a penny saved is a penny earned

2012-01-17T01:00:00.001-05:00

2012 seems like a good time to reflect on 2011. there's less pressure since the year's already ended. Which means no rushing the new year's resolutions or trying to figure out which lessons i learned and which ones i ignored. and most likely, i ignored a lot.

i heard the following song sometime after thanksgiving but before pearl harbor day. the first time i played it, dad was sitting on the couch next to me; both of us in silence, listening, "when you go, what you leave is a work of art, on my chest, on my heart." he was right, really. we are all master painters in our own way.

so, can i sum up the year in three words? not likely but i can at least try...

two.thousand.eleven: these two boys make the world right.

2011-12-02T00:19:00.007-05:00

click it to read it and see a close up of miss.sj

.newstuff.

2011-12-01T22:01:00.003-05:00

i took one picture my whole time in utah (sadly) but i'm glad that it was this one.

it was a short trip, both on time and notice. i didn't even make it to logan...i HATE that. ill come back to visit soon but probably not until the snow is gone (which means june).

2011-11-22T02:15:00.002-05:00

After scraping the leaf of a steamed artichoke with her teeth, my mom said, "Isn't it amazing what humans have figured out?" Simply put, "Yes."

Summer 2006: The Faces, "Oh la la"

Fall 2006: Pete Yorn, "Strange Condition"

Winter 2006/07: Nada Surf, "Concrete Bed"

Spring 2007: Ben Harper, "Better Way", Jack Johnson, "Let It Be Sung"

Summer 2007: Seawolf, "Middle Distance Runner"

Fall 2007: The Weepies, "World Spins Madly On"/ Ingrid Michaelson, "Die Alone"

Winter 2007/08: Josh Ritter, "Mind's Eye"/ Josh Ritter, "Temptation of Adam"

Spring 2008: Xaiver Rudd, "Better People"

Summer 2008: Tegan and Sara, the entire album, "The Con"

Fall 2008: First Aid Kit covers Fleet Foxes, "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song"/Aesop Rock, "None Shall Pass"

Winter 2008/09: Carla Bruni, "Quelqu'un ma dit"

Spring 2009: Feist, "I Feel It All"

Summer 2009: Old Crow Medicine Show, "Wagon Wheel"/Devendra Banhart, "At The Hop"/ Band of Horses, "The General Specific"/ Angus & Julia Stone, "Just a Boy" (there was a lot of music that summer...)

Fall 2009: A.R. Rahman & M.I.A., "O...Saya"

Winter 2009/10: Tegan and Sara, "And Darling"

Spring 2010: Pheonix, "1901"

Summer 2010: Modest Mouse, "3rd Planet"

Fall 2010: The Black Keys, "Work Me"/ Yael Neim, "Far Far"

Winter 2010/11: Beirut, "Sunday Smile"

Spring 2011: Local Natives, "World News"/Wye Oak, "Holy, Holy"

Summer 2011: Blitzen Trapper, "Furr"

Fall 2011: Too Soon to Tell

These songs are burned into my memory forever. It's true, you know? The human brain is incredible. We've figured out how to eat artichokes and we've figure out how to remember thousands upon thousands of songs. Not only that, but we have memories attached to them all...and know most the words. Except for Billy Joel's, "We Didn't Start the Fire"...still working on that one.

2011-09-16T08:39:00.004-04:00

Date: Sunday, September 3, 2011, about 6:00pm, Newark International Airport.

Cora parks right before a crosswalk outside the airport. And can ya believe it?- this crosswalk was set up with the latest gadgets; a stop light for cars AND a crosswalk signal for peds. We throw my bags in the back and as luck would have it, we have a green light! Cora starts to move forward and some jerk starts walking against the red hand. This kind of action would be fine except it always causes a chain reaction. People from both sides of the street start walking. Thinking about how long we could potentially be stuck in this abyss, Cora gets pissed and I tell her to start inching forward; welcome to East coast driving! When it seemed we were in the clear, a nice Jewish family starts in and Cora has to stop nose deep in the crosswalk. She honks, the Rabbi stares at us, I start waving my arms, he starts yelling, Cora starts laughing and I probably cursed at him.

See. Traffic laws make people swear at men of God because in a crosswalk, we are all idiots.

2011-08-20T11:02:00.001-04:00

(post originally written in March 2011)

Junior year of high school, I had an English teacher who was one of those people I really connected with although we had very little interaction outside or inside of class. There was no banter like I had with my Pre-Calc teacher. We didn't say 'hello' to each other in the halls. I never raised my hand in class and I knew very little about him except that he grew up in The Middle of Nowhere, Vermont. We both had a mutual respect for one another and that was enough.

Every time I see a Soren Kierkegaard quote I first think of my elusive teacher and then my father. After reading The Stranger in AP English, Dad introduced me to Kierkegaard. He wanted me to know that existential thought and a belief in a higher power were not necessarily isolated instances; You could have both. I'm not quite sure why I think of my Junior year teacher because I read Camus' book Sophomore year (something I just realized about 4 minutes ago). I guess we can't always trust our memories. This is proof.

In my head, I always thought he was the one who introduced me to a greater trust in myself but in actuality it was one of the most dry, cynical women I had ever known. I guess what Junior year English did was give me the confidence to use my mind or better yet, how to trust it.

I never expressed my gratitude to Mr. Ross. It was too uncomfortable for me. Silly, right? Part of me believes he would have been uncomfortable too but maybe not. Maybe I just tell myself that to make me feel better. He only stayed at West Morris Central for a couple of years. The last time I talked to anyone who knew him, she said he had received an offer somewhere else but not quite sure where. That was 5 years ago.

