Where To Live, That Is The Question...

Hey, if your looking for something to read, here you are! Welcome. ;-D


Background:
I'm currently in the middle of  a long ongoing application process for the Teach For America (TFA) corps. As I rush to provide TFA with the information they need about me and cross my fingers on making it through and being offered a position,  I am forced to consider huge possibly life changing decisions I don't always feel totally equipped to make. Like if we don't end up staying in the Seattle area, where might we be willing to live for at least the next 2 years (within the offered regions of TFA of course).


If you have no idea what TFA is, consider checking it out at their website, http://www.teachforamerica.org/ It's good stuff!

The task is to pick 7 "preferred regions" after my highly preferred "Seattle-Tacoma" region (which I really hope means Seattle....) One of these 7 regions needs to be one of TFA's priority regions. I also get to pick 2 regions I would really prefer to not live if I can at all help it, but I find that's a lot easier to decide. ;-) My husband says he doesn't really care and will go anywhere although he does seem marginally interested in the East Coast area...so it's mostly up to me...I am also encouraged to rank them by preference...

Oh and I have to decide by Monday....

So, I thought as I wade through massive amounts of info trying to make semi-informed decisions while also trying to go with my gut, I would share for anyone who cares to follow along a little during this overwhelming process.

Quick notes: I'm looking for massive amounts of info without having to scour millions of websites, so yes, I am using Wikipedia a lot. Also, this is clearly not even close to all of the information I am gathering, just a short jaunt through my mind as I weed through all of this info. :-D

Task #1: Priority Regions, Pick One.

TFA's priority regions are.....

-Detroit: I think I'm putting Detroit down as a place I'd rather not live...idk just a gut feeling. :-P So one down.

-New Mexico: I was born in and lived in New Mexico as a child, but my question is where in New Mexico? Trust me, it matters. I have a love/hate relationship with the general are and I'm also not sure my husband would be crazy about it, it gets really really hot...Hmmm....

-Mississippi Delta:.....For whatever reason, I'm not sure I'm feeling it. So that's a no for now I think.

-Memphis: Intriguing, but really only because I like country music and not because I know the first thing about it or even think it sounds particularly nice. 

-Oklahoma: OK, so Oklahoma...Well I don't know, maybe...what do I know about it really...well there's the play, love that, been in it, great song...and yeah...that's pretty much it. I wanna say tornadoes? 

Well, just fun fun let's start here and see what we can find out about Oklahoma shall we? 

Discover the Excellence: Nice, I like the confident intro.

First, let's look at the state as a whole, whatta we got....

-Tornado Alley (Aha I knew it!) 

While Oklahoma state seems to have a nice sturdy and growing economy, it is touched by approximately 54 tornadoes a year....I find this confusing, but maybe the two are really unconnected. Also,  FIFTY-FOUR?! My God, how is that possible? I've never been in a tornado, how do I feel about this....well maybe because I've only ever seen one on the news, I find I'm less than worried about it...I mean people live there right, so you must get used to it or something....

-Bible Belt: Largely Evangelical Christian, very conservative....but there are more registered Democrats than any other political party.....well, that's interesting.

- State meal: fried okra, squash, cornbread, barbecue pork, biscuits, sausage and gravy, grits, corn, strawberries, chicken fried steak, pecan pie, and black eyed peas.......Wait is that all one meal?! Also, don't get me wrong, it all sounds delicious but you could be sound anymore Southern? I mean really. lol

-State Rock Song: Do You Realize by The Flaming Lips....States have official rock songs? Who decides these things? And why is this suddenly really important to me?! haha!

ALRIGHTY so not too scared off yet, let's see Where Exactly in Oklahoma are we talking? 

-Looks like Oklahoma City and Tulsa for the most part.

OK Oklahoma City, the capital, lets check it out.

Nice Looking City, Many Great Museums, Nice Parks, Great Zoo, looks nice so far....you know besides the tornado thing...

-Found this little Wiki tidbit 

Oklahoma City has a severe weather season from March through August, especially during April and May. Tornadoes have occurred in every month of the year. Oklahoma City has become one of the most tornado prone cities in the United States.^[9] Since the time weather records have been kept, Oklahoma City has been struck by nine violent tornadoes, eight F4's and one F5.^[9] On May 3, 1999 parts of southern Oklahoma City and nearby communities suffered one of the most powerful tornadoes on record, an F-5 on the Fujita Scale, with wind speeds topping 318 mph (510 km/h). This tornado was part of the 1999 Oklahoma tornado outbreak.

Sweet Goodness, what is the human fatality rate for these suckers? Gah I don't know...I don't know if I'd wanna live there long term anyway...

