General Conference & Other Wanderings

As promised, "The Utah" post.

Warning. 

It's a novel.

THURSDAY

Kaylee & I took off in Ruby on Thursday.

We drove alllllllll daaaaayyyyy and sang show tunes for the first half of the trip

and 'glee' songs {no repeats!} for the rest of the trip.

You had better believe that there were some mad dance skills

& sustained high notes goin' on.

We also played 'Hey Cow'. If you have never played, 

well....make sure you have some throat lozenges handy.

Haha.

FRIDAY {You're Welcome :) }

The next day we went to Kneaders.

We went around 11, so Kaylee & Jessica got some french toast,

& I decided that I wanted a Panini.

Well, she got her french toast....and Jessica got some french toast....

and I waited patiently for my Panini.

After about 15 minutes, I went and talked to the manager,

"Oh, it should be right out!" 

"Okey doke!"

Fifteen minutes later I went and talked to them again.

"Uhm, I'm not mad, I just want my food..."

"We are SO sorry! Here's a free cookie!"

{Let me just say, the Panini was cold and the cookie was not better.

I am told I need to stick to the french toast.} 

But we laughed it off and then did some shopping.

After we shopped a little bit, 

we went to the 

Sacovitches, Sackovitches, Sacowitches Sakovitch's 

{Spell check anyone?}

where we stayed Friday & Saturday night- to 

drop off our luggage.

And then we picked up 

Lars & Chelsey so we could go to dinner 

and then to Kaylee & Larz's Mission Reunion.

We went to dinner and I was last to order.

Chelsey, Larz, and Kaylee all got their food....

and I waited. And Waited. And waited.

20 minutes went by and I went and talked to them.

Oh! Sorry it will be right out.

At this point I almost started crying.

Let's just say that the day was an

emotionally stressful one for me....

And when I don't eat, I get even more emotional.

10 minutes later, my food arrived 

with a coupon for a free meal.

We laughed again. 

Late food twice in one day! 

From then on, I was not allowed to be the last one to order my food.

At the mission reunion Chelsey & I went & talked 

in the lobby. We didn't know anyone and they were all talking in 

Espanol. We had fun!

After that we went home and got ready for bed.

Saturday

I woke up at 4am and could NOT go back to sleep.

So I listened to music and tried not to move on the creaky bed.

Oh man. I laugh just thinking about it!

Around 7:30 I got up and got ready-

And at 8:30 Andy picked me up and we headed 

to his house for breakfast. 

{Which was YUMMY french toast!}

So we ate and then played the piano, 

and then watched the first session of General Conference.

Then we took the Trax down to City Creek Mall,

which is GORGEOUS.

It has a creek running through it. And a retractable glass roof

"so when it's raining you can still eat your ice cream outside"

as Andy said. 

{Sounds like my kind of day!}

It also has some fountains that the designers of The Bellagio fountains designed.

We didn't get to see them in action, but that is on my list 

for this summer.

This is a view from the Sky Bridge 

It was awesome!

{and perfect for people watching}

We toured a few stores-

 They have some fabulously trendy ones, 

like H&M, Nordstrom, Tiffany & Co.

and Brooks Brothers where we met John Barraclough

who is one of the nicest gentlemen I have ever met, 

and Andy tried on some fancy suit jackets.

John even has embossed business cards. 

Talk about fancy!

We then went to the Conference Center and

squeezed by a cute old couple to take our seats. 

Conference was great! {duh.}

Afterwards, we met up with Kaylee and she snapped a picture for us.

 {quality is poor because it was on my itouch-

but it's a good picture nonetheless, no?}

We headed back towards the mall and Andy snapped a picture for Kaylee & I

{because, silly us, we hadn't taken any.}

and then Kaylee & I headed to a girls dinner 

and Andy headed back for Priesthood session.

We stopped to take pictures of some beautiful blossoms

and snap another picture in the wind... Haha. 

And then we went to the Blue Lemon for dinner.

{No late food this time!}

We THEN went to Cocoa Bean.

Where my FAVORITE cupcakes are.

'Better than whatever'

Yeah. 

Yum.

It was a SUPER good day!

And on top of it all we decided to get a Hotel 

because we were on vacation and needed to relax.

So we splurged and stayed at the Hilton

Saturday & Sunday Night.

And OH, how GLORIOUSLY we slept.

Each in our own pillow-topped bed,

with a soft & heavy comforter.

Heaven!

Sunday

We woke up and watched conference.

We opened the window to see the mountains

& watched as the fog crept down them. 

Beautiful.

It was a pretty low key day.

Kelley & Tara came over and we caught up!

And then we decided to be roommates again.

Because THAT was so fun!

PS: Did anyone else bawl like a baby through 

that second session?

