Consistently Inconsistent

Republic of California

2011-09-06T12:42:00.000-07:00

So, lately I've been missing a few things.

These trees...

this beach...

this view, of this mountain...

these flowers...

these faces...

doughnuts in general...

this place and this team.

The only logical conclusion is that I miss this place:

What I Should Be Doing: running, making lunch, returning my library books, oh and getting a job.
What I'm Listening to: Quiet Company, Les Sages, and some California-related tunes

How I Feel Sometimes About Being a Grown-Up

2011-08-31T11:37:00.000-07:00

Yea, that's about it.

I need a job...

There are no words

2011-06-15T11:05:00.000-07:00

I love that feeling that swells and bubbles in my chest after finishing a great book.
It makes me want to write.
It makes me want to think.
It makes me want to shout from the rooftops and change the world.
I wish I could describe it better...
It makes me feel powerful.

May the fourth be with you.

2011-05-04T16:26:00.000-07:00

2011-04-19T17:40:00.000-07:00

how is that everything comes down to one week and a few exams?

how is that despite the impending doom of my four remaining finals, i'm looking up pictures of the haircuts i might want to try?

how it that i had a cheeseburger for breakfast and a couple of spoonfuls of cookie dough and a diet coke for dinner?

how is that my favorite sweater has been in the dirty clothes pile for nearly three months, yet today, of all days, i "find time" to do four giant barrels of laundry?

how is that, hmmm?

ReflectionsnoitcelfeR

2011-02-05T08:29:00.001-08:00

Well you know about change,
it always seems to stay the same.
It tears us apart
and labels us with a brand new name.
It strips away reason
and leaves us in shame.
Oh and this changin'
it's all that remains...

--Kelly VO, Broken

Kelly definitely got that right: change is constant.
Life is a continual discovery of our own changes.
You have them; I have them.
So guess what...

I paint sometimes. With watercolor.
I <3 Nacho Libre.
Go-To Snack: pita with hummus
These days, outfits feel incomplete without boots.
Apparently, I love scary movies.
Also, I've been putting mayonnaise on my sandwiches lately...

Things I didn't used to particularly care for (or once loathed entirely), but now I find myself choosing:

Diet Coke
Swiss cheese
hummus
tomatoes
mushrooms (only raw)

I think one of my favorite things to do each year, is to look back and find things that I did last year for the first time. Some things will never happen again, and some will hopefully become a part of who I am for many years to come.

2010 Firsts:
-finished the BOM
-bridesmaid
-worked as a certified health care professional
-visited Yosemite & Sequoia National Parks
-Freebirds
-straight A's in college
-drove to [and from] UT all by myself
-made a dress (so cute)
-made two blankets and pair of pajama pants
-ate Turkish delight
-5-hour energy

Just some more Reflections...

Current favorites
item of clothing: blanket pants
soda: Coke Zero
tv show: Criminal Minds

Things that are overrated:
red velvet cake
snow
Mountain Dew
the Utah Jazz (this one might get me in trouble..)

What I should be doing: house-hunting, acing my first Advanced Physiology midterm
What I'm listening to: Kelly (obviously), Owl City, T-Swizzle

[Placeholder]

2011-01-27T10:51:00.000-08:00

Because I strive everyday to be more like Tina...

I will now grace you with a little Calvin and Hobbes (courtesy of GoComics.com).
I'm sorry they're too big. Just click on them to see the full thing.

I wish, on probably a daily basis, that I had been more like Calvin as a child.

Well Mom, you're welcome I was such a boring child.
Just know that if I had another chance...

What I should be doing: vanquishing the burgeoning agglomeration of accoutrement currently inundating my escritoire, or researching chromosomal abnormalities for my colloquium on the psychological development over the course of a human life-span
What I'm listening to: Ben Lee, The Script, Something Corporate, and a little Phil Collins

Happy Halloween from Apt 18!!!

2010-10-26T12:22:00.001-07:00

So none of the videos had an option for 6 faces, so I decided to make this as a welcome home gift for Kat (who is on a cruise in Mexico, poor baby) with the rest of us in it.

Hope you all enjoy!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

That's not Jess slurping her cereal really loud- That's the rain.

2010-09-25T11:13:00.000-07:00

I feel like my last post was kind of a downer.
But don't worry; some good things have happened too.

There was an awesome thunder and lightning storm the other day- with hail and wind and dark clouds and everything. That night, when I was driving home from Salt Lake, the clouds broke and as I looked out over the city, she took my breath away. I wish I could find a picture that even compared to the beauty I saw there. With the moon shining through the white clouds against the dark sky over the city lights... *love it* This one is pretty close to what I saw as I rolled into Salt Lake that morning (minus the snow on the mountains).

