Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Puerto Rico...In search of sanity

First of all I would like to tell you that I am blogging courtesy of in flight wifi! I am on my way home from my most recent adventure, a small US commonwealth called Puerto Rico. It was really just time for a vacation and I strong-armed Elba into joining me for a beach getaway. A week on an island is NEVER a bad idea. Some of the highlights include:
1. Many many hours lounging on the beach and by the pool
2. Reading 2 and a half non-school books
3. Culebra Island and Playa Flamenco, the second most beautiful beach in the world
4. Swimming in the ocean by moonlight...aaahhh, heaven!
5. Kayaking in the glowing water of a bioluminescent bay, it was like kayaking over a starry night sky
6. Don Pepe's - tasty food
7. Staying up late and sleeping in
8. El Moro - you all know how much I love ruins, the fort was really cool
9. Some of the best sorbet I have ever tasted
10. Finding my sanity...apparently it runs to the ocean and I have to go reclaim it periodically

Thursday, November 26, 2009

25 things I'm thankful for

1. My mom, she thinks I can do anything and because of her I believe I can.
2. My dad, can actually do anything...fix your car, custom carpentry, make you laugh.
3. My sisters, you're the best!
4. My brothers, there should be more men like you in the world!
5. My job, all of it, the work, the reward, the kids and the best boss and coworkers ever!
6. My education...invaluable!
7. My health.
8. My integrity.
9. Vacations, they bring me the sanity my life and job suck out of me!
10. My friends, I've got the greatest ones in the world!
11. The Gospel, I'm not perfect but I know I don't have to be because of the Atonement of my Savior! He only expects the best I am capable of and He forgives my weaknesses.
12. My iPhone, I love it!
13. Sunshine!
14. Beaches!
15. My intelligence, lucky to be born with it blessed to be able to cultivate it!
16. My mission. Those 18 months taught me more about who I was and how to serve others!
17. Dansko shoes, oh so unattractive but oh so comfortable.
18. Flip flops and painted toe nails!
19. Pedicures and massages.
20. Love. It shows me the entire spectrum of joy and pain and helps me grow!
21. My apartment, it's warm in the winter, cool in the summer and it's all mine. Plus it's cute.
22. Music, when I need to get lost or get a kick out of singing at the top of my lungs in the car, I love it, all kinds!
23. Good books.
24. Good examples.
25. Thirty years of amazing life experience. I wouldn't trade a single year of it.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

SYTYCD

I had no idea what that acronym was for until Mandy showed me this video on on YouTube. Actually, the only time I have ever watched So You Think You Can Dance is with Mandy, but when she showed me this video I fell in love. I loved the song, the idea, the dancers, everything about this...so I am sharing it with you.



The concept for the dance was addiction. The girl is the addict and the guy is the drug, the song is "Gravity" by Sara Bareilles.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

I am KAYAK hear me ROAR!

I really enjoy kayaking...despite my lack of experience and skill, it is something that I have come to love. I was watching an episode of the Gilmore girls and just wanted to share this little clip.

Enjoy!

Monday, September 14, 2009

Not my problem

This statement is something that I have learned to live by. When you work in a difficult and sad environment like I do you have to create limits. You have to recognize what is in your power to change and what is not, what you should feel bad about and what you should not and what is your problem to solve and what is somebody else's problem. It took some time to become proficient in the art of realizing its not my problem but it has had some unforeseen benefits that are very helpful in other aspects of my life.

So for now...I feel pretty good about saying "it has nothing to do with me, I cannot change it, I should not feel bad about it and fine, let someone else deal with this problem cause...ITS NOT MY PROBLEM!"

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Worth it...?

