Jabbering Pidgen

Comforts in a Wet and Dreary World

2011-04-26T20:51:00.000-07:00

This has been the wettest spring in the history of my memory. It's been raining or snowing at least once a week ever since "winter", when it was full on snowing weekly. I guess that's just Utah.

Keeping spirits up can be hard when you have such a dreary world around you, but thank goodness for the colors that help define Spring. The mountains are so green this time of year and all the flower bulbs are sprouting. All the trees have started blooming too, and, of course, those are just pure beauty right there. How ideal! Not only do we get gorgeous flowers in the flower beds or on the wild mountainsides, but we briefly get to enjoy them as little buds and blossoms, stretching out from the tree's branches.

Outside our apartment window there runs a short row of trees. We moved in August and we did not like those trees. They lead the way to the parking lot and they drop squishy little fruits that are small enough to be difficult to lean up and squishy enough to splat on the cement as they fall. What a mess. I wondered why the people who originally landscaped around the complex would have chosen them, they're just more work.

Then I woke up one morning and opened my blinds. the trees had literally transformed overnight.

They went from regular bare twigs and branches to these gorgeous fuschia blossom-branches.

How glorious. I love seeing them every morning now.

And to bring in the spirit of Spring even stronger, Joey noticed this little nest in the branches right outside. No eggs, but still...!

Oh Joy! I do love the Spring!

Who Said Formal Was a Bad Thing?

2011-03-29T21:13:00.000-07:00

What makes something classy I wonder? So many things could be labeled with this adjective, and yet I feel there really is a strict definition required behind it.

Well anyway, I'll try and get more to the point: I've never in my life been very drawn to wearing black. It's not really my color of choice, UNLESS it's a dress. In fact, I have a hard time staying away from black dresses. They're just so classy.

I realize, however, that it probably has a lot to do with my passion for stuff like this:

And this:

and this:

This dress isn't black, I know, but I still love it.

See classy right? I love pictures like this, I love including myself in the fantasies I spin relating to this stuff. I just love everything about this genre. Isn't it gorgeous?? Doesn't it make you want to do your hair all fancy and slip into so girly heels, or something?

Am I crazy for being so passionate about this sort of stuff? I know I'll probably never really go to a party where there are gorgeous chandeliers, a band, and EVERYONE is dressed to the theme, but we can imagine.

One day, when I can afford it, I plan to throw lots of parties like this. The kind where people go out and buy a pretty dress in anticipation. I wouldn't invite anyone who wouldn't take it seriously. And people would really dance and speak politely and eat fancy finger foods...

Sigh.

Am I crazy here? Do you wish for beautiful parties like this too? Would anyone come and enjoy a party with me if I even threw one?

To go or not to go, that always seems to be the question:

2011-03-16T08:33:00.000-07:00

For it is 45 minutes in the car down, and another 45 minutes in the car back up.
Were today a day of exams or assignments, the day would thus be more decided.
But alas, here I lie, unshowered, unfed and unmotivated.

If I go, I will finish my audiobook and move onto something exciting.
But I will also spend $15 on gas and put another 80 miles on my car.
I'm already scheduled to miss all school on Friday, do I dare miss two
classes in a row?

What will I do if I stay? I will return some movies to a friend, and borrow some more.
I will go to work and get more hours on my paycheck.
I will eat a better breakfast and actually eat a lunch.
If I have extra time I could even go to the grocery store.
Or better yet, I would clean out my fridge of all old food so as to better fit new food
that would be coming in from the grocery store.
I may even venture to work on a paper that needs work...

O the dilemma! O the decision! O the HUMANITY!

(I honestly was still considering going before I typed this up, but I convinced myself otherwise. So that's a no-go for today.)

Edith Piaf Part II

2011-03-08T12:00:00.000-07:00

Point 1: I learned yesterday that in french her name is pronounced [eh deet] which makes it just that much cooler.

Points 2 & 3: Inception:
(First of all SO good.) It's my husband's favorite movie right now. And I love it as well. It's one I could even watch by myself, which I think is saying something. Anyway, after my last blog my friends Lindsey and Hilary came along and pointed some fun connections between Edith and Incepetion. Turns out that she's the singer we hear in Inception, when they play the warning song. And it's all slowed down and faint. I told my husband this fun fact and he said, "we should make that song our alarm.. The Dream is Collapsing"

Also, Hil pointed out that Marion Cotillard, who plays Edith in La Vie En Rose, is also Mal in Inception, and then they have he song coming through the air each time a dream is collapsing. :)

I love it!

Anyway, here's the real song if you'd like to listen to it.

Edith Piaf and Destiny

2011-03-07T22:44:00.000-07:00

The decisions we make in life can be really funny when you think about. Yes, sometimes they really are just a flat out waste, but other times, they can be much enjoyed.

For example, I was at the grocery store with a list, (lists are very important in defining your whole grocery shopping experience), and whilst emerging from the frozen foods isle, a cute semi-older lady was at a sample table pouring water into tiny little cups. I tasted it and it really did taste just as I think water should taste. Next thing I know I'm letting her explain to me how this water is drawn from ocean waters in Hawaii 3,000 feet below the ocean's surface, and that it's got lots of good magnesium and charged electrolytes. Now I normally am not a fan buying plastic-bottled waters, but because they were on sale and it was yummy water, and the lady was so sweet and cute, (and I'd been turning down a lot of sample people lately), I bought 3 liters of it for $5.

