Experimentation with my new camera (phone) has begun, so let’s do this!
Here are ten marvelous things that stood out in February:
1). My home office (v2)
My little corner of serenity, live chirping bird soundtrack included.
About a week after Valentine’s Day, we rearranged the furniture in the living room/my former office, and the ripple effect resulted in my “office” (e.g. my desk) getting relocated to the bedroom. I love it. I’m tucked away in the corner, next to a big window with trees and active spring birds and the makeshift kitty window seat behind me. Bliss.
2). The iStage blackbox theatre on campus (Arizona State University).
The scenery in this responsive environment changes continuously.
I spent most of my days in February (and continuing) hanging out in this mysterious and literally magical black box with an incredible group of artists, emerging into the sun every once in a while to eat and run around. It’s like Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, and the surprising and creative ways my brain’s been challenged have stoked my interest and enthusiasm in a new world of art and thought.
This has been the most significant aspect of my life since February, but I can’t go into further detail about it right now. Soon!
3). Benefit Erase Paste.
This stuff works miracles. Not exaggerating.
Benefit makes this stuff. Now again, I’m not a beauty blogger, so I’m not even going to try to glamorize this product. I’m just going to tell it like it is. This is basically a thick, creamy spackle with salmon undertones that does wonders under the eyes. It’s pricey (probably the most expensive cosmetic item I’ve ever purchased), but the little jar is going to last for a long, long time, so not really. It’s completely worth it, in any case.
4). New chairs for kitties.
We could not have invented more perfect chairs for kitties if we wanted to.
Chairs for kitties have been on our list since we moved back to Arizona, and we finally found the perfect ones at IKEA. These are structured on a small scale (I found them in the dining room furniture area, rather than with the living room stuff). The covers are removable, so they can be thrown in the laundry. Ronnie James and Nounours love them. Their lives are complete! Now we can all sit together when we’re watching movies and shows. Everyone has a place!
5). The optometrist’s office epic clerical error.
Callaghan’s new name. Bwahaha!!
I about died when I saw Callaghan’s eyeglass prescription, which we went to pick up a couple of weeks ago… this was from the exam he had back in 2011, before we moved to France.
The person who prepared the prescription spelled his first name “Chilipte,” which is unequivocally the most brilliant butchering of “Philippe” I ever saw, AND they gave him my last name, haha! HAI, my name is CHILIPTE GARBOUSHIAN. I posted this picture on Facebook, and as a result, Callaghan now has several new nicknames, as suggested by my helpful friends: Chili, Chipotle and Chili Pete.
6). House of Cards, season two (T.V.)
Once again, House of Cards blew our minds; Kevin Spacey’s performance was stunning.
7). The Following, season two (T.V.)
I knew it! I knew it! (no spoilers)
8). Trader Joe’s Creamy & Smooth Mediterranean hummus.
THIS.
Hummus is a simple thing to make, but simple doesn’t always mean easy. I find the process of transforming the hardy chickpeas to a smooth, creamy paste to be somewhat arduous, so my feeling is, why do it when Trader Joe’s has this delectable preparation ready to go at all times? Hummus is an instant gratification thing for me, I guess. They even put pine nuts and olive oil and herbs on top. So pretty. So delicious! We eat it with blue corn tortilla chips, baby carrots and Trader Joe’s whole wheat pita bread.
9). Ronnie James’ and Nounours’ snack pick of the month: Feline Greenies Dental Treats in Catnip flavor.
Kitties LOVE these.
The boys wanted to contribute to the list! They learned to identify this little bag of catnip-flavored treats immediately. It’s their new addiction. It’s like… pot brownies for kitties.
10). Blunt signage.
They make sure you read this while you’re sitting on the can.
The signs everywhere I go continue to crack me up. This one is posted in a toilet stall in one of ASU’s older buildings.
And we’re already a week into March, and hey, today is my brother’s birthday! Happy Birthday, Bro!!
That Asian-Looking Chick 