Reframing – and my dog is a drug addict.

Posted on June 30, 2011 by admin

ok so look – I know I said the next blog was going to be about the value trifecta but I changed my mind. :) If I waited until that blog was ready – I wouldn’t blog for a LONG time. And then I just read Vanessa’s blog about Dog Soup, and yes it was made with REAL DOGS siiiiiick (but for realz – go read it!!! I laughed OUT LOUD) and I remembered that I once said I would NEVER eat cow tongue – NEVER EVER EVER!!!!

But then HE happened:

And I DID eat it because you see that guy above? I fell in love with him. And he lived in Honduras for a few years and he said, “Trust me – it’s good.” So I did.

And I liked it.

siiiiiick

But I really did like it – which is still siiiiiick but when cooked correctly – very succulent! ;) But ANYWAY life is unpredictable and you never know when you might change your perspective – so…. what I really want to talk about today is CHANGE. :)

Reframing – a necessary tool

Reframing has been one of, if not THE biggest factor in my ability to accept, change and move forward. It allows you (or me! YAY!) to change your ENTIRE pattern of thinking without feeling like a poser ;) It lets you save face – *YAY* – and it lets you stay true to your values even while changing your mind on big issues. And the best part!!! If you are logical and keep an open heart and mind, reframing can create change or at least cause ripples immediately.

p.s. I MAY have thrown in a few confessions here and there to keep this post spicy. ;) So back to blogging …

WHAT IS REFRAMING?

Wikipedia “…reframing a situation or context, thus sees a situation in another frame. A frame can refer to a belief, what limits our view of the world. If we let this limiting belief go, new conceptions and interpretation possibilities can develop...”
Changingminds.org “..A frame, or ‘frame of reference’ is a complex schema of unquestioned beliefs, values and so on that we use when inferring meaning. If any part of that frame is changed (hence ‘reframing’), then the meaning that is inferred may change.”
NLP Reframing “…Changing the frame of an experience can have a major influence on how you perceive, interpret and react to that experience.”
On a simpler note – reframing can be as simple as understanding that “truth” with a lower case t, CAN have more than one side. And just because you experience or perceive ONE truth – it doesn’t mean there can’t be an equally compelling truth if you look at the situation from another direction.

Btw – Chloe – my dog who is a bumbly bear – hurt her leg and was limping a lot. So I took her into the vet.

She’s now on drugs.

BENEFITS OF REFRAMING:

Allows acceptance
Allows forgiveness
Creates a new reality
Has life-changing potential
And I think Chloe is now a drug addict.

EXAMPLE

The other night she kept looking at me with her happy smile.

Pant, pant, pant, puppy eyes, smile, pant pant pant. I couldn’t figure out what she wanted!! I said, “Show me” and she lead me into the kitchen…. uh oh – the kitchen? This had trouble written ALL over it.

I went to the treat jar – no no – she didn’t want that. SHE – piggy of all piggies!!! – WALKED AWAY FROM THE TREAT JAR!! So I asked if she wanted to go outside – she took two MORE steps back and sat down with stubborn determination. She was NOT going to go outside.

Pant pant pant. More puppy eyes. SMILE!!! WAG WAG!

“Chloe bear – WHAT do you want?”

WAG WAG WAG WAG WAG WAG WAG WAG – she went back to where the treat jar was - and that’s when I noticed. Her pain pills were sitting RIGHT next to the treat jar. *oh boy* My dog wanted drugs. My dog is a drug addict. ***SHOCK OF ALL SHOCKS!!!*** Well – ok – maybe it’s only *mostly shocking* she is a little chubby wubby lazy bear – it doesn’t surprise me TOO much that she likes a lil something something extra to help her stay EXTRA lazy. ;)

OK!!!! BACK TO REFRAMING!!! Though you will find that I tie my confessional of Chloe back into reframing in a bit but for now – If you want a great life changing personal example of how a bloggy friend/reader helped ME reframe – I’d recommend reading the following posts – I went from feeling like an utter failure with every reason (in my mind) to logically believe so – to just days later understanding that there was another side and that I may have been too hard on myself. ALL FROM THE HELP OF ONE COMMENT!!!! Sure I still feel like a failure on many levels – just not the same ones. :)

Post One: My Self Measure Means Failure

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

This quote … depresses me because it screams at me, “YOU ARE A FAILURE!” A complete and pathetic failure with no backbone and no sense of identity. (Read more if you want)

Post Two: I told the Dr. I didn’t know who I was

I remember, at the age of 25, when I went to see a psychiatrist.

