pearls chasing waterfalls

but I wanted to roll in the deep

2011-06-03T16:31:00.000-07:00

Saddest day ever! I have been looking forward all week to seeing Adele at the Greek tomorrow and now she has laryngitis! Any good virus should know not to mess with the voice box of one of the greatest singers ever. Looks like she caught a dud. Couldn't I have gotten it instead? I know, I'm such a saint, willing to sacrifice singing along all concert long in order to hear Adele belt out "let me be your one and only". Well excuse me but I have to go cry now as I wait to hear if they reschedule the performance. Adele will have to wait to meet her new bestie for a little longer!

Image from here

There, there Adele! Lay off the cigs for a while and drink some tea and honey! It'll be okay.

Pants that are not pants solution

2011-06-01T04:48:00.000-07:00

Source: this genius
Click image for full size.

Finally, a checklist that can help me before I leave the house in pants of shame and embarrassment.

Luna Lovegood moment

2011-05-29T16:56:00.000-07:00

Scene: Greeting at church this morning

Katie Pearls (the ditz): Good morning. Welcome! I really like your scarf. Yeah Harry Potter! Go Gryffindor!

Church visitor: Actually, it's for USC. ("you aren't cool because you still like Harry Potter" disgraceful glare)

Yikes! Well you tell me, any similarities?

Fans at USC Football game

From here

versus

Fans at Quidditch game

From here

day 199...luuuuvvvvvzzzzzz part 1

2010-07-19T05:41:00.000-07:00

Dulce de Leche

(courtesy of this genius...

The Pioneer Woman)

7 x 7 magazine

July Neighborhood Cover Art
(The best go-to guide of San Francisco happenings)

Droid Eris

(after a long hesitation, I have finally succumbed to the smart phone age; I guess I can now technically be considered a 20-something, since most everyone I know has one)

Love the Droid-Hate their TV ads

Love Verizon-Wish they carried Apple

The return of Mad Men on July 25th

(The only thing worth watching on television)
Please watch it! If you don't trust my taste and I wouldn't blame you, at least trust all the critics and awards and recognition it has gotten.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q-Ukita
(Overpriced bag that would just love to join my mediocrely priced wardrobe)

Old Gringo Marsha Boots

(might have overnighted them to my house this past weekend and only took them off to go to work- dang nursing shoes!!!!)

day 159...once upon a time...

2010-06-09T16:59:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time...

long long ago...

I blogged.

Sorry that I've been gone so long.

I've been busy doing fun things that I will update you on...

like being a tourist.

Come visit and we shall do stuff like this all the time.

That's a promise.

i miss you courtney

day 99...of all the excuses

2010-04-10T08:19:00.000-07:00

Day Charge Nurse dialogue

Katie Pearls dialogue

Katie, we're short-staffed tomorrow; can you come in early?

Umm, can somebody else do it?

Well, Silicia has to swing back to evenings the next day so she can't, and Rachel doesn't want to and we've called everybody else.

Well, I kind of have plans.

Silicia from across the unit- Katie can't come in cause she'll miss her first day of circus school if she does.

Oh well in that case, don't worry about it. But promise you'll bring in pictures.

Good news- I successfully beat Rachel in a heated game of rock, paper, scissors to not work extra hours tomorrow so that I'll hopefully be starting circus school. Thank you to a job in a city where circus school is a legitimate reason to not be available. Love it.

Is it social suicide of me to admit that I think this guy's cool?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8f8drk5Urw

day 87...disco Sunday

2010-03-29T09:45:00.000-07:00

Sundays in the Golden Gate Park...

(yes Courtney, I did just "THE" it)

come with a little bit of magic.

Sorry that I'm annoyingly laughing the whole time. I hate my laugh.

day 74 1/2...it's not like i like litter or something

2010-03-16T08:58:00.000-07:00

p.s. on my way home from work today,

there were pink package peanuts

all the way down my sidewalk.

I hope someone litters some

pink glitter tomorrow.

it made me

happy!

day 74...sacrilegious?

2010-03-16T04:25:00.000-07:00

...I swear that I have not forgotten about this blog. I have however been trying to upload a video onto here unsuccessfully for the past week entitled Disco Sunday (that's right, get excited!) But I must find a tech-savvy person in my life to help.

