Tuesday, April 27, 2010

dark spot corrector.

This is Clinique's new skin brightening product. This has been tested against other prescriptions and was proved to be just as good if not better than those prescription products.
I have had acne scarring on my face for FOREVER.
I am testing this stuff out. I have only been using it for a week, and I have noticed subtle minor differences. It is supposed to show dramatic changes in 12 weeks. It has been one week. I will keep you all posted on my findings. I know you are all dying to know my results. I KNOW it.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

oh the irony.

The other day I was meeting with my visiting teachers, whom I really do love and adore. They are seriously the greatest and are just amazing.
Anyway, we were chatting it up and discussing important things like boys, girls being girls and growing up when it dawned on me that I really feel like I have grown into a woman who is fearful. Not to be confused with feared. I don't think anyone is scared of me... unless I am PMSing. I guess that is kind of scary for everyone, including myself.
I digress.
What I am trying to say is that I have grown up and become scared to grow up and move on and open up and do what I want to do.
I am scared of failing. Of a broken heart. Of being alone.
I mean, I know I am not the only one with these fears. I think they are always tucked in the back of our minds somewhere. However, I allow them to almost consume me to the point where I feel stunted.
For so long I have wanted to go to Culinary Arts School. Why haven't I done it? It's not because I am lazy, contrary to popular belief. Deep down, I am scared of maybe not loving it as much as I think I would. And then I would inevitably fail. I mean, how many times have I tried something and absolutely hated it?
Ever since I was a little girl, I have wanted to get married and have children. Cliche, but true. Why am I so hesitant to allow myself to get to that point? Is it because I am cautious? Or because I am just downright scared out of my everliving mind?

(And insert EPIPHANY here.)

I have been thinking about it. Heavenly Father would not want me to be fearful of living life and of achieving my goals. He wants me to have faith in myself.
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love and and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)
Read this really inspiring talk "Live By Faith and Not By Fear"

Kids make me laugh. They walk the paths of life without so much as a care in the world. They couldn't care any less about what you think about them. This became obvious to me when I was nannying in Washington and the little girl said to me, "Why don't you have a boyfriend? Is it because you wear your hair like that?"
I remember thinking, "Wow, what a little brat. I LIKE my hair like this..."
She didn't care though. She just wanted to get her point across. She didn't care that I thought she was a brat or that it may have hurt my feelings. And at the end of the day, I was still playing Pretty Pretty Princess with her and making her PP&J sandwiches. As far as she was concerned, we were still BFFs. She was daring.
I was probably the most daring child anyone could know. Oh, ask anyone who knew me. I was climbing and jumping off of anything and I didn't care HOW high I was. I was jumping into all bodies of water, big or small. Hot or cold. I would play with any animal. I would touch anything, taste anything, try anything. I would voice my opinion or state the obvious facts that no one was brave enough to point out. ("MOM! WHY IS SHE SO FAT!?" and "MOM! THAT LADY IS DARRRRK!") I lived a fearless life. I love thinking about the kind of kid I was because it helps to inspire me. I realize that little kid who was riding and falling off of bikes and touching bugs and climbing to the top of the fridge was me. Where has that piece of me gone? Why, when we grow up, do we become so scared? Why are we so cautious to follow our dreams? To take that leap of faith? I vividly remember thinking when I was little, "Well, if it's my time to die, I guess I die." (I was an extremist) My faith in my Heavenly Father at that time was unwavering. I knew that He had a bigger plan for me and I couldn't live my life in constant fear.
I remember the times when I would try something new, maybe it was uncomfortable at first but, I take that leap of faith, and succeed and love every moment of it.
I guess there is just no way of really knowing until I try it.
I will not allow doubt interfere with my dreams or become the director of my life.
Here's to the leap.


Sunday, April 18, 2010

spring is for...

the spiders.
It happened again.
Remember THIS?
There I was, giving myself a protein treatment for my lovely locks, and I saw a spider spying on me in the shower.
I mean really, spiders have no sense of privacy. They just creep up on you at the most inappropriate times. I seriously can't stand it.
Not only was there a little episode in the shower, but I woke up this morning to a spider on my ceiling RIGHT above my head.
Sick. I am literally gagging remembering all of this.
I guess I will just think about those spiders when I want to eat something terrible.
What a great new diet.
Innovative.
"Hungry? Are you sure? Would the SPIDERS approve?"
Yeah, that sounds a little nuts-o.

In other news, I am trying a new recipe for tacos.
I am a huge fan of crock pots and rarely use them.
I found a recipe that calls for chicken, and your favorite salsa.
Add a little water and chicken and salsa and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-6 hours.
Done.
I hope it turns out!

Happy Spring!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

hey soul sister.

Officially my happy song for spring.
You're welcome.

whoops.

today i realized that i am getting a little too used to eating out.
bad.
bad.
bad.
it used to be kirk and i and the usual Friday or Saturday night eat out or make a glorious meal in.
I'm pretty sure I have eaten out every single day this week. But let me just say that although today is Thursday, I can foresee the future and it is telling me that I will continue to eat out until week's end.
What a bitter-sweet habit.
I do get to enjoy yummy foods and all things delicious.
I don't enjoy the dent on the wallet, the squeeze-in to my los jeans and feeling so full I can hardly move.
I am trying to eat better. I went to my new favorite grocery store - the Sunflower Market - and got some fresh veggies and prepared them to be eaten at my own convenience (never, shoot.) It's a start.
Any good ideas on how to eat healthier and eat IN rather than OUT?
Or maybe I should just hit up the local In-n-Out? eh?

rice-a-roni.

no, this isn't a post about rice-a-roni, contrary to what it may seem.
does anyone know what kind of treat rice-a-roni happens to be?
the San Francisco treat!
This is really what this post is about.
San Fran.
I am going in May and you could not even begin to understand my excitement! I love this city and even more, I love California. It is my first home and I love seeing my family whilst being there.
Kirk has a Google I.O. Conference (I have no idea what the heck it is to be honest) and I am meeting up with him after it the conference is over to play in the city.
Reasons why San Francisco is awesome:
-pier 49
-fisherman's wharf
-ghirardelli square (ghirardelli chocolate)
-noe valley (my favorite)
-all the sourdough my heart could desire
-the golden gate bridge
-golden gate park
-the beach
-full house
-the food. the sushi.

any recommendations for things to do while in SF? I would love to hear about them.

Monday, April 12, 2010

i have a second blog.


I have created a cleaning blog.

"What is that?" you may ask.


Well, it's a new thing. One day while I was thinking to myself, "Alix, how can you make some extra cash?" I racked my brain until I realized that the only trade I know well enough to charge money for is cleaning. I attribute this to my dutch background and the fact that I am my mother's daughter. I like cleaning. It may be weird to some.
I believe a nice clean space can affect the stress level in one's life.

Check it out:

Enjoy.


Sunday, April 11, 2010

man...

When those hard times hit, they hit hard.


"The difficulties of life are intended to make us better. Not bitter."
-Unknown.




I'm trying.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

my momma came!

We had a fabulous time eating our way through Utah with our momma!
This was taken at Simply Thai in Sandy and if you like Thai food, I HIGHLY recommend this place. Definitely worth the drive.
Anyway, my momma had a wonderful time dining, shopping and hanging out with us and her bff Lorna whilst Bebe and Dolly had their Spring Break in California. Although there was no sunshine to enjoy, we definitely had a great time basking in the snow...?
I mean, who doesn't love when their momma comes to visit?