It appears I have several aliases I could use in case of a quick getaway....

So, lots of people call me lots of things.

I am very rarely called Caroline.  In fact, if anyone in my family said, "Hey, Caroline..."  I would automatically know something was up.

Today, I shall give you a comprehensive, enumerated list of my nicks.

1. Caroliney.
2. Liney. (most commonly used my Mama and Will)
3. Caroliney-lou (Mama uses this one a lot.)
4. Loop/Loopy (A derivation of Caroliney-Lou.  It doesn't mean loopy as in crazy.  It's very endearing, my brother uses this one the most.  Will NEVER calls me Caroline.  Ever.  Two years ago, though, I told someone in an online class about it, and somehow by the end of the year my entire biology class was calling me Loop. Go figure.)
5. Tinkerbell.  (Mama calls me this when she's in a super happy mood.  Like today, when I made her some mac-n-cheese.  She likes mac-n-cheese.)
6. Pinkie (This one is primarily used by my mom.  She has very, very many nicknames for me.)
7. Baby (My mom uses this one for me, usually when she's trying to explain something to me and I just don't get it.  "Baby, no, you have to put that over there, not in this drawer."  This is the perfect opportunity for a "No one puts Baby in a corner!"  This one is also used when I'm sick and she's rubbing my back and feeling bad for me.)
8. Baby-girl.  (This one is utilized by my Dad.  He calls me this one every day.)
9. Carolina.  (My Dad uses this one, only when he's calling me from across the house.  And he has the same intonation every time.  "CAroLEEna!!!"  And he rolls the "r," like he's speaking Spanish.)
10. Caro.  (My favorite Spanish teacher, Sra. Pliego, and my friend Valentine have been known to call me this one.)  :)
11. Care Bear.  (I can't even begin to stress to you how often this one is used.  By everyone.  But I like it a  lot.)
12. Care. (My dad calls me this, and sometimes my brother.)
13. Woo (This one extends through my whole family, even the extended family.)
14. Pinks (A derivation of Pinkie, used by my mom.)
15. Petunia (Another Mama-nickname.)
16. Lima bean (Two of my uncles, on different sides of the family, use this one.  Each thought it up on their own.  Suffice it to say, I used to really like lima beans.)
17. Wooty-woo (My Yaya calls me this one.)
18. Canine (This is a rough spelling of what little children call me.  I love kids so much, but they can not wrap their heads around my name.  There's been Kee-nine, Care-nine, Can-line, Car-layn, and I once got a Car-fine.  And one little boy managed to turn my name into 4 syllables, though I'm not sure how.)

Now, I'm sure there are more, but as you can see, I have a lot of nicknames.  Of course there are always the gratuitous ones like "Weirdo" and "Hey, you" but we won't go into all of those.  Also, I have some based on my last name, but I don't feel comfortable putting my last name on the blog, sorry.  

What are some of your nicknames?

(Seriously.  I would feel so nice if you would comment!)

Boys, you won't care to read this post. Feel free to click the big red X on the corner of your screen.

Ok, so, I'm probably the girliest girl to ever be born.  I love makeup and fashion, almost to a fault.  So bear with me as I give you all my thoughts on the topic!  This was a meme I snatched from my fellow girly-friend, Valentine. :)


MAKEUP:

Blush or bronzer?

Blush.  And more specifically, cream blush.  I haven't yet found a bronzer that isn't too orange-y in it's base color.  My skin is very fair, so I would need a very light, cool brown.

Lip gloss or lipstick?

Well, right off the bat my instinct was to say lip gloss, but the truth is I prefer lipstick because my hair doesn't get stuck in it when it's windy outside!  But I haven't found the perfect light lipstick yet.  I don't really like to wear dark colors on my lips except the occasional berry-look which is very "in" now. I want a good, nude lipstick.

Eye liner or mascara?

Mascara!  But I don't like not wearing eye liner, either.  My usual look includes brown eyeliner on the top and black eyeliner smudged a bit on the bottom, because brown eyeliner not only makes my eyes look bluer, but it also doesn't cause the eyelashes to look shorter.  Black eyeliner on the top most assuredly makes lashes look shorter, though I sometimes use black cream or liquid eyeliner to make a "pin-up" cat-eye flick.  I never knew I had so many thought about eyeliner.  Wow.

