Going on a Venue Hunt

Wow, finding a wedding venue is not as easy job, let me tell you! That's what I've been up to the last few days - sending email requests, making phone calls, browsing web sites, and replying up a storm. We're currently waiting for an offer to come through on a specific date at a place we love! Keep your fingers crossed for me that it all works out!!

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I'm Engaged!!!

I'm engaged, it's true! My boyfriend popped the question Saturday afternoon on our day date around Seattle. I'm just bursting with happiness, excitement, and joy!!! The entire day was AMAZING, truly the best day ever. Later that evening, we got to celebrate our news with a few close friends - and it was exciting see see my friends' thrilled reactions!! (Also, I can't stop staring at my shiny ring)...More details to follow soon!

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Sewing Class

Did I tell you I'm taking a sewing class? I've finally decided it's high time I learn how to use a sewing machine. My friend Philly and I signed up for a 2-day introductory class at a local sewing shop, where at the end of our two day endeavor, we've created our very own tote bag. Tonight's the second and final night of the class, and hopefully my hemmed scraps will successfully turn into a usable bag. I'll keep you posted on how it goes!

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Wishes

Inspired by Lindsay's wish list over at La Belle Vie, I created my own...

I wish I had the ocean as my backyard.

I wish I could travel endlessly with the constraints of time and money.

I wish I could eat fresh croissants and savory pastries from here everyday.

I wish I could sing reasonably well.

I wish Lost never ended.

I wish I had Blake Lively's wardrobe.

I wish credit cards paid themselves.

I wish my sisters lived closer to me.

I wish that everyone could understand the joys of being a teacher.

What do you wish for?

idea via labellevie

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The Hills Are Alive!

Can you believe it's the 45th anniversary of the Sound of Music? The Today Show hosted the Von Trapp Children and Fräulein Maria last week to celebrate the anniversary of this magical movie. I always loved this movie, and I actually have a personal connection to the film.

Five years ago, I backpacked around Europe for a month with two of my girlfriends. One of our many stops among our travels was Salzburg, Austria, where this historic film was made! We decided since we loved the movie so much, we just had to take the Sound of Music tour, which is a 4-hour long excursion all over (highly recommended). You and your guide drive through those very hills from the song (listening and singing along to the soundtrack all the way - mind you!). We stopped at many iconic destinations from the movie; including the VonTrapp house by the lake, the church where Maria and Capt. Von Trapp were married, and many more...including the gazebo.

In case you don't remember, the gazebo was home to the famous song by Liesel and Rolf "I Am Sixteen, Going on Seventeen," (my favorite from the movie). Well when we arrived at this famous site, and encountered a crowd. Puzzled, we crept closer, and discovered the character Liesel from the movie was there filming the 40th reunion slot!!! It was such a random coincidence that she was there. We were thrilled!! The best part was, the 20 or so of us joined hands, and actually got to sing this wonderful song along with Liesel. It was a magical moment I'll never forget. Here's a picture of us and Liesel!

And the clip of the entire cast singing together!

Drained

Parent-teacher conferences have me running on empty. Combined with a killer migraine last night after work, I'm feeling so, so tired... I'm really going to need that double tall 2-pump vanilla soy latte this morning (so much for attempting to make my own coffee at home...).

How's your week going so far?

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Pumpkin Patch + Carving

Two weekends ago my bf and I took advantage of the gorgeous October sunshine and ventured to the local pumpkin patch. It was apparently a popular Sunday activity as the patch was teeming with small children, but we moseyed through the rows and picked two supremely perfect pumpkins (in my humble opinion).

We didn't get around to carving the pumpkins until last week - but here they are! Mine is the cat, his is supposed to have crazy eyes sticking out it's tongue, though we thought it kind of ended up looking like a lunatic with a goatee. Go figure! Good times pumpkin carving!

Booked!

It's official - the bf and I are heading to New Orleans, Louisiana for a long weekend in January! I've never been, but heard nothing but fabulous things! Can't wait for a romantic getaway. Any recommendations on places to go while in town??

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Girls Weekend

Woohoo! This afternoon, I'm my way to a bachelorette party weekend in Seaside, Oregon. So excited for some good wine, gossip, and quality girl time! Happy pre-wedding bash Anna!

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Happy Birthday Dad

Then...

and now...

You're the best, I love you! Happy Birthday!!

Library Love

Are you a book buyer or a library frequenter? Once upon a time, I used to be a book buyer... There's just something about a brand new book, it has that lovely new book smell, the pages are crisp and waiting to be turned, and it looks so esteemed resting on your shelf amidst all your other books after reading...

But soon enough, I had a reality check after saving receipts and realized, wow, I've acquired quite an expensive habit! As a teacher I know how nice it is to have the title you want to read to your class right there, ready to go....And for grown-up reads, I sometimes have to resist the urge to pick up that shiny new title calling out to me from the NY Times bestseller shelf.

Since I've become a teacher, I've become a library frequenter. And to keep up with the latest and greatest, I peruse Amazon to search for new titles and then immediately zip over to my library's home page to add them to my request list.

If you've never done the "library thing," I suggest you reconsider, I was pleasantly surprised how I could reserve everything online. Then, when my books come in, I get a handy email reminder. This makes pick-up a breeze, as all the titles are waiting for me under my last name.

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Snooze

Right this minute, I'm feeling like this... Tired already by the mere thought of my too-busy schedule today. I'm so tempted to just crawl back into bed and swat the snooze button a few more times... Hoping to gain back some blog inspiration and enthusiasm by tomorrow...

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Penny Pinching

I've been trying to save instead of spend (not an easy task for me). If I really set my mind to something, I can be frugal, although it's not my innate nature. But I admit, I sometimes find it hard to resist charging those perfect fit jeans or those cute-as-a-button-perfect-for-fall-boots...and then having buyers remorse after the fact.

What are your strategies for saving or avoiding indulgences? I've cut back on my coffee habit, but I feel like there are other solutions out there. Anyone? Help a girl resist the urge to shop...

Snapshots of Osaka

As I've slowly been blogging snapshots of my trip to Japan, I realized I have yet to write about my first blog-friend meet-up! After announcing I was going to Japan early this year, Vivian of Lost in Translation suggested we meet up, and I thought it to be a grand idea. After some emailing and facebooking... we organized to meet up for a night out in Japan's nightlife capital - Osaka!

Vivian is the first blog friend that I've ever met face-to-face. And we had a fabulous time! I kind of liken meeting and making blog friends to to online dating, (except the goal is friendship of course) :) After months/years of reading each others blogs, leaving comments, you kind of get an idea of the blogger's personality. Well Vivian and I got along wonderfully, as I'd anticipated. Here's a few pics from our night out on the town in Osaka!

P.S. Can you tell we both enjoy throwing around the peace sign?

Question for you all: Have you ever met up with a blogging friend or acquaintance? How did it go?

Back to Bangs

I did it! I got my hair cut...and went back to bangs! It was kind of an impulse move, inspired by this look, keeping my already long hair and adding swoopy bangs. We'll see how my students react today at school when I show up looking totally different! A kid will always give you their honest opinion...(wish me luck!)

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App Happy

Hello all - did I ever tell you I did end up converting to the iphone? I can't remember...but yes, after my return from Japan I purchased an iphone 4 and left the world of blackberries to joint he ranks of the iphoners. I'm still getting used to how everything works.

As of now, I'm dazzled by the apps, (however, I've been told this will fade as the novelty of the phone wears off). But I have to admit, as much as I love the apps, I miss the blackberry as a "phone." I think it comes down to the fact that the blackberry was just more comfortable as a talking device.

For any iphone users out there - any insight to any MUST-HAVE apps I must investigate and potentially download?

Yard at Work

My boyfriend and I have been hard at work trying to make sense of our yard. Upon purchasing the house, I inherited a few lovely pre-existing trees/shrubs; a large camellia tree, several lilac bushes, and a handful of wild rose bushes. Nice, right?

So when it came time to add some bounty to the yard, I thought I had a decent flower knowledge upon entering the nursery....WRONG! My knowledge was paltry, as I realized I could barely identify half the herbs... In a nutshell, my first time to the plant store was very overwhelming. I slowly pushed my cart through the endless rows of sun plants, shade plants, perennials, etc. Even with a salesperson helping me, it was a lot of information to absorb in one fell swoop.

Finally, after frantically calling my boyfriend and having him google the plants I liked while at work, I selected a few that fit the profile to survive a Seattle fall and winter. So, to our yard we recently added the following: some green grassy plants, a daphne, and a few Pieris fire and ice plants. I admit, I've never had an especially green thumb but they're looking good so far...

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Rafting Trip

A picture to sum up the weekend of white water rafting and wine tasting. In a nutshell;

good friends + hot sun + cold water + delicious wine = a great time!

I'm Back!

Hello my blog lovelies, do not worry, I have not abandoned you. It was such a whirlwind getting ready for my trip to Japan, I only now realize I neglected to tell you all I was leaving for Japan! Well, my travels have come and gone, and our 2 weeks there were utterly AMAZING! I will post pictures and updates ASAP once I decompress, catch up to the right time zone, and relax for a bit.

So excited to share my travels with you!

Weekend in Photos

Here are some pictures from our Whidbey Island adventure. And just so you know, despite the grey skies, we did see a day and a half of sun! Woohoo!