Happy Kiwi Christmas!

Here in NZ it's actually no longer christmas, it's boxing day. Which is the day after Christmas (hello captain obvious). We just heard on the radio that its gets its name from a tradition in the old days where the rich people would box up gifts for the poor people the day after christmas. Intereting huh?

I spent christmas in The Sand House....which was literally in a sand trap on the end of a spit in Otago Harbour, Dunedin - south island NZ. The road to get there was out during high tide: it was the definition of remote. And awesome! on one side of the house is the harbour where we dug for "cockles" (or clams in American [real] English) and on the other side was the open ocean. The passage through to the harbour was scary small on the map and looked impossible to get through without hitting bottom. But big cruise ships got in just fine. Digging for cockles was some serious fun....though I wished it had been more challenging. The organism we were up against wasn't exactly trying to escape. A struggle would have been nice, but we managed to still have fun and boil us up some clams with both Christmas eve and christmas day dinners. Can't really ask for more than that.

Here are some photos from the Sand House and Christmas! I hope it's not too cold and snowy where you all, but if it is, have some hot cocoa and enjoy your company. I miss my family but got to skype with them today at the internet cafe. Mom, Dad, Ian, Grandma Myrna, and aunt Michele. So Merry Christmas! And I'll be seein' ya

Tavel compatibility

This is a tricky thing to manage....and critical to the success of your holiday. Being travel compatible just takes the hassel out of pretending you like being around someone, still, after a few weeks of close quarters. Which can be exhausting if you know what I mean. Pete and I are pretty compatible travelers. I bet we'll still drive each other mad at some point, but it's bad at all! For instance yesterday, the 23rd (cause we're just a little less than one full day ahead of the states) we wanted to go up the gondola to this hilltop where there are stunning views of Queenstown and the lakes. So we look it up in the guidebooks and discover, much to our sadistic delight, that there is a trail also! This does two things for us: (1) we save the $21 NZ that the ride up costs, and (2) we get in a workout. Woot woot. The trail was pretty steep and took us about 40 minutes (the guidebook said it would take an hour but we're speedy. Like a cheetah). Silly lazy tourists and their gondolas. Up at the top there was a luge ride...think longboard on wheels on a concrete path. If we hadn't of just lept off a bridge earlier that day, it would have looked daring and fun. But it just looked like hokey. We were too cool for the luge.
Shopping makes me happy. I know how materialistic and sad that sounds but it's the truth. I was feeling sad about missing the holidays with the ol' Kell Bell, Scotty, and Wade....I needed a pickmeup. Like a smoker needs a cigarette when anxious. I was in need. So I picked up a great little blue sun dress with a brown belt to match. and new cheap sunglasses. I still miss my fam and all, but I feel a little bit better now :)

you for bungee?

I don't know what's gotten into me! I bungee jumped today. and I didn't even scream! and I definitely did not "roll down the windows" like I used to off snowboarding jumps. If you don't know, thats where you move your arms in circular motions at about hip height. I am notorious for that when boarding. Pete thought for sure I would but I surprised us both. It was easier than I thought. While the guys were strapping me into the harness they were asking me the usual questions: where are you from, what do you do? that sort of stuff. Then one of the Kiwi's said, "do you use crest?" While I'm preparing myself to jump off a 140ft bridge, the man wants to know what brand of toothpaste I use. It took me a little while to answer him....why yes. Yes I do use crest. Why? They don't have crest in NZ and he thought I had pretty teeth. I think that this little exchange of words really calmed me down and distracted me from the scene below my feet standing on the edge of a platform. I waved to the camera, and then swan-dove off the bidge. Where we jumped from is one of the most famous bungee's in the world and is the first bungee site on earth. It was the most exciting thing I've ever done! and again, I didn't scream.

While on this trip I've read a few books, the lastest being "City of Thieves" - it's about Russia in WWII. These two boys get sent on an mission to find eggs. Anyway, here's a passage I liked
"Heroes and fast sleepers, they can switch off their thoughts when necessary. Cowards and insomniacs, my people, are plagued by babble on the brain. WHen I stepped out of the door, I thought, I am standing in the front yard of a farmhouse outside Berezovka and partisans are pointing their rigles at my head."
At the face of death, Lev narrating his life, something I find myself doing damn near constantly. I wonder, if I were facing a bullet (or a 140ft ledge), would I say to myself: (a) "you're about to die" or (b) and the sun gleamed off of the rifle like glitter, showering me in light." ....I'd put money on (b)

