Sweet 16!

That's how old a CD currently in my car is.

For my 11th birthday, a very precocious Becca requested the album Tragic Kingdom by No Doubt. I was far, far, far too young to truly understand all the lyrics but, by Jove, I listened to it for hours on end. I brought my Sony Walkman disc player to school and sat in my Debate class jamming to Excuse Me Mr.

Mostly just this one part with a really sweet breakdown with the brass band. Couldn't get enough of it.

I was elated to open my gift that birthday. It was a mini-backpack and tucked inside the drawstring bag was the album. Had my parents actually heard any of the songs, I doubt I would have been given this gift, but I was in heaven.

All the trend in the mid-90's

Most recently, on my jaunt to the ok city of Dallas, I decided to mix my music up a bit and brought this album into the shuffle. Here's what I learned...

I still love this album today as much, if not more, than I did when I was eleven. I consume Sunday Morning on repeat as if it's my only source of oxygen in a drowning sea.

And yes, this entire blogpost I have rotated these two songs over and over and over again as I typed...

Top Ten: Home Alone

The (current) top 10 things I've learned about living on my own:

1) You have to get your own cold compress for the blazing headache that wakes you at 2:30AM.

2) The dishes will never wash, rinse, dry or load themselves. Ever.

3) It's impossible to wake up to the smell of fresh, sizzling bacon and mouth-watering pancakes on a Sunday morning. Read: heartbreaking.

4) No package walks itself into your abode so, when something important comes, make sure to live close enough that you can jet home and back to work in enough time to not rouse suspicion.

5) Things will go bump in the night and you will have to determine whether you'd rather die in bed or be a fighter. I've currently done both, the latter of which was with a flashlight. I. Was. Ready!

6) The freezer will go through rounds of being overly full to completely depleted with the makings of chili, casserole, meatloaf or other easily freezable items.

7) I only make dinner once a month because of #6.

8) Mary Poppins' snapping fingers would be welcomed readily into my house. Nothing ever gets cleaned by the elves anymore. The elves being my mother, of course.

9) Neither the pantry nor the refrigerator will ever refill themselves with the staples you so desperately need at that very moment.

10) I'm glad I go to work early because otherwise when I go to bed before 9PM due to boredom and subsequently wake up at 5AM I wouldn't know what to do with myself for those several hours before I could leave.

Eleven is my second favorite number

THE RULES

1. Post these rules

2. Post 11 random things about yourself 

3. Answer the questions provided by the one who tagged you 

4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag 

5. Go to their blog and tell them they've been tagged!

Randomosities:

1) I love creating new words.

2) I really enjoy being quiet sometimes. Relish it, in fact. 

3) I want to have weekly board/card game nights because I feel that these are a dying pasttime.

4) I've sat and read a book cover to cover without moving.

5) This took 5 hours.

6) I can more often than not inform you about anyone in pop culture and anything you wish you never knew about them and hope you can eventually forget.

7) I used to greatly dislike the thought of marriage and babies.

8) Now I am so looking forward to the future with these specific experiences.

9) My parents are my foundation, my present self and my future hopes and dreams. 

10) I will one day publish a novel.

11) I hope to spend the latter half of my life in a classroom. Professor Suter, at your service.

Courtesy of D:

 

1. If you could live anywhere in the world for a year for free where would it be and why?

Ireland, Ireland, Ireland. While the teeth and food may not drive me wild, the scenery, music and culture do. Draw me a pint, spin me a reel, let's do this thing.

 

2. If you had to be on a reality TV show which one would it be?

Survivor. I think I'm clever enough to outsmart everyone there so I'd like to put that to the test.

 

3. What's the story behind your name?

Three days after I'd entered this world my parents decided to use the name my Grandmother had suggested, Rebecca, with one stipulation courtesy of my father...she will never go by Becky. Thanks, Dad, for giving me an unnecessary dislike of this name. I cringe every time I hear it.

