Alyson, What are you going to do after you graduate?

Great question everyone in the world!

It has come to my attention that college will soon be over and I will need to make some serious decisions: where to live, what to strive for, where to apply (jobs NOT grad schools), what to spend money on, etc.

As you can imagine these thoughts are overwhelming and nerve wrecking. So I just keep thinking of this little highlight that happened yesterday on my way home from work. I was riding my bike down my street, it was dark and mysterious (for south pasadena lol) and I started singing "Frosty the Snowman". I've always loved Fiona Apple's version.

I thought, "ummm its august, no Christmas songs Alyson" but I just kept singing, riding and laughing at myself. I think that's what I'm gonna do after I graduate, keep singing, riding along the path at hand and laughing at myself.

Good Exhaustion

Being home has been a complete whirlwind! I've worked 30+ hours in a week and a half (I know its not much but getting up early and having responsibilities even after just a short break is hard!) I've gone to the beach with my grandparents and Fortner cousins for 2 days, gone to the So Pas Farmer's Market, seen 2 plays, reunited with friends and more family and made my first summer pie! It was tart because I made it with fresh berries, but it was still yummy! And...the top crust was inspired by the Martha Stewart Valentine's Day issue last year!

Today I also hung out with Becca, Niko and a surprise appearance by our old friend Ryan! It was a truly ideal summer day and I loved every minute of it.

It ended with Stitch and Pitch (the Dodger game where we knit!). This is my little panda friend that I'm making for my friend Amanda's birthday 3 days after mine...in one week!!!!!!

Even though I have not been this exhausted in at least 5-6 months, it feels so good to know that I have people to love (and therefore spend time with) and people who love me enough to spend time with me. I think this is the worthwhile exhaustion.

P.S.-I'm reading Sula by Toni Morrison, which is beautifully written, as always. Next up: An Abundance of Katherines by John Green and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (7) by J. K. Rowling. I am so excited to get to read soon...after all the newness of being home wears off! These are easily my 3 favorite authors of all time!

Let's Stay Together

After the whirlwind that was my last week in Argentina, I spent the past 4 days in Spokane, Washington and Sandpoint, Idaho for my cousin Sara's wedding to Rob! They are really awesome people and seemed so happy together all weekend long, throughout all of the stress! I've really come to look up to them and am so happy they are in my life, and that we were able celebrate their special day with them.

The wedding party on Schweitzer Mountain!

The view from the ski lift we rode up to the wedding!

All of Sara's cousins! The ones in the front are mine too! :)

Mia and I at the rehearsal! The view was spectacular!

I love weddings, especially because one can take hints and tips on what would be ideal at yours! This also was my first weekend back in the states, and it went by very fast and it all felt very surreal. I don't see my cousins very often from Spokane, so it was a treat to spend some time with them. I just got home to S. Pasadena, and that return has been the weirdest. My house and my room seem like artifacts from a previous life! I'm sure by tomorrow I'll feel right at home again, especially after I visit Grandma!

It's official.

My B+ and I will be back to the country of origin in less than 48 hours.

Oh and we're seniors in college.

I know the end is near...

...because my peanut butter ran out!

Countdown: 5 days until I get into the E.E.U.U.; 9 days until CA!!!

Tomorrow I move into the hostel to stay with my friend Sylvie for a couple of days, then I'm coming back to my host mother's house for the last night! Look how adorable the hostel is!

I'm reading a lot, trying to stay sane by listening to more Harry Potter and taking walks to the library. I can't wait for all the fun things to come after all of this stress and reading! Tuesday about noon, I'll be free (and a senior in college).

Wow its going fast.

[Also--ARGENTINA LEGALIZED GAY MARRIAGE. No H8!!!]

What my life has become...

The past two days have seemed like a play that I'm getting really bored with and can't wait for the intermission. Here is a quick scene...(Barbara is my host mother).

BARBARA: Do you like my boots? (barbara enters alyson's bedroom and proceeds to put her fake leopard skin boots up on the bed in front of alyson's face, dangerously close to alyson's laptop) They're like skin!
ALYSON: Oooh. (She feels them hesitantly.) Ugggh. (She makes a sound of seemingly joking disgust, but that is really based in 5 months accumulation of real disgust.)
BARBARA: It's a dead leopard!! Ha Ha Ha. (She walks out of room without another word, opens the door to the apartment with her keys and exits.)

The great parts about these past few days are when I'm listening to Harry Potter 5 on the way to the library, skyping my family, and dreaming about all the good things that will come when I'm done with all of this work.

I need to get my stuff done.

This video explains pretty much what I did today.

Tales of Mere Existence

Let's hope tomorrow is different!