And I'm making progress with that "new and improved" thing.
So far, I have

made an apple pie from scratch (I'm legit)

fixed the toilet

painted a picture:

visited my godnephew

become a bit of a Hermoine Granger in my classes

and made friends with Debbie,
an older woman who lives around the corner.

Also, I have some really great roommates. It's nice to feel so comfortable so quickly around the people with whom you live. It makes it feel more like home. Plus, it's fun =]

I wish Kat was in this picture though =(

Love you girls!

What I should be doing: Spanish practice test, clearing off my desk, looking for a job...
What I'm listening to: trying to drown out the BYU marching band across the street with some Katie Herzig and a little Parlor Hawk

My [not so glorious] Second Coming

2010-09-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

After some quick decisions, last-minute paperwork and a couple of panic attacks, I have moved into the next phase of my life. I have left the parents' house once again to pursue the remainder of my education. It's an attempt to grow up I guess, but where did I end up?

Well, like all single Mormons, I find myself back in Provo.

It's the thing to do, you know.

And like most of my peers have discovered, I'm sure: it's not what I expected.

It's weird to be back.
I kind of feel like I just got back from a mission (how do you RMs do it?).
Things look different and feel different.
People are different.
And I still feel like I'm visiting.

I knew it wouldn't be the same as before. I knew that. I'm not dumb.
But it's hard to anticipate what the differences will be.

I find myself second-guessing my own knowledge of Provo's layout.

Is this really the way to get to Smiths?
Wait, where does Parkway meet Freedom?

And I keep hearing references to various apartment complexes/restaurants/etc that sound vaguely familiar, yet I cannot conjure up a mental image or actual memory. It's like I'm remembering them from another life, which I guess I am.

My Provo life was on pause while everyone else's continued to move forward.

I wander around the BYU campus in the hopes of finding a familiar face- one that's excited at the unexpected (yet simply delightful) experience of running into me. Yet each face that passes is just as unfamiliar as the last.

I have had the chance to get together with some old friends, but generally our conversations are more like those between strangers. Either they have to hear the whole story, or the watered-down-for-people-I-just-met version, and I'll give you a hint: the shorter one always wins out. I mean, how else can you explain the past year and half to somebody you haven't seen in 18-36 months?
This makes my relationships feel shallow and inadequate.

Sorry I'm boring.
Guess we'll never hang out again...

So I don't yet feel that I've accomplished the gloriously triumphant return I had anticipated.
But perhaps I'll wait a little more before I put that dream aside.
I'll hold out a little longer and see how things go.

I've still got my first round of exams,
and my hunt for employment,
and some friends to see,
and some unpacking to do.

So there are lots of opportunities for improvement.

What I should be doing: watching those videos for microbiology
What I'm listening to: the bed intruder song

Laundry Day

2010-06-08T23:46:00.000-07:00

I hate when voting is like deciding what to wear when all your clothes are dirty...

you just pick the one that stinks less.

1 Down -- 26 to Go -- Bring it On

2010-05-29T23:47:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago today, I awoke early and donned the first of my 27 dresses. I buckled my shoes, secured my headband, smoothed my crisp silk skirt and walked out the door with a smile on my face, ready for whatever the day might bring.
That night I returned with a splitting headache, dress crumpled and torn, metallic heels dangling from one limp hand and a beautiful bouquet of pink flowers clutched desperately in the other. I collapsed in a hunchbacked heap on the kitchen floor and vowed to stay there all night long.

So, despite feeling totally incapacitated the following day, I thoroughly enjoyed my experience as a bridesmaid. I absolutely loved it. If that were a paid position, I think I could make some serious bank at it.

Add it to my list of talents, will you?
File it with handwriting, eating 5 cheeseburgers
in one sitting, and mimicking people to their faces.

For those of you who are unaware of how wearing a stereotypically ugly dress (not for me, I got lucky) and posing for pictures can be so exhausting, allow me to enlighten you as to the duties one may be asked to perform.

