New Year's Resolution...hmmm

I really, truly, wholeheartedly suck at New Year's resolutions. Usually by April, I can barely remember what it is, anyway. Last year's attempt at my monthly goals ended at May - although, justifiably, the months I did complete were rather succesful. I guess what I'm trying to say is I seem to have turned into a non goal-oriented person, except for two key situations: 1) competition - if I'm in it to win, then I will do everything I can, or 2) someone tells me I can't - that's a guaranteed way to get me to do something. Then again, I'm always thinking about the next best thing, or what I can do next, or where I'm going. So, not sure where that leaves me exactly, but obviously I haven't learned my lesson, as I am once again going to make a New Year's resolution.

But first I should say that 2008 has been both an eventful year for me, as well as an uneventful year.

Confused yet? So am I.

This past year, I lived in one city for the whole calendar year - that hasn't happened since I was in high school. I stayed at the same job for a whole calendar year for the first time ever. I took French classes all year, made new friends and kept the old. I've really enjoyed Chicago and witnessed some great events like Obama's election partay. However, my wanderlust is starting to appear slowly, yet persistently. So, what's a girl to do?

That's where my resolution comes in. In 2009, I commit to being more adventurous, more spontaneous, more willing to try new and unusual things.

I was recently inspired by these guys. Now, I'll be honest, by no means will I be attempting to do the same thing...ha! That would be incredible, but maybe something a little less ambitious, yes?

To that end, I'm leaving the resolution extremely general on purpose. Hopefully being adventurous will mean creating new experiences and just pushing myself out of my comfort zone in general. I really have no idea. What I do know is that I'm ready to live fully in the moment and push my limits. While I have set my 100/10 goals, and I love working on them, I also don't want to be defined by just those, but instead hopefully they will evolve with me.

I have no idea what 2009 will bring - and I really can't wait.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Gnome

So, on our NYC Christmas adventure, the Hall fam decided that it would be more fun if we took along a "Hall Gnome" in which to include in our pictures and generally take all over the city. And I have to say, it was quite fun. Although, my sis might disagree - she had to carry him all of the time. I'm pretty sure after she returned home the words, "the Gnome is dead to me," may have come out of her mouth. Anyway, you can relive the moments below:

New York, New York

One: Like all Notre Dame graduates, I have the ability to make a tradition built out of nothing. We love tradition and tradition loves us.

Two: Yet, it seems I was also born with a wandering, vagabond self that dislike repetition, commitment, and sameness.

This year for the holidays, it appears that my second self won. Instead of heading home to Indy to celebrate Christmas as I had the first 25 years of my life, I packed my bag to the City that Never Sleeps. My parents and I took the train east to meet my sis who took the bus north where we all met up in a cute boutique-y just opened Hampton Inn in Soho to celebrate the holidays. And I have to say, it was quite a rockin' time for all. Despite the fact that the train ride took 9 hours longer than it should have and our first day there was wicked cold, I have to say this has been my favorite Christmas so far.

Day one of three was spent on multiple bus tours - we were total champs. We covered downtown to uptown and saw all of the Christmas lights to boot. We took a jaunt out to the Statue of Liberty, shopped at the UN Building, took in the lights of Time Square, judged the various windows of the major department stores, and saw all the major museums in 30 minutes or less. We froze our butts off, bonded with our tour guides, bought hand warmers from a street vendor, and stayed out late.

Day two of three we spent the morning shopping in Soho (where I got the cutest Betsey Johnson jewelry and my sister nabbed a fabulous Marc Jacobs bag), and then headed out take in all the Met Museum of Art has to offer, from beautiful Greek statues to historical musical instruments. We almost made it through a really fun Christmas Eve service until I unfortunately began to suffer from some sort of 24 stomach flu:(

Day three of three was Christmas and we woke up to gifts in the hotel room (sometimes parents are so clever) and my fam enjoyed breakfast while I drank hot tea and continued to try and recover. New York being New York, the city was saturated with activity and people both shopping and just out for the day. We began at Grand Central Station - a mecca for all train buffs such as my Dad - where we enjoyed a light show that was projected across the inside of the station. We then browsed the temporary shops set up in Bryant Park, and then enjoyed a gorgeous carriage ride through Central Park. We dared enter FAO Schwarz which was overrun, and then enjoyed the beauty of the Plaza Hotel. The evening was spent taking in vintage Jim Carrey through his new move Yes Man, followed by Christmas dinner at a true Irish Pub in the East Village.

Could it get any better? Yes it could - thanks to this fun-filled trip, I've also fulfilled two more of my 100/10 goals:

50) Go on a family vacation

89) Visit the UN building

Done and done.

Next post: the introduction of the Hall gnome

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

So maybe Christmas isn't the most wonderful time of the year -but it's got to be close. And call me old-fashioned, but one of my favorite Christmas traditions is sending Christmas cards. Actual cards that require envelopes and stamps. I love it! I started my freshman year in college and have sent them ever since. Some years' cards have been better than others, but it's the thought that counts, right? What I look forward to every year is sending and receivings cards to and from old friends, new friends, and family - across the U.S. Great days include ones where I hear from someone that I haven't talked to in quite a while - but I always know that I will hear from at Christmas.

Sometimes when I'm halfway through the 60 some odd cards I send, I'm cursing the process. But, Christmas is a time to spread joy and reconnect, and this is my favorite way to do so. I can't imagine a holiday season without fun cards and Christmas stamps.

Perhaps starting a new tradition this year, the Hall family is headed to NYC to celebrate, so I won't be blogging next week, but Happy Holidays to everyone and be safe wherever you are!

My being famous...sort of

So last night, in an effort to further procrastinate on my Christmas cards (although all of them are now in the mail!), I was messing around and discovered that I'm on YouTube - albeit an extremely short amount of time. But, nevertheless, it brought back good memories.

I'm in the second row of trombones after the Irish Guard - right in front of the camera - totes.

Rewind (my life in bulletpoints)

Since Thanksgiving I've...

• had three close friends become engaged in one weekend (add those to the two that were engaged in the few weeks before - yes, that totals 5!)
• made one trip to the Chicago Emergency Veterinary Services (but Sugar's all better now)
• seen one performance of The Nutcracker with me Dad (keeping the tradition alive)
• read 8 great books (which means I haven't been getting much sleep)
• burned through 23 tealight candles (mmm...apple cinnamon for the holidays)
• decorated one apartment for Christmas (my tree changes colors)
• signed over 60 Christmas cards (not all have been mailed)
• written one essay in French (know how to say "gold fever" en francais? I do.)
• seen the the temperature dip to 9 degrees more than 3 times
• spent one hour sitting on the Megabus on the Indiana Toll Road (after waiting for it for an hour when it was late)
• downloaded two albums on iTunes (and rediscovered my love of Enya)
• thought about blogging every day (but just now got around to it)

Bisoux

~K

This ain't your mama's Thanksgiving

Ringing in the season of Thanksgiving means one thing to me...turkey pizza.

Ah yes, the Hall family tradition remains alive and well. In my mother's neverending quest to avoid the kitchen entirely, she remains a spectator with the rest of us as my father creates the glory that is the turkey pizza. And there's no turkey on this pizza kids, it's all in the shape...oh, yeah...totes. See below for the gloriousness:



But, nay, a girl cannot survive Thanksgiving on turkey pizza alone. There must be the shooting of the BB gun and the riding of the tractor.

