[ scattered thoughts by breenuh ]

Inspiration: Humanity

2011-12-20T09:43:00.001Z

Hi guys! I just wanted to share some inspiring videos I came across this morning. Check them out - they'll definitely make you want to make someone's day. I'm spending today curled up in bed / on the couch, trying to get rid of a cold before Christmas. I'll use the down time to finish my book, knit some Christmas presents, & watch lots of The Good Wife (I watched two discs of it yesterday -

Quite a Quote: Let it go

2011-11-09T14:19:00.003Z

Difficult words to live by, but oh-so-true. Bring to mind the biggest grudge you're holding. Hold onto it for a moment; really feel it. Then, say good-bye. Just let it go. Don't judge yourself if it doesn't work the first, second, third time. Just feel pleased with yourself for trying. <3

Battleground God

2011-11-09T12:06:00.004Z

image via I'd like to share a link today. It's to a game called Battleground God, which tests the rationality of the player's beliefs about God & rationality. I consider myself quite open & non-dogmatic about these topics, but even I took one hit & bit one bullet in this game. I loved seeing where my set of beliefs was inconsistent. As the site notes, you may take the Kierkegaardian view that

Quite a Quote: Self-Pity

2011-11-01T12:32:00.000Z

“I never saw a wild thingsorry for itself.A small bird will drop frozen dead from a boughwithout ever having felt sorry for itself.”- D. H. Lawrence I think I need to meditate on this one for a while. <3

Sunny London

2011-09-28T10:29:00.001+01:00

London's forecast for the week is all sunny weather, around 25 degrees Celsius (77 Fahrenheit). It is still morning, & it's absolutely beautiful outside. Here is the view from my work spot at the dining room table. Blissful :.) (Except for the heavy machinery & yelling of the construction next door...) I hope you're all enjoying summer's lingering this year. <3

The Philosophers' Song

2011-09-21T20:30:00.000+01:00

I've been working nonstop on the course content for an online philosophy class that I'm helping to teach, & this song keeps popping up in my mind & on my computer. Have you ever heard it? As a philosopher, I find it endlessly fun. <3

In Love with this Ampersand!

2011-09-21T16:47:00.000+01:00

Edie's Lab * via My birthday is tomorrow... Who wants to buy it for me?? :.) <3

Quite a Quote: Ideas

2011-09-05T01:04:00.001+01:00

"The idea hovered & shimmered delicately, like a soap bubble, & she dared not even look at it directly in case it burst. But she was familiar with the way of ideas, & she let it shimmer, looking away, thinking about something else." -- Philip Pullman, The Golden Compass

Updates from a Whirlwind Summer

2011-08-25T22:14:00.000+01:00

A short update of the past month: * Last day of work in Sacramento * Visit to grandma's house in New Mexico * Visit to James & Denise's new place in the LA area * Mom's wedding * Disneyland with the sister, mom, & Doug (my mom's husband) * Started on an exciting online project with a friend * Online teaching internship started * Move to London A short update of the past week: * Flew into London

Quite a Quote: Sabrina

2011-07-31T17:36:00.000+01:00

"You young people are so old-fashioned." -Baron St. Fontanel, in Sabrina (1954)

Song of the Day: Eliza Doolittle

2011-05-03T04:57:00.000+01:00

Lately, I've been obsessed with Eliza Doolittle. She's just such a doll - classy, talented, & unique. I've been playing Pack Up & Skinny Genes nonstop, & Skinny Genes is especially catchy to me. In an interview I watched, Eliza explained that the song "is about a really annoying boy who just has no good qualities in any way, except for one really good one. And that one you might have to ask

Dream Dress

2011-04-20T05:06:00.000+01:00

How perfect is the Posh Panache Dress for any & all occasions?!? I would like to purchase it & wear it to one wedding & one wedding rehearsal (I'm attending one & participating in one in June). However, I of course have fallen in love with the most expensive dress on ModCloth... sad face. I might compromise for the Front and Centerpiece Dress, though: I wish I had the bod for this one: But

Skype Dating

2011-04-09T05:14:00.000+01:00

Long distance can be hard, especially when months can go by without so much as a visit. Jonty & I do pretty well to talk to each other often, send goodies in the mail, & remind each other how much our relationship means. However, thanks to this little post by a fabulous gal I know from high school, we have taken our relationship to the next level: Skype dating. Our typical Skype date goes like

Summery Guest Blogging & Remix Reflections

2011-04-07T06:21:00.000+01:00

Well, well, well... I have been completely in hiatus for the past month. I guess the combination of catching up on schoolwork after my trip(my class was only seven weeks & ended week before last), working tons, & general life craziness has taken all of my energy. But today, the fabulously fun and talented Marisa Midori over on Good Good has been so kind as to have be as a guest blogger! Please

