Can you say perfect afternoon?

I woke up around ten thirty, went to the gym and then went to fifth ave. with my mom (who is in town). My boyfriend gave me $200 to but something fun for myself before he left for a summer internship in CA. I spent half on a silver ring that says "I love you" at Tiffany's. We went to the original Tiffany's ala breakfast at Tiffany's and browsed all the big diamonds and beautiful stuff. Really fun. Then we went next door to Trump Tower for some iced teas. Apparently Trump like to roam the lobby and talk to people, according to the barista. Next we stopped at Pret a Manger (hello London memories!) and I got a corned beef sandwich (my favorite!). We walked through Times Square for a while and went to Rockefeller Center.

Then I had to return for math class...

Who are you anyway?

I want to know! I have a small influx of subscribers and I want to know what you're about. What is your story? We blog because to some extent we like to write about ourselves. I'll start by writing my story and in the comments I want to hear the story of you! Or maybe you can link up to the story of you on your blog. If you decide to do a "Story of Me" post I wouldn't mind you linking my blog in it ;) Everyone has a story.

The Story of Me.

I was born in Arcadia, CA in 1986. My parents brought me home to my older brother (who hated me) and when I was 3 we packed up and moved to Eugene, OR. This is where I grew up and it is where my spirit and part of my soul will always remain. I attended a special immersion school where I was in Spanish for one half of the day and English the second. When we got to middle school and high school my Spanish Immersion friends and I still had special classes no one else could take together that were in Spanish. As a result I am fluent in Spanish and have a loving Familia of friends that have grown up with me and will always be in my life. Oh the stories I could tell. In High School I was involved in Spanish Immersion as well as a special school that was on the campus of my regular high school called International High School and it followed International Baccalaureate curriculum. I will always be grateful that my parents pushed me so hard.

I grew up in the country, outside of Eugene by 15 minutes. My parents are Angelenos and had no farm experience but we did have a horse named Brandy. My brother and I and all our neighborhood friends had a blast digging mud baths and playing capture the flag on my parents 5 acres.

When I left for college I was terrified. With Spanish Immersion I had never had to make new friends really. I mean I did make new friends but I always had my SI buddies around. I left for Chapman University and almost came right back home. I ended up staying in Orange County and am so glad I did. I started as an art major:

But changed to Communications. The above is not my finest example but the only thing I can find a picture of. I was actually a photography person. I loved it but it wasn't my passion. No one thought of me as the artsy type and this made me resent the hipster faux artsy types whose art I really hated (and so did my professors). I had a piece selected to be in a gallery show and then I hung up my art hat.

In the summer of 2007 I did an internship in London through my school. I was coming off the worst semester of my life and thought it would be awful (the sources of my misery were also going). I ended up living with some amazing girls and had the most incredible summer. I learned so much about myself and was completely rejuvenated. I will never forget those girls. They are like sisters now.

When I came back I wanted an internship. I started working for the Democratic Party of Orange County and found a new passion. I met more amazing people and got to see Obama speak 3 times and meet him once (he is INCREDIBLY nice and handsome). This is also where I met my boyfriend but we didn't start dating for a while.

I also went and saw the Spice Girls in Las Vegas. Life changing.

I got this weird idea to join the Peace Corps. I think I did it just to see if I could get in. I did. I was assigned to Ukraine. I was terrified. I spent the summer after graduation working on various campaigns as a campaign manager and then 4 days before I left for Oregon and about 2 weeks before I left for Ukraine my now boyfriend spilled the beans on his feelings for me... and changed everything. I went to Ukraine as planned (after he spent $500 to visit me in Oregon before leaving) and came home 10 days later. I couldn't be gone 2 years. I came back and was hired by a legislator to be his field representative. I went to swanky parties, council meetings and on tours of various businesses. I loved meeting new people but hated a lot of other things about it. Like that his district was in Compton... after a year and some interesting parting words (whole 'nother story) I was accepted into Columbia University's Teacher's College and am currently pursuing a masters. I have never been so passionate and sure that I'm doing what I need to do with my life. I'm in a great relationship and attending a prestigious school for a subject that I am totally in love with. I have big goals in life. I want to write at least one book and be awarded for my teaching. I want to travel the world. I want to open my own bakery/flower shop. I love my life and I've never been afraid to take chances. If I want something I just go out and get it. I never have been one to sit around dreaming of what could be or what I could be doing. Ladies and gents what you wish to do and wish to be is yours for the taking. Nothing is stopping you but you.

That is my story. I hope its not too boring.

Fin.

My Love.

I'm going to be mushy and tell you about my boyfriend and why he is so amazing. Men- this is your example. He's not perfect... but he's perfect for me.

1) He says "I love you" like ten times a day and likes to give "hug ambushes"

2) He supports me no matter what and tells me he is proud of me. He always makes sure I have what I need and is always thinking of me. Like one time he was studying at the business school and they were giving away free stuff for an event and he brought me a Diet Coke because it had a heart on it and he knows I love it.

3) We can talk about anything. Nothing is off limits and there is no judging. "if it makes you happy..." is our motto.

4) When I get frustrated that my apartment is messy and start cleaning, if he is over he almost always says "just sit down and relax".

5) I know I can trust him 100%

6) He takes time to get to know my family.

7) He is super duper smart and driven. He is in law school.

8) He indulges my silly pleasures like getting silhouette's drawn at Disneyland and watching funny animal videos. One time while he was studying he called me and told me I needed to get on youtube right away and watch a video he found. It was of a puppy trying to climb stairs.

9) On the night Barack Obama was elected we were both ELATED and full of joy. It was the night we had waited two years for and worked so hard for. Yet in California my boyfriend held me and we cried in silence over the passage of prop 8.

