A Few of my Favorite Things: 2012 in Hyperbole

Sometimes I speak in extremes. I can't help it. With that said, I have some utterly LIFE CHANGING favorites to share from 2012.

Life-changing gadget(s): the iPad mini
It's so little! And yet, after a few days, I've started to master typing on it. Yes, I'll most likely get a full-size Bluetooth keyboard to use, but I can easily see this becoming my primary device. I love it so much I'll probably name it. Shush your mouth.
Runner-up: Republic Wireless Motorola little, tiny Droid
Yeah, so I might have also received an iPhone 4S for Christmas, too, but this thing WORKS where I need it to and when I need it to. I'm not really exaggerating when I say this is the first cell phone I've owned that has done just that. Ever. In all my 30 years. I'm so happy with it, I don't want to stop using it.

Life-changing shoes: Steve Madden Saviour riding boots

(image source: http://www1.assets-gap.com/webcontent/0005/178/692/cn5178692.jpg)

Because BootSaga2012 was indeed a saga. I know people complain about finding boots to fit their big calves, but trust me -- it is just as difficult to find boots to fit skinny calves. These aren't perfect, but for the price, they work.

Life-changing Pottery Barn purchase: the tote bag

(image source: http://rk.pbimgs.com/pbimgs/rk/images/dp/wcm/201223/0002/img3b.jpg)

IT FITS AS A CARRY-ON. That's when I knew I loved it. It's super sturdy. And it's all girly and pretty.

Life-changing relaxation: Lush A French Kiss and Lush Dream Time (tie)

(image sources: http://demandware.edgesuite.net/sits_pod18/dw/image/v2/AAHL_PRD/on/demandware.static/Sites-Lush-Site/Sites-lushcosmetics-export/en_US/v1356858154930/images/product/02189.jpg?sw=350&sh=350 and http://demandware.edgesuite.net/sits_pod18/dw/image/v2/AAHL_PRD/on/demandware.static/Sites-Lush-Site/Sites-lushcosmetics-export/en_US/v1356858154930/images/product/00601.jpg?sw=350&sh=350)

My late evening baths become exponentially more enjoyable when I drop pieces of these in. And the smell lingers on my bath towels, which even makes getting ready for work more enjoyable. Remember that Friends episode where Ross and Rachel are breaking up and the other four are locked in Monica's bedroom eating leg wax? And Phoebe says how it actually doesn't taste bad? I imagine I'd have the same reaction if I were forced to eat one of these because they smell GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT.

Life-changing food: my vegetarian quesadillas
What you need: soft taco-sized tortillas, tomatoes (canned will work), mushrooms, chopped onions, chopped bell peppers, shredded cheese (cheddar, taco, Mexican blend -- whatever you like), black beans, and sour cream and fresh salsa for topping
What you do: spray a little olive oil in a pan, lay down the tortilla, fill half of it with above ingredients and fold the other half over. Let it brown nicely on both sides (be careful when flipping) and then top with as much sour cream and salsa as you want. As my father says, "It'll make your tongue want to slap your brains out!"
Runner-up: my charred fresh green beans
These happened by complete accident. I was simply trying to caramelize the onions when they got a little dark and crispy, leaving the pan on too high for too long. Turns out I couldn't have made a better mistake. Season with salt, onion salt, and a little garlic powder. PERFECTION.

Life-changing read: Running Away to Home, by Jennifer Wilson 
It reaffirmed the fact that I NEED to travel to eastern Europe and visit the lands from where my ancestors came. And also that maybe I need to not ignore my family so much (even if they are incredibly nebby and sometimes say rage-inducing comments).

Life-changing habit: Finding a local watering hole
Because Friday afternoons are going to kill my kidneys (therefore, life-changing).
[This is complete hyperbole. Don't drink and drive, kids.]

Life-changing weekend habit: City Market
PRODUCE! HAND-MADE CRAFTY GOODS! ALL THE STUFF YOU NEVER REALIZED YOU NEEDED UNTIL YOU SAW IT!
My only goal for 2013 regarding City Market is to get there every week and at an earlier time to really claim the good stuff. Every time I think of joining a CSA (and how amazeballs it would be), I think about how it would ruin my weekend routine.

Life-changing thing that will make me erupt with uncontrollable rage: 50 Shades of Horrible Crap Gray
Hey, all you who read it? Go home, you're drunk. Book snobbery FTW.

Life-changing dress: JCrew Origami Sheath Dress

(image source: http://cdnb.lystit.com/photos/2011/10/11/jcrew-decadent-red-origami-sheath-dress-in-wool-crepe-product-1-2189929-062658497_large_card.jpeg)

Nothing makes me feel as stylish and confident as Kate Middleton as this dress. It fits like a glove. And with nude pumps? I FEEL like a duchess.

And with that, 2012 is summarized. I can't wait to see what sorts of favorite things next year brings!

2012: A Look Back

(I apologize for the lack of posts, as life and work have taken over my soul and have reduced me to stress eating and sleeping and not nearly enough reading and writing.)

If I had to think of a way to describe 2012, I'd have to go with "the new normal." I've had to get used to my house being in a constant state of improvement projects; work sending me on a roller-coaster of emotions; my mind and heart missing loved ones (gone or simply hours away); the idea that people change in good ways and bad; and the idea knowing that no matter how much I want to unf%$& my life, I always am striving to do better. And those are good things, right?

Maybe this is what being 30 is all about.

All in all, 2012 was a good year. Nothing to terribly drastic happened that made me love it or hate it. We made a number of tristate road trips (and I got to get away in Florida for a few days). I taught a summer course on The Hunger Games, which provided me a great amount of professional joy. We're coming to grips with being adults and having to make big financial and job decisions (GAWD, just typing that raises my blood pressure). We continue to celebrate the payoff we're finally starting to see from all of our energy-saving projects (our power bill is almost at ZERO -- take that power companies!). And I realized that I can finally start some interior remodeling and redecorating. All of this sounds like so much work. Rest assured, I found plenty to distract and entertain me, too (not everything was new/released in 2012, just what I watched/listened to/read in this calendar year).

Movies
Favorites of the year? Definitely Argo. Skyfall comes in as a very close runner-up. The Bourne Legacy was fine on its own, but just didn't do enough for me as part of the Bourne franchise.
I know we saw others, but clearly they didn't leave enough of an impression on me. Blah.

Television
I became mildly obsessed with New Girl, and I won't even get in to how great I think Nick Miller's character is (because that could take up an entire blog, let alone post). I love Jess' outfits (though don't think I could pull many of them off) and I can relate to her naive optimism. I think I love it as much as I love Friends, and that's saying a lot.
And then there's Downton Abbey, my other not-so-mild obsession. What do I love about it? It's so smart. It's witty. It's a tear-jerker. It makes me want to have been born in early twentieth-century England to an aristocratic family so I can wear stunning gowns to dinner each night. (Obviously, some of the laws and lack of women's rights don't tickle my fancy, but whatever.)
I also got through 4.5 seasons of Friday Night Lights, and I realize I need to finish it. However, Netflix just started streaming The West Wing, so there's that.

Music
I don't listen to much music. Actually, that's not true. I'll turn on various Pandora stations nearly every day at work and sing along to whatever song plays next. But there's not much I purchased this year, except some not-so-new artists, mainly Duffy and Mumford & Sons (which are on constant repeat on my iPod).

Books
Finally, the solo activity that brings me the most entertainment. Some titles that were among my favorites? The Blue Orchard, When She Woke, Jane Eyre (yes, it took me until this year to read it), The House at Tyneford, A Land More Kind Than Home, Gone Girl, The Casual Vacancy, and The Age of Miracles. But my absolute favorite for this year? Rules of Civility. Jazz-age socialite life in NYC? Fancy clothes and parties? Interesting characters with an air of mystery? Yes, yes, and yes. It will remind you of The Great Gatsby. And you will love it.

