Five Things Lists to get to know me.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

FIVE THINGS...


#5
...You Don't Know About Me:
1) i am bothered
when people who introduce me say I am from California. Even if I might say it sometimes (it's kind of a spur-of-the-moment decision as to what I'll say when people ask), I don't like the picture people get when they hear it.
2) i gave up singing
3) i've never
been on a date. I feel weird being 24 and still saying that, but...it's a truth I have to own. I've gone out plenty of times with guys, just the two of us (and on more than one occasion I've found out after the fact the boy called it a date), but I've never gone through the "will you have dinner with me?" first date kind of conversation and outing.
4) i fear being common.
So many people in my life are so...stellar. Everyone I know shines in some way, whether it's purposeful or not. I know people who have literally changed the world, altered the way a mass group lives; and people who reach stars and shoot for the moon with every second of their being. And I have a crushing fear that I'm just...background. That I'm not like them, that I'm the dullness in their life that just intensifies their shine. It terrifies me that I'll be just another person who takes up space in the world, a copy of a copy of a copy that no one will remember.
5) i went on a 4-day
road trip with 14 friends to Utah and Arizona (Zion National Park, Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, The Four Corners, Lake Powell, and a friend's farm in Utah) when I was 22 and it is honestly one of the happiest, most in-the-moment times of my entire life. I strive to reach that kind of peace, harmony and satisfaction again. And yes, it was chaotic and complicated and filled with drama, but it all faded to the background once we stood on those cliffs.

...I'm Knowledgeable About:
1) figure skating
When I was 5, I had a poster of Nancy Kerrigan on my wall (Tonya Harding is a bitch). It probably started when I was doing ballet at 4 years old, but I've loved the grace and beauty of figure skating for as long as I can remember. The slice of ice, the glistening and sparkling and flowing costumes, the movement and thrill of programs. I can tell you pretty much everything about the sport, figure skaters, the scoring, anything. (Though I will pause and think when I'm explaining the different types of jumps and all - but I'll get it in the end!)
2) french
I moved to Belgium when I was 4, and I started taking French classes when I started school at age 5. For almost as long as I've known the English language, I've know the French language. Of course since I don't use it every day it's not as strong as it could be, but you could set me down in France or any French-speaking country and I'd survive quite well. I read it as well as English and can understand it almost as well - the speaking I stumble on, but it comes back to me.
3) singing
Even though I stopped it (see previous listing of five), my elementary schools' music programs were phenomenal and I started singing in choirs when I was 12. I also lived with several singers and have singer friends, so I've learned a lot about the technique of it and how to properly control your voice. It's beautiful in a very scientific way as well.
4) computers/technology
My dad worked with computers and security in the military since before I was born, so I've been around them all my life. I started typing at 4 years old (I can consistently type 120+ WPM) and using computers or various technology (tablets, iPads, phones, etc) kind of comes naturally to me. Give me a gadget and an hour, I'll come back to you with instructions.
5) people
My close friends will probably laugh at this, but I'm a quiet person--I don't speak much. And when I do, it's to prompt whoever I'm speaking with. Between how much I listen and observe and all the journalism and writing training I've done in my life, I've honed intuition and reading people quite well.

...I Know Nothing About:
1) geography
I'm terrible at it. If I haven't been there or seen it on TV, I cannot tell you where it is, the capital of it, or what rivers surround it. Also, please don't ever ask me where a certain mountain/range is. I have absolutely no idea.
2) cars
Again, absolutely clueless. I barely remember the make and model of my own well-loved vehicle, there's no way I understand the mechanics of it.
3) statistics (the mathematical sense)
Probability and all that simply do not make sense to me. I've been forced through various lessons of it, but I still cannot grasp any of the concepts. It is seriously like looking at Japanese characters to me. This is also the reason I ended up in AP Calculus in high school: if you didn't take the AP track, you had to take Stats - so I powered through all the Honors Algebra, Honors Geometry, Honors Pre-Calc, Trig, and AP Calc just to avoid Stats.
4) make-up
If it's not eyeliner or mascara, I'm lost. I don't wear anything other than eye makeup (don't even own it). How does anyone make sense of powders and matte and liquid make up and bases and foundation and concealer and all that junk?!
5) filipino culture
I may be it on the outside, and on occasion I'll spit out a few Tagalog words since my parents used them in my childhood, but I have absolutely no sense of it otherwise. I'm American (though Europe/Military-raised)-born and know only what it is to be American. I have zero clue the traditions, beliefs, history, anything to do with the Philippines and its people.

