Update

Picture this.

You're sitting at lunch with a friend you haven't seen in a while. You want to explain a situation about a person at work, lets call her Feisty. You want your friend in a mater of moments to know everything about the way Feisty is, her personality, what she does that bugs you, how she is bonkers etc. You wish that you could transfer all your knowledge of Feisty with a blink of an eye to your friend just so she knows what you know. It gives you a headache to even begin to explain Feisty.

Following me?

I want to give an update on what's going on in my life but it frustrates me to think of how longs its been, and I do not know where I'd begin.

But just like that lunch date with your friend, with time, you don't have to explain Feisty. Eventually your friend figures out Feisty by the clues you present her
one by one.

So that is what I will do. I will not list what has happened in a year or two. Instead, through my next entries hopefully the pieces will fall together naturally.

Until Next Time,

Snoodle Doodle Jr.

Lyrics or Beat?

Music has got to be one of the best things that this world has to offer. Music is not only capable of creating various and powerful emotions among all types of people, but it is also something that is loved by almost everyone.

Another great aspect to music is that sometimes there are lyrics. Words to a song can potentially create a whole new feel to what you are listening to.

I always wonder if I am more of a "lyrics person" or a "beat person". Some people are obviously more than another. A good friend of mine Jimerr is definitely a beat guy. He enjoys some good words to a song and loves great lines here and there, but what really draws him to a song, is mainly how it instrumentally sounds. One of his sisters however will read every song lyric to the music she will hear and love a song more based on what the artist has to say.

Personally, I couldn't tell you what I prefer the most. I love lyrics and will typically analyze the meaning to songs. But I also love music with a great beat, and any instrument will generally draw me in. The combination of the two can sometimes be the perfect mix. It is so satisfying to hear a story unravel within a pretty tune.

In the long run, it doesn't really matter if you are more of a "lyrics person" or a "beat person". If you are a music lover you probably understand my lack of words when I have trouble trying to describe how great it is. The best way I can explain it is like this: Music is like family to me. I can't live with out it, I rely on it, and I love it. I miss it when it's not playing and I crave it when I haven't heard it in a while.

I truly believe music can be a remedy for many emotions we go through. Right now this is the song/band that's keeping me going. Enjoy. 

Great Song


Until Next Time,

Snoodle Doodle Jr.

Winning

Here's another little something I should mention about myself.

I hate to lose more than I love to win.

This weekend my college team is playing in our conference championship tournament. We are seeded first and if we get first in the tournament we will get the opportunity to play in the NCAA tournament. So the pressure is on.

Lately I have been thinking about who I play for. I have devoted so much time to the sport that I play and I consider it a passion of mine. It is sadly what I know best and is second nature to me. I came to the conclusion that I play for four main groups. My family, my teammates, myself, and for God.

There are different reasons that fall into each category, but I suppose when it comes down to it, I play to win. I don’t always mean literally winning either. As confusing as it may seem, to me, winning can be little things. Like accomplishing what I wanted to do in a day, such as making a dinner that involves more than plain pasta with butter. Winning can be getting a sincere compliment from somebody unexpected. It can be learning something interesting about someone. Or it can be settling an argument and having that feeling of relief and ease.

So basically, I play to win for my parents, siblings, teammates, God etc. but not just in water polo. I want to win at everything and be a successful person, not only from a financial stand point but by my character as well, all so the people I care so much about can take some pride in me. It is an honor to play for others so I strive to make it an honor to have me as the competitor.

Regardless of what happens this weekend I am excited to play. Oh, and GREAT NEWS!...I will be seeing Mama and Papa Doodle this weekend for the first time in four months. Now that is winning :)

Until Next Time,

Snoodle Doodle Jr.

The Wishing Game

When the Doodle siblings are together, we tend to speak to one another in different accents. Our favorite is a British accent- easy, sounds pretty, and never gets old. My parents would laugh at us and occasionally play along. One day however, Papa Doodle asked us overheard us saying we wished we really had British accents.

Papa Doodle: "Don't wish that."

Big Doodle: "Why not?" (Obviously in British accent)

Papa Doodle then sat us down and I could tell he was going to say something "important". I was hoping it would be a cool story about the British, but instead he explained something much more unexpected.

Papa Doodle: "You shouldn't wish for things you can't have. You can never change four main things. Where you were born, what time period you are from, who your parents are, and who your family is. Do not wish to have anything different because there is nothing you can do about it. You can pretend to have a different accent and think it's cool, but don't wish for anything different than what you are given."

Me: "Whatever you say Papa Doodle!" (British accent)

I'm not sure if I actually thought about it directly after Papa Doodle told us that, but I definitely have been thinking of his little speech lately.

There are so many instances where we all wish we were different. We have all wished we were from somewhere else, had different talents, had different parents, have had more or different opportunities etc. But what Papa Doodle was trying to say to us that day, I think at least, is that we should not waste or time wishing for things we can not change. Instead, we should play with the cards we are dealt with and  call the bluffs, have patience, and try our best to win the game.

And occasionally, we should speak in British accents too.

Until Next Time,

Snoodle Doodle Jr.