Remix Days 21-30: Graduation etc

2011-03-06T08:31:00.000Z

Hello, my peeps! Did you miss me? Oh my. Okay, it has been a while, & quite a few outfits, since my last post. Here is a short(ish) update: As of February 22, I officially have a Masters of Arts with Distinction in Philosophy from the University of Bristol! It was a great day. The ceremony was very formal & cool, with organ music & lots of ritual. Apparently, my degree wasn't officially conferred

Remix Days 18 & 19: Bristol-icious

2011-02-22T00:42:00.000Z

It has been really nice showing my mom & Doug around Bristol. I love this city so much. We did it all pretty much in one day on Monday - university area, Park Street, harbourside, ferry, lunch & walk by the water, Whiteladies Rd, my old flat, the downs, view of the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Today, we had yummy cheeseburgers at Gourmet Burger Kitchen with my friend Syano. Then, we wandered

Remix Days 15, 16, & 17: It's like I'm living in a teenage dream

2011-02-20T01:22:00.000Z

The past few days have been pretty slow-paced: a bit of sleeping in, watching movies at Jonty's house, eating yummy food, relaxing. I'm glad I set aside the first few days to just chill after being away from him for a month & a half. Also, my mom & her fiance Doug came to Jonty's town to have dinner with us & Jonty's parents, which was really cool! (By the way, I didn't slip in a new pair of

Remix Days 13 & 14: My Travel Outfit

2011-02-17T12:13:00.000Z

This is my favorite travel outfit. I wear it on all long-haul flights & pretty much any time that I want to be extra comfortable. You really can't beat leggings, a loose-ish cotton dress, & a soft, warm gray sweater. "Travel?" you may ask. Why, yes. Yesterday, I arrived across the pond in the good ol' United Kingdom. Jonty (my boyfriend) picked me up at the airport, & we went straight to one of

Remix Days 10, 11, & 12: Something something delve...

2011-02-15T06:59:00.000Z

Spring came early to Sacramento. The weather was ridiculously pleasant this weekend, & blooms are sprouting up. Which is beautiful, minus the massive hayfever I dealt with yesterday & today. I woke up this morning with swollen tonsils, & my nose is continually running. And then today, it rained. Which one would think would prevent weather-related allergens from entering the air, but I would

Remix Days 7, 8, & 9: Doin' Fine

2011-02-12T05:21:00.000Z

For the past few days, I have been getting trained in opening the department. Which has been great, actually, but it does mean that I've been waking up at six o'clock in the morning - two to three hours earlier than I'm used to getting up. Which means that I haven't been giving a whole lot of creative energy into my work outfits. I think movable & warm were the requirements on those early

Remix Day 7: Lucky Number Slevin

2011-02-09T05:20:00.000Z

Today was my last day off before my big trip! The next six days will involve getting up super early, working hard, working out, cleaning, & packing. I'm trying to psyche myself up - woooo! This evening, two girlfriends from high school & I went out to the local(ish) Pyramid microbrewery for dinner & then across the street to a new bar for a drink. The bar, called Dive Bar, had a mermaid in the

Remix Day 6: Pick Up Sticks

2011-02-08T05:34:00.000Z

Remember that nursery rhyme that went, "One, two, buckle my shoe. Three, four, shut the door. Five, six, pickup sticks. Seven, eight, lay them straight. Nine, ten, a big fat hen."? Well, when I was thinking of titles for Day 6 of the 30 for 30 Remix, the phrase "pick up sticks" was the first thing to come to mind. Please don't judge me if I also use it for eight and ten... good ideas are low

Remix Day 5: Five, Stay Alive

2011-02-07T06:35:00.000Z

Have you guys ever played the drinking game Kings (aka Kings Cup)? In our version of the game (& there are many), when you pick up a 5 card, you say "Five, stay alive," & the last person to put their hands up to their head in moose antlers has to drink. Today was a gorgeous day. Not that I spent much of it outside, except for this mini photo shoot (Let's be honest, sunglasses would have helped

Italian Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

2011-02-06T06:46:00.000Z

This delicious dish is made with real Italians. They're easy to catch but hard to tie down. For this recipe, they can be served diced or shredded. Do you believe me? I thought not. Okay, here's the real scoop: This dish takes ten minutes & is ridiculously tasty! Ingredients: Portobello mushroom(s) Leftover bread (or pre-made breadcrumbs) Marinara sauce (leftover, jarred, or make some from

Remix Day 4: Four Score & Seven Years Ago

2011-02-06T05:59:00.000Z

It's close enough to Presidents' Day to bring up Abe Lincoln, right? I may use this title again at Day 7... I've noticed that I dress a bit more fashionably when I go to work now that I'm doing the Remix. I think it has made me realize that I'd usually throw on just jeans & a tee shirt to work, & when I think about photographing & posting it I realize how boring it is! So I throw on a scarf &

