Couples around the world

Inspired by Amy's post...

Snapped this gem in Espana....this couple was not holding hands, but they had the same crook in their backs which made them lean the same way....

just taking a little stroll at mediodia during siesta...cute, huh?

Hare Krishna. Repeat.

Where else can you find 15,000 totally sober, nice Mormon kids at some Hindu festival (that more resembles Woodstock) celebrating diversity?

During the four-hour long festival, we chanted and sang "Hare Krishna" more times than I shampooed and rinsed (and repeated) my hair that evening.

Which is probably why the lead for the SL Trib story is about showering.

(P.S. You can tell how much fun that reporter had writing that story...probably the best kicker ending EVER!)

I wish there were more of this kind of thing around here.

'Sven' and 'Keats.' Freshman friends, now 8 months fresh from Finland and Brazil missons, respectively. Such nice guys.

Roomie 'Rindz' crowdsurfed. 5 times. Still talks about it.

HARE KRISHNA!

Kissing checklist

In lieu of planning my wedding or deciding which kind of diamond ring I want (something about cut, color, clarity? I dunno) for my engagement to a currently non-existent man, I'm now creating a kissing checklist as per this Smitten post.

- Atop the Eiffel Tower (3rd time up will be a charm!)

- Along the following rivers:

Seine (Paris is a magical place, I was proposed to at age 17)

Vltava in Prague

Charles in Cambridge, Mass (also a magical place: both my parents rowed there at different points in time, and it's where my brother and sis-in-law met and engaged)

- In Central Park
(almost happened last summer, but the dude was too dull and I wasn't about to go all progressive on him in the most romantic place in America if he wasn't going to man-up)

(yeah, we were sitting on the fountain steps pictured above...in the moonlight...long story short, I never wanted him to begin with, but for story's sake, yes, geez!)

- A mountain summit (Kilimanjaro...base camp of Everest... Any takers?)

- In Africa (Victoria Falls?)

- In Dubai ("Las Vegas on steroids")

- On a sunset on the lake my family goes to every summer

- On a boat (preferably on the a fore mentioned lake)

- On a beach

- In a jungle (Costa Rica, Amazon Brazil, or on an elephant in Thailand)

- In a forest (New Zealand, perhaps?)

- At the Lincoln Memorial

- In all 7 continents

(Antarctica will happen...can't you just take a little boat trip from the southernmost tip of Argentina? Dime, si sabes.)

How about you? Anywhere you want to smooch that I'm missing?

On mediocrity

Brought to you courtesy of Gmail quote-of-the-days...

"Only the mediocre are always at their best."
- Jean Giraudoux

Hardcore and intense, but true.

My mom and dad would never care about grades growing up, but they WOULD care "if we had done our best."
ALWAYS.
This applied to everything else... from church talks, volleyball practices, to drivers ed.

(The follow up question was always "Did you make it fun?")

Most of the time that was hard for me to swallow, because I am naturally REALLY HARD on myself (I don't seriously subscribe into astrology, but I am a Virgo and this happens to be a facet) and ALWAYS knew I could have done better.

Gradually, as I would get upset when they'd ask me this, they clarified the statement to:
"Did you do your best with the time you had?"
And then, it made me relax (a little).
Because there are so many more commitments in life that go unseen behind the grade on the transcript or another unit of societal measure.

So yeah, the above quote makes me realize I wasn't wrong for being upset (being asked if I had done my best), because truth be told...

a fate of mediocrity scares me.

Mis hermanas españolas

Had a great little Spain reunion the other night at Kendal's bridal shower...

(Liz, Lauren, Sarah, Me, Kendal)

She is marrying the male version of herself, and I couldn't be more thrilled for her.

Yeah, freakishly beautiful children will be on our planet in the future.

Here are some memories of us in Spain...some of the following I stole from Laur's blog...

Clowning around in Leon...We were so cool (lame), we quoted Mean Girls all the time...
especially
"I'm not like a regular mom, I'm a cool mom!"
"You go Glen Coco!" and
"You can walk home, b's!"

We would always, always laugh.


Riding camels in Morocco in our Kandurum dresses-
we broke the rules by jumping Gibraltar but all agreed the above photo made our study abroad.



Our many nights sleeping together....



I believe this was after we watched Ellen DeGeneres stand-up comedy on our laptop.
And then were laughing so hard we watched it again.
Then had some quality GT, as always.
And then we slept head-to-toe like Charlie Bucket's grandparents in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.


Porto, Portugal. Love the pirate style boats (we took a boat cruise on one!).
This is evidence that we would yes, indeed, take the initiative to siesta wherever and whenever we could.


Bar-the-lona...Sarah and I shamelessly sporting our see-through pants, that we all bought at H&M and wore all the time.


Ahh! So many funny memories of being with you guys.
Por ejemplo...

"My host parents still don't know how to pronounce my name..." -Kendal
Making our 'Arabian Nights' music video...and the one inspired by 'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air'...
Scheming about buying a baby chick on Las Ramblas, Barcelona
Napolitanas from La Mallorquina, Madrid
Laughing/being grossed out at Garrett squatting everywhere

Making friends with those Tangier shop-owners
Always electing for doner kebabs over 'gross tapas'
Andrew pulling out a sword in a Toledo shop ('Viva Espana!')
"Proxima Parada...Atocha Renfe"
Getting ripped off by nuns in Toledo
Mimicking John-Charles
Sarah screaming at the lizards at El Escorial
Las Fallas in Valencia and cursing all the kids throwing firecrackers in the street all day, thinking if we were anywhere else it would be a war-torn country
Laughing at Angelica, our Spanish teacher, dangling chalk like a cigarette ("Ojo clase! Ojo!")

That doesn't even begin...


US, reunited back in December (with some strange lurker...)

The infamous Charita

My mom and I are really good friends....

We joke sometimes how we were in the premortal existence and played rock/paper/scissors to decide who would come down to Earth first.

...such good friends, we have silly pet names for each other. All two of them:

a) Bubbala (a yiddish term for "darling/dearest"...often we clip it to "Bubbs")

or

b) Charita...who I will discuss...


My mom went through the public school system in 1970s Los Angeles, and Charita was a mean black girl...

(I say 'black' in all politically correct detail purposes...it's no secret my mom secretly wants to be African-American)

...who bullied my mom and even threatened to beat her up once (that's when my grandparents offered to put my mom in private school if she wanted).

Yeah, my sweet mom...was apparently some kind of a threat (or perhaps an easy target) of Charita.

(she uses this as her Facebook profile picture. I know, how cool is she. She claims it's so people can laugh at her dorkiness.)

Another fellow University High School Alum of my mom's year was Paris Hilton's mom.
(Don't worry, my mom was invited to THIS reunion but didn't go...and upon getting word of the Hilton appearance, we all had a good laugh).


I digress...anyway, Charita stories:

1) One day my mom is wearing a white shirt and white shorts, skipping along somewhere at school, sees Charita (and her posse) out of the corner of her eye and does everything to go unnoticed. Next thing she knows, Charita is yanking my mom's long ponytail (which trailed down to her hips) and sneers:

"What color you wearin'..."
"Umm...ehhh.....white?" my mom feebly replied.
"I better not be seeing you wearin' that again, you hear!"
"Ok!!!"

2) Another time, my mom and her friend Suzy were in the school bathroom, and Charita demanded to use Suzy's Bonne Bell Lipsmackers lip balm.
Scared out of her mind, of course Suzy wordlessly obliged, and as soon as Charita had used said lip balm and vacated the premises (homegirl posse in tow), Suzy sliced off an inch of the lip balm, averting scary Charita cooties.


And the kicker...

3) One day in the gym locker room, one of Charita's posse called out:
"Charita, you got some lotion? My skin be gettin' ash-EEEEY....umph!!!"

