Thursday, August 21, 2008

Still Sleepwalking

Although throw some late-August sweat into the picture. Ah, yes. Theeeeeere we go. I, who once couldn't sleep unless I had at least two covers, flees from even a mere sheet and requires a constant fan in the bedroom.

My parents surprised me last week. Sneakily flew to Kauai and proceeded to spend the next week doing my laundry, cooking my meals, moving my furniture, buying me rocking chairs, bringing me boob pumps and otherwise generally being useful. I cheered them on from the couch, briefly felt bad, then resumed watching the Olympics. Who ever knew fencing could be so mesmerizing?

But thanks to their efforts, plus some elbow grease from Nick, we now have an actual space in our bedroom where the baby could feasibly dwell and be changed. Right now I'm just enjoying the Feng Shui of the open corners and unobstructed views into the jungly backyard.

We recently acquired a tv. Ostensibly it is to be used only to watch dvd's but I sneakily conspired to get the free cable hooked in. I wanted Olympics and Democratic Convention. Nick is threatening to cut off the gravy train at some point but the real reason is that he can't say when. I can flick it off. He ends up watching some early 80's concoction on the Sci-Fi Channel. But should that impact me and my responsible Michael Phelps addiction? I say no.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Sleeping My Way Through It All

I am officially a half zombie. It's like I haven't fully caught the zombie virus but am partially incapacitated. Will I become a full fledged, flesh munching, street pacing ghoul? Only time will tell. Check back in September.

My current disturbing symptoms: Staring eyes, a brain that doesn't seem to comprehend the finer points of anything much, and a tendency to drool at inadvertent moments like in line at the grocery store.

It's like my body senses the third trimester is a week away and is fully "wake me when there's a baby here somewhere."

Friday, July 11, 2008

What Can I Eat?

Good thing my mom isn't technologically savvy enough for the blog world! Otherwise this latest title would have her speed dialing me with warnings about the doom that will be my ass by the time Lil' Chum springs into the world.

I am literally hungry all. the. time. This symptom has ramped up this week resulting in me waking up two nights ago at 3.30am and last night at 4am acting like that "feed me seymore feed me" plant from Little Shop of Horrors. I've been able to swig some OJ and tough it out but end up laying in bed for another hour listening to the dulcet sounds of the machismo roosters and fantasizing about chocolate milkshakes. I have been fantasizing about chocolate milkshakes frequently these days (sorry Nick) but have actually only indulged in one. (bow)

This is my payback for every time I ever judged a pregnant woman with greasy hands and a french fry hanging out the side of her mouth, guts straining some too cute shirt. This is me doing my Bill Clinton impersonation of feeling your pain.

So what would I like to throw into a dog bowl and eat all together if I was to throw caution to the wind? Hmmmm: (and I'll sacrifice shame for bold honesty) pad thai, veggie chicken nuggets, cucumbers, lobster, french fries and maybe a coconut macroon....wait make that two. All washed down with a Thai Iced Tea.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

I'm Back

So I've pretty much slept, ate, and laid around catatonic for the past 1.5 months I've been absent from the internet. After getting through a day of work jumping back on the computer to think of something reasonably witty or interesting seemed like an epic task. I read somewhere that being pregnant is like climbing a mountain everyday. To this my dear husband and dear sister (who has moved into our small outbuilding "shanty" next to our tiny home) snorted. I think milk even came out their respective noses. But dammit that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

All the I read about the 2nd trimester (which I'm rapidly approaching the end of) says that I should be feeling vividly energetic, like before I ever got pregnant. To that I say "bah" and then take another snooze. That being said, I love having this small growing life in me more than anything else that has ever, ever, ever happened to me.

I also have learned that I make a steadfast "rule" about pregnancy and then break it almost as fast. Like how I was NOT. GOING. TO. LEARN. THE. SEX. We were going to do it old school and thumb our noses at this new-fangled technology that my great-great grandmothers didn't need. Nick was perplexed at my decision. It seemed to not take into account that fact that he really, really wanted to know the sex and thought it was a positive way to bond with the little creature who shares half his genetic heritage.

This took me aback. I have to share pregnancy decisions? This isn't all about me? Suddenly it was like I was back planning our wedding and just heard Nick hated the funky chicken song. Everyone hates the funky chicken song but I wanted it because it would be ironic. We didn't have the funky chicken song. And we found out the sex because I love my husband and anything that will help him get closer to the wiggly friend I get to know feel on a daily basis is probably the best choice.

So it's a boy! This is him. About 4 weeks ago. The shock was how similar my new favorite guys looked:


Saturday, May 31, 2008

Coconut Bliss....I think I love you, but what am so afraid of? I'm afraid I am unsure of a love there is no cure for...

www.coconutbliss.com brings out the secret Partridge Family lover in all of us...

I recommend Dark Chocolate and Strawberry Lemon love.

We have a visitor coming to stay, I here someone struggling on the driveway below so should go rescue them

Friday, May 16, 2008

16 weeks



My belly is losing the pert cuteness it had maintained for weeks 14 and 15. Why is it indented? This isn't rhetorical, I really want to know why the hell it's indented.

My boobs are getting huge. I'd put them up for you to marvel at but that might overly gratify some of the folks who've arrived at this site by googling "Huge+Young+Nipple."

I mean (A) Really, that's what you're after? and (B) Really? That directed you to my lil' ol blog?

Heck, maybe I'll throw them up after all, just to give you some sense of satisfaction as opposed to the puzzled look you must have wondering (A) Where's the Huge, Young, Nipple? and (B) Why the hell is this chick's stomach indented?

