3D Glasses!

[3D Glasses Throw Back to Last Halloween. We saw Nightmare Before Christmas!)

Coraline Review

Before I start this review it should be noted that I:
(a) Love children's movies - Little Mermaid, Never Ending Story, Fern Gully
(b) Love cult classic movies - Boondock Saints, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Donnie Darko
(c) Love all things remotely related to Nike - If you don't live in Oregon or have been under a rock lately, Coraline was made at Laika Studios, which is owned by Phil Knight...

Anyways, the movie rocked! I saw it in 3D which ALWAYS makes movies better in my opinion. Fun fact, Coraline was shot entirely in 3D, 24 frames per second for shot animation. Double that to 48 frames per second for 3D - INCREDIBLE! The soundtrack was amazing, very mystical and fun. Each character has their own personality, posture and movement. The sets were amazing, you can tell that people put their hearts into them. The opening credits were my personal favorite. And while I believe the black cat in Coraline is a direct reference to Vincent in Nightmare Before Christmas. (Who was the ONLY character who gave me nightmares when I saw that movie for the first time when I was 7). My friend, Katie, who went with me to see the movie pointed out that the story is told in segments (or episodes) which is something I hadn't picked up on, but in hindsight can totally see. She has read the children's book too (also something that I didn't know - but plan on reading soon).

Great movie! Go see it and tell me what you think!

Growing Up

I need something to write about...it's been awhile...Here is what I'm thinking:

1. This summer will be the first summer I won't have a summer break. No more working at the swimming pool. Finding a sub so I can go wakeboarding when it's nice out. No deciding I can take a two weeks off to go to Houseboat Camp (which isn't happening this year - silver lining) or go to China or who knows where else. I'm not counting the first 5 years of my life since every day was summer...
2. I need to get health insurance...I'm currently one of 47 million Americans without it...working on it though. Talked to my boss, talked to my parents, talked to my friends who are paying for insurance out of pocket, talked to my friends who work in the medical field, checked out some websites, called some agents...I have the ball rolling. I just live a life where I need insurance. I tend to be a little too outgoing and my body is falling apart faster than a normal 22 year olds should be. Yeah competitive sports!
3. My mom recently started talking about paying rent. Not in a bad way, just brought it up, talking about it or more debating on how much I should pay. More to come on this. But my question is (if you feel comfortable answering):

How much did you pay for rent right after you graduated from college? Any special details?

Skiing Weekend

Was AWESOME! I learned how to ski backwards...good skill to have when your younger brother can already do it...

[Mom and I]

[Ted and I]

[Ted, Mom, Mike and I]

Books, Books, Books

I love to read. I love learning. I love the way books feel. I love how they can transport me to different places. I can't wait until I have my own place and I can go to Goodwill, Ikea, hit up garage sales, and Craigslist to get tons of bookshelves to rescue my extensive collection of books from the attic. I'm also one of those people who can be reading more than one book at a time. What are you reading right now you might be asking. Here is what I'm currently working on:

1. A Lion Among Men, by Gregory Maguire, the guy who wrote Wicked. Which is by far my favorite book by Maguire (Wicked that is). This one (A Lion Among Men) is the story of Brr, the cowardly lion from The Wizard of Oz. Once I finish this one, I just need to read Lost, and I'm all caught up with Maguire's writing. Anyone want to let me borrow it? This is my right before bed, read a couple of pages then fall asleep book. [Just checked on Amazon.com, looks like Maguire is coming out with a new book...better get going].

2. The Necessary Revolution, by Peter Senge. This one I'm reading for work, Peter is friend's with my boss, Darcy Winslow, and she is actually quoted in the book! Crazy. I pretty much only read this book while riding to and from work on Max or when I'm waiting for something to happen in the office. Just started reading it. It is helping me wrap my head around this whole "sustainability" thing that I do...

3. Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell. My mom loves getting books on CD to listen to on her way to/from work as well. Which I love because I load them up on my iPod and listen to them on Max when I can't sit down and actually read. I've listened to Gladwell's other book Blink. Which I loved! I also want to read (or listen) to Gladwell's other book, The Tipping Point. Once again, anyone own it and want to let me borrow it?

What are you reading right now? Why?

