Sunny Side Up

Christmas Survey

noreply@blogger.com (Kaileigh) — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 22:14:00 +0000

I'm still alive! Taking a break in between finals, and I thought I'd break back into my blog and answer a Christmas survey :)

Please join me!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Well, I usually do gift bags, because I'm terrible at wrapping presents, but I think wrapping paper is more classic and festive.

2. Real tree or Artificial? I definitely prefer real. When I was growing up, we always had a real tree, and going to the lot to pick one out was an adventure in itself. I still love real trees, but have to admit that I have an artificial one right now (and it's hideous. Hideous.) I'm planning on replacing it with a better artificial one after this Christmas (and hoping to get a highly discounted one!).

3. When do you put up the tree? As soon after Thanksgiving as we can. We've been really busy, so the tree still isn't decorated o_O

4. When do you take the tree down? Pretty soon after Christmas. Usually tired of seeing it by then!

5. Do you like eggnog? Mmmm yes :)

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I'm really not sure... probably books. Or I'm guessing something Barbie related, I loved my Barbies!

7. Hardest person to buy for? Probably any guy... Dad, Brother, Russ.

8. Easiest person to buy for? Nobody is easy to buy for to me... I always worry about people not liking what I get! But I think I'll go with my best friend, because we have pretty similar tastes... and she usually wants a lot of things throughout the year, and I take notes.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? No, I guess we don't...

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, if we send them. Our family isn't big into Christmas cards, because we see each other at this time of year I guess?

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Oh, I don't know. I doubt I've ever been given a terrible gift...

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? I actually haven't seen a lot of the classics, and think I will try and see a couple this year. When I was young, I loved Prancer and of course all the Rudolph type movies

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? December, after finals :\

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Mmm... I like all the snacky type foods. My mom and I usually bake some goodies. I love lemon bars and peanut butter balls

16. Lights on the tree (colored or clear)? Clear

17. Favorite Christmas song? "Silent Night," "Here we come a-waissaling" "Baby, It's Cold Outside", "Santa Baby"

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? A lot of traveling, but at least close by. I have divorced parents and divorced grandparents... The movie "Four Christmases" is basically my Christmas.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Yes, but only if I sing "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer"

20. Angel, star or ribbon on top of tree? A Star.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Both, part of having to go so many places on Christmas means we start on Christmas Eve ;)

22. Favorite children's Christmas song? I loved "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" of course. And "Deck the Halls"

23. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? People who are insane in stores... crazy lines and people not caring that they are knocking into other people. People who have to complain about hating Christmas, just be quiet and let other people enjoy it.

24. Favorite ornament theme or color? I like nature themes... This year mine is very natural - berry picks, wood and berry star, little owls and squirrels.

25. Turkey or ham on Christmas day? I prefer ham usually.

26. What do you want for Christmas this year? IDK really.

27. Does anyone in your family dress up as Santa? No, but Russ actually did last year! It was for my Mom's friend's store. It was hilarious!

28. Age you discovered who Santa was? I don't remember my age... but I think I was on the school bus around Christmas time and some little brat wanted to tell everyone. I do remember that I absolutely did NOT tell my little brother. I wanted to believe it wasn't true, and I knew it would make him sad too.

29. Eggnog, hot chocolate, or apple cider? All of the above, but man, I love Starbucks' Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate. Heavenly.

30. Traditional colors (red and green) or other colors? I like rich colors paired with gold. Jewel tones.

31. Do you have any Christmas decorations on your roof? Not this year :(

32. How does Santa get into your house? He doesn't yet ;)

33. Do you prefer gifts or gift cards? I love either :) Gifts are fun to open, but gift cards are fun too. If anyone gives me money though, it just goes to bills :(

34. Favorite children's Christmas Cartoon? Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer... though I don't think that's technically a cartoon.

Cell Phone Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Kaileigh) — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 05:07:00 +0000

I am borrowing this idea from Stephanie from Dirt and Lace!

I thought this was a really fun idea, and I loved seeing Stephanie's pictures, so I thought I'd play too. As I've mentioned before, I love taking photos. Although I don't always have a camera with me, I do usually have my cell phone, so that's where most of my photos end up. Most of them are random, but I thought I'd share some of them for fun. As you can guess... many are of my dog.

