"Isn't life funny?"

“Isn’t life funny?”

This is one of my all time, slap my knee in hysterics, favorite sayings ever; I equate it to hitting your “funny bone”…which it turns out folks isn’t funny at all.

Sometimes, yes, life is funny. It’s funny in the way that makes you laugh when you trip and fall in the hall way on the first day of high school in front of a math class full of senior water polo players…it is only years later that I can laugh about it (ok, realistically I was laughing the next day). After my scrapes and ego were healed, and my calculator fixed (it had after all sailed through the air in a way only one of my possessions could) I was able to laugh it off.

I have a birthday coming up in about a week, the big 2-1, and though I’m nowhere near the maturity level that comes with each passing birthday, I feel like I’ve been able to learn so much on this planet. One of the things that I’m struggling with lately is to just let life be funny. Take the joy in the little mishaps and know that it could actually be worse…I could still be going to school at San Francisco State…yikes!!

“Isn’t life funny?”

Whoever came up with this saying? I’d like to know so I could…how do I say this…punch them in the face. Every time I imagine the person that first said this little gem I think of Charlie Chaplin…. I have strange word associations sometimes (remind me to tell you how a meatball sandwich always makes me think of Saratoga…).

School is in full swing this semester, I have 18 units, and although I end class every day at 12:30 (except Fridays…which is part of the “isn’t life funny” bit…that’s another rant) I’m nonstop busy reading lovely books on History and Constitutional Law…that’s right folks! You thought I was a 20 something girl, but it turns out I sit in a chair in my sweaters, listen to Frank Sinatra and read history books…I am in fact my grandfather (love you Gramps!). And I want to, I need to learn how to be at peace with the phase of life I am in now, because when do I get the chance to dedicate my entire life to education; learning both the lessons of the classroom and of life? I’m working on it.

“Isn’t life funny?”

In the way that falling off a cliff anthill (I can’t have my imagination miserable all afternoon for committing imagination manslaughter) after missing the exit on the highway is funny? Then yes, life is funny. I have a dream, a vision really for how I’d like my life to work. I know only a small percentage of my plans will ultimately work out how I want them too, I am after all a mere human, but I have a new outlook.

Live more. Laugh more. And create more.

Live more freely. Live fully. Live simply.

Laugh boldly. Laugh loudly (ok…don’t be that person in the coffee shop laughing like you have to laugh to save your life). Laugh freely.

Create memories. Create pieces of art by writing and expression. Create good food! Most importantly, create l-o-v-e.

So my lovelies, it is my prayer for you to discover the simple pleasures of life.

I want nothing more that to read Hemingway in a wheat field right now...but alas...I'm stuck reading Constitutional Law in an apartment... isn't life funny??

Have you met Satan?

Peacefulness. When ever I am truly at peace (if there ever is such a time) my mind is on a constant loop of Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Romantic Period piano music, and many other strange tunes that a girl my age probably shouldn't know my societal norms. I feel a cool breeze; yet, that breeze has a soft warm touch that kisses my face and legs. Nothing is better than sitting outside, in a state of contentment; with a cup of tea at your side. Nothing. Even now, as I listen to my good buddy Frank, I feel this feeling of contentment.

Sighhhhhh..... Oh hang on, let me remove the ferocious beast that is currently trying to suck my life out through my ankle bones.

You would never suspect this face to be the spawn of Satan...
the Napoleon Bonaparte of Cats would you?

It is when I'm peaceful that my cat attacks. Oh Satan....I mean Dewey....when will you ever let me be?!

I don't know how many of you have had the privilege, yes it is a privilege, to meet Dewey ( I mean Satan); I'm not sure if you have if that is a good thing or if you should count yourself lucky if you haven't. You see....now how do I put this in the nicest, most polite way possible....Dewey is a little...poo poo head (I have decided to censor myself, because trust me, there are better adjectives out there to describe this special animal).

Satan is a confused animal. There is no way around it, he's actually very dumb. He does this thing with his head where it looks like he's trying to be another member of the Village People and learn the YMCA. I don't understand him. If Edward Cullen was a cat, he would be Satan Dewey. Let me explain. You see, even as I type this, he is standing in the corner looking down at his paws; trying to be soulful and brooding all at once. He believes this is his best pose. I think it's not. Dewey is like a french Edward Cullen. He's black and white (good and evil), but the evil side is represented in a larger quantity. I can't help but be the helpless (made even more helpless by Kristen Stewart's acting) Bella Swan around him-- I know he can destroy me, yet I still try to love him and have his love be returned. But he's cold and heartless. It's a sick, twisted, abusive relationship really.

Is that a bird? A plane??? no...it's just Dewey flying through the air to attack the Dog.

The Showdown between the small horse and Satan...

Dewey has no real fear. He's not afraid of me (which he demonstrates every day when he attacks-- I mean ATTACKS-- my toes and my thighs [I just choose to say he has a crush on me...someone's got to right?]) or the dog. Granted, our dog is probably the most feminine male dog you will ever lay eyes upon. I think Dewey is half squirrel...he flies through the air, leaps of furniture onto the back of the unsuspecting dog or human, with the greatest of ease.

Boxing match between the brother and Satan. Satan wins every time

The nerve of this animal. He is the rudest feline ever (that might be because he is part devil...) but this might be due in part to the fact that he is french. Did I not tell you? Dewey is French, my Dog is German...yes I've given my animals nationalities and I speak to them in their native tongues sometimes. Don't judge my awkward life. Anywho... Satan walks along the counters, looks in the eye of the nearest human, and pushes things off the counter. Rude right? Of the french...

