nicole spent easter in arizona
At the end of this post I will announce my very first blog contest! While you’re probably just as jump-out-of-your-fucking-skin excited about that as I am, please resist the urge to scroll down immediately for the contest details. Instead, I request that you follow me sequentially from here to there, after which the contest will make more sense. Okay? Promise?
Good.
So, where was I? Oh yeah, “Nicole spent Easter in Arizona,” although from here on out I’m going to drop the third person usage because it’s, well, annoying. And sort of creepy.
I spent Easter in Arizona. Yes, much better.
What’s in Arizona? My parents. What else? The Grand Canyon. Anything else? A lot of cacti, but I didn’t go to Arizona for the cacti (although you might be interested to know that there are over 2,000 species of cacti in North America- this little gem of a fact brought to you courtesy of the Desert Botanical Garden).
Some back story type of information you should know regarding my parents:
-Last April my mother left my father and moved to New York City, at which time he moved to Arizona
-My mother is a giant mess (more details about the “my mother is a grown ass woman and yet can’t seem to pull it together” situation can be found here and here and here)
-Two months ago my mother decided she was done with NYC and moved to AZ to give it another shot with my dad
-This takes us to the current living situation in which she sleeps on an air mattress in the den because she’s “figuring it all out from a separate bed.”
-My relationship with her is still pretty strained because we’ve been through so much emotional upheaval in the past 8 years, but we’re finally on an upswing, making progress toward building a new relationship (although she still often makes me want to vomit on my lap just so I’ll have something to focus on instead of being with her).
-This is the extremely, ridiculously abridged version (you’re welcome) in which I’m not going to drone on about my family shenanigans (a topic that has it’s own category here at More is Better). Instead I’m going to tell you (honestly) that the trip was a huge success and that I’m really, really happy I went.
-In addition to the above details I have to quickly thank my amazing friend Frankie for coming to AZ with me. Not only were my parents thrilled to meet him for the first time, but he was also an amazingly effective buffer in a whole slue of possibly sticky family situations that tend not to arise when a non-family member is present.
And now I’m going to continue by sharing four highlights of the trip with you in the form of a title, a picture, and a quote.
Title: My Mother is Quite Observant
Quote- My mom: “Look, most of the cacti appear to be giving the middle finger. No really! Look at that! They’re everywhere, just flipping me off as I walk by.”
Title: Hiking the Grand Canyon Makes Me Sweaty
Quote- Frankie: “I carried the bag the WHOLE DAMN WAY.”
Me: “False! I carried it almost 1/4 of the way up! There’s photo evidence! See! Me with the backpack on. Ha.”
Title: Scottsdale was 85 Degrees and the Grand Canyon was About 25 Degrees (at night). Packing for this Trip was a Total Blast.
Quote- Me: “I’d be such a good Eskimo. Take a picture of me and my Eskimo hood.”
Frankie: “Um, okay.”
Me: “Weee! It’s so furry!”
Title: The Amazingly Breathtaking, Awe Inspiring Grand Canyon
Quote- Frankie: “We’ve hiked so goddamn much already, the core of the earth can’t be that much farther.”
And now…
~Nicole Antoinette’s First Ever Super Fun and Shiny Blog Contest~
Shit, I said I was going to stop talking in the third person. Oops.
What you need to know about the contest: A while back I made my Life List. A list of 50 things I want to accomplish in my life. Visiting the Grand Canyon this past weekend allowed me to cross number 14 (”see the Grand Canyon”) off my List. It’s my first complete cross off and I’m pretty giddy about it. The giddiness, however, has made me realize that my list is entirely too short and that there are a lot more things I’d like to add to it. So… that’s what I’m doing! On Friday I will be posting the second half of my Life List, 50 more things that I’m definitely going to try to see/do throughout my life.
That’s where YOU come in! I have left number 100 blank and will be filling it with the best suggestion received in the comments section of this post. Tell me one thing that you think I absolutely have to see/do (it can be something you’ve already experienced or just something you’ve heard about), and if your suggestion is the one I pick, I will be mailing you a few Arizona/Grand Canyon related souvenirs. Hint: the souvenirs might or might not be alcohol related.
What? you want a few more pictures? Oh okay, if you insist…
yay for easter in arizona! never been there (unless you count a layover once…). looks like you had an awesome time. i’ll get back to you about the contest when it’s not so freaking early in the freaking morning. because really. who does their best thinking at the ASS CRACK OF DAWN. not this girl. loveeee!
ps. you’re hot. :op
It’s going to take me most of the day to be #100 level poignant. In the meantime, you are looking svelte!!! And Frankie… um yum
*sigh*
You are seriously not helping my homesickness one bit. Not one bit.
