Any last words?

I only hope 2011 can be just as eventful and fulfilling as the previous year.
Here we go...

Photo: N. Berardy

MMX in Review

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Winter:
Washington D.C. will always hold a special place in my heart. Not only did I meet the most amazing people (e.g. interns, international delegates, and various statesmen), but I experienced life outside of the Y, CA, and other familiar territory. Memorable to say the least.

Spring:

Need I say anything at all?

Summer:
Unpredictable. Unemployed. Unconditional [love]. Thank goodness it only lasted four months.

Fall:
The year ended blissfully - thank you all.

Running with Scissors

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All I want for Christmas...
1. Home!!!

Mom: You can really learn a few things about decorating from this weekend.

La Note

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Why can't this happen every weekend?

The Lookout

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I walked up 16th and saw the lights of the Lookout...do you know how happy I was? Extremely. Then we went to Little Chihuahua and had amazing food and I topped it off with a nap in your magic bed while you studied for civ-pro. Thanks for living close enough to have sleep-overs. I'll miss you over break.

I'm not deep, I'm despondent.

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Compare and Contrast

Tonight I had me a scare. I went to a Greenpeace party (yes, I signed up, but I help things grow and animals live) and as soon as I saw dreads and a vegan bake-off I knew I longed for DC. I tried to make the best of it, I really did, but the hippie thing is just so cliche and tiresome. So I left. I got off the Berkeley BART dazed. Five minutes later I found myself in the Political Science section of Half Price Books getting all teary-eyed and sentimental. It was like taking a big breath of air standing in the middle of all the books. You "hippies" can have your no-shower months and your organic clothing...I like Betsey Johnson perfume and mens Italian shoes.

Nostalgia

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BYU did a number on me...why am I being so sentimental?
I guess that's what happens when you leave.

Britt: this post is for you...my fellow Cougar in the big city.

BC/DC

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I can't wait for a Foggy Bottom baby!

Definitely 14

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Roommate date at Jupiter had unpredictable repercussions.

Happy Thanksgiving

From North Beach, San Francisco!

The Tanners

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"What ever happened to their itty bitty teeth..."

First Timers

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Not much ice skating in Brazil or Saudi Arabia, huh?

Mr. Ambassador

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All the best to my departing students.

Cal vs Stanford

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Stanford 48 - Cal 14. UC Berkeley, what the heck?

Check the sweatshirt (yeah)!

Cheers!

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I blew out the candles and now I'm 23, it's official.

p.s. Christmas is a comin'

Portrait

One of my first semesters at BYU I met this awesome girl named Heather LeeAnn. She is an artist. We both like ANTM. One night she asked if she could draw me for an assignment in one of her classes. This is the product. Perhaps it doesn't look entirely like me, however, it's an interpretation of me and I think that is interesting.

B: If you could have anyone (dead or alive) paint or photograph a portrait of you, who would it be and why?

M: (Preface) I'm not trying to be poetic, artistic, or sentimental. (Answer) After visiting the portrait gallery I have come to admire many different types of artistic devices. It's hard for me to answer this question because I would choose a lot of people. Matt Clayton for his good ol' American style; my mom because she sometimes can capture me at my best; Steve McCurry, Rembrandt, or Dorothea Lange because I think they capture a persons whole life in one portrait.

Fearless...sorta

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I have no idea what got into me, but I held a taranchula and put a snake around my neck. I have always had this ginormous fear of spiders and I think I overcame a huge fear, granted, I only held the taranchula for a minute or so (sweaty palms), but nonetheless, I held that thing.

B: What’s the next book you’re actually going to read? No textbooks.

M: Seriously, I'm going to read the Bible. I had this guy ask me all these Bible questions and when I didn't know I felt dumb, so I only know one way to solve that problem - read it! Also, I'm going to read this book called Stiltsville as soon as it's returned to the Berkeley public library. A woman from the Avon, CO library suggested it on the library blog and I trust them to have good taste in reading material.

Dancing Queen

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Combine Roe Lounge in San Francisco, LSI students, and lots of dancing.
Product: the most fun Halloween I've ever had.

