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Wednesday, July 30, 2008

July 30... Good Clean Fun (Goodbye July!)


I have wanted to attempt this new thing since I first heard of it over a month ago. I put a bar of soap in the microwave. It was almost like putting a marshmallow in, except bigger, bubblier, and smellier. Our whole house (not to mention everything we cook in the microwave) smells like dove soap now. I loved watching the soap mush and squeeze out from inside.... the picture sure doesn't do it justice.

July 29... Politics, anyone?

Economic Left/Right: -4.00
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -0.97


Today I took a Political Compass test. As you can see, the little red dot is myself, in the world of Politics. A left-libertarian.

July 28... Mannequin Madness.






I know, I know... I've already been mannequin hunting. But, I have never juggled them in front of BYU EFY kids. This is just as much fun as it sounds... maybe even more.

Let me explain. Spencer and I were looking for a fun Monday night activity, and I told him how much fun mannequins are. So, we headed over to Bon Losee (shout out to Cailie Ercanbrack, who is currently attending) and they gave us two excellent heads. We took a lot of fantastic pictures, put them on spikes, and even set Miss Kim (the girl) in his car window, while a couple was making out in the car next to his. I have always wanted to do that since Josh/Cailie told me about it. I loooove mannequin heads.

Also done today: I bought a scratch and sniff sticker from the machines. Apparently it was "honey" flavor. It smelled more like "scratch and sniff" flavor. And we made our own tag: Lightning Squid. For certain reasons *cough*i don't want to get caught by the cops*cough* I can't tell you where we tagged. You'll just have to keep your eyes open :)

Sunday, July 27, 2008

July 26... Say cheese!

Today's new thing, as lame as it is, was taking a picture in church. I've never done that before.... it felt, strangely, illegal. But totally worth it. Check out how cute we all are! This was at Austin's farewell, he's going to Brazil. And this picture was originally just going to be us redheads, but Ashley decided that she didn't have brown hair. So here is the long awaited picture, take it or leave it.


P.S. I don't have pictures up from my 10k just yet... Melissa was the only one there to witness my triumph, and can not download the pictures just yet. Hang tight and I'll post them as soon as I get them!

July 25... Twist and Shout!


Today I babysat my friend Tanya's little boy Dominic. He was a very cute baby, and fairly well-behaved. However, this reminded me how ill-qualified I am to raise one at this point in my life. I did something new today: I changed a boy's diaper. Can you believe, I'm 19 and have never changed a baby boy's diaper? It was terrifying. My mom got a kick out of coaching me though... ("You better hurry or he might pee on you! Wait! Put down the new one before you take off the old one! Now wipe! WIPE!") Luckily, I had a fun evening ahead of me to keep me from losing it.

Steve picked me up in his 1955 Ford Thunderbird. I got to ride in a shiny red T Bird! Oh my gosh. It was amazing- we went topless, with the breeze blowing and the oldies radio playing. And people just stared and ate their hearts out. It was a glorious moment in my life. I wore Steve's hat so my hair wouldn't fly off of my head!

We drove to Park City to see the Classical Mystery Tour. It was amazing. There is nothing better than the Beatles with the Utah Symphony. I just wish it was the real Beatles... But no matter, the tribute band was pretty legit, with their accents and outfits. The only bad thing was that it started raining right as we got there, and didn't let off until the end half after the intermission. But it was kind of fun hunkering down underneath our blankets like homeless people. Ahhh... the Beatles are deliciously awesome. It was a bomb concert.

July 24... 6.2 miles

After months of training and busting my butt, this was the moment of truth. I stood there at the the starting line in the early dawn, surrounded by people. I was more nervous than I had ever been for anything else, and I was anxious to see what my little legs could do. The line started to lurch forward, and I found myself inching towards the edge, ready or not. Then I took my first step... and the rest was a blur. The sound of thundering footsteps on the streets, my loud music, and the countless people around me, urging me to move forward. An hour and seven minutes later, I crossed that finish line, without a single stop.
I've never had a more victorious moment than the day I ran my first 10k.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

July 23... It's the litttle things

I believe that it's the little things that make life worth it. It's the little things that make big things happen. I am reminded of a quote (You know me and my quotes...) that Richie Loveridge gave me in high school:


"Look at a stone cutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred-and-first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not the last blow that did it, but all that had gone before." ~Jacob A. Riis


Well, maybe I just say that because I did something little today, and don't want you to get all excited :) Although today's new thing was important... I made a donation at a cash register. I put two quarters in the slot... see?

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

July 22... Lightning


Today I went for a run in a thunderstorm. It was beautiful... and a bit spooky.

July 21... Dear Diary... Mood: Apathetic.


I dyed the tips of my hair black at work. Yes, with ink. No, I don't know if that's sanitary. Yes, I love it. No, my mom doesn't know.

