Summer Sessions: Creek Week

Well, summer is in full swing now and Phoenix heat has been killer. At 115 degrees, it felt like a "beat the heat at the creek" week. Yay rhyming! Also, yay for living in a beautiful state with an abundance of places to visit when the heat starts climbing. In fact, we took a page from the heat and climbed into the car to spend the day visiting Beaver Creek, Church in the Rock, Sedona, and Oak Creek Canyon.

Wade on in with us...the water is cool and the sights are breathtaking.

First, we stopped at Beaver Creek for a quick dip of our toes.

Next, we trekked up a very steep hill and spent a few quiet moments at the Church in the Rock.

We ate lunch at the Wild Flower Bread company and it was packed! Apparently we weren't the only ones that enjoy a delish sand which on a sweltering summer day.

After lunch we visited some trade posts and marveled at  beautiful handmade Navajo jewelry crafted and sold by local artists near the creek. We are Chickasaw and my grandmother used to wear a Thunderbird necklace before she passed. Wearing one of my own has been a way that I have felt connected to her memory. I visited Sedona a several years ago with one of my best friends and found a Thuunderbird necklace which I loved (pictured below) and wore every day.

Sadly, I lost the necklace in one of my many moves. My pop and mom remembered how much I had loved the necklace and found a delicate replacement piece for me. I love it! Depending on the oral tradition you consult, the Thunderbird symbol has different meanings in Native American symbolism. The Thunderbird  can represent strength, provision, abundance, protection, and in some tribal tradition...the higher power...which is why the symbol is so meaningful to me. Carrying a reminder that God is always with me, has been a really beautiful experience.
Here is the new Thunderbird, which you shall see me in henceforth.

My pop insisted that I wear his hat. I know it looks like Ranger Joe...but I kinda dig it. So I took some selfies to commemorate my love for the hat.

Next, we strolled down to Oak Creek Canyon and spent the rest of our time swimming in the creek and meandering around some of the rocky trails. The water was perfect and we eventually found a cool, secluded spot to relax.

Our shady spot was too cool for school. That's funny because school is out. This was a dad joke.
 The sounds of the stream were bliss.

Mom enjoyed some beloved reading time.

 On our way home, dad did some modeling .

and I took more pictures of awesome.

The end. :)

Love,
Tiff

P.S. Here's a message from dad

Swimming in the Dating Pool of Rejection

Here's something you don't know about me. I get rejected. A lot.

Maybe it's my romanticized idea of love from that summer as a girl when I read the Christy Miller series in 3 weeks. Perhaps I'm just an optimist. No matter what my head tells me, my heart always leads. It tends to serve me decently with friends. It used to serve me well dating, as many guys I have been interested in used to be nervous to ask me out. It used to be an endearing trait about me. It has not served me well in my older age, though. It's left me with some nasty emotional scars and I'm kind of into the idea of not trying to hide them anymore.

When I was 16 and dating, everything was easy. Dating was fun. It was about getting to know someone's personality and seeing if you liked spending a lot of time together...and maybe more time together... and more and then maybe like idk, like the rest of our lives together? Kewlsies? K. Kewl.

Now, I know I'm lucky if I meet a single man...let alone one who is responsible AND trustworthy and the ... white buffalo... a Christian.... with a beard who will watch Grey's Anatomy with me?! Hahah Totally JK. I haven't watched that since college. I've heard it sucks now. ;)
*all the single ladies say amen*

Truthfully, the dating game later in life... We all come to the table with a lot more baggage. The baggage and hurt of failed relationships. Of mistakes. Of disappointments. Perhaps some good baggage. That have made you into the kind of human you are proud to be. Good baggage that has prepared you for your future, and perhaps some that has changed you for the better and brought you closer to God.

Nonetheless, it's a lot to get to know about a person. It is a lot of pressure. Dating isn't fun anymore. It's not about seeing an interesting film with a fun person. It's not about enjoying a good meal and a good conversation with good company. There's no art or beauty in the dating game anymore. It's a right swipe on a creepy app that if you play your cards right ends in "THE MOST IMPORTANT DECISION YOU WILL EVER MAKE AND YOU BETTER NOT SCREW THIS UP BECAUSE THIS COULD BE FOREVERRRRRRR. FOREVER! DO YOU HEAR ME?!"
Ya, totally no pressure. Right? ;)

All of this pressure, it leads us to make some pretty half hazard decisions. We do a lot of second guessing. We want to search through all of our options until we find the best one. Like we're buying a relationship. Gotta pick out the best one...and don't forget that warranty in case something breaks. You can trade it in for a new one! Wahoo!

