Lola and Amy say 'Happy New Year, Humans!'
(lol)

Today I am grateful for:

Coffee shops, older sisters, and pictures of cute kitties. :)

Also, I am getting excited to celebrate the New Year at home this time around - fun & games & good food (not to mention good company!) - doesn't get better than that!

For laughs

A grenade thrown into a kitchen in France would result in Linoleum Blownapart.

A hole has been found in the nudist camp wall. The police are looking into it.

The short fortune-teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large.

BA DUM CHHH!!

I want this...

AN ELECTRIC CELLO!!!

Funny Signs around the world

Found this on stumbleupon... my favorites are in green!

In a Tokyo Hotel: Is forbitten to steal hotel towels please. If you
are not person to do such thing is please not to read notis.

In another Japanese hotel room: Please to bathe inside the tub.

In a Bucharest hotel lobby: The lift is being fixed for the next day.
During that time we regret that you will be unbearable.

In a Leipzig elevator: Do not enter the lift backwards, and only when
lit up.

In a Belgrade hotel elevator: To move the cabin, push button for
wishing floor. If the cabin should enter more persons, each one
should press a number of wishing floor. Driving is then going
alphabetically by national order.

In a Paris hotel elevator: Please leave your values at the front
desk.

In a hotel in Athens: Visitors are expected to complain at the office
between the hours of 9 and 11 A.M. daily.

In a Yugoslavian hotel: The flattening of underwear with pleasure is
the job of the chambermaid.

In a Japanese hotel: You are invited to take advantage of the
chambermaid.

In the lobby of a Moscow hotel across from a Russian Orthodox
monastary: You are welcome to visit the cemetery where famous Russian
and Soviet composers, artists, and writers are buried daily except
Thursday.

In an Austrian hotel catering to skiers: Not to perambulate the
corridors in the hours of repose in the boots of ascension.

On the menu of a Swiss restaurant: Our wines leave you nothing to hope
for.

On the menu of a Polish hotel: Salad a firm's own make; limpid red
beet soup with cheesy dumplings in the form of a finger; roasted duck
let loose; beef rashers beaten up in the country people's fashion.

In a Hong Kong supermarket: For your convenience, we recommend
courageous, efficient self-service.

Outside a Hong Kong tailor shop: Ladies may have a fit upstairs.

In a Bangkok dry cleaner's: Drop your trousers here for best results.

Outside a Paris dress shop: Dresses for street walking.

In a Rhodes tailor shop: Order your summers suit. Because is big rush
we will execute customers in strict rotation.

Similarly, from the Soviet Weekly: There will be a Moscow Exhibition
of Arts by 15,000 Soviet Republic painters and sculptors. These were
executed over the past two years.

In an East African newspaper: A new swimming pool is rapidly taking
shape since the contractors have thrown in the bulk of their workers.

In a Vienna hotel: In case of fire, do your utmost to alarm the hotel
porter.

A sign posted in Germany's Black Forest: It is strictly forbidden on
our black forest camping site that people of different sex, for
instance, men and women, live together in one tent unless they are
married with each other for that purpose.

In a Zurich hotel: Because of the impropriety of entertaining guests
of the opposite sex in the bedroom, it is suggested that the lobby be
used for this purpose.

In an advertisement by a Hong Kong dentist: Teeth extrcted by the
latest Methodists.

A translated sentence from a Russian chess book: A lot of water has
been passed under the bridge since this variation has been played.

In a Rome laundry: Ladies, leave your clothes here and spend the
afternoon having a good time.

In a Czechoslovakian tourist agency: Take one of our horse-driven city
tours -- we guarantee no miscarriages.

Advertisement for donkey rides in Thailand: Would you like to ride on
your own ass?

On the faucet in a Finnish washroom: To stop the drip, turn cock to
right.

In the window of a Swedish furrier: Fur coats made for ladies from
their own skin.

On the box of a clockwork toy made in Hong Kong: Guaranteed to work
throughout its useful life.

Detour sign in Kyushi, Japan: Stop: Drive Sideways.

In a Swiss mountain inn: Special today -- no ice cream.