“What can I help you with Daisy?”

“I don’t know who I am, what I want from life, or what I like.”

He looked at me with surprise. He and I had met before. …. He had always believed I was very self-assured, confident and independent. How could I not know myself? (Read more about my search for identity AND find suggestions to help you find out more about your OWN self YAY! )

Comment on Post Two because I turned comments off on Post One: Phoebe’s paradigm shifting comment

“This sort of relates more to your last post, but I think maybe you’re failing to recognize that the fact that you didn’t just allow everyone who was trying to make you conform means that you actually WERE “finding yourself” all of…” (read the rest) and Thanks again Phoebe!!!

Post Three: A New Perspective to my Failure (with a side note on the dangers of “comfort zones”)

…Is it possible that I’m not such a failure after all?…although I may not have known my mind completely – I was learning what I didn’t like. :) I did play along with “THEM” and played the part – but I suppose I never really conformed did I?… Maybe I need to have a little more faith in myself. :) I never conformed in my heart. Never. And looking at the circumstances I pushed through – I feel safe to say I never will.

And back to Chloe, the drug addict.

MAYBE – just maybe – she’s NOT a drug addict. MAYBE – just maybe – she likes the cream cheese I wrap her pills in. AAANNNDDDD Maybe – just maybe I might have discovered, after testing, she is equally happy with a tiny dab of cream cheese as she is with a pain pill wrapped in cream cheese.

So in conclusion. :) Reframing – keeping an open mind – looking for another side or being willing to hear another side – continually giving the “benefit of the doubt” and actively searching for ways to confirm this benefit of the doubt you gave - INCLUDING GIVING THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT TO YOURSELF (and Chloe) – this may not seem like much. But I promise you:

Reframing has the power to permenantly change a frown upside down and to help you accept (yourself or others), forgive (yourself or others), move forward, and provide new realities that might unlock a newer, happier you.

Please feel free to email if you have questions or would like more information. Daisy@australiandaisy.com or watch for upcoming installments on areas of life that might benefit from reframing. And as said before – watch for an upcoming post on Humility!

Oh! Oh! AND I’m GOING TO WASHINGTON D.C. for the first time TO CELEBRATE JULY 4, 2011 with my honey!!!!!

Please wish me SAFE TRAVELS!!! YAY!!!

And I wish those of you in the United States a

VERY HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!

I’ll post pictures upon return. :)

My heart’s a stereo – and I’m going to start sharing “deep stuff” ;)

Posted on June 25, 2011 by admin

But there! I said it – I got it out of the way. We can move forward. :) haha – ok I’m not like COMPLETELY changed. My sense of humor is still about the same. :) which let’s be real – that is a HUGE SIGH OF RELIEF!!!!!

YAY!!!!!

You see, I LOVE to laugh and I think I’m funny. So the fact that I STILL think I’m funny?!?!! Wahoo!! :)

Anyway I’m only mentioning this because I’ve done moderately well at being “adjusted” despite my – umm – well – my life. I’ve tried to maintain a happy perspective, I’ve worked at being optimistic and I’ve NEVER taken the “why me?” attitude; though I have most certainly wondered about the purpose of life. But I’ve adjusted; I’ve adapted. I’m still here and most days I’m still laughing. :)

Up until recently I didn’t want to really admit or fully accept that my past IS my past. Ok – I still don’t. I HATE what’s happened. I hate the fact that SO MUCH has happened. There has been so much heart ache, so much loss, so many tears and so much FEAR. I hate WHY things have happened. I hate the parts I played in making some of it happen. And I hate the parts that I couldn’t prevent from happening. But now I’m willing to admit what I’ve gained from it. And that is a WHOLE LOT!!!!

I am *willing* to appreciate this acquired knowledge from those experiences I didn’t want. Yes, “willing.” It’s not like I didn’t recognize what I learned, but I resented it in many, many ways. The resentment is going, if not gone, and I am now grateful for the perspectives, attitudes, insights and wisdom I have taken away from it all. It gives me hope, and takes away some of the despair.

“We who have lived in anguish for so long have discovered a way to live in serenity, one day at a time, and our greatest joy is to share this way of life with others.” – As we understood p. 231.

