All my friends are dead

Yesterday Brock and I went to

Portland.
The place I will soon live.
I love the city.
It is so diverse.
I loved living in Orange County the last year and a half,
but I am so excited for this new change.
New change for a new year, seems fitting, right?

I also found a book at Urban Outfitters (Do I shop there too much? Maybe.)
Not just any book.
THE book.
The book that will sit on my coffee table.
One worth displaying:
When you come to my new apartment in Portland, Oregon, you will see this book sitting in my well-furnished living room.
:)
I am so excited for all the new changes in my life.
I discovered recently how much I love change.

A new place.

New people.

A fresh start.

A new perspective.

I love it all.

In other news, Brock and I decided to start getting into shape.
My diet of pizza and candy from Christmas is not doing great things for my figure,
and my hips don't lie.
Soooo, we went running today.
And survived (barely).
And we bought an ab workout dvd
Which I hope is as good as Abs of Steel with Tammy Lee, but I am skeptical.

In a few weeks, hopefully we will be fit and healthy.

What is your goal for the new year?
How will this year be different?

Empty planner page

Hearing bad news always makes you evaluate your life.
Or, sometimes, hearing other people hear bad news.
It's like you recognize all your mistakes, all the things you want to do, all the people you love, the ones you don't appreciate enough, and where you are lacking in your life, all the the same time.

Today, I have done a lot of evaluating.
Why?
I'm not so sure.
All I know is I have an opportunity in my life right now that I don't normally have.
Time.
For once I don't have school and work and social events and everything else that fills the pages of my torn up planner.
There are so many things I could do with this time, and as of yet, I have no plan.
I have so many things I want to do in my life, I just don't know when I'm going to do any of them.
Or if one of them should fill this empty space in time I have right now.

i want to travel. to Greece. to Africa. to Australia. i want to go on mission trips. i want to get married. i want to intern at a non-profit. i want to write a book. i want to drive across the country. i want to run a marathon. i want to read my bible every day, consistently. i want to have my own house. i want to finish my education. i want to have children. i want to live in the country. and in the city. i want to get a dog. i want to read all of the Harry Potter books again. i want to go backpacking somewhere crazy. i want to enter a sand castle-building contest.
i want to live and life i am proud of.

In my day of deep thinking, I spend some time looking at entries to the Post Secret book.
If you have never heard of it, you should look it up.
And the bluntness, honesty, my ability to relate, and vulnerability of them pull me in.

Crafty Lady

Yesterday I spent the day with one of my best friends, Genii, who also happens to be one of the most crafty and creative people I know.
Naturally, we got our craft on.
I made this sweater and I am extremely proud because I fought the grumpy sewing machine for a good hour before we figured out what was wrong with it.
Blood sweat and tears went into this.

I like it because it gives me a chance to show off my tat

It's not the warmest thing in the world
But who cares about being practical if it's cute??

Then I made a little flower for my hair with the leftover material.
Not to be worn at the same time, of course.
matchy-matchy is a no-no

So anyway, that is about as far as my abilities go.
Hopefully sometime in the future I'll be sewing things like it's no one's business
I would have two sweatshirts to show off but I accidentally bought a pair of sweatpants instead of another sweatshirt.
Darn them for packaging them so similarly
Classic Olive mistake.

Sippin Martinelli's

TODAY
was a nice day
Brock had a Christmas party with his extended family and it was great.
I put together my whole outfit around my boots today and yesterday.
Overkill?
Maybe, but I'm okay with it.
Brock's little cousin Ellen is 19 months old
and also happens to be the cutest girl ever.
I wish I had a picture so I could share the cuteness.
The best part about today was watching her romp around like it's no one's business.

But, today also marks a sad day.... Christmas officially being over.
Why is it gone so fast??
It also poured down rain today, in honor of the end of the Christmas spirit.

The good news is I get to go to the last game at Mac Court
And to a Blazer game
AND to the Nike employee store and Urban Outfitters.
So many things to be excited for!
I will give you an update on what I end up with after the trip to Portland, which will hopefully happen next week.


Also, as I am blogging, I'm also watching Twilight.
Harry Potter is better.
And Martinelli's are the best.
That is all.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!

I hope you got everything on your wish list.
I have to say, I was quite spoiled this Christmas.
Here is a glance at my spread...

Brock and I with our first ornaments :)

He got me some amazing perfume. Juicy Couture: Peace, Love and Juicy.
I would recommend it if you want to smell delicious.
And who doesn't?

Beautiful ring made from an antique button! This designer is amazing. You can see more of them here. Do it. Thanks Jodi :)

Steven Madden boots that I am obsessed with. O b s e s s e d. I think I might sleep with them tonight. Another special thanks to Jodi :)

Beautiful necklace from my wonderful boyfriend.