glaciers in a rainforest

FYI if you're reading my blog posts: I absolutely suck at spelling. It's something Pete and I both blame on our elementry school. So if I misspell something, please forgive me and don't get all upity and judgy-mentally on me. Thanks a mil
So now it's just Pete and I in the ol' campervan. We dropped heather off on the 21st and headed across the country to the westside. This part of the south island is under-populated and notoriously blustery and rainy. But for Pete and I there was barely a cloud in the sky! The drive over Arthur's pass was easy (though we got scary close to running out of gas) and we made great time to Franz Joseph glacier. This glacier sits in a mountain range that's close to the ocean and in a rainforest (or at least part of the forest is a rainforest). After a 45 minute walk up the glacier's old path and left-behind debris, we saw her close up. It was awesome! Pete had a great joke..."that glacier sure is cool. ha...get it? cool?" yeah pete, just about as cool as you.
We stayed the night in Franz Joseph village that night.
Every morning we have yogurt & muslei (like granola) topped with banana. It's delic. After brecki (the Kiwi's shorten everything and then end it with an "ie" sound) I went for a run in the direction of the next glacier, Fox. Pete picked me up about 40 minutes later. I had a great run too! One of those where your legs feel like they can carry you over the hills and through the woods. Fox glacier wasn't as impressive but still a great sight. I took pics and will post them on FB for ya'll.
After driving all day, we've made it to Queenstown. I may never leave. it's like Chelan on steriods. The town is resort-ish but, like all Kiwi towns, overly friendly and eager to help. The lake it surrounds is a deep blue. Which is in contrast to the other lakes we've seen that are glacier-fed and a turquise color. Gorg (goreous).
In order to stay close to town we've payed to say in a "holiday park" that has SHOWERS!!

Let me tell you about the travel sitch (situation). Our campervan has a bench that becomes a bed, a sink, a cooler/fridge, and plates/bowls/flatware. It does not come with a shower or a bathroom. Most times we go a few days without a shower. Something that makes me think of my friend Natalie and her aversion to showers ;) We've all practically salivated at the sight of a showerhead, even if it's outside on a beach with the wind blowing. For the most part it's ok but when you go for a run and sweat all over yourself, you'll begin to smell. Today in the campervan I smelled. but now I've showered and am as clean as I get!
Tomorrow we're doing something scary. (hi Mom!) Now it's time to enjoy the sunshine before dinner. To be continued....

Mt

Jan 15th, 9:35pm: landed in Christchurch after traveling for over a day. 

Jan.16th: hung out until VAustralia released my hostige bag. On the beach. Went south to Timaru. 

Jan. 17th: sun bathed, ran, ate in Timaru, headed west and UP to the mountains and Lake Tekapo. It's beautiful! The water is a turquiose color from the sediment of the glacier run off. 

Jan 18th: wake up in Lake Tekapo and head to Mt. Cook....this is where things got interesting/blog worthy. 

Our "hopefully clear" day turned out to be the beginning of a nasty storm. We woke up kinda late after a terrible night's sleep (due to the rain and wind threatening to knock over our campervan). We headed out Mt. Cook village, an hour or so drive away. Past another blue lake, Pakaki, the wind really picked up and the lake's waves looked like ocean swells. Nothing deterred us. 

Mt. Cook was shrouded by cloud cover much to our disappointment. But we drove through the wind to the villiage and straight to the Hooker Valley trail head (note, the name "Hooker valley" sperred many jokes from Pete about him getting to experience Heather and I in our natural habitats. Hardy har.) The mountains seemed to sprout up from the plain in brute fashion, like only young mountains can. 

With the wind theatening to lift the van off her wheels, Pete said, "well, I'm still up for it." heather and i exchanged glances of dismay. I wasn't convinced but when Pete saw us hesitate, his disappointed face was enough to turn me. I agreed to climb in the wind and the rain...did I mention it was raining? No? Well it was. Through the rain and the gale-force winds, I agreed and Heather wouldn't be left behind so we started to layer up. 

The three hour hike that should have taken us 2 to 2.5 took 3.5 hours. We're all in good shape. We're "I take the stairs two at a time" people. "you walk fast" people. And we could barely step....no scratch that. We stopped dead in our tracks by the wind. It howled. We could hear it coming. Singing down the river valley, bouncing off the canyon walls and cherendo-ing as it got closer. Like a steam engine warning you of approaching danger, it sounded. When it hit, it was enough to knock us over. It didn't come alone either. Like smoke, the wind whipped up the water below, bringing it into the air and hurling it at us. We looked like Al Roker Standing on the gulf coast during a hurricane. I didn't know what to do but laugh. 

