#16-Go See Solvang at Christmas (and updates on life...)

Happy Holidays from the Alexander-Marshall Household :)

My lovely friend Jenny accompanied me to an anti-climatic visit of Solvang at Christmas. Although there were Christmas decorations, there was literally no one in Solvang (it was a Thursday afternoon) and several shops were already closed by 5 p.m. haha... I'd recommend going on a weekend when they have free caroling in the main plaza and more of their "Winterfest" celebrations going on as Thursday afternoons are uneventful and the shops are overpriced--as usual.

Winterfest in Solvang

Jenny at Solvang's "Northpole"

6531 Neighbors <3 

On other holiday notes, my lovely apartment-mates and I hosted several festivities this past fall quarter. Thanksgiving was celebrated with a potluck--complete with Rupert--our Turkey which we brined and then roasted. He was delicious :). We also had people dress up in their holiday best, or come as Pilgrims or Native Americans. The evening ended in a dance party with an uncanny semblance to a Bat Mitzah--complete with a congo line to Gloria Estefan and the Casper Cha-Cha slide.

Rupert.. in his brine bath

Heike, Paul (our neighbor who saved the day--he knows how to carve a turkey!),  Tim & Carmen

My housemates minus Heike

The December holidays were celebrated with an "ugly sweater party." Surprisingly, ugly sweaters are hard to come by in Santa Barbara--it took me three thrift store shops to find a decent one. And then it was $20! Freaking ridiculous--just goes to show that everything really is more expensive in Santa Barbara. Ultimately though, the Xmas tree sweater added to the festivity and spirit of the night.

Sara, Jacquie, Caitlin and Me in our festive gear

The Original Bucket List

So here goes nothing... this is my first list I've put together.  I want to accomplish every single one of these items on my list by June 11th, 2011 (most likely the day I'll walk at graduation). I'm open to adding more items to my list--so send me any suggestions! And if you think you can help me (or would like to help me) accomplish any of my goals I would absolutely love it. The list is a bunch of stuff that I have yet to do--or have done and really want to do again. My overall goal with this list is to make sure I don't leave UCSB regretting missing out on anything as well as to make my sure my senior year is kick-ass, exciting and absolutely unforgettable.


1. Go skinny dipping in the ocean outside of my apartment.
2. Swim in the Manzanita Pool after hours.
3. Complete the FULL loop--in one day. (a daunting task, I know)
4. Sleep on my porch overnight.
5. Hike to the Gaviota hotsprings (and go in!)
6. Hike to Castle Rock.
7. Go paragliding in Santa Barbara county.
8. Go camping on the Channel Islands.
9. Go to the nudist beach and tan (yes, naked).
10. Go to the top of Storke tower.
11. Go camping in Yosemite again--with college friends this time.
12. Go stand-up paddling.
13. Try surfing off of the UCSB/IV coastline (can you believe I haven't done this yet?)
13. Eat at every "eatery" in IV (last time I counted there were around 35, and I've been to about 20 of them..)
14. Go to trivia night at Woodstocks.
15. Go to another concert at the Santa Barbara Bowl (saw Maroon 5 a couple weeks ago :) ).
16. Go see Solvang at Christmas.
17. Go to every Farmer's Market in Goleta/Santa Barbara at least once.
18. Tour "El Presidio" (I've been to the Mission already)
19. Go on a day-long winetour of the Santa Ynez Valley area.
20. Go horseback riding in SB Wine Country or on the beach
21. Take a cooking class from Trattoria Grappolo (and hopefully make them raviolis)
22. Go to any kind of dance class (maybe salsa? mmmm)
23. Play Bingo at the Chumash!
24. Go to Disneyland with friends from SB.
25. Go on an Adventure Programs trip.
26. Go to a fitness-related conference.
27. Watch an entire sporting event at Woodstocks/Gios.
28. Meet Chancellor Yang and take a photo with him.
29. Glo-bowling at Zodos and dress up with friends to some random theme.
30. Sing Karaoke at O.T.T.
31. Drink an entire AMF (Adios M.F.) by myself 
32. Go to Vegas! (I've never been in my entire life!!)
33. Spend a night in IV somewhere besides my own bed... (I think I may be the only person who has never slept in IV outside of their own bed... I literally haven't even crashed on a friend's couch--or my own--overnight.. and I've been here for almost 3.5 years... weird huh?)
34. Watch the sunrise from my porch.
35. Get a free massage from Wellness Programs.
36. See a movie at the Drive-In
37. Meet someone famous at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival
38. Ride my bike to downtown SB (from my apartment)
39. Have a picnic on the beach. Complete with chilled white wine.
40. Play Snappa--and win...