I can't believe that today is the last day of 2010. I mean, it just feels like time flew by. I am, however, really glad to see this year go away. I don't think I've ever been happier to wave goodbye with a big smile plastered on my face.
Let's be honest, this year had a great first half, but the last half more than just sucked it up big time. I'm glad to just put it all behind me. A new year, a fresh start. Clean slate.
2011 is going to be different, with any luck. It will bring new adventures, new situations, new ways to grow, and probably new people.
I'm going to resolve to find a church in Moscow. I'm going to resolve to actually lose some weight. I'm going to be more confident. I'm going to be more trusting. I'm going to just be myself. No games. No tricks. Just Natalie. Just happy. Loving. Caring. Hoping. Me.
What are you plans (hopes) for a new year?
Friday, December 31, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
The Chair
I feel like being at home is unconducive to my blogging habits. When I'm at school it's a lot easier for me to just sit in front of a computer, but when I'm home there's a lot more to do. And typically I'm out gallivanting around town somewhere doing something somewhat unproductive.
Today, however, was slightly different. And by that I mean we spent maybe around an hour going through my sister's dresser drawers and throwing out holey socks and underwear and also compiling quite a number of clothing items suitable for donation to Good Will. We also moved her papasan chair out of her room and into the living room.
I have to tell you, the first time I fell in love with papasan chairs, I was a little girl. My grandparents had a house in Washington, and we would visit every so often. It was my mother's parents' house. I remember that house had an intercom system TheKeeper and I thought was really cool. And I remember playing some Bible video game, I think it was called Exodus, and it used to be my uncles. And there was a Chinese Checkers board game that was missing pieces that we pretended to know how to play.
And the doorbell chimes, they were right in the wall if I remember correctly. Long, and silver, and they made such pretty noises when your hit them against each other. I also remember in the bathroom there was a small white porcelain boot with fake flowers on top of a white wicker bookshelf that sat crooked in one of the corners.
There was also blue carpet, but I don't remember much about it except that it was blue. And that I always think about it when I think about that house. And the squirrels. We would feed the squirrels from the dining room window out of a bag of peanuts that my grandpa always had.
I gave them names - there were two of them - but I can only remember that I assumed they were a boy and a girl. The girl was Roxie, and the boy I can't remember.
Anyway, back tot he chairs. My aunt still lived with my grandparents, I think. I was little, so I don't quite remember, but I'm pretty sure she still lived there. And in her room she had two of these amazing chairs. I'd never seen them before.
They were red. I think they had a floral pattern on them. And they were bowl shaped, perfect for curling up in. The cushions were so thick and comfortable! I could just sit in those chairs for hours. I was so little they just swallowed me up, but I loved them. I remember every time we went to Grandma and Grandpa's house I would want to sit in those chairs.
And since then, I've been obsessed with them.
I got my own for Christmas one year, and then I think my sister got hers the next year. My cushion is all but worn out. It's been living upstairs and been used and loved and cuddled on regularly. It's been fought over and toppled over and wrestled in. It's lived a good life.
My sister's chair, however, has known only the cold comfort of being covered in stuffed animals and clothes. Today, though, today that changed. We threw all the stuffed animals on the top bunk to be dealt with later, and then we ransacked the dresser drawers to make room for all her clothes, and then the DP and I moved her chair up to the living room to replace my much loved, much worn out papasan chair.
Someday, I will have a new cushion for my papasan chair and then it will be loved and cuddled once more. But until then, I'm going to fight off anyone who tries to sit in my sister's chair except me. Because her barely used cushion is not only a thing of beauty, but it is quite comfortable as well. I wish there was room for it in my dorm at school because you bet your boots that sucker would be making the two hour trip down to Moscow with me in January...
Today, however, was slightly different. And by that I mean we spent maybe around an hour going through my sister's dresser drawers and throwing out holey socks and underwear and also compiling quite a number of clothing items suitable for donation to Good Will. We also moved her papasan chair out of her room and into the living room.
