Living as "The Girl Next Door" in the French Alps

For those of you that haven't noticed yet, I have started a "living series." Each post I write for the next couple of months will be tagged, labelled and will be titled with "Living" in some form or another. hashtag #thelivingseries
I thought this would be an interesting way to portray my writing, as I'm currently "living" abroad and "living" life to the fullest possible. So today's topic: Living as "The Girl Next Door."

That's right, I'm the girl next door. Maybe in the traditional sense as well, who knows, but I'm talking literally, "the girl next door." The girl next door to a really attractive, who happens to be pretty awesome, French guy... with a girlfriend. First off, I hope he never reads this because it would be incredibly embarrassing (or funny), depending on how you look at it. However, I am completely attracted to said French man, but not-so-much that he has a girlfriend.

I'm not sure why I tend to want things I can't have - oh wait, I think that comes with life and probably my personality as well. But unfortunately, this one will have to remain friends. I can still look right?

Just kidding. He lives on the 4th floor.

On a side note, Spring is in the air... everywhere I look around. The flowers are in full bloom, the lower mountains have shed their white blankets for a fresh green canvas and the air is warm in the valley. The people are out and about and Oeli is enjoying basking in the sun on a daily basis. You can't beat a long bike right from the city into the French countryside, where horses roam, three mountain ranges surround you in all directions, the air is warm and the sun is shining down on your face. That's how I spent my Sunday afternoon in the beautiful French Alps. I don't think I can give this up any time soon.

Living Abroad with a Dog

Sure, the process of bringing my precious pooch to France was exhausting. I had to make sure he was up-to-date on all of his shots, he was micro-chipped, certified, and not to mention all the dreadful paperwork to complete the process. It took numerous trips to the vet and the final trip to Washington DC to get his USDA certification to permit him to travel out of the country.

Sure, I had to buy a new cage for him to travel in, pay the airline company (a lot of money) to allow him to travel with me and I had to think about his well being on top of it all.

The first time I lived abroad, I was staying in the dorms, which did not allow animals. At the same time, I wanted to experience life as an exchange student, travel and adventure as I pleased. My parents offered to watch Oeli during the year I was abroad. I can't explain how many times I thought about him, wanted his company and missed being able to look into his sweet, sweet eyes. I knew that if I were to ever to go back abroad after that year, I would take him with me. The experience that I had as an exchange student was one of the most, if not the most amazing year of my life to date, and I wouldn't change anything I experienced. But I can recall certain points during the year that having my loving companion would have been just the right thing to get over the home sickness or cure my case of the "Debbie Downer."
After finding out that I would be returning to France this year, there was no doubt in my mind that Oeli would be coming with me. It had been 4 years since the first time I had lived in France; and I knew my experience here this time would be completely different and I was okay with living a more settled life this go-round. 

Sure, now I have to think more about him instead of myself. I can't just leave for a weekend without making multiple arrangements to ensure he's taken care of while I'm gone. I come home during to day to walk him and come home early at night. I've had to deal with annoying neighbours, whimpering because he needs (or wants) to go outside, countless bags of dog food, treats, play toys (that he tears up immediately) and "accidents" in my room.

But there is nothing better than the unconditional love a dog gives. He is selfless, obedient and reassuring. He's always there for me when I need him most and he never lacks in cuddles. He has the cutest ears that flop in the wind and his markings make him unique. He always makes me smile as he cocks his head one way and then another when you speak to him. He knows when he's been bad and he tucks his head and shrinks down, but I can't stay mad for long because he deserves nothing but love. He knows when I'm sad and is always there to comfort me; and he looks at me with those sweet, sweet eyes that say, "Mom, don't worry. Everything is going to be okay."
And it will be, because he is there to make everything better.

I would never give him up for a million dollars, because it is he who helps build my happiness on a daily basis. He isn't just a dog: he's my best friend and companion.

Hi, I'm Oeli.

