Utah, Land That I Love

So it is official. Old Blue no longer has Texas plates. The other day I broke down and got my Utah license plates... probably because I hadn't registered my car in like a good two years...but to my defense I have been trying to get everything straightened out to register my car since October 9th... too bad some people that work for the state are complete idiots and incompetant... I digress... Well, I don't know if it is the new plates on my cars or what but when I drive around lately my breath is taken away much more than usual at the amazing beauty I am constantly surrounded with. I asked Raquel last night.... " Is it just me or is Utah more prettier than usual?" To which she responded...."It's just you." I have a million pictures of sceneray I have taken in the past few days but here are just two.

Vegas - Backwards

   Well since posting from my Mac is much more time consuming than posting from my PC and I have no patience today you are going to get to see my Vegas trip backwards. Now that it has been a few weeks I don't really feel like talking about it but here are some pictures...

Welcome to Utah! I was asleep 60 seconds before this picture was taken but Rachel woke me up so that I could get a sign with it. Too bad she wouldn't pull over for the Welcome to Arizonia and Welcome to Nevada signs on the way down there!!
Me and the slow child sign.  Janelle has one of these in her garage to put out on the street when her children are playing. I thought it was funny... I mean... who has their own personal slow down thing? She does... apparently.
While most of the group stayed at Mandalay Bay I stayed with the Ozawas. Mostly so I could spend time with this little girl and the rest of the amazing family.
Some random picture of one of the guys at the club. Since I don't drink he kept buying me Figi water all night. He was super cool, from New York with an accent, and a chef. He wanted me to come over to his house the next day so he could make me lunch. I gave him a fake number.... Sorry!
 A horrible picture of Rachel and I.  This was in our VIP area. Our security guard took the picture. Too bad you couldn't see the whole outfit. Red heels black and white dress... I loved this night.
In N Out for lunch everyday in Vegas and I STILL lost two pounds. Probably due to the major dancing I did at nights but I like to attribute it to this amazing diet.
Everyone on the trip had sunglasses but I don't wear them. I was given a pair to wear so I would fit in with the group. I guess I am too cool for you to see my eyes.
Some of the group with Janelle at The Cracked Egg in Vegas.

sadness

my internet is being lame. more posts later. at least i have the picture uploaded to my computer now though... one step closer

Din Din

I have been trying to cook more often and eat less crap. Dinner has been so much fun lately.

On Cloud 9

I suppose it is time for me to update more. I have a few pictures I will post shortly. Things have been great. I keep thinking about Matthias. We talked for a few hours this past week and it was so great! Having him call and say he needed to talk to his best friend  when everything was going downhill was so flattering! Its been so long since we have talked and to know that I am still his best friend... that I will probably always be his best friend... it really makes you appreciate those who take the time to truly be your friend. I'm glad he still trusts me and knows I will always be there for him.

I was so frustrated the night before he texted me. I was tired of fake friends. Tired of those that used you... and the next day... I was proved wrong. There are so many crappy friends out there but there are always those three or four that make it good... that make all the crappy friends worth it, just to have those bright spots in life.  

I think those friends that go way back make it even more worth it. Because they were there when I needed them back in the day... and now we can just enjoy each other's friendship.

I dunno... I always used to say..."friends are the family you choose for yourself." and I still stick to that motto. 

My First Love

When I was 15 years old and a sophomore in high school I had a LOT of issues.  My parents and I fought non stop and I was battling teenage depression. Cute and pink on the outside but emo on the inside. That was me. I didn't feel like I had worth or purpose and my parents expected so much more of me than my high school counterparts were expected of by their parents. My sophomore year was a new year for me though. The second day of school, my first B day, and life on the main campus I walked into J building and found my history class. As I walked in I had to play it cool and not stop dead in my tracks for I had just beheld the most beautiful sight I had ever seen.  He was about 6'3, lean, dark black hair and the most amazing blue eyes that pierced my heart and melted my body. Reclaiming my body and trying not to turn into putty I sat down and as the class settled I could only thank my lucky stars that the teacher assigned us into alphabetical order putting this amazing specimen directly in front of me. I learned his name. Matthias. 

Matthias... oh how it sounded like the name of a God. As my 15 year old self drooled all over the desk I was in pure teen heaven. Backstreet Boys? N'SYNC? No thank you. Just Matthias.

As the short weeks passed I still thought he was the "finest" boy I had ever met but I worked up the courage to talk to him as well. I would even pass him on A days and a few times I would pass him a note as we went from class to class. I basically thought I wouldn't have a chance in hell to ever date him but I was so twitter-patted over him that I gave it my all. 

He was the reason I got up and went to school every morning. There would be days when I couldn't find the desire to open my eyes and face another day of living hell and knowing I would see his face, even if only for a SECOND got me out of bed. 

On one of my very first days driving I took him home after school. 

But... Matthias informed me a few weeks into meeting him that his parents had just bought a house in San Diego California and he would be moving at the end of the semester. The night before his last day I spent all night at the computer writing him a letter. The scene should be made into a movie. I felt it was a tragic occasion and I spent hours perfecting the letter and letting tears well up in my eyes. I saved it for the end of class. As class got out we headed down the hall I unzipped his backpack and slid the note in there. He caught me and almost yelled at me for touching his backpack.  I had given him every piece of contact information for myself. Newly acquired cell phone number free of the oversight of my father. E-mail address. Physical address... carrier pigeon number, number of the neighbors in case he couldn't reach me.... you know... whatever I could think of. Since it was the last class of the day I walked straight to my car and cried. I gathered my composure for a good half an hour, long enough to get home and then I locked myself in my room and cried and cried some more.

Well, he emailed and called me the day he got to California. We talked everyday for at least a year then the majority of the week for at least two more years after that. He was my best friend and I was his. (besides Darcy! Darcy saw all this happen first hand)He was my first love. He saved me so many times. He made me feel beautiful for the first time as a teenager. He told me how he had wanted to ask me out but knew it wouldn't be fair with him moving. I called him when I got my first kiss! He called me when he lost his virginity. Awkward...I know. 

Every accomplishment, failure, fear, annoyance, or whatever was shared late at night (Texas was two hours ahead of California) with the covers pulled over my body with each relaying the events of the day for the next several years. Decisions on which school to go to (me) and to not continue with school (him) were hashed out over courses of weeks weighing the pros, the cons, and the effect it would have on our health and spirit. He started my love for Yamaha R1's (that's what he had and to this day I still want one) below is a picture of him on his.

He hated that I was engaged so young but celebrated with me. He was on the other end of the line for an hour or more when I called him and told him I had called the wedding off. He sent me baby pictures of himself and for years his face throughout the years covered walls, desks, and everything else.There were always promises of visiting him in California but each was as empty as the next. As long as I lived in my dad's house I knew he would not permit me going to visit a boy. Once I moved out I didn't have an extra $400 for a visit. Although I never once "snuck out of the house" at night I did ONE time during the day.  It started early. I drove to Austin to see Matthias play a soccer game. I hadn't seen him in years and he was so close I couldn't resist it. We only had two or three hours together before I had to head back home. My parents would question if I was home later than 6. ( Don't retroactively ground me dad!) So... we walked around for a while and he and his dad treated me to sushi for the very first time. I owe them because sushi is my favorite now. He even took like a four hour detour once to stop in Houston once while driving cross country for his work so he could see me. It was a week before my 21st birthday. I  had night class and he came to school with me. He wrote me a note while he sat behind me. I uncovered the note just the other day. It was still in the pocket of my backpack after three years. It said

To My Bestest Friend in the World!!

Beautiful, Youre beautiful

as Beautiful as the sun!

Wonderful, youre wonderful,

as wonderful as they come!

Don't forget, I love

you very much Amanda.

He came back to my apartment and I was exhausted. We crawled into bed and I slept there with my arm around him all night. We never kissed, we never did anything, we just enjoyed each other's friendship. I felt safe with him. He is the first guy I said "I Love You" to though it was not an "I am IN love with you" type of thing but rather a, I trust you with my life type of an I Love You. We used to plan our 80th birthday party together imagining what it would be like to still be best friends and have his wife and his family and my husband and my family all around celebrating a friendship that lasted that long.

The reason tall men with dark hair and light eyes attract me is because it all started with Matthias. I fell in love with him and he became my best friend. I just don't know how anyone will ever replace him. He was the first love of my life.

And I lost track of him in the past year. Each year that passed we spent less time talking and it has been easily 12 months or more since I've communicated withhim. I have thought about him soooooo much in the past month looking for him on facebook or trying to find his number. And...

I got a text today from a California number asking if this was still Amanda's phone number. Good thing I didn't change it last week like I was going to.

It all started nine years ago....

Frustration

I am frustrated right now. funny how people will be your friend as long as you are convenient to THEM, as long as you BENEFIT them...but the moment you need a friend they are no where to be found...

I have put in enough effort. I am not doing it anymore. I refuse.

Mona Lisa Smile....

My eight year old niece Summer sent me a letter today. It was a picture of the Mona Lisa. Underneath it she wrote that she wanted to send me the picture because it reminded her of me.

"Her smiling face and gentle grace" are the similarities she found. I have no idea where she heard it but I am quite flattered she mailed it to me....

 on second thought... I need to call Aunt Marie-C to see if she received that same letter from Summer... Hmmm....

Sorry

so I have chastised a few people for not blogging and realized its been a while since I've updated. Sorry!! I spent this past weekend in Vegas. More details and pictures to come soon I promise. For now I just want to post Jade's letters... and I will see you all later.

Paolo Nutini

He is a new discovery to me. I am sure many of you have heard of him before, one friend chastized me because she has had him on her ipod since '06 but I just found out about him. Thank you, You Tube. I just downloaded a bunch of his songs. Check him out! This is my most favorite of his. Entitled

New Shoes

My Vanilla Pudding

So I don't think this is the best picture of either of us but I just wanted to write about this cute girl for a quick moment. 

TODAY IS HER BIRTHDAY!!

I half celebrated it by sending her 23 text messages. 22 for her age and one to grow on. Hopefully, I can finish celebrating it with the deliverance of her humble gift.

Oh. Pardon me. 

Where ARE my manners?

Let me introduce you.

This is my Vanilla Pudding, and I, I am her Chocolate Delight. 

She also goes by: Sam, Sammy, Samantha, Sammy J, Sammy Girl, S. Jane, Samantha Jane, and any other variation of her name. I like to mix it up. Keep her guessin. 

Well, today is her birthday and I want to give a little shout out. I will try my best to keep 'em comin for a while but man, I have a lot of friends. 

I love Sammy because she is AMAZING. 

Her laugh is so infectious. 

She always has a story about at least 3 guys she has dated in the past week.

She is drop dead gorgeous (which sometimes makes me sad because boys never notice me when I am with her....that's what you get for having amazingly beautiful friends)

additionally, whenever I introduce her to a friend of mine she hasn't met (guys) they ALWAYS ask either me or her for her number afterwards. Most of the time I have to tell them they are out of her league. Ha Ha. 

She runs more than anyone I know.

She calls me Mand. most of the time.

She is always willing to listen to my latest boy drama and offer advice.

She REMEMBERS everything I tell her which means she actually LISTENS...not just hears. 

Did I mention her laugh?

Her text messages. Nuf Said.

She always has a smile on her face, even if she is in a crummy mood.

Her personality is so much more beautiful than her exterior. 

She calls me Chocolate Delight.

She is so much fun to watch a football game with.

The list could go on and on but I love you Samantha Jane! You are amazing!

Show Me The Money

I REALLY enjoy MONEY.

Let me rephrase that. I really enjoy budgeting MY money.

It is so much fun. I can't tell you how many hours I have spent this week looking at where all my money goes and how I can save the most. As I see the balance in my savings account go up and up I get excited. As I told a friend before, the more money I make the more I want to keep. But really, I have decided the more I make the more I want to save for big ticket items. I think I have been so used to living very paycheck to paycheck as a student and now I don't have to. There are so many major purchases I would like to make this year and I just am trying to figure out the best way to do it.  Among other things the biggest price tag items would be these

A black Subaru Forester with of course a red U of U vanity plate. I don't know that this big of a car is really necessary for me or that I want to spend money on that much gas so my second option is this 

I absolutely HATED Subaru's when I moved here. And, apparently the white Subaru Outback or the old white Subaru Legacys are the unofficial, official car of Utah. If I had a dollar for every one of those I have seen, well I would have enough to buy my own Subaru. But...after living here a while and experiencing firsthand the dire need to have a four wheel drive car I have decided a Suby driver I must be. However, I really want a black one. (even though I always swore I would only buy white cars from here on out.) 

And why would I waste money on gas when I could save to buy one of these beauties?

  OK obviously THIS particular house would be out of my budget but you get the idea.  Honestly what I reeeeeeally want to do is buy a fixer-upper and fix it up the way I want! I figure I am going to want to redo whatever I buy ANYWAY, so why not redo it the way I want it? Both of these purchases will be a while.... but .... I am excited! Especially for the house! I can't wait for the day when I can have a garden of my very own, walls I don't have to worry about poking holes in, and something to show for the money I waste away on rent every month.

Oh, the joys of being a grown up and working more than 20 hours a week!

P.S the website is being weird and I can't see ANY of the custom buttons on this post. Things such as colors, adding pictures, and changing the alignment of my text have all been done right the first time. I know exactly where the buttons SHOULD be and when I press that area it works! Too funny.... think I  have spent enough time on blogger?

You Can't Run Forever

I am feeling quite frustrated right now.

I really want to spill the beans but I am afraid of word vomit. 

Saying too much.

But the lack of saying anything is just annoying to you readers I suppose.

I need to write though. Need to hear the clickity clack of the keys and the soft sound the enter button makes.

clicky clack. clickity clack. (backspace backspace)

enter. (ping) 

(ping ping)

Somehow it heals my soul. I am an Everday August Rush the way the noises are music to my ears, a symphony in my room.

Somehow I feel better...for now.

Hammer Time!

MC Hammer is coming into Salt Lake this weekend! Perhaps he would like these cookies. (appease me! I made them in a hurry when I got home from work at 6pm!! I wasn't planning on making them until the NEXT day) They are hammers. Instead of brown and black all I could get was an olive green and a grey. I tried...I swear! 

Anyway, too bad for MC Hammer. These were a gift for the one and only owner of Hammer's Inc. Photography. I have no clue if you read my blog or not but if you do....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY G! 

The Ramon Sisters

I spend a lot of my weekends with these two cute sisters.

And I just adore them. They live together. Rita always wants me to spend the night and she reminds me of my 8 year old niece always asking my sister Marie for sleepovers. I only cave every once in a while. They are seriously such great girls and I am so incredibly blessed to have them in my life!

My life is awesome.

Ms. Garza

 Mr. & Mrs. Julius Carrio Circa 1933?

Ms. Garza. 

                                                                  It is not uncommon for my father to refer to me by this name.

It is not uncommon for 

my father's mother to refer to me by this name.

Confused? 

My father's mother's maiden name is Garza. 

Ms. Garza is my grandmother. (Well really she is MRS. Carrio but we all know that maiden name is who we are forever)

Ms. Garza is ALSO me.

I am very blessed because I feel both my grandmothers and my mother are amazing women and I am blessed to be anything like them.

But I love Ms. Garza. 

She is blunt. 

She doesn't take crap from ANYONE.

She is fiesty and a firecracker.

She makes herself laugh more than anyone

 else makes her laugh.

She has an attitude like no one would believe.

I think these are all reasons why they call me Ms. Garza. But, though those may seem like negative quality traits they seem positive to me. In addition, my grandmother is one of the most beautiful people I have ever met in person. 

She is so incredibly loving and caring. My dad being the youngest of eight she was significantly older than all the other grandma's. She never took me out to Chuck E. Cheese's or on trips to the mall. It is hard for me to remember a time when she didn't use a walker or wheelchair to get around. 

But, I know that I used to dial her number several times a day as a child to talk to her. I would climb up on the counter to get to the phone attached to the wall. The touch of an orange button connected me to her. She would listen and appease me. She would remember my birthday and call me and send me cards. She never forgot, even with an insane amount of grandchildren. 

As I got older I started to get to know her better though. I never really felt like she had a lot of grandchildren. Just me. Sure, pictures of cousins I had met a few times adored her mirrors and walls but they were decades older than me and lived across the country. I was her only grandchild...and maybe sometimes I would allow my siblings privileges too. And as time grew on our bond grew. I think she saw that fierce rebellion in my eye. Calling me Ms. Garza only drew me closer to her. She was so happy when I got engaged but I think she was happier when I called it off. It solidified the fact I was hers. I had come from her, I was independent and I " had iron pants" as she once told me!!!

I have heard her complain about different things throughout my lifetime but she tries to keep a positive attitude. (sounds vaguely familiar...hmmm) Even though she is physically unable to care for herself she is still so smart and with it. She makes me laugh.  When I think about her it is always with a smile on my face. The last few times I have been home I have taken at least one day to go and sit with her by myself for a few hours. I love talking to her. She has the best stories and the best secrets. I love to ask her about the early years with my grandfather and I can NEVER get enough of her telling me how he came into Woolworths one day which is how they met and grin from ear to ear as she begins to tell me, "What a scoundral Mr. Carrio was" as she laughs and chuckles to herself. Ms. Garza also keeps the best secrets. She may not have been the traditional grandmother but I know how much she loves me and I could cry thinking about how much I love her. 

She turned 94 yesterday. I wish I could have been there to wish her a Happy Birthday in Person.

I love you Granny!

5 Things

10 Years Ago...

1. I was  head over heels for Russell Anthony Herrera but would never tell him if my life depended on it.

2. My best friend was Amy Rios

3. I was on the Yearbook Staff at school and was obsessed with taking pictures

4. I ran the 400m for track at school

5. I barely weighed 100 pounds

5 Things On My To-Do List

1. LAUNDRY

2. Gas Up

3. Write Jade a letter

4. Start/Finish G's birthday present

5. Sleep

5 Snacks I Enjoy

1. Sour Patch Kids

2. Hot Tamales

3. Chips and Salsa

4. Spinich & Artichoke dip

5. Oatmeal

5 Favorite Things

1.TULIPS

2. Nieces and Nephews and just family in general

3. Sunshine

4. Pretty Pictures

5. Nature. Trees that look like they touch the sky, majestic mountains, fresh air, turning in circles and dancing in the snow/rain, playing in the ocean......

5 Places I have lived

1. Houston, TX

2. League City, TX

3. Texas City, TX

4. The University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT

5.  Millcreek Township of Salt Lake City, UT

5 Things Most People Don't Know About Me

1. Please refer to my 25 things about me post

5 People I Tag

1. No one. Feel free to fill this out on your own.

Mandi Does Oregon

Well, this post could go two ways.

1) It is really long where I tell you every single detail of the past four days or

2) I show you a few pictures and tell you how great my weekend was.

Option 2 it is.

Quick recap: I had the opportunity to fly to Oregon for a few days so I took it.

Welcome to Oregon '09!

When I first got into Oregon I got to roam around Portland my first day. I got to walk along the river front, see downtown

go to the rose garden, Japanese garden
and just enjoy the day! It was VERY cold and even though it was "warmer" than Salt Lake the humidity made my bones hurt after just a few short minutes! Friday night after I was done exploring I went back to my friend's house and made Valentines Day cookies. I do it every year and I didn't want being out of town to keep me from it.
They definitely weren't the prettiest cookies I have ever made but they tasted great! Saturday afternoon I met a coworker in Portland who is origionally from Kansas. She was having a Kansas vs. Kansas state viewing party and I took my cookies. They were a hit. Later on that day Zac and I went to see Multnomah Falls and we hiked up to the top. The view was gorgeous. The road we had to take to get there was breathtaking. Tall trees everywhere and the most scenic winding roads. I was falling in love with the west coast with

 each mile that passed.
Sunday I slept in. When I woke up w

e

 ate breakfast, got in the car, and headed for the coast. First, Zac had a surprise. I have a goal to make it to all 50 states and since we were so close to Washington we crossed a bridge and took a short detour to North Head Lighthouse in Washington! I was in love. As we were heading there I caught my very first glimpse of the Pacific Ocean! And of course we took a picture at the bottom of the bridge that welcomed us to Washington. Yes, that is us eating Washington Apples in Washington!

We then crossed the beach and proceeded to head to Tillamook. Because we were quickly losing daylight we sidetracked to Cannon Beach and spent the rest of our time enjoying the Pacific Ocean and watching the sun set. It was such an awesome thing to do. I mean, normally you think you would do that thing sitting next to someone you really love, but it was fun none the less. I enjoyed it and it was a great time to just sit in front of the ocean and meditate.


There was a lot more to the trip but those were the highlights. I think the most important thing I learned on this trip was that I love nature, this country is beautiful, and I have been bitten by the travel bug. I am pretty sure I could learn to live almost anywhere.

25 Random Things

Apparently this has been all over the news. I don't see the big deal.... Anyway. I posted this on my blog about three years ago and on this blogspot blog over a year ago. About half are the same, I rewrote the other half. Anyway, this 25 random things has been circulating on facebook and I was tagged about a jillion times to do it so I gave in. I am reposting it here. 25 random things about me.

1. My first crush was Trey, a boy in my montessori class when I was three, who could DRESS HIMSELF. (my exact words to my mom) 

2. I love when a guy I am crushing on wraps their arms around me and I can smell their deodorent. I know I am wierd but I love it, sometimes more than Cologne.

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. I fell head over heels for Matthias Beier when I was 15. He moved shortly after and we kept in touch. He became the best friend I had. I am still looking for a guy that I fall head over heels with that then becomes my best friend.

I love him! Me and Matthias in November of 05

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

Me and my Mommy

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

8.I don't think I will ever get married- trust issue

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! 

13.I am such a social butterfly but I would rather sit at home by myself watching a movie or catching up on google reader

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 worked hard for my education, 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. Going out for sushi is one of my most favorite things

My playboy and her ROCK STAR

20. Photography has been a passion of mine since as long as I can remember.

21.One of the top things I want to do before I die is fly a plane.

22. I have spent more time AWAY from the people I call my best friends than I have ever spent WITH them. Proof they are my best friends when our relationship can survive and thrive at long distances.

23.I often feel like life is passing me by at a million miles an hour while I stand still.

24. I can most often be found wearing a skirt and heels. It is my favorite.

25. I LOVE asparagus.

adding

26. I could look at the stars forever. It makes me feel loved, like there is a creator, I was made with a purpose, and I am not alone.

Can You Feel The Love Tonight?

I am such a blessed little lady. In two and a half years I have met some of the most amazing people of my life. I have such great friends and there have been more families than I can count that have warmly opened me into their homes. 

Coming from out of state, those living in Utah will quickly learn, as I have, that Utah is a different state.  Overall I have gotten the sense that families are important here and even those who aren't religious feel the same way. It is something that helps me love my own family even more, but also something that can be hard. In a state where families are important and you don't have yours nearby I am increasingly grateful for all the families that have allowed me to crash Sunday dinner, family outings, activities, or.... you know... FAMILY anything. Growing up I hated when my brother would bring a girlfriend or a friend to a FAMILY activity. I mean, GOSH, didn't he know the meaning of family? As in, blood. Related. Legally bound.... and as I have crashed these family activities here in Utah and been receipted with open arms I am overwhelmed with gratitude for these people who understand that sometimes the definition of family can be stretched. Everyone needs to feel loved.

I don't know what I did to deserve such love from such amazing people but I am incredibly grateful.

New Toys

Fresh out of the shower doesn't look too bad when you have fun tools on the camera.

Bah

I have a new favorite word. It is BAH! It is an exclamation of annoyance, frustration, or anything else I want it to mean. I think it kind of replaces ugh for me.

Anyway, I am completely falling in love with my job again. Yesterday I worked for over 13 straight hours only taking ten minutes to eat some soup and crackers I keep at my desk. Even though I have extremely busy lately I really enjoy it. It is really nice to feel needed. There is also a feeling of still being at your desk, typing numbers into the calculator, and telling the cleaning crew you will turn off all the lights when you leave, and then turning all the lights off at 9:30. Not having to wait for the elevator that normally takes 5 minutes, walking the deserted hallways that were filled with professionals coming and going just hours earlier, having to scan your card to get into the parking garage and many more things all made me feel special (for a lack of a better word.) I know it is retarded. There really is something to putting in a long day at work though.

Just Some Random Thoughts

I am completely exhausted (and it is only 10:30!!!! That is WONDERFUL NEWS to a girl who suffers from insomnia!) but I wanted to blog really fast. I don't know which should go first.

