Thanksgiving in SF is the New Awesome.

So..disclaimer...this is a REALLY LONG blog (thanks Mike!). Read it ALL. Its going to be good.

First things first, just in case you forgot...my roofdeck is still awesome...literally.





I took these at the end of october...one of those 60 degree days...I was reading on the roofdeck and almost cried when the sunset. Yup. I love my life.

Next, on to Thanksgiving in SF.
All of these pictures are courtesy my brother. I took my puny camera home and realized that I need to stop doing that. Once cam pulls out his, there is no contest. Plus, he's awesome at getting good ones. Like he said, I'm your personal photographer. Its totally true and I want to keep it that way.
I was so excited for thanksgiving this year. Even though I went home 3 times this fall, I really was dying for a trip back. My laundry basket was full and I wanted some sunshine. Thanksgiving meant a lot to me this year because this whole month I've had a deep feelings of gratitude for all that I have. More on that later...

Catching me check, check, checkin' da email. This was Wednesday morning, after our run at the Stanford dish and a scrumptous breakfast at Stacks. I look so deep in thought.

Mom being mom. In our living room.


here's where my mom was showing me the last issue of Gentry. Gentry is some hoity toity magazine from home that announces all the goings on in our community. My friend from 3rd grades wedding picture was in it so my mom was showing her pic. She lives in London now...i'm envious.

I felt like doing cartwheels. Cam felt like taking pictures.

The rest of wednesday was great...I got new running shoes, aptly named ADDICTION. I was much over due for new ones...and they feel great! After that we went to Stanford shopping center where *shock* I didn't buy anything. Then we had tempura a la Gary (I'm so glad my step dad served in Japan...he makes the best curry and tempura) and then we went to Stranger Than Fiction, which is definitely on my list of favorite movies of all time. For serious.

Thanksgiving day...I woke up late and then we went to the dish day 2.

My lovely mother at the bottom of the first hill.


Cam and I walking up the second hill.

Thats me and the view of Stanford campus in the background.


The Stanford hills...over that one is Santa Cruz and the big blue ocean.


Looking over stanford golf course and then if you squint you can see SF. That day was so beautiful and clear you could see the whole city in the distance.

Love this pic of me, mom, and gary.


One of my furry friends at Stanford.




Cam running up one of the big hills. I of course had already ran it twice. haha.

2 years ago Stanford paid 2 million or something crazy for these huge iron and hay sculptures to be put in. My mom and I thought it was a joke. It totally wasnt and they are still there...





My brother rocks as a photographer How cool is that tree?

The rest of thanksgiving was great, we had 3 families over and our total reached 12. Which worked out great since we only had 12 plates and 9 chairs. Our thanksgiving tradition continued with having the Hughes over for dinner, which worked out perfect that we ran into them at the dish that morning and begged them to come. hee hee. My moms rolls were amazing and the sweet potatoes were my favorite part. I of course ate too much. We had great conversation and we were going to go see a movie but none of us could move. Thank goodness elf was on TBS. :)

Friday was fabulous. We got up at 6:30 AM to catch the big sales at Off 5th outlet in Milpitas...I really wanted to die getting up that early for shopping...but it was totally worth it. I got some good christmas presents at off 5th...and I got a new yellow north face jacket that I love love love. And the sales stopped in the morning...and we beat some of the crowds...and i saw the sun coming up...and it was the day after thanksgiving. :)

After the mall it was time to see Karren and Gordon, a much awaited brother-sister get together. We wanted to go up to the Haight butttt lunch took a long time and we shopped too long in the morning. :) It was off to the Dutch Goose (err I mean Greasy Goose) for some GOOD food. Their hosue speciality are the deviled eggs...so good. And their chili is to die for. I wish I had pics...but alas, cam didn't bring his camera! hee hee.

Since Karren and Gordon had to go back to Los Gatos, cam and I made the trek up to the haight. I know I've blogged about the Haight before, but yeah, this trip was so great. It was SO clear when we got up there you could see the Golden gate from 19th ave. Which never happens since its always fogged over. I gasped and Cam took a pic at a red light.

The golden gate was bigger in real life. :)



Once we got to the Haight and parked up the street on Ashbury, Cam got some good pics of the delightful houses around there. I love these houses so much I could stare at each and every one of them for a day. Seriously. The pics don't show the amazing detailed wood work that adorns the window panes and door frames. Sigh.


