awkward & awesome thursday

  it's that time again...

{via}

awkward:::

:: The maids came again today when I was home...read this if that doesn't mean anything to you.

:: More than one DMV experience in the last 2 weeks. Oh, I can't take my knowledge test? Why's that? Oh, because I'm not a US citizen without my passport to prove it? My current drivers licence doesn't do it, eh? Well that's a shame. Too bad I drove 6 hours to make this happen. Have a nice daaaaaaay.

:: So I go to this place called Lush in the mall, heard of it? Yeah, well it's great and all except it's stocked with hippies and weird smelling perfume. One of the workers took me over to the sink and told me to try out the body wash. Except she took my whole arm and stuck it under the sink. Proceeded to lather me up herself with this great body wash and and rise it off a century later. Admittedly, the little arm massage was great and all but, hi, I don't know you and you just showered my arm. 

:: The fact that I'm pretty sure I've put on at least 10 pounds since coming back to the homeland. America makes you fat, people. It just does.

:: Virtually no day-time social contact for the past week. It's time to move.

awesome:::

::  Breaking Bad was discovered and it's great. I'm rationing my episodes

 so I don't watch the whole darn thing in one night.

:: I get to move this weekend! After waiting what seemed like an eternity to get to

 this point in my life, I'm excited to start a fresh chapter in a new house with new and old friends. 

:: Because of the whole moving thing, I've rationalized going out to

 almost all my favorite eating spots to get my hometown fix in before I'm off. 

:: Leaps and bounds being made to make this whole "I need a job" thing happen.

 Keeping my fingers crossed!

:: IT'S. ALMOST. PACKER SEASON.  yes.

linkup with The Daybook

fall resolutions

Oh hey there, is anyone else not ready for summer to be over?? I mean, I get the whole pumpkin spice latte, warm socks, sweater and pumpkin thing. But I'm not exactly ready to put away those light as a feather dresses and ordering overpriced iced coffee drinks. I'm just not.

 I'm also working on saying goodbye to my hometown and doing whatever comes to mind during my last week here -- like taking a random trip downtown to eat at my favorite spot. Yes I did.

SO, to get excited about the seasons changing I made a fall resolutions list. Kind of like a new years resolution except it might actually happen. With all this change in my life, and the change in weather, some of this might actually stick. So here it is...

What are your fall resolutions? I wanna know! Heck, do a link-up if you want! Lets hear 'em.

ps...has anyone seen the show when animals attack? It pretty much makes me want to not go outside for the rest of my life. Which contradicts the first thing on my list. So maybe I should turn it off.

In other news...some completely unrelated pictures for your viewing pleasure.

 These ladies...they are my favorite. And my gigantica shoes were a hit. I think between the two of them, they wore 'em more than I did. Just don't twist an ankle, k?? K.

Oh and this man...well, I think I'll keep him around for awhile. And this is what happens when you do an apartment inspection before moving in. And are really happy to finally have your own bathroom. 

Well I think that about wraps it up. Happy Monday!

pay it forward -- blog style

Hello there! If you're visiting from over at J's spot today, welcome! Hope you like it over here. And thanks for being interested enough in Give Hope 2 Kids to click on that link-a-roo. Anyway, I was so excited to be able to share with all of J's lovely readers a little bit about what I do, that I thought I'd pay it forward in a sense.

Monica, one of my RL best friends and partner in crime in the Honduran jungle, just started a personal blog about her experience of raising a 1 year old there and all the fun stuff that goes along with that. SO, I wanted to share that with you just because I love her and she is, for real, hilarious. And I miss her.

Remember that one time when we made our own dresses in the jungle? Yeah well that happened. Here's the evidence. *Note Monica's dislocated looking let/foot. {She's the one that looks Ecuadorian. Because she is.}

So check out her brand new blog here and follow along on both hers and mine :) 

We refuse to disappoint.

Feliz Friday!

{see what I did there? the alliteration? don't pretend like your not impressed.}

transition

So you know those awkward phases in your life when you don't really live anywhere and you don't really work anywhere? And you're totally and completely in between life seasons? Yeah they have word for that. It's called transition. 

I guess by now we're supposed to know how to deal with that well -- we read books and talk about it and do our best to feel like we are always moving toward something better. And at the same time time we are supposed to enjoy the moment and the calm before the storm. 

But sometimes you just feel like you're in a black hole. Can I get an amen??

Okay maybe it's just me. But I like the storm and the craziness and the busy. 

And I don't do well with free time. {some of you busy super-moms and college students can kick me for saying that later.}

Yesterday I got to sign a lease and get a real-live house key -- the one for my house. And I got the sense that this next season is going to be real good. My mother reminded me the other day that I am on the cusp of all things exciting and I should just enjoy all of the simple joys along the way--the journey. 