My mom said she and her friends hid behind their row of lockers, giggling (silently) with gaped-mouths and wide-eyes.

My mom will do a shameless imitation of that, upon simple request.
She will also do the Uni High Cheer Squad (of Kathy Hilton fame) football cheer and choreography as well.


So Charita, wherever you are, I hope you know you never cease to be a freakish fascination (and name substitution) for your former bully target and her daughters.

I hope to meet you one day, and I hope you won't beat me up.

Sincerely, Alex

Prague: Addendum

I forgot to mention Simon, my cousin's college friend who is from Prague and was still there on Christmas Break when the four of us were there for the journalism conference...

he showed us all around the city and Prague Castle the second night we were there, and I felt silly taking pictures of him in his hometown, so I discreetly (hah) snapped the following:

He knows Czech, French, German, and perfect English, rows and is 6'3"...any takers?!
(we all had little crushes on him).

And funny thing, I saw Simon again when I went to....



Boston last month to visit sister and cousin!

Silly hats waiting for the T

Sunday Brunch

Love my little 6'3" ginga sista!

Today I'm missing...

Prague

The most gorgeous city in the world, blanketed in snow.

But more importantly, the following ladies who made it fun, despite the fact it was the coldest week of the year.

(Emiley, Emily, Kristine, Me)

Emiley and Kristine work elsewhere, and Emily and I have a class together so we see each other about every other day (when we're not trading off going to it, which we're really good at!)

Emiley, Emily, Me, and Hassna'a- queen of Saudi Arabian media...seriously, she's so awesome.

Canadian Katie, Me, Norwegian Christina, Kristine



Me, Emily, and Dina from Kyrgystan- we Facebook message each other about every other week, and I love our little chats! Technology is awesome!

I miss all of you!

9th Ward Cartoons

Visiting Teaching: Bearing each others burdens, one Edward Cullen reference at a time!

See more LDS cartoons at 9th Ward Cartoons. Funny!


If you're lost, read about what "Visiting Teaching" is HERE.

Career change

Just kidding!!!!!

My latest obsession/dream is to write for the TMagazine, the Travel Mag of the NY Times' Style Mag.

Check out at all the breathtaking sumptuous photography!

Chicago has never looked so chic (clever title too).

Slovenia: who knew?!

Can I please re-locate to Liechtenstein. Now. Well, not really...but freakishly gorgeous countryside.

Oh to be a Missoni...(so jeal of Margherita)...

Breathtaking Bali...



Take me away!!!

Breakfast at Starbies

So yesterday I was missing New York (as per usual), so I decided to channel my inner Audrey Hepburn and get my favorite latte (soy, decaf, extra foam, no whip) from Starbucks and a chocolate croissant from Eliane French Bakery.

Yes, I drove to two locations for the above items... I'm a foodie, remember?!

Six Word Stories

After many late late nights this week (and last) just being there for my newly broken up roommate (six words: his real girlfriend is/was skiing), yesterday I woke up begrudgingly to go snowboarding yesterday with a new friend.

We both found out later that we secretly didn't want to go, but felt bad as we had made a commitment a few days before.

Words cannot describe how amazing it was to be on the lifts and then lay in the snow, spill our hang-ups about life and commiserate, then get up and careen down the mountain (even though it was sticky spring snow and now I have a goggle tan/burn like aforementioned ski bum ex-fiance).

I swear, get me on a chairlift and I will confess everything.
"Lift confessionals" as I have come to call it. Slightly hilarious.

But I really think I've become a really blunt person since I've moved here, because I can't stand all this non-confrontational tip-toe-ing, and would rather have people be straight with me instead of getting that smile-y "Yer so greaht" facade and then get stabbed in the back later.

Because I am extremely bored all the time here in Provo, and have given up on the constant self-advertising efforts to make friends who you know will then ditch you for a man-friend, and instead channeled that energy in lots and lots of daydreaming.

Get a life, you say? Well, that's mine at the moment so put that in your pipe and smoke it.

(To all those who are still my friends (and you know who you are), you are diamonds in this rough patch of my life.)

To make a blunt segway...ssooooo John Mayer's Six Word Story (read more about it on Kate's blog), via Twitter, is

"My heart didn't come with instructions."

Why is he so brilliant? Really.
I remember in Spain when I was bored on the charter bus, I listened to his albums on repeat all the time, savoring every brilliantly constructed sentence and insight (him and Missy Higgins. Gah! love them!). I was astounded that the amazing voice and beats I had come to love had such deep deep meaning when I really listened to the lyrics.

So is it any coincidence that my six word story is:
"Destined for greatness in due time."

I've had to temporarily dull my hyper-anxious senses because I know I can't do anything about said daydreams until I get out of this gestational period of sheer monotony.
Provo is like a mother's womb, some bask in or never want to leave the comfort, and some just can't wait to get out kicking and screaming.

Guess which one I am.

Octomom: the verdict

So in case you are a martian, this fellow we Americans like to call our Commander-in-Chief killed it on Leno last night.


I think John Mayer says it best (via his tweet):

"As long as the Octomom stays the top national story, I know Obama is doing his job keeping America safe. Think about it until you agree."



Yes, I'm following johncmayer on Twitter.
Hot. I know.
He is brilliant and hilarious and dashing. What else does a girl need?

Dear CWTV

Dear CWTV,

I'm sorry I couldn't make time in my schedule to watch the latest episode of Gossip Girl on Monday...


(Truth be told, I think watching live TV is a waste of time- blatantly avoidable advertising)


...but I would highly appreciate if you would post the latest episode on your Web site....ALREADY!

i.e. Usually, you do it 48 hours after GG has aired...
...but now, if you haven't noticed, it is well into the THIRD DAY.

I have put up with your lack-of-filming shenanigans for upwards of the last two months, and for many reasons (which may or may not include the fact that I'd rather watch Penn and Blake's sickening chemistry on-screen than on People.com), I am on the brink of my seat about to explode with dramatic escapist suspense that only the recession-proof Upper East Side world you convey in your silly drama provides.


Anxious and peeved,
Alex

Mobama's Prom Dress!

Who'd have thought this FIERCE Lady of '81 would one day become....

(that slit!)



the FIRST

(those toned arms!)

Love them


Picture courtesy Buzz Feed & Smitten

Stranger Photos

THIS is quite possibly one of the coolest social experiments to date.

So cool, that Joanna did it in NYC!

(I love how I've taken the initiative to refer to Joanna Goddard on a first-name basis, but I feel so akin to her I can't resist.)

I think I'm going to do this at BYU one of these days...stay tuned.
I really hope the rent-a-cops on their bikes don't take them, but that would be a really huge metaphorical social statement in and of itself, wouldn't it!

Leave a comment for where you think I should leave two disposable cameras (on BYU campus) to do this...

Fire escapes

I've always been intrigued with the irony of fire escapes.

They're morbid for making you think about potential emergency situations, yet scream romance (cue 'Moon River' and other fire escape movie scenes).

Archaically antique, yet practical even in the most progressive of places.

I know it's already been done, but one day when I get really good at photography I want to walk around various cities and photograph fire escapes.

If only I were as enlightened as Will in his study break, where he waxed poetic about these urban wonders (yeah, I know, that's what he writes on a study break...I should really just quit).

Dear Endorphins

Today was Rex Lee Run "race day" (I snicker at that phrase like I do at "training"), where I ran the 10K.

Of course there were your average Provo Zoobies (guys checking the FP of their girlfriends/fiances/wives),

those manorexic, anemic-looking cross-country-for-life'ers who have thighs the size of my arms,

and a small but noteworthy percentage of cool-looking girls and guys (too bad we were all jamming too intently to our iPods to chat).

