Books

My personal goal over the last 6 months or so has been to READ the books I've already purchased and 'haven't gotten around to reading.' I hate that despite the number of times I've moved, there are books that have journeyed with me, only to sit on the same bookshelf and remain unopened. I've made some great progress so far and am adding books to my Amazon wish list. That being said, has anyone read any of the following books? Thoughts? Reviews?

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud











The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (JK Rowling)












Pivot Point by Kasie West (Young Adult)

Life Lately

Wow... it's crazy how time flies... somehow it's basically the middle of March and each time I go to blog, I realize I want to start with "what a crazy few weeks it's been!" What have I been up to?! Does anyone else have those moments, where you can't help but stop and think, "wait... it's the middle of "x" month already? When did that happen?"

I ADMIT....
I really like watching Storage Wars... though you know they only show the best lockers because the odds of getting these amazing finds every single time... yeah, no. I could live without the drama between people and the banter, but I like seeing what random crap is found. I cannot relate though, I can't imagine having a storage locker, not having enough money to pay for it, leaving my stuff in there, and not seeing that stuff again. I guess I'd hope that if I had a storage unit, it would only be to hold items that were really important. I know when I was moving between places, I had one temporarily. Is that the key, 'temporarily?"

Anyone else ever wonder if people watching this show have that 'aha' moment: "That's my stuff!!" In general, I really do like the show though I have to say, as a professional musician, I cannot stand it when they find an instrument and give it it's first "general price." Good grief, it just shows complete ignorance sometimes. You are not going to get $600 for a beginning 3/4 violin when the bridge is broken, it needs to be re-stringed, and there is a crack in the body.

And did you see this!? Wahoo for BBT!!

'The Big Bang Theory' renewed for three more years!!

http://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2014/03/13/cbs-renewal-of-the-big-bang-theory-to-continue-growing-advertising-income/

and

http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/03/12/the-big-bang-theory-renewed-for-three-more-years/

Brain Dump

Too many things.... floating around in my head.... It's been a tough few weeks. Lots going on, working a lot, and sometimes, you just need to vent.

What's Been Going On/ Things I've Seen

• It's awkward enough when you walk in a bathroom stall someone forgot to lock. It's even more awkward when you're watching it happen to someone else.
• I saw the most inefficient tow-truck driver I've ever seen. He was on I-5 driving 50 mph and there were sparks coming from the bottom of his vehicle. When I got closer to the tow-truck, I realized that the third truck being towed was not positioned or secured properly and was dragging along the pavement. Holy bananas, people, holy bananas. First thought: oh my goodness, is this really happening? Second thought: I'm so glad that's not my car! Third thought: how are they going to explain that to the owners? Now, maybe it's a car to be junked and it won't matter in the long run. We can hope. However, none of the cars looked in that bad of shape and at the end of the day, you can't get very car when one of the cars you're towing is scraping pavement causing sparks.  Even worse, the guy kept driving, didn't even slow down.
• Think of the person you who most frustrates you by being negative.... got it? Ok, good. I hate it when someone asks how you are doing, or how your day was, and when you start describing it they have an instant response of "oh, well you should be happy you have a job." Seriously? I KNOW that! I was laid off in 2012 and I KNOW what it feels like not knowing how you're going to pay bills, when are you going to get a job, health insurance could lapse, this is not a good economy to be finding a new job, it could take months/ years, what am I going to do??? It's ok to acknowledge that not every day is perfect, in fact, I think it's healthier to do so. I don't dwell on the negative, it's ok to notice it's there. 

On a completely different note. I'm finally using my instagram account: FlutieSteph

Bridal Question, Please Help!

Hello blogging world!

I need your help! My cousin is getting married (and my friend on FB so I'm hoping she doesn't check my blog). Her wedding is in April and the bridal shower is in a couple weeks. I bought a gift from her registry for the wedding and my question is, should I get her a gift for the bridal shower from the registry as well?

If yes, thanks! If no, what the heck do you get someone for a bridal shower?




AND this leads me to my next question! I am getting married in December and we are not planning on registering. We've been together a long time and don't need anything (well... there are a few things but not enough that I want to register). Instead, we're planning on asking family and friends to help us fund our honeymoon. My wonderful bridesmaids are planning a bridal shower for me, should I register for things? Basically, what the heck do you get someone for a bridal shower gift?

Thanks all!

January Is Here!!!

Do you ever have an idea for a blog post but you haven't posted in so long that it's intimidating?

Well, life has been happening, moving forward with full speed. As I'm sure most people will agree, once Halloween occurs, the next few months are a blur. While I love my job I am also very glad to know that long weekends are ahead as I usually work 6 days a week and my evenings, once home, are pretty packed.

