Running on Greek Time...

Ugh. It's been what, 2 weeks!? Sorry for the absence, but life has taken a turn towards insanity. Between balancing school and work, Tulsa and Dallas (both Holy Trinities) celebrated their annual Greek Festivals. Greek Fests are are pretty insane in and of themselves, and Holy Trinity Tulsa had to make their 50th festival pretty extraordinary. Catering to thousands of people + dancing nonstop + working + cleaning + finding time to have a good time yourself = pretty damn hectic. Now that October has rolled to our doorsteps, I finally can find time to blog again.

Last weekend, the bestie and I traveled down to Dallas to stay with our old pal Paula, and to support their Greek Food Fest. Basically, it was a good excuse to see some old friends and have a great, care-free weekend. One of the things I love most about being part of the Denver Diocese is that pretty much anywhere you go, no matter the city or state, you're bound to have a friend.

It's kinda crazy to think that I've been a part of Tulsa's festival for almost a quarter of a century! I'm so relieved that things turned out as well as they did, especially considering that some of the Church's younger generation made the decision to step up to the plate and be committee chairpersons. It was such a fun few weeks, but I'm glad to finally have a bit of a breather.

With Friends Like These...

I've always been the girl with a handful of extremely close friends, and tons of acquaintances. I fully intend to keep it that way. When I speak of my best-friend, i often have to qualify the title with a categorical description. I love my best-friends and I hope they know this. I have kept nearly every bestie in my life, with the exception of a couple of not so sincere people, and I think of myself as a pretty damn good judge of character. I think their character reflects upon me, as well.

Allow me to attempt to introduce my many best-friends to you.

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My all time best-friend, Kate- 21 years later and we can still stand each other. For someone that I spend so much time with, we  couldn't be more different. She is optimistic, I am cynical. She like cats, I like dead cats. The list goes on. Regardless, we never fight or argue. We share parents, morals, and jokes. We are a true anomoly...

At a Greek Fest
back in the day.

My best guy-friend, Andrew- Andy used to have to endure endless childhood sessions of having to do every little thing I wanted. It's a wonder he ever recovered. He's basically family, but we aren't required to be bitter towards one another. The kid can party like it's his job, but he's still one of the best guys I'll ever know.

Fast foward 15 years, take away the cake, add a couple beers.

My best high-school friend, Alex- Arizz, if you will, is the funniest person I've ever met. If she doesn't kill you with her sarcasm she will probably just run you over and finish the job. We used to hate each other back in the day. She has more dish on people than you could even imagine. Also, best fellow house-hunter/Elf ever.

Basically the look I get from Alex 99.99% of the time.

My best Greek friends from out of town, Alexa and Arianna- They know my deepest darkest secret. Plus, we are basically the CE trifecta, and the leaders of the SMOEdom.

CE Love

My best college friend, Erin- Ohhhhh boy. The Rookie. My protege and ingenue. I can't even explain how much fun we had living together at OSU/partying together on hallowen. She can cure major contusions and stress-fractures with chocolate chips. My goal in life is to get her B.A.C above .01 and have her survive..... Hense the nickname, rookie.

We will never tell... Ever.

 
My best child-hood friend, Rachel- We met in the 2nd grade when our Mom's first started working together. We spent many a summer days lounging in her pool and forming pseudo spice girl bands.

I was Scarlett O'Hara, she was mean mugging.

My best non-human friend, Chloe- I got my dog when I was in the 4th grade. She may resent me, but I love me some chlo-chlo.

Baby dog with baby furs.

I think Mr. Lennon was right on when he said "I get by with a little help from my friends..." Luckily enough for me, I think we can agree that with friends like these, I do more than just get by.

Out of Africa

So it's official, I've finished "Little Bee." Alex was right, (again) and it was so, so worth my while. As I told you before, "Little Bee" is not a story that you can divulge much about without ruining. However, I can tell you that "Little Bee" is a novel about an Nigerian girl's lost identity, faith in humanity, guilt, and morality. It is a story about learning how to stop surviving and start truly living.... And that some things are worth living for, and even worth sacrificing yourself for. Read it. It's funny, complex, touching, and really absolutely captivating. You won't regret it as it will surely affect even the most staunch of this world's "baddies."

