New blog wherein I take a jab at my narcissism

Yes, folks, it's the end of a sensationalist burnt-mustard-colored era. Maybe?

Tired of logging into my old Gmail account to blog here, I created a new one.

But really, we all can gather it was to further enable my social media narcissism.

So I made sure the title took a jab at media, society, and most of all, myself.

"More Talk, Less Walk"

Still tinkering with the blog template, but everyone reads blogs in Google Reader now anyways, right?


Again, follow my self-absorption here (journalism professors everywhere are beaming).


TEASER FIRST POST: "Pray for the computer literacy of Burkina Faso"

Stay sensational,
Alex

'Nothing' vs. 'nothing much'

Dear sweet, wonderful, hilarious Kiwis,

'Sweet as' things like this make me miss you heaps!



Sidenote: I drank L&P (it's like a really good ginger ale) when I got food poisoning in NZ and it was 'helpful as' while I was lying in bed for a day and a half doing......sadly, nothing.

The emotional rollercoaster of Project Runway

Oh Project Runway. You make me laugh, you make me think, you make me cry - yes, cry - with happiness and anguish.

I think this season was particularly emotional.

The life of an artist is so fraught with risk, and it comes across in the show down to where every last seam and pleat seems to bear consequence to a designer's life trajectory.

And when there is success it is incredibly gratifying to watch.

I liked pieces from all three of the final collections. Also, I really identified when Gretchen said something along the lines of "being a confident woman often translates into bitch"...

because I've totally been accused of one as I've come into my own...

even though in my opinion, Gretchen did cross the line of bitch a few times, but I think she was humbled in the end.


And of course, where would we all be without Tim Gunn. I think he is the only 'celebrity' that, should I see him around town here, I would break calm, cool, collected city slicker cover to adoring, gushing fan. I love that man.

How hilarious was he on Gossip Girl this week? I'll link the NY Mag recap here. Hilarious as always...

I love this guy

Not so secretly, my dream job is to be on SNL. I've been told impersonations are my X-Factor.

When they announced the new cast members this season, it stung.

But alas, I'm too tall for television, and I'm reassured that it would probably be a life riddled with textbook showbiz substance abuse. And, uh, that would kind of be counterproductive for what other things I want to do with my life.

And, I am also known for laughing hysterically before I can finish telling a joke, something that may be problematic if I were performing full character impersonation sketches.

But I am really in love with SNL newbie Jay Pharoah. His imitations of Will Smith and Denzel Washington are SPOT ON!

He's only a month younger than me.... ah, now that stings....:)

Head of the Charles Regatta

My mom was in NYC last week and we had so much fun walking around, eating seafood at every occasion (sea urchin, scallops, oysters, shrimp, bouillebaisse, sole all within about 2 days!), seeing Billy Elliott and In the Heights, and going to Eataly a couple times.



Then we headed to see one of my sisters and the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston. A festive, glamorous, very East Coast event.

I had never been before, but it is an event of special significance for my family- both of my parents competed in the race at one point or another, and it is officially where my brother and sister-in-law met the first time (Apparently, she was sitting on a blanket reading a book, and was about to leave for home to finish reading, but my brother persuaded her to linger a while longer and chat. AWW.)

My dad, at 6'4" at one point had to make a 150 pound weight requirement for the lightweight crew, subsisting on jello and gum for days on end. Yeeeah, he is where I get my intensity.

versus my mom: "Rowing hungry would be a total dealkiller for me."

Them, in a nutshell.


I was so inspired! Of course it doesn't hurt that the mens' rowing teams are all so tall and handsome. ;)

And of course, you can't ignore the reality of knowing there were innumerable unglamorous, very cold, very sore, very tired 6 am morning rows and lifts and runs.

Both my sister and I admitted we were on the verge of tears when we thought of our mom coming to visit! And here we thought we were so tough forging around on our own across the country. Miss you already, mom!

In support of Park51

I can't even believe there are people, like Bill O'Reilly, in this country who believe that Islam is to fault for hijacking the planes on 9/11/01. Utterly disgusting.

In case you have been living under a rock the last 9 years, Islam is a religion of PEACE. Islam detests the Taliban and for the way they twist compassionate Islamic teachings into terrorist acts against humanity.

I really find all arguments against Park51 aka 'the Mosque,' which is more like a very modern Islamic Community Center that financially and ethically improves a once abandoned and seedy block of the Financial District downtown, appallingly un-American and anti-democracy.

To hear more about the people behind the mosque, watch this 60 Minutes segment.

I greatly respect Islam. Of all places, Islam should not be met with animosity in the USA.

I care. That's all.

I haven't been able to run or yog (a self-created verb for "do yoga") lately because for some reason my lower back has been killing me, so when not on the job hunt or not watching Jeopardy or not exploring this glorious glorious city which I am so familiar yet so foreign to, I can be found nose deep in lots of sobering trafficking and poverty literature for reasons of
- staying humble - i.e. realizing that, say, the money used for a cab ride home from a night out is more than what a girl halfway around the world is sold into prostitution for
and
-being informed on how I can make a difference here or how I could one day.

BUT ENOUGH WITH MY NARCISSISM.

A week or so ago, 60 Minutes profiled the famously press shy Bill and Melinda Gates and their eponymous Foundation (highly recommend click on that link to watch the footage), and I was left so in awe of their incredible generosity. My brother, who worked for Microsoft a while ago, has only the highest regard for them, but the 60 Minutes team really brought The Foundation's work to life.

"All lives, no matter where they are lived, have equal value." -Melinda Gates

Wouldn't it be the ultimate dream to build a fortune with the eager desire to give it away? That would really be the most satisfying thing in the entire world.

