Friday, January 30, 2009

Tag Back

Well, since Kathryn tagged me to do this, I thought I'd play along, but I'm not going to tag anyone. If you want to do it cool, if not that's fine too. And this will be interesting to think of 25 random things about me.

1. I have been to ten other countries, which are: Scotland, England, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Italy, Russia, Armenia, China, and South Korea. But I'm from Northern California and have never been to Canada, Mexico, or Yosemite.

2. When I was on a study abroad in Russia I and two friends got locked in the dining car of a train with the two drunk attendants. I elbowed one in the stomach when she grabbed me. Luckily, someone opened the door from the other side soon after that.

3. When I'm full I'll rub my tummy in a circular motion and say, "Buddha, Buddha, Buddha." Don't ask me why.

4. I've had aspirations to be a singer, actress, dancer, and artist. All of these things I do moderately well, but I've decided not well enough to make me famous.

5. One of my pet peeves is when people change lanes and leave their blinker on. Hello people, you turned it on two seconds ago, now turn it off!

6. I love seeing musicals on stage, and I have a goal to own all of the musical soundtracks I've seen live. Musicals I've seen live are: Phantom of the Opera, 42nd Street, Cabaret, Hairspray, Momma Mia, Les Miserables, Guys and Dolls, Wicked, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Legally Blonde, Rock of Ages, and 13. Soon to be added to the list are Ragtime and Rent, which I'm seeing this summer - and probably a couple of others.

7. I know how to say 'I love you' in six other languages which are: French, German, Russian, Korean, Chinese, and Spanish. I also know how to say "You're lips are like a fountain of water, and I'm thirsty," in Spanish. I figure it's an important phrase to know.

8. After reading My Most Excellent Year, I became interested in Mary Poppins the movie because it refers to it a lot. I now know random facts like Julie Andrews was pregnant when they offered her the role so they waited until after she had the baby to shoot, Dick Van Dyke didn't audition for the part of Bert but he had to audition for the role of the old guy in the bank, and a lot of the nannies standing in line to get interviewed are actually men in drag.

9. I'm athletic but also a total klutz. I can't play a game of basketball without falling down at least three times, I always trip going up stairs, and I always run into walls and corners, which isn't very good for my watches.

10. I'm a super slow texter. It takes me forever - but I think I'm getting better.

11. I don't have my tonsils. I got them removed when I was six, and I got to eat soft foods like pudding, for a week.

12. I'm the least flexible person I know (at least for a girl). I can't even touch my toes, but I blame it on the fact that I'm 6'0" - I don't really take into account that I also have long arms.

13. Sometimes I try to me ultra cool and I'll start saying things like yo, hommie, and s'up. And then I realize I'm totally lame.

14. My cousin once asked me if I was part black when he saw me dance. Apparently I have some skills in that area of my life.

15. I can only eat Jiff or Skippy peanut butter, but preferably Jiff. I don't like the generic store brand kinds. I call myself a peanut butter snob. I've converted my roommate, Celeste, to it. You should join the dark side too.

16. I like to name my cars. In high school I had a Jeep pickup that I called Jeepers (I know, real original). In college I had a 1986 AMC Eagle and it's name was Shaggy or The Beast. For some reason I haven't named my current car. It's a 1998 Dodge Neon, and it's purple. Any suggestions?

17. When I watch movies by myself, I tend to fast forward through parts that I think are boring even when I've never even seen it before. I figure it just needs to get on with it.

18. I spent a summer on my Uncle's pig farm in Missouri when I was 15. I'm now writing a young adult novel using some of my experiences, although the story is fictional.

19. I read books out loud with my roommate, Kathryn. I like doing this and it makes me think that if I ever become an author and go on a book tour, my favorite part will be doing book readings of my work.

20. I've lived in five different states: California, Idaho, Colorado, Montana, and Virginia.

21. I broke my pinkie my sophomore year of college playing Ultimate Frisbee. I ran into my roommate and my hand slammed into her hip bone. An interesting way to break a finger. It's still crooked and it hurts when it's cold.

22. I claim that I've never dyed my hair, but that's a half truth. My freshman year of college my friend put blond highlights in my hair, but they were so light you couldn't even really tell. So I'll still claim that I've never dyed my hair.

23. Another of my pet peeves is when you ask for someone on the phone and he/she will respond, "This is her/him." It's supposed to be, "This is she/he." Incorrect grammar gets on my nerves.

24. I'm addicted to YouTube. I love it, probably too much. And I get frustrated when I can't find something on YouTube that I want to watch.

25. I like to think of myself as an interesting person, but trying to come up with 25 random things about myself made my head hurt.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Writing Torture

So, I've been trying to write this young adult book for probably three years now. I think I have a good idea and my characters are interesting. I even think some parts are really witty - which trust me, doesn't happen often in my case. But the problem is that I can't seem to finish it. I have about 16,000 words at the moment, and I don't add very much at a time. I'll open it up and maybe write a paragraph, and then I zone out. Literally. I start thinking of something that has nothing to do with my book, like what I'm going to wear the next day, or if I need to go to the store or something. I have no focus, I swear.

My roommate Kathryn, who also writes, told me I just need to get it done. Just sit down and force myself to finish it and then I can go back and fix things. But you see, that's my problem - I can't make myself. I want it to be perfect NOW. So I'll write something and then I'll delete because I think it's lame. But no longer. I'm on a quest to finish this book. As of today I'm giving myself a deadline - it must be done my June 1. That gives me four months to finish it. I can do it in four months, right?

Monday, January 19, 2009

My Top Five Hollywood Hotties

Hugh Jackman - Really, do I need to explain why? He's gorgeous and funny, a dedicated family man, and he can sing! And if you've seen him riding a horse bearing a whip and covered in dirt or pouring water from a bucket all over himself, you'll understand my infatuation. And if you haven't, you should check out Australia. And the Australian accent is pretty hot too.

Daniel Craig - The most manly James Bond so far. He's got beautiful blue eyes, and every guy wishes he looked has good as Daniel does in those short swim trunks. Who wouldn't want to be rescued by him???

Christian Bale - I've had a crush on him ever since Newsies, watching him sing and dance. Then there was Little Women, where he played an adorable Laurie. And now of course Batman. He's got killer arms, and he's a pretty dang fine actor. I'll even forgive him the weird Batman voice. I think I have a thing for superheros.

Will Smith - Also very nice to look when he's not wearing a shirt. But he also just seems genuinely nice, like if I actually knew him he'd be the sort of person I'd go to for advice. I think he'd give good advice, and he seems like he has an awesome sense of humor.

Zac Efron - Some may disagree with me, but come on, he's just dang cute. He sings and dances, has a great smile and lovely eyes, and has a great sense of fashion. He's also my birthday soul mate, i.e. we share the same birthday - although he is five years younger than me. He'd make a great prom date.

Hope you enjoyed my list; I enjoyed making it. Feel free to add to the list in the comment section. I want to know who your favorite Hollywood hotties are too!

Monday, January 12, 2009

A Few of my Favorite Things

I'm sitting at work, not really wanting to work. Really, what else is new? But because I'm sitting here I thought I would blog about some of my favorite things or some things I'm currently obsessed with.

Michael Buble - The voice, the suit, the humor, the funny slidey dance moves. What else could you want in a swing/big band singer? Oh right, there is also the hair and the eyes. He is the epitome of sexy cool. At least in my opinion.

Brad Paisley - The voice, the hat, the humor, the awesome guitar picking. He is my all-time favorite country singer. I've seen him concert twice, and he puts on one heck of a show. And he's a super cute family man.

Musicals - I love all forms of musicals, old movie ones, and recent movie ones, and stage ones. I mean, why not break out in random song and dance whenever you feel like it? My favorites from all three categories: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Singing in the Rain, Hairspray, Rent, Wicked, and Les Miserables.

Books that make me laugh - I love to laugh, especially the laugh until your stomach hurts and your eyes are watering kind. When a book can make me chuckle I appreciate it that much more. The one I'm reading right now, I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You, is utterly silly and unbelievable but it makes me laugh. Others: Knuffle Bunny; Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snoggings; All American Girl; Nick and Norah's Infinite Play List; A Year Down Yonder - just to name a few. If you need a good chuckle check these out.

Books that make me cry - As much as I love to laugh, I also enjoy a book that's a good tearjerker. A few examples: Summer of My German Soldier; Rilla of Ingleside; Bridge to Terabithia; The Kite Runner.

Asian movies/drama - So, in a year I'm planning on going to Korea to teach English. I'm really excited about this prospect, and I'm trying to learn about their culture. In my quest I found this website, www.mysoju.com, where you can watch movies and dramas from Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong for free. They're all subtitled. Some are great, some are weird, some are totally cheesy. I think I've figured out that Asians love their romance. Some of my favorites: My Sassy Girl; My Little Bride; A Moment to Remember; Love Marriage; Coffee Prince; Anego; It Started With a Kiss. Warning: these are not for everyone; must be in the mood for romance, bickering between characters, and implausible/outrageous story lines. What can I say, I'm odd.

Ballroom/Latin dancing - Friday night I went ballroom dancing with my friend Lael. It was slightly humorous, seeing as how we were the only ones there under the age of 50. But it was still fun! I love dancing! I love it when I guy can lead really well, and I end up doing all these moves I've never done before. It's just plain great.

Oreos with peanut butter on top - And no, you can't just buy the Oreos with peanut butter cream because it's not the same. You must have the original Oreos with the white cream and then put peanut butter on top. It's utterly yummy. You also need a glass of milk to go along with it.

Shoes - I love shoes way too much. I probably own way too many, but I don't care. My ultimate goal is to have a pair of shoes in every color imaginable and then I'll build my own separate shoe closet. It will be heaven.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Quasi Maid of Honor

Okay, so my dear, dear friend and roommate Celeste is officially engaged. I'm excited for her. She and Kevin are thinking that they'll get married sometime in July or August. And this means that the planning begins. Celeste doesn't want bridesmaids - she doesn't see the point of them in a Mormon wedding. But as her best friend I have deemed myself her quasi maid of honor. I mean, who else would she choose anyway.

Well, I've been having tons of fun looking at wedding dresses online for her. She has an idea of what she wants, and I love surfing around for stuff. This has also led me to look at wedding dresses I would like, even though I'm nowhere near getting married. But I figure a girl can never be too prepared. I think I totally know what I want when I get married - now I just have to find a groom.

Celeste decided her wedding colors are going to be really bright for summer - pink, yellow, orange, and blue. That means I'm going to find myself an awesome dress. I think I'm picking yellow as my color. I've found some great dresses - but holy cow some of them are so expensive. But I figure, the wedding of my best friend is a once in a lifetime event so I shouldn't worry about it. I'm just hoping I can find a good deal. If you have any suggestions, please fill me in.