TKO

Last night I got hit in the face with the hard stick of reality...
I think it left splinters.





Calling Dr. Katz. You know you're the only one who can help me with splinters...

the people that you love to hate

Watched Alfie last night. His character is very much like one that I am quite aware of in real life. Those people that everyone loves to hate. They can be the biggest jerks in the world, but you can't help but love them. They are the kind of people who everyone has fun with, and when they are with you it feels like the sun is shining for you and only you.
And what have they done to earn the adoration of their peers? Nothing- other than be charismatic.
I wonder if these people realize who they are? I can think of a few off the top of my head. Do you know that you are one of these people?

that dreamy look in your eye gives me a tropical contact high

At the doctor today I had to wear a hospital gown. Might have been my first time. I went in for a persistent cough. Is that standard?

I think someone is playing ping-pong in the meeting room down the hall. I am intrigued.

I think I need to have my ass kicked. Like really. Someone to physically hurt me. I'm starting to doubt my 'violence doesn't solve anything' mantra. I'll have to try to find someone who doesn't like me and make them angry. This might prove difficult since I am so loveable...

The most booty-licious new member of the nomadlife community

I would like to officially welcome one of the newest member of the nomadlife community and one of my personal favorite people: Shiro!
This brings the nomads from St. Cloud State up to 5:
Shiro
Angie
Kait
Connie
me

Watch out Madison and Austin. We are taking over!

slices of perfection

There is nothing quite like an empty arena. Right after the zamboni is finished, all is silent, it is just you and the ice. The crisp smell fills your senses as you stand at the entrance gazing upon perfection. A clean, flat, pure sheet of untouched ice. And it is all for you.
One push out onto it and you are home. That cutting sound that takes you back, and away. The world around you stops temporarily and it is just you. You, your skates, the ice, and your empty arena.You proceed, slowly at first, listening to the elongated slice... slice... slice.
Then faster, you turn, sending up a spray of the thin layer of water left by the zamboni that has not yet had time to freeze. Faster and faster you circle the rink reveling in the pure silence, save your rapid footwork.
You pause, gliding now, allowing the ice to take you where it will. You throw your head back, and your arms in the air, and breathe deep, taking it all in.
Knowing that this is something that no one can ever take from you, its all yours, and it's perfect.

This is my moment of perfection, my slice of heaven. What is yours?

F.Y.I.F.N!!!

Just returned from our first foreign film night, and I must say it was fabulous. Being the instigator, I decided to get the ball rolling and host the first one, the menu:
Film: The Motorcycle Diaries (which is what the quote at the top is from)
Food: Fried Plantains (thanks for 'helping' me cook, Vanjah, I had no idea what I was doing...)
(we also made what can only be refered to as "Holly and Kait dip". I can't lie, it had no cultural significance)

Many had to cut the night short, as we started the movie two hours late... but I think it was successful for the first time around.
This will be the start of a beautiful tradition. So far the lineup is- next week Connie is hosting, then Nobi, then Ed & Jeff, then Shiro (I think, I may have just volunteered her though).

*Bonus: Although he cannot yet de-throne the master (yours truly), Vivien is getting quite good at Vampire Check. I am so proud!!!

Louie-ville

My plans for the remainder of my spring break (apart from the San Diego time) had been to road trip down to meet Shady, a current mastercard trainee and alumni of Aiesec Alexandria and my reception team.
Nothing, of course, ever seems to work out as planned. So, after being ditched twice I headed out of St. Cloud on Thursday at 5, gearing myself up for a 11 hour drive to St. Louis solo. Anyone who has ever been on any sort of roadtrip with me is likely shuddering at this thought and probably has a few questions that come to mind:

1. Will she get lost? Holly has a terrible sense of direction and should never be allowed to drive or navigate ANYWHERE.
2. Will she stay awake? Holly is infamous for not being able to stay concious in a moving vehicle (the sound lulls me to sleep) which is why she is either driving or sleeping at all times.
3. Do I really feel bad that I am not with her? Holly sings in the car a lot, and sometimes that gets annoying.

