roller girl

P.S.

2010-05-22T12:10:00.004-04:00

P.S.
I've also been thinking about renaming/redoing The Roller Girl Blog. I feel like it's gotten a bit stale and that I could make it a bit more awesome.

I have some favorite blogs that I draw inspiration from: Cup of Jo, Design Sponge & Design is Mine are a few...

Future Blog Hints: Ambrosia on the Rocks. Ambrosia Blossoms. Poppy Seed Studios.

♥

TV Cozy

2010-05-22T11:33:00.004-04:00

I know it's been a while but I've been busy and while I could tell you lots of potentially boring/interesting things about my life happenings, I'd rather tell you about this amazing creation that I just can't get over!

It's a TV Cozy! A TV Cozy! TVs are so ugly, especially in a beautifully decorated room. And here's the solution! This image is of a Martha Stewart version but go to this link, it is so much cuter!

I want, I want! Just another thing to add my crafty inspirations.

♥

Tired of the Job Hunt

2010-03-17T15:18:00.004-04:00

I love you, The Littlest Birds, really I do - but you're not giving me enough hours. And my bills are squeezing me to death.

I have to find something to compensate, but Demand Studios editors can be such complete morons, making it really discouraging to write for a real income.

Job hunting is so fatiguing. I'm so sick of it. I've been doing it nearly constantly for almost three years now. I am so tired of it. When will my one real job come?

It's February! What a Month it is!

2010-02-07T12:23:00.015-05:00

February is a crazy month for me. It begins with Bastien's and mine 6th year anniversary on the 5th, then it jumps to crazy old valentines (validation) day, then skips on to one of my best bud's 25th bday on the 18th and then completes the month with my 25th bday on the 26th! Aye!

Right now in my life, I'm still considering lots of things because at the approach of my quarter-life crisis I know I still have plenty of time to contemplate. Here are some of the contemplations/plans:

-I'm still working at my most favorite place of employment ever, The Littlest Birds. I'm only working half-time right now because that's all the time they can give me...but...soon come I will be getting many more hours. Come August/September of this year I will be working nearly full-time when one of the owners moves. Her and her lovely spouse will be moving to go to grad school and I will get to take over her time. I am so excited and so privileged to get this opportunity to run a small, locally-owned business. I am also way impatient and would love for this to happen NOW! But patience is a virtue, I hear.

-I've been yearning to take some more classes. I am so in love with this Earth we live on and I want to do as much as I can for it. Despite this passion, I need to be more knowledgeable. I need to know some basic science, some basic scientific facts. I have never been a science kind of girl, but I really want to take some herbalism classes at the Appalachian School of Herbalism (so I can grow my own awesome garden and create my own beauty and cleaning products) and I want to take lots of environmental science, botany and ecology classes so I can be a better educated environmentalist. I'm starting to look at ways of doing that in Western NC.

-I want a car! Ack, I have a very deep love/hate relationship with the Asheville Transit System, the sweet thing. But I want a car. And even better, I'm thinking about getting a diesel car so I can use biodiesel to run it. That's right, ya'll - I want a vegetable car! ;) I'm thinking about getting a late 90's VW diesel car. It's pretty much my choice of a Mercedes or a Volkswagen, only. Not many other cars have diesel engines.

-Omg, beer! The beau, er, fiancé, and I have been brewing beer (well, mostly the beau). And we love it! And he loves it! I really do believe he has found his passion and his life path. Whew! So our plan, now? Create a microbrewery/restaurant. I won't give any more details on that plan right now. It's so juicy and delectable, but it still needs to do a bit of fermenting (ba-da-ching!) before more details are released. Let's just say I love to write business plans and I've already got a good start on this one.

-Oh man, I just have too many ideas and plans and desires, it's almost too much! Oh, and I have, like, no money. No money to save, no money to invest. Nada. Anyways, I would also like to have my own business where I sell handmade, handcrafted, preferably local, goods for the home. And of course I have a business plan written already. ;)

-I would also like to be an environmental constultant. Hence, the desire and need to take some environmental science classes. I figure I could hire myself out to plenty of people who need some practical and easy advice on taking steps to helping the Earth.

-Oh yes, I'm a bridesmaid. I'm one for the wonderful, soon-to-be-my-sister-in-law-in-just-over-a-year Lucie.

-And then I have a wedding of my own to plan. (Wow, did I really just say that? Good god.) But it will be lighter on the wedding planning and much heavier on the party/reception and the traveling/honeymoon planning. I've already got some ideas floating around in that lil' head of mine...like May 1st, courthouse wedding, big-arse party in a park/backyard/natural, outdoor setting with lots of friends and fam, family celebration in France and Corsica traveling afterward.

A lot, a lot. A lot that I like.
<3

Engaged!

2010-01-31T12:40:00.009-05:00

Yes, yes - it's true! Me and Bastien are engaged! It happened late Friday night on our way back to our apartment. Friday Asheville had a really good snowstorm and the after effects were beautiful. So after being in our apartment all day going a little stir crazy we decided to go on a lovely night snow walk. It happened then. And it was lovely.

Lovely.

Would you like to see the ring? Here it is:

And here is the link to the awesome handmade artist who made it. You should buy some stuff from him. I know I will buy Bastien's ring from him. And the ring was just the perfect fit for me.

And so now I'm engaged! Would you like to see the man I'm marrying? Here he is:

<3 <3 <3

Burrr Freezing Weather - Chill Out!

2010-01-04T11:19:00.005-05:00

It is so efffing cold here in Asheville these days. One can NOT wear enough clothing, socks, mittens, scarves and layers. Currently, the temperature has been staying around 3 or 4 degrees with this frigid-arse wind chill.

It's cold. So painfully cold!

Meanwhile - it's the beau's birthday today! The old fart is turning 27! So let's all get down and party because time goes fast!

<3

Mr. First Snow

2009-12-05T10:16:00.003-05:00

(From @h0zae)

It's the first snow of the season. And it could very possibly stick any moment now. The first snow is always the best.

And with hot chocolate, please.
<3

I Told You So

2009-11-21T15:12:00.009-05:00

Didn't I? Our computer is completely down and out. I have to use the one at work or go to the library to get on the internet. So big poo on that.

The good news? I'm pretty, pretty sure I'm getting a laptop for the Solstice season. So big yay to this!

Meanwhile, update:
Tuesday: O'Charley's potluck! Even though I had a terrible migraine for most of the day, once I saw our old neighbor Beth come inside, I felt much better! It was a bit overwhelming to host so many people (11 people total!), but everybody was so nice and the all the food was so good that it was all very nice and relaxing.
Wednesday: A good ol' Bastien and Amber night. Watched Band of Brothers series, ate some vegan recipes that I tried out from the "Kind Diet" book by Alicia Siverstone (she writes so adorably!) and just cuddled up on the couch together.
Thursday: Went to Boone w/the gals. Did a little shopping, a little me-time, some yummy veggie food at Portofino and then headed to a very bizarre show featuring Taking Back Sunday and the All American Rejects (who I found out is, unfortunately, one of the sleaziest, dirtiest male performers I think I've ever seen or heard).
Friday: Early drive back from Boone. Arrived to find my kitteh and lovah awaiting me. After a not-so-healthy lunch, the beau and I began our beer-making adventure! And, oh boy, was it an adventure! We were super careful about everything and making sure the brew didn't boil over - I think we may have some very toned arms after stirring the pot for over and hour straight! I left the beau and brew to have some girl time w/some other lovelies. Where, despite our immaculate planning, we arrived 5 minutes late to a showing of New Moon and found ourselves in a seating conundrum. After five minutes of frustration of not finding seats, I decided to sit by myself and let them sit together in the front row. Those had to be the worst seats ever. But I find that this movie was better than the first, Twilight.

Coming soon...
-Thanksgiving with the rents at our place (also, the first time we celebrate/host a holiday feast in our new apartment!!!)
-Black Friday at The Littlest Birds
-My path back to vegetarian/veganism.
-We got accepted for financial aid for the YMCA! We're going to be svelte so, so soon. ;)

<3

Dead Computer?!

2009-11-08T14:59:00.003-05:00

It just might be possible. So I may be even less frequent on this crazy, fast-paced electronic world. Meanwhile, isn't this beautiful?

<3

Wkend Recap: Post Sickness Fun

2009-11-02T05:22:00.005-05:00

Thursday: Stayed at home for the last day of a three-day run so that I could fully recuperate from the Sickness that had plagued me all week. It was a lazy day, it was a productive day.

Friday: Worked my last day at the B&B! Then came home to find that I had left my keys in the apt. Called to interrupt beau's Mela lunch so he could come let me in. After all this, we joined the beau's parent's and a French family friend (she lives in the same neighborhood as Johhny Depp in Paris![swoon]). We spent a fair amount of time walking around some of my favorite spots in downtown and having coffee. And then had the always delicious goulash and bread and cheese. Afterwards, we played some darts, smoked some hookah ("shouldn't you close the window - isn't this illegal?") and collapsed for sleep, precious sleep.

Saturday: Halloween! Worked at The Littlest Birds till 6. Got dressed in an old halloween costume (flapper!) while watched bemusedly the beau have costume identity issues (his final choice was a hot skull-faced woman). Spent the night at the Pocket, got drunk way too quickly, failed miserably at beer-pong and ended the night w/the best Waffle House experience ever (hashbrowns by candle-light).

Sunday: Worked at TLB till 4. Went to a potluck w/the beau that Alexandra was hosting and ate some unbelievable orzo salad, chicken pot pie and vegetarian pizza, among other yummy dishes. Also made a lovely spill of red wine on my favorite white shirt and cardigan. Then we went over to a co-worker of the beau's to pick up a sweet little kitty, named Tabitha. After a hilarious car ride back home we watched her explore the place and contemplated her replacement name (goulash, cinnamon, cardamon).

<3

Wkend Recap: Mountain Adventures & Parties

2009-10-26T06:33:00.001-04:00

Thursday: Worked at the B&B. Watched Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince at the Asheville Brew and View w/Steph, D & the beau. Had some yummy Ninja Porters.

Friday: The beau and I had a mountain adventure...but not like it sounds. We started our day in the hopes of making it to Mount Mitchell, the highest peak in the US east of the Mississippi. After eating at Asheville Pizza, we soon realized the day was much too foggy and rainy. So we continued on eastward. We stopped in Marion at a visitor's center and found a map and decided to venture to Johnson City, TN taking all back roads. So after taking many windy, old beautiful roads we made it to JC. We walked around the town and the beau's alma mater and remincsed about the days when we were still in college. We also stopped by the wonderful Acoustic Coffee House for some beer, tea and chips. As the sun began descending, we thought we'd head back home (the fast way). Back in Asheville! We then hung out w/Alexandra & Nik, where the girls throughly kicked the guys butt at both Trivial Pursuit and darts. Take that!

Saturday: Worked at The Littlest Birds. And instead of doing anything exciting, I just stayed at home and relaxed w/a cup of warm tea.

Sunday: Worked at The Littlest Birds till 4. Nik dropped off his cat, Gonzo, so he could make a visit to his parents in Chapel Hill. Next, we headed to the Mountain Xpress' Best of WNC party at the Orange Peel (The Littlest Birds won Best Kid's Clothing Store & the owners gave us the tix!). We had a blast filling our bellies from some the best restos in Asheville and listening to an amazing bluesy-rock teenage band, called Skinny Legs and All.

<3

Wkend Recap: Wine & Beer!

