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.

Also...

I forgot to mention.

I ate TURKEY on Thanksgiving.

Like...an ANIMAL.

It was not as monumental as I thought it would be.

I am proud of myself for making it a WHOLE MONTH without meat!

I have learned that I don't really need meat a lot

AND

I will DEFINITELY be eating meat SPARINGLY in the future.

I like eating other stuff instead.

Well...after I finish leftovers that is...

What A Week

Well... this has been an interesting week to say the least. I really just have no idea where to start. It really has been a test of my temper and patience. While I believe I have a pretty good hold on my temper patience is not something that has been easy for me.

This week I have come to realize why it was that I hated people in the first place. People are selfish, unkind, and cruel. I felt I did a great job this week in keeping a smiling face when all I wanted to do was hit someone. I have also come to realize it is that time when I need to start weeding people out of my life again. I had a really interesting experience Thursday night and I realized that even when people pretend to be your "friends" they aren't. If they have no courtesy or respect for me then I really have no desire for them to be in my life. Plain and simple. No hard feelings.

However, actual Thanksgiving was nice. I basically spent 24 hours in the kitchen between Wednesday and Thursday but it was nice to have a nice meal. We had a lot of people over at my house and it was all out of state people who had no where to go. I was grateful for the opportunity to make other people's day & Thanksgiving better when they did not really have anywhere else to go. It was nice being with other out of staters who had no family near. Even though Thursday night was horrible, Thursday during the day was awesome.

Friday was a little up and down as well. I had to work that morning and I was feeling awful. My stomach decided to turn in knots and not behave. When I got home I laid in bed for a bit. Even though I realized the night before I needed to weed people out of my life I was exceptionally grateful for the true quality friends I have Friday night. Several people came over to say hi or drop off gifts and I got a total of 3 birthday cakes. My friends Raquel and Diana knew I didn't really have plans and they had decided to do something for my birthday. I went to the spa and did some girly stuff for which Raquel paid for part. We then went downtown to walk around temple square because they were turning on the lights for Christmas!! I LOVE Christmas time! It was cold and the lights were so beautiful and it made me fall in love with winter all over again.

After lights we headed to sushi where I was treated to absolute heaven. I think Tsunami is my new favorite sushi place. It was just as good as Mikado(now Naked Fish) but the sunshine roll was amazing! Mmmmm. We headed to the local McDonalds to rent a movie from Red Box and then went back to Raquel's and just vegged out. Afterwards we had cake (red velvet- a new favorite as well) and sparkling cider. Raquel and her sister Rita are pretty into wine so it was cute that they bought me sparkling cider. I honestly felt so special that night and I was glad to be surrounded by such quality people. Having my sister Marie there interacting with my friends was awesome as well. She usually decides to not talk to people and usually feels out of her element but she was able to come and have a great time and I was glad she had come in town for Thanksgiving/my birthday.

Anyway, thanks so much to everyone who made my day special! ( I will upload pictures soon)

It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year!

OK OK so I am not talking about Christmas....

Thanksgiving and my birthday!

I bought a Turkey today! And $74 worth of food just for Thanksgiving! arg!

But tomorrow I get to go to SHANNA'S house and make PIE.

I have NEVER, EVER, made pie. I am excited!

I opened my birthday present early because it had been a bad day.

I almost cried.

Ex-Boyfriends who were jerks back in the day really can be very sweet when they have been missing you nearly every day for the past three years.

I really want THESE for Christmas, or my birthday.



AND these too.


I tried to convince my roommates to get matching pajamas and then we could take cute pictures together in the snow or something and send them out as christmas cards.... hmm.... I might have a lot more convincing to do! :-)

I think I am getting myself those booties this weekend! I will be super excited if that is the case!

I get to wear jeans tomorrow to work, Thursday is Thanksgiving and we are having a party, and Friday is my birthday and MORE partying, and Saturday I have to make food for Kens' bridal shower and it is EMILY'S birthday and basically....this is going to be a fun filled week with tons of friends and partying! I am excited!

Hug It Out

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love HUGS!

A hug can make you feel so much better in half a second.

And I fully believe the human race has lost physical contact and replaced it with blogs and texting.

I encourage more touching, more physical expression of friendship, love, and admiration....

So many people when they see you try and just high five you.

I stop dead in my tracks and say, "I don't high five. I hug."

And they give me a hug.

And it makes me even more happy to see them!

Before I leave I must give everyone a hug.

Well today while celebrating my birthday at the Smith Household everyone went around and said something really nice.

My favorite came from 4 year old Easton.

" I love Mandi because she loves giving me hugs."

Maybe it is because I was already feeling overcome with gratitude for this wonderful family but as the very last person to give their reason of appreciation for me, little Easton really touched my heart.

I do love giving Easton hugs!!

but... I Can't think of a single hug I didn't like.

1234 Plain White T's

<3

Birthday Birthday

I got two pieces of birthday mail today!

One was a card from my bestest friend in the whole entire world (besides my mom and sisters and my dad and brother and candice marie) hahaha.

The OTHER was a PACKAGE from my EX boyfriend! I know he never really got over me (who does? ;-) ) and we talk here and there. (it's been three years) He had one of my friends get my address to him. HaHa.
I have not opened either one of them.

I am not expecting my birthday to be even remotely good this year

(expect the worst. everything else will then pleasantly surprise you.)

so I am saving them.

I love mail.

TWO... in one day.

Maybe my birthday is already better than I thought it would be.

Rock Climbing

Man... I need to go rock climbing. I haven't done it since I was about the tender age of 16 at girls camp.

Anyone want to go? text me.


(& yes I mean INdoors....although I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to try outdoors come summer when my coworker Diana goes again. How killer would that be?)

Romeo Save Me, I feel So Alone, I Keep Waiting but You Never Come

I love that song.

Happy Birthday to my niece Paige! 7 years old today! Yay!

My birthday is in ten days.


I keep secretly hoping for a birthday miracle.


Something good needs to happen.

Something really good.

I guess one thing that keeps me going is the hope that one day it will be my turn.

I feel like I give so much of myself to everyone else and sometimes I feel I am left on empty.

One day someone will give back.

Here is to good Karma.

I mean I have saved at least 3 animals by not eating meat.

That has to count for something right?

Good karma, good karma, good karma.

Something good will happen....

one day.

Sick Tofu

Sick. While I have always loved tofu I was quickly put in my place tonight. I guess I don't know how to make it. I might throw it all out...

It was BBQ too....

Sorry tofu

someone needs to professionally make you

A Love Note

Dear Old Blue,

I cannot begin to express the the surge of excitement that went through my body as I saw you today.
I went inside to retrieve my keys from those wily old men at the Dr’s office.
The evil that shone through their eyes let me know they were up to no good. You were just a weekend fling to them.
They didn’t even have the decency to call you by your name.
The Contour…pffft… I put them in their place and told them how you liked to be called Old Blue.
They said they would write it down for the next time you came to visit but I let them know there would be no next time.
I don’t know why you like them so much.
Why must you always insist on visiting them?
I forgive you.
I am the one that loves you.
I just don't know how I could get around without you.
Those…those greasy old men….they think just because they know which buttons to press to get you purring and revved up that you will betray me.
I know better.
I know that while they may excite you and get you running again that you will always come home with ME. You drop me off at work every morning and you are right there waiting in that parking garage full of Lexus and beamers and other fancy cars every evening.
I think you like hanging out with them all day. Everyone likes to hang with the big boys.
While they may be sparkling white, pearl, or black with fancy personalized license plates you know you are a true blue and your Texas license plates show loyalty.
Thank you for always being loyal to me.
I am sorry I thought about sending you to a farm to roam free. I know I can't live without you and I don't want to.
Old Blue....
I Love You.

A Stroll Down Memory Lane

So... I have a ton of videos and pictures on my computer that I wanted to post. It was so much fun going through these old pictures. The oldest can't be more than four years old but I feel like I have gone through a lot of different phases since then. You judge. They aren't in chronological order or anything. I guess these pictures are a lot more fun for me to look at because I know the story behind all of them. Great times...great times!


The only true love of my life. Bentley Tyson Jackson III.


The day I bought Bentley.

Around my 21st birthday.

May 2006

August 2004?
Summer 2006
Summer 2006
Aug 2004
March 2006
Me & Marissa

Zac & I in a limo from San Marcos to Austin a few weeks before I moved to Utah
River trip. Being dorks and taking the most unattractive pictures we could think of.
Kevin!!
A little cooking party.
My First & Probably last experience with Karaoke.
Last Fall. @ Jade's house for a fondue party.
Martiza's 22nd birthday.
Travis & I days before I moved up here.

When my old best friend Matthias came to visit me. November 2005.
The famous, " It looks like you just got pulled over" picture.
My best friend Candice Marie -Christmas 2005
Iris and I at Chili's in 2004
A few weeks after moving to Utah. My first official Utah Utes T-shirt!
Day 1 of being in Utah. In my dorm room.
All Academy Military Ball

The following four videos are from when I lived in Texas City. One of them is of my baby Bentley Tyson Jackson III, the sweetest purebred pitbull you ever did see and then three of them are of a very weird night with the girl I have been friends with the longest, Amy. I love her and I don't care what our ages are we will always act so immature and silly when we are together!

Old Blue

Well, I obviously have been doing a horrible job at updating everyday but in my defense....it's not my fault!hahaha. I have been so busy lately and I have hardly been home! Today after church I came home and crashed for several hours. I have felt so sleep deprived my brain felt like it was going to explode. I really got absolutely NOTHING done this weekend which is a horrible thing because I had a million things to do!! :( I hope I don't get too behind.

So... I have some bad news.

Old Blue is getting just as tired and sleepy as me. The other night I went on a late night grocery run with her on my way home from a friend's house. I ran in to get some soy milk (an essential) and five minutes later I was back outside. She just wouldn't wake up. I poked her and shook her and demanded that she wake up this very instant but she was out cold. Poor girl. A five minute nap turned into a 12 hour nap. I left her at the grocery store and decided she deserved a good nap. I called some friends to come get me and managed to get to work somehow the next day.