Especially in Elder Anderson's Talk?

{at about 8:30}

Monday 

We woke up and got packed up.

And then we went to breakfast @ Magelby's

where I ate one plate of french toast and

almost got sick. 

{And truthfully, it didn't compare to the french toast

I had on Saturday. Which was bomb.}

We then stopped back by the Hotel

because I was silly & had left my pillow 

and sweater. Oops.

We then drove off into the sunset blazing-ly bright sun  

and enjoyed the scenery on our way home.

{singing Disney songs most of the way.

Don't be jealous.}

And they all Lived Happily Ever After.

The End.

 {♥.}

Take (210) Two-hundred & Ten

Uhm, excuse me...

I don't think we've been properly introduced.

I'm Amber Lynn and, 

OH WAIT. 

I DO know you!

What do you know? She's back...

Ahahaha. Annnnnnnyway.

I was stalking reading a blog tonight written by

the wife of a good friend I had in College @BYU

and I thought to myself, 

"If she & I knew each other, we would be BESTFRIENDSFORLIFE."

Yes, Cheesy, I KNOW. 

But I thought it nonetheless. 

can you tell I am thoroughly enjoying 

runningmywordstogether?

Her blog inspired me to coooooomeeeee baaaaackkkk  update mine.

Let's see. Fun things-----Funnnnnnnnnn Thiinnnnnnnngs. 

1. I went to General Conference 

{more on that in a whole different blog post. 

Uhhhhm tomorrow.}

2. I am working for a company called 

'Framed Legacy' {and still @NB} and their artwork is awesome...

And I get to have all of the 'damaged' art. 

Whooo!

3. While working for said company, I got THE WORST 

{and my first} case of hives. Oh, it was glorious UGLY.

4. I am looking for a reliable car to purchase...

Reliable meaning, 

it has to drive to Utah and back several times this summer

and NOT break down.

{If you have suggestions, PLEASE spill!}

5. I am making decorations/ decorating the cultural hall for the

Cinco de Mayo Multi-stake YSA activity 

on Saturday.

{PS: If you have a Mexican Flag, can I borrow it for said activity?}

And

The biggest news? 

I 

am

moving

to

UTAH.

In less than 3 weeks.

{and I am soooooooo excited about it!}

{surprised? Me too!}

And that's the long and short of my life for the moment. 

Good luck to you this coming week!

{especially if you are studying for finals or are going 

to be in the Union Hills Lip Sync FHE tomorrow.}

Loves. 

{♥.}

Opportunities for Happiness

'Attitude is Everything'- I've said it for years; This week, I found out that it's true! I can't believe what a good week I've had in spite of the crazy happenings. I've decided to be happy this year, no matter what! Of course there will be those days that will be hard, but finding something good in them will make all the difference. No wasted time.

My family went camping this week- we had such a good time despite leaving quite a bit later than we would have liked, having to switch cars, check tires, decide to switch campsite locations because of closures, and then having to drive 45 minutes back into town to get a permit to camp at the chosen site (My dad and I had a great time & conversation!)---We were all pretty patient and had a nice relaxing time. We shot BB Rifles, played in the fire, sat around and learned about important things like time value of money (S was reading a money book and we were all discussing) and quoting kid history like crazy- Haha! That first night, I was FREEZING. I had a mummy bag (which was not good considering I am claustrophobic) and it wouldn't zip up all the way- Hahaha! SO, as I was putting on another layer of clothing to get warmer, I heard this dying rabbit- it was SCREAMING. So I'm thinking, "Great. WHERE is that and WHAT is killing it?" I had to go to the bathroom and no had no flashlight. So freezing me, decides to get into the Truck and warm up. One problem...the truck is diesel, and if I had started that at 2:30 in the morning....WHEW. That wouldn't have been the best idea ever. So I sat there freezing for an hour with my Ipod touch charging...and decided to look for a flashlight to go to the bathroom...luckily my Grandparents keep the Truck well equipped- I found a mag-light in the glovebox! So I went to the bathroom, got back in the truck, sat there til 6 with my music on, playing 'Unblock Me'. I then decide that I was too cold to go on, and tried to start a fire, and that's when my parents gave me the Van keys so I could turn on the seat warmers- WHAT GLORIOUS THINGS SEAT-WARMERS ARE!!! Anyway- I took a good nap that day while the sun was up. I was proud of myself for not being out of sorts- just tired! :) The next night, I got an extra sleeping bag and a fleece liner and slept very soundly. I loved it!

After we got back into town Kaighty came to visit! We went to lunch at Graziano's Pizzeria, then went Laser Tagging, THEN went to Studio Movie Grill and ate dinner WHILE we watched Sherlock Holmes 2. It was SWEET. The next morning we slept in and hung out. We looked up some pretty interesting scriptures too. Haha! That night (Thurs.) my family went to my Grandparent's house to visit- My cousins Merica & Jaron and their son Jaxon were in Town! I love them! It was soooo good to see them!

Friday I went back to work- And of course, there was a little bit of Drama. What's work without Drama? I was glad to not get all wrapped up in it. "Whatevs!"

And then Friday night I got the stomach flu... Ben & I were simultaneously sick all night- It was actually sort of comical.  BUT I have been feeling much better this afternoon- just kind of queasy. And I got to watch my favorite movie "Sense and Sensibility" with Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Kate Winslet, and Alan Rickman.

S left for college tonight, and the room feels empty without her. I miss her already! But I know she'll have fun this semester!

I'm looking forward to tomorrow and having it be a day of rest. I have really had an awesome week and am excited for the rest of the year!!!

"Out of Clutter, find Simplicity. From Discord, find Harmony. In the middle of difficulty lies Opportunity." -Albert Einstein

2012 +

Happy 2012!

This is probably the most popular day of the year to blog. Or Journal. Or work out. Or.... {you fill in the blank}.

I have High Hopes for 2012; However, before I post the obligatory Goals/Resolutions/To Do List, I would like to do a "The Firsts of 2011" Post. I like to be able to look back and see some of the New Things I did. So without further ado, and more or less in Chronological Order-

11 Firsts of  2011:

-Attended a Photography Workshop

-Made a Someone's Birthday last an entire week

-Performed at a Valentine's 'Jazz Club'

-Started a New Business

-Became a Manager @ Work 

-First Wedding Photo Shoot

-Went to Girls Camp as a Leader

-First Time on the Bus

-Won a Pie Eating Contest

-First Kiss

-Had a Younger Sibling move home from college

There you have it.  Now on to 2012:

Goals (Because the word 'Resolution' automatically makes me NOT want to have anything to do with it...)

-(Every Year on almost Everyone's List) To be more Physically Fit.

-To Read All of The Standard Works

-Pay off Student Debt

-Journal at least 2 times a Week

-Do 2 Photo Shoots a Month

-Read 3 'Classic' Books {Gone with the Wind, East of Eden, The Grapes of Wrath-You know. Any Suggestions?)

-Visit Utah

-Practice Vocal Techniques and Singing for 20 minutes 5 times a week

-Practice the Piano 20 minutes 5 times a week

-Be better at keeping in touch (talking on the phone is not a current forte of mine...)

-Go Back to School

-Learn Another Language (Ok, so this is Not Likely, But has always been a dream of mine- I've dabbled in Spanish and Italian...But I want to become Fluent in another Language- I'm taking suggestions/requests.)

-Take Cello Lessons

-Learn to make fluffy pancakes

Here's to 2012! What happens this year is up to you!
{♥.}

Andy's Visit.

This weekend Andy came to visit! I was so excited all week! FINALLY Saturday came, So I trucked out the the Airport and picked him up. From there, we took a little detour to the Arizona Science Center; We were contractors/ designers and built a house with some crazy corners and a chimney, and then we designed a pancake themed kitchen.....though it fit the theme, I wouldn't let us decorate if you want a 'sweet' kitchen. Haha! 

Next we were brain surgeons! We learned that it takes a steady hand to operate... And that multitasking is nearly impossible. Then, we headed up to the next floor and laid on a bed of nails! I was kind of freaked out to try it, but it was actually fun! 

Then on to the next floor where we were geologists and PIRATES! Arrrrrrr.

We went to a really good Pizzeria  right around the corner. We then took some pictures by Chase Field. It was beautiful outside!

About that time, Kimber invited us to go Laser Tagging. That. was. so. much. fun! But it's a good thing that Andy Can navigate...he almost showed ME around Phoenix... Haha!

After Laser Tagging we went to P.F. Chang's for Dinner. MMmmmmmm. The Shrimp with Candied Walnuts was Delicioso! 

Then on to the Temple lights, where we only had to make 3 U-turns (the weekend count was at least 7).

 Here we are in front of the Nativity scene. (A little blurry, I know.)

Then we walked around the visitors center and  looked at all the Nativity scenes from around the world. They were so beautiful!

 The next day we went to Kimber's farewell. She did such a good job and will be a wonderful Missionary. I'll miss her! We then went to Kimber's house and played 'George' A really awesome Canadian card game. We also met Milo, Kimber's cat. She's a good cat. :)

Here's all of us! Ben, Kimber, Milo, Andy and Me.

That night we played Games with my family, we learned how to play "Dyrak" {Du-rock}, A really fun Russian Card game. Ben and Matt kept having to battle each other at the end. Then we watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2. {always a good movie.}

And That was our Superb weekend! The End!