*NOTE: Subject to change due to bride's preference and the aforementioned bridesmaid's availability/relationship to said bride. Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited.*

Pre-Wedding-Day Responsibilities
- RSVP in the affirmative *Must be present to redeem prizes*
- get to know the groom
- wedding consultant -- colors, themes...
- stylist -- go dress shipping with her
- party planner -- bridal shower, bachelorette party
- give her lingerie
- florist -- in case of last-minute flowers fiascoes
- get a mani/pedi with her
- shipping and handling -- help her pack her for the honeymoon as well as the stuff she'll be moving to her new home (her mind will be elsewhere)
- make sure she gets a good night sleep the night before -- we want her fresh-faced and well-rested on her big day

Day of the Wedding
- model -- wear the dress she picked for you, and be happy about it =]
- nephew transport and wardrobe
- photographer -- take pictures all day with her camera so she has something to look at later
- make sure she looks picture-perfect at all moments -- bobby pins, hairspray, teeth checks, oil wipes, etc...
- bouquet holder
- guest book assembly
- mud removal brigade -- don't want her pretty shoes getting yucky
- train maintenance -- carrying, bustling, holding it while she goes to the bathroom
- nourishment committee -- make sure she eats and stays hydrated; if necessary, feed her between greeting guests in the reception line
- obtain bouquet at any cost -- if you have to hip-check her 8-year-old cousin out of the way, so be it. just catch it.
- sparkler distribution -- for their joyous getaway

What I should be doing: updated Ben's blog, putting away my clean clothes, homework...
What I'm listening to: iron and wine, lady antebellum, and of course lady gaga

Nothing

2010-03-30T01:23:00.000-07:00

Nothing
Can ruin the good
Clean feeling after taking a shower
Like...
Taking a Big
Stinky
Poop.
Nothing.

the end.

Disclaimer

2010-03-26T00:54:00.000-07:00

Dear Reader,

We regret to inform you that the previous post has been falsely represented. Said blog post was not actually posted on my birthday, March the twelfth; dramatic license was taken in order to create the desired effect. We appreciate your understanding in this matter and offer our sincerest apologies for the aforementioned discrepancy. We offer you further reading found in Attachment "A" as compensation for any emotional turmoil you may have experienced as a result of this lie.

Thank you,
The Management

Attachment A

Now that it's almost April, I feel the need to evaluate last year and set some goals for myself for the year to come (January is overrated). I would have to say 2009 was not a good year. Definitely not ideal. A lot of undesirable things occurred.

But I did learn one valuable lesson firsthand: life is not what you expect it to be.

We all have our expectations for every situation and reality rarely complies with our pre-ordered wishes as is excellently illustrated in a clever little scene from (500) Days of Summer pictured here (please pardon the random foreign subtitles -- it was the only clip I could find that included the whole thing):

Expectations vs. Reality (500) Days Of Summer.

Yup, that's how I think this whole year went for me. With my family moving, me staying here in California for the school year, and a million other things, reality definitely had fun playing some little tricks on me.

Good things came too though. A lot of wonderful people have come into my life and I have had many opportunities open up for me as a result of the events of 2009. I was able to try a lot of new things as well. Here's a little sampling of last year's new adventures:

went to a bar (being 21 and all)
drove in the snow
took a class at the Salt Lake Center
donated my hair
drew blood
played some slots (again, 21)
changed spark plugs & shocks on my truck
ate Armenian food
sang in church (not in a choir)
worked while going to school
climbed Mt Boney
rewired the distributor in my truck
served jury duty
went out to one of the channel islands
joined a book club
went to an Angels game
completed Physics 105 via Independent Study

Ok, maybe not the most exciting list ever, but I'm pretty proud of most of these accomplishments and I have a secret for you... (Next year's list is going to be even better!)

Until next time amigos!

What I should be doing: sleeping, I have work at 8 in the AMs
What I'm listening to: Ke$ha, Juliana Theory, Arcade Fire, Regina Spektor
What I wish I was doing: raiding the "desserts and drinks only" fridge with my Jenny

Forever 21 is a Lie

2010-03-12T00:51:00.000-08:00

Well, I am now 22 years old.
No longer young, hot, fresh, Forever 21.
No, I am now just boring, responsible, should-be-graduated-by-now, old 22.

Happy birthday to me...

I Change My Clothes in My Car Because I Have To

2009-11-07T16:31:00.000-08:00

I feel like my thoughts are little Mexican jumping beans bouncing around inside my skull. They've been trying to get out for a while now, but with school and three jobs (count em, three), I have devoted my mind entirely to trying to find a way to squeeze something else into my day. When am I going to eat? When am I going to get gas, or pay that bill? Do I have the shoes I need for tonight's wardrobe change? Where is my physics book? When was the last time I washed my hair? The mundane logistical thoughts have pushed these poor ignored deeper thoughts so far away and scattered them so far that I fear I may have lost some of them. Some have ventured to other parts of my body in search of an escape route; for example, I'm pretty sure that has been something poetic inside my chest trying to find the words to allow it to surface, to let it out, but I have not allowed much thought for these thoughts, keeping them trapped and in the dark.

