It's a doodler!

Short update

2006-06-01T10:10:00.000-05:00

I have a job for the summer in Charlottesville. For a really snazzy Landscape Architecture firm. I will most likely be too busy to write to you very often but I will try to be more diligent in my postings.
Recap:
After school was done, Bill and I went for a fantastic 11-day roadtrip which took us to Wilmington, NC and Charleston, SC and all sorts of great places in between. We had a terrific time and I was certainly not excited about the looming move (pack all belongings, shove into Uhaul, drive 2.5 hours, take all belongings out and set up life again).
It's over now, I survived.
Anyway, hopefully this summer will include lots of music, money, relaxation, fun with Bill and family, and some reading and preparation for my thesis year.
we'll seeeee.......

for rosie and her complaint

2006-05-26T08:57:00.000-05:00

maybe i am slackerdoodle with the bloggidoodle.

Whoooooopppp

2006-05-03T22:14:00.000-05:00

Just 5 days left of school work. 5 weary, strained, fat, sweaty, stressed, dehydrated days. Sweet.
After that, a little R&R and then a 10-day road trip with Bill, who graduates in just over a week. We'll be going to the coastal regions of the Carolinas and Georgia and then on over to Tennessee and the Smokey Mountains. Should be a hoot.
Before I embark, I want to reccomend to you to read "The Fermata" this summer. It is a sexy book.
When the roadtrip is oven, so will be my time in Blacksburg. I will be working in Charlottesville this summer and then doing my final year of graduate school in Alexandria.
Listen to "Changes" by David Bowie, master of music on so many levels.

2006-04-04T09:05:00.000-05:00

Today is Bill's 33rd birthday. Too bad he has so much work to do.
Anyway, I went to Rosie's mom's (Sandy)bacheloette party this past Saturday. Here's a peek:

New nails and curried eggs

2006-03-25T21:44:00.000-05:00

Today is Saturday. It is 9:43 pm and this has been my day:
I woke up at 9am with a mild hangover from a semi-formal party last night(It was a decent gig but the band was awful and my sexy little shoes were killing my feet after the first hour. Party was over at 11 and Bill and I went straight home).
I made curried eggs and toast for breakfast and we had a lazy morning, considering the workload. We left Bills apartment by 11am and I went grocery shopping and on a CVS run. I am back to wearing fake nails so I had to restock. I also bought a bunch of no-metal-piece hair rubber bands. My hair is short but I am really trying to grow it out. Right now, it is in 2 sad looking 1-inch long pig tails at the base of my neck.
By noon I was in the studio, working on my site-grading plan for construction documents class. Barf. I finished by 5pm and then went to help out a friend who needed to print some files from the place I work.
I arrived back at my place by 5:20 and began to make dinner, homemade crabcakes and salad. Bill came over around 5:45 and were done with dinner by 6:30. I did some painting on a snazzy paint-by-number and was back in the studio by 8pm to knock out some research.
Now, I want to go home, listen to old music, bake some bread, and fall assleep by 11:00. Rockin' Saturday night, eh?

Ahhh, relaxation is medicine

2006-03-12T21:21:00.000-05:00

Today is the Sunday after a week of Spring Break. I spent the week in Utah, strapped to my snowboard and testing out new snowboarding boots. The first few days, I was still bogged down with stress from school and life but on the second day out there, I thought, "This is crazy! You are on vacation and a MUCH NEEDED vacation at that. Kick up your heels and flush your worries down the toilet!" and so that is what I did. I stopped trying to get school work done, I quit thinking about important e-mails, I embraced nature and I lost 3 pounds. I fell goooood. I got back to Blacksburg on Friday evening and on Saturday, I went for a long bike ride and got a one-hour massage (which was heavenly). I think I am actually ready for the last 2 months of the semester!
I have also almost made a decision to transfer to the Alexandria campus for my final year as a student. I think the change will be good and there are many more opportunities up there for a LA than there are down here. Plus, I think I will like a little bit more of a bustling atmosphere for a while.
Anyway, back to school work for me!

sleepy 'scuses

2006-02-08T21:33:00.000-05:00

Been awhile, eh? Well, I'm tired of apologizing. Let me tell you what other important things have gotten shoved aside recently:
My refrigerator is empty
My laundry pile is obscenly large
My resume is in shambles (and I'm trying to apply for internships)
My legs haven't been shaven in weeks
I have clothes to take to the dry cleaner...from last summer
My car has leaves in the floorboard...from last summer
I have over 50 unanswered e-mails in my "friends" folder
I still haven't seen the latest Harry Potter movie
I can barely make it through the readings I have to do for my research methods class because I spend so much time reading Rosies blog and checking out peoples Friendster profiles. Plus, I bake a lot of cookies in the winter and that is all my free time right there.
Now I'm really tired so goodnight.

