Here, still.

Hello, hi!  I am alive just in case anyone was going out of their head with worry.

Many lovely things have happened since my last post.  Well, two things mostly:  I spent a month in Hawaii, and I have a darling niece named Ella Beth.

First:  Hawaii was nice, pretty, sunny, beach-y, etc. etc.  But lacking the culture I expected.  BUT, I hiked, I swam, I jumped off waterfalls.  I drank wine, I ate great food, I slept in.  I partook in a few enlightening conversations, fell in love with a Great Dane named Pongo, and ate fresh fish from the sea!  I applied sunscreen constantly and came back whiter than I left.  It was a nice experience... living in Hawaii for a short while.  But, I find myself very happy to be on landlocked Earth again.

A secluded little spot we found on O'ahu:

But the big news is here:  I am an aunt to a beautiful baby girl named Ella.  She is precious.  And, I know, as the aunt and godmother, I am obligated to say nice things about this child.  But I really mean it.  As a self-proclaimed-not-crazy-about-kids lady, I have found myself completely consumed with this child.  She is such a blessing.  Yes, a blessing.

 Beyond these things, I have absolutely not interesting news.

I am a 23 year-old college graduate who is jobless and living in one her parents' spare bedrooms.  I play with my puppies, I help with Ella, I send out resumes.  This. is. my. life.  And it's okay for now. 

Cheers.

Leaving for Hawaii on Wednesday.  Oh.  My.  Gawh.


Must do the following things prior to Wednesday:

1.  Pack up entire flat
2.  Clean entire flat
3.  Move out of said flat
4.  Work every night until I leave
5.  Dentist appointment
6.  80 minute massage & pedicure

Chicago --> L.A. -->  Maui -->  O'ahu

Cannot.  Wait.

Adios, continental US.  See you in one month!

Track du Moment:  "The Piano" by PJ Harvey

Volume Two

An adorable album.

Album du Moment: See above

-10

Well, what a long and rather uneventful holiday weekend.  But that's alright.  I spent most of my time researching potential jobs (mainly eco-jobs in the Midwest) and daydreaming about my trip to Hawaii!  I spoke to Cristin, R.M.'s cousin who we will be staying with, a day or two ago and she told me about Hanauma Bay (http://www.hanauma-bay-hawaii.com/).  This place looks amazing!  Although I snorkeled in the Dominican and was a liiiiittle freaked out, I think I would be okay in this situation.  More shallow water, etc.  In Punta Cana, my girlfriends and I took a rickety old boat out to (what seemed like) the middle of the ocean, threw on some B-rate snorkeling gear, proceeded to jump off the rickety old boat, and swim around aimlessly as the owner of crappy boat threw bread chunks near all of our heads so fish would swarm to our faces!  It was close to terrible.  Anyway, Hanauma Bay looks much more relaxing (and safe).  For now, though, I'm stuck in La Crosse -- just working and starting my work out regimen as of today!  Must lose the very sneaky ten pounds that accumulated throughout the winter-time.  After receiving all of my bikinis from Victoria's Secret last week, I realized I must devote this month before I leave to getting myself back into bikini-wearing shape.  I'm actually pretty excited for it.

Well, that is all for me.  The gym opens at noon and I have to work at 3:30.  So not much time.  Cheers!

Track du Moment: "Moon River" by Henry Mancini

The Young Victoria

Recently had the pleasure of watching The Young Victoria.

What a beautiful film.

Track du Moment: "Sad With What I Have" by Rufus Wainwright

I almost forgot...

...I booked my trip to Hawaii!

I will be flying out of Chicago on 30 June and returning from Honolulu on 28 July!  Hopefully just in time for my sister to have her baby.

Exciting times.  Yes, exciting times.

Vote for James!

Hello all.

One of my dearest friends, James, is competing for his own talk show on Oprah's new network "OWN".  James is absolutely wonderful -- generous, kind, silly, talented, and absolutely hysterical -- all of the adjectives which make up a really fantastic person.  I think anyway.

If you'd like, click on this link: http://myown.oprah.com/audition/index.html?request=video_details&response_id=2222&promo_id=1 to watch James' cute little audition tape, as well as to vote for him (as many times as you wish!).

                                                               Mai, James, & yours truly.

How wouldn't you want to see that face on TV?!  Maybe he'd even have me on for an interview... :)

Cheers!

Song du Moment: "Black Hearted Love" by PJ Harvey & John Parish

An Education

Just finished the film An Education.  

What an incredible film.  Peter Sarsgaard + Carey Mulligan were even better than I had anticipated.

 

. . .

"Go home and do your homework.  

And don't hang out with dodgy blokes at dodgy cafés and dog races.  

Go to University!"

A Graduate (!)

So, I'm graduated!  Finally!

As much as I will miss this city after five years of calling it home, I am beyond excited to find out where life has to take me.  All I know is this for certain:  life will be taking me to HAWAII for at least awhile!  R.M., one of his brothers, J, and I will be going to Hawaii to stay with R.M.'s cousin and husband in Honolulu.  I simply cannot wait to lay on the beach and just exist.  I will finish out (most) of my lease at this flat and bartend for the time being.  Then fly out for Honolulu sometime in late June.  (!!!)

Yay for life post-graduation :) !

Track du Moment: "Shannon Rhodes" by Damien Jurado

8

This makes me want to cry:

THE END

TODAY is the FINAL day of my undergraduate experience here at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.  Wow. I am truly speechless (or, um, wordless).  I will go return all of my textbooks for the very last time and hand in a paper I have been working on for a YEAR.  Then graduation tomorrow?  Really?  Surreal.

All I can muster up is that this American Spirit I'm smoking this morning and this cup of coffee I'm drinking have never tasted so damn good.

Cheers!

So Many Allies

Peel all of your layers off
I want to eat your artichoke heart
No more leaky holes in your brain
And no false starts

 Track du Moment: "Atoms For Peace" by Thom Yorke

...each movement refined

I feel so out of the blogging loop!  My last semester of school balanced with volunteering at the Eco Park, bartending, and my extensive social life has become absolutely consuming!  But in a good way I guess.  I really have been enjoying myself.  PLUS, my college career is quickly approaching an end.  I graduate May 15th.  So exciting.  I was talking to a friend a few days ago about how strange it will be to not be a student anymore.  We (meaning anyone who has been in school for 18+ years) have been labeled as "student" for so long.  It's bizarre to think that the label we have adorned for nearly a lifetime will soon change.
I can't help but wonder... what's next?

Track du Moment: "Martha" by Rufus Wainwright

a Must Listen: FRAGILE

Hi all.

So I guess this is somewhat of a plug I'm posting for a friend's band, Fragile.  But whatever, even if they weren't fabulous people and friends, I would still publish this post.  They are an incredibly talented group of guys who will release their debut album "This Land Will Be Civilized" in May (which is fantastic, by the way).

Side note: I'm going to see them perform at First Ave in Minneapolis tomorrow night and simply cannot wait.

So everyone! Check them out at www.fragilemusic.com or www.myspace.com/fragilewi
...or at least just admire how good looking they are.  Either way.

& enjoy this:

___________________________________

Album du Moment: "This Land Will Be Civilized" by Fragile

Love.