This was all a week or so ago, and I hadn't yet cracked a bottle open. But I've had a pretty unproductive day and was feeling a need for a cheerful-pick me up. So I watched a good "life should be embraced" movie, then climbed into bed with my bottle water, and turned on Pandora. Last week my coworker told me to check out Edith Piaf, and I hadn't yet. So I typed her name into the station, and the first song that popped up was Mon Manege a Moi. She's like a french Ella Fitzgerald. (And I do love good ol' Ella.)

It was just such a happy moment. I had my special water and was sipping it to what may now be my new favorite song.

It's just funny how life's little decisions can play out.

Here's Edith singing Mon Manege a Moi... just to help you get an idea of the mood I had unintentionally created:

The Greatest Job on Earth!

2011-03-03T13:46:00.000-07:00

I love my job.

It's great. It's the cutest bookstore in the state. I only have to work the floor twice a week, I get to arrange schedules for and meet lots of my favorite authors, I can work from school, home or wherever, and I think I'm actually pretty good at what I do (which is always a good feeling).

(The gang after a successful signing with former president Jimmy Carter... He gave me a hug just after this picture was taken.)

I've worked at this place, (I realized this on Tuesday), for EIGHT years. EIGHT!!! I know for most people in a career that's totally not an impressive number, but I never really thought of this as a career. I started working there when I was 13 years old, and somehow, with no plan or motive to do so, I've climbed my way up the book-store ladder. I went from young Harry Potter/Junie B. Jones event helper to payed holiday giftwrapper. From there I became a children's room book seller, and now here I am, Children's Marketing Manager.

(Picture book author, Jan Brett)

And I get to work with great people! A) My mom, whom I get along with really well. B) Everyone else, including my bosses Anne and Margaret, who are really wonderful people. Margaret came to my house and helped address wedding invitations, for crying out loud! And I've made so many friends in past coworkers there: John, Jan, Connie, Mary, Kelly... I'm near tears just thinking about it. I just love my job. It's one of my favorite places on earth. That's why my husband chose to propose to me there. He knew it was a really important place for me.

I know I won't be there forever, but it has such a large place in my heart that I know the feelings and friendships I've had from there will remain with me forever.

(The wedding shower they threw for me. The food was all Italian themed.)

Things To Do Today:

2011-03-01T08:27:00.001-07:00

Learn how to calculate federal income taxes... before my test tomorrow.

Catch up on a few important e-mails for work.

Read at least 50 pages of the ARC I have sitting on my nightstand.

Watch last week's episode of Grey's Anatomy.

Try and find a good pair of cheap jeans at Nordstrom Rack.

Go to work.

And then hopefully late tonight I can go to my in-law's house and watch the last episode of White Collar, and THEN watch tonight's episode, which I believe will be the season finale.

What an exciting life it is that I lead...

The Confessions of a Denial Addict

2011-02-22T11:02:00.000-07:00

I've realized that I live my life pretending that I'm not a student at a major university. I'm on my eighth semester of school and I have three more ahead of me. (It was going to be five more semesters but then I decided not to get my language certificate in Italian.)

But seriously, I didn't go to school today. Instead I slept until 7:15 then started doing my homework. Now you may be thinking, "well doing your homework certainly counts as student behavior", but you must understand that I've pushed all this homework to the absolute last minute. I have to drive the long drive to school tomorrow, take a very difficult test that I've only now just begun to study for, turn in two finance assignments that I haven't started or even read the relating chapters that will teach me HOW to do the assignments, and then turn in the five-page formal book review I was supposed to have drafted out for peer review a week ago, but really, I haven't even outlined the paper... I haven't even read more than 1/5 of the book! I've had ample time to prepare all these things, and yet I've instead only let myself focus on work and my social life.

I mean, yes, I did do some of it this morning, but that's because I only have three hours left before I go to work to work the late shift. And I don't know if I'm going to be up for an even later night tonight, or an early morning tomorrow before I have to go to school.

So now you're wondering how on earth I'm going to get it all done. And the answer is, I have no clue, but I sorta don't care. I'll do what I can on the assignments, then I'll try and get some more studying in before work. If I can I'll outline my paper tonight quickly before I go to bed. Then tomorrow I'll wake up, review more test notes quickly, take the test, turn in the assignments and then try and write my paper while in my first three classes.

Why am I so calm? Because I've lived my life like this for the past seven semesters, and I haven't failed a class yet. (I've had two Ds, but they still counted as a pass.)

So here I am, blogging as I give my mind a rest from the political arrangements of 335 BC in Israel. In fact, all this morning I kept thinking, maybe I should go try and do some yoga. I've never really done yoga before, but maybe this morning will be a good day to start.

Days Full of Silly Sickness

2011-02-09T14:49:00.000-07:00

I'm sick. Stupid sickness.

There are days in your life when you wish you were sick. And there are days in your life when you actually are. And it seems to me those days never coordinate with each other. Instead we always end up sick at home on the days when we really can't afford to be ill, and stuck in our dull lives on the days we really wish we were.

May I just ask, "What is UP with the universe?" Are the forces of nature trying to teach us something? Patience? Responsibility? Punctuality?

I donno.... Whatevs.

My brain hurts to much to think about it this hard.

I'm just going to go finish my top ramen.

Another List to Share, ThisOne More Literate

2011-01-28T18:28:00.000-07:00

Books Books Books!

I confess, I read books. In fact, my life seems to be very much dependent on them. Why, as of right now, I can honestly say that every corner of my life is adding more and more books to my list of To Be Reads.

This is not to say I don't love books. I most certainly do. I've been reading books habituouly since ever I could read. (Yes, I just said 'ever could I read'.)

So, sticking with the whole List theme of late, here are a couple of lists for you to ponder:

Books I've Greatly Enjoyed: (in no order of preference)

Book Lists Continued:

2011-01-28T18:26:00.001-07:00

And then, here are the books I HAVE to read. Not to say I don't want to read them ever but I hate feeling like I HAVE to do anything. So even though I'm still enjoying them, I feel like some of that joy is stolen by the necessity of it all.

Last but not Least:

2011-01-28T18:02:00.000-07:00

And then Finally here are an assortment of the books that I still really want to read but haven't yet.

The Late Christmas Movie List.... Oops.

2010-12-22T19:51:00.000-07:00

'Tis the season right?

Quick review of movies that we all love this season.

There are always the classics, like:

This is good stuff too:

And of course:

Yeah, I know these are only a few, and I couldn't find clips for all of them, just trailers, but I still love them. And seeing as this is already late coming out, I'm not going to take time to list the many more that come to mind.

Happy Belated Christmas!

My List

2010-12-15T09:44:00.000-07:00

My LIST of places (see previous post), in a somewhat geographical order, of the places I'd like to see before I die:

(What are some of your destinations? Have you been to any of mine?)

Ta Prohm Temple - Cambodia
I want to see the trees in particular here
Luang Prabang Waterfalls- Thailand

Sigiriya- Sri Lanka
I want to climb up and stand atop this chunk of granite

Yaku-Shima- Japan
Hopefully I can get a glance of Mount Fuji while I'm over there too.

Guilin Hills- China

Wolong Nature Reserve- China

Mount Lushan- China

Singing Sands, Gobi Desert- Mongolia

Mount Bromo & Tengger Highlands- Indonesia

Komodo Island- Indonesia

The Polar Plateau- Antarctica
And also I'd like to see some of the famous Antarctic Sea Ice while I'm chillin' out down there.

White Island- New Zealand
Mostly I'd just like to fly over it, but if I get the chance I will want to climb around on this volcano.

Fiorland- New Zealand

Mount Taranaki- New Zealand

Cape Kidnappers- New Zealand

Rotorua Geothermal Region- New Zealand

Twelve Apostles- Australia

Nullarbor Plain- Australia

Kata Tjuta- Australia

Great Barrier Reef- Australia

Mossman Gorge- Australia

Rapa Nui (Easter Island)

Bora Bora- French Polynesia

Palau- Micronesia

Mount Kilauea- Hawaii

Mauna Kea- Hawaii

Ascension Island- Off the cost of Africa
I'd of course only go during baby-seaturtle season

The Maldives- Indian Ocean

Ennedi Gorge- Chad

Blue Nile Falls- Ethiopia

Mount Elgon's Elephant Caves- Kenya/Uganda

Murchision Falls- Uganda

Mount Kilimanjaro- Tanzania

Virunga Mountains- Democratic Republic of Congo

Victoria Falls- Zimbabwe

Mana Pools National Park- Zimbabwe

Darkensberg- South Africa

Cape Point- South Africa

Blyde River Canyon- South Africa

Masada- Israel

Dead Sea- Jordan

Cedars of Lebanon- Lebanon

Pigeon rocks- Lebanon

Meteora- Greece

Mount Olympus- Greece

Mallos De Riglos- Spain

Plitvice Lakes- Croatia

Krimml Falls- Austria

Cevennes Gorge- France

Rhone River- France/Switzerland

Mount Vertoux- France

The Ardeche Gorges- France

Le Puy-De-Dome- France

Cliffs of Moher- Ireland

Giant's Causeway- Northern Ireland

Jurassic Coast- England

The Roaches- England

Lochaber Mountains- Scotland

Great Glen and Lock Ness- Scotland

St. Kilda Archipelago- Scotland

Aurora Borealis- Finland

Geiranger Fjord- Norway

Iguazu Falls- Brazil

Altiplano- Bolivia/Chile/Peru

Machu Picchu- Peru

Galapagos Islands- Ecuador

Aparados Da Serra National Park- Brazil

Autana Tepui- Venezuela

Romantic Cremation?

2010-12-09T11:33:00.001-07:00

I've been telling everyone for years that I want to be cremated, and I don't think people believe me.

The idea is this:

I have a list of places I really want to see before I die. Sometimes I add places to the list, and other times I reassemble their priority on the list.

Now, as much as I like to travel, I have a feeling I won't quite make it to all these places. So, when I die, those who love me take my remains, burn them to ashes, put them in an urn, and go to each of the places I didn't get around to. At each place they let some of me go, (preferably in a strikingly beautiful spot.) This way I get to 'see' all the places on my list.

But here's the catch, not only do my remains experience the beauties of this world, but those who love me enough to cart an urn around the world have the opportunity and excuse to see the marvels of the world as well. So I'm not entirely selfish here.

This has been my plan since jr. high.... Now that I'm married I'm not quite sure what I want. Well that's not true. Ideally my husband and I die within five minutes of each other, we're burned up together and share an urn. (Why does this sound so romantic to me?) Then together we're spread around all these places, only he gets to add some to the list too :)

Because I HAVE begun to check off some spots on my list, another issue has arisen: I want also to return to some of the places I've been. So when I die, look for the stars next to the check marks, because you're going to be heading there too.

