tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51609888979714145662024-02-06T22:00:13.796-05:00Adventures in Greece...in between jobs...chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365032808661367994noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160988897971414566.post-10180300137988161342009-03-12T23:12:00.003-04:002009-03-12T23:13:39.684-04:00Alright, I've done it...I made my new blog on Wordpress! It's definitely going to have an emphasis on my photography from now on...I'm turning over a new leaf, and it's going to be a creative one!<br /><br />If I ever do move back to Greece, I'll revive this blog, but until then, switch on over to the new one!<br /><br />http://chelsearoberson.wordpress.com/chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365032808661367994noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160988897971414566.post-27756961302797142882009-03-12T15:18:00.004-04:002009-03-12T15:24:38.270-04:00new blog?Well, I've decided I need/want to move my blog to Wordpress. Before I do so, I have to figure out what username to grab up. Obviously, Chelsea In Greece is a bit outdated and totally not true anymore (though in my heart I am, haha).<br /><br />Any suggestions?chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365032808661367994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160988897971414566.post-9158581563907837262009-02-22T22:51:00.007-05:002009-02-22T22:58:02.827-05:00itty bitty living space...When my sister was here in January, she measured out my apartment inch for inch and drew a nice little diagram of it. She cleaned it up and scanned it into her computer when she returned home and sent me the file.<br /><br />Since I know a lot of you don't know how my apartment is laid out (it's hard to get across through photos), I will post her lovely little drawing...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbb1-i36jYd4dF-yLUqSs0D4leGD9jE6egBaEdujSv7AxjCNkMNR43bnflOToUKicLzJAX5G9W7Ze86zF1rhwkToIVgcJjDSVXM7iJP6o1bxepZwy7CIrIwK6h2pgihFBnAmCvFHyF8-vk/s1600-h/Apt+Drawing.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbb1-i36jYd4dF-yLUqSs0D4leGD9jE6egBaEdujSv7AxjCNkMNR43bnflOToUKicLzJAX5G9W7Ze86zF1rhwkToIVgcJjDSVXM7iJP6o1bxepZwy7CIrIwK6h2pgihFBnAmCvFHyF8-vk/s400/Apt+Drawing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305835746843522274" border="0" /></a><br />I had initially thought it was 300 square feet, but after her calculations taking into account the column (that black thing at the end of the kitchen counter that protrudes into the closet) and some other things it turns out it's around 275 square feet...yipes!<br /><br />The only thing the drawing is missing is the kitchen sink, which is on the counter towards the top.<br /><br />I decided to do a little ghetto addition of my own to show how I have my furniture set up...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEgD_-ncGRt19DIpsmFWLlW1v4612mgMYvVGw3_C6sHy4faNpCvVov4SJZ68CU3ddBV17m7RT55gI92eDBfqiD-yzRI6LPTcCx_7A2vc6gc1VJxXFw5t95tGOR3HXDiO_kK1VeiZ0orCG/s1600-h/Apt+Drawing+W+Furniture.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEgD_-ncGRt19DIpsmFWLlW1v4612mgMYvVGw3_C6sHy4faNpCvVov4SJZ68CU3ddBV17m7RT55gI92eDBfqiD-yzRI6LPTcCx_7A2vc6gc1VJxXFw5t95tGOR3HXDiO_kK1VeiZ0orCG/s400/Apt+Drawing+W+Furniture.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305836399236024450" border="0" /></a><br />If you have a hard time seeing anything, you can click to make the photos larger.<br /><br />So there you have it...my humble existence, on a grid...ha.<br /><br /><br />PS. First person to tell me what movie the title line is from and who says it wins a virtual pat on the back from yours truly!chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365032808661367994noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160988897971414566.post-16445088509957748392009-02-22T20:05:00.006-05:002009-02-22T20:21:55.573-05:00making the old new againI've been staying in a lot more lately...partly due to wanting to save money, but even more so because I'm just so tired of winter. The cold has officially gotten to my very core and made me even more of a recluse than I was before.<br /><br />On the bright side, I've been doing a lot more with my apartment because of this fact. One of my favorite new additions is a teeny tiny desk that I found on Craigslist for a whole $5. It had only two legs and was advertised as a lap desk to rest on your lap as you do paperwork. Lucky for me, I saw a whole lot of potential in it, including the fact that it would fit perfectly in my very limited space.<br /><br />I bought two 'L brackets' from Ikea for fifty cents each to mount it to the wall, making this whole project a whooping $6 since I already had the paint.<br /><br />Before...(I know you're thinking, how could I possibly want to paint over this heart-tastic design?!?!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNUBFOjiPR8iVroGxcb-opuKDyZf17CibMojEY4FJ7kqq2NsRBTiwpZXnaPBwQ1B8Qvrxa-T__sTwGw2OW6YbtQ3NIXVdS6LnXRI3IP-Rd2zp42iUlB_PBGQqsCpgQEz9BLVaO8MxDwhyphenhyphen/s1600-h/Desk+Before.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNUBFOjiPR8iVroGxcb-opuKDyZf17CibMojEY4FJ7kqq2NsRBTiwpZXnaPBwQ1B8Qvrxa-T__sTwGw2OW6YbtQ3NIXVdS6LnXRI3IP-Rd2zp42iUlB_PBGQqsCpgQEz9BLVaO8MxDwhyphenhyphen/s400/Desk+Before.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305793645973088242" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After...(I love blues...and it's the absolute perfect size for my sewing machine!) I want to do something with the wooden top, like decoupage something awesome onto it, but I can't decide what...suggestions welcome!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOcRYvLlhExpf4NwoSRZZRdx7O_enWP-JBSoenCKD4QJ0amf8wLgFdGp_pjGdHbfVdLupbcu3lKSSrn4sv9nFd5Nj1yPWIcA7nclC86Mj2-oBEFEUbxtRDqdVYEQDoIz86btXV1iB3rG9/s1600-h/Desk+After.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOcRYvLlhExpf4NwoSRZZRdx7O_enWP-JBSoenCKD4QJ0amf8wLgFdGp_pjGdHbfVdLupbcu3lKSSrn4sv9nFd5Nj1yPWIcA7nclC86Mj2-oBEFEUbxtRDqdVYEQDoIz86btXV1iB3rG9/s400/Desk+After.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305795004353750082" border="0" /></a>chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365032808661367994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160988897971414566.post-2634430450226890822009-02-06T23:49:00.005-05:002009-02-07T00:01:20.915-05:00birthday lootLast Thursday was my birthday, and on top of having my great older sis come to visit me in the currently frozen north (which was her gift to me), I scored some great birthday loot as well!<br /><br />My mom, Robin and grandparents all chipped in to get me the mother of all birthday gifts...a sewing machine!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPdYFnyAtySuSxS9wibCoBhzpNKChw1Xine6LoK-5YNPInUf4lJaTDZVSKOAWsa3IbyJNznUGJPOLrweDfBU8yzC6FywLYFgRKrnANHRtqHs9L3BH1gp_gA00sZ97488QogmQVFoXY1KX/s1600-h/SewingMachine.