Scene from a hipster party weekend
You know. We danced and listened to some really profound music and stuff. Definitely nothing mainstream.
Date a Girl Who Reads by Rosemarie Urquico
Date a girl who reads. Date a girl who spends her money on books instead of clothes. She has problems with closet space because she has too many books. Date a girl who has a list of books she wants to read, who has had a library card since she was twelve.
Find a girl who reads. You’ll know that she does because she will always have an unread book in her bag. She’s the one lovingly looking over the shelves in the bookstore, the one who quietly cries out when she finds the book she wants. You see the weird chick sniffing the pages of an old book in a second hand book shop? That’s the reader. They can never resist smelling the pages, especially when they are yellow.
She’s the girl reading while waiting in that coffee shop down the street. If you take a peek at her mug, the non-dairy creamer is floating on top because she’s kind of engrossed already. Lost in a world of the author’s making. Sit down. She might give you a glare, as most girls who read do not like to be interrupted. Ask her if she likes the book.
Buy her another cup of coffee.
Let her know what you really think of Murakami. See if she got through the first chapter of Fellowship. Understand that if she says she understood James Joyce’s Ulysses she’s just saying that to sound intelligent. Ask her if she loves Alice or she would like to be Alice.
It’s easy to date a girl who reads. Give her books for her birthday, for Christmas, and for anniversaries. Give her the gift of words, in poetry, in song. Give her Neruda, Pound, Sexton, Cummings. Let her know that you understand that words are love. Understand that she knows the difference between books and reality but by God, she’s going to try to make her life a little like her favorite book. It will never be your fault if she does.
She has to give it a shot somehow.
Lie to her. If she understands syntax, she will understand your need to lie. Behind words are other things: motivation, value, nuance, dialogue. It will not be the end of the world.
Fail her. Because a girl who reads knows that failure always leads up to the climax. Because girls who understand that all things will come to end. That you can always write a sequel. That you can begin again and again and still be the hero. That life is meant to have a villain or two.
Why be frightened of everything that you are not? Girls who read understand that people, like characters, develop. Except in the Twilight series.
If you find a girl who reads, keep her close. When you find her up at 2 AM clutching a book to her chest and weeping, make her a cup of tea and hold her. You may lose her for a couple of hours but she will always come back to you. She’ll talk as if the characters in the book are real, because for a while, they always are.
You will propose on a hot air balloon. Or during a rock concert. Or very casually next time she’s sick. Over Skype.
You will smile so hard you will wonder why your heart hasn’t burst and bled out all over your chest yet. You will write the story of your lives, have kids with strange names and even stranger tastes. She will introduce your children to the Cat in the Hat and Aslan, maybe in the same day. You will walk the winters of your old age together and she will recite Keats under her breath while you shake the snow off your boots.
Date a girl who reads because you deserve it. You deserve a girl who can give you the most colorful life imaginable. If you can only give her monotony, and stale hours and half-baked proposals, then you’re better off alone. If you want the world and the worlds beyond it, date a girl who reads.
Or better yet, date a girl who writes.
Thrill of the hunt
My friend Jeff posted this video, and it made me nostalgic for Africa! He recommends starting 2 minutes in and ending it 24 seconds early. It's not what you'd think... When I was in Tanzania, we watched lionesses strategically planning a hunt for over half an hour, but they didn't go in for the kill while we were there. Sometimes the lionesses will spend hours on end simply rotating their individual positions around a herd and deciding which animal will be their target and then they will proceed to isolate it. Although sometimes, as you'll see, they pick the wrong herd to mess with!