Well, to my own suprise I made it, all eleven hours straight. And the destination was well worth the journey. I had the most amazing weekend!

All the St. Louis trainees are wonderful, and so much fun... I might have my favorite... but they are all great.

I won't go into too much about the weekend, a girl has to have SOME secrets... but it was wonderful.

Luckily I did not have to make the trip home by myself though. My mom and two of her friends were driving through on Saturday night on their way back from Florida so I made her stay and ride back with me. Good ole mother-daughter bonding time.

I think I shall have to venture back there soon, and maybe this time I won't get ditched...

thank you eric, for brightening my day

If you need a laugh, and I think we all could always use one, check out http://gizoogle.com and search your name.

Eric insisted that I do so- and this an example of what it looks like when one of my weblog entries is translated:

Friday, February 18, 2005

In a shawty while I'll be sippin' `bout you...

Jizzay gots back friznom mah fizzay Cracka of Commerce cruisin'. Connie n I wizzent, I cizzan't believe I gots up at 6:45 am (thats right, I can be ready in business casual in 15 minutes) on a Friday whizzen I don't have class until 1! But I thizzink it went really well. Everyone gots ta introduce themselves "Good saggin' everyone motha fucka! I'm H-O-Double-Lizzy Brekken wit Aiesec, tha internizzles platform fo` young thugz ta nigga n develop they potential." And all tha newbies git a round of applause with the gangsta shit that keeps ya hangin.

in the spirit of all nights that start out with one martini and turn into 4

last night I drug Kait and Connie to the mill with me (it wasn't very hard to convince them)- among other reasons I felt the need to go because apparently they cannot make a good martini in Cali, so I was in serious need of cosmo redemption.
As we were swapping stories and being silly I asked the girls if they had heard about the recent chimpanzee attack. They hadn't... so I decided to describe the situation.
You can read about the story if you feel so inclined.
Through our discussion of the situation a question came up that we did not feel we had the collective knowledge to answer. So we decided to call in reinforcements. Several friends were called up, many within the nomadlife community- you can find the question and results on Connie's blog.

Thanks to everyone who participated in this very important survey.
But I will say that my favorite answers were from 3 of my calls:
Arnaub: "physically no, but emotionally you are fucked"
Claude: "emotionally, but not physically" (sorry Kristi, that I interupted your convo for this)
Shady: "Is it the left or right?"
And the one random creepy guy in the bar who we made the mistake of asking whose answer I shall not write here.

dream it, love it, live it

As I sit here drinking my strawberry soy protien smoothie and watching Smeagle banish Golum I find myself inspired.
Today is a new day. And so is tomorrow.
I have been leading myself down this pathway of thinking for quite a while and today I sealed the deal with myself.

I know where I want to be in a year. And never ye fear, I shall be there. And you can come and visit. And I know where I want to be in 2 years, and I shall make it so, and make that place better by my presense.

Oh, how I love motivation. Nothing feels better than being motivated. Unless, of course, motivating others... one of my other favorite things to do.

I'm off, like a rocket. I can see the crashing waves beyond my balcony and they are calling to me... I shall heed. Who I am to argue with the ocean?

you can take the townie out of the town...

Saturday night I went out in Pacific Beach, San Diego with Paul and Bucky. Two boys from Minnesota and Wisconsin, respectively.
I had just finished a fancy 'dining experience' so I was fairly dolled up, and I was told that this club we were going to was nice, so I stayed that way.
I was informed that we were planning to pre-party before we went, as the drinks there were rather expensive. If I only knew what lied in store.
The person's house who we had planned to party at was already out for the evening, so we switched to 'plan B': stop at the liquor store and buy some 24 oz cans of beer, and drink them in the car before we went in. Seriously.
This was my first experience doing something as townie as this, and I had to come to San Diego to do it.
So very silly.

