Magic 8

In response to Michele's blog, which is in response to Nat's, I too am doing the list of 8's. I have to say this was a little harder than anticipated and I cheated a little (you'll see where). I also added a misc category of some random favorites...so, here you go:

All of these are in no particular order, by the way (and, I typed this up quickly without proof reading it, so please forgive any errors)...

8 Things I'm passionate about:
1. Spending quality time with my family
2. Waterskiing
3. Cooking
4. Journal writing
5. Life and making the most of the seemingly simple things
6. Figuring out the perfect gift/gifts to get people for Christmas, birthdays, just because, etc.
7. The Church
8. Noticing small details about people, places, events...

8 Things I would like to do/accomplish before I die:
1. Travel the globe
2. Write a book and have it published (it would also be nice if it were on the best-seller list, but I won't get carried away....)
3. Marry in the temple and raise a family
4. Let charity/love govern my life/character
5. Learn a second language
6. Be on the Amazing Race
7. Keep a goldfish alive for more than two months (may we please pause for a moment of silence for poor little Sophie...thanks)
8. Have a beautiful garden

8 Things I say often:
1. "I know, right?"
2. "I mean, let's be honest..."
3. "Seriously?"
4. "Dude, that's lame"
5. "Ridiculous"
6. "Brilliant!"
7. "This is why I keep you around..."
8. "No, sorry, I'm not Russian, I'm from Ohio" (if you don't know me well, this one could require a little explanation...)

8 Books I"ve read recently:
1. Currently reading Anna Karenina
2. Twilight
3. The Kite Runner
4. The Best of Everything
5. East of Eden
6. The Time Traveler's Wife
7. The Namesake
8. The Bombshell Manual of Style (haha, look out everyone!)

8 Misc Favorites:
1. Flowers (PEONIES!, all kinds of lilies, lilacs, daisies)
2. Strawberries
3. Good music
4. Vacations
5. Homemade cookies on a Sunday afternoon
6. Going on walks
7. Autumn
8. Singing at the top of my lungs

8 songs I could listen to over and over:
1. Kiss Me
2. Somewhere Only We Know (and so many other Keane songs)
3. Lovefool
4. Yo Soshia Suma
5. Rally
6. Lost (and pretty much any Michael Buble song)
7. Chasing Cars
8. Trolley Wood (love Eisley!)

8 Characteristics I look for in a friend:
1. Kindness
2. Sincerity
3. Sense of humor
4. Passion for life
5. Individuality
6. Dependibility
7. Confident and capable
8. Common sense

8 things I've learned in the past year:
1. I've always known it but I just become more aware each day how amazing my parents are (and my siblings too)!
2. It's okay to slow down once in a while
3. I can't do everything, nor do I know everything
4. It's hit me again just how much I enjoy people
5. While I wasn't sure of this a few months ago, I really do love my job
6. How happy we are really does depend on the attitude/outlook we decide to adopt
7. If you pray and ask the Lord how you can improve, He will most certainly tell you (in a kind way, of course)
8. I love my life!

And, there you have it.

Obsessions

Top 10 Obsessions right now (in no particular order):
1. Crabtree & Evelyn's Lavendar and Rosewater scents
2. Anna Karenina (granted, I'm only 50 pages into a 10,000 page book, but I love it!)
3. Lemonade
4. The Planters Peanuts from the vending machine at work. I cannot tell you how many packs I've purchased over the past two weeks! Ridiculous.
5. Facebook. After practically ignoring it for months, I'm really becoming quite addicted
6. Making movies (e.g. Kristan's birthday movie)....so much fun but the perfectionist in me really comes out and I obsess over the smallest details
7. t.A.T.u - I can't get enough of them and the songs are great to listen to while running
8. My navy blue cut-off sweatpant shorts. I seriously (no laughing) think at work about going home and putting them on. So comfortable
9. The weather! Autumn is, hands down, my favorite season
10. Emailing back and forth with my 11-year-old sister. She's such a crazy cat. I should post some because they're so hilarious.
11...okay, okay, I know I said 10, but the Zac Efron dance from High School Musical 2 (if you've seen it you know what I'm talking about, if not, stop over...we still have it on the dvr because it makes me laugh so much)...Hilarious!

Did You Miss Me?

