Sister, sister (and brother)

Janice conducted her crock pot experiment earlier this month. Now it's my turn to try making beef stew in the crock pot. :) *crossing fingers* The first hour of slow cooking is almost up. Seven more to go. Will let you know the outcome later. I'm prepared to laugh if things go wrong, but I hope it's delicious!

I just read the e-mail the Jason's coming home to watch the Super Bowl with his friends. Heh heh. Good ol' sports fan, that one. :) Now I finally have a reason to watch the actual game -- and not just watch the commercials. Go Seahawks!!!

Oh breathe, just breathe

Heh heh, get it? It's 2 a.m. Like that song by Anna Nalick. :) Great song. So is her new single, "In the Rough."

Anyway, it's 2 a.m., and I can't go to sleep. I had coffee during the first intermission of Die Fledermaus. My mind is racing now. When I got home tonight I checked my e-mail. I received a message about a potential part-time job, and I've been thinking about it ever since. I won't mention anything more right now, but that's what's on my mind.

Oh, and I just spent a great deal of time writing a post for my online friends. Wait. Let me back up and explain that the first Web community I joined was the Miss Saigon Notice Board at Center Stage. That place no longer exists, but a few of us recently started a little group to keep in contact with each other. Very cool. Anyway, here's what I wrote in response to a "what are you up to?"-type thread:

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I graduated magna cum laude from the University of Washington last month. (I finished two quarters ahead of schedule.) Earned my B.A. in communication with a music minor. Commencement will take place this June.

Right now I'm taking a much-needed break. In March, I'm visiting the Philippines for the first time. Yay! I must admit that it's strange not going to school, but I definitely won't miss the endless homework! Not surprisingly, I feel the pressure of searching for a full-time job. I hope that wherever I end up and whatever I do is rewarding and fulfilling. I would love to work in the communications department of a performing arts organization. I just wrapped up my student job and am doing some cool freelance projects with Seattle Opera.

Speaking of opera, I've really gotten into it over the past year. Seattle Opera is known for performing the works of Richard Wagner, and I think I may have caught the bug to become a Wagnerite. I loved the Ring. I heard (and saw) Jane Eaglen sing the Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde last weekend, and I just listened to a clip of Parsifal earlier this evening. Wow, Wagner's music is so amazing, moving and memorable. Yup, I'm hooked.

Of course, I am a musical fan through and through. I can't wait to see the world premiere of The Wedding Singer.
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*yawn* Ooh, I think I'm finally getting sleepy. Buonanotte.

Sudoku Addicts Anonymous

Hi, my name is Allison, and I am addicted to Sudoku. I bought a Sudoku book from Barnes & Noble last Thursday, and I can't stop playing it. Must. Stop. Now. I think I'll have to hide the book and try to forget about it so I can concentrate on other things that don't involve logically putting numbers in squares. To think, I avoided the puzzle craze for so long, but now I'm hooked just like Dad and Janice. Guess it runs in the family.

Bring on the bubbly

I watched the opening night performance of Die Fledermaus at McCaw Hall. This Seattle Opera production of Johann Strauss Jr.'s operetta is amazing!!! It was my first operetta, and I loved it. The cast was hilarious. (Some jokes even referred to contemporary pop culture [think ABC television shows].) Jane Eaglen cracked us all up: "My dress! She's wearing half my dress!" Nancy Maultsby made me laugh with her Prince Orlofsky laugh. LOL just thinking about it. :) Sarah Coburn soared with her awesome high notes.

You gotta love the fact that these singers don't have microphones when they sing, yet can fill the hall with their voices. Everyone -- and I mean everyone -- was superb. :) I'm a hardcore musical fan. I think operetta was right up my alley with spoken dialogue and spectacular music. Sometimes you need a good laugh, and Die Fledermaus provided that on Saturday. I can't wait to see it again this Friday with the alternate cast.

Raves

Happy new year! Yeah, yeah, so I'm late in saying it, but I mean it just the same! I'm so glad it's 2006. A fresh start. Full of possibilities. Instead of resolutions, I have goals. I won't go into detail about all of them, although I do realize it's important to share them with others. Anyway, one of my goals is to read 25 books this year. I'm well on my way to doing that! So far I've read Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident and Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code. I really look forward to finishing the fourth installment, The Opal Deception. (I read the first book in 2005, so that doesn't count.) If you can't tell by now, I love Artemis Fowl! Thanks to my big bro for letting me borrow his books.

Other raves for:

*The great folks at Seattle Opera for letting me return (and remembering me, that's so cool)

*Whale Rider: I bawled when I watched this movie

*Scrubs' return to TV: I'll watch the hilarious show as long as The Amazing Race isn't airing

*Half.com: I finally checked it out after hearing raves about it from my friends (now I can read the next three books in Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events)

*Quintcareers.com: my favorite resource for preparing for the job search

It's a miracle

I don't know about you, but I have a difficult time when it comes to Christmas shopping. I never know what to get people ... unless they tell me, that is!

For whatever reason, this year I heard from a lot of people who had begun their shopping in November. Those are the early birds with plans. Good for them. :)

But I? Io? Yo? I didn't start until today. And here's the great part: Although I worried about it for a long time, I managed to start and finish Christmas shopping in one day! I bought gifts from two stores and came home in less than two hours. Yay! :) That's a new record for me. I hope I can duplicate it in the future.

Now, I just need to do a bit o' gift wrapping. At least the hard part's over!

This is it, people

Just gotta turn in my final paper and take my final final exam. Then I'm a college grad! Wow. Almost can't believe it.

It feels like I just started college, but I know a lot has happened since I started college in 2002. Time flies. My memory is just giving me the condensed version of my college years.

Well, I can't wait to enjoy the holidays with friends and family. Plus, I can start to learn how to play the violin! Thanks, Mom! I'm going to read a ton of books and, I hope to write some music. Basically do all the things that I've put on hold. This is going to be sweet. :)

In song titles

One day more!
This is my December.
Standing on the edge.
Something's coming.
A whole new world.
You'll see.

:)

(Les Miz, Linkin Park, Michelle Branch, Stephen Sondheim, Tim Rice, Jonathan Larson)

Snow!

It finally snowed yesterday and last night! Everything looks beautiful and peaceful under a blanket of snow. :)

I woke up this morning and worried about the drive. I've never driven in the snow before. Dad gave me lots of good tips though, and, well, here I am at UW! The traffic was definitely lighter on I-5, and my bus actually arrived at UW 15 minutes early. There's no snow here in Seattle. They missed out!

Senioritis B

For cryin' out loud, these last two weeks of school are killing me. I'm swamped in all my classes.

One of my friends described this time period like the last two weeks of a job: it drags on and on. She's completely right.

Eight class days to go. Frankly, that's eight too many.

It didn't snow last night. Sadness.

Texas-sized Weekend

This was the first Thanksgiving I'd ever spent outside Washington state, and I gotta say I loved the change of scenery, air, weather, etc. Especially the weather. Now I'm freezing. What a contrast. It's supposed to snow tonight.

Funniest thing I heard all weekend? It was on the radio when Jason and I were heading back to Austin from San Antonio:

"What's up, San Antonio? It's 64 degrees -- a little chilly, chilly." LOL! Chilly chilly.

Traveling the day before Thanksgiving was surprisingly smooth. Thanksgiving in Houston was nice. The food was delicious and very filling. I could only eat one plate of food. On Friday, Jason and I saw Rent (AWESOME MOVIE!!!!). Later we had dinner at Hula Hut (which serves tacos, enchiladas, burritos, etc.). After that, Jason and his friend took me around the bars downtown. After seeing Austin, I could definitely tell why Jason moved there. Good choice, bro. On Saturday we went to San Antonio, visited the Alamo and went to the River Walk.

Sexiest Man Alive

Yes, yes, it's Matthew McHoweveryouspellit. It's been covered in the news, and every single time I hear the words "sexiest man alive," I can't help but sing the song from Princesses. "The sexiest man alive is coming to our school. If I don't die, excuse me if a drool." Hehehe. Where's Janice when I need her to sing with me?

"The sexiest man alive will stand ten feet from me. I fainted twice in Hunter Manning Three."

All together now:

"The sexiest man alive
We worship on the screen
Right here at Reardon School in Room 19
Right off the front of People Magazine"

Heh heh. :) I told you Princesses would hold a special place in my heart (and apparently in my memory).

Allison, the former intern

Sunrise, sunset

I must be in the mood for Fiddler on the Roof or something. "Tradition" *was* the last song I listened to on my way home today. My iPod was on shuffle. I love that feature.

Anyway, just wanted to comment that today I drove to the park & ride before sunrise, and I didn't arrive at home till after sunset.

And all I want to do is sleep. Sheesh.

Perhaps the one hour I actually enjoyed today was my Italian class, but we tackled demonstrative adjectives, and that killed some brain cells, me think. I was sitting pretty with the definite and indefinite articles. Perche, Signore, Perche?

I need a change of scenery. Apparently, we have stagnant air here in the Northwest. Gross. The trip to visit Jason is lookin' mighty nice. Austin, here we come!

Senioritis A

I am so ready to be done with school. At the same time, I've never really let up on just how much work I pour into my classes. Ugh. Sometimes I disgust myself with how much I care. Wouldn't it be nice to not care so much? I can't though. That's not me.

Sure, I'll procrastinate, but in the end, I work my ass off. My expectations were set high long ago. It's kinda weird that I put that much pressure on myself, but I do.

It's almost time to pour all that energy into something else. And the thought of not having homework keeps me going, especially when it's tempting to blow everything off. But I won't.

The end of college is near. Eighteen days to go!

When you wish upon a TAR

I didn't know there'd be two hours of The Amazing Race yesterday. At the end of the first hour, I thought to myself, "I wish I didn't have to wait until next week to see the next episode." And my wish came true! :) Ah, I love Sweeps.

TAR is my favorite reality TV show, I have to say. However, there are some things about it -- regardless of the season -- that really irk me. The way that couples (or families, this time) talk negatively behind other teams' backs is terrible. And the way that some couples have talked badly about the places they get to visit just appalls me. Yes, they are free to express their opinions, but sometimes it's aggravating. Hence, the rant!

ANYway, if you watch TAR, have you noticed how the families label each other by geographic location (Cincinnati boys, Florida team) or, more interestingly, by a TV show family? The Brady Bunch. The Desperate Houswives. The Cleavers. At least I think it's interesting.

Quick note about Gilmore Girls: Logan WAS/IS a jerk! And I never thought I'd say this, but I rooted for Jess in last night's episode. I've never rooted for Jess. Glad to see a turning point for Rory.

Top Ten

Sweet. According to iTunes, here are the songs I listen to the most:

"Ice Cream" by Sarah McLachlan ... a true gem of a song, no wonder I play it so much

"True" Ryan Cabrera ... thank goodness for iTunes, I really only wanted this song, and now I have it

"Collide" Howie Day ... doo doo doo, doo doo doo ... radio has its purpose: to introduce awesome songs like this one :)

"Run Away" BBMak ... I haven't listened to this song in a few years. Missed it. Yay BBMak!

"There's a Fine, Fine Line" from Avenue Q ... my anthem right now, I think. Move over "I Wish I Could Go Back to College."

"Rhyme and Reason" by Adam Pascal ... best song from Model Prisoner, imo

"You and Me" by Lifehouse ... the reason why I bought the CD. Love this song. "Blind" is also a great follow-up (it's the song I would want to write if I could), but "Come Back Down" is quickly becoming my new favorite.

"Runaway" by The Corrs ... a blast from the mid-1990s past! It's an addicting song.

"Believe" by Josh Groban ... I'm excited for the upcoming holiday season. :)

"Wanting Out" Michelle Branch ... of the 10, this one's the one I enjoy singing along with the most :)

Currently

... listening to Lifehouse.

... writing a paper. :[

... typing on my laptop.

... staring at the books I want to read.

... ignoring the books I have to read for school.

... fighting the urge to check my e-mail for the gazillionth time today.

... waiting for Friday to come.

The others

No, I don't want to talk about Lost's "The Others." I mean the other blogs I read. Are you curious about the links I posted in the right-hand column?

Just Janice: My sister Janice's blog. She should update more. ;)

Just A Simple rEflection: My brother Jason's blog. "He so funny!"

When in Rome...: I actually don't know if that's the title of my cousin Alexa's Xanga. 'Cause her name is really cabbageonionrebellion. But I like When in Rome...

Bill Walsh's Blogspot: For the copy editor in me. Read it only if there's a copy editor in you. Otherwise, you can skip to:

Where the Hell Is Matt?: No, I didn't hear about this via e-mail or TV. I heard about this from Matt's sister, Jennifer, who works at The 5th Avenue Theatre. The blog entries are great, but watch the dancing video. It's awesome!! Funny and awe-inspiring.

PostSecret: Warning - the content on this blog is not for all eyes. PG-13, borderline R. It can be a very moving and powerful Web site, but I don't always see things I like or am comfortable with. It pushes me sometimes, so if you check it out and don't like what you see, don't say I didn't warn you. I check it every Sunday. Before I found it, I had seen the All-American Rejects' music video for "Dirty Little Secret." I was impressed by the video and not so much the song. People held up cards with their secrets on 'em. Then I read a soldier's blog (needed to read one for my media effects class) and found a link to PostSecret. Immediately, I was drawn to it because, as it turns out, it was the source for the images in the music video.

A Word About Celeb Sightings

Is it something in the water? Is it purely coincidence? Or, was it fate?

Yesterday I read/received reports on celebrity sightings from three different people. I can't stress enough that this was all in the same day that I read these things. First, I checked Alexa's Xanga, and she met Hanson. Second, Don told me that some of his co-workers spotted Bill Clinton walking around. And Brittany told me about Paris Hilton's new b-f (I didn't know PH had a new one, but it doesn't surprise me) as well as one of her friends standing behind Josh Groban at a concert.

I, on the other hand, have no celeb sightings to report. Perhaps I would have seen "celebrity" of the local variety at the opening night of Sweeney Todd. But I chose not to go last night 'cause I'm going on Sunday. Am very excited. :))

Reuben, Reuben, I've been thinking

And by Reuben, I really mean family.

Yes, I've been thinking about The Job Search, but I've also thinking about traveling. As in going to the Philippines early next year. January or February. What do y'all think? Who can come with me?

And when I've finally visited the land of my ancestors, then I'll have the peace of mind that I got to see part of the world I've always wanted to see. Then I'll really focus on The Job Search. 'Cause right now with school, it's mighty difficult to do that.