Wednesday, August 4, 2010

change is happening!


Not only have I just recently (and finally) moved into my new, darling house with my darling boyfriend, but I've also accepted a new job!  Wow.  The house is not yet organized, but it is slowly starting to feel like home.  As for the job(!!), it has a much more stable schedule, and I can't wait to start it!  Just knowing that I won't be going in the field anymore makes me sigh in relief.  I'm sure I'll miss my little excursions a bit, but I'll have free time (and energy) to take fun trips, rather than work trips.  Yay!

Thursday, July 8, 2010

I once said I'd never go caving.

Our experience wasn't like this at all, but oh my, wouldn't this be amazing?!

I seem to be on an adventurous kick!  I like to think of myself as a risk-taking lady but lately, I've been even more so.  There used to be certain boundaries I wouldn't cross.  No longer. 

This past weekend I went climbing (normal), mini golfing (not out of the ordinary) and CAVING.  Yep, as in squeezing my claustrophobic self through tiny, tiny spaces.  As in getting stuck and mildly freaking out, and then getting unstuck.  As in climbing in dark, damp, thin crevices, ten feet above a small stream for a long way.  It was completely scary, but I felt completely tough after I made it back out.  I also felt completely bruised, but mostly tough.  And the greatest thing about it is that I didn't flip out, and I even had a good enough time to want to do it again. 

Have you ever gone caving?  What's something you've done even though you were terrified to do it?

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

what the cuss.


                                                                                                                                              Have you all seen Fantastic Mr. Fox?  What a treat it was!  I have a huge spot in my heart for children's movies, but something about this one made me not very interested in seeing it.  That is until a bunch of friends that I never imagined would like it, did in fact, like it.  Wait, I mean love it.  They loved it!  And so, I rented and watched it last night with the boyfriend.  The only regret I have about the movie is that I didn't watch it earlier!  Oh my, it was so charming and clever.  I don't buy many movies, but I feel this is one I must own.  What do you all think.  Have you seen it?  Did you love it too?

Monday, June 14, 2010

it's time for an update.


Since I've last written, so many things have happened! 

I dressed as Yoshi for the 1st Annual Mario Kart Pub Crawl!  It was so much fun.  About 12 people dressed up, and we made it to 9 out of the 10 bars we planned to go to.  All characters were represented except Mario and Luigi! Funny, right? 


photo by the boyfriend

The mixer was used yesterday to make a delicious lemon cake.  The recipe I used is called "1, 2, 3, 4 cake"  and I got it out of my new cookbook "Pie in the Sky".  It's a cookbook specially designed for those that bake at high altitude.  For each recipe, it gives different proportions based on your altitude and breaks it down by sea level, 3K, 5K, 7K and 10K.  I'm at 7,200 feet, and I've tried making other recipes that are typically baked at sea level.  My cakes always come out deflated and way too dense.  But not with this new cookbook!  The cake turned out perfect.  I couldn't be happier! 


This past weekend, the boyfriend and I celebrated the big ol' one year anniversary!  We spent the day in Denver checking out the Science Museum, eating at awesome restaurants, and shopping (because Laramie is void of decent stores).  We also decided to move in together!  It's true.  And, as luck had it, the place where I had already signed a lease (the one with the split kitchen apartment) was really flexible about letting me out of the first apartment.  As more luck would have it, they told us that they also manage a few houses around town.  And as even more luck would have it, they had one house available.  And it was perfect.  And we took it!  It is red with white trim (and lovingly called the gingerbread house), has two bedrooms upstairs, one bathroom, a large kitchen with a gas stove AND a washer and dryer (my favorite part) and a huge yard.  Oh! And it has a balcony off the bedroom upstairs, and a front porch.  It really is exactly what I wanted.

photo by yours truly

I can't wait to show you all the projects I have planned for the new house.  We don't move in till August 1, which means the growing season will be nearly over so no planting this year, but next year a garden is definitely going in. :)

Sunday, May 23, 2010

oh.my.goodness.

 photo by *Cinnamon

You guys. I don't know how many of you already have a stand mixer, but up until last Wednesday, I did not.   And as I'm sure you've guessed, now I do!  This is amazing.  I've joined the club!  No, I didn't buy it.  I didn't win it either.  My mom sent me her old one, because somehow she'd acquired two kitchenaid mixers.   Gift, gladly taken! 

I used to try to make recipes that called for a stand mixer, without a stand mixer.  My thought process went something like this, "My grandmother didn't have a stand mixer, and she made all sorts of amazing goodies! So there."  Maybe my arm isn't strong enough, maybe my whip isn't fast enough, but the recipes never turn out!  Never, ever.  So I began to pass on any recipes needing a mixer (which is a ton of recipes!).  But no longer!  Now, I'll be a mixer extraordinaire.  Just you watch! :)  Any suggestions for recipes I must try?

I've been working in the field a bunch lately, and am heading out again on Monday (have I told you I'm an archaeologist?  Well, I am.) so I won't have time to use it just yet, but soon.  Very soon.  And I'll surely show pictures. 

photo by yoshiart.com

P.S. June 5, Mario Kart Pub Crawl.  I'm going to be Yoshi.  I can't wait to show you my costume.

photo by netmen!

P.P.S. The Lost Series Finale is on tonight.  Goodbye friend.  You were a good one, and a super confusing one, too.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

big decisions.




I've been reconsidering most everything in my life lately.  Job, education, everything.  I feel stuck and tied down, and at the same time like all of my strings have been cut and I have nothing to lean on for support.  It's a conundrum, I tell you.  Do you ever feel like this?  How do you deal?

I have a counselor friend.  He tells me that in between the life phases of adolescence and adulthood, they've recently added "Odyssey".  Aptly named, and I think I'm right in the middle of it.  I'm wandering.  And searching.  And wandering some more.  When will I find what I'm looking for?  How will I know I've found it?  This life thing is hard.


(top two photos: unknown photo source. know the source? message me.)

Friday, May 14, 2010

the new place.


Lease terms for apartments in Laramie is a strange business.  Because it's a college town, all rental places try to secure leases for August (i.e. fall semester) by the end of May (i.e. the end of the current school year).  This means that you're out (among throngs of other rental searchers) looking for a place, putting down a deposit, and signing a lease for a place now, but you won't move in for three months.  When I lived in Arizona, you never had to fight the crowds for places.  People/complexes were always renting and there didn't seem to be any pressure when looking.  Not so much here.  Because everyone is looking, there's immense pressure to find a place, and claim it as your own.  And so, I did.

After looking at a few places that are run by the rental company I go through now, I decided to pop over to the old west hotel that is now an apartment building.  What I found were very inexpensive strange/charming apartments, in the heart of downtown, and with a laid back manager.  Awesome. 

The apartment itself is a normal one bedroom, one bathroom.  It has plenty of space, beautiful hardwood floors, and a great view overlooking the stained glass windows of the church next door.  There's only one thing that held me back from proclaiming it mine immediately, but I think i've worked out how to make it a good thing, rather than weird.  This so-called weird thing is regarding the kitchen.  It's split!  And by split, I mean, it's really split.  Half of the kitchen is in one place, and the other half, in another.  I'll fill you in on why.  Because the place is an old hotel, for my apartment they took two hotel rooms, and joined them together.  On the kitchen/living room side, what was a bathroom in the hotel room was turned into the kitchen.  When it first became a kitchen, all appliances, storage, and sink were in the little area.  In my particular apartment, when they replaced the refrigerator and stove they decided to get larger units so those pieces were moved into the living room, along with a free standing cabinet.  The sink remained in the old bathroom and they put in lots of cabinets.  Initially, I thought, "no way, going back and forth to the sink will not work for me".  So he showed me the unit directly above which still had all the appliances in the old bathroom.  It was so tiny!  I love to cook, and I wouldn't be able to get anything done in such a small space.  So I went with the split kitchen!  And now I'm planning to build a custom kitchen island to add more counter space and storage.  It'll be adorable.  Here is the floorplan, which is so far from scale, it's not funny.


Here is how I plan to layout furniture.  Keep in mind that I don't live there yet, and don't have exact dimensions, so my ideas might not actually work.  Let's just go with it.


For this to work, I'll need to build two pieces of furniture.  One is the kitchen island and one is the wooden cubby room divider.  Luckily, I stumbled onto Ana White's blog, Knock-Off Wood.  She breaks down expensive furniture pieces into plans that you or I could follow.  I can't wait to get started! 

I don't move in until August 1, but I can't stop coming up with ideas (which could be bad, considering I don't know the dimensions of ANYTHING).  Oh well.  :)

What do you think of my 2nd half of the kitchen plan?  Do you think the island will separate the room well enough?  Do you have a better idea?  And most importantly, how would you do with a split kitchen?

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

two weeks!

Photo via On a High Note.  This photo has nothing to do with this post,
but it's so adorable that I couldn't help putting it up!  Oh boy, I want a kitty!

So sorry!  I've been running around and have completely lost track of my blogging.  But I've missed you!  Here's a quick update on what I've been up to:
  • The boyfriend moved into a new apartment.  He let me (and helped, of course) build a fun headboard/shelf.  I'm a carpenter!
  • It's been snowing every few days here.  Last night we got a couple of inches, and surely, more has fallen during the day today.  It seems Winter will never end.
  • I signed a lease for a new apartment.  I don't move in till August, but I've already planned what I'll do to it to decorate it.  I can't wait to get started!
  • I've looked into other school options.  The most recent ones are radiography and sonography.  I won't be able to attend until Fall 2011 (assuming I get accepted) but I can start on my prerequisites!
  • I've started playing video games at the boyfriend's new place.  Oh my.  Crash Bandicoot (a silly and totally fun game) is my new addiction.
  • I've been working on a new tattoo design.  It's slowly coming together and as soon as it's done-ish, I'll post it on here!
  • And of course, I've been staying current on Lost (my favorite show).  It's getting crazy, and there are only a couple of episodes left!  I'll miss it when it's gone.
  • Ooh! And I recently picked up the latest Charlaine Harris book!  It's called Dead in the Family and is so good.  I love the whole series!  I think I like the books better than the show (True Blood), but the show is so fun to watch too!
What have you been up to?

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

summer plans.


This summer, the boyfriend and I will be making the 17 hour drive from here to Arizona.  I spent my junior high, high school, and college years in the Valley of the Sun and I still have family and friends there.  We'll be there in late July, early August.  If you've ever lived in or visited Arizona during that period of the summer, you may be wondering why, oh why(!) would we visit in the hottest portion of summer?  It's because my brother, who is currently serving in Afghanistan with the Army, will be taking his leave in Arizona at that time.  So, even though we Wyoming folk will shock our systems with unbelievable heat, it'll be worth it to see my little bro!  Bonus: the boyfriend will get to meet him for the first time, along with some more of my fam! 

When we're there, I hope we are able to float down the Salt River, hike Usery Mountain, spend an evening on Mill Avenue (the Big Bang!), swim in my pop's pool, see some good old friends, go to great restaraunts and pubs(In-N-Out Burger, Red, White and Brew, Four Peaks Brewery, Casey Moore's), and who knows what else! I'm excited!

 
photo of people floating the Salt River by joelstine


photo of Usery Mountain by bethany8183

Do you already have plans for the summer?

Monday, April 26, 2010

snow, snow, snow + knee update.



photos via Just be spLendid

All together now, check your calendars!  What day is today?  That's right, it's April 26.  And what did I wake up to this morning?  Right again!  Snow.  And what did I wake up to for the past three days?  Snow.  Snow, snow, snow.  It's everywhere!  Now, I'm not a Wyoming native so this whole year round winter thing is still a bit foreign to me, but really, it's time for a reprieve!  Laramie summers are lovely.  I've spent two here thus far, and while they certainly don't make the winters bearable, they do help.  So let's get on with it mother nature, bring on summer (or at least spring)!  I'm ready to have fun in the sun (like in the above pictures)!

As for my knee, there are no visible tears!  Woohoo!  So while I'm still not able to do any hard labor, I'm not destined for surgery either.  What a relief. 

I've decided to implement a spending freeze.  What is a spending freeze, you ask?  Maybe you don't need to ask this, because it's quite obvious, but I'll explain just in case.  A spending freeze (my definition) is a period of time that you don't spend any unneccesary fundage on anything.  This means, no eating out, no drinking out, no frivolous shopping, no going to the movies, no sushi (say it ain't so), etc.  It's tough, but is a handy way to cut down on spending, especially when it's gotten a bit out of control.   I'll make more time to bike outside, go on hikes, go to the gym, take a picnic, and all sorts of fun free activities!  I'll let you know how it goes!

Have a great week!

Sunday, April 25, 2010

i finally baked bread.

I've been talking about baking bread for a long while.  Back in January I saw this no-knead bread recipe on honey&jam and went out immediately to gather the ingredients (yes, I know, there are only 4 ingredients and all are basics.  Don't judge my unstocked kitchen!).  But then, the ingredients just sat there day after day, and I continued to make excuses about what little time I had to mix ingredients and wait for it to rise.  Pish posh. 

But I've finally done it!  This weekend was the perfect storm of a bum knee and cabin trip (that I didn't get to go on, but my pals and bf did) so I had oodles of time at home alone.  On Saturday I made the dough, let it rise, and sat it in the fridge and then this morning I pulled a lump of the dough out, let it sit for about an hour, and popped it into the oven.  And now I have this!

photo by yours truly

Cooking and baking is like magic!  I vow to bake much more often.  Not only do you get to pull a magically formed loaf out of your oven, but the smells...THE SMELLS!  I still have a bunch of dough in the fridge so at the very least, I'll be baking the rest of this week. Yum!

Thursday, April 22, 2010

earth day, every day.


nature is not here to serve you

-ani difranco

photo by voss

The boyfriend, a bunch-o-friends, and I saw Ani Difranco last night!  It was so cool.  We had 4th row seats and a great view.  She is such an amazing woman, songwriter, singer and guitar player (among other things).  It was completely inspiring and really makes me consider making music a larger part of my life.  On top of that, she's such a powerful female figure and I can't help but admire her for her strong points of view.  Very cool.



And today is Earth Day!  The quote at the top is from Ani's song "Amendment".  She sang this lyric last night and it stuck with me.  It seems the perfect line to describe how we should view our relationship with our planet.  In my part of the world, Mother Nature is letting her presence be known with fog, rain, wind, and snow.  It' a great day for it!  Are you doing anything to celebrate Earth Day?


photo by bekathwia, note: not my mri, of course

I had my MRI this morning.  No word yet on what the deal is, but the tech did mention that I have a bunch of fluid in the joint.  I have no idea what that means so I'll wait until I get the phone call.  Your knee is DESTROYED!  That's what I imagine they'll say, but surely, that won't happen. :) 

Happy Earth Day!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

bum knee.


I was supposed to leave for a long work trip on Monday.  Have I told you yet that I'm an archaeologist?  Well, I am.  And Monday marked the beginning of a really neat project in Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota.  However, on the last project I was on, I twisted my knee and it's still bothering me, even after three weeks of physical therapy.  I have an MRI scheduled for tomorrow and even if that comes back negative, the doc says there's still something wrong.  All of that means that I can no longer go in the field.  How awful! 

Instead, now I'll be able to help the boyfriend move into his new place (that's nice of me I suppose, considering he'll help me move later this summer).  I'll also be able to keep off my knee, which is the biggest issue. 

But I hate that I'm the one abandoning the project though!  It's certainly not my choice, but I still feel like I'm causing problems.  Oh well.  I have limited options.  So!  Now, the goal is to continue with my rehab and cross my fingers that there isn't anything on the MRI that requires surgery.  You can cross your fingers for me too!

Oh, and two people (TWO PEOPLE) got laid off/partially laid off today at my work (partially laid off means there's no work right now, but when we have work again, they can come back).  That's pretty terrifying.  I'm trying to get to the point though, where I stop stressing about these things I can't control.  I have to keep thinking, "everything will be okay".  I always seem to land on my feet, so this time should be no different. :)

Monday, April 19, 2010

amazing weekend recap.

photo via On a High Note

This weekend was chock full of good stuff!  Let me first start off by saying that the weather did not cooperate completely (so rude, when I asked so nicely) but it did give me the opportunity to wear my bright green puddle jumpers!  Score.  Okay, it's best to discuss this weekend in bullet form.  At least, that's what I hear.

Friday
  • The boyfriend and I met up with a group of pals at a great new bar downtown.  They have a bunch of local beer on tap, including a delicious Irish Red.  Be careful though; it's more than 8% alcohol!  Ooeee.
  • We ended up dancing at a bar called The Parlor.  It's not often we make our way there, but when we do, we get our groove on...or at least I and my lady friend do.  The boys weren't really into it.  Boring. ;)
Saturday
  • Yummy bagel sandwiches for breakfast with the boyfriend.  
  • Flea market shopping with a lady friend.  I found some beautiful plates.  $18 for the set of 8.  What a steal!  They'll be perfect for a lovely outdoor meal.  I'm envisioning it now...
  • Met up with the boyfriend again and some other pals for the University of Wyoming's Biennial Keepers of the Fire Powwow.  The outfits, the singing, the dancing: it was all amazing.  It's inspiring to see how much preparation goes into an event like this and to witness a part of their culture.
  • RAIN
  • Later that night, we attended the House of Joy BBQ in town.  It was a fundraiser for the Laramie Plains Museum.  10 dollars for all the beer and food you could handle, plus 6 live bands all night.  It was so cool.  I don't think I've been to a better event in Laramie before.  We all had such a blast.  Aaaaaand you can't really go wrong with free beer. :)
Sunday
  • From dawn til dusk, the entire day was beautiful.  Sunny, some clouds, blue skies.  Perfect! 
  • The boyfriend and I had tea in a downtown coffee shop.  
  • He organized a picnic, so we met our friends at a local park in the afternoon for sandwiches and frisbee.  It was the best day for a picnic and it was the first time I've been barefoot in the grass this season!  Ooh, and I took some shots with the Diana.  We had a lot of fun.
  • After the picnic, we saw the movie Kick-Ass.  Loved it.  Violence isn't usually my thing (and let's be honest, I closed my eyes during the bad stuff), but the story was really good!  I recommend it.
  • And what's the best way to top off an already perfect weekend?  With sushi of course!  It was delicious, as usual. 
I hope you had a great weekend too!  I might not be posting very often this week.  It's going to be a busy one.  Have a great week!

Friday, April 16, 2010

happy weekend.


What are your plans for the weekend?

Mine will likely consist of some local beer at a local bar, bread baking, flea market browsing, and catching up on some work.  Ooh, the last one doesn't sound too good, does it?  Nope.  But alas, it is necessary.  Hopefully I can make up for having the bore of work in my weekend with all of the other fun stuff that will go on!  And please, oh please, let us have sunshine!

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

girl's night.

photo by ginnerobot

Last night, six lovely ladies and I got together for a girl's night.  We drank wine, ordered chinese, and played games.  It was the perfect escape for the middle of the week!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

my own diana prints.


When I was in Fort Collins last weekend, I dropped off two more rolls of film from the Diana!  They'll mail them to me as soon as their done and oh boy, I can't wait!  The photos above are from my last roll of Diana film.  The next rolls will be in color.  I'm excited to see how they turn out!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

i cook like this.

The boyfriend sent me this video yesterday with the message: I'm not gonna lie...this is kind of like cooking with you.

Well folks, he's right.  There are many things that this little cook and I have in common when we're in the kitchen.  Enjoy!

Monday, April 12, 2010

weekend recap.

photo of Old Town Fort Collins by David Kingham

How was your weekend?  I hope it was filled with sunny days and blue skies.  Here are some highlights from mine:
  • The boyfriend and I checked out Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado.  The campus is beautiful.  Awesome.
  • Went to an information session for a program I'm interested in at CSU.  Tons of information, mostly good, very overwhelming.
  • Met up with our good friends and went to FOCOMX, a music festival in Fort Collins.
  • Saw The Dovekins and Stella Luce.  Both killed it. They're so good. 
  • Witnessed a strange drunk fight.  A mustache and super wasted man were involved.
  • ATE A HOTDOG.  Delicious.
  • Stole a cab from someone else.  Maybe that sounds not nice, but it was late.
  • Woke up the next day and ate at Lucile's (best breakfast in town).
  • Shopped at Target, and other lovely shops downtown.
  • Had lunch (complete with a blood orange, yum) at Whole Foods.
  • Headed back to Laramie.
The rest of the weekend was pretty relaxed and normal.  It was a good weekend.  I hope your weekend was too!

Friday, April 9, 2010

this day will be big.

 

Today is the day!  Which day, you ask?  It's the long awaited meeting for the program I'm looking at at Colorado State.  I'm anxious to see what they have to say and ask some questions.  I'll give a total fill in on Monday.  I'll also get to check out the campus in general.  I've been on campus once, and it's lovely, but I haven't really explored.

After all of that, some friends are meeting the boyfriend and I to attend a music festival called focomx!  It's not your typical fest.  This one is 15 dollars, 15 bars, 150 bands, over two days.  Lots of music overlap, but I don't know many of the bands so that's not a big problem.  One of the bands we do know and are going to see is The Dovekins, of course!  Golly, I love them.  I'm super pumped to introduce our friends to them.  Stella Luce is also playing, as is Fierce Bad Rabbit.  The latter band of the two is one I haven't seen live, but the violinist from Stella Luce is in it, and they sound pretty rockin' on their myspace.  Another band I just found that will be playing sometime tonight is The Tanukis.  They've got a real gypsy sound to them and I think the boyfriend will really dig it.  A fill in on this part of the adventure will come Monday too.  Yay! 

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, April 8, 2010

it's nearly here.


There's magic in the air.  The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is set to open in June of this year.  If you're a Harry Potter lover then this will certainly be a must see for you!  I know it will be for me.  Just a few of the delights they have in store:  Hogsmeade Village full of shops you'll recognize from the stories, butterbeer at the Hogshead Pub, the Hogwarts Express, rides based on exciting parts from the books AND Hogwarts Castle complete with talking paintings and recreations of Dumbledores office, the Room of Requirement, the Gryffindor Common Room and more.  Read more here and see pics here.  Amazing.  It will be AMAZING.  Are you planning to go?

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

relationship rules i think are bogus.


Being in a relationship is one of the joys of life.  It's wonderful to have someone to count on, and love on, and do fun things with.  It can be hard though with friends, family, the internet, and the media telling you what relationships are supposed to be like and how you and your partner are supposed to act.  How do you know who to listen to?  My advice?  Listen, but just do what works for you!  Here are some "relationship rules" I've been told that (in my opinion) are NOT to be listened to:


Rule: Relationships are hard work.

Really: The problem with this rule is not so much the rule itself, but the interpretation.  Sure, relationships take work.  Both people need to be engaged and active in relationship.  There needs to be compromise.  Both people need to work to grow together and keep the relationship alive.  This is all work.  But where some people go wrong is they use this rule as an excuse when the relationship really shouldn't keep going.  Lack of communication, lives going in different directions, excessive arguing, and even worse, emotional or physical violence are all signs that really, something isn't working; not that you're not working hard enough.  Try and look at your relationship honestly.  If it feels like pulling teeth to just talk with your significant other, or if everything turns into an argument, the relationship is probably not a healthy one for you.  And when you find one that is, you'll see that while it will take some work, it won't feel like it because you'll be doing it together.

Better Rule: Be active in your relationship.

****

Rule: Arguing is good for a relationship.

Really: Discussing is good.  Fighting all the time is not good.  Not to say an argument now and again isn't normal, because it is, but that's not what I'm referring to. Again, I see this rule used as an excuse.  I've heard many a lady say, "We fight a lot, but arguing is good for a relationship."  Um, not everyday, or anytime you don't share the same opinion.  That's a bigger problem.  Communication is one of the most important things in a relationship.  Learn how to communicate with your partner so a simple difference in opinion doesn't turn into a fight.  And bonus!  With good communication, you can actually work problems out, instead of creating more. 