Living the "No Shampoo" Do

Maybe it was the fact that I was tired of dishing out hundreds of dollars (or Euros) a year in order to keep my hair looking "so fresh and so clean clean;" or maybe, subconsciously, I thought that instead of buying more shampoo and conditioner, I could buy another beer (or two) when I went out with my friends later that night. No matter what the cause, I up and decided to go cold turkey and chemical free on the hair front and walked away from the hair product aisle empty handed.

It had already been five days since I had washed my hair. It was possibly the longest it had ever been. I had normally washed my hair once a day with the occasional 'skip a day' and "throw it up" method; but five days was a drastic amount of time for me and I wondered how I had made it that long. Even when I was backpacking Europe and Asia, or travelling around India and Nepal, I still always found the opportunity to wash my hair: whether it was in a cold shower, out of a spigot, or bucket, or under a waterfall in the jungle. That's right, I was addicted. I thought the only way for my hair to look, feel and smell clean was to use that beautiful thing we call, "shampoo." Honestly, I used to think the only way I could feel clean was to have my hair washed. Oh, has that changed drastically.

I had been on a snowboarding trip over a long weekend. Unfortunately, I didn't have much time to take a shower before running to catch my train the day I was leaving. I didn't realize that I hadn't washed my hair the day before either. I didn't see any worry since there would be a shower at the apartment where we would be staying. But immediately upon my arrival, we starting cooking dinner and partaking in the nights festivities. On a snowboarding trip in a small apartment hosting 7-8 people and one bathroom, people tend to throw hygiene out the window, or at least minimize the amount of showering time that takes place. That meant, "no hair washing;" and that is how it all started!

I had briefly seen a Buzzfeed article about a girl who hadn't washed her hair in three years, but I didn't read it. But for some reason, when I was standing in the hair product aisle a couple of days later, that article popped into my head. I thought, if she can do it, so can I! And here I am, months later, with healthy and clean-looking hair (I even have great volume!).

Taken April 4, 2014 (just after I let my hair down from a ruffled bun) - sorry it's webcam quality

I have to be honest, in the beginning, I didn't think I could do it. I hadn't done any research on it, my hair was already starting to become really oily and I hated the fact that I didn't have that silky feeling conditioner gives you after a shower. But once I found out that shampoo actually strips all of your natural oils, causing your scalp to overcompensate causing it to become immediately oily (the reason why I washed my hair everyday), I thought, this cannot be good for my hair! I never looked back. I knew I wanted to give it up.

I cheated once, when I went to get a haircut. There is no better feeling than having someone else wash your hair and getting an incredible head massage along with it. But I immediately regretted it when I had to START ALL OVER.
Not only with the readjustment from my hair, but then my own personal endeavour.

HOW I DID IT:

Like I mentioned, I went cold turkey. I didn't start with organic products or even the vinegar and baking soda mixture. I went straight for the kill and completely cut out everything. I started out simply rinsing my hair thoroughly, scrubbing almost as if there was shampoo in it. It gave me the sensation that I was still "washing" my hair, even though I wasn't. Then once my hair was dry, (I mostly naturally dry, but if in a rush, I will still use a blow dryer) I would add a little baby powder to the roots to help minimize the oily appearance that happens in the beginning.
Since I first started the process, my hair has changed completely. It's less oily, although I still add baby powder on occasion to make it "feel clean," and especially to my bangs that hit my forehead. Now, I only have to rinse it once every couple of days, still scrubbing as if I'm massaging shampoo into it. It's incredible how we don't need hair products to make our hair look and feel healthier. And the interesting part about it - it doesn't smell at all! I know most people ask themselves, "doesn't it start to smell?" but it actually does not. And if you are really considering this lifestyle change and need to have some type of scent in your hair to make you feel clean, I recommend natural oils. Put them on the ends of your hair where your hair becomes the most dry and it will make it feel smoother and give you a "smelly-good" sensation without having to use any products.
Another helpful hint: If you are getting to the point where it's becoming "too much," use the baking soda trick. Before my recent play (I knew I would have to be on stage and wanted to make sure my hair looked especially nice), I took my baking soda into the shower and just scrubbed my roots to give my hair some good volume. I probably didn't need to do this, but again, it stems back to that sensation of cleanliness.