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPdYFnyAtySuSxS9wibCoBhzpNKChw1Xine6LoK-5YNPInUf4lJaTDZVSKOAWsa3IbyJNznUGJPOLrweDfBU8yzC6FywLYFgRKrnANHRtqHs9L3BH1gp_gA00sZ97488QogmQVFoXY1KX/s400/SewingMachine.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299914485335923346" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My great friend (and fantastic blues musician) Shakey got me a washboard and some brushes for it...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDDMXJvuO6tIedjwmdkIJ3YAGOVYtwnLCcSHyrq5hOOX5kDD0qhDCh7mj9PwY3u9Gm2vPNa7yWSfhRBRpwyLnK9oG510AIwPmb1rMXmq6QNq616_BwHbN-ZeQRzhZcI1n3tBIHZ_dKtOC/s1600-h/Washboard.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDDMXJvuO6tIedjwmdkIJ3YAGOVYtwnLCcSHyrq5hOOX5kDD0qhDCh7mj9PwY3u9Gm2vPNa7yWSfhRBRpwyLnK9oG510AIwPmb1rMXmq6QNq616_BwHbN-ZeQRzhZcI1n3tBIHZ_dKtOC/s400/Washboard.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299914954871923858" border="0" /></a><br /><br />He also got me these radtastic harmonicas because I'd expressed an interest in learning recently...(I had my first lesson from him this week!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk3_XOHPhzaaQCj02-LI1a54htPtYwon3PRlBcB9U_kchlmkEgdYdQDnImOui2GDhuLhsutBDauTj7-O9EPQ06dKcWd1ZF0TPwH5pCP6132F1BB7OVkNdUafDF32U_xF3xImgCsWcX-xJe/s1600-h/Harmonicas.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk3_XOHPhzaaQCj02-LI1a54htPtYwon3PRlBcB9U_kchlmkEgdYdQDnImOui2GDhuLhsutBDauTj7-O9EPQ06dKcWd1ZF0TPwH5pCP6132F1BB7OVkNdUafDF32U_xF3xImgCsWcX-xJe/s400/Harmonicas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299915374719883906" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I'd say it was a pretty successful birthday.<br /><br />I also promise to start posting photos more often.chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365032808661367994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160988897971414566.post-29129977828965917882009-01-11T15:49:00.004-05:002009-01-11T16:14:24.048-05:00the hazards of being a pedestrianI actually have a few different things I could update about right now, but I feel like I've been lacking in the "ridiculous stories" department lately. So, without further ado, the latest ridiculous story...<br /><br />I was walking to work in the rain the other day, carrying a bright lime green umbrella and wearing a bright orange scarf. When coming to any intersection, no matter how big or small, I almost always give the right-away to cars, even if I have a distinctly painted cross-walk inviting me to boldly cross without caution. Well, on this particularly dreary day, most cars were giving me the wave (I'm sure they felt bad for me having to walk in in the cold rain as they were warm and cozy in their cars) and I might have grown a bit careless because of this. I reached one of the last intersections before I turned onto South Street, and looked to my left. There was a car, coming, but slowing down very quickly...so I began to dash across the street, figuring I'd have plenty of time to cross, even if they weren't too keen on letting me.<br /><br />It just so happens that the road this car was about to cross was a one-way, with cars only coming from the left...and I was coming from the right. The driver of this car had his head craned to the left to see if any approaching cars were coming, and when he saw there were none, he hit the gas without even turning to look straight ahead, which is exactly where I was at that moment. Luckily, I realized what was happening just seconds before it actually did, and I pivoted just a bit. So, as the car hit my legs, instead of having any real impact, it just caused me to bend over and fall onto the hood of the car, slapping it with my hand for support, which also served to alert the negligent driver.<br /><br />When the driver heard me hit the hood, he immediately stopped and looked over in horror. I made eye contact with him, stood upright and began to walk past the car. As soon as I had cleared the bumper, he glared viciously, gave me the middle finger, and sped off.<br /><br />I should also mention that this was a fairly older man with a disability tag hanging from his rear view mirror. I stood there in shock for a moment, mulling over what had just happened. Then I headed to work and immediately related the story to anyone who would listen.<br /><br />Now I can check "get hit by a car" off my list of ridiculous things that have happened to me.chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365032808661367994noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160988897971414566.post-90227720747755966162008-12-23T02:20:00.003-05:002008-12-23T02:48:21.547-05:00It's a Christmas miracle!For the past month or so, I've been certain I would be spending Christmas alone, with my tripod tree (glorious as it is) and cat. This past Friday, I was graced with Ashley and Joel Selby's presence in my humble abode for the day to celebrate their newly proclaimed holiday...Chelsmas. Their gift to me was both unexpected and delightful...it was a series of many gifts, which consisted of different increments of money, with little notes stating things like, "What could you do with $5?...Get Loulou some treats!"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QL-mLZVOH2Y9skZb7tIaE8-DSZ2sDIqNEVsSelZ36a-pgvMjC9WKNJhiGemlQuw-I-WOfJqFqjj2uIbGshI22jpYZGCS5NTY9CDPZM1xF5STHXL_y8svLkkMAEK9f9wcLgVr-ipIj1FR/s1600-h/IMG_2187+%281+of+1%29.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QL-mLZVOH2Y9skZb7tIaE8-DSZ2sDIqNEVsSelZ36a-pgvMjC9WKNJhiGemlQuw-I-WOfJqFqjj2uIbGshI22jpYZGCS5NTY9CDPZM1xF5STHXL_y8svLkkMAEK9f9wcLgVr-ipIj1FR/s400/IMG_2187+%281+of+1%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282886838053618130" border="0" /></a><br />(Ashley and I in front of my tripod tree and stocking as we celebrate Chelsmas.)<br /><br />The last in the line of presents was still more money, with the statement, "What could you do with $60?...Come to Parkersburg for Christmas!!!!!"<br /><br />I'm pretty sure I teared up a bit when I read that. I was absolutely resigned to not being able to make it out there this year, but after this incredible bid towards my presence, I had to at least put forth a valiant effort.<br /><br />I timidly approach my employer about getting some time off in order to make the trip, ready with tears in waiting just in case I needed the big guns. Luckily, no waterworks were needed and I was rewarded with four glorious days of time off to go spend my Christmas in Parkersburg.<br /><br />So, after I open the coffee shop bright and early tomorrow (which is actually today at this point, and only four and half hours away...I need to stop this night-owl thing), I will be running around to finish a few thing before I hit the road in the afternoon.