Happy Birthday to Me...

What? C'mon, I had to say it. Okay, so I'm 21. And you know what's kinda sad? It really doesn't feel like my birthday at all--hasn't all dya. We've been busy with graduation stuff, which is fine and cool. I don't feel forgotten about or anything like that. I got a cake yesterday and some presents today. But we have all these people here for Phil's graduation today (which went really well), and everything has been crazy. Caleb told me that today doesn't really count as my birthday. Apparently Friday will be my "celebratory" birthday. So that's cool. I'm glad that this year I"ll actually be with Caleb within a week of my birthday, this will be the first time isnce we started dating.

Only one day left here in Michigan. I fly out on Tuesday morning. It's weird, a little. As usual, all of a sudden I can't believe it's been 3 and a half weeks, and no, of course I didn't read any of the books I brought or paint much or work on my own website (although I did finish the Mortgage Company one). You know what though? It's all good. I got to spend a lot of quality hanging out time with friends and with family, and that really was the whole point. Now comes the scary part...the "starting on my own" part. I don't know how much internet access I'll have when I first get to Florida, so it might be a bit before I can post again. But I am excited, and I can't wait to see how things will unfold. Wish me luck!

Tomorrow is my birthday!

Yay, and all that stuff. I didn't think I would at all be excited about my birthday this year, even though I'll be 21. But now that it's tomorrow, I hav the sudden urge to have a party with little hats and those things you blow on (not kazoos, although those would be cool too) and a big pink cake. I want to be a kid again, just for a couple hours. But tomorrow will still be fun: Philip graduates, I get to hang with family, and we're all going to eat somewhere cool after graduation.

Thursday I hung out with Kate and Dustin (Cute Newly Married Couple) and we went downtown to Primary Space. It's probably the coolest gallery ever--a redone space in the middle of Hamtramck that they painted white and put a skylight in. They have great exhibits, this time it was Kelly Lynn Jones. While Dustin was appalled at the prices of some of the artwork, Kate and I really enjoyed it (well, Dustin did too, when he wasn't saying "She probably only spends like, five cents to make these and churns out two a day!"). Her work is cool, so go check out her site.

I saw The Longest Yard last night with Andy, Jay, Kim, Nino, Jim, and my brother. I can actually say I enjoyed it, although the 1974 version with Burt Reynolds (who actually played a pretty good role in the new one) is better. But there was this huuuuuuge black guy on the convict team who was a complete teddy bear, I wanted to take him home with me and give him coloring books and hugs and skittles. Aww.

My family is all back now from garage-sale-ing and we're going to some mall, so hasta for now!

Out one day, Walking one day

After spending an extended amount of time in Barnes and Nobles, I discovered a book called Road Trip Nation. Three guys, not sure what they wanted to do after graduating college, decided to take a three month road trip in an RV and interview every interesting person they could get their hands on. The result was a documentary series for PBS, a renewed dedication to pursuing what they loved, and the book that I just read.

Just half an hour looking at that book, and I already feel inspired. My mind kept going back to an article I read recently in May's ReadyMade Magazine. It was about the McMenamin brothers, a duo who has bought, restored, and remade a number of buildings in the Greater Northwestern area (think Seattle, Portland, etc.). They've turned an old elementary school into a hotel, a run-down movie theatre into a restaurant, and that's just the tip of the glass. You really need to read the article, they're fascinating (your local Barnes and Noble should have a copy of Ready Made in the "Special Interest" section of the periodicals).

I feel like I share something with the McMenamin brothers. Their offbeat sense of humor (there are separate Honors and Detention bars in the elementary school hotel), the desire to create an experience, to reclaim the old and turn it into something fresh--those are things that I am drawn to every day. It really makes me want to further examine the art of making old buildings into new businesses, especially restaurants and hotels. I love food, cooking, the experience of a good meal, the details in decorating and the aesthetics of design. I always feel like I have so many interests that I am all but schizophranic, but maybe God just blessed me with so many interests becuase they're all supposed to culminate in one thing. ANd I cna't think of anything better to blend them into than creating something that a community will be able to enjoy.

Who knows, maybe this is just a pipe dream--but what's life if you can't get excited about those dreams and do everything you can to make them real?

Hair Cut!

So I got my hair cut! It's really, really really short. I like it though, so here--judge for yourself:










So yeah. There you go! I'm distracted right now cuz I'm on the phone. So I'll post later. Hasta!

Family members return. Dramatic!

My brother is back from Europe! Yay! And I am now eating yummy swiss chocolate and wearing my third pair of Swarovski Crystal Factory Star Earrings (the first two pairs broke or got lost, and they only have them in Austria so Philip got me another pair).

I just got passed the Music Baton from Cameron, which is some little random music thing to fill out, but since my computer is still in Florida and I am not, it will have to wait. Especially since my old PC erased my iPod. Boo. But look for a future update of the Music Baton.

Tomorrow I'm getting my hair cut. Short. Really Short. Most likely the Shortest It's Ever Been. It's a little scary, but I'm excited about it. I figure, I'm moving to Florida in less than 2 weeks, it will be very hot and I don't have any A/C in my car, and if it looks bad short, then I have all summer to grow it out until classes begin. Don't worry, I'll post pictures once I get it done, so if it looks bad then you can laugh with me.

