The Happy List

2009-12-15T04:07:00.002-05:00

online checkin
easy final exams in another language
procrastination
role playing in class
confidence
being thisclose to being done with the semester
online journals
not being affected by a striking airline
a plush jellyfish with a permanent smile named bernard

Unexpected Sundays

2009-12-07T14:52:00.002-05:00

Refusing to work on Sundays.
Also goes along with learning how to say no.
Cleaning my room.
New sheets!!
Window shopping.
Finding the perfect little gifts.
Cash-only dive bars in Harvard Square.
Non-student locals.
Pats in HD (well up until about the 2:00 warning).
People watching.
A cold December afternoon perfect for snuggling on the couch!

2009-12-02T15:28:00.002-05:00

babies that are actually cute so you don't have to lie to their mothers' faces
taking the dogs on walks twice a day
my mom's mace (it's a spice!) soup
thrift shops in Pittsburgh
old, old friends
a fridge full of homecooked food
weddings of truly lucky, happy couples
getting excited about projects
the remaining idealism about my job/the future
a whole stack of clean new post-it notes
the passion to get all worked up over things
candy cane frozen yogurt with chocolate chips
inspiration from likely and unlikely places
getting all dressed up (you can even take me nice places!)
dinosaurs
the New York Times
fashion blogs
photo blogs
big ideas
breaking out the fur earmuffs

2009-11-25T06:23:00.002-05:00

birthdays.
starting a club.
connections.
vacations.
moving downtown.
getting a's.
possibly getting a fellowship.
good food.
countdowns.
fried eggs.
thanksgiving plans (something to do with the embassy?).
feeling loved.

2009-11-15T23:21:00.002-05:00

scrambled eggs on buttered toast
clearing the air
communal crosswords
long nights out
going to the movies on a rainy day (and sneaking burritos in)
time to think
Groucho: the cat that thinks hes a dog/baby
the kind of day where you run into half a dozen people you haven't seen in months
rocking the jeans, boots, and cleavage on a Saturday night
cooking ahead for the week (delicious chili!)
unseasonably warm November Sundays
nights with a rotating cast of characters
catching up on the DVR
the smell of freshly chopped herbs
ways with words
texts that make me laugh out loud

components of a lovely weekend :)

2009-11-08T22:15:00.003-05:00

-south end open studios
-free wine and snacks
-my lovely ladies
-beautiful art i will be able to afford one day
-the one studio with a bright red interior
-scorpion bowls and chinese food
-life chats
-phone chats with the grandparents
-newbury street on a gorgeous day
-sales
-flashbacks to middle school, high school, freshman year, and senior year, all in one night
-coen brothers movies
-sneaking snacks/nips into the movies
-lending a hand
-the gym
-sunday solo time
-outlook park
-new books
-long walks
-napping
-dexter.

i love weekends. love.

2009-11-03T13:02:00.002-05:00

home cooked meals with all my friends
going to bed early
boots + tights weather
thanksgiving = three weeks away
reading the blogs/writing of all my friends
big squashy couches
getting into the afternoon groove at work
the blessing of having too many options
pictures of new babies and puppies
halloween costumes from scratch
punters
insightful friends
kind coworkers
kitchen dance parties
"food tastes better if its been thrown on the floor once or twice"
birthdays
giving good gifts
foliage
fall in Boston
missing people: that's how you know they're important
my cat curling up in all the piles in my room
clarity

2009-10-16T10:37:00.002-04:00

Friday Top Five

Ladybug rain boots
A seat on the train in the morning
Seeing my writing actually improve
My mom sending me adorable cellphone pictures of babies and puppies
Where the Wild Things Are coming out tonight! (even though I probably won't see it til next week)
and a 6th for good measure: I have Thanksgiving tickets back to Pittsburgh!

2009-10-13T16:59:00.003-04:00

friendly coworkers
text message photos of cute baby cousins in furry hats
putting those kickass gel cushions inside a pair of heels
a little sugar-high to maintain focus
seeing beyond the bullshit
snickerdoodles (also, saying that word out loud)
outside perspective
learning to knit!
a busy calendar

2009-10-09T09:39:00.003-04:00

scarf weather.
pumpkin flavored coffee on a cold morning.
leaves changing colors.
stepping on leaves and acorns and hearing that crunchy sound.
walking into work to find candy someone left on your desk.
getting an invite to see the boston ballet.
three day weekends.

2009-10-08T10:19:00.001-04:00

A really good night's sleep.

2009-10-04T08:22:00.003-04:00

starting the night early
houseguests that fold their own sheets/blankets up in the morning
Deep Ellum, parmesan fries, and copious amounts of cocktails
roommate days
employee discounts
bottomless coffee and cheap brunch
walking into a room and feeling the love
hugs
sweatpants on Sunday morning
how some things really never change
that first really deep breath when you wake up in the morning
headbutts from the cat
the way cats sleep curled up into little tiny balls
adventures
foggy mornings
the 66 actually showing up
friends that keep you honest

Need a little of this this morning.