Now that I've officially established myself in your mind as the crazy cat lady, I think I'll stop my awkward rant about my cat. But he is rude, and I needed to share with you my suffering.

My nametag Cup my mom got me

What? Don't you answer the door in a towel? Well...this is awkward..

Hectic. Crazy. Stressful. and a little bit...Awkward. These are surely the only words that can be used to describe my life (ok, I'll admit there are a few more words that can probably be used but let's not focus on that right now). This morning was an interesting start to my day, to say the very least. After I hopped out of the shower --keep this part in mind it's very important-- I was in my room...in my underwear (remember I just got out of the shower) I heard loud crashing in my hallway right outside my bedroom door.

Now....I feel the need to tell you about Satan. My Cat. Bear with me here to a quick sec. I'll get back to the story, keep your panties on. Satan Dewey is a loud and very destructive creature who is constantly knocking things off counters and off walls.

My dad has some golf dvd's on the ledge upstairs (yes...my dad is strange and has recorded golf tournaments from like the 50s to present day...don't judge) and I figured he had just knocked them all down the stairs. I was wrong.

So back to my story... As I was standing in my room-- remember I just got out of the shower-- the crashing noise kept going; I knew it wasn't Satan when I heard my mom yelling at me to call 911. I look out into the hall to see my little brother having a grand mal seizure. This was the hectic and crazy part of my day that I promised to explain earlier in the post. Now comes the awkward.

Remember when I said that I just got out of the shower? No?? Well let me refresh your memory... I just got out of the shower. Got it? Good. So I was standing there on the phone with the 911 operator when I realized...hmmm it's a bit drafty.

Ohhhhh.... this would be because I'm standing out in the hallway in my underwear.

As a young woman, let's just say I don't exactly wear old lady underwear. Sorry folks, I have no filter with you. Luckily I had enough sense to throw on a bath towel before I answered the door for the paramedics and the firefighters. Why is my life so awkward? And why was that firefighter so cute? Why was I in a towel with wet hair!? Dang bad timing...not that there is ever a good time for Jacob to have a seizure.

So anywho, the good news is that Jacob is fine. He was just being a terrible teenager and wasn't taking his seizure meds and that is what caused the seizure...someones in trouble....

On a happier note! My older brother Kyle came home (or straight to the hospital) today from Washington state on leave from the army. I'm so happy to have him home for the weekend, even if our first reunion was in the hospital. He brought home is small horse dog Duke who met my small dog chase and also Satan (who proceeded to tear apart my arm as he tried to flee from the small horse Duke). I look forward to an awkward free weekend, but know that probably won't happen. At least let this weekend be relaxing and not crazy please Lord!

The Small Horse...I mean Duke... Just ignore my face..I thought he
was going to knock me over

I hope you all have a great and lazy memorial day weekend! Remember those that have served, are serving, or will serve in the future in the military. On Monday tune in when I actually tell you all about Satan and how he got that nickname (my cat, not the actual Satan...).

This is chase....please ignore my face...I don't always look like a deranged killer

The reason why I'm sane

ahhhh summer. At least, my calendar says it's summer but apparently the weather wants to make me look like a fool. My body was confused yesterday morning when I stepped outside for my morning run and it was cloudy. I wish I could tell you it was no big thang...oh no, it was a big thang. It rained. I thought I was on Summer break from school?

Hang on, let me grab my microphone....WHAT HAPPENED TO SUMMER BREAK?!

It turned out fine, despite the soggy running shoes and having to shove my iphone in my pants to protect it from the rain* it was actually an enjoyable run...if runs could ever be called such things.

This morning was perhaps one of my favorite ways to spend summer break so far. My good friend (and future roommate) Alyssa came over to my house for a mid-morning walk and I made us breakfast (you can check out her super cute blog here ). I feel like summer would not be complete without good friends and good food (good fresh food might I add, not doughnuts). This summer I have already been up to Sacramento area once to see my good friends Emily and Megan; let me tell you, those girls are the reason-- or one of the reasons-- why I love my school. What is better than good friends? Answer: nothing.

Speaking of good friends, I said goodbye to my amazing friend Ian the other night. Justin Bieber...I mean Ian, is going on him mission to Malaysia for two years and let me tell you, those are some lucky people.

It's only two years, it's only two years, it's only two years....

I keep having to remind myself that it is only two years; but in all reality, a lot can happen in two years. With as fast as time flies (two years ago I was starting college) a lot can change. I know that I am a different person than I was two years ago, and I know that in two years when I'm turning 23 I will have grown so much more than I can even perceive. I know that Ian is a good friend, but I can't help but wonder...can a distance half a world away change us? I plan on doing my darnedest to not allow that to happen, but things change and that's not necessarily a bad thing. As it stand right now, I love all of my friends and will continue to love you all forever. Thank you for all the amazing times in the past and the times to come.




searching through my old pictures i stumbled across this one from high school. The look on my face is pure joy...this is why I love my friends



Ok. enough of my sob story. Tune in tomorrow when I tell you about Satan. I mean my cat Dewey. (yes, I am that crazy cat lady...deal with it!)

once upon a time, a strange naked boy came knocking...almost....

Have I ever shared with you the story of my encounter with the autistic child that ran into my house one afternoon? No??? Well, would you like to laugh today (I would hope the answer is yes or you may need to go to a psychologist... hang on, I think I have a card somewhere in my wallet....)?? 

So there I was, sitting in the most comfortable chair in the house, watching tv with my little brother. My dad had just announced that he was going to take a nap (a regular afternoon occurrence in my house...give him a break, he's an old firefighter). As I was just about the hit that perfect moment when you're watching tv and your body just gels into the furniture the front door creaks open.

"mom?"- Me (she was supposed to be at work, but I thought that maybe she was coming home for lunch)

Nothing, there was no answer but the door swung open wider and next thing I know, a little child's head pops into the door.

My reaction you ask?

"ummmm....hello?? Can I help you?" clearly I don't know how to talk to children, I just treat them like strange adults.

At that point, the child took my questioning as a signal to run completely into the front room of my house. 

My thought process you ask again? Let me tell you...

Ok, who is this child that ran into my house? Is he on fire? No... Bleeding? Nooo... Why is his mouth dark blue? Oh wait..... he is butt naked!! 

That's right folks, this child that ran into my house was as naked as a jay bird! This 10 year old boy who I had never seen before was bearing more than I ever cared to see from a stranger. At this point, since he clearly was more interested in running around my front room than listening to me, I took my cat and ran into the bathroom and locked the door. I was only looking out for the safety of my cat, I didn't want her to escape after all. Nooooo, get that idea out of your head. I didn't lock myself in the bathroom because children scare me, especially naked children, where did you get this idea?

Keep in mind, at this point in the story my dad is sleeping in his bedroom. As my dad tells it, the child ran into his bedroom and started banging on his tv. Awaken by the sounds of tiny fists banging on a hard surface, my poor father wakes up in a confused state only to find a naked child in his room. A foreign nude child. What does one make of this situation in a haze of sleepiness? I'll tell you what one makes of this...they chase after it  (the child is the it, if you didn't take notice).

So there's my dad, running after a nude child. 

Rewind.... I feel there is something you must know about my father... I probably shouldn't tell you, but for the sake of artistic accuracy, I feel I must.... he sleeps in his underwear sometimes, and this was one of those times. (I feel like I should tell you that I feel slightly awkward writing that out as he is sitting right next to me at the table while I type this....sorry pops!)

Anywho, back to the story. So my dad is chasing this small, nude child around the room when it dawns on him: (I'll take artistic liberty here as I can't remember the exact wording of his thoughts) "I'm in my underwear, chasing around a small, naked child that I don't know...this doesn't look good. Where are my pants?!"

So after he puts pants on, and finally is able to wrangle up the strange child, he takes him outside where the neighbor of this child is looking for him. He apparently lived a street down and she saw him roaming the streets...naked as a jay bird. 

What really gets me is that I have to wonder what my little brother was doing this whole time? I feel like, and I speak from experience as his older sister, that he was still sitting on the couch throughout this whole ordeal, mesmerized by the television. 

So there my lovelies is another glimpse into my awkward life. I feel as though I could honestly write a book about all the strange and bizarre things that have happened to me. 

I'll refrain from any catchy headline about summer

SIIIGGGGHHHHH..... I feel like I can finally let out a gigantic breath because I'm officially done with my semester and am now attempting to enjoy my summer break (although it's been raining all day so it doesn't feel like much of a summer, my body is thoroughly confused). It was a rough couple of weeks before school ended, everything felt like it went downhill once I returned to Jessup after spring break. Between the stress of last minute papers, studying for finals, and other drama that comes with attending a small school I had no time to relax and unwind (which is explains my absence from this little beauty here- I know at least one person out there reads my little blog here regularly...I hope). Anywho, I'm back and have a few funny little tales to share with you.

On my morning run this morning (does 11 o'clock still count as morning) I encountered two funny things-- at least funny to me. Please laugh out of pity if you don't find them funny.
1) I was running and a car that had just married written all over, soda cans dangling from the bumper, toilet paper strewn all over it, the whole shebang drove past me. As I was smiling to myself, I am a girl and romantic by birth (give me a break here people...i may not care for babies but I do have a heart), a soda can rolled to my feet. My question to you is: does that count as a bouquet, does that mean I'll be the next to get married?
2)As I ran past the park (maybe running leads to strange events) I ran past a van with an open door. I looked over to see a group of mentally handicapped adults on some type of outing; while I wasn't paying attention, a man jumped out of the van and yelled at me. This startled me so I ran faster, I looked behind me only to see him following me! Needless to say, I ran faster. Maybe being chased by a mentally handicapped man for a good chunk of the street home was just what I needed to get my heart really pumping. I think I'll forgo this method of cardio training tomorrow, I'm not trying to have a heart attack here people. Never before have my little legs pumped so hard...that might not be true, I'm reminded of a time in kindergarten when I was being chased by another mentally handicapped girl on the play ground as she yelled "diarrhea, diarrhea!" Maybe I'm like a magnet...

It's been great being home, I'm looking forward to the books that I'll read, the blogs I'll actually have time to write, and the dinners I'll cook! Part of the fun of being home is cooking meals, much to the chagrin of my little brother because I like to make healthy meals. Now, without further ado I must bid you farewell as I need to figure out how the heck I'm going to fit all my dorm stuff into my room at home. This is no easy task as my entire house looks like my dorm room threw up in it. How does such a tiny girl accumulate so much stuff? It's probably my addiction to buying used books... I need another book shelf in my room. Why must I have such a great love for literature?!

Tune in tomorrow for another story from my awkward life, you know you want to. Just give in.

Bonfire! Yes, I look like the female Quasimodo...don't judge, that's just how my face looks

I taught Angelina Jolie how to dodge bullets... clearly she didn't take note of how to make the proper facial expression while doing so. 