2009-10-19T06:02:00.002-04:00

Thursday: Worked at the B&B. I'm a little hazy now as to what happened on Thursday. ;)
Friday: Worked at The Littlest Birds (TLB) all day, my first time working on a Friday. It was a success! Hung out with the Heather and Sam. Ate at O'Charley's and visited our favorite sections of B&N, having good laughs in the Sexual Interest section. Came back home afterwards to watch the 2 most depressing episodes of Buffy to date.
Saturday: Worked at the B&B (and put in my 2ks notice of resignation!). Came home and passed out instead of doing anything productive. Dreamily woken up by the beau. Cleaned the apt, while the beau made goulash and we prepared ourselves for some new frenchies. The poop-face and his parents visited us and gave us a nice bottle of wine from the Biltmore Estate. We ate goulash, sipped on wine and tea and listened to the hilarious, but sad, airport stories from Jean-Marie. Afterwards, we had our first darts & liquor night. I won!
Sunday: Worked at TLB till 4. Hung out w/Alexandra at Asheville Pizza. Had two yummy Ninja Porters and a quesadilla. The food and the convo was super-excellent.

Some good laughs

2009-10-15T16:03:00.005-04:00

I bet you've heard of Lolcats, but have you heard of Fuck You, Penguin? Now this stuff is funny. It's also raunchy and somewhat offensive. But hilarious.

Wkly Recap: Lots o' Movies

2009-10-15T05:00:00.003-04:00

Monday: Yoga, Grove Arcade Copy Shop (w/the adorable older couple!) for forever trying to fax something to gas company, also forever on the phone w/the gas company trying to make them believe I am not the old tenet who lived here (who owes them money), The Littlest Birds blog work, made Squash soup and salad for me and beau (which was so delish but totally not enough of), watched Year One & our fav. Gossip Girl w/Steph.

Tuesday: Yoga, The Littlest Birds boutique work (lots of consignment organizing), grocery shopping (where we can't stay at our shopping limit!), the beau and I are really tired so we pick up a couple of pizzas and watch Vanity Fair, which was way too long and drawn out, by the way.

Wednesday: Worked at the Bed and Breakfast, came home to collapse but instead made food and prepared to make more food, beau then gets home so we go to my credit union to drop off some money and then we make a stop at Ingles for a movie, cough drops & some boxed wine (for us and for the stew we made), at home we made Beef Stew w/Mushrooms and watched Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. The stew turned out o.k. overall, but the movie was pretty bland.

Wkend Fun: Frenchies & Old Friends

2009-10-12T08:52:00.009-04:00

I really adore Lu's Weekend Recaps. So I thought I'd try a version of this:

Thursday: Worked at the B&B. Had a glorious shower and headed to TN to see the Gilots, Lu, Mitch & Eli & special guest Eliane, Alain & Rosine. Had a scrumptious meal of Morracan Cous Cous & Chicken + Banana Flan for desert. Followed by a French-dubbed version w/English subtitles of Chocolat (Johnny Depp just isn't the same in French) w/tea & petit gateau.
Friday: Wake up at 9:30 to have a petit dejuner w/the Frenchies. Good convo & translations. Talk about Wal-Mart, birds, dreams & bigger bugs in the U.S. A slow mid day of reading, catching up & lunch. Then back to NC where I worked at the bookstore (& gave them my 2wk. notice!). Ended the night w/some yummy Asian Chicken Noodle Soup (how I adore cilantro & ginger!) and listening to my stepdad (And the Address) on Asheville FM.
Saturday: Worked at The Littlest Birds until 6. Seba, the poop-face, visited. We ate at Universal Joint, where I had a yummy Blue Cheese & Bacon Burger and a Foothills Oktoberfest. Then we met up w/our old college friend Mary + her new beau + Nik at Hookah Joes. Ended the night w/trivial pursuit where poop-face kicked our bums.
Sunday: Worked at The Littlest Birds until 4. Then made some disastrous pork, mushroom & tomato pasta. Was super tired so I just stayed at home and watched old episodes of CW shows while the beau played pool.

<3

Week Recap: Sick Beau & Movies

2009-10-09T12:03:00.006-04:00

Monday: A day off to do lots of work. Got a whole bunch of papers together to get bills ready for next month. Have to start repaying my loans back. Got that ready & sent out. Filled out remainder of EBT forms. Just one more thing to find to send that out. Called gas company. They are going to start it on next Monday. Worked on The Littlest Birds blog and newsletter most of the day. Beaucoup computer fun.
Tuesday: Worked at The Littlest Birds til 4. Built a mini grocery stand for them. Broke a whole bunch of boxes and got recycling ready to be taken out. Moved some furniture w/the girls to rearrange the store. Went over blog ideas. Voted in local elections. Did laundry & went to W. Asheville market to buy some local produce and meat. Had raclette with the beau. Watched There's Something about Mary. I'd forgotten how funny it is.
Wednesday: My candidates won! :) Worked at the B&B until 3ish. The beau is sick, stayed at home all day. I cuddle up with him and take care of his sick self. We make Minestrone (his mom's version). So delish w/the local pork, carrots and tomatoes! Watched W. Not a bad film for such a bad subject matter. ;)

<3

12 things

2009-09-30T05:53:00.001-04:00

(Source.)

Right now:

1. I'm soaking in the sun rays in our new apt. & trying to get warm from this solely.
2. I'm listening to Dr. Awesome on AshevilleFM. They embody community organizing and community radio.
3. I'm filling out our EBT form so we can get another 6 months worth of food stamps. This has been so helpful to us the past 6 months and we continue to need assistance.
4. I'm working on creating a blog for The Littlest Birds. I'm so enjoying working for them.
5. I'm reading about the Women's Expo that's coming on Oct. 8th to Asheville. This may be some good source of publicity for The Littlest Birds.
6. I'm smelling the to go box of food I purchased from Nine Mile not long ago. I ate their w/the stepdad & I thought it'd be nice for the beau to have some, too.
7. I'm closing our door and trying to cover the broken window b/c it's entirely too cold in this apartment.
8. I'm thinking about warming up in the new organic cotton sheets my parents bought us as a housewarming gift. So soft!
9. I'm excited about the hair cut I'll be receiving on Sunday at Blue Ribbon. I get 20% off & they serve PBR!
10. I'm concocting tonight's meal.
11. I'm downloading Cool Edit so I start recording for TGR again.
12. I'm so using the same format Lu did in one of her recent posts.

<3

The Littlest Birds

2009-09-13T06:19:00.001-04:00

(Originally posted on Lu-n-Am)

(Source.)

This is the home of my latest job. And I love it. Such cuteness all around. Let me give a small tour of the lovely place.

Name: The Littlest Birds
Owners: Sonja & Allison
What: An organic and natural baby boutique.
Sells: Organic and locally-made clothing; baby carriers and slings; safe baby bottles & such; natural baby shoes; safe, lead and bpa-free baby toys; consignment clothing & such; natural cloth diapers; and lots more!

Some great brands they carry:
Simple Shoes
Livie & Luca
Ergobaby
Maya Wraps
Under The Nile
RolyPoly
Grimms Toys
Plans Toys
Born Free
Bum Genius
Happy Heiny

Newness

2009-08-31T13:43:00.008-04:00

(Source)

New job!

The Littlest Birds: organic baby boutique in W. Asheville. (More deets found here.)

New apartment!

A 2 bed/1bath w/a huge kitchen and lots of light! (Pictures soon to come.)

<3>

Why you should hire me

2009-08-25T05:49:00.001-04:00

(Weheartit.)

I have written for:
-The Echo
-Search Placement's clients (includes more than 50 websites)

I currently write for:
-Demand Studios

I have done work for:
-The Mountain Xpress
-The Global Report

I have written:
-Press Releases
-News Articles
-Feature Articles
-Opinion
-Movie Reviews
-Product Reviews
-Guides

You can find more of my work at:
-Lu-n-Am
-Rainbow
-Roller Girl

<3

The Apt Sleuth

2009-08-24T10:12:00.004-04:00

(Weheartit.)

I'm on the apartment hunt.

My partner in crime is the beau.

What we're looking for:
A 1-2 bedroom apt. in the downtown/Montford area w/lots of light and a shower.

We have less than 30 days to find one and move out of our current apartment. It's the Final Countdown and we could use all the help we can find.

If you know of anything, please contact me by email.

<3

esty is always cute

2009-08-15T11:21:00.009-04:00

Getting lost on Etsy is one of my favorite ways to lose time.

LittleBirdDesigns:

Polka Dots Big Person's Tote

Auntie Cookie Tissue Hugger

Animal Parade Crayon Roll

Oh, Wilmington

2009-08-13T06:00:00.000-04:00

(Source.)

Going on another freaking summer trip, and I cannot believe it! So many beach trips this summer, I can't believe I'm actually affording everything in my life right now. (And that's why I need you to hire me to be your writer! Find out more about it here or here orr here!)

This time, it's the beachy area of Wilmington that is calling me. One of my best buds from way back when is celebrating her 24th and she wants to do it in beacharific style. So the end of next week, you'll find me tanning in, hopefully, sunny Wilmington!

<3

Won't you give me a job?

2009-08-11T15:50:00.003-04:00

I can write. And when I'm really into it, I can really write well, even. I can write about anything and everything. I have written about nearly everything. Aw, come on now - don't you want me to write for you?
<3

Ridunk Charleston

2009-08-05T08:04:00.001-04:00

I've been back home for three days since returning from Charleston, SC and it was a super-ridunk trip. I went w/my partner-in-blog-crime, the loverly Lu, along w/my beau, Lu's beau, and friends Nik & Sebastien.

Some highlights:

Smush five people into one car and add their camping gear, etc. and you get a very interesting car four-hour car ride. (Sebastien joined us later.)
I sacrificed my flesh for the rest of the group (I, em, didn't put on bug repellent the 1st night - big mistake), therefore my feet flesh were in pain....& are just now healing.
Lots of scattered thunderstorms made for delightful after-rain air.Two beach visits. Perfect temperatures for wave-jumping. Perfect wind conditions for finding sand in your private spots a week later.
Visited the oldest tree in the US. The Angel Oak is over 1,500 years old. Gorgeous.
Toured the oldest building in South Carolina - a creepy-arse prison. At one point it held 1,000 soldiers during the civil war. With the use of flashlights and a camera, we had fantabulous times entertaining ourselves after the sun went out.Also, if you want Lu's version of the events: here's Lu's recap of the trip.
<3

i want to be an herbalist

2009-07-17T22:27:00.006-04:00

(Source.)

I want to feel the cool velvety earth in my hands. I want to pluck flowers and brew them. I want to help people feel better and live better. I want to be an herbalist.

Asheville has (at least) four schools that teach herbalism/medicinal herbal healing:
-Appalachia School Of Holistic Herbalism
-Blue Ridge School of Herbal Healing
-Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine
-Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts

I want to learn their ways.

<3

Bookworm

2009-07-06T06:04:00.001-04:00

(Source.)

I've been on a book-reading rampage lately and it's been lovely. More than lovely, actually - spectacular. Here's what been keeping me away from the blogging world:

Recently finished:
-Eat Pray Love (Elizabeth Gilbert) This was excellent! Very female-oriented. I connected so well with the author.
-The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (Mary Ann Schaffer) I adore this book. I loved the characters. I wanted to be their friends.
-Kite Runner (Khaled Hosseini) It was so serious but so good. Definitely a tearjerker.
-Water for Elephants (Sarah Gruen) This was also excellent, loved the ending. And I loved the characters and story.
-Me Talk Pretty One Day (David Sedaris) His short stories always give you a laugh. A native of North Carolina. I found out he had visited Asheville just a couple of days before I finished the bk.
-Witch of Portobello (Paulo Coelho) He writes beautifully. And all of the stories I've read by are very spritual and female-based.
-By the River Pierdo I Sat Down and Wept (Paulo Coehlo) This is a short one. Female-based and very spiritual.

Currently reading:
-Delicate Edible Birds (Lauren Groff) This is great so far. Her short stories are serious and deep and her characters go through a lot.
-Haunted (Chuck Palanuik) I haven't gotten very far in this at all so I can't say how I like it yet.
-Why Him? Why Her? (Helen Fisher) I am just skipping through this book because of curiousity about myself and my beau. It's an interesting take so far. You start out with a survey to find what type you are. The beau and I are both "Negotiators/Explorers."
-The Angel's Game (Carlos Ruiz Zafon) I love this one so far. It's very sexy and sultry. I think it's going to be a seductive thriller.

Books waiting to be read shortly:
-A Thousand Splendid Suns (Khaled Hosseini) I am highly anticpating this one. The Kite Runner was so good, and Lulu has told me she likes this one even more than the first.
-Hitler's Niece (Ron Hansen) The beau has encouraged me to read this one. It's a take of the Nazi regime through his neice, whom Hitler, according to this book, was in love with.
-Shopaholic Takes Manhattan (Sofie Kinsella) This should be a short and sweet read. I read Confessions of a Shopaholic, which was silly but not too badly written and so, so much better than the movie version.

Hopefully, I've enlightened you on a some books and inspired you to open a few of these and, as Ariel says, explore a whole new world!

<3

What's up

2009-06-30T22:15:00.009-04:00

(Source.)

It's been nearly a month since I've last written and while I could say that lots has happened or that nothing at all has happened, saying either would be a lie. But here is what is up, actually:

-The Great City Search: The beau and I have been looking at cities around the eastern part of the country, considering where we'd like to move next. Our requirements: have a college w/an environmental studies program, have a French teaching position, be awesome like Asheville or close to it, and not be too, too far away from our families. The candidates? Charleston, SC, Pittsburgh, PA, Nashville, TN, Athens, GA, Washington, DC and Raleigh, NC.

-A second job: At a bed and breakfast! I love it. It's a good pay. It's a good workout. The owners and other housekeepers are awesome. They have a doggy. And I actually work! (Way different from my bookstore job.) Plus, there are tips! ;)

-TGR: I'm getting more involved in The Global Report again. Formally the Asheville Global Report, TGR is now has at least three formats. These are online, a wkly. video broadcast, and a wkly. podcast. This time around I'm helping with the podcast. Having my voice recorded and hearing it podcasted is weird beyond all imagination.

-Reading lots of books: So many. I'll write a post soon about all the books I've been reading lately.

-Spending mucho time w/friends, in prepartion for my eventual departing of Asheville: to outdoor theatres, house parties, movie marathons, dance parties, local restos, the great outdoors, bbqs, dinner gatherings, and general goodtimes.

<3

Kite Runner

2009-06-04T11:19:00.001-04:00

I'm reading the Kite Runner currently. So far, it's absolutely brilliant and heart-breaking. It's a must-read.

Posted via web from Amber's posterous

off to the beach for a while!

2009-05-14T10:46:00.005-04:00

I shall be going to the beach in a very short few days! I am very much excited (despite the fact, it's putting me a debt a wee bit). I need a break from worrying about finding a job. I am terribly, terribly sick of it. I really do have so many talents, and I am just wasting away searching for someone who will take a chance on me. So that's why it's the time for the beach! Now!

(Via flickr.)

Nevertheless, I will be taking my laptop with me (I am so literally & pitifully addicted to my online existence) and so my mind will not be very far away from the online universe.

Also, I will be making mucho efforts to be as earth-friendly as possible while on the trip. To read about how I'm going to do this click on over here to read my Lu-n-Am post about this.

Much love!
Bisous!
<3

Local & Organic: Nine Mile

2009-05-12T11:54:00.001-04:00

via lu-n-am.blogspot.com

Posted via web from Amber's posterous

AVL Gal-Tweetup @ the SkyBar

2009-05-09T10:33:00.001-04:00

Looks like I missed out on a good thing...

Posted via web from Amber's posterous

searching for a mother's day gift...

2009-05-01T13:22:00.001-04:00

via etsy.com

...would my mom actually wear this or is it just something i'd LOVE to wear?

Posted via web from Amber's posterous

Some pics for soothing the eyes

2009-04-05T21:27:00.010-04:00

Since I have not posted on my sweet lovely blog in what seems ages, I will dedicate this post to your viewing pleasure:

(weheartit.)

I'll be back!

2009-03-23T06:36:00.005-04:00

(Source.)

I'd like to not say this but I've got to take a short break from here. It should be just a week. I've got to get my life a bit more organized. Have to find me a job - or some source of income. So bye for now, but not for forever in the least.

<3

Lost my glasses

2009-03-21T06:44:00.005-04:00

...and it sucks. I've been without them for over a week now. And this isn't the first time, either. And I don't have any contacts right now - nor the money for them. Well, technically, I do have one pair of contacts chilling in solution but I don't think I should wear them (one has a crack in it).

(Source.)

So basically I've been going around in a haze-daze for about 10 days. I probably shouldn't even be writing right now. Oh well, it will have to do until I can afford to go the eye doctor again. C'est la vie.

<3

Neko Case

2009-03-20T06:44:00.006-04:00

When I started my time at college, back in 2003, I was introduced to a whole plethora of amazing music I had never heard before. And I am so thankful for this intro. If I was still listening to only top 40 still...gah, I would be a boring person.

(Source.)

One artist I was introduced to was Neko Case. Although I never followed her during my college years, I have recently began listening to her new album, Middle Cyclone. And so far, I'm hooked. It's mellow with good lyrics, and I always love adding another favorite female to my daily listening.

"Maybe Sparrow" [not from her new album]:

<3

A little bit about the beau

2009-03-19T06:44:00.007-04:00

Meet The Beau:
The basics:
~Age: 26
~Eyes: Big, big blue eyes. Blue mostly, but sometimes changes to a blue-green mix.
~Hair: Dark brown. It changes length all the time. But he looks yummy when it's a bit longer and shaggy (and with a beard, please!).
~Height: A little taller than me, which isn't saying much b/c I'm basically a munchkin.
~Weight: Scrawny-arse, but w/the beginnings of a beer belly (but don't tell him I told you that).
~Occupation: Currently works 1 day/wk. as a server. He's student teaching (becoming a French teacher in May!) so he has no time to work, really.
~Hobbies: Pool, games, darts, being a beer connoisseur, reading The Wheel of Time, and cooking.

The beau, if you don't know already, is French. He moved to the U.S. with his family when he was 11. He's the brother of Miss Lulu. He graduated from ETSU in 2006 with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and French. He's now attending UNCA, just 2 months shy of getting his teaching license in French. He's extremely friendly and full of energy. He's a huge lover of games (and dogs, too) - any and everything...board games, video games, bar games, sports, etc. He has an eclectic collection music, but his current musical obsession is Europe (mostly for their phenomenal The Final Countdown). He loves having people over and impressing them with his awesome cooking skills and beer knowledge.

<3

The Wheel of Time

2009-03-18T06:43:00.003-04:00

Although, I tend to read multiple books at a time (I'm going to go to the library today to pick up some books by Anais Nin that I've had on hold for a while), lately I've been absorbed by the series The Wheel of Time, by Robert Jordan.

(Source.)

I started the series back in the beginning of 2008 (I think!?), and now I'm on the fifth book, The Fires of Heaven. I'm racing through it and wouldn't be surprised if I finished it just after the beginning of the next month. They are quite hefty books. Book Four, The Shadow Rising, was 20 pages shy of 1,000 pages, and book five is just 20 pages shorter than book four.

There are 12 books in the series and a prequel (which I recently bought for just 5 bucks!). Similar to The Lord of the Rings, The Wheel of Time is incredibly detailed and the story lines are woven expertly. I highly recommend trying a read of the series - the reading will never end!

<3

Feeling Crafty

2009-03-17T06:03:00.009-04:00

I've been feeling super crafty lately. I think it mostly has to do with not having a job and therefore having copious amounts of time laying around to play with.

This crafty feeling has permeated my life to the extent that just the other day I made a list (big surprise!) of all the things I want to make and eventually sale on Etsy (and any other place I can find). Here's a sampling of the list (I won't torture you with the whole list - it was over 2 pages long!):

-Bar Soaps (for hands, body, face, hair, etc.)
-Candles (Soy and Beeswax)
-Cleaners (for laundry, dishes, all-purpose, etc.)
-Bags (grocery, tote, purses, laundry, etc.)
-Slips (for ipods, laptops, various portable electronics, etc.)
-Hair Accessories (clips, barrettes, headbands/wraps, etc.)
-Jewelry (necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets, brooches, etc.)
-Clothing (dresses, skirts, blouses, coats, undies, bathing suits, etc.)

Enough, maybe? Hardly. :)

(In addition to using my time for crafty things, I've also spent many hours writing for my blogs and trying to connect socially - via the internets. If you haven't noticed I've a had a plethora of posts on my other two blogs: Lu-n-Am & Je Suis Un Rainbow.)

<3

Passion Pit

2009-03-16T07:43:00.002-04:00

Crazy little band I just discovered through Tumblr (I started an account just yesterday)...

Passion Pit. I've now listened to "Cuddle Fuddle" and "Sleepyhead." They're kinda a strange band with the singer's high-pitched whiny voice. But I guess that's what I like. Here's a video of "Sleepyhead" :

Oh, and they're kinda hot, too. Always a good combo (hot+musician).

<3

Creating Meals for the Week

2009-03-08T06:33:00.003-04:00

Something I've started doing lately - so that the beau and I can not only shop smarter but also eat healthier - is looking at recipes during the week and rounding up a list of needed ingredients for our next shopping trip. That way we know what we're eating the next week and we know that we've spent our grocery money on food that we won't waste.

(Source.)

The two sites I've used so far are the Greenlife Grocery recipes and Cooking Light.

This week I've decided on:
-Quick Pizza Margherita
-Lemon-Shallot Scallops
-Lemon-Basil Chicken w/Basil Aioli
-Shrimp Florentine w/Caramelized Garlic
-Chunky Vegetarian Chili
-Beef & Vegetable Kebabs

Sounds delish, doesn't it?
<3

Job Hunt Fatigue

2009-03-07T06:45:00.004-05:00

I've been on the job hunt for so long now. I'm so tired of it. And most days, I just sit around looking at pretty pictures and blogs instead of being tirelessly in pursuit of a job. In a word, it's simply depressing. Depressing to be looking, looking & looking but not even being considered.

(Source.)

I did have an interview with this awesome non-profit organization, TACF, on Tuesday that I have high hopes for, but other than that there are no prospects. I had an interview with A Faraway Place last week, but even though I thought the interview went well, they never ended up calling me. So when I took the situation into my hands and called them, they told me I didn't have enough retail experience. Seriously? I have an effing Bachelor's Degree. Do you think I really need more retail experience? Argh.

So that's my rant, for now. If you know of any jobs out there, then please send them my way! Thnx.
<3

Montford Books & More

2009-03-06T06:16:00.005-05:00

Formally, The Reader's Corner, Montford Books & More is a sweet little used book and record (& coffee!) shop located just a 10 minute walk from my apartment. Everyone loved it when it was the Reader's Corner. And everyone should love it this time because the only difference is it's name (and the addition of the coffee).

(Source.)

I know I love it! I'm going to go there today, to drool over their records so I can begin creating a real nice record collection. :)
<3

Ready to shop?

