Time stands still for no man...or woman...

Last year was a year of embracing life.

This year is a year of change.

I'm married and I love my husband very much!! I'm very blessed in every area of my life! I am excited and scared of the future ahead of me!

All the same, there are times when I close my eyes, and see the days of my past...

...days of my youth and summer nights, The Simpsons reruns and taco bell at 3am....

...days of my crazy fan-girl ways, late night trips to the beach and endless laughs...

...days and nights of international movies, Rockband and Ihop....

My heart is full of the joy of those days. The memories so sweet, but never to be had again....

...like a favorite dish at a restaurant that has gone out of business and you can never sample again...

Life is ever changing and will never stop, even for me.

To my all of my friends:

Thank you for the good times we have shared. I wish I could properly convey with words what they will forever mean to me, but alas, it is not possible.

You were my friend then.

You are my friend now.

I pray you will always be my friend in my future.

Nostalgic romanticist...that's me.

Modern Day Translation

I have a moment, so I thought I would write about something that has had me in hog heaven lately! Google Translate. Can I just say...AMAZING! Ok...so I know, I am the slow one on the block, but still...give me a break!

Why is Google Translate so important lately? At least a year ago...or maybe like two or almost three...I forget...I found a crochet pattern of a girl that I wanted to crochet. After several searches in vain, I FINALLY found it! I was in dithers! And with it, I found the Blog of the author and have been one of her faithful blog stalkers ever since. I immediately ordered her book and had it shipped to me...all the way from Sweden! However, there was a wrinkle in my plan..(and you being the smart readers that you are can probably see it already)...the pattern and the book it comes in are all in Swedish. I don't know swedish...sigh. And for the longest time, the book has sat on the shelf not being used. At one point or another, book two and three from the author were also added to the shelf. No...I didn't know how to read swedish yet...but by golly I loved her patterns and someway or another, it was going to happen!

Well, I am here to tell you folks, that dreams DO come true! With the help of Google translate and the language changer on my my keyboard of my laptop (I am sure there is a technical term for this, but I don't know it and am too lazy to look it up right now), I can type in Swedish and get the English translation!! While it may not be exact, it's fairly close and I can gather what the author is saying.

So with this handy dandy modern day Urim & Thumim I can turn this:


Större Amigurumis
Storleken på amigurumi beror förutom på mönstret, så klart, även på vilket garn du väljer. Många vill virka stora och gosiga amigurumis och blir lite besvikna när deras figurer i slutänden inte blir mer än 25 cm långa, och frågar efter större mönster. Visst kan man göra mönster på gigantiska figurer men vem orkar virka ett huvud där ett varv är på 150 maskor och det sen ska upprepas 10 gånger?
Men, det finns en mycket enklare lösning! Använd ett riktigt tjockt garn så får du en väldigt stor figur men behöver inte jobba lika hårt. Leta efter ett garn där nål storleken som rekommenderas är större än 8mm, amigurumis virkade av sådant garn kan bli mer än tre gånger så stora som de virkade med tunt garn. En annan fördel är också att det går snabbare, du har ju mer att hälla i. Nackdelen är att det går åt mer garn men det kan man leva med när man sen har en jättestor kompis att krama.

And you get:

Larger Amigurumis
The size of amigurumi are not only due to the pattern, of course, also on the yarn you choose. Many people want to crochet big and cuddly amigurumisand get a little disappointed when their characters in the end no more than 25cm long, and asks for the larger pattern. Sure you can make patterns on thegiant figures but who dryers crochet a head where one turn is 150 stitchesand then be repeated 10 times?
However, there is a much simpler solution! Use a really thick yarn so you get a very large figure but does not work as hard. Look for a yarn in which theneedle size recommended is larger than 8mm, amigurumis crocheted of this yarn may be more than three times as large as the crocheted with thin yarn.Another advantage is that it is faster, you have more to pour in. The downside is that it takes more yarn but you can live with when you then have a hugefriend to hug.


You see what I mean? It's pretty fantastic!!!


I am going to start work on my first swedish translated pattern and will post the outcome! So Excited!!!


But seriously...can we just marvel for a moment about being able to understand what something says in another language with just the click of a button?? It's like I found the decoder ring at the bottom of my Cracker Jack box! Huzzah!! Oh and I found this pattern and it made my day even better!!


Cheers!

The Rundown and The 60 Day Hump

Wow. I am not really sure how it happened, but is it April already?? It feels like just yesterday that April felt a million light years away!

Ok, down to business the results of my 2011 New Year's Resolutions and the year Rundown:

1) Prayer & Scriptures Daily ~ While I did really well on the prayers, the scriptures were a bit harder, but I am picking them back up a bit more lately. Must improve.

2) Temple Attendance ~ not as good as I would have wanted, but I still made it a few times...in fact, there was a time where I was going once a week...sadly, life took over and I am back to trying to make it a priority.

3) Attend all church meetings and fulfilling callings ~ on this one, I feel like I deserve a gold star

4) More Services ~ They can't all be gold stars...

5) Get to the gym....eat healthier....*cough*

6) Go back to school...nope! Sure didn't do anything near this one!

7) Date ~ This one I did and rather well I think...but more about that in the rundown

8) Be possitive, confident & trust ~ While I don't really believe this deserves a full gold star, I would be happy giving it a silver!

9 & 10) Try new things & Travel More ~ I feel like I did fairly well here considering I traveled outside the country for the first time, which was pretty big for me. Two birds...one stone...awesome!