Here's to the beginning of a lovely, life changing summer!

One of the last walks with college friends of the semester... clearly I don't know how to make a normal face

sooo...this is awkward.

It's when my feet hit the pavement in a constant rhythm. It's in those few stolen moments between classes and in the late afternoon when I have time to myself to write and reflect. It's in those late hours at night when my mind goes a thousand miles a minute into the pleasant places and the places I'd rather not travel. It's in those moments when my eyes first see the light of the new day; when my mind is still foggy and I try to catch those last minutes of sleep in my net. These are the times that I think the most. Here in lies the danger.

Why do we let our thoughts get away from us. I've been in a super funky mood ever since I returned to Jessup from spring break. Spring break in San Diego with my girls was just what I needed to clear my head before I returned to the fogginess that is Jessup. I love my school, but sometimes it's simply too much for me. I feel like I will be crushed within its walls; it suffocates me. I try to tread lightly, but sometimes I can feel the ice begin to splinter beneath my tired feet. Just two weeks. Just two weeks. This is a mantra that sounds in my head with each step I take. Just two weeks. Just two weeks.

If only I had a Royal Wedding hangover

I was ready. I had prepared all week for the main event. I decided to stay up and watch a movie to calm my pre-wedding nerves beforehand but what do I do....no I didn't google pictures of Ben Affleck...that was another time. I fell asleep!! Full blown, head on a pillow and drooling (just kidding about the drool, I promise I don't drool). I had high hopes for the evening, I was rather excited but apparently my small little body couldn't handle the royal wedding.



If Harry can't have me, I hope he can at least have Pippa (Kate's sister) she is way too cute



They are so adorable, I saw this picture today in the news of them outside Buckingham palace the morning after

Pippa, why are you so precious?!

How stunning was Kate Middleton (I'm sorry, I should be proper and say Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge) in her wedding dress? I just want to be her. She is glamorous, seriously toned (if I was a guy...) and has handled herself with such grace. They are too cute for words. Congrats Will and Kate (we are close, personal friends so don't be alarmed when I use their names like this, it's fine).

PS. Wills and Kate...I'm still waiting for you to call me back about setting me up with Harry since my invite somehow vanished in the mail...still waiting...

I think it's infected...can you take a look?

I think I have it. My heart is floating in my chest, my palms are sweaty and my arm pits are tingly (fun fact: when I get nervous, scared, or excited my arm pits tingle...like seriously tingle. It feels like needles). Is it allergies you ask? No...but I may have surpassed my sneeze quota for the day. Is it love? Well....sort of. This may shock you, but it probably won't. I have....Royal Fever!! That's right. I said it. Don't be alarmed friends, I have Royal Fever. It comes in spurts, but it's mostly always there. It makes me google members of the Royal Family, research the history behind Westminster Abbey, and read articles about the fabulous Kate Middleton.

How adorable are they?!

I have a confession...don't laugh or shake your head in dismay. Ok, here it is...I plan on staying up to watch the Royal wedding on tv. It starts broadcasting at 4 am on this side of the pond, which means 1am in California! Am I crazy or am I crazy? Hey you! I said don't shake your head at me. It's funny, when my mom was my age, she was obsessed with Lady Diana Spencer's Wedding to Prince Charles. Now times have come full circle and I am obsessed (read with emphasis) about Prince William's nuptials to Kate Middleton (the coolest girl ever...besides me of course, but that would be narcissistic).

So, I plan on plopping myself on the couch, drinking some tea (I need to be British after all) and enjoying the spectacle that is called the Royal Wedding. Like every little girl everywhere, I will be radiating jealousy for the girl that is about to become a real life princess.

Congrats Wills & Kate....PS... I think my invite got lost in the mail, no hard feelings though. I do have a paper to write so I wouldn't have been able to make it anyways. You can make it up to me though, just set me up with Harry.

Summer and Conspiracies

Well folks, my wonderful spring break is coming to a close. I'm entering into crunch time now with school, but soon enough my peeps....I'll be on break for summer! I can hardly wait. I'm ready for laying in the sun, going on runs in the early afternoon when the heat is still bearable, eating fresh fruits and veggies from the farmers market and fruit stands. I'm excited to finally have some free time to tackle the long list of books that I've been dying to read; trust me, my heart has been aching to feel the crisp pages of a novel between my fingers again.

Today, my last day of break, has been spent writing a paper for one of my history classes. Coincidentally enough, I turned on the History Channel (yes, I'm a true history nerd) for some background noise when I sat down to write my paper on Fascism and The Nazi Party and what is on TV....you guessed it, Nazis. The fall of the Third Reich to be precise. I powered through the paper, well maybe not powered through, I was getting sidetracked...that pesky Hitler sure knows how to demand attention.

Speaking of History, I went and saw the new movie The Conspirator with my pops a few days ago. You know the one, it's about the conspiracy behind Abraham Lincoln's assassination and the trial of one Mary Surratt (she was the owner of the boarding house where the plot was thought out). It stared James Mcavoy as the Lawyer that defended her; let me tell you...I love me some Jame Mcavoy (admit it...he had a little somethin, somethin as Mr. Tumnus in Narnia...the goat feet did not deter me). Overall, I really liked the movie; there is something about the presidency, the Civil War, and the justice system that fascinates me and this movie had all of the above. If you are a history nerd like me, check it out

Say Goodbye to Hollywood...