Like every 17 year old girl, for my birthday, I wanted a Daisy BB gun, and my parents humored me. It still serves me well 9 years later as I wipe the floor with my competition using nothing but a steady hand, six tin cans, one wood sawhorse, and an uncanny sense of the direction that the wind blows. See below for the gloriousness:

Yet, while my mother may not be a deft hand at whipping up the traditional Thanksgiving spread, she is a expert behind the wheel of a tractor, even one that only is sort of still alive and running...nothing like jumping a tractor with a battery, eh? Brought back the good ol' days of jumping my truck...tear. She, being the benevolent maternal figure that she is, chose to pass those mad skills onto me. See below for the gloriousness:

To all of you whose Thanksgiving does not include any sort of pizza-making/gun-shooting/tractor-driving goodness...I pity you, and give thanks for my own good memories.

P.S. - One more down...51) Drive a tractor

A Brand New Love

I'm just now coming up for air after an insane, emotional roller coaster ride of a week. However, past blogs would demonstrate that I'm not really up on sharing the personal stuff. I'm pretty sure my most emotional blog to date has been a love letter to my old truck. And, as I'm only 1.2 work days until some much needed vacation time, I'll stick to one of my new loves in life.

Now before I share what it is, I have to mention that my inner snob has somehow surfaced and is demanding high end brand names. Nothing I can do about it - except go with it and hope for the best! Because, alas, my new love is Burberry. I know, at times I consider it totes ridiculous, I can't help it! I could blame the children, but I really blame my gorgeous new winter boots. I actually bought them at the Burberry store on Michigan Ave. in Chicago - no Ebay, no discount website - legit brand name purchase. Granted, I'll probably wear them with my Target coat and Goodwill sweater, but the too late - the monster inside me that loves Burberry is like the mythological Cracken - released and hungry.

Downside to this newfound love of the British high-end label? Ah, yes, that would be the fact that I do not work at a profession that results in copious amounts of money allowing me to indulge my need at a whim. And by whim, I mean, maybe once a year I will be able to get something - if I save up.

I can handle it though, I'm a strong girl. Just now a strong girl that covets all things Burberry.

My apathy wins

So in yesterday's blog post I highlighted my apathy towards, well, everything...at least for the day.

And apparently, voters for new entries into the Collins English Dictionary agreed with me. Lexicographers everywhere enthusiastically voted to enter the word "meh" into the dictionary. Odd that they were excited about "meh," is it not?

HarperCollins made the announcement that the word will be included in the dictionary's 30th anniversary edition.

Fun fact for the day: Allegedly the word came into popular usage after a 2001 "The Simpsons" episode where are Bart and Lisa are watching TV and Homer comes in to suggest a day trip, to which they both reply "meh."

So big congrats to "meh" for beating out inferior contenders such as "jargonaut," "frenemy," and "huggles."

I could write more about this event, but...meh...

Blarghety Blargh Blargh

I know, I should have already blogged by now...I had been doing so well.

I could totes blog about the heinous pre-Broadway production of Dirty Dancing I saw last Wednesday. The weird Australian accent, the cheesy set, the lack of outstanding talent, and the empty void where Jerry Orbach should have been.

I could totes blog about how the current state of the economy is freaking this corporate fundraiser out, and how I'm practically reading the NYTimes Business section in my sleep.

I could totes blog about the fact that I've already seen Quantum of Solace twice. Including dressing up in formal wear for a martini party with friends and working it in 4 1/2 patent leather red heels at the theater.

I could totes blog about that fact that this past week, I never made it home before 10:30pm at night which resulted in an extremely cute, extremely needy Sugar. We're snuggling as I type.

I could totes blog about how I've taken 4 vacation days this entire year - not a good idea.

However, I totes won't - because today is apathetic Sunday. I've cleaned, grocery-shopped, organized, e-mailed, and downloaded pictures - all through a haze of blahness. Really, though, I kind of need these days every once in a while. I consider it saving my energy for the crazy week ahead.

Totes.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Ah, yes, winter in Chicago, I believe, has officially started after a couple false starts. This means lots of things to this Chicago transplant: an overactive steam heater, wild crowds at the movie theater (inside activities only from November to March), lots of warm scarfs, fabulous winter boots, and a wicked cold. Malheursement, the cold came early this year.

I have years of memories from my long ago school days in Indy of copious amounts of tissues and coughing my way through standardized testing. Fortunately, I also had a mother who would remember to give me medicine, make hot tea, and always had tissues on hand.

When I went off to college and then grad school, my treatment of said colds went downhill. Instead of a mother's care, I only had myself...not a promising situation. I remember my freshman year when I had the flu during my winter finals. I also remember using toilet paper as a substitute for tissues, using dayquil as a substitute for antibiotics, and fighting fatigue - not with sleep - but with concentrated Mountain Dew and ginseng and pizza and running around the classroom building in my socks to stay awake. Oh, and I'm pretty sure I listened to DMX as a soundtrack for my studies. Not my finest moment.

Now, as a working "adult," things are slightly better. I usually have tissues, I remember to take the cold medicine on time and even pop Vitamin C every once in a while. The downside? I can no longer make myself feel just good enough for a two-hour class, but rather an eight-hour work day. I can't run across the quad and use my student points for supplies, but have to hoove it down to my friendly area Walgreen. I also have a 17 pound cat (he lost a pound!!!) that prefers to sleep on my chest at the exact moment that I can no longer breathe through my nose.

By I like to look on the brightside of having a cold: constant sneezing gets me my own seat on my morning commute, not breathing well=shorter workouts, chai tea makes everything better, and I now have the strength to resist the siren song of Mountain Dew...well, most of the time.

O is for Oh yeah, Obama!

On Tuesday, November 4, 2008 I was lucky enough to get a ticket to the celebration in Grant Park. My friend Rachel went with me, and let me just say it was the best time!!! First of all, please, to be part of huge party celebrating the election and successes of the first black president? It's hard to complain when witnessing a watershed moment in American history.

The lack of food, huge crowd, and cramped legs from standing for 7 hours were completely worth it. But the pictures from that night will tell a much better story than I could in words, so here we go!!

Waiting in line to get through the metal detectors.

The press tent - all of Columbus Ave. was covered in trucks and many had also been parked at Soldier Field for overflow!

One of the jumbo screens that broadcast CNN throughout the night - this pic features the Grant Park crowd!

My friend Rachel and I.

The crowd (just the front half) and more press tents. On the left you can see the flags of the stage where Obama came out after being declared the president-elect.

The moment Obama was declared our next President. The CNN screen flashed "Breaking News" and the whole crowd breathed in then starting yelling hysterically - tons of pictures and hugging of random strangers.

The celebration on the jumbo screen.

The crowd when Obama came out on the stage.

Obama during his acceptance speech (I have pictures of him on stage, but he's so tiny that I didn't include:))

Biden out on stage with Obama - the crowd went wild for him as well.

Sweet moment.

The amount of people still in Grant Park after many people had already left!!!!

Miraculous Manon

Whoops!! A little late on my opera blog post...my sincerest apologies dear readers. One week ago, I once again graced the Lyric Opera with my presence in order to witness the brilliancy that was Jules Massenet's Manon. The Chicago Tribune had the following to say about this production:

"She came, she saw, she conquered...the ovation Dessay received was one of the longest and loudest in recent Lyric history."

Yes, Tribune, I concur.

Manon was amazing...I had heard others raving about it before I went, and that always makes me suspect. But alas, true to their word, I was entranced from the moment the curtain went up. Natalie Dessay was truly spectacular, and even a last minute tenor swap didn't alter the soring beauty of the opera. The set was multi-faceted and with the movement of just a few props, the mood was completely altered.

While this probably won't end up in my Top 5, I definitely enjoyed it and will continue to. Favorite part? Understanding the French that was being sung WITHOUT the surtitles...oh, yeeeahhh...

I Dream of Paris in Black and White

I've been told that a person can tell they are truly learning a foreign language when the begin to dream in that language.

That last several days, I've been dreaming in French...in black & white.

I start my French classes at the Alliance Francaise again in a week. I will be in a Level 14 class - my 11th at the Alliance. The classes have become a huge part of my life. I count my classmates as dear friends, and wonder what I would do without being able to see them twice a week.

Granted, sometimes I wonder what I'm doing - the classes are very expensive and can be time consuming and in this economy I should probably be saving my money.

But I can't bring myself to say au revoir. I have an ongoing passionate love affair with French language and culture, and hold the hope that one day I will live in the City of Lights.

And whenever I'm frustrated trying to master the subjonctif, or can't remember the words that I want to say, I remember how beautiful the language is, even though I may be messing it up.

So when I started dreaming in French, I was thrilled - still am. In my dreams I can speak it perfectly and understand all, and I'm always in Paris. I'm not sure why in black & white - maybe too many French art films and still photography.

Regardless, in a week, I will pack up my workbooks and dictionary, welcome back my witty and intelligent classmates, follow the guidance of my brilliant instructor, and wonder when my real life will catch up to my dreams.

And why is this fun again?

This Sunday, my friend Jon "helped" me fulfill another of my 100/10 goals:

61. Ride on a roller coaster

Yep, I did it. Pigs have flown and hell has frozen over. Actually, I got on THREE roller coasters, count 'em THREE. But my reaction was progressively less positive. We started out on a fairly simple one and my eyes were open about 80% of the time. The next one, oh, about 50%. The last one 0%. The 80 foot drop at the beginning scared the crap out of me and for the rest of the ride I tried to find me happy place, to no avail.

Thus, while I have in fact fulfilled this goal, I plan on never getting on one again. I am convinced that the most frightening part of Six Flag's Frightfest, is that the fact that people actually find this alleged roller coaster-ing fun.

I stopped hating Jon Tuesday evening, and now appreciate his patience and fortitude in helping me fulfill this goal, although I still blame him for coaster #2 and #3.

Done and done.

I heart Halloween

I mean, who doesn't? Granted, I'm not a dress up in a skanky costume and go partying sort of Halloween girl. I'm more of a "Hey, the History Channel is running a bunch of history of witchcraft specials and I can wear my skull gloves around," sort of Halloween person. I love scary movies even though they scare me to death and the brisk fall weather only adds to the ambience of the holiday. And Halloween deserves to be celebrated - numerous church leaders over hundreds of years have tried to suppress it and still it goes on!!

But the month of October in and of itself is also a wonderful time. I can finally break out the hot spiced cider, hooded sweatshirts, knitted hats, and enjoy the fall leaves. In my youth, the annual trip to the orchard was always hotly anticipated, but sadly most workplaces don't sponsor those kind of trips.

Yet there is another, equally entertaining, October tradition - the Covered Bridge Festival in Parke County, Indiana - home to the world famous grandparents/aunt/great aunt/cousins of yours truly. And it is good. No one can resist the siren song of hot, sugary crullers. This past weekend I hopped the Megabus to Indy and joined the parental units as we journeyed west for crafts, fall foliage, farm country, and great food. What could be better?

But seriously, nothing is better than fried dough covered in sugar...nothing...

Tuesday Morning Cuteness

Real post coming soon, promise....

Try not to cry when you know...

I had read reviews of the book and was intrigued...

I entered the bookstore never intending to buy it...

I read the dedication page standing in the biography aisle...

I purchased it immediately and left the store...

I eyed it during work, wishing I was reading it instead...

I went home, talked on the phone, made some dinner, and cleaned...

I settled down late to read a few chapters...

I read about the struggle of growing up in Cambodia...

The violence, the terror, and willfullness of the Khmer Rouge...

The struggle of a young girl and the obedience her culture demanded...

I read her story of abuse and forced prostitution...

Of the pain, the filth, and the terror...

I listened to her speak of escape, shame, and the difficulty of recovery...

I followed her as she rose above it, and began to help others...

I felt her disgust at the increased violence that girls as young as five face every day...

Of the blind eye turned by the government and the corruption at every corner...

I read of her journey to overcome and the generosity of others...

Two hours later I had finished the book...eight hours later, I can't get it out of my mind.

Bizet's Beefcake...

...or how I learned to stop worrying and love Nathan Gunn's bare chest.

Kidding.

Sort of.

This year, a friend and I have season subscriptions to the Lyric Opera of Chicago. While I know that we're currently in an economic downturn and I should be cutting back on spending, I see opera has a "need," not a "want." So, last night, off we went to see Les Pecheurs de Perles, or The Pearl Fishers.

Admittingly, the only thing I knew about LPP before going to see it last night was the famous Act One duet between Zurga and Nadir (two of the main characters).

What I also didn't know was that Zurga, played by baritone Nathan Gunn, is required to remain half-dressed for the duration of the opera. At first, I could see right through the obvious staging that resulted in his stripping - does he really need to offer his shirt to the other fisherman in order to confirm his leadership? But then, cursing my lack of opera glasses, I decided to sit back, and just enjoy the view from my upper balcony seats.

I know the woman sitting next to me was also enjoying the half-nekkid Zurga as she made the brilliant decision to wear approximately 82 bangles on her arms, so every time she lifted up her opera glasses for a better view, I got to hear my own petite percussion section.

The other thing I noticed was that while there is much gnashing of teeth over keeping one's vow, in practice, I'm not sure any of the characters fully understood the concept. Or, in the words of the brilliant Inigo Montoya, "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."

Let me explain further: Zurga and Nadir had vowed several years before to never act on their love for Leila so as not to ruin their friendship - Oops, Nadir lied and went back to woo and love Leila; Leila took a vow to stay a virgin and pray for protection day and night for all of the fishermen - Oops, she has sexy times with Nadir instead. And then out of nowhere Zurga has some other vow in Act Three that hasn't been mentioned, but I'm pretty sure that he broke it, so in the end he saves the lovers Nadir and Leila to keep a vow that was really a hazy one in the first place. Good times.

Up until now, I might be giving the highly critical impression that I did not enjoy the opera.

Au contraire mes amis!!

The music was absolutely gorgeous. Plus bonus points for this girl!! I totes recognized the reoccurring musical theme that was initiated during the aforementioned Act One duet. All thanks to the extremely demanding professor I had in grad school for the hysterically difficult 500-level opera literature course.

Plus more bonus points for all of the French classes paying off. I didn't understand everything, and the surtitles definitely came in handy, but I actually could follow the opera pretty well. It only became a real problem when I started thinking things like, "Ooh, that verb was the plus-que-parfait tense, " or "Huh, that translation isn't really close to what he's singing."

But overall, I have to say I was pleased with a) remembering some importants things from a class I had three years ago and b) remembering some important things from a class I had three days ago. Alas, high-fives all around were not appropriate...plus bangle-woman might have injured me during the course of said high-five.


Lastly, I have to mention that LPP was the fourth opera I have seen at the Lyric since moving to Chicago, and for every single one I have had a tiny 3-hour love affair with the stage design: the richness of La traviata, the ingenuity of Falstaff, the starkness of Eugene Onegin, and this year's incredible use of space for LLP.