Bordering On Strange

So I'm hold right now with the Apple store at Somerset. I just realized that we were supposed to get OS X (Tiger) on our Mac Mini, but we didn't. Probably becuase it was a refreshed one and they hadn't added it in yet, but it's still supposed to be on there. Oh, good--just talked to the guy, he said no problem and I can come pick up the disc tonight. Which is even better, because that means now Caleb and I will get to use it! Yay for TIger!

Anyway, it finally hit me that I'm a little wierd when I talked to the associate on the phone and was overcome with the desire to hug him and tell him how much I love Apple. And how I wanted his job, and he's so lucky to get to help people with Macs all day, and that I wanted to bear his children even though I had no idea what he looked like. Okay, maybe not that last part. But it was headed there until I laughed at myself and relized, wow. I really do love these computers. It's such a funny thing, too--I really do love my iPod and I was devastated when our old computer "configured" it to PC and erased it without telling me. I love my G5 and I can honestly say that I miss it. And I am wililng to go drive 20 minutes to go pick up the Tiger disc even though I had plans to watch Season Two of Arrested Development tonight. I'm a geek. But I don't care, because Caleb is a geek too, and we will get married some day and have geek children, and we will be one big happy geek family with Apple stickers on their minivan.

The End.

Silver and Gray and Apple'd all over

I am the bomb. No, really, I am. I convinced my parents to get a Mac Mini, especially because they had one that was "refreshed" (in other words, refurbished) for $449 and we got a really nice printer with it for free (after rebates). So now, instead of our super Slow Old Nasty HP, I am typing this on a Mac! Yay! The only sad thing is that in using my iPod to save our old files before we switched over, Windows told me I had to "Configure" my iPod. Well, nobody told me that "configure" actually means "Format." Or in other words, "Wait one moment while we erase your entire iPod and all 18GB of songs on it, which is really terrible because you won't be getting your G5 back for another 3 weeks, after your 12 hour drive to Florida." Yeah, that's what configure REALLY means. SIgh. It will be okay in the end, though (I guess) becuase Phil had a lot of songs (including fun stuff like Wilco and The Cure) on his laptop's iTunes that I don't have, so I just put those on there for now.

I can't find my glasses or my favorite pair of jeans, which is really sad. But I am going to meet Cork in about 45 minutes to go to Anthropologie and other fun downtown Birmingham stores, and I am really excited about that. I'm also excited because tonight is the Season Finale of Gilmore girls. Which is quite possibly the Best Show Ever. Ohhh yeah.

A Time to Laugh and a Time to Cry

The past three days have passed in a complete blur of bachelorette parties, rehearsal dinners, wedding plans, dancing, a beautiful ceremony, some crying, lots of laughing, and many, many smiles. I still can't believe it's over and Dustin and Kate have now become Mr. and Mrs. Doyle.

I'd like to post a little more detail about this weekends events, but not today. Today is for breathing a sigh of relief that everything went off so well, and relaxing my feet that have been in way too many pairs of high heels. Today will also be about taking my parents to Somerset Mall and trying to convince them to get a Mac Mini.

I saw Sin City last night most of the bridal party (minus, obviously, Kate and Dustin). It was really well done, but wow, lots and lots of violence. I wasn't really expecting that, but as much as there was, at least it was stylized and in black and white. I could have done with out so much, but the movie definitely had redemption and a wonderful plot--and the good guys stayed good, the bad guys stayed bad, and good won over evil (even if it wasn't the ending you would have hoped for). So I can honestly say I enjoyed it, though if Kill Bill turned your stomach then you really shouldn't see this one. Also, there was a bit of female nudity (which never bothers me too much since, well, I am one), so if you're a guy, be prepared to cover your eyes a bit.

I have to design Philip's open house invitations this afternoon, but after that, I should be able to get cracking on website stuff. Which needs to be done.

Even in May...

Michigan is cold. Isn't that sad? Yeah. So I'm here now, in Detroit. It's so strange, I still know it's "home" because when I get here, I feel like I never left. My room is a little different, and things about the city change, but it's all just the way I left it in my mind. It's a wierd feeling not knowing when the next time is that I'll be back here.

My flight here was fine, but I've been pretty tired all day. Caleb and I did a huge amount of packing and trailer-loading yesterday (more Caleb than me, but I'm a small person and therefore cannot lift large things). Amazingly enough, we fit eveyrthing into the trailer and his truck. We also found time to go to Applebee's with Cameron and Daniel, where we had an awesome waitress and ate way too much food. We all ended up at Cameron's house watching the BBC version of "The Office" until 3am. Completely worth it--that show is hilarious.

I ran around like crazy getting little things done here--got the skirt for my bridesmaid dress hemmed and altered at the tailor's, bought Kate a bachelorette party gift (you'll never know, ha ha ha), ate at Olive Garden with Courtney, and unpacked my things. Tomorrow will be nonstop in an even worse way, since I need to design Phil's open house invitations and finish working on Kate and Dustin's wedding gift. Plus some more errands (like getting my new driver's license--yay for 21!) and the party tomorrow night.