Better Rule: Communicate effectively in your relationship.

****

Rule: Never go to bed angry.

Really:  Okay, nobody likes to go to bed angry but come on.  Dragging an argument out until all hours of the night just to follow this rule will only make things worse.  I promise.  If you have a big argument and it's nearly time for bed, call a truce for the night and continue the discussion the next day.  Not only will this give both of you time to calm down, but sleep can clear your head and help you think about the problem in a better way.

Better Rule: Try not to go to bed angry, but if it's bedtime, call a truce and finish the discussion the next day.

****
What relationship rules do you not buy into?

P.S. To the boyfriend-You're the reason I understand why these rules aren't good ones to follow.  Thank you. XO

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

hyperbole and a half.

banner from Hyperbole and a Half, as I'm sure you guessed.

I've recently found the blog Hyperbole and a Half and I think the writer maaaaay be my soul sister.  She uses words like "pokey" and "crawly" to explain feeling sick.  Hello!  She's speaking my language!  She despises creepy crawlies (death to spiders).  And best of all, she draws hilarious, hilarious pictures.  Here's an example.  My reading of her blog may borderline obsession.  I get the shakes if she doesn't post, and when she does post?  Oh man, the excitement is unreal.  Seriously, check it out.  I want you to get addicted too.

Monday, April 5, 2010

wandering.


I'm a wanderer by nature.  Because of this, I'm always daydreaming of places I'll someday visit, and adventures I'll one day have.  And while that's all good and fun, sometimes I need to remember to stop daydreaming and just be here.  Because really, there is no place I'd rather be. :)

Sunday, April 4, 2010

happy easter, friends.


I hope your day is filled with friends, family, and jelly beans.  

Mine is going to be filled with triple ginger cookies (which is the best way to fill a day, I assure you).

Happy Easter!

Thursday, April 1, 2010

alright snow, you win.


The weather has played an April Fool's trick on Laramie.  Forget about those pesky weather reports that predicted today's white stuff; nobody pays attention to those anymore. 

Yesterday's scene:

Weather: Warmish and springy! 
Clothing on me: Dress, tights and converse sneakers. 
Sleeping arrangements: Slept at the boyfriends.

Today's scene:

Weather: FOUR INCHES OF COLD, WET SNOW.  Wtf weather! 
Clothing on me: Still in a dress, tights and converse sneakers.  NOT appropriate clothing for snow.
Morning situation:  Woke up late (as usual), so I rushed outside, in my innappropriate spring clothing, heaved the snow off my car using my muscles, drove to my place, showered, put on appropriate, dumb, winter clothing, and got to work late (again, as usual). 

So the snow didn't change my schedule too much, but it did make me look silly for 5 minutes while I was outside in a dress (who is that crazy woman?!) and it soaked my poor little shoes.  But now I'm eating homemade bread pudding so it's alright. 

Either way, good one snow.  You certainly fooled me.

happy april fool's day!

photo by Scott Ableman

Now that I'm getting ancient (haha) I'm not much of a prankster anymore, but when my siblings and I were younger we lived for April Fools Day!  We had so much fun saran wrapping the toilet, dying the milk blue, tying doors shut, plus lots-o-other tricks.  I'm sure it drove our parents crazy but that's what they holiday is for, non?  What trick did you pull this year?  What pranks did you pull as a kid?

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

which way to go.

photo by NKPhillips

Making the decision to go back to school is a tough one.  There's much to consider, and whichever decision I make will have far reaching implications.  One day, I think it's time, and the next day, I don't feel ready.  I'm nearly sure that I've decided what to go back to school for, if in fact I do go.  I have an information session at the school I'm looking at on April 9, and hopefully that will help in making a decision. 

Here are the two sides:

Side 1:
I really enjoy my life right now.  I'm young, I have a great group of friends, an awesome boyfriend, I live in a place where I can be very active and have access to lots of outdoor activities, I'm working in the field that I got my degree in, and for the most part I enjoy my job, right now.  Why mess up a good thing?