B: If you could play any character in a totally legitimate/awesome rendition of any movie, musical, or play, who would it be and why? Bonus: your pick of co-stars.

M: I choose Sophie from Mamma Mia! Firstly, I love musicals and this one has a disco/love theme (hello Abba). Secondly, her wedding dress is amazing in the 2008 version so I would keep that the same, but I would change up the cast: My dads would be Costner, this guy I saw on the BART, and Liam Neeson; my love interest would be...(the "off-limits" boy I tell you about almost every time I see you)...I would keep Meryl and add the cast of Glee as my friends. "Honey I'm still free, take a chance on me!"

Parentheses

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B: When was the last time you thought something like, “I am so happy. I don’t remember the last time I was this happy. This moment is perfect. I would not change a single thing.”

M: Perhaps because it's 7:46am and I've been up for an hour and went to bed at 3:00am, but I'm all sorts of sentimental and now I know why you cry when I leave. Now it's not quite this moment (as pictured), but as we segued onto my bed and talked about recent BC happenings and why Jen should move to San Francisco I didn't want anything to change. I wanted us to stay there for hours. Then as we all laid on my double bed (and knew that it wasn't going to work) I wished you both would never leave.

Punkin

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Man and Woman Love pumpkin.
Thanks to Julie for helping in the creative design department.

The Castro

Part I: Britt, thank you so much for your friendship, your air mattress, and your knowledge of fine dining in the Castro. I will never forget our beach adventure, naked men in V formation, and the oh-so delicious food. I love you so much and I will see you for Glee night and occasional Sunday dinners - you can totally make a contract for this if you want, I know you're really good at that.

Part II: I've never appreciated the Castro more than when I visited McArthur Blvd. in Oakland. I know that in the Castro I would never be hit on or killed - I appreciate that fact!

Rain and Laundry

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I needed a break, Britt needed to concentrate on her midterm, and I had dirty clothes. Thus, I went home. It was great. I rode the train, shopped with my mom, ate at Fresh Mex, and enjoyed church with friends.
Best of all, it rained.

Ménage à trois

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I would like to send my love to Britt for introducing me to this golden sandwich. I would like to thank Ike's Place for creating a sexy little number that explodes with flavor, namely, the Ménage à trois.
My taste buds have  reached Nirvana.

Macaroon

Today I tried the famous french cookie: the macaroon. I was leery and skeptical of what to expect, but as soon as my teeth broke into that indistinguishably soft crust and hit the dreamy, creamy middle, I knew, I would never stop loving this sweet treat. Thank you Miette.

Photo: dacibel5.zoka.cc

Farmers and Friends

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Britt, being the kind soul that she is, took me along to the Ferry Building farmers market. I've never witnessed such hustle and bustle around gourmet food and fresh produce, but I loved every moment.
Herb bread, nectarines and macaroons: such a pleasant day.

Temporarily

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My dearest Brittney has taken me in. Not only has she let me lounge on her dreamy, magic bed to watch General Conference, but she has also shown me the Castro District, including Bi-Rite Creamery and Dolores Park.
If only I could stay forever!

Aspen Grove

Quite possibly one of my favorite places on Earth.

Autumn

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Hanging Lake

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Finally, someone took me on a hike.
Thanks Taylor!

Oktoberfest

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Enjoying Vail festivities and my first (and last) bratwurst.

Viva México

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Mexican Coke, Mexican folk dancing, fresh tortillas: Happy Independence day!

Currently residing...

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Avon, CO

Hopeless

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"The Romantics" premier is on September 10th, I can't wait! It will help ease me into fall.

Photo: J. Crew

She & Him

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Is there a better way to bid the summer adieu?

Photo: Patrick Caldwell

BBQ

Oh, I love these people.

Growing Up

Ears are finally pierced, alright!

Bon Fire

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Sweet reunion.

Toby's and More

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Pt. Reyes Station has a great farmers market with delicious GBD grilled cheese sandwiches.
The beach is nice too!

Summer

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Lovin'