After the second suspension bridge, it got worse. It blew us off of the boardwalk and into the grass. We had to hang on to rocks and bushes because we were being blown off our feet. The trail led to an alpine lake and glacier dam. We knew when we were close because the airbourne water shot up from beyond a hill so high it looked like a small burn site had recently been extinguished. Unfortunately, we were right. 

As we crested the hill I got the full force of the wind and had to hunker down. Holding onto a boulder I pulled my raincoat over my head and waited for the water to hit. It pelted the one spot of exposed back. It blew for what seemed like forever so hard that I couldn't move. When it gave up (a little) I was able to see the lake. It was worth it. At the close end were icebergs. At the far end was a glacier. God it was gorgeous. Mt Cook still eluded us but the site was gorgeous. 

On the way back, on the first suspension bridge we came to, was the scariest part. I heard the wind coming and barely got to the handrail when it hit. It swung the bridge back and forth, leaving heather and I to cling to the railings. Once it past we were able to scurry to the other side. 

But once again, worth it. I'm all out of time and money. for now :) 

windy

and that's an understatement! We've been camping and therefore away from from the interwebs (as my friend Kelly S. calls it). We ran into some 60-70 MPH winds and rain while hiking around Mt. Cook ( NZ's tallest mountain). It was insanity. I'll write more about it later because I only have like 3 minutes remaining until I have to pay more. In most places, the interwebs is cheap...but not here! It's $2 for 20 minutes. That's expensive! 

I'm sad I missed the GU v. Duke game, but I guess it's okay. I spend last night camped on a beach. Can't get much better than that. After my morning run along the beach, I got to sun bathe. :) Well, I'm off to shop for sheepskins and Maori woodcarvings. I promise to write again soon and I'm sorry that this hasn't been more entertaining! but there are like 2 weeks and few days to go so look for more posts!! 

good'ay mate!

I've decided that the Australian/New Zealand accent is really hard to understand! I had to ask the lady bougarting my bags to slow down like 5 times today on the phone! (PS: bags got here around noon in perfect condition...though I was secretly wishing for an India-repeat and discover my camera had gone missing since it's terribly scratched up. And no Mom, I don't need to know that I don't take good care of my stuff. I'm aware.) While we were waiting for the bag, we hit the beach for a workout! Heather went running while Pete and I did a functional workout circa his college football days. It was tough! Quite frankly, it was just nice to move around a bit. Sitting for over a day is draining. Needless to say, I slept well.
Now we're in Timaru (Tim-aa-roooo) which is south of Christchurch a few hours. Another coastal town. We had pub food for dinner. Delic. Tomorrow we're going to get up leisurely: breakfast and a run along the boardwalk, before heading up to some alpine lakes. We're planning a short hike there and will spend the night in our rockin' campervan up there. (pictures of said rockin' campervan to follow when I remember camera). The day after next we're going to go on a day-long hike to some more lakes and views of Mt. Cook. So excited! I'll post later when we've come down from the mountains. nighty night!!

two feet in New Zealand

 Monday didn't exist for me

Well I made it! Left LA sunday the 13th at 11pm, and arrived in Melbourne Australia at 9:00am tuesday morning. The first thing I thought about after discovering that I had no monday this week was, should I take two of my "daily" pills or just one? I mean, my body didn't experience a time-warp, but my calendar did. So I took two just to be on the safe side....that was a really random aside. 

Most importantly, I'm here and I'm safe. Only one more flight to go! I'm in Auckland, the tip of the north island, and flying to Christchurch which is the middle of the south island. About an hour flight. 

Even more importantly, I officially have bad travel juju/karma. Second international fight in 6 months and second time the airlines have mystically lost my baggage. F.M.L. Yes, I'm complaining. Yes I realize that I should just revel in the fact that I'm in New Zealand and being bagless shouldn't bother me. But that bag has my sleeping bag! How am I supposed to sleep in a campervan with two other people and no sleeping bag???  looks like Heather and Pete get to cuddle with me tonight :) It's okay, I'm a really good spooner. Supposedly they're sending the bag to Christchurch first thing in the morning. I just hope it gets there soon and I don't inconvenience Pete and Heather too badly. Well there are others waiting for the computers so I should go.