Sometimes when I think of that class, I wonder what he's up to but those thoughts quickly fade. It doesn't matter. If I have only learned one thing from Kierkegaard it is understanding the importance of the present. Mr. Ross served a purpose in my life but that was years ago. I'm not saying I wouldn't love to run into the man but I'm not out searching. I have other things to look for.

via

www.designcrushblog.com

2011-08-14T14:52:00.004-04:00

The view from my window is, in some ways, right out of a novel. And if we go by what I told my dad last night, it would be something straight out of a murder mystery.

2011-08-07T12:04:00.003-04:00

brought to you by a friday stroll.

2011-07-31T23:00:00.003-04:00

As we drive down tree covered 6A, my thoughts are 100% focused on the excel spreadsheet in front of me. It is not until I close my computer and look up that I notice where we are. It's funny how a town I only see once a year can seem so commonplace. It's like I was made for this place and it for me. The routine's always the same: books, beach, food comas, laughter, talent shows, the old man who fills the pot holes and cracks with new asphalt. Year after year, his job never seems to progress and yet he never seems phased.
Every year there seems to be a new addition to the crew as well and the welcoming of some new excitement or job or move or struggle. It's usually a mix of them all but it doesn't matter because for a handful of days the only thing that matters is 6A. 6A refocuses life. It's the tiny reminder that it'll all be okay. It gives me breath and it freezes time. In fact, time doesn't even exist when you are driving down 6A. Maybe that's why the old man continues filling the holes. Maybe he's just enjoying the summer heat...

2011-06-20T12:03:00.002-04:00

2011-06-09T14:51:00.003-04:00

Mary and I decided to stop by the This Is The Place Monument. She said I needed a photograph with my kin before I left the state. So, I did it...holding a gun

...correctly, I might add.

2011-06-01T14:07:00.005-04:00

Apologies on the the small type. Microsoft paint is harder to use than you'd think. Click to enlarge if you'd like.

2011-05-26T12:54:00.002-04:00

"Better watch it kid! You might like it so much you'll want to stay. Then you might start thinking Einstein bagels are as good as Chester Bagel."- Hans Wallin, June 9, 2010

The above was in reference to me saying I was falling in love with Salt Lake City. Utah, in general, has been good to me. I love this place. It's kind of incredible that the girl who was bitter about living here for a good 11 months can't seem to pull herself away.

Maybe I'll come back. I don't know. But for now, I need a real bagel. Chester Bagel, welcome me with open arms!

2011-05-17T13:16:00.000-04:00

Ways I know I have matured...kind of:

-I asked for my tires to be rotated as a birthday gift

-My MTV viewing must have dropped dramatically because I had no idea Britney Spears had a new album

Those are really the only two examples I have at the moment but I bet there's more....maybe.

My birthday was on Saturday. I think it was a pretty day. I don't really remember though. I spent the day in bed and the insta-care instead of at a best friend's wedding and the middle of the desert. You may not believe me but I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

Yes, it would have been nice to be able to speak to my parents in the morning instead of crying in frustration because only every 5 words came out of my mouth. Yes, it would have been lovely to run around like a crazy on red rock cliffs and yes, I would have LOVED to have had a clear head with no pounding behind the eyes. But I didn't have any of that.

Instead I spent the day in my bed as friends trickled into my house. Ado made me the best homemade cake I have ever had and Allie brought pizza and salad. It was a low key night but I was with people I love and will miss greatly. I have a tendency to get caught up in all the things around me and end up on the go, go, go. This year, as I entered my mid-20's, sitting on a crate in my living room, I took some time to really look around and see what my life has become. With about a dozen friends and some birthday cake, my heart felt full.

Like I said, I wouldn't change a thing.

this is the only photo from the night. yeah camera phones!

2011-05-04T16:43:00.002-04:00

I am not your girl if you're looking for someone who takes "the road less traveled". Sorry, Mr. Frost, but you are not the poet who speaks my thoughts. I believe Shel Silverstein claims that award. Whether he wants dibs on the shaping of my life is a completely different topic for a different day. To make life easy is one of of many aspirations I try to fulfill on a daily basis. This has little to do with a stressful job and more to do with, well, my mom would probably call it 'laziness'.

Take my bed, for instance. I slept on a twin mattress on the floor for most my college years. The set-up lacked maturity but it didn't really phase me and honestly, looking for a bed and paying for it didn't really come high on my list of things to do as a 19 year old freshly out on her own. My current queen-sized sleeping arrangements fell into my lap by a roommate wanting to get rid of the old thing. It had a box spring (...and an odor but that went away with Febreeze...or I got used to it. I'll let you decide). Anyways, after moving to Salt Lake, I ditched the plastic digs for a friend's mattress he was storing at my house.

It's been a lovely 6 months with those springs. Before I could even get over the honeymoon stage, said friend told me he needed his bed back. I wasn't even a little upset. See, this was going to be "efficient" in the long run. It was one less thing to move in a month and a half! He picked it up the other evening and I offered the box spring which he welcomed with open arms. Again, 1 less thing to worry about at the end of June! I attempted to offer up the bed frame but that was turned down. I guess I was being greedy...

It has now been 2 nights in my 3-season sleeping bag and, unfortunately, my hip isn't molding well with the cement covered carpet. But as I texted to a friend earlier today, I will gladly take convenience over comfort any day.

My mother would be so proud.

Everyone likes free things

2011-04-13T17:36:00.008-04:00

My sister, in case you didn't know, has a really great food blog. And right now, she's got an AWESOME giveaway on her website right now. Not only could you win a pizza stone set but she's in a competition with other bloggers. The blogger with the most comments gets a shopping spree through The Pampered Chef that she's going to share with the winner! Go, go, go and comment! It's her Christmas present since I haven't given her her Christmas present yet (I know, I know. It's April...I realize that). So, help me (her) out and comment!

photo and obviously incredible recipe by Jane

Rise and Shine

2011-04-13T10:24:00.002-04:00

I woke up this morning to the following:

A text message from Chelsea requesting my order.

Said roommate was at a coffee shop on 33rd South

Conclusion: she loves me.

Buddhism and Talking Heads

2011-04-07T17:16:00.000-04:00

I had a philosophy professor who used to quote Talking Heads in the middle of his lecture. It was the only thing I liked about him. enjoy.

Thanks, Nate

2011-03-29T18:48:00.000-04:00

This is it, people

2011-03-09T13:44:00.003-05:00

I told my roommate a few weeks ago I was going to give ____ up for the month of March. In all her Catholic glory, she replied, "Why not wait until March 9 and do Lent with me!". It seemed like a good idea. You know, I could help keep her on the straight and narrow and she could help me. We may have been sacrificing different things but at least we'd be doing it together. Well, of course I said yes...and I was tricked. Number 1: Lent is 40 days. That's 9 days longer than the month of March. And number 2: Lent is 40 days. Sigh.

So it begins: No Dairy products...for 40 days. Let me tell you, Fat Tuesday ended with a bang and not necessarily because of my lactose intolerance (although, it probably didn't help). I got my last crunch bar in and the best grilled cheese sandwich I have ever tasted. Butter on popcorn? You are right out.

I've been tallying the number of times dairy has tempted. You would be surprised how many things it is in! It's in everything, seriously. Well, at least anything that's worth eating. I'm up to 9 and it's 11:55AM. I may need to stop counting.

Also, could someone come take this M&M jar off my desk? Thanks.

because I miss him and he's nice to look at

2011-03-04T11:23:00.005-05:00

(pictures from my sister in law...thanks, cora)

I'm alone in the office today

2011-03-04T11:17:00.000-05:00

I've watched 2 episodes of The Daily Show thus far this morning and now we're on to this plus some filing. You in the area? Come stop by.

dont want to forget

2011-03-02T13:45:00.004-05:00

in preparation of what's to come.

photograph from the website below

http://www.cookingquinoa.net/quinoa-cakes/

Nope

2011-03-01T11:18:00.002-05:00

I'm staying here. Old habits die hard, I guess.

This may be premature.

2011-02-24T17:34:00.004-05:00

I may come running back but for now, I'm scurrying over to tumblr from here on out.

Nothing new is over there now...just test entries...old pictures, old pictures, and a few old pictures.

Anyways, see ya on the other side....

http://verasays.tumblr.com/

Tree Finds

2011-02-17T13:16:00.003-05:00

Captain

South & Bear

2011-02-16T17:04:00.006-05:00

Today's bloodshot eyes are brought to you by my unbreakable habits. I had a dream that Bethenny and I played a trick on LuAnn that involved two Venus Fly Traps and one unsuspecting hand.

Trust me. She deserved it.

and she say, 'But it's true love!"

2011-02-14T15:09:00.002-05:00

2011-01-31T11:41:00.006-05:00

*PS-I'm not giving up on the video*

and he say, 'Get me some foils."

2011-01-20T11:01:00.004-05:00

It's no secret that Asian art has a special place in my heart.

artist: ogata.korin

via crash.

2011-01-19T17:22:00.007-05:00

There is a small list of things I hate. It goes as follows:

-singing in public

-being on a stage

-people who pretend to know the words to songs but don't actually know them

-pushy individuals

All of these things encompass a karaoke night. All of these things I had to endure last night. I would like to introduce you to the group who picked "Gangstas Paradise" but only knew the "shadow of death" line, the two girls who picked Britney Spears over and over and never actually sang, and my new "friend", Justin, who bullied me into submitting a song. My night was one of disdain.

My timidness was escalated by the fact that my friends were KINGS at this activity. Seriously. I wasn't sure if being good at karaoke was something to aspire to but now I can see it as a skill to be had.

I almost sang Sheryl Crow, "Strong Enough" just to reminisce over my old acapella days in high school. In our spring performance, I had to sing a solo because I was a senior. That was my solo. I was terrified. Now, 6 years later, I was still terrified. This time, though, Sheryl wasn't my strength. She wasn't even a choice in the book if you can believe that. So, alas, life long goal #46 was crossed off my list: Sing-...no. Scratch that. Belt Wilson Phillips in a public setting.

2011-01-17T16:42:00.001-05:00

It's updated and will continue to be updated. Yeah, 2011!!

2011-01-17T11:03:00.002-05:00

"Great paintings shouldn’t be in museums. Have you ever been in a museum? Museums are cemeteries. Paintings should be on the walls of restaurants, in dime stores, in gas stations, in men’s rooms. Great paintings should be where people hang out. The only thing where it’s happening is on radio and records, that’s where people hang out. You can’t see great paintings. You pay half a million and hang one in your house and one guest sees it. That’s not art. That’s a shame, a crime. Music is the only thing that’s in tune with what’s happening. It’s not in book form, it’s not on the stage. All this art they’ve been talking about is nonexistent. It just remains on the shelf. It doesn’t make anyone happier. Just think how many people would really feel great if they could see a Picasso in their daily diner. It’s not the bomb that has to go, man, it’s the museums."