I have to tell you, the first time I fell in love with papasan chairs, I was a little girl. My grandparents had a house in Washington, and we would visit every so often. It was my mother's parents' house. I remember that house had an intercom system TheKeeper and I thought was really cool. And I remember playing some Bible video game, I think it was called Exodus, and it used to be my uncles. And there was a Chinese Checkers board game that was missing pieces that we pretended to know how to play.
And the doorbell chimes, they were right in the wall if I remember correctly. Long, and silver, and they made such pretty noises when your hit them against each other. I also remember in the bathroom there was a small white porcelain boot with fake flowers on top of a white wicker bookshelf that sat crooked in one of the corners.
There was also blue carpet, but I don't remember much about it except that it was blue. And that I always think about it when I think about that house. And the squirrels. We would feed the squirrels from the dining room window out of a bag of peanuts that my grandpa always had.
I gave them names - there were two of them - but I can only remember that I assumed they were a boy and a girl. The girl was Roxie, and the boy I can't remember.
Anyway, back tot he chairs. My aunt still lived with my grandparents, I think. I was little, so I don't quite remember, but I'm pretty sure she still lived there. And in her room she had two of these amazing chairs. I'd never seen them before.
They were red. I think they had a floral pattern on them. And they were bowl shaped, perfect for curling up in. The cushions were so thick and comfortable! I could just sit in those chairs for hours. I was so little they just swallowed me up, but I loved them. I remember every time we went to Grandma and Grandpa's house I would want to sit in those chairs.
And since then, I've been obsessed with them.
I got my own for Christmas one year, and then I think my sister got hers the next year. My cushion is all but worn out. It's been living upstairs and been used and loved and cuddled on regularly. It's been fought over and toppled over and wrestled in. It's lived a good life.
My sister's chair, however, has known only the cold comfort of being covered in stuffed animals and clothes. Today, though, today that changed. We threw all the stuffed animals on the top bunk to be dealt with later, and then we ransacked the dresser drawers to make room for all her clothes, and then the DP and I moved her chair up to the living room to replace my much loved, much worn out papasan chair.
Someday, I will have a new cushion for my papasan chair and then it will be loved and cuddled once more. But until then, I'm going to fight off anyone who tries to sit in my sister's chair except me. Because her barely used cushion is not only a thing of beauty, but it is quite comfortable as well. I wish there was room for it in my dorm at school because you bet your boots that sucker would be making the two hour trip down to Moscow with me in January...
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Music To My Ears
You know, I was thinking today. In the car. I have a Christmas music playlist on my iPhone, and I have been listening to it almost nonstop since I created it. And I was thinking about all my favorite Christmas songs. Songs are like movies, you know, because everyone has their favorites.
I grew up with Alvin and Chipmunks' Christmas music. I still love them, but Prince Charming can't really stand them so I only get to listen to them when he's not around. Which is kind of sad, but at the same time I have loads upon loads of other really good Christmas music to listen to as well.
My recently favorite new Christmas song is by Train. It's the one they've been playing in those coke commercials with the Santa and the snow globe and the playing with the gravity sort of fun times. And I've been listening to Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" while I dance around in the living room like a lovesick teenager all trying to be cool and everything. My sister thinks I'm nuts, but do you know how fun it is to just let go of all your cares and move your body around when there's no one to "impress"?
And then of course, there are the classics. Rudolph, Frosty, etc. But I've never really been a fan of those. I do love me some "Let It Snow" and "Winter Wonderland" though. Along with Jessica Simpson's "What Christmas Means To Me" (which is my favorite by her. That and her version of "Baby It's Cold Outside" with Nick).
Too bad they're not together anymore.
Anyway, I do love to listen to Silent Night, Away In A Manger, and songs of that sort too. They have more of a special meaning to me - you know, a way to keep Christ in Christmas and to remember what we are actually celebrating.
What are you favorite Christmas songs? What puts you into the Christmas Mood?
I grew up with Alvin and Chipmunks' Christmas music. I still love them, but Prince Charming can't really stand them so I only get to listen to them when he's not around. Which is kind of sad, but at the same time I have loads upon loads of other really good Christmas music to listen to as well.