In a Bangkok temple: It is forbidden to enter a woman even a foreigner
if dressed as a man.

In a Tokyo bar: Special cocktails for the ladies with nuts.

In a Copenhagen airline ticket office: We take your bags and send them
in all directions.

On the door of a Moscow hotel room: If this is your first visit to the
USSR, you are welcome to it.

In a Norwegian cocktail lounge: Ladies are requested not to have
children in the bar.

At a Budapest zoo: Please do not feed the animals. If you have any
suitable food, give it to the guard on duty.

In the office of a Roman doctor: Specialist in women and other
diseases.

In an Acapulco hotel: The manager has personally passed all the water
served here.

In a Tokyo shop: Our nylons cost more than common, but you'll find
they are best in the long run.

From a Japanese information booklet about using a hotel air
conditioner: Cooles and Heates: If you want just condition of warm in
your room, please control yourself.

From a brochure of a car rental firm in Tokyo: When passenger of foot
heave in sight, tootle the horn. Trumpet him melodiously at first,
but if he still obstacles your passage then tootle him with vigor.

Two signs from a Majorcan shop entrance:
- English well talking.
- Here speeching American.

Maybe not the best... but still pretty good. :)

Now back to chilling with my amazing family! :D

Just Fun to Watch

I'm not really a wedding fanatic (at all) but this video is remarkable (it was done with a digital SLR camera that can take high definition video!) Whoa. Anyway, I would love to live somewhere as beautiful as where this takes place (Vancouver)

Alyssa + Matt || I Swear It's You from Love Story Media on Vimeo.

I miss my Lola....

Does anyone else think that animals are great substitutes for significant others? Just a thought... ;)

New Blog!

I have had this idea for a while, but just wasn't finding the time to put it into action until now, thanks to Heidi's new blog Lola Everyday, which motivated to get my new blog up and running as well! As you probably have all noticed, I don't blog here very often, because I never know what to write about, and while co-authoring Inspiration Buddy, I have found it much easier to blog often when there is a theme involved - hence the beginning of my new blog: Amy Recommends. Go ahead, go check it out! :)

I will still blog here from time to time, when I have something to share that is unrelated to the other blogs. So I guess that makes this my all-things-miscellaneous blog. See you soon!

Random Text of the Day:

To which I responded:

Randoms

Yesterday I cleaned my fish tank! It amazes me and my roomies every time we see it! Shocking, isn't it?

Clean Fishtank, originally uploaded by krillamy.

Needless to say, I have one extremely delighted goldfish! I only got one picture of Elvis that wasn't completed blurred, he was so excited about his clean tank.

Elvis, originally uploaded by krillamy.

I treated myself to a delicious chocolate pudding dessert last night, complete with a graham cracker crust and topped with whipped cream and raspberries! Yum yum! (don't worry - I worked out extra long today to make up for it, haha!)

chocolate pudding, originally uploaded by krillamy.

And lastly, another homemade pizza! This one had stuffed crust! This picture really makes me drool..

Luigi, originally uploaded by krillamy.

shots from the weekend

This weekend I had the pleasure of going to the Mall of America for the first time. The mall is HUGE! I spent over an hour just sitting (sipping Starbucks) and people-watching. As people would walk by me and my friend would guess their story, like if they were a group of tourists, on a first date, on their way out after working in a store at the mall, if the kids were at their grandparents for the weekend and the married couple could finally spend some time alone, or if they were there to buy their son a present because he just came home from college. Here are a few shots I took:

MallofAmerica 5, originally uploaded by krillamy.

MallofAmerica6, originally uploaded by krillamy.

MallofAmerica3, originally uploaded by krillamy.

MallofAmerica4, originally uploaded by krillamy.

If I was being honest...