...and I'm coming home in 3 days, 6 hours, 29 minutes, and 4 seconds. But it's not like I'm counting or anything. Or excited! Or rEaLlY, REaLLy, EXCITED!!! I better see you when I'm there.

(disclaimer- the following information is not to be used later as material to ensnare me, kidnap me, or make me feel guilty about not moving back to the South right now)

okay now that we have that straight.

I'm homesick.

and I'm not the "I'm 8 years old and away at summer camp for the first time" type. So it's been really hard, mostly on my pride.

Chelsea (sweet and hilarious Chelsea Brink, I miss you) wrote a few months ago that God's voice might very well sound like Ray LaMontagne's. Yes, I know that probably sounds somewhat sacrilegious, but I completely agree with her. I'm not even sure if Ray LaMontagne loves the Lord, but when he sings Shelter (his best song in my opinion even though most people prefer Jolene), my heart feels understood.

So today I want you to listen to Be Here Now (actually go ahead and just listen to every song of his you can find because it won't be waste of your time). I think it will be a blessing to you. Sacrilegious or not, when I hear this song, all I here is the Lord encouraging me, loving me, and sweetly and gently comfirming the one question I ask....to stay.

day 51...city dweller seeking optimism

2010-02-20T11:29:00.000-08:00

Dear Liz- I really love that you've started blogging and that you share refreshingly deep thoughts. If anyone wants to have moments of "ooh I really think that too" or "oh that makes sense that way" or just want to laugh then you should check out her blog here.

So Liz, because you asked (but probably didn't expect such a long answer), here is my response to your latest post.

"ya know, that family that i've been promised, along with that husband"

I realized somewhere along that crazy journey of stepping out of the box that I am so lucky to be single. (of course a boyfriend would always be nice, maybe a little hard but nice) But I wouldn't be able to be living the experiences I am without singleness. I can rest (keyword= rest, not work) wholeheartedly in the assurance that the Lord will provide exactly what I NEED and He will never forget what I WANT. And He probably does not need daily reminders (minute by minute actually) of my anxious desires. The simplicity of the Lord never forgetting me is so beautiful and calms me every time I think of it. So Lizzie today, my blogpost is for you. The Lord has not forgotten that you love cities and the way they shape and form those who dwell in them. He has not forgotten your love for your home in Charleston (I agree completely). He has not forgotten that you live on a farm in the middle of nowhere. He has not forgotten the way He made you. Though we easily forget that He did in fact make us.

...and for future reference, when I think of a city, I think of lives bustling about one another, and from within, it might appear chaotic, but from the outside it appears to be moving in a synchronized, well choreographed dance towards productivity. It's about interacting with people at every level of your life, neighbors on top of you, loud music beside you, strangers making you feel uncomfortable, and never knowing what will happen next. So basically you should move to San Francisco when your time in Auburn comes to an end. The average person lives in San Francisco for two years, which means every two years, the city is brand new, refreshed with new ideas, new passions, and new friends. Love you!

day 45...confession of my love for...

2010-02-15T03:16:00.000-08:00

...pants that are not pants.

Carol Hannah- Did you tell on me?

The Lady Likes...

Because apparently they're now giving out surgeon general-like warnings.

Next thing you know there will be real fashion police.

and I'm in trouble.

day 36. my number one dream right now...

2010-02-05T03:54:00.000-08:00

it might be slightly lame, but I just discovered that my favorite website Someecards allows you to create your own cards using their images. So of course, my number one dream right now is to create one that is good enough to be featured as an editor's pick. Do not be alarmed if you get a large amount of e-cards from me in the near future.

my first creation.

my absolute favorite one of all time.

day 33. swiss family pearls?...

2010-02-02T02:52:00.000-08:00

would anyone care to move with me here and start our own little tree house family?

Apartment Therapy

I promise it will be delightful and full of delicious treats and singing and storytelling.

Apartment Therapy

I have always dreamed of having a tree house.

Apartment Therapy

And if anyone is wondering why the Charleston Public Library has an empty Swiss Family Robinson dvd case, I may or may not be responsible.

day 29. chain chain chain.

2010-01-29T08:58:00.000-08:00

not sure why, but I've really been in the mood to make a paper chain lately.

I'm not sure what to count down to...

50 days til I visit Charleston again.

74 days til my birthday.

(though I am planning on staying 24 forever to avoid the quarter life crisis)

and well I haven't planned too far into the future so I guess those are my options.

Charleston it is!

