Those lazy, crazy days of summer

A couple of things I just can't bring myself to believe: 1.) it's 8:17 and still 100 degrees outside and 2.) it's nearly August. Weird...

I've been insanely busy this summer, but in a lovely, exciting way, and August will be my most adventurous month yet! Three outdoor excursions planned, that's right, count 'em: backpacking, white water rafting/camping, and another camping trip at the end of the month! Phew!

July was pretty fun too. I took a self-defense class with a friend that was part of a women's summer ministry through our church. Oh yes, lots of punching, kicking, and elbows of doom! Our final exam was last night, with our tough cop instructor throwing himself at us one by one, with each of us having to fight him off. Hello, adrenaline! There were no volunteers to go first, so I stepped up. He looked at me with amusement and said, "Somehow I knew it would be you. You're not scared of anything." At one point, I forgot the "only hit with 50% force" rule and clocked him in the face with my best elbow attack. Despite the fact that he was wearing a face mask, the impact sent him sprawling backwards, dazed. He later told me that my strike would mean a headache for him. Oops. I could tell he was proud of us though ;)

That night we also won best table decorations during the food pantry donation contest. We built huge toilet out of toilet paper, tuna, and cardboard. Now that is creativity.


Our award-winning toilet sculpture


My brilliant team of Oasis girls ;)

Last Saturday was also a big event-- my very first REI used gear sale. Holy cow, I was not prepared for the zeal people have for those! KC and I got there at 5:30 am and were greeted by the following site:


Tent city! Yes, people actually camped out over night. Quite a lot of them!

We waited for three and a half hours with our chairs, coffee, and books, and were joined by our friends Aaron and Joy, who helped keep us company. We planned our battle strategy and scouted out the placement of the sale items from behind the bright, makeshift fence. When they opened the gates to let us in, people ran for the tents, backpacks, and skis/kayaks. I ran with them, plucking up four or five backpacks in a mad grab to find the right size and style. I'm pleased to report that my first sale was a success! I came away with a fantastic pack for backpacking, as well as a smaller, but roomy day pack. Yay!


KC, Aaron, and Joy get revved up

I'll leave you all with some cutie-pie pictures from last Wednesday. Kami and the kiddos came over to escape the heat and partake of a loaf of zucchini bread (one of four that I baked). The kids are getting so big!


Lil' Juliet


Jude channels Mozart


Samuel channels Monsters, Inc.

That's all, folks! ^^

Down the rabbit hole

Anyone who knows me recognizes that I'm fascinated by costume dramas. I love movies with lush, beautiful clothes-- especially when those movies happen to be fairytale based. Now, I know it's too early to be excited about Tim Burton's adaptation of Disney's "Alice in Wonderland" (especially given Mr. Burton's fondness for creepy and bizarre tangents), but the newly released production stills really are pretty impressive.

A nymph-like teenage Alice sports some interesting, but nevertheless gorgeous, ensembles:







All of this hullabaloo got me reminiscing over an old blog entry over at The Cherry Blossom Girl. Alix, a French fashion enthusiast and style icon, drew inspiration from Disney's "Sleeping Beauty" and re-created some of the film's classic looks. Having seen what a modern day Sleeping Beauty might be sporting after a harsh finger-pricking, I wondered what a modern day Alice would wear.

And here's the bit that makes you suspect I have too much time on my hands (which simply isn't so; I just need some way to window shop that doesn't lead to the inevitable spending)...


Dress and watch necklace / Urban Outfitters
Sweater, shoes, bracelet, and clutch / Anthropologie



Dress and alphabet pendant / Urban Outfitters
Jacket, shoes, and headband / Anthropologie

Oh, I love pretty, feminine things ;) Just as much as I love practicing my elbow thrusts and kicks and googling Doctor Who-- what fun to be a girly, tomboy, dork!

Things that make you go YAY: A list

1.)

My boy


2.) Center of the Sun / Conjure One (featuring Poe)



3.) Self-defense class: Yoga pants and sports bra, $35. Class admission, $20. Making your tall, solid, intimidating cop instructor tense, drop his pad, mutter ow, and then declare fear over your elbow strikes-- priceless.

4.) Scrabble on Facebook. Hours of amusement.

5.) The return of feminine petals, prints, and pleats!









6.)
Guild Wars Free*, dorky entertainment
(*after the purchase of software)

7.) Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (FINALLY!!)

Long time no see, blog-watchers!

I know, I know. I'm horrible for neglecting my blog for so many months, especially when there have been a lot of exciting things happening in my life!

Of course, you all know by now that I have moved by now into a fun little apartment of my own. I'll try to get some pictures posted soon so my girly followers can see how it's decorated. As for what else has been going on, let's see... I was a maid of honor for my friend Emi's wedding and am currently gearing up for more MoH duties for my best friend Kelly's, nuptials this October.


Getting Sandi ready


Clowning around before the ceremony


The happy bride and groom

I've also been keeping busy with my friends from church, who have introduced me to numerous summer activities like kayaking and camping. For Memorial Day weekend, we all headed down to the coast for a mini vacation, jam-packed with clamming, hiking, campfires, fellowship, and plenty of food!


Goofing off on the beach with Dana, Sandi, and Jules


Marshmallow roasting!


Jules, Sandi, Kimberly, and I huddle and hide from the wind



Pictures from our hike to Cape Lookout



My fantastic boyfriend also took my kayaking on two separate occasions. Paddling is not my strongest suit...


Trip #1


Struggling with the oar on trip #2



And finally, last weekend was my first adult camping trip to Crater Lake! The verdict? I loved it. Excellent company, perfect weather, beautiful campground, great camping junkfood, and a comfy sleeping bag and tent. We had a wonderful time ;)


Cooling off at the campground's lake




The girls' tent


Continuing the manly tradition of cooking over an open fire ;)


Pristine Crater Lake


Maurice (back), KC, Brian, and Nathan


I'm probably the only person who found this license plate hysterical


Rockin' away at the Crater Lake lodge


Cool clouds


Awww ;)


Nathan, Maurice, Michal and KC


Kicking back after a long day


Mmm...chili dogs!


More creative campfire cooking!

And last, but not least, an amusing SNL short: