HaPpY Anniversary BrOtHeR

Today is Chad's 3rd Anniversary of his 29th Birthday. Thank you facebook for reminding me of this milestone... thank you Chad for joining facebook so we could get in a fight over 'tagged photos'.

In keeping with the Summer Music Series and birthday tradition...hmmm...one song that makes me think of Chad? There are so many, basically the entire W section of my music collection-Willis, Williams, Whiskeytown, Wilco, and the Wallflowers.

Now, Chad is pretty high and mighty on music taste, and no doubt my choice will disappoint him given his sophistication. A song that I can't listen to without thinking of him is 'Horse' by Live. No doubt, it is a special song. In fact, a 'hidden track' on the album.

My choice is based on the fact that we do a lot of 'playing dominoes and drinking beer'. In fact, I don't think we play dominoes (42) without someone drinking beer. They just go together. It's the Aggie in us. It's our papa in us. It's the way we pass our time at home during holidays. It's a game he tries so hard to introduce to people (usually complete with pleas of 'just try to learn'). It's almost a way of life, but not quite.

Thanks for being such a great brother over the years!

Happy Birthday Chad! Love you!

Americans+London+Football=Good Day

On Saturday I met up with my friend Tracy from University. She is in town visiting her boyfriend Matt. I hadn't seen Tracy and Matt since...hmmm circa 2005 when they came to New Braunfels to float the river! We hit up Buckingham Palace to tour the state rooms, grabbed lunch and went to Harrods. I left them with the expectation they would be joining David and I later to watch some American football.

As those two headed to The Eye and dinner, I met up with David at World Sports Cafe. We found ourselves seats right in the middle of the bar, sharing a pint with my friend Ferit. After a short time, I got a text with some great news- Matt and Tracy got engaged on the London Eye! I called it- told David that I thought they might get engaged on this trip...it was the painted nails that gave it away!

David was striking up some conversation with the other Americans in the bar when I suddenly realise that he was pimping my football loyalty away (okay, the Aggies weren't playing, but still). Basically, he sold me to the highest bidder-my heart had been bought by a Notre Dame Alum, class of 2005, whose payment was a pitcher of beer. I should consider myself lucky I suppose, my dad didn't have to put up a dowry and I got a t-shirt out of the deal.

If friends and American football weren't enough, then Sunday took the cake! Whole Foods Market-a little bit of Austin in the heart of Kensington. I'm not lying when I say I almost cried with excitement! Oh, and yes, this does mean the return of strawberry salad!

Congrats Tracy and Matt! Thanks David for a good time!

Pa and Ma Bellah Visit

Mom, Dad, and Great Aunt Edith came for a visit at the end of August. Unfortunatley I don't have many pics...but I will share what I've got.

First stop (after me driving on the opposite side of the road, which is always fun!) Warwick Castle. Two friends joined us-Danielle and Elisa.

The family toured London whilst I worked...
After a few days, we met up in Gay Pahree (as a Brit, I must call it this). Here is Verma and I at the Eiffel Tower where we spent the majority of the time waiting for the bathroom to be cleaned... by majority I do mean over a hour. Dan and Aunt Edith went to the top. Mom and I stayed down below as we had already been before (and knowing that we could get just as great of view, for free, from Montmarte)

Per David's recommendation, we hit up the 'Orsay, heading strait to the top floor. This was the highlight of the trip for me! This muesem is quite impressive. It was once a railroad sation and now houses several Van Gogh's, Reniors, Lautrec (my favourite), Monets, Degas, etc. Dan, who was getting a bit ancy at the gallery, asked me to take a picture of this:
No doubt, quite impressive (much better in real life). But what I thought was far greater than the Renior above, was this:

Does anyone else feel like the baby in this painting is terribly over-sized? Seriously, those silly French. They are such jokers. They really want to hang this aside some of the greatest masters of all time? I mean...really...??

Perhaps I should show them a little grace. It's not nearly as bad as this 'art' my dad tried to re-create! I told you he was ancy!

Thanks Mom, Dad, and Aunt Edith for coming to visit! I had a blast getting to hang out with you! It's always an adventure with the three of you and I will cherish these memories (including missing the flight!)

Love, Michelle

Election Time

Post on you tube wall about Sarah Palin:
"shes a dum ass. what did she say in this speack that insures our country. "

Make of it what you want, I choose to focus on the 'dum' part...

Summer Music Series

I think there is a quote out there somewhere (too lazy to google it now) that music is the soundtrack of our lives. I'm beginning to feel this way. Since moving to England, my ipod has become my best friend. Her name is Vienna (yes, she is named after my car, just like her predecessor Lexi), she accompanies me most everywhere I go. She walks with me to work, she's on the train, she's on the plane, she's at the gym, the grocery store...we are quite close these days.

