All*rgic to (YOU KNOW WHO)

My throat hurts today. Scratchy. Painful. Raw. I just got up from night’s dark as pain shot through my body. Plant dust abounds, and all of my nasal canals cry out. I do shots to avoid this, but alas, to no avail. Vitamin C is my companion today. And gin and tonic. My throat will claim victory tomorrow. No skirmish has a finish without a fight.

Whew! Pretty sure that paragraph is free of any Es! And pretty sure I’ve already used 11 Es since ending that paragraph. Thanks, babysteps22 for the nomination for the “Allergic to E” challenge! It was a great opportunity to try communicating my inner bitterness without use of the word “bitter” itself. Which gives me an idea…

My Nominees:

Bitter Ben – Because, like me, he will be bitter about typing a paragraph (inherently about bitterness) without using the word bitter.

Ally – Because with her extensive vocabulary, this exercise will be a piece of cake.

Mrs. Spike – Because she is a life-long learner who has learned to embrace challenges.

Salvageable – Because of his love of writing.

Schnitzel – Because she is a hilarious writer, and I want to read her take on this challenge… um, prompt… Darn E’s… they’re everywhere…

The Rules:

Write a whole paragraph (a paragraph sounds easy right?) without any word containing the letter “e”. Challenge at least five bloggers to do the challenge. They must do it within 24 hours or it is considered as failure. If you fail or pass, suffer in the Page of Lame. If you win, wallow in the Page of Fame.

Auth*ntically Aurora

Versatile Blogger Award: Accepted!

versatile (adjective) – changing or fluctuating readily; embracing a variety of subjects, fields or skills; turning with ease from one thing to another

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A hearty thank you to Mrs. Spike for nominating me for the Versatile Blogger Award! As a classically trained pianist with a mind for computer programming, she is the definition of versatile, and I am honored to be counted in her company. If you’re not familiar with Mrs. Spike, check out her blog! She is an inspirational INFJ whose writing is raw, authentic, poignant and tinged with hope.

7 Facts About Me (that display my versatility!):

1. I have an engineering degree and work for a major oil company.
2. While working full time, I am also attending school part time. I am currently taking 9 hours’ worth of classes toward a second Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design.
3. I am a singer/songwriter and released my first album of original songs on iTunes in 2013.
4. I just finished writing and illustrating a children’s book.
5. I have been to all 50 states in the U.S. and have a goal to visit all 7 continents before I turn 30!
6. I am an ardent Christian who has volunteered on mission trips in many third world countries, including South Sudan and the Dominican Republic.
7. I am an introvert who loves public speaking. In fact, I think someday I may become an inspirational women’s speaker.

15 Nominations (I’ve nominated 10):

1. Blissful Britt
2. My Little Piece of Quiet
3. Steve and Jon’s Best Things
4. Key + Arrow
5. Courtney Shea
6. Em Speaks
7. Outstanding Bachelor
8. Peg-o-Leg’s Ramblings
9. LoveLifeandGod
10. Rogue Cheerios

Thanks, blogging community – and congratulations!!!

Authentically Aurora

Why I Write

Some readers of my blog might think that I am

Self-absorbed.

Arrogant.

Narcissistic.

 

It’s true that I have described myself as “an intelligent… talented… successful young woman” who is “ridiculously attractive” and “a speed dating rock star”.

It’s also true that most of my posts involve some sort of explanation about why one guy or another isn’t a good fit for me. Some are socially awkward. Others have poor grammar. Still others hide the fact that they have children. No biggie.

I can understand why some folks might get the impression that I have a victim mentality and that I either believe I have already attained perfection or that I am completely absorbed with my own brokenness. I readily admit that I have walls up and have become cynical about love. But I also openly acknowledge that I am in a season of refinement, and I wholeheartedly believe that God is in the process of taking away my heart of stone and giving me a tender, responsive heart of flesh.

I don’t write because I think that the world revolves around me or that everyone else should be enamored with the daily dramas of my life. In fact, I barely have any followers – less than 50 – and most of them don’t even know my real identity.

I write because it’s therapeutic. I write because it helps my mind process events and observations. And I write publicly, even if no one is reading, because it keeps my journal entries from veering into the realm of the depressed and the truly “woe is me.”

Writing publicly forces me to change my mindset to see the humor in life situations and to try to learn from the experiences God allows to come into my life. And if someone gets a laugh out of my adventures in the process, all the better.

Authentically Aurora