I don’t think I’ll ever look back at my story without grimacing or frowning; without getting frustrated, being disappointed, and crying. But at least now I can be grateful for the things I am able to understand because of my trials. The difference between then and now is that I’m ready to share what I’ve discovered about hope, communication, accountability, self-esteem, acceptance, faith, humility and courage.

So that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to start sharing. I hope it helps someone. :)

My next blog will be on the value trifecta – humility, honesty and courage but IN THE MEANTIME!!!! Let me share with you my new favorite-est-est-est song!!! I’ve mentioned that my BF and I have a soundtrack of US. This song makes it on the list. The lyrics ring true in my heart. I love J, and I WOULD carry him around even if he were an old school 50lb boombox, and I’d hold him on my shoulder wherever I walked, and turn his volume up in front of the cops, and crank it higher every time they told me to stop. hee hee Yes – My heart’s a stereo.

The 7 Layer Bean Dip That’s Better Than Hers – RECIPE

Posted on June 13, 2011 by admin

Soooo… my boyfriend is a huge sports fan. Loves to play, loves to watch, loves to talk SPORTS. Sports, sports, sports, sports!

Hip hip hooray!

I’ve never dated a guy who is super duper into sports and none of my 3 brothers or dad are into sports. So the past 8 months have been quite the sports cultural experience! I’m learning all sorts of things. Like who the ~~sexiest~~ hottest players in the NBA are and oh wait *blush* I meant hot as in “on fire” and have a great shooting average!! ;) and the difference between a flagrant and a team foul. :) YAY!

I’ve also learned that girls like to try and use sports as a way to request time with my boy. HAHA! That’s cool with me. :) The more the merrier! I love playing hostess!! :) YAY! And what’s better than making new friends? Double yay!

HAHAHAHA! I guess I misunderstood. Apparently, watching a sports game with a single attractive male is secret girl code for “I have a crush on you” and watching a sports game with a boy and making him BEAN DIP is secret girl code for “I want you to fall madly in love with me”. Who knew?

Anyway – you can imagine my surprise when the BF introduced me to a fellow “sports fan” who couldn’t bring herself to make eye contact with me and then – wait what? Oh no you didn’t. Bean dip? Did you seriously just invite my boyfriend to come over and watch an NBA playoffs game at your house – alone – so that he could have your amazing bean dip? And you did this IN FRONT OF ME??

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh sweetheart – first off, my boyfriend doesn’t play that way and *happy sigh* how great was it when he said, “Well, you could for sure come down and watch the game with us sometime. That’d be fun!” to your invitation? It was pretty great. Secondly, although I AM impressed by your wikipedia memorization skills when it comes to the NBA – my boyfriend loves teaching me about sports and thought it was cute that it took me 10 tries before I remembered the correct way to pronounce Niwitski, and lastly, by mentioning your AMAZING bean dip all you did was encourage me to learn to make a better, yummier, and better looking bean dip than yours. ;)

So – I guess thanks are in order.

Thanks for the idea!!! The BF LOOOOOOOVVVVEEEEDD it!!!

But for real – he did. :) YAY!!!! I love being his girlfriend. <3<3<3 It’s my favorite!!

7 layer Bean Dip

2/3 can of black refried beans
Salsa
Chunked, grilled chicken (about 2 cups)
Shredded Cheese
Sour Cream
Guacamole
Chopped Tomato
Sliced Olives (1 can)
8×8 or there about container.

Microwave the beans and then add an equal part of Salsa, stir it up, cover and set aside.
Heat up the chicken.
Smooth the bean/salsa mixture on the bottom of your container (it should still be warm)
Distribute the chicken evenly over the beans
Cover with shredded cheese
Smooth over a thin layer of sour cream
Smooth over a thin layer of guacamole
Sprinkle diced/chopped tomato on guacamole
Sprinkle sliced olives over tomatoes

Serve right away with chips! YUM!!!

Spring has SPRUNG!

Posted on May 4, 2011 by admin

I love summer. I ADORE Fall. I hate winter and I am always excited for Spring!!! YAY!!! This year our spring came early but also very timidly. It’s often chilly. We decided to make the most of our lovely Spring Saturday by – well – springing! ;)

AAANNNDDD playing. :)

I love my nieces!!!! And I consider myself the luckiest aunt in the world because they love me too!! :)

YAY!!! And now – on to my new favorite spring song – which just so happens to fit perfectly in line with springing and being sprung. Please enjoy Ingrid Michaelson’s “Parachute”. :) I could listen to this song all day. <3 heart my boy <3

TMI: Orange – yellow and red

Posted on April 16, 2011 by admin

Today I leaned over my bathroom sink and – before I go any further I should warn you that what I’m about to tell you is kind of gross – but not like disgusting – just gross as in the kind of gross you totally want to share, but only with your brothers.

