because i love a good dance sequence

I have made it quite clear that I am a huge fan of movies with blatantly choreographed dance numbers and subpar acting, they genuinely make me happy. With the release of Burlesque I've been inspired me to come up with my top ten dance movies (in no particular order of awesomeness):

Burlesque

phenomenal vocals, pretty costumes, acting that was surprisingly adequate...I loved it

Breakin' and Breakin' 2

while I find Breakin' 2 to be infinitely better than the first both are leaders in the genre and I stand by the idea that all wars in the world should be settled in a breakin' battle. 

Dirty Dancing

when I was little I wore this VHS out from watching it so much and when I was done my step-dad would get down on his knees and let me run up to him just like Baby did in the finale. He'd lift me in the air and spin me around and I would be practically beside myself with excitement. Also let's not forget the best dance movie line ever, "nobody puts Baby in the corner."

You Got Served

the acting in this movie is absolutely horrendous thank God for B2K and the battle royale

Center Stage

before I saw this movie ballet wasn't even on my radar (I actually fell asleep in The Nutcracker, twice). This movie has the best dance to teen angst ratio.

Drumline

although not technically a dance movie the choreography in this is awesome and probably one of the few things that Nick Cannon has ever done right.

Stomp the Yard

if you can't make it to a real life step show here is a great intro with consistent dance action throughout.

Step Up 2: The Streets

much like Breakin' 2 I find this sequel to be infinitely better than it's predecessor due to the fact that I don't think Channing Tatum can dance. I am also particularly fond of the finale because I think that there is only one thing that can make a dance sequence more awesome and that is doing it in the rain.

Flashdance

Even though the majority of the dance numbers in this movie are done by a dance double Jennifer Beals still had a lot of style. I also have a special place in my heart for this movie because she is bi-racial and so am I and as a kid I thought she made it cool.

having looked back through my list it's obvious that I'm not particularly fond of the broadway classics and am clearly more into the battles and rebellion:) I should also note that one of the reasons I knew Mr. Awesome and I were meant to be was because we both owned (and prominently displayed) copies of both Breakin' and Breakin' 2!!

dear black friday shopper,

Uhhh yeah...I don't really get it. Don't get me wrong, I'm not judging you. When I see you trampling people to get through the doors of Target, Fred Meyer, or Best Buy in order to be one of the first 100 to receive a $200 big screen I think "they must really need that big screen, and are willing to risk their lives and the leg of that fat guy who can't move that fast in order to get it." Is it because you're competitive? are you channeling your high school track star alter ego by wearing your best track pants and sweat bands, getting in the starting blocks and running at the chance to get socks 50% off? You should know that I am mildly amused by your enthusiasm and crazy looting type antics. However, the fact that you actually take yourself seriously is incredibly disturbing. Throwing elbows, cussing people out, accosting young children in order to get the last of the buy one get one free board games; you should be ashamed of yourself!! You know why I avoid Black Friday? Because I would be arrested when someone tried to go all zombieland on me and unfortunately if you are arrested on a Friday there's a chance you won't get out until Monday and let's be honest...the $50 netbook is just not worth it.

everyday but black friday shopper,

Kimiko

fill in the blank friday

via the little things we do

1.   Black Friday is       pure madness, any time an adult bites a child just to get the toy out of their hand is unacceptable.

2.  Christmas shopping this year will include   lots of gift cards and online-ness, I don't have to look for parking when shopping on Amazon.com.

3.  Holiday shopping makes me       nostalgic...when I was younger I worked at the mall where it was pure chaos...old women camping outside of Hallmark for limited edition Beanie Babies. Do they still do that?

4.  This year my Christmas list will include   I pretty much like getting the same things every year...an awesome stocking, white socks, something crafty, and someone cooking for me.

5.  Bargain hunter, or full price shopper?     definitely bargain all the way...I have a mild breakdown when purchasing anything at full price.

6.  The best and worst things about shopping is      the best thing is having a list, having a plan and being efficient, preferably with some tea in hand. The worst is complete aimlessness, that when you get trapped in mall limbo and you start feeling all lethargic and stressed.