Me and the new North Face jacket in front of an awesome SF house.

You can see some of the detail in this one.


Sigh.

pretty self explanatory.


Cruisin the Haight.


One of my favorite vintage shops.

A random accordian player. She was awesome.


This guy looks like a missionary. He was not. He was reading from Joyce's Ulysses. Gotta love it. As cam said, why did he want to read that out loud? Its so boring!


Me in front of Villians. I can't walk into this store without buying something. I actually did manage to not buy anything in villians, but I did buy a couple things in their shoe store next door...does that count?

Inside Villians. You can see me in the red..I'm on the hunt.

Hunting for Tshirts...



I really wish I could wear this. Sorry for the swear!

More hunting...there was this sweet orange and brown 70s looking jacket i was eyeing...i decided not to go with it. Although it was a tough decision.

Here's where I ran into trouble. I tried on these shoes and then HAD to have them.

They are special edition Etnies...yes, those are ribbons for the shoe laces and the designer used a special silk weave fabric for the inlay. I um..adore these. Plus, they have special foam padding so they are SO comfy. And only 157 pairs were made. They were my best purchase this trip.


And I couldn't stay away from the old school vans in two tone green. My theory is I can never have too many pairs of vans. I now have 4.

After Villians we went to my second favorite place..Bang On Tshirts.
They have american apparel blank tshirts and tons of iron on transfers to make your own tshirts. I simply love the place since I feel like I'm making something original. Even though probably hundreds of kids do the same thing I do...thats okay. I still feel cool.




Oh man...a replacement for the original banana shirt! aie! The iron on transfer was getting too messed up...I went for a new color although my gut told me just to redo the old one. Cam suggested something new. And i LOVE it.


French and Sesame Street. The perfect combo. Plus, I'm totally going through a purple phase...I love buying purple clothes...I have no idea where it comes from.


There is a great story behind this one. Cam made a nor cal shirt on black. Now, one of my goals while I was home was to get a Nor Cal black sweatshirt with big white writing. So I was all mad since I wanted one too. But I wanted the same thing he got. He was like ummm no...that doesn't work we both in Boston. Point taken. So then I got fuzzy white letters and one big star. and I still have Nor Cal pride. :D



The corner of Haigh-Ashbury. Ben and Jerrys and then the Gap. Which I always thought it was depressing that the Gap got a corner of Haight Ashbury. Anyway, love the photographer skills my brother possesses. He put his camera on a car since he didn't have a tripod.

So after the very successful trip to the Haight, it was time for GAME NIGHT. I invited a bunch of my friends from high school over and their siblings and it was so great. I stole my roommates' Magnolia banana pudding recipe and my mom helped me make it. SO GOOD. We played the name game and catch phrase. There were like 15 of us...twas great. :) We heated up the hot tub and partied some more.

Wednesday morning I had the bright idea of after hot tubbing to jump in the freezing pool. I convinced my best friend Sara to do it with me Friday night. It took a lot of coaxing.


Sara and I eyeing the pool...getting ready.


Cam is awesome at taking perfect action shots. Here's us just before we hit the water. The calm before the storm.

Here is us SCREAMING OUR HEADS OFF. Looking at these makes me shiver all over again.

If you can zoom on Sara's face, her mouth is frozen open. I'm trying desperately to cover myself with something. haha.


Jeff couldn't let the girls take all the praise. He decided to get in too. Cannonball! Notice just one of his legs is in...once again, well done Cam.


The face says it all.

Saturday we slept in and then had left overs for lunch and then heading to Union Square in SF for some...guess what...shopping!


Mom and I waiting for cam to come out of diesel.



Mom and I in H&M. I love how i'm not smiling and my mom is.


Purty flowers outside of Nieman Marcus.

Neiman Marcus' HUGE tree and Haley's, Gary's, Mom's and my head.

This is my favorite christmas decoration...Saks snowflakes...so pretty!


Nice candid pic. Notice the purple purse.

Every year Macy's puts up all the little wreaths and then has one HUGE wreath in the middle. They changed it this year and I'm a little perturbed. The tree just doesn't cut it. Plus they had these heinous fluorescent lights behind it. Oh well.


The HUGE tree in the middle of union square...awww.


The tree and Saks.

So that night we went to Beach Blanket Bablyon, an SF show thats been running for 30 years. It was HILARIOUS. I almost peed my pants. Go see it if you are ever in SF. I loved seeing karren again and so glad she came!

