Boxing is For Girls

For those of you who may not know... boxing is apparently for girls.Yes Yes... it is true. AND... because it is for girls I have decided to sign up for a 20 class commitment that must be paid for in advance and if you quit going you are pretty much screwed. What I was failed to be informed of is that apparently... boxing is for Nazi, pain loving, military boot camp loving, MASOCHIST girls! Jeez LOUISE! I have never ever EVER worked out so hard in 60 minutes in my life. Lucky me... I have 19 more classes to go. Actually... I suppose I am somewhat of a masochist myself because AFTER the class was over I ran for an hour and then went to the gym for an hour. I was on an exercise high! However, Saturday was not so pleasant and Sunday I couldn't even get out of bed because I was so much in pain I could barely move. Hmmm... doesn't sound like a great way to start your workout regiment. However, I do have 19 more classes left and I intend to make the most of it. I suppose I will be ready to join the marines after I complete this. I have an inkling boot camp would be much easier, and they might even be a tad nicer. Hmmm.

Why I Love Living in Utah

This first picture is a picture I took in Texas when I was home. Notice the difference.Beneath are pictures of my drive to my night class. Notice the mountains in the rearview mirror in the picture beneath.

Seriously? I love Salt Lake City. This is taken from the Business Loop at the Univeristy of Utah looking West at sunset.

This is taken near President's Circle still facing West (duh- the sun sets to the West)


I have many pictures of the beautiful scenery of Utah but seriously. I couldn't ask for a better campus than the University of Utah. I LOVE the mountains!

Cooking With Shanna

Please let me introduce you to one of my most favorite people in Utah. The name? Shanna. She is actually Katherine's cousin Branson's (Reed) girlfriend. Wow... that sounded more complicated than it was. I love love love her and one of my favorite things about her in addition to her rad personality is that she shares my affinity for baking, cooking, and cleaning. ( I know mom & dad...you are probably having a heart attack. I bet you guys never knew I would turn out so domestic!! ) So about every single one of my friends asked me to breakfast lunch or dinner last week and I was dreading going somewhere else when she asked me to go out to dinner so I instead told her I wanted to make something from scratch. Something I had never made before. I picked Lasagna and rolls. I really have to give her all the credit for the rolls but I did watch her make it while I got the meat ready for the lasagna. She actually posted her recipe on her blog here.


This is me mixing the cottage cheese and other stuff together for the lasagna.
Don't those rolls look absolutely yummy?
The finished product.

I also made a really yummy spinich salad with strawberries, cucumbers, red onion and a poppyseed dressing. Now that is what I call heaven!

Sorry

OK... I haven't been on here for a while. When I googled myself my web page came up. I think it is fine that people I know can access it but I don't want just anyone google-ing me to find my web page so I set it to private and NO ONE could read it. After a while I decided ....whatever. I took off my address and I just won't post contact info or anything. So yeah.... that's that. I have some new posts coming but I have to upload pictures first. Just wanted to say I'm back.

My Personal Super Heroes!

It's a bird!!!

It's a plane!!!

It's...It's.... MY MOM & DAD!


Growing up I was not particularly close to my parents. In fact, I often felt like a stranger in their house. They were so much older and I felt the age difference. Things were very different then than they are now. They are still my parents... but they are more like friends. I suppose I have always been as independent as I am now. Not self sufficient, but independent. I have always wanted to grow up and have my own house and pay my own bills. This led to a strained relationship with my parents. I hated doing things THEIR way.... I wanted to do it my way! It wasn't until I actually MOVED OUT that I came to have a REAL relationship with my parents. And oh.... what a relationship!! There are times I regret not being as close to them as I am now my whole life. And there are parts of me that could care less....because I am here NOW.

My mom and dad mean the world to me. So much so that my eyes are misty right now writing this. They are quite possibly two of the coolest people I know!

John...PAPA John... is so hilarious! And not like stand up comedy funny...but witty funny. Dry humor funny. IF you EVER wonder where I get my humor from... half of it comes from him...the other half from my mom. I think it is funny that so many of my friends growing up who only ever saw him in passing are still to this day intimidated by him because he hardly talks and he is a big guy. Anyone who actually KNOWS my dad knows how silly that is. My dad has one of the softest hearts of anyone I know. He doesn't put up with crap but he cares a ton. Anytime I need a blessing my dad is there! Anytime I need to vent my dad is there. Anytime I need ANYTHING my dad is there. Anytime I call him crying with a concern he does anything and everything in his power to fix it. Sometimes I feel so frustrated at his wanting to fix EVERYTHING. Sometimes I want to scream and shout "that's MY problem...not YOURS.... let ME fix it... " and then I Realize how LUCKY I am that I have a dad who wants to do it for me. Who is so protective of me...even at 23 and I suppose even at 53 and until the day he dies... he will be my dad. He will be my protector and until the day I die he will be one half of a team that is my hero.

Mirtia... mersha... the other half to the dynamic duo. My mom is the SILLY one! I would say having us kids would keep her young....but I think she keeps US young. Yet ...at the same time she knows when to act her age. She is the perfect mixture of everything! Strength, passiveness, worker, homemaker, student, teacher, role model, fashion model....I really aspire to be like her! When I grew up I didn't want to be anything like her... (don't ask me why because I have no clue) and now I aspire to be as much like her as possible! When people tell me I am funny or cool my automatic response (and yes I realize I am probably a dork for it but it just comes naturally) is "you should meet my mom!! she is me times [insert large random number here]!!" My mom is so much fun to talk to and I call her more than I call anyone in my phonebook. If I am not calling her I am calling one of my siblings which are just mini me versions of her. Like my dad, she is there whenever I need it. Actually, I think she is tougher on me than my dad. Ha Ha. I love her.

I love my parents so much and words could not describe how much I owe my life to them. They are my heroes!

Goodbyes

The first week of my last semester as an undergrad is officially over. Ironically enough the most interesting things that happened this week are completely unrelated to school.

Today sucked slightly because it is starting to sink in that Jade won't be back for another 18 months. At first I felt like she was just on vacation or whatever, but slowly it is sinking in. I believe I am getting too good at saying goodbye. My first best friend Matthias moved to San Diego just a few months after our friendship started to become concrete. He has been there for the past 8 years but we are still great friends. Candice moved to Dallas- still best friends. I moved to Salt Lake and left behind so many valued friendships.... and now Jade is bound for Taiwan. I still feel like she is just going to come back and tell us all she played a very big joke... but I called the MTC (Missionary Training Center for those of you non mormons who don't know the lingo)for her box number today and they gave it to me. Is the MTC allowed to participate in a "punk'd"? I dunno...