7.  Online shopper or in-person shopper?       both...if someone wants a book I can get it cheaper and faster online...if someone wants a cute scarf and glove set I'd prefer to check it out in person, what if it feels like a dish scrubber. 

today i'm thankful for...

Winter Hats!!

it is currently 24 degrees and dropping...it is colder here than it is in Barrow, Alaska which is currently at a balmy 31 degrees. Miss K also had her first snow adventure today when momma decided that it was imperative that she have some tea and a blueberry scone from Starbucks:) It's only a few blocks away so I bundled her in a fleece onesie, a little bear suit with a hood, a hat with ear flaps (in addition to the hood), a blanket and then topped it all off with a waterproof layer. Needless to say Miss K was incredibly amused and was loving catching snow with her tongue.

Yeah for snow!!

fill in the blank friday

the little things we do

1.   My Thanksgiving plans this year will include       relinquishing hosting duties this year in favor of a compilation between my in-laws, my mom, and Mr. Awesome and I. A little work for everyone as opposed to a lot of work for a couple.

2.  My favorite Thanksgiving was   last year when the Mr. and I tackled the whole thing together the prep, the planning, and the shopping were such a fun experience and then that next week we found out we were pregnant.

3.  My signature Thanksgiving dish is       I make a pretty delectable sweet potato cheesecake, last year it was being a little problematic, but the year before that it was magical and it will be once again!!

4.  My favorite Thanksgiving food is    definitely my mom's cornbread dressing it's really the only kind I like and I love cranberry sauce, the kind out of the can with the lines NOT the kind with fresh cranberries in it.

5.  Thanksgiving free association!     martha stewart, cranberry sauce, turkey, gravy, potatoes.

6.  Thansgiving is        so lovely, the eating, the napping, the football...I'm kind of in love .

7.  I am thankful for      my little family and how my life is so full because of it, delicious food, hot tea, hot showers, part-time shifts, good books, fun blogs, answered prayers Dave's Killer Bread, being healthy and that allowing me to take care of Miss K and the hope that one day I will sleep for more than four hours at a time.

spinning plates

Does your life ever feel like this? Like you have all these plates spinning: family, home, friendships, jobs, commitments...dishes and laundry? Is it inevitable that one of those plates will come crashing to the ground? Last night I felt like I might be getting sick, the health plate was looking a little precarious. This morning it had definitely come shattering to the floor: my head was throbbing, my ears were ringing and I felt like I might throw-up. I managed to eat half a piece of toast before Mr. Awesome headed off to work and then I really wanted to just jump back in bed and sleep it off. It is amazing how different my life is these days. I don't know how to be sick with a newborn around who (thankfully) is healthy and bright-eyed. So I threw up a simple prayer that Miss K would go down for a couple naps today and that for the first time since she was born I would "sleep when she slept." It was probably one of the most specific and sincere prayers I've said in a while. 

Well Miss K and I had a lovely two hour nap this morning and slept for over three hours this afternoon and it doesn't stop there: Mr. Awesome came home so I could get a break and take a super hot shower, as of 7:45pm Miss K is down for the night, I found a awesome love note in my tea tin and I am feeling remarkably better. 

I am so very thankful that I serve a God who provides and who answers such specific, sincere prayers. 

today i'm thankful for...

I have a weakness for anything that can be made in a cake pan/casserole dish being that that typically means leftovers! When the next day comes around and Miss K is feeling ornery and not wanting to be put down it's much easier to heat up leftovers one-handed than it is to make a sandwich.

today i'm thankful for... (weekend edition)

Miss K is just starting to move around this quilt and by move I mean shove her face into it while trying to make it from one side to the other. When she's tired she rolls onto her back and looks at me like this.

because Mr. Awesome had mid-terms on his birthday we had a belated celebration dinner on Saturday and it was the lovely;)

What did Mr. Awesome want to do for his birthday? Oh just the six-pound burrito challenge, thankfully he had friends that were up to the challenge too. Unfortunately, 32 minutes is not alot of time to finish off that much awesomeness!!

fill in the blank friday

photo via

1.   The most spontaneous thing I've ever done was       me and the Mr. deciding that we really wanted to go to the zoo but not the one in Washington so we flew down to San Diego instead.

