Life tastes good

The extent of my obsession with Nutella has reached ridiculous levels. I cannot get enough of it. I think this is because when I was younger, I had a few too many bad experiences with Ferrero Rocher - which I still think is disgusting - and it resulted in my thinking that I didn't like hazelnut. Thus I as a child and teen I had no desire to even attempt something like Nutella.

I wish I'd known then what I know now.

Because I'm obviously making up for lost time. First it started out with just Holland Rusk. That's all I'd eat it on. Now it's bagels. And toast. And when I'm done spreading, I can't help it. I lick the knife. I just can't let it go to waste!

What I am getting at, is that if you haven't tried it already, do. Now. Run to your local grocer and buy a jar of it this second. It will change your life.

On the topic of foods that have altered my reality in a serious way, we now come to pancake in a can. Well, ok, it's actually called Batter Blaster. I found out about it today, and it blew my mind! Brad, our tech manager, was telling us about it, and at first we in the office thought it was a joke. Then when we realized he was serious, we thought it just sounded nasty; like cheez whiz style pancakes full of chemicals and preservatives.

But not so! It is in fact USDA certified organic! And the pancakes it makes actually look really good! Who would have thought?? You MUST check it out. Just watch the video. You too will be a believer.



I know, you want some now don't you? I'll get some soon and let you know how it is. And I think maybe I'll put a little Nutella on it while I'm at it...

All the clocks around the town had died

Water Curses, the new Animal Collective ep that leaked today, is wonderful. I know this with much thanks to my lovely friend Ben.

The first track brings visions of bright lights at dusk as you spin and spin and spin in delicious dizziness. Like a ride on the scrambler at the fair at night, it's carnivalesque. And it makes me want to run around and dance like a loon. A+ in my book.

The other three tracks feel like the calmer, more thoughtful Animal Collective that was missing from Strawberry Jam, with the last track evoking the flow and serenity that might come to one swimming deep underwater.

I love these guys.

Increased daylight and increased craziness

Sam is doing alright. I stayed the night at my Dad's since they didn't get home until about 2:30. Poor Sammy had to get 8 stitches in his finger. Best case scenario is that all the nerve endings will be fine because he's so young and the tip of his finger wasn't completely severed. Worst case is that they'll have to amputate the tip. But we're all praying and hoping for the best. He's been such a little trooper.

It was adorable to see my other siblings rallying together. At about 10 my dad called from the children's hospital and Jed, Ben, Zach and I talked to Sammy on speaker phone. There were lots of "We love you Sammy! We miss you!" and we got a "I wuv you too" back. Zach left a heart card and a drawing he'd made for Sam on the kitchen table for when they came home. I have some of the cutest brothers and sisters. Seriously.

As for today, it's been... weird. The weather alternated between torrential downpours and breaks of sunlight as I made the 45 minute drive to work from my dad's. There was a pretty bad accident on the freeway I was on. But I'll admit it didn't seem to be nearly as bad as this accident that's all over the news. What kind of mother gets so drunk she passes out in the passenger's seat and makes her 14 year old intoxicated daughter drive home? Terrifying!

At work things are crazy. I think my parents may be letting go our self proclaimed "Office Manager." Finally. I love Shonna to pieces. I really do. She's sweet and motherly and very kind. But she is just way too scattered when it comes to office work. And it's been driving us all crazy! So we'll see what happens. My parents are a lot of talk when it comes to firing, but maybe they'll be a little gutsy this time round.

That being said, I'll probably end up with quite a bit more responsibility. Which I'm ok with. And I've been thinking about volunteering to open. Simply because if I have to be there at 7, I'll do it. And I'll be diligent. And I'll get off work early hah.

Oh, and we did get that little girl. We're calling her Abigail (Abby for short). I have no idea if it's going to be permanent or not. I'm going to let my parents make that call. I'm trying to be unbiased. She's a bit shy right now, but I think she'll warm up. Hopefully there won't be too much sibling rivalry between her and Brock since they're so close in age and, for all intents and purposes, Brock's been an only child for the past two years.

Life is hectic. But summer is coming. Which makes it all that much more manageable. I can't wait for warm weather.

The oldest of 9...10...11...

My second youngest brother, Sam, is in the UW Medical Center emergency room with smashed fingers. The last I heard was that he was going into surgery. So please, keep him in your prayers.

I'm at my dad's watching my brothers and sister while my dad and Kina are at the hospital. Oddly enough, by the time I get home either tonight or tomorrow, I'll probably have another little sister at home.

My mom and Tod are foster parents, and before Christmas we got two sweet little girls to watch for a few days. The aunt who has been taking care of them since then has decided she can't be the kind of mother she'd like to be for the youngest girl, so we're taking her back. She's a sweetheart. She's a couple months apart in age from Brock, so it'll be a bit like having twins. And chances are we'll get to adopt her. Nevaeh, the older of the two, will most likely be around a lot as well since we'll want to keep them close as sisters, so it's a bit like gaining two new sisters really. I'm excited. I love kids. And I really love being a big sister.

Anyway, time to make sure homework is done and watch High School Musical 2 hah

A lot of nothingness with a little somethingness

I am not enjoying this whole time change thing. It has completely thrown me off. I should be tired. And I'm really really not.

So, next payday, I am definitely getting this straightener. It's what Aves used to curl my hair last night and it's fantastic. I can't wait!

My head is all over the place tonight! I keep starting sentences then not finishing them. And it's taking me forever to finish this blog hah.

I spent most of today just chilling. Painted my nails, groomed the old eyebrows, shopped out some makeup (I want this makeup sampler from Sephora to boost my makeup color choices), actually tried out some makeup techniques I'd been wanting to mess around with for a while, and managed to get some laundry done.

Basically I slacked off all day. And it was alright.

We are friends, we are friends till the very end

PostSecret makes my Saturday nights and Sundays better.

Avery taught me how to curl my hair with a straightener tonight. Who knew that was even possible?? Or that I'd love it way more than any time I've ever tried to use a curling iron? Craziness!

We did some serious shopping tonight. And by that I mean we tried on a kagillion outfits, loved a lot of them, and bought nothing. All in all, it was a total success. We have no money but that doesn't keep us from enjoying clothes!

Then we spent about 4 hours discussing boys and how dumb they are (sorry boys). We rehashed a lot of the troubles we've had in the past, and discussed the ones we're having now. I got a lot of food for thought.

Anyway, since I'm missing out on an hour of sleep tonight, I think it's time for bed. Remember to set your clocks an hour forward! I hate the lost hour, but boy do I love the extra daylight that'll be rolling in with the coming weeks. Spring is a good time of year.

A funky space reincarnation

1) Teatro ZinZanni was delightful. It was a 5 course dinner with a crazy, very funny circus going on around us while we ate.

2) I can't get enough Marvin Gaye this week.

3) I just want my hair to grow faster. That would be a good thing.

Major, fierce, chic, and everything in between

The Project Runway season finale was AMAZING! Aaaaagh! I'm still not over it. I loved everyone's collections!

Alright, so the winner was of course Christian (yessss) and he absolutely deserved it. As soon as I realized Victoria Beckham was going to be the guest judge, I knew he had it in the bag. He is 100% her style. She is fabulous, and I mean just look at the chicness of his clothes- it's a perfect match!




As for Jillian, I basically wanted to wear every single one of her designs. During her show it was obvious she wasn't going to win - there was no fluidity of story in her collection - but still, she has got some serious talent in the area of wearability with style. And the knits... oh good heavens the knits. Loooooove!




And then there is Rami, who, much as I detested him during the show (I didn't think he or his draping deserved to be in the ranks of better designers), had pieces in his collection that I could not get over. Some of them were stunning! And I seriously want that pink skirt. It is adorable!




Aaah, best season yet. I love the hats, the shoes, the knits, the weaving. It was fantastic.

Oh! And for all you shopaholics out there! You NEED to check out Shopbop.com. Think Urban Outfitters on steroids. They have everything you could ever need to satisfy your designer hunger. And it ranges from being hugely expensive to actually quite affordable for what they're selling. Their jeans are in the ranks of Nordstrom rather than Henri Bendel. Can't argue with that! So shop to it!

Ok, onto other things, hah! I've decided that after I graduate, I want one of these:

Yeah, a Toyota Prius. By the time I'm out of college, they should be in the 50 or 60 mpg range. And they're surprisingly inexpensive for a hybrid. They come in a lovely charcoal color, which is what I want any car of mine to be (other than my periwinkle Jeep of course!). So that is my goal. Because chances are two years from now my Jeep will be on the uh... not so great side... Let's put it this way: I'll probably get a trade in value of maybe $200.

So anyway, I'm feeling better today, which is really weird. I think I had just a touch of the flu maybe? Perhaps a milder version of the stomach flu? I have no idea. I had a fever again last night but took some Tylenol and felt much better after. I woke up this morning as good as ever.

Which is good because tonight my dad and stepmom are taking my brother and I out to Teatro ZinZanni in Seattle for a birthday dinner. Tix are not cheap, so I'm glad I'll be well enough to go. I think it will be fun.

Well anyway, I'd better get back to work. Fashion lover out!

Tender to the touch

What illness gives you a 101 degree fever, dizziness, nausea (without any throwing up) and a slight headache? Because whatever that illness is, I have it. My skin and joints were sooo achy today it hurt to even have my clothes rubbing on my back and arms, and I was freezing when I would normally be ok or even warm. So I came home from work early, took my temp, and there it was: 100.9 degrees. Ick.

In brighter news, the Project Runway season finale is tonight. I'm hoping I won't be passed out by the time it comes on because I'd really like to see what everyone's bringing to the table. (Go Christian!)

Heppy Berthdey

Well, by far the best Happy Birthday I've gotten so far is from one Ben Paris as follows:



hahaha

As far as presents go, I got a new set of scriptures from my parents! I'm actually really pleased with this gift. My mom noticed a few weeks ago that my old scriptures, which I got at my baptism on my 8th birthday (literally 13 years ago today), were falling apart. So for my 21st birthday, I got new ones. I'm actually really excited to go through these ones and mark my favorites and all that jazz. Can I say jazz when I'm talking about scriptures? Hmm

Anyway, it's been a good day. I love my friends. I love my family. My life is coming together fiiiinally and I'm pretty darn happy. Yay birthdays!