Tashi

Equalify.

2012-01-05T16:01:00.002-07:00

Is American society afraid of what an equal partnership looks like?

How can a man be "the head of the house" if there are two female parents who manage their house efficiently, orderly, tenderly etc. Does it prove that if there is a "head" in the family it is not determined by gender?

How could it be that women are more fully equipped to nurture and care for children when two fathers raise loving, empathetic, contributing, intelligent people? Does it show the world that men are just as capable and influential parents?

How can we believe sex determines our "roles" and "different but equally important" and "both needed to run a family" qualities when parents of the same sex successfully navigate providing financially and emotionally for their families?

Is that why our patriarchal institutions are so afraid of marriage equality? Are you afraid? Why?

Our last Day.

2011-12-30T14:53:00.007-07:00

Just thought I'd blow right through and get 'er done.

In the morning we took our last ferry ride to the city (we actually stayed in Alameda) B loved the ferries. We went in for the farmers market that a local pizza place owner had told us about. It was very delicious, so many samples of cheese and fresh fruit, mmmmmmm..... Oh San Francisco! Thinking of that makes me miss it so. Brandon spent a good hour at the fancy cheese shop in the Ferry Building picking out his favorites to take home. I think it was his favorite part of the trip. Across the street were art vendors, and we bought B some tee shirts.

idk, I just like it, OK?

one of B's new tees, the bridge being attacked by the Kraken!

We drove to Oakland to see some redwoods. We didn't see the biggest of them, but the forrest was still beautiful.

then we drove home.....

Just some sight-seeing and all that implies.

2011-12-30T14:44:00.003-07:00

.....yeah, I don't get it either. There were just some naked guys that somehow I missed when everyone else saw them walking around the Castro District? Idk, I'm too lazy to look that up and make sure it's right. Basically just prepare yourself for some more amazing pictures. (lol).

Ali's beau joined us in the afternoon, as a surprise. Me and Brandon came up with the uber clever code name of "eagle."

"the eagle is in flight" = Bryan is on the plane
"the eagle has landed" = Bryan is in Oakland

"the eagle has arrived" = get Ali into position for the surprise!

Breakfast at Sears, which is apparently a tourist thing, hey, we were tourists

Did a lot of shopping this day. I added some great pieces to my closet. A snake print suit and pink sparkle shoes from Betsey Johnson.

the streets were sooooo steep! We understood why everyone in the city had amazing calves.

what?! No I'm not snooping on that person in their apartment....

the ever famous Lombard Street

replica doors of that one famous thang. Idk ask Ali. This is where the Eagle met up with us

just an amazing sunset

Welcome to Alcatraz

2011-12-30T14:25:00.002-07:00

You know that add that plays over and over again on hulu? Me and Brandon say that "welcome to Alcatraz" line all day long. We wish we would have seen it before we were actually at Alcatraz, I can't imagine anything more amazing than stepping off the ferry with Brandon waiting on the shore to welcome me. ;)

Anyway, Cuz I know you've been dying to see the rest of my trip that was months ago... here it is, imagine just a few more post of San Fran.

I know you're going to love it when I post about my Christmas in July.... ce la vie.

I mean, really, waiting makes it more nostalgic, don't you think? Instead of real time updates, I get to look back and see what I've done this year.

Anyway,

Welcome to Alcatraz,

We were late to our ferry, running frantically to the dock as Brandon payed $20 for parking. Out of breath we saw our boat pull out of the harbor. Luckily we got on in stand-by on the next departure.

The rec area was my favorite to walk around, Idk, just seemed really weird that I was walking around in the area that a bunch of criminals used to play ball in.

I loved how the streets cut lines through the city so distinctly.

The inside of the walls through which three prisoners escaped!

Later we went to see the aquarium. i love aquariums, So cool. Sea creatures are so beautiful.

I plan on printing this out and hanging it in my bathroom.... hehe

kinda gross, huh?

um....

2011-11-10T12:44:00.001-07:00

Just so you know, it's my Birthday. :) Just sayin'

49 mile drive in 59 pictures

2011-11-04T20:34:00.000-06:00

twinner houses

the fog was so thick.

the view we had disappeared in minutes

even a few feet away the bridge was rendered dream-like.

we watched it engulf the coast.

1,000 words

2011-11-01T21:15:00.000-06:00

Before the Tide comes in...

2011-09-28T09:27:00.003-06:00

"This is our war so don't loose it. This is our only chance so don't let it pass through your eyes...

...This is our war."

-Lovedrug

Feather earring- hot topic

That song keeps me going. It is my motivation.

Shoes- Forever Young

I make excuses involving those around me. But I can't, this is MY war.

Top- Wet Seal, Jeans-Target?

so,

Starting again.... it's a bittersweet proposition.

btw, that white blur in the bottom left corners, my cat- tried to blur him out :P

linking up with the Pleated Poppy

24/25

2011-09-27T13:18:00.000-06:00

Did we really do that last night?

nothing scandalous or controversial or even crazy....
....well maybe crazy.

A boring sunday night, resorting to bad card games with easy wins, a walk around the lake.

......................................................................

In the dark we moved one step at a time, the path punctuated with light posts.

It's an extended stretch of pavement winding around the water,
nevertheless it went by quickly- ending earlier than anticipated.

We took the usual route-

of course there were the moments when we jumped the pathway and skittered down the pitted hill to walk another-

but it was nothing really new.

There was something comforting to know maybe he's just nervous. That it really would be different- but in a different way.

In a way that once we crossed that bridge,

the next was not so distant.

Passive Aggressive

2011-09-07T22:42:00.000-06:00

The current hateful re-post poping up several times on my facebook news feed this week:

Interesting...If you cross the North Korean border illegally, you get 12 yrs. hard labor. If you cross the Afghanistan border illegally, you get shot. Two Americans just got eight years for crossing the Iranian border. If you cross the U.S. border illegally you get, a job, a driver's license, food stamps, a place to live, health care, housing & child benefits, education, & a tax free business for 7 yrs. No wonder we are a country in debt. Re-post if you agree

Time for a passive-aggressive rebuttal:

"if you cross the North Korean border illegally, you get 12 years hard labor"

I guess slavery is a different thing than hard labor as punishment, but I'd venture to say they're comparable. BTW that's just one way in which those nasty law breakers are keeping your food costs low.

"If you cross the Afghanistan border illegally, you get shot. Two Americans just got eight years for crossing the Iranian border."

OMG that's F***** up! I hate how this is getting reposted and it is almost implying that crossing a country border is a crime that deserves the death penalty? Really? REALLY?!

"if you cross the U.S. border illegally you get, a job..."

It's true, many immigrants get jobs for crossing the border, in fact the meat industry actively brings Mexicans into the country to work in their factories. Interesting how the people are being punished and not the corporations.* Aren't corporations considered people these days?

"...a driver's license..."

They're gonna be driving, wouldn't you rather them know how to drive?

"...health care..."

because obviously you don't deserve health care unless you have the cash on hand to pay for it, right? I mean come on we are complaining about giving health care? What is wrong with Americans? Can't we just have "socialized" medicine already?

"...child benefits..."

you mean like education for innocent children who've committed no crime and will grow up to hopefully be productive Americans?

"No wonder we are a country in debt"

Yeah because the cost of illegals is the number one problem in our budget crisis?

A friend of a friend commented this as a response and I just loved it so much more than a "like" on fb could convey,

"Federal fiscal irresponsibility does not begin or even end at the border...so I don't agree with that part. Post sure did make me proud to be an American though. "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free!"

Full disclousure, I actually reposted this one.............. of course with my own little twist

instead of "no wonder we are a country in debt" I put,

"No wonder those other countries are considered third world and the U.S. is a leader in human rights."**

*Food Inc.
**of course as some of the links show, we have a lot of human rights issues of our own.

Cheers

2011-09-03T14:00:00.000-06:00

to daring to express.

to the taste of fresh garden tomatoes lightly dusted with dirt.

to light and time captured on black and white film.

to being scared, and doing it anyway.

to women- for the struggles we face and the resilience we have to make it through fire.

to parents who love, and what a wonderful life I've had.

the little zucchini that could

2011-08-18T23:55:00.000-06:00

So it turns out you can't water your plants for 20 minutes every day. Something about drowning them.

It also turns out that 5 minutes every day won't give them enough.

20 min. every 2/3 days.

Somehow that zucchini plant that all but withered away completely produced the. biggest. fruit. ever.

I've been eating it for days.

yum.

Sister Saints

2011-07-25T16:42:00.000-06:00

I grabbed a notebook today so I could record my thoughts about the next woman in the book "Sister Saints" that I took out to the porch to read while sunbathing. While flipping to a blank page, passing earlier writings and notes it occurred to me that this notebook was in a way my Feminist Notebook. It sparsely documented my shift in thinking from submissive to feminist.

I remember the excitement I had -- I dare-say the spiritual enlightenment I felt -- when first reading about feminism, when discovering criticisms of Patriarchy- a system I had been taught was ordained by God. Something in me was validated, feelings that I didn't have names for, doubts I couldn't explain. The views I had been taught about human nature didn't sit well with me, and these new ideas put words to the feelings I had about what men and women really could, and are supposed to, be.

Growing up, my church told me women have a "Divine Nature" that makes us more suited to parenthood with innate nurturing qualities that men lack. I reject that completely. Not because I don't believe I was born with such qualities, but because I believe all were born with those qualities.

All humans are born with empathetic impulses, to care for and protect those around us. But men have been taught to squash their emotions- that it's a violation of their "manhood" to cry and be sensitive. The differences that may be found between men and women are mainly due to our expectations of them, the societal molding we teach our children to fit based on one arbitrary aspect of their being. "We have a great deal of criticism and loathing for what men have been socialized to be in this society: what they support, how they act, and how they oppress. But we do not have the misguided notion that it is their maleness per se -- i.e. their biological maleness that makes them what they are."

-Combahee River Collective Statement

I believe we are born with intelligence and love. Unfortunately most of us end up having to over come our early socialization to be able to fully embrace those qualities. our societies often shape us in ways that are counterproductive- and most of us never learn how to change. What the world needs are Women "who know" to reshape our world into one that values all people.

Was I born a feminist? That is what I believe is my "Divine Nature." I don't believe that my double X chromosomes are what gives me the empathetic characteristics of caring and nurturing, rather that comes from whatever gene that makes us ALL human. My Divine Nature is not to be soft spoken and follow, rather it is to question and come to understand- to push the limits so that new limits will be pushed till humanity reaches it potential.

And I've been happy to find that many of the "Sister Saints" agree.

