I’m not talking about those delights today, though.
You see, I’m at a terrifying crossroads in my life and I honestly have no idea what to do. As you might guess, it’s related to my recent metaphorical story, but I think it might be a few days yet before I’m able to tell you everything.
The brother and I, about to get into fisticuffs over who is the better table tennis player. (A hint: it’s me.)
I can tell you these few facts, though (and show you random unrelated photos while I’m at it):
1. Tonight, on the phone with my BFF (talking about said crossroads), I shrieked because I saw a huntsman on the window right next to me.
However, it wasn’t a huntsman. It was the window lock. The window lock that has been in the exact same position on the exact same window for the exact same entire 10 months I’ve lived in this house.
I shall never again put non-sexy salad dressing on my lettuce.
2. Yesterday, I was looking for a bathroom in a new building. I followed the signs and, first, saw a door that read “Gents”. Then came a door that read “Cleaner”. After that, the door appeared with the word “Ladies” on it.
I thought: “How lovely, the cleaner gets his/her own bathroom!”
It was about four hours later that something in my brain clicked, and I realised that the “Cleaner” sign would have been for the cleaner’s closet, where all the brooms and disinfectants are stored. It wasn’t a special cleaner bathroom.
(Ooh, now I wish it really had been a cleaner bathroom, where “cleaner” means a place you don’t have to be scared of touching the door handle!)
Ah well.
Best morning tea snack ever.
3. It’s my gospel concert on Saturday! We have rehearsals on Friday night and Saturday afternoon, and today I rushed to the shops to get my costume sorted. First, I had to get my new black pants taken up because I don’t have Miranda Kerr’s legs. Second, I had to buy double-sided “fashion tape” because my new black top likes to turn me into a tramp by showing the world my bra when I’m not paying attention. Who knew gospel could be so expensive?
This is not the Tramp Top. This is the Frilly Top.
4. I think I have to go call my mum now. Crossroads beckon.
{ 65 comments… read them below or add one }
Hannah, oh Hannah! You are really adorable. Your cleaner story cracked me up. That aside, crossroads are daunting. I am going through yet another crossroad in life too, and I know it can be stressful. It’s certainly great that we have friends and family to fall back on. I’m sure you’d emerge stronger:)
Ooohh..good luck and have fun for your concert. Sing your heart out!!
Thank you so much, Kayla. It was a really tough decision, but I think I made the right choice. I hope your crossroads is soon behind you too, and that the next part of your life keeps going wonderfully well!
P.S. I’ll be all sung out by tomorrow night… so many rehearsals!
It’s my favorite kind of post on your blog. One with a pic of your brother.
Double-sided fashion tape is a life necessity. Especially if you happen to actually have breasts larger than a 12-year-old boy’s.
I just laughed so loudly that I probably disturbed my housemate and her boyfriend in that next room.
You know, having breasts smaller than a 12-year-old boy’s requires the tape too. Something about keeping things up…
As the famous Dr Seuss said:
Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?
How much can you lose? How much can you win?
And IF you go in, should you turn left or right …
or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite?
Or go around back and sneak in from behind?
Simple it’s not, I’m afraid you will find,
for a mind-maker-upper to make up her mind.
In other words, have a good think, and then choose one … if it doesn’t work out, there’ll always be another crossroads to meet. Life is full of them.
Thank you so much, my wonderful mother. Your support and encouragement has been invaluable
xoxo
Do it!
The problem wasn’t whether to do it, but what thing to do! Regardless, it’s done
lol I’m constantly scaring myself late at night seeing bugs which are actually mundane objects.
ps. Say hi to your Mum for me
I shall, Helen! And then she’ll scoff at both of us for our insect-fears.
Aww, that is such a cute shot of you and your brother.
And your story about the “huntsmen” outside the window cracked me up ’cause I do stuff like that all the time! Haha!
Thanks Rachel! And arachnophobes unite!
Huntsmen are nasty, whether they turn out to be a window lock or not! I just wish that the one I found last night in my laundry room was a window lock. Or anything other than an actual huntsman but unfortunately, no
Cue: Shut laundry room door, pray that somehow it senses my fear, decides to be kind and quietly extracts itself from the building.
