Thursday, December 11, 2003
Prolli was in the house!
And he rocked the Cali coast! Finally after all of Derek's stories of his rapping friend Approach, I got to meet him. He played the Temple Bar in Santa Monica, which is one of the chillest venues I have ever been to (not that I have been to all that many, but still... it was great!). After working up the nerve to go alone, and then working it up again to walk up to Approach, I explained who I was. Before I knew it I was getting hugged and wished a happy birthday as if we were long lost cousins. His set was as sweet as he was, and a group of us girls who were there got the whole crowd grooving. At the end of the night, I said bye to Approach, suggested he check out the basement and made sure I knew when he was coming back out to this coast in February. I am now looking forward to going back to Temple for Aceyalone's show on Dec. 26. Hooray for LA hip hop!
As for my birthday, it all turned out well. Went for Mexican with my little Swedish family and Mo, and the next night my parents treated Morgan and I to French food. Delicious! Mostly the b-day presents were all horse related, of course, including the nicest pair of German riding pants one can find. As for being away, it gets easier and easier, especially since I am more than half way through. I did several unwrappings of gifts over the phone and I felt very close even to those far away.
Less than two weeks until I head home for the first time in seven months!
And he rocked the Cali coast! Finally after all of Derek's stories of his rapping friend Approach, I got to meet him. He played the Temple Bar in Santa Monica, which is one of the chillest venues I have ever been to (not that I have been to all that many, but still... it was great!). After working up the nerve to go alone, and then working it up again to walk up to Approach, I explained who I was. Before I knew it I was getting hugged and wished a happy birthday as if we were long lost cousins. His set was as sweet as he was, and a group of us girls who were there got the whole crowd grooving. At the end of the night, I said bye to Approach, suggested he check out the basement and made sure I knew when he was coming back out to this coast in February. I am now looking forward to going back to Temple for Aceyalone's show on Dec. 26. Hooray for LA hip hop!
As for my birthday, it all turned out well. Went for Mexican with my little Swedish family and Mo, and the next night my parents treated Morgan and I to French food. Delicious! Mostly the b-day presents were all horse related, of course, including the nicest pair of German riding pants one can find. As for being away, it gets easier and easier, especially since I am more than half way through. I did several unwrappings of gifts over the phone and I felt very close even to those far away.
Less than two weeks until I head home for the first time in seven months!
Wednesday, December 03, 2003
A few of my favorite things
I love getting a gift idea in your head and then going on a quest to find it. This year's big quest has been for Derek. And it is not over get. After being denied twice, I have tried ordering it again, only to find a local store that is willing to track it down for me. We'll see which place comes through first. And I wonder what I will do with all my freetime once Derek's gift is here and well. In the meantime I have to find a time when I am home and my neighbors are too because the UPS man decided to give my dad's present to them for safe keeping. The interesting thing is that I don't know them at all. But, with the help of a few more packages, I might finally meet the neighbors.
I miss the snow and the Chicago decorating spirit. They just don't go all out for holidays here like they do at home. But only 2 more days until Mo is here and 3 until I am 22!
Life is good except for my horse, Algot who is lame. We are calling the vet in the morning.
Cross your fingers for the little bugger.
I love getting a gift idea in your head and then going on a quest to find it. This year's big quest has been for Derek. And it is not over get. After being denied twice, I have tried ordering it again, only to find a local store that is willing to track it down for me. We'll see which place comes through first. And I wonder what I will do with all my freetime once Derek's gift is here and well. In the meantime I have to find a time when I am home and my neighbors are too because the UPS man decided to give my dad's present to them for safe keeping. The interesting thing is that I don't know them at all. But, with the help of a few more packages, I might finally meet the neighbors.
I miss the snow and the Chicago decorating spirit. They just don't go all out for holidays here like they do at home. But only 2 more days until Mo is here and 3 until I am 22!
Life is good except for my horse, Algot who is lame. We are calling the vet in the morning.
Cross your fingers for the little bugger.
Sunday, November 30, 2003
California Dreamin..
Of Morgan visiting me for my birthday and of Christmas with Derek and the family. And to top off the happy thoughts I am getting a massage tomorrow. One of the clients at the barn gave it to me after I seemed sore one day at work. People up there are so sweet sometimes.
Christmas preparations are starting to get underway, though I can hardly believe it's December tomorrow. I am going into my seventh month here and get to go home in just three weeks. It will be nice to see everything that is so comfortable, silly little Antioch. It is just a far cry from Los Angeles. After all I know everyone there and there is a little mom and pop ice cream, well, no, frozen custard shop. But I know that I would never want to live there as a grown up. But with the Christmas stuff... I have presents for my whole family, Patrick, Derek, and Derek's brothers. I know what I am getting his parents and just need to go out and get it. We have figured out a fun project to make as presents for all the clients at the barn too. (Jackie was asking about when I was leaving for Christmas at home so she could wrap my gift. So sweet!) The only thing that has me really stuck is Derek's birthday, but I think I am going to check out a couple places for some ideas I have tomorrow. With a little luck that should be the last of my biggest shopping. I still have Andy, Asa and the boys, but again, I have some ideas and will figure it out soon enough. Hopefully some Christmas cards and decorating the barn soon will help me solidify the feeling of Christmas season.
Of Morgan visiting me for my birthday and of Christmas with Derek and the family. And to top off the happy thoughts I am getting a massage tomorrow. One of the clients at the barn gave it to me after I seemed sore one day at work. People up there are so sweet sometimes.
Christmas preparations are starting to get underway, though I can hardly believe it's December tomorrow. I am going into my seventh month here and get to go home in just three weeks. It will be nice to see everything that is so comfortable, silly little Antioch. It is just a far cry from Los Angeles. After all I know everyone there and there is a little mom and pop ice cream, well, no, frozen custard shop. But I know that I would never want to live there as a grown up. But with the Christmas stuff... I have presents for my whole family, Patrick, Derek, and Derek's brothers. I know what I am getting his parents and just need to go out and get it. We have figured out a fun project to make as presents for all the clients at the barn too. (Jackie was asking about when I was leaving for Christmas at home so she could wrap my gift. So sweet!) The only thing that has me really stuck is Derek's birthday, but I think I am going to check out a couple places for some ideas I have tomorrow. With a little luck that should be the last of my biggest shopping. I still have Andy, Asa and the boys, but again, I have some ideas and will figure it out soon enough. Hopefully some Christmas cards and decorating the barn soon will help me solidify the feeling of Christmas season.
Tuesday, November 25, 2003
Posting again...
It is rare that I post this often, but I was just in the mood to write... I realized today at work, I daydream a lot. I was walking to and from horses stalls and was practically back at Mizzou. I miss so much stuff there. Mostly you people. I also realized the other night when talking to Patrick just how difficult it can be to know that someone else is experiencing the things you would if you were there. It's not a matter of being replaced because luckily us people are unique enough that we can't be just filled in, but still... It's a matter of what Pat was calling alternate realities. Those places where the road split and you went right instead of left. Who knows how much would be changed if you were there. Who knows if you would be there even if you weren't here. It's these crazy looping thoughts that complicate matters for me, especially when I am making some sort of attempt at life-changing decisions. Sweden? Florida? NC? How long? What for? Writing? Derek?
I have received all sorts of advice on the matter and people have both intentionally and unintentionally made their opinions clear. So, according to everyone I am suppose to follow my heart, remember my dreams, be true to myself, make myself happy (and often the unspoken one... make them happy). If I could just figure out what that all means. Much like my head, my heart is multi-faceted and indecisive. It's not that I don't know what I want out of life or what I love, it's just that I am not sure how I am suppose to make a path that allows for those things. So, any more concrete advice? I guess it all comes down to balancing D and the furry ones ... or something like that.
Just thinking out loud.
PS. Crazy day, we were missing Chuy for half of it and Andy for all of it. I did the work of three people on the ground and rode 4 horses. Crazy. But in a good way.
It is rare that I post this often, but I was just in the mood to write... I realized today at work, I daydream a lot. I was walking to and from horses stalls and was practically back at Mizzou. I miss so much stuff there. Mostly you people. I also realized the other night when talking to Patrick just how difficult it can be to know that someone else is experiencing the things you would if you were there. It's not a matter of being replaced because luckily us people are unique enough that we can't be just filled in, but still... It's a matter of what Pat was calling alternate realities. Those places where the road split and you went right instead of left. Who knows how much would be changed if you were there. Who knows if you would be there even if you weren't here. It's these crazy looping thoughts that complicate matters for me, especially when I am making some sort of attempt at life-changing decisions. Sweden? Florida? NC? How long? What for? Writing? Derek?