(because I didn't want to post it on facebook)

1. What was the last thing you put in your mouth?
a pastry thing from Cinna-bun a the mall

2. Where was your profile picture taken?
(referring to my blog picture), in a practice room!

3. Can you play Guitar Hero?
Probably but I don't because I don't like rock music. Now if it was an electric cello..

4. Name someone who made you laugh today?
My friend Matt. He's funny.

5. How late did you stay up last night and why?
Almost 2am, because I didn't get back from the library until 11:30pm, then I had to sit at my computer for a while, then I had to lay in bed and contemplate life. Then I fell asleep amongst starlight and teddies. :)

6. If you could move somewhere else, would you?
Yes, but I will always come home again, eventually.

7. Ever been kissed under fireworks?
Questionable. But I don't think so.

8. Which of your friends lives closest to you?
I guess Stephanie, she lives on the floor below me.

9. Do you believe ex's can be friends?
Sure why not? Let's be mature for once people!

10. How do you feel about Dr Pepper?
It makes me think of Blast From The Past, because the dad likes his Dr Pepper hot.

11. When was the last time you cried really hard?
Last Wednesday, twice. I had two fits of uncontrollable tear-shedding laughter. It felt amazing and ridiculous, and were sparked by the stupidest things...haha

12. Who took your profile picture?
ME!

13. Who was the last person you took a picture of?
Mario, the home-made pizza!

14. Was yesterday better than today?
I think today was better, but yesterday had it's moments.

15. Can you live a day without TV?
Yes, I do everyday. I never watch TV (only the occasional movie, on my laptop)

16. Are you upset about anything?
Nope!

17. Do you think relationships are ever really worth it?
Yes, because everyone needs to receive and give affection. It's what we were made to do!

18. Are you a bad influence?
Depends on what you think is bad! But I'd say mostly, I am a good influence :)

19. Night out or night in?
Night in! Of course it depends on the context. And I smell cookies & want some! yum yum yum!

20. What items could you not go without during the day?
I agree with Heidi, as long as I have clothes, I think I could handle whatever came my way!

21. Who was the last person you visited in the hospital?
Erin, after having Andy! What a cutie!

22. What does the last text message in your inbox say?
"I'm done so call me when your back" (very suspicious!lol)

23. How do you feel about your life right now?
Very satisfied & content :)

24. Do you hate anyone?
Nope, I couldn't hold a grudge if I tried.

25. If we were to look in your facebook inbox, what would we find?
Messages from friends who live far away & it's the way we keep in touch.

26. Say you were given a drug test right now, would you pass?
This is a dumb question. But yes.

27. Has anyone ever called you perfect before?
I don't think so, which is OK cause that means no one is lying to me. No one is perfect.

28. What song is stuck in your head?
Actually, none at the moment. Strange.

29. Someone knocks on your window at 2:00 a.m., who do you want it to be?
One of my sisters!

30. Wanna have grandkids by the time you're 50?
Questionable.. do I want to have kids even? That's the real question.

31. Name something you have to do tomorrow?
Go to 8am Yoga class! :) hopefully I wake up on time...

32. Do you think too much or too little?
I don't think there is such a thing as thinking too much, and if there is then it depends what you are thinking about! Cause if you think a lot about a variety of things then it's fine but if you think too much about only one thing then that's probably not fine... I think I think just the right amount, for me!

33. Do you smile a lot?
Yes! Very often.

**If you haven't filled this out yet (Lilly & Katie), then this is my "tagging" you to do it! ;)

Something New

Today I did something new, I saw a sign for Free Chinese Classes every Monday evening, and I went! I learned how to count (and write #'s) in Chinese!

It was actually quite simple, there are really only 11 main numbers to remember (0-10)

Chinese -- # --> Pinyin - (Pronounciation)

零 ------ 0 --> ling - ("Ling")

一 ------ 1 --> yi - ("ee")

二 ------ 2 --> er - ("rrr")

三 ------ 3 --> san - ("sahn")

四 ------ 4 --> si - ("Ssuh")

五 ------ 5 --> wu - ("woo")

六 ------ 6 --> liu - ("le-OH")

七 ------ 7 --> qi - ("chee" [like cheese lol])

八 ------ 8 --> ba - ("bah")

九 ------ 9 --> jiu - ("g-OH")

十 ------ 10 --> shi - ("shUH")

Pronunciation can be a little tricky, but once you get the hang of it, you can say all the numbers 0-99!