Tash, that is 100% what I would’ve done too. Your logic is flawless
Lies! I was hoping for a bumblebee post! (not really). You are too cute, I love the skirt you’re wearing with the non-tramp top.
And I would like some pink fluff, please. Mail me some, kay?
Jess, I’d love to, but the pink fluff would be AWFUL after going through the postal system. You’ll have to come over instead
You will be ok Hannah. You are a talented writer and have an incredible imagination. You will find a way to put those talents to great use.
Thank you for the cute photos. I’m looking forward to the meaty recipe!
Thank you Margaret. I honestly don’t know what I’ve done to deserve the wonderful support you show me
*hugs*
Sending you lots of ‘clarity’ vibes as you stand it this cross road my dear
and ps – what is with the freaky-long pants these days!!!
Thank you so much, Lisa. I think they helped
P.S. Clearly some designer decided that everyone in the world suddenly grew a billion inches taller?!
Ooh yo look all grown up in workwear
have a great time at the concert!
I shall!
Good luck with the whole ‘crossroads’ thing. Whichever the path, whatever the outcome, it will be wonderful and successful, because that is just who you are. ps. Miranda Schmiranda ~ you have gorgeous legs. That is all.
Thank you Jonathon! It’s hard not to be terrified that I’ll somehow make the “wrong” decision, but I’m trying to stay confident
P.S. Aw, shucks!
One day you’ll look back and wonder what all the fuss was about – I promise. You will be okay
And I’m always here for support or to calm you down when you mistakenly think you’ve seen a huntsman.
I love you a little bit, you know that?
Sometimes I think that it’s you who brings out the silly in me. But, deep down, I know that’s just wishful thinking. The silly is clearly innate.
Only a little bit? Why don’t you love me a HUGE AMOUNT??
And yes, the silly is definitely innate. Perhaps I just call you out on it more than other people.
I love you as much as the universe is infinite, but I didn’t want to embarrass you in front of all these people by saying so
Hmm. Your theory is plausible. But you, in turn, love me for that, I’m sure.
With regard to your mochi post: We recently hosted a Japanese Embassy party, and the freezer was full of mochi. But we forgot it was there. UNTIL A FEW DAYS AGO. And then every 15 minutes or so, one of the interns would sneak down, the freezer door would open, there would be a crinkling of plastic wrap, and then they’d return with a guilty look on their face. Repeat x 20. (It was the ice cream kind, my favorite.)
I look forward to your Big Reveal! In the mean time, I love random fact posts. Maybe more, since I never cook and recipes just make me feel intimidated.
Lauren, I really, really am so delighted and relieved to hear you enjoy the random facts posts. Sometimes I’m scared that they come across as a total cop-out!
I’m so envious of this ice-cream mochi. I want to ask you to send me some, but if you did it would arrive as curdled-milk mochi. Sigh.
I misread the brand name on those salad dressing bottles as “THIS SHIT”.
Women sure do love salad!
I can’t not see it as “this shit” now. Thanks, Jess…
P.S. Double negative win.
I always see ‘people’ out the window that turn out to be something harmless
Oh thank heavens! I’d much rather see a real huntsman than real freaky people!!
I feel woefully cheated. How could you do that? I saw the word bumblebees and, well, I was so excited I could hardly contain myself…and then you let me down. It is just too sad for me to cope with.
But that salad dressing might make up for it.
Vaala, I’m a ball of misery thinking that I’ve disappointed you so terrible. I promise to keep an eye out for real bumblebees and construct a post around them
Your teasing us Hannah…. you know we’re all sitting on the edge of our seats wondering ‘what is she up to’…, but no….. you just keep on a teasin’ us.
Whatever it is., you know you have my support, that goes without saying
Thank you Anna! I’m actually in a position to fill you all in now – decisions have been made. However, weekend is super busy with gospel and then, probably, with collapsing in a heap of exhaustion, but eventually I’ll write about it
haha well you know sexy salad dressing just has to taste better right? I know sex sells but seriously that is funny! And that’s kind of selling it to men. Most of the men that I know don’t eat much salad so perhaps a half naked man on the bottle would do for the female vote?
