Thrift Therapy

I went to two D.I.s today and beelined it for the book section.  I had a specific title in mind, and figured it would be a cinch to find since last time I came across at least four copies!  I looked through several shelves of books searching for this book but alas, nothing. 

 

I certainly didn't walk out empty-handed though! 

 

I got a few children's classics for my collection for 50 cents each!

 

 

A nice coffee table art book for a steal of $4

 

(image here)

 

Mosby medical dictionary (um, these normally retail upwards of $100 and more) for $4!!!!!  What a steal!

(Books to me are like shoes to my sister! haha)

 

Bird bath

Ok, I'm backtracking a little because I want to share something about yesterday (and I just barely posted something about today!) and this is kinda randome, but anyway, my friend wrote about about how they wanted to fire up the grill and when they opened it up found a huge bird's nest inside!  haha.  My sister has posted a couple of times about the birds in her yard and how her little girl loves watching them out the window.  It just got me thinking about birds I guess, and how fun they are to watch.  I mean, think of going to feed the ducks at the park.  Isn't that such a simple, happy activity?  I think it was the Disney Earth movie that my other sister was watching with her boys once that showed a bird family, and my sister was making dialogue for this really funny looking bird and it was hysterical! 

 

Well, yesterday was a gorgeous spring day.  I love spring sooooo much!  I love the blossoms in the trees and the tulips everywhere and the green!  The weather was perfect; warm in the sunshine, cool in the shade, with a soft breeze.  B and I decided to go for a walk.  Sunday walks are so nice!  At the beginning of our walk we sat on a bench by a fountain at a hotel and watched a cute little bird flapping around in the water.  I wish I'd had my camera.  A couple minutes after playing in the water, the bird flew away.  Another bird (or perhaps the same one) came a few seconds later, flapped its wings around, shook its little tail feather and flew away.  What a beautiful world God has created for us!

Everything's gonna be alright

I suppose I'm pretty much made of glass when it comes to expressing my emotions.  Sometimes I envy those who are going through a rough time and you can't even tell.  Then again, I'm also somewhat proud of the fact that I don't try to hide what I'm feeling.  I can be honest about how I feel, and I'm ok with openly showing that I am weak, as much as it frustrates me.  Hopefully I'm not overly dramatic...well, usually!

 

A couple of days ago I received some unpleasant news.  What upsets me most is that I had the power to change the outcome and now I feel very much like a failure.  It was a stressful week but it was pretty much my own fault.  I hate when I do that and when I am slow to learn such a simple lesson.  I suppose I did what I could, but maybe I could've done more too and that realization has been eating away at me the entire week.  Sure, maybe I'm being too hard on myself but then I also tend to think I haven't been hard enough.

 

It is times like these when I am grateful for the caring people I have all around me.  My family, particularly my sisters who are my best friends (that continuously support me, offer their wisdom, make time to check up on me and make me feel loved), and a handful of close friends that I can turn to anytime. Each day I am more and more amazed by my fiance's keen sixth sense of knowing when I am stressed out or upset about something.  He doesn't hesitate to put his arm around me and ask if I'm ok, patiently listens while I explain what's bugging me, and then reminds me that my mistakes do not interfere with my worth and value as an individual.  I feel grateful for knowing I am a daughter of a loving and perfect God who's always there for me.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is what holds me together.  When the pressures of mortality beat up on me and when an unforgiving world turns its back, I have many many wonderful people around me who will remind me that "Everything will be okay.  It will work out."

 

I am also grateful for the little elf that left one of my favorite chocolate bars on my keyboard at work today (Dove dark). Thank you thank you! :)

ANGRY.

@*&#&<:#$&%#*!!!!!!

 

I. Am. SO. ANGRY.

 

Ahem.  Hi.  Pardon my french. I am typically a fairly patient, temperate person.  Few and far between are the moments in which I experience the intense rage that is boiling inside me at this very instant.

 

I just got out of the Social Security Office.  Last year I filled out the Federal Application for Financial Student Aid (aka FAFSA).  I had never before had a problem and for some reason the University was unable to process it and I was told I had to go update my records with them first, and then take a copy of my documentation to the University.  I never had time (or when I did have time, SSA wasn't open.....of course.  Leave it up to government entities to make things as complicated and inconvenient as possible). 

 

Anyway, I went today with my original SS card plus a copy of the document they needed. II stopped in on my way to work and figured it couldn't possibly take that long.  Boy, was I wrong!  As I sat there among annoying ring tones and smelly people (harsh, I know, but you know it's true!).  I walked in and got my number and waited...and waited.  And waited.  The minutes ticked on. Fifteen minutes, half an hour, an hour, an hour and a half (why does it always take so freaking long?!?!  GRRR!)  FINALLY, my number gets called and I approach the man at the window (wearing a tie that was quite possibly the UGLIEST I've ever set my eyes upon, ever in my life (with polyester hair scrunchies just below the knot...???) I explain what I'm there for and show him my documents. 

 

"Do you have the original" he asked

"Yes I do, but not with me" I replied

Then he said they had to see the original in order to do anything.

ARE--YOU--KIDDING--ME?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!  A voice screamed inside my head. 

I said, "Well it's the exact same thing just in color!"

"We need the original" Ugly tie man said.

"So you're saying I just waited an hour and a half for nothing."  I spit out.

"I'm saying you waited an hour and a half to find out what you need." Ugly tie man replied calmly with his undoubtedly pre-fabricated answer.

 

GRRRRR!!!

 

He handed me a pink slip and told me to come back today or tomorrow before 4, take a number, but that I wouldn't have to wait (yeah right, and how does that work when there is not a human being to interact with between getting the number and sitting there until they call my stupid number?).

 

{{Heavy sigh}}

 

Some things

Me Then. . . . .

Me now. . . . .

Some things never change.

hahaha.  (just kidding)

Things in common

It's funny how my spouse-to-be and I keep finding these random things we have in common.

Besides the some of the obvious (and some obvious once you talk to us) things like we both speak Spanish, served missions for our Church, have brown eyes and hair (we've been told we look like we're related) and we are so dang good looking, attend the same school, have the same humor, have way fun families and are stinkin' awesome......he has been particularly impressed/surprised/excited learning that I like:

 

* Blue cheese (yeah, I know it's stinky but it's sooo good!  And one time, at Denny's we ordered hot wings with blue cheese dip and it wasn't a measly bowl of dip.  It was quite yummy and had big chunks of cheese in it! mmmmm)

 

* Hot wings (I can't eat too many but I like them.  Especially if they are boneless.)

 

*  Dark chocolate (Some think it tastes gross or burnt but I like it.  I guess I have a more sophisticated palate than most. kidding.)

 

Oh, and we both like food a lot (notice those are all food related....hahahaha)

 

 

Get to the point already!

Sometimes I take a long time to tell stories. 

Sometimes this frustrates people.

 

I lose my train of thought in the middle of the conversation.  I get easily distracted and maybe I even get bored listening to myself talk that I zone out a little.

Sometimes this makes the listener feel impatient.

 

Oftentimes I like to include lots of details and background.  I'm very detail oriented ok?  Even if it seems like it has nothing to do with what we're talking about, or if the listener would rather I just get to the point, I promise it will all fit together, eventually.

 

To those who wish I'd just get to the point, I'm sorry.

To those who patiently listen and get me back on track when I go off on a tangent, thank you.

 

And, I will try to get to the point a little faster.

 

 

Who me?!

The other night I was driving home from my fiance's and I went a different way than usual. 

It was late at night and there were hardly ANY cars around. I turned right and made a really wide turn (mostly aiming for the middle lane but gradually coasted into the far left....WITHOUT signaling (*gasp!*). Obviously, I would've signaled had there been cars around. I stoped at the stoplight and looking in my rearview mirror saw a cop in the car right behind me. The light turned green and the cop turned on his lights.

"What?! Is he pulling ME over?!" I thought, shock, horror, terror, and panic pulsing through my veins, as I mentally review why I could be getting pulled over. "Maybe my light is out?....I definitely wasn't speeding....I didn't really signal when I turned....It was a last second decision but there were no cars so I didn't put anyone at risk...AHHHH!"

I pulled over, mortified (I have NEVER been pulled over by a cop before-- except that time when we were speeding, only didn't realize it on our road trip back from Arizona--well, I wasn't the driver though), and rolled down my window, driver license ready to hand over to the officer.

