Sunday, December 28, 2008

2008 Questions

I've done this same survey for the last two years...so, why not once more?

1) What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Moved to Kenya, helped open the Refinery, ran programming point for PDYM SLC, washed my clothes in a basin, rode a bus to N. Kenya, watched a chicken slaughtered, rode an ostrich and a camel, celebrated Christmas away from home

2) Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I've had the same resolution for the last two years: to be smarter. I think I've manage to keep it

3) Did anyone close to you give birth?
SO many people: Sue, Amanda, Erin, Nats, Jana, Courtney, Nicole...

4) Did anyone close to you die?
Yep, my Nana

5) What countries did you visit?
Kenya and England

6) What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A smaller dress size, a grasp on the Swahili language--same as last year...

7) What date(s) from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Oh gosh...so many...for ridiculous reasons

8) What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Moving to Kenya...I didn't win any awards or even any medals...which I would consider to be achievements...so I'm not sure I know...I acheived most of my 25 things while I'm 25 list...that's a something.

9) Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nope. I think I have an immune system of steel...and I don't do many crazy things that would cause injury.

10) What was the best thing you bought?
My Christian Louboutins

11) Whose behavior merited celebration?
What a strange question...I guess I would celebrate Josh Pease for his help with SLC...I would also celebrate Luke and Katie Shannon and the Edward for helping me move my entire life around in trucks...

12) Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Again, what a crazy question...I could say I was depressed at some of the Oasis boys sniffing glue...

13) Where did most of your money go?
Rent, Urban Outfitters, Starbucks, Kenya.

14) What did you get really, really, really excited about?
SLC, moving to Kenya, Katie and Ryanne's visit

15) What song will always remind you of 2008?
"Somebody Loved" by The Weepies, "No One Like You" by P Squared, "Winter Song" by Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michelson

16) Compared to this time last year, are you: Wiser? Yes Healthier? Slightly... Richer? Definitely not

17) What do you wish you'd done more of?
Sat outside

18) What do you wish you'd done less of?
Complained

19) How did you spend Christmas?
We went to Oasis' Christmas on Christmas Eve Eve. On Christmas Eve, I drew pictures to decorate the house and we had a dinner for 13. On Christmas Day, we went to church and then had dinner with the Oasis House boys while watching Harry Potter 4.

20) Did you fall in love in 2008?
Yes, sort of...but I fall in love pretty quickly

21) What was your favorite TV program?
Grey's, The Office, Gossip Girl, How I Met Your Mother, Alias, Project Runway

22) Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
So many people...No, not really

23) What was the best book you read?
History of Love

24) What was your greatest musical discovery?
Classical music (Thank you, Dom)

25) What did you want and get?
A kiss, the chance to be a bridesmaid, to move to Kenya, a job with PDYM

26) What did you want and not get?
I'm not sure.

27) What was your favorite film of this year?
Dark Knight

28) What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
26, I rode an ostrich and had home-made tortilla chips...I know, what a party animal.

29) Which celebrity/public figure did you like the most?
Michael Vartan, The Sartorialist

30) How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
The first half: dresses and heels. The second half: jeans and t-shirts

31) What kept you sane?
Chris. TV on DVD. Books.

32) Who did you miss?
My friends and family


33) Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Wherever you go, there you are...thank you, Mike Brady

34) What did you gain this year?
A few pounds

35) What did you lose this year?
A few pounds

36) Who was the best new person you met?
I'm not sure I can pick just one...but I sure love Bushuru.

37) Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"I miss you more than I should, than I thought I would...can't get my mind off of you."

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Boxing Day

Today is my very first Boxing Day.
I think it would have gone unrecognized save for the fact that all of the stores are closed and the museum entrance is free...