Foundation or concealer?

Liquid foundation.  I use this on a day-to-day basis, unless I know I'm not leaving the house.  It's great because if necessary you can use it as a concealer.  But honestly, most days I use both because I have dark under-eye circles.

Neutral or color eye shadow?

Color!  I do neutral looks quite a bit, but that's because I'm generally in a hurry.  But my colors of choice are purples, pinks, and maybe pops of blue.  But fear not!  I don't just throw a purple or a blue all over my lid.  I place them and blend them in such a way that the colors are mainly concentrated on the outside corner and my crease, and they fade into a neutral as they come to the inner corner.  This causes the eyes to look brighter and bigger, and it also makes the colors look more natural.  I used to use way too much color, but I've studied makeup and now have amended my ways, luckily.

Pressed or loose eye shadows?

I only have pressed eye shadows, but I would kill for some loose pigments.  I hear Mac has some great ones, but pigments are just generally more expensive.  I would love, also, some mineralized eye shadows, but again, it's an issue of money.  I buy a lot of my own makeup because, well, truth is it's not a necessity in life.  But makeup-art is a passion of mine! :)

Brushes or sponges?

Brushes, without a single doubt.  Sponges are harder to handle, and it's more difficult to get the proper shape and definition.  They are also less sanitary than brushes.

NAILS:

OPI or China Glaze?

OPI.  I, for the same reasons as Valentine, don't like the way that China Glaze products dry matte.  I like glossy nail polish.

Long or short?

Short.  I, for the life of me, can't get my nails to be strong and healthy.  I take my vitamins, eat my veggies, and drink lots of water, but they just chip and crack and peel, so I have to keep them short.  If I could, I would grow them a bit a longer, just to be a bit more lady-like.  

Acrylic or natural?

I've never gotten acrylic nails, but I would like to try at some point.  I know it's just terrible for your nails, and that's mainly what's kept me from them.

Brights or darks?

It depends on the season!  In fall and winter, I wear darker colors.  Especially this season!  Pewters, browns, and some greens are very chic right now, and I'm trying to find some good ones.  In the spring and summer, though, I generally stick to light pinks and colors that are very, very light and neutral.  I don't like to wear bright purples or blues or hot pinks anymore; they don't look good on me.  I'm just too dern white.

Flower or no flower?

I would get a flower on my toes, but not on my hands.  It would peel right off the second I went to do the dishes.

BODY:

Perfume or body splash?

Perfume.  Body splashes are generally way too fruity or too chemical-y smelling.  But in actuality, I don't use perfume that much either, only because I haven't found one I like.  I'm more of a lotion-girl myself.  In fact, one of the main things people tell me is that I smell nice.  It's this great new thing called BATHING!  (And warm vanilla sugar Bath and Body Works lotion doesn't hurt, either.) ;) 

Lotion or body butter?

Lotion.  Look up above to see which one I use.  I also use Suave coca butter with shea lotion right after I shower, because I have extremely dry skin and eczema.  

Body wash or soap?

Body wash.  My doctor actually forbade me against using soap because it's so drying!  Right now I use Caress Whipped Soufflé in blackberry, and I love it!  It makes my skin really, really soft.  And it means I don't have to use scented lotion to smell nice anymore.  

Lush or other bath company?

I hear that Lush is amazing, but I just don't spend that much energy trying to get good bath products.  I'm a "whatever's-at-the-store-that-smells-good" kind of girl.  But I am REALLY picky about my makeup, so I'm not entirely lazy.

FASHION:

Jeans or sweat pants?

Jeans!  I could not live without jeans. And I don't think sweat pants should be in the "fashion" section, I'm sorry.  Those things may keep ya warm, but they're a tragedy, I tell you.  

Long sleeve or short?

Short.  I'm not used to long sleeves, and I have a bad habit.  Whenever I wear them, I, without thinking, push them up to my elbow every time.  No matter how cold I am.  I don't like sleeves on my wrists, which is weird.  

