This Magical Life

It's time you found out about my magical life.

I do lovely things like attend Sunday afternoon tea parties. 

We had club sandwiches, chocolate chip scones, mini apple pies (the best crust I've ever made. I think it was because my ice water actually had ice in it.) and creme brule inspired tarts with strawberries. 

Hope and I were invited to my friend Natasha's home for this tea party. We had Orange Blossom Rooibos tea and Chocolate Mint Rooibos tea. Seriously, if you aren't on the rooibos train, you need to get on it. Fall is a lovely time to start drinking tea, in case you were wondering. 

Once the afternoon started to think about changing to evening, we set aside our delicious treats and took a walk around the neighborhood. We saw lovely fall foliage, dogs, and people playing cricket. We were a bit chilled by the time we got back, but we were greeted with a warm fire near the tea table,  which gave us the courage to carry on. We each had two more cups of tea and pretended to eat at least one more delicious treat. 

Once the sun set we realized it was no longer Afternoon Tea, but Evening Tea, which is not a thing we have ever heard of, so we decided to stop. Also, I might write a book entitled, "An English Tea in America: Proper Decorum For a New Age and Country," or something like that. I mean, I have time to write a book. All I'm doing with this magical life is attending tea parties and such. Well, let's just call it research. 

Dream Living with Frahhnkie

I just moved to a new hood. I'm not really sure how I got here, but here I am, with a skyline view and BMWs parked on the street. This place is certainly different than Logan Square, which mostly had old broken-into hondas and Mazdas lining the streets.

Anyway, I came home tonight, and heard the jingle of dog tags. YES! Frankie would be in the back, and I'm gonna play with her! 

I walked through the house, and out to Frankie. My landlord was out there (she lives above us) and we started talking, and she gave me two pots and soil for my tomato plant! So I planted my plants, and then put my American flag in the soil, and we are all set for the Fourth!

 I'm getting to know Frankie better. She is a 1 year old pit bull with a tanish grey coat. She is pretty soft, and a mid sized dog. I just love dogs. We threw the ball for a little bit and practiced her commands like "drop it" and "sit". 

It was a lovely evening, with the planting and the dog. Sigh. This is all I ever want to do! But apparently you won't find a husband if you are always in your backyard planting and playing with dogs. Sigh. 

Also, Frankie's mom calls her "Frahhnkie".

Ha.

Zoo Photo Booth

On a gorgeous spring afternoon, I went to the Lincoln Park Zoo with Sandy and Skyler. Those are my friends. I don't think Sky has made the blog before, and this will be his big debut!

We saw all sorts of animals and stuff, but my favorite part was the photo booth.

Also, who knew, they were taking a video of us, which you can view here:

Click here to see the photo strip at www.zoophotobooth.com

Enjoy!

Compassion and Tonight's Service Fiasco

Eye Roll.

I just figured I should start this with an eye roll to set the mood. 

So, I've been feeling these strange stirrings of compassion in my soul recently. It wasn't my idea to get them, and I've been trying to figure out what to do with this excess love ever since. 

Obviously, a way to release some of this pent up love is to serve. 

Our branch did this cool thing this year where they bought Christmas for two families in the Stake. 

Tonight for FHE, we were suppose to bring everything we bought and wrap it up. 

I got there a little late (because of last week's Soviet Union struggle) and things were already under way. 

As soon as I walked in, someone was already freaking out. And they were exploding all over me. 

Something was missing. Then we had to figure out who was suppose to bring it, so the google doc had to be consulted, and did that person give those items to anyone else, and where was that person, and do they really have it, and will it get to the family in time? Now, this was not done in a calm, rational manner. No, it was going down with too much excitement and a heightened sense of possible immediate destruction. Seriously, it was too much drama. 

Too much drama!!!!!!

 I felt like I needed to get out immediately. 

So, while this person was freaking out all over me, I started freaking out, and someone said, "Don't let Myriah have scissors."  

I started wrapping presents. And did you know, when I got home, I found that I had cut myself? 

(I contemplated not posting this picture because it isn't very pretty, but, it was so sweetly ironic that I decided it would be an injustice not to post it.)

That guy was right. I was dangerous with scissors. 

Just another reason why I'm bad at service. 

Sigh.

Nevah Gonna Happen

I've been making this crazy effort to be more social. I don't mean that my effort is crazy, I mean that it is a crazy idea to think that if I become more social, I will meet more people, which will open me up to more opportunities, which will lead to a man who is really cool, funny, and taller than me who wants to date me.

For example, I have started going to FHE.