Sneak preview-you've finally found the one you are looking for.... then, bam! Someone "better" by some of your ridiculous standards just walked by. What do you do? Are they really the one? Quick, get rid of the last relationship. Good thing you didn't put any "labels" on it. Made it easier to make a clean get away because in the end dating is all about finding the perfect person for you, right?

No, you idiot. Wrong. There is no perfect person for you. Every wedding I've attended where the bride and groom have worked that into their vows has made me want to ralph. There is no perfect person for you out there. Sorry to burst your happy little bubble. Actually, no I'm not. That bubble was fake and plastic and it kept you from some of the most meaningful and real relationships you could have ever had.

Any relationship that is built and centered on you is going to fail... and you are going to hurt very badly. Relationships are meant to glorify God. 

There is no perfect person for you, because there are no perfect people. If your dating intentions are to find the perfect person, then I hope you will be very happy with your single life! Haha

What my rejection has taught me... you will feel the need to reject others after enough doses of  unkind rejection. Perfection is hilariously impossible and there are the right kind of people to date and the wrong kind of people to date.

The right kind of people to date are the kind that display the attributes of love written in Corinthians. Thanks, Paul! The right kind of people to date are ones that prioritize relationships, accept personal responsibility and above all else, act with good character... Because they really believe what they say they believe.

These people are "right" because they are WILLING to work at having a successful relationship.

Immaturity is a subheading here because it can be temporary, but if it is constant... It is more likely a character issue.

The wrong kind of people fixate on passion, physical chemistry, they act extremely jealous,  are possessive, cheat, lie, are narcissistic, blame you all the time, play the victim. Sound familiar? These traits are wrong because they are not love, duh!

 You will not experience a healthy love when you date someone who exhibits these traits. You are setting yourself up for a miserable relationship... and no wonder you are always fighting!

All of this pressure makes us singles go a little crazy and do stupid stuff. You're going to mess up sometimes and if you have built a healthy relationship on the basics, you may be able to forgive each other and grow closer in your trust.

Dating should be fun, because the experience of getting to know others  is fun! We need to stop being so quick to reject everything that walks by that isn't "perfect". The best relationships are not perfect.

We need to take the pressure off of dating. A date is a a specific time and place you meet with someone. I go on dates with my grandma.! (Hi Nanny!) You can go on dates without marrying someone. There are different levels of relationships. Get over yourself and your fear of the word "date". You will never know if someone is the right or wrong type of person if you don't meet them at a specific time and place!

I can honestly say that the rejection has stung more from guys who turned me down for dates than it did for guys who I dated and just didn't click with. 

Relationships in our life aren't about just what the other person can give to you. It's a two way street. Enjoy the process of getting to know other singles and good grief, let yourself enjoy dating. Who knows, maybe you'll end up dating someone who it works out well with and then you'll like totally like each other and like spend more time together and like maybe the rest of your lives or something? And like Kewlsies? K. Kewl.

I hope this isn't blasphemous, but if I was God I would be all like, "MY CHILDREN, ENJOY DATING...TALK TO THE CUTE GIRL WITH GLASSES WHO READS AT JOBOTS...AND STOP USING TINDER... IT'S TRYING TO SELL YOU HUMANS. THAT IS SICK, MY CHILDREN. HELP STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING! AND ALL THE MEN SHOULD GROW BIG BEARDS."
-God

But seriously folks. Be nicer to each other. It's a cold cold dating world out there. We need to huddle for warmth.

Love,
Tiff

Update

Hello friends.
For many of you, long time no see. Hope you're all well.
:)

I have been writing a lot lately but I've decided to keep much of it private as it pertains to some issues that are pretty close to my heart.

I'm thinking I'll write some more fluff and update from time to time. ;)