Remix Day 3: Three's Company

2011-02-05T03:48:00.000Z

This morning, I woke up & decided that today would be a good day. So I did some yoga, ate an omelet for breakfast, donned a warm, comfy outfit, & headed off to work! Have you ever heard of laughter yoga? It's the best thing ever. And in the car on the way to work, I decided to try it out by myself. I just started pretending to laugh, & after a few minutes, I was giggling for real. It felt

Remix Day 2: Two of a Kind

2011-02-04T07:34:00.000Z

I think today's title is very fitting because this evening I saw Black Swan. Oh my goodness, have you seen it?! *Spoiler alert*, but that movie is messssed up. It was fantastically done, & I'm still thinking about it, which means something, but man... I'm a bit speechless, to be honest. In any case, I'm leading a double life today. I decided that, rather than cross things off my To-Do List, I

Remix Day 1: One Way or Another

2011-02-03T05:24:00.000Z

I like that Kendi names each outfit, so I'm thinking I'll do the same, though I can't promise to (a) keep it up, (b) keep it original, or (c) keep it classy. Today has been kind of a stressful day. I felt a little bit overwhelmed at work, & on top of that, I made a snide-ish comment about another Team Member who, as a customer in the coffee bar, was a bit rude to me. I worried all evening

My 30 for 30

2011-02-01T21:12:00.000Z

Kendi over at Kendi Everyday is starting her Winter 2011 30 for 30 Remix Challenge today, & I've decided to play along. Her 30 for 30 Remix is a challenge to mix & match only 30 items of clothing (not including outerwear & accessories) for 30 outfits. 30 items, 30 outfits, 30 days. When getting my items together, I felt a lot of pressure. I thought, I can't possibly narrow it down to only 30

Bits & Bobs

2011-01-29T08:11:00.000Z

Here are some bits & bobs for you to enjoy this weekend: * How sweet is this ring? * I'm purging my internet browser's many tabs by (a) writing this here post & (b) using Instapaper, which let's me place pages on a Read Later list. [via Apartment #34 - Thanks, Erin!] * Last night, I found a mix CD that I used to play while I drove around in high school. I called it 'Rock On Man'. (Others were

Yoga, Runs, & Other Fun

2011-01-25T06:58:00.000Z

So, today is Day 15 in the Yoga Journal 21-day Challenge. I started two days late, so it's really only Day 13 for me. With the exception of a day or two, I've been pretty consistent since then. And, actually, starting late has the advantage of giving me choices of practices each day. Plus, the first day of the week is always the same 45-min Fun Flow, so missing one wasn't a huge deal. Same with

Quite a Quote: Am I Dreaming?

2011-01-21T01:50:00.000Z

It's crazy, I'm thinking, just knowing that the world is round. And here I'm dancing on the ground. Am I right side up or upside down? And is this real, or am I dreaming? -Dave Matthews Band, Crush Can't get this out of my head or off of my mind today. <3

Postal Delight: eReader Cover

2011-01-16T06:07:00.000Z

From Monday until Thursday, my sister & I visited my dad & his wife in Montana. It was snowy & beautiful, but definitely quite cold! We had good food (Elk steak & a salad? Yes, please!), met some nice people, watched Dinner for Schmucks, did lots of reading, & went on a short cross-country skiing adventure (my first time - I'd do it again!). When I got home on Thursday evening, I had a box

Yoga 21-Day Challenge

2011-01-08T04:50:00.000Z

My interest in yoga was sparked last summer, when my friend Nora, during her visit to Bristol, convinced me to give it one more shot. I had gone to a couple of classes at the gym before, & it never seemed relaxing or invigorating to me - just awkward & uncomfortable. But, for whatever reason, this time it clicked. Hard. I felt a craving for it all the time, & I tried to take every opportunity to

Underground Stream Dress

2011-01-04T15:45:00.000Z

How perfect is this dress on ModCloth, for every season & (almost) any occasion?? It's definitely on the top of my wish list! <3

Books of 2010

2011-01-04T03:11:00.000Z

Happy New Year, my lovelies! I feel so good about 2011. I think it's going to bring such great things! I've been thinking about books a lot lately, especially since I got a Pandigital Novel (similar to a Kindle) for Christmas. It's pretty exciting! I'm mostly stoked to have less in my suitcase on vacations & to carry it around instead of my laptop for internet use. However, I'm not going

My First Article!

2010-12-28T02:51:00.000Z

You guys! I'm so excited to announce my involvement as a writer on Vhcle Magazine's new online blog, Vhcle Notes. My first article was posted today!!! It's about being a Westerner in Africa, particularly some insights on my experience as a traveler in Kenya last spring. Please go check it out & keep up with the new, the fabulous Vhcle Notes! P.S. I met with one of the founders of Vhcle today,

Baby UGGs

2010-12-27T20:38:00.000Z

How sweet are these miniature UGG boots for babies?? They make me want to tickle tiny toes. <3

Vhcle magazine

2010-12-16T05:28:00.000Z

["Cinch Cioat" by Christopher St. Leger, pages 058 & 059] The latest issue of Vhcle magazine came out today. I'm completely in love with Christopher St. Leger's paintings (see one above), & there are some interesting, intelligent articles about art, fashion, music, & life. "Object and Context" by Tim Sunderman (on pages 026 to 029) really caught my attention; I keep reading & rereading it. I

Quite a Quote: Backbone

2010-12-15T08:48:00.000Z

"Stop wearing your wishbone where your backbone ought to be." -Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love) I'm currently listening to this book on audiobook, & it is giving me imminent inspiration. Every word lightens my soul. I wish I could share the whole thing, but for now, here is a quote. Be strong, be your own, don't wait for what you want/need. What better day than today? <3

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

2010-12-08T03:12:00.000Z

Today, I have a new favorite cookie. Second only to the Snickerdoodle, in my book, is the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip cookie. I had some extra pumpkin puree & wanted to cheer up a friend, so I searched the nets for a cookie recipe & found this great one. Below is my amended version. They turned out so amazing! I rarely bake, but I definitely see myself making several more batches of these while

Ten Holiday Faves

2010-12-01T17:25:00.000Z

In response to Arianna's post about things that make her happy during the holidays, I've put up some of mine! 1. The air: crisp, cool, fresh. 2. The smells: fires, evergreen, cinnamon. 3. Christmas lights: I love a tastefully done holiday decor, especially if it's simple white lights with a winter wonderland type theme. 4. Autumn seasonal produce: many varieties of squash, persimmons, tangerines

The Must-See YouTube List

2010-11-30T22:41:00.000Z

The other day, I was speaking to some friends & discovered that one of them hadn't seen several must-see YouTube videos. I've decided to compile a list for him, & to share it with everyone else. Here are a few vids you just can't miss out on. Ze end of the world Charlie Bit My Finger This classic is a bit old, but it's still a must see. Charlie Bit My Finger: Auto Tuned A remix of a classic.

Upcoming Product Review

2010-11-30T07:02:00.000Z

Hey guys! I'm really excited that I'm doing a product review for CSN Stores soon! They've got loads of items, from wardrobes... to kitchen appliances... to exercise gear. I've been on the site all evening & can't decide what to pick! You'll find out soon, though - stay tuned! <3

Pumpkin Soup & Eating Local

2010-11-30T05:50:00.000Z

Pumpkin Soup (amended from recipe found here) 4 cups chicken stock 2 cups vegetable stock 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 4 cups cubed fresh pumpkin 1 teaspoon fresh parsley 1 cup chopped onion 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme 1 clove garlic, minced 1/2 cup reduced fat milk 5 whole black peppercorns 1. Heat stock, salt, pumpkin, onion, thyme, garlic, and peppercorns. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low,

Quite a Quote: What Others Think

2010-11-18T20:20:00.000Z

[image source] I try not to re-post other bloggers' stuff too much, but this post-it from Things We Forget rings so true with me right now. Ever since I started my job, I've put so much of my energy into trying to decipher what my co-workers, boss, & customers think of me, when I should just do my best & what I think is right. This is a great thing to keep in mind, especially with the holidays (

Babbling Baby & other news

2010-11-16T07:20:00.000Z

How awesome is this baby, talking her little heart out?! I remembered it while reading this great article about baby babbling, via A CUP OF JO. Hi guys! Sorry for being MIA for the past week. Guess why... I started my new job! I'm working at Whole Foods Market in the Specialty Department (cheese, chocolate, beer, wine, tea, coffee, housewares). My position is a new one, sort of created with me

Getting Current

2010-11-09T07:39:00.000Z

I realize that I am in dire need of a life update on this here blog. I've decided to get creative to (hopefully) prevent it from getting too long-winded. Currently reading: Catch-22 by Joseph Heller Currently listening to: Anarbor, The Dangerous Summer, Sara Bareilles Currently in need of: Money, ingenuity Currently excited about: My new job at Whole Foods Market (It's only a seasonal job,

George Takei Calls Out an Anti-Gay "Douchebag"

2010-11-04T21:50:00.000Z

Just wanted to share this with you, as it's a fantastic response to the disgusting anti-gay comments made by a school board member in Arkansas as well as being generally hilarious. Perhaps I'll be back later with a Travel Thursday post. <3

Leftover Turkey Soup

2010-11-02T19:32:00.000Z

My mom cooked a turkey breast in the slow cooker the other day. (It's so easy! Just defrost, then throw it in the slow cooker before you leave for work. We add some garlic too.) Last night, we had lots of leftover turkey and not a lot of ideas for dinner. So I threw a soup together that turned out amazing! Here's how it went. Ingredients: 1 12 oz can of chopped tomatoes 1 cup water 3 carrots,

Quite a Quote: Be Yourself

2010-11-02T04:03:00.000Z

"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." --Oscar Wilde More yoga class wisdom. Take it in, my friends. <3

