Valentine's Day-not for lovers anymore!

I love holidays, especially the Hallmark ones. I love the cheesiness of it, the decorations, the food, I like my hallmark holidays to look like it's been vomited on by that specific day. (Which is why I'm writing this post in pink). And I love Valentine's Day, call me a romantic, but I love LOVE. And although I'm not in love with anyone particular this winter, I am in love my girlfriends! They are all so great. So we threw a "Single Ladies" Valentine's Day party complete with pink drinks, pink champagne, heart cookies, balloons, red and pink candies, chocolate, pigs in a blanket a la Jen. (Unfortunately I was busy playing hostess so I didn't get any pictures of the spread.)

The party ended earlier then I wanted because we had to make it to Uncle Fatty's, a tropical theme bar in Lincoln Park which had ladies' drink free before 11:00--can't miss a good deal! And the following pictures are what followed.

Grad school meets undergrad. My lovely friends Sarah and Kathryn.

Jen and the girls she works with at PRA, Mallory and Carissa.

And me and my hometown love, Jen.

Sara and her Wash U girlfriends who were in town for weekend.

Me and Kathryn. Lovely grad school friend and fellow lover of margs and guacamole.

And me and Wyo ladies, Sara and Jen.

Me and Ms. Belew! Who proved to me that night, you can meet a decent guy at a bar on Valentine's day...I believe this might be an urban legend in the making.

I hope everyone had a fun Valentine's Day! I am off to study for an exam and think of a thesis for a paper due on Wednesday. And next weekend I'm going to NYC to see Matthew and Sharon and Nathalie. And then to Cincinnati for B's baby shower and then back to the Windy City to show B and Mom the greatest American city (possibly greatest city ever).

xo
Amber

A Single Gal Rant...

(Let me preface this by saying, I don’t mind being single. I actually prefer it right now. It allows me to go out with the friends I want, meet new people, move to a new city, watch bad rom-coms, get a cat, explore said new city, etc, etc, etc.)

I hate grocery shopping especially at the local Jewel in my neighborhood and the reason isn’t because I find the task tedious (although I do) but because THEY are there. And who is they?...COUPLES. Now some of you might say this is silly or immature (which by the way, I am many things but immature is not one of them) but there is just something about couples my age grocery shopping together that gets me in a rage (and by rage I mean, I won’t push my cart out of their way when they are trying to pass me in the cereal aisle.) No matter what day of the week I go or what time of the day, THEY are there.

The scene usually involves a cute little petite thing not dressed for Chicago winter in sheer tights and a mini dress (who wears this to the super market) and some poor schmuck trailing behind her with a cart filled with some organic crap (even though he just wants some Easy Mac and Tombstone pizza). And I’ll be the first to admit that it is my envy for this domestic scene that gets my blood boiling, and I also know that just because a couple is grocery shopping together doesn’t mean it’s all domestic bliss at home, but they’ll be happy to know that’s what I project on them.

This annoyance also pertains to couples at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, Target, and IKEA. Although I rant and feel bad for the poor schmuck pushing the cart, I am quite certain I will be guilty of this too with my future boyfriend, fiancé, husband, or poor schmuck. Sorry sweetie, in advance, for the grocery store trips you have in your future, but don’t worry I’ll push the cart. Like I said I hate to grocery shop because I find it tedious for some reason, so I’ll want some company.

xo

My 25.

Well here ya go, folks. My 25. It took a week to write and some of them will probably change tomorrow. (Please see #4 if you wonder why I didn't post on FB).

1. I'm very reserved, quiet, and serious which makes me seem aloof and a wee bit snobbish, but I'm not.

2. I take after my dad, Don.

3. I'm a vegetarian.

4. It took pursuing my "dream" career in Chicago to realize dreams don't always end up like you want, and they are rarely ever "dream-like". And that's okay because no one finds strength in living a dream life.

5. I worry about everything, especially about what other people think of me (and I find, this gets worse the older I get...isn't it supposed to be the other way around?).

6. My most happy time was my semester abroad in Valencia, Spain where I met the most amazing and wonderful people and saw the most amazing and wonderful places.

7. I love Miami University. (Don and Max were right all along, and I'll make my kid go there too).

8. The two people I admire most are my mom, Max, and my sister, Brandy.

9. I have a lot of shows for someone with so little time to watch them.

10.My favorite food is pizza, and the best pizza is LaRosa's. (traditional crust, extra cheese, and extra sauce.)

11. I can't wait to be a mom someday.

12. I prefer cold weather over hot weather any day. And my favorite would be mid 40s to low 60s right after it rains.

13. I wish I cooked more, journaled more, traveled more, saved more, and spent less time on the internet.

14. I don't make friends easily but the ones I do, I keep forever.

15. I don't like that Chicago doesn't have an efficient recycling program. (Drives me mad actually).

16. My 2009 goal is the Thanksgiving Day 10K run.

17. I love to take long walks and let my mind wander. (Brutus is the best walking companion.)

18. I love to read and I love movies, but really, I just think I like a good story, no matter the medium.

19. I love all things Audrey Hepburn.

20. I try very hard to keep the art of letter writing (even if its a brief note on a postcard) alive.

21. I don't like my birthday and haven't since 2001.

22. I realized recently that I am an adult and on my own, and this is both scary and safe at the same time.

23. One word. Cheese.

24. Clinton (my brother, not the former president--although I like him too)has always been my hero (even if I don't always agree with him).

25. I wrote my list over this past week whenever I was on the "el" which leads me to my last and final "me-ism". I don't like to drive, and therefore love public transportation.

That's a lot of "I's" but I guess that's the point, right? Hope you enjoyed. Next post will be a single gal's rant...

xo Am

AND a brief PSA--Go see "Slumdog Millionaire" and "MILK" if you haven't already. They are two of the best movies I've seen in a while. And my little heart/friend, Kristina, sang back up vocals on the "Slumdog" score which is nominated for an Oscar.

Bucket List

I did the 'Bucket List' as well but didn't want to add to the chain. So here it is for those who wish to read and wonder if I'll do the rest.

( ) Gone on a blind date

( x ) Skipped school

( ) Watched someone die

( x ) Been to Canada

( ) Been to Mexico

( x ) Been to Florida

( ) Been to Hawaii

( X ) Been on a plane

( ) Been on a helicopter

( X ) Been lost

( X) Gone to Washington, DC

( X ) Swam in the ocean

( X ) Cried yourself to sleep

( X ) Played cops and robbers

( X ) Recently colored with crayons

(x ) Sang Karaoke

( x ) Paid for a meal with coins only

( ) Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch

( X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't

( x) Made prank phone calls

( ) Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans

( ) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose

( X ) Caught a snowflake on your tongue

( X ) Danced in the rain

( X ) Written a letter to Santa Claus

( x ) Been kissed under the mistletoe

( ) Watched the sunrise with someone

( X ) Blown bubbles

( X ) Gone ice-skating

( X ) Gone to the movies

( ) Been deep sea diving

( ) Driven across the United States alone

( ) Been in a hot air balloon

( ) Been sky diving

( ) Gone snowmobiling

( x ) Lived in more than one country

( X ) Laid down outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets

( ) Seen a falling star and made a wish

( X ) Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful Geyser

( x ) Seen the Statue of Liberty

( ) Gone to the top of Seattle Space Needle

(x) Been on a cruise

( X ) Traveled by train

( ) Traveled(rode) by motorcycle

(X) Been horse back riding

(x) Ridden on a San Francisco CABLE CAR

( ) Been to Disneyland

(x) Truly believe in the power of prayer

( ) Been in a rain forest

( ) Seen whales in the ocean

( ) Been to Niagara Falls

(X) Ridden on an elephant

( ) Swam with dolphins

As life goes (and yes, I realize I am still young) there are still so many things on my own Bucket List I wish to accomplish. Some day. xo Amber

Father Winter Has Arrived

...And we are all grounded! Good lord, it's cold here! -10 and that doesn't even include the nice little wind chill we've got here. Now I will profess my preference for cold weather over hot weather any day but this is ridiculous. My eyelashes froze on the way home from the train and my scarf and hat did too! Here's a pic of me on the way home...so cold.

(Notice the icy yarn, please)

And not to sound bitter or cold, no pun intended, but everyone in Ohio who is complaining about the weather at least you can get in your car and drive where ever you need to go. Unfortunately, my coat is nice and down but I don't have a portable heater underneath it all. (I did have 3 layers on bottom and 5 layers on top plus the long coat) and I still was cold. Enough complaining, I chose to move here...Here are a few pictures I took from around the city.

Frozen Bikes not going anywhere.
Pigeons hogging the heat lamp at the el station.
Catholic church near my apartment.

I'm hoping that I'll take better snowy pictures once it warms up, but that's all I got now. And oh yeah my first week of second semester wasn't too bad...no crying on the el, yet. And I'll end with a picture of the cat. Sorry if I have already posted a picture of this but it's so cute.
Take care and stay warm! xo Amber

Ringin' in a New Year

Before I get to telling you about my NYE (which rocked!) I have to give a little Sooner Shout out! Now I’m not as dedicated a fan as my big bro Clinton, but I’ve got some hometown pride for the Sooners. (Not to mention that all my parents graduated from OU and I probably would have too if we hadn’t moved to the Buckeye State and oh yeah I was born in Norman and spent the first 11 years there.) But I can sing the fight song, and rep the Crimson and Cream with the rest of them. (And I know more Sooner State history than Buckeye…much more interesting.) Anyway my other interest in the game is that I don’t like UF (sorry BFF, Jen-who by the way is at the game in Miami) but I have a small issue with people who win too much (it goes straight to their heads)…does that make me a sore loser? (I think there are still people licking their wounds in Ohio after 2007) AND both coaches are from the Big OH. Look at that! Both home states represent! Can I consider myself a fan, if my niece looks stinkin’ cute in her little OU cheerleader outfit? And that is about as sport fanatical as I get.

