off! The show was in Paintsville, Kentucky, aka the middle of nowhere. It was like a 4 hour drive which I slept through most of. We got up at about 3 am so we could get going early. The dogs love when the get to go for a drive, they get all excited and run around everywhere, wimpering and barking. Of course, we're trying not to step on anyone so theres constant shouts of "Move Claire!" "Shut Up!" "Josie, get out of the way!" "Shut UP Claire!!!" Yeah, it's interesting doing all that at 3 am. We put the 4 puppies in one crate, Jo and Claire in one (keep the 2 alpha females together and they will have a truce and behave), and Liesl, Daisy, and Pia in the last crate. Luggage was easy since it was only for 2 days. (technically only a day and a half really...) The dogs did remarkably well, no one crapped or barked. Two of the puppies, Ziggy and probably Faye, got car sick quite a few times so we would stop occasionally and clean the crate, let everyone out, then load them up and hit the road again. Liesl was the only Lowchen there so of course she won but didn't win group.
We met some other really cool people. Theres a couple just starting their Ridgeback. She's a beautiful girl, only like 16 months or something like that. They had a young guy showing her who did junior showing and he showed her well. He was 17 but he looked a lot younger, poor guy. :) We then met a family who had 5 Afghans. Mom and I were just standing there talking to the Ridgeback couple and she just came up and asked if we were busy. We said no so she asked if we would help with the showing of her Afghans. We were like umm, we show toys but we can try, maybe... Really all we had to do was hand off the proper dogs at the right time while she and her daughter (prolly about my age) showed them in the ring. The dogs were beautiful, the daughter was very nice, the mother was just a tad bit more than bizarre... yeah not someone I'd want to be long term friends with. So that was the show, the big one is coming up in Georgia...an 8 hour drive. *gag* This was really more of a practice for Liesl because she has a shot at a major in Georgia. Theres gonna be like 8 Lowchens there so who knows, maybe we'll get lucky. Liesl did very well at the show so I think even if she doesn't win in Georgia, she'll still do us proud. Yay Liesl! She's a cutie. (Yes, we are dog people. We have excellent dogs that most breeders can't hope to get their hands on. So they are gorgeous and expensive. And thats that.)

Dedication

A face, staring ahead blankly...motionless eyes, smiling face.
A body that simply sits, waiting for that burst of energy to bring it to life.
Suddenly, this body begins to stand, legs start to move, hands are brought to life, even the eyes seem to have that special glimmer in them.
Life is seen, as there is dancing and waving.
One trip, one fall, doesn't matter. Stand up, ignore the scratch, and keep dancing.
The eyes are still bright, smile still plastered on, waving arms everywhere.
Another trip, another fall, still fine. A joint breaks, there is another crack which doesn't sound good, but it doesn't matter. Stand up again, ignore the new breaks, and keep dancing.
The eyes seem to fade a little, smile gets a little crooked, but not that noticably, keep dancing.
Finally, that third trip, that third fall and everything suddenly isn't fine. Those first breaks or cracks give way and everything falls apart.
The strings are dropped and there lays a small puppet, falling apart and left on the floor.
Everyone walks away, those bright eyes still stare blankly ahead, the smile is still plastered on, but the life is lost. What made that puppet come to life was no longer, but then one must wonder, did this puppet really ever even have a life? It simply went through the motions and waited for the next person to come and create life in it.
Even as it lays on the floor, practically in ruins, there is that one person that isn't afraid to come and pick it up, examine it's scrapes and breaks and still deem it as something valuable. That person who will mend the things that need mending and put a spark back in those motionless eyes.
While the puppet is still a puppet, what matters is the person behind it. The person who put time and dedication to pick up the pieces, put it together, ignore the scrapes and scratches and still see a thing of beauty. That is dedication.

