under the christmas tree

Death Cab for Cutie... Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

winter wonderland

Photo taken by Lara Alegre in Norway.

family fun :: flag football

taking some time to reflect... in LA

passion pit @ the palladium

"They finished the evening with 'Sleepyhead,' the song that launched them to stardom satiating the impatient crowd. There was something magical about having a roomful of people singing their favorite song as loud as they can. It was like a joyful madness had taken over and rendered everyone helpless, enslaved to the music. The sample of the singers singing "sleepyhead" in the background was immediately made redundant as hundreds of voices jumped in. And just like that the evening was over and waves of people were released into the night with smiles on their faces and a spring in their step. "
-from  Timothy Norris' Review on LA Weekly
Listen to "Sleepyhead" here

feast of thanks

let's get ready to rumble... and happy thanksgiving!

Last night I caught this episode of Friends, where they play touch football on Thanksgiving.  This is a tradition in my family and I couldn't help but laugh over a few similarities.  My cousin Detra is SO Monica, "Losers walk!".  And as much as I hate to admit it, I'm Rachel, always being picked last.  We still have a great time, and our football game has come to be a great tradition.

the girl who...

I am currently reading this book, which is the third in the trilogy by Stieg Larsson.  I love these books and can't get enough of them.  They have also been made into movies in Sweden, so I have watched the first two subtitled films.  I can't wait to catch the final one as soon as I finish the book.  Hollywood is remaking the first one, now as we speak, with Daniel Craig as the leading man.

  

lemon + water = joyous health

national geographic photography contest 2010

Just a few examples of some of the entries in this year's contest.  See more here.

mommy and me

This is a picture of my mom and I (1975) and I just love it.  She reminds me of me.  :-)

love means never having to say you're sorry

I finally saw the movie Love Story.  I had always wanted to see it since I'm pretty sure I was named after the the main character, Jennifer Cavalleri.  I thought the movie was sweet and a bit sappy.  What does, "Love means never having to say you're sorry," mean anyway?

hang ten

Surfers in Newport Beach in the 1940's.  I got it here.

tips for a better life

by Nithya Shanti 

1. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day. And while you walk, smile.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
3. Sleep for 7 hours.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
5. Play more games.
6. Read more books than you did the previous year.
7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
11. Drink plenty of water.
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
14. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
15. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
16. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
17. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
18. Smile and laugh more.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about. Don't compare your partner with others.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
25. Forgive everyone for everything.
26. What other people think of you is none of your business.
27. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
28. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
29. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
30. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
31. The best is yet to come.
32. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
33. Do the right thing!
34. Call your family often.
35. Your inner most is always happy. So be happy.
36. Each day give something good to others.
37. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
38. Share this with someone you care about

slow-vember

My friend, Kim, coined this term to be used during the month of November.  We are trying to slow everything down and take it easy after a fun-filled summer and hectic Halloween season.   I am looking forward to spending more nights at home, catching up on some sleep, focusing on work and finding the perfect lentil soup recipe.  Maybe this one?

t-shirt love

I recently bought this t-shirt at Urban Outfitters.  Made by Truly Madly Deeply.

miami horror :: sometimes

french fun

The Cherry Blossom Girl is my latest blog obsession.

iconic grace

the help

Have you ever read a book that touches you so deeply that you wrap your arms around it and hold it fiercely to your chest?  And you read through it as fast as you can to find out what happens, but then in the end you are so sad it's over?  Well, that is how this book was for me.

It is a story about Mississippi life in the sixties.  It is unbelievable, sad, funny, heart-wrenching, and educational.  I highly recommend it!

1010 project

On October 10, 2010 ten different photographers from around the world each took ten different photographs of their day... Here's just a few of them.  See the rest here.

Kris Atomic in Brighton, United Kingdom

Anabela Carneiro in Algarve, Portugal

Brian W. Ferry in London, United Kingdom

Ebony Bizys in Tokyo, Japan

Jacinta Moore in Melbourne, Australia

Michelle Gow in Stellenbosch, South Africa

Pia Jane Bijkerk in Amsterdam, Netherlands

awesome art

Carrie Trimm is the most awesome artist!  She is also such an inspiration to me and a great friend.

cool chicks at woodstock, 1969

this gloomy weather has me yearning for some color...

more questions than answers

Am I happy?
Could I be happier?
Should I be doing something else with my life?
Like what?
Where will I be in 5 years?  10?
Should I continue to take classes in graphic design?
Do I have talent?
Will I be able to make a living in graphic design?
What about photography?
Should I take classes in photography?
How do I pay for classes?
Should I stay in education because it's more secure?

Should I find a new job?

Can I find a new job?
Am I exactly where I need to be?
Should I make any changes?
What kind of changes?  And when?
Should I move out of Orange County?
to L.A.?   to S.D.?  to Barcelona?
Will I ever fall in love again?
Will I ever get married again?
Will I have a baby?
Can I have a baby?
Do I want a baby?
What should I do today?
Should I go out tonight?
Who should I go out with tonight?
Will I have fun if I go out?
Will I be bored if I stay in?

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm........

hensman home

I love, love, love this home in the Hollywood Hills on Mulholland Drive.  It was originally built in the 70's and then restored by Donald Hensman.  The wood exterior reminds me of the homes in the Bay Area and Bodega Bay where my grandparents used to live.  I am also drawn to the clean, modern lines and gorgeous windows.  And can't you just imagine throwing a fantastic party around the pool?  You can see more photos if you pick up the October issue of L.A. Magazine or you can watch a slideshow of five awesome L.A. homes including this one, here.

breaking bread

sunset reflection

learning from every situation...

“Any situation you are in has been perfectly planned for you by a self-organizing universe, invested in your growth and designed to foster your self-actualization. Whatever is happening, what lesson does it contain for you? Given that it’s not random, what is it’s importance to your growth? What are the strengths you’re being invited to more fully develop, and the weaknesses you’re being invited to let go?”
--Marianne Williamson
Found here.

weird weather = beautiful sunset

design lessons from nature

"Learn by heart the forms to be found in nature, so that you can use them like the notes in a musical composition."  --Max Beckmann

I was unable to get any of the art or graphic design classes that I need this semester... too many students and not enough sections being offered of each class.  So, I have been taking my art education into my own hands.  I recently checked out this book by Benjamin Debrie Taylor.  The first assignment is to draw a leaf.  Stay tuned to see how mine turned out.