"She is too fond of books, and it has turned her brain." {Louisa May Alcott}

Monday, October 18, 2010

Sensual Sea


Low Tide - April Lindner

More tease than strip, the surf slips back
and though the show runs twice a day
we're fascinated by the slow
disrobing. Shallows webbed with gold
ripple, then draw back to expose
crinkles tender as the lines a bedsheet
etches on skin. Our hands itch
for all they might gather, periwinkles clustered
on wet underledges, the rich nether tangle
of rockweed and knotted wrack.
What's left veiled undulates somewhere,
barracuda, moray, hammerhead,
caressed by the same waves that lap our ankles.
At nightfall, the tide unfurls,
black and glistening, tipped with moon,
to gather all its secrets up in silk.


*for some reason, this poem really moves me. it's enchanting how she describes the sea.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Fun Fact Friday?? one day late...

I figured I'd write a random, little about me... and since all of my blog posts have been random (and sporadic) I figured, why stop now?

1. I think I am obsessed with chapstick, I buy a new one every couple weeks. But none have yet to rival Maui Mikes, and I can't find those anywhere!

2. I live in the past too much, I mean when you think about being an ancient Egyptian or what it would be like to have grown up in the 50's or even how great some of the times I had in high school were, at least once a day, something's wrong here.

3. I can't make up my mind on whether or not I'm a small town girl, or the big city type. Maybe I need to find a happy medium?

4. I have to consciously remember that people I meet don't know me, or my personality, or my little flaws, so I have to try extra hard to reach out to them... and text them back! Which leads me to...

5. I am absolutely terrible at texting: remembering to text people back, texting them back within a decent time frame, being charming/cute/nice/etc. through text, and relaying what I really mean. I am also preeetty bad at calling people as well. :/

6. I absolutely love LOVE to read. I would much rather read than do just about anything else. My gramma and I read all the time together.

7. I am not an emotional person. I don't cry in front of people, and rarely cry anyways. But I AM always laughing.

8. I love Tech N9ne and Andre Nickatina, which some think is a little weird because those are kind of hard core rap.

9. I am a complete Harry Potter nerd. November 19th, midnight premier, here I come! I've read all of the books at least a dozen times.

10. uhh... I'm running out of fun facts so, my right headlight is out. and I haven't had time to fix it, or take it in and have some cute auto shop boy help me out. :)

I hope you enjoyed some random information about me, I felt like I just needed to get it out there! ...even if no one is reading this, I feel better knowing that maybe stating this about me will help me kind of find myself. Does that make sense? Oh well, ta ta for now.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Puerto Nuevo


Nothing's better than a day safely spent south of the border with family, food, and tequila. The lobster was delicious, the margaritas fresh, and the weather perfect. I even haggled for a good ol' Mexican blanket.
Viva Mexico!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

The Birthplace of the Renaissance


The beautiful and cultural country of Italy has been calling to me for quite some time. I have been taking Italian in school and despite all of the difficult verb tenses, I love it. Hands down, unequivocally, love it. The language is so lyrical and beautiful, it is a joy to even struggle through it. My pitiful attempts at mastering the Italian have led me to the conclusion that the only way to become fluent is to live it. To immerse myself entirely in Italian culture, language, everyday life. And to do that, one must go to Italy!

Spring 2011: I will be studying abroad in Florence.

I may have yet to apply [be accepted, pay for it, etc.] but I already know that I will be going for sure. There is no doubt in my mind... I just need to work out a few kinks is all.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Ahhh the Nerd in Me Comes Out Again


There's just something about a well stocked library or a toppling stack of books that speaks to me. I love seeing them, thumbing through the well worn pages, smelling the mustiness of an old novel... But I would still really like to have the Amazon Kindle to carry around with me, because 99.9% of the time I am lugging a book around in my purse and sometimes it gets too heavy and bulky. So if anyone wants to get me this sleek, graphite gray Kindle, it'd be much appreciated. ;)

Monday, August 9, 2010

Nostalgia


Just got back from an amazing week-long vacation. First stop was Yosemite with the g-parents. Second stop: Lake Havasu with B. ahhhh... need I say more? -maybe I'll make a couple posts about it.

And returning from pure leisure everyday with one of my bests just makes me miss having friends. Since I moved down to San Diego last year, I have had a hell of a time making friends. I didn't think I was such a terrible friend maker, I was good at it in high school but I guess I've just become terrible since I'd established my necessary friend base. Community college seems so much harder to meet people at than state colleges. I mean sure, I have my cousin and my sister, but I miss having best friends around to just come over and sit sometimes. I miss that simple easiness you have with someone whom you've known for so long. Oh well, I guess I need to try harder. But it really is so god damned frustrating!

Saturday, July 31, 2010

WOOHOO!

Blahhhhh!!!! Sneakers on Gilt, sneakers on Gilt, sneakers on Gilt!

I can't contain my excitement! Keds AND Sperry Topsiders! (Converse, Simple, and 80%20 also... but who cares). One of my favorite pairs of shoes ever were a pair of Keds, and I have been in love ever since. And I've been aching after some Sperry's for some reason, and now they're on Gilt!

But unfortunately for me, I am too late to snag a pair that I like. :(

I'm still glad to know that the fashion world is looking out for us jeans and tees girls.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

If You Blow, Let Us Know

Heard of the most fantastic hair salon the other day. [teehee ^^that's one of their slogans]

Drybar. A hair salon that purely and exclusively does blowouts, and its pretty inexpensive too! Only $35 a blowout - they don't do cuts, colors, highlights, etc. So they must be good at what they do. 
 I started following their blog and saw a video they made of interviewees for new locations opening up all over LA. I wish they would move south a little to San Diego so I could get the Mai Tai or the Cosmopolitan that I am lusting after!


Tuesday, July 27, 2010

How Great is This Dane?


I thought this was hilarious and just had to share!

Friday, July 23, 2010

Just a Quickie

I have been soooooperrr busy lately so I have no inspiration for a good blog post right now, other than my lame excuses and reasons for being so busy.

1. School. - I swear I had an essay a night for summer school, because they try to cram 16 weeks worth of classes into only 6 effing HELL weeks. Yesterday was my last day! YES

2. Work - Not truly an excuse as I've only been working 3-4 days a week due to said Hell Weeks. But it takes up valuable free time!

3. Internship - Newly acquired... but starting yesterday I have to write two L-O-N-G articles on How to Choose a Cigar (uhhh... How would I know?) and Contemporary Furniture Stores in SD. Welp, there goes my break between semesters.

"Keep your eye on the prize" I know, I know.

P.S. Kinda loving these Toms wedges... cute and caring? Too good to be true.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Heartless... done much better



I was just farting around (Dad's phrase - I guess I inherited it) on You Tube and came across The Fray's cover of Kanye's Heartless. Needless to say, I am much pleased with it.

Friday, July 16, 2010

"To write is therapy, to write well is art."

Maybe I should start writing just to write. I need to keep this in mind, and write to just get my feelings out there, instead of tip-toeing around what other people think. Because who knows who ever even reads my musings? Not like I have had many real musings lately, just little, almost thoughtless postings. Trying to emulate other bloggers around the web instead of focusing on what I really care about, on what really moves me. ME, not anyone else. Because if I'm not passionate about something I'm writing about, who the hell will want to read it?

Isn't that the point of a blog anyways? To write about your thoughts, ideas, loves, dislikes, interests, etc. And how am I ever going to become a better writer unless I just go at it and write whatever comes to mind. Practice makes perfect, right? Well I'm not trying to be perfect, just relatable and engaging someday. Let's face it, I'm not the most interesting and charming writer, but I want to be, I want to be able to hold a reader's interest and have a compelling flow. I want to know how to say what's on my mind in attention grabbing prose. I don't want to be put on the back burner, damnit!



These are just my current, random thoughts. There will be more to come, more me, and not catering to others. Un bacio.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Thermometer Risen












The temperature has sky rocketed here in sunny San Diego and let me just say: FINALLY! But now I have my mind on classic summer treats... ahh it's been years since I've had Dip'n Dots. But personally my all time favorite is a frozen Capri Sun,  when it's at its slushiest. Although otterpops come in at a close second. Mmmm... What's yours?

all images from we heart it

Monday, July 12, 2010

NO I do not want Viagra

...Or Cialis, or Cheap Rolexes for that matter. Those stupid, annoying spam emails really get to me sometimes. I don't understand how these companies get my email address. I reserve one address specifically for professional and business matters, and never enter it into those sometimes tempting giveaways, so where do they get it from?! It must be some unwritten rule: Have email address = will get spam. I can usually just send them to Junk no problem, but for some reason unbeknown to me my hotmail account won't let me! Ughhh it's so frustrating...

