Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Resolutions

2008. Check.

A (well, almost) Happy New Year to you all!

I feel like New Year's is an odd holiday. If it's a holiday at all. There is the crush and rush that is Christmas and just as you're catching your breath, it is time to celebrate again. Time to say goodbye and turn up the calendar and hopefully get a few more things right this time. Time to take stock.

Moments after you finish Christmas dinner, you flip on the TV to see ad after ad for gym memberships, weight loss programs, countdown parties and big sales. We're barely through one moment before we're rushed to the next. At any rate, 2009 is nearly here, and with it comes the laundry lists of resolutions. Some will be forgotten as soon as they are made, a couple will be given the good college try and none (probably) will be kept. But I believe the resolution intent is good. Of course goals are good. My blog appropriate intentions for '09 include:

  • Save more $$! Diversify! Sell! Sell! Sell!
  • Not feel guilted into joining a gym. Not feel guilted into quitting coffee.
  • Be more intentionally kind. And aware of my words.
  • Begin planning, if not travel to, next international travel destination.
  • Consider, investigate ongoing education. In one form or another. Whether this means pottery class or master's degree.
So, best wishes for a bright new year. Whether you're headed downtown or couchbound this evening, may you feel hope and joy for brand new start.
Oh, and the picture above. One day I will be in Vegas for New Years. Not Times Square. Who cares about a dropping ball?? I'll bet the strip does New Years up RIGHT.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Repeat the Sounding Joy

It is Christmas Eve. Really? It seems yesterday I was out at the beach working on my tan and just earlier today I was picking out a pumpkin. Tomorrow is Christmas. It's true what they say. The older you get, the faster time goes...

I love Christmas. Most people do. What are my reasons? Well,


1. Peanut butter balls. Merilee Hill's recipe. I have tried to duplicate on my own, which should NOT be hard, there are only four ingredients (she swears, but I have my suspicions). I try and try, but they are never as good. Moms just have the touch.

2. Finding the perfect gift. Shopping ALL day (or for about 20 minutes) for that tricky person on your list. You wander. You worry. You consider popcorn in a can. And THEN. You see a display and FLASH you have an idea and it all comes together and you have found... the perfect gift. The gift people will talk about for years to come, the gift you just KNOW this person will not stash away in the "what is this, save it for a white elephant gift exchange" box.

3. Well, obviously there is the baby J. No, not me. Jesus. Laying in a manger. No story is more lovely. I still get tiny butterflies when I unpack our little family nativity.



4. The Family Stone. Quickly becoming one of my favorite holiday(?) movies. Talk about putting the "fun" in dysfunction. Who doesn't love the pothead brother from Berkeley (Luke Wilson, perfect casting), the high-strung and fiercely protective/overbearing mother (with cancer!) and the girlfriend no one likes (Sarah Jessica, sigh), all stewed together for some meaty holiday chaos. Just LOVE. Our family watches it Christmas Eve while sipping Bailey's cocoa and nibbling homemade treats. Perfect.



5. Holiday Music. Well to a point. "Warm 106.9 plays nonstop holiday favorites" makes me want to roll down my car window, poke my head out and throw up a little bit. Oh, no. Great holiday music belongs to the Carpenters, James Taylor, Nat King Cole (how can you not?), Bing Crosby and an elite few more. Who needs the Jonas Brothers do God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen? I do NOT.



6. Alki Christmas. So I have some friends who keep me company on Alki. We're like a silly little family. This year we decided to have our own little Christmas with pizza, presents and even a bowl of cash for a needy family. Just wonderful.

7. Looking Back. Christmas is a great time to evaluate the year behind you. 2008 was a great year. Highlights include the GRAND CANYON (so grand), skydiving, Barack Obama (and all that entails), Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It), and of course people and the memorable moments/joy they bring you.



8. Snow. We have a white Christmas this year! Pretty special. This does not happen often in Western WA. So when we do have a trace of white or a few little flakes fall on the right day, it really means something. So magical, so quiet.

Well. Speaking of white Christmases, I'm off to curl up and pop in that Bing Crosby holiday classic. Not much else to do on a night like this! And for the record. I have always been so very jealous of Rosemary Clooney's hair/makeup/wardrobe in this movie. Just, let it be said.

Peace and joy to you.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Good Words


Our deepest fear is not that we're inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to manifest the Glory of God that's within us. It is not just in some of us. It's in everyone. And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
Nelson Mandela

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Newer Things

It's the Sunday morning after Thanksgiving. And for the first time in (almost exactly!) four months, I feel like sitting down and capturing all this. With a cup of coffee and Sarah Bareilles (Live album).

A lot has happened the last third of a year. Autumn/Winter has set in. I have jumped out of planes, I have stood up at weddings, I have cheered the victor of a race. I climbed into and out of the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I have raised a glass and given Thanks and I have cried the tears of heartbreak.

There have been job shakeups (both good and bad), friendships, music, great books and great words. Family has gathered. I remain grateful as I continue to grow. I was telling a friend yesterday that you can love God your whole life, but what an amazing thing to continue to wrestle intelligently AND rejoice through life. My heart is full but what a gift to have a mind to reason and consider and think and discover. Because of all this, I'm a different person from what I was last year, and five years ago and twenty-five years ago. What a blessing it is to grow and change. And what a blessing it is that God doesn't.... "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:20b) God's timeless presence continues to captivate and comfort me. Even when finding peace feels impossible.

I can't help but mention that (and not to get all political) I find real joy in Barack Obama's victory this November. I look forward to a return of national pride and real leadership through this bleak, bleak national crisis. Things won't change and improve overnight. It is naive to believe they could. But I eagerly await that day when I can trust the words of my president and have every reason to confidently travel to the ends of the earth and proudly say that yes, I am an American. These are the days I will tell my grandchildren about; and I will always remember where I was when it was announced that Barack Obama was elected President and there was celebrating in the streets the world over. (Conservatives, put your hankies away. It WILL be ok.)

Foggy day today. There is something so beautifully soothing about foghorns across Puget Sound this morning. So very restful and quiet. I'm about to jump up and clean my apartment from top to bottom and winterize my little garden. That seems fine but I'd really rather jump on my bike and ride till dark like I did when I was a kid. At any rate, whatever I do.... I am thankful for this day ahead and others like it. Sappiness and sentimentality aside, there is my latest.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Verbatim

From TIME Magazine (August 4th, 2008 edition):

"Wall Street got drunk."

George W. Bush, describing the nation's troubled economy at a GOP fund raiser after requesting that all cameras be turned off.

Thank you, Mr. President. For doing your part to devastate the American economy these past eight years. Thank you that millions of working American families now CAN'T afford to drive to work AND put food on the table. Thank you that millions of jobs have been lost, homes have been taken away and the money that our grandparents counted on for security after a lifetime of hard work is being poured into a thoughtless, endless and costly re-creation of a wild west showdown.

Thank you for your deeply moving and sympathetic explanation for our national crisis. This is the sort of political poetry that is sure to grant hope and comfort to the masses.....

The masses who will turn out in record numbers in November to vote for a junior senator from Illinois because he brought water to a dry America with just one word.....

Change.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Read This


Right now I'm finishing this book. And it's SO GOOD. Really some of the best writing I have read in a very long time. I love just getting lost in a GREAT book. The kind of book you pick up to read and hours and many pages later you wonder where the heck the time went. The kind of book where you don't just take words from a page but you feel you're a real witness to a great scene and then SNAP! Your bus gets to your stop and you've forgotten you have a real life and a job to get to. Unfortunately. :)

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Not to get all political...


... but here is another reason to admire the Obamas: They give their daughters $1/week for allowance! (according to People Mag)

And um. The McCains claim over $225,000 in personal credit card debt (Baltimore Sun).

I guess fiscal responsibility looks a little different for everyone. ;)

Monday, July 21, 2008

Hill Women

This past weekend, I spent some wonderful, quality time with Hill women.

We're scattered from Bend, OR to Bellingham, WA... I miss these women every day, but when we get together, it's like no time has passed. Miles are between us as we live daily lives, but there is nothing distant about the bond between us.... I know, I know. Hold the phone, Hallmark. But it's totally true and it's a beautiful reality I'll reflect on and instantly feel consumed with thankfulness and joy. You can't buy love like this. Such profoundly loyal sisterhood, motherhood can't be forced and will never fade. We know each other, we love each other, we have the same hair, the same walk, the same talk, and we never forget how special it is to be Hill women.

We shopped, we laughed, we drank, we talked, we cried, we ATE, we walked together, we shopped some more.

It was just such a precious (and FUN!) time.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Say What You Will...

... about John Mayer and his "illustrious" personal life. And say what you will about covering classic songs.


But he has released a PHEnomenal cover of Tom Petty's "Free Fallin'", which he performed live for his "Live From Los Angeles" album. Yes, that's a capital P-H-E.

It's an accoustically personal, deeply soulful and just, simply beautiful version of the song. You should just buy the whole album for it (plenty of other greats on there as well) or get it on i-Tunes. It's the best 99 cents (or buck seven, but who's really counting) I've spent in a long time. Please release all perfectly valid judgments of said performer and check it out. And let me know what you think!! I was pleasantly surprised, but I am um.... a um.... fan of... John Mayer to begin with. His music. Not his love life. Once, in college, I was at a bar where Mayer was performing. After the show, I snatched up the empty water bottle Mayer had used during the concert as a souvenir. The guy who was cleaning up, gave me a funny look (rightly so) and said, "You know, his syphilis is all over that thing." Gross. But whatever. A great musician with another great song.

Currently in Chicago, enjoying last nite in my favorite non-Seattle city (for now, anyway). A fantastic time, more juice on that later. I'll tell you this much... Juli and I got into a bit of trouble with a bouncer, we had high tea at the American Girls flagship store (yes we are two grown girls of 26), and I love flaming cheese... OPA!!! (Shoutout Greektown)

Much love!

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

God Bless America Tour 2008

I hope you all (all= the four of you who MIGHT read this. Hi Mom.) had a fabulous Fourth of July weekend!

Let's talk about God Bless America Tour 2008, also affectionately referred to as "GBAT 08", for those of you who are crazy for acronyms (like me).

The weekend was SO GREAT. First of all, I turned 26. The perfect age. No need to rehash that, but it has been a real joy to be blessed by and celebrate with the wonderful friends and family I am fortunate to be surrounded by. Thank you for your nice cards, gifts, wishes and sweet treats.

GBAT 08 started with a 9 am meeting of seven silly girls in West Seattle on the morning of the 4th of July. Makeup free and in grubby clothes, we packed coolers, packed cars, made a quick stop at Safeway for ice, beer and batteries and hit the road. A little more than 4 hours later, after one pit stop, one "check engine" light incident, and more than a couple "what the..?" drives through teeny tiny Eastern Washington towns, we arrived at our destination: Maryhill State Park, located on the Washington side of the Columbia River, 12 miles from Goldendale, WA. Maryhill is a beautiful green oasis in the middle of a very dry and expansive desert of brown nothing. It is difficult to fully capture natural beauty, even digitally, but I tried, so here is a glimpse:



Our campsite (#55!) was big and grassy and had lots of trees. We set up camp, which consisted of 3 tents, 5 coolers, 8 camp chairs, and bags and bags and bags and bags of food.

We spent three full days relaxing, eating, drinking, giggling, reading, laying in the sun, telling stories, sittin round the campfire, playin bocce, throwing frisbees, swimming and just enjoying some life.

Highlights include (but are definitely not restricted to):

Fourth of July "fireworks" in Goldendale, WA. We had heard there would be fireworks there, so we drove into this little All-American town, asked for directions from a 13 year old girl with koolaid hair, found the park where the big show was to go down, and waited. And waited. And waited some more. We watched random people shoot off random fireworks at random times. And then we realized. That WAS the big show. Needless to say, we were confused.


Shortly thereafter, we got the heck out. People were shooting each other with roman candles and we did not want to get caught in the crossfire.

Squatters!! The second day of the trip, we noticed that someone had staked a tent at the campsite next to us. The park ranger/volunteer told us that whoever belonged to that tent had NOT checked in when they had arrived. Squatters!! Oh, it gets better. THEN a group of 4 people in their mid-20s showed up at that same site. Two guys, two girls and their dumb yappy chihuahua named Isabel. I wanted to kick that dumb dog into the fire. Anyway, that group of 4 insisted that they had reserved the site as well and were determined to stay. They were pretty pissed about the whole thing. In fact, the group set up their two tents, one on each side of the "squatter" tent. We knew that all of this meant one thing- SHOWDOWN! We were excited for what the evening might bring.

That evening, the group of 4 left for a concert and would not be back until late. The "squatters" were still nowhere to be seen! Later that night, it's dark. We girls were just sitting around the campfire, makin smores and just waiting for the big showdown. With every passing car, we would get excited thinking the squatters had finally arrived and then the car would pass. No squatters. We were in the middle of sharing our most embarrassing moments, when we heard motorcycles roar into the campground, and we JUST KNEW. The squatters had arrived.

Smores, stories, all was forgotten. As the motorcycles roared into the neighboring campsite, we seven girls were struck. It was like a scene from a movie. We were riveted. With eyes wide and mouths open, we watched the two motorcyclists park and turn off their engines. They exclaimed, "Where's our stuff?! What's going on!?" They were confused and angry. So Sarah and Natanya kindly went over and explained to them what had happened. The woman was loud and upset, and waved a receipt in their faces saying they had a confirmed reservation which they had booked weeks before. They sort of thanked Sarah and Nay. We went back to our chairs and slowly resumed smores and chatter, resolute to stay awake until the other group returned.

