The Camel

One day I walked into work and saw this camel. It apparently came from a park in the city and since we have all of the parks guys in our new building someone felt that we would like it in front of our building. We already have a turtle out front so I guess they figured "why not?!" The thing is that I'm always tempted to just hop on it. Random. And it has lost its ears. I think I'll name him.

No picture of the day

I feel that it is safe to assume that nobody wants to see a picture of a girl who had a tummy ache all day and was just "sick" for real.

I think I'll blame Quiznos. Blah... I really don't love throwing up but who does?!

GOOD NIGHT NURSE!

A tie breaker

Today I've got a few pictures of the day. This is mostly because I couldn't decide if I wanted to share my AMAZING breakfast or my productive work day... such a hard choice that I didn't make one.

Breakfast





My productive work day







On a single woman's note: Today after a classically bad Monday, I took a bath and started a new book. Okay, with what I'm about to say, please know that what I was reading in the tub was more of an interest book and not a self help book (although I'm always open to advice.) The book is It's Just a Date by the same guy that wrote He's Just Not That Into You. When I read some of the parts of He's Just Not That Into You I was happy to say that I knew or practiced most of it so I hope the same thing happens while reading this one. I did like one of the eight key principles mentioned: Not every date is going to turn into a relationship and a worthwhile one is a journey, not a race. Well said. Sometimes I wonder why it is that people think that two people are in a relationship just because they went out on a date or two and that they should get engaged tomorrow and married on Saturday. But maybe my ideas are skew seeing that I'm still without mate. Heh, oh well:)

A picture a day

This week I'm going to do a picture a day.


Today's picture is of my friend Janay. She comes from a competitive family and tonight's competition was to see how many warhead candies one could fit in their mouth.


Janay had 11.

Crazy time...

Yesterday I worked from 7:45AM to 7PM. We had our hiring day and had over 200 applicants for less than 70 positions. We skill tested and interviewed each one of them. Last week was the second week of working 6 days a week. Right now is the time when the aquatics department is in CRAZY time... granted I'm feeling a little crazy. I am, however, still loving my new job. I might not show it in the next few months because summer is even CRAZIER so I'm saying it now. I might need to be reminded of it every once in a while:)

On a happy and anti-crazy note I went and had some Mo-Jo Fro-Yo and walked around Tempe Beach park. I felt a lot less crazy after.

Target

Today when I walked into Target I thought to myself... I haven't been here in over a week! This is shocking because last week for example, I went everyday. That isn't an exaggeration either. EVERY. DAY.



Here is the deal with Target. I LOVE it. I really do. I love it down to the cute gift cards. Most things that I can think of needing, I can find at Target and I would venture to say that about 50% of my wardrobe is from Target as is most of the decor in my room. ( I don't buy something every time, though almost:) )

My TOP FAVS from Target:
1. The $1 section. Always up-coming holiday specific and fun.
2. That beautiful little red clearance sticker and almost everything will eventually go on sale there.
3. $5 movie section. I have found so of my favorite movies in that section.
4. Shoe section. I love that Target supports cute shoes, even for girls with size 10/11 feet.

Sometimes I have to avoid the roads that have them because I'll go even if I am just driving by and haven't left home for a trip there. (This, I realize, is a sign of addiction. Even as I'm writing this I am thinking it is pretty bad.) My besties ask me frequently about it too... oh boy, this is bad. I wonder if there's a support group?

Why?

I know that the world is full of questions, why being a large part of them (especially if anyone out there knows a 3 year old!)



Today, Hebrew National, I will just ask "why not a poster instead? Aren't all Costco food courts inside?"





As long as it doesn't jeopardize the cost of a hot dog combo meal, I'm all good!

Happy Birthday Janay!

Today we celebrated my friend Janay's birthday. We are now at a point where we have been friends long than we haven't... this girl and I have been through a lot together. She makes me laugh, never judges, keep me sane, know when to push and rocks as a break up buddy! (It sounds like she is my spouse... :) )

Tonight after dinner we sat and talked at my house for 3 hours and it felt like 30 minutes. It was good that we never lived together because we never would have slept. Just a glimpse of the fun we have: tonight we planned my bachelorette party in Las Vegas and I'm not even getting married:)

Here's to you my dear! Have the best 27th year ever!