2009-09-25T10:44:00.002-04:00

Crazy, inappropriate life chats
Yoga stretches
The perfect soundtrack to a moment
Venti Americano
Cute hair
Good pictures on my desk
Crisp autumn air
Thank you emails from my CEO
And he CC'd all my bosses
Walking buddy
And bitching (therapy) sessions while walking
Phone calls from people whose voice you almost forgot

2009-09-22T13:28:00.003-04:00

football season: excuse to eat, drink, and snuggle with all my friends
sushi
health insurance this week!!
open studios in the south end
art I dream of affording one day
wandering weekends
coffee truffle chocolate from whole foods
friends who really tell you what's up, even if you don't want to hear it
forward movement
fresh baked beer bread

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

2009-09-11T15:38:00.002-04:00

And by things I mean foods. Because food is one of my favorite things!

Lobster
Steak
Dark Chocolate
Red Wine
White Wine
Whipped Cream
Bruschetta
Spanakopita
Guton

2009-09-10T22:27:00.001-04:00

-case settled
-clean office
-beach, here i come
-regaining a social life

So Marisa stays happy with me!

2009-09-10T10:54:00.002-04:00

Fall fashion magazines, especially September Vogue & GQ
My gorgeous new apartment
Four days of lakes & family, drinking & eating, quiet time & cousins
The start of fall & being booked solid
GSEM Task Force & Volunteer Development Committee
Being at a job where you exceed competency
Busting out my leather boots!
Adrienne not going to Cali for a month so I still have a lunch buddy

2009-09-10T10:14:00.002-04:00

chocolate.
everyone's pretty new apartments
having a cat!!
busy months
planning for visitors
wine and game nights
communal closets
breezy fall days
standing in the center of the Mass Ave bridge on a windy day
learning to properly wear my tall heels at work
new bars
jamaica plain and its crunchiness
36 hour trips
showing people around my pretty city

2009-08-26T13:20:00.002-04:00

interviews
indian food
margaritas after work (or any time, really)
breaking in a pair of high heels
dark chocolate
letting the air conditioner turn my room into a little freezer
cool coworkers
learning the system
best friend time
long family dinners--a Levine specialty
new museums
actual downtime, sitting on couches with old friends
cheap drinks back in Pittsburgh
coffee shop/thrift store routines
a closet full of dresses
new roommate and cat soon!
a pile of new magazines to read

2009-08-13T10:45:00.003-04:00

decorating my cube at work
plans with the ladies tonight! ICA and restaurant week reservations at Meritage
somehow never being that late to work even when I wake up 5 minutes before I usually leave
amusing my coworkers with my new-girl idealism and energy
dresses that twirl
pretty fresh flowers everywhere
"whole paycheck" [foods]
having a cubicle near where everyone congregates at work = a chance to overhear everything

2009-08-05T14:58:00.002-04:00

wearing jeans to work
unusual friendships
crazy dreams
good black pens for writing
lists
getting more of the big picture
post it notes in all sizes
organizational charts
great roommates
cucumbers, lime, and gin
prosecco and vinho verde
the hot food bar at whole foods
figuring out the math portion of the GRE?

2009-08-02T21:07:00.002-04:00

jack nicholson as the joker in batman
a clean apartment
sundays
fedoras
tiny tiny kittens
unabashedly friendly little kids
mail
quiet time in the apartment
the love between friends that surfaces at the most needed times

2009-07-31T10:49:00.002-04:00

life chats over baked goods and wine of all sorts
learning things at work
proactivity towards next steps
unexpected good hair days
surprisingly good family interactions
DVRing trashy tv
less than a month til I go home for the first time since Christmas
new kittens and new babies and all the pictures
how small a world it is
when all your clothing fits a little loose
helpful feedback from supervisors/coworkers
cleaning the kitchen
doing dishes--an easy way to feel like youre accomplishing something
cloves on the front stoop
magazine subscriptions
catching up on google reader
small iced, milk and sugar and when the people at Dunkin start to know your order and make it when you walk in
a whole foods right downstairs from work
peppermint truffles

2009-07-26T23:02:00.003-04:00

outdoor movies, accompanied by picnics
movies on a rainy day
movies on a sunday afternoon
movies that make you laugh out loud really hard in the middle of crowded theaters
movies with great soundtracks
leading men with great smiles
movies with great clothing/design
air conditioners on a humid day
new cookbooks
actually cooking something out of the cookbooks
book sales
NOT burning chocolate chip cookies
summer nights on patios and porches
being on a boat!!
boston skyline at sunset on the water
bags of wine on a boat
going multiple places in one night seamlessly
summer dresses--we like to wear them, boys like to look at us in them
having your back scratched
the sunday new york times
finally getting someone on the phone after extended phone tag
little kids and how open/truthful/trusting they are
this article: http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2009/07/27/williams_friendship/. love my guy friends
suntanning on the esplanade docks
good hair days
tan lines
squashing a bunch of people on the couch to cuddle
sleeping naked
sleeping while its raining
sundays

jamaican me crazy

2009-07-19T00:01:00.003-04:00

the nervous feeling before saying 'i kinda sorta think i might love you' to somebody
friends getting married
my niece hugging the elmo doll that i got for her
babies' laughter
sleeping the whole way on a plane - out before take off, up just before touch down
skype
whirlwind tours
facebook as a legitimate way to keep in touch with interesting people
moo cards, or at least the idea of moo cards
new stamps in the passport
hearing 'i kinda sorta think i might love you too'