France Story #3: The Dinner

Well after meeting this gorgeous guy from story #2, we had a huge dinner that night that he of course couldn't attend. The previous night I had been able to avoid the creepiest guy by sitting at the end of the table where he still watched me. This night, I wouldn't get so lucky. Everyone was sitting down as I looked for a place to sit and then I heard "Oh Leah, I saved you a seat here by me." So yes, I got so sit right across from the creepy guy, next to another guy who would sometimes watch me, and just 2 away from another guy who smiled at me a little too often. Creepy guy watched me all the time before dinner as my eyes wandered everywhere except to him. Dinner was finally ready and that gave evryone something to focus on and I was spared for a short while. When a break occured in the courses everyone resumed their talking, and the guy resumed his staring. Finally, I heard Francoise and and the guy who would watch me speaking in rapid French while watching me. I heard my name come up a few times and they would both laugh. Finally I asked Francoise what they were talking about. She said the guy had been watching me and finally asked her how old I was. She told him only 14 and that I was too young for him. Granted he was probably only mid to late 20s but that still was too much. He said he was disappointed and that he thought I was at least 18. Yeah that was slightly uncomfortable so I just meekly smiled and looked away. (creepy guy continues to stare even after hearing this) At last another dish was brought out. It was rather disgusting looking, it was a rectangular thing with gelatinous crap all over it and was sort of a putrid grey-green. Of course, being me, I am open to trying anything once so I took a small portion while practically the whole table watched me. Creepy guy informed me it was rabbit pate. Now, I have had fois gras and think its absolutely disgusting so I didn't have much faith in this. I tried it though and thought it was absolutely delicious. I agreed to take more and creepy guy thought I was wonderful for at least trying it and went on for a while on how most Americans aren't keen on trying such things so I am practically French...blah blah blah. As we were all finishing up our pate there was another rapid conversation in French amongst the three guys who had been eyeing me and the random interjection of some other person. I looked horribly confused so the one guy decided to fill me in. He said that the guy at the far end of the table was eyeing me so they were deciding who I belonged to. I was like oh my god this is not happening. Everyone else thought it was great as they bickered over who I talked to more, who I was sitting next to, who was closest to my age, I just thought I needed to wake up from a bad dream...Im not sure who "got me" in the end, Im not sure I want to know. I stood up and began clearing the dishes while everyone sat and talked. As I began taking the creepy guys plate he gave me this tremendous smile and offered to help. I told him no, please sit and relax but he stood right up. So yeah he got to follow me around for over a half hour, I figured it just gave him a chance to constantly look at my ass. So when everything was cleared I sat over on a lawn chair and relaxed. Two of the guys (one being creepy guy) decided they wanted to swim in the pool and started stripping right there. I was surprised but they apparently had on swim trunks underneath. I sat there glad this gave creepy guy something else to do besides stare at me but apparenly not. He continued to watch me from the pool and finally invited me to swim. I said no thanks but he kept persisting. Finally I said I really didn't want to plus I had to go for a run (which I did every night anyways). I immediatly ran inside, threw on shorts and a t-shirt and ran from the house. Luckily when I got home 40 minutes later, everyone had left and I was free. I will say though, before I left France to return home, I was given roses by all three of my men. Some red, some white, some pink, it depended on which guy it was. So of course I graciously accepted and gave each a hug but as soon as the flowers died, I didn't bother drying, just threw them out. The only thing I brought back was a laf dozen blue roses that I had dried myself. They are gorgeous and Ive never seen them here in the U.S. So yeah, thats the story of me and my French men. Rather bizarre...

France Story #2: Can Opener Anyone?

