Anthony Bourdain!

HEYYY So I got to see one of my favorite celebrities!
ANTHONY BOURDAIN!
It was AMAZING.

He was so funny!!! Favorite Quotes:
"If you're traveling... Make sure you wear appropriate clothing and... accept liquor from the locals"
"AND THEN THEY F*ing SHOT HIM!" (talking about old yeller)
THE ENTIRE RANT ON ORGANIC FOOD. LOVED IT!
"Maybe they should teach little Timmy how to read so he can be intelligent enough to get a good job so he can AFFORD organic food!" YESSSS

Unfortunately I threw up.
All over the grounds outside of Book People.
It was unnecessary - Seriously body?
So I didn't get an autograph :(...

But here's a photo!

LAUGH

"I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, and that enables you to laugh at life's realities."
-Dr. Seuss

Austin again!

So I'm drinking a glass of wine, watching T.V. and procrastinating on packing...

I'm moving back to Austin, a decision that was really hard for me to make. I had a really rough semester full of so many mistakes. I can't believe how hard it was for me to get through what I did. I wish I could go back in time and do things a little differently, but in reality all I can do is move forward with my life toward something more positive. I never realized how many things went on around life besides just going to school and working. I should havestarted saving money sooner and worked on my 'adult' life. Hopefully in the next two years before I graduate I can get myself together and work on the rest of my future.

I never realized until a few weeks ago how unprepared I am for things like owning a home and having a family. I'm 22, have had a handful of failed relationships, and have ruined my credit. I can't keep living like I'm never going to grow up. It's time to get serious.
Alright... Here it goes.

Ayeeeeee

"You know you're gonna end up with him eventually right?"
"I hope so, if only crack heads could read futures..."

In order to explain this quotes relevance we have to go back about a year...
I went to a party where this 6"3' fellow was playing DJ and chose Matt and Kim's Daylight. I immediately liked the song... and I immediately liked the fellow. Well, after many a mix CD, a few nights of movies like 500 days of summer and Nick and Norah's infinite play list- I fell in love. One day in the back of a friend's truck this guy tripping out on something, probably acid, informed us we were 'fated in the stars to be together'. Something about those blue eyes and the fact that he likes indie electronica and will still two step with my country friends from work... Its undeniable. Unfortunately he's moving to San Antonio...

And I'm moving back to Austin.

I'm hoping life brings us back together. He's not just a boy I dated. He's my best friend... More than anything I'm going to miss his accessibility...
Life is bitter sweet like mayan dark chocolate...

Update on the kids I promised

So this week was a learning experience for sure! I am having to adjust from being a caregiver, to a care enabler. I am figuring out how to make the boys be more self reliant and independent. IT IS SO HARD! Ugh I cannot tell you how much of an adjustment it is mentally!!! When I first started with my boys it was all about helping, cleaning and entertaining... Now, I play, encourage, and motivate!
(Its actually pretty easy when I say it that way!)
BUT when I catch myself doing a dish for them, or babying a battle scar... I have to pull a Homer Simpson and say D'OH!- That's not it!
C's line is "Der Dah Derrrrr"

In other news B is working on his bicycle skills. This week we worked on pushing off by ourselves and riding longer. We're on two laps around the block! Our goal by summer's end is to ride ALL THE WAY TO THE SOCCER FIELDS! (Approx. 1 mile).

C is an awesome dude. I have never felt so loved. This 10 year old openly hugs me and says "I love you". Makes my heart melt. He sees me as a mentor and a playmate. He has a GREAT sense of humor. The official hilarity of the week is the annoying orange. (seen here) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7F5nIA8xmw

In Ashley news I will be back at Montana Mike's for about 2.5 weeks... I AM SO NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO IT! But its what happens when my boys have such busy big kid summers. Wakeboarding camp, UT soccer camp, Camp Grandma. haha. So I will go and sell some steaks and put up with petty drama. (But at least I'll be back in Austin in the fall.) Maybe?

CLIFF HANGER!

Dating Quiz I took out of boredom! Update on the kids later!