I love that our cellphone pictures tend to be more candid and random than pictures taken with a regular camera! Most of mine are taken to send to someone (usually my mom or husband).

I have no idea when most of these are from, but I think they go older to more recent, LOL.

Lilah and a couple of my mom's doggies

A lizard that I saved from the street. He seemed to have only lost his tail, but he was obviously pretty pissed, LOL.

I love random license plates... and used to love Kim Possible.

Lilah's moving box.

Lilah & a Viola

This is what happens if fresh folded laundry is left unattended...

Violas & Asparagus Fern

Russ at the dog park... I love how there are dogs bounding everywhere (Lilah is on the far right).

I already miss the dog park...

An "Alien Skull" at my old college, which I also miss.

And there you have it, random snippets of my life. I'd love to see yours!

Mascara Review: Maybelline "Pulse Perfection"

noreply@blogger.com (Kaileigh) — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 20:40:00 +0000

Even though I've been wanting to try this mascara for awhile, the price held me back for awhile. When I saw it for 50% off at the local Rite Aid, I couldn't resist!

I tried Waterproof (it may be a pain to get off, but it holds curl) in Very Black. I have to say, I was very happy with the results. I hate clumps and love length, and this was perfect for both.

I would definitely recommend this mascara to fellow clump-phobes!

Sweet Disposition

noreply@blogger.com (Kaileigh) — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 04:45:00 +0000

I know this is probably old news to half the world, but I don't care. I am so loving this song, and it's so nice to see a good band get recognition and big deals.

"Sweet Disposition" - The Temper Trap

So long, Summer (almost)

noreply@blogger.com (Kaileigh) — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 22:13:00 +0000

I know I haven't written a blog in quite awhile, I was actually planning on posting a pic of when I received the dress that I won, but it still isn't here... so that will have to wait.

Usually I find that I don't write because either nothing "exciting" has happened, or because of the fact that I've always somewhat attempted to keep negativity out of my blog. I don't know why I do that to be honest, since this blog is supposed to serve as a type of outlet in many ways. Don't get me wrong, nothing tragic has happened, I just in general am not a person that does very well with change - and there seems to be a lot of it lately. Moving, changing schools, husband changing work offices... and of course absolutely bleeding money because of moving (crazy deposits, boxes, and finding someone to help us move... or hiring someone, and then of course had to buy all my school books as well).

When I'm stressed out or overwhelmed I tend to either avoid whatever it is by burying my head in the sand... or more literally in a pillow or my couch (a great concern for Delilah, who frantically tries to uncover my face to kiss). And whenever I eventually have to face it head-on, I feel overwhelmed and think of the worst-case scenario. As much as I'd love to be different, I can't help who I am or magically transform into an optimist, or even someone who likes and desires change.

Anyways, that's what I've been up to, preparing for moving and school. I've been trying to think positively since the largest obstacles really have already been cleared (Russ transferring, me transferring, and actually finding a place). I just know that it/I won't feel okay again until it's all finished and I'm settled into the new school.

Today I was driving and a couple of leaves fell from a tree, leaves that probably made a nice crunchy sound as I drove over them. For a moment I thought of fall, my favorite time of year. Cooler weather, Apple Hill, and of course, cute cozy comfy cardigans... this thought reminded me that all of this too will pass.

And of course, to anyone actually out there, sorry for my whine-fest!!

I won?!

noreply@blogger.com (Kaileigh) — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 05:09:00 +0000

I'm so psyched! I, someone who never wins a.n.y.t.h.i.n.g just won a dress from Shabby Apple via a giveaway hosted by Kater at All This Happiness (beautiful blog)!

Just thought I'd share and send a huge thanks to Kater for hosting the awesome giveaway!

And here's the dress, too cute!!!

"Oh La La" Dress

It's currently sold out, but I should have it soon :) Yay!

Here, there...

noreply@blogger.com (Kaileigh) — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 19:23:00 +0000

Lake Natoma... for some fishing (Russ) and reading (Me)

Me in my dorky getup, I still managed to get a terrible sunburn even with sunblock on.

Day trip to San Francisco to escape the heat in our hometown... it was about thirty degrees cooler there. Yes, PLEASE!

