"Daydreaming"

"A daydream is a meal at which images are eaten. Some of us are gourmets, some gourmands, and a good many take their images precooked out of a can and swallow them down whole, absentmindedly, and with little relish." -W.H. Auden

While writing in my journal the other night, I was swept away in a Jane Austen daydream (which is saying something, because I'm not a Jane Austen sort of gal) and, well, this is the result.

As you may very well know, the original image is not from a Jane Austen movie at all. Indeed, it was taken from the 1982 film, "An Officer and a Gentleman" (which I've never actually seen).

And yes, I'm the favored candidate for the "Worst Photo Composite Ever" award this year. I know our skin tones don't match the original grayscale, the lines around our faces are badly cropped, etc. etc. I honestly just wanted to have a little fun, never mind how well it worked out.

We'll take cute - REAL - photos like this someday. Just you wait and see!

"Sushi n' Football"

"All the world's a stage, and most of us are desperately unrehearsed." -Sean O'Casey

A sushi restaurant is one of the only places my budget stops at the door.

That, and Barnes & Noble.

In anticipation for the busy school year, I dined at one of Utah's posh little sushi-yas with my old school friend, Erin. (I know once the homework starts piling up, my social life will shrivel into a nasty little raisin. Summer is the time for plump grapes. Ah, me.)

{Erin showing me just what she thinks of my camera-happy fingers.}

{Lovely, lovely nigiri sushi. Chef's choice.}

After dinner, Mom called me up and told me my baby brother was playing his first (American) football game. So, I drove over and hitched a ride with my folks to cheer Chan on.

Cute little Viking boys.

{mom & me.}

I'm exhausted, and I didn't even go to the gym today! But sitting on those hardwood bleachers sure made my rump sore. *rub*

"Tale as Old as Time"

"Barely even friends, then somebody bends unexpectedly."

-Mrs. Potts (Beauty and the Beast)

Beauty and the Beast.

Juan Diego High School put on a lovely production of the timeless tale, and we loved it.

Pete, Aubrey, and I all met up with Babbo in Draper and enjoyed ourselves.

Did I have any favorites? The man who played LeFou was incredible. Loved him.

Lumiere and Madame de la Grand Bouche were spectacular as well.

Loved the music, loved the evening, loved the company around me.

I've gotta see more plays!

"Little Bitty Recap"

"Before you put on a frown, make absolutely sure there are no smiles available."

-Jim Beggs

I came across some old video files and laughed.

Three cheers for good memories and friends attached!

Bryn, Jeanelle, Aubrey, and Nieves (my roommate from Galicia) are shown in these clips.

Love you guys.

"What's Your Sign?"

{Image via Katarzyna/Amatorka}

"In the perspective of every person lies a lens through which we may better understand ourselves." -Ellen J. Langer

Learning about yourself through another's eyes is such fun.

I'm an earth dragon.

I'm a capricorn.

I'm a birch tree.

I'm a deer.

I'm a goose.

I'm a tiger.

I'm a type O.

I'm a Child of God.

:)

"Aha! {Witchy Song}"

"High on life--you should try it." -Imogen Heap (Aha!)

Love Imogen Heap?

Her new album hits US stores August 25th. {Get excited!}

This one's my favorite.
I imagine I'll use it for a little video come Halloween. *witchy grin*

Cheers!

"True Love"

{Image via Smitten Kitchen}

"There is a peculiar burning odor in the room, like explosives. The kitchen fills with smoke and the hot, sweet, ashy smell of scorched cookies. The war has begun." -Alison Lurie

Bryn is more than okay with me being podgy.

I stay this way because I eat cookies.

And cookies are a part of joy and happiness.

And this picture is a lie, because I can't stand nuts in my cookies.
But it was such a lovely photo, I had to use it.

You're the chocolate chip to my oatmeal cookie, sweetie.

Love you. xoxo

"I'm in Love"

{Image via Robyn/Midnight-Rain}

"Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies." -Aristotle

In contemplation of "The Five Love Languages", I've discovered that my main language is "Acts of Service".

Of course, I feel loved when someone wraps me in a warm hug and tells me how grateful they are for me as well, but it's easiest to grab my attention when you share my burden.

I may fight it sometimes, but if you push hard enough, I'll see your sincerity and allow you to be my partner in accomplishing a task.

You just have to prove your veracity first.

