Week in Photos is Finally Here!

The week in photos is finally here! I know all you followers have been anxiously waiting.

Wednesday 10/28 - A few weeks ago we passed by a house with a sign that said "Free Kittens." I suggested we just pull over and take a look. The rest is history. I named her Maya but some people think she should be renamed Chupacabra or Xibalba.

Thursday 10/29 - The bestest birthday present ever! Grandma S took us out for dinner at Spaghetti Factory and Mom and Maddie came up for the night as a complete surprise!

Friday 11/30 - Nothing too exciting this day except my friend Diana at work made pumpkin shaped cookies and gave them to us. She is so awesome:)

Saturday 10/31 - As part of our Halloween celebration Lamoni and I carved our pumpkin. Pumpkins are one of my favorite parts of Fall. Then we dressed in our costumes and went on campus to dance and watch a scary movie.

Sunday 11/1 - No picture. I fail.

Monday 11/2 - Feliz Dia de los Muertos! To celebrate Day of the Dead we bought Pan de Muerto.

Tuesday 11/3 - Abby and I had some fun shooting pool at the local bowling alley. Then to honor a time old tradition we got fake tattoos afterwards. Then I went to the Limons and Moises had made a delicious cake and a balloon sign to celebrate my late birthday and the birthday of a friend.

Week in Photos Update

Ok, I know I said that I would do a week in photos. I have done it but I currently have no way to get my photos on the computer. I will be able to put them on this weekend so no worries! I know you are all anxiously waiting for the genius photographing of my thrilling life. Just be patient...it will come.

Some Old Pictures from May 2009

I found some pictures that for some reason never got posted. This is springtime in Mount Pleasant!

A Happy Birthday

I am often surprised (although I am not sure why it is so surprising) at how many good people surround me. Many times I feel as though I am not deserving of such good family and friends. Yesterday was a good example of how wonderful they are, even when I don't deserve it.

October 29, 2009 - I wake up feeling ill and with swollen and painful eyes. I realize that I left my contacts in (for the second night in a row). I have a headache and dread the coming day of staring at a computer and wonder how I am going to drive to work with my eyes like this. I call and leave a message for my boss saying that I will come in later. A few hours later I get a call saying that it's super busy at work and they need me to come in so I throw on some clothes and speed to work. It is like most days at work - speaking on the phone all day long has its advantages and disadvantages, like any job. Mistakes are made, people get angry, I do my homework, etc. FinallyI head over to my cousin's because we are going out to eat with Grandma S. for my birthday. When lo and behold, the best birthday surprise happened!

That's right, my mom and Madison had driven all the way up here just to see me for my birthday! I was so excited to see them. We all went out to Old Spaghetti Factory and ate chocolate satin creme pie and spumoni ice cream after our delicious pasta meals. I got some awesome presents and then we headed to Ikea for some Ikea birthday goodness. That included sitting on armchairs, running around the showroom, helping poor Maddie off the floor after her many unfortunate falls on the slippery floor, and getting some fabulous Swedish chocolate.

Later I headed over to my boyfriend's house to say hello. He wasn't there but was supposed to get there soon so his brother and I carved a cleaned out a pumpkin and ate pumpkin seeds while we waited (one of my favorite snacks, and activities!) While we cleaned and snacked we were talking about ghosts and aliens and other such supernatural things when I suddenly heard music coming from somewhere, like a radio had just switched on. I nearly had a heart attack thinking that some supernatural being had come upon us when his brother said, "It's tradition! Get out there!" I opened the door and there was my boyfriend, three singers, and a guitar, serenading me out in front of the house. It was very cute.

All in all, it was a fantastic birthday. Thanks to everyone for turning a crappy morning into a wonderful afternoon and evening!!

This Week in Photos...part one.

As I was driving to work this morning I was thinking about what things I could post on my blog. I decided that I'm going to take a page from one of my favorite magazines and do a Week in Photos. However, it will probably not be as cool since I am not a professional photographer, I don't have access to the whole world in one week, and they will be pictures of my life instead of current global events. The other problem is that I rarely have access to a computer where I can get my pictures off my camera but I am taking this as a personal challenge. So...we'll see how it goes.

So far I have watched...

1. The Mothman Prophecies (thanks Matthew for that suggestion)
2. BBC's Dracula
3. What Lies Beneath (a modern Hitchkock and scary as all get out)
4. The Rope (thanks Kelly!)
5. Spirited Away
6. Cape Fear (the old one, pretty creepy)
7. Wait Until Dark
8. Mickey's Halloween Treat
9. Mean Girls (a different kind of scary movie)
10. The Haunting (original...much scarier)
11. The Lost Skeleton of Cadavre (a Halloween classic)
12. Dragonfly

I also have but have not watched...
- Vertigo
- Hocus Pocus


Thanks everybody for your wonderful suggestions!

The Luckiest by Ben Folds

I heard this song for the first time from a good friend recently. To hear it, go to the bottom of the page and it's the first song on the playlist.

October!

I know October is already half over but I just have to say that this is my favorite month of the year. I love Fall, I love Halloween, and let's be honest, I love my birthday too. I love pumpkins and I love dressing up in costumes, and I love the cool crisp (not yet too cold) air. I love to eat squash, and apples, and roasted pumpkin seeds, and I love watching Halloween movies. Thus said, I have been trying to compile a list of good Halloween/October/Fall movies to watch. Here it is so far:

1. Hocus Pocus
2. The Labyrinth
3. The Haunting (old one)
4. Arsenic and Old Lace
   
5. What Lies Beneath
6. Spirited Away
7. Coraline
8. Dragonfly
9. The Prestige
10. The Illusionist

I can't think of any more right now but I would love to hear any suggestions! I enjoy more suspense type movies than horror but feel free to leave your favorites!

South Korea!

Sometimes life gives you an opportunity to do something completely out of the ordinary. Such an opportunity came to me and I rashly decided to take it. So, here I am in South Korea for two weeks! I have been taking many pictures but unfortunately I have no means of uploading them, so there will be more to come. However, let me just say that Seoul is in many ways a very unique and completely foreign experience for me. But at the same time, people are pretty much the same wherever you go. I have experienced Korean grapes, the smell of dried squid, the daunting Seoul Metro system, a palace, the world's tallest department store, a few very large Asian markets, and more walking than a vacation at Disneyland. It's been a great trip so far!

Viva la Vida!

This post has been a long time coming apparently, because although it is the latest Coldplay album, it has been a while since it was released. Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends was released by the popular alternate rock band Coldplay on June 11, 2008. It is the fourth album Coldplay has produced and probably the most successful, but that is just my observation.

When I say that this post has been a long time coming, I mean that I have to get my feelings out in the open once and for all. I love Coldplay's music. If their music was a man, I would marry him. I know what you're probably thinking - EVERYBODY loves Coldplay. And if they don't love Coldplay then they think they are overrated. Granted, they may be true. I have heard their hit songs on several radio stations and they are always at the top of lists and have the highest sales. I usually try and steer clear of what is popular or trendy at the moment because, yes, it is usually overrated (in my humble opinion...)

However, even though Coldplay is widely popular, I have a theory about it and it is sort of a personal one. Coldplay's music for me is very personal. It wasn't so much with the earlier albums, even though I still loved the music. But their later ones connected with me in a lot of ways. Some of their hit songs are the ones that struck me the most: Speed of Sound, Clocks, Life in Technicolor ii, and many of their not-so-hit songs as well. I'm sure that we all have songs or artists that when we hear their music or read their books or look at their paintings, it's as if their work is speaking directly to us. I guess what I mean to say is that these songs speak directly to me and I think I am not the only one. Lyrics such as the ones Chris Martin writes are ambiguous enough that a whole range of people can find meaning in them on different levels. Whether or not that is on purpose is beyond me. Judging by interviews I have seen of the band...well, probably not. Who knows. All I know is that when an urge comes to write about my love for Coldplay, I must follow. And there it is.

*Check down at the bottom of the page to hear some of my favorite Coldplay songs!
*Ok, to be honest I this is my second Coldplay post. Click here for the last one.

Sushi Night!

Thanks to my dear friend Michael, I have discovered the wonderful and delectable world of sushi. Before he left to go live in South Korea, Michael and I would go out to eat a lot together. He and I are both adventurous eaters in families that are not quite as adventurous in their culinary tastes. That being said, I'm not suggesting that sushi is a totally out-there kind of food. I had just never had it before. So, now that my foods buddy and I are separated by about 6000 miles (not too bad, right?) I had to make some hasty substitutions.

Low and behold, food lovers were hiding right under my nose! Audrey, one of my best and oldest friends (not old...young... but, you know) and I have started Sushi Nights. About every Thursday we head over to a small little Japanese restaurant on Center St in Provo called Demae. Every Tuesday and Thursday all the sushi on the menu is 3.50 a roll and the nigiri is only 2.50 a roll. It's a lot of fun to meet new people and try new sushi every time. So far, I have had the hana roll, the Crispy roll (the best!), the Philadelphia, the salmon and yellowtail nigiri, the Alaska roll, and the eel roll. And there are still a lot of rolls to go. Love it. Gotta have it.

Moments at work...

For those of you that do not know, I now work for a company called Callnet that is an answering service for businesses across the nation. I act as a receptionist for about 200 companies and take calls all day. It's a great job for a student because the people are nice, the hours are flexible, and I am able to work full time or part time depending on my class schedule. Since I am taking only online classes this semester, it is especially nice because I can do homework at work.

However, the catch is that I have to talk to some pretty interesting characters over the phone. Here is a choice moment so far:

me: How can I help you?

woman: I need to speak to Lanie please. Or Lindy? Or Lani? What's her name?

me: I believe you mean Lanie. May I have your first and last name before I transfer you?

woman: Oh...I'm sorry....um, I don't know that.

*sheesh*

Samantha's Wedding!

My good friend Samantha got married on Saturday, Aug 15 in the Las Vegas Temple for time and all eternity. I was so honored that I got to be one of her bridesmaids. So while we were waiting for the ceremony to start I got to hang out with the cutest ringbearer EVER! We hung out and took turns taking silly pictures of each other and playing tic-tac-toe.

Anyone recognize this handsome guy?

Tyler actually took this one of my corsage. Not bad for a 4 year-old photographer, eh?

Fourth of July pool party

How many people can you fit in the pool?


I thought this was pretty cute of Tyler (typical, too). Sorry that I didn't catch Nathan jumping - I got distracted by something...

Car update

Not to worry. Broke in to my car with the help of the custodian at work. His tools: a coat hanger. Car is fine, I am fine, keys are fine. Love my co-workers:)

A fabulous way to start a new job...

Today is my second day working at Southern Nevada Water Systems purification plant at Lake Mead (2nd day of my 3rd summer there). However, this is also my second day without my car, my wallet, my debit card, my book, and my library card. Let me explain:

I locked my keys in my car at work.

Imagine my embarrassment as I realized at the end of the day yesterday that my keys were in my locked car. Then imagine my dismay when I also realized that the spare key is off in the mountains somewhere on a week-long campout with Dad and the Young Men. So, I headed off to the Hyundai repair shop to get a new key, then back to work to reclaim my car. However, the new key didn't work. What a shock.

So, I tried to be optimistic as a got a ride to work. I thought, sure it pays off to work in a place where there is a whole department of mechanics devoted to working on/repairing the company "fleet" - there must be someone that can get into my car. Little did I know that the day would be spent with one humiliation after another.

My supervisors asked around and tried to call favors left and right but no one seemed to have anything with which to open my car. And all day I got visitors offering consolation, rides home, and saying, "So, you're the one that locked the keys in the car?"

Finally, Jeff the mechanic had a slim jim so we all jaunted out to the hot parking lot for the grand opening. We found out, however, that foreign made cars have different locks. Stupid foreign made cars. So after several tries, my car was still unwilling to grant us access.

Jeff was very kind and offered to work on it later this evening before he left. Once again, I hitched a ride home and have no car. Here's hoping that someone will be waiting with my keys in hand tomorrow morning...