He approached my car, asked if I knew why he'd pulled me over (no idea! Actually, I was really tired and admit I sorta blanked out and drove on auto pilot for a second, but I didn't tell him that!). The officer explained that I had turned wide, to the far left lane. He asked if I'd been drinking, if that was my current address on my license and if I was just headed home. He didn't state he was giving me a warning or anything, just said to be careful and sent me on my way. Phew.

And that is my latest run-in with the law...

Lesson learned: Watch out for those bored cops downtown late at night.

 

(Actually, the thought crossed my mind that perhaps it was Divine intervention.  Who knows?  Maybe if I hadn't been pulled over---I mean, that was a really dumb reason---I would've been in a crash or something.  Whether it was or wasn't, I know Someone is always watching out for us.)

Superman

I sit by the copy machine at work and these are my FAQs:

1) Do you know how to send a fax?

2) Is this thing broken?

3) Can I borrow your stapler for a second?

4) Do you have a pen I could borrow?

Today a girl came up to me and was asking question #4.

"Hi, could I borrow a . . . . . . . . . {very long pause} . . . . . . pen?"

I handed over my one spare pen (which I no longer have now as it walked away with this girl who borrowed it) and she thanked me and turned around to make her copies. Hmm....perhaps I ought to bring some of those random pens I have at home for this very reason? duh.) I showed her a photo and she said: "Oh he's cute! He looks like the new Superman guy, so you're marrying Superman"

A few seconds later she said: "I see something on your finger...That's why I blanked out!"

So I explained how I got engaged a couple weeks ago and she asked "Are you excited?" (nah!!!! not really.

"Yes, he's pretty super!" was my reply.

That's right folks! I'm marrying Superman! :)

I haven't seen the Superman movie and I'm pretty sure B told me people have said that to him beofre, so I figured I'd look him up to see what kind of resemblance there is exactly. I think they're talking about the actor Brandon Routh. Yeah... I suppose I can see it, he's not bad lookin'! Now, I may be slightly biased but my Superman is at least a bajillion times better (in every way) than this Hollywood guy. Then again, I don't really know the Hollywood dude at all so technically it might not be a fair call. Anyway, I love my Superman! hehe

too--many--passwords

Either my memory is getting worse and worse or I need to consolidate my passwords.  Too bad consolidating isn't usually an option since sometimes password requirements vary.  For instance, some sites aren't very strict while others require a minumum of 8 characters, a symbol, a number (and you're not allowed to use certain symbols). 

These days I find myself clicking the "forgot my username" or "forgot my password" (ok, sometimes "forgot both") buttons on websites.  While I am grateful for the use of passwords and I certainly understand the reasoning behind it....I am just getting annoyed that I can't seem to remember them.  Like one of my health resources......I changed my login info recently because I hadn't logged in for quite awhile and now I'm blank.  Arg.

{Giggles: Blonde Password}

 During a recent password audit, the IT specialist for the company found that a blonde secretary was using the following password:

         MickeyMinniePlutoHueyLouieDeweyDonaldGoofy

When asked why she was using such a long password, she replied....                                     

"Duh, you're the one that said it had to be at least 8 characters long!!!"

Sigh

What a lovely day.  Finally!  I can go outside in a short sleeved shirt and not need a jacket!  Oh if only I wasn't stuck in this dungeon (without windows) at work.  I want to go play outside....ride my bike, go for a walk, feed the duckies.  I love you spring! Please stay forever!

Voiceover

A few days ago my boyfr---I mean fiance (!!!!!!) B asked me to help with with an assignment for his writing class, so last night I went over to work on it.  The project consists of a game featuring a choose-your-own adventure storyline that he created.  He wanted to record my voice reading the introduction part of the game.  I recorded the intro in my normal voice and then again in a "British" accent.  Pleased with the results he showered me with comliments and kept saying to his roommates, "She has such a good narrator voice huh!" His roommate said, "Yeah! You should go into voice acting!" Hmmmm....

 

Funny thing is, it's not the first time I've been complimented on my voice.  People claim it's soft, soothing and pleasant to listen to.  Ok, I'll take that!  I can't remember what I was reading aloud to my friend on a roadtrip once and she emphatically said I ought to consider record audio books. I don't understand it sometimes because I don't think it's all that great!  Actually, back when I used to call people on the phone (haha, now I'm often too lazy to call so I'll just send a text instead), I would record and then RE-record (no less than ten times) the message because I thought I sounded to nasally or I mumbled or I sounded too monotone or overly enthusiastic.....

