What's the opposite of a Pet Peeve? You know, when you see something you really like? What's that called?
I don't know what it's called. But here's something that I like. I like it when I see women in hijab with their cell phones shoved in there so they can talk "hands free":
I've learned a lot of stuff in my lifetime. Lots. (Mostly the hard way by screwing up real bad.)
Today, I'm gonna share the single most important thing I ever learnt in my whole entire lifetime. It's from my good friend Anna Gustafson and it's these five words:
I started this post a while ago because I wanted to share all of my favorite things with the world. I could only think of one thing at the time and saved it as a draft to add more things later. And then I never did.
So, here you go. An incomplete list of all of my favorite things:
New
to A Lady Reveals Nothing? You've missed SO MUCH. Not to worry. Every Sunday, I
dig through the archives to repost an old favorite. Mostly because I'm too lazy
to come up with new content every single day. Enjoy! I wrote the following article as a guest post for The Karina Chronicles back on 4/12/12:
If you’re going to spend any amount of time traveling, chances are at some point you’ll be hosted by a stranger. These tried and true methods will guarantee an invitation to return:
Get Into the Culture
Do some advance research and find out all that you can about your Hosts' culture. In Samoa, it's impolite to speak to someone seated if you are standing. In Thailand, its very rude to point the bottom of your foot at someone. In some cultures it's not OK to refuse an offer of food. Research will help you know what to do in such situations, but more often than not you'll be glad to accept -- like the time I was given fresh sugar cane in Samoa:
Delicious! But let's speak at eye level, OK?
Don't Hole Up
Plan to be social at least part of the time. You'll make your Hosts feel very uncomfortable if you hideout in your room twenty-four-seven. If you need to sleep off some jet lag, politely explain but make plans to join them for coffee or a meal the next day. Leave No Trace
Leave your clothes and toiletries packed away in your suitcase and take them out only when in use. Jump up and clear the table as soon as the after-dinner conversation has waned. If you feel comfortable, wash the dishes. Make your bed every day. When it's time to leave, strip the bed and leave everything folded neatly. Offer to Help
Keep Your Word If you say you're going to arrive at a certain time, stick to it. Stay in touch about your plans and don't stay out too late unless arranged in advance. You'll feel bad if they lost sleep worrying about you. Ask Permission Don't assume anything. Better to ask first. Give a Gift, or Two
Bring a small token from your hometown or the last city you visited. After you've gotten to know them a little better, a nice parting gift specific to their taste and personality is in order. If you’re unsure, treat them to a fancy dinner out. Now it's Your Turn
Learn from your Hosts and vow to pay it forward the next time guests come your way.
Aside from the fact that we were totally neighbors when I lived in New Orleans, the celebrity whose life most closely mirrors mine has and always will be Angelina Jolie. I'm in a long-term relationship, living with the man of my dreams, (and by 'long-term' I mean 'non-existent' and by 'with the man of my dreams' I mean 'alone in the basement of a married couple in their sixties')have scads of children who love me and each other (and by 'children who love me and each other' I mean 'zits on my chin and cheek area'), hmmmm....what else?
Angelina and I have so much in common. She is comfortable around snakes...
...I am comfortable around snakes:
She looks amazing in a bikini in a waterfall...
...I look amazing in a bikini in a waterfall.
She goes to Cambodia and wears no makeup...
...I go to Cambodia and wear no makeup.
Today, though, we truly have more in common than ever.
...we have both appeared in Forbes Magazine.
She, for her Celebrity 100 status and I, for the lil' appearance I made in an article about ladies who travel solo.
"...I knew I wanted to bring in the big guns. I consulted some of the web’s most savvy solo female travelers for their perspective on why going it alone is not as daunting as it seems, their best advice for women taking the vacation-for-one plunge and what makes their personal travel highlight reel."
When I'm living out of a suitcase (or two), obviously I have to keep my belongings to a minimum so that I can fit them back into that suitcase when it's time to move again.
That's not a lot of space. So, what kitchen items do I tuck inside my underwear and jeans, and move around the country with me so that I can feel a tiny sense of normalcy in my "homes away from homelessness"?
# 1 Cook's knife and Cutting Board:
(Yes, that's two things but they go together. Shut up.)
You know I love chopping vegetables. It's probably my favorite activity, after pinching zits and singing karaoke. So for me it was worth investing in a really good all-purpose knife (back when I had a real job, of course.) My Cook's knife was expensive, but I use it for every single knife job in the kitchen. Meat, tomatoes, fruit, veggies, everything. If you have some knife skills this puppy'll mince your garlic super tiny. I've had it for years and I only sharpen it like once a year because that's when I see my mom and dad and I make them do it.
My cutting board is just a standard wooden number that I picked up at World Market years ago. Most furnished apartments stock plastic cutting boards and that just does not work for me. I prefer wood to plastic 1,000 times over and so I bring mine wherever I go.
#2.
Pour-Over Coffee Maker:
This is how the Brazilians make their coffee. And the Brazilians are crazy for coffee. Summer teases me because I call this my "pour-over machine". But it doesn't do anything. It just sits on top of your coffee cup and basically holds the filter in place while you slowly pour hot water over your grounds and voila! I swear pour-over makes the very best coffee. If you're making for more than one person then you just use more grounds and a bigger container underneath. Easy. You can pick one up for less than five bucks. Starbucks also sells porcelain versions if you're not into plastic.
#3.
My 'K' Coffee Cup:
Summer gave this to me. It makes me feel like I belong wherever I am. K is for Kady!
BONUS ITEM:
And, if I have the luxury of driving to my destination, thus facilitating a little more extravagance in the items I choose to bring, I will add a fourth bonus kitchen item:
#4.
Electric Kettle:
Most other people in the world employ this handy little dandy. Why Americans do not I'll never know. They're just not as popular here, so they're a little harder to find. I picked mine up at Herberger's I think for about $35. It's made by Black & Decker. I use it in the morning for my pour-over coffee and at night for my Hot Toddies. Obviously you can heat water in any pot or a tea kettle on the stove, but once you've used an electric kettle you'll understand. They're just ten times faster. I've even been known to get my pasta water boiling in the kettle so I don't have to wait forever for the pot.
I spent much of 2010 & 2011 traveling the world, living out of a backpack. Here are twelve things I learned:
1) I Never Met a Stranger
If you aren't able to speak the language of the country in which you're traveling, that's OK. This deaf woman and I had a 45 minute conversation using only our hands. Smile. Learn a few phrases in every language. 'Hello', 'Goodbye', 'Thank You' and 'Excuse Me' go a long way.
The less stuff you have, the less stuff you have to carry.
4) People are People.
All over the world people are pretty much the same. Mostly, they're nice.
Indonesia.
5) Face Fears.
They're not that scary when you're staring them in the face. I'm claustrophobic and deathly afraid of sharks. But pass up on a chance to dive the Great Barrier Reef? Not this gal.
Australia.
6) Slow Down.
Going slowly reduces stress, and costs a lot less. The best lesson I learned is how to relax, breathe, quit scheduling and enjoy life at a much slower pace. You'll see and experience so much more.
7) Pack a Towel.
There are always going to be spontaneous trips to a waterfall, the ocean or a pool. A towel also makes a great blanket and/or pillow on a long bus ride.
Nicaragua.
8) Try Something New.
Roasted grasshoppers taste just like roasted nuts. Easy. And no, I don't like tripe. But I tried it, which made my adorable Italian-Brazilian hosts very happy.
9) Waiting Isn't So Bad.
A large part of travel is spent waiting. For the bus. For the plane. For the museum to open. Calm down and be prepared. I listened to a lot of free podcasts of This American Life on iTunes. Always have a book handy just in case. You might be surprised to find you actually look forward to times when you're able to just. Wait.
10) Everything's Negotiable.
Another helpful phrase to learn in the language of the country you're visiting is 'I don't have a lot money'. I brought this home with me, and now I'll frequently ask for discounts while shopping or dining out. The majority of the time I succeed.
11) Accept Hospitality Graciously.
There are so many opportunities while traveling to be gracious and allow people to show their hospitality. I had to learn this one, because it doesn't come naturally. Smile, say 'thank you' and vow to pay it forward to the next visitors who come your way.
I am depressed to report that Summer and I have finished our project here in Louisiana and are being reassigned to Darlington, South Carolina. We leave next Friday. Although I am happy to have a job, excited for a change of scenery and a slow-down in pace, I am very sad to be leaving this amazing city. I love(d) it. Too much maybe. Fortunately for us, we have a week off from work and can spend it doing all the things we didn't get to do thus far. And fortunately for you, I plan to document everything.
In no particular order, an incomplete list of things I love about New Orleans.
1) Complete and utter disregard for traffic laws.
What's that vehicle, you ask?
It can't be. Can it?
Yep. It's an old man. In a wheelchair car. Driving down the middle of the street.
And then crossing that street.
2) Shade tree philosophers. Here, the "median" or grassy area between two lanes of traffic is called the "neutral ground". We found out yesterday that the name comes from ancient times when the two opposing sides (American and the French, Creole, Native American sides) were divided along Canal Street. The grassy area was a "neutral ground" between the sides, and I believe it was where the Louisiana Purchase itself was signed. Anyway, lots of dudes sit in the neutral ground and talk all day long. Some set up chess games, some have picnic tables and some just sit on overturned milk crates:
3) Beads everywhere! Even in the trees!
4) My coworkers. I love them. :(
Left to right: Brandon, Annie, Ernest, Summer (but she doesn't count because she's coming with me).
5) Soul Food:
Fried catfish, shrimp, baked mac and cheese with sausage and green beans from Gloria's Place.
6) The yummy smell of my street when they wash it with soapy sudsy water once a week:
7) The skyline view from the ferry to Algiers:
8) Our apartment....
9) The way people alter the One Way signs. Some say "One Day", some say "One Love", etc.
10) Distinguished gentlemen having a chat on the street corner.
11) Lionel Batiste. Oh yah. I met the coolest cat in the French Quarter last night. This is the third time I've seen him and each time he keeps getting cooler and cooler. I kept my cool though as I asked for this photo. Kind of. I think I asked him to marry me. If I wasn't on my way to Darlington, I just might have had a chance.
I dare you to show me anybody cooler than Mr. Batiste.
I will be back. Oh yes, I will. Lionel and I This city and I belong together.
I guess if I'm going to choose to drink beer in bed...
I done had a accident.
...I really should use the nightstand and not set the bottle on the volatile soft cushion-y surface of the mattress.
(Yes that's a can of Dr. Scholl's foot odor spray, a bra and a laptop in my bed. Yes, that's a hilariously huge pair of underwear I've got on. Not sure why I'm embarrassed of those things, when it's clearly a photo to be embarrassed of for other reasons.)
Tonight, I figured out a solution at the Verdi Mart. Beer with a cap on it!! (Yes that's Miller High Life and yes it's 32 ounces. What?)
This kind of reminds me of a Facebook thread between my mom and me:
I still haven't made my bed, Mom.
A complete list of the items in my bed besides me, the Miller High Life (and the bowl with the chicken leg) in it: Dr. Scholl's foot odor spray.
A bra. My laptop. 2 t-shirts. An external hard drive. My camera. A New Orleans guidebook. Headphones.
My mom's travel hairdryer she lent me for this trip.
Bookbag.
3 books.
2 magazines.
A calendar.
1 pair of pants.
A watch.
Two bracelets.
A bottle of nail polish.
Phone charger.
iPod charger.
My purse.
It's not all Sunshine and Lollipops here in New Orleans...I have a few gripes. Here is an incomplete list of the 'Banes of My French Quarter' Existence here in New Orleans:
MULE CARTS.
These stupid mule-driven tourist carts drive around the French Quarter all day long and all night long. There are tons of them, and they are so annoying because they drive really really slow in order to explain every detail of the French Quarter to visitors for an exorbitant price. Did you know that 75% of all wrought iron in the French Quarter was imported from France, and the rest? Yes, it's made right here in the USA. BORING. You better hope you never get stuck behind one if you're in a hurry. They also have no headlights or tail lights or concern for traffic laws. It really makes you want to NOT "Stay Back 15 Feet". In fact it makes you want to drive your car into the back of the cart and make the Minnesotans go flying. (It's not their fault. I love Minnesotans.)
A couple of Kady-isms have been inspired by this particular bane of my French Quarter existence:
"There is no headlight on that mule and that's dangerous."
"Ugh...that mule is in my spot."
Here's video of how ANNOYING THEY ARE. It does not help that we live around the corner from Brad and Angelina (who get their house's picture taken at 0:16 and aren't even here right now).
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2AM GARBAGE SERVICE.
OK. I do love being able to throw garbage bags from our apartment down onto the sidewalk. That's kind of the system here. You just put a straight up garbage bag on the street. And then, about three to four times per day, the garbage truck comes by and gets them. What I don't like is the 'middle-of-the-night' pick up time because it wakes me up pretty much every night. I stumbled out of bed at 2am to take this video of how LOUD it is. And, during the day of course it's just one more irritating traffic obstruction (see 1:24 in the video.) Also note at 1:31 how they just send the plastic bins flinging anywhere and they land where they land. Summer and I have seen them careen into parked cars. And when they fling the bags, the garbage juice goes everywhere all over the street, which is why you don't ever want to go barefoot like I did that one night. *cough*
You can skip the middle part of the video, it's just a bunch of boring garbage juice being squeezed out of the bags by the squisher. (One of my secret 'What-if' fears is 'What-if' I accidentally jump into a garbage truck just as the squisher comes down?)
During today's 5:30AM pick up, when I was still trying to sleep, I got to listen to them fight with each other about streets and boundaries and who was supposed to be where and who was stealing who's street. The fight ended with a "YOU BETTER TAKE A RIGHT ON CANAL. YAH. RIGHT ON CANAL."
First off, I hate the whole 'Tall/Grande/Venti' thing, and refuse to be a part of it. I always just order 'Small/Medium/Large' like a normal person. But that's not why this Starbucks sucks. This Starbucks sucks because they have the slowest employees I have ever experienced, and none of them know anything about coffee. Here is an example of the conversation:
Starbucks Employee (SE): "What can I get for you?"
Me: "Large cold press with a half-inch of cream."
SE: "What?"
Me: "Large cold press with a half-inch of cream."
SE: "What's cold press?"
Me: Seriously? You're the one who works at a COFFEE SHOP. "Large. GUH... VENTI. ICED COFFEE. Half-inch. Cream."
And of course I end up with a large cream with a half-inch of iced coffee, which prompted Summer to say, "75% of Americans think a half-inch is this big *demonstrates four inches with thumb and forefinger*. I know this because I'm a hair dresser."
Also, I have never actually seen Paul Rudd's taller, cuter doppelgänger, and am beginning to think that Summer made him up. Because, honestly, how can you get any taller or cuter than this?:
Seriously, every time we drive by this guy, run by this guy, or walk by this guy, and I mean it's like every day, because his little stand is just down Decatur, I just get really ANGRY. Don't you think it's a little hot out for a wool hat? I hate the beret. That's right Jude Acers. I Hate Your Hat.