So I am trying. Today I made friends with Craigslist again and went to Target for at least the 8th time this week. Because I can.

It's start, alright??

I'm curious, how do you guys deal with transition? What inspires you?

What occupies your precious free time? 

pinterest coming to fruition

Remember that one time we talked about being regular and having lots of time on our hands? Yeah. Well after talking to my sister about this non-problem, she said that I should do everything I've ever wanted to do because I can. Before, ya know, that whole husband, babies, family thing comes into the mix and I'm driving around a whole football team of children in my truck {because the minivan thing is just not an option, folks.}

SO. The other day I got real excited about moving into my new place in a couple short weeks and made some things on my pinterest account that I knew would never happen once the ball got rolling on the whole job thing.

Here's what I made...

numero uno//

My aunt bought me these amazing bamboo spoons and I painted the ends of them because that's my extent of crafty. The jar is from World Market. Bam. Project one: finished.

numero dos//

Do you ever make something that's not expected to reach any sort of expectation and then you're like "holy cazolli I actually really like this." ? Yeah, that's what happened. I bought a plain wooden frame and painted it. In the middle is a...what do you call those? Ya know like a coffee bag material that I cut out and hot glued to the back. {I know, real complicated and classy..} Anyway, so that's my earring holder. And I'm actually really proud of it so if you don't like it, don't hate. 

Since this ain't no DIY blog, I probably won't put up any step by step directions on these things...and because, well, that's just totally unnecessary for these simpler than simpler crafts of mine. But if you want any details I'll be happy to respond to an email or two. 

{Like that use of the word ain't? Yeah me either. I promise not to do that ever again.}

Check you lovelies later.

on living the regular

I think we can all agree that college is fan-freaking-tastic. It just is. So many friends and so much fun that happens between the "studying" and that whole going to class thing..

And since I graduated, I haven't exactly dived into the post-college reality check working world. Instead, I fled the country. For a long time. It was exactly what I wanted to do, what I knew I was called to do during that time of my life. But it's come to an end.

So in between coming home from that and finding a j-o-b it's, well, a bit of a let-down. If I could sell my free time to you busy people I totally would. And I realized I have a bit of a wanderlust bug that I can't get rid of -- which contributes to the fact that part of every day of mine involves looking up how much plane tickets are to somewhere else.

But just yesterday I talked to a very wise man about this "living the regular" thing. And how it can be a bit of a let down after the constant excitement and novelty of college life. Good things still happen, there's just a bit more space in between them. And that's okay.

I know we've all got this thing about living to the heights and making every day crazy and magical. But there's something really special about finding the good and the purposeful in the regular days.

Like today, when...

.When not everything is instagramed. When you're not wearing your fashion show shirt or your "what i wore" post outfit. When your hair is super average. And when your camera doesn't focus on the right thing when you're taking a bathroom pic with a painted flamingo in the background.

When the excitement for the day is the fact that "operation: salvage the favorite coca-cola shirt by getting rid of the unbelievably large stain" actually worked. And you can add successful bleacher to your resume.

When you eat the leftover pizza from last night for lunch. And you're super excited about it because it was darn good pizza and it means that you don't need to spend more money on food. 

When you're thankful that you get to spend time with your only brother who is moving away to college in just 2 short days. And helping him pack up all his crap in bins is fun and just another way to tell him that you love him very, very much. 

So happy regular day, people. Cheers to Tuesday and finding the brilliance in the ordinary. 

home is wherever

Well you know what they say...when you're unemployed you might as well galavant around while you don't have to take vacation days to do it. Right? Right. I won't mention how the gas monayyyz is almost making me dip into my non-existent retirement fund. oops.

This week was spent exploring my soon-to-be new neighborhood, looking for a big girl job, and hanging out with some of my favorite people. Can't wait to finally {after several broken promises} move in with one of my best friends from college and live near mr. JT {finally. finally!} We can talk about that more later.

Despite all the changes, scary growing up stuff {like car insurance for example...yuck!}, getting lost in new places, feeling like I for real live exclusively out of a suitcase, and wondering how this whole new chapter thing is all going to work out...I can tell it's going to be good. Like real good. 

 

Ah yes. Maybe one of these days I'll actually bust out my "real" camera and stop posting instagram as an excuse for a real blog post.

Until then...

the liebster

Oh hi friends!
Stopping in today to thank Ariel from On a Whim for nominating me for the Liebster Blog Award. whoot woot! It's given to up and coming bloggers with less than 200 followers. So thanks, Ariel, you're so kind.

