Look what I woke up to...

So you may not be terribly impressed (especially if you hail from Utah or Idaho), but look at the snow!!! We got at least 6 inches last night, which is quite impressive for the DC area. Schools are cancelled, but the Federal Government is only delayed 2 hours! I'm very sad that I have to make the trek into the city, knowing that I'll face an empty office. But someone's gotta do it.

Now I know the difference between driving in wet snow and driving in dry snow. Wet snow clings to EVERYTHING, making it impossible to see out any window. Yesterday afternoon we had early dismissal (I felt like I was in elementary school again) because they (as in the weather people) knew that this storm was rolling in. When I left DC, I thought they were kidding because there was only a slight misty rain falling. Yet, when I got to my metro stop at 4:15pm the snow was coming down. Hard. And sticking! I knew I had to make a grocery store run before things got any worse (and to get new RedBox movies). The grocery store isn't too far from where I live, but I have to admit that I fishtailed a bit. When I got out of the grocery store an hour later (very long lines you see. Everyone had the same idea as me. We're all geniuses.) it was mayhem! Slush up to there, cars stalled in the middle of the road, others completely abandoned. All because of the dang wet snow that was coming down intensely.

It took my roommates 2 1/2 hours to get home last night. For once I was grateful that I metro into and out of the city. And like every good roommate, I had warm Chex Mix and movies waiting for them. It was a blissful, cozy evening.

Did I mention how much I love the snow?

O Fabulous Friday...

I woke up this morning early. Before my alarm. It was blissful. I hate waking up to my alarm, mainly because it is such a jarring sound. My bed is right under my window, and I could see the full moon between the blinds. What a magical morning!

And the first thing I wanted to listen to this morning is this song by the Arcade Fire. I'm slightly obsessed. With this song, and with the band. My intro to Arcade Fire was through my awesome cousin Joanna (who, by the way, is a new homeowner--so jealous!). She probably didn't know this, but the second concert I've ever been to was to see the LCD Soundsystem and Arcade Fire at Thanksgiving Point. They had just come out with Neon Bible, and it literally blew my mind! Well, not literally, but you get the idea.

Now the Arcade Fire is one of my go-to bands. I've recently purchased their newest album The Suburbs and it is simply amazing.

Please enjoy!

P.S. Check out this rad interactive video put out by the band: The Wilderness Downtown

What we do late at night...

I should probably tell you that this Christmas was the first Christmas I spent at home, in Seattle, in two years! Two years I tell you! And I wasn't even on a mission. I happened to be in Taiwan both times, and also happened to be in Taroko Gorge both times. But that's a different post for a different day.

Living on the East Coast and then spending time on the West is difficult. The time change kills me! Nine o'clock at night felt like 1am to me, and when I get tired, I get crazy. And I get looped into doing some pretty funny things. Like this video:

You have to admit that that is an awesome piece of filming. One shot. First try. No practicing. On my camera. You're impressed, huh? Really you are, right?

And you had the privilege to experience the unedited version. You lucky dog, you.

For the record, Mariah Carey is the best.

Well, hello there 2011...

2010 ended with a bang (haha, aren't I witty?), and the New Year is finally here. I'm feeling very optimistic about 2011. It's going to be a good year. It's funny that I said that on my golden birthday this year, but things didn't really turn out as I had planned. But then again, when do they ever?

The start of a new year always yeilds new goals or resolutions. I have to admit that I probably keep them for a month, but then forget all about them. But, I really do have a couple of goals for this year. Nothing major. I've been on the quest for a new hobby as of late. Lately I've been spending my time hanging out with my friends (definitely a good thing), watching k-dramas (kind of a waste of time), and reading. And trying to come up with ways to change and organize my pitifully small room with no wall space (let me tell you, it's been a challenge). Anyhow, here are my small goals for this new year:

1. take a Chinese class

2. learn how to knit

3. paint my room and paint it well

Oh! I forgot...in addition to these goals I also want to look for more opportunities to serve those around me, and be a better blogger. I think these will go hand in hand. I'm a firm believer that if you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all. I think this is why I've been absent from writing on this here blog. No one really wants to read someone else's depressing rants, right? Or at least I don't. So...here's how I'm looking at it: if I serve more people, I'll be more optimistic, and therefore I'll have a more exciting and bright outlook on life. This will yield amazing stories and experiences (or  I'll gain a better idea of who I am, and what my purpose is).  This will be the new beginning for my blog. And for me. 

Aren't you excited about the possibilities? I sure am. So this is my first step towards my goals in the New Year (and new decade by golly). 

And just because my New Year's was amazingly cool (complete with a masquerade), I will leave you a video of the actual event. Please enjoy the fireworks (aren't they magical?).

Harry Potter...Harry, Harry Potter....

A nod to my very favorite wizarding world.

  (Well, I guess it's really the only wizarding world I know of. Unless LOTR counts. Hmmm.)

Wasn't Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows awesome?

Not Quite Winter--Definitely Fall

So I've been a bit MIA of late. It's been a combination of being crazy busy, some serious bloggers block, and  interference by some Asian Dramas. Many a friend have commented on my lack of writing and I will repent.

Just not with this post.

Fall has hit DC with full force. Literally. We've had some pretty gusty weather lately dumping tree-loads of leaves all over the place. I'm in heaven! The air is crisp. I get to wear sweaters and scarves. Delicious.

So, you know how I'm slightly obsessed with music, right? And how basically every post on here lately has had a music video? Well, this post isn't going to be any different (but I'm repenting, remember? I'll do a different post a little later). Anyhow, as the seasons change, so does the type of music I listen to.

Fall = Acoustic Awesomeness

And Bon Iver is one of my all time favorites. Thanks to my good friend Sarah and her most excellent taste in music, I was exposed to Bon Iver and all of Justin Vernon's sweet goodness. Loved the name of his project, his sound, his voice. Perfect for fall.

Have a listen, and enjoy!

Jumpin' Puddles...

I love autumn.
I love the crisp cool air
the bright (sometimes) blue skies
the crunch of fallen leaves.

I love wearing bright colored scarves and have the wind blow through my hair as I ride my bike at high speeds down sidewalks.

Autumn is also the time when my musical tastes change. The chill, acoustic, more alternative tunes of my collection are played more frequently.

Fall is also the time for one of my favorite bands--Sigur Ros.  This could be because the first time I ever listened to Sigur Ros was in the fall. My friend Patrick's older brother introduced me to their untitled album, and was especially keen on me listening to Untitled #8. It's quite grand, and you should definitely check it out here.

A few months later, Patrick showed me this music film done by Sigur Ros called Heima. Basically one summer, the band went home to Iceland and performed a series of intimate shows in out of the place locations--free concerts for the people. The music is beautiful, the filming is beautiful, the scenery is absolutely beautiful. After watching this film, I fell in love in Iceland.

One of my favorite Sigur Ros songs is Hoppipolla, or in English, Jumpin' Puddles. I find that the lyrics are particularly meaningful at this time of year, especially with all the rain we've received as of late.

Happy Weekend!

(English translation after the clip)

smiling

spinning in circles

holding hands

the world is a blur

except when you're standing

dripping wet

completly soaked

no rubberboots

running inside of us

wants to burst out of the shell

wind in

and the smell of your hair

i hit as hard as i can

with my nose

jumping into a puddle

wearing no boots

completely soaked (dripping wet) 

wearing no boots

and i get a nosebleed

but i'll always stand up again

(hopelandic)

and i get a nosebleed

but i'll always stand up again

(hopelandic)