British

I want to have a British wedding so everyone will have to wear hats like this.

I also want a fascinator.

And I also just fell upon this amazing Etsy shop. Look at all the beautiful things!

How long?

Last night I texted Megan to say goodbye before she left for our beloved England. I asked her if it was odd that I am going to miss her even though I never see her now as it is. But we text a lot. She gets all my random statements/jokes/crises via text. NOW WHAT DO I DO?! I told her I would just have to email her whenever I felt the urge to text her.

So how long do you think I could last before wanting to text Megan considering I finished texting her around midnight east coast time last night and slept until 9am east coast time this morning?

Yeah. The answer is not long at all. About an hour and a half to be exact. I was making a play list and I was proud of myself for pulling up The Arcade Fire to give them a try. I thought - I should text Megan and tell her about all of this, it will make her happy. Then I remembered. Then I realized that the internet was down!! DOWN!!! How could this be?!!? Why!?!

So yeah. That's why it's 2pm and you are just hearing about this now. bah humbug.

So, basically I'm weak and I'm addicted to texting. But I'm also okay with that.

current obsession

iTunes store - celebrity playlists.

ever wondered what music your favorite celebrities are listening to? well, i've looked and the truth is, a lot of them are listening to Belle&Sebastian. this means they have good taste.

i am now addicted to searching these lists. i bought five songs tonight...two to preview and suggest to Megan for London (All the Umbrellas in London by The Magnetic Fields and Up the Junction by Squeeze - very British, enjoy).

so basically i'm in music love at the mo'.

Blame Megan

Last night she texted me about James McAvoy and his dreamy Scottish accent. We can't understand why he isn't always playing a Scottish person - of course then he never could have been Mr. Tumnus, in love with Jane Austen, Robbie Turner, or the hot American piano man in Penelope - all roles I LOVED him in. Seriously though, I'm a sucker for an accent - even when he does the British ones. So here's a funny thing he said during a recent interview for Wanted:

"Hopefully, the next thing I do will not be action based, but likewise won't be Jane Austen-y and won't be 'Atonement'-y and won't be 'Last King'-y, and won't be anything that I've done before," McAvoy says. "I just want to keep trying to do new things."

The funny part? The fact he said "Jane Austen-y," "Atonement-y," and "Last King-y" and the fact that they printed it just like that.Also blame Megan for going to London without me. I'm sure there will be a few posts regarding things I would like to say to her but can't because she doesn't have a cell phone or isn't on IM. Someday, though, the two of us will go together and it will be great fun. I missed The Globe the first time around - but I'm pretty sure that's something that would be fun times 10 with Megan (as opposed to just fun) due to her incredible love and knowledge of all things Shakespearean.

Also, James McAvoy does a pretty spot on Ryan Seacrest impersonation:


And here's a happy surprise! James McAvoy was on The Daily Show Monday night (which I listen to the day after online). That should make work a little more enjoyable.

You May Remember Me From Such Posts as...

Here's what I've been thinking about:

Does anyone else have a hard time believing that the children of the stars are just like every other kid? You read stories about stars going shopping, taking cab rides, interacting with other famous peoples children, going to the park, etc. but I don't automatically think of them the same way as I would if I were to hear the same story from a friend of mine and her children. Why is that? Because we know their parents have tons of money, work ridiculous hours and probably have a great deal of help in raising their children? There are some stars that it is easy to believe they spend a good deal of time raising their kids on their own (Michelle Williams and Jennifer Garner/Ben Affleck) because they are seen less at events and in the movies. Of course this is all perception. I just wonder what life is really like for some of those kids. I'm sure they can have anything they want, but it comes at what seems to be a pretty big cost.

My jaw hurts. I did just have my teeth cleaned so I had to have my mouth open for a while - but I've never been so uncomfortable during a cleaning before - not even the three hour cleaning I had post braces removal (we had to get rid of all the glue on my teeth from two years of braces). We had to keep resting - and I was pushing myself as far as I could go. It wasn't necessarily painful, just very very uncomfortable. Like I could feel the muscles in my jaw tightening up. It's weird to have to stop and consciously remind myself to relax my jaw and separate my teeth.

