not sure I agree...what do you think?

Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

highs and lows

Highs:

* "Twilight" the movie didn't suck! (And can you say hottest kiss of my life?!)

* Getting 16th row tickets to the Backstreet Boys concert here in Phoenix! (Boom, baby!)

* Buying David Archuleta's debut CD! (Tracks 1, 2, 10, and 12 are already my favorites but the whole thing is really good!)

Lows:

* Gas! ($1.97 and still falling!)

* Getting a call last night at 6pm from Ticketmaster telling me the Backstreet Boys concert was cancelled due to Nick being sick! (I almost cried.)

* Finding a pair of pants last weekend at Kohl's on clearance for $3.60 (Can't beat that!)

i need a nap...

For the last 3+ years that I have been back in Arizona I have prided myself on the fact that I never had to drive on the freeway either way to work. Well no more! As of October 20th I have joined the ranks of those who deal with rush-hour traffic everyday and can I just say: I DON'T LIKE IT! Perhaps I should back up and catch y'all up on what's been happening in my life the last month...

Last month I started the interviewing process at University of Phoenix (hereafter referred to as UOP)--the lure of a higher salary and free education finally getting to me. I kept the whole interview under wraps at my other job (what was the point in telling them until I knew whether I got the job or not? No sense causing people stress where it's not needed, right?). It took a few more weeks but I was finally offered a job as a Finance Counselor and accepted the offer! Now I had to put in my notice at Junior Achievement...a task nobody likes.

My last day as the Receptionist at Junior Achievement was October 15th. I took of Thrusday and Friday so I could fly up to Utah for a badly needed vacation and the chance to see my best friend, Kristy Marchant, who was on Fall Break. I flew in to Salt Lake late Wednesday night and spent the next four days relaxing and having fun. We went and got pedicures, ate a lot of chocolate, drove around Lehi/Eagle Mountain, went to the Cheesecake Factory, watched several movies and played the "N Sync Backstage Pass Game" that Kristy gave me for my birthday! lol...it was awesome! (For any who are intersted...Kristy was the "Biggest Fan"!!!)

My flight got back in Phoenix Sunday night at 10:30 and bright and early Monday morning I started day one of my 6 week training at UOP. How's training going, you ask? Well...my head hasn't exploded yet. lol...there is a TON to learn! But, I'll get it. All I know is...I need a nap!

sigh

q & a

So, as I was blog-stalking I came across this fun little game on my cousin's blog. Here are the rules:

1. Put your iPod, iTunes or Windows Media Player on shuffle
2. Answer the following questions in order

If Someone says, "Is this okay?" You say: Stop & Stare by OneRepublic

How would you describe yourself: Lost by Michael Buble (So true it's scary!)

What do you like in a guy/girl: Sexy Ladies by Justin Timberlake (ahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!)

How do you feel today: This is the Time by Billy Joel

What's your life purpose: Don't Wanna Lose You Now by The Backstreet Boys (Um....okay)

What do your friends think of you: Mercy by JC Chasez

What do your parents think of you: I'm Your Man by Michael Buble (that's right, dang it!)

What do you often think about: Beauty & The Beast

What do you think abou the person you like: Fly Me To the Moon by Tony Bennett (it works)

What is your life story: Kiss Me by Kenny Chesney (I wish!)

What do you want to be when you grow up: A Whole New World from Aladdin (um, okay...)

What will you dance to at your wedding: Say You'll Be There by The Spice Girls (lol!)

What will they play at your funeral: Makes Me Wonder by Maroon 5 (again...lol!)

What is your biggest fear: Somebody Knows You Now by Brad Paisely

What is your biggest secret: Get Another Boyfriend by The Backstreet Boys (well, first I need to get A boyfriend!)

What do you think of your friends: Shining Star by The Backstreet Boys (awe...)

What is your future going to be like: All I Have To Do Is Dream by the Everly Brothers (sad, but true)

What do you see in the person you like: Still Feels Good by Rascall Flatts

What will the song be for you and your spouse: This I Promise You by N Sync (Yes! I can't wait!)

Try it for yourself...you might be surprised at the results! :)

am I going to die?

For those of you who wonder how we pass the time on Sunday nights here at the Presidential Palace:

**No roommates were seriously harmed in the filming of this stunt! :)

would I date you?

Your dating personality profile: Religious - Faith matters to you. It is the foundation that you build your life upon. You trust that God has a plan for you. Conservative - You take a conservative stance on most issues and aren't shy about saying so. Your political views are an important component of who you are. Traditional - Modern culture does not move you. You hold traditional values dear to your heart.

Your Top Ten Traits 1. Religious 2. Conservative 3. Traditional 4. Practical 5. Shy 6. Adventurous 7. Romantic 8. Big-Hearted 9. Stylish 10. Funny

Your date match profile: Religious - You seek someone who is grounded in faith and who possesses religious values. You believe that a religious person can enhance your life. Practical - You are drawn to people who are sensible and smart. Flashy, materialistic people turn you off. You appreciate the simpler side of living. Traditional - You need someone who is a bit old-fashioned. A person with traditional values and beliefs will perfectly compliment your lifestyle.

Your Top Ten Match Traits 1. Religious 2. Practical 3. Traditional 4. Conservative 5. Shy 6. Big-Hearted 7. Adventurous 8. Wealthy/Ambitious 9. Romantic 10. Sensual

Take the Dating Profile Quiz at Would I Date You

why yes, i am spontaneous

Yesterday I bought a new car. I took my car and traded it in for a 2004 Volkswagen Jetta. I am in love with my new car!! :)

behold the awesomeness

speed dating

Not as eventful as I was secretly hoping, but not as lame as I was expecting.

So, last night for FHE my ward combined with a few other wards in the area. The activity: speed dating. I was a little hesitant at first, but figured what the heck? Why not give it a try. I've never done it and at least I'll be able to say I have, right? Here's what happened:

Elaina and I got to the church building about 15 minutes late, but that was all part of my plan. I didn't want to be one of the first ones there. I'm always one of the first ones at activities and it's kind of irritating. But, turns out the wards we were combining with start on time (gasp!). So we sat out in the foyer listening to the Bishop of the other ward finish his spiritual thought. The topic? Dating and listening to the Spirit. (I couldn't help it...I rolled my eyes). Then the activity started. They had nine rows of chairs set up facing each other in the cultural hall. The guys sat on one side of the row and the girls sat on the other and every 2 minutes the guys would move down a seat. As is want to happen at these things, there were more girls than guys and I actually ended up talking to 5 guys from my own ward: Mike, Mark, Joe, Robert and Jesse. Here's what I learned about them:

Mike: would have a lizard or a turle as an exotic pet if he could (are turtles really considered exotic?)

Mark: is reading Twilight because Stephanie told him he should.

Robert: couldn't remember what my name was. He knew who my roommates were but for some reason couldn't remember my name.

Joe: asked me how the book that I was writing was coming along. I was not aware that he knew I was writing a book so it took me by surprise (I later found out that Elaina had mentioned to him that I am a writer). When I asked him what he liked to do in his free time he said, "I like to go to parties at this house on Alma School and Media." (aka my house!) It made me laugh! I said, "Oh yeah, I've heard that's a cool house."

Jesse: told me his super power would be to magically make people happy because he doesn't like it when people are upset and it would make the world a better place.

Then there were the...intersting guys (there's always a few, right?). But even the weirder ones were funny and made me laugh. One guys told me he liked my smile. One guy told me I looked really familiar to him and one guys told me about a great pizza place I should try out if I ever find myself lost down in Benson, AZ!

lol...whatever. At least I can say I went and gave it a try right?

ready, set, go!

So one of my friends had this list on her blog and I thought I'd take a crack at it. The trick is, they can only be one-word answers. Here we go...

1. Where is your cell phone? Desk
2. Where is your significant other? Lost
3. Your hair color? Carmel
4. Your mother? Home
5. Your father? Funny
6. Your favorite thing? Hope
7. Your dream last night? Good
8. Your dream/goal? Perfection
9. The room you're in? Office
10. Your hobby? Writing
11. Your fear? Heights
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Married
13. Where were you last night? Home
14.. What you're not? Skinny
15. One of your wish list items? BMW
16. Where you grew up? Oregon
17. The last thing you did? Email
18. What are you wearing? Clothes
19. Your TV? Bones
20. Your pet? None
21. Your computer? Old
22. Your mood? Content
23. Missing someone? Yes
24. Your car? Blue
25. Something you're not wearing? Socks
26. Favorite store? Bookstore
27. Your summer? Hot
28. Love someone? Yes
29. Your favorite color? Blue
30. When is the last time you laughed? 3:00
31. Last time you cried? ?
32. Who you want to Tag? Anyone

digital, digital get down...

For the past eight years I have been living with one foot in the digital age of Ipods, pocket-sized cameras and office copy machines that are smarter than I am while the other has been planted in the bygone days of cassette tapes, walkmans, and "brick" mobile phones that cost $2,600.00.

When I was 18 my parents bought me a cell phone that was to be kept in the glovebox of my car and used only as an "emergency" phone. I was on the most basic of plans that Voicestream (now T-mobile) had and never really used it. When I went to Dixie State College for a year I took it with me and used it to call home on Sunday evenings. I kept this phone (which was prehistoric compared to today's phones) until three years ago when my Dad put us all on a family plan with Cingular (now AT&T). Even then I only really used it to call home on the weekends and as an emergency phone. It wasn't until my best friend, Kristy Marchant, and I decided we were inseparable and began calling each other and texting back and forth. Luckily my Dad learned his lesson with my brother, Steven, and his girlfriend and their out of control texting (an $800.00 bill would make ANYONE blow steam) and we were all put on the unlimited text plan. I was recently informed that I had sent and recieved 2400 texts in a month...which is pretty typical. However, I still had not fully entered the 21st century. Well no longer! I would like publicly announce I have embraced the digital age and would like to introduce you to my new phone:

Complete with camera and everything! Watch out world--here I come!

memories

1. Leave one memory that you and I had together, as a comment on my blog. It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. Have a nice little trip down memory lane!

birthdays and white lies...

So...I know it's been a while since I updated. What can I say? Life kind of got the best of me. So here's what I've been up to:

#1. I had a birthday! 26 here I come...My best friend, Kristy, came into to town for the weekend. We went and got pedicures, watched a couple movies, survived a HUGE monsoon storm that blew into town on Sunday (try running through the church parking lot that is three inches deep in water to retrieve my car while it is literally pouring...kind of fun, but not something I'd like to do again anytime soon), and went to The Cheesecake Factory.

#2. I called into work today and went with Elaina to the American Idol tryouts in Glendale! It was really fun! We woke up at 4:30 this morning and drove to the arena. We got there about 6:30 where we stood in line for a while outside then spent the next 6.5 hours sitting and waiting for Elaina's chance to audition. It was fun to be able to see some of the behind the scenes action of one of my favorite shows. Look for us come January...we were cheering and singing in the crowd!!

Check out the "Silver Surfer"...

Wristband Power!!

and i'm home

San Diego is my new favorite place! Seriously. Loved it!! :)

Last night we were able to see the fireworks from Sea World from our hotel :) and they were awesome! I love fireworks! This morning we packed up :( then found a cute little shopping village and spent a couple hours wandering around and having lunch :) then got on the freeway and headed back to Phoenix :(. We left the beautiful tropical weather in San Diego and got back to the freakishly hot oven-like weather that is Phoenix, Arizona....remind me why I live here again?

Needless to say I had a great time and I being on vacation!

san diego: day three

The Beach!!

We got up this morning and decided today would be a great day to go to the beach. So, we got up, got ready, gathered up the beach chairs, sea shell buckets and the umbrellas we had and headed out. We decided to go over to Coronado Island which was beautiful! We got there about 10:30 and started beach combing...picking up sand dollars and other shells and playing in the cold water. A few hours later we discovered that we had been perhaps a bit too hasty in our quest to get to the beach. Did we bring any water with us? Nope. How about food and/or snacks? Of course not! Why would we do that? In the immortal words of the T-Rex in "Meet The Robinsons"..."I'm just not sure how well this plan was thought out."

So, with nothing to eat and nothing to drink we decided maybe we should pack up and go find some sustenance. Never fear! Subway is here! Those who decided it was too cold at the beach (according to my aunt Christine it was "the frozen tundra") and went shopping in town instead, brought back sandwiches for everyone. Yea subs! After eating, and deciding we'd had enough sun, we came back to the hotel and relaxed for a few hours until dinner. We went to dinner at "Guadalahara's"...at which time we all discovered we had gotten a lot more sunburned than we originally thought. After dinner we drove around town looking for a pharmacy or grocery store. You'd think it would be easy...but no. After driving around for a half hour we finally found a grocery store, then hurried back to the hotel because they were doing their firework show tonight (why? I don't know). We got back in time to see the majority of the show, then went back to the room to apply after sun lotion and go to sleep.

san diego: day two

The San Diego Zoo!!

We spent all day at the zoo and it was a ton of fun. We took the guided bus tour around the park, then ate lunch, went to a sea lion show, went shopping at the gift shops, walked around and saw some animals, went to the "Wild Ones" show (which as dumb), then it was 5:30 and time to go. My feet are killing me but surprisingly I didn't get very sunburned...I don't think. I think we're all going to sleep well tonight.

san diego: day one

The courtyard outside our hotel room:

Baby ducks swimming around in the stream:

Faith and I out at the harbor near our hotel:

I know it looks fake, but it's not. There are beautiful flowers everywhere:

The biggest hibiscus flower I have EVER seen (no lie, it was the size of a salad plate):

Rescued Harbor Seals at the hotel:

Barbara getting ready to go to the beach:

i can't grow a mustache

I just got back from spending a fabulously, relaxing weekend at my grandparent's cabin in Overgaard, AZ. I love going to the cabin!! I spent all weekend doing basically nothing and it was wonderful. It was just what I needed. It's nice to go up to the mountains, away from the normal daily stresses. I always feel so rejuvinated after going to the cabin.

Friday night after work J.R., Esther, Barbara and I drove up. Mom, Dad, Faith, Faith's friend Selina, and Julia drove up separately. We had dinner and watched the new Disney channel movie with the Jonas Brothers (or to those who know them well, "The Jonai") "Camp Rock" . After the movie they debuted their new music video. I can't wait for their new album (August 12!!).



Saturday I sat on the couch and wrote all day! It was great! Dad, J.R., Esther, Barbara and Julia went fishing.

The mighty fishers and
a sink o' fish...

Sunday we watched some General Conference talks on DVD, then played Phase 10 for HOURS...seriously. I was on phase 9 for SIX ROUNDS!! I hate that game. Although we did learn that Esther likes to cheat and look at other people's cards. You gotta keep your eye on that girl...

And now some pictures of the cutest baby ever!

And here's a picture of my mom taking a picture of me taking a picture of my mom...

the ants go marching two by two...

I know you know the song. Sing it with me:

"The ants go marching two by two. Hurrah! Hurrah!
The ants go marching two by two. Hurrah! Hurrah!
The ants go marching two by two. The little one stops to ties his shoe.
And they all go marching down, into the ground.
To get out of the rain.
Boom,
Boom,
Boom..."

Only this time...they aren't marching into the ground. They are marching around on our kitchen floor. And in our cupboards. And on the countertops. We have swept and swiffered, sprayed and set traps. I've killed dozens of them with papertowels, but everytime I open the cupboard...THERE THEY ARE AGAIN!! They just keep coming! And the problem is...we don't know where they're coming from!

I HATE ANTS! AHHH!!!

On to better things...
I went to F.H.E. tonight--don't act all shocked. Occasionally I do go to an activity. And I'm really glad I went to tonight's. We had a guest speaker come so it was really more of a fireside than and F.H.E. The speaker was Bro. Larry Chesley (the author of "Seven Years in Hanoi"). He was a POW in Vietnam and is a phenomenal speaker! He told lots of stories and related a lot of the experiences he had, but these are the things that stuck out to me:

1. When you pray keep it simple but specific and the Lord will answer.

2. You cannot judge God.

3. When God shuts a door in your life, don't just stand there looking at the closed door...start searching for the window He's opened up in your life.

hope

Hope: One of my favorite words, and also something I've been struggling with lately.

Have you ever felt like you're sitting on the side of the road watching everyone else you know pass you by? That is what I've been feeling like the last week or so. I don't know why. I have a job that a lot of people who are searching for work right now would kill to have. I live in a nice house with 4 great girls. I have a car that gets me everywhere I need to go. I have a family that is close by and who loves me unconditionally. I have a good education and was able to earn a Bachelor's degree. I have the gospel in my life and a testimony that keeps me afloat. So why do I feel like I'm sitting in a pool of stagnant water watching as life passes me by?

It's days like today that just reaffirm to me that the Church is true and that Heavenly Father knows who I am and knows the struggles I am going through. The talks in Sacrament Meeting today, as well as the lesson in Sunday School were all about the Atonement. Normally this is one of those topics that I tend to tune out becuase of how often it is talked about. But not today. Today the things that were said touched my heart. Today was focused more on the Atonement as a way to overcome the trials in our lives and allowing it to help us have faith and hope in Christ. As Collin so elequently put it, "The Atonement is where we allow His grace to be sufficient." And it hit me that, I just need to have the courage to give my worries and concerns to the Lord and allow the suffering that He's already gone through to be enough. I don't need to be sad and discouraged. I don't have to be disappointed that my life hasn't exactly turned out the way I thought it would. All I have to do is have faith and hope in Christ.

However, this is easier said than done, but I know God's there. And I know He knows who I am and what I am struggling with right now. I know that as long as I keep putting one foot in front of the other and continue to do the things I should that He'll be there to help and guide me. Life may not always turn out the way we plan, and we may hit a rough patch or two, but in the end everything will work out. And if it's not working out...that's only because it's not the end :)

a great frickin' day

Today was awesome!

Usually I spend Saturdays sleeping in (trying to catch up on the sleep I lose during the week) and being lazy around the house but this weekend I wanted to do something different. Something more. Something...fun. Here's what I ended up doing:

*Woke up at 6am to go to a ward service project at the temple. We helped rake out and mulch the flower beds around the front of the temple. It was fun. Yea for the temple! And yea for service!

*Went to breakfast with everyone from my ward that came to the service project. We went to IHOP and can I just say that I'm pretty sure breakfast is my most favorite meal of the day. See, they have these new pancakes there--Kansas Carrot Cake pancakes. Seriously thought I was in heaven they were so good. Then add in a couple of scrambled eggs, some bacon and hashbrowns (P.S., remember how hashbrowns are one of my weaknesses?) and you've got one totally awesome breakfast. Plus it was fun talking and laughing with everyone.

*Came home and took a shower. I bought some new body wash at Bath and Body Works last weekend: Midnight Pomegranate. Yeah, it's my new favorite. It makes me happy :)

*Went to the mall to A-return a bra that I bought last week at Victoria Secret and which broke (sad day) and B-buy some new work shirts and something cute to wear when I'm in San Diego next month. (You may be asking yourself..."self, how does she have the money to do this?" The answer: my economic stimulus check. Thank you President Bush. Now if you could just do something about the price of gas...) I returned the defective bra, bought 4 new shirts, a pair of shoes, and two new bras. It was a successful shopping trip.

*Came home and watched the season premier of America's Best Dance Crew. I started watching that show last season because one of the judges is a boy I've been in "L" with since...oh...high school. The one and only, Mr. Hottie himself, JC Chasez (from N SYNC). I love him. He makes me happy (like carrot cake pancakes...only different). But the dance crews this season are REALLY GOOD! It's going to be a good season.

*Went to see "Kung Fu Panda" with my roommie Elaina. It was funny, but if you are wanting to see it I suggest waiting to see it in the dollar theatre.

Can't wait to see what happens next weekend!

"not funny!"

Pretty sure this is my favorite video! It makes me laugh everytime I watch it!!



Oh, and P.S. I am addicted to Reece's Pieces right now. "Justin Case" you were wondering :)

no meat

Feeling especially hungry and carnivorous this evening, I decided to stop in at Taco Bell on my way home with Elaina from vitising teaching. Pulling up to the drive-thru, my mouth salivating at the thought of enjoying my most favorite of favorite meals, the only on my mind was: BEEF, BEEF, beefbeefbeef. Rolling down my window I wait.

"Can I help you?" Comes the scratchy, barely descerible voice from the intercom.
"I'd like a #6." I say.
"Uh...right now we don't have any meat." Says the voice.

There is silence in the car for about 3 seconds.

"You don't have any meat?!" I question, flabbergasted.
"No."
"Okay, nevermind."

Looking in my rearview window, there is luckily no one behind me so I put my little Dodge Neon in reverse and leave.

"You don't got no meat?" Elaina says from the passanger seat. "What you mean you don't go no meat?!"

Something is wrong with the world when Taco Bell has no meat...

three day weekends

You know what the best part about today is? I don't have to go to work tomorrow! I wish every weekend were a three day weekend.

Since I have nothing really important to tell you, I am going to take Kristina's tag and tell you seven random facts about myself. Ready? Here we go:

1. I am in denial about my true age.
2. I have never been kissed.
3. I have an addiction to vanilla soft serve ice cream.
4. I want to learn Russian.
5. I hate going to bed...it just means I have to wake up the next morning and start everything all over again.
6. I glean abnormal amounts of pleasure from greeting cards.
7. I live in a comfortable level of hypocracy.

And here's an extra one because it's a holiday weekend:

8. I like to make fun of the shows I love.

roommate celebration

Last night I made pumpkin pie for Elaina's birthday. I asked her what she wanted and that's what she said was her favorite. Her brithday is actually on Sunday, but she was going home for the weekend so we celebrated last night. We also celebrated (belatedly) Stephanie's birthday which was on the 1st.





Kristina was being a spoil sport and wouldn't let me take a picture of her...I took this one before she could get away! :) (I love you Kristina!!)

call me irresistable

About a month ago my friend, Sarah Griffin, called and asked me if I wanted to go to the Michael Buble concert in Tucson on April 30th. I was excited. Did I want to go to Michael Buble?? Is the sky blue??

But then reality came crashing down around me. "I don't have money to go to a concert." I replied.

"That's okay." Sarah said. "I think I can get the tickets for free."

I was speechless for a minute. "Free?" I asked. "How can you get the tickets for free?"

"My ex-husband." She said excitedly. "It's my birthday and he knows I love Buble. He asked me if I wanted to go. I said yes, and he said, how many tickets do you want?"

"If you can get tickets I'll totally go with you!" I said.

"Yea!" She squealed. "Okay. I'll tell him I want two tickets and I'll call you back."

About a week later I got a text from her : I got the tickets. We're going on the 30th!!!

YEA!!!

Wednesday I got off work an hour early. Sarah met me at my house and we headed down to Tucson for the concert. We listened to Buble all the way there to get us in the mood. We talked and laughed and had a great time. The concert was great! He is a funny guy and a great performer. He talked and interacted with the audience. He joked around with his band and put on a great show. And his voice...ahhh, his voice...it's like butta!! :)