Okay, so it's been soooooooo long I'm sure most people have stopped checking my blog. But I thought I would post a few pictures from my trip to Ohio. My entire family was home and it was wonderful to see them! We went to the lake for a few days and the waterskiing was amazing. Seriously, the lake was like the most perfect sheet of glass you've ever seen. My favorite was waking up early and going skiing with only the hard-core skiers in my family (my dad, brother and little sister Rach). There's something magical about that coveted first run...before things seem to have woken up and you're seeing everything in its natural, unadulterated state. I imagine that is what heaven will be like.

I love Ohio, not that I want to move back or anything, but that place will always pull slightly on my heartstrings. And I was home during one of my favorite times. Our house is out in the country surrounded by corn and soy bean fields. I love sitting out on our porch swing in the summer when the air just seems to linger on your skin as the sun goes down. The faint warm breeze carries with it the scent of ripenening corn and sweet wildflowers and I can just sit for hours watching the fireflies, listening to the crickets and talking with my family. I'm telling you...heaven.

He's Ladies' Choice

"I don't come cheap but the kisses come free"...I think I'm going to make that my new personal motto :)

And Miles to Go...(before this post ends)

Okay, this is going to be a rather long post (or series...) because I've seriously neglected my poor little blog. So, here for: Dancing around in the fountains, my trip to Hilton Head with the amazing Brooks family and other fun stories.

First and foremost: Hilton Head.

Kristan picked up on my many hints (consisting of me screaming "I want to come!" and other subtle phrases) of letting me tag along to Hilton Head and I was able to spend several amazing days at the beach with her family. She has already blogged about our three-hour-long "She's The Man" Scene It game so please refer to her blog if you would like details. I still maintain that we should have won. Especially considering that the actual soccer kick was not a bicycle or whatever it was Kelli said it was but was, in fact, a volley...sheesh people, get your soccer moves straight. Major props go out to Caisa though for the AH-mazing job she did at creating the game! She could make her millions marketing that thing.

So, highlights? Here are the Top 10 (in no particular order)

1. The beach (And may I just stop here and mention the fabulous weather we had! I mean, I put in an order for it, but the weather man went above and beyond! It was sunny up until we left)
2. She's The Man Scene It...well, in all actuality, it was the events/trash talking/wrestling leading up to the event that I enjoyed most.
3. Watching the Brooks family interact. Love them all! (and as a 3b. let me just add getting to meet the people I've heard so many stories about)
4. The endless supply of Crystal Light, Oreos and other delicious treats.
5. Watching Kristan in her excitement over Key Lime Pie ice cream and sparklers...
6. Their theater...um...can we all pose for a moment of silence in honor of the wonderfulness that is their home theater?.....
7. Singing to ridiculous songs in the car on the way from Hilton Head to Atlanta
8. The laundry fairy...she got a spot out of my blue polo dress...I sure wish we had one of those in NY!
9. Eating at Moe's...I love that place
10. The knowledge that even though a tie was declared that Kristan and I actually won that She's the Man game. Hehe.

And here are a few photos for your viewing pleasure:





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Okay, is not this the smallest mouse you've ever seen? I saw it on the steps outside and couldn't help but take a picture. It's amazing how the simple act of moving a creature such as this from outside into my apartment turns it from tiny and cute to a villain that must be eliminated...




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So, one day while waiting for Kristan to escape work, Holly, Cassie and I had a little fun playing in the fountains. Oh! And that reminds me of a great story. So, the three of us are walking toward the river (from Times Square)...thenI hear "Where are you from?" And I turn to look at the guy who has suddenly appeard to my left. "Oh..uh, Ohio" I say.
"Oh, that's too far"
"To far for what?"
"Well, I saw your dress and I think you're beautiful. I was hoping you'd give me your number"
"Oh, yeah, Ohio is too far"
"But, maybe you give me your number anyway?"
"Um, I don't think so, I'm sorry...I don't think it would help"
"Could I have your number anyway? Who knows, maybe one day I'll marry you" (um, yeah right...I'm definitely not giving you my number after that last sentene buddy...)
"I just don't think it's a good idea. But maybe I'll run into you again sometime...have a great day".

Crazy right? I seriously don't know what I do to attract these guys! And then as we're crossing the street a guy leans out of the car and calls out to me "You beautiful Russian girl" I am seriously considering getting "I'm Not Russian" put on my forehead...This seriously happens to me ALL the time. I'm still of the opinion that it's one big prank against me.

Anyway, so the three of us end up dancing around in the fountains...here are some pictures that I love: