The rest of the story....

My life isn't all blood and gore. 

Here are some highlights from the week.... 

1.) A very adamant Beauregard Brahman calling for my immediate resignation as the Issues & Ideas editor at The Daily Universe due to a one sentence editor's note. 

2.) Getting fan mail from a Federal prisoner in Arizona. 

3.) Sifting through over 30 letters to the editor regarding a letter that suggested socialism was supported by scripture. 

4.) Not washing my hair for four days. 

5.) Hearing from Sir Jordan Waite. Apparently he's not dead. 

6.) Possible freelance employment for The Daily Herald....that means getting paid per article I write for them. 

7.) Getting ANOTHER Blackberry Storm, but one that at least lets me check my voicemail and dial people who aren't in my contacts. 

8.) No worries Can-Do Mom, I found these guys for $9 at Target...

9.) Going night hiking! In January! 

10.) BYU beating Utah 82-69. Rise and shout, the Cougars are out!! 

11.) Oh, and getting offered the DeseretNews.com internship.

Wilson Phillips was right when she sang, "Don't you know things can change, things'll go your way, if you hold on for one more day..."

Leah Tweets!

Stickie Notes

Gone country

As much as I love having earwax laiden juices ebb from my left ear, I'm going to tell you about something else.











Sunday afternoon Becky (my roommate) and I fell asleep while watching the movie 'The Ultimate Gift.' But before I fell asleep I came to a realization. Er....more a remembrance, or a recollection, lets say.

The guy in the movie was sent to a ranch in Texas to perform the first manual labor of his life. After thinking about my brief stints in the dairy business and in the particleboard business, I remembered how much I love the country. The clean air, the wide open spaces, the simplicity.

As much as I love to go to the city and love the mix of cultures that can be found within, I'm first and foremost a country girl. It's in my blood and it's where my roots are. There are some other, very specific things I love.

Like Carhartt,

and trucks,

rolled up sleeves.

And cowboys.

Mix three of these four (or, obviously all four) and I"ll be a gonner.



Music: Your Man by Josh Turner

Dream-come-true-girl

 Since my last two posts have involved music, why not the third?

I hope you all enjoyed your Sabbath. Are Sundays wonderful?

One of the songs I got for free is this song. And I really like the idea of being someone's dream-come-true-girl and finding my dream-come-true-boy.

Gotta be someday soon, right?

Especially because, at 22 and seven months and 10 days, I'm ridiculously baby hungry.

(Sidenote: I haven't actually viewed this video, so just minimize and listen whilst browsing the the web)

More FREE music

So I was at the market today, looking at magazines. I picked up and perused Nylon mag.

It featured a bunch of indie artists and a link to download 27 FREE songs from itunes.

Just go to  nylonmag.com/itunes and get the hook up.

While I was there I was offered a free year subscription. True story. So, go, and quickly. And you're welcome, in advance.

They also hooked me up with a free digital subscription.
Saaaa - weet!

FREE MUSIC

For all my loyal peeps out there, you can download 25 free songs from iTunes via Urban Outfitters.

Just go here.

Happy listening!!!! And....happy weekending!!!

walkin on sunshine

Look what the postman brought me..... 

I know I keep falling in love with inanimate objects. But seriously,

LOVE.

Boredom in my 377 class

Mother comes to Provo

Mom made her way to Utah Sunday for a short visit. She spoiled me rotten (literally, I was rotten a couple of times).

There were many highlights to her visit, unfortunately few were documented.

Here is what was captured.

Our guided golf cart tour of campus. That's the Eyring Science Center over there.

 

Cupcakes at the Sweet Tooth Fairy cupcake shop.

We had one right away and saved these morsels for later. 

We spent some quality time at the Chao's Oriental Food Market.

Seaweed crackers, Miso Soup and more.

 

I found the latest love of my life whilst browsing the DI.

I could hardly stand to part with it. Now it sits proudly as my new desk chair.

So then, just as quickly as she came, she went. I only cried a little bit. Such a baby in my increasingly old age. Then I went back in time.

  Miss you already Mother dearest.

Now it's back to the life of a single twenty-something poor college student.

Treats.

Gone to Carolina

I'm stealing this from Carly.

I've realized I'm quite the blog post thief lately.

But here's what's on my mind, besides of course, Carolina.


(These are in no particular order)

• Meryl Streep, I guess she won a Golden Globe last night for Julie & Julia. Also, she rocks. And, I guess Sandra Bullock kissed her on the mouth. True story.
• Subsequently, I would like to have a Meryl Streep marathon.
• It's raining/slushing here in Provo, therefore I feel it would be best if I curled up under a blanket and read my new book alllll day long, or the week, whichever.
• Ireland and Italy

• Anticipating this magazine's debut. Does that make me old?
• Ked's. Always Ked's. 
• The summer....but not the easy breezi-ness of it all. But the school, the work, the interning that must occur. Along with the graduation....
• Graduation! 
• Being a better disciple. I feel like I don't devote enough time to quiet pondering and meditation. How can I expect to be guided by the soft whispers of the Spirit if I am never making conscious efforts to block out the noise? 
• The gym. My last workout made my legs as tender as veal and agonizingly painful to move. I can finally squat and stand without crying out in pain. I think Wednesday I'll finally be able to go back. 
• Love. Luck. And what they mean to each other.
• Hoodies. When did I stop wearing hoodies to school? With 8 AM class, I think I'm bringing the hoodie back to my wardrobe as my go to. It's kind of like a book cover. Hiding the frumpiness underneath it.
• My siblings. I miss them. Their squishy faces. Their incessant bickering. Oh the sights and sounds of home. 
• Road trips. To specific places like The Canyonlands, California and Montana. 
• The olympics. The Olympics are coming! Every two years, when the Olympians make their debuts, I find myself captivated. By the strength, the aspiration, the glory and the defeat. Be it speed skating, bobsled racing or downhill skiing. Let the games begin!
  