Back in the Saddle Again

2006-01-18T13:19:00.000-05:00

UhOh, are all my bloggin' entries going to reflect my love of cowboy boots, country music, and pinto beans with corn bread? Maybe for the next few weeks and then I'll be off on a tangent about sucky sucky school work and losing 5 pounds and not having enough time to spend with my boyfriend outside of school. He's my TA(teachers assistant) this semester which is both exciting and a pain in the buttocks. After this semester, he'll be graduating and moving on up in the world of professional Landscape Architects.
Anyway, there is one small topic which I want to touch on quickly. It is the essential discussion and sharing of New Years Resolutions. For the record, these are mine:
1. Spend less money on frivolous things like shoes, scented lotions, purses, and jackets.
2. Drive less on a daily basis. Bike/walk more.
3. Get a good hearty headstart on my thesis research.
4. LAUGH MORE!!!!!

Yeee Hawww

2006-01-13T13:52:00.000-05:00

I have been wanting a sexy and sturdy pair of cowgirl boots for years. Just a simple classic western boot in black. I found a lace-up pair of brown ones at a yard sale a few years ago but it didn't quench my thirst. In the past month, the desire has become quite fierce. And then I found a pair last week. Not too pricey either and right here in town. I obsessed about them for 5 days, tried them on twice with different outfits, discussed the situation with friends, and fianlly broke down and bought them today. I couldn't find an exact photo on line but here's the general idea:
And, they fit over my substantial calf. Good job Jess, good job indeed.

My Trip To Saint Lucia!

2006-01-10T15:17:00.000-05:00

I could sit here and re-write all the daily details of my trip but instaead, I just took some excerpts from e-mails that I sent to Bill while I was away. It was an awesome trip!

January 1, 2006 (Morning)
The hotel room is nice. I will take pictures. There is a king size bed
for little old me. I barely made a disruption in it.
Dinner was a buffet.
I had fish with a mushroom sauce and an assortment of native veggies. Lots of starch. But we danced it off. Dad actually
danced too. We stayed out until about 12:45 and then came back to the hotel (the party was a live band next door). I was able to sleep on and off but the
party didn't end until 6am and it was LOUD that whole time. I certainly
hope it is much quieter tonight. I woke up feeling sleepy still.
Time for breakfast. I really like having this computer right here.

January 1, 2006 (Evening)
I didn't get to take a nap but I did lay by the pool for a little bit.
Then we went for a long hike/walk to this national monument, which is an island that is connected to St. Lucia by a causeway. It was really beautiful and I tried to take good photos. I think I may make an album from this trip.
We are getting ready for dinner now then I think it's an early to bed
night.

January 2, 2006 (Evening)
Ok, I woke up around 8 and had breakfast with mom and dad
(included in the hotel). Then the three of us went to the grocery store to
buy lunch and snack provisions. After we got back, ma and I went to the beach for a bit but then it started to rain so we came back and had sandwiches with dad. Lettuce, peppers, cheese and banana ketchup on pita bread. Pretty tastey. After lunch, I lay down for awhile and watched part of a cheesy movie on TV. Then I went for a run and took a shower. Mom and I went for a walk around town and then we came back to get dad. We three watched the last 10 minutes of the VT game (GO HOKIES!!!!) and then we walked to the other end of town for a happy-hour cocktail. It was right on the water. We ate dinner at a place owned by a British couple and I am very full right now. I think we may go for another short walk before retiring for the night. Tomorrow sounds as if it will be more of the same. Nice and relaxing. Wednesday and Thursday we are going on some long hikes.
I am excited to learn more about the island.

January 3, 2006 (Morning)
I just woke up and now it is time for breakfast. It looks like it will be
a sunny day so I'm sure mom and I will go to the beach. I have been reading Pilgrim at Tinker Creek.

January 3, 2006 (Afternoon)
We have been following the coal mine explosion in Wva. Scarey. It has
been on FOX all day long. Not a good outlook.