Shiny and New

2009-07-08T16:34:00.002-04:00

A new job - that's related to my major, with growth opportunities
Great co-workers (Wii tournaments)
A slow first two weeks - to get settled
Pictures of mom & dad hiking in Bar Harbor & Nick in Rockport on my desk
Good chair & fancy computer screen at work
"Natural light" light bulbs on the desk lamp
Apartment hunting (scary, but interesting)
Being halfway through Atlas Shrugged
Afternoon coffee
Mount Washington in 1.5 weeks
Atlantic City in 2.5 weeks
Vegas (maybe) in February (& a possible stop-over in Tahoe to see my sister)

it's been a while

2009-04-13T01:12:00.003-04:00

my leather boots from london
sex and drugs trivia at Savant Project
dresses with cutouts in the back
red wine in the afternoon
my new queen sized bed
successfully building furniture from Ikea without losing any parts
cinnamon buns from ikea and churros/chocolate from Savant
cleaning out my closet
the right kind of goodbye
tomorrow being my last day of undergrad classes
the list of potential programs at London School of Economics for 2010
crimsonberry tea [no caffeine!] and the right-hand side window table at Espresso Royale on Gainsborough
talking to my mom every day, and seeing my family in three weeks
my overloaded Google Calendar
a new neighborhood [Coolidge Corner] to explore near my new apartment!
the new big red wine glasses and pretty white bookshelves at the new place
playing Catchphrase
my ambitious and hilarious friends

2009-03-19T15:38:00.003-04:00

live music--especially with trumpet and sax
men with Spanish accents
performers who get SO into their art
restaurant week
midday naps
seeing everyone I know at Punters
cleaning out my closet
keys to the new place in less than two weeks!!
flipflop weather
sitting outside in front of ABP and peoplewatching
Southie on St. Patrick's Day
long walks home
good news from home, like engagements and grad school acceptances

2009-03-09T01:31:00.002-04:00

snowpocalypse
"family" vacations
indoor pools
snowshoeing
board games!
freshly painted red toenails
a really good massage
new TV obsessions: Dexter and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
first few warm days in a row in Beantown (even though it's supposed to snow tomorrow)
flipflops
brunch
branching out a little
peoplewatching
clean sheets
60%-off sales
when dogs and babies appear as the weather gets better and better
laying on the docks by the Esplanade
introspection
getting out of the city
coming back to the city
one-on-one time
thinking about decorating my new apartment
learning new things about people

2009-02-17T21:31:00.003-05:00

more than one day off in a row
delicious brunch with my amazing, hilarious friends
photoshoots in the sunshine (even if it is chilly & windy)
big girl mimosas and free "momos" at tremont 647
running home
cooking dinner and eating at the table
fitting togehter jussssst right
new lightbulbs
reading my book curled up in a ball in my bed in the quiet

2009-02-11T17:19:00.001-05:00

seeing a friend's face after 2 years
highly productive errand-filled mornings
clean laundry
potential game night
planning my future library

2009-02-10T00:34:00.002-05:00

laughing until you cry or almost spit your mouthful of coffee out
neighborhood pubs
homey apartments
nutella crepes
no classes on Tuesdays
my bright green coat
lazy lazy lazy weekends
library book sales
furniture shopping online
silent understanding
life advice
birthdays
scheming

Visual Pleasure

2009-02-05T22:33:00.003-05:00

2009-02-05T20:21:00.005-05:00

listening to favorite songs on repeat and never getting sick of them
hugs, even if the person you hug is caught off guard
counting jelly beans at work
reading 25 things about friends
fresh snow when it's sparkly!
playing football in the snow... without a coat
watching squirrels... for lengthy amounts of time
buying tickets for Vietnam

2009-01-30T17:12:00.002-05:00

lunch at trident by myself with a good book
clear winter days perfect for long walks
good sales
new fashion magazines
roommate bonding
meditation
yoga
catharsis, in the form of tears or laughter
meeting new people
nerdy conversations
shirking responsibility and having things work out anyway
playing the same songs on itunes over and over and over again
sleeping in
learning new techy things, even if it takes me forever
hot showers

2009-01-24T23:05:00.002-05:00

Reading a good book.
Teaching students in Vietnam how to play American drinking games.
Finding someone you can have a great conversation with.
Realizing that no matter how far away you are, some things don't have to change.
Also realizing that no distance can stand in the way of good friends.
Celebrating New Years Eve twice in one year. (Happy lunar new year!)
Knowing that I hate winters in Boston, but missing it anyway.
When missing something doesn't make you sad, but happy because you have something to look forward to (even if its not for a really, really long time.
Simple things that make you laugh.
Watching The Office.
Finding a friend in a complete stranger.
New music.

2009-01-24T15:29:00.002-05:00

not doing what I don't want to do
temporary tattoos
being able to utilize my random knowledge
catching up with old bosses
hoping I can cash in on favors asked
really riveting conversations
gin cocktails
beautiful apartments
the details
great group dynamics
laughing so hard
trying to relearn how to write the way I speak
silly nights with great people
my new boots
the number of people I can run into at ERC on any given afternoon

2009-01-24T14:45:00.004-05:00

Learning a new industry
Discovering where the mysterious stair paths in my neighborhood go
Sunsets a the top of Corey Hill
Whole Foods + samples
Cardio
Discovering interesting ways to style my hair
Intense yoga (realizing I need to do more strength training)
Wine Expo tickets!!

2009-01-22T12:47:00.003-05:00

5 day weekends
lazy days on the foof
ice skating
warming up after a cold day outside
baking
taking advantage of free things in Boston (wine tastings, movies)
all the doodles in the corners of my notebooks lately
signing up for a yoga class
reading for pleasure
having long nails
big dangly earrings
ERC as my daytime living room
Punters as the evening living room
football at the boys' place all cozy-like
furry earmuffs
branching out
OBAMA

today

2009-01-03T17:45:00.004-05:00

randomly walking into a free gaza rally in downtown crossing
getting a new vintage bike
immediately breaking the gear shift on said new vintage bike
yummy crepes with maris
black ink
being a scene in urban outfitters
making it back from harvard on the new bike in one gear and one piece

Hillside Adventuring

2009-01-01T21:03:00.007-05:00

Hillside Manor New Year's Eve
Champagne
Midnight kisses
Being surrounded by good friends
Curled hair
Brunch @ Hillside Manor
Ambitious conversations
Cleaning/organizing my whole room
Updating/vowing to revive the Super Fun in Boston calendar www.tinyurl.com/superfunboston

2008-12-29T02:10:00.002-05:00

finding lots of new old things on the internet
being a grown up

2008-12-29T01:24:00.002-05:00

my wino grandfather (drinking manishevitz straight out of the bottle)
laughing so so so hard with my mom at things only we find funny
life chats with my little bro
long walks with the puppydog
scrabble with the fam
the curl-life of my long hair
finishing my friends' sentences/thoughts and vice versa
making lists
missing boston (that's how you know its home)

1. FINDING THIS AGAIN

2008-12-28T12:21:00.002-05:00

2. matching birthday outfits for babies
3. talking about the anthropology book im reading with my family when nobody cares
4. getting a job
5. family portraits
6. returning to boston :)

puppy sitting

2008-12-28T10:55:00.002-05:00

Puppy-sitting Willie Mo
Long walk on the beach yesterday
Silence
Starting to actually feel refreshed
Planning the next steps
And being excited about them
The fact that I can take a walk from the house to downtown
Watching Meet the Press

So I'm Done

2008-12-19T10:21:00.003-05:00

Sleeping for 11 hours yesterday in the basement
Spending my whole day yesterday doing laundry and playing with iTunes
Aj cooking dinner
Sharing a meal and some good wine with the Aj & his friends
Getting really cheap wrapping supplies
Wrapping my first presents of the season
When my gCalendar says "You have no scheduled events today"
Knowing there is nothing pressing to do today
Beautiful photos of the year

2008-12-11T12:32:00.002-05:00

photos that make you laugh every time you look at them
new friends
the end of the semester
no in-class finals
getting all dressed up
cleaning out my closet
throwing things away
checking things off my to-do lists
roundtrip plane tickets for under $200
putting some things behind me
finding new things to look forward to
subversive texting
dive-y bars
trashy books
the sunset view from my apartment
rainy day naps
spiked hot chocolate and coffee
that last paper/presentation/thing for the year
escaping infocommons

2008-11-29T23:03:00.003-05:00

really cold winter walks
taking the time to appreciate the tiny things
pie for breakfast
realizing how grownup my brother and his best friend are
the strip district
some quality time with my parents
marathon shopping with kenzie
rifling through my closet and my dad's castoffs at home
my cozy cozy house
pittsburgh sunsets
getting good recipes from my mom
spices and seasonings
a clean kitchen with no dishes in the sink
typing as fast as i do with so few fingers in the right place
unbelievably comfortable bed at home
dog/cat cuddling
life chats with my brother
the catharsis of being at home
how some things never change
learning to be more ok with those things that do change
seeing things through a clearer, less biased lens
dancing (in clubs, at bars, on tables, in my living room)
good hugs
watching love actually during the holidays
daydreaming about london
calling boston and pittsburgh both home

2008-11-20T00:21:00.001-05:00

MY CAPSTONE THESIS IS DONE!

Tweet Your Way Happy

2008-11-16T22:01:00.003-05:00

You know all those moments of happiness that you just hit you as you're walking down the sidewalk? Send them to the Happy List twitter account! (Don't know how to Twitter? Go here.)

Send a tweet that begins with @happylist from your Twitter account via the web or SMS.

To view all the happy moments sent in, go here. Or search for to:happylist on Twitter.

Its been awhile...

2008-11-15T12:00:00.002-05:00

finally getting to sleep in
new(ish) ryan adams cd
pretty new bags
overtime that allows me to buy pretty new bag
pictures on my wall
jp licks iced coffee
haircuts
shabu shabu!!
leif being scared of seeing all 5 of the girls at once
my awesomely comfy bed
home in just over a month!

2008-11-11T15:11:00.002-05:00

farmers' market at copley
fur earmuffs: $10
a goat cheese and brownie picnic
seeing lots of people around campus
running into people from the past
bundling up
my bright green coat and the smiles it gets
food stores where you can taste things
jeans that fit well
less than two weeks til i get to go home for thanksgiving
making plans with my mom
talking to my gram on the phone after she came out of her coma
red cheeks from the cold
productive group meetings
snagging a table at ERC
compliments
window shopping
getting off campus
catchphrase
new people

The 44th President of the United States

2008-11-06T12:07:00.001-05:00

2008-11-02T11:10:00.002-05:00

kenzie and tim both being in town!
latenight pizza places
tailgating
baby with a beer bottle
hot chocolate and peppermint schnapps on the t
midday drinking (collegeeeee)
a very nice halloween weekend
my crazy roommates
pretty clear brisk fall days
this city
costumes right out of my closet
the light at the end of the tunnel of this semester, almost
going home in 3 weeks
how long my hair is getting
making the effort to see people more often
daydreaming about a grownup apartment
election season almost being over
thinking towards the future (eeeek)
new friends and old friends meeting (and getting along!)

2008-10-21T11:12:00.003-04:00

sharing memories of a loved one with some pretty unexpected people
the chance to say goodbye to eric
laughter mixed with tears
7 people, 3 beds, one econolodge hotel room
apple picking
telling the truth
watching estranged friendships be mended
friendly's
bangkok bistro and their staff
meeting eric's family and friends
beautiful days in upstate new york
singing along to the radio
dispatch's "the general"
hats, shirts, footie pajamas, etc
telling all sorts of stories, appropriate and inappropriate, and photos to prove it
trying to make the best of a weekend in honor of someone who would've done the same

eric, you'll be loved and missed and remembered and laughed about for the rest of our lives. you were a happy part of the world for so many people, and your impact will live on. im glad to have known you. peace out, man.

2008-10-17T08:33:00.002-04:00

absolutely nothing makes me happier than spending time with the people i really care about.

in the face of everything else: death, stress, worry, insecurity, overload of work, i continue to realize that the people in my life are what make everything else worth the time i put in. i have to keep remembering that, because if those i value fall by the way side, pretty soon nothing else holds the same importance, and I would rather not come to that conclusion that too late to change things.

love you all. be safe, be healthy, be happy, and let's keep making time for each other.

getting in the spirit of it

2008-10-15T15:15:00.002-04:00

bouncy, curly hair
country on the ipod
italian class
being manic at/with maris
super bouncy hair - again!
not working
walking up and down newbury
warm sun, cool breeze
red toes/red nails
99cent latte at dunkins

2008-10-15T11:15:00.002-04:00

post-UNA social gatherings
the way you can make boys practically purr with a head scratch--soothing the savage beast
gchatting with my mom
comfy chairs at the library
the best black dress
fall air
skipping class
learning how to wear more color
kenzie comes to visit in a few weeks!
its wednesday = the weekly dig
gchat makes my life go around
getting new kids at UNA to engage more
cute boys with dreadlocks (and without)
a good weekend getaway to nyc
NAPS
puppies everywhere
viva tortilla: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReMnvCGyZq0

feeling like me

2008-10-10T21:40:00.003-04:00

phone coverations, voice intonation
connecting beyond typing
pumpkins
apples
cold toes
backyard fire
grilled chicken a la my little brother
surrogate little brothers
BEST shoulder rub
doing nice, simple things for those you love
watching PBS political analysis with my dad
cute wine bottles (& cheap - yay NH state liquor)

2008-10-06T11:40:00.001-04:00

a.m. latte
skipping class to be productive
fall weather
snuggling
people who are easy to talk to
using my "personality"

2008-10-05T21:47:00.002-04:00

napping
learning that all my colors don't have to match all the time
watching my UN delegates succeed
my yellow daisies
a little gratitude going a long way
magners on tap over ice
bundling up
family catch-up phone calls
realizing how applicable a lot of what im learning really is
meeting bernadette and shekora
our bus adventure into roxbury/dorchester
counting down the hours til i can go to sleep

2008-10-02T00:10:00.000-04:00

Best happy thing I've seen in a long time

2008-09-28T02:15:00.003-04:00

jazz trumpet
walking in the rain
trivial pursuit
churros and spicy chocolate in the middle of the afternoon
general nerdiness, in all areas of knowledge
oh new roommates
actually being excited about parts of all of my classes (except capstone)
straightening my long hair
ridiculous laughter attacks with kate and a
knowing peoples' names from class = brandnew friends all over campus!
being all campusy this semester
trying to organize my life
backrubs
going to the gym
coltrane hiphop
vietnam for spring break?
mmm sunday new york times when i wake up
realizing we're grownups/not having to graduate til may

2008-09-25T13:13:00.001-04:00

-- Getting small things done that actually matter.

-- Talking to the grandparents and actually have them know what I'm saying.

-- Not working tonight! Trading for Saturday is definitely worth it.

-- Consistency on the practice LSATs = good chances on the real ones.

-- Super A++ charts that help organize my brain.

-- Halloween costume shopping tomorrow.

-- Being very very very tired and not even cranky about it :-)

2008-09-19T20:04:00.001-04:00

managing to (mostly) turn my brain off and read for class in the sunshine by the reflecting pool.
with a sax player for company and ambience.

2008-09-14T14:58:00.002-04:00

gin and tonic, extra lime
having the foof in my living room
deepcleaning my room
friends and family weekend at banana republic!
knowing people all over campus
actually being excited about my classes
looking at photos from abroad
boy chats with the new roommates
eggs on a sunday morning
all the spots to sit by the water in boston
evil schemes with sam
new jeans that fit
keeping up with the girls from home
compliments from strangers
talking to strangers about shared experiences
ciders in lieu of beers
getting all my ducks lined up
movies and tv shows in my cozy cozy bed
learning how to be content

2008-09-06T00:48:00.002-04:00

-pizza from penguin
-successful cocktail parties
-hot shoes
-being crazy tan
-cuddling
-unselfishness
-south end apartments
-roommates, new and old
-having dining dollars back
-quiet friday nights
-long text message strings
-wines with quirky names--evil, oops, funky llama
-someone good enough to let your bullshit slide
-catching the bus
-seeing my family tomorrow
-everyone's new apartments
-big beds
-learning to be ok with feeling a little vulnerable

new year's should be celebrated in september

2008-09-02T11:19:00.001-04:00

- NEW APARTMENT

- only one roommate

- no magical super sticky dust

- no major moving issues

- early bedtime last night

- personal "because you're stressed out" fast food delivery

- proximity to panera

- new bars/restaurants/stores

- nothing to do at work today = plenty of time to google map my afternoon, catch up on what i've missed all weekend

- proximity to boy(s)

- apartments that will always be at least mostly clean

- sunlight in my bedroom!

