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Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Roses and Thorns

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for AVEENO®. I'm a 2014 AVEENO® Ambassador. All opinions are 100% my own. I received a 12 oz bottle of AVEENO® Daily Moisturizing Lotion and a $100 Visa gift card for participating in the #AveenoDailyChallenge. Come with me on my three week personal journey, as I commit to activities that will help me de-stress, meditate, reflect, and take time for myself. I'll be using AVEENO® Daily Moisturizing Lotion everyday, along the way.
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Challenge #8 - Turn A STRESSFUL Situation Into A Non-Stressful Situation. Have you ever served on a jury? I received a jury summons for criminal court and my STRESS level went through the roof! There are all kinds of cases in criminal court: murder, attempted murder, drugs, weapon cases etc. Twice a week, I passed police cars, barbed wire (thorns), and the city jail. There was nothing sweet about it (or so I thought). I said to myself, "I'm the author of A Very Sweet Blog! Find something sweet about this experience! Plus, I'm an AVEENO Ambassador for STRESS! So why am I STRESSING!" HaHaHa Well, here are my pics and what I found sweet. Bloggers can turn ANYthing into a post! HaHaHa
When I parked and walked to jury duty, at first I didn't see much that was sweet. Barbed wire (thorns), prison buildings and visitation centers are what I walked past. But I found beauty in the criminal court building, with it's gorgeous columns and inscriptions. It housed the judges that maintain law & order. I found beauty in the police cars. I thought of the police officers, that sacrifice their lives daily. They deal with the horrible element of crime and protect citizens.
As I would enter the jury waiting room, there was plenty that was sweet. A gorgeous mural, depicting the New Orleans French Quarter was displayed beautifully on the wall. It was actually painted by prisoners of New Orleans Parish Prison. It's sad to think, individuals with such amazing talent are in jail. Other things that were sweet, were the ladies working there. They really tried to make our stay as comfy as possible. The coffee they made was really good. Loved the free wi-fi (sometimes I commented on your blogs via my cell phone) and of course the vending machines with snacks. :) Also, the ladies that fried fish & shrimp! The food was so good! LOL There was also a very nice blind guy, that worked there. He filled all the vending machines. He didn't let his disability, discourage him.
Then there were the ROSES! One day, I looked across the street and saw an elevated spot that had palm trees, benches and roses. It felt really familiar to me. I walked over and SMILED. I had totally forgotten about it! You guys, this is where I started my VERY 1st JOB! I was 15 (yep, I've been working since I was 15 years old) and the job was for the entire Summer. I "worked" with a group of detectives. It really wasn't work, because we had more fun than anything. I would answer the phone, make a couple of copies and then it was time for lunch. HaHaHa It was also my 1st experience with makeup! I met a lady that sold Mary Kay and I would spend my entire paycheck on makeup. LOL We would sit on the bench, discuss and play with makeup. Then I would go back to work and the head detective-boss had a huge library in his office. He said, "Kim, you can read any book you like". I remember reading Jaws. LOL Well now, they've added more benches, light posts, trees and beautiful rose bushes. Ahhh, memories :) SO SEE! If you really try, you can DE-STRESS a STRESSFUL SITUATION! Keep your eyes OPEN and LOOK FOR IT! For me, it was right across the street :) BTW: I completed my jury duty this past Monday (got my certificate and everything).
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50 comments

  1. What a positive post!! So glad that you found something sweet from jury duty. That's tough to do because jury duty can really be stressful depending on the case, I can totally relate. So cool that you were able to revisit the place of your first job! What are the odds of that?!

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  2. Oh, you make everything super sweet. I am so jealous of you on jury service - I want to be a police officer so all things law-y are totally my thing. It is amazing how you made such a sad, dull place into something so positive. I especially liked that you commented on police officers, who "sacrifice their lives daily" and "protect citizens". You are such a positive soul. x

    rosemaryofelephants.blogspot.com

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  3. Pretty amazing how you can turn something like jury service into something sweet and positive. I do admire your ability to do that and it's something that makes me smile about you :-)

    Maybe my post today will make you smile too…not saying anything else… ;-) xo

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  4. It is great that you find the positive side in every situation! I like that and I am sure it is a lot of fun working with you. I also want to greet you for that you have been working since you were 15! Inspiring post! I'll try to make my day at work nice and find the positivity in everything around me!:)

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  5. You are so inspiring Kim, you can make lovely even a jury! You started work very young, well done dear!


    Viky --- MySecretFashionPoison

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  6. You are so inspiring Kim, you can make lovely even a jury! You started work very young, well done dear!


    Viky --- MySecretFashionPoison

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  7. I love how you can find the beauty in everything Kim - you're such a special person which is what brings us back day after day (that plus your beautiful blog and hilarious stories, of course!!) xo

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  8. This is beautiful doll, it is so good when we can find the beauty in the worst situations, it makes them so much better. I love all the things you found as well...flowers definitely make thing better and bless the blind man who was still working, I love that!! Gives a kick in the backside to the lazy ones who claim to not be well so they don't have to work. Bless him. Everyone was so kind, am glad for that. I have never done jury duty, but it sounds stressful and not nice. Am glad it's over. You relax and take it easy now doll!! xx

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  9. Hi Kim! You know, system is different here, watching Tv have been always curious about yours and the jury duty. Ive studied law at Uni cause I wanted to become a detective..lol things then went so different but Im always passionate about it. Your role must havent been easy at all, you made me smile how you could blog about it in such lovely way. Your first job sounds nice, you start to work really young! And what a coincidence you found it there. Hugs dear xo

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  10. i love the story of every picture! good luck with your job dear <3

    Letters To Juliet

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  11. What a beautiful garden! :) So pleased you found a positive side to jury duty!

    I've been called for jury duty twice!!! Once I was busy with exams for uni so couldn't do it, the second time I didn't even live in the area any more, plus work couldn't spare me for 4 weeks. My mum just got a notice asking her to do jury duty, right on baby's due date, so she is going to see if she can get an exemption!

    Away From Blue

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  12. I'm not fund of jury duty but you found the best in it. Beautiful images of the architecture of the building and the flowers pop.
    http://tifi11.blogspot.com

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  13. This is such an amazing post! I love how you turned a stressful situation into a non-stressful one! How awesome to be back where you first started working! It would've brought back so many memories!
    I love this post because you show us that there's beauty in everything, you just got to look closer!

    http://tropicalcolours.blogspot.com.au/

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  14. I'm glad you were able to turn such a stressful situation into one that was not! I've never been called for jury duty, but it would definitely stress me out too!
    Chic on the Cheap

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  15. I admire you for your positive attitude and ability to find beautiful things in any situation, Kim. That is the true beauty in you. I have fun reading and reminiscing your first job, good time huh?

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  16. Thanks for bringing this positivity and enlightenment to my day Kim, you are so beautifully optimistic! Hope you're having a great week so far!

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  17. I don't think I would ever like to be part of a jury, especially if it was a crime. But it's great that you still managed to find a positive side to such an uncomfortable situation. And your first job sound really entertaining - better than being in a financial office making copies and ordering files, as I was when I was 16 hehe

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  18. So uplifitng that you would reflect on how you can turn certain situations into positive. We all need this and should think about the good before negative, because it could always be worse, right? Great post Kim!

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  19. I had jury duty a few years ago but I got out of being on the jury :) I love the story of when you were younger...it's clear your love for makeup started early!

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart

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  20. oh my gosh kim. i love your personality and outlook. there is definitely beauty everywhere! you just have to see it and believe it!

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  21. You are officially the sweetest person ever--- because there is NO WAY I could find anything sweet about jury duty!

    ~Alexis Grace of North On Harper

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  22. Kim, let me just say....you had the best first job EVER! I want that job now:)
    And yeah....agree with the comments above. Only you would find something sweet in this jury duty situation. That's why we love you, girlie:)

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  23. I would be stressed too! I'm glad you were able to find positive images in such a stressful situation.
    Your first job sounds interesting! Your life doesn't sound boring at all!

    http://www.beautyandthemist.com/

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  24. I love this! You really can find beauty in anything. What a great way to put a positive spin on the day!

    http://howtomakehome.blogspot.com

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  25. Good for you for finding the positives in jury duty! I'd like to think I'm a positive person but I'm not sure I could do the same~

    always, koru kate

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  26. Way to find the positive in a high stress situation, Kim! I can't imagine serving on a criminal jury but it is so important to find the small pleasures in even the most arduous tasks.
    xox,
    Cee

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  27. Nice photos.=) We don't have jury duty in Sweden.

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  28. Good for you for making the best of out a stressful situation Kim! I was picked the first time I ever served jury duty and even got sequestered for a night after we couldn't reach a verdict and I've always dreaded it since.

    Rowena @ rolala loves

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  29. Isn't it great when things from your pass pop up? That's such an awesome coincidence!! And I'm glad it brightened your otherwise dreary days on a jury!
    xx Corinne
    cateyesandthighhighs.com

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  30. Good for you for finding beauty in the ordinary :)
    www.amemoryofus.blogspot.com

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  31. Wow Kim, You really do find awesome things to post about, even in the most dire and stressful situations! Way to be positive and creative!

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  32. So brilliant Kim, that you made Jury service pretty spectacular. Happy Happy day to you A xx

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  33. You always see positive side, event it's conected with jail and court ;) And you have nice views in your city, btw :)

    http://crafty-zone.blogspot.com/

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  34. Wow, that is just a really awesome way to see the good in any situation. Very inspiring. Great job!

    http://www.thefashionstirfry.com

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  35. I am glad you found a way to turn this around, ugh tht does not sound fun.

    Allie of ALLIE NYC
    allienyc.com

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  36. Ha, I'm always hearing people complain about how awful jury duty is, and it's always made me glad that I've never been on jury duty. You're experience still doesn't make me want to be called for jury duty, but at least it goes to show that you can make any situation positive if you look for the bright side!

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  37. Nice post :)
    And it*s cool that you saw everything positive :)
    I have never been part of a jury before (but I am also nto allowed, in Austria those people are mostly teachers or people that studied law but don't work as a lawyer) :)

    Hugs
    Svetlana from Lavender Star // BlogLovin //
    Instagram // Faceboook

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  38. I find this post so refreshing. It's not often people reflect on the jury duty summons process like this! =D
    xo,
    nancy

    http://www.adoretoadorn.com

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  39. Hi Kim, I've never been part of a jury and I wouldn't want to too! Way too stressful for me! How interesting, your first job assisting detectives, I bet you heard lots of weird and interesting things. I love how you made a stressful job into a positive one. Have a great day, my dear!

    xo Jo

    http://www.whiterosesandcoffee.com

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  40. Kim,

    I enjoyed this post!! I love that you had your first job at 15 too. Loving all the pics !! I've been called to jury duty three times, but twice I didn't get pick. One time I got picked and the guy took a plea right before we were to hear open arguments. I was definitely sad about that lol. I think my eager face makes me an automatic No for jury duty.

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  41. That sounds like a fun first job! And I have to do most of my blog commenting on my phone because my work blocks blogs/gmail :( It's annoying to do!

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  42. Ugh, I hated jury duty. I received those summons during a very busy week at school, but what could I do? Skipping class for the good of the county. Haha, love that you turned your experience into a positive one!

    The Dragonfruit Diaries

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  43. We don't have the Jury system here so I am always fascinated at how it actually works :)

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  44. Agree with you about looking for positives in most situations, though I would definitely find it difficult not to get stressed in that particular place... x

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  45. What a lovely perspective and account, Kim! I, too, have received several summons to serve, but never actually had to do so. Like you, I nearly went through the roof each time I got the notice I might have to serve. Roses--oh my--can't wait until they bloom here! T. http://tickledpinkwoman.blogspot.com

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  46. Right now the only thing I wouldn't like about jury duty are the hours, but other than that, I think I might welcome it at this point.

    Also your walking GIF is really cool!

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  47. i ALWAYS get summoned...only served once, tho, and by the end of the day they realized they didn't have enough evidence and threw our the case!

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  48. Wow Kim, this post totally proved that you can always make the best of any situation with just having a positive attitude!

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