I miss it. The smell of the sea brine, the way the breeze carried the ocean mist and the light smell of salt. It was perfect weather. Light and a little cloudy, but warm enough to wear a swimsuit and lay on the sandy shore. The sand was warm and I laid there, enjoying the way that the sand formed around my body. I miss spring break. 

Lighthouse at Point Vincent



Ok, technically I'm still on spring break and don't go back to school till Tuesday morning but I'm faced with the daunting task of having to write four papers (the life of a history major). I want to go back to spring break when I was drinking coffee on a beach at night in LA with my friends. The only thing that remains from that trip down south are the pictures stored on my computer, the sand in my purse, and the lovely glow of red that radiates from my body like a neon sign (to which my mom says, "I thought you said you never got sun burned" as she laughs in my face).


Brittany (FLeft), Megan (BLeft), Me, and Emily (FRight) starting the journey



Road trips. Half the fun is getting there. When I was a child, I always thought college was about road trips on spring break with your best friends. It wasn't until this year, my second year in college, that I was finally able to go on a road trip with my college friends and let me tell you, it was all that I thought it would be. The junk food in the car on the way down, the endless stream of picture taking, the beach, staying up late at night, and the laughter was exactly what I always hoped my spring break would be filled with. The only thing that was missing from this college spring break trip was a girl taking off her bikini top...oh wait, that did happen (and it was me. Not intentionally, don't worry grandma if you read this, it was a huge tsunami waves fault...stupid faulty bikini top!)

I love my friends. I can't help but feel like I'm closer to all my friends now. I love all the girls that I live with at Jessup, they each bring something special to my life and all teach me so much about myself and about others. I thank God for bringing them into my life, they are all so unique and I can't imagine how my life would have turned out differently this year if I had been placed with a different set of girls. I love you all ladies, I'm sad that the school year is winding down, but I know that next semester, we'll still be friends and I can't wait to see where life leads us.



yes...that is my boyfriend Humphrey Bogart. Too bad the walls in Hollywood smell like pee









 





Cheers to spring break 2011 socal style! And here's to another spring break in 2012, I look forward to the mayhem that I will get into with my girls next year!



It's like a Harry Potter nerds (me) mecca!



Franky Baby! outside the Chinese Theater





My mother just kindly told me that I look like a man...thanks mom.







can you feel it?!

Can you smell it also? The scent of new flowers and the light musk of early spring. Can you hear it too? The gentle whirl of lawn mowers, awoken from a long winter's sleep. Can you taste it as well? The sugary sweet first bite of early summer fruit. Can you feel it like I can? The glorious easy breeze that linger in the air and makes the day cool. Today, was the a perfect spring day in Lodi. I love this time of year, when all the flowers begin to bloom and fruit begins to turn vibrant reds, blue, orange, and pink. I love the early days of spring, when the air is sweet and cool.

True to form (and my addiction to all things Parisian) I just had to share a picture of the beautiful Luxembourg gardens in spring. Doesn't it just create a desire to lay on the grass and write poetry or something equally soulful?

This evening I helped my dad clean the kitchen while he grilled some vegetables and chicken outside. We ate outside tonight and let me tell you, I plan on doing that a lot this summer when I'm home from school. If this day was any indicator of how Spring Break is going to be, I can tell I'm going to have a very relaxing break. Dinner was a lovely affair, we sat outside and felt the breeze, my dog ran around the table begging for scraps (what else is new), and my dad put his ipod dock outside so we could listen to music. As I heard Michael Buble singing me sweet nothings into the evening air (if I closed my eyes I could almost pretend it was really him) I realized just how much I love coming home from school.

Tonight, after all the dishes were washed and leftovers put in the fridge I decided to go for a walk. Because my gym is in Sacramento and my body was aching for some exercise, I would usually go for a run but I wanted to enjoy the sights and sounds of early spring, so a walked seemed like just the ticket. On my walk, I began to think that I only have three weeks or so left after spring break till I'm home for the summer. I can't wait! I have big plans for this summer and I can't wait to finally start on them.

Tomorrow I leave for my road-trip with some friends from college, so check back here in a few days to read about the crazy antics of four college age girls!

The wildflowers that we planted (irony?) a few year back for my high school graduation always seem to have a clever way of coming back every season. I love their consistency.

the start

I'm sitting on my bed at my parent's home (how weird is it to say "my parent's home", because I really don't live there anymore) reading blogs and cuddling with Satan my cat. I left school last night to embark on this week long extravaganza known as spring break. It could not have come at a better time. Well actually, a few weeks ago, before my brain had exploded from exhaustion, would have been better. I'm in desperate need of some R&R, and I know just the ticket...put me on a warm beach in socal with my girls and call it a day. I'm leaving Sunday morning to take a road trip down to LA with some friends and I could not be more excited. I just cringe when I think of my white fluffy body in a bathing suit...yikes! It's my goal to get some color (don't let my pasty ivory skin fool you...I really don't burn here people!)