I am just glad I have had the opportunity to have such amazing friends in the course of my life! Be grateful for what you have right?

I am in LOVE

with the Daily Show with Jon Stewart and the Colbert Report (silent t's) with Steven Colbert. Seriously... I used to watch it all the time but then the stupid writer's strike happened (well I don't think it is stupid but I miss my shows). I have been devoid of their wit since November 1, 2007! Alas! They are back! Even though they don't have writers they are still just as funny! Steven Colbert left a lot of stuff out. He made an obvious point that the writers were missed. Even without the writers though, he interviews people and he is so on top of his game! The man is so witty it is unreal! He can take anything someone says and turn it around! He will comment on your dialog and take it so literally. I LOVE IT! I love smart, informed, and witty people! If you have cable (comedy central) then you NEED to watch these shows! It is all about political humor but it is seriously funny stuff! I don't even watch TV very much but if it is, it is to see these two men. I heart them! And if you haven't bought/checked out Stephen Colbert's book ," I Am America, and So Can You" you need to! Hilarious! Even if you don't want to read the whole thing you should definitely just read a chapter. It will make you smile.

Also on the list of men I love--Anderson Cooper.

A Few observations

One of my all time favorite hobbies is people watching. With the start of the semester today came many observations. Here are just a few of my favorites.

Diet Coke- Why is it that every single last one of my teachers is addicted to diet coke? I almost jumped out of my seat with pointer finger ready and screamed IMPOSTOR to the teacher of my last class of the day. For the past year and a half that I have been here at the U almost 100 % of my teachers constantly drink diet coke during class. I wonder if they have some sort of endorsement deal with the company...(there was one exception with one teacher who was addicted to coffee...) so you must understand my confusedness when I walked into class and there was no diet coke. I figured he must be a new guy- he doesn't know the rules about teaching here at the University of Utah-but no, he has been teaching here since 1993. I then concluded that this endorsement deal wasn't around back then... so he was exempt. Phew- that was a close one. I almost embarrassed myself in front of the class.

BYU Guy- So... there are a lot of people that go to my school. It is not uncommon to see a sea of red with people supporting our school with the apparel they choose to wear. Every once in a while you will find a sweatshirt sporting a professional sports team or even the occasional NYU shirt or Georgia Tech or some RANDOM place of the sort. This is OK because they obviously have some sort of affinity for the area, the person that gave them the item, or whatever. However, today as I walked into my economics & law class I stopped dead in my tracks and gave the DIRTIEST look to this guy who was wearing a BYU beanie. First off, C'MON MAN!! Show some respect! Do NOT sport the apparel of the school from Satan here on this holy ground! OK so BYU isn't the school of Satan but that is our rival. Do you understand how STUPID you look by wearing that on campus? People just give you dirty looks and think, " sucks to be you. you couldn't get into the school of your dreams," and I am sure the gangsta football players perceive it as a neon sign saying you want to get jumped. Also, if you are going to wear the beanie, for the LOVE, please wear it right! He had it pulled down past his eyebrows. Hmm....maybe he lost a bet and was trying to conceal his identity while wearing the beanie. My last comment about BYU beanie guy is that he was VERY RUDE during class.... originally I concluded he was bitter about going not being at BYU but now I think maybe he did lose a bet. I would be mad if I had to wear BYU apparel too! OK BYU beanie guy, you are pardoned for now... but if I catch you doing it again I will be forced to give you a wedgie.

My last comment for the night ( I was much more long winded than I thought I would be) is about the quirkiness of people, especially at night. As I got out of class at 8pm I was walking towards my car that was parked across campus a bit. This is always a good time to see funny people. There was one lady who was probably late 30's wearing very frumpy kahkis ( you know the type- the ones with the saggy butt-) and those weird thick rebok shoes. Well... I guess she was trying to get her exercise in for the day? As she left the building about the same time as me, she probably got to her car five minutes sooner. Part of this is because we all know I am the slowest walker to ...er...walk the face of the planet. However, saggy butt decided to run in spurts. Yes, I said it. Spurts. 5 second spurts to be exact, ( I know because I timed it) She would walk and then run for five seconds, walk for 3 seconds, and then run again. It was really odd to watch. She turned around a couple of times to see if anyone was watching her, and kept at it.

There are a lot more things I could comment about for today but honestly ? I have been ready for bed for hours.

My Grandma

I love this woman more than I love a lot of things. She is amazing.

Blog

Someone once told me that I should blog everyday because I had the most interesting things to say. I know I won't be able to post everyday but I am going to put forth a conscious effort to post a lot more. Often times I think about posting a blog but then I don't.

My thought for today is about Texas First Bank. I have a lot of feelings towards that bank. It was there behind the teller line that I realized what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. It was there that I gained many of my most cherished friendships...

My life has been changed since the first day I walked in there.

My Love Affair With Books....

is sad. I read as much as I can while I am out of school and then for four months I read nothing but textbooks and then the ravishing of reading books for pleasure continues for just a few weeks. Rinse and repeat. In the week and a half of being off of school (not counting the week and a half I was in Texas) I read the following books:

The Giver (read again)
Why Men Earn More (not a classic but definitely interesting)
The Great Gatsby ( read again)
Pride & Prejudice ( I love the movie and just started it today. I am not yet done.)

My list of Books to read when I graudate ( just to clarify I graduate in May so that is the next time I will be able to read for pleasure again) are:

The Hobit followed by
All Three Lord of the Rings ( a Christmas gift a few years back that was never used)
Les Miserables
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Persuasion

And I will continue from there.

I have a dream of one day owning a library full of books I have read. I find it a shame I have not read in its entirety a list of classics. While I enjoy such authors as J.K. Rowling and Janet Evanovich I believe I must read Mark Twain, Jane Austen and many others to really be a well rounded girl.

Please, if you have read a book that changed your life, or effected your soul and you believe to be a must read (beside scriptures) please let me know. I would love to read it!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year. For the new year I would like to give you all the gift of my ramblings. I do apologize but I could not post for the 11 days I was in Texas and now I am catching up.

I really have a hard time leaving.

I have never really enjoyed New Years Eve. As much as I honestly love my life, I don't believe that I have done enough. New Years Eve is hard because I feel like I am leaving so much behind. I feel as if there was so much I could have done that I didn't do and wonder if the new year will bring about the same disappointments. I wonder what will be different at the end of 2008. At least one accomplishment I will be able to boast is my degree at the end of this year. Other than that, I don't know what else. Same job, still not married ( that might be an accomplishment in itself) these are all things I perceive will still be the same in 12 months.