And yes, in case you all are wondering, you will be subjected after each of the seven more operas, to my slightly erratic "reviews" of each one.

Bon chance!

American Girl

So, this Friday, I did what every typical twenty-something single girl does - I attended the opening of the new American Girl store.

Yes, you read right, American Girl. Me, one of the least girly, doll-loving people I know. I had some Cabbage Patches in my day, and so did my sis. But instead of carrying them around or putting them in a stroller, we created scenarios like "Cabbage Patch Hospital" or "Cabbage Patch Kidnapping." I'm pretty sure our mom was a little concerned more than once.

However, we both were big readers and did in fact read most of the American Girl series during our local library's summer reading program. If I remember correctly, Em always preferred Molly, a spunky girl growing up in World War II America. I preferred Felicity, the fourth girl in the series whose story is set during the America Revolution. The books were well-written and being the history buff that I am, I enjoyed the facts about the time period included in at the end.
Em and I used the receive the catalogues in the mail when we were little and it was always fun to look through.

That said, I'm still slightly scared by the phenomenon that is the American Girl Doll empire.

Last Friday, however, I put my fear of the American Girl store aside and attended the opening of the huge (and I mean huge) new store in Water Tower Place on Michigan Ave. Seriously, it was like walking into a different world. Two stories and I don't know how many square feet later, I had seen an entire section dedicated to just the "historical" dolls, an AG photo booth, two more sections of "baby" dolls, then on the second floor, I witnessed a doll salon, doll craft area, doll hospital, doll sweets cafe (with doll-sized treats), and a restaurant that sported doll size chairs so a little girl could eat with her American Girl.

I'm pretty sure somewhere along the way, my jaw literally dropped. The concept of a recession was nowhere to be seen inside this new store as parents indulged their fashionable daughters' need for dolls and accessories. I don't necessarily say this with a negative tone. Most of the little girls I saw where very well behaved - no tantrums, no crying - but they were genuinely dedicated to their dolls and equally protective. My favorite was a girl watching her dolls face get cleaned at the doll hospital - she was very concerned and kept a watchful eye on the doll like any good parent.

And, while part of me was overwhelmed and slightly horrified by the sheer number of doll items surrounding me at every turn, overall, it was a pretty cool experience. After awhile, I went and picked out a few things for my AG-crazy cousins, and then made my way over to the area where Felicity and her accessories were displayed...I still coveted the green riding habit that she wore, even after all these years...who knew?

But as I grabbed my goody bag and headed out, I realized that inside that store was a complete fantasy land for little girls and their moms...or the several indulgent dads I had just left behind. And I wondered what the attraction was...for me, I had always loved the books and the stories that had been created. I saw no one that night carrying around any of the books behind the dolls, something I find a little sad.

At the end of the night, I shook off the saccharine sweetness of the American Girl Store and hit up a Borders to get some equilibrium. I'm definitely glad, however, that I got a peek inside the new store and the pure craziness that is the American Girl empire.

Some Friday Hilarity

Thank you, Liberty Mutual

Please watch the below commercial, first.

Alas, now that you've seen this brilliant commercial from Libery Mutual (thanks, Dad, for remembering the name of the company!), I can tell you a story.

First of all, I've fulfilled another one of my 100 goals...39) Help a perfect stranger.

When I landed in JFK from Lucerne, I needed to grab my baggage, go through customs, then re-check the baggage for my flight to Chicago. Waiting for my suitcase, I was really tired, very hungry, and slightly irritable. I was waiting, waiting, waiting for my suitcase when all of the sudden the tiny, elderly lady next to me put her hand on my arm and said "Oh dear, I don't think I can reach that." I quickly asked her which suitcase was hers - it was a huge red one stuck on top of another suitcase. I lunged for the suitcase, which had to weigh as much as she did, and set it down on the floor and popped up the handle for her. With a "thank you" and a pat on my shoulder, she was on her way.

But the tale of goodness doesn't stop there!

The guy next to me had seen the whole thing. He grabbed his suitcase and left the luggage claim before me, but then he paused at the door to customs, and held it open for a guy whose hands were full.

Then that guy, I saw later on after customs. He saw a child in a stroller throw a toy on the floor - and bent down and picked it up and handed it back to the kid.

JUST LIKE THE COMMERCIAL.

After I paused to wonder if the Liberty Mutual commercial was actually an exercise in brainwashing, I realized that that situation was so cool! I had seen three of us help strangers, and it actually felt good. In a world where more people would probably run you over, than lend a hand, I was heartened to see that a few acts of simple kindness can make the day a little easier for someone.

I was still tired and hungry, but no longer irritable.

Goin' to the Chapel...

Last weekend, September 20, one of my closest college friends got married. What was to be a November wedding was moved up by two months (thanks U.S. Army!).

As a result, many thoughts ran through my head:

"Daaang, one my college roommates is getting MARRIED!!!!"

"I wonder if I have enough United miles for a free flight?" (answer - no)

"I can't wait to see all of my ND girls!"

"Crap, when am I going to get my dress fitted?"

"I hope the weather is perfect this weekend."

"Ack, one of my college roommates is GETTING MARRIED!!!!!!!!"

I'm sure there were many more thoughts, but the jetlag from my sojourn in Europe overtook everything else. On the plane trip from Chitown to Raleigh, NC, my only thought was "ZZZZZzzzzzzzz."

Arriving the day before the wedding, I spent that Friday following road directions, exploring the mystery that is a rental car, coveting Bojangles fries, attending the rehearsal, thoroughly enjoying the rehearsal dinner, and helping to throw a lingerie party for the bride late that night.

Bright and early on Saturday, the dedicated bridal party awoke at 5:30am to hike it over to the reception location to put together the flower arrangements for the tables and just help out in general. Never did I think being a bridesmaid would include hosing down rocks in a yard for the arrangements at 6:00 in the morning. I think that's under "other duties as assigned." But for the former Miss Fuchs, anything...

Apres ca, we made a priority run for Chick-Fil-A, followed by some naptime, but then off to make ourselves pretty and get to the church.

At this time, I would like to give a major shout out to the golf pro shop of our hotel for letting us borrow their steamer.

The ceremony was great, the bride gorgeous, and I didn't trip. And I didn't tower over my escort in my heels - that's very important. We laughed, we cried, we blew bubbles, then off to part-ay.

And party we did. Finally, our four years of dancing during college - in clubs, in our dorm room, on the quad, in the engineering building - finally paid off! The bridesmaids hit the dance floor and kept the party going. No one was safe from our attentions, and much fun was had.

The bride and the groom eventually departed and the bridal party did the only thing we could think of - hit up a couple of NC bars in our gowns. The boys totally wussed out and changed.

The flight back to Chitown was exhausting, but unlike the flight before me, mine wasn't cancelled due to fog, and by the time I entered the door of my apartment, I was ready for a nap. Which lasted from 4:30 to 7:00pm. I went to bed at 8:30pm...you do the math.

My European Adventure

as told through pictures

I'm in Love

...with furniture.

A co-worker, noticing my love affair with all things green, left a page from a magazine on my desk the other day that highlighted trends in home decorating. And while the rest of the world may just now be discovering the delights of a grass green accent piece, yours truly is way ahead of the curve. Like all Hall women, I've pre-empted trends for years - almost to the point where I was so cool, I was uncool. In this case, with green being one of "the" colors...I. am. so. there.

So when I glanced down at the magazine, I didn't expect to fall in love. Especially when the object of my affection is plastic furniture...I want!

Maybe, just maybe, when my commitment-phobia once again sets in and I find myself moving, I'll remember these amazing designs by Studio JSPR. Because, really they're fabulous, and will match perfectly my green glass kitchenware collection and leopard print carpet.

But for now, this will be an unrequited love...unless I happen to find $2,000 laying around on the sidewalk. A girl can dream, right?

Oh yeah...

So, I promise, mes amis, that in the coming days I will post further about my outstanding time on tour with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. However given my current time constraints, jetlag, and the eight million things I need to do this week before leaving to be in my friend's wedding this weekend, I leave you with an image. One that brings tears to my eyes and warmth to my heart. Me, a co-worker, and Tony Blair. Yes, that's right, Tony Blair. I got to have a little chat with him at a post-concert party. Being the British politics junkie that I am, it was definitely a little slice of heaven. And yes, he's very dynamic, funny, and self-efacing in real life - love it!!

Au revoir mes amis

Back in 8 days!

It's that kind of day

So, even though I'm in the middle of a very exciting time (future blog posts will further define), it's still be one of those weeks where I look back and all I can think is "REALLY?" I started out pretty well on Sunday, catching up with a friend at my fave Hyde Park breadfast spot. However, two broken down busses, one flooded kitchen sink, one too-full suitcase, three days of scalding water in the shower, two extremely rude salespeople, 8 pieces of junk mail from my own bank, and 23 furry mice all over my apartment (fake ones, thank goodness) later, I'm over it.

In order to find my happy place, I am going to keep with mind what I'm thankful for...

Green tea in the mornings

My incredibly funny French class

Plaid ballet flats

Sympathetic kitties

McDonald's at 11pm

Rainy days

TV Monde 5

Pretty Swiss francs

My new iPod

Nutella

State Fair = Fried Something

A few weeks ago (I know, I'm a little behind on blogging), I hopped the train again to voyage to Indy to go, with the fam, to the State Fair. Because, in Indiana, the State Fair is the thing to do during those two weeks. And it's always a good time.

Now, granted, the State Fair doesn't exactly scream "healthy." I usually stop eating a couple days ahead of time in preparation for the gluttony that is bound to ensue. This year was a little different as one of my "100 goals," was to eat two funnel cakes. After accomplishing this, I learned two things: 1) Fried dough is really in fact only good in moderation (who knew?) 2) The "fun" in "funnel" cake only lasts about 1.5 funnel cakes (the last .5 is a doozy). Admittedly, mom and dad had a few bites - one cannot sit next to a funnel cake and not have some!

Even long distance, one cannot resist! My sis wasn't able to to come west and join the fun, but she did tell me "To eat one for me!" Well, my friends, being the outstanding sister that I am, I did in fact dedicate my second funnel cake to my sister. I am just that good.

Now, less you think that all I did was eat during this day, I would like to prove otherwise! We saw all kinds of stuff - tractor ride, donkey racing, cheese sculptures, Indiana's largest pig, lots of tractors, baby animals, um...oh, and we ran into my parents' neighbors there actually - small world.

I did meet one nice sheep. He was very photogenic and agreed to pose for me. I ran into him after I went and saw the little asses, er, I mean miniature donkeys...aww....miniature donkeys.

Picture this...

Alright people, check another one off the list!! Totes exciting.

72) Have my picture in a brochure

I am now on the inside cover of the new Indiana University Arts Administration Program brochure as a distinguished alumni...totes awesome! I received copies of it last week, and the brochure is beautiful and really conveys the reach and excellence of this grad program.

I had a great time in grad school, learned a lot, and met some amazing people, so it's really great that I can represent (among others) the program.

And yes, for all of those who heard me whining, I did that, also. But some memories I have taken with me are just the best: Irish Lion, Tutto Bene, learning to drive a stick, freak snow storms, cattle call auditions, roommates that moved out while I was in class, brilliant music, and sweet transvestites. Plus, that's when I adopted my sweet Sugar:)

Note to Self

Ugh, so I've actually accomplished two of my other goals, but not had the time to download super-fun pictures, so those blog posts will have to wait.

BUT, on this beautiful Friday, I want to share something hilarious with you all. I really heart old Hollywood and especially Fred Astaire - no one today has class or talent like that.

So, in a fusion of old-school and new school, I present to you this pretty sweet youtube clip.

Note to Self: Fred Astaire is awesome...totes.

Happy Anniversary to Me!!

Today, I celebrate one year with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra! Totes exciting, I know:)

Being at a job for one year = performance review

Performance review = Fulfilling one of my 100 goals! "And the crowd goes wild!!!"

52) Learn to take a compliment

During the review, I learned to take a compliment - without looking at the ceiling, turning red, or attempting to change the subject.

In fact, I actually was able to compliment myself. For those of you who I've asked to help edit my extremely awkward cover letters, you know how big of a step this is for me.

So, check, off the list!

Now, off to enjoy my one year anniversary...and the fact that this is the first summer in 8 years that I won't be moving!!

Pour me a drink, And I'll tell you some lies

Neil. Diamond.

Two little words...one legend...I was lucky enough to see him TWICE this weekend at the United Center.

That's right, folks, this weekend was Neil Diamond Weekend '08.

Saturday, I went with Mom "Biggest Neil Fan Ever" Hall. And the concert definitely lived up to the two expectations I have for a Neil Diamond concert - amazing music and public intoxication. I'm not sure why, but each concert I attend (this weekend was 6 and 7), I always am surrounded by alcohol-loving Neil fans. I never thought my '05 experience could be topped - it's not every year, a 30-something fan stands up and yells, "It's f***in' 'I Am, I Said'." But this year's drunken woman was dancing in the aisles when she grabbed a young bloke returning to his seat and started dancing with him. It didn't end until his furious girlfriend stormed down the stairs to get him - hilarious!

Nothing quite as exciting took place the second night (Sunday), but good times were had nonetheless and I met some very nice Neil-fans from Wisconsin who had driven down for the concert. Plus, it was my friend's first Neil concert - now she has truly lived.

But I know there are those of you out there who haven't had the divine experience that is a Neil Diamond concert. So, being the kind-hearted, generous person I am, I've listed below some choice Neil songs to experience, and the best time in which to listen to them.

Cherry, Cherry - Getting ready for super fun party times...Can't stand still while the music is playin'

I Got the Feelin' - When you're ready to break up with someone...I got the feelin', I'm hearin' goodbye

I Thank the Lord for the Nightime - Monday mornings - all of them...Nine-to-five ain't takin' me where I'm bound

Girl, You'll be a Woman Soon - When you're feelin' a little unsure...I'd die for you girl and all they can say is"He's not your kind"

Red, Red Wine - Bad memories? Rough day? Weird family?...Red, red wine, Go to my head

Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show - Feelin' the love?...Take my hand in yours, Walk with me this day

Cracklin' Rosie - Awesome song for cross-country roadtrips...Cracklin' Rosie you're a store-bought woman

I Am I Said - Moved to a new city and feelin' lonely...An no one heard at all, Not even the chair

I'm a Believer - Currently in the first bloom of a new relationship? Getting ready to watch Shrek?...Not a trace of doubt in my mind, I'm in love

Play Me - During sweet, sweet seduction (this is hypothetical...if it works, let me know!)...You are the sun, I am the moon, You are the words, I am the tune, Play me

Love on the Rocks - Best. Breakup. Song. Ever. Pour yourself a drink, crank the music, stumble around your apartment singing at the top of your lungs (not hypothetical....definitely works)..First, they say they want you, How they really need you, Suddenly you find you're out there, Walking in a storm

Sweet Caroline - If you've spent anytime in a bar, you'll hear this...Good times never seemed so good

Forever in Blue Jeans - When you can't decide what to wear...I'd much rather be, Forever in blue jeans

Pretty Amazing Grace - When you're thankful...In Your amazing grace I had a vision, From that amazing place I came to be, Into the night I wandered, Wandering aimlessly, Found Your amazing grace to comfort me.


There's many, many more great songs - I mean, the man sells out stadiums without needing any airplay!

For all my fellow fans, which songs do you love????

Anglophilia and such

I (heart) England. I loved studying there and experiencing London. I loved the chance to travel around the country and see Stonehenge's ancientness, pretend I was in a Jane Austen novel in Bath, and make a pilgrimage to Thomas a Becket's tomb. And while the country is currently struggling with both a bad economy and increasing violence, I still take comfort in my memories of living there.

In fact, whenever I need "easy" reading - books for fun on a Friday night or something for my daily commute, I find myself reaching for some historical fiction - British style.

I'm usually in the middle of several books and right now the list is:

-Cromwell by Antonia Frasier
-The Years of Extermination (Nazi Germany and the Jews 1939-1945) by Saul Friedlander
-The Story of French by Jean-Benoit Nadeau
-Doomsday Men (The Real Dr. Strangelove and the Dream of the Superweapon) by P.D. Smith

Not really what one would call "light" reading. But you couldn't pry my history books from me with a crow bar - others have tried, all have failed.

But every once awhile, I just need something that's fun, witty, and easy.

Thus, my recent addiction to two authors that write great historical mysteries with smart, sassy women as the main protaganist. Both sets of books are set in Regency England and are extremely well-written. I've gotten my Mom addicted to them as well.

The first author, Tasha Alexander, is a fellow Domer. The second author, Deanna Raybourn, has her own blog and is also a self-professed Anglophile. Both authors are obviously well-read themselves and write with knowledge of the events and culture of the time in which they set their stories. Plus the writing is brilliant and I can never put the book down without having finished it!!!

Raybourn's blog is particularly entertaining, and at times, completely random. And while I usually have GB on the brain, there are countries all over the world that I yet to explore - either through books or on a plane.

This point was especially brought home after my attempts to play this game. Don't blame me when you get frustrated:)

The kicker - you have to spell them right - I knew Azerbaijan existed, I just couldn't spell it:)

Christian the Lion

This is just the coolest video - tugs at the ol' heart strings. I've loved lions since I was teeny tiny, and this about made me cry...out of jealousy...just kidding...sort of.



For more info on this awesome, awesome video, go here

An Ode to Sticky Notes

Oh, sticky notes, how I do I love thee?

Let me count the ways

One - you're so sticky and just so cute

Two - you're my friend that always stays

Three - you never talk too much

Because like some people, you're mute

*

Oh, my precious sticky notes

You're a lifelong friend

I knew you when I was younger before I had to work

You were so much fun back then

But now I need you to keep me straight

And prevent me from being a jerk

*

Oh, my sweet, sweet sticky notes

I put you all over my desk drawer

So pure and colorful and clean

You're on my mirror and on my door

I can't imagine life without you

From you I cannot myself wean

**Note from the writer- please do not hurt yourself trying to figure out what kind of rhyme scheme this is - I'm pretty sure "A,B,C,B,D,C" doesn't actually exist.

Note to Self

This phrase, "Note to Self" - I use it often. It's sort of my thing. I adamently refuse to use trendy business terms like "let's circle back" and "I'll keep that on my radar." So, instead, quite a while ago, I decided to use "Note to Self." It's good times, I like it. And I have now decided to use my phrase as a theme for occasional blogs. It will be like you'll reading my internal memos - sort of. So, anyway, to commence:

Note to Self:

-Don't dance in the hallway of your apartment when there is a risk that your cat could trip you and you could then slam into bathroom doorframe

-Finding a $20 on the sidewalk is just as cool at 26 as it was at 16

-Don't sit next to the crazy guy spouting Bible verses no matter how tired you are, or how inviting the empty seat looks on the bus...there is a reason it's the only one left

-Watching old episodes of Gossip Girl is not acceptable - no matter how bored you are (don't judge)

-Conjugating French verbs is just as hard at 26 as it was at 16

-Sometimes VH1 gets it right with "Emerging Artists," so stop whining everytime a "female singer-songwriter" comes on - remember the amazingness of Duffy - eventually they'll be another one just like her

-Parties in huge apartments overlooking Lake Michigan - go to more of them - they're awesome

"I cannot live without books."

Yeah, preach it Thomas Jefferson, I feel exactly the same way. Or as Katherine Hepburn said, "What in the world would we do without our libraries?" Well, I can answer that question - like I can't seem to stop doing, we would end up spending a large chunk of our paycheck at Barnes & Noble each week, that's what we would do.

But in all seriousness, "Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life." (Thanks Mark Twain!)

I spent this past weekend in Indy, and part of that time was out in my grandmother's barn looking through the books that I had left there to pick out some that I would take back home. I have about 8 boxes of books still in storage and only managed to make it through a few. Nonetheless it was like Christmas! I had forgotten a few that I hadn't seen since grad school and boy, was it exciting! I only ended up taking about 30 back with me, but hopefully those 30 will keep me out of Barnes & Noble for awhile. Except for the fact that AS I'M WRITING this, I just received an e-mail coupon....curse you B&N!!

You see, books have become almost an obsession. I read all genres, but my favorite are the history and travel writing books. I can never get enough. In my apartment, I now have 4 bookshelves that are bulging with books, a desk that is covered in books, books on my nightstand, books in front of my nightsand, stacks of books on my coffee table, and books in the kitchen for awhile, but I moved those - my kitchen isn't that big. I think my cat may start feeling displaced fairly soon. I've acquired this multitude of books through my career as a liberal arts major, grad school, and my ill-conceived idea of working part-time at a bookstore in DC with the intention of making money...ahahaha.

Some, however, I've kept since childhood, and others I seem to have multiple editions when I forgot that I already owned it, or simply couldn't wait to read it a second time. All of them come with good memories, though, even the ones I may have bemoaned while still in school.

I recently finished for the sixth or seventh time Leon Uris' Exodus. I had been a fan of his work since reading QBVII in junior high, but until the summer of 2005, had never read what is probably his most popular work. Upon its release in 1958, it became the biggest bestseller in the United States since Gone with the Wind. Focused upon the founding of the state of Israel, Exodus is amazing for its seamless integration of fictional characters and true historic events. I bought this book while I was an intern at Wolf Trap Opera. I started reading it late during a tech week, and since the next day was my day off, I figured I would read until I couldn't keep my eyes open. That turned out to be 7AM - the book was so good, I read through the night to finish it. I LOVE it when I find a book that good. Stumbling downstairs afterwards, Ann, the owner of the house where I was staying, just shook her head and started laughing - she had already seen the pile of books that I had brought with me for the summer and knew exactly what I had been up to.

I guess the moral of this story is that I hear from most people I know that they simply don't have the time to read or don't find it entertaining. When I recover from the shock of this statement, my only feeling is pity. Regardless off the type of books one prefers, I always feel that reading allows one to escape for a while, learn something new, or just be entertained by a story that is not your own. I saw a billboard sign while I was home that said 1 out 5 people in Indiana cannot read this sign. I think that is extremely sad. I truly think that reading brings countless joys and I could not imagine life without it.