Bah. Obama. I just don't know what to think about today. I was one of three people excited to listen to the inauguration today at work. Everyone else was business as usual while I was trying to find a radio station online because the video streaming was not working. One of the girls took the day off to watch the inaguration because she is a die hard Obama lover so that just left two of us. It is not so much that I love Obama.... I just love politics and I think he is a great orator and I wanted to hear what he had to say. I can't even begin to express the feelings that overcame me as I heard him repeat those words and become the next president. I loved his speech. It really DID bring me hope. I believed he would change our country and that it would take hard work and time but I believed him as he spoke. I needed to believe him. I want to put my faith in him so much it hurts! I worry though. I worry that now that the parades and parties are dying down, now that it is time to get to work, that he will prove to be a much better orator than a doer. I really do worry. While his words offered courage and hope and deep feelings of patriotism because of our American ancestors who fought for the rights and freedoms we have now and for our friends, family and neighbors who still fight. After all of these emotions from his speech I feel actions speak louder than words. And in a time of great economic crisis I feel Obama could have learned something from Utah Govorner Jon Hunstman Jr. who almost eliminated the festivities of inanuragtion seeing as we are umm... wait what? Oh yeah... in the worst economic crisis of the past 70 years . It is good to know someone recognized it is not a time to party but a time to get to work and a time to put money to a better use. Glad to know the Obama family is driving around in an energy efficient, sensible, cadillac limosine. I mean I don't really know what the other president's had but I find it irrelevant since he is all about CHANGE. I mean c'mon... they are just the average American's right? Bah. I can find a million reasons to disprove myself but that is what I have to say.

On a lighter note....or umm... err... a heavier? note... my roommates and I watch The Biggest Loser religiously. They got me into it last semester and a new season has started! It really makes me very emotional. However, after work and errands I normally get home right about 7 on Tuesdays only to plop down on the couch and EAT while watching it. I have become very emotionally invested and I get choked up when certain people don't do so well. Well, I decided I need to let the show motivate me. For those of you that don't know the Biggest Loser is about extremely overweight individuals who try to lose the most body fat. These aren't just people who need to lose ten pounds like you, me, and the guy down the street. These are people who take 10 pills a day for one thing or another, who need medical supervision while they excersise, who will probably die is 10 years or less if they don't change their lifestyle. I have been inspired as old men who can't walk for a minute without nearly faiting shed close to two hundred pounds all by getting their butt on a treadmill and not giving up. I have seen the lifestyle these people lead, some of it firsthand, and I don't ever want to be dependant on pills. I don't think I am fat by any means but I have def picked up some unwanted pounds. I don't want to get in the habit of overeating and laziness so I joined a gym last week and have been everyday but Sunday! ( i know i know... let's just hope in 6 months I am still going strong!) I am proud to announce I have already lost weight! It took my coworker Nate to nag me nearly everyday for the past 10 weeks but I finally got my butt in the gym and I am excited to be on my way to a healthy lifestyle of excersise! Bring on that half marathon!!

Come Back To Texas....

"It's not the same since you went away
before you lose your accent
and forget all about the lone star state
there's a seat for you at the Rodeo
and I've got every slow song save
besides the Mexican food sucks north of here anyway...."
-Bowling for Soup

"Come back to Texas"

That was the urge of my dear mother yesterday as I conversed with her via telephone.

I disregarded the comments as I have a million times

from friends

and family

and as a subcategory of family nieces.

I mean who wouldn't want me back in Texas?

Who WOULD want me to leave Utah?

I am the coolest thing since Blue Bell ice cream

and trap doors on one piece adult pajamas

and snowball fights with dear friends.

But I got to thinking.....

people are moving on with their lives

and I am watching them move at a million miles an hour as I stand still

and doesn't my mother deserve the kitchen fairy to visit her once a week?

And shouldn't I enjoy the laughs and smiles from my angel of a nephew Carson?

And would anyone REALLY miss me? (of course but they would get over it soon enough)

Isn't family a million times better than any friend I will ever know?

For now I am staying put....

but it was definitely something to think about as my eyelashes fluttered back and forth and sleep swept me away to dreamland.

When In Rome...

You know the saying... When in Rome, do as the Romans?

Well, I don't live in Rome, nor am I visiting it.

I AM however in the BEEHIVE state....

And TODAY I worked like a bee.

These are the things I got accomplished today and most of it is in order.

• I slept in until about 11
  
• Ran to the bank to deposit a check/withdraw money ( I was hoping for a garage sale with something really cool. I didn't see ANY. Does the cold weather keep people from putting those on? I guess so.)
• I paid ALL of my bills
  
• I cleaned out all the shoes, papers, water bottles, and overall crap from my car
• I detailed the inside of my car
• I went through a stack of mail 12 inches high
• I cleaned out my wallet
• Found my jiffy lube coupons and got ready to have my oil changed.
  
• I organized my new health care information now that I am a big girl and cover myself (sad are the days now that it comes out of MY paycheck instead of my parents'!!! :( )
• Took a shower
  
• I went to the corner store and bought two packs of candy. One for me and one for Dave.
  
• Went to the movies with Dave to see Marley & Me. He almost ate his whole box of candy before the movies even started. I still have half of mine. I am learning quickly if I don't protect myself he eats all the candy!
  
• I washed my car (well, I ran it through a car wash but ol' blue is SPARKLING right now)
  
• I did 6 loads of laundry including linens and towels and even my bath rug.
  
