Sneak Preview

This is a precursor for a post that will come a little later, but that is okay, I'm just going to throw it out there now.  I need a little more class in my life.

I come fully equipped...

I am quite possibly the luckiest gal in this room! (yes, the one I am sitting in by my lonesome) I am the ecstatic owner of a new power drill!  It is black and orange and beautiful!  And it sits in my new tool box!  Which is black and yellow and beautiful...except where I can't get the sticker gunk to come off..that part is not so beautiful.

Upon opening my new tools Christmas morning, a short conversation similar to what follows may have taken place...

Mom: "Well with all those tools you're bound to attract a man"

Me: "Actually, I think I'm more bound to detract a man with all these tools"

Rebecca: "I'm inclined to agree with Lisa on this one"

Can't crack the male ego I guess....well, actually....this baby can drill through just about anything...bring it on!

I'm not dead yet

No, I'm not dead.
Yes, I do realize it's been almost a month since I last blogged..? Posted?  How am I supposed to say that?

It hasn't been for a lack of thinking about writing things, I have had the urge quite a few times this month, but something kept me from doing it.  I think it was mostly the fact that the things I would consider writing about have all been written before...by me, and for fear of sounding like a depressing, disgruntled broken record, I refrained.

Well no more!  You're going to get depressed and disgruntled!  And you're going to like it!  Just kidding....

This week (all 2 days of it) has been slightly interesting in the fact that I have had nothing planned for my evenings (a rarity), sure I could study...but frankly, I didn't want to.  So what have I been doing?  Watching old movies of course!  I am the proud owner of some new (old) movies from the 30's and 40's courtesy of Miss Kelly Buie, and I have been having a ball watching them...by myself cuz that's how I work it.

Plenty of gorgeous swoon-worthy gentlemen...all for me!

I should have taken a picture

Today I was removing the Harvest Decor we've had on our doorstep for the last 2 months.  It consisted of various pumpkins, gourds, hay bales and flowers.  While picking up a pumpkin that was on one of the hay bales, I was startled to find that not only did I get the pumpkin, but also the hay bale it had consequently frozen to, and a pot of flowers that had been sitting on the bale as well.  Quite picturesque if you ask me.

November in Review...

Because I'm a slacker, and don't regularly blog (which I'm sure is noticed by my avid readers (tee hee hee)) I am going to give a brief synopsis of the month.

Beginning:

Stopped eating the sugar
Moved areas at work for the 5th time in 7 months
Put out some work fires (this required numerous calls to the IT department, re-training people, running around frantically, wanting to cry, scream, punch something or all of the above, making snap decisions and ultimately harnessing my chi--ok, maybe all but the last one)
Attended FHE--including Thanksgiving Jeopardy and A Capella  Mania
Gorgeous weather
Went to a "Christmas Carnival"....yeah.....
Ate at Sawadee for the first time--Highly recommend!

Middle:


Visited with good friends I haven't seen in forever
Talked to the adorable, pregnant Amy and found out she's having a boy!
Went Christmas shopping--very dangerous
Decided I have no real interest in any of the men I've been talking to for the last month
Started listening to "Fictionist"--great band
Weather started getting a bit nippy

End:

"Blizzard" warning
Went to Logan for Thanksgiving and saw the fam
Inherited a lot of Christmas decor
Inherited a gorgeous set of old books from my grandpa  (and 3 couches...)
Survived temperatures around -4....not my idea of a good time
Played fun games with friends
Laughed a lot

This month seems to have dragged out over a very long period of time, and I am actually glad that it is over, I'm excited to be back on the 1st of something.  I'm even more excited that we have refrained from putting up Christmas decor til this point :)

Whey Low, Keifer and Weight Oh My!

So I've been doing the whole "no sugar" thing for 18 days now, and around last Saturday I realized that my life was going to be a whole lot sweeter if I invested in an artificial sweetener to bake and cook with.  The only problem with artificial sweeteners is...they're generally gross-bad after taste, bad during taste, sometimes even a bad before taste.  Aside from that, I have a very temperamental stomach, and a lot of the things I ingest tend to make me sick, artificial sweeteners being among them.

In my sweetener research (yes, I did sweetener research) I read about this sweetener called Whey Low. Digging a little deeper, I found out that there is only one store in Utah that sells it (and they only started doing so recently) and luckily for me, the store isn't terribly far from my house!  I'm such a lucky gal.  So I decided to take the plunge, I went out and bought the white sugar and brown sugar versions with every hope that they would not make me sick.  Well, I am still alive, and I think it is great!  No funky taste, you can substitute it for sugar straight across, and best of all, it doesn't affect my stomach in a negative way.  Wahoo!

I also love probiotic yogurt.  The kind I prefer is Lifeway Keifer.  It is available in some delicious flavors, is lower in sugar than traditional yogurt, helps with digestion and is just plain yummy.  It does have a unique zing to it that you don't get with regular yogurt, but I find that I enjoy it (some of you may not).  Keifer is my sweet indulgence.  If I feel like I want something for dessert, I generally reach for my bottle of yogurty goodness.

And since I'm on the topic of healthy eating and whatnot (not sure how that happened...oh wait, yes I do) I would like to add that I don't like it all that much.  I mean, I have had loads of compliments on how I look, and I generally feel better, but I still have my frumpy "I feel fat" days.  Ironic?  Maybe.  Maybe not.  The horrible thing about weight is that it fluctuates.  Meaning that although yesterday the scale may have informed me I had lost an additional 10 pounds, today I could be right back up there.  That's pretty mean if you ask me.

But yay for weight loss!  Just don't mention it...

Schnookums...

I'd like to think that once I'm in a nice, healthy relationship--nothing akin to what I've had in the past (with very few exceptions), that I will not fall into the nauseating habit of calling my boyfriend/husband/whatever by nicknames that should only be given to enormously fluffy cats by their charming owners.

There will be no:

Cuppycake
Hunnybunch
Sugarlips
Babe/Baby
Schmooky
Bunny
Smoochy
Poopsy (how that is endearing is beyond my comprehension)
Puddin'
Muffin...actually, no food names...ever
Lovecycles
Kitten
Puppy....no small fluffy animals either...non-fluffy ones are out too
Pookie
Loveling
Sugar
Light of my life  (Gag me with a spoon)
Angel Face
Tootsie
Button
Babycake
Dreamboat

This post may seen completely random to anyone reading this, but I seem to be surrounded by people who are letting the pet names get out of control!
So I am stating this now...I refuse to call my future Sugar daddy/Main squeeze/Macho man anything on this list (or in those previous describers).

And if he's wise...he'll have read this, and will return the favor.