Notes On Oklahoma City Crime: 

Active-The Bloods and the Crips as well as the infamous South Locos who opened fire at police in a shopping mall in 2007....OK...good.....Also, there's the still-unsolved serial murder case that dates from at least as early as 1976 and as late as 1986. During that time, at least three women were horribly dismembered and parts of their bodies left throughout an area between downtown and the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Oklahoma City Police believe they were being watched by the killer, as they found body parts in areas they had already searched.

Now I'm just freaking myself out...all places, perhaps metropolitan areas in particular, have some fairly serious crime issues if you're looking for them right?...Right?...

OK...Let's move on and see what TFA's partner university there is...(the university I might receive a Masters in Education at). 

Sticking with Oklahoma City at the moment, that would give us University of Oklahoma (OU).

I love college campuses and even though I wouldn't be an 'incoming freshman' and thus not the target audience or recipient of a lot of campus stuff, I feel like I get a good feel for a university when I check out their "Campus Life Sections". 

Came across this fun, feel-good video about great things to be involved in on campus. 

http://youtu.be/dO-kZ_FeRFY

It looks like a beautiful campus.

Bizzell Garden 

East Entrance to Student Union 

Now that has some possibility.
And I think this post is officially long enough. So let us leave it at that for now. If you actually read this whole thing, thanks for that. lol  


To Be Continued (Very Soon) With Another Fun New Place ;-P 


HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAY!

Breaking Dawn Part 2 Target clip (HD)

I'm gonna start this out with PLEASE, NO HATERS. You don't have to like it and no one is making you watch it. I can't believe how worked up people can get over a movie. With that being said. Here we go!

Although it's not out until November, a special Target event celebrating the DVD release of Part 1 brought any TWI-HARDS this little gem of a clip SUPER EARLY! Personally the last book is my favorite, I thought they did a pretty sweet job on Part 1 and I am pretty psyched about Part 2!

Beware: This is not a high quality clip being that somebody recorded it on a Target television that playing it for the event. So, some of the dialogue is hard to catch, thus the little translation below the clip. That way you can scan the short word exchange and then just focus on the beautiful faces once the clip starts rolling. If this is going to drive you crazy, feel free to not watch it. :-P 

If you like it, please go this youtube link and "like" your support for melta2009 who brought us this gift. :-)

http://youtu.be/F-QX_L-CKVY

I have not rights to this video, but it's all over the Internet so I'm not too worried. If it starts to get taken down, I will take this one down as well. Till then, ENJOY!

Video SUBTITLES:
Bella: "It's strange. Physically I feel I can demolish a tank. Mentally I feel drained."

Edward: "How about a bath?"

Bella [Smiles]

Edward: "I've had a bad habit of underestimating you. Every obstacle you've faced... I think you couldn't overcome it. But you just did. You are the reason I have something to fight for. A family."

Edward: "I'll go and get the water running."

The letter is from Alice and says quote "Gather as many witnesses as you can before the snow sticks to the ground. That's when they'll come for us." 
- Shes talking about the Voultri. Reading the book will help this make sense of this.

I think Kristen looks Smoking, can't wait to see her get her vamp on since that's really the best stage of Bella's character development. :D

HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAY!

2012 Oscars, WOMEN WHO ROCKED IT!

My take on the Oscars tonight? The WOMEN ROCKED IT!

We have a tendency to really bash on our rich and famous, I know I am as guilty of this as anyone. They are too pretty, they are superficial, they are so out of touch with reality etc. etc. etc. 

But I watched the backstage live feed for the Oscars last night and I just really have to give props to a few women who really rocked the Oscars. They were stunning, they were classy, and they were genuine. They are real woman, powerful women, yes, but real women non-the-less who really rocked it tonight and deserve a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T! 

So, keeping in mind that I didn't watch the actual show but the backstage stuff with clips from the stage here and there, here's my list! 

Octavia Spencer was sooo BEAUTIFUL, she looked absolutely gorgeous tonight! Her Winners Speech was so touching and I teared up a little when she was too overcome at the Thank You Camera to say anything else. She soo deserved all of praise and attention she got tonight! She was fantastic in "The Help", and she is indeed a phenomenal woman! What an inspiration for real women everywhere! ♥

Meryl Streep, a class act she as always and of course just looking radiant as usual. So excited about her 3rd Oscar win! For anyone who doesn't know, she's had like 17 nominations but her last Oscar win was in like the 80s, so tonight was really special for her. Just LOVE her! She alluded to her being around less in the coming years, but I hope that isn't so; I will never have 'Streep Fatigue'. Watched her interview in the press room. I loved her discussion on her new project for a Women's History Museum and the importance of the project for young women, but also for young men. ♥

AND FOR THE FASHION POLICE IN ME, WHO DO I THINK LOOKED AWESOME?!

Ok so admittedly, I just really love Emma Stone. :) Girl didn't win any awards last night, but in my opinion, she's a winner. I love how well she is doing now and can't wait to see even more of her. She also looked fantastic as usual cheering on her costars for "The Help" Love her, loved her dress!

Glen Close is on of my all time favorite favorites and even though she was mostly there to enjoy the show last night, she brought it on the red carpet. She just radiated confidence. Take a look at her rocking that dress!

Last Night a very classy Penelope Cruz hit the red carpet. Props for her very ladylike Jacqueline Kennedy esc look. I personally thought she looked lovely.

AND FINALLY, A NOD TO IN MY OPINION, THE TWO LEADING MEN OF LAST NIGHT! LET'S BE HONEST, WE CAN'T LEAVE THEM OUT AFTER ALL. ;)

Funny Man Billy Crystal is like comfort food for the Oscars. Love him or hate him crass jokes and all, he isn't afraid to poke fun at anyone in the industry if the shoe fits and he seems to have boundless energy! And give the man a cigar, a ninth stint hosting the Oscars is nothing to turn your nose up at!

Last but certainly not least, I give you Christopher Palmer! His latest role in "The Beginners" brought him an Oscar last night for Best Supporting Actor. It was a brave and thoughtful role about an older man coming out of the closet after his wife dies and Christopher Palmer gave the role great dignity. At 82 he is the oldest individual to ever received an Oscar, and I believe is 2 years younger than the Oscars themselves! Of course to me, he will always be Captain Von Trapp. ;)

And there you have it!

HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAY!

Hobbies For Sanity

EVERYONE needs at least one hobby for the sake of sanity. Or, in my case, several time consuming hobbies...like completing puzzles, reading, crocheting, and most recently, pottery painting and knitting.

....OK So, I also sing along with the radio/my iTunes at the top of my lungs when I'm home alone, but I don't know if that counts as a hobby....:-)

The Point Being That:

As I nervously await word on my application for Teach For America, nurture ulcers concerning our future in general, wade knee deep through Italian tenses, conjugations and idioms, and continue to function at my usual high velocity speed, these hobbies bring me little snippets of much needed peace. My brain temporarily becomes a quieter more well ordered place when all I have to worry about in that second is the next stitch, puzzle piece placement, color choice or plot twist.

With that in mind I have been spending increasing amounts of time and money at UW's "Paint The Town" (A habit I am going to have to regulate better from now on :-D).

AND, as already mentioned, I have begun to learn how to knit. 

Don't get me wrong, Crocheting Is Awesome! It's fast and it's really pretty easy once you get the hang of it, but I have, and I wanted more! I had know from the start that I wanted to both Crochet and Knit since most everyone I talked to in the respective circles did one or the other and claimed their craft was better and hardly anyone seemed to do both.

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!

So, after months of crocheting like crazy, I armed myself with some new weapons. 

FIRST, I needed one those Crocheting for Dummies/Young Children kits with pictured instructions, beginning materials, and easy starter patterns. That started me off really well when I started crocheting. 

CHECK!

SECOND, I needed some alternate yarn cuz the yarn that comes with these projects is never soft enough for say, a scarf which is always the more fun beginner project (since it's something you actually have a use for). 

Caron Simply Soft in Pistachio and Pagoda.

CHECK and CHECK!

I started out small with a little pocket purse and then skipped the other projects that I was less interested in and started on a very basic scarf in the pagoda yarn. :)

AND....

TA DA! 

Not too bad if I do say so myself. ;)

And you know what? I feel a little bit better, so mission officially accomplished. <3

HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAY!

TGIF Brings A Lovely Surprise!

Ah, Friday's. Aren't they the best?! Maybe not terribly exciting for some of us, but lovely just the same.

Mine was to be fairly uneventful but not unpleasant by any means filled with things like; washing a few dishes, quality reading of "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo", repetitive conjugation of Italian verbs with regular 'ere' endings, and contemplation about important issues like when to finish up eating all of the little chocolates in that cheap advent calendar that we only ever opened up to day 16...

It's Pretty Right?! I'm gonna be sad when Picnik closes in April. :-P

But, this Friday had a surprise in store for me......

Once Upon A Time, in a land far far away, there was a very nice woman who had bought tickets to see Attila at the Seattle Opera on Saturday January 21st. The week before the show, an evil storm blew in and covered the kingdom with snow and ice ruining her traveling plans. So, this very nice woman asked her very sweet friend if he knew anyone who lived near the kingdom of Seattle who would enjoy a free Opera ticket. This very sweet friend knew at once who to call! And that my friends is how this fair maiden ended up with a free ticket to the Opera without a Fairy Godmother's magic wand or...well, a magical carriage to carry her through the melting snow and ice. 

Dream Come True! :-D .....But What Will I Wear?!

(Warning: What follows is a discussion about clothing...be advised that if you do not care about this kind of thing, you will be incredibly bored.) I am not one of those people. :-D

Seriously though, what does one wear to the Opera these days? The images that come to my mind automatically are...

OK, so maybe not very realistic for Seattle Opera 2012 on the tail end of a snow and ice storm....Hmmmm OK so what does the Seattle Opera Website say?

"Once patronized mainly by royalty, opera today is enjoyed by people from all walks of life. In modern day Seattle, you'll see opera-goers wearing everything from ball gowns to Birkenstocks. Feel free to dress up for a special night out, dress down for comfort, or find your own happy medium. When it comes to the opera, almost anything but the most casual wear is considered appropriate."


http://www.seattleopera.org/

Well, that was just vauge enough to be unhelpful to me at least...I mean I know that was probably meant to put me at ease and eliminate any ideas I might have had about somehow not fitting into the scene, but being the overzealous worry wort that I am, I do not feel at ease or comforted about not feeling out of place. Besides the fact that I am pretty young for the Opera crowd (They now have a club for 21-30somethings to encourage a younger audience), so I may feel that way anyway.

OK so then I started foraging through my closet...you know in that section of pretty clothes I hardly ever wear. (Most of which probably stopped fitting when I was 16 or 17 and still going to formals.) And after the vaguely depressing part of trying on Everything again in an effort to find something in my current size, I had narrowed it down to a few options I felt iffy about...

.

So, we have the purple sparkly fancy dress or the red curve hugging sexy red dress....hmmmmm

Well, it will probably rain.....and It looks like I will have to take the bus in, and I would be walking around in my outfit mid afternoon because of the commute and the ticket pickup.....OK, this is NOT WORKING! I think, I will just wear my favorite little black dress and call it good. Times like these is what a little black dress is for. :-) Now, if I could just decide what to do about my hair...oh and shoes....and legs OMG I might have to shave..... ;-P

Anyways, to wrap this whole bit up, I AM SOOOOO EXCITED! I've always wanted to attend an opera but haven't as of yet and although I am sorry that the original purchaser of the ticket will not be able to use it, I have to admit I feel like the luckiest girl alive, getting to see the Opera free....What a Lovely Surprise!

Well My Friends,

HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAY!  

Oldies But Goodies

So Many Projects I Am Sooooo Proud Of That Won't Ever Make It Into This Blog.....UNLESS I just go ahead and put em all up at once! I can't help it! haha I just need to share! :-D

So, Here Goes! Newest Projects to Oldest Projects....sort of :)

Cowel Scarf

Cowl Scarf: Can also be pulled over head to keep ears warm.

Coffee Cup To Go Cozy: SOCK MONKEY! :-D

Started out as a slouchy beanie hat, but ended up a little closer to a kingston. :-P

Hats I made this year as Christmas Gifts!

Granny Square Scarf and first scarf  I ever made. :-)

Little Pocket purse for cards or other odds and ends. 

Soap Bag

Jelly Roll :-)

Jelly Roll Open

Rose Pattern

And Then Projects That Are Not Crochet........

Cross Stitched This In The Months Leading Up To Our Wedding in 2009. Have Yet To Frame It....Lol!

My Mother In Law Taught Me How To Make These Christmas Ornaments. They are genius and sooo easy!

First Shot At The Christmas Ornament Project

Now, that is out of my system and I feel much better! :-D

Have A Beautiful Day!

Snow Day #3

Oh the things I could do if I had a day off! .....Many many things, in theory, could be done around our apt. if I just had an extra day off during the week......

Cue three consecutive snow days....Yeah OK so I didn't get much done, there have been adequate clean dishes for Billy to cook on at night, and you can again get to the closet door to search for clean towels...and there might even be some in there. :) And that about sums up my productiveness in the last few days... 

I am however enjoying a gigantic mug of coffee (to assuage what is likely a caffeine headache) with a snowman on it in the spirit of the whole snow and ice storm thing going on outside. :-)

It's got snowflakes on the back too. :-D

I also: finished this crochet necklace (which ended up taking waaaay longer than I thought lol).

I know, the lighting is terrible but you get the idea . :-)

A little closer up on the strands.





Got this fun little pattern from the blog Mandipidy. Click Here!

And..... I Spent an irresponsible amount of time on Pinterest.....and read other people's blogs about what you feel like when your pregnant and all of the things no one tells you about after you give birth.....VERY SCARED FACE....

http://www.pregnantchicken.com/  (Greatest Blog Ever...do not be alarmed if you check this out and the first post you come across is called "Porn for Pregnant Ladies". It's full of fantastic photos like the one below.)

Pregnant Chicken

And.....yeah that's pretty much it for today....haha....

But you know what, it's been nice to just play hookie although I really should get more Italian homework done I figure I should enjoy these days while they last....you know before I decide to have kids which will apparently make me feel like this.......

;-)

And On That Note.... :)

Have A Beautiful Day!