Defined

I originally thought that flabbergasted meant something else so for those of you who don't know here is the definition: to overwhelm with shock, surprise or wonder. I don't have a car right now so my super cute bike is how I get around. Fortunately it has never rained when I ride to work but the temperature did drop drastically last week. I bundled up in two shirts, a sweater, a peacoat, hand warmers and a scarf thinking I was well prepared. When I walk outside to get my bike, it's cold but I'm confident I can handle it. And then I get on the bike and start to ride. The cold air is confronting my face fast and hard, my exposed fingers are freezing into the shape of the handle bars, and people, warm in their cars, are staring in surprise at the girl who would ride her bike in this cold. 

Next word is.....flabbergasting:)

Darjeeling

Memories are evoked by senses; the smell of a fir tree reminds you of Christmas' past, hearing the sound of boy bands singing on the radio reminds you of dance parties in your room, and seeing a picture can remind you of adventures with your best friends. The taste and smell of Darjeeling Tea reminds me of awesome coffee conversations with Margaret, catching up with friends who had been absent from everyday life, and the beginning stages of my relationship with Dan. Peet's Coffee & Tea is a welcome familiarity when I feel so far away from friends and family that I care about. I even did some basic research on opening a Peet's here in Wilmington, alas, it is not a franchise business -- so I make do with my stockpile of Darjeeling tea and look forward to future encounters at my favorite downtown Livermore locale. 

Familiar

New word: Familiar

 Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Small Change

These little devils...also known as "small change." Let's just say, nickels and dimes are a very present part of my life and, quite possibly, the bane of my existence. Pennies, nickels and dimes...tossed into a tip jar-these, are considered "tips."

Here's a real tip: Throw a dollar into the tip jar folks. I'm poor, not making much-I engage you, smile, ask you questions about yourself (and like most people, who love the sound of their own voice and love, even more, to talk about themselves), you divulge...and I, listen. I make you a latte, and even put a pretty heart in your morning cup of joy. Or, I smile sweetly at your obnoxious child demanding; "Chocolate mint in a sugar cone, now!" While banging her grubby little hands impatiently on the gelato case. You pay, and maybe throw a few pennies my way (probably because those pennies are weighing your wallet down anyways).

Just throw a dollar in the jar folks, tip the people who offer you a service. If you can afford a four-and-a-half dollar latte, please don't cut corners while neglecting the girl smiling at you from behind the counter. When you go out, factor a good tip into your budget. I demand change! But please, not your "small change," unless of course you're too greedy to even consider a whole dollar, in which case, your change, will be gladly accepted (look, you're turning me into a working beggar). But keep your pennies, oh and your foreign currency too!

ChangeV2

So this is my "Change" I drew it my self! I know it's amazing..lol. Anyways so if you can't tell it is a tree growing up..and it says Change,Change,Change on the top. Then their are coins on the sides. On the bottom my quote:

" The change in life is good but sometimes cash is better." I know i sound like Dad but oh well;)

Love Annie!

Change.1

Alright, mine is über cliché but here it is:

We have a park a few blocks away from us. There is this cute little pond where some turtles live -- they like Cheerios -- so I went to go feed them because the weather is changing and when it gets too cold the turtles hibernate, I think; I'm almost positive they don't migrate. Anyway, this represented change to me in a few ways. First, when we first got here it was so humid all the time so going outside was not fun and even the idea of walking to the park made me start to perspire, but since the season is changing the park is a much more inviting idea -- strolling around the park with the cool air biting through my sweater sounds heavenly. Second, I love that there are colors that define Fall. Sure you can randomly assign colors to winter, spring, and summer -- but everyone knows that Fall is here when the leaves begin to change. The beauty of Fall is one of my few consolations in the transition to Winter. 

Bonus: Here is one of the turtles! In the background are some of the birds that kept stealing the Cheerios!