Leaving Houston was surprisingly easy for me this time. I was in quiet awe that I did not feel any emotion leaving. In the past I have been excited to leave, but when the time came it literally broke my heart to leave so much of the unknown behind. (What if I stayed in Houston... how would life be different? Is going back the right thing? I am so sad to leave.... ) These are all thoughts that usually run through my mind.

Last night, as I sat in my window seat (7D of Sky West - a Delta connection) leaving George Bush Intercontinental at 6:45, half an hour past scheduled due to heavy traffic leaving -surprising because there was NO ONE in the airport- I got excited for take off. I love taking off & I love turbulence. Without these things it would not be any different than a bus ride. So the plane heads down the runway and I see tons of blue lights that turn into a blur because we are not going faster and faster and then whoosh, with a single moment we are lifted into the air and as we rise higher and higher above Houston I looked down with utter disgust. I had no feeling but bitter feelings. "I hope you choke in your nasty polluted air sleep Houston." " I hope you realize I don't miss you." Why such hate? This to a beautiful metropolitan city who has housed me for 22 years. Who kept my secrets, who embarked on journeys with me. Who filled me with joy by providing entertainment of the highest quality. Who loved me unconditionally and let me call it home. Now I feel I have betrayed it. Salt Lake is now the keeper of my secrets. I have better adventures, and funnier journeys. I call Salt Lake Home... because I feel Houston no longer has a place in it's heart for me.

While visiting friends and family was nice... it was obvious I don't belong there anymore. Salt Lake took me in as a refuge, and now calls me family. This is where I belong.

Music & Lyrics ( and much much more)

Alex Fletcher: It doesn't have to be perfect. Just spit it out. They're just lyrics.
Sophie Fisher: "Just lyrics"?
Alex Fletcher: Lyrics are important. They're just not as important as melody.
Sophie Fisher: I really don't think you get it.
Alex Fletcher: Oh. You look angry. Click your pen.
Sophie Fisher: A melody is like seeing someone for the first time. The physical attraction. Sex.
Alex Fletcher: I so get that.
Sophie Fisher: But then, as you get to know the person, that's the lyrics. Their story. Who they are underneath. It's the combination of the two that makes it magical.

So this is a quote from the actual movie music & lyrics but today I would like to discuss some stuff that I feel I always talk about. And it's not just lyrics... I believe it is just words. Written words.

My freshman English teacher, Coach Cochran ( or cap'n- the only alternative to calling him coach) was quite memorable and it wasn't just because we could ONLY go to the bathroom if we asked to go to "the potty." No one ever got away with asking to be excused to go to the powder room, the ladies room, or any other tactful way of saying it. NO. We had to ask to go potty. It was also because he taught us -or at least me- valuable lessons through his incessant ranting. Though he never set out to have a life changing class , or at least I don't think he did, he has affected my life and I think about him often.

The man was an odd man. He used to sit there staring into outer space, chewing gum, with one of those large industrial yellow rubber bands squeezing tight against the flesh of his forehead. He would just sit there, with a rubber band around his forehead as if it were a sweatband, and as if it were normal. He has said a few things that I think about often and I would like to now pass on his wisdom to you, my readers.

1) Don't touch railings while going down stairs. Do you have any idea how many people touch that who have not washed their hands, who have just coughed, or have done who knows what with it. Gross. Just don't do it. And I am proud to report that since my freshman year of high school in 1999 it has been a rare occasion that I touch the railing and I like to think of myself for being healthy for doing so.

2) Pay attention to the lyrics in the songs you are listening to. If you form a band, please do not write stupid lyrics such as " slowly walking down the hall, faster than a cannon ball, where were you while we were getting high?" ( Oasis- Champagne Super Nova) I remember him ranting that we will silly for listening to that. We needed to listen to something with meaning, or a coherent message at the least.

This ties into my Freshman year of College English class. Dr. Fox, one of the perviest teachers I have had in my college career, used to tell us that words were sometimes taken advantage of when spoken but they must never be perverted when written. What we write must be true, and to the best of our ability. I do believe this is when I started my love affair with words. I have always had an obsession with it, but my obsession was never fully formed until 2002 there in Alvin, Texas (home of Nolan Ryan). After that day I started having trouble writing essays. I wanted everything to be fully articulate and eloquently describe every fluttering thought, every deep turmoil, every pondering thought I had on the subject. I came to realize that it would never happen, but that I needed to write it down anyway.

And now as I get older I obsess over every passage in a book, every lyric in songs. Why did they write that. How beautifully they portrayed that scene.... I am obsessed. I guess what I am trying to say is this. " How do you describe so adequately those things that cannot be spoken?"

My book of choice for the plane ride back home was The Great Gatsby. An oldie, but a goody. Gatsby has this quiet love affair for Daisy, and has for YEARS. Instead of just coming out and doing something about it he shapes his life around it. FOR FIVE YEARS. When they finally meet again Gatsby shows her the clippings from the news he has kept of her for years. He tells her how he bought the house because it looks across to hers, and she always has a green light lit. Somewhere, you can sense the desperation in his voice. You sense the need to be loved, the need to be validated that he wasn't just crazy, he didn't do all of this for nothing... and yet the author never mentions this. She just writes.

I would love to discuss this one scenario in greater depth but perhaps this will be saved for another day. Too bad things that work out in books don't always work out in real life.

I wish life always seemed as beautiful as it does in books ( and songs).

Phone

Is my phone broken? Or do I just have friends that suck?

Good Lyrics

And I'm surrounded by
a million people i
still feel all alone
- lyrics from Home by Michael Buble

I have always loved lyrics. I have never been one to know the coolest latest artists, but I know the words they sing. I have always loved lyrics. I think they so eloquently express feelings and sometimes it's just adequately. However, they have a way of conveying a feeling to you. I love it.

Quite often, (more than most anyone knows) I think in lyrics or lyrics will come to my mind during a certain situation. Tonight's situation? Movie night (Martian Child- my recommendation? 3 out of 5 stars). I met up with some people at a movie theater. I arrived late and after the movie the person I knew best was separating themselves with the group to talk to another person. They left fairly quickly. There was still quite a number left in the group but I felt very uncomfortable. Then the words came to my mind... "I'm surrounded by, a million people I still feel all alone...." so I went home.