On a lighter note: I stumbled across this website,The Oatmeal. One of the funniest that I have seen so far. So you absolutely have to, HAVE TO, check it out. I seriously cry laughing every time I go on it, which is very very frequently now. My favorite thing on the site is probably this. It's so true!

Thursday, July 8, 2010

"My Little Croissant"

So if you're wondering why my title is in quotes, then you definitely have not seen this Mad TV clip and you absolutely should stop what you're doing right now and WATCH IT.

Anyways, I wanted to bake something and I decided on mini chocolate croissants. Seeing as I have never made them before I cheated and used puff pastry dough instead of making my own. BUT when I took them out of the freezer to thaw them for 40 minutes... I ended up taking a two hour nap. (which was amazing by the way) So the dough was a bit of a pain in the ass to work with but my mini croissants turned out delicious, if not beautiful.


p.s. I don't remember where I got the recipe from. I found it on the internet awhile ago and copy and pasted.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Some Inspiration



[all images from we heart it]

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

The Olympic Spa

Set in the heart of Koreatown, LA, The Olympic Spa at first glance seems uninviting and almost run down. But, pull around to the back of this Korean bathhouse and you are greeted with valet parking and a smiling receptionist who promptly ushers you into the women only, no swimsuits allowed, spa and treatment area. As you walk in, you're reminded of a glorified locker room, and the atmosphere takes a little getting used to, with the completely nude women milling about and the Korean attendants dressed only in black bra and underwear. Women from all walks of life come to bathe in the hot and cold mineral tubs, steam in the jade steam room, sweat out toxins in the sauna filled with purifying charcoal or take a rejuvenating nap on the sprawling and beneficial jade floor. And all of this is included when you book an appointment for any of the different, and I'm sure equally amazing [cause mine definitely was], treatments
I got the The Milk and Honey Smoothie which consisted of an intense all over, and I mean all over, body scrub followed by a honey massage and warm milk rinse, then a cucumber mask was slathered on my face while my attendant washed my hair. Afterward my skin was ridiculously soft, I couldn't stop touching myself [not like that, pervs] and I was incredibly relaxed. You’ll leave the Olympic Spa feeling rejuvenated and drooling to book your next appointment.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Del Mar Fair

Since I'm supposed to be writing a paper for my English class, and am procrastinating as usual, I decided to post an itty bitty blog post instead of wandering aimlessly around Facebook, as I am wont to do. Anyways, I went to the Del Mar fair yesterday, and to be truthful, I was sorta/kinda disappointed. I guess I was just expecting it to be less county fair like, and more... I don't know, just MORE. It was simply a glorified version of the El Dorado County Fair back in the 'ville, with tons more people and ungodly amounts of fried food. Even butter! which shouldn't even qualify as a food - more of a heart attack on a plate, along with the deep fried klondike bars and twinkies. On the plus side however, I did get to see the world's largest horse: 19 hands tall (that's six and a half feet) and 3,000 pounds!

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Mini Vacay



 

Venice Beach 
 
 Such a vibrantly colorful and exciting place. I am so fortunate to have a cousin who lives right there, on a sailboat in Marina del Rey actually. I spent the past two and half days up there, and had a blast! I experienced so many new things and I loved every single one of them. Here's a run down of my couple-daycation.

I got there on Thursday around noon, and Jessica (my dear cousin) immediately jumped into my car to go to a job of hers for a couple of hours. She's a studio teacher - among other things - and goes on movie sets or things of the like and teaches child actors and enforces child labor laws. So we first went to Sissy Spacek's daughter's film, but since the kids had already been in school, all that was required of Jes was to just watch (and eat lots of delicious food, which I got to partake in because I was "jobshadowing" her - Oh and btw I guess S. Spacek is really famous?) Then we went to Nickelodeon studios and watched a kid record a cartoon show.



Friday morning we woke up early, took the kids to school, and went sailing. Just to let you all know, we are complete NOVICES at sailing. I've only been one other time and she's never been by herself either. But we tacked and gibbed and sailed like the best of them - maybe not as well as the 16 year old who was sailing around the world, but at least we didn't have to be rescued. (30 foot waves notwithstanding) Both of us did almost die, however. I decided to sit in a hammock that was strung on the stern, and as soon as I let go of the boat I started swinging around wildly and was almost impaled by the ladder. While she decided to hang from the bow, but we were laughing so hard that she almost didn't have enough strength to pull herself up. But we made it back safe and sound and are ridiculously proud of ourselves.

After our sailing experience we took the kids, Sage and Kaien, to their respective auditions; ate a surprisingly (to me at least) delicious all natural, vegan restaurant in Westwood, went to Benefit and got threaded, ouch!, and took the kids home so we could go to the spa. Now this isn't any regular ol' spa, we went to a Korean bathhouse, and as I found out, LA's best kept secret in the heart of Korea town/ the ghetto. I will have to go into detail of this amazing spa in a later post. But for now, just know that it was almost heaven on earth. After the spa we went to The Waterfront restaurant right at the Marina where there was live music playing and tons of people partying. An 80's band was there and the lead singer fell in love with my cousin, had her come up on stage and do a handstand because somehow he could tell that she was a gymnast, then proposed to her and sneaked a kiss!  


After the restaurant, we were so deliriously tired that we decided to go sailing at 3 o'clock AM with some people we met at the Waterfront, well not actually sailing, but motoring around the harbor. So we didn't go to bed until at least 4:00 and woke up at eight to go to a boot camp at the Santa Monica pier!



To get to boot camp, we rode a THREE PERSON BICYCLE. Never heard of one? Well that's probably because they don't really exist - at least as far as I know. We rode a tandem bike with one of those special bike hitches that add an extra bicycle to the back. So we had one person on each seat and then Kaien stood on the handlebars. We were quite a spectacle, and after quite a few spills I finally got the steering down and we rode all over Santa Monica, went to the  Farmer's Market and I finally found some tennis shoes I love! At American Eagle of all places, I got a pair of super cute and functional New Balances, and for less than fifty dollars. We rode home, I learned how to play a little handball, and then I had to make the 2 hour drive back to SD to go to work.

All in all, I had an amazing, fantastic vacation with my overly generous and fun cousin. Thank you so much for all the experiences Jessica London!


P.S. Sorry about the uber long post, but there was just so much to tell I couldn't shorten it at all! And isn't that picture great? I guess there really are three person bicycles, and apparently ten person!

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Need a tissue?

Um, hellooo..... Can you say dumbest idea ever? I cannot even believe that Kleenex would deem "paper towels" a new and ingenious idea. In their commercial, they say that you're only as clean as your towel that you use to dry off is. But if you wash your hands and then use the towel, it doesn't get dirty because you just washed your hands hence they're clean, as is the towel. And paper towels aren't even comfortable to use, they're scratchy and stiff and nowhere near as nice as a fluffy cotton bath towel is. Plus, what a waste of paper. In this green, eco-friendly day and age you would think that Kleenex would follow the trend.... apparently not.

Monday, May 31, 2010

Yummy in My Tummy

I've been absolutely craving bread pudding - I've never even had it before but I am dying to try it! So I found this recipe on Epicurious for Dulce de Leche and Chocolate Chunk Bread Pudding and I am determined to make it sometime within the next two days. Usually I find recipes online and just fantasize about how good they would be, but I never find the time - or inclination - to make them. But this one just looks divine, and I am dying to try it. I mean, c'mon... even the title makes my mouth start to water. And I don't think that it will even be that hard, no complicated ingredients or anything!


Sunday, May 30, 2010

Want, Should, and Will.

Since I work here...

I should be doing this every day

So I can look like this


But all I really want to be doing is


But today, I WILL reform and actually go running... and then maybe swimming and tanning, but hey, who's keeping track..?

I figure if I write about it, I have to go so I won't be a liar. As soon as I post this, I'm going! Even though if I had gone earlier it would have been 18,354,320 x cooler outside...

Have a wonderful, beautiful, hopefully as sunny as mine is, day.

[all images from we heart it]
which was extreeemmmmeeely slow today
and consequently put off my run until even later!
no worries though, I'm still going. Promise.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Ahhh, spring is in the air.


Maybe it's just because spring is here and summer is right behind, but there is something just touching and poignant about pink. I was never a fan when I was younger, but I'm loving it right now. Whether its light and peaceful or loud and powerful, pink is a must.

[all images from we heart it]