Old Habits Die Hard

(Disclaimer: this post is probably only going to make any real sense to people who currently or formerly live/d in the GK area.)

It's weird. We've been living here for almost a year now (and I can't believe how fast that year went by) and I still have to stop myself from saying Schinnen every time we go to McChord.

McChord is NOT Schinnen. And this is a very good thing. We now go to McChord. MCCHORD.

Not Schinnen.

And today, when we go to McChord, I am going to get lunch at the teriyaki place...some veggie sushi and chicken. Believe me, this is not food you can get at the food court at Schinnen (if you want to call Baskin-Robbins, Anthony's Pizza and Burger King a food court).

McChord is far superior to Schinnen in nearly every way. Except for one thing - there is no Bookmark at McChord. There is a section of the base exchange where one can buy books, but not a separate bookstore (and the selection is smaller). But even that's okay, because I can go to Barnes & Noble or Borders to get my books anyway. Or Half Price Books. The Bookmark was pretty much the only option available when we lived in Germany.

Which makes me wonder how Patty is doing. We were so close, and her family is even from this area, but despite my best efforts to stay in touch with her since we moved here, she hasn't responded to any of my emails.

That part of my life slips away a little more each day. Each day that passes removes me from it that much more. And it makes me sad. But I've come a long way in a year. I'm starting to feel more settled. I've made one very good friend here...one of those kinds of friends who will eventually feel more like family. And I needed that too. Because I think that most of what I miss about living in Germany was that feeling of belonging, that feeling that I was a part of things. It took a very long time to get that comfortable. And then I had to come here and start over from scratch. And I'm starting to get into a good place again.

Of course, I always have these thoughts, in the recesses of my mind, that this process will happen again the next time we move. And again. And again. And I don't think it'll ever get easier.

It's funny, because I know that as soon as I finally get in the habit of saying McChord, it'll be time to move again.

(Yeah...yeah, I know. What's up with all my introspective posts lately?)

Hair Dye Disaster

I've never had a professional hair dyeing. Never. Sure, I had professional highlights a time or two. I've tried doing that myself, and while it turned out fine, it wasn't the dramatic look I was going for, nor was it without pain (pulling out strands of hair through a shower cap with a crochet hook...OUCH!).

I've always had good luck with the hair dyeing kits from the drugstore. Until today.

Yeah...there was that one time that the color on my head didn't remotely resemble the box (it was orange...but I actually grew to like it quite a bit after it toned down slightly).

Today's color - Hot Tamale. Otherwise known as rich auburn blonde (my hair is strawberry blond anyway, so I didn't think it would be a huge departure...just enough to be different). Garnier Nutrisse - a brand I've never tried.

Well...it's hot tamale alright. Half my head didn't take, even though I followed the instructions to the letter. The other half, which includes my bangs and the top of my head, is a bright, vibrant red. Much more vibrant than what is on the box, but I think it will tone down after a couple of shampoos anyway.

Thankfully, I had some coloring solution left...about half the bottle. So after I finished blow drying my hair, I reapplied in the areas that are still my natural color. I'm waiting on that right now. Thankfully, Lance is watching a very long college football game, so it will be some time before that's over.

Of course, I am out of the super thick conditioner that came with the box, but I'll have to make do with my own once I rinse this out.

The first dyeing wouldn't have been too bad if I was going for some crazy, "OMG...I'm so punk rock!" look. Which I'm not. I don't wish for multi-colored hair.

Fingers crossed that this second application does the job.