So what's in store for 2013? I have no idea. I have a few resolutions (eat even less meat than I did this year, get back in the pool, keep in touch with long-lost friends and maybe even relatives more, stop caring so much about some things, care a little more about others, etc.). There will be some vacations (California dreaming!). A dear friend is getting married. I will bake, write, read, and (most importantly) love. And it will be better than good. :)

'Tis the Season that's Finally Over

The phone has stopped ringing. Friendly strangers are no longer knocking on my door. And the highways have (mostly) been cleaned of the signs that littered them.

Election season is over, friends, and I couldn't be happier.

It was stressful. In fact, I don't think I've ever felt this invested in an election before. I'm a proud democrat and have been my whole life, so I'm satisfied with the results. Is Obama perfect? No. In fact, my views probably align a little more closely to the Green Party, but I live in a swing state and wasn't about to take any chances with Virginia's outcome. But I think Race to the Top is some serious crap, and I'm happy that I'm not forced to belong to a union just because of my job. I wish education had different leadership at the federal level and teachers -- for once -- caught a break.


But I'm also happy that we have a president who has earned the respect of world leaders. One who respects women and our rights to make decisions about our bodies with our doctors. One who wants us to have clean air and water and believes in other options besides antiquated energy resources. And one who believes it doesn't matter who you love, you should have the same rights as anyone else (and also have the right to serve your country without hiding). I'm happy we have a first lady making strides with nutrition and setting a positive example, showing us it really does matter what we put in our bodies. And I'm happy we have four more years of seeing cute pictures of Bo.

Unfortunately, I have to report that some friends and family members have said some hateful things and have tried to start arguments. I'm sad that my father has felt intimidated at work because of his liberal beliefs and worried he couldn't put an Obama sign in his yard because he feared vandalism. However, I'm thankful I had very civil discussions with friends whose views could not be more opposite mine. And as policy is shaped throughout the next four years, I hope those conversations can continue. It's good to be informed, listen to analysis (instead of yelling pundits), and draw your own conclusions, not what your 24-hour cable station du jour is telling you.

But I need a break. America needs a break. And right now, I'd like to go back to focusing on baking, boots, and books, not bitterness and binders.

Things I've learned in August-September

In lieu of any sort of long, thought-out post, a running list of things I've learned:

• Work is less stressful when you leave it at work.
• People can surprise you.
• People can also greatly disappoint you.
• Just because you're back at work doesn't mean you stop working out. It means you keep going b/c you need it the most.
• Trying to find a pair of riding boots is a challenge, but worth it.
• Trying to find a pair of black heeled boots is another story.
• Just because there are fewer tears in the month of September doesn't mean it gets easier.
• I still hate pink in October and half-assed attempts at making strides against cancer in all its forms.
• Baking is my happy place.
• Beer, Sun Chips, and cheesecake can qualify as dinner.
• Just when I think I don't need to shop any more, I find so many things I want/need/love.
• My students can make me laugh REALLY hard.
• Apple season is my favorite time of year.
• Never in my life have I had a cell phone that works well. Never.
• I want a DSLR camera.
• Sometimes, you just have to get along with people, even when you don't want to.
• My alma mater is an embarrassment, most of the time.
• The return of "New Girl" brought hilarity when I needed it most.
• Weekly manicures are worth it.
• I fully believe the adage that fog in September means snow in winter. And if it's true, I'm looking forward to sleeping in a lot during the middle of the week in a couple months.

You can always go back again, even when it's tough

I don't like August.

August means it's closer to fall, which used to be my favorite season until (in the recent past) it became my favorite season to get sad. So, I survive with an intense focus on boots, sweaters, university hoodies, football, hockey, and pumpkin spice lattes. All of these are very good distractions, and I am thankful to be able to divert my attention to such (let's be honest here) mundane things.

August also means a return to work, which is very hard to do when you've been off for two and a half months. I'm not going to get into how I think school should be year round (but dammit, it totally should), but I will say this: I get really tired of hearing people who are jealous of my summer break.

It sucks.

There is no happy balance from mid-August to June. Your body clock gets all screwed up. You are working your ass off and then all of a sudden you're not doing anything. All of your best friends don't work in the same job as you do, and their schedules are totally different, which makes getting together a challenge. It's a difficult adjustment to make, both at the beginning and end of summer. You all with NORMAL, year-round jobs seriously don't realize how lucky you have it.