— Bob Dylan

via monster, via crashingly beautiful

I watch this and I feel warm

2011-01-13T13:03:00.001-05:00

I stumbled upon this from a friend. She's lovely. I miss her. I believe you would like her.

Bad Poetry

2011-01-06T15:08:00.002-05:00

"The scene longs, lingers, yearns to become bad poetry."

-K.Oberthaler.

Oh, the thin line between genius and ridicule. As I look at my surroundings, I am reminded of the vastness that exists. It's funny how when you are in one place for so long, it begins to look bland. Nothing is bland. My life is not bland and the place in which I live is colorful even under all this smog. A few days ago, a long lost friend commented on a photograph of Little Cottonwood Canyon, "Oh, Anne! How incredible! Where is this place?" What has become old hat is nothing of the sort.

Walking out of the office today, I looked up at the snow-capped mountains with different eyes than I did yesterday. Thank God for that.

Something to live by...

2010-12-13T15:35:00.002-05:00

"Both of us were fortunate to grow up with parents

who taught us some tremendously important values.

Work hard. Show respect. Have a sense of humor.

And if life happens to bless you with talent or treasure,

you have a responsibility to use those gifts as well

and as wisely as you possibly can."

-Bill and Melinda Gates

Christmas Ideas

2010-12-10T11:54:00.000-05:00

http://visual-editions.com/tree-of-codes#1

he's neat.

...seriously.

Patric Johansson

2010-11-09T16:40:00.004-05:00

"Maybe I'm not a photographer - I'm just curious."

-Patric Johansson

I keep stumbling upon these Scandinavian artists; Maybe it's in my DNA or maybe it's just coincidence. Either way, my heart keeps singing.

Simple and straightforward design with clean, sharp edges.

This one reminds me of this really neat mountain town I visited in South Korea.

(all photographs found here)

Anyone know of any jobs in the Northern Europe area?

This = harmony

2010-11-04T11:28:00.002-04:00

Great design. Really neat architecture.

(found here)

No excuse. well, unless bread pudding is on the line

2010-11-02T18:37:00.004-04:00

Vote. This guy did.

2010-11-02T12:48:00.001-04:00

Making him stand outside in the cold when he didn't want to was probably not very kind but I love this song.

its all about equality

2010-10-25T17:33:00.003-04:00

Sheets. Warm sheets. Fresh out of the dryer = love

Dubbed "craftiest friend" this past weekend = hilarious

There is snow out my window = hmmm

Peanuts = not allergic

Don't care for hunting down new music = truth

Painting in the back conference room = my favorite piece of art in Salt Lake City

4:03pm = 57 minutes to 5o'clock

Apple Pancakes, anyone?

2010-10-22T12:00:00.002-04:00

I have been prioritizing my life this week. I made chili a few days ago, crocheted a hat, started taking photos on a daily basis, and went on a bike ride sans winter coat.

I love this time of year.

Quote I found on my desk top

2010-10-19T10:45:00.000-04:00

“The truth is that our finest moments are most likely

to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable,

unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments,

propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step

out of our ruts and start searching for different ways

or truer answers.”

- probably found through designcrush

(unaware of author)

Anybody else?

2010-10-15T14:44:00.002-04:00

Bread pudding.

Right there next to rice pudding.

Butterscotch pudding is a close third.

All in all, I love pudding.

PS: This is what I would like my front room to look like one day.

COOOOOZIES

2010-10-06T09:00:00.001-04:00

Fall is back and so is crocheting ridiculous amounts.

I've started selling these gems at the football games for 5 buck each.

Hilarious? Yes.

The top, left was the first generation.

As I grow seasoned in the process, I have perfected the design.

Positive Mojo

2010-10-06T00:21:00.001-04:00

Dad emailed this to me about a year or so ago and it has been posted on here before. It's uplifting and empowering and a great reminder about what's important. The last comment on YouTube said we're here "to create, to give, to live, to grow. This is the road to true happiness". Amen.

Video description in one word: Euphoric.

Feel free to bypass this post

2010-10-04T15:25:00.015-04:00

Over the last few months (really years and years), I have been searching for articles of individuals who support gay-rights and the acceptance of the LGBT community among those of the Mormon faith. It has been my attempt to gain a little more hope in the culture that I grew up in. These articles include an editorial by Cary Crall, questioning the motivation behind the LDS support of Proposition 8. It was published in BYU's Daily Universe only to be revoked from the website 24 hours later. Along with Crall's words, this article about the grassroot movements occurring in LDS congregations in Northern California supporting gay rights and finding remorse in the LDS church's actions taken in the Fall of 2008 has also acted as a small success in my mind. And as always, the Exponent blog has delivered thought provoking entries on the topic.

Sadly, the voice that will be heard around the world, especially the LDS world, will not be that of those above and the many others out there who speak of acceptance and tolerance but what was heard in a General Conference session on October 3, 2010. A talk given by Boyd K. Packer threw down the iron fist on homosexuality in many people's eyes. He used a metaphor of the absurdness of children voting on the sex of a kitten in a classroom to be equal to the "absurdness" of voting on legalizing gay marriage. He also discussed pornography side by side to gay marriage in what I can only see as an attempt to show a connection between the two. It is one thing to stand by one's belief against gay marriage (I don't agree. However, we all are entitled to our own ideas) but it is a completely different thing to do so in the fashion that degrades and belittles other human beings. Have we really come to the point where we find homosexuality so vile that we categorize it, synonymously, with the objectification of women and men? I hope not.