We were all sitting in a circle, waiting for things to begin, and I was suffering through a conversation about the Soviet Union and the Berlin Wall. As you know, if there is anything lovely, of good report or praiseworthy, I will take scrupulous notes to share with my dear friends and family later.

But there was nothing. Just people nerding out on the Soviet Union. And, unfortunately, that just isn't my cup of tea. It does not set my heart aflutter. I find it... boring.

I'm in a wasteland.


I got back from FHE tonight, looked at Nelly and said, "I'm never getting married."

I told her my Soviet Union/Berlin Wall/Historical woes, and she said, "You can get an information app or something for your phone next time."

"Uh, the issue is not keeping up with the topic, the issue is my severe lack of interest in joining the conversation."

The lack of interest was so intense that I contemplated leaving before FHE had even begun. I had this feeling like I needed to get out immediately or I would hate myself for the next 12 hours. It's this horrible panic attack that happens when things get too nerdy.


Anyway, another example:

A few months ago I was at an FHE at my Branch President's house. They had recently moved in, and needed help moving something. The Branch Pres comes in to the room and asks for any strong volunteers. Out of 6 guys, only one raised his hand.

Why, you ask? Because they all know that their skills do not lie in lifting things. They know they are scrawny.

It made me sad.

That was a few months ago. I was hoping things might get better, but these past three days proved to me that it most certainly will not get better, and that it's nevah gonna happen.

Squeak

It was a lovely afternoon. It was very unseasonably warm for Chicago. I got home from Church and found a quiet and peaceful house. Perfect, I had some things I needed to work on.

After about 45 minutes I decided it was time for some food, so I scrounged around in the fridge and found my left overs from last night's Kuma's Corner. So good. Just as I was about to put it in the microwave, Nelly comes out of her room and says, "Do you hear that?" I look at her and ask, "Um, the microwave? Cause I hear that."

"No," she says, "the chirping."

I was quiet for a second. Then I moved my foot and the floor squeaked. I looked at her questioningly. She shook her head.

Then I heard it. A chirp. And again. And again. What was that? After some ridiculous brainstorming and a bit of fun, we decided that maybe we had a bird in the house? I told Nelly that I was going to look for it. Good thing I had my head lamp.

After I told Nelly to close all the doors to the kitchen, she made sure to close herself out of the kitchen. I guess she doesn't like things flying at her. I checked the cabinet it was coming from and didn't find anything. I moved the fridge and didn't find anything, except a bunch of dust. So I got out the broom and started sweeping up. My broom swept under the cabinet and caught on a spider trap. I knelt down to see what else was down there, and I saw another sticky trap. With a mouse!

Squeak.

Ugh.

Alive.

Alive and crying for his life.

In the basement there are glue traps, and they are filled with spiders. I figured that is what these contraptions are: spider catchers. Spiders don't cry as they starve and won't smell after death.

Mice do.

What was I going to do?

Squeak.


Ugh, this is horrible.

I decided I would report to Nelly.

She informed me that these traps are intended to catch mice.

What? Seriously? This is a thing? It is horrible! It is horrible for the mouse, it is horrible for me, and it is horrible for the person I am going to call to exterminate. Where is Jesse Katsopolis the First Season when I need him?

Squeak.

Oh, Jesse.

I have a home teacher named Jesse. Maybe he is available to help me out.


Squeaaaaaaal.

I called him immediately.

Squeak.

Jesse answered but he wasn't able to come over for 2 hours.

Squeal!!

I told him I looked forward to his coming.

I got off the phone, reported to Nelly, and then we heard the mouse squealing, squeaking, and crying.

My stomach dropped.

We couldn't wait two hours. There was no way I could sit there and listen to the painful and slow death of that mouse.

Ugh, so gross.

Then I remembered Matt! He lives around the corner, and most importantly he is online.

I picked up my computer:

3:17 PM me: Matt!

 Matt: Myriah!

 me: are you at home? do you have a minute to come over here and save me from the mouse we found on the spider sticky trp thing in our kitchen????

3:18 PM Matt: haha the mouse stuck in the trap? So you just need the mouse thrown out/

  ?

3:19 PM me: yes, but the mouse is alive. and squeaking. but he can't move

  cause he's stuck and wining

  and i can't handle it

3:21 PM Matt: ok im on my way

 me: bless your heart

  and i'm googling processes

3:22 PM Matt: im thinking shoe

3:24 PM wait

  bat!

