This one's for the pioneers.

Do you ever wonder what you would have been like if you were born in pioneer times? I'm pretty sure there's a good reason (or maybe 100 good reasons) I wasn't born then.

The Mysterious Tall Bike

I was sitting on the porch the other night when two guys rode by on tall bikes and piqued my interest. Ever since then, I've been plagued with questions of how someone mounts and dismounts or stops on one of these bikes. I spent some time on YouTube and Wikipedia the other night educating myself about the tall bike and was able to figure out the mount and dismount, but still no A's to my Q's about the stop. Does anyone know how people who ride tall bikes stop at stop lights? Do they look for a pole? Do they just avoid stopping altogether? I need answers so I can sleep at night.

Then what?

You know when you meet people and have the obligatory "get to know you" conversation? You know, the one that goes something like, "Where are you from? And what do you do? Oh, you only have one year left of your Masters? Then what?"

You know that conversation? I do.

I'm approaching my second and final year of grad. school and to be honest, I'm just not quite sure about the "then what?" part. All I know is that at the end of a long and successful career as a social worker or therapist or mom or professional acrobat (okay, it might be a little late to shoot for that one), I want to spend ample time on a beach with my old, adorable husband (I'm taking applications if anyone is interested), playing Rummikub and drinking soda.

I watched this couple on the beach in Corona Del Mar as they played Rummikub for 4 hours and intermittently pulled sodies and snacks from their Coleman. And maybe I was a little jealous.

Brings a tear to my eye.

I don't cry often, but SYTYCD (I still have to think really hard every time I write that) was so good last night, I may have shed a tear.

One more sleep until I go to CA...

Dear High School Friends,

I can't wait to reunite in San Diego. I promise I won't wear jeans on the beach like I did when we went on our senior trip. Can't wait to see your faces!

Love,
Lindsay Lark

I left my heart in San Francisco.

San Francisco has always been one of my favorite cities for a myriad of reasons. For starters, where else can you see a full mariachi band strollin' down the street (we're talkin' at least 4 blocks) at 10 o'clock at night?Last weekend, my sister surprised me with a plane ticket to visit her and Bret for a few days. While in Alameda/San Fran, I got to sleep at the Pristine Green, eat ridiculous amounts of fresh fruit (which solidified any thought I had of ending up back in sunny CA), ride bikes, hike to the beach, and roam around the city with the best host and hostess the bay area has to offer.Doesn't get much better than that.

How can something so good be so bad?

I ate T-Bell for the second time in the last week today and I'm slightly ashamed at how much I enjoyed it. When I came home, I made the mistake of looking up the nutrition facts of the cheesy beefy burrito I was lured into buying- I won't even subject you to the horror I found. Let's just say, I think it was just what I needed to curb my appetite for the delicacies Taco Bell has to offer.

I love where I live because...

I'm within walking distance to a grocery store, donut shop, the gym (to counteract the donuts), and Gilgal Garden where I can see the Joseph Smith Sphinx and many other um, interesting rock sculptures any time I want.

My Roommate, The Next Food Network Star

As some of you know, my friend, the lovely and talented Kelsey Nixon, is a contestant on this season of The Next Food Network Star. Last night, me and some of my friends were lucky enough to go to a little demo/screening premier and it did not disappoint! Not only did Kelsey make one of the best dishes on the first episode (it was DE-LICIOUS!), but she's also the most likeable (I don't care what you say Giada DeLaurentis). This is where you come in. If you happen to catch the show (Sunday night on the Food Network), don't forget to go HERE to vote for Kelsey as the fan favorite. Heck, even if you don't watch the show, still vote because you like me and trust me. Okay? Even if you don't like me, trust me on this one.

I know, I know, I'm wearing the same dress that I wore to the bridal shower. I'm trying to be green by recycling the outfit. I just can't deny a good summer go-to dress.