Pinkberry-A reflection

So, Pinkberry, I've seen you tramping around on the Hills and was captivated by your Fruity Pebble ways (Lo's favorite). Your reputation put you on a pedestal, and I wondered what your deal was. You're just a new brand of FroYo, right?

Then I heard you moved into my SoCal territory, and I was intrigued. So intrigued, I drove 30 minutes just to have a glimpse of you. OK, I really drove up to Temecula to take some photos for my photog class, but you were totally on my agenda.

So after getting lost, I finally saw you, tucked away in a strip mall. A STRIP MALL??!! You had a Coach reputation, and you appear like a knock-off. I drove all this way for a Baskin Robbins-wanna be? (Don't get me wrong, I love my 31 flavors!) So, already, a little skeptical to begin with. But you did score points, for kickin it next door to one of my BFF's, Trader Joe.

I walk in, expecting angels to sing out when I entered. Instead, I got what I almost mistook for a "Sanrio"-ish store, complete waith "bubbly" colors, simple fonts, chairs that looked cheap (rather, Ikea-esque?). Did you "engage my senses" like they claimed would? No. Did you engage my wallet? Yes. I gawked at the prices...$6.95 for a large? $.95 for one topping, consisting of one cut up strawberry, or a few tablespoons of cereal? Are you the Louis Vuitton on FroYo? As I waited in line, I was giving you the evil eye. I came all this way for this? And you only have 3 flavors? (and can we really count Green Tea as a real flavor?) Hmmm...we'll, I was told your "original" was "indescribable" and "amazing", so I went with that. Small "original" with Fruity Pebbles. I waited, and waited and waited. I watched as others devoured their LARGE p'berries. Ok, piggies, I thought. A small seemed plenty big enough for me!

And then it was my turn.....I grabbed you and my spoon, rushed past the crowds, and hurried out the door.

I tasted it, and.....it was strange at first. Unexplainable. what was that flavor? Almost recognizable, but I couldn't place my finger (or tongue) on it. But, I. was. hooked. It really was delicious. A tart, lemoney, creamy bit of heaven in a cup. Covered with Fruity Pebbles, that, to my surprise, did not get soggy as expected. ohmygodnowiseewhatallthehypeisabout, and I gobbled my P'berry as I drove out of the strip mall (still can't get over it, you cheapskate), and away from Temecula.

As I came to the last few spoonfuls of your delicious white and rainbow speckled goodness, I was sad. I should have opted for at LEAST the medium. !*sigh*. And, at only 98 calories for a small, how can you go wrong? Remember, it's Weight Watchers friendly!Now, all I can think about it "When will you come closer to my hood? You know you want me to spend all my money on you, you rebel frozen yogurt you".

So, the next day, I actually sign up to be a "Pinkberry Groupie", so I can know when they open up new stores. How sad that food can get me this excited.

But, alas, Pinkberry, you did live up to your reputation at last.

Bravo, Pinkberry. bravo.

Find of the week

I just discovered this website yesterday, and I'm thrilled I have a new way to pass some time. It's right up my consumer-behaivor-marketing-brand lovin alley! It's got all kinds of marketing fun, such as products like this severed horse head (ala Godfather), crayons you can drink (ew.), brands underground, silly consumer behaivor, and other wonderful marketing genuis. Check it out, my fellow marketing lover friends (I can't be the only one, can I?), and re-discover why you got that degree in the first place. It's nice to remind myself of what I did study in school, since I rarely use it nowdays!

