Thursday, June 28, 2012

the 18 on Judah

Last Wednesday you travelled alone. You where in new place. But what else was new? You had made the journey before, many times actually, except mostly on different continents and under much more pressing circumstances. This time you were lost to all sensibility but somehow, still, had a semi-conspired plan in mind. However, you had not planned very well. Or maybe the not planning was part of the plan. You forgot to figure out in what direction to go or how long you would need to get there, wherever there was. 

The place was cooler than you imagined it to be, especially in a district called Sunset. Though you never really imagined to be there at all. It was a place which felt more like Portland than any neighborhood in California. That day the sun was missing - instead, replaced by a dreary fog and a coldish breeze. You weren't quite sure in which direction you were headed. The most you gathered was that you would hit the beach by sun down. You had the idea to someday visit the Golden Gate and once on the tram, above ground, you spotted it, but in the distance - too far of a walk to make with your already blistered feet.

The shore was ahead of you, beyond the East horizon. Each bus stop which passed you thought, "I'll get off at the next one", but instead you chose to keep riding. You had a quiet thought, hope, or wish, perhaps, that he was there with you. But that wish quickly subsided. For in the company of anyone else you wouldn't be this still, this quite. Your thoughts would have gone to him instead of to those frigid, serene moments.

The bus topped the final hill to the coast as you spotted mounds of sand in the distance. To your right was a laundromat that reminded you of him, but just barely. To your left you saw two grungy, half-baked guys sitting outside of a coffee shop. Outside the door were two chic girls atop an over-sized piece of driftwood - the first sort of style you've seen in blocks. You shrug the thought that they did not belong there - that they simply sat in places like these in hopes of making a statement - away.

It was 1pm. You had yet to have had your morning coffee, and as it was on your list of things to do, you started toward the door. From the looks of it outside, you half suspected Nirvana to be on rotation, the flannel-clad barista even hinted to the scenario. Though "Silver" or even "Lithium" did not resonate in your ears that day, you were delighted, none-the-less, by the owner's southern drawl. He had relocated from North Carolina to California to take up surfing.

The blithe owner of that shammy, grungy coffee shop assured you that you were in the right place and on that day you decided that's where you wanted to be - that somehow your unplanned plan came to fruition.


Water from the Pacific.

today

Thoughts. Procrastination. Wanting. Learning. Becoming. Being.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Friday, June 8, 2012

My new addiction

In need of the perfect dress? Look no further. If you're like me, you have a plethora of clothing in your closet that has not been touched in, dare I say, years. It's time to re-vamp your wardrobe this summer. 


#1: Be in the perfect forest wedding
#2: Find that white dress you just have no use for
#3: Pick your color. I chose RIT this time, but you can also use food coloring, Kool-Aid, or for colored fabrics... bleach (but that's next week.)
#4: For cottons/natural fabric you will need 1 cup of salt and 2 gallons of hot water
#5: Dip your garb in the mixed dye/salt concoction
#6: Find big spoon/stick and stir. Keep stirring/agitating for a good 15-30 minutes
* The label said 30-60 minutes but I noticed my fabric getting SUPER dark and I didn't want emerald.

and..... VoilĂ !

Friday, June 1, 2012

Monday, May 28, 2012

To My Fallen Homies

On days like these, there is nothing more I want to do than keep my family close. My brother keeps asking me, "Why are you here?" He's confused as to why I would choose he and the kids over my friends. It's because I've realized the importance of family... and because I have the cutest, most ridiculous nieces and nephew on the planet. When I was close to death in Kenya (that story for another day) all I wanted to do was to see my niece one last time. I wanted to make her laugh while doing my silly dances in the kitchen as we baked cupcakes together.

Friends can always walk away, but family is forever yours. Don't miss your chance. Seriously, I don't care how cheesy that sounds. When was the last time you told your momma you loved her? When was the last time you gave your dad any time of day. They aren't here forever.

In memory of one of the most genuine souls, my7th grade crush, great friend, and all around amazing man. Daniel, you are forever missed.

<3
Steph


Friday, May 18, 2012

my GAWD, we're cute.


We celebrated the Cinco de Mayo, with tiny hats (sombreros diminutos), and bicycles (bicicletas), of course. It was almost the perfect night when I thought I had found Nick from the New Girl... I'm convinced, if anything, this guy was his twin brother. But I tend to see things in other's many people don't...

Homerun, Stephanie HOME. RUN.

Cute guy - "Have you ever seen Fever Pitch?"

Steph - "I think so. Is that the one with Drew Barrymore where she's never been kisse....

"oh, wait..."

Comic relief - 1       Stephanie - 0

Monday, May 14, 2012

Meet Elijah

This is my newest cousin. He was officially adopted last week by my dearest cousin Michael and his wife Amy. Elijah was found abandoned in the bush near the border of Somalia in Ethiopia. His mother left him in a bank parking lot for reasons unknown to anyone, but I can without a doubt say it was because of poverty one way or another. I am so grateful this little boy is alive and will soon come home to be a part of our family.

This precious little baby boy brings so much joy to my heart today :)



I made a map for those who are geography inapted.


Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Bachelorette Pad Recipes

I've been conjuring up recipes with the little food I have stored in my freezer. Most of the remaining parcels in my fridge are condiments or some sort of expired milk product. It's quite depressing. Tonight has been the best concoction: 

Curried Coconut Broccoli over Pan Roasted Marsala Chicken

  • One can Coconut Milk
  • 3 Tbsp Curry
  • Kosher Sea salt to taste
  • Black pepper
  • 1 1/2 Cups finely chopped broccoli
Cook and stir together. Pour over cooked chicken seasoned in Marsala and pepper

This is the first time I've not lived in community in almost 6 years. I'm still learning how to shop for just myself, but quite frankly, grocery stores/products are not designed in a way which gives favor to the single - especially fruit. I try to keep fresh food around, but have found myself throwing away more than I purchase (which is not like me considering a large chunk of my current food is actually from the dumpster). Last weekend my best buds and I hit the jackpot at Trader Joe's. We made watermelon strawberry smoothies while juggling apples and hoola-hooping at 1 in the morning. Literally.