• Blew my nose about 700 times throughout all of this
  
• I PUT AWAY 6 loads of laundry
  
• Organized all the paper/letters/wedding invitations into their designated box
  
• Threw out TONS of old school papers and assignments
• Took two garbage bags full of stuff from my room and car to the dumpster
• Vacuumed my room
• Did the dishes
• Swept the bathroom and kitchen
  
• Went to the grocery store to buy more laundry detergent, four boxes of kleenex (actually they are PUFFS with lotion because a nose in need deserves puffs indeed!!!) and groceries for the next week where I saved about thirty dollars with my Albertsons card and coupons! (that is a first!)
  
• Made tea and took Nyquil
• Blogged.

Aren't you proud? I think the only thing I did NOT do was get my oil changed. Going to the movies with Dave took up my time and they were closed by that time but I will go on Monday!! I know this has to be the most incredibly boring blog I have ever written and I know you don't really care but I have worked SO hard for the past 12 hours (well 10 if you don't count the movie) and I NEVER get anything I want done on a Saturday! Anyway, I am sure the nyquil is going to kick in here pretty quickly so this is coming to an end.

I hope all of you have been having as great a start to the new year as I have had and that you are getting things done as well.

How Sweet It IS

I posted 25 times in November and a measley 5 times in December. I just thought I would post quickly. I have much catching up to do but my Texas trip was simply amazing. I didn't see too many friends and I just spent my trip adoring my parents, siblings, and nieces and nephews. I feel so left out of their lives sometimes because I am so far away but it was so nice to go home and be in the middle of things. I had barely been back in Utah a few hours before it was back to another party and I felt as if I had never been to Texas at all. I knew it would be a good trip when Brian Johnson was on my flight and I got to talk to him!

I heart Brian Johnson.

And now....Utah beat Alabama!! We are 13-0 and the only division I UNDEFEATED team in the nation! Hardly anyone thought we would win...but I knew Brian would pull us through! 31-17 baby!! Sugar Bowl Champions!! BCS busters....

oh how sweet it is!!!

2009 have been off to an amazing start!! Bring it on 2009.... bring.it. on!

Flowers

MMM... for some reason all I can think about right now is hot chocolate, warm blankets, and flowers. I intended to post about something completely different but this is what I am posting instead. I think if a guy ever wanted to win me over all he would have to do is show up on my doorstep with flowers and hot chocolate. It's just that easy.

I am VERY excited to go home and see my family for a few days and maybe we can all gather around the living room in our pajamas and drink abuelita's hot chocolate and spend quailty time together.

Mmmmmmm.

Give Said the Little Stream

Sorry I haven't really posted lately.

I have been ill.

DEATHLY ill. (do I have your attention?)

My body has been overtaken with an infection that seemed like horrible food poisoning. It was only horrible for about a day or so but then I have been miserable since. I couldn't keep anything down and four days later here I sat, HUNGRY, tired, and crying because I just wanted to eat and feel better. I finally went to the DR after I was convinced that this was NOT just food poisoning and that I would in fact die of starvation. After letting dose after dose of the beautiful medicine slide down my throat like it was at a Schlitterbahn water park and a few hours of down time I am starting to feel much more like myself. (Stomach infection FYI) I was still hungry... but at least I don't feel as if every second my stomach consumes more and more of itself! Beautiful McKensie brought me chicken broth and it has done wonders at making me feel like I have eaten a chicken dinner tonight! Who knew how filling it could be? I tried to drink some earlier today at work but it just came up again. I think being preceeded by medicine did the trick this time.

Let me tell you people, I was VERY heartbroken after not being able to eat. There I sat, barely audible through my sobs and whimpers and crying talking to my mother on the phone. Of course there is the classic sucking in your lip noise. "I (ffftt fffft) I......just (gasp) want to eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeat!" I wailed. " I (ffft fftt) basically haven't eaten in FOOOOOOOOOOOUR DAYS.I am so HUUUUUUUUUUUUUNGRY!(more sobs) I can't keep AAAANYTHING down and I don't feel well and I just want (inhale) to (inhale again) feel beeeeeeeeeeetter!" "You can go a MONTH without food," my dear mother reassured me, trying to use her best cool, calm, and collected but NEVER condescending I-know-more-than-you-because-I-am-the-best-nurse-ever voice "but NOT without liquids." She continued, "Worry about getting liquids in your body and the food will come with time." I tried to tell my mother that I didn't care WHAT the medical dictionaries say, THIS Texas girl could NOT go a month without food.....I wanted a steak and potato dinner right that very instant.

While I still can't eat; not feeling nauseous can really do wonders for your spirit! This whole scene made me think of another Christmas miracle. Donations. I am determined to buy some food and drop it off before Saturday because while I couldn't eat merely because my body wouldn't keep it down, there are lots of little kids, and lots of really big kids that we call adults who are HUNGRY...just like me...who don't have the means to buy it...who want to cry and sob to their mother because all they want is a steak and potato dinner. All they want is something to fill their empty stomachs...but they don't have it.

Maybe you could help too? It is totally the honor system...three cans of food. Just do it. It is GREAT karma.

Christmas Miracles

I love Christmas! I really do.

I love the lights, I love the music, I love the cold crisp air, I love the renewed inspiration these things bring to my life.