I don't understand how that phenomena works. Why do we allow ourselves to connect to some people and yet when there are a million people around us, we feel if our lives are devoid of those who we choose, then we are alone? I don't know. I can't really embelish on this post because I still haven't figured it out myself so it would just be pointless rambling.

Admendment to the Tuesday November 20th post

So... my magic mirror is back up and running!! When I wake up every morning there is a note on my mirror how beautiful and amazing i am!! if I erase it, when i wake up there is another one!! I will be sure to post a picture soon!

Pay it Forward... or behind?

So... it is no coincidence that is is 10:47 and I am writing a blog. I have a final tomorrow night I haven't studied for and a 20 page paper I haven't even put the header on.

I am stressed. In the winter I often find it much more difficult to deal with adversity than if it were the summer. Something about the lack of sunlight and the air being bitter cold that makes it hard for my body to cope. So instead I procrastinate thinking maybe I won't have to do it. Procrastination only leads to more stress, and then REAL stress when I approach whatever it is unprepared.

I suck at life! HaHa. OK so not really, sometimes I work better under pressure. I would like to write about something I just heard on the news today. A woman going through a Starbucks drive through in Pennsylvania today decided to pay for the car drinks in the car behind her. She told the cashier the only stipulation was that they had to do something good for someone else. The result? Two hours of customers paying for the other person's drink. Now... I think about this, really everyone else didn't make much of a sacrifice, their drink was paid for and they just paid for someone else's. However, this is not my point. My point is my disappointment's in whoever broke the chain. The cashier was interviewed and she said she told everyone what was going on.

" The person in front of you has paid for your drink. The only thing they ask is that you do something good for someone else. You are under no obligation to pay for the person behind you. You can just take your free drink & leave."

I imagine the last person who elected not to continue this chain as a frugal millionaire- a scrooge if you will- that went home with his double mocha frapachapalapacino double iced grande mocha low fat with skim milk and laughed maliciously while throwing hundreds of dollars of bills in the air because he just saved six.

Or... maybe it was just a mean lawyer late to a case.

Either way, with the Christmas season upon us, I think we should all take a moment to pay it forward, or behind... whichever one is most suitable for you.

2 days & counting

My parents are going to be here on Wednesday!! I can't wait!

El Dentisto-- I am sure that isn't right

So... I am sitting here waiting to go to the dentist. I was on my way to work when I realized I had a dentist appointment soon. Maybe I will blog about the dentist later. Right now, however I would like to catch you up on the dance I was dreading going to.

It was actually extremely fun! I was pleasantly surprised! Jade & I took guys that were cousins so they decided to dress alike. White suits with black pin striped shirts & skater shoes.

Us while it is snowing on Temple Square. From L-R ( Wort, Jade, Me, Miles)
A few of my favorite Gamma Girls. L-R ( Kens, Jaelyn, Jade, Me, Brooke)


After party. Decorate Gingerbread men like your date.
L-R (Me, Miles, Jade, Wort)



The finished product.

You just aren't white

So, I basically love my life. I wish I had a book that had all of the funny quotes and events that happen throughout my life.

Most of yesterday was spent with Jade. I slept in until noon, she came to church with me, and then we went to her grandparent's house for dinner. Her grandpa was showing me around the basement. He really has quite the collection of memories down there. Most things had to do with something he accomplished, or something he had done, but on the wall adjacent to the maps of lake powell, we pictures of his grandchildren. Most were broken down by families, but there were a few of the grandchildren all together. They were really cute. The following is a true reenactment.

Me: Jade! You & your cousins are really cute!
Jade: (laughter) Thanks
Me: I wish me and my cousins were that cute.
Jade: you are, you just aren't white

HaHaHa! Who says something like that? I really have no clue. She didn't say it to be mean, she just said it. I thought it was hilarious. I think she felt slightly embarrassed after that because I was giving her grief about it. Another funny thing happened just about an hour afterwards as we are leaving her grandparents. She is playing this CD and it's really soft and weird but cool and the singer is like dragging out all her words and it's really soft and Jade repeated some of the lyrics. She was like don't you think it's pretty? " I will wait for you, just hurry" (or something to that effect) and I was like oh...that's cool... what language is that. Her reply?

English!

hahaha. Obviously I wasn't REALLY paying attention. But hey! Can you blame me? Jade listens to music in all sorts of languages...

Apologies

Well folks,

A good humored fun has turned out wrong. No mal intent was meant by posting the link to my dancing parents but after talking to my dad I have decided to remove it. I would not intentionally hurt someone's feelings or try to make them feel uncomfortable... I am sorry!

Bored

OK... so I feel as if I post all the time but my highest month was June with 7 posts. I get annoyed when the rest of you don't blog so I guess I should return the favor. Not too much is going on. Well, actually TONS has happened but I guess I lack motivation to discuss it.

Let's see, in the past seven days, I have been sung Happy Birthday in two different restaurants, been to a Jazz Game, met (again) President Monson & Elizabeth Smart ( work christmas party) attended a Kurt Bestor concert, gone down to Provo to see the midnight showing of Sigur Ros' movie,



learned how to snowboard,made a pizza in the shape of Texas,

went sledding for the first time (accompanied by my first wearing of SNOW PANTS),
watched 4 movies, attended the Christmas devotional at the conference center, been to bed at 3 or later for 5 of the 7 days, and basically not been home. How I find time to study and work, and go to school in between all that is beyond me. This next week HAS to be devoid of social interaction with the exception of Friday. It is my sorority's Winter Formal & I already have a date (GAG ME). I really didn't want to go but I was pressured into it. It should be nice I suppose. The kid I am taking is pretty cool though our interaction has been sparse and not riveting, this should be interesting.... hahaha...but it is my friend's cousin so... yeah.

Did you know?

I was going through old blogs from my myspace and I found one from about two years ago. It still seems to fit... so I thought I would post it here.

1. My first crush was Trey, a boy who could DRESS HIMSELF when I was four years old. Or was I three?

2. I love when guys wrap their arms around you and you can smell their deodorent. I know I am wierd but I love it!

3. I love when guys call me by a nickname/pet name they have given me. I must have a million. It makes me so ridiculously happy and feel special.

