Christmas Survey

I'm still alive!  Taking a break in between finals, and I thought I'd break back into my blog and answer a Christmas survey :)

Please join me!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Well, I usually do gift bags, because I'm terrible at wrapping presents, but I think wrapping paper is more classic and festive.

2. Real tree or Artificial? I definitely prefer real.  When I was growing up, we always had a real tree, and going to the lot to pick one out was an adventure in itself.  I still love real trees, but have to admit that I have an artificial one right now (and it's hideous. Hideous.) I'm planning on replacing it with a better artificial one after this Christmas (and hoping to get a highly discounted one!).

3. When do you put up the tree? As soon after Thanksgiving as we can.  We've been really busy, so the tree still isn't decorated o_O

4. When do you take the tree down? Pretty soon after Christmas.  Usually tired of seeing it by then!

5. Do you like eggnog? Mmmm yes :)

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I'm really not sure... probably books. Or I'm guessing something Barbie related, I loved my Barbies!

7. Hardest person to buy for? Probably any guy... Dad, Brother, Russ. 

8. Easiest person to buy for? Nobody is easy to buy for to me... I always worry about people not liking what I get! But I think I'll go with my best friend, because we have pretty similar tastes... and she usually wants a lot of things throughout the year, and I take notes.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? No, I guess we don't...

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, if we send them.  Our family isn't big into Christmas cards, because we see each other at this time of year I guess?

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Oh, I don't know.  I doubt I've ever been given a terrible gift...

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? I actually haven't seen a lot of the classics, and think I will try and see a couple this year.  When I was young, I loved Prancer and of course all the Rudolph type movies

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? December, after finals :\

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Mmm... I like all the snacky type foods.  My mom and I usually bake some goodies.  I love lemon bars and peanut butter balls

16. Lights on the tree (colored or clear)? Clear

17. Favorite Christmas song? "Silent Night," "Here we come a-waissaling" "Baby, It's Cold Outside", "Santa Baby"

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? A lot of traveling, but at least close by.  I have divorced parents and divorced grandparents... The movie "Four Christmases" is basically my Christmas. 

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Yes, but only if I sing "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer"

20. Angel, star or ribbon on top of tree? A Star.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Both, part of having to go so many places on Christmas means we start on Christmas Eve ;)

22. Favorite children's Christmas song? I loved "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" of course. And "Deck the Halls"

23. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? People who are insane in stores... crazy lines and people not caring that they are knocking into other people.  People who have to complain about hating Christmas, just be quiet and let other people enjoy it.

24. Favorite ornament theme or color? I like nature themes... This year mine is very natural - berry picks, wood and berry star, little owls and squirrels. 

25. Turkey or ham on Christmas day? I prefer ham usually. 

26. What do you want for Christmas this year?  IDK really.

27. Does anyone in your family dress up as Santa? No, but Russ actually did last year! It was for my Mom's friend's store.  It was hilarious!

28. Age you discovered who Santa was? I don't remember my age... but I think I was on the school bus around Christmas time and some little brat wanted to tell everyone.  I do remember that I absolutely did NOT tell my little brother.  I wanted to believe it wasn't true, and I knew it would make him sad too.

29. Eggnog, hot chocolate, or apple cider? All of the above, but man, I love Starbucks' Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate.  Heavenly.

30. Traditional colors (red and green) or other colors? I like rich colors paired with gold.  Jewel tones.

31. Do you have any Christmas decorations on your roof? Not this year :(

32. How does Santa get into your house? He doesn't yet ;)

33. Do you prefer gifts or gift cards? I love either :) Gifts are fun to open, but gift cards are fun too.  If anyone gives me money though, it just goes to bills :(

34. Favorite children's Christmas Cartoon? Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer... though I don't think that's technically a cartoon.

Cell Phone Photos

I am borrowing this idea from Stephanie from Dirt and Lace!

I thought this was a really fun idea, and I loved seeing Stephanie's pictures, so I thought I'd play too.  As I've mentioned before, I love taking photos.  Although I don't always have a camera with me, I do usually have my cell phone, so that's where most of my photos end up.  Most of them are random, but I thought I'd share some of them for fun.  As you can guess... many are of my dog.

 I love that our cellphone pictures tend to be more candid and random than pictures taken with a regular camera!  Most of mine are taken to send to someone (usually my mom or husband).

