Lala (la)

I've been listening to more music lately in my free time. I know this may sound crazy to some people, but I'm ok with not having music play at all times. Actually, I don't really know that much about music. But, I've been listening to entire albums FOR FREE at lala and loving it!

I like Pandora because it introduces me to new music, it's free, etc. I like lala more though because it actually lets you choose exactly what song you want to listen to. Albeit, only once but you get credits and if you add a song to your collection, you can play it over and over and over...not that I do that ; )

Which do you prefer? Any of these or all-together different online "radio"?

The Cool Kids

I hung out with them Saturday night until 5 am....and that was because I left "early" since I had to work at 9 the next (or rather the same) day. 

It was insane. I ran into them at Ace's and I almost didn't because as I was about to leave, my friend Zach was walking into the club and convinced me to stay because (hello!) The Cool Kids were there. So, I stayed and I hung out with them at their table and then with Chuck (Evan) in the dj booth. Yeah...CRAZY!

I'm not sure how this weekend is going to top SXSW and chillin' with the cool kids. It's my mission to make it happen though. 

Alone but not Lonely

These last couple of days, I've been wanting to go do things with friends. For one reason or another, they've been unavailable (either busy or hungover) and so I've had to hang out with myself, by myself. 

I actually love it.

In the past, it's been hard for me to be alone. I enjoy other people's company and I love great conversations. Lately though, I find that I truly enjoy time by myself and have, in no particular order, enjoyed going to the movies, getting coffee, eating lunch and perusing stores with only me, myself and I. Of course, I have done these things by myself in the past and enjoyed them, but I think I've learned to appreciate them on a deeper level. I had never consciously thought about what this said about me, and I still don't really, but Ari told me that her boyfriend C.G. said that was "badass." Though I don't do it for anybody or to be cool by anyone's standards, it's nice to be appreciated for just being myself- always the goal. 

Next, I think I'll go enjoy a nice glass of wine somewhere by myself. Couldn't think of a better person to spend time with. 

Mexican....American

"Non parlo italiano. Sono messicana."

That was my slogan for 2.5 months when I studied abroad in Italy 3 (!!!) years ago now. It means, "I don't speak Italian. I'm Mexican." 

Which is true....but not. 

Obviously, I could speak some Italian or at least enough to say I couldn't. The second part is equally true and untrue. And needed to be said because the native Italians would confuse me as one of their own. Flattering but obviously untrue. It was also necessary because they thought I was pretending not to speak Italian. I wish. 

But, while I am Mexican, I'm also a hyphenate. I'm Mexican-American. Who apparently looks Italian. I think I'm dark. My friends say I'm more olive than brown and my siblings and I all have different skin tones. My older brother's skin looks caramel, I apparently look olive, my sister looks like cacao and my little brother looks creamy. All sound delicious and I'm a little more tart and not as sweet as them. 

My friend Lynda recently wrote a post about her face which conveys much more eloquently what I'm trying to express.

In short, people are confused as to what I am. My friend E.B. and I had a discussion earlier this week and it's funny because to my white friends, I'm very Hispanic and to my Hispanic friends I seem to be too white. I've also been "complimented" by a well-meaning though clueless boy that he "loved girls like me." When I asked him what he meant by "girls like me" he responded, "you know, hispanic girls who act white." 

!!!!

I was shocked. How in the world do I act white? I just act like me. Sarcastic, witty (or so I'd like to think), smart (ditto), bla bla bla. Point being- how is that acting white? I'm just Sophia. 

Friends, Friendship and Love

This week has been an eye-opening one for several reasons all pertaining to the people who are vital to me- my friends and family. 

I just got off the phone with my sister-in-law, mother of two of my nieces both of whom I adore. I have a very special place in my heart for all three of these ladies and particularly for my niece MJ. She and I are so alike, it's scary. Literally. I see myself reflected in this little woman 13 years my junior in her mannerisms, her actions and her physical features as well. It's startling. Anyway, she won her science fair at school (!) and recently got bangs. I haven't won any science fairs but I just got my bangs cut last week. Just one of the oddities that occurs with us. 

The purpose of the call was for my sis to inform me that despite the fact that we don't speak very often, I am always in her thoughts because "you're literally with me all the time" in the form of my niece. Awesome and incredibly sweet.

The other eye opening experience has to do with my friends and particularly one incident which I don't feel is open for discussion. Suffice it to say that it made me realize how fragile and precious our life and health is on this earth. I don't know what I would do without my friends and if, heaven forbid, anything life threatening would ever happen to them. 

In short, I'm grateful for you guys every single day even if we don't speak as often as I would like. I love you.

It's Been a While...

So, not that anybody really reads this, but if you do- sorry for the lack of posts. I want to move my blog in a new direction, perhaps change the name, and write about something more relevant than the petty nuances of daily life. Anywho, I've decided that until I figure that out, I'm going to keep being egocentric and write about myself because really, what the hell? I'll probably start a brand new, shiny blog that is better designed and more relevant.

On my mind recently has been image and perception (thanks to Lynda and Ari) as well as relationships and liars, sleep (or lack thereof), stress and its many manifestations (of which I have a couple) among other things.

I promise to have at least three posts in what's rest of this week, most likely on these topics but we'll see what material this week brings!

Michael Phelps and Marijuana

By now we've all heard of Michael Phelps' "regrettable decision" to smoke weed from a bong. As a result, Kellogg has dropped their sponsorship and USA Swimming has suspended their financial backing and have barred Phelps from swimming for three months effective 

Feb. 5. 

Ouch.

Well, Michael I hope you've learned from this! We'll all forgive you for your illegal wrongdoings, including the forgotten DUI arrest and conviction, because you're an athlete. True, not just any athlete but a swimmer who has won 8 gold medals. It's the least we can do!