Monday, July 30, 2007

The Nature of Me

I think i'm falling out of love... it's the worst feeling. It's uncertainty mixed with sadness splashed with the tiniest bit of anger and then of course, panic. Where will i go? What will i do? I mean, thank goodness i'll be abroad in the Fall so i don't really have to worry until i return in January, but still. Just the idea of being out there again, looking, trying on for size, checking for chemistry, it's all so exhausting.

I'm talking about my YOGA STUDIO, people. I don't know what happened, but somehow in the past few weeks, i've... well i've just gotten over it. And it's SO like me to do that. I'm notorious for my roller coaster of emotions. I love something (or someone), can't do without it, go to the extreme, pledge my allegiance and swear til death do us part, and then, just like that, i'm over it and moving on to the next best thing. (I really hate this about myself btw.) I don't know what it is, but the once sacred B&B has just lost me. Maybe it's that it's more crowded, maybe it's because i don't really feel like i fit in, maybe i'm a little annoyed that it sometimes feels more like an aerobics class than a yoga class. I want sweat and tears as much as the rest of 'em, but i also want tranquility, spirituality, and being. And i want teachers who are approachable and open to conversation, and it's lacking. I mean, i don't think this is all too much to ask when i'm shelling out over $100 a month for this habit, sheesh. Anyway, i think i'm going to check out Seventh Street Yoga (faaabulous space) when i return.

Currently playing the new Interpol CD, and it is totally rocking my world. I highly recommend it.

Spent a sizable sum of money @ Central Market tonight in an effort to eat better foods. My body is punishing me for treating it like crap for the past couple of weeks and has decided to be tired, weak, bloated, fat, and pimply. Seriously i've never had issues with acne before in my life and suddenly it looks like i'm going through puberty again. I had buy Proactive for crying out loud. Soooo i filled my cart with fresh kale, organic spinach, fuji apples, corn on the cob, blueberries, 9 grain bread, natural peanut butter, tamari roasted almonds, and millet. Can't wait to try out the millet and kale as they are supposed to do wonders for your insides.

Received my housing offer letter from UCL today, and i got the place i wanted - YAY!! It's all really happening, and i still can't believe it. Also got Lynne Franks "The SEED Handbook: The Feminine Way to Create Business" in the mail today. Can't wait to tackle that one. Still can't seem to find my copy of "The Artist's Way," and it's driving me nuts. I think i might have to turn Lindsay's apartment upside down before i admit defeat. Sigh. Okay my darlings, bonsoir...

Think Pink, Aging, Breakfast Tacos


I now have little bits of pink in my hair. That's right - PINK. And not any of that lame pastel pink that Rachel McAdams did, but some serious HOT pink, aka "Atomic Pink" by SpecialFX. And i absolutely love it. It's subtle. It's fun. It's temporary. And it's sooo me! Was terrified to go home with pink in my hair, but my Mom actually kind of liked it! When I asked her if she really wasn't mad, she replied, "No! It's fun... I'm a COOL Mom, remember? I'm cool." God i love that woman. The funniest part of the weekend, however, was when I met my Mom at church on Sunday morning, and the pastor's wife approached me, smiled and said, "Wow! Your hair is so SPECIAL!" My mom was mortified, and i almost died laughing.

Moving on from pink, if you haven't read Nora Ephron's "I Feel Bad About My Neck," and if you're a woman, i highly recommend that you drop what you're doing right now and go out and get it. Or, better yet, buy the book on CD (OR, if you're a friend of mine, i might lend it to you...). It's narrated by the author and a RIOT. Seriously i've never laughed out loud so much. It provided some much needed entertainment on the drive back to Austin last night. I think Muffin enjoyed it as well.

What is it about this city and breakfast tacos? Seriously it's an obsession. Not that i'm complaining, of course. I love ordering the breakfast "special" at Lava Java - 2 breakfast tacos and a coffee or tea for only $3.25! I get spinach/egg/cheese on whole wheat and get coffee or tea depending on my mood. My only complaint is that they can be a bit stingy on the salsa, but if you're nice, they will gladly give you more on request.

On another note, i just booked a flight to San Antonio (for $5!) for August 24-26. It's going to be a fantastic weekend with my beloved Sista in her hometown. I am beyond excited. (Especially since i won't have to make that horrific drive.)