My recently favorite new Christmas song is by Train. It's the one they've been playing in those coke commercials with the Santa and the snow globe and the playing with the gravity sort of fun times. And I've been listening to Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" while I dance around in the living room like a lovesick teenager all trying to be cool and everything. My sister thinks I'm nuts, but do you know how fun it is to just let go of all your cares and move your body around when there's no one to "impress"?
And then of course, there are the classics. Rudolph, Frosty, etc. But I've never really been a fan of those. I do love me some "Let It Snow" and "Winter Wonderland" though. Along with Jessica Simpson's "What Christmas Means To Me" (which is my favorite by her. That and her version of "Baby It's Cold Outside" with Nick).
Too bad they're not together anymore.
Anyway, I do love to listen to Silent Night, Away In A Manger, and songs of that sort too. They have more of a special meaning to me - you know, a way to keep Christ in Christmas and to remember what we are actually celebrating.
What are you favorite Christmas songs? What puts you into the Christmas Mood?
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Drink Of The Week: Raspberry Vanilla Tea
I am hooked on this drink. It's bad. I make it all the time, and I usually make it iced (but its delicious hot as well). I know you all think I'm crazy for drinking iced tea in the winter time, but for whatever reason I just like it better that way.
I also like my teas a little sweeter, so this drink can be pretty sweet, or not so sweet depending on your personal taste. Also, instead of the usual 16 oz size (or medium/grande depending on where you go) I usually drink this as a 20 oz drink. Teas are generally a lot cheaper than lattes, and also not as heavy to drink so I can drink more of it.
For a 20 oz Raspberry Vanilla Iced Tea here's how it goes:
1 oz vanilla syrup
.5 oz raspberry syrup
steeped Stash brand wild raspberry tea
ice (to liking)
If I make this drink hot, I add about a quarter inch steamed 2% on top. I tried it with soy, but ultimately didn't like how that turned out. I'm going to assume that skim milk would function about the same as 2%, so if you're into the white water then have at it. :)
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Procrastinating? Not Me!
Oh but do you just know how difficult it is to avoid focusing on that one thing that you know you should be doing right now, but oh, but wouldn't you just rather skim blogs and facebook instead? And then, inevitably, reading your favorite bloggers past blog posts and reveling in her extreme wit while wishing that you could only ever write half as interesting of blog posts as her, you are overcome with the need to write your own blog post albeit the fact that you feel as though you have absolutely nothing to write about?
I could tell you that yesterday I visited for about three minutes tops with my printmaking instructor to show her my framed piece of artwork that I almost thought was doomed and then saved again and then doomed again all to have my lovely father zoom down to Moscow with his trusty power tools and help me get this thing fixed for good-sies. She told me I have a B in printmaking for the semester. I earned it, I believe. And I'm happy with that grade.
And then in all of my hungry B earning glory, I called my mother. She was with my daddy and on their way to Las Vegas for a something or other something to do with work. They were about to head through the security checkpoint at the airport, so we hung up and I got a raspberry iced tea and fiber one bar (the chocolate kind!) to tide me over.
I took my tea, my snack bar, and my frame back to my room where I proceeded to study for my art theory/history exam that was to take place at 3 that afternoon. My art theory/history class is most definitely the toughest class that I am taking this semester. There's just something about art theory and history that makes me want to shoot myself in the face and possibly lock myself in a corner huddled on the floor whimpering.
And just about the time that I had started to look at all the pictures I needed to have memorized (artist, style, date, title of work, etc) my brother texted me! And can't I just tell you all how very much I love my brother? He is a giant dork. And also one of my very people. He texted me asking if I wanted a Blu Ray copy of Despicable Me.
Uhmm, yes please! You don't even have to ask.
And right after my phone relayed the good news back to TheKeeper that yes-indeed-that-sucker-is-mine, my fingers called attention to the good Prince Charming, who was delighted that I was happy even though he's not a fan of the Despicable Me (and what am I going to do with him anyways? Not liking Despicable Me! Humph).
Then three o'clock rolled around and I had done just about all of the studying I could do, but for this class it is never enough! Never enough I tell you. And somehow I always seem to study the wrong things. Things I think are not important somehow always are and then things I think are very important for some reason never even get mentioned. Oh the luck I have. Seriously. So I decided to study the things I thought were not important as well as the things that I thought were (just in case!) And then, I left to take my test.