Monday, July 21, 2008

July 20... Suddenly Seymor

My family has been out of town for the week/weekend, and so my grandparents are nice enough to remember their isolated grandchildren. So today I had dinner alone with my grandparents. I gotta say, it wasn't as scary as I thought. They are awesome people, very generous, helpful, and just plain nice.
Unfortunately, on my way out the door, their home teachers pulled in. Behind my car. So I was stuck for an hour, listening to them discuss everything from funerals to swamp coolers. Just another lazy sunday I guess.

Also done today: Mike and I watched Little Shop Of Horrors. It was so so funny. Who knew Steve Martin could be so hilarious? Check out this hilarious video.

July 19... Billiards.

Yes... billiards.

Since I have to preoccupy myself with something while running on a treadmill for an hour, today's new thing was watching a billiards tournament on TV. I don't think I'm that good as those people, but I can throw down some game. Anyone wanna play?

Friday, July 18, 2008

July 18... Save Darfur


Today I took my first stand in helping a world that's bigger than myself. A world that is full of hate and murder and lies. This is happening, whether we know and understand it or not. Today I learned about Darfur.

I also sent this letter to the Five Members of the Security Counsel in hopes that my little drop in the ocean will count for something.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The letter reads:
The recent attack on the UNAMID civilian protection force between the towns Gusa Jamat and Wadah in North Darfur is a brutal example of the Security Council's persistent lack of meaningful action to ensure the full and effective deployment of the UNAMID peacekeeping force in Darfur.

One year ago, you voted for a resolution to deploy a strong peacekeeping force to Darfur. Since that vote, barely 10 per cent of the additional peacekeepers have arrived.

As a permanent member of the Security Council, you are a representative of one of the most powerful countries in the world. Yet, the Security Council has taken negligible substantive action as its resolutions on Darfur continue to be ignored and the situation on the ground worsens.

I urge you to work diligently to ensure the full and rapid deployment of UNAMID and the swift delivery of all equipment necessary for UNAMID to fulfill its mandate.

In particular you must:

1. Ensure that UNAMID actually receives all of the equipment and resources necessary to fulfill its mandate, including the transport and tactical helicopters, engineering units, aerial reconnaissance unit, formed police units, and the countless containers still waiting to make the trip from Port Sudan to Darfur.

2. Include clear benchmarks and targets for deployment in a resolution renewing UNAMID's mandate.

3. Impose sanctions on individuals, in or out of the Sudanese government, who obstruct deployment.

4. Exercise stronger oversight of the DPKO to ensure that bureaucratic hurdles are swiftly resolved.

Thank you for your leadership on this urgent matter.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If you want to learn more about Darfur (And I strongly encourage you to do so) you can check out this site. Call me crazy, but the world needs to know what's going on.

http://www.savedarfur.org/newsroom/policypapers/enoughechoes_of_genocide_in_darfur_and_eastern_chad/

July 17... Mawwage is what bwings us togeva today (you'll have to say that phonetically or it won't make sense..)

Today I went and visited my first married friend, Rheanna Thompson. (Or should we say, Johnson!) She is doing well. Happily married and settled into her cute apartment with her cute husband. I am glad to hear it. Kind of a weird new thing, but then again, it's weird that I have a friend that's married already. So it is definitely a new feeling.

July 16... Make music and make babies.

Don't worry, I didn't do that second part! That was a tribute to Jason Castro's ultimate goal in life. Gotta love that dude.

Anyways. Sorry for the lack of postage lately. I have pictures to put up, but I've just been kinda lethargic when it comes to doing what a good blogger should. But no need to worry, I'll be better :)

Today's new thing was spectacular. As my whole family has been partying in New York and Vegas for these past two weeks, I decided go out for a nice evening with my father. He took me in his Model A to Sandy Amphitheater to see the Utah Symphony play. Ok, well, it was my idea in the first place. But we had fun all the same! I've never been to that Ampitheater, and it was an interesting experience. This is because it was super windy that night. Which meant gusts of wind would periodically blow the players' music wildly into the air in the middle of their pieces. They were such good sports, and always kept playing. Even the conductors' music was fluttering in the breeze. I had to suppress laughter and shock a few times, and my dad got a kick out of it. They played some awesome marches, a suite from Carmen, a "name that tune" by Strauss (This was one of my favorites, although I only knew two or three of them out of fourteen... dang it!) and a favorite: a Star Wars montage by John Williams. It was beautiful! I loooooove the symphony, and I don't care if that makes me a nerd.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

July 15... I am, I am... a real religious man!

Or, woman. Today's new thing just reminds me of that song from Nacho Libre. What an awesome movie. Today's new thing was attending my first Institute class at SLCC. It was pretty sweet, except that there was a sub for the teacher, and he didn't have the keys to get in the building. So, all 3 of us got a lesson outside on the grass. Not to say it wasn't a very good lesson! I love Institute and the good feeling it brings. I can always count on my day being more awesome if I just take time for what should always be most important! :)

Just another brick in the wall


Ok, so I forgot to add one new thing from Friday, and because I don't want to go through and edit it, I will just haphazardly stick it in. And it was an awesome new thing.