Sugar-free

My friend Stacy Tiney is going without sugar this month, and she asked my co-worker Sharistan and I to do it with her.  So...I am going to avoid sugar for the month of November.  To preface, I can still eat things that have some sugar in them like yogurt, for example, we're just avoiding sweets and things like that.  Stacy is trying to work up to the point where she doesn't even eat things that have sugar in them at all, but that is a work in progress.

No more hot apple cider to heat up my morning...and no Thanksgiving pie either.  It's a darned good thing I don't generally eat a lot of sweets anyway, otherwise this would be difficult!

Stop

It is now November...I can hardly believe it!
It feels like October just started, but in actuality it is a distant memory...more of a vague blur actually.  I spent a good portion of the month playing phone tag with my school mentor, working over time, walking to and waiting for the bus, sitting in choir practice, reading books I still haven't had time to finish, putting off my workouts, talking to really awkward men-folk, going on really short dates, carving pumpkins, decorating cookies and playing games with my ward. 
I'm not sure what is in store for November, but I hope that it is less stressful than October was (though as I read that list I just wrote, it doesn't look stressful).

Go November, Go!

Smart Cookie

I have logged over 22 hours at work in the past 2 days.
I feel like I see my computer more than I see people.
After about the 10 hour mark, I get really restless and tired, but I push through.

Why do I push through?

Apparently it's so I can stay up late...on my computer...at home.

Sometimes I wonder about myself.  Then I sigh and shake my head.  There is no logic behind it, there is no sense.  And yet, here we are again.

Bed. NOW.

This one's for you...you know who you are

You put up with my crazy habits
Smile at my idiosyncrasies
Listen when I need to vent
Laugh with me, even when I'm not actually funny
Understand where the "crazy" comes from
Shake your head at my asinine comments
Stand up for me when I can't find the words
Encourage me to see things in a different way
Challenge my way of thinking
Finish my sentences

And still I manage to take you for granted and inadvertently say things that are hurtful, and sometimes just plain rude.  I am sorry.  I really am so grateful to have you as a key player in my psychotic game of life.  I'll be more aware of how the things I say make you feel next time.

This is for all those times.  All those times I was too stupid to apologize.  When I knew I'd hurt you, and said nothing.  This is for you.

A couple things that get me...

Walking through crunchy leaves
Talking with good friends
Organizational supplies
Paint
Seeing how happy old friends are to marry their best friends
Sleeping the perfect amount
Watching silly movies from childhood
Finding out my friends are pregnant!
Realizing my little brother has been on his mission for 1 year
Beautiful music composed by geniuses
Motorcycles
Autumn
Geeking out
Being able to be myself, and having people still like me....or at least still put up with me

Take that

I recently took some flack for being on E-Harmony.
We had a bunch of people over at our house for FHE on Monday, and someone asked me to elaborate on a Facebook status I had posted last week about my really, really short date (less than an hour).
So I gave a brief synopsis.  When asked where I met this particular guy, I told them.  I have no embarrassment of being an online dater, I wouldn't call it my favorite way of meeting people, the most effective, and I won't say it's better than meeting people organically (offline), but apparently, what I think doesn't matter much.
The guys in the room immediately started making fun of online dating, putting it down, and asking why I would even do it in the first place.  Now, bear in mind that these are people in my singles ward, typically a place where singles are encouraged to date one another.  Being the frank/blunt person that I am, I put it simply that our ward is too small, and there isn't really anyone I'd date anyway (is that rude?  oh well), I also work in a department that doesn't help my situation either, so I resort to online dating as my sole means of meeting people. 
Is it ideal?  No.
Am I doing what I can to put myself "out there"?  Yes

And that's all that matters.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Went the trolley...

I'm "watching" Meet Me in St. Louis right now, and can't help but laugh at the silly relationship foibles that are contained therein.  Granted, I know that they are there for comedic relief, but it is also good for people to avoid some of these actions.

1. Do not obsess over people you don't actually know
2. Do not tell someone they smell like your grandmother....or your grandfather...or your aunt, uncle, father or mother...just stay away from familial references
3. Do not sing love songs in public, and then be shocked when the person you're singing about happens to be right there when you turn around...that's just how karma works
4. Do not bite, kick or hit your intended.  It gives the wrong impression...
5. Do not "make up your mind" that you're going to "let" someone kiss you, and then be bitterly disappointed when they don't do it, unless you previously told them you would let them kiss you, in which case, you can be mildly disappointed
6. Do not forget proper decorum, propriety and good sense in your relationships

Silly people....yes, that means you, Judy Garland.

R.I.P.

Muerte has lived up to his name...yes, that is right, after only a little over 2 weeks, I have successfully killed my fish.

After hearing about the resiliency of betta fish, I was sure I couldn't go wrong.  Stories of neglect, and attempts to take the little fishies lives by cruel and devious ways, but the fishies lived on in defiance of their owners actions (or inactions).

I appear to have a knack of killing things...

plants
numerous goldfish
and now, Muerte

I had a boyfriend once joke that if we had children, he'd have to keep a sharp eye on them.

Funny...ha...ha...ha... (that was ever so sarcastic)

Farewell Muerte, enjoy fishy heaven...lots of castles to swim in.

Simplicity 2758

I recently went through my closet, and got rid of all the skirts I either (A) Haven't worn in the last year  (B) Don't really like to begin with  (C) Don't fit me anymore.
I am most excited about the (C) options, not gonna lie.   I have lost 20 lbs since June, and that is pretty exciting for me.  I once again wear a size 12 pant, and I honestly cannot tell you the last time I did (I think it may have been middle school).
Anyway, this post is not about Lisa losing weight, it's about clothes, so let's get back to that.
About a week ago, I went to JoAnn Fabrics, and consequently purchased this pattern:

Cute skirts!

I am really excited to make them for myself...REALLY excited!

"When did it become socially acceptable...."

• for pajamas to be worn as everyday apparel
• for kids to refer to themselves as "hoes" and discuss their worth like they're a stock on the NASDAQ
• for teenage girls to openly brawl in the 7-11 parking lot and throw out the F-word like it's going out of style
• for guys to ask a girl out, and then tell her she needs to pay half
• for people to take personal calls on their cell phones at work....all day long
• for little boys to whistle and cat-call at someone old enough to be their mother
• for guys to ask a girl out for the same day....nay, for 6 hours later...
• for rude humor to be the norm
• for a "thank you" to be rare, and seem odd when given
• for gossip to be the main topic of conversation
• for the educational system to take a back-seat while athletic programs make millions of dollars
• for people to ignore the elderly and disabled when they need their help
• to have your clothes either falling off your nether-regions...whilst wearing a belt-an object I was almost certain was for keeping those pants up...
• for little girls (or anyone really) to wear sweat pants with "bootilicious" written across the rear...nothing should be written across your butt...just sayin'
• for people to be able to carry on lengthy conversations via text, IM, twitter or Facebook, but barely say anything when face to face with an actual human being

I ask you, when did it become socially acceptable? Well, I am not the cultural norm, so these don't fly with me.  Consider yourself...informed.

Muerte

Meet Morty!
(Or Muerte, or Mortimer, depending on your mood)

 No, this isn't an actual picture of him, but it is pretty darn close.

I bought him on Friday, supplied him with a spacious bowl, furnished with rocks and some ruins.
Unfortunately, I think he may be depressed.
It's tough being a fish....

a few pictures

                                                                      Some of the luggage

                                                                   Beautiful AND delicious!

                                                                          So charming!

                                                                  Olga!  The Highland Coo

                                                                          So PRETTY!

                                                                   I love me some mountains!

                                                                     St. Urban Monastery

                                                                      I was in design heaven!

                                                                         The Bern Temple

All in the numbers

Number of Adults: 3
Kids 3 and under: 3
Bottles made: innumerable
Diapers changed: even more innumerable
Boxes/bags/suitcases packed: 28
Flights taken: 5
Pictures taken: 574
Motion-sickness pills taken: 7
Waterfalls seen: 9
Awesome cars seen: 3
Encounters with German ladies chewing me out for taking pictures: 1
Nights in hotels: 5
Loaves of bread eaten: 7
Amount of yogurt and quark eaten: a lot, but I loved every ounce of it (except the buffalo yogurt)
Chocolate bars purchased: 35 (and I don't even really eat chocolate)
Books read (for me): 6
Books read (for Annika): 36
Airline movies started: 9
Airline movies finished: 7 (I still need to finish Avatar...)
Times throwing up: 2
Trips to Ballenberg: 1 (amazing!)
Trips to the Bern Temple: 1 (also amazing!)
Castles seen (from a distance): 2
Hot-air Balloons seen: 4
Churches seen and entered: 5
Trips to the store: 3
Colds caught: 1
Sister-Sister talks: 2
Flirty boys on the plane: 1
Batteries used in the camera: 8
Beautiful scenery: EVERYWHERE!

Thanks for the amazing time Jen and Jonathan!  It was phenomenal!

So it seems...

• work gets crazier when you are about to go on vacation.
• I always anticipate the packing process will take longer than it does
• I don't own as much "stuff" as I think I do
• clothes take up way too much space
• things from Color Me Mine look 80% better after being fired than they do when you're painting them
• You're less tired when you stay up having meaningful conversations than you are if you just stay up for no reason
• it's amazing how little work some people can do during the work day
• Glee has a song for everything
• (I don't actively listen to/watch Glee)
• I get really excited over really tiny, possibly stupid things....I take that back, they must not be stupid if I get excited about them, they are AMAZING!
• I can almost hear my bank account laughing at me when it thinks I'm not listening
• really deep tissue massages are the best and worst thing all wrapped up in one...Hurts so good...
• I am at an end.

Chalk it up to Anxiety

I haven't felt well for the past few days...
I've had a headache and nausea...and it's been fun.
I thought it was due to a lack of sleep recently, but I've been trying to make up for that, and should be pretty well rested now.

Kelly's diagnosis is that it's anxiety.

Anxiety?  What do I have to be anxious about?

It took her all of 2 seconds to figure that one out too.

I am a mere 8 days away from taking a plane trip to Oregon...a mere 11 days away from taking two additional plane trips, and I'm not mentally, nor physically prepared.  I do not fly well.  And as Kelly pointed this out to me (because apparently I can't figure it out on my own), the knots in my stomach started to tighten and get a better hold on me.  They don't like being called out....silly knots.

This trip has been in the works for so long, that I didn't really think about the fact that it's right around the corner.  I've mostly been concentrating on getting things sorted out at work so I can go, and thinking about all the craziness that I am sure is ensuing at the Vance household in preparation for this upheaval.

I haven't even begun to think about packing.

I have done one thing though...perhaps the most important thing.

I did purchase my motion sickness medication.

Live and Learn

Do not stay out until 1:30 in the morning when you need to wake up at 5:30 in the morning.
Do not leave your cell phone (which doubles as your alarm) at your friends house (you know, where you were til 1:30 in the morning-since clearly you didn't heed my advice above).
Do not leave for work in such a rush that you don't grab something substantial for lunch.
Do not decide that the sick feeling in the pit of your stomach is because you ate something bad, and decide not to eat again....it's most likely that the sick feeling is because you haven't eaten.
Do not go to bed at 4:00 in the afternoon hoping to shake whatever this day has done to you.
Do not even think about blogging about such silly things, really, no one cares....I don't even care....but there you go, pushing the button to save and post it....

Live and Learn kiddo.....live and learn.

Sleeping in

Ah....sweet sleep.
We all love it.
Feeling the delicious exhaustion creep over you and deliver it's infectious kiss.

Today, I got to sleep in.
It is the first weekend in a very long time, that I don't have anything planned.
And I really like it that way.

So my plan was to sleep in, and then do anything I want for what remains of the day.
Some of you may notice that I'm writing this at 8:30 in the morning however...
Yeah...that's right.
My version of "sleeping in" is anywhere between 6:45 and 8:00.

Hopefully that just means I get more done in a day....

Hopefully :)

Oscar plus Lisa equals Tempestuous love

I'm having an affair.

Oscar and I see each other almost every day.
He waits for me at the same place.
Our relationship is unfortunately, a little mundane.
But he listens to me, he doesn't speak much though, the occasional moan or groan.
He seems to reflect back all the things I show him, which is reassuring.
I am thinking of ending our relationship however.
Why?
Well, I don't think he loves me as much as I love him

That, and Oscar is the large, industrial scanner I use at work.

It never would have worked out....

Where's Waldo?

I can't tell you where Waldo is, but I can tell you where I'll be in 16 days....in the air!

I will be winging my way to Portland to meet up with my sister and her family before we head to Switzerland (yes, you read that correctly, Switzerland....with a capital "S").  Jenelle, Jonathan and their small brood (Annika, Clara and Nicolyn) are moving to Lucerne, Switzerland for a few years, and being the lovely, generous, kind-hearted people that they are, they asked me if I would like to accompany them.

So I will finally have a stamp in my passport, and will fly over an ocean (the second part is still a little nauseating to me, but I'm willing to suffer a little bit).

Woohoo!

In the background

Three of us share an office at work, and all three of us put music or TV shows on in the background.
The other day, I realized that the other girls are both watching "The Hills", while I am watching......"Bewitched".  Yes, "Bewitched" the show from the 60's. 

A bit of a personality difference?

Yes, Please!

It's Independence Day, this year it seems like it's being celebrated for 3 days. Fireworks on the 3rd, the actual day today, and the day off from work on the 5th.  Mind you, I don't have a problem with this in the slightest.