10) I can wear sweatpants and a ponytail everyday if I want and it doesn't matter.

11) His first big gift to me was a necklace from Tiffany's.

12) He calls me everyday before bed if we aren't together. Even if he was just at my place.

13) He calls me "his lovely". I love it.

14) He sends me texts randomly just to say "I love you" "I miss you" etc.

15) I can be myself around him.

I could continue but I would be writing forever. This is for you boo.

Bloggy Friends

This is a new networking tool to find new blogs (I think)

The Bronx Zoo

Can we talk about how cute this is?
Go here. Seriously. It is only $15. The baby lion cubs are to die for. The main attraction? The gorillas. They have the most insane gorilla exhibit I have ever seen and me and the boyfriend DIED. I took literally almost 300 pictures. What is so great about the sanctuary is that they charge an extra $3 for it but at the end you get to choose a place in Africa or the United States where all $3 will be donated to help gorillas or local people. I chose to have my money donated to local jobs in the Congo. Enjoy a gorilla feast for the eyes-

mama. She puked in her hands and ate it like five times. Gross. We also saw he have sex with papa...
Funniest face ever?
So relaxed...
Fishing for apples... the little girl was precious. She would sit at the edge and then cross her arms and protect herself from the splashes.
Amazing photo courtesy of my boyfriend

Thanks for an awesome day Bronx Zoo

First Guest Post!!!

I am SO excited to start this series of guest posts about travel. I've been reading some great stories from people and can't wait to share!! First up we have a story about traveling to the Australian Outback! This post was originally posted on a blog dedicated to travel throughout Australia- please go visit for more fun adventure!http://randomramblings-rie.blogspot.com/2010/04/down-road.html. Without further ado; enjoy!

Down the Road

While traveling about the Australian Outback, I became rather use to seeing this exact scenery over and over for days on end. The vast, relatively untouched landscape is literally broken only by the stretches of road which allow you to traverse the natural wonder. The isolation from most things man made is a welcome break and a unique experience; however, I found it also raised some interesting problems. Namely, these were how to obtain food and fuel as well as accommodation for when the never-ending expanse of bitumen (aka blacktop) became too much.

Luckily, truckstops appeared on the horizon just often enough to keep the petrol tank full and the engines running. These oases not only offered overpriced food-items (such as $5 ice creams that were a welcome expense in the dry heat), but also, random "tourist attractions" to attract your business. While the attractions were unnecessary--let's be honest, where else am I going to take my business?--they were surprisingly entertaining after hours spent sweatin' it out in the vehicle while driving in a perfectly straight line. For instance, I clearly enjoyed this little beauty..."look, I'm a 'Buffa-roo,' too!"

Fuel and food taken care of, nailing down a place to sleep at night became priority numero uno, but the options were rather limited. A few of the truckstops offered overpriced one-night camping, but a better option was available for adventurous souls. The better option I'm speaking of was of course roadside camping. As well as being free and legal in most places, "bush camping" offered amazing views of the setting and rising sun, AND no chance of being annoyed by pesky neighbors at the next campsite over.

I did learn a few things from my adventures in roadside camping. Primarily, while you won't need to worry about the noise from passing cars, you should in fact be prepared for the occasional road train to thunder past. Don't worry though, you'll likely just mistake the experience for a minor earthquake and slip quickly back to sleep. Similarly, don't bother with bug spray as the mozzies aren't too annoying in the Outback; rather, invest in good lightweight, long-sleeve shirt and pants, and a fly net because those blasted flies are hell. I'm not talking your run-of-the-mill, American housefly. No, no, no, the Australian Outback offers disgustingly persistent "sticky flies;" so named for their intense desire to adhere themselves to any mucosal membrane, or in their absence, anything moist. It's awful...seriously. Also worth taking along are the following items:

-Reliable hand-cranked torch (erm, flashlight). Because I imagine there would be nothing worse than a 100% pitch black potty break at 2am.

-Shovel and biodegradable toilet paper because a potty break at 2am without a shovel and tp would be worse than a 100% pitch black potty break alone...my mistake

-Well-stocked first aid kit just in case.

-A comfortable sleeping bag and padded mat, or if you're less adventurous, an easy-to-pitch tent.

-Extra food, water, fuel, just in case...again :)

Along with things that should definitely be taken along, there are a few things to just not bother with at all. Actually, only two come to mind. Firstly, don't bother pulling your mobile phone out of the vehicle, you won't get reception, and you won't need it as an alarm as the sun will wake you up early. Don't kill your battery for nothing. Secondly, don't--AND I REPEAT...DON'T--watch "Wolf Creek" before you head out on this adventure. It will only mess with your head.

So excited...

My new series of travel blog posts starts tomorrow! Our story comes from an awesome adventurer and a warm place... stay tuned for tomorrow!

In the mean time I went to Boston last week overnight. Here are some do's and don'ts

DO

*spend some time getting to know the transportation system there. Cabs are spendy and things are usually pretty close. Subway it up. Or walk, it's a beautiful city.

*walk the Freedom Trail. You'll probably run into a lot of school kids but everything worth seeing is along the trail. Leave some time for exploring the North End and little Italy. Nice stuff.

*Take a commuter train to Salem and spend the afternoon basking in the history and touristy goodness. A very fun adventure and a short, cheap train ride away.

*Stay slightly outside the city.. its cheaper and there are a lot of ways to get into the city.

*eat some chowda. I had some great clam chowder at Union Oyster House... oldest restaurant in America.

*chat up the locals. They love their city and talk and talk and talk.

DON'T

*take cabs... geesh.

*act like you're too good to play the tourist. That is what's fun about Boston and there is so much rich history... I got so lost in it all.

*come thinking Bostonians are rude people... they are really nice!