2009-03-05T06:10:00.006-05:00

I received some awesome gifts for my birthday this year. Among them, 2 $50 gift certificates. One, to True Blue, the nicest art shop, ever. And the second to the Earth Guild, the raddest craft shop, this side of the Mississippi. My mom has got to be the best mom out there.

(Source.)

Now that I have "$100" burning in my pocket, I have to spend it, right?! Probably...it's not like, they are going to gain interest or anything. But I do need to be careful, art & craft supplies are usually pricey so I need to reassess my stash before I head out. Some things I'm thinking about "yoinking":

-Pretty yarn
-Some pastels (I love how they feel to work with.)
-Soy wax (for candle making)

Who knows...I'll probably get there and end up buying half the store at each place. Eep!
<3

Oh, Abe, you're making me blush!

2009-03-04T06:49:00.001-05:00

I received my federal tax refund on Monday and celebrated all day! On top of it all, Monday was a snow day for the beau so we had to untie our shoes and act a little irresponsible. ;) I went with the beau to Nine Mile and we ate & drank to our little hearts' content.

(Hello, Mr. President...[source].)

Later on, we hopped over to Greenlife, picked up some yummy and (slightly) healthier-than-usual pizza, chips & dip. We came back home, put on our couch potato clothes and watched one of the stupidest movies ever - The Animal - on Netflix. Honestly, I do not recommend it.

It was a fun day, but one that will not be repeated soon...I must save money for a beach trip in April & our trip to Quebec this summer (w/Lu & her beau!). Nevertheless, mad props to our man Abe (Obama!) for "stimulating" our economy. He can stimulate me, anytime. ;)
<3

I <3 Harry Potter

2009-02-28T06:01:00.004-05:00

Who doesn't? Not many, I'd say. Right now I'm doing some computer errands and listening to Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows on CD. I'm way super-excited about the next Harry Potter movie coming out in July, Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince. This is probably my second favorite book, the Deathly Hallows being my favorite. But this movie should be soooo goooood. With LOTS of interesting twists and turns that I refuse to spoil for anyone who hasn't read the book.

(So I basically teared up watching this. Ridiculous, I know, but I am a convert for sure.)

One part of the excitement comes from my friends' excitement. We are going to have a Harry Potter movie-watching marathon the weekend before the next movie comes out. Gah, can you imagine 8 hours of Harry Potter?! Yes, yes, yes! ;)

So basically, I'm saying if you haven't read/watched/listened to the Harry Potter series then get off your lazy butt & get started because they are amazing. Waaaaay better than the Twilight series [oh yeah, I said it ;)].

<3

bonne anniversaire pour moi!

2009-02-27T06:30:00.001-05:00

It was my birthday yesterday. I had beaucoups and beaucoups of fun. The festivities included lots of champagne, chips & dip, the little mermaid, gypsy music & bindis, handmade pizzas, bbq chicken sandwiches, real corn cornbread, spicy mac & cheese, twitter chatter, so much wine & beer, keds shoes, dainty undies, gift talks, craft talks, FigsandGinger, baked beans & mouth-watering made from scratch red velvet cupcakes.

(The only picture from the night. A silly one, indeed.)

It. Was. Wonderful. My first organized little potluck turned out quite well indeed. And the fun isn't over. I'm going out w/the beau tonight to Table. Having lunch with my parents on Sunday & (I think) getting a stereo receiver so I can FINALLY play some sweet albums on my sweet record player. Oh! And some new clothes, as I so desperately need some jeans without huge, gaping holes. ;)

24 isn't so bad, I think.
<3

for the love the old

2009-02-12T07:13:00.002-05:00

I love, love, love vintage items. Well, sometimes they are so good they are bad, but I love it when they're so good that they are cute. Some of my dream thrift items include antique phones, record players and records, typewriters, and kitchenware. At the blog Thriftaholic I found a whole bunch of really awesome thrifted items that I want to decorate my entire dream home with.

Like this phone...
Or this cake carrier...

Or this casserole dish...
To look at more drool-worth thrift items visit their blog.

<3

love is a many

2009-02-11T07:40:00.000-05:00

I've been reading William S. Burroughs lately & thinking about using "his" cut-up method.

Snowflakes are falling.
But they will not stick.
People are a talking.
But they will not win.

As the days escape me
and my life falters,
I wonder what
could have been.

Living stagnant
is technically
living is it, not?

"love is a many"-therollergirl

jobless

2009-02-07T13:00:00.006-05:00

omg. omg. omg.

(From creaturecomforts.)

i need a job. i need a job. i need a job.

please give me one. :(

*can i be a professional blogger? i'd like to be.*

<3

what cha' doin'?

2009-02-04T09:11:00.001-05:00

What's been going on "dans ma vie":

Listening to - GirlTalk:

Reading: Wheel of Time # 4, Breaking Dawn & The Audacity of Hope.

(Cue the Beatles-mania-esque screams.)

Doing: Applying for jobs. I have a part time job, but dear lord, I need mo' money! I'd love to have my old regular job back, making $10/hr. and being able to work from my apt.

Creating: Writing some, actually. Ideas for more ideas for more ideas. Ecetera, ecetera.

Planning: Going on some trips, if I ever get a better job. Where to? One friend wants to go to Myrtle Beach (eek) and another wants to go on a train trip to Portland Oregon (yes!), but the beau and I are seriously thinking about a 3-wk trip to the northeast/Quebec, which is exciting and should give me more inspiration to find a good-paying job - stat.

Ciao, loves!
<3

getting on the wagon

2009-01-18T15:17:00.012-05:00

So I've been busy trying to get my butt in gear to get another job. I've put posts on Craigslist, the Mountain Xpress, and Digital Point offering my writing services. I've applied to many jobs. And I've been tweaking my resume and cover letters.

Right now, I'm at the "in-laws" relaxing and it feels so good, but it doesn't mean that I should be lax about searching for something better in the job arena.

I met up with a friend on Friday and she's always great for inspiration and for giving me ideas for pursuing my goals and interests. A couple of suggestions were: to create a business card and hand it out at networking gatherings, to attend Green Drinks and to look at magazines and papers' ads & call up companies I'm interested in to see if they could possibly be hiring.

(Sounds yummy, fun and useful, no?)

So that's what I've been doing during these relaxing hours. I've also been trying to get the bf in gear to do the same thing. He's currently student teaching, but he could really use some better organization skills and should really reconnect with important and relevant connections. So I've been doodling a business card for him, and I also set up a gmail account for him.

Steps in the right direction? I think so.

Any more ideas? I'd love to hear them!
<3

the happy, happy, happy, happy things

2009-01-04T21:59:00.000-05:00

Maybe it's just me, or maybe it's the combination of vodka and ibuoprofen (this comes from a combo of the holiday spirit and being on my period), but I am especially happy right now and in this happy moment I would like to go over the things that are making me so happy right now.

1. Being with the people I love. This has been quite a roller coaster year for me. From the split with my ex, to the moving in with my best friend and her mom, to the reconciliation with my ex and moving back in, it's been one hell of a ride. Therefore, this is a great time to just relax and think about the good things in life with the people I love.

Really, in a nutshell, this is it. When it all boils down...in essence...yes, this is it. So be happy. As the Dalai Lama says - our purpose in life is to be happy (yes, I've been in a Dalai Lama phase lately, which I don't want to get out of). So be happy. Happy.

<3

have a holly jolly christmas

2008-12-24T12:47:00.002-05:00

Le sigh...I love being off of work and with my most beloved friends and family. I love spending the holidays with my bf's family. I love dis french family. And do I ever love the french food. (I wish I could show you how much I am drooling right now! Wait, no, I don't. But I do wish you could smell the food - then you'd be drooling.)

In the spirit of this season, I'd like to wish everyone out there a very happy, pleasant and warm holidays (whichever you are celebrating is up to you).

(Photo courtesy of mercurian.)

Please, relax for a while, with your family and friends and enjoy the peaceful, happy times.
<3

tis the season

2008-12-22T00:22:00.006-05:00

I've been super busy lately. I've been working like an ox (well, this is my Chinese astrological sign...) at the bookstore, buying presents, making presents, wrapping them all up, making pretty decorations for the apt (so it can look remotely festive and femme), packing, moving and unpacking, preparing for three festive days, and cuddling with my love.

(Droolicious. Photo courtesy of juliedesmeules.)

So these are the things have kept me away from my ole woman (i.e. my blog!). But all in all, they are good things, and I am thankful for it all when it comes down to it. So when you feel like absolute poop and you think you couldn't be more irritated/angry/fill-in-the-negative-feeling - sit down, breathe and think about everything good in your life, the people that love you. It makes all the negativity slip away. :)

<3

adora-ble

2008-12-08T10:52:00.005-05:00

In helping out the beau (yes, he's the beau, again) look for French teaching resources, I discovered an awesome site for teachers called TeacherTube. While browsing this informative site I stumbled upon a young writer. This girl is Adora-ble.

Named Adora, she has already written many books, stories and poems just at the age of nine. She also teaches writing workshops and holds video conferences. Reading her blog is fantastic. She sounds much older than she is. And she is a delight to read. I found myself with my mouth open, with laughter at the edge of my mouth, disbelieving she could be so young and write with such personality.

I know this is pretty random. But it is such an inspiration to read about Adora and to read the writings of Adora. To be so young and so accomplished is great. Humbling. Inspiring. I think I'm going to write now and get some other things done. I am nearly three times her age and I haven't written a single book. I've got some catching up to do. ;)
<3

a day in the life of Asheville, NC

2008-11-26T02:09:00.002-05:00

I was tagged (a long, long, long time ago) by the languorous lulu to describe a day in _(fill in the blank) through mostly pics and a little words. So here we go: A day in the life of Asheville, NC (my hometown).

Bicycles, Coffee & Laptops

A small city of just over 70,000, a morning in Asheville is filled with bicyclists, coffee shops & laptops. You can find numerous coffee shops with both hippies and techies populating the small and smokey joints throughout Asheville, where all the coffee houses tout the best organic, fair-trade and shade grown coffee and tea.

Activism & Progressives

Asheville is a melting pot of different people and various ideas and cultures. Although the city is not very ethnically diverse, the range of ideas and events found in Asheville come from all parts of the world and times. You will often see a parade of protesters go through the town chanting or see them sitting silently by the city's war monument in protest or support of some challenged cause.

Books, Arts & Crafts

The city of Asheville is also known for all types of artists flocking to the city and the surrounding areas. We have many shops that sell sweet arts and crafts goods, as well as ones that hold classes on subjects ranging from weaving to jewelry making. We also have an awesome River Arts District, which homes a variety of artists, galleries and studios.

Indie & Folk Bands & Beer

I like to end my days in Asheville by sipping on my current favorite microbrew, the Wedge Gollem, while playing pool, shooting darts, or while listening to a local band in one of the many pubs or music venues around the town. If I'm not in the mood to go out, then renting a movie and getting cozy at home is the next best option.

One Other Tidbit:

*Asheville LOVES their dogs (and cats, too). They can be found in many places around the city...like our workplaces, video stores, craft stores, and bakeries. For cats, just look around our bookstores.

Voila! Un jour dans Asheville, NC!
Until next time.
<3

love it!

2008-11-21T17:32:00.000-05:00

I just found this sweet, sweet blog. I think it's one of those sites that just sits perfectly with me. Plus, I'd like to think, I can relate to the writer. The blog is called Loving/Living/Small.

It's about this chica who has great style and taste and who lives in a small apartment. She writes about living small but with a good eye for organization, details and design. Although she is about to move into a slightly bigger place, she is still going to live in a smaller area and so will still be able dish about living lovely in a small amount of space. It's definitely worth checking out. She's got a fabulous life and a fabulous eye.