This has nothing to do with Independence Day, but I did get to have 2 nice phone conversations yesterday.  Awbrey Pepple, a friend I grew up with in Washington, called me and we caught up for about half an hour.   It has been 7 years since I left Washington, and I am really bad at keeping in touch with people (I apologize) but Awbrey is much better at it.  She calls me once every couple years, or when she is here in Utah, and we catch up on each others lives.  She's great.

About 15 minutes after Awbrey's call, my sister Jenelle called (mostly because I forgot to call her back after she called me the first time, and sent me an e-mail...I know, I'm amazing) to say that they are officially moving to Switzerland next month, and they'd like me to come with them for a couple weeks.  Hopefully, I will be able to have 2 weeks off, and be able to go.  I still have yet to travel anywhere and I think it would be amazing.

And...I have no clever way of ending this post.  Fini.

Happy July!

I have absolutely no idea where June went, but it is apparently gone.
Time flies when you're having fun I guess.

On a completely unrelated note, I have been listening to music by John Williams, Hans Zimmer, Alan Silvestri and other various composers, so naturally, I have heard a lot of movie themes.  It's fun listening to them, and being reminded of some of my favorite flicks.

One thing I found interesting though, is I've heard a lot of the Indiana Jones theme, and I love Indiana Jones...like....a lot (that's not the interesting thing), the interesting thing, is that I don't actually own any of the movies myself....

I know!  Kinda crazy, especially since I wanted to watch Raiders of the Lost Ark today.  That hope was quickly dashed.

Luckily, Kelly owns The Last Crusade, so I at least got my Indy fix.

Midnight Tresses

I have been frustrated with my hair recently.
It has needed to be cut, and I hate the blonde highlights that are in it.

So, yesterday I decided to get it done.

Unfortunately, the same girl who put the aforementioned blonde highlights in my hair (that I wasn't too happy with in the first place) was also the girl I was assigned to yesterday.

My cut is uneven, but luckily, that shall be fixed by Midge on Wednesday.
The blonde highlights are indeed gone, however, my hair is now.....let's see, how can I accurately describe it?

Given a heavy hand with the eyeliner, I would look Goth?
What does a Sharpie and Lisa's hair have in common?

Yeah, my hair is black....BLACK.
It looks even worse today than it did yesterday (and I was already a big fan)

Luckily, it is just hair. 
And "Hairdresser Shannon" will never touch these tresses again.

The walkings of a twenty-something single gal

I'm a walker.

Not a power-walker, that conjures up mental images of middle-aged ladies in flourescent windbreakers pumping their arms ferociously as they tear down the sidewalk, leaving dazed pedestrians in their wake.

No, I am the relaxed walker who just goes.  Generally there is no destination involved, and these walks could potentially go on for hours.

There are a few flies in the ointment however....

1. I generally walk alone.  It is easier than finding someone willing to go along with my sometimes erratic wanderings.  I have been informed of the perils associated with the danger of walking alone, creepy people, dogs, what if I get hurt?

2. I usually forget to bring my cellphone with me.  Coupled with the first one, this just spells "foolish" if I should actually happen to have something happen.

3. I don't wear "walking appropriate" shoes.  In my defense, I never intend to walk for very long, very far, up/down hills or along rivers.... it just happens

4. I am fairly adventurous.  So I end up walking far, long, up/down hills and along rivers.

5. I usually take these jaunts in the evening. Meaning, it gets dark....and if I don't have the sense to wear appropriate shoes, you can bet I don't have a flashlight.

6. I have a ridiculously overactive imagination.  You wouldn't believe how quickly I can freak myself out, and I'm extremely jumpy, a trait that many of my friends can attest to.

You're probably shaking your head at my general stupidity in these regards, and I don't blame you.  If someone told me they were doing these things, I'd probably do the same thing.  Or at least buy them some mace (which I also don't own).

C'est la vie. 

I'll just have to take a karate class so I can ninja chop all those threatening trees that keep trying to attack me.

Movies

I saw Toy Story 3 last night with some friends.
Highly recommended.

It was by far the funniest of the 3 movies, had the creepiest monkey, and may have made me tear up (proof positive that I am an emotional female-doubters beware).

Yays & Nays

Recent "Yays" and "Nays"


Yays:

•  I have lost 12 pounds since Memorial Day
• I have extra room in the "skinny jeans" I recently started wearing
• I went to my mom's graduation ceremony on Thursday up in Logan
• I went on 2 hikes on Friday
• I got to spend some time with my extended family-sometimes I forget how great they are.
• I had a nice date on Wednesday
• I went for a nice walk this evening, that in retrospect may not have been the safest thing, but I am still alive.
• I got to see my adorable nephew and niece again
• My nephew thinks I'm pretty neat
• I get to sleep in my own bed again

Nays:

• My calves are pretty sore at the moment-possibly the result of 2 hikes and a long walk? Debatable.
• I can't seem to make the cut for second dates
• I have a hard time finding people who want to go hiking with me
• My face is sunburned (I don't mind that one so much though)
• I don't make the best decisions when setting out for long walks in the evening-I could be the poster child for "what-not-to-do"
• Communication is not my strong suit. 

It's June...

I kid you not, it is.
It is around 70 degrees when I leave the house in the morning (that's before 7am) and it's a balmy 80 degrees or so when I make my trek home at the end of the day.  I have missed warm weather so much!

I don't think I've mentioned our new ward, but if I have, bear with me.
Our old ward was huge...I mean huge...maybe 300-350 people (I'm not exactly sure, but it was a lot).  Our new ward, has maybe 30 people who regularly show up.  Thirty!  Tiny, miniscule number!  Thirty is the number of people we had come to our first "Break the Fast" at our house last year, needless to say, we've been spotted.  A member of the Bishopric has already asked us to speak and sing in Sacrament Meeting in 2 weeks.  They wanted us to do it the very next week, but Shannon and I were going out of town, so that didn't work out.  It has been a very, very long time since I have had to speak in a ward, and I am less than thrilled with the idea, but I know I'll survive.  And if I don't, well...it was nice knowing you.  :)

We're planning on doing a bonfire up the canyon in the next couple of weeks, so that should be a lot of fun, you should come, bring your friends, and your guitar (everyone has a guitar right?).

Memorial Day

Last weekend, I went up to Logan to surprise my family.
Pretty sure it worked.  :)

My mom had called me on Saturday morning asking what my plans for the weekend were, and I was vague enough, that I may have annoyed her a little bit, but I'm pretty sure I was forgiven when I showed up on their doorstep a few hours later.

The weekend was nice and relaxing, I did a couple hikes with my mom, and got to see my adorable nephew and neice, what more could a girl ask for?  Oh, and I got to sleep in the Mermaid room, so added bonus.  ;)

My parents and I had a nice little BBQ on Monday before I left and had to come back to reality, but all in all, it was a very nice weekend.