These are my current desires for my remains. If you are truly interested in learning more about my list, stay tuned as I'm about to post some locations and pictures. :)

My My, Where Has the Time Gone?

2010-11-07T22:24:00.000-07:00

It's time for a new post. A LOT has happened in these last months.

1.) I went to Italy for most of the summer and left my cute fiance all alone at home.

2.) I came home and got married. It was a beautiful and perfect wedding. I hardly feel like anything went wrong. Everyone who came I think had a good time, and that was the goal. I owe that largely to my wonderful bridal party who danced their feet off at both the dinner and the reception. (You know who you are.) Way to go bridal party!

3.) Moved into a new place, which is gorgeous!!! It's so modern and yet classy. I love it. It's perfect and it's cozy.

4.) I got a promotion! I am now the official Children's Marketing Manager for the bookstore. This means I get to plan, operate, and follow up afterward on all children's events. I'm also one of the five in the marketing team, which means I assist in all other events when necessary.

5.) Due to my new job I've met and conversed comfortably with such famous authors as Rick Riordan, James Dashner, Mark and Caralyn Buehner and Treat Williams (yes the actor). We had Jimmy Carter this month too. Not only did he agree to shake my hand after I worked his event, but he hugged me. It was amazing. (He didn't hug anyone else, mind you.)

Pretty much my life is awesome right now. If only I could figure out how to fit school into this complicated equation. Hmm... oh well. I'll post pictures sometime. Maybe I'll post each major event individually, complete with corresponding pictures. Who knows.

I'm happy with my new hubby. And that's all I'm really caring about right now.

Cheers!

Blue Midget Forever!

2010-04-16T22:06:00.000-07:00

I'm moving out of my apartment. I'm sad. It's been really a difficult year, and there were times when I just didn't want to drive back to my apartment after my weekend at home with my family and boyfriend, but I also can't overlook how much good I have experienced in this apartment.

I live in a college town which has its advantages and disadvantages. For the most part I've only really focused on the negative aspects while living down here. But seriously, I love my roommates. I have learned SO much from living with them. I wasn't incredibly close to each of them, but we all had good relationships with each other, and we all knew how to have fun together.

We held parliament sessions for a while, where we would vote on certain things, like naming the room in which we met "The Room of Requirement" and the bathroom "The Other Room of Requirement". Inside jokes sprung up and were carried out adequately for what has literally been months later, like the "blue midget" and "the bedroom of the blue midget".

I wanted to move out of my parents house and experience everything I knew would come with moving out. So I did, I transfered schools and moved 40 miles away. I had a boyfriend at home, and risked ending it, but I knew it was important. I really knew I had something to learn out on my own. And I think I did learn it.

When I stop to think about it, I feel gratitude and humility. Gratitude because I have had WONDERFUL experiences out here, and humility because I could have done SO MUCH MORE to have learned and experienced out here.

True I don't like this city at all. I feel like it's a bit junky and everyone in it is self-centered and self-focussed as they are all working to learn and take care of themselves right now, but I honestly have spent this last school year in the greatest apartment I've ever seen with people who were absolutely perfect for me to live with. No I didn't always think they were perfect. I had some quiet but definite frustrations and moments of anger with some of them, but now that it's over, I don't really care about any of that. Right now I'm just remembering the good.

It feels like only two weeks ago when I was meeting cute Erin who I was to share a room with. It feels like only yesterday that I started my first week of school down here. I remember soooo clearly that first week, and coming home each day from class and feeling like a piece of my stomach had fallen out on my walk home. I was lonely and homesick and uneasy in my foreign surroundings, but I can't remember any of it lasting longer than a week.

This apartment to me represents my personal place. Here I have invested only myself. Joey has come to visit, but he definitely isn't a part of what this place means to me. This apartment is untainted by my relationships with others. Instead I look around and see purely myself and I can almost feel the change in me as I have learned to be independent in a new way. Not just in supporting myself, but in learning to survive without loved ones always close at hand who will give me a hug when I need one. Yes my roommates were all here with me, but there is an indescribable difference. We were all friends but we were all learning the majority of things individually.

Life changes, but change is good. It can be really hard for me sometimes, but at the same time I NEED it. I'd go crazy without it. Tomorrow I take another final exam, finish packing, go to my last day of work at the chocolate store then drive home. There I will finish some necessary wedding preparations, get ready for Italy, then fly to Europe for eight weeks. I will then come home, wait 50 days, then get married to my adorable and handsome fiance who makes my life that much better. From there I don't really know where I'll go, but like I said, change is good. Just like I knew I had something to learn from living on my own, I know I have a great deal to learn from every other experience that comes my way.

So after having slept here for approximately 210 days, this is my last night, and as it is with everything that comes to an end in my life, I am sad. This place holds a chunk of my life. It wasn't incredibly long, but it was magnificent. I don't measure its importance in time, but rather in what I've learned, and believe me, I've learned a lot.

I'd be surprised if anyone has made it through to the end of this entry. But honestly I didn't write it out for anyone but myself. I was cleaning out the last bits of my closet when I realized I'd been sitting in the closet for over fifteen minutes staring at a wall and thinking about leaving. I wanted to write in my journal, but I took my journals all home last weekend. So here I am, typing.

(PS, too bad I didn't realize how much I liked sitting in the closet until my last night. I probably would have gotten a lot of homework done in there.)

