blog about 'becca

'becca is an amazing, talented and generous person. we met in college during photography class and tried to take at least one class together a semester thereafter. it may not have always worked out, but we'd still catch up with each other. i remember spending our lunch breaks in the dark mueller hall lounge. or sitting in the vuca studying for a class. she even made me skip class once. we were in the classroom and the teacher hadn't come in yet and she's like lets leave, so we did. i was really scared b/c i never missed class. she made me have a "wild side" which is really hard for me. she inspires me to be creative and live my life to the fullest. she takes advantage of each day and that's something that i admire. she's fearless. i am very grateful to call her my friend and i miss her terribly. we spent everyday at work together for nine years and now it's just not the same without my buddy. i knew she had to leave and "spread wings" and follow one of her dreams that she's had forever. the girl is simply fabulous!

ice cream

i just ate a bowl of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. i also love strawberry and mint chocolate chip. my favorite brand is valpo velvet.
yup, ice cream is my favorite food. :o)

what is the weirdest thing you've ever eaten?

i don't think that i have tried much food that could be considered weird because i am such a picky eater. i tell people that i eat like a 5 year old. i don't like to take food chances either. if i go to a restaurant and i know that i like something i will order it again and again b/c i don't want to be disappointed. i did try pizza with ham and pineapple once, when i was in college. i had an assignment in one of my classes to try a new food and write a paper about the experience, so that's why i tried the hawaiian pizza. it wasn't that bad, but i've ordered it since. i'll just stick to my boring cheese.

free day

well this week was very hectic and traumatic. there was the car incident on tuesday. god forbid i didn't turn on a yellow light in front of traffic. the man behind me laid on his horn. i waved, gave him the peace sign (i drive a beetle), then he proceeds to get out of his car to confront me. luckily i got the green arrow and i gunned it. i was just a lime green blur until i got to work. it was really scary, i was shaking and near tears. what a jerk. then i had two deadlines, so i stayed late all week. and today i was suppose to leave early, but i couldn't. i had too much to do. my eyes are just burning right now. then i went to panda and they were out of white rice, all i wanted was white rice. i almost cried. i'm just glad this week is over and maybe i can get relax a bit. ugh

if you were to write a book, what would it be about?

i have thought a lot about writing a book, well a children's book specifically. i have ideas for the characters already, but i haven't thought (or dreamt) of a good storyline. the characters are basically animals that live in my yard. i was thinking of the adventures of the animals on sunnyside drive (or something like that). since, i was little i would name all of the animals in the yard. the main characters are george and gladys, two mallard ducks. then there's big bunny, anthony the cardinal and lenore the squirrel. there would also be a little girl who lives in the house named may. (*winkwink*) i need to start doing character sketches, but i still don't have a story outline. one day i'll get there.

favorite boy names that start with the letter J

jack
jasper
jace
james
jaron
josef
judd
judson
julian
jude
Joaquin

hope that helps!

blog about amanda

i know i have met amanda at least once. i'm know she's marlana's sister. she has a couple little boys. we met at a cookie exchange at 'becca's, i think. (?) She was very nice and sweet. i'm still getting to know her from her blog. i get confused sometimes b/c her nickname is fred. i wonder how she got that.

sorry, that was a very disjointed post.

google your birthday, post first pic

your favorite book of all time.

last year for namblopano i selected "go dog go" as my favorite book, it is still one of mine. but last year i was just finishing the harry potter series and i would have to say that that series included some of the best books i've ever read. they were so imaginative, descriptive, exciting, can-put-down books that i've read in a VERY long time. if you haven't read them, i'd highly recommend it. i was very reluctant to read them at first. i thought they were for kids, but they really transcend generations. love 'em!!

blog about april (me)

this should be interesting. can't wait to read what people say.
if you didn't know already i'm a harry potter nut. i didn't go to game night tonight b/c i haven't been feeling well the past few days, so i played lego harry potter for the past few hours. i'm such a nerd.

post your favorite photo you've taken.

some stuff from last year

blah

I'm sick. BLAH.

becca's littlest canister

i think she should put something totally random in it. something that doesn't necessarily belong in the kitchen. maybe funny jokes, or cool quotes from her friends, so when she needs a boost she can pull one out of the jar for a laugh or a smile.

go to YouTube, search your name and post the first video.

the first couple videos were suckier, so here's a little cheesy video called "in april" by wonderwall. not the best.

what was your first pet? and if you have a pet now, what is it?

