gotta get away

I'm not gonna lie...the winter weather of doom had been getting me down, and when the opportunity arose to plan a weekend getaway to Detroit, I was all about it. Perhaps not your most enticing weekend getaway destination, but my friends Matt and Sandro were there with the touring company of A Chorus Line, and the physicist was able to get a ticket from warm, sunny California (yes, I'm jealous) to meet me there. So it wasn't so much the destination, as the people I would get to spend time with once there. Great success.


I believe that this picture does not require any extra explanation...business as usual really.



We were able to catch Matt and Sandro for a drink at the Fisher Building before we saw the show. Matt is always happy to pose for candid photos.



The bar itself was really pretty - I felt it deserved it's own picture.


I was very excited for Ben to meet Matt and Sandro...mostly because they are fucking awesome.

Happy happy.


Aren't they cute?


Knob creek does a body good.


The Fisher Building in Detroit was so gorgeous. Covered in mosaics and awesome art deco style. I probably could have spent an hour just taking pictures of all the wonderful sights inside. Some of these are blurry, but they give you the idea of the awesomeness.








After the show, we went to this swanky swanky steakhouse for some delicious meat. Yum!


This would be an awesome picture, were it not for the stupid renegade curl obscuring my face.



The weekend was relaxing overall. We didn't do anything super exciting, but had lots of time to chat, which was nice. Before I had to drop Ben off at the airport, we made a trip to starbucks...cause after having gone over 24 hours without, I was seriously jonesing.


Now that Ben will taunt me forever for being "bohemian" I flash a peace sign.



Pondering the flight back to California. Or perhaps some physics...



The physicist makes me happy.


And he *loves* his cappuccino.





Since it is of course totally safe to take pictures while driving, I snapped this one of the setting sun on my way back to Ohio.



There's much work to be done, and I'm sure to be a busy bee, but this weekend away really gave my soul some much needed happiness. I'm so thankful for the wonderful people in my life. They make it possible to get through all these dreary winter days.

welcome to 2009

woah...happy new year!

I had a great time on my Texas adventure. As usual, it was fabulous seeing Ben, and I had a blast meeting the rest of the Dundee clan and some assorted friends and others. The only part of Texas I had seen before was a small part of the Dallas airport, so it was exciting to see a new state. It was very Texas-y. Highlights included walks on the beach for shell collecting, lots of dogs to pet and snuggle, an aquarium in a pyramid, and the warmth of a fire from a lovingly constructed fire pit.

Sadly the transition back to the real world and the beginning of winter quarter has happened all too quickly. Classes started today, and although I'm taking a fun dialect class taught by a friend from Otterbein, and I will try to enjoy the challenges of French, I'm not super thrilled about the coming weeks of this winter quarter. The weather is yucky, and my geology class seems like it may be trying. Due to my excellent skills for never planning ahead, I've been without a couple of my prescriptions for a couple of weeks now. Silly, Bryanne... Yeah, so needless to say I'm feeling the effects. I'm back on everything as of this afternoon, so hopefully the situation will begin to right itself in a couple of days.

While a good portion of the population of Columbus is now enraptured by a football game, I am watching the Bachelor and eating some yogurt. Oh yes...the fascinating life I lead!

In exciting news, I've been cast in Raconteur Theatre Company's next production - Isaac, I am. It's been about a million years since I acted, and my good friend Lorelei is also a part of the cast. I'm so looking forward to this experience, and hope that it proves to be as much fun as I think it will be.

I've got big goals for 2009, and lots of changes and growth on the horizon. I really want to get back in the swing of things to be healthier, in better shape, more organzied and productive and generally happier. It's a tall order, but I want it...badly. So step by step, one day at a time will be my plan. Two easily summarized goals include figuring out the next step in my educational career, and being able to run a 5k by this summer.

A full Texas trip update will come soon...but for now...back to the Bachelor! *bwa ha ha!!!*

thanksgiving recap...finally...

Wowza...it's been a crazy couple of weeks. I can't believe it's Christmas eve. I'm excited to go to Texas on Sunday. I am way behind on updating this thing!!

First up, I feel compelled to share some pictures from Thanksgiving, even though it's almost a month in the past. I had such a great time...


While shopping for squash casserole supplies...Dundees are everywhere!