Hours after this talk, I read this entry on Facebook. It was what prompted me to find Packer's talk and listen to it for myself. I do not know the author of the Facebook writing but I feel as though his words are some of the most genuine thoughts on the matter. I usually keep these things to myself but I feel as though I need to, at the very least, write them down. Since my journal has collected dust over the last few months, here I am. I will never be as eloquent and clear as women like Jana Riess. I like what she has to say. She's level-headed, thorough, and unforgiving of her personal beliefs.

For that, I thank her.

Additional Reading: This article about Professor Bill Bradshaw of BYU discussing the evidence that shows homosexuality is, in fact, biological.

All in a day's work

2010-09-27T16:47:00.005-04:00

Things I did yesterday:

1. Crocheted cozies (additional post to come later)

2. Drove farther south than 33000S

3. Took pictures of some really stellar human beings and their offspring

4. Ate a really great pesto sandwich

5. Spent the afternoon catching up with long lost friends

6. Spent the evening catching up with another friend

7. Went home and spent the ten spot catching up with my roommate

8. Realized I'm pretty lucky

9. Thought about how I needed to call this one because her birthday was on Saturday.

(They matched extremely well)

Short Stories are my favorites right now

2010-09-20T17:46:00.002-04:00

I must look for the blessings in life to deal with the less than desired actions of day to day living. Right now, the blessing consists of having a job that allows me the time to read. I've made a goal to read a book a week. Sadly, even if it something I enjoy, I seem to never do it if I haven't made a quota. Conisder quota fulfillment to start this week.

This morning while I was upstairs making some tea, my roommate's newly acquired book was sitting on the table; "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris, a man that I have grown to love with the rest of the NPR listening Americans out there. The first few pages over breakfast has turned me into a thief. I took the book to work today. I don't know what happened! It just ended up in my bag.

Laura, thanks for giving me something to do today at work.

Beating the sun in the morning is nothing to boast about

2010-09-10T11:55:00.004-04:00

Two things:

1. Draper is REALLY far away.

2. I've driven more miles in the last two days between a goose chase with the DMV and my oral health than I have in the last two weeks.

I had my bi-annual dentist appointment (5 months late) yesterday. The result: nooo cavities. All there is to see here are some pearly whites with a little bit of crowding on the bottom. We can thank my lost retainer for that. It is safe to say the days of terrible dentists are finally over! My horror stories with the DDS in Utah rival the number of awkward encounters with strangers on public transportation. Hopefully those numbers separate themselves from one another. At least the strangers are entertaining...and they aren't ripping out teeth.

pic.ture.qu.ote

2010-09-09T16:15:00.006-04:00

(from here)

"Something I'd like people to know:

When I say I can't do this,

what I mean is that I can't

do this without losing a part of my-

self I really want to keep."

-Unknown

I guess you need to carry a knife with you everwhere you go

2010-09-07T11:04:00.003-04:00

I read this article this morning. It sounds like a Jersey law:

http://gothamist.com/2010/08/24/bagel_tax.php

It's like there's a whole world out there

2010-09-07T01:01:00.002-04:00

I have a friend whom is one of the people in this world that knows me best. Interestingly enough, I have never seen this friend on American soil. There's something kind of great about that but mostly, it is just very, very sad.

Katie just moved to Mullens, West Virgina. She got a job there with Americorps. She's gonna do great things. There's no cell service and probably only 3 other people her age in the town. Did I mention she lives with those 3 people? She's learning to play the banjo and just bought her very own. The song below is because of her. My friends have good taste in music. I'm thankful for that.

Crisp air, sunshine, sweaters, and happiness=

It's like I don't own a camera anymore

2010-08-25T13:07:00.002-04:00

DesignCrush has done it again. I want to be her real life friend and I do not want to forget this soup. This blog is becoming the recipe box that I do not own.

I need to invest. I have ideas in mind. September will be crafty month...maybe.

Ice cream recipes I don't want to forget

2010-08-19T11:22:00.002-04:00

no ice cream maker needed

doesn't brown butter ice cream sound incredible?

"My Kitchen" made a pact not to buy anything new in 2010. Whether she was just talking about kitchen gadgets or not, I think I might try it.

From September 1 - December 31,

no material purchases

of any kind.

Laura once said to me,

"You know, you're the most materialistic hippie I know."

...

I would say that is an argument for why I am NOT a hippie.

Nonetheless, it will be hard not to purchase these pups.

2010-08-14T17:23:00.002-04:00

Laura's back which means my blog has been hijacked....enjoy below.

Welcome home, Pawlowich.

make it work.

2010-08-14T16:12:00.005-04:00

2010-08-13T11:40:00.005-04:00

If only I could remember where I found this site. I would give credit where credit was due. Alas, I have to go with the old "I just stumbled upon it one day" line.

Social commentary. It makes you {I say you when I really mean me} uncomfortable and makes you {again, me} think about the whole picture. You { me, okay?} can agree, disagree, feel completely and utterly neutral, it doesn't matter. All that matters is that you {I'm sorry...} see life from someone else's mindset.

www.thebigcaption.com

The bi-annual reminder

2010-08-12T12:31:00.004-04:00

Anne,

1. You need to dust

2. Look around and pay attention

3. Buy an orange. Vitamin C is important

4. Start taking pictures again

5. A brush is not an unnecessary purchase

6. The cost to print photos from the last 4 years is going to be ridiculous

7. You're only human

With regards,

Your Suppressed Conscious

-----------------

Dear Suppressed Conscious,

In regards to number 5, I probably will continue to defer that purchase. My hair looks just fine the way it is. I believe numbers 1 and 2 are connected. If I looked around, I would probably realize I had friends on the baseboards. Oranges are delightful but they are just aren't in season and I'm trying to eat in season. Not taking pictures would mean I would have less to add to number 6. Something to think about, I'd say. Although, I do miss number 4. Consider that one changed starting today.