The other week I went to a lecture on poverty cleverly titled '1.4 million Reasons' at NYU by a gung-ho Aussie Hugh Evans, with Hugh Jackman headlining. Cool to use his celebrity to draw people in to be informed on the issue, although I admit, I was feeling quite "rah rah BYU!" after because even though Provo doesn't reel in lots of 'sexy' headlining speakers, the information presented was nothing new to what I had studied in a global issues-type classes. Hurts to admit, but point Cougars and your excellent use of your painfully frugal budget.

Anyway, the main takeaways from the presentation were that with persisting efforts of existing organizations poverty can and WILL be eradicated within the next 20 years. Mind blowing. We can be hopeful!


I Google Buzz share a lot of lowbrow humor from Fail blog, which is purely mindlessly silly in a 12-year-old humor kind of way... but this is especially apropos for this post!

"Empathy Fail"

I'm so inspired. More to come on this front soon...if I can only be a little less anxious about how I'm portrayed on this blog. Sometimes the angst is crippling. Thanks for reading, reader!

"Immappacy"

To all fellow map fetishists, geek out on this:

The True Size of Africa

Thanks for Buzzing this, Biggins!

Becoming my grandparents

Today I beat my financial analyst friend at Jeopardy!

It's the little things.

I'm seriously 80 years old sometimes...eh, everyday. It's a routine.

I'm going to post. Then tweet. Then link to FB. Then RT. Then 'Like.'

Not.

I was going to make the title of this post "Zuck on this" but I knew my mom wouldn't appreciate it.

I saw The Social Network last Friday night and I really liked it. Yes opening day. I say day because I went Ali who had gone to the midnight showing just 20 hours prior. Yes.

Even though it was a frenetically told story (down to Zuckerberg's character's voice, which was perfectly apropos but also perfectly annoying - I was definitely ready for the movie to end when it did), it had a real Shakespearean simplicity I found ironic- that the themes behind an invention so revolutionary are as simple as ancient love, lust, greed, power...
kind of like how people argue whether Facebook promotes interconnectivity and or pure egoism...
or that the founder of a medium all about social interaction is socially inept himself.

Perhaps that is a credit to the screenplay and the directing, but I thought it was great.

I also thought it made sense to cast Justin Timberlake in a role that is similar to his life- the way JT is to the masses is how Sean Parker was personally to Zuckerberg. At first, I think the character owned JT, but then I saw it as a clever directorial decision that they didn't cast someone with a lesser profile.

Although, maybe I was totally geeked out leading up to it. I read reviews and editorials and little videos here and there, even one being of the score writers talking about their methods for putting sound in the movie.

Did any of you see it? Make sure you don't miss the opening scene- it perfectly bookends the closing.

MINE, all MINE

Indulge this Veruca Salt-esque post:
I have a New York Public Library Card (my grandma, great-aunt, great grandparents would be so proud - long story short, I am fuzzy on details but they spent time and were good friends with many people affiliated there, among them being the first US children's librarian, after whom my aunt and sister are named).

(yes that is my french manicure necessary for THE...to be unnamed.... interview. went swimmingly, thanks.)

As well as 'my' library, I have also found 'my'

-Trader Joe's.
- Starbucks.
- laundry place
- yoga studio
- sporting goods store
- shops for the essentials. Louboutin is not in the budget yet, not that I'll ever need a 5 inch lift ;)
-dermatologist (to live in NYC blemish-free is to have a relationship with prescribed benzoyl peroxide-based topicals)

but maybe most important, an authentic French Macaron place just 4 blocks from me! Good thing they're kind of expensive so I can't go everyday and/or buy 10 at a time. ;)

(grossly vainglorious but you needed evidence, right?)

Ah, I love living within a 15 block radius of everything I'd ever really need in the city-slash-in the entire world.

Except maybe a gooood waterfall.

Parakanui Falls, (Southland, Catlins National Preserve), New Zealand.

But for now concrete is just as delightful!

Sukkah-Cycle!

The weather today was kinda bleak. But I navigated my way to the Brooklyn Ikea, which wore me out (I hate. yes, hate. decorating, it's overwhelming). But thanks to some friendly and funny MTA operators (The subway lady on the return trip was cooing, like a female Marvin Gaye - "I sure hope you're having a great afternoon, this monday afternoon" over the loudspeaker) and my Dragon Tattoo book, it was a pleasant trip.

Happy autumn everyone! Yesterday I went on a run on the hudson river and saw a guy pedaling this, his compadre asking me if I was Jewish.

via here.

A "sukkah-cycle?" It's love. Oh yeah, this is why I live here.

A public declaration solidifies a goal

This is going to happen:

NYRR Joe Kleinerman 10K.
December 5.
8 am.
Central Park.
10 kilometers.
A group of 5 so far... we tweet and email our progress to each other.

Anyone want in, too?

Let's applaud James Franco. No, let's applaud ourselves.

James. James Franco. got a D. in an NYU acting class.*

*due to missing class for filming a movie.

*Insert the universally embraced mantra of, among others, college freshmen and the iconic SOLO red cups, "Never let learning get in the way of your education." (-Twain)

*The only other fabulous example I have to discuss on this matter is how my friend chantelle was taking 16 credit hours while at her job, having to explain to her French teacher that she was missing class for a bi-annual (quarterly?) work trip to, among other places, Paris.

But we are all done with that 'college' business now.

J'adore ma petit chantelle! How much do you love her new short hair? Thought so!

credit shipwrecked and smirking ;)

Come visit me soon, Telly!

*The one class I took at NYU I received a grade higher than a D, so I guess that's something working for me ;)

No, not irrelevant

My friend Jacque: "Is Gossip Girl irrelevant now that you actually live there?"
Me: "Ha! Absolutely not!"




From the last episode: "We don't need tickets. I'm Chuck Bass."

Best "I'm Chuck Bass" ever, agreed with Daily Intel recap- maybe even better than the actual show.