 

4. What was the first concert you went to?

Goo Goo Dolls in 9th grade with Fastball opening. That's all I remember. That, and that I missed what was my very first football game as a brand new band member at Clements High School.

 

5. Who inspires you most right now?

Great question. Anyone who can keep their cool in any life situation. Which are most people besides me.

 

6. What was your first job?

Officially, I believe it was French Horn lesson teacher. Unofficially, babysitter.

 

7. What famous person do people say you look like?

I've gotten Julia Roberts before. I think it's because I have a gigantic smile like she does.

 

8. When you were first asked what you wanted to be when you grew up what did you say?

Teacher. I wanted to be a teacher so badly that one time when I fought with my best friend in Elementary school over who got to be said teacher, we quit talking to each other...for three years. 

 

9. What magazines do you subscribe to?

I subscribe to none, but consume Usmagazine and People.com voraciously online. I am well in the know on completely irrelevant things.

 

10.What was your favorite color as a kid. How about now?

I feel like black has been my favorite for most of my life at this point. And it most assuredly still is.

 

11. What's your favorite way to celebrate something?

With a gathering of friends and family who are just as excited as I am about it.

11 new questions for Rosa, Amy & Kim:

1) What was your most iconic or defining moment in Elementary, Middle and/or High School that helped shape you?

2) What is your current favorite sing-a-long song right now?

3) What about it makes it your favorite?

4) If you could be anything at all in the world without worry about money or career paths, what would you be and why?

5) What's your favorite meal to prepare?

6) Which animal is your favorite to visit at the zoo and why?

7) What is your biggest driving pet peeve when you're the passenger?

8) If you could have a one-on-one conversation with one person currently living, who would it be and why?

9) What would be your first question?

10) Do you think that the zombie apocalypse is coming?

11) When you walk into Target, do you peruse the $1 section first like all sane people should?

What I love most about girlfriends

An ode to my girlfriends ('cause I'm a pimp),

Girlfriends are wonderful
Girlfriends are great.
They look you up and down
and tell you to, "Wait!"
As they quickly fix your hair and makeup.

"Now, you're perfect, go forth and conquer the world."

They build you up and ease you down. They've been there before you have or vice versa and you've got a guide to help you stay on the path. Need to know what it's like having a baby? I've got plenty of mama's for friends now.

How about advice on wedding venues, photographers and dresses? I can pick at random from the array of gal pals who are all so unique in their personal stylings that I'm bound to land on something I like.

I am eternally grateful for having surrounded myself with such wonderful women to lean on and learn from.

So now, could some of you please hold off on the baby making so our kids can play together? Just wait, say....a decade? Awesome, thanks, love ya!

Groupon expiration dates

Groupon, I bought you because I wanted to try something new/get what I love cheaper. I really don't appreciate feeling rushed and pushed into using my Groupon before it expires.

I wanted leisurely, not the SAT's.

So, on that note, here's what I'll be doing whilst I wait for my CPA grade to come out:
15 yoga classes (yes, you read that right)
4 fencing lessons (it's on the bucket list, yes!)
A zipline adventure (in Austin, hooray!)

And eating at:
Crave Sushi (with Namy [New Amy]; she's never been! Look out Cheeta roll [it's covered in Jalapeno Cheetos!)
Mama's Cafe (anybody want to be my date?)

And to top off these great adventures is Speed Dating.

No, I'm not joking. Yes, I was (partially) cajoled into this. No, I will not turn Becca down. Yes, I will have a great time.

Because, let's be honest, I'm a really great flash in the pan. I'm clever and funny (at first before I grate on your nerves) and I'm quirky and nerdy (which is cute until you realize how legit I am). I'm loud and boisterous, confident (most of the time), smiley and unflinchingly honest. I'm great in five minute intervals.

Then the rose glasses come off and I'm still running at the speed of sound. Best of luck keeping up!

