Pie time.

So a few weeks ago when I was still in London, (can we talk about the phrase 'when I was in London' that I am going to be using far too often? I apologize in advance. It's going to be obnoxious. But not obnoxious enough for me to stop.) I made a list of all the things I wanted to accomplish this summer. It's not a very long list, but I've already started on four of the goals, which is way more than I can say for my New Year's resolutions, which are honestly just a big joke. (However, I'm doing pretty well on the 'don't get married' one. Score.) They are as follows:
1. Train for and complete the Devil Dash
2. Learn how to make pies by making at least one every week
3. Start Personal Progress
4. Read at least 4 of the books on my list
5. Make all of the food on my Pinterest board

I'm kind of embarrassed to admit that numbers 2 and 5 have been getting the most attention. But they have. What can I say? I like to eat. On Saturday, I baked my first PIE! It was a momentous occasion. My dad's cousin Paul and his family were with us for the day (all the way from England, mind you) so we tried to make it the most American experience possible. Which meant that we had a barbecue. And for dessert we had my apple pie.

I have to say, I did not anticipate it taking so long to make the crust. First of all, what the H, frozen butter. Why you so hard to cut! I tried everything. Kitchen-aid did nothing. Potato smasher kind of worked. Forks and knives worked but took forever. Anyway. If you know of a way to incorporate a very key ingredient into my pie crusts that won't reduce me to tears, let me know.

Anyway. It turned out great, and I'll have to get over my pie-crust-frustration because I'm making two pies tomorrow and there are many more to come. So butter, you better watch your back. I will destroy you.

End result!

I'm so proud of myself.

Also, this music video. I feel really happy and content when I listen to this song. Oh how I love summer.

Say it like you mean it

Time out, hold on... I'm not in London any more. Oh. This is a really, really weird feeling. But I am so glad to be home! The last few days were wonderful, and overall, I could not have asked for a better experience. But... things like that can't last too long. I got burned out towards the end.
I might blog a bit more about my London adventures; I might not. We'll see.
While overseas, though, I kept a little list of quotes that made me laugh. Here they are, although they're never as funny written out. I just can't capture Jared's inflection.

"Teal goes with anything. It's like blue jeans." - Tiffany

"Here's the thing, you guys. You have to keep walking for it to count as a walk." - Jared

"I learned so many French words from watching Bones in French!" - PTTA

"Guys. I got more racist today." - Kristen

"I bet Keats is so interesting! His father was a boring horse-person!" - Jared

"WHY CAN'T NUTS COME." - McKenzie

"Would you move a really big rock for your religion?" - Jared

"I'm usually like a space cadet in the mornings. ...Like, spacey." - Kelsey

"You do have a short torso!"
"Well maybe you just have long legs..." - Amanda, then Jaden (to Kennedy)

"One day I will die, my friend; but the question is, can you live up to my legacy?" - Nick Mason (to his son Sam)

I wish I'd written more down. I laughed so much in the past seven weeks -- everyone is so funny. Oh, happy.

I'm going to miss this.

Oh what a night!

I decided to take myself out on a date tonight. Got all dolled up in black pants, a black blouse, red lipstick and all -- I even wore heels! I told myself we'd meet at 7, but I had a little trouble finding the Prince Edward Theatre. With some help from a policeman and my own observation and navigation skills, I found it. I was late, but I didn't mind. I bought a ticket for a prime seat: 6th row from the front, right in the middle. So choice. So there I was, in the perfect location, with the perfect company, about to see this:

See it I did. And love it I did. There were some high society folk behind me who were cracking me up during intermission. One woman was Lucille Bluth reincarnated into a British lady, who said things like, "The best seats in the house, darling, you'll never find any better," and, "Never forget the hat, that's what I say." They were drinking wine and talking about really important things like charity functions and board meetings. One thing I loved about this experience was that I was surrounded by middle aged adults -- of course, in retrospect, it made perfect sense. This was their music! They grew up with it! I almost felt out of place, but you know me. I just jumped on in with them. People were dancing, clapping, and singing along. At the end of the show, they finished with Who Loves You, and everyone stood up and danced. Just older couples dressed in fancy clothes, and me. And I could not have asked for anything better. I was absolutely beaming the whole time.

So yesterday, someone said to me, "Bronwyn, I take it you're one of those people who likes to do things by herself." I didn't know exactly how to respond, because I've always seen myself as a people person, but I suppose I am slowly becoming more solitary. There's great value in alone time. And I think it takes courage to be alone -- it's not like one day I just decided to go to a musical on my own, I started out with smaller things. Going to the store on my own, going to get frozen yogurt on my own. And now I'm seeing musicals! I think the ultimate will be when I take myself out to dinner. I haven't done that yet. But for the record, I'm not going to become a total recluse... I still like spending time with other people, and I always will. But there's something to be said for taking time away from getting to know other people and getting to know yourself.

"You're just too good to be true, can't take my eyes off of you..."