Side 2: 
I've known for a while that I don't want to continue doing this job for the rest of my life, which means that somewhere along the line there has to be a career change.  The field I'm looking at getting into is booming right now so if I don't get in now, will it be a saturated market by the time I go back to school?  There are many other places that have access to outdoor activities, and they'll also have great cultural happenings around town (like the town I'd have to move to for school). 

So I know I want a change eventually, but I'm not sure if it needs to be right now.  I suppose I'll go to the meeting, gather more information, discuss it with those close to me, and make the best decision I can.  Wish me luck!

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

peace and quiet.

photo by ~brrb via just be splendid

How lovely would it be to hang out in a tree for a while?  I'd bring a thermos of hot tea and a couple books.  And a wonderful dress like the one above just in case any passerbys want to capture the moment.  :)

Monday, March 29, 2010

home, sweet home.


photo via on a high note

I'm so happy to be back.

Friday, March 26, 2010

dream series: my dream home

 photo by linda yvonne

Okay, so you know a little about my apartment.  But I suppose eventually I'll want to settle down into a home (settle down?! ME? Yep, it's true.  One day it will happen).  When I do take decide to make one town, one home, my home, these are the bits I hope I hope the home has:

  • Charming architecture-It doesn't have to be old, but it should have a little character.  
  • Large kitchen-Oh boy, this will be awesome.  Space to store lots of appliance goodies, space to chop lots of ingredients, space to have more than one person in the kitchen! 
  • Garage-I've got a ton of large crafty ideas that are possible with a garage.  Not so possible with an apartment.  And with a garage, I wouldn't have to warm up my car or scrape ice and snow off!  Yes, please!
  • Front porch-It doesn't have to be a big porch, but it'd be so nice to sit on a front porch in good weather.  Sweet tea optional.  
  • Stained glass-Is there anything more magical than colored light shining in from stained glass windows?  I say not!
  • Garden area-I'd love to have a small area to grow a little bit of produce for myself.  Co-workers bring in homegrown tomatoes in the summer and my oh my, they taste like sunshine!  I want to grow some sunshine too!
  • Location-I'm not sure if this exists, but I'd love a little garden alcove within a city.  Ah, perfection.
Oh and it'd be nice if there were some mountains and water nearby.

What are you dream home desires?  And isn't that home at the top adorable? 

Thursday, March 25, 2010

i have a crush on my apartment.

 photo by yours truly, showing front entrance to my lovely apartment.
i can't find interior shots right now, so this'll have to do. :)

I really do!  It boasts wood floors, charming arches, windows overlooking trees and the beautiful Courthouse.  The windows let a great deal of light in and are perfect to have a cup of tea under or read a book by.  In the summer, I keep the windows open to hear the constant rustle of leaves.  I can't wait until I can do that again! 

Of course, there are things my apartment lacks.  A large bathroom.  It definitely lacks that.  A mirror in the bathroom that I can see my whole face in.  It must have been built for a very tall person...or maybe just a regular sized person.  Either way, I can't see myself!  A large kitchen.  Yep, it's a small one.  Okay, okay.  It seems what it's lacking is SPACE but isn't that how apartments are supposed to be?  They challenge you to find new ways to create space out of no space.  It's a little test of your ingenuity.  So far, I'm passing.  But I'm a lady that likes change so when my lease is up, I'll probably move along and find a new space to fill up.  It's just the type of bird I am.  But for now, I've got a crush on and miss my apartment (and super comfortable bed)!

I'm in the field: 5 hours north of my humble abode.  I'm not sure when I'll be back but I hope it's at least by the weekend.  Quality time is need with the apartment.  And with the boyfriend.  But that's not what this post is about. :)

Apartment-I'll be seeing you!

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

I almost forgot!

 photo by smcgee, view of Blue Sky Basin at Vail

When in Vail, I skied a black diamond!  More than one actually!  Skiing a black diamond on a big mountain was on my list of things to do and now it's done.  Booyah!
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