My first pet was a peek-a-poo named Delpha. I got her when I was three, after my grandfather passed away. She died when I was 19. Since I'm an only child she was my best friend--we went everywhere together. Delpha was actually the name my grandfather wanted to give me, but he was overruled for good reason. When he was in the war he had visited a town named Delpha and really liked the name.

I currently have two dogs, Tiny (shih-tzu, 13) and Mila (carin terrier, 10). I also have two zebra finches and two goldfish.

Over the years I've had a total of about 5 parakeets, 3 canaries, 6 rabbits, 1 guinea pig and many, many goldfish. Obviously, I love animals.

who is the person you most identify with from your childhood? or is it a person?

i identified or maybe looked up to punky brewster as a kid. i really loved her colorful, no nonsense style and her whimsical attitude. i also totally wanted her room, she was able to paint a big landscape all over her walls (something i wasn't allowed to do). i think i still try to have a little punky power in my life. maybe it's just a funky piece of clothing, or a something quirky. she was definitely a character who could brighten up anyone's day and she had a knack for COLORs!

the board game monopoly

growing up my best friend Adriana and I would play monopoly a lot. just about everyday in the summer. we wouldn't always finish a game, some days the game would just go on and on. we always played the version where you put money in the middle of the game board when you paid to get out of jail or other community chess things. then if you landed on free parking you'd win the whole loot of money. we used to have a lot of fun. i haven't played it in ages though.

if you could have the starring role in a movie that's already been made, which movie would you pick?

i would want to play Pudge in the movie Shag. Shag has been on my fave movie list since elementary school. And no it's not about that, it's about dancing -- dancing the Shag. It's basically about 4 friends from high school, who go to myrtle beach for the week before they all go their separate ways after graduation. Pudge is the chubby girl (played by Annabeth Gish) who loves to dance, she finds a nerdy guy that she eventually falls for and she ends up teaching him how to dance. in the end they end up winning this big dance competition. there's a lot of fun and drama with the other girls too, but pudge has always been my favorite. it's a feel good movie about friendship. i still love it.

blog about erin

i don't know erin. at first i got her confused with amanda (sorry), but then i realized my mistake. then i thought she was 'becca's friend that lives in texas whose husband is an artist, but i don't think that's her. have i met erin? i don't remember. were you at 'becca's 30th birthday party? i met a lot of her friends there. now i'm just confused. sorry erin.

your favorite memory that makes you laugh

when Mila was a puppy she was naturally very curious. one day we were in the living room and i couldn't find her. then i saw it. she was in the tv stand, trying to get out through the front doors. she had crawl through the back and gotten stuck. it was hilarious. it always makes me laugh, she looked so pitiful.

there was another time when Tiny stole a box of Nilla Wafers from the table and proceeded to try to eat them, but instead got her head stuck in the box. i have pictures of that....somewhere.

usually after new years, but this year i did it on new year's eve since the weather was so warm. it made putting all of the boxes away in the garage so much easier b/c i didn't have to wear a huge coat.

free day

i know it's only january, but on sunny days i like to look out the window and pretend that spring is coming a lot sooner. i trick myself into thinking that it's warm out and the trees are going to start growing their leaves again, but then i don't hear the birds. that's how i know the weatherman is forecasting snow. agian.

google your last name and post the first picture.

