Inspiretsy

I may not be allowed to shop this November. But I can dream. Thank you Etsy for your inspirational goods. I shall refer to the following as "inspiretsy."

Fabulous dish towels.

Coffee with Mr. Darcy. Why yes... please do tell.

Cream or sugar?

It's looking like rain around 2:05.

Exploring bear. 

Poking around Etsy for the latest and greatest never gets old.

It's almost as fun as buying things off etsy... almost.

Bad Lip Reading

I have never been someone who is talented at lip reading.

If I am in a loud room with someone who wants to talk to me, the chances I will misinterpret their attempted contributions to the conversation are abnormally high.

It's not even lip reading, it's lyrics to songs and regular conversation in my home when the television is on. I think I have trouble listening and then interpreting what was said. When someone says "Let's go grab lunch tomorrow at noon" I may hear "Lettuce munch borrowed the harpoon."

Obviously this causes problems in my everyday life.

However, it appears a fellow interpretation-impaired individual has put their issues to good use. Regardless of political affiliation, this is hysterical. And yes, they do these videos centered on liberals too. No worries - it's equal opportunity silliness.

If you enjoy the Rick Perry one - check out their Mitt Romney video below it. That one makes me lose it every time.

Oh Rick...

Dear Mitt...

Weekenders

This weekend started off with a real bang when rock-climbing was cancelled and Airika, Bella and Emma (my dogs) and I decided it was high time for a sleep over. This decision was significantly impacted by the fact that it was approximately 50 degrees in our house and there was no way I was sleeping in my freezer-room by myself.

We took our sweet time waking up the next morning(ish), around 11, and happily allowed the pups to act as blankets until it was warm enough to emerge from the down-comforter and plush throws.

Snuggle pups.

Once we woke up we decided on breakfast. I've started shopping for REAL groceries at the Sprouts Farmers Market nearby and it has done wonders for my eating habits. It's amazing how your mind and body respond when you replace prepackaged frozen foods and noodle boxes with veggies, fresh baked bread and fruit.

Saturday featured San-Fran-sourdough toast topped with natural peanut butter and clove honey. Served up alongside a cup of Constant Comment Tea in our LOVE Michigan mugs.

Chilly morning breakfast.

Later that day I went to the dog park, saw a matinee, did all my laundry, ran errands, and wet-swiffered the whole dag-gum house. Take that dog hair and dirt wads.

Sunday was my Modern Art Museum date. Including brunch at the cafe modern and my other's creative interpretations of modern art. Favorite conversation of the day:

Him: "Are these all supposed to be interpretations of the American Flag?"

Me: "I don't think that was the intention, but it's an interesting idea."

Him: "See, my attempt to get deep and consider the capitalist agenda of the US and how it is consuming our once beloved ideals... and this guy just liked lines."

Lastly, I had the I LOVE THE SEARCH party, after the agape feast and sweet tunes we went for a jack frost at Pappas Burgers with our glitz and glamour minister Suzanne. Goodbye weekend. Thanks for the entertainment.

Suzanne packed the house. Big surprise.

No shop November

My personal no shop November challenge has become plan for my May vacation instead.

I am doing well not buying myself any unnecessary goodies or clothing so far. (wow, good job me. it's only 4 days into November.) However, I will admit Airika and I received a scarf that we ordered on Cold Water Creek in October. I felt a little like I was cheating... but it was October when I ordered it. So it's fair game.

In May there is a wonderful window of time where students have left campus and there isn't much to do, which leaves a perfect little vacation sized hole in me and my wonderful other's schedules. This past May we went hiking in Joshua Tree National Park and lazed around the hidden gem known as the 29 Palms Inn. If you are looking for a place to really get away, hike, and relax - I would recommend checking this place out.

One of my photos from the informal rock climbing in Joshua Tree.

Don't be thrown off by the terribly unprofessional website, or the lack of amenities featured. This place is a little slice of heaven, as long as you don't mind the desert. I didn't think it would be my cup of tea, but I loved every minute of our sand and stone laden escape.

This year, my pick is a bed and breakfast in Key West. We did the desert, now we need to go for a different sandy experience. I was drawn to the Popular House thanks to multiple yelp reviews and a sense of eclectic, home cooked comfort. If it works out for us - I'll be thrilled.

Key West beach front.

 The Popular House, just outside town, walking distance to the beach.

The Great Outdoors

Tomorrow, hopefully, I will go rock climbing with a new friend that I have wanted to spend time with since we met a little over a month ago.

I haven't done any kind of indoor climbing in a very long time, but I did outdoor climb (very informally) in May, and two summers ago had a fabulous experience outdoors in Colorado.

There is something about climbing outside that makes me both nervous and overcome with enthusiasm. I think what I love about outdoor climbing is the sense of urgency and the need to keep moving. Indoors I feel like I'm allowed to think and pause and give up, because everyone around you is doing different things, and it's just a synthetic wall anyway.

Outside, I feel like nature is taunting me if I stop or give up. I find myself thinking "this stupid rock isn't going to beat me." There is also a sick sense of gratification when you walk away scraped bruised and otherwise scarred by the experience physically. You feel like you worked. You feel like you earned your way to the top.

No matter where you climb - it is important to move forward. I guess that is somewhat symbolic right?

It doesn't matter where we're headed - we just need to keep moving forward.

What I do

This is how I spend my work day. 

This is what I call the "I want to go somewhere - interest form."

I meet with students and listen to their hopes and dreams, discuss the merit of programs around the world, and today, speak with students from our Intensive English program here at TCU.

My new friends are from Colombia, Venezuela, South Korea, China, Italy and Saudi Arabia. 

I giggled a little after I realized I spent  thirty minutes rapidly talking to our administrative assistant about Japanese language assessment and recommendations for our exchange with Kansai Gaidai. This is right after I met with one of my student ambassadors that I took to London in January, and discussed a kiddo I adore who is embarking on her adventure to Thailand in Jan to learn about community development.

I love my job.

"Now get out and get snapping, gorgeous."

Cord Jefferson makes me smile. He's a writer for GOOD magazine, which if you follow this blog - you realize is one of my favorite magazines of all time.

Every month GOOD puts out a challenge. Last month's was the anti-halloween, get healthy, challenge. This month is about documenting your life. Instead of suggesting I switch tea for coffee or meditate for 15 minutes, they are telling me what I should snap a photo of on my iphone.

The goal: appreciate the world around me. Today starts with documenting street style. I can't wait to stop a TCU student on campus and ask them if I can take their picture. The photo that GOOD has submitted today is of a reader's Ecuadorian friend who never leaves home without his cream fedora.

The head candy and its wearer, Cesar, are below.

"Now get out and get snapping, gorgeous."

Snap a photo of street style where you live and tweet it with #30DaysofGOOD. If yours is great - it just might be uploaded to their rockstar website.