Yeah like that.

ORANGE. That’s what dripped into my sink. FROM MY NOSE! Orange. I couldn’t even prevent it. I have such a terrible sinus infection that puss is literally pouring from my sinuses. yeah. It’s THAT kind of sick. I’m THAT kind of sick/ill. And I think I’ve just changed my mind. It is pretty disgusting.

Siiiiiiick.

In other news, I also have bronchitis, pharyngitis and a double ear infection. Lucky me!

Oh hello there! What? Oh you said yellow? Yellow to you too! And no I’m not doing too fine today. I’m a little blue. But orange you glad I didn’t say goodbye?

Why yes. Yes I am.

Dr. Dre vs. Lady Gaga: Instant Immersion in Ghettospeak

Posted on April 2, 2011 by admin

My mom speaks a few foreign languages: twitter, text-talk, file-sharing, Facebook, Emoticons and Pretend Ghettospeak. She’s only fluent in Emoticons – the rest she speaks with an ultra-conservative-mom-from-the-fifties accent. And the first time she threw down a “True that” for me I laughed so hard I didn’t know if I’d stop. *hee hee*

Anyway – My mom is pretty rad. :)

Today’s story happened over the weekend. We were driving along and “I love it when they call me big poppa” started playing on the radio and I had to make a choice. Change it because I’m in the car with my MOM! Or leave it and see what my mom thinks. I hesitated. The song is about “Seeing some ladies who should be having my babies” and yeah … that’s when I noticed my cute mom tapping her leg to the beat.

*Pause while I play the memory back in my mind. AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!*

Needless to say, I left it on the hip hop station. When a lil Jeremih feat 50 Cent came on she asked, “This is hip hop right?” and that’s when I knew.

My mom was attempting to refresh her Pretend Ghettospeak with a bit of instant immersion into hip hop. Something she, before this weekend, couldn’t fully distinguish from pop or rap.

Yes – I said “before this weekend” because AS OF TODAY my mom not only has opinions on hip hop, pop and rap but can tell the difference. *big cheesy smile*

Her verdict?

Pop is ok. Lady Gaga wasn’t particularly impressive. But HIP HOP?? Now THAT is something that makes you want to shake.

Yes that’s right. My mom has good taste. And you should be even MORE impressed that her verdict came while listening to Dr. Dre’s “Kush” (but she listened to the edited version.) She said that hip hop, more than pop, really makes you want to “shake” and then she asked me if “shake” was the right word.

Bahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

I screw things and my mom giggles

Posted on April 2, 2011 by admin

*Archived from January 2010*

I went and did a little shopping with ma mère today. It was pretty sweet.

And so is the fact that I added the accent over that e.

Anyway – at Best Buy I was asking the super awkward sales guy in the camera section about their different tripods. (Awkward as in he probably blushes when he walks past Victoria’s Secret so purposefully takes alternate routes to the video game store to buy his Wizard Dragon 4000 trading cards.) He told me the perfect tripod for me depends on how many knobs I’m willing to hassle with; many of them are screws.

And then I, in perfect Daisy style, say – out loud, “I don’t mind screwing a lot of things.”

It got a little quiet and a few people looked at me. My mom giggled. Why? Maybe it was because I had JUST said in my 10 yard whisper voice for the entire camera section to hear:

“I don’t mind screwing a lot of things.”

Wow.

So I stuttered an awkward, “That sounded bad.” And the sales guy looked incredibly uncomfortable, refused to make eye contact with me OR my mom, picked up a different tripod and changed the subject.

Must Love Dogs – and occasional slobber

Posted on April 1, 2011 by admin

*Archived from September 2010*

They really don’t slobber much. In fact, they’re the least slobberiest dogs I’ve ever met – unless it’s the middle of the summer and we’re playing ball. BUT HOOOOLLLLDDD up – that’s why we have a ball launcher *smile* so I don’t have to touch the squishy ickiness that becomes the fuzz on our tennis balls (that double as squeak toys.)

