36. you were so good to me...

but i'm over blogspot. i swear this is the last change (for a while).

www.youngfreshgreen.tumblr.com

35. 13 mars 2010

today felt particularly eventful, despite the lack productivity:

+got my bangs trimmed. i think i like them.

+went to lunch with my grandma and mom. lulu's. mmmm they make the best iced chai lattes. if you haven't been, GO. it's on beverly and la brea and they also play AWESOME music. today they played okkervil river and girls, to name a couple off the top of my head.

+my cat tried to pierce my nose today. literally. i was holding him while i was in our kitchen (that is currently being remodeled) and he latched onto my nose. his claws got in so deep that i had to stand there for a good 30 seconds prying him off. i'm pretty sure he went all the way through towards the bottom of my nose, but he left a nice noticeable scratch on the dead center of my nose....hey, at least it's almost spring break, right? he's such a psycho. and not an hour later he was curled up on my lap. what a jerk/adorable boy. take note everyone, THAT is unconditional love.

+i wrote a good deal of my paper. i'm hitting the end of the 5th page. that leaves 2 more mandatory pages (which i should be able to fill up). i hope to finish by tomorrow.

+i drew on the walls. that's right, i took time out to do something creative. and you know what? it felt GOOD. i literally felt lighter as i was drawing. and don't worry, it's not permanent. it's on the walls in the kitchen, which are going to be painted over anyways. but it's a work in progress and i hope to expand on it in the coming two weeks.

+hammered some nails into a wall. more to do with the renovations of our kitchen. my dad just came into my room and offered to have me help him nail some stuff in. at first i laughed and then i realized what a great idea it was. and let me tell you, hammering is a GREAT stress reliever! i don't know the exact science of the whole thing, but i can promise you that i will be hitting some shit into a wall again in the future. in fact, construction is gonna be happening every day during the week, starting bright and early at 9am. i think i'm gonna try to get in on some of that.

+saw crazy heart. it was really good! i had no idea what to expect going into it, but i enjoyed it. i liked the story line and jeff bridges was really good. he deserved best actor.

and now i'm here! probably going to write some more of my paper. i've noticed that i'm a bit more productive at night than i used to be. perhaps i'm becoming more like a real college student? hmm hmm?

4 days until spring break!

byeeeee

34. RIP murphy

tonight was a sad night in my house. we had to put 12 year old murphy to sleep. he had an aggressive cancerous mass on his jaw that caused him to rapidly decline. he went so fast. the saddest part was that he was so alert and happy up until the very end. but our main objective was that he would never go through any pain, and he didn't. it got to a point today where he couldn't eat or drink and we knew it was time. it's for the best, but murphy has been my dog, my boy, my puppy and my pooch since my 7th birthday. he appreciated the outdoors, love, male dogs, runyon canyon, and milkbones. what more can you ask from the best dog in the world?

RIP murphy. enjoy those hills and trees and fire hydrants up there. you're forever in my heart.

33. it's about time to update

since i updated last, school has started. i've dropped my math minor, been polishing my french, and enjoying my two art history classes that i have this quarter. recently i started the apartment hunt in westwood with my friend, so that has been an adventure. it'll be exciting when we find a place and moving out becomes a reality. it's one thing to live in the dorms, but another to have my own PLACE with a kitchen, living room, etc. i can't wait.

i've been incredibly busy with school (sort of), work, tutoring, cec, and seeing friends. these past couple weeks i overloaded myself a bit and hit a point of breakage, but since then i've been working on recovering. i'm making more time to study and relax on my own. i came home for the weekend so that i can decompress.

yesterday was ron's birthday and i got him four tops on vinyl and pet sounds on vinyl-along with chocolate covered gummy bears, of course. tonight i'm taking him to houston's for a birthday steak dinner.

amy sent me warm, comfortable pajama bottoms from uniqlo in new york. they're essentially a snuggie for your legs and i'm sort of obsessed. if only i could wear them out of the house...

recently i've been listening to animal collective, fleet foxes, and of course the national. for some reason i haven't been listening to destroyer, he hasn't been fitting my mood i suppose. i'm seeing dirty projectors, as well as st. vincent in february so i've also been prepping for that by listening to those bands. dirty projectors just came out with an amazing EP, ascending melody is my shit.

i have readings to catch up on and papers to start, museums to visit, etc etc. it's hard to get back into that school mode but considering we're coming up on the 4th week, i better snap into it.

32. it's 2010!

but, instead, i'm going to talk about new york.

it was so cold! about 15 without windchill the first night we got there. i was NOT dressed for the weather, so i had to borrow amy's down northface. it was super warm and cozy and basically got me through the rest of the trip. here are some pictures of my adventures:

cold.

joeyyyy.

the dance.

so basically, i'm too lazy to post the rest. they're on facebook though. all in all, i loved new york. i plan on going back in august/september. it'd be so much fun!