Recycling in Manhattan/My head is going to explode

I've always thought recycling to be a noble cause. And I feel like recycling centers are usually pretty gracious with what they accept.

Recycling in Manhattan, on the other hand, is QUITE the endeavor.

You must put the following in clear plastic bags:

Cleaned narrow-necked plastic and glass bottles in their own bag.

Paper in it's own bag. But NOT take-out trays or any other plastics.

All other is considered TRASH and MUST go in BLACK bags.

And don't worry, apparently there's a quota of bags per building you're allowed to set out on trash day. Uh?

My favorite rule:
Cardboard must be broken down and wrapped in twine. Like a Christmas package. Or Hannukah. I feel like I should light a menorah on the street to greet the recyclers...sheesh.

A couple calls to 311 to very pleasant but very confusing operators further complicated our predicament for large items that do not fit in black/clear bags. We wanted to know if we could dump a mattress and bedframe on the street. We could dump the mattress on TRASH DAY, but we can't dump the metal bedframe until RECYCLE DAY.

AND THE KICKER:
Apparently you are FINED around $200 for making an error in your recycling. Apparently, there are ticketers.

Is anyone else confused? I'm getting used to the routine of all of it, but not without several eye rolls.

And to think some people here compost ... makes my head spin.

A preview

Many stories to come, including...

-A solid minute my breath was taken away, from something viewed inside an Amtrak car.

-The hell that is Bed, Bath and Beyond and decorating (what I consider a nightmarish experience).

-The painting at the Met today that brought me to tears.



Thanks for all your comments- calls, texts, emails, gchats, comments- that tell me you enjoy my little musings from this isle formerly known as "New Amsterdam."

Also, I turned 23! YAY. Finally an age where the real world takes you seriously.

The latest

"Well you're very ambitious, unlike a lot of Mormon girls. And I can tell you're very smart. And if you look anything like your parents, you're pretty."

Ohhh phone interviews-slash-introductions.

JUST HIRE ME ALREADY. Pretty please. Pun intended.

Creating

My mentor who I can't name because she's too fabulous and well-known in these parts, said to me last week after I sent an email with the wrong wording (she's understandably tough on me, which I am SO grateful for), and I was calming myself down verbally and she said, "We have to CREATE our destinies."

I am a Christian, a 'Mormon,' a believer in God, but He is not going to create what we want for ourselves. He will help us, He will assist us in our pursuits, but we have to be the ones to explore our options and forge ahead.

Or maybe I'm just the product of a very proactive family with an individualistic slant toward religion- you must create create create, THEN check in with Him to see if you're on the right track. Usually you are. And if you aren't, then it becomes apparent, you rally and get out. Basically.

Maybe that's not news to many of you, but I met some people in Utah who were passively waiting for mountains to be moved for them, and it was odd to say the least. Or maybe they didn't dream in the realms of extraordinary like me. Probably the latter.

That is all for now. Go out and CREATE and believe in yourself, men are that they might have joy.

NYC Juxtaposition

Juxtaposition, paradox, and irony are synonymous with 'New York City.'
It's a huge part of why this place is so intriguing to me.

Take for instance:


Via Sartorialist.

9/11 in NYC, 9 years later

Just a few pics from tonight.

(Flatiron building on the left, twin tower lights in the middle)

(higher up view)

As frenetic as a city sidewalk at noon

but such is life nowadays.

I had a fabulous dinner tonight around Madison Square Park with a friend who wants to achieve two VERY specific things as me in the long run (next 8 years-ish) which was mind blowing and good thing it's NYC and nobody cares because it kind of caused a raucous right there on the street.

Then walked back through said park through a screening of the Federer US Open match to my fab-but-buzzer-less apartment (the only bummer)... I was literally texted by the UPS man today...hilarious.

Yesterday I went to bikram yoga sans water and nearly died- the first time I ever sort-of panicked during such a yoga session. But it was still awesome, feeling it out mentally and coming out a stronger (albeit blood-sugar-drained, staggering down the street- yes it happened, not pretty) person.

Also, FOR THE WIN OF THE CENTURY, learning that my dad's architectural graduate thesis, deemed unreasonably 'expensive,' 'impractical' & 'ridiculous' by advisors nearly 40 years ago, is currently being carried out by the university and city. Silly Philadelphians should have listened to Henry (on the left...and don't I look short!)

Spotted

So much to say, so little time to do it in a New York minute.

Yes, I'm back.
Yes, I'm happier than I've ever been.
Yes, I smile ear to ear walking down the street.

Gossip Girl Season Premiere starts on my birthday next week. Anddd, I just passed by Leighton Meester (aka Blair Waldorf) on the street.

NYC loves me back. I'm glad I gave it time to figure things out between us.

My life is a poem after all

There is still SO much up in the air, so much potential, so much ambiguity ... but I thought it ironic that for at least September, I will be in Manhattan, NYC...

..on the same numbered street as the California beach house wherein I began my life.

"It's poetry," as my mother says.

There are only so many 360-degree spins on Google Street View I can click and drag before I start squealing and dancing around my room in pure glee.

This Friday, I'll be in Boston to watch my sister and her injured-but-cortizoned shoulder play volleyball, and then shlepping myself and my baggage on the Amtrak into the concrete wonderland of New Amsterdam!

PS- Anyone want to come to the city for my birthday weekend, Sept 10-12? Eee!

Eat Pray Love thoughts

I reacted a lot differently to it than I thought I would.

This may be a little precocious to say, but I feel like I've figured out most of what Gilbert realized in her book/movie, and I'm not even 23 yet (in about two weeks- I know you were dying to know), simply from my upbringing and experiences to date.