The last week or so, I keep thinking, wow, "today I'm grateful for X," and I realized I should write them down. I like this blog so I can vent if I need to or be able to review the great things that have happened.

Sunday: I'm grateful that I can usually plan something with friends. This past Sunday I was able to get lunch with a friend I haven't seen since last summer. That's way too long! We live pretty far from each other and it's hard to get together when you work 6 days a week. Whenever I can, I try to *not* set an alarm.

Monday: I love working out and I'm grateful to see my trainer Monday mornings, bright and early. I love seeing my kiddos, my flute students, on Mondays. This week was more challenging than usual (key signatures people, oh, and let's count those rhythms too...), but I LOVE seeing them and if kids don't keep you in check with your own behavior or practice habits, then I don't know what will. ;)

Tuesday: I have quintet rehearsals Tuesday mornings and there is nothing better than beginning your day creating music, especially when it includes good people who are also talented musicians.

Wednesday: More personalized training and I have a later shift at work so when I drive home the drive isn't *as* horrible. It's nice to get home before 9pm too.

Thursday: Tap class!!! I absolutely love this class and I'm so grateful I get to take it. I've been wanting to take a dance class for years but didn't have the money or resources. Now, I'm taking tap and it's perfect for me. While I love Zumba too (dance like no one is watching!), I love learning and building skills.

Friday: I've almost made it to the weekend! I get home most Fridays before 7:30pm (wahoo!) and I usually talk to my parents so it's nice catching up.

Saturday: I survived another week and it's finally my "Friday." I try and get as much done around the condo as we can as I like having things done before the 'weekend' actually starts. 

So, there it is! What do YOU look forward to each day? The consistant things for me that I wouldn't list each time are Aaron (but of course!), cuddling with Sicily, and practicing.

Birthday Weekend

The funny thing is, I started this post the weekend of my birthday. I haven't posted yet for a few reasons, the main one being, near the end of my bday weekend, Aaron proposed and I said yes! It was  the night before my birthday, in the evening and the few photos I was able to get of us, didn't turn out very well. So yeah, that was the best part of my birthday and these other things happened too :)

In my family, we celebrate birthdays all month. I love having fun events scheduled all weekend.

My iPad finally came!!! I've been saving up for a year and it's amazing, and yes, I'm posting from it right now :)

My school hosted a wellness day and we got free samples of things. Have you tried Yerba Mate? It's delicoius and they have an unsweetened version that I love.

Another healthy snack we got were SeaSnax. I didn't think I would like seaweed but it was delicious and the whole package was only 15 calories!

A colleague of mine and I are co-captains for Relay for Life through the American Cancer Society! We have until June of next year to train (thank goodness as I am NOT a runner) and I'm excited to help raise money for such a good cause. Way too many people have been affected (effected??? I never know), by cancer.

Friday night, Aaron and I went to the Greek Festival in West Los Angeles. The good was really good and a nice change from our normal dinner. Here is the mussaka mid-meal:

I grew up eating lamb so of course we had to get some!

The Sunday before my birthday we went mini-golfing with some friends, pictures to come soon!

New Orleans: August 2013

This is what I've been up to lately, captions to come soon!

 

I was lucky enough to go to New Orleans August 5th-August 11th for the National Flute Association's annual convention. I love going to these though it's expensive and it's hard to know if you can a) get the time off work b) afford everything and c) afford to get back home ;)

 

One of the coolest parts of my trip was who I met at LAX and ended up being on my flight. He was the nicest man and I am so grateful to have met someone as inspiring and positive as him.

Yes, this is Richard Simmons!!!!

 

The first night there, we went to the Bourbon House Seafood Restaurant. The food was good and it was very nice to be out of the muggy, crowded streets.

 

 

 

 

 The next day, we walked around the French Quarter and found the Cade du Monde which, apparently, has world famous beignets. I didn't try them but I was told they were good. The restaurant service was very different from what I was used to and their menu was pretty much soda, basic coffee, and beignets.

 

We got to go a paddle boat and it was so worth it. The view was beautiful and

 

I found this gem on one of the walls in the paddle boat. I love Dolly Parton :)



 

 

The funny thing is that I'm not a Hard Rock Cafe die-hard fan, and yet, somehow I almost always end up eating there on trips.

Hard Rock Cafe: New Orleans

Friday morning I saw a guy dressed in a red dress in the hotel lobby. He didn't look like he'd been to bed yet and I remember thinking "wow, that must have been some party, he came back wearing a dress!" Nope, we went outside and there they were: the Red Dress Runners! Maybe it's because I life in Los Angeles, but I was thinking how great it was that despite the unhealthy eating in the south, they could rally so many people to do a big run. Wrong again ;)   It was more of a "let's wear my sister's red dress and get wasted" than an actual running event.

Red Dress Run