Wednesday, February 29, 2012

This Morning I Woke Up to Snow (and other tales from the last week resulting in a crazy long letter.)

Dear Arizona,
Here I am again, back in the coffee shop I was in last Tuesday when I wrote. I just enjoyed a seriously ridiculously delicious White Mocha. And I know that it was one of the best I’ve ever had because I finished it in less than five minutes. (I can hardly believe it myself, Arizona.) Not only was it just the right amount of sweet, but it was just what I needed.
120229-134312 The night before last I stayed awake until 6:30 in the morning, due to surreal findings and the need to frantically write. I don’t know why I do that or how I even can do that so easily, but it happens all the time. If I have something to do (and even sometimes not even then) I can stay awake all night long and then I see the sun rising and go, “Huh, maybe I should go to sleep…?”. Anyway, I made it a point last night to get to bed early so that I could wake up early today and get things done! My schedule (whenever I type that out in a program that underlines my misspellings I realize that I have been spelling schedule wrong for my entire life. Awesome. But, I mean, let’s be fair. Growing up, Sarah was the good speller and I was the crappy one and since we were always together I just gave up and let her correct me. Boo hoo.) was pre-planned last night, and so far I am right on track, but I’ve been granted a few surprises!
One of which being why that hot mocha was so extremely welcomed. This morning, I woke up groggy and delirious- nothing new. I heard soft rain on my window and decided that if I had to get up at 9:30 (which I did because if I didn’t I would sleep all day and my plans to be productive would be RUINED) I would at least spend a few minutes looking at the beautiful gloomy skies and rainy drizzle. And no, I’m not being sarcastic. The rain and gloom and dreariness is by far one of the most beautiful things to me. Plus, I’m still absolutely in awe of my window and having the ability to wake up to the sound of rain or paint by the sunshine that comes through. So, it’s not uncommon for me to spend a little time in the morning after I wake up looking out my window and going over the night’s dream while blinking back into real life. This morning, I opened my window and for the first second I thought it was raining to hard; that it was raining marbles. But then, and imagine this if you please, my jaw literally dropped and I sort of bent forward to get closer to my window over my desk and I just could. not. believe. that it was snowing.
Because, see, the thing is that I’ve been asking the sky to snow for a few nights now and the other night I sweetly wished to wake up to snow the next morning. On top of that, last night before I fell asleep I telepathically communicated with the universe about sending me some signs and I feel like I’m just going to take the snow as a nice little sign. (Of course, the universe doesn’t just send people signs so that they can predict the future, but instead introduces a new path of knowledge and we can go they way we feel is best. At least, that’s a little bit of what I believe.) It was glorious to wake up to, and my walk to the gym ended with snowflakes sticking to my eyelashes. So reason not only was a warm coffee happily had because it’s cold outside (and the walk here from the bus stop isn’t far, but it isn’t super close either) and because I woke up early and worked out. Although, now I’m just wishing I had an unlimited cup of it… Boo Hoo (pt 2).
And, now that I’ve somehow written three paragraphs on a morning of soft falling snow and a cup of coffee (yet, it’s the most difficult thing in the world to start writing for my project. Funny… not), I’d like to tell you about my last week, AZ. Last Wednesday I partook in Five Rhythms which was stress relieving on so many accounts. It was a weird day for me, for a few reasons, and I think that dancing really helped me the way it always 120223-200928does. On Thursday I did chores and worked on some of my project. I also stayed on campus that night and worked on art. (I even started on my bookshelf project. Here’s a little sneak peak, but this is really just the very very beginning.) And then, at midnight I ran out to the smokers’ pit and met Sydney with a hug because it was her birthday!!
Sydney is a lot like me in the sense that when it comes to our birthdays we both turn into children. She gets really excited the same way that I get really excited and it’s not about receiving presents or being the queen of the day, but they day is still special and it feels extra awesome being around the people we love. So, knowing this, last Tuesday when I was here with Cora (writing a blog…), she and I talked to all of the crew and planned a little surprise party for Sydney. It was magical and she had no idea (I think. That’s what she said, and she sure didn’t seem to have any idea. But I always worry that people just say that to be nice. Either way, she said she had no idea so I’ll just believe her.) We had small party refreshments and the only rule was that everyone had to dress SexyFancy. So, our group was looking fresh and full of classy swag, ready to take to the night.
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The night was marvelous. The girls went to a show with good people and good vibes. There was dancing and a chance taken and happiness all around. Later in the night, the group rejoined at a bigger show-party. I got a little lost myself around it and called Caleb in distress, which is usually what happens. (Dear Mom and Dad, don’t worry. I was in no danger and I wasn’t actually lost. I was just momentarily confused. But, really, to Mom mostly, don’t have a heart attack. hehehe.) About ten minutes after I arrived at that house we decided to into town and get food/ go to a friend’s place in town. A vegan hot dog with and fries were enjoyed. It was a successful night and I was so happy to have spent it with Syd on her birthday. I know it’s days later, but- if you read this- Happy Birthday one more time, Sydnasty. Next year, we go even bigger. (More pictures of the night down below.)
The rest of the weekend was full of music. Every night of the weekend was full of beautiful music.On Saturday, we spent some time Downtown at an acoustic show where we listened to a band called Sunshine and Irony. I’ve heard this band play a few times so far here in Oly and they’re soft and sweet while still being powerful. Also, little side note: I decided that I need to share all of this amazing music that I’ve been hearing and seeing live. The Olympia music scene needs to be shared with you, Arizona. I don’t know why I haven’t done it sooner, seeing as it’s one of my favorite parts about Oly. I guess I was just being selfish. But, from now on, I will link any band mentioned at the bottom of the blog. So, all you music lovers, make sure you check them out after reading. Or during reading! Anyway anyway. After the little acoustic jam we went to another local show house and heard some super groovy music. I got to see the band LAKE. And that was like, mellow, mind-bending, groove tunes. Or maybe not, but that’s how I felt. After that there was another visit to the Hotdog stand downtown and many tater tots were eaten. Generally, there aren’t shows on Sunday night, but this last Sunday was full of French jams. Local band Meowtain played, which is always a punky treat. (Also, whenever I see them I’m always painfully reminded that I haven’t performed since May and it breaks my heart a little.. okay, a lot. But that’s my own fault and I’m working on it. I think I’ll be jamming with a friend from improv/sketch comedy tomorrow, so I’m taking steps.) There were three other bands that played, all of which I hadn’t seen before. Probably because two of them were from France… haha. It was a great time though, very small and chill, but still rocking and I definitely did a lot of head bopping and foot thumping.
DSCN5459Since then, things have been very slow. Before the show on Sunday I went on a bike ride with Sydney, Jenny, and our friend Tyler. It was a really beautiful day. (It was sunny out but there were these small pieces of snow falling. Yet, it wasn’t that cold at all. I was only wearing a thin sweatshirt!) Admittedly, however, biking in Olympia is much different than biking in Arizona. There are lots of hills and I think my bike takes it a little roughly. It was, needles to say, definitely a workout and I may or may not have fallen… Uh. Either way, it was beautiful and I enjoyed my time spent with those kittens. On Monday I spent the day making art. It was very very needed. And then yesterday I worked on my project and vowed to go to sleep earlier… haha.
And now, I’ll spend a few hours here writing more of my project. I120229-152928 cracked and got another mocha… Which, of course, just furthers the fact that I need to start working. Spent a little time on CODA this morning (the Evergreen data base for jobs) and unless I magically have landscaping or lifeguarding skills that I was unaware of, I’m a little SOL. But, I’m still looking and I will find one. Believe me, I will most definitely find one.