Monday, May 12, 2008

Pledge Poisoning, My 6th Grade OCD, Bad Dream

So I was checking our "clothes horse" (aka the indoor drying rack) to see if any clean tops were dry enough to get away wearing to work when I noticed a dead body. An anole bit it right next to the window where Nick manically sprayed half a bottle of Pledge through the screen trying to kill off an army of bees attempting to colonize the western house wall. While my hate of anoles is substantial...I don't trust their furtive jumping, dominance displays or generally angry look they get in the eyes, I felt a little bad if this one suffered from Pledge poisoning.

I've come home early to work on my math final and as you can see it's going well. What else is going on?

1. I tried drinking some barely diluted cranberry juice and think I have burn away part of my throat.
2. Cheesy potatoes are my new all time favorite breakfast, lunch or dinner.
3. My sister Megan is moving in sometime early June, date TBA
4. The temperature has been perfectly perfect, low 80's, mostly sunny with a great trade wind. Ahhhhh....
5. Remembered this weekend that in sixth grade I built a shrine to God and couldn't pass by it without tapping my nose to the ground three times, made it awkward when I had friends visit.

Weird Dream of The Week: I was driving down a busy highway in what looked like a mix between Minneapolis and Sin City. Suddenly I noticed there was a dead boy lying in the lane, clearly run over, in a green and white striped t-shirt. I passed him and checked in my rearview mirror. Yup, definetly dead. No blood, but the angle of his neck and legs were wrong, all wrong. Other cars were now passing him so I kept driving. After a few minutes I realized, "Whoa, I just left a dead kid lying in the middle of the road and justified it because so did everyone else."

Tonight I think I'm going to root on dreams of butterflies and gumdrops.

Friday, May 2, 2008

14 weeks

Thursday, May 1, 2008

She's a Maniac, Maniac....

So today I had my first clear taste of what it's like to be a hungry, really hungry, pregnant lady. Think of a rabid pit bull mated with steve irwin and cloned to a single hormone of a 7th grade boy. Yes it was frantic, angry and over the top.

I was sitting at my desk politely conversing on the phone when I suddenly thought, "whoa I'm kinda peckish." A second thought slammed into the first that said, "Get in the car woman and get me something, anything to cram in my mouth immediately or this body is hijacking you to McDonalds."

There is a subway down the road. I drove dangerously fast. There was traffic. I screamed (inwardly than outwordly) at the other cars. I considered parking in handicap. I decided my craziness didn't outweigh some sweet lady with a walker (yet) and ran to the counter. "Meatballs, pickles, onions." I couldn't believe myself, this must be a cliche pregnant Lea.

But no, it was me.

Monday, April 28, 2008

Singing a Mango Song

Had my first mango of the season today, divine. Just peeled the skin back and let the juices run down my fingers. And yes, I rubbed them off on my skirt at the end and went on back to work.

Next will be mango lassi, mango crumble, mango chutney, mango and ice cream, mango and yogurt, mango and chicken, mango and hot sauce

mmmmmmm

Friday, April 25, 2008

Vog



Glad I don't live on Big Island right now, but we're even seeing some vog way over here on little ol' Kauai.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Yes, No, No....Yes Definetely

February 19th 2008...so there I was with a plus sign preggo stick in hand. My first thought was, "At last." My second thought was, "Oh...my...god." I've been here once before. Last year in May. That pregnancy ended sadly, but not uncommonly in an early miscarriage that was quite protracted and ultimately clinical and invasive. Here I was again deathly afraid that history might repeat itself.

I did some breathing exercises and let the sad thoughts slowly drift off before speeding (sorry baby!) out to Waimea to pull Nick out of his office with an early birthday card announcing, "You're going to be a Dad. Congrats!" I had picked out the card months before, with lovely thick paper and a small nest nestling a tiny bluebird egg, saving it for this exact purpose. It took him a second to actually get what I was on about but his happiness was clear and immediate.

The next day I was scheduled to see an dentist for which I always have to take an antibiotic due to a slight mitro valve prolapse. Would an antibiotic hurt a barely four week old zygote? embryo? I decided to ask my doctor when I went to pick up the prescription and was promptly given a pregnancy test by the nurse. And then another one. Both were negative.

Could it be that I'm actually not officially "late" until tomorrow? What about the two Sigg bottles I drank in the last two hours? I knew I was pregnant. The doctor shook his head, "Let's put it this way, if you actually are pregnant I'll have to reevaluate the brand of pregnancy tests we buy for the office." I felt like pounding my head against the wall but instead I did something worse, started crying. I hate feeling weakness in a clinical white room. Doctors and pregnancy, my ambivalence from last year started to creep back. I went to the lab for a blood test and was promised the results the next day.

The evening, another positive pregnancy test. The next morning, another positive pregnancy test. Nick then forbid me from peeing on any more sticks. "Enough already, we'll find out either way really soon."

Morning goes by...no phone call. Lunch passes...no phone call. 2pm my cell phone rings. "You're not pregnant."

But...the 3 positive tests I've taken? "There is something wrong with your urine" before hanging up.

Oh god...I've hysterically induced a pregnancy. I call Nick. Is it possible I've hysterically induced a pregnancy?

Phone rings again. Same doctor. "Lab mixed you up with someone else. Congratulations."

And so we were off...

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Meet the Lil' Chum



We're 13 weeks pregnant! Baby coming Oct 27th to a small island near (or not so near) you!

