Joie de G

Indian Super Heros

2010-01-12T10:58:00.000-08:00

Saturday night Jonathan and I went to the LACMA. It was after 5pm, so they let you just walk in without buying a ticket, which is nice for me because I just started paying off my student loans this month (really adult, I know).

We walked through the usual, more permanent rooms of art that are always very enjoyable. We saw a sculpture by Joan Miro, who is distantly related to my sister's boyfriend (and yes that is my claim to fame), and I spotted some art I really liked that I either hadn't noticed before or hadn't cared to take literal note of, such as:

Natalia Goncharova's Religious Composition: Archangel Michael

Picasso's Portrait of Sebastian Juner Vidal

When we went into the bookstore after wandering around we noticed they were selling a lot of Indian comic book things, and we realized they were having an exhibit on the very subject! In all our excitement we practically waltzed to the 4th floor where they keep the Indian and Islamic art. The exhibit was so cool! I love when something so seemingly unimportant as a comic book holds such beautiful art.

Go see the exhibit!!

What I Am

2010-01-11T16:56:00.000-08:00

I would like to drape myself in a flag, twist my hair up in a bun, and look effing cute. Also, I would like to have honey skin that glitters in the sun and causes some people to go blind with pure envy. Like this Brazilian girl, snapped by Garance Dore:

I'm pretty much on the other side of the envy, near blind, when I tell myself it's time to let out my hippie freak-a-leak. But no matter how much I say I'm going to lay out in the sun and wear mismatched bathing suits and let my hear dread-lock itself into oblivion, I always end up asking for a trench coat for Christmas (by the way, thank you mom and dad for following up on that request).

In other news, look at my cute new oxfords...sigh.

My New Bike

2010-01-11T16:53:00.000-08:00

cuz I'm proud to be a super-fly American. (red, white, and blue - get it, get it?)

Letters

2010-01-11T16:33:00.001-08:00

I love letters. Since I really don't receive them, I read letters intended for others. This letter-adoration started out with the infrequent pleasure of finding a letter discarded around some campus or other, and now takes the shape of extravagently long dips into Letters of Note's virtual sea. Although there are some letters written by or to some very famous people, I prefer the ones from fellow normal folk, especially kids.

Hopefully someday, when things "come full circle" as they say, I can resume traipsing around all sorts of campuses, hunting for letters.

High Tea

2010-01-11T16:19:00.000-08:00

If I wasn't working during high tea (granted that I am working during high tea - I don't exactly know when it is) I would certainly be relishing in delightful snacks and teas. And even though high tea is quite the British thing to do, I would have to go with Japanese snacks because they are tasty, yes, but more because they just look so nice on a little plate.

This is Naive, may I have a cookie?

Holidays

2010-01-11T15:09:00.000-08:00

I had some fun this past holiday season! I bounced from LA to San Jose del Cabo and then Big Bear.

Obviously the weather in Mexico was killer and lovely, and I had a great time taking walks and going to pilates with my mom (pilates is a beast!), eating aguachiles at the nearest seafood place (have you ever had aguachiles? it's like really spicy shrimp ceviche that you eat with crackers and maybe a nice cold beer), falling asleep early with my sister, knitting ALOT, talking to my dad and fighting with my brothers. Sometimes you lose sight of the reality of your family, and all of it's goods and bads, when you are living your life one thousand miles away from home.

an excellent example of aguachile via flickr

When I came back to LA, I had just enough time to pack another suitcase and grab a kiss and a snuggle before Jonathan and I headed up to Big Bear with some friends for a New Year's ski extravaganza. We stayed in an old cabin my family always rented when I was young, and I am happy to report that literally nothing has changed from the 90's to now, down to the gigantic fork and spoon hanging on the kitchen wall. Lovely stagnance. We only ended up snowboarding one day, because Jonathan got sick and hurt his knee, so we ended up playing some Uno, eating some Tibetan food, and taking some naps. It was a great way to ring in the New Year, I must say.

two dorks and some snow

SKIN A HEN, TWO-THOUSAND TEN

2010-01-11T14:53:00.000-08:00

It's sad but "skin a hen" is the first thing I thought of to rhythme with 2010. Maybe vegetarianism really isn't in the cards!

Anyways, have any of my very dedicated readers noticed the apologize-post-neglect-repeat trend on this here blog? If you haven't you are no readers - no FRIENDS - of mine because the people I know are too astute to not notice a trend so awfully obvious.

So here's to another round because I am just so trendy!

Deception, Utter Deception

2009-12-04T15:26:00.001-08:00

A few weeks ago I posted a little picture of a coat I was interested in at Anthropologie. When I scurried over to the store to try it on, I was very unpleasantly surprised to see it looked awful on me. I mean, my-boyfriend-is-laughing-at-me awful. I don't know if there was a lesson learned, I just wanted everyone to know that this coat is really deceiving, because it looks so cute and dream-like but really it makes you look like you have octo-baby bearing hips. You've been warned:

it's almost embarrassing to post this picture

But in the spirit of maintaining joie de vivre, I guess I should add in something happy and positive, like "I was so surprised that the coat didn't look cute on me, since I look very cute in everything!"

Fudge!

2009-12-04T15:14:00.001-08:00

I'm trying to stop saying the f* word, which is difficult as it has become a fairly large part of my casual conversation. I have been saying a lot of "fudge" lately, instead. Trying to be a lady, and the model of a future US diplomat.

In the spirit of fudge, I am going to try to make some fudge this weekend. You see, there are a lot of people I know who I would like to give a Christmas token, but I don't have too much money in my wallet. I think fudge, and other baked goods, are an appropriate solution to this little issue. Also, I like making something sweet where actual CHEESE is in the recipe (Velveeta is actual cheese, right?)!

I think I will use this recipe, but no nuts. Gotta love Paula Deen.

Letting Myself Go

2009-12-04T15:12:00.000-08:00

I once blogged up a storm, everyday. Then I stopped, then tried again, then stopped again. Here's to another go?

Sting of Reason, Splash of Tears...

2009-11-20T16:53:00.001-08:00

...the northern and the southern hemispheres.

It's certainly possible that this is the most romantic song on the face of the Earth.

Joie de Weekend

2009-11-20T16:21:00.000-08:00

Jonathan told me that I should research cool stuff to do this weekend, and I must say that I got a little overzealous. I'm not telling him where we are going (my favorite path of least-resistance masked as a fun surprise) but I will tell YOU that it is going to be quite the fun little adventure. Warm, cozy clothes plus beautiful stuff to see always equals a damn good time.

As for tonight, my handsome two-eyed beau (Jonny got LASIK) got tickets to the Raphael Saadiq concert at the Wiltern. I don't know his music that well, but I've heard some of his stuff lately and it is really good. Although it's quite the departure from my recent Beatle-mania (I'm 40 years late, I know, but I can't take Revolver out of my CD player).

looks promising, right?!

PS. You know when you just see something and you have to buy it right now? I don't know why but I need this henley. $20 says I will run there as fast as a can after work, try it on, and cry because it isn't very cute on.