Kens came and got me from work and I went to go wake Old Blue up. She woke up but I decided to take her to the Dr. The Dr. said she had a sleeping disorder and that he was going to have to give her some medicine so that she will always wake up when I ask her to. I am glad she is getting some attention but sad that it is going to cost so much. My medical insurance just charges a copay and I was wondering why it couldn't be used this time. I would much rather pay $25 instead of $500+. Oh well.... I think she may have to go to a family that lives on a farm and has a huge yard for her to play in soon. She has been very good to me for the past ten or so years and I her. I change her oil EVERY 3,000 miles or 3 months depending on which comes first. I have NEVER let her run out of gas. I did scrape her on the side of the garage just a few months ago but other than the time that tricky concrete block of a sidewalk came out of nowhere when I was 17 I have never scraped or dented her. I mean I know I have let her been going with only 3 shoes for the past two years or so and when her inside light came off I never replaced it. Sometimes she gets tempermental with the rear doors and doesn't always open them and about a year ago her knobs to roll down the windows came off but that is just old age. I still love her. She always jams out with me and she met TONS of cute boys in my early years. Granted, she hasn't met one in quite some time but really, I have dated guys that have cars the past few years. (The joys of being out of high school) I even took her with me to Vegas just a few months ago and she has been there for me all the times I have cried while with her. I really hate to see her go...

shh....don't tell her but the thought of a new blue(black) (as opposed to old blue) really excites me! However, I would feel like I am cheating on her. I have never been with another blue, or any color really (besides my one year stint with that honda civic hatchback...but that was before I knew her!). She has been my main squeeze and I feel I should be loyal to her. I really don't know what to do. She will definitely be with me for the next few months but I don't know what to do after that. The thought of not having her in my life is sad. She is far from the prettiest blue on the block but she has a great personality!

One thing is for certain. It will be a great reunion tomorrow when I pick her up from the Dr's office. I might bring her flowers and I hope she is ready for some lovin!

And Another one Bites The Dust

So... I am doing this veggie thing all by myself now. Bethany are you still doing it? My brother dropped out yesterday. What a wimp. I am still going strong.

I feel so alone sometimes. In more ways than one.

Happy Birthday!

I was born on Veterans Day
I'm not a veteran, is that OK?

...(something something something-I don't remember). and cake
all these veterans do we forsake.

...(more stuff I don't remember)

I was born on Veterans Day.
I'm not a veteran. I think that's OK.
- Jade Ozawa

Her 21st birthday last year. @ Ken's house.

Today is my best friend Jade's birthday! She is spending it in Taiwan doing missionary work. I wish I was there to sing her happy birthday and make her a cake and lay in bed listening to music and watching random movies. I miss her terribly. Everytime I have a bad day or need boy advice I wish she were here. She would tell me the most perfect story and give me the weirdest advice. I probably wouldn't take it but at least she would know what is going on. She has been gone for ten months now and it seems like seventeen years. Not being able to call her is horrible! I can't wait till she gets back! Only eight more months to go!


@ our joint birthday party. November '07.

Do You Ever Think, When Your All Alone...Where This Thing Could Lead

Tonight was such a blast! I got asked to go on a group date to a hockey game. I had never been to a hockey game before. Before we went to the game we went to Pat's BAR-B-QUE!! Ugh.... ribs, brisket, chicken, and meat galore surrounded me and sent my olfactory nerves racing. I however ate red beans and rice with a side of cornbread. Well...red beans and rice were a side dish but it surprisingly filled me up. I was so proud of myself for not caving and my date didn't even judge me. He was glad I wasn't breaking this silly promise I have to myself to not eat meat until Thanksgiving.

(Side note....did you hear that Hugh Hefner is now on the market again!??! Remember that dream I had back in April/May? Yeah... weird.)

Anyway.... we went to the game where I fit in like a natural. Let's face it, I can be more obnoxious than anyone there and trash talk with the best of them. It just comes naturally I guess you don't even have to really know about the sport.

After the game we decided to go to this gilatto place my friend Andrew loves. I have been here serveral times with him but this one was the best. I shared some gilatto with a cute boy and the 8 of us were really the only ones in the place. It closes at eleven and closing time was quickly approaching. About ten minutes to I see two girls and a guy walk in. I looked at them but didn't really think anything of it until someone recognized him. Sure enough I recognized his voice. He and his friends ordered and then talked to the ladies behind the counter for quite some time. Finally after about 15 minutes we wanted to leave but I decided to get a picture first. What a cute little adorbale kid he is. I felt bad disturbing him and he seemed very uneasy still about people wanting pictures with him. I am not the star struck person but I NEEDED it to post on here. I mean... after that crazy dream I needed to post this picture. I have seen much bigger celebrities and never been phased and I wasn't this time either. I just felt silly asking for a picture. Here you go.




Me.... and David Archuleta.

It wouldn't let me post the video here. Embedding was diabled but here is a link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yff9nCctMkg



(This was not the best part of my night though. Just a fun part.)