What a beautiful morning.

After a productive night of punching out a paper that I successfully procrastinated on, I woke up this morning and had a wonderful breakfast with Mark at Ruby's Diner on the pier. The weather could not have been more gorgeous- the sun was radiating, the fluffy white clouds happily smiled at me, and the water was crystal clear. I had turkey sausage eggs benedict with spinach and grilled tomatoes...can you say MMMMMMM??

Yesterday at work, as I mentioned before, I went to the police department to learn about guns. A couple of the reporters here had mistakenly described certain weapons as "automatic machine guns." We had callers correcting us, ultimately prompting an educational field trip to the police department. I have to say, it was a lot of fun. I met the chief of police and best of all, I shot about 4 different types of guns. I can't remember the technical names for them all, but two of them were rifles (one cowboy-looking one and one very intimidating SWAT-looking one), one was a glock and the last was a pistol. The pistol was definitely the hardest...my whole body recoiled every time I shot. It was almost as if I was shooting at the ceiling (but not really!). Anyway, I'd say a very successful (and fun) day to say the least. So, now that you know I can shoot, don't mess with me...hehehe I kid, I kid.

:)

Have a beautiful day!

*A special .hello. to my newest follower, Mairi (pretty name!)

Guess what I'm doing today?

If you guessed "Shoot a gun," you guessed right! I forgot that last week, an editor of the breaking news department (at the Orange County Register) told me that he was going to send me and the other breaking news reporters to some kind of demonstration and that we'd learn how to shoot a gun as well. Of all the things that I thought I'd do in life, this has got to be the last thing in my mind. I honestly never thought I'd hold a gun, nevertheless shoot a gun. Pray that nothing goes wrong! hahaha I kid, I kid...

My next blog post will signal my existance :)

PS- A special hello to my newest follower Joana!

rain, rain, go away...

please???

I like rain. But I also like sun. Guess which one wins?

haha good night.

for the self-proclaimed ADD peeps out there

This made my day...




Do you ever want to shoot yourself from boredom while waiting for an egg to boil?

eggwatchers.com is here to help and entertain.

l'inspiration, s'il vous plait

Have you had days where you don't feel inspired, no matter what you do?

It's a beautiful day outside (70 degrees?)!

It is the beginning of a new week (time to start fresh).

I have loved ones all around me (who needs anything else?).

And, yet, I still have the blues. I've been scouring the internet, reading various NY Times and LA Times articles, searching for new music, looking at art, etc. but nothing is sparking my creative side. Any suggestions?

Oh! How I'd love to do this right now...

CoCo

You have to watch Conan O'Brien's last show. It is funny, sincere, and very much entertaining. Personally, I've never really gotten into the late night shows (heck, I never watch any TV!) but the entire NBC/Conan mess has really fascinated me. I think it's disgusting how NBC screwed him over after years of loyalty just for some ratings. I think it's equally stupid that this entire mess is over an oldie who is way past his prime. On the other hand, I really admire Conan's professionalism, dignity and optimism that he has maintained so strongly.



In his official statement to the public (or "People of Earth" as he addresses it), Conan shows how he rises above all of this NBC bologna with pride. If you haven't read it yet, you should do so now.

Lastly, I leave you with this. Towards the end of his last episode, he tells the audience that because this is his last show, he can say whatever he wants. Do you know what he said? He thanked NBC for being his employer for most of his adult life. He said that despite all that has gone on, he is thankful for such a wonderful opportunity. He then begged all the young viewers to not be cynical because cynicism is one of the worst qualities a person can have. With kindness and positivity, he said, you will get much more in life.

We can all learn a little something from Co Co.

haiti love.

My heart goes to Haiti. The 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit one of the poorest countries in the Americas a little over a week ago. Yet, the crisis is continuing.

Read this.

As most know, Haiti isn't strong. Haiti isn't stable. Nor is Haiti wealthy. In fact, Haiti is one of the weakest, most unstable, and poorest countries to exist. The earthquake and the aftershock of 6.1 magnitude that shook the already-traumatized Haitians is a crisis that won't end for a really. long. time.

I've been highly impressed with how Americans have responded. Poor college students who can't afford course books are donating $10 to a relief fund. Celebrities, who we see as self-absorbed and shallow, have donated millions and tens of millions of dollars. Relief groups have responded rapidly. Volunteers have dropped their daily responsibilities to jump into the chaos that strikes Haiti.

But like any other crisis (Hurricane Katrina, 9/11, etc.), the energy, passion, and fire that was so apparent last week, has slowly faded. My hope and prayer for the country is that we continue this fervent humanitarian spirit that has somewhat brought the world closer together. Let's ignore those (like FOX news) who say that we should focus on our own issues before helping others...because, let's face it, losing a life is far worse than losing a job.

I read the article above during class and I felt strongly compelled to share my thoughts, encourage as much as I can, and do my duty of helping continue the good that we've started. I have 15 minutes before my next class begins, so I will leave you with this. It is quite possibly one of the best pictures ever to exist:

(source: Britain's The Evening Star)

seeing the world through rose-tinted glasses.

I've officially moved back to my house in Newport Beach, but I can't say I'm settled. It's a slow process lugging things from Anaheim to Newport, finding my miscellaneous items in the blackhole of a garage my family has, and being too broke to buy cute things for my bedroom. However, there's a lot of DIY (do-it-yourself) projects that are all over the blogosphere that I can do too! In fact, I've already started one project: pom poms! They're so cute and easy to make...if you want to know how, go here.

I've made about 4 or 5 to randomly place around my room...on the window sill, in between blinds, hanging from my light chain, etc.

But other than that, my decorations are nonexistent. I have a wonderful duvet cover that I got as a gift from Anthropologie and when I sleep on it, I feel like I'm floating on a cloud. Each night, I quickly sink into a dreamless, deep sleep as I warmly float across the sky :)

I really need to "nest" it up. It's my home for 6 months! And coming from an almost-display-window-of-Anthropologie apartment in France, my room has big shoes to fill. That is why I've decided that my room will become my French oasis. It will be cozy (fluffy duvet...check!), chic, and oh-so-francais.

[so magical]

[I wish. I love the bursts of color against the gritty backdrop]

[The French--especially in urban areas--like simplicity.
For me, I'd rather be defined by books. Not shoes]

[on my nightstand please?]

If I can't have it all, then I'll settle for this...any day.


I mean, c'mon, who hasn't wanted to live in a treehouse since childhood??? If only I could detach my room and place it on a tree...

Actually, I'd probably float away in a tornado with California's crazy weather this week!

Reflexion.

And voila, it has been three weeks.

Since I've been back, it seems as if I haven't had a moment to breath. Whether it is going to Disneyland with the family, hanging out with old friends, or going to dinner with the boyfriend, my life has been on fast-forward, nonstop mode since I've landed. I can't complain because each thing I do has been wonderful and so entertaining. However, now more than ever, I'm realizing how important le temps pour moi ("me" time or time for me) is.

Most of the time I find myself asking: "It has already been three weeks...shouldn't I already be adjusted?!" but I have to remind myself that no, Elysabeth, it hasn't already been three weeks...it has only been three weeks. The days I feel "weird" or in some kind of "funk," I just attribute it to the fact that it's raining or perhaps because school is starting. But in reality, I have this never-ending buzz of anxiety that lingers in the back of my mind. It becomes most apparent when I'm alone. If I'm not doing anything, I suddenly become anxious and must plan to do something. But then, if I'm too busy, I have this sudden urge to just stop and run away. If I actually take a moment to think about it, it isn't difficult to see that this is all part of the adjustment period that everyone must go through upon their return.

As much as I love English-speaking classes, reuniting with friends, family and Mark, and beautiful California weather (well, with the exception of this week), some days I'd rather be in the 1000x slower-paced environment of France. There are times when I'd trade a day of sunny California for a 4-hour conversation over coffee at a cafe in cobble-stoned Lyon. Sometimes, I am willing to sacrifice the English-speaking classes for just one more walk across the Rhone and Saone rivers. And always, I will miss the open air markets on Sundays.

Each day is different. Most of the time, my perspective and attitude is entirely in my control so I try not to allow myself to dwell on the past and get sad about not being in France anymore. But sometimes, when I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed or stressed, the urge to be in one of the most beautiful cities in the world gets the best of me. Fortunately, I've had enormous support from loved ones all around. They continue to bring me sunshine and they remind me everyday of why I love being home.

[I've definitely missed the family]

[And this lovable person I call my bf]

[Old-timers]

[My world traveling buddy who I have yet to travel with]

[And my girls...]

In addition to adjusting, one [major] worry keeps nagging at me and that is...money. I am currently working at the Orange County Register but if I get the 2nd job that I'm hoping for, that dreaded worry will be erased...making my life less stressed and much lighter. Only time will tell...in the meantime, I'll keep my fingers crossed and continue living life without a worry (or pretend to do so!).

I think a mini reunion with some of my girls out in France is necessary...that is why I'm going to make the drive of death to LA on Thursday night after class. I'm hopefully going to get dinner with Jessica and Emily. It will be interesting to hear how their adjustments have been. I have a feeling we'll all find some comfort in each other's experiences :)

Here are just a few snippets of what I miss--

[How time magically froze]

[The fresh markets that were vibrant with energy and vivid colors]

[My home where my heart was...]

[My awesome key & chair]

[CHEEEEEEEEESE!]

[These ladies and others <3]>

[And of course...this.]

Change is a part of life. Change is something that is inevitable. It's not easy. It's not bad. In fact, most of the time, change makes you stronger, more mature, thoughtful, cultured, etc. I can't wait to see what these changes entail for my life.

I love this life I've been blessed with.

This is what I must remember.