Fox

2009-11-19T11:11:00.000-08:00

It has been for many years my steadfast policy to dislike animation. Why?! It's not really because I dislike it; rather, it's because I associate "liking animation" to people who watch Disney Princess movies, as adults, and not in the spirit of irony, jest, or babysitting. To be honest, this just dorks me out. I feel like there are so many other more interesting media-things to waste your time on than Disney movies. I'm sure this opinion is unpopular, but my little virtual world has a semi-strict law of full disclosure.

Anyways, I've been abandoning this anti-animation policy more and more because, well, some animation that comes out looks pretty interesting. I saw Up, and I must admit I really dug it. I might have even shed a tear, but I don't remember (note: that law of full disclosure was semi-strict). The other night, I went with my beau to see The Fantastic Mr. Fox, and it was honestly great. I mean, there was no intriguing Mad Men-esque catatonic misery, but it was very unique and interesting aesthetically, and it was funny. I would recommend it to any adult...

...however, I probably will judge you if I find out a few years down the road that you have just watched it on DVD for the 12th time in your Snuggie.

PS. I just saw a preview for this French animation film called Panique au Village that looks pretty good. Check it out !!

i dissolve in the Truth that i am.

2009-11-18T15:25:00.000-08:00

And

For no reason

I start skipping like a child.

And

For no reason

I turn into a leaf

That is carried so high

I kiss the Sun's mouth

And dissolve.

And

For no reason

A thousand birds

Choose my head for a conference table,

Start passing their

Cups of wine

And their wild songbooks all around.

And

For every reason in existence

I begin to eternally,

To eternally laugh and love!

When I turn into a leaf

And start dancing,

I run to kiss our beautiful Friend

And I dissolve in the Truth

That I Am.

-Hafiz

That is my kind of existentialism.

my new follower

2009-11-18T15:22:00.000-08:00

I just noticed that I have 6 followers, when I used to only have 5! Who is my new follower, you ask? Manoje "Mike Thailand" Prutthisathaporn.

I just wanted to take the opportunity to say:

I miss you Mike, my lovely friend who is so many miles away!

well what do we have here?

2009-11-18T15:15:00.000-08:00

Yes, I still want the Poppy bag, especially after Bella showed me the less expensive, smaller, black version. Yes, I realize it really isn't me. Yes, I still can't justify/afford getting it. No, I don't need a gift receipt when you give it to me. No receipt whatsoever.

Christmas List by gilliankuhlmann featuring Coach bags

ps. do you think people* will still love me when I start wearing ties??

*Jonathan

Knitting Stuff

2009-11-18T14:33:00.000-08:00

I am learning how to knit, hoping desperately it is a hobby I will actually keep. You see, I always start doing things that I think are interesting and valuable, like journaling, photography, etc. that always fall by the wayside. Maybe knitting is different because it is a little more utilitarian - I get cold, and need scarfs, mittens, and socks. Yes, in 70 degree Santa Monica weather. Don't hate.

I cut my hair and my sister says I am turning into Joan Cusack. I think she means matronly. While this is most certainly not helping my image, it gives me a leg up on my sister - she will most certainly want a scarf.

Currently, I am knitting with some red yarn. It is technically going to be a scarf for Jonny, but I will probably use it more. And that's okay, because making a scarf for myself is far more utilitarian, right?

Hiatus Apologies

2009-11-18T14:09:00.000-08:00

It's been a little while since I updated this here blog, "a little while" being an understatement.

I had my 22nd birthday, passed the Foreign Service Exam, and just yesterday submitted 5 personal narrative essay questions for the second phase of my candidacy to the State Department. While suspended above the first two hurdles (birthday and exam) I found it necessary to hold my breath I guess, until I knew if I would make it clean over the other side or hit my knee and fall down crying. I've decided to make the suspension above this third autumn hurdle a little bit less obtrusive. So here I am, writing about my joie maintenance, and the pleasure is all mine.

Sushi

2009-10-07T16:40:00.000-07:00

I love good food, and I am very adventurous in general so obviously I am willing to try everything. I mean I have eaten cow eyeballs, worms, etc. So why I have always been weirded out by sushi is beyond me. I think it is because it has always tasted so fishy to me, all those times I got it at the mall, or a janky sushi joint by school. the mall, janky sushi jointsssss - AH!

Monday I went to Sugarfish with Jonny Newman and it was incredible. Seriously, sushi isn't suppossed to taste like fish; rather, it is suppossed to taste like butter. It is suppossed to get cozy atop warm rice and under a blanket of yuzu vinegar so that it can melt in your mouth just right. Frick! A new little obsession, housed no further than 60 feet from my house.

Moral of the story - while you can get $8 tees at Target that would totally trample American Apparell tees in arm-to-arm combat, when it comes to sushi you just have to suck it up and pay.

Panda Windows

2009-10-07T16:16:00.001-07:00

Wouldn't it be great if more places had stained-glass windows with animals? It might bring world peace.

Sorry for the lack of blogging lately, readers (aka Victoria), but every scholar needs their sabatical.

Joie de Dan Brown

2009-09-18T13:27:00.001-07:00

Dan Brown is pleasure reading. You aren't looking any deeper than the plot, am I right? I love him, in all his mind-numbing conspiracy theorist glory, but I must say the actual merit of his writing is highly questionable. When I stumbled upon this little article, all questions of merit were answered: "Dan Brown's 20 Worst Sentences".

I think a few of the criticisms, and their subsequent examples, in this article are simply looking for things to pick on; however, there are some real, hilarious, blatantly bad gems of examples, too.

Thank you to Dan Brown for giving me double joie today:
1) joie de a new, addictive, entirely plot driven book (which I'm not going to let myself read until post-Foreign Service Officer Exam).
2) joie de a funny, pretty accurate article inspired by Brown's literary malfeasance.

hey, doesn't Robert Langdon wear a black turtleneck and tweedy sportscoat? awww Dan Brown - CUTIE!

Adventures Galore

2009-09-17T13:18:00.000-07:00

I might just be the queen of mini-excursions or just plain old day activities. I have been known to drag my friends with me on a whim to some far- or close-flung destinations. While settling in to my new lifestyle has kind of inhibited these little adventures, I feel my pulse racing again. Here are some of my favorite things to do in and around LA on the weekends:

Rosarito
Yeah, the border is a little sketchy these days, although it never really stops us. I remember one Sunday Jonathan and I were just driving around LA, trying to figure out what to do, and decided to hop on the I-5 to Mexico. By the time we crossed the border, it was probably 9 o'clock. Touristy activities were pretty much out of the question because of this, so we made it our goal to find the perfect taco stand. We were unsatisfied and kept driving, until we hit Ensenada, which is like 1.5 hours from Rosarito, which is about an hour from the border. So there we were, at 11 at night in Ensenada when we found the perfect spot. Ate some tacos. Hopped back in the car and drove back. Not going to lie, it was pretty shady and I think we saw a dead guy in the road. I don't know how we made it home, but we were in bed around 4 am with class the next day. Love college...
Another time we convinced Marcelo and Saleebs to come with us and we departed a little earlier. We went to Puerto Nuevo and got lobster and margaritas, then walked around and shopped it up. I got my name blown in glass, and Marcelo got a bottle of tequila on the cheap. Big jackpot. We also stopped in Rosarito a bit, and went to Waldo's 10 Peso store. It felt like home (Bella and I always shop there for last minute stocking stuffers for our parents, haha).