You + me, we're alright (Dallas, Part 2)

I last left you stranded in my diatribe of hipsterdom so let me lead you now to a beautiful little French restaurant mere minutes from the Crooked Tree where I met my equally classy friend, Chrissie, for a leisurely (fantastic) dinner.

Now, when I say Chrissie is classy, I mean it. She's competed on horseback (jumping, right C?) and subsequently always has superb posture (of which I'm very jealous). She speaks eloquently and uses a vocabulary more extensive than my own (I know that's hard to believe, wink face). And she and I, though being so different in so many respects, get on incredibly well because we think very similarly about the important stuff. And that's what matters in a solid friendship. The little things you may disagree about aren't worth fretting over when you share the same beliefs regarding the core of humanity. You're the best, C!

Dinner was long, as usual, and relaxed, like normal, and filled with excellent, inspiring and encouraging conversation. It's so lovely to share opinions and have them be reciprocated. The food was scrumptious as well as tiny (I'm American, give me mooooooore) but it was the exact amount considering how rich it was. I admit it, you've got it going on, France.

After dinner wrapped and the raindrops had fallen, as well as the temperature, we parted ways and I traversed (fairly successfully) to my home for the weekend (my cousin's girlfriend's house). Dallas gets another +1 for roadways because despite a bit of construction and a sudden downpour, I was still able to make it to my destination quickly (even after having to U-Turn somewhere on the North side). For the win, Dallas, ftw.

The house: I could honestly go on for pages and pages regarding how beautiful and spectacular it was. How it is "practically perfect in every way". That I would have chosen (most of) the decor and the colors. Staying in a petite, classy bungalow was refreshing with a lovely view out the side door to the pool and being roused audibly hearing the birds chirping as I woke on Saturday morning to head to class (CPA related).

Class was long but incredibly helpful and I can only hope that this is what pushes me to a passing grade. Only one way to find out!

We were let out at 11PM (we started at 7:45AM, just eff why eye) and I gave the roadways a what for by not missing a turn and barely relying on my GoogleMap navigator. Boom. Roadways pwned.

As if staying up late conversing until midnight wasn't enough the night before, I came home to a house filled with smell of freshly baking cookies. Well, cooking takes awhile and it's always nice to have company as you wait so I, my cousin and his pretty fantastic girlfriend stayed up jamming to Avett Brothers, Mumford & Sons and many, many, many other great groups and even better songs. When you enjoy yourself as much as that, time has no hold on you and sleep disperses. Plus, there was too much funny happening, mostly involving cats. String-straw. Such a simple device and yet it'll make the cats go bonkers. And, of course, yelling "String-straw!" over and over again at 1:30AM is always going to be hilarious, cat or no. I cannot wait to return and party with those cats again. Pure, free entertainment.

The crew of us, minus the cats, got up Sunday morning and made our way to a delicious breakfast joint, called Oddfellows, in another pocket of Dallas hipsterdom. I could honestly move in to that restaurant right now. It's exposed ceiling beams, bright natural lighting, light colored wood and white walls had my heart going pitter-patter immediately upon stepping across the threshold. I felt that I had been transported to the most boss treehouse ever made by man. It would be perfect, too, you know? A coffee bar with windows that open to the outdoors, bathrooms and a gigantic kitchen. Almost exactly what I desire in a home.

And if there was any question whether this was a hangout for hipsters, I had only to look around at the wait staff, including a legit original hippy who served as hostess. One girl had a mullet, another had huge plugs. A guy had a bushy, ginger beard and there were glasses, glasses, glasses galore. The food was fresh and organic and free of things that make you feel sick afterwards. Excellent entrees! And to cap things off was the conspicuously planted tree growing out of what was once a large container for Lard. Irony much?

Has this post gotten too long? Perhaps it has, so I will wrap it up. I headed out West to the North side of Fort Worth after breakfast ended (with a brief walk in the suddenly chilly winter weather) and got to spend some time with another lovely cousin and her little family. It was so nice to see her and her kids! I also can't wait to visit them again when I go for my next class! PS. On I-30 headed that way I drove by Six Flags Over Texas...I'm IN! Let's do this thing, who wants to road trip it with me and Jack?