The Power of Positive Thinking

2010-10-29T17:15:00.000+01:00

At the end of Vinyasa class yesterday, my yoga instructor left us with some fantastic parting thoughts: "You should know that you have the ability to change your body so that it will do what you want it to do, & you have the power to change your thoughts, to put a positive force into the world, & to get a positive response." These words are so important, & they really hit me today. I've been in

Travel Thursday: New Mexico {The Ranch}

2010-10-29T05:59:00.000+01:00

Hi lovelies, here are some more photos from my trip to New Mexico a couple of weeks ago. These are from my grandma's ranch in the mountains. A peek of golden leaves! Before working in the creek The beaver dam we tore apart & attempted to move to a better location After (You should have seen my boots!) My grandma's old tenant (She rents out a house near hers.) used to keep his birds in here

Travel Thursday: New Mexico {Balloons & Santa Fe}

2010-10-28T09:00:00.000+01:00

As promised, here are a few more photos from the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. We were camped out in a Target parking lot, so we weren't in the best location for shots, but you can still get the gist of how cool it was. The next day, we ate lunch at La Fonda in downtown Santa Fe. I always love looking at the beautiful Cathedral by the square. Luckily, during the time we were

Inspiration: Originality

2010-10-25T22:37:00.000+01:00

I love this scene from Garden State. Lately, I've had a bout of Blah, the disease of lack of inspiration and motivation. When Jonty & I watched Garden State the other day, though, I could tell that the Blah was starting to subside - thank goodness! I hope this scene gives you the same heart-pumping, exhilarated feeling that it gives me every time I watch it. And this next video is for a

Ranch Monday

2010-10-12T05:32:00.001+01:00

Today has been a very ranch kind of day. I stuck around the house this morning, waiting on a call for my grandma. While I waited, I made a yummy salad lunch & my fave winter veggie pasta recipe to have for dinner later. (Both were a big hit!) This afternoon, I helped by the creek. The beavers rebuilt their dam in a place that has led to too much land erosion in a bad area. So we had to tear it

Up Up & Away

2010-10-11T01:54:00.000+01:00

Hello friends! After only two days at home, I'm out of town again! This time, I've headed to The Land of Enchantment (New Mexico) to visit my grandma. My mom & I flew into Albuquerque, where my grandma met us, & then we stayed overnight to watch the final mass ascension at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. It was pretty cool to see! Definitely worth the braving the frigid morning air

Something Awesome: Considering Careers

2010-10-08T07:16:00.000+01:00

The other day, I was stressing thinking wondering about my (near!) future. I turned to Jonty & asked, "What am I going to be when I grow up?" He replied, "Something awesome." Being a philosophy major (and master, degree to be conferred in December) that has decided, for the moment, not to continue on to a PhD program, there is no straight answer as to what my next move is. While some people are

Worry Wort

2010-10-04T07:53:00.000+01:00

For the next couple of days, I'm in Portland, Oregon visiting my little (20-year-old) sister. (We call each other Sissa.) Anyway, my sissa & I were chatting before bed last night, & she made a remark that was exactly what I needed to hear in a way that only she can. She told me that I worry too much. I worry too much. I'm sure we can all say that about ourselves, to some extent or other. But

Just Another Studio Friday

2010-10-01T20:24:00.000+01:00

My mom's fiance plays Scottish Celtic music, & this weekend he is finishing up an album. Last Friday, & again this Friday, I'm at Skyline Studios with him, watching the mixing/mastering process. It's a pretty cool experience, & I thought I'd share some photos. The studio is in Oakland, which can mean we hit some pretty gnarly traffic if we're not careful. Luckily, there are some amazing

Scattered {Jewelry Display} Creativity

2010-09-29T09:00:00.001+01:00

I love the jewelry holder I made for my place in Bristol, for almost nothing! I bought a picture frame at the 99p Store (the UK equivalent of the Dollar Tree) & placed some funky free handouts I had been given behind the glass. Next, I stuck some sticky-back hooks to the front. Finally, I tied some ribbon to the hooks on the frame & hung it on my wall. It both displayed my jewelry & acted as a

Going (Happily) Overboard at Target

2010-09-28T22:59:00.001+01:00

Yesterday, I finally made my way to my beloved Target. I knew I couldn't walk away empty-handed, but even I was surprised at how many items I wanted. Here's what I bought: Pretty much all of my skirts are denim, black, or gray, so I'm excited to pair this lacy green skirt with lots of tops! (It was on clearance, too!) Yes, this is the same top as above in a different color. It is seriously the

