Where is that girl now...

2011-07-09T22:56:00.000-07:00

Me, making frosting for a cake: "Hey honey, taste this and tell me what you think."

Douglas: "Hmmmm yum, tastes like egg whites."

Me: "....?"

D: "Doesn't this have egg whites in it?"

"No."

"oh."

Guess I won't be opening up that bakery any time soon.

Holly Underwater!

2011-04-03T23:25:00.001-07:00

There is a crater called Molokini that is supposedly the best snorkeling in Hawaii. So I had to go. In preparation of swimming, Douglas braved the waters of the Gym to get better acquainted with the whole H20 thing. In the end, it was pretty great, very clear and lots of fish - in fact, jumping of the boat I think I landed on some! But Molokini was well worth the trip. D says he can breathe underwater now... I have my doubts.

Holly in Hana!

2011-04-02T21:24:00.000-07:00

Well... the Road to Hana that is. Definitely a place where car-sick-prone people don't belong. It's an all day thing and I think the best gems on this road are far from the eye of the tourist. Needless to say, we still had a great time spelunking and getting sprayed by the ocean air!

Black sand beach, made from black lava rocks - don't take any of these or the Tiki Gods will curse you like that Brady Bunch episode!
I tried to get Chris to jump in the blow hole, and he probably would have if he'd had his trunks on.
Getting the clan over the river to get to Twin Falls.
Look! The backside of a waterfall! (Jungle Cruise anyone?)

Awwwwwwwwww

Maui underwater coming soon!

Holly on Diamond Head!

2011-03-28T18:12:00.001-07:00

Things to note about Diamond Head:

Go early.
Sunrise is awesome.
Beat the tourists.
Take some bug spray.

Holly in Hawaii!!

2011-03-28T17:51:00.001-07:00

I just came back from Hawaii! My in-laws took Douglas and I to Oahu and Maui last week. What an adventure... I left feeling pasty white and came back with a sun burn. That's a win in my book :)

Here is a re-cap on stop one, Waikiki, Oahu.

Tiki man at the International Marketplace.
Gotta love the Moana Surfrider cafe...
A Pink Pineapple at the Foster Botanical Gardens in Waikiki.

Douglas at Duke's Barefoot bar enjoying some Kona Brew. I was too busy sipping my mai tai to take more pictures...

2011

2011-01-30T22:33:00.001-08:00

I just know you've been dying to hear my New Year's Resolution for this year. Short story is that I still hate ginger. Cheers to another year of tasting and re-confirming my distaste...

2004?

My "realistic" goal is to stay in touch with a few different people that 2010 (and more embarrassingly previous years as well) almost disconnected me with. One is a long term friend from high-school that has the best sense of humor I know; an old roommate from SLO that knows my words before I say them; one of my first friends from LA who is hoping around the state, and lastly is a running buddy who I decided I really wanted to invest in right days before I moved away from her.

2010

These four people are more difficult for me to stay in touch with for some reason or another. Sad as it seems, these are friends that when I pick up the phone to rant and rave, it's not them as often as I would like. I'm going to change that. One phone call at a time.

2009

Raise your glass to 2011, the year of the Rabbit, and giving back to the friends who make me who I am.

2004

Last Resort.

2010-12-18T20:48:00.000-08:00

So, you might remember that every year I try to "get over" some sort of food deterrence I harbor. This year was GINGER.

Needless to say, it's December 18th and I still can't stand it.

You'd never know how much GINGER is out there until you're trying to consume more of it. In a last-ditch effort, I bought non-alcoholic GINGER beer (tastes like pine-sol), fresh GINGER (tastes like spicy pine-sol) and crystalized GINGER (sweeter pine-sol). Ginger cookies and gingerbread are fabulous, so what went wrong from actual ginger root and a tasty, chewy, gingerbread cookie?

Apparently, EVERYTHING.

...will keep you posted.

Last Days in London

2010-11-13T20:50:00.001-08:00

My last couple of days brought about some great things. Among the great museums that I stumbled upon, I found myself in the presence of some great pieces of art. Above is the Rosetta Stone, and other Van Gogh, Monet, Rodin, and Picasso works were in the same building. Below is the Tate Modern, with an excellent view from the 7th Floor Cafe.

Quite possibly the most historic Tower Of London holds more than old torture and prison facilities. It used to be the home of HRH (His/Her Royal Highness) and therefore, the Crown Jewels. I wasn't allowed to take pictures of the crowns, scepters, and other ceremonial furnishings, but they were fabulous. I kinda wanted to take one home...
Legend has it that if the Ravens leave the Tower of London, then the main Tower will crumble and disaster will befall on all of England. Currently there are nine of them, there should never be less than six. Well, according to the "Ravenmaster."

Honestly, I enjoyed everything about London. I loved the little kids with accents, I loved the tea, I even loved the weather! Although I should preface that with saying I had absolutely beautiful weather while I was there. I almost started to feel connected, maybe even nostalgic, as I remembered that my great grandfather sailed from this land to Ellis Island to establish his family in America. I guess even the most transient of people have roots somewhere ;)

Until next time...

Cheers!

Bath and Stonehenge

2010-11-09T14:55:00.000-08:00

This is the city of Bath. Appropriately named Bath, because of the Romans who founded the original baths. Unlike Budapest, I will not be swimming or soaking in this nasty water... actually Alyssa found that we get a free drink of the water ("stewing" in good minerals for thousands of years) if we ask. I'm all for a bargain, but no thanks.

Bath was cute. Small, but clean and wealthy. Home of Jane Austen and former home of Nicholas Cage, until he went bankrupt.

Bath took us to Stonehenge, and we didn't do much there except snap photos, and the whole adventure meant we would sit on a bus for 8 hours of the day, but it was still my highlight. No one has been able to decipher what exactly Stonehenge was used for, but there are 2 others like it in the county. Mostly made of wood and have been buried over time, this Stonehenge still remains. It's huge! Actually, 1/3 of the rock is in the ground. The stones were brought over from Southern Whales, each weighing about 5 tons.

There have been many myths associated with the ring of stones, some about wizards and magic and aliens, but what we do know is that it is used as a calendar. The sun hits between different stones at dawn, and different stones are different months. This is particularly helpful with summer and winter solstice.

After hearing that Stonehenge is a UNESCO Heritage site, we made plans to see ALL of the UNESCO sites. At the time we didn't know there are over 500 of them. Right. I'll stick to my 7 Wonders of the World or something.

Notting Hill

2010-11-06T15:52:00.000-07:00

Notting Hill was the first of 3 markets we visited today. Notting Hill! You know, like the movie! I tried my best to find THE blue door, but it's apparently gone. Anyway, this market is called Portobello Road. Stretching out for nearly a couple miles, this market was packed with antique pocket watches, pastries, and lots of jewelery. The houses look painted and compact, like San Fransisco. Actually the whole market reminded me of the Ferry Building on steroids...

The corner where Hugh Grant spills coffee/OJ all over Julia Roberts!My new friend.

We met up with Alyssa's roommate Meredith at the second stop, Borough Market. This was a Foodie mecca for sure. Mulled cider, lemon verbena chocolate, aged Gruyere, and the best cinnamon almonds ever. I could have easily eaten 3 meals a day here.

Lastly was Camden Town. Being the 4th most popular tourist destination in London, I was skeptical, but that quickly turned into fascination. We walked past tattoo shops, hookah lounges, vintage dresses.. etc. Oh, and in the back was a drum circle. I channeled my inner Jimi Hendrix.
Shout out to Mara; you know what this is... there was a line for this, by the way.

Westminster, London

2010-11-06T00:25:00.000-07:00

The Eye, and a bad hair day...
White Pelican in St. Jame's Park
Yep!
Changing of the Guards
BEN!
Westminster Abby

London is actually divided in to two main sections. Much like Buda and Pest, Westminster and The City comprise London. I read that The City is where you make money (financial districts), Westminster is where you spend it (high end shopping and residential). Fortunately, tourists attractions are in both areas, and since my last post was mainly from The City, today and tomorrow will be Westminster.

Lys and I started out at the Duke Of Wellington Arch, with stands between Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace. There was a huge crowd forming around the Palace and before we knew it, the Changing of the Guards was right in front of us. Well, us and another 200 people. We waltzed through St. James Park along with at least 15 different kinds of birds and ended up at the Winston Churchill's Cabinet and War Rooms. The war rooms are underground in a bomb shelter, and only later realized that it wouldn't have held up against any bombs!

We saw toured the Westminster Abby (with memorials for Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, Jane Austen, Elizabeth I etc...) and strolled around Big Ben. Big Ben is actually the 13 ton bell inside the tower, but it isn't visible so the whole thing is called Big Ben. We headed down Whitehall, and waved at the Prime Minister's residence (10 Downing, the black brick building) and called it a day. Yep, got a blister...

London Baby!

2010-11-04T15:53:00.000-07:00

Hi there! I actually flew into Heathrow yesterday afternoon, but I didn't blog because I spent all my mental energy adjusting to the time difference.

First of all, it's great to see Alyssa. Which, honestly is the main reason why I'm here. But while she's busy with class, I get to wander the streets and parks of England, trying to wear as much black as possible and not look or talk like an American.

My first stop? Harrods. It's on every one's list of things-to-do, so I got it out of the way. Note: I will be back for more chocolate. Today I scrambled around St. Paul's Church, the Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square, Original Twinings Tea House, and everything in between. There's a million Starbucks to keep me going, which at least have soy, so don't rag on me for supporting them in the UK. I love that people mind their own business for the most part, and you don't have to flash a cheesy grin to every stranger. I love that all the men are in suits and that the "casual" dress code is a little more formal. I love all the window displays in all the department stores, why don't we do this in the States??

Yours Truly.

Trafalgar Square Lions (melted bronze canons from WWII)
Trafalgar Square Fountain
Tower Bridge
Selfridges store - yes, that display is made of Barbies! Click to enlarge.
Ice skating
Princess Diana Memorial at Harrods

The Joys of Youth Ministry

2010-10-14T10:28:00.000-07:00

TRON night.

Um..

2010-10-01T16:39:00.000-07:00

I feel like I should have taken a break from my blog a long time ago, but kept writing... So I'll pop up here and there. But I'm here NOW to update you on this CUTE little quarter-Asian baby, and to tell you that Tolosa has me doing some off-site events now, so you're more likely to find me on the Tolosa Blog, haha.

I'll check back in with you with some London pictures in November, deal? Deal.

HB!

Tolosa Blog

2010-08-06T10:09:00.000-07:00

As promised, HERE is the link for my guest blog at Tolosa!

Tolosa On the Road - LA

2010-08-03T08:26:00.000-07:00

My work has been sending me to some special events these days, and the last one was in LA. I took Redondo Beach and Long Beach by surprise! But before I send you to the Tolosa blog (where I was a guest writer) I'll tell you that I had an amazing dinner in Santa Monica with my ladies Jill and Kristen. They had chalkboard walls!!!

Yes, that's Kristen's real phone number...

Fortuna, CA

2010-06-23T10:22:00.000-07:00

A little visit to my in-laws last week in Fortuna, Humboldt County, began with little Hailey and ended with too much abalone. Hailey was definitely the highlight! She is my brand new niece of two months that I previously announced. See for yourself :)

Above: Trinidad Beach

Farmer's Market, SLO

2010-06-11T14:28:00.000-07:00

I decided that you all should visit the SLO Farmer's Market on Thursday nights. It's about the only place you'll find as many San Luis Obispo-ians as tourists. But since you are probably at home reading this with little intention on actually coming, I'll bring it to you!

SATC 2

2010-05-29T22:22:00.000-07:00

Myself and a couple old roommates and running buddies slapped on some heels for a girls night in Sherman Oaks. Don't see this movie unless you have a lot of estrogen.

There are a lot of things I don't miss about LA. Things are expensive! Gas, apartments, sanity, parking tickets, etc. No, what I miss is not the cost of living, but the opportunity. Opportunity cost had the better part of my drive home. What I left there, I am still trying to find here.

Food for thought:

2010-05-13T23:19:00.000-07:00

Unknown Monk 1100 A.D.

When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world.
I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation.
When I found I couldn't change the nation, I began to focus on my town. I couldn't change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family.
Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family. My family and I could have made an impact on our town. Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world.

HAILEY MARIE GHIDINELLI

2010-05-05T23:07:00.000-07:00

Bloggers and blog-checkers, let me introduce to you my niece, Hailey Marie Ghidinelli! Born April 21st at 10:16am, she weighed 7 lbs 10 oz, and measured 19.5". What a great bundle of joy! This is my in-law's first grandchild, and I cannot wait to see her in a couple months. Look at that hair!

Live in love and let the world know why.

2010-04-27T22:15:00.000-07:00

I met a woman while shopping tonight. Well, by "met" I mean she checked me out and bagged my items. And by "shopping" I mean... Ok I was at Wal-Mart.

Debra was her name, I wanted to ask if she shortened it from "Deborah" - to rid herself of the baggage that comes with unnecessary consonants. "That's very phonetic of you" I wanted to say. But I didn't.

On her vest, next to "Debra" was a much more prominent pin that spelled "JESUS" in jewels. Probably Bedazzled, if I had to guess. I wondered if management ever confronted her regarding the amount of real estate it claimed on her vest. I wondered what Debra would tell them if they had. But I suppose no one would mistakenly call her Jesus instead of Debra.

I was fourth or so in line and as I studied Debra I'd hear her salutation as she finished with each customer's process. "Blessings" she'd say to one. Or "have a blessed night" to another. As my turn approached I speculated about what she'd tell me, like a man entering a doctor's office or fortune teller's....tent.

"Maybe Debra knows." - was everything I could think. "She knows I lied at work today." or "Look at this white boy, down in the ghetto looking for deals on whey protein and power steering fluid." I'd not yet spoken a word to Debra, but I was desperate for her endorsement.

The register beeped a cold digital rhythm as she processed my goods. A couple bottles of auto fluids, a bottle of wine I'd bought for $7.24 just to make a statement (I'd seen the same bottle sell for $30.00 a day earlier.) the aforementioned whey protein and some various necessities. They scanned through and I broke the silence.

"How's your night going?" I asked, a hint of sheepishness cracked my lips.

"It's great." She said through the widest smile. "I'd never complain. Did you just come from the gym?" - I had indeed, and I was ecstatic that she had sent my conversational serve back over the net.

"It's a beautiful night" she continued. "That'll be $36.42."

I'd walked in 20 minutes earlier lamenting the fact that I was entering a Wal-Mart; even more disappointed in the fact that I even live near the low-price leader. If I'm honest, I felt superior to the situation; that my lot in life was certainly higher than congregating around pregnant teens and poor families and discount groceries.

But Debra, who pinned the name of Jesus to her breast as an announcement of identity; used every opportunity to speak Love into each pregnant teen and poor family that came through her line. I don't have to visit again to know that everybody who chooses her lane will receive the same benediction. In the best way possible (through love) it confronted me with the opportunities (or opportunities I miss) each day to speak love into someone's life. Not only love, but Love - in the name of Jesus. Straight up.

That's the goal of our lives isn't it? The great commission and all of that. To live in love, and let the world know why. There's some kind of perfection in every single minute and I want to live truly and lean into these minutes like favorite poems or tall, swaying trees.

I swiped my card and entered my PIN number. Debra handed me the receipt.

"Be blessed" she told my eyes.

And I was.

Written by Sean Durham
4/26/10

Bakersfield and Fresno

2010-04-23T19:05:00.000-07:00

"I feel like we're stuck in the late 80's, maybe early 90's ... in Indiana" was Emily's take on our time in the Central Valley. Well at least we were getting paid.

Another FULL post on my new niece, Hailey Marie Ghidinelli coming soon!

This is why I'm still working at Tolosa...

2010-04-13T22:28:00.000-07:00

More babies!

2010-04-04T20:09:00.000-07:00

Welcome to this world, Keona Uluwehi Evangeline HePing Tongg. You came earlier than we expected you, but maybe the world couldn't wait another 3 weeks. Glad you are home safe and healthy!

Pismo Beach

2010-03-23T09:20:00.000-07:00

When I say it's good to be home, it's always relative. It's good to be making money vs. spending it, it's good to have my own bed and my own closet. But we've all known for a while now that I don't consider much of anything "home" anymore. All the same, I'm always surprised how giddy I am when I return to LAX and America - the land of the free, and toilet seat covers.

Our favorite place was Salzburg, which I was informed was once the richest city in the world because of its salt mines (saltzburg) but each city had its own riches and story. I will never forget the sound of all the cathedral clocks in the city chiming noon.

So with my pack in storage, I'll write to you from Pismo Beach for a while. Until next time...

London?

Buda and Pest

2010-03-18T10:41:00.000-07:00

Budapest is actually two cities, divided by the river Danube which once divided the Roman Empire. Buda is residential, historical and home to the Castle District; Pest houses the government branches, shopping areas and entertainment. Our hotel was in Buda but we spent our last day in Pest.

Budapest is so OLD that it feels old. You can almost see the growing pains in the tattered streets and on the faces of the homeless. Sometimes the city's heritage was dirty, other times it was endearing. Since Budapest has been overtaken with so many regimes (Nazi's and Soviets in recent history) the city retains an attitude of proud of being Hungarian.

The most powerful museum that I've ever been to was here. The House of Terror is located in an old building in Pest once used for housing prisoners and spies of WWII and the Cold War to be tortured and punished. The museum walks the visitor through the history of how Hungary was tossed between the two armies and created in-house branches to support the Nazis and Soviets to basically retaliate against it's own country. Hungary's fight for democracy was a long road. I couldn't take any pictures here, but we spent a few hours walking in and out of the different holding cells for prisoners, feeling the uniforms of German Nazi's and countless, countless faces on the wall of the Victims - and Victimizers. So then we went next door to the old AVH (old Hungarian Communist Party "Protectors") to have coffee with a very nice gentleman who kept giving us little chocolates to try and has friends in the state of Georgia.

We finished the night in the Turkish thermal hot baths. The Szechenyi Baths (no pictures, so look at the site!) have about 9 indoor pools and 8 sauna rooms heated from 34 C to like, 60 C. That's mostly over 100 degrees. These once were the famous Roman baths. A ticket gets you in the door with a locker, and you have access to whatever you want for a couple hours. It was great to step out of the cold and decongest my sinuses, but the locals didn't really appreciate it when I accidentally sneezed into the water. I couldn't help it! It was a great time to sit and reflect on our trip.

Hero's Square, note Douglas' hair...The local Jewish Synagogue, a mass grave for 2,281 Jewish bodies from WWII.
House of Terror faces and Nazi tank
House of Terror building
Castle Hill

Salzburg by Photo

2010-03-16T22:10:00.000-07:00

The Dom

Inside the Dom

Deitrich Graveyard

Castle!

Salzburg

2010-03-16T00:50:00.000-07:00

Vienna was completely amazing, but I think we tried to do too much in too little time. Consequently, both Douglas and I are sick with head colds. It was well worth it.

I absolutely fell in LOVE with Salzburg. It had something to do with the huge castle visible from anywhwere in the city, the clean and cute winding alleys and walkways, one of the best cathedrals, and probably the best pastries. Salzburg is smaller, so we were able to wander and revisit some of our favorite spots. This charming town is home to Mozart and has become a city of the arts. Musicians lined the corners and artists were painting despite the freezing weather. We also encountered more snow in Salzburg so the hills were not so alive with the sound of music this time of year, but were covered in white.

Needless to say, it was hard to leave... I'm on a public computer in our hotel in Buda, I will post pictures later!

2010-03-15T00:23:00.000-07:00

Sorry eveyone! Problems with the internet... new posts coming soon.

PS: the Germanic keyboard replaces the Y key with the Z key and it's driving me crazy.

Wiener/Wien/Vienna

2010-03-11T21:41:00.000-08:00

Vienna is the biggest city we'll be hitting on our course. I knew my way around Prague but we've gotten lost twice yesterday here... and by we I mean I got us lost. Somehow I just kept finding the expensive shopping avenues!

The buildings here have a similar Baroque architecture and the main church here is Gothic as well. The Stephansdom (the main cathedral) had a fire a while ago so the jetting gargoyls look especially creepy with their smokey-black tongues and teeth. My sister would love it here. It snowed little beads throughout the train ride over and while we were walking around. I totally gave myself away as a Californian by kicking up the snow, making patterns with my footprints and prancing around in 1" deep powder. More to come!

Czech One, Czech Two...

2010-03-10T13:04:00.001-08:00

Eastern view
Wenceslas Square
National Museum
Changing of the Royal Guard, Prague Castle

It's hard to imagine, but Prague is even more beautiful than I remember. The multi-colored and patchworked hillsides were flecked with sparkling white snow. It hasn't snowed since we've been here, but the snow isn't melting, which tells you how cold it is.

With a little scuffle involving a passport mishap at LAX (because nothing goes right at LAX) and my turbulence experience in a bathroom in the air, we landed last night. Today we marched around the Prague Castle grounds, complete with the most amazing cathedral; Wenceslas Square, Old Town and ended up at a local bar across from our modest hotel. You cannot beat Czech brew. Just can't.

I've got my Kofola souvenir, now it's time for Vienna.

Babies!

2010-03-02T23:01:00.001-08:00

Help me welcome into this world Vivian Jean Hachee. Born 7 lb, 14 oz, on February 23rd. Congratulations Darnelles!

Positivity

2010-02-27T23:03:00.001-08:00

Hello friends,

After a much needed trip to my roots, focused on old friends and good memories, I decided to look on the bright side today. It occurred to me, late last night with Jill, Alyssa and some Albarino, that the Positivity in me has faded. I'm not always a Glass Half Full, but a year in a small town with little opportunity has been eating away at one of my core strengths.

I almost DIED on the 101 North this morning. The rain wanted to eat me alive. It took me all the way to Santa Barbara to realize that the mist from my wheels and the sunrise was making a rainbow off the left side of my front windshield. The whole way home, somewhere between the science of water and light and my heavy eyelids, a burst of every color known to man had adhered itself to my little Civic. It was today that I decided I should always be a Glass Half Full.

There is a new link called Positivity on the right side of this post. It's a new blog by my friend Jill that will help me, and maybe even you, on days when there is no Glass at all. I'd bet that if we look around, there's some color in our darkest shadows, just hanging in there.

Winter in the Vineyard

2010-02-18T14:10:00.000-08:00

This morning one of our 3 owners (Farmer Jim) took a bunch of us out from the Tasting Room and taught us how to prune the vines. I learned a lot! Leave only 4 branches, stemming from the middle, don't cut off your fingers, work your way from outside in, and wrap the vines as the wind would naturally blow them. I cut my plant in about 15 minutes, but the Mexican workers next to me cut 7 plants in that time.

Year of the Tiger

2010-02-15T21:08:00.000-08:00

I make fortune cookies every Valentine's Day. This year, V-day was the same day as the Chinese new year. All the more reason to write up some funky fortunes, stock up on my almond extract and repeatedly burn myself in attempt to be Martha Stewart. This year I thought I would document!

Start with pouring the runny batter into two small circles on an extra-oiled non-stick pan.

After 5-6 minutes, remove cookie from oven when edges brown.Flip cookies onto a cloth, top down and fold over with a skinny paper fortune inside.Push in center of cookie and stand on towel to harden. Repeat 25 times.
Oh, and if you wait more than 10 seconds in any step, they will harden the wrong way and you'll have to eat them...
...and then take pictures of your cookies in random places in your apartment.

Hooray! Recipe: Fortune Cookies

2010

2010-01-24T21:09:00.000-08:00

I recently decided that in 2010 I should give more. What does that look like? I think it means giving more time, energy, money, to the body of Christ and subsequent resources.

Then it occurred to me that giving has never been my problem, I can give until the shirt on my back is gone, it's doing that actually irks me. It's about not being lazy, it's about not procrastinating, it's about not being afraid to jump in and serve someone or something. I'd like to have a resolution that is a little more quantifiable, but at this stage I'm just looking for first steps.

I found a youth group that I want to be a part of. Now, I should start attending.

I've been thinking about giving back to a Christian-based non-profit organization. Now I need to start looking (any suggestions?).

I've been dragging my feet about some weird stuff, and I should start pulling my head together. That's the part I wish was more quantifiable.

I feel like this next decade is only going to bring more change, but maybe I can start out "right" by getting back in the race. This Wednesday I'm headed to the Youth Group at Mountainbrook, hold me accountable.

PS: booked a 1st anniversary trip for D and I, all I can say is.... THREE COUNTRIES.

2009

2010-01-10T08:19:00.000-08:00

Two-thousand-and-nine was a year of giving. New Year's gave me a very shiny ring and a fiance, and some of the best roommates I've ever known. April gave me a husband and a welcoming new family. The summer brought me to a home closer to the beach than ever, and a job where the people are so great they make up for the last job. However, 2009 only partially convinced me that goat cheese was not actually from the Devil.

Last year my Resolution was to invest in people around me, or get investing with people I've lost touch with. I can say I did this with about 90% success. I learned a few things in the process. I learned that some people are amazingly responsive with the slightest attempt at re-connection. I learned that some people are not. I've been blessed with so many fun, loving and giving friends that it was hard to accept that some of those friends have given up on my relationship with them, or simply given up on me. That 10% has given me a chance to learn - about what I did wrong somewhere along the way that I was too busy or too careless to "fix". Or maybe I didn't even want to, but in retrospect I should have so I wouldn't be sitting around blogging about lost relationships! It's true that I live in the past sometimes and dwell on the wrong things I've done that hurt people, or the careless mistakes and naive attempts to keep them close to me. I've also learned that I can't force anyone want to reconnect with me. I've written emails, sent cards, left voicemails and have still gotten nothing. I guess some wounds still need time. But not all is lost! After all, one of my best girlfriends from high school sent me a wedding card after 5 years of refusing to talk to me.

I've learned that pursuing friends takes a certain type of diligence and respectfulness, and it is a mindset that I can no longer afford to lose. As for the few that I'm still waiting for that email or letter or phone call, I will still wait. Maybe they can learn to eat ginger with me in the new year. Gag.

The most wonderful time of the year!

2009-12-23T16:03:00.001-08:00

I just love Christmas. Since I can't sing you the Ukrainian Bell Carol over the internet, I'll blog instead. Not a fair trade, I know, but then again you are still reading.

We ran up to Humboldt last week with just enough time to take the obligatory picture of Maggie and drive through the Avenue of the Giants. I love the majesty of the Redwoods.

I finished my sculpture class! I had a great time and might take it again! Here are the finished pieces:

This is piece #1 that I showed you earlier. This has the finish (patina) on it. I liked the shadow it made.
This is piece #2. It's kind of a wave, with a face and a tiny boat to show the man vs. nature struggle. It came out okay, the patina is a pretty blue/green, but the end result is a little scattered.

The texture for #3 came out great, like a spider web or broken glass - you can click the picture to see it better, too. The bronze didn't fill the mice tails originally, so we (really the T.A.) welded brass to get them in the air again. As you can see, they got a little tweeked in the back.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!

2009-12-08T22:30:00.000-08:00

It seems like Douglas and I saw almost everyone we knew this past weekend. We were all over, but we drove down mainly for Arden's Christmas performance (best shining star EVER) and for my friend Jill's birthday in Santa Monica (pictures coming?). Arden has lost some of her baby chub and now looks like a little lady!

Autumn in the Vineyard

2009-12-01T20:19:00.000-08:00

Battle Studies

2009-11-17T23:09:00.000-08:00

John Mayer's new album is out, Battle Studies, and I'm not sure if I support it, but I felt it was necessary for me to let you know. It's a little mellow, a little introverted, and includes a track with Taylor Swift. Just sayin'.

Who says I can't be free
From all of the things that I used to be
Rewrite my history
Who says I can't be free

from Who Says

Life as a Cougar

2009-10-25T20:43:00.000-07:00

I should apologize for the lack of blogs. I try to update when I have something to update, which doesn't happen much these days.

In effort to keep learning (yep, I just linked to my own blog), I'm taking an art class at Cuesta. Cuesta is the community college here, a lot of them are trying to transfer into Cal Poly. Their mascot is a Cougar ... My art class is on bronze casting. I make a sculpture, make a plaster mold around it, burn out the original sculpture and fill the hollow space with bronze. It can get expensive if you make your original piece too big or too thick (see below).

Marriage: Douglas and I are doing great. I'm learning what it's like to split the holidays between our families.

Spiritual: Campus Crusade hasn't gotten back to me, yet. I'm looking into youth ministry again at a local church Mountainbrook; which from many angles is what I'm comfortable with. We'll see. God has reminded me that it's not where I serve, but who I serve.

This is my 1st piece in wax. The assignment was on planes/dimensions. The viewer should be able to see through the piece and see something different. Also, there is no front/back.Here it is with gating (red wax to help it maintain structure when I shove it into the plaster) and venting (when the bronze is poured in, it fills up all spaces). Oh, and it's upside down.
This are the plaster molds, mine has the hand print. That's Rae, who's from Fullerton. She's holding her wax in so it stays down while the plaster dries.
Bronze time! They molds are without the black paper around them, and they have been drained of wax. They are packed in sand in case there are bronze leaks.
Bronze hardens fast, so we took hatchets to the plaster to hack our piece out. You have to rinse the bronze off with cold water asap or else it will melt the asphalt! I'll post the final product soon!!

Fallbrook

2009-09-07T21:59:00.000-07:00

D and I trekked down Fallbrook (Temecula area) this past week to see the fam - thought I would post some pictures of my niece and nephew, Arden and Ethan. They just had their birthdays, 4 and 2. WOW they grow so fast! This is Arden and Gracie-the-Fabulous...

Arden and I baked cupcake-shaped sugar cookies. She was very excited.Douglas entertained Ethan so he wouldn't eat all the frosting!Love you kiddies!

A Spiritual Update

2009-08-30T21:46:00.000-07:00

It occurred to me at tonight at church that I've been running in circles. Much like when you stop spinning, it's only then that you realize you are actually dizzy; in retrospect I haven't had much focus. Right now I feel more grounded than I've felt in a while. I'm confident that's because I opened my ears long enough to hear God's voice.

Douglas and still I haven't found a church home. We've been to all but one in the area, and with his new work schedule (almost every Sunday) I'm less motivated to search. Since marriage, we've been attending Celebration - the college ministry-focused night church of First Baptist Church of SLO. I was there by myself, and the sermon wasn't particularly emotional, but all the sudden I started thinking about all the incoming freshman and other college kids that invade the city of San Luis in the fall and stay through the academic year. My first year here was so completely overwhelming, exciting, stressful and down right crazy at times. I want to be apart of that energy, I want to influence "kids". I love youth! I loved the years when I helped lead Jr. High, and to be honest I've been looking at a perfect time/place to do something similar. Because San Luis is a college town, why not there?

Cal Poly already has a huge Campus Crusade, and I'm open to that or anywhere else that needs me. I know that because I've decided to do ministry, I'm opening the flood gates for resistance, so I'm inviting you to pray for me and Douglas as I/we make this transition. Please say a few words to encourage us to find a church community, and an opportunity for us to give back to the bigger picture.

Much love to you, thank you!

yours.

West LA

2009-08-11T18:30:00.000-07:00

Went into LA for a a couple days to visit old friends and the Llama. It brings me great joy that the nickname that my sister and I created for my mother at ages maybe, 14 & 12, has stuck for so many years. Working at WCS, some of the students picked up on it and a few bought her stuffed llamas. "Is Your Mama a Llama?" is a common request for bedtime reading from the niece and nephew at my parents house. Llama stemmed from a conversation from my sister and I, that strangely, my mother would never answer when we called her the usual Mama or Mommy. We secretly started calling her similarly sounding names (e.g. Salami). Llama stuck. Why give you insight to the colorful family I was born into? Because she means the world to me.

The Grove.

2009-07-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

I put a new soap dish in the bathroom yesterday. It went like this:

Douglas: What is this?!

Me: Change.

pause.

Douglas: I'm skeptical.

I like change, but it's a hard concept to grasp sometimes.

Humboldt County

2009-07-06T10:50:00.000-07:00

Went to a family reunion a few weekends ago, and forgot to blog about it! Heavens! There were a lot of pocket knives, plaid, and boots. Eighty Humboldtians in one place with no booze, it was a little crazy. Unrelated, I ended up getting sick (hence the bar code wrist bracelet) and paid a visit to the local urgent care. By local, I do mean a 1/2 hour away. Beautiful and green, it was nice to see all his family, who are fabulous gardeners - these dahlias below are as big as my face.

Thanks for tuning in for now, a real post coming soon!Douglas shaved his head for the summer...

Hallelujah

2009-06-11T19:24:00.000-07:00

As you've probably figured out, I don't like to blog when I'm going through something, or "processing." But today is different, everyday is different, and I am clearly blessed.

I love being married, I love where I live, I love my job. I'm working at Tolosa Winery, with some fantastic people and a great environment, but it's an hourly job and I'm only working weekends. So? So, it was hard for me to cope losing my "career" and my busy lifestyle. Not to mention keeping the finer things in life that I've grown accustomed to, now on a small salary. To be honest, I've always felt like I was on the fast track in trying to be successful, that it's the only thing I have to offer. The only thing I think I'm good at, I sacrificed to get married, so naturally I feel a little disoriented. Now I'm looking at this as a time and a place to roll around inside myself and figure out what else I can offer with my life - a sabbatical - my quarter life crisis - I'm taking suggestions, by the way.

The point is I'm blessed, and so are you! No matter what we find in this life as rewarding, precious, significant; it's all a gift from God isn't it? Even pain, right? Pain is an odd and twisted gift, but what do we get out of it? Life! Maybe even a little clarity if we're lucky. So sing, people, Hallelujah, we're still alive and kicking, and if this is all life is going to throw at us, bring it on.

They got up to their feet and they sang Hallelujah
People in the street were turning around
They looked them in the eyes and they sang,
"Hallelujah, oh there's someone here we have found"
Foy Vance
A flashback of Mara Liz and I just for fun; and a pretty good explanation of our personalities too ;)

Pictures?

2009-05-25T22:35:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! Updates on the new job, married life and being broke soon! As for now, please check out my wedding pictures:

Click HERE
Password: Australia

Back to the States

2009-05-04T12:18:00.001-07:00

Hi all, yes I'm back in the States, but I thought I would close blogging about our honeymoon in Australia, so enjoy some more photos! I was asked what my favorite parts were, and I have to say that the landscape is astounding, and the people were the most friendly and easy going that I've ever come across.

Douglas is at work today, and that means I get to do things like go running, open presents from Crate and Barrel, and update my blog, and drink lots of tea. Ahh breathe the fresh air of unemployment.

There are a few things I am learning about him that I never knew before. Rather than snoring, sleep talking or stealing the covers, Douglas laughs in his sleep. No joke, it's not like he's even awake, but he'll turn around and snicker at me! When I finally ask him what the heck is so funny, he has no idea what I'm talking about. This has happened like 4 times. I guess it could be worse.

SEE YOU ALL THIS SATURDAY IN RIVERSIDE.

Creepy eels in the Aquarium. Poor unfortunate souls.
I'm to lazy to figure out how to rotate, but we were going to see a play at the Opera House.
Famous ballerina slippers (signed) at the Opera House.
Apparently you can't swim with Elvis, the biggest recorded croc in the country.
Us at Manly Beach, we liked how the pine trees lined the boardwalk.

Back in Sydney

2009-04-28T03:15:00.000-07:00

We surfed the jungle canopy, went to a local watering hole (no reported crocs, but I know they were watching me from secret hiding places) and headed back to Sydney. When we were here before we went to a play at the Opera House, thoroughly walked the city streets and found the best views and teas. The English influence is still very heavy here, tea and toast all around, with the occasional statue of the Queen. We were here for Anzac Day which is like our Veterans Day, but interestingly enough the locals didn't get the day off work -- but they always get the Queen's Birthday off.

Today we trekked to Manly Beach, the cutest thing you'll ever see. By trek, I mean take a harbor cruise to the small island just South of the city center.

Things to know when traveling Down Under:

Lungo, or Long Black means an Americano
Say "so, yeh" instead of "yes" or "cheers"
Tipping is only for tourists
All their wines are sweeter
Their version of traffic is nothing like ours
An entree is actually an appetizer, but won't necessarily come out first
Driving on the left side of the road is easier than following the speed limit (costing $200 AUD)
Toilet seat covers anyone?

Megan, it's a little weird traveling and not meeting you somewhere!

A pool off the beach in Manly, I wouldn't want to swim in here during a storm.View from ferry to Manly Beach.
The Aboriginal digeridu musicians.
Douglas rope swinging in the watering hole. With the crocs.
Me, upside down on the zip-line... Go Asians!

Best Honeymoon...

2009-04-25T05:00:00.000-07:00

So, I can blog about Sydney later. For now, I’m in Cairns (Cans), which is a hotter, humid, coastal town, 3 hours in flight from Sydney. It’s one of 2 major sites to visit the Great Barrier Reef. Douglas originally lied to me in LAX saying that a reef excursion was just too expensive, but I’m writing to you sunburned, a little dizzy from the boat, and absolutely stoked.

I’ve never been scuba diving before, but Douglas and I found an introductory dive with an instructor for us non-certified folk. We did two dives off the Outer Reef (outer referring to the part that is actually dive worthy). Actually, I did two dives, Douglas only made it out to one; swimming being about the only thing that he isn’t great at.

Aside from the hyperventilating, this was about the most peaceful thing I’ve ever done. The corals, the fish, the sea turtles – I fed one! – were astoundingly beautiful. You see, when your oxygen is being portioned, you can’t get too nervous or excited or you start breathing faster. Faster means increased heart rate, means freaking out because you don’t think you have any air. Add that to trying to wrap your mind around breathing underwater which our bodies don’t naturally think is possible, and a mouthpiece that makes you gag, and you’ve got me. But I managed, my ears popped fine and I even swam to the bottom to pick up a sea cucumber. Pictures soon, I had a disposable underwater camera.

Yesterday we went to Kuranda. Kuranda is a city in the middle of the rain forest, about an hour out. We took a sky rail up and back, hanging out in the small village, and enjoying the butterfly observatory. Tomorrow? Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours in Cape Tribulation… zip-lining through the jungle!

Back to Sydney on Monday, you’ll hear from me more then!

Mom, Rocket is everywhere!

Note the baby!
A walk about from our hotel :)
Sky Rail/Cable Way.
They liked my headband.
Very exciting!
The brown is the reef, the "biggest living organism viewed from space".

AU

2009-04-20T14:00:00.000-07:00

Hello from down under! I'm in AUSTRALIA. Our hotel room has a perfect view of the Opera House. More to come, we're off to wine tasting in Hunter Valley!

Oh, and the wedding went well too!

Moving On, Up and Out...

2009-04-14T13:01:00.000-07:00

Again. Every 6 months, I move! This time I'm leaving behind much more than I'm used to. However, I don't think you will get another moving update for a few years, unless Douglas decides he can't take how many clothes I have and we need a bigger place. It's hard being a woman; unlike men, women need many more things. Clothing is one of the many.

China won't really miss me, I'm sure. China is learning, developing, morphing in its own unique way. China, much like Los Angeles, is very transparent. It is what it is, and that's all it is. Likewise, I can't really say I will miss either of them. LA and China can only offer you some raw material, you must build and create with it on your own. Like pottery. Just a pile of pollution and potential in the abstract.

So long Southern California, I won't miss the summer heat or the traffic congestion, and I can't say when I'll be back, but you've certainly treated me well.

Careening through the universe

Your axis on a tilt

You're guiltless and free

I hope you take a piece of me with you

Legacy

2009-04-10T16:21:00.000-07:00

"I promise you not a moment will be lost as long as I have heart and voice to speak and we will walk again together with a thousand others and a thousand more and on and on until there is no one among us who does not know the truth: there is no future without love."

brian andreas

15 days!

2009-04-02T17:17:00.000-07:00

These are VERY exciting times!

On Living.

2009-03-23T12:10:00.000-07:00

A man committed suicide sometime between yesterday and this morning. Aside from his obvious pain, there is a bigger problem: everyone he left.

I've counselled through some suicidal and depressed kids before. It's not a place that you enjoy putting yourself in, there's some sort of responsibility attached. Taking you own life has everything to do with how you think things will be better off without you. Doesn't the opposite always happen? Those who are left behind are in a worse position than they were before.

I don't boast of having never been in a bad spot in my life before, or in an internal downward spiral, because, really who hasn't. But I wonder when those people meet God face to face, will they think that it was worth leaving the life that He gave them? I don't believe any infant is an "accident." Each one of us was given breath, and we had no choice about that. So it makes sense to me that we give life our best shot. Run the good race, finish strong. I learned the other night that it's your bodies' natural reaction to pass out at any loss of blood because passing out slows down your heart rate, decreasing the rate of blood being pumped, meaning less overall blood loss. And that's subconscious! We were meant to survive, our bodies know that, yet we convince ourselves of the alternative. Such a sad story is the person who can mentally convince themselves that living is meaningless. Life has nothing to offer anymore.

Please tell you family that you love them today. Mom, Dad, Mara, I love you guys :)

SAVE the DATE

2009-03-04T16:34:00.000-08:00

Hi all! Please mark your calendars for Saturday, May 9th, 2009, for a wedding celebration in honor of myself and Mr. Douglas L. Brim!! Festivities will be in Riverside, California, place and time to be announced. Looking forward to seeing you there!

photo: rachael harms

Year of the OX

2009-02-10T15:10:00.000-08:00

It normally takes me about a month or so to figure out my New Year's "Resolution" or just something I want to focus on for the next year. I've already decided that 2009 is not the year to work on being late. Maybe 2010.

Investing is what we build our lives, our dreams, our future around. I'm not talking 'bout money. Who has invested in you? Would you be somewhere else today had it not been for someone who took the time and energy to focus on you or believe in you? I can think of several bosses, my parents, some close friends, my fiance... These people either think or thought at one time, that I was worth something. Crazy notion, I know!

So I'm investing in the lives around me. It might take me a while to get to you, and I'm not good at it yet, but I am now committing to a long process to reconnect and draw closer to a lot of people I have lost touch with, or new people that I see having great potential as a life long friends. Talk about bad timing, I'm getting married and moving away from a lot of these people I'm trying to invest in. Better late than never!

Pre-Marital Counseling

2009-02-04T16:40:00.001-08:00

Just the thought of it makes me want to lock myself in a closet. And swallow the key. I know everything terrible about myself, why do I have to have someone point it out to me?! With my fiance there!

Maybe it's not as bad as it seems, but if anyone has a good couple's book recommendation, please leave a comment. I read somewhere that nothing can prepare you for marriage except for marriage, but I will still try...

4109 Via Marina, Apt R108, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

2009-01-20T14:41:00.000-08:00

After boxing up my worldly possessions once again, Blair and I managed to move the rest of our lives to Marina Del Rey.

It's not far away, it's just under Venice, which is just under Santa Monica, for the geographically impaired like myself. Brentwood has a lot to offer for locals, it seems like a small crime to leave such a great neighborhood. But alas, Brentwood has seen worse crimes than this.

This is Blair's bed everyday, moving or not. Don't make the mistake of thinking these are all her closet clothes. Not even close. Down in the O.C. is where I found my wedding dress. YES, this is the real deal! Here, Krista is trying to convince me to buy this veil...

I had to rush order my dress (pay more for it to get here fast) but it's wonderful! Very destination-wedding-esque. Did I mention I'm having a destination wedding? We're making the guest list, please send bribes to the address above!

Riverside

2009-01-12T13:33:00.000-08:00

I was back at home to celebrate my sister's birthday this past weekend. You would need a celebration too if your husband left you alone for 6 months with 2 kids under the age of 4! On your birthday! Military wives, I don't know how they manage. Pray for their family today.

Yes, those were miniature lemon meringue pies. My mother is amazing.

Bishop's Peak, San Luis Obispo

2009-01-02T11:26:00.001-08:00

Spring 2004

A cute guy that was strangely dark and mysterious invited me to a midnight hike up Bishop's Peak with the rest of my soon-to-be-housemates. This became a tradition, to bring red wine and french bread to the top of the city's highest peak, to stare at the lights and inevitably pick on Cal Poly's campus housing structure. On the trek downhill, he reached for my hand.

New Year's Eve, 2008

The same cute guy asked for my hand, in marriage. Over looking the same city, from the same rock, listening to fireworks around the area, on one knee telling me how important I am to him. My New Year's Eve glitter mascara smudged under my eyes and on his cheek, I was completely surprised and still am amazed. I'm engaged!

So now I invite you on this journey with us. Please help us wage war on anything that will attack our relationship for the rest of our lives. Love is brutalized in this world so profusely, but I commit my life to this man blindly and overwhelmingly. This is it! This is forever! This is the stuff dreams are made of.

From Georgia

2008-12-29T17:39:00.001-08:00

I'd like to take a moment to focus on someone besides myself. It's hard for me, being an inherently selfish person. This, ladies and gentlemen, is Judah Jeffery Culin. And this, is Judah's pirate face. James and Alyssa Culin' s baby boy was born on December 19th, 6 lbs 6 oz. Congratulations my friends, I'm proud to say I've seen your family grow from day one!!

Sorry--

2008-12-11T13:18:00.000-08:00

-- I haven't blogged lately because everything in my life keeps changing! Don't give up on me yet, I'll be back soon.

For REAL this time!! (Marina Del Ray)

2008-11-13T14:16:00.000-08:00

I'm moving in with Alyssa in a one bedroom Oakwood Apartment in Marina Del Ray in a few weeks. Cozy! We're a block from the Venice Beach boardwalk and in the same building as Blair and Jac.

Any one interested in the Santa Monica/Venice ChristmasRun 5/10k? I'll be there! Proceeds go to a residential maternity home serving pregnant, homeless women an their babies.

The Central Coast

2008-11-10T11:19:00.000-08:00

I was in Pismo Beach this weekend, visiting the b-f and enjoying the fall weather. It’s pea coat season everywhere else in the world, except Southern California, the world hates me.

December 15th I have to move out. All the roommates decided to split, I’m kinda homeless for the holidays! Here’s the catch; do I stay in LA? Is 6 months really enough to experience this large urban center? Do I really like prop 8 protests on my street? If I don’t like my job anyway, is it worth trying to find somewhere else and sign a new lease when I could move to the Central Cost? What happens to my career then? What if I lose momentum and I’m never able to tackle the Asia Pacific market like I can now? Did God really call me here in the first place? How much sacrifice does love really demand?

This is a theme in my life. Curiosity, movement and flexibility.

Never gonna stop this train...

2008-11-03T11:15:00.000-08:00

It's a little time consuming, you know, never belonging anywhere and belonging everywhere at the same time.
It's not like I was meant to, but we still try.
It's taking too much energy to be both fluid and sick today.

Neeeew York (in with the cold and out with the new)

2008-10-30T16:03:00.000-07:00

I mostly feel ‘at home’ for lack of a better phrase, when I travel to someplace new. I think I’m easily adaptable. On a good day.

Maybe because I was still in America I didn’t think I would feel anything different than California, and I know better, but I was wrong. East Coast and New York, and especially DC are so different! I found myself wanting to stay just so I could figure everything out. When you’re in a foreign country, people can see that you are foreign and they don’t care (except if you tip heavy in China or hit someone in the head in Thailand – just don’t). When I’m in the States, I just want to be a Local; to dress, eat, act like they do, so I don’t get labeled as a Californian. My friend Jill, from Texas, asked me what fall fashion looked like when it was still 90 outside, just after we saw a “Bush Behind Bars” bumper sticker that stirred relentless comments starting with “You know you’re in California when ____” and ending like, “You have a favorite homeless person” or “Pedestrians walk faster than traffic” and some classic comments about air quality.

New Yorkers! They wear black all the time! I love black! They are world famous for the Original Cheesecake and Pizza! It’s Corporate America’s Mecca! So, in a very rational state of mind, I decided I would look into MBA programs there. Enjoy some pictures, friends!

Empire State Building. Perhaps the most nerdy picture of me ever. No band references, please!
Central Park, Alice In Wonderland

The Met Museum, Van Gogh

Ellis Island, family registered in this room!

The Plaza Hotel. My new home!

Living wide awake.

2008-10-21T16:08:00.000-07:00

Erwin is doing this series on his new book; Wide Awake (http://erwinmcmanus.com/). Most small groups in the church are following along with the study guide. The book, so far, reaches the corners of you mind and whispers, "Hey! What happened to those dreams of yours, what happened to where you thought you'd be right now or what you thought you could do with your life?" And for me, like most, it makes me want to quit my job.

The first night of small group we were supposed to write out what dreams we had when we were kids. Post-its all over the room read Plastic Surgeon, President, Olympian, Singer, Teacher (no comment), Mom (nooo comment). I could not remember for the life of me what I wanted to BE or DO with myself at the age of 4-10. So naturally, I texted my mother and sister (who has an incredibly sharp and accurate childhood memory). I never heard from my sister but my mom wrote "Nothing! You were never into the future." I had no dreams! I wanted to quit the study.

Sunday Erwin preached on learning. His points were that we should never stop exploring and growing, and to stop letting fear rule our direction and laugh at uncertainty. That maybe if we start to let our curiosity over come us like we used to as children, we can begin to dream again and not be weighed down by Reality or Resources. Maybe I shouldn't study business at grad school, maybe I should branch out and risk my career for once. I decided in that moment that I never want to quit learning. Will you hold me to that? Don't let me get stuck.

San Jose

2008-10-06T16:38:00.000-07:00

Whoo hoo! I made it out alive! Thirteen point one miles in two hours and twenty four minutes. That’s averaging 11 minutes per mile. Not bad for never running past 8 miles in my life, yeah? Take THAT mono!

Douglas’ group was missing, but we stole him for our picture.

(top-bottom: Chelsea, Krista, me, Douglas, Alyssa, Jac and Blair)

Since I didn’t think that was a great picture of myself, I included this one! Taken at a charity event two weeks ago in Beverly Hills, Somaly Mam, www.somaly.org, where each ticket and auction items went to stop human trafficking in South East Asia. The property has a bowling alley and a vineyard on site, complete with models and movie stars as guests (me, Blair, Meredith).

Testosterone.

2008-09-22T11:20:00.000-07:00

Something that makes me so mad at the males in our society is the way they can get away with anything now (or what we, as women let them). I'm speaking in a dating, non-Douglas, wear the pants and own your actions type of setting.

Men, this is just ridiculous. This is about protecting a woman's heart. I could argue that it is your responsibility, mind you, but I won't. I will argue that it is what makes you a man. I don't know much about masculinity, but leading a girl on, knowing you will hurt her in the long run, knowing that things won't necessarily work the way they are now and might not ever, is not the way to our hearts. It is not honorable to try and sweep us off our feet, only to let us down. If another girl watched you do this, you've just blown your shot with her now too. Or she's needy with low self-esteem, and then you've got other problems. It's just tacky. Just don't waste your time with anything but the best for you and you won't hurt us in the process. Manage our hearts well, it's the only thing that we have. Be good stewards of love, gentlemen, and have some integrity!

Again, not referring to my current relationship, although you can still protect a woman's heart in a relationship as well; it's called cherishing. I'm angry at someone who doesn't read this blog. Still, I have no right to be angry, I've been guilty of the same thing.

Over it.

2008-09-11T10:23:00.001-07:00

I found this article on AOL about things that are overrated (the top 25). I laughed, thought you might enjoy!

Emphasis added to particularly agreeable subjects.

American Idol

Crocs*

Merlot**

The Jonas Brothers

Disney World

Buying Foreclosed Homes

Platinum

iPhone 3G

High-Tech Strollers

Social Networking*

Summer Vacation

Charlotte, N.C.

Home Ownership*

Donald Trump*

Financial Advisers

Prius

Low-Fat Food

Owning a Car

Blogs*

A High GPA in College*

The Wii

Angolina Jolie

Showers for Two

Rachel Ray**

Chipotle

I'll have to get back to you on the 'home ownership' and 'shower for two' thing. And the blogs. Ha.

Picture of the week: Arden and my father... related?

Back from the dead... Beverly HILLS.

2008-09-02T10:41:00.000-07:00

I have escaped death! I laugh in the face of danger... most days.

Last week I spent what little time I was awake in Beverly Hills. At the Beverly Hills Comprehensive Medical Group, that is. Mono totally kicked my butt. After two visits to urgent care, they knew me by name and had me on two different antibiotics, two different steroids, morphine and a referral to the radiologist for a CT of my increasingly shrinking airway.

Sorry I couldn't update you sooner, I took all of work off and this is where my only internet access is now (see end of blog below). I'm okay, about 85% today. I heard mono keeps you out for a while though.

Manhattan, New York

2008-08-22T15:02:00.000-07:00

I'm sick. Among other things, but my tonsils look like something out of Grey's Anatomy. UNCLEAN!

I love doing studies on faith. Beth Moore has a good one, Believing God. Figuring out why we don't see as many miracles, why we struggle with trust, hope and God's direction, his plans, his grace, our pride... etc. Funny things happen when I study faith. Every time!

There's a parable about a man who doesn't believe Jesus can heal his son, do you know what happens? Jesus heals his son (obviously) and the man says, "Oh Lord, I did not believe, Jesus help my unbelief!" (reference, anyone? I paraphrased, too). Once in a while I ask the same thing, God, help my unbelief. You tell me to ask, you give unconditionally, I need more faith. In fact, I remember when Alyssa Culin prayed the same thing. Do you know where she is today? Barely settled in Atlanta, Georgia, baby due in December after her husband got - let go. It's like praying for patience, you know? Something you always have to take caution in, because God might answer that prayer in ways you don't really want him to.