Sunday was nice and relaxing, I got to go to my home ward and also the stanford ward and it was good to see old friends...and then we took the red eye back Sunday night! It was quite the trip!

So back to what i'm thankful for...
My heart has been full of gratitude this whole month thinking about all of my blessings. There is so much to be grateful for I think its really easy to forget all that I have. I'm so grateful that I got to take the time this year to really think about my blessings and remember all that I have. It makes my perspective on life so much better! And i'm much happier when I'm grateful.

What a fabulous thanksgiving...

Updates!

Many of you have been inquiring as to the state of my life. While I was running today I thought of these few points to update you on:

• My relationship status: many were confused at the status of my facebook profile. well its true, I'm single again. Which is unfortunate, I really did like this one. Oh well.
• Job: I'm 98% sure I'm going with a big Palo Alto firm. They're prestigious, they'll spoil me rotten this summer, and they have a patent prosecution practice. I'm kind of tired of waiting on the big Boston firm to get back to me, so as much as I will miss my roofdeck, I know that I'll love to be in CA this summer. Plus, is a roof deck a good reason to accept one offer over another? I don't think so. On second thought, this is my roofdeck we are talking about.
  
• Coke points: I'm up to 981 and counting! Coke extended the original deadline of Jan 15...they haven't given a new deadline yet but I KNOW I can do it. Especially with your help.
  The leaders for the race for most mycoke rewards points given to me:
• Janiece J. (cousin power!): 116
• Corey C.: 44
• Hillary T.: 30
• Melanie M.: 20

• Running: I ran to Harvard and back today. 8 miles. 'Twas awesome.
• Global warming: apparently it decided to stop its cycle yesterday. Now its cold in boston.
• Thanksgiving plans: going home to CA, tomorrow simply can't come soon enough. What i'm looking forward to: Beach Blanket Babylon, Shopping w/ Karren and Gordon, my mom's fabulous rolls, Gary's tempura, California SUNSHINE, hot tubbing, games, Running the Stanford Dish, Santa Cruz, the Haight...(am I going to study, my sources say NO)
• Recent movies I've seen: Bond. It rocks, go see it. Plus, Craig whatever...the new bond..hes pure hotness.
  
• Movies I still really want to see: stranger than fiction
• Roles I've recently played: Vanna White. I got to put on my old high school prom dress and smile and nod while helping my brother host a rousing game of jeopardy. One guy said I was such a good vanna that I found a new calling in life. I didn't know if I should take this as a compliment or slap him. (haha)
• Bands I'm currently obsessed with:
• Phoenix
• Eagles of Death Metal (this stuff is just hot. and rockin)
  
• Tapes 'n tapes
• Silversun Pickups
• Spoon (per usual)
• Dandy Warhols (my love keeps growing for them, whats up with that?)
  
• The Cold War Kids

• Game Night: once again a success. once again boisterous, rowdy, and down right hilarious
• School work: not happening
  

S'Funny

3 weeks ago my friend Blaire shared one of her favorite websites for good tshirts. I was so happy with the site since I had seen many of the shirts in my favorite store of all time -- Villians. I found them all quite hilarious, but one in particular i HAD to have...you know, it was love at first sight. As the website says, "even if you dont get it, it still works".



Here is the model wearing the shirt. I don't open my mouth that wide when I wear it, but I do smile a lot since it makes me laugh, even as I'm wearing it.


Yesterday, my friend Sarah sent me a link for this picture. And I was so happy that my blue manatee shirt was supported by the even better photoshopped Hindenberg graphic.



In the immortal words of my niece "Ssss...funny!"

Shout Out to Running

Its 1:08 AM. I have gotten little sleep this past weekend I have 35 pages to read for my class tomorrow afternoon which I"ll be on call on. And thats b/c I didnt read for last class and she called on me. As my friend Geoff said, "I cant believe I missed you saying PASS along with 3 LLMs". Anyway, so that was super embarrassing but for some reason not embarrassing enough to make me actually READ. sigh. It will get done. Just tomorrow. (and i'll prob have to skip evidence).

Anyway...so on my fabulous run today (I ran in shorts and a long sleeve tshirt and it was 57 degrees...totally doesn't feel like November around here) Anyway...so on my fabulous run today I couldn't help but think why I run everyday. And why I really miss it when I dont. I figured it out...besides the runners high, there are many things that keep me running...yeah that keep me running...

1. Best stress reliever ever. Doesn't matter if I had a good day or bad day, it all melts away when I start. There's that initial burst of energy when I start running that tackles any problems that I'm having. And for some reason my mind gets really clear mid way through and I work out any stress by the end of it.

2. Runners High. I never really believed that crap when I was running XC in high school. But now i find it really true. I feel like a million bucks when I run 8 miles at a reasonably fast pace.

3. Something about my pace. Ever since running in high school, people who run with me (well brian might be the exception, he messed up my pace but I think thats b/c I was trying to impress him) comment on how good of a pace I have. I think its the rhythm that comes through running that calms me down so much.

4. Competition. I wish I ran in more races but I pretty much get really competitive when it comes to running. Thats why I was pretty good in high school. It was a pride thing. I would start out the race at a reasonable pace and then just start picking off people. I really wasn't in as good shape as they were, I just wanted it more. I think I should run more half marathons. Running on the charles I run by a lot of people, which makes it fun when I pass a male that gets all upset I"m passing him and he suddenly speeds up.

5. Humor. There are always humorous things I see/think about/do on my runs. Like for example, I always think about the squirrels in Boston on my runs. I'm convinced they are all rabid. Either that or they smoke crack. I'm totally serious. In California and Utah, there were no crazy squirrels. Here, they always run TOWARD people as opposed to running away. Its really freaky but really quite hilarious at the same time. I also love messing with the geese since I HATE canadian geese, and I have ever since I lived in Seattle and they came and pooped all over our dock and lawn. I love thinking about funny things when I'm running and laughing to myself. And I love the occasional bum that hangs out on the benches by the Charles.

6. Music. I never ran with music in high school and scoffed at people that did. I was a purist and totally self righteous about it. THere was something so wrong with distracting your mind with music while running. Now I absolutely love listening to music while I run. Not to say that I still dont' enjoy a run where I don't have it and just listen to my breathing...but now I usually let it slip in and out of my consciousness and on almost every run...the perfect song comes on and I find myself running faster. Like the other day Enjoy the Silence came on at just the perfect time, when I was crossing the salt and pepper bridge and thinking about how great it is just to sit and think about life sometimes. And do nothing. Or like today Motorcycle Drive By came on while I was crossing the BU bridge and looking at Boston's beautiful skyline. It gave me this extra little boost where I swear I skipped a couple strides and left the ground for a few seconds. Now music is an integral part of the stress relief that comes with running.

7. Thoughts. I think I said this before, but for some reason my mind become really clear when I run and the best thoughts come out of my runs. I seem to be wittier, funnier, more intelligent when I'm running. Too bad I can run during my exams at law school or I'd be a straight A student.

8. Sweat and Pony tails. Some days it just feels really good to sweat. And about the only time I ever put my hair in a pony tail is for a run.

9. Scenery. I ran the Charles all last year and this year, but this year its SO much better. I have better views. When I run up the footbridge right by MGH, I get to the end and its the most spectacular view of the Charles. I run down to the BU bridge and then when I'm coming back and I run along the path that is right next to the Charles, it really doesnt get any better. Like today, I ran when the sun was setting and then right when it was dark at the end. The Charles was glass and so beautiful I almost cried. When I got to the salt and pepper bridge I had to stop and admire the dark pink, purple, bright blue, and dark blue sky that unfolded before me and the reflection in the river was simply breath taking. Seriously. The leaves are still somewhat attached to the trees which just sweetens the deal. And there is nothing more fun than running on all those leaves and making the crunch crunch crunch sound with every step.

So anyway, I've decided that the Charles will be my gym. Im going to make every effort to keep running in the bitter cold this winter. I know this won't last very long since I"m a total wuss when it comes to running in the cold, but I dont know if I can help myself. I better go buy a good hat, coat, scarf, gloves and more spandex to run in. I best be getting some new running shoes too. Sigh.

H-A-Double L-O-Double U- Double E-N Spells Halloween!

This year's Halloween was so fun, when Tuesday the 31st rolled around, I forgot that all of the parties that preceded Halloween meant that Halloween hadn't actually happened yet. The only thing that made me sad about Halloween was the fact that on Halloween I missed the free munchkins and candy that accompany "student appreciation day" at the law school. I almost went out and bought a whole bucket of munchkins so that I could make myself sick and feel like I didn't miss out on the experience of going to school.