While at the pool today, I was watching the landscaper of the hotel. He
used a machete for EVERYTHING. He was trimming shrubs, edging beds, thinning perennials, all with one tool. Pretty good. We should think about
incorporating the machete into our landscaping business.

I think ma and I are going for a pre-dinner walk around town. The sun sets
around 6 so maybe we will find a good spot to watch it.

January 4, 2006 (Morning)
I slept like a rock, finally, and had odd dreams all night.

Today we are going for a long hike in the rain forest. I'll take photos.
Maybe I'll capture a baby parrot and bring it to you. :)

January 4, 2006 (Evening)
Well, we weren't exactly in the jungle. It
was a weird day. Nothing went the way we planned even though we didn't
have firm plans (I know, you are laughing, saying"ooooo Jess, you plan and you get burned and maybe you learn a lesson"). We ended up going to the botanical gardens (really beautiful), a volcano (smoking and smelling of sulphur), and 2 waterfalls, the second of which we went bathing in. The water was from the volcano and was over 80degrees. It felt WONDERFUL. I could have stood under it for hours. It had a lot of minerals in the water and my skin felt so soft afterwards.
When we were finished with all that, we went snorkeling for awhile and got
to swim with some fishies. Tomorrow, we are supposed to hike the big
mountain, "Gros Peton". That should be fun. People drive like complete maniacs here and I am always nervous on the roads.

January 5, 2006 (Morning)
The days are fun but the nights are painful. Last night, the people in the
bar next door were partying until 4 am. I only slept for about 4 hours
before having to get up at 7am.

January 5, 2006 (Evening)
We hiked a serious mountain today. It took 5 hours to go up and back and
my knees and thighs are worthless now. I switched rooms so it will hopefully be quieter tonight and I think I may just sleep like a baby. Tomorrow, another lazy day around the hotel and the beach. I don't have much of a tan yet so maybe tomorrow will make me look like a bahamma mamma.

January 6, 2006 (Morning)
I am going to fully enjoy my last full day here in tropical paradise and then I am going
be anxious to come home. I really like traveling and then I like coming home.

Mom and I are laying by the pool and dad went to the driving range. The
bank gave him his$200 that the ATM ate a few days ago. That makes things here
feel a lot nicer.
We ate Indian food for dinner last night and I have some
leftovers for lunch today.

January 6, 2006 (Evening)
We just ate dinner and are going for a walk. We are all stiff from our crazy
hike yesterday. I think we are also pretty toasty from our 5 hours in the sun
today. I wore sunscreen the whole time but I still feel a bit crispy.

January 7, 2006 (Morning)
There was a big street party last night and all week we expected that it would
be on the streets outside of the hotel. Last night after dinner, we realized
that the party was a few miles away in the next town. I was soooo relieved
that it wasn't going to be loud all night. We didn't even go to the party
after all; took a long walk and went to bed.

Anyway, we leave the hotel in a bit and then make our way down the island to
the airport. We will be in Charlotte, NC tonight by 7:45pm.

Fa la lala la lal al alalalalllahhhhhh and a bonus

2005-12-13T16:19:00.000-05:00

Christmas is coming
The goose is getting fat
Please put a penny in the old man's hat.....

Now if you sing that song and perform interpretive dance as you go, it will be quite reminiscient of me, 3 years ago, when I lived in Atlanta.

Two years ago, I was living with my folks singing,
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, how prickley are thou branches...
I was selling trees at a nursery in the cold damp December chill. But at least I was making some money, eh?

Last year, my first year of graduate school, I was probably singing,
The fire is slowly dying but my dear we're still goodbying and as long as you love me so, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow....
You know, falling in love and all that fun stuff:)

This year, I have not yet picked an official Christmas theme song but I am considering "Tequila makes her clothes fall off", or "Christmas Wrapping" by the Waitresses.

I have yet to find myself in a truely festive mood. Christmas crafts are running my life. In my current financial status (like swimming in quicksand), I have turned once again to crafting to fulfill my Christmas gift-giving quota.

