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!

oh gelato.

 photo by josh.liba

I forgot to mention our stop at a yummy gelato shop in Vail.  I had the coconut and lemon gelato and combined it was delicious.  Of course, it was super chilly out, but the gelato was worth it!  Are you a fan of gelato?  

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Vaaaaail.

view from the eagle's nest, photo by me
 
 me riding the gondola, photo by the bf

Super. Awesome. Weekend.

It started with a scary drive through the mountains but once we got through that, the weekend was perfection!  Once we arrived in Vail, my cousin directed us in dropping our luggage at the gondola and then we grabbed a delicious, delicious dinner (plus delicious, delicious beer) at a restaurant called Garfinkel's.  Afterwards, we ourselves rode the gondola to the tippy top of the mountain.  We expected my cousin to take us to some random shack on the mountain but no, he actually lives inside the huge gondola building at the top!  I couldn't stop gushing about how cool his living sitch was.  I'm sure I drove him crazy. :)

The next morning, we decided to have breakfast down in the village.  Because we were already at the top, to get back down to the bottom we had to ski down.  And by saying we "had" to ski down, we had the opportunity to ski down.  We had the whole run to ourselves on perfectly groomed snow.  It was so cool!  After breakfast we skied all day and even though we all got separated half way through the day, we all had a blast.  The mountain was so big and there was so much to ski!  We're already planning our next trip out there and will definitely be skiing more than one day.  After a day on the slopes, we had dinner at a great pizza place called Vendetta's.

The next day, we slept in and then had breakfast at an awesome place called the Westside Cafe.  I had captain crunch coated french toast.  Yes.  And it was sooooo good!  The boyfriend had banana bread french toast.  Also soooooo good.  After breakfast, we grabbed our luggage, and got a start on the road.  It was hard to leave such an idyllic place, but we know we'll be back!

Recap:  We stayed at the TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN, skied an awesome day all day Saturday, ate amazing food for nearly every meal, and had a great time with the cousin.  I can't wait to hang out with him again and am so glad he invited us to see him!

Monday, March 22, 2010

leaving, again.

 photo of me by RR during a past field project

I'm heading into the field today for the first field project of the season.  I'm itching to stretch my legs and walk miles and miles, all while getting paid.  Oh the joys...

Tomorrow I'll do a full fill-in on the Vail weekend (aka super awesome weekend).  Keep your eyes peeled!

Friday, March 19, 2010

road trippin'.

photo by -RobW-

This weekend the bf and I are going to visit my cousin!  He lives in Vail, CO, works at the ski resort there and lives on the mountain.  ON THE MOUNTAIN.  Yeah, it's going to be a good time.  The plans are to head down Friday, ski Saturday and maybe Sunday, go out on the town every night we're there, and have a rockin' good time!  I'm sure that there will be great pictures had so I'll be sure to update you on the weekend when we return! 

P.S. Wouldn't it be fun to road trip in this super cool green bus?  The answer is yes, it'd be so fun!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

art projects.

photo by -mrsraggle-

Creativity has been flowing through my veins lately.  Unfortunately, I've been too busy to put any of the ideas to the test.  Time!  I need time!  Hopefully in the upcoming weekends, I'll finally be able to get creative outside of my brain.  Not this weekend though...this weekend the bf and I are going to Vail to visit my cousin (and do some awesome skiing)! 

Back to the ideas.  Here are a few that I've been tossing around.

Photo series with the Diana

I've finally got an idea for a photo series (which I'll tell you about after I flesh it out a bit more) but I want Spring/Summer light instead of flat Winter light.  That means this project has to wait a little while longer.  Sad...but when it's finally time, I'll be ready!  I also want to try some basic portraits of individuals or couples, but again, I'd rather do it in Spring/Summer light.  Till then!

Painting Project

I've seen this done a couple times, and I'm ready to attempt something similar myself.  Here are the two links I've seen (here and here), both with a different take on the how-to bit.  Cute, non?  We'll see how it comes out!

P.S.  I just found this diy project and it looks so fun!  Maybe I'll do both!

Baking Bread

Some may say that baking bread is not a creative expression, but I say it is!  I'm of the opinion that baking and cooking are both artistic endeavors (or at least, they can be) and in the case of baking bread, for me it will be.  I have found the perfect no knead recipe but can't seem to find the time for the two rises it calls for.  Perhaps I should do the main rise on a Sunday and then the shorter rise the next day.  Hmmm...I think I'm on to something!

Those are the ideas I've been playing with lately.  Once I've completed them, I'll be sure to show them here!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

everyone is irish on march 17th.

photo by cobalt123

 Happy St. Patrick's Day folks.  I hope you're wearing green!  Enjoy some green beer, corned beef and cabbage and keep your eyes peeled for any tricky leprechauns. 

photo by James Jordan

I have a friend who is an Irish Dancer and surely we'll be seeing her dance tonight.  If you have the chance to see Irish Dancers, do it.  It's an awesome thing to see.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

live music.

photo by jesse.millan

I'm a conditional fan of live music.  I don't love being in a huge arena and so far back that you're essentially listening to their (muffled) cd while being jostled by giants that somehow only come out of the woodworks when I actually want to see something. 

What I do love is going to an intimate show with pretty close seats (or the kind of place where everyone can see) and having a real experience with the band.  Some bands that I've seen this way are Stella Luce, Murder by Death and the Dovekins.  All awesome.  All even more awesome because they play in smallish venues.  I'm a short person.  Really short.  And quite often when I'm at a larger show, I can't see a dang thing because giant mcgianter always stands right in front of me.  It never fails.  But smaller venues seem to either have better viewing all around, or there is more room to move around and get a better view.  And the sound quality in small venues?  While some of these bands may not have the most up to date sound equipment, because you're close to them, the sound is raw and amazing. 

Next month Ani DiFranco is coming to Laramie and we have 4th row tickets!  It's going to be amazing!  What's even more awesome is that the venue she'll be playing at isn't very large so I know already, I'll love her show.  I can't wait!

Monday, March 15, 2010

life has a way of working out.


Last week I was feeling stressed out.  My work had asked me to take two Fridays off in a row because of a lack of projects to work on.  From this, I jumped to the conclusion that I would probably have to take every Friday off until my inevitable pink slip.  Dramatic?   Yes.  Did I think I was being dramatic at the time?  No sir, but I was.  Oh how I was.  So dramatic in fact that I started a search for new jobs,  researched school options and even cried to my thoroughly understanding bf who whilst being understanding, also gently told me I may be being a bit dramatic.  Did I believe him?  Nope. 

Of course then, today I get news that a project I've been waiting to start is in fact starting.  This means months of work.  I also was told that I'll be needed in the field for a week, if not more.  More work!  And so, my bout of drama-queen-itis was unnecessary.  Lesson learned.  Better lesson?  Even if it seems a situation warrents feeling dramatic, it doesn't!  Feeling/acting dramatic is a choice.  Instead, roll with the punches, go with the flow, choose to be happy no matter what, and life will work itself out for the better.  It's true.

Friday, March 12, 2010

grab your cup. it's time for tea.

photo by visualdensity

What's so great about tea?  Besides being awesome, there's not too much caffeine, plenty of flavor, and choices(!), so many choices!  My go-to tea is Good Earth Original.  It's robust and spicy and it doesn't need any sweetening whatsoever.  Some may say that tea doesn't need ever need sweetening (hmm, the bf might say that...) but I disagree.  Sometimes teas need a little sugar to bring out the full flavor.  What do you think?  Are you a tea drinker?  If so, to sweeten or not to sweeten?  What say you?

Thursday, March 11, 2010

just breathe.

photo by Anna Gay

Have you ever seen the movie "Ever After"?  This post's title is a quote from that movie and is one I repeat anytime things get a bit overwhelming.  It helps.  Try it. 

summer on the brain.

Woah!  Slooooooow down lady, it's not even Spring!  I know, I know...but I can't stop daydreaming about lovely summer activities.  Of course, all of the things I'd love to do right now wouldn't even be possible where I live at the best of times.  I suppose that means that I'm free to daydream since I'd have to travel somewhere warm and near water anyways!  What are the desired adventures, you ask?  Well, I'll tell you.

Scuba Diving

Sail in a little Sunfish
photo by Simonds

Sea Kayaking
photo by adrimcm

Visit Mackinac Island (my favorite place ever)
photo by humbertomoreno

What adventures are you dreaming of?

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

bubbles, bubbles.

photo by grazie, davvero

One of my favorite blogs to read is Not That Kind of Girl.  The writer is "on a quest to do 250 completely uncharacteristic things before August 23, 2010" and it's so fun to read about her journey.  I love all of her posts, but her post yesterday (link here) had the most magical effect on me!  After reading it, I was filled with glee and couldn't wait to follow in her footsteps. 

What did she do you ask?  To help her quit smoking, she's taken to blowing bubbles.  Now, I'm not a smoker, but blowing bubbles is certainly a habit I'd like to pick up!  Everywhere she went, hundreds of bubbles flowed after her and the people she came across on the streets all had positive reactions.  Bubbles are so cheery and magical; people can't help but smile around them!  I am in love with this.  How often do you come across such a simple (and unconventional) idea that can warm the hearts of so many? 

If you see bubbles on the streets of Laramie this Spring, I'll surely be close by!

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

it's coming.



photo by Ken Schwarz

Spring is right around the corner.  We still have snow on the ground and even some coming from the sky, but it's melting at a rate faster than it's accumulating.  That means we're in the home stretch!  We no longer have weeks upon weeks of negative temps, nor do we even have days upon days.  I can see the temperature steadily rising and boy oh boy, I can feel it too.  It couldn't have come at a better time either.  Everyone (myself included) was starting to get the "this winter is too long" blues, but no longer!  Spring is in the air. 


Here are some things I can't wait to do:

Wear dresses!
Barbeque
Backpack/Camp
Rock climb
Hike
Bike around town
Play frisbee in the park
Not wear a jacket!
Walk barefoot
Smell the flowers
Take sunny pictures with the Diana
Feel the sun!

Spring is nearly here!

Monday, March 8, 2010

weekend update.

follow link for tickets

Oh. My. Goodness.
My weekend was chock full of goodies (and one epic moment of not so good. Let's just say that the bday girl, me, had a bit too much to drink on Saturday night).  Here's the rundown:

Friday.

A very low key night. The bf and I walked through a warm snowstorm (it happened) to meet another couple at a local bar. We played good music and not so good pool. Let me rephrase that. The boys played good pool. The girls didn't do much to contribute...unless chatting, drinking beer, and occasionally hitting a ball is contributing. Hmmm, I feel like it is.

Saturday.

The bf and I woke early to attend the local Gear Swap. We weren't looking for anything in particular but would've bought something had it jumped out. My wallet thanked me that nothing jumped out. After the gear swap we walked around the now warm and sunny town (with boatloads of melting snow, slush, rivers of water). We had a yummy lunch at a little bakery downtown and then popped over to the grocery store to pick up my eagerly anticipated, (and early ordered) tall, pink cake that only this store makes.

I informed the baker that I was scheduled to pick up the cake at 3pm. She stared. Only stared. Once she snapped out of her trance, she walked around the immense baking area for twenty minutes, looking in their seemingly endless amounts of refrigerators. She found the order slip for the cake, but no cake. No cake? "The party is tonight" I told her. She stared (again) at me and simply stated, "Well we ordered the cake, so we did our part". Ugh. Apparently all cakes are shipped in from Denver. They don't bake them in house. I don't even know if they bake anything in house. What is the purpose of the HUGE baking area then? To make you feel as though they bake it there? They said that they had no idea where the cake was, and I could pick out another cake for free. While kind of nice, it wasn't the same. I ended up picking out some weird generic cake and as I walked out of the store, I vowed to only order from the local bakery from now on.

After the cake fiasco and the miles of walking, I needed a nap, so a nap I took. Of course I slept too long, so after awaking, I scrambled around to get ready for the "80s & Gangsta" party. That's right. I dressed as a Cyndi Lauper wanna be. And most of the other partygoers dressed up too! I love theme parties, but when everyone else gets into it, it is so much more fun. I don't have pictures yet, but soon...very soon. All in all, the party was a success and fun was had by all.

Sunday.

The next morning, after my epic moment of drunkenness, the bf and I headed to Fort Collins for breakfast at one of our favorite places: Lucile's. So good. Can't even tell you how good. Go there. We had "breakfast" at 1:30 (a bit of a late start). Afterwards, we headed to Denver to walk around and then see "Mary Poppins" the musical! Again, SO GOOD. We were in the 6th row, had a perfect view, and watched an incredibly talented bunch put on a magical show.  The set design, the lighting, the caliber of singing and acting…it was all amazing.  I loved every minute of it.

The weekend was so good, and everyone was so good to me. I can't ask for a better bf or group of friends and love how familial it feels when we're all together. Thank you everyone.

I'm 26!

*update*
After realizing that my pink cake never arrived and the store offered me a different one, I asked what would happen to the cake I originally ordered when it did finally reach the store.  Her response was that they would of course sell it to someone else.  Fine.  Two days ago I was at the same store grabbing some salmon so I stopped by the bakery cooler to see if my cake was actually there.  Sure enough, there it was.  And it was the ugliest cake I've ever seen!  The icing wasn't thoroughly mixed and it was globbed on like a 2 year old had done it.  What a mess.  Here's a picture I took with my phone.  The glare obstructs part of the view but you can still see the strange globs of icing on the top and the unmixed icing. 

UGLY.
photo by me

Friday, March 5, 2010

!!!

photo by tharainbow.

My 26th birthday is this Sunday.  I'm so excited for this weekend as there are many fun things happening!  Check back on Monday to hear about the festivities!

Thursday, March 4, 2010

can you grow overnight please? thanks.

screenshot from "Lost Things" by Angela Kohler

I've had short-ish hair for about a two years now.  As many women do, I tend to cycle through the long and short hair over and over...and over.  My hair is now to my shoulders, but I desperately want it to be longer.  Oh hair of mine, please grow faster!     

Another phase that used to be my calling card was ever changing hair color.  Since the 7th grade I haven't shown my real hair color to nary a soul, including my own, and that's just as well as it's a boring, dishwater blonde.  But that's all changed since I've discovered the glorious red that coats my hair now.  I'm in love with it.  In love.  I do wish it was a little brighter though, so I'll experiment the next time I color.  That's right!  I'm a DIYer in the color department.  Sally Beauty supply has saved my life (and my money).  I'm due for a visit.



This video fell into my lap today.  It's a stop motion short called "Lost Things" shot by Angela Kohler.  The video features Alison Sudol (aka A Fine Frenzy + a song she wrote just for the vid) and boy oh boy, do I want her hair.  The length, the color, the curl, it's all so perfect.  Everything about the video is magical and beautiful.  But the hair is what I dream about...okay, and the clothing too.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

the sun is shining.

photo by stephanie ★

It's a new and beautiful day.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

wayfaring stranger.


I've started to play the guitar.  There are a couple of friends of mine that are in various stages of learning as well, and we occassionally get together to play.  We've coined this little group with a band name: Knock Knock and the Moles.  It's a weird name, but say it enough and you'll like it...I hope.  Anyways-At first I tried to just play different chords over and over but that got really boring, really fast.  To liven things up a bit (and make myself feel like I'm progressing), I decided to pick an easy song that I love, to learn.  I chose the folk song, Wayfaring Stranger.  It has a simple melody and it's a song that I already know lyrically.  Perfect.  Starting out, the chords were easy enough for me to do until I got to the F.  The blasted F is messing everything up!  At this point, it sounds like a dying cow whenever I strum that particular chord.  To do this chord you have to use one finger to hold down all of the strings, and then use your other fingers to hold other strings down.  Here's a link to the song I'm learning.  If you hover over the F, you'll see what my fingers are supposed to do.  Needless to say, the song abrubtly stops everytime I get to the F.  But it sounds pretty dang awesome up to that point!  Happy strumming!

Monday, March 1, 2010

delicious, delicious crepes.

 
photo by yours truly

Two weekends ago (and during last week...and this weekend), I finally made crepes.  I love crepes, but before last weekend, the only way I'd had them was when someone else made them.  Maybe it was their fancy name that intimidated me, but I found that they couldn't be simpler!  And let's not forget, delicious.  The recipe I used is found here.  We topped our crepes with cottage cheese and jam, and sugar and lemon juice.  I liked both, but the simplicity of the latter really hit the spot.  Do you make crepes?  When you eat them, what are your favorite toppings?

The photo at the top was my breakfast last Saturday.  So good.
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