I hate thinking up titles for these

The date last night was really good.
We met up down at the Gateway Mall, and chatted for a bit before hitting the road on his, truth be told, quite fabulous motorcycle, and headed to Cedars of Lebanon.  Neither one of us had ever had Lebanese food before, and we were eager to try it out.
We sat in a room that looked like it had a giant bed comforter attatched to the ceiling with a giant, pointy chandelier sticking out of the middle.  This "comforter" would be a favorite topic of conversation by the end of the evening.
We asked our server for recommendations on what to get since we were novices in this particular area, she proceeded to recommend the entire menu.  Not overly helpful, but we did end up choosing a couple of the items she talked about (afterall, we had to order off the menu....)  We shared some Baba Ganooj, which is basically an eggplant version of Hummus, and it was really good!  Then we shared something called Pastilla, which had a sweet meat and I think eggplant in a flaky, phylo-dough thing-a-ma-hoo-sit, also, really good.  I'm not sure of the name of the other dish we got, largely because even while we were looking at the menu, we both couldn't pronounce it, but it was tasty.
I highly recommend Cedars of Lebanon for all your Lebanese needs.
Overall, the date went really well, although I did get a parking ticket from the lovely people at the Gateway, cherry on top of that date....I don't think anything more will come of it though, but I am more than okay with that. 
These last couple dates I have been on have restored my faith in men and dating, so that's pretty good.  I'm happy to be out there and meeting people, I tend to go on a lot of first dates that are either weird and awkward, or that immediately turn into whirlwind relationships, so I am quite content in having dates I enjoy with intelligent, witty and charming men, even if it leads no where.

Although, now I really want a motorcycle.  :)

Exceptionally random thoughts

Wow, I haven't been this bad about not posting things on this blog in a long time. Except for last month, last month doesn't count.  Forget last month even happened.  Okay?  Okay.

I have been pretty busy in the last little while, May has been a bit of a whirl wind.

At work, I have become the go-to person for my particular section of the department, which means I have a seemingly endless barrage of questions being fired at me while I try to complete my actual tasks.  It's fun, and exciting to just kind of have authority heaped upon me for no apparent reason, hopefully it will pay off down the road.

We have celebrated Kelly and DeLayna's birthdays this month, always a fun time, even if it is amid moving boxes and major disarray.  Thankfully, the disarray is virtually no more.

We have already been asked to sing and speak in our new ward, I guess that's what happens when your ward consists of less than 30 people on any given Sunday.  Shocker.

I went on a fantastic first date with a really nice guy, which ultimately amounted to nothing.  Story of my life.  But really, it was a pretty awesome first date.

I have another date tomorrow night, and this one involves a motorcycle, so naturally, I am reall really excited about it, even if it doesn't go anywhere, I get to meet a nice motorcycle....I mean guy.

DeLayna and I have planned a couple hiking/camping trips for this summer, and I'm pretty stoked about them.

I have plans for Memorial Day, which will not be revealed here, just in case, but it should be good.

Hasta la vista baby!

Things don't always turn out the way you'd like

My recent move hasn't been the easiest thing for me.
Which is probably why I haven't really blogged about it much.

But things are finally coming together and looking good, I finally rectified my lack-of-bed predicament yesterday by finding a bed frame and box spring.  The box spring ended up being about 6inches longer than I needed it to be, so I had to rearrange all the furniture in my room in order to make it work, but I prevailed, and it looks fantastic! (If I do say so myself, which apparently, I do).

Now we just need to have a House-Warming Party, and we'll be set!

Don't go changin'....

The last smattering of weeks has been crazy and stressful.
And I haven't wanted to blog about anything, except that random one about me being sick (which I hope I am almost completely over now-almost).
So here are a few of the things that have been happening/going on with me.

Beginning of March:

• Found a new job
• Quit my old job. Drama ensues...
• Waited to receive official offer letter from new job
• Stained my kitchen table and chairs
• Waited to receive official offer letter from new job
• Went to Vegas with the amazing Kelly Buie for the weekend
• Waited to receive official offer letter from new job
• Received official offer letter from new job!
• Started new job
• On the way to my first day at new job, received a phone call saying my grandmother passed away that morning.  Not a great way to start a day, or a new job.
• Received many phone calls regarding family "stuff"
• Attended my grandmothers funeral.  Drama ensues...
• Get word that moving is likely to take place
• Went to look at new place
• Filled out application for new place

Beginning of April

• Signed lease for new place
• Started packing up and painting old place
• Discussed moving details to no end.  This one is still going on, and driving me nuts.
• Became the "go-to" person for my department at work
• Confusion about my position at work by my supervisor.  Drama ensues...
• Forgot my bus pass at home.  Luckily, I somehow had cash on me.

I am very excited for the move to be over, and for these last 2 months to be a thing of the past.
I am going to miss my friends, and the countless people I have come to know and love while living in the Avenues, but hopefully we will stay in touch, and I'll meet lots of other great people too.

Yay for changes....
right?

Right.

Breathing's overrated right?

I have developed the demon cold from Hades.
Yes, Hades.

What started out Friday night as a tickle in my throat, morphed into me sounding like a cross between Joan Rivers and Kathleen Turner by Saturday morning.  Now, 5 days later, I have thoroughly annoyed my co-workers with my constant coughing (I seriously sound like I'm dying).  Luckily I don't have a temperature.  Literally.  My temperature registers around 96.3.  Kinda weird, but okay....

Anyway, I am now going to attempt to sleep.  The nastiness seems to get worse at night, making it nearly impossible for me to breathe through my nose.  But that might just be a little bit more info than you were bargaining for.  :)

All play and no work make Jack a mere toy

I've had a number of people ask me what my days are like now that I have a new job, so to appease the masses (a girl can dream, right?) I shall break it down for you.

7:00am- The alarm goes off. Now usually by this point, I have been in a state of near-awakeness (I don't care that blogger says it isn't a word, it is.  You heard it here first folks!) for anywhere from 15 minutes to half an hour.  A cruel joke my body likes to play on me.

7:55am- I leave the apartment and walk down to South Temple, where I catch the bus at...

8:06am- I don't know who decided that buses should come at such weird time intervals, but there you have it.  Not 8:05, 8:06. About 2 stops after I am picked up, there is always this group of mothers who get on with their overly excited, sugared-up children who yell, scream, run around, and pull the cord for every stop but their own.  The mothers get offended if you look at them or their children in a disapproving manner.  Look out the window.

8:32am- Exit the public transportation unit and walk the rest of the way to work.

8:37am- Share awkward small talk (or even worse, NO talk) with people in the elevator.