Looks like you had a great Easter! It’s so beautiful and the hike looks like it was tons of fun! I’m a little jealous!
Aaahhh I’m so jealous! I’m from AZ (as you know from le awesome gchat) (which we need to chat more on!) and this post made me all nostalgic. Also, you’re pretty gorgeous lady!
I’m a humongo fan of life lists, and everything I’m coming up with for your contest is cliche. I will comment again with a good suggestion (I hope.)
I LOVE being able to cross things off my life list! Also, Frankie is cute. Glad you had a wonderful time - the Grand Canyon is on my list too.
1. You have good arms.
2. You should use 43 things. You can only have 43 goals at one time, though… but once you complete it you can add another. It’s super cool and WAY INSPIRING. Go now.
I’m glad you had such a great Easter, family situation and all. Also, you have a great physique (I hope that wasn’t creepy, haha)
I’m going to make a few suggestions…See a Broadway production; Watch a sunrise alone; Start a charitable cause; Point to a place on the globe (with eyes closed) and go there; Spend a week with no cell phone, email, etc…ie: live simply.
What can I say? I really want to win the contest!
The trip looks like it was so much fun! I’ve never been to the Grand Canyon. I’m glad the visit with your parents was successful
As for a goal suggestion, hmmm…
stay in one of those over-the-water, porch-with-stairs-to-the-ocean bungalows in french polynesia (fiji, bora bora, tahiti). I’ve been staring at pictures of them for the past week.
http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/07/11/moorea300.jpg
DO WANT.
Eep! I left a comment but now I don’t see it? Retype:
I’m glad your trip was such a success! The Grand Canyon looks amazing.
Life goal: stay in an over-the-water bungalow with a porch straight to the water in French Polynesia (Fiji, Bora Bora)
I’ve been staring at pictures all week!!
http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/07/11/moorea300.jpg
how about a hot air balloon ride?
okay confession, I totally scrolled all the way to the bottom! but then I scrolled back up, and you my dear, are adorable!
As for your 100th thing… I’d say, “kiss a Celebrity.” because you live in LA it could totally happen.
(Not that YOU remind me of this, but your first photo comment did) Remember that commercial where the super hot girl is dancing all sexy and she’s sweaty? The announcer goes… when you’re HOT… you STINK. Totally unexpected, lol.
No?
Well it’s good. I will be back with my #100…
okay so. i’m trying to come up with something good. but, here is my
100 things list. jesus, i haven’t looked at it in FOREVER.
here’s my favorites:
-Mail an anonymous joke-of–the-week to someone on a regular basis.
-A winter in Hawaii, spring in London, summer in the Alps, fall in New England..
-Jump off a bridge with my friends. Just so that when someone says “If your friends jumped off a bridge, whould you do it too?” I can reply “Why Yes, I would…and I have!”
-See the sun rise over the Atlantic and see the sun set over the Pacific. And do it on the same day…
-Visit the empire state building and walk all the way to the top just by the stairs. (sidenote on this one: i tried it, it’s harder than it sounds!)
feel free to steal away. xoxoxox
and i realized that a lot on this list doesn’t really apply anymore. i wrote it when i was like 16. i need to revamp.
so. much. work.
you are just adorable! and frankie?! looks wicked fun.
glad you had such a great trip “home” for easter! im going to think of some suggestions and come back.
I tried making that same list once and got lazy. Maybe I will not be reinspired to finish it.
Some suggestions:
- Send a drink to a guy at a bar
- Skydive and/or bungee jump (I’ve done both, they are AWESOME)
- Learn to solve a Rubik’s cube (okay, I tried and failed, Someone should do it so I can live vicariously through the nerdy goodness)
- Do something completely and totally selfless that really helps someone in need (like in Pay It Forward)
- Shoot a gun (in a controlled setting without killing anyone! just for the experience)
- Learn a new language and/or a new instrument
Okay, I’m done.
Hmm… one of the recent additions to my life list is “Take a cycling vacation.” That’s kind of boring.
What about “Cross the headwaters AND the Delta of the Mississippi River.” That is one that I have already accomplished!
“Show up at the airport with my bag and passport. Take the first available flight.”
You must do this and take me with you.
you are friggin’ adorable
you are so cute!! Hmm will think about the contest, i like it need to come up with something first
You are way too cute, TOO CUTE is illegal in several states, just so you know.