I am going to attempt to remedy this now.

Please bear with me (that's b-e-a-r, not b-a-r-e).

Things I've noticed about myself/habits:

I've decided that I really love Fall (Autumn, if you will). It might be my favorite season. But I had never experienced such a seasonal phenomenon until I spent a few years in Provo. Now as I hike through freshly green Santa Monica Mountains enjoying the sun and ready myself for Thanksgiving in capri pants and flip flops, I realize that something is missing. The hills are not painted with brilliant shades of orange and gold. There isn't that crisp in the air that prompts you pull out your pea coats and scarves. There are no crunchy leaves on the sidewalk that make even a trip down the driveway to the mailbox fun. The air doesn't smell of cinnamon and wet earth. Fall just isn't a season we have in California. Around here, "Fall" is a time when school starts, when we make trips to the pumpkin patch, when children dress in costumes and beg for candy, and when we sweat during the day and might need a hoodie at night. That's all. I guess what I'm saying is that I miss Fall.

I only play the piano or the guitar when nobody's home.
(Or when I think no one can hear me)

I am afraid to speak Spanish to native speakers.
But wouldn't you love it if you moved to Paraguay and someone spoke English to you?

When I clean my room, I always start by putting away my shoes.

I still can't roll my tongue.

I keep a dayplanner, but I realized that I usually only write things that have already happened in it.
It is rarely used to warn me of something ahead.

I really pine for an old friend I've lost touch with.
Despite our lack of contact these last few years, I still love her and consider her one of my favorite people.
She inspires me, even from afar.

I wear "Saturday Outfits" whenever I can.
"What is a Saturday outfit?" you ask.
I guess the best way to describe it is to give an example.
Today's edition:
orange tank top
Batman boxers
Ron Weasly-esque beanie
ballet slippers

I have a lot of friends. Now, I don't say this to be boastful; I mean there are a lot of individuals with whom I share a friendship. This doesn't mean I'm super social, or that I'm always surrounded by a large group of people. In fact, I would say quite the opposite. I was thinking about how I have these friends who are all from different groups, making getting a group together for some activity a little weird and very random. So I just don't do it. I am totally open to being introduced to their friends. I don't really mind being the one who doesn't really know anybody else there (as long as my friend remembers that I don't know anyone else yet). But I never invite people who don't know each other to hang out with me. I always laugh at the idea of all of the random people that would attend a birthday party in my honor. The last two years, friends have thrown me a surprise party, inviting who they thought should be there, and they did a good job. But there were people I would have liked to have come, but since I don't know any of their friends and they don't know any of my friends, they miss out on an invitation. I think I would be able to save more time and have more fun by "killing two birds with one stone," so to speak. If I allowed my friends to meet and be friends with each other, then we could all hang out; all would be well. I hope I can let this happen sometime.

I miss dance -- everything about it.
I miss the girls. I miss the coach.
I miss the competitions. I miss the performances.
I miss the smell of hairspray and eyelash glue.
I miss being in good physical condition.
I miss the massive appetite I used to be able to maintain.
I miss the thrill that comes from mastering a new movement.
I miss the rhythm of the music and my heartbeat combined.
I miss the freedom and the release.

What I Should Be Doing: moving my furniture, writing to Ben, going to Home Depot, shaving my legs
What I'm Listening To: Stephanie Smith, The Eagles, Shania Twain, and The Sequence

In fact, I think that you should listen to The Sequence too:

Why don't we say what we mean?

2009-09-27T23:09:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: this is probably not going to be a funny blog.

So lately I have found myself catching up with people I haven't talked to in a while (for one reason or another) and then I find myself faced with the imminent inquiry. That overwhelmingly vague yet personal question that never fails to comes up: How are you?

But does that person care to hear an honest answer? I've been thinking a lot about that. How often do we find ourselves walking past somebody we know and in passing, we smile and say with [false?] enthusiasm, "Hi! How are are you?" or "Hey! How's it going?" But we keep walking, don't we? We have a tendency to "keep walking" in a conversation as well. A coworker or friend from school will say good morning and ask how we're doing today and we automatically respond with, "Fine" or "Good" or any variation thereof. Then we continue the conversation by describing exactly why we're not fine:
"Man, I have this splitting headache..."
"Ugh I was up so late last night. My kids are sick..."
"I'm nervous about this test tomorrow.."
"My roommate is still acting like the Queen of Sheba..."
"My boyfriend and I got in another fight last night..."
"I think I have herpes..."

