Its been a long long time

Invite

Tue, 05 Sep 2006 20:20:44 GMT

So- to those of you who still live in this state:

Come over. My apartment has (mostly) been moved into: it is super cute. I love it tons. I have ceramic parrots and a vegetable table cloth. I have tea towels. I don't have very many dishes but its enough to cook you dinner. So come over, hang out. It will be fun.

I have missed everyone so much while I have been gone.

America is so weird but its so good to be home.

Edinburgh

Mon, 21 Aug 2006 16:50:10 GMT

I just had the most amazing weekend of my life. We took hte train to Edinburgh, and went straight to Edinburgh castle. That castle is 1350 years old and is incredible. It was so much fun. Then we went and checked into our hostel, and took a nap. We ate huge portions of relatively cheap food, two pitchers of alcohol before wandering around town watching street performers and admiring hte gorgeous and really old architecture. Later we did a guided ghost walk that was so much fun, but so scary. I didn't think I would enjoy it because I hate scary movies but it was great. At midnight there were fireworks over the castle that were just breath taking. Then we went to bed. Sunday morning we woke up early, ate some free breakfast, and saw Holyroodhouse Palace which is the queen's favorite residence. Afterwards we did some touristy shopping: I bought a scottish thistle christmas ornament. Then we saw more street performers, got lunch and more pitchers of booze, and went to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead which is the most amazing piece of absurdist post world war two literature and I love it very much. It feels incredibly contemporary and hte show was incredible: we sat first row. There were some frightening strobe effects but... oh my god. Wonderful. Then we caught the train home. Our trip coincided with the biggest fringe theatre festival, cultural festival, music festival and military festivals (in total 7 independent festivals in one city) in EUROPE! It was just mindblowing. I'm still exhausted.

It is weird feeling like I returned home... when... I just got back to London.

Thu, 17 Aug 2006 17:31:59 GMT

Ahhhh! I'm so excited. I leave EARLY Saturday (read friday late afternoon your time) for Edinburgh to be part of hte largest fringe festival in Europe where we're staying in a party hostel and seeing EVERYTHING. I'm talking music, theatre, castles (two!), people. Life here is AMAZING. Pictures of the best stuff when I get home.

Fri, 04 Aug 2006 19:37:52 GMT

So... WE GOT OUR APARTMENT!!!

When I get back I'll be moving into the cutest apartment in Northgate and you should all come visit! I'll cook you dinner. I'm so excited! This makes me miss you all!

Thu, 03 Aug 2006 19:44:11 GMT

Most of the time England feels just like America until random things happen that make me think... damn... I'm not from around here. Like some people say "London" with this familiarity that I feel like I must know them and htey couldn't possibly say the name of hte city with that kind of concern... but its not to be. Or the fact taht £1 is a coin- so I've accumulated a lot of them because I'm more prone to spending cash. I have almust $40 in coins in my hello kitty wallet. Sad day.

But I know the tube well now and my neighborhood is quite cute. I'm also getting used to hte constant smell of pot in the house. It also doesn't feel offensive anymore that our homestay can't always remember our names... oh well!

Two other kids in the program and I are going out to Edinburgh, Scotland in a week and a half for this huge fringe festival thats supposedly one of the biggest in Europe so that will be fun. We're staying in a "party hostel" which will be entertaining to say the least.

One thing I'll miss in America: pubs. We go out a few nights a week, we each get a drink- sit around late in these cozy old rooms drinking god knows what until all hours. And I'm the youngest person by two years- everyone else can drink or will be able to in the next 3 months... so... everynoe else can hang out the same way in the US, but I'll miss everyone...!

Speaking of, I miss you all. Hope all summers are going well.

London

Tue, 25 Jul 2006 17:20:55 GMT

My god this city is wonderful. Sometimes its like coming home. We live with a pair of aging hippy total pot heads which is new and differant but they are totally sweet and mild so thats great.

I have officially conquered the underground which is fabulous.

The walking around has been wonderful but it is so hot and we always end up lookin so gross but the city is wonderful and every corner you turn you find some more lovely restuarants and quaint shops. London isn't one city- its a series of connected townships so everywhere is so differant from each other neighborhoods. Stores too are funny because they are much more specialized then our groceries or block stores at home. You have to go to a particular store to get fruit, meat, fish, supplies, and another is all toiletries.

Our professor was super late today- he lives in the country and the trains are a tricky to catch because they apparently break down a lot, etc. But he led us on a glorious romp around London- we went to Regent's park and hiked Primrose Hill- the only hill in London which gave us such a great view. Wonderful. Most of our classes are spent simply walking around talking about the sights.

