jake

I spent my Sunday hiking the Sluice Boxes with boyfriend. It's about a forty minute drive from where we live, but it's worth it. There is a reason they call Montana God's Country, folks. Seriously. 

The dog in the photos is a stray we ran into on our little journey. He plays fetch and doesn't answer to any name. But I called him Jake the entire time. I swear, if boyfriend and I ever get a dog together, I am going to love the crap outta it! 

let's give 'em something to talk about

maxi skirt: Forever 21; flats: Famous Footwear; graphic tee: Forever 21; trench coat: Windsor; scarf: Ebay; watch: Target

sunglasses: Forever 21

People in Great Falls rarely see a girl in her giant leopard scarf strolling along the riverside while her boyfriend takes endless pictures of her. 

At first taking pictures in the park for my blog was awkward and embarrassing. 

Now though, I look at it as giving those old men and women walking their dogs and the children playing on the jungle gym something to talk about. 

Eat it up, onlookers. Eat. It. Up. 

someday...

 I'll be brave enough to let it all go and chop it all off...

or have the guts to let it be and dread it out.

I'll pack it all up and live out of my car like the restless individual I am...

or stand still for longer than a moment and take it all in.

Also, someday I'll be flexible enough to take it all in while contorting myself like a human pretzel...if only that were so easy. 

p.s. outfit pictures to come!! 

getting mushy

My life suddenly got busy this week.

I now have two jobs, classes have started [note: statistics is like death by numbers], and I still have to shave out time for running.

 All of that can really make a girl feel run down. 

Not to mention the fact that I have been missing Alma & Baileyboo & Tarron & my NZ family ALL like crazy. 

So when I get to skype Mobaby, Keeg, Benner, and Babyface, like I did last night, it can really make a girl laugh. 

Those four...let me tell you...I know I say it a million times a day, but...I love them. 

And I thank them for letting me be myself even on days like yesterday when I was running late for our skype date thanks to work and I needed to shower [thank goodness they are 9,000 miles away and thus could not smell my musk made up of cleaning supplies and Taco del Sol]. 

They really have helped me evolve into this person I've become. 

For that, I could not thank them enough. 

And I could not miss them more.  

sherlock

shoes: Famous Footwear; jeggings: Target; trench coat: Windsor

Summer time has not really hit Great Falls yet. 

Great Falls still seems to think it's spring. 

Which is fine for now, because I just got this awesome trench coat that makes me feel like a detective. 

And I like feeling important, like a detective.

I like it a lot.  

Other things I like at the moment [besides my trench coat]:

-getting to skype some of the people I love most in this world

-listening to RHCP at work and singing along like no one can hear me

-random text messages from boyfriend throughout the day reminding me to have a good one

-having shampoo 

-receiving multiple e-mails a day from Simon [one of which was a graded copy of an assignment he had turned in just so that he could prove a point]

-naps

9 little truths

1. When I'm sad I like to listen to even sadder music...and cry a lot. I like to just spend a whole day crying when I'm sad. Kind of the opposite of most people's approach, huh?

2. I like to watch TopGear UK. I hate the American version. That being said, I really only watch it for the British humor and the car competitions. I actually hate all the information they spew at you about horsepower. 

3. I have no intention of ever learning to cook. It eliminates it ever being "my turn" to cook, because no one wants to eat the food I create in the kitchen.  Thus, dinner is never on my list of to-dos ergo it is one less thing I have to do. Genius, right?!

4. I hate brushing my hair. It's such a long process and I end up losing most of my hair anyway. I prefer the dreaded messy look and one day boyfriend will learn to appreciate it too. 

 

5. Every once in a grand while I like to listen to Nickelback. Reminds me that I'm not nearly as cool as I think I am. 

6. I read my daily blogs like most people read current events in the news paper. It's not that I like being un-informed, I just don't like the depressing news. So instead, I read my favorite blogs and smile. 

7. I sing into my remote. Or my hairbrush. Or my clinched fist. Anything works really. I probably always will. And when "Sex and Candy" comes on the old-time radio or Pandora, you best believe I will sing every word from start to finish with finesse, shamelessly. 

 

8. Snakes on a Plane...I have watched it about 400 million times. Every time it gets better. I make no apologies for putting it up there on my list of favorites. I would call it my "guilty" pleasure. But I don't believe in pleasure being guilt ridden. So I enjoy it. Period. 

 

9.  I hate Angelina Jolie as if that skeletal hussy stole Brad Pitt from me. And I question the judgement of those who like her. Yeah, yeah...she does tons of charity work and direct politically relevant films...but does she know all the words to Legends of the Fall? Didn't think so. 

boyfriend's back

Boyfriend got back from kicking some major booty at the Outdoor Track National Championship. He took ninth overall...just saying. 

We wasted no time when he got back. We got straight back to business: snuggling, laughing, dinner and Men in Black 3, more snuggling, and finally devouring those cupcakes I slaved over the oven baking for him. 