Why do we bother with the "Fine" statement to begin with? Mostly, it's a mindless response to a mindless question. But sometimes we revert to the "Fine" because it's been a long time since our last communication with that person and rather than explain everything that has happened in the past two years or so, you just summarize with a simple "I'm doing well," putting on a front in a way. I guess the hard part is determining the sincerity with which the how are you is presented so that we don't miss an opportunity to respond accordingly, to show our friends that we trust them, and to allow them to catch a little glimpse into our lives.

Another example:
"I'm sorry."
"It's ok."

It's ok?! So they can do it again and that would be alright with you?
Yea, I didn't think so.

We've become overly an apologetic people, always afraid of offending, always watching what we say, afraid of being politically incorrect or the dreaded i-word: intolerant. I won't even get started on this topic. I don't have the time and neither do you.

I guess the whole point of this rambling was to explain that I've been trying to overcome these poor communication incidents that have become the social norm.

So go ahead, ask me how I've been; tell me you're sorry.

I dare you.

What I should be doing: fastrack Physics 105, finding my floor, finding a job, finding myself
What I'm listening to: Ana Nalick, Sufjan Stevens, Rocky Votolato, Stars

Work in Progress- Something for Veronica to Read

2009-09-26T13:55:00.000-07:00

It's been a big summer.

Lots of changes.

I don't even know where to begin.

Words are failing me right now.

I guess I could cheat and raise my word count by the thousands by using pictures...

Yes, that is what I will do.

TRANSPORTATION
OLD:
[Dora]
"Dora," the Explorer -born: 2000

NEW:
"Ruby Sue" -born: 1986

HOUSE
OLD:
NEW:

HAIR
OLD:

NEW:

(I look sickly. But my hair looks good...)

SCHOOL

OLD:

NEW:
[picture in scrubs]

2009-09-23T00:59:00.001-07:00

I want to write a new blog.

But alas, I have school in the morning and must go to bed.

Perhaps another day.

♥

Si yo fuera una mosaic...

2009-04-17T00:10:00.000-07:00

In studying for finals, naturally I find ways to stall... like making this fun little mosaic.
Thanks to Kari for the idea.

want to make one of your own?

step 1: go to flickr.com
setp 2: in another window open http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/mosaic.php
step 3: choose 4 columns, 3 rows
step 4: answer the following questions in the search bar of flicker. pick your favorite one on the first page and paste it into your mosaic

1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. Favorite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. One word to describe you.
12. Your nickname.

Well that was fun.
Back to studying for Spanish and Brother Ludlow's New Testament final.
Goodnight.

What I should be doing: finding an apartment for next year, reading La Dama Del Alba
What I'm listening to: The Eagles, Secondhand Serenade, Phantom Planet, and Journey
What I wish I was doing: sleeping. or eating angel food cake...

Where Have You Been All My Life?

2009-04-14T00:28:00.000-07:00

Just a quick photo review to offer you a taste of what's been going on in my life...

Enjoy!

Rogers 95 2006-2007. 5/6
Dinner at the creamery with Jess before she went into the MTC.

Halloween. After years of dreaming, I finally went as Quailman!

Baloo "Mushface" Ludlow.
October 1999-November 2008.

New Years' Eve.
Chilling with the floats before the Rose Parade.

Everyone spends Valentine's Day at Cabelas, right?

Check out that spandex!
All dressed up and ready for Vanilla Ice and MC Hammer in concert.

I'm not old enough to be 21.

But I went to Vegas anyway.

So to prove my immaturity, I made a Hannah Montana blanket,
...and tied the scraps around my head.

Well, that's all I can think of for now...
Maybe I'll secretly upload more later.
Hasta luego!

What I should be doing: O-Chem problem set, Literary analysis in Spanish
What I'm Listening to: Flo-Rider, Death Cab For Cutie, The Doors, and Miley Cyrus
What I wish I was doing: eating more of that delicious homemade bread and honey butter from FHE at Brother Brinkerhoff's...

Quizzical

2008-09-24T21:29:00.000-07:00

So I'm just having a major middle school flashback and doing online quizzes. Here were some fun ones:

What Your Peanut Butter And Jelly Sandwich Means

Your eating style is gluttonous. If you like something, you're going back for seconds... no matter how full you are!