Brock got Madmen season three which I will be commandeering and watching myself

Even Bentley had a Merry Christmas and sat quite content with his bone.
(but don't be fooled, he is not quite as cute if you try to take it away from him)

So yeah, I got everything I could want and more.
Plus I got to spend the holiday with Brock's amazing family.
I love them all.
Hope you are having a wonderful day!

Merry Rissmas Reeve

Christmas Eve?!??
I don't think I have ever had a Christmas sneak up on me so fast.
Wasn't it just Halloween???
I guess finishing up school and the drive home distracted me.
You know what (one of) the best part of Christmas is?
Coming home to a Christmas tree.
It is even better when the tree has tons of presents under it.
If I'm honest....
Of course, I love opening up my gifts on Christmas and I'm always so thankful for what I get
But a part of me is a little sad when I look at the tree after everything is cleaned up and there are no presents.
It looks so empty.
I need fake presents just to give the illusion that there are still presents.
I hate rushing onto New Years like Christmas never happened!

I hope that where ever you happen to be right now,
You are with people you love
in a place you love
celebrating Christmas tonight.
I know I am.
:)

Better late then never!

I know I am a few days late, but I have to at least acknowledge on my blog that Brock and I just celebrated our two year dating anniversary.

Crazy, right?
About half that time has been spent in California and half in Oregon.
Really I just feel so blessed to be his girlfriend and to have spent the last two years with him.
He is my best friend!
Here are some of my favorite things about him:

He has a cute smile.
He laughs at my jokes.
He makes me dinner.
He is a great cuddler.
He knows our anniversary.
He remembers things for me.
He always makes sure I have everything I need... for anything.
He makes sure I am safe.
He cooks with me.
He thinks I'm beautiful.
He puts up with my grumpy self.
He is silly and will run around and do stupid things with me.
He will move states to be with me.
He stands up for me.
His cute beard.

So that is just a little about Brock.
As you can see, I like him a lot.In other news, I am really loving being back in Oregon so far.
First of all, I got my grades back and I and pleasantly surprised that I squeaked by with an A- in my psychology of the personality class.
I didn't even think that was possible.
And same with my philosophy class.
(I'm not the philosophy type)
So I am really happy about that.
Also, I am getting so see lots of people who I love and haven't seen in forever.
I missed my Oregon friends!
It is strange running into people I haven't talked to since high school though.
"Oh hey, what's up? What is new since the last time I talked to you?.....two years ago."
Kinda awkward.
But, nevertheless, I am a happy girl right now.

Small Town Feel

I haven't been blogging the last few days, and for that, I apologize.
I drove from southern California to Eugene, Oregon.
Since then I have been in a fury of unpacking, sleeping, and Christmas shopping.
BUT, that is no excuse!
So here I am, blogging again...

I had gotten pretty used to living in the big city.
(L.A. area)

I learned to not go out at night by myself.
I learned how to drive aggressively.
I learned how to navigate around places I don't know.
I learned how to live on my own and make my own decisions.
Coming back to a small town, I've realized what I still haven't learned...
How to avoid people
Now, if you are my friend and you are reading this,
just because I haven't seen you yet
does not mean I don't want to see you.
It just means that I have been really busy
and honestly I just need a little time to relax
haven't done that in a while.

Also, on a different note,
Brock has recently decided to go with the comb-over mullet
If you happen to see him, tell him to cut his hair.
He will probably read this, I love you Brock! :)

Farewell

Goodbye MOD I have lived in for the last 4 months.

Goodbye apartment I lived in this summer and also housed my cute boyfriend.

(as you can see we are getting packed up)

Goodbye APU.

New beginnings.

:)

State Hopper

This is what my week looked like:

Starbucks, study guides, and suitcases.
I have almost everything packed into my little Mazda
and I have one more final at 9:45 which I am totally prepared for
(not)
Then, I'm home free
Okay, not home free because I still have to clean Brock's apartment out and help him pack
but I will officially be on break.
Thank the Lord!
Then only one 16 hour drive will stand in my way of Oregon.
I feel like Oregon is that best friend I used to have that won't return my calls.
Have you forgotten about me, Oregon?
I just want to know where we stand now.

Study, eat, take test, repeat.

Three finals.
That is all that separates me from Christmas break.
I have sooo much studying to do tonight (which I am obviously not doing right now)

Psychology
Philosophy
Sociology

say that three times fast

Then my cute boyfriend (who can be seen below) and I

will drive to Oregon.
There we will both be unemployed and not working on school for a while.
Sounds both depressing and relaxing at the same time

Just a few more days to power through.
Why does the end always seem the hardest?
It was the same way when I did cross country. Every time I realized the finish line was close I became significantly more tired. It was all in my head, of course.
So, I'm trying to change my mentality for the next few days to make it a little easier.
I have a lot of learning to do.
Good luck if you're doing the same thing!