Number 7? Now that's a rough pill to swallow.

As always, thanks for the head knock.

-Anne

2010-08-10T11:29:00.002-04:00

I have about 4 posts started and unfinished. This seems worthy of the publish button.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/08/10/129100216/chinese-landslide-disaster-worsens-typhoon-on-the-way

2010-07-07T13:38:00.003-04:00

Top Five

{it has been awhile*there's more than 5}

----------

summer weather

family

an open mind

things that make me uncomfortable

sunshine

big windows

paying off student loans so I can drop everything and do this

having time to figure things out

2010-06-29T13:14:00.001-04:00

Hey! Have you heard the old news? Just call this home for the next little bit of my life.

I guess this means I have to replace my paper license with a real one. Now, if I could only find my social security card...

Bean Burritos are a sign of a good day

2010-06-25T19:33:00.005-04:00

The Scene: Rushing home to the Avenues after dropping my nieces off at a friend's house in South Jordan

I was blasting this, or something like that, when I pulled up to a stop sign. Faintly, I hear a noise from my left window. Confused, I look over and there's a guy, probably about 25, looking at me. I turn off my music and say, "What?"

"Jersey. You're from Jersey. What part?"

I get this question at least 2.5 times a week and usually the person knows nothing of the geography. So, I half heartedly ask, "Do you know the area at all?"

"Yeah! I grew up in Pennington!"

And right there on the street corner both our faces glowed. It was priceless. We swapped names and he asked if I lived in the aves. "4th ave. you?" Joe points behind him.

*side note: about a week ago, I was joking with some friends that 75% of the boys in NJ are named Mike, Dan...and Joe.

--2 hours later--

I am having lunch with my new co-workers and one of them asks if the car with the NJ plates was mine. I told him yes and he says, "I grew up in Freehold!"

I meet at least one person a week from NJ. We're small but mighty. I have concluded that Utah is home to the most Jersey transplants than any other state...as well as those who have had ACL surgery.

It's really incredible.

take.four

2010-06-20T12:10:00.003-04:00

All I have is internet access.

Happy Father's Day, Dad. I'll play that dollar for you today on my way out of town

*that was the bomb.com cake I made for his birthday and my mom's way cool cake stand

2010-06-14T13:34:00.000-04:00

There's lots of things out there. How do you choose??

Sunshine and sidewalks

2010-06-08T19:16:00.006-04:00

I am taking this moment to blog before I move on to the test I have to take before midnight tonight. My mother will be happy...blogging AND doing my homework.

It has been 4 weeks and 3 days since I moved to Salt Lake City. I can't believe it's already been that long! Time goes fast, let me tell you. I'm loving this city and falling more in love with it everyday. It's making it more difficult to figure out what I want to do in August. Apparently, when you graduate college you are supposed to do something with your life. That's too much pressure for a twenty-three year old.

Sunday morning, there was a Gay Pride Parade downtown. Laura and I head down there and slowly realized it would have been just as quick to walk from our house than devout the time we did trying to locate a parking spot. We ended up in the Einstein's parking lot and with drink in hand (to ease our minds about using their coveted lot) we walked ten minutes to State St. It was so fun and there were some hilarious floats and people all around. I couldn't believe how many people where in the streets. Estimates have it well over 20,000 people.

There is something pretty incredible about being one individual in a pool of thousands. It reminded me of New York or Hyderabad. I love that feeling.

Lessons learned

2010-05-25T16:59:00.002-04:00

be careful who you let use your computer.

My hero.

2010-05-23T22:11:00.002-04:00

I love this girl.

Love. Love. Love. LOVE. luv.

Everything about her is....perfection.

I want to be her when I grow up.

2010-05-23T18:34:00.002-04:00

I've moved to a new library but it's the same drill.

2010-05-20T11:22:00.002-04:00

I should really be grateful for the fact that I can pretty much be anywhere and be 100% adjustable to my surroundings. However, it makes it really difficult in trying to figure out what to do after college. I am in limbo these days. I graduated two weeks ago and I find myself roaming downtown Salt Lake for half my time and spending the other half of the day watching Food Network with Allie, one of my new roommates. She had ACL surgery on Monday and I have a bum wrist from a bike accident on Saturday. Barefoot Contessa has become a staple.

My arm is starting to cramp so I must go. I have had a lovely May this year. One full of family, friends, and change. All great things and happy to have in my life.

cheers.

2010-04-24T15:55:00.002-04:00

Anyone have an job opps in SLC for me this summer?

Wagon Wheel and OCMS

2010-04-06T13:52:00.004-04:00

Katie emailed me a few weeks ago. She told me about a photo/essay contest on the ISEP website and decided that we should collaborate; her musings and my photos. The night before the deadline, I received a phone call. We had both forgotten about our plan to make some easy cash. So, I hurriedly looked through tons of pictures, editing when time permitted. The product was about 12 pictures in her email inbox I only hoped would illustrate her words.

We're not sure if we won the money but we got on the site. Not too shabby.

A not so secret, secret

2010-03-31T12:02:00.002-04:00

i like hiphop music. The majority of my Pandora stations could be categorized by this: b.i.g., kanye, a tribe called quest, tupac, jay-z, aesop rock....i'm not sure what it is but there's definitely something.

i'm working on my senior research paper which discusses privatization and decentralization of education in latin america. my morning has consisted of trying to sound out spanish words while typing to the beat of this. the group, the xx, have mixed their songs with the notorious b.i.g. on this album. it's genius. yep, i just said genius. take it or leave it. be forewarned, there's some language. my two favorites? Oh, i'm glad you asked: basic hypnosis and mo stars mo problems.

happy wednesday and i hope you let a little beat into your life this afternoon.