...I Believe In:
1) angels
I can't explain this one. I just do.
2) power of positive thinking
Because positivity will eventually lead to believing and believing leads to working hard and earning it. And if it doesn't in the end, then see the next item.
3) all things happen for a reason
No matter how crappy or hard my life has gotten, I've also always gotten through with whatever sort of lesson I'm meant to learn. You go through the worst to recognize the best, and you are given the best as a reward for being who you are. Whatever happens is meant to.
4) my brother
All his life he's been the kid whose teachers say "he has so much potential, he just doesn't get there...yet."  And I take faith in that 'yet.' He's destined to be something great, and there's so much he has to offer the world. It's taking him awhile, but...he'll get there. I know he will.
5) the limitlessness of book and words
When you think about it, there are only a finite amount of letters/characters in the world--so in theory, there is actually a limit of how many words/sentences/syllables/sounds we can make and their literal meanings. But that's just so untrue, and anyone who has ever been moved by another person or book or song can attest to that. There's something so powerful and soul-reaching in just the right sequence of words with just the right tone or mood, it's impossible to deny the magic and potential they all possess.


Mama’s Losin’ It 
This post was written for Mama Kat's Workshop.

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Some November and December things

Well kids, in case you missed the NaNo post - I did it! I hit 50,000 words on November 21 (probably Nov. 22, it was late in the night/early in the morning). I'm officially going to validate my novel today at 2pm since I wanted to get as much done as I could in the deadline. As I type, my current word count is: 67,556. So hurrah!

I meant to post up my nails every week, but failed on that - which means a mass photo dump at the end of this post of all the ways I've worn all my nails this month. It's sad how many times I've changed it.

Because I am seriously the worst at time and math and all of that, I'm letting everyone know in advance that I'll be a guest poster over at Girl With Curls!  My post of 10 Christmas Things That Make Me Happy will be up on Friday - HOWEVER, it will be posted up at 1pm Australian Eastern Standard Time. Which confuses the crap out of me as to the time here PST...if my math is right (HA!), it's roughly ~13 hours time difference. Which means it'll be up at 11pm Thursday for me? Maybe?

THE POINT is that sometime at the end of the week, Jess at Girl With Curls is gracious enough to host my Christmas post, and you must go check it out! She's got an entire Christmas series going while she's on holiday in Melbourne, so I encourage you to go check out her blog at any time - she's cute and awesome and you'll love her.  I'll remind you later, of course.

Does anyone else think all Christmas stuff has started earlier? I know stores were starting in September, but I mean...everyone seems to be in the spirit these days! I honestly feel like I'm one of the last ones without my tree up. Seven houses in my neighbourhood have their houses lit up already, and so many friends on Facebook have put up pics of decorations already. I support it since I've secretly been playing Christmas carols in my car for 3 weeks already, but still...DAMN yo.

Anyway, Happy Wednesday all!  Hope your week's been well and the rest is even better.  Onto the recap of polish!


Essie - Bobbing for Baubles. LOVE the colour, but this was my first time using an Essie polish
and I had the WORST problems with chipping. I paint my nails before I go to bed, and by the time I brushed
my teeth in the morning, a good 5/10 were chipped. Disappointing.
Also, my fingers look SUPER dry, but my camera was too sharply focused and I don't have Photoshop to fix it :(

The only pic I took after I tipped my nails to cover all the chipping. Used China Glaze - Black Diamond as french tips.
(PS. Isn't my Tigger cup adorable?! It's striped inside.)

Dark, but you get the picture. OPI - OP-I love this colour.

A few days later added China Glaze - Twinkle Lights to the cuticle. Nice winter effect!
Crappy photo that doesn't display all the wonderful Christmas-y-ness of the polish, but no worries:
it'll be used tons this Holiday season.