Hmm, how about “Spend a week or two at a clothing-optional resort on some far away and fabulous beach”
Ppfffft, I just saw that you had something similar on your life list already. I’ll have to come up with something better.
I’m having trouble formulating exactly what I’m thinking, but something about self-sustainability and creating with your hands. Like help build your own house, or kill and cook your own meat, just once (assuming you aren’t a vegetarian). I don’t support hunting for sport but I do think there’s something to be said for really involving yourself in the process of obtaining your own food and not being wasteful.
nicole i seriously heart you. this blog just made me laugh the whole time and i love the pics. glad you had a good time in arizona with the fam and things are slowly but surely working out.
and now for some life suggestions:
brew your own beer
have a drink in every state
go snorkeling in australia
buy something for someone when they didn’t ask for it
go on a gameshow
that’s all i got for now, good luck!
Okay, I’m back. And all of my life suggestions involve travel because that is probably my favorite thing to do and the most enriching (at least I think so).
So…my suggestions are:
Hike the trail through Peru to Machu Picchu
Explore the jungles and waterfalls of Belize
Walk the steep uphill climb to Gaudi’s Parc Guell in Barcelona
Take a train from Venice to Rome and spend a week or two eating your way through Italy
Oh lord, the list goes on.
do i have to say that you’re “too cute” or “adorable” too?
no?
okay.
#100 - Get drunk and then discuss the pros and cons of your favorite 80’s songs with three of your best friends.
Man, that was a lot of pressure! And yeah, that’s all that I could come up with.
This: http://www.partybus.ie/musicalpubcrawl.html
Trust me, it was one of the greatest nights of my life.
hmm lemme think…
#100 - throw the first pitch at a major league baseball game.
i’m not even a big baseball fan, but that would be rad.
1. you’re adorable! 2. you’re skinny! 3. i love scottsdale! 4. i want to go to the grand canyon! 5. i’m jealous of the warmth! 6. this post makes me miss bry because he’s there!
If the shit doesn’t blow up in a family union, it is a success. You look amazing. Frankie needs some highlights/lowlights/change of hair color. He’s cute none the less.
Hmm let’s see, do you have
Go dog sledding through the last Frontier, Alaska.
This one’s a must-do
Spend an evening in a cafe in Amsterdam, I recommend The Bulldog
Or
Take at least one vacation from the many offered at — http://www.Incredible-Adventures.com/
(check out the covert ops)
Two things:
1. Nice abs!
2. I also hate when people talk about themselves in the 3rd person.
As for #100…something I’ve wanted to do for a while (and would put on my Life List if I had one) is complete a triathalon.
Ana: Are you offering to come over and redo my hair?
LOVE the pics - reminds me of our trip there and makes me want to go back!!!
I’ll try to come up with something better, but for now:
#100: go to the galapagos islands! wake up early one morning to catch the beach full of sleeping seals; pet a giant tortoise; sneak up on a nesting blue-footed boobie; go swimming with the sea turtles…
You. are. hot.
Either:
- Visit Alexis in London and show the Brits what it means to have a good time.
Or:
- Temporarily (or not) dye streaks of your hair an unnatural colour (pink, blue, purple, etc).
Hi darlin’! I’m so excited that you posted these pictures! I don’t want to take full credit, but I know that I did ask you, and I’m really excited that you did! Your Easter weekend sounded fabuloso! And crossing things off of the ole list? Perfect.
I’ve been trying to think of what I could put in for the blog contest. Hmmm….I vote for taking a river cruise on a tiny flat bottomed boat through multiple countries…think the Amazon, Nile, Danube, etc. So exciting!
Or I’d say visiting Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Nothing says exotic and gorgeous like a temple in the jungle. On that same note, an absolute tie would be seeing the Taj Mahal.
Suggestions for number 100: climb Kilimanjaro before the snows melt - or- glacier hike in Iceland -or- hike the Appalachian Trail.
Notice my ideas are all outdoors related. Kind of unoriginal, but at any rate, they are things I want to do.
i sent out the same type of help request to the blogosphere a few months ago before i turned 30. i did a ‘30 things to do before i turn 30′ type of deal and took suggestions. the most amazing one was skydiving. if you haven’t done it yet…there aren’t words to describe it…you just have to do it.
i also took a cooking class, drove around a graveyard at night looking for the Big Bopper’s grave (long story), learned to play chess, and a crap load of other stuff.
i visited the grand canyon on the 4th of july last year. it was a stop on a road trip from texas to california. hot as frikkin’ hell, but so unbelievably beautiful!