4. I can't stand the smell of movie popcorn.

5. When I was two I was climbing a highchair and fell and busted my chin open. I still have a scar.

6. My mom and I didn't talk until I was 19 and now she is one of my best friends. Shes one of the coolest people I know.

7. I was once engaged to one of the most amazing persons I have ever met ( I called it off)

8. I have four dots on my face that form a slanted square if you connect the dots (update... I hate a lot more now)

9. I have every report card I was ever given. Starting from my Montessori school when I was four

10. My sixteenth birthday present was a two and a half week trip to Italy

11. I love going to the beach, but I hate getting in the water.

12. I was the Maid of Honor at a wedding when I was only 15! ( I couldn't even drive yet!!!)

14. I love the feeling of being at a baseball game, eating pizza, drinking Dr.Pepper and screaming and chanting SOO ridiculously loud for the Astros!!!

15. even though i think education is important, the only thing i want to do when i grow up is raise my kids and be there for my husband.

16. i haven't felt loved in a really long time

17. i actually DO love my job

18. I HATE to be woken up while sleeping. I am ALWAYS grouchy if I was not planning on waking up.

19. When I answer the phone my voice gets 12 octaves higher- I don't know why!!! My voice is high to begin with though.

20. People always tell me I am way too happy

21. I have never asked anything from a guy other than that he care about me, but I always get treated like crap.

22. I love to read & I love school

23. Older guys are more attractive but usually have more drama

24. I am a sucker for chips and salsa.

25. I LOVE asparagus.

26. I can't stand when people use more than one paper towel at a time.

27. I love to go out for sushi!

New Additions

28. I am such a social butterfly but I would rather sit at home by myself

29. I don't trust guys with my future so I don't think I will ever get married

30. I feel like I am doing nothing with my life, like my life is meaningless and I am contemplating serving a mission.

31. As much as I love my life, I also wish quite frequently that it were over. I am done. I am ready to go "HOME".

A Mandi Popsicle

So... it is cold. My fingers hurt to even type but I am hoping that typing will help warm them up. Seriously... what ever happened to 80 degree Thanksgivings? I must be thankful that we have had unseasonably warm weather here in Salt Lake. And by unseasonably warm I mean like it is 40 degrees right now. Normally it would be like oh... 10? Ha Ha. IT also has not snowed yet. Something else I am thankful for. Don't get me wrong.... I LOVE SNOW.... and I love the seasons.... just days when I don't wear a sweater because I am fooled into thinking it is going to be warm all day just because it was warm when I left....that I am bitter about my freezing extremities.

So.....I turn 23 on the 28th. Please make sure to tell me how amazing I am. My magic mirror broke so now everyday when I get up I have to tell MYSELF how beautiful I am when I look in the mirror. Not as much fun as having someone else tell you. Now where are my 7 drawfs? Hmph.

Sorry for the randomness....the cold is getting to my brain!

Emo?

Please don't think I am sad pitiful and crying in a corner. I am not. I just love looking up love quotes, especially ones that describe how I feel. I posted some to the right of this blog but here is another one for you. The sad part is that most of these have unknown authors.

"I will never regret loving you, only believing you loved me too."

The Tooth Fairy

WOW!! There is something I have been wanting to blog about lately and I keep forgetting to, and then I got out of school 20 minutes early today so I went across the street to the institute building to see if I could catch my bishop. I felt silly asking him for a blessing. No one has ever given me a blessing besides my dad and the missionaries when they lived a few apartments down and I was deathly ill....but I wanted a blessing for school and we were talking beforehand and he brought up my blog and I remembered what I wanted to blog about and was like yes! I must blog about that.... and as soon as I pressed "New Post" and the blank screen came up.... I have had a stupor of thought!!! Does this mean I was not supposed to blog about whatever it was? Or does it just mean that I am stupid? HaHa.

Regardless, what can I tell you that you did not know a week ago? November 3rd. I will not expand on that other than to say I terribly miss my MCC. My heart hurts. I am smiling through my broken heart. The question is, when your heart is already destroyed and broken and turned into mush, can it ever really be broken again? That is how I feel now. I fail to fall asleep because I am stressed about it.

"Losing you is like losing my heart."

Speaking of sleep... this is the second time I have had a dream about my teeth falling out. The first time I had that dream was October 3, 2006 and now just over a year later the same thing. In another blog I have I blogged about my teeth falling out. I had a dream that three of my teeth came out and it was the most real dream. I could feel them as I squished my tounge through my mouth and the teeth would pop out of my gums and then I would spit them into my hand. Well ladies and gentlemen, last night I had another dream but this time I lost ALL of my teeth!! Odd huh? It was so real in my dream. I could feel it all!! I wish I could link you to my other blog but you wouldn't be able to read it. It doesn't really say anything anyway. It did list a lot of the interpretations on losing your teeth although none of them fit me last time and a year later they still don't make sense.

Here are the ones that probably make the most sense for me, especially since I have been sooooooo sick for the past two months off and on.

Traditionally, it was thought that dreaming that you did not have teeth, represent malnutrition which may be applicable to some dreamers.

Other Perspectives

A scriptural interpretation for bad or falling teeth indicate that you are putting your faith, trust, and beliefs in what man thinks rather than in the word of God. The bible says that God speaks once, yea twice in a dream or a vision in order to hide pride from us, to keep us back from the pit, to open our ears (spiritually) and to instruct and correct us.

November 3rd

I can't believe it is already freaking NOVEMBER!! I just wrote that post about September ending and now it's November....seriously...... where does the time go?

Well... I just wanted to say WELCOME TO NOVEMBER 3RD!! It is my second anniversary of remembering Nov 3rd. I don't know that I really want to explain all that much about it other than that it was a day that I found out how much I really care about a dear friend who I found out had been deceiving a few people, and the day I met someone who has shaped my life since that day. I can honestly say a lot of my life could be very different if I had never met this person.

Secondly, It is now one full official year since I started my blog on blogspot. HAPPY 1st Birthday to my blog!! Well.. actually it is the day BEFORE I started my blog but since it is the day before I consider it a whole year b/c technically wouldn't tomorrow be a year and a day? I dunno the technicalities.....anyway.... it is two in the morning so maybe I will blog more later.

Good Teeth

It is the little things that make my day. Today was a pretty regular day. Nothing too exciting. I was pretty excited to go to the dentist today though. I always enjoy the dentist. I have had the same dentist throughout my lifetime and he is so cute and nice and I emphatically LOVE my hygienist Jody. I used to have a different hygienist but she quit when I was like 8 or so b/c she had a kid. Enter Jody.... she always remembers everything about my life ( I think they take notes). She knows the name of the company I work for, the boys in my life, EVERYTHING.