You have a total sweet tooth. When you can get away with it, you like to have dessert before dinner!

Your taste in food tends to be quite eclectic and wide. You are an adventurous eater, and you like many types of cuisines.

You are probably a fairly normal, upper middle class person. You don't rock the boat too often.

You are a tough person who isn't afraid to live life fully. There isn't a lot that scares you.

Precise and controlled, you can be a bit anal retentive when it comes to how you like things. You're definitely a perfectionist.

What Does Your Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Say About You?

What Your Fridge Says About You

You like to be surrounded by things you love. You aren't exactly greedy, but you can be materialistic at times.

You are not careful with your money. In fact, you rarely think about how much you are spending.

You don't tend to be a very adventurous person, but you do surprise everyone now and then. You have a bit of a wild side.

You try to be responsible, but you don't always succeed. Your heart is in the right place though.

You are likely single - and spending many nights alone at home.

What Do the Contents of Your Refrigerator Say About You?

Your Candy Heart Says "Get Real"

You're a bit of a cynic when it comes to love.

You don't lose your head, and hardly anyone penetrates your heart.

Your ideal Valentine's Day date: is all about the person you're seeing (with no mentions of v-day!)

Your flirting style: honest and even slightly sarcastic

What turns you off: romantic expectations and "greeting card" holidays

Why you're hot: you don't just play hard to get - you are hard to get

What Does Your Candy Heart Say?

What I'm supposed to be doing: studying for my Spanish test tomorrow, preparing for my molecular biology lab tomorrow
What I'm listening to: Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin, Sean Kingston
What I wish I was doing: watching School of Rock or the end of tonight's Top Model...

Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read. -Groucho Marx

2008-08-06T12:05:00.001-07:00

So a couple weeks ago I did something pretty awesome: I went to the library.

I had forgotten about that library smell, of book glue and dust. It's disgusting and sicky sweet, but I like it. I hadn't been there in so long and I was positive that anyone watching me would know that immediately. I was afraid that they would think that I'm illiterate. "I read! It's just usually something from my extensive home library," I thought defiantly as my eyes darted about the aisles of books at the other library-goers, "It's just usually Harry Potter..." Eventually, after pretending I knew exactly what I was doing, I located the fiction section and proceeded to browse for any of the long list of books I had been wanting to read. Finally, I found a solitary copy of "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath and snatched it greedily from the shelf. Success! I then wandered back toward the front to check it out, and on the way I spied something that intrigued me along the south wall: a used book sale! All good sense told me that I probably wouldn't find anything, and as i began to casually peruse the shelves, I seemed to be right. Stacks of tacky romance novels and Mary Higgins Clark mysteries that I only read at the airport sat before me, yet I had this inexplicable desire to find something interesting. I was drawn to these tomes against my nagging hunger (I was on my lunch break) and I searched a little more diligently. Finally, I was rewarded when I stumbled across this little treasure, for only one dollar: "Throw Like a Girl- stories" by Jean Thompson.

I knew I was going to like it right away so now I headed to the checkout (for reals) and opted for the electronic checkout so that I wouldn't have to answer any awkward questions about where I had been all these years. I procured my library card, that I had found while cleaning my room, yellowed and cracked with my eleven-year-old face staring vacantly out of its frame, and scanned the bar code. "NOPE!" beeped the checkout machine, "Invalid entry. Please see front desk for assistance." Dang! I was going to have to face the humans after all. I was cut off at the pass by a large group of girls who looked to be about 9. I stepped back and tried to remain composed and calm, like I did this everyday. I didn't want the little girls in on my secret. Once it was my turn I approached the desk and handed my card to the lady. I waited with bated breath as she scanned it and I was rewarded, once again, with the beep that blared "NOPE!" "It seems you are no longer in our system," smiled the sympathetic librarian. She directed me to the other side where I filled out an application, had my picture taken, and was presented with a brand new library card. =] How embarrassing though; the school librarian's daughter doesn't have a current library card because she doesn't read. So awkward.

Welp, now I am officially literate and I look forward to my next library adventure with a little more confidence.

♥

Happy Birthday, Harry Potter!

2008-07-31T22:55:00.000-07:00

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In honor of Harry Potter's birthday, allow me to share some amazing Harry tidbits.

Then and Now:
Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson

Potter Quotes:

"To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure." - Albus Dumbledore

"If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals." - Sirius Black

" It is the unknown we fear when we look upon death and darkness, nothing more." - Albus Dumbledore

"The hats have gone," Hermione said happily. "Seems the house-elves do want freedom after all."
"I wouldn't bet on it," Ron told her cuttingly. "They might not count as clothes. They didn't look anything like hats to me, more like woolly bladders."

"It is my belief... that the truth is generally preferable to lies." - Albus Dumbledore

"Accio, brain!" - Ron Weasley

And finally, the trailer for The Half-Blood Prince. Omg, I'm so excited!!

Well I Don't Expect The World to Move Underneath Me

2008-07-30T23:31:00.000-07:00

So yesterday at work, I was sitting at Michael's computer computing some accounting stuff for Gary when I heard a vaguely familiar deep rumbling sound and my chair started to move... only itwasn't just my chair. It was my chair, and my desk, and the walls, and the office, and the ground. I heard Charlotte in the hallway struggling to stay on her feet in her 4-inch heels and the entire accounting department thundering down the stairs (I've never seen Gary move so quickly). Yup, it was an earthquake.
Originally reported as a 5.8, the 5.4 quake struck at 11:42am near Diamond Bar and Chino Hills. The shaking lasted a long time; I was surprised. They say that people could feel it as far away as San Diego or even Las Vegas. There was no major damage or injuries reported.
Of course, the phone and internet lines were immediately tied up, but not because of damage; big-mouthed people were just burning up the lines with their accounts of the "traumatic" event. For about an hour, nonstop, the office chatter and all of the radio frequencies were bursting of tales of those who were a little (forgive me) shaken up. People were blabbing about how they had to call and make sure their loved ones were alright, and comparing the shaker to the Northridge quake of 94. Seriously? not even close. The Richter scale is logarithmic, remember? 5.4... 6.8... not exactly the same thing. Calm down people.
Maybe this is sick and twisted of me, but I've been kind of waiting for an earthquake for a while now. I kind of like them. It's a roller coaster-type feeling, only weirder. It's like surfing on solid ground. It does mess with your sense of reality and stability though. The scariest and most poetic part about an earthquake is that your most stable surface, your anchor, and the thing that you rely on and expect to be solid, is moving under you. Your entire world is literally rumbling beneath your feet. It's bizarre. I love it.
I waited anxiously for aftershocks, and while there were several reports of them, I didn't feel any... =(

There's so much to blog! There's no time to rinse!

2008-06-28T22:43:00.000-07:00

The Answer is D: Huntington Boob
So I went down to see Melanie in Huntington one weekend now that she's all settled and bored out of her mind. Her little place is pretty cute and super close to the beach and perfect for her. Once I got there, we decided to hit up BJ's on Main Street since she hadn't eaten at all, and I had only consumed food units from Burger King (a noteworthy occurrence). There, we had the bestest pazookie and the worstest service, but hey, we successfully got our parking validated and avoided that one bar we "accidentally" walked into. After a few episodes of the Office (Kevin: "Will you please say, 'This is due back on Thursday,'?"), we decided to hit the hay because we had a big day ahead of us.
We woke up bright and early and got our Jack in the Box breakfast and went and sat on a curb for a few hours until we reached our goal: the RVCA Warehouse sale! It was amazing, and let's just say, for every 5 shirts you bought, you got a 6th free, and well... we got 2 free shirts. Once we had finally secured our purchases, we went back to her place for a fashion show (fashion show! fashion show at lunch!). Basically, we're hot.

Then Kari came over and we hit up the beach. Sun, sand, sunscreen, shades, pringles, and trashy magazines... Oh! and we found out that Clay Aiken is going to be a father. We read this whole thing about how through artificial insemination, he and his friend Jaymes were going to have a baby (and we're thinking, how else would that happen with two men?) We were freaking out for like 5 whole minutes and then I continued to read the article, and don't worry, Jaymes is definitely a woman. Haha, because he enjoyed this good news so much, Rob decided to join us in the sun.

I lover the beach.
Aren't we precious?
Aw, I like them.
After baking for a few more hours than we should have, we went our separate ways to get cleaned up (in my case, to take a nap) and get ready for dinner. We went to Wood Ranch because Nugg had never been there and still thought GoodWood was yummy! Don't worry: BBQ ribs, tri-tip steak, rolls, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, and incredible mashed potatoes... she's converted. =]
Then, because we weren't fat enough, we went to Dairy Queen for some delicious treats and froze our butts off until we were smart enough to seek refuge in Nona. It was a delicious and cozy ending to my little visit.

That's life. This is Walgreens.