So last year I had three different costumes...this time I only had 2. The nun idea came when I was laying on the beach in the DR, thinking...man I gotta think of a good costume. My roommates, my brother and I kept trying to think of something we could all be together. Then thats when the idea of nuns came. And my brother was supposed to be a priest.

But, just like my life, my costumes are very spontaneous. Even volatile.

First party: Law School. Last year I had a blast b/c there was a small dance floor, pool tables, and I could actually talk to people. But this year, its was a little too crazy for the likes of me. We showed up and the music was so loud I couldn't hear myself think. It made me feel like I was 50 years old. Thankfully we found my posse and then went upstairs where Brian and I started our own dance party.




Me sandwiched between the missionaries.


A nun, 2 Mormon missionaries, and Prefontaine walk into a bar....

I had such a blast dancing the night away and I was sick!

Second Party: Murder mystery dinner. My brother and I were thrilled to be invited for over to Lauren's for a Canadian (?) tradition. I was Cynthia Masters, a fashion magazine editor. My brother was Peter someone and he pulled off the British accent really well all night. He and I had some good laughs at others expenses, and I don't think they appreciated it as much as we did. But, we were successful in throwing everyone off because we took all the attention away from the real killer, Chris.


Here are all of the lovely murder suspects. Check out Lauren in the wig. So hot right now.


This was supposed to be "look like you're innocent" pic. Everyone instead looks like they are trying to be models. Except for my brothers face, priceless. Thats my brother....woot.

Third Party: The Hulets in Belmont. After the murder mystery dinner we ran home quick quick and I had to dig out my wonder woman costume that was buried in my closet. I also had to dig out the red lipstick and blue blue eyeshadow. But it all came together, and again I felt like I had super powers. You know, I thought the wonder woman costume would get old. I've only worn it like 8 times since I bought it 4 years ago. Every time I put it on though, I smile and go...hmmm...nope. Still fun!


My brother and I with our recycled costumes. Cam had actually been Beckham before. But he's a dang good one. And I helped with the mohawk.



We also party hopped and showed up at the Institute dance for a little bit. Thankfully I ran into one of my favorite people, Amanda Robison. We're bay area girls at heart.


Here's that picture I promised Cheryl. See post below to find out what this is all about. If you look closely, you can see the silhouette of me and my lovely red coat.

Fourth Party: Hilloween on Beacon Hill. Okay, so I know that I always talk about how much I love living in Beacon Hill, and Halloween was no exception. I walked out my door at 6 after my run and they had shut down all the roads and they were filled with trick or treaters. All the posh porches in Beacon Hill were all done up and there was a lot of candy! I didn't take any b/c I felt too old, but I saw the cutest kid costumes and it made me really want to have kids. At least just for Halloween and then I could give them back when they started acting up. :-)
The best part of the night though was that it was literally 70 degrees outside! 70 degrees! I didn't even need a jacket (i just wore one as an accessory).


This was a fabulous porch just right next door to us on W Cedar.


Here's Louisberg Square, the corner were John Kerry lives, just a couple blocks up from us.

There was a large crowd in front of John Kerry's the whole night. They had BOWLS and BOWLS of candy but no John Kerry sightings...

In the middle of Louisberg Square they put all these jack o lanterns in the middle. I love the jack o lanterns and then the lit porches in the back ground. I climbed on top of a fence to take this pic. I'm so hardcore.

Acorn St., the most photographed street in the United States (according to Katherine Mackey). But it was so cute, they had orange and black balloons.


This house had these huge spiders on it. Cool.


Love these porches. Everyone had their door decorated and open and they were having huge parties inside. It was so fun to see into these gorgeous houses.


There was a courtyard that was all decorated and "haunted" good times.




This door wasn't decorated. But I loved it. Mom, I took this pic for you. The mint green was so purty.


This house had these amazing detailed cut outs in all the windows.




More porches. :)


On the way home from Upper Crust, we walked by this couple that had a chihuahua...it was 2 pounds! She dressed it up in a ballerina doll dress and she was SO cute. I couldn't even get a picture of her because she was running around so much.




This was definitely one of my favorite halloweens of all time. Man. I can't wait till next year.

I never want to leave Boston. Ever. (at least until next week)

So my BFF Karren from California came out to Boston this weekend after much coaxing. She lucked out on the weather --it couldn't have been more beautiful. Plus, she got to attend one of the most successful housewarming parties in the history of housewarming parties.
My sleep deprived week was all worth it for this weekend.