New Book for June

Here I am needing help with another project. I have made a goal to read at least one fiction book and one non-fiction book each month (along with daily scripture study of course!) I am currently working on The Count of Monte Cristo (unabridged) for May/June. However, I just finished my non-fiction choice of Aqui y Alla en Yucatan, a book about the Yucutan during the late 1800s. My dilemma is that I need a new non-fiction for the month of June. Any suggestions? Biographies, history, how-to's, etc, I enjoy it all. Thanks for the feedback!

Hair Scare Ended

This picture doesn't quite do it justice, but a family friend, Torrey Barlow, did a GREAT job with highlights and cutting my hair. I was so nervous to get it done but she was fabulous and I would recommend her to anyone! Thanks Torrey!

FHE Bikeride

We went for a bike ride after dinner and ended up at Brian and Susan's for a visit. Not bad pictures for a cell phone, eh?


Maddie on the ride.


Candid Dad shot. I almost killed myself for this shot as we were still riding down the street.


Check out those feet! (Are we surprised?)


Aubrey pointed out the squash they are growing.


Tyler and Aubrey climbed in the backhoe (or whatever it was) and made "the biggest smile they could do. Ever."

Help!

This is a plea to all my blog readers (however few you may be). I am in need of a new hairstyle! have been wanted a change of hairstyle for some time now and, let's be honest, I know nothing about coloring, styling, etc. My hair is very fine and somewhat curly (which makes it ultra frizzy and frustrating). Here's my hair now:



Okay, so I'm sans makeup and this photo doesn't actually give my hair very much credit (plus I look drugged up), but that is the point of this post, right? My hair is very fine and somewhat curly (which makes it ultra frizzy and frustrating). I'm not looking for a complete color change; maybe just some highlights and cut/style suggestions. If you know of any good (and affordable) stylists or just have any suggestions, pictures, comments, etc it would all be much appreciated! Thanks!

Trip to the Lake

Mandy and her friend Nicole are in town for the week and they invited us to go the lake with them. We fed popcorn to the fish down at the marina (not as many fish as usual today) and then went down to a beach to swim. It was a lot of fun!


I told them to look like they were having a good time. Smart-alecs.


Maddie had a special moment with a carp.


She's so pretty. I love her.


You wouldn't want that monster suckin' on your toes.


Mandy taking pictures.

Um...good question.

I'm babysitting for a family and this is a conversation that took place:

Briggs: How old are you?

Me: How old do you think I am?

Bayden: 18!

Briggs: 23!

Boen: 25!

Briggs: 22!

Bayden: 20!

Me: Yep, I'm 20. 

Boen (age 7): Whoa....well, when the heck are you gonna get married?

Sydney Duck

Valley of Fire with Abby and Anthony

Abby and Anthony came down for the weekend and visited. It was so much fun! They had a good time sightseeing on the strip, eating local cuisine, and visiting Valley of Fire in the motor home. Unfortunately, I only got pictures of Valley of Fire but here are some good ones.


Us being silly.


Dad sure conquered that rock all right.


I love the orange flowers that bloom in the desert. If I only knew what they were called...


Maddie found a little cave...one of several.


Abby and Anthony striking a pose. Good thing I have such good models to work with:)


Some ancient hieroglyphs. Valley of Fire is full of them.


Maddie finding herself in another hole again.

Dying/Painting/Mod Podging Easter Eggs

Dying Easter eggs is a fun tradition in our family. This year we also painted, decoupaged and made little chicks/ducks out of egg cartons.


Sydney was very focused as she dyed her eggs.


Aubrey needed a bit more guidance but enjoyed painting her eggs.


Tyler painted and dyed. Here is a great shot of how pensive he is.


Sydney and I put the finishing touches on her blue feathered friend.


Poor Aubrey got a bit messy...but we're not surprised.

Easter Saturday bike ride

The Saturday before Easter we went for a bike ride after dying eggs. We rode up to the park and had a good time playing.


Sydney liked to hang on the "turter."


Maddie liked the turter too.


...and slide down the slide.


...and hang on the water fountain. Apparently she likes hangin' out.


We can see where Syd gets her energy. Allyson enjoyed going down the slide as well.


Little Ally likes the tire swing and the regular swings. She was going much higher than this but I didn't get any shots of it.


Mom and Allyson were a little tuckered out after the "long" bike ride.