That's right all you faithful readers, if you post a comment on this entry, I will send you a very very special goodie from the Christmas Craft a la Jessica 2005 line. Always a treat. **post by December 17 or all bets are off**

Bikinis and memories

2005-11-29T16:06:00.000-05:00

I was inspired by Rosie's recent posting to write something about weight. This time of year is a real doozy even if you plan to stay bundled up in fleece until April. It is so comforting to eat and eat and eat and then sleep. For those people who have to then get into a bathing suit in January, there is a very hard battle to be fought.
I think maybe it is known as The Battle of the Bulge.
Bill and I were reminicing a few days ago about when we first laid eyes on each other in August of 2004. I looked something like this except my hair was pink and I had just gone through a breakup and so I had lost a few pounds. Anyway, I was telling Bill that I liked him right away and that I could tell I wanted to be his friend. He said I was really cute and that I basically look the same now, but that I was thinner then.
Barf.
I know he wasn't being mean or even inconsiderate. I think he likes me a little on the round side. But I don't.
I had recently decided that I would like to lose about 5 pounds by January 1 so now I can say that, officially, I am quietly on a diet too(along with my bud Rosie). Not trying to accomplish miricles, I just want to be firm. Strong looking instead of squishy. Squashy. Nothing wrong with being squeezeable but I am aiming for an adjective like, "toned" or "athletic".

Get Stuffed!

2005-11-19T16:04:00.000-05:00

I don't eat turkey. The last time I ate turkey was thanksgiving of 1997. My friend Melissa had a thanksgiving day feast and her bartender friends brought countless bottles of wine. I had been a vegetarian for nearly 2 years but for some reason, after drinking so much wine, eating all the turkey meat off the carcass seemed to be a good idea. Melissa caught me in the kitchen, up to my elbows in turkey. After that, I sat in her chair and fell asleep.

Since then, I have had a few Tofurkey holidays and a few non-traditional meals for the big feast. One year, my brother came to visit me and I made a curried seitan dish. I think that was the year that we drank rum mixed with a green drink (the healthy drinks with spirulina and wheatgrass). Classic gross jess and trav concoction. The Tofurkey isn't a bad way to go but it is terriably overpriced for what you get. Besides, I can easliy make a great meal out of the non-meat traditional Thanksgiving foods. Mmmmmm, stuffing and sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce and steamed broccoli and pumpkin pie!

I know that Thanksgiving is mostly about being with family and friends and eating till you vomit but it is also about just being lazy. There is a lot of sitting going on. I think that is why "they" decided to put a football game on TV and a parade on TV and whatever else. If you have no TV, just sit your ass down and watch the kids run around. Watch the dog run around. Watch some drunk vegetarian eat turkey remnants. Watch everyone clean the kitchen.

This Thanksgiving, for the third year, my folks and I will begin the day by running the Turkey Trot. And, as a long standing tradition, we will go for a long hike after eating dinner. We are not a family of sitters. Not usually anyway. However, I am determined to find a good 3-4 hour chunk on thursday to just sit down and veg out. Brain off, TV on, full belly, and no turkey breath.

Have a good one. Hug a dog in honor of my pup Peta who died (a happy dog) last thanksgiving.
jess

Red Bicyclette...

2005-11-11T20:25:00.000-05:00

...the wine. Yum. I have had a really topsy turvey week. It began with icky boyfriend-girlfriend issues, continued through hydrology project hell, made an appearance in "don't take yourself so damn seriously" land, and deposited me firmly in the belief that this semester is going to turn me into an alcoholic. However, I did do something today that I am proud of and amused by. I made this picture.
It is a bit of a lie because I know neither of these dogs much less what either of them thinks about. But I tell you what, if I was as cute as either one of those little fur smoochies, I probably wouldn't think of much more than bounding through grass on a warm fall day.

refreshing

2005-11-07T11:25:00.000-05:00

Yeah, yeah, I know it's been awhile. No one probably even checks this anymore since I am so inconsistant with my updates. Well, I have been swamped with school work.And Halloween.

I have also been experiencing a bit of relationship hardship but i don't really think this is the forum to discuss that. Let's just say that I think it is healthy to re-evaluate yourself, your feelings, and your outlook on life every now and then. Becomming stagnant in any one of these areas can be dangerous not to mention very boring. I'm not saying that you should intentionally shake things up just to get a reaction, but that if you hit turbulance in life, use it as a time for adjustment and refreshment. like the icon at the top of the page with the two entwined green arrows. refresh.

bad mathy jess

2005-10-26T18:45:00.000-05:00

You Passed 8th Grade Math

Congratulations, you got 8/10 correct!