But, always use caution, because as Mark Twain notes, "Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint."

100 Things/10 Years

So, I'm jumping on the, what I've learned is an extremely popular, bandwagon of listing out 100 Things to Do Before I Die. But like others, I do better with limits - thus this list is for the next 10 years. I learned two key things during this process: 1) I've been extremely blessed (and fairly adventurous) in my first 26 years. While reading others' lists, I could usually name at least 30 things that I had already done. 2) If I let myself, all 100 goals would have involved some sort of travel.

As the illustrious Cecil Rhodes said on his deathbed, "So little done, so much to do." And this from a man who died at 48 having created his own empire of railroads, gold, and diamonds. Now if he thought that, surely I can fulfill 100 much smaller goals of my own.

They aren't in any kind of order, more like a stream of consciousness list.

1) Go on an African Safari
2) Adopt a dog from a shelter
3) Run a 1/2 marathon
4) Go on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land
5) Live abroad
6) Sing a solo at karaoke
7) Tip a really great waiter/waitress 100% of the bill
8) Protest for a cause
9) Get a second tattoo
10) Stay a night here
11) Take a camel ride to the Pyramids
12) Witness the Northern Lights
13) Watch every Oscar winner for best picture
14) Bungee jump off a bridge
15) Earn a business certificate in French
16) Take a pottery class
17) Write a children's book - attempt to get it published
18) Learn passable German
19) Get my palm read
20) Sit in the stands at Wimbledon
21) Have my picture painted
22) Live in an apartment with central air
23) Ride on a motorcycle
24) Go a whole weekend without using electricity
25) Own 50 opera recordings
26) Spend a night in a haunted hotel
27) Sit on the board of a theater
28) Ride in a tiny airplaine
29) Stand in the middle of the Acropolis as the sun sets
30) Be a member of the audience for a TV show
31) See Wagner's Ringcycle
32) Go to a shooting range - shoot something
33) Buy a piece of art from a gallery show
34) Have my own library with an overstuffed leather chair
35) Learn to meditate
36) Push a handcar down a railroad track
37) Lose 20 pounds
38) Create a photo album for someone for a gift
39) Help a perfect stranger
40) Learn how to use my camera, like really use it
41) Have a wine and cheese party
42) Read the Bible from cover to cover
43) Get a cake batter cake from Cold Stone Creamery
44) Ride a bike with no hands
45) See Auschwitz
46) Put all of my loose photos into photo albums
47) Drive a Smartcar
48) Go to a Renaissance Fair
49) Eat 2 funnel cakes at 1 State Fair all by myself
50) Go on a family vacation
51) Drive a tractor
52) Learn to take a compliment
53) Keep a journal everyday for a year
54) Drive across the US - coast to coast
55) Help a child to discover reading
56) Be in New Orleans for Mardi Gras
57) Get certified in CPR
58) Travel the entire distance of the Trans-Siberian Railroad
59) Make an enemy
60) See an opera at the Palais Garnier
61) Ride on a roller coaster
62) Become a mother
63) Go to a midnight showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show
64) Get an expensive manicure and not ruin it within 2 days
65) Continue to see the Nutracker with my dad every year
66) Attend a musical still in previews
67) Make my own candle
68) Go camping
69) Buy a pair of glasses without looking at the price tag
70) Visit Jim Morrison's grave
71) Make creampuffs from scratch
72) Have my picture in a brochure
73) Memorize a poem and recite it in public
74) Paint a room green
75) Read an entire book in French - understand it
76) Visit Mackinac Island when the lilac trees are in full bloom
77) Pet a lion
78) Take the man I love to see Camera degli Sposi
79) Watch all six Star Wars movies in a row
80) Serve a meal at a homeless shelter
81) Bake someone a birthday cake
82) Visit 5 Civil War battle fields
83) Join a book club
84) Send handmade Christmas cards
85) Read Middlemarch, Atlas Shrugged, and Ulysses
86) Stay one night at the The Waldorf Astoria
87) Cross-stitch an entire picture
88) Create a Wikipedia entry
89) Visit the UN building
90) Buy a great piece of furniture that isn't used
91) Travel to Budapest
92) Help build a house through Habitat for Humanity
93) Get my third tattoo
94) Make copies of all of my grandma's photos
95) Play slot machines in Vegas
96) Go salsa dancing until the sun comes up
97) Read all of Shakespeare's works
98) Eat crepes in Paris (again)
99) Watch the sunset from inside the "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure" dinosaur
100) Finish this list:)

Some Friday Night Cuteness

Here's what makes me mad...seriously

Why, for the love of all that is sacred and holy, is Bull Durham continuously ranked above Hoosiers on multiple lists of "Best Sports Movies Ever."


That's the case on aol.com, Sport Illustrated 2001 & 2003, ESPN Page 2, and Times Online UK. E-Online, bunch of idiots, has Bull Durham at 7/10 and Hoosiers ISN'T EVEN ON THE LIST. The same for Total Film Magazine which doesn't even have Hoosiers in it's Top 25!!!!


Really, were these people born in a barn?


ESPN even had a recent "Bull Durham" week to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the movie and highlighted how "Twenty years later, Bull Durham is still widely considered among the top sports movies ever made, and is BRAVO's choice for best comedy ever."



Blah, blah, blah.



Look, I've seen them both, and granted, I could, maybe, be biased as a basketball-loving Indiana girl. (Let's be clear - no US pro-basketball, which is practically a mockery of the true game).



But, really, I don't think so.



Bull Durham: Some guy educates another guy in a single A team about baseball, love, and some other stuff that I don't remember. Susan Sarandon blabs on about the "Church of Baseball," and teaches one of the guys about the joys of bondage and poetry.

Hoosiers: Small-town basketball at its best. Features a coach with a past that whips farm boys into the best basketball team in the state while also dealing with alchoholism, prejudice, death, and recovery (mental and phsyical). Plus, every time anyone ever watches it...they are inevitably still tense and nervous at the championship game - a testament to the brilliancy of both the acting and the score.

No contest - please, Hoosiers is hands down a better sports movie.

Besides, if I had to bet between Costner and Hackman - my money's on Hackman.

Sometimes I whine...

a lot...sorry Mom and Dad!


But I can't help it! See, I whine sometimes about living in America. Because, truthfully, I would much rather live in Europe - pretty much anywhere would do for this girl. I blame this urge on studying abroad in the spring of 2003 where Europe was my playground and pretty much any city was only a 30 euro plane ride away!

Alas, since 2003, I haven't been back there, and since 2004 I haven't been abroad! I know, that may sound spoiled, but for everything I do/am passionate about - traveling is definitely at the top. Way at the top - like, Ithinkaboutiteveryday-at-the-top

But, just when I was about drown my sorrows with cheap wine and the Travel Channel the other day, I came upon an article on MSN.com which was pretty fantastic about pointing out to me just how thankful I should be about all I've seen already.


The article was entitled "Europe's Must-See Landmarks." And I was thinking, "Man, I bet, I've only gotten to see a few of these." Insert :( here.

But, really, I had seen 10/19. And that's pretty cool. No, that's really cool. So below, I've listed all of them for your own perusal, highlighting the one's that I've been lucky enough to visit.

(Not in any sort of particular order)

1) Eiffel Tower, Paris, France - Paris, je t'aime. My favorite memory? My dad's attempt at la langue francaise by walking up to the ticket window and telling the man at the window, "I would like trois for the top!" Good times.

2) Charles Bridge, Prague, Czech Republic - Good friends, really cold weather, and awesome photography on this Bridge. I still have a picture that I bought on it hanging in my apartment.

3) The Palace at Versailles, Versailles, France - Ugh, love that Hall of Mirrors! Rainy day, but my parents and I had the best time! The small chapel was probably my favorite room.

5) Buckingham Palace, London, England - Totally - great architecture, not as impressed with the changing of the guards as I thought I would be.

5) Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen, Denmark - Nope, but I would sure love to go there!

6) Puerto del Sol, Madrid, Spain - Unfortunately, never made it to Spain.

7) Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, Spain - See above

8) Hagia Sophia mosque, Instanbul, Turkey - Nuh uh, but this is near the top of my list - maybe next year I'll go to Instanbul and Budapest????

9) Notre Dame de Paris cathedral, Paris, France - We went to the Easter mass there - just incredible...it's such an undescribable place, I almost cried when we went in.

10) Red Square, Moscow, Russia - Since when is Russia part of Europe?

11) St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, Rome, Italy - Yes!!! Plus, I was there with friends on the day the Pope (John Paul II at the time) gave a blessing. Amazing, just amazing.

12) Piccadilly Circus, London, England - Actually cut through here everyday on my way to class.

13) Colosseum, Rome, Italy - Totes...even cooler in person, but give you the creeps to see where the slaves/animals were held.

14) Stonehenge, Wiltshire, England - Our whole program went out to see this monument. Unfortunately, you can no longer walk among the stones, because all of the footprints were softening the ground and causing the stones to shift slightly. But worth it, nonetheless.

15) Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany - Nope, but would love to!

16) Giants Causeway, ner Bushmills, Northern Ireland - Never made it past Dublin the weekend I was there - not enough time.

17) The Parthenon on the Acropolis, Athens, Greece - Sadly, the closest I've gotten is an obsession with Greek mythology and my 8th grade sugar cube replica.

18) Alhambra, Granada, Spain - See above one more time:)

19) Custom House, Dublin, Ireland - Saw it only from the outside, but that counts!

Well, there you have it, my friends. I've been really blessed to see all of these amazing places.

Not that I'll quit whining any time soon:)

It's a teeny tiny world

Bonjour tout le monde! Hier soir, j'ai mangé avec mes amis de mon classe francaise. Nous sommes allés au bon restaurant Lebanese...

Oh, uh, excuse-moi, I didn't mean to start in la langue francaise, but I've been speaking so much of it lately!! Très bon, n'est-ce pas?

So, on Tuesday, my French class met up at an amazing Lebanese restaurant on the near north side to speak French outside of class, so we wouldn't lose our skills by the time class gears up again at the end of June.

And really, I don't have anything wildly interesting to say about that night aside from two things that stand out:

1) We managed to speak nothing but French for over an hour - pretty exciting!

2) We chatted with our waiter for a bit (in English) and it turns out he was born in Baghdad, lived for awhile in Tehran, moved here several years ago, hasn't seen is family (still in Iraq) since 1982, and his sister was 5 when he left and he's only spoken to her one the phone since then. Oh, and he speaks Arabic, Assyrian, Persian, English, a little French, and understands Greek. I am continuously amazed by the people I meet in Chicago, from those I know well, to those I meet purely on accident. Our waiter was incredibly nice - he mentioned that he hopes things are changing now, and how he hopes to see his family eventually in the next few years. For the most part, aside from reading the news, I feel very separated from what happens in the Middle East, but everyone once in awhile, thanks to events like this, the magnitude of what is going on is brought home to me.

D'oh!

Um, so I've been tagged! See, it's funny because when I was little getting tagged sucked because that meant you had to freeze. 20 years later it means I blog!


Anyhoo, regardless of the fact I'm not even sure what a "memes" is, I'm going to follow Ms. Bossy's instructions and throw caution to the wind.


Rules: The rules of the game get posted at the beginning. Each player answers the questions about himself or herself. At the end of the post, the player then tags five people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog.


Ten Years Ago:
10 years ago, I was finishing my sophomore year of high school and my sis was graduating. I loved high school and was gearing up for a summer of 4-H and marching band, and finishing up a season of varsity tennis. Good times.


Five Things on Today's "To Do" List:
-Study for my French final tomorrow
-Hang curtains (or nail them to the wall, whatever)
-Conquer Microsoft Office 2007
-Buy a house-warming gift
-Finish my book (it's so good!)


Things I'd Do If I Were a Billionaire:
-Hire a financial manager
-Give some to the fam
-Move abroad
-Donate enough to Notre Dame to have a building named after me and call it "Hall Hall"
-Pay off student loans (hey, that's exciting!)
-Create a vault in my home and keep $10,000,000 of it in gold coins and roll around in it like Scrooge McDuck on DuckTales


Three Bad Habits:
-$2 slices of pizza from Cholie's
-Getting a library card, then buying books, and then forgetting about the library
-Watching movies 5x in one day...in a row


Five Places I've Lived:
Indianapolis, IN
Arlington, VA
London, England
Chicago, IL
Houston, TX


Five Jobs I've Had:
Associate, Building Materials Department, Menards
Waitress (multiple times)
House Manager
Box Office Manager,
Associate, Linens 'N Things


Five People I'm Tagging:
Sorry, the buck stops here, my friends.

The Velveteen Rabbit

When I lived in DC, I worked a second job at a Barnes & Noble. Don't snicker, I loved this job. So much fun. Getting to read releases before they were out to the public, talking to other people who loved books as much as I did, and enjoying the craziness that was my last night on the job - which happened to coincide with the release of the last Harry Potter book.

All of the employees had several things in common: all of us had at least one college degree, for most of us this was either a second job or helping to pay for a degree, we all loved books, and we all avoided working the children's section like it was the plague.

Okay, so a few dedicated souls actually liked the children's section. I was not one of them. I worked nights and weekends, and many parents acted like somehow we would baby-sit their kids if they left them there. Not so much.

So the several times I couldn't escape my manager fast enough, I would work in the children's section. And inevitably end up 80% annoyed and 20% nostalgic.

Why nostalgic you ask? Because I loved books and reading even as a child. My parents encouraged my sis and I to read from the start and I have great memories of the Berenstain Bears, The Story of Ferninand, Grimm's Fairy Tales, Katy No-Pockets, and The Country Bunny and the Little Golden Shoes, among many, many others.

But the other day, I was talking to a friend, and he mentioned a book that I get more and more sentimental about each year, and now I consider it one of my favorites, even though it used to practically bring me to tears when I read it.

Yes, I'm talking about The Velveteen Rabbit.

It has to be one of the best children's book's ever! Any bunny that is "fat and bunchy" is a cutie in my book. Especially one with a "sawdust heart." I mean, really.

Ach, but when the crappy doctor orders him to be burnt after the Boy has scarlet fever, even though the Bunny is all excited about going to the seaside - breaks your heart.

I mean, I know it ends well - the magic nursery fairy stops by and she makes it all better - she makes him Real, and then he sees the Boy the next year.

But it's those excrutiating paragraphs when you think the old Bunny might be burned are really emotional when you're little, but it makes the ending even better!

There's really no point to this blog except for the fact that, like the Bunny, we can easily forget about the stuff that we really liked when we were younger.

So which children's books did you all really like?