Dresses or skirts?

I prefer dresses and skirts to pants any day, but I don't know how to choose between my two favorites!  I guess I would say skirts because they're more versatile.

Stripes or plaid?

Plaid, only because unless stripes are vertical, I'm not wearing them.  Horizontal stripes are not ever ok.  Ever.

Flip flops or sandals?

Sandals.  Though I really hate even having the term "flip-flops" anywhere on my blog.  They are called slippers, everyone.  Slippers.

Scarves or hats?

Scarves. Scarves.  Scarves.  I love hats too, but scarves are my delight.  I have had several friends mock me because I wear them so often.

Studs or dangly earrings?

Dangly earrings!  I haven't worn studs since the day I was able to take my first earrings out.  I have long hair, so you can't see studs.  I wear big earrings.  I don't like to wear little ones; I don't see the point.  

Necklaces or bracelets?

Necklaces.  Again, I don't like things on my wrists.  But I don't wear necklaces much unless they are dainty because I wear such big earrings.  It would look like a total jewelry overload.

Heels or flats?

HEELS.  I would wear them every day if I could, but I don't have enough casual heels.  I love me some flats, too, but heels are my favorite.  Which is strange, because I'm already 5'8.  So basically, I'm like the friendly giant.

Cowboy boots or riding boots?

Riding boots, though I love cowboy boots.  I have a pair of cowboy ankle boots, but I haven't been able to find any reasonably price full-size boots.  But I really need some riding boots, because I just realized it's getting cold and I don't have many closed-toed shoe options.  

Jacket or hoodie?

Jacket.  I still love hoodies, but I like to dress more formally (one could call me preppy) so I like to wear jackets more often.  

Forever 21 or charlotte russe?

Charlotte Russe!  Although Forever 21 has great prices, a lot of their stuff is poorly made and ill-fitted.

Abercombie or Hollister?

Hollister.  Though I can't stand the way those stores smell... that much cologne in the air gives me a terrible headache.  Like that one time my friend (you know who you are) sprayed me with Axe.  It got on my dress and I smelled like a man for the rest of the day.  It was awful; I hate that stuff.

Saks 5th or Nordstroms?

Well, it's not like I own any of their stuff, because hello! You'd have to be stinkin' rich.  But I'd say Saks Fifth.  Their stuff is very high-fashion, and I love that.  

HAIR:

Curly or straight?

It depends on the day.  In fact, I'm in the middle of a hair crisis because I used to have curly hair, and I despised it and spent all my time straightening it.  Now, all of a sudden, my hair is stick straight, so much so that it looks limp.  Now I spend all my time curling it.  I don't know what happened.  I'm trying to grow it back out now, because  my hair got straight after I got it cut short.  Maybe that's the problem?  I don't know.  

Bun or ponytail?

Ponytail.  At the moment, my hair's too short to put in a cute bun.  If I put it in a real ballerina bun, it would just look like a very silly little knot.  Although, I can pin my hair in such a way that it looks like a bun, but it looks bigger.  A faux-bun, if you will.

Bobby pins or butterfly clips?

Bobby pins.  Butterfly clips, like sweatpants, are a tragedy and should only be worn around the home.  I actually call them jaw clips, though, I had to google butterfly clips. (Hillary Clinton?  Are you listening?  Put that jaw clip back in the drawer, honey.)

Hair spray or gel?

Hair Spray, fur sure.  I only use gel for little bitty fly-aways, and even then I use it very, very, very sparingly.

Light or dark?

Dark, but that's only because my hair's practically black.  So, I use a box-highlighter to give it some color and texture.  I used to have natural highlights, but this summer they disappeared.  My hair is going through a very sad phase.

Side swept bangs or full bangs?

Side swept. The way my bangs are cut, I can do either. But full bangs make my slightly square-ish face look more square-ish than it is.

Up or down?

Up is easier, but I wear my hair down most of the time.  I feel more feminine when my hair's down.

RANDOM:

Rain or shine?

Woah, woah, what happened?  I didn't sign up for this!  Ok... um... thinking...

Rain!  I love rainy weather.  Is that weird?