Please note the pause when Matt realized he is going to have to kill a mouse. I like to think that he is just asking his wife if he can come over, and not just pausing because he doesn't actually want to kill a mouse. 
Please also note that I can't manage to format this after I cut and copied the chat. 
Nelly and I waited in suspense for about 8 minutes, 2 of which were spent googling processes, and let me tell you: DO NOT DO THAT. It is a horrible part of the internet that nobody needs to see. 
Matt shows up, bat in hand, and I lead him to the area of death. I inform him there are also some bricks if he needs them. We open all the doors to the back yard, I give him a plastic bag, and then, brave soul, he grabs the mouse, takes it to the back yard, and I went to the living room to pray. 
He came back, and handed us less horrible mouse traps. "Here," he said, "use these next time."
Will do, Matt, will do. And also, thank you for saving us. 


  

Anniversary Party

I don't know if you know, but my life here in Chicago is a little bit surreal sometimes. By surreal I mean my work is the subject of a reality show on VH1 airing at the end of March. You should watch it and probably see me every once in a while accidentally making a dumb face at the camera, yawning, or eating something really messy. 

Anyway, one of our last evening filming sessions was the celebration of eDrop-off's anniversary. It was a cool party because it was mostly only coworkers, which I liked. I enjoy being able to invite my friends to events, but if everyone has their peeps there, you always have to be watching out for them, making sure you don't lose them, introducing them to people.  It can be hard work. Anyway, the following pictures are of my coworkers and you will probably see the film crew as well. 

PS, this was one of my first nights using my new iPhone for picture taking purposes. It was also the first night that Natasha tried to ask Siri something and Siri politely responded, "I'm sorry, I don't know who you are." I like that Siri, because I like loyal friends. 

New Years Dream

New Years Eve was a dream. I loved it. It mixed my family and my Chicago worlds. You see, after our Kansas trip we decided we needed another trip. I volunteered the ol' Cohen homestead. Sometime in the fall New Years Eve was chosen. Everyone arrived precisely according to schedule. I did send out the itinerary, and it needed to be adhered to. 

After a quick tour of the house and the BBQs, we made lunch and headed out to the coast. We took the 46 and stopped at the look out for our first glimpse of the Pacific Ocean. And, for a photo shoot. 

We jumped over to Cambria for lunch. 

And ate Taco Works chips! Delish! 

After lunch we attempted to find the elephant seals, buuuutt... well, I just couldn't find those beasts. So we went a little early to our next stop: Hearst Castle! My fav! You know I can't go home without a HC visit. We are chillin' in the visitors center in this pic. What I like about it is that you can tell Sandy and Jimmy are about to tell some jokes. 

Right before you get on the bus to the Castle, they have you take a picture. Everyone said they looked dumb, and that it was going to be a bad picture. I said I looked super hott, and I was probably going to buy the photo in the end. Well, I was right. I looked hott. And so did everyone else. I love this photo.

Usually, on the bus ride, you listen to old timey music and listen to a recording of someone talking about the Castle. Well, this time it was Alex Trebek! I love the 'hood as much as Alex does, so I wonder why they didn't get me to record? I would be good at it. Well, there's still time.  

We went on the Upstairs and Suites Tour. Or something like that. Laziness is prohibiting me from finding out the specific name, but did not prohibit me from typing out this explanatory sentence. 

Anyway, our tour guide was named Bev. First she accused us all of being on the wrong tour. I knew immediately I was going to have fun with her. And I did. She said phrases like, "When he was feeling a lot of emotionalism," "December 23, 2003," and "Mad doggin'." Or was it "Mad eyein'."? Either way, I loved her. 

The Library

Story of my life

Haha, just kidding!

If I ever get invited up to the castle for a little sleepover, I would choose this room: 

It has amazing views, windows on both sides of the room (for a nice cross breeze) and it's pink!

But that's enough of the inside. Since the last time I visited, they changed protocol, and now you can hang out and explore the grounds after your tour. It's kind of awesome. The only thing I don't like about this concept is that you don't get the history of many of the art pieces found on the grounds. 

Oh well. 

Opposite sides of the Castle. The room I want would look out onto both these views.

At the end of the tour, I said thanks to Bev, and then she went around and hugged each one of us. 

I planned it almost perfectly, and we got to catch the sunset. 

Everyone loved this fountain. There was a cute little peeing lamb on the other side. 

We hung out by the Neptune Pool. The Neptune Pool wowed my guests even more than I could 

have imagined. When you share something you love, you hope others love it too. 

Our prom photo. Sandy was kind enough to let us all be Jimmy's dates. 