We got to see two hockey games during the week It's the favorite way for the Bornstein family to celebrate any occasion.



Cooking for Thanksgiving is always lots of fun - Ben and Mom were joking about something here. I swear, I did more than just take pictures, I helped prepare as well!


Dad needed a break to check up with his crackberry.


My sister Melissa, Caleb her boyfriend, my best friend Melissa and her boyfriend Matt were also on hand for activities of thankfulness.


Here's a view of the table, post nom.



Two goobers at a hockey game.

Furry monsters

It snowed most of the day today, and although snow in Columbus can be a royal pain in the ass, it is also very pretty to look at. While driving around today I saw many accidents, including a car that was almost in the Olentangy river after sliding off of 315. I myself almost rear ended someone on my way down the little hill where Kenny Road hits Bethel. Luckily I was able to stop my car in time, and promptly told Ben I should probably call him later and not talk on the phone while driving in the snow. Yes, I am bad.

This snowy weather is lovely to look at when you are warm inside, although I admit it makes me wish I had a physicist to snuggle with. Poor guy, he's suffering through "winter" in California...ya know, the whole wearing shorts and riding his bike thing.

The Blue Jackets are playing tonight in LA. Hoping for good things.

The cats were being rather cute today, so I snapped a couple pictures.





Mom and I were going to go to Winterfair today, but with the snow and crazy driving, we decided to stay in. We had a nice dinner and then hung out while I did laundry. Mom did some work while I continued my crafting endeavors. I am going to have to make another trip by JoAnne's tomorrow morning to pick up some more supplies.

Here's another sneak peak at my crafty-ness.

tuesday groove

I had to clear snow off of my car this morning. It's always a rude awakening the first time you have to do that every winter. F-ing snow. I like it...but it's a royal pain, and my body hasn't adjusted to the cold yet.

So, I am obsessed with Beyonce's new song, Single Ladies. This is going to be my new morning groove and am making a new work out mix to feature it. I should have worked out today, but thats another story. I promise myself to work out tomorrow, since it also helps improve my mood. A good, energetic song never fails to help me start the day on a positive note. This one makes me just want to get up and dance, even though I don't really dance. What you may not know is that I am a dance superstar in the privacy of my own apartment. However, my moves are not for public consumption...

I started my new job at Starbucks very, very early on Monday morning. I was unable to fall asleep the night before, so going on two hours sleep from work, straight to class had me in a pretty foul and hopeless mood. I know/hope that once I can adjust to this schedule it will be easier, but I also know that I certainly have a tendency to sort of get all doom and gloom about things from time to time, especially when I am tired. Monday was one of those days. With excellent encouraging words from my parents and Ben I was feeling better by the end of the day.

Again, I had trouble sleeping last night - although 5 hours of sleep is much better than 2. I ended up getting off work a little early, and coming home for a nap, which went longer than I had originally intended. I am feeling more caught up on sleep, but am now concerned it may affect how early I get to sleep tonight. I don't know...I'm still feeling pretty tired.

Since I worked for Starbucks before (for almost two years mind you) the training is going very smoothly. I remember a lot of it, and there isn't *so* much that has changed. I got a bit ahead today so tomorrow morning I will start making drinks on the bar right away, as opposed to having to trudge through the reading (which is a good refresher, but pretty boring overall). There are some new drinks I will have to learn, but I think I remember a lot of the other stuff. Beth, my learning coach, is so nice, as are the rest of the people who work there. Andi, my manager seems really great as well - from what I can tell of them so far, I really like her management philosophy. Overall it seems like such a positive place to work. I have a lot of really happy memories from my previous stint at Starbucks - until a bad management change sent everything awry - and am looking forward to this experience. Working in the morning will be an adjustment for sure, but thats when the best parts of the job take place - Making drinks, interacting with customers, being busy. The night shifts were the ones I didn't like as much - there's so much in the store that has to be cleaned and sanitized every night - breaking down all the syrup pumps, mopping, doing load after load after load of dishes...those are the things I will not miss.

6 days till the arrival of the physicist. A little more than a week from thanksgiving. I will be working a lot, but am going to try to get ahead on homework this week so that when I am not in class or at work I can enjoy the time with my family, and my man.