Julian
Julian is a little town outside of San Diego that is very fun to peruse. Jonathan and I went one weekend, and while it took about 3 hours to get there, it was totally worth it. They have a cool old soda fountain, little country shops, banjo bands playing live music, and a cemetery on a hill. Plus the drive is really pretty, and you can buy cheap cherries and avocados on the way!!

Refugio
Refugio effing rocks! My family used to come here to camp during the summer, so I know it pretty well. It is usually hard to get reservations because it is such a great location - north of Santa Barbara, tucked into a little cove with a good right hand point break to surf on when the water is warm. Last year, in November I think, I organized a little camping trip with Jonny, Amir, Brittany, Anushri, Silver (RIP, heh), and of course one of my best friends, Manoje "Mike" Prutthisathaporn (a Thai student who studied at UCLA last year - HOPE YOU'RE READING MIKE, I MISS YOU!!). Anyways, it was pretty cold considering it was fall, but it was nice to just go and play football on the beach and hike around the cliffs. We polished off, like, a whole case of 2 buck chuck, but that didn't make our sleeping arrangements any less uncomfortable (BRING A BLOW-UP MATTRESS). I recommend anyone camp here during fall because it is so pretty - just bring lots of blankets and pillows!

Little Tokyo
It is not a big excursion, but Little Tokyo is always fun. There are tons of cool shops with rare sneakers, ironic t-shirts, and glittery, over-the-top Japanese jewelry. Also, make sure you eat in the area because there are some great ramen and sushi spots. Of course, when you go you have to get imagawaki (red bean mini-pancakes) and mochi balls (plum wine is most certainly the best flavor). It's nice to take the subway there so you don't have to deal with the 101, but that is kind of hard from the westside.

Pasadena
I love Pasadena! The main strip on Colorado is just like the third street promenade, but it is fun walking around anyways and 21 flavors might be the best frozen yogurt place on the planet. A better attraction is the Norton Simon, which is a great art museum. Admission is really cheap for students too. After you check out all the cool art, please go to Oinkster. They make Belgian fries and have excellent veggie burgers.

Big Bear/Lake Arrowhead
This is such a pretty drive, and not too far away. You can get to Big Bear from LA in like, 2 hours. I like driving up Crestline and then just driving across the top of the mountains to Big Bear. You can go tobogening (although don't go too fast because when I was little I did, and I crashed, and I think I got a concussion), or go fishing in the lake. Once I went up there with Anushri and her family and their friends on Mother's Day. Everyone was Indian except for me, and they packed a huge lunch of delicious Indian food. We took a cruise of the lake, and stopped by a casino on the way home (after a brief interlude on the side of the road when the van broke down). That day must be one of the best days I have ever had, and I mean that. If you can't find a big van full of Indians, just go with a few random friends!

Morongo
...speaking of casinos! Morongo is a freaking funny experience. It is kind of a depressing sight, filled with people that you know live for the buffet and the slot machines. Still, who am I to judge? One time Jonny, Marcelo, Victoria and I made a spontaneous trip out there, dranks some beers, lost about $200 collectively, and had quite the fun time doing it all. I will probably never want to go back, but when you have no plans on a Sunday, why not make the trip out there just one time?!

Springbok
I love Thursday and Sunday karaoke nights at Springbok. Springbok is a cool bar/eatery that serves South African food. Actually, it's where they film all of the Office's bar scenes (so obviously it's slick). These two nights a week have karaoke starting around 9:30, with a full stage and 3 mics and a huge songbook with an impressive Spanish section. I've done some Streisand and maybe a little Miguel Bose, and KILLED IT everytime. I hope someone that reads this ends up going, because it is the most fun when it's packed!

Castle Park
Mini-golf, batting cages, arcade, and churros. 'Nuff said.

A Perfect Routine

2009-09-15T13:19:00.000-07:00

I have developed the unfortunate opinion that routines suck. It's an unfortunate opinion because routines are highly unavoidable - we have to go to work, or school, cook dinner or do the dishes (or both!), shower and nap and sleep. I'm trying to change my mind - I don't want to find life's inevitablities so loathesome. How do I change my mind, how do I change my mind?! Make a better routine!

Maybe something like:

Wake up, snooze.
Wake up, snooze.
Wake up, shower (nothing like a morning shower).
Go to work (the inevitable).
Go to yoga or take a walk (it feels good to exercise after sitting all day, and it's fun and relaxing)
Make dinner (actually make something with a recipe, rather than just eating cottage cheese out of the carton; use some herbs you grow in your garden; buy some vegetables at the Farmer's Market; try to feel connected to what you are doing).
Do a little studying for the Foreign Service Officer Test (maybe go over the 27 amendments, or the capitols of Eastern Europe).
Read a great book (currently reading Ghost Wars, about the CIA in Afghanistan; start reading more books to understand the world that you were born into, and the world that you are helping to make, or the world you should try to avoid making; also start reading books that you love, like adventure books and certainly you should re-read The Once and Future King).
Show the people you love that you love them (call your parents, text your siblings, kiss your boyfriend).
Fall asleep (windows open until it gets too cold; when it does, don't turn on the heat, just use extra blankets).

I guess it isn't so different from what I do now - it is just much more simple. Less meals out, more quiet time - less Zankou, more zen. God, that sounds so good.

complete with a unicorn and a centaur shooting a bow and arrow

First Day of School

2009-09-15T13:10:00.001-07:00

It's weird not to be starting school again. I thought I would be so happy when kids started going back, like "ha ha I've put in the time and you still have more to go." I'm not saying that to myself though.

You know when you think of your first day of school, and you get that nervous, excited feeling? It reminds me of fall and new clothes and bumping into the boy you like between classes. Well, i can still conjure up that feeling by just thinking about back-to-school. It makes me happy.

Anyways, I hope everyone going back to school enjoys it. Don't be jealous of me, because - uh - I've put in the time and you still have more to go!

the little girl with the back to school feeling

Still Walking

2009-09-11T16:01:00.000-07:00

I haven't updated for the past 2 days - it has actually felt like a while, since I have been blogging so much everyday. Finding and maintaining my joie de vivre has been a little bit of a challenge the last few days, and I don't want to come on and just vent about my problems - that would defeat the whole purpose of this blog!