<br /><br />(This is one of my favorite photos I took last year in Parkersburg during Christmas. It's through the sunroof on my car...)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibyQcq6DM7zUkT-x_p2SAS92jZdbx5c_hNcCGqAuXNfMc8obWX0GWoqsTH0biPplmTL2rFCfXHzzlQ9KSvd8E7lj-UQbUw1Y-sJ8dx2RjIhsqHGnRdW-PzOfekQE5wyCC8XSWvIS5_th6j/s1600-h/IMG_3785+%281+of+1%29.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibyQcq6DM7zUkT-x_p2SAS92jZdbx5c_hNcCGqAuXNfMc8obWX0GWoqsTH0biPplmTL2rFCfXHzzlQ9KSvd8E7lj-UQbUw1Y-sJ8dx2RjIhsqHGnRdW-PzOfekQE5wyCC8XSWvIS5_th6j/s400/IMG_3785+%281+of+1%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282882270086320402" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So, a very Merry Christmas to everyone...and safe travels to all of you who aren't sticking at home this year. I'm vowing to start updating my blog more than once a month, so here's hoping I'll stick to it!chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365032808661367994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160988897971414566.post-50179749076839330772008-12-15T00:15:00.004-05:002008-12-15T00:33:21.905-05:00ah, winter.Well, I'd say it's about time for another update.<br /><br />The city is getting to be extremely cold. I was warned about this, and I shrugged off all the warnings, stating I would be fine. In fact, I said I liked the cold...was looking forward to it even.<br /><br />I really had no idea what I was getting myself into. Leg warmers have become my best friend, as have hot drinks and my new coat, but despite all that, I'm still astonished at how numbingly cold it is here. Luckily, there have been some warmer days in the past week, which have given me a much needed break from the constant chill that has seemed to set into my bones.<br /><br />I haven't turned my heat on yet. Part of that is due to the fact that it's gas and will cost me a lot of money I don't want to spend, and the other part of it is that I'm just stubborn like that. I vowed I'd live through the winter on my space heater and blankets alone, and by golly, I plan on it. I guess we'll see how it goes when February rolls around.<br /><br />In an effort to keep myself occupied during the cold, since I don't want to leave my apartment unless I have to, I've been doing a lot of arts and crafts lately. I learned how to knit last week, which has come in quite handy during the slow hours at the cafe, and I've been painting a lot more as well. I don't always have the motivation to do artsy things, but it's gotten to the point that I've run out of options, so unless I want to lay in bed all day doing nothing, (you know, aside from working), I find the motivation.<br /><br />I posted a new album of photos on Facebook from my last photo expedition in the city (since it's gotten too cold for me), but I'll add a few on here for all you (probably down to one or two people now since I hardly ever update) who check out my blog.<br /><br />I'm in love with the doors in this city...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1836/102/59/71000993/n71000993_32777040_4213.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 464px; height: 309px;" src="http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1836/102/59/71000993/n71000993_32777040_4213.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And the uneven stone streets...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1836/102/59/71000993/n71000993_32777039_3967.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 464px; height: 309px;" src="http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1836/102/59/71000993/n71000993_32777039_3967.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I got my prints (the old ones from my photo show in May of 2007) back from Stone Soup Bistro (they've been hanging up there since I moved) and was finally able to fill my living room wall up and make my apartment feel a bit more lived in. That, paired with my tripod tree (can't afford to get an actual one) and stocking, and it's just downright cozy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1836/102/59/71000993/n71000993_32777014_7881.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 464px; height: 348px;" src="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1836/102/59/71000993/n71000993_32777014_7881.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365032808661367994noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160988897971414566.post-41536024081865160712008-10-01T01:06:00.003-04:002008-10-01T09:12:36.334-04:00My Muslim bodyguardsI felt as if I was living through an episode (or several) of Seinfeld today. First with the waking up from the call to prayer and then at work I had to spend no less than three hours being the go-between for my boss* (a brilliant man who sometimes has difficultly communicating his ideas) and a coffee appliance repair man that talked way too loudly, and then later as I walked back from work I had the most interesting and reassuring run-in with my newest neighborhood acquaintance.<br /><br />*Side note* Did I mention I have a job working at an authentic French cafe/coffee shop a few blocks away that just opened? Well, I do. I found the job four days after moving here and as luck would have it, was only the second full-time employee hired (the cafe just opened a few weeks ago). I make crepes, Belgian waffles and French sandwiches as well as brew excellent coffee and espresso that is roasted right here in Philadelphia. I love working in a place that feels like it's straight out of Europe.<br /><br />So on my way back from work this evening I ran into one of the nice men that either works or just hangs out in the barbershop I live above. His name is Adbur and he's a sweet middle-aged Muslim who eagerly introduced himself to me a few days ago after I'd been waving at him every time I walked by the barbershop for the last few weeks.<br /><br />He asked how my day had gone and told me a little about the festivities that had gone on in the streets while I was away at work and then got very serious and leaned in close to tell me what appeared to be something incredibly important. What he proceeded to say not only surprised me, but delighted me to no end.<br /><br />I'll paraphrase: "Dear sweet girl, I just want you to know that up and down these blocks are good Muslim people who have taken notice of your move here. Two of them live in your building, and then there is the group of us at the barbershop nearly every day. I want you to know that if anyone ever so much as looks at you wrong, we will be there for you. We watch out for each other, and you are part of our family here now. You may not feel like you fit in around here, but we want you to know that we're here for you, and we'll be here to watch out for you as long as you live here. You just let me or any of us know if we can be of help to you in any way and we will do whatever we can. We all look out for each other, that's just the way it is. You have a blessed night dear, and keep on smiling like you do."<br /><br />I walked the last half a block back to my apartment with a huge grin on my face and couldn't help but chuckle with delight to myself. If I'd ever had doubts about living in the city alone, they had all just melted away.<br /><br />I love my neighborhood.chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365032808661367994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160988897971414566.post-10443016593178136962008-09-30T09:04:00.004-04:002008-09-30T09:30:43.266-04:00Allaahu akbarThis morning I woke up at 8 am with the sounds of the Muslim call to prayer blaring through my windows. I live right across the street from a Muslim prayer temple and today is Eid ul-Fitr. It's the end of Ramadan, so I'm guessing that's why there are hoards of people streaming into the tiny prayer temple. According to Wikipedia it lasts three days, so I'm wondering if I'll be waking up to this for the next three mornings.<br /><br />Generally I hear the prayer services each night, but they're not usually broadcast loudly through the streets, so it wafts in my window just faintly enough to lull me to sleep and provide a nice background to my evenings, but this morning was a bit more invasive. I didn't mind too much as it got me out of bed earlier than usual when I don't open the cafe, but Loulou was a bit freaked out and unnerved by the whole thing. Days like today I feel as if I'm in a different country...which I love.<br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qgK5v76ws7M"> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qgK5v76ws7M" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="350" width="425"></embed> </object>chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365032808661367994noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160988897971414566.post-60595198755151565752008-09-10T00:19:00.002-04:002008-09-10T00:36:59.749-04:00Living on a whim...A week and a half ago, I started pondering Philadelphia.<br /><br />Today, I moved here!<br /><br />It seems like ever since I decided I wanted to move, no place, job, idea caught my attention long enough for me to actually begin pursuing it...and if it did, the pursuit usually ended in failure. So, as I started considering Philly, I casually browsed Craigslist one night only to find the most perfectly located and perfectly priced apartment for rent. I jumped on it, and found out yesterday that I got it...and today I signed the lease and moved in!<br /><br />I'm still a little shell-shocked at how fast this all happened, but it all played out so easily and perfectly that surely it's meant to be.<br /><br />My tiny one-bedroom apartment is perfect for me and Loulou (who will be joining me Sunday) and the sorry amount of stuff that I own. The kitchen is pretty bare, but the rest of the place is actually looking quite nice now that I've got some furniture in it.<br /><br />Behold...some photos...<br /><br />From my door...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v316/102/59/71000993/n71000993_32536925_2787.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v316/102/59/71000993/n71000993_32536925_2787.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Furniture filling it up!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v316/102/59/71000993/n71000993_32536939_7042.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v316/102/59/71000993/n71000993_32536939_7042.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The kitchen, once I had it all clean and organized...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v316/102/59/71000993/n71000993_32536950_593.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v316/102/59/71000993/n71000993_32536950_593.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I am those front two windows on each corner above the barbershop...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v316/102/59/71000993/n71000993_32536941_7694.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v316/102/59/71000993/n71000993_32536941_7694.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Cozy little bedroom...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-h.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v316/102/59/71000993/n71000993_32536951_925.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://photos-h.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v316/102/59/71000993/n71000993_32536951_925.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365032808661367994noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160988897971414566.post-8562458152256825732008-09-06T08:50:00.003-04:002008-09-06T09:08:33.770-04:00Goodbye Stone SoupToday is my last day at Stone Soup. I put in my month's notice about a month and a week ago, so it's been a long time coming. I knew I wanted to take some time to myself before I upped and moved my whole world somewhere new, but I have a feeling it's going to be harder to part than I anticipated.<br /><br />Lately, it's been a highly stressful and disappointing job due to the customers and their overall treatment of the servers and insanely low tips (you would not believe how many seemingly decent and nice people leave less than a dollar these days). I know the economy has a lot to do with this, but I still find it a bit inexcusable. I mean, don't go out to eat if you can't budget for a tip...it's simple! Anyway, enough ranting...<br /><br />Aside from the bad customers, things there have really been better than most any other job I've had in the past at a place like this. It's definitely unique (mostly organic food...located in a 200+ year-old building...a total of six servers and five kitchen staff), has allowed me to do things I never thought I'd get to do (be a line cook, become a wine connoisseur, work out my leg muscles at work [it's a two story restaurant and I'm always the upstairs server]) and it's become like a family to me. I know that it will take a while for me to realize I'm done there, but I'm sure once I do I'll feel just the slightest bit of sadness.<br /><br />Then I'm sure that sadness will quickly turn to relief and happiness...and soon thereafter, panic about what I'm going to do next.<br /><br />So now, the question is...what <span style="font-style: italic;">am</span> I going to do next? Well, that is as much a mystery to me as it is to you. Keep your fingers crossed that I come across some awesomely cool opportunity and am able to jump on it.<br /><br />As for now, I think I've earned a little vacation time.<br /><br />[Stone Soup Bistro is the smaller building on the right]<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwI6Dvd_iBYsv9XqqJCaD0q2KJUNLWhyphenhyphenLP6mVy84qs8gHlYn8gBvp32itO4JKTqQ8JXprSsfs5gkNVZKh05E3k3blg9O6O9cHW-uZXQXfZeHLzdhydjnxQPfcpkxbQP_81OEaFnSL5SE3/s1600-h/IMG_4811.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwI6Dvd_iBYsv9XqqJCaD0q2KJUNLWhyphenhyphenLP6mVy84qs8gHlYn8gBvp32itO4JKTqQ8JXprSsfs5gkNVZKh05E3k3blg9O6O9cHW-uZXQXfZeHLzdhydjnxQPfcpkxbQP_81OEaFnSL5SE3/s400/IMG_4811.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242891435144498610" border="0" /></a>chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365032808661367994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160988897971414566.post-46912041253077943922008-08-28T00:29:00.005-04:002008-08-28T00:45:55.412-04:00Being land-locked eats my soulNeeding a break from life, I hopped in the car and drove to Philly on a whim after work on Monday. I've enjoyed my time off immensely, but unfortunately, I have to go back to reality tomorrow.<br /><br />One of the things that has been getting me down recently has been the fact that I haven't been to the beach once this summer. For a Floridian with an intense love of the ocean, that's almost heartbreaking. Luckily, for me I was able to spend today on the Jersey Shore, reviving my soul after being away from the beach far too long.<br /><br />It was my first time in New Jersey and I was not disappointed. Then again, I only really saw their beach, but that was enough for me. It was a soul-reviving trip and I feel refreshed just enough to tackle my double double on Friday and Saturday.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnG5yzSnmB6BhtF0vNA2WwM9Ny_HfEc9IqoscoGJWfjyQyaI6pQbgRwOqhOyuGZOlwL0hoX-3rdrxK-Lc5SkhsZqi-moJfiYxsOIWPcpjHkJ5SRZxPWIUox6cQPAWElk9BV5Lq6oxgUfk/s1600-h/IMG_0855.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnG5yzSnmB6BhtF0vNA2WwM9Ny_HfEc9IqoscoGJWfjyQyaI6pQbgRwOqhOyuGZOlwL0hoX-3rdrxK-Lc5SkhsZqi-moJfiYxsOIWPcpjHkJ5SRZxPWIUox6cQPAWElk9BV5Lq6oxgUfk/s400/IMG_0855.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239423608116502434" border="0" /></a>chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365032808661367994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160988897971414566.post-42697915954917128962008-08-23T19:55:00.000-04:002008-08-24T02:58:54.835-04:00A photo update at last!I should definitely post photos more often than I do...especially if I want to keep claiming to be a photographer. Part of the reason I don't is because I should definitely be taking <span style="font-style: italic;">more</span> photos than I am. I'm working on it.<br /><br />Tonight I made it out to the county fair to take some shots and blow off some steam from work...<br />[I now interrupt this blog post to make a very important announcement...*Please tip your servers...it's not our fault if the food takes a long time, and it's <span style="font-style: italic;">definitely</span> not our fault if you choose to be a jerk about it.* Thank you.]<br /><br />So anyway, I'm happy I made it out to the fair because there were plenty of wonderful photo opportunities.<br /><br />Behold... (click them to make them larger...it's worth it!)<br /><br />I loved the sky in this one...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oFaBVjHrTn8FsGF1rjN_XEixtNtew408PX1wGcF-eait8kD0b60S1btuLE3dL5aDwSsOleItkOIjt4B8sc8l9h0nIpP9NJKxeG2zGwTH_reI_Lldeh_CBVqSZqfFUvP8EAewcVsootaL/s1600-h/IMG_9389+%282%29.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oFaBVjHrTn8FsGF1rjN_XEixtNtew408PX1wGcF-eait8kD0b60S1btuLE3dL5aDwSsOleItkOIjt4B8sc8l9h0nIpP9NJKxeG2zGwTH_reI_Lldeh_CBVqSZqfFUvP8EAewcVsootaL/s400/IMG_9389+%282%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237973228300753282" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Everything about this screamed, "TAKE A PHOTO!"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid38hL5GLkygjtiRWHWDbAIDSg2Yxc7iD6Gvra-jbgnUUK9h9KGEkYa7vJ4zkUETsbX4YetOaGZqI46BUCyNqUF7GhIzhVdRsytSdbzrTCt3w9CO3Ih876jHcnKPsJE6d_E0PkIQQGQjGS/s1600-h/IMG_9443+%282%29.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid38hL5GLkygjtiRWHWDbAIDSg2Yxc7iD6Gvra-jbgnUUK9h9KGEkYa7vJ4zkUETsbX4YetOaGZqI46BUCyNqUF7GhIzhVdRsytSdbzrTCt3w9CO3Ih876jHcnKPsJE6d_E0PkIQQGQjGS/s400/IMG_9443+%282%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237973387195886338" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Nothing goes together better than sleepy bulls and karaoke...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvsLOZMoiHTCc2HN0V7g50EST3Q0jEDoZm6TFGXKdpSUWWblNY6AX2yLY8iQ50ZgWC_KYTao23g0ja8-Mwi-Rqa7nCd763NXiP_NJBx4asY6R2O4gtxK3cF0HuMBcbO-f6g9RfwmTqIRB/s1600-h/IMG_9530+%282%29.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvsLOZMoiHTCc2HN0V7g50EST3Q0jEDoZm6TFGXKdpSUWWblNY6AX2yLY8iQ50ZgWC_KYTao23g0ja8-Mwi-Rqa7nCd763NXiP_NJBx4asY6R2O4gtxK3cF0HuMBcbO-f6g9RfwmTqIRB/s400/IMG_9530+%282%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237973312697263842" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0AtVqRgqkAMAJRCl44BDh6NYfasmAW3noCcp_0klkKIk3QxrEyoljALbhQm9Fa2aOeaqtIfupoJSrrhj_asUdBu43KUKR36lYjHQ3YO6jfj73u2hy9ihVYSOtjLz6JRUoaNGN2d7mg0nm/s1600-h/IMG_9530+%281%29.jpg"><br /></a>chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365032808661367994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160988897971414566.post-72823200726570633462008-08-13T15:50:00.001-04:002008-08-13T22:54:08.970-04:00A year ago today...A year ago today, I moved to Greece.<br /><br />A year ago today I would've told you that I'd most definitely <span style="font-style: italic;">still</span> be in Greece, living happily in my breezy Ikea-furnished room as an au pair.<br /><br />It's amazing how hardly anything went as I planned from the moment I boarded the plane to the moment I realized that being an au pair wasn't anything I'd hoped or imagined.<br /><br />As far as how I went from being an au pair in Greece to a server in West Virginia, well, sometimes I question myself about the chain of events that led me here, but I definitely don't regret any of the decisions I made between there and here. Lately though, I can't help but be caught up in my thoughts, reminiscing about my time in Greece. I may no longer be in Greece, but it's certain to say that my heart most definitely is.<br /><br />Looking back, my nearly four months there were tumultuous and stressful, but I grew and learned so much from every moment I spent there. From learning how to drive in the insanity that is downtown Athens traffic to spending time on the very beach they used in the movie <span style="font-style: italic;">Mamma Mia!</span> while they built the set, it all feels as if it was a dream that was over far too quickly.<br /><br />Sometimes it's a hard realization to make, that, no matter what, you can't relive the past. I suppose that's just how things go. We all have experiences in our lives that no one can help us hold onto the memory of, but ourselves, and I'm sure my life will continue on in a similar fashion. I'm certain to be lamenting about some other past experience of my life that I'd like to be able to relive soon enough, so I should just go with the flow and move on already.<br /><br />Speaking of moving on, I've pretty much decided it's about that time again. I know, I know, I've been here a mere 8 months, but I just can't seem to grasp the idea of settling down quite yet. Maybe it's the fact that Greece has been haunting my thoughts lately, or maybe I just have this alternate biological clock inside me that lets me know when it's time move on. Whatever it is, it's been causing me to feel more than ready to pack my bags, sell whatever extra stuff I've acquired and hit the road.<br /><br />I've got a few ideas in mind, but until anything is solid, I don't want to be throwing them out into cyberspace quite yet. The most I can really guarantee right now is that it will be after October 11 (when my roomies, Joel and Ashley, get married), and it will involve some serious road-tripping.<br /><br />Well...here's to a year past and the years to come...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWIoHZO1_Y7421VXHajN1Lmfo0y-CMN8j_lmy3uVEJFptONKLmJfozDOr3sK3zpso1xB34XI-D_pM5sROGDQ9KQay7ltibmL4ONAzN5RMykgkcpyp_CnDGzI4PH-gioVc832FpYkyiFUl/s1600-h/IMG_0499.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWIoHZO1_Y7421VXHajN1Lmfo0y-CMN8j_lmy3uVEJFptONKLmJfozDOr3sK3zpso1xB34XI-D_pM5sROGDQ9KQay7ltibmL4ONAzN5RMykgkcpyp_CnDGzI4PH-gioVc832FpYkyiFUl/s400/IMG_0499.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234198534946504914" border="0" /></a>chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365032808661367994noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160988897971414566.post-5550775632399851222008-06-26T12:59:00.006-04:002008-06-26T13:21:30.291-04:00Trees trees and more trees!Would anybody be interested in a set of those tree paintings I did? I did some more in red and orange and could do them in any color. I'd be willing to cut a deal with you!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidon6h8iNvmq99zFKoVGv82I6RT6P_X4LdC5yJOIt3FaOiRrUXxIruIZmbHypN5CbsVzoliB-ruNf2gveHm952txHIMDJfkkGdHnMaUsKkpvzdHMNgcDICf_eNXMpg8_0q-aiLc4BuPlMU/s1600-h/RedOrangeTrees.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidon6h8iNvmq99zFKoVGv82I6RT6P_X4LdC5yJOIt3FaOiRrUXxIruIZmbHypN5CbsVzoliB-ruNf2gveHm952txHIMDJfkkGdHnMaUsKkpvzdHMNgcDICf_eNXMpg8_0q-aiLc4BuPlMU/s400/RedOrangeTrees.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216239710490173250" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWyZgrWRfDec5pvMhAklI-qAF3b5A5aTq9zvWnFJK8C80d0C5H4lIbwGNB9PxDlNPgrUudq4I0CMq-GqZxAcK7GlI_udsH_ymE-DYof8o6SGqypHDjRMyRBRF0bgg6CY0914qBTX3JQiq/s1600-h/OrangeRedTrees2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWyZgrWRfDec5pvMhAklI-qAF3b5A5aTq9zvWnFJK8C80d0C5H4lIbwGNB9PxDlNPgrUudq4I0CMq-GqZxAcK7GlI_udsH_ymE-DYof8o6SGqypHDjRMyRBRF0bgg6CY0914qBTX3JQiq/s400/OrangeRedTrees2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216239875001572370" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmkvGBuzG0DGI0Al7l20zOPuThl6C8ClmRVFOL4wrOsC0ran9ljpj-s8RN1-BFwI7ryCA-i3us5f90F0cIipqDCbqDlxAGK9lKdzZy1GV5HHR1fwcRqiS8QDFAo8w2tKNVbNQcGtGmwKw/s1600-h/IMG_4820.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmkvGBuzG0DGI0Al7l20zOPuThl6C8ClmRVFOL4wrOsC0ran9ljpj-s8RN1-BFwI7ryCA-i3us5f90F0cIipqDCbqDlxAGK9lKdzZy1GV5HHR1fwcRqiS8QDFAo8w2tKNVbNQcGtGmwKw/s400/IMG_4820.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216241297307213202" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPpXC8ghRdgMb_yIFeaqdM2VfNY1usk6I_3nK7321WdLIklxUbtxGOV60XyGHPYD7mFnffXV-7PKjAlfiNJj4e0u6hV4of9X8_lNlFCn3JF3q_m-jMGJZYLW7upzxrHyTeBYIw7Q2Gl7t/s1600-h/IMG_4888.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPpXC8ghRdgMb_yIFeaqdM2VfNY1usk6I_3nK7321WdLIklxUbtxGOV60XyGHPYD7mFnffXV-7PKjAlfiNJj4e0u6hV4of9X8_lNlFCn3JF3q_m-jMGJZYLW7upzxrHyTeBYIw7Q2Gl7t/s400/IMG_4888.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216241018911029874" border="0" /></a>chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365032808661367994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160988897971414566.post-7986373815048986342008-06-07T14:01:00.004-04:002008-06-07T21:04:21.148-04:00Oh the great gyro (yee-roh) debate....The owner/chef at Stone Soup recently changed the lunch menu, which I'm happy to announce includes a scrumptious lamb gyro thanks to me.<br /><br />Unfortunately though, the vast majority of our patrons have been pronouncing it jih-roh, as opposed to yee-roh, which is how it's supposed to be pronounced.<br /><br />I've found myself in a pickle, torn between wanting to take the easy route and pronounce it incorrectly as they do when I repeat back their order, or doing what I know in my heart of hearts is the right thing...which is pronouncing it yee-roh when I repeat it back.<br /><br />As of yet, I haven't had the ability to swallow my pride on the subject, which causes a bit of confusion on the part of the guest. This has caused some problems when my tables insist upon not only mispronouncing the word multiple times over, but then actually trying to correct me when I say it back differently. I get so frustrated that I almost wish she hadn't put the gyro on the menu in the first place...and it's only been a few days!<br /><br />Today in fact, I had an old woman get quite mad at me when I wouldn't say jih-roh. We went back and forth, "Jih-roh...yee-roh?...JIH-roh....YEEE-roh....no no no, it's JIIIIH-roh." I lasted a minute or two in this awkward exchange until I finally sighed and said, "Listen, you can say it however you'd like, but I've lived in Greece and as it is a GREEK sandwich, I'm going to go ahead and stick to my guns on this one."<br /><br />And then the poor old woman got a startled look on her face and said, "JIH-rohs are Greek???"chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365032808661367994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160988897971414566.post-59488320020101971262008-05-23T01:52:00.001-04:002008-05-23T08:55:33.570-04:00Another awkward moment...As a server, I come across all sorts of people with all sorts of attitudes. Luckily for me, I work in a place that generally attracts good-natured people, and I often get to strike up interesting conversations with them while I serve them.<br /><br />Yesterday, for instance, I was serving a nice man and his friend, and about halfway through the meal he inquired about what I wanted to do when I grew up. I told him that for now, serving was what was paying the bills, but that I hoped to get back into photography as my way of life in the near future. He asked about college, leading me to tell him that I'd gone to Harding. His eyes lit up as he announced, "My brother went there!"<br /><br />We talked a bit more, and I asked him why he hadn't gone there as well, and he made a slightly sarcastic comment about Harding being the "Christian school gone wild." I laughed, shook my head and replied, "No way, that's Pepperdine!"<br /><br />That's when he stopped laughing and said, "My daughter goes to Pepperdine."<br /><br />Oops.chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365032808661367994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160988897971414566.post-86150696998455922602008-05-15T15:19:00.000-04:002008-05-15T22:19:34.414-04:00Behold, the secret behind the ring in the toilet...May marks the fifth month that I've lived in Shepherdstown. I didn't honestly know how long I was planning to stay when I moved here, but when Ashley and I stumbled upon the perfect, recently-remodeled-with-all-new-bathroom-and-kitchen-appliances, apartment above the bakery on the main street, I knew I'd be staying at least six months when I signed the lease.<br /><br />Up until about two weeks ago, Ashley and I had gone the entire time living here without ever cleaning our toilet.<br /><br />Before you get to thinking I'm just too disgusting a person to ever read my blog again, our reason was this...our toilet just never got dirty. We would clean the outside, but the actual bowl never did get that tell-tale ring indicating that it'd been a bit too long since you took a brush and toilet bowl cleaner to the pot.<br /><br />Well, just before I went on my trip to Arkansas, I decided it was high time to clean it, regardless of the lack of ring inside and bought some cleaner and a brush.<br /><br />A week and a half later, there was a ring in the toilet.<br /><br />So, what I'm suggesting is this: toilet bowl cleaner is a complete and utter hoax that actually <span style="font-style: italic;">causes</span> the ring in the toilet to appear on a regular basis, therefore creating a constant need for more toilet bowl cleaner.<br /><br />I'm shocked and appalled at this new discovery. This is worse than the one where all the greeting card companies created Valentine's Day.<br /><br />I want our old "uncleaned" toilet back.chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365032808661367994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160988897971414566.post-71940837800010190312008-05-08T15:10:00.000-04:002008-05-08T23:10:37.965-04:00Back in the saddle againI was able to go horseback riding today. It was supposed to storm all afternoon, but instead we were graced with partly cloudy skies and beautiful weather. I've never taken my camera with me because I've always been worried about it getting jostled around too much (and there's always the possibility I'll become too distracted taking photos that I fall off the horse and land on my camera...damaging it beyond repair), but this time I took my chances and it was so worth it...<br /><br />David's horse has a gorgeous blue eye...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4xQE16wld4ATFLOdGthKqdMA9GOtIwRNdN1eLzprCjX5ta-xz5VHkRqT2KATwIcEs1WK4MaD-o7_8PDLb_3wCC0wiCeagTK9DrFibPqfMg0UkAj6LBEtCfeDEHrKiui5YKyKNBjUXWoL/s1600-h/IMG_5336.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4xQE16wld4ATFLOdGthKqdMA9GOtIwRNdN1eLzprCjX5ta-xz5VHkRqT2KATwIcEs1WK4MaD-o7_8PDLb_3wCC0wiCeagTK9DrFibPqfMg0UkAj6LBEtCfeDEHrKiui5YKyKNBjUXWoL/s400/IMG_5336.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198207336322762002" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Barn kitty!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ASPsKwZObITbymw4oRPi6vpMgqLk1R-p50FsQZA6CH-5x9T3fBPAmq9_9tSt4hEU04sgvoTediQMWS1uh9UTTt8DLYkgwHk3iCj5gO3un5VXijzvtBonACY1VHvwIVbTYWwunBaCPMi5/s1600-h/IMG_5374.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ASPsKwZObITbymw4oRPi6vpMgqLk1R-p50FsQZA6CH-5x9T3fBPAmq9_9tSt4hEU04sgvoTediQMWS1uh9UTTt8DLYkgwHk3iCj5gO3un5VXijzvtBonACY1VHvwIVbTYWwunBaCPMi5/s400/IMG_5374.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198209509576213826" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The woods were lush and green...and with the speckled sunlight coming through it was just perfect!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfiFh41-RHomwBUP9ny4hCbHYOLDLAp_-ZxpHL9zWX_SYhxfXnMUtTmoIVKxA-ThrsovbR7thYXw8OGkd_XeqNm1hRTl9VzZVBZv6RFvwkVNHngkWJ1qjRWJtp2pJKfB_Ji6gtiLZxFw_/s1600-h/IMG_5429.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfiFh41-RHomwBUP9ny4hCbHYOLDLAp_-ZxpHL9zWX_SYhxfXnMUtTmoIVKxA-ThrsovbR7thYXw8OGkd_XeqNm1hRTl9VzZVBZv6RFvwkVNHngkWJ1qjRWJtp2pJKfB_Ji6gtiLZxFw_/s400/IMG_5429.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198207735754720546" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I feel like this should be a still from some movie...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1TVLmT8sbbL99vrIafKyVw2ZHADhu1HDnFEBo0_D085Pyo_b20j2cWV7F5RBh6d0WXAFQ7BXP65kqDp6ib8xBERPxPyNO3o5KUp5q7O2fipq0WCdSIGuHLHh3rxrVRpAm_K08V9_zs0v/s1600-h/IMG_5457.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1TVLmT8sbbL99vrIafKyVw2ZHADhu1HDnFEBo0_D085Pyo_b20j2cWV7F5RBh6d0WXAFQ7BXP65kqDp6ib8xBERPxPyNO3o5KUp5q7O2fipq0WCdSIGuHLHh3rxrVRpAm_K08V9_zs0v/s400/IMG_5457.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198207920438314290" border="0" /></a>chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365032808661367994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160988897971414566.post-6494118107155903972008-05-07T11:56:00.000-04:002008-05-07T18:57:11.630-04:00Go figure...I got a phone call from a friend today back in Shepherdstown, telling me that Hillary and Chelsea Clinton would be making an appearance across the street from my apartment today.<br /><br />Not that I would ever really want to see Hillary and Chelsea Clinton, but sheesh, of all the exciting things to happen in our tiny little town of 800 people while I'm away...it had to be something newsworthy and photoworthy.<br /><br />Although, taking photos of Nate and Erin Copeland's precious daughter Kate was definitely worthwhile.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LvZ2VO2QQdVzoW3aGtxtzNJS-lTK12JJhHvMMrmf3BX-ThqAto5VVblY-tJte7n1quJcxGUQzDGgZKN4-txnSDDv-3A-gDw3MsIKOTVqOGF9v2CR-zp1T5Fz63DBj7N_cmaKbEDe3HfI/s1600-h/IMG_5250.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LvZ2VO2QQdVzoW3aGtxtzNJS-lTK12JJhHvMMrmf3BX-ThqAto5VVblY-tJte7n1quJcxGUQzDGgZKN4-txnSDDv-3A-gDw3MsIKOTVqOGF9v2CR-zp1T5Fz63DBj7N_cmaKbEDe3HfI/s400/IMG_5250.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197773274042926338" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I need to get back into the groove of taking photos again...seriously.chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365032808661367994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160988897971414566.post-9048104833948290572008-05-03T12:51:00.001-04:002008-05-03T19:51:23.663-04:00Artsy fartsyAs per request of <a href="http://ascendinglines.blogspot.com/">Brooke Condolora</a>, I am posting two photos of my tree paintings hanging up in Stone Soup. I took my camera to work today to document a bit of my life here in Shepherdstown. Sometimes I feel as if I don't exist in Shepherdstown because I haven't been taking as many photos as I used to. It's disheartening. I vow to change that when I return from Searcy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_sz6jfrpL_AB90eO26y3oyry_mISFlneiwgl3ZVOPYE-4oehUlW0gcgyUsqhQBrs4tisSNwl5e2ap8krY61kZf2PvvF0TRm-BS7ADDwTUZ6BFU-E7vrCNXJAn-YRNm8YUtr8ngSSTpqq/s1600-h/IMG_4820.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_sz6jfrpL_AB90eO26y3oyry_mISFlneiwgl3ZVOPYE-4oehUlW0gcgyUsqhQBrs4tisSNwl5e2ap8krY61kZf2PvvF0TRm-BS7ADDwTUZ6BFU-E7vrCNXJAn-YRNm8YUtr8ngSSTpqq/s400/IMG_4820.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196302545606138306" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWb_xAZUrk3Ov5ANzrX1o6zu4vb7m5HqkJJ1JgREqUOQWDwtDLJfoyeWsFmkNUZLz06qNQSjbLTEmUjqOSyIcwY_lDtpcwsAQlR8KaXwRqvV9KI7UM2y4B5o_hbqT-bdCurG9SXAB6FxMW/s1600-h/IMG_4888.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWb_xAZUrk3Ov5ANzrX1o6zu4vb7m5HqkJJ1JgREqUOQWDwtDLJfoyeWsFmkNUZLz06qNQSjbLTEmUjqOSyIcwY_lDtpcwsAQlR8KaXwRqvV9KI7UM2y4B5o_hbqT-bdCurG9SXAB6FxMW/s400/IMG_4888.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196302923563260370" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Well folks...that's all for today! (Two posts in two days...a record!)chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365032808661367994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160988897971414566.post-27343708878817476242008-05-02T19:06:00.001-04:002008-05-03T02:09:42.395-04:00It's about time I updated...On Sunday morning, at a bright and early (and probably highly unpleasant) 5 am, I'll be hitting the road and making the trek back to Searcy. According to Google Maps, it's 962 miles, taking about 15 hours and 33 minutes...we'll see how accurate that time is when I get there.<br /><br />Despite not actually having enough money for gas at the moment (hopefully serving tomorrow morning at Stone Soup will grant me some good tips), I'm really looking forward to the trip. It's been a long few months, with work seemingly taking up every free moment of my time. Granted, it could be a lot worse if I were sitting behind a desk in a cubicle working M-F at a 9-5 job, but sometimes it does get monotonous, even in the restaurant world.<br /><br />There's not a whole lot new going on in my life. I did a brief stint as a line cook at Stone Soup, and although I was really enjoying it, cooking 55-85 meals to order by myself during a shift was a bit on the stressful/exhausting side, so I'm back to full-time as a server. I do feel as if I learned a lot of really valuable information while I was cooking, so now I'm pretty confident when it comes to maneuvering around a kitchen and whipping up a semi-gourmet meal with a scantly stocked pantry.<br /><br />Tonight I learned the secrets of opening a bottle of champagne (I had a table purchase one and as we're a "fine dining" establishment, I had to do a proper wine presentation at the table); hold the cork and push down while turning the bottle slowly. Miraculously, my first time opening a bottle of champagne didn't leave me covered with the fizzy drink or a black eye (which I was fully expecting). It's amazing the things you can learn in the restaurant industry.<br /><br />Stone Soup also serves as a regularly changing art gallery. When we have no artists to display work, we collaborate and choose a theme and all the workers and any of our artist friends produce work to hang on the wall. This past month's theme was trees and I painted four tiny wood blocks with simple white birch trees on a green/blue gradient background and detailed them with pen and ink. I had a lady comment to me how much she loved them and when I told her I'd painted them, she asked if she could buy them. I of course said yes, and we agreed on a price of $75. I'm still a bit flabbergasted that I sold four tiny pieces of wood for that much, but hey, it's art, right? A few weeks later I had another table comment on them and after they found out I'd painted and already sold them, they inquired about having me do a similar commissioned piece for the same price. Makes me wonder why I haven't quit work and become a full-time artist...haha....although, Shepherdstown is kind of a rich yuppie town full of older people who have nothing better to do with their money.<br /><br />Alright folks...there's your update...someday I will be better at keeping up this poor excuse for a blog!chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365032808661367994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160988897971414566.post-55660377369949652772008-04-02T04:37:00.000-04:002008-04-02T11:36:48.619-04:00April Fools pranks never get old...So this might have been one of the the funnest and effortless pranks I've ever pulled on anyone. For less than 24 hours I had my Facebook page saying I was married and displaying the photo that I posted on here as my profile picture. My blog also feeds to my Facebook notes, so people were able to read and comment on this post there as well.<br /><br />I had quite a few frantic wall-posts exclaiming "What???" and "Wow, um, congratulations!!!" or other similar things. It was definitely entertaining to keep checking back to see how the reactions progressed. Somewhere in the middle of the night, the general public began to sniff out an April Fools joke and I was called on my bluff. But hey, it was fun while it lasted, right?<br /><br />Anyway, no worries folks, I would NEVER up and get married to someone I've been dating less than two months! Yeesh! So yes, I've been dating someone, but no, I'm not anywhere close to getting hitched, nor will I be anytime soon...so rest easy everyone...no crazy eloping yet.<br /><br />I think I need to renew my resolution to keep up with my blog from now on. Yes, I think that's a great idea.chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365032808661367994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160988897971414566.post-31269162666749895262008-04-01T11:36:00.000-04:002008-04-02T11:38:26.237-04:00Honeymoon in Greece...here I come!!!I'm married...eeeee!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0knafuILL6rjKDV2-RsmCWwXxYGqbCKIELQW-s4K_ZTFOnbo3Vq3euvHRiGV2Xmk18cip-gSXVY0Sb1UYrPih8spcVfOcoSgPtJDp4b4mOAbMP5mdgXU0lLRO8fC7JTloG9-aCnR9BGk-/s1600-h/Married2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0knafuILL6rjKDV2-RsmCWwXxYGqbCKIELQW-s4K_ZTFOnbo3Vq3euvHRiGV2Xmk18cip-gSXVY0Sb1UYrPih8spcVfOcoSgPtJDp4b4mOAbMP5mdgXU0lLRO8fC7JTloG9-aCnR9BGk-/s400/Married2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184403498554494050" border="0" /></a>chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365032808661367994noreply@blogger.com2