lusssh-ious

two of my favorite things:

Rosebud Salve is a classic! Madeline turned me on to it in college. Can be used for lips, chapped skin, even diaper rash.

and after application, my lips feel like this:



Tom Ford Black Orchid was a christmas present from my darling husband. It's a very rich, luxurious scent, with Bergamot, Jasmine and Vanilla, with a touch of spice. Perfect for winter.

and when I wear this heady, sensous scent, I feel like this:

purrrRRrrr.

both can be purchased at Sephora....

spring can't come soon enough

Bizarre weather lately... and especially for those on the east coast, here is a glimpse of hope. Spring will come again! (as I type this, the sun peeks through the clouds for the first time in days!)

[photo of Lauren M.]

for beauty, and mind

(Chihuly, Union Station, Tacoma Wa)

"The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirious of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars..." - Jack Kerouac

happy clay

I have to share some art with you! My wonderful friend Niki is a fashion photographer, mixed media artist and ceramic artist extraordinare. She has been making some of the most beautiful pottery I've ever seen. Her new business, Happy Clay, will make your heart go boom. Trust me.

Check out her Esty shop http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5861171

For our wedding, she created 28 individual cups as wedding favors for our guests to toast in, and then take home. Here is a photo from our reception:

They make great birthday, wedding, christmas or just anytime gifts!

Enjoy!

our love story is long, and shorter with pictures

When Chris and I met, he was 13 and I was 14. I was friends with his sister. He had cooties. We looked like this:

A little while later, here we are again. Chris 13 (looks 9), Yana 14, (going on 21). He was still young, annoying and had cooties. Amy (my now sister in-love, with some killer Brooke Shields calvin klein model eyebrows) is on the left of me , and my dad (with long hair) and my mom in white. She looks good in white.

2 years later, Chris is taller, 16 and plays the drums, and I the bass guitar. I love myself a musician, but when asked "Why don't you like CHRIS" by some of his friends, my reply- "He's 16!?! Since I'm so mature for my age it would NEVER work. I need an OLDER man"

4 years later, Chris 19, Yana just turned 21, came on a missions trip to Bulgaria with my family. It was there that I saw him a new light, as a mature and hilarious dude and I began to like his cooties. When we sat down in Turkey he told me "I like you" and I was excited, scared, and thought, 'but you're amy's younger brother!?' We began a long distance phone relationship from Cali to Maine.

As most long distance relationships go- we had majors ups and downs, and eventually faltered completely. The next year on another missions trip we had another 'talk' in Turkey. I apologized for our relationship not working out and said "but we're still friends, right??" and he said "No, I'm still in love with you, and I'm not going to stop pursuing you". We were 21 and 22. After that his sister asked me to be her Maid of Honor, and I spent a lot of my summer in maine, planning her wedding, and falling in love with Chris.

By October 2006, the wedding, I knew Chris and I were perfect for eachother. My journal entries from that summer are so fun to read. We went to the coast for our first 'date' and watched the waves crash. It was there that we talked about our history, feelings and hopes for the future. He asked me to court him.

A year later, 2007, in Turkey, he asked me to marry him. I don't have a picture from the engagement, because he forgot a camera (!? i know. I'm still sad about it) but here's a good one from soon after.

June 8th, 2008 we got married in a park.

And the best is yet to come.

Baby on board is about to arrive

My beautiful friend Jessi is having her first baby today!

Little Naomi is going to arrive and change the world as we know it. I can't wait to be an Auntie.

:)

Boom-Boom

Madeline from 'My Boy and Me' tagged me in this game of what makes my heart happy.

1. the purple orchid on my bedside table. It's elegance brings a smile to my face every morning.

2. snuggling with my husband, especially when it's cold and snowy outside.

3. a hot cuppa joe, in the morning. Just cream please.

4. music. All kinds. Jazzy, ethnic, indie, booty shakin, and head bangin.

5. reading other women's blogs about health, organic living, babies, art. It inspires me to be a beautiful mother. I believe Jesus wants me to raise my kids with as much love, joy and organic goodness as possible, and that is encouraged by all of your blogs. thanks.

6. the frozen river view from my parents house. Its a simple joy to sit by the fire and watch the ice flow by.


Anyone who reads this should also sit for a moment and realize at least 6 things that make you go boom-boom, and then share them!

Cheers!




Link to the person who gave you the award.
Post the rules on your blog.
List six things that make you happy.
Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.

Follow?

