I'm Here!

The drive up to San Francisco got off to a late start. Nevertheless it was fun and great to spend time with my mom. We stopped twice along the way-once at some lake we had no idea existed and the second for dinner in a town called Livermore (what a terrible name). Going through the Grape Vine was exiting. Fog literally was just in this one spot between the mountains and when we came out of it, it was all gloom on the other side,where it had been all sun before. Northern and Southern California really are separated haha. When we arrived in San Francisco, it was late so we found the hotel, checked in and called it a night, which was nice to just relax for a bit.
The alarm went off to signal the start of a long day. My mom and I got ready to head out, put on our coats and made our way out into the chilly city. We decided to go get breakfast at this little place called Mama's in Washington Square. It was packed! This place is good, but small, therefore there is always a huge line. We decided to wait and when we finally got our warm pancakes and french toast, the wait was worth it.
We quickly finished our meals and made our way over to the Urban house on the corner of Lyon and Fell in the Upper Haight Ashbury district. I can't believe I will be living here the next few months! The move in process was smooth; basically everyone chooses a room and as the rooms fill up roommates are determined. Barrett and I ended up together, which I think, will be good. Obviously we enjoy living together and it's good we already know this. Our room is a great corner room with lots of windows and a nice view of the street. It is also complete with it's own bathroom and sunken bathtub! Seriously?! I am a college student and I get to live here?!
My mom then departed for the airport and to return the car we had rented to drive up here and the house continued getting settled. Our first of many community dinners then took place that evening and then it was time to turn in so that we could actually be awake enough for our city exploration the next morning.

Park City!

So, I ended Christmas break with our annual trip to Park City, Utah to ski! What a great way to end. We arrived the Tuesday the 4th and enjoyed the afternoon going into town and such. About an hour after we checked into the place we were staying, my uncle Jeff and Justin came by. Uncle Jeff went skiing for his night racing class and Justin joined us for dinner on Main Street, where we also met my aunt Julie and Jamie. We then all went back to the house and played some board games, which was a blast. The parents all then went to bed and Jamie, Justin and I began writing a song. Or rather trying to sing to a beat Justin had put together. Some of the results were pretty funny. Justin just began singing and told me to jump in whenever I felt like it. One take especially was great...he messed it up somehow so Jamie chimed in with her raspy voice since she was sick and began echoing things, sounding like a dying animal. You had to be there, but it was hysterical.

The next morning we awoke, dropped Katie off at ski school and rode the chairlift up, ready to hit the slopes. Our day began pretty easy with a few nice runs as a group, but by the third run, we all got split up. My Uncle Jeff took my mom off somewhere, Gary skied on without everyone, my Aunt Julie and Betsy took it a little slower and Justin and I got lost, trying to follow Gary down the mountain. We ended up trying to find a way to the other run by going through the trees. If any of you have ever powder skied, you'll know it's not that easy, especially when you are making lots of sharp turns, avoiding trees and branches. I wasn't so lucky one time and sank right into the soft blanket of snow around a tree that had fallen. My ski and right leg had gotten stuck on the other side of a large branch. Justin saw the whole thing and was at least nice enough to come pull me out as he laughed at my mishap in coordination. I did happen to get a nice bruise and scrape on my shin. It was a pretty hilarious experience.