My Summer Essentials
Daytime
2. e.l.f. Shimmering Facial Whip in Toasted ($1 - in place of eye shadow)
3. N.Y.C. SkyRise Mascara ($1.82 - Target)
4. CoverGirl + Olay Simply Ageless Foundation ($12 - spf 22)
5. Maybelline Blush ($5)
6. N.Y.C. Lipstain in Never Ending Nude ($5)
7. Nivea Kiss of Moisture ($4 - spf 4)
Nighttime
2. CoverGirl +Olay Simply Ageless Under-eye Concealer ($12 - spf 22)
3. e.l.f. Mineral Eyeshadow Primer ($3)
4. Sephora Collection Colorful Mono Eyeshadow in Retrochic 83 ($12 - warm neutral gray shimmer)
5. Wet 'n Wild Liquid Eyeliner ($3)
6. Maybelline Falsies Mascara ($9)
7. The Body Shop Honey Bronze Bronzing Gel for Face ($14)
8. N.Y.C. Lipstain in Never Ending Nude ($5)
9. N.Y.C. Moisture Rich Lipstick in Cafe ($1)
10. Nivea Kiss of Moisture ($4 - spf 4)
Breathless.
It's up in the morning and on the downs
Little white clouds like gambolling lambs
And I am breathless over you
And the red-breasted robin beats his wings
His throat it trembles when he sings
For he is helpless before you
The happy hooded bluebells bow
And bend their heads all a-down
Heavied by the early morning dew
At the whispering stream, at the bubbling brook
The fishes leap up to take a look
For they are breathless over you
Still your hands
And still your heart
For still your face comes shining through
And all the morning glows anew
Still your mind
Still your soul
For still, the fare of love is true
And I am breathless without you
The wind circles among the trees
And it bangs about the new-made leaves
For it is breathless without you
The fox chases the rabbit round
The rabbit hides beneath the ground
For he is defenseless without you
The sky of daytime dies away
And all the earthly things they stop to play
For we are all breathless without you
I listen to my juddering bones
The blood in my veins and the wind in my lungs
And I am breathless without you
Still your hands
And still your heart
For still your face comes shining through
And all the morning glows anew
Still your soul
Still your mind
Still, the fire of love is true
And I am breathless without you
Little white clouds like gambolling lambs
And I am breathless over you
And the red-breasted robin beats his wings
His throat it trembles when he sings
For he is helpless before you
The happy hooded bluebells bow
And bend their heads all a-down
Heavied by the early morning dew
At the whispering stream, at the bubbling brook
The fishes leap up to take a look
For they are breathless over you
Still your hands
And still your heart
For still your face comes shining through
And all the morning glows anew
Still your mind
Still your soul
For still, the fare of love is true
And I am breathless without you
The wind circles among the trees
And it bangs about the new-made leaves
For it is breathless without you
The fox chases the rabbit round
The rabbit hides beneath the ground
For he is defenseless without you
The sky of daytime dies away
And all the earthly things they stop to play
For we are all breathless without you
I listen to my juddering bones
The blood in my veins and the wind in my lungs
And I am breathless without you
Still your hands
And still your heart
For still your face comes shining through
And all the morning glows anew
Still your soul
Still your mind
Still, the fire of love is true
And I am breathless without you
-Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Some scenes from the 4th of July weekend
Best frand in town for 4 whole days! Weekend highlights: Exeter, NH (American Independence Museum), Providence, NH (Strawberry Banke and Cere's), Kittery Point, ME (Fort Foster), Boston Harborfest, shopping, Deer Island and Winthrop Beach, a sunset cruise on the Charles River, gellato and lunch in Little Italy, the Freedom Trail (including the South Meeting House museum and a special tour of the North Church bell tower and crypt), Revere Beach, and the fireworks extravaganza, where the Boston Pops played and they estimated 750,000 people came to watch. Oh, and we chilled in the room where George Washington ate breakfast AND the place where young Paul Revere was a bell-ringer and probably got his idea to hang the lanterns. Paul actually traveled through time for the celebrations and was kind enough to pose with us in a picture. No biggie.
Los Padres
Since I never did a mothers day/fathers day post, I thought I would combine the two and just say a few words about my lovely (albeit completely opposite) parental units.