Michelle asked me the other day if the idea of things being "worth it" was some how a part of the teachings of my church. She indicated that it was a phrase she often heard me use and while the concept was familiar, the words "worth it" were more commonly used by her LDS friends. After giving it a little bit of thought, I determined that we are taught from a fairly young age about trials and sacrifice, we are told "don't give up what you want in the long run for what you want now," we are encouraged to believe that there are things that we do that are hard because they are worth it in the long run. While I don't think the idea of "worth it" is founded in any doctrine of the church I do know that the concept in general is referred to in several ways relating to the gospel. Regardless...the idea of things being "worth it" is something that I weigh out constantly in my mind.

All things question: is the opportunity cost greater than the value of the opportunity? Do we not all evaluate all opportunities this way on a regular basis?

Is "it" worth it?
Maybe I want to have a bigger apartment with central air but I really hate moving...so is it worth it?
I really need to figure out how to make more money but I love my job. If I go back to school to get the next license I can increase my salary but I really, REALLY hate school. Is it worth it?
I love good food and I don't like going to the gym. I want my jeans to fit me when I pull them out for fall but that means going to the gym and eating less. Is it worth it?

Is "he" worth it?
Maybe he is really cute but not that smart. Do I want to sacrifice good conversation for good looks? Is he worth it?
I love his company but he is totally a flake? Is he worth it?
He is amazing, funny, attractive but not a member of the church? Is he worth it?

Am "I" worth it?
Lets be honest, the answer to this one is always yes but I am not always the one making the evaluation. People get to decide for themselves what sacrifices they are willing to make for you. How much of themselves they will give. How much you are worth an hour at your job...etc. It is difficult not to feel sometimes, "well, I guess I wasn't worth it."

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Quote of the Day

"I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure don't deserve me at my best."
— Marilyn Monroe



You have to admit, she was pretty great. She was beautiful, honest, real.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Fun Stuff

Summer has set in at work and we are immersed in the craziness thereof. Last week started the first of the ropes course outings as well as the river trips in Moab. We had a great time...I still marvel that I get paid for some of the things I get to do (not much, but still paid).





For Memorial Day weekend Erica and I drove to Hurricane, UT where we met Kate and stayed for a few days to see some more of the wonders of southern Utah. We spent one day laying on the beautiful red rocks of Sand Hollow reservoir. On Monday we went into Zion National Park and hiked (walked really) into the Emerald Pools. It was beautiful and so much fun.




I of course have pictures of my feet in both places...apparently my sunscreen attracted some dirt:)


Saturday, May 16, 2009

Book Club

I recently joined a book club. It is really just a few people that have wanted to be in one and decided to just do it. One of the women chose a book and sent an e-mail and that is how it happened. We had our first meeting last night. I only actually know one of the other members but I can tell that we will have a lot of fun together. Our first book was "The Witch of Portobello." I really enjoyed it and will leave you with an excerpt:



Everything is at once so simple and so complicated! It's simple because all it takes is a change of attitude: I'm not going to look for happiness anymore. From now on, I'm independent; I see life through my eyes and not through other people's. I'm going in search of the adventure of being alive.

And it's complicated: Why am I not looking for happiness when everyone has taught me that happiness is the only goal worth pursuing? Why am I going to risk taking a path that no one else is taking?

After all, what is happiness?

Love, they tell me. But love doesn't bring and never has brought happiness. On the contrary, it's a constant state of anxiety, a battlefield; it's sleepless nights, asking ourselves all the time if we're doing the right thing. Real love is composed of ecstasy and agony.

All right then, peace. Peace? If we look at the Mother, she's never at peace. The winter does battle with the summer, the sun and the moon never meet, the tiger chases the man, who's afraid of the dog, who chases the cat, who chases the mouse, who frightens the man.

Money brings happiness. Fine. In that case, everyone who earns enough to have a high standard of living would be able to stop working. But then they're more troubled than ever, as if they were afraid of losing everything. Money attracts money, that's true. Poverty might bring unhappiness, but money won't necessarily bring happiness.

I spent a lot of my life looking for happiness; now what I want is joy. Joy is like sex--it begins and it ends. I want pleasure, I want to be contented, but happiness? I no longer fall into that trap.