The Colbert Report kills me. Seriously. So funny. There was a clip the other day where Colbert took the Canadian Hockey Night theme song and made it more "American." This entailed waving an American flag, then waving the flag and eating a hot dog, then waving the flag, eating a hot dog and waving a gun around - then he started talking about "patriotic" things which somehow ended up being about punching a beaver in the face. This is the kind of stuff that really can make me laugh.

Alyssa also makes me laugh. That's my friend. She is awesome. She has this laugh that she uses when someone says something that is supposed to be funny, something they think is funny but everyone else just kind of smiles and nods. She kind of does this pity laugh - but I don't think very many people pick up on it because they don't know how she laughs when she really thinks something is funny. All of that makes me laugh - although I'm still not laughing at the lame joke, I'm laughing at Alyssa's pity laugh. For the most part, though, the person telling the lame joke has no idea we aren't laughing at their joke so I think it's a win-win-win type of deal.

This personal review of Twilight written by a boy I don't know who read the book made me laugh. It also makes me love blogging even more because these are thoughts I would not have otherwise come across. My favorite part,

By this point I was welcome to walk away mid-conversation, because whether I stayed or not, the girls would quickly become completely oblivious to my existence. They’d get all caught up in imagining their bloodthirsty yet sensitive Adonis of the walking dead showing up in their bedrooms in the middle of the night to sweep them off their feet and then carry them into the woods so he could blow tenderly upon their necks. It became very apparent during this week that I cannot compare to a 6 foot tall, stone-jawed 200-year-old vampire who looks 17, sparkles in the sun and has a breath that smells more delicious than a vat of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies slathered in liquid pheromones.

Awesome. The review is what you would expect and a lot of the same stuff you hear from boys who ventured into the world of Twilight - it was an okay book, but let's just be clear that you will never find a real Edward. No one is that perfect...or, you know, a vampire.

I've never been one to get all fanatical about things. There are things I like a lot. Things I will go out of my way for. Things I will get VERY excited about. But I've always liked that I wasn't one of those girls who cried at the mere thought of being within 100 feet of their favorite boy-bander, musician, actor, person portraying a fictional character who has now become the embodiment of that character, etc. I can keep my composure. I only whisper excitedly about the possible presence of a celebrity (usually more obscure than most) or point awkwardly while forgetting the name of said celebrity. Total composure.

I kept the volume of my car radio on an odd number yesterday. Nothing like improving yourself, I always say.

I did a really nerdy thing this week. I picked up on a game of Sims2, which I occasionally break out when I feel the need to ignore other, more important (read: real) things. I usually play it for a couple of days, progress in the life of some random character then focus on real life again. This week, I totally created a new neighborhood. and characters. based off of characters from books. I can't believe I'm confessing this...we'll just call it a step forward in my quest to be a more truthful blogger. That's right, folks, so far I have created the Pevensie children, part of the Cullen clan, Bella and Charlie, and a few others stuck in there. I'm sure I'm not the first person to do this, but I'm probably the most secretly ashamed person to do this. haha. Oh well. Now, if you could just instantly forget that I've shared this little snippet. Mucho thanks.

This is one of my more random (and long) train-of-thought posts so I best be moving on. I don't like ending on that note, but what can you do?

I know. A short list of bloggy things I am anticipating:
Corynn and Jer coming home from their trip and the posts that are sure to be posted about said trip.

Posts that are soon to be made to Megan's new London blog (look for the link soon!)

Hopefully some more funny posts from Mike and Miri, who have (thankfully) refrained from becoming one super blogger/i-love-my-new-spouse-centric/boring since joining in wedded bless for time and all eternity.

More posts from Hayley, which I know in my heart of hearts will come soon. I like her updates and her daughter is adorable.

The blog announcement of the birth of little Maren Blake. Simon and Anne are going to be fun parents.

Okay. That's really all for now. Happy reading. Don't judge me.

I "Louvre" this man.

HAHAHAHAHAHA.

No...really though.

This is a picture of THE most attractive man to grace the walls of the Louvre. My friend Kylie agrees with me (she actually took this picture). This guy looks like an actor - someone I could watch on screen today and drool away. A certified Hottie McHotstuff. Mr. Darcy-esque even. I like his hair and the stubble....and he's just nice to look at. So....I thought I would share. Enjoy!

I miss this.

Photos!!

We took a lot of photos. I've made some albums on Facebook - here are the links. These albums don't have all the pictures, but a good selection of them. Enjoy!

Random Fun Pictures

Road Trips

Paris holds the key to our hearts

London to begin with...

Missing Home

I'm ready to be home. Well, I COULD stay here forever. Kent is a beautiful place and probably the place I would look to live if I were to move to England, however, my family is not here. The people who know me and understand me and love me no matter what. I know that I COULD go and live off in some exotic place or even just get a place of my own in Maryland or Utah and make friends and be happy all on my own - I love having my own things and my own space - but why should I choose to be so far away when I can be surrounded by people who mean so much to me? I guess I was just reminded why I moved back to Maryland. I've not for one instant regretted my decision to move home - even during those fleeting moments of wondering whether I will ever have a proper social life again. When it comes down to it, family is THE most important thing in this life. That's it. I just have to remind myself that if I am happy and doing what I should be doing and if I continue to try to improve myself then everything will work out.

Rockabilly Lullaby

I've put myself to sleep with one song the past week and a half...Rockabilly Lullaby from The Backyardigans. The Backyardigans is a children's show that I like to watch with Adam - it's clever and funny and doesn't make me want to die. So the song goes like this:

Rest my little darling, you've had a busy day.
The sun is a fallin' and it's time for me to say.

Hush, hush little mermaid goodnight
Hush, hush little mermaid sleep tight

Close, close your eyes and lay down your head
In your peaceful ocean bed, have a snooze, please like I said and

Hush, hush little mermaid goodnight
Hush, hush little mermaid sleep tight

You're feeling kind of sleepy.
You're feeling kind of loopy.
Your fins are getting floppy.
Your eyelids getting droopy.

May your dreams be sweet
As you fall into a snooze
Perhaps again we'll meet
But now we have to cruise so

Hush, hush little mermaid goodnight
Hush, hush little mermaid sleep tight

I decided a couple of weeks ago that Gap stores could never use their ad campaign "Fall into the Gap" on Britons...it would be contrary to their daily reminders to "Mind the Gap" and I'm sure people would get confused as to which gap was supposed to be minded and which was supposed to be fallen into. Just thought I'd share that with you.

Back where we belong....almost

We are back in England - thank goodness. I grew tired of the French. I loved Paris though and we did have an amazing time. Now I am exhausted and need some sleep. I will update these blogs very soon - at least by next week I'll have untold stories and lots and lots of pictures.

My Favorite Part of The Louvre

I saw James Spader!!! I know that Lauren and Heidi and Amy will share in my excitement. It is true, though. I saw whoever his girlfriend is....a red head i recognized but cannot name...and then I saw him and the best part is we caught it all on tape!! I seemed to be the only one who knew who he was right away and krissie actually called after him (James Spade! James Spade!) at which point ben and i high tailed it out of there. Paris is becoming more and more fun every night. This is an amazing trip.

slumber party

we had a good ol' fashioned british slumber party - complete with british chocolate and british girlies. one of them brought mice, but she's 12 so we forgave her. but seriously? mice? haha. it was tons of fun though - i made them tacos and many of them echoed Louise's confusion regarding salsa. we watched She's the Man - because every one loves that movie - and Just My Luck - which really only cemented my intense dislike for Lindsay Lohan. the girls are so sweet and funny. it was fun to have a proper sleep over.