Friday, April 18, 2008

Kauai Garden Fair

Kauai County Farm Bureau and UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources present

Saturday, April 19th
13th Annual Kauai Garden Fair
Kauai Community College Campus Lawn

On Saturday, April 19th the Kauai Community College front lawn will spring to life with gardeners, suppliers, garden lovers and consumers here to shop the wide variety of plants, landscape products and equipment and to find out the latest gardening information and tips. Whether you garden yourself, seek local garden products, or simply enjoy experiencing the fruits of the garden and tropical landscaping, the Garden Fair is a great way to spend the day!


· One day FREE EVENT for the garden

· MEET OVER 30 garden related vendors, companies, agencies and organizations

· ONE STOP SHOP for varieties of tropical plants, orchids, produce, seeds

· LECTURE SERIES on garden related topics (schedule below)

· UH CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION Exhibits – Master Gardeners,

· 4-H LIVESTOCK AUCTION – fun for the whole family

· VEGAN FOOD by Blossoming Lotus, PRIZES AND MORE!


UH College of Tropical Agriculture and HR – Lecture Tent Schedule

9:30am - 10:15am Growing anthuriums

10:15am – 11:00am Growing orchids

11:00am - noon Plant your own, take it home, nutritious eating

noon - 1:30pm Growing tropical fruit trees Milan Rupert

1:30pm - 2:15pm Color Caping: Colors which make you look best

2:15pm - 3:00pm Growing native plants

I love you but I'm going to mace you in the face

Finally watched The Darjeeling Limited. I'd put it off because I'd heard bad reviews but once again it was a reminder to make my own choice. I loved it. Totally and completely.

I think my order of favorite Wes Anderson films are now

1. The Royal Tenenbaums
2. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
3. The Darjeeling Express
4. Rushmore
5. Bottle Rocket

Curious about The Fantastic Mr. Fox, coming out next year

The last three months have been full of more vivid, wild and tripped out dreams than at any other point in my life. I'll submit the odd gem out for analysis.

Weird Dream 1: I was being methodically pursued among the rows of a gilded 1930's theater by translucent, gangly aliens. The only way I could make them cease was to obviously kill them off...which I did by cracking their upper jaws back like pez dispensers.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Biting the Apple: Temptation to Run off into the Distance

I'm not feeling 100% today. A little more like 43%. Took some good friends to the airport who are moving to....

That's just it, they have no idea. They got the yen to leave the rock and are heading to the mainland to pick up an airstream rv they purchased online and proceed to drive around the country for the next 6 weeks deciding where to hang their hats. Did I mention they have a one year old? I am impressed and while I am so happy I get to go home tonight and curl up in my quilt, make a cup of tea and reread whatever book I can lay my hands on, part of me is yearning for a little more horizon scanning.

Like when I was in Tasmania I had this momentarily overpowering urge that said, "What if you just stayed. Or buy a ticket to Santiago and head back down to Patagonia. Do it. Bite the apple."

Instead I flew home and spent this morning throwing up my delicious homemade organic smoothie in a public restroom at the Maatson shipping dock while my friends offloaded there car for it's cross Pacific return.

But then I remember a friend from college who after talking a long time about the Lutheran hymns of his Minnesota childhood, sat back on his Montana porch and sighed, "I like home."

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Back on the rock

What's the best thing about wrapping up what's been an outstanding overseas holiday? Getting to stand in HAWAIIAN AIRLINES line at the Sydney airport where staff somehow swallow their pride and say things like "Aloha" and "Mahalo" in lilting Australian accents while smirking at poor souls in next line waiting to board an American Airlines flight to LAX. Suckers...

Now I'd like to spend the next 45 minutes rhapsodizing on the deep rich mustard colors of the Tasmanian button grass plains, or the baby wombat I saw trying unsuccessfully to burrow into his/her mummy's pouch. However, travel has taught me one thing. Most people really don't want to know that much. So in summary, did I eat vegemite? No, it's nasty. But I did fall in love all over again with the country of my 5 year permanent residence visa. I'll wack some pics up over the next few days as that tends to go down smoother.

Nick is currently in Molokai touring deep dark valleys while I'm eating Subway at my desk thinking, ok time to get back to work. The temperature today is a balmy 72 and I had a bird of paradise bouquet on my desk welcoming me home (thanks lovely anonymous co-worker!)

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Blown Away By Tasmania

Literally

I'm not really doing the whole blogging thing on vacation. It's way more fun to look at koalas and duck breaking tree branches than type. But only 6 more days and I'll be back tap tap tappy tappin

Over and out

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Help Wanted

Will you clean my house for me? At least my sheets?

Argh, leaving for Australia on Thursday morning (so I'll be blogging upside down soon) and have the energy of a caterpillar. I have a mountain of laundry in the closet, some sneaky mold appearing on the edge of bookshelves (my absolute least favorite part of living on Kauai) and a fridge that I need to either clean or discover the cure for cancer in already!

I will pay you in guava. And you can have all the chickens you can catch.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Lock up your children

I just got my confirmation letter from the University of Hawaii-Manoa welcoming me to the Elementary Education program. This means that in a few short years I will be actively manipulating, er molding, the minds of impressionable, er sweet, children.

My class rules will consist of:
1) No Lunchables, ever
2) Be nice to Mr. Winkles the friendly class piranha
3) Forget the apple, I'll accept homegrown lychee and mangoes.
4) Charlotte from Charlotte's Web was a martyr and thus should have some sort of shrine
5) I'm Ms. not Mrs. Teacher mahalo very much

Monday, March 10, 2008

Beware the Beach Babes

A slight change of plans moved us from Anini to Kahili Beach (aka Rock Quarries) over the weekend. We woke up in the morning to albatross calling and spotted frigate birds, white tail tropic birds, nene and a breach happy humpback. I'm going to come right out and make the bold statement that R.Q is my favorite beach. Yes, there are others more beautiful but EVERY. SINGLE.TIME I've been down there nothing but fun has occurred.