Could You Pass 8th Grade Math?

fakin it

2005-10-16T18:58:00.000-05:00

I swear, I have really really tried to stop peeling and biting my nails. I just don't get how it's such an addiction. yuck...ok, so I decided that I WANT pretty nails and if I can't do it on my own, I will enlist the aid of a professional. That's right, fake nails. Boy, they are fun but they sort of remind me of when I was in middle school and I used to wear Lee Press On nails. They would fall of and I'd keep glueing the same ratty nail back on and I'd paint them hot pink or frosty mauve. This time, I have stuck to nude coloring and no re-sticking. I know it's a little weird to be a environmentally-friendly-dish-detergent-user and ovo-lacto-vegetarian and still feel ok about fake nails (and the occasional trip to the tanning salon) but hey, you have to pick your battles and I'm tired of fighting the battle of the nail biter.

the big fat 3-0!

2005-10-12T20:08:00.000-05:00

Today I turned 30. I recieved birthady joy from My folks, Bill, Dixie, Travis, Rosie, Katrina, TLW, Melanie, Patsy, Gina, Lauren, Holly, and many a "happy birthday" from others. Thank you all very much! I thought today was going to absolutely suck slimey rocks but it really has turned out to be nice and cheerful and full of love and warm fuzzies. I am even wearing a shirt that I bought 2 years ago when I was really thin but I haven't worn it since because I was waiting to "lose the weight". Well screw that, I'm 30 and I look good, so there!

date up

2005-09-28T20:56:00.000-05:00

I have been a bad bad poodle. Always reading other blogs and slacking on my own. SOOOOOooooo... quick and to the point:
I fasted last weekend. It was hard but I felt great afterwards except that I haven't been able to stop eating for 4 days. I thought my stomach would shrink with a fast but I am eating like I think someone may steal my food. I don't know about all that.

I am going to an ASLA conferance in Fort Lauderdale in less than 2 weeks. I think it will be a blast. Bill is worried about hurricanes (who can blame him really).

My birthday is in exactly 2 weeks. I will be 30 and I am anxious for it to be over and done with.

I want to drink Baileys Irish Cream on the rocks all night long but I have to go to bed and get up for work tomorrow (and another day of non-stop face stuffing, I'm sure)(Marla once told me I ate as if I have 2 assholes. HA)

Being catty

2005-09-16T10:24:00.000-05:00

I don't know why, but I feel like lately, I have been talking about people a lot. Not as though I am always saying negative things but I still don't like it. I once read that un-intelligent people talk about others, normal people talk about happenings, and wise people talk about ideas. I'd much rather be in one of the latter two categories 95% of the time. I think that being in school with a fairly tight-knit group of classmates lends itself to being gossippy. Maybe when the brain is taxed by school work, it likes to relax by talking smack about others. Bad brain! I am going to try harder to bite my tongue when that little evil gossipy slice of Jess tries to climb out through my mouth.

hyper

2005-09-07T20:14:00.000-05:00

I am a little ball of energy right now and I am sitting in the studio, reading the worlds most boring article on Land Analysis. I want to do something FUN and so do most of the folks sitting around me. Actually, Gina and I are going to get a drink downstairs.

laboring

2005-09-05T15:02:00.000-05:00

Rosie wrote all about her domestic weekend in her cute little Denver house with her cute little Denver pets and her cute little Denver boyfriend. Kev isn't really "little" but he is sort-of short so it fits ok (no offense kev). I know I am doing the right thing in my life right now (going to Grad school, living in an apartment, driving my '94 teal blue station wagon), but sometimes I ache for a house and a doggie and a yard and a wine rack and a craft room and a neighborhood and all that shit. I will just have to go visit Ro again soon and live vicariously through her.
On the up side, my weekend was quite pleasent. Virginia style. On Friday night, six of us went out to dinner at the local cajun bar/restaraunt (maybe sub-consciously paying hommage to those suffering in the gulf coast area) and since it was so nice out, we sat on the outside deck and drank Red Stripes and Mojitos. On Saturday, I went to the gym and then for a bike-ride, done by 11am. Bill and I went to Hillsville for the HUGE annual labor-day weekend flea market. When I say HUGE, I am not talking about a few hundred booths. I mean THOUSANDS, everything you can imagine and then some! I have never seen anything like it! Fortunately, we were only allotted 2 hours there and then we went up on to the Blue Ridge Parkway to mile post 213 for a great outdoor bluegrass concert,replete with picnic, lawnchairs, video camera, and fleece jacket (yummy Fall is on her way). On Sunday, lazy morning and then an educational adventure to the local Smithfield Plantation house. Rather like a mini-Montecello-type-thing. I learned about some local history, can't hide the fact that slavery was a prominant part of Virginia history. I feel like I saw a lot of really nice quilts this weekend, both at the flea market and the plantation house. I am covetous of a quilt for my bed.
I had such a sunny and relaxing and lovely weekend that I didn't even mind that I had to work in the studio from 5-midnight last night. That was my weekend and it was only 2-days long since VA Tech has classes today.
So, for now, my life as a student and a apartment dweller is working out ok but I know one thing. I know that when I do have my house and my yard with my pets and my crafts, it is going to be one hell of a fun place to be.