Six slides of pictures, fifteen multiple choice questions (plus one bonus) and then five short answer/essay questions (plus a bonus as well). We only get fifty minutes for this test and I almost never get all the essays completed. So that makes five out of six essays answered, and that's usually not too bad.
But I always feel ridiculous when I can't answer an essay question! But oh how these are the most difficult essay questions on the face of earth! Always asking you about these people, and what these people did, and how these people influenced the Bauhaus or Modernity, or did they use modernity in their artwork? And people! People, that is all loaded into one essay question! My brain! It just melts you see. There's nothing I can do about it!
And when I arrived in class, it was three minutes before the test was supposed to start, just me and my black pen. And oh, but there was no where to sit! So I just stood in the corner forlornly looking out at my usual classroom area code and wishing upon wishing that I'd arrived sooner. Until the guy that I usually sit next to took pity on my pathetic staring and decided to share his table with me. I breathed a sigh of relief and settled in for the long haul, but folks, let's just say these kinds of exams are exhausting.
To be sure, also, I am taking another art theory class next semester! With the same professor! Oh how these difficult tests just haunt me, they really do. I feel like I will never escape!
Then, to relax, after I was finished I walked to Prince Charming's room whereupon I found him playing video games and being grouchy at the fact that he was hungry. It involved, but was not limited to, him being angry at the video game, me talking to other people, me being bored, me doing laundry, and then we ate dinner and Princey held my hand.
Now, I'm by myself in my dorm room procrastinating on my Ed 302 take home final because I find it of utmost irrelevance and completely irritating to say the least. But, on the flip side, if I get it done today that means I can turn it in tomorrow after my math final and that in turn means that I get to go home. And when I go home I will get to be introduced to Prince Charming's parents' new white German Shepard puppy dog named Olive who is just about the cutest thing ever.
Now, if only I could find my motivation...
I could tell you that yesterday I visited for about three minutes tops with my printmaking instructor to show her my framed piece of artwork that I almost thought was doomed and then saved again and then doomed again all to have my lovely father zoom down to Moscow with his trusty power tools and help me get this thing fixed for good-sies. She told me I have a B in printmaking for the semester. I earned it, I believe. And I'm happy with that grade.
And then in all of my hungry B earning glory, I called my mother. She was with my daddy and on their way to Las Vegas for a something or other something to do with work. They were about to head through the security checkpoint at the airport, so we hung up and I got a raspberry iced tea and fiber one bar (the chocolate kind!) to tide me over.
I took my tea, my snack bar, and my frame back to my room where I proceeded to study for my art theory/history exam that was to take place at 3 that afternoon. My art theory/history class is most definitely the toughest class that I am taking this semester. There's just something about art theory and history that makes me want to shoot myself in the face and possibly lock myself in a corner huddled on the floor whimpering.
And just about the time that I had started to look at all the pictures I needed to have memorized (artist, style, date, title of work, etc) my brother texted me! And can't I just tell you all how very much I love my brother? He is a giant dork. And also one of my very people. He texted me asking if I wanted a Blu Ray copy of Despicable Me.
Uhmm, yes please! You don't even have to ask.
And right after my phone relayed the good news back to TheKeeper that yes-indeed-that-sucker-is-mine, my fingers called attention to the good Prince Charming, who was delighted that I was happy even though he's not a fan of the Despicable Me (and what am I going to do with him anyways? Not liking Despicable Me! Humph).
Then three o'clock rolled around and I had done just about all of the studying I could do, but for this class it is never enough! Never enough I tell you. And somehow I always seem to study the wrong things. Things I think are not important somehow always are and then things I think are very important for some reason never even get mentioned. Oh the luck I have. Seriously. So I decided to study the things I thought were not important as well as the things that I thought were (just in case!) And then, I left to take my test.
Six slides of pictures, fifteen multiple choice questions (plus one bonus) and then five short answer/essay questions (plus a bonus as well). We only get fifty minutes for this test and I almost never get all the essays completed. So that makes five out of six essays answered, and that's usually not too bad.