We really didn't do much in San Francisco, but this was one of my favorite parts of the day, watching the sunset by the ocean, and forgetting that it was early July (hence my red nose, it was freeeezing!). I also enjoyed our delicious plums from the fabulous farmers market in the ferry building, and the tasty pot- stickers from a little restaurant we discovered during our last visit.

We decided we need to plan a little getaway somewhere else... as for me, I feel the need... the need for big trees!

It must be love...

noreply@blogger.com (Kaileigh) — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 22:34:00 +0000

When I find something that is a deal AND amazing... I feel like I just have to share it with someone, ANYONE!

I'm actually a bit of a YouTube beauty video junkie, and watched a video (I can't remember which one it was), and the girl in it highly recommended this...

L'Oreal Extra Intense Liquid Pencil Eyeliner (pictured above in brown, I bought black)

And lucky me, our local Rite Aid had it on sale for less than six dollars. If you've ever used Urban Decay's eyeliners (which in my opinion are amazing, but too expensive for me), I would compare the way it goes on to be much like those eyeliners, yet less than half of the cost. It glides on VERY smooth and easily, and with a lot of intensity, I would love it if they had it in some other colors!

Love it!

Lack of inspiration...

noreply@blogger.com (Kaileigh) — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 21:19:00 +0000

I can't even say how many times I've logged into Blogger and wanted to post something, anything. I am just drawing a complete blank lately!

Nothing much is new here, I'm back in school for summer semester, and then... yikes, I transfer to a university... Which means we will be moving soon, so I'm super stressed about that... new town (more expensive area). Ahhh... oh well.

I've been wanting to do a new look in here, to maybe inspire me a bit... so who knows maybe you will see a new look in here soon!

Since I don't have anything else to say, I thought I'd share a song I really love right now. Congratulations by MGMT. I love MGMT :)

It's not a music video - just a song, enjoy :)

Stepping (and descending) into History

noreply@blogger.com (Kaileigh) — Thu, 20 May 2010 17:10:00 +0000

Over the weekend we went with my grandma and grandpa (who are in town visiting) to Colombia State Park and then to Moaning Caverns... It was nice to spontaneously get out of town, generally if I am going somewhere I plan it to death until it's no longer any fun. We just picked up, brought some sandwiches, and went basically!

The park that we went to was an old town that was booming during the Gold Rush. There are quite a few of these towns near us, where gold drew people from across the country and across the seas and inspired them to seek their wealth from California.

Here are some of our pics...

And here are the photos from Moaning Caverns. I was excited to see this... and when my grandma and grandpa didn't want to go in (partly because of the long hike down and then back up, but mostly because they creep my grandma out) I didn't really worry too much about it affecting me. I was wrong, by the time we climbed to the bottom (very tall cave, but not big horizontally), my legs and arms were shaking violently. The old staircase also gave me the creeps, which I have a photo of below...

Regardless, I'm still glad I saw them despite having shaky legs and hands for hours afterwards...

It probably didn't help though that they turned the lights off for us to experience how dark it gets in there... oh and this is after they told us about the human remains (over 100 of them) found in this cave.

The above photo is interesting because this was actually formed in China from the Yangtze River, then purchased many years ago and placed in this cave (sort of random really, if you ask me). But it still forms here in this cave...

To give perspective on how large this cave was, the above stalagmite is around 23 feet tall...

The tour guide must have taken twenty of these pictures in an attempt to get a clear one... I'm guessing the light around me is from my ghostly complexion LOL

Clearing out the Cobwebs...

noreply@blogger.com (Kaileigh) — Fri, 14 May 2010 05:02:00 +0000

Wow, it's pretty dusty in here!!

Sorry for my lack of posting, school has been crazy busy these last few weeks (honestly, the whole semester). I would say I'd never take that many classes at once again... but I'm sure I eventually will have to again!

I thought I'd share some of my pictures from Yosemite. I went on a class field trip there a couple of weeks ago... it was incredible. It was just beautiful beyond description. I did go last year, but by that time most of the waterfalls had stopped running... they really do make a difference!

Oh, and by the way, I just about cried with excitement when I found out Blogger updated the picture uploading. True, you still can only upload basically one at a time (or at least input after they are all uploaded), but baby steps. Baby steps.

Still, I got a little photo happy, I can't help it, I just love our parks (and especially Yosemite) so much...

Also, we were in a documentary! Very exciting, though quite uncomfortable. They wanted us to be very natural throughout it, and it's hard not to stop talking when a camera is clearly recording everything.

Magical, at a certain time of day, the light hits this waterfall just right, and it climbs from the bottom, slowly up to the top. I was so fortunate to see this!

Making dinner in the dark...

Hike up to Vernal Falls (which was closed at the last 300 ft... grrrr)

Cute Owlie at the museum

If anyone knows what these flowers are... I would love to know!

Galen Clark, first protector of Yosemite... he made this headstone and had six (five remaining) Sequoias planted around his grave... so now he is in the trees. I thought that was very poetic.

Yosemite Falls

Native American grinding rock...

Waterfall along our hike around Hetch Hetchy

Below, the beautiful Hetch Hetchy...

Pictures & Updates...

noreply@blogger.com (Kaileigh) — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 01:31:00 +0000

I thought I'd share some pictures here on my blog, because I've truly been terrible about blogging lately. As I've surely mentioned before, my best friend and I do have a sort of fascination with taking random photos and pretending we are aspiring photographers. Sometimes we excitedly text each other "photo shoot" ideas, though many remain just ideas. Her boyfriend suggested a "country" type of theme... and here's the result! Of course that photos are "improved" with Picnik's "60's Mode" (I can't remember the real name of it, but it makes the photos look warm and wonderful).

And here are some photos from Easter...

We actually went to brunch with the family at a restaurant, which isn't our normal plan. We also went to church in the morning, which was really nice.

Not much else is really going on in our corner of the world... we've been dealing with handing our car back to the dealer (a lease... never do it kids!!!). It's an absolute nightmare. Volkswagen's inspection company wasn't able to come out until the 13th, and our lease ends this Wednesday the 7th. Their fault, right? Well, according to them, I have to pay again to extend the lease. After arguing (and I'll admit, some crying, I am a bit of a crybaby), I realized that I couldn't talk them out of making us pay more.

Like I said before, the entire thing is a nightmare, and I have learned my lesson and vow to never, ever do it again.

School is good, but absolutely crazy. Added my 7th class today (another online, and short class) in a mad attempt to grab as many units as possible before hopefully transferring.

Hope all is well in everyone's corner of the world, and that you all had a wonderful Easter!

A Day by the Lake

noreply@blogger.com (Kaileigh) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 03:10:00 +0000

Last Sunday we went to a nearby lake so that I could work on my Ecosystem project for my biology class. It was a beautiful day, and I thought I'd share some pictures. I actually have a ton of other pictures because I took a lot for my assignment, but just sharing a few...

I had an assignment for my Asian History course to visit the Asian Arts Museum in San Francisco, so Russ and I made a weekend out of the trip. It was really fun, and we both got our fill of good food (Pork Buns, Chinese Donuts, Chinese Pancakes, Oh my!) and lots of walking! I will most likely share some pictures once I have them uploaded, mostly the pictures are of the museum, which was really pretty neat, in my opinion! I have seen some very old things before, but I think the Oracle Bones that we saw were one of the oldest I've seen to date. Very neat, I will share more later!

Visitors...

noreply@blogger.com (Kaileigh) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 04:55:00 +0000

I'm still here, I'm alive, I swear. My blog has just taken a backseat to "life" right now. To be honest, I don't have much to write or talk about, just busy with school, school, school. Also feeling a little down, and I try to keep my blog bummer-free, as I've said before...

I thought I'd share some pictures from our weekend, which was very nice. My cousin and her fiance came to visit us from Southern Cali. It was so awesome to see her and meet her fiance. I hadn't seen my cousin in over two years... We did the tourist thing, and took them to San Francisco, including a tour of Alcatraz. And little did I know, there was a Chinese New Year parade, celebrating the end of the New Year festivities. That was such a treat, I wish I could have seen more of the parade and festivities.

These pictures are in reverse order, not that it matters, but I'm just too lazy to deal with Blogger's dumb photo upload feature right now!

