Couldn't keep a straight face

I have known Kim and Taylor since 2000, I think. Which is a long time now. So long that we know things about each other that we don't often admit outloud. Mark Twain once said that knowing each secrets makes for the greatest of friends. <-- you didn't actually believe that did you? I'm pretty it's true though, besides the bit about mark twain.

That and laughing. True besties laugh. Sometimes about secrets.

July 27, 2010.

Turning Japanese

I had to ask the nice lady at the Asian* market which seaweed was the sweet Japanese kind. I thought I could tell the difference between Japanese and Korean writing, but I guess I need to keep working in that. Ever had dried Japanese seaweed with rice? I learned that I kind of like it. And they sell Calpis (but call it Calpico in the US apparently). I love it so much. Do I travel the world in search of the best food? Yes and I have 10 new pounds to show for it.

July 26, 2010. 7th East, Salt Lake City.

*it is actually the 'oriental food market, but I find oriental a little demeaning unless you're talking to a rug.

Love you all. Love Calpis more.

Summer treats

Ice cream? Nope. Frozen yogurt? Nope.

Frozen bananas! Put frozen bananas in the food processor for a few minutes and it gets creamy and delicious. I need to go on post-vacation damage control, so this was a perfect low-calorie treat for a day hot like today.

July 25, 2010.

24th of July

I was just, you know, having a sleepover in the Sahara desert on the 4th of July. Lucky for me, Utah has essentially two 4th of Julys -- the 4th and the 24th (which is the state holiday for Pioneer Day). July 24, 2010.

Chocolate cake shake

Wow! Chicago has the best food! July 23, 2010.

small town USA

Champaign/Urbana, IL. July 22, 2010.

suh-weet art in mexican restaurant

It's like Glamour Shots for horses. July 21, 2010. Champaign, IL.

A bank for cows.

Champaign, Illinois. July 20, 2010.

Didn't get the memo

Found out that my business trip is casual dress, after I arrived with three pairs of heels, two pencil skirts, and three pairs of slacks. So, an emergency trip to the Old Navy clearance aisle was in order. An opportunity for casual dress is not to be missed. July 19, 2010. Champaign, IL.

This is Chicago

Wendy (see her cute little lips?), deep-dish pizza, and me (for a few hours)! July 18, 2010.

Cleaning the hardwoods

That I own. Still getting used to that idea. July 17, 2010.

Updo

Trying to learn less time-consuming hair styles. I'm kind of liking this one. July 16, 2010.

Reminder to self: buy closet doors.

Summer morning sprinklers

July 15, 2010.

Clouds

I kind of have a "thing" for clouds. LA never had photogenic clouds. It was either super sunny or just plain foggy. So, when a partner sent me a mean email, I took a break from dealing with work to stare at the clouds for a moment. July 14, 2010.

Sporting my new ring from Morocco

Isn't it awesome? I saw it the first day in Marrakesh and, when I was still thinking about it on the second day in Marrakesh, I knew I had to go back to get it. The problem was, where in the maze of the souks did I see it? Finding my way back to it proved that this is meant to be mine! July 13, 2010.

Long flight home

The trip ended with me boarding my ninth, tenth, and eleventh flights this year (Madrid -- London -- Dallas -- SLC). At one point, we flew over the southern tip of Greenland and it looked amazing! I could see the fjords and HUGE (had to have been because we were 30,000 ft in the air and I could plainly see them) icebergs. Now I really want to go there. I couldn't get my camera out in time, so this is just from a google image search. Someday, I will have pictures of my own to share because I am obsessed with Greenland now. July 12, 2010.

Last day in Spain

The amazing Mezquita Catedral in Cordoba, Spain.

















Madrid - watching the world cup finals on the giant screens on the Paseo del Prado. Viva la roja!

July 11, 2010.

The Alhambra in Grenada, Spain

July 10, 2010.

The barrio of Seville, Spain

July 9, 2010.

Mosque in Casablanca

July 8, 2010.

Fez palace gates

July 7, 2010.

Riads - the best part of Morocco

in Marrakesh. July 6, 2010.

Marrakesh Souks

July 5, 2010.

Rockin the Casbah!

Ait Ben Haddou casbah. Morocco. July 4, 2010. (Patriotic songs were sung throughout the day, of course, complete with firework sound effects.)

Camel Ride

Sahara Desert. July 3, 2010.

First Meal in Morocco

and Happy Birthday to Melanie! July 2, 2010.

12 hours in Chicago

Vacation began with one night in Chicago, which I spent at Wendy's
really cute condo. July 1, 2010.

My new practical shoes

I think it's probably been 7 years since I last bought a pair of shoes
that has laces. My feet were hurting so much from the leisurely,
tourist strolling in Japan that I finally realized that it's time that
I bought some really comfortable shoes, even if they are necessarily
the most stylish. I feel like such a nerd in them, but they are so bad
and they are so comfortable. June 30, 2010.

Spires

Lunch break walk. June 29, 2010.