We went to our first pub last night, and let me tell you on mondays they are pretty dead. But we found a cute moderately historic one and I had half a pint of Strong Bow Cider. We were there for two hours and thats all the farther I got. Our pub crawl is Thursday and a few of us are intending to split half pints because we are all so wimply. The cider was good but I won't say great. Maybe I'll find something better: unlikely. But being 18 in England is kindof fun.

Email me and hope alls well in the USA.

Wed, 10 May 2006 18:12:50 GMT

So, if anyone wants to hear the most exciting thing ever... it is that I GOT INTO THE BUSINESS SCHOOL! Oh fudging goodness that was scarier than applying to college (because I was lame and lazy about that), because my GPA is ugly, my essays were funny (not deep), etc. etc., but I am not not only a business major but an entrepraneurship major. (Long word.) Oh, yeah. So fucking excited.

And, in other news...

Are AP tests done? Because I want to come visit- but not if you're studying. If they are done Please tell me and tell me what classes ya'al have because I'll probably be around Friday... so... let me know.

I QUIT MY JOB!

Fri, 28 Apr 2006 17:26:48 GMT

I resigned yesterday.

I start at Anthropologie Sunday.

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 22:31:52 GMT

Yesterday's post may have been angsty but here is my plea for you all to send me any good vibes you have lying around.

I did something 4 minutes ago even scarier (for me) than applying to college.

I applied to the University of Washington Business School. (With a concentration in entrapraneurship.) Odds are in my favor, but are far from absolute. I need all the good mojo I can get.

Thank you.

Good day.

Birthday.

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 04:11:17 GMT

How does it feel to be eighteen?
Only a little bit worse than being seventeen.

Tue, 28 Mar 2006 19:20:44 GMT

To everyone that is getting their college admissions now... CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK! I'm so proud of all of you, and it sounds like a lot of you will be joining me as a Husky. I'm class of 2008, baby.

So I just got back from Hawaii, sorry if we didn't hang out this last week. I wsa ridiculously busy before I left. I have to get my passport, English trip application in, financial application in, business school application in, etc., this week and its pretty darned stressful.

But on an upnote, I got glasses. Apparently I am nearsighted. I didn't realize that my vision could be as crisp as say, a photograph. I thought that was a trick of photography. So this is really exciting to be able to see things like... street signs, and details from more than 8 or ten feet away. Will post photos later.

Life is pretty awesome. Even if I'm tired and stressed. Its still good. And I'm happy.

Mon, 06 Mar 2006 22:48:26 GMT

So... its official. I am going to England this summer- 5 weeks in London. My mom is looking at plane tickets, I am filling out financial paperwork. Life is good. Plus, I got my IRS refund.

And this quarter is going to kill me.
It has been 2 months since I've been to my calculus class because it put me to sleep so I am trying to learn everything from a crappy book on my own. Its been pretty high-low. Anyway.
I am scared about everything.

Don't get too excited about college, children. As soon as you are in you'll have to start taking placement tests for your applications into your major. Once that is done and you're in you'll have 5 months of rest before you figure out grad school. Then you have to apply to that. And not long after you apply and get your responses you graduate. Go through one last summer of work meanwhile flying back and forth between coasts to figure out where you'll go and live and then you pack up your perfect apartment and hop coasts to start again. At least three more years. And then you're 23 and have your degrees done but have only worked retail and are staring at the world thinking...

Oh my god, what do I do now?

What do I do now?

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 19:56:17 GMT

Anyone (either you or someone you know) in the Edmonds/Mukilteo area need a well paying job? Let me know because I can hook it up.

Fri, 20 Jan 2006 21:26:05 GMT

So I'm officially going to England this summer. I'm spending six weeks with the English department in London. Its through homestays and you take three classes and it will be really awesome. The classes are half in classrooms and half exploring town, things like... In X and Y English book of literature they described this character's neighborhood like that. Lets go see it! Okay, do you buy that interpretation or was it fictionalized? Etc. Etc. And I need to get rid of a lot of VLPA credits before I enter the business school next year.

And I am working on my business school application. I'm really thrilled. I'm applying to go into the Accounting specialty. I'm in accounting now and I am going to sound really nerdy... but... I love it. There are rules and systems and I can now make income statements, and balance sheets, and ledgers, and trial balances. I can close books, open accounts, and I'm so excited. In fact, its Friday night. All my friends are going out. And I'm staying here, taking a practice accounting midterm, doing some laundry, and going to bed early.

I'm also spending a week and a half in Hawaii this summer. And most of spring break. My mom is really great. Actually. My mom is really cool: she's jogging like 6 miles a day. Wow. She's super.

Anyway, I love you all. Have a great grey-miserable-rainy Washington day!

Fri, 06 Jan 2006 22:15:30 GMT

So I feel really terrible. I completely wasted my break. I worked to gosh darned much, which is awesome and all, but I didn't see anyone. I saw Sarah, and I love sarah, but once is never enough with that girl. I didn't see anybody else and everyone is posting these sweet pictures of their time home and party pics and stuff and I can't help but think: I should have made time for that. But I didn't. And I miss everyone, and won't see anybody this summer since I'll be in Europe so somehow I need to work out a better way to keep in contact with everyeone but whatever the case the whole point is...

I miss you all.

This is Not a silly forward- Its... life?

Sun, 04 Dec 2005 04:07:22 GMT

A middle aged black man came into our store, he was moderately well dressed and wearing a hat. He had a bag or two so I assumed he was Christmas shopping. I greeted him, asked him how he was, if I could help him. He hesitated. Then said yes. He followed with "Do you know what random acts of kindness are?" I was a little short for words and didn't want to jump to conclusions so I stammered "Yes." He walked forward and set a bag on the table and started to walk away. I was short for breath, biting back tears, I thanked him profusely while sitting in shock and almost automatically asked him to have a good night. At this point he turned around and smiled at me the biggest smile, "Now, I will." He gave me a box of Fran's Chocolates (which if you've shopped there you know they aren't cheap and are fabulous.)

Anyone free Saturday? Leave me a msg.

Tue, 22 Nov 2005 20:43:46 GMT

So college is going really well. I'm getting better grades here than I did in high school, which is cool. Less work or maybe about the same. I don't go to all my classes. I don't read many of my books. AND- next quarter I am taking a class called "the nature of sound." I'm so excited. (I needed an extra three credits... lol.)

I miss everyone a bit. Whatever the case I just made the break from "home" earlier and it has worked out insanely well for me. I would go crazy if I were still in high school. Instead I'm really enjoying my time. I do wish I saw more people. I saw Karli here and she kept me sane.

Work happens often. Like... almost 30 hours a week. I feel like I should be getting benefits, lol. But its really fun, it pays well, and when its slow I do my math homework.

Communal showers are icky. Not the other girls, but all the soap build up and if you think the hair in your shower drain at home is bad imagine it being used by 24 girls. Yeah. Ick.

Everytime I call home to tell my dad something we forgot to add to the grocery list I end up cooking more and more of Thanksgiving. At this point I'm doing all of it except pulling the guts on the turkey and maybe the gravy. If I'm not careful, soon I'll do it all. And yes, I am currently making pie, stuffing, potatoes, dressing hte bird, and veggies as well as some snacks. CRAZY! But I'm excited. I'm glazing hte turkey with a sage/maple/butter combo and the pie is an apple cheddar pie. Wow.

But, the weekend after I'm doing a low key enchilada cookoff so if anyone wants enchiladas... which I know you all do, call. I don't work. It will probably be a relatively early supper. And as everyone who came last year knows: these are kick ass enchiladas. So email me and let me know if you're interested, or just respond here, whatev. I hope to see you guys.

Lots of love,
London

(That feels really puny for my whole life in a few months... there was more... it just doesn't feel relevant to this genre anymore. Call, we'll talk about it, lol.)

Although reposting this may not change opinions, it does make me happy. Just like puppy dogs.

Sat, 01 Oct 2005 23:09:55 GMT

1) Being gay is not natural. Real Americans always reject unnatural things like eyeglasses, polyester, liposuction and air conditioning.

2) Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people will make you tall.

3) Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog has legal standing and can sign a marriage contract.

4) Straight marriage has been around a long time and hasn't changed at all; women are still property, blacks still can't marry whites, and divorce is still illegal.

5) Straight marriage will be less meaningful if gay marriage were allowed; the sanctity of Britney Spears' 55-hour just-for-fun marriage would be destroyed.

6) Straight marriages are valid because they produce children. Gay couples, infertile couples, and old people shouldn't be allowed to marry because our orphanages aren't full yet, and the world needs more children.

7) Obviously gay parents will raise gay children, since straight parents only raise straight children.

8) Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are imposed on the entire country. That's why we have only one religion in America.

9) Children can never succeed without a male and a female role model at home. That's why we as a society expressly forbid single parents to raise children.

10) Gay marriage will change the foundation of society; we could never adapt to new social norms. Just like we haven't adapted to cars, the service-sector economy, or longer life spans...
---
Re-post this if you believe in legalizing gay marriage

Thu, 08 Sep 2005 07:25:56 GMT

Long early morning flight to Hawaii but I'm here. My darling boyfriend drove me- woke up before six! Thank god for love.

Hawaii is fabulous. I've missed my mom, and my aunts are a real trip. Really great women, but a lot to handle. Intense personalities both. So thats four of us in a tiny apartment full of stuff. We're a riot.

Walked around. Saw my mom's store. Cutest Nine West ever, plus full of the most gorgeous employees. One hugged me, and invited me surfing. She looks like Barbie. So cute. So intensely/money/crazy/gorgeous. A good vacation friend but perhaps not long term, she'd be a bit much.

When you walk around Waikiki there are hula girls/boys everywhere. Its fun, its busy, there are so many people everywhere.

The japanese tourists are a riot. They are shoppers. The average Japanese tourist profile (data fromtourist info) is a late 20's early 30's woman, who will spend a few hundred dollars a day. They are shoppers. Very funny. Perfectly pressed aloha shirts, black socks, khaki shorts, leis, all over the men. The women look like expensive hookers or poorly dressed models. Expensive. And no guilt over walking into, infront of, through you on the sidewalk.

Gorgeous beach. Gorgeous surfer boys. Slightly more discouraging lots of gorgeous surfer girls. I'm going to learn to surf and join both crowds.

I love hula kids. I want to teach my children to hula.

And I don't want them to say "pardon me" instead of "what?" That is just vulgar, intrusive, and unflattering, I want perfect doll children with wonderful brains. That hula.

Remember to share addresses. I'm collecting postcards.

Tue, 06 Sep 2005 18:55:41 GMT

So I'm seriously considering commuting for the first quarter and moving into the dorms in december if they will let me. I don't want to have to commute winter quarter because I will be working MASSIVE HOLIDAY HOURS starting ASAP after thanksgiving, because there are only five of us and good husbands buy jewelery for good wives. So... you kids in mukmuk may have more access to me than I had previously believed... I hope not. I hope I can get an apartment, because right now both my loans and my HOUSE are on hold. Which sucks. I wish there was some more definitive, concrete, info in the world.

I go to Hawaii tomorrow morning early, but today I work in seattle until late. So... a lot of you said you wanted postcards/etc. but you can't have 'em unless I get your address... make sense?

I feel like my whole world has become very lighthearted and frivolous and not at all a thinking being. I am reading junk, working long hours, and doing nothing deep. I'm tired. I'm sick. And my hand embroidery is rocking my world.

Sun, 04 Sep 2005 06:04:47 GMT

So... this is the part of the joke where the punchline gets inserted.

Yeah. Hey, UW, I'm waiting?

So first you lose my college transcripts, then inform me that due to late processing (because you lost my transcripts) I will be waitlisted, I get accepted, followed quickly by you losing my AP scores, twice, and now ... well. You can always explain better than I:

"The Dept. of Housing and Food Services is committed to providing accommodations for as many students as possible. Unfortunately, at this time we do not have a housing assignment for you. We EXPECT (read probably can, but we're not sure yet) to be able to offer you a space."

Oh. Right.

Well thanks. And... if not... then what?

Fuck you college student England, yeah, fuck you UW.

(PS- I leave wednesday for Hawaii and if you want postcards, letters, or cheap Hawaii shit lemme know!)

Fri, 26 Aug 2005 18:46:40 GMT

Okay, so... I miss you all.

I like to think I haven't been forgotten or chalked up as lost...

And I want to hang out! With all of you!

But I keep volunteering to work on my days off. So... I'm getting mucho hours, therefore some much needed moneys since I have books to buy soon and a vacation to go on soon. (Yay for Hawaii!)

The downside being as you've noticed- I don't see any of you. Ever. Which makes me sad. So email me or something if you want to hang out and I'll come up with a plan, even if it involves breakfast.

Hearts.

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 21:03:00 GMT

So... my work schedule really messes me up. I work at night, and don't get home until 10. Most of my friends work during the day... so they are busy when I'm free, and I'm busy when they are. So I keep calling and missing people (read Kris and Claire).

The apartment doesn't really look like its going through so current seniors- you may be it: the future apartment mate of London England. Cool, huh? Yeah, maybe. Maybe I'm really frustrated that I'm wasting money living in a dorm that I'm not excited about, I won't be able to cook, and I won't have.. space. My dad said... cheap apartments are going to be tiny and shitty: Yes, but compare it to owning HALF of a dorm room, plus 1/56 of a bathroom with 3 showers and 4 toilets. I'd rather have one tiny shitty, ugly apartment where at least I get a whole bedroom, half a bathroom, half a living/cooking space. It just makes more sense.

I don't have any days off before I go to Hawaii in Sept. Sad. But good. Money is happy. And Hawaii is happier, so life is good.

Oh, and seniors: When does school start? I want to stop by before my classes begin.

I fixed my car, too. She doesn't overheat.

And- here is the exciting one: My room, which was an abysmal mess, is not so bad anymore! She's actually quite liveable! Clothes are in the closet, shoes are in a heap in the corner. Books/magazines have resumed their proper places on the shelves. My sewing machine is hidden, and as long as nobody looks at the dishes I am not yet brave enough to deal with or the feminine products in a bag on their way to the bathroom (new!) it looks pretty good.

Haha, I was thinking I had nothing exciting to tell people, but I forgot about fathers day!

Yesterday my dad and I celebrated Father's Day. A few months ago, on time, I bought my dad a ticket (plus one for me) to see Princesses at the 5th Ave. At the time I was living on allowance so didn't think I'd buy dinner and bought nosebleed seats, but we got to move forward because so few nosebleed seats were filled so we ended up in a great place. And I took my dad to Tulio (awesome date restaurant, family place). But... everyone thought I was Mrs. England, not Ms. England, and knew that he was Mr. England so I'm sure that you can all guess how gross that is. I don't look that old, thank you. But Tulio- exceptional food, but last night a little less so than when I've been in the past. Its all really exceptional tasting, but a bit of my dad's lamb was raw, and my chicken had some overcooked/tough spots.
But if you've never had sage butter/marscapone gnocci: get off your lazy ass and get down there! Oh, and fresh lemon risotto! Both! GO.

The show itself was wonderful, a fun concept, great show. Amazing choral work, and some really cute characters. They played off wonderful high school steriotypes: three girls get cast as men because one is tall, another short, and a third flat. One girl trys to get out of everyclass because of her period, everyone flees for the cell phone. The daddy/daughter correlation was a little flat, its pretty much the modern Little Princess meshed with the classical version. She also has a boyfriend who is cute (real life Abercrombie model) and has a great voice, but he has a song to himself and can't dance. It all just seems so whiteboy/awkward. Not good. There is a killer scene about Acting 101 that plays off so many goofy old movies/etc. that it is hilarious and so well played. One more weird complaint: starting with the opening scene the choreography for a lot of the girls is overly sexual for the characters, just too much Britney/NSync dance steps with hip twitching. It will be well recieved on the west coast/chicago/NY, but should it visit any smaller venue (like anywhere in the Midwest) there will be some discomfort with the audiences.

All and all- awesome night, awesome show. Go see it. Its not perfect but its the first stop on a tour that ends on Broadway- they are still changing a lot.

XO.

Sun, 21 Aug 2005 18:45:15 GMT

Nice girl seeking friendly, clean, responsible roommate for apartment in North Seattle. Most places found run $600-700, you pay half plus half utilities, half of groceries. Contact me if interested.

Please note average price per month of dorming = $833. Scary.

Thu, 14 Jul 2005 22:25:03 GMT

Note to all: I am London. And there are exciting things in my life.

First of all, my baby is as wonderful as she could be but I have a problem: SHE HAS NO NAME!

My red saturn coupe that is so low to the ground that I'm afraid to park her in my driveway, but I can officially start/stop on hills. So beat that clutch. I am... the mostly master of the standard.

I had two interviews today with a jewelery shop. Its a high end, family owned jewelery shop that focuses on high quality diamonds, opals, and estate jewelery, and is very proud of hte six carat diamond in the window. THey want me to help them sell their pretties. I look forward to knowing more about the job... haha. They didn't make a formal decision because they were also interviewing a full time woman (who dressed like a floozie... ick).

I hope they call me and I start next week. Sarah and I are planning a camping trip... wanna go? It would be fri-sun. Give us recomendations on locations that aren't going to be CRAZY FULL and require reservations (because thats dumb.)

Loves.

Oh- is anyone going to the UVillage for Harry Potter tomorrow???