First day blues, and reds, and greens

CRAP! I'm late-I'm that person that walks in late to class on the first day...greeeaattt... Whoops!Didn't plan on rain, traffic, or the world ordering at the local Rubios. So I stroll in and take the seat closes to the door. I get handed a few handouts, so thrilled with the talk of photography. As my hippie teacher describes what materials we need for the class, I think "Wow, is he going to explain what these things are?". A few comments by other classmates had me thinking "Great, looks like I have a few know-it-alls, too! wonderful." and "Umm, am I the only one who hasn't taken a photography class before?" So, I sit and take it all in. Thrilled-wow, a personal project! Wow-we're doing alot of matting and developing. And then, as I read the syllabus for the 12th time, about 45 minutes into class, and think to myself "Wait, did I sign up for Intermediate? I thought I signed up for beginning photography?" Hmm...so i glance at my class schedule. And...I'm totally in the wrong room, in the wrong class. Honest mistake, as the class I'm suppose to be in meets in that room on MONDAYS. I must have had a look of horror on my face, as the teacher said outloud directly to me "Did I scare you or something?" I explain I made a big mistake and was int he wrong room. He directs me to the right room, and quickly I hide my head, take my dignity and leave.
When I FINALLY made it to the right classroom, as was well. So what if I was 45 minutes late? It was weird to be back in a classroom, learning about the electromagnetic spectrum and what colors light is made up of, jotting down notes, and hearing the sound of chalk on the chalkboard. It felt good. I am beyond excited about the class, and the labs the have available for students. I think I'll take myself to Temecula this weekend, get some Pinkberry (doesn't that sound like an ailment or something. Don't worry-it's the most hip FroYo this side of the Mississip.), do some antique shopping (have I turned into my mother?), and hit up the Temecula Olive Oil Company. Yes, a little "me" day sounds great...

Back to school...back to school..

...to prove to dad, I'm not a fool. Got to love Adam Sandler.
So, I'm heading back to school! Well, Ok, nothing crazy, like my PhD or anything. As part of my trifecta of new years resolutions, one was to take a photography class, and Check!. I signed up at the local CC, just 2 nights a week, at the school where the Hubby is currently going full time at. How cute-we can be college sweethearts . Maybe he'll give me his class ring. Wait, I don't remember them doing that in college. I guess that was more of high school thing, but whatev! And no, I'm not taking digital, I'm bringing it back old-school and doing the manual SLR class, dark room and all. I should totally sneak the Hubby into the dark room and make-out, all after school high school drama style.
I'll admit, I'm a little nervous! I'm a little rusty on my school skills (or lack thereof). I bought a new shiny notebook and everything. I've always had a weakness for school supplies. I still get a little high when I pass by all the Crayola's. Always a way to bribe me to get excited for school to start, right? New trapper keeper? I'm so there. Sparkly crayons? There.
Even though I'm nervous ("What if I don't make any friends!?? What if the other kids pick on me?!!"), I'm super beyond totally freakishly excited. I have visions of Anna, and Ed, and Jennifer dancing around in my head. My dream is to be half as talented as they are. I almost cry when I see their work. I've always been a fan of photography, and I have a thing for un-digital photogrtaphy, beucase it really is an art and you can only manipulate it so much. But along my wedding planning jouney, I've discovered some amazing photographers (such as those mentioned above) that have shown me that even digital photography is very much a serious art form. Who knows what my class will be like, or what it will lead into, but I sure hope my photography can be something that turns into more than a hobby.
Now, what am I gonna wear to class? I didn't buy myself a "back to school" outfit to wear!

Hyprochondriac? ME??

Random thoughts of the day:

1.I'm dying. O.K., not dying but based on my symptoms of coughing so hard I gag, coughing up a lovely shade of green mucous every morning, and a general malaise (I just wanted to use that word), I am obviously suffering from one of the following:

A. Walking Pneumonia
B. Radon Poisoning. Background-our apartment complex put a radon detector in our apartment for a few days. No explanation, just your average radon detector. I didn't even know what radon was, but once I looked it up, I was happy to know that according to the EPA, January is National Radon Action Month. Good to know, good to know. Now, I'm convinced I have lung cancer from radon poisoning. Awesome.
3. Acute Bronchitis
4. Tuberculosis. Background-someone at my work was diagnosed with TB last March. So, it took my body a little time to catch up, but from the presentation the County of San Diego gave us, a bad cough the first sign a TB. That will compliment my radon poisoning nicely!
5. An above average bad cold? No, not dramatic enough.

2. After listening to my daily afternoon dose of NPR, I thought I was finally leaning toward Hilary as my vote for presidential candidate, until I saw this. How low can you go? That chick is whack (I meant Tyra, but Hilary is officially whack, too, now that she chose to reach out to Tyra viewers.) Please ignore the fact that I am indulging my sick self in an unhealthy dose of America's Next Top Model re-runs while curled up on the couch typing this right now.

