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. :-)

This year

Two weeks ago a post showed up on our company intranet touting Beginner's French class offered during lunch on Wednesdays.

I leapt at the chance. I interact with folks from France more often than not and I think it would be enjoyable to converse with them in their native tongue (however terrible my accent may, at first, be). My work buddy and I signed up and ventured to our introduction class...along with 40 others! This class has become quite popular, it seems!

The instructor is an employee here as well and chooses to do this as a hobby of sorts because he loves languages so much. The man is a linguist with an incredible ear and a gift for accents. Whenever someone mentioned their native language (which spanned the globe, mind you) he would respond in their tongue and convincingly!

It didn't take but a few minutes for the mouth of "that girl" to open wide and command the room to her attention. Granted, I used to be this girl. I used to obnoxiously own the room and feel that my question was important, mine was the one to be focused on, I was needing to show off.

Then I grew up and realized how foolish my behavior was.

Let's just say, it was very good I was in the back of a full room and she was not within earshot. I hated to be so negative towards a woman I'd never met before but honestly...shut yer yapper! We were all there to learn what the coming year (yes, an entire year of class once a week) would bring us. You are not alone in this room with the instructor, so hush!

It always seems the qualities in others that bother you more than anything else are the ones you see within yourself and absolutely loathe beyond measure.

But I digress from my originial intention of taking this class. I decided earlier this month that this year was my Europe year, my year of travel. What better way to encourage this than immersing myself in learning a new language and dreaming of trips to be taken? I want to dance a jig in Ireland and draw down a pint in Scotland. I want to climb the Eiffel Tower and venture down the Thames River. Big Ben's chimes are calling me from across the pond and my feet are craving to pound the pavement of every plaza I can find.

Now to find a travel buddy...


*None of these photos are mine. :-)

Happy birthday to me!

It's 2012, a brand new year filled with entirely new experiences.

To get things started properly, I decided to host my first ever housewarming party coupled with my 27th birthday and it was a smashing combination.

I prepped the invite, gathered the invited and then got excited! My first housewarming! My first home! I was beyond excited to have my friends over to break this house in and let it know how awesome its tenant was.

People trickled in over the hours and with each one my smile grew bigger, my jubilant thoughts bubbling over into every conversation. I saw friends from long ago and from a blip of time in my lifeline. It's amazing to think that though I only spent six months at a job, I picked up more than a few friends that I'll keep for as long as I can. Good people come at you from all over and you've got to be ready to catch them as they pass!

I wandered around the house with each new person as they came and introduced them. I detailed how I knew them but after awhile I realized that this was a terrible way to truly explain a friendship. Yes, I know her from college but that doesn't tell you that we both like to read and play dominoes and that when we all get together in our little crew we spend more than half the time laughing uproariously at a smorgasbord of topics.

Or how about my solo representative from middle and high-school days? At first I said she was a friend from high school and then it turned into "I've known her since 6th grade", but using either phrase short shrifts the relationship. It doesn't say how I called her parents Mom and Dad. Nor does it recall the nights of musical movies and splitting the parts, "You be Judas, I'll be Jesus." Or how we valued each other so much that despite two break-ups I thought would each last our lifetime, we're mended. And we get on great. My mom was right when she said we'd always be friends.

Mom's are always so right!

I've had the discussion with her before regarding introducing someone as "a friend from high school" or "band friends" because that only defines how you know one another. Just because you knew someone in high school does that mean you know them as an adult? We all change so dramatically throughout our lives and not all relationships make it through. Some come out the other side stronger and more resilient and they will last a lifetime.

Those are the friends I surround myself with now. I've picked them up over the years, either from the college music building I only frequented because my friend was there or from an audit I was only on a few months. You never know how these friends of different groups, different sides of your own personality, will meld when you bring them together but based on last night I realize I've surrounded myself with people like  me. They are warm, inviting, kind and welcoming (which I am some of the time, promise).

They make themselves at home. They serve themselves and chat with new folks. They sit for an hour talking excitedly over who knows what and they mingle in the doorway half-way in the kitchen giggling over chocolate milk liquor (and it really does taste like chocolate milk). They don't reminisce but rather create entirely new memories and connections beginning from nothing more than that they both know me.

I am eternally grateful to my family and my amazing friends. I've found true winners, again like myself ;-), and plan to keep them as I forge my way forward in life. Having my house filled to the brim with chatter, laughter and clinking glasses filled me just as well. Great people aren't always as hard to find as one may think.

This birthday was absolutely one of my very best and I have everyone to thank!