Hope my paper chain turns out as cute as this one...

LOX + SAVVY

day 27. the lure of a cupcake.

2010-01-27T17:32:00.000-08:00

I'm not exactly sure what makes cupcakes so amazingly appealing (well besides the fact that they are cute, small, colorful and packed with sugar).

But I do believe there is something truly beautiful about them.

C.H.'s new year's resolution is to eat more brunch and more cupcakes. I felt obliged to keep her accountable while in NYC as much as possible. I'm a good friend.

The Cup Cake Cafe, New York City

This is art.

Almost too beautiful to eat.

Almost.

day 23, 24, 25!...the continued mystery of hipsters.

2010-01-25T10:40:00.000-08:00

Living in the Mission of San Francisco, I get a first hand look at hipsters very often, but normally it is a collection of observations and daily interactions like buying coffee and groceries and delicious pastries from them. And now that I think of it, one of them cuts my hair and she deserves her very own blogpost so maybe soon I'll share about that. But every once and a while, they surprise me. Allow me to share the common definition of a hipster:

okay just now as I was searching for a wonderful explanation of what a hipster is, I got distracted by the overwhelmingly hilarious definitions on Urban Dictionary. You must check it out here. Thoroughly entertaining!

Meanwhile, here are some of the best (and in color are the descriptions that fit me as well, mostly due to my laziness and not my "angst against mainstream society")

\hip-stur\n. Listens to bands that you have never heard of. Has hairstyle that can only be described as "complicated." (Most likely achieved by a minimum of one week not washing it.) Probably tattooed. Maybe gay. Definitely cooler than you. Reads Black Book, Nylon, and the Styles section of the New York Times. Drinks Pabst Blue Ribbon. Often. Complains. Always denies being a hipster. Hates the word. Probably living off parents money - and spends a great deal of it to look like they don't have any. Has friends and/or self cut hair. Dyes it frequently (black, white-blonde, etc. and until scalp bleeds). Has a closet full of clothing but usually wears same three things OVER AND OVER (most likely very tight black pants, scarf, and ironic tee-shirt). Chips off nail polish artfully after $50 manicure. Sleeps with everyone and talks about it at great volume in crowded coffee shops. Addicted to coffee, cigarettes (Parliaments, Kamel Reds, Lucky Strikes, etc.), and possibly cocaine. Claims to be in a band. Rehearsals consist of choosing outfits for next show and drinking PBR. Always on the list. Majors or majored in art, writing, or queer studies. Name-drops (why yes I do drop Carol Hannah's name). May go by "Penny Lane," "Eleanor Rigby," etc. when drunk. On PBR. Which is usually.

Hipsters are a subculture of men and women typically in their 20's and 30's that value independent thinking, counter-culture, progressive politics, an appreciation of art and indie-rock, creativity, intelligence, and witty banter. The greatest concentrations of hipsters can be found living in the Williamsburg, Wicker Park, and Mission District neighborhoods of major cosmopolitan centers such as New York, Chicago, and San Francisco respectively. Although "hipsterism" is really a state of mind,it is also often intertwined with distinct fashion sensibilities. Hipsters reject the culturally-ignorant attitudes of mainstream consumers, and are often be seen wearing vintage and thrift store inspired fashions, tight-fitting jeans, old-school sneakers, and sometimes thick rimmed glasses.

Basically, my general perception of them is that they are artistic, musical and fun-loving 20-somethings who don't shower and are very creative; and I generally think I would get along with them if they didn't come across as so pretentious.

So now that we have all that background, allow me to share with you what happened this morning.

I woke up, ate some cereal, and headed out of the house to pick up Kaili (my sweet dear roommate) who got her wisdom teeth taken out this morning and I was going to help her home. It is important to note here that I did not

1. put on real clothes.

2. brush my teeth.

3. wash my face.

4. brush my hair (although that one I was intending to do and just forgot)

So to draw you a picture here, I'm wearing my black sweatpants (from the The Limited that I bought about 4 years ago and I love because they are 100% modal, the softest manufactured fabric I've ever touched), tucked into my Uggs (sexy right?, nothing like baggy pants tucked into Uggs), my t-shirt from Disneyland (a peace sign made out of mickey mouse heads) I AM NOT MAKING THIS UP! In my defense, I do have my black furry minx jacket over that ridiculous shirt and finally my sherpa-lined "I'm a baby sheep" hat from Christmas that I blogged about a while ago. I would say that this is NOT normally what I wear on a daily basis but that would be a lie. So I head to the bus in my pajamas that I've now turned into ready-to-wear. And it's raining.