Mind Thinking

One embarrassing and unfortunate problems of Snoodle Doodle Jr. is that she has trouble forming words when she speaks.

I don't know what it is, but I will honestly just say the dumbest, most incoherent things you will ever hear in your life.The letters clumsily rush out of my mouth and stumble into words, creating a giant mess with the sentences. Words are awkwardly running into one another or not grouping together properly. Whether it be words that I created by mushing them together unintentionally, or simply saying ridiculous sentences that don't even make sense, the words are generally not smooth when speaking orally. 

Not too long ago Koto brought me breakfast while I was still asleep. (A keeper I tell you) In the morning, my talking is probably at its weakest, which means it's the most painful to listen to. After I ate, I still lounged in bed with my eyes closed looking like I didn't have a care in the world, even though I had to be somewhere in ten minutes. After a polite first hint by Koto that I may need to get a move on, and I remained still, he suggested again I get out of bed and ready for my day. With my eyes still closed, I quickly shushed him.

Me: "Shhh I'm busy."

Koto: "Uh..you are?"

Me: "Yes, give me a second."

Koto: "What exactly are you busy doing?"

Me: "I'm mind thinking."

Solid three second pause.

Koto: "As opposed to what other type of thinking?"

He had a point. Truth is, I just said the first thought that came to mind, which clearly didn't work out in an actual sentence that one would say out loud. I went on to defend myself by explaining I was mentally picking out what I was going to wear that day, so that I didn't have to literally get out of my bed to cost anymore of my precious energy.

Fortunately for me, I didn't feel too embarrassed by my unintelligent new phrase I made up, and it has actually been a new joke between a few of my friends and I. Turns out "Mind thinking" has come up many a time in my conversations now.

Friend: "What should we do for Eureka's birthday?"

Me: "Let me mind think and get back to you."

Stuff like that.

I was always taught to guard my tongue, think before I speak etc. While this is great advice, and I agree with it on many levels, sometimes spitting out what first comes to mind has its advantages. You can get a good laugh, convey a lot of honesty, and maybe even make up a new phrase. I wonder which approach I would be better off with.

I'll have to mind think on that one.

Until Next Time,

Snoodle Doodle Jr.

Old Wounds

When I was a little girl, I was the type of kid that like to play outside all the time. Everyday I was out soaking up the Texas sun and playing with the neighborhood friends. Playing outdoors had its cost though. There were numerous times I would fall down or get hurt in some way, whether it be a small scratch or a bloody disaster.

Today, as odd as this may sound, I was inspecting one of my oldest and biggest scars on my right knee. I couldn't help but smile thinking of how I earned it. I was riding on my bike in Arkansas, going down a hill standing with one foot on the bike seat, the other high in the air as if I were an ice skater, while my hands were holding on to the handle bars. For a few moments I held a strong pose (and did not look as graceful as the ice skaters do mind you) but when I tried to come back down I was going too fast to hold my balance, and I fell onto the cement road. I was left with gashes, bruises, and scratches of all sorts, and the biggest mark made was on my right knee.

That tumble down the hill was years ago and the scar, which once was about the size of my knee, is smaller and has faded to where it is barely noticeable.

Lately I have been picking at old wounds. The problem is, the wounds are still fresh and haven't had time to heal like the scar on my knee has. They are not wounds that are barely detectable at first glance, but wounds that still have color to them. Injuries that I have experienced within a year.

Although I am dating and love my boyfriend Koto, I still have had trouble with my ex, Deedle. Whenever I am home, and I happen to run into him, we attempt to be civil. We say our pleasantries and move on. The problem is, my wound with Deedle is still young. No, it's not fresh and my love with Koto has been like ointment to my injury, but it still feels as if someone is attempting to reopen that wound which I have waited what has seemed so long to heal. It is not like I still love Deedle or that I want to be with him. I just feel that bitterness between us and it simply makes me sad.

Another wound that is fresh and will still continue to bleed occasionally is my dear friend Mr. Don, who is no longer here. I know this will simply take time, but every now and then something probes that wound and I feel like it will never stop bleeding.

The good news is, like the injury on my knee, these wounds will heal and become scars. Scars are a funny thing.  At first you hate the wound, you are hurt and upset. Some take more time then others, but eventually we almost forget it's there. A scar starts to take place, and there are those moments where you stare for minutes, memorizing the shape while you think of how it all began. Then, some scars you barely notice, and if you do it's just a part of who you are. It will always be there and you learn to accept that.

Our wounds are how we learn, and reopening them is how we grow even if that's difficult. Our injuries and problems come with each passing year, and we use that experience to move forward into the new year.

Looking back on 2011, I experienced wounds that I can't help but flinching a little still when I think about them. But I will use all of the pain and hurt I had to prepare for the new year.

So, 2011 I believe a thanks is in order...you gave me some heartache and trouble, but you also gave me great blessings. I have fallen in love, gotten a better idea of what I want to do in life, gotten closer to my loved ones, and learned several lessons that I will keep with me always.You have prepared me for next year and the ones following.

Farewell 2011, I move forward and anticipate the arrival of 2012. One day you will be remembered as the year that left me with old wounds.


Until Next Time,


Snoodle Doodle Jr.