Summer or winter?

Winter!  I like jackets and cute warm clothes.  And scarves!!!

Fall or spring?

Fall, definitely.  I love fall so much!

Chocolate or vanilla?

Chocolate.  Need I say more?

East coast or west coast? 

I don't think I'm really allowed to say.  I honestly haven't been to that many places on the Mainland!  But, I will say, south-east coast of Hawaii is my favorite!  Kailua, bay-bee.


Thus marks the end of my extraordinarily long-winded post about makeup and fashion.  I have gotten it out of my system, thank you!

Behold: Wondering Woman!

Dear readers,

I just wanted to let you know that my posting may be a little spotty for a while.  I'll try my best to post every day, but if I don't, it's only because I absolutely can't.  Life has been a whirlwind as of late, and I just can't do it all.

I'm not Wonder Woman.  I'm not even Wonder Teen.  I'm just... Wondering how the heck I'm going to get all of my school work done whilst also going to several scheduled things for the NATO Defense College.

So, in short, my lovely readers, I'm afraid the blog may get the backseat for a few weeks.  Then again, if I find time, I'll try to keep you updated about the goings-on.

Until next time,

It would make me feel better if you would imagine this post in a British accent. It'll be much more effective.

So I saw the Pope today.

No really! I did!

We got up really early, got all nicely dressed up, and drove over to the NATO college.  Once there, we grabbed  some quick cappuccinos, and then we got on a ginormous green bus with a police escort.

It's a swanky life I live.

Ha.

It's now very late in the evening, and so I'm going to make this post a list because I'm drop-dead-tired.

1. Once at the Vatican (I know!  And can you believe it's its own country?  I left Italy today... very odd.) we walked a ways, getting lots of curious looks from bystanders.  Around 20,000 of them, to be a bit more precise.  "Who are these people? With name tags?  And seats close to the front?"  It really is a great opportunity and I felt so very blessed.  We were literally as close as we could get to the Pope without being... well, really, really famous.  
2. Note:  This was a very safe event.  Everyone coming through to the papal audience went through security, so there was no real threat.  
3. Note:  I am not actually Catholic, but I do happen to believe that the Catholics certainly impacted, a long time ago, what I am so blessed to believe now.  I do not necessarily agree with the idea of having a Pope, but he's such an important figure; this was an opportunity that we just couldn't miss!
4. Nary a cloud was in the sky, and it was absolutely gorgeous and surreal.  Unfortunately, no clouds in Italy means utterly relentless sunshine.  Unless you are in the shade, you are most likely uncomfortable.  This was an open-air audience, in the big area with the obelisk. (I'm sorry, I'm blanking.  It's not quite a courtyard...) We were sitting facing the window outside of the Popes's bedroom, from where new Popes are announced and the Pope often stands and waves to the people.
5. He was a rather little man, I must say.  But he's clearly an intellectual, and was able to speak several languages very well.  Except English... I almost understood the Italian better than the English! ;)
6. There were blessings given in Italian, English, German, Spanish, Polish, and Portuguese.  He also gave a sermon (I think??) but I didn't understand a word. 
7. After the audience ('twas a very long audience), we went to lunch with a couple from our committee.  They're British, and it was great fun.  British humor (I'm sorry, "humour") is my favorite kind, and I had fun using their accent.  In fact, all my thoughts sound British in my head, which is really very strange.  But I have a problem that's actually really embarrassing.  When I hear people speaking with another accent, I accidentally start using it.  It's a struggle to keep my own!  I hope no one notices...
8. After lunch, we headed to the Vatican Museum and got a tour.  We didn't have to wait in the queue (See, British again) and after gathering everyone together, we went right in.  It was a guided tour, and very interesting.  I would love to go back one day when my legs are fresh and I'm not already tired, because I feel like I wasn't able to retain much.  But honestly, that's a constant feeling in Rome.  It's so overwhelming, and you just get this sense that there's no WAY you're ever going to know it all.  I've resigned myself to that, but I'm trying to learn as much as I can.
9. It's very late, so I don't have anything deep or interesting to say about anything else, really.  I was going to write this post tomorrow, but I realized I just haven't got the time.  I'm quite a busy bee lately.  
10. Oh, and a quick message for my Uncle Marshall... I got my parents to like brussels sprouts! Victory is ours!
11. To the rest of you: Uncle Marshall made a delicious recipe (which I will share with you sometime) for brussels sprouts that actually isn't vomit-inducing, and in fact quite delicious.  I made it for myself and my mum (British: YES) and it was so, so, so good.  I made it a wee too spicy for her tastes, but I liked it a lot.  If I include less pepper, she'd love it.  And Dad liked it too.  Our family has been converted... except Will.  That's right, buddy.  You're next.