As I edited my 'followers' gidget today, I sat there for a moment and chuckled to myself.
What should I name the empty list of occasional readers that probably I don't have?
Enjoyers of the blog? (Went with that) Stalkers? (too sarcastic) Other people who find me funny? (well i would hardly call myself funny) Readers? (meh?) Haha... 'Yana- (to myself) not that big of a deal, madeline is your only reader anyway...why bother?)
hahaha....

This blog began two years ago as a venting tool, but now it have evolved into something I really enjoy. I may still be a tad insecure about my writings, and I may use the 'backspace' key too much...but I'm happy that I write from the heart. If you enjoy reading my blogs, full of my heart, be a follower. How bout it?

Random Beauty

A little bit of random beauty to brighten your day...

And also a random quote: Every child is born an artist. The problem is to remain an artist once he grows up - Pablo Picasso

How about sharing an image, quote, or scripture that you enjoy? Let's make this a tag!

Enjoy!

does anyone know to be busy and stress free?

I am learning how to relax!

It is very difficult for someone who is an achiever, to-do lister, and busy bee, trust me. Last week I completely ran out of things to do around my house! The dishwasher was empty, the trash was taken out, laundry clean, sheets cleaned and ironed, (i know right, who irons their sheets?) basement cleaned and resorted. I even went grocery shopping out of boredom!!

I have all this time on my hands because I recently quit my job, and will be in transition to move someone in to take my place. Quitting my job has already unloaded a huge stress of my shoulders, which I am so happy with. So now I am just trying to learn what to do with my newly found time.

So what's on my plate today? The last of the 5 laundry loads is done, unload the dishwasher, check my facebook, roast a chicken and kiss my husband at 5:20 pm. Then after dinner go put up some new drywall in my bedroom.

Tomorrow? maybe i'll get to that sewing/repair project i've been avoiding. And then maybe make a chicken soup with the leftover bones?

But let me cast a bit of perspective. I'm not going to be sitting around doing nothing for long. Hopefully in three weeks we move into our house. Which means, I will be up to my eye balls in unpacking boxes, priming walls, decorating and sorting. Which means, in essence that I will be busy again, but this time without stress. And that's exactly what I want to learn to do.

innocence mission

Good memories last a lifetime.

A certain memory that always comes to mind when I hear a song by the Innocence Mission was about two and a half years ago, in New Orleans. I was on a date with my then boyfriend, Freddy. We were driving on St. Charles with the windows down. The air was so balmy and sweet. The dreamy folky Innocence Mission was playing and I had my arm out the window. My temple was pressed against my arm as the air gently flowed off my face and through my hair. It felt in that moment that time had paused and that all was well in the world. Everything would work out fine. I didn't know if I would marry Fred, and I didn't care. I knew my roommates were the worst roommates in the world, but I didn't care. There were so many things askew in my life, but in that moment everything was perfect.

Shortly after that Fred & I broke up, and I moved out of my apartment, leaving a months rent, my kitchen table, and scarcely a goodbye. There was no way around regretting decisions that summer, but at least I have that one memory to bring a smile to my face. Still.

searching

for over a year I have felt unsatisfied with my job. The nature of my work is wonderful, bringing missionary groups to foreign countries and feed, clothe, and serve the poor. And most importantly, share the Love of God with them. I love to do it, and have so for the past 5 years. Working for family is amazing and challenging. So for many reasons and details, which I am hesitant to share since this is available for the world to seek and find, I am in need of new job.

I'm sharing this big and important issue because I need anyone who reads this to pray for me to have direction. I tend to not be so vulnerable on my blog, because it's hard to write and hard to read. I have brought this to the Lord so many times this past year, and for whatever reason, I have yet to know, He is being awfully quiet on this one. I don't know if he just wants me to learn to trust him? Probably.

My heart contains so many dreams that I want to accomplish, but I just don't know how to get from A-B. Also, my health is still a large problem that holds me back from pursuing the dreams I do have.

So, please pray for me, and my next blog will be more...up-beat.

;)

Cheers to the New Year

The band Death Cab For Cutie puts it well:

'so this is the new year, and I don't feel any different. the clanking of crystal, explosions off in the distance. so this is the new year and I have no resolutions, for self-assigned penance, for problems with easy solutions, so everybody put your best suit or dress on, let's make believe that we are wealthy for just this once, lighting firecrackers off on the front lawn, as thirty dialogues bleed into one, I wish the world was flat like the old days, then I could travel just by folding a map, no more airplanes, or speedtrains, or freeways, there'd be no distance that can hold us back.'