I was trying super hard to get a good photo of this polish because it's so flashy and GORGEOUS. But it's near impossible.
OPI - Warm & Fozzie (Winter/Muppet collection) in the sunlight.

OPI - Warm & Fozzie (from above) in the shade/dark.

And the nails I wore for Thanksgiving (and currently still have - they're chipping like mad though!)
Tape manicure with OPI - Warm & Fozzie and OPI - Romeo & Juliet. Super sparkly.

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Ten on Tuesday!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

1. Do you wear glasses, contacts, or are you one of those perfect eyed people?
Glasses! Since I was 9 (and probably needed them earlier. I have squinty eyes in general), and I love wearing them. Yes, they're an inconvenience sometimes, but still. Love.

Glasses! Black D&G frames.

2. What is the next item you are going to purchase?
Hmmm...I just bought a couple presents on Cyber Monday. Probably gift bags, because 3 of my brother's gifts are too damn big and oddly shaped to wrap. Or card stock, depending on the order I go to the stores, because I'm making my own gift tags this year :)

3. Have you ever watched Judge Judy or any other real court show?
Nope. Don't intend to.

4. How do you feel about fake nails?
YUCK. I can't stand them. They're just so obviously fake and overdone, especially ones that are too long or disgustingly rhinestoned. Plus, the glue and whatnot is TERRIBLE for your real nails. If ever a way to wreck them...
This is going to give me hives just looking at it.

5. What is your favorite sport to watch?
Football. GO BOLTS (FOREVER. NO MATTER WHAT. I WILL BLEED BLUE AND GOLD.)

6. If you could create your own Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor, what would it be and what would it be named?
Now that schweddy balls is taken, I have absolutely no idea. (Has anyone ever tried that flavour? I really want to.)

7. Do you have any scars?
I scar very easily, so yes, tons. A few chicken pox scars, one on the inside of my thigh when I burned myself ironing my grad robe an hour before high school graduation (NO, i was NOT ironing it while wearing it - I was sitting on the floor and not paying attention when it was in my hand. I know, still stupid.), one on my knee when I scraped it on the spine of a book, three on my neck from a very unfortunate reaction to a necklace that I scratched and rubbed, on my face from acne, one on my upper arm from when a cat scratched me, another on my ankle, one behind my knee when a dog ran around my leg and pulled it's leash and left a burn...yeah.

8. Does your pet’s name fit them? Is there a more appropriate name?
I don't have a pet :( But most of the office dogs we had were very fitting of their name. Except Roxy, she was a dark brown pitbull mix with white spots and looked like a cow. I kept accidentally calling her Bessie.

9. What is your favorite television show theme song?
One of the most memorable to me will always be The Simpsons, and of course hearing The Rembrandt's will always bring me back to Friends. Other than that though...no real favourite. Although I do have the Reading Rainbow theme song as my brother's ringtone!





10. What was your favorite activity on the playground?
Swings!!


Brought to you by Roots and Rings - join the fun and link up there!

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Book Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door

Monday, November 28, 2011

So, has anyone read this book yet?  Because I hate it. (Bear with me, ok? It gets better.)

I hate it because I'm not certain I can ever love another YA book --hell, another book at all-- like I love this one.  This is everything I've ever wanted in a book, everything I've never known I could want in a book. It is perfection.

You know those books that just reach into your soul and tug at every hidden string you've ever buried? One of those books that you're certain the author must have climbed into your head?  It's that. This was one of those that I had to set down because I was so, so nervous and heartache-y with the main character, but then immediately pulled back open to devour because I HAD. TO. KNOW.

In short, it's about a girl (Lola) whose distinctly colourful life gets turned upside down when the family next door moves back in: her first crush/love who broke her heart returning to the window right across from hers.

Here's the thing: I'm nothing like Lola. I'm not a costumer, I don't dress in colours, I don't have some super sexy hot rocker boyfriend, my parents are not two gay dads, I don't live in San Francisco (how I wish, though...), I'm not in high school--and from what I can tell, my high school experience was nothing like hers.

But I am Lola. I am the girl filled with good and love. I am the girl torn by emotion, frustrated by the rush of everything all at once. I am doubtful and filled with doubt. I am questioned and questionable and questioning, unsure of everything and hopeful just the same. I want more and dream even more and desire the most. Maybe I don't have that boy next door who makes my heart jump and tense all at once (and trust me when I say Cricket Bell sounds close to the ideal), but I struggle through love and loving someone and loving someoneS. I fight every day to be honest and truthful and to figure out what being me really means.

And for that, I highly recommend this book. Because I think you'll be Lola, too, and I would love to have a world of them.

And a world of Cricket Bell's couldn't hurt, either.

5 Dancing Snoopys of 5!

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I can still be thankful the Monday after Thanksgiving, right?

I wanted to be a part of the mass Thanksgiving blog posts of being thankful last week, but alas - I fell sick. Of course. I had crazy amounts of plans and little sleep in the picture, of course I would throw being sick in the mix, too. I spent Wednesday baking, Thursday with the family cooking, and I was one of the crazy shoppers out at midnight for Black Friday--only to crash back at home around 4am, and back out shopping at 11am. Suffice to say, it's been a week and I'm still sick. But recovering!

BUT! That doesn't mean I can't be grateful now, right? Right.  Happy belated Thanksgiving, everyone!  Whatever you did, however you celebrated (if you do, or if you're Canadian and already had), I hope it was a fantastic day with love and gratitude.

I'm going to list the things I am currently grateful for.  HOWEVER, I won't be listing friends or family, because that's already a given. I'm incredibly lucky to have a multitude of both who love and support me through the best and worst times in my life, and that recognition will never go away. Especially after this year. So, let's strike those from the list, and carry on!

#14
  1. Michael Bublé making a Christmas album. yesplz.
  2. Kleenex. Because otherwise, ew.
  3. My MacBook Pro. Even though you made my bank account cry, I still love you always.
  4. Kharr, my car. Because she is steadfast and true.
  5. As much as I'd like to list out every book and/or author that touched my heart this past year, we're going to have to settle at a general Books and Writers. Because there is no other avenue that can make you feel as limitless and loved.
  6. The Big Bang Theory, for bringing the lulz every week.
  7. My health. It's not-so-stellar at the moment, but in the big picture, I'm very lucky.
  8. Target. Oh, Target.
  9. My old job. Even though it made me cry and I ultimately left because it made me miserable, I cannot deny how much it taught me or everything else it brought to my life (including but not limited to: money to pay bills, new friends, discovered alcohol, a boost to my resume, and good food).
  10. Snowball, my stuffed animal.
  11. NaNoWriMo. Discipline and terror and fun.
  12. Nail polish. No explanation needed.
  13. My home. Shelter, a place of love and comfort.
  14. Andrew Garfield. Mmmm.
  15. Russia and England, two countries that currently have two of my best friends residing within. While I don't appreciate them holding my two friends so far from me, I appreciate how welcoming they have been and offering them a new version of home.
  16. My Godfamily, who hosted my family and I on our recent trip to Portland. The most interesting and gracious hosts, in a newfound location to love.
  17. My UGGs. Warmest boots ever. I don't even care if you hate 'em, because my toasty toes could not care less.
  18. Nyquil, because I just downed that and am pretty sure I'm typing while cracked out. Please work.
  19. The library. For obvious reasons.
  20. My local Coffee Bean, for their delicious peppermint mocha lattes and nice baristas.
  21. Disneyland. It really is the happiest place on earth.
  22. Thanksgiving. I do believe gratitude and love should be displayed and declared on all days of the year, but I'm grateful for a Holiday that gives us a time to sit down with those we love and enjoy their company.
  23. Nollie, Harlow, Roxy, Bosco and Chewie - all the office dogs I've had the pleasure of sharing my job (and usually the space under my desk) with. I've never had a pet before, but I discovered this year the appeal of it. Soft, cuddly and cute, and an endless love.
  24. Ken Jennings, because he's hilarious and smart and tweeted me and pretty much made my whole year.
  25. Keith Robinson, for tweeting me and making me smile.
  26. Trader Joe's. Because Veggie Stix, garlic naan, and mini pizzas could not be in life without it. (PS. Anyone remember when they used to wear native american headdresses during Thanksgiving time? I know the person who put a stop to that! The power of a letter...)
  27. Ryan Gosling. MMMMmmmHMMMMM
  28. My phone. I forget it all the time and am probably annoyed by it more often then not, but I can't deny the convenience.
  29. My iPad. Because it represents a reward for a time I worked my ass off and actually earned something.
  30. My Sulley Pook-a-Looz stuffed animal, because he sits on the living room couch and makes me smile throughout the day because he's just so danged cute!
And last, but never the least, this blog. Because I cannot imagine a better community to be a part of and participate in and share my life with.

Sulley Pook-A-Looz!


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NaNoWriMo update

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

So after much of this:


and this at Coffee Bean (the barista knows my name now):

into the wee hours of night...


If you're not familiar with that, it says current word count: 54,401 words. Which means...
I DID IT!!
:)

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Fill in the Blank Friday!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

So, this is going up a bit earlier than normal - because I'll be at Disneyland tomorrow! Brother and friends are going to the New Found Glory show at HOB there, so I'm going to hitch a ride and Christmas shop in the park using my pass (and probably pop on a few rides, of course!).  The rest of the weekend is reserved for another birthday celebration of a friend, which will be exhausting but fun (karaoke, boba and laser tag!).

Have a happy weekend all!  What are your plans?

Link up here!

1.   A nervous habit I have is    tapping my pencil (if I have one) and/or twirling my hair. Both equally annoying, and one almost painful, but...I can't help it!  


2.   Something that makes me sad is  stores open during Thanksgiving and/or at midnight on Black Friday. I mean, I'm down with the BF - I'm one of those crazies in a line at 3am. But to infringe on Thanksgiving? To shorten it, cut out family time, just for sales? That's horrible     .

3.  Today I am thankful for    the baristas at my local Coffee Bean - although to be honest, one in particular (Keith). A lot of them aren't that friendly, and I've been going in there 3+ times a week for the last 8 weeks, and Keith is the only one to remember my name and order. I'm not saying you have to, but...an effort is nice. Anyway, he's always incredibly nice, attentive, considerate and makes nice conversation.  It's pleasant going in there - which is why I go often    .

4. My favorite room in my house is   the living room. It's cozy and comfy and always the perfect temperature   .

5.  I can't stand   the Target black friday commercial. I hate that character  .

6.  If I had an extra $100 to spend on whatever I wanted today I would   pay off next month's Student Loan payment. Even though I budget for it, losing that chunk in the middle of Holiday season hits hard .

7.  The last person I hung out with was   if my mom is asleep on the couch next to me, does that count? Otherwise, I went to dinner with one of my best friends two nights ago  .

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First Lines of Novels

In my quest to find some inspiration (and get a little distraction) for NaNoWriMo, I stumbled upon this site that lists the Top 100 First Lines of Novels.


I write backwards, in a way. I have action and dialogue in my head that I know, and I kind of build from there. Beginnings and descriptions always come later, and a Title is almost always the last thing I ever think of. Even though I do have one up on my NaNo profile, it's a lie - I have no idea what it'll actually be titled, if and when ever I finish this thing.

So, safe to say, I do not have a first line of a novel yet. Of course I literally have one - the first one of mine is: "Chandler Davis glanced behind her, taking a quick peek over her shoulder: Was he looking?" Or, if you don't count my pre-write towards my NaNo novel, my first line is: "Jasmine was wholly unprepared for what happened when she walked into her first period AP Government class ten minutes after the bell: thunderous applause broke out across the entire 40-student room." Neither are very...ground breaking, nor do I think they amount to the content of my writing - which is why I find first sentences to be so interesting.

So, I present to you: Top 10 Best First Lines of Novels (according to this site and the American Book Review.)


1. Call me Ishmael. (Hermin Melville, Moby Dick)

2. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. (Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice).

3. A screaming comes across the sky. (Thomas Pynchon, Gravity's Rainbow)

4. Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendia was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice. (Gabriel Garcia Márque, One Hundred Years of Solitude)

5. Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. (Vladimir Nabokov, Lolita)

6. Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. (Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina)

7. riverrun, past Eve and Adam's from serve of shore to bend of bay, brings us by a commodius vicus of recirculation back to Howth Castle and Environs. (James Joyce, Finnegans Wake)

8. It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. (George Orwell, 1984)

9. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair. (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities)

10. I am an invisible man. (Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man)


Intriguing, right? What do you think? Agree? Disagree? What should be on the list to you?