10 on Tues.day

5 things I will miss about winter
1. Arizona valley winters are mild and snowless.
2. Cold weather clothes especially boots. I love boots!
3. Winter food: soups, stews, Thanksgiving everything and peppermint hot chocolate.

4. Holidays and the people they bring.

5. Snow sports. ( I know, I look excited)



5 things I won't miss about winter
1. Socks. I might love boots but I hate wearing socks.

2. Wet pant legs rubbing up against unsuspecting legs and the chills that proceed up your spine.
3. Having to bring an extra blanket with me around the house because my dad insists on staying cool and having the fan on.
4. Calories... swim suit season comes quickly after winter in Arizona.
5. That I never seem to find the right pajamas for the season. Either too hot or too cold... never just right!

Dear Romantic Interest,

If this were something legit, I might say things like this to you:

"you are the peanut butter to my jelly, the prize to my cereal box"

or

"with all due respect to fat-bottomed girls, you're what makes the rockin' world go round."

I'd make you a flip books or buy you a doughnut cause I know you like them.

I'd call you and tell you all the funny parts of my day and ask you about yours.

If I had tickets, I'd invite you to go.

Just thought I'd let you know. Think about it.

~Me

Happy Month-iversery

I am so pleased with myself because I can honestly admit that I wasn't sure what would happen in the first month of my everyday blogging goal. It really hasn't been hard. I see such a difference in myself and my start at staying connected to others. It has mostly been commenting on others blogs but that is a jump for me. I find myself looking at things in different ways. Ways that make me think about why I like something or what makes it interesting or I recognize that there are a lot of little things that make me happy in my day. I evaluate certain things that I do and if they are worth doing (and if they are worth sharing/blogging) and I've started to eliminate somethings that I don't need to do and started doing things that I'd like to do more of. I feel like I've thought of creative ways to thinking about life... not quite sure what that means but I really like the way I'm feeling.

So, the verdict is, the show must go on. Look out blog world...you've got 11 more months of ME!

Divine Exhaustion

Right now I am laying in my bed, in my towel, because after a warm bath I have officially lost all energy (and I know you all have done it before so I don't feel weird saying it). I am at a point now were I am so exhausted that while I was driving home after work today I felt like I just might cry, for no real reason at all except that I'm not sure what else I could fit into my week. I might not get up from this spot. It is 7:30PM and my bed is looking like the only option right now. The fact that my hair will be HIDEOUS in the morning doesn't even phase me. Until tomorrow my friends!

Girls Night

So after my text date (which went well, no fireworks, but well) I went and joined my friend KH and her sister PF at their house for a girls night in. There is just something I love about sitting around with women of all ages, married or single and talking. Some of tonight's topics were: crafting, being lip sluts, funny kid habits and sayings, great dates, BAD dates and, of course, food.





Love a good girl bonding moment. That was one of favorite parts of college and some of my greatest memories, girl nights likes, this because I don't have a sister and I felt like I had some living with the girls I did. So I love a good reminder of that.

Technology's little curse

I love it, really I do. I love that my phone serves as my GPS, calendar, banker and main source of communication be it text, phone, googletalk or email. I understand that many people are very connected. I have a blog and a facebook account, a junk email, regular email and work email. I subscribe to on-line newsletters and alerts for updates and I shop and pay my bills on-line. I get it, we communicate this way, we are all on line this is how we live.


HOWEVER... when did people start asking people out on dates in text messages?!?!?!?!? Maybe a part of me is still old fashioned and looks for the face to face encounter or even a phone call: a phone call never hurt anyone did it? It's just that I've been asked out on dates on two separate occasions, by two separate men via text. And it's always right to the chase. No small talk to warm up to asking or subtle flirting, just "hey want to catch dinner Friday with me?" And for the first date it just feels impersonal. Really, for me first impressions are hard to get past...(I'm really hoping that the most recent doesn't read this!)

I don't know... is it too much to ask? Is it just a way to avoid rejection on their part? I'm trying to decide if I should just go with it or continue to think that it is tacky. I am going on the date because being asked out is just that, regardless of the form of asking.

Sigh. Thoughts? Please share your support on either side! Although I can tell you that I'm already pretty firm in my feeling on it.

I passed!

Just finished on-line driving school. Thank you photo radar for giving me such a lovely opportunity. But seriously, luckily I didn't have to sit through a class.

10 on Tues.day

My friend RZ has started doing a weekly prompt involving 10 things in a certain category. Last week was 10 things I'd like to learn how to do. This week is 10 things I love about my life.
Here goes!