It’d most likely work on me.
(Actually, I don’t think it would. I’d just laugh hysterically, take a photo, blog it, and never buy it… just like I did here
)
I have also thought I have seen a spider just to turn my head and see the curtain dangly thing – and I have done this many times, that curtain puller-upper just keeps on getting me!
Some might say things like this make us seem ridiculous. I say it shows that we’re constantly vigilant
At least you didn’t think the sign indicated that the middle door opened to a bathroom which was cleaner than the other two. That would have been disappointing when you opened the door.
I only thought of that interpretation when I was writing up this post! I think that meaning would be awesome if it were real
P.S. I kinda want to go back and open the door now, just to see what really is behind it.
I laughed about the cleaner toilet. Good luck with the gospel concert. I think I have said to you before that I once heard that we stress about large decisions but small decisions actually have huge bearing on the direction of our life. And the title of the post made me think of a kids book that I loved when I was at a crossroad a few years ago – dougal the garbage dump bear by matt dray – it cheered me up no end!
I think I’ve read that picture book, but I think I’ll have to google it to make sure we’re thinking of the same story
Yes, I do agree with you about how sometimes small choices make huge differences, but to be honest the large-ish choices of late have each been about big changes too!
Sounds like a stressful time – made me think that this is why a kids book is good at a time like this – because such decisions can leave very little room for concentrating on other things – hope you will be happy with the decision(s) you make
Thank you, Johanna. After some initial worry about the choice I made, I’m now confident it was the right one
And I ADORE children’s books. I’ve always half-thought of doing a “favourite picture books” blog post, actually!
I am sure your decision will take you to interesting places – and yes please write a favourite picture books post – I must write about my friend’s kid’s book soon – Sylvia loves it
I shall try and remember to go through the picture books at my parents’ place on the weekend
You know I’m dying of curiosity to find out what you’re up to. I’m sorry if it’s been at all traumatic, as crossroads can be. I hope everything works out soon, and you can enlighten us!
p.s. Love the frilly top.
Thank you Camille! I’ll actually be able to write about it here sometime in the coming days, when I catch a moment to write about it. It’s probably not going to seem like a big deal to other people, but it’s been tumultuous for me
P.S. Thank you! $9 on sale, woot!
I might argue that we only need loos labeled “Gents” and “Cleaner” – I think we’d all know which to use.
I agree 100%, Teresa. 100%.
I’m totally dying from excitement now – because of your crossroads story *and* the recipes to come! I hope you don’t suffer right now, but “terrifying” doesn’t sound overly pleasing to me!
Regarding the window lock: I think we live in an enchanted world (although many people prefer to pretend it was totally rational), so there’s no reason why window locks couldn’t turn into huntsmen. At least under certain (light and mental) conditions. Totally normal. I’ve had blankets that where drapes in a certain way turning into skulls in the evening, and ghost eyes flashing up at the wall above my bed. As I said, totally normal.
You’re right, it’s absolutely normal… but why can’t our enchanted world turn humdrum items into fairies and ice cream isntead of scary things?
Just posted one of the recipes, and the rest (and the crossroads story) will come soon!
Yes, I’d totally prefer a nice surprise over a scary emergence!
Now time to check out your recipe! 
haha, love it – “that’s not the tramp top, that’s the ruffly top” – made me laugh. love your sense of humor/personality!
hahhaa that salad dressing is hilarious. Oh marketers and the crazy things they do to products
Marketers certainly keep life interesting!
I remember many a terrifying experience involving Huntsman spiders when I was in Australia. I have them to thank for my now beyond-crazy fear of spiders! You totally made me laugh with your “a hint: it’s me”!
*laughs* Oh, Emma, I’m sorry Australia created arachnophobia in you! Try and remember that huntsmans(men?) aren’t actually dangerous. Just terrifying-looking
P.S. So glad I made you laugh!
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