Friday:

• Evidence (lesson of the day: dont take acid and then sell marijuana)
• Spent 6 hours cleaning my room to make it presentable
• Visited the old stomping grounds in Coolidge Corner
  
• Went to Melissa for a trim and a fabulous head massage
  
• Joe Johnston comes over at 730 to help with party prep (he saved me!)
  
• 9:03 pm -- first guests show up
• 9:30 pm -- about 20 people
• 10 pm -- about 40 people
• 1030 pm -- 60!
• 11 pm -- most mormons leave and go to bed
• 1130 pm -- most law students leave to catch the last T
  
• 12 am -- dance party just getting started
• 130 am -- last guest leaves
• 200 am -- Karren and I giggle before going to bed

Saturday:

• woke up before my alarm (again!)
• Giggle with Karren about Cam's air guitar from the night before
  
• Called peeps to gather for a scrumptous breakfast in Sommerville (although I normally hold a policy of never driving in sommerville, Sound Bites is the exception)
• Moseyed for a bit
• Joined Karren, Joe, Cam, Jeremy, and Brian for breakfast
• Enjoyed Eggs Bene w/ Tomato and Avocado
• Walked around Beacon Hill, Acorn St, Public Garden
• Down to Milton for Pumpkin Soup, Gracie, lots of Diet Coke and great conversation
• Sped back to Weeks Footbridge for Nada Surf
• Caught the last half of Nada Surf (it was lame b/c the last time I saw them in Chicago, they played the SAME set....grah)
• Moseyed
• Harvard Square for quite possibly the best chocolate experience ever. And the novices felt sick (they aren't used to rich things I guess)
• Lots of moseying
• Mel's Bday Celebration
• 10 pm...ran out of steam very quickly.
• 11 pm in bed
• 1 am awaken by roommate who forgot keys
• 130 am purchased a tshirt I simply cant wait to wear
• 2 am back to bed after nyquil and milk

Sunday:

• Church
• Forgot vegetables, drove home during sunday school
• More church
• RS board meeting (this totally took it out of me)
• Picked up Karren's high school friend Jo for a delicious meal in North End
• Pesto Tortellini
• Chocolate Dipped cannoli
• Cite checking when I wished I was at a fireside instead (but I found the cites! and let out a funny giggle/cackle/sigh/yelp -- ask karren)
• GAME NIGHT. one of the things i look forward to all week. This was crazy nuts with so many people but still fun. And my brother and I and jeremy were on the same team so we cleaned house, per usual.
• Went to bed very happy and slept VERY well
  

Monday:

• Woke up before my alarm (again!) what! what! what! what!
  
• Went to class and got to drive and park at my favorite broken meter
• Volunteered in class at 10:07 am...what! what! what! what!
• Came home, showered, giggled
• Breakfast with Karren, I had the BEST bfast ever....one chocolate chip pancake, one banana pancake, and one blueberry pancake. Karren went with the delcious omelette.
• Pedicures!
• Jeremy Dittmer and Anna Dittmer and Newbury St
• I bought my first johnny cupcakes shirt while wearing my new favorite red coat
• Took Karren to the airport :-(
• But had a dang good run.
  

Illustrations:


The roofdeck on Saturday was perfect for viewing such a gorgeous fall day.



Joe is like a foot taller than I am. Literally. 5'4'' and 6'4". (actually he informs me he's 6'5" if he stands up straight)


We are so cute.


Once they take off that green scaffolding, I'll be really really happy with that view.


We are so cute it makes me sick.



BFF .



Acorn St in Beacon Hill. Its the most photographed street in the US. And its dang cute.


Karren and the Big Yellow Tree in the public garden.


Me singing along with Nada.



Cam and I singing along with Nada Surf "Imaginary Friends". Hey calling alllll imaginary friends.


In Burdick's, I just ate my mouse and thats the tail hanging out.



I love this pic b/c of Blaire in the background and how I'm holding the box the mouse came in.

A little taste of the DR.

I have so much stuff to do today, I decided that this would be the perfect time to blog. I mean why, not. I always do this. Its called: procrastination. I might need to join a support group.

But i've been dying to post these pics.

Conformity Makes For Lousy Music

Tuesday night after my soccer game Cam and I went and got a bite to eat at Trident Booksellers on Newbury. I went to the bathroom and instead of a mirror, someone had draw the face of a woman and a bubble out of her mouth with this phrase.

And I loved it. So true.

Thank goodness all the bands I like are really weird people deep down. And even superficially.

02114

This morning on my way to school, I walked down charles st past one of the many preppy clothing boutiques that inhabit the main drag of beacon hill. I almost spit out my tall starbucks nonfat hot chocolate with whip when I saw they had a canvas tote with "02114" in large colorful embroidered numbers. Classic. Truly.

On second thought...maybe I will sleep on the floor.

Perfect Brightness of Hope.

C.S. Lewis said, "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world."

My mom gave a talk in sacrament meeting today in my home ward in California. She called me this afternoon and read it to me. It was one of the best talks I've ever heard. While I was walking around my room attempting to clean it, finding the flip flops I lost and the coke caps I need to enter codes for, my eyes welled up with tears when she read this quote to me by C.S. Lewis. It rang so true, I asked her to read it to me three times.

My mom also talked about when I came home from Africa and how I cried because when I came home and saw my closet full of clothes, my house, my computer and my car, I couldn't believe what I was born with. I didn't understand how I could be born in California with the gospel, the freedom from my government, the educational opportunities, and the material things while all of my friends I met in Africa were given so little. I had to sleep on the floor because I felt too ungrateful about getting into my comfy bed that night. When my mom reiterated what she said in her talk, I remembered this experience and again got emotional. I really forget sometimes how lucky I am.

Sometimes my life is so busy with distractions and getting caught up in school. I'm so thankful for Sundays when I can really stop and reflect on the most important things in my life. I'm eternally grateful for hope that comes through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Concert craziness.

The past two days I went to two incredible concerts. And mind you, I attend a lot of concerts. These two were amazing though. Seriously. Badly Drawn Boy's 2 hour set was mind blowing and I would place it in my top 5 concerts of all time. Minus the Bear is my all time favorite band to see live. They have such an incredible energy and their songs sound so rich when you have this 14 foot speaker blaring it instead of listening to it on my ipod.

I began to reflect during Badly Drawn Boy on Tuesday night why I love concerts so much. I think its because during the day I'm supposed to be ms. serious lawyer woman...traveling the country interviewing at these prestigious places and then at night I can act like a 10 year old girl. And I love that. I like being with that punk kid crowd. So the crowd was a little older at Badly Drawn Boy but at Minus the Bear, everyone was under 21. And I was in the front, elbowing, pushing and jumping around acting like an idiot while totally loving the music. I even took out my ear plug at times for minus because they sound so incredibly awesome live. How do I get all caught up in the music? I dont know. I have to say I was a little hesistant to bring my brother along to minus. After all, the last minus concert I went by myself and danced and sang like a ninny in the front row. This time would I have to act more subdued in front of my own flesh and blood? Thankfully I didn't. And my brother got me an awesome spot right in the front when he broke up a fight.

The past two nights when I got home from the concerts, I was so riled up I couldn't go to bed. Live music makes me go into this other worldly state of mind. I was also wondering to myself during Badly Drawn Boy if I would ever grow out of this. I mean, when I'm a mom am I going to be still following these bands? I don't think so...but I don't think its necessarily a maturity thing. Its just a I will have kids type of thing. haha.

And I"m so glad minus didn't disappoint. Back in August when Snow Patrol came and played in a huge venue, part of my heart broke that night. and I don't think its repaired still. I want my bands to stay small just so they play small venues. There is nothing more disappointing than when your favorite band sounds like garbage and you have to sit on a floor in a seat while they struggle through a set. Speaking of a band that can play the large venue and the small venue...the strokes. I just saw them in Salt Lake a couple weeks ago at a small club and I saw them in April in a huge venue in Boston. They translated their energy well.

okay this is TOTALLY rambling now.

And I have nothing to really sum it up with. But I know a lot of you out there understand what I mean about live music. And if you dont, then you need to go to more concerts and get rough with the crowd.

Erase and Rewind. I've been changing my mind.

Have you ever gotten something that you thought you really wanted and then realized maybe you don't want it? And you want something else?

Thats whats happening to me right now. I thought I really wanted to move to the Bay Area. Now I'm not so sure. Maybe I want to stay in Boston.

I think its the roof deck's fault. Well and Beacon Hill. And my brother. And my friends. And my ward.