This guy...he's the kind of guy that split cheesecake with me and let me have the last bite. Then he splurged at the movies and got me a soda andddd my beloved Sweettarts candies. 

I have missed fighting over the remote with him. 

Good to have you back, boyfriend. Good to have you back. 

benner.

Tonight I got to skype my dear friend, Benner. 

I know how cliche and over-dramatic it seems to talk about how great a friend Benner or any of my kiwi friends have been to me, but nights like tonight when it's cold and rainy and I am alone in my sweatpants and fuzzy socks watching Grey's Anatomy on Netflix...it's nice to know that there are people like Benner in my life to lift my spirits. He might not always know what to say when I get emotional, but laughter is the best cure for a bad night...and laughter is never in sort supplies with this one. 

When I am convinced he won't know what to say or will think I am absolutely ridiculous...that's when he steps in and makes it all better. He's a good one people...too bad he's taken ;)

p.s. [on an inside joke kind of note] Benner, I ate the cupcake. 

The chocolate cupcake. 

Be prepared for me to be right. 

to do list

My to do list for summer follows:

1. Make a gallery wall in our living room

2. Go hike the Sluice Boxes

3. Spend one whole day in bed watching Disney movies and/or scary movies [not that those two relate in any way]

4. Run a road race [which means I must stay with the whole running thing]

5. Save as much as possible for New Zealand in December and also Mexico in July

6. Get a 4.0 in my summer classes [statistics, meet your match]

7. Research volunteer opportunities [overseas especially]

8. Study for the GRE

9.Read at least one book for the hell of it

signs

I hate to be "that" person...but I totally am. I am the girl who looks for signs. EVERYWHERE. Daily, around every ordinary corner. Before you call me absolutely insane, here are some examples:

When I went to Billings a few months ago to visit my mom and dad and Bailey, the only open parking spot at the cafe where we got coffee...was next to Bailey. 

Best friends? I think so. 

I came across a NEW ZEALAND tourist information book at the Goodwill a few weeks ago. 

A book on New Zealand at the local Great Falls Goodwill.

Coincidence? I think not. 

My roommate has a coffee table book of birthdays and what your birthday says about you. 

According to the book: 

My lucky numbers are 9 and 7. Correct. 

I am attracted to intellectuals who favor spontaneity. Correct. 

My biggest flaw is that I am unforgiving. Correct, although in reality, the list is must longer than that. 

Albertson's was selling NEW ZEALAND tomatoes the other day. 

Once again, I took this as a nudge from the fates. 

Call me crazy. Call me pathetic. 

Tell me I am out searching for the signs I want to see. That may all be true. 

Or I might be seeing the things you people are missing. 

i usually don't do this

I try not to post these kind of things, but I find this statement to be one of those bold proclamations that I live by. There are so many things in this life that are mediocre, average and that's okay. Sometimes average-ness brings about a certain comfort. But...love should not be one of those less than exceptional things. My best girl friend, Bailey, and I met up the other day over coffee and pastries. Our conversation was really profound for the two of us, especially at eight in the morning. It was a conversation based on making big decisions, letting go of the past (with or without closure), and about how love should be extraordinary. 

9 ways i am failing today

1. Ran into the post office in the pouring rain--ruined my neatly written postal address label. 

2. Postal worker says, "You know, if you went to New Zealand you wouldn't have to spend $50 on this package." -- Thank you for reminding me that I am currently in Montana, and not the promised land, dear postal worker. If only it were that simple. 

3. Decided to not wash hair and instead use dry shampoo-- all out of dry shampoo. 

4. Got back in the shower to wash hair-- all out of regular shampoo. 

5. Bag is all packed for Mexico trip [in July]-- still have not finished unpacking all my clothes into my summer apartment closet. 

6. Planned a hike with friends on Monday-- winter storm warning in Montana in May...on Monday. 

7. Spent about two hours today Googling "What to do with a Psychology degree besides becoming a counselor?"-- Google says "Good luck, hombre."

8. Sang like a maniac to Norah Jones on the way to the Post Office, even at the stop lights I came up on-- stranger looked at me and then locked his car doors. 

9. Still have not washed hair-- or bought shampoo. 

nailed it.

I am currently recuperating from my weekend at home with my family and extended family. They are a rowdy bunch: young cousins, grandparents, my father (who is a lot to handle in his own right), my crazy sister, and boyfriend. It's a lot. They wore my energy levels down. 

So, I decided to rejuvenate myself and to celebrate my 3.97 GPA for the semester a little pampering was in order. Enter Nail&Spa salon in the local mall. 

That you "Tammi" for making me relaxed and refreshed. You truly were a doll, even if that isn't your real name. 

my baby sister is a high school graduate

It is important for you to know that boyfriend and I did not intend to match. 

It is also important for you to know that Kristin's graduation was Douglas High School's 50th graduation ceremony. 

There may or may not have been over a hundred monarch butterflies released and a live rock band at this shin-dig. 