Well, I decided one afternoon that I would cook a dinner for Francoise and the family so that it would be one less thing they would have to worry about upon coming home. I don't remember exactly what I was making, something simple, a pasta dish I think...Anyways, my dish required that I open a can of something and I couldn't find a can opener anywhere. I searched the kitchen everywhere then finally gave up and called Francoise. She told me it should be in the top drawer and I informed her that it wasn't there nor any other drawers I had searched. So she told me to just go to one of the neighbors house and ask to use theirs. I figured that couldnt be too hard so I agreed and hung up. I went to the dictionary and looked up the word can opener. It said ouvrier la boite, simple enough, I figured if I said that and held up the can someone would understand that I needed one and offer to help. I went first to the neighbors on the left becaus I knew they were home. I had heard the youngest son (approx. 10 years old) yelling for his older brother just minutes before. Jon-Creeee!!!!! It was constantly being yelled...So I went over there and rang the bell from outside the gate. No one answered but I heard water running in the garden. I looked over the gate and sure enough, there was the boy working in the garden. I said excuse me then ouvrier la boite as I held up the can. I could tell he couldn't speak english so I was trying my best to comunicate in French with him. He gave me this look like I was a complete freak and just said no as he walked away. I thought that was strange so I went to the next house. They weren't home so I went to the third house. (btw they live at the end of the street where it becomes a cirlcle and everyones house is situated in this circular position) At the third house, there was a woman just going inside her house. I called out to her and repeated the same phrase I had used with the young boy. She gave me an agast look and repeated ouvrier la boit? I said oui and she gave me this dirty look and muttered something in french as she walked away. By this time I wondered if I was saying something completely offensive and didn't even realize it. I was getting rather upset because no one was talking to me and my dish would be ruined if I couldn't get this dumb thing open. Finally, I went to the last house, not expecting much. I rang the bell on the gate and suddenly someone answered! I was shocked and trying my best to ask in French. Finally I just stopped and explained I don't really speak French, I'm Leah the American girl from next door. They told me to come on in as the gate opened. I was so relieved. The couple was older and spoke very little english. Between my broken French and their broken English we had a fun time for about a half hour just talking. The woman opened my can for me and I was so relieved. I then went back to the house, finished my dish and all was well. Later in the week, I was at the shop and talking to a very cute French guy who spoke fluent English. (he had blonde hair and bright blue eyes...gorgeous) I told him about my problem with the can and what I had said. I asked if that was something offensive and he said no, it means can opener. So I just retorically asked why all those people seemed so offended. He asked if I had held up the can when I asked, I said yes, he asked if I had said please, i said yes, and all he could say was well, this is France. Great. So I stayed and talked with him, swapping language stories while two older men kept checking me out. They were nice guys, I had talked with them many times but they were in like their late 30s and I was 14...bit of an age difference don't you think? They apparently didn't think so...

Tempus Fugit

Remember back to your childhood days when everything was so simple? The hardest thing during a day was probably picking out what outfit you would wear to school that day. There were no worries about money, or getting places, or having to perform to someone's high standards. You just lived and that was that. I remember coming home from school as a child and taking my Bull Terrier, Maggie, out in the backyard. I had a playset that Maggie and I would have fun on for hours every night. I didn't have homework, or if I did it took me maybe 15 minutes and I considered that long. Life was blissfully simple. Now, as most kids go on, they get that transition into adulthood, losing the recess and homework gradually increasing, all the usual. I didn't have that. I went from blissful playtime to high school where I was asked what college I wanted to attend. I went from multiplication tables to algebra seemingly overnight. However, I coped, adapted, whatever you want to say. I will admit it wasn't easy but I made it and then went to college. If that hasn't been a nightmare Im not sure what would be. Classes suddenly got so long that I would fall asleep, homework would take me a couple hours, not to mention study time...granted, I knew it wouldn't be easy but it seemed to start slipping from me. Even with such problems, there is something about college that makes it all worth it. It is knowing that in only 4 short years I will be done. (I am NOT staying for 5, I will die.) It is knowing that for the rest of my life, I will have these memories and many friends. While I know that most of the things I learn probably fly right out of my head the second the final exam is over, there is still a lot I retain, things I have to retain if I want to make anything of myself. So yes, college is stressful and all, but I look back at the people in high school who laughed at me and told me I would never make anything of myself, and that I would be lucky to make it to college. Now, I am there, I am making it by and trying once again to disprove all those that say I don't belong there. It's funny how you can go from a little kid with no worries, to high school where worries jump out at you right and left, to college where you are simply looking for a little room to breathe from the worries that crush you. In the end...it's all worth it cuz it cant last forever! Take every moment in and savor it, the good, the bad, and the ugly. The bad makes you stronger and the good sustains you. After all...tempus fugit...time flies. (yes I am still affected by those 2 years of latin *shudder*)