If you feel trapped in life, you're not happy. We are here on this earth to be happy. Travel is a good way for people to get outside a present living condition literally and mentally which makes one more dynamic. But yeah, I think she was selfish for pulling the whole "I've never spent time on myself" thing... thank goodness she didn't have kids yet, yikes. The real author was, what, early 30s? Young, especially considering she has no desire for kids, so no biological clock fertility worries for her.

I was so happy to see that shot of her ex with the new woman and baby at the end- that was sweet- I hope it really happened for him.

When I read this book about three years ago, I remember being awestruck with her insights, but then, I hadn't yet experienced some of the things I would in the days that have led to now. Now that I've been fortunate to log a lot of thought-provoking travel already, I'm not as amazed.

I could go on but that's essentially how I feel about it.

I'm just very grateful for the string of events that have led me to this moment in my own life. Nothing has been too serious to warrant much regret, as serious as I sometimes took myself.

Isn't life such an amazing gift, that we can create our own stories? I'm so pleased with my own thusfar, I hope you are too.

Did any of you see Eat Pray Love? What did you think?

Trains: 1, Planes: 0

Did you know, Amtrak allows you to check up to three (3)- fifty (50) pound bags at no additional cost, and carry-on up to two (2) fifty (50) pound bags!

I was so pleasantly surprised, I read the policy three (3) times.

(Not that I would advise anyone to check/carry 250 pounds of cargo, even if you have no shame. But wait, what if you needed to ship 3 parcels, and bought a phantom ticket under your name, but all so you could check your bags through...hmm. These are some average bedtime thoughts, friends.)


And only $10 for each additional parcel, should you find yourself packing like Rachel Zoe for trips.


In a nutshell: I DIE for trains.

Just so we're all on the same page.

THIS is quite possibly my dream home
(granted it is in a good location, maybe a stellar view too?) (via le fabuleux destin de- an amazing blog).


I want to cut my hair this short sometimes.
(plus, she even has my beauty mark - maybe penciled on- but in the exact same spot!) Via The Impossible Cool- another favorite new blog (thanks Telly).


And if you like MoTown, Justin Timberlake, or Beyonce, this video will change your life.

Phoenix installment 2

Then onto my sweet little Madeline, who is the nicknaming queen, the only person I know who manages to give a nickname to everyone and it STICKS, EVERYTIME. Case in point, somehow I am "AK-47" and she and all our mutual friends have called me it for years.
BUT her latest flame, an international (Canadian haha), she calls by his normal name. This could be a special one...

Went to some amazing eats, like this bruschetta place called Postino's which I am contemplating buying out one day or at least replicating. Bruschetta is probably my favorite food concept, it's perfection.
And honey cucumber lemonade- crack delicious.


And then bought this dress. All my fashion decisions from here on out will be based on Betty Draper's wardrobe, just so we're all on the same page.

And this Nello's place, which is SO delicious and I wanted to go to the next night but we had to hit up the famed-among-friends Native New Yorker, basically a sports bar, for the experience. Phoenix has amazing restaurants, I was so happy.

And then we had to hit up Wendy's for old times sake! We would make random runs at odd hours to the one in Provo on Bulldog. Maddie even knew the workers' names. Provo is that bleak- those are some of my best memories haha.

Wait, who spends $15 at Wendy's? (Oh, and that is some warm desert rain that came out to play!)

When you have a 17-year-old on hand... just an average sized meal. Jack (above) also put a poster of Zac in Maddie's bedroom a few weeks ago. Bless younger sibs. It was like we were 17 again.



And we saw this GREAT car. Maine representing in Phoenix.


And that's about it!

Phoenix installment 1

I found Phoenix to be an awesome place. Apparently August is its hottest month of the year. And consider the fact that my last rendezvous with PHX was approximately 8 years ago, when I was hating my life at one of those dreadful volleyball tournaments and eating at Hooters on Mill Ave with my equally as dreadful team of extremely annoying girls who would tear into me because I wouldn't subscribe to their drama and I would get flustered and I just really disliked them.... I think most of them have grown up.

OK.

However, I am secretly cold ALL THE TIME. Even in San Diego, where my parents moved because of the 'perfect weather' (it was that or Addis Abbaba, Ethiopia), I would not dress for it. So, I'd be in my Rainbow flip flops at high school in December and as miserable as i was walking to school in Provo in a blizzard (decked out in peacoat, scarves, boots and gloves). My feet and hands are always cold, I would love to wear sweaters year round everywhere except apparently Phoenix during the summer. Even New York City at dusk in the summer I prefer accompanied with a jacket. Finally, walking around in a shorts and t-shirt is not cold. Seriously. This coming from someone who comfortably wore jeans in Utah during the summer.

But I was warned. The man checking my ID at the airport said with a wry grin, You're heading somewhere 40 degrees warmer. "Uhh, thanks...?" I muttered.

Then my friend Ben picked me up from the airport, with the previous warning to "Call me when you land, then wait INSIDE until I get to the curb, then RUN to the car....or you'll FRY." (And being from Vegas, he knows heat). And don't worry, his ride was one he legitimately won on The Price is Right. A candy apple red Chrysler boat mobile of sorts. My friends are awesome like that.


And then I saw Aly! We were fake ladies of leisure, as we're both in 'life transition,' so we shopped, lunched, went to the phoenix art museum which has an amazing Cezanne exhibit right now, gelato like old times, Google Reader tutorials, empathized the ways we were gypped by being the oldest children, and watching all the TV that I can't watch at home because TiVo is to capacity with Mad Money and Texas Hold 'Em Poker shows (the last time I found television agreement with my father was the NBA Playoffs/Finals- because duh, it's the most wonderful time of year, maybe even better than Christmas). Let's just say my fam does not see that The Rachel Zoe Project is mind-clearing-in-a-way-that-only-compares-to-yoga. Bless Aly & Spenny! It was too bad Mandy was in South Carolina. We apparently keep missing each other by minutes and hours. Heartbreaking.