Then circa mile 4.3 there was a girl running solo like me who turned and we exchanged sweet runner nothings along the lines of "You're doing great"...
sweetheart.

I would say the hardest part was looping back around with the 5K-ers at the end because many were walking and my legs were begging to do the same.

However, the Fray's "You Found Me"came on and I can honestly say I sprinted the last 0.2 mile for a finish time of 1 hour, 1 minute and 25 seconds.

Not bad for someone who used to detest running, and STILL DOESN'T GET RUNNER'S HIGH.
And so, with my new runner entitlement, I pen an open letter to endorphins, who have yet to come out of my mind's hibernation (extinction?):


Dear Endorphins,

As Bob in What About Bob said -
"I'm doing the work, I'm babystepping, I'm not a slacker!" -
I TOO am putting in some pavement time.
And mind you, my steps are not babysteps as I'm just shy of 6 feet tall.
So needless to say, it's ABOUT TIME you showed up.
"Gimme, gimme, I need, I need,"

Alex

Paris: Another reason

As much as fashion is intriguing and escapist, when it all comes down to the masses it reaches the wearable function phase.

But in France, everything and anything goes...

The Sartorialist (see his blog for fabu beyond fabu photos) was in Paris for the fall fashion shows, so thus he posted on-the-street shots of French women- the originators of chic.


How much would you
a) love to be in Paris right now
b) love to be wearing that coat and
c) love the fact that you'd only be second-glanced at by an American photographer in it?

My recession-friendly refried bean kick

I'm a SoCal native, which makes my soul food Mexican food,
just like gumbo to a New Orlean native or barbeque to a Texan.

Thus, I've been on a refried bean kick lately.



It's the strangest thing. I must be my tribute to the recession gods.

Lindsey thinks it's hilarious, but as a SoCal native, she understands completely, and when I told my sister about what I've been eating lately she told me it sounded "really goood"
(yeah, her dining hall food options include quinoa, edamame and fresh peaches in the dead of winter- I retorted that she was ridiculous).

Regardless, I've lately been feeling disgustingly indulgent dining out after I get on NY Times and read all the depressing (pun intended) stories...

which gets me to thinking about my grandpa who grew up in small town Utah during the Depression and has stories about rationing eggs...

so I figure this is my recession-era food story I'll tell my own grandchildren one day.
i.e. "Back in the Obama years when we drove these things called 'cars' to get around and people read newspapers..."

So here's what I do: I'll buy a pack of 16 Rosarita refried bean cans for about $10 at Costco...

also, while you're at Costco, pick up a thing of Parmigiano Reggiano and marinated sun-dried tomatoes (shh, I know that doesn't exactly sound recession-like, but buying in bulk is!)

All I do is I open a can, put in some cheese (highly recommend parmesan, but cheddar works too) and sundried tomato, nuke it in the micro for a few minutes and voila, a meal.

(It just occurred to me- not only is this easy on the wallet but it's also a fusion of Mexican meets Italian. Economic crises have never been so sophisticated.)

So needless to say, it's filling, healthy, delicious...and your stomach's economic best friend.

The Hipster Hygiene Dilemma

My roomie Rindsey is forever annoyed by the Provo Indie-hipsters...Read this post.

I agree with her on the hygiene elitism part.

There is NO EXCUSE for bad hygiene in the 21st century (see this post where I wax longingly for hygienic Germans).

And vintage clothes are cool and eco-friendly...but you must still WASH THEM: No one is too cool for Tide.

I repeat, no one is too cool for Tide.

Thanks.

Well, I read this on Courtney's blog and was stupefied on how broad the Hipster movement is...

Hmm, that could make the east coast a problem for me, no offense to EC'ers, I looove your coast but some of your fellow Yankees fall behind the hygiene curve.
(And that was not a NYY reference, Sox fans)

is it your old buildings, charming as they are?
abundance of insufficient plumbing?
proximity to the Euros who rub off more of their deodorant-less selves on you than West Coasters (based on sheer distance decay theory)?