{Image via Dicky Hendarwan/Dodoy}

Thank you, sweetheart, for being unguarded and wholehearted time and time again.

Just being who you are opened places inside me that never saw the sunlight before.

When I cleaned my apartment for the Sabbath, you grabbed a broom and swept right beside me.

It was always wonderful to perform my music for you. You smiled every time my fingers plunked the piano. You loved to hear me sing.

Any boorish, crass, indecent word that passed through my lips left you frowning. Because, to you, I was above that.

You inadvertently showed me the amazing person I could be.

And for it, I love you.

Thank you, my best friend.

"Just a Mike"

{click to enlarge}

Let's be nice to our men, ladies.

They all have Edward qualities in them, and Jacob qualities as well.

And someday, I'll learn how to draw good stick figures.

"Postal Coastal Girl"

"There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." -Anais Nin

In my head, there's been a constant debate whether moving to the west or east coast would be best.

The west is where the people I love live. The west is what I know.

The east is exciting, active, and engaging to me. The east is what I don't know.

I'll obviously live wherever my husband can find work...

But he can apply for jobs in certain cities, can't he? Of course he can. *grin*

Incidentally, Jeanelle has spoken to me about living in Oregon or Washington.

I like the rain, and I like trees. Washington sounds lovely to me.

And, in fact, the real estate for the cities along the Olympic Peninsula is quite approachable.

For instance, I looked up houses in Aberdeen and found this charming little place:

{Rosebushes! And a red door!}

{Cute, low ceilings! And hardwood floors!}

{Open bedroom!}

{An adorable, open kitchen!}

The asking price is $189,900 for 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom (plus a big porch & backyard).
I understand that sort of price would get a much grander house in Utah, but I really don't care. I've lived in Happy Valley all my life, and frankly, "I want mooooore!"
(Little Mermaid moment there.)
Someday, I will live in strange, unknown places where I'll be forced out of my comfort bubble.
Someday, I'll be there!

"Baby's Got Bite"

"Dogs' lives are too short. Their only fault, really."

-Agnes Sligh Turnbull

Raine was gone.

Nobody had seen her or knew where she was.

And when she finally limped home, we were horrified.

She had been loose, and she had fought with another dog.

Baby, it's wonderful you can trash another beastie with your sharp, little teeth, but...

Please don't do that again. Ever.

"Harmon FHE"

(Note: The date is wrong. We actually went August 10-11, 2009. I need more focus in my life.)

"To us, family means putting your arms around each other and being there."

-Barbara Bush

We went a little overboard for this week's Family Home Evening.

{But you won't hear me complainin'.}

I satiated my tastebuds with a grilled ribeye steak and steamed broccoli for dinner.

And oh, there was cheesecake.

Our suite in The Grand America hotel was spectacular.

And I was once again reminded how easily I could live the life of a pampered brat.

It makes eternal happiness all the more appealing.

{Even if I can't be a pampered brat while living it.}

Thank you, father, for having a career that supports whimsical getaways.

"Ashley S. Cullen"

"I'm not used to feeling so human. Is it always like this?"

-Edward Cullen (Twilight)

Aren't you glad I'm not a vampire? Life would be so much harder if I was.

Especially since werewolves are cooler. I'd have an immediate complex.

But notice my eyes... If I was one, I'd be snacking on animals, not people. Comforting?

I think I need to take a little break from Twilight.

"Drinking Chalk"

"A lot of people are afraid of heights. Not me, I'm afraid of widths."

-Steven Wright

Whenever I drink my protein shakes, I have to tell myself I'm drinking chocolate milk. Otherwise, I'll pour it down the drain.

I hate you, chalky goo.

"The Epic Day of August 1, 2009"

"Is that, like, an ammo gun or something?" -Ashley S. Harmon

We create drama.

Well, atleast, I do. *cheesy smile*

It's enthralling to take an event as simple as hiking the PG waterfalls and turn it into something extraordinary. Or, if not extraordinary, then atleast more exciting to watch.

The hike is gorgeous, by the way.

"If My Engagement Pictures..."

{Images via Vanity Fair}

...could look like this, I would never stop staring at them.

And there would be happy tears.

Don't roll your eyes.

This is arguably the most nonsensical post I've ever created. But helping my boss look up Anniversary Inn rooms for her weekend getaway rekindled that old romantic flame in me.

I just can't discover how to snuff it out completely.