Facebook Game

Here is a Facebook thing that has been going around. Thought I would share it here:

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

(To do this, go to "notes" under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (in the right hand corner of the app) then click publish.)

1. I’m the “big” sister. Which is a joke because my younger brother, who is 3 years YOUNGER than me is OVER a foot and half taller than me.

2. I still sleep with a teddy bear. His name is Teddy Betty. I got him when I was 4 months old. And he has no face.

3. I have to have my toenails painted. This is due to a tattoo on my left foot and a funny “shrek” toe on my right foot.

4. I believe in an awesome God.

5. I love going to local breweries and trying new beers and learning about the process. I collect pint glasses too. I have over 30. My mom doesn’t like that part.

6. I love my family unconditionally, however, I think they are nuts.

7. I really enjoy q-tipping my ears. I love the feeling. I have no idea why though.

8. I think it would be cool to get a license to carry a concealed weapon. I would never want to carry a weapon or feel like I have too. I just think it would be crazy to know I could if I wanted too.

9. When I was about 7, my friend and I started “SAVE THE WORLD, LOVE THE WORLD CLUB” I now work for a sustainability company…surprised?

10. I have a metal rod in my leg femur from an unfortunate ski accident. I hate wearing shorts in public because of my scar. However, I’m perfectly comfortable wearing a swimsuit anywhere.

11. I’m freakishly flexible and normally told “Oh, that isn’t normal” when stretching.

12. When I was growing up I wanted to teach Killer Whales sign language…think about it for a second…

13. I was in a middle school play called “Becomes a Rose” in which I didn’t speak at all and I was the lead.

14. I have a sick obsession with popping zits and peeling dead skin off.

15. When I was 13, I buzzed my hair. It was also the time when I started getting mistaken for a boy, learned what the terms “butch” and “dyke” meant, and was told to be strong and not let the cancer win. I really was just sick of having long, curly hair.

16. I’ve dyed my hair every possible color. Finally did pink this summer and didn’t like it as much as I thought I would. My boss at the pool loved it when people said “that purple/green/black/white/red haired girl just did …” she knew exactly who it was.

17. I’ve been a lifeguard for 7 years, I’ve never actually saved a person in my pool. Aided in situations at a camp, downtown PDX, on the highway, even on an airplane.

18. I hate shaving my legs…ask me how long I’ve gone…seriously…

19. I have to write thank you notes after each present I receive for Christmas, Birthdays, etc. or I can’t open my next present – this got so bad my parents started hiding mixed presents under different part of the tree.

20. I need to wash my hands after I touch anything.

21. My room can be a complete mess but I know exactly where everything is, however, anything outside my room needs to be completely organized or I am lost.

22. I need to be completely wrapped in “Puff” (my blanket) to sleep.

23. I don’t sleep with any pillows. I also don’t own any which makes it really hard to have sleep over parties. Most of my friends know to bring their own.

24. When ever I fly, I must call my parents and tell them I love them. Even if its 3AM.

25. I hate that college has made me feel like I have to wear makeup and underwear everyday.

Green CPA

Seems like these days everyone needs something that makes them stand out. While researching CPA's for DSW Collective. I found Brian Setzler, an Oregon accountant who is green. He recently launched he own blog. Here is a quick bio about him and his blog. Check him out!

A blog about business, accounting and sustainability by Brian Setzler, CPA. Brian has an MBA in Sustainable Business with over 20 years experience as an entrepreneur and small business adviser. He is the founder of TriLibrium, a triple-bottom line accounting firm.

lemontree

Our family friend, Pam Park, owns this awesome boutique shop in the Hollywood District in PDX. I went to visit her today to pick up a funky business card holder for my boss and thought I would do some promo for her on my blog. Here is an article on lemontree by Portland Picks from 2006!

Every year it gets little closer – the holiday when we’ll run out of every single gift-giving idea. We honestly believed it might happen in 2006 – we looked and looked and just couldn’t find anything for our parents, who possess a lifetime’s worth of gadgets, tchotchkes and knickknacks. But then we stumbled into lemontree and knew we could at least make it through a few more celebrations before we run dry.

lemontree is filled to the brim with brilliant gift ideas. There are vintage-inspired clocks, sassy cards, stylish journals and more funky salt and pepper shakers than any reasonable person would ever need to flavor their food. There are incredible wind-up toys that show off their inner gears and custom silk handbags made locally by Ginger Abernathy Creations. And local doesn’t stop there – look for Wicked Wicks handcrafted candles, Arcana soaps and Tao of Tea gift sets.

After settling on a gift for the ‘rents, we took a few more spins and came up with options for the rest of our list. Who knew lemons could produce a store so sweet?

lemontree
4035 NE Sandy Blvd.
Portland, OR 97212
503.287.3070

Sustainable Coffee Mugs

Every second, 4 million cups of coffee are served in Styrofoam or paper cups and end up in landfills across the US!

14 billion cups of coffee are served in Styrofoam or paper cups per year. The disposal of these cups is a detriment to the planet. Even paper cups may seem biodegradable, but the conventional coating on hot cups prevents them from even being compostable.

Crazy Statistics?!? Want to make a difference? Check out Eco Mugs, a company making a difference one cup at a time.

Know any other ways to "Be Green"?

Business Cards

Our graphic designer just dropped off our amazing business cards. If feel so official. I'm an actual employee. Not like in college interning, not like a lifeguard, but an actual employee of a company that is making radical changes in the business world. Mind blowing.

I got a super cute business card holder from my mom's friend at graduation in May and I can finally use it! Ha! Brought it into work and everything today. My boss wants one now too...we are freakishly alike...which I love! She is so encouraging. I can't be any happier when it comes to work.

Also, we have a "static" website now. You can check it out: www.DSWCollective.com

For those of you who are old enough to comment on this: What was your first job out of college?

How Many Planets Are You Worth?

I'm working on calculating my boss' carbon footprint for a presentation and found this awesome personal carbon footprint calculator:

Global Footprint Network

Try it out! Let me know what you get!

BTW, I'm 4.5 Earths...Need to work on that...

New Title

Got my official business title!

Market Research Analyst!

Business cards coming soon!

New Office?

My boss is out of town this week (teaching at MIT...heard of it?) And as a surprise I'm fixing up our office. Here is the plan:

1. New paint on one of my boss' walls - she doesn't like the color...Got the first coat up today!
2. Hang up a HUGE framed photograph - check! Got my wonderful friend Thomas to do that for me today!
3. Pick out an awesome bookcase for myself and set it up and get some books in there.
4. Blow up my new yoga ball/office chair.
5. Put everything back where it was before I started painting.

Hoping the get the second coat up tomorrow. And pick out my desk on Thursday!

I'm looking for a really awesome bookcase...any suggestions?

Sustainable Fonts?

Jen Wilde, an awesome girl from my spectacular Bible study, recently blogged about EcoFont which when printed uses 20% less ink! How crazy is that?!? Being green can be found in small but significant ways.

How are you "being Green" today?

Sunday Musings

I've been really out of the whole blogging thing lately. I got a promotion at work, so I have more of a "schedule", with more responsibilities and expectations. Which takes away from my blogging time. But my boss is out of town next week and I have a lot to get down around the office to keep me busy. I LOVE MY JOB!

This weekend, my mom and I (and Dainty) stayed up at Government Camp. We've rented a condo for 5 random weekends this winter to get some much needed skiing done. Spending most of my last four winters in Boston has really killed my skiing, but I'm definitely making up for it now. I have a seasons pass at Meadows if any one is ever interested in going. Plus, Tuesday's at Ski Bowl ladies can go night skiing for $14, so I'm down to do that as well. Our condo is super cute! Amazing beds, I don't think it is because I'm exhausted, they are just heavenly!

Got to the house Friday night, checked out Mt. Hood Brewery for dinner. I love breweries! Great beer, horrible fish tacos. Sunny day on the mountain on Saturday, but there was a ton of people, which was a drag, hung out in Heather Canyon most of the day. Ran into family friend's of ours who's daughter is on Beaverton's ski team. They came over for dinner and drinks. Then mom and I went to this dive bar. We walked through town (which is like 2 blocks) and went to the loudest bar, called Charlie's had fun. Introduced my mom to Sublime and explained what Jagger on tap was... We decided to sleep in today since it was rainning. By the time we go to the Mt. it was sunny and slushie. Which makes me nervous cause those are the exact conditions I broke my leg in. Had a great work out though. Skied for 4 hours, then it started raining so we called it a day and headed home.

Pretty much my life in a nutshell for the time being...

How was your weekend?

'Cause I'm A Gangsta Like That

From our ski weekend in Sun River. I should have worn this when I had my accident, it would have been WAY more funny!

Sun River Update

Just wanted to let you all know Batchellor was open today. Although it was a little chilly (-10 degrees!) And apparently the mountain lost power yesterday which was why they were closed. We only skiied for a couple of hours because of the cold. But there was some great snow (12 inches in the past 24 hours). My leg kept up with me fine. Thanks to all the facebook comments...Really, never heard that one before...

First Vacation of the New Year

Already on my first vacation of the New Year. Spending time with my family in Sun River, OR. Hopefully going skiing Friday and Saturday. Apparently Bachelor was closed today because of the wind. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

Happy New Years 2009!

Has it really been this long since I have blogged? WOW! I must be loosing it...

I'm contemplating doing a year in review...however, it might be short and sweet:

Jan. - Visited Key West, FL. with my friend, Sam for a week and lived on a boat. Craziest time of my life. First time I ever slept in an airport overnight and the first (and only time) I went to a strip club (in my defense, I didn't know it was a strip club until we got into the place).

Feb. Went an saw Spring Awakening in NYC with Julie. Met Greg Mortensen who wrote Three Cups of Tea. Which I didn't read until May when I did my road trip with my dad (we actually listened to it on tape).

March - Did a Spring Break cruise with my friend, Julie. First real experience cruise (I'm not counting the ghetto on I did in Greece last year). Went to Miami, Mexico, Grand Cayman. Almost missed our cruise and kissed a sting ray!

April - Was basically spent finishing up college. Finals, papers, projects, wrapping up extra curricular work. Lots of reflection time.

May - Graduated from COLLEGE! Went to the Bahamas with 600 of my fellow graduates. Did a 10 day cross country trip with my dad. First time we had ever hung out in my life.

June - Jade came to visit from Boston. Although a somewhat awkward visit, it was fun to show an East Coast girl and West Coast way to have fun. Really, I'm just glad our friendship survived it.

July - Went to my 9th year of Houseboat, bitter sweet since BK wasn't there with me. Learned what it was like to be a "utility player".

August - Spent two weeks visiting my dad in China and Thailand, actually rode an elephant. Like sat on her head, not in a basket on her back.

September - GOT A REAL JOB! And joined an awesome Bible study with eight wonderful ladies, an awesome leader/mentor, and a phenomenal cook. Also went to Auburn to visit BK and experience my first Div. I college football game.

October - Pretty uneventful. Saw Warren Miller's Children of Winter and adjusted to being a "working gal".

November - Still adjusting to being a working girl. Trying to learn as much as I can about sustainability. Being a Geek. Also saw Call+Response.

December - Got snowed in from the Oregon "Arctic Blast." Celebrated Christmas and had to deal with my family.

WOW! So maybe my life isn't that bad. I guess it could be way worse. Maybe I just need to travel more...

I'm super excited about 2009. I even made a New Year's Resolution. Which I've never really done before. But being a "grown" up and all. I really think I need to start taking my finances seriously. So...

My New Year's Resolution is for every pay check:
Tithe 10% and Save 20%!

What is your New Year's Resolution?

Coolest Tattoo Ever

I was killing time on MySpace today and decided to check out Adorn's newest work. Since my dad has been talking about getting a tattoo while he is visit for the holidays. And I saw this one:


I'm seriously in love with it. As many of you know (and for those of you who don't feel free to ask) I have a huge scar that runs down the side of my left leg from my butt to my knee cap from a ski accident when I was 13. I'm totally happy with my scar, I view my accident as a sort of coming of age event and it was the biggest obstacle I've ever had to overcome. But this is the coolest thing I've ever seen. People have asked me if I wanted to have my scar laser removed or covered up. NEVER! It is an awesome story and a testimony to God on how He protects me. But I might consider doing something like this...

I wonder what my parents would say...