I have no idea when most of these are from, but I think they go older to more recent, LOL.  

 Lilah and a couple of my mom's doggies

 A lizard that I saved from the street.  He seemed to have only lost his tail, but he was obviously pretty pissed, LOL.

 I love random license plates... and used to love Kim Possible.

 Lilah's moving box.

Lilah & a Viola 

This is what happens if fresh folded laundry is left unattended...

 Violas & Asparagus Fern

 Russ at the dog park... I love how there are dogs bounding everywhere (Lilah is on the far right).

I already miss the dog park...

An "Alien Skull" at my old college, which I also miss.

And there you have it, random snippets of my life.  I'd love to see yours!

Mascara Review: Maybelline "Pulse Perfection"

Even though I've been wanting to try this mascara for awhile, the price held me back for awhile.  When I saw it for 50% off at the local Rite Aid, I couldn't resist!

I tried Waterproof (it may be a pain to get off, but it holds curl) in Very Black.  I have to say, I was very happy with the results.  I hate clumps and love length, and this was perfect for both.

I would definitely recommend this mascara to fellow clump-phobes!

Sweet Disposition

I know this is probably old news to half the world, but I don't care.  I am so loving this song, and it's so nice to see a good band get recognition and big deals. 

"Sweet Disposition" - The Temper Trap

So long, Summer (almost)

I know I haven't written a blog in quite awhile, I was actually planning on posting a pic of when I received the dress that I won, but it still isn't here... so that will have to wait.

Usually I find that I don't write because either nothing "exciting" has happened, or because of the fact that I've always somewhat attempted to keep negativity out of my blog.  I don't know why I do that to be honest, since this blog is supposed to serve as a type of outlet in many ways. Don't get me wrong, nothing tragic has happened, I just in general am not a person that does very well with change - and there seems to be a lot of it lately.  Moving, changing schools, husband changing work offices... and of course absolutely bleeding money because of moving (crazy deposits, boxes, and finding someone to help us move... or hiring someone, and then of course had to buy all my school books as well).

When I'm stressed out or overwhelmed I tend to either avoid whatever it is by burying my head in the sand... or more literally in a pillow or my couch (a great concern for Delilah, who frantically tries to uncover my face to kiss).  And whenever I eventually have to face it head-on, I feel overwhelmed and think of the worst-case scenario.  As much as I'd love to be different, I can't help who I am or magically transform into an optimist, or even someone who likes and desires change.

Anyways, that's what I've been up to, preparing for moving and school.  I've been trying to think positively since the largest obstacles really have already been cleared (Russ transferring, me transferring, and actually finding a place).  I just know that it/I won't feel okay again until it's all finished and I'm settled into the new school. 

Today I was driving and a couple of leaves fell from a tree, leaves that probably made a nice crunchy sound as I drove over them.  For a moment I thought of fall, my favorite time of year. Cooler weather, Apple Hill, and of course, cute cozy comfy cardigans... this thought reminded me that all of this too will pass.

And of course, to anyone actually out there, sorry for my whine-fest!!

I won?!

I'm so psyched! I, someone who never wins a.n.y.t.h.i.n.g just won a dress from Shabby Apple via a giveaway hosted by Kater at All This Happiness (beautiful blog)!

Just thought I'd share and send a huge thanks to Kater for hosting the awesome giveaway!

And here's the dress, too cute!!!

"Oh La La" Dress

It's currently sold out, but I should have it soon :) Yay!

Here, there...

Lake Natoma... for some fishing (Russ) and reading (Me)

Me in my dorky getup, I still managed to get a terrible sunburn even with sunblock on.

Day trip to San Francisco to escape the heat in our hometown... it was about thirty degrees cooler there.  Yes, PLEASE!

We really didn't do much in San Francisco, but this was one of my favorite parts of the day, watching the sunset by the ocean, and forgetting that it was early July (hence my red nose, it was freeeezing!).  I also enjoyed our delicious plums from the fabulous farmers market in the ferry building, and the tasty pot- stickers from a little restaurant we discovered during our last visit.

We decided we need to plan a little getaway somewhere else... as for me, I feel the need... the need for big trees!

It must be love...

When I find something that is a deal AND amazing... I feel like I just have to share it with someone, ANYONE!

I'm actually a bit of a YouTube beauty video junkie, and watched a video (I can't remember which one it was), and the girl in it highly recommended this...