Well boys & girls.... lately my teeth have not been feeling right and I could not put off going to the dentist until December when I go home again so I made a dentist appointment up here in Utah. I found a dentist who graduated from the University of Texas San Antonio so he seemed like a winner. As I came in they needed to take x-rays of my teeth. As the hygienist walked back I heard her co-worker offer assistance. "Do you need 8?"
"No, I only need 4. That girl has REALLY NICE TEETH." That made me feel really good.

So... she does her thing and waits for the dentist to come check me out and he was like WOW. You have really nice teeth!

Don't ask me why this makes me feel so good. My REAL dentist always told me how nice and naturally white my teeth were but...yeah. Seriously folks, teeth are not a big deal but it's nice to have people say nice things about you.

"A Few Good Men" In My Life

"Why do you like them so much?"
"Because they stand on a wall and say don't worry about it. Nothing is going to hurt you tonight. NOT ON MY WATCH."
- A few good men

So there have been a lot of things that I have wanted to post I just haven't found a way to form the words eloquently and organized enough to give them what they deserve so I haven't really posted. There have been dozens of events and quotes that have made me really search deep inside my soul lately to consider the full meaning and beauty of it all. I have made a list but I don't know that I will post them until they have been fully formed.

In the meantime something to keep you going is a thought that is quite often on my mind. Recently I have realized that I know a lot more people in the military than the average bear. The majority of these people are officers. They did not just join the military as an afterthought, or out of boredom, or as a spontaneous effort to improve their economic status. They have spent years of training to achieve this goal. I have friends in all three major military academies. This requires hard work, leadership, competitiveness, congressional nominations, and most importantly determination and self discipline to continue to be treated like crap for four years. For most, 18-24 is a time in your life when you get to be selfish. Most kids are out having fun, going to college, partying, sleeping in, skipping class, and just basically being retarded in a path to grow, learn and find out who you are. While I was doing that, I had friends in the academies that have severe restriction, must prove physical and mental stamina, and have their every move controlled by the U.S Government via the academy. I couldn't wait to move out when my parents had a curfew on me when I was 18. My friends moved out knowingly to rules such as not being able to leave campus on the weekends, and not only that they would have to be on duty. The few weekends they get to leave they have to be in uniform and can only go a few miles from the academy. Each year they get more liberty but they must first prove themself. They wake up early, go to bed late and know that there is no sleeping in. Of them is demanded everything and they willingly do it. They do it b/c they know they are being trained to be some of the nation's best.

I have a few other friends that don't go to the academies. Rather I have several friends that are in Iraq and a few that are on their second tour of Iraq.

I cannot begin to tell you how often I feel so indebted to them. I have the utmost respect for the men and women that serve our country. The caliber of the men and women that put their lives on the line to represent us, to fight for a cause whether good or bad. They are told to fight and they don't ask questions. They just do it. I am not worried about our nation. With leaders like them, I know our country is in good hands.



Mike Kobiljak, now on his second tour of Iraq at age 23.
Chris Curd, Adam Sezate, and Tyler Struzinski. All Firsties (Seniors) at the United States Naval Academy.
Tyler again since he likes to pull his face for most of his pictures.
The Jackson twins. Christian and Christopher.Christian is a graduate of West Point and Christopher is a firstie.

Jesse Palmer. Currently in Iraq.Randy Beck. Graduate of the University of Utah ROTC and currently in officer training school. To be fair here is a cooler picture of him since his eyes are closed above.
There are many many more of my friends I don't have pictures of. I respect them greatly. Words cannot express the gratitude, respect, and devotion I feel for them.

EC

A shout out to my sissy "EC pie poo!" Twenty six years ago eh hem SORRY!! I FORGOT ...."TWENTY TWO" years ago...(plus four) she was brought into this world! Marie has been a strength and an example to me throughout my entire life. While most older sisters don't want anything to do with their younger siblings, especially one that is three YEARS younger, Marie always wanted me to hang out with her friends. Whether she was 10,15, 18, or 21+ she not only invited but often coerced me to go out/hang out with her and her friends. It was always made a point to let me know I was wanted. She often encouraged me to do more, be more, and to become more. Anyone who is around Marie knows why she is so awesome. Her laugh, (how can that be a REAL laugh? TEE HEE? HEE HEE HEE- yes she really laughs like that) is contagious and heard often. She is such a hard worker, a great sister, and an amazing aunt! She has a heart made of gold and I am so grateful she is in my life! I <3 you Sissy Duckling!

Jail House Rock

OK I AM GIVING IN!! Sheesh people, I seriously never post this much but I have been really "talkative?" lately. I wanted to post this the other day but figured three was enough and after seeing this on Christina's list I gave in. For those of you who didn't get to see this online or on the David Letterman show... here it is. Seriously one of the funniest interviews I have ever seen!! Enjoy!

LAST ONE FOR REAL

Wow... I rarely post more than once a day but I am just sitting here wasting time. I suppose I should be in bed but I am awake. So I just wanted to share with those of you who know what an ABSOLUTE NERD I am...

For Statistics II I have a study group that consists of me and four guys (all married thank you) and they are some of the funniest people ever. I don't think I have ever loved a study group like these boys. We spend quite a number of hours together every week and we have come to have our own lingo. For example Matt likes to say " I'm going to p-value in your face" quite often while Jacob is going to "f-stat someone up" if they don't do what he wants. My favorite phrase is to tell Adrian to "Be there or be Chi Square" because he shows up late to the study groups.

(The symbol for Chi is very similar to X and used to stand for the unknown- that is also how you get CHrIstmas being turned into X-mas -chi mas-for those of you who did not know that story- my stats teacher taught us that)

It is no longer uncommon for the five of us to be walking to our car incorporating some sort of statistics lingo into a threat and getting many stares as if we are some freak of nature. Please.... the MATHLETES wish they could be as COOL as we are!!! Anyway.... I was thinking about that and it made me laugh. I thought you would enjoy that dad. I mean I know you knew I was a nerd but now this is even more proof!!

LONG LIVE STATS!! OK not really I am soooooo ready for this to be over because two semesters of statistics is enough to kill a girl!

Time to Wake Up

One last thought before I go. This is an excerpt from the song "Wake Me Up When September Ends" by Greenday.

here comes the rain again
falling from the stars
drenched in my pain again
becoming who we are

as my memory rests
but never forgets what I lost
wake me up when september ends

September has been one of my least favorite months for a few years now. I just associate it with events that aren't the best memories. I can't even begin to describe to you how much I enjoyed pressing repeat when Greenday came out with this song. As I was sitting here I realized that I am in the last few hours of September for another 11 months. Although I no longer resent Septembers as much as I have in years gone by I still feel some sort of accomplishment, as if I have come off conqueror, when September ends. Goodbye September! Welcome October! Welcome the rest of the year! It is time to wake up.