My cats are crazy...but are actually being quiet right now. Amazing. Now I will run out to procure some dinner before the Jackets game starts. Sadly it's not on tv, so I will have to listen on the radio...or use my dad's special NHL video account thing (since he's at the game after all)...while I type up the final copy of my French composition. I am going to turn that bugger in early.

So there you have it...my life in a nutshell. Woot.

we now interrupt your crazy week for an evening of relaxation

Friday...whew...

So week 8 of the quarter has ended and I am feeling like things with my classes *somewhat* under control. I've got quite a bit coming up in french class this week, but I think it should be do-able.

On the job front - I am transitioning yet again. Starting Monday I'm going to be a minion of the coffee monster yet again - going back to Starbucks. I'm actually really excited about it. Well, excited about everything but having to get up at ungodly hours. I'm sure it will be an adjustment.

The Blue Jackets spanked the Sabres tonight 6-1. Granted, Sabre goalie, Patrick Lalime hadn't played in a couple weeks...but the Sabres are one of the best teams in the eastern conference. We beat them in Buffalo which is an added bonus. Yay road win! 4-1-1 in our last 6 games. That's not too shabby. Hopefully we can make a strong showing tomorrow against the Wild.

One of the great benefits of dating someone with good taste in music is that you get introduced to great new artists. I'm enjoying my "weekend" this evening by becoming more familiar with the music of Joshua Radin. It's been a while since I've discovered an artist where I can really listen to every song on their album without wanting to skip any. Thank you Mr. Physicist!

It's going to be a long week for sure, but after a good workout this afternoon, a decisive Blue Jackets victory and a relaxing evening of listening to music, I think I will be up for the challenge.

I don't think you're ready for this jelly.

I think it's safe to say that without a doubt, the various jellyfish on display were my favorite part of the Monterey Bay Aquarium. I haven't had much experience with jellyfish, or jellies, as they are properly called. ('cause they're not fish!) I've been lucky enough to have never been stung by one, and might have caught one or two at the various aquariums I have visited, but other than that, no real jelly time. I was filled with childlike glee when we saw an assortment of moon jellies on our whale watching adventure, but getting to see them up close and personal at the aquarium was fantastic!


First up, the purple striped jelly...






Next up, moon jelly - We saw these on the whale watching trip, but they looked much more pink than white as they floated along.


A zillion little moon jellies...so cute!



Ben was right, the sea nettles were my favorite. It was pretty mesmerizing watching them squish around in their tank.




A better close up of the tentacles...simply amazing!



Here's a (blurry) shot of the sea nettle tank - gives you a better idea of how big it was and more importantly how many of them were in there.


Hard at work, capturing the jelly madness.


I wish this wasn't so blurry...but just to prove we were really there!



Basking in the squishy jelly glow.

lovely, squishy things.

Prepare to get schooled...



Presenting: The adventures of Ben and Bryanne at the Monterey Bay Aquarium!!

Although I didn't know it would be part of the weekend plans, ever since I had become aware of Monterey's aquarium I wanted to go there. I may not be the biggest fan of seafood, but I *love* going to aquariums. When initially discussing potential things to do when I went to visit Mr. Dundee, the aquarium was one of the first things that came up.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium certainly lived up to my expectations and exceeded them. I've been to aquariums before that deal primarily with local wildlife and it was nice to see that here. (Even though I really would have liked to see some clownfish! I will have you know I was a fan pre-finding Nemo. :) )

Ben had his new camera to use, and I was ready to take lots of pictures, so over the course of a day and a half, we took a ton of pictures. Here are some of my favorites - undoubtably this will become a series of entries. There just too much fishy goodness to cram into one.


The giant kelp forest tank was getting a nice scrub down from some friendly scuba dudes.





My favorite anemone - the cute pink strawberry variety.



Starfish - up close and personal.


I had no idea sand dollars looked like this!



Ben's favorite anemones look like something out a dr. suess book.


As does this engaging little critter.


Perch tank wonderland



Up next - Starfish bonanza! They were all members of a touch pool posse, so I gave each of them a little tickle after taking their photos. I figured it was only proper.




This little guy is called a bat star. I have no idea why. Although if he took off flying around to save gotham I certainly wouldn't complain. In fact, that would be pretty awesome.




A whole blurry pile of these blue spotty guys


The colors of this one were particularly striking


Look! They have people at the aquarium too!