So first of all, what kind of gas station doesn't have a bathroom?! I mean, I've seen out of order, closed for cleaning, and other such non-usable restrooms, but none at all? really? Anywho, while waiting for Rob to feed Nona, Melanie, Kari, and I realized the filled-to-capacity nature of our bladders and went in search of a restroom. Being unsuccessful, we looked to the Walgreens across the street for the answers (because life isn't always perfect, that's why there's Walgreens). We hopped in Chief, pulled into the parking lot, and all but power-walked inside. Following Kari's advice we headed to the back and as we veered around a corner, there it was, with only a keypad lock between us and freedom. Dead end. Trying to lighten the mood, I waltzed right up to it and said jokingly, "Don't worry guys, I know the code," and pushed a few choice buttons. Viola! it swung wide open. I turned to Kari and Mel nonchalantly and ushered them inside, where I burst into a fit of laughter. I won't tell you what the code was (that's my secret), but basically, I'm awesome.
Oh, and we got to pee. =]

Happy Birthday, Nugglesaurus!
So for the 23rd birthday of L. Nugglesworth, she, Veronica, Alden, Seth, and I all ventured down to Golf n Stuff to further our golf careers with putting practice. Then we went back to Jenn's house for Guesstures and dino cake. Here are some highlights from the evening:
-Seth got his mission call to Melbourne, Australia-- Mandarin speaking!
-I had to go to "Compton" to return our clubs
-lying to Alden about my actual score
-somebody (Seth?) lost their ball near the end, and didn't bother to get a new one.
-the soda machine was broken = no Pepsi for Melanie =(
-when [brilliant] George tried to light the fake candle that the dino was holding...
-that lemonade =]
-artichoke?!
-the Joker toy that made me cry
-Veronica's accident
-spilling cake (chocolate frosting side down) on Jenn's carpet
-"Impatient!"
-Veronica: *slap, slap, hiss* Seth: "Hippo!" Veronica: *points* "Yes."

Ok, That pretty much sums it up. There was much, much more, but I feel that this has gone on long enough. Until next time, Adios!

Snails See the Benefits, the Beauty in Every Inch

2008-06-21T10:16:00.000-07:00

So I finally found my favorite Cyanide and Happiness comic ever.
Enjoy.

Namesake

2008-06-21T00:33:00.000-07:00

So, good old Newbury Park...
You know you're in N.P. because somebody used a "1001 Best Baby Names" book to name all of the streets around you. Our main roads include Wendy and Lynn, with some important shortcuts on Ruth, Walter, and West Kelly(but only if you know the code). Who could forget waiting on Lupe for your mom to pick you up from Sequoia? Or laughing when you passed Bob Court? *sigh* I just wouldn't feel at home without passing Gerald and Theresa. Here are a few of my favorites =]

One short day in the Emerald City

2008-05-28T22:10:00.000-07:00

So I saw Wicked last night at the Pantages... SO GOOD(as expected)! For Grandma's birthday and Mother's Day, we took her out for a girls' night with her daughter-in-laws and granddaughters. It was so fun. We got dressed up and went to dinner at Chevy's. I'd never been there and it was super tasty, but I kept awkwardly leaning over the table, straining to see the tv at the bar to find out the score of the Laker game. *sigh* Even on girls' night I'm a boy... Then we went to the theatre and found a perfect parking spot right across Hollywood Blvd. Naturally, we took pictures with the stars and attempted to get the Wicked poster behind us. Then as Charlotte, Lindy, Alyson and I posed for a picture on the corner, the "grownups" crossed the street without us, leaving us to scramble frantically after them in our heels as the timer menacingly reminded us that angry drivers were revving up their engines, preparing for the green light. Never fear, we made it.
So then we went inside and enjoyed the general splendor and elegance of the architecture and found our seats: dead center, very back row. Oh well. Once we had secured some munchies and received a sharp reprimand from the usher for taking pictures inside, the lights dimmed and it was time for the show =] At the opening chord of the overture, my heart began to flutter with all-consuming joy and I had to refrain from singing along. It was phenomenal, possibly even better than the first time I saw it. Oh, and it was the same guy that played Fierro that I saw in New York! I was so happy. I love black Fierro. "No Good Deed" is still my favorite number. UGH so good! gives me chills every time! I was really impressed that the actors took such a popular and well-known production and made the characters their own. I was amazed by their musical prowess, as they altered the emphasises (<--- is that a word?) in the songs and changed it just enough from the original to be noticed. I don't know if I'm really describing it right, but I hope you know what I mean.
Anywhoo, I just wanted to share my amazing experience. If you haven't seen it, go! It's expensive, but it's worth it.