I'm kind of bashful about taking pictures. I think it's awkward most of the time, but you're always glad you did in hindsight. Too bad I forgot to remember this...

Typical artistic dilemma, methinks

I'm my best writer self after midnight.

I've noticed this the past couple years.

It's like I'm Cinderella in reverse and the fairy godmother and glittery carriage of writing prowess SHOWS UP at midnight.

I'm writing this at noontime, which why this post is lame. seriously.

The last excuse for a college break coma

I come to find out nearly everyone goes home on college breaks and falls into a sleepy coma, so seeing as I've now officially graduated, I figured I'd go out with a bang:
Exhibit:
After passing out cold for approximately 7 of the 10 hours in the backseat driving home from Utah (best roadtrip ever!), I proceeded to spend the next 36 of 48 hours in my bed, save for my dad's calls to ask if I was alright or if I had eaten anything that day. No, watching lots of Mad Men (season 1 and counting!) doesn't really procure any hunger, but thanks. (Don't worry, I'm not completely malnourished: I just went through the last of my dark chocolate stores.)

My last weekend in Utah was fabulous, thanks to many friends and family who rallied to party with me!

Oh, and this wouldn't be a post without arguably my favorite line of the weekend, thanks to my friend Jacque, who said, "None of this high-fiving hello business. What are we, on a date at BYU? NO."

I miss Utah friends already.

That being said, I think this picture sums up the weekend.


It could have been Lady Gaga costume #2, if only she had actually graduated from Tisch.

How to avoid skin cancer (how to be like Henry)

Always three layers of sun protection. ALWAYS.

a) The 'bimini sun top' on the ski boat.
b) His trademark fishing hat (He doesn't fish, it just covers face and ears).
c) Zinc oxide on nose (you can't see it, because I think he got special clear kind).

I guess summers on Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, with sub-par sunscreen of the mid-20th century and English/Scottish skin that reddens upon sun exposure really tallies the number of skin cancer cutouts come age 60.

(And he's probably had those shorts for 20 years).

We tease him to no end. It's unfortunate, how outnumbered he is.

A little redundant?

I was at the drugstore today for some contact solution, and as I looked up at the aisle title boards, I noticed there was one line that read "Personal Care Items."

Is it not already assumed that one visits a drugstore for such items? That's what I thought.

Let Me Google That For You

Tired of people (who haven't entered the 21st century) asking you questions when their query would be more resourcefully obtained from the transcendent bank of knowledge that is a Google search result?

This silly little website has me laughing.

For example...

The last of many

I just wrote my last undergraduate collegiate paper on the teachings of Matthew 5:17, when the Savior says He is "not come to destroy, but to fulfil" the Mosaic Law of the Old Testament, and how we can use that precedent to serve as logic for, among other things, the principle of continuing revelation from our prophets today.

Surreal, and glad I could end on that note.

Now onto 'lifelong learning'...

Just gratitude.

Just really grateful today for my life, and the experiences that have led me to this point. I'm very content and happy. Things are falling into place.

I'm a different person than I was even a year ago, and I like this person. I remember in a moment of despair a couple years ago, my dear friend Chantelle said, "Have you met you?" It has resonated ever since. (You also know friendship loyalty when you have a random encounter on Prince Street, SoHo NYC, with Asian fashionistas who say "Rucky" and the saying sticks after 2 years when describing things beginning with "L.")

I can't wait to see my family soon, too. They're all summering in the East and apparently they've seen no deer yet (WEIRD) but new things like a red fox, a wild turkey, and last night... A BEAR. YES, A BEAR just feet away from a sunset-lit dinner on the back patio.

I'm up there for Labor Day weekend and hopefully catch the first turning of New England fall leaves. Oh, I'm so excited.

Love to all.

Today I loved

-Driving home with 4 friends from a whimsically planned overnight roadtrip.
-Going to another friend's play.
-BBM-ing my sister in England while sitting in the In-N-Out drive thru.

I somehow have more of a social life living at my aunt & uncle's house for these 7 weeks than I ever had in Provo.

So Utah, hats off... all things considered, you've been really really good to me this summer.

Aaand this is why I'm still on Facebook

Because even though it's about a 764:1 ratio of LAME to GEM status updates, the gems make deactivating my account impossible.

Exhibit:

"Need a more exact measure of how powerful your car is? Change Horsepower (Hp) to hamsterpower (hp). 1Hp = 3584hp. My car = 804608 hp."

CAN'T WAIT

Reminds me of my cousin Dana who spent a year after college living in India, and just completed a 8 month round-the-world trip with her husband. Her book would be more epic than Eat Pray Love, as many people's stories are. But regardless... yay for this:



Also, who else didn't like Inception? I felt like it was just a bunch of realities and alternate realities strung together. Not that new a concept for film.

Calling on Mad Men enthusiasts

I want to get into Mad Men. But I HAVE to watch it from Season 1. I can't start halfway through. I'm obsessive like that.

Anyone have boxed sets they would rent to me?

NetFlix is impractical for my transient lifestyle.

But I can FedEx like a pro.

RIP Nalgene (along with my heart)

Apparently, Nalgene bottles are NOT indestructible. I put it in the freezer (as I had done many times before), but then it had frozen the water completely.
I was going to bed, but still wanted cold water in the morning, so I transferred to the fridge, which turned into a scientific blunder (Spenny Dickson, care to explain?) of personally sad proportions.

Exhibit:

Look how it chose to break right down the middle of my heart-NZ sticker.
Apt. Heart-wrenching. Eerie.


A somber day indeed, for this is the Nalgene (one of two) that:

- when filled with boiling hot water and thrown to the bottom of my sleeping bag, kept me warm at night.

