And We're Back!

Sorry for no post yesterday, our internets were down and I was too tired after not sleeping very much the night before to venture to Starbucks. But we're back!
Why was I not sleeping? Maybe because I was SO excited about going to visit my old school where I taught and observing their kinder class!

How do you know you are meant to be a teacher?

You can't sleep the night before because you're thinking of all the fun things you have to do and miss your kids.

Its true.

What my future life entails...

And now more posts with more goodies for you.

lovelove.

LA Has Got Me, On My Knees...

Via myvintagevogue

"LA has got me, on my knees..."- The Black Keys

Welp, home again.

Adventures are over...for now.

I have approximately 3 weeks until I leave for Slovakia.
During which time I need to pack up and move...AGAIN...ugh.
Make everyone Christmas presents with my broke ass.
See the hoards of friends coming into town during Christmas.
Attempt to pack my life into 3 suitcases.

Oh Lord.

Fun Fact! It costs $130 to fedex documents to Slovakia...not even overnight, 5 days. $130. Ew.

Tomorrow I am going to observe a kinder class where I student taught last spring. I am SO excited. Should help me to get lots of ideas for my class in Slovakia. Especially since I haven't observed or taught lower then 2nd grade before, so this should help me to feel more confident. From what I hear, its pretty easy and super fun. I just need a little boost.

I need to relax and get into the Christmas spirit. There's just SO much to dooooooo

Favorite Things: Music of the Year

My picks for hands down best music of the year. Ok...some of them are from last year, but they were SO good I've been listening to them this year too!

Go buy NOW.

Azure Ray

Drawing Down the Moon

Got to see this lovely duo for my birthday back in October with Miss Micah. 

Just AMAZING and SO talented. Plus, some of my break up music for the year....

even though I promise it isn't all depressing. 

Cee lo Green

The Lady Killer

 This has been my JAM! Besides the ever popular "Fuck You", 

the entire album is just fantastic. Motown meets...something else awesome.

Mumford & Sons

Sigh No More

 Mumford and Sons have a pretty popular hit right now, "Little Lion Man", 

but the rest of the album is really pretty delectable as well. 

Noah and the Whale

The First Days of Spring

 My other break up album, Noah and the Whale. Their previous album was all 

about falling in love, which I did in fact listen to while falling in love, and

 conveniently when his back up singer broke up with him for Mumford from 

Mumford and Sons...he wrote this album. And trust me, it is a GEM. 

And surprisingly hopeful. 

The Black Keys

Brothers

Ohhhhh this was SO good too!!! I still listen to this ALL the time even now to.  

Sexy bluesy rock. mmmm sign me up. 

Sufjan Stevens

All Delighted People

 I remember when I saw that this existed and couldn't BELIEVE 

Sufjan finally put out another album. Its been years we have been 

neglected by this genius of sorts. So grab it up now. 

The National

High Violet

 Oh, SO good. It's hard to pick a favorite from this already

 favorite list...but this just might win. I know every lyric from listening to it 

over and over again. Beautiful vocals and lyrics...just a dream of a listen. 

Cozy Winter Looks: Mod Cloth Raid

Let me begin by apologizing for not telling you about Mod Cloth earlier. I have been a huge fan of this shopping site for about 2 years and for some reason never told you about it- I have failed you.


While shopping for sweet winter finds for the big move to Slovakia I just couldn't resist inspiring you.

The Look via Madewell

Pretty (and some ridiculous but amazing) Sweaters via Mod Cloth

I want to brave this!!! But I'll DIY via Manrepeller

Slovakia: The Winter Look

This is what we're dealing with in Slovakia:

I am not at ALL prepared. Whenever I tell people my clothing choice ideas, they laugh at me.

See my desired looks below:

Both via The Sartorialist 

GORGEOUS. However, I do understand I have to be realistic I will need to wear flat waterproof boots (see ridiculous amounts of snow described above) to work...not to play...AND the coat debacle continues since I am allergic to wool AND down. But I refuse to be one of those awkward looking mid western women with a puffy coat and big furry man boots. So I just ordered these babies from Zappos.

But the quest for the coat continues. Besides being allergic to wool and down, I need something that is extremely warm AND can handle these double D's and belts to reflect my hot and sexy hourglass figure. 

I kind of just want this.

Spiegel

Lets bring a little Carrie Bradshaw to Slovakia, shall we?

I guess I wasn't too far off in Espana.

Pretty Things: Avedon

Richard Avedon. Another favorite. Just Amazing.

All I Want for Christmas...

Some sex would be nice. The vibe works and all, but part of why sex is so lovely isn't just the physical part. I miss the intimacy. I miss the snuggling. I miss the vulnerability and the "this is so amazing I am terrified" that comes with an intimate relationship with someone. I know there are plenty of you girls who have separated your emotions from sex, and thats fine. But the more I think about it, the more I don't just want to fuck "anyone". I want to have real and intimate sex with someone. Because that's all I've had. And I don't want it any other way.

