a longer break
Tuesday, 10 June 2008
Ok I'm back... Rhodes was... fantastic! I really would love to post about it and share all the memories and photos but time is really precious to me right now. As you know I'm returning to the States... and that's happening sooner than anticipated. July 9th to be exact. It's sort of depressing...
So yes I know I have like a gazillion book reviews to catch up on but I really don't want to spend my time inside typing, I have other things to do and people to see and hopefully places to go before I leave. I'll still be reading and working on my challenges and will continue to update my lists but I need a few more week hiatus.
I hope everyone understands and will come back and visit me when I'm back online!
. listening . when it comes . incubus . make yourself .
Labels: random
posted by Ashleigh @ 22:16,
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hmm what to call this
Saturday, 10 May 2008
Ok I think I like this new look! It's bright, it's flowery, it's making me smile - just like the weather we've been having here in the good old 'Pool. We've finally reached 75F/22C - Yippee! I even had a chance to sit in the park and eat an ice cream cone bought at a genuine ice cream truck. It's been so nice and sunny I've been able to wear my very expensive yet to be paid for prescription Coach sunglasses! I'm not really a material girl but these are my first pair of prescription sunglasses, I've been wearing glasses since kindergarten/first grade and the last pair of sunglasses I had were yellow and red with Ronald McDonald on them... So I thought I deserved a posh pair of shades! And let's not forget what an absolute necessity they are for working in Egypt, us Egyptologists need to dig in style!
So first the bad news... due to an unforeseen shortage in my stimulus payment (that'll teach me to rely on incoming funds) and the snail speed with which my loan checks are being dealt with there will be no trip to London. Boo! I've got friends who are willing to open their pockets but I'd rather use that offer for needs. I just don't feel right about having fun on someone else's tab. I'll still be heading down there on Wednesday to catch my flight to Rhodes but I'm really bummed, I was looking forward to good times. But now I suppose I'll have time to get some other things done. Like review writing! And reading (may finally finish those Mitford novels and poor Douglas Adams has been sitting on the shelf for awhile)! Finally I'll be able to do both guilt free because I'm done with the proofreading and I'm done with the scanning! My time is mine once again. Oh I do need to slap together a seminar that I'm giving when I get back but that shouldn't take too long.
I think I'll take a walk around Liverpool too! There's so much more to see. I've been invited to a BBQ on Sunday to celebrate the successful completion of two vivas and thus the birth of two new Drs. Wow finishing a PhD must be like the biggest relief ever! So here's hoping it's a good weekend for you and me. I'll just have to plan another trip to London perhaps one that will coincide with a trip to Paris...
Oh make sure you stop by Heather's (who I want to thank by the way for the awesome comments she made about me and my blog) to check out the teaser trailer for the movie Twilight based on Stephenie Meyer's book of the same title. It's awesome, I'm excited and unlike others I'm digging Edward's hair. I'm also excited about the next book, Breaking Dawn - I think it's awesome that Meyer is also a Phoenician well technically she's a Glendalian but that's just north-west Phoenix.
Ok gotta run and watch the latest episode of Lost! Ciao!
. listening . crash . gwen stefani . love, angel, music, baby .
posted by Ashleigh @ 00:53,
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catch up
Thursday, 8 May 2008
Wow I seriously need a good catch up AND a new look, it's looking a little drab around here AND you guys need some book reviews! Yikes! I don't even know if I'm going to London on Saturday or not, my loan may take 3-4 weeks before it's deposited and where the heck is my stimulus payment??? It looks like I'm going to have to mooch off my pals for the time being, which I hate doing! And this means that my birthday wish of seeing Wicked may have to be delayed yet again! Poo! At least we've been having some awesome sunny weather lately and have hit 75F/24C. I've been soaking it up! But I do apologize for ignoring this space, I've been so busy proofreading and trying to get things wrapped up here before I take off. I've even been putting in some hours in the book room this week - paycheck at the end of the month! Woo Hoo! I'll try to check in soon with at least one or two book reviews.
. listening . lightning rod . guster . ganging up on the sun .