So, everyone, I bid you adieu.

Or should I say, "Cheerio."

Random Dozen, number 3!

Hey there!  Today is another meme.  I really like to do zee Random Dozen... they're fun and I don't have to think nearly as hard.  And, well, that's always nice.


1. If you had a theme song that played whenever you walked into a room full of people, what would it be?


Unwell, by Matchbox 20.  Read the lyrics, then come back here.  This whole entire blog thing?  It will make much more sense to you.  Because I promise! I'm not crazy! Just a little.... unwell!
2. Which of your shoes are your absolute favorite, and which are of the object of your most painful shoe-buyer's remorse?


Well, my favorite shoes are my slippers.  Because my toes don't like to be confined.  But I will say, I like cute shoes.  Based on comfort, it's the slippers... Based on cuteness?  My wedge espadrilles.  They look a lot better on (and they are a bit higher of a heel than they look on the site), and mine are more flesh-toned.  They look great with jeans.  I'm a high heel girl, all the way.  Buyer's remorse... well... I don't really get that much.  I mean, I'll get blisters once in a while, but it's never to a point of "I wish I didn't buy those."  Now that I think about it, I take cuteness over comfort.  
3. Tell about your favorite birthday celebration that you've personally experienced.


My birthday parties are generally with extended family on the mainland, USA, because we usually visit in the summer and I'm a July baby.  But my eleventh birthday party was my first party with just friends, and it was a spa party.  It was such a fun time!  

4.If you were a flavor of ice cream, which would you be?


Coffee.  Because I'm pretty sure, by now, that that stuff has probably leaked into my veins.
5. Have you ever had a crush on a movie star? Who was it, and are you still crushing?


Me?  NEVER!


Ha.  No, seriously, yes.  And a million times yes.  First it was Aaron Carter, a very popular singer when I was a kiddo.  (Oh come on, you know I'm not the only one.  His version of I Want Candy?!  It was worth a swoon or two back then. )  Then it was... well, the oldest one I can remember is Chris Pine from Princess Diaries 2, and that one still holds because the new Star Trek?  Loved it.  Also, I'm currently obsessed with Joseph Gordon-Levitt from Inception.  


Now that I've completely embarrassed myself, let's move on!
6. Glasses or braces--if you had to wear one, which would it be?


Speaking as a girl who just got her braces off a few months ago, GLASSES.

7.If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?


I miss Hawaii.  I love Rome, but if I could move back there once this tour is over, I would.  And that's not to say I'm not excited about moving to Brussels.  But Hawaii is home, home is Hawaii.  

8. If money were no obstacle, what would be the perfect birthday gift to receive?

A Macbook.  My Dell?  I love her, but sorry, toots, you'd be out the window if I got a Mac.

9. What is your favorite birthday meal?


CAKE!


I'm sorry what?  Meal?  Oh.  Eh... steak and potatoes?  I don't know.


CAKE!
10. Do you still send hand-written thank you notes?


Yes, I do.  Not only would my mother be frustrated if I didn't, but I like to do that.  I didn't used to like it, but I appreciate letters now.  I love to get them, so I love to send them.
11. What is something you've done that you never thought you'd do?


Um, live in Hawaii?


Um, live in Rome?


'Nuff said.

12. Mount Rushmore honors four US Presidents: Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Roosevelt. If you could add any person to Mount Rushmore, who would you add and why?