I told someone this today who sniffed, "It's a little overvisited." But all day Saturday and Sunday there were about 6 people in the water at it's most crowded (ok, it was also real flat) and a couple of local families fishing and playing with their naked sand covered babies.

Compare that to some of the beaches closer to me and it was heaven. My favorite Poipu Beach story (only about 10 min from my house) was hanging out with Nick one night watching the sun slink down while munching some cold pizza. A woman in an ill-fitting swim suit proceeded to crawl cat like through the sand scowling? grimacing? pouting? for her husband who snapped the whole scene like a pornographer gasping "Oh yeah baby, that's hot, no THAT's hot right there."

I had grease on my lips, tomato sauce on my fingers and sand down my jocks and even I knew...that was so not hot.

Friday, March 7, 2008

Sweets

Last night bawled against Nick through the lovely Minnesota-set film, Sweet Land. Gorgeous!

Woke up early this morning inventing ice cream flavors I'd like to try. Ideas included: carrot and ginger sorbet, chocolate and chili 'scream, lychee sorbet and coconut date 'scream.

Hoping to get to North Shore tomorrow for a camp out on the lovely Anini Beach. Have been invited to free rein of an amazingly juicy pink grapefruit tree up my road, so off for a scavenge. Makes to best breakfast juice I've ever had.

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Better than Folgers in Your Cup

I've been having some slow mornings lately and really relishing the extra time in bed. From my window I have a nice view of a jungly canopy of dense palms and mango. The first thing I hear before opening my eyes is the distant sound of a morning commute, ubiquitous chickens clucking, rustling and finally the roosters. Then come the doves with their cooing which sounds an awful lot like "ooooh" "ooooh" like they're seventh graders watching skateboard videos. Then comes the shama with it's machine gun song followed by the japanese white eyes that flit their tiny (look like flying green marshmallow) bodies through the leaves.

Finally, the sun breaks over the hillside across the valley and the dark green turns to gold.

It's always good to wake up this way.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

A Red Flower Day



It's been an anxious week so I'm giving a lovely hibiscus to the universe in hopes of attracting some positive lovin'

Friday, February 29, 2008

Beezlebub and Barley



This was on front page of Drudge Report today. Hillary and her pal...Beezelbub. So THAT'S how she raised $35m in the last month. I'm getting tired of the Hillary bashing, but then I'm also tired of Hillary bashing Obama. And it gets bad when I'm sick of bashing because if there is one thing I love...it's a good ol' fashion bashing.

Last night I watched The Wind that Shakes the Barley and went to bed heartbroken.

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Oh to be young, nipple pierced, with huge yellow shades again...

Finally, the dirty truth about Australian youth is exposed...

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Over the line...


Last night was the first annual "Bowling for Biodiversity." This bowl down at Lihue Lanes included conservation professionals from various island organizations rallying together for a night of cheap beer, sweaty shoes (someone else's sweat to boot), rainbow birthday cake and elmo party hats. The rainbow cake and elmo party hats were to celebrate Nick's 33rd birthday. He had an overall good bowl session but did pull a butt cheek. Must be his advanced age. I can say these things because he's now currently en route to Seattle...

Our bowling team lost by a heartbreaking .4 points, but I think we were the best looking.

The Dude didn't make an appearance but I did spy one or two nihilists hanging about.

Which leads me to must see bowling films:

1.The Big Lebowski (undisputed champion)

2.Mystery Men (when J. Garofalo uses the skull of her deceased father encased in a golden bowling ball as weapon)

and...I'm spent. I can't count Kingpin, hated that one.

Photo c/o an anonymous co-worker

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Summer's a-comin'

It's so freaking hot on westside Kauai today. Headed down to Waimea Days where Nick, me and five our our closest friends took part in the annual ice cream eating contest. I lost. Decisively.

Now feel sick and think first a nap than a swim is in order.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Sometimes Living on Kauai is Really Hard

Sometimes I feel like life (the kind of life full of art galleries, music, film, good coffee, highways, deer, squirrels, bagels) is bustling away "out there." "Out there" is the magical world that exists somewhere past the waves.

But then I have days where I think, this is what I get to do at the end of the day.



My afternoon lounge spot



View from my hammock

Monday, February 18, 2008

Have you seen me?

Hawai‘i is the "Endangered Species Capital of the United States."

Last known footage of the Kaua‘i ‘Ō‘ō

Warning: Sad

Weekend in Review

This weekend I borrowed a friend's Dick Brewer up at Hanalei Bay and managed to get quite a few nice little rides! Ok so the surf was microscopic, but I managed to pearl only once which is a big achievement for me.

Later that night Nick and I used a christmas present gift certificate (thanks Kristen) to dine at my all-time favorite Kauai establishment, The Blossoming Lotus. Nick ordered a new garbanzo masala dish that turned out pretty bland but my "Udon Odyssey" was sublime as always. The B. LO was my first revelation that when done well, vegan food tops anything the meat and dairy industry can toss at us.

Yesterday I began a cleaning frenzy. The type of frenzy that only envelopes me once or twice a year and makes Nick run out the door clutching his bike without looking back. The type that moves furniture, tears about piles of junk and digs deep beneath the bed. I made great headway clearing out the workshop beside the house, this building made of rusting corrugated iron and screen has become a stockpile for Nick's "treasures." By treasures I mean molding scraps of mosquito net, random screws, broken kites and trail food from two years ago. I carved out a nice sunny corner beneath two large windows to use for crafting, reading, yoga or just plain nothing.

I also fought a prolonged battle with an anole. I really, really don't like sharing my house with anoles. I don't hate them like I do the ants or the occasional cockroach/centipede. But I do not want to live beside them at close quarters. Why? They are really brazen, hang on the wall above my head and do little chest presses to show dominance and jump like Olympian hurdlers. I am terrified of one jumping in my hair. The thought of it is currently sending tingles down the back of my arm.

So I tried to chase one out yesterday with a broom. It would sullenly move in slow inches, pausing to chew a mosquito or give me a death stare. But finally I won and as I watched him?her? run down the boardwalk in front of our home and disappear beneath the banana tree I felt the exhilaration of a soldier at the end of battle.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

My Teary Valentine

Today something is in the air, or at least the chocolate at work. Many tears being shed in furtive corners. My guess is that many different stresses are coming together in a perfect storm. Overall, I'm not too involved in any storms so relatively tear free until listening to the lovely musician, Songs:Ohia, and caught myself getting verklempt over the following lyrics:

you said every road is a good road
between the next road and your last road
every love is your best love and every love is your last love
and every kiss is a goodbye


Tonight I have to stay late for work and Nick is helping me out by giving an 11th hour lecture for the meeting (the other speaker I had lined up dropped out quite suddenly). So I owe him many coconuts and promise not to make any snide comments over his bike riding in the next few weeks.

Tonight? Reaching for a mai tai. Maybe one for each hand.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Keeping the Peace

So this morning I was going to get up at 6:30am and go for a run. Just like yesterday morning and yes, the yesterday before that. What these mornings all have in common is that I woke up, thought "What the f? Tired. Must slee...." before dozing off.

This drives Nick understandably crazy. I have always loved to set alarms for 10, 15, 20 minutes before I actually have to get up. Something about waking up and knowing I have this blissful period of time to wallow in warm morning sheets marveling over the pattern of colors that stream behind my eyelids, listening to the roosters out under the mango tree, contemplating old aretha franklin lyrics or trying to remember the name of the girl I sat next to in third grade who smelled like peanut butter (Casey Waltz).

One of the biggest realizations I've made about long-term relationships (marriage, de facto, etc) is that sometimes compromise is necessary. In this case it's a simple cost benefit analysis. The benefits of my bed wallowing do not outweigh the benefits of my honey getting undisturbed sleep.

So Nick, as an early Valentine's Day gift, in a public forum, I vow to never set my alarm earlier than I need to again (while you are home-when you're doing field work doesn't count).

Deal?

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

I know, I know...enough with the YouTube already

This will be the last one for awhile I promise. But c'mon I can't resist a Backstreet Boys lip sync!

My friend Kristen pointed out that what makes this clip rock even harder is the kid on the computer in the back. As she says "He doesn't even flinch."

I have not missed going off meat (39 days but who's counting!)at all except for this afternoon. Why am I suddenly craving a spicy meat snack made with beef, pork and poultry by-products. Yes. I will admit it. I feel like snapping into a slim jim.

Why god? Yes, sometimes I disgust myself. I better go dig through my fridge and eat some more deliciously chewy...red chard.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Charlie the Unicorn

Ok, so I know I'm behind the times on what's cool on Youtube. I do try to, I don't know...get outside regularly, work a full-job and keep up with my school work. But yesterday during some marvelous slack time I stumbled on this gem.

Thank you YouTube.

Saturday, February 9, 2008

A perfect Saturday

1. Getting the news (i knew it the moment i saw the missed call on my cell phone) a great friend is getting hitched. Congrats Cherlyn!

2. Eating a tofu breakfast wrap and soy chai at the Kalaheo Cafe with my mister while trying to explain how a caucus works (hurrah for February 19th Hawaii Primary!).

3. Taking my new heart rate monitor (valentine's day gift from Nick) out for a nice three mile run. Also, how did I EVER run before I bought my cute (it's purple) ipod shuffle.

4. Watching Rome in bed (2 politically backstabbing, ripe-with-intrigue, toga disfunction episodes) with Nick in the middle of the day.

5. Finding the internet is working again.

6. Cleaning the shower curtain..at last.

7. Having the house to myself while Nick's on a bike ride to sing old Wilco songs at the top of my lungs.

8. Prepping curried lentils and kale for dinner.

9. Wikipedia-ing the Caesars.

10. Reading a passed along New Yorker (thanks Pauline).

Friday, February 8, 2008

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Conversation over a bowl of cereal

"If I had a zombie I wouldn't call it Fido."

"What would you call it?"

"I think just Zombie. What would you call your zombie?"

"Lea."

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Thinking today...



I hate, hate, HATE ants. Really. Hate them. Hate. Ants. Hate.

Hate.




Munroidendron racemosum=purty



I love these shoes, I don't care what anyone says.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Thanks Sir Paul McCartney, Thanks Alot

I can't get Listen to What the Man Said outta my head.

I don't even like the man...

Fat Tuesday



Goodbye hair, goodbye. I am currently bucking the trend of moving to Kauai and growing my hair out. Instead mine is creeping away in furtive inches.

Here is a little somethin' to celebrate Mardi Gras with: UBC numa numa explosion adventure ride fun

I'll be partying it up by finding a TV and watching the "Super Tuesday" results fly...and maybe I'll wear some beads. I know, crazy.

When I was little Mardi Gras or "Fat Tuesday" was the last day I could eat candy before Lent. My mom made me give up something I loved deeply (picking up the dog's poop or lima beans didn't count).

My deep love was candy, in particular Big League Chew (shredded bubble gum I would attempt to shove in my mouth until I couldn't close it anymore) or Fun Dips (pure sugar that you ate with, what else, a sugar stick).

But I was also a good catholic girl. I read my book of saints, i daily wished for the virgin mary to appear to me like the kids in Fatima, i would secretly size up the other kids in my first communion class and think to myself snidely when they would stumble on an answer, "maybe they should appeal to saint jude" (the patron saint of lost causes, and according to my mom, someone I should make a close personal friend).

So this would be the day I would ruefully chew my last Big League Chew and lick my last Fun Dip for 40 days. Any candy I got would be religiously piled on top of my refrigerator and I'd check on it every day, just to make sure it was still there.

Maybe I'll try to find some Big League Chew and blow a bubble in support of Barack.

Monday, February 4, 2008

Superbowl sans the football

Pics from the All-Girl Clothing Exchange we held in honor of the Patriots and the Giants yesterday...



Self portrait after waaay too much red wine (I even divulged my attraction towards the serial killer from No Country For Old Men. NOT because I like killers, but I thought he was hunky if he lost the bowl cut).



Can it rain anymore?



Red wine and used clothes makes for a perfect Superbowl party (sans football of course)



Some swag from the clothing exchange

Friday, February 1, 2008

Even the Tamarind Margaritas Couldn't Help

Last night had a "girls night." First it was ceviche and tamarind margaritas at a waterfront Mexican restaurant. Then it was suggested we catch a "girlie" movie together. So we did. 27 Dresses. I had never heard of this flick and had no idea what I was subjecting myself too. Maybe this Venn Diagram can illuminate:



Pink: Those who sometimes like to watch a bit o' the old romance on the big screen

Purple: Freaks who think movies like 27 Dresses fulfills them on some deep level

Green: Sane folks who would rather have a date with Sweeney Todd then another viewing of 27 Dresses

As the credits rolled one friend leaned over and said, "My husband would have KILLED me if I'd taken him to this."

I leaned back and said, "I'm ready to kill myself."

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Ready, Set, Ween!

Just got the tickets...

Ween
Pipeline Cafe , Honolulu , HI
Mon, Mar 10, 2008 08:00 PM

Another Delerious Post-Midnight Conversation

"Goodnight matey I love you."

"I lovumph mooumph too."

"You are my best friend."

(silence)

"You are my best friend."

(more silence)

"Are you my best friend?"

"No."

(silence) "Who is?"

"A dolphin."

"What dolphin?"

"I don't know him yet."

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Thanks Nick




Taken from The Fail Blog

A Big Bowl of Satan


Last night I came home in a funky mood. Not funky in a george clinton/james brown kinda way...funky in a little dark raincloud dumping on my head way.

First I found out there is admin problems with my University of Hawaii application. Namely they can't find my transcripts which they had a mere month ago.

Than I went to my math class (i'm taking a "math for educators" prerequisite) at the community college only to discover halfway through the class that I need to go to math therapy. I had a panic that my years of fumbling in math might have left me unable to be the kinda teacher that all my future mini Stephen Hawkings will require to flourish.

Than I drove home grumpily pondering what I was going to make for dinner. To my surprise when I walked into the tree house, the kitchen was lit up and my mister was in there busily hovering over a wok teaming with veggies, cilantro and seitan.

Seitan (also known as buddha's food) is essentially gluten. But tasty, tasty gluten. I'm actually not quite sure how to pronounce it so I spent dinner marveling at how "delicious is satan" and "i'm really impressed by the versatility of satan."

But that big warm bowl of "satan" was the happy bomb that exploded on my otherwise grey tinged day.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

I actually had high school teachers

like this...

Imbolc

I'm putting together a personal Imbolc celebration for this Saturday. Imbolc is one of the four principal Celtic holidays and celebrates waxing light…i.e the coming of spring and ties in concepts of healing, sacred fire and inspiration. I'm not overly New Age but enjoy connecting with events that tie visibly into natural periods of the Earth.

My 2008 horoscope includes the following advice and outlooks:

Retrain yourself to look for what is good as opposed to what is lacking in your efforts.

When you start worrying, get out in nature to restore order.

Draw up timelines, set attainable goals and reward yourself generously.

Pick your battles.

Go back to being lovers.

Fertility is amplified.

Consider taking up a musical instrument.

My personal Imbolc time will be to continue to let go of some of my residual 2007 sadness, celebrate creativity and stop fretting. I am secretly (and sometimes not so secretly) a control freak. I'd like to welcome surprises more.

Monday, January 28, 2008

Run Lea Run

Started training this weekend for the "Captain Cook Caper Fun Run." This innocuous sounding (ok, really wussy sounding) run will likely cause me great pain yet hopefully some satisfaction. I'm going for the 10k, the biggest race I've run to date. It's on February 23rd so I have some time.

Training to date:

This Saturday: Legs were deeply questioning what exactly I was subjecting them to

This Sunday: Legs felt mildly optimistic, maybe they'll go along after all

Tonight: Stay tuned

Friday, January 25, 2008

Our Conversation This Morning After I Forgot to Hang Up A Wet Towel

"You are like a betrayal slug because you betray."

"What?"

"If there was a Council of Animals you'd be the slug. And you'd say I can fly, watch I'm gonna fly right now. Then the other animals would say 'what? you can't fly.' And then you'd forget all about your big promise and say 'oh look, lettuce'.""

"Well what animal would you be?"

"A winged lion."


Trying this tonight, looks simple yet delightful:

Roasted Kale with Sea Salt

4 cups kale
1 Tbsp of quality olive oil
1 tsp of sea salt

Preheat oven to 375f. Wash and trim kale. Toss with oil. Roast five minutes. Turn kale over and roast another 7-10 minutes until kale turns brown and becomes paper thin and brittle. Remove from oven and sprinkle with sea salt. Serve immediately.

Yesterday made a sprightly dish of chard and garlic gnocchi. The bitter chard went well with the basil, lime and pine nuts I included.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Driving: Kauai Style






Driving through Kauai's east side requires some patience, good music, and ability not to rear end every rental mustang that tries to drive down the shoulder in order to cut into the interminable traffic further down the road.

Thus was the case yesterday as I drove up to Kilauea to pick up my first box of Kauai Farmers Co-op veggies. It was well worth the 45min car ride as I got to listen to Mason Jennings and smile over and over at the line "ain't no rust on the happiness bus" that never fails to make me wiggle my bootie.

I also got to discover there is a veggie in the world that is called tatsai, as far as I can decipher it's a type of brassica, essentially green, leafy and likely able to create health in my body. I love the Christmas morning feel of not knowing what's in the veggie box!

Traffic also reminded me of being in fifth grade when I desperately wanted to be a drummer in the high school band. This meant that I was given an entry level percussion instrument known as the xylophone which I had to lug the mile each day from my bus stop to my house. My brother would walk alongside me quite sympathetically and we would daydream about being picked up by a fluffy cloud that would transport us wherever we needed to go. His would serve lemonade and mine would serve rice crispy treats.

I'd still like one of those clouds...

P.S I know it sounds crazy to even have to mention this, but if you feel like spraying pesticides next to elementary schools is a bad idea, you might want to check this out.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

George Costanza No More!

I have long been made fun of regarding my bulging mess of a wallet. But no more! No. No, more. Check out my sleek and fashionable new way to transport things like my old montana student id, discontinued frequent flier miles card, and two or three pennies.



It's from a great little company called bungalow 360

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

We are now a proud CSA family

Nick and I have joined a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program through the Kauai Farmers Co-op. I pick up my first box of locally grown, organic green love tomorrow evening.

If you live on Kauai and want to get involved email: kauaifarmerscoop@yahoo.com

Benefits of joining a local CSA near you:
1. Provides an easy budget for produce for a set number of weeks a year (or year round if you live with a continuous growing season)

2. Allows for a common-pricing system where producers and consumers discuss and democratically agree to pricing based on the acceptance of the budget

3. Creates a ‘shared risk and reward’ agreement, i.e. you eat what the farmers grow even with the vagaries of seasonal growing. Plus, it's fun to look in your box each week and say things like "ooooh kale" or "ok, so what exactly do I do with tumeric again?"

At the end of the day the result is that you do not pay for x pounds or kilograms of produce, but rather support the budget of the whole farm and receive weekly what is seasonally ripe. This approach eliminates the marketing risks and costs for the farmer in terms of time and peoplepower. It allows farmers to focus on quality care of soils, crops, animals, co-workers—and on serving the customers. There is little to no loss (i.e. waste) in this system, since the producers know in advance who they are growing for and how much to grow, etc.

So take that monocrops!

Monday, January 21, 2008

Tiny Banana vs. Ginormous Avocado



Gonna bake, gonna bake some bread, gonna bake some vegan banana bread...was the simple goal for my very simple Sunday morning.

It turned out ok, but the bananas I used were tiny (see pic and compare it to my two inch teaspoon) although fresh off the tree (er, megaherb as I guess a banana isn't technically a "tree")and I don't think I used enough.

Con: It was very sugary.
Pro: I dusted the top with coconut flakes which were delightful.

Equipment
8X4 bread pan

Ingredients
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup applesauce
3 very ripe bananas, mashed well (more if tiny)
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup vanilla soy milk, mixed with 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
Coconut flakes

Directions
Preheat oven to 350f
Do what you have to in order to "unstickify" your pan

Sift flour, baking soda, salt, spices

Stir together applesauce, sugar, bananas, soy milk, vanilla

Mix wet and dry together. Pour into pan. Bake one hour (although mine was good to go a 45m so check)

Dust with coconut flakes about 25min into baking so they don't burn (don't want to happen to you what happened to me!)

Thanks to my friend Kristen who sourced the original version for this recipe from Post Punk Kitchen.

I am not really a vegan but I have been trying to abstain from using milk, eggs and meat for the month until I can find way to get them from local, sustainable sources. This also goes for fruit/veg.

I did enjoy a few bites of Big Eye Tuna that Nick picked up from a fisherman on the side of the road on Saturday. I felt ok with this because it was pole caught meaning:
1. It was a younger fish with less mercury content
2. It rated as "Good" by the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch

Update: One of the benefits of my job is being gifted fantastic produce from volunteers. Check out this avocado I was given this morning:



Can't wait to smash it on an everything bagel, my favorite lunch!

Also, I have to admit from time to time in the frazzle of a Monday workday, I have a great office view:

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Still Smitten

Followed Jermaine Clement from Eagle Vs Shark, to Flight of the Conchords. Enjoy the clip!

I love him.

Friday, January 18, 2008

Smitten By

Eagle vs Shark

Check out this whimsical flick from another island, New Zealand. It made me laugh, cry, cringe and desperately want an apple.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

First Whale

This just in...I spotted my first whale spout this afternoon from my lanai at work.

Surf Mouth



My sister Bridget after an unfortunate run in with the end of my surfboard at Hanalei Bay. She started reading this blog and asked for some sort of "ode." Well here it is...

It was a lovely late spring day. Two sisters paddled in the flat water unable to catch a ride so contented themselves with basking in the midday sun and contemplating our navels (literally, as we were in bikinis). As we headed into shore my sister pushed her board to me and said, "Carry this in" before dipping her head back in the water like a Baywatch star.

I said, "No, you carry it" and pushed it back just as she raised her her head back up.

There was tooth shrapnel, blood, tears and a bit of resentment. But hey, she looked way tougher.

Feeling grateful today for: Jon Stewart

Feeling perplexed by: what's more exciting than organic products c/o of Starbucks latest announcement

Feeling resigned that I might: become a kooky home schooling parent

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Where art whale?



I thought going back to the mainland for some good blood thickening winter temperatures would have bucked up my weak coconut water blood. But no, I'm still a weenie. I've been back on island four whole days and haven't even gone to the BEACH yet alone stuck a chipped paint toe into the water. This must be rectified because I've yet to see a whale.

The Alaskan humpbacks migrate to these parts for winter to birth their calves and get it on.

My goal this season is to hear their song while snorkeling. I've heard stories of folks surfing or otherwise water recreating who've heard a few kohalas bust a rhyme but so far my ears are virgin to this symphonic event.

Last year Nick and I saw two whales frolicking just off the popular Poipu beach and I lost all inhibition (and he would say shame) and pretending my underwear and bra was a hip swimsuit, dove in to the baby beach and held my head underwater. No dice. But I do think some mothers shrieked "Look away honey" as I got out. What? In Brazil ladies chill in their thongs all the time.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

a NEW new year's resolution, plus feeling heartened and mold combat

Original New Year's Resolution One: Vegan until Jan 31st while I search for the most local, ecofriendly treats to put in our bodies.

NEW New Year's Resolution: NO MORE TABLOID READING, this includes gym and grocery store aisle. It helps keep me intellectually stunted and distracted from the actual issues that face our nation. Namely, our government and corporations contempt for human happiness and wellbeing. (Resolution One still stands too)



Countries in gray have no national health care. Wow, we're in great company.

I've decided I'm trending to be a one issue voter. Give me a candidate with the best health care policy and (sorry Kucinich) the best chance of actually making it happen and that's my guy/girl.

I stayed awake late last night mulling over things I am against. I woke up this morning and drove to work before realizing I need to mull over things that I'm for.

So here we go...
1. I'm for paying taxes that support the sick rather than war

2. I'm for one year paid maternity leave for women because setting children out on a healthy nurtured path in life is about the most important job I can conceive

3. I'm for high quality free universal day care

4. I'm for heavily subsidized university tuition

5. I'm for longer vacations and a shorter (more productive) work week

6. I'm for cabinet posts on climate change, arts and sustainability


Now to downshift from the radical to the more mundane. (I know boooooo, but then again I can't save the world if I can't manage to save my own home)

I'm looking for good, non-toxic cleaning solution suggestions. See, I live in a tree house in a tight tropical valley that gets minimal direct sun. This means we see a lot of greenery, including of the mold variety.

Yesterday morning Nick woke up coughing, and coughing, and coughing and I realized there is something insidious in our home. Last night armed with a mask, gloves and spray bottle of boric acid I found the source. Beneath our innocuous bedroom bookshelf was Battleship Toxic Mold. This black death bubbled away happily during our three week absence and yesterday we had an epic battle. Darth vs. Luke? That had nothing on this. I emerged victorious but would like to switch my weaponry to something a little less questionable.

Ideas?

Monday, January 14, 2008

Olan Mills

Thanks to Claire for sending me the greatest family photos of all time

Who hasn't endured one of these shoots?

Friday, January 11, 2008

How To Not Sleep on Amtrak

Assume the train will be kept well-heated so leave travel blanket at home and check in your heavy coat.

Believe your husband won't try to steal your tiny cardboard pillow issued by a sour woman who bellows "I've been working six days straight so don't give me any grief" as she tosses it at your head

Monday, January 7, 2008

Christmas, Chicago, Skilala and Tatanka

Hard to blog during whirlwind vacation. Currently I'm curled up on an uber comfy brown couch in Bozeman, Montana. The mister is engrossed in Star Wars (The Original). Luke just got his first eyeful of dear old daddy Darth. We're bursting with the Korean meal we just scarfed with our gracious hosts Cherlyn and Paul.

I'll update photos as soon as possible. Highlights include:

1. Being surprised at the Alamo Car Rental in Detroit by my sister Megan who flew stealth from Malawi
2. Discovering that Nick is a surprisingly adept ice skater
3. Christmas Eve with my family where my mom says "Just open one gift" but we really open them all
4. Watching my youngest sister take an Irish Car Bomb at a Chicago bar like a champ
5. Meeting my brother's new lady
6. Getting videotaped by my dad
7. Having our train breakdown out of Wolf Point Montana
8. Nordic Skiing at Boghart Ranch outside Bozeman
9. Getting blasted by nose icing air while downhilling at Big Sky with a heap of college chummies
10. Watching my friend Chris lose half his face on the edge of the pool at Fairmont Hot Springs
11. Shooting deer with Nick and Cherlyn on the "Big Hunter" Video Game at Chico Hot Springs
12. Going to Yellowstone today and having a close up encounter with Tatanka...snorting and grass munching right outside the window. I was ready to go Dances with Wolves Kevin Costner crazy on them.


Viva Montana. When do I get to stay here?