America's Cup...

So...on a random trip to California in July to see my lovely Kate. I was educated on America's Cup and found out that it was going to be in San Francisco this year.

Per Wikipedia, America's Cup (affectionately known as the Auld mug) is a trophy awarded to the winner of the America's Cup match races between two sailing yachts. One yacht, known as the defender, represents the yacht club that currently holds the America's Cup and the second yacht, known as the challenger, represents the yacht club that is challenging for the cup. The America's Cup is the oldest international sporting trophy.

San Francisco's waterfront was all done up for the event. First there was the Louis Vuitton Cup. This is the event that determines who will be the challenger and will race against the current cup holder (USA). This year New Zealand won the Louis Vuitton, and it looked like they were going to win America's Cup, but the US pulled it together (thanks to Dan and I being there to give them a pep talk when we came to watch them race in September. The whole event is over the course of a few months.  Here are some pics for the trips to over there.  We had an amazing time visiting Kate and Jack despite Dan being on his death bed for our trip.  We even got to see the actual cup...Dan was like a kid in Disneyland. :)

Extensions...

I never thought I would play with or have a use for extensions. My best friend, Katelyn (http://mrsofamedstudent.blogspot.com/) always told me that she uses them to have hair like mine, just like I want to get lash extensions for my lashes to look like hers.

However, I have always been curious. In my blog reading while chilling in San Fran with Kate, I came across Amber's Blog (www.barefootblonde.com) and found some hair styles (http://barefootblonde.com/hairideas). I started reading along and found that I could have a use for extensions!! So excited to play, Kate and I busted hers out and got all decked out for or America's Cup outing (See America's Cup Blog Post). I just ended up doing her extensions because we didn't have time. We ended up trying the braid in Amber's blog...

When we got back from the Cup, Kate busted out another set of extensions and said I needed them and that she was going to play with my hair (thank you so much Kate!!!). She ended up putting all of them in my hair and then in a ponytail. Although it looked awesome (still need to color the extensions), it was heavy and once she braided it, my head was already feeling the pain of the weight (i don't know how people with dreads do it) . Some pics...

I was playing in my hotel in Portland last night and trip the braid as Amber describes at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElcddThnrCs&list=TLnC-kJZCroqw and it wasn't so painful.

Once I dye them, they will blend a bit better, but not too bad. They are fun and an easy way to spice it up. 

Brand: EURONEXT

Color:Chestnut Brown

Length: 18 inches

Anti-Seattle Freeze Movement...

So sorry blogging world, I left you. It has been a crazy, fun summer and I just can't bring myself to sit in front of my computer. I want to be out with my pup and enjoying the AMAZING summer that we have been enjoying in Seattle.

So...I started this post a bit ago and so much has happened since then but this was the start of it all  

I read this article about how Seattle is not that friendly or open city. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle_Freeze

We keep to ourselves and although are polite, we don't openingly welcome new people into our lives. There are many theories on why. My thought has always been that other people are busy and why would they want me to interrupt their day. I always used to get annoyed when one of my friends (not from Seattle) would go strike up conversations with strangers. Don't bug them...they are enjoying their day. Little did I realize that most of the world does this and Seattle is known for being unfriendly. I decided that I was not going to be a part of this. I was going to be friendly and open. I was going to invite strangers put to meet people and not be a part of this Seattle stereotype. 

I have always (well, at least as an adult) been the type of person to love to bring people together. I love taking groups of people that don't normally mingle and bring them together. I can't wait to someday get married primarily because the idea of having everyone that I love in one place for a party just sounds fabulous to me (I am sure the husband, love, and of course the dress will all be great too). 

So, first victim...I mean...new friend (perhaps more...but that is another post). On a May Saturday, I was chilling in my apartment waiting for some carpet cleaners who were late, I walk down to my managers office to figure out what was going on and there he was. He was looking for an apartment and had just moved from Virginia Beach (I pretend to know where that is...I hope I am right in my assumption that it was in Virginia). I say hi and take a deep breath and invite him and his friend out to a birthday party and then explain my 'mission'. I am sure he thinks I am crazy, but I am trying and don't care. We exchange numbers and he is stored as "Dan from the Lobby."  I go about my way and am happy with my attempt and if it does or doesn't work, I did what I set out to do. 

He doesn't end up coming to that particular party...he had tickets to see Jason Aldean (a reasonable excuse to a country girl like myself). He did however come out to another one and met some people. 

I have continued to be more open...asking confused people with maps on the street if they want help and inviting new people in the area to come out and meet some of my friends in hopes of making more connections. I feel good about it and it has definitely opened my life up a bit. I recommend that others do the same, it has done nothing but good things for me. 

Sorry for my blogging absence. I will do better...