A Trip to Idy Ho

After serious internal debate ( because I haven't been feeling well and didn't know if I should take the trip)I went up to Idaho this past weekend for a reception of a dear friend of mine Mr. Mathew (yes with one T) Haderlie. I formerly knew him as Elder Haderlie of the Breaker Apartments in Texas City TX. Mat and Mitch (Elder Rowbury) were very instrumental in my life. They became some of my dearest friends. I know being friends with a single young female who lives doors down from you is most always discouraged in the mission field but I am grateful for two young men who broke rules ( in a wise way). Nothing even REMOTELY bad or scandalous ever EVER happened, we just spent more time together than any mission president would ever want two missionaries spending with a girl. I suppose if I had been male it would have been more ideal. In a very difficult time in my life they never shoved the gospel down my throat but instead would show up on my doorstep with Blue Bell ice cream 20 minutes or so before they were supposed to be home so we could chat about our terrible & always event filled days. I beamed with joy when I would come home late at night after a long day of work and night school and there would be the shimmer of a fluorescent sticky note on my door letting me know they had dropped by. On my 21st birthday after weeks of stress from breaking up with my boyfriend, being automatically promoted when it turned out a trusted friend/colleague/supervisor wasn't being the most honest person and got fired, taking a three hour exam for my 21st birthday, Mat and Mitch showed up singing on my doorstep with a tiny little cake that said Happy Birthday Mandi and two candles that spelled out 21. They were also they only ones to remember my birthday that year. Everyone else forgot. It was in their friendship that I found strength at times when I thought I had no strength of my own. I must admit they often became Mitch and Mat instead of Elder... but as I reflect back I realize that they were just young men who needed my friendship just as much as I needed theirs. Mitch was having a difficult time and just wasn't allowed to focus on his personal life very much out on his mission. As time has passed I haven't seen either of them or kept in contact with either of them very well. However, this past weekend I got to see them both though I am somewhat longed to see them together again. Three M would have been reunited at long last after nearly two years!!! (Mitch, Mandi and Mat shown in that order below L-R) Alas, it did not happen. I saw Mitch and I saw Mat but I didn't see them together. It was so awesome to see Mat married and so overcome with happiness to be sealed to his sweetheart. I am mad that I forgot to take a picture with Mitch. Although I ended up spending Saturday night bent over a toilet I am glad I made the trip up. Besides, I got to see my sister... and family always makes me happy!


Circa early December 2005
& Now September 29,2007
& with his lovely wife Jen ( I didn't get the memo the reception was casual)

Thirty Years Ago Today

My Wife
Trusty, dusky, vivid, true,
With eyes of gold and bramble-dew,
Steel-true and blade-straight,
The great artificer
Made my mate.

Honour, anger, valour, fire;
A love that life could never tire,
Death quench or evil stir,
The mighty master
Gave to her.

Teacher, tender, comrade, wife,
A fellow-farer true through life,
Heart-whole and soul-free
The august father
Gave to me.

-Robert Louis Stevenson

I have often thought of this poem. I love it so much. Today I would like to dedicate it to my parents. What a humbling experience it was as I walked to work today from the parking garage to the building and as I saw the Salt Lake Temple I was so grateful for two young adults, thirty years ago today, who traveled over a day in the car from Houston, Texas to Salt Lake City, Utah to get married. No doubt scared to make one of the biggest decisions of their life and without a single family member there with them. As I walked, I took a moment of silence, and just imagined my mom and dad " John & Mirtia if you will" (Jade has inspired me to call everyone by their first name but I digress) walking up to the temple. What were they thinking, how did the city look... did they walk around temple square the night before? As I took my moment I swear I could see them walking there in front of me hand in hand and I wanted to wave. My mom was so beautiful and bodacious just as I always dreamt she was. My dad I imagined (but it was so real to me) was stern but cool. A man I hardly recognized even in my own imagination. They were so young with no kids. I wanted them to turn around and see me, I wanted to run to them and see them as JOHN & MIRTIA not mom and dad. I wanted to see them as people. I wanted to tell them all that thirty years would bring. Alas they kept walking and as I continued walking into the building they seemed to fade away into thin air. I kept walking and I secretly longed for them to be here thirty years later to recreate history and to help me in making history. They are my strength.

Mom & Dad, I know I have told you before but I am extra grateful today as I think of thirty years of marriage. I know it has been hard but I am grateful for all that you have each individually and as a team done for me. Happy Anniversary!

Do you have your game face on?

My friend Kensie took this at a game without me knowing and when she posted it to her website I LOVED it...just thought it was cool.

I know Heavenly Father loves me

OK Sorry I have not posted in a while but I just have so much fun reading everyone else's blog.

When there are times that I do not feel at home in Utah I just look outside and am in utter awe and amazement at the beauty of the mountains and everything surrounding me. I am grateful that even though I have no spouse, no best friend, no family member in Utah... I still have my Heavenly Father!

I am not the most perfect person or even the best church member but I do have a testimony of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

I know some of you may read this and b/c you can't hear the tone of my voice think that I am sad. On the contrary! How wonderful! About a week ago I received a COMPLETELY random e-mail from some girl I have only known in passing for the past ten years or so because she is about four of five years younger than I am. I doubt I have said more than 20 words to her in my life. She has no clue what is going on in my life but yet she felt compelled to send me the message. The email was short and simply stated she did not feel sorry for me. It was clear the message was supposed to be contentious and malicious yet it brought happiness. I have no clue what brought this on but as I was chuckling to myself and wondering what this was about I couldn't help but to be overwhelmed with happiness.

You don't feel sorry for me?!! What in the world is there to feel sorry about?

I have so many blessings in my life. I don't think I have EVER been happier in my life than right now! (Granted I am not 100% content because there is ALWAYS room for improvement but I digress)Why would ANYONE feel sorry for me? Not only am I surrounded by such physical beauty but I have been given the opportunity to grow, to find out in greater depth who I really am and what I am all about. Being in almost complete solitude for a few months away from friends and family will do that to you.

