use whatcha momma gave ya!

From belly-dancin momma

My mom recently danced in our local parade, Aspenfest, with her belly-dancing class. She is beautiful, free and can move those hips better than most latinas I know. Work it momma!

will it be a tiny tim christmas?

Today it feels like winter... like snow is on its way, but maybe just a tease of snow and the brisk weather is really settling in.

I'm exhausted like a little mouse, running through the maze with cheese to be found at the end of several corridors. Cheese is good but does it matter what kind or how much? A little bit of fancy cheese is better than a huge chunk of cheddar, but not the mature cheddar. I could go on, but basically I am making some decisions about my professional future in a time that is less than ideal to be unemployed. I just called my grandmother, a woman I respect, but avoid in relation to the current economic crisis or that of Y2K. I am hopeful, maybe unrealistic, and she is recommending I read Ezekiel because we are most definitely facing a doomsday situation in the coming months. I know things will get bad and our generation has no grid for the environment of a depression or even crisis of this nature but is it really time to stock up on enough canned goods to last a few months? Am I naive and my grandmother is spot on? Either way I know I am one of thousands looking for work, wrestling with the question of "Take ANY job bc they're hard to come by or hold out for something fulfilling?"

I kicked myself several times for coming back from London and going right back into the restaurant business. It was easy. I love Aaron, my boss and bff, but he knows its not the career-launching job. When I coached the volleyball team this summer I was surprised at how much energy I had to devote. I want that opportunity, one that utilizes me. I need to set my sights higher, not to the "easy" move into a restaurant mgmt position. I need money so I may serve, cocktail or bartend (shhhh...don't tell grandmother... she's not a fan of alcohol) until this said job comes together, but out of respect for myself and my potential I have decided to hold out. This may be stupid if the world comes crashing down next week and I've held on to my unemployment for the sake of my ideals but we shall see.

bzzzzzzzzz

Sacred Grounds, the coffee shop my mother and I frequent back home, knows that my mom does not need caffeine. She orders "half-caf" coffees but I don't think they ever actually give her any regular coffee. She has enough of a natural high without anyone adding to it. Sometimes my friend Troy likes to play tricks on her and I want to kick him in the knees for it. I would see my mom after work around 10 at night and she was still talking 1000 mph and I would have to ask:
"mom, did you drink coffee today?"
"no, why do you ask, Leah" me,
"well mom, you're kinda buzzing around still."
"I went by Sacred and got some decaf but thats it."
I drop it and text Troy to thank him for the great joke that I have to deal with.

I am my mother's daughter though. I got green tea, which has more caffeine than you might imagine, this morning and let that caffiene flow through my veins before my phone interview, calling my sister, and chatting Kristina's ear off in London. I bzzzzed through each conversation like a druggie. Now I think I need to be locked in a detox cell. How long till this wears off?

accents

Are british voices more appealing than americans? I went to an interview this morning with a couple accent pieces - mustard sweater-vest* and fun dangly earings (i love the way danglies swoosh). According to katie it is necessary, in this quirky city, to have a little flare to set you apart. Upon return from the interview I curled up on the couch, put on The High Kings pandora radio station and took a nap.

Is anyone else a fan of the musical, Brigadoon? A friend of mine got me the record for my bday but I need to find a record player to enjoy these accents and 1950's gene kelly, what a dreamboat. Here's an old ad for your viewing pleasure.


* Shout out to Ktina and Primark, without this wonderful friend and this inexpensive store I would not have looked nearly as cool at my interview. Many thanks.

una semana

Its been one week since I landed in this great city and I am pleased, still hopeful and well-rested. I have gained a few friends, a roommate, a couple aches from running (not my ideal workout) and more laughter than I thought I'd see this week.

Highlights of week 1:

• International feast with Trevor and his homies. Greek wonders, curry, swedish stuff, incredible cheeses from those great countries with cows and although NM isn't another country, I chose Green Chile infused tequila as my offering (shout out to Monica Keyes).

• Living so close to Calley, Camille and Katie.
  

These girls are incredible. One word can't sum it up but I love them. Por ejemplo:

• Camille and I went to a concert the other night (the tuna burp night) and stayed up till 330 in the morning talking. She makes me realize that hope is not such a fight and it seems a lot lighter than the burdensome hope I have been pushing for.
• Calley and I sat in her car last night belting out the words and interpretive dance moves to Rusted Root's send me on my way.
  
• Katie will remind me of the camaraderie in job hunts and broke-living in a cool city. Also, she always serves as a smile when I'm down as I envision her curly-haired Nebraska self introducing Asian women to the world of breast exams and paps. Thank you Katie.
• Megan and I now have a great apartment with wooden floors, curved ceilings and a nice landlord in a sweet location (pictures to follow).
• Also a James concert in which I was more surrounded by men than I have been in a while. Sadly, these men of Menver are the ones that also like that its Menver, if you get my drift. Good music and nice to see so many men swayin' to the rhythm.
• Sarah Scott - beer and a nice walk-n-talk about life.
  

And tonight my dear bosom friend hannah kirkbride comes to visit and I am SO excited! She leaves for a far off land in a couple weeks so I'm stoked to spend some time with her. We get to celebrate Camille's birth tomorrow night with lots of friends.

chapstick and tuna burps

I melted one of my chapsticks to the point of no return. The other one oddly broke... sounds weird, but really the plastic tube broke. Moral of the story: After a good week or two without chapstick, while sick and therefore unable to borrow friends', I bought some at the store! Praise King Jesus for the intelligent mind that created this wonderful product. My lips are so much healthier.

Tuna Burps.

My friend Camille (on THE list of "why denver") took me to a great show last night with her amigos, Bodie and Whitney. As we were mingling at the bar, Bodie saw a friend from the music world he runs in and began the introductions. Laura (or something like that) shook my hand and leaned in... this is where it went awry. Was she leaning in to ask for clarification on my name, to kiss the cheek or just to lean in with the firm handshake? Either way, it was unexpected and I was mid-burp, yes, about to exhale the yummy tuna/goat cheese concoction I made for dinner, and happened to release right into her ear/face. Perfect introduction. I immediately turn to Camille and confess the awkward moment and hope the bar-stench overpowered my own.

Denver

My last night in NM was spent at jessie and matt's celebration with some great New Mexicans. We had green chile infused tequila (interesting) and a venue in the mountains with a patio amidst wildflowers, a live band we danced the hispanic "train" to and frito pies in a bag. It was delightful.

The wedding crew. The bride and groom in the middle.

and now on to Menver...

As of today I can proudly say that I will be living in Denver, at least I will pay for a month of rent and hope to find a job to pay for the rest. I arrived on Tuesday after a couple days in Colorado Springs with Trevor's crew, including an international feast night (freaking delicious food) and a tour of Manitou Springs.

Tuesday night:

1. Arrive at Calley's
2. Drop off luggage and waste time not showering until 20 min before I'm supposed to be ready.
3. 7:30 Corey (friend of friend) picks me up and we wander till we finally land at Park Tavern
4. Eat sandwiches while intermittently eying the chick with half a shirt and stomach tattoos, always interesting.
5. Meet Trevor, Mike, Calley and Megan for drinks at the Irish Snug
6. Somehow make it home without falling asleep in the car

Wednesday:

1. Meet Megan (new roommate thanks to Trer Darlin') for coffee and casa search.
2. Drive around to various options, including one house I think could be broken into via the floorboards.
   
3. Look for disc golf course and give up, eat lunch with Mike and Trev (delicious Chilli from Meg)
4. Look at what is now our new home - 9th and Pearl, sweet apartment I'm stoked about. Pics to come.
5. Check out more places
6. Go home to meet Calley before heading to meet up with the girls
7. Meet Katie and Camille for drinks at the Thin Man
   
8. Get encouraging words re: my current unemployment from my lovely lady-friends
9. Coffee-shop time at St. Marks while lusting after their artisan bread.
10. Bed-time till Trev decides to come over and borrow bread and my comp. for a few minutes

Thursday

1. Meet Patrick (future landlord) to discuss in detail why he should let meg and i rent his fine property.
   
2. Drive all over looking for a place to print my resume for the job fair Camille told us about
3. Go to job fair and have one significant conversation. One is better than none.
4. Fill out application and drop off with Patrick
5. Go home to prep for Snug Run, the only reason to run a 5k = free pasta and cheap beer afterward.
6. Run/power walk without the excuse of altitude since Ruidoso is 1000 ft higher in elevation. I'm just a pansy. ps my face stays beet red for at least an hour after any physical activity, which is great for the social circle following the run.
7. Change clothes and meet the crew at Pasquini's for $5 pitchers of sangria and free breadsticks. Are you getting the picture that the social world here is bustling? I need a job just to afford all of it.
   
8. I get tired and grumpy and go home to bed. aaagh, sleep.

Friday

1. Watch the season premiere of Grey's Anatomy! Lovely show.
   
2. Nervously await a call from Patrick saying he believes in us even though on paper we are jobless and pennyless.
3. Meet Kev, british soccer coach friend from the summer, for Vietnamese lunch. I don't think I've ever really done Vietnamese food. It was good.
4. Patrick called just as Kev and I were talking about the power of positive thinking. Yes, it works! Thank you Jesus, we got the apartment! woohooo!!
5. Oil Change turned fluid flushing expensive trip to meineke. Oh well, the nice guy gave me free windshield wipers. high five on that!
6. Came home and crashed. I'm tired. But first I walked Calley's dog and chatted with my big bro.
   
7. Looked for jobs with renewed hope after reflecting on Camille and Katie's words of encouragement.
   
8. Watched the debate and continued to dislike McCain. He's slimy and I don't trust his character.
9. Maybe go to bed soon after posting a way-too-detailed overview of my week. This one was more for me than anyone else I think. Big week. Love Denver. Excited about the potential. Thankful for good friends in a great city. Praise the Lord.