Whenever I think of Summer and beaches, I'm always reminded of Grease and that scene with Sandy and Danny...you don't do that too? Oh...this is awkward... I try to live my life like a musical, sometimes it doesn't work

I know this is a short post, but I really don't have much to say today. I think this is a lazy day, which calls for me to get off my lazy bum, go downstairs to make some coffee, and spend the rest of the afternoon watching the original Oceans Eleven and reading my books. Ta-ta for now folks! enjoy this lovely day :)

Is it finally here??

lovelies, if you are a fellow jessupite reading this, you can rejoice with me that we are finally (or at least a day away) to being on spring break! Can it be? I thought spring break this year was just a cruel rumor circulating (like those days in high school....but I digress) that we would never actually get to taste, smell, touch, or hear! But it turns out that this little beauty is actually true and actually upon us now! I'm so excited. I've been feeling very lethargic lately and very much like a sleepy cat that sits inside on the windowsill and begs for sleep (all that I've wanted to do is sleep in the sun, the warm, warm sun that has finally begun exclaiming its presence). Obviously I have not been able to lay in the sun all day and be a lazy bum...I do have to have some type of standard I keep in school. But those days that I have been able to stretch out on the lawn with some friends and read my book (I'm currently reading Maus: My Father Bleeds History by Art Spiegelman, a fabulous graphic novel about his father's time in a concentration camp during WWII....I highly recommend it. But enough about the book, the history major in me is beginning to blab on) have been glorious. Who knew that a little sunshine, good friends, and a good book would bring me such joy? I highly recommend it.



My lovely graphic novel- Maus: My Father Bleeds History



School has been hectic lately, I have so much to do that I can actually feel the hairs on my head turning white. While I do plan on having fun this spring break, I'm going to Los Angeles and San Diego (most likely) with my roommates and dear friends from school, I also plan to use this time as a catch up on all that I need to do. Talking to my friend Alyssa last night on our trip to the gym really made me realize how little time I actually have left in the semester. In just a few short weeks school will be over! Where did the time go? I have too many papers than should be legally allowed and I have tests to start studying for (or at least pretend to be thinking about studying for). Time is a fickle thing, you either seem to have too much or too little...when it comes to school and homework and projects it seems we always fall in the latter category. In all honesty, I'm excited for the fall semester. Last night, we registered for classes and picked the apartment that we're living in next year! It all seems so surreal because it's hard to believe that this year is nearly over and we're going to begin a new year. When did this happen?!

On a different note, one that doesn't make me want to have a panic attack and punch my roommate (or a small child) in the face to release my anxiety, last weekend I went to Old Town Sacramento with some girls from school. Let me tell you, I love Old Town! It's so much fun and adorable! We went to look for some masquerade masks for some girls because our school was putting on a Masquerade Ball (which was AMAZING! Good job Jessup!). I've been wanting to go there for a while now because one of our friends is from Oregon and had never been there before. If you've never been, GO! It's a cool experience and a real treat. It's an old historical place, very old west feel (the historian in me loves it). Last weekend was one of the best and most relaxing that I've had in a while; I needed to de-stress and regroup and my girls did the trick last weekend. Thanks ladies!


Megan (left) and Me (right) walking into Old Town as seen from the angle of our friend Rose



So, now that you know my Spring Break plans, what are you planning? Or if you're not on spring break, what will you do this weekend to relax and let go of all that stress from the week?



I just find this hilarious. It's the nerd in me...what can I say?!



Is that the sun I see?

I have a confession...I'm terrible at keeping my blog up to date. Between school and my bumpin social life (let's be real here...it's just school, there's no fooling you!) I've been a busy girl! Last weekend I went home to see my best friend before she went to Vegas for the weekend. Boy did I get a little crazy with the kitchen this weekend! I made petite lasagna one night, but the Pièce de résistance of the weekend was snickers-peanut butter cookies! Man they were delicious! It was a peanut butter cookie wrapped around a mini snickers; topped off with snickers pieces. They were about 10554542 calories, but they were well worth every good ol' lb.



Ignore my oddly shaped claw hand...I don't know why I felt the need to hold it like that



This weekend, I also did a lot of "soul searching" (as many 20 year olds will do when trying to map out their future). I've decided to become a single majored gal. I was once a double major, but I have said goodbye to English and have decided to only stick with History...I know, I'm a boring History nerd.

The pretty fountain in my backyard

I'm running out of topics, so instead of boring you with my ranting about something completely out of left field (speaking of which opening day for MLB in 3 days! I'm beyond excited). Have a great day lovelies! Enjoy the Sunshine and these picture that I took recently.



My puppy! Look how intent he looks, he was staring at my waiting for me to drop cookie chunks when I was baking over the weekend



I forgot to share with everyone a picture of the cabin I went to with my friend Brittany in Crescent City, CA. It was so cute and quaint



My little secret...

This weekend has been a time of relaxation for me. In the past couple of weeks, I've been feeling that I might drown in all that needs to be completed for school (homework, midterms, papers, and even finding roommates for an apartment next year-- boy was that stressful), coming home was just what the doctor ordered. It was wonderful to be able to come home, virtually homework free (with the exception of a wonderful book for my Lit. and Culture class that I needed to read)...so, when i turned on the TV, you can imagine to joyful squeal I let out to discover that it was a Harry Potter Weekend!!! Harry Potter is my equivalent to heroine for a druggie, I just can't get enough! I've been involved in a love affair with that spectacle wearing wizard since I was 10; given the chance, I would marry Daniel Radcliffe...don't judge.




How cute was he in the first movie?!



I'm gonna let my freak flag fly for about two minuets here and tell you all...it is my dream to go to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! It's going to be part of my Honeymoon Extravaganza ( I proclaimed this to my family last night and they laughed at me...I'm completely serious, Adam Scott- my future husband- can surely afford to take me on an extravaganza.) Growing up, I was always that kid that wished they could go to Hogwarts in the worst way...shoot, I'm still that kid! Wouldn't Hogwarts me so much better than Jessup? Am I right or am I right??