1. What do you do for fun? Hike, swim, photograph, act like I'm 10.
2.Tell me three words your friends would use to describe you. Tall, fun, indecisive.
3.What kind of movies do you like? What is your favorite movie? I like everything BUT movies like Saw or Wolf Creek. -My favorite movie, three way tie of Star Wars:Return of the Jedi, Pretty Woman, and Moulin Rouge.
4. What kind of books and/or magazines do you like? What is the last book or magazine you read? The last book I read was The Giver for my children's literature course. I'll read anything that makes me think, or is slightly nerdy. I love Chuck Palahnuik books. (I have no idea how to say/spell his last name)
5. If you won the lottery, how would you spend it? I would get myself out of debt, buy a house, a Shetland sheepdog and name it Purdy (yes from 101 Dalmations), buy an orange boat, and then waste my days on a lake somewhere. (With my new dog of course)
6. What kind of music do you listen to? Do you have a favorite musician or band? I LOVE indie rock. My favs right now are Modest Mouse, Minus the Bear, &Friendly Fires (very nicole bueno inspired <3 )
7. What are the most important qualities you are looking for in a friend or significant other? I'm really unpredictable- so patience, forgiveness, humor, and faithfulness.
8. What would you cook if you were having friends or family over for dinner? Stuffed bell peppers with spanish rice, borracho beans and a corn salad. (Watermelon for dessert!)
9. Which is your favorite season and why? SUMMER. I'm a sun goddess.
10.Do you like to travel and where have you been? LOVE IT! I've been to Missouri, New Mexico, Arizona, Boston, Florida and thanks to my WONDERFUL family The Bahamas and Puerto Rico.
11. What place would you like to visit that you haven't been to yet? Europe. I really want to go to France and Turkey. I WOULD LOVE to see Hagia Sophia in person. (Future husband- Propose to me there)
12. What is your most prized possession? I have two. My Mac and My Canon Rebel.
13. Would you consider yourself a morning person or a night person and why? Depends. I love mornings when I have coffee and a cool breeze, but man I love to have a good time and get home at 4am.
14. How would you describe a perfect date? Lots of good conversation and LAUGHTER!
15. Do you have any pets? What kind of pets? I claim my cousin's schnauzer Jet as my boyfriend... does that count?
16. What are you most passionate about? Expression and Love.
17. If you could do any job you wanted to, what would it be? Anything where I make a noticeable difference in the world around me.
18. Who do you most admire and why? The women in my family. They're strong, independent, and loving. (My mom, grandmother & my many strong willed aunts and cousins)
19. What's your idea of a great vacation? WATER. TANNING OIL. MARGARITA. DONE.
20. If you could live anywhere other than here, where would it be and why? Here is Austin, Texas... and Its the ONLY place for me :) (minus some short stints in Europe/New Zealand.)
21. What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you? LIFE
22. What hobbies do you have? Anything involving a lake, photography, being a music snob, playing with my kiddos, rollin' with the homies.
23. Which of your achievements are you most proud? Getting into SCAD, my first job as a graphic artist, buying my first car (RIP pinata), having my photography in an art show.
24. What do you think is the most important value in a relationship or friendship? Honesty.
25. What holiday do you enjoy the most and how do you celebrate it? Christmas. And I eat ridiculous amounts of DELICIOUS food for like two weeks.
It is human nature to celebrate life by eating- God made me skinny for a reason :)

First week!

Alright this week was INSANE.

It started off by finishing all of my birthday celebrations from the week before. I just turned 22! Sunday I was at the lake in Marble Falls and Monday I went to my mom's house where she always makes me these AMAZING MOJITOS! (Hemmingway Style! google it!) Anyway it was good fun to just be with Mom and Mach for a day.

Tuesday- I traversed from San Antonio to Austin, moved the rest of my belongings in, and spent my first afternoon with C and B. (My boys I nanny!) The REAL adventure was what occurred AFTER work.

My good friend from my serving job in New Braunfels was celebrating her 22nd birthday in San Antonio. I drove to her house where I hitched a ride with my good friend Jess and took off to San Antonio to dance at The Saint. (A gay club off of San Pedro). We had a good time, some random people bought me a shot, but 2am rolled along and we decided to go home. HOWEVER- We did NOT make it home as quickly as suspected. After traveling through San Antonio we get to the edge of New Braunfels and came to a DEAD STOP. Turned out there was an accident of some sort. We managed to weave through traffic, did a little illegal off roading, and were stuck once again in front of this GHETTO truck stop. I used the rest room barefoot, unsuccessfully bought some skittles (THEY GOT STUCK! stupid machine) and slept. (off and on). Jess managed to sweet talk some truckers and we escaped close to 6am. We didn't make it home right away, we had to weave through some neighborhoods close to my cousin Michael's house and then ended up off of FM1103. I finally made it back to Austin at 8:15 am.

YIKES. I grounded myself from going out ANYTIME soon.

So I haven't gone out again, and other than accidentally sunburning my poor boys and being stressed about making money, I think life is pretty fantastic. <3

Austin

So I'm back in Austin. I moved back expecting things to be just like they were last summer, but they aren't. Change is inevitable. I've had a lot of negative going on, and I want so much for more positive to come my direction. I want to be a smiling light in people's lives instead of a negative nancy or drama queen. I felt like cutting out everyone would help me start over. To cut out those who have brought negative energy and emotions.
I want to dance again.
I want to draw.
I want to sing in my car, driving down 360, crying because I love my life.

I do love my life but I've realized I really miss being in love. I have loved because the men in my life are truly amazing people, irreplaceable and always humorous. Yet there was a ghost in my past who made a casual appearance... and it tore open old wounds. I'm in love with a ghost. I'm in love with the idea of what we had together, fated souls and wishes of forever.

I've just turned 22 and I've noticed I want something different for myself than what I've been doing. Going out often and drinking too much. Rumors and drama, roommates, friends, and coworkers as victims. I want a positive world again. One of art and dance, music and tie dye. One of a full savings account and achievable goals. Perhaps a man to make a future with. Someone who will help me choose a dog for my graduation and help me be an adult.

I want an adult life, not one of parties and flings, mistakes and rendez-vous. I need consistency, love, accountability and perserverence.

Here goes everything- Goodbye adolescence.