From the Devil I got final exams for Christmas

So I got a few of my personality traits from Satan.....eveyone did. But not everyone gets my upcoming special little Christmas gift from the King of Hell himself: law school finals. They're special and make me want to commit both homicide and suicide all at the same time. (ok maybe that's a teensy bit over-dramatic. Just a smidge.)
My next posts probably wont be till I get my trip underway. But this will be my travel blog! So the travel blog will be back!!!! Right Here!!!! woohoo.

Since I am standing on the edge of the cliff, finals start on Monday, I'm going to venture to guess that I won't have time to blog a whole lot. It's sad I know. Just so you have an idea of what my week looks like, here is a tentative schedule of what I usually go through:

midnight: still awake because the issues of either evidence, trademark, tax, secured transactions, or international aw are dancing a slow waltz in my head
2am: wake up and roll over
5am: wake up and wonder if I should just give up the fight...
6am: just as I'm falling back asleep the alarm/bad radio music begins to serenade me out of the jumbled mess I've made of my sheets
7am: out of the house and to either a coffee shop or the library....depending on if I have a 9am final, or a noon final
study until I can no longer see
take my notes to the gym and read while running. Running = an attempt to run away from reality. Reality has always won but someday I think I'll catch him sleepin' on the job... That or I'll fall off the treadmill trying to read and run.
finals from either 9-12, 1:30 - 4:30, or 6-9PM. fastest. 3. hours. ever.
finish with one subject and pick up another
7pm: eat if I can swallow
9pm: get a second wind and walk around the house talking to myself about the topic of the moment
10pm: give up because once again my vision has called it a day and I can no longer see.
aaannnnnndddddddd REPEAT

......once again.......just a smidge of an over-exaggeration. And fit a few GU basketball games somewhere in there which I'll watch while running. It's really bad, but it's not a terrible, horrible death.
Every semester when finals are done and I'm finished with classes, a few things always happen to me. Like a really twisted tradition: my shoulders which have seemingly attached themselves to my ears, relax. My body slows down, like slow motion and I feel like weak as if I've just recovered from the flu. My immune system crashes and I get a cold (at the very best. Strep throat at the very worst). and I cry - Out of exhaustion, happiness, and relief that I've made it and can again live! (like Sid from Ice Age: "I choose life.") And then I have a date with Jack Daniels :)

So that's what I'm facing and I'm super duper pumped about it!! :) I'm being over-dramatic. But if you ever have a bad thought about a lawyer, remember this post. They might be a complete worthless ass because this process stole their soul and then ran it through a shredder.

That is all.

I can't lie

So I'm sitting here in the library like a good little law student (weird) and procrastinating both the rest of my practice quiz and the gym. All at the same time! I know....it's a talent. I got it from Satan. Right along with my lack of compassion for others. Where was I? Oh right....about last night.

Last night my friend Pat had a pre-thanksgiving Thanksgiving dinner/get together. I was super excited because this guy that I have a huge school-girl esque crush on was there. We shall call him Body. Since his is fabulous and I don't want to disclose names. So I was standing with my usual gaggle of girlfriends by the door when he came in. The minute I saw him I smiled and got the door for him. I'm amazingly un-coodinated and awkward around guys I like. That's like the sign that I like you - If I'm charming...I'm just not that into you. So I turn back to my group of girls and they're all laughing and whispering. Girls....mean. Natalie turns to me and says, "way to be obvious that you're in love with Body! Your face just lit up when he came in and your eyes got all sparklie!" I tried to be like all, "nuh-ah" but I was caught. I'm smitten...leave me alone! All of this was just funny until Jenn added, "Linds can't hide anything. It's like your face is an open book. Though most of the time I notice your facial expression because you're judging someone. Which is funny to watch you do!" Again, I have no response that saves me from this little nugget of truth. I've never been a good liar. And I've always been a tad on the judgmental side. I think that this part of my personality should be coveted though! As a girlfriend, I'll never tell you that you look cute or skinny when you don't! Friends don't let friends out of the house looking ugly. duh. I don't judge my friends....usually. Mostly its silent judgment and it's directed at people I don't know! I fail to see how this is a bad thing. (deny deny deny) Another thing this may stem from is my dislike for fake people. I'd rather you ignore me than say hi when you don't want to. I'll ignore you too and it'll be all good!
Later in the night one of the crossfit members (crossfit is the name of the gym I go to), Cody, asked me how long I've been in love with Body. Of course my mouth dropped and I managed to stammer out, "how did you know?!" Damn my inability to be subtle! Years. Years is the answer to that question. So here is a list of the qualities I'm unable to encompass v. the ones that I am:

Things I suck at (but you love me regardless):
subtly
lying
fake emotions
being ugly
humility ;)

Things I rock at!:
shakin' my booty
telling it like it is
opinions - i have lots of them
judging others
eating

that's just the short list because I'm being lazy. Ok....off to the gym :)

To Women

Well since my last post turned into a letter to myself through digression, I've decided to write a letter to women everywhere. it's based on my disappointment in their demeanor, dress, decisions, and well....shoes (I tried to think of a word for shoe that started with a "d" to continue the pattern but failed. Which I must say I don't do often). This letter stems from my new found passion with the show Mad Men. It just wrapped it's 3rd season on AMC. It's about life, love, and the world in the 1960's. It is also about female fabulousness and fashion...which is probably why I love it so much!
First, there is Joan. She is the head secretary at the advertising firm on Madison Avenue ("Mad" Men. get it?) She is the red head above this post. She has curves for days and an ass that won't quit! And the men on the show lust after her, but they also respect her because of the way that she handles herself. She knows how men and women respond to her look and she uses that to her advantage without losing her integrity.
Modern women have driven this stake between being taken seriously and being recognized ONLY for the work that they do, and the natural female sensuality. My roommate Kristin and I watch the show together and the other night she said to me, "Is it bad that I use the fact that I know men think I'm pretty to my advantage?" Anyone who knows me probably knows my response: Of course not! ....cause I do that also. I mean, why let it go to waste? And if my smile (and/or my booty) is the only thing that will set me apart from the heard, you best believe I'll be smilin' my ass off! Really....these teeth cost too much not to get some face time ;)
Joan is my favorite character. She knows who she is, what she wants, and doesn't let anyone stand in her way of her dreams. it's a great and empowering though right?

Then there is Betty Draper. She is the beautiful but brooding housewife to the main character, Don Draper. Who is gorg.eous. (yes, the punctuation was on purpose because his beauty deserves to be drawn out). I've just realized that this post is probably boring and long for those who don't know the show. Anyway, one more point before I get to my letter. Often we see Betty dressing up or dressing down and get a peak at her panties. ;) They look cumbersome but incredibly flatering! Girls didn't have the ever-present and awful "muffin top" back then because they were wearing the correct under-garments! - side note: for those who don't know what a muffin top is, it's when your pants are too fight and your extra fat/skin comes out the top of the waist-line. HUGE pet-peeve of mine. Ignore the size of the pant, wear what fits damnit!! And zero is not a size just FYI. No matter what the tag says, love every inch of yourself because, quite frankly, life is too short not to. Disclaimer: the below letter is mostly directed to girls in my generation. And not to be taken completely seriously as I am currently writing this post in jeans, Chuck martin shoes, and a sweatshirt. (though my below point about Crocks is to be taken as seriously as the word of Joseph Smith (hahahahaha!) but no really.)
So here it is, my letter to women (narrated by god/allah/jesus/Krishna/Buddah/my personal savior: Coco Chanel:

Dear ladies,

In review of the past few decades I cannot help but notice that there has been a decline in the use of the tools given to you. I choose to believe that this oversight is not on purpose and rather an unfortunate casualty of the new roles that women are playing. Let us put this behind us, and clear up some things that have been....lost is the shuffle.
1. I differentiated between Men and Women for reasons other than procreation. Which should be obvious to all involved since male-male & female-female relationships are sometimes more stable then the hetro mess that some people are calling marriage. but that's another topic. Women should not look like men. I know that being comfortable might be "important" but it is not something that you are entitled to every minute of the day. Basketball shorts and crocks are not a good look. Jeans should go back to being something worn on sundays in the yard.
2. You were given curves for a reason. You were not made a size 2 naturally (well, Kell-Bell excluded who obviously bends all rules governing the universe and looks 25 at 52). You were also not made a size 22 on purpose. Those who eat too little and those who eat too much, are not doing yourselves any favors! Curves are gorg.eous. please please please embrace them. Worship at the alter of your booty!
3. Being a career woman and being feminine are not mutually exclusive. You can do both, I assure you! Look at Hilary Clinton - and run in the opposite direction! - of her clothing (and her politics, but yet again, that we'll save for another letter and another day). Pant suits in every color in the spectrum is not something to be pined after. If I had it my way, pant suits would be burned quite like bras were back in the day.
4. Don't burn your bra. Sleep in it. It keeps your boobs perky.
5. Heels are your friend. I know they hurt but life is full of painful things. Like waxing. and Thongs. Think of it this way: your pain increases but so does the length of your leg and the regalness of your posture. Unless you're a stay-at-home mom who is chasing children around, put in a slight effort to wear heels.
6. if you're a stay-at-home mom who is chasing children around, don't let me catch you in Crocks. They're hideous. Vomit-inducing. and sad. You stand on your feet all day. They are what holds you upright. The least you can do is make them look pretty. They make these things called "flats" these days. they're cute, colorful, and sometimes sparkley. Wear those instead.
7. Be yourself. Unless "yourself" involves being braless and wearing crocks. If so, change.