PS. Current NaNoWriMo word count: 43,496 (!!!)

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Ten on Tuesday!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Currently...
Listening: Let It Snow - Glee Cast (but really Chris Colfer and Darren Criss).
Reading: Dash & Lily's Book of Dares - Rachel Cohn & David Levithan; Sushi For Beginners - Marian Keyes; and One Day - David Nicholls.
Watching: How I Met Your Mother
Wanting: Mindy Kaling's book.
Needing: a direction for my novel. 35,000+ words and nowhere to go as of now.
Located: bedroom.
Missing: two of my best friends who are currently in Poland and Russia :(
Wanderlusting: London. Oh how I miss it so.
NaNoWriMo-Counting: 35,601 words, to be exact.

Link up here!

1. What are your pantry staples?
Cereals (staples: Cocoa Krispies, Sugar Smacks, Frosted Flakes, Honey Bunches of Oats, Life), some sort of plain cracker (Ritz or Saltines, pending season), a variety of nuts (for the family, as I don't eat any of that), thin spaghetti pasta, pasta sauce, and probably some expired popcorn. We insist on having it in the house, but none of us really ever eat it. Odd.

2. What are your refrigerator staples?
String cheese, stick butter (unsalted), typical condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayo), a hot sauce (current: Chipotle Tabasco), soda (Coke), yogurt, and eggs.

3. You already look like Heidi Klum (or your favorite supermodel). Now, what are the top three non-physical things you would change about yourself?
I'd stop being so flaky, make myself more of a follow-through kind of person (so many unfinished projects...), and probably stop driving so fast.  I don't mind it, but I'm told it's terrifying - who knew?

4. What’s holding you back from your dream job? (If you already have your dream job, how did you get there?)
Experience and my own will. I know I'll get there, I just have to move through the internal demons telling me I won't make it.

5. You have $500 to spend but it has to be on one item only. Go.
A new mattress/bed. Seriously. Mine is super old and European so nothing ever fits it correctly and I've slept in it so long there's a dip where I lay.

6. What is something that you are embarrassed to admit you buy on a regular basis?
Cosmo. I'm not toooooo embarrassed by it, but the weird sex shit on it is kind of weird since I don't...do any of that.

7. What’s in/on your bed every night?
4 pillows, a panda pillow pet, Snowball, a top sheet, and a comforter. All in various states of disarray depending on the temperature.


8. What is a non-necessity item that, no matter how expensive it gets or how tight your budget if, you will always find room for it?
Nail polish. I don't really ever let it get that expensive (refuse to pay >$5), but I still buy it now despite being unemployed. It lasts forever (polish thinner!) and is an instant happy when I need to feel better. I feel like one indulgence is allowed to maintain sanity.


9. What is the weirdest sandwich you’ve ever made?
I probably haven't ever. I'm pretty vanilla when it comes to food since I'm so picky.


10. Would you rather: Be banned from Pinterest forever, but gain a million captive Twitter followers; or, never get on Facebook again but gain five thousand blog readers?
Huh...intriguing! I don't care about the number of Twitter followers really, but I can't give up Facebook because so many friends from my past living situations and countries are connected to me that way. So I guess I'll be giving up Pinterest (*sob*).

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Lazy Monday: i carry your heart with me

Monday, November 14, 2011

Not much to say today. The weekend was nice and relaxed, spent Holiday shopping and planning and spending it with people I love. Some dramatic friendship issues came up, which are taxing and, frankly, annoying - but I'll figure it all out.

Found via pinterest: Etsy shop here.


Was reminded of this poem from something this weekend, and I remembered how much I love it. It's just so...certain. And loving and true and raw and real.  It is what I hope for one day.



i carry your heart with me
       by e.e. cummings

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)

                                    i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant 
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

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11.11.11!

Friday, November 11, 2011

Happy Friday, all! This weekend is filled with Holiday hoopla (already!), which will be stressful, but done in the hopes of relieving stress at it gets closer to actual Thanksgiving and Christmas. It hasn't started the best, seeing my beloved Chargers losing to the fucking Raiders...but we can only go up from here!  In the mean time, here are some lovely links I've found from around the internet...