I have received all sorts of advice on the matter and people have both intentionally and unintentionally made their opinions clear. So, according to everyone I am suppose to follow my heart, remember my dreams, be true to myself, make myself happy (and often the unspoken one... make them happy). If I could just figure out what that all means. Much like my head, my heart is multi-faceted and indecisive. It's not that I don't know what I want out of life or what I love, it's just that I am not sure how I am suppose to make a path that allows for those things. So, any more concrete advice? I guess it all comes down to balancing D and the furry ones ... or something like that.
Just thinking out loud.
PS. Crazy day, we were missing Chuy for half of it and Andy for all of it. I did the work of three people on the ground and rode 4 horses. Crazy. But in a good way.
Monday, November 24, 2003
Hold up, wait a minute....
Hehe... it's part of a Missy Elliot commercial playing alll the time out here. AND D and I heard it a ton! Of course he also got to see her at the taping of the Leno show he went to with my boss's sister. Very good times because I was working that day and he was getting bored of the cold and horses.
So cut to the highlight reel since I have little patience for writing down all the wonderful things that happened. There is just too much!
*Rode the ferris wheel at Santa Monica peir.
*Ate great seafood, still in Santa Monica
*Got serrenaded at Miceli's while enjoying Italian food.
*Gained a greater understanding for hip-hop and Tupac -- visited the Basement and saw Ressurrection.
*Hung out on the City Walk..... They have a fabulous Snidley Whiplash action figure... Ask D about the concept CD
* Introduced Courtney to Brandy... changed things up a bit
* Grilled Fillet Minon's and drank the wine I won. Candle lit dinners are so fun :)
* Made a list a mile long of things to do next time!!!
My cat is so smart... When D picked up his bags and asked her if she would miss him, she meowed and rubbed against his leg, right on cue! Of course I also had to hide her treats becuase she figured out in what bag they were and how to break the seal. Silly kitty!
Now the count down is to the Birthday which is next weekend, complete with a visit from Mo! It will be my first birthday celebrated away from home, but this has become at least homie too.
Less than a month till Christmas!!!!!!!!!
Hehe... it's part of a Missy Elliot commercial playing alll the time out here. AND D and I heard it a ton! Of course he also got to see her at the taping of the Leno show he went to with my boss's sister. Very good times because I was working that day and he was getting bored of the cold and horses.
So cut to the highlight reel since I have little patience for writing down all the wonderful things that happened. There is just too much!
*Rode the ferris wheel at Santa Monica peir.
*Ate great seafood, still in Santa Monica
*Got serrenaded at Miceli's while enjoying Italian food.
*Gained a greater understanding for hip-hop and Tupac -- visited the Basement and saw Ressurrection.
*Hung out on the City Walk..... They have a fabulous Snidley Whiplash action figure... Ask D about the concept CD
* Introduced Courtney to Brandy... changed things up a bit
* Grilled Fillet Minon's and drank the wine I won. Candle lit dinners are so fun :)
* Made a list a mile long of things to do next time!!!
My cat is so smart... When D picked up his bags and asked her if she would miss him, she meowed and rubbed against his leg, right on cue! Of course I also had to hide her treats becuase she figured out in what bag they were and how to break the seal. Silly kitty!
Now the count down is to the Birthday which is next weekend, complete with a visit from Mo! It will be my first birthday celebrated away from home, but this has become at least homie too.
Less than a month till Christmas!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, November 12, 2003
How to fold a napkin into a ...
Use your imagination... Of course this ensued at dinner the other night at a nice French restaurant in No. Hollywood with Lasse, Ulf and Dennis. One more hint, before the napkin folding we were discussing the L.A. news story of the night: a condom found in soup at another local restaurant. Needless to say, the evening was full of fun and laughter. Ulf even seems to really be warming up to me. While Dennis kissed me good-bye, Ulf hugged, which I think is a big step. Of course, the more these boys and I get attached to each other, the tougher it will be to leave. As it is Lasse is set on the fact that I cannot leave before May 25 because that is exactly one year, and he's trying to figure out how to get Derek an L.A. job. It's hard to try to tell Lasse that while he's wonderful and so are the horses here, I really want to travel more before settling somewhere. And while L.A. is fun, I sometimes worry it is not a "Courtney town." Don't ask me to explain. It's just the way I feel. Who knows!
It's hard to think of good blog news at the moment because I just finished lesson planning for tomorrow's training on being a trainer. So my mind is still on horses and suppleness. By the way, let me know if you know a way to come up with 15 to 30 grand fast. More and more I love one of my horses here and I wish there were a way I could keep him. I keep trying to be less attached and more professional, but with all the stuff I am trying to balance and growing up, it's tough.
Still, I can't believe how time flies. I have been here six months, I am half-way through and I have started my Christmas shopping. Meagan and D's brothers are done. I just have to order Mom's! Dad and D are the toughest. Hmmmm...
Well, that's all for now, hopefully more fun and entertaining stories to come soon. One week till Derek!!!!!
Use your imagination... Of course this ensued at dinner the other night at a nice French restaurant in No. Hollywood with Lasse, Ulf and Dennis. One more hint, before the napkin folding we were discussing the L.A. news story of the night: a condom found in soup at another local restaurant. Needless to say, the evening was full of fun and laughter. Ulf even seems to really be warming up to me. While Dennis kissed me good-bye, Ulf hugged, which I think is a big step. Of course, the more these boys and I get attached to each other, the tougher it will be to leave. As it is Lasse is set on the fact that I cannot leave before May 25 because that is exactly one year, and he's trying to figure out how to get Derek an L.A. job. It's hard to try to tell Lasse that while he's wonderful and so are the horses here, I really want to travel more before settling somewhere. And while L.A. is fun, I sometimes worry it is not a "Courtney town." Don't ask me to explain. It's just the way I feel. Who knows!
It's hard to think of good blog news at the moment because I just finished lesson planning for tomorrow's training on being a trainer. So my mind is still on horses and suppleness. By the way, let me know if you know a way to come up with 15 to 30 grand fast. More and more I love one of my horses here and I wish there were a way I could keep him. I keep trying to be less attached and more professional, but with all the stuff I am trying to balance and growing up, it's tough.
Still, I can't believe how time flies. I have been here six months, I am half-way through and I have started my Christmas shopping. Meagan and D's brothers are done. I just have to order Mom's! Dad and D are the toughest. Hmmmm...
Well, that's all for now, hopefully more fun and entertaining stories to come soon. One week till Derek!!!!!
Sunday, November 09, 2003
After today, I HAVE to post...
But I am tired and my trainer is here, so we might have to do this shorthand. So I hope you all tune in to "Will and Grace" because Just Jack is very much the clinician who is here. I love him!! He cracks me up, is fun to hang out with, a great rider and instructor, and he says I rode very well today! But moments in the evening included him asking the question "Who is gay?" Then turning around admiring his reflection in the glass door and waving!! He even put his arm around me and when I asked him about helping at his place in North Carolina, he said he would welcome and would like to have me anytime!!! But, he also recommended Europe first, but still NC is on the list, maybe post Sweden.
There is so much more to write, but little time right now. Laurie is here and loving it. We even visited the hotel that Swartznegger gallops through on horseback in "True Lies." There is a revolving bar on top where you can see the whole view of LA while sipping martinis and relaxing. It is the kind of weekend where I love this place and think myself crazy for thinking about leaving. And... ONLY a weekend and a half until D comes to visit!!!
Last note of the night... heard Bizzare Love Triangle on the way to the guys house. Thought of Pat and Erin. MISS YOU ALL!
But I am tired and my trainer is here, so we might have to do this shorthand. So I hope you all tune in to "Will and Grace" because Just Jack is very much the clinician who is here. I love him!! He cracks me up, is fun to hang out with, a great rider and instructor, and he says I rode very well today! But moments in the evening included him asking the question "Who is gay?" Then turning around admiring his reflection in the glass door and waving!! He even put his arm around me and when I asked him about helping at his place in North Carolina, he said he would welcome and would like to have me anytime!!! But, he also recommended Europe first, but still NC is on the list, maybe post Sweden.
There is so much more to write, but little time right now. Laurie is here and loving it. We even visited the hotel that Swartznegger gallops through on horseback in "True Lies." There is a revolving bar on top where you can see the whole view of LA while sipping martinis and relaxing. It is the kind of weekend where I love this place and think myself crazy for thinking about leaving. And... ONLY a weekend and a half until D comes to visit!!!
Last note of the night... heard Bizzare Love Triangle on the way to the guys house. Thought of Pat and Erin. MISS YOU ALL!