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Thank You's



I'm sort of obsessed with beautiful Thank You cards lately. As I am a firm believer that you can never give/send too many thank you's, it's just something you can never get enough of, especially because you have to really think about who the recipient of the card is before selecting the appropriate card. (e.g. you don't send the managing partner of a law firm a pink polka dot card). I've got about 4 varieties on hand right now, and during me and mum's trip to Tarjay earlier today, i picked up another. It's absolutely DARLING, and i think my favorite thus far. And so cheap!! It was $4.99 for 10, and they are so beautiful and ornate that you'd think they were from Paper Place (or Paper Source for you non-Austinites). Reason #326 Tarjay is the best thing that's ever happened to me... (ok not really, but it's pretty high up there).

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Dirty Dallas



Phew what a weekend it's been! Spent yesterday running beaucoup errands and spending some divine time at Michael's and Hobby Lobby. Seriously, they shouldn't let me in those stores! Was inspired to make Mom something, as i'm certain she will be terribly lonely when i'm in London, and so got some goodies and spent 4.5 hours (nonstop!) creating. I'm thrilled with my masterpiece, complete with baby pics of me, ribbons, stickers, beautiful quotes, and tons more. It was great. Then I worked on some other "projects" until 3 a.m.! Passed out with my two babies in bed and woke up at a fairly decent hour this morning to journal, sip tea, clean the apartment, and pack for my quickie visit to Dallas. Had brunch @ Taverna with Sista & Co. (sooo yummy! i built my own omelette - spinach, fontina cheese, mushroom) and was on the road by 4:30 p.m.. Had dinner with the 'rents, "surprised" Mom with Muffin (um... not quite the joyous reaction i was hoping for but i'm pretty certain she's already falling in love with her; Dad is another story...), and am now sipping more tea and attempting to "beautify" my bedroom in an effort to avoid reading for Con Law II.

Plans for tomorrow include going to church with Mom, studying, and then going to the grand opening of the new Super Target in Rowlett!! WOO HOO!! Sounds tres hick, i know, that we are just getting a Super Target, but i am beyond thrilled. It's the little things...

Just gotta hold on for 2 more weeks (in which i turn 24 - *gasp!!*), and then i can get busy preparing for Costa Rica (!!!!!!!!!) and Paris-London-EUROPE!!! I can't believe how fabulous the rest of 2007 is going to be. I am one lucky girl...

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Korean Missionaries

My prayers go out to the group of 23 Korean Christian missionaries who were kidnapped, by the Taliban, from a bus in Afghanistan. Just heard that one of them (i believe it was an older minister) was brutally killed and found with multiple gunshot wounds in his head, stomach, etc. This breaks my heart and hits far too close to home.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

23 Going on...30?

Just spent the last 3 hours with 2 very amazing women i'm lucky to know. I've spoken of them before, the lovely Gina and Tina, both of whom i met individually, fell in love with, and then realized that they were already close friends! After weeks of trying to plan a dessert date (very difficult to do with 2 busy women who have hubbies, babies, and careers) and settled on picking up desserts from Whole Foods and meeting at Tina's. (btw the chocolate parfait from Whole Foods is to die....) What is my fascination with women in their 30's who just seem to have their lives together in such an enviable way? Seriously i just want to follow them around and talk to them. Is that weird? How can i feel so young at times (you know, the times when i'm painting my nails black, dying my hair pink, and putting hello kitty stickers on my planner) and yet crave the company of mature women who seem have it all (hubbies, babies, careers, and killer wardrobes)? I'm not scared of getting older, like most of my girlfriends. I invite fat baby bellies, early evenings, the disappearance of flings and bars, and conversations about neighborhoods, school districts, and furniture. But i also want to wear scandalous clothing, travel the world, have zero responsibilities, and stay up all night writing and creating and doing whatever else i damn well please. I want comfort and stability AND freedom and spontaneity. I want it all...

Monday, July 23, 2007

Ready for Love


I know i know... i'd be groaning too if i saw the title of this post and then the accompanying picture. Don't worry, it's not that sappy or depressing, it's just a little something. D'accord?

Thing is... i just got thinking about love today. Love and the life of singletons, comme moi, and how i'm only one month shy of 24 years, and wow gosh this is definitely the longest i've gone without a significant beau since high school. And it's fine, really, i'm actually very much enjoying single life... being able to spend my time however i please, not having to call or check in with anyone, not having to worry about flirting with the cute barista or eating too much chocolate because let's be honest, there's no one to impress. And so yes, all that is good and lovely, and i totally get the whole time-to-be-free-finding-yourself-learning-to-love-yourself-before-you-can-love-another thing, i really do. That being said, i couldn't help but get a little teary-eyed while sitting in Starbucks earlier this morning (i know, Starbucks ugh but forgive me), staring out the window and wondering if i'll ever be kissed again. (I know, i'm so melodramatic.) Honestly though i can't even remember the last time i smooched a boy when SOBER, gawd how pathetic is that?? I mean i just want a nice cute unmarried straight man to kiss me a little and maybe take me out to dinner and snuggle up on the couch with me and let me play with his earlobe and rub my shoulders and all those delicious little things that only boyfriends have to do. Sigh ok this is depressing, moving on...

I'm totally going to fail my Corporations final this Thursday. But it's okay. Because i'm in no rush whatsoever to finish law school, and i've decided to move to California, rent a room in my sister and brother-in-law's new home, and work at some fun low-paying creative/wear-whatever-i-want job that has absolutely nothing to do with the law. GOOD PLAN.

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Ribbons, Stickers, & Glitter Glue!!


I've rediscovered my love for crafts!! I've never been an artistic person per se (did i spell that correctly? i don't think i've ever written that phrase..), but as a child and young girl, i've always adored "crafting." I love taking ordinary things and making them more.. me! Having been inspired by the Tranquil Space studio and TranquiliT Boutique, i've spent the last week crafting away. Ribbons, stickers, transfers, scrapbook papers, and even glitter glue. Gosh i haven't used glitter glue since who KNOWS when. My skills are a little rusty, but hey, at least i tried. I must remind myself not to go overboard (yeah right) because while a sheet of stickers and a spool of ribbon may only be a couple of bucks here and there, it adds up my friends. I had to literally drive in the opposite direction of Hobby Lobby while running my errands this afternoon because i could seriously lose hours (and lots of $$) in that creative paradise.

Anyway, i've just spent the last 45 minutes making good use of my new pink lapdesk (that's right! LAPDESKS R KEWL!!) dressing up a boring yellow folder into a fabulous and fun PURA VIDA (Costa Rica retreat) masterpiece. Can't wait to show KW in September!!!

Friday, July 20, 2007

Personal Day

Am very much craving a day in bed... perhaps it's the dreary weather, or the knowledge that i have a final in a week (for which i am 100% completely unprepared), or that my allergies have been bugging me this past week, and i'm tired of attending to my runny nose and achey head. In any case... i do hope motivation comes knocking at my door soon. Otherwise... well, you know how this story may end.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Muffin


Flag Burning v. Cross Burning


Was inspired for the first time today in my First Amendment class to speak up. We were debating whether the burning of an American flag is protected by the freedom of speech... I, of course, think it is. But then we were asked whether the burning of a cross in front of an African-American church is, and of course, I said no. Liberal hypocrite? I think not. At least that was my argument.

Leave it to issues of war and race to get me all fired up!

Salary Schmalary

This whole salary increase thing is ridiculous. First off, we aren't worth $160k. There are people out there who do far better things for this world and get paid substantially less. Second, it's foolish to think that you're getting this enormous pay increase just "because." I guarantee your hourly wage isn't going up at all.

Nothing in life is free.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Back to Reality

Weekend get-aways make it tres difficult to return to the real world. I successfully made it to both my classes today, but I did not make it to my French class. Was soo exhausted by the time i got home from class and running errands and had beaucoup de reading, laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc. to do that i played hooky. :-( Promise to be good from now on for SURE.

I can't believe my Corporations final is next week, Con Law II final the week after, and MPRE the week after that. The next 3 weeks of my life are not looking good...

On a brighter note, I tried out my new Get Your Yoga On CD tonight since i couldn't make it into the studio. Dimmed the lights, lit some yummy candles, and somehow managed to get Puffin off my yoga mat and yogitoes. Success!! I had my first real home practice, and I have Kimberly Wilson (duh) to thank for it. I think I want to get the Baron Baptiste CD as well as it is a bit more challenging. I wonder if I can mimic the studio's heat by turning my thermostat up to 90 degrees? Hmm...

Just ate a sad little dinner of corn on the cob, sauteed spinach and garlic, and brown rice. I really should go to the grocery store and put some effort into cooking real meals, but i just can't seem to find the energy or the time. These are the times when i miss Mom the most.

Off to soak in the tub and read for class. Bonsoir, darlings!

The Decemberists + Baltimore Symphony Orchestra = Phenomenal




While in DC, J and I borrowed a friend's car and ventured into Maryland to see The Decemberists perform with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. INCREDIBLE!! If you have a chance to see The Decemberists live in concert (which you will if you go to ACL), then you must. They put on an awesome show, and the band members are all such characterists (esp. the drummer!). My only complaint was that the concert was way too short. Mad props to the attorney @ Covington who got us these tix.