2.  The best gift I've ever received was    my amazing husband and my wonderful daughter there's nothing I could have ever done to deserve such blessings.

3.  A time that I was truly and genuinely surprised was       when i found out we were pregnant...I took the test and went about doing my chores and errands, I actually went back in the bathroom several times in between doing dishes and folding laundry and just looked at it before it settled in.

4.  I can't leave the house without        so many things these days!!

5.  My favorite day of the week is      any day that me and the mr. both have off    because     he's my favorite person to hang out with.

6.  Something that can always make me laugh is      my brother Kyrell, i tend to think that he's the funniest person I know and a great storyteller. He makes up songs to sing to Miss K so she tends to think he's pretty funny too.

7.  My perfect day would include       my mr., hot tea, breakfast at Old Milwaukee Cafe, maybe a Sunday drive...lots of little components:)

today i'm thankful for...

holy smokes these are sweet

I really want to get some pictures taken of Miss K before the holidays and I think these little outfits are more than enough motivation...

ridiculous!!

I don't know about the fur but the jacket is so friggin' cute

don't even get me started...

note to self:

1. sweet talk Mr. Awesome into getting all three, all of which will not fit in a month

2. make sure photographer allows multiple outfit changes AND fits into our holiday budget

3. find a baby that can sit through three outfit changes, flashing lights and goofy faces without having a meltdown

hmmm...

 p.s. clothes are from Zara

today i'm thankful for...

happy birthday to my mr.

Everyday I am blessed by the fact that this man was born and everyday (even when I'm trying to be grumpy) I am so incredibly thankful for him. So thank you Mr. for being the bestest in the land, thank you for the amazing life you've given me, thank you for our beautiful daughter, thank you for your patience and love, thank you for the smiles every single day and thank you for getting me my cool new phone:)

peace out!

your often crazy but always loving wife

today i'm thankful for...

because i love thanksgiving

i think i should get these....today!!

because everyone will need their own personalized napkins of course...

because this whole display is awesome, but mostly because I'm super excited!!

check them out here

dol...or first birthday

After our whirlwind Portland trip we arrived home just in time for a friends daughters Dol. In Korean culture the first 100 days of a child's life and the first birthday are a pretty big deal because it means that the child has made it through the hard part...this is in part due to historically high infant mortality rates during this period. So it was quite an honor to be invited to celebrate this one year milestone. 

There are several details that are in place during these celebrations but here are some of my favorite...

The Hanbok. This is the traditional dress for the the birthday girl and while they sometimes differ in their color schemes they keep all the same components. There's usually a hat but she kept taking it off:)

First birthdays also give the guest of honor the opportunity to foretell their future. Multiple items are laid out in front of them symbolizing different professions and whichever one they pick first is said to be their path. The dad was ecstatic that the first thing she went to was the soccer ball...athlete it is:)

Guests were also served traditional bean and rice cakes, which in turn will leave the birthday girl with lifelong happiness!!

and what birthday party would be complete without the obligatory destroying of the first birthday cake (with help from her brother and sister of course:)!

We had such a great time and as soon as we got home I said to Mr. Awesome, "I can't believe we only have nine months to plan Miss K's!!" Good thing I already have the hanbock picked out. To check out more Dol's go to Shoots and Giggles, they do a much better job at capturing all those details than my point-and-shoot:)

today i'm thankful for...

today i'm thankful for...

today i'm thankful for...

This guy's awesome...he surprised me with a "Choose Your Own Adventure" date night...

November 5

I am so very, very, thankful for my husband!!

*the pic is not from our date but from a wedding a few weeks back

fill in the blank friday

1.   My last haircut was      The week before we had Miss K...I decided that that would be a good time to get bangs!!

2.  My most daring hair moment was  when I was seven? and had my waist length hair put into beads...it took two days.

3.  A hairstyle I'd never be brave enough to try is       anything much shorter than my shoulders, I've had unfortunate experiences with bobs .