So I jump on the 22 and I'm not sure if I've mentioned the 22 to you before. I like to call the 22 the douce douce (I'm aware that in Spanish it would really be dos dos but saying it the other way just comes out so much easier and funnier) and in my opinion, it is the angriest bus in the city, mostly because I've seen multiple fights break out on it and it goes through some sketchy areas of town. I normally just try to sit there unnoticed and don't worry, plenty of normal people ride it as well.

The bus is pretty full and sitting across from me is hipster guy (fitting most of the descriptions above). But this hipster guy is different, because he is making way too much bus eye contact for someone who is supposed to be "too cool for school". So we arrive at the lower haight stop (hippie central) and he stands up. By the way, blue writing will indicate my thoughts here. This would be his stop. Sorry, I'm inappropriately judgmental sometimes. But he doesn't get off. He looks like he has changed his mind but continues to stand even though there are seats. Well it is raining, maybe he is debating how close he can get to where he's going. Several stops go by. Well this is just weird, why doesn't he just sit down?!

Hipster dialogue. Katie Pearls dialogue.

Do you have a pen I could use?

Excuse me?

Do you have a pen I could use?

Oh. Rummage through my bag and hand him Martha Stewart calligraphy marker (did I mention this is embarrassing because he is rather cute?)

Hipster scribbles something on card.

oh my goodness, is it possible he's writing down his phone number? this is awkward.

Puts paper away and hands back pen.

Thank you.

I'm ridiculous. He's normal.

No problem.

Seat opens up next to me. Hipster finally sits down.

Finally.

hey, did you go to CCA?

quick, rack your brain and try to know what that stands for. ahh... nope no idea.

No, I don't know what that is.

I'm from the South and unaware of most California things even though I've lived here over a year. Did I mention that I gave the wrong directions to someone the other day to a street that apparently is right in front of my house?

It's the California College of the Arts.

Hipster!

You just look familiar and I wondered if that's how I knew you.

Well that explains the staring. Makes sense. Katie Pearls, be nice. Do not blow him off.

Maybe it's from somewhere else. I live in the Mission near 17th and Guerrero.

Creepster, why'd you tell him where you live?

oh okay, I live at 17th and Mission.

So maybe I've just seen you around.

I don't think we hang out in the same places for some reason though.

So what are you up to today?

I'm going to get my friend who got her wisdom teeth taken out today and help her home since she'll be pretty drugged up.

oh that's nice of you. What's your name?

okay, but what I heard was what's your friend's name? I know it doesn't make sense that I would answer...

Kaili

yet I did.

I'm Greg. It's nice to meet you.

No, my name's Katie. Kaili's my friend.

you are not allowed to talk to strangers anymore Katie Pearls until you can learn your own name.

Oh.

probably thinks I gave him a fake name.

okay for your sake and mine, this is the part where hipster kid proceeds to ask me what I do, how long I had to go to school for etc. I answered everything honestly.

What do you do?

I work in making films, I'm doing some pretty cool projects right now.

of course you do.

That's great. Sounds like a lot of fun.

What are you up to this week?

OMG!

Just working, you know, normal life things.

what the hell kind of answer was that? you couldn't think of one cool thing to tell him you were doing.

Would you want to hang out sometime?

what the hell? (yes I do swear frequently in my inner dialogue, sorry) do you normally pick up girls on the douce douce?

Sure.

Here's my number.

Proceed to enter his number into my phone.

Greg, right?

if I can't remember my own name, I can't expect that I remembered yours right.

Yeah.

What's your last name?

What? you stalker! why do you need his last name? because you have sooo many Gregs in your phone?

Golding.

What did he say?

Can you spell it?

G-O-L-D-I-N-G

oh my goodness, maybe he likes special needs girls like me.

proceed to give him my number, without last name.

Have nearly missed my stop.

Okay. This is my stop. I have to go.

Okay. see ya.

He'll probably call and ask for Kaili.

Just another Monday morning. Love you all dearly. Thanks reading such a long post.

Day 18, 19, 20, 21, 22...oh my, back in the real world and wish I were still on vacation...