- quenched thirsts of 8-hour hikes.

- became a portable souvenir for memorable places, as seen by the affixed stickers. The Canterbury museum in Christchurch, the Bungy Jumping place in Queenstown, etc...


I feel like a piece of me is shattered! The ice has melted, but I can't bear to throw the now non-useful pieces of plastic away (This is sooo deep!) .... !!

Send your condolences in the comments. I need them.

That last 5 degrees

Bikram yoga is more intense than when I practiced it 5 years ago. 110 degrees...somehow I remember it being 105 last time, and believe me, that last 5 degrees makes a difference. It's hard work but encouraging, because you really see yourself progressing with each class. Not to mention the day-after soreness.
Although a friend and I had a chat about mirrors in yoga studios and how they need to basically shatter themselves because you catch yourself in unflattering angles all the time (the very essence of yoga- unflattering angles?). So the other day I repeated "Yoga mirrors can Eff themselves" in my head, which unintentionally parlayed into a mantra reel for the 90 minute duration.

Nirvana was achieved.

Would you rather

Get dressed up and sit front row at the Kings of Leon concert, courtesy of a funny little fellow who writes their songs you met a few days ago.

OR

Look like this, spending my 234890984 hour researching immigration visas.

(The plight of being a USA emigrant, willing, thrilled and begging to contribute to another economy. ARGH.
Can we just find a native man I could marry temporarily to expedite this process? But seriously.)

She's just not that into you, J. Sorry. :)

Cancion y beso oficial del Copa del Mundo

I'm obsessed with it.




And also obsessed with this, of course!

What's in my name?

Today, I ate a mahi mahi burrito at Rubio's and even though I placed my order as "Alex," the man called it out as Alexandra, which made me smile.

It may be a secret that minutes before my mom dropped me off at Helaman Halls freshman year, I decided to start introducing myself as Alex with the hopes of segwaying into my full name eventually, professionally.

I went by "Ali" for the first 18 years of my life. People still call me it (people from home and even some of my current best friends, hilariously enough) and I'm not the slightest bit offended. I actually prefer Ali or Alexandra. Even though I've complained about it to my parents in the past a la "It's such a mouthful to get my 7-syllable (first + last) name out!....
(My dad, for the revealing record, turned to my mom and said "I told you" HAHA)....

I'm actually quite in love with my name. It's regal, strong, and yet...feminine.

Which is why I secretly don't like "Alex" that much- too unisex for my taste. And it still feels weird, even after 5 years! But I'm not offended when people call me it, don't worry!

However, now my professional life is fast approaching, I am excited for this quadri-syllabic (I guessed on that one. sue me/correct me) shift.

-Alexandra

(And yes, I fervently believe Lady GaGa wrote Alejandro for the Latin male version of ME. Have I already blogged that? And yeah, I've seen the video...which is why I'm not linking it haha.)

It's a Britney day

Well, Britney Spears's song TOXIC randomly came on the radio today and I was rendered full of indescribable glee.

Then my friend emailed me later with this......apparently Britney Spears did a demo of Gaga's song Telephone... I'm obsessed. I think it sounds like it could have been more of a Britney song anyway.

NPR did a story about GaGa's Alejandro sounding like Ace of Base.
Did I or DID I CALL THIS A YEAR AGO?

The epicness is directly related to how mum I must remain

SO many things to say, and SO much restraint required!

Let's just say my life has drastically taken a turn for the amazing within a matter of days...but we are still on the brink of even more epic so stay tuned. (SORRY).

But I will say:
I feel insanely blessed and lucky.
I can't concentrate in school.
I want to shed tears of glee on occasion.


No, this is not about a boy, you sillies. But don't worry, I still actively stalk lifeguard on Facebook just for a little fix now and then, whenever his sister (who friended ME) uploads another bajillion photos (she's one of those)... and they just creep up on The Feed, I CAN'T HELP IT. Sidenote: It hit me the other day, I'm only facebook friends with one person I've kissed (and it's not Lifeguard). THAT is funny...possibly speaks volumes. Meh, ANYWAY.


I WILL have you know I got invited to a simple summer pool party ...at first mention at a Bees game last week... but no, I should have know, this same hilarious friend (who is extremely self-consumed, not to mention very into his bromantic relationships & he was rude to my friend Aly one semester (shenanigans-Vanessa Carlton music got us through))...created the followin description:

"My Super Sweet Sixteen (Now that we have your attention...)"

Gorgeous people. White Collar Crime/Insider Trading with Martha Stewart. Hunting Baby White Rhinos. Laughing at the Myth of a "Recession." Swimming in Scrooge McDuck's Money (and/or water). Sipping Crystal (Light). Calling Zach Morris "Preppy." Veneer Whiteness Contest. Yacht/Sailing Knot Tying Seminar. Endangered tigers. Ice Sculptures made from the frozen tears of 30 extinct species. Valet Parking provided, as well as a coat check where you may leave all furs/baby seal pelts.

Anybody who doesn't come... is stealing your money via communism.

(I was on the floor...Respect M.B.)

I RSVP'ed saying that I only show up for Snow Leopards, not 'endangered tigers'- how bourgeoise!!

Utah = New Zealand? Roadtrip-tested idea.

Spent last weekend with my Olsen extended family in central Utah.
The drive down felt like New Zealand.

If you live in Utah and want an easy 3 hour roundtrip roadtrip, save yourself the 13 hour New Zealand flight, and take
the I-6 East up Spanish Fork canyon for about 20 minutes,
then Right where it says Manti & Richfield for another 30 mins or so,
Then left at the Fairview Chevron (can't miss) up the canyon for another 45 minutes-ish.

SPEC.TAC.U.LAR.

If anyone does this, please comment and attest to this grandeur.