- cabinet space

- glasses made out of actual glass

- porch

- being more like grownups...

2008-08-29T19:19:00.002-04:00

perfectly cool sunny days
cupcakes
my giraffe print bikini top
brunching and venting
friends who get me
conversations that veer from the serious to the frivolous and back again
the sunset out of my window, and the view up huntington
naan fresh out of the oven
late afternoon nap comas
sitting with my feet in the reflecting pool or the charles river
laughing excessively loudly
trashy books
good books
new books
the picture next to my desk of my brother kissing a baby
the organized disaster of my room
happy graffiti
political nerds
chandeliers and industrial pipe
gin cocktails
cute gay couples
any rihanna song turned up crazy loud
google calendars

oh home

2008-08-25T04:24:00.004-04:00

my little brother
screened in porches
ryan's girlfriend
riffing on everything
milkshakes from denny's
gchatting with people halfway around the world
sunny walks with my mom and puppydog
being a crack shot, apparently
new shoes
little plastic toys with every mixed drink
getting to experience the pittsburgh bar scene
that my friends are friends with each other
60 minutes
gossip
hugs
homemade breakfast
my little brother
that things change and things stay the same

old orchard beach

2008-08-24T21:44:00.002-04:00

suntans
sunny days
beach air
beach hair
hot tubs
grilling
siblings and significant others getting along
being forced to play arcade games
oysters(in moderation)
family
digging a giant hole in the sand
local coffee shops
gyros
walking on the beach
the sound of waves at night

one night in boston

2008-08-20T01:37:00.002-04:00

(from stuff@night)

last day at work

2008-08-19T11:12:00.003-04:00

doing absolutely nothing at the boys
compliments on my outfit from a little girl sitting on the stoop on the way home
miiiaaaaooowwwww
girls night for restaurant week
wonderful waiters
eye contact. this always gets repeated.
talking to people over in asia on gchat! technology is lovely
highwaisted skrits
same wavelengths
really productive meetings that make me feel in control of something, anything
random cute boys
letting it go
book trades
living vicariously
last day at charles group
hopefully learning something from the experience
great smiles
home on thursday!

monday monday monday

2008-08-18T13:34:00.003-04:00

a little bit of a sunburn
the beautiful photos in my room reminding me of how lucky i am-the ones of the people i surround myself with and the ones of the wonderful places ive gotten to travel
a cleaaaaan apartment
an empty apartment
picnic assembly lines
travel scrabble in the park
puddingstone
bursts of productivity
bright green anything
skirts with POCKETS!
being ok with not knowing
knocking out a whole bunch of emails

what summer should be like

2008-08-18T11:23:00.001-04:00

backyards
full moons
bonfires
little brothers
stupid movies
"poor life decisions"

...on saturday

2008-08-16T20:08:00.003-04:00

actually accomplishing things
a beer in the shower
cleaning. like hands and knees cleaning
dark chocolate creme brulee = almost like an orgasm
cute parents
the puppy outside of erc this morning
the atmosphere at haymarket
taking some deep breaths
watching the sunset from my bedroom window
singing along to really loud music in an empty apartment
finding odd things to taste at the fruit stands
valerielea1728: apparently boston is a drug that everyone's addicted to
my cousin moving to the city!
sleepovers with linda!
feeling pretty
dropping a few pounds
looking at things with an honest eye
the 60% off LF season sale
hanging up all my earrings--its like categorizing brain cells
remembering to turn the oven off.

2008-08-14T10:31:00.001-04:00

lake lake lake lake lake lake lake lake
mom feeding me
lake?
sailboat
reading
no computer
quiet
no homework
no guilt
windsurfer
hiking

2008-08-11T23:02:00.000-04:00

2008-08-11T22:56:00.002-04:00

* Olympics: Men's Swimming, Synchro Diving, Women's Volleyball, Gymnastics
* Being almost done with my business paper
* Not really caring that much about my finals
* Ice cream (Ben & Jerry!)
* Rum... and mango smoothies
* PACKING
* CLEANING
* Knowing that as soon as finals are over, it's 2 days at the lake

hold on on to me, pretty baby

2008-08-10T14:44:00.002-04:00

honesty
a lack of self-consciousness
discovering something new in the south end every time
summer nights on a patio with a drink and people i love
a night in on the couch
riffing endlessly
the entirely entirely unexpected
big hair
new earrings
puppies everywhere
unlimited text messages
iced coffee from thorntons
judging people excessively
naps on the couch
naps all the time
staying up all night for no reason at all
the south end market
wonderful fashion finds
running into people i know all over the city
molly moving to boston!
having had julia in the city all summer
cheapppp plane tickets.
trying to write more lately
extensive phone gossip chats
talking to my mom every day

trying, trying

2008-08-07T15:21:00.002-04:00

- half-naked morning spooning
- beautiful wedding colors, outside, at a castle
- packing
- silent conversations on text messages
- seeing people that your heart misses

the point is to try.