2010-01-22T06:45:00.000-08:00

...don't you wish we were on vacation and staying here-

Ace Hotels are in my opinion the coolest hotels around right now. They're so hip it feels as if you are spending your vacation staying at your "too cool for school" friend's house instead cheap flea mart art central.

Reasons I fell in love with AcE HoTeLs since I first saw them featured on a blog:

1. They're affordable! Hallelujah!

2. They work to preserve the already existing buildings they inhabit therefore enhancing the city and space they're within and respecting history and character. Each one is unique! Check out the old Howard Johnson they upgraded in Palm Springs.

3. They're green and eco-friendly.

4. I'm thinking of designing my own house after them because I'm so intrigued.

and now I've seen the NY one in person because CH took me there for dinner!!! Let's just say that their food was delicious and their bar was themed like an old library with long tables and reading lights. We were intended to be creative! By the way, ACE NYC is located in a district they are now referring to as NOMAD (north of madison square park). Love it!

day 15. day 16. day 17...too much fun to blog.

2010-01-17T07:44:00.000-08:00

hello from New York!

Carol Hannah says HEEEEELLLLLOOOOOOO!

and she loves you ("and you should all be ashamed for not coming with Pearls"):)

Love you all dearly and we are doing very fun things that I will blog about soon but one quick story warrants telling now.

As CH and I were discovering dinosaurs and dorking out at the Natural History Museum, we overheard this exchange between a family...

Mom of family- "What noise does a bear make?"

Small Child- silence

Mom- "RrrroooooaaaarrrR"

CH and me-bahahahahaha

What noise exactly does a bear make y'all? Cows moo. Pigs oink. Dogs bark. Cats meow....

.....And apparently every animal worthy of a case at the Natural History Museum RRROoooooAAARRRssss!!!!

Yogi Bear

caughtoffside.com

Day 14. Happy Project Runway Day.

2010-01-14T22:13:00.000-08:00

is it just me or is Season 7 going to pale in comparison to Season 6 of Project Runway because a certain somebody is not going to be on it every week?

Carol Hannah, I'm going to need you to send me home videos each week to keep me entertained!

day 13. sending love to Haiti.

2010-01-13T07:43:00.000-08:00

Last January, I had the privilege of serving in the Dominican Republic with a medical team from D.C. We brought medical supplies and knowledge through clinics; both were very temporary fixes to a nation with overwhelming healthcare barriers. We saw over 400 patients, but it is the time we spent in prayer with them that I remember the most and I know brought the greatest healing. We spent one day in a Haitian refugee camp and were overwhelmed by the level of poverty compared to both the US (only hundreds of miles away) and even the DR. This week the same team is returning to the Dominican Republic on Saturday, and they are already making plans to drive the 10 hours over the Haitian border to bring relief. I know it is no coincidence that they are returning at such a time of need. Oh Lord, I pray that you soften and open the hearts of the Haitian people to receive help. I pray for medical supplies and team members to be increased by Your Hands, the same hands that increased just baskets of bread to feed 5000+ people. Oh Lord, be at your most miraculous! Bless Haiti and those serving them with patience, love, grace, and safety.

day 12. part 1. whoops missed day 11.

2010-01-12T12:32:00.000-08:00

so I had yesterday off. and barclay's back in town! yay!

so we hung out and she made me ride the MUNI train all the way to a restaurant in the outer sunset that is closed on Mondays (like lots of SF restaurants are which I find strange). but side note, if you're wondering where all the cute straight guys in san fran are, they're riding the N-Judah, so go take a ride.

so since I went on a little adventure with her, I made her go see this gem of a movie with me. caution: it's cheesy to the max.

but I don't care what Anna Stewart says (since she's the only one of us who actually knows) but Irish guys are charming and cute (at least in the movies).

day 10. after 16 months of prayer...

2010-01-10T23:34:00.000-08:00

*image courtesy of Seattle Weekly

...I have found a church that I can call home in San Francisco. Praise the Lord!

It's not St. Andrew's yet (love and miss everyone there) but I hope that the Lord will slowly and meaningfully build up the fellowship of His Spirit in this city and revitalize me.

He is a wonderful Provider.

Thank you Reality for having the vision to build up a church in this city, and for loving the outliers so well, including me.

day 9. barclay come back to SaN fRanCisCo

2010-01-09T19:32:00.000-08:00

we have had two earthquakes since you've been gone.

the world won't be made right til you get back here.

hurry.

day 8. shleepy shleepy.