Birthday Day & Birthday Soiree

2010-09-28T05:59:00.000+01:00

veggie kabobs from my birthday bash My birthday (last Wednesday) was pretty low key. I just hung out with my mom for the day, which was so nice because until only two days before I hadn't been home in eight months! We shared steak nachos at Dos Coyotes, went shopping at the mall (no purchases - I wasn't in a decision-making mood), then hung out at the park (she practiced her penny whistle while I

scattered {back from england} thoughts

2010-09-22T05:36:00.000+01:00

My ramblings today will be brief because, at 9:30pm, I am soooo ready for bed. I wasn't feeling too jetlagged last night - I even drove home - but today I'm definitely feeling it. It has seemed like bedtime since I woke up! It's good to be home though. My mom and her boyfriend completely cleaned my room before I got here. They vacuumed & hand dusted the whole place (which, having hard wood

Just What I Need

2010-09-21T16:42:00.001+01:00

As I write this, I am on a long-haul flight from London to San Francisco. But when you read it, I will be safely at home, where I haven't been for over eight months. The past month or so has been pretty crazy: lots of stress, coffee, moments of inspiration, then surges of stress again - with a side of nostalgia. But my dissertation is completed, printed, bound, & handed to the proper authorities

Versatile Tuna

2010-09-04T12:56:00.001+01:00

Lately, I've been going a bit tuna crazy. The fish is an easy, light lunch option, & it's just so tasty & versatile! Here are some of my favorite ways to eat tuna: * Kiddie sandwich (a favorite in childhood): tuna with mayonnaise &/or light plain yogurt, slices of cheddar cheese, dill pickles. * Adult sandwich: tuna with ranch dressing, tomato slices, alfalfa sprouts, lettuce. (Also delish with

Yum: Vietnamese Spring Rolls

2010-09-01T16:07:00.010+01:00

Hi friends! Firstly, thanks for sticking with me through my recent lack of posts. And more than that, thanks for all the lovely dissertation wishes in comments lately. They actually do give me a little extra positivity & a little extra push. Seriously, I love you guys. I didn't create a blog for the people at all, but I realize now what a great thing it is to have that little connection with

Quite a Quote: The Dali Lama

2010-08-19T16:39:00.000+01:00

"Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional." -The Dali Lama This is just a quick post because I saw this quote & had to share. They're good words to remember in our day-to-day lives. We control our own thoughts & feelings. I'm going to try to remember this while I push through in my dissertation. I'm here because I love philosophy, & I shouldn't feel pressure & stress when I can feel excitement

Song of the Day: Lipstick Jungle

2010-08-11T19:56:00.000+01:00

I'm obsessing over the song 'Lipstick Jungle' by Newton Faulkner: Isn't it addicting? <3

Rights for Women Around the World

2010-08-10T22:41:00.002+01:00

I recently reconnected with a friend of mine from high school, who is now teaching in Korea. She has started a blog dedicated to spreading the word about the status of women's rights across the globe, & she's hoping to start an organization to make a change. Please check out her blog Rights for Women Around the World. Please pass her link on, & if you're interested in getting involved (like I am!

Random Tuesday: Garlic-icious

2010-08-10T22:28:00.001+01:00

* I love getting postal surprises, but how ridiculous is my mom's most recent package?? (See below.) I kind of understand her reasoning behind it (I won't go into it now), but that doesn't take much away from how silly it is that she spent so much on shipping to send me a giant jar of garlic when I move in three weeks. So every meal between now and then will be... garlic-icious. * Isn't

Scattered {blog, dissertation, Brighton} Thoughts

2010-08-05T17:16:00.003+01:00

* I'm sure I'm not the first to say this but how exciting is the CA Prop 8 overturn?!?! Woop woop for California, my home! * How cool is it that you can get your blog turned into a book? I'm a bit tempted to get a physical copy of all of my ramblings from the past year or so. It's pretty fun just to see a free preview! * Oh my! My first post was on July 23, 2009. So I've been on this here site

If my 18-year-old self were here now...

2010-07-26T10:31:00.001+01:00

If my 18-year-old self were here now, she would be disgusted at some of the things I eat! I've never been a hugely picky eater, but there are a few staple foods I rejected my whole life: bell peppers, carrots, peas, melon, & mustard. But for some reason, somehow, this has all changed. It all started with honey mustard in my senior year of high school. (Have you ever dipped pretzels in it?! Oh

Random Tuesday: Organized

2010-07-20T11:09:00.003+01:00

Somehow I managed to organize Random Tuesday. Oops! * Random Letter: Dear Mr Thirsty, You chose the wrong person to gulp next to in the library. Sincerely annoyed, Me P.S. If I can hear you swallow through my headphones, it's time to see a doctor. * Random Thought: I realized I haven't been having scary nightmares as often. I occasionally have a bad dream, but it's the sort about making a

Questions Asked, Questions Answered: Melanie from 'you are my fave'

2010-07-19T12:21:00.004+01:00

Melanie from you are my fave has graciously let me ask her all the questions I ever wanted to ask lots of questions about her & her blog. She probably doesn't need much introducing, since she's so lovely that everyone knows about her fun-loving style and attitude. And if you haven't come in contact with her blog, check it out now. Her blog was one of the first I ever started following, so I'm

Running Letters

2010-07-18T16:54:00.002+01:00

Dear shin splints, WTF? Painfully yours, Breenuh Dear new running route, Thank you for having a very small decline for me to rest a bit & a larger incline to kick my butt into gear. Also, I like that you go by the zoo. With love & motivation, Breenuh Dear clouds, Thanks for mercifully letting down a tiny little sprinkly mist for me on the way home. It was cool & calming to my warm skin.