Lovely, Rainy, British Sunday

Today was a great day. I felt pretty going to church. I was excited to go to Louise's ward again - all the people there are so nice! I knew the spirit would be so strong and I was not disappointed. We sang some of my favorite hymns (Nearer, My God, to Thee and I Stand All Amazed) and the talks were good. Krissie and I were caught making faces at one another by a rather handsome missionary....but we won't talk about that part. Sunday school was also good. It was nice to be in class with grown ups for a change, although I do miss my primary kids. We spent the third hour chatting with the Young Women about inconsiquential things - movies and cute actors and BYU and American standardized tests. There was even a very sweet, ten minute lesson on fathers' blessings (which made me miss my daddy terribly). Louise always has the spirit with her - she is an amazing person. We also took the chance to invite the Young Women over for a sleep over tomorrow night. We are feeding them tacos and watching movies and doing otherwise very girlie things. These girls are all so sweet and immediately accepting - people you know you'll love the moment you meet them. Tunbridge Wells reminds me a lot of Calvert Ward. Then the time for sunday nap came around. Something about it here (possibly the constant walking?) enables me to have the most restful and peaceful sunday naps I ever recall having. I'm not really a napper - and don't usually feel refreshed afterward or it is impossible for me to sleep at night if I take one - but that isn't the case here. I woke up to the smell of dinner on the table (because that is how amazing Louise is to us) and we watched Sense and Sensibility afterward. It really was a lovely, rainy, British sunday.

I Miss My Boy

A Wink and A Smile

So....Krissie just reminded me of a funny thing that happened on the train the other night. We were sitting on the train at Charing Cross waiting for it to take us home after a late night in London. For some reason, there seemed to be a lot of pretty nice looking men walking past, both on the train and off. A somewhat distinguished looking man in a suit complimented me on my fine choice of football teams (Chelsea) and then a man walking past our window winked at Krissie. We both saw this and giggled, the sort of response a wink should elicit, no? Well, then we started talking about winking and (as Krissie put it) she began trying to teach me how to wink flirtatiously and not spastically (apparently I'm better at the spastic bit....go figure). Just as I produced a flirty wink and a dazzling smile, another man walked past our window. Yes, I happened to be looking out the window as Krissie was sitting next to the window and I was talking to her and yes, the man looked right at me and saw me winking and smiling. He turned a lovely shade of red and smiled back as he continued walking by. Then in my surprise, to keep up with that spastic thing I seem to be so good at, I announced quite loudly to the entire train car that I had just winked at that man. I didn't intend for it to be so loud - but I was rather surprised and Krissie and I were both in one of those loud, fun moods. I'm sure you will all be happy to know that my winking abilities are improving here in London - can't say I'm not learning anything.

Grease is the Word

so...i may or may not have mentioned that earlier this year Krissie and I watched Grease: You're the One that I Want till the very end and we were quite happy with the results (yay Max and Laura!). We were slightly bummed when the show was over and wondered if they had plans to do anything like it with other Broadway castings. I don't know about America - but the idea has caught on in England with the British version of the search for the next Danny and Sandy (Grease is the Word) and Any Dream Will Do, which is the search for the new Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Techni-color Dream Coat. Speaking for myself....i love these shows. It's funny and completely embarrassing but some of these people are great singers. The judges here aren't as entertaining (one of them is David Gest - Liza's ex....ew) and the format of the show is slightly different but I was hooked immediately. So I say huzzah for cheesey formatted tv shows searching for the next fill-in-the-blank. way to go.

It tastes like burning...

or rather....it felt like burning....in my eye. that's right, folks, i stuck my finger in my eye directly after having chopped a hot green pepper.

first of all...i never touch my face while i'm cooking except, apparently, for today.

second of all...i thought i was touching my eye with a finger that hadn't touched the pepper.

boy howdy i was wrong with a capital W. Luckily for me, Krissie showed up just in time to save the day...or to at least dull the burning pain that was just then about to sear throughout my eyeball and into my brain. okay. i might be exaggerating. but man that hurt. Krissie, without even pausing to see which eye, started rubbing my eye with cold water but the pain didn't stop. That was probably because she was actually rubbing the wrong eye, but no mind...she got a wet towel for me and held it over the correct eye and all was shortly well.

My eye has been saved. yay.

Memorial Day Weekend

1. Tour London

2. Go to Church

3. Do Laundry

4. Drive through the English Countryside.


Phew....my life is rough. ;)


Sorry. Had to do this. When I saw Heidi and Lauren's lists I suddenly realized that I did not have a busy weekend ahead of me....I love being on vacation.