8:45am- Settle into my cubicle. This involves opening my various programs needed for the processing of transcripts, checking e-mail, clocking in (except they still haven't figured out how to get my time card to work), plugging in headphones for later use, and ultimately figuring out where to start in the work load.

                   To give a quick overview, I deal with transcripts.  People mail them, ship them, e-mail them, fax them and forge them.  I get to open them, sort them, figure out who they belong to and if that person even has a record with us, print them, enter them into our database, scan them, rename them and file them (you're wishing you were me right about now huh?)

9:00am- If we weren't able to get through everything the previous day, that is where we start.  This is typically renaming, which involves combining scanned files together and labeling them according to the student, their ID#, which transcript it is, and the school it is from.  Highly exciting.

9:15am- Right about now is when I get a phone call from one of the Enrollment Counselors.  One EC in particular has called me every single day (sometimes multiple times) looking for transcripts that he can't find (which usually we don't have in the first place)and who goes along his merry way when I tell him that the reason he doesn't see it, is because it's not there. (Profound, I know).

10:30am- I am in charge of all the transcripts that are faxed in (which requires going to 3 separate places to find them), and get countless people asking if they're in yet.

12:30pm- MAIL!  Influx of transcripts.  I get a handy-dandy letter opener, date stamp and staple puller and have my way with them.

1:45pm- Still playing with transcripts

2:30pm- Put a bandaid on a new papercut

3:50pm- Answer more transcript questions while entering other transcripts

4:30pm- Take the piles of freshly entered transcripts upstairs to the scanner.

                  Scanning......scanning......scanning........scanning......

5:00pm- Renaming (you'll remember this from earlier in the day)

5:30pm- Clock out and shut down.

                   UNLESS.......someone asks you 3 more questions right then, in which case...

That gets pushed back.

Board the bus home.

6:30pm- Sanctuary!

Glamorous?  No.
I am a glorified paper pusher, but I am so happy to be there.  I am appreciated, depended on, I have more than enough work to keep my occupied, and I have so many possibilities ahead of me, but more of that later, this has been a long post, and I'm sure I already lost most of you.  Congrats for making it through Mom!  I'm sure you're about the only one who did!

Vindication

I went into my old work today to pick up my last paycheck
I really wasn't looking forward to stepping foot in that establishment, especially after how I was treated after all was said and done.
I walked in and immediately received a hug from one of my previous co-workers, and shouts of joy from two others as they saw me.
One of my co-workers said that things haven't been going that well since I left, and a lot of people are pretty upset about the whole thing.  Apparently it has been a harder transition than they thought, and things aren't getting done the way they used to.

I'm glad I went in.  :)

Hear ye! Hear ye!

Recent achievements of those around me:


My roommate Kelly got accepted into Grad School at Westminster!

My mom received a job offer from Bridgerland Applied Technology College where she goes to school.  She hadn't even applied for a position, and they pulled her in for an impromptu interview.

My friend Shannon interviewed for, and was offered a position at her work that coincides with her degree, and is really quite perfect for her.

Congratulations!

Let's bring you up to speed, shall we?

In the last 2 weeks, a few things have occurred.
Among them are:

I received a job offer from Western Governor's University to work in their Transcript department, in a brand new position they just created.  The position is full-time, with benefits, major improvement over my previous situation.  I did have to wait a couple weeks to receive my official offer letter, and my start date is the 23rd of this month, so I am looking forward to that still.

In the course of putting in my 2 weeks notice at my previous job (where I had zero respect, low pay and not-so-good daily interactions with co-workers) it was brought to my attention that certain people felt I was stealing from them (news to me), not a very fun way to leave a place I'd worked for 3 years.  I have never had my integrity put into question like that, and I hope it never occurs again.  So instead of enduring the next 2 weeks with people who felt I had stolen from them, I pretty much quit then and there.

So there I was, jobless for the next 2 weeks.  What is a girl (who currently isn't in school) to do?  Well, I finished reading 2 books and started another, I stained my kitchen table and chairs (a project 2 years in the making), I did some blog-stalking, traveled to Las Vegas with my fabulous roommate, watched movies with friends, ate sushi, returned to volleyball, made greeting cards, experimented with tofu (again, this time slightly more successfully), stayed up late and slept in.

In all actuality, I am going a bit stir-crazy.  I am not used to not working, and although it may sound nice not having to go to a 9-5 (or in my previous case, a 6-3), I am excessively grateful that it is quickly coming to an end.

Hit the Road, Jack!

The last few weeks have been interesting to say the least.
In need of an escape from the usually mundane and predictable nature that is my life, Kelly and I decided we needed to get out of town.
We looked up airfare, train tickets, cruise deals, car rentals, restaurants, shows, you name it, we looked at it.  We finally decided on Las Vegas as the cure for our mid-winter blues.
Come this time tomorrow, we will be hailing our way to Nevada for some much needed relaxation and rest.
My cousin was able to hook us up with an amazing deal on a hotel a block away from the strip- Amy, you rock!

Viva Las Vegas baby!

Really?

Have you ever had a really bad day?
The kind where you get home, take a shower and then put on your comfy gym clothes?
Well, that was my day today (part of it at least)
Kelly and I ended up going to the store, and while there, I picked up one of those Nestle Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream thing-a-ma-who-zits.  The last time I had one was when I was around 7 years old, so I thought I'd try it again.
So there I am standing in line to purchase aforementioned sugary goodness, sans make-up, hair fresh from the shower, and wearing my gym clothes.
I place my bar on the conveyor belt, and the guy behind me puts up his 6-pack of Heineken. It comes to my turn, and the guy behind me tells the cashier that he is going to pay for my dessert, to which I protested.  He prevailed however, and purchased my ice cream bar for me.  I felt like I should have been in a bar and the ice cream bar should have been an Apple Martini.
And I should have at least had make-up on.

Deal

I'm peeved.
Earlier, I was elated.
But now I'm peeved.

And that's all you're going to get right now.

Do I flirt too much?

It has recently been brought to my attention (again), that I flirt with people, all the time.
Now, in my defense, I do not intend to flirt with people all the time, I think my natural tendencies for communication just seem like flirting to the untrained eye.
Though, no matter how many times I try to explain this to my "accusers", the more they insist that I am a flirt. C'est la vie I suppose.

How you doin'?

Teddy Grahams

I went to the Temple this morning, something I've been meaning to do for the past few days, and ran into a girl I knew from High School.  She was there with her parents, receiving her own endowments, it was pretty cool to see her again, and on such a special day!
During the session, one of the ladies I was sitting by smelled like Teddy Grahams, so naturally, when I went home, I had to stop at the store and buy some for myself.  I haven't had them in years, and remembered loving them as a kid.  They aren't quite as swell as I remember, but they're still good.

2 in one day?