1. My friends and family. Love, support, fun, laughter. I couldn't ask for better people in my life.
2. The gospel. The firmest of foundations with a loving Heavenly Father and Savior.
3. Travel my love for it and the experiences I've had getting to know new places and the people there.
4. Dual citizenship. Makes for simplicity when my passport is stolen... I know this from experience.
5. Education and life long learning. I could never get sick of learning.
6. A life full of activity. I love that never being home means that I'm out doing things. I love work, play, service etc ... don't get me wrong, I love to sit and relax especially after a day of doing all sorts of stuff.
7. My bed, even if it is a twin. Hoping I'll graduate someday:)
8. Daily temporal comforts, most of which I'm sure I take for granted.
9. Communication. One thing I'm quite good at. I love feeling like I'm open and can discuss almost anything. Now if I could only stay in touch.:)
10. Faith that my life will continue to be just as good.

Ensure

Hello world! I'm going to be an aunt! My parents are going to be GRANDPARENTS! Mo-Fats is going to be a DAD! YAY!

Yes, it's true, my sister-in-law Carlyn is pregnant. It is very exciting.

Well... the other day my mom got a package from Drugstore.com and we didn't know why. Well when she opened it there was a 6 pack of Ensure and an anonymous not saying "grandparents need to have strong bones" or something like that. I thought it was such a funny gift. Really, I wish I'd thought of it! We still don't know who sent it but I'd like to thank them for a good laugh!

Here's the future grandma and her special elixir!

Project of the day

One chilly night in Barcelona, I bought this sweater and in true French fashion, it was discolored in the washing machine. So I finally decided to do something about it because although I like the cardigan, I wouldn't wear it because of the discolor.

Before




During





After






In all I'm pleased with the color. I didn't leave it in the dye long enough so I might give it another soak... anyone know if that will do anything?

Can somebody please explain...

...how I got stuck playing RISK with six boys/men tonight? It was my first time and although 3 hours seemed long to me, they claim it was short. The prospect of world domination would attract the attention of anyone really, but I think I'll have to steer clear. Hey, at least I was out with boys! It's almost like a date when one of them serves ice cream right?!

On a yummy note, Janay's husband Brett made some shrimp on the grill. Check out the recipe.

A day of happy things

I love a day full of good things!

It started with a half day of work, which is always lovely!

Then as I went into the parking lot I saw this car and it's funny because either I'd never seen it before or it's new. Either way, I love to see a car that sports Suns colors!

















When I got home I took a little nap and then took the bike to the Circle K for a redbox free rental. The day was sunny and warm but not hot. A lovely day for a bike ride.




















After the redbox the parents and I went to Claim Jumper and had some lovely desserts!

















This was mine, a red velvet cup cake with a cream cheese frosting. So yummy and I highly recommend!



















On the way home from dinner my dad and I rolled down the window and jammed to some of his favorite tunes!


















Can't hate a day for being good:) What was good about your day?

Listening

I've been doing a lot of reading and pondering the "art" of listening: mostly listening to myself and the promptings that I receive. I've started keeping a list of them in order to help me realize when it happens and to remember what they are. For example: tonight as I left work I thought about going to institute class (a weeknight class on different aspects of religious studies) and I kind of had a stomach ache and was tired. So I came home, all the while kept thinking about going but already half decided not to. I decided to go to Trader Joe's, walked out the door and just felt like I needed to go to institute and turned around, walked back into the house and got ready to go. I've never had the greatest attitude about institute but I followed that feeling and of course I had a good night and learned a lot from the class.
I'm grateful to know that the more I listen, the easier it will be to do so. Also, I'm grateful for little moments like that and how they can easily change my day.

Cheez-its

Tonight I put up with the wind and rain for a craving. Sunday at church my friend BBT said something, never found out what, and I thought I heard Cheez-its instead. After a good mocking and several days of discussing the topic, I finally caved-in and went to the store. 11:30 PM (yes I know, there goes that goal) out at Safeway in the crapy weather, trying to get through the check-out line without having to chat too much with the chatty Cathy clerk "have a good day, oh I guess it's night, well almost morning... chuckle chuckle" alright dude, just give me the crackers!

But I have them now. I got the BIG ones because really, I'm a "go big or go home" type of eater.


What will you brave a rainy night for?

A question

When does help turn from something positive to something negative?


I guess that is just something one knows by gut.


Why can't all help be effective?


I guess I know that answer too.


Maybe what I want to know is why we have to learn from ourselves sometimes. And why no matter how much one seeks help/strength/advice from others, it is internal learning that proves to be the most or only effective process.

I'm a crier

I totally am. Really, ask anyone. I get emotional over so many things. (I'm just talking verklempt, not sobs.) For example I usually get a little choked up on the way to work when I the breast cancer walk commercial on the radio or when I hear little kids sing sweet songs and I always get emotional at church. I'm sure all my ward-ies know me as "the girl that gets emotional every time she gives a lesson or speaks in church" and I know this because tonight at a ward activity, my friend AN mentioned it. "I'm such a crier" I lamented to which AN responded "it's good... it means that you have a connection to those things, that they are important to you." Phew! I thought I was doomed to be known forever as a cry baby:)

Thought of the day

I'm thinking that it's finally time to let go of the idea that I can only date older/same age men. And before you know it I'll be going for shorter guys too... what's a girl to do?

Marathon Day

8AM: Mazda dealership to have second part of the car charger removed. Zoom Zoom



9AM: Pedicure and new yellow toes


11AM Egg rolls and chocolate moose with the Relief Society



1:30PM Met up with Janay and the monkey

2PM New Sunglasses



2:30PM In n' Out. I loves me a Neapolitan shake and fries.




3PM Hobby Lobby... just like Michael's.




5PM Locked out of Janay's house

6PM Subway and the monkey




ALL DAY: NO WORK!

Look what I did!

Sometimes I don't know my own strength...






Yes, this is my phone charger for the car and again, yes, the other part is still stuck in my car. I'll explain more since tomorrow will hopefully include removal of the rest from the place it is so tightly lodged in my car. Good thing it was for my old phone.

defeat

Dear Friends,
I am admitting defeat. Tonight starts a time that has never been seen before. I will be retiring to my bed before the 11 o'clock hour. I realize this might be a shock to you all, especially those of you who lived with me but there is no way around it any longer. I've linked my late bed time to several things so maybe the early to bed, early to rise will help with. Just a few examples are my snoozing 10 times before I get out of bed, my lack of exercise, the fact that I leave for work without brushing my hair sometimes, my not eating breakfast, being unprepared for my day, my word vomit, headaches, memory loss and hang nails.

Plan on an up date.

Thank you for your attention.

16 candles

Tonight I caught the tail end of 16 Candles. Probably the best 80's movie I've seen, and I've seen a few. Ever since I first saw it I wanted to experience the final scene. Seriously... who wouldn't want their "ultimate" to pick them up from their horrid sister's wedding, because of which your birthday was forgotten, and have a lovely little romantic cake party atop the dinning table?




Really, I know it's not at all realistic, but then neither is having a foreign exchange student named Long Duc Dong thrown into the mix. Gotta love the Donger.

Exhibit #396 of my single-hood

Here is my clean laundry... it's been that way since Saturday. The process is this: dirty clothes go in the white hamper and when they are ready to wash I do so. And by "ready to wash" I mean I'm down to one pair of clean underwear and by "I do so" I mean I schedule with my mother a day and time when I am permitted to do my laundry. It then ends up in the black "hamper" which is actually a stool, thank you Ikea, that I've transformed into a hamper. Sometimes I feel so resourceful.

Things that need to be hung up are taken out so most of this is just stuff I haven't taken the time to fold. Sometimes I don't have the time and other times I procrastinate by, like, um, say blogging. And I'd say it gets folded every third time I do laundry because I decide to change. But normally I take what I need everyday and leave the rest for the next day, all in planing and hoping that I'll get around to it. Sigh...

Neighbors

I've always been grateful for loving support in my life. I feel it from all angles, first and foremost being my family and of course my friends and leaders at church or co-workers and neighbors. I know that I can pick up a phone and call to talk or ask a question. I know there are many places I can go to feel safe and be comforted and I'm even more grateful because I know not everyone has that in their lives. I always try to make sure that people know that I am grateful for them and for the strength I gain from them. But today, I am grateful to know that this can be returned. Today a family friend in need came an sought support from my family and although the situation is sad and lives are going to be changed forever there is comfort in knowing that this person will gain strength from us and the support we are willing to offer, that they know that we love and cherish this relationship. Everyday I am impressed to see that we truly are here for each other.