Runnin' Down a Dream

I would say that I am an avid traveler. I love the thrill of going new places and the thought of seeing the world is just so exciting to me. Sometimes I will just go online and look at flights just because and see how much it costs to go places that I can only dream about.

One of my first bigger trips to the East Coast was with a few friends in 04 when I was 17. We went to New Jersey & New York. I never wanted to leave. The weather was perfect, the friends were perfect, the food was amazing and I just loved the NY City life. Now, I live just outside of LA, but LA doesn't have the towering buildings that NYC has. In New York, you feel so insignificant, but it was such a new experience for me, I absolutely loved it! New Jersey, however, was a different story. It smelled and was dirty. NYC was the same way, very dirty. LA just isn't like that. However, what NYC lacks in cleanliness, it makes up for in different ways, like public transportation. Subways go everywhere! In LA, I've heard there is a subway but have yet to ever see it or know anybody who uses it. It's as if it's a "phantom subway". I think if I did ever find it, I wouldn't take it as it is completely pointless/useless.

My next big trip was the following year to my (at the time, future) sister-in-law's wedding in PA. I think I may have even flown by myself and what a thrill it was. PA was just beautiful in the summer. The hills, mountains and amount of greenery was comparable to Hawaii. At the time, it was completely stressful as I was meeting my boyfriend's family and friends for the first time. But everyone was so welcoming and nice to me, it made the trip a memorable one :) Since then, we have probably traveled to PA about 6-7 times to visit family and for other various reasons. Philadelphia is awesome, very historical. I must say that I really loved Pittsburgh though. The downtown is just surrounded by water (3 rivers to be exact). It's a great city.

Next up, I went to Seattle a few months after with 2 friends. Sort of a "pre-wedding" trip. Seattle was something special also. It was freezing, but with all the lights the city was awesome. I think it was on this trip that I discovered my love for traveling to big cities. Seattle had a NYC look, but on a much smaller scale with its own feel. The people were awesome, and from the Space Needle, overlooking the city and the water and snow-capped mountains, I felt at ease and peaceful.

Next up, I got married and we traveled to Riviera Maya, Mexico for our honeymoon. Water was warm, clear and we snorkled like a couple of sea turtles. Had some much needed R&R despite having a hectic time getting there (passport problems). Too bad everyone thought my husband was Mexican, and noone would talk to us in English.

The next big trip we took was to NYC, New Jersey & Boston with 2 good friends. Wowzers, what a fun trip that was. Looking back, I think that was the most fun I had ever had on a trip. Good laughs, good fun and we toured NYC like we owned it, doing everything we could in a week. Natural History museum, MOMA, Ice Skating in Central Park, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, drank local beer and pretty much just did everything I've ever wanted to do in New York. Once again, New Jersey smelled. But Boston, oh Boston. I think it was at this point that my husband decided he wanted to move there. The history is amazing. Cobblestone streets (Philly has a few of those too), and all the places you've read about in American history books, are right there for you. Once again, it has a big city look, but it makes you feel so comfortable, almost welcoming That fall, I took off to Chicago to see one of my favorite bands with a few friends. Instantly, Chicago became my favorite city. I can't even begin to describe how much I love this city. It has everything that NYC and LA have, combined with a twist. You want history, you got it. The buildings are all brick, just like you would have seen in the 20s & 30s with Al Capone. You want variety, oh believe me its there. Every language, food and culture is there. Theaters, museums, suburbs, concerts, clubs, bars, downtown, skyscrapers, interesting people, its all in Chicago. The public transportation KILLS New York, it's far superior. And yet, you can own a car and get around just fine as well. It's also all right next to one of the Great Lakes, which if you didn't know, you would think was the ocean. That Lake is HUGE! The last night we were there, we wandered onto the pier and sat there and watched the sunset over the skyline in Chicago, over the skyscrapers and the city. At that point, I fell inlove with Chicago. Such a cool city, but yet it makes you feel like your already home. In fact, on this trip I decided I wanted to live in Chicago. This was the first time in my life, I actually had not wanted to go home. Beforehand, everywhere I had been had been all great and fun, but I was fine with going home. Chicago changed all of that for me.

The following January, we went up to Canada for a snowboarding/skiing trip to visit some friends. This was my first time to Canada. Honestly, it didn't feel any different except the scenery was breathtaking. Canada really isn't much different than here. We ventured up into Calgary and then from there drove to our friends house in the Canadian rockies. On this trip, I realized how very little I know about Canada. I also never had (or have again) seen so much snow. EVERYTHING was covered in snow, you couldn't even see the city. It was crazy! But I loved it! All in all though, Canada was awesome and I wouldn't mind going up there again next winter.

The next month, in February, we went to Chicago for a week for our anniversary and then headed off to Boston the next weekend for a short 4-day trip and we met some friends there. This was my favorite trip with my husband. We just took the entire week and explored Chicago. I won't lie, it was freezing. For awhile, I thought my ears were going to fall off, and I never remember being as cold as I was there, but in some odd way it added to the charm of Chicago, as I love winter. We even went and looked at a few places to rent, throwing some ideas around of where we would want to live. I want to go back to Chicago so badly. And hopefully in the next few years we can live there for awhile. (Right, Jesse?) Then, just like that we were off to Boston. I would say Boston is my #2 city in the US. Jesse just fell inlove with Boston all over again. Which, I'm not opposed to at all. Boston was awesome, we had some very memorable nights there.


Most recently, our last trip was to Hawaii. If I could imagine what paradise is, it would be Kauai. It's so green, its hard to explain or imagine. The landscape is just breathtaking and the water is like swimming in the bath tub (with a bunch of tropical fish). Even the people were awesome and the food was good. My only qualm with Hawaii is that fact that the humidty and my hair hated each other. But I can't wait until we can go back again.

We've also been to San Diego, San Francisco, Phoenix, Las Vegas, but since those are all driving distance, I'm not counting them. :) All in all, traveling to so many US cities as many times as I have, makes me appreciate California for what it is and has. I must say, the thing I missed most on all these trips was some good ole fashioned Tri-tip sandwhiches and Mexican food. However, while I love CA, I can't wait to live somewhere else. Experience a new place, meet new people and just live life in a new place!

Next year we are hoping to enjoy some international travels. We are planning to go to China in April and do a Euro trip next fall/winter. Then perhaps, I will want to move overseas. While I want to do all these things, if we ever do decide to "settle down" and put some roots down somewhere, I wouldn't want to do it anywhere else but California, in particular Southern California :) And, for those who would say that I haven't really been very many placse (I've never been to Europe or Asia), hey, cut me some slack. I'm 22, and I'm working on making my way over there.

One last thought, I'm so happy I have such a wonderful traveling buddy, thanks bebe.

Thanks for reading!

"Are You Ready For Some Football!"

Today, I have many things on my mind, and so this post will be quite random. Please bear with me.

Last night we watched my cousins and went out for pizza. While the girls were off enjoying themselves in the video game section, I looked up at the TV and there IT was. No, it can't be! No, not yet, there's still more time left! Please, NO! That's right. It was a football game. Apparently it was a pre-season game, and the real season starts next month. It feels like the season just ended. And yet its here again, just like it always is. Now don't get me wrong, I don't mind watching a football game here and there and going to a game is fun. But here's what I don't like: football festivities. Football will literally dominate every conversation we (Jesse and I, but more Jesse) have with others, and after awhile this gets boring.

Okay, okay, Football rant is over. Next rant: The game of LIFE. Now, last night we played this game with my cousins. Is it just me, or are we training the youth that all their is in life is: college, career, marriage, buy a house, family, money and then retirement. As I ventured my little car of myself, a husband and a little boy, I felt as though I was making life changing decisions so rapidly, then before I knew it, I was at retirement estates, ready to die! I sure hope that I get more out of life than that. What about traveling, spirituality, friendships, enjoying youth, choosing NOT to get married, choosing NOT to have kids? What if someone doesn't want to have a career? Instead it was a straight shot of college -> career -> marriage -> family -> retirement. In the end of the game, you add up all your money and whoever is the richest is the one that wins?! So money = happy retirement/satisfying life? Oh no, no, no. Clearly the makers of LIFE have not fully thought out the impressionable youth they are marketing to. But even still, I love playing this game and would play it again in a heartbeat.

Next annoyance: People that move like turtles. For instance, the other day, I was in a terrible rush and I ventured into Coffee Bean to grab some tea for the road. A man is standing there, still trying to decide what he wants. Since he was there first, I allowed him to go in front of me. He finally orders something, takes FOREVER to get the money out of his wallet, then when the lady asks "for here or to go?" he takes another 45 seconds to decide!! Then, he watches the lady making his bagel and asks her questions about the bagel, then when he receives his change, he takes another 1 1/2 minutes to put the money perfectly back into his wallet, and then just stands there for another couple seconds. Then the lady making my drink is talking on the phone, so she's moving super slowly, AND to top it off, she serves the lady who was in back of me, first! I had it, I walked out more grumpy and impatient than ever. I guess I just have to work on that whole patience thing :) Maybe when I have my puppy, that will help! (Jesse: Let's hurry it up on the puppy thing!)