-lz

31. resolutions

cosmopolitan magazine + getting nails done = inspiration to begin my new years resolution list:

1-be more adventurous. try new foods, stay out later, chose fun over school.

2-step out of my comfort zone (slightly similar to 1). talk to strangers, smile more, go places i would initially refuse to.

3-make more friends. become involved, initiate conversations, (see above).

4-get involved. self-explanatory.

5-be honest. with myself and others.

6-be more conscious. eat healthier, exercise more.

7-be happy. this is a biggie. this pretty much sums up every previous resolution-be honest about what makes me happiest. do things that will benefit my well-being. surround myself with people that will ultimately lift me up. but first, be able to lift myself up.

8-travel. be sure to explore and take advantage of traveling opportunities.

i will probably add more as they come to me. new york tomorrow!

30. winter break

...has included a lot of working and family functions.

+spent the past 6 hours gift shopping with mom. also scored a pair of marc jacobs boots that i'm currently obsessing over.

+been working every day this week but it feels good.

+cousin hannah was in town. went to cousin daniel's bar mitzvah.

+leaving for new york in less than a week. hello shopping.

+hopefully planning a trip to dc+atlanta over spring break. keeping fingers crossed.

+reading lots.

+need to sew up the inside of my purse and get an eye mask.

+gotta figure out plans for new years eve.

that's it for now. i'll probably post next from new york. wee!

29. things on my mind

+how is it december already? i can't wait for finals to be over but i also want a few more days to prep.

+also, i am currently writing a paper that is for none of my classes but is also due dec. 10th.

+seriously can't wait to be in ny during the holidays

+my main gurl taura is visiting in oh about a month

+i want more books

+the apartment search begins just after winter break. can't wait!

edit: i can't stop listening to "party in the usa" by miley cyrus. shh.

28. halloweener

halloween is ovaaa. successful weekend, i would say.

friday night i went to melissa's party at her apartment. i dressed as a lion!

ron didn't get into the spirit.

last night i spent at home--passed out candy to trick or treaters and studied a bit. lame i know, but its midtermzz and i gotta get shit together. anyways, later that night i decided to go out for a bike ride to the west hollywood parade. i was a french girl!

and all of the costumes were INSANE at the parade. i definitely want to get a group together for next year to go again. make a whole outing of it. anyways, back to studying pyramids and dynasties for me! xx

27. woah, hey.

it's been a long time. i've been incredibly busy with classes, work, cec, concerts and friends. i don't have many picture to show for it, unfortunately, but i did have my birthday party on friday:

be healthy! drink oj!

ron

whoopi, melissa.

and now it's the start of midterms. i have one tomorrow (math) and another on tuesday (life science). i'm starting to stress but hopefully all of my studying will pay off. i have been pushing myself incredibly hard, my brain feels fried. anyways, bye for now!

xx lauren

26. back!

i've been back at ucla for a little over a week now. it's been amazing! i'm living in a dorm with just me and michelle, and we share a bathroom with a couple of randoms. it's all good though because we have the best room! its so cute and SPACIOUS, unlike last year's cramped living quarters.

i started classes on thursday and i'm loving it so far! after looking at the syllabi for all of my classes, i realized that i won't have to write ANY papers this entire quarter. i'm not complaining! this is going to be a very relaxing 10 weeks. i will, however, work very hard when necessary.

my life science class seems awesome! the professor is really friendly and accessible, and he seems to really care about student learning. my art history professor is funny and nice too. she seems a little scattered and so i'll have to get used to that. but other than that, it should be a fun and challenging class! my math teacher is straight from the ukraine and her accent says it all. it's a little difficult to understand her and it will DEFINITELY take some getting used to but all in all i think (hope...) i'll be able to keep up in that class.

anyways, i'm gonna go eat some brunch now bye!!

25. Butthole

Tickle it.

24. back to blogging

things on my mind:

1) i want a crepe reallyyy bad. nutella mmm.

2) pancakes?

3) busy busy week!

4) two days until i find out my move-in date..

all for now, bye!

23. vacation?

yesterday i drove up to monterey with my parents, and we are staying here until sunday. the plan from there is to drive back down to the wine country just outside of santa barbara, and to come home monday. monday can't come soon enough. this is NOT a vacation, this is like a cruel experiment.

a reality tv show that follows my family on this trip would have gotten great ratings. we fight about nothing, yell and scream about god knows what. the shit that my dad goes on about is beyond me, but if i had it my way i would have stayed home and thrown a great party. i'm more tense than i have been all summer and i'm just counting down the days until we can go back home. fuck fuck fuck this.