It's kind of like in the French language (for those of you who have taken French), for example, the number 20 would be 2 x 10 (2 tens), so:

20 -->

二 十

er shi

(2 + 10)

for 11-19 you say ten + (#), so:

11 -->

十 一

shi yi

(ten + 1)

12 -->

十 二

shi er

(ten + 2)

13 -->

十 三

shi san

(ten + 3)

and so forth.

Pretty simple, right? :)

And also important, further on:

Hundred --> 百 bai ("bYE")

Same concept as before, 200 would be 2 x 100 (2 hundreds), so:

200 would be-->

二 百

er bai

201 would be -->

二 百 零 一

er bai ling yi

(2 hundreds, zero, 1)

315 would be -->

一 百 十 五

san bai yi shi wu

(3 hundreds, 1 ten, five)

Get it? :)

Also important,

Thousand --> 千 qian ("chee-on")

Same concept, 4000 would be

四 千

si qian

(4 + thousand)

2009 would be

二 千 零 九

er qian ling jiu

(2 + thousand + zero + nine)

(zero/"ling" is only said once, since you already specified that it is thousand)

"Er qian ling jiu" is also the current year - 2009. (now you can say the year in Chinese!)

There, now you learned something new!

TRY THESE ON YOUR OWN:

(leave your solutions (in Pinyin is fine) in a comment)

1. 16

2. 22

3. 99

4. 500

5. 5001

BONUS: 888

GOOD LUCK!

Lucas Gluesenkamp

I've never been really interested in any one artist's work - until I went to the exhibition in our campus art gallery featuring Lucas Gluesenkamp, of Minneapolis, Minnesota. I read this upon entering the exhibition,

Artist's Statement:

A collage of mysterious characters caught

in that fatal moment of impending doom.

A random cosmos dealing in absolutes. 70's

idealistic scientific illustration and childhood

dreamscapes. Bleak aggregates. The first time

you rationalized death. Effigies of the living.

Hyperbolic Ennui. A coping mechanism for

dealing with life. Anthropomorphizing the

unknown. Death of the inanimate. Shadows

from the corners of the attic. Grieving the

nonexistent. Prayers for an empty sky. Places

lost behind the stars. Optimistic Failures. The

Eroded words on a gravestone.

A universal sadness. Succumbing to the void.

Plague spirits. A stars death rattle. The coffin

and the sky. Mute tango. Simulacra Mort.

Poor advice from an echo. Places for lost

teeth. Hardships of the forgotten. A nightmare

with little hope to wake up from.

Subterraneous clairy.

A few examples of his work, (picture these on bigger canvas's)

Along with paintings, he also does 3D work as well, like the following (which I think is adorable!),

(^Meet Vroom Vroom)

What I am most drawn to is the color explosion of Gluesenkamp's art - the brilliant oranges and blues in particular, which work extremely well with the texture and shapes of the paintings that in a whole really draw the viewer in to the imaginary world being depicted. I feel like I could look for hours and just let my imagination run wild. These paintings are really inspiring, I'd love to have one hanging on my wall!

The link to his seemingly-abandoned blog can be found here.

And the link to his seemingly-abandoned online portfolio: here.

What is your opinion of this art? I'd love to hear it!

PLAYLIST!

I finally made a playlist! I could barely get myself to stop at 71 tracks... ahh! Enjoy :)

I recommend listening to #4, #5, #16 first, since they are ones you probably don't know & are some of my favorites! :)

If I could only say 11 words for the rest of my life

(inspired by Heidi's post)

1. LOVE

2. FRIEND

3. PLEASE

4. THANKS

5. WHERE

6. OK

7. STOP

8. YOU

9. AND

10. I

11. FOOD

**Photo sources are provided by clicking the pictures**

Why Today was GREAT! :)

Hey everyone! So I know I really need to do better with updating my blog on a more frequent basis... I will try harder, cause as Katie says, blogging is therapeutic. :)

Today I woke up after sleeping for 12 hours, and realized rather quickly that it was not going to be a productive day. (which is a bummer, because I was hoping to do some reading/studying this weekend for an upcoming test, and at least knock-out 2 of 4 chapters I have to read.)

