Do I listen to pop music?

Umm, not really.
Or at least I don't think I do.
Perhaps I am in denial.
Now that I think about it,
I am a Belieber,
 and Lady Gaga is pretty awesome
 (well, only her 1st and 2nd albums, really).

Crap.

In my head I still see myself as the alternative and indie loving, intelligent and ultra cool co-ed. 

Maybe the problem is that I'm not in college anymore?

Nor do I have a whole lot of time of late to research new bands.

Oh, bother. 

But maybe it's ok?

That I like pop, I mean. 

Well, pop music that is intelligent and has many iconic cultural references and/or statements (in the case of Gaga). 

Beyonce.is.amazing. 

And she just released this video on the internet this past week. 

And.it.is.amazing.

How many references can you find?

Happiness.

I love Washington!...and pumpkin patches.

I skipped last week's post on what makes me happy, and I feel guilty for it. I just got too dang busy. And sick. But now I'm all better, and feel good about blogging again. The world goes round.

Sometimes I feel like the things that make me happy are a bit ridiculous, so I appreciate you for baring with me. Here it is: the list.


1. Rediscovering a hobby. I've been on the hunt for a good hobby for several months now. I'm a fairly creative person, but just hadn't found a creative outlet that I was satisfied with. I enjoy writing, but have been out of practice. I wanted to take up knitting, but it seemed kind of complicated. Everyone crochets. I wanted to do something that not everyone does. Back on my mission, while serving in Hradec Kralove, we taught this amazing family who was famous for their needlework, crocheting, and tatting. I enjoyed crocheting, but loved tatting. I wasn't super good at it, but one of the ladies said I was a natural. And who doesn't like being called a natural. Anyways, today I bought a shuttle and tatting string, and have decided to relearn this somewhat of a lost art.

2. Finding a new frame for my favorite print of all time. And I'm going to hang it up on my wall tomorrow.

3. Talking to my friend Lex, who now lives in North Dakota. We try to have weekly phone chats, and it makes my day.

4. Finding cheap airfare to 3 places in the States I'm wanting to visit. Now I have to figure out when I'm going to travel to these places.

5. Helping out at the Seattle Temple. My singles ward had a baptism assignment last night, and it was so cool to witness my friend doing ordinance work for her ancestors. Her joy was intoxicating.

6. Going to my roommates (I guess now former roommate) wedding reception. She and her husband were so cute, and so obviously in love. Here's how cool  her husband is. They are both really into dancing, and he asked our friend to organize a flash mob at their reception. She choreographed a dance routine to Moves Like Jagger. It was incredible, and my roommate's reaction was classic.

7. Being able to teach. I was asked to give a lesson at a church activity, and was so thankful to be able to do so. I miss teaching, and it's hard not being able to pursue that course quite yet. Every time I teach, though, I know that that's what I'm supposed to do. It just may not happen for a couple of years.

8. Shopping with a good friend at U Village. It was fun bonding time, and she is the giver of amazing advice. And we all know that I relationship advice is much needed in my life. My love life is definitely a comedy.

9.Seeing my mom. I love her!

10. Finally being "healthy." I went to the doctor on Monday to have my bandage changed, and she said I don't have to come in anymore! Hallelujah! Now I just need to get over my cold...

And there you have it. What made you happy this week?

Can I runaway to Europe? Pretty Please?

From here

I've been dreaming about going back to the Czech Republic of late. Normally when I think about the Czech Republic, images of Praha, Zlín, or Hradec Králové come to mind. 

Not Ostrava. 

                       Except for lately.

It was the city of my first fall and winter in ČR--the very first city of my mission.

I remember the very first day I stayed in our missionary apartment, spíš, byt (omlouvám se). It was dark, and rainy, but it was fabulous. My companion and I plus 2 other missionaries endured the five hour train ride from Prague and I was jet-lagged, and utterly exhausted.

When we got to our byt, we weren't the only one's there. To our surprise, a couple of the members of the Ostrava branch were there, curious to see what the new greeny would be like. Lot's of laughing and joking ensued, and I had no idea of what was being said or laughed about (most likely me, and the fact I couldn't understand anything they said in their clipped, brusque accent).