22. things that have been going on recently:

- enjoying the tomatoes from mom's garden:

- hiked in malibu creek state park:

- gone to lovely parties:

-seen the midnight showing of harry potter:

etc etc etc.

21. can't stop listening

She & Him

Zooey Deschanel paired up with M.Ward to release throaty, melodic tunes--some covers, some of Zooey's own songs. I can't stop listening to their first and only album, Volume One. Where is Volume Two?

"Sweet Darlin'," She & Him

Wilco

Wilco just recently released Wilco (The Album). While it's definitely not one of my favorite albums, I can't get the song "You and I" out of my head. Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy and Feist sing on this song, and it's absolutely beautiful. Listen to the lyrics--they get me every time.

"You and I," Wilco

Dirty Projectors

They hit the nail on the head with their most recent album, Bitte Orca. I can't help but fall in love with the soft and strong vocals that every song delivers.

"Stillness is the Move," Dirty Projectors

20. fourth of july

i spent my fourth of july with some great company.

sister sarah

whoopi snapping picture after picture

poppy!

tori brought amazing pineapple wine from hawaii. like nothing i have ever tasted.

we set off sparklers in the alley!

sweet sweet lily came too

it was a lovely night with great friends.

xx

19. tides turning

i got the most amazing internship with a wonderful woman! monday will be my last day at chic little devil and then i will begin my internship for Ele Keats!

18. Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth"--this too shall pass

According to an ancient Sufi story, there lived a king in some Middle Eastern land who was continuously torn between happiness and despondency. The slightest thing would cause him great upset or provoke an intense reaction, and his happiness would quickly turn into disappointment and despair. A time came when the king finally got tired of himself and of life, and he began to seek a way out. He sent for a wise man who lived in his kingdom and who was reputed to be enlightened. When the wise man came, the king said to him, "I want to be like you. Can you give me something that will bring balance, serenity, and wisdom into my life? I will pay any price you ask."

The wise man said, "I may be able to help you. But the price is so great that your entire kingdom would not be sufficient payment for it. Therefore it will be a gift to you if you will honor it." The king gave his assurances, and the wise man left.

A few weeks later, he returned and handed the king an ornate box carved in jade. The king opened the box and found a simple gold ring inside. Some letters were inscribed on the ring. The inscription read: This too shall pass. "What is the meaning of this?" asked the king. The wise man said, "Wear this ring always. Whatever happens, before you call it good or bad, touch this ring and read the inscription. That way, you will always be at peace."

From "A New Earth" by Eckhart Tolle Chapter 8

17. chic little devil wears prada

when i first came to chic little devil, i was introduced to the INTERN HANDBOOK. this worn out white binder was my first friend. after reading over my internship duties several times (as it requested), i had to sign my name in the back and answer some questions about myself. as i flipped through the previously filled-out pages, i noticed there wereway more intern entries than there were interns. after putting the intern handbook back where it was supposed to be, i stood awkwardly in the middle of the showroom.
that just about sums up my first day at chic little devil. i stood around awkwardly. when directed to shaina, the "intern manager," she looked over at me and my friend disgustingly and said "i'm with a client."
interns aren't interviewed before being hired at chic little devil. it's kind of a hit/miss type internship, where it's really up to you to make this worthwhile or not. i have yet to decide if it's a hit or miss for me.
the intern handbook strictly says that one may never miss a day. while this may have convinced me for the first half of my first day at the style house, i quickly learned better. you're lucky if the employees even bother to learn your name. with 6 other interns at the style house at one time, it's that whole "too many cooks spoil the broth" scenario. one intern puts something where it belongs, and another moves it elsewhere, to a place it looks better. after sweeping, an intern might mop the floor of the backroom, requiring another sweep. a lot of the time, the only work we get is to clean up the mistakes of the intern that's standing right next to you.
i feel like it's the first day of school every time i get dressed to go to chic little devil. you have to dress to impress, and wear your best clothes. the trendier, the better. heels are a plus. however, if i wore heels i would be six feet tall and in terrible pain and horrible moods by the end of the day.
i have had to mop, sweep, hang up fallen clothes, fold and refold bags, sweep the balcony, wash the dished, empty ashtrays, glue corkboards to walls, carry mounds of clothes, and fold up enormous and heavy rugs. i have been a janitor to chic little devil.
today was probably the best day for me. i'm hoping this means that things start to look up, because getting another internship this late in the summer seems unlikely. today i helped a "senior intern" (a girl my age who happens to know an employee there and doesn't have to do shit work) and i bsaically sat at a computer all day. this was, of course, while 3 other interns bleached the walls on the balcony for hours on end in an attempt to get the rust off. i realize that i need to play my cards right in this business. i did today and i'll do it again. this is devil wears prada shit. i'm almost down.