Found via my Pinterest - credit unknown

Wouldn't this make a neat gift?

Perfect for hair & music enthusiasts alike.

Adorable to keep the piggies warm (DUN DUN).

An awesome urban area San Diego map. (She has other cities, too!)

Make your own snowflakes for the holidays.

Have a wonderful weekend!

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Fill in the Blank Friday!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Join the fun here!


1.   My favorite new blog of the moment is     John Green's Tumblr. He's such a brilliant writer and I love all he blogs about   .

2.   Something I am thankful for is  wonderful friends who support me no matter how much I disappear on them    .

3.  Something that made me laugh this week was    this tweet because Big Bang Theory is hilarious, and Kunal Nayyar is my favourite!  .

4. An item that is currently on my wish list is   a cute pair of grey heeled boots because my only pair were crammed in the corner of my closet and are now thrown out due to mold :(  (these, these, or these'll do!)  .

5.  I am excited about   seeing where my NaNoWriMo novel goes. I've finally passed into that point of being invested, so I'm going to toss weirdness in and see where it takes me .

6.  If I were a color I would be    royal blue. It's classic and common, but stands on its own .

7.  My favorite way to spend a chilly fall day is    wrapped in a cuddly coat or fresh out-of-the-dryer comforter with a mug of hot cocoa in hand .

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If you feel like crying today, watch this.





So, I apologize for making you a click a link, but if you feel like crying today, please watch this.

It's not up on YouTube yet (so nothing I can embed), but I saw it yesterday on TV and spent a good 30 seconds bawling like a baby. Maybe because it hits so many personal things with me, but even if you don't have a loved one in the military...it's gonna hit you. Hard.

Damn Hallmark Recordable books. I thought they were just for grandparents to give grandkids.  Marketing over there is genius.

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This post contains a Christmas tree. Yes, I am aware it is November 9.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

The dueling pianos!
Girls of the night :)
Pre-Games. That's me with my back towards the camera and shiny ponytail!
The tower I made! Unfortunately, I did not down-stack well.
Nor did I do it under a minute.
The weekend was mostly taken up by a massive 3-birthday celebration - myself and 19 friends went downtown to one of my favourite places ever: The Shout! House!  It's a dueling piano bar that's so much fun. It's pretty dirty and sexist, but all in fun.  The pianists are absolutely amazing, and you get to request songs and all that jazz.  They even call out audience members who are texting or not paying attention! Which makes me nervous, but so far, so good.  Tons of fun every time I've been there.

After that, we headed back to our friend's house to do some Birthday Minute to Win It games (kind of like my brother's birthday that I showed here) - lots of fun. I love how everything always seems easy, but ends up being so difficult!  Like that stupid cup tower pyramid in the photos that I built - so much more difficult to do than expected. But we were speculating that our cups weren't the best because they were odd shaped and sticky.

All in all, incredibly fun, and I'm reminded that I'm really lucky to have some amazing friends.

I also put up my first tree of the Season!

The Charlie Brown tree! It's been sitting on our dining room table since my brother bought it for me in January as a late Christmas gift, and I put it up since I'd never assembled it before.  I intended to take it down because even I think it's a bit early to decorate for Christmas - but it's so freakin' cute!!  It hasn't been taken down yet, so we'll see how long that stays...

Still hoofing it through my NaNoWriMo novel.  Started incredibly slow, since I didn't even start working on it until the evening of Day 2. Have had a few rough days, but as of right now I sit at 17,554 words!  Which means I'm ahead of schedule!  I found out I'm losing more days in November than I previously thought, so this is good - hopefully I can still finish on time.

How's your week going so far, my dears?  We're halfway to the weekend!

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Ten on Tuesday!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Join the fun here!
1. What’s your favorite television show  for each day of the week?
Monday - How I Met Your Mother (although 2 Broke Girls is reluctantly creeping up there, too.)
Tuesday - Glee and New Girl
Wednesday - Modern Family!
Thursday - Big Bang Theory, 30 Rock when it returns in January, Bones, Rules of Engagement and It's Always Sunny.  I know it's cheating to choose 5 shows on a day, but those are seriously all shows I will NOT miss ever.
Friday - Grimm
Saturday - SNL
Sunday - Once Upon A Time

This is also a sign that I watch too much damn TV, since those are just my favourite shows. Not all that I watch. Sigh.

2. How many times do you wear your jeans before you watch them?
Hmmm…I probably wash them about every other week or so, depending on the weather and how dirty they get.

3. What is your favorite pasta shape?
Angel hair counts, right?  Love that. If you need a shape though, bow tie is good too.

4. Do you read newspapers?
You'd think I would as a journalist, but I actually don't. I'll read the headlines online, read an article if it's sent my way, but generally, no.

5. Do you sleep in socks?
Nope! I can't. If I try, I always kick 'em off in my sleep.

6. Favorite genre of movies?
Comedy.  I love Rom-Coms, Chick Flicks, those of the light hearted nature. I do love drama, but any day of the week I'll pop in a comedy and get lost in it.

7. How do you feel about wrestling?
Meh. I used to watch a lot of WWF/WWE/etc. when I was younger because it was just…something to do in Italy. Since it aired on TNT, that was one of the few english channels we got overseas and all the other English ones would air movies or boring programs on Fridays; so it became habit.

8. Should men pluck their eyebrows?
Only if they naturally have 1.  And even then, it's up to them. Rock what you got, fellas!

9. Do you have dimples?
I do not :( I was always sad to not have any, but I have suuuuper super chubby chipmunk cheeks (seriously - they're in the habit of hanging up my touch screen phone if I smile while talking on it) and I think it would look peculiar if I did have them.

10. Do you like to camp?
HATE IT.  Oh heavens. I am not meant to be an outdoors person.  I'm ok with the campfire bit, the sleeping under the stars, no electricity, all that jazz.  It's just…the BUGS. I seriously get skeeved out 10 minutes in and freak out.

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Cookies, birthdays, cute boots and what makes me happy: It's Fill in the Blank Friday!

Friday, November 4, 2011

Birthdays are stressful.

Three birthdays were this week, so all the celebrations were kind of little throughout the week - and coming to a big culmination this weekend.  Dinner, potentially super formal, activities, parties, drinking...it's going to get down.

Or at least get fun.  I question how this will affect my damned NaNoWriMo novel (current count: 3547 words).

But anyway, what are your guys weekend plans?

Join the fun here!
1.   My favorite thing about this week was/is    that it was filled with things to do but was not overly stressful. Good hanging out watching old movies and passing out candy on Monday, fun music making at a practice space on Tuesday, finally beginning NaNo-ing Wednesday, cupcakes and friends Thursday, more writing and friends-ing Friday and throughout the weekend  .

2.   Colder weather makes me   excited!  It means holidays and family and fun! It's also my favourite kind of weather: that crisp air that requires boots, cardigans and scarves, that makes the tip of your nose freeze     .

3.  Three things that make me terribly happy as of late are    IMs with best friends who are far away, leg warmers (not quite San Diego appropriate, but still), and really really amazing books. I've luckily been on a streak of brilliant novels   .

4. If I could only wear one kind of shoe for the rest of my life, I'd choose   boots. Cognac, below the knee, slight heel, probably a buckle. Always cute!   .

5.  My personality type is   something I don't remember from that Personality Test, but it was basically and extroverted introvert haha.  How about we say I'm a Pisces? Because even though I'm not positive I believe in astrology, I am a token Pisces woman .

6.  I have a serious problem resisting     cookies. I keep baking, and then friends give them to me, and family buys them, and it's just a sugar smorgasbord.  We currently have nutella cookies, m&m cookies, chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookies and the ingredients for dark chocolate mint choco chip cookies in the house .

7.  My favorite color to wear is   shades of grey. And black. Lots of black .

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About Me

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I'm fairly obsessed with penguins, Peanuts (the comic), and the TV show Friends. Parentheses may or may not be (over)used in this blog, and books will pretty much be the only thing I ever talk about because they are my One True Love.

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Zoe's bookshelf: read

The Dragon's EyeAngelsThe Lightning ThiefThe Man of My DreamsCity of GlassCity of Ashes

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