Happy Birthday, Mr. Audubon!

[Tales from the Road]

[Fine Books Magazine]

[Etsy]

[Gold Hill Store]

[Pictorio]

Bodacious Beverages

Ok well I don't know if "bodacious" is the best description, but I thought it sounded quite appealing! Anywhooo, I just wanted to share some exciting highlights of my week (besides prepping for APs, finals, etc., etc.!) 

1. In honor of the upcoming royal wedding, I have for you... Katea and William! Yes, I know, tea is appropriate for just about any occasion. Please note the dollar bills stuffed in Kate's décolletage and William's crossed fingers.

Personally, I think it looks like he's having a blast hot-tubbing!


2. Cocoa Cappuccino from Starbucks (one of the new items on their menu). I am usually quite opposed to the idea of drinking Starbucks on a regular basis because it is extremely overpriced, and I literally got gypped with 1/2 drink 1/2 foam that felt lighter than its biscotto complement. However, I do splurge when I get a giftcard! So using my new giftcard, I enjoyed a cocoa cappuccino, and I must say it was quite delicious... And on a side note, I have become a coffee drinker as of March! Can you guess why?!

Because I had a 43-page outline and 30-page research paper of course! Wa hoo! 

Well those are my not-so "bodacious beverages" from the week, and I am currently sipping a large white mug of Stash green tea (with matcha powder - yeah!). 

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I also enjoyed a delicious breakfast of poached eggs with a basil vinaigrette over sliced tomatoes and toasted whole grain English muffins at my favorite breakfast place Nosh! Isn't that a clever name? I remember having a fun conversation the other day about great breakfast-joint names, and everyone concluded that the ideal one must be one syllable. "Nosh" is a perfect example! Or it could be something like "Fork." And another clever [rule-breaking] name is Bread and Breakfast! 

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Ok now I know I'm such a loser and didn't post on Earth Day! Oops! But I did go out and take some pretty spring bud pictures. It drizzled all day and was a bit dreary, but nevertheless, I felt very inspired to help the planet! 

I love the fact that at first glance, many leaf buds look similar, but upon further inspection, they all are slightly varied; each one yields a completely original shape. 

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And I also made Honey Lace cookies yesterday, using Martha Stewart's recipe.

Oh and here is some biology literature... enjoy!
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/21/science/21gut.html  

http://commonfund.nih.gov/hmp/

Inconsistencies

Fun DIY?

(United Colors of Benneton) 

Genius, efficient organization... and pretty to glimpse when the cabinet is open!

Cool note book from J. Crew. There are lots of others with funny expressions in a rainbow of colors!

Clever display background - plain, white mugs! Who knew?

(J. Crew)

Oh how I'd love you if you weren't $395.

Harvard Variations

So you cannot decide to embark on the college journey without at least visiting what's considered the "Mecca" of all college visits: Harvard! No one wants to look like just a visitor there. No, of course you want to look as if you go there! So here are a few pointers on how to look the part:

1. Casually sit on the steps of the admissions building and catch up on a bit of "light reading." In this case, you must have the entire contents of The Great Gatsby printed on a cashmere scarf! (Bonus points if you've actually read the book or an admissions officer walks past you, retraces his steps, and approaches you, demanding your name because he/she wants to admit you for reasons of multiculturalism *Legally Blonde reference anyone?*)

2. Sit on an impressive set of stairs in a very public area on campus and look extremely confused/pensive, as if you were pondering something deep. For example, here I am reflecting on Lincoln's usage of the word "necessity."(I think only M will get this ;)

If anyone asks what you are doing, simply say, "Otivm cvm dignitate." If they say, "Pardon?" Reply in an extremely disappointed voice, "Oh, I'm sorry I thought that you spoke Latin."

3. Sneak into an empty classroom in the science building. (Make sure to find one with lots of stuff written on the board.) Begin writing alongside the present material with random (or made-up) formulas, but for heaven's sake do NOT put E=MC^2. When the professor and/or students come back, pretend that you are really focused on the board and do not notice them. Upon questioning, tell them that the figures were ENTIRELY wrong and needed to be corrected asap! If they press the issue, which of course they will, run away screaming, "I told you I don't like Martha Stewart!"At this point, they will all think that you are indeed insane because, honestly, who doesn't like Martha Stewart?