I feel like I may cry after the last movie comes out. I haven't quite figured out if I'll cry because it is the last movie, or if I'll cry because it signifies the end of my childhood. I've literally grown up with Harry Potter (Emma Watson and I are the same age); the end of Harry Potter means the end of an era. I've gone from a child to an adult in the time span of the saga that is Harry Potter; I'll miss those days. I remember my mom coming home from the store with the newest book for me; I remember coming home from Church camp in the summer to see the new book propped up on my pillow, and I remember marking my calender for midnight movie premiers with my friends. And yes, I was that girl that watched the last movie and cried for Dobby and Hedwig (heck, I cried while reading the last book). Don't judge. I am in love with Harry Potter.

Now that I've shared this embarrassing little secret with you all, don't judge me dear readers!

Dobby! The cutest house elf this side of the pond

I'm back!! It's been way too long since the last time I was able to share my thoughts with you on this blog. So much has happened since I last wrote. Let me share a few:
-I think I may have lost a tiny chunk of my brain in the process of writing papers. Is there a signal that goes out to all teachers that tells them another one has made a paper due, so they must also have a paper due. I literally had a paper due everyday for two weeks, sometimes two a day. Ok...enough of my whining, I'm even getting annoyed with myself.
-Last weekend I went away with my good friend/old roommate Brittany to a cabin in Crescent City with some of her friends from Oregon. Man, it was beautiful. It was so nice to be surrounded by redwoods, to soak in a hot tub while the rain poured down, and looking out from the porch to the river. It was gorgeous. Of course, I gave my mom a scare because I went to Crescent City the day a tsunami hit the harbor there. She laughs because I called her and said, "mom, I know the tsunami destroyed the harbor, but I still have plans to go and I'll be safe."

On a more somber note, I can't help but stop and stare at the TV whenever I see footage from the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan. As humans, we sometimes forget the majesty of God and the dangers that Nature can bring. We see nature as something beautiful, and mostly peaceful; we forget that she can also cause the earth to shift on its axis. The power of nature is not something to mess with or forget about. My thoughts and my prayers go out to all those living in Japan, as well as those here that have family over there that may be missing or injured. I pray for a speedy recovery, but more importantly, I pray that we will bind ourselves together as a human race and help those in Japan recover and build up once again. There is nothing too small or too big that we can do as a nation; let's help our fellow man.

And the Oscar goes to...

This weekend I got to go home and just relax for a few days. Home is always the best remedy for a stressed out college student and I'm so thankful that I live close enough to school to be able to go home.

In addition to being around my family again, this weekend consisted of one word: Culture! I went to San Jose and got my ballet fix when I saw Swan Lake. Let me tell you, it was gorgeous! I was moved by the emotion behind the dancer's movements. I'm not going to lie, I did shed a tear at the end of the ballet. It was simply gorgeous and it made me wish I had stuck with ballet when I was young. It does give me hope for when I'm a rich old woman and I've become a patron to the arts in Seattle (yes, that is my plan and I fully intend to make it happen). As I've gotten older, my love of the arts (classical music, ballet, opera, etc.) has grown tremendously and I wish I didn't have to drive so far to be immersed in it. I seriously need to live in a place where I can get it whenever I want. I saw the ballet with my mom and it was a completely enjoyable afternoon.

Tonight was the Academy Awards and my brother and I had a little bet going with Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Picture; each category would give the winner a dollar. Let's just say I won three dollars. I was pretty proud of the fact that all but two of the categories I predicted were correct. There were some superb movies this year, The King's Speech and Black Swan being among them. (Check out the trailers below)

Tonight for our little party, I made pizza and an easy snack of popcorn with melted marshmallows. I love watching the Oscars year after year because movies hold a special place in my heart (as most of my friends know I almost always see all the movies that are in theaters).

This weekend home has been extremely relaxing and I can't wait till the next time I can return when I just need a break from it all.

Don't speak and forever hold your peace

Today I've decided to write something a little more politically charged, but still close to my heart. In America, it is nothing new that we have the freedom of Speech, as protected by our Bill of Rights. I'm all for free speech, however, it is when that speech becomes violent, or contains hate towards our government that I have a hard time with. It is OK to disagree with government; I actually encourage that speech, it is when that speech is filled with dripping disdain and language that can invoke violence that I can't stand.

Why am I suddenly moved to write about it on this forum? It is not only from the language that I head after the congresswoman from Arizona was shot, which has been replaying over and over in my head and on national news media, it also stems from some comments I heard in class today about our president.

Today in class we were discussing the end times and the anti-christ when a girl behind me proclaimed to the class that President Obama is "the anti-christ". There was no joking tones or laughter to signify that it was all a jest, this girl was completely serious. It is speech like this that promotes hatred.

I am not an Obama supporter by any means, although there has been a few instances in which he has surprised me and I have agreed on some of his actions, and I am in fact a card-carrying conservative. I did not vote for this man; quite the opposite actually (I worked on John McCain's campaign), but when I hear speech towards the leader of our nation that is filled with so much slander and hate, it makes me sick.

I believe that in America, there is no place for language that puts down our politicians and causes a rift between political parties. What does hateful language solve? Instead of focusing on real issues and solutions, when there is unproductive language, America gets distracted with the rhetoric.

I'm not an activist, and I don't pretend to be a seasoned politician or political analyst, what I WILL be though is a concerned American that is extremely sickened by the political rhetoric in this nation from all sides of the political spectrum.

A day that will live in infamy

So ladies and gents, yesterday was Valentine's Day. The one day of the year when boys can act like total saps and not be punched in the gut by their friends, and girls can complain all they want about being single. What is it about that day that makes the air just seem like it carries more life and excitement (it rained yesterday so apparently the excitement levels weren't very high)?