3. Knocked Up-a review. Not a bad movie, a little slow at first, probably because I've heard too much about it. Izzie, I mean Katherine Heigl, isn't my favorite, but I do like the dude from Superbad. Weird match in the movie, but in the end, I was balling. Literally. I'll blame it on the generic NyQuil. I won't blame it on my "clock ticking", because my clock has barely started. Next up? The Nanny Diaries. Got to love a girly night in by myself!! The Hubby is going to see Cloverfield tonight instead of joining my hacking self for a fine night of SITC and Scarlett Johannsens cinema masterpiece. After seeing "I am Legend", I couldn't sleep for weeks, so I'll pass on Cloverfield.

4. Apparently, generic NyQuil cough makes me talk in my sleep.

Now back to your regularly scheduled blogging. That is all.

Oh, it's soo on...

The great weight loss challenge has officially begun at Casa De Waiteing Room. I've been bugging the Hubby for over a year to join the gym (and actually go) with me and I've basically gotten this:

for months now.

Fast foward to Sunday. A girlfriend and I joined the new*fabulous*sparkly* gym down the street and thought it would be easy to convince the hubby's the join. Umm...not so much. So, after conversing over the "triple play" at Chilies (AKA-heart attacks served with 3 dipping sauces) and the hubby says "I need some incentive to join." Ok...will my unconidtional love, and an occasional slap on the toosh work? "How about if I loose 40 lbs, can I get a motorcycle.?" God, he's good. He know's how important his health is to me, yet how against I am him using a motorcycle as his only means of transportation. So I agreed. Like the "guns in the house" debate we had a few months back. How could I tell him "no guns in the house" when his Grandpa hands him his precious antique shotguns over Thanksgiving, and Grandpa was almost in tears? It's like he planned it. So, the official Weight Loss Motorcycle challenge of '08 has begun. We stalked up on all kinds of wonderful 100 calorie packs (oh, you mean, I can only have one at a time? But they're microscopic!!), sugar free jello, and other flavorful items. Oh, it's sooo on. I'm hoping this challenge takes a looonnnggg time.

I am proud of the Hubby that he's set a good goal for himself. I've seriously never seen him so motivated in his life. He signed that gym contract like a bolt of lighting (go Chargers, by the way!) So, by summer, we could possibly be adding a new addition to the family. Oh lucky me!

Rock the Vote!

(Now I've got "rock the boat (don't tip the boat over) rock the boat (don't tip the boat o-vah!) stuck in my head...)

I've been trying to find a neutral website to view all the presidental candidates and their stances on the issues, and haven't had a ton of luck. But I did come up with this website (though it's from the NY times). Seems pretty imformative, mostly un-biased, and simple to follow:
Click here to check it out . And now get yourselves registered to vote!! Let me know if you have any other recommendations....

Where the buffalo roam...

Well, I just got back from Whistler where it looked this this <--- almost the entire time. It was no warmer than 29 deg. the whole time, and down poured about 3 feet of snow. Let me tell you how I loved it!! ( I really did-no sarcasm here!) I seriously felt like I was walking through the Dickens Village the entire time-it was too picture perfect. We went to celebrate a friends wedding, and had the most wonderful time. I mean, what could be better than the company of your best friends, perfect powder, an open bar 2! nights in a row, and seeing two great people tie the knot? The Hubby and I were tempted to fill out 2 Starbucks applications and be ski-bums for a while, say a year? But NOOO, we had to get back to reality. Oh, reality. What a love-hate relationship I have with you.

Being in the beautiful British Columbia certainly made me long to move somewhere with mountains, and trees (and palm trees don't count!) I know that the Hubby and I will move, someday, despite our parents wishes! SoCal just isn't for us. Too many freeways, not enough fresh air and space. Oh, and that small factor called "where we can afford a house." (and not live paycheck to paycheck for our cute 500sqft. shack) So, we've talk and dream about our fixer-upper craftsman in a town, maybe in the Pacific Northwest, where everyone know's your name, and your kids can ride their bike around town. Where we can have a little boat and hike often. Where we can have property, with buffalo (OH, I'm sorry, hun "bison"), and dogs. I know that with time, it will happen (despite our parents wishes for us to move back to the bay), but until then, it's just fun to dream. But it sure is hard to visit somewhere as beautiful as British Columbia and go back to the land of freeways and Louis Vuittons and Uggs (shh...I have fake Uggs) and WOW-I'm spoiled. Complaining about somewhere as beautiful as San Diego. I know I'm lucky to live here, and yes, I am proud to say "Me? Oh, I live in San Diego." and get such great responses from the people who inquire. If I have any readers out there-where's your dream location? Do you think you'll make it there someday?