Ok. I'll end this now. I hurried and took some pictures because I realized that I did in fact want them, even if it's lame and cheesy. So I'll probably post some of them. This really was the perfect place to live. It's so beautiful and homey.

So yeah, it's been a rough year. School was hard, work was stressful, especially when my manager hated me, but I don't regret having come down here for even a second. This was so far the greatest thing I've ever done for myself, and I've done a lot. So if you haven't moved out and you're reading this, I would recommend it. Just do it. It's so worth it. Even the things that frustrated you will be meaningless by the end of it. Just as it is in all things, we simply need to look more at the positive.

Toilet Smarts

2010-04-13T18:58:00.001-07:00

The toilet wouldn't stop running water after the last person flushed. All by self I took off the lid and watched as I discovered how a toilet works. I thought I knew before, but clearly I didn't because now I understand ALL aspects of how it works.

First of all, may I just say, the person who designed the toilet was brilliant. And second, in accordance to my last blog, posted three hours ago, I just needed to mention that this is just one more thing that I believe qualifies me as an adult.

That's all.

Life oh Life

2010-04-13T17:07:00.000-07:00

Life, for serious, is a weird and freaky thing.

Like to sit here and realize, that not only am I an adult because of my age, but I guess I do adult-ish things.

For example, I can pay my own bills. I'm paying off a loan, I pay rent, I pay insurance, I pay for my cell-phone, I buy gas and groceries, I understand a credit score and how to work toward getting a better one, and I'm trying to save for both Italy and a marriage at the same time. These are all very grown-up things.

Apart from finances I know what to do if/when I get into a car accident, I have three years of a collegiate education behind me, I schedule my own doctors appointments and understand how my insurance works, (like I now understand what a 'deductable' is), I can change a tire, (Like for reals, I've done it), I understand how stocks and bonds work... The only thing I haven't really learned yet is how to do my own taxes. My sweet and loving father takes care of that mess for me. And I know how to work and work hard. Money doesn't scare me. Even if I'm struggling for a while, I'm not afraid. So what if I'm poor for a while, I just don't buy so much and work even harder. Piece of cake really. So yeah. I guess I'm an adult.

I didn't realize it really until my roommate a while ago came to me asking advice on her credit card...

Weird.

But no, seriously, it's weird. If you know me at all, especially from high school, you'd know that this is not something you would expect from me. I had tea parties and picnics throughout all of my adolescence. I even dressed up with my friends and went out and did crazy things, just because we could. I skipped school a lot, got pretty good grades knowing they could be even better if I care, but I chose not too... like, the responsible adult thing is just so out of character for me. So yeah. It's weird and surprising.

I'm getting married!!! That's a pretty big adult-like thing to do. And knowing myself, I would expect myself to be more scared than I am, but I'm really not. I can take care of myself already, so it's not like I have to learn how to do that at the same time as learning to care for someone else.

But this is a good thing that I'm going into a marriage so prepared. Because now I won't be forced to learn too much at once. I've got all the logistics learned, so I can focus only on the relationship and the marriage. Which, I'm thinking, is a pretty cool thing.

So yeah. I guess I'm an adult. And yeah, it's weird, but not that much has changed. I'm still willing to look like a total fool in front of people and I still know how to have a good time. I've just furthered my education a bit. That's all.

So yay for life. It's always moving somewhere, and if it feels like it's not, then I would venture to say that you're probably doing something wrong...

Beautiful October Plans

2010-03-04T14:32:00.000-07:00

I'm usually good at staying pretty chill about things. I don't get too stressed usually, (at least with the things one usually gets stressed out about), and I do get excited but most people don't really see my true excitement. Many just see me being crazy and weird. I think the reason for this is because nothing often gets me REALLY excited.

Except right now I have a pretty valid reasons for crazy out-of-control excitement. I am, as of last weekend, ENGAGED!! That's right. With a shiny ring and a hot fiancè. The works. And I have the prettiest ring. So of COURSE I'm excited. This is like, the best thing to happen in my life.

So It's going to happen in October. And it's going to be a gorgeous fall wedding. I love the autumn. It's my favorite season. And it just feels like the perfect length of engagement time for us. I'll still be going to Italy, which will be hard to be apart for so long, but at the same time, I'm going to be living in Italy, which has been a dream of mine for year and years. So everything seems to be fabulous right now.

Well, remember how I don't get too stressed? Well there are a few things for the wedding I'm going to need to have figured out before I go to Italy in a month, and I also have school. So I'm a little worried that I might actually get a little stressed out. But hopefully I will manage to keep it all under control. :) I'll just need to stop and remember how fabulous my life actually is. Huzaah!

2010-02-24T12:39:00.001-07:00

Today's a dumb day... I scratched my eyeball taking out a contact and thus I feel excused.

It's a rainy/snowy day today. One of those days when it's snowing but it's too warm outside to stick, thus the ground looks rained on, but the sky offers snow. I don't like snow too much. Correction: I don't like snow after New Years. All of snow's value is lost when no longer associated with the holidays. Or at leas, that's my opinion.

I love rain though. I LOVE thunderstorms. But mostly I just love puddles and the fact that sometimes the earth wants to get wet. (Totally random thought, but it reminds me of an elephant throwing water with its trunk to stay cool. That what I imagine mother nature is doing when it rains.) I don't understand why so many people have this cat-like fear of getting wet. Embrace it. It's a change of pace. (Unless you live in England I suppose.)

My absolute favorite is walking outside after the rain has chilled out a bit, and while walking you look down and watch the puddles and the reflections of the sky and tree silhouettes on the ground. Tree silhouettes always make me happy, but seeing them when I'm looking down at what usually is an ugly sidewalk... that just gives me another reason to get over myself and try and enjoy the day. And it doesn't just have to be a tree silhouette. People, buildings, whatever. I just love small puddle reflections.

So I think I will. I've got to go to three more classes today, :p, but between each one I'll try and forget about the disgusting cold air, and focus on something worthy of holding my attention.

Città Bella

2009-12-15T23:27:00.000-07:00

In April I have plans.

Siena! As in, Italy. :)

That's right. Beautiful Siena awaits me for

a seven week study abroad. The first three weeks I will take an advanced Italian Language class, and travel around to villages, cities, and anywhere else I pretty much feel like going.]

Siena is only an hour away from both Florence and Pisa. And two hours north of Rome. So I'll probably be hitting up Florence a lot at first.

But my school classes only last the first three weeks. The second half I get to choose whatever the hay I want to do for an internship and I've pretty much decided on culinary.

That's right, I will be working as an intern in an Italian kitchen where I hope to be learning the many magical secrets to an amazing Italian dish.

My Italian teacher from last year is from Genova and she made what was pretty much just a ragu on noodles with lots of cheese, and I am SO not kidding when I declare it to be the most delectable thing I have ever to have passed over my tongue. It was... it was beautiful. I nearly weep at the memory.

So I hope that to be part of my future. I want to be the lady whom everyone wants to invite to their dinner parties in the hopes that I might grace everyone with one of my renowned Italian dishes. It's a beautiful future!

... Just realized that this means I'm probably going to be really fat if this is my future.

Too Much Time in Front of the TV?

2009-12-07T20:18:00.001-07:00

Who doesn't love those classic movies?

I've been CRAVING A Philadelphia Story; you know, the one with Katherine Hepburn, Carry Grant, and Jimmy Stewart. Yeah. It's a good one. That's for sure.

And thanks to netflix, I recently saw Shop Around the Corner, also with Jimmy Stewart. You've Got Mail was based off of this one. It is also VERY good. The lines are witty as they do a fabulous job of insulting each other. And it's just cute. So if you haven't seen that one, go ahead and watch it. It's worth it.

On a different note. I've also watched recently Easy Virtue with Jessica Biel, Ben Barnes, and Collin Firth. I really like that one too. It was maddening in sort of a Family Stone way, but I loved it. Plus Ben Barnes is stinkin' HOT. And he has these huge, brown, puppy-dog eyes throughout the movie that make you wish the camera never left his face. And it is very enjoyable aesthetically. But I'm a sucker for the vintage clothing and styles. But really, it's a great one. Chaotic, but charming non the less.

Other movies I love and have revisited lately:

Family Stone (Rachel McAdams is one of my favorites right now. And this was the first movie I actually really appreciated Sarah Jessica Parker in.

Sunshine Cleaning (Emily Blunt is the other favorite right now. Talk about versatile.)

I've also been on sort of a Friends kick lately. So I've been re-watching a lot of those.

Willy Wonka Jr.

2009-09-23T17:53:00.000-07:00

I work at a chocolate shop. I don't really like chocolate, so I don't have to worry about gaining fifteen pounds or anything, but it does sort of put yet another ironic twist on my life.

I've never had much artistic skill. I REALLY wish I could draw well. I have a load of images bumper-carring around in my brain that I desperately wish I could transfer to paper and actually view. But alas...

But when it comes to chocolate... It's just fun. And it looks pretty when I'm done.

See it's an art.

(not actually my photo, but our stuff looks just like this)

And it's fun. I also dip and drizzle strawberries, pretzels, oreos and cinnamon bears. It's a great job.

The number one question is, "How do you stay so skinny working in a place like this?" To which I just laugh and don't really reply. It's probably not the best of advertising to say I don't like chocolate while working in a chocolate shop. So yeah. That's my job. Jealous? Because it IS pretty cool, and I totally won't judge you if you are a little.

PS. I can drink as much Dr. Pepper as I want while working. It's a definite perk.

The Rainbow Connection

2009-09-14T22:52:00.000-07:00

So school seems to be much more difficult for me this semester. And I was actually really struggling recently as I tried and failed to stay on top of my homework. And then, ta da, miracle of miracles, I rediscovered my secret to good study patterns: colored pens.

It sounds like a joke, and I'm sure you had to reread that line several times to make sure you understood it, but yes, I find myself much more driven to complete homework and to study when I write and organize everything with different colors of ink.

Yesterday, while studying my Italian vocab I used the colors brown, red and yellow. It was great fun. So while I was learning how to say iron in Italian, I also managed to make the page look pretty with beautiful fall colors, which suited my mood very well.

These are the pens I use, and I love them. Their Staedtler triplus fineliner. :) Incase you were interested.

I highly recommend this method to anyone who struggles in their studies. It gives your brain a good excuse to exercise its right hemisphere, as well as the left.

So there you go. Happy studying to you. Let me know if it works for you or not.

You just can't get enough of 'em!

2009-07-21T21:14:00.000-07:00

I was just reading all my friends' amazing posts and mourning the fact that I wasn't as witty as they when I found myself opening a new page and wanting to blog about something myself. But what to blog??

I have nothing to blog really. So I'm just going to post some pictures of some of the greatest kissing moments in film history. Remember these?