But to be honest – I HAVE touched the squishy ickiness that is the fuzz on a slobbery tennis ball. I’ve also had fur all over my clothes – and well – all over my life. I buy lint rollers in bulk.

When Chloe had an infected hair follicle (sooo nasty) I had to watch the vet clear out her cyst. And then because the vet did A HALF-ASSED JOB she developed a full on skin infection – and it was ME who cut back her hair late at night, applied ointments, watched in horror as cyst infection squirted out of her back, got doggy blood on my hands and sat up all night with her worried sick.

The bonds my dogs and I have are strong. I love them. I raised them – yes – I RAISED them. And as every good dog owner knows – they HAVE become little reflections of me. I wouldn’t give them up for the world.

I’ve been told over and over again that my dogs will prevent me from finding a love match. Too much hair, too much maintenance, too much DOG. Maybe if I had one … but TWO?? I’m committing diamond ring suicide.

HAHA! I’m ok with that. There’s no sparkle that makes my heart sing like the one in my girls’ eyes when they look at me. There’s no clarity to match their clear and instinctive judge of character. There’s no color better than the color of their aura. There’s no cut or shape that’s better than their perfect little noses. And there’s no carat size as large as their unconditional love.

Facades, authenticity, presentation and you – or me

Posted on April 1, 2011 by admin

*Archived from May 2009*

If you have been following this blog and have been reading between the lines it will come as no surprise to you that I suck at life right now. :) Yes I put a smiley face there. Why? Because there’s no point frowning about it is there? Plus it’s a bit amusing to think about the fact that someone could “suck at life” – I realize the inherent EVERYTHING in that statement mmm kay? But I chose to use the statement anyway. Because I do suck at life right now – but my presentation is still up to par.

It occurred to me that the only people who would know I suck at life right now are people who caught the few confessional blogs recently or the few friends I’ve let in on it. Other than that and well – my international student adviser and my teachers at school (who OMGOSH- AGH!!!) – no one would have any clue.

Someone questioned my authenticity because I appear to have everything under control when I FEEL as if nothing is under control. This really bothered me. Does it make me less authentic because I choose not to tell everyone I meet that my sky is falling? Does it make me less authentic if I maintain a certain level of vanity when my inner life is scattered and chaotic? Why do I have to LOOK like a disaster just because my life is one? And why the H.E.DOUBLE do I need to act like a disaster if I have personal troubles? I don’t!!!

Life is what you make it. I can control SOME things. Other things are outside of my control. The things I CAN control – I do. Why does that make me not authentic?

Ok so I maintain appearances. I participate in the normal life activities. I still LAUGH and SMILE and crack jokes and go to parties even though I’ve cried more in this past few months than I have in the past year. THAT DOESN’T MAKE ME FAKE! It just means I’m a fighter and I’m fighting to be happy.

I believe our thoughts follow our actions. And even when my thoughts are less than happy I still try and live a normal, happy, active life. Why is that such a crime?

What do you think? To be authentic do you need to ACT depressed when you FEEL depressed? Is it ok to look good when you’re not feeling well? Does it make you fake to seem happy, in control, and on top of the world when you don’t always feel that way?

I think the next person who questions my authenticity because they ASSUMED my life is perfect and they ASSUMED I’ve had a trial-free past just because I choose to be happy and I LOOK happy – I’m going to tell them to shove it. Just because THEY can’t maintain appearances when their life is going to pieces doesn’t mean that I have to follow suit.

Writing Prompt: 1st person narrative with limited references to self

Posted on April 1, 2011 by admin

The assignment: 500 words. Describe a situation in 1st person with only 2 references to yourself. The idea is to be very descriptive without being too personal. And no they didn’t tell me to write about hippos – all it said was describe a situation in 1st person with only 2 references to yourself – I just thought hippos would be fun.

The Green Tawking Hippo Academy

It’s not like I’ve never been to school before. it’s just… Well, when did hippos start wearing polka dot bikinis?

Maybe the name of the school should have given it away. Green Tawking Hippo Academy for Women. But it sounded so cool! For a budding environmentalist, it seemed perfect! What could be better than a school located in the heart of Tawking Canyon , on the banks of the Green River , and named after an endangered species? Can we say “nothing?”

Oh if only it were that simple and if only Hippos knew how to spell. Even though the school WAS in the middle of Tawking Canyon , the school wasn’t named after it. In fact, it wasn’t named after the Green River either. The founders of the school MEANT to name the school Green Talking Hippo Academy after all of the rich, successful Hippos who work there and can talk. But although these hippos have mastered speaking, they have yet to learn to spell. So yeah - tawking hippos – talking hippos. Talk about a trip!