<3

new fav. band!

2008-11-18T22:23:00.001-05:00

Here's the latest I've been listening to. They are called Deerhoof:

I discovered them at the printing shop I'm interning at. They've done some posters for them and we were listening to them the other day when we were working.

Also, a really cool side note: a coworker of mine at the print shop is in this awesome local band, named Menage. You may recognize their tune "Tomatoes" - it's actually used in a Hunt's tomato commercial:

Funny, I actually saw the band play a couple of years ago. Who knew I'd be working with one of them years later? :)

16 random things

2008-11-12T13:23:00.095-05:00

So, I have been tagged by the lovely Kimberly to write about 16 random things. Here are the rules: Once you’ve been tagged, you have to write a note with 16 random things, shortcomings, facts, habits or goals about you. At the end choose 16 people to be tagged, listing their names and why you chose them.

1. Growing up, I have wanted to be a painter, a vet, a paleontologist, a fashion designer, a linguist, a history professor, an environmental educator and a specialty boutique owner. I have finally decided to combine my many loves and to pursue becoming a DIY/craft/green living designer, educator and shop owner.

2. When applying to colleges in high school, I choose to not apply to my then dream school Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) because I was afraid that I was neither talented nor rich enough to go there (in 2001, their tuition already reached over 30 grand/yr.). The irony of it all, is that I went to a college that cost me just a mere 10 grand less than SCAD and was my last choice of schools. I do not regret going to Warren Wilson College, but I do wish I had applied to SCAD. Since then, I try to never let my fears or doubts rule my decisions.

3. I love ruffles, lace; delicate, feminine objects; softness; a sense of whimsy; dark, rich fall colors; bright, light, airy colors; light clothing and layers in the cold months; flow, twirl, ease; a strange balance between graceful ease & clumsiness; eeriness, sunshine; dirt, trees, enchanted forests; the slow crash of waves with a sea breeze.

4. I am partial to female singers and bands ---> Regina Spektor, Feist, Kate Nash, Lily Allen, Blondie, Le Tigre, CSS, M.I.A., Santagold.

5. Yet, I am prefer male teachers/professors. It is unfortunate to say this, but from what I've experienced, female teachers are more lax about deadlines, about structure or they are too mothering, too soft, to timid. I hate to talk about stereotypes, but for the vast majority of my female teachers, they have been this way. I can be a stickler for sticking to deadlines and structure, so that is why I prefer this kind of teacher. I can name only two female teachers who broke this trend and who I loved, while I can name more male teachers.

6. I also tend to love guitar gods (I adore a good rift), British rock bands, French folk, pop & rap music, and indie musicians ---> Jimi Hendrix, Tom Morello, The Doors, Rolling Stone, Beatles,

7. While I do LOVE deadlines, due dates, scheduling, organization and structure, I do need & take many healthy doses of spontaneity, creativity, coloring outside the lines, and breaking of the rules. I do despise authority, strangely.

8. I am very good with writing a lot of information (especially when it's about the things I love), but (thankfully) I am quite good at editing and being brief (but only when it is absolutely required). I used to be the queen of redundancy and repetition; now I know how to cut out all the unnecessary stuff and stick to the bare minimum. Bye-bye adverbs and synonyms.

9. If you haven't noticed already, I also love parentheses and semi-colons. But I stay away from exclamations points at all costs in my more serious writing (i.e. almost everything but messaging).

10. While I don't think I'm stuck up or elitist, I do admit I can be a bit of a snob about some, er, many things...like...music, grammar, wine, beer, cheese, bread, coffee, books, and movies.

11. I want to be as self-sufficient, sustainable & DIY, yet in a communal living sort of way, as possible. I am on a mission to find out how to do everything myself. And then tell everyone else how to do it. I hope for people can be less reliant on corporations and more reliant on themselves and their community(s).

12. I ADORE Eastern culture: religions, philosophies, techniques, remedies, healing, medicines, living...the list goes on. I've been interested in Buddhism for quite a while now, but over the years I've become more and more interested in other items of Eastern origins ---> Hinduism, acupuncture, Qi, yoga & meditation.

13. I can't deny it, no matter what, I will always love France and French culture. I have met, seriously, the best French family in the world. And not only am I in love with all of them, but I am also in love with everything about who they are, how they live, and where they live. If I could pick only one word to describe them, it would have to be, without a doubt, welcoming.

14. I love old movies. Black and white? Oh dear, yes, please. I love old actresses. My favorite actress of all time is Audrey Hepburn. She is pure class, sophistication, femininity and talent.

15. Ever since I took Latin in high school, I love trying to derive words. Since Latin is a base for the romantic languages, many of the those languages are derived from the Latin tongue. One of the things you learn in Latin class is how to figure out other words from the words' base forms (derivation). And since I have taken Spanish and French and since I'm a native English speaker, whenever I see a new word (in whichever language it is), I immediately try to figure out what it means from my Latin learning.

16. I am a domesticity-loving, multitasker. I love making grocery lists and shopping lists. I love scheduling out my day's, week's, month's, and year's activities. I love finding new recipes and trying them out (and altering them!). I love making a place look nice and orderly and actually be nice and orderly. I love having friends and family over for dinner parties. I love crafting things for my home and for others. I love doing things for myself and for others. Ectera, ectera.

Ok, so now I'm supposed to tag 16 people, but f-that, I'll tag 6. Close enough for me! :)

1. Lulu. I lurve you and I always want to know more about you!

2. Reduce Footprints. I don't really know you, but I dig your values so lemme in on some of you!

3. Candace. I've just met you once, but you were really sweet. :)

4. Jennifer. I've met you more than once but I don't really know you, except that you are super nice and friendly.

5. Anne Marie. You just started your blog, so here's a good exercise for you to try out. Plus, I'd like to know more about you!

6. Mary-Laure. I love you blog. I love your history and your parents' history. So, I'd like to know some more about you!

actively active

2008-11-10T13:24:00.001-05:00

As I listen to Harry Potter Bk. 5 on tape and multitask as best I can, I am multitasking in my head, as well. A list, for you (b/c I know you are aching in your joints from the last one):

To do--->
-Job searching! I work at a bookstore, part-time. I also intern at an awesome print shop, but it's unpaid. So I need to find some other source of income whether it's another generic mall job or some freelance offers that I'd like to have but don't. ;)
-Getting my freelance butt out there! I've always said I was a freelance writer but I have never actually written freelance. I am going to advertise myself out there...craigslist, mountain xpress, digital forums and other writer's forums.
-Wallpaper stripping. I have committed to redo my bud's bathroom in exchange for a month's rent. I have taken absolutely bloody forever taking down the wallpaper and still have to paint it. You would not believe how long it takes to take off wallpaper!!! (Yes, this warrants three exclamation points!)

Doing--->
-Making lists, of course! Christmas, er, excuse me, I want to start calling it Winter Solstice now...Yes, Winter Solstice lists for others and for myself. Budget lists so I can possibly start saving some real money. Lists so I can see the progress I'm making on my big goal: learning diy things, arts and crafts so I can build up a portfolio and open my own company/store. I'm on my way!

(I vawnt me an Etsy shop!)

Wanting--->
-Lots and nothing much at the same time.
-To be cozily back in my apt.
-To make things in my own kitchen. To be trying recipes and have that space of my own to do so.
-Simplicity.
-Learning more crafts.
-Reading and applying herbal remedies and reflexology techniques. (I've been reading about them lately - I've recently increased my interest in alternative medicines and Eastern philosophies.)
-To sift through my belongings and clear out the unnecessary.

positivity

2008-11-05T20:21:00.011-05:00

A little glow around the roller girl has been emanating recently. Positive things are going on and I'm pretty darn happy and optimistic about these things.

(Photo courtesy of flickr.)

I don't want to go too far into details but one thing I will reveal that I'm super happy about is that frikking Barack Obama is going to be our next president! I am so happy that the majority of the nation has come to its senses and voted not only for a good Democrat and not only for our first black president but for someone who is ready to end this war in Iraq, to end our fossil fuel dependence, to create and invest in more alternative energies, and someone who is full on board for more green jobs and sustainable living.

I have to say I'm "cautiously optimistic." :)

i gots me some

2008-10-20T16:42:00.010-04:00

Sooo, I got an apprenticeship with a sweet, sweet letterpress company located in West Asheville. The joint is called the Blue Barnhouse. They make and print beautiful handmade cards, invitations, posters, coasters and other paper products. They do this by using hand cranked letterpresses.

It is unpaid. But it is way awesome, so it makes up for the lack of moolah. It also means I'm getting free education. So makes it even sweeter.

(A sampling of their raunchy cards.)

Check out the cute little place, I can guarantee you that you'll find many things that you'll like and will want to purchase. Immediately.
<3

interrupcion

2008-10-08T19:36:00.001-04:00

I was minding my own business and doing my darnedest at procrastinating when what do I find but a link from SensibleKitty about an internship for an eco-friendly fair trade company. So despite my procrastinating, I checked out the internship.

The company: interrupcion* fair trade (or, in English, interruption* fair trade).
The work: Responsible Consumption Campaign* sessions where you oversee in-store tastings that use interrupcion* fair trade products. These sessions are to create dialog with people about fair trade, sustainable agriculture and community investment.

(Yum. Organic fair trade pear.)

So basically it would be me feeding people and talking with them about many of the things that really interest - like sustainable agriculture, the need of community involvement, and fair trade.

Sounds like fun, eh? I'm excited about it. I just hope that they take an interest in me as well.
<3

magazines

2008-10-06T15:27:00.009-04:00

Been reading some lovely magazines lately. Here's the ones on the top of my list:

bust: "For women with something to get off their chests," bust is my fav by far. This is the one mag. subscription that I want to keep. All others pale in comparison. It's funky. It's diy. It's opinionated. It's fun. It's creative. I LOVE it.

nylon: It's very, very hip. hip in the rock n' roll sort of way. The mag. likes to think it's cutting edge, funky, and indie. And while it is all of these things, it's so hip that it can be annoying. But it always has great tidbits of info on new movies, fashion & music.

(Don't tell me you've never heard of Santogold before! If you've been visiting my blog, then I know you have...)

missbehave: This magazine is truly unique. At least, for me it is. It seems to be meant for women living in urban areas. I feel like I've stepped into New York everytime I read it. "For the fashion rebel," it has some of the best articles I've read about the freshest musicians and fashion that is out.

Ch-ch-check 'em out!
<3

fall-time

2008-09-30T01:34:00.002-04:00

It's officially Fall now, so I thought I'd think [out loud] about some of the best parts of this fresh season.

1. Sipping on hot tea. My favorite is Chai, with a little soy milk. But any tea will do it for me, be it green, black or white.
2. Sweaters, pea coats, gloves and handmade scarves. I just love cuddling closer to these soft fabrics as cool breezes refresh my skin.
3. The changing colors of the leaves. I live nestled in some of best mountains in the country - the Great Smoky Mountains, which is part of the Appalachian Mountains. While the leaves manage to attract visitors from all over the nation this area, for me, this time serves for plenty of leaf gazing and colorful inspirations as I wind my way through the precipitous roads of the area.
4. Pies/Cinnamon. This is the perfect time to make pies. And no matter what kind of pie I make, it has to be topped with cinnamon. I think cinnamon was created during the Fall, when you just need a hint of sweet spice to warm you all over.

(Oh, sigh, yum...courtesy of nigel appleton.)

5. Cold cheeks with a rosy blush. As the wind whips its way around you and you tighten your coat around you, you can't get away from getting rosy cheeks. I love this combination of cold and warm all at once. It is refreshing and perks me right up.