As most of my good friends know, I have very strange taste in music. Last summer I got to see Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon at the planetarium, and I've been hooked on Pink ever since. On Friday night, Mike and I went to the first ever showing of Pink Floyd's The Wall. And it was so so awesome. Oh my goodness, what a trip. What an amazing, terrifying, thrilling trip.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

July 14... What color are you?

According to The Color Code (http://nbjsummit.thecolorcode.com/homepage.html), I am a white.

WHITES are motivated by PEACE. They seek independence and require kindness. They resist confrontation at all costs. To them, feeling good is more important than being good. They are typically quiet by nature, process things very deeply and objectively with great clarity. Of all the colors, WHITES are the best listeners. They respect people who are direct but recoil from perceived hostility or verbal battle.

WHITES need their "alone time" and refuse to be controlled by others. WHITES want to do things their own way and in their own time. They ask little of others and resent others demanding much of them. WHITES are much stronger than people think, but are not often seen for their strength because they don't easily reveal their feelings. WHITES are even-tempered, diplomatic, and the voice of reason; but can also be indecisive, unexpressive, and silently stubborn. When others interact with you, as a WHITE you respond to them best if they are kind, accepting and supporting of your individuality, and if they look for non-verbal clues to understand your feelings.

Understand that no two WHITES are exactly alike. Although you share the same core motivation as many others, your personality is still unique to you alone.

I'd say that describes me fairly well. You should all take this test and tell me what color you are. It really is cool.

July 13... A twist on Hostess

Amidst the chaos and insanity of being late to the homecoming, and climbing through rooms full of sweaty loud kids, I tried one new thing today:

Aguila

(I think that means Eagle...?) It was a twist on those Hostess Cakes, but with caramel and coconut flavor. Sweets from other countries always seem to be more exciting. And this little guy was an awesome experience to see just what Argentina can offer :)



July 12... Visits to Logan, pt. 2

That's right, today Cailie and I took another needed vacation to the place we used to call home... Logan. It smelled of cows, just like before. It was hot and green, just like before. But the company was a bit different. I should explain.

Cailie has a friend who just got off his mission, and was speaking at a homecoming. (Thus, our visit.) Well, we had to attend a little "get-together" with all of his family at the park- no big deal right? Wrong. The Tolmans are a big deal. With over 10 siblings alone, his makes for a big family. But you must also consider his nephews and neices... 50 in all. Yes, 50. None probably over the age of 12. It was complete and utter madness. So, I'm counting that as a new thing. Being in the presence of 50 little children. It was quite the adventure. Personally, I think one or two kids is enough to put me over the edge.

July 11... Kumbaya

I have been off having my adventures, as you could have guessed. Today's new thing was building my own campfire. (Ok... maybe with a little help from my friend Spencer.) But I helped with the kindling and the stacking of the wood! That's a big deal from a girl who doesn't camp very often. It was a spur of the moment thing, and we had a lot of fun. I also went into a forbidden abandoned mine for the first time (for the most part... I had to squeeze through a hole in the fence, and my pants got stuck... plus it was too scary to stick my head in), and drank mexican coke. It was deliciously fun! Oh, and I ate a smore with a reese's peanut butter cup. Words just simply can't describe.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

July 10... Blood on my hands



...or maybe just magenta ink. I spilled the entire bottle today at work while I was rushing around trying to fill a cartridge. It looks like I killed a goat for a ritual or something. And it's still all over my toes, and I have cheetah spots on my arm. (I look so gross because I got up 10 minutes before I had to be to work. Just sayin.)

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

July 9... Where's George?


In my hand, of course. I just tracked a dollar I got on wheresgeorge.com, where I found out that the little guy traveled all the way from Phillips Nebraska to my hand in 30 days. It's pretty incredible, eh?

http://www.wheresgeorge.com/report.php?key=cca0ee67a086ea6c493d7012aa0beb9371d9c53d5e07b16b

July 8... Frankly, my dear..


Today's new thing... a movie I've wanted to watch since I first heard that classic line. The clip speaks for itself. Gone With The Wind.

James and I got together to watch this classic, and I absolutely loved it. At first I was a bit wary of its length and old-fashioned style, but it turned out to be very interesting. A bit dramatic, but that's what happens when you combine the restless South with a selfish woman and a secret love.

Monday, July 7, 2008

July 7... It's all fun and games till you get a razorblade in the eye.


I just did today's new thing at work. A customer came in that was mocking me.

Mocking me.

And saying really rude things.

I was mad. So I threw a razorblade at the wall. It was kind of like throwing a knife I imagine. Either way, it didn't stick to the wall, which