What is a Twin Good For, Anyway?

Lots of things!

A shoulder to cry on, a companion when you need it (and sometimes when you don't), unconditional love...

Oh, and help taking care of new tattoos and piercings.

There is NO way I could have taken care of my back tattoo by myself. I knew that if I wanted something there, it would have to be when I lived with Baby A or someone similarly awesome and close to me. Baby A it was.

Aaaand I recently got a nose ring. I didn't have enough hands today when I was messing with it (cleaning it, moving it, making sure the hole in my nose is A-OK), so Baby A was called in as back-up.

The things we do for each other.

Cheers,
Alison

New Year, Part Deux

It is our birthday! How is it that we are 21 today? Twenty. One. Years.

Today is going to be for cleaning our apartment, bowling, hanging out with friends, and enjoying our own personal New Year.

It's a new year for us (and, as the bartender said last night, a new era in our lives). We're "grown ups" now, or so people say. I'm not sure being able to purchase alcohol and gamble in Vegas really makes me an adult, just sayin'.

21 years and 9 months of kicking it, twinkie style!

Cheers,
Alison

Twenty Ten

2009 is behind us. It's January 1 of a whole new decade. And I'm looking for to 2010 and the new decade, because...

In 2010:
Baby A and I turn 21 in less than 2 weeks.
In month and a half or so, we'll be halfway done with our five year, double major undergraduate education.
During spring break, we'll be swimming in warm ocean waters, hiking green mountains, eating plate lunches, and sipping fruity drinks on the sand. With our mom, which makes it even better.
Summer is for work and play.
In fall, my upper division nutrition courses will start.

And this decade:
Who knows what this decade will bring? But I know I'm ready for it.

New year's resolutions? Got 'em. There are only a few, but they all fall under this theme: "How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." Annie Dillard

Cheers,
Alison

Sunny and 60 is NOT Conducive for Sleigh Rides

Baby A and I are snuggled up together like two birds of a feather would be. (I've had the song Sleigh Ride stuck in my head for days.)

If you're celebrating Christmas, we wish you all a wonderful day! I should have posted for Hanukkah (Challah!) and the winter solstice, but winter break turns my brain to mush, and the internet and I have been a little distant. So, belated Happy Hanukkah and Happy Solstice!

We heart the holidays, every one of them.

Happy Holidays!
Alison

It's the Most Twinful Time of the Year

Maybe it's because this is the busiest travel time of the year, with people jetting off to be with family or friends.

Maybe it's because it is at this time of year that we travel, leaving NorCal for SoCal once again, spending significant amounts of time in both regions.

Maybe it's just the way it is.

Maybe it's just a coincidence.

Whatever the cause, this is the time of year when twins come out of the woodwork. We see twins, other twins see us. It's holiday festivities all around, double vision without the aid of eggnog or hard cider.

Mmm... eggnog. I love it (half eggnog, half milk), Baby A HATES it. Such is life.
Photo from Tasty Kitchen.

Of course, there are always those who feel like they have imbibed a bit too much holiday cheer when they see us. "It's like... I'm seeing double." The subtext of that usually being "I'm fully capable of that at the moment" or "Like last night."

Cheers,
Alison

100th Post and I'm a Winner!

100th post right here. And what way could be better to celebrate it than "winning" NaNoWriMo? 50,479 words. I did it, and I am SO happy it is over.

*ETA: Official NaNoWriMo count is 50,077, according to their official word counter. It's still victory!

Despite how crazy NaNoWriMo made November I am really happy I participated. I now have a first draft of a novel that will hide on my hard drive forever. (No aspirations to get published here.)

I have been neglecting school work and such since I have written more than half of that word count in the last week. Just call me a comeback kid (stolen from a NaNoWriMo inspirational email). Now, it's time for me to polish up my philosophy paper then turn it in.

Cheers,
Alison

Thanksgiving

I am thankful for (in no particular order):

• my sister, Baby A, but you all knew that. I'm pretty sure she (usually) knows it, too.
• my education. Public higher education in California is going through some major issues that must be resolved, but through it all, I am here to get my degrees and I know that I am lucky. Baby A and I are particularly grateful for scholarships and grants this year, as we will be in the coming years as well, I am sure. I personally have met students who are either honestly unsure if they can continue their education in this university system or know that they must try to go elsewhere next year or face not finishing their degree at all. I am not taking my education for granted.
  
• our kitties. Pets are important, and our boys bring us joy. It's nice having pets in college. Money and time, yes, they require those, but pets reduce stress for everyone, even college kids. So worth it.
  
• my family and friends. Of course.
  
• the internet. Oh, what? You were totally thinking it too.

Happy Thanksgiving!
Alison