Monday, July 16, 2007

J'adore DC





Back from my fabulous, but oh-so-short weekend in Washington DC. Had to wake up at the brutal hour of 4:30 a.m. this morning to catch my flight, but it was well worth it. Above are pics from the weekend (yes, i realize there are no monument pics - will explain below). That's me and the incredible Kimberly Wilson, aka The Hip Tranquil Chick, in front of Kramer's - a kickass 24-hour bookstore in Dupont Circle. There's also a pic of the studio from outside (see the Tranquil Space sign on the left?) and of the TranquiliT Boutique where I bought some super cute and environmentally sustainable pieces.

Besides meeting up with my tranquil chick, taking a yoga class at the studio, and shopping around Dupont, I also sampled the nightlife in Adams Morgan, had brunch at Belga Cafe in the Eastern Market neighborhood and also bought some yummy candles and a beautiful journal from the outdoor flea market for which Eastern Market is known. Caught a bus to Georgetown and walked up and down the fabulous Wisconsin Ave, checking out the local (and tres expensive) boutiques, then walked along M Street-Pennsylvania Ave. to the downtown area. Sat. evening we dined at Ole Ebbitt Grill (phenomenal crabcakes and delicious blueberry cobbler!). Did not get to see the monuments in all their glory (though i did walk by the White House), but those will always be there, right? :P

All in all, i had a most fabulous trip, navigated the DC metro and buses like a pro, got some hip and tranquil goodies, and can't wait until my next trip!

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Dupont



I am sitting outside at a cafe in Dupont Circle. How amazing is that?? The weather is perfection - sunny, breezy, and lovely. I am adoring this place already. I'm heading to Tranquil Space around 1, and i can't wait. I am a bit sad that KW won't be teaching today's class as planned, but i'm sure it will be fabulous. I also plan to do some shopping at her TranquiliT Boutique attached to the studio for some eco-friendly and chic yoga duds. Yay! Other plans for the weekend include a FABULOUS concert tonight in Baltimore. Get this, my darling J scored tickets to the Decemberists who are playing with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra!!! This is why i keep him around. ;-)

Sunday i'm having brunch w/ Aloo in Eastern Market and exploring the neighborhood, hopefully doing some shopping in Georgetown, and then of course, meeting my HIP TRANQUIL CHICK!!!!

Stay tuned for updates...

Vacay

I'm in DC!!!!!!!!! Going to Tranquil Space (my beloved's yoga studio) to take a yoga class at 1:30 p.m. Woo hoo!!!

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Hip Tranquil Chick & Moi



Yayy!! Today was my podcast debut, and it is so surreal to hear my voice via the internet! Anyway you know i've sung my praises for the HTC book and podcast, and if you haven't yet checked out the website (www.hiptranquilchick.com) or the podcast (Hip Tranquil Chick podcast on iTunes), then you really should. Even if you're not a yogi and have no desire to get into that world, it's helpful for any girl or woman who wants to focus on self-improvement, self-empowerment, and self-nurturing. She's very inspiring.

Anyway, feel free to check it out! http://www.hiptranquilchick.com/podcastblog.html

P.S. I'm actually meeting the phenomenal Kimberly Wilson this weekend during my trip to D.C.!!

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Macbook Musings



I am absolutely GIDDY as i have just bought myself a brand spankin' new macbook in all its beautiful pearly white glory. Who knew i'd ever become a mac user? Turns out it's not as hard as i thought it would be, and i'm already feeling pretty comfy with it. I'm still unsure as to what the best method of transferring all my files from my Dell to my new baby is... I get the feeling that i'll probably just be burning a LOT of CD's. If anyone has any suggestions, please hook a sister up...

Okay how do i do italics on this darn thing?? My beloved ctrl+i is not working. Help!

Calm i am remaining calm.

So this is my last week of work at the firm (tres sad), and i'm really going to miss the people. I will not, however, miss working everyday all day. Then again, these next few weeks are going to be far worse. No paycheck, lots of class and catching up to do, stuDYING (ugh - the worst), and taking tests. Ick!

Finished "Love is a Mix Tape" by Rob Sheffield this weekend, and i HIGHLY recommend it. Also started "Not On Our Watch" (see book list to the right) and am so far digging it, though i realize it'll be a difficult and emotional read.

Barack is rockin' the vote, man. I haven't decided who i'm rooting for but i am so down with a President who is not white male. Rock on, minorities!