(Just throwing in this picture from the Williams info pamphlet because I thought it was quite fitting..... and amusing)

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Now onto things you should NOT do:

(p.s. these apply to all colleges now)

1. Attempt to feed the museum displays.

2. Spy on an intense biochem exam at Harvard, then promptly take a picture of it. 

People will think that you are a freak.

3. Pose [in pain] as if the school's founding father is stepping on your head. Not cool.

Don't Miss the 'Mark

Every campus seems to have some kind of distinguishing statue/landmark... My mom and I decided to capture them in a creative way.

Interestingly, a lot of the schools we visited had statues of the founders, and each had a "lucky foot" that students rub before exams, sports games, etc. 

(note the shiny foot) 

I think this one is my favorite!

(last stop on the trip and getting a little weary.. couldn't find any statues, 

so we just used the original college building)

Let me know if you can name any of the locations :)

Newsfeed.

I'm almost positive that every college has at least one newspaper. Newspapers can show you a lot about the school that won't be included in an info session or a campus tour. They tell you about student interests/concerns, events happening on campus, and the types of jobs/internships offered to the students (in advertisements). Interestingly, almost every school that I have seen and liked so far has a crossword, word jumble, and sudoku on the back - score! Sounds like my kind of paper!

I loved the idea of having a campus fashion section (to be discussed more in-depth in the future):

(many apologies.. my computer was not cooperating in rotating this image.)

Environmentally-conscious! Yay!

Embracing Diversity!

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Logically, I am a big fan of blogs! (Fun fact: "blog" originated from the word "weblog). I haven't quite explored enough of the college ones yet to get a feel for the way they operate, but I think that Tufts has a pretty impressive one; it is an extension of their newspaper and has some great cartoons, etc. etc. Fun business! I also found their take on the inordinately famous YouTube video "Friday" very amusing. Check it out right here. 

A Nice Little Stash

Although I'm pretty sure I've already conveyed to you, my fellow readers, just how much I love tea, I think it's worth mentioning again. So yes, I am quite the tea fan! My favorites du jour are green and peppermint, but I am always on the hunt for new kinds! I usually drink up to (or beyond) three cups a day. I for one drink it shamelessly with the comfort that I am getting my month's worth of antioxidants every single day! I must mention that my mom is also quite the avid tea-drinker. As result, we have signed up for a "tea-a-month" type of club! I am absolutely giddy with the thought, as we get 100 tea bags a month! Right now it is through Stash tea, and we are getting the premium green tea with matcha. I think the matcha is the secret ingredient that makes it taste so good; it gives the tea this slightly frothy consistency and just enhances the flavor! 

Here's a little snap of our loot! 

College.

I'm baaack! I have been gone for the past week on a whirlwind of college visits... think 2,436 miles.... 9 schools.... 5 days. Nuff said. Given that I am embarking on a new adventure (i.e. The College Hunt), I would like to document the entire journey on here. There will be an array of pictures, from dorm rooms to your typical "prospie's" outfit to packing the car for road trips. I know this is going to be a thrilling (and stressful) experience, but I want to document it both for you, my faithful readers, as well as for myself! 

Never fear though, I will still be posting non-collegiate material, filled with some audacious baking experiments, elaborate aesthetics, and spiffy garb. 

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For starters, let's talk about the methods to reach the prospective schools... Personally, I think that a road trip is the way to go, as you can cram in as many schools as you'd like while spending some "quality" family time together. Riding in a car for 15+ hours with the 'rents entails some fun bonding over decisions of utmost importance (i.e. family fist fights over podcasts/books on tape, when/where to stop for food, map vs. GPS, etc., etc.). 
Sounds like a party.

I hate to toot my own horn, but I am quite the car-packer. It is great to make sure everything has its own place to guarantee quick re-loading when you have to pull a quick skedaddle to make the 8:00 am tour!  Also the packer dictates whether her fashionisto padre can find his I don't care how comfortable they are, you look like a dumbdumb Crocs in the way back.

This is just a little intro to a new chapter in Tikkit's short existence, but expect more expertise posts to come :)