So for now, it's time for bed.

"It's a great big green man...with a funny goatee. I love you!"

Strangely enough, "National Treasure" was actually a pretty good movie. Plus, it shows you how to steal the Declaration of independence and makes you much more curious about the Free Masons.

BBQs and Warm Days

Today was much better than yesterday. I slept in until 12:30 (not on purpose, but it was nice anyway) and then Caleb picked me up so we could go to the Student Life End-of-the-Year BBQ at Chris' house. It was a lot of fun, and some tasty burgers and hot dogs were had by all (Dave's a good grillmaster). We played a mean game of croquet and then Daniel, Chris, Emily, Ira, Luke, Caleb and I chilled out inside after everyone left and talked. Luke told us one of the best prank stories I've ever heard involving fishing line and a "ghost." All in all, it was a beautiful day out with some enjoyable company. I have some pictures on Flickr, so be sure to click on the sidebar link on the right.

After the BBQ, Caleb and I went to Barnes and Noble, where he studied and I gave in and bought a caramel frappucino. And read. I finished "Total Money Makeover" by Dave Ramsey and I'm more determined than ever to work hard this summer. I need to make money to pay for school and rent and I don't care if that means not having as much time for the beach. The beach will be there for the rest of my life.

I talked to my mom for awhile (it is Mother's Day, after all) and then picked up a few things at Wally World. Caleb and I made some dinner and then I came home and packed. And packed. And packed some more. I'm doing a pretty good job (much better than I though I would). I only have a few more things until I'm ready to go.

I still can't believe it's 3am on Monday morning and I only have three more days left here.

Where'd all the good people go?

Saturday night and I still haven't packed a thing yet. The past two days have been crazy, and something tells me that this won't be letting off for at least another week or so. I hate rain, it made us have to shut down the Spring Fling and Lightheaded didn't get to play, which is really sad because they are awesome. I was really looking forward to hearing them. They got in last night at 5am (well, this morning I guess) and Othello and Braille and his wife Nikki stayed at my house. We went and soundchecked them and got food after that, and I had a good afternoon hanging out with them. But the rains came and even though it only lasted 10 minutes, it was enough for all the equipment to come down and all the people left.

I need to go pack. Your prayers are much appreciated as Caleb and I both have a TON of stuff to get done in the next few days, plus the poor boy has his theory exam on Monday. I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend, especially since for many of you it's the last one in Lynchburg for the summer.

cartwheels might be a bit much

First of all, I would like to say thank you to everyone who made it out to the Elegant Bowling party last night. Here are some fun photos from the night (you can also click on the picture of Caleb and I on the right). I had a blast, though my bowling score is still well under 100 (I've never gotten past 99). I really enjoyed dressing up though and everyone did a great job of being elegant. For all of you who couldn't come, you missed out on some fabulous bowling and a delicious after-party at IHOP. But we will miss you and hopefully I'll see some of you at the LU Spring Fling on Friday before we leave.

Wow. One more day (of work) left. Pinch me, I can hardly believe it! I feel like sighing a sigh of relief big enough to launch a sailboat. Don't get me wrong--my job at ISA really hasn't been that terrible. I've honestly been blessed to find a full time job for just three months that pays this well. Still, trading in my seemingly endless days of staring at the same green screen with a headset on is not something that I'm hesitant to do. Not at all. I feel like running through the cubicled aisles, shouting joyous things like, "I'm free!" and "I'm going to Florida!" I can only imagine the bemused looks on my co-workers faces.

I am in desparate need of some packing action, but something tells me I won't be so much as touching another cardboard box until Saturday morning. The next few days are strictly dedicated to the Losing Summer website, which will hopefully launch on Friday. I am going to be one busy girl that evening:

• LU Spring Fling
• Losing Summer CD release
• Party @ Anna's

Crazy, but I can't think of a better way to spend my last Friday in the Burg.

dang baby, you frustrate me

Yay! After four hours of hand-coding and hand-css-ing, ta-da: the blog is re-designed. I still have some kinks to work out, but right now I need to start working on the Losing Summer website. Especially seeing as how that was what I was actually supposed to spend today doing.

I'm heading to CVS to drop of my pictures for one-hour development while I read at Barnes and Noble's. I really should be making dinner for myself, but I don't feel like taking the time. I am allowing myself some laziness this week, seeing as how I've made it all this semester with lots of discipline (well, as far as working and eating goes).

So who knows...maybe some Chick-Fil-A will be my company tonight.

Well...

1/3 of my website is now up (the design part, for those of you wondering). Now all I have to knock out is the art and photography, and then redo this blog. Ah, but time is the magic dust for that.

Saw Constantine tonight. It was rather silly, and we decided that Keanu Reeves delivers humorous lines the same way Ron Burgandy reads the teleprompter. If nothing else, though, it made me realize how little I know about the darker realm of things, and how glad I am that I don't. And that it will stay that way.