Labels: random
posted by Ashleigh @ 23:30,
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paper faces on parade
Friday, 25 April 2008
Masquerade Queen
Well the Masquerade Ball was a blast! Everyone looked fantastic, the majority of the outfits were red and black, mine included. The party was held on a private floor at a swank little club called Modo. Foo foo cocktails were served 2 for 1 at the bar, yay I love cocktails! There wasn't a lot of dancing, mostly lounging in dark corners under the red lights chatting about this and that, then swirling across the floor to chat with someone else. A lot of picture taking! We're all obsessed with collecting photos for facebook, got to snap the best profile pic. There was dancing however in the fabulous co-ed loo! And would you believe it? I was crowned Masquerade Queen! Some girls get their crowns later in life. I was also presented with a pretty bouquet of pink carnations - sweet! my favorite flower!
So this weekend's book plans are to finish Les Misérables, perhaps The Lonely Londoners and start Mitford's The Pursuit of Love. I've got quite a bit of proofreading to do as well. I volunteered to look over and correct a fellow scholar's dissertation, it's taking a bit longer than I expected and it's got to be done by the 10th of May. Thankfully I'm getting paid!
Wow! Last night's Lost was fantastic! I just love that show so very much!
. listening . heroine . from first to last . heroine .
posted by Ashleigh @ 12:47,
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lost in 4:24
Wednesday, 23 April 2008
For all you Lost fans there's a great clip called Everything About Lost in 4:24 on the show's website. Get it - 4:24 - show returns 4/24! It's fab! So excited, can't wait! Luckily that 5 week hiatus went by pretty quickly.
. listening . fragile heart . jewel . 0304
Labels: random
posted by Ashleigh @ 20:36,
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monday blehs, inspiring craftiness and new books
Monday, 21 April 2008
*warning - a bit of a whine, scroll down till you see 'Wow!' to read the fun bit*
It's just been one of those Mondays... productivity was at an all-time low, the intention was there but I was seriously lacking the ooomph. Maybe it's because I felt my weekend was stolen from me, it went by way too fast. But really I haven't wanted to do anything work-wise for a long time. I poke at my books, flip through the pages, jot a note here or there but really I'm just a lazy ass - major sloth action going on up in here! I've decided to check out of Liverpool at the end of July (what a great time of year to return to Phoenix...), which makes me realize that I have about 14 weeks left, deduct 4 weeks for London/Rhodes action and that leaves me with very little time to get stuff done. But what is it that I'm meant to be doing? I don't even know anymore!! I'm so confused!!
The only thing I do know is that I've been spending probably way too much time between the sheets (of books that is!). But I can't help it, I love reading (fiction), I have an obsessive nature and right now reading is the only thing I feel I'm good at.
I need inspiration and this certainly is not the environment for that. I just feel like I'm in a cesspool of disappointment and false hope. Why couldn't I make it work here? I know I said I didn't believe it before but I lied, I do feel like I failed. I shouldn't feel that way though because it isn't really the truth, it just feels that way. Arizona is going to be a much better situation (inshallah!). I guess I'm just jealous of everyone who's able to continue on their merry little way and produce fabulous work.
It's too bad we're not working in Egypt this summer, I sure do need to get out into the field. I love it there, and I'm happy working in the dirt, finding and learning things.
I don't think the school thing would bother me as much if everything else in my life was great, but really everything is miserable... but I won't go into that. Like my profile to the right says, I'm a dreamer always wishing to be someone else, somewhere else. I wonder if I'll ever find myself in a happy spot in a happy frame of mind...
Wow! That was depressing...
Anyway... here's some cool things I've come across recently on the web:
:: First spotted on Carl's blog, I fell in love with the talented artwork of Anne-Julie (blog : Ma Petite Théière). It's so sweet, soft and colorful and full of emotion. Definitely will be making some purchases at her shop: Anne-Julie's Garden when I've got a job. Her blog is in French (good practice for me) but if you scroll down she includes an English translation for each post.
:: Over at Du Buh Du Designs (blog) (store) you can find charming unique dolls. I want one!
:: Emily at Inside a Black Apple whips up fun little plush dolls and is also a very talented artist. I want a doll, some prints and definitely some note cards! You can buy some too at her shop: The Black Apple. She also has great style, something I wish I could achieve (yes I hate the way I dress too...). Check out her awesome duds on her fashion blog Some Girls Wander.
All this crafty goodness has given me a major itch to do some crafting myself! But that will all have to wait until I can get back to my craft boxes I left at home.