The town of Burford came up, it's in England. It's certainly a place I'd love to visit. Maybe this explains my obsession with Pride & Prejudice and my love for the landscape featured in the film.

here's an article i found about it.
The tiny Oxfordshire town named on Forbes list of Most Idyllic Places gears up for inlux of Americans
By Laura Williamson

You would expect a list of the most idyllic places to live in Europe would include Monaco, Rome, Madrid or Paris.But according to Forbes magazine, sleepy Burford in the Cotswolds is actually one of the most perfect.The medieval town is sixth, ahead of many more famous European capitals.

But the respected business magazine seems to have succumbed to hyperbole by choosing to describe Burford's gentle rolling hills as 'mountainous'.Known as the Gateway to the Cotswolds, the Oxfordshire town is more likely to boast a cosy tea shop than craggy terrain. It is home to just 1,100 residents, but was preferred to Rome and Budapest by Forbes' panel of experts.

Residents of Burford said it was no surprise that the village made it in the Forbes top ten list Burford was the only British town to make the top ten and the magazine was quick to highlight the area's celebrity status.Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet and her film director husband, Sam Mendes, live in neighbouring Church Westcote, while Liz Hurley has a home 14 miles away in Ampney Knowle, near Cirencester.Conservative leader David Cameron, who is said to like Burford's unspoilt high street, is the local MP. The Camerons' constituency home is just ten miles to the north, in the village of Dean.Kate Moss, Take That's Gary Barlow and members of the band Radiohead also own houses in the Cotswolds.But the desirability of the area has bumped up property prices, with Forbes warning Burford is the most expensive of its ten idyllic locations. The average home sells for £532,669.

Mayor David Cohen said he was only surprised Burford did not come higher.He said: 'It's a wonderful town and it's lovely it has been recognised as idyllic, which it is.
'There are beautiful views of the Cotswolds, lovely pubs, a good high street and a great community. It's in a great location and I'm sure that's very important.'

Resident John Spencer, 80, said the town, just 20 miles west of Oxford, had become a very popular tourist destination.He said: 'It's a very nice town and it has always attracted a tremendous lot of people to it. You always see bus-loads of tourists coming in from London, two or three times a day.'

John Summers, 56, moved from London five years ago. He said: 'I love it here. The quality of life, the fresh air, the stunning views.'

free day

a crescent moon glows in the night
it hangs high in the sky
providing the world a wonderful sight

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

i actually like what i do, i make art everyday, but i think i'd like to do more fine art. paint, work in the darkroom, maybe just be more immersed in it all. it flows in my veins. and like i said before i want to write and illustrate children's books.

your favorite movie of all time

i guess it would have to be pride & prejudice considering it's probably my most watched movie as well. i love the clothes, the etiquette, the landscape, and the hate turns into love thing. it's very powerful and beautifully done. i've watched it in just about every version, even a bollywood one, but this newer one is my fave.

: if you were to get a tattoo, what would it say or what would the graphic be?

i have actually considered this very much, but never could make up my mind. i always go between a bird, cross, butterfly, or daisy but those are so common. i would want something unique, so until i can think of something like that and build up enough courage, i'll just have to get back to you. one day.

who is the crazy relative in your family?

who isn't crazy in my family?
well my mother and myself.
'becca's heard the stories, she knows. ;-)

what is your favorite quote?

"If you love something set it free, if it comes back it's yours; if it does not, it was never meant to be."

my grandma had this saying on a plaque on the wall next to the thermostat, so everytime i had to change the temperature in the house i would read it. there was a little seagull on it.

what was your snuggly thing that you slept with when you were a kid?

black leopard.
i got him when i was really little. he was supposed to protect me at night. he still sits on my night stand.

new years resolutions

i don't make new years resolutions. i try to make min-goals for myself. my goal this year is to work on my book. i have a "cast of character" ideas already. i just need to start doing some sketching. and some possible story ideas. i also want to redo this website--something i've been meaning to do for a really, REALLY long time. i also need to take a lot more photos this year, last year my quota wasn't so good.