Oh, also, bonus, I drove back the night of the 4th and saw no less than 10 fireworks shows from the I-15. I can't promise the same to anyone who tries this mini-roadtrip out, but I promise the beauty of that part of Utah far exceeds any amateur pyrotechnic show.

From the outbox of Henry

(Henry, being my father)

So what have we learned in 2,063 years ?

"The budget should be balanced,

the Treasury should be refilled,

public debt should be reduced,

the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled,

and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed

lest Rome become bankrupt.

People must again learn to work,

instead of living on public assistance."

- Cicero, 55 B.C.

Evidently, nothing...

Methuselah

Three amazing things about today.

1) Advertising FAIL by Lagoon Waterpark.
Um, yeah. Their background sound in their radio ad is "The Bomb" by Bittersweet- the same as the Lipstick Jungle intro song, a show I liked because it was a less explicit but still naughty, more career-oriented version of SATC. So how did Lagoon advertisers mix that with white bread tankini'ed Mormons riding a Splash Mountain log flume equivalent? Uhhh...

2) My dad and I were at Starbucks once and after placing our order (probably for decaf mochas), the barista asked him "Can I get a name?"

"A name? Or MY name?" my dad asked, obviously in a smart ass mood. He often considers life a big joke that everyone else is not clued into.

"Just...a name," the barista hurriedly replied, hovering over the white cup with her Sharpie.

"Oh, ok. METHUSELAH." He turned to me, "What? It was the oldest-living person in the Bible!"

"Can you spell that?"


So there I was in Starbucks circa age 15 with my dad unaware of how mortified I was of him with the name "Methuselah" inked in black, wrapping halfway around the stark white cup.

Quintessential hilarious Henry. Thanks for making me have a solid 5 minute moment in class today stifling laughter thinking of this.


3) I am ever so grateful for friends who are not afraid of confrontation, who fearlessly bring their issues to the table and work out problems like adults. Yep.

That's all.

Remember how I'm taking Physical Science 100 my LAST undergraduate term?

Yeah. But my professor is the definition of radical... "I don't get paid enough to do this, but..."


I was rolling on the floor for the next hour.

Then it's all I could talk about at coffee with Telly and Kyle. (That and bonding over how Bethenny Frankel is hilarious about "losing her attitude" on her show and Twitter.)

Then later with Jax I am told that I'm "such a little crackhead" for still being obsessed.

What can I say? I'm scared of science, but I guess it is tolerable when said professor makes huge attempts to keep our attention.

Did I mention it was a 100 level class and I out-age the median age by 3 years at least? Raise the roof.

How to clean a white Mac computer

So guys, my friend Emily (we called her E Diddy back in the day when we made a rap music video. I was Ludalex, don't worry.) shared some VALUABLE information on her blog and I am going to re-share here because this issue has bothered me since I got my white MacBook three years ago and Apple Store was clueless on how to clean or maybe their cleaner was expensive or whatever.

Behold, the products of champions, found at Target:

For the white keyboard, screen frame, mousepad, etc,
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser 2-in-1 DUO

For the screen, Windex Original wipes

I just cleaned mine and am GIDDY with glee.

You will thank me later!

The funniest Bieber'ed thing ever

My cousin Bieber'ed her little boy's hair today.



LOOK AT THAT SWISH!

AND THE FACE!

Apparently, he is also natural with the dance moves. Wow. Hilarious.

The best dad in the world. Cue eye roll.

But seriously, I'm ridiculously grateful for my dad. Henry. I'm so glad I came along as part of his West Coast life. He is an endless source of insight, entertainment, not to mention HILARITY.

I like that he retains his East Coast prep schooling, at St Albans School for Boys, which still manifests itself as always wearing a tucked-in collared shirt, and in his pockets fancy handkerchiefs ready for a stifling a sacrament meeting sneeze. As I recall, I think he would even whip them out of athletic pants at our sports games if needed.

I admire his tolerance for all people, however they live. He is non-judgmental, extremely humble, and gently hopeful and sympathetic towards anyone in every situation.

He is un-phased of what anyone else thinks of him. He's taught me that all that matters is what God thinks of you, and how you think of yourself.

He loves and respects my mom.

I love that he hates politics.

He wants to move to New Zealand to chill out with nice people in good weather for the rest of his life ... "but mom would miss her friends too much." California already fulfills his necessities pretty well ;).

I love that he has made fruit smoothies EVERY morning ever since I can remember. Literally, no morning is complete without blender cacophony. My sisters and I were brats and went through Jamba Juice phases in defiance, but truly, I miss the homemade version whenever I'm away. Yes, dad, yours are leaps and bounds above Jamba standard.

He is a real estate genius- the most important lesson learned, that has been repeated so many times : "Location, Location, Location. You can always CHANGE a house, but you can't change WHERE the house is." As a result, I'm more neighborhood and transportation-access aware. THANK YOU.

I inherited his 'built-in Global Positioning System.' I have an unbeatable sense of direction, which carries into other personality traits of time management and promptness. THANK YOU.

He is also a PLANNER. And so am I. We both do extensive research before making decisions. This has served both of us well. THANK YOU.

He is extremely sarcastic. College was the first time I realized that some people can't handle or understand sarcasm very well. Or some disrespectfully dish it out for show, or to be mean. But my dad taught me how to both dish AND take well. At least I think. I have probably blundered many times, but hopefully nothing was too harsh when it wasn't deserved.

He is the anti-chauvinist to the point of being sexist against men. Maybe it's the result of three daughters, but he quickly and often admits that women would be better suited to organize, plan and run the world.

He Tivos the show Reba. I thought it was mildly cute and entertaining in middle school, but I guess, it's NOW the greatest show ever, after Seinfeld, Frasier, and Project Runway (another CAN'T MISS show for his inner architect self).