Full-Circle babble

2005-08-30T14:32:00.000-05:00

I ordered two new CD's recently from amazon.com. I can't stop listening to the first one I put into my CD player. It is Tegan and Sara's latest CD (their third) titled "So Jealous". It is really superb. My kind-of Jam. Blackberry. Bill's mom made some absolutely terrific Blackberry jam a few weeks ago and now I am completely hooked. I eat it on crackers or just by the spoonful. It is sweet and gooey and better than anything from a store. I really don't like grape jelly or jam at all. I was at the dentist yesterday (aren't you proud, rosebud?) and I had the option of what flavor of nasty gritty tooth polish I wanted them to use on me. The choices were orange grape cherry strawberry or mint. Gross. I went with strawberry. I did not eat nearly enough fresh strawberries this summer. Now I've been back in school for almost 2 weeks and I feel like summer is fading fading fading. I finally got to do a lot of the fun stuff from my previous list so I don't feel completely cheated out of frivolous summer fun. Frivolous summer shopping needs to end. Actually, it came to a screeching halt when I started school because I don't have time to drive to TJ maxx. Mom did buy me some great shoes lat weekend from 9 west. They are platform heels and are super hot but a little tight in the toes. Need to break them in. Need to go out dancing soon. I got mad rhythm in my body and it needs to break free. I want to slam dance to my new Tegan and Sara CD!

schoolboop

2005-08-16T13:46:00.000-05:00

My Scholastic career resumes in 6 days. I am excited. I would like to get a 4.0. That is my hope. This entry is lame.

Fiddle-dee dee

2005-08-08T12:54:00.000-05:00

Two days until departure to Galax Old Fiddler's Convention...
Bill says that by the end of next weekend I will never want to hear a banjo again. How can that be? I'm a fan of bluegrass jammin' and have been for many years. Will being at a 4-day bluegrass jamboree really taint me? I just cannot imagine. The only thing that I see as a potential pisser is if it rains the entire time. Ick.
Bill also said he had a dream where he was playing music with a woman who could play the fiddle really well. He thinks it's a sign that I should learn to play fiddle. just like that. just pick up a fiddle, Jess, and go to town. Git a little "Devil went down to Georgia", Jess. Well, now, I have tried to play the Bass Guitar many times. I have taken lessons 4 times. I have an amp and all the books and I REALLY wanted to learn how but I never could quite get it. I do wish I could just pick up an instrument and figure out how to make music with it but maybe it is not in my making. Maybe I will forever be dancer-hula-hooper, music lover. I am OK with that.

Bruste-halter

2005-08-04T12:05:00.000-05:00

I'll make this quick and to the point. I have never really been a fan of Victoria's Secret. Thought their shit was kind of chincey. However, they have a line out right now that I highly recommened. The Ipex bra. It is a pleasure to wear and just magnificent to look at. Comes in demi and full coverage. I have one of each. So flattering. Fun colors (sea foam green and bright coral orange for me). They are a little pricey, certainly more than I have ever paid for a bra before, but I think it is worth it. Skip eating dinner out twice to make up for it.
Here's to a great looking rack!

Jambo! Wewe ni wazimu!

2005-08-03T08:49:00.000-05:00

My friend Lauren has just returned from a 5 week adventure in Tanzania and tonight, she and I are going out for an adult beverage so I can hear all about it. Without even seeing the photos of romping zebras and bright orange sunsets, I miss Africa. I was fortunate enough to spend 2 months in Kenya when I was 17 (with out parental supervision). It was incredible! Ever since, I have been yearning to return because once Africa gets into your soul, it will forever pull you in. And there is something about the earthiness and reality of the land and the people that make it almost impossible not to fall in love.
I'm excited to hear about Laurens time there.
Yup.