After almost 2 hours of going between my bed and computer, I decided that I should at least drag my corpse to the gym today for a work-out if nothing else. So I went to the gym and was biking & deleting old text messages, when I came across one from my friend Matt, saying he wanted to go to a movie. Well, we never did at the time so I thought hey better late than never!

So instead of making it to the 5:30pm showing of Sturrogates as we had intended, we ended up getting lost (Matt after driving 20 minutes out into the country side: "I don't know where we are anymore...")

We eventually found our way back to St. Cloud and ended up going out to eat at a Chinese Buffet - where we sat, ate, and conversed for over an hour while we waited for the next movie showing! He told me a bunch of crazy stories about things that have happened to him & things he has done, like going to a concert in the Cities dressed up in mismatch thrift-store clothing (imagine old-lady work clothes, plaid 80's overcoat, baseball cap, etc).

So after dinner we went to the movie and it was pretty good! I wouldn't buy it, but I was glad we went. I guess my point is that today I took my own advice and made it a meaningful day! Seriously though, I'm so lucky to have such great friends who I can have random fun & adventures with! :)

Me & Matt in Germany, originally uploaded by krillamy.

Lola

My friend Alyssa recently rescued this kitty from the harsh outdoors! Her name is Lola and she is extremely affectionate and soft! And look at those beautiful orange eyes! The picture is a little deceiving as she looks evil in it, haha, but I guess she is really a sweetie :)

I wonder what would happen if I brought her home with me the next time I come... totally serious... would Moma be mad? I'm really tempted to do it!!!! She needs someone to love her! Or a bunch of people to love her!

In Case You Forgot:

For the love of books!

Peeking!, originally uploaded by krillamy.

Currently: I am reading Kingdom of Ten Thousand Things An Impossible Journey from Kabul to Chiapas by Gary Geddes. I'm only about one paragraph into the prologue (haha), but it seems like it's going to be a great book! It's a book about the author's 50,000 mile journey following the trail of the legendary Huishen (an Afghan monk who fled from Kabul to China & crossed the Pacific to North America a thousand years before Columbus). It was recommended by a friend, who knows how interested I am in travel. But I'm anxious to dig into it because I usually (never) read nonfiction!

absorbed, originally uploaded by krillamy.

On my waiting list: After I finish the previous book I mentioned, I will read Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer, and The Romanov Prophecy by Steve Berry. Both are bestsellers, so they should be good! The first is by the same author of The Prodigal Daughter (sound familiar? it kind of does to me), and the second is supposedly Dan Brown-esque. Speaking of Dan Brown! Tomorrow I am taking a friend to Barnes & Noble to buy Dan Brown's new release! And after he is finished reading it, I am going to borrow it! Excellent....

Happy Reading!

Owl City Continued...

As an extension of the last post I have the following YouTube video... It's the whole show of when Owl City performed in...Seattle? Anyway, it's amazing! And if you have the time (it's 30 min) definitely sit and enjoy the whole thing! Amazing...

Owl City

My new favorite artist to listen to is Owl City. Here is just one example of their songs, but you should also search "Fireflies" and "The Saltwater Room" if you get the chance! I've yet to hear a song by them that I don't like. The guys voice is just so soothing, it's mellow but not depressing. Good lyrics too! Highly recommend :)

My Favorite

DSC00673, originally uploaded by krillamy.

I don't know the name of this flower, but it was my absolute favorite when visiting the Munsinger Gardens on the Mississippi River (right across from campus). The amazing thing is that this group of buds was only the size of... (*Amy thinking of something to compare it to*)... the cap of a normal sized water bottle! (only round). Which means the individual buds were even tinier! Basically, astonishing. How does nature think of these type of things? (And if the size isn't enough to blow your mind, the colors are just ravishing! Extremely cheerful. I hope to go back and take more pictures before the weather gets too cold!)

This is the best!!!

What the...?

Steph trying to watch TV

steph watching tv, originally uploaded by krillamy.

ROFL! (something random I found on stumbleupon)

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