Dad: My dad is the definition of a handy man. He can fix anything, and if he doesn't know the answer to a technical question he quickly figures it out. He also has the most incredible memory out of anyone I know. I loved never having to do any car maintenance with him around, and I also love that since I've moved away he can still diagnose car problems over the phone. He is the go-to guy when we need someone authoritative to make an important phone call, and through his daily experiences working with high-schoolers, he has a hilariously pithy attitude that just adds to his character. He calls me Ricky, the only nickname that has ever stuck, and handles the high levels of estrogen in our household quite well considering the gender ratio. He isn't very mushy, having maintained his manly man persona despite his house full of girls, but he'll always sign off a phone call with "Take care, little buddy" which is dadspeak for "Love ya, kid."
Mom: I have always been really close to my mom, and some my favorite memories growing up involve coming home every Thursday afternoon to her making chocolate chip cookies (which are the best, no exaggeration). From my momma I inherited my sweet tooth, my extreme love of reading, blue eyes, and sense of humor. Especially as I've gotten older I realize how much we are alike and that makes me truly happy - I can't wait to be a mom for that reason. She's thoughtful, go-with-the-flow, and was (almost) always the 'good cop' when she and my dad had to go 'good-cop, bad-cop' on us. The way she and my dad balance each other out makes them an great parenting team. I know I can count on my mom for anything, and I appreciate her support more and more every day. I know she didn't want me to move so far from home, but she recognized that my spirit is on the fierce and somewhat rebellious side, and has unwaveringly been my cheerleader and advice guru as I navigate the grown up world and being independent.
Happy mothers/fathers day to my amazing parents!
Kthanks.
Dear Best Friend,
Thanks for giving up your floor space when I come to visit.
Thanks for making me laugh so hard that we can't breathe.
Thanks for understanding my weirdness and never questioning it.
Thanks for always being up for adventures.
Thnks fr th mmrs (and picking up on my obscure music references).
Thanks for the past 20 years, and pre-thanks for the next 20.
Love,
Lolls
Thanks for giving up your floor space when I come to visit.
Thanks for making me laugh so hard that we can't breathe.
Thanks for understanding my weirdness and never questioning it.
Thanks for always being up for adventures.
Thnks fr th mmrs (and picking up on my obscure music references).
Thanks for the past 20 years, and pre-thanks for the next 20.
Love,
Lolls
Piers, Pageants, and Parades
What a fun weekend! Recap in reverse: I spent today wandering around the financial district (on the lookout for a sugar daddy of course) and had a lovely afternoon at the South Street Seaport and Pier 17. I also went to Century 21 for the first time, and it has a lot to offer though I will always prefer TJ Maxx for designer discounts. Yesterday I did a plethora of readings related to my directed study that I'm completing over the summer, and meanwhile prepared a lovely little lunch (polenta seared in garlic butter with sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan chicken, and steamed vegetables) for Courtney and myself. We then headed to 'fake' Shakespeare in the Park, which is at Riverside Park on Sundays for those who aren't cool enough to score tickets to the Central Park version. The production was rudimentary, but still a great little dash of culture to our weekend. We then met up with Jim and Rachel to chat over sorbet and watched the final part of the Miss USA Pageant. On Saturday, of course, we were at ... THE MERMAID PARADE. I can only handle Coney Island once a year, and I won't even tell you what was fried in with my Nathan's Hot Dog french fries, but the mermaids that 'washed ashore' ranged from creative to slutty, funny to intense, and there were some people who apparently did not get the mermaid part of the memo and just thought it was a dress-up-like-anything parade.
Merrrmaidssss
Do you know what this weekend is??? If you can't guess... it's the MERMAID PARADE @ Coney Island!! I have the perfect Split swimsuit (I got it for $6 at TJ Maxx... I'm a Maxxonista) and matching e.l.f. eyeshadow. I will post some pictures next week and tell you the 'tail' of our mermaid adventures ;)
Star Child
Shout out to my sister Sophia, aka Star Child, for graduating toady. Highland High School's Valedictorian/National Honor Society President/Varsity and State Swim Team member/Honors at Entrance Scholar/model extraordinaire/etc etc. Plus she is moving up to the University of Utah next week to begin a summer research program before she starts the honors program in the fall. No big deal. Definitely not an overachiever. Love you, Fifilita! Congrats!!
Meow.