11) Stop caring what others think ~ Check! It seems the older I get the less I give a rat's brown butt what you think of me and what I am doing! As long as I am keeping the comandments and living how I feel it good for me, then I feel pretty good!

Treats from 2011 or The Rundown:

I decided early on that this year was going to be MY year! I was going to be awesome, feel awesome and do awesome things!

First and foremost, Trevor came home off of his Mission and while I was just sick with relief and gratitude for him being home...thiking that things would be awesome and we'd hang out...etc...he had other plans in mind! Lol. It's scary how much these boys grow into their own men while they are out serving the Lord. It soon became evident, that while I was family and loved...I had better have other plans, because he had plans like crazy with friends and what not!

Good thing I did too! February not only brought my big 3-0, but this year for my gift to myself, I went on a cruise! I traveled for the first time outside of the United States and went with Mark, Rocio & Gina to the Caribbean! I was a little unsure, again, how someone of my palor would so out on the sandy beach all day long, but did you know that if you lather enough sunscreen on, you can spend a week in the Caribbean and not look like it when you come back? Huh, neither did I, but it's a true story folks!

I finally moved out and rented an apartment with my friends Tricia and Kylee. Good times were had and I found a resurgence in my reliance on myself! While it was a short arrangement, I really loved living with these girls! In August, I made another move to a shared townhome with my now roommates Erica and Emily. It's been a great place to live as well and I am proud to say that I have taken full advantage of the hot tub while living here.

Now on to the bigger stuff for 2011...one of my goals for this past year was to date and boy howdy did I date! Around the begining of June, after having a short fling, I signed up for online dating on eHarmony as well as LDSMingle.com. While there were a few contenders, some fantastically bad dates, and a guy that would much rather have my photo than actually meet me...one guy stood out over the others!

I started dating Chris July 23, 2011 and we have pretty much been together everyday since. In August he helped me move to my new place and helped me get things arranged. When we went to Ikea and I had him help me move things from one display over to another to see how they looked...he took it in stride and didn't complain once! In September, we drove 13 hours in the cramped back seat (affectionately called "The Nest") down to Yuma and back for Eliza's baptism. We shared the fantastic stargazing at 5 in the morning and it felt like a little bit of heaven. In November, we had Thanksgivings with family and friends and in December we started getting serious about the idea of getting married. Christmas was wonderful. Never have I had such a loving, caring and thoughtful man in my life!

And New Years Eve, while visiting Temple Square before they took down the lights, in front of the Christus statue, he asked me to be his wife for this life and the life to come!

He makes me laugh more than anyone, he keeps me sane, calms me and helps me have fun! I am one LUCKY woman!

So that was my fantastic 2011! I think it most definitely was MY year and 2012 will most definitely be OUR year for Chris & myself!

What will the remaining 3 quarters of 2012 bring??

This is the part of the post that explains The 60 Day Hump. 60 days. That's all I have left before I am officially a wife!!! Gah, where DID the time go??

Well, so far the calendar looks like ~ April 25 engagement pics, May 9th Bridal/Groomal pics, June 1st is the Party (reception, or whatever!) and June 2nd is the wedding!! SLC Temple here we come! This will be followed by a mini honeymoon, but we are hoping to have a full fledged cruis honeymoon later in the year (can you tell I had a good time on my first cruise?). In the mean time, I still have to finish the guest lists, get invitations printed and sent out, find a place to live and move, get my place rented out, find Chris something to wear at this crazy shinding....the list goes on and on I assure you and with only 60 days left to do it in....yeah....

Here's my reasolution list for 2012:

1)Daily scriptures & prayer
2)Get out of debt or seriously reduce debt
3)Keep budget
4)Diet, stretch & exercise daily
5)Better at callings
6)Stop bitting my nails for good
7)More temple attendance
8)Bear my testimony more
9)Do more geneology work
10)Read all of my religious books that I own (this one is fairly lofty...so it might be on my resolutions for while)
11)Be more organized and keep my room clean (I have issues with this one)
12)Blog a bit more than I have in the last year

Happy 2012 to all you people that got your New Year Post up WAY before I did!! Keep smiling! :D It's going to be a glorious year!

2011: Year 30

Wait....WHAT?!!! HOW did the new year already come around?? Seriously??!

Ok, well, seeing as how it's the third of January and I still haven't done a review, I'd better do one.

Here's the rundown on the list of resolutions and results of 2010:

1) Prayer & Scriptures Daily ~ I did really well on the Prayer aspect, however, I need to seriously rededicate myself to Scriptures daily.

2) Temple attendance twice a month ~ Yeah, sadly, I didn't do this well at all. I think I maybe made it to the temple two or three times this year. Must do better.

3) Attend all Church meetings and fulfill callings ~ This one I did much better at and I plan to improve!

4) More Service ~ While I did this, I don't think I fulfilled what I set as my goal, so I will try harder.

5) Get to the gym and eat healthier ~ Right....Um....yeah, moving on....

6) Go back to school ~ See answer to #5

7) Date ~ I did this!....sort of...

8) Be possitive, confident & trust ~ I think I did better with all three of these, but again, I would have liked to do better

9) Try new things (even if I suck at them) ~ I did more of this during the year. It was hard, but I feel like I did accomplish this.

10) Travel more ~ I didn't get around to this. :( I did go to Colorado in December, but considering I have been there so often, I don't count it.

11) Stop caring what others think ~ I feel pretty good about my progress on this one

So...as you can see...sadly 2010 was not a brilliant star in my list of resolution accomplishments. BUT...I can start again fresh with the New Year!!

