My Final Week

I leave for the UK at 6am one week from tomorrow. As I begin my last week in America for a while, I am realizing this next few days will be very eventful. [Keep in mind that I will be running around like a mad woman and packing throughout all of this.]

My last day working for Tahoe Creamery will be Saturday. I have already said good-bye to the Roseville Whole Foods, and Saturday will be Arden's turn. I've gotten to know the stores and the employees so well this summer, and it's weird that it's all ending.

My last River Cats game will be Friday, which I'm sure will be a busy night, and I can't believe I won't be watching any more games, joking with old men about ordering more beers, or dancing with Dinger (the mascot) and children. This season has been so much fun, and it's ending so fast.

Speaking of jobs, my bookstore gig will be over the day before I leave as well. In fact, I will be working pretty much up to the point of hopping into the car to head to San Francisco.

Friday (after work), I have some pretty mind boggling (and Top Secret!) plans with a few friends that I'm really excited about.

Saturday night will be my going away party, which I am both excited and nervous about, as I invited lots of my friends and pretty much the entire Whole Foods store at both locations. Hopefully only the coolest will show (and bring their own drinks)!

Sunday will be my very first grown-up wedding. My friends Valerie and Zach will be having an evening wedding, and I'll be showing up with two of my very best gal pals. I'll be happy to arrive with friends, as I expect many of the groom's guests to be glaring in my direction. You see, my ex-boyfriend is a groomsman, and while he and I are on good terms, several of his friends are angry with me about the breakup. It's completely ridiculous, and I shouldn't care about them, but in a way I do because they were my friends once too. Plus, I don't like to be viewed as the bad guy, especially when the whole situation hurt me too and there was nothing I wanted less than to hurt this guy who is one of the nicest people I know and who I still consider a friend. Bleh, I digress, but you can see why I'm a bit anxious about the wedding. Above all, though, I am excited for the wedding and so happy for the newlyweds!

Well, I am wasting away one of my last nights with my best friend, my sister. I'm going to miss her so very very very much. So I must go.

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Sleep Talking

...is proof that Whoever Is Up There has a sense of humor.

This happened when I woke my sister up the other night, after she had taken a Tylenol PM. I wrote it down so I would remember to tell her in the morning, & I just found the note. Amazing.

Stephanie: "It's just really cute."
Me: "Hm?"
Stephanie: "It's just really cute."
Me: "Uhm, what is?"
Stephanie: "Didn't you ask me why I keep the hammer?"
[And then she fell back into a deep sleep.]

When I was a little girl, maybe around five years old, my Grandpa Gary told me that he didn't dream, that he had stopped years ago. I couldn't believe it! As a kid I had such vibrant dreams (& still do sometimes, though more are nightmares nowadays), and the thought of having none made absolutely no sense to me. In fact, I felt bad for Grandpa. I wonder why some people remember their dreams and others don't. Dreams have always interested me, maybe because it's one of the few things on Earth that we still don't quite understand. I think if I would have remained a Psychology major I would have studied them in more detail. Maybe I still will--I do plan on being a lifelong student, after all.

Well, I'm off to experience dreams myself! Night!

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The Rainbow Connection

I'm in love with Jason Mraz's rendition of "The Rainbow Connection" by The Carpenters. I actually adore this song--I sang it at my kindergarten graduation and will never forget it. And Jason's version sounds sooo nice. Perhaps I can learn to play it on guitar :.)

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Books & Forgotten Bookmarks

I found a fantastic blog! It's called Forgotten Bookmarks. The blogger works at a used and rare bookstore and posts when he/she (not sure if the author a man or woman) finds interesting notes, etc. that have been left in books. There are some really cool discoveries on this page.

Speaking of books, do you ever feel like life is an obstacle in the way of reading-time? Sometimes when I'm reading a good novel it's so hard for me to step away from it (or to avoid it altogether) in order to go out on the town, go to work, etc. Wouldn't it be nice to curl up in this little safe haven and read into the night? Mmm.

[from Micaela's post on The English Muse]

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I ♥ Finding a New Cafe

Temple Fine Coffee & Tea has opened a new location in Sacramento. Sissa and I checked it out this morning when we met my mom for a coffee break. I'm loving the atmosphere (and of course the coffee)!

The natural ashy stain on the wood won me over.

It's very open, with a nice big wall of windows.

I enjoyed an amazing pumpkin muffin, delicious organic & single origin coffee, great books, & some philosophy research. What could be better? Also, this was Delilah's first time out of the house. (Delilah is my new Mac's name.)

I looked around and realized I fit pretty well into the stereotype of someone who would hang out at an independent coffeehouse. But I don't mind so much; of all the stereotypes to be under, I would most likely choose this one.

