Bloomabilities

photos from my files

2011-07-15T14:18:00.000-06:00

Botanical Gardens

The day we got caught in a sudden downpour at the capital.
Very romantic to be huddled under a tiny umbrella, I must say.

This one time we went swing dancing. There
was a live band and no air conditioning.
Red face, but so fun.

This one time Jeff's sister and brother-in-law came to visit and we had way
too much fun. And ate a lot of really good food.

I had a little nibble of Jeff's oyster and didn't puke all night. Yay!

Economics lesson at the American History Museum.

This one time I got all hipster and got Instagram on my ipod touch. oooh.

Thomas Jefferson Building of the National Archives. Beautiful building.
Plus, Thomas Jefferson's library. AWESOME.

Nerdlings

2011-06-27T12:20:00.000-06:00

So, I think I was going to tell you guys about the air and space museum? Well, we are nerds so we loved it a ton. We exclaim a lot about how awesome everything is. Like the module that first landed on the moon. Holy sweet! Below we have the Spirit of St Louis. First solo transatlantic flight happened in this baby. No big deal.

Here's the Bell X-1, Glamorous Glennis. First plane to break the sound barrier. Cool.

I think I also promised something about our fist metro shopping trip? Well, I just realized that we only have really long boring videos from there. That's more cheeses than you would probably care to see, so I decided against posting them. Maybe I will take pictures when we go shipping next week. We'll see.

Here's some other random pictures for your enjoyment:

The view from our window that I see while I work all day.

Made some salmon. It was yummy.

We went to old town Alexandria and ate at Gadsby's Tavern. George Washington ate their some few times and Thomas Jefferson had his inaugural banquet there. The food was good, nothing super amazing, but the atmosphere and candlelight were very fun.

Pretty much time is just going way too fast, and we will never be able to see everything we want if we keep up our lazy, non-tourist rate of events. Luckily Jeff's sister and her husband came to visit us, so we got some good sight seeing in over the weekend. Also some good late night partying and alien killing, too. We are sad they are leaving us tomorrow. Fourth year of medical school waiting at home? Pshaw, no excuse for leaving before we consent. I mean, we never even got to go to Six Flags America with them.

Stuffs

2011-06-09T13:19:00.002-06:00

Hi guys. Sorry I don't blog more or take better pictures. When we were planning on coming out here I was all hyped about blogging. I thought to myself, "self, you are going to take amazing pictures and blog tons so the peeps at home know what happenin', and so you will have a record as well, 'cause you sure stink at keeping a journal." Not doing so well so far. I will try to be better, mostly for me and my poor memory.

Here's some pics from our memorial day weekend. These first couple are from Arlington Cemetery where we went on Sunday. It was really beautiful up there, and neat how quiet it was, considering how many people were there. So glad that people have reverence and respect for those that have served our country.

We went and saw the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier, which was really awesome to see. I might have got teary eyed about it, even.

These pictures are all completely out of order, but I just had to document the first meal cooked and consumed in our new place. That's right Mom, I braved your no recipe spaghetti sauce. It wasn't the same as yours, but still good!

Hello teeny Capital Building!

Very cute Asian couple took this for us after we took a picture of them with their daughter.

We also went to Little Saigon over this weekend, but realized too late that the memory card was in the computer, and not in the camera. That was a bummer. But it was super fun to see people's faces and complete change of manner toward Jeff when he would speak to them in Vietnamese. The guy cutting his hair was giving these grumpy monosyllabic answers to Jeff's questions like he thought we were the jerkiest Westerners ever. Then he totally lit up and got all chatty and nice as soon as Jeff whipped out the Viet. Jeff also got this lady at the market to pick out some of the best mangos for us. Ever eaten 6 mangos in 4 days? I would do it again in a heartbeat. So good.

Coming soon--The first installment of the Air and Space Museum as well as our first grocery shopping trip on the Metro, featuring a shout out to Harris Teeter and their cheese selection.

Our Place

2011-06-01T13:19:00.000-06:00

So, I promised pictures of our place. It took me a while, but I have a grand video tour for you to see every corner of our little studio apartment. We sure do like it, scant furnishing and all.

Jeff is settling into his work, and seems to be enjoying it. He is now a sworn in defender of the Constitution, which is pretty awesome. I am settling in to the VERY quiet life that is working from home. Well, sort of settling in. We had Friday through Monday off (luckiest), so that four day weekend of goodness kind of threw us off schedule again. But it sure was a blast. I will now keep you in suspense about that wonderfulness. Gotta save some exciting stuff to post during the boring work week, you know.

By the way, this is my first time uploading a video to blogger, so I hope it works.

District of Columbia

2011-05-23T12:43:00.000-06:00

Hi guys. So here we are in Washington DC. Except that I'm actually in Virginia and haven't seen any but a real shady part of DC. The lady trying to sell us an apartment was telling us about a man who died in her arms in the alleyway from a gunshot wound resulting from a drug deal gone wrong. Nice. Her selling point was that they caught the perp real quick. Comforting, yes? At least we finally found out why such a nice furnished apartment was so "cheap." Remember how I now think that $1500/month for a really nice apartment is cheap? Ha.

Jeff is currently at his first day of work over at that Comptroller of the Currency place and is actually in the DC. Lets all hope that is going well, okay?

Right now we are staying with my brother's wife's sister and her family--they have been so so nice to let us stay and are even lending us some furniture and pots and pans to save us money. Pretty awesome of them since we had never even met before. It's amazing to me how generous people can be. Amazing. Especially since I am a pretty selfish one myself.

Luckily for them, we will be getting out of their hair soon. We found a little studio apartment on the 8th floor of a building in the safety of Arlington that is a pretty short commute for Jeff. We signed the lease on Saturday and will move in tonight! Pictures to come when I have them.

Let me tell you, I am so ready to be settled and get back into a manageable routine again. Here's to a relaxing rest of the week.

See you tomorrow, blog world.

Dirty Dash

2010-08-05T10:06:00.002-06:00

So, if there were ANY chance that I could ever run 6.2 miles without getting heatstroke and dying, I would totally be doing this. Also, if I could afford $40.00 for the registration fee.

I wonder if they'd let me meander through the course and play in the mud?

Telling You Stuff About Me

2010-07-13T09:37:00.006-06:00

All morning I have been wondering who is wafting the very strange perfume/shampoo/mystery smell that I have been catching whiffs of. Yeah, I just realized it is my new deodorant that I cracked open today. Good thing I didn't comment about it to anyone, 'cause that would have been awkward.

Now I will tell you about my new obsession with swimming. I have always enjoyed a nice summertime outdoor "swim." Where by "swim" I meant "being in the water." But on Saturday Jeff and I realized it was nearly the middle of July and we hadn't been swimming yet and the situation had to be immediately rectified. However, at that point in the day, the option was either getting in our P90X Kenpo workout, or going for a swim. We decided that we would skip the Kenpo and try to swim some laps so we could get some exercise whilst enjoying the sun and water.

Until that day, I had never considered swimming to be a viable source of exercise for me. For others, yes, but definitely not for me. I mean, I just don't really know how to swim laps and do fancy flip turns and all that jazz. But we slapped on some goggles and I pretended to know how to do the breastroke, then inhaled water trying to do some freestyle, occasionally taking a break with a lazy backstroke-like thing. We swam for 45 minutes, going a mere 1/4 of a mile, but dang my heart rate was high.

And I think we all know what usually happens when my heart rate is elevated above 140 for more than 15 minutes. My head refuses to sweat and I get an instant headache that more often than not lasts all day. But remember how you are in water when you swim? No need for normal human cooling mechanisms like sweat. sweet!

That is the first time in my life that I have had a great cardiovascular workout without the usual consequences. I don't know why the idea had never occurred to me before, it seems pretty obvious...but I guess I am pretty dense. Anyway, now you know why I am obsessed with swimming. Es Fantastic!

Our new goal, since P90X really only has 2 cardio workouts, is to do the weight training on Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the mornings, then go for a nice swim right after work/school (which we already failed at yesterday, oops!). Usually I would balk at working out for nearly 2 hours in a day, but swimming is so nice outside in the sun--it's really more fun than workout.

Now I'm off to plan a super Tuesday night date. If anyone reads this before 4 pm today, ideas would be appreciated. Thanks!

P90X, Take Three!

2010-07-07T14:25:00.003-06:00

So guess what? Jeff's class got cancelled again on Friday! We had been so sure that it wouldn't (with a test coming up) that we slept in so that I would have to stay at work past 5. That would have been sad, and difficult, but luckily my work is awesome and gives us paid hours off for being healthy, and even though I'm not that healthy I had almost two hours saved up from the last few months, so I got to get off and go play at 3!

We then proceeded with our mucho fantastic weekend that involved Little Ceasar's crazy bread (it's only $1.07 with student ID!) and reading in the sun for hours, plus family barbeque's and backyard croquette. Then on our fantastic Monday off from work and school, we were searching for something fun to go do that wasn't seeing Eclipse, and we decided that the most fun thing would be to spend lots of money. It is fun! But you will see shortly that it also saves money, just slower than we spent it.

So what was our fun destination of choice? Sports Authority, obviously. We purchased ourselves some door frame pull up bar thingys that are way neat (thanks to Kyle for the product endorsement). Then we also got some sweet dumbbells. This is where the saving money comes in. No more gym membership! Woot! While I love the gym for the air-conditioned running environment, I hate it for most every other purpose. Especially P90X workouts--to me, doing push ups and lunges in a small gym space with people looking at you like you are nutso for not just using the cool machines is just too awkward. (Who even knows if that sentence made sense?)

Anyway, I really like being able to do the workouts at home, plus now we can watch the DVDs while we work out instead of just following the little book, and that's double great because:

1. Tony is really funny
2. We work out harder with him doing super speed push ups and stuff. Let's face it, we were totally slacking off when we were using the books.

Also, I am cheap enough that having made a large purchase is very motivating. "We spent that money on this stuff so we must use it daily!" I don't know why the money spent on the gym membership didn't have this effect. Perhaps it did at first, but if it did, it was totally gone several months ago.

One last added bonus is that it saves 25 minutes of drive time to and from the gym, which I love, because that translates into 25 minutes of extra sleep. Worth every penny, if you ask me. Do you ask me? Well, it's worth it.

Anyway, I think I need to include a footnote regarding the pull up bars. No, I cannot do a single pull up to save my life. I can life only about 50 pounds of my body weight with my weakling arms. I use a chair and my leg muscles to lift the remaining poundage. So my arms and my legs are tired after a workout that's not designed to work your legs in any way. So, now you know the truth.

Well, I have tried to turn this into a P90X blog in the past, and that hasn't worked out, so I don't think I will try it again. I just wanted to let you know about our purchases, and my resulting happiness. I promise not to bore you with P90X too much from here on out. mkay? Cool. Peace out.

News

2010-07-01T09:17:00.004-06:00

News: I have decided that I don't want this blog to be dead anymore. I know that when I move away from P-town (which will not be for two years, so don't fret) I will want to keep updated with people's lives. And let's face it, I can't really expect other people to blog so I can keep up with them if I don't put in the effort to post something every now and again, too. Might as well get in the habit now, since I'm kind of a hermit and don't really see lots of peeps here in the Provo as it is.

If you wanted to know what Jeff and I will be up to over the next couple of months, I will be glad to tell you. I am overjoyed that my work is amazing and HR decided to let me go seasonal full time and work 40 hours a week for the summer, should I so desire. I always set out at the beginning of the week with this desire strong in my heart, but it usually disintegrates as the week progresses. Especially if Jeff's Friday class happens to get cancelled. Whatever happens, though, I still look back on my work week with pride if I have worked at least 35 hours.

Now, on to Jeff and this class of his that sometimes gets cancelled and removes any desire of mine to be at work. He took spring classes, and is now enrolled for summer term as well, which includes a class that goes from 4-6 MWF. What a way to destroy any chance of having summer activities, such as swimming (since I refuse to swim in an unheated pool that is in the shade) and matinees (since I refuse to pay full price for a movie). The good news is that he usually gets most of his work and homework done while on campus which leaves us with the rest of the night to play! Although Jeff and my idea of play has not been as identical as usual lately.

Yes, Jeff has recently decreed that he gets to propose one boring activity per night. So last night we spent an hour and a half reading from his stat 441 book (which will be the same book I use for stat 470 this fall) and learning about set notation and relative frequencies. Tonight we will be covering sections 1.3-1.4 which I'm sure will be even more exciting as we learn about probability theory! yay! But in all honesty, it really is nice of him to help me get a head start so that I might actually be able to pass Actuarial exam P.

Our life in a nutshell: work, school, and reading textbooks for fun. We sure know how to live it up.

Cooler than I was

2009-08-17T15:49:00.002-06:00

As you can see, I have finally emerged from the stone age and changed my template. This is thanks to Mindy. She worked some kind of magic to update from the old old school blogger and taught me how to change it. Thanks sis, I'm cooler now because of you!

If you wanted to know, Jeff and I went camping this weekend, and had quite a fancy time. (Fancy because the campsites had flushing toilets, and hot water and soap to wash your hands). I would show you all the fun pictures we took of the scrub oak in Heber, and our sunburned faces, but we forgot our camera. I'm not going to apologize, though, because we had already been on a long fruitless search for rainboots/galoshes (they do not exist in ANY store in Orem--unless you want fishing boots) when we realized, and we weren't going to spend more time and gasoline just to get our camera to please you. So there.

Another thing you might want to know is that Jeff and I are restarting P90X today after a week off. Yes, we did the unthinkable and became lard butts again. But really it was for the best because Jeff had this wicked cough and a sore foot from being stabbed, and through all this he had to go to class, study for and ace his finals. Which he did. I was also really busy reading blogs and playing solitaire. So as you can see, there was really no way either of us could have kept up on it. Anyway, we're going to start again with the week we skipped instead of skipping it altogether, so wish us luck as we reincounter that first week soreness. Really, I need some luck. Also wish us motivation, because I have rediscovered how wonderful it is to sleep in and then goof off after work. And eat TONS of junk food while camping. Yep.

Well, I hope you have the most lovely Monday (or whenever you read this) imaginable.

Two Years

2009-08-11T15:18:00.003-06:00

Two years ago today, I made the best decision I've ever made.

I love you, sweets!

2009-07-29T15:57:00.002-06:00

I was going to write a post whilst at work today, but then I realized that there remained only 5 little minutes until I was permitted to depart. So I decided to write a really short post. Yep, this is all you get. And maybe some stuff about P90X.

Because I wanted to tell you that this is Week 4 of P90X which is a rest week (whatever!) slash core and ab focus. Jeff and I did our first time through "Core Synergistics" out on the shady back lawn. It was spectacular and breezy and nice. I just wish grass didn't make me so itchy, and that I had a stronger core...but whatever.

One more thing. I have now decided that I don't mind too much when people spell fun with a ph instead of an f. In fact I think I might start thinking it is a little bit phunny sometime in the future. Don't ask me why.

Latahs!

Waxing Political

2009-07-21T08:37:00.002-06:00

So, I happened upon a blog post today about all the health care chaos going on right now. I don't know this guy, or what exatly was said on NPR, but I really liked this post a lot, and the metaphor they used. To me it made it easier to see what could happen with the government stepping into healthcare. If you want to, you should check it out here.

2009-07-16T16:12:00.003-06:00

So sometimes when I am bored at work I think, Bingo! Great time to write a blog post! But then I think about how we finally found our camera and I really should wait to post until I get home and upload our sweet pictures. But by the time I get home I have been on the computer for eight hours already, and am already so busy eating dinner, swimming, doing P90X workouts (if we sleep in), watching season 2 of LOST on DVD, and basically just living the good life that I just can't do it. Sorry.