But, the battle scars didn't stop there for the day. After that we decided we'd head down a black diamond from the top of a mountain to which we had not yet ventured, we came to a split in the runs. One sign pointed to the continuation of the single black diamond (which is the most difficult runs in skiing) but, Justin goes "So, how about these double blacks, Danielley?"
My dumb response? "Sure, why not? It can't be that bad."
"Thata girl! Yeah, it probably isn't even that much different."
After emerging on the other side of the trees, we came to the beginning of the run, which was an edge of the the mountain with a drop off over a 90 degree angle. It was insane! The mountain literally caved underneath itself! Neither of us desired to do that, so we traversed across as far as we could go and the ended up making our way down through the trees, where there was no run. It was awesome. At last we made it down and then proceeded to take lifts and ski down in order to return back to the lodge, where we were meeting everyone for lunch.
After eating, we headed back out and managed to stick more in a group this time. My aunt and Justin went down one side to do some moguls and the rest of us took the smoother black diamond down. I was pretty far ahead of the group, just skiing along when I managed to hit a patch of ice, causing me to completely face planted into the mountain. I hit my face (obviously) pretty hard, but I just got up, put my goggles back on and continued skiing the rest of the day. Around 4:00, when the mountain was closing my aunt and I headed in to get something hot to drink. Immediately when we walked into the warm lodge, I could feel that my eye had began to swell. I turned to my aunt and go "Um, Aunt Julie, I think I hit my face earlier...does it look swollen?" I went to ice it for a while before I had to go meet my family (Gary, Mom, Betsy and Katie) to take a family picture for our next year's Christmas card. Comical? I think so. I walk out to go meet them and Betsy immediately bursts into laughter, Gary goes to ask the photographer if they can use photo shop and my mom begins to freak out...all appropriate reactions for the my family members haha.
When we got to the car, I finally glanced in the mirror to see that I indeed had the beginnings of a black eye. It had a bleeding cut and everything! I didn't realize I'd fallen that hard.

Well, at least I can say that I've had that experience now. I had a few days of awkward stares and a great conversation starter. The rest of our trip was lovely and saying goodbye to everyone is always hard. It'll be weird to not see Justin in three weeks, since I'll be in San Francisco by the time he comes back to CA (I've seen him every like three weeks for like the last two years haha). But I'm excited as well as nervous.
It's a quick turnaround. We arrived back from Utah tonight and I leave tomorrow morning to become acquainted with Northern California.
It'll be a journey...a grand journey.

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Christmas didn't feel like Christmas this year. I mean, I really enjoyed getting some quality time in with my family. Katie woke up pretty early, much to all of our dismay. But, we did the whole opening presents thing, family breakfast and then honestly just relaxed the rest of the day. My mom, Katie and I went to my Grandma's for a little while and then later we all went to my aunt's house for dinner.
Being older, Christmas loses some of it's charm, speaking in the secular meanings of it. You are less excited about the whole gift scene and just come to appreciate the family gathering time. I was honestly the most excited to give my mom a cd that I burned for her. Now, I am terrible at giving gifts. I love doing it, but most of the time I just am at a complete loss of what to get for people. I know that burning a cd isn't creative or even hard, and it doesn't make a great gift or anything, but just the fact that I know she appreciated that so much made me really happy. Very cliche, but cliches are said for a reason sometimes.
Other than Christmas, home has been excellent as well. I've gotten quite a bit of down time and time with friends and family before I head off to San Francisco here in a few weeks.

The thing I can't believe is how fast this year has gone! I feel like we just entered 2010! 2010 wasn't a big year for me, but it wasn't a small year either. No year is. However, I think I could have done a lot to make this year better. I'm not saying that it was a bad year by any means, just not very memorable; I just didn't love it. I also honestly believe that 2011 will be filled with much more for me. Well, I am starting it off by going to San Francisco. I'm anxious and excited for all that I will learn in the coming year.
Here are some things i'll owe to 2010 though:
-declaring my major!: officially an English major...what I will do with it, I have no idea, but I'm okay with that for now.
-gaining a better understating of who and I am and who I want to be: I know that I have grown in a number of ways and definitely become more liberal and open minded (I'm still very grounded, so don't worry)
-finding different things that I love: I have developed (even more than before) an appreciation and mild obsession for old things-antiques, things I find at my grandma's house, 20's music, American literature, 80's music and clothing.
-gaining more self confidence: I feel as if I have become more confident in many areas-socially, academically, artistically.