I went to the Cache County Jail today and all I got were these lousy fingerprints

2010-03-24T13:11:00.003-04:00

2010-03-23T11:45:00.005-04:00

Goal: Attend every class for the rest of the semester

Duration: 5 1/2 weeks

The thing that is daunting here is not going to all my classes. That's easy. What's overwhelming is the fact that I only have 5 1/2 weeks left of school.

Where has this year gone??

I swear it was just Christmas...

We're missing some of the fam here but can I tell you how fun Christmas is with a baby around

2010-03-17T10:42:00.004-04:00

In short,

's tops.

Let's make a treat. Yeah?

2010-03-07T17:27:00.006-05:00

What I do these days:

Huck Cliffs.
Shralp the gnar.

Didn't bring the camcam but Sundance is preeeetty.

We're training for 2014

Serenity

2010-02-24T14:02:00.003-05:00

My photo goal hasn't really been fulfilled but I really love this project.

2/3 left!

2010-02-17T11:40:00.005-05:00

I used to take pictures everyday. I used to work everyday as well. What else did I used to do on a regular basis? Oh, I used to walk to the grocery store and to the bookstore. Winter seems to have put a halt on a lot of things. It is probably unfair for me to blame the change on him instead of my own apathy, however. Along with that, I actually really do appreciate the lack of serving restaurant food in my life.

Jessie and I walked to the town library last night and it was just lovely. Crisp air that was pleasant to be in and great company that was pleasant to be with. Funny how 30*f is "pleasant" these days. I'm excited for the spring time.

Goals for the week:

-take pictures again

-walk to the grocery store

-write a letter

-apply for a job

Conscious Unconsciousness

2010-02-04T22:06:00.008-05:00

Lately, I've been thinking about my future and how the dictatorial rule of the college schedule will no longer be my compass. I've said this before and I'll say it again, I think I always thought life would just stop before I actually graduated college. I have slowly realized that is not the case. Along the same lines, I more or less never thought I would be living in Logan, Utah at age 22, graduating from Utah State University. My middle school/high school-age self would have "rather died" than move to Utah.

Welp, 15 year old Anne, you lost and 22 year old Anne is kind of happy for that.

On another note, I spent the evening reading Katie's blog entries from the summer, listening to Indian pop music, and laughing out loud many, many times. It brought back a flood of memories I had otherwise forgotten. Memories I should have written down but never have. I'm grateful for Katie's detailed entries about our adventures. I was constantly reminded of the kindness of strangers. We met some really great people who had no reason to be kind to us but nonetheless were. I'm eternally grateful. I can say with almost 100% certainty that I will never see these individuals again but I will never forget them. To the young, Muslim girl in the Hyderabad train station, thank you for telling us the train number to Lingampally had changed.

I'm not worried about what lies ahead. If India only did but one thing, it reenforced the idea that it always works out. It might not be how I would expect it but somehow, it always fits.

It's February.

2010-02-02T10:19:00.002-05:00

I've been squeamish the last few weeks. Maybe it's because I have been using words like, "squeamish". hm...

At any rate, I'm over the hump and I could not feel any better about where I am at this moment. It's going to be a good week.

Last summer, kristen and I took a road trip across the southern, well I guess more central, part of the country. We did it 1999 style. This included no iphone, no smart phone, no ipod or any other electrical necessity of the 21st century. It did include granola, dried mango, a paper map, and mixed cds.

When we were in West Virginia, we listened to this song on repeat for approximately the entire time we were in the state. We also tried to make the lunch prices at Chuck-a-Rama. What else were we supposed to do in that state? Buuut we're cheap and unwilling to spend 10 bucks.

Hey, if we weren't willing to spend 20 on seeing the natural bridge, we sure were not going to spend 10 on saturated fat topped with grease gravy.

2010-01-21T20:48:00.002-05:00

I've had this overwhelming feeling of inadequacy. Not only that but I feel as though I take for granted everything I have and experience. I live in a beautiful place, relatively safe with little threat to my own welling being as well as the well being of loved ones.

I'm trying to be more grateful.

Be part of something bigger than yourself.

2010-01-16T18:59:00.002-05:00

I haven't been doing much thus far in the year 2010 but there is ONE thing I have perfected. I have mastered the art of guessing the exact (+/- 2 minutes) time of day.

In Review:

2009-12-31T21:00:00.002-05:00

2009, you did well.

2009-12-15T16:43:00.003-05:00

I made a new friend on Sunday. This friend has a name from the Bible. That book is referenced everywhere. If nothing else, it is a literary gem.

This friend told me to go home and look up a poem by William Ernest Henley. Heeding to the request, I read the following,

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeoning of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

I think this will be worth seeing.

Saint Luke and Saint Matthew

2009-12-14T11:29:00.007-05:00

"Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that [Christ] was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priest and elders,
Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself."

I think we underestimate Judas. I think he gets a lot of criticism and un-rightfully so. Christ was his Savior and I honestly think Judas thought Christ would save himself. When he realized that was not the case, he was heartbroken.

Judas was a man. I don't think he fully understood the prophecies of the Lord but he acted on what he thought he knew. He lacked faith. He lacked faith at a crucial time. I'm forced to ask myself,

How many times have I lacked faith in crucial times?