Brrrrrrrrrr.......(teeth chattering)

2005-07-28T10:28:00.000-05:00

What is up with the insane idea that when it is really hot outside, the AC should make it cooler than usual inside?!?! If it's 75 outside, set the AC to 70. But if it's 90 outside, set the AC to...63? Uhg! It's awful in this building. I need a heater and it's JULY! I need to go to TJ Maxx and buy some socks and a sweater. Maybe a fleece. A nice limey green one with a zipper up the front. And maybe a light but fairly cozy summer scarf (because the AC blows right on my neck!). Ok, so I'm out of here!

Update

2005-07-27T12:10:00.000-05:00

I still love the gold shoes.
The bite has almost healed although there will be scarring.
My fingernails are still quite pretty and long.
I still need book recommendations!
I have tried to cut back on the TJ Maxx trips. Not too successfully.
I got a new computer at work so I can work faster and fit in blogging easier.
The boots should be here in 2 days.

Boots and sheets

2005-07-26T10:26:00.000-05:00

Rosie wrote yesterday about how she was waiting for some snazzy sheets and a duvet cover to come in the mail. She even furnished her readers with the thread count of each item. She's good. Well, I am equally excited about my recent internet purchase, which should be arriving any day now:a pair of rubber boots. Navy blue with red detailing, 14" tall, lined with canvas and added arch support. Great for snow, slush, and, most applicable to this time of year, mud. Perfect for that up coming 4-day music festival where rain is almost gauranteed. I just hope they fit over my substantial calves.

2005-07-25T13:03:00.000-05:00

I
AM
COMPLETELY
UNMOTIVATED
TODAY
!!!

That is the kind of work day I am having. If I type BIG and add in a lot of spaces, it will appear that I am doing more work than I really am. I think I have a pretty glittery work ethic on an everyday basis but today is just killin' me! It is almost 100 degrees outside, I need to clean my apartment, I need to go to the gym, and I would soooooooo much rather be swimming. Besides, the actual work that I should be doing today is utterly monotonous. Writing a paper. Ick! I DID NOT decide to become a landscape architect so I could write papers. I want to draw pictures and design trailheads. In fact, screw the paper, I'm either going to churn out some fabu kiosk designs or I'm making like a leaf and......
leaving?
yup.

gimme dem greens

2005-07-18T11:05:00.000-05:00

If you have not yet discovered the iron-rich joy of kale and collard greens, do not be afraid to start your love affair TONIGHT!
A wonderful non-southern-baptist way to prepare collard greens(or kale) is to sautee them in a bit of butter and soy sauce. Be careful not to over do it on the soy sauce. Cook until the greens are very limp and considerably darker than when raw. It is also delicious to add some garlic and/or red pepper flakes to the mix.
Mmmm.
Also makes a great lunch the next day.

Why am I afraid of dogs?

2005-07-14T11:27:00.000-05:00

While I was in Charlottesville last week, I ran into an old friend (Mr. Eric W., for those of you in the know) and we were hanging out at Millers with his girlfriend. I couldn't get my "You-are-old-enough-to-drink-alcohol" bracelet off my wrist so Mr. EW proceeded to use his teeth in my aid. He bit me. He broke the skin and left a small bruise. Most importantly, his teeth tore my flesh. My mom later said that human bites are the dirtiest. I washed it and put a dollop of antibiotic cream on it but I fear my germ prevention may have come too late. Now, 6 days later, the skin around the bite is red and irritated and it hurts. It looks infected. Currently, the yellowy hue of iodine surrounds the wound.
Would I have rather had a dog bite?

Daaaaamn July 12

2005-07-12T12:26:00.000-05:00

I have been away. Did my plethora of fans miss me?
Sure.
It is now officially MID-JULY, which means I go back to school in 1 month. Where the hell did summer go? I have yet to go to a bluegrass festival, a wine festival, or a river float. I'm glad I got to the beach but I sure don't have a tan at this point. I kept my hair updated to the season and tried to lose my winter insulation so as to be presentable in a bathing suit. But I haven't really had to test that.
I need a quick fix solution to my summertime blues. Something I can squeeze in after work or on a random weekend.
I need a day of sand, music, people, wine, lovin', and suntannin'.