 

Honestly, voice acting sounds really fun to me!  I often break out in different accents in normal conversation too.  Oh and there was that one time that B and I went on a group date with his roomies.  The other two couples were blind dates and we decided to pretend to be on a blind date too and made up this whole story about how I was from Russia and I was now a nanny but had previously been a nude model for art classes....The story was a bit crazy so to make it slightly more believeable I had to talk with a Russian accent--well, my version of it.  In reality it probably wan't authentic but I succeeded in sounding foreign nonetheless.  It was really fun!  The guys knew and had struggled to keep a straight face, and the girls fell for it (we told them after dinner). 

 

Anyway, back to the voice acting, I like talking in different accents and reading stories to kids using a variety of voices for the characters.  Maybe that's a talent worth developing!  I think I'll start looking into it. 

 

Thoughts?

Cake Wrecks

A couple birthdays ago I was given a cake decorating caddy. At the time I was craving to start a new hobby/develop a talent and seeing my sister's and sister-in-law's, mad skills at cake decorating, I wanted to join the ranks.  I wanted to take a cake decorating class and thus.....I was pampered with a box full of cake decorating essentials.  While I have yet to take that class.....My sister showed me this blog which always cracks me up.

 

Cake Wrecks

cakewrecks.blogspot.com

 

Some of these are so funny and others leave me scratching my head at some pretty creative spelling....

 

Check it out for a good laugh! (And maybe even some inspiration for cakes of your own creation)

Snow or Blossoms?

Answer: Blossoms

Oh spring.....when will you be a permanent guest and not fleeting visitor?

Saturday: Part II

Ok, part two.....ready?
I will now proceed to explain how on this particular Saturday I started the day as a single woman and ended it with this on my left hand:

He was planning on proposing after finals were over in May but decided a few days ago he didn't want to wait.  He went to the jewelers on Friday and asked, "Uh....could you have this ready by tomorrow?"  They were great and even rush ordered it at no additional charge :)

 He picked me up Saturday evening with his cousin and other roommate and said we were going to go out to dinner but it was a surprise, so he blindfolded me.  Supposedly we needed to pick up their dates too. We drove for about an hour (well, I didn't even realize it at the time) and by the time we arrived at "the restaurant" I needed to use the bathroom (remember all that water I chugged after the gym.?  Yes.). He took my hand and lead me to a restroom.  I began wondering why it smelled like farm.....Hmm.  It seemed to take FOREVER to get there (I wasn't allowed to take off the blindfold until we were inside the bathroom), since I had NO idea what my surroundings included I was walking kinda slow.  He told me there was absolutely NO chance that I'd run into anything so I picked up the pace.  When I finished we walked back and I wondered where the other girls were.....

They helped me climb up onto something and it didn't take long to realize it was an airplane!  STILL blindfolded, they helped me sit and buckled me in.  He took off my blindfold once we were in the air and what a sight!  It was a smalle four-seater airplane and his roommate was pilot and cousin co-pilot, and we sat in the back.  It was really neat to see all the city lights.  We flew  for awhile passing a couple of temples and then circled just above the temple that we planned on getting married in.  At that point he smiled and said, "I have something for you!" and handed me a small gift box.  I opened it and he pulled out the ring box that was inside.  He said he would get down on one knee if he could....and then asked me to marry him! (of course I said YES!!). 

Funny enough, I had the feeling that's what would be happening as soon as he picked me up!

Welp.  That's the proposal story.

Isn't that so cool?!?!

I loved it.

I love HIM.

He is amazingly wonderful.

He has good taste. After all, he picked me..hehe...AND a gorgeous ring! :)

Dating him has been pure awesomeness and being engaged is pretty cool too!

We're getting married August 7th!!!!!!!!!!!  SO excited!

Saturday: Part I

Last Saturday was a really fantastic day!
This is part one.  Part two deserves its very own post, you shall see.....

I slept in and woke up around 9:45 am did my Saturday things (cleaning my room, laundry, etc) meanwhile trying to decide what to do with the rest of my day.  I wanted to go dress shopping (for a..... special occassion) but also really wanted to go waxing.  I called Waxing Gurus and left a message hoping I could get in that day because after letting my leg hair grow out for over a month, IT..WAS... TIME!  I decided I wanted to try a bikini wax too and of course do my underarms again.  I love waxing so much better than shaving (although it gets expensive and it's not exactly the most relaxing thing ever to get your hair ripped off).

While I waited for a call back I talked to my sister and then called my boyfriend and we decided to go to the gym right then in case they called me back to go wax.....Shortly after we hung up with him they called back from Waxing Gurus and Denise asked me how soon I could be there.  Sweet!  She worked me in for early afternoon and so I set off to the gym.  Now, I will admit going to the gym isn't my favorite thing......yet.  I'm workin' on it (probably a good idea since I'm majoring in health promotion, right?)  I can say though, that I really LOVE the feeling afterward.  Despite the realization that I'll be a little sore the next day, in exchange for the energy boost, endorphins...totally worth it.  Also the hope that if I keep going at it I will one day NOT feel self conscious about how ridiculous I look trying to do crunches (heck, maybe I'll actually be able to do them properly even!)  Right now I'm pretty weak sauce, but I want to change that.

After the gym I chugged some water, ate some yogurt and strawberries and showered.  Then I headed to my waxing appointment.  I got a full leg and bikini wax, plus my underarms.  So, bikini wax...yeah.  Ahem.  I was handed a pair of disposable panties (which was basically a made-in-china flimsy imitation of a bikini bottom (which I DO NOT wear, so that was a new experience! haha).  Right.  Well I put it on and was trying to not think about it.....I was mostly ok until I had to turn over to get the back of my legs done.  Picturing my exposed gluteous maximus in that tiny tissue bikini thing I couldn't help but giggle...in embarrassment.  Sure, for her it's her job and it's just like a piece of meat for a butcher....but....anyway.  I survived.  The underarms didn't even hurt this time and I was so pleased....I LOVE the silky smooth feel!  Yes, I think I might be addicted to waxing. 

{Music: Owl City}

The stars lean down and kiss you
And I lie awake and miss you
Pour me a heavy dose of atmosphere

                                                -Vanilla Twilight, Owl City


You may have heard of the Pop/Electronica group Owl City on the radio.  Their song "Fireflies" is pretty popular, and most recently "Vanilla Twilight"

I *love* their song "Hello Seattle" (remix version).  I could listen to it over and over.   It makes me happy.
Go here to listen.

i love green m&m's

Green is my favorite color.
I like Peanut M&M's. 
A combination of these two is most excellent.

Imagine my delight when I opened up a package of peanut M&M's last week and discovered lots of green ones!  That is not common you know.....It was my lucky day or something.

First Aid Lab

BSI!
Is it safe?
One patient
MOI/NOI.....

And that's only the beginning of the loooooong list of things I need to remember to do for our patient assessments in lab.  I always get frazzled and forget stuff but deep down I get the gist of things....I think?

Anyway, we had an odd number in our lab so I observed the others and since I had my camera that day, I decided to take some photos.  That day was pretty funny because we got to use these plastic things that look like wounds. I guess they will use those during our final practical and even shoot fake blood through a little tube. haha!

laceration

{Music: Jarrett Burns}

Jarret Burns

One of my friends posted a link to this guy's music on facebook and I decided to check it out. 

His music is catchy! I really like it.

Also, Reverbnation is a good site to find out about up and coming new and local artists and there is a music player too.  Fun fun! 

So give it a whirl when you're ready to take a break from mainstream radio.

Ok....fine.

Thanks to some loving intervention, I'll keep the blog around. 
Plus....I rather enjoy blogging.
So thanks y'all!

PS

I really am better off with out this blog stuff.  I think it just fuels drama in my mind and I can definitely go without drama.  

 

It is a somewhat harsh reality too when a friend reveals more on his or her blog than they care to divulge when you actually see or talk to them.  That really kinda bugs me.  Kinda wierd....

 

One more reason that I forgot to add is that my blog really served no purpose, other than just being an outlet for random fluff in my brain that was dorky yet somewhat amusing at times....hopefully?  I don't have cute crafty skills to show off, travels to report or any particularly earth shattering discoveries to inspect.

 

The end.

Blogicide

Dear readers, fans and blalkers (blog+stalkers)---if it just so happens I'm fortunate enough to have any of these---

 

In order to justify the following words which will probably sound extremely pessimistic, I shall call this my blog suicide letter.  It's been awhile, I know.  Have my posts been missed? Meh....I have no idea.  Perhaps in the future sometime I will return to the blogging world, but for now, goodbye.

 

Why, you ask?

 

1) OK SERIOUSLY, DOES ANYONE ACTUALLY READ THIS?

I would be surprised to hear a 'Yes' to that.  (Well, except for the lovely people who stopped me once as I walked out of Costco and told me they enjoyed my blog! Hi friends!).  

 

Sometimes I'll check my Google Reader and get this silly wave of excitement when I see that my favorite blogs have new posts.  Ah yes, the simple things in life.  Even a few people I don't know very well in person, I feel a connection to in a wierd crazy way.  Isn't that funny?  I feel inspired by not only the things they are doing in their lives but also the viewpoint in which they express their journey through mortality.  It opens up my mind to how I view the world around me and it's fun!  Does my blog have that same effect on people?  I guess I'll never know. 

 

2)  I HAVE A TERRIBLE HABIT OF COMPARING MYSELF TO OTHERS SOMETIMES

and blogging only seems to emphasize some of the weaknesses I perceive to have.  Namely, I don't think of myself as being a good writer.  I suppose I'm not necessarily a bad one either, but perhaps, I just don't feel like my writing ever makes much of an impact.  Most times I will write whatever is on my mind, and I just wonder, "Who would even care?!".  I think this line of thinking, while very pathetic, and often dangerous has been my underlying attitude toward my writing since I can remember.  Every now and then I'd get a compliment or two which was uplifting, but then I'd always end up wishing I could express my thoughts and feelings better like so-and-so; That I could paint a beautiful masterpiece merely through words. Not that I have to sound super brainy or something, it just has to be interesting and enjoyable.  Of course, as with anything, this takes lots of practice...but still, I just feel like....I don't know.

 

3)  I HAVE NO IDEA WHO MY AUDIENCE IS (if I even have one that is)

I guess sometimes that's the fun of blogging though, but I don't feel like I really have any connection with anyone, and if anyone has felt a connection to me through the blogging portal then I'd sure love to know.  Not having an audience also makes it difficult for me to decide on what to write about.....so, I usually just end up posting a bunch of nonsense, or some overly emotional crap.

 

4)  PUBLIC vs PRIVATE

I am constantly yo-yo'ing between if I want to have my blog be public or private.  Many things I have wanted to write about, seem like they would be more appropriate to keep in my own personal journal.  You might just be grateful for that! 

 

While I thoroughly enjoy sharing my life experiences with others, I like the whole reciprocation thing.  Like actually talking to a person face to face.  I need those things....the nodding, the eye contact, the "uh-huh's"; all those human, emotional connecting points.  It kinda bums me out that our society is getting so technologically dependant that the art of conversation is rapidly floundering.  Blogging has this way of making me feel like I'm talking to a brick wall AND simultaneously opening my heart to just about anyone.  I figure, anyone who actually cares about what's going on in my life I already talk to and don't need to waste time posting stuff online.  And anyone else is capable of picking up the phone and asking me themselves.  Yes I've done it too.....I've wondered what an old friend was up to but either felt like we no longer had enough of a connection to justify a phone call completely out of the blue, or I really wouldn't have much to say, or feared they would think I was odd for calling or something.  I've done that before and it just felt so awkward, I kinda stopped and resorted to a quick look at the blog or facebook page.  No need to call.  And yes, sometimes I feel a little guilty doing that because it's downright lazy!  However, to my credit, most of the time I actually comment or initiate some sort of interaction in the process.  For example, look at photos and leave a comment.  When I don't know who's looked at/read my stuff because they don't leave comments or anything, it kinda creeps me out a little, seriously. 

 

Anyway, the point of this all is basically:

If you have enjoyed this blog, HOORAY!

If you didn't even know this blog existed, I GUESS YOU WON'T MISS MUCH HUH!

If you know me and actually care, pick up the phone and call me, email me, say hi, send me flowers....haha...BE AN ACTIVE FRIEND!!! 

If you know me and like knowing what's going on but don't really want to talk to me, then TRY HARDER or GOOD LUCK TO YA!

 

Well I think that's it.

 

Peace out yo. :)