2010-01-08T23:50:00.000-08:00

working all night

and sleeping all day

makes me

day 7. bacontarian?

2010-01-07T22:56:00.000-08:00

oh joyful day. Saturday I was introduced to one more gem in the Mission district of San Francisco...

Dynamo Donuts!!!

and why yes that is a bacon topped donut on the left. I've heard that bacon tends to be the food that you miss the most when you become a vegetarian (or maybe that's just crazies like me). Thank goodness for the vegetarian baconsalt seasoning Courtney gave me.

But I do hope that this chocolate bacon fad doesn't end before my vegetarianism does.

day 6. your top five...

2010-01-06T21:51:00.000-08:00

today beautiful Courtney and I ventured to Russian Hill and drank tea in the afternoon.

Leland Tea Company is one of my top five favorite places in the city.

It's in a very foreign part of the city to me (as in a neighborhood I do not live or work in) and I think that's why it feels like more of an adventure when I go there.

Deciding what to drink is the best part. You choose by smelling from around 50 different canisters of loose leaf tea with names like...Kookiedoodle, Organic Grey's Kelly, Shake your Shimmy, and Bogart (the one that Courtney and I chose). It was phenomenal!

What are your top five favorite parts of where you live? It could be the places in your city that you love to go alone or take people who are visiting or go on adventure or simply a park you like to nap in.

Be grateful today for where you live no matter where it is!

day 5. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!

2010-01-05T23:42:00.000-08:00

Today my Dad turned 58!

I am so grateful to have a earthly father who is loving and kind and gentle.

(of course he had to be in a house full of women)

I love him so dearly.

In honor of him, here's his favorite cake that we make every year for his birthday...

German Chocolate with Caramel frosting

yum, yum, yum.

(please know that the cake my mom makes looks more appetizing than these cupcakes I made)

day 4. missed my chance for a missed connection.

2010-01-04T15:08:00.000-08:00

my new favorite blog is incredibly enjoyable!

Read it here!

Sophie's beautiful/cleverly hilarious depiction of each post makes all of us (well at least me) wish each were about us.

who knew missed connections could be so romantic...

day 3. nothing says birth of jesus like baby farm animals.

2010-01-03T21:35:00.000-08:00

by far one of my favorite christmas gifts this year...

this hat has kept the top of my head, my ears, and most of my face warm and happy for the past few weeks (basically it's a head blanket that's sherpa-lined).

and it has resulted in one of the best pick-up lines I've ever received-

"I like your hat...

You look like a little baby lamb... You need a shepherd?"

and I have these sweet little Santa's elves to thank for it...Thank you ladies for a really encouraging night of being loved on.

day 2. trusting in Him.

2010-01-02T08:22:00.000-08:00

hello friends,

i was reading on sweet Hannah's blog and came across this verse that got me thinking (or hopefully thinking less, trusting more, since over-thinking tends to be my problem).

“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength” Isaiah 30:15

I'm praying that in 2010 there is more rest and peace and trust and assuredness in our salvation than ever before. For that is what the Lord intended in dying for us; and we know for certain in His being raised from the dead. He is alive and working in 2010. Therefore, we should be as well.

love you bunches, pearls

day 1. joyful in january.

2010-01-01T06:52:00.000-08:00

hello friends.

i have two New Year's resolutions.

1. drink more water (because my body likes it when i do)

2. blog every day in the month of January (because January's kind of blah and i'm hoping to maybe bring some smiles to your lovely faces)

let me know your resolutions and enjoy this.

love you bunches, pearls

The Never-Ending Semester

2009-10-16T19:11:00.000-07:00

Most days I have no idea what I want out of life, and it is surprisingly scary. I was voted Most Likely to Succeed in 9th grade (oh the pressure!), but no one ever told me how vague the idea of success is. No life looks the same, at least I'm hoping, because the minute I try to follow the pattern of my friends' lives, I fail.

I tend theorize about why we love college so much-yes, it's the friends we make and the freedom, and learning something new each day about life and about ourselves. But lately, I think we like it so much because it has set beginnings and ends over and over again. A new semester brings fresh subjects, teachers, a clean slate, new friends, and the strange comfort that it will end. There will be finals; you'll be evaluated as good, bad, or mediocre, but really it's just nice to be evaluated. In this post-college life, I find my silly self waiting for finals...