Anyways, I saw a good movie the other night that I would recommend. It was called Still Walking (Aruitemo Aruitemo). It's a Japanese movie, made by Hirokazu Koreeda (who also directed After Life, which I haven't seen but which Jonny says is very good indeed). Still Walking is pretty much just a snapshot of a one-day family reunion to honor the death of a close family member. I say snapshot because there really wasn't a plot with a big climax or anything - you were just dropped into this family reunion, and found out little pieces of information to put the non-events into context. None of the obvious tensions and conflicts between the different people in the movie got resolved. Nothing really happened. I usually hate movies like this, thinking they are too slow, but there was something captivating about watching these people interact with each other. The way it looked was beautiful - there were a bunch of long shots of inanimate objects really close up, that you looked at while listening to the family talk in the background. The music was also lovely, and melancholy like what you would expect to hear when you open an old jewelry box.

Another plus to seeing this movie (which is playing at the Nuart for all of you in LA) was that there were great previews beforehand. There is a documentary coming out called Crude, about Ecuadorian people fighting big oil companies for compensation for environmental damages. It seems like the movie centers around an American (?) lawyer who is acting as prosecutor. It reminds me of a lawyer I once heard speak, who figured out how his Nigerian clients could sue big oil companies in the California tort system (a really interesting story to listen to, and a big inspiration). Maybe it's the same guy - who knows?!

Tonight I'm making Jonathan take me to see The September Issue. I like documentaries.

Just for Fun

2009-09-08T17:46:00.000-07:00

Stuff I want for fall.
Stuff I probably shouldn't wear all together.
Stuff I would most certainly wear all together anyways (except for the Poppy Coach bag, which I will never get because 1) they are all sold out I bet, and 2) my wallet and conscience are in the way).

FALL by gilliankuhlmann featuring Coach bags

Joie de Weekend

2009-09-08T16:26:00.000-07:00

I now live for the weekend. I've always loved it, of course, but it was never so much a necessity as it is now. When you are in school, particularly college, you have a lot of flexibility in your schedule. You can come late, leave early, or just skip class altogether (I would typically opt for the latter, albeit rarely, because I'm very prompt and I hate distracting the professor). Work isn't like that - regardless of how cool my bosses are, I can't blow out Friday work for a 3 day weekend. It's a hard mental transition from owning your time fully to leasing it out 40 hours a week. There you have it - now you see why I live for the weekend!!

Anyways, last weekend was very lovely indeed. Some highlights?

1) Top Chef - I love Tivo, because it is too hard to make time for TV on Wed. night. Thank you Lord for sending Preeti home, now get that lame girl with the snake bite piercings. I have no sympathy for the people on Top Chef. I'm usually cursing at the TV when people start crying. Grow up and don't make clam chowder when it's 100% in Nevada (although I do love the Jamaican guy - I'm looking at YOU snake bites). Call me lame for having Top Chef be one of the highlights of my weekend, but it's rather pleasant when cuddled up with my honey-buns and his dog and I can yell at the TV!

stop laughing, snake bites! YOUR NEXT!!!!!

2) Father's Office - I know everyone raves about their burger, but it is in some serious need to ketchup. The real highlight is their perfect sweet potatos fries and yummy aioli. After eating, I walked a few blocks to Whole Foods and polished off a bottle of kombucha. Damn good meal if you ask me!

3) Labor Day BBQ - Jonny and I invited a few of our friends over to his house for a BBQ to cap off summer. Usually Jonathan won't ask me to cook because he likes being in charge and he knows he will lose control if I come in the picture; however, this time he asked me to help him. He did the burgers (quite delicious, indeed) while I did some curry cabbage salad, fruit salad with chili-vanilla sour cream, and tuna jalapeno poppers. PAZOW it rocked! The table looked lovely too - I made fresh little purple arrangements, and hung some crane origami I made from the top of the gazebo. It looked like a beautiful flock of birds, or like my summer dreams flying away. I wish I had pictures of it, but the camera was not happening that day.

4) Fall - It totally seemed like fall this weekend. Not temperature-wise (it was actually very hot) but in the way things looked. It's getting dark much earlier, and dusk is less dramatic. The world feels darker and cozier. I had a weekend full of just hunny and me, listening to Adele and Julieta Venegas and nothing Jonny really likes because I rule the stereo in fall.

fall reminds me of Day of the Dead

5) Lily Allen - I love her very much now - she is so devil-may-care (I originally badass but it didn't seem right). I caught on to the Lily Allen train very late indeed, but I don't mind because I hate listening to what everyone else is listening to anyways (besides Taylor Swift).

So Long, Van Jones

2009-09-08T15:43:00.000-07:00

Van Jones seems to be a talker, and a doer. He spewed a lot of less-than-diplomatic phrases in his career, like when he classified all Republicans as "assholes." He called himself a communist. He's also been serving his country by taking a leap into more moderate grounds, and institutionalizing himself to make real change for the environment. Sure, maybe it would have been better if he was all doer and no talker (especially since he didn't hold an exteremly public position), but when you think about it, aren't most doers also inherently talkers?? I think yes. All of the people I know that really have the potential to make a great change have also said some very progressive and/or undiplomatic things from time to time. One of my best friends from high school was a big Che fan, and certainly made some slurs against the GOP; she was also driven, involved, and on the road to making great positive change for our country.

Arianna Huffington already summed it up well - Van Jones, and my friend from high school, are passionate. They are the individuals that are so moved by the problems of our country and the plights of its citizens that they say things on the fly that aren't very acceptable to a lot of Americans (granted, I'm not condoning or excusing the lack of diplomacy). They are also the people who will do something big and great, propelled by the very same passion that will inevitably get them in trouble by people like Glenn Beck, who is ignorant and far removed from real Americans in his upper class, FOX correspondent bliss. All that guy will ever do is add negativity to the world, where as at least Van Jones made up for his negativity with the positivity of public service.

I'm sad that Glenn Beck is so ignorant.

I'm happy there are people who eventually learn to bridle their passion to achieve great things for the world.

a semi-related pic for your viewing pleasure

Joie de Job

2009-09-04T15:44:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to get hired at a great job right after graduation, as a legal assistant at a small law firm in Santa Monica. I obviously don't want to be an assistant for the rest of my life, but regardless I can see how the things I learn here will be very beneficial in my future career.

This is the first time I have ever been in an environment where I am different from everyone else I am working with. I am the only woman in the office, and I am a decade and a half younger than the youngest person here. What's more, I'm the only non-lawyer. From this, I've obviously learned how to (hopefully) come across as professional and mature. I have also been able to observe the work ethic of people who have achieved more than me both professionally and academically. But most importantly, I've learned to be completely comfortable in a situation where I am so different from the people I work with.

Something else I like about my job is that I am surrounded by curious people. All of the lawyers in my office aren't just lawyers - they are interested in a wide array of topics, from Latin to poetry to scuba diving. It's interesting to hear about their interests, and it gives me ideas of my own. Two of the lawyers in particular seem pretty knowledgable about the foreign service (one has a brother-in-law who is an FSO and another who was debating the career himself in the past) so I am fortunate enough to have excellent feedback from them.

I've learned a lot about the legal profession (obviously) which is a definite asset as I have always debated going to law school myself. I feel like I'm coming to the conclusion more and more that I probably don't want to be a lawyer (not because of experiences working here, but because of my huge pull towards other fields), but regardless the stuff I learn will obviously help me in my study and practice of politics and in my own life (how to fill out government forms, how to right a serious letter, etc.).

I'm really digging my work here - just basking in the sunlight that is my joie de job!

irrelevant, but so funky fresh

Watch of the Year, for the Last 67 Years?

2009-09-03T17:22:00.001-07:00

Maybe not officially, but let's get real. WWII military ordinance Elgin.
Gifted to Newms via me.

Green Thumb

2009-09-03T16:59:00.000-07:00

I want a mini garden. I have this strip of dirt, about 4 feet by 1.5 feet, that is the home to some dying hydrangias by my front door. I want to grow a mini herb garden, and also put some potted plants in the area (maybe some roses, gardenias, and more hydrangias). And I want a green thumb. I want to make something, or at least help something grow.

Flewing the Coop, Continued

2009-09-03T15:07:00.001-07:00

Got the bed!! It is so cute, and fresh, and funky! Now I just need a new duvet.

I've commissioned my main squeeze to hang up my pictures this weekend, which is one step closer to being settled in. I hate having all of my pictures leaning up against the wall. I need to get my Robert Doisneau print re-framed I think, which will annoyingly cost a pretty penny.

I heard on the radio that Osh is having a sale this weekend - 25% off on everything that grows. I think I will be getting a rose bush and a gardenia bush to pot and put by my front door. I want to look out my window and see a whole lot of beautiful...yeah boy!!

Ok so, I am not going to post any pictures of my new place until it is all done. Keep checking back for the big update!

Joie de Foie, Potatos, Seared Meat, King Crab with Raspberries...

2009-09-03T13:56:00.000-07:00

The reviews I read of Bazaar said that it was sensory overload, in a good way. Like an avant garde circus of food and drink.

I don't know if I completely agree with that bold of an assertion, but it's on the right track. The minute you walk into the Bazaar, you are confronted with a million cool things to look at. It's dim and loud, and pretty. There is the main bar right when you enter the restaurant, with dark tables and chairs and white florescent lights and crystal chandeliers. To your right, there is funky art for purchase, and close by is a pastel pink patisserie, set up like a candy bar but with crumbly pastry and petit, cute bon bons, etc. To the left of the entrance are the red and white bars, with different vibes to reflect the dueling traditional and new-way tapas menus, respectively (although you can order the same tapas in both bars). We were seated in the red bar, right in front of the kitchen, which was cool because we could see them making all the food; however, I wish we would have sat in the quieter and more calm white bar.

Anyways, our reservation was for 9 and we got there early hoping to get sat around 8:30, but it wasn't in the cards. We sat around the main bar waiting, and I had their magic mojito, which they make by filtering the rum and lime through a puff of cotton candy. It was really divine.

When we finally got seated (about 15 minutes past 9), we quickly ordered drinks and, like, 18 tapas because everything looked so good and we wanted to try it all. The first thing we got was the guacamole dumpling dish, which was amazing guac wrapped in a thin sliver or jicama, with cornnuts in the middle. Delish.

Then we got gazpacho - I don't really like gazpacho so Jonny just ordered a cup, but they gave us two and charged us for neither, which made the gazpacho very tasty!

We had ordered the house-canned sea urchin but they were out, so they comped some house-canned king crab that was served with raspberries in raspberry vinegar. It was killer and so sweet.

They also gave us some sweet potato chips with yogart dip. The dip was effing fantastic, spiked with something that tasted a lot like licorice.

Next, the foie gras lollipops enshrined in cotton candy arrived. We were instructed to put the whole thing in our mouth at once, and we were very obedient. That foie gras was incredible. Chilly and hidden beneath a warm and freshly made cloud of cotton candy. I want more. Right now.

Then the caviar cones came - we got a traditional American caviar cone with creme fraiche, and a bagel lox cavier cone. I didn't really care for them, but I'm not very big on caviar.

After that, we had the Potatos Canarias, which are baby potatos cooked in sea water and served with a pesto-y sauce. So salty and divine, and they kind of popped in your mouth because the skin was tough with the salt and the insides were just hot, mushy perfection.

After the potatos, there were the Japanese tacos, which were little and filled with marinated eel. It tasted very traditionally Japanese, but maybe I don't have a palate that can adequately pick up on the nuance of flavors.

After that we had the garlic shrimp. Now normally I wouldn't go to some crazy restaurant and order something as mundane as garlic shrimp, but I had heard it was amazing. And it was amazing. Lemony and garlicy and so juicy.

Before we had finished eating the shrimp, we got the little Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches, which I had also read were absurdly good. Again, I had heard right - a little pocket of "air bread" enclosed hot parmesean foam, and on the top of the pocket was seared beef, almost as thin as carpaccio. This was probably one of my favorite things of the night.

There was also the potatos new-way dish, which was like a potato moussee with olive oil and egg served in an egg shell. It tasted like the lightest mashed potato air. MMM.

We also got the ensaladilla rusa, which is a spanish take on potato salad with chunks of tuna and green peas. That was amazing, too.

During dinner I had a Bellini, which was really good, as it was not too overly sweet. It didn't really compliment my food so I drank water while I ate and drank the Bellini between plates.

After dinner we moved over to the patisserie for desert. First, we got the Nitro island, which was like a frozen merengue made with liquid nitrogen. It had bananas and I think passion fruit, and whipped cream and salty caramel sauce in the middle.

Next we had the chocolate mousse with pear sorbet and hazelnut prailines. I liked the sorbet, but the mousse was too bitter for me.

I had a nice cup of coffee.

We waited for our check (it took a while because they had somehow misplaced Jonathan's card, which we were excited about because then maybe they would comp our meal, which means we could go to Providence sooner than expected). They found the card, Newms paid, we went home, and I fell into the most magnificent food coma ever.

Certainly the most delicious meal I have ever had at a restaurant. I can't wait to go back, except this time I will wear jeans because I was in a dress and I was cold, and there were tons of people in jeans.

Go to the Bazaar! You will love it!!

Ray ban clad, kombucha drinking, Brentwood's Whole Foods frequenting son-of-a-gun.

2009-09-03T13:46:00.000-07:00

Jonathan snapped this candid picture of me on his iPhone in front of Whole Foods this morning. Then he showed me the picture, laughing, and asked: "Who the eff are you?"

Valid question.

Trippin', or Wishin' I Was

2009-09-02T15:48:00.000-07:00

Dude, DUDE. I can't believe I haven't been anywhere new since I went to New York last spring. Usually my summers are filled with jet-setting adventures, or at least languid months on the Sea of Cortez. I have spent this whole summer sitting at a computer trying to match up the date to where I was last summer - oh, it's Bastille Day? I was in Amsterdam; the 4th of July? Oh, in London. Now I'm not complaining because I got a great job right after graduation, and my life is getting sorted all out, and I'm turning very adult. I just can't help but pine for an epic adventure. It is in this spirit that I am officially determined to plan something amazing and go-go-go this travelling off-season. Where to? Hmmm.

PERU?! I've always wanted to go to Machu Picchu and see the remains of a whole other world crumbling amongst the thriving green landscape. It's pretty expensive to go in a group (about $2,300), but it might be worth it because you have these people leading you on the hike. I don't even know if you can feasibly trek the Inca trail by yourself...? Maybe another option would be to skip around to all of the cool places in Peru, because tours are kind of limiting. I guess it's something to think about. Anyways, I could always ask for donations for Christmas, and start saving up now. I wonder if Jonathan will be up for the adventure!

Joie de Foie

2009-09-02T15:08:00.000-07:00

I'm going to the Bazaar tonight for dinner. If you don't know what that is...it's ok because I wouldn't have either, except for my foodie boyfriend and his foodie friends. The Bazaar is a relatively new restaurant/tapas bar in LA by José Andrés, who used to cook at El Bulli (which is said to be one of the best restaurants in the whole wide world).

I'm pretty excited to go, most particularly for the foie gras lollipops wrapped in cotton candy - it is supposed to taste like a dream. I'm also pretty sure they make cocktails with liquid nitrogen...tableside. Niceeee.

Fatty tonight, review tomorrow - look out!!

Developing Expensive Habits

2009-09-01T11:01:00.001-07:00

I'm not particularly opposed to developing expensive habits and tastes, as long as somebody else is footing the bill. The lovely indulgence that has recently been bestowed upon me is Byredo's Bal d'Afrique, a gift from my man at our one-year mark. It's a Swedish perfume that I think is only sold at Barney's in the US, and it is outrageously delicious. I just read a perfume blog's assessment - "sexy as hell and addictive as crack" - and that is pretty much right on. I can't stop smelling my wrist and my shirt - I'm pretty sure people are going to start thinking I have BO that I am acutely aware of. I don't care, it's too nice.

Love you babe,
thank you babe,
and I'll need a new bottle in about...3 weeks!

Phuck Yeah! Phalafel

2009-08-31T17:01:00.000-07:00

My boyfriend, Jonathan Newman, and his BFF Scott Lerner are starting an LA-based food truck. It isn't up and running yet - actually, it is still name-less (though Phuck Yeah! Phalafel is, to me, a winner) - but I can tell you that when it gets going, it's going to be the best damn alternative Middle Eastern food in LA.

Sure, you can get lemonade at 7-11, but will is be spiked with Middle Eastern-inspired spices? Yeah, Pita Kitchen is the shit, but do they put fried eggplant in their shawarma wraps? I think not, my friends.

Check out their blog at A Food Truck --> It's gunna be BIG!

Sisters?

2009-08-31T16:26:00.000-07:00

...nah!

Together forever, even when she's 1,000 miles away.

Flew-ing the Coop

2009-08-31T15:35:00.000-07:00

I guess I flew the coop a while ago - I graduated high school and made a solo move to San Francisco when I was 17, and now I'm almost 22; however, I've never felt as independent as I do now. Why, you ask? Well I finally got my very own apartment. No more three-to-a-room college chaos - this little studio apartment is all mine, baby.

Naturally, I've felt a strong need to mark my territory. I was going to take the pee-around-the-premises route, but then I remembered I'm not a dog. So instead, I'm making my apartment really cute, really home-y, and at the same time really me.

First step, PAINT. I was kind of limited in this area, because the size of my living space is so small. I wanted to do some deep magenta or maybe even a dark brown, but I was warned by my mom on multiple occasions that this would make my apartment look even smaller than it already is. I was, for weeks, debating doing a cool pastel teal, like a sea-foam, or even a light pink, but pastel is just so not me, right? After perusing Apartment Therapy
for hours on end, I stumbled across some inspiration and totally fell in love. I ran to Home Depot, and bought a gallon of Riviera Sand and a gallon of Tulum Blue.

I ended up painting three of the walls in my apartment the creamy coffee color of Riviera Sand, and painted the big wall the bright, cobalt Tulum Blue. It looks freaking fabulous, especially with my white molding and the white bookshelves built into the blue wall.

Between the paint, first months rent, and deposit I couldn't really afford to get the new furniture I want (oh what woe, being responsible and putting away savings!). However, that was two weeks ago, and Friday I got paid!

A new, bigger bed, a table and chairs, and a cute little coffee table are now on the agenda for this week. Get ready to be amazed with pictures!

To be continued...

Bye-bye, college living...

Garance Doré

2009-08-28T16:01:00.000-07:00

A lot of times I am pretty busy at work. Even when I am not specifically given something to do, I try to come up with tasks for myself to improve and update the office. When I've exhausted the limits of my imagination in that regard, I read blogs (if you haven't noticed, I'm digging blogging lately). There are a few blogs and websites I really like, most of which are blogs that showcase the newest, coolest sneaks, awesome restraurants, and pretty pictures - I guess you could call them lifestyle blogs?

Yet no blogger has successfully drawn me in to their life's "snapshots" quite like Garance Doré. She mostly writes about high fashion, so needless to say the subject doesn't captivate me entirely. What I really like about her blog is how she writes - like she is talking to you, and like she is very fun. She is confident in what seems to me to be a quintessentially French way, which is not annoying or pretentious.

Something very interesting to me - when I read a narrative, I always imagine the narrator actually speaking to me, sitting across from me. It's very subconscious. The thing with Garance Doré is that she doesn't look like how I would picture her to look. She looks much more sophisticated in real life. More proof that she is unpretentious.

Oh and I think she's dating Scott Schuman, aka the Sartorialist. She takes street style pictures like him, and she also does cool sketches.

I think she is fabulous!

Garance Doré - - CHECK IT!

I like you

2009-08-26T17:37:00.000-07:00

I like you very much.

Retraction and Ponderance

2009-08-26T15:30:00.000-07:00

So yesterday, I mused that The World According to Garp is the literary equal of junk food. On my bike ride to work today I was thinking about it, and it really disturbs me that I said that.

Why did I refer to The World According to Garp as junk food yesterday? It's interesting to ask myself this now, because I realize I never thought about it before. I guess its because nobody ever told me it was a classic, and maybe too because it was made into a movie. I was never taught about it in high school, and I was never assigned it in college.

What makes a book significant or profound? People always talk about theme, tone, writing style, imagery. Wuthering Heights' gothicism. Crucifiction imagery in The Old Man and the Sea. I would assert that this junk food book - and other, way more junk foody books like Twilight or Harry Potter -contain evidence of many of the same literary devices we find in classically-revered literature. I'm sure it also has something to do with the actual beauty, truth, and/or flow of the prose; but my response to this is that I don't really like Hemingway and I pretty much hate Faulkner. Beauty, truth, and/or flow is a matter of taste.