But I always feel ridiculous when I can't answer an essay question! But oh how these are the most difficult essay questions on the face of earth! Always asking you about these people, and what these people did, and how these people influenced the Bauhaus or Modernity, or did they use modernity in their artwork? And people! People, that is all loaded into one essay question! My brain! It just melts you see. There's nothing I can do about it!
And when I arrived in class, it was three minutes before the test was supposed to start, just me and my black pen. And oh, but there was no where to sit! So I just stood in the corner forlornly looking out at my usual classroom area code and wishing upon wishing that I'd arrived sooner. Until the guy that I usually sit next to took pity on my pathetic staring and decided to share his table with me. I breathed a sigh of relief and settled in for the long haul, but folks, let's just say these kinds of exams are exhausting.
To be sure, also, I am taking another art theory class next semester! With the same professor! Oh how these difficult tests just haunt me, they really do. I feel like I will never escape!
Then, to relax, after I was finished I walked to Prince Charming's room whereupon I found him playing video games and being grouchy at the fact that he was hungry. It involved, but was not limited to, him being angry at the video game, me talking to other people, me being bored, me doing laundry, and then we ate dinner and Princey held my hand.
Now, I'm by myself in my dorm room procrastinating on my Ed 302 take home final because I find it of utmost irrelevance and completely irritating to say the least. But, on the flip side, if I get it done today that means I can turn it in tomorrow after my math final and that in turn means that I get to go home. And when I go home I will get to be introduced to Prince Charming's parents' new white German Shepard puppy dog named Olive who is just about the cutest thing ever.
Now, if only I could find my motivation...
Monday, December 13, 2010
My Four Legged Companion
This is my puppy. I love her, but she is one dumb animal. Good thing she's cute :)
Check out more animal "pet" photos at IHeartFaces!
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Drink Of The Week: Eggnog Chai
16 oz Eggnog Chai
1.5 oz Monin Chai concentrated tea (or to taste)
14.5 oz steamed eggnog (eggnog always expands when you steam it, so always use just a little less)
Mix together and enjoy!
Now let me just tell you that I am not a big fan of Chai teas. The brand we used when I worked for campus dining was Tazo, which is a pretty weak chai. We would fill the cup a third of the way full with chai and the rest with milk and then we would steam it together - and I was just never really into how that tasted. Bleck.
But when I signed on with Sisters and they brought Monin brand chai in, I was really hesitant to jump on the chai bandwagon. But Monin is a concentrated chai tea, so it takes a lot of it to be stronger than the Tazo chai that I previously used.
Texas, the younger of the Sisters, talked me into trying a little bit of chai with my steamed soy milk. I was reluctant to admit that it wasn't terrible. So when eggnog season rolled around, I'd heard all of this hype about how eggnog chais are delicious. My plain steamed eggnog just wasn't cutting it anymore, but I don't like the taste of espresso, so I quickly negated the idea of an eggnog latte. Maybe that drink is for some of you out there, but it's definitely not for me.
Anyway, I decided to mix the chai in with my eggnog to see what happened. And it was glorious. I'm telling you, it adds just a little bit of spice to an already flavorful drink without overpowering the eggnog. It's really the best of both drinks.
And my love affair with eggnog was not always as deeply rooted as it is now. It took me about 18 years to decide that I actually liked the stuff. When I was little I couldn't even choke down one swallow. It's funny how your tastes change over the years isn't it?
So anyway, my advice would be to just take a leap of faith and try an eggnog chai before winter is over!
Friday, December 10, 2010
The Amazing DP
Do you know that TheKeeper turns 18 this month? And TheMechanic turns...fifteen? And my sister, The lovely DP, she's 13 now? I would just like to throw this out there...when did this happen?
I mean, it's less of a shock to me that TheKeeper will be old enough to vote because he really is so close to my own age and it's been like that since I can remember...since we're only two years apart. TheMechanic, well in my mind he will always be thirteen-ish. I'm not sure why that age sticks with me, but that's how I always picture him even though currently he is about six feet tall and has a driving permit.
But the one that just amazes me the most has got to be my sister. Seven years my junior, she is turning into a beautiful lady. I mean, when I think about my sister I always picture this:
And now, just look at how pretty is! I mean, she is her own person. She goes to friends' houses, she goes to school, she has her own thoughts and opinions about things... She wears make-up, for crying out loud!