Picked up some new books at the library today (quick short reads):
: The Postman Always Rings Twice . James M. Cain
: A Room With a View . E.M. Forster
: The Thirty-Nine Steps . John Buchan
: The Lonely Londoners . Sam Selvon
Hope everyone else has/had a better Monday! I feel a bit better, think I'll grab myself a
. listening . better that we break . maroon 5 . it won't be soon before long .
posted by Ashleigh @ 18:17,
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peeps party
Saturday, 19 April 2008
Peeps Party Part Two
A post that has nothing to do with books! In my birthday package last month my mom included a box of yellow bunny Peeps. Peeps are unheard of here, they just cannot be found so it was a funny thing that she had sent them because I had just been complaining to my friends Campbell and Gina about how much I was going to miss them this Easter. So being the generous person I am, upon their surprise arrival I decided to share them... Oh dear! Peeps took Britain by storm! They were hooked! We had a wee little tea party, smacked those bunnies on top of Nice biscuits (from Tesco 29p - score!) and popped them in the microwave. Suddenly those two were like kids all giddy over this delectable American treat. (What are Peeps?)I just had to put in a request for more. So my dear mom sent two boxes of Peeps (the original bird) in their flashy new colors of green and purple. And Peeps Party Part Two was quickly arranged and all the birds save one were devoured yesterday. Fun times!
Today we all met up to do very important mask shopping for Thursday's masquerade ball. The picture to the left was my lame attempt to catch us walking around Liverpool naturally as if we were totally used to having our photo taken. Didn't really work since Campbell's not even in the photo, I've been nearly cut out and Gina looks like she's singing a song. Guess next time we'll have to hire a professional to catch the moment. Anyway we visited Lili's Bizarre on Hardman Street and walked away with 1 rented white jacket, 3 masks, 1 fan and 1 pair of gloves. Luckily Gina had a pair of black opera gloves too big for her that I was able to borrow. I ended up getting a red, black and gold mask on a wand... not really what I was looking for (remember this is the one I wanted) but it'll do. The important thing is to have fun! I'll definitely post picks when we're all dressed up.Hope everyone else is having a good weekend! Now I must get back to those books!
posted by Ashleigh @ 21:15,
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why oh why won't you go away
Tuesday, 26 February 2008
Dear Viral Infection,
This is a notice of eviction. Please pack your bags and leave immediately. The host has put forward a complaint about your disruption to the peace and harmony that she once enjoyed. You came and ruined her Christmas, you stayed and made the journey with her to Egypt, and you returned with her to the UK where you persist in your obnoxious behaviors. It has now been two months, you have grossly overstayed your welcome. You have been given copious amounts of vitamins, orange juice, tea and honey, tissues, soup, tylenol, lozengers and antibiotics (for the nasty sinus infection you caused). It is now time for you to move on. The host seriously objects to spending her birthday next week suffering from the swollen sore throat you force upon her, the painful hacking cough, the snottiness and the general feeling of discontent and sleeplessness you encourage. Consider yourself warned.
- The Management
. listening . bring back the sun . our lady peace . gravity .
Labels: random
posted by Ashleigh @ 00:22,
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recovering with the giants
Monday, 4 February 2008
I feel like I accomplished nothing this weekend but I am feeling a lot better and I did finally blog and post pictures of Egypt (see the post below)! :) I had hoped to finish reading On Beauty but I can't seem to get into reading lately. Shocking I know! But I think I overdid it before the new year trying to squeeze in so many last minute books. I've also been longing to crochet but for awhile there I couldn't seem to work anything out. I received some lovely wool from a friend and I'd love to whip it up either into a hat or some fingerless mitts but I haven't found a pattern that excites me just yet. I did start a scarf last night with some plain purply yarn I had. I was looking for textured patterns and found a really neat site: my picot (I love the collar and edging section!). I liked the simple and textured pattern #0013 but ended up doing it all wrong - but I like what I came up with instead - it's got a lot of texture and it's going to be a nice thick scarf.
