a visitor

last week, Mayumi's niece came to stay with me at school for a couple of days.  she was such a delight!

yoforia experience

chizuru and the roommate

a kind stranger gave her this flower

her lovely candids

Despite the language barrier, we shared lots of fun and laughter.
I woke up to find this lovely thank you letter:

(the letter now hangs above my desk. somebody loves me!)

rare bird alert

Steve Martin (yes, the comedian and actor) also plays the banjo, and has even been a recipient of a Grammy!  Now, he plays with the Steep Canyon Rangers– a long time favorite of mine.  I first saw them in 2006 at a music festival in brevard, NC and loved em!
They played at bonnaroo last year and gained another fan–my dad!
Anyway, their newest album came out over spring break on the 17th. I had it pre-ordered for my dad as a birthday present. (since he doesn't know how to work a computer, I can post it all over here and he won't find it... unless you tell him! shhh)

Create a playlist at MixPod.com

funday quote

"Our sports transcend languages. Ever seen two climbers mime the sequence to a boulder problem? Smiles between skiers on a powder day? Our passions become a vehicle to explore a world outside of our own." 

-Fitz Cahall

so true!

lights out

Turn off your lights at 8:30 tonight in support of Earth Hour!

pain mcshlonkey

Skiing icon, Shane McConkey died 2 years ago today.  He was BASE jumping in Italy and couldn't release his skis and never pulled his chute...
He is one person who would have been so cool to know!
I've been watching GNAR recently, which was a game and movie made in his honor. (click on the link to watch it for some good laughs) And on Saturday, people celebrated his life at Squaw with a variation of the game including costumes and having a good time: Pain McShlonkey


But watch this one though in the meantime:

"a funny dude who loved skiing"

RIP, Shane

it's nights like these

cutting of the meat

dinner is served!

operation Cree

spillage :(

food baby competitions begin

aren't they the cutest?!

Last night was a fabulous impromptu party with some of my favorite people in the world!  Might I also add that it was also the eve of the Persian new year, the equinox, and a full moon!  Craziness, that's what.  And let me tell ya, it sure was magical!  There were moments that caught my breath long enough to realize just how happy I was!

And to top it all off... super preggers with our food babies, we slept out under the shining moon and plentiful stars all bundled up in blankets, dreaming of where we will be in the years to come.  I love all the special people in my life!  They amaze me everyday! 

And finally, a recipe:

(warning: measurements are pretty experimental so feel free to approximate and try variations.  I can't follow a recipe verbatim. ever.)

Sea Salt Brownies!

3/4 c oil

1/4 c water

2 c brown sugar

a good 3/4 c good cocoa powder (dark, unsweetened)

2 c flour (whole wheat + white)

a good pinch of sea salt

1 tbs vanilla

Now, to make the magic...

Add ingredients in order in a saucepan over medium heat.  (But remove from heat after the flour.)  Pour Dump into a greased pan and dust with chunky sea salt.  Put it in a 350 degreeish oven for however long  you see fit (generally 20ish minutes).  

*better to take them out too early than too late

go hawks

jack loves pictures. so much

zaza vs. king james

heat bench

Nate and Bear marking territory

Too bad we lost 85-106 :(  But at least it was a sold out arena and we were in good company!

spring skiing

hardest part of the day: putting on boots

gearin up for a great day!

best corn-dogs. hands down

 Another great ski trip! And after hearing some horror stories of "gulf shores SBXI" where every UGA student was, I'm so glad I wasn't there.  Instead, i got to be with awesome people and get in some fresh powder days with sunny, warm weather– couldn't have been happier!  There's nothing quite like the glisten of fresh snow– it's like somebody dumped bottles of glitter everywhere. so magical!

charm city

Had a wonderful weekend away in Baltimore with one of the cousins!!
I love people with whom you connect even if you're not with them all the time... i.e. Ali.

The weekend involved...

walks along the water

oysters

dreams of lavish hats and horse races

samurai swords and kung-fu movies
(or maybe not so much)

star gazing on the roof
(**note the lovely purple patagonia bag courtesy of my purchasing**)

watching the world pass by

fire escape climbing

late night arts and crafts

discussions about type and resume designing

necessary shopping for even more necessary goods

story of my life

i love public art!

and mustaches!

And then my camera died :(

But also included (and you will just have to imagine, sorry):

• much more delicious food

• vegetable ice cream (and now a goal to make my own)

• the art museum

• strange-people watching

• me eating a way too hot chili pepper, followed by spitting up, crying, and not being able to breathe--      (trader joe's needs to put a warning label!)

• and lots of 'inspiration' browsing-- for crafts and especially weddings :)

how magical!

I LOVE YOU!!