Me and the Cat getting ready for the BSC Championship Game. Boomer!

But back to the real reason I am gracing you all with a second post in one week…New Year’s Eve 2009! I made my way back to the Windy City last Tuesday to ring in the New Year with my sorority sisters from Miami. I’ve never done an all out NYE so I was super excited (even got a new party dress)! And thanks for everyone in advance not pointing out how pale I am, lucky for me "Twilight" is bringing pale back.

Me with my good friend, Sarah! Thanks to her I was out on NYE.

AOII sisters! Sarah, Amber, Colleen, me, and Danielle at the girls apartment before the party.

Me and Amber with friends from Cincinnati, Jess and Sharon (who was Sarah's roommate at MU) at Joe's .

It was a MU/AOII reunion, I ran into my little, Amanda!

We did the all included (drinks, apps, champagne toast, breakfast buffet, and shuttle back to the North Side). It was at Joe’s on Weed where a cover band from Miami of OH, the RumRunners, rocked out. (Note to self if I want a Midnight Kiss don’t go to a party with a bunch of groupies, umm…girls outnumbered guys by A LOT). We did a group hug instead.

On the dance floor waiting for the band to start.

RumRunners lead singer. We were super close, lots elbows to the stomach to get these spots.

When you go out with all girls and the drinks are flowing, you spend a lot of time in the bathroom line. So here is our standard BR line picture. Me and lovely ladies, Amber and Sarah.

With the girls at the bar. (probably the reason why Matthew got a call late that night, I guess Hilary Clinton isn't the only one worried about those middle of the night phone calls.)

It was so much fun! I am very superstitious about how you spend NYE and how that predicts your coming year which means great news for me because mine will be filled with great friends. I don’t like to be down on life, but my 2008 sucked so I was happy to ring in a New Year, cheers to a New Years. And I’ve already been good on my resolutions, training for the Thanksgiving 10k and went to church.

Well if this is semester is anything like last semester you all probably won’t hear from me until May but I’ll do my best to post a few things up here. Love to all and Happy New Years! xo Amber

Christmas in Cincinnati!

Well Max and Don FINALLY came back to Cincinnati in the middle of December and none too soon! My first semester finished right around that time and after spenting some free time in Chicago, I was homeward bound. (Oh yeah did I mention that it snowed all week before I left, so I was happy that I a.) got out of Chicago safe and soundly without a hitch and b.) there was no snow. You see, I don't mind the cold weather in the Windy City but I draw the line at snow and slush, it makes it so hard to get around. Most people feel the opposite, it can be cold as long as it snows, but not me, I've never been one for snow. Sorry for the triad, back to the holidays. (Oh, 1 exception to the no snow rule, it can snow on Christmas, but of course it never snows on Christmas in Cincinnati.)

So I arrived in Cincinnati by MegaBus late Friday night before Christmas (with of course no food in the fridge, Max is the only cook that keeps her cupboards and refrigerator empty but we were able to find some cheese and crackers). Lucky for me Half Day Cafe is right around the corner and a trip back to the Wyo wouldn't be complete without a Saturday morning breakfast of 2 of everything, hold the meat. And the days after that we were filled with errands, a shopping trip to Kenwood (!), movies, church, Playhouse in the Park, and a looong day of sofa shopping.

But let's get right down to it, Christmas morning. Mary, Don's daughter, came over with her hubby, Kevin, and their babes, Taylor and Samantha, in tow.

Please, Aunt Boo or Poo or Amber (whoever you are), No more pictures!
Ok, just one!
Taylor taking a peek at the presents. That red chair was a makeshift Christmas tree this year.
Opening presents with Grandma Max.
Brutus was the best Christmas present.
Grandpa Don and Baby Sam, the youngest of the Lucas/Kappel family (but not for long!)

After all the Christmas morning fun, I read and read somemore and watched a few movies. (I'm telling you this whole "on break from school thing is tough"). And then more family! Don's daughter Sarah and her family, and his son, Michael, came over for his wife for dinner on Saturday afternoon and more Christmas time festivities.

Me with my niece, Samantha.

Anthony and Taylor playing with new Christmas toys with Mary.
Anthony wearing his new Christmas sweater (his aunt has great fashion sense)!
Those curls just don't happen on their own!

Even though it was nice to be at home, I came to Chicago for New Years Eve with some friends. And although I did experience some homesick, it's nice to be back to my apartment and to the Cat. The cat, yes I still have her and she is great. She loves to snuggle, no really, it's so great. She curls right up, I love it! Here is a picture of her and her favorite box. I took it out to throw away but she loves the whole she can jump in and it reminds me of that whack-a-mole arcade game (although I do not whack her but it's super cute when she pops her head out.)

Well until next time, hopefully it will be soon and about my night on the town for NYE, take care! xo, Amber