As much as I love the newest member of the Dimas family (Marilla/Rilla/Rills/Frills/Frillys), I still love and miss my 'firstborn' oh so much! I'm glad I got to spend a lot of time with him during my stay in Salt Lake. I was home alone most of the day, and he was always my faithful little shadow and was super cuddly.
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| Mr. Ratchet Pussywillow |
Firsts
I was recently thinking about some of the milestones I've reached in my short 22 years. Some of them make me feel pretty grown up! It's exciting to think about the 'firsts' to come (i.e. first house! first real job! first child! (AH)). Meanwhile, here is a little glimpse of the past.
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| 1st Crush: Justin Tosco from the band Justincase |
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| 1st Real kiss: Abe |
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| 1st Real boyfriend: Cam |
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| 1st Car: Old Blue |
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| 1st Apartment: Sound Beach, NY |
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| 1st Passport stamp: Costa Rica |
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| 1st Perfume: DKNY Be Delicious |
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| 1st Drink: wine at Pago |
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| 1st Job: Hogle Zoo |
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| 1st Phone: Nokia 'brick' -- indestructable |
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| 1st Pet: Stubbs |
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| 1st Very own magazine subscription: SELF |
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| 1st Big concert: CIWWAF |
Olive & Aqua
I found this sundress at Forever21 for $9 (it was one of their yellow tag deals). I have a feeling this dress is going to be my summer staple. Lightweight, fun, good with sandals or boots, can be dressed up or down, and c'mon it has pockets. I can picture myself in this dress, strolling around Central Park on a sunny Saturday with my bestie, Mr. Softee sprinkle cone in one hand, other hand in pocket. Yep. That is how I make shopping decisions: imagining the best possible scenario the clothes could be involved in.
Catie Cruel
Oh that I was where I would be,
Then I would be where I am not,
Here I am where I must be,
Go where I would, I can not.
I know who I love,
And I know who does love me;
I know where I'm going,
And I know who's going with me.
Through the woods I go,
And through the bogs and mire,
Straightway down the road,
And to my heart's desire.
Then I would be where I am not,
Here I am where I must be,
Go where I would, I can not.
I know who I love,
And I know who does love me;
I know where I'm going,
And I know who's going with me.
Through the woods I go,
And through the bogs and mire,
Straightway down the road,
And to my heart's desire.
Older Men...
...that I would run away with in a heartbeat.
They will forever be their younger selves in my eyes.
Admit it, who is your older man crush??
Admit it, who is your older man crush??
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| x's and o's for Mr. Darcy, Prince Henry, and Remington Steele |
Going, going...gone?
Destinations to Visit Before They're Gone aka my list of future trips, including Venice, the Galapagos Islands, Glacier National Park, Barrow, Alaska, Mt. Kilamanjaro, Chan Chan/Machu Picchu, India's Manas National Park (tigers!) ... so sad that these places may merely be the stuff of legends in a few years.
But all the other bloggers are doing it
I hate being a blind trend follower. But sometimes...
curiosity kills the cat(ie).
curiosity kills the cat(ie).
I do like buns though. Maybe it's nostalgia from dance days, or the fact that my hair is too long to not look scraggly in a ponytail, who knows. Regardless, today I tried a 1-minute version of this cute bun (next time I will part my hair, put the bun on top, and do it right...I was in a rush to get to church on time!). My hair's current length seemed to work really well and the bun stayed put with only 4 bobby pins (bobbies, as I've heard Amanda call them) but that could also be because my hair wasn't squeaky clean haha. Glad my hair bow is also finally getting some use!
Hmm. Not 100% sold, but there's potential.
Kale Chips
I got this recipe from a marathon runner magazine -- can't remember the name, but I snapped an original camera phone pic of the recipe itself
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| Ta-da! |
- Kale is super good for you - it's rich in vitamins A, B-6, C, & K, iron, beta-carotene, lutein, calcium, and iron
- Kale is also super cheap... my grocery store sells it for $.99/pound, and a giant bundle of it only cost me $.80
- Kale chips definitely satisfied my craving for light and crispy and salty -- much healthier than potato chips
Wednesday Whining
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