I stayed up really late last night to catch the Super Bowl. BBC2 was airing it live on their website but it didn't start until 11:30 pm here! But I had to watch it because it was being played in my hometown - only 5 miles from my house! So I got to see a bit of desert. I was talking to my mom earlier in the day and she said a lot of visitors were complaining about the weather because they expected Phoenix to be in the 70s or 80s but yesterday it only reached a high of 60 and it was overcast and rainy - this Friday it's suppose to get up to 77. Go figure! Before the game to kill time I watched Jerry Maguire to get into the mood - Show Me The Money! - but I thought it was funny that Maguire sings the song Free Fallin' when he thinks he's got his big client back and then Tom Petty ended up being the half time entertainment - what a coincidence! I must admit I was starting to fall asleep during the half time show - hey it was 1:30 am or so - and I missed the entire 3rd Quarter. But wow what an amazing 4th Quarter and I'm so glad the Giants won. :)
. listening . believe . the chemical brothers . push the button .
posted by Ashleigh @ 12:19,
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coming soon (inshallah)
Wednesday, 30 January 2008
Ok so I started this new blog and then I fled the country to work in the dirt and I haven't blogged a thing. Well I'm back in the UK and I'm sick and not feeling so well but I promise a post is in the works about my Egyptian adventures (pics too) - I'm shooting by the end of next week, possibly this weekend but I'm not promising anything. Thanks to those who are hanging in there!
. listening . the approaching curve . rise against . the sufferer and the witness .
posted by Ashleigh @ 18:04,
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another blog
Tuesday, 1 January 2008
New year = new blog - why? Frankly I got bored with the other one and it was time for a fresh start. I hope this blog will be different - of course pointless ramblings will still be its focus - but I hope to be less censored. You see I was always afraid of who might be reading, there are the obvious people that I've told about my blog and then there are those who learned from others and well I'm getting tired of keeping track of what I can and cannot write and who I can and cannot write about! I suddenly find I have a lot to say. So I'm throwing caution to the wind this year and I'm going to write about whatever I want and whoever I want (of course names will be changed if necessary) because this is my blog and my life. Welcome!
What to expect : everything - I can be completely random at times but I do write frequently about school, working in Egypt, books and my love for fiber arts - because well those are major parts of my life. Oh and please don't be afraid to leave comments - it's nice to know from time to time that someone is reading.
. listening . famous last words . my chemical romance . the black parade .
Labels: random
posted by Ashleigh @ 06:04,
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iTunes top 25 most played
So iTunes has this little playlist called "Top 25 Most Played" so I thought I'd list what my top 25 songs were for 2007. However this list begins in May since that was when I had to switch to the Toshiba after I unintentionally killed my poor precious Apple. The number listed after each song is how many times the song was listened to and I can tell this list has been heavily influenced by the songs I've had on repeat these past few weeks... I've now hit 'reset play count' to start over.
01 : Tears Dry Up on Their Own - Amy Winehouse - 43
02 : Miss Murder - AFI - 42
03 : Don't Stop the Music - Rihanna - 42
04 : Forfeit - Chevelle - 34
05 : The Diary of Jane (acoustic) - Breaking Benjamin - 31
06 : Twisted Transistor - Korn - 31
07 : There's a Good Reason These Tables are Numbered Honey, You Just Haven't Thought of It Yet - Panic! At the Disco - 31
08 : For Miles - Thrice - 31
09 : The Kill - 30 Seconds to Mars - 31
10 : Rehab - Amy Winehouse - 28
11 : Limit to Your Love - Feist - 27
12 : One Step Closer - Linkin Park - 27
13 : Good Girl Gone Bad - Rihanna - 27
14 : Umbrella - Rihanna - 27
15 : Knock 'Em Out - Lily Allen - 25
16 : B.Y.O.B. - System of a Down - 25
17 : SexyBack - Justin Timberlake - 24
18 : I Wanna Love You - Akon feat. Snoop Dogg - 23
19 : Insurance? - The Higher - 23
20 : Bleed It Out - Linkin Park - 23
21 : Butterflies and Hurricanes - Muse - 23
22 : The Interview - AFI - 21
23 : My Moon My Man - Feist - 21
24 : Smile - Lily Allen - 21
25 : Lean Like a Cholo - Down - 20
. listening . the first of me . hoobastank . every man for himself .
Labels: random
posted by Ashleigh @ 05:34,
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links
. egyptology .
: Amarna Research Foundation
: American Research Center in Egypt
: Archaeological Institute of America
: Egypt Exploration Society
: Egyptian Study Society
: Egyptology Blog
: Giza Archives Project
: International Association of Egyptologists
: KMT Journal
: Osiris Net
: The Plateau
: Theban Mapping Project
: University of Arizona Egyptian Expedition
. crafty .
: The AntiCraft
: Crochet Me
: Head Huggers
: Knitty
: Softies Central
: What Not To Crochet
Labels: random
posted by Ashleigh @ 00:01,
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