If you agree with me that 1) pretty much all books have some substance, and 2) good writing is a matter of taste, then substance and excellent prose aren't very good measures of a book's literary relevance and profundity. The labels of "classic" and "profound" and even "junk food" then, are rendered meaningless by the fact that there is nothing objective that can act as proof to warrant such labels.

I'm thinking that maybe the real merit of a book, then, is the perspective it gives you. Understanding other people's perspectives helps you to identify your own. So then maybe, since quality is irrelevant - or better yet, an illusion - quantity is what really matters. The more you read, the better you know yourself.

Um, yeah!

what i've been feeding my brain:

2009-08-25T14:58:00.000-07:00

junk food?

Good Food

2009-08-25T10:59:00.001-07:00

Not going to lie, I've eaten some really great stuff in LA. Nothing too fancy at all - really, most of my favorite places aren't even proper restaurants. I thought I would share a few of my go-to spots to eat, as well as some especially cool places I've eaten, although most of the people who I imagine would read my blog already know them.

Zankou

This place is a chain, the people are always kind of rude, and the menu is less-than-vast. But hot damn, this place has the best chicken in the world, or at least LA. The kebab is juicy and the tarna is crunchy. And they have this garlic spread, which is just garlic, lemon, and olive oil, that makes the whole meal that much more glorious. I honestly eat here at least 3 times a week.

Pho So 1

Okay, I haven't eaten here in a while, but only because it is so good that I overdid it, and my typical dining partner just took an extensive trip to Southeast Asia and is thus Southeast Asian fooded-out. However, we used to eat at this place probably 4 times a week (it was our Zankou of winter and spring). Really good pho, I especially like the raw beef pho, and really good vermicelli noodle bowls with fried spring rolls, which I drench it fish sauce. It's right next to a Ranch Market, so you can get candy after. Delish.

Tender Greens

$10 hot plates, complete with a meat of your choice, a simple salad of your choice, and mash potatos or grilled vegetables. I always get chicken, spinach salad with chevre, and grilled veggies. They also have good specials, like pot roast and I think even pork belly sometimes. Also, they have good tomato bisque and tart lemonade. Don't get the tuna nicoise salad, however tempting, because they only give you one quail egg and that is so unfair.

Interim

I think the Z-man burger is the best veggie burger I've ever had, and it's completely vegan. It's spicy and creamy and delicious, and it comes with a side salad, in which you can always find some chunks of orange or peach. This was my go-to lunch spot for a while.

Falafel King

Best thing is the eggplant-yogart salad, and I don't even like eggplant. Go for the vegetarian plate, where you get 5 types of salads and falafel. They moved up the street, and while they didn't retain the inadvertently dirty pictures of people eating, the new location is pretty slick.

Border Grill

I dig this place. It's funkified Mexican. Their cochinita, with cinnamon and orange tastes, accompanied by plantains and beans, is KILLER. I also like their lamb tacos and their lemon-lime refresher drink (it's like a mojito without the alcohol). The waiters have crazy eyes, but what can you do?

Boiling Crab

Ahhhh sheet son, this place is the bomb. It's far (the closest one is Alhambra) but it's worth the mileage (easy for me to say, because I rarely drive [although I would drive, if people LET ME]). Crawfish is always my choice, in the medium (so spicy) cajun sauce. Throw in some corn, and some potatoes. Eat it all without utensils (they aren't provided) on a table covered with a big sheet of paper and decked out with a roll of paper towels. This place is honestly so good I can't even explain it. They don't take reservations, and at peak dining hours the wait can be, like, two hours. When it's like that, order for take-out.

Cemitas Poblanos

Yes, I will have a huge torta on a hamburger bun. Yes, I will speak to you in Spanish to specify my needs. Yes, I love your seemingly homemade Mexican cheeses. And yes, I would like jalapenos AND chipotles. God bless you, Van Nuys (?), for housing some real Mexican food.

Curry House

This is an old stand-by. Japanese soul food-ish, but in the west side of LA. I like their spicy ginger curry chicken. Their corn potage is hard-core. They put spinach and garlic in their rice. Nice.

Pizzeria Mozza

Now this is a damn good pizza place. Well, it's not really a pizza place - it's way nicer than "pizza place" sounds. But it has great pizza. And salad. And white bean crostini. And really delightful deserts - I think I remember butterscotch with sea salt, and Meyer lemon ice cream pie? I forget what we had exactly, but if you are there and looking at the deserts and either of those two things rings a bell, get them both.

Animal

Okay, this is definetly not my scene, precisely because it is so very
scene. But I have to admit, their glorified chili-cheese fries (made with roast beef and some really good cheddar) are so good I would think about bathing in them. The duck confit was pretty nice too. I guess anthing confit is pretty nice, right?

Mr. Noodle

I got on the thai food train way too early, and way too emphatically, and have thus been burnt out for a while. But I'll always love Mr. Noodle. It isn't really Thai, not really. I don't know how to describe what I mean, but go and you'll know. However, I will never say no to the tom kha noodle soup there. I mean that. Never.

COCO'S

Forever.

More to come, this is just getting too long...

giving the people what they want

2009-08-25T10:31:00.000-07:00

I'm taking the Foreign Service Officer Test in October. For those unfamiliar, the FSOT is a mechanism for hiring career diplomats in the State Department. If you pass, you are given short personal narrative questions to answer, and if those are judged by a mysterious panel to be satisfactory, then you are moved on to what is called an Oral Assessment, where you spend a day with other candidates simulating the activities you would be performing as a Foreign Service Officer. About 1% of test takers pass each cycle (there are 3 cycles a year).

Last month, I organized a study group with a bunch of LA-based people that are also taking the FSOT in October. I've missed a few sessions the last few weeks because of personal problems, the big move, the accompanied fatigue, etc. but yesterday I made it to our meeting. I always enjoy the meetings - it's nice to have discussions with people who have similar career goals as you, and going over our pre-determined topics (based on a study group syllabus I made last month) I feel confident that I will at least pass the written part of the exam.

I'm lucky that I have, for years, known exactly what I want to do. I'm happy that getting to where I want to be it based on merit, relevant knowledge, and performance rather than connections - when I get to where I've always wanted to be, I want to know that I've earned it.

(MUN has given me some good photo ops for this here blog entry)

The flip-side.

2009-08-21T11:07:00.001-07:00

I haven't had anything really happy to share for the past few days, so I decided not to share anything at all. But thinking about it, I came up with four things I've realized in the past few days that are good.

1) Life is never boring, and rarely stagnant. Or maybe rarely boring, and never stagnant. I haven't thought it through, but regardless you get the point I'm sure.

2) There is always hope that things will be better, or get fixed.

3) My siblings are way smarter, stronger, braver and more mature than I give them credit for.

4) My boyfriend is truly the most understanding, caring, loyal, compassionate, and sexy guy ever.

That's it though, that is all the happy I have right now.

Ciao Bella

2009-08-19T14:39:00.000-07:00

My sister left for Mexico City Sunday night. After she spends a week or so with her boyfriend and his family there, she will be flying back home to San Jose del Cabo. Needless to say I have been very bummed, and cry once a day about it (like yesterday in Subway). She has been up in Los Angeles with me since my graduation, and she is right when she points out that we had two fun months together and that we should just appreciate that. I must admit, its hard to be sad when I keep my mind on all of the outrageous stuff we have done together, not just this summer but in summers past. Like...

The times when we were little and we would sneak into the kitchen for a "fiesta a 11," get snacks and take them back to our room. So rebelous, so early!

The time when we were both fed up with this guy I had been dating, we thought we had caught him in a lie and to prove it trailed him in our car, lied to get into a gated community he was in, and then spied on him behind a fence, giving me a reason to break up with him.

The time when we went into a random cantina in Mexico City and she gave me too much tequila, and I sang about submarinos (the pastry, not the vessel).

The time when we snuck over the fence at 5 am when our curfew was 1 am, and I crawled through the doggie door so that I wouldn't wake my parents and my mom was on the couch. I pretended I had been asleep in the backyard and just woke up to go to bed. She didn't believe me.

The times singing Taylor Swift in the Jetta.

The times singing Gwen Stefani in the Suburban.

Pretending like I'm a dead rat laying on my bed when she comes in my room.

Museums

2009-08-19T11:04:00.000-07:00

I LOVE museums. When I travel to a new place, museums are usually what I want to explore first. Here are some of the most memorable ones I have been to:

The Museum of Modern Art in New York City

I think the MoMA is the best art museum I have ever been to. Now I really don't know anything about how art museums should be set up (is there a science/study to that? I think there is...) but I like how the art flowed. I could walk through without skipping around and not feel like I missed anything. The architecture of the actual building was pretty awesome too - it was so open, with so many windows framing the New York skyline, that it seemed like they were trying to show the city itself as part of the exhibit. I like that idea. But mostly I just loved this museum because of the great art it housed. They had a lot of Frida Kahlo's stuff, and I also got to see Picasso's uber-famous Les Mademoiselles Davignon. I didn't LOVE it, but it was cool to see it in person. When I go to cool museums without my boyfriend, I like to bring him back a relic by way of a postcard of the best thing I saw. A lot of times they don't have a postcard of what I like, but this time they did. This picture above, The Sleeping Gypsy by Henri Rousseau, is so beautiful to me. It reminds me of all the adventures I am waiting to take in my life. Side-note: outside there is an (unaffiliated) vendor selling these chicken tarna-esque rice bowls, and they give you a side of...ranch. I'm not big into ranch, but way to mix it up! Delish.

The Van Gogh Museum

Gotta love Amsterdam, and Van Gogh is incredible (obviously). I liked seeing the progression of his art from the dark Potato Eaters paintings to his vibrant self-portraits. Alongside the pictures were accounts of his life at the time, and I liked how you could see his circumstances reflected in his work. My favorite piece, which I gifted to Jonathan via postcard, was The Sower, with its green sky, big sun, green clouds, blue earth. When you look at that picture you feel like you are there in the scene, with the sower, maybe taking his picture or something. It's interesting to mentally interact with art like that.

Museo Nacional de Antropologia

Mexico City is incredible, and one of the many things I love about it is that it has so much history. I mean, there are Azteca ruins under the Zocalo (which is the third largest plaza/square in the world!) that you can see from little windows off the street. You go an hour outside of the city and land in an old Aztec city, where there are the pyramids of the moon and the sun. I like the Museo Antropologia because it houses and preserves alot of this history. Once I was there and I stumbled upon this feminist play going on in what seemed to be a classroom on one of the upper levels of the Museum. They gave us wine after. It was fun.

The Louvre

You have to go to the Louvre if you are in Paris, right? It was cool and obviously beautiful considering it used to be a royal palace. I saw the Mona Lisa, which was overrated - however, the art around the Mona Lisa was beautiful. I also like the ancient art. They had the Code of Hammurabi there (or I guess just the prologue), which I sat looking at for probably an hour because I was tired. I mean don't get me wrong, I dug it, but I logged miles in the Louvre.

The Vatican Museums

I was in Rome last summer, 48 hours away from flying back to LA out of London with 20 euro to my name. What do I do? Spend 18 euro at the Vatican Museums, of course!! I don't regret it...I saw the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, people. There are other things there that are amazing too, but everyone flies right by them to see the Pope's private spiritual sanctuary. On the way back from the Sistine Chapel, I took my time to notice the other stuff the Vatican Museum holds, like the awesome and colorful maps of far-away territories that covered walls and walls of a narrow corridor. I ended up having to sleep in the train station my last night in Rome. C'e la vita.

The British Museum

I loved the British Museum. Cool art (Katsushika Hokusai's "Wave" was there but you had to make an appointment, bummer), and really cool ancient artifacts. This mummy pictured above was my favorite thing I saw there - I like to imagine the people that worked on the mummy thousands of years ago, and how they were standing around the money like I was, just in a different capacity. Hopefully someday I end up as a mummy in a museum...in outer space?

John Lennon,

2009-08-19T10:28:00.000-07:00

永久に !

My Brand of Androgyny

2009-08-18T15:38:00.000-07:00

My boyfriend always teases me that I dress like him. It makes me laugh, because it's true.

Biking to Work

2009-08-18T13:03:00.000-07:00

I used to take the Metro downtown every Monday morning, and I would always see those cool kids with their funky glasses and road bikes. I always thought it would be cool to ditch my car and ride my bike everywhere like them. Fast forward a few months to me in my new apartment. I don't have a parking spot in my building, so when I found street parking RIGHT in front of my love shack I decided that I should just keep my car there and never move it. How to get to work? BIKE!! Now all I need are my huge old frames and a road bike so light that I can lift it up with two fingers...

Here's a map of my route:

5.7 miles a day...
28.5 miles a week...
1,482 miles a year!!

That means I could bike to San Jose del Cabo, Mexico in less that a year. DAMN!

Old Journal/New Journal

2009-08-18T11:28:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, in the midst of moving a plastic storage box that holds my most embarrassing memories from high school through college (think Certificate of Completion from Clownology 2001) into my new apartment, my sister and I found a journal that had been given to me by an old friend on my 16th birthday. This journal is filled with the details of my pubescent pseudo-realities - the boys that "adored" me, the nostalgia for my childhood (which was oh-so-far-away at 16). My sister and I giggled and cringed at my dramatics, and I figured my boyfriend would do the same (albeit with a husky laugh replacing the giggles); however, he just kind of shrugged and said that it all sounded like a poorly-written version of my current life's philosophies. He was totally right.

Anyways, I really started writing in that journal at a time of big change - finding a first love, graduating from high school, moving away from home. Now, four years later, I find myself a college graduate, the one and only occupatnt of a (very cute!!) studio apartment, a full-time legal assistant, and - most importantly - on the first page of this new chapter in my life. To mark this occasion, I am thinking that I should start a journal, here on blogspot. But this time I only hope to write about the things that make me happy.

So that I can dwell on the things that make me happy.

And then I can just be happy.