Today at the dentist's office the lady asked me what Santa was bringing me for Christmas. I replied with, "most likely nothing." She was like, "Oh!! I am sure you are getting TONS of wonderful loot!!" To which I tried to think of the last time I got "loot" for Christmas. In fact, I can't think of a FIRST time I got "loot" for Christmas.

In my family we bake a cake for Jesus on Christmas morning. Before presents can be opened we have to sing and blow out the candle. Of course there are always presents and they are always nice. My family does not open presents for hours though.

Christmas is a time we focus on Christ, and families.

My parents give me "loot" all year round. Christmas doesn't need to be about me. It needs to be about Christ, and the things that matter.

Like... snow. It snowed today in Houston and wouldn't you believe that almost every single Houstonian I know texted me, sent picture mail, sent emails with photos, and sent carrier pigeons to let me know I wasn't the only one who would receive snow this winter.

And I thought back to a few days ago when I wanted to cry because it was snowing....because I didn't want to drive in it, because I didn't want to clean up after it, because I didn't want to deal with it.

And those in Houston are counting it a blessing. It has covered the ground with white and renewed their faith and hope in miracles.

And I remembered once again that the Christmas miracles do not come in the form of a plasma TV or jewelry or anything else that can be bought.

It comes in the form of an, " I love you."

It comes in the form of snow.

It comes in the form of giggles and laughter.

but it can never be bought.

Dear Anonymous,

It's me. Mandi.

I have no clue who YOU are but it is OK. You obviously check my blogs. While checking my inbox I saw the comment you left on my Post What A Week. This is what you said.

It seems like all of your blogs are so negative and that you have bad day after bad day. I am sorry your life is so hard and miserable. I am sure your friends love and care about you.

Pfft are you kidding me?!?! I am calling your bluff. ALL of my blogs are negative?!?! I think SOMEONE (you) is either pulling my chain, over exgaerating, or just plain out lying!! (ooooooooo. Liar liar pants on fire. where is your mother so I can snitch on you!?!?) haha. :-D

I scrolled all the way back down to November 7th when I was serious but until then the only HINT of negativity (in the past month anyway) came from that one blog. Like I said. I Realized there are people in my life who don't show me courtesy or respect. Who wants to be treated like crap by "friends?!?!" Not I said the fly. There are no hard feelings I realized I just don't want them in my life. haha. That is OK right?!?Please let me assure you Anonymous that my life is GREAT!

OK OK... so maybe I have a few extra pounds I would like to shed. And... my room can sometimes not be in the most perfect order. Also, I would like it if I could attract a boy and then STAY attracted to him long enough to snuggle with him during a movie. Other than that... I can't think of many reasons why I have not been more than ecstatic lately.

It is true, I was put in a really weird situation on Thursday night and I realized there are a FEW (emphasis on the few) people I need to weed out in my life. But... I think you missed the part where it said that Friday was amazing and I was exceptionally grateful for all the AMAZING friends I have in my life! I have a LOT of quality QUALITY (extra emphasis) people in my life! ( some people are lucky to have a few. I have a LOT.)

"I'm sorry your life is so hard and miserable." I hope you don't take offense but I laughed out loud when I read that!! My life is stressful. YES! Very very very VERY stressful.... but it is not hard and SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO extremely far from miserable!!! It was kind of funny that anyone would ever look at how I talk about my life and think it is miserable! I live in an amazing city in an amazing house that I pay for because of my amazing job where I interact with my amazing co workers. I love my amazing family and amazing friends and if my life were anything less than ....well...amazing... I would understand your comment. But... my life is.... amazing. (in a word.)

As for the bad day after bad day comment. I don't know what you are lookin at Willis! Maybe you just don't know me well enough... but those are very happy, funny posts in my opinion. (at least until november 7th. my computer was being too slow for me to gp further) Yes I was serious about politics, but about my life...

I am living the dream!

So... yeah. My life is great. (but yes, i am human and i cry and have bad days. do you not? if so... please tell me your secret!!) Everyday isn't perfect but everyday there is SOMETHING to be happy about. I am sure life could be a million times better but I take what I can get... and I have a LOT!


:-D

and for all of those of you who aren't Anonymous... please take note. I can't remember more than the past month...but life has been great and I am VERY happy right now. Thanks for you concern!! :-)

Pride & Predjudice

I seriously did not know it was possible to love a movie this much. Everytime I watch it I fall even more in love with the character of Mr. Darcy and the story of The Bennetts. There are so many things about him that I absolutely love. To top it off, in the most recent version he is super hot. Maybe he isn't the conventional hot guy...but that is why he is so attractive. Mmm.... tall dark and handsome!


Yummy right?

I just love this story. I appreciate the fact that it is not love at first sight and that their relationship really isn't ideal until the very end. I appreciate the fact that he quietly admires her for so long and even after he professes his love for her she rejects him. Even when he could take the opportunity to let his pride get to him after he is rejected he still holds her at the most important thing in his heart. Everything he does after that point on is for her. He quietly holds onto that hope that she would be his one day.

I could talk about this forever but I think it is time to go to bed & dream of Mr. Darcy.