We did not have to wait too long. Soon, the now drunken group of four arrived! They were very loud and obnoxious. Again, we fell silent. What would happen next? Would there be a brawl? Would the small dog accidentally/hopefully be smashed in the process? Would we have to intervene? We braced ourselves. One of the drunken girls yelled something and interrogated the motorcycle couple. Motorcycle lady said something back. Voices were raised. There was confusion. Lots of explaining, lots of excuses. We listened as their heated conversation continued. THEN!

Then they all made friends! They apologized to each other. They all decided to stay. They even started a campfire together. It was okay, but we were a little disappointed. The End.

We ate. We ate GOOD. Incidentally, there were 7 girls on the trip and 7 meals needed to be prepared. So we each were responsible for a meal. Tasty meals included feta and garlic stuffed chicken burgers, marinated teriyaki chicken, quesadillas, pancakes and mimosas, delicious wraps, sandwiches, homemade pasta salad. And there was plenty of tasty beer and hard cider to wash it all down with!

In the end, it was one of the best camping trips I have ever been on! It all really went off without a hitch. No broken down cars, no nasty allergic reactions, no drama, no one got lost, no one got sick, no one went hungry. It was just seven slightly sunburnt friends having a lovely, fun time in the GREAT outdoors. We are already planning our next trip.... August or September, this time in western WA. Stay tuned!






Thursday, July 3, 2008

Storms, Sonics and SICK

HAPPY Fourth of July weekend! I hope you all (whoever reads this blog anyway) have a fantastic weekend! If you think of it, light up a sparkler for me! ;) Tonite I am packing, packing, packing for a 3 day camping trip to Eastern Washington!! I can't wait. I went to the store last nite to stock up on vacay food, and somehow spent $70 on fixins for just one meal, bottled water and some snacks. Food is so expensive these days! I remember when my mom could easily buy groceries for our family of four for a week, spending $100 or less. Those days are long gone! Anyway. Camping! Friends! Fun!

Who doesn't love a good thunderstorm with some lightning thown in?? Here in the good ole PNW we rarely have any kind of exciting weather, unless you count that ridiculous snowstorm we had last April. Here, it is gray and rainy, then the sun peeks thru for a couple of months, then we go back to gray and rainy. But THUNDER! LIGHTNING! Love it.

The Supersonics are leaving Seattle. It's sad. To be honest, I don't really understand why they are moving. I know that a lot of people are glad they are leaving and others are deeply saddened and very angry. I know they have not had the best record and not a lot of people go to games. But at the end of the day, it's a loss.



Rush Limbaugh just signed a $400 million deal to stay on the radio for eight more years. Ridiculous does not begin to describe this news. It is just sick. I am a firm believer in our freedoms of speech and of press. I do not personally agree with Rush Limbaugh or anything that he stands for socially and/or politically..... but he does have every right to put his opinions out there. I DO find it disgusting and nauseating that ANYONE be paid ANYTHING near this figure to clog the airwaves with selfish rants and raves simply designed to shock and offend the masses. It is disheartening to live in a country and to be a part of a culture which would offer up this kind of greedy reward for classlessness. I cannot help but think that $400 million could go a long way to feed the 800 million people who are starving worldwide. $400 million could do a LOT of GOOD in this world. And I just can't find anything inherently GOOD about Rush Limbaugh.

Whew. That's all I have for now. :)

Friday, June 27, 2008

Farewell Twenty-five.

So this is my very last week of being 25.

I will miss 25. It has been a great year. Lots has happened. I started a new job that I love, I did some travelling, made some new friends, learned some new things, and just had some really good times.

Soon I will be 26. I think that 26 is the perfect age. My friend Tina and I have had many discussions about this. When you are 26, you can be married with a couple kids and it's fine. If you're single and just doing the working and having fun thing, it's fine. You are a few more years out of college, so you are taken a bit more seriously by your bosses and colleagues. It's really, a perfect age.

Turning 27, however?? I am terrified. But I have a year. No worries. Plenty of time to dig myself deeper and deeper into denial.

Plans for the big day?? OH. Well, going camping with the other Alki gals at Maryhill State Park! I am very excited, for "God Bless America Tour 2008". It will be three days of hot hot hot camping, smores, silliness and maybe some windsurfing. This will be me:

So I have high hopes for 26. I think it will be a fantastic year!!

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Another reason to love Summer....


... is lots of tennis. Namely, the Championships at Wimbledon.

I LOVE following this, the greatest championship in pro Tennis. And many years, I've gotten a bonus birthday gift of a Wimbledon final on my birthday. You cannot put a price on a Federer/Nadal final. And to be perfectly honest, some years, Wimbledon tennis has outshone any birthday gift I received. No offense, Mom. I just love this game THAT much.

Women's tennis? Ah. I can take it or leave it. Right now, the girls don't have much game. We've got the pretty, silly girls (aka Maria Sharapova.... and do not even get me started on Anna Kournikova, though I'm not even sure she still plays tennis, or if she ever really did) and the mean, self-involved ones (Williams sisters). Until the girls can step up with some class (aka Justine Henin, Steffi Graf), I will give a yawn and watch the boys play.

And for the record, I still miss Pete Sampras. Sigh.


Saturday, June 21, 2008

Fremont on Parade

Today I went to the Fremont Summer Solistice parade and street fair with some friends. I had never been to this (in)famous event. I knew it would be crazy. I knew that there would be hippies everywhere, naked painted people on bikes, colorful costumes and probably a couple of political demonstrations. Nearly 7 years in quasi-liberal Bellingham did not prepare me for this. In the above picture, someone dressed as Dick Cheney is drinking a carton of motor oil while riding on a papier-mache tank covered in balloons. Of course the scene would not be complete without Papa Smurf on a bike riding alongside.

Additionally, I should have taken a picture of the 10 foot long marijuana joint painted like an American flag, complete with sign saying, "Weed, not War". In my state of shock/amusement/"what the..", my camera was long forgotten.

Sometimes when I observe these neo-political statements designed to offend, I think about Chehalis, my conservative little hometown and wonder what the rednecks and churchy grannies would think about THIS.

As shocked and fairly overwhelmed by such a display as I was, I find myself grateful for freedom of expression. It was a crazy, colorful and chaotic spectacle for sure, but it is always interesting and refreshing when beliefs, cultures, statements, and causes collide in one place, even on one little street.

For most of the humid afternoon, our little group of normally chatty friends was rendered speechless. Surely nothing on cable can compare to people-watching on the first day of Summer in Fremont. Eventually we peeled away from the crowd and sat on a curb, eating our Vietnamese chicken skewers, fighting exhaustion, and watching bleary-eyed as the crowd went by.

Our new friend Cody took this picture of Sarah, Natanya and I, which I felt was blog-worthy.


A fun, enlightening day for sure.
Now I am off to nap.

Friday, June 20, 2008

SUMMER

It is finally, finally here. After months of rain and wind and cold and gray and snow in April, SUMMER is here TODAY!

This morning, I excitedly threw on my white skirt and my new Nine West ($30 on clearance!) silver ballet flats to celebrate. I tossed my sunglasses into my bag, KNOWING I would use them today.

Words cannot express my love for this very season. Summer means sunshine (usually), BBQs, dusty flip flops, big coolers full of cold drinks, hitting the tennis court at 9 pm knowing you still have plenty of time to play, frisbees a-flyin, no more teachers and no more books, laziness, tans, watermelons at 2 cents a pound, eating outside, Mariners games with the roof open (ahem, more on that later), 4th of JULY (!!), flowers, gardens, and little ones splashing and squealing thru sprinklers wearing their teeny tiny swimsuits and not caring about a single thing. YES. I LOVE summer.

I have high hopes for this summer. I hope I get lots of cherry tomatoes off my one little plant. I hope the Mariners can get it together and preserve some kind of team dignity. I hope that Seattle gets the sunshine it deserves after a long, dark fall/winter/spring, and I REALLY hope to fully enjoy every little and big thing this season has to offer. Without spending $5/gallon to get there.

So. What do YOU love about summer? What are you looking forward to??

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Let's do a blog...

I love blogs. I love discovering blogs that I love. I love writing and commenting on silly and somewhat important things. So I thought it was time to start a blog. Yes. Another thing to take up giant chunks of my time that is somehow justifiable because everyone seems to be doing it, and paying attention to it. These days, blogs have become entirely relevant (socially speaking), but what's great about them is that they are also personal and creative. And hey... even grandmas, school children and criminals have blogs these days! So it is time to blog.

This will not be a "let's transcribe my personal diary for the whole world to see" kind of blog. Oh no. I believe such things are meant to be private. I do hope to run commentary on the following:

-Random happenings, silly stories
-News, media and politics
-Seattle
-Religion (mine and others)
-Things I buy that I love
-Sports
-And whatever

Thanks for reading. :)