My latest crush

I've developed a new crush....

James Byron Dean. 
A god.
The one smoker I would definitely not mind kissing.

Unfortunately, he is no longer with us.

So, for now, I'll take this guy.

Mmmm. Chris Egan. Soon to be appearing in the film "Letters to Juliet."

I'm already in love. And, he's living. Which is always a plus when it comes to these types of things.

Almost

I'm definitely stealing this from a blogger I follow.

Artist Sophie Blackall has put together some work based on personal ads....particularly about missed opportunities.

I'm kind of in love with these quirky pieces of romance.

"Remember? Uptown A train? Dude reading Bukowski's Post Office. You were reading the arts and leisure section. You passed wind rather loudly and started chuckling. I'd like to see you again. The flatulence wasn't a turn off."

"You had a guitar. I had a blue hat. We exchanged glances and smiles on the subway platform. I pretended to read my New Yorker but I couldn't concentrate. You got on the Q and I stayed on to wait for the B. You were lovely."


Isn't 'the beginning' kind of fun and mysterious? Even if it just lasts moments?

Check out more here.

This just in.....

I'm proud of the viewpoints, cartoons and On the Street questions in today's paper. When I get a better link, I'll try and post it. But, you should be able to click on this picture at least, and make it bigger.

Midnight Diet Pepsi Run

Some might call it an addiction, I call it love.

Besides, tomorrow comes too soon.

And everyone likes a happy Lexy, not a grumpy one.

So there, Leah.

Plus my mom, and maybe my sister are coming this weekend. They drink it, too.

The Communal

I had the opportunity to eat at a newer restaurant in Provo called 'The Communal.' Just stepping in the doors was a new experience. The kitchen is right there! There is one really long table a few smaller tables. It's got a classy yet inviting atmosphere.

The menu is awesome. It's definitely different and simple. The Communal seems to operate on the attitude of less is more, and they rock it.

The food is awesome. Incredible blends of flavor, appropriate serving sizes and they try to use as much local and in season produce is possible.

I had ample tastes of the airline chicken, the steak, the palento, the mushrooms and of course a Diet Coke. All of it tender, flavorful, satisfying and delicious.

I was too full after dinner to try their deserts, but I look forward to my next visit.

The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Our server was attentive without interrupting our evening. After our meal the owner and chef warmly asked us about the food and our experience. We had nothing but good things to say.

So, check out their blog, and as soon as you can, hit up 'The Communal' in Provo.

(photos courtesy of communalrestaurant.blogspot.com)

Random Ramble

Can I have it?

So, um, do you have to be 63 or older to buy Keds? Because, um, I want these. Dearly. I was first inspired whilst watching some of The Lucy Show.

 

(Hahaha. I love Lucy & Ethel. Notice Lucille's Ked like shoes? )

 

I would also like these in red. And then some white slip ons. Okay?

I'm bringing them back. Because I could use a picnic. And because I think they are so cute in their simplicity.

Retail therapy on the cheap

I didn't sleep well and so I made myself feel better by doing a little retail therapy this morning. Being in the precarious position of being poorish I went to Saver's Thrift Shop. I'd been wanting to try and find a blazer, a vest and a 'boyfriend' cardigan. Well, after waiting ten minutes to get into an open fitting room (you should see that place on a Saturday morning!) I found five items I couldn't quite walk away from. The good thing? Three blazers, one cardigan and one vest later, I was only out $23 bones. I'm excited to put outfits together with my new things! Yay for thrifting!

 

Proof of purchase!

(music to get inspired by: Independent Women part II - Destiny's Child, hahaha)

Dirty little secret

So, for several months I've wanted to be taking vitamins as a part of living a long and healthy life. But all the vitamins were like horse pills, huge and disgusting. And the older I've gotten the more of an aversion I've gotten to swallowing pills. Sometimes I have to try super hard not to gag them back up as they're halfway down my throat. Gross. I know.

But, one day I picked up a bottle of children's vitamins. Turns out only have a chewable vitamin is meant for kids. Meaning, these vitamins come in adult servings! And better yet they make a "complete" version which adds in iron, minerals and calcium.

So, that's my secret. I take kid's chewable vitamins once a day. I should probably take a separate calcium vitamin, definitely don't get enough of that stuff.

Anyway, if you, too, have an aversion. Revert to your grade school days and try a kids chewable.  Mmm. Just took mine. Feel healthier already.

Tick Tock banana rock

I became a watch wearer yesterday. And today.

I haven't worn a watch (aside for when working at the

sawdust festival) since, well....

freshman year of high school?

I love this watch though.

It automatically makes me feel smarter and more productive.

Kind of like my glasses.

The funny thing is that I'm so used to looking at my cell for the time

that I

FORGET

to look at my watch instead.

Ha.