Lets get down to it, shall we?

11 random facts about yours truly:::

1//coffee is my daily source of inspiration. i've once considered "drinking" it intravenously because it would be more effective.

2//i love art history and took several classes in college even though it wasn't my major.

3//i have an obsession with cuba and want to get there any way possible someday.{anyone got a boat??}

4//honduras was my home for nearly a year. you can read about that here.

5//because of #4 i speak spanish fluently.

6//one of my dream jobs is to be a wife and a mother.

7// i am so extremely directionally challenged which makes this whole wanderlust of a life i've got goin' on here real  interesting and sometimes a real gas-guzzler. 

8// i recently discovered my fear of buying a home or a big dog.

9//i'm a somewhat-professional scorpion killer. especially when you give me a pocket knife and a clothes pin.

10//writing letters is one of my favorite things to do. and yes, i do own a typewriter.

11//mangoes are my favorite fruit.

My answers to Ariel's questions:::

What do you order at Starbucks?

Tall iced non-fat caramel macchiato no whip.

How did you spend your 18th birthday?

My friend and I threw ourselves a princess and superhero joint birthday party. {real life.}

What's your go-to nail polish color?

Robin's egg blue

All-time favorite movie?

The Departed or Green Street Hooligans {I'm actually a guy. Just kidding.}

Would you ever own a motorcycle?

Yes yes and yes.

What is your favorite pandora station?

The Lumineers

If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?

Living in Lain America {oh wait I just did that}, being a wife and mom, doing something that matters.

What were you named after?

Ireland

Who is your biggest celerity crush?

Channing Tatum. Until I see what he's like in real life. And then I'm like..yuck.

Where were you for your first kiss?

On the balcony of a high school stage.

If you're actually still reading at this point I applaud you.

Okay, here's who I'm nominating for this thing:::

Samara from Wanderings of Miss Dane

Gabi from Kneadle and Bread

Sarah from The Sweetness of Laughter

Elizabeth from What I Love About Today

Stefanie from Living Deliberately

THE RULES:

 Each person must list 11 things about themselves.

 Answer the 11 questions that the tagger has set for you plus you MUST create 11 questions of  your own for the 11 people you will nominate with this award, which brings me to rule 3.

 Choose up to 11 bloggers linking them to your post.

 Go to their page and inform them of the nomination.

Absolutely NO tag backs.

 Remember to ONLY tag bloggers with less than 200 followers

MY QUESTIONS FOR NOMINEES:

What's the first thing you do when you get up in the morning?

What would your ideal Friday night?

Favorite summer drink?

What's the one thing you like the most about yourself?

Why did you start blogging?

Do you have any tattoos? Please elaborate if yes.

Coffee or tea?

What is your most irrational fear?

Where is your favorite place on this earth?

What did/are you going to school for?

What is one thing you are passionate about?

Whew! Have a blessed Friday ya'll. 

{p.s. This northerner doesn't say ya'll but I'm trying to incorporate it into my working vocabulary just for fun.}

wedding weekend & unofficial college reunion

This weekend...

these people got married -- college roomie and friend. Aren't they a handsome couple?!

what a beautiful wedding. They had some of the Eau Claire alumni sing as a choir during the ceremony {who just happen to be their friends}...what a talented group of people. I was so honored to be a part of their day.

These lovelies stayed the weekend to join in on the fun...

This happened before all the festivities began...

This man came to be my handsome counterpart...

This unofficial college roommate reunion happened...

And then on Sunday morning after being able to go to "American church" for the first time in a long time, we got frozen custard. Because that's just what needed to happen.

Hope you all had a lovely weekend as well!

xo

the official, unofficial recipe for chimol

Ever since we've been hosting groups at Give Hope 2 Kids, I've had several recipe requests for things we make in the jungle house. One of them being this great thing called chimol..which is kind of like a chunky salsa. Normally we'd put it on the plate with rice, beans, corn tortillas and maybe some meat. But it's a great, healthy thing to throw into the mix of any type of latin meal you're cookin' up. 

As a heads up...

I never cook with exact measurements..and to be honest, we've made this thing for anywhere from 3 to 30 people...so there is no exact-ness to the method. Sorry.

STEP 1:

chop::::

yellow onion

green pepper

roma tomatoes

some cucumber (to add volume)

STEP 2:

add::::

cilantro

ideally, lime juice

not so ideally but great substitute for lime juice, vinegar

salt

ground cumin

salt 

salt

salt

And when you think you've maxed out on the salt, try the mix and tell yourself there needs to be more salt. It's the only sure way to do it.

Hope this is helpful for some of you. And let me know how your version turns out!

Provecho!