I had my first taste of Kofola that night. First thoughts? Absolutely disgusting. But it was one of those things that grew on me as I spent more time in the country.

The next morning at 6:30am, my companion asked what I would like to do for our exercise time. I requested a tour of the downtown. It was then that I fell in love with the park pictured above. A tree lined path that went on forever, bordering the Ostravice River.

It's funny. I found so much beauty, joy, and love in this town that was known as the 'armpit' of the country. I loved it, coal mine dust and all.

It's funny. Out of the four cities I lived in, this is the one that's been on my mind.

Can I run away to Europe? Or perhaps I just want another day like those fall days in Ostrava.

This almost made me have an accident.

My cousin's awesome wife posted this on facebook, and I almost had an accident...at work. It's cruel, but oh so funny.

 (Suzy, can you PLEASE do this next year?)

Would you ever tell your kids that you ate all their Halloween candy?

Happiness

Image from here

Wow, has life been busy of late, what with getting ready for Halloween and all. Kind of silly, but I'm loving it! I have SOOO much to be happy about! ...And I realized much of it has to do with friends and family. So here goes nothing:

1. Making new friends at church and finding out we have so much in common!

2. Seeing a friend at good ol' Trader Joe's. We have a TJ's bond. I used to work at the one at Tyson's Corner, VA, and she works at the one in Kirkland, WA. We are awesome therefore, TJ's is awesome.

3. Ilene. She makes me happy. Ilene and I have known each other since 4th grade when her dad was our softball coach. She's been one of dearest friends ever since. She's one of those friends that you pick up just where you left off. We haven't seen each other in almost a year even though we've lived in the same town for the past 5 months. Friday night a couple of friends and I were at Belle Square, and Ilene works there. I poked my head into where she works, just to see if she was there. And she was! And what a reunion it was!

4. Frozen yogurt. I know I'm a nerd, but this seriously makes me so happy! Reminds me of DC.

5. New shoes. I now have a pair of black flats. It's been years since I've had black flats! And I love them!

6. Having a new crush. It's what makes the world go round.

7. Going to the doctor and finding that nothing is terribly wrong with my body. Hallelujah!

8. Fall leaves. I love fall in Seattle. It's not like back east, but I love seeing the patches of color mixed in with the dark evergreens. Lovely. Simply lovely.

9. Spontaneous dance parties. I think I participated in at least two this week. And learned how to salsa, bachata, and one other Latin dance I can't remember. It was a blast.

10. Decorating for Halloween. My friend Brittany posted this lovely, easy craft on her website, and I tried it out this weekend. It turned out quite well I must admit. And it inspired me to make a Halloween hat for Friday night. We'll see how that goes.

What made you happy this week?

Russia

Happy Weekend! I can't believe how quickly this week has gone by. Not that I'm complaining though. I still need to post what I did last weekend, because it was super awesome. Hopefully I can get something cooked up this weekend as well.

So this song has become one of my new favorites. It's by a Northwest band called Ramona Falls, after the amazing waterfall in the Portland area.

 (I kinda claim Portland as a part of Washington--it is one of our sister cities. 

And Northwesterners do need to stick together!).

Gorgeous music. And the actual artist is pretty cute too. The world goes round.

Enjoy!

Happiness

Image from here

I had a fabulous weekend, and I hope you all did too. The weather was PERFECT! Since I forgot my camera cord at home, I can't upload any photos at this hour, but maybe will tonight? We shall see.

Here is my happy list:

1. Picking my very own perfect pumpkins from a patch. I ended up with a super cute white pumpkin and an awesomely rad green pumpkin with an orange spot. 

2. Dance parties with close friends. I forgot how much I love myself a good dance party.

3. Understanding things and doing well at work. I'm learning!

4. Teaching. I taught on Sunday and it's still one of my very favorite things.

5. Fall leaves and the drive to Monroe.

6. Game nights with new people.

7. Being reunited with old friends.

8. Jamba Juice. My favorite is Orange Dream Machine with strawberries and raspberries. Perfection.

9. Sarah H's amazing pumpkin cookies. They are to die for. Really. 

10.  Spending time with my family on Sunday evenings.

And there you have it. What made you happy this week?