study partner

And the winner is..........

My sister was diagnosed with diabetes a few months ago and her life has been drastically different ever since. She submitted this picture to a photo contest for a diabetes group and she won. She is quite the wit. The blood is a little gross but it is a a daily reality for my kk. I love you, sissy.

being a grown up is hard

Recently, I have been receiving strange calls at odd hours in the day from some Oregonian number. I finally call the suspicious number to see what the people on the other line have to say and I discovered it was the bank calling. Wells Fargo to be more specific. Every grown ups worse nightmare is having the money peoples after them. The money peoples told me that I had over 100 dollars that I owed on my Wells Fargo credit card. I had a hard time accepting this reality since I never received a death sentence in the form of a card that can both build your credit or obliterate it in one foul swoop so headed to the place where all the money is kept to find someone to talk to about this issue. So, I spoke with Kim, a friendly accounts manager, and she helped me work things out but unfortunately working things out meant I had to dish out 98 bucks to pay some dumb overdraft charges. I learned the lesson of money management today like a real grown up.

Another added pleasure was getting a call my dad saying that my mother is worried about me getting married. She doesn't want me to a be a spinster like my older brother. She is worried I might pick a professional life over a family life.

I AM ONLY 21.

You are so hip Justin Gish

I took the time to listen and look at the handsome faces that make the music I love today while cramming for a certain midterm. In my perusal of pictures of Zach Condon from Beirut, I stumbled upon a familiar looking eastern European hat. Mr. Condon was sporting the same Soviet cap that my pal Justin Gish also wore for a photo opportunity. Funny coincidence.
The most uncanny resemblance my professionally bearded friend makes is to the indie sensation Justin Vernon of Bon Iver. The flannel, beard, and ginger red hair never lies. Justin Gish, I think you might have a future as a quirky indie musician/performer.

Feeling Cute

Gap was having a Bajillion Dollar Off Sale Extravaganza and I purchased this blouse for 10 bucks! They only had extra large left but the shirt functions well as a dress over leggings. I felt real dressy today even though my leggings usually only function as bed wear. I didn't have a class till 1:30 so I was able to put my contacts in and do my hair. Every time I do my hair for school, people always ask if I got a hair cut. I have not cut my hair in over 5 months. I think my hair shrinks more than it grows.

Missing Ma'louba

I talked to my host mom on Facebook today and she said they were eating Ma'louba for dinner. Ma'louba translates to mean upside down. The meal is exactly that. You layer the ingredients in a huge pan and then when it is all cooked you flip it over onto a giant platter. the main veggies in Ma'louba can be interchangeable. The dish consists of rice as the base, chicken, fried potatoes, eggplant, and carrots. Top with yogurt and you have the most delicious Arab comfort food.

It was one of my first Middle Eastern dishes and although it is a very simple dish, it is my favorite food. It should have its own food group.

Star Struck by Surfer Blood

I am still smirking from last night's concert at the Urban Lounge. This would be my first show at this venue and  I found the atmosphere light and the crowd friendly. It was 12:30 when Surfer Blood finally hit the stage. Their performance was great. I had never listened to them before and I thought they were interesting performers. I was front and center for the whole show and I didn't take my eyes off of the lead singer and guitarist, John Paul Pitts.

I seriously stared at him through all of his songs and he kept looking at me. I even made him smile a few times during the songs. I am not much of a dancer at shows. I much prefer really observing the performers and the little details of a live show( hence the staring). When they were done I reached out and asked for the guitar pick that he had been using all night. I was trying to get it so I could one up my friend who got the drum sticks from the earlier band. He then looked directly at me and with a knowing look, smiled, and then proceeded to walk off stage............

Encore time:

Mr. lead vocals and guitarist was called back on stage and he played a few of his slower ballad-type songs. I continued to stare just to see if he would keep staring.................

then......the shows ends. My friend is trying very hard to get something from John Paul. John Paul leans down and untapes the set list from the sweat stained stage. Then, he places the set list in my hand, leans over and whispers in my ear, "can I buy you a drink?"

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was so surprised and tickled by the invitation but reality hit hard when I realized that I was not going to be able to hang out with the baby-faced musician since I was there on a date. After the show, the people closest to me in the crowd asked me what he had said. I told the girl closest to me what he had said and she gave me a large pat on the back. I also tried to look to my friends and date for advice on my next mode of action. My friend Christian asked me to get his autograph for him. So, I went up and chit-chatted (everyone who knows me, knows how I do that.) and I told him that I wouldn't be able to get that drink with him. He said that we could just hang out for a bit. I then threw in the fact that I had a midterm that morning and gave him one last "you were really great and so cute" and then left with the boy I came with.

Even though I am sure that the guy just wanted some after concert action, I do wish that I would have been able to grab that drink with him.....the bar might've had a dr. pepper somewhere. A few days later he added me on facebook and told me that maybe we could hang the next time the band comes to Salt Lake. Who knows? Maybe we will get that drink sometime.