For the future: washing my hair isn't in the plan.

Please let me know if you have any questions, suggestions or comments!

How a Girl Loves Her Daddy

Two days ago, I started the Writer's Digest 12 Day Plan of Simple Writing Exercises to get me inspired to write more and challenge myself to write things I normally don't write. Day one is simple and asks you to create a list of 10 titles to books or articles you would like to write in the future. That I did, and have no moved on to day number two.
Day number two says: Create a character with personality traits of someone you love, but with the physical characteristics of someone you don't care for.
After much thought and realization that there aren't many people I don't care for (which makes it a little difficult), I decided to go with someone who I don't actually know but who has become, over the past 7 months, someone who has affected me in a strange and not-so-great way. This person need not be named or described.

However, I immediately knew the person of who I wanted to base the personality traits: my daddy.

I first want to mention that throughout my life, my parents have been two of the most supportive and influential people in my life. They have been my backbone, my biggest fans, my coaches, my friends and most importantly, the ones to tell me "how it is." They did a great job raising me, understanding my need for space, dealing with my strong personality and being there for me when I needed them most. They are the ones who push me to be a better person, to explore the world and find who I am, to educate myself and grow from all that I learn; and they are the ones who encourage me to be the best I can be, even if that means changing my mind a thousand times before I find my niche. On the second hand, I cannot shy from saying that my Aunt Faye (my god mother) is also one of those amazing people in my life who has done exactly the same. These three people appreciate me for all that I am and will ever be and I can say that I have some of the best family a girl could ever ask for.
As I was thinking about whose personality I would base a character off, I knew I wanted to choose between these three important people in my life. If I had to use the physical characteristics of someone I didn't like, I damn well better make this person have be best personality traits they could have. And that's why I chose my daddy.

Parents are always right. Plain and simple. They've been through it all, or at least 'most of it.' They know how it used to be, how it is and how it's probably going to be. They are the all-seeing and the all-deserving. The things that you once took for granted are the things you appreciate the most, now. The things that didn't matter then, turn to be one of the most important things in your life. We grow up, we mature and we realize: our parents were right!
I used to take my parents and family for granted, thinking that they would always be there, that I would always be able to talk to them, they would always have my back and they would always be around to antagonize me. Well my mom still wins the award for that last one (laughs); but as I've grown up and matured, I realize those first two won't and aren't always around anymore. Now living abroad for the second time in my life, I am able to reflect on the things that I once overlooked - how amazing my family is. My family will always have my back, that is certain, but as time goes on, the years start passing by quicker and quicker, the mind starts settling on things that aren't certain and you long to appreciate those more and more.

My Daddy:

I've never met a man who is as humble as my daddy. It's rare to find anyone in this world today who offers the amazing personality trait of being humble, but to have one in my life is the most precious gem a girl could ask for. He is the kind of person you know you can count on, who will be there for you on your best of days, but will be there even more on your worst. He is the kind of person that loves with his whole heart and would give the shirt off his back to the ones he cares most about. He is a man of many trades and works with his hands to build things, but works with his heart to build relationships. He's one of the most loyal and caring people I know, giving his time and energy to helps those in his life. He's the best listener, offering advice only when asked; has a good head on his shoulders and a warm soul. He's not afraid to tell you if he feels like you're taking advantage of him or pushing the limit, but has such a soft side that makes your heart melt when you see him hurting or sad. He wants nothing more than your safety and to know that you're doing okay and his hugs are the best things in the world. He's patient and kind and doesn't need much to live a happy life. He's silly and goofy and makes you laugh, because even when his jokes aren't that funny, he tries anyway and his quirky smile makes you giggle! I know his hardships through life have shaped him into the person he is today, the great dad is has been throughout my entire life and the strong heart he gives to the ones he loves. I know I haven't mentioned any of his flaws, but when you have a person like my daddy whose personality shines so bright to the people around him, you can't help but smile and be thankful that you are blessed to have someone like that in your life. And I know I don't know everything about my dad... but the one thing I do know is that I long to be more like him.