Of course there's the classic, random kiss of the 1985 Room With A View

Another fabulous surprise kiss is in the 1995 Clueless. I LOVE this movie by the way

If I had managed to find a worthy picture I would have shown the FABULOUS grab and pull kiss from the phenomenal 2006 Penelope.

But moving back toward the classic literature-on-film kisses we have:
1996- Emma (only a good kiss because of the magnificent tree it's set under. Couldn't find a pic..)

Mansfield Park 1999
(This Edmund is SOO good!)

And, in my opinion, the best kiss I've probably seen in this genre of film:
North and South 2004

If you haven't seen it yet, DO. It's THAT FREAKIN' GOOD!

(There are many MANY more, but I haven't the time. I'll think of some and add them later if you'd like. Or feel free to remind me if you're appalled to see I've not included.

Against All The Odds

2009-07-09T11:45:00.001-07:00

Human psychology just continues to amaze me. Have you ever thought about how hard it is to not only find someone who you're interested in, but who also returns that interest? It's hard! So many plays, books and movies are based around this one concept, and they still continue to entertain us. It's because it's a true concept that every one of us can relate to.

Most often one person likes someone, and that person likes another someone, who likes another someone. I see this as loop-de-loops in my mind. And a lot of the time, the people don't even realize that there was someone out there who had a little thing for them.

Think of all the people you've had a little crush on in your lifetime, whom you never told. They probably still, to this day, have no idea it ever happened. Well is it so impossible to think that maybe there were several people out there who never said anything to YOU? So you still to this day are clueless to there ever having been anything going on.

So amidst this huge maze of unrequited love, it's almost miraculous to come across a couple who broke out of their loop-de-loops long enough to find something they were looking for. And even more miraculous is when that couple fit so well together that they can make a lifelong relationship work.And I think THAT is a romantic concept.

So let's not get discouraged when things aren't working out for us. We just have to remember how harsh the numbers are against us ever finding someone in the first place. And when you do finally find someone, even if it's not a lifelong thing, allow yourself to be more grateful for what you've found. It's a rare thing.

Best Day of the Year!

2009-06-14T22:56:00.000-07:00

I don't care what anyone says, birthdays are a BIG DEAL!

I love my birthday. It's fabulous. It reminds me that I'm moving somewhere. Age isn't an issue for me. I know people who are my age and think, "Oh man, I'm freakin' OLD!" So? Even if you are each new era of your life is full of fabulous new experiences and something to look forward to learning from.

I love knowing that I have one day out of the year where I can find an excuse to spend time with those I care the most about. I also like to look back at the last year spent in my life and think of all that sucked, then I try to figure out why that stuff sucked and then I make a plan to shape the next year of my life into what I want. So yeah, I guess it's like a second New Year's resolution; though not really because this is more personal and more affective. (I can't take stuff seriously when I know everyone else is doing it.)

I love making people feel good on there birthdays as well. They deserve a moment of self-appreciation. We always look down at selfishness and pride, but I think we also push it into a lack of self-esteem and self-respect. So it's important to remind those around you how much value they really have in your life. It feels AWESOME to feel loved by those around you. So give back to the people who love you and let them know how awesome they are, particularly on their birthday.

It's late and I'm totally rambling and probably don't make much sense. So I'll just stop.

I'll just have you all know that my birthday was FABULOUS. I honestly didn't do a whole lot, but I was given opportunities to feel loved by those around me. And that's what made it so good. So thank you to all who were a part of my day in some way or other. I love you all.

(I had a request to post the Anthropologie clothes I got. So I did. That's them there. A fabulous top and pair of shorts.)

2009-06-08T16:53:00.000-07:00

I love... Anthropologie dresses! They say, "Let's go have afternoon tea" and it's suitable. Here are some more dresses I found that I thought were cute and tea-appropriate. I also really, really want one for myself. So if anyone has a desire to buy one for me... comment and let me know. :)

Benefits

2009-06-05T14:53:00.000-07:00

Today at our staff meeting, the manager awarded me and the others involved with our little flood with little rubber ducks. The ducks she gave to the others had adorable little sailor hats. She handed mine to me last. It had a snorkel. "And since Rachel got to go diving..." she said before showing me the adorable little thing. It was exciting. That's what you call a job with benefits.

Just Doing My Job

2009-06-03T11:52:00.000-07:00

Life is full of adventures. Take Tuesday night for instance.

I'm working at the bookstore and I was totally caught up in what I was doing. When suddenly I am shaken out of my head by the sound of pounding rain. And when I describe it as pounding, I mean it was holy freakin' cow POUNDING! If it were cold enough to become hail, the hail balls would have been about the size of golf balls. I am SO not exaggerating here. I looked out the window and the street was almost completely flooded. It looked like a river carrying small branches in its current. I couldn't help but smile. Because how often does something like that happen? And, again I emphasize, the raindrops were HUGE!.

As my boss and coworkers looked out the window with me I verbalized my thoughts. "Doesn't it just make you want to go play in it. Jump around, get wet..." They all looked at me a little funny, my boss in particular. "Not that I would," I corrected, "because, you know, then I'd be all wet when I came back in here..."

As my boss turned to disappear up the stairs, we heard her curse. "S***! Not good!!!" We all turned in unison to see where she was looking. The door to the patio had 2 1/2 feet of water up against its glass, and the door was no longer working to keep the water out. It was coming in so fast and hard that it looked as though someone had turned on a foset, and left it to run all over the hardwood floors.