Any person?  Well, if you're asking for another president up there, I'd say President Reagan.  I like that guy!  But if any person?  Hmm.... I really can't answer that.  If I said a single family member, it would alienate the other family members, and I really can't think of a person outside of my family right now because, well, I'm not very imaginative at this juncture.  Sorry.  So, yeah, let's stick with Reagan for now.  




Th-th-th-th-th-thaaaat's all, folks!!

I'm going off the rails on a crazy train

Well, hello there, readers!

It's been a few days.  Life in this house lately has been... a unique experience.

First off, let me just say, I am happy. My parents are home!  "What?" you ask.  "Your parents were gone?"  Why yes, yes they were.  But I wasn't about to tell the internet that my parents left!  And all those posts about my Uncle Marshall?  He was here teen-sitting me!  

Ha, ha, fooled you.

The NATO college where my dad is working brought on a "field study."  This is where the students and their spouses go to different countries and... do things.  I know the spouses get tours and get to see the sights, but honestly I have no idea what the guys are doing.  Lectures and things?

I'm clearly very perceptive.

Unfortunately, children can't go because it's expensive and blah, blah, blah.  I am very upset about this.  I'd like to give the ol' "neener, neener" in my online classes and tell everyone "Oh yes, today I'm in a cafe in PARIS... oh would you look at that! The Eiffel Tower!"  But no.

Oh, I'm kidding.  I did want to go, but with the amount of schoolwork I have, it wasn't nearly plausible.  So, I stayed home.  Bought a leather jacket. Baked some weirdo cake.  You know, the usual.

And now, my life is back to a good old crazy.  The college has things scheduled every. single. day. quite often, so I have to figure a way to stick my school in funny places in my day.  I nearly fell asleep trying to read a book on vikings directly after waking up.  Don't get me wrong, vikings are interesting, but I don't do mornings.  And that's that.  I need at the very least a good 45 minutes before my brain functions at a relatively normal speed.

Today, the spouses club, myself, and a few cute little kids strolled around the city on a FOOD TOUR.  A CULINARY WALK.  Also known as, the stuff of dreams.  There was some delightful pizza to be eaten, cheese to be inhaled, and espresso and cappucinos abounding.  Now I'm going to go run eighteen miles.

Ha.  Who am I kidding?  The blisters from my poor choice of footwear are a nice excuse to stay home.  But I did have a fun time, and I got to cuddle and push around (in strollers, not literally push them around.) a bunch of cuties.

Let me tell you... strollers and cobblestones?  Do not mix.

Neither do freshly straightened hair and wind.

Or new ballet flats and long walks.

But I wouldn't know anything about those things, would I?

I guess that makes me... I don't know.... 0.062% Megan Fox?

Hey everyone.... so, I am a minority.

Only 2% of America is like me.  TWO PERCENT!

What makes me so different?

Well...........

I have toe thumbs.

Evidence:

See?  No joke, it is not my toe.  It is my right thumb.

And did you know? Megan Fox has toe thumbs too!  She had to use a hand double in her phone commercial.  I know.  'Cause that totally makes me feel better about myself.  Or not.

Now you know.

And I'm really fast at texting.  Who knew?

October First, or, a Happy Day

It's October, everyone!

I am very excited.  Though, admittedly, a wee bit depressed that there will be no trick-or-treating this year.  (And if you're wondering, yes, in Hawaii people keep getting costumed for Halloween until... well forever.  It's not just for the little ones.)  And I had so many great ideas for costumes!!!  I can't believe that none of them will come to fruition.

Here, Italians over-prepare for cold.  No joke, I went to the market in a cardigan and jeans and was a little chilly, but the rest of the Italians were wearing leather jackets and coats.  It's unbelievable.  And I love it.

Now that I think my knee is healed, I'm going to start going to the gym.  Why am I telling you this?  For accountability.  Every time I go to the gym,  I'll tell you.  So that I feel really bad if I don't go.

So please, starting, eh, Monday, if I don't post that I've been going to the gym, yell at me in the comments.  I beg you.  Guilt works for me.

Also, I'm very excited about something else that's going to happen today, but I can't tell you until tomorrow.  Sorry.

Pins and needles.  I am sure you are on them.

Now, enjoy your October, my friends .