FRANKIE IS HOT!!!!!!!
oops, am i allowed to say that on nicoleslifeisthebestrealityshowever.com?
im also thinking about your list. get back to you lataaaaaa. not because i want you to do something really cool, but because i want arizona mexican cacti tequila or whatever it is. hehe jkkkkk <3
We’re you obsessing over the size of your stomach last week? I hope you meant the size of your abs… because there isn’t anything else there besides muscle.
I’m jealous for many reasons. 1) I’ve seen the Grand Canyon, from the rim, and since then have always wanted to hike it rather than see another rim view. 2) Holy hot abs. 3) I love Arizona. Period. 4) You have more guts than I do to blog freely about yourself and your parents. 5) Uh, cool guy friend that goes on trips with you.
I’ll think a bit about your contest. I need time to read over your list.
Scuba diving! Mostly because I really want to.
And the photo are stunning– the colours are amazing!
Watch the sun rise from the steps of Scare Coure (The Church of the Scared Heart) overlooking all of Paris. It is an amazing view, and bonus points if you can meet a backpacker to enjoy the view with!
Okay I have some…
- Safari in Africa… pet a lion.
- Bungee jump IN the eiffle tower! Oh yeah.
- Visit DaVinci’s workshops in Italy
- Live in an igloo for a week
- Rally together and protest on something you feel strongly about
I’m “borrowing” some of yours, I love them!
My pick: “Eat an entire cake.”
(I read Matilda way too many times as a kid and was always fascinated by that scene with the Trunchbull and the chocolate torte.)
And yeah, Frankie — MEOW.
raise $100,000 for a cause of your choice.
If you like hiking, you’d love Zugspitze in the German Alps. Seriously my most favorite hike ever. You do a three hour hike to get up to a cabin in the valley at the foot of the mountain and spend the night there. The food at the cabin is impeccable- creamy soups, thick breads, and massive beers. The next morning you do the 7-8 hour hike. Zugspitze is the largest mountain in the German Alps, and the view from the top is unparalleled. Seriously, try it.
You are so teeny tiny! You look fabulous
I’m too lazy to ready through all the other comments, so I’m going to hope that no one said this already: Go to Oktoberfest. How awesome would that be? Das boot!
Start a food fight in a public place. Never done it, but one can dream, right?
Okay so I didn’t read everyone else’s comments so I hope I am not repeating anything! These are all things I want to do (either for the first time or again), preferably with YOU.
1) Live in Fiji for one month (or at least 10 days) drinking only fruity beverages with umbrellas, running along the beach and watching the sunset every night, and packing too much sun tan lotion so we don’t have room for clothes and have to walk around in wraps/bathing suits all day
2) THE VODKA TRAIN!!!!! St. Petersburg to Beijing in 21 days. Or the other way around. Enjoy life and culture with the locals! Countries visited: Russia, Mongolia, China. We go to Lake Baikal, aka the deepest lake in the world!! Plus we can get there early to spend more time in St. Petersburg (and I speak Russian) and stay later in Beijing and go to Shanghai. Weeee! http://www.vodkatrain.com
3) Go to Barcelona, Spain in the summer. Spend a few days there, then take a plane to Ibiza (less than one hour). Lay on the beach all day, visit the caves, rent mopeds and drive around the entire island, hike the mountains. Party HARD all night. Ibiza is supposed to have one of the best night lifes (lives?) in the world. Then fly back to Barcelona and take the overnight train to Interaken, Switzerland. Ride around in bikes through the town and along the lakes, eat the best cheese fondue ever, go to the Top of Europe http://www.jungfraubahn.ch/en/DesktopDefault.aspx/tabid-8/183_read-808/ and lots of other things but I have to go ahhh I love you pick me pick me pick meeee!
<3
wowza, good for you and your life-list! One down!
Dang girl, those are some great abs! yea for you1
i feel like such a horrible blog friend getting to this post after the contest is over!! (haven’t had 1 spare minute in the past 5 days).
I think one thing you should do is:
Go on a Reality Show, because I am too much of a wimp and could live vicariously through you since you are hilarious and would make excellent television. Big Brother 11 is casting right now.. cbs.com, take a look
I wasn’t expecting to hear that about your parents. It’s amazing how much you can handle, that is very admirable. It really has been so long…I don’t know when I’ll be in LA, but I’ll have to give you a call.