I was reading something that caught my attention on the plane to JFK, for business this Tuesday. Our faith has a direct correlation with God's heart. Faith, is a response, *not an action. Jesus didn't pray about whether he should heal the man's son, or to calm the storms, or to walk on water. He just did it. He knew God's heart, he responded to God's call, and it worked every time. Miracles are the same, God can heal people through people who are responsive to his own heart. It's what God would do, naturally.

Here's the kicker: if faith is a response, if faith is based on knowing God's heart, wouldn't it make sense that for us to increase our faith, we need to increase our knowledge about God? If we know God's heart, or what he wants, we can respond correctly... So, I asked God for more faith as I watched the city glitter beneath the plane. And to know him better, so that I can have more faith.

At 10pm Eastern time, I opened my luggage that I had checked in and my laptop was missing. TSA left a notice that they had selected and opened my bag for random inspection. I've called TSA, the airport, the airline, numerous times. No word yet, it's probably stolen. Pictures, memories, music, missing. Ground Zero, Wall Street, Time Square were all a little less flavorful. Apparently, I don't know enough about God. I spent the rest of my time there trying to focus.

On Talent.

2008-08-15T11:09:00.001-07:00

Thus far, I've been able to escape actually blogging. I don't always have much to publish, but this has been bothering me for a while. The Olympics is on in my office everyday (I work in little China). Two words: Michael Phelps. Six medals... so far.

Most people have to work at finding what they are good at. Most people take some aptitude test, find some education path, find some passions, maybe some don't even get that far. My roommate is interested in a $600 test that supposedly tells you all this.

But to see Olympians do what they do best, and are really the best at it, is phenomenal! I wonder what it would be like swimming next to Mr. Phelps, he looks fast on TV, but in person? I can't imagine. What would it be like to sing along side an American Idol, or play with John Coltrane?

These people have talents that are tangible. You can see them, feel them, hear them, be blown away by how good somebody is at something. It's so obvious! Yet, every morning I wake up and wonder what I have to offer to the world. I bet I'm not the only one, either. I have a theory, honestly to make myself feel better; what if God gave us all the same amount of skill for something and we have a choice to figure it out, run with it, and be excellent at it? I'm sure that people who obnoxiously excel at something are lacking in other areas, like personality (that's the part that makes me feel better). I want people to look at me and say, "Wow, she found her element."

This isn't a plea for you to tell me I'm good at stuff, not at all. Wouldn't it be nice though, to know what I was good for, so I can refine it and win a gold medal? Something tangible. I don't think gold looks good on me though. Maybe I'll settle for silver.

Brentwood, Los Angeles

2008-08-10T22:54:00.001-07:00

Alyssa in the living room with a face...

The kitchen, and a knife? I love gas stoves, too.

Table and our balcony (aka, Chelsea's paint office).

Chelsea's other office... our hallway.

My window! I'm going to hang it on the wall behind me. Mirrors are my closet doors, it isn't this bare in person, I promise!

Maggie, Blair's dog.

Maggie, get off the clean laundry!

That's all for now!

ALRIGHT.

2008-08-04T12:36:00.000-07:00

I have some meager updates.

I resort to bullets, don't hate me, it's just time efficient.

- Running a 1/2 marathon in San Jose with my 7-girl posse, signed up by the b/f and his guys. Should be interesting... I'm already at running 8 miles continuously. I've never ran more than 3 until about a month ago! October 5th, Sunday. Pray I don't die.

- Working 9-5, but really working 10-6, and I try to have a mini vacation every weekend. If I can't travel Monday-Friday I get the heck out of DODGE on Friday night.

- Job is still there. Currently debating where I'm going to be in a year from now. Life is all about sacrifice, and I'm realizing what I already knew about myself 10 years ago: my career will always define who I am, and I will probably always be a work-a-holic.

- Lately been feeling like I'm praying into a wall.

- Saw The Dark Night in IMAX and John Mayer in box seats. Heck, thought I'd mention it for kicks, in case you could be jealous.

Maybe if you're lucky I'll post some pictures of my new place tonight when I get home.. for now, this is it!

Downtown LA

2008-06-26T12:34:00.000-07:00

Me and 2 other Chinese colleagues of mine and my boss, Andrew drove to a meeting around the LAX area last week. I guess we have an office GPS system, supposedly you can't live in LA without one. I'm doing okay with my sense of direction, but it's not like I always know where I'm going... though I might act like it.

The last 15 minutes of the car ride were spent with me trying to describe the word "veer" to these people. The GSP uses the word VEER as a road splits. Veer, as in, swerve, to alter one's direction. Veer, apparently is a hard word for Andrew.

Veer? With a 'B' or 'V'?

V, Andrew, as in very and Vivian.

Ah yes, very...veer... veer... that is an odd word, no?

Umm, sure.

Multicultural environments. Love 'em.

(Above: Me, Emma, Bob)

San Diego

2008-06-02T12:55:00.000-07:00

This man, only 20 feet from the finish line, completely collapsed and fell to the ground. He struggled to get up on his knees because they kept giving out beneath him over and over again. It took 3 athletic trainers to get him across, they bolted from the sides and literally held him up so he could move his feet to touch the asphalt below him. The crowd went crazy with applause. He sank with every step, but with the people on his side there for just the occasion, he was carried by strangers after running over 26 miles.

Marathons are downright emotional. I've been "blessed" with the spiritual gift of empathy, which comes out in the form of feeling everyone elses' pain. Tears rolled down my face as runner after runner paused yards before the finish line, either stopping their sprint to walk, or to stop moving at all. Their bodies said Enough. Twenty six point two miles! Marathons are held in honor for a man in Marathon, Greece who ran 26.2 miles to tell the king in Athens of a victorious battle. Do you know what he did when he got to the foot of the throne? He died! That's motivation to run one if I ever heard it.

The moving part is what the people do when someone is limping through the last leg of the race. They go nuts. We were on grandstands yesterday, packed like little sardines just to watch friends and family finish the Rock 'n Roll marathon in San Diego. For what? Support. Every non-runner was there just to support. From over 20,000 runners, that's a lot of cheerleaders.

We need it, right? When we fall, we need the cheering. Even if we can't hear it at the time, even if strangers pick us up, as humans I don't believe we can survive without support in some shape. It's overwhelming to think of the people that are unnoticed, the people that when I turn around, are in the grandstands. Those people that will lift me up when I don't think they are watching. Those same people have undoubtedly been at another leg of the race, cheering me on as I run. I believe life is about people; the good, the bad and the ugly. I can only hope to help someone up when they fall, to be someone meaningful in some one's life, you know? To live a weighty life. Thank you, for all of you who have carried me when I've given up before.

Me, Mae, Jac, Krista, Amy, Blair, Alyssa

For those who haven't seen it, the video below is flat out hard to watch.

Julie Moss competing in the 1982 Hawaii Ironman Triathlon

2008-06-02T12:52:00.001-07:00

This made me think.

2008-05-27T13:07:00.001-07:00

jack johnson:
sleep through the static

(click to enlarge comic)

Well.

2008-05-23T12:49:00.000-07:00

It's been an eventful and interesting week. Los Angeles might be trying to break me in. More later, friends.

Carino's (Chino)

2008-05-19T11:07:00.000-07:00

It was great leaving Carino's yesterday as my last shift. I've been there 3 years and invested a lot in the company and the people in Chino, but I was so grateful to know I wouldn't ever have to go in there again prepared to serve the snotty, arrogant, demanding customer and suck it up to pay the bills. Everyone was happy for me, a few people tried to give me a hard time for leaving them stranded there (I'm kind of a big deal) with nobody to reason with management. Behind the hurt, they're just as excited as I am to move. No more food service for me!

Los Angeles, California

2008-05-13T12:30:00.000-07:00

"It's a lovely summer's day

And I can almost see a skyline through a thickening shroud of egos.

Is this the city of Angeles or demons?"

death cab for cutie

Traffic was bad today. I don't know if I'll get over driving straight into the knot of tall buildings and thinking to myself "This is crazy. I love it."

I started here yesterday. I'm employed by the North American Representative Office of Shenzhen, China located in the Los Angeles World Trade Center (which is actually combined with the Long Beach World Trade Center and I learned that the LA/LB ports combined ranks 5 in the world of exports/imports and Shenzhen is 1). My position is a Business Development Specialist. That means I uphold our network of clients and business partners in the US and Canada, and I make new ones. I could be giving seminars, I could be on the road, I could be making phone calls, I don't really know. Our director is out on "Road Shows" with the Mayor of Shenzhen for another 2 weeks. We are not for profit so my expense account is small. Sorry if you were planning on me taking you out to lunch!

I like it here so far, it's small. We train new employees from Shenzhen every few months. They speak English with a thick accent, bring home-made lunch and get lost on LA's finest public transportation. Makes me miss China. I'm thinking about taking Mandarin classes, any suggestions about where??

Love, holly elaine

Riverside. Home Base.

2008-05-03T01:32:00.000-07:00

God's folded me in the arms of this city for a short while, compared to the rest of my life. Honestly, I've been over the I.E. for a long time. It's worse on days like Christmas, being 95 outside when I wished it was snowing. Or when my lungs hurt from walking to my front door to my car. This too, shall pass.

I'm going to accept a position at the World Trade Center in Los Angeles as a trade/business representative for the city of Shenzhen (shen-jen) in mainland, China. I'll be living with Alyssa Ayotte in Brentwood starting the weekend of May 16th. This all came about pretty much in the course of one day; yesterday.

God's plan is an interesting one. It's a game I don't really like guessing at. Terrible at, too. Sometimes I think God will let us completely exhaust ourselves in thinking of all the creative ways our life can go - and then he finds some other path we have not imagined, and picks it just to show us he's God. It works though, whatever his method may be, it always works out great and we go on feeling dumbfounded that we couldn't see this path even if it bit us in the nose.

I'm reminded of that verse in Isaiah (55:8);

For as far as the heavens are from the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

I guess if in the end it brings God glory then it doesn't matter how we get there, right? So what if I moved schools, moved homes, moved friends and was frustrated with my life . . . at the end of all this I hope God says "Well done." This is my energy.

Photos!

2008-02-20T15:06:00.001-08:00

No, no, I'm not stuck in Ireland! I'm feeling better, California heat spells help colds. I'm trying to post some pictures here, maybe you'll get lucky! Don't forget St. Patrick's day!

This is the view from my first night in the Dublin hostel, the big spire is the city centre.

Me and Megan!

Giant's Causeway area.

Belfast murals.

Cork and the river that runs through it. But no Brad Pitt.

Blarney Castle grounds. The stone is actually masked by the middle tree branch at the very top, just under the ledge!

Remembering Cork... and Murphy's.

Finishing our last night in Dublin at the Guinness Storehouse Gravity Bar. Behind Megan is the city - a 360 degree view of the rooftops of Dublin.

Cork! or Corcaigh?

2008-02-05T13:04:00.000-08:00

The Irish have so many names in Gailic that I cannot pronounce... anyhoo, I'm in Cork - a southern city of the Republic if Ireland where the Blarney Stone is located. It's a wee bit warmer here but it rains just as often. The Blarney Stone is tomorrow, along with small church tours and maybe back into the city center for another authentic crepe and a Murphy's (the locally brewed stout and if you order a Guiness, they know you're a forgeiner).

Megan and I spent the night in Dublin and took a bus south after we ate breakfast. We started yesterday in Belfast, on the second story of a tour bus headed for all the spetacular sights in the famous city. Tour buses are extreamly touristic I understand, but there was no other way to view the numerous political paintings and murals of the time period called The Troubles. Belfast is a city rich with histroy from the fighting between the Protistants and the Catholics, the city where the Titanic last set port in, and where the line between Northern Ireland and the Republic was decided. The bus took us over the Peace Line - not just a mental impression, but an actual fence that devids the two religious neighborhoods and still closes every night. That's right, they're are only 4 places to cross the Peace Line and they all close after midnight. Belfast is a cold town where all the buildings pile close up onto the sidewalks and don't stretch higher than a few stories, but somehow manages to make it on every map. Being part of the UK, many landmarks are named after the Queen. On a side note, many more people here find it interesting that my last name is England than people do in America. They actually stop and question my herritage and only strugg when I tell them I'm American. Which, actually, I'm looking for new ways to hide. I can get away with Canadian, but many Irish are familliar with California so it's not that tragic.

One thing about the whole Island I can appreciate if their love for Dairy. They're chocolate, their cheese, their cream is amazing. Everyone knows I like butter, but this place excells in milk chocolate! I'll bring some back for you if I don't eat it all on the 15 hour treck home!!

peace,
holly elaine

Just keepin the rythm.

2008-01-31T07:19:00.000-08:00

Which is why I didn't have too much jet lag and actually slept last night. The hostel wasn't bad at all for my first experience - they had free bread and jam in the morning for breakfast and the receptionist hit on me every time I walked by. He was rather charming though, he's about 68 and told me he's been looking for me all his life. This place is rather charming. Everyone is so friendly and helpful - not that Asian isn't, but this kind of travel is completely different than being a tourist in a non-native-english-speaking country. Now I get it why so many people backpack through Europe and not so much South East Asia. I feel safe and comfortable here, like an old home. But I say that everywhere I go, so I'm not surprised if you're rolling your eyes.

Yesterday I took two buses from Dublin to Northern Ireland where Megan is staying. Coleraine (Coal-Rain, I'm discovering) is really in the middle of nowhere. Northern Ireland is where the thickest accents are, and being part of the UK, has more tea and honeycomb ice-cream than the Republic. And butter. And cheese. It's quite tragic being a little sensitive to lactose. Megan is proud of herself because she's becoming British without trying. She says "wee" as in "little", and her inflection changes when she's around her friends. Yes, it's cold, and I'm still a little sick but I'm having a great time. Thank you for reading, there's more to come but this laptop keyboard is making it hard for me to type quickly. I'm not used to MacBooks.

Cheers!
holly elaine

Dublin, Ireland!

2008-01-21T21:48:00.000-08:00

I'm off to Ireland next week, but for all those who don't actually keep up with my where-abouts, I'm still interning with the Department of Commerce Commercial Service (free) and I'm still working at Carino's on the weekends (paid). I'm loving the business world as much as I love being a part of a working organization and culture of America's top Corporate schemes... that sounds bad but I like the system for its goodness. I actually met my first "nasty, self-centered, throw-you-under-the-bus-to-get-ahead-man" but thankfully, I was not in his path of destruction. I'm learning how to treat people right, move up in the working world and use my connections to figure out where I'm going. I've also learned that it's okay to have your cell phone ring during a conference and answer it. And that coffee is truly a drug that I shouldn't drink more than a few times a week or I get the shakes and feel like I'm on methamphetamines. Not that I've ever tried them... really.

Thanks for reading! IRE updates to come soon :)

Goodbye 2007, and the California State school system...

2007-12-31T12:11:00.000-08:00

It's almost 2008 - a hopefully just-as-adventurous year as 2007! I can't help but think what I feel like ya'll are thinking; "So she's a college graduate... now what?" and my response would be something like; "Yeah. I know."

I was never good at school, I can only thank the Lord that I made it out alive. There were so many almost bonfires with my finance textbooks, too many counseling sessions with my stats professors and not enough money to pay Megan to take my law tests for me. I'm not a quitter by nature; academics have always pushed me to simply try harder. My transfer between the universities wasn't exactly smooth, but my willingness to continue my education was never in question. In fact, I'm looking at getting a masters next year! That possibility would never have crossed my mind in San Luis Obispo.

So I'm in Newport Beach, California, sitting at my little Trade Assistant desk, writing to you on December 31st. A meek "thank you" is what I owe you, for your support, love and kindness. The internship will take me though March and I'm keeping my ears open for an overseas position. This will become my launch-pad.

On my last day of class I parked on the top floor of the 6 story parking structure at Cal Poly Pomona. I looked out over the edge to see much of the inland Los Angeles County and Inland Empire - yes, through the smog - and I parted with the campus. And I parted with 2007, too. On to bigger and better things!!

love: holly elaine

My state of mind.

2007-11-13T12:05:00.000-08:00

Well, the rain keeps on coming down
It feels like a flood in my head
And that road keeps on calling me
Screaming to everything lying ahead

And it's a winding road
I've been walking for a long time
I still don't know where it goes
And it's a long way home
I've been searching for a long time
I still have hope I'm gonna find my way home

I can see a little house on top of the hill
And I can smell the ocean the salt in the air
And I can see you
You're standing there and you're washing your car
And I can see California sun in your hair

Its a winding road
I've been walking for a long time
Still don't know where it goes
And it's a long way home
I've been searching for a long time
Still have hope I'm gonna find my way home

All these dreams took me so far
And I felt I just couldn't go on
And I want to hang out the window of your car
And see just how good this baby can run

'Cause it's a winding road
I've been walking for a long time
And I still don't know where it goes
And it's a long way home
I've been searching for a long time
But I still have hope
We're gonna find our way home

It's a winding road...
Still have hope one day we'll find our way home
It's a long way home...
I've been searching for a long time
Still have hope we're gonna find our way home
It's a long way home... it's a long way home.

Bonnie Somerville "Winding Road"

Homeland Security

2007-09-24T13:55:00.001-07:00

Have you ever seen that Ikea commercial where you see pictures of homes from around the world and then there’s a shot of an American home filled with Ikea furniture and the slogan “there’s no place like home”? Well maybe you don’t have mother that glares at you during that commercial like I do. There’s no place like home… in America. Sure. Ikea comes from Switzerland, maybe they’re telling me to come to Switzerland…

I played Dorothy once in a play in the third grade. Talk about stage fright, I sang a list of Judy Garland songs in front of my whole school and their parents – not to mention my proud father silently singing every line with me, probably more nervous that I was. From Somewhere Over the Rainbow to chanting “there’s no place like home.” About that.

If it helps any, I’m sitting in front of my TV watching season 3 of Grey’s Anatomy gloating that I know every song that’s been played on the current episode. “I want to free my feet from the broken glass and concrete – I need to get out of this city,” by Brett Dennen, on tour with John Mayer until next summer. But if everything in life has a purpose, if things can be called more than coincidental, if there’s some form of destiny that links us to a future that we believe in, then we have to dream. It’s human nature; we have to keep going, we are born with a sense of injustice because sometimes we think we deserve more than life gives us, thus results in achievement. At least I do, maybe I’m selfish for thinking I could be something amazing by now, somewhere over the rainbow other than the smog-pit of southern California. So I’m a complainer; I’ll get over it. I’m bitter because I have to get used to shoving homework into my all-consuming busy schedule again. I guess being home is being safe, I’m safe and secure here… in my home. Finishing school like a good intern. Me and Meredith Grey.

Flying from Japan.

2007-08-12T13:37:00.000-07:00

Okay, I’m home safe from Bangkok. But that’s not the end of the story and not even part of the beginning. I went from clear water on the island of Ko Samet to clearly freaking out. Let me explain how I got home and am able to type to you on my own personal laptop. This might be long.

I chose to fly with United Airlines as a “companion.” Meaning that I would be able to fly to my destination(s) if there is space available. Here’s how this works; the whole plane is seated in their assignments and if there is space available, they call my name and give me a real boarding pass. At this time I would own a blank ticket that would only show me as being “listed” on that flight. Listed is something that you have to be 45 minutes before your flight leaves, you can only be listed on one flight in that 45 minutes, and for me, that means my sponsor – my Uncle who works for United – would have to be in charge of. I’m in a country that has a 17-hour time difference, if I had even wanted to be listed for a different flight, it would not be a reality. I would have to be a bit crafty to change my flight, and since my flight from Narita (just outside of Tokyo), Japan to LAX was packed to the brim, I would need some serious assistance with getting home. They were nice to me that day, they would roll me over (I learned a lot of new vocabulary talking to the service staff and other United employees) to the next flight to California. The flight to San Francisco was just as over booked, and then there was a flight to Chicago, and Honolulu… all completely over sold and the flight attendant would say something like, “This flight is now full, there are no room for any stand-bys. Please try another flight.” One man said he’s flown 11 years and never seen it so bad. By this time, I noticed that there was a group of Americans that were all at the same gates I had been to, they were all trying to get back to America with any flight, regardless of destination. Some families had been there for 4 days, waking up each morning hoping to get out of that God forsaken airport. We all knew the layout of the gates, and the connection counter almost knew us by name. The counter is something like a help desk for people like us who wanted to be changed over from flight to flight. At the end of the day they cleared out the United wing and herded us all though immigration, made us pick up our check-in baggage and leave the airport. I had no place to stay; I was shaky from the stress of running around the airport and tired of not knowing anything. We all sat around by the counter and one man who had a laptop decided to buy tickets home through a different airline. A one-way ticket from Narita to almost anywhere in the US started at $1,700. Me and the other 20 of us left decided to risk it one more day. If I didn’t make any flights on Friday then I might break down and buy a ticket, or just get a tour book of Tokyo and wait until the flight loads looked a bit lighter. I was informed that the flights were all overbooked until the next week, and nearing the weekend there’s even less of a chance for me to escape. Not to mention, that because I’m not the United employee himself, I get the lowest priority possible. So I’m at the bottom of every list! My only chance was all the most important people getting to fly out that morning; so I might make a later flight out that night.

I stayed in the hotel that they all gathered in, called the Excel, not entirely over-priced, but very nice. I called my mother and freaked her out too (at 4am, sorry mom), balling my eyes out from the uncertainty. The next morning we clamored onto the shuttle to the airport and feelingthe weight on that bus was almost overwhelming. There was absolutely no hope for anyone to fly home. I had to be different so I told everyone they were going to catch a flight that day no matter what! They looked at me and responded in the back of their minds “you’re only on day two…” but I still heard it. I get to the counter to re-check my bag and the lady gives me all kinds of hassle. Apparently, since my sponsor didn’t list me for anything that day, she could only give me a ticket for the same LA flight that I couldn’t make yesterday, making me unable to try to fly home on any of the 2 previous flights (only 7 flights to the US per day). That was crazy madness, so I checked my bag anyway and ran to the connection counter to try and catch the SF flight 3 hours later. That lady didn’t hassle me at all, but from anyone that changed my ticket I heard “Ok, sure, but that flight is really full” in their best American accent. I wasn’t quite sure how this listing thing was going to play out, but I knew my uncle was not an option to get a hold of at that time of day. He was flying some other plane. Around the time that the SF flight departed, 4 other flights were close: LA, Washington DC, Seattle and the second Chicago flight of the day. After these, there was only Honolulu left at 7pm for any stragglers to try and catch. One attendant in our little posse looked at the loads for the Chicago flight and kept telling me to register for that one, but if the 45-minute rule applied, I could only list for one out of all those flights. About 10 minutes passed and all but the Chicago and Seattle flight had left (with very few stand-bys, but at least some were boarding unlike the previous day) and this guy kept nagging me, “Chicago, doll, that’s the way to go! Go up to the counter right now, demand to be listed and cry like a baby. Then send me a check in the mail.” Since bursting into tears didn’t help at the Seattle desk when she told me my sponsor needed to list me again, I was a bit discouraged. But what dignity do I need in a foreign airport that I’ve now sworn never to return to? I ran to the Chicago counter and asked them to transfer my ticket. At this time they were already boarding and were busy, the staff told me to use the connection counter to change my flight. I huffed loudly and begged asked them again because the counter had line of 25, actually most of the other stranded employees were changing their listing to Seattle before it was too late. This man didn’t care, was busy and grew to dislike all of us who kept jumping flights and living in their terminal. I booked it down to the counter anyway, planning on asking to cut in line to make my flight, when the lady standing near the counter looked at me and pulled the rope across the line’s entrance and said, “Sorry, the counter is closed and we’re not helping anymore customers.” I laughed and sarcastically muttered, “This is a JOKE”, and by muttered I mean practically yelled. I ran back to the Chicago gate, slammed my ticket on the counter (“now boarding section 4, please…”) and demanded they change my listing. They man looked up at me and after looking at his watch, dialoging in Japanese to his manager, who was now holding my ticket, looked back at me and after some fancy typing handed it back and sternly commanded me to sit down and wait. If there was room on the plane, they would call my name. I thanked him and informed him that I would sit on the floor if need be, but he barely made eye-contact with a look on his face that I read as “Ma’am, now is not time to be cute.” I sat down. Pause. It felt like 20 minutes before I heard those magical words… “Passensher Engwan, please come to the podium for your seating assignment” and I jumped up and down making a complete idiot of myself, never being so excited to enter into the US before, and still not knowing what happens after the Chicago flight…

It was 11 hours later before I entered Chicago International Airport. I called my mother and Uncle as soon as we landed and they worked out some plan for me to catch the next flight (in two hours) into Orange County. That flight was just as full, but Chicagonians are known for missing their flights. I swear that lady called 25 names before mine. After 30 hours of traveling time since I woke up from the hotel, it was now 9pm on the western coast of California and I’m happy to be home. I’m even more shocked that my baggage followed me for every flight. But then again, baggage has a tendency to follow you wherever you go. I’m done with my summer travels, although life is one big traveling adventure itself. I’ll still be “blogging” whatever that means, probably a little more focused on reflection. My next excursion: California Polytechnic State University of Pomona. My last and final quarter of college life!

Thanks for reading…
holly elaine

Ko Samet

2007-08-07T05:52:00.000-07:00

All those pictures of nice Thailand beaches with the fine white sand and clear blue water? YEAH, I'm there. Be jealous, but I just got here and I can't be too long writing you tonight because the little hut we're staying in is already pricy without the cost of internet.

Chiang Mai was probably the cutest little Asian city I've visited. We walked around two or three night markets (green curry is way better when you're actually in the country it originated from), got a massage (the lady was really harsh on my back and neck but I was not going to be a pansy about it), visited some temples (ran into a guy that goes to my own university, just weird) and went on a one day trek. The trek was a fun-filled nature packed event. We hiked through the jungle to a waterfall. Yes, the water was from the rain so it was a little bit dingy, and Megan did get swept away from the current, but I have a smile on my face right now just remembering the day. We hiked farther into the jungle to see a local tribe there who was obviously used to tourists watching them like caged monkeys and I felt a little awkward. The tour guide served us lunch from a small restaurant near the main road and we headed off to our very own bamboo raft. We all got soaked because the bamboo wasn't really designed to keep the water out of the raft, but to keep people on top. Which, actually didn't work so well either. All that to stay relatively dry, only when a few local boys ran out to the river and extended a warm welcome for us to jump of the rocks into the deepest part of the water. More like a big stream - Megan was convinced that Jenna and I were taking our life into our own hands, but that might just be because I think she fears heights more than death or public speaking, and you couldn't see how far the ground was from the surface because of the dingy rain water. What can I say, I live life on the edge! Literally. So we lived. End of story. Peace love and gap.

holly elaine

Chiang Mai

2007-08-04T21:25:00.000-07:00

Bangkok is fun, it reminds me a lot of Beijing but actually a little more crowded. Beijing has more freeways and a little less traffic, but then again we were in a northern part of Bangkok, where Megan's host family lives (called the "Soi") and many people travel the the center of the city for work. Her host family is very generous - and quarky. The mom is always a little horrified that we walk everywhere, apparently the wealthy don't ride public transportation at all and don't walk. The mom is a little worry wort but extremely stubborn and old fashioned. The sky is always a dingy gray, and we haven't had any rain since I showed up, but we still carry our umbrellas everywhere... Thailand has three seasons: summer, rain and winter. This makes conditions to grow fresh tropical fruit year-round and sell it on the streets. That's right, street food!! There are more venders on the streets than Coke bottles at Disneyland (Pepsi is actually the leading cola brand here). They sell some fried foods like sweet potatoes, chicken, fish, tarro; but most importantly the fruit. I've ever eaten bananas fresh off the tree, I've never tasted green mango or dragon fruit. It's so sad to leave a place with amazing fresh produce!

I wish I could say more but I'm paying to type on a really slow connection in a cafe by our sleeping quarters - a little guest house that Megan's university set up for us with a discount. I'm in the northern province and city of Chiang Mai, a popular tourist destination where we're going rafting, elephant riding, hiking, visiting Buddhist temples... etc. We head out in a two days for an island farther south for our last day. Many people speak english, we're such adventurers that we don't mind getting lost either. Megan's on the phone with her mother telling her my obsession with jade, I'm coming home with some for sure. That was random.

My story of the day:
Our guest house "coordinator" showed us a handmade purse that she bought for a really good price, and Megan loved it. We came home late last night and the purse was tucked under Megan's backpack, empy - what an amazing gift! Thai people are so sweet. Right. We came down this morning to eat breakfast and thank her, and she had a shocked looked on her face, obviously unaware that she left her purse in our room. She offered it to Megan, and Megan really thought about giving it back, but changed her mind after our bill was rediculously high because she lady kept bring us items off the menu that we didn't order and charging us. Sneaky passive Thai people.

Ok, off to being a tourist. I forgot my bug repellant.
love: holly elaine

Holly says...

2007-08-02T02:52:00.001-07:00

Dear Friends,

This is the voice inside Holly's brain speaking... otherwise known as "Megan." Thailand has been lovely, Megan is a perfect hostess. She took me on a sketchy tuk-tuk today and my lungs now look as though I've been smoking since I was twelve. The driver started smoking as we were sitting in traffic and I barely even noticed what with all the bus pollution etc.

We went to some temples today, almost died climbing the steep steep steps up to the vista point midway up Wat Arun (temple of the dawn).

I'm not really tired... or at least I'm feigning awakeness. I keep saying I'm not tired, but it's not really true. I'm actually exhausted, I just haven't noticed cause good grief, I'm in THAILAND!

More to come.

Love,
Holly

I could be leaving for Thailand...

2007-07-31T01:07:00.000-07:00

or not, since I'm flying standby, so who knows when I'll actually get there. With the grace of a companion pass from my uncle who is a pilot for United Airlines, I'm visiting Megan Karmel Hansen in the heart of Thailand: Bangkok. She's been teaching English there for almost 3 months now, and with the company of one other old roommate (Jenna), we will be touring the capitol city and Chiang Mai. I'm not one to stress, maybe I'll hang out in the airport for a while. Or a week. I signed up for it!

Portland and Seattle remind me of northern California. Mind you, Northern, not NOR CAL. And if the word "hella" just popped in your little head, that's the farthest thing that Washington and Oregon are. Not to mention you should quit reading my blog if you actually use the word hella in a proper conversation. That's ridiculous.

Seattle was a bit more tourist friendly, but the no sales-tax policy in Portland made the destination cost friendly. We came into Portland on the morning of their nationwide infamous Farmer's Market. I've never seen so many fresh flowers, blueberries, jams, butters, purple cauliflower and yellow squash in my life. We met up with an old friend from the Malibu Young Life camp I worked at a couple of summers ago, Molly -- who hasn't changed in the least, still sarcastic as she is cynical and that's why I love her. After Angela's wedding in Salem that evening, we packed out for Seattle for the morning. I've never seen a girl so smiley as Ange, it almost made me want to be a wife someday... and then I had a good laugh. Commitment still scares the tar out of me, but it was probably the most organized wedding and reception I've been to. Then again, I was actually a guest at this one and I wasn't working behind the scenes. A direct relationship I'm sure of it. Congratulations Mrs. Blake Williams!

Pike's Place was the same, probably the same old black man with hand-made instruments singing "Lean on Me" that had been there some years before when I visited Seattle. I could say more, but I need to pack... I leave in 11 hours!

miss you all!

holly elaine

I laugh in the face of JET LAG.

2007-07-27T21:25:00.000-07:00

It's a great title, but I was feeling pretty dang tired around 7:30pm this evening. That's probably for the better because my mother and I booked airfare to Seattle/Portland this morning and we leave tomorrow at 6am. Woot! Everyone had a safe flight home with just a few minor scares. The morning of, Alyssa and TJ had caught some violent flu and neither one of them (or their roommates for that matter) got any sleep that night. We all made to the airport, the only one of the three we had an issue with, was Dulles in Washington DC. Just don't fly into there, save yourself the chaos. Emily is lucky her flight to Orlando was delayed an hour or else she might have spend the night in the nation's capitol alone. Twenty four hours later, we soared over the bright lights of Los Angeles. If you fly in at night, the smog doesn't seem so bad. Key word: seem. Mainly everything stayed the same... Mara is still with child, Carino's hasn't gone down in flames (unfortunately), traffic hasn't gotten any better. I know I was only gone for 3 weeks, but a girl can dream right? Speaking of dreams... . . . . .