Yeah, my sister is a big deal. 

life at the moment

Swollen ankles from the heat

Ultra Marathon Man by Dean Karnazes

Grande Iced Vanilla Latte from Starbucks

A quilt in the sunshine on the grassy lawn

Welcome, summertime. I am greeting you with open arms. 

ridiculous

Picture of half of my unpacked closet, and about a fourth of the way done. 

This is just ridiculous. 

another era comes to an end

Graduation are one of my least favorite things. Ever. 

They come with good-byes and long ceremonies, let's not even mention those God-awful caps and unflattering gowns. Despite all those things, the silver lining is that they are a time to celebrate with our friends over their accomplishment. 

This year, the class of 2012 and a few of my very dear friends are off to greener pastures. Here's to them. 

Tiffany is having a baby boy and earned her Master's. 

Stephen is going to miss me. 

He was crying before we took this picture. 

Weren't you, Burns?

Our favorite fellow running couple, Brandi and Shane. 

This kid and I, however, only have three years of the required four under our belt.

Which is kind of nice, since we still haven't gotten enough of each other. 

nothing rock&roll about this wednesday

Boyfriend and I decided to go and get frozen yogurt yesterday night, and, as usual, boyfriend brought his date night face. I swear, the more I get to know this guy, the more I realize that he's just as big of a freak as I am. And that is comforting, friends-- to know that I am not out here in the sea of craziness all alone. 

So, I hope you all are enjoying the almost summertime weather! And remember to hit join this site if you take an interest in not only personal style, but also my many misadventures (most of them 

I should have a new batch of outfit photos by the end of the week now that I am all done with my undergraduate degree! Yipee!! No more excuses, the photos are on there way! And thank you beautiful people, for being so patient. I promise I'll be better about them from here on out. 

today

Today marks the start of the third week of my Insanity workouts. 

Today marks the end of my third year of college. 

Today marks the end of one of the hardest semesters of my undergraduate degree, both emotionally and academically. 

Today marks a beautiful day. 

Today marks the beginning of the packing process (summer apartment, here we come!).

Today marks the start of my first summer on my very own.

And I am so utterly excited and completely on my own whim. 

Which is how most adventures start out with me-- being excited and at the mercy of my own imagination. 

friends

Sorry for the blog neglect. Finals are completely inconvenient. 

On the upside, the Student Center here on campus had a free photobooth, which my friends and I took full advantage of! 

Don't let the look on roommate's face. She loves me. 

Disguised like spies. 

We are going to miss Riley and his nast CD mixes. 

The adorable Castillo sisters. 

I mustache you a question, but I'll shave it for later. 

not for the faint of heart

It's dead week here at the University of Great Falls, which means that I will be living off of free tea in the library. It also means that I won't be able to blog as much. Also, for the second Wednesday in a row I will not be posting an outfit for Rock&Roll Wednesday. Sorry beautiful people, but studying takes priority. 

This weekend is Cinco de Mayo, however, so please be prepared for a weekend update and regular blogging starting this Saturday. 

Conversation snipbit from tonight's study session. WARNING! The following dialog is not for the faint of heart:

-"I would have been snorting Zanax by the truck load..."

-"Dry humping doesn't count!"

-"I'm coming here every night to the library to pre-game."

-"Riley, I am not going to talk sexual exploits with you."

- "You're like the oldest sophomore ever? Oh, right, you went on a mission."

-"Vaginismus is a real sexual disorder guys!"

Happy studying, friends! 

evidence

We are not the most conventional couple out there. 

We are two very different people. 

We like to do silly little things that old couples do, like hang out in the park and take naps. 

Or talk about scary things like the future.

Or go to two different places to eat exactly what we are craving, like Mexican food for dinner and Coldstone Ice Cream for dessert. 

This picture is evidence of just how odd we are together, as it is our take on a lovey-dovey picture. 

Witness, people. 

big

shoes: Ross, skirt: Forever 21, shirt: Glassons (New Zealand...sorry!), rings: thirfted

The weather here in Great Falls has been unbelievable. It's April and there is no snow, little wind, and just a few spring showers. The skies have been blue and I have been busting out the shorts. It's an absolute miracle. I like to think of this blessing (the good weather) as a sign of the next year to come. I get to be reunited with my New Zealand family, my little sister is graduating high school, I am looking into graduate schools, and I am spending my first summer on my own. These are all huge things. 

2012 is a big one people. 

Just read and see. 

happy birthday, sarge

The main man in my life is not boyfriend (although, he puts up a good fight for the top spot), it's my dad. He's this teddy bear of a guy wrapped in a grizzly bear's exterior. 

I used to hate his little "life lessons." Like how he made me learn how to drive a stick-shift. Or when he taught me how to change the oil in my car. Don't get me started on all the "Back in my day..." lectures he would throw out at the dinner table...my gahhd. Truth is though, I am a daddy's girl. And all those things I used to hate...I appreciate them now. 

Today is the big guy's birthday. Happy birthday, Sarge.  

I hope someone brings you cereal in bed and watches cartoons with you at un-Godly hours in the morning. 

Church.