I woke up that morning with a slight headache, caused from too much love in the air (haven't you ever heard that when there is too much love in the air oxygen levels decrease? no, I made that up? bummer...) or from my serious lack of caffeine (I've mentioned that I'm addicted to tea). Anyways, I climbed out of bed and got dressed, knowing full well that I would be faced with an amount of sugary, nauseating love equivalent to a fat kid's banana split. I'm all for love, don't get me wrong, but I was in the category of the girls that complain about being single on Valentine's Day.

Being single this year on V-Day, and not having any prospective suitors (look at me, I sound like I popped out of a Jane Austen novel...oh if only....the things I would do to Mr. Darcy....awkward...) was actually ok; I realized that as the day went on (and trust me, it didn't start out that well). I spent the evening moving into a different dorm room (out of a triple and into a double) and had a great time just talking and laughing with my fellow single ladies (Que annoying Beyonce music).



Hey, a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do to get some lovin! you go girl!

 While some of you were out with your sweethearts (or in the case of my roommate having an awkward run-in with an ex that came to her room while she had another boy in the room with her...) I was doing several things:

1)drinking milk out of a plastic champagne glass...yeah I'm that classy. It would have been classier if the bottom didn't keep falling off
2)singing "Ice, Ice Baby to my friends" (be jealous)
3)avoiding homework

So lovelies, how was your valentine's day? did you do anything fun with your sweetheart? Just because the calender progressed doesn't mean we have to stop sharing the love! keep those oxygen levels down people, I'll suffer in the name of love!

Mondays

What is it about Monday mornings that make me want to stay in bed forever; when dragging (or falling) myself out of bed takes a half hour.  Monday mornings are the days of the week when I lay there and stare at the ceiling or the clock and contemplate: "do I really need to be in class today?". I do my best thinking when I'm rolled up in my sheets, as I wiggle my toes and stretch my arms. Side note...does anybody ever have that horrible moment when their sheets are wrapped around their body like a boa constrictor and you panic thinking you are going to strangle to death? Or is that only one of my many fears coming alive and so I am the only one to experience this? Anyways, back to the topic at hand... I have history classes in the morning and let's face it, that subject isn't changing anytime soon. But, like a good student (who skipped way too many classes when she first started out in college) I always get up and get ready for class.

What is it about Mondays that make me feel so lethargic? I know it comes around every week, so why don't I prepare myself for it better? There never seems to be enough time on the weekends to do all I plan to do. Why does the hourglass of the world run out of sand so quickly on the weekends? Do I dread Mondays (Monday mornings in particular) because they signal the long week ahead? Probably so. But I think I dread Monday mornings because it means that it's the start to all that I vowed would change, the promises I made to myself while I did the inevitable soul searching over the weekend (of which I quickly forget about come Wednesday).

This afternoon, to try and get over my Monday slump, I took a nice long walk. I measure my time spent walking or running in songs (does anybody else do this?). So, I walked for an entire Andrew Belle album and Pete Yorn album. I love being outside and just relaxing in all that has been given to us by our creator. One of the things I've noticed about this modern world in which we live is that we seldom walk places and enjoy the world in which we live. So often, we are in such a rush to get from place to place that we never appreciate our natural surroundings. I vow (and I'll try not to forget come Wednesday) to take time out of each day to walk outside and appreciate the world.

This really has nothing to do with this post, but it's my favorite (or one of my many favorites) paintings by Edgar Degas and it made me smile today.

PS. I'm totally crushing on Madeleine Peyroux right now, she is so mellow. If you like jazz, you'll like her.  Check her out

in the morning when I rise...

It’s the calm that gets me. The time of day, usually in the wee small hours of the morning (great now I’m singing that song in my head) or the late hours of night, when the world is still and you have time to think. When everything is peaceful and you realize your mind is a storm of thoughts and you think about things you didn’t even know that you were thinking about. Do you know what I mean dear reader?

This morning, while I was dreaming about an omelet…I don’t know why I was dreaming of an omelet…I woke up on my own at 10am. It was wonderful. I loved laying there in my bed, recovering from altitude sickness (as I may have mentioned, my bed in my dorm is 500 feet in the air), while the sun peeked in through the slits in the blinds and warmed my face. Dressing in my rolled jeans and black sweater, I pinned my hair up and sat at the table in the main room and just soaked up the morning.



I'm totally crushing on tea cups without handles lately. Don't you love this set?



I’ve slowly realized that I may have an addiction to tea, if I don’t have a few cups in the morning I end up with a headache. At least my addiction is tea right? Tea is healthy; better tea than drugs. As I ate my multigrain toast, kiwi, and cottage cheese, I sipped on tea and read my Vanity Fair and just enjoyed the chatter of all those around me. I love listening to other’s conversations. I don’t want you to get the wrong idea here kids, it’s not that I eavesdrop or anything like that. I just enjoy the chatter of people; I don’t always necessarily listen to the words. Sometimes it’s nice to just sit and enjoy the life that is going on around you. I’ve become a human anthropologist of sorts and have recently enjoyed people watching more and more.

This day marks a new day. I have been inspired by those around me to enjoy each and every day that I have been given to the full extent. I plan on living each day with a fresh pair of eyes; with the rising of the sun each day, I will awake with a new sense of pride in all the things that I will accomplish that day. It is my conviction to embrace and enjoy each and every day. Join with me, dear reader, in loving this day, enjoying it fully, and do something productive for yourself today.