Tag: pets

Life Update: Cats, Careers, and Adjustments

~ Brooke F. ~ 2 Comments

Hello, friends! It’s been a minute, so I thought it was time to check in with a little life update. Some exciting changes have happened recently. The kind of changes that come with cat hair on your clothes and a hard hat in your car.

So let’s get into it.

Meet Lori and Midna

First things first, I got cats. Yes, plural. Two tiny creatures who rule my life with a mix of adorable chaos and constant naps.

● Lori is my white kitten. His full name is Lorrian because every cat needs a slightly dramatic name to match their mysterious personality (he is anything but. He screams at me day and night for love and cuddles). Lori is playful, curious, and oh-so-needy. He desires cuddles at all hours of the day and makes that need known.

● Midna is the queen of the house. She’s my sleek, black cat, full of charm and just a touch of mischief. If you’ve ever played Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, you already know the inspiration behind her name. Midna has the vibe of a cat who knows all your secrets and still loves you anyway though she might judge you a little.

Having two cats has been such a comfort. They keep life entertaining and, somehow, their little purrs can turn a stressful day around in an instant.

I’m an Environmental Scientist!

In bigger news, I officially started my career as an environmental scientist. I’m still wrapping my head around the fact that I get to say that out loud. It’s been an adjustment, for sure. The early mornings, lots of learning, and a hefty dose of responsibility are just a few factors I’m trying to navigate with some level of grace and maturity (along with the fear of failure at ANYTHING.) but I’m so grateful to have landed a job right out of college. It’s one thing to dream about contributing to conservation and environmental work; it’s another to step into the field and do it. I am very blessed and I don’t want to ever NOT acknowledge that.

Some days are filled with fieldwork, which makes me feel like I’m back on the farm, in my element with fresh air and soil under my boots. Other days involve reports, lab safety videos, and presentations, which are equally important (but slightly less glamorous). The balance has been a learning curve, but I’m enjoying it so far though I still have TONS to learn.

Adjusting to This New Chapter

I won’t lie to you guys- life after college feels like I’m faking it till you make it. I think I’ve got it figured out one minute and then feel like I can’t make it in this big world the next. There are moments of confidence followed by flashes of doubt, and that’s okay. I think the most surprising lesson I’ve learned is that nobody really has it all together. We’re all just doing the best we can, whether we’re starting new jobs, adopting pets, or figuring out how to cook something other than spaghetti or tacos.

Between Lori attacking my shoelaces, Midna napping on my laptop, and work keeping me on my toes, life feels full. It’s not perfect, but it’s good. And I’m thankful for that.

That’s it for now! Tell me what’s new with you in the comments—I want to hear about your pets, job wins, or even just the small victories keeping you going. Until next time, I’ll be over here, trying to keep my white kitten from drinking toilet water and my black cat off my keyboard.

Take care!

What’s IN and What’s OUT

~ Brooke F. ~ 6 Comments

Its only 10 days into the new year so why not a fun little post talking about what trends are in and what are out in my opinion? After all, I’m clearly an authority on matters of current crazes and the desires of the masses! I’m obviously qualified as a 20-something college student who spend the majority of her time working or playing videogames from 20 years ago (The Wii and the N64 gaming system is where we peaked, guys), watching movies from 40 years ago and reading books from 50 years ago. Glad we’re all in agreeance here. So, without further and minimal explanation, here are trends that should burn in the fiery pits of the underworld (also known as what’s out).

What’s OUT:

Buying ingredients but never cooking

Calling myself out already? Seriously though, why do ingredients go bad to quickly? Sure, you might say its because fresh veggies aren’t loaded with preservatives, radioactivity, and Lord knows what else but man, its frustrating when I want to cook and that potato I bought a week ago has already sprouted a new plant.


Cheap soap

Because my skin in sensitive.


Grudges

Have I ever mentioned how bitter of a person I can be? Probably not, it rarely comes up in conversation but BOY, can I hold a grudge. Let’s not talk about the pointless hours I’ve spent ruminating about how people who are meanies can get their comeuppance. Perhaps its best such use of my time is left in 2023.


Cruddy socks that need to be replaced

Only saying this because I cleared out my sock drawer recently and it was a sad sight indeed. I need to make a little sock run, I ended up throwing out half of the socks I thought I could wear.


Plain coffee

Time to add syrups and sugars like real men.


Falling asleep to your phone/TV

Guilty as charged. The blue light does wonders for my sleep schedule as I’m sure you can imagine.


Minimalism

Gosh, why did we ever consider this a valid aesthetic? I’m raving against a very specific type of minimalism known as sad grey and sad brown. I’m just too addicted to my cute little trinkets.


6am alarms

I am not a morning person. Far too long I’ve tried to emmulate the “it girl” schedule but alas, twasn’t meant to be. How those girls get up before the crack of dawn, I’ll never know. They have my respect of course but I think I’m going to try for a little more balanced sleep schedule where I spend the last hour of my day cleaning and journaling and getting ahead as opposed to getting up an hour earlier to do such things.


Not complimenting people but still thinking it

I’m so bad about this sometimes. There’s a shortage of compliments out there however and I refuse to contribute to the problem any longer no matter what my social anxiety says.


The color grey

As mentioned before, I’m just not a fan of the sad grey aesthetic.

What’s IN:


Cream soda

Particularly in glass bottles. I used to love these because as Baptist child, I thought they looked like beer. Now, I know much better- they taste oh-so delicious and I don’t have enough cream soda in my life as is. Something that needs to clearly be fixed in the year of our Lord, 2024.


Cute coffee shops

These have always been in but they should remain so.


Taking walks everywhere

I’m a ghostly little victorian child and could use the vitamin D.


Impressionistic art/paintings

I just think they’re nice.


Gas station snacks

Just snacks but on a whole new level.


Retro games

Oldies but goodies.


Pasta

Any and all types of pasta. Alfredo, red sauce… I don’t care. I’m in my pasta arc and have been for the last 4 years.


Formal gowns for no reason

Who says you need a reason to feel like a princess? I’ll vacuum my apartment in a ballgown, just you watch.


Giving people the benefit of the doubt

Perhaps this circles back to the whole “grudges” thing. I’m attempting to move out of my Villain era and into my “Gracious” era.


Microwave popcorn

Stove-top is fun but also time consuming and sometimes messy if you make it like me. The anxiety I feel when pulling the lid off of the pot to dump the newly born popcorns into the bowl is unmatched.


Herb gardens

They smelly good.


Petting as many cats as possible

Listen, friends. I know we petted a lot of cats last year. But, this year, let’s strive to make last year look like rookie numbers. This year, we’re petting ALL THE CATS. (unless of course you’re allergic. I’m so sorry friend).


Body spray

It smelly good.


Changing bedding regularly

We’re not going to talk about how long I’d go without changing my sheets in the past. I cringe, dear sir. But that was the old me. And we refuse to acknowledge her.

So yeah! A pretty comprehensive list but feel free to talk in the comments about what trends we should leave in 2023 or what 2024 should consist of moving forward. I’d love to hear ya’ll’s thoughts.

Anyways, hope you had a happy holiday!