Not a bad way to spend my morning. I'm going to miss all of my spots (new & old) in Sac. But it will definitely be fun to find new cafes (& bookstores, etc.) in Bristol.

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Surprises

While at work today, Sissa sent me a text message that said I had received a package from Jonty. I waited in anticipation for the rest of my shift, and when I got home I immediately went straight for the parcel, looking of olden days wrapped in brown paper.


After unwrapping two layers of paper and cutting through a meticulous tape job (My sweetie is very thorough.), I discovered some lovely surprises!

In the box, I found: (1) a little note on a vintage-looking tag, (2) Whatever You Think, Think the Opposite by Paul Arden [a book that Jonty had been wanting me to read, yet he wouldn't tell me the title or anything about it], (3) a mix CD with some nice summery music, (4) a photo of him looking silly, and (5) some I ♥ Oxford potholders [for my family]. I thought it was a very creative and thoughtful package, and it definitely made my day!

Side note: I apologize for the bad quality of many of my photos lately. I've gotten into the habit of photographing with my cell phone, and the pictures obviously don't turn out as well as with a real camera.

It's funny how people are with surprises. Some people absolutely do not like being surprised. It makes them uncomfortable to encounter something they don't know. Most people say they like surprises, yet how many kids peek at Christmas present hiding spots? I did once, and I'm happy I didn't find much. I absolutely LOVE to be surprised, even if it's small. In fact, Jonty told me that his dad doesn't like to find out anything about a movie before going to see it in the cinema, and I really like that. I've begun doing that myself. In fact, I just started this book that my stepmom recommended to me:


I opened it blindly, having ignored the description on the back, and knowing only that someone I know enjoyed it. It's really exciting to go into something knowing that I will be surprised, no matter what. Speaking of my stepmom, she likes to read the end before beginning the book so that she can go through it slowly and not be concerned with how it will finish. I, on the other hand, usually cannot even read a book if I know how it ends, especially if I've seen the movie. I can't wait to see where Me & Emma leads me.

I have poured myself a lovely glass of Pinot Grigio (which is very refreshing, as it has been a while since I've had white wine) and plan to while away the evening reading my new book. I hope you enjoy your evening as well :.)

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Summer Loves

I've made some wonderful discoveries this summer, and they have carried through and have really become mild obsessions. For good reason, of course. I definitely suggest you check them out too. As obsessions go, I'd say they're good ones.

1. Whole Foods


This store is seriously amazing. When I walk in, I literally want to buy almost everything I see. The prepared food section is TO DIE FOR. And the best part: They don't have anything with preservatives, antibiotics, or other unnatural ingredients, so it's to die for but it won't kill you. On top of all that, the employees ("team members") are such outgoing and sweet people. I have been so blessed to work there this summer. I've learned a lot about food and about what's good for our bodies and our Earth, and I've gotten to know some great people. If you haven't been there, you really must make it a priority to go soon. Preferrably on a weekend so you can get some samples :.)

2. The Open Door EP by Death Cab for Cutie
Even though it's only five songs long, this mini album is one of my favorites. These musicians are so talented, and the lyrics are fantastic! It's nothing less than poetry. I've been especially obsessed with Death Cab's song "Little Bribes":



There's also a lovely live version of the song here.

3. ModCloth
Warning: Don't follow this link if you can't control your purchasing when you see great clothes/accessories/apartment decor. I'm telling you, you will want to buy just about everything you click on. I've noted some of their lovely items before. I especially love their dresses!

[clockwise, starting from left: The Tootsie Dress in Blue Raspberry, Polaris Dress, Cloud Nine Dress, Perks of Being a Wallflower Dress, Mind's Eye Dress]

4. Polyvore
This site is lots of fun. You can shop, create sets (like the one above), and look at sets other users have made. It's a great way to play with shapes and colors, to plan an outfit, or to just be creative.

5. Blogs
Maybe I don't have to say this because I'm blogging at the moment (well, actually you're reading it at the moment but let's not get technical), but I have fallen in love with all things blog. I think of what I may want to mention in my blog throughout the day, consider creative options, and follow quite a few blogs as well. It's such a nice way to connect with yourself and with the world--I've even been getting some of my friends (and my sister) into it. And I was actually thinking earlier today that my friends/family must be thankful for my new blogging habit because I can use it as an outlet for what I like and what I'm thinking--and so maybe I go on and on about things a bit less ;.)

I'm leaving in a bit for my last Zumba class with Rachel. Then, after shower/dinner, we're going to the drive-in theater (accompanied also by Sissa), and we plan to stay for two movies (adventurous, I know). I'm not sure what we're going to see, since The Proposal isn't playing tonight as we had hoped, but I'm sure it will be fun nevertheless.

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