Stressed

thx thx thx

Loves New Music

One of the best things about Basilica Block Party, is that it introduces you to new music (or in my case, has made me LOVE bands even more... example: Avett Brothers).

Lissie is in this year's line up...after checking out some of her music I am pretty excited to see her. From what I have seen, it looks like my kind of a concert.

This is her doing a Kid Cudi cover, enjoy

Help a Future Queen Out!

Okay,judge all you want...

I definitely have 'Royal Wedding' fever

Kate Middleton For The Win

Thank Goodness...

Image: All Posters

Lent List

For Lent I decided to write down at least one thing I enjoyed about every day. These aren’t ‘monumental’ things that happened to me, by any means. My goal was to prove to myself that everyday is enjoyable—even if it is something as simple as an awesome “Acoustic Sunrise” set on Cities 97, a free lunch, catching up with an old friend and/or realizing how much that friend means to you. The truth is—I find it is easy to get stuck going through the everyday motions. We sometimes forget that everyday is special and meaningful and should be cherished.  Even on your most awful no good-very bad days, I promise you can think of ONE thing positive that happened to you. Here is my list.

Lent List

1.     It was sunny today, and made me enjoy my run even more

2.     Helping out a sick friend

3.     Good friends, great conversation and great food!

4.     St.Patricks Day! Celebrating being Irish!

5.     Enjoyed a simple and quiet night in with Spence.

6.     Running my first 7k

7.     Celebrating my brother’s birthday with family

8.     Started training for a ½ marathon with a smile on my face!

9.     Having lunch with work friends, I miss seeing everyday.

10.  Enjoyed a snowy walk with Juno

11. Watched “Iron Jawed Angels” A definite MUST SEE for anyone interested in the history of women’s suffrage.  (Relatively historically accurate).

12. Road trip down to Kansas! Safe, entertaining drive! Nothing better than a late night date with someone you haven’t seen in a LONG time 

13. Met up with some college friends at a BBQ joint—it’s been so long since I’ve seen many of them

14. Enjoyed a new church (BEAUTIFUL new church)

15. Tried a new recipe, turned out great (Pork Roast)

16. Cooking class with a wonderful boyfriend

17.  Mini trip to Lawrence to check out KU!

18. Booked a flight to London!!!

19. Enjoyed a sunny drive back to MN, entertained by a great book and plenty Diet Mtn Dew!

20. First Bachelorette party!

21. Caught up with an old and wonderful friend over coffee

22.  Busy day with work—LOVE being busy 

23. Got my hair did—life always seems better with freshly cut and colored hair

24. Dinner date with people I care about 

25. Realized (as I often do when working with special ed) how lucky I am to be healthy, and what simple things I take for granted in life.

26. Catching up with cousins and enjoying Macy’s Flower show (Also, KU accepted)

27. Ran 7 miles and LOVED every minute of it.

28. Learned a TON at King Tut with a great friend (also laughed a lot )

29. Sunny walk around St. Anthony Main

30. Ran 9 miles today!!

31. Free lunch from Jimmy Johns—I’ll take it 

32.  Found out I have some more steady employment—for at least a month

33. LAUGHED so much—staying up the whole night to raise money. Loved the fun I had with students and co-workers.

34. Spent the day relaxing with my new HP7 part one movie!

35. Sunday Brunch on a sunny day-Egg decorating & yummy food!

36. Today I realized—I have met some truly amazing people at work this year. I feel so fortunate to have found such helpful, and kind co-workers/ friends. Regardless of where life will take me in the future, I really hope I stay in contact with them. It amazes me that they find time in their busy lives to help me with my career. I am so appreciative.

37. Successfully taught myself how to find the GCF and to factor both polynomials and trinomials (no, I do not know what a polynomial or a trinomial is—but I can factor the shit out of them).

38.  Tried the best coffee ever today—Northern light mocha (with milk chocolate) from Caribou. AH-MAZ-ING

39. Coloring Easter eggs. Dinner, wine, great conversation and great friends. Feeling very blessed.

40. Coffee date! Great friends, great place :)

41. Dinner and a Movie date night, with TWO wonderful friends. 

Oh Swimsuit Season...

This is a tiny bit vulgar, but also pretty true....

Cartoon from Natalie Dee

Thanks Friends

Last night I was able to catch up with a few good friends. Every time I am able to get together with girlfriends’, I feel so thankful. I really have been blessed to have such amazing friends in my life. 

Reasons I am so thankful and LOVE my friends:

1.     I love that I can go ages (not really ages I suppose, but sometimes it does feel like it) without seeing some of them and we can pick up just where we left off.

2.     I love that they are so reassuring. While catching up—when I mention the stress I am going through—they always say the most reassuring things. When you find yourself in a rut, and begin to forget what you are talented at and passionate about they always remind you. And in such subtle ways—so great for getting back on track.

3.     Although it sounds shallow—there is nothing quite like talking about boys with a group of girlfriends. I hope this stays true forever.

4.     They know what, “Sex and the City” character you are right away.

5.     When you hear about what is going on in their lives, you are genuinely excited and happy for them.

6.     They make you LAUGH like no one else does

7.     They are just so understanding…. It’s amazing.

I feel like I could go on and on…. 

I guess I am just feeling very thankful for the friends I have in my life—not just the ones I was able to see last night, but all of them. They are amazing people, I have really learned to love and appreciate them this year for many reasons-I really don’t know how I would have survived this year without them!

Thanks Friends :)

 Image From Here

Looking back on the night, I feel like I was a bit of a ‘Chatty Cathy’. I just get SO excited when I see friends—sometimes I cannot stop talking….so I do apologize for that (happens to the best of us right?)

           

Semi-Gleek, New Obesession

I Love, Love this song.  Embarrassed to admit it, but it's doing for me what Miley Cyrus's, "the Climb"-- did for me in college. 

Don't judge. 

Thanks Glee :)

Already excited for Basilica 2011

So this evening, during a very drawn out broadcast, Cities 97 announced Basilica Block Party's 2011 lineup. I am fairly pleased. Although, in vain, I kept wishing the next name called would be Mason Jennings or the Avett Brothers.

Regardless, of whether my favorite bands are playing--I do believe the bands announced (so far) will hold up well in the Basilica atmosphere. I can completely picture my self in a sundress, drink in hand, friends by my side--singing and jamming out to Amos Lee, David Gray, Gomez, and G Love (heavy on the G's this year).

Although I'm not yet an expert on all the bands appearing--I have plenty of time to catch up and learn to love their music--enough to decide which stages I will be gracing with my presence.

Oh Summer you are so close :)

Lineup So Far

July 8:

David Gray

Lissie

Michael Franti & the Spearheads

Fitz & the Tantrums

G Love & Special Sauce

July 9:

Ray LaMontagne & The Pariah Dogs

Amos Lee

Gomez

Drive-By Truckers

More Music....

So maybe my blog should be called, "Music of the Moment." Anyways, this is a pretty good cover--this song just never gets old, regardless of who is singing it. Enjoy.

BUSY

If I could describe what it is like to be a “20 something” in one word, I would say busy. We are all so busy, and it is truly wonderful and exciting.  Being busy is stressful, but I find that if I really think about it—I am so thankful to be busy. Think about what you are busy with—you are busy with YOU. This is a time in our lives when our choices revolve around ourselves. (For MOST of us—or at least MOST of us in my circle)

 I know we are all in different situations; I am personally busy with me. I am busy working two jobs I don’t love, but I feel will benefit MY future career.  I am busy dreaming about how, and if grad school will work out. I am busy applying to jobs, in the hope that I can work next year. I am busy running because I want to feel the achievement of running a ½ marathon.  I am busy making happy hour, dinner dates, and going out, with friends because I love seeing them and I need some fun. I am busy talking on the phone, making a long distance relationship succeed.

I guess my point is—when you are feeling overwhelmed—breathe in—and be thankful. Remember how lucky you are to be busy- I at least try to do this….(Sometimes admittedly our tasks seem way too overwhelming to feel ‘thankful’ for them).

New Workout Plan?

This seems like a great way to make workouts a bit more fun.... I have heard laughing is great for the abs!

Life.Love.Stress&Setbacks

 I am definitely on an atmosphere kick right now. Who could blame me? They represent MPLS and Slug is amazing.  ANYWAYS... These four words just seem to scream out at me when I listen to this song.

Life: Trying (and often failing) to find my place in this world. Enjoy the journey.

Love: Love my friends & family. Trying to understand the challenge of love & long distance.

Stress: Lack of security. Lack of a steady job. Thoughts of more loans. Thoughts of money. long distance relationships.

Setbacks: Lost job opportunities. feelings of failure. feeling lost. feeling stuck.

Thanks for the words Atmosphere.

Life.Is.Funny.

Life is so funny sometimes.

Example: Today at work--they asked me to sub for a month (maybe longer) for a special ed. teacher. This teacher mainly focuses on math. Never EVER in my wildest dreams did I think.......

A. That I would be interested in Special Ed
B. That I would ever have to do Algebra and Geometry again....seriously--didn't get it when I was in high school--let's pray I understand it now.
C. In my free time I would study up on my math skills

Also--I got suckered in to doing a charity event for school. SO how will I be spending my Friday night.... Staying up from 9:30 P.M. to 7:30 A.M. PLAYING SPORTS!!! Two things I am horrible at...staying up all night (without adult beverages) and playing sports. I need to learn how to say "NO".

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!!

Love for Art, History, and Women

This is pretty sweet-combines so many things I love

Art-A-Whirl

I was recently just talking to my Northeast-living cousins, about how I am starting to just LOVE Northeast MPLS. They are proud of being from Northeast--when I told them I thought it was becoming SO trendy their reply, "I hate to say it sweetie but it always was."  Anyways they told me about a cool art fair called Art-A-Whirl coming up in May. I'm proud to say my uncle is a founder of this Art fair! I am definitely hoping to check it out--might not be able to afford anything but I am sure it's worth it to check out the art!

                             Picture from Here

This night  I also learned that one of my cousins lived in Janis Jopilin's Autin TX house. How cool is that!

Wud Up Slug

Loving this song right now. There isn't a great video of it, but the song is worth a listen.

        Free fallin' when your shook from the pack,

         Keep walkin' let the foot leave a track,

          We often gotta look for the path,

        These problems are the good ones to have.

I mean...How true is that?? How lucky are we to have such minimal problems. Count your blessings :)

Love Flowers, Love Whimsy

Tonight stopped by Macy's Flower Show (Downtown Macy's-Nicollet Ave). It's a quick walk through, but smells fabulous. Loved the beautiful Whimsical flower displays.

I Heart Mumfie

SO I am LOVING Mumford & Sons right now. It might have something to do with my excitement for London, and my excitement to 'crazy point Dance' to Mumford & Sons at Hyde Park....

Anyways...

Today I was listening to their song, "the Cave", and I just kept thinking about how wonderful the lyrics are.  Highly suggest you check out the song and the lyrics. So inspiring!

Cause I need freedom now-And I need to know how-To live my life as it's meant to be

New Northeast Find

I keep saying it, Northeast is the new Uptown. It seriously is! It is loaded with the uber trendy and fab bars. Love it. This weekend I was able to enjoy some of Northeast's greatest, while experiencing my first bachelorette party. First of all, I cannot wait to experience more bachelorette parties. Amazing, I love a good girls night, and this was definitely one of the best girls nights I've had.

Our second stop of the night was Honey, located under the Ginger Hop.

