Watch out it's a LACMA!

Last weekend we

While still having time for

Not to mention

At first things were

Then they were

But they were also

and definitely

So overall it was

And it all ended very

Recently

Last weekend Ryan came to stay with us. It was awesome.

(Ryan - Sorry I forgot to text you back to tell you how awesome it was but sometimes I forget about text messages and how people like responses, just ask Kari, but hopefully saying that it was awesome in my blog will tell you, if you still read my blog, how awesome it was and though I am oversimplifying and possibly stripping the word of its meaning, it is all just to say that your presence in Santa Barbara was felt as much as your absence, which is a lot.)

We had many wonderful, peaceful, comfortable, humorous moments but I have to say that my favorite was Saturday morning. I woke up early, woke Ryan up and we both headed down to Backyard Bowls for breakfast. We both had the steel cut oatmeal with fresh fruit. We talked for a while and when Evan joined us we walked out to State, deliberated left or right, and headed right to the beach. Then, walking out onto the Wharf we came upon a small crowd cheering on a line of kayaks racing into the harbor. Only, it turned out to be kayaks, canoes and paddle boards all competing in one odd, completely underwhelming race.

Still it was fun and I took it as proof of my latest theory, "cool stuff doesn't happen unless you leave the apartment." The basis of this theory is the presupposition that if a kind old person is ever to donate a million dollars to me after our encounter in a coffee shop, I have to be in a coffee shop first. Which, I realize that even in Montecito, is kind of worse odds than the lottery. Still, it gets me out of the apartment.

Anyways, the weekend was really fun and quite a blessing.

Grad Apps are IN!

I'm not just a university drop out anymore. I am a university dropout with PLANS!

Now I recognize that the new year is rife with plans. It's endemic. However, this small feat, the submission, is a huge relief. I am now excluded from the stress of application. Well, graduate applications. Undergraduate applications are the new stress of my life but I get paid for that stress and I guess that is what work is.

Somethings I forgot on my list

14. Eating Meat
I think my Dad put it best. "You should get a steak tonight because tomorrow you will be a vegetarian."

15. Enjoying time with my roommates.
I may never get an opportunity to live with such good guys again. Among many things to look forward to are those unexpected nights full of activity. For instance, earlier tonight Joe came over and we played a board game called "Cosmic Encounters." Joe just left but now Evan and I are watching Biggest Loser in our bath robes.

Things I Am Looking Forward to in 2011

I stole this idea from Vogue or Glamour or Marie Claire. I'm not sure, which is not a flippant way of saying those magazines are indistinguishable, but that it really could be any of those three. In any case, the editor had, instead of making a list of resolutions, made a list of things to look forward to.

Here is my list.

1. A Haircut
I only had two haircuts in 2010 and the last one was at least seven months ago. I am looking forward to the clean look but most of all, to the hair washing. As everyone knows, having someone else wash your hair is the most enjoyable part of a hair cut.

2. Herbal Essences Conditioner
My hair is getting long enough to warrant conditioner and today I bought some Volumizing Herbal Essences Conditioner. It generally takes me half a year to use a bottle of either shampoo or conditioner and I am genuinely excited about my hair smelling like white nectarine and pink coral flower for the next six months.

3. Valentines Day
I am on top of my game this year and already know what I am getting Kari.

4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II
Probably going to get emotional.

5. The Great Gatzby
This one I directly plagiarized from the editor's list but I have always loved Fitzgerald and, through Drew's raving, have also come to appreciate Carey Mulligan who will be playing Daisy.

6. My first Ian Fleming novel
I'll probably start with Casino Royal but we'll see what the library has. I am excited first for the experience but also because I want to become a Bondologist. That way, if there is ever a convention I can meet Umberto Eco and we will have something to talk about.

7. Running a Half Marathon
This one I am really stoked for. April 10, 2011 is the "Run Through Redlands." Kari and I have decided to run it together.

8. Visit to The Broad Museum in LA
I don't know when I am going but I am going. I am kind of excited about the art and really excited about the building. Renzo Piano, I love you.

9. Journaling
Kellie gave me a beautiful leather journal for Christmas. I am going to use it to journal about my love for Renzo Piano.

10. Breakfast
Just in general.

11. Volumes Three and Four of War and Peace
I think its fair that it will take me two years to finish this book.

12. No more hate mail from Mint.com
Seriously, mint.com I know that I am not worth anything right now but there is no need to rub it in. Oh and if I want to go over my budget for coffee shops that is my freaking business.

13. My Birthday
Normally, birthdays make me uncomfortable. I don't like all of the attention and expectations. This year however, I am turning twenty-five (don't freak out Mom) and am expecting that by my birthday, my life will be a little less disordered.