But today, I decided, meh, who needs pictures anyway, everyone wants to hear more about how extreme I am doing P90X and stuff. In case you are unfamiliar with P90X, it stands for Power 90 eXtreme! and supposedly you get really fit in only 90 days! woot. Anyway, this crazy 45 year old man named Tony made these workouts to PUMP US UP! He is much like unto Hans and Franz, with a bit of Michael Scott thrown in. We like it a lot when he does his impression of Forest Gump, and does the X sign with his arms to show how extreme he and his workouts are. And yes, they are extreme.

Anyway, Jeff and I successfully completed day 10 this morning and we feel pretty pleased with ourselves. So far this week on Monday we did about a bazillion pull ups and push ups of different types (No, I cannot do a single pull up on my own, I do them on the weight assisted pull up machine so I only lift 50 pounds of my body weight--so don't think I'm that tough yet). On Tuesday we jump-jump-jumped around with the plyometrics workout. Let me tell you, when you squat and jump for a solid 60 minutes, your legs will hate you so much the next day (but not as bad as they did the day after on week 1). Then yesterday it was shoulders and arms and feeling like a champ with my little 8 pound weights at the gym, and hating the skinny blond girl staring at us struggle through "Ab Ripper X". We are so doing that part at home from now on. Today was the best with an hour and a half of Yoga, and tomorrow we are in for my least favorite: lunges and more pull ups for an hour--ouchy. Then we finish out the week on Saturday with some sweet Kempo X, which is kind of like kick-boxing, I guess.

So you probably don't really care about that much, and that's okay, I am writing this so I don't go crazy during the last 20 minutes of work, and I am having so much fun, I might actually do this blog thing more often. But it will probably be about P90X a lot, because that's the most exciting and unique thing about my life currently--besides the usual glamour and wonder that is married life in the summer time, but I know that you really don't want to hear about that.

To everyone that reads this blog: I love you both! Have a good one hotpeices.

Ta Da

2009-06-16T16:19:00.003-06:00

A- Attached or single: Definitely attached.
B- Best Friend: Jeff. And the NikJo, and all the girls even though I'm a bad friend
C- Cake or Pie: Usually pie if it is hot and there is ice cream involved.
D- Day of choice: Saturday. No work and a whole day with Jeff. It doesn't even matter what we do, it's such the best.
E- Essential Item: Umm...water?
F- Favorite Color: Most of them
G- Gummi Bears or Gummi Worms: Bears--mostly because of the sound the gummy bears wrapper makes in "Searching for Bobby Fisher"
H- Hometown: Provo!
I- Indulgence(s): Dr. Pepper and Macey's soft serve twist cones, and Red Mango, and...really I indulge a lot.
J- January or July: July
K- Kids: 3. According to the pencil test I will have 2 boys--but who believes in that hogwash, right?
L- Life is Incomplete Without: family and so many things. I really like memory foam.
M- Marriage Date: August 11, 2007-coming up on two years!
N- Number of Siblings: nine
O- Oranges or Apples: Oranges
P- Phobias or Fears: I agree with Nikki, death of a spouse is a big one--oh the crazy dreams I've had. Also, public speaking will never be removed from my list of extreme fears.
Q- Quotes: "Okay." -Get Smart
R- Reason To Smile: So many-I have only 20 minutes of work left, then I get to go to the gym with Jeff. I have Friday off work, so only 2 more days. I'm reading a good book. It's supposed to get sunny and warm this weekend.
S- Season: I like them all quite a bit, but spring is definitely the only one I don't get sick of before it's over.
T- Tag Three: Anyone who reads this and hasn't been previously tagged
U- Unknown Fact About Me: Sometimes my favorite things to do at work are the mundane tasks that everyone else hates--like filing and data entry. Fun!
V- Vegetarian or Meat Eater: MEAT! Except on pizza--then it's all about being vegetarian, 'cause meat on pizza is gross.
W- Worst Habit: Being super messy and vowing to clean up "tomorrow." yeah, right.
X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds: huh? I once had an ultrasound on my abdomen, but instead of finding a cute baby, there were icky gall stones in my gall bladder. Never had an X-Ray, though.
Y- Your Favorite Food: I am incapable of choosing favorites, but right now I am craving chicken pesto from Gloria's Little Italy, a home grilled hamburger, and TimTams. Yum.
Z- Zodiac: Virgo. yep.

Stay tuned: I may, sometime in the next 4 months, post about stuff like shooting huge semiautomatic weapons and whatever we do this weekend. It might be exciting.

I guess it's about time?

2009-04-22T15:11:00.006-06:00

Now that school is out for the summer maybe I will have time to blog or something. All I know is that Melanie said that we should all update our blogs on her latest post, and I am deciding to obey. Not that I have anything interesting to say, unless you want to hear about all of my stats projects. Which I'm sure you don't. I would even torture you with posting the final product, but they are saved as pdfs and who the heck knows how to get a pdf onto a blog post? Not me, that's for certain. I will bless you with a couple of the cool plots I have made for multiple linear regression, which I know you are totally stoked about, right?

So they are pretty dang neat, eh? I made them using this code:

dwaine<-read.table("dwaine.txt")names(dwaine)<-c("number", "income", "sales")library(lattice)cloud(sales~number+income, dwaine)library(scatterplot3d)scatterplot3d(dwaine)s3d<-scatterplot3d(dwaine, type="h", highlight.3d=T, angle=55, scale.y=.7, pch=16, main="scatterplot3d - 5")s3d$plane3d(model1, lty.box="solid")

Are you impressed? Good.

Dang but I really hope that I pass that class. That would be something to bring much happiness to my heart.

Well, if you wanted to see the first non-flip flop sandals I have purchased (besides chacos) in about 4 years, here they are. Please pardon my huge looking ankle in the foreground.

I'm pretty excited because flip flops are forbidden at my place of work, so now I have a sandal to wear to work. yay.

You should comment and tell me some ideas that you would like me to blog about. Perhaps that will give me the motivation to keep up. No guarantees, though. I broke the LCD screen on our camera, and now it has officially died, which means no pictures, which in my opinion means boring blogs. But whatever, I will still blog maybe sometimes perchaps.

Some Random Pictures from My Phone: Part I

2008-12-05T16:08:00.010-07:00

Mindy has discussed on her post that she is a blawker. I, too, suffer from this on a large scale. Old slight aquaintances and strangers alike have no idea that I read their blogs on a frequent basis. Another thing I suffer from is stealing all my ideas for my posts from other blogs. But at least I admit it, right? One of my favs, thejollyporter.blogspot.com (I'm too lazy to do a link) posted some random pictures from his phone, and I thought, "gee, what a swell idea." And so this post was birthed.

Jeff and I helped paint the newly remodled upstairs of his dad's store. It is now a super chic apartment. sweet.

cute Molly! bubbles are a bonus.

This is us being really excited to watch the game at Mel and Ryan's. We mooched off their mtn access the whole season. It was such a blast. I like those guys, Molly, AND football, so it was really a super set up.

I'm Lame

2008-11-21T13:29:00.003-07:00

So, I wasn't tagged or anything, but I saw this one someone's blog and decided that would be an easy way to get another post in in November. I mean, I did get more than 6 comments on my last post, so I pretty much had to do it.

How long did you date?
4 months. engaged for 5.

Who eats more?
Jeff, if he wants to.

Who is taller?
Jeff. but we are both shorties

Who is smarter?
Huh? I think we are both pretty brilliant.

Whose temper is worse?
It depends on the situation, but we are both pretty laid back about most things.

Who does the laundry?
I do. But not very often.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed?
If you are looking at it or laying on it? jeff does, if it's the former, I do if it's the latter.

Who pays the bills?
That would be me. I have a better memory for those kinds of things.