So what did 2010 bring for Yours Truly?

Well, on the top of my list, I passed the one year mark of Trevor being on his mission, which I know I mentioned before, so that will tell you how big a thing it was for me!

I went Snowboarding for the first time and didn't kill myself, which was a bonus! Plus, scarily enough, I want to go more and get good at it.

I had my first 29th birthday. It was probably the lowest point for me in the year. I don't deal well with birthday's for some reason, and since this was the last of the 20's, I think I got really depressed. Anyway...I got better.

I went to two concerts, Muse & Blue October! Awesome times had at both with seriously cool friends!

I did a LOT of dancing! In addition to continuing to dancing as part of the Desert Gypsy Dance Company, I took a couple of classes from a fellow dancer and pretty much danced from January through November. I was exhausted! It was great fun though!

I went on a one-day road trip with Mark, Rocio & Jeff to Moab. I thought I would die. I mean really...who looks at the equation of pigment challenged girl out in the red rocks in the sun all day long and think THAT works out well?? But with a little effort, I maintained my stunningly white palor AND made it up the hike to one of the Arches (with Rocio's help!)! Who knew I had it in me??!

I spent great times with Jeff and Emily for the Harry Potter Book Club and we finished all seven books in the series in under a year! Lots of good reading and great conversation! Definitely a highlight!

In addition to the HPBC, I did make it to some of Jeff's movie nights and The Office Thursdays, however, usually due to my dancing schedule, I had to pull back on my attendance considerably.

I said goodbye to Jeff when he moved to Texas and lost touch with a couple of good friends, but I made new awesome friends too! (*Winking at Shaun*)

Instead of dressing up for Halloween in a costume, I dressed up and went to the ballet with Shaun instead and had a great time! I look forward to more ballet with my ballet buddy!

I spent time with Chris & Stacie & the kids when they stopped in UT on their travels to AZ their new home! I had an awesome shopping date with Eliza & Lucas and Gabe was my favorite movie date! I LOVE all my kids!!

I traveled to Colorado for Christmas. It was fabulous! I was surrounded by my loved ones, reconnected with a cousin I hadn't seen in nine years and grew closer to another cousin and her daughter. And to top it off and my grandfather told us he'd like to be re-baptized by my brother when he gets home. Tender mercies of the Lord...

I was able to speak with Trevor on Christmas, which was wonderful! And I about cried when I got the email with his return flight information from Mexico!! Jan 28th!!! (it can't come soon enough!)

I did a lot more crocheting! I love to have yarn in my hands!

I didn't go see Eclipse when it came out. It took me a week or more to actually go see it.

I regretted the blond punk stripe. Lol. Actually, I don't regret doing it, but it really sucks the life out of the red color I now dye my hair, so after a while, the blond comes back without any effort. Awesome. Somethings will just haunt you for awhile....

Ok...so 2010 was a pretty good year! I can't cover everything, but it was pretty awesome!

What's up for 2011??

I have no idea really. If my New Year's celebration is any indication though...it's going to be pretty chillax! (I slept through the new year. I was great!)

I plan on picking up my bro from the airport in 24 days!! Hooray!! He's coming home!!!

I am going to travel with friends! It WILL happen!

I am going to be more positive and THINK more positively! I am going to use more assertive words like WILL, to help myself realize that anything is possible with the right attitude and the help of the Lord!

I am going to do better on my last year's resolutions. I think I am going to just go mainly off of last years list, however, I am going to add a goal to reduce the amount of time I spend watching TV. I watch too much. AND...I am going to try harder to enjoy and understand more about sports.

I'm going to dance! I'm going to celebrate turning the big 3-0!! I will take every opportunity to LIVE!

I WILL love 2011!

Here's hoping your New Year will be awesome!!! :)

The line in the sand...

So I have had a lot on my mind lately, but no real time to write it down.

While this may not be the most organized, here's what's been going on in my head (prepare for soapbox moments):

This weekend was General Conference (In case you've been living under a rock) and it seems that all of the messages were directed in some part to things that I have been pondering. While usually there is one or two messages that seem to personally touch me and make me think "that was just for me", I am having a hard time picking out a particular talk this time. All of the talks were "just for me" it seems.

In fact, even now, looking over the talks and topics, I am thinking "wow...that was good" or "oh, I want to listen to that one again!"

In the past month or so, I have noticed a shift in my life and it has become quite disconcerting. The shift is in the number of people I have around me that do not believe what I believe and that actively promote their contrary beliefs to mine. For the most part, they leave messages on their walls in Facebook about some random thing that BYU did to some poor picked on student who wasn't living up to the standards set forth by the private institution in order to attend the prestigious university. I was able to easily overlook those and continue on with my life not thinking much about it.

Lately, however, it's been amped up a notch. It seems every time I turn around, there's a discussion about how there is no god; that our existence here is just a flash in the pan and then it's over; how we shouldn't be guilted by organized religion into not being able to do what we wanted in this life to be happy. Again, I shrugged it off. These were my friends. I love them. I accept them for who they are. I try not to judge them and say "whatever makes them happy".

Then General Conference came and I was uplifted by the messages of hope and faith. I felt the spirit. It was wonderful....that is, until I got on Facebook and read the posts made by the friends I surrounded myself with. Sure, I have lots of friends that believe the same things as I do and we all posted how great conference was, but the one or two messages of contempt from the others somehow diminished the whole effect.

I actually read one post twice because I thought perhaps I was being unfair to them. In the end though, I deleted them as a friend. While they won't realize, I am sure, that I have deleted them right away, it never the less was a difficult decision for me. I didn't delete them out of spite or anger or any of those feelings, but more out of a desire for mutual respect. When it comes to my religion, I am not a pushy person, so I guess I felt disrespected being subjected to their beliefs in such an unceremoniously brutal fashion. I would never tell them what to believe and I would request the same courtesy, so us not being friends seemed the easiest solution. I am not going to delete all my friends who don't believe what I do, but it begs the question....will I have to one day? Right now, it's just the really outspoken ones, but there's a line drawn out in the sand somewhere and one day we will all meet at it...what then? These are my friends...and family...I love them. What then?

So, shrugging off the bad taste of deletion in my mouth, I went on my merry way and looked forward to the rest of my week.

Last night was Glee, and while there are some that scoff, I actually have like the show. I like their different renditions of popular songs and it's more light hearted than some of the shows that are currently on television. I was excited to watch last night's episode.

And then it started. One of the main characters in the sitcom made a sandwich and on that sandwich was a burn pattern and in that burn pattern was a shadow of what some COULD say looked like Jesus. At first I thought it was amusing, wondering how they would carry this through the episode, but then the character started to pray to the grilled cheese sandwich, which he called "cheesus" (no, I am not kidding). Perhaps it was stupid of me, but I shrugged it off and continued to watch the show, again wondering where they were taking this story line. The character showed up to school the next day in class and wanted to have a week of religious songs. All of the other characters were up in arms. The division between school and state was brought into it. One student was atheist and when his father ended up in the hospital, he raged at his peers when they were praying for his father. The whole episode had the undertone and message that there is no god. While other religions were represented, in my opinion, the atheistic point of view had more weight to it. Needless to say, by the end of the show, I was questioning again. I already sensor pretty much most of what I watch, but am I going to have to cut out all forms of popular media?



"The old saying, 'The Lord is voting for me, and Lucifer is voting against me, but it's MY vote that counts,' describes a doctrinal certainty that our agency is more powerful than the adversary's will. Agency is precious. We can foolishly, blindly give it away, but it cannot be forcibly taken from us.

"There is also an age-old excuse: 'The devil made me do it.' Not so! He can deceive you and mislead you, but he does not have the power to force you or anyone else into transgression or to keep you there." ~ President Boyd K. Packer, 2010 General Conference

"Satan's increasing influence in the world is allowed to provide an atmosphere in which to prove ourselves. While he causes havoc today, Satan's final destiny was fixed by Jesus Christ through His Atonement and Resurrection. The devil will not triumph. Even now he must operate within bounds set by the Lord. He cannot take away any blessing that has been earned. He cannot alter character that has been woven from righteous decisions. He has no power to destroy the eternal bonds forged in a holy temple between a husband, wife and children. He cannot quench true faith. He cannot take away your testimony. Yes, these things can be lost by succumbing to his temptations. But he has no power in and of himself to destroy them." ~ Elder Richard G. Scott, 2010 General Conference

"An ever-present danger to the family is the onslaught of evil forces that seem to come from every direction. While our primary effort must be to seek light and truth, we would be wise to black out our homes from the lethal bombs that destroy spiritual development and growth. Pornography, in particular, is a weapon of mass moral destruction. It's impact is at the forefront in eroding moral values. Some TV programs and Internet site are equally lethal. These evil forces remove light and hope from the world. The level of decadence is accelerating. If we do not black out evil from our homes and lives, do not be surprised if devastating moral explosions shatter the peace which is the reward for righteous living. Our responsibility is to be in the world but not of the world." ~ Elder Quentin L. Cook, 2010 General Conference

Answers.

Truth of the matter is, it is getting harder to exsist in this world and not be of the world. It's going to get harder.

The last thought I have been having lately is: am I ashamed of God?

Those that know me, know that I am pretty much open to all people and will, for the most part, accept them for who they are, but that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and I believe it.

Lately though, with being caught in the onslaught of others' thoughs of what is right and what is wrong in this world and how unfairly people are being treated in this area or that area, I have started to ask myself, why am I subjected to all their negativity about my religion and why is it wrong for me to post the things that I believe in? If I believe in God, should I not say so? If I feel inclined to post a particular scripture or religious quote, shouldn't I?

I would like very much to say that I am not ashamed of God, but the truth is that I have not behaved as though I weren't ashamed. In the past, if I wanted to post something, the first thing that would come to mind is my desire not to hurt or offend anyone's feelings. I don't want to step on toes. I want us all to get along, like we should.

...but there is a line out there in the sand somewhere...

If I am right, this blog, while not searchable, is not set to private, so there is the off chance that someone other that a friend or family member will read this. And there is a strong chance that they won't agree with something or all of which I have said. They may be upset.

But here it is:

I am not ashamed. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and I know this gospel to be true. I believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet. I believe that the Book of Mormon is a true historical account. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior; that he broke the bonds of death; and that he lives even now. I believe that there is an afterlife. I believe that President Thomas S. Monson a prophet of God, chosen by God to lead this church. I support him as prophet, seer and revelator. I believe that President Uchtdorf and President Eyring were also chosen of God as were the other tweleve apostles. I believe the messages that they give us every General Conference are inspired of God and that they are for our benefit. I believe I am a daughter of God, that he knows me personally and that he loves me. I have a purpose.

I believe in God. I believe.

You may not like me now. You may not care. You may even delete me as a friend from Facebook. I will no longer live as though I am ashamed of my Savior.