Rock 'n Roll

2011-07-12T19:41:00.002-06:00

sisters+cousin+music+laptop=

These "moonjar sister" dances started as a Christmas Tradition, but we're looking to expand so here's one born on the 4th of July.

Enjoy.

I think it counts as a "girlish whim" so I'm linking up with Rebecca!

The Mile Long Post

2011-07-09T20:23:00.000-06:00

I think someone out there is reading....

May be wondering what I've been up to....

Ok, ok I'll tell you.....

Me and my sister did a pole performance at Pearl for the studios 1st birthday under new (and awesome) ownership.

We like to add flare and thematics to our performances to make up for lack of advanced skill

so we dressed as mimes.

our performance was not creepy like this picture

One of B's friends was married.

the Joneses

got the chance to catch up with old friends. B and Mark like to flirt

I can share... I'm used to it.

I started to become obsessed with a kind of futurism and dynamic movement in my photography.

cutting the cake

Me and my sister volunteered at the Arts Festival

Ali

and watched a little Sister Wives

watched some dancing

loved the Urban art part of the festival, and especially how the walls were continually being repainted.

Had a little family reunion for my Great Grandmothers Birthday.

and took advantage of the park to do a little "street pole"

I'm awesome

Watched a house be build in a week by the Extreme Home Makeover team and the local community. Got a glimpse of Ty.

Went to dinner with some friends who live out of state when they came to visit.

Spent a good portion of the weekend at a cabin by Bear Lake. Became obsessed with Planking.

yes that's a rug made out of a bear

and watched the fireworks cuddled up next to my boyfriend

I think B watched the fireworks.... lol he did

still obsessed with dynamic movement

Main St. Kaysville, UT

ttyl <3

p.s. does it make more sense to explain before a picture or after a picture?

The Final Night

2011-06-21T22:32:00.001-06:00

Reliving comes to an end here.... the last day in NYC

WOHW, back up. I forgot to tell you about my authentic Ramen experience! I can't believe I didn't tell you about it in my last post. I think it may have been my favorite part of the trip.
Well thanks to good old FB checking in we discovered that my uncle was in NY at the same time that me and Ali were. We decided to meet up for dinner one night, and because he's always posting pics on FB of ramen he eats while in big cities, we went to an authentic Japanese place that I wish I remembered the name of and had LEGIT ramen. Why isn't there someplace in SLC?!

Ok, now we can move on....

central station

In the morning we made a stop at Central Station. Looked just like the movies, but I was surprised by all the shops that were there!

sculptural modern piece at the Brooklyn Art Museum

Then we went to Brooklyn (where people were actually friendly and there was personal space) for their art museum! They had some amazing pieces. It was mainly art from other countries which was nice because we had been seeing a lot of European and American art. Their exhibit of African art was very interesting.

What an awesome bracelet

check out those earings!

OPEN STORAGE!

Ali was so excited because they had open storage. Which was actually pretty cool

this is the reason we went to Brooklyn. The Dinner Party by Judy Chicago. It was totally worth it and me and Ali both ended up spending some money at the gift shop, I bought postcards with each of the plates on it, and she went all out with a book detailing the whole piece.

They had an area with student exhibits. Both children and adults who took classes at the museum!

We hung out with our host for a bit and we stopped by Stonewall.

Had to get this pic of me with Naruto! lol love him so much!

Then we ended the trip the way we started. On the roof

It was nice getting to know our host a little better. He was an awesome guy really genuine and he has good values. lol Idk how to say that any way less cheesy but it's true.

Madahooha?

2011-06-09T11:03:00.001-06:00

No ascar! haha!
Love Madagascar, but they took a lot of artistic license concerning the Central Park Zoo. There are penguins and monkeys but that's about as far as the similarities lie....

on our way to the zoo

@ the MOMA, where Starry Night resides!

It was very cool to see the original, the real brush strokes and how paint is ragged on the edge of the canvas.

we were going to stand in front of Picassos piece imitating the poses of the ladies but there were so many people around, it got awkward.

I wish they had more from Frida, but at least I got to see a bit!

Getting tired of museums....

B always tells me about his childhood dream of opening a restaurant that only serves mac and cheese. I always thought it was a stupid idea, but I guess he was right on this one, Smac is awesome. and super yummy.

The other girls headed home this day, me and Ali headed out to explore some neighborhoods.

This store was in an episode of Sex and the City so of course Ali needed a photo with it!

Washington Square!

Out of order pic from the Moma, Monet is so different in person, I love how abstract it is, and the scale was magnificent!

Back to NY

2011-06-09T10:39:00.001-06:00

So I thought I might finally continue telling you about my NYC trip back in April....

On Tuesday we hit up the Empire State Building. We got there early, like 8 or 9 so we all but walked straight through to the elevators.

It was a hazy day again, but I liked the effect it had, the city just disappeared into the clouds

My favorite Picture I got

We did some shopping and then it was time for Broadway! Our group split up me and my sister went to The Book of Mormon, and the other girls went to Wicked and ended up sitting on the second row!

BoM was awesome-it really was. I loved the upbeat music and the missionaries' personalities, the music while offensive, is fantastic. I think my favorite song was Baptize Me. That or Man Up. What I really liked was how positive it was, it dealt with heavy issues and did make fun of the LDS church but acknowledged the good it does in peoples lives. It was hilarious how random characters showed up (very similar to a south park episode) cameos included the Hobbits, Yoda and Starbucks Coffee during the "spooky Mormon Hell dream."

I wasn't planning on getting a T-shirt because my whole closet is made up of t-shirts but when I saw the missionaries jumping into the air I couldn't resist!

We stayed out by the door to see if the actors would come out, and we got a picture (on Ali's phone, since my camera had run out of battery earlier that day {sad face}) with "Elder Price!"

In our Broadway outfits!

Success!

2011-05-25T13:09:00.000-06:00

I'm happy to report I made it a whole week! Now it's time to share at the Pleated Poppy for What I Wore Wednesdays!

Thursday

working of course!
shirt Charlotte Russe
Pants JC Penney?

Cute sleeves huh?
Necklace was a gift

showing you my shoes- Target

Friday!

A day off! I was feeling too preppy in this outfit so I had to add a little edge
Democrat Necklace (edgy for UT) Vintage! Belonged to a great grandmother of mine
(I actually acquired it when I was little and just thought it was a cute pony! lol)

Shirt H&M (bought in New York)

Jeans Buckle

Shoes gift

Saturday

I actually worked Sat but changed afterwards. That's my BF in the background lol

Shirt Book of Mormon Musical shirt from New York

(I'll be sharing more about that soon!)

"Tag Jeans" from Skins

Shoes, Idk they're so old

Sunday

Shirt Charlotte Russe (lol yes I wore it twice in one week)
Pants JC Penney?

Shoes Forever 21

Monday

Shirt Miley & Max from Wal Mart
Shoes Ross
(I know my pants are wrinkled!)

Tuesday

(forgive me, I have a limited work wardrobe!)
Shirt Down East
I hadn't put my shoes on yet! ha!

Wednesday

Shirt souvenir from DC given to me by my BF
Shorts Hollister
Shoes Forever 21

Don't you love my cat in the background?

Lol got new neighbors and they have a horse head in the window, we have a cat!

American Values

2011-05-25T12:21:00.000-06:00

Monday morning in New York (read about the beginning of my trip here and here) at 9:00 we had reservations on Statue Cruises to go to the Statue of Liberty and to Ellis Island! Unfortunately it was a little cloudy and hazy. Lady Liberty was smaller than I was expecting. But she was strong thick and proud. I loved that about her, an american woman (and an immigrant at that) standing her ground lighting the way.

It's crazy to me how the city extends to the very edges of the island

(The sad thing about the photo on the far right is that I had a good one where you could see everyone, but I accidentally deleted it instead of that one!)

Ellis Island was amazing, I enjoyed it so much more than I thought I would. I expected just an old building with some cool history but the museums and displays they had really brought it to life. It was interesting to see the shift in attitude about immigration in American culture. It was sad too- especially in the light of political debates today about immigration. Really made us think about American values, especially what we claim them to be and how they are or are not apparent in our actions and policies.

children's shoes from different countries

Me and Ali found some possible ancestral names!

Later we went to the 9/11 memorial. Since the site is under construction, there is a memorial/museum set up close by. I was deeply moved. I don't think I ever fully understood the magnitude of what happened that day. It was heartbreaking to see the images and read the stories. There was a wall covered with images of "Missing" fliers that familes had made looking for those who they lost. I cannot comprehend the hate that leads our species to create so much destruction and to destroy so much life.

We walked down Wall Street. The skyscrapers were the tallest here and so close, I felt like I was in a maze. The sunlight was dim, it couldn't reach the ground. It was weird, such an empire of wealth and economy.

Looking up, surrounded by buildings.

It was an emotional day, a reminder that we must continue to improve and to be compassionate, understanding and driving for peace, but it also was filled with a renewal of hope and pride and belief in our country and the people we can be. America is not perfect- she never has been- but she is strong, proud and stands her ground defending those behind her and looking forward to those that will call her home.

New Me

2011-05-18T14:42:00.000-06:00

I know, the "new" in the title got you all excited about the rest of my New York Trip.... Tomorrow I'll continue. Hear about day 1 here, and day two here!

But these past couple of days have been amazing. I'm learning how to FLY.

so part of FlYing is getting dressed to the shoes everyday! It makes me feel better about the day, and myself.

I've participated in WIWW a couple times before but not consistently and I have never been good about doing it all week long. Now I'm going to start! So I only have a few days (I only started on Monday) It's all about new habits that are going to make me more organized and productive! woo! I've already done dishes and laundry today, as well as worked on some crafts!

So without further adue, the week so far!

Monday

(Cardigan: Target, Tank: Gift, Scarf: Street Shop in NY, Capris: Ross, Shoes: JCPenney)

Tuesday

(I can only wear black or white tops with black or khaki pants for work! Lame but whatev.

Top: Express, Pants: Macy's? Shoes: Ross, Earrings: Gift)

Wednesday

(another day at work! Tank: ? forgot, Cardigan: Charlotte Rouse- extra 50% off clearance right now! Pants: ?forgot again I think they're from Sears? Same Shoes, Earrings: Gift)

I'm looking forward to next week!! Can't wait to have a whole weeks worth of outfits to share!

P.S. I even made my bed this morning, how cool is that!?

Magazine Necklace!

2011-05-18T11:58:00.000-06:00

So this year since I'm broke, I have done my best to give handmade for birthdays. Usually- ok - Almost always it makes me late on gift giving but it saves my bank account!

I made this necklace for my sister out of magazines!

To make a necklace like this you will need:

An old magazine
Scissors
Hot Glue Gun
Chain w/ clasp

I got the magazine circles idea from a project in The Big Ass Book of Crafts by Mark Montano. (which is awesome by the way- this is where I got the directions to make this wall art for my mom for mothers day 2010) Mark shows how to make a basket out of magazines, here's how he explains how to make the circles:

Cut the magazine pages into 3"-wide strips.

Taking one corner of the strip, start to roll the strip into a stick shape. With a little bit of glue, tack down the edge of the roll so the finished product looks something like a straw.

Make about [as many as you want] of these sticks.
Flatten the straws. Then, starting from one end of the stick, roll each stick into a circle with a diameter no greater than 1".

(vary the size for visual interest)

Glue the "tails" down. You will have to hold them in place for a bit because it takes a few seconds for the glue to set.

Then I just glued the circles together in a layout that I liked. After it had all dried I sprayed it with clear Krylon paint. Let that dry and then threaded my chain through some of the circles on the top of my piece and viola!

I'm sharing my project over at mygirlishwhims where there are tons of other cute crafts, recipes, and fashions!

Eamecela (Easter Parade, Metropolitan, Central Park, La Lucha!)

2011-05-16T15:58:00.000-06:00

Aka Day 2 In NYC

Easter Morning. I guess in NY Easter hats are the thing! People strolled down the street towards St. Patrick's Cathedral in their finest. They would graciously stop and pose for a photo. Ali was chasing people down, I just "shot from the hip."

We saw our first glances of those stores that "cater to the most discerning tastes"*...

... and the Trump Tower!**

Then we strolled over to The Met! Ah, sweet sprawling spaces filled with Roman sculptures! Van Gogh, Monet! Marie Antoinette's rooms recreated, Andy Warhol, Never ending hallways leading to rooms with covered walls, around every turn there was more! I could (and we did) get lost in there- we couldn't find our way out!

Next we visited the Guggenheim. The building itself, of course, was the best part. It was quite the experience spiraling upwards.

It was kind of funny though, There were bathrooms on every level? that just kind of seemed like oh, yeah, there needs to be bathrooms, they'll fit in this pillar. ha! maybe it was on purpose so there was always a bathroom nearby?

Across the street- Central Park. We wandered in and somehow ended up at our desired destination, Turtle Pond- which ended up NOT having any turtles, but it did have an observatory.

On his list for us, Hans had suggested local restaurants, me and Ali were drawn to La Lucha!*** It did not disappoint! It was a small place with a tiny dining room but decorated so lavishly with masks shrines and purple benches!

The first part of the trip Kaylynn was saying that we needed "sunshine in our hearts" because it was overcast or that the New Yorkers must need "sunshine in their hearts" because they can't actually see the sun because of the tall buildings or this or that about sunshine.

Kelsey had been talking about the puppy she was buying and deciding if she should call it "Coco" (after Chanel) or if people would think it a weird name for a white dog since most would assume Coco meant Chocolate.

And to end the day a little Truman Show moment....

At the apartment while watching the news as me and Ali were getting ready to go out there was a feature where viewers send in pictures of their kids playing or doing something cute. The weather woman, after forecasting rain, commented on the photo, "That will put some sunshine in our hearts" pretty sure that's an exact quote. And then the story that we were "sure to hear more about" was about Coco the dog who had been thrown across the street by the neighbor!

* while on the flight the free TV channel kept on advertising for a resort in Mexico where the shops "catered to the most discerning tastes" aka rolex and tiffanies and such

** did you hear he's not running for president?

***we ~~may or may not~~ have an obsession for lucha.

New York

2011-05-14T12:46:00.001-06:00

Having a hard time getting in the blogging mode. So I decided to just post the only journal entry I made during the trip

Day 1 in NYC

04/32/2011

Today we (Kaylynn, Kelsey, Ali and I) arrived in New York. WAHOO! Couldn’t have come any sooner. I really was needing to get away from work for a while.

Enough of that. Don’t want to think about it again for a week!!! The flight was good. I drove up to Ali’s last night to ride to the airport all together. So that’s when I said goodbye to B. I miss him more than when he went to DC. I’m fine when he leaves me (usually) but I get real lonesome when I leave him. And since I’ve only seen him for a few days in the past 2 weeks… We really do need to start going on vacations together. Not like I didn’t want him here, just kind of a girls trip this time though, Idk if he’d be comfortable or happy the whole time.

I sat next to some boys from Divine Comedy on the plane. They were going to NY to do some workshops and a few shows. Crazy. Haha. Not really that crazy. They were surprised I knew what Divine Comedy was. Ali and I recognized the girl traveling with their group as the girl from the Provo UT girls video. The parody of California Girls.

Somehow most of us managed to fit everything into a carry on size. Kelsey was a little upset about it. Haha- she didn’t want to be the only one checking a bag. I had some panics about what to pack until Ali found a Q and A online that matched our trip perfectly. So I tried to pack exactly what was listed by the stylist. I feel pretty good about what I’ve packed. Even think I could have gone lighter on the packing. But I neer know how much lady products I”ll need. You know “JIC”

(Ali packed her JIC box with stupid things like lady biz and tons of extra contacts. Ok so it wasn’t like all this stupid stuff, I packed more).

It was a rainy day with a blue haze over the New York City sky line as we rode into the city. As we approached coming over a hill it seemed as though the blue skyscrapers were dripping down like paint. Till they reached the ground as we crested the top of the hill.

Hans’ place is in Manhattan, awesome. Short metro ride from most of the things we want to do this week. It’s tiny, on the top of his building- we’ve climbed the several story stairs three times today. He’s cute, telling us about this and that around the apartment. Showing us the extra blankets and how the table folds down to make more room. He’s practically giving up his place for a week for us. Sounds like he has guest over a lot too.

When the shuttle arrived on the street he was there to meet us. Kept offering to help us carry our luggage up the stairs as we were loosing our breath. We all made it up on our own. Ha. Hans seemed genuinely happy we were there. He had made a list of things he thought we should do during our stay. I think we’ve done 2. Maybe just 1?

We walked over to trader joes to get some supples for breakfasts and some snacks. Got some pizza at the papa johns down on the street next door. Then we took the metro to Times Square.

Crazy. The street lit up like it was just an overcast day. All the strories high adds and insane mega versions of popular "All American" stores. A 3 story toys R us complete with giant Barbie house, ferris wheel and neon lights of course. So many people, like sardines walking down the street together.

We just came home and are getting ready to sleep. The metro was amazing though, so fast and efficient. I have no idea where we are going but Ali seems to have it figured out. Public trans pro I guess. Haha. I was surprised by the speed of the trains the literally blow you away as they pass.

The weather has been good. During the packing panic I was most worried about weather appropriate clothing. The forcast I was looking at was showing chances of showers but temps from mid 50s to low 70s. then Ali was saying how she was seeing 100% chance of showers and feels like 37 and such. Today it had been rainy but it wasn’t too cold and the rest of our time here is supposed to be warmer and dryer than today. So I think it will be good. And I should get the chance to wear the skirt I packed.

I’m excited to go to the broadway show on Tuesday. Me and Ali are seeing a new one, the Book of Mormon. Made by the ex mormon creators of South Park. Critics have liked it and apparently so have the bloggers- even mormon ones so we’ll see how it is!

B told me to talk to him while I was away. So far I’ve texted him more than he’s responded. That’s how he always is though. Wish I could send picture messages though. Ever since we jail broke my iPhone pic messaging hasn’t worked. Oh well, I’m taking plenty on my camera complete with documentary style videos, so I’m sure he’ll see more than he wants when I get home.

Mother

2011-05-08T23:56:00.000-06:00

Despite all the things I do she'd rather I didn't

Even with all the things we disagree on

And still when we aren't as close as we should be

She loves me.

That's what my mother is to me.

not like anyone's been waiting....

2011-05-03T14:14:00.001-06:00

But I plan to start blogging again soon.

Onions

2011-04-14T23:51:00.000-06:00

aka Garden 2.0

Over here at Daybreak we have these things called community gardens. Me and B tried it out last year in an effort to be awesome and grow our own food -- with the ulterior motive of making friends. There was a couple who showed some interest but I think I scared them away because seemed like every time we saw them I was in some intensive and dramatic, albeit important, phone conversation with a friend.

So the friend thing failed, and other than the (short and fat) cucumbers that I ate every day, I think the garden failed too. The rare strawberry was tiny, the lettuce overabundant to the point we couldn't eat it fast enough, the brocoli never flowered, the one pumpkin that grew didn't fully ripened, the pepper plant grew 2 teensy peppers we didn't dare eat, we forgot about the carrots and they either became preemie baby carrots or giant mutant carrots melded together, and the onions, much to Brandons dismay, never grew at all.

When we got the fliers from Daybreak letting us know it was time to renew our garden plot reservation, we were apprehensive about trying again. I think that Brandons dream of making homemade salsa from our home grown veggies is what pushed the scales.

This time we are ready, with an automatic watering hose that will water our garden everyday with no effort on our part. Isn't gardening fun?

We stopped by the plot a while back while on a bike ride. While inspecting the soil, Brandon noticed a green shoot near the front of the garden. he carefully dug it out of the dirt and sniffed it....

Onion.

April Fools

2011-04-05T21:38:00.000-06:00

So, I can't tell if my april fools joke was successful or not. I think it was.

I woke up and realized it was April fools, and I hadn't planned anything. So I hoped onto facebook (like I do every morning - look, it's not a problem if it's not harmful ok? Like who cares if I'm addicted?) and I found a picture of my twin sister that I thought most of my friends hadn't seen, cropped it in and posted it as my new profile pic, boasting about my new 'do (you know "hair do," keep up with me people) and how much I looked like Ali when I had matching hair. haha.

Well last night when me and b had some friends over, after dinner my friend does a double take at me and says, "you were joking about your hair!" so I'm gonna call it a win.

Back to April fools......wasn't it such a beautiful day? It was. I rode my bike to work. No joke. But I texted B to see if he could fit it in his car (didn't seem like such a fun ride home) he texted back, "april fools :)"

After work B told me he wanted to take me to dinner because I had such a hard day (because it's so hard when you ride your bike to work and your boyfriend doesn't believe you, trust me on this one) and then something truly out of the ordinary happened.

Brandon wanted to go out on a Friday night. We went to Gracies to play shuffle board, and it was Brandon's idea.

No joke!

2011-03-30T23:21:00.000-06:00

Last weekend was very spiritual....

My Brother was baptized. Our family friend (and his name sake) performed the ordinance.

All the sisters dressed alike in blue.

The baptismal covenants are really beautiful.