I leave you with pictures and love, desert roots. I’m looking exceptionally Olympian today (boots, knee-high socks over legging, a dress with a short, cropped top over it- given to me by Cora, which displays that I go to the University of Hawaii, hahaha- with a plaid scarf borrowed from Sydney) so I’ll make sure to add some beautiful shots of my city that I love so much.
xoxoxox. E.
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Four pictures from within my mini red art-book. Over winter break Caleb and I went on a little adventure to find me a box to hold all of my tattoo things. There I also found a blank-paged, small book and since then I have fallen in love with what it’s inspired.
-The first picture is a page that I cut a hole out of and then threaded a dream-catcher into. The lyrics around it are from Seabear’s ‘I Sing I Swim’. Ignore the words from the previous pages that bled through. I’ll paint over it soon enough.
-Second picture is double-pages item. On the left I have attached a picture I took in January while I was in Arizona. In fact, I went on a drive with my dad and he drove on the right side of the rode coming back so I could take some pictures of the city with my disposable camera. (Thanks, pops. As you can see, I’ve put it to good use.) The left page is a little abstract letter I wrote to my home state.
-The third picture might be my favorite of the day. Mix of water color and ink.
-The fourth picture is watercolor and ink, with lyrics from Say Anything’s ‘Ahhh…Men’.

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You know how there’s the cliché that women have an obsession with shoes? Well, I have an obsession with boxes and other like containers. (I also have an obsession with time and clocks, because clocks keep track of something imaginary and that is awesome, so for those that are aware of my analog clock at my AZ home that has a box compartment inside of it… yeah, kind of in love.) A few weeks ago I was in Syd’s room and I saw that she had an old camera case on her desk. Of course, I told her it was a beautiful box and she GAVE IT TO ME. So, I turned this old polaroid camera box into a purse by adding straps and viola! It’s small and practical, and it holds my wallet, my camera, my phone, my keys, and whatever other small thing I want to keep with me. (As pictured above, maybe a napkin? The other night, it was a Toblerone bar…) The only drawback? Occasionally when I wear it with the strap across my chest, I poke my face with one of the edges while getting it on.
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Two more shots of Syd’s little party. The first is a goofy pic of the group. Actuallty, it’s a “grossest face you can make” picture of the group. Sadly, these faces are made quite often without there being a camera around. But, a family is a family, and I sure do adore mine.
The second picture warms my heart. Cosima, Sydney, myself, and Cora, all dressed up. If all goes according to plan, there will be a house in Olympia with us four living in it come August. I cannot tell you how happy and lucky I feel for that to be the case, AZ. These girls are some of the sweetest, funniest, smartest, most beautiful girls in the whole world and  really love them. It’ll be a dream come true to live with them, and when (not if!) it happens, well, I won’t predict the future, but it will be SWEET.

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The fort built by the crew and a picture I took on my rainy walk back to the transit center last week.

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Two pictures from the bike ride!

Music!:
 Sunshine and Irony
LAKE
Meowtain
Delacave from France
The Feeling of Love from France
Angelo Spencer
Ps.
120228-160417I don’t think there’s been a time since I’ve moved here that I haven’t had bruises on my legs. I like it though. It means I’ve been living as I should be in this beautiful place. This picture is from yesterday, and those bruises are from my bike tumble. Wee!

1 comment:

  1. your words and pic.s let me feel the cool, moisture-filled air while luxuriously sipping that ubiquitous cup o'joe.

    ReplyDelete