To continue on with my cooking attempts, I ventured into the world of biscotti.
Biscotti needs to be baked twice, once as a "loaf" and then once after the pieces are cut and separated so as to properly dry them out.

Kelly informed me that the loaves smelled good, but looked pretty nasty (Seemed to be a trend for my cooking that day).
After letting the biscotti sit for the allotted time, I cut it and put it back in the oven.  After about half the time it was supposed to bake for the second time, I noticed a faint burning smell (my luck can't be that bad can it?), so I checked it, and sure enough, some of the edges had a distinct charcoal color on them.  Deeming them as done as they were going to get, I removed them from the oven and let them cool.  Somehow, the edges were overdone, and the middles were not quite as hard as they were supposed to be.

I can't wait to see how my next attempt at something turns out.

yay for ambition

It may come as a shock to some that I like tofu.
I do.  No joke.
I'm sure most of you either made an involuntary face of disgust, or actually voiced your displeasure with words such as "Yuck", "Eww", or "Gross".

I have never ventured into the world of cooking tofu for myself however, that is, until yesterday.  I was at the store. It was on sale. It found its way into my cart, and I let it come home with me.
Now, I don't know if any of you have made tofu before, but let me just say that my first attempt was....dismal.
The marinade I found and used, was....not delicious, to say the least.  To top it off, while I was cooking it, I placed the bag with the remaining tofu and marinade next to me, and it proceeded to spill all over the floor.

Normally, I'd be slightly discouraged, however, it seemed very fitting that my food even seemed to sense that it wasn't good enough to be consumed and tried to commit suicide.

Riddle me this...

just how lucky am I to have the people I have in my life?

Incredibly.

Now, I would like to preface this post by emphasizing what I'm sure most of you know about me, and that is that I do not like drama.  I don't.  I am a very no-nonsense type of individual, I dislike having to deal with stupidity (from myself and others alike) and I just don't like having to put up with crap.

Okay, now that that is taken care of, here it goes....my area of drama is trying to return.

I'm sure some of you remember Creeper, I've even mentioned recently that we were matched on a dating service.  I was quite clear, was I not, that I did not want to speak to him ever again?  Sorry, but I just don't do crazy.

Kelly's friend Gabby (who helped us figure out that this guy is certifiable on our last encounter) received a facebook message from Creeper today.  He wanted to know if it would be all right if he could call me.

EXCUSE ME?

Gabby quickly replied that she thought I was seeing someone (I may have to name my first child after Gabby, she's brilliant).

Apparently he was pleading with her, saying he thought I seemed like a really cool girl.

She said the guy I am seeing thought so too.

I hope this imaginary guy who I'm apparently dating is big and protective, because if I ever have to see Creeper again, I'm going to let him attack.

A terrible thing to waste

The mind is such an incredible thing.
It can recall sights, sounds, smells, tastes, pains, frustrations, joys, sorrows and countless other feelings and impressions.
I am amazed at the clarity with which I can recall a trip to the beach, the smell of the salty sea air, the sound of the waves crashing on the shore, the feel of the sand under my feet and my feeling of immense nothingness. Feeling so small looking out across those rolling waves at the horizon.  Wanting to be swallowed up in it all.
I remember exploring forests, trails, nooks and crannies, walking late at night, staring up into the vast heavens and posing questions to the void.  I can recall my feelings of anxiety, anticipation and wonder as my questions were answered.
I can summon happy memories, feelings of serenity, past compliments, times of confidence and words of inspiration when I do not feel inspired or confident.
I can smell fresh cut grass on a hot summers day even in the middle of winter, smell the  rain on the pavement during a period when clouds have fled the sky, breathe deeply from your memories, it will lift your spirits!
Our minds can do a great many things, but only if we keep them active and alert, don't let yours fall idly by the wayside.  Afterall, a mind is a terrible thing to waste.

"Lisa, meet pavement"

Carpooling can be dangerous.
If you're me that is.
I've been in and out of my fair share of Jeeps before, I dated a guy who drove one for pete's sake.  I never had to sit in the back before though, and last night, that's where I was.  All was going well until it came time to get out at the end of the night (granted I had done this twice already that evening, and with much success), I crawled up behind the front passenger's seat, put one foot on the pavement outside and continued for the exit. My other foot was not so keen to join me.  It had decided it liked the back of the jeep and wanted to stay there until the cows came home!  This selfishness from my left foot resulted in my quick introduction to the pavement.  A chance encounter I may have missed in other circumstances.  It was even nice enough to leave me a few large bruises as a parting gift, now who says Valentine's Day is good for nothing?

Jerks and Gingivitis

So, those of you who actively read this blog (good for you by the way) may recall the incident with "Creeper" the married bus driver extraordinaire who wouldn't leave me alone.
Anyway, to give you a glimpse further into my life, I am on Eharmony.com, and as I checked my matches this morning, "what to my wondering eyes should appear?" If you couldn't tell by the posts lead in, yeah, that's right, I got matched with "Creeper".

HOW does that happen?
needless to say I immediately closed that match, and I sincerely hope he doesn't recognize me from the picture on my profile.

Can my day get any better?
I think so, after all, I do have the dentist to look forward to this afternoon, doesn't get much better than that now does it?

yes, but what do you do?

I was recently thinking about some of the things I have done in my life (mostly because I've been feeling a little unfulfilled) so I thought I'd list a few.  I do have a rotten memory, so this could be harder than I imagine.

took voice lessons
played little league softball
took swimming lessons twice (I couldn't master diving during the first round)
was on the math team and went to regionals (amazing considering I loathe math)
took an art class every year from 5th grade to 11th grade
took ceramics (not my best subject)
studied French for 2 years
started doing theatre at age 12
ran a 6 1/2 minute mile
managed the high school softball team
was on the volleyball team and track team
took photography for 2 years
started drawing cartoons in 6th grade
auditioned for and was accepted into Cache Valley Young Artists (a singing group)
participated in and got a pretty good score at Drama Competition
had a paper route in middle school
became a manager as the youngest employee at my second and third jobs
hiked Little Si and Mount Si a few times
served in various church callings
sang in church (and lived to tell the tale) numerous times
made the honor roll
was briefly part of Science Olympiad
drove a fork-lift (just for fun)
had near death experiences
used to ride my bike to school
took dance classes in high school
ventured into the unknown seemingly unarmed
endured taunts from my peers
gained a testimony
found Christ in my life
continually strive to reach my ultimate destination

kinds of scatter-brained, and didn't quite turn out how I was anticipating, but there you go.  I have done a few things after all.  And those are just the things I can remember.