Life update

-I re-signed my teaching contract for the fall.
-Will be moving back Westside in August. Not so far north, though. This time around it will be Tiffany sans roommates. I'm really ready for this. But I'm kicking around the idea of adopting a puppy because my parents won't give me Charlie back. Wahhhhhhhh. I lervs him. (They lervs him too). Not sure what breed I'm keen on. It will need to be something apartment friendly. I'm leaning towards the pug route. How cute would I be, walking around with a weird breathing, fat little pug? I could name him Pugsly. Haaaaa. Actually, it could be Mr. Tumnus...or Julio....Julio Iglesias...
-I've written a new draft for a kids book...and I'm in it. ;) It's my favorite so far. Has a ways to go, though.
-I've laughed so much. You know those like hardcore belly laughs? Ya those. Lots of those have taken place...especially when speaking to 5 year olds or watching It's Always Sunny.
-I wore three pretty dresses in the last week. (The kids at school like the blue one the best. The little boys especially like the blue one.)
-The natural/wavy hair has made a comeback, because my hair isn't a happy camper and I just don't care anymore.
-My car still sucks and breaks down from time to time. My dad still awesomely helps me fix it.
-I spend a lot of time by myself. Sometimes it's good, sometimes I'm not a fan. I'm reminding myself that it's good to recharge and learn to be on your own. That way I can give more to the kiddos I work with and be a more pleasant Tiffany. Always needing people to sustain your happiness is exhausting and disappointing.
-I'm having panic attacks again but I'm dealing with them well this time.
-I meditate (clear my mind and pray) every morning and night. No matter what house I'm sleeping at.
-I ate a delicious turkey and avocado sandwich tonight.
-I've been singing and playing ukulele more. Not enough, though.
-I was a bridesmaid in Wolfe's wedding. She was a beaut!
-I'm happy at work. I've recently discovered how much I need my students and mostly...I'm just choosing to be happy in everything I do.
-I spend a lot of time with my family.
-I got to see my nephews and bro/sis law for a hot minute. Loved every second of it!
-Josh visited me this week. It was probably the highlight of my year. His friendship  is really important to me. I'm so thankful that there is another human that has shared a good portion of their life's memories with me. He knows me better than anyone else. I like hearing his big brother advice. --What's funny is, I forgot how good of a listener he was. Of course, he's the same silly, smart brother, but now that he's a husband and twice a dad...he's very grounded and I'm just so proud of him. He is one of the most loving people I know. Thank you for visiting me, Josh. It really meant a lot to me. I love you. If you haven't met my brother, you're missing out. :)
-I catch an episode of Catfish here and there.
- I liked the Tyler Oakley one.
-Also, I'm obsessed with Tyler Oakley.
-My next goal is to start having weekly coffee dates with myself again. I've stopped making it a priority since I've been nervous about bumping into certain people and not knowing how to interact.
-Social anxiety can suck it. I like  coffee and I like dating myself.
-That last thing I said. Yeah that. I've met some really awesome guys. My heart is being mended right now, though. I'm learning how to love myself. That's not a sad thing at all! It is the most beautiful thing because I want to be able to love someone the way they deserve someday (and that includes me being a whole me). I'm still up for dating, though. Just making wiser choices about who I give my time and heart to this time.
-I found a yummy vanilla almond milk creamer. It's bomb.
-Reading a lot of non-fiction on our Thoughts/Mind
-Been smelling like Marc Jacobs "Daisy" again.
-I haven't worn a cat shirt in forevs.
-Barf. I just wrote forevs.
-I'm sleepy now.
-*Yawn*
-I'm currently listening to "Pacific" by Sleeping at Last.
-Good night. Sweet dream, my friends!

:)

Tiff

Tiff's Annual Valentine's Day Rant:

I am so excited for all of my friends who are getting hitched. Loads of you are this year. Congrats! I love to see you happy and celebrate the beauty of the new chapter you are about to embark on! It is major bueno!

 It occurred to me today, by fall of this year...I will have been a bridesmaids 7 times over the last decade. *Moment of silence as Tiff realizes how old she is*
 I don't ever want to be one of those girls that whines, "woe is me"...."always a bridesmaid...never a bride" so instead, I'm taking this year back from complainy single girl town.

This year, I'm gonna put on some pretty dresses, gussy up, support some beautiful friends and bust out some sik dance moves. I'm going to take some time to be the healthiest me (maybe synonymous with the hottest me. You can all just call this my hot girl phase).
Hot Tiff will still wear cat shirts and glasses...but maybe it will be like..a sexy cat...wearing red lipstick.

Ha ha ha

Actually, hot Tiff will be the same exact Tiff that she is every other day. She just won't be shy about what she wants in her life. She will go and get it!
Ya! Go and get it, girl!
:)

I don't care about the silver lining this Valentines Day. I'm not going to just get through the day so I don't have to think about it.
I'm gettin' muh hair did! And I'll dress up pretty and maybe take myself out on the town.
Also, I'll be celebrating the life that I have. No matter what status I am. :)

Here are some lovely things I'm celebrating this year:
baby animals
flowers
warm fuzzy blankets
sweaters
curls
joy
hot tea
roadtrips
hugs
my family
folk music
laughing
dancing
upcycling
silly kids stories
Julian Edelman
singing harmony
cooking for other people
shouting so loud inside a cave that my voice echoes
making people smile
putting sweaters on my dog
convincing my nephews they are potatoes
beating the odds
sleeping a totally average amount so that I am refreshed for my day
pineapples
the history of jazz
burning candles
meeting new people
smelling good and stuff

and also, who wants to form a girl band with me?! This is a serious proposition. I need music back in my life.

Celebrate with me! What are some things you love about your life?

Every day should be filled with love, so I won't be wishing you a happy Vday this year. Enjoy your completely normal Saturday, everyone!

LOVE,
Tiff