Valentine's Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Kaileigh) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 02:42:00 +0000

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hope everyone had a very special one!

My Valentines:

AND....
Gung Hay Fat Choy!!
Happy Chinese New Year to all, I'm a Tiger, so maybe this will be my year ;)

Spring Dreaming...

noreply@blogger.com (Kaileigh) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 07:32:00 +0000

I know, I'm getting a little bit ahead of myself here. It's just been so grey and miserable out these past few weeks, I can't help but dream of spring!

Above are some daffodils that the hubs and I planted in a little flower box that we have... only to have *something* (not our dog) dig them all out the next day... GRRRR.

The sun has burst through a little bit in the past few days, and it's supposed to be a little nicer this weekend here!

What's the weather like where you are?

I'm sorry...

noreply@blogger.com (Kaileigh) — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 20:25:00 +0000

That I have once again become a terrible blogger. I just haven't had too much "good stuff" to blog about. To be honest, things aren't so great right now in a few areas, but it's something that I will probably hold off on mentioning until they are more of a sure thing. Well, I'll probably end up coming back to delete this entry (or at least this portion), since I try to keep this blog "bummer-free"... but I just wanted to clear my head...

Well, in happier news, my best friend Ariadna is home from Russia earlier than planned. I think everyone, even her, is happy about the earlier arrival. It's really great to have her home :)

Another bit of good news, so far I've been keeping up with my huge school course load, even my body feels semi-recovered from my Aerobic training class on Thursday. The first two days after, I wasn't able to raise my left arm, LOL. I think she gives us a harder workout on Thursday (everyday it's a new routine, designed for "muscular confusion"), because we have more time to recuperate before the next class.

Hope everyone had a nice Saturday, and are now relaxing and enjoying your Sunday! I'm sorry again for being a bummer, I really do try to keep it out of my blog, but sometimes just feel pretty overtaken by it.

Am trying...

noreply@blogger.com (Kaileigh) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:43:00 +0000

Not to panic. Really, I've gone through this every semester when my classes first begin. I receive a syllabus from each instructor, see all the thousands of projects, papers, research essays planned, and my heart begins to race. I panic.

I'm feeling it even more this semester, because two of my courses are online, which I have never attempted. Not to mention one of them is a Biology course (the other is an English course, which I feel slightly better about). I have a large course load this semester because I must have a certain amount of units to transfer. Usually, students would still be able to transfer if they were a few units short of being a Junior, but California's campuses are incredibly impacted, and most are not even accepting Freshman this year.

So, I am trying *not* to panic so much over my courses and tell myself it will all work itself out in the end. I am reading my Biology teacher's good reviews on "Rate My Professor" almost the way someone would obsessively rub a worry stone or squeeze a stress ball. And obviously, I'm blogging about it to vent as well...

In other news...

After a few failed attempts, we finally went to see Avatar, in 3D. I don't know about where you guys live, but it is still selling like crazy here. We went with my mom and step-dad, and we weren't even able to sit with them. Frankly, we were lucky to find seats at all!

I have to say that the 3D was almost too much for me for the first hour or so. I remember thinking the same thing when I saw Coraline in 3D, except since Coraline was much shorter than Avatar, I had problems with it almost through the whole movie.

Wow, what can I say? Avatar was beautiful. It was just amazing to look at everything in that movie, and I'm really glad we went and saw it in the theater! I've heard people say that they thought the storyline was lacking, but I was pretty happy with it. I do agree that it was long (I think around two and a half hours), but I just really liked it.

Hope everyone had a nice weekend, especially to those who had a lovely three-day weekend!

Book Review: The Good Earth by Pearl Buck

noreply@blogger.com (Kaileigh) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:28:00 +0000

Pearl Buck's classic... The Good Earth

Review from Bookreporter.com - Original FOUND HERE.

"The earth lay rich and dark and fell apart lightly under the points of their hoes. Sometimes they turned up a bit of brick, a splinter of wood. It was nothing. Some time, in some age, bodies of men and women had been buried there, houses had stood there, had fallen, and gone back into the earth. So would also their house, some time, return into the earth, their bodies also. Each had his turn at this earth. They worked on, moving together --- together --- producing the fruit of this earth --- speechless in their movement together."