I'm sure there is more, but that is all I can think of for now. Here's to 2010 and may 2011 bring you much peace and happiness.
See you on the other side. :)

Home to the 15th annuel DeLong Christmas Party

So, yesterday I moved out of my dorm room. I had my last final (Art History) and then packed up the car and headed home. I don't think its really set in yet that I'm not going to be back at Westmont for school for another eight months.
The drive home was pretty relaxing. My mom and I got a lot of time to talk, when we weren't being called by our various family members. Gary called a few times, Kaite talked to us, Betsy called once and then Justin. All to find out the same thing too: when we were going to be back. Justin had one of the best conversations though. He called my mom and then after chatting with her, requested to talk to me. He was on his way home from work, sitting in traffic, so I think he was bored. I chatted with him for a second about hanging out when I got home and then I start trying to say goodbye and get off the phone. I go "Okay, well, I'll see you soon Justin."
"Wait, Danielle."
"Yes?"
"I just wanted to tell you that I've decided my fourth, no third female child will be named after you. It's a pretty name and it would be really special and mean a lot."
My response was "Have you been drinking?" haha
He pretended to be offended and denied it, so I go "Okay, Justin. That's really nice to know."
"Yeah, and I know that you'll name one of your kids after me too."
"Um, okay..."
He is such a dork...funny though.

The next day, was the day of our annual huge Christmas party. Yes, the picture below is the front of my house...the inside is decked out accordingly. It's ridiculous. My aunt Julie came in from Utah so that she could drive back with Justin the next day so he didn't have to make the drive alone, so that was fun to have them at the party so I didn't have to stand awkwardly talking to a million people I don't really know. It was raining pretty hard that night, so we had to put up tarps in the backyard and get some outdoor heaters going. It's really that many people that we can't fit them all in our house. Anyway, during the party, the tarp on the top of the lattice porch broke and a huge waterfall dumped a bunch of water in the middle of the party. So hilarious! Luckily no one was standing there at that moment. Another slightly entertaining thing was one of our neighbors came up and began chatting with me. I couldn't remember who she was for the life of me, or else I would have introduced Justin, who was standing next to me. Finally she asks "So, is this your significant other?" "No, this is my cousin Justin" It was really loud in there though, so I'm not sure she got that he was my cousin, which was great because when she said she lived down the street he told her that he was living at my house. Now I'm pretty sure she thinks my boyfriend is living with my family...great. haha
After she walked away, Justin turns to me and goes "We should just go with it sometime and tell people we are engaged, see if we get any gifts or money."
My mom then walks up and goes "Good idea! I'll totally play along and say things like 'I'm so happy for you guys'. These political people are bound to give you something."
Oh, man...gotta love my family.
The party was eventually over and then we got to clean up...but at least we all got to eat some good leftover desert. Oh, man...until next year then.

The Formality of Winter

Before finals were underway, we got to blow off some steam by dressing up and going to the dance. Barrett, Amy, Kathryn and I had quite the fun evening.

this picture...cracks me up!

as does this one haha!

aw, she does like me :)

so scary!

Barrett and I tried to replicate the drama masks...it didn't work out so well. ha! But, at least it resulted in a pretty funny picture.

When we returned from the dance, we ordered a pizza and watched a documentary about this guy who had the top score on the original 1980's Donkey Kong arcade game and another guy that challenged his score. This sounds really lame, but it was actually really cool. However, it was really late and Amy and I drifted off a few times. Apparently I said something in response to the movie, totally unaware. Amy was making a comment at the movie. Something like "just because that's what you would do"

I respond with "Who? Me?"

Barrett laughs and goes "Have you gotten to a Donkey Kong kill screen lately, Danielle?"

Oh, what a fun evening.

I sure go to a lot of farms...

...E I E I O! A couple of weeks after the event of the apple farm, my dorm section went to an Alpaca Farm located in the hills of Carpenteria. It was quite the day. It began with us getting lost, but somehow beating the rest of our people. After driving up into the hills on a road that resembled a place where a murder might take place in an old mystery novel, Ali, Barrett, Amy and I pulled up the alpaca farm, taking comfort in the fact we had found the alpacas. But, relief flooded us too soon. The gate to the pasture where all the rather creepy animals were staring at us, following our every movement, was opened and a herd of alpacas came charging out. All four of us sat there in the car yelling in a monotone pitch. We then realized that they were simply being corralled into the next pen and then all came out of the car, rather abashed. We met the lady who owned the farm and then walked around for a while, petting the animals and feeding them, even taking them on walks. Honestly it wasn't that enthralling.