My husband remarked to me last night to be careful not to over-rant and sound like a bitter person. Please believe me, I am not. I am quite happy with life and enjoying it. A good few rants now and then never hurt anyone :)

Don't Stop the Music

Music has been a big part of my life. Anyone who knows my family, knows that no matter where or what event it is, even a quiet family dinner, there is music playing. I can't even tell you how many times I remember waking up to my dad playing music in the morning. No matter what it was, even cleaning the house, we had music on. One of my uncles was a singer in country band, one is a professional wedding DJ, and my dad dabbled in djing here and there. The first time I ever talked to my husband, we talked about music for almost 2 hours and our love of music and favorite bands. Always music. Even now, when I have people over, I also like to have background music on, I feel that it keeps the mood going and if there ever is any awkward silences, well there's noise. Sometimes I don't understand how people don't have music on when we go over to their house. And I don't mean loud and annoying music, just some nice background music is all it takes.

My musical tastes have narrowed quite a bit in the past 2 years. About 5 years ago, I would listen to anything, go to any shows and just enjoyed being around music. Now, however, I cringe at the thought of going to see a band that I barely know. If I don't know at least 1 entire album by a band, I have no interest in seeing them. If I am familiar with the "hits" then its a big waste of my time, because I have to sit and listen to all those other songs they sing, that I really dont care about. I just really only like that 1 song! I can't even tell you how many concerts/shows I have gone to and been in that situation. I think that was for a few reasons: 1) I was easily swayed by what others listened to and what others thought and did 2) I hadn't really formed by own tastes in music yet. Only recently, have I begun to say "no, I don't really care to see them" when people ask. Although, I think it was good for me for awhile. After emerging from that I was really able to know what I disliked and liked in music and felt pretty confident in my musical choices. I mean, I had been exposed to ALL forms of music and had seen a wide variety of bands play live. I felt like I was making educated musical decisions.

Eventually, though, I found myself narrowing my tastes down and I became very particular about the shows I chose to go to. Even now, listening to music in the car, I really only listen to my top 5 bands, and I am completely content with that! I REALLY enjoy their music, I can sing along to all the songs, and it makes me happy. What else would I need? At work, I made a nice "work" playlist on itunes and listened to that almost every day for 6 months at least. And once again, completely content. Then one day, I got a bit sick of it. And I had heard of Pandora and how it could play songs you like based off what artists you put in. So I thought I would give it a try. As a result, I now listen to Pandora everyday and have grown leaps and bounds in my musical tastes. I FINALLY found more bands that sound just like my top 5 bands, and that is amazing! But once again, my old "rut" ways continued, and I pretty much only listen to the 1 radio station everyday. And anyone who knows how Pandora works, if you do that for too long, you find that they just play the same songs. Which is fine with me. I am able to continue my musical narrowness while also expanding it. Quite the oxymoron. But once again, I am completely content. I no longer feel that need to expand in my musical tastes and know every band thats out there. If someone recommends a band, great, I will take a listen. But it has to really move me for me to continue listening to it. Actually, right now there is 1 band that I have pretty much been listening to non-stop for over a year. Prior to that, I had heard them countless times. My friends were listening to them in 2004 and then my husband started really listening to them in 2006. I even went and saw them 3 times with my husband and some friends and wasn't even phased by it. It wasn't until about end of 2007 for me to start to say "wow, I really like them, made me a cd for my car" (no ipod here). Since then, I have flown to Chicago twice to see them play and they are playing about 7 shows along the west coast in November, and I have tickets to 4 of them, one every night Friday - Monday. They are without a doubt, one of, if not my favorite band. At least for right now, anyway. But as you can see, it look a long time for me to really appreciate the music, due to my narrowmindedness. Yet, I came around. Lesson learned: Continue growing in my musical tastes while also staying true to what music I actually like, and not just doing it because other people like them. Music is art in the form of sound, and should always be about enjoying oneself.

As usual, here is a random picture for some random enjoyment (from our class graduation this weekend)

“If you wish to practice the art of fiction, then your horizons must be widened.”

Yesterday as I drove home and thought about this blog, a whole slew (?) of ideas came to me about what to write. And now as I am sitting here, I find that I have forgotten all of them. Oh well, such is life. I think it is important, however, to note that this blog has no specific purpose or point, other than to please my writing needs, and an occasional vent here and there. Most blogs I see have a point: marketing a company, marketing valuable information, ect. Mine does none of those things. So please dont look or try to find one, this blog is essentially "pointless".


As most know, I have been going to school for writing, and as of late have taken a break. Therefore, in order for me to save my writing "technique" I am blogging. However, this particular type of writing has always intimidated me. Since an early age in my writing career, I was always an analytical writer. Read an article or piece of work and write an analysis or criticism of it. I could do this all day and whip out some pretty amazing reports. However, when the dreaded land of "creative writing" came up, I ran for the hills. The thought of writing a piece based off nothing but my own imagination is terrifying, and then to have people actually READ it and then, they themselves critiquing my work?!?!? Oh heavens no! I have, at all costs, avoided all creative writing courses or really any courses that would entail me writing in such a way. Classes like "Writing for Reflection" have no place in my writing career. And now look at me. I'm doing exactly such a thing, and I must say that I enjoy it. It feels good to start writing again. Last night my husband said "keep blogging, and then you can make us money". First of all, I dont really know what or how I would do that. Second of all, I dont think I could ever get enough people to actually read my blog in order for me to sell ads on it. Well, maybe some Unekbride ads. (Please visit http://www.unekbride.com/ for all your wedding needs). Too bad all the people that read this blog are either related to its maker, or are already married. Sorry, I tried.

Anyway, I have always felt strongly about good writing. However, when I have to read a book and sit through an author that goes on, and on, and on about describing every single detail of a scene, I want to scream and throw the book down. C'mon, do we HAVE to know exactly what the sleeves of the coat looked like and compare them to some tree branches or something?! Honestly, it leaves nothing to the imagination of the reader, the author has filled in all the details for us, and I hate that. I want details and descriptions that are important to the plot, character or outcome. Most of the time they are farely useless. Although, there are exceptions to the rule. For instance, Jane Austen. I LOVE her stories. She has some wonderful characters and plots, that I don't mind at all the amount of detail I have to get through. HER characters are truly captivating people. Hemingway does this a bit also, although I find myself able to get through his work with much more ease, perhaps because he's more of a modern writer (sort of). In The Sun Also Rises, he basically wrote about 4 friends who do nothing but drink and smoke as a "lost generation" of post WWI. This wasn't a "short" read either, and was a really good book.

Your probably wondering, "well what authors DO you like". I love realism. Henry James is one of my favorites with Turn of the Screw. I love dark romanticism. Poe's short stories and poems, Melville (Moby Dick), Hawthorne, Dickinson. The themes of their work are interesting and lively (or deadly, pun intended). I also enjoy the works of the Bronte sisters and please please please give me "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennesse Williams anyday.

My knowledge of literature is limited, but based on my exposure those are my favs. Take it for what you will :)

Lastly, I want to post a picture of my husband and I from Hawaii, because I think its cute, so there.

There is a lack of color here

As some may or may not know, I'm terrified of color. And this as thus translated into all aspects of my life. Examples: my wedding was black and white, my car is black, when we do laundry our biggest load is blacks, i have numerous "little black dresses", my phone is black, before the current one, all my purses had been black, most of the things in my house are black at an attempt for a "modern" look, I even prefer black pens over blue ones. But most of all, this translates down into the clothes I wear. When I go clothing shopping, for some reason, every shirt, skirt, pair of shoes, jacket, sweater, ect all just look better in black. In all honesty, I will pick out one shirt I really like and buy it, but if I was to see that same shirt in color on the rack, I wouldn't like it. And I'm sorry to people who own cars of color, but a freshly painted or washed/waxed black car, looks better than any other car out there on the road. No doubt about it.

I have linked this interesting fact in my life to a couple main factors. 1. My mom always wore black, she just always felt it was classy. 2. I watched a lottt of black and white movies growing up, thus all those Audrey Hepburn and Rita Hayworth outfits I adored were in black or shades of black. 3. I feel color washes people out. For some reason everyone always looks more attractive in a black shirt, as opposed to a red or orange shirt, or any other color really. That black shirt just helps make the look a little more sharp and crisp in my eyes.

If one was to see my wardrobe closet, it pretty much consists of all neutrals. Black (ofcourse), white, brown, gray and a few various shades of these. This is for another reason. You can accessorize magnificently with such colors. You really can just go all out in other ways. By keeping it low with a black shirt, you can wear a hat, scarf, some jewlery, a green skirt and it just looks good, no matter what. The thought of wearing all color and not one of these neutrals makes me panicky. All day long, I constantly feel as though I am scaring people with the radiant amount of color and light beeming forth from me. As is, I must deal with pale skin, but to top it off with copious amounts of color.... no thank you.

Take for instance this picture of me at the International Convention in June of this year. I was nervous with this outfit all day long, not to mention uncomfortable. But don't worry, I made up for it the very next day with an all black ensemble, which I felt was ravishing.

One last thought, with jeans pretty much any colored shirt is acceptable, but even then a black shirt looks better. Despite all of this please be assured, what I lack in colorful clothing, I make up for with a colorful persona, or at least I try. In fact, this blog template itself is a bit too colorful for me, I think I will probably end up changing it.

Things just look more classy, sheik and clean in a clear coat of black.