I hope that the above points have cleared up the recent miscommunication that we have experienced. I will contact you in the future to check on your progress and answer any pressing questions that you may be plagued with.

best regards,
The Divine Presence.

Men....

I can't seem to make a decision pertaining to men in general. My taste is constantly changing and usually off track of what I know is good for me. But why is that a bad thing? In other aspects of life, indulgence is good for you....like a release. take fast food for instance. I don't usually get fast food (maybe twice a month) but every now and then I can indulge. I don't always date the wrong men but every now and then I dabble in the uncomittable. (yes, I know that's not a word). I go for the guy who has that air of confidence about him. The one who knows or has a pretty good idea that women want him. You can see it in his eyes.
I've got a pretty good idea that I'm the same challenge for them. I see the look in men because I can mirror it with scary accuracy. The world is my runway. I'm the "uncommitable" girl. The one who doesn't date. The tease. blah, blah blah. And no, I'm not offended. But I'd be lying if I were saying that being as such was something I am particularly proud of. It's a moot point really. It's just who I am. One day it'll change but I'm not settling until I feel the spark again. You need the spark. As Phoebe said in Friends, "he's her lobster." Why just date to date when there is no chance the person across the table is your "lobster?" I'm all about efficiency. that just seems inefficient. but I digress....
No wait. I'm not done with this stand of topic. I'm all about the chance...about 80% of the time. I think I cant have him...and then, when alas, it turns out I can have him, I no longer want him. I still haven't figured out who I am trying to prove this "I can get that boy" mentality to, but I do know who's in the running: (1) the boy, (2) myself, (3) everyone else. The problem is my goal is off base. The goal in a relationship should be long term/love/friendship. My goal has always been very straight forward: to win. Here is my letter to myself:

Dear Lindsey,
Thank you for your participation in this game over the years. Your commitment level has been inspiring, but we no longer are in need of your services. You must be under the age of "responsible" to ride this ride. Listed below are the reasons we have deemed you responsible enough to no longer need the game. In no particular order:
you're graduating law school
you're 24
soon your parents will cut you off
it's time.

Sincerely,
Life.

I saw a guy walking across the quad today with a man who looked to be his father. the guy was in a kennel club shirt from probably 2007, ripped Abecrombie jeans that hung off his hips, and sneakers. His father, the man I'm dubbing Silver Fox, was in a black zip up jacket, nice fitting dark-wash jeans, and loafers. I checked them both out pretty quickly, natural reaction style, and surprised myself! I was more attracted to the responsible looking older man, over the early-20's boy. Maybe if he'd had that "I know I'm hot" look on his face I would have swooned...we'll never know.
The point is, I want to change. I'm like the person standing outside the AA meeting taking her last pull off the bottle shouting, "hold on one sec! Don't start without me! (chug chug)."
Maybe the bottle goes back in my purse. Maybe it goes in the recycling right next to my bottle of Evian (that reminds me, my wine bottles are stacking up by the door and need to be recycled...) Maybe I switch to beer. (maybe this analogy has gotten off track)
The point is, I'm conscious of my actions and that eventually, I'll let someone in. I just don't see the point if I don't like the guy.

Best Friend

The other night I felt like curling up into bed and watching a good movie, so I went to Blockbuster and rented Marley and Me. If you haven't seen it it's about a young newly-wed couple who get a golden lab together. Marley is quite the hellion! But I feel like you deserve a bit of chaos if you're stupid enough to buy a lab. True to form, this dog chews up everything, jumps on everyone, can't walk on a leash, and the only people who love him are his owners. But there were two traits of Marley's that made me fall in love with him as well: his unconditional devotion to John and Jennie, and his fear of thunderstorms. The former may make more sense than the latter.
when I was a little girl I had a best friend, our golden retriever Brandy. She had a way of knowing when I was sick, upset, angry, and even happy. She made everything better. She listened and somehow, I knew that she understood. Brandy had the demeanor of a mother, grandmother, and 5 year old all wrapped up in one. We got her when I was 4 years old. She died when I was 17. Until that day, I literally had no idea what life was like without her. Whenever Ian was being mean to me and excluding me from his games (meany face) Brandy would play with me. I remember Karina and I used to try to dress her up. I think that's where Brandy's patience ended. Her long life ended on Ian's last day of high school. With all the courage he could muster, he buried our best friend in the yard by the garden. She'd been there for both of us through it all. I didn't know it would be so hard to lose a dog. I mean, it's just a pet right? ha! Goldens always look like their smiling, and Brandy was no exception. She was truly happy to see every single one of us, every single time we came within her sights. After her death my family and I didn't think we could go through it again and decided not to get another dog.
a few years later, with the house empty of children, my parents changed their minds. And we got Cooper. Best decision ever! Even though he hates to sleep on the bed with people and flat out refuses to play catch, he's just playful and definitely just as happy to see you. Though I wish he'd give more kisses :) Brandy would knock you down trying to lick your face! I used to hate it but now I miss it. (damn you human nature making me want what I can't have!).
I miss Coop. I worry about how we're all going to take it when he goes. But he's only 5 yrs old and I'm more of a "live in denial"/"we'll worry about that bridge when its crossed" kinda girl. For right now I'll just enjoy him whenever I can! Someday I'll have my own golden retriever to spoil like crazy. Until then, I have my baby Coop.

marriage with children

...seems to be the next step in life. At least for my friends. The past two years I've had many friends tie the knot and a few even have kids. I think it all started to sink in when the annual Memorial Day Weekend party had a play pin! I even got to hear the line, "here hold my kid while I shotgun this beer." That quote is disturbing to me. It's like my generation didn't get the full memo about life's next step. The memo should say: "in your mid-20's you should find someone who you love and who loves you back and marry that person. Have children. Grow up and settle down." My generation, under the any-excuse-to-party moto, got drunk in celebration of getting married and was too wasted to read the rest of life's memo. the whole "grow up" thing just hasn't happen for some of them.

9/11

Today is the anniversary of that terrible day. I never forget where I was when I first heard about this tragedy. I had just woken up and was getting ready for highschool as I always did: sitting cross-legged in front of my mirror curling my hair and putting on mascara (the only makeup I wore back when I didn't have bags under my eyes...). I was listening to 104.7, the local country radio station. When I'm back in Cashmere I still listen to this station. They interrupted a song to announce that a plane had crashed into the south tower. I remember not believing them. I mean, I once believed their "April fools" announcement that the Wenatchee river was flowing the opposite direction! My gullibility is astounding....I'm aware. I digress. I went into the basement living room and turned on the TV just to make sure. I don't know how long I stood there staring at the TV in utter disbelief. I probably looked like a statue. Watching the towers burn. The second plane hit. Flight 93's plight. It was just too much.
So of course that day in school all we did in every class was watch the TV. I called my mom later that day to make sure that Brent and Sarah were okay. They live and work in NYC.
Tragedy and I disagree. The way that I deal with things that are uncomfortable for me is through sarcasm. So I spent the day making jokes about the end of the world and other inappropriate comments about how I can't possibly die before losing my virginity! (ear muffs mom). Terrible, I know. As a 16 year old kid though, I had no idea how to deal with this type of large-scale tragedy. And being on the west coast, I felt very detached from it all.

I thought that being around Muslims in India would be hard and that my prejudice may flare up. Quite the opposite happened though. One of my best friends from that experience is Muslim. Just like any religion, the people behind terror are fundamentalists and do not represent the majority. Just because someone wears a turban, doesn't mean they're plotting our demise. In the US we live in our own little fish bowl and don't get exposed to eastern religions all that often. Maybe instead of just mourning those who we lost, we should seek to understand.
....And now I officially sound like a democrat. shit. ;)

25 random things about me

This was a quiz that went around facebook a while back. Just thought it was an interesting insight into my life :) It's a fun exercise!