They aren't very friendly...unless you have food. Although, Barrett seemed to connect with them well. Ali and her new friend, Chester. This picture cracks me up...it looks like she is killing it. I also got spit on...in the face, which was one of the most disgusting experiences I've even had. Seriously. After that, I wasn't too fond of the alpacas. On the way back, all four of us were starving and so we stopped at a sandwich place on State St. It was good and we even managed to have some interesting experiences there. First, Barrett had to tell the cashier all about her visit to the alpaca farm after he asked how her afternoon was going. She even lifted up her foot and showed him, her alpaca wool socks...oh dear.

Then, the make the experience even better, we all decided it would be a good idea to wash our hands before eating and proceeded down the hallway to do so. Barrett opened the door to the bathroom and I was standing on the outside. She sees me standing there waiting and then closes the door in my face just to mess with me. At that same moment some women begins walking down the hallway in our direction. Barrett, not knowing the woman was there, flings the bathroom door open and launches out at me, pinning me against the opposite wall. The lady jumped back and then looked pretty offended as she continued down the hallway. Pretty hysterical. On our way back to campus we saw some pretty interesting things...like this sign, which was comical. And then a sign for a plant sale. You think you know what you're getting yourself into when you go to a "plant sale" in Montecito, but alas, no. It was way more sketchy than you'd think and surprisingly worse than the alpaca farm murder mystery road. There was this old guy that appeared out of nowhere and he looked like he had been dipping into his stash a bit. He greeted us by saying something like "Oh, laugh while you're young. You all must be really great friends...like this." and he held up his first two fingers separated in a peace-sing like motion. Interesting end to an interesting day...

Another Thanksgiving adventure...

A good ol' apple farm! Amy (V), August, Grace and I all drove out to the Oak Glen Orchards, where we enjoyed a lovely (and slightly chilly) afternoon of getting in touch with the simpler days and picking our own delicious apples.

Stab Amy...just kidding. I was only offering her an apple from high above.

So attractive...

I get really excited about pumpkins.

I love these girls so much.

Human ladder! We couldn't reach, but we were good with coming up with some innovative ways to fix our problem.

Amy doing a great job of picking apples.

August looking like a loner...typical. :)

Grace the demented...also typical. Just kidding.

It was such a great day!

Briefly...Thanksgiving break

Oh, the adventures when packing to leave for Thanksgiving break... Amy staring Grace down...not sure why.

Yay break! haha

Barrett's excited too...I guess.

Oh dear...

I believe she was "kicking me" in the face.

Anyway, after this eventful packing experience, break was excellent. I arrived home friday night and got to be made fun of thoroughly in the car by Grace and my mom as we drove Grace home from the train station. When I got home, Justin and I decided to get some yogurtland. Letting him drive was not relaxing, but we made it and he made me dance to the new Eminem cd, which I'm sure you can imagine was ridiculous. When we got to the front of the line in Yogurtland, the lady working at the register asked us if we were paying together or separate. I was about to say "separate" when Justin goes "Danielle, I'll pay for yours because I have a confession to make. I used all your shampoo." (he is living in my room while I'm gone if I haven't mentioned that).

"My coconut smelling shampoo?"

"Yes, I like it quite a lot. And don't worry, you still have conditioner; I don't condition my hair that often."

The poor lady looked so confused and as if that wasn't enough for her to learn all about my cousin's hair care he then looks at her name tag that read "Danielle" and finds in necessary to say "Oh, would you look at that! Danielle and Danielle. Two Danielle's in one place. Oh my goodness." then just meandered out of the store. What a weirdo.

The rest of break was both relaxing and fun. I got to hang out with my family quite a bit and see some friends as well.

Thanksgiving day marked Katie's 5th birthday. I can't believe she is five...I'm sure I say that every year, but it's true; she is growing up so fast. Our family all came over and we had a nice dinner at our house, which was pretty fun. Good time spent.