Yup, I’ve kinda been neglecting this blog. But I actually have a reason. My grandparents were visiting for a whole week. I haven’t seen them in a long time. Like a year, I think. It was a really nice and relaxing week. We went out a few times and saw the great places of Texas. And America’s Next Top Model occupied the rest of our time. I’m talking about 3 marathons worth of b*tchy models, crazy fashion and Tyra. Poor Grandpa. But don’t worry, we had plenty of Spongebob and Olympic events to fill in the gaps. I was really glad to actually watch most of the events. I really liked the track events, gymnastics, and diving. Oh and the marathon was just amazing!!! I wish I could for that long!!

Anyway, we went down to the lake(Canyon Lake that is) on Sunday. It was lots of fun. I got a ton of pictures. Mum even let us go down to the lake with our snackies. I FINALLY have some color. We got to get our feet wet(OK so I really went in to my knees),opened up a mussel(at least I think it was a mussel! o.0), and found interesting things, like fish hooks, lizards with black tails, a dog collar and a nose clip.

Here’s my favorite picture. I tripped a few times, but hey it is me after all. I loved seeing the clear bottom, what with the golden sand and the dark blue shells. I only took one shell home with me. It sits on my shelf as we speak. Great memory, I’ll say. More pictures here!!!There was only one bad thing and that was the walk up a steep, rocky hill in FLIP FLOPS!!! Needless to say, my feet were killing me and I was overheated when we got up there, but heck I was darn proud of myself for getting up there by myself with no help whatsoever. I’d like to go back to the lake again and explore the other sides of it.

On Thursday, we went sight seeing. First it was the local tiny towns of the countryside, with the tiny houses and vintage looks to match. We finally found the grocery store of one, called FOOD LAND!!!! Across the street was a BBQ wagon that also serves breakfast. We’re talk micromini town here. Then we went to La Tortillita (i.e. La Tortilla, The Tortilla Factory, The place with yummy beans and rice, etc. etc. etc.) and ate some Mexican(food, not people, mind you). The beans, rice and tacos are the BOMB, and the enchiladas are a bit too cheesy sometimes. And they charge you $1.25 for each soda. Like they give you a can of soda. They’d make some serious profit if mum had been thirsty. right mum???

Then it was off to see the Alamo in all its glory, which we did. from the car. Pretty place though. The river is as toxic looking and as usual the riverwalk was packed. I still don’t get that. We got lost a few times, mum and I had a few tiffs, but it was all well in the end, because I got lots of pictures of clouds and we ended the day at the bookstore. I got a GIANT copy of ELLE, ttyl by Lauren Myracle and Airhead by Meg Cabot(hard cover edition. YEEE!!). Also we went to the library and picked up my books. Most are by Louisa May Alcott and the rest are classics. Then we went home in time for more ANTM.
All in all a pretty good vacation, relaxing and refreshing at the same time. So thank you very much grandma and grandpa for taking the time to create lovely memories with us this week. It was a pleasure having you and although we didn’t get to beat up the children down the lane, I know I still had a pretty rockin’ time. And I hope you did too.

Love,
Ashley

Posted: August 22nd, 2008 under life, vacation.
Comments: none

The opening ceremony was amazing!!!! It’s my first time watching the Olympics, you know? The theme was harmony and trust me, it was very harmonious. The peaceful movements, colors, and sounds, were just wonderfully done. I was in absolute awe of the percision of the drummers, the dancers and other performers. And the moving typing blocks was soooo cooool. And to think that it was people doing that too. Put that together with high flying acts, LED imagery, and beautiful music and stories.
I really liked, no loved it. And even though I’m not Chinese in any way, I still had a deep appreciation of their love and pride of their culture. It was like they were sharing some of their country with me. And I thank them from the bottom of my heart. ^-^
The entrance of the athletes was very very long, but it was really nice to see that people from all over the world can come together for the sake of sports. It’s very pleasant to think about. Everyone looked very excited be it numbers of 4 or 600 representing their nations. As the 203 nations passed by, you could literally feel the excitement growing as we waited for China’s group to come. I watch now, as everyone in the crowd has stood up, cheering for the host country who has waited a very long time, to show off their country to all the world. Yao Ming carried the flag, and a 9 year old boy Lin Hao, walked along him. Lin Hao was a victim of the Sinchuan earthquake. He actually dug himself out of the debris and went back to help dig out two of his fellow classmates. He’s just an adorable little thing compared to Yao Ming. All in all a wonderful opening.
You know, it makes me happy that we can all come together peacefully and just enjoy the atmosphere. I hope the coming days will be just as inspiring, uplifting and well, fun!!!

Posted: August 9th, 2008 under Uncategorized.
Comments: none

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’M SOOOO EXCITED!!!!!
IT’S FINALLY OUT!!!!!!!!!!

Posted: August 8th, 2008 under Uncategorized.
Comments: 1

Isn’t it cute???
With Flash

(stupid flash)

Without Flash
(still blurry)

I want to do my camera and laptop next!!!!

EDIT: Can’t wait for the Olympics.
1 MORE DAY!!!!!!

Posted: August 7th, 2008 under cute, fashion, updates.
Comments: none

PACKING A BACKPACK
I always forget to bring something on the first day, so I made a list!
watch me forget my backpack. That’s happened twice, I was so nervous!!!
- cell phone
- pencil case
- pens
- pencils
- erasers
- a few spiral notebooks
- ipod
- tamps/pads
- a watch
- water bottle
- healthy snacks
-

Posted: August 5th, 2008 under life.
Comments: none

I’m sooooo buying these shoes with my next HUGE paycheck.
These are the most gorgeous shoes I’ve ever seen. Maybe because they’re blue. And have the sparkle sparkle at the toe. Or maybe it’s because they’re Manolo Blahnik’s True I wouldn’t give up my first born for these. However, I would pay $945. What’s that? Like 2 paychecks after my expenses?Maybe I’ll wear them at my wedding!!!! I mean they are pretty cute!!!And then I’ll probably break my ankle and my leg. Still want ‘em!!!!

Posted: August 5th, 2008 under fashion.
Comments: none

short post. lotsa pictures. i finished my phone last night, while watching the fog with katie. i was really happy that the elizabeth went back to her husband. i like happy endings. ok so some people died, but let’s face it, her mom was a total bitch. we laughed.

anyway, here it is.

have to go work in the garage
byeeeeeeee!!!!!

edit:
new break. drinking koolaid is yum yum yummy.
so just some faq.
how did you come with this idea?
i got the idea from here.
i loved xiaxue’s phone(luv her blog too.) and i wanted my phone to be cute too.
where did you find the diamantes?
it was really hard to find them. in the end i had to go to joann’s fabric store and got rhinestones instead. i bought all their stock. they only had about 6 packs of pink and 4 of the clear. but it wasn’t that expensive. maybe 3 or 4 a pack. and instead of epoxy glue, i bought embellishment glue. it’s dries clear and smells like elmers paste. and none of the jewels have fallen off yet.
how long with it take to make?
well for me it was a few weeks, because i would start and stop. but i started and finished the front, while watching the fog. so a few hours, if your really determined.

so now i want to do my laptop, ipod, and possibly my keys and camera. i do know i have to buy more pink though. i’m so happy with the finished product!!! ^-^

Posted: August 2nd, 2008 under how to, life.
Comments: none

I spent all of july, running around, reading lots of books, and eating junk food. Even though this meant less dishes for me to clean, it also meant that the house would be in shambles. Why?? Because I was too tired to clean from all the running around. And I haven’t finished all of my books. I have 18 books on hold. Now I’m all pressured to read the rest of them. So I’ll be having a book party most likely.

Anyway, this month, I want to finish a lot of my to-do list for summer. I know I didn’t do a lot of major things, but I got something accomplished. A lot of it has to do with getting the house ready for my grandparents who are coming in a week, finishing my embroidery and cell phone projects, and making doctor’s, dentist’s and college councilor appointments. Just things that I been neglecting for the past 3 months. But at least I’m starting now.

Today was a nice day, lots of pretty clouds, and wasn’t boiling. There was a nice breeze. I hope tomorrow is just as pleasant. I’m also hoping I can finish my cell phone by tomorrow night. It’s going to be sooooo sparkly. I’ll post pictures soon, hopefully.

Also I went on Payless.com and I saw these awesome hilt pumps. so cute. I want the blue, pink, yellow, black, and silver ones. And only $22.99!!!

I know what I want to get on payday!!!
Well I must run and find more pretties online.
Laters,
Ashley

Posted: August 1st, 2008 under life, must have, updates.
Comments: none

These past few days have been really relaxing. As expected, Dolly stopped by, but only rain and a big purple raincloud. I went to the library and got about 18 books. I hadn’t been there since April. I’m a bit ashamed, actually. I shouldn’t be calling myself a bookworm, if i only go to the library every few months. Then again, I did read Little Women in two days, so I think I redeemed myself for the most part. Oh yeah, you can see the list of books on the READ! page. I checked out a hodgepodge of reading. From ice ages and time travel to spider guides and children’s fiction. I also got an Algebra 2 book, so I can continue teaching myself.

Last night, my sister, Katie, and I had a book party. I was a lot of fun, snuggling up in tons of blankets, cracking jokes about the characters and listening to classical music. Yes it was a rare moment in time, when we were more than sisters, when we could talk as the best friends we are. She was even interested in Versailles, one of my passions. Well she was more interested in the beheading and scandal of the court, but nevertheless, she listened. I wonder if she’d be interested in accompanying me to Paris, in 4 years time. Hey it’s never too early to plan, right?

Oh I almost forgot. Today I went to one of my favorite antiquey sites, Paris Hotel Boutique Journal. It’s a wonderful site that show off great vintage finds. And don’t even get me started on their store!!! I want to buy everything and I would if I had the funds to do so. Anyway they are having a giveaway right now, so my dear readers, you should sign up. The prizes are:

1st place: Vintage Clift Hotel, San Francisco, Silverplate Bon Bon Dish
Pair of Vintage Linen San Francisco Hotel Postcards

2nd place: 4 Yards of Vintage French Apparel Ribbon
1 Wooden Spool of Antique French Metallic Thread
3 Vintage Hand-tinted French Postcards

So please go and enter!!!

Have a lovely day,
Ashley
^-^
 

Posted: July 27th, 2008 under Uncategorized.
Comments: none

My good friend Dolly is coming to my house for tea!
Only one problem though…
She lives on a houseboat in the ocean.
She stopped in mexico and different parts of texas for tacos and rodeos.
Other friends kicked her out after a few hours.
Why?
Well Dolly is a bit of a homewrecker, literally. And that makes a lot of people angry.
Lucky for me, she’ll be a bit more calmed down when she visits.
But she may knock out my power, so here’s a guide on what you need if she visits you.

1. You must clean up your house and backyard.
(It will rain a lot, so let the plants get as much as they like.
And being cooped up in a clean house for a few days is much
more pleasant.)
2. Go to the library and check out as many books as you can.
(To prevent boredom, of course.)
3. Do all of your laundry.
(So you smell good all the time. No one like funk.)
4. Be prepared with the following items:
- Flashlights and Batteries (and extra extra batteries)
- Food that doesn’t need to be cold and water
- Fill the tubs with water. (in case tap water is unavailable)
(IMPT: ONLY USE FOR WASHING AND FLUSHING. DO NOT DRINK)
- have a radio on hand, so you can hear the news.
- a first aid kit is always great to have.

That’s a good lot of advice if I do say so myself.
Have a lovely tea time with Dolly.
Even if it’s just juice and crackers, I know I’ll have a good time.
^-^

-Ashley

Note: this is only if you are getting heavy rain from Hurricane Dolly. If you are in the actual thing,
please go here for more info.

Posted: July 23rd, 2008 under how to, life.
Comments: 1