1. I prefer to communicate through sarcasm.

2. I'm always on time or 5 minutes early and HATE being late! Because I'm always on time I hate waiting for others and it's one of my biggest pet peeves. I don't make you wait for me, don't make me wait for you! This pet peeve msotly developed during cheer for GU. (Erin knows what I'm talkin about!)

3. My Cashmere friends are fiercely loyal, halarious, unique, and some of the most inspiring people I've ever met! They are who they are and love themselves for that simple matter. There is never a dull moment when cashmere kids get together!! They're also crazy. And I love them for that! Though I hate it when they make me play moose! I don't have the reaction time to be any good.

4. Sometimes i feel like my life would be easier if i were two different people: meaning, my life sometimes feels like it pulls in two opposite directions.

5. I'm stubborn. and dammit, I'm not changing!

6. I like to sew and make my own clothes. Though I rarely get time to complete a sewing project!

7. I talk to my Mom at least once a day. My parents and my brother are my best friends.

8. I spent a year of my life thinking that I could lose my mom at a moment's notice and it was hell on earth. I didn't realize how much it hurt until it was over. Love you K-dub!

9. When I'm dancing (in dance class or rehearsals, not like at a club) my brain just turns off. It's the most peace I've ever found here on earth.

10. I love the silence that surrounds me while scuba diving. All you can hear is your own breathing.

11. I'm dead set on never losing the ability to do the splits! I can still do them!!

12. I actually like to work out and if I don't get to go for a run or to yoga, I tend to get very testy/pissy.

13. I have a weakness for french fries and nachos!! mmmm....salty goodness....

14. Make me laugh and you'll be in my heart forever! I love love love to laugh

15. I suck at spelling. I also hate it when people use big words just so that others will think they're intelligent. maybe it's cause I don't have a super large vocab. :)

16. Ken Hoffman's Psychology of Transcendence seriously changed my life.

17. I forgive easily and hate dwelling on the past and on other things that I do not have the ability to change. If someone has done me wrong, it's done. No reason to let it ruin my day/week/month. If you can't change it, let it go. It's not worth your energy. Use your energy to go out with friends and get a martini.

18. I love college basketball! Esp. GONZAGA!

19. I think we should cancel pro sports for one year, take their salaries, and pay off our national debt. Seriously, where are our priorities? (PS: I really dislike pro anything except tennis and baseball)

20. I rarely put a "g" on the end of words ending in "ing." I think it's my Cashmere influence

21. The true sign of comfort for me is being able to just sit next to someone and enjoy the silence. There is something so lovely about it.

22. I'm going to make Peter Cruickshank be my maid of honor ;) [insert Pete-ism about how he aint no one's maid of honor and I can go suck it :incoherent rant: here]

23. I decided that I wanted to be a lawyer at 10 years old in Mrs. Ryan's class when she asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up. (please refer to #5 for reason I'm in law school)

24. I love shoes!!!! and clothes. and owe Nordstroms way more money than I should. If you wanna get me a sweet b-day present, Juicy Couture is always a safe bet!!

25. I'm not very openly religious because I think mainstream religion has become bullshit, but I collect crosses in an effort to understand how different cultures express religion/god/jesus/buddah/

love.

Here we go again...

I really did think that I wouldn't enjoying blogging. Little did I know that it would become an addiction of sorts. So, here we go again...blog #2. This will just be something that I vent into as well as an update on my life for those who wanna know what I'm up to. I'll edit content for the virgin ears of my family members ;) jk.

LIFE UPDATE: back in my favorite place on earth - Cashmere. When I first saw it peaking up from behind the rock cut by the Hitching Post, my hometown, I instantly felt at ease. I told Mom, maybe if you find that place that you're emotionally connected to you should never leave...at least not permanently. I used to think that Cashmere would be reserved for retirement. When I got too tired of life or life got too tired of me, I'd come "home." Now, more and more, I think that Cashmere may be more long-term than that. Maybe Seattle will be just a stop over in my life; something that I need to experience to grow as a person and further appreciate the quiet beauty that surrounds my sleepy town. Still no stop lights. Still no locks on the highschool lockers. The same PO Box has been in the Wehmeyer family since the 50's. That's priceless.

Now All I have are two obstacles: (1) find a man in the next 10 years who will move here with me/a man in the area. (2) convince my best friend Erin and her (ball and chain) ::cough cough:: fiance Kelly to move here with me :) ...someone has to raise my kids while I work and over indulge in martinis (that is an inside joke for those who may be concern by my alcohol intake).

CURRENT STATUS: loving the view from my own front porch.