I loved Honey! I loved...
1.the atmosphere, dark with really posh lighting.
2. Reasonably priced drinks
3. That it was 90's night! (Spice Girls, BSB, Nsync Effiel 56--how Bachelorette perfect)
4. They have 'small plates' appetizers

Most of all it's a place you could go to for a date, cocktails, or to dance your heart out with your best friends. Highly suggest!

                             Honey Logo from Here

Inspired

Words to live by. Or at least try to live by. Thanks Mason :)

Shopaholic Books

I listened to, Shopaholic and Baby, by Sophie Kinsella, on my drive to and from Kansas. Why have I not heard of the Shopaholic Series! It was like listening to my life....(besides the baby part and shopping THAT much, so I guess it was not like my life--but I could relate). I found myself laughing aloud in my car as I listened to this story. I highly suggest checking out this series if you are in the need for a nice carefree read, I know I plan to check out the other Shopaholic books. Perfect for sun bathing--if it ever gets warm again.

Picture from Here

Summer Travels

1. London flight booked
2. Colorado flight booked
3. I am extremely excited.

I am so excited to be going to both London and Colorado this summer. Technically I have been to both, if airports count.

London, I just cannot believe I am going! I am so excited. After a wonderful trip to Ireland last summer with my family, I have been dreaming of going to Europe with a friend/friends. The family trip was amazing (especially the price), but I kept thinking about how fun it would be to be in Europe with girlfriends! And now I get to experience it! The trip came about in an odd way. It came about by loving the band Mumford & Sons, and wanting to go to their concert. Unfortunately they are not coming through Minnesota this summer. However, they are playing at Hyde Park in London. Over cocktails one night, a friend casually suggested we should go see Mum & Sons in London. Because this was over cocktails my reply was, "OHMYGOSH we HAVE to, SERIOUSLY."  Again because it was over cocktails I was not serious and did not think anything would come of it. And then I got an email stating, "We are Serious". My friend had found a very reasonable round trip flight to London, and was serious about doing this. My first response was to email her back saying I was sorry but financially it would not be the best decision for me.  But then I thought more about this...financially I could do this. The more I thought about it the more it seemed right. When am I going to have this opportunity to do this again? When will I have friends willing to travel to Europe again? I am not getting younger? Once everyone starts becoming engaged and married etc. it will be unlikely that my friends and myself will be willing to spend the time and money on a Euro trip. This is something I want, and is important to me so I decided it would be a great opportunity, that I may regret not taking.  To insure I was thinking the right way, I called my most trusted adviser, Mom. My travel-loving Mom was right on board, she fully encouraged it saying, "you're lucky you have friends willing to travel to Europe with you, take this opportunity". Gosh I love her and all her great encouragement. So long story short, flight is booked and it is official. I am not entirely sure what our trip will consist of. I know we will be seeing Mumford & Sons, at Hyde Park. I know we are thinking of a play (do they call it Broadway in London? I'm hoping for Wicked). I know I might be most excited to visit Platform 9 3/4 and am looking into Harry Potter tours (I have a problem). Overall I know I am excited for this trip, and cannot wait to get planning!

Colorado my second traveling adventure is also sure to be an amazing trip. I am going for a Bachelorette party. My seven roomates and best friends from college are all going! We are going to be in a condo in the mountains. Life is good!! I cannot wait to celebrate my best friend getting married, and to enjoy a trip with some of my favorite people on earth! What could be better!!

I love traveling. If I had more money and more friends willing to go (if you are willing to go somewhere please tell me, lets do it) I would go  anywhere and everywhere. It may sound corny, but we have this big beautiful world, and I will honestly feel like I have wasted part of my life if I do not see it and experience it. I feel like once you start traveling, you just can't stop. It's like an addiction. I get excited about going new places regardless of where they are--Kansas, Des Moines, London, Up North, it really doesn't matter--I find the whole experience exhilarating and wonderful.