When I'm with a group of people and I want to provoke them by asking that most important of questions--Are you happy? --they all reply: "Yes, I am."

Then I ask: "But don't you want more? Don't you want to keep on growing?" And they all reply: "Of course."

Then I say: "So you're not happy." And they change the subject.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

What you waiting for?

I have been shamefully delinquent in my blogging. This semester has kicked my butt and I have not had the time or desire to blog. Since January 21st a few significant events have taken place. Here they are in no particular order:

1) I went on a fabulous cruise to Grand Cayman, Belize, Roatan Island and Cozumel
2) I turned THIRTY
3) I finished another semester

I am sure there were some other things but for now those are the things I remember. Here is some photo-documentation for your viewing pleasure!










This last one is after going to the Symphony, Natalie took us for our birthdays and it was WONDERFUL!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Fata Slaba

These two words, fata slaba, are some of my very favorite in the Romanian language. Just take a gander at what they mean. Read them slowly, enunciating carefully, what do you think they mean? Just guess!

Here's a hint:



Yep...it means skinny girl! And you guessed fat slab right? I love it!

I took this picture in the lobby of the amazing Getty Museum in LA when I was there on my fabulous vacation.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Do I look 13?

I went to see Quantum of Solace tonight. Saw it when it first came out but I have a big crush on Daniel Craig, plus, my friend waited to see it until he could see it with me so I had to...my pleasure.


Anyways, we were standing in a rediculously long line in the bitter cold and two young men in front of us were getting tickets for the same flick. The ticket taker girl asked the first boy for his I.D. Now for those of you who are unaware, this double oh seven is rated PG-13.


This kid was definately older than 13, poor guy. I don't think I've ever been I.D.'d for anything. Well, she didn't ask me for my I.D., so I guess I look like I'm at least 13.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Reading is Sexy

I've been too distracted to read much lately. I bought 5 or 6 books at Powell's in Portland and I got through the first chapter of one of them before I forgot I was reading it. Plus, I have a 'no-non-school-books-during-school policy' (curse school). The last book I read was one of the Amelia Peabody novels. Amelia is freakin' hilarious and has been the only one to keep my attention through more than one chapter, cause lets be honest, the textbooks ain't doin' it.

My friend is a little further ahead of me in the series and told me a quote from one of the books today. I love it...

"A lady cannot be blamed if a master criminal takes a fancy to her."

Pretty great eh? So I also ordered a t-shirt online today. I saw Rory wearing a similar one on an episode of Gilmore Girls and I was green with envy. Turns out you can find everything on the internet...yay!

Sunday, January 4, 2009

It doesn't get easier...but it gets funner!

When I was little, we used to go get a family picture taken every other year. We would drive into L.A. with hot rollers in our hair and upon arrival at the studio we would change into our fancy clothes and mom would do finishing touches on our hair. It always seemed like a major production and mom was usually super stressed out by the time the photographer said "say cheese!" It was before the days of digital cameras and there were so many of us that it was always just a crap shoot to see if we could get a good one of everybody.

It hasn't changed, even though we can all dress ourselves now and we can approve the digital snapshots before we finish, we can't seem to stop goofing off long enough to get a good one of all of us. Mom wanted to get a few pics of the family since we are finally all together again. We skipped the studio, the hot rollers and the fancy clothes and took some shots in Natalie's living room. You don't enter into an endeavor like this without a plan. Strategy #1: take pictures in small groups. Strategy #2: Get the grumpy kids first. Stragegy #3: Do not attempt to get any photos with the entire family. With the boys making all the girls laugh and the girls needing multiple shots to approve it got a little frustrating. Plus, there was a tasty birthday cake sitting on the kitchen counter just begging to be eaten. Here are some of our results...





and here are some of the out-takes...


We actually deleted most of the crazy ones. My family cracks me up!