...how precious is the Ultimate Hope we have in Christ, otherwise I would be utterly lost and a total failure.

Greetings from San Fran...

2009-10-15T15:19:00.000-07:00

sooo I'm a bad blogger...

I'm thinking of starting a Blog for 30 days Straight Project. In which case, I will have to find something interesting (or not so interesting) everyday to share with my oh 5 friends who read this. I think it might be surprisingly hard. In true procrastinator style, I'll put this off for a while.

In the meantime, here are some images of San Francisco that inspire me. Some of them postcard style (like of the Golden Gate Bridge) and some of them just beautiful colors and people.

Love and Greetings from San Francisco...

because the heart of life is good...

2009-09-06T03:00:00.000-07:00

SeptemberSea.com

"the circle of your friends will defend the silver lining" -John Mayer

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Rachel, Carol Hannah, and Kaili for doing this for me today (and always)!
I am so lucky to have friends like y'all.

visiting hours...

2009-08-17T18:52:00.000-07:00

Today I visited Valentino, the purse I will never be able to afford. I like to refer to him as a friend I'm going to see. It's just like we have prison visiting hours (aka the hours Nordstrom's is open: M-Sa 10-9, Su 11-7) but will never be able to be together. And they keep Valentino on a leash so we won't try to run away together to live happily ever after. It's too shameful to want something this expensive so I will not even mention the price of Valentino's freedom here.

project lie for a year...

2009-07-13T13:00:00.000-07:00

about 300 days ago...my best friend Carol Hannah left for L.A. to compete in what is my opinion the best and only reality tv show worth watching, Project Runway (this of course excludes the new NYC Prep, which has definitely entertained me). She left our sweet home of Charleston, SC excited and thrilled about this adventure in her life, and yet could tell no one where she was going. She left for L.A. for 10 weeks then to NYC to live and follow her dreams of being a designer.

And she is doing incredible! Her creations are beautiful and inspiring. The kind of clothes that empower women and make men swoon.

Check her out on PR starting August 20 on Lifetime (the new hip network apparently). You will not be disappointed by her designs and you'll be charmed by her sweet, witty love for life.

Thank you Carol Hannah for lying to your friends for a year, so that something really cool could happen and wonderful secrets could be revealed.

move over martha.

2009-06-26T08:30:00.000-07:00

an afternoon practice at being domestic...

sweet Karissa hard at work, baking cupcakes for her friends
(she's already domestic)

my creation- caramel frosting the consistency of play-doh. yikes! maybe I'll make mom and grandmother Sybil proud next time.

Karissa and Liz's creation- precious red velvet cupcakes

mmmm...

barefoot contessa making it look easy

Had to plop the frosting on since it wouldn't spread.

hearts make everything sweeter.

simply impressive.

sort of look like poopcakes
still tasty though.

Thank you Karissa and Liz for a beautiful domestic goddess afternoon!

have yourself a merry little Tuesday...

2009-05-12T08:45:00.001-07:00

perhaps it was the fact that I saw a man's breath smoke last night on the bus from the utter coldness or simply my inner desire for the warm comfort of a familiar melody, but this morning I am guilty of listening to Christmas music on my way home from work. As my ipod shuffled through my, oh say, 150 songs (yes I'm lame), it landed upon the gem of a different time of year, a happier time, a sparklier time, and I am guilty of not shuffling on.

...and then I wondered...what is everyone else shuffling through on their ipods this morning on the bus? I look around wondering what could be playing behind those ear phones...punk rock probably...emo...something in spanish I don't know...some obscure band I don't know...rap...more rap...or maybe (at least I'd like to think) everyone is just listening to christmas music like me right now, dreaming of frosty lights, warm fires, mugs of hot chocolate, and hugs, lots and lots of hugs.

swimsuit, schwimsuit

2009-05-03T22:58:00.000-07:00

since moving to the city by the bay, I can count on one hand the number of times my legs have seen the sun, and I know for a fact that I was more tan 24 years ago as I came out of the womb than I am today...

today I braved many a woman's fear or maybe just mine- the swimsuit dressing room- I had only one emotional breakdown, actually left the store with purchases, and have eaten since then, so ultimately it was a great success. Below is one of my new suits designed by JuicyCouture (p.s. that's not me in the picture...just in case you were confused)

dress me in layers...