The end of one year and beginning of another always gets people thinking, and reminiscing.
Looking back at the past years accomplishments, mistakes, goals reached, highs and lows...and thinking 'what I will do differently next time'. I have certainly done a lot this past year, as getting married, relocating, buying and renovating a house can be a wee bit time consuming.

My resolutions (the small and large of them):

Use a thimble when sewing
Buy less (of everything)
Plant a beginner's garden and cultivate a green thumb
Fill my house with laughter and beauty daily
Be more daring, culinarily speaking.
Be fit through pilates
Create the art that's buzzing in my heart
Keep my resolutions.


So, my three readers (i gained 1, my husband) madeline, kate and chris, have you made your own resolutions?

Cheers!

wonder woman!

you know how wonder woman wears those shiny wrist cuffs that divert bullets and all evil?

well, i totally pulled a wonder woman last night! Chris was pulling a 2x2 off the wall with a crowbar, and I was standing behind his. His brute strength (haha) pulled it off the wall and it came flying toward me, aiming right for my face. I had enough time to scream, then with cat like reflexes I threw up my wonder woman forearm and blocked the wood.

isn't that crazy? I didn't know I had reflexes like that! note: although my arm is tender, I don't have a bruise, just a cool story.

hhahaaa.....

And I shall call you...

I have been feeling the need for a blog change...layout, name...etc.

When I named my blog 'record of my dramatic life' I must've been feeling a little 'dramatic' that day. For those who know me, know, that drama is a part of yana. It's a character flair, and at times flaw, but I tend to focus on the positive! Haha....

So today I was thinking about a new name for this blog. I was contemplating why I write a blog at all...and I guess it's an attempt to explain me. It's an outlet to show the world...(or rather my two known readers) what makes me tick. What makes me me. My heart go boom.

'And I shall call you, Heart Go Boom-Boom'


and that's what I'll stick with until I am bored again.

cheerio :)

only 6 months?

today chris and i have been married for 6 months.
woot!
it feels like it's been a year already, and that's in a good and bad sense.
good because we love being together...bad because we've spent our entire married time renovating our house, and living with other people. How else can we make ends meet? We can't afford a mortgage and a second rent, so we are currently living free. With two other people. But we have our own floor, with two rooms and a bathroom. So it's not terrrrrible...it's just getting o.l.d.

but- we are making leaps and bounds with the bathroom! soon that will be done and then it's refinishing the floor time! then after that it's move in time and yana will be thrilled time! that happy time wont come till after christmas, but hey.......there's lots to be thankful for.

a merry ol cheers to all!

kisses for Christmas

it's been nearly a month since I last blogged. So stinkin much has happened since my last post. In no particular order, my best friend (is it dorky that say that at 24?) came for a visit, which was perfect. We had lots of time to relax, cook, drink, laugh, & bake delicious cupcakes! The last time she flew out from LA to see me was 6 months ago, to be my maid of honor in my wedding and it was a fantasticly fun and, albeit, stressful week. So this time around we didn't have a huge gala to coordinate, just enjoy eachothers company. I also deserted working on the house for a week, but of course my faithful husband, was faithful. Fixing and fixing away with out me while i relaxed. That makes me sound terribly lazy doesn't it! Well I tried to get him to rest too, but he's just too faithful? :)



The day after kate left, I helped my sister and brother in law pack up her kitchen. To move. Far far away. To Tennessee. booooooooo. So sad. My dreams and ideas of us living in the same city and raising our kids together are dashed to the rocks. I have felt nearly in mourning over them leaving. They are really close friends of ours, I mean naturally....they are family. But we have grown so close these past two years, with young marriages, new houses, and all that jazz.

BUT! enough wallowing. We saw them for thanksgiving and will again for Christmas, so that's something to be thankful for.



In the mean time, I will be frantically busy working to send off another group of people to Nicaragua to feed 12,000 people in 10 days. And that's just the half of it. Plus Christmas shopping, and working on our house, my tush is done and worked hard. I will deserve a big drink and bigger kiss on christmas.



That's all I can afford this year....KISSES FOR CHRISTMAS!!



:)

i've been. tagged!

My friend Madeline has tagged me for a 'random facts' blog, and SINCE she is my only reader (or reader who comments at least) I am tagging NO ONE. haha

Link to your tagger and list the rules
List 7 random facts about yourself
Tag 7 people (and make sure you check back and see what they say!)
If you're tagged, play along and pass it on!

Random Facts:

1. I eat the entire apple. Expect the stick. But the seeds, the core....yum. I started to do it after my mom told me that she used to eat the whole apple. I was amused & intrigued, and then wondered why that strange personality quirk wasn't passed down, so I took it to heart.
You should try it. It's kind of an aquired taste...but the seeds are almost nutty in flavor.