4.  I've always dreamt of being a (blonde, brunette or red-head)    definitely a red head like Pippy Longstockings or Mary Jane.

5.  My go-to hair do is       curly, curly, curly. There is absolutely no point in trying to fight it anymore...these days I only wear my hair straight if they do it at the salon. It used to take me two hours to straighten and it still never looked natural...that's time I'll never get back!!

6.  My biggest hair disaster was    relaxing my hair...I totally burned my scalp.

7.  A hairstyle I am dying to try is        I would love to wake-up with Beyonce bombshell hair.

8.  My best hair day was       the day that it got Mr. Awesome's attention ...it was the first thing he noticed in the airport that fateful day:)

9.  The worst hairstyle I ever had was   when I was 13, talking the hairstylist into giving me Drew Barrymore's little bob...she has about half the amount of hair I have and I was stuck with the oh so popular with the curly set "pyramid bob."

10.  My hair is       is the most comical morning hair that you will ever see...especially with the bangs, there's no telling what I'll wake up with

whirlwind weekending

What kind of trouble are you getting into this weekend? Miss K and I will be running a muck!! Saturday we'll be heading down to Portland to visit family, this little lady in particular...

my niece who is just three months older than Miss K...they're gonna be trouble!!

I'm also hoping to stop by this...

Little Winter

and maybe pick up some lovelies like...

Secret Pocket

and....

Mossiere

I'm also hoping that being strapped into her car seat for a couple hours doesn't send Miss K into a fit of hysterics and did I mention a birthday on Sunday too!!

Wish us luck and happy Friday!!

today i'm thankful for...

my diaper bag and other disasters

I've never been a purse girl...not because I don't love them or think they're pretty and not because there aren't some beautiful purses that I covet. I am not a purse girl purely because I am a Closet Purse Slob. It's like hoarding but on a micro scale; all my dirty little secrets reside in the dark crevasses of a purse. For years I have relegated purse use to an occasional, warranted treat, typically limiting myself to the much more manageable, yet still stylish, clutch. However now, dear friends, I have a Diaper Bag.

It's a lovely diaper bag that was a shower gift from my mom and unlike most diaper bags, it is relatively stylish, but like most diaper bags it is huge. It supplies me with more than enough space for my myriad of crap and the clincher is that I HAVE TO CARRY IT!!

When I first got it I thought, "I can keep this organized...I mean look at all these pockets, right?" Well let the hoarding begin!!!

contents as of yesterday:

five outfits

12 diapers

the whole costco size container of baby wipes

enough receipts to paper mache a pinata

clippers

thermometer

a half eaten old-fashioned donut (still in the bag, but stale and inedible)

five packs of pulverized saltines (from lunch with the grandparents)

my clutch

my phone might be in there (it's currently MIA)

two Pilot G2 extra fine point pens (cause they're awesome)

emergency formula, liners and a bottle

the flip camera

the regular camera

camera charger

her hair brush

two bibs that never seem to make it on

and....an Almond Joy wrapper

Now, this is how I know I have a problem: when someone offers to grab something out of the bag, I panic. My response is frantic and apologetic and I am just short of screaming "NOOOOOOOOO!!!! You may not come back." Just the thought of someone going in there horrifies me. Doesn't this sound like one of those crazy Hoarders...I know I don't need all that stuff. I just need a diaper clutch and we can save the DB for overnight trips.

I feel so much better having come clean!

12 faces for 12 weeks

I love this kid!!

thanksgiving...the best holiday around

It is no secret that I love to eat (I should say we love to eat), so it just makes sense that the holiday with the most delicious spread would be my favorite. I am thankful for Thanksgiving and absolutely giddy with anticipation. So in honor of the best holiday ever, I'm going to post something I'm thankful for every day in November. I hope to encourage a spirit of thankfulness just in time for these beautiful fall colors to turn into the starkness of winter...here goes (my backlog):

what are you thankful for?