"When you are washing the dishes, washing the dishes must be the most important thing in your life. Just as when you are drinking tea, drinking tea must be the most important thing in your life. Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the whole world revolves - slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future. Live the actual moment. Only this actual moment is life."
- Thich Nhat Hahn

This quote is my new mantra. For so long I focused on what I wasn't doing or what wasn't going well in my life, but this has helped to refocus me. I may not have my degree, my family, or an apartment in France, but I do have a roof over my head, the best man in the world by my side, and small joys that happen everyday. I have to learn to acknowledge those little joys since that is what our lives are made up of. I only just realized this and it has rekindled my spirit.

I still have days where I don't want to get out of bed and I cry over things I've lost, but even in that I find joy in having someone to talk to, someone who lets me cry on their shoulder and often cries with me. I'm thankful for the warm bath I can soak in and my cup of tea. All the things I tend to take for granted help me realize life isn't so bad.  

So here's to appreciating, reveling, and rejoicing in every bite of food, every warm shower, every kiss from your love, and every small thing that makes up your day. 

Image: Kurt Vonnegut

Life Right Now: In List Form

- I don't like alcohol & my unclassy grimaces let everyone in on that fact

- I drink 3 cups of tea a day

- I'm starting to like gardening & I've finally made friends with earthworms

- I don't like getting dressed

- I love the caresses of warm bath water

- I have nightmares every night

- When I have a good dream, it's about thrift stores

- I could start my own library with the amount of books I have out from the public library

- I think about money too much

- I convince myself that if I didn't work, I'd craft all day, though I secretly know it's a lie

- I'm famished for a new friend

- I don't enjoy being in large groups of religious people, (this is probably temporary)

- I eat one meal a day

- I've embraced having messy hair

- I try to not be lazy; however, the effort gives me cause for a nap

- I miss my dad everyday

- I cry a lot

- I read ferociously

- Only one line of a song gets stuck in my head, I sing it on repeat annoying everyone in my presence

- I love hypothetical questions

- I make lists to fool myself into thinking I'm being productive

- Adios

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I'M INTO....

FUR COATS.
I can't imagine having too many! Of course, I do love animals so I'd never buy a new real fur anything. Though I do enjoy vintage genuine fur, because...well...it was made ages ago. I mean check this one out: Vintage Nordic Fur Coat, Rugged Vintage Fur & Faux Fur Coats from Spool 72. | Spool No.72

So freakin' delicious. Ebay is a very addicting way to find fur coats on the cheap. Adding to my 'Watch List' is my therapy.

Isn't Margot Tenenbaum just scrumptious in her camel colored coat?!

MYSTERY & SUSPENSE MOVIES.
Yes, I can't sleep afterwards, but I feel like I'm actually expanding my brain mass. I don't like horror movies though because I feel like they are just making money by capitalizing on gory depictions and often women are the recipients of the cruelty. Not cool.

A few that I'd recommend:
Prisoners (2013)

A real chilling watch. How far would you go to find out where your child is? I did remove my headphones and cover my eyes a few times during the course of the movie, but it was so suspenseful and made me so irritated at some of the characters. I also never want to do another maze.

Seven (1995)

While this movie did leave a bad taste in my mouth, it stayed true to the suspense and mystery. Morgan Freeman is always enjoyable to watch and I love Gwyneth Paltrow. I had to meditate for a good 20 minutes after this movie ended on the disturbing truth portrayed by the movie's murderer. It was well done and while there was gore, it was not overdone or provocative. 

A Hijacking (2013)

I really enjoyed this movie. The cook on the ship was a very likable fellow and you cringed every time you thought he was in danger. I also enjoyed that there were very few women in this movie. I'm tired of big-boobed women making a scene in thriller & action movies. This flick was also pretty thought-provoking about a subject I hadn't given much of my brain time to. 

BOOKS WRITTEN LESS THAN A DECADE AGO.
I will admit that I read mostly what are termed "classics", but due to a bookstore application that asked for some modern books I've read, I have clamored to get my hands on a few newbies. These are the past 3 I've read:

Adulting by Kelly Williams Brown

This one was chock full of practical advice with humorous insights and examples. I was not bored for a single second, even when I was reading the section on cleaning house. It also makes me happy that Kelly Brown is a journalist and an author! INSPIRING!

Gorgeous by Paul Rudnick

An interesting read. It isn't really my cup of tea, but it did have some insightful moments. I'm not huge on half a page of descriptions of flowers or other details, but it did make me curious enough to read it pretty fast.

Mrs.Poe by Lynn Cullen

I have only read about the first 50 pages and I only just learned it is about Edgar Allan Poe's mistress...hmm. Though on the back it is described as "tragic" and "heart racing", so perhaps I'll keep reading. At least until my next book arrives to the library. I'll keep you posted.

VODKA NOODLES.
So dang delicious. Every night? I think so. Here's a recipe, though beware: Highly addictive.

Ingredients (makes 4-6 servings)
-1 onion, chopped
-3 cloves garlic, minced
-1/4 cup olive oil
-1/4 pound thinly sliced prosciutto
-3/4 cup vodka
-1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
-1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
-1 tablespoon dried basil
-1 cup half & half cream
-1 lb penne pasta

Directions

1. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Cook onion & garlic in oil; stir until soft. Add prosciutto & vodka. Simmer until almost all liquid is gone.
2. Add tomatoes & herbs. Simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Stir in half and half, & heat for 3 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, cook pasta in boiling salted water until done. Drain. Serve sauce over noodles.

Recipe adapted from this. Enjoy!

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Alrighty dears, that is all for now. Hopefully my next blog post won't be put off too long, I think I'll put post-it notes everywhere that say "BLOG!". That might help. :) Have a lovely mid-week night!

-Alicia

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

The day of love is here! Well actually, it's almost over. I slept most of the day away. Romantic, I know. Just thought I would share a few things that seem Valentine-esque to me. Enjoy!

This Cherry Shirley Temple recipe. I want one SO bad & once I get the ingredients, screw Valentine's Day, I'm drinking them year round!

Everyone NEEDS to watch the above video: Danny & Annie by Story Corps. It has been out for quite a while, but I just discovered it & many tears followed. Talk about an example of enduring love for this Valentine's Day!

http://iluvvideoaustin.blogspot.com/2012/04/philadelphia-story.html

If you've finished dinner & you & your sweetie can't decide on a movie, try one of these. I have seen most of the old ones & Silver Linings Playbook (which is yum), but none of the other newer ones. I'm not big on chick-flicks. I did watch The Philadelphia Story today & I did not predict the ending. It was a gorgeous movie & I have no idea how I've made it this far into my life without seeing it. I also wish I could pull off her outfits.



Now turn on some Al Green & have a romantic night everyone! Hopefully you can make that love last till next year! <3 Cheers.

Love,
    Alicia

VALENTINE'S DAY ATTIRE

Valentine's Day is almost here! Do you have plans? I'm planning on getting dressed up, making something yummy to eat, and having a Skype date with my Valentine. If I had the finances to splurge on a dress this year, here are a few I would consider.

I love this slip-like dress. It's perfectly sultry & would look great with a bunch of necklaces & voluminous hair.

This smock dress totally gets me. The color is so rich & I love the cozy feel of it.

I am just dying over this one from Free People! A unique spin on a Valentine's Day dress, but still totally whimsical & romantic. Aren't those sleeves delicious?

I could go on & on posting dresses that get me in the mood of love. Are there any dresses that you are eyeing for the day of sweethearts? Cheers!

-Alicia

CONFESSIONS

If I were to be honest with you, which I will strive to always be, I would have to admit I've been struggling the past 6 months. Struggling with depression, God, purpose, & all of the other things that make up life. I used to live on the moon. I lived in a world where I wanted to do everything & thought I could do exactly that. I was full of happiness & excitement for life. I now just try to make it through the day. I've realized that peace won't happen during my lifetime, that death is never far off from our lives, & that people will hold onto their moralism more than they will hold onto you.

Perhaps I'm writing this because I just need to let people know that I'm not the same sunny personality I was a year ago, or maybe because I'm listening to Simon & Garfunkel's melancholic songs at 5:30 a.m. Either way, here I am. Spilling my guts in only the 4th post. TMI?

Sometimes I feel like I've become jaded. Jaded at age 21. More realistically, I think I've stepped out of the wardrobe back into the real world. Paul Simon croons, "If I had never loved, I never would have cried." But maybe that's what makes life so special. It is fragile. It is made up of pain, love, tears, & joy. It isn't easy. You have to make decisions & take risks & deal with whatever the outcome is.

I think I like who I am now more than ever before. I understand more of what I'm made of & that I'm a little human that feels things deeply. I don't want to feel bad for that. Life isn't quite the piece of chocolate cake I used to think, but it isn't total rubbish. I will get through with lots of tea & swaying to Marvin Gaye.

Here's to getting through the hard times and still being able to smile. Cheers, my dears..

http://slightlysnobby.tumblr.com/post/63549487853

UPDATE!

Just 2 posts to my name & I already became MIA. I am ashamed. I do have a reason though. Not sure if you realized, but there are actually places in the world without wifi. I moved to my Grandma's house & guess what? Horrors of horrors, my gma's is one of those places! I know! Crazy! I basically live with a cavewoman! There isn't even any generous neighbors that provide free wifi. Rude.

So suffice it to say, I only have internet if I walk for an hour to my parent's house (I have no car) or catch a ride with my mother to my community college. Thankfully, I do have a phone that has texting, but due to lack of finances I'm still on my parents plan & my mother locks my phone after 10:30pm. The technological part of my life sucks.

BUT! There is a magical thing called a portable DVD player that must have been created just for me! The regional library has the DVD's & I have the player! A match made in Tech Heaven. Drop everything and watch these flicks right now.

-Benny & Joon (1993)

-Edward Scissorhands (1990)

-The Wind Journeys (2009)

Actually Film Movement movies in general. Watch them all. Arranged (2007) is another great one. 

These are just a few movies that have kept me sane. I tend to watch them while I'm in the bath snacking on some cookies. Kind of an electrical hazard. When my eyeballs are done for the day I have been rediscovering the delicious voice of Ray LaMontagne. When I feel like attempting to shake what my momma didn't give me, I turn up some Shakira tunes. I'm not ashamed.

Despite my complaining, I have managed to find the benefits of having extremely limited screen & phone time. I'm halfway done knitting a hat for my love & am reading 3 books: Grapes of Wrath, Verbal Judo: The Gentle Art of Persuasion, & First-Time Around the World. Not too mention, my journal has never seen so much attention. I'm glad I'm learning how to go back to just enjoying silence & the company of my thoughts. (If you're reading this mom, this does not mean you should restrict my phone at 10pm)

Well dears, that is all I have to offer for now. The library is closing & I must go back to the cave. Till next time! Cheers!

-Alicia