The Nerd Files

2012-02-12T10:53:00.000-08:00

Birthday-a-polooza.

2012-01-26T10:19:00.000-08:00

Remember when you were 6 and all of your friends came over and you played pin the tail on the donkey, ate cake, opened presents and you reveled in the joy of handing out party favors because you had to beg your Mom to let you get the My Little Pony party pack that came with the matching table wear, hats and goody bags?? Remember that? Then you grew up.... and you still beg your Mom for the My Little Pony party pack? No? Oh ok fine, I don't either.. Needless to say I love my birthday, I like being spoiled on my birthday (I also have a fear people will forget about my birthday, is that not conceded or what?!).. Birthday's are a big deal to me.

My friend Janna had said jokingly that you're allowed to celebrate your birthday for a whole week, I laughed about that sentiment.. but now looking back...

It all began the Saturday prior to my Birthday with a trip to the Temple to do sealings.. ok that wasn't planned for my birthday, but I went and did them and it was seriously my favorite ordinance in the Temple thus far. After, the temple I went up to Mt. Vernon to visit my "friend". He gave me some sweet kicks (a pair of Pumas).. Seriously I have them on right now as I am typing..

Sunday, I awoke to SNOW!! Can this be anymore awesome?! I mean they even cancelled the last hour of church so I didn't have to teach my Relief Society lesson, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! The Bishopric is so nice. After church, my "friend" came over and had a special Birthday dinner with my family, chicken fried steak was on the menu (it's what I ask for every year). After dinner we enjoyed what my Mom called a "busted" black forest cake, which was very chocolaty and cherryey..

my "friend" was so kind to document me blowing out my candles (I think I look like ET in this picture).

After dinner Russ and I went over to my friend Janna and Aaron's, in which Janna had made me Nutella "pupcakes" with Nutella butter cream frosting and candied hazelnuts, (I was so full that I had to save them for the next day).. I was also showered with owl drawings from her daughter Josi. We sat and talked for a few hours, which is always my favorite.

Monday, MY BIRTHDAY DAY! My closest friends from church and I enjoyed lunch at my favorite Mexican Restaurant. I am so happy I was able to spend it with those who came, I truly felt the love from my peeps with candy, glitter nail polish, cards, a jar of Nutella with a pimped out spoon AND my Mom brought me a singing balloon and glittered my seat.. she's a nice girl. As lunch was wrapping up, I forgot that they make you wear a lice infested sombrero and sing to you.. BUT I enjoyed it and I also enjoyed the fried ice cream..

Lunch was truly the best thing ever, I love my friends. I also love all the phone calls, texts and Facebook messages I received from everyone else in my life. I truly felt loved...

The week continued with a snow and ice storm which is all I wanted for Christmas, so I accepted it as a birthday present instead.. Wednesday I made it to work through the snow, but Thursday and Friday were different stories... It's a shame I didn't capture the beauty of the snow, but I captured the essence of how people react here in Port Orchard to the reports of winter storms heading our way..

Yep, that's right, NO MILK!! People in WA seriously freak out about snow, it's not even funny.

Well Wednesday night the snow had stopped and the freezing rain came through turning the snow into sheets of ice, this caused me not to be able to leave my street. So I spent the day sleeping, enjoying a good game of Phase 10 with family and even enjoyed using the natural resources to cool my glass of root beer. DON'T JUDGE!

After the snow had ceased and the ice was beginning to melt it was time to wrap up my Birthday Extravaganza week.. with ONE MORE gift. A boyfriend (even if it's not FB official). Ok that sounds so dumb, but it's true, my "friend" Russ and I have been counting down until we could officially date each other (2.5 months). He was in the process of getting divorced and we decided (through some counsel) that we should wait to "date" (haha that rhymes) until the dust had settled. So my friend's daughter had made a paper chain in which we used to count down the days until we didn't have to be just "friends". I never thought it would be so hard to be some one's friend before, especially someone like me that is weird about love, but let me tell you it is.

Saturday night this what I saw:

I'm still getting used to saying "we", "us", "boyfriend", but I love every time they come out of my mouth. He really is a super, awesome, fantastic, great guy and though it's still early in our "relationship" and I try not to get too wrapped up or disappointed in the fantasy, I am excited to see where it leads..

So there you have it, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

I guess Janna was right... you are allowed to celebrate your birthday all week long!

The World is ending, so I'm resoluting..

2012-01-04T12:26:00.000-08:00

2011 is over and...?

It's that time of year where I reassess my resolutions and typically resolute the same things over again. In 2011, I think I did better than I've ever done.. So let's recap last years goals:

1. Drop some LBS

2. Pay off Debt

3. Go through the Temple

4. Study the Book of Mormon as well as Preach my Gospel.

Well how did I do??

1. I lost 20lbs, how? Playing floor hockey only once a week... just imagine if I played 3 times?!

2. Uhhhh... #3?

3. May 28, 2011

4. I made it through more than half, that's something right??!!

So what's next?

I feel like 2012 will be even more eventful than 2011, how do I know? I don't, I just like to say that so it sounds cool.

I guess with the new year I should plan some “resolutions” .. Which as some of us are aware are usually hard for me. I'd like to really stick to my plan this year.. So with that said, in 2012 I would like to:

Lose another 20lbs
A. This would entail me actually watching what I eat, and not just as it enters my mouth. The past three months I think I've eaten out more than I have all year! So I really need to eat better, but I am doing a no fast food for the month of January challenge, but that doesn't include Pizza or Subway... HAHA sucka's!!
B. Also, I need to start working out more often. I really want to get a gym membership and turn into the gym rat that I once was. I would also like to start playing basketball on Mondays, I have become so lazy and enjoy sleeping in on Mondays.. This will change.
C. I'd also like to attempt a 5K race, maybe at least 3
PAY OFF DEBT
I had this one down last year and I really need to take another stab at it. I don't have a lot of debt, in fact I'm proud to say it would be easy to pay off.. but I love money and I hoard it when I have it.
Be more service orientated
I started this one on my own last year without actually planning on it, I think there was a lesson at church about praying for service opportunities. I started doing that, and at first I will admit it was hard when people would turn down your offers and take other people's instead. It was hard when I wouldn't look for it and it would show up unexpectedly and sometimes it was hard to ask for an opportunity when I knew asking would result in an opportunity.

I've dealt with people not even asking me to help because well... I'm a single person living at home, why would I serve (which I would think, that would be the opposite) and I also fight with the voice in the back of my head telling me “Well they haven't done anything for you, so why would you do something for them?” and “You're not special or cool enough for those people to want your help” or even thinking “Oh they're so cool that other people are probably already helping them”... crappy right? Yah, but I've decided to not let it get to me, and at least try. If those people don't want my help, well then it's their loss and pride to deal with. So far I've enjoyed being able to serve my friends and others. I hope to make this my resolution to make me more Christ centered which in turn might help me with #4.
RISING ABOVE and BEING NICE.
That's sometimes a chore for me, I'll admit it. If you annoy me I am quick to let you see you annoy me or bother me and sometimes I'm not so nice.. I want to remedy that. I had a conversation with a friend not too long ago and I brought up someone that drove me nuts and she mentioned that she could see why that person would be annoying, but what she tries to focus on why that person would be that way.. maybe they're insecure, maybe they just want to fit in, that just because of some one's personality I shouldn't not want to be their friend. I took that with a grain of salt, this friend of mine, she is just so wise.... I've tried to have conversations with this said person, though sometimes talking to them is like nails on a chalk board.. I am honestly trying! I'm finding out that they mean well, and are just trying to be nice.

I also have had an issue with someone who I would think would have had the most sympathy for me, but instead has cut me down numerous times in front of people and also on Facebook. I try to so hard to shake those things off my back, but as a 27 yr old unmarried “mormon” girl with no kids, no prestigious college degree or mission under my belt.. it's really hard. BUT I've decided to rise above that, try and see why they say these things and enjoy this persons company.

Also, the past few months I have hated someone I have never met, why? I have no idea.. just her existence bothers me.. this was until the third person in the equation explained to me how troubled this person was, then I felt bad for her and how I had been acting. That night I felt prompted to pray for her, I did and I have never felt so much peace praying for someone I disliked before. I knew then I really needed to try to rise above things and try to accept people. So my new years resolution is to give everyone a fair chance again, let myself forgive and forget and also try to see the good in everyone.

So here are my “resolutions”... Let's see how well I do.. I mean I better do all of them since the world is ending this year..

Wait!! In that case I'm eating junk and spending all my money on useless stuff!!!

At last....

2011-12-21T13:28:00.000-08:00

SO I have been meaning to blog about my best friend's wedding for a long long time, needless to say my time has been occupied.

So without further adieu.....

It all began one wintery or maybe it was fall... or whatever season it was, I think it was fall.. anyway my best friend Erin had called me from Boise (a town she had just moved to for a job not even six months prior to begin a career) to tell me that she had met someone. She had noticed him at work and thought he was handsome, he was a little older so she wasn't sure if he would notice her, but she liked him. So needless to say, soon they were dating and years later they were engaged and now they were finally sealing the deal.

(ca. Sept 2010 after the proposal at a Mariners game)

So, I had traveled to Boise a week prior to the wedding for the Bachelorette party which was my project being the Maid of Honor. I had never driven a long distance like that by myself so it was kind of scary, but now I think it was awesome. I could listen to whatever I wanted, I could sing as loud as I wanted, and the only time I stopped was to use the potty (which was often, I pee a lot).

Once in Idaho, we traveled to McCall and stayed in an awesome cabin with 10 girls: playing games, watching movies, learning sorority drinking techniques with boxed wine. I am still in awe of the shenanigans college girls (and twenty something women) will do to have fun. We traveled into town with our homemade tu tu's, t-shirts and for Erin, her pimp cup. We danced the night away with the locals, which was a mix of backwoods hill billies and college frat boy tools and being one of the only sober ones in the group it was an interesting site to see.

The week that followed included not a few trips to Michael's and the Hobby Lobby, but multiple trips, and by multiple I mean sometimes more than once a day. There were plenty of crafts and projects to keep us busy prepping for Erin's big day: programs, favors, kids goodie bags, decor, the guest book (ok I did that) and we even had time to pimp out our wedding shoes. Don't be jealous, ok or do.

During all the chaos of helping Erin ensure her big day would be a "great success" I was able to get to know her friend Mandy, who was my partner in crime in the Bridal Party. She's a hoot! Everything is naughty or nasty and I love it.

The day before the wedding Erin was a nice Bridal Beauty and treated us all to mani/pedi's where we enjoyed apple cider (they had champagne), and more smorgasbord.

Next we headed over to the rehearsal dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory, which was fun to see all of Erin's family that I hadn't seen in a few years. Dinner also provided Erin and I time to do what we do best, take funky pictures.

After one last sleep mostly due to our carb induced coma, it was the BIG DAY! We began our day getting our hair did, and of course more fun pictures...

Then it was onto the venue, which was fantastically decorated!! After a few finishing touches, we headed down to the dungeon or the catacombs or the basement to get ready..

Once we were ready, it was show time. The guests were seated, Erin was a Bridal Beauty and it was time to walk down the aisle.. (That is until Tom (my escort, Best Man) tripped on the aisle runner candles and may or may not have dropped a few choices words.. )

The ceremony went off without a hitch, Jim and Erin had never looked so happy.

I was so happy to be able to stand next to Erin ~~and see her gaze into her husbands eyes with so much love~~ (ok that sentence is pretty pukey). Their ceremony was performed by her brother Steve and her parents provided a reading/musical number, Jim's sister and brother-in-law read a scripture passage and just like that they were officially Mr. and Mrs. Hollinger!!

The festivities went well into the night with dinner and speeches,cake cutting and dancing, LOTS of dancing...

Overall the wedding was beautiful, the food was great, my bestie was gorgeous, Jim was happy and the night was absolutely wonderful.

(My favorite part of the wedding? When Erin and I went outside after the party and lit all of the sparklers that were meant for her and Jim's exit.. What else is a best friend for?)

The rest of the trip consisted of an after wedding brunch, gift opening and a long long drive home... Where I was so busy singing in the car I missed my exit, but led me to this little gem.

Ungratefully Thankful

2011-11-22T13:32:00.000-08:00

So if we are besties then you know how much I love the Wheel of Fortune. Well they sent me an email asking for a 60 second video about myself, because they're searching for contestants in the Seattle area. Well in true Sarah style I worked on it all last night (it's due today). It's done. I tried to upload it and my computer wouldn't open the damn file (yes I swore.) I was/am/still going to be MAD!!!! This was way differenter than my Royals video, I mean I didn't have to drink "tea" or wear a hat. It was such a simple video and my dream, THE WHEEL OF FREAKIN' FORTUNE!!!!

I hate myself for being a natural born procrastinator. I have until 3pm this afternoon to upload it but I don't get off work until 3.. So I am so bummed and sad and upset and disappointed and heartbroken and sad, oh I already said that. Anyway, being bummed I didn't want to be thankful for anything today. Nothing, not even for the delicious root beer I drank last night or that Ebony Hos didn't jump in front of a bus (OK I am truly grateful for that). Then I come to work and the Internet is down, which means boring town USA. IT also meant having to have conversations with co workers which entailed one with someone who has the worst breath in the entire universe! Imagine someone who doesn't brush their teeth, with coffee and death... smells like dog crap. ANYWHO that just added to the morning...

Once the Internet started working again, I decided I was still ticked off about my Wheel video that I proceeded to make my anti thankful status, but then I started noticing a trend.... kids behaving badly, people in a funk, thinking it was the worst day ever, hating their cussing lives.... one right after another.... bad, bad, bad.... that just made me feel even more OK with being ungrateful and bitter. THEN that's when I saw it, on Tidy Mom a link to a random strangers blog.

As I read this post about the pain this family was feeling and also the joy they felt. I was overcome with emotion (yes I'm emotional) and also the Spirit (and I usually shy away from talking about these kinds of things).. I know God's plan, and my family even experienced something similar to this, but man have I been wrestling with it lately (I hate the thought of being without certain people, I like to think of it as people hoarding). So as I was reading this I knew what a wonderful blessing it was for this family to be able to meet their baby, spend a few days with her and know that her spirit was just too precious and perfect that her short life was all the trial she needed. So there I was at work (which I work front desk at a hotel) crying, knowing that it's OK. Knowing that God's plan is perfect in so many ways. I knew that the Wheel of Fortune, is temporally important to me, but not eternally.

SO today I am thankful. I am thankful for the lessons I'm learning, don't be a procrastinator because your computer sucks and also a little lesson in humility and perspective. I am so grateful that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me and is so patient with me and my childish antics. I know he has a plan and I am thankful each day knowing where I belong and where I am going.

A few quick things...

2011-11-02T12:53:00.000-07:00

I noticed a couple of things on my Blog stats that I thought we're interesting.....

A. When I click on the Stats tab and look at traffic sources I get this little number:

Yes that says "my gay boyfriend"... and when you click on it the title of the article is "My gay boyfriend lives in Europe".. How is this a traffic source to my blog again? (I also just noticed the third one down, people get to my blog by searching "dried up old hag")

And B. When I look at the map thingy I have to see who stalks me, this one for some reason makes me laugh....

I love when the United States views my blog. My thought is this, is the country reading it or is it more like the CIA? Duhduhduuuuhhhhhhhh.... For that I blame you, LEXI MAGNUSSON !!! Sister Wives was a bad idea.

Ok. That's it...

My life is a tangent..

2011-09-30T14:10:00.000-07:00

This was my status on Saturday night..

"I seriously have ADD, I can not focus on this darn talk..I turned Pandora to an appropriate station, but that turned into watching Church related videos on Youtube which somehow turned into trying to find the Pride and Prejudice soundtrack on Amazon, which then turned into quoting Forrest Gump with my Brother and now I'm updating this ridiculous status and thinking of a blog post about Golden Tickets, man it's been a long time since I've watched Willy Wonka........mmmm chocolate.. I need chocolate to focus.. wait what??!!"

My brain seriously moves so quick and there are so many things flying through my head I'm shocked I still remember who I am.. The reason I'm writing this post is because there are a couple of things that have been flying through that seem to circulate... I figured maybe I should write them down that way I remember them, so I can focus on something more important like planning my best friends bachelorette party (which seems to entail so much in my mind), and writing my Maid of Honor speech, and planning a driving route to Boise, and what I want to get them for a wedding gift, and if I want to make something for them, and worrying about money, and stressing about paying everyone I owe a debt to, and how much I want to go see my Grandma in CA, or my friends in AZ, and I also want to focus my brain on my Halloween costume (which is going to blow your mind), and how excited I am for the new season of the Walking Dead, which reminds me I need to watch last weeks Modern Family....

BUT..... before I can continue to think of all of thee above.. let's talk about two things...

A. My Bucket List: I was creating my profile on Mormon.org and writing about myself made me think of things I would like to do in my life (I hate to say before I die, but let's face it I've only got like 65 more years to do all of this!!) So I'd like to do the following:

Milk a cow
Acquire Pet Jellyfish

Catch fire flies
Go Glamping

Be on the Wheel of Fortune (Price is Right, Jeopardy or Family Fued)
Sing a solo in Church (but I'd settle for a duet)
See a tornado in real life ( I used to want to be a storm chaser, and that was even before the movie "Twister")
Participate in a 5k
Run (walk) in the Disneyland half Marathon
Stay in a Disneyland Hotel Suite

Be a member of Club 33
Learn how to hard style
Meet a British Royal
Go Ziplining
Swim with Dolphins
Hold an owl (This is huge I'm deathly afraid of birds and I even like owls)
Do a zombie walk (you know where you dress up and walk through the city)
Own my own design business (I think would require me finishing school)
Indoor sky dive (I'm too much of a weenie to actually do it)
Learn how to snowboard and wake board
NOT be afraid of the diving board
Ride in a helicopter
Go to a real observatory and stare at stars, planets and maybe aliens

Attend a live session at the Salt Lake Temple
Visit the Sacred grove
Travel to the countries my ancestors came from (Denmark, Norway, ~~Ireland~~, England, and Germany.. there actually more I'm sure, but they weren't really that important)
Learn how to sail (even if it's What About Bob style)
Punch a shark square in the face Chuck Norris style
Get married and be a Mom (that would involve dating someone long enough to like them and marry them..)
Travel to the beaches of Normandy (I love WWII and D Day was such a huge moment)

27. AND....... I'd like to be in a movie, WITH a speaking part, and a kissing scene (I said kissing, you know something rated PG, so get over yourselves) with the lead actor (one of these guys).
and...

B. The Man I want to Marry: I always hear girls talk about their dream dude, 6'2', dark hair, dreamy eyes, rich...... through the years I've decided that I'm not looking for Colin Farrell, but someone who doesn't:

Treat me like I'm stupid: even if I don't have the right answer there are ways to tell me I'm wrong without making it sound like I am (it's all about tone)
Tell me: not to do something or say something.. screw you dude this is who I be.
Argue everything: I am pretty good at walking away from arguments, but boy do you know I'm plotting your murder in my head.
Pout: The ones who use sad, depressing love songs as Facebook statuses, the one who skips work, and even will end a friendship when we're NOT meant to be... dude grow a pair and come out of the closet.. I mean trust me I know how sad it can be when things don't work.. I've been highly disappointed myself when trips go wrong, when I'm in love with the guy whining about another girl, when I've been used when it's only convenient for you.... So pouty, whiny guys, I'm not going to run back to you because you're depressed (and I rarely know any other girl who does either).
Call me Babe or Baby

Now for the things I want:

Someone dedicated to the Gospel,
Someone who is sooo patient, (trust me I need that)
Someone Forgiving,
Someone loving and wants kids,
Someone who is willing to work hard to support a family,
Someone who appreciates me and if they could sing they'd create some cheesy song about how awesome I am, (It would soo awesome if it were in a rap!!)
Someone who likes to travel and sports,
Someone who is passionate about something that makes me want to be interested in what they love,
Someone who is good with money,
Someone who isn't afraid to fix something in the house or change a tire...

....and if they have an accent I will just die right now... I know President Uchtdorf just said that focusing on the Golden Ticket isn't the way to go but as long as I have some ideas of what I want I won't be tempted to hang on every word some troll tells me. Is that wrong?

There, I've cleared my head.... of at least these two things..

Doing the Puyallup

2011-09-25T21:04:00.000-07:00

Neenah and I doing the Puyallup....

(It's a yearly tradition of ours and this year did not disappoint)

After a very nice old man gave me a free ticket at the gate the fun began, after strawberry lemonade, corn dogs and curly fries it was off to enjoy the fair which included:

A bunny with eyeliner..

Baby bunnies and chicks

A huge nasty rooster, that Neenah wanted her picture with.

(I don't know why?? Do you see him cock-a-doodle-dooing?)

Look at the serrated beak on that goose!!

DAMN hippies..

Neenah posing couture..

SISTERS!!

The hourly cow milking "show"?

Someone's AWESOME Star Wars collection (I'm kind of a nerd)

Deep fried Kool-aid, which was gross

Deep fried butter, yes butter and it was DELICIOUS!!!

mmmmmm....... butter..........

I'm glad we have this tradition, for just a few hours my Sister and I can just let loose.

Don't hate, appreciate.

Obsession.

2011-08-15T13:34:00.000-07:00

I am 123.759% obsessed with

I haven't even been a "member" for a week, and I am hooked!

I've heard people talk about said site and I thought it was something corny and lame. (sorry guys I did) But I think I thought this because I had no idea what it was. So now that you know how I think: if I don't know what it is and people don't share it with me I think it's lame sauce. Sharing is caring.

So a couple of weeks ago while talking with a friend at a wedding she brought up

I then asked her to explain to me the magical powers of this top secret site.. She explained to me that it is a website for you to catalog your ideas. Whether it be from a blog or website you can "pin" it to your "board" so you're not wondering where the heck you saw that idea you liked last week ... which happens to me all the time and maybe you too if you stalk craft, food and decorating blogs.. Or Facebook.. (yes I've "stolen" pictures from friends' Facebook pages that one day I would like to incorporate.)

Don't judge me, Ok?

So the past week I've been pinning, re-pinning and scavenging the Internet for everything I love...

Here are some examples of things I've "pinned"

Oreo stuffed chocolate chip cookies

Pet Jelly Fish and Pet Pygmy Owls

Fun Hair Styles

Indoor Swings that will be installed in my future home.

tissue paper rosettes

AND....... awesome kid costumes I will use as torture for the unborn children I'll have....

MUAHAHAHAHA!!!!

No, but seriously.. this site is just too awesome. I love love love it.

It's actually kind of sad, my friends had no idea what was going to happen when they sent me the invite to:

I also believe I should be paid royalties for mentioning this site 3 times.

Tour Guide Barbie, Part Deux..

2011-06-07T22:11:00.000-07:00

So this past weekend a friend from AZ came up to check out the PNW. I tried to play Tour Guide Barbie the best I knew how...

Thursday after picking my friend Brian up from the airport we went straight into Seattle (and what sucks is we didn't have cameras). We ventured through the Ballard Locks (where I showed him the fish ladder as well as catching a glimpse of the Rollo from Deadliest Catch) After the Locks we enjoyed Ivar's Salmon House for lunch and do you know what we ate? I'm not even going to answer that question... After lunch it was off to Kerry Park for the best view of Downtown, Pike's Place (where I found a little place that makes the best mini cheesecakes, EVER!), Ye Olde Curiosity Shop (where we payed a quarter to watch a lame puppet show), The Gum Wall and then on our way to the Space Needle while on the #16 bus we ran into my friend Kendra who was on her way to work... which worked wonderful in our favor!! After a torturous day through the city (and I say torturous because poor Brian had been up since 3am and was running on 2 hrs of sleep) I made him go to Janna's house for dinner and cupcakes (which are my weakness) and then over to Misty's house.. I would've taken him to Erin's house but that bum had play practice. So after dragging him around the World and back I took him to Casa de Magnusson where it didn't take long for him to want to go to bed.

Friday we went up to the Dungeness Spit (or almost).. for those of you who don't know what the Spit is well look at this picture and imagine you get it OK? It's a 5 mi hike along the top region of WA, you look across the "Ocean" and you can see Canada.. I thought it would be fun to do..

That is until I got impatient and took a wrong turn we ended up at some beach before the Spit, so we decided to walk along there since we needed to take advantage of the low tide.. Brian molested a clam (he opened the shell, he was hoping to find a pearl) and I pinned two crabs against each other to battle to the death.. it was fun. After the beach and finding numerous hollowed out Crab bodies and fish heads it was time for lunch, so we ventured into town for some of Sequim's finest (Jack in the Crack).. after lunch I thought it would be fun to take Brian to the Olympic Game Farm...

At the O.G.F. you drive around where animals roam free and you feed them bread from your car. The best part is when you get to the Buffalo because they slobber all over your windows just trying to get a piece of gluten goodness.. Well the nice person that I am.. rolled his window down, locked it and let the Buffalo have at it.. I hope he forgives me and posts the video because it is priceless!!! All you see is chaos and Brian yelling "DRIVE SARAH, DRIVE!!!" and then my evil laughter in the background.. now that I think about it.. it was kind of mean, but only a little. Right?! Poor Brian.

After Sequim I took him to my favorite State Park in PO (Manchester) where I showed him the old WWII missile bunkers and tried to convince him they were old Japanese Interment Camps (I really am EVIL). Now if that wasn't enough I made him meet my family! I would not be surprised if he hated me.

Saturday, my plan back fired so after a bit of thinking I decided to drag Brian out to the race track and watch my brother and sister race (They drag race, because their pimps). Anywho, we sat out there for awhile.. I worried that he wasn't having any fun and plus I(because I worry) so after the track we went back to Casa de Magnusson and tried our best to help where we could before Lexi's party. After which we had some exra time so I took Brian to Wal Mart (to see PO's finest). After Wally World it was party time. My friend Lexi's daughter, Abby was celebrating her 1st birthday and they did up BIG! The decor was great, the food was good (A.K.A Misty's rolls, they're like crack, I think I had 12) and Abby was adorable..

After the party, Brian was pretty pooped (or just sick of me) so he wanted to be dropped off and so I went over to E's and watched Modern Family re-runs.

Sunday, was uneventful. Church. Then off to the airport.. as my friend walked away I only hoped this weekend was fun for him. I had a lot of fun, but you know it's always hard to guage other people's fun-o-meter..

So THANK YOU BRIAN, thanks for coming all the way up here and indulging me in "showing you the sights" THANK YOU for taking care of so much of the trip and THANK YOU for enduring to the end. You are special! :)

PS. Brian, if you read this... PLEASE POST THE VIDEO!!! Muuaahhahahaha......

Disneyland Excited.

2011-06-01T11:50:00.000-07:00

So my friend and I had joked about being Disneyland excited about this upcoming weekend, and you know the kind of excited I speak of: you can't sleep, you listen to Disney music every chance you get, you make a paper chain, you jump around and run in circles, you shake someone everyday reminding them how excited you are to go to Disneyland.. What? You mean you're not quite as weird as me?? That sucks .... well anyway that's how I felt about Saturday minus the paper chain and the violent shaking..

Saturday was a BIG DAY for me. I went to the Temple. For those of my friends who are not aware of the LDS ways, going to the Temple is a big step. The Temple is a very special place and what I did was make special covenants and promises.

I had a great support group there with me that surely made the day better than ever.

The only sad thing was that my friends Christopher, Amey and Rinda couldn't be there, all of them had very valid reasons that they did not have control over..

My friend Janna, came as my Escort, and not the dirty kind, PERVS. Janna was there to help me, since it was my first time she was there to show me the ropes and she did not disappoint.

Janna has been my closest friend here in WA since moving home and I was so happy her Husband, Aaron was willing to watch their Kids (one is a nursing/teething baby too) all day so that I could have her for my own selfish purposes. I love her and she's pint size too!

Also one of my very bestest friends Spencer came up special for this event. I have not seen him in almost 10 years!! The last time I saw him it was right before he left on his mission. It made my year that he came up, even if it was for less than 32 hrs. He really is very special to me and I'm so happy he was there.

It was also special that my closest pals were able to come out too... after the session we were able to take a bunch of fun pictures, this one my favorite of all the girls.

I am so grateful they were able to come and I am so thankful for wonderful Husbands who were so willing to stay home with kids, move anniversary plans around, and be out of town (and then give me grief about not being invited, that's you C.H.) all so I could have them to myself.

After the Temple we met with my Parents for dinner at Claim Jumper, the most special part of dinner was when they split our group into two booths and I felt obligated to jump from booth to booth just to be able to talk to people... no no wait my favorite part was Erin making faces through the glass between booths, or maybe it was when someone pulled a chair from my table to the other table, so she didn't have to sit with me at my table.. I think that was my favorite part.. I swear my friends like me. Right? Anyway, I liked my table.

After dinner Spencer and I split... changed and headed to "OH CANADA"... We got to the border at about 11:00pm, got drilled as to why we were making such a late trip after telling the Border Patrol I needed to pick a shipment of some really good shi... they let me cross. We got to Vancouver and walked around.. enjoying the scenery of drunkards, pot heads and hobos (Vancouver seriously has the nicest hobos I have ever seen).

After a few hours of people watching on Granville Street (which is awesome, they close the whole street off to cars and it's seriously like hoochie vs. D-bag central) it was time to head back to America, but not before stopping at Timmy Ho's (Tim Horton's) for a donut (seriously T.H is always my favorite spot in Canada!!) While filling up on gas before our trek back, we took advantage of a picture op. in my favorite NHL team's jerseys, the Toronto Maple Leafs (Spencer detests Toronto, But I hate his team even more so he decided it would be easier to get a matchy match picture in Toronto gear..)

So we get to the border get grilled, AGAIN as to our late night antics... this time they really were concerned I was involved in drug deals.. so after I flashed him my goods he let me back into the country (kidding, I swear the FBI will come to my house after reading these code words).. I dropped Spencer off at the airport about 4 am and I drove to Seattle to a friend's house and CRASHED! Jeni seriously has an awesome couch.

So between friends, Claim Jumpers, Canadians, the longest drive of my life and sleep it was one great weekend! Now that I've caught up on sleep and cleared my mind I am mentally preparing myself for another fun weekend starting tomorrow with another guest coming into town from AZ.. Ohhh man, that should be interesting...

Yes, OK fine, I like America.

2011-05-30T14:05:00.000-07:00

Today is Memorial Day, I'm not usually one to get all celebratory on holidays like these... I just don't. Not because I'm not grateful or supportive I just really don't think about it. (It's ok I know you're thinking "what an ungrateful brat")

BUT today I was thinking about Memorial Day. I was thinking about what it meant and man am I thankful for the soldiers that have paved the way to keeping America free. Leaving families behind, traveling all around the World to do whatever is asked of them.. And why do they do it? So that I can sit and choose not to care about these holidays, so I can whine and cry about crap on Facebook, so I can choose for myself many wonderful things. I have the freedom of speech, the freedom of religion, the freedom to vote, the freedom to sell and transport alcohol.... the list goes on and on. I am just thankful I can do whatever I want and it's because so many men and women have fought and continue to fight for those rights..

But today I'd like to remember my Grandpa. He was one awesome dude. He fought in the battle on D Day, was a ranger for the US Army, fought in hand to hand combat with Nazi Officers, all so people who were being terrorized could be free. He left his wife and baby at home to go to Germany, France, Italy, and Austria for people he had never met, and for that I am thankful. Thank you, Thorvill Gillespie. You're a P.I.M.P.

(Wasn't he so handsome?!)

And not to exclude my other Grandpa Herbert Whitehurst, who fought with the Navy during the Korean Conflict. I am thankful that he was willing to serve his country for whatever it was the Koreans hated us for.

Not for the weak...

2011-05-16T11:04:00.000-07:00

If you ever feel a twitch or a tingle to ask Lexi for Blog ideas, DON'T! You'll get questions like this to answer:

1. Discuss why you're sad you didn't know me back before my boobs migrated to my armpits. I'm sad I didn't know you before this event, because how awesome would you look with a perky chest?! AMAZING, also I would probably "slam dunk you".. But I like you as Bradolf Pittler. But mostly I'm sad because how fun would it have been to be friends in High School... Yah it would've been worse than it already is... no kids, no husband for you, just us mackin'... BAM!

2. Discuss why stupid Erin H. has nursed more children than I ever would have and yet still has the nicest rack of all. I will not discuss E's breastfeeding habits. I just won't. Mostly because thinking about it makes me want to vomit (not E, just that) Do you think she's a closet cosmetic surgery case? YEP, she is. She goes to Dr. Rey. Didn't you see that episode on Dr. 90210? Do you think she'd ever prove that they're real to me? Let me check my Magic 8 Ball...... it says....:::shaking:::.... wait for it..... :::now hitting it because it's stuck::::::...::::shaking:::::.. "Reply hazy, try again." ...UGH...:::::shaking again:::::.... "You will have to wait." UGGGH Piece of crap, sorry Lex.

3. Discuss affirmative action and the consequences of it, both good and bad, on the African American culture. Make sure you use terms like, "keepin da brodas down". Use the N word excessively. Ahh shh.. Gurl you outta yo' livin' mind. I ain't about to discuss this, it hurts my weave... shoot.

4. Copy and paste my post about post partum depression but give no reason as to why you'd have PPD. Sad thing, my friends wouldn't question it if I posted that.

5. Come take pictures of my disgusting house and do a before and after makeover. Only if I get to spend the night!

6. Give play by play commentary about the Glen Beck show. I'd help you with this, but I'd puke too much. Here's the play-by-play... "Oh what's on?" "Ugghh Glenn Beck." CLICK.

7. Start a campaign to find me a black friend. Dear Friends, Lexi needs a friend of color and wealth. Help her please? Because let's face it I'm not cutting it for her anymore and also I'm not willing to share mine.

8. Talk about Pam's use of the 'like' button. Then lets make her a shirt. At first I thought Pam loved me and thought I was special... she liked everything I would say and it was such a confidence booster. BUT then I noticed that she liked EVERYONE.. Now I almost get offended when "Pamela A. Mason Caudill" doesn't like something of mine. As for a shirt, I'll get her one when she brings me cupcakes. Yah, I'm still on that train.

Ode to Wills and Kate

2011-04-28T11:37:00.000-07:00

The crowds had lined up for days in advance

With hopes they'd catch a glance of this fairy tale romance.

As the 'Royce rolled by with the Bride inside,

She caught the attention of every wondering eye.

Westminster Abbey so mighty and tall,

Housed hundreds of guests so puny and small.

The Prince stood awaiting his wondrous future

As the music began with triumphant splendor.

Everyone stood in honor and grace,

Just to marvel at Kate's beautiful face.

As the Archbishop pronounced the tedious vows,

It was up to the Newlyweds who were on their own now.

As Husband and Wife they leave arm in arm

And ride in the carriage past the great swarm.

As they gathered at the Palace as a married duo,

He kissed her and whispered "I love you, you know"

Millions had waited years for this chance

With hopes they'd catch a glance of this fairy tale romance.

CONGRATULATIONS TO WILLIAM AND CATHERINE!

Now I will go throw up from writing this romantic crap.

Why I'm jealous of....

2011-04-12T09:41:00.000-07:00

1. She's always put together so nicely, and when I say that I mean it. She's always dressed nice, hairs done.. and she rocks a mean 80's look

2. She's crafty and creative, she's the one who helped create my masterpiece:

even if the Today Show didn't think so, jerks (I swear I'm not bitter)

3. She's a nice girl, atleast to my face.. But really she's nice.

4. She's fun and HILARIOUS

5. She's a mastermind behind some gooood pranks

6. She has a nice body (and NOT in a lesbian kind of way, pervs)

7. She streaks on Mondays

8. She's got a coned dog, who LOVES to snuggle.
9. She doesn't have to show up to work everyday
10. She gets to play floor hockey 3 days a week, and for that I'm the most jealous.

I've vowed to be like Erin when I grow up.

Sore loser?? HA!

2011-03-15T08:31:00.000-07:00

I'm mad. Really, really mad. How dare the Today Show NOT pick me to go to London.

They chose three finalists who should be punched square in the face. Not even kidding. You still think I am? I'm not.

I am a freak, who seriously opted to decorate their room in British Royalty as a child.. Not anyone I know. I don't care that your sister is a huge fan, she's stupid and isn't as big of a fan as I am. What, you named your cat after Princess Diana? And you're old? Yah ok get a life weirdo.. (ok so I want to get a corgi and name it Queen Elizabeth) SHE ALSO BROKE THE RULES!! She used music and they still chose her!!!! And then the last person wants to take her husband to London because he's in the military? GET OVER YOURSELF TROLL. I mean I am all about supporting those who serve our country, I am grateful for their sacrifices BUT that doesn't mean they get to take MY dream vacation away. That may sound selfish, but seriously.... Put me in a knowledge bowl with those turd munches and hands down.. I'd win.

SO to those who judged the videos for the Today Show... I hope you choke. This may not look like a picture of Christ like love, but they've misused their free agency in which I feel I need to exercise mine and write this and get this out of my system.. go ahead judge me and you too can experience my wrath.

Space, is not the Final Frontier, BUTT I know what is.....

2011-03-10T12:53:00.000-08:00

I don't like talking about how I feel, infact I try to hide it. I also don't like asking for help.. I don't want people to feel burdened about how I'm feeling, For them to think I'm coming across as "too negative", or if it's with a guy that they don't feel the same way (I obviously have rejection issues).. Silly I'm sure, but I have my reasons. In fact I have anxiety when I write this.

Today I'm scared. I have a colonoscopy tomorrow and as much as everyone I've talked to about it says "it's not that bad, you'll be fine" I'm not. I'm scared, nervous, anxious. Maybe because it's new and different, maybe because I've seen what my Mom has gone through, maybe I'm nervous they find something. I don't know, but I'm scared. I hate asking people to "pray for me" because well that would be me asking for help. It was so hard to ask for help when my Mom had cancer.. I didn't want to talk about it because well that would be me looking sad and pathetic, but I honestly felt alone. I wish I would've talked to someone about it. But it seemed like anytime I would start to open up, they didn't know what to say and change the subject. I felt pathetic.

I've prayed a lot about my anxiety, my fears about Friday and the answer came to me, to ask for help... My thought was "sure, uuuhhh ok". It wasn't until today when I saw this post, that I realized it's ok to ask for people to pray, right? Even if it's not for something like my friend Lexi's issue..

SO here I am humbling myself and asking YOU my friends, will you please pray for me? Just to help me calm my nerves, to help me relax, to help me not beat myself up about this "simple procedure"? If you could that would mean the world to me. Because let's face it, I'm scared and I worry, A LOT.

But it is laminated...

2011-02-17T14:27:00.000-08:00

Have you seen the episode of 'Friends' where Ross has the laminated list? You haven't?

Well, Ross has a list of 5 celebrities that no matter what he is allowed to sleep with if opportunity were to arise. He teeters with the idea of having Isabella Rosselini on his list only to nix her off the list after Chandler suggests she's "internationally unavailable". Later in the episode, after Ross has laminated his final draft Isabella Rosselini walks into Central Perk as seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmISF7VXs9c(YouTube wouldn't embed the clip, jerks).

I have recently updated my profile picture on Facebook, to one of Colin Farrell and I on the Red Carpet. I've had people question my choice in actors and even ask about other celebrities I "lust". Sooo... I've decided to make my own laminated list, the only difference with mine and Ross's is that I won't sleep with said celebrities, I will only kiss them.

Here is my list for inquiring minds (I have 10 rather than 5, don't judge me I need back ups):

1. Eddie Cahill

I had to add this one of Eddie -------------->
Hotness with the Stanley Cup = double hotness...

2. Colin Farrell

3. Christian Bale

4. Gerard Butler

5. Adrian Grenier

6. Bradley Cooper

7. Ed Burns

8. Antonio Banderas

9. Ewan McGregor

10. Eddie Vedder

Honorable mention to: Jackson Rathbone, Hugh Jackman, David Beckham, Jim Sturgess, Julian Casablancas, Brendan Urie, Will Butler and James McAvoy..

Let's just say I love scruffy, shaggy and accents.

The Love/Hate Relationship of VD

2011-02-14T11:44:00.000-08:00

Will I be bitter today? Time will only tell...

I have only gone out on Valentine's once, he bought me a single rose, took me to a really nice dinner, yelled at the chef for under cooking my steak twice..a true gentleman. Then when he tried to kiss me, I ran away. I miss him.

So here I am 7 years later and I may or may not want the mushy gushy gag me box of chocolate and flowers, maybe even dinner...but just know I'm not putting out. Kick rocks nerds, I may be easy but I'm not sleazy.

SLC's got nothing on me..

2011-01-31T01:36:00.000-08:00

On Christmas my Grandma told me that she didn't want me spending my Christmas and Birthday money on gas or paying bills, she wanted me to actually get something for myself.. so I did! I treated myself to a weekend trip to Sunny, Utah! I mean.. SNOWY, Utah!! Airfare was cheap and I couldn't resist a good deal and the chance to spend time with friends! Here's the recap:

Leaving Seattle we were packed and ready to go on time until the pilot forgot about his "paperwork." So we sat for 45 minutes because the printer had ran out of ink... ugghhh. So I sat patiently as the lady behind me dropped the "F" bomb a minimum of 40 times due to our delay. Needless to say I was happy when we were finally up in the air, fast asleep listening to my IPOD until my dear friend behind me spilled her rum and coke down my back.... mmmm..... nice. Now I had to land in Utah smelling like a Pirate. After landing, I proceded straight to Enterprise where I realize I don't have my flight confirmation number and they won't rent me a car until I have it.. so I call my friend Denise at work only to get her co worker on the phone, so the next 15 mins are spent talking her through my email.. "it's SAYAAH not FAJAH, S, S like Sam.. Yah Say aah, no I am not a dentist " .. I FINALLY get my confirmation, and get into my little Ford Focus (for which I was impressed with the heated leather seats, I'm easily entertained) and hit the road. BUT as soon as I merge onto I-15 I'm immediately thrown into the crazy which is Utah drivers.. HOLY CRAP! I had grown accustomed to Arizona speeders but now that I've moved back home I'm back to slower pace of 60 mph and not 150 mph..

I get comfortable at 15 over, when I'm cut off by a crazy Mormon lady in a Suburban with a fitting "CTR" sticker on her back window.. AWESOME. So as soon as she cuts me off I swerve into the next lane and nearly miss being bulldozed by a semi truck blasting his horn. I HATE UTAH DRIVERS!

I finally make it to West Jordan where I spend time with my friends Mom watching some crazy Netflix movie about trapped snowboarders, with them being eaten by wolves, peeling off their skin from frostbite and a whole bunch of other crazy. The next few days I spend with my friend Denise in Draper (I feel bad I didn't get any pictures while in Draper). It was great to spend time with her. She had come up in September in which I got to spend the day with her, but it was good to be able to spend a few days catching up and spending time with her and her family. I honestly love them!

After my days in Draper I moved the party train down to Provo where I spent time with

Rinda!! I have not seen Rinda since her wedding and I was very excited to see her, her pregnant belly and her husband James! Rinda and I met while working together at a country club in AZ and honestly if it wasn't for her and her sisters I would not be where I am today.. they were the ones who brought me back to church and truly became my family in AZ.

So while in Provo I re connected with a friend that I "saw socially" in AZ for dinner, caught up on his crazy and also celebrated my birthday. The birthday festivity included dinner Saturday night at Thai Village with Rinda's sister Lauren followed by a special screening of "Save the Last Dance".

Afterwards I ran to the store to get a few things, in which I was followed aisle to aisle by some BYU dudes, I truly noticed that in fact they were following me when I heard one say "Just talk to her dude"... Ahhh, thank you eager stalker. Thank you for almost talking to me..

Back at the ranch I awoke the next morning to this:

along with a delightful omelette and chocolate milk waiting for me (I was spoiled!). After church I enjoyed my favorite movie Sense and Sensibility, endless UNO (I think a minimum of 100 games were played this trip), had a fabulous dinner, Bootlegged Harry Potter with Lauren and many great and wonderful texts from friends.. My birthday was wonderful!

This was the first birthday that I honestly was not looking forward to, I am closer to 30 than 20 and in the few days prior I had become depressed about it. I know you're not supposed to compare your life to others, but it's depressing to watch every friend of yours married and having children and there you are watching it all around you and knowing you're getting older. But being in Utah with such wonderful friends made me realize how awesome I have it.

Monday, we ventured to Salt Lake to visit the youngest Romney, Rachel.

We walked through Temple Square and the Gateway Mall, catching up and goofing off just like the old days (and when I say old I mean like 2 yrs ago). One stop we took was to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in which you can venture to the tenth floor and get a great view of the Salt Lake Temple and Salt Lake Valley. With this view we couldn't resist some picture ops.

After Salt Lake, we hit up a birthday party for the R&J's friend and then settled in for the night. The next day I headed back to Seattle, but not before I spotted an old friend walking her son down the street in Provo. I seriously considered flipping a U turn to say hello, but refrained mostly due to being stopped behind 4 other cars at a stop light.

I then ventured back to the airport and flew back to sunny Seattle, I mean rainy Seattle.

I am glad I choose to spend my birthday weekend with the Randalls, Trimble's, Romney's and Alexander's. If I could, I'd do it again; they truly know how to make me feel good about becoming one year older and wiser too!

Resolution #1: Follow through on Resolutions.

2011-01-27T13:18:00.000-08:00

I am so far behind on blog posts, ok so there are only 2 that I feel I "need" to post. This one should've been done a month ago. Time to make those resolutions...

Mine need to be put in writing, I'm known to either change the rules half way through the year or forget what I'm doing. So this might be a snoozer for some to read, but deal with it. You know you want to know every little detail about my life so stop snoring and take notes.

GOAL #1: Drop some LBS

So this seems to be everyone's resolution, but this year it's for real! I need to get back to my "feel good" weight. Since moving back home I've been more interested in cookies than boys, which doesn't really help for the confidence meter. Also being the M.O.H in my best friends wedding this fall helps put things in perspective.
I am currently in a weight loss challenge with a few friends and the first week went great but then I went on vaca.. DANGIT! But I have re evaluated my course of action and I know what I need to do, so this goal is back in full swing.

GOAL #2: Pay off Debt

Ok so thankfully, I don't have any credit card debt. But the bills that piled up after I lost my job in AZ, need to finish being taken care of. PERIOD.

Remember earlier I mentioned something about changing the rules of the resolution... Yah this is one of them I'd find myself bending on.

GOAL #3: Go through the Temple

This is something so special to me and I am very excited. This has been ongoing goal of mine that I have been working on for a few years and well.. this year is the year! I know it, I feel it..

I put the picture of the Mesa, AZ temple because it has such a special meaning to me, but if need be the Seattle temple would work too, I guess.

GOAL #4: Study the Book of Mormon as well as Preach my Gospel.

I've read the Book of Mormon, I know it's true... yet I have never "studied" it. I would love to be able to read it, and study it on my own terms. I feel dumb most of the times when I can't confidently join a discussion about Alma the Younger or the sons of Helaman. Yes I know all of these stories, but really... do I?

Also, last year I had purchased the Missionary guide "Preach My Gospel" when for a split second I thought I might serve a mission. Now that I know I'm not I would still like to go through the book, there are a lot of great things to learn.

There you have it, MY New Years Resolutions. SOAK. IT. IN.

PIMP MY RIDE, or my SISTER...

2010-12-30T11:43:00.000-08:00

It's New Years Eve weekend (or any other time) and you're up a creek without a sitter? Call my baby sister..

Let's face it there are many good babysitters in this area, no doubt about it... but it's New Years and there are only SOO many girls to go around... So don't be up a creek without a sitter, call my sister. Let's face up to the fact that only a handful of people know she's out there, so let's change that.

You want Neenah to babysit. Trust me you do. She likes kids, loves them in fact (babies too).. she also loves to clean, and follows directions.. That said (nothing against the other great babysitters in the area) there is more to her than meets the eye:

She's agile.. I mean look at the flying camel, double lutz, sitting duck

She's a secret agent , There ain't no cookies being taken out of that cookie jar while you're gone.

She's fun and taps into her inner child, I mean check out her rockin' Power Ranger shirt

(don't look at the freak to her right, ok do because I posed that way for the camera)

She's dated celebrities, that's right.. soak. it. in.

(so you know she's good with pressure..stupid TMZ)

She cares about foreign affairs and also YOUR kids!

(I mean protesting in Canada for the Moose Protection scandal of 2009..

though it wasn't in the news as it should've been)

No matter what her credentials, she does love to babysit and is also raising money for her trip to Deutschland this summer, so that in it's self is worth calling her for.

BUT if you're still unconvinced just know that she's MY sister and that is awesome.. so call her nerds.

She's open both Friday and Saturday night, takes cash, check, and possibly even a money order.. I'm not about to advertise her number but you know where to reach me to get it.

Tis the Season.

2010-12-23T14:37:00.000-08:00

A long time ago in a "land" far, far away.....

LUKE 2:1-7

And it came to pass in those days,

that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus,

that all the world should be taxed. (And this ^ataxing was
first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went
to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went
up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa,
unto the city of David, which is called ^aBethlehem; To be taxed
with Mary his ^aespoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished
that she should be delivered And she brought forth her ^afirstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid
him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the ^binn....

So this is what happens when I am bored at work, I make Star Wars themed Christmas stories.. I'm actually very proud of my nativity sign I made via "Paint".. But this is not the reason of my post, I'm writing because this is such a special time of year. I have been having issues getting into the Christmas spirit this year, despite watching Muppets Christmas Carol, Frosty or Rudolph and blasting Christmas music in the car (with the exception of O Holy Night that song gets me everytime), it just really hasn't felt right. It really hit me this last Sunday at church with all the wonderful music and then with a great lesson that my friend Janna taught. Everything started to sink in, but it was more of a feeling of peace and gratitude.

What a wonderful gift that was given when our Heavenly Father sent his only Son to this Earth, for us. I have never really been a mushy churchy person, but I am eternally grateful for the love I feel from my Father in Heaven and I know that the atonement of Christ was for me. What a special time of year this is to be surrounded by so many reminders of the birth of our Savior and the knowledge that he lives and loves unconditionally (something I need to learn at sometime in my life time).

So may this Christmas season mean something to you, whether it be with family or friends, the music and decor, or may it come from the joy of the true meaning.

M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S !

F.Y.I. I'm still human.

2010-12-16T13:33:00.000-08:00

**Disclaimer** This post is not pretty.. In fact it's about to make me look nuts.

You might question my motive behind this post, but I'm tired. Tired of no one knowing how carefully I tread on those egg shells.

This is me 3 weeks out of the month.

The other 8 days look like this:

I suffer from a condition called PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder), this is a description I found on Google Health:

"The symptoms of PMDD are similar to those of PMS, but they are generally more severe and debilitating. Symptoms occur during the week just before menstrual bleeding and usually improve within a few days after the period starts.

Five or more of the following symptoms must be present:

Disinterest in daily activities and relationships
Fatigue or low energy
Feeling of sadness or hopelessness, possible suicidal thoughts
Feelings of tension or anxiety
Feeling out of control
Food cravings or binge eating
Mood swings marked by periods of teariness
Panic attack
Persistent irritability or anger that affects other people
Trouble concentrating
Physical symptoms, such as bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, and joint or muscle pain
Sleep disturbances "

Though a lot of these symptoms sound like PMS, it's more like this comparison :

PMS

VS.

PMDD

So now that I've welcomed you to my crazy, this is something I've dealt with for a long time and I hate it! But the purpose behind this post is that though I can be a Bee with an itch sometimes, I try my very hardest not to be during this time. I mean when you look at the facts about this disorder you would expect me to want to punch a baby in the face, but I broke that habit years ago.

I try so hard to be happy for you, I try not to snap at you (which isn't always a 100% guaranteed), though sometimes I just want to be by myself I don't because I don't want you to think otherwise of me. So as much as I try, I would hope you would do the same.

Don't avoid me, don't tell me when you know it's that special time "ohh I'm staying far away from you", don't automatically assume I'm going to bite your head off and come into a conversation with your boxing gloves on. That just irritates the crap out of me. (all of which has occurred this week). But please feel free to call me out if I'm being an jerk, sometimes I don't know I'm doing it. I might be upset at you for doing it, but two seconds later I'll want to be your best friend again. That's why I love my BFFFF ERIN PLUMMER.

I am usually a talkative person, but sometimes I am going to be quiet and assess the situation, let me warm up. If I snap at you, please don't take offense, I will apologize if it's not deliberate. It's nothing against you or anyone (trust me you'd know if it was).

Please don't think this post is a plea for special treatment, just maybe more understanding that I'm not some monster looking for blood, but I try very hard to be a nice girl.

Word to your Mother.

2010-11-26T15:03:00.000-08:00

This is Lexi:

She is A. my sister wife and 2. possibly my friend. I say possibly because she doesn't invite me over to make clay monsters, paint our toes or wash my back.. BUT she does email me great blog ideas like to talk about my favorite words and hers too (it's always about her, which is no different than any other relationship I've been in).

So back to the task at hand, I remember once being on a date and being asked "What is your favorite word?". Yah weird, this is also the same guy who quoted "Brokeback Mountain" to me by saying "I wish I knew how to quit you" stranger thing is, I still wanted to hang out with him.. Anyway... the answer to the original question was the word:

Passionate. I mean think about it, anyone who is passionate about anything whether it be a hobby, a job, a person (in a non obsessive way), a book, music, religion.. passionate to me is kind of hot. If you're dating someone who is passionate about something it makes that person much more interesting, unless they're passionate about boring stuff that I have no interest in like Star Trek and model trains.

My other favorite words include:

Onamonapia. Doesn't that sound cool. That's because it is cool. Onamonapia, in described as the sound something makes, words that describe a sound. OR imitation of sounds: cats meowing, the sputter of an engine, the ding the bell makes at the Front Desk of the Hotel, which if it dings ONE MORE TIME some one's losing a limb.

Crotchety. Anytime, I can describe someone as being crotchety I'll use it. But if you happen to be old, just know you're most likely going to be described as that.. unless you're Mary Felts.

And then there's some words that were suggested like:

Dragon: The name of my first unborn child, who you will bow to. Or beat up. DANGIT I can never win.

Moist: The word that my brother despises, not dry, yet not wet.. mostly the feeling you get on your upper lip on a hot day.

Monkey Feces: Something that makes the zoo more enjoyable. In Phoenix they have the monkey house, I refused to ever go in for the fear they would decide to have .. uhh hmmm.. yah.

Trampoline: A staple in every Mormon family's life. Tang, Jello, Suburbans and Trampolines.. I laugh every time I'm in Utah and I see trampoline stores, they make my heart sing... So if you don't have one, get one or you can kiss those Pearly Gates good bye. (sad thing is I have never had one)

and last but certainly not least, thanks Lex

Kangaroo Rapist: Yep I'm speechless. But I did find song lyrics to the song Kangaroo Rapist and also, Urban Dictionary has a meaning for it, but it was highly inappropriate for some of my readers. If I put it up, I'd have to charge you money to read it and check your ID.

But I can say that if you were going to try and rape a kangaroo, don't be surprised when this happens:

They definitely had it coming. Poor bloke.

And that's my Etymology lesson for today. Thanks Lexi for your brainy ideas and list of wonderful words.

I want that..

2010-10-14T14:30:00.000-07:00

I can't remember where I stumbled across this photo (so thank you google), but I knew I had to have it! It's Pumpkin Cheesecake with Praline Topping. I decided I wanted to make it for Thanksgiving, but when I mentioned it to the family, my mom gave a look of disgust and my Dad says "But we eat pumpkin pie".. Well ok so maybe this won't be made for Thanksgiving, but it WILL be made!

http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/pumpkin-cheesecake-with-pecan-praline-topping

Epic Vacay!

2010-10-07T01:19:00.000-07:00

In early September I went to Boise and stayed with my BFFFF Erin. Her and I met while working in Seattle at Argosy Cruises back in 2004, we fell in like with each other and soon realized we were the exact same person! (her being a better version though). I love her very much and am very grateful that I have her.

Anyway before I get too gushy back to the trip..

So it started off with her coming to Seattle with her parents and boyfriend Jim. While in Seattle Jim proposed at the Mariners game, becoming an Real American Hero: Mr Scoreboard Marriage Proposal Guy. So being promoted from BF to MOH (Maid of Honor) comes responsibility, so as a kick off of the Epic Vacay and fulfilling duties, we stopped in Southcenter to look at dresses, which resulted in a few good ones, yet not THE ONE.

The next day in Boise, we decided to soak our pedi's which was our weekly ritual when we lived in Seattle.. then made a trip to Pet Smart to buy her chihuahua a shock collar so she didn't spend the week barking at me every time I took a breath (I'm not even exaggerating). Once home with the shock collar on Tater's neck we anticipated the big event.. nothing. No barking, no shocking. We even went outside and rang the door bell, while there was barking there seemed to be no shocking. So after Erin attempted to try, as she mustered up her best bark there seemed to be no shock.. Ok, I thought give it to me. As I placed the collar to my neck I began to bark.. "rrrfff rrrrfff RRRRFFFF".:::ZZZZZZZZZZZZZAP::::::.... As I felt the shock pass through my throat a small screech followed with my throwing the collar and jumping over the coach onto the floor.. "YEP it works!" Erin said through her tears.

But if that wasn't epic enough we continued our week with a trip to a Pee Wee football game, complete with sun burn and Downtown Boise's Art Walk an outdoor arts festival, which was ended with an Ice Cream Potato. This schnazzy little gem is vanilla ice cream rolled in cocoa powder, topped with whipped cream, cookies, nuts and hot fudge.. heaven!!

Next day we did some shopping in the mall, where I met my Boise boyfriend. You see in Boise I have a tendency of meeting the men of my dreams (or not). The last trip I made I was chatted up by the waiter at Olive Garden in which I left my phone number, and invited him to a hockey game.. Really nice guy, but no thank you. We're still acquainted. This trip included a stop at the Apple store in which my very nice sales man chatted me up for a while asking me personal questions about myself.. After making my purchase and leaving wanting to take a shower and rock myself in a corner, we go to lunch and as we are sitting enjoying a Whiskey River Chicken Burger from Red Robin I hear "HEEEEYYY, long time no see!!! How are you?" As I turn around thinking WTH, I see him. Mr Apple Store Personal Space Invader.. "Ohhh HI" I muster, "How's your Nike Plus yadda yadda (whatever it is)?", me: "ummm haven't used it yet", Mr. ASPSI "Ohh yah, huh, you just left the mall.. Well cool have a good lunch I'm just going over there to eat with some co workers", "Alrighty, have a good one" I promise I was a little nicer than how that all sounds, but in all seriousness I'm trying to enjoy my bottomless steak fries.

Next day we venture over to David's Bridal, where we figure we might get some ideas on dresses Erin will like until she put on THE ONE! When she came out she knew, I knew... (Now I can't post the real picture in case her finance ever were to see) but here is the "modified" version.

That night we continued in Erin and Sarah tradition with watching The Bachelor Pad with cupcakes and apple cider/champagne.

We finished the trip riding bikes along the Boise River Greenbelt and a trip to the Boise Zoo. Overall, a great relaxing trip.

It was sooo great to spend time with Erin, I miss her so much and can't wait to see her more often now that a wedding is on the line.

Boise was EPIC!

HI! I'm Tour Guide Barbie!

2010-09-06T16:08:00.000-07:00

Friday was a good day. One of my favorite families the Randall's came into town. Passing through Seattle, before boarding a cruise ship to Alaska. So we played in the city.

Denise and I have been really good friends since the 6th grade when she once lived here, now they live in Draper/S. Jordan Utah. I've been down there a few times to visit, but the last time we saw each other was in 2007 when Nisey got married. So this day was really exciting to see her again as well as meet Braxton her now 2 year old son!!!

2007

I met them in Seattle and played tour guide with some of the hookups I could manage. We met at the waterfront where we went out on an Argosy Harbor Tour. Which thankfully the Seattle sky cooperated with us. Not one cloud in the sky! We were able to see Mount Rainier, Mount Baker and the Olympic Mountains! After the cruise we enjoyed the Ye Olde Curiosity Shop (home to Sylvester the Mummy, fleas in dresses, Whale genitalia, and a 1920's Peep show) from there we ventured up to the Seattle Center hit up the Fun Forest for the Kids, ate lunch and then went up to the top of the Space Needle.

It was a great day! Hopefully IF I ever move to Utah we will be able to spend more time together. But for now they are cracking crab, enjoying glaciers and hopefully not getting sea sick.

Three Stars of the Game.

2010-09-04T12:04:00.000-07:00

This week I have had some great encounters with great friends.. these are a few who get "Gold Stars" this week:

My friend Amey, is thee coolest person in this country, she is a wonderful example to me!! I heart her x infinity. I miss causing havoc with her in the mean streets of Arizona. Her and I are two peas in a pod, and you can question if it's good or bad (Muahahaha, that was our evil laugh). This week she gets a "Gold Star", well she deserves 3 stars.

1. For being Amey.

2. For being Amey

and

3. For sharing with me the best news about the her lil Teddy Gram that's due in January. I can actually call HIM Teddy! Ok so the best news would be if he was born on my birthday. BUT for now this will work!

Jen Starr, She is the most lovely person I know. We played catch up while battling dropped calls yesterday and it was great. It was great to talk to her after what seemed like months of phone tag. I miss her so much.

We worked together at Seville and became buddies. I used to come to her with all my drama with boys to work and she would let me vent, cry or laugh about everything. She has had quite an eventful year herself, and I wish I was down in AZ to be with her through this time in her life. I want to hug her, and her wieners. That's right not only does she have a wiener, she has TWO! The cutest little doggies you've ever seen!

I didn't have the time to rummage through pictures, so here is what I got. Don't be jealous.

And finally my dearest goodest friend Spencer, whom I have been good friends with for almost 12 years now, holy crap. Anyway, he's my favorite. He is one of the only people I'll take crap from without wanting to punch in the crotch.. Take that back, except when he gives me the "silent treatment" for my Twilight antics.. Anyway, he sent me the most random most hilarious voicemail this week. Though he can't "recall" what he said it was my favorite. In fact he didn't say much of anything it was random and weird and awesome (and it has been saved). The end.

A Few of My Favorite Things..

2010-08-23T21:34:00.000-07:00

Everyone is random and is quirky in their own way, me on the other hand... here are a few things (in no particular order) that make me me and why you love me so much.

1. My Favorite Missionary Experience:

This picture is special to me, if you know this picture you may think because of obvious reasons. BUT the real reason is that this picture unites my non-member best friend Erin and I together. What a wonderful experience it was a few years ago when she asked me why the mormon missionaries would give her a picture of "people looking up at a UFO". I could not understand for the longest time what she was talking about, until I passed the missionary pass along cards with this picture on it. "AH HA" I said when I put the two together.. So from now on instead of looking at this picture as I should thinking "oh this is when Christ came to the Americas after he was resurrected" I think, oh the UFO picture. Thank you Erin for giving me a wonderful missionary experience.

2. My Favorite Bands:

The Cranberries are by far one of my favorite bands of all time, I can listen to them over and over and over again and never get weary of Dolores O'Riordan's singing. They also remind me of my trip to Ireland, not only are they Irish but in fact every place I visited they were playing overhead.. I guess the Irish figure they think they're being cool by playing something other than U2 for us Americans, to bad every other spot in Dublin has the same thought . I was content with such choice though. Yet, I think of the Guinness Brewery anytime Zombie comes on. Odd.

And then there is Pearl Jam, I own all of their albums but one or two of them. I heart them. A lot. When I was in the 4th grade while wearing flannel shirts and begging for ripped jeans, my friend and I vowed that we would marry Grunge stars Eddie Vedder and Kurt Kobain. Obviously she is out of luck, but as for me.. I still have a chance. I mean look at him, he's all rugged and hot. Yes, I love Eddie Vedder. When I saw Pearl Jam for the first time back in '01 that was probably the highlight of my life. They are a talented band that makes opposing the man and hating the rich look so easy! Down with Corporate America and down with Ticketmaster! Hug a tree people. PJ is the best, EVER.

3. My Favorite Holiday Tradition:

Though watching certain Christmas movies every year is a done deal. I also must watch Thriller every Halloween, otherwise it just isn't Halloween. Plus I love dancing to this song and it is a great icon of the 80's.. Oh how I love the 80's. Also, if you get curious check out the Bollywood version of Thriller. PURE GENIUS!

4. My Favorite Reason Not to Watch a Movie:

Need I say anything? ----------->

This is why I still will not watch Ghostbusters 1. When I was a kid and saw this movie I would honestly pull the couch cushions off everytime I was going to sit down. I wanted to make sure that thing was not going to pull me through the back of the couch.

5. My Favorite Book:

Ok so I have never read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, but I can only imagine it's AWESOME and that I love it. This combining two of my loves. I am a huge fan of Jane Austen, love love love her stories. I often find myself not being in a relationship because hello?? Isn't there supposed to be some sort of conflict before love? Where is my Mr. Darcy or Knightly?

Anywho, I am also an avid lover of Zombies. Why? I'm not quite sure, but they facinate me and scare the crud out of me. It's like a train wreck. What a horrific thing, yet I find myself always watching stupid Zombie movies and thinking of ways to survive the upcoming Zombie Apocolypse (yes, I know it will never happen) I think it all started when I had a dream about such issue and took shelter at the Space Needle of all places. I know weird. Don't judge me. So back to the book. I know it will be my favorite, neck and neck with Twilight. Yep, Vampires vs. Zombies.

6. My Favorite EVER: ------------------>

He's just my favorite person ever. Where would I be without him? Lost, empty still wondering what in the heck I was doing. I am so grateful for my Savior. I am anxious for the day when he comes again. There is nothing more beautiful than meeting the Savior. I imagine being able to ask him anything and he will teach me wonderful things I haven't comprehended yet. Like, I want to ask him what the purpose of having sharks on Earth is? and why they use their mouths full of sharp teeth to feel? Yes, there are many more important questions that will be asked, but that is seriously one I am considering on my list. I am afraid of the ocean because of those creatures. It's a serious topic of discussion. But back to the Savior, I know he lives, I know he atoned for my sins and I love him more than anyone. Soak that one in.

7. My Favorite TV show as a Child:

Thank you for being a friend....

Travel down the road and back again..

Your heart is true you're a pal and a confidant...

Yes, The Golden Girls was a show I never missed as a child.

You think I'm lying, ask a baby sitter I had once who argued with me that it was bed time and there was no way I watched this show that I was only finding a reason to stay up (later my Mom put her in her place). I argued and cried, because how dare she not let me catch up with Dorothy, Sophia, Blanche and Rose. I loved Sophia, she was so feisty! I hope when I get old I'm like her, but with Rose's charm for the gentlemen folk (only if I'm single of course). Now I watch re runs ever so often on Lifetime "supply of pantyhose" channel. Now when I watch TV my favorites include The Wheel of Fortune, Price is Right and Antiques Roadshow.. NOT EVEN KIDDING.

8. My Favorite Place on this Planet:

You can't even fathom how much I love this place. It seriously is like Prozac to my soul. I want to nestle myself up in the old Firehouse apartment on Main Street and call it good. If I believed in cremation you bet I'd be whisping my happy self through out that whole theme park. How cool would it be to haunt Disneyland? Anything and everything Disneyland I love. I love reading their blog, and it's sad but I have a park "soundtrack" which is great to listen to when I can't be there. I also own the vacation videos.. Anyway, I act like a 10 year old there, it's actually sad. You hear people talk about "oohh you feel like a kid again when you're there".. yah well sucker I am a kid there. I don't care what people think. It's actually disgusting I'm telling you people this. I also love going there with my Aunt because she is 45 and acts the same way. It runs in the blood. I went one year with my BFF Erin and her parents thought I was absolutely nuts!! It was great! I think my BF Rinda sums it up well when she said, "If Heaven isn't like Disneyland, then I don't want to go" ..touche Rinda, touche..

9. My Favorite Product of the 1980's:

Have you ever wondered how I got to be as smart as I am today? (Don't kid yourself I know you have) It was Alphie. He taught me addition, numbers, reading, colors. He was the best little robot a 4 yr old could ever ask for. But he wasn't Buddy's Kid Sister in which I always wanted and NEVER got! My parents hated me I think.

10. My Favorite Time Period:

The 1940's. This is probably the most romantic time period ever! World War II, as horrible as it was. It was sexy. I love learning about World War II, it is my favorite subject to learn about (well besides plate tectonics and subduction zones). I love the fashion, the music, the movies, the history. The '40's were the most glorious years in history. EVER! Say what you will, I won't listen to you.

And as an added bonus, this little gem. I think I want to adopt him.

Favorite things of honorable mention: 2011 Stanley Cup Champions: The Toronto Maple Leafs, Musicals, Heavy Metal, Spongebob, Twilight, Gidget, and YOU!

So no need to try and embarrass me, I do it to myself.

13 Going on 30

2010-08-16T20:53:00.000-07:00

Everyone has pet peeves here and there.. I always refer to my peeves as drivers who leave their blinkers on for a year and a half or someone who slows down to a slug crawl two miles before they turn.. but I've recently discovered another and this is more about age and status. Please don't think I am mad at anyone in particular, because I'm not, mostly. So excuse me while I vent..

For those of you that don't know, I'm 26. NOT 17! AS IF! Though it's flattering I apparently still look 17, just think I age like a Japanese woman.. I will be 95 yet look 60. AWESOME!! But it's annoying to me when people say things about how I blend in with the YW or that I should know how things are because I just got out of YW, yah like 10 yrs ago!! Just because I'm not married or have kids doesn't make any younger than YOU ARE! .. I know it's out of fun people say these things, but It drives me nuts being the single one. I hate being put into the bracket of you're not married so apparently you just graduated high school. I am close to the same age as a lot of married women in my ward, yet to some I'm stuck at 18. Let me take you back to Girls Camp, there were a few instances that I was chastised for not being at certain events, because they thought I was one of the girls.. HELLO, would you like to see my ID? I totally have it, it's not a fake!

Here is a sample conversation with one YW at camp:

YW:"How do you like being at camp as a leader and not as a YCL?"

Me: "It's fun, different considering it's been 8 yrs"

YW:"8yrs?? I thought you were here last year. Oh.."

Me: "Do I look that young?"

YW:"Yah, I thought you were like 18"

With that said that brings me to the next subject... dating, and the other spectrum of the age margin. Just because I'm 26 and haven't married, does not mean I want to date your mentally unstable son, brother, uncle or friend.. I'm not desperate or defective. I'm also not ready to be a step mom. I know that's a horrible thing to say. I hear a lot of, well you are 26 you're going have to realize most of the guys your age are taken or divorced with kids.. I mean I can't say, but I might be an ugly stepmother..

It also irritates me when I like one who is more interested in the younger girls,.... wait... don't you see something wrong with that picture?? I just can't win.. Maybe I should just pretend I'm 18. I mean come on, give us old hags a break here, I'm not barren and dried up..

I just want to be seen as some sort of equal, even though I know I'm in a whole different ball park because I don't know what childbirth feels like or to rub my husbands feet (which PS will NEVER happen, I hate touching feet), just know that A. I have plenty of life experience not to be 18 and B. I'm not an old dried up hag, this Popsicle stand is still open for business suckers.

He Says.

2010-08-10T13:39:00.000-07:00

The thought was all too confusing.

What could this mean?

Make this go away, this has to be residue of time past

What is this feeling?

The question asked, the answer given.

Am I crazy, is this made up? Can this be my answer?

Was the answer I received years ago, not imagined?

The question asked, the answer given.

Answer with such emotion and conviction there is no doubt.

How? Why? When?

This can't be true?

Time drags on with no sign of fulfillment.

Watching each day.

When will this ever happen?

Soon, he says.

What is soon? When is soon?

The question asked, the answer given.

Patience, he says.

Patience, a virtue never mastered in this heart of mine.

Something that seems impossible to my person.

How? Why? When?

Temple, he says.

Tithing, he says.

Prayer, he says.

Faith, he says.

Time drags on with no sign of fulfillment.

Watching each day.

Doubt creeps.. slowly.

When will this ever happen?

Soon, he says.

When is soon? What is soon?

Patience, he says.

The question asked, the answer given.

So calm, so enduring.

Patience, he says.

Camp David?? Nope, Zion's Camp.

2010-08-08T19:13:00.000-07:00

I went to Girl's Camp this year. For anyone unaware of what Girls Camp consists of it is a week long camp for girls (go figure) ages 12-17 sponsored by the church, every year they have a theme which is always fun, but there is always a special spiritual message behind it. This years theme was "C.I.A., Courage in Action" this corresponded with the worldwide theme for the youth of the church which was centered around the scripture Joshua 1:9

"..Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest."

But to make it fun, the camp was themed in a secret agent/spy theme with each ward (congregation) representing a different country's secret intelligent agency. There was the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Scotland Yard.. etc.. our group was India,though I have no idea what their cool CIA agency is .we were more concerned about elephants and bindi's.

our girls performing the flag raising

The week is full of spiritual devotionals, outdoor activities, camp survival skills and friendship building. This was my first time coming back since I was a youth and it was great! I helped in the kitchen, which was fun I was able to make new friends there but man was it HARD work. The day would consist of something along these lines:

6:30 wake up/get ready

7:00 start preparing breakfast

8:00 serve breakfast

8:30-9:00 eat

9:00-10/11 cleanup

start preparing for lunch... etc etc. Lather, rinse, repeat...

the kitchen

There were meals where we were slicing frozen strawberries for 150 people, de-boning chicken (I will forever pay the extra money per lb. for boneless chicken), cooking enough bacon so the girls would be able to have more than 1 measly piece and then smelling like pork fat for the rest of the day... these were the worst of the jobs, but man I loved being at camp. The feeling of being surrounded by such a wonderful spirit was worth it. I was also happy to be able to see my little sister be a junior leader which she absolutely loved and also being able to bond a little with the girls in my ward was worth the chicken bones. ..ok maybe not the chicken, but maybe being pruney from dishes half the day was..

No more loitering at the Circle K for you, Esteban.

2010-08-03T13:44:00.001-07:00

So it's well known that the Governor of Arizona passed a law stating that all immigrants in the state carry legal documentation with them. Also that if there are any illegal immigrants that are discovered will be dealt with according. Which in the US just means shipped back to Beanville. Ooohh so harsh, other countries will dismember you or kill you if you're found illegal in their country.. AHHH the land of the free and the home of the brave.

As someone who lived in Arizona; I have seen first hand people who mooch off of our tax dollars through welfare, medical care and education as I sit thousands of dollars in medical debt because I can't afford health insurance. This drives me NUTS! I've had friends who have been robbed, attacked and injured in car accidents, but can't get what they deserve because these people are undocumented. I know not all of the people sneaking into the country are hooligans, but come on people do it the right way! Seriously though, you'd rather get picked up in a random van brought to a "Drop House" and abused and starved rather than fill out paperwork?? There are people who come to this country to escape hardship and opposition, and work hard to make themselves legal creating a better life for them and their families. Is it fair to them who have jumped through all the hoops to be an American? NO! Why do these other people come in and get better treatment than you and I?

It is however unfortunate that there will come racial profiling from this, I do get that. Please don't think I'm some sort of horrible racist, I have many friends in AZ who have immigrated to this country and I love them dearly. I just believe it's not right that some can't follow rules. If I have to jump through hoops to get the care and attention I need as a natural born citizen of this great nation, well then they do too. America is the melting pot of the World, it is a great place for those to escape opposition and create a better life, just do it the right way!

I had this email sent to me the other day which is a great metaphor for what is going on which I thought was fitting. Jouir de (that's french):

A lady wrote the best letter in the Editorials in ages!!!
It explains things better than all the bologna you hear on TV.

Her point:
Let's say I break into your house ...... okay?

Let's say I break into your house.
Let's say that when you discover me in your house, you insist that I leave.
But I say, 'No! I like it here. It's better than my house. I've made all the beds and washed the dishes and did the laundry and swept the floors. I've done all the things you don't like to do. I'm hard-working and honest (except for when I broke into your house).

According to the protesters:

You are Required to let me stay in your house.

You 're Required to feed me

You are Required to add me to your family's insurance plan.

You are Required to Educate my kids

You are Required to Provide other benefits to me & to my family
My husband will do all of your yard work because he is also hard-working and honest. (except for that breaking in part).

If you try to call the police or force me out, I will call my friends who will picket your house carrying signs that proclaim my RIGHT to be there.

It's only fair, after all, because you have a nicer house than I do, and I'm just trying to better myself. I'm a hard-working and honest, person, except for
well, you know, I did break into your house
And what a deal it is for me!!!

I live in your house, contributing only a fraction of the cost of my keep, and there is nothing you can do about it without being accused of cold, uncaring, selfish, prejudiced, and bigoted behavior.

Oh yeah, and I DEMAND that you learn MY LANGUAGE!!! so that you can communicate with me.

Why can't people see how ridiculous this is?!

Hopelessly Romantically Handicapped?

2010-06-19T18:24:00.000-07:00

I love chick flicks, I do. I'm a girl it's in my genetic code. BUT I'm different than other girls. I think as much as I watch Sense and Sensibility over and over and over again, as much as I will rewind the end scene in Anne of Green Gables over and over and over again, as much as I melt every time Mr. Darcy calls Elizabeth "Mrs. Darcy" over and over and over again.. I find myself being more like Julia Roberts character in My Best Friends Wedding.

"Julianne" has always been uncomfortable with the "icky love stuff". I can sit through a movie and gush, yet other times I watch movies and want to gag. I love to be doted on don't kid me wrong, I love: hand holding, kissing, hugging, my hair played with.. but sometimes when people talk about guys kissing them "romantically" or other places of their face (nose, ears, eyes), whispering "sweet nothings" in their ears, say "make love" I honestly want to sock you a good one, GROSS. Why can't you just say sex? I mean banging wild tribal drums is a better way to say it then being all mushy gushy about it. I sometimes want to vomit. One of my dear married friends tells me I'm this way because I haven't had these things with the "ONE".. Maybe. But until that day comes, I disagree.

I can not believe I am admitting this on my blog. Oh well. Who reads it anyway? My best friends, and if I married one of you then it wouldn't be crazy but something you would need to know about me.. Right?

Reason for this strange confession is recently I was watching My Best Friends Wedding (one of my favorites) when it came to this clip, which normally makes me sad, this time broke my heart. I felt fear. The fear of losing. Feeling similar to this character "Julianne" uncomfortable with the "icky love stuff", afraid of my own feelings for someone.. I thought will this lead to my demise?

In this clip "Julianne" has this moment that she could admit her love for her best friend "Michael" and doesn't.. later she does only by then it's too late.

Bottom line, I don't ever want to be "too late" because..

I'm hopelessly romantically handicapped

Lover where ever you are, tell me you love me before I don't admit it to you and am stuck lending "our" song to you at your wedding. (ps. that's how the movie ends)

The end of an era...

2010-06-14T19:51:00.000-07:00

SO, I have or had an obsession with the British Royals. Since the death of Princess Diana back in 1997, all through high school and even after I would buy any and all magazines if they mentioned the prestigious family. I would also had a family lineage poster, books, videos, newspaper clippings. I admit now it was weird.

The other day I was going through boxes of things from High School and stumbled upon these binders. Part of me interested in the marvelous collection and the other part of me ready to close that chapter of "childhood".

I took these pictures of most of my magazine and newspaper collection, from there I took one magazine one newspaper clipping and tossed the rest in recycling. :::deep breath:::

I know I still have my knowledge of the history and trivia and that is more important than the collection (obsession).

Since Michaelmas..

2010-06-14T18:36:00.000-07:00

WHAT A WEEK:

Monday- Car breaks down, later only to come back to life

Tuesday- So if you know me at all I love game shows, one in particular, The Wheel of Fortune. So when I found out that they were coming up here to do casting I jumped all over that. I had planned on going to all of the casting times, but with car issues I did not make Monday's show. So when Tuesday rolled around my friend Sheena and I drove out to the Emerald Queen Casino to press our luck. After standing in a line as long as the whole casino we entered the auditorium found a seat and waited in anticipation for our names to be drawn. Name after name was called up on stage to play "test" rounds of the Wheel with some fake Pat Sajak who by the end of casting I really wanted to punch. With no luck our names weren't called, but it was fun to be there.

Here is the stage

Wednesday- My Aunt and Grandma flew into town from Napa for my brothers graduation.

Thursday- My brother David graduated from HS, it was held at the same place as mine (Tacoma Dome) which is a sign that our class sizes aren't getting any smaller. But we have always been the 2nd largest in population in the state. Anyway, we sat there enduring the 3 hour ceremony. Thankfully I brought my new book to keep me occupied (I swear sometimes I have ADD).

The fam, Parents in back, my aunt and I in the middle, then Devon, Damon, Neenah and David

(My Grandma missed it due to her getting the flu)

Friday- The fam ventured over to Seattle for lunch at the World Famous Space Needle. It was nice to see some of my old co workers and friends and we all had a wonderful meal. I was also extra excited to be able to play with all the fun hands on things in the Observation Deck now that I am no longer an employee.

Our Lunar Orbitor dessert.. mmmm

Saturday- With the weather being sunny and 75 we had plans to go to the zoo. I am not sure why, but I love zoos, I really do. Plans changed when my Grandma started feeling ill and complaining of chest pains. So 911 was called, they rushed her over, kept her over night and released her Sunday night after a blood transfusion. All safe and sound. They changed their flight out and left today.

I haven't had this much excitement since Michaelmas, but it was crazy and hectic.. overall a grand adventure.

Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego..

2010-04-28T23:58:00.000-07:00

I need a vacation, and since its going to be awhile.. I am compiling a list of places I'd like to visit, or visit again:

European Spots

Paris (now if only I can learn French properly)

Greece (especially the island of Santorini)London

Scotland
Denmark (and Norway), home of some of my ancestors

Italy

Other Worldly Destinations

Russia

Australia Egypt
Fiji

Canadian Spots

Toronto, Ontario (and Quebec) Prince Edward Island (Eastern Canada)

Banff, Alberta (I would love to take the train tour)

US Spots

Orlando (Disney World/Universal Studios), yes I have never been there, crazy right

Nantucket/Cape Cod

NYC

Washington DC

Las Vegas, though I don't party, I still would like to go see the shows.

And the places I'd like to return to:

Ireland, the most beautiful place I've ever been..

Chicago

Hawaii

Alaska
And of course my most favorite place in the World...

Oh Blog, here you are!

2010-04-25T20:03:00.000-07:00

Haven't updated the blogtastic in awhile so I figured I would through some pictures..

In February I got a new job! I know finally.. It's only part time so I figured that with the Needle I could turn that into a full time deal (since I had been reduced down to one to two days a week).. Well turns out that the superiors thought that since I wasn't available to their every whim that my supervisor needed to "get rid of me" so though I am still technically a Space Needle employee I am not guaranteed any hours. I have been waiting for the right time to put in an official notice, since a lot of my co workers have been jumping in front of me in the quitting line. This new job has me working 3 days right now, but has the possibility for more during the summer. I am working front desk at a local hotel which is easy stuff, but boring as all get up. I mean I get tired of the Internet... I am constantly glued to Facebook, Farmville, MSN, ESPN and it gets old!! Here I am sitting at work updating my blog. But it's super chill and also has an opportunity for transfer to any of their properties. :::wink wink::: when I move one day :::wink wink:::

My baby sister turned sixteen, and we have had a lot of fun with her new drivers permit... Who knew someone would want to take driving advice from me?!! Crazy girl!! Anytime her driving scares me I put on the "handi wreck lights" aka the emergency flashers.. I feel people might be a little more forgiving with those on since I don't own a student driver sticker.. Do you think they sell those anywhere??

My sister and I have been taking a lot of nature walks lately, these pictures are from our trip to Kopachuk State Park. We are hitting trails gearing up for a trip to Marymere Falls. We wanted to hike up to the falls this last fall when we made our trek to Forks, but never made it so we figured we would try it out now that the nice weather is back (sort of).

Last week, I won some free Seattle Mariners tickets through the Space Needle and I took my brother David and sister and well, it was a great game I wore the opposing teams colors GO A'S!!! But that's what I do best.. I can never go to a home game and root for the HOME team, I mean who does that?! NOT ME! I like getting people riled up seeing me in traitor colors.. You can ask one of my best good friends, he'll tell you all about it.. :)

And last but not least is my new hobby. Ok so I can't really say it's a hobby I just learned how to start crocheting last week, but I like it and please don't think that picture is of my work, because I haven't even begun to start the third row. But I am in the process of making my first scarf, watch out because you'll likely be getting a special gift from me if you're lucky!! And I will make you wear it too. And NO this does not make me a Cat Lady..

Other notable activities: I stumbled across the band Foxy Shazam.. one word.. AMAZING, FINALLY saw Alice in Wonderland, enjoyed the new Eclipse trailer, and have been hitting the wedding circuit ...mmmm.... fondant and taffeta!

So there is your update. So now I can go back to being bored on the internet, finding cool bands, rolling my spool of yarn, looking at rocking chairs, cat adoption ads and yelling at children running across the lawn.

Cheers! Be sure to tip your waitress! AND GO CANUCKS!!!!!!!!!

I want you to know that I miss you, I miss you so..

2010-03-03T23:51:00.000-08:00

What ever happened to the band Finch?

There once was a time when I truly was in like with them and even had a special love for one of their songs.. Today I had my IPOD on random and I got hit by two Finch songs in a row.. Made me really nostalgic for a time when I would put them on repeat, but it also made me think....

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?!

In the year 2000....

2010-02-03T14:48:00.000-08:00

So it just so happens that on my birthday I receive a red envelope in the mail, thinking "Must be a birthday card" I rip it open, but to my surprise it wasn't a card but a letter from my old (well she's not) YW leaders explaining that inside this envelope was a letter we had filled out 10 yrs ago in YW and that she had held onto them and has remembered to send them out (kudos to her).. I had no memory of this event. So I was excited to see what I had had to say back then at the age of 15ish. So I think it would be fun to share those answers and re-answer those same questions again.. Here we go..

My 9th grade picture (ca. 1999)

I am Sarah Gillespie and have lived 15 (16 in 4 days) years

1. The style of clothing I wear today is... Preppy- jeans, nice tees, boot cut jeans (comfy clothes)

2. The cost of a pair of jeans is... $40.00

3. My all time favorite dessert to eat is... cheesecake

4. My most valuable possession is... My season tickets!! :) and my pic of me and Brad (hockey player who I thought was the hottest thing)

5. A color I love to wear is... Black and khaki, anything really (Well black still dominates my wardrobe)

6. Right now the best class I'm taking is... Record keeping

7. The teacher is... Mr. Duttry (funny thing is my friend Christopher and I were talking about him and that night we saw him at the bowling alley.. weird)

8. The music groups I listen to are... Offspring, Metallica, Blink 182, Beck (alternative)

9. My favorite expression to say... "Dude", "It's all good" and "Groovy" (when I read this I was like was I some sort of loser?)

10. My best friend is... Lindsay Sneyd, Denise, Brittney and my new Internet friend Spencer (hmmm...)

11. The craziest thing I've done... I live a boring life or I haven't had time to do anything...yet! :)

12. The man of my dreams... Brad Mehalko!! :) Though I love many many guys!!! (E.N) (Who the heck is EN???!! Apparently he really wasn't the man of my dreams)

13. An occupation I would love to pursue... Meteorologist or cosmetologist (hmmm.. I still find weather to be quite fascinating and make up fun.. but ya...)

14. A short term goal I have for myself... Get good grades in high school

15. My happiest memories are of... Brad! No-- really.. No going and having fun at hockey games (obsessed much?)

16. The thing I love most about me is... My ability to attract guys. NOT! I really can't think of anything (I was funny!)

17. My dream vacation would take me to... Europe (England) and Canada!

18. A long term goal I have for myself... Marry in the temple, be a mommy, live in Canada, and go to a NHL game (well so far I've accomplished one of those things I have been to 5 NHL games!)

19. A sport I enjoy... HOCKEY!!

20. Some people I admire... My parents and Lindsay

21. In 5 years I hope to have accomplished... Maybe be engaged (What a riot!)

22. In 10 years I hope to have accomplished... Marriage and maybe 1 kid (Maybe I thought it said 100 years!)

And today..

ca. Feb 2010

I am Sarah Gillespie and have lived 26 years 18 days and 8 hours on Earth

1. The style of clothing I wear today is ... whatever fits! Nah, whatever looks good at the time (I do like indie/bohemian/chic/beatnik styles)

2. The cost of a pair of jeans is... Depends where you shop, but I won't pay more than $40 (I guess somethings don't change)

3. My all time favorite dessert is... Anything chocolate and that will make my butt larger than it is now.. you know the gooood stuff.

4. My most valuable possession is... The picture of Brad and I.. Just kidding. If we are talking physical possessions.. Probably all of my pictures, Cujo and Canada jerseys and my trunk!

5. A color I wear is... BLACK it dominates. I do like teals and purples though.

6. Right now the best class I'm taking is... Get My Act Together and Go Back to School 101, it's really awesome!

7. The teacher is... Your Mom

8. The music groups I listen to are... Way to many to name!! I enjoy Indie/Alt/hard.classic rock, dance, some hip hop, some country and almost anything from the 80's some of my favorite bands are:

Pearl Jam

The Cranberries

Weezer

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Arcade Fire

The Decemberists

MGMT

Vampire Weekend

J.E.W

The Offspring

Tool

Metallica

Depeche Mode

Journey

5. My favorite expression to say... "I know right?!"

6. My best friend is... I am very blessed to have the bestest good friend and some really great good friends: Erin, Neenah, Rinda, Maren, Rachel and Lauren, Spence, Sheena, Jeni and Amey

7. The craziest thing I've ever done... Crazy as in cool something there's probably some good story somewhere.. Crazy as in brave something then moving to Arizona on my own.. Crazy as in dumb something... ooooo there are way to many to recount!

8. The Man of my dreams... Tall, dark and handsome... jk! I need someone that will love me for me (because I'm very laid back, random, sarcastic, goofy, weird, nerdy and I can sometimes be an ass), will support me and my decisions, will put me in my place when needed (because lets face it I need it from time to time), Someone who is sarcastic and can take it (I want to be able to say touche good sir well done), someone who is non judgemental (I don't have a cookie cutter family).. Someone patient because I'm not always easy to read, but given the right encouragement I'll open up like a french whore (well not in that way you pervert!) Someone who likes hockey and someone who has a wonderful testimony! OH and can change a tire!!

Sum it all up.. I need an apple to my orange, salt to my pepper, ketchup to my mustard.. you dig?

9. An occupation I would love to pursue... Well this is funny I am still weighing out this decision.. I would love to be an elementary school teacher with a Advertising Sales graphic design company on the side.. but which one do I really want to pursue first??? That is the current argument.

10. A short term goal I have for myself... GO TO SCHOOL!!!!!!!! MOVE AWAY!!!!!!!!!!! Pay off some things!!

11. My happiest memories are of... Fun times with my family, Disneyland trips, Being with my best friends, Ireland.

12. The thing I love most about me is... I think I'm funny.. I love that I am passionate and can emphasize with others.

13. My dream vacation would take me to... Back to Ireland, Denmark, England, Greece, Disney World and Eastern Canada.

14. A long term goal I have for myself... Be happy in all that I do, go through the temple, be successful

15. A sport I enjoy... Hockey! But I also enjoy playing golf and softball, and watching college football

16. Some of the people I admire are... Walt Disney, Bob Ross, Joseph Smith and my BF's who are continuous examples to me.

17. In 5 years I hope to have accomplished... SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

18. In 10 years I hope to have accomplished... Pure happiness!

Amazing how much my answers have changed and yet in some ways are similar. I look forward to see what happens in the next ten years because these past ten have been quite a ride!

Time flys when you're surviving 2009..

2009-12-30T01:26:00.001-08:00

It's about the time to recap the year.. assess my goals and plan for new ones. A lot has happened this year and man has it been a roller coaster ride.

JANUARY:

The year started with a new friendship. I was introduced to Amey and her gang which at the time I had no idea they would become some of the greatest friends I have!!

I turned 25!

And I also planned out the year with some wonderful goals.. (these are in fact how I wrote them down in an exercise we had in Sunday School..)

Clean out my closet (bury the skeletons)
Attend Institute
Pay my tithing regularly
Attend the Temple

I wanted to ultimately be in a place I could easily receive my endowments, perform baptisms for the dead, or get married. I had slowly reached a place I hated being in and once I moved to Arizona I was on my own, I had received a series of dreams in which I knew weren't just a state of unconsciousness.. and then again in 2008 with a special trip to the Mesa Temple these promptings could no longer go ignored.. I knew 2009 was MY year.

Jan. also started out rocky with the end of friendship I thought would never end, this individual suddenly decided they no longer wanted to be friends and the way they went about it was cruel I won't go into the childish things they did, but it was immature and it hurt. It felt like someone I cared for had died and I grieved.. I am at a place now that I know I will never receive an apology or understanding, but I know that this person has a lot to work on and my prayers go out to them. I hope they can become happy with themselves. I know my Heavenly Father continues to help me and forgiveness is such a wonderful thing I am still perfecting..

FEB/MARCH/APRIL:

The year continued with a visit from my Mom, trip to Disneyland, Oakland A's Spring Training, a visit from Erin, working on my golf game, working on some personal training and my new wonderful friends. I also started attending institute sporadically, non the less I was going.. That's right I was actually fulfilling one of my goals.

MAY:

I decided to let a friend know I was interested in them (never do that and will never do that), well it turned out they had HAD similar feelings it just wasn't the time.. two weeks later he was officially together with his current girlfriend. It took me by surprise, but overall I am happier that they are together and that we are still good friends. It also relieved a lot of stress seeing as I was going back and forth on these feelings for him and another individual who was really a waste of my time just could never really see it at the time.. Thanks goes out to Rinda, J Starr, Amey, Jeni, and Erin for helping me through that mess!! And Scott, Ryan and Jay for the male input.

I continued with a new person on the dating scene.. I started seeing a friend of a friend and well while we had a lot of fun and went out a few times.. it just wasn't there. He continued to be a supportive friend and is now back in SOCAL happily engaged.

We reach the end of May and well I was let go at work. I worked at Seville Golf and Country Club since moving to AZ in 2007. In the beginning of 2009 our new GM decided they were going to eventually place me under the supervision of someone I did not really work well with (though I liked her on a personal level). I struggled with this, but I tried to do my best and soon they had moved me part time over to the Sports Club front desk so I could greet guests, answer phones etc.. I loved it. Though our GM thought I had a problem with it, I really didn't. I had a problem with the person I thought wasn't doing an adequate job being a supervisor. I am an opinionated person and sometimes I can't keep my mouth shut. Well this was the case, I confided in the wrong people and well instead of listening to my concerns and those of my team mate our GM decided to reprimand me instead and well that led to my demise. I was very upset.. now thinking about it I realize I was a little hard on my former supervisor, her and I just had different working styles. She was trying.. maybe not the way I would've.. but she was. I wish I could apologize to her for the way I treated her at work, I was OK with her personally.. Our GM on the other hand things only got worse with him and again Heavenly Father is helping me perfect the art of forgiveness.. Since leaving Seville I lost a few more friends, but again I feel I confided in some people whom turned out to be more concerned about their image..

The end of May continued with the marriage of my one of my best good friends Rinda. She had moved to Utah in late 2008 and found love. Rinda is one of my most caring friends that I love a lot. She had asked me to be a bridesmaid in which I was more than happy to do for her. Though just a few days prior I received the worst sunburn in my entire life (I thought it was a good idea to put tanning oil on HA!) though I was burning to death Rinda's big day was WONDERFUL! We got up around 5:30 to work on her hair and make-up, she went to the temple and after the sealing we went to lunch at Tia Rosa's a really good Mexican joint in Mesa.. we then worked on centerpieces, setting up the reception and partying! Her reception was in a friends backyard and turned out BEAUTIFUL! I am happy I got to be part of Rinda's big day and can't wait for the day when she can be part of mine. She is a great example and wonderful friend!!! I miss her.

JUNE:

Amey, Seth, Lindsey, Jenna, Janai and I went to Amey's family's cabin in Alpine AZ (on the AZ/NM border). That was fun we walked in thinking the cabin had been broken into so Seth grabbed a baseball bat and Amey an empty shotgun.. we spent the weekend watching movies, puzzles, spotlighting.. which was awesome (6 of us on one ATV), a trip to the meadow and the discovery that Seth and Amey were in fact more serious than a lot of us had thought at the time. (they got married in Nov.)

I also started working again. I sold corn for Amey's Dad and I liked it. It was fun.. I also started paying tithing regularly and also took care of those skeletons.. I was on top of everything.. I even found a job at an auction house. They would take classic cars that people were selling and place them in auctions. Once these cars were sold the car owners would receive a portion of the profit. I learned in my first week that people were getting ripped off and I felt that this wasn't quite the place I wanted to be. Yet I couldn't find another job..

JULY:

I discovered I was not going to be able to make my rent. Since the time I was let go from Seville I was denied un-employment.. yah I know. Corn wasn't enough and my new job even wasn't enough to cover all my bills. I began scrambling to find a place to stay since I had to voluntarily forfeit my lease and with the time of the month that would give me a week to move. I put all my things in storage and thankfully Janai gave me a place to stay.. There was talk of me staying there until October, but with a lot of thought and prayer I knew I needed to go home. The same day I decided to move home I was offered a job and also my Dad had the time off to drive down to help me. SO I packed everything, said good-bye to as many of my friends as I could (less than a week) and away I went. Good-bye Arizona.

I began working at the Space Needle in the photography department and since being home have lapsed into a depressive lull.. I stopped calling a lot of my friends and even answering their calls, not because I didn't need them, but more from working the hours I did/do and being around family I guess I just didn't.. I know that sounds very bad and it is. I had become a hermit. I did however spend a lot of time with my family and especially my younger sister, we've taken some adventures including one to Forks, WA (home of Twilight, yes we're nerds) in which we found ourselves making fun of those who were there.. it was fun!

BUT I am happy to report that I am now accepting phone calls and trying to re connect with my friends. Forgive me I've been a bad friend, especially Spencer who once was so diligent at calling me, I miss the Tuesday Ten.

WHAT I'VE LEARNED:

As I look back at this last year I have realized that these bad things that have happened though I thought they killed me... I know they have a purpose.

I know Heavenly Father did this so I could fully see what needs to be more important. My goal of the temple.

The loss of my friend caused me to become closer with people with better morals and values who share a testimony of Jesus Christ like I do.

The rejection from the one guy also put into perspective the qualities I want in a guy, I have wasted a lot of time with frogs and this person showed me that there are good guys out there and though a great guy he is it would've put me back at square one being with a person who didn't share my goals and values. It has also made me think about a person from the past whom I will always be grateful for that my friends and family root for.. they do (it's kind of twisted). It makes me wonder about this individual and if there is or could be something. I will always respect them, but it always makes me think of what plans HF has for me and those whom I encounter in life..

Then the loss of my job and moving home.. I am away from a lot of people who judged me for my past and my beliefs, brought me down and in directions what weren't the best.. HF taking me out of that atmosphere has only improved my thoughts, and feelings and I am no longer trapped in a place full of lies and drama!

I am also perfecting the art of forgiveness, I have a stronger testimony of prayer, and repentance and though I might've slowed my progress since moving home I know what's important and I know I need to become the example. And though I haven't entered the temple this year I know I can! That by far is the best feeling in the world! This year has been quite the journey.. I couldn't have gotten to this place with out my best friends and I am so thankful for their support, patience, love and examples to me. So thank you:

Amey, Seth, Janai, Jenna, and Lindsey
Erin, Jeni and Sheena
Spencer
Jen Starr
Rinda, Maren, Rachel and Lauren

AND my FAMILY for the Time and Money they've spent to get me where I am, I am grateful for it.. I am.

Also a special thanks to Weezer, Radiohead, MGMT, J.E.W, Pearl Jam and The Cranberries for providing the soundtrack this year.. I love repeat on my IPOD!

All I want for Christmas...

2009-12-03T23:45:00.000-08:00

Dear Santa,

I have been pretty decent this year, with some small exceptions, but I'm working on that.. so that counts eh?? With that said I give you my "wish" list, I am not expecting all of these things just simply giving you "choices" for under the tree, in my stocking, in the mail box, doorstep etc etc.

Pearl Jam "Backspacer"

Gidget, DVD

(Any/All) Harry Potter: Scene It

Flight of the Conchords: Seasons 1, 2 and 3

Anne of Green Gables, The Box Set

(But I will take Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea separate)

Twilight: Scene It

The Cricket Expression

BUT I will be more than happy if I receive the following:

No pressure Santa, really.. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Your Friend of 25+ years,

The darling Sarah

"New Moon" Rising

2009-11-23T21:03:00.000-08:00

I am obsessed with the Twilight Book series. There I said it, and yes it feels good to get that out in the open.. I feel like I can recover now, as if it is a disease.

Anyway, love love love the books. The second book in the series is titled New Moon.. I HATED that book! Never in my existence have I ever thought a book would make me cry. For those who haven't had the pleasure of reading these I won't spoil anything (though it's all over the TV) but I was so angry and sad and I hated the character Jacob Black.

This being said, I went to the movies on Saturday night to watch the movie adaption. I was quite disappointed with the way they had depicted Twilight (though I have come to like it once I stopped comparing it to the book) so walking into the theater I was excited a little apprehensive, but open to this new director... but I LOVED IT!!!!!!! Absolutely LOVED IT and I LOVE JACOB BLACK! Not only is he half naked and ripped through this movie (yes, I may be a pedophile) but OMG I saw his character in a whole new way.. I wasn't focused on him trying to ruin Bella and Edward I was more concentrated on how much he fell for Bella.. Now I do know how the rest of the saga continues, but at the end of this movie I felt bad for Jacob (instead of when I read the book and was happy that Edward was back in the picture). SO.. I thought I might compare my thoughts on this movie I hope to see again soon!

Back to Basics..

2009-11-18T21:34:00.000-08:00

My hair tends to change a lot. And changes tend to happen when things change in my life, not always but a lot of the time they do. I'm not quite sure why this happens, but..

2009 has had it's fair share of ups and downs ranging from Boys to Men, Friends to Foes, Jobs to Unemployment, AZ to WA.. Not all bad a lot of them have led me to open my eyes to see the wonderful blessings I have been given. So with all of these fun adventures I decided to go red back in April soon after the hair was chopped and gradually has become shorter.. So now that my red has slowly lost it's luster (AKA MAJOR ROOTS) I've decided to go back to my natural color.

The color I have chosen is a little darker a winter color if you will.

Here is the result:

Over the weekend..

2009-11-15T15:24:00.000-08:00

SO a couple of things have happened this weekend worth noting..

Thursday/Friday

My good friends Seth and Amey got married for time and all eternity in Mesa AZ, I can't believe I have been able to watch their love blossom since the beginning.. I remember when Amey and I would talk about whenever we would get married and well...
Seth came along and (in the words of Amey) BAM!

I really wished I could've been there to help celebrate.. but I'll honor them with a shout out..

CONGRATULATIONS AMETH!!

And Saturday..

Was my Dad's birthday! My sister and I baked him a butter cake with chocolate frosting (by request). From scratch.. I've never made a birthday cake from scratch I felt like a regular ole' Martha Stewart! haha.. To bad you won't be able to see the writing on the cake. It looks like a 5 year old wrote it, but indeed it was a 25 year old, we even used a sparkler in place of a candle...

I love my Dad very much he is a really fun guy and I am glad to have him as my Dad.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!! I LOVE YOU!

WHAT IS THIS??!!!

2009-11-12T10:59:00.001-08:00

So over the last couple of months I've noticed a gray hair that keeps peeking out in the front of my head.. while getting my hair cut last month my hair dresser points out that indeed I have a few scattered throughout my head!! As if that isn't depressing.. (I mean I had a few "un-pigmented" hairs when I was young, but this is different). These are true bonafied GRAY hairs.. I've even noticed one or two in my eye-brows. I am almost 26 NOT 56! Good thing I have a hair appointment next week!

Look up insomnia in Websters.. You'll see me!

2009-11-09T02:21:00.000-08:00

Wow! Here I am at 2:30 am on a school night (that's if I went to school) watching (rather listening to) Little House on the Prairie and well writing in this nifty little blog thing I opened months ago and had yet to write in.. This blogspot business is all new to me and well I feel like I am a retard, I mean how do I follow ("stalk") someone? How do they follow ("stalk") me? I was smart enough to add a couple of my good friends..

Hopefully I'll figure this out. I mean I once had a Live Journal and well that was a bad bad thing.. Apparently having an opinion and being open about ones feelings ruins friendships and distorts relationships.. oops! It started as a place of refuge that got a lot of traffic and well I know better not to use names or even fake ones, because people somehow KNOW you're talking about them (oohh to be 20 and naive..) Anyhoo.

SO as for my day... spoke in church, let my nerves take over (though there are some great people who said I was composed, I know better) got through most of my thoughts and even made it to ten minutes.. KUDOS ME! Now that I have given two talks in the last 6 months I can only hope I'm good for the next century.. or at least until I move into another ward.

My sister also came to be my support and well with the help of my friends got her to stay for the rest of the meetings.. hahahaha sucka'! Nah I'm only kidding I wouldn't have pushed her to stay, but it meant a lot to have her there and I can only hope she'll return more often soon!! I love her very much, she has been my closest friend since I've moved home (even with a 10 yr age gap, she's usually the one to put me in my place, so much for being the OLDER one).

This I think will be a good start to a wonderful new blog. ::fingers crossed:: I remember about it!

Well off to bed for the next three days... GOT TO LOVE my wonderful part time job!

Scribbles....

2009-11-07T01:24:00.000-08:00

My rough notes for my Sacrament talk. Topic: Service

When I began thinking about this topic the first thing that came to my mind is the physical labor type of service especially the time at Girls Camp when we had to build a wheelchair accessible trail, let me tell you that I was the first to try my hardest not to do anything, without looking like I was not doing anything.. You would see me picking up twigs, carrying tools around. After remembering this story I got to thinking about service, different types of service and what we can do to improve ourselves.

I've worked in Customer Service for quite sometime and grown accustomed to ways of improving a customers experience.. Every company I've worked for has always aspired to be like one company that prides their selves on customer service and that is Disney.

Disney has four customer service guidelines for their employees to follow which are

AS we think of these business strategies we can simply involve them into our daily lives as we constantly search for ways to serve others such as:

1."I project a positive image and energy"

Disney suggests smiling, being approachable, looking happy and interested, and keeping conversations positive.

2."I am courteous and respectful to all guests, including children"

Disney suggests making eye contact, Engaging in guest interaction, treat guests as individuals, Greet and welcome each guest, thank all guests and invite them back

When thinking about these two rules and implying into our daily lives this comes off as some of the easiest forms of service. looking approachable and making someone feel comfortable coming to you for help is the first step in welcoming service opportunities in your life. Also a smile and a simple hello might seem small and mundane, but to some it can be HUGE and the simplest form of service, you may not know everyone's circumstances and backgrounds and that small gesture might be the one thing that can improve someones day, week, year.. This can also be able to show someone how much they might mean to you or our Heavenly Father. AS we strive to be Disciples of Christ we need to remember one of the most greatest commandments which is found in John 13:34-35.

In Elder Uchtdorf's conference talk Love of God he talks about the love of our Heavenly Father he says "God does not look on the outward appearance, I believe that he doesn't care one bit if we live in a castle or a cottage, if we are handsome or homely, if we are famous or forgotten. Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely." We need to remember that being a tool in Gods hands we must also try to love others and respect all of our friends in such a manner.

Number 3 in the Disney Philosophy

3."I stay in character and play the part"

Disney suggests preserving and protecting the magic, provide excellent show quality and safety, and perform role efficiently by reducing hassles and inconveniences

We can use this rule in improving ourselves to serve as better tools in our Heavenly Fathers hands as we find ways to serve his children. We are always taught to be more Christlike and to seek out the good Elder Uchtdorff mentions in his talk that "what we seek determines what we think and what we do" So if we are constantly searching for righteous ways to help others for their gain and not our own, and if we seek out Christlike attributes that we want to improve on we will be able to focus our minds on what is important and be more handy in the Lord's hands.

And last of our Disney Philosophies is number 4, which is probably the one I have heard the most in the workforce, and is also probably the most important in our search of service.

4. "I go above in beyond"

Disney suggests Anticipating needs and offer assistance, Create surprises and Magical Moments, Provide immediate service recovery.

Most of us are not mind readers (and if you are please teach me how you do it), so for those who don't have that ability we usually rely on an assignment from our leaders who have been in contact with someone looking for help.. But we need to be the ones looking for people to assist. Anticipating needs of others does not mean we need to pry into personal affairs, but to for us to be open to the clues. Having simple conversations with people you are able to pick up clues on issues they might be afraid, embarrassed or to proud to ask for help with. Those clues can lead us not only to service projects, but maybe just an honest ear to listen, or a shoulder to lean on. Compassion is one of the most important services we can offer. All humans need love and we can be the ones to offer that to people.. Going above and beyond your comfort zone to show someone their worth is the greatest magic moment we can create. Simple gestures, notes, appreciation, even if it's anonymously can truly be the biggest act of service far more greater than mowing a lawn.. It's bringing that perfect love of Christ into someone elses heart.

Remember Christ said in Matthew 25:40.

In closing I would like to share my favorite quote from Elder Uchtdorf's talk he says "The first step in walking in righteousness is simply to try" Simply.. try those are the two words that stood out to me and can be the two words that I would hope you can remember today. Service doesn't always have to be paving a wheelchair accessible trail, it can be small, and simple.