2009-04-30T08:49:00.000-07:00

hoping that tomorrow the constant struggle to stay warm in the city will become a little easier...

mountain hardwear mynx

All my dreams came true...and then I threw up.

2009-04-27T18:25:00.000-07:00

A detailed account of my disneyland adventure (the important parts)

Friday
corndog
sliced apples
coca-cola
Space Mountain
Madhatter Teacups
It's a Small World
Big Thunder Railroad
Haunted Mansion
Indiana Jones
fudge
pretzel and cheese
cream cheese filled pretzel

Saturday
mocha frappaccino with whip cream
cotton candy
Grizzly Rushin River
California Screamin roller coaster
Orange Stinger Swings
fettucine lasagna
chicken panini
glass of merlot
Tower of Terror
Mulholland Madness
coca-cola
Soarin Over California
giant pixie sugar stick
Pirates of the Caribbean
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster
Matterhorn
Honey I Shrunk the Audience
Splash Mountain
cheeseburger
fries
chocolate milk
Pinocchio's Daring Journey
Peter Pan's Flight
King Arthur Carrousel

Sunday
mocha frappaccino with whip cream
cinnamon chip scone
Star Tours
Mickey's Toon Town
pretzel and cheese
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Alice in Wonderland
Matterhorn
Tarzan's Treehouse
crabcakes
cooked veggies
bread and butter
gumbo
deep fried turkey and ham sandwich with jelly
coca-cola
Splash Mountain
Space Mountain
Downtown Disney
California Screamin roller coaster
waffle fries
onion rings
more coca-cola
Tower of Terror
Madhatter Teacups
fantasy funnel cake
Bus ride to Hotel
Sick and writhing
Vomit.

a magical vacation...

2009-04-07T16:55:00.000-07:00

...where your only worry is how
dizzy
a ride will make you.

give me coffee or give me death

2009-03-25T00:45:00.000-07:00

Let's just say that there's one glorious perk to working the graveyard shift...a fabulous coffee maker...individual sized flavored coffees...feeling like your own barista...and all of us know the best part- the best 4 letter word ever uttered--FREE! For 2 wonderful caffeine-filled months, we enjoyed the plethora of flavor options...Colombia, French Roast, Chai tea, Green tea, hot chocolate, the list goes on and on...

Today, which will from now on be known as D-Day (disastrous, disappointed, dead-tired, decaffeinated), I walked into work to see that the beautiful, easy-to-use, clean lines of our Keurig coffee maker (can you love a machine?) was not only missing, but worse, much worse, it had been replaced! Just missing and maybe it had an unfortunate over-worked day and needed to be fixed, cleaned, tweaked...no big deal, show it the love it deserves! But replaced! There before me stood...a pot? Two coffee pots!...I didn't even want to stand too close to it...Complaint and concern spewed from my mouth...the alleged "coffee man" had come and taken it away this morning. Who is this man who controls the coffee? Why don't I know him? Shouldn't I know him? He must have been an intruder; he stole it...Didn't anyone check for some ID? If only I'd been here..I wasn't even here to say good-bye...a farewell cup...we didn't have enough "clout" around here to keep it he had said. It was too expensive at 50 cents a cup for the budget. What does that mean? Isn't being tired enough pull? Isn't coffee a staple? Isn't luxorious, expensive coffee the thing employee satisfaction is made of?...

GEt ReAL

2009-03-23T18:03:00.000-07:00

Confession #1. I really don't like it when people untag pictures that I've taken of them on Facebook. And I apparently have taken an uncommon amount of detagged pictures. Does that mean I'm a bad photographer?...

Confession #2. the best thing about having a blog so far is that people can't untag the pictures. :)

This is one of my best friends, BaRclay...she's as cool as her name sounds and would like to be seen as mysterious and intriguing, which she is, but let's "get real" for a second- is anybody as mysterious as they think they are?...

The day blow-up rides lost their luster...

2009-03-23T00:13:00.000-07:00

Excitement fills Kaili's eyes as she sees the blow-up slide from across the marina field. I can feel the joy of air-filled plastic expanding us all. Oh to moon bounce or slide 12 blissful feet! My life might be complete...

...what's that? wait! how can they say no to this precious face of Kaili's?! A city that says no to no one?...must be 12 and younger...must be under 5 feet?...

So easy to complain as I get older and apparently taller...