To bear one another's burdens
To be willing to mourn with those that mourn
To comfort those who stand in need of comfort
To stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places even until death

I especially like the first three. What wonderful things to promise. Imagine a world where each person took these oaths and stood by them until death.

Turning the other cheek, loving your enemies, understanding others feelings, being Empathetic. I think that's what Jesus was all about. Imagine a world where Christians really acted like Christ. I think those thoughts are what moved me.

And so by the time I gave the closing prayer I was sobbing. At least I wasn't alone, made Ali cry too. Coo is already such a sweet boy, tender and loving. Not all that roughness and violence so common among "boys that will be boys."

On Sunday me Ali and her boy went to the Holi Festival in American Fork

walking to the festival we got the first splash of color

Alis face was completely covered in purple. Just how she wanted it.

Have I ever told you how I love pink hair?

The festival was explained in this way, Holika (the name sake of the festival) was given the power to walk through fire and not be burned by the gods. She used the power to do evil things, like take babies into the fire and burn them. She tried to do this to Prahlad who was extremely devout. He chanted Gods name and God saved him, and Holika burned instead.

In the temple we were blessed, or something, not sure what happened. But there was also chanting and dancing. It was an amazing corporeal spirituality.

The message was that we all have gifts and talents, and that we should use them for good. To help others and to "glorify God." What does that even mean? I think that it is being peaceful and loving, being compassionate and caring, giving to those in need, and being happy and joyous in living.

.........................................

Brandon made me go to Chili's like this lol.

Title X

2011-03-23T12:01:00.001-06:00

LOVE IT!

film

2011-03-23T10:09:00.000-06:00

I have a 35mm film Canon Rebel That I bought some years ago for a photography class.

My favorite part about it is finding rolls of film that I've forgotten about.

a long lost image from my 22nd birthday

I was so excited about this one, It was actually taken with a disposable camera at my Gaga themed Birthday party. Such a great band photo though, don't you think? (also reminds me how much nicer the living room looks now)

at the Dinosaur museum after our Grand Canyon Trip

B loved this puppet. So much that we tracked it down for his nephews birthday present

I know not the best images, but with no flash, shooting indoors is a challenge!

I feel kinda sad/bad looking at these images. I hated that dog, I always was complaining about him (but really he destroyed a lot of my nice things) By the time I was starting to just accept living with him B got had given him back (he came with a lifetime return policy - thankfully). But I know B loved him (like all dogs) and was very sad to let him go.

lol, all these pet pictures make me look like an animal freak -- but there isn't much to photograph when indoors all winter!

What I loved about Gaga

2011-03-22T11:58:00.000-06:00

All the weird looks I got walking around Gateway

How all the other monsters walking around Gateway loved my shoes

Alexander Mcqeen shoes

The shoes of another monster that he had made himself and looked kinda like this---->
and the way that he could only walk a few steps at a time (in the rain) because of the pain. We feel ya.

How awesome she is

How she probably said the F word as many times as she said Jesus- and she wasn't saying Jesus as a curse word.

How she performed most of my favorites. Including Telephone :)

How there were women of all ages who went all out with their outfits.

How real she is.

How we got in the Hotel free with a Gaga ticket.

How I didn't have to pay for parking because by the time I left they weren't charging anymore.

Real Food 2

2011-03-03T15:05:00.000-07:00

So remember how me and B and Aaron were going to start making dinner on Monday nights?

Last monday was my turn again. I went with a recipe I have been wanting to try for years. Yes years, shows you how often I cook.....

Anyway it was from a Cosmo mag and you can find it here

It's macadamia nut crusted tilapia. Brandon doesn't like fish or nuts. lol so I had to get him chicken instead, and we were having Ali and Bryan over and Ali's a vegetarian so I had to make Tofu for her. I know what you're thinking, Why not just make one thing that everyone will eat.

Years, I've been wanting to try this for years.

Was it worth it?

It was good, but not OMG, so good!

The salsa had a nice sweet taste and the nuts added a nice texture and taste to the fish. Ali said the tofu turned out nicely too. I'm happy about how it turned out despite the fact that

1. I didn't have time for the fish/chicken (especially the chicken) to thaw completely so I had to bake it for about twice as long.

2. I made the instant rice wrong. HAHA I know, but I am the girl who cannot seem to make macaroni and cheese out of the box. So this cooking thing is definitely new.

3. I didn't have "fresh pineapple" just used canned.

4. Couldn't find snow peas and had to substitute with snap peas. I know, crazy!

If you were wondering this is what mine looked like,

(brandon also doesn't like cilantro either, so I left it out of the rice...... he actually doesn't like peas either so he was eating baked chicken rice and salsa. lol)

Killer Keychain

2011-03-03T14:17:00.001-07:00

Ok, see that little cat face in her fingers. Awesome.

My auntie gave me and my twin (pictured above) these keychains ~~just because~~ for safety.

You know that email that you got a thousand times telling you about the predators underneath or behind your car, so you need to walk out to your car with your keys in-between your fingers ala Wolverine

well, I don't have to do that anymore.

That little kitties ears are designed to kill, one punch to the throat and it's over.

Basically it's awesome and I've been dying to tell somebody how I feel about it!

Check out how other people feel about all kinds of things over at my girlish whims

Birthday wishes!

2011-03-02T13:59:00.000-07:00

Today is the birthday of 3 important people in my life.

my two boys

B and Coo

(Here they are playing chess.)

And B's sister Linds!

This morning I was singing Happy Birthday to Brandon. He kept on saying, "again, again." I sang it at least 7 times. Then he's driving to work and calls me, "again"

so I sang it again.

It's his birthday.

And now I'm off to hang with Coo!

Sweater Cat

2011-02-25T20:48:00.000-07:00

When Pepperjack gets crazy we have to calm him down. By putting on his sweater.
I like sweater cat better.
He doesn't jump up on counters, tables, whatever, and knock down breakable things.
He doesn't stick his head under the cat food when I pour it into his bowl.
He doesn't scratch up the stairs, or your toes when they peak out from under a blanket.

but he just looks so sad.

2011-02-23T16:43:00.000-07:00

So, I've seen people wearing their scarves under their belts. And I'm all, WTH?
But I did it anyway.
lol
Wore it to Cadence Dance Company's performance at the Fifth in Bountiful (my sister is in the company)

Yes, that's a necklace in my hair.
after the scarf in my belt, I was like,
Why not?

Must have been cute because after we went to Gracies, and I got in without paying the cover charge..... haha!

Bouquet

2011-02-16T14:22:00.000-07:00

Story time....

Once upon a time there were two young lovers, Tashi and Brandon.

Tashi was not feeling well so "B" decided to come cheer her up.

He arrived at her door step with a bouquet of flowers.

She made a funny face and said, "what did you get me flowers for?"

haha!

Maybe I was surprised at the romantic and kind gesture, ok?

After all I'd only received flowers, like, twice in my life.

Brandon, traumatized by the event, never again bought flowers for Tashi.

Even on Valentines Day.

excuse the messy kitchen

Thats OK though, pineapple and chocolate covered strawberries are much more tasty (even if your boyfriend eats most of the strawberries for you).

What I Wore Wednesday

2011-02-16T14:07:00.000-07:00

So I'm linking up at the Pleated Poppy again for some What I Wore Wednesday!
Again I just have one outfit.... I've been working 6 days a week lately and so I only wear one real "outfit" a week anyway.
But I really wanted to show you my hat...

Hat: Claires

Shirt: Wal Mart (Miley and Max- I guess it's not so secret that I secretly love this line)

Tank: ?

Belt/embellisment: ?

Pants: ? I stole them from my sister.... It's a symbiotic relationship

Shoes: forever young

Stylish Blogger Award....

2011-02-15T23:26:00.000-07:00

Rebecca from My Girlish Whims

nominated me for the stylish blogger award! How cool is that. I found her blog when I linked up for the Wednesday Wear post. Along with her other outfits, she had a picture of her wearing a pink snuggie! soooo awesome.

I'm really slow getting back to this, but I at least wanted to thank her!

So once nominated you are supposed to link back
tell 7 things about yourself
and pick 15 reciently discovered bloggers. (I'm bad and am not doing this part. I've already taken so long to do this post, and I don't think I could come up with 15 bloggers!)

so anyway 7 things about me

1. I wear wigs. Nothing new but I want to show you them all!

Me in my red, my sister in my blonde

same one I wore here.

2. Me and my twin sister throw our own birthday parties. lol because we are cool like that.

21st "mocktail" party

our 22nd Gaga themed

Karaoke

3. I have deformed feet.

Bunions and longer big toes

4. I pretend like I'm crafty. Every now and again I will get this "creative fever," and stay up all night creating something. It usually only gets half way done and then it will be several months before I stay up all night again finishing it.

the dress I made out of neck ties.
I know I look like a crack whore, Ok?!

Wall art I made for my mom

5. I need help deciding whether I should go back to school for photography or public relations.

6. Me and my girlfriends try to do a trip every summer. Usually it is camping and then we always talk about when we grow up we'll do actual vacations.... and last year it was a cruise to Mexico and this year it's NEW YORK CITY! (I'm Miranda..... because 4 girlfriends + New York = Sex and the City)

We always camped by a lake.

a private beach in Puerto Vallarta :)

If I'm one of the girls, I'm Miranda imo

7. I pole dance. It's pretty awesome. I take classes at a place called Adult Dance and Fitness. They also teach aerial silks and circus stuff, like trapeze and lyra. But I only have time (and love) for the pole.

me doing the Alegra

me and my sister performing, Yes I'm wearing my wig :)

Real Food

2011-02-03T16:03:00.000-07:00

source

So Brandon decided that we should make "real food" for dinner every Monday night. haha! yeah, if you know me well you know I love those microwave burritos because
1) they're MICROWAVE burritos
2) they taste amazing.
Anyway we only eat easy things like the new (and AMAZING) skillet meals. There are even skillet meals made by P.F. Changs and T.G.I. Fridays and other restaurants, and seriously, you throw them in a skillet for ten minutes and then you eat it.

I know, right? Better than microwave burritos.

So we decided to switch off Mondays and take turns making dinner, and we got Aaron to join in. The first week was Brandons and since he's a cheat he got a roast from Walmart. Like a prepackaged roast where all he had to do was throw it in his slow cooker and wait to take it out.....

I know, like as easy as a skillet meal, only slow.

And then he's all, "but it can't be something like this, this is the only time. You have to really make a meal, k?"

I know, total cheat.

Last monday was my turn, I was going to like take pictures and post the recipe but
1) I think that might have been too much of a domestic leap for me
2) Really, I was scared that it wouldn't turn out and I'd screw it up (which I kind of did).
But I think I pulled it off! Brandon and Aaron liked it, and had seconds even :) .......even though B picked out all the vegetables, and it was mainly vegetables.

But then, I had all these left over like ingredients so yesterday I had this awesome BLT with pickles and gouda cheese on an english muffin, and today I had leftovers.

I guess what I'm saying is this real food thing is pretty yummy,
and next time I'll take some pictures. haha

I can't help myself.. What I Wore Wednesday

2011-01-26T13:18:00.000-07:00

Maybe it was watching Sex in the City. Maybe (and more likely) it's being a blog stalker of random people I've never met who are so cute and fashionable, my favorite is strangely enough the sister of a good friend of mine, over at Meet Virginia Design.

But I feel like a fashion disaster. I feel like I should "get ready" for the days. It sucks having to wear certain things for work (only black and white) so I should probably actually wear something cute on the days I don't work right?
Anyway, over at this blog The Pleated Poppy they do this thing called What I Wore Wednesday. All these women get ready every day and post their cute outfits. You should check it out!

I just have one outfit to share, I went to Cheesecake Factory with my bestie Jenn to catch up! When we go we like to SUIT UP (and get two cheesecakes to go)!

love the colors of our dresses!

Jenn thought she looked like a hooker, I thought I looked like a little girl (like 2-5 yr old). Here I am swinging my purse, you know how they [the hookers] do on South Temple?

Dress: Target (xhileration)
Tights: Hot Topic? not sure
Shoes: Forever Young (Delicious)
Bag: TJ Maxx (Steve Madden)
Jewelry: ? came with a watch, bought at the $20 sale on the Carnival Splendor (except the bracelet was ~~gifted~~ a christmas gift years ago... I think)
and here's the fun part!....
Wig: Roberts Wig Shop (Forever Young, Troika International)!!!!

Me and Jenn bought our first wigs together a couple years ago. I have 3 now, and LOVE THEM, I think I need some more.....

What do you think? do I look like a little girl with the mini dress and the tights? Jenn said I looked like Alice in Wonderland. haha!

2011

2011-01-20T10:39:00.000-07:00

This year and last I didn't make any resolutions. They just never seem to get done.
Some common themes are; be a cleaner person, have a six pack this summer.

Surprisingly I'm actually being cleaner this year.....
....and I'm starting to see some definition in the mid-section!
a little line down the middle and noticeably tighter!
I'm excited!

IDK

2010-12-28T23:27:00.000-07:00

So I didn't take any pics for xmas because I was sick and gross. I'm sure my parents have some nice ones. I wonder how sick I really was. Everyone at work had been sick and I thought I had escaped it and then with like 3 days left till Christmas I started feeling awful. I vaguely remember deliriously doing last minute Christmas shopping feeling like I was going to pass out and choke up my trachea every time I coughed. That was after working 10 hours at a mad house that is a portrait studio in December. Then I would all but collapse at home with just enough energy to take off my shoes but not enough to take off my jacket. I kept my pills and Halls close at all times. The day before Christmas Eve was my day off and I slept in till 5:30 before going to B's family party. I think at that point I was still loopy, I'm guessing from sickness because as far as I'm aware you cant get loopy off of tylenol.

Anyway feeling much better now. :)

So... B's family does the whole draw a sibling name bit and I drew Jess and Kara got me. So I got Jess a cute necklace from Anthropologie, because Anthropologie is a store that I never would buy something for myself from, but it's always nice to have expensive things, so I like to give them as gifts.

That doesn't make any sense. Like I said I was delirious during Christmas shopping.

Kara got me some zebra print heals!!!!! YAY! So happy. Years ago when I like to think I was fashionable and like hot or something, I had zebra print heals. I wore them all the time and they literally fell apart. Does having new zebra print heals make me hot again? Prolly not. (side note, I saw "prolly" on a t shirt- you know as in probably. I thought my family was the only wordos -you know as in weirdos- who used that.)

Then Me and B exchanged gifts. I gave him clothes. So boring but that's what he wants and needs. He had 2 shirts before Christmas. I seriously think he only had 2 shirts. And he WONT shop. The only time he shops is when he completely destroys his last pair of something (and I mean COMPLETELY to the point of it not being wearable) at which point he replaces it with the exact same thing. I think he's had the same pair of shoes, just replaced, for like 3 years? I threw a pack of pokemon cards and some salt and pepper shakers, the grinder kind he loves, in his stocking for some fun.

He gave me, LADY GAGA TICKETS!!!! Awesome. Didn't think he was gonna pull through this year, but he ~~"totes"~~ (I'm sorry.) totally did! He'd been whining all week how he didn't know what to get me and "lets have a late Christmas because I don't have a gift for you" Anyway, can't wait for March! (remember my 22nd birthday that was Gaga themed? I do)

I stayed Christmas Eve with my parents. Christmas was awesome. Santa still loves me. <3 lol got some awesome scrap booking tools and other awesome things. I really need to go to Walgreens and get some pics now though. (I have at least one roll of film that I've forgotten what's on it....my favorite)

Just so you know I colored my hair.

Just for your viewing pleasure. :)

Thanksgiving!!!

2010-11-30T11:53:00.000-07:00

First off I have to say how grateful I am for......

the end of the Old Navy Thanksgiving radio commercials!

It was awesome this year.

Brandon's family was eating with the Taggarts at 1:00 in Ogden. Had a great dinner there and B and Linds and Kara got to carry on their picture tradition, with great faces that included, "the first in line at Wal-Mart for black friday shopping" and "Kara's skirt just flew up in the wind."

But we had to leave before the pie was brought out to make it to Buca Di Beppo's for my family's thanksgiving dinner at 4. In fact we were late because B was waiting for the pie.

"Bubba doo-doo" couldn't handle the italian sodas. Kept on spilling them everywhere

Food Babies!

Afterwards we went to the "enchanted house" (my aunts) to hang out.

Around 10 the thanksgiving buffet was whipped out. complete with ham and shrimp and like everything.

Then the "moonjar" sisters got together to make the much anticipated annual dance.... We had a few cousins join in too!

then somewhere between the hours of 12 and 2 the pie was served. (and I forgot to take some home for B) lol

Christmas Dance 2010

2010-11-30T11:52:00.000-07:00

2010-11-19T18:23:00.001-07:00

There were always shoes piling up by the door at Daybreak so me and B thought of a solution. Well actually I did a long time ago, but B just finally got into it. This awesome shoe cabinet from IKEA! It fits the space by the door perfectly. After assembling it except for the doors, I realized that there were some pieces that were in the wrong place.....hehe, re assemble!

We put it up under neath the clock that has been hanging there since B's mom gave it to him for Christmas last year. Then I added some personal touch.... Got my hang-able frames, and a couple more from TJ Maxx and Hobby Lobby (where they were 50% off!). And since I didn't have enough pictures printed out I got some scrap-booking paper and made some monograms for two of the frames!

And here is the finished product!

My 23rd! and 100th!!

2010-11-17T20:01:00.000-07:00

The Tenth was my 23rd birthday!

And this is my 100th post! WOO!!!

I celebrated for days and days!!

I did have to work on my birthday, but fter I got off me, Ali, B, Steve and A Dub went out for some karaoke! So much fun! We went to a place called Allure. It was pretty empty, but it was Wednesday. But Allure had everything, pool tables, shuffle board and even a pole. Haha!

Ali had been practicing a song by Taylor Swift she was going to sing (gross I know) but they didn't have the one she was looking for, so she had to sing a song she didn't know as well. Weird thing though, me and Ali's songs that we had wanted to sing were both about Romeo and Juliet.....

I was glad that they had the song I wanted to sing, but when it was my turn, the song wouldn't load and I had to pick a new one last minute! I think it ended up ok.

I had to use my Kiddie Kandid skills to get B to smile

I couldn't convince B to sing- despite the fact that if you just sang one song you'd get put into the drawing for a $200 prize, but all the boys did get up and sing me and Ali "Happy Birthday" that included a second verse, "how old are you now?" or something like that. It was cute.

When we were done with karaoke we went to B's and played Rock Band! the new version with the keyboard. lol it is so hard, for real. We ended up playing till 4 in the morning.

I was supposed to have the next day off, but I had agreed to go in for a few hours to help because there were so many appointments booked due to a 50% coupon expiring that day. I was only supposed to be in 10 to 2 so I figured I'd go home and get a nap but I ended up not being able to leave until 6!

Me and B were so tired after we got off work, but we went out to eat for my birthday. I got to choose so we went to Red Lobster. lol there are only 2 things on the menu for B to choose between because he doesn't eat sea food. After that B gave me my present! STRIPPER SHOES!!!! wahoo!

The next day (Friday) Ali had booked a pole party at the studio we both have memberships to, Adult Dance and Fitness. Ali had asked the party to be booked at the Midvale location, Pearl, but there was a mistake and we had been booked at the Ogden location, Blue! yikes. We ended up driving up to Ogden and at least the instructor waited for us to arrive and still gave us a full hour. So it turned out ok, and I got to use my new shoes! After the pole party we went to Sagen's place to hang out.

Saturday, besides working, I just chilled out. I was so exhausted. lol

Sunday I went to my parents for my birthday dinner and cake and ice cream. In my family you get to pick out your favorite food for your birthday dinner! So I chose ham, "Johnny Mathis" potatoes (our version of "funeral potatoes") and cooked carrots. Yummy! My mom gave me some left overs to take home.... I think I'm gonna go eat them!

Modest is Hottest?

2010-11-14T02:45:00.000-07:00

This video is appalling.

I'll take you through step by step.

First major flaw of this video is its complete lack of a real woman. They are using Barbie dolls to represent the women. Great, lets start off with no real women in a video aimed at women (assuming from the comment by the poster that reads, "An awesome music video about modesty! A must-have for all the young women in your life.") and let's use a totally unrealistic and unattainable standard of beauty that is Barbie.

Then the men (boys rather) are dressed in ridiculous and completely random costumes. This implies a complete lack of standards for what men are to look like/dress like, creating a double standard concerning appearance between the sexes that disfavors women, especially because this is not just about appearance, it's about finding happiness for the rest of your life and it's all tied up in sexuality.

The song starts of, "never make a naughty woman your wife." We learn soon after that naughty women are women that show their "midriff." Reducing a woman's virtue to the clothes she is wearing. And when I say virtue I'm not talking about sexual purity or anything like that I mean her basic goodness, what makes her good vs. "naughty."

Probably the most troubling lyrics are the "naughty" woman, "makes the guys stop cold and stare." Apparently men have no control over their actions let alone their eye direction. They "stop cold" in some way incapacitated by the sight of her belly. A statement like that is no good for either sex. It first off makes the woman responsible for not only her own actions but also the actions of the men around her. And it assumes that men are not in control of themselves and fall prey to any woman who shows skin.

Also while that sequence is playing, there are captions that say "wanna see my plastic undies." So women who show their midriff also like to show off their underwear? Their PLASTIC underwear to be precise, again so unrealistic.

The modest woman is unhappy because all the boys are noticing the naughty woman. The boys just like her because of "the clothes she doesn't wear." The crazy thing about this is that the whole video is talking about how wonderful and happy a woman who wears more clothes is going to make a man if he marries her versus the woman who wears less clothes. The advice to the men is, "if you want to be happy for the rest of your life make a modest woman your wife." The kind of woman that will make a man happy is one that DRESSES in a certain way. It 's all about what she is wearing, the message to the girls is to attract men using clothing. I thought that's what they were trying to get away from? Anyone else getting mixed messages here? I know this is just about modesty but seriously I feel, as a woman, degraded. I feel like this video is reducing my worth and my desirability as a sexual partner to my clothing?! No mention of personality, or any legitimate qualities of any kind. In fact the "women" portrayed in the video are bitchy, mean, jealous, and violent- and all for the attention of some stupid boys.

Reality check time, ALL guys like a lot of skin. What you thought that the guys who date "modest" women didn't like skin? They all want some just like the next guy (If you want to see what mormon boys really think check out the confessions of a mormon bachelor pad.) and they are for sure gonna want women to take it all off when they become their wife, pretty sure they will be just fine with a woman showing her midriff then getting all naughty.

And again the way that women are portrayed in this video is disgusting- how they are all mean to each other and have this rivalry. We should be promoting comraderie and compassion between women, we already have enough to fight against, lets not start fighting with each other, ESPECIALLY over the kind of men that would make and promote this kind of message. I can't believe that rude insult about her shirt being 1/2 off and even worse the caption about her morals being loose because her shirt is tight?!?!?!

Then just as sickening as a man sexualizing a woman just because she showing more skin, the one dude comments to the other, "Oh I saw your wife the other day" in this gross violating tone and then describes her as, "straight out of the for strength of youth pamphlet." Anyone else grossed out? Just another standard based on looks and clothing for women to achieve in order to be sexually attractive.

And then all the sudden when the "naughty" woman puts on a jacket she gains self respect? Tying her self respect directly to clothing and outward appearance. Not something valuable, like oh I don't know, service to the community, being a friend, having compassion, volunteering for something she cares about, loving others- nope it's clothing.

Now the Ken doll asks the formerly naughty Barbie out for dinner-- because he likes her jacket. Again reinforcing that her sexual desirability is tied directly to her clothing!!!!!! AHGGHHGHGHGHHG!!!!!!! THIS IS HOW TWISTED THIS "MODESTY" CRAP IS!!!!! Isn't that the whole thing they are supposed to be avoiding? Heaven help the poor girls and women who have this "awesome music video about modesty" in their lives. GROSS!

also what is this whole "sin-cinnati" thing going on?

If you didn't believe me that Colby was evil before.....

2010-11-14T01:08:00.002-07:00

....You will now.

Happy Late Birthday

2010-11-13T23:57:00.001-07:00

G blowing out her candles on her cupcake!

This is a (late) Happy Birthday shout out to my little sister G! I still need to get her a present. Coo says that she likes homemade and she does, so I'll see if I can think of something to make for her tomorrow! lol I get so behind on those things.

2010-11-10T10:01:00.002-07:00

It's my best friend's birthday! AND MINE!!! Yay! 23! weird.

coming out.

2010-10-19T14:54:00.000-06:00

I'm wearing purple tomorrow. You should too.
There's been a lot of attention on homosexuality lately in the media and on social networking. What with the tragic suicides and then in my community especially with the LDS leader Boyd K. Packers general conference talk where he condemned homosexuality. (the online version has been changed from the original talk.) A lot of my friends on facebook used their statuses to stand up for Packer after the media and others were "attacking" him for his remarks, especially the bad timing of his remarks.

It's made me think about my own experience with accepting homosexuality. I was raised as a mormon, and believed that homosexuality was wrong and sinful and gross. The first time I met a person who was openly gay was when I got my first job after high school at a local cafe. It sounds so stupid now, but I realized that he wasn't any different than me. He had dreams and friends and family. He had someone he loved and hobbies he enjoyed. We believed different things, but we were both doing our best to be good people and get where we wanted in life, we had the same struggle.

I know that almost everyone knows someone who is homosexual, and a lot of people who are anti-gay rights will say things to the effect of, "I know gay people and I love them but it's still wrong" or whatever. But love isn't the part of the message that's getting through. Really it's obvious why- You can say that you love someone, but it's your actions that show them. How can we say that we love these people, while using our "time and means" to stop them from having the rights that we enjoy? Yes I'm talking about prop 8 and the mormon communities' massive monetary involvement. Really it's all about empathy. By really seeing a persons struggle as your own, and understanding it from their point of view, their struggle becomes your struggle. And really it's not that much to ask- just let people live the way they want without stigma and hate.

I used to think that children NEEDED a mother and a father to have the best life possible, that men and women were so different that they both had to be there as parents in a family for the children to develop properly. But that's just not reality. What's most important is that children have a parent(s) that loves them. Men and women really aren't that different. In relationships roles aren't always traditional masculine and feminine. Each family works in it's own unique way that provides for the individual needs of its members.

I was still against homosexuals adopting when one day at work I asked my gay co-worker if he would like to adopt a child someday. His answer surprised me, not because in fact he DID want to adopt someday, but because when he happily contemplated a family in his future I wondered to myself why all those years I wished that he couldn't or thought that he shouldn't be able to have his own family. Not only would adoption make him and his partner happy, it would provide a safe and loving home for a child who needed one.

{my first year at pride}

A lot of people will say that they are protecting families by fighting against allowing homosexuals the right to marry and adopt. But really they are tearing families apart- families who disown their gay children, children who aren't protected by the law when something happens to a parent, families that can't be united because immigration laws don't recognize them as a family. They are telling children with homosexual parents that their families are not as important or valid. They are lying to themselves- they are causing more harm and hurt and pain and sadness than any form of good.

And people will say, "homosexually is a choice." While I think this is misguided and wrong (although I'll admit that research is not conclusive) the real point is why does it even matter? Why are people trying so hard to stop someone else from living the way they want to and having the same rights we do? It seems like a wicked waste of time to me.

Playing in the leaves

2010-10-19T13:49:00.002-06:00

You Know Your Family Is Weird When....

2010-10-03T16:55:00.004-06:00

Last night I was hanging out with my family.

Maddie was planning out her future film rendition of Jane Eyre. The current actress of choice for Blanche was Selena Gomez who sings that song that goes, "You are the Thunder and I am the Lightning!"

Maddie likes that song because it is like they are two parts that are so perfect together. Didi also thinks it is a good partnership.

Several renditions of partnerships followed......

Gretel sang, "you are the elastic and I am the hair!" and, "You are the mascara and I am the eye-lash!"

My mother joined in, "You are the garbage and I am the bag!"

Maddie added in a little family joke, "You are the B.Y.U. and I am the B.R.A.*"

And in a grand finale Coo exclaims, "YOU ARE THE CAT AND I AM THE KITTEN!!!"

I don't think he gets it.

*my mother wont say "bra" she has to spell it out. "BYU" was frequently confused as "BRA" by my little brother in his younger years.

Grandeos

2010-09-20T18:45:00.008-06:00

Brandon

Ali

Steve

and I

went on a little vacation.

We saw the Grand Canyon and stopped at Moab to see the Delicate Arch on our way back.

We first made a stop at the Grand Canyon. I had been in charge of finding a trail to hike. I found the Bright Angel Trail. Along with several warnings about making sure you were prepared and blah blah. Things about the conditions changing rapidly below the rim of the canyon.

We arrived at the Grand Canyon late at night, and caught a glimpse! It was so exciting!

So the next morning we get all ready and excited, filling up our camel packs! Woo! It was so crazy how deep it was! and at first you could only see half way down! Going down was pretty easy. We were all having a good time. I took pictures of the warning signs.... thinking they were kind of funny........I read it in english and Ali read it in French.

At the midway point there was a sign that read, "Going down is optional. Coming back up is Mandatory!"

We decided to go down to the plateau point - where you can first see the river.

It was amazing.

Just starting to get a little tired we took a break and ate some fruit trail mix and granola bars. except for Ali- a squirrel stole her granola bar. The only food we brought, despite the advice to hikers that they should eat twice as much as they normally do while in the Canyon.

We headed back to the previous rest stop, Indian Gardens. Where we were all exhausted, I wanted to take a nap. But we knew we had to get going because it was supposed to take twice as long to get back up as it did to get down. And it had taken us about 4 hours to get down..... But past indian gardens my legs started giving out. My hip started hurting so bad. And Someone in the group started puking. About 10 feet at a time we'd walk and then break. walk and then break. walk and then break. At a pase of about 1 mile per 1 1/2 hrs. we finally arrived at the half way point. Where I hobbled off to the bathroom and laugh/cried at "going down is optional, going back up is mandatory"

I'm not really sure how we got out of the canyon. Ali and I were peeing every time we took a break (which was every couple of minutes). Steve was puking. I had a break down about 3 miles from the top and started crying. I couldn't walk with out Brandon holding me up and basically pulling me up onto each step. He told me he would carry me if only he wasn't too tired himself. Ali was impatient and wanted to get out of the canyon asap. Didn't we all? It was getting dark. And I was getting worried. We decided we couldn't make it anymore. For a moment I thought Steve was going to die or pass out. B called 911. They just told us that Ali and Brandon would have to help me out of the canyon and that Steve had been (as we called it) "desalted" and we should just rest for about 30 min to an hour and enjoy the starry sky. Ali went on ahead and some hikers had mercy on us and gave her a head lamp and some energy bars. God bless them.

About a mile from the top as we hobbled a few feet and then sat down to rest a couple ran past us. "I deserve a slurpee after this" the woman said.

We had seen them 5 hours ago running down the trail.- about the time we were at the half way point on our way up.

"how far did you guys go down?" we asked.

"Plateau Point"

yep.

Good thing our hotel room was about 20 feet from the door.

The next morning was still a little painful but I could make myself walk without a limp to the continental breakfast. And me and Ali soaked in the hot tub and it made my legs feel so much better I could almost walk normally with out even trying.

Made a stop at 4 Corners and a trading post and had a heated argument about whether or not the government should pay native americans and whether or not they are lazy and unproductive (Brandon's views).

We got to Moab that evening. We checked into the legit La Quinta hotel that was awesome and that B had made fun of me for wanting to stay in. Watched a few episodes of Scream Queen and headed out to find a place to eat. we found Eddie McStiffs!

and the dog who rides motorcycles!

and the next morning we packed up, drove to the park and hiked up to see the arch.

Very cool.

My hiking boots and camel pack are still in the front seat of Bs car. Lol I'm too lazy to take them out!

2010-08-18T12:23:00.003-06:00

Yah know how you know when it's coming? Even though you tell yourself it's not due till next week. Oh well, I have the day off and an excuse to lay around and drink a couple cups of tea. I will justify laying in bed on the internet for hours because the laptop makes a nice hot pad......

Happy Period.

"Stolen"

2010-08-14T20:57:00.009-06:00

We watch the season pull up its own stakes

And catch the last weekend of the last week

Before the gold and the glimmer have been replaced,

Another sun soaked season fades away

You have stolen my heart

Invitation only, grand farewells

Crash the best one,

of the best ones

Clear liquor and cloudy eyed, too early to say goodnight

You have stolen my heart

And from the ballroom floor we are in celebration

One good stretch before our hibernation

Our dreams assured and we all, will sleep well

You have stolen

You have stolen my heart

I watch you spin around in your highest heels

You are the best one,

of the best ones

We all look like we feel

You have stolen my

You have stolen my heart

Lyrics by, Dashboard Confessional

Remember the Splendor Day 7

2010-08-11T19:23:00.004-06:00

Last Day At Sea....

We got all ready to sun bathe, but it was too cold and windy!

So we did some shopping, bought a couple of the photo's they had been taking of us all week....

and hit up the $20 watch sell that was like a mad house. It was worth it.

Took some final eating pictures. :( Mine and Ali's are too bad to be shown to anyone. (especially mine) I am deadly serious.

Amoeba? Heart? Half-made Swan? We will never know.

We sadly left our luggage out the door to be picked up that night.

Coming home

Ali's face is too funny.

Walking off the boat.

We thought we would give ourselves time to get to the airport and everything. Too bad they were super efficient at getting everyone off. We had like 5 hours at the airport. Good thing we had a bachelorette party to plan...

Giving the souvenirs! My mom Loved the purse.

Gretel added to her collection of international Dolls

Got Dad a watch in the madness that was the watch sale.

A T-shirt because his name is Lucas!

And this is why we bought so many masks!!! Awesome Right!!!

It was good to come home.

Remember the Splendor Day 6

2010-08-11T18:45:00.007-06:00

Cabo San Lucas

The night before at dinner, our host said something like this, "I have some good news and some bad news. The Bad news is Cabo San Lucas doesn't have a port large enough for the boat. The good news is we are going to Hawaii!!!!"

True, Cabo San Lucas did not have the size to accommodate the Splendor, but Hawaii will have to be another trip. We loaded on to smaller boats that took us to the pier.

We went on a boat tour of lover's beach and the arch. Narrated by Jacques Cousteau.

Then we walked around Cabo San Lucas to get to a beach to swim. All the men offering us boat taxi's told us it would take us 40 min. to walk there. It was a long walk but I think we really enjoyed it.

This drug store had everything.... I mean everything.

Haha! We decided we want to come back in a few years, just to stay at Cabo San Lucas. I know Brandon will want to eat here.

We got henna tattoos on the beach.

We bought the rest of the Luchador masks at Cabo San Lucas. Not from this shop but I love how many are on display here.

Me and Ali actually ran around frantic in this Arts and Crafts Market finding a few here finding a few there and we got lost trying to find the last mask purchased.....

The beautiful purple mask with the horns.

It was our second formal dinner.

The ADULT hypnotism show. Me and Ali were really happy we were hypnotized at the other show- far less embarrassing.

Remember the Splendor Day 5

2010-08-09T19:42:00.005-06:00

MAZATLAN

Shopping, Beach and Lunch

There are what's called "second class" hotels in Mazatlan. What makes them second class it that they aren't directly on the beach (which is public property) but they are across the street from the beach. Rooms start at $20.

There are 3 parts of Mazatlan, Old Mazatlan where their historic buildings are and some "second class" hotels. There is the Golden Sun where there are a lot of high end resorts and the hotels are right on the beach. And there is New Mazatlan, which is just getting started, new hotels and resorts and just new city.

We had lunch at the Spectaculare, (not to be confused with the Spectacular Spectacular) where we saw a show of traditional Mexican dress and characters and I forgot what they were called....

The people who spin around and then fall of the top and yea.... ya know this ^

Then we had lunch at a resort and played on the beach.

Red means Dangerous, White means Jellyfish.

Me and Ali didn't care and swam anyway. The water was so warm.... and salty. Good thing I had my massive water bottle from the airport to clean my eyes and mouth out! Serious- salt everywhere.

While Shopping we got a pic with Senior Frog.

Thus begins the acquisition of luchador masks!

At the Hypnotist show where me and Ali got hypnotized!!! It was awesome and yes, real. The funny story about this is, a few weeks after being home I was at work (at Cracker Barrel) and I was taking water and tea around to everyone in the restaurant. While dropping some off at a table a girl asked me if I had been on a cruise recently. Then she asked if I had been hypnotized! haha she had seen the show and recognized me. I'm pretty much famous!

;)

My dinner.

For some reason I don't have a picture of the monkey towel that night! Idk I thought I had taken one! Kelsey, Ali, do you girls have one? I am so sad..... :(

Remember the Splendor Day 4

2010-07-26T23:22:00.008-06:00

This Time I'll just slideshow it!

This was our first port! We had booked a Sea Safari excursion and it was the BEST! Well exceeded my expectations. It was totally awesome because it was ran by a local who really loved what he did and his people and the environment and was so awesome.

So we got in some boats and rode down to a small town called Quimixto. There we got on some horses and donkeys and climbed up the mountain. We were super burnt and there was another lady on our excursion who had gotten too much sun and we bonded over it. We were pretty much cruise buddies after that. We were taken to a secluded waterfall, where me and Ali swam but Kelsey wouldn't because of the fish! Then we were taken to a private beach for lunch. And it was pretty much amazing. Ali said she wanted to be a photographer on an excursion in Puerto Vallarta. Just like she wanted to be a cruise dancer.

We had some time afterward to check out the city and there were the craziest clubs and sand sculptures and mimes and it was just a beautiful place.

We passed our photographer friend on the way back onto the ship. He was headed to the Wal Mart for whatever. And we went back up the room to see our little manta ray towel friend before dinner where a mariachi band was brought on board to play for us!

And check this out. I downloaded Picasa to see if they had some cool photo collages I could use since I have so many pics to show you. Although I was disappointed I think this is practically fine art! haha- This collage is all the photos in the video imposed on top of each other. Pretty awesome for so many reasons.

Seriously though. I'm thinking of like choosing my super favorite photos from the cruise and doing this to them and like making a print and hanging it on my wall.

Remember the Splendor Day 3

2010-07-15T13:02:00.004-06:00

Who's sick of the cruise already? haha.... I have to keep going now..... Another day at sea!

This morning started out with my massage.. So nice. and then some more tanning....

We tried out the water slide and were lazy bums pretty much. We just ate and saw Cabo San Lucas off the side of the ship. then we got ready for the Show!

This is the beautiful theater, the Spectacular Spectacular! This night was a latin show that got us all excited for Mexico the next morning, Puerto Vallarta!

Before dinner we took some pics on the deck..... hahaha Totally awesome I know.

and the cute little dinosaur after dinner, when we freshened up to go to the rock and roll party on Lido Deck!

These are the gentlemen who liked to hang out outside of our door... haha

Remember the Splendor Day 2

2010-07-13T08:58:00.008-06:00

Another day at sea! Room service breakfast! (I'm already in my bathing suit!)

We immediately hit the pool. Me and Ali were pasty white and desperately needed some sun. Unfortunately even though I still looked super white outside and had applied what I thought was too much sun screen the sea sun and the decreasing latitude took it's secretive hold on my skin and by the end of the night I was red. My stomach was the worst.

Anyway though, I enjoyed a Pina Colada by the pool and we met Philip. We basically just tanned by him. Me and Ali got some food to eat even though we had just had breakfast because we are pigs like that and there was food for the eating.

For lunch we got burritos because the first day when I saw them I freaked out and vowed it would be the next lunch I had. Unfortunately they were not the best burritos, but still decent. Then we saw a carrier ship passing by... weird. IDK it's like I know there are carrier ships, but to actually see one is pretty awesome- they are insanely huge.

We saw in the Fun Times that there was an art auction that day. Ali wanted to go because apparently you got some free work of art if you went- yea, didn't happen. So we checked out the art at the Moroccan lounge and stuck little purple stickers on the works we liked. Someone dropped 30,000 on a Max. Well I guess you know what they say, "if you don't have a Max, get a Max." Well it was weird, and intimidating and frankly boring if we couldn't buy anything. Me and Kels wanted to leave and we finally convinced Ali to leave with us.

We went back to the pool and had the most memorable pool time on this day. We met "My Toe." My Toe is Michael's nick name. His mom is hot, even with her fake boobs, and she knows it. His extended family and family friends certainly know how to have fun- and get kicked out of the "kid's pool" for talking about anal sex. His "aunt" is awesome, albeit awkward and a lush, at least on this monday afternoon at 3pm- but hey, she's on vacation.

On our way to the hot tub after some sunbathing we were accosted by Michael's father. he wanted to introduce his son to, "the cutest girls on the boat." The awkward Hellos followed and Michael joined us in the hot tub, with his aunt, who told us about his family and how Michael couldn't say "Michael" when he was little so he said, "My-toe." The parents surrounded the hot tub and asked, "when ya getting married?" ......um never.

Me and Kels quickly decided it was time to get ready for dinner. As Ali and My Toe seemed to be having a decent convo, I told her we were leaving and she could meet us later if she wanted.

When she got back to the room she was all, "why did you leave me there?" and we were all thinking that she had wanted to meet some guy. But I guess after we left things got real weird, she'll have to tell you about that though.

While getting ready for dinner the phone rang. And it was for me, it was the spa! haha discounted package! I took the bait. Hey, I'd never had a massage or a facial before so I thought this would be a good time- I set my appointment for 8 am the next day, so I could "roll out of my bed and onto one of theirs."

Dinner, although formal and delicious was trying, my sun-burned skin was making me FREEZING. The show was the worst, I was curling up as much as possible just waiting for it to end while trying to enjoy it.

Then we checked out the Red Carpet and the Piano lounge and listened to the entertainer play and sing "The Piano Man" as he and the baby grand slowly spun in circles and the sailors on their break puffed clouds of smoke into the air.

Remember the Splendor Day 1

2010-06-27T17:19:00.007-06:00

Our flight was at like I don't even know. We left the house at 6 am. We picked up Kelsey and did the whole airport thang... It really isn't that bad. Except the part where you have to be all early so then there is a 45 minute wait at the terminal where all you can think about is how awesome the next week is gonna be and how you wanna be in Long Beach already- or at least boarding the plane.

So we got some breakfast at the Starbucks that was sitting there. I bought a giant water bottle in case I got thirsty on the plane... didn't break the seal..

Cute little Long Beach Airport. Lovely sun. Good old timer on the camera. Hat dorks..... We got at least 2 comments about 'hat ladies' on the flight over. We located the shuttle fairly easily and did a little google search on my iPhone about tipping the driver. $2 per bag if he is on time and helps with loading the bags.

Well our early flight that it was left us plenty of time at the port to wait some more, watch people get off the boat, play would you rather (ex: would you rather marry be stuck in Cali and see Hans or find a Mexican lover at the port. Or, would you rather get sick now, and be sick the whole cruise or get lost and miss the boat on the last port?- they always tell you to make tough decisions before the moment comes, right!)

Rooms weren't quite ready when we boarded so we headed to Lido Deck for lunch,

and got a glimps of all the splendor of the Splendor....

Awesome decorating, Carnival. Love the pink! Then we went to our room to check it out and see if our bags had been delivered, me and Kels's had but Ali's came later.

Haha, the mini bar. (didn't get used) but we liked it anyway. The room was ok, of course small but I didn't feel cramped. The only thing we wanted more of was electrical plugs!!!! Only one.

We did some boat activities like a tour of the boat and introduction to our Vacation. "You're on vacation!" Did the safety briefing and some sun bathing. Then we got ready for dinner at the Black Pearl.

This was my appetizer. Very appetizing!

Dinner was awesome.

Then we were going to go to this little party but we were so exhausted we decided to take a "nap" that lasted all night long. Good thing we woke up at like 1 am so we could order room service breakfast though... lol

All the things I could blog about.

2010-06-27T17:12:00.002-06:00

There is so much to catch up on..... my followers haha.

I could blog about my cruise that was like almost a month ago... weird

I could blog about going to NV and seeing family- that was cool like cool isn't a cool enough word anymore to describe it...

I could blog about the my grandparents 50th anniversary

I could blog about the arts festival

I could blog about just the daily life.

Why do I have no motivation to blog.......

Hold on it's coming......

Alright I'll start with the cruise.... but this is gonna take a while... I mean I still haven't posted pics on FB because I haven't really sifted through which pics I wanna post....

But be prepared in the next few weeks for some mega blogger catch up!!!!

TIme is not on your side.

2010-06-10T11:00:00.004-06:00

I hate feeling like this. Like I'm wasting my time away... stupid truckers... they come in late at night to cracker barrel and offer you their *wisdom.* They are all do the same thing, order their food like normal- then start talking to you at the end... The last one was calling me "Miss Natasha." He asked me if I study. I'm not really sure how to answer this question because currently no, I'm not enrolled or anything, but I do have intentions of returning to school in the near future. He then proceeded to tell me that he could see my intelligence in my face, specifically in my forehead. He asked me what I was afraid of and told me that I'm only going to get older and then it will be too late. He asked how old I was...

"You know there are homeless people..."

"yeah,"

"and people on welfare?"

Pause where I don't know where he's going or how I'm supposed to react.

"they were 22 once- what do you think happened between the time they were 22 till now, when they are 60?"

He told me about all the foreiners coming to this country with degrees and knowlege in arts and languages. "How many languages do you speak" he asked, "How many languages do you speak fluently." I told him I had started learning spanish, in response to which he explained that all the kindergarteners were learning spanish- by the time they were 16 and I was 32 I would be competing with young, full-of-life-and-ambition people who all would be fluent in Spanish. In short that if I spoke Spanish it would only be standard, "..How are you going to give yourself an edge?" pause, "You will look around and wonder how all these people have things that you don't"

And then a deep monologue about how time is not on my side. And how he wishes he had lived differently when he was young.

Then I have nightmares of never being successful...

And worry and a sense of urgency and looming challenges and obstacles overwhelm me.

......But should I really worry that much. What *things* am I going to covet when I'm older and don't have because of my lack of multilinguility? (feel free to use that one) I don't think there will be that much- I only want enough, I don't care anymore to have a mansion, expensive car, vacation homes- because all that doesn't matter, and moreover creates a society where others don't matter.

If all I have is a short amount of speedily passing time, all I want are the simple pleasures of the one I love, family and friends, and little moments spent in awe of the world around me- because it all ends. In one way or another everything changes to an unrecognizable state, there will be no mansions, no people, no world someday. I think therefore I am- but I will not always be-

So instead of worrying about how other people are going to *retire before me* and *buy RVs that cost $500,000 to over a million,* I think I should worry more about enjoying life- the so called simple pleasures of life- moments of happiness that have nothing to do with my sociopolitical position- rather happiness that has to do with the acknowledgment that it is amazing I have any *time* at all. Not to say that education and knowledge are not important, they are- especially when they are used to improve other's lives.

But I am not too worried about wanting more than I have in my "sunset years," I'm more worried that I'll forget to enjoy passing the time that takes me to those years.

Pictures!

2010-05-25T14:37:00.005-06:00

First this is the Paisley Tie that I told you about here.

And below are some pictures of the Living room that B painted pretty much by himself

(I helped a little with the taping)

I just don't like the arrangement a lot, I can't really explain it easily but it involves future design ideas that don't work in this layout.

So you can see the cute pillows I bought, (not the black one).

I told B the pictures he has hanging are off center, and he doesn't care.

he says it was too much work putting them up so he doesn't want to fix it now.

and here you can see how you can see into the blue kitchen.

We were worried it was going to be too much or that the colors wouldn't work but I really like it.

I think that a yellow table would look nice. Lol would it be too much?

This looks cute! huh?

But It'd be more like this, I saw something really similar at a vintage shop in Salt Lake.

Help? should I convince B to get it? lol I know he would hate it but he said that he is clueless about these things (he REALLY is, made me pick his paint colors and stuff).

Do you like it?

Using your Dollar.

2010-05-21T11:44:00.007-06:00

I would prefer to buy organic and more environmentally sustainable foods that are also healthier. But I am no good with cooking, my family jokes that all I eat are granola bars and microwave burritos. Hey, they are easy and tasty. That's why I love Amy's! Microwavable food that uses organic and natural ingredients and recyclable packaging-

Money is a powerful thing, Companies are going to give us what we want, because we decide where our money goes. So I wanna point out some cool things to help you decide where to spend your money to make a difference. I'm all about things like that, small things that we already do everyday and using those actions to make a difference.

Each time you buy something it's like voting for that product and that company. We need to be more conscious about what we are "voting" for, and here are some tools I like to use to help me pick the best products!

There is this great little iPhone app, and website called Good Guide.

The Good Guide rates products on a scale of 1-10. Products get an overall score from 3 scores based on the company/products environmental, society and health score. What makes it really awesome is that you can create a profile online and customize what scores are more important to you. For example if you are not concerned with social or environmental impact, then you can simply look for products that are safe and healthy for you and your family!

And with the free iPhone app, I can scan barcodes in the store and see and compare ratings while shopping. But if you don't have an iPhone, it's easy to just go online while making your shopping list.

Another resource I try to use is the HRC's buying for equality book.

I got mine last year at the Utah Pride Festival. (which I won't be able to attend this year..... BECAUSE I'LL BE IN MEXICO!!!!!!!!) ahem, anyway.

The Buying for Equality guide rates companies on a 1-100 scale, they are grouped into categories, ie, filling up the tank, home and garden, beauty etc. And then the companies are displayed in Red Yellow or Green (Green is best). The buying for equality guide was one of the reasons I switched to AT&T, AT&T is a Green company in the HRC's guide, while T-mobile is Red.

Anyway, you get the picture. Do you have any resources that help you make good purchasing decisions? Let me know!

TO DO TO DAY

2010-05-20T09:23:00.001-06:00

So today I need to:

Go shopping

toothpaste

toothbrush

cerlo (cereal)

creamer

flip flops/flats

dish soap

blue sequins- So I can do something like this to an old tee.

other food?

Go to the library

print off my food handlers permit.

website: http://portal.trainingharbor.com

Some other random things

clean the kitchen (again)

wash the sheets

read my book (while tanning :))

craft something (hopefully my tee)

go to work

In other news

I leveled up at work yesterday, lol Got my first "PAR" star

And I didn't hear back from the credit union about the job I applied for... oh well. B says I should call today about it, but I wouldn't know what to say, I mean if I was the applicant they chose, wouldn't they have called me?

The cruise is in a week and a half! omg I haven't even started getting ready for it!

Brandon painted the living room! His house is very colorful now, but still needs some stylish decorating help.

In more pressing news

this blog post is a wast of time, delaying the things I actually need to be doing!

Believe it!

(I can't believe Naruto doesn't actually say that, I guess I'll just have to start saying "dattebayo")

and I just remembered that I am literally out of gas.

My car stalled as I pulled into the driveway.....

hopefully I make it to the gas station....

The Puppy.

2010-05-13T22:41:00.003-06:00

So the other day B brought home this little guy on a "one week free trial." He has been talking about him for months-A coworker had been expecting puppies and I guess everyone at work has dogs and so B "needed" a dog.

His coworker had been sending him pictures and videos of the pups when they were younger. I guess Pepperjack doesn't cut pet-wise it for B. Even though he is practically a dog (comes and says "Hi" when B gets home, drinks out of the toilet, and begs for food.)

Lol- except Pepper-jack REFUSES to go on a walk. B got a leash and tried to take him outside...

he FREAKES out and then lays down and will not move.

B has to drag him or carry him.

so, wont be doing that again.

B also pointed out to me the "deal " he was getting on this puppy, it's free and has a lifetime return policy! lol The coworker (and her mom) have said multiple times that if B can't handle the puppy he can take him back anytime, but I'm guessing that's not going to happen.

Pepper-jack has been kind of scary, we can't tell if he's playing or hunting... And B better get this dog potty trained QUICK! he peed like 4 times while I was watching him and pooed twice... yes all on the carpet. So annoying. I tried taking him outside he just got super excited and ran back and forth attacking the plants on the porch.

Anyway he doesn't have a name. We are thinking another kind of cheese, maybe Colby-Jack or something. Any suggestions?