L'Oreal Extra Intense Liquid Pencil Eyeliner (pictured above in brown, I bought black)

And lucky me, our local Rite Aid had it on sale for less than six dollars.  If you've ever used Urban Decay's eyeliners (which in my opinion are amazing, but too expensive for me), I would compare the way it goes on to be much like those eyeliners, yet less than half of the cost.  It glides on VERY smooth and easily, and with a lot of intensity, I would love it if they had it in some other colors!

Love it!

Lack of inspiration...

I can't even say how many times I've logged into Blogger and wanted to post something, anything. I am just drawing a complete blank lately!

Nothing much is new here, I'm back in school for summer semester, and then... yikes, I transfer to a university...  Which means we will be moving soon, so I'm super stressed about that... new town (more expensive area).  Ahhh... oh well.

I've been wanting to do a new look in here, to maybe inspire me a bit... so who knows maybe you will see a new look in here soon!

Since I don't have anything else to say, I thought I'd share a song I really love right now.  Congratulations by MGMT.  I love MGMT :)

It's not a music video - just a song, enjoy :)



 

Stepping (and descending) into History

Over the weekend we went with my grandma and grandpa (who are in town visiting) to Colombia State Park and then to Moaning Caverns... It was nice to spontaneously get out of town, generally if I am going somewhere I plan it to death until it's no longer any fun.  We just picked up, brought some sandwiches, and went basically!

The park that we went to was an old town that was booming during the Gold Rush.  There are quite a few of these towns near us, where gold drew people from across the country and across the seas and inspired them to seek their wealth from California.

Here are some of our pics...

 

And here are the photos from Moaning Caverns.  I was excited to see this... and when my grandma and grandpa didn't want to go in (partly because of the long hike down and then back up, but mostly because they creep my grandma out) I didn't really worry too much about it affecting me.  I was wrong, by the time we climbed to the bottom (very tall cave, but not big horizontally), my legs and arms were shaking violently.  The old staircase also gave me the creeps, which I have a photo of below...

Regardless, I'm still glad I saw them despite having shaky legs and hands for hours afterwards...

It probably didn't help though that they turned the lights off for us to experience how dark it gets in there... oh and this is after they told us about the human remains (over 100 of them) found in this cave.

 

The above photo is interesting because this was actually formed in China from the Yangtze River, then purchased many years ago and placed in this cave (sort of random really, if you ask me).  But it still forms here in this cave...

  

To give perspective on how large this cave was, the above stalagmite is around 23 feet tall...

 

The tour guide must have taken twenty of these pictures in an attempt to get a clear one... I'm guessing the light around me is from my ghostly complexion LOL

 

Clearing out the Cobwebs...

Wow, it's pretty dusty in here!!

Sorry for my lack of posting, school has been crazy busy these last few weeks (honestly, the whole semester). I would say I'd never take that many classes at once again... but I'm sure I eventually will have to again!

I thought I'd share some of my pictures from Yosemite. I went on a class field trip there a couple of weeks ago... it was incredible. It was just beautiful beyond description. I did go last year, but by that time most of the waterfalls had stopped running... they really do make a difference!

Oh, and by the way, I just about cried with excitement when I found out Blogger updated the picture uploading.  True, you still can only upload basically one at a time (or at least input after they are all uploaded), but baby steps. Baby steps.

Still, I got a little photo happy, I can't help it, I just love our parks (and especially Yosemite) so much...

 

Also, we were in a documentary! Very exciting, though quite uncomfortable.  They wanted us to be very natural throughout it, and it's hard not to stop talking when a camera is clearly recording everything. 

 

Magical, at a certain time of day, the light hits this waterfall just right, and it climbs from the bottom, slowly up to the top.  I was so fortunate to see this!

 

Making dinner in the dark...

Hike up to Vernal Falls (which was closed at the last 300 ft... grrrr)

 

Cute Owlie at the museum

 

If anyone knows what these flowers are... I would love to know!

 

Galen Clark, first protector of Yosemite... he made this headstone and had six (five remaining) Sequoias planted around his grave... so now he is in the trees.  I thought that was very poetic.

 

Yosemite Falls

 

Native American grinding rock...

 

Waterfall along our hike around Hetch Hetchy

Below, the beautiful Hetch Hetchy...