I was interested to know more about the day...and here is what I found:
  • It is based on the tradition of giving gifts to the less fortunate members of society. Contemporary Boxing Day in many countries is now a "shopping holiday" associated with after-Christmas sales.
  • As with Christmas itself, some elements of Boxing Day are also likely related to, and ultimately derived from, the ancient Roman Saturnalia, which also had elements of gift giving and social role reversal.
  • In the countries that observe this holiday, 26 December is commonly referred to as Boxing Day, no matter what day of the week it occurs. However, in some countries, fixed-date holidays falling on Saturday or Sunday are often observed on the next weekday. Technically, Boxing Day cannot be on a Sunday - that day being the officially recognized day of worship, so traditionally it was the next working day of the week following Christmas Day, (i.e. any day from Monday to Saturday). In recent times this tradition has been either forgotten or ignored, and 26 December is considered by most to be Boxing Day when it falls on a Sunday. 1993 was the last year when 26 December was called Christmas Sunday in the UK; in 1999, the next time the date fell on a Sunday, it was Boxing Day.

So...now you know...and, you know what they say...knowing is...

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Looking To Buy Me A Christmas Gift?

Here are a few ideas:


Or THIS scarf.
Or THIS one.
Let me know if you need a few more ideas...

Saturday, December 20, 2008

PDYM...

Did you know I'm on PDYM staff this year?

Seriously...I'm really excited.

You can check it out HERE. (Click on ABOUT US)

Friday, December 19, 2008

Love Is All Around


We watched Love Actually last night...and I cried, of course.

Airport greetings and goodbyes get me every time.

I don't even need to see it, I can just hear about it:

"Airports see it all the time,
when someone's last goodbye
blends in with someone's sigh,
'cause someone's coming home,
in hand a single rose"

...makes me teary-eyed every time.

It will be my turn to make an airport return soon...I wonder if the real thing will be as emotionally moving as the songs and movies about it? I hope so.

There Really Is A First Time For Everything

I finished an entire bottle of vitamins today...
This is the first time I have ever taken every vitamin in the bottle...usually it sits in my medicine cabinet for a year and then is thrown away because they are expired.

Not this time...

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

How To Avoid Looking Like An American Tourist.

I could have written this.
But, regrettably, I did not.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

So, What Are You Reading?

Evidently, classic novels are not my only source of reading material.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Two Things I Love Right Now...

1) No. Not Paris (I still kinda hate that place...though the desire to re-visit and make new decisions is growing on me). I love this picture.2) "Winter Song" by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michelson. I love the entire Hotel Cafe Presents Winter Songs CD, but I especially love this song...

My voice; a beacon in the night.
My words will be your light,
to carry you to me.

Is love alive?
Is love alive?
Is love

This is my winter song.
December never felt so wrong,
cause you're not where you belong;
inside my arms.

I love Christmas.

Would A Grassy Knoll Joke Be Tactless?

I need some help deciding which should be my head-shot for the PDYM website.
Can you please help me out? (You're allowed to say none.)
Thank you.


Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Dear Amanda,

I miss your face. I know I could email just you, but I wanted to publicly state my feelings of longing for you and your family. I am very excited to spend some time with you when I return home...and I hope this time includes some of your too-many-chocolate-chips homemade cookies. I also hope it includes the Group conference because last year was really fun.

So, just so you know, I love you...lots and lots...
And I'm very excited to laugh with you, in America, in about 10 weeks.
Alice

For The Record...

The post-it note was half covered.
It should say "he kicked him in the penis" ads...you know, the medical commercials?
It was a brainstorm post-it for PDYM...

Sorry that it makes me look totally creepy...
but I wanted to set the record straight...

Post Its...

I love Post-Its.
Of the simple, yellow, square variety.
None of this heart-shaped or fake-bite-taken-out...

Give me the original.
I love them so much that I even use them on my computer.

A lot.

Here's a screen-shot of my Stickies application.
(Feel free to enlarge, if you must...but I'm not sure there's anything worth your time.)

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

S'il Vous PlaƮt

Dear Sir,
Do you want to be my boyfriend?
I will let you.
Seriously, you are French, you have a killer beard, and great style.
Give me a call...
Allison