nibble nibble no more

2005-06-30T08:00:00.000-05:00

I have been a chronic nail-biter since I was old enough to know how. I used to be really brutal and nibble to the kwik (quick, kwick?) . When I was in the 4th grade, my friends mom said she'd buy me a nail-care kit if I quit biting. It didn't work but I thought about that promise for years after that. I could get into the idea of a reward! I let my nails grow briefly for a few weeks at a time throughout high school and then I got into wearing fake nails. I'd superglue them to my fingers. Rough. Finally in my latter years as an undergrad I was able to curb my biting for months at a time. My hands actually started looking pretty. But then I would get stressed out or get PMS or be hard at work on the computer, and chomp, chomp, chomp. Nails all gone.
Today, my nails look lovely. Bill said my hands look very lady-like (he says weird things like that sometimes so I am used to the fact that this is how he gives compliments). My right thumb nail is a little hit-up but overall, a stunning show, really. So, as a reward, I bought myself some $5.75 nail polish (clear) which makes my nails shiney and thick.

a reccomendation for the working gal

2005-06-28T11:41:00.000-05:00

microwave burritos.
They are convenient and tastey, especially the yummy vegetarian ones that are currently located in the frozen food area of the health food section in most American grocery stores. CAUTION: they really do get quite hot when you microwave them for 2 minutes. I burnt my lip and will probably get a cold sore now. Don't let my incident deter you though.
ALSO: Be sure to brush your teeth following consumption. Nobody likes talking to Ms. Burrito Breath.

like the little dogs with worms

2005-06-24T08:36:00.000-05:00

I feel like I am really dragging ass this morning. Bill and I went to some friends house for dinner and wine and wine and wine last night. Lovely chatter and company and wonderful food and dopey hangover today. Now I know why TGIF is so applicable to the day after Thursday. I enjoy using my Thursday nights to cut loose a little and be a social creature. I am of the age where I now pay for it on Friday. "Of the age". Ick.

me, wearing a new glittery tank top and denim jacket

2005-06-23T10:39:00.000-05:00

I think I am a shopaholic. Whenever I am bored or sad or uneasy or felling really good or if it's rainy or cold, or really pretty out, I just want to go to TJMaxx and try on clothes and shoes and see if I can find any gems that I can't live without. There is always at least 1 thing that I absolutely need to complete my life. Maybe I should also let you in on the fact that I am broke. I am a graduate student with a mere summer internship where I am paid by the hour and so when I take 2 hour breaks in the middle of the day to go shopping and then spend $60 on a cute coat and some snappy shoes, well, it's certainly not very lucritive. And even worse, I hide my newly purchased items from my boyfriend until I've had them long enough to answer the question, "oh, is that new?" with a truthful, "no, I've had it a little while". Sad, eh?

books

2005-06-23T08:27:00.000-05:00

If you have any good summer reading suggestions, I REALLY want to know. I am on a roll. A novel or two a week. Load me up! It's a solo reading extravaganza! Bring on the books!
I just read Memoirs of a Geisha. Good book.

The magic shoes

2005-06-22T12:52:00.000-05:00

I went to NYC last weekend and marvled at the way stylish women were sporting gold and silver lame' shoes and handbags. "How totally 80-year-old-lady in Miami", I thought as I tromped through the streets in my sensable New Balance sneaks and Eagle Creek day bag. By my last day there, I felt like a slob. Old black tank and basic Gap shorts. I needed some shimmer. Upon my arrival back in small southern Blacksburg, Virginny, I dashed to TJMaxx on my lunchbreak and lo-and-behold, I bought myselfa shiney new pair of Kenneth Cole gold lame' semi-platform heels. They are pure Golden Girls reruns. I wanted a matching bag but wasn't quite ready to spend $70. Yet. Just wait till the metallic fever really catches on down here in cow country. It's gunna be blinding!

Blogging and work

2005-06-16T12:02:00.000-05:00

are like oil and water.

Blogs are hard work

2005-06-10T11:55:00.000-05:00

You have to find the time and THEN you have to somehow remember how to even get to your blog page and post something. I am not nearly as wordily creative as my inspiration, rosalicious, but I do try to think of something wittty or insightful.

Let's see, I like margarits on Thursday nights.

Rosie made me do it

2005-06-02T18:27:00.000-05:00

I was going to be at the gym lightyears ago but then Rosie told me I had to read her Blog and then I had to make one and now my triceps are getting flabby and I want a glass of wine...