Rain? I defy rain.

Rolled in to San Diego last night around 7 and it was raining. I was told it has rained more so far this year 'round these parts than it normally does in an entire year. But I decided that I would wear my flip-flops (unless I was wearing heels) the whole weekend. Warm is a state of mind, right? Some things are just necessary on a vacation- and I think flip-flops are one of them.
Started out the day at 7:30 swimming laps in the olympic-sized pool. Fabulous. I love to swim. Sometimes I forget how much.
Then we went up to the town of Julian- to the east- in the mountains. Apparently it was a gold-mining town. At a place called the 'nut house' I picked up a suprise. You just wait until I get home, you will love it. He he he.
Time to get dolled up for our evening dining experience.
Forcast for the rest of the trip: beautiful.

hotel

hotel
Originally uploaded by hollybrekken.

San Diego

This is where I am currently.
Didn't realiaze this was a big deal until this morning talking to Connie.
Funny thing is- I didn't recognize it until I saw this picture and said "Hey! I think Baywatch went here once!"
Turns out I was right. Check here for the episode description ;)
http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/GuidePageServlet/showid-115/epid-26047/

Apparently this place is haunted- but by a woman, not a man. Check out this theory: http://theshadowlands.net/famous/coronado.htm

I'll keep you updated. ;)

Killer Queen

Allow me to give you a small glimpse into my future... nay... my destiny... as an international playgirl. This will soon be my theme song.

She keeps her Moet et Chandon in her pretty cabinet
'Let them eat cake' she says just like Marie Antoinette
A built-in remedy for Kruschev and Kennedy
At anytime an invitation you can't decline
Caviar and cigarettes
Well versed in etiquette
Extraordinarily nice
She's a Killer Queen
Gunpowder, gelatine
Dynamite with a laserbeam
Guaranteed to blow your mind. Anytime
Ooh, recommended at the price, insatiable an appetite
Wanna try ?

To avoid complications she never kept the same address
In conversation she spoke just like a baroness
Met a man from China, went down to Geisha Minah
(killer, killer, she's a Killer Queen)
Then again incidentally if you're that way inclined
Perfume came naturally from Paris (naturally)
For cars she couldn't care less
Fastidious and precise
She's a Killer Queen
Gunpowder, gelatine
Dynamite with a laser beam
Guaranteed to blow your mind. Anytime

Drop of a hat she's as willing as
Playful as a pussy cat
Then momentarily out of action, temporarily out of gas
To absolutely drive you wild, wild...
She's all out to get you
She's a Killer Queen
Gunpowder, gelatine
Dynamite with a laser beam
Guaranteed to blow your mind. Anytime
Ooh, recommended at the price
Insatiable an appetite
Wanna try ? You wanna try...

Memories... like the corners of my mind

After a conversation with Ally I felt the need to re-post this entry. What an amazing weekend! It marked the last (to date) hoorah of the Minnesconsin Trio (myself, Ally and Karen), and the first time I met Eric. Good times. I love my Wisconsin folk!

And I feel the need to add a forgotten quote to the list that Eric reminded me of a while ago:
Eric: It must have hit a slippery spot. (Holly bursts into fits of laughter)

It still slays me.



LTM- MI
LTM in Romulus was awesome- the Minnesconsin crew had a great time on our roadtrip and compiled a list of quotes from the weekend- always good for a laugh:

Eric: Which one of those do you think would have a chicken pot-pie?
Holly: This is the dirtiest thing I've ever seen...let me take a picture.
Karen: Like a cartoon?
Holly: This is a dwarfs house!
Eric: They don't want you peeing in a grocery store.
Rickesh: Where's the 3rd one? (Holly and Karen point to Ally) Ah, I knew she couldn't be far.
Eric: Do you have salt and vinegar chips?
Subway: No, we don't.
Eric: Well, Quizno's does.
Alicia: Apparently one of the people decided to use one of the flipcharts as clothing last night.
Karen: Look at all the change on the ground.
Ally: We could make a fortune! Can you stop and open your door and pick some up?
Eric: Look! Three trucks humping!
Karen: Doggie style!
Karen: I'm really mad that bird shit on my window.
Ally: I don't get it.
Eric: What? Did it throw it?
Ally: That's precision!
Eric: Did you say big-ass station?
Karen: Look they're making out!
*Eric looks at back seat*
Karen: No, not Holly and Ally!
Deven: To carrots and apples!
Later that night....
To cows and donkeys!!!!
Eric: Ra Ra Shish Koomba
Holly: I should have copyrighted Ziploc...
Eric: Why? Did you invent it?
Holly: No.

Ok- so some of them aren't THAT funny- but give us a break- we were a little delerious by the end!
I also never knew that one could have so much fun at a Walgreens- we don't have nearly as many of them in Minnesota as in Wisconsin, Illinios and Michigan. I was amazed! Below is one of my favorite pictures of Karen, Ally and I. We had a blast in Walgreens while Eric sat in the car, sorry Eric!

Below are the two pictures that I had posted with it. The second one is from the 'carrots and apples' quote to which Karen responded "did he just toast to me?"

Minnesconsin Trio

Minnesconsin Trio
Originally uploaded by hollybrekken.

carrots and apples

carrots and apples
Originally uploaded by hollybrekken.

everything I ever believed to be true...

So I supposedly had a paper due at 9:30 this morning. I stay up all night like the diligent little procrastinator that I am and have some semblance of a paper ready in plenty of time to shower and walk to class. Upon arrival I find out that it was not actually due today, but Friday. So I nod, smile, down a starbucks double shot and take it in stride. It really is a blessing as my paper was terrible and some added time would be beneficial. And, had I known that the paper was due on Friday I wouldn't have started in until Thursday night. So I am now ahead of the game.

I barely made it through my first 2 classes awake- and made the decision to forego the last one in lieu of a nap. I chose the location of the couch next to the @ office and asked Vivien to wake my up for the ICX meeting in an hour. Put my jacket over my face and drifted off to la la land. 45 minutes later I was awakened with a yell and a shake and a Connie on top of me. For any of you that have experienced this, it is quite a shock, and I know you feel my pain.

Doctors appointment this afternoon proved less than fruitful. They have nothing to offer me that is helpful in any way. But, my new doctor felt really bad about it.
The only thing I learned that was new, was not well recieved by yours truly. I found out that I am a full inch shorter than I have believed for the last... well... 7 years. I swear, they press down on you really hard when they measure you at the doctors office.
I might cry...

townie title

townie title
Originally uploaded by hollybrekken.

I think it is now safe of officially announce the winner of the Townie Tally, and therefore, the Townie Title.

The ballots are in, and one girl had to win. She's flirty, she's fun and now she's number one

K-K-K Katie!

Congratulations Katie. You are an inspiration to us all.

Love ya doll. Maybe we can set Gordon and Eeyore up on a playdate soon?

your daily random bit of wisdomry

kaitlin says:
taste is the the mouth of the taster.

a tear for the dying

It is one am... I have a paper due at 9:30... and I have no idea how to do it.
Now I know that this is all my own fault. I am a procrastinator, and of course, right now I am procrastinating more...
This is one of my least favorite parts of growing up- not being able to blame things on other people anymore. You can't rationally justify passing the buck to anything but your own stupidity. It is tough on the ego.

So in an effort to make myself feel like this is a productive use of my time I invite you all to share your input on my paper. I am sure I will get loads of comments.

Explain how the economic ideas of Aristotle, John Locke, and Adam Smith derive from moral philosphy. Explain how Malthus and Ricardo further develop the ideas of Smith.

Where are all my econ nerds?
I despise this subject...