If at first you don't succeed

Not being in school this semester, I have been feeling really weird.  I have no homework, no projects, nothing outside of work to "complete" within a deadline, so to compensate for that, I recently signed-up for, and started taking a drawing class through the Harold Petersen Art Center located in Sugarhouse.  I used to take art classes, and people tell me that I have a knack for it, it doesn't hurt that I enjoy it a little bit either.
I decided to mainly focus on improving my portraits.  Truth be told, I am not good at portraits, never have been good at portraits, but desperately want to be good at portraits.  Mine generally turn out looking like some bad cartoon character who didn't get good ratings so their show was canceled.
My first class consisted of me drawing a still-life so my instructor could gauge my level of expertise (or lack thereof).  To be honest, I abhor still-lifes.  I find them boring, time consuming and just the slightest bit annoying.  But I rose above these feelings (sort of) and whiled away 2 hours drawing this still-life from various viewpoints.  Luckily, my instructor was pleased with my skill level, but also offered a life-changing (for my drawings at least) suggestion.
He explained that my method of shading was best employed for very rough sketches (which is generally all I ever do, so this made sense) and that he knew of a couple better options, which he was quick to teach me.

Anyway, I went back to class today, a new sketch pad, pencils and eraser in my hand and a fixed determination to complete a successful portrait.  Or at least a portrait that didn't look like it should be running around with Scooby-Doo solving mysteries.

I found my subject to be willing and able, I did have to pry her out of the magazine first, but she didn't seem to mind.

After excessive measuring to ensure that I drew her features at the correct place, in the correct size, and in the proper relation to one another, I was elated to find that (employed with some fabulous new shading techniques) I was able to create my first portrait that I am actually proud of.

After all my years of art classes, I am satisfied.

I will however, keep working at it.

Round 1

We're gonna play a new game.

It's the "Quote-of-the-day Guessing Game"

Guess who said this gem,

"My pants won't stay up and I keep getting wedgies!"

"I just don't deserve you"

I love old-school Disney movies.
I'm sitting here watching "Beauty and the Beast" with Kelly, and deriving much joy from the experience.  I can actually remember when I first saw the movie way-back-when.  Kind of awesome considering I was 5. 
Anyway, getting off topic.
I like to watch the people and situations in the backgrounds of movies.  Animators put in some pretty funny stuff in there (for the adults I'm sure).
The same can be said for live-action movies, when the extras have interesting expressions on their faces, or you see them walk by 3 or 4 times in a 2 minute segment.
I seriously have no idea where I'm going with this post, so I'm just going to stop typing now...

Ha!

My roommate and I are hilarious!




The End

with so many fish in the sea, why do I keep attracting guppies?

I am slightly disheartened by the types of people that seem to be attracted to me.
Either very young, or very old, and generally possessing an air of creepiness.
I'm not quite sure how I manage to reel in these "winners", but apparently I have baited my hook and they are latching on.

My latest admirer has been giving me the willies for the last year-and-a-half to two years, tries to get into heated debates about my religion, leers at me AND he's about my fathers age.  Man, am I lucky or what?!

If life be a game of "catch and release", please...let me go!

The gift that keeps on giving

My fabulous roommate Kelly made me French toast for breakfast this morning.  It smelled and tasted delicious!  She also made me a homemade "old-school" sign for my birthday which I think is fantastic. She also bought me "Quantum of Solace" which features the beautiful Daniel Craig (for hours of our viewing pleasure) and a game called "Last Word" which looks like a lot of fun.  I'm excited to play!

I'd like to screen my phone calls

I have a co-manager who delights in calling me.

All the time.

She calls to tell me when she figures something out about work.

She calls to tell me when she leaves me notes at work (to make sure I know a note will be waiting for me)

She calls to tell me things I don't really need to know

She called me a few minutes ago and started a conversation about work, to which I said I'd talk to her when I got there (which is in an hour or so).

I wish she wouldn't call me

elementary, my dear

I just took my first typing test since High School.
I recently read a job listing for someone who could type 85 WPM.
That is fast.
I found out that I type between 50 and 55 WPM.
Pretty slow in comparison, yet faster than I thought I did.

Uptown Cheapskate

I am a self-proclaimed cheapskate.
At least when it comes to clothes.
I hate shopping for them, and I have a hard time justifying the amounts of money that stores sell their merchandise for.
So I was pleased to find "Uptown Cheapskate", a store a few blocks from my work, with the same premise as the "DI", but all the clothes are things that are currently in style, in good condition and very reasonably priced.
I was ecstatic to walk out yesterday with 4 shirts for the price some ask for 1.

Yay for cheapskates

Ignore that elephant in the room, he's always there

I "took one for the team" today.
A royal chewing out, if you will.

Only problem, I didn't do anything wrong.
It was sincerely difficult to remain as calm as I could, accept the fact that this person was not thinking rationally and try to keep things under control.

I never took a class on this.
I don't get paid enough to have this happen to me.

So excited to go back tomorrow.
I'm so lucky!

Return to Sender

I forgot to buy stamps.
Again.

How hard is it to remember to buy stamps?  Seriously, it shouldn't be this difficult.  We have been out of stamps for about 2 months now.  I had to get one from my boss last month to mail in our rent.

Buy Stamps.

That is my new goal for myself.  Lofty, I know.

Out with the old

Welcome to 2010

The year everyone is hoping will be better.

All around me, people are clamoring that 2009 wasn't a very good year for them.  And it's not just a few individuals pleading for relief from the woes of the last decade, it seems to be the majority.

Was last year really all that bad?
Yes, I know bad things happened last year, but bad things happen every year.  I think a lot of it has to do with our outlook on the events that come our way.  Take the good with the bad.  How would we know the sweet without the bitter?

Here is what 2009 held for me:

• Race car themed birthday
• Watching movies with good friends
• Dying Easter Eggs while listening to General Conference
• The purchase of a new living room rug that I love
• My first, second, third and fourth flights (all within 3 weeks of each other)
• Spending time in Portland
• Seeing my new neices
• Playing with my adorable nephew
• Reading 365 penguins a million times
• Fixing cars
• Painting Pottery
• Meeting and becoming friends with new people
• Painting the apartment
• Hosting Break the Fast every month
• Plunger Girl strikes again!
• Bananagrams
• Tuachan and St. George with Kelly
• Deciding to go to Germany
• Ace-ing my classes
• Totally awkward dates
• Learning and growing from failed relationships
• Listening
• Way too much time at work
• Making jaws drop
• Spending time at the gym
• Seeing people I know everywhere I go
• Thanksgiving with my family
• Rereading old books
• People watching
• Avoiding the Bus Driver fiasco
• Laughing til it hurts
• Long walks to nowhere
• Getting a piano tuned
• Having Megan stay as an invalid and just because
• Standing up for myself
• Helping friends move
• Steaming mugs of hot cocoa
• Many more Junior Mints
• Special moments in the Temple with friends 

Yes, the year has had its ups and downs, but looking back, I want to remember the good.
Happy New Year everyone!