I told Cassie the other day, who seems to have the BEST luck in Sweden finding men, "I am kind of super excited to move to Europe because I think my chances of getting laid will be SO much higher!". This is true. Every time I travel outside of socal I meet lovely men of all sorts. Suddenly men are stopping in their tracks to talk to me and buy me drinks all night. Does this happen here? Sometimes, but very rarely.

So get ready Slovakia, hot and bothered 25 year old headed your way.

However, for now, another sexless Christmas alone.

Adventures in LA LA Land Day 3 & 4: Laziness Sets In.

Yesterday was pretty lovely...just slept in, cuddled with the dogs and watched tv, then went to dinner with my long lost love and writer of A Day in the Life plus her hubby and friends. We went to this fab restaurant called The Hudson in West Hollywood. Definitely the kind of place I would be a regular at if I lived up here...beautiful inside with a sweet menu and unique drink list. And apparently a sweet place to spot celebs. One of our guests was Robert Pazornik, one of those young Silicon Valley guys who started up with the Facebook and YouTube guys...so that was a little exciting. Oh man, so LA.

Today I was going to go either to one of the pretty parks that are right around where I am staying OR visit the Santa Monica pier and go shopping again at the Promenade. However...neither of those things got done. Between constantly getting lost, the traffic, and then trying to find parking...I was just burnt out.  I DID shower...watch some Law and Order CI...order winter boots for Slovakia...bake cookies...read...nap...and I just made a pizza. So it wasn't entirely unproductive.

I was just thinking of how I really needed this vacation. I mean, we all know the ridiculous amount of drama in my life the last year, and I remember I kept telling myself throughout it all...I just really need a vacation. So even though I had "things to do" while I was up here and they didn't really get done...thats just the perks of being on vacation. I can just do it when I get home. Also the perks of being unemployed upon getting home.

I have a lot to do over the next few weeks. Fun is ahead as the loves of my life will all be in town from far far away, but I still need to get organized to move my shit back home. Shop for some actual warm clothes and toiletries I know I will miss once I'm in Slovakia. And try and put some Christmas gifts together with ZERO budget.

So although I head back home tomorrow, back to the land of "to do"lists and busyness. I have the feeling this was just the mini vacation I needed to get me through it all.

Lovelove.

For The Record.

Sooooo a few of my lovely readers have mentioned they are super confused and behind on all of the relationship drama. So here is our catch up.

OK SO.

Most recently Postal Annex Guy (PAG) and I had an AMAZING winter fling weeks before I was set to move to Slovakia to teach. He was perfect. We had some bumps in the road, but really tried to make the long distance thing work. 3.5 months into it he couldn't handle me going out all the time and not knowing if I was ok or not...seriously, long distance sucks guys. So we are having what I like to call a "pause" button until summer when I am home. He initiated the break up, but I think it might be for the best...for now. Now I can focus all my energy on putting the BRAT back in Bratislava.

Number 2 We started dating October 2009. We fell HARD for each other and were totally in love within a month or so. I lovingly gave him my virginity, and at 24 years old, it felt like a big deal. We were best friends. He would call me multiple times a day just to talk about our day...I had serious trauma going on in my life and he was my "person" I would call and I was his "person". However, he was applying to go to grad school at Notre Dame. So he never wanted us to be "serious" even though we clearly were. He always said things like...It's just not a good time for either of us, maybe someday we will meet in New York (both where we want to end up) and live happily ever after. So I spent a lot of time crying and frustrated because we would fight about him not calling me his girl friend....I never met his family or friends...I never even went to his house. As wonderful as parts of it were, parts of it were ridiculous and I have no idea why I let myself put up with it for so long...oh yeah, because I was in love. Anyway...we were kind of breaking up on and off over the summer...I was trying to date other people...he was totally coming around more so I thought we were going to get back together officially and then October 1st. A few days before my birthday -which we had plans to do something together on- he just stopped calling me. Just like that. Stopped responding to the few calls and texts I sent making sure he wasn't dead since we talked like 3x a day.
And I never heard from him again.

After a fucking YEAR.

Then there was SS. I only dated SS for like 6 weeks. End of August until ironically right around October 1st too. I was trying to date him, and either end things with Number 2 officially or have Number 2 come chase me because either way I wasn't happy with how things were. SS and I had a lot of fun together, he made me laugh and was VERY sweet and considerate. But apparently he was pretty much high all the time and was REALLY into smoking weed. Plus, I wasn't super attracted to him. The same day Number 2 and I last talked was the same day I called SS to end things because I thought Number 2 and I were going to get back together.

I never heard from either of them again.

It was a sad 25th birthday.

So now we are in Bratislava, Slovakia. Suddenly finding ourselves making friends, going out, dancing, and getting hit on...but now, doing all of this single. 

AND obviously we have a rapist in Lincoln Park you can always email me blackandlashes@gmail.com with any questions! I would love it.

lovelove.

Sunday Plans...

Ok so later I DO have plans to actually do something...

but for now...

Lost in Austen just finished...

and now The Great Gatsby is on (I die for the fashion)...

It's like 80 degrees out in DECEMBER...

So with all of the windows open in this big house on the hill where I can see all the way to the ocean...

We are enjoying our Sunday.

