May Babes

There ain't nothing like 'em...

That was then... when the Auntie's job was to get the screaming Mya to sleep (hence lots of shots of sleeping Mya, and some of sleeping Auntie!)  These are now-- in goodies that Auntie has sent, so that I'm still kind of in the pictures:  ;)

Happy Second Birthday, Mya!  Auntie Amie loves you lots! 

iPhoney

You heard it here first, folks...

There's a new text-speak language in town, developed by Apple, apparently.  See, my sister has an iPhone.  She uses it to chat with me on Yahoo!  Messenger.  Except that I end up having to translate (and laugh my head off) most of the time.  However, we are sure it's going to catch on.  Here's your starter course: 

hoebullu = hopefully
hash = haha
jerker = tee hee
javon = n'est pas?  it originally changed from 'i have', but we've been using it as a 'you know?' kind of phrase
dait = cursing, like dangit.  except for not dang. 

We actually have been using these now, in our texting.  I particularly like hash, hoebullu, and javon.  i use them a lot.  For instance...

So, hoebullu this new language we've termed iPhoney will catch on, javon? 

hash!  =)

Dait.  I'm such a dork. 

A Classic

image courtesy of tvtropes.org

 From time to time on a Monday, my lovely cinema does classic films.  I've seen a few this way, and hope to see a few more (The Wizard of Oz, for instance, next week).  But this fall they showed one that could not easily be topped.  I grew up watching it on tv with my family, and it got quoted a good bit, usually when my dad was trying to hurry us along (see the very last quote).  Seeing it on the big screen, especially after having been in Chicago for a few months last year, I laughed and laughed until my gut hurt and my cheeks cramped up.  Now THAT'S a good film. 

'It's 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses.'

'We're on a mission from God.'

'This is definitely Lower Wacker Drive! If my estimations are correct, we should be very close to the Honorable Richard J. Daley Plaza!' 'That's where they got that Picasso.' Yep.'

'What kind of music do you usually have here?' 'Oh, we got both kinds. We got country *and* western.'

'How much for the little girl? How much for the women?' 'What?' 'Your women. I want to buy your women. The little girl, your daughters... sell them to me. Sell me your children.'

And, finally...

'Hut! Hut! Hut! Hut! Hut! Hut! Hut! Hut! Hut! Hut! Hut! Hut! Hut!'


Classic. 

Fabulous Friends

As I'm sure I've said before, it's been a rough year for me.  But one thing has been very, very good this year:  my friends.  Some of them have been here for a while with me, and we just hung out more this year.  Others of them are new to Aberdeen, but it feels like I've known them forever-- in a good way.  ;)  I am so blessed to have good friends here, who have loved me even when I've felt miserable and unlovable.  Here is just a taste of some of what I've done with them this spring and summer:

The Beckers (Carrie, Scot, Matthew and Adam) have been family for me-- literally.  One night a week, I go over to their flat for dinner and just hanging out.  Homemade soup and bread (Carrie is a fabulous cook), and games and conversation.   I just make myself at home, and it's been so great to have a family here again where I can just pop by anytime and who treat me like family.  I've missed that a lot since the Cornells left, and it's been so good to have that again this year.  Even if they live on the other side of town and I have to take the bus.  Which is another post in itself...

I have also done more fun stuff with the Beckers than just eat.  I've celebrated birthdays with them, gone swimming with Carrie and the boys (which was so fun, but so exhausting!  Adam is totally fearless, in or out of the water.), and attended a Mad Hatter Tea Party at Matthew's school (it was a fundraiser, and I bought a wee mint plant.).  The 'hats' in the photo below were made by Adam at the party.  Seriously, these guys have been great to me.  It's been just what I've needed this year.  Thank you, Beckers.  I love y'all.  =)

There is also, for the first time ever since I've been in Aberdeen, a group of single girls.  Yes, you read that right-- I'm no longer the lone singleton!  Okay, so there have been a few others here and there, but this past year there is a veritable gang of us.  Liz, Paige, Kristianna, Rebekah, Alisa, Aleithia... it's a miracle.  And worth the four year wait for it to happen.  I am a bit of a social butterfly again, going out for coffee or films or food... hanging out at other people's flats ordering in curry or fish 'n chips and watching dvds... helping my British friend get over her Subway phobias by walking her through the ordering process and enjoying the free refills.  Once a week, we students meet for coffee on campus in Zeste, which is known for it's lack of hospitality and random pricing changes and loads of loud undergrads and hit-or-miss coffees.  It's always an adventure.  Also fairly often, we would gather at Paige and Kristianna/Rebekah's flat to order in the best curry in Aberdeen-- Khyber Pass.  Sometimes we'd just eat and chat;  other times we played games (see the photo below of our cut-throat game of Apples to Apples.).  Mostly I just enjoyed being with the girls.  Liz, Pagie, RitaBekah, Kristianna-- thanks.  I love y'all, too.  =D

My friend Alisa had a car for a while... I helped her practice her right-hand driving and manual shifting, and named the car: an old red Escort, named Wheezy (after Ron Weasley, of course).  Sadly, Wheezy has now passed on... but on our first outing we drove to Banchory and ate at the Falls of Feugh restaurant.  I had Lettuce Soup, which sounds terrible but was actually quite delicious.  We also have had a lot of rain this year, so when we were there, the falls were really something to behold (see the video at the end, if you want a taste of their power that day). 