2008-08-07T00:00:00.003-04:00

the point is to find the happy even when it's tough going, right?

--spooning
--getting your back scratched
--late nights
--friends visiting
--streamofconsciousnesslaughter
--good food and good drinks with the best people
--shoe sales!
--puppies everywhere
--new cute outfits that make a day better
--giggling and plotting with the other interns
--a bar called the 21st amendment--can't get more poli sci nerd than that
--amazing brunch
--bright green anything
--hugs
--going out with the boys
--the unexpected
--rainy day naps/chats
--live music
--maroon 5's lead singer's cheekbones and forearms
--flirting via text message
--people you can just do nothing with
--laughing so hard you literally cannot breathe for minutes
--judging people
--qdoba lunches
--mammers and papa bear
--cheap plane tickets!! finally!!
--girls nights!
--$10 for drinks/dinner
--cozy, warm naps
--being kept in bed
--post-it notes
--positive feedback at work
--wednesdays, because thats when the dig comes out
--talking to eager freshmen
--dance parties
--ice cubes in a hot apartment
--popsicles
--my new tv and watching movies on the couch
--evening naps
--adding color to my wardrobe
--throwing things away
--my friends
--gchat. thank god.
--espresso royale as a second home
--boys
--that my mom loves me even though all i do is call and flip out lately
--lunch in the park
--kayaking
--longdistance phone calls
--open windows
--sleeping while it rains
--coffee breaks
--cartoonishly violent movies
--nerds

From the one & only B.A.S.

2008-07-22T10:59:00.001-04:00

= chocolate covered espresso beans

= borrowing sweatshirts from friends

= midnight phone calls

= cancelled class and sleeping in

= people watching

= the good dryer in the laundry room

= the last math problem on the test

= finding old letters

= holding hands and walking through the woods

= when he asks to spend time together

= really hard, down-pouring rain

= laughing to the point of tears

= flirting without a purpose

= pretty dresses

= when a little boy is holding hands with a little girl

= america's next top model marathons

you can add it on si tu veux.

xoxox B.

lazy days of summer

2008-07-21T23:56:00.002-04:00

formaggio south end

playing in city fountains

brownbagging wine

being a minor alcoholic with julia

good lighting in summer photos

champagne and couch chats

subterranean patios

cleaning my room--and how much bigger it gets

lazy nights

to-do lists

and ignoring them

watching tv shows for free on my laptop!

topless tanning

wolf hunt slot machines

every magazine and free publication ever

snagging a window table at erc

puppy hunting

maybe finally getting paid work?

showing people the city

post it notes

sara bareilles and rihanna

brunching

easy friendships--and realizing how long ive had some of them

long hair again

pretty dresses

free samples

how everything fits in my room

stovetop popcorn

gearing up for the fall

getting more sleep

the people i surround myself with

Love that dirty water.

2008-06-13T13:25:00.002-04:00

Being a Beginner: Love that dirty water.

24-point defecit. Game 4. Los Angeles. And still the C's managed to come through.

Reminds you of the 2004 ALCS when the Sox were down 3-0 and somehow managed to win 4 straight against the Yankees before sweeping the World Series.

Last night at Greatest Bar, not only was everyone chanting the requisite BEAT LA and DE-FENSE, there were a few rounds of "Fuck LA! Fuck LA!" basically to the tune of "Yankees Suck!" Ah, Boston we love you. It's nice to have a fresh rivalry to focus on and some new colors to sport proudly. But maybe most of all, it's nice to know that when the Finals are over we still have 3 (or 4) months of baseball left. (Plus my hubby just officially became a US citizen!)

(C) Recuperating

2008-06-12T16:07:00.004-04:00

See Indexed for more insights.

end of another chapter

2008-06-07T00:18:00.002-04:00

-the dog park in the south end
-sitting on the docks at the esplanade
-finding geocaches!
-half green tea, half crimsonberry
-lunch dates
-lazy nights at the boys' places
-bookshelves
-knowing its ok to stay in on a friday night
-praise from employers
-the last day of a job
-stolen vodka.
-writing again
-when someone can look you in the eyes without turning away
-hidden city treasures
-smore brownies
-making plans
-going home
-Boston sports fanatics
-getting organized
-watching my brother get older
-talking to my mom on the phone every day
-deleting voicemails without listening to them
-cracking my back
-the sunday new york times, in hard copy
-hours and hours and hours at the reflecting pool
-the ducks that live there
-cloves on a summer night
-the view of city lights from my window

Summer!

2008-05-29T11:34:00.002-04:00

Outdoor concerts and friends
Sunbathing on the Esplanade
Walks and ice cream
Walking down Newbury on a beautiful day
Bubble tea

Sports & Music

2008-05-16T11:00:00.002-04:00

BOSTON sports = LOVE.

(& a great excuse to drink mid-week)

KG & Big Papi show us how

SK6ERS = love, love, love
Boots, SK, Goose

I do.

2008-05-12T13:14:00.001-04:00

Good road trip companions
“Righ-righ-leff”
Puppies
Meeting people’s moms while house crashing
TMI conversations with people you don’t know and cigars
Driving in the Hudson Valley in spring
Simply beautiful wedding parties
Filet mignon, champagne, & open bars
Laughing until you can’t breathe
Dancing the last dance to Sweet Caroline
Designated driving hilariously drunk boys looking to find ladies
Getting to the “after party” to find good Catholic girls on one bed and boys on the other
“Not counting” as a girl
U-turns in the middle of the street for Wendy’s
“Wait a min… uh, one sec… wait a minute… and a Frosty?”
Sharing a couch with two boys
Driving in the sunshine with the windows open and iced coffee on the NY Thruway and 84
Backyard BBQ in jeans and a bikini top as a pitstop
Playing assistant chef to my little brother
Coming home to, “I have 97 stories!”

its been a while

2008-05-06T22:26:00.002-04:00

setting up my new room
cloves/ice cream chats with dana
sitting by the water to have lunch breaks at work
making mike, the silent intern, really excited/happy today
when i impress my bosses
well-lit spaces
summer in boston
the reflecting pool is full

Spring

2008-04-22T16:23:00.000-04:00

Eating lunch outside.

It's 3:20 am and I should be packing

2007-11-21T03:20:00.001-05:00

+reorganizing my room
+downsizing my material life
+finding old memorabilia
+quiet nights
+alone time. not couple alone time. just alone time.
+realizing I'll have time at home to read
+calls at 9:30am from Ameriprise Financial telling me I have an interview when I'm still halfnaked in Steve's bed and half asleep
+having a great sister
+conversations with people who are in a different country
+accents
+productive conversations
+finding out that there are therapists at UHCS who are free and helpful

Best Birthday Present I've Given Myself -- London!

2007-11-13T04:21:00.000-05:00

* most fabulous gay(?) wedding ceremony on the London Eye
* walking, walking, walllllking until our legs fell off
* British/Aussie/Italian men
* deciding London is Boston's older, cooler brother
* the MOOSE!
* all the usual sites
* not feeling like a tourist
* random Tube stops & the adventures that ensue
* Pret-a-Portea!
* did I mention walking?

Getting through hump day

2007-10-31T22:47:00.000-04:00

- doritos blue cheese and buffalo wing chips with the roommates
- productive meetings
- emails telling me I've been accepted for an interview with GE
- my parents not showing me how much they're freaking out about my graduation (possibly even more than myself)
- being buzzed on a Wed. night just because everyone needs a nightcap now and then
- pretty umbrellas
- knowing everyone hates the Homecoming Queen
- teaching my NUCALLS class
- good conversations with people whose awesomeness you have never personally experienced
- cute cards
- knowing that I'm enough
- multi folder accordion things
- moleskin planners
- office supplies in general
- looking forward to the future even though it scares the shit out of me
- heart to hearts
- flats from Payless (on sale!)
- the fact that the 1-2 day shipping is only $1 more expensive than the 5-10 day shipping at Payless.com
- realizing my friends will be home in a little over a month

The end of Soxtober

2007-10-29T12:24:00.003-04:00

World Series Champs 2007
Red Sox beat Colorado Rockies in 4 game sweep, Oct. 28
7302 Lovers:
Ortiz, Lowell, Papelbon, Ellsbury, Pedroia
and the best pitchers:
Beckett, Dice-K, Schilling, Lester, Okijima

only three weeks?

2007-10-16T17:56:00.000-04:00

-howth cliffs in dublin
-the sea breeze
-plans that should never have worked working out perfectly
-king sized beds
-giggle fests
-rockstar orgys?
-dublin
-strongbow and bulmers and magners
-kamikazes and butterball shots
-adventures with people ive only known for three weeks
-a quiet half hour in a park by myself
-the book of kells
-irish accents
-that to europeans, I have an accent!
-rugby
-hot rugby guys
-new friends at pubs
-going outside my comfort zone
-the rain on my window in the flat
-dressing up for work
-discussing breakfast sandwiches with the mayor of london in the elevator accidentally
-that the building i work in is nicknamed the testicle
-the commute to work
-gchat at work
-catch=up phone conversations
-making crazy plans
-sketchy walks home
-cities with water in/around/through/by them
-compliments
-time to think
-sharing headphones with someone
-sheer exhaustion from something worth it
-missing people---thats how you know you love them
-dropping a size or two in pants
-microwavable rice
-hot breakfast
-weird public transportation experiences
-roommates old and new
-laughing

Trampoline Ninjas

2007-10-15T11:12:00.001-04:00

Some Saturdays give you that feeling of perfect. Family, food, sunshine, and best friends.

It was just a Thursday in October

2007-10-04T22:53:00.000-04:00

* the feeling you get after a really good workout
* how lotion feels on freshly shaved legs
* the berklee boys upstairs playing jazz when i'm not trying to watch TV
* indian summer days and air conditioning
* friends of friends who become friends
* hunting for a deal at h&m and filene's basement
* SIZE 10 PANTS!
* missing grey's because i was spending time with real people
* spooning on a couch with Toomey watching "The Holiday"
* my brother's email that begins with "i love you for always take care of me"

The Princess Pat ... Lived in a Tree

2007-09-30T13:15:00.000-04:00

* 8 am calls from Tim about nothing
* super-secret, super-fun plans
* family support
* feeling like you fit in
* showing girls how to light matches and watching them try
* making a fire from scratch (with the help of a lunchables box)
* making dinner over said fire
* building a big campfire in an open pit
* camp songs!!!!
* sitting around with jen, mom, and gwen as the embers died
* sleeping bags & 27000 layers of clothes
* omelettes in a bag!
* leaves changing colors, fall air, driving home