Who cooks dinner?
Usually Subway. But if you count canned soup and grilled cheese, then it's me.

Who drives when you are together?
Jeff. It's pretty mean since he drives so much already, but he's better at it.

Who kissed who first?
Well, It was kind of mutual when it happened...we both just went in at the same time. sooo romantic.

Who is the first to admit when they are wrong?
Well, I'm never wrong, so...

Whose parents do you see the most?
Probably mine. we live with them.

Who proposed?
Jeff did, and I gave my consent.

Who is more sensitive?
Again, it depends on the situation. Sometimes it feels like it is Jeff, but that is probably because I don't realize when I am being oversensitive.

Who has more friends?
We are both mostly socially impaired. We are friends with each other, and we like it. Then we each have our little group of close friends.

Who has more siblings?
Me. got 9. he's got 4.

Who wears the pants in the family?
we both wear pants most days. I like to wear dresses in the summer, though.

Do you have a song?
no. is that lame?

A New Post

2008-11-03T16:44:00.007-07:00

Hi there. I am going to be honest, I was really just wishing and waiting for that 7th comment on my last post before posting again. I decided to just give in, though, because I wanted to announce to everyone that I was just called as a primary teacher. Yep. The wonderful Valient 10 class is now under my very questionable care and supervision. But, how hard can it really be to keep 4 sweet 10 year old girls in reasonable order? I guess that would depend on what your definition of reasonable order is, but as mine is quite lax, I think I might be able to do it. Heck if they learn anything, but Boy Howdy there will be candy.

So there you have it. The most exciting thing that has happened to me in the last 3 months is finally getting the primary calling I always knew would eventually come to me, thought I kind of had hoped it wouldn't. I kind of like snuggling up to my mom in releif society and snuggling up to Jeff in Sunday school, and the whole not having to do anything except show up thing. It was nice.

In other news, I have been re accepted to BYU and have registered for my classes and was quite pleased about the whole thing. Then today I went to Jeff's classes with him and that sufficed to scare me out of my mind about the school thing. But at least I only have two months to freak out over nothing. Then I get to go to class and freak out for real. What a comfort. At least I'll still have a (small) source of income, as I get to keep my lovely job with ridiculously few hours. They are so nice to me there. (My boss and coworkers, not the people I try to get money from).

Sometimes Jeff and I like to go to the mall and pretend I am Carmen San Diego. Enjoy knowing for a moment where in the world Carmen San Diego really was. (Banana Republic in the University mall).

smarter than blogger

2008-07-28T12:46:00.012-06:00

I was not smarter than blogger for quite some time. I could not for the life of me figure out how to log into this dang blog of mine. I even thought it had turned into some odd bible study site. please visit http://www.micky-d.blogpot.com/ and you will see what I mean.

But today, as I was getting painfully bored laying in bed whilst suffering from some wicked food poisoning, I took the time to do it. And BinG! I became smart enough to use blogger again. I doubt that I will ever be smarter, I mean, look at my blog, I still don't even know how to edit my sidebar!

At any rate. I am back for at least one post before I become to stupid to log in again. Here's the sitch(uation).

*Jeff and I moved in with my parentals. I would take and post a couple of pictures, but it is too messy for reasons that you will soon find out. We really like the freeness and quiteness there of. Plus we feel free to eat my parents out of house and home. Free food is awesome. I also really like to chat with my mom when Jeff works late.

*We've had a busy summer. The only thing I really have pictures of is the balloon thing on the fourth of July. My phone was new and I was really excited that it could take pictures. Here you go.

It was early, okay?

*Last weekend we trekked up to Idarho to a big ol' family reunion that didn't end up being so "big 'ol" after all, since no one really went. That was kind of lame, except that I probably wouldn't have talked to anyone but my immediate family anyway. It was fun to see Jed and Celeste's house finally. Also, the shower provided was very magical and we are eternally grateful for the opportunity to be clean.

*We got back from Zions on Saturday with some fantastically awful food poisoning from some random drive up grease pot in Washington, UT. But we won't discuss that too much. We got to our campsite at 1:30 on Friday morning and finished setting up camp at 2:30. Thankfully my Jeff let me "sleep" in the car while the menfolk did all the work. Nice. The next morning we had to wake up at 7 to go wave running, sea-dooing, or whatever the heck it's called. At that hour with no sleep I did not quite understand the draw. I was pretty much terrified at first, but I got to like it in the end. Good times. Very hot. Saturday morning everyone got up to hike Angel's Landing, a hike that involves 3 foot path with large cliff and a chain to help you climb nearly vertically for the last mile or so. I did not go. There was not a change in the very hot place that I would get up at 6 am to do that to myself. I slept past 9 and was quite pleased with myself. Next on the agenda was the narrows. This was a great time, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Hiking a shaded river in a canyon is about the only thing besides swimming that sounds remotely fun to do in the heat of southern Utah. It was fun, and beautiful.

There were many signs posted to not feed the many squirrels or you would be fined $100 and have your hand gnawed off. Well, Jeff accidentally dropped an almond, and you know, if you give a squirrel an almond...he won't gnaw off your hand, however, he will climb on your lap and start drinking out of your platypus, bladder, water container with a tube, or what have you. Pretend this guy is me and that he is sipping out of aforementioned tubey thing. Sheesh. The audacity of those squirrels.

So have a good one, peeps! I might post again, and I might not. Only time will tell.

Here's a little P.S.

My husband is basically the sweetest man in the world. I had to work a lot of hours last week to be able to have Thursday and Friday off. On the homestreach on Wednesday when I was suffering the most Jeff came to take me to lunch and brought me these flowers and a bunch of fresh picked raspberries! So thoughtful. I really love that man.

Long time no see?

2008-05-30T19:19:00.003-06:00

So....I realize that I haven't blogged in over half a year. But Jeff is working late and I am lonely and bored, and the opportunity with a ready made template came up. Thanks for tagging me, Nikki.

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?
I was probably outside jumping on the trampoline and doing crazy cartwheels and flips and getting excited to have a Friday night sleepover with Nikki. Wohoo!

2. What was on my to-do list for today?
Go to work early (7:30)
Make it through work without going nuts
clean up bedroom, fold clothes
do frivilous things to fill the time until Jeff gets home (such as watch America's Next Top Model on youtube. Too bad about Anya not winning, eh?)

3 Bad habits-
I can't keep a single room clean for more than a day
I always buy vegetables and let them rot in the fridge because I don't cook or remember to eat them
I will always neglect anything if the chance to hang with my husband comes up unexpectedly

3 Things people don't know about me-
I'm pretty much an open book, but if there's anything specific you'd like to know, feel free to ask.

I tag: anyone and everyone

Jane Austen Heroine Quiz

2007-10-03T17:01:00.000-06:00

Take the Quiz here!

Done Got Hitched

2007-09-22T11:18:00.000-06:00

So married life so far is pretty dang good. Jeff cooks for me far more often than I cook for him, he always makes the most amazing things with the scant groceries we have left at the end of the week. Creative genius, I'm telling you. The cruise was amazing, but that's a post for another time. School is great, as I'm taking a mere five credits and Jeff is in both of my classes. We've only skipped our 8:00 class twice to sleep in. wait, twice in the first thee weeks of school isn't a good start, is it? We're never going to sleep in again, I promise.

In other news, I'm going to the BYU game today with my Daddy-o. So excited.

GO COUGS!

Yo!

2007-02-19T13:55:00.000-07:00

So, I realize that it's been a while, yet again. I think that my New Years resolution should have been to blog at least once every two months - which will be a big improvement from what I have been doing. Can you change New Years Resolutions in mid-February? I think it should be allowed.

If so, here is my post for the next couple months. Hopefully the wonderful pictures here provided will tide you over until Aprl.

Oh, hadn't you heard? I got a very shiny and pretty digital camera. It looks a lot like this:

Do you like it? I can take your picture if you'd like. Come on over anytime, and we'll have a photo shoot. we can also pretend we are in a photo booth and make funny faces like this:

We could do some glamour shots, and if I get the lighting right, you will possibly look even hotter than this:

We could even eat chocolate ice cream in between shots, if you wanted. So come on over, bring your friends,and we'll have a real good time. So much so, that by the end of the night you will most likely be smiling a whole lot like this:

Wowee, having a digital camera makes blogging fun. I might have to change my resolution to once a month. Do you think that's an unrealistic goal?

I Have No Shame (okay, maybe a little bit)

2006-11-09T23:14:00.000-07:00

I'm the biggest blog slacker alive, and I acknowledge the fact and apologize semi-heartily for the long, unplanned hiatus. I know that you've all been checking multiple times daily to see if I have updated since that post below that was so long ago, and now your wishes are finally fulfilled.

Except that you probably have given up altogether and so are reading this because I told you in an excited frenzy that my beautiful blog was blessed again with bounteous blodder. (blog fodder, if you will.) All lies of course, to get you to read this pathetic drivel.

Now, if you have accepted that apology, feel free to read on and be shocked and appalled by my life as it is. I will present you with my current stats, since they have changed a lot in the last few months, and you all need to be caught up with my current status in life.

Micquel Walker
20 Years Old
Orange hair
Orange eyes
5'4" (very nearly)
fatter than I was before I quit running because of this nasty cough
BYU Statistics Major of Sophomore standing
Single
Nearing death because of Calculus

So, there you have it. My life in a nutshell.

Okay, now I will tell you an amusing anticdote to keep you all addicted to reading:

I keep my cellphone in a little open pocket of my backpack, please keep that in mind as you read. I was exiting the JKB the other day when I noticed that my shoelace was untied. This worried me greatly, as I am prone to tripping, and having shoes untied greatly adds to the possibility that I do. I decided tht I must needs bend down and tie it immediately. So I did. And it was then that my cellphone became dislodged from its not-so-secure resting place and beaned me on the head. Yes, I was beaned on the head by my own cell in a rather public place. It kinda hurt (my head, not my pride).

That was amusing, no?

2006-07-20T19:33:00.000-06:00

It's official, Ali and I have taken the plunge, signed some contracts, and are staying in Miller for fall semester (and possiblly winter, if I can't sell my contract). Also, we are starting a balloon entertainment business on the side to be able to pay the jacked up rent. Our smiles may grow to prodigious proportions, like the man above. Beware.

Anyway. We're staying, and I don't know what's going to happen, what with class and homework and all (no time for grocery shopping, yo.) But I know that it's going to be sweet. And awesome.

Everyone come visit us all the time during the few minutes of the day that we will both be home. Parties every weekend.

Okay, cool.

Lets Celebrate!

2006-06-23T18:54:00.000-06:00

So, I'm just letting you know that today is my one year blogging anniversary. NEAT! Feel free to send gifts.

As you can imagine, I wanted to post something really clever and fun to commemorate this momentus occasion. But you know what? I'd rather just read my book, watch the Scarlett Pimpernel, then go to bed.

If you would like to read about a sensible idea, please visit good ol' steve.

Something to Lounge in

2006-06-13T18:15:00.000-06:00

Would you like to see my new superb loungewear pants? (Slightly superflous, since most everyone who reads this lives with me and has seen them already.) Oh, well, here they are.

Debbie and I had quite the adventure at The Target today, and I must say we did well with our purchases. These pants are the most comfortable thing I have purchased in a long while. Plus, we look WAY cuter in ours than this model does. Mostly because we don't tuck our shirts in, and we have cooler shoes. And also because we are naturally very cute most of the time. We wore them to the library, where I checked out this movie.

I think it will be good because Audrey Hepburn is in it. And, while William Holden is not as devistatingly handsom as Peter O'toole, I think he will be able to hold his own as the jaded screenwriter, & co.

I do hope it is good. Would you like to watch it with me?

Another aspect of our errands of the day was a quest for some dang-good-looking-worthy-of-a-hot-piece-sunglasses for Debbie. I think we were succesful, but I'll let Deb tell you more about that.

7 is sometimes more than you think

2006-06-05T17:31:00.000-06:00

7 Things I want to do before I die:
1. travel
2. learn to dance like a gangster
3. graduate/get a job that is at least slightly relevent to degree
4. be as cool as my mom
5. go to a few slammin' concerts (I've never been to a concert, unless you count Kenny Loggins)
6. find a talent and persue it
7. fall in love

7 Things I cannot do:
1. be socially adept
2. not use a whoopy cushion when I see one
3. drive a stick
4. not feel guilty about having such an easy job
5. make chocolate chip cookies that actually taste good
6. have normal hair
7. resist stealing someone elses idea and posting a link to "lazy sunday"

7 Things I say often:
1. ...like a madwoman (stolen from Ali)
2. what should I eat?
3. he thinks he's such a hotpiece
4. what movie should I watch at work tonight?
5. remember that one time?
6. does this look stupid together?
7. what the?
(I apologize that I am completely incapable of making decisions on my own and so I have to ask you all of these things you don't care about.)

7 Books I love:
1. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
2. All Jane Austen
3. Franny and Zooey
4. Sharon Creech books
5. The Screwtape Letters
6. A Room With a View
7. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and let's just admit it--anything British Teen (Georgia, anyone?)

7 Movies I could watch over and over again:
1. A&E Pride and Prejudice
2. Sense and Sensibility (okay, any Jane Austen, again)
3. How to Steal a Million
4. Charade (any Audrey Hepburn, it's just all good)
5. To Catch a Thief (that Grant fellow--mmm)
6. Better off Dead, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Labyrinth, Cinderella...
7. The list is really quite endless

7 Things I can cook:
1. pasta roni
2. mac and cheese
3. grilled cheese
4. soup from a can
5. top raman
6. toast
7. eggo waffles

7 favorite songs right now:
1. This one song on a burned CD I got from Erin Beck - I don't know the title or artist, but it is amazing!
2. The Flower Duets
3. Dare - Gorillaz
4. Such Great Heights - as covered by Iron and Wine
5. I Will Follow You into the Dark - Death Cab for Cutie
6. For the Widows in Paradise, For the Fatherless in Ypsilanti - Sufjan Stevens
7. Hide and Seek - Imogen Heap

A Begging Post

2006-05-18T22:18:00.000-06:00

I think I need a digital camera to spice up my posts. Or even spark some ideas for posts. Or to even be my entire posts, because it's pretty obvious that this writing thing isn't working out for me. And, while google image search has helped me to supliment my posts in the past, I think it may be time to move on to bigger and better things.

Who wants to buy me a digital camera?

Come on, you know you want to, my posts will improve profoundly, and we all know that all you live for is a new post on your favorite blog, bloomabilities. Or maybe not. At any rate, you'll be stuck with posts like this begging you for things until I get one, so you might as well break down and buy one now before you go insane from all of my asking you to buy me things.

Good logic, no?

yes.

good.

I want to go to the Death Cab for Cutie concert.

'cause I think them boys is real talented in the musicality department. (Even if Kyle thinks they isn't coo'.)

So, who wants to buy me tickets to this sweet show?

Did you notice the font size on that one wasn't quite as large and insistent? I am considerate that way sometimes.

In this picture, guy in glasses = hot.
tiger shirt = delish. (We should all have one)

I have found a new love
(At least I love all of his songs I've heard thus far)
As far as I can tell, he is a crazy maniac with songs entitled "Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland, Illinois" and the like. (which I haven't heard) My favorite of the moment is "For the Widows In Paradise, for the Fatherless In Ypsilanti." I find his voice to be very soothing. It might not be for you, but you know me and the mellow music just go together. (even if he is a bit nutso.)

Who wants to buy me a few of his albums?

I know, I know, enough is enough. I'll stop now.

you can dance if you want to

2006-05-04T19:24:00.000-06:00

my friend, bloggatigga, was pestering me to post once again, and as I want to appease her, but I am lazy, I thought I would just post this link. Please enjoy imagining that you are as cool as any of these people.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=2IV6rQxfk48&search=wanna%20love%20you%20tender

A Funny Thing Happened the Other Day...

2006-04-17T21:07:00.000-06:00

To someone, I'm sure. Just not to me. That's why I have not written for over a month. Really, don't you think it's such a great excuse? As we all know, I think I am abso-bloomin'-lutely hilarious, and so when I don't feel I have something funny to write, I don't write.

Also, I am lazy.

On a side note, I don't have a major, I'm basically done with generals, and I'm trying to register for fall classes. Can we say trapped in a corner?

Any suggestions on fun classes would be much appreciated so I could get out of this corner. It's making me clostrophobic. Hmm...you know what would be even more appreciated? If you could tell me what I like and what I want to do, and what I would end up not hating. I would give you my iPod, my laptop, $1,000 and my favorite shirt if you could do this for me. The problem with that incentive for myself is that I already have it. maybe if I didn't have that stuff, and I knew that I could if I made a decision, it would work.

Who wants to steal my stuff and give it back when I have figured things out?

Just kidding, don't do it. I would die without my laptop and my favorite shirt. Not to mention that the thousand bucks that has to go toward tuition if I finally find some classes to take.

Well, now that I've exhausted that side note, lets get back to how funny I am...

To Borrow a Title from a Fellow Blogger: Various and Sundry Thoughts for a Monday

2006-03-13T19:44:00.000-07:00

I was just reading though some of my previous posts, and while the typos and bad grammar make me wince, sometimes I think I am kind of funny. But then I wonder if anyone else thinks I have potential for amusement, and I get embarrassed for being so amused by myself. Am I wrong, though, to think that I am hilarious when I write about my future spouse and what a dork I was as a kid? (is there any need to remark on the remaining dorkiness? I think it's self explanatory). Perhaps it is wrong, but I still think I'm funny. And so do these guys.

Another item I was thinking about on this Monday night is why I blog when I have the most to do. I mean, it's not like there aren't other ways to procrastinate--for instance, cutting split ends for an hour or two, looking up all the movies I would like to rent in the next year, taking online quizzes...You get the picture. Maybe I blog because I feel like it is somewhat productive? I have really been wanting to move that dog down with a new post for a while. What do you think?

I always feel slightly awkward when I eat alone at an establishment of food, and I think I would feel awkward going to a movie alone (it hasn't happened yet). Why is this? Don't get me wrong here, I love, love having a ball with friends or the fam, but sometimes I also really love to be alone. So what's different about going to lunch/movies, etc., than going shopping and on other errands, or watching movies at home? Is it because I am acclimatized to think of those things as something you do for fun with people?

I've realized that my various and sundry thoughts are mostly questions I am putting out there into the void. So here's another: why does it break your heart when you have a secret crush on someone but have only talked to them a handful of times, and you see them hugging some snotty girl? I guess I should say "my heart" as I don't know if it breaks your heart. It's never broken my heart before today. What changed?

Another question I have for the mysterious place that is the world wide web, is this: why is it that when I am at work and finally decide to quit reading blogs and generally wasting time on the internet to get some homework done as long as the orders aren't pouring in, the orders start pouring in? I have seriously tested this. On the nights when I decide to forgo the homework altogether and just keep on keeping on, the orders never seem to come. But the moment I crack open a book, the next time I look, an order has appeared. Dagnabit.

And another thing. Why can't people just let other people hate the snow? We know that it is useful moisture, it looks pretty, is a blessing, and all that jazz. But it doesn't change the fact that I hate it and want it to be spring.

Finally, I think that the last name "Dowdy" is kind of funny.

2006-03-04T09:30:00.000-07:00

Monica, Here's to You on Your Birthday

I Hope it's the best ever.

And, incase that dog scared the beans out of you, here's a more cheerful picture:

So, yeah...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

It Really Rocks

2006-03-03T19:44:00.000-07:00

As Spring will soon be upon us, I was thinking a little Christmas spirit might be in order while it is still slightly wintery out. Okay, just kidding, I really only want you to listen to this because I think it's abso-bloomin-lutely hilar. So please visit this man's blog and have a listen. Wait for the big finish, it's my favorite part.

Now That's a Sweet Ride!

2006-02-23T22:32:00.000-07:00

I wasn't going to post about this. I really wasn't. But currently I am going A.D.D. beyond control at work from studying HEPE for far too long (about 45 minutes, but no one needs to know that). That is why I am posting about a dream. And though it can never be as hilarious to you as it was to me when I first woke up and laughed out loud, I hope it brings you some entertainment. It's the only blog fodder I've got.

The whole fiasco began when I was going to be late for work and realized that my car was out of comission. Dead battery and all that, with no Dad to help me out, and no possible ride-giver on the premises. I walked outside scratching my head and wondering what to do and see that oh, blast, the llamas are out again. But then my resourceful nature kicks in and the escaped llamas came to be more than just a nusance. Holy crap! I thought, I could ride a llama to work! Brilliant, I know.

I walked cautiously toward a friendly looking llama, who obligingly knelt down to allow me climb aboard. We became instant best friends, and I knew this llama would be loyal to me for life. It was a sweet, sweet feeling. What was even better was the ride. I cannot express to you what a joy it was. The overpass on state street was the highlight of the trip. We were going almost as fast as the cars, and it was awesome!

Needless to say, I got to work on time thanks to my noble steed, and I went in very satisfied with myself. I realized during my shift that I needed to go home for dinner, so I ran outside where my car was somehow waiting for me, as was the llama. I drove the car home and forgot about the llama entirely.

Back at the ranch I went inside and talked to my brother and played with his kids, and then suddenly realized that I had to go back to work ten minutes ago. D'oh! So I gathered up a whole pizza in my arms (no, getting a plastic bag or other container did not occur to me at the time) and ran outside to get back on my best friend, the llama. I was glad to see that he had made it home alright, and even more overjoyed at the fact that he was waiting on my porch for me. You know, up the flight of cement stairs and all. He was looking fondly at my face much like this:

It was beautiful to behold.

But then all was spoiled when this old lady started screaming at me about how I was an awful person to be training her llamas bad things. All her llamas somehow kept ending up in East Bay and it was all my fault.

"But my car was broken," I stuttered, "I had to ride the llama, I was going to be late for work! I'm going to be late for work again if you don't let me take him." In my head I was thinking, Can't you see how he loves me?

I don't think this woman properly understood the direness of the situation, though, because she absolutely would not allow me to come near her llamas ever again.

In the end, I asked my brother Kurt to give me a ride to work, and it all seemed to work out okay. But I'm still confused as to what happened to my car after I had driven it home. Ah, well, I guess we'll never know.

All I know is that I will never forget riding down State Street on a llama without a care in the world. It's not weird at all.

A Pink Moon and a Nice Car

2006-02-16T16:46:00.000-07:00

Remember when Nick Drake's Pink Moon was on the commercial for the VW Cabriolet? It showed some happy youths driving under a night sky. I have to admit that it gave me a warm fuzzy feeling every time, and had an odd power over me. It influenced me to the extent of buying Nick Drake's Album Place to Be. I'm also pretty sure that if I had had the means, and a drivers license, I would have picked up this excellent car in a heartbeat because of that commercial. Now that's the power of good advertising.

The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock: Radio Edit Version

2006-01-27T20:53:00.000-07:00

I must admit, this post really has nothing to do with T.S. Elliot, and I bet you are all heartily disappointed. The title just came to me in the middle of the night, and I couldn't resist. As we are all well aware, I am too illiterate to create a post that can live up to such a title and I apologize. When I was musing on the subject in the middle of the night, I thought I was so very clever, "ha ha ha," thought I to myself, "I will write the so called "radio edit" of this wonderful poem and everyone will think that I am so witty and clever." However, upon awakening the next morning, I remembered that I have a rather small alotment of literary skill and that it was too vast an undertaking for one such as I. But, it is a choice poem, and I highly recomend that you check it out. But before I say adieu, I must force a few of my favorite lines upon you because my guess is that you are too lazy to read the entirety in its length. (Does it shock you how well I know you?)

And indeed there will be time

To wonder, “Do I dare?” and, “Do I dare?”

Time to turn back and descend the stair,

With a bald spot in the middle of my hair—

[They will say: “How his hair is growing thin!”]

My morning coat, my collar mounting firmly to the chin,

My necktie rich and modest, but asserted by a simple pin—

[They will say: “But how his arms and legs are thin!”]

Do I dare

Disturb the universe?

In a minute there is time

For decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse.

For I have known them all already, known them all:—

Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons,

I have measured out my life with coffee spoons;

I know the voices dying with a dying fall

Beneath the music from a farther room.

So how should I presume?

I just love that "I have measured out my life with coffee spoons" and my guess is that you know me well enough to surmise that I am not one to undervalue baldspots.

As my parting gift to you, I will let you know that when I grow old, I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled.

Don't you just love the English language?

Yeah, He's Gotta Be Hot

2006-01-20T17:15:00.000-07:00

With the fast approaching nuptials of my two dear sisters, I have had marriage on the brain, I guess. It's a big step, and a very important decision, this I know. So, after Bro. what's-his-name told us about his daughters making lists of the qualities they wanted in their future spouses, I decided to do just that. The following is a comprehensive list of the must-have traits of my future husband.

1. First, I need someone who gets me...a pretty hard task to accomplish as I don't even get me. Even so, it's essential.

2. Next, I really need someone with good dental hygene. It's just a must.

3. We all know the importance of interest compatibilities, so obviously I will need to marry someone who blogs.

4. Another thing that I require in my future spouse is man hands. I know that I shouldn't begrudge people the look of their hands, as they can't really help it, but guys with women hands just give me the willies.

5. I also need someone that will buy me Dance Dance Revolution and let me win on a regular basis. He's gotta have moves, but not let on that he does. you know?

6. He must also be almost attractive as the fine specimin below. Hard to accomplish, I know, but a girls got to have standards, and this is mine.

7. I think that another essential part of maintaining a good relationship is sharing things. My future husband better be very generous, becuase by sharing things, I mean giving me things.

8.Any husband of mine has got to have a prestigious job. For instance, he could be a toy tester, or work for Crest Toothpaste, Covenant publishing, or something like that. I'm not going to marry a nobody!

Yep, I think that about covers it.

You think I'm asking a lot, don't you? Well, that may be the case, but I just know there's someone out there that's up to scratch and meant just for me. I know it.

I Love Lappytops!

2006-01-06T16:01:00.000-07:00

I Resolve

2005-12-29T19:09:00.000-07:00

...not to do any of these things. New Years resolutions. psh.

Your New Year's Resolutions

1) Get a pet rock

2) Eat less tuna

3) Travel to Italy

4) Study marine biology

5) Get in shape with disco dancing

What Should Your New Year's Resoluton Be?

Happy Birthday Megalicious!

2005-12-28T16:16:00.000-07:00

blogging tag ends here

2005-12-16T22:44:00.000-07:00

So, I'm supposed to tell you five things no one knows about me and tag five others in the blogging world. However, I don't know anyone else in the blogging world well enough to tag them, so the game ends here. I'll just tell you my five pahtetic secrets and be done with it.

Secret #1: When I was little, the thing I wanted the most in the world was an awesome jeep pow-pow-powerwheels and a my size barbie to ride in it with me. Alas, my dreams were never realized, on either count.

Secret #2: Also when I was younger I thought that Power Rangers were stupid and "soooo dumb," or so I told everyone. In fact, when I told my sister I was going outside to play instead of watching such a dumb show, I would actually watch from outside the basement window to see what foes were wating to be totally rocked by those awesome Power Rangers. Please don't tell.

Secret #3: some people are probably aware of this, but until the age of 10 I refused to wear jeans because they were uncomfortable. You guessed it, instead I wore stetch pants and sweatsuits with cats and bears on the shirts. I have realized the error of my ways and have vowed that if I am ever a mother of an anti-denim child, I will refuse to buy them ugly sweats and force them to do something they hate. They'll thank me for it when they get older.

Secret #4: Once in middle school Nikki and I didn't want to go to one of those stupid dances, so we had Nikki's mom come and pick us up. When she checked us out of the office she said that we had appointments. Psh, the only appointment we had was with a movie in the basement. I felt so rebelious, and that led to a long line of skipping class in high school whenever possible and having my mother write excuse notes. Ah....those were the days.

Secret #5: I will do anything in my power to get out of babysitting. That is all.

where are your social graces?

2005-11-30T18:43:00.000-07:00

Today was not by any means the first time I realized that I am completely lacking in the area of social graces. On the contrary, I muse over it nearly every day. Today was just the first time that I had thought to use the term "social graces." This came about because of one of the awkward situations that I seem to encounter far more often than I should.

I was walking across campus after my film lab today and the girl in front of me dropped her Jamba Juice, which promptly exploded. As she let out a pitifully disappointed, "oohh," I just stepped past with a pitying smile on my face thinking, geez, that's gotta suck. A few steps later I thought to myself, where are your social graces? Why didn't you do something? But then I got thinking about it, and really, what could I have done? It's not like I could have helped her pick anything up, it was gone for good. Should I have offered some condolences? Made a lighthearted joke to ease the pain of her tragic loss? Offered to help her clean it up? I just don't know.

You see, my complete lack of even knowing what I should have done just goes to prove that I really don't have a any social graces. They just seem to elude me when I need them most. What's a girl to do?

Here Goes Nothing

2005-11-16T22:33:00.000-07:00

As the blogging world has indeed run amok, I decided to take the following admonition of my pals to heart: "Blog about anything and everything. dumb or funny. retarded or serious. anything." So here comes my something, with a little disclaimer that it will indeed be boring and pathetic. Please stop reading now if you do not want to hear a tedious tale of woe.

I'm telling you, you really might want to get out while you still can. I must emphasize, this is a post about my day. Really. Not interesting.

It all started a bit after seven with my alarm going off to the sweet sounds of Chunga and Mister and some "really stupid news!" As always, I lack the will power to get out of bed and so whap the snooze button and snuggle in for a blissful seven minutes. Of course, I do this until 7:30, which is when I need to leave to get the prime parking spot on 8th north that is only about 20 flights of stairs away from my Anthropology class. As I wake up at this time nearly every day, I have the routine down pat. First, throw on jeans and a hoodie, then brush teeth while putting greasy hair in a ponytail. Grab keys, stuff books in bag, and leave. This took me a good 6 minutes, but don't worry, my car was miraculously free of ice, so I still got an acceptable parking space.

After walking up the steps at a leisurely pace, I get to class a little bit early for about the fourth time in a row. Pretty impressive. Then I sit through lecture and move on to biology class, where I succeeded in staying awake the whole time for about the sixth time. This is only thanks to Debbie, who jabs me each time my eyelids flutter shut.

Next, I share the most enjoyable hour of the day with the pals upstairs in the Wilk, eating bagels and cupcakes, and laughing over funny things. Things like badgers. You know, they are just funny animals. After our carefree hour of fun, we all trudge toward another day of Book of Mormon and sit in silence so as to not spread animosity. After that joy of a class I head to my film lab to watch clips of genre film. All I can say is that everyone must see the B horror film entitled Them. You guessed it, the "them" of the title is indeed referring to gigantic killer ants. What a winner of a film!
After class I get to go home and miraculously don't have to stop at a single cross walk for my fellow zoobies. Once in the safe haven of my 63 degree house I consider getting ready for the day, but ultimately decide against it. "Nah." I thought, "It's 2:00, the day is already half gone, and the only other people who will see me today will be the 4 people I pass going into work and walking to my lonely corner." Little did I know at this point that today is the day that I got to have my picture taken to be posted on a gigantic screen during the trainings of new photomax employees. Great. It's okay, though, because the guy that took my picture said I was "cute" in the photo. What a bold-faced lie that was. But, as I don't like to dwell on such things, we'll move on to the remainder of my truly enthralling day.

Instead of making myself presentable, I decided to look for some lunch, but then realized I was too lazy. Instead, I decided to eat a peice of bread and watch All About Eve for my film class, since I had to return soon. All in all, it was an enjoyable film, if a little long. 138 minutes, to be precise. I looked at the clock at the end of the film and realized I had approximately 2 minutes before I had to leave for work. I grabbed some nasty yogurt for my dinner and ran out the door. Needless to say, I got here in one peice, did some work until I didn't have any to do. Did some homework until I couldn't handle it anymore. Played around online for a while. It was then that I was guilted into writing a post. I hope you don't regret it too much.

shuffling through leaves

2005-10-19T22:22:00.000-06:00

I realized today that walking out to my car after class is my favorite time of day. I get to saunter and shuffle, and notice the sky, the trees, and yes, enjoy crunching the dead leaves under my feet. (As long as they are indeed leaves--you know what I'm talking about, Nik and Deb.) Other times, it seems I am always in a hurry, running up the stairs to get to Anthropology almost on time, or hurrying so I have more time to veg out with the friends between classes. The walk by myself is the one time of day I have to just think. I try really hard to not think of the things I need to do that day, but rather to think about the simple things in life, like how I should notice nature more often than my once daily walk to the car. And also about how life isn't really so bad, at least not quite the "butt" I'm always saying that it is. Almost, but not quite. So take heart, my friends. Take walks on lovely cool, crisp fall days, and remember, life's not a butt.

not so silent camaraderie

2005-10-13T21:47:00.000-06:00

The awkward silent camaraderie with the security guard morphed last night into an awkward conversation. This is basically how it went:

I walk out into the lobby and the security guard gets up from his desk to follow me outside.

"Long day, eh?" He asks.

I think, Goodness, I knew I looked crappy and tired, but I didn't think it was that bad. Then I say, "Yeah, it has been a long day." (I had gone in early, mind you.)

Awkward silence as we walk outside.

"Have a good night," I say.

"Wha?" he asks.

"Have a good night."

"Oh, you too."

And he watches while I walk into the darkness and out of his life forever.
End Scene.

Panderers

2005-10-06T19:47:00.000-06:00

Well, I just watched the trailer for the new Kiera Knightly version of Pride and Prejudice. I was mildly offended. First, let me just get out into the open that while I am not a KK lover, I am also not filled with the burning hate and loathing for her that I know some of you have. Be that as it may, I still think the movie comes from a bunch of panderers, catering to the public desire to see onscrean kissing. As you may know, more kissing involves huge departures from the novel we have all grown to love. However, as the A&E version cannot be topped in any aspect, but more specifically in the department of being true to the novel, the departures will be considerably more tollerable. However,why they even decided to make this movie when it has been done, and done well already, is beyond me.

In conclusion, I plan to see the film soon after it comes out with my free movie tickets.

Something to Blog About

2005-10-03T21:57:00.000-06:00

NOT! All I want to say is that it brings warmth to my heart to have protection against being molested in the parking lot. Yes, I do indeed get warm fuzzies every night when I leave the "cheerful" comfort of work and venture into the cold, dark parking lot, and this is because the security guard follows me out and watches until I am safely locked in the car with the psycho killer hiding in the back seat. I mean...safely in the car and out of harm's way. Because that Harm, his way can be pretty malevolent, let me tell you.

Well, I must go now to undergo the nightly ritual of the awkward, but secure and protective silent comraderie that I always have with the trusty security guard. Safe walking to all, and to all a good night.

oh, the shame

2005-09-05T15:02:00.000-06:00

I just read Becca's comment on Ali's blog congratulating her for posting something rather than not posting. Yes, this comment has indeed shamed me into writing my own, brief, something post. However, unlike Ali, I don't anything to say or tell.

About the only exciting thing in my life right now is that I have a class with half of the girls soccer team. Weird. They're all from Sandy. Weird. In conclusion, my life is chock full of excitement, but at least you had a bit of a surprise when you saw something actually posted here. yipee.

Not Here Yet

2005-08-17T20:18:00.000-06:00

Sunday dinner is always an adventure at my house, but especially so when there is reason to celebrate and everyone comes and brings their dog, too. Such an event was in full swing last Sunday as we celebrated my brother's birthday. Somewhere in the midst of the fun, my sister, who is pregnant and due in about three weeks, and her husband snuck in. When some of my neices and nephew saw her husband they swarmed around him in excitement. They just love their unlce Kevin. But actually, they were just excitedly asking where Aunt Megan was. Feeling slightly rejected, Kevin, always the funny one, replied that she wasn't there, but that the baby was upstairs. Frenzy ensued.

"She had the baby!?" shrieked my neice, Adria. I think there even may have been a shout of "What the heck!?" from one of the kids as they sprinted to the stairs to see the wee boy. Their bubbles were swiftly burst when what they found upstairs was Megan with her belly still very much full of baby.

I found this episode to be slightly amusing, but what was even better came about ten minutes later. I was going to my room for a bit of respite and relaxation, not to mention a hidden candybar, and I found my four-year-old nephew, Bryce, peeking quietly through the door.

"Whacha' doin, Bryce?" I asked.

He looked at me inquisitively for a moment then asked, "But where's that baby?"

"What baby?"

"That baby that just came outa Megan."

It was then that I had to inform him of the cruel truth that his cousin had not, as yet, "come out of Megan." He was, of course, slightly crushed. Yet, he soon cheered up with the prospects of seeing the baby in the near future. As I explained it to him, his big green eyes brightened under his mass of curly hair and he was soon grinning up at me with visions of becoming best friends with his new cousin dancing through his head. He then trotted, unfazed, down the hall to get some icecream, soon to forget that anything but the sweet coldness of his vanilla icecream existed.

watch where you swing those things

2005-07-30T12:30:00.000-06:00

Here I am at work. I am incredibly bored because I have gotten exaclty three calls within the last two hours. And you know, it's only possible to focus on the language of Henry James for so long...with some sort of crystal yet golden bowl symbolising a fragile relationship. You have to take breaks from that kind of thing. I really don't have anything to say, I just need to wile away the time.

Although, I do have a suggestion for all people waiting in line or walking around campus with nothing to entertain the mind. If you are walking along and just drawing a blank about what to think about to amuse yourself, I have discovered a pasttime that can highly entertaining. Are you ready? Okay, here's what you do, you look at people's arms swinging as they walk. It can be hilarious if you are in the right frame of mind (aka sleep deprived). You know what I'm talking about, don't you Debbie? Take me, for example, walking to calss on Friday morning after staying up to write that paper and read Hugh Nibley. Watching one girl walk down a slight incline was the most amusing thing I've ever seen. Her arms went crazy all over the place as she clunked down the hill in her interesting platform shoes. Next I turned my attention to a young man carrying some books in one arm. The effect of one stationary arm and one arm swinging in a wide arc struck me as exessively funny. But the best arm swing of the morning was by far an aging man who was probably a professor. I think he was going to be late for a class he was supposed to be teaching. He was slightly portly and balding, what little hair he had was white and fluffy. He was walking quickly to be on time, the top of his body leaning forward as if his feet just could not take him fast enough. Because he was leaning forward, his arms were hanging in front of his body as he walked, narrowly missing each other as they swung. It vaguelly reminded me of when the timing was off in my windshield wipers, causing them to hit as they came together. All I can say is that it was very, very amusing at the time, so you should try it out and see if I am just psychotic.

blogging blogger

2005-06-23T15:37:00.000-06:00

um...I'm a blogger?