We also got a group together to go see Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince on opening day.  Inca John came along, as well, and took advantage of the photo opportunity to document our outing.  Most of you who know me will know that I am not a huge fan of the films (which is putting it mildly).  Still, it was fun to go with friends, even if I hated the film.  Okay, to be fair, I hated this one less than I have three through five... but I think it's only because my expectations could not have possibly gotten any lower than they were.  That doesn't bode well for films 7A and 7B, though, because now my expectations will have been slightly raised again.  *sigh*  The book is always better.  I should just get used to that, but I can't give up my hope that one day a film will get it right.  At least my friends enjoyed it.  =) 

And finally, because a picture really is worth more than all my rambling, here are some of my friends and the fun we've had together. 

 

Three Words: Fab. U. Lous!

At least, my sister thinks I am. She gave me this. And I'm sure it's for more reason than just because she doesn't read many other blogs she could award this to...


In order to claim this, there are two requirements. First, list five things I am addicted to. That's easy.

1. Coffee: decaf, regular, flavoured, whatever. Anything but instant (although the Waitrose brand I enjoyed daily in London with Lara was not half bad, for instant).

2. Facebook: games, photos, and chatting. I love it, and can't stay away. It's about the only way I keep in touch with anyone these days, and there are folks popping up that I haven't heard from in years! It's amazing. I love it.

3. TV: it's true. I'm a tvaholic. Crime shows, films, US shows, British shows, sci-fi, comedy... whatever it is, I"ll watch it. It's my veg-out time, it keeps me company during meals, it's my best friend. Sadly.

4. Cinema: I haven't been much lately, but I. Love. My. Unlimited. Cinema. Card. In case I haven't mentioned that lately.

5. Crocs: I brought back five pair from my extended US holiday. I wear them every single day. Some styles are more comfortable than others, but heck. I love 'em. I don't care if people think they look stupid. I love them. And my feet are comfy. And warm. And colourful. =D

The second requirement is to pass this along-- to five people. So I hereby declare the following blogs are, likewise, fabulous.

1. Dan and Nancy Erickson
2. Maggie
3. The Holloway Clan
4. Jill, at Learning Something New
5. Amanda, at The Front Lawn

Thanks, Jen!

We Practiced For Months...

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Okay, so we didn't really. But we COULD have. I mean, considering the hidden talents in this family (and not so hidden, truth be told), anything is possible. We would have if we'd thought of it.

We did spend a good bit of time singing 'Puttin' on the Ritz', though... that's gotta count for something!

Um....

So, everyone is napping... well, almost everyone.

Sorry I've been so bad about keeping this up while I've been in the States. Things have been... mixed up, messed up, and wonderful in some measure or other. I don't really have time to go into it (some of you will know the details-- the rest of you, I'm afraid, will have to live in suspense for a while. Maybe forever, who knows! ;) ) but I wanted to say hi. I'm still around, and still in the States. I was supposed to be back in Abedeen by now (a few hours ago, actually) but I just couldn't. Long story... but as it is, I'm looking to head back in about three weeks. So if you are in Aberdeen, I'll be back soon! And I do miss y'all, and can't wait to get back and catch up. If you are in the States, come to Chicago in the next three weeks, and I'll fill you in on all the gory details of the long and convoluted story of my recent life. If I have a burst of energy, inspiration, and caffeine-fueled free time, I may write about it all... but then again, I might not. We'll just have to wait and see, won't we?

But because I know you are just dying to see more pictures, here are a few. To hold you over til I can write something of substance (as if that ever happens on this blog!). =D

Okay, so I lied. I can't get my photos to upload to Blogger... bah! So you'll have to just wait with baited breath til I have the time to sit here and wait on 'em. Right now, I have to go paint a playhouse.....

Oh, and hey. I added the 'follower' feature thingy over there on the sidebar... so if you don't mind admitting that you know me and that you read my nonsense and drivel, please do clickee the linkee and become a follower! And if you have a blog, and add that feature, well, then, I'll be your follower, too! Which could become confusing, if we aren't careful... how do we know who is following who? Who's the leader now? I guess we can take turns. =)

Photos

No time or energy to write, but I can share some photos! =D

Even though I've done loads of things and seen loads of things and been loads of places, I think you'll be able to tell what the best part of my holiday is:


Jen and Mya


Surfer dude bubbs
Mac climbing up the auntie... after which he jumps backwards all the way down to the ground

The Bubbs in a 'snort' shovel, at the Lake County Fair

A very long day... on the train ride home
At the Pierogi Fest in Whiting
Always smiling, that's my nephew!
Round and round, up and down!

'Driving' a tractor at the fair

Aren't we cute?

I'm having a great time, if you can't tell.... The kiddos are fantastic, and it's great to be hanging out with Jen and Saum, too. Yay for family holidays! I promise, one of these days I'll write about what's going on.... =D

Slacker

Yes, that's me. I'm so far behind on my once-a-week quota... I'm hoping all those extra ones I posted (like one-a-day a while back) will help some. ;) Seriously-- life is just too busy for me to stop and post just now. And by the time life slows down, I'm too tired to post!

Why is life so busy, you ask? Well, I'm at my sister's-- which means near-constant 'cool auntie' duties towards my nephew and niece. Not that I'm complaining. No sirree! I'm having a ball. And I have stuff to talk about... just not right now. We have to get up early tomorrow to catch a train into the city. To hang out in Millennium Park, and to pick up the Funkee Unkee at the airport, and to meet Saum for dinner before catching the train back home tomorrow evening. Whew!

To be honest, I could have spent the past weekend writing posts and stuff. Everyone else was out of town. But I didn't. I spent it chatting with Barb. And cleaning the house (oh boy did it need it!). And a little studying. Oh, and watching season one of the new Doctor Who on Netflix On Demand.

I told you I was a slacker. =)