I've learned a lot from Vienna. She has a lot of wisdom, well rather the Podcasts she subscribes to do. Most importantly though, she reminds me of so many people I love (and miss). Music takes me back to people, places, and seasons of my life. I feel like I need a pulpit to say this, but 'Today, I'm starting a series on music and memories.' Cheesy, I know, but you might just be featured.

In honor of her birthday tomorrow, I'll start with Rachel S. Drum roll...the song that makes me think most about Rachel is...

Abba-Dancing Queen!!! Very surprising, I know, for a music snob like me. But you see, in 2007 The Bowman Girls went to Vegas. This trip came about after Rachel and I spent hours on the couch 'planning a trip' that was suppose to be NY, then Mexico, then Colorado, then just book it one week before we are leaving, then anywhere we could get free lodging via my parents, then at last...Vegas Vacation. After an insane amount of gambling (that was just me, I have a problem), hotel touring, and poolside lounging for the first few days, we went to see Mama Mia. Emily was quite adamant that Rachel and I get up to dance during Dancing Queen. Rachel and I were both quite stubborn and weren't going to be forced. That's when Emily popped us in the head...we were not happy, but gave in. We can laugh now.

Rachel, I have so many fun memories with you! Thanks for being born! Happy Birthday!

To have and to hold?

It's a love/hate relationship between us. We are on again, off again, on again. We can't seem to ever get it right. I think about giving up entirely. I did once. We were on a hiatus from March-June(well, maybe we spent about 30 minutes together here and there).

I don't know what it is...not engaging enough sometimes? a little boring? I don't have enough discipline to see it through? hurts me too much? I know I'm bad at it, so I give up too easily? I don't see improvement, so figure it isn't worth it? The bad days far outweigh the good?

In July, I returned from my 4 month running break. Decided I would start training for the London Half-not sure yet if that's a go, but a 8k around Windsor Castle is on the calender! What it is about running and me-why don't we get along sometimes? Do I take it so seriously that it is no longer fun? Probably. Is it a sign of bigger struggles in my life? Definitely!

My 'beef' with running comes down to two key issues for me:

1. )My pride: See, I'm not much of a distance runner. I was born to sprint (that's what I tell myself to make me feel better about my distance running!). I know my previous paces and I'm pretty far off them these days. I see someone running beside me at the gym and I pass judgement- I should be faster than her and be able to go farther (rude, forgive me). I pass someone on the street that's much older than me running, and get furious with myself that I have to walk. I try to do too much too soon-like for instance last week I decided I should be 30 seconds faster than I am.. now my leg hurts. Yep, all that is pride eating me alive and not allowing me to just enjoy it.

2.) My ungratefulness: Moni and I spent a lot of time at the Rec in college. The treadmills were across the back row of the cardio machines. Often times when we were running/walking, this girl would come in to do the Elliptical machine in front of us. She had braces on her legs and used arm things (I can't think of the word for the life of me!) for assistance with walking. I think of her a lot. I think of the man that has pushed his son in a wheelchair through tons of triathlons. I think of all these people who will never get to walk, much less run. I have two legs that take me where I want to go. Nobody is making me run...why can't I do it without complaining? Why can't I be more thankful...?

This is my challenge: Go at a pace that feels right and take time to enjoy the journey.

The perfect cuppa tea

I've done it. I've finally done it. I've learned to make the perfect cuppa proper British tea (sort of). It's been a hard lesson. It's one that I managed to avoid for the past two weeks, but yesterday, as luck would have it, my fate was changed.

You see...I became quite spoiled. For the past two weeks a colleague has been making my afternoon cuppa tea. Yesterday our love affair ended. He told me to quit taking a pi** at him, and make the tea today. I tried to weasel my way out of it by using my all too common excuse "I don't know how to do that." It didn't work. What once was afternoon tea time, quickly became afternoon detention hall. I was forced to learn.

Here were the simple steps he outlined for me:

1.) Two tea bags in the tea pot-check
2.) Turn on the kettle (it is electrical)-check
3.) Put milk in mugs-check
4.) Go get the boiling water from the kettle

*Uncheck-see, I thought I turned on the kettle, turns out I didn't. How was I to know that the single line meant on and the 'o' meant off. "Bellah, you can't even turn on the kettle. You're going to serve us cold tea."

5.) Turn the kettle on for real-check
6.) Return with the boiling water-check
7.) Pour the boiling water into the tea pot-hmmm

-If turning on the kettle didn't get me, surely this would. I've been fooled, it's not as easy as 'tip me over and pour me out'. Thanks Mother Goose. You must start by pouring from a very high distance above the tea pot, then you get closer, than further away again. It's tricky, but apparently the only way.

8.) Let it sit for 7 minutes

That's when mister tea master got anxious and only waited 3 minutes for it to brew and then proceeded to blame me for the weak tea.

Given my less than stellar performance yesterday, I felt the need to redeem myself today. I took on afternoon tea time like a seasoned veteran. Kettle on and all. Well, until I forgot to pour from high to low and clean out the tea pot...baby steps.