The simple raw imagery of THE GOOD EARTH won Pearl S. Buck the Pulitzer Prize for Literature in 1932. Its poignant portrayal of a poor farmer's life and his bond with the land is as relevant to our own ancestral roots as it is to rural China. Wang Lung, the central figure around which the entire narrative revolves, is a man of many complexities depicted by his relationships with his wife, his father, his children and his village. His land is precious, its value equating to his own self-worth. Although steeped in the ancient traditions, he reflects certain enlightened thinking at times that may be more for the author's emphasis of injustices than a true depiction of the average Chinese peasant in the early 1900s.

Wang Lung's story begins as a young man seeking a wife to cook, clean and bear his children. O-lan, a slave's slave from a wealthy household, comes to live and share his life in the subservient fashion that traditions dictate. Initially their marriage brings satisfaction to both, although for vastly different reasons. Wang Lung has a sense of fulfillment in having such a wise and competent woman to raise his children and maintain his home. And even though women are still considered "slaves" by their men, O-lan has found a better life than she's ever known; she is well-cared for and Wang Lung is kind. Together they bring five children into the world and work their thriving farm.

But just as the life of a peasant is harsh, so are the traditions that mold marriage and family. Women are little more than chattel, necessary for procreation and to serve the household needs. A girl child is an unwelcome birth and can even bring shame to families unable to produce a boy. During hard times young girls were often sold into slavery or worse. For all the compassion that Pearl Buck feels for these people and the beauty she finds in their simple lives, her outrage at the conditions of the women is apparent. Although Wang Lung's thoughts are a bit more liberal than we might expect, he still maintains his distance, displaying neither open affection nor love for the woman who shares his life.

". . . she was like a faithful, speechless serving maid, who is only a serving maid and nothing more. And it was not meet that he should say to her, 'Why do you not speak?' It should be enough that she fulfilled her duty."

"Sometimes, working over the clods in the fields, he would fall to pondering about her. What had she seen in those hundred courts? What had been her life, that life she never shared with him? He could make nothing of it. And then he was ashamed of his own curiosity and of his interest in her. She was, after all, only a woman."

As the years pass, Wang Lung's family suffers abject poverty and famine but their strength of character sustains them through stark conditions that we would find inconceivable. Reduced to begging in the city, Wang Lung steadfastly refuses to sell his land. Then as China experiences the first rumblings of revolution, the cycle of prosperity returns and Wang Lung eventually becomes the wealthy landowner that he once envied and despised. But his evolution from a proud hardworking peasant to the decadent life of an idle lord is disheartening. Pearl Buck eloquently portrays the sad disintegration of this man and his family as they become alienated from the land and the noble values it imparted.

--- Reviewed by Ann Bruns

My Review:

Almost anything about the plot of this book has already been summarized very well in the above review. Aside from the summary of the book, I would like to simply give my recommendation for this book, and the message that it carries.

I know that when many people hear the word "classic", many may shy away thinking that it might be dull or even difficult to read. However, this book is a "quick read", and flows smoothly. It reads as easily as books written by more modern authors, and is absolutely fascinating and at times, shocking.

Personally, I am absolutely fascinated with Pre-revolutionary China (and just finished a history class on traditional East Asia) so I knew this book would be one that I would enjoy.

Have you read this book? If so, what did you think?

Also, while I was looking for pictures of the book for this post, I noticed that there is a movie as well, does anyone know if it's any good?

Welcome!

noreply@blogger.com (Kaileigh) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 18:07:00 +0000

I just wanted to take a moment to welcome some new readers that I've gained recently!!!

I'm so happy to have you guys!

I hope everyone is doing well, I'm going to try and come up with some ideas for posts this week... since it's my last week off before school. I was thinking about also doing a book review somewhere in there since I read a couple over my break... "The Good Earth" by Pearl Buck, and "Like Water for Chocolate" by Laura Esquivel. Would you be interested in either of those? Or even both? (I would highly recommend both of these books, so I'd be happy to do either).

(Side note... does anyone know how to underline titles in your post? I used to be able to by hitting Ctrl U... but now some little window pops up when I do that)

I always worry that the reviews are super boring, but I love to read, and love to talk about what I read, so I just started doing those...