He's my favorite person to watch sports with, because we have constant running commentary that we can respond to while still having our eyes fixed on play. When I was about 12, he said I was going to be a great girlfriend one day because I love watching sports so much. But back then, I was kind of an ESPN nerd. I've explored other areas. Still, too funny.

He has taught me that men have feelings, even though most have a hard time expressing them articulately.

He is supremely supportive of all my ambition, career ideas, ideas in general, wanderlust, and is regularly excited for me about all of the above.

He's taught me to work hard, but more importantly, work smart.

I'm not really a "kid" person, and neither is my dad. ("They're a MESS!"/"They put their fingerprints on the windows!"/"They put their feet on the furniture!"). I'm not too worried- my selfless maternal instincts will kick in one day, but for now, we both LOVE my niece and nephew.



Happy Fathers' Day Henry!

I need to be physically triumphant again

That radical power you feel when you stare at rock faces like this and say "Bring it" is missing in my life.



At the time, I wasn't completely smitten with my New Zealand-acquired biking/hiking/climbing quads.

Now, their absence is making my heart grow fonder.


My knees won't allow for marathons. Or maybe I need a running lesson.

Bikram yoga? I've missed you. Om. We shall meet again.


Moab/Mt. Timp/Zion? YES. Anyone?

And uh, I haven't even hiked the Y yet. Maybe I'll do that on commencement day, just to be ironic.


I think my solution is the OUTDOORS.


Also, Chantelle (one of my favorite little bears) wrote this little ditty which shows 8th century Celtic literature meeting the Sugarhouse scene, and I like it a lot.

xo

In case we forgot.

I remember having my friend take this on the Otago Peninsula in Dunedin. (I was sick of taking pictures haha).
Then she edited it all artistically.
I oddly ended up driving the peninsula about 3-4 times while I was there. So beautiful.


Also, Celtics 3-2... but yeah, it's going to be hard to pull it out at the Staples Center.

Like when you find out the guy's a bad kisser.

So I doubt anyone that reads my blog is into sports. Bad self-promoting premise to start out, but regardless.

If this makes sense, I'm actually rooting for the Celtics.

The Game 2 Ray Allen show was delightful, but tonight was PAINFUL.

I haven't been this irate about a game in a while.

How about screening? How about hustle? How about PASSING?
Don't even get me started on free throw percentage (lack thereof).

Why is the shortest Celtic (with the best name in the NBA after Chauncey Billups), Rajon Rondo, the only one that seems to rebound?

I have no idea why I just blogged this. This is like a NCMO you didn't really want to have, but came through just because he was trying hard.
NIGHT.

Remember when I lived with millions of sheep?

One time we were driving to Queenstown (what I dubbed "Park City on steroids") and 10,000 sheep were crossing the road, with sheep dogs and farmer corralling.

It was cool.

I found another of the cute little guys!

All pictures taken by people in my study abroad group!

Reinterpretation

Basically, I'm getting a kick out of seeing my past New Zealand life reinterpret itself in my present.

Exhibit A: I still like to dress up, but the thrill of scaling a wall to break into an apartment (after a friend forgets the keys inside) is currently the more exciting situational variable.



Exhibit B: I had a hankering to 'camp' despite a couch and futon offer. WEIRD, I know. I think I just wanted to sleep in the largest room, the one with the most air. Regardless... here's what 'setting up camp' entailed.

Thanks to brother for busting out a camping light when I was in brushing my teeth. A hilarious touch that I knew shouldn't go undocumented.

Dear North Shore Lifeguard

I'm only putting this up because I suspect you're too checked out to have any blog perusing know-how, much less internet access...

So, Mahalo for the fun times...

Hilarious...

A return to sanity

It's good to be back to the real world, where I can have above-adolescent level conversations again, among other things. (I'm immensely sorry I bailed on a friend... but I was going crazy in unconstructive ways.)
Literally laid across the kitchen counter begging my parents to stay up past their bedtime so they could talk to me some more.

Reminds me of this SNL skit. Too bad I was totally that girl in high school, just not out loud. I just thought my parents were cooler than most of my peers, so I hung out with them a lot!



"Apple- Tree, Dad." LOL.

Sculling on Mission Bay was an outing. There was a moment where my sis and I were carrying a boat out of the water and I yelled out to my mom watching on, "Kodak moment!" It truly was. Next week, we'll take a camera.


Coming full circle from this. My sis pointing to my mom's freshman rowing team picture in her college boathouse, where my sis now goes to school.

I'm missing them!

I can't wait to see them soon! These short windows of opportunities where we're all together are precious.

BYU peeps like to talk about families, and since we hiked like it was our job in New Zealand, I had many opportunities to talk about my own family. My sisters may be creeped out by this... shh....

I took this of them last summer on a hike in New Hampshire.

(We made Flyer come along with us too, promising amazing views. Her knees may have begged to differ. Still feel bad about that ...)

This summer's plans for them?

The one on the left, off to jolly wet England.

The one on the right, finalizing a college decision and volleyball camp-ing.

The greatest part is, they only get more fun as we grow up.

Sometimes I really enjoy textersations

When they're as funny as this:

"Please tell me you're not into Justin Bieber"

Me: "Just a bit. I'm ashamed of it... but the pubescent pipes can be so catchy ahh!"

"Haha! I had a feeling about you! I will turn a blind eye muaha."

Me: "Thanksh love."



Signing off from rots and rots of fun here on the North Shore, Oahu.

Best pickup line ever, courtesy of my mom.

She's immensely intelligent.
She's unceasingly hilarious.
She's Beyonce reincarnate into a white girl body.

She is my mom.


One of my sister's roommates, whose last name is Campbell, visited over Christmas break.

One night my mom says, "Is your name Campbell? Because you're looking Mmm, Mmm...GOOD!"

Just one of MANY crown jewel lines of my mother.