Great in '08 but Sublime in '09

Wishing all a happy New Year and hopes that 2009 brings success and happiness. As the night is winding down and resolutions are on your mind, remember to set sights that are meetable, whatever the scale. No goal is too big if your heart and head are ready.

My resolution? To find peace and happiness in myself, my dreams, and my future. To know that my support system is strong and real and that focusing on me and my pursuits will be fine in '09.

So pop the bubbly and get loose on New Year's Eve! Here's to a fantastic year.

Bright Lights, Big City

At 10, it was because I wanted to be a Broadway chorus girl. At 12, it was to be a professional ballerina. By high school, I had my sights set on becoming the next celebrity starlet.
While my career path has deterred a bit, the city has never faltered. New York, New York. Songs have been written about it, movies entire souls have revolved around it, the histories of millions breathe throughout the city. And now, I will begin to write a chapter of my own life there.
Just one in a million, with wide eyes and a beating heart, my one way ticket and I are headed to the Big Apple. And in a life moment when I have no idea what could happen, anything can...that's New York City.

On the 12th day of Christmas...

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas, full of sleigh bells jingling, children giggling, and bountiful amounts of food. Have happy, hoppy holidays.

'Tis the Season

For it isn't quite the holidays without snow flakes and sugar plums...

Let's go to the Circus

New Britney Spears: Girl is Back









I've never really been a fan of Miss Britney Spears. I bought her CD's and danced to her singles, but I never really got her. Never hung any pictures or calendars on my walls or had an "I <3 Britney" keychain. She was entertaining, but not worthy of her fame. Her Southern "charm" looked like a white trash girl with too much money to me. So when she went off the deep end, I was happy to say "I told you so" to all my Britney-worshiping friends. And that stuck for a while...until I listened to Circus, and watched "4 the Record." She was candid (albeit still a little crazy), she's still got her moves, and it looks like crunches have found a place back in her daily routine. Just like that, I am a changed fan. I believe in this comeback. Let's enjoy the show!

Cloud Surfing

Since my family moved to California when I was five, I have slept in the same bed. Yes, it's a twin, and felt a whole lot bigger when I was four feet tall, but it is the ultimate nest. Atop one feather and two foam beds, I sleep snuggled into a cushion of six pillows, two down comforters, and a small zoo of stuffed animals surrounding me, covers pulled up to my chin. Tucked under two bay windows, it offers a view of my entire backyard and the sky above and beyond me. As a little girl, I used to wish upon the stars that sparkled in the deepest navy night, blowing kisses to the brightest in the bunch. Now, as the winter chill frosts the windows and blurs my sight, I find myself waking up early to let the morning light seep in and warm my room.
Over the years, my bed has served as a desk, a dresser and a couch to a gaggle of giggling girls, but when the blankets are turned down and sweatpants are donned, it is the ultimate sleeping pill. The warmest, most comfortable place to be, where I sink in and let out a satisfied "ahhh." When I'm tired, there is often nowhere I'd rather be, and few places I long more for when I'm away. And as I've run down my batteries for the last 11 1/2 months, the two weeks before me are going to be the greatest nap I've never taken...I'm getting sleepy just thinking about it. The pitter patter of winter rain sure isn't hurting either...

Closing Time

Tonight marks my last in Portland. It has been 11 weeks of beginnings, discoveries, hard work, learning, exhaustion, and laughter. I am sad to be closing the Oregon chapter, but happy to look back on my 4 1/2 years here with a feeling of satisfaction. I haven't come across much that feels better than pushing myself, getting uncomfortable, and coming out on top. I am confident that I have achieved something great.
And in four day's time, when I will have finished the seemingly endless cycle of packing and unpacking (at least for the next two weeks), I will allow myself to stop thinking about what has been and all about what is to come. The next big move, and I couldn't be more nervous and exhilarated. Here it goes...

Goodbye Oregon!

No More Pencils, Lots More Books

Tomorrow, I make my last move as a college student and my first into life post-graduation. A huge step that I'm trying to take as slowly as possible and find the balance between saying goodbye to 18 years of schooling and saying hello to the first time that I won't go back to the classroom come January.

I have already donned a cap and gown and walked across the stage in celebration of my soon to be alma mater, but tomorrow, I will receive the final nod to end my college career. And in six weeks, when my diploma finally arrives in the mail, I'll know it's truly real. Until then, I'll get the frame dust free and ready.

Gifted

Loving Billie's big, black bow. Who knew that a little cheer, eyelet and long satin gloves would make such a righteous statement? Gilded and glamorous. Wearing a bow is like being the personal present of everyone you see, tied up fancy and fun and ready to rock. I love a good bow...the bigger the better.