Anyways, hope everyone had a wonderful weekend... one more week off and then I'm back to the daily grind (school) myself. And to be honest, I couldn't be happier. I'm sure I'll regret saying that in a few weeks, but being home all the time just doesn't make me feel good...

Does anyone...

noreply@blogger.com (Kaileigh) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Ever just get lost out there in YouTube land? I'll sometimes click on something that someone else posted on Facebook, or sent me the link to... or I'll see that my favorite makeup guru has posted a new video... and then I end up clicking on a side video.... then another...

And, well, you get the idea.

Yesterday I stumbled on Failblog on YouTube... and could not stop watching the train wrecks. Like I've said before though... I'm pretty easily amused.

Terrifying.

Even funnier considering the lyrics...

And of course there's this one, LOL

Yeah, that's all I've got guys. LOL, I'm going to try and work on some more creative ideas to get my blog going again!

Speaking of which.... anyone have some ideas?? LOL, I'm clearly desperate!!

An Update, and Some Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Kaileigh) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:22:00 +0000

Hello All,

Well I know I'm a little more than late on this one, but I hope everyone had a wonderful New Years Eve. Ours was very quiet, we just went out to dinner and came home.

Also, since it's been that long, I hope everyone also had a wonderful holiday! Our Christmas was... pretty good. Everyone was absolutely spoiled, as usual. It was fun, though this year felt a little... different to me. I don't know if it was from the stress of finals and not being able to shop early (though who am I kidding, I never shop early...), but I just felt like everything was so rushed this year, and though I know this is going to sound corny, I'm just going to say it.

Christmas lacked that *magic* this year for me.

I don't know if it's because I've just been feeling pretty down or if I'm just getting "old", I don't know. I will say though, that I will absolutely NOT procrastinate so much on my holiday shopping next year, especially since, as crazy as finals felt this year, they will surely be crazier when I am at an actual university, and not just community college.

Why am I having deja vu saying those words? Oh... that's right, I said the exact same thing in this very blog LAST YEAR. So we'll have to see if I link back to this very post next year, which will be truly sad.

Well, enough of the rambling... here are some pictures of our Christmas...

Christmas Eve at my Grandpa's...

Christmas morning at Mom's...

And then at Dad's...

How we all pretty much felt at the end of the day...

And here are a few New Years pics...

Just Popping in to Say...

noreply@blogger.com (Kaileigh) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 18:53:00 +0000

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!!!

Enjoy your holiday!!

Twenty-Three...

noreply@blogger.com (Kaileigh) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 07:48:00 +0000

I just celebrated my birthday, and thought I would share some pics!

I actually spent most of the day Christmas shopping, because I was woefully behind due to finals (which are O-V-E-R!!!).

This year (like every year before it since I was old enough to shop for others) I have vowed to never put off my shopping until the last minute. I say this every year, but I know perfectly well that next year will be exactly the same, if not worse (since I will *hopefully* be attending a new school at a higher level).

Later that night I met up with family (my grandma & grandpa are also in town) & we went out to dinner at a very nice restaurant. Then we walked around a lit-up garden/nursery (which I blogged about here).

After dinner, we went and enjoyed a family favorite, the "strawberry jello cake". (A cake made by mixing jello pudding mix into the cake batter, yum yum). My mom puts a very delicious twist on it, and it has become a birthday staple in our family!

Santa, Baby...

noreply@blogger.com (Kaileigh) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 06:07:00 +0000

Today we went to a little holiday party that my mom has each year for the dog club that we belong to. We have a lot of fun taking our dogs to play and socialize, and have met some awesome people there.

AAAAnnnnd, if this particular Santa looks vaguely familiar...

It's because it's none other than my hubby in there!

The lady who was hosting the party asked Russ if he would dress up as Santa.... OMG, I was just dying over it. And since I'm a Harry Potter nerd myself, I have to comment that he looked a tad like a white-bearded Hagrid, don't you think?

Russ was such a good sport about it, it was a lot of fun.

Also a strange sight - my hair in a ponytail. I really don't like having my hair pulled back, but as finals approach and deadlines draw near (ONE....ESSAY...LEFT!) I find this happening much more often. I guess I'm turning into a true college student.