DON'T BE OFFENDED-- I'm just brainstorming what even my mom has been stupefied over since her EC collegiate days.


Case in point, I was working out at the NYU gym last summer and I swear, the kid next to me

a) had not showered in 3 long days
b) was wearing a shirt he had previously sweated in (the moldy re-sweat smell)
c) made many people move away from where he was and
d) was oblivious to a, b and c.

Hygiene: looks good on everyone.

The Publicity Dilemma

I really like the Church Newsroom's Web site, because it cuts through a lot of rumors that swarm about Mormon culture.

For example, I thought this was a very dignified response to what is being disrespectfully exploited on Big Love.

For elites of the film industry to claim they're tolerant, then rashly show things we regard as sacred, is maddeningly disrespectful.

For example, it's like if you approached a Muslim woman and demanded she remove her hajib because, oh I don't know, you were curious to see what she looked like...regardless of reason, it's just so offensive!
The amount of hajib a woman covers herself with is a personal decision, and we should all respect that woman for covenanting with Allah in the way she has decided!

Go here if you'd like to give HBO feedback. It takes two seconds.

I didn't weep and rail on them, I simply just said that I find their exploitations offensive and intolerant.

Training Update

Many of you have asked me how my 'training' is coming.

Welp, despite the fact I've actually put on weight (presumably...I don't own a scale)...due to the fact that running gives you an appetite (who knew?!) and that I have the most substantial calluses on my feet since my volleyball days...

it's going well, thank you.

So my favorite tracks to run to? I've decided it's a mixture of bad-ass rap, cheeky girl pop and sexy dance music....

but more than Cut Copy, more than Goldfrapp, more than Fiddy or Eminem...

I am not ashamed to admit The Pussycat Dolls are my favorite to run to.

My favorites:
It's a toss up between the Jai-Ho Remix from Slumdog and
Top of the World from The City's opening song.

And of course, no run is complete without some Calabria (I pretend I'm dancing in Spain again).

And of course, having Akon tell you that you're beautiful and that he wants to make love right now as you hawk loogies on the sidewalk (did I mention I'm still kinda sick from Boston?) isn't so painful either.

Enough said.

To take our minds off the hour of sleep we will not 'retrieve again' until this coming autumnal season, let's watch some YouTube.

Thanks to sister for this one:




And to Kate for giving me a better picture of what my mom will be like reincarnated:

La Culture Française

So it's not a secret that part of me wants to be French.

Actually, more so German (they're prompt, hygienic, friendly-er, tall-er and they embrace all cuisines...yeah you can see where my priorities are hah)

not to mention Tina Fey is half-German...




...but the German language is harder and not as practical.

Regardless, I'm really obsessed with la culture francaise, so obsessed that for graduation I'm not asking for jewelry nor a boob job (JK- but it's commonplace where I come from!)...
but Rosetta Stone's to learn French.

I am in love with Paris (even though it's a far scarier place in Taken than say, Mumbai in Slumdog Millionaire...)

I could sit on the Champs-Elysees all day.

I even know where I would live: ideally near the Jardin Luxembourg and the Musee Rodin, close to the cafe culture and nightlife of Montparnasse and the Latin Quarter of the left bank.

Especially after reading this: 5 surprises about living in Paris (I want to be her).
For the record #3, 4, and 5 are presumably universal if you live in Europe- I say that based on my living experiences in Spain, where I did not blow dry my hair, frequently took cold showers (tepid at warmest, in a box-sized shower no less)...and well, the food in Spain is uninspiringly bland so I can't really speak much for the cheddar cheese one.

Check out these luuuurvely flowers from Parisian markets.

Peonies are now in my top three favorite flowers, after orchids and irises.

I find orchids so intriguingly architectural,

Irises so strikingly vibrantly (and who doesn't love Van Gogh),

and Peonies simply lusssh and lovely.


Oh to be in Paris.

(photos courtesy Kari Herer Photography)