Movies

Well the other day my mom and I went to see "Fun with Dick and Jane". I was surprised by thinking it was actually good! Really, you just can't beat Jim Carrey. Had it been any other actor I don't think I would have bothered but he's hilarious and definitly pulled it off. Oh and we'd also seen Ultraviolet when Camilla and Anders were here...it was interesting, Im not sure what else to say. It was Matrix with a hot girl as the lead, kicking everyone's ass and dragging some kid around. Yeah, it'd be worthwhile to rent when you're overly bored and looking for something to kill time. Paying for it in a major theatre though just isn't worth it. Thats really been the most exciting thing as of late. Well today I did go to the hospital in Columbus (damn what a drive) to see a doctor and get new drugs. woo hoo! Mom and I were late getting out of the house so I think the lowest I saw the car get to for about an hour was 85. We were flying, made it like 15 minutes late but oh well. Oh and I was told by the doc that I'm going to make a great politician because of my often indecisevness and the way I can talk in circles about anything. lol It made my day and my mom just looked a little scared. Oh no! A dirty politican for a daughter!!! ACK!

Hearts

Have you ever thought about all the things a heart can do?
First of all, a heart can beat...it keeps our very being alive, allowing us to experience our world. But what of the other things that many don't even think of?

A heart can melt... like when a mother holds her newborn child for the first time.
A heart can jump...like when a friend suddenly jumps out from behind a door and scares you.
A heart can skip...a beat, like when a man kneels down and says those four amazing words as he holds out a tiny box containing a diamond ring, asking a woman to forever change her life.
A heart can yearn...like when lovers are apart and can't stop thinking about each other.
A heart can break...like when the person you love says they are leaving and you don't know if you'll ever see them again.

And then, just as a heart can beat, a heart can stop. Then, you watch as the person just slips away from you forever...

Even with all of these things a heart can do, there is nothing quite like the feeling in your heart when the person you love comes up and just wraps their arms around you. Your heart may skip a beat, it may melt, it may jump because your love just scared you...each person is different in their feelings. The closest way to truly describe mine would be to say it simply melts. It melts as I savor the moment, taking it in and holding it, not wanting it to end so soon. There is that feeling of warmth and protection and love, all within those few moments.
Yes, the heart is capable of so much more than simply pumping blood to keep us alive...

France Story #1: Ripping of Heads

Now, I've said that I like languages and traveling and the like. I'm not affraid to try anything once, or I might be afraid but would do it anyway... that's where the rabbit comes in, well, not only the rabbit but the scenario was quite strange. ~~~

I was in France 2 summers ago so I was only 14 and staying with some friends of ours in Nice (southern France). Francoise was just getting ready to open her new flower shop so I mainly stayed at the house and hung out then everyone from the shop would come to the house for dinner around 9 or 10 at night. Well, one night she decided to cook rabbit for dinner. Ive had rabbit before and think its delicious so I thought that was great. It was then that Francoise asked me and her brother Pierro to prepare it. Pierro speaks very little english and I speak very little french so that was an adventure in and of itself. He came outside from the kitchen carrying these two skinned rabbits which looked so disgusting I couldn't believe I actually enjoyed eating it. Then he started babbling to me and making weird gestures which I didn't understand. Finally, he walked up to me with a limp rabbit, slapped it on the table and started twisting its head off. Of course you can hear every bone break and the ligaments tear...oh it was so disgusting I almost got sick. The head wouldn't come off so he had to sort of rip it off and then just toss it to the side. He motioned for me to do the same and I just said no, I couldn't deal with it. So we had the rabbit that night and as long as I didn't think of rolling rabbit heads, I thought it tasted good. While I promote trying anything once, I have my limits. I could have slit the rabbit and cleaned it without much difficulties but the ripping off of the head was just too much. Dinner was great but the company was a bit creepy...actually no, a lot creepy. However, I shall save that for the next story. France gave me so many interesting and bizarre stories to write about. lol ~Leah

It Begins...Again

Well, I tried to create a blog and for some reason it just didn't work. So yeah, this is the second one and we'll see what happens. :) Must say, it was quite frustrating. My mom is in Arizona on a mini vacation and I am left here taking care of 9 dogs. Don't get me wrong, I love dogs, but I hate cleaning up crap every 2 hours from the 5 puppies we have. Ugh anyways, happy news, I actually pulled a B in arabic. Thank you God! I swear, my teacher must have thrown out that final exam cuz that was pure evil and I know I didnt pass it. My dog Pia is laying next to me sleeping and she must be dreaming because her little paws keep jerking around like shes chasing something. So cute! Anyways, Im just blaring music and procrastinating studying...
~Leah