The other line moves faster, except not online

Here are some things I stumbled upon today that I enjoyed
All things I would love to have one day.

A mustache pillowcase?
That is the definition of classy.
[Urban Outfitters]

I love polaroid cameras.
I have searched for one everywhereeeee
And this is the closest I can find to what I want.
Something about instantly getting the picture that I love.
[Urban Outfitters]

Birkenstocks are the best.
I always want them but I can never commit to spending that much money on sandals.
Real cute though.
[Birkenstock]

These earrings are the best!
Just adorable.
Get a pair for yourself.
[by boe]

So anyway, I thought you might enjoy a few more things on my list.
And I came to the realization that a lot of the things on my list are expensive haha
But maybe it will inspire you
because they are great gift ideas.

It's starting to feel like Christmas!
Go out and get some Starbucks and enjoy the Christmas season
and watch some Glee

Office Romance

You want to know what kind of love I hope for in my future marriage?
Pam and Jim.
They are perfect.

Pam Beesley: No, I, um, well I'm not gonna, I'm-- I'm not gonna move in with anyone unless I'm engaged.

Jim Halpert: Have I not proposed to you yet?

Pam Beesley: Hmm I don't think. Nope.

Jim Halpert: Oh, well, that's comin'.

Pam Beesley: Oh right now?

Jim Halpert: No. I'm not gonna do it right here, that would be rather lame.

Pam Beesley: Ok so then when?

Jim Halpert: Pam, I'm not gonna tell you. I hate to break it to you but that's not how that works.

Pam Beesley: Ohh right.

Jim Halpert: Hey I'm serious. It's happening. And when it happens, it's going to kick your ass Beesly. So, stay sharp

…..

Jim Halpert: I am not kidding. [opens box revealing engagement ring] Got it a week after we started dating.

:)

An Elephant Never Forgets

I think I might have some sort of memory impairment.
I know, I know, everyone always thinks there is something wrong with them
Generally, I am not that person.
I think I am a fairly healthy college student. I exercise regularly, take vitamins and drink water. I try to eat somewhat healthy (let's be honest, I could use some work there).
Here's the thing, I can't remember anything.

• I don't remember people's names.

• I can't remember what a teacher said right after they said it.

• I can't remember if I have seen a movie, what it is about, or who is in it.

• I can't remember much of anything that happened before my sophomore year of high school.

• I can't remember what I did last Christmas.

• I can't remember how events happened, who was there, or who did what.

(I'm good at telling stories the wrong way because I can't remember the details)

So, I don't know if there is some sort of memory boost I can take (like from Jamba Juice or something) and make this better, because it is starting to get ridiculous.
All I have is short term memory!
One day I want to be able to look back on my life and think about all the things I did, people I met, places I saw....

Early Alzheimers I think
Anyway, nice knowing you all
I'll probably forget about you tomorrow
Don't take it personal.

Whirl Wind

Dear you,
Lately I'm not sure what the deal is. You are not the same anymore. I have tried to act every which way around you but I still get the same response: disinterested. I'm not sure you care that much about me after all. Do you even read my blog? That might sound stupid, but let's be honest, if you had a blog, I would read it. I don't ask for much from you. Even when I do ask you find a way to make me feel bad for it. I have invested a lot of time in you. But at the end of the day, I don't feel like you know me. Do I know you?
I guess that is that then. We will part and just see what happens from there. Hope everything turns out well for you, and I mean that.
Sincerely,
Olivia

At Christmas, all roads lead home.

I came to a realization today.
It came me to as I was dressing up for my SGA Christmas party

This Christmas is different for me.
I have always had mixed feelings about Christmas. I never knew exactly how I felt because I had so many different emotions. Some people love Christmas because they get gifts. I have never been into that and it kinda makes me uncomfortable when people give me things.
(I'm trying to become a better gift-receiver).
Some people love it because they get to give people things. Money has always been tight in my family growing up, so even when I had money of my own, I used it for things I needed. I usually made cards or baked cookies for people. I liked that but I always felt like I shouldn't have to have a special day to just to give people things. So then I always felt guilty because I don't do it more often. Some people love Christmas because they get to see their family. I love a lot of people in my family, but for most of my life holidays meant I was stressed out and felt like I had to take care of people I shouldn't be taking care of.
Some people love Christmas because it represents the birth of Christ. I love my God more than anything but December isn't actually Christ's birth. Plus I don't celebrate the birth of the Christ by buying presents for everyone I know.
So, Christmas has never been that exciting for me.
I never really looked forward to it.
This year, I get to spend Christmas with the person I love the most.
I get to make memories I will have for the rest of my life and be around great people in a place that I love.
So, for once, I am excited.
And happy.
:)