In light of recent engagements in my branch, I have been thinking about how I would want to be proposed to, and as of right now, I'm thinking I would love to be proposed to at Hearst Castle. It's gorgeous, has great views, it's public, but private enough, I will look pretty (I can't understand people who get engaged while sweaty, or while in their pajamas), it's the perfect place for picture taking, it's magical, I have fond memories there, and we can stare into each others eyes until the sun goes down. 

Okay, that's enough grossness for now. I'm just saying, if you have the opportunity to make your proposal awesome, then why don't you do it? 

We finished up at Hearst Castle and jetted home, just in time for a tri tip dinner. It was so good. I loved it. And those people who have never had tri tip loved it too. Dad used his fancy new knife (Christmas present), the kind of knife they use at Brazilian steak houses, you know, the kind without a tip. He looked so cool with it. He was able to just walk around, cutting meat. 

We played a few games, laughed a lot, and ate a lot of tri tip. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day.

However, I'm interested in multiple perfect days. 

The next morning we woke up to find Mother had prepared pancake batter and had bacon in the oven. She would have been there manning the pancakes, but she had to go to CrossFit instead. I'm fine with that. I'm an advocate for an increase in awesomeness. 

While we were getting ready I told everyone that we were going to the beach, and wondered if I needed to bring towels, just in case anyone needed to get in the Pacific Ocean. Everyone said they would not be getting wet. 

Morro Bay rose to the occasion and was absolutely gorgeous.  

Me and The Rock

We headed out to the sand. Nelly didn't come down to the sand because of some sand issue. We respected her beliefs, and she chilled in the parking lot and read about The Rock. 

Well, we were on the beach, took some pics, and then Jimmy convinced me to get in the water. It wasn't hard. I knew I would want to get in, but I thought I was mature enough to keep my shoes on. 

I'm not. We LOVE the ocean!

I guess Sandy had had enough of all of Wendy's Mean Doggin'. 

But they made up in time to take this pretty jumping pic. Jumping pics are hard. You are either going for cool, or pretty, but most of them end up looking dumb. Just check Facebook for a bunch of dumb wedding jumping pics. But this one is pretty. 

Jimmy chose Wendy to be his prom date for life:

Or maybe he was just trying to convince her to do this: 

Mom and Dad met us at the beach:

They took a walk south while we went north to the Embarcadero. We went in a few shops, got a few souvenirs, and just soaked up the sun and surf. 

We found a great spot for taking pics, and I'm going to post every single one. 

After we went to my favorite taffy place (I forgot how much I love taffy; I should have bought more.) 

We ran into these guys!

Pops, Torah, and Brandon.

We took some family pictures (I wish Paul and Marissa and chillin' could have been there!) 

And then some pics of my Chicago family. It was truly a great experience to have my worlds collide. 

After the photo shoot we went right over to Montana de Oro. 

Bryn and Elle. I love this shot, even though you can't really see their faces. I think, because of their relationship, that maybe I might have liked having a sister. Maybe. Or maybe Bryn and Elle are really lucky to have parents that foster friendships between siblings. That might be it too. 

Diana posted this pic as her Facebook profile pic, and someone mentioned how awesome it is that she's in India. That's what I like about California, it's such a chameleon. 

I couldn't decide amongst these Jimmy ocean shots, so you get all three.

I love a good jog in the sand. 

And I love Wade. 

But he was ready to go to Firestones, so we had to leave this joint. 

Wade ate half a chicken and turned into Super Wade.

Firestone was great. The food was fabulous, their outdoor eating area is charming, and I love the twinkle lights, the outdoor fireplaces, and my family and friends.

Afterword we went to Bubblegum Alley which was like, five blocks away. I forgot how little SLO's blocks are, and I forgot that I live in Chicago. We were there in under 7 minutes. I have tons of pics of Bubblegum Alley, but they were all gross, so you'll just have to use your memory/imagination. 

We went home, and lazed about the house. Tara came over to meet my peeps and ring in the New Year. Brandon and family were there, Mom, Pops, and Mary, and G-ma even made an appearance. 

BFF pic!

We played games, took naps, laughed a lot, ate amazing nachos (good work, Jimmy) with amazing guacamole (good work, Brandon), popped poppers, laughed some more, rang in New York New Year (for the kids), rang in Chicago New Year (cause that's where we live), and rang in California New Year (cause we live in the present), and watched a movie and discussed unbelievably important topics. I loved every minute of everything. I am so glad my friends were able to visit. Being surrounded by friends and family is the perfect way to ring in the New Year.