Bisous & happy Autumn!
<3

update-o

2008-09-26T23:36:00.012-04:00

So here's the latest, wha-wha:

-I've got a job! Two, actually. They are far from my ideal jobs, but they work for the present time. They are:
...Bookstore X & Shoe store Y. At the bookstore I am sales associate, while I have somehow miraculously snagged a job as keyholder at the shoe store. A keyholder is, for those of you who have never worked in retail, a managerial position. I suppose you are given a key and some responsibility. I'm especially excited about working at the bookstore b/c, well, I lurve books! And if there is anything I can get excited about when trying to sell something, then it's books. I'll be working part time at both of these jobs but they should add up to nearly full time work. We shall see. At this point, it's just good that I'm employed.

-I was able to get my loan payments deferred for 6 months. Yay! This is sooooo, so good. I was paying $200/month, which is a huge, huge expense. This is a huge relief and will enable me to save more money.

-I went to Knoxville last week and hung out the oh-so-lovely Lu. I had an absolutely awesome time there. I love hanging out with Lu and it was a good break for me - a good change of pace for a while. I also went to some of her classes and I took full advangtage of some free education. I also went to a club with her and some of her friends. This was a hilarious and head-trippy time. I got really drunk on cheap beer and bootydanced with her friends. Who-wee. We also hit up this sweet hookah joint, which withheld many mellow times. Good times, indeed.

(Poster from Knoxville club.)

So that's that and this is this.
I'm optimistic. Hope it lasts!
<3

gas crisis

2008-09-24T14:37:00.018-04:00

So kids, if you have been alive at all in the past week, you will know that the southern United States is going through a gas crisis currently. First, gas prices spiked when Hurricanes Ike and Gustav were making their ways through the eastern U.S. Gas prices got as high as $4.99. This happened in Asheville, Knoxville and probably in some other places as well.

And now, more recently, prices went down a bit (cue the chorus of "whews" and "thank gods"), but instead of relief the southeast has been faced with another complication - gas shortages. The southeast is going through massive gas shortages, which has led to many, many people going crazy for gas. There are now long lines of cars pouring out from any gas station that has just received gas. The lines pour out into roads and go on for blocks sometimes. I've seen nearly 30 cars (those are just the ones I could count!) lined up.

With this ridiculousness going on and with Wall Street going through a deep downfall (recession), it makes one think that things are happening. There is a tension in the American air. America seems to be falling. America seems to be no longer king, the leader. Will there be revolution? Probably not. Not now, at least. Let's see what else will happen in the next few months, years. I feel like we are coming upon a climax. We will just have to see what happens...
<3

a new planned obsession

2008-09-15T23:29:00.002-04:00

I found a some new blogs recently that I'm absolutely in love with now. One of the things I love, love, love about the internet is the free exchange of positive and awesome ideas. I love that you don't have to pay money to learn something, or many somethings. And all of the sites I found do just that.

Crafting a Green World
Etsy's Storque

(One of etsy's many helpful how-to videos.)

ReadyMade
Thread Banger
Your Impact Matters
Re-Nest

Check them out!
<3

chalk violet

2008-09-14T13:54:00.009-04:00

What color are you? Me, I'm Chalk Violet. I love astrology. Really, it's a hobby/interest of mine. One little diddy I found is colorstrology. Here's more about me through this little find...

birthday: feb. 26

color: chalk violet
attributes: kind;
committed;
detailed.

(This, folks, is Chalk Violet!)

about feb. 26:
"once you commit yourself to something, it is important that you do it well. this is in regards to both relationships and work. you can be hard on yourself and others especially if the people around you are careless or lazy. you want to feel passionate about something and to support this passion with action. your personal color lends sensitivity to your strength. wearing, meditating, or surrounding yourself with chalk violet helps you transform any hurts or wounds that you may experience into a depth of understanding and a desire to live life truthfully and lovingly."

What color are you?

oy vey

2008-09-10T11:21:00.001-04:00

Hey everyone, I'm still here. Just stressed is all.

I did finally move from my cute apt. in the best neighborhood in my area to a friend's place. It has been a tough move. I have so much support. But I am feeling like a pest to everyone. Having no car and not living where I use to live SUCKS.

Being in this new place away from the Frenchman has, I don't know, maybe changed things between us? Not sure if things are better or worse. I feel like every other day I am telling my friends/my mom that I have just had a huge talk/fight w/zee Frenchman. It's exhausting. It's safe to say that, at least.

It's also safe to say that we are both making efforts to concentrate on ourselves. I have to let go and not think about him possibly coming back to me. If it happens, it will happen and there's nothing I can do about.

For a girl like me who's always been on top of her game, this new territory is confusing, straining and scary. I just don't know what I'm doing now. So I have taken steps to figure out my life. And next Tuesday I will hopefully be able to breathe a little easier.

I am also waiting too-anxiously about this company I've been interviewing with. For them to be so adamant about getting a person for the job in asap, they are taking their precious time. It's frustrating. I am going to have put my pride aside and apply for places I don't actually want to work at. It's getting to that point. Finding a good, well-paying job in Asheville is nearly impossible. Argh.

(I'd like to go here & destress. Beautiful photo courtesy of Guido 62.)

Well this is just a little update. Hopefully (I know they will), things will slowly get better and I'll be back to life-lovin' self.

Love &
Bisous*
~Amber~

home, sweet home

2008-08-27T14:15:00.001-04:00

I will be moving out of my quaint little apartment this week. And, no, I haven't found a sufficient replacement yet. That is why, after being offered many, many times, I have accepted the invitation to live at my friend's house. I have been against this idea for some time now, but after looking sadly at my bank account and realizing that I'm going to need to save as much money as humanly possible in the upcoming months, I have given in to the hard cold fact that I need to stay somewhere where I won't have to spend too much money.

(One day I will be back in this sweet, sweet neighborhood.)

There are many reasons I have been hesitant. I love this friend. She is a best friend. But should you live with your best friend? I learned the hard that living with your good friends isn't always the best or smartest idea for your friendship. My friend also lives with her mother and relations between the two of them aren't always the smoothest. Her mother has always been super nice to me, but I'm just hoping that I won't get entangled in their mess. The house also isn't in central downtown, which is where I was hoping to stay. I love the area, full of hub-bub and life. Always something happening and easy access to public transportation and in good walking distance of almost everything awesome. The house isn't too far away though, about a 10 min. drive but I don't have a car and the roads are not built to be walked on in my friend's neighborhood. I'm a little afraid of becoming a "prisoner" (yes, that sounds a bit over dramatic) there and becoming claustrophobic in this home. One other thing is that I've been very independent for a long time. I've basically lived on my own since starting college 5 years ago and I don't like depending on people for certain things all of the time. I am going to be depending on my friend for rides - and probably other things, too, that I can't think of right now. These are just some of my worries, but I'm hoping they will remain unrealized worries.

I am fortunate to have this option. I am fortunate to have friends and family offer me this kind of support. Incredibly fortunate. They are good people and I hope to not take advantage of them.

The plan, I think, is to pay my friend's mom about $100/month. $100, that's it. I'll be paying for electricity, water, internet and cable (even though I will refrain from TV as much as possible) with that $100. So cheap. So nice. I plan on buying my own food, but I have a feeling that they'll offer to buy me food and supplies quite often. The one expense I will have that will be a lot more than before is gas. Since I'll be depending on my friend for rides I will definitely have to pay for gas. But this is still less money than I'd be spending otherwise. I will also be deferring my loan payments until further notice because I am unemployed and will not be able to spend $200/month repaying my loan.

My plan is to stay at my friend's house for the rest of year, save up a ton of moolah and move into my own place in January of 09. And by my own place, I mean my own place. I want to have an apartment of my own - or if not on my own then with either (not both) of a couple of friends of mine from college.

Once I'm in my own place I hope to be able to be paying my loans again (although I hope I can do that sooner), be making payments on my own car, applying to Goddard so that I can start there in the Fall of 09, and be making things everyday. I also hope to have an awesome job (Lark Books or ChiLiving would do me just fine) and to be having fun everyday with my friends, family, and, eventually with the ex.

reflecting lights, drizzling against the pane

2008-08-25T13:34:00.038-04:00

On my plate today:

-Researching the company ChiLiving, who I have an interview with tomorrow. The founders, who I will be meeting at least one of, are the writers of ChiRunning and ChiWalking. Simply put, they have incorporated the basic teachings of T'ai Chi into walking and running so that walkers and runners can do their things in safer and more meditative ways.
*I had a good tip from a friend about preparing for interviews. She said to read everything you possibly can about them and remember what you read. When you get to the interview, act and talk as if you are already working for the company. They should be happy that to have found a person who already knows about the company and the job.

-Finishing up my proofreading test for Lark Books. Lark Books is a super awesome publishing company that publishes crafts and art books only. I plan on hand delivering the test to them today. This company seems so much fun and so cool. They have already sent me the work for the interview, if I make it to that step (which I think I will because I know my proofreading almost as well as the back of my hand). The work for the interview consists of two "mock" assignments. One, where you have to find 3 artists that make hand make shoes and do a presentation of your findings. And the second is where you have to write up a sidebar for this "proposed" book on handmade shoes. Doesn't it sound like fun? Every day would consist of finding new people who hand make things! Fun!

(One of Lark Books' many...books!)

I'm split between these two jobs and for many reasons. The first is a full time job where I'd make $25,000/year (which is about $17/hour - sooo much for my age bracket) and would get insurance and benefits after three months. And I'd also think it'd be fun and interesting to learn about this holistic way of living in awareness of your Chi. But the second job is actually an internship where'd I'd be working only half time and probably not have that great of pay, maybe $10/hour if I'm lucky. I would also get no benefits and it is supposed to last only through this "semester." But every day would be so much fun there! I'd be learning about all these people who make hand made objects and that are living the d-i-y life. Plus, my upstairs neighbor works there, and if she is any indication of the kind of people that work there then I know I'd love it!

So that's my dilemma. Either one would be great, so that's why I'm putting all my efforts in to learning as much as I can about both companies and doing my darnednest to think like I work at both of them already. But which do you think would be fun to work at, or rather, which would you rather work at? I'd like to get a survey from people on this because, people, I'm horrible at making decisions. ;)

support

2008-08-17T16:53:00.040-04:00

I'm so happy to know that I have such great amounts of support right now. From the long emails with lulu, to the sweet messages from a person I've never met, to hanging out at all hours at a time with old friends to receiving a random, heart-felt message from a college acquaintance, I am happily overwhelmed by the support I've been receiving through this new and stressing time.

I've been pretty motivated in my searches of apt. and jobs. I've already looked at one house today and I am supposed to look at another one later today. I've responded to 9 ads so far of people looking for housemates. And I've applied to 8 jobs and counting.

I've also been listening to a lot of M.I.A., Santogold, Micky Green, CSS, Regina Spektor and Feist. This blend is funky, female, and soothing all at once. They are really the only music I can listen to right now without analysing every word and intimately relating it to my situation.

This week should be pretty busy. Wednesday, the 20th, is one of my best friend's birthday. She's turning 23. So I'm going with her and our third counterpart to Pigeon Forge tomorrow. We'll be staying there until Tuesday evening/night. I'm also going to Carowinds on Saturday. And really the only reason I'm going is because I was retarded and forgot the tickets the last time I went earlier this summer. And then I might, not sure yet, be going to Sliding Rock on Sunday. I've just heard that my french friends will be coming on Saturday and I'm really sad. I was hoping to see them, but I won't be at home on that day. Hopefully, I might be able to convince them to come on another day, like Wednesday or Sunday (I can go to Sliding Rock on another day).

(The lovely Heather.)

Some other plans of mine that I'm working to:
1. Car! I have to wait until I get a job, but I've been scouring craigslist looking for a good one $5,000 or under. I will have to get a loan to pay for it, but that's just how the dice roll right now.
2. College, v.2! Getting my mind and ideas together so I can apply for my master's in Vermont. I need a lot of help with this because, as usual my ideas are broad and I need to narrow my ideas down.
3. Photography ideas. I want to do Suicide Girls. I've wanted to it for a really long time, but now just might be the time. To do this, I've been planning poses, locations, backgrounds and clothing. I also took some pictures of a friend, not nude or erotic, mind you. But cute "pin-up" pictures and I think they turned out well. This has inspired me.
4. Clothes creations. I've been slowing getting some sewing supplies. Meanwhile, I've been drawing designs, thinking of colors, ways to reconstruct things and be sustainable at the same time.
5. Making delicious creations. I love cooking. I really loved to do it before the Frenchman broke up with me. That love has dwindled a bit since then. This is unfortunate. I am trying to get that fire raging again and those smells wafting throughout my kitchen.

I hope to keep this blog updated more regularly now. I've also been writing on another blog and love doing it. Writing is therapeutic. I'm finding a variety of things are therapeutic. I am so happy when I can find a new form of therapy. I suppose life has its own form of therapy. :)
<3

a whole new start

2008-08-13T12:53:00.025-04:00

So here's another update on my life:

Not only am I currently searching for a new apt., possible new housemates, a car and acceptance into a master's program in Vermont, but now I get to add another item to the list. I was very recently "let go" from my place of employment. While this may seem bad and it may seem like just another thing to worry and stress about, I am actually very ok about this new development. I feel a little bit free. Free from the stress of the job. Freedom to chose another place, a better place, maybe a place that I will love to go to; that I will love to do. Some place that I will get excited about every day. So here's what I'm doing right now, at this very moment:

(Courtesy of flickr.)

1. Job hunting: craigslist, ashevillejobs.com, yahoojobs, monsterjobs, grist job list, etc.
2. Apt. hunting: craigslist, alpha real estate, arc agency, friend's recommendations, etc.
3. Car hunting: craigslist, iwanna, local used car dealerships, etc.
4. Loan researching: my credit union, other resources...
5. Goddard College researching: creating my proposal, figuring out expenses, etc.
6. Fafsa/financial aid hunting: i hate this stuff, filling out form after form...
7. Resisting the urge to go crazy while living with the ex. Yes, we're still living together. It may be a stupid thing, but it's just how things are right now. He's ok when he's not acting like an idiot.

a blow

2008-07-26T16:28:00.007-04:00

i have been having a hard week this week. and an especially difficult last few days. i will be trying to do some posts on here. but in light of the most recent events, i don't know how regularly i will be able to do this. i am no longer involved with that certain frenchman. he has decided to take a different route recently, and, well, i am very sad about this. we are still talking and i am still talking to his family. this frenchman has intertwined me in his life and in his family lives so deeply that i know that i will always be a part of his and their lives. this is one small comfort in the sea of depression i have been in lately. anyways, this is just a notice that if i'm lacking on posts, then this is surely the reason why.

(One last look at our lovely home, which I will miss.)

florida-mania

2008-07-18T14:57:00.022-04:00

I just want to go back and address why I neglected my blog for over a month. One of the main reasons I hadn't been posting was because for about 10 days I was on vacation in Florida. And although I had been promised internet access on a semi-regular basis, what I was given was nothing near access. Of the 10 days I was away, I think I was able to actually sit down and do work on the internet twice. Yes, twice. I know, unbelievable. I don't know how I survived. ;)

(Me & Steph waiting around for the Tampa Rays vs. Boston Red Sox game.)

Anyways, this is just one of the reasons why I have been greatly lacking on posts. And as I write this, I also realize that this summer is/has been very Florida-liscious. A couple of weeks ago I was there in no-internet heaven/hell and I will soon be there next weekend for another week of Florida hottness (but this time with almost 100percent internet assuredness). I don't know what it is about this summer, but, dam, Florida, you have my heart strings a' tuggin!

(Rockin' Rollercoaster at Hollywood Studios. It was rockin.)

Oh, yes, another reason there has been no new postings recently is that I've become incredibly behind on work. You know, real work. So I've been trying to catch up with that as well as catch up on blog postings that are taking entirely way too much of my time to research and write. But, you know, I'm not complaining or anything.

santogold

2008-07-17T12:59:00.005-04:00

Wow, I really can't believe I've neglected my blog for so long. For over a month! What a shame...but let's forget my past mistakes and think about the present. I've been listening to this RIDICULOUS singer. Her name is Santogold. And she's freaking crazy. She reminds me a bit of M.I.A. with her songs being a mix of singing and rapping with the music being a mix of every noise and sound available all bundled up. I had first heard of her in BUST, I believe. But I didn't pay any attention to her until I heard her on Pandora, under my M.I.A. station. She's fricking awesome if you like the alternative rapping/club musack.

pictures, father's day

2008-06-15T10:45:00.019-04:00

So, here's some the pictures from last night's show & benefit for URTV. There were actually three bands playing. We came in as the first band was playing, and this is why I am not sure of the name of the first band. The next band was "Black Hook," and the last one, the one more of us came for was "Rat Jackson."

(Our host for the evening...one dirty-mouthed kid.)

(Yes, yes, yes...THE Rat Jackson.)

(Me & my buds hanging out. Me, as usual the drunkest one around.)

(The oh-so-elusive D. She actually enjoyed the show, despite her expression here.)

I also would like to wish all fathers and practically fathers out there a Happy Father's Day. I never knew my father, but my mother met a pretty nice guy when I was 10, and he's been around us ever since. He's a pretty good guy. And despite having no genetic resemblence or connection to him, I think I've acquired some his best and worst traits (like being a music snob, my sarcasm and my passion for politics and the world). :)

Pizza-Time

2008-06-14T19:32:00.032-04:00

Soooo, I finally made my first through and through home-made pizza! And I even remembered to take pictures of it before I completely devoured it. ;)

(Yay!)

I even made the crust! I was sooo proud of myself. After seeing this post, I was inspired to make my own. So, the next time went I to the grocery store, I got all the necessary supplies & came home to get started beating some dough up.

(My wee lil' piece of love.)

We also had a fabulous night of games last weekend (I had forgotten to write about this memorable experience). We had the "Pentagonal Tournament of Games." We played mancala, pente, boggle, 301 (darts game), & DDR (dance, dance revolution on xbox 360).

(Clockwise: DDR mat, boggle, mancala & pente. Missing: 301 .)

It was really fun, despite me losing miserably as usual. (Except for me kicking major butt at boggle.) :)

(Getting torn up in mancala by the bf [i.e. the supreme ruler of strategy games].)

Oh, & one last little thing: I'm super-proud of my little garden right now! I've joined forces w/my upstairs neighbor and we've been keeping up with our little garden of tomatoes, spearmint, lemon balm, oregano, basil, & moss roses. So, soooo happy! (Despite having to deal with spider mites and nitrogen-deficient tomato plants.) I've actually got a green thumb!

(Herbs!)

(Tomatoes!)

(Zee jardin [garden]!)

A Perfect Weekend

2008-06-14T19:28:00.039-04:00

This has so far been a nearly perfect weekend (gotta leave room the perfect weekend). Yesterday afternoon I went to Greenlife & got some great cheese and baguettes for the play I was soon to be attending with my parents later in the evening. After a nice 30-40 min. roundtrip walk to the store, I got everything prepared and loaded up my tote bags with the yummy goodies.

(The Hazel-Robinson Theatre, where the Montford Park Players perform every year.)

Once ready, I started my much shorter walk to the outside theatre. The play was "Antony and Cleopatra" and was done by the Montford Park Players. This theatre troupe does at least four plays a summer in the outside theatre. This is a super fun and super relaxed thing to do in Asheville in the summer. I met my parents there & had a good time munching on French Bread, Camembert, Morbier & D'Affinois.

(Some characters + the stage.)

(Antony & Octavia [Ceasar's sister].)

And then today: Today I went with my bf to Nine Mile, a sweet little resto that is located right across from our house.(The inside of the Marley-esque restaurant.)

And now, I'm getting ready to go to the Westville Pub. It's a short 10-min. drive away. We're going to have another informal, somewhat-awkward high school gathering there. Some high school acquaintances of ours are having a show there, while silmitanously having a benefit for the local t.v. station, URTV. I'm so happy with this weekend! :)

lu n' am blog!

2008-06-09T10:22:00.006-04:00

yes, i'm going for pure vanity and publicity on my part, but i just wanted to let everyone know about my newest joint blog! my oh-so-lovely future sister-in-law & i have created the lu-n-am blog, which is about "affordable. sustainable. creative. living." although we're still tweaking it occasionally...trying to figure how to make it the most super awesome joint blog out there...we definitely want people to check it out and let us know what you think about it! :)

some finds, a lil list

2008-06-07T00:42:00.027-04:00

finds:

-a neat online publishing co. where you can create and share your own publications with others who have done the same.
-a celestial solar tower...it looks very religious, like something you'd see in an over-produced biblical movie. but this thing is actually a solar thermal power plant. and green, it seems.

une petite list (of things that i've been vainly desiring):
1. sewing machine. for now all i want is a simple one that will break me into sewing more regularly. i've got lots of plans in my head...yaaay. ;)
2. record player. god, do i ever want one. i just want to chill out to some groovy tunes while i sew, cook and picture-take.
3. good, freakin' camera w/all the fancy-schmancy gadgets. i'll figure them out eventually. but i just love pictures with real texture and that i can really do something with (my lil camera died about six months ago & i've been using my bf's awesome camera ever since then.
4. coffee maker. i've become an addict. it's official. and i've been trying to save money buy drinking it at home, but without a coffee maker, i've just been drinking crizzapie, very much below par coffee.
5. printer & scanner (possible combo contraption?). it's not absolutely necessary right now, but it would make things easier when i want to scan pictures i've taken on the manual camera.
6. pizza stone. i'd love to make super pizza like these, in 5 min.
et, voila. c'est bon.

green finds

2008-06-04T17:41:00.019-04:00

browsing through lostateminor today, and i started looking at their 'eco' section. & some interesting finds, indeed. first, is Patrick Blanc's Vertical Garden. these crazy gardens grow without growing in soil or in any earthy substance. Blanc is French, of course, and has made these gardens all over the world and does them on the outside of buildings, as well as inside buildings.the second piece of craziness that i saw was a biodegradable bamboo phone. seriously, bamboo! pretty much the frame and case of the phone is bamboo, while the battery, keypad and antenna comes out of the this case. the bamboo is also biodegradable. meaning, when the time comes to get a new one, you take out the three pieces and throw the case and frame in the compost. in the case, are bamboo seeds, so after the case degrades in about 2-3 weeks, new bamboo seeds starts to grow. and bamboo grows really quickly. talk about giving back to the earth! oh, and the battery is kineticly-powered. you wind the battery charger and, voila, charged without using electricity! wooza, wooza, wooza. seriously - wooza! think of the possibilities!

volunteer-crazy, probably

2008-06-03T12:36:00.021-04:00

i've really been wanting to volunteer in my community, and now i have the chance (like i never have before? yeah, right). there is this thing called the Asheville Building Convergence, and it's getting me really excited.

(Starhawk, one of the speakers @ the ABC)

"ABC is inspired by a 20-year vision of what a truly sustainable Asheville looks like and the steps we can take now to create it. More than 25 local groups, community leaders, businesses, and hundreds of citizens are coming together for the first annual celebration and citywide collaboration of what's beautiful, practical, and life affirming about sustainability." - from the website

Anyways, they really need volunteers for this "convergence" and one of my friends is somewhat involved in it, so she let me know about all the opportunities. A few hours earlier I scanned through the list and then figured out what I could technically do & want to do. I then sent out emails to the contacts for the volunteer activities. I think probably overloaded myself, but whatevs, this thing is getting me w[he]ay excited.

I also have been seriously considering working in my community garden. It's basically right across from my place, and it used to be in shambles. But one I day passed by it and realized - voila! - it looked sooo much better! and there was a number to call about working it. there is also another garden close to my house that has volunteer shifts on wed., so I might see about that one, too.

And this is why, I think I may be over-doing all the possible volunteerism. I'd rather be doing this than working...

i've been mentioned!

2008-06-02T19:58:00.010-04:00

lordy, lordy. maybe this isn't a big deal, but something rather exciting has just happened.

i've been linked/mentioned (is there a proper blogger term that i'm ignorant of?) by a blogger who i actually don't know!..someone that i've been reading and, who i guess, happens to read to my blog every once in a while. i am very delighted to become aware of this. :)

neglect!

2008-05-30T10:00:00.031-04:00

it's been almost a week since my last post. and i feel almost quite ashamed of all the neglect i've bestowed upon this wide electronic cyber world. i really have no clue how many [regular] readers i have in the first place (my estimates come to a minimal amount), but i still feel a little bad for this. i guess i've just been in haze ever since i got back from charlotte on monday. and getting back into the swing things and work has been rather disheartening. my work is fine and all, but sometimes, ugh, argh, ack, i need lots of help when it comes to actually getting stuff done in a somewhat timely manner.i'm working from home right now, but this is only because both of my bosses aren't at work today. one of them is on a trip in oregon for two and a half weeks, while the other one is at his parents house, four hours away, getting more furniture for his own home. but as i write and glance over at my bf sleeping, i know any moment he's going to wake up and complain about why i'm not at work. seriously, this is annoying. it's like he's my employer, which he clearly is not. but i can't be too pre-maturely perturbed right now because he looks so...not annoying when he's asleep. and he woke up at 6:15 this morning with his heart hurting. he's been sleeping on the couch ever since...

as for inspiration and all that other nickety-nackety stuff, i have been reading this blog called the freelancer's fashionblog. it's really fun. and i really enjoy reading blogs by europeans. i don't know what it is exactly, maybe their unique and bold styles, their passionate yet still clueless desires, or their cute little mistakes in english (which usually lead [unintentionally?] to a double meaning and some irony), but they have lured me into their coffee-drinking, hem-sewing, lace-loving ways. another european blog that i pretty much visit on a daily basis is only shallow. she's the first euro-fashion blog that i started reading and i've been a dedicated reader ever since. i discovered her on n.e.e.t and was influenced even more to visit her blog when i read about her in BUST.

in the clt

2008-05-24T22:58:00.008-04:00

i'm in the big clt this weekend. it's been great fun so far. we're actually here for a nascar race [wooowhooo]. but we're staying at a friend's place. this girl is really nice. she went to high school with us, but she's a year older. and it sounds like she just might have my dream job. well, not dream-dream job, but one that i'd like to have right now [she's an editor for a cute little publishing company!]. i guess i don't really have anything to post, like a new link or picture or anything, but i just thought i would share my happiness at making a new friend and having a good time with old ones (& the new one, too!). but...if i really think about it, i might be able to give a link. i went to this one part of town, it was like a little slice of asheville. :) it's called plaza-midwood. and i suggest that anyone that likes the more alternative/less-commericalistic areas, then this is the place. i went to this really cute store, but most of it was highly over-priced. there were a couple of other cute little vintage/thrift stores there, too, but it was too late for to go there.

a blogger survey, hmpf

2008-05-21T12:30:00.043-04:00

nothing else to talk about, is what i'd say, but really, i just don't feel like doing work. i'd rather contemplate the finer things in life:

Three ways you are stereotypically a girl:
1. I am becoming increasingly more domestic each day and tending to enjoy most parts of it.
2. I think about what I'd do with my child [ex. plant flowers, watch clouds, draw animals & bake cakes], if I were to have a child, on a rather regular basis. And it's not scaring me as much as it used to.
3. I love frills, lace & all those other ultra-feminine textures and fabrics [secretly].

Three ways you are stereotypically a boy:
1. I greatly dislike authority figures.
2. I make amazing & disgusting "hawking" noises when coughing up my blue-ribbon loogies. Ew.
3. I love to watch James Bond movies.

Three of your everyday essentials:
1. Water bottle.
2. Cup of coffee.
3. Pen + notepad.
-------------------------------------------------------------

1) What was I doing 10 years ago?
I was being awkward; making up dances to N'SYNC, Spice Girls, & Britney Spears with my next door neighbor. I was in finishing up my 7th grade-year; standing in the lunch line at school & flushing when I saw my crush. I was drawing up a portfolio of brightly-colored fashion designs, writing & drawing my own Archie/mythology-themed comic books, & starting on many unfinished short stories.

2) What are 5 things on my to-do list for today?
Catching up on work; setting up an "inspiration-sheet"; gathering things to bring in to work to make it more aesthetically pleasing; make my mom a CD of pictures; take pictures of "good" -minded businesses.

3) Snacks I enjoy:
Bagels; yogurt pretzels; jellybellies; sour gummies; blueberry muffins; almond croissants; kettle chips; fries!

4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
Quit my day job and work to save the planet; have my own hand-made whatever store and non-profit organization that is geared to environmental & social justice education & advocacy; pay off my debts & my family's debts; buy a solar powered car; visit every country of the world; give to organizations that i believe in & support; do as much as I can do to help the world & its people & animals. ;)

5)Places I have lived before:
(my current & first real place) Asheville, NC;
(my college place) Swannanoa, NC;
(my parent's place) Candler, NC

which?craft!

2008-05-19T15:59:00.005-04:00

this weekend was the montford music festival and the which?craft! show. i had good fun at both [the festival was held right in front of my apt, and the craft show was just six minutes away]. more about the festival later...but i did meet this girl, who goes by shaybelle, at the craft show, who had some really pretty, simple, feminine clothing. she does custom ordered clothing and is from columbia, sc. i got her card, and come to find out she has a blog, flickr account and etsy shop.

some apt. adjustments

2008-05-16T11:44:00.010-04:00

i love thinking about/finding new things to do to the apt. one of my absolute fav. blogs is ikea hacker. i love how they turn ordinary objects into new extraordinary/extra-cool/extra-handy objects. two that i found today are legs for speakers and mural bed headboards. i would have to make some alterations to the projects, but that's not a big deal. i just LOVE finding ways to make my apt. more aesthetically pleasing and more organized.

living in a hamlet

2008-05-15T15:48:00.010-04:00

i'm getting a little giddy now. do you have those moments at work [when you should be working] or at home when you get so excited and happy about an idea that you literally shake all over? it's not a bad shaking. it's a sudden excitement that starts in the gut and spreads outwards, to your heart, chest and loins. it's pure, sheer excitement of what could be and how it could change the world. yeah, that is exciting. well, i just had one those. i was reading lostateminor and saw this post about a blog called indie breakfast club. this blog 'is a blog of life-enhancing ideas and inspiration for socially-minded entrepreneurs and curious, empathetic “creative” professionals, all served up in time for breakfast. Blueberry waffles, of course! The blog is concerned with creating positive change through entrepreneurship, design and culture. It looks at ways for us to work smarter whilst affecting positive change in society.' it also has a group on flickr that i'm loving, and i'm totally going to participate in it's photo project.

peace, please

2008-05-15T12:51:00.006-04:00

it is the 60th anniversary of the founding of the isreali state and the displacement of the palestinians. i will just say that a lot of unnecessary violence and hatred has come from this. and i feel that no matter what the cause, nothing can be really, truly solved with violence.
hatred is the enemy of peace.

loo-li-op, V

2008-05-14T14:08:00.004-04:00

i just found this absolutely amazing and adorable and wonderful (all three, yes!) website that sells curated art prints. i think i just might love every piece of art i looked at (although some more than others). this one, by devon kelley-yurdin, is my favorite, by far. i'm so close - this close - to buying it.

loo-li-op, IV

2008-05-14T12:14:00.006-04:00

i've been having over-whelming feelings of domesticity recently. this probably has something to do with a combination of living with my boyfriend and reading an endless number of blogs about crafts, cute things, cooking, being a parent, & design in general. but i just read one post that made it scarily clear about how i feel about these things right now. not to mention, my bf seems to be talking about these sorts of things a lot lately. i guess he's making these realizations, as well. but then i see pictures like these and just find myself melting and thinking about the time when i'll be waking up at 6am to brush my kids' teeth and baking cute cupcakes for their birthdays.

loo-li-op, III

2008-05-14T10:48:00.007-04:00

i'm patiently waiting for my "not a paper cup." it's apparently very high in demand lately. once i saw it, i knew i had to get it, even though i didn't immediately. i had alway brought in a cup for coffee to take to the coffee shop that is downstairs from my office. but then for a month or two i got lazy. or maybe i just got tired of having to do the "don't spill the coffee" dance up the stairs, so i started using those horrible paper/plastic/whatthehellareyoumadeof? coffee cups that the shop offers. i felt horrible. awful. i just kept on thinking about all the non-bio-degradable cups i was piling up in the landfill. this image stayed in my head until i decided that i would buy a "not a paper cup." but it's still going take anywhere from 2-4wks. to get to me, if i'm lucky. so that same day i decided i'd start bringing in my coffee cup again and use one of those slightly-less-bio-dregrable coffee lids to keep from having to do the dance. i still feel a little bad for using the lid, but at least i've been reusing it and not getting a new one every time. [p.s. & i love the antique-y mug cup i've been bringing in, so that 's a plus. i'll take a pic of it later and show it off.]

loo-li-op, II

2008-05-14T09:49:00.004-04:00

gahhh, i love, love, love this picture of my boyfriend and his sister when they were little [with, i think, a little help from photoshop]. his family has got some of the most adorable, greatest pictures i've ever seen. i love to just gaze at their photo albums of them while they were still living in france. :)

loo-li-op

2008-05-14T09:36:00.001-04:00

i stumbled upon this designer from a friend who was looking at her shirt designs at wet seal. i think her stuff is very pretty and sweet. she uses some really beautiful colors. she actually does note card designs for all holidays & other days.

pictures of glory

2008-05-12T20:34:00.019-04:00

i promised pictures, so here's some pics of hanson...

yeah, i was right beside him:& in front of him...

and beneath him, oh my...

this is the only pic i have of all three of them together, performing:

& while i was there, i just happen to run into george clinton (yes, lu, george clinton of the album i gave you!). the only problem is that i was having a fight w/the camera at the time, so...

---
some pictures at LEAF...

the "beach" & cabaret hall:
creepy, funky, gypsy auto...
#16 in france chess player plays 8 people simultaneously:
part of the LEAF parade:& we hoola-hoop! (or as bastien calls it loo-li-op!)
---
and, lastly, some pics of my bud's graduation @ appstate...

d peeking over the graduates:
making her way to post-grad status...
glowing w/anticipation
she got it! :)
d & fam.:

i've had an absolutely fabulous week this past week. it's been hectic, but it was also fun, new exciting and surprising. i can't wait to have another one of these...it makes me really, really appreciate life and the great friends and family that i'm lucky to have in it. <3