As I walk into work everyday I say a little, "Hello " to the Angel Moroni atop the Salt Lake City temple maybe 50 ft from me and thank Heavenly Father for my many blessings and mostly for the atonement and the gift of repentance because Heaven only knows I NEED IT! I am grateful to live near so many temples. I am grateful I got to go to President Faust's funeral and to have President Monson go to my work Christmas party. I got to meet him in person! I also ran into President Perry in the mall. I am grateful I have seen a living prophet speak just feet from me. I have been given so many spiritual opportunities for learning and growth that are only provided on such a regular basis in Utah, and mainly downtown Salt Lake City. To interact so closely with so many wonderful men who have devoted their lives to God, (and their family) and that stand as symbols of ultimate servants to God across the WORLD has truly filled my soul with happiness. You can't help but to feel happy around men like that. I am grateful for my membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

My family, though far away and full of imperfections are the most amazing people in the world to me. They make me laugh constantly and I am grateful to be sealed to them for all eternity. I receive random phone calls from my two nieces age 2 and 6 just because they miss me and want to talk to me. That lights up my day everytime! Don't feel sorry for me. My family is amazing.

School has been a blast and things are going well. Living on campus, going to football games and tailgate parties, being involved with a great sorority.... I really feel as if I have had the opportunity to have a great college experience. I will have a Bachelor's degree with a major and a minor in May. Don't feel sorry for me. I feel I have succeeded academically.

I have one of the most amazing internships someone could ask for. Don't feel sorry for me. I have succeeded professionally.

As far as boys are concerned I have no care in the world to attach myself to one but I have some of the most amazing boys that care about me and offer their friendship to me. As far as flirting is concerned there is always someone at my disposal and I harbor what I believe to be feelings of love that might one day manifest them self but for now lay dormant because that is the way I want it. Don't feel sorry for me. I have the love life I desire.

And apparently my life is so interesting that even people who aren't my friends want to know what is going on. So trust me....don't feel sorry for me. I have not solicited pity from anyone, friends or otherwise. I do not want your pity. I want to celebrate the fact I have been given so much in life!

Now, the question is,"What will I do with it?"

Music

So I have been thinking about this for some time now. ( I think A LOT about a TON of things- I have just realized this. I like to sit and ponder.... it is pretty comforting and relaxing) Anywho-off my tangent.

SONGS.

MUSIC.


Yeah? What about them? Well.... I love them. I love the feelings/emotions, thoughts, and memories they invoke. I like how if I am sad I can turn on a funky song to make me smile and dance or if I want to sit and cry I can turn on another song to empathize with me. I have so many stories about so many songs. When I hear a certain song if only for a fleeting moment I am taken back to certain times of my life or particular scenes and it makes me laugh, or cry... whatever. haha.

And can I just say how much I am annoyed that I can never express fully how I feel when I try to convert thoughts into words? How does that work? I think in English, I type in English... so why do they (my thoughts) never come out right?

Can I just say how ironic it is that I took a break from typing to think and wander and Christina's site has three songs on it... JUST MY POINT. Songs convey feelings so much better than just saying things sometimes. Almost always my "status" (AMANDA IS......FILL IN THE BLANK) on facebook is some sort of line from a song because it just says things better.

And I haven't typed in like five minutes from the line above b/c now I am listening to music and missing people.

P.S. Christina ....I love that song! You are lucky to have such a cute husband! I can't believe he sang that to you!!

On the Water

So... my coworker Diana invited me to her ward activity this weekend. They went to East Canyon and were having a boating activity on East Lake. Now... we all know how much I love to go out on boats or go jet skiing but I don't like to do anything scary! I HATE roller coaster rides with most of my heart and am not a thrill seeker. However... this weekend I decided I would make a change. I want to LIVE life!! So...Friday night we went wakeboarding and Saturday morning we woke up at like 6 in the morning and hopped on the boat and went water skiing. I must admit I completely BIFFED it the first few times I tried but I eventually got up and I am really glad I tried it!! I even might want to go again!! :-D

Here are some pictures. I hope you enjoy them! They are slightly blurry b/c the boat was moving as well as me on the water but still....

as much as I miss Texas you can't get this in Houston!! One of the reasons I enjoy Utah!

Wakeboarding Friday night. You can tell how terrified I am even in a blurry picture!
I just thought that was a pretty background.

leaving the dock at 6am.
Water skiing on Saturday

It's been a while

Well folks,

Sorry but I am finally back online! I obviously didn't want to update while I was home. I was having too much fun visiting with friends and family. It was so nice. After being in Houston for less than an hour I was eating Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla !! I am not a big ice cream fan but I love me some Blue Bell Vanilla. I got to go to San Antonio to see my sister Tina and I coudln't ask for a better trip up there!! Matt is soooo freaking fun!! I can't remember having that much fun on a ride to San Antonio with anyone EVER!! We talked, sang, played with a baseball... and just had a ton of fun. Well...at least I had a ton of fun... I don't know about him. So... I was in San An for a day and a half and then it was time to come back home. Matt already had to be in San Antonio so he just dropped me off while he did his thing and picked me back up when it was time to go home. So... I am kinda exhausted. I moved into a condo with a girl who used to be in my ward and two other girls... and moving was exhausting. I am still trying to get everything in order. So... yeah.. that's about it for now. I know this is so random... but I just thought I would update. School starts on Monday. BLAH. I am ready for a loooong break from school!

My heart is still in Houston.

Because I will be gone for the next Ten Days!

OK... so it is 1 am and I have a final in 6 hours! YIKES! I have been moving all day long folks and I am STILL not done!! I think I am going to have to call into work tomorrow!! Did you know that I have never EVER called in when I was not sick? I think even at that I have only taken like maybe a total of 5 sick days!! I mean obviously I take vacation days but those are scheduled weeks or months in advance. I have never not gone in at the last minute. Amazing huh? I know I know I am such a hard worker!

Well...I am going home for about ten days and then when I get back I will be all unsettled in my new place so I highly doubt I will be on this for the next two weeks or so. That is actually quite sad. Today as I was packing I found my journal. Can you believe I used to write in that thing almost everyday for a year and then in just a few pages it spans about five years!! I almost feel like that in not writing for two weeks...but I promise I will update when I get back! If I take my laptop with me I will probably update but I am going to try and leave it here b/c I seriously won't need the internet while I am home! I just want to relax and see family and hang out with all my friends......and EAT!! Oh I can't wait to go back to a city that has such wonderful food! Salt Lake City is known for MANY things..... their great dining would not be one of them!! haha. Except for Mikado...seriously THE best sushi hands down I have EVER had in my life! YUMMY! Eighteen hours till I board a plane on my way home!! YAY!!