2. I dream of being a full time artist, sculptor, furniture re-finisher, welder, glass blower, interior artist, photographer...but I manage to hide in my spreadsheets and lists and emails. Someday I'm going to break out of this shell I created for myself and show the world what I'm really made of. Creativity just beckons me.

3. When I was about a year old, a babysitter didn't catch me as I fell out of a laundry cart and split my eye open. I have a cool scar till this day. ( i sooooo would've fired her ass)

4. When I went to Bluefields, Nicaragua in 2002 for some benevolent missions work, I made friends with an adorable little 2 year old name Jada, sounds like Zhada. She was really somber, as many children are in 3rd world countries. I took her on my lap, and hugged her, and tickled her. She managed to crack a smile as she was tickled....it was a beautiful smile. I prayed over her, that God would keep her in His heart. When I left in the taxi she ran behind us as we drove away. I don't think I was ever so touched as that moment to see her little body in that polka dot dress chase me. After that I went back every year, and each time I would search for her. When I found her I would scoop her up in my arms and shower her with love and kisses. Now, 6 years later, she is a sassy little girl, not the baby in the polka dot dress that I met. I am sad to say that I won't be going this year because of my recent marriage and 'first christmas' stuff...but she is really the only person I will be sad enough to cry over. (she's in the picture on the left)

5. I've been to the amazing and HUGE warehouse of the Warner Brothers Costume Studio. It was INCREDIBLE. There was aisle after aisle of clothing, dresses, gowns, pj's, spacesuits, gladiator costumes. The walls were lined floor to celing with color coordiated shoes. The had aisles for 20's cocktail dresses, 30's, 40's....I even saw the cape that Brad Pitt wore in interview with the vampire. Mmmm brad pitt.

6. I love my husband and the idea of starting a little family is unlike anything else...but everytime I feel naseous I get a little freaked that 'i'm pregnant! but i'm not ready yet!'
(all in good time.......)

7. I think it's funny that I don't have any readers and I kind of like it that way. Maybe I am just insecure as a writer and I don't want my friends to see!

new kitchen....here we come!

my little 'old but turning newer' house is being revamped.
we are installing a new kitchen in a few weeks, and i.am.so.excited.

!!!

after 3 months of designing and planning, we decided, and eventually purchased our ikea kitchen this past sunday. i was a little nervous about the whole thing. ok, so a lot nervous. I felt like it was my wedding day or something! We picked out beautiful glossy white cabinets (cleaning ease) with rich walnut finish countertops. I am crossing my fingers hoping that we made a good choice. I am sure we did.

here is a photo of the previous 'kitchen'

yeesh!

soon to post photos of 'current kitchen' and then hopefully december/january will reveal the finish product of glory.

Re-post, April 15th 2007

I find this old blog strangely familiar, so I need to repost. It's extremely fitting, except my love is not 10 hours away anymore.


Title: The Important Things

I've been thinking a lot lately about what is important to me. My love for Chris. My family. My health. My gypsies. My art. Having connection with God. Not stressing and worrying about how life makes no sense at all sometimes. Work gets the better of me at times, and I forget how much I love what I do. Spending time with people I love. I wish all my friends lived here, cause then it would be the best place in the world.
I just returned home from a weekend in Maine, visiting Chris. We led worship together at a conference and it was so wonderful. When we are together, I feel as though my heart is complete, and it's getting harder and harder to say goodbye. But this summer will be awesome for us. Eventually we won't have to say goodbye anymore…and I will forget any pain my heart feels right now.
Also, I have a cold.
Boo.
I want to dream more. Do you ever feel like you put your dreams on hold because what you're doing at the moment distracts you? Or do you ever just forget to dream? Lately I have felt like I have tunnel vision…and I am forgetting to dream about the future. It's probably just because there's so much right now that demands my time and energy. Here and now gets so crazy that I am always rushing, never having enough time for it all. Which is probably why I am always late, always speeding, never getting enough rest…I don't really want that. I certainly need to be busy…I always need things to do…but I would love to not have to run run run all the time. It's like my emotions are running to and fro constantly. I figure that a long distance relationship adds to this heart tossing…or 'heart crunch' as my dad calls it. Sigh. But of course…it's worth it. Way worth it.

I'm just feeling a little restless that's all. And sometimes I just need to see/feel/hear/think/breath that my life has meaning. Day in a day out…sitting in my little office, working working on missions trips, struggling with issues, love sick, frustrated…but still finding peace, somewhere….small in my wittle heart.