And someday we will get to that line in the sand and when we do, you will know where I stand.

But I have to tell you, that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. It's teachings are true and the LDS beliefs have brought peace and happiness to my life! And it can do the same for yours too!

It's going to get harder...but I trust in the Lord.

People watching...and other miscellaneous thoughts...

I am a people watcher. I do it both intentionally and unintentionally. I find entertainment in the things people do when no one is watching. Sometimes I find people to be funny, other times appalling, and others down right suspicious.

I went to Lagoon recently with a group of friends and had quite the selection of people to watch. There's nothing quite like a theme park for diversity in numbers. However, while I was watching, I realized that in truth, it shouldn't be called people watching, but more people judging. I almost hesitate to call it judging, because a good majority of the time, it's more me judging myself against them, and not judging them for who they are, but in the end, I am making a judgement about that person based off of merely their look and actions, so truly it is judging.


Being a larger than average girl (and before readers get their panties in a twist, I am sorry...being 5'10" and weighing what I do, does put me in the above average category), I tend to be harder on myself about my appearance. It's not a difficult thing to do when you feel like a giant stuck in the land of skinny-mini's.


However, after being at Lagoon for a full day, I started to really feel much better about my looks. Sure...it could have been the mass amounts of women wearing tube-tops (90% of which really SHOULDN'T have been allowed to wear them). For the first time in years, and perhaps not something I will do again for a while, I wore just my swimsuit while at Lagoona Beach. Why is that so odd, you say? Well, a) that's probably the most exposed I have been in public since I went through the temple in 2008, so it's been a couple years; b) I am a very white girl and due to said a), some areas are whiter than I remembered and c) normally, when venturing out in a swimsuit, I wear shorts and this time I opted not to.


At first, it was hard to walk around in the mass crowds of perfectly tan beauties that swarmed the park's beach resort. However, after the initial self-concious, self-censuring 20 minutes, I REALLY started to look around at all the women around me and noticed exactly just how many ladies really were "perfect". I realized that I was not alone, but rather, in good company. The women were in all shapes and sizes and all levels of perfection/imperfection. It was a rather fabulous realization that I was more similar than dissimilar to a good 80% (I like to make up random %, so just go with me) of the female population. I think in today's society, what with fashion magazines boasting airbrushed beauties, shows on television showing us what looks good and what not to wear, and movies that only cast super skinny heroines...it's hard for a girl to look in the mirror and think she's perfect just the way she is. I am sure that there were plenty of people there that wished I HAD worn more (if only to spare their eyes the strain from the glare), but most of them were in the same boat, so meh.


Other miscellaneous thoughts and slight judgements (the soap box moment continues):


I saw my first teen-lesbian couple. At first, I thought one was a dude and then I quickly realized that it was a girl. It reminded me of when I was a teen and me and my girl friends "married" each other, which was nothing more than female bonding over matching rings. Kinda different now.


I was amazed at the amount of kids that were tattooed. As someone who has a tattoo, I usually don't judge, but I couldn't help but notice how many teens were tatted up! Clearly, no doubt with programs like Miami Ink and L.A. Ink, the younger generations on this earth have decided that permanent color is their best friend. I was shocked at some of the artwork, not only for it's graphic nature, but for it's size! The hundreds of dollars spent! Again, I have a tattoo...so I don't have any room to really talk, however, if you change your style, hair or girlfriend more than once a quarter, you aren't old enough to drink or even rent a car, really...do you think that super sweet skeletal Elvis face in your half sleeve or the bloody gears under your flesh that take up 3/4 of your back will be your favorite in say 20 years?? And when you hate them...how will you cover up something that size?? My advise to all readers: Invest now in the tattoo removal business.


Where's the respect? Older generations of people, those that actually HAD manners, have seriously earned my respect! For heaven sake...if you are waiting in line, wait your turn! And Cross Walks were made to cross IN...not 20 feet to the left of them and when the car almost hits you, you throw your hands up in rude gestures.

The times....they are a changin'.

ok...soap box moment over

Friendship is a sheltering tree. ~Samuel Taylor Coleridge

I have been saying a lot of goodbyes lately. Not all are "goodbyes". There have been a lot of "I'll see you soon" and "I'll come visit", but really, they are in the same category.

Why do I bring this up?

A little over a year and a half ago, I said the hardest "goodbye" I have ever had to make. I would love to say that was an exaggeration, but it really is not. I said "I'll write you" to my little brother, who was entering the MTC to begin his LDS Mission, which would take him to Mexico.

Again, why do I bring this up? This is not new news. You probably all remember me freaking out a little (or more than a little).

The reason is this:

Looking back at my life, there has always been a pattern, than only now, as I contemplate another goodbye, I see clearly. The pattern is my friends. The pattern is YOU. Yes...you. Clearly, I am speaking in multiple when I state "you", but basically, if YOU are reading this...then YOU are included in that YOU. Now that we are clear on that...let's move on.

I have always been a truly sentimental person. Growing up, I was never the life of the party, the popular girl or any of that and I had very few friends. But the friends that I did have, meant the world to me.

As my life fell apart around me, I took sanctuary in my friends. I lived for the moments that I could just spend time with my friends. For me, it was always the best of times.

And it fell apart again, and you were there to catch me.

And as my life felt like it was starting to fall apart when Trevor left, I once again took sanctuary in my friends.

One of my favorite sayings in this world is: Friends are relatives you make for yourself. ~Eustache Deschamps

I truly believe that line.

So what is it that I want to say with this post? What is it that drove me to open my computer and try to make something of the nonsensical emotions that I have?

I believe it is that I want YOU to know how much I needed you in my life! The greatness that you thought was your ordinary self...I NEEDED that in my life. You might think of it as a little blown out of proportion for me to say, "You saved my life", but I don't. For me it quite literally is the truth.

If I haven't told you...if I haven't shown you or expressed in some way how much the simple act of you being my friend, brother, sister, niece or nephew means to me, then I have sadly failed your kindness!

Some of you I have known forever, some a little longer than that and others not long at all, but it doesn't feel that way!

Do you remember the times we drove around late in the summer nights singing Oingo Boingo? Or waking up early to go and see the balloons launch for the 4th of July? Do you remember drawing pictures in your mom's new plush cream carpet with quarters? Do you remember that "Senior Sluff" day at Lagoon? Do you remember that crazy belly dancing routine we did with the key?

Do you remember watching the Simpsons every night on the VHS tape? Do you remember all the awesome times at Ihop? Or those crazy nights were we laughed till we cried at four in the morning? How about the time we got pulled over in Forks at 2am? Or drove out to La Push at 1am? Do you remember the crazy trades we made in Sunday Monopoly games because we got bored and "wanted to spice it up"?

Do you remember that time we stayed up talking about nothing and everything all at once? Do you remember how nice it was to have you as a "roommate" downstairs? Do you remember that time you let me cry on you when I couldn't stand it anymore? Do you remember our catch phrases, like "blowfish", "crabby patties", "brookitito burrito, nitto nacho girl and taco paco man" or "caddywhompus"?

Do you remember our trips? Star Valley, Moab, Washington, California...

Rock Band, Dance Recitals, Movie Night, Harry Potter Book Club, Ihop, that Chinese place that has those egg rolls that taste just like that other place that's closed now....

The Color Festivals, the princess breakfast and monster truck show...

The emails that we shared. Snowboarding and Arches? (bucket list items, btw)

The "Walmart fun" late at night, along with 3am Taco Bell runs.

Fantastic Mr. Fox. Om Shanti Om. Up. Wall-E. Across the Universe. Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. Love at Stake.

Do you remember all the good times at Yamato, Cafe Rio, Spicey Thai, Bombay House and Indian Palace, and Joe's? The little chinese place in Provo? Lots and lots of sushi??

Do you remember Blue October, TMBG, Tally Hall and Muse?

Do you remember that time we shot that huge gun and it was AWESOME??

I do.

So, even though there are some of you that I have drifted apart from, have only just met, will soon be saying "hello" to, or in Jeff's case, am sad to be saying goodbye to shortly....I have not forgotten one minute of it all!

My life has been altered by your presence. I am changed now. And I have YOU to thank for it.

Thank you for sharing your awesomeness with me!! Thank you letting me be a part of your life! Thank you for being a part of mine!!!

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit. ~Albert Schweitzer

Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. ~Dr. Seuss.

Lost...

I apologize (for anyone that actually does read the nonsense that I write) that I have not written in a while.

Truth of the matter is...I have lost my writing. I am not really sure where it went. I just don't have anything to write about.

Fear not. I am looking for it and, hopefully soon, it will re-emerge with plenty to say!

Hopefully...

HAPPY YEAR ONE!

One year down, one more to go till Elder Stevens gets home!

Time flew by, but I hope it flies faster!!!

Just had to share my joy!! :)

Cheers!

2010: Year 29

Happy New Year! Another year come and gone, so it's time for a new list and a 2009 recap.

So here's the update on my resolutions at the beginning of 2009:
1) daily prayers and scripture reading. Fantastically enough, I am good on this one! Hooray for me!

2) daily gym attendance. Ha ha ha...another year where Gold's can laugh at me and say "you paid us for nothing!"

3) always looking at the great gifts in my life (possitive attitude). While I would LOVE to say that I had in fact been much more possitive, I am going to say I have been slightly more possitive this year. Stupid economy is also ruining my resolution list too!! Grrr....

4) attend the temple more. Yep, did more of that this year too!

5) find more opportunities to serve. Did more of this too, but there's always room to grow.

6) get out of debt. Ha ha ha....didn't do so hot on this one.

7) get my own place. See #3 - mention of economy ruining my resolution list.

8) open myself up to dating/relationships. I count this as achieved, even though I didn't make my quota of one date a year this year.

9) hug more. sadly, I sucked at this one. I don't like assuming I am welcome in someone's "bubble" without their promting. I have been sadly mistaken before.

10) forgive myself. I think I have done better with this one too.

11) have more confidence. yeah...still working on that one.

12) trust more. See #11.



So...what is my list this year? Well, there are several things I am going to keep; several things I am going to rededicate myself too...in short:

1) Continued prayer/scriptures daily

2) Attend the temple, if not once a week, at least twice a month

3) Make a real effort to attend all my church meetings and fullfill church callings to the fullest

4) Find more time to serve and look for those needing service

5) Get to the gym and eat healthier

6) Go back to school

7) Date

8) Be possitive, confident and trust

9) Try new things even if I am afraid to suck at them

10) Travel more

11) Stop caring what others think because life is too short


This is my shortlist for this year. I am sure as the year progresses, it will change and expand, because there are always things that can be made better; but for now, it will do.



So what did I do with 2009, you ask? Here's my look back:



I said goodbye to my best friend and have missed him everyday since. I have watched him grow in the Lord, been impressed by his spirit, reminded that he's a man, and influenced by his example. One year down...one to go! (I LIVED!!! Unbelievably enough...)


I took a photography class, just sure that I was meant to be some natural prodigy at captivating the beauty this world has to offer. Sadly...I didn't do that well and I don't remember much of the class. I may have to pursue a more studious course, over a longer period of time, where it will have a greater chance to sink in to my thick skull.


I celebrated or scoffed at my 28th birthday. A little of both I think.


I traveled to Denver to visit with my Grandma, whom I don't get to see as often as I should.

I traveled to Alamosa to visit my Grandpa and spend some much needed quality time with him. I shared with him a movie montage of his life that I compiled and told him how much I love him. I am grateful that his health and my Grandma's health improved!


I traveled, yet again, to Forks, WA with my dear friends and had a great time! What a beautiful place. I may go back, because there are still places I would like to have seen there, but I think I will look for something new and different this year.

Again, I watched movies I never would have dreamed of, thanks to movie nights with Jeff. Logged plenty of hours playing rock band too. Enjoyed the office with the "gang" every week and even bought the previous seasons so that I could catch up on what I had missed in the earlier years.

I hung out with my nieces and nephews, who are probably the coolest people around! Since they moved so far away I have missed them so much and it was awesome to spend time with them this summer!

I danced! In January, along with taking the photography class, I also took a Belly Dancing class. I LOVED it! In fact, I loved it so much....I joined Desert Gypsy Dance Company and performed from July through November with a wonderful group of ladies and have made some really great friends! While I might not be the best there is, I don't mind, because I am still doing it and it is still making me happy.

I was a Vamp-Pirate for halloween.
I volunteered for the New Moon Event.
I knitted, crocheted, and shrinky-dinked to my hearts content.
I started re-reading Harry Potter with a couple of good friends.
I dyed a big blond "punk stripe" in my hair for giggles. Figured I better do it before I got too old to know better...

I rocked out at not one, but two different concerts and loved it all! (Hooray for TMBG & Tally Hall!)

I laughed...and I cried.
I lost 18 lbs.....
...I gained six back....lol


I did it my way.


So what do I have planned for the big 2010??

There are a couple of things on my radar: snowboarding for the first time (maybe...lol), the Muse concert in April and more Belly Dancing. Possibly a night class here or there...

I don't have any real plans yet though, and that is ok. I am excited to see where 2010 goes, who I meet, where I am lead and what great things I will have to write about next year.

I just want to say thank you to all the great people who fill up my life and make the journey worthwhile. I can honestly say that I couldn't have done without all of you!

May 2010 bring you the very best that this life has to offer and more!!

Ode to Barnes & Noble...

I have often been told that I write well. And I've often been told that you can only do what you know how to do well...(nod to TMBG...moving on)

Not having any particular reason or direction, I stumbled into Barnes & Noble and lunch accompanied by my co-workers today. I am usually much smarter than just trying to walk into this store without a direct purpose or benefactor, but today it would appear that my intelligence has taken a vacation and someone else seems to be at the "wheel".

I has headed in two different sections when we entered. The first was to the "classical" section and the second was to the "crafts/arts" section. I wanted to hit the classical section, because let's face it, after a weekend of Jane Austen...I daresay I was entranced by the mirth of a generation long past and would gladly have continued walking in their carefree adventures much longer than I should admit, if only I were allowed to.

I wanted to hit the crafts section, because I am in great need of another pattern for crochet. (Not even close, but yeah...it could happen)

Before I made any progress in any direction, however, I was presented with a book that one of my co-worker/friend had found over the weekend and I was completely drawn in. It was quick, it was witty,... it was semi-original!

The book, nightlight, is about a girl that moves to a small town with a vampire problem. Hmmm...this sounds vaguely familiar. I flipped over to the back cover and read the quick synopsis. In short: The book is a fabulous parody of Twilight. I don't think I have laughed so hard in a long time. I look forward to reading all the way through it.

Looking for other possible gems in reading, we headed to the "teen" section, where, if you can believe it or not, there are other vampire books. In fact, now that I think of it...it might have been the "teen-vampire" section since books of other variety were scarce. I picked up book after book and was surprised to find out exactly just how many teenage girls are out there that are being stalked/dated by vampires. I feel slighted.

Standing there, in front of the "I'm looking to be a vampire sacrifice" section, the thought occurred to me, as it often does, the original thought is in fact, dead. No one out there has a story of their own creation and if they do, they don't get to keep it long, because someone will come out of the woodworking with some attempt at a knock off shortly after the original hits the shelf.

It reminds me a lot of what my friend, Jeff, recently posted on his blog. While his blog was more about the technical aspects of TV ratios and correlations with Bluray movies...or something like that...(Yes...I just butchered his blog. My apologies, Jeff. I did TRY to understand. Lol) he touched on a fact that people these days no longer care. They don't stop to consider if they SHOULD just because they COULD. "Should I write a novel that is 99% similar to this other novel? Why yes! I think I shall!" So they crank out some crap-tastic version of the original story and some small publishing house says "hey...why not" and thus you get a shelf wallpapered with "Suck-tabulous" spellbinding tales of love and death, which I am sure all all wonderful reads.

Right...

I shouldn't be surprised though, you see this "originality" everywhere you go! In fact, the pattern that I was looking for in the crafts/arts section was an ear muff cover that I had seen sold in Buckle...or some other store like that...and I thought, I can make that! Ta da! My own knock off!

But I digress....or at least I should, considering the different directions this post has taken.