Plus, I just found out Baz Luhrmann is remaking the Great Gatsby with Carey Mulligan, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey McGuire, and Ben Affleck. SWOON.

Hope your Sunday's are just as lovely.

lovelove.

Another Letter That Won't Get Replied To.

I wrote another letter to Number 2 I know won't get answered.
It just felt weird deciding and moving to Slovakia without telling him. Even though he didn't tell me he was going to Notre Dame...and never wrote me back when I congratulated him...and um, I just realized today: What kind of a DOUCHE a) Just stops calling you after a YEAR and then b) Doesn't respond to your pretty important life moment emails. (There have only been two) But what WORD rings true when you think about this?


IMMATURE.

Someone who can't handle their emotions and doesn't care enough to even try at the benefit for someone else's well being either.

Here I am, trying to be nice and am just constantly reminded, that oh yeah...you suck Number 2. You suck.

I am moving to Slovakia to meet someone with a hot accent who will fuck my brains out and your not invited, asshole. Your not invited physically and your not invited to invade my heart all the time whenever I hear those sad songs...or am alone in a museum I know we would have had fun together in...or am wearing that dress you loved.

Anyway...heres the letter...

Hey.

So I'm moving to Bratislava, Slovakia January 6th. I've decided to put grad school on hold and have been offered a kindergarten teaching job at a fancy English speaking private school. A friend from school is already there, her aunt is the director. It just felt weird to go and not tell you. Actually, it felt weird even making the decision and not talking about it with you. And its weird to miss someone so much but to be ao angry and hurt by them at the same time. 

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know. I have a lot of vacations so I am going to try to see the places in Europe I missed, visit friends living around there already, and maybe spend a few weeks in Croatia and Greece before coming home for the last part of the summer break. You know me the blogger, somewherefarandaway.blogspot.com. In case you ever care.

Hope your doing well.

So that was that. And thats my travel blog link. Which isn't really worth your time, since this will be where the real things are. 

I even just talked with Annie the other night about self sabotaging ourselves. Such as...sending texts and emails you know you wont get a response to and then hurting about it. Um, you did it to yourself sucka. 

Adventures in LA LA Land Day 2: The Getty

Seriously, lounging around reading your Google Reader Blogs, watching TV, and snuggling with doggies all day is HIGHLY underrated. Such a lovely day.

Saturday evenings after 5pm The Getty's $15 parking fee is waived and they are open until 9pm- so obviously that means I was there. As much as I love the location and architecture of The Getty, as someone who actually knows their art, I find I am almost a little disappointed in their collection. A few pretty things, but nothing of real note. And their temporary exhibits are always kind of...eh. (read: I am spoiled from the New York & European museums)

But I did enjoy their current photography exhibit featuring Felice Beato. Really enchanting images from when Japan and China were closed to foreigners and photos from a colonized India. Just incredible buildings and people you only read about in text books.

It was just nice to wander amongst the pretty buildings filled with drawings, statues, and photos. Too bad they don't allow photography inside and it was dark out...

Just some snippets...

Love those changing leaves.

More adventures to come,

lovelove.

PS: Currently snuggled in with these two doggie love bugs watching the Constant Gardener and drinking alone. Might bake some cookies. Yep, 25 and single. 

Adventures in LA LA Land Day 1: LACMA

SURPRISE! I am writing to you from my NEW! NEW! NEW! Macbook Pro!!!

Quite the surprise for me too as I just went to go use my computer this morning and got another hard drive error message. I have been up and down with that piece of crap mac book...it just hated life and I just wanted it dead. The Apple store lady was like..."well your hard drive and CD drive and other internal things are not working...plus its like 4 years old...it might just be time for a new one". Mom agreed. So I bought one. Just right then and there. At the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica. Which took me like an hour to get to because of getting lost and the parking debacle that is "I'm too poor to pay more than quarters for parking LA". Technically I was only supposed to be like 15 minutes away. Oh, the city.

THEN it was time for my adventure at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)! I took myself on a date to see a preview screening of Rabbit Hole, a beautiful film I've been really looking forward to seeing with Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart. Based on a pulitzer prize winning play, it hit pretty close to home for my family, and was so wonderfully acted...a real treat. Seriously, go see it now. Plus there was a Q&A afterwards with the director and playwright, annnnd it doesn't even come out in theatres until next weekend! The ticket included entry to the museum, so I got there early and just got to see the loveliest things.

I must say, one of my better planned days ever...

 The entry way sculpture is just wonderful.

First things first, climb as high as possible and see the LA skyline. Oh PS, there was a wind storm and it was SO FUN!

 A part of one of my favorite HUGE pieces. This is only half. 

 Really neat.

I like to call this, "The Broken Egg Series- A self portrait" ha. 

 I couldn't help it. Yep, thats MJ and his monkey Bubbles. Enshrined forever. 

 Always love me some Warhol.

Then they had this FANTASTIC fashion through the centuries walk through with a dress from every time period. Just amazing. Plus a little creepy.

Then the rooms were pink and mirrored and I was in heaven.

More adventures tomorrow, stay tuned!

lovelove.