Scattered {Saturday} Thoughts

2010-07-17T12:57:00.000+01:00

Happy Saturday! I haven't written any scattered thoughts in a while. It might be worthwhile to throw down the info swirling around in my brain. * Since I now have next week off work, I've been looking at last minute mini trips. I haven't found anything particularly cheap, but... I'm thinking that in a couple of weeks (after I get paid) I'll pack a bag & just show up at the airport! I hear

Pesto Salmon & Pasta

2010-07-16T11:50:00.000+01:00

I'm all about fish lately, & I've been trying to branch out a bit more in regards to cooking with it. The other day, Jonty & I stumbled upon a recipe for pesto salmon & pasta. Upon seeing the recipe made on This Morning in our B&B room a few weekends ago,* I knew it would be amazing. And I wasn't wrong. Pesto Salmon & Pasta adapted from Dean's Salmon with pesto Serves: 2 Ingredients 2 180g

Travel Thursday: Kenya {Mombasa}

2010-07-15T23:33:00.002+01:00

The view from our hotel lobby! When we were in Kenya, Jonty & I went on a little weekend adventure to Mombasa, the country's popular beach side town. We took an overnight train, which was an adventure in itself (I'll tell you about it next week). When our taxi dropped us at our hotel, we were in for a bit of a surprise. The hotel receptionist informed us that, since we're not Kenyan residents,

Jonty's Graduation Day

2010-07-14T16:53:00.001+01:00

Jonty was lucky enough to graduate in what was probably the most beautiful week so far in England. Except, possibly, for the fact that he had to wear a big, hot robe on said warm day. Anyway, we had to be at the university quite early in the morning. After getting tickets & robe, we grabbed some coffee & a full English breakfast. Then, we headed into the graduation ceremony. It was a nice

Book Swapping!

2010-07-13T12:46:00.000+01:00

Reasons To Join a Book Swap 1. It's cheap. You only have to pay for postage. 2. It's convenient: a new read straight to your door. 3. It's greener. New books mean cutting down trees. 4. It will help de-clutter your house & your life. You don't have to add book upon book to your list of possessions. Instead, just read & swap for new ones. Used book stores are a great way to get some of the above

Happy people are better workers.

2010-07-12T11:10:00.001+01:00

An article in The Observer yesterday talked about a recent study on the relationship between happiness & productivity. The finds? When people are happy, they are most efficient. So, while you refill your coffee cup this morning, consider that you will get more done (hello raise?) if you perk up & get happy. Another way of looking at it is: When you come back from lunch 20 minutes late, point your

Paul the Octopus!

2010-07-09T17:24:00.002+01:00

For those of you who are not obsessing over the World Cup, Paul the Octopus is a supposedly psychic octopus who has been predicting the outcome of the World Cup matches, mostly involving Germany. For each game, he is presented with two boxes, one with each team's flag, and he then chooses food out of the box of the team that he thinks will win. He hasn't been wrong so far in this World Cup.

Sleep Talkin' Man

2010-07-07T09:36:00.003+01:00

Good morning! I've just arrived at work, coffee-deprived, & the first thing I do (after checking my calendar & work e-mails of course) is take a quick little look at Blogger. My day is always brightened by my new favorite blog. It's so amusing that I feel obliged to share it with you! It's called Sleep Talkin' Man. The blogger, Karen, is married to a British guy who has a bit of a sleep talking

How to Throw a Fantastic Cocktail Party

2010-07-06T16:56:00.002+01:00

Step 1: Make lots of homemade nibbles. Roasted red pepper bruschetta, caramelized onion hummus, pesto hummus, & pita bread were all made from scratch by me. My housemate Nell made the lemon fairy cakes, jam tarts, & spicy cheese pinwheels. Step 2: Buy lots of mixers & fruit, & some of the usual liquors, & invite your friends to bring their favorite cocktail ingredient to add to the mix.