One of the points in writing this was to say, sure, someone, or even someones, have told me that I should write, because I am good at it. Well, standing in the entrance of Barnes and Noble, staring and shelf after shelf of both original and unoriginal ideas, I realized that the authors who wrote those books, also had people at home telling them they should write. 99% of those people are crap-tastic. Until I get a very original idea...I don't think I will get around to writing.

So what did I end up purchasing, you ask? Well, Nightlight by The Harvard Lampoon, a Tokidoki calendar (my fave and hopefully a future post), a magnetic poetry calendar and a Japanese style sketch book. Oh you didn't know I sketched?? ...yeah, I don't...or not yet anyway...

You have to love Barnes & Noble....the Walmart of the literary world.

Hey...I enjoy a good jest too...

For those of you who think I may be a little too serious about my "Twilight" thing...

....I present a parody that I really enjoyed. (sorry it is so long)

If only life could always be made into a music video...



I think the girl that made that is really talented! Lol.

And an additional parody...for all my "Snack boxes" out there! "My Snack!"



Ah...the one that started it all....hahaha! "Who shut that?!"

I know there are so many to choose from...but those are a couple of my favorites!

Where's the music??

Normally, when you come to my blog, I have music that just starts up on it's own. Well, lately, it has been bothering me that it is the same 'ol thing it has been since forever, so I took it off. I am going to be updating soon with newer music selections, but no guarantees when that will come to fruition.

For now, if you scroll to the bottom of the blog, there is a music player there, but you have to press play in order for it to begin.

If you like.

Just Saying.

Joy...thy name is muppet...

Weekend Report...part 1

Well ladies & gents, the time has come for me to give my report. After having a good deal of sleep and food, I am now better in charge of my faculties to try and give my unbiased (or partially unbiased) opinion of the movie The Twilight Saga: New Moon and the New Moon Experience.

I think the best place to start is going to be the movie.

So here's my review of the movie:

All in all, I liked it. (I know...you are shocked)
Here's a few of the reasons why:
Bella's blinking issue has apparently gone away, as has her incessant stuttering issue, which prevented her from stringing two words together coherently.
The vampires look more like vampires....in that they are slightly more unsettling when looking at them. You know there is something off...but putting your finger on it is the tough part...until it's too late.
The world does not come in different shades of blue, but rather the entire color spectrum.
The dialog is easier.
The music flows well with the story and is almost a character in itself (in some places) that describes exactly what is going on.
The action in the movie is stellar and adds so much.

Now, I must state that all of this is based off of only one showing. I know, I know...you cannot believe that I didn't see it five times in a twenty-four hour period like I did last year. Sadly, a rather unpleasant sinus infection, coupled with an incredibly sore body that was the result of a fabulous dance party, limited my capabilities for multiple views. This is something I hope to remedy shortly.

I think the new director has made a world of difference. The acting was tremendously better and I am a firm believer that bad acting is a result of bad directing, so a new director would explain the improvement there. The story was a bit rushed, and if you aren't well versed in what is going on, you might want to get a run down from someone who does prior to seeing the flick, so that your enjoyment may be enhanced. However, a rushed storyline is to be expected since there is a lot to get through in a short amount of time. I struggled in parts to connect with the angst of the characters and I believe that is in part to the rush of the story and part due to the acting. Seeing as how I am not an actor though, and not trying to please countless extremely picky fans, I will try and cut the actors some slack.

I went to the midnight opening show with my good girlfriends of the NRG. We were in a theater that Events By Alice rented out and it was packed with fellow Twilightmoms. I love experiencing the movie for the first time in this type of environment, because your emotions tend to feed, even subconsciously, off of the emotions of others around you also viewing it for the first time. It's a cool experience.

While I was pleased with the first movie when it first debut, I have picked it apart with the strictest of critics since then, and believe me...we do a much tougher job than riff tracks any day, and I still like it. I don't expect this to be much different. I will always like the movie, but at some point, I wouldn't doubt that I will have a list of flaws or "cheese" issues that I wish were fixed.

All in all, the plot was easier to follow, the colors better, better action, and was the acting better. The CGI was improved as well, and while it still left something to be desired when the vampires are in the sun, the wolf transformations and action sequences were tremendous.

I left the movie encouraged and excited to see the next installment, which I found out to my great pleasure, will be in June. I just hope the new director for that film, David Slade (who was the director of 30 Days of Night, a horror flick), will do a great job as well.

The box office results and comparisons (as reported on Twilightmoms.com last night):

Midnight Showings:
Twilight - $7 Million
New Moon - $26.2 Million

Opening Day:
Twilight - $35.7 Million
New Moon - $72.7 Million

Opening Weekend:
Twilight (US & Canada) - $69.7 Million (3,419 theaters)
New Moon (US & Canada) - $140.7 Million (4,024 theaters)


New Moon's opening weekend has earned it a place in entertainment history. EW's Box Office Report is reporting that New Moon grossed an estimated $140.7 million at the box office this weekend and is now "the biggest autumn opening weekend in history and the third biggest three day debut ever." And New Moon is ranked third in overall opening weekend rankings, just behind The Dark Knight and Spider Man 3.

Worldwide estimates are that New Moon's opening weekend box office totals are around $258.8 million. Twilight's total worldwide gross was $383.5 million. In one weekend, New Moon has brought in over 67% of Twilight's total box office sales.

And keep in mind, Twilight's opening weekend accounted for 36% of it's total sales. If that trend continues, New Moon could be on it's way to grossing over $300 million domestically (Twilight's domestic total was $192.7), not to mention the worldwide totals added in there.