I still see her as a seven year old girl though. She's not allowed to grow up.
Seriously? When did this happen?
And it makes me wonder...if I feel this way about my sister, what will I be like when I have my own kids?
I mean, it's less of a shock to me that TheKeeper will be old enough to vote because he really is so close to my own age and it's been like that since I can remember...since we're only two years apart. TheMechanic, well in my mind he will always be thirteen-ish. I'm not sure why that age sticks with me, but that's how I always picture him even though currently he is about six feet tall and has a driving permit.
But the one that just amazes me the most has got to be my sister. Seven years my junior, she is turning into a beautiful lady. I mean, when I think about my sister I always picture this:
(The DP with her daddy and great uncle)
And now, just look at how pretty is! I mean, she is her own person. She goes to friends' houses, she goes to school, she has her own thoughts and opinions about things... She wears make-up, for crying out loud!
I still see her as a seven year old girl though. She's not allowed to grow up.
(march 2010)
Seriously? When did this happen?
And it makes me wonder...if I feel this way about my sister, what will I be like when I have my own kids?
Thursday, December 9, 2010
On Imagination
*mamakat's writer's workshop: Enchanted*
I remember when I was little I thought winter was awesome. I made pretend that our house was a cabin in the woods while I sipped my hot chocolate by the fire place and looked out the window into the backyard.
I had a broad imagination as a child, to say the least. I loved to pretend that my house was a ranch. I often thought I was Laura Ingalls Wilder as a little girl. She was my favorite! And I wanted to have animals and adventures just like Laura.
In the snowy confines of my back yard I would stamp little paths leading here and there to ride my imaginary horses around on. Each of them had a name and was a special breed. All of my horses were 17 hands high because I believed that all horses should be very tall. The tallest horses were the prettiest. I was enamored with Arabian horses, but Clydesdales were my absolute favorite. I loved the feathering detail on their feet, their enormous size, and how pretty they looked as a general rule. I knew Clydesdales were draft horses, and usually their work on a farm was to pull wagons and sleighs, but oh how I just wanted to ride one!
The front yard of the house I grew up in had a ditch in the front that ran around the corner of the yard, all along the street. That ditch is where my brother learned to ride a bike, where I taught myself how to do a back bend by placing my hands higher up than my feet. It was a place to sit and talk with friends in the summer time and our own personal sledding hill in the winter.
In my Laura persona, I would go to garage and pull out my sled into the front yard. Then I would go around back and my imaginary horse to pull me around. Mostly my horse just pulled me down our little ditch-hill. Once we had sledded enough times though, we got brave and started to stand on our sleds.
We pretended that instead of horse sleighs, our sleds were now snowboards! Ah!
We were professionals, you see. But of course, why wouldn't we be? And we would race down our pathetically tiny excuse of a mountainous hill. We would sled and sled and sled and build snowmen and snow-women with eight boobs but no carrot noses. We would play outside until it got late, with only the yellow glow of the house lights and the one street lamp to illuminate our playing field.
I do miss being little and not having to worry about paychecks and text books, passing final exams, getting good grades, relationships, and being clean. I miss being able to stay out until nine o'clock (oh wow how late!) sledding in the front yard after dinner. I like being a grown up now, but I do miss being a little kid. Maybe that's why all my artwork is very childish, you think?
I remember when I was little I thought winter was awesome. I made pretend that our house was a cabin in the woods while I sipped my hot chocolate by the fire place and looked out the window into the backyard.
I had a broad imagination as a child, to say the least. I loved to pretend that my house was a ranch. I often thought I was Laura Ingalls Wilder as a little girl. She was my favorite! And I wanted to have animals and adventures just like Laura.
In the snowy confines of my back yard I would stamp little paths leading here and there to ride my imaginary horses around on. Each of them had a name and was a special breed. All of my horses were 17 hands high because I believed that all horses should be very tall. The tallest horses were the prettiest. I was enamored with Arabian horses, but Clydesdales were my absolute favorite. I loved the feathering detail on their feet, their enormous size, and how pretty they looked as a general rule. I knew Clydesdales were draft horses, and usually their work on a farm was to pull wagons and sleighs, but oh how I just wanted to ride one!
The front yard of the house I grew up in had a ditch in the front that ran around the corner of the yard, all along the street. That ditch is where my brother learned to ride a bike, where I taught myself how to do a back bend by placing my hands higher up than my feet. It was a place to sit and talk with friends in the summer time and our own personal sledding hill in the winter.
In my Laura persona, I would go to garage and pull out my sled into the front yard. Then I would go around back and my imaginary horse to pull me around. Mostly my horse just pulled me down our little ditch-hill. Once we had sledded enough times though, we got brave and started to stand on our sleds.
We pretended that instead of horse sleighs, our sleds were now snowboards! Ah!
We were professionals, you see. But of course, why wouldn't we be? And we would race down our pathetically tiny excuse of a mountainous hill. We would sled and sled and sled and build snowmen and snow-women with eight boobs but no carrot noses. We would play outside until it got late, with only the yellow glow of the house lights and the one street lamp to illuminate our playing field.
I do miss being little and not having to worry about paychecks and text books, passing final exams, getting good grades, relationships, and being clean. I miss being able to stay out until nine o'clock (oh wow how late!) sledding in the front yard after dinner. I like being a grown up now, but I do miss being a little kid. Maybe that's why all my artwork is very childish, you think?
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Christmas Entertainment?
Every year for as long as I can remember I have watched the movie A Christmas Story while it played for 24 hours on television. We own a copy of the movie, I believe in VHS format as well as DVD. It's my dad's favorite Christmas movie and we know all of the quotes.
Prince Charming's family is all about the National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (spare me!). But you know, to each their own.
I love to watch White Christmas (We'll follow the old man wherever he wants to go, as long as he wants to go...) however, the Sister's act is my favorite.
Others of my favorite Christmas movie watch list are The Grinch (With Jim Carrey), Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (Burger Meister Meister Burger!!), Frosty the Snowman, and you know, the funny and hilariously corny Christmas movies on the Hallmark channel are always a blast to make fun of as well.
But I have to tell you, I have to. I mean, I just can't not tell you! My favorite, absolute favoritey favorite Christmas movie is The Santa Clause with Tim Allen. Hands down. No competition. I love that movie. Love, love, love, love.
What's your favorite Christmas movie? The must-watch on your to Christmas to-do list?
Prince Charming's family is all about the National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (spare me!). But you know, to each their own.
I love to watch White Christmas (We'll follow the old man wherever he wants to go, as long as he wants to go...) however, the Sister's act is my favorite.
Others of my favorite Christmas movie watch list are The Grinch (With Jim Carrey), Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (Burger Meister Meister Burger!!), Frosty the Snowman, and you know, the funny and hilariously corny Christmas movies on the Hallmark channel are always a blast to make fun of as well.
But I have to tell you, I have to. I mean, I just can't not tell you! My favorite, absolute favoritey favorite Christmas movie is The Santa Clause with Tim Allen. Hands down. No competition. I love that movie. Love, love, love, love.
What's your favorite Christmas movie? The must-watch on your to Christmas to-do list?
Monday, December 6, 2010
Funk
Today has been emotionally draining.
After I cleaned up all of my suite mate's crap and dirty clothes that she likes to leave as presents for other people to move, there was the obvious confrontation. It's not my job to pick up her stuff. I shouldn't have to ask her to do it. Everyone else manages to keep their stuff in their rooms.
She was defensive, naturally. Making like it was a ridiculous request to wish for a clean living room, and laughing at me about it. Things were said and done from both parties that shouldn't have - but such are the consequences of high emotions. Tears over my chicken ceaser salad with craisins. What's not to love? The conflict is still not totally resolved and I think it will be a little while before all the awkwardness is behind us, but honestly I'm tired of putting up with her bras displayed for everyone to see upon entering our suite. And I'm not the only one.
And then after dinner I teased Prince Charming a little more than he was willing to take, so an argument ensued followed by my running away to the local coffee shop for an hour. Apologies were made, forgiveness was granted, and Wendy's was purchased as a late night snack.
I still have some homework to do, but you know when you're just in too much of a funk to focus on anything and you just won't be okay until you've written everything out? That's how I feel at this very moment. My mind is just teaming with thoughts about various things that happened - almost none of which I am happy about except that the living room is finally clean. Although only God knows how long it will stay that way.
It's like today is just a bad day. You have those every once in while - everyone does. Like, even if not everything was horrible, it just feels like it was. Like nothing went entirely the way it was supposed to and at the end of the day you're just in this mood that you can't really describe and have no cure for.
Usually what helps with days like today is soft cuddles and someone to tell me that I'm really not a bad or horrible person, but I haven't got either of those today. Maybe tomorrow will be better, you think?
After I cleaned up all of my suite mate's crap and dirty clothes that she likes to leave as presents for other people to move, there was the obvious confrontation. It's not my job to pick up her stuff. I shouldn't have to ask her to do it. Everyone else manages to keep their stuff in their rooms.
She was defensive, naturally. Making like it was a ridiculous request to wish for a clean living room, and laughing at me about it. Things were said and done from both parties that shouldn't have - but such are the consequences of high emotions. Tears over my chicken ceaser salad with craisins. What's not to love? The conflict is still not totally resolved and I think it will be a little while before all the awkwardness is behind us, but honestly I'm tired of putting up with her bras displayed for everyone to see upon entering our suite. And I'm not the only one.
And then after dinner I teased Prince Charming a little more than he was willing to take, so an argument ensued followed by my running away to the local coffee shop for an hour. Apologies were made, forgiveness was granted, and Wendy's was purchased as a late night snack.
I still have some homework to do, but you know when you're just in too much of a funk to focus on anything and you just won't be okay until you've written everything out? That's how I feel at this very moment. My mind is just teaming with thoughts about various things that happened - almost none of which I am happy about except that the living room is finally clean. Although only God knows how long it will stay that way.
It's like today is just a bad day. You have those every once in while - everyone does. Like, even if not everything was horrible, it just feels like it was. Like nothing went entirely the way it was supposed to and at the end of the day you're just in this mood that you can't really describe and have no cure for.
Usually what helps with days like today is soft cuddles and someone to tell me that I'm really not a bad or horrible person, but I haven't got either of those today. Maybe tomorrow will be better, you think?
Winter
I'm so done with school. I can't wait for finals week to be over so I can go home.
The fact that it gets dark at 4:30 in the afternoon doesn't help either.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Drink Of The Week: Peppermint White Chocolate
16 oz
2 pumps white chocolate syrup
2 pumps peppermint syrup
2 shots of espresso (optional)
steamed milk (my favorite is soy)
top with whip cream and crushed candy cane sprinkles (if desired)
This drink is super popular with a lot of my clients lately. (I think is has something to do with all the snow on the ground and the fact that it's now December, but that's just a guess.) But anyway, Friday morning we made at least seven of these in a row.
White chocolate can get a little sweet, so if you're not up for that you can replace it with regular dark or milk chocolate, or you can ask for less flavor to still taste the chocolate but not as sweetly.
(image via google search)
Thursday, December 2, 2010
On Love
Today Prince Charming had a bit of a crazy meltdown. I'll spare you the gory details, but in my attempt to console him, I did what every girlfriend should do and told him that I loved him.
He stopped and looked at me and flatly asked me, "Why!? I'm crazy."
And well, what do you say when someone asks you why you love them? It could be because he's a kind, caring, and genuinely loving person...who can be a bit a emotional (the way all artists are) and a bit bipolar (the way all normal people are) but who still has a good heart. He just spends a lot of time being stressed.
"Because..." I started slow, thinking of just what to say to him, "Princey," I said, "Princey, do you know something?"
"No...what?"
"Everybody is flawed. There is not one person in all of God's green earth who is perfect, and if you are looking for perfection you're never going to find it. You can meet somebody who's nice, but you don't really know them. Once you spend a few years with a person you find out that they're completely nuts. And how can you have a real honest to goodness relationship with someone if you don't know just how crazy they are?"
And then we went into WinCo and bought Oreos and milk.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