Simple Happiness Tip #7

2010-07-05T21:20:00.000+01:00

Cook enough to have leftovers. It takes very little extra effort to double the ingredients in your dinner. And then you can save it for lunch or, better, for some night later in the week when you are exhausted & can't find the energy to cook. You'll have a more relaxed night without ordering greasy Chinese takeout or snacking all night. <3

West Wedding

2010-07-05T20:01:00.001+01:00

Wedding party on the left, me & Jonty on the right. Hi guys! I've been a been lazy about blogging lately, aside from my Kenya posts, so I hope to fill you in about all the lovely things I've been doing lately. Last weekend (as in a bit over a week ago), I went down to Portsmouth for my friend Denise's wedding. It was on a gorgeous, sunny, warm summer day at an amazing location: Stansted Park,

Travel Thursday: Kenya {Safari}

2010-07-01T14:00:00.000+01:00

Okay, to be honest, I don't know if what we did counts as a safari, but our friend Syano's dad hired a car for us (and I should point out how appreciative we are that he did that for us!) and we drove around Nairobi National Park looking for/at animals for an afternoon. Nairobi National Park is pretty close to Syano's family's house (where we were staying). Syano and the driver paid in Kenyan

Travel Thursday: Kenya {City Transportation}

2010-06-24T12:00:00.001+01:00

Happy Thursday! Today I thought I'd write about transportation in Kenya, because I found it one of the more interesting things about Nairobi. All of the photos in this post are taken from a moving vehicle between Karen (the suburb where we stayed) and Nairobi. Transportation is very affordable: from about 20 to 50 Kenyan Shillings (around 30 to 75 cents). Also, there aren't really markers

World Cup & Other Excitement

2010-06-23T21:22:00.001+01:00

Guys! I'm getting so into "the football" (as they say here in England). I've never really watched it before, and now that I am, the World Cup is really getting to me. Today's match had me stressing, & I was so excited when we SCOOOORED! In the 91st minute! Ahhh! So excited for: * Jonty's graduation tomorrow & our afternoon out with his parents * Our trip down to Portsmouth * Denise & James'

The world is our oyster... but the f***er won't open!

2010-06-22T01:05:00.001+01:00

This is our angry face. At the world. Lately, I've been a bit distracted. I've started working on my dissertation, but not as much as I'd like to. I've had lots of fun time with friends, too. But really, I always come back to thinking about the near future. I try not to be a person that lives in the future, but I can't help but be dissolved in it at the moment. Jonty & I, being from different

Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner

2010-06-17T13:30:00.000+01:00

Drumroll please! And the winner of the CSN Stores Giveaway is... Bored@ Work! Thanks to everyone who participated! <3

Denise's Surprise Hen Party

2010-06-15T00:09:00.001+01:00

My good friend Denise, now lives in the UK with her husband. (Remember, we went on a trip to London a few months ago?) We joined our sorority in the same semester, & have known each other for about three & a half years now. Last spring, she met one of the British exchange students (James--not Jonty, duh) at a barbeque Jonty & I threw. They hit it off so well that by the end of the summer, they

Simple Happiness Tip #6

2010-06-14T22:20:00.000+01:00

Grow your own herbs. Having greenery in your kitchen or elsewhere in your house will brighten your kitchen & make it feel more comfortable. Helping anything grow can be rewarding, & using fresh basil in your pasta, fresh mint in your mojitos, & fresh alfalfa sprouts in your salads can really brighten your mood! Plus, you'll know it's pesticide free. Yum!

Travel Thursday: Kenya {Nairobi}

2010-06-10T22:00:00.037+01:00

Kenyan Parliament Building Nairobi is Kenya's capital & one of Africa's major cities. People in Nairobi are not very comfortable with technology, except for cell phones. You can top up your mobile minutes from pretty much everywhere! We even saw some mobile top up stalls from the train in the middle of nowhere. I guess that's a good way of providing phones to people, since it's much more

Giveaway!

2010-06-09T23:55:00.004+01:00

Guess what! CSN Stores has offered to give a £40 gift certificate for their online shops to one of my wonderful readers in the UK, US, or Canada! CSN has several sites offering great deals on home ware, from lighting to kitchen ware to furniture. To enter the giveaway for the £40 gift certificate, check out the above links & then answer the following question in the comments section below: If

Something Fishy on the Barbie

2010-06-08T01:34:00.000+01:00

Last week, Jonty & I wanted to take advantage of the beautiful weather, so we decided to have ourselves a little barbeque. We bought some fresh haddock fillets, put them on parchment paper then aluminum foil, drizzled them with olive oil and lemon juice, and topped them with lemon slices and rosemary. Then we wrapped them up and stuck them straight on top of the coals in the barbeque, and then

Simple Happiness Tip #5

2010-06-07T12:09:00.000+01:00

Spend time with yourself. As important as it is to have support in friends & family, you should be your own foundation. Take some time away from other people & the TV, & enjoy your own company. Life is never lonely when you're your own best friend. <3

Dance Proposal

2010-06-05T09:45:00.002+01:00

How much fun is this guy's proposal? She seemed to enjoy it. I guess you can't go wrong marrying a guy that willing to entertain, eh? [via] <3

Quite a Quote: Wonder

2010-06-03T23:15:00.000+01:00

Do you know that, in a universe so full of wonders, they have managed to invent boredom? -- Death, The Hogfather (2006)