Anyways, my very first official blog posting was about "The English Patient," one of my all-time favorites. A large part of TEP takes part in the vast deserts of Libya, and I thought it would be appropriate to round out my current literary inclination with another one of my favorite Authors, and another novel set in spellbinding Africa...

Love the coat Mr. Camus

Albert Camus was a French-Algerian novelist, philosopher, and winner of the Noble Prize in Literature (the first African to have done so). He was an existentialist sophist and had an obsession with writing

about the absurd. "The Stranger" is his most famous novel and is thought to have inspired the song Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen.

I, however, will be re-reading my most favorite story of his - "The Plague." It is the book that won Camus his Nobel prize in 1957, and it encompasses many of the things that fascinate me; disease, exile, irony, faith, and perceived freedom.

Alex happens to have a distinct hatred for all things Camus, but I happen to blame that on our 11th grade English teacher she-ogre. (she made the witch from Hansel & Gretel look like Mother Teresa) Despite Alex's stigmatic views, I think it's a perfect way to read something out of Africa, and into my own life.

Like Mother, Like Daughter

I don't know about you, but my Labor day weekend was pretty fun. Well, maybe fun isn't the word... Relaxing, maybe? Yesterday, I stayed in my jammies all day and today I got out of the house a bit. The bestie and I took her baby cousins to the pool, and then we had a mommy-daughter double date.

Not too many people are lucky enough to say they have a great Mom. And most people definitely can't attest to having two great moms.... (No, not like that.)

Kate's mom is practically a second mother to me. In fact, I'm sure that even Kate would agree that she likes me more at times. Tonight was great. I really loved sitting around and listening to the moms talk up a storm. Kate and I would just sit there and shoot knowing glances at each other every time a funny or incriminating story came up. Which was often, might I add.

It's good to know I have a set of parents who love and adore me despite my mistakes.... And another set of adopted parents that would be willing to bail me of of jail if those mistakes were too much for the real rents.

But really, maybe one day Kate and I will be sitting around with our daughters (or my stand in child that I picked up off the street, and paid $20 to look cute and play nice) doing the same thing.

When You Wish Upon a Star

Today at work, one of my clients came into the store to get a head start on her Christmas shopping. Christmas shopping!? I haven't even started thinking about next week yet! As you probably know, I work at Sephora while I'm in school, and I pretty much love my job. The perks and the people are great. I mean, what girl wouldn't want to play with make-up all day, and get paid to do it.

Anyways, I thought this lady was completely nuts for being so gung-ho on the shopping situation, but it got me thinking... And naturally it got me thinking about myself............ What do I want for Fall? (Winter is too long-term of a goal even for a cold-weather freak like me).

Well I'm putting together a dream list of my ideal Fall must-haves. Please, feel free to donate at any time.
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First, a couple of bags are in order. A couple of classics, to be exact.
                                                   

           BVLGARI Chandra Bag   

YSL Muse Bag

A few pairs of versatile heels and boots are always a good idea too.

YSL Platform Pumps

Sergio Rossi Embossed Cachet Pump

DSquared2 Boot

A pair of vintage throw-back flats like these make me giddy too.

D&G Ballet Flats

Outerwear is an obvious must in the blustery weather.

A really cute jacket.

 Anthropologie Cream Confecition Jacket

And a very classic coat.

Burberry Double-Breasted Trench Coat

 This scarf would match just about everthing I own.

MARC Metallic Plaid Scarf

I would of course have to have a new watch to get me everywhere on time.

BVLGARI Assioma Watch

When I forget my watch, I'll nedd to keep my wrists warm somehow.

J-Crew Seed Pearl Cuff

 And in a perfect world, I would own this dress about 6 times over.

  Victoria Beckham Flared Skirt Dress

There are about 183,478, 972 other things I could put on this list, so I think I'll just stick the basics for now. I'm no Anna Wintour, but I know what I like want need.

Who said a girl couldn't dream big?

Poke-ing Around

I had a day off from school and work today, so I decided to take my best friend and visit my old college town. Although I decided to transfer to a different school after a change in majors, my time that I spent in Stillwater is pretty unforgettable. That small college party town boasts some of my most ridiculous memories. Memories that will probably go down in the "I can't believe you did that" hall of fame.

OSU's Library Lawn

Visiting Stilly made me really miss the good ol' days. I know I would go mad if I ever moved back, but sometimes you seem to forget the bad in lieu of the great. Kate, my best friend, can attest to pretty much every ridiculous story considering that she too spent most of her free-time her 1st two years of college at OSU with me..... Mind you, she attended and still attends the University of Tulsa..... I think it's safe to say that we both had a fantastic time.

The Biffle

So today, we drove the hour to OSU and spent the day with our dear friend, Meg. It was a perfect day, and we spent a few hours on campus, checking out some of my old haunting grounds. We drove down University, which is the street with all the Greek houses on it, and I was pointing out all the houses to Kate. Kate then saw an un-named house with a large crest with a serpent on the front and said, "Well, that house has a giant snake on it. It must be Slytherin..." I nearly died laughing. The worst part was, I'm still not sure that she was completely kidding.

WHAT AN AWESOME FOUNTAIN!

Love me some Rocky

Scrunchies... Side ponies and all.

We then retreated to Meg and her roommate's house where we spent some quality time with this snaggle-toothed guy. We also were graced by a few OSU scrunchies provided by Meg's mom. I mean, Who doesn't love a scrunchie with your old school's colors plastered all over it.

After some dinner at our fave Thai place with Meg, her roommate, her boyfriend, and her brother, it was time to say goodbye to the place that I used to call home. All in all, It was a pretty perfect day.

Scaredy Cat

I'd like to think I'm a pretty brave soul compared to the average bear, (have you ever seen me freak out?) but the truth is, I have more phobias than you'd probably think. Psychologists often say phobias are deeply rooted in a childhood experience that has quite literally scarred us for life. I wonder what happened to me as a kid to make me the way I am. Let's examine this.

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1. Heights- I really can't think of how this came about---- oh wait, I lied. I can only imagine that driving up mountains in Greece, on a Greyhound bus, on roads that barely fit a Smart-Car, and generally sans guardrails would  leave you with a lasting impression. I mean, how can the same people that invented democracy and philosophy be so lax on public safety?

Okay, okay... So maybe this isn't in Greece.
Looks familiar enough for my taste, though.

2. June bugs- They look like roaches, but they fly in your hair. Who doesn't hate them?

3. Super dark/cramped places- My brother used to lock me in the bathroom before I could reach the lights and threaten to say "Candyman" three times. Freud would be allllllllll over this.

How was I even aware that this movie existed at 4 yrs?

4. The ocean- Okay, so I'm not technically afraid of the water. I mean, you couldn't keep me out of it if you tried. It's just the thought that things could be swimming right next to or under me that freaks the hell out of me. I actually like water that I can't see super clearly in. Ignorance is bliss in my book. I think this fear was established at the age of four, when I went on the "Jaws" ride at Universal Studios. Who's idea was that? Oh yeah... probably mine. I actually think I loved it. I'm such a masochist.

Family Fun for everyone!!!

5. Fire- I hate fire. I don't even light matches. Rather, I can't light a match.... If I do, I go into reflex mode and blow it out/drop it asap. As far as I remember, no one tried to set me on fire as a baby, soooo I'm not sure when in my life this happened. Maybe I got burned by a sparkler one fateful Fourth of July.

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F.D.R. once said that "the only thing we have to fear, is fear itself..." Well Mr. Roosevelt, you are clearly full of crap. I think fear is what keeps us from repeating the stupid things we did as a child, or better yet, it keeps us from dying young.