I am grateful for the family who housed me for free (and bought me breakfast, how sweet!), the class for helping me pass (at least I hope so!) and the other family unit who shared their afternoon with me (and bought me lunch, I'm so spoiled!).

Party rock, y'all.

That'll do, Dallas...that'll do (Part 1)

Yep, this was not a good idea but at least the reason it isn't centered is because I wasn't looking when I took it. Hello, Dallas!

Jack and I completed our second road trip (and first solo) with a visit to Dallas/Fort Worth and back and it was mighty fine. The ride was smooth, the roads were clear, and the sky was vast; I was mesmerized by the splendor of the Texas landscape.

On the suggestion of my cousin who lives in the area, I traversed first to a coffeehouse tucked into a pocket of Dallas known as Uptown called Crooked Tree. With one audible "Whoops" I stumbled onto my street where I quickly spotted a crooked tree and took that as my sign, parking with an excited glance up and down noting no restrictions to stop me. Ok, Dallas, +1 for not being completely terrible so far.

Too bad that was the wrong crooked tree...but a half block walk later and I could see the bottoms of boots and swishing skirts below the tree line. A few more steps and I could see leggings and a pipe (yes, an old man's pipe) and fedoras. Without warning from my cousin regarding the level of Hipster, I quickly determined it was Def-Con 5.

The questioning glances were fast to come, almost as if they could smell someone unlike their own (perhaps the lack of patcholi, incense and hashish perfume?), as I walked past them, up the steps of the adorable converted bungalow and opened the door. It clanged shut behind me and I walked up to the counter and waited as the barista finished her conversation with the patron ahead of me.

I checked out the menu, wanting to make sure I didn't out myself as a frequenter of Starbucks, and couldn't help but overhear the conversation going on beside me.

Fedora: "So what's on your plate next?"
Ankle boots: "I want to travel. I really want to get to Portland." At which point I couldn't suppress the smirk.
F: "Oh? Do you know people there?"
AB: "Oh yes, some dear friends of ours live there. We want to open a Bar/Coffeehouse." At which point the smirk grew and I had to suppress a laugh. What hipster doesn't want to go to Portland? It truly is their Holy Land, their Zion, if you will.

I placed my order and we chatted about her adorable dress, of which I would wear, and she thanked me for the compliment. After grabbing my coffee (in a non-recyclable, non-compostible cup, bee tee dubbs) I turned and scanned the house. There were three interconnected rooms, small of course, and spotted with more of the same. Knit caps that would topple off with merely a whisp of wind, scarves, and Apple products.

I located a lovely 1960's yellow chair and plopped down with a great view of the front door and stoop. I can claim I studied solid for the next two+ hours but the ebb and flow of kids walking in and out, skinny jeans making me think, "He must not want kids," and hoodies, hoodies, hoodies were more than a bit distracting. Plus, I swear they had tuned in to my Pandora station....wait, what? AM I A HIPSTER?

No. I don't seek out ironic situations. I don't go out of my way to swaddle myself in layers of clothing unless it's cold. I own off-brand Toms because they're comfortable and I listen to the same music because I liked it first. It's Bluegrass and folksy and Celtic and I've been in love with all of this for ages.

But after questioning my ability to have drive in life and plans for the future involving more than coffee, liquor, hemp or organic food, I began to think of all the things I'm grateful for from the rise of this group. They made folk music prominent again. Styles are shifting toward modesty similar to that of the 1950's with demure dresses and precious shoes. Small businesses are thriving because people seek them out purposefully to support them.

I will always mock them relentlessly but that won't ever stop me from grabbing coffee at the independently owned local shop, or from traversing to the trendy, adorable bar in The Heights or even from shopping for mid-century dresses and 1920's shoes. I love it all too much. :-)