So, once August rolls around and I need to revert back to professional mode, it's tough. I see all the school supplies in Target and it makes me want to turn around and walk out (or at least run with my eyes closed and ears blocked through all the crazy moms and elementary school teachers just so I can get my shampoo and 12-pack of Coke Zero). I turn on my horrible, no good, very bad work laptop and lament the fact we can't get nice equipment (you know, Macs). I look at the pile of binders I brought home and SWORE I was going to revamp during the summer and just laugh and say, "Nope! Screw you, I'm still on vacation!" I watch a lot of television. I self-medicate on cookies and wine. I cry for no good reason. I use retail therapy as a crutch. I spend my waning days doing nothing because I won't have the chance to do nothing for a really long time.

But once I actually return to work and am in the building, I'm FINE. Things just fall into place and the old becomes the familiar once again. Routines take shape. I love what I do when I'm doing it (just not when I'm forced to sit through pointless meetings).

So, sorry, but I don't like August. Even though all the distractions are pretty good, it's not enough to hide the fact that life gets hard in August. But, I keep reminding myself that all of this is temporary. In the meantime, you can find me curled up on the couch, watching Friday Night Lights, drinking a bottle of French wine and eating cookies.

Separated at Birth: Schmidt and Lochte

You love them. You celebrate their successes (Olympic medals! Dating a model!). You share their pain when things don't go quite right (Underperforming at the Olympics! Getting a penis cast!). But upon deeper thought, Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte and New Girl's Schmidt are more alike than you realize.

1. Both are attractive in their own ways.

As we've seen from Schmidt's spinning video, we know he's no athlete. Therefore, we can't compare them as athlete-athlete. But Schmidt has a good-looking face, and all of Lochte looks good. It's a win for women everywhere.

2. Both look better now than they have in the recent past.

Curly-haired Lochte? Fat Schmidt? UGH. Glad to see they've gotten better with age.

3. Both think entirely too highly of themselves.

Remember all that Lochte hype leading up to London 2012? Two days removed from the swimming events and what do we hear now? Nothing. He's very good and better than anybody reading this. But he's no Michael Phelps, nor will he ever be. As for Schmidt? He ordered personalized condoms.

4. Both are douchebags that should simply stand and not talk.

I think if you put both men in a room and had them talk, they'd have to put so much money in the Douchebag Jar that it could fix Spain's economy.

Lochte: 

Ryan Lochte

• ✔

@ryanlochte

Can u catch lightening in a bottle and set the water on fire?

31 May 12

• Reply
• Retweet
• Favorite

Ryan Lochte

• ✔

@ryanlochte

Too travel is sometimes better to arrive!

17 Jun 12

• Reply
• Retweet
• Favorite

Schmidt: To Cece, what he loves about India: "I love 'Slumdog.' I love naan. I love pepper. I love Ben Kingsley; the stories of Rudyard Kipling. I have respect for cows, of course. I love the Taj Mahal, Deepak Chopra, anyone named Patel. I love monsoon. I love cobras in baskets."

5. Both are good at what they do.

Lochte has 11 Olympic medals (five gold, three silver, and three bronze). Not too shabby. And Schmidt has a decent job where he survives as the only male in an estrogen-charged marketing-ish office. I couldn't survive that, so Schmidt definitely deserves some credit.

6. I'm willing to bet serious money that Lochte has White Fanged someone before.

7. Both have a unique sense of fashion.

Schmidt: Tiny kimonos! Driving moccasins! Irish walking capes! Lap dance pants! "Good" pea coats!

Lochte: Diamond grills! Bedazzled green kicks! Hip-hop/frat boy! No Jeah!

(photo source: http://static02.mediaite.com/styleite/uploads/gallery/ryan-lochte-fashion/133506449_10.jpg)

If Lochte brings us this sort of joy from London, imagine what Rio will bring!

This is what takes up my brain space. Happy August, everyone.