Who am I to judge him? He was hard enough on himself. He doesn't need me damning him.

Je demande pardon

2009-11-21T16:25:00.006-05:00

I'm either really good at doing my homework or I'm really good at posting on here and here. With that said this will be updated as soon as I find a moment where I will feel content spending the 30 minutes not studying.

It's almost winter break. Which means the following...

For now, enjoy this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omDQWh1iFi8

Self Titled

2009-11-04T10:26:00.001-05:00

Update: You need a place to sit? We've got one

2009-10-20T16:19:00.003-04:00

This chair just showed up in our house the other day.

Sometimes things just pop out

2009-10-15T11:50:00.001-04:00

Update: It's sunny and I can wear a skirt

It is autumn...

2009-10-10T00:49:00.004-04:00

Do you know what that means? Apples. And lots of them.

The apple tree in the backyard is one of my most favorite parts of living at 340 North 300 East.

Kristen and Jessie are really good at making pies.

I think it's my turn to make something. So many choices.

2009-09-14T16:59:00.002-04:00

I love sitting in the library underneath the glass ceiling listening to the rain fall.

It doesn't rain here often.
It always calls for a cup of tea and some of this.

Let the race begin

2009-09-11T00:08:00.004-04:00

When I first moved to Utah, I never felt any pressure to do all the things that this great state has to offer. I knew I had time and that knowledge is why I am in the predicament I am currently in. I have less than a year to hit up the great outdoors of Utah. Last weekend marked the beginning of my rush...

Moab.Is.A.Great.Place.Period.

I can see why people are addicted to this stuff...

2 Sept 2009

2009-09-03T01:31:00.007-04:00

"Still, there are times I am bewildered by each mile I have traveled, each meal I have eaten, each person I have known, each room in which I have slept. As ordinary as it all appears, there are times when it is beyond my imagination."- excerpt from a short story by Jhumpa Lahiri

When I was quickly throwing some last minute items into my carry-on back in May, I found a role of electrical tape. Without thinking, I threw the black tape into my bag. Looking back, that was in my "Top 5 Best Sub-Conscious Decisions of Summer2009". That roll went everywhere this past summer and that tape was used for everything. If you ask any one who was with me in the last 3 months, they would without a doubt remember the tape.

A small package came in the mail yesterday. In it was a brand new roll of my sticky, little friend with a note to go along with it,

"...I had to replenish the essentials. The boys at the hardware store gave me the twice-over when I bought it. -Katie"

I showed everyone the note and the tape. Naturally, they gave me the "twice-over" as well. Who gets so excited over a silly roll of electrical tape? Answer: I do. I cannot help it. I cannot help but look at that tape and think about all the things I have learned in my lifetime. I have been taught more things from friends and strangers alike than I could ever imagine. It boggles my mind- all of it.

Even that roll of electrical tape.

Pick-up Games

2009-07-23T12:50:00.003-04:00

Playing cricket with a few guys from the hostel across the street and a security guard is a lot more fun than writing a paper...

I hated this bike

2009-07-23T12:43:00.002-04:00

And yet, I loved him. Maybe...

This is how you celebrate the 4th of July

2009-07-23T12:31:00.003-04:00

Step One

Step Two

Step Three

And this is what happens when you forget to unravel the firecrackers

Bittersweet

2009-07-21T02:34:00.003-04:00

It is difficult to pretend you're still in India when the temperature is 15 degrees cooler, your bed feels like a cloud, and the only foreign language I hear during the day is Spanish.

I am in North Jersey.

A few weeks ago my friend, Anna, and I found out that we were both flying out of India on the same night on the same airline. She from Mumbai and I from Delhi. Our departures were different but our arrivals were both Newark International Airport. I told her I would leave her a note somewhere for her to find.

While I was waiting for my pack at the luggage carousel, I looked to the one to the left of mine and the screen read, "Bombay". It was at this moment I realized I forgot to tell Anna where I would leave my note. A few minutes later, the "Bombay" carousel began to move and their was an announcement, "Passengers from flight# from Bombay can find their luggage at carousel 14". My head shot up. I walked to the woman and asked, "How many flights from Bombay do you get a day?" She replied, "Oh, only 1." I smiled and thanked her.

I began to look around the carousel hoping that maybe my old friend would be there. When I was about to give up, a young girl with long brown hair caught my eye. I walked a bit closer and without even thinking about whether I knew her I yelled, "Anna!" Her body language was confused, probably wondering why anyone would be calling her name. She turned around and instantly you could see the relief and excitement in both of our faces.

My own airport and my own country felt so foreign to me until this point.

As I was going through customs, the officer with a heavy Jersey accent, something I haven't heard in a long time, was asking me questions about the address I put on my entrance card. After a minute or so of small talk he said, "Hey, well, welcome home!"

Hey, thanks, buddy!

Rock me, Yoga

2009-07-09T05:50:00.003-04:00

For the first two weeks, Katie and I were stellar yoga students. My alarm would go off at 5:30AM, I'd wake her up, we'd both hop on our bikes and took the 15 minute bike ride to the Yoga Center (future blog post of this will follow soon). Anyhow, the next two weeks we both slacked pretty bad. BUT we were busy traveling and experiencing. Sorry, guru!

Anyways, We have two weeks left here and we are not missing a day. Tuesday morning was the first day of the rest of our lives and the hardest work out I have ever had. The session kicked our trash.

We got back to the hostel and Katie whipped out her itunes. Old Crow Medicine show won the contest this week. We can't stop listening to this. It's the perfect song. At least for now.

And especially perfect for a post-yoga dance party.