It wouldn’t really have been so bad to learn from the hippos. They are very unusual peop… umm … they are very unusual mammals. But the hippos weren’t interested in teaching about their ways. Nope. They were more interested in other things; though those other things did APPEAR to be of an environmental nature in the course catalog.

First Period – Blossoming Flowers. “Oh nooooooo, Ms. Nooncy,” the instructing hippo, wearing a burgundy mini skirt and a black tube top, shouted to a fellow classmate. “Grey is the WORST color for you to wear. It blends right into your skin. You must stand out! Be noticed. No wall flowers in my class. We are blossoming flowers! Beautiful! Bold! B… AHH! Ms. Pugmore, a corset is NOT going to help you hold your tummy in – and goodness gracious, why would you want to? We’re hippos – we’re fat – it is our defining feature and we must not try and hide it. Love the skin you’re in Ms. Pugmore. Love it.”

Second Period – Don’t Hunt. The instructor of this class wore the most ridiculous blond wig. It was fantastic! “First things first class.” She said as she paced back and forth in front of the class, “You are all Big, Beautiful, and Bold Hippos.” Long pause. “Now, I want you all to take a deep breath and feel the air cleanse your body, nourishing your beauty. Ok. Down to the important stuff. It is imperative that you, as female Hippos, do NOT, I repeat, do NOT hunt for male hippos. We are NOT rhinoceroses. We are Hippopotamuses and we do not hunt or chase our men like THEY do. Our men chase after us and if they’re LUCKY we may pay them some attention. But as a side note I don’t blame the Rhino men from running away from their women – I mean come on – just look at them! I’d run away from MYSELF if I looked like that.”

Third Period – The Study of Mother Earth. This one HAD to be an environmental class right? A petite hippo, if there is such a thing, stood up in front of the class. “Mother Earth has given us amazing gifts. The gift of water and the gift of earth. If we mix these gifts together we create the gift of beauty. Today we will be learning about mud baths, mud masks and the power we have to be beautiful.”

You know what? Hippos are a little intimidating all on their own. But having to hide behind a rock to avoid being trampled by a herd of hippos racing to the banks of the Green River for a mud bath is down right scary.

Lunch

Fourth Period – Tree Huggers 101 – “And one and two and three and four…” The teacher stopped her squats to welcome the class. “Hello everyone. Go ahead and take your place by a tree stump and rip it out of the ground like this. Ok good. Except you over there – honey I think a tree is too big for you. Why don’t you sit this one out?” No problems there! The rest of the class ripped out their stumps and placed them firmly between their teeth in the proper “hugging” manner. I shook my head and sighed as they did squats, while “hugging” their trees. Apparently it improves balance as well as muscle tone in Hippos. Go figure.

Fifth Period – Meteorology. Everyone raced to the changing rooms after fourth period to change into their bikinis. Hmm … meteorology and bikinis? And then everyone rushed to fifth period – which was being held at the sandy nook along the southern end of the Green River . “Alright class – settle down,” the instructor announced. “Today we learn about how the sun darkens our skin and makes it even MORE beautiful. Find a beach towel, lie down and let the sun soak into your skin. I’ll remind you in a half hour to flip to your other side. I hope everyone remembered to bring their unique bathing suit shapes because you will adore the patterns they leave on your skin later.” Tan lines are adorable? When clothing is optional and you are hippo… seemingly they are.

Not long after everyone had settled in, each covering four beach towels a piece, the principal arrived. After welcoming all the lovely new students she asked “Would the non-hippo please escort me to my office?”

Her office was close by and once she was settled into her snakeskin chair she apologized for a grave misunderstanding. “This is the Green “Tawking” Hippo Academy for Women as you well know, and although you are a woman… you are not a hippo and the school is for talking Hippos only. My sincerest apologies for the misunderstanding.” She went on, “It’s just that dear … when we saw your name – So Hippo – we just knew you had to be one of us. Who else would name their child So Hippo? hahaha! Anyway you’re dismissed.”

Walking out the door I muttered back to her, “It’s Sohi … Poe. The name is Sohi … Poe… NOT so hippo.” Not that the correction really mattered. It may as well be So Hippo to a green “tawking” hippopotamus.