Tags
Alberta, Bold, Calgary, Canada, community, Diana Schwenk, Fear, growing up, Hump Day Chronicles, living in the moment, memories, Observer, shy, Talker, Tourist in my own city
It’s hard for even me to grasp that I used to shy away from people and was so afraid of doing something – anything – wrong. Those of you who know me personally are probably laughing out loud at this point, but it’s true!
In grade 1 I was so afraid I would lose my house key that I was forever losing my house key.
In grade 3 when Mrs. Carpentier asked me to knock on another classroom’s door and ask the teacher for a pen, I cried.
In grade 4, when our bus broke down coming back from a field trip, Mr. Whittal had to sit with, and comfort me because I was afraid of getting home late.
My daughter Michaela has never seen that side of me. By the time she was born, I was all about trying things and not being embarrassed when they did not quite work out. And I was always talking with strangers; either I’d approach them, or they’d approach me. The then teenaged Michaela would say, “Stop flirting with people Mom!”
“I’m not flirting, I’m just being nice,” I’d respond.
People seem to ‘get my number’ right away too. Not long after I started working at Oxford House, my co-worker Tracey suggested that I go ask someone something we both wanted to know because, “I’m the Observer and you’re the Talker, Diana.”
This past Saturday on the way to my regularly scheduled kaffeklatsch with my BFF, I came upon the people in the above photo. Well as you know by now – I just had to talk with them and get their photo. Turns out they were promoting some kind of week-long cartoon festival. So that I could be in the photo, a random stranger offered to take the picture.
~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~
How about you? Are you a Talker or Observer?
The Stoked Traveler and Surfer's Blog said:
I will choose both..😂
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dianasschwenk said:
haha, we’re probably all a bit of both, right? ❤
Diana xo
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The Stoked Traveler and Surfer's Blog said:
Haha😂 strangers into friends… Would be glad if you could visit my blog too..😁 and you may want to observe as well😂
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dianasschwenk said:
Just read your post about the trip you took with your mama – awesome!
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The Stoked Traveler and Surfer's Blog said:
Many thanks Diana😍
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Minuscule Moments said:
I love how you stop people in the street and find out their story Diana that is way cool. I love chatting with strangers and some times you meet such interesting people whilst waiting for a bus. I also love to observe as well, so I do a bit of both.
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dianasschwenk said:
I think I do a bit of both too Kath. Man I haven’t taken a bus in years! ❤
Diana xo
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elizabeth2560 said:
This is interesting that you were reserved when you were younger and now you are outgoing. Do you think that you are an extrovert?
I have always been ‘the quiet one’ and even though I talk a lot in a one-on-one, I still hate crowds.
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dianasschwenk said:
I am an extrovert Elizabeth, but not to the extreme. The scale tips a bit past the centre line between Introvert and Extrovert on Myers Brigg. ❤
Diana xo
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Rob Moses Photography said:
Such a fun picture! Good read too ;).
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Rob! ❤
Diana xo
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Jean said:
It depends. I’ve become more a talker than observer which is not always a good thing. Gotta slow down and listen to others.
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Jean said:
I used to be extremely shy for many years as a child. Part of it was tied to learning English in kindergarten and onward.
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dianasschwenk said:
I learned English in kindergarten too Jean. Then I taught it to my brother. ❤
Diana xo
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Jean said:
🙂 I don’t recall actively teaching my siblings English. I have 2 younger sisters immediately following me (my mother was pregnant every yr., then later more younger siblings were spaced out by more years apart) who also didn’t know English. However, I probably started babbling in English more and more over time at home after school. So they probably absorbed more via me, combined with in-school ESL lessons/ had the shock immersion when they started kindergarten after me. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Yet in the end we know at least one more language than most north Americans!
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes. I guess one needs a little of both Jean. I hear ya, me too. ❤
Diana xo
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utesmile said:
I used to be terribly shy and always just the observer. Now I am totally different, I have learnt, I am older and I am now the talker too. I talk to everyone… Nice pic with the animals!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Ute. Seems we are similar in that way! ❤
Diana xo
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Deb Weyrich-Cody said:
Lol, been in both camps… Depends on the situation; )
Great pic!!
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dianasschwenk said:
I guess I have too and thanks Deb! ❤
Diana xo
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Family to the 5 Power! said:
I’m both, depending on the situation. Love the photo!!
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dianasschwenk said:
thanks so much! ❤
Diana xo
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Healing Grief said:
I’m both and I think we all need to be both depending on the situation we are in. Great photo! Talkers have lots of fun I think. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
I know I do, thanks Karen. ❤
Diana xo
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George said:
Depends on my moods. Some days I would have been in the photo, some I would have been watching people take it…:)
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dianasschwenk said:
Actually, me too George. ❤
Diana xo
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Chatter Master said:
Love those eyes!
And I’m a mixture of both. I would have wanted the picture too. I’m SO glad you got it. And they look as happy as you to be asked. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
(smiling) They were super friendly and excited about their cartoon event. ❤
Diana xo
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russtowne said:
It appears we have traveled similar paths along these lines, Diana. Thank you for the background stories.
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dianasschwenk said:
My pleasure Russ. Maybe we’ll see some stories from the good old days from you one day? ❤
Diana xo
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David Kanigan said:
Smiling. Observer here. Are you an extrovert too!
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes I am David, but not to the extreme. Just a tad over the line between Introvert and extrovert. I am an ENFP in myers brigg ❤
Diana xo
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David Kanigan said:
Smiling. ISTJ or FJ for me Diana.
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dianasschwenk said:
So we’re the complete opposite haha. No matter. Takes all kinds and I so enjoy your blog David.
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David Kanigan said:
Exactly.
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joannerambling said:
I am more and observer then a talker, usually when around people I am quiet and just listen
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dianasschwenk said:
If I was there, I’d ask you lots of questions and make you talk Jo-Anne. 😉 ❤
Diana xo
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dan4kent said:
Too funny. I empathize with Ms. Carpenteria. You’ve come so far. But the part I like the best about your talk is the walk you put underneath it. That’s the observer part. Thanks for bringing a grin.
Dan
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dianasschwenk said:
(smiling) Thanks Dan. ❤
Diana xo
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cyclingrandma said:
A talker probably more often than I should be!
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dianasschwenk said:
haha Maybe I got a bit of that too Lisa. ❤
Diana xo
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Jennifer Kelland Perry said:
Yes, Diana, I definitely see you as a talker. I’m more of an observer. Wouldn’t be good if we were all talkers, now would it? 😉 ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
No it wouldn’t Jennifer – variety is the spice of life! ❤
Diana xo
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vanbytheriver said:
Always have been the talker, a role I graciously accept. So is my daughter. ☺ My husband and son, the observers, seem to take in and retain so much more of the world. Interesting ? It’s about balance, I guess. 💖
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dianasschwenk said:
By the content in your writing, I do believe you have an observer side as well Van, just like Louise pointed out to me! ❤
Diana xo
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Louise Gallagher said:
I experience you as both — talker and observer — your observer self gives you lots to talk about, lots to connect over, lots to be curious about too!
Love the photo. Love you! ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Louise, I DO have an observer side! ❤
Diana xo
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