Allow me to remind you at this point, that we sell BOOKS. And books' nemisis= water.

It was like someone had snapped their fingers and made us into a fire bragade. A line of us ran to the back room with me leading the way. We grabbed towels and ran back to the door. For about three seconds I watched as everyone started mopping up the water with the towels and made sad attempts to stop the water from coming in. But it looked like the scene in Free Willy when the tank has a leak and there are only mere minutes before the glass just gives in. (Of course I am somewhat exaggerating here.) So it took me mere seconds before I decided to act.

I ran back and found a mop bucket, ran to the other back door, kicked off my shoes and dashed out into the wet. I just remember how hard those raindrops were falling and how they even hurt a little. I was using the bucket as an umbrella as I ran around to the patio. I couldn't believe how much water was sitting against the door. I wondered if it was even worth it to start bailing, seeing as it would take a really long time before it would take any sort of helping effect. But I dipped my bucket in anyway and got to work. Even though it was a crappy job, I couldn't help but laugh a little out loud as realized that three minutes earlier I had been talking about how much fun it would be to go out and get wet. Well... I certainly got wet.

About twenty-five buckets later I was starting to finally see a difference. At one point I remember looking through the glass door and seeing one of my coworkers smile at me. I'm sure it looked like I'd gone swimming with my clothes on. I laughed and gave her a thumbs up then kept going.

About thirty-five buckets into it I noticed that the lightning was actually very close, and was coming about every forty seconds or so. Remember... I was on the patio. So it was a little scary for a bit, but I just went until the water was below the door. It took about fifty-five buckets or so. When I went back in I looked at my boss and said, "Well I think I'll need to run home and change." She laughed a little. "I'll bring back more towels too." At this she shook her head and told me to just go home since it would be closing time when I got back anyway. She'd call her daughter and have her bring some towels over.

So there you go. When you're in need of getting out of work an hour early, try doing something semi-heroic. Preferably if it means sacrificing dry clothes. It's a win-win situation. Plus I had fun. A change of pace is always exciting.

But let me tell you... when I woke up the morning after, my back and shoulders KILLED! I've never had such bad knots. But it was all totally worth it.

Capitalism

2009-05-31T12:06:00.000-07:00

SHOES

I love them. And yet I have a hard time finding any when I go shopping. See, just because I would sell my life to debt if it meant obtaining the perfect pair of heels, doesn't mean I would wear just ANYTHING. I'm, infact, very particular when it comes to my shoes. I'm not about to put anything on my feet that I don't just absolutely love.

So a couple weeks ago I was having a blast visiting with friends, and we decided at 10:30 pm that we wanted to go shopping. But where might one go shopping so late at night? Particularly when you're in Idaho, like we were. Have you guessed it yet?

Walmart

Please, don't judge me. In my defense I'd only ever been to a Walmart, probably two times previous in my entire life. I'm one of those people who likes to pretend to at least try and buy local. Plus, I hate Walmart. But there we were. And we made a real shopping experience out of it. Let me tell you. We hit up the undies first, then moved to shoes, then to movies, then to accessories and bags, and wrapped it all up in the regular clothing department.

I, who hate Walmart spent at least three times as much as anyone. A list of purchases:

2 scarves

1 bag

1 movie

1pair of shorts

1 pair of shoes *

See that? SHOES!! I bought Walmart shoes!! For $14.99! I've never spent more than $100 on a pair of shoes. (Probably because I've never alowed myself to even look at shoes of that price. I know where I am weak...) But I HAVE spent $85 on a pair of shoes before. And I don't feel bad about it in the least. So the fact that I found a reasonably cute pair of shoes at Walmart is on the brink of miraculous. And what's more: I've been getting compliments on them like crazy! Nuts huh?

I was going to post some pictures of cute shoes I found online, but I coudn't find any I loved enough to post. Which is probably a good thing, because if I did, I would want to buy them.

Oh, by the way. If you find any cute yellow heels... I've been dying for an adorable pair of yellow heels.

I found this cute dress while looking for good shoe pictures. Two words for you: Anthropolgie baby!!

...Oh Calamity...

2009-05-30T16:13:00.000-07:00

"Don't you dare strike that brave, unbalanced woman!"

What has happened to the film industry? Is it just me, or does it seem that every movie is an adapted screenplay? Ok, maybe not EVERY movie. But if it's not an adapted screenplay it's one of the pitiful failures that make you role your eyes and say, "I could write this crap."

Not that I was alive in the 1940's or anything, but all those movies seemed just as marvelous as the next. And they were WELL written! I mean, the romance is real enough to make you swoon, the humor is witty enough to have you giggling four scenes later. The action... well that's improved, but that's all thanks to the fabulous CG teams or whatever.

But it's not like every film that was made was spectacular. We just know all the good ones because... well they're good enough to last 65 some odd years. But it seems to me that all of those classics were original screenplays. Right? Only a few books then made it into movie form. East of Eden, for example.

Perhaps it's just because I work in a bookstore. I'll just be doing my job and run across a copy of About a Boy, or The Women... and I hadn't REALIZED it was originally a book. So it just seems to me that Hollywood is losing originality or something. Of course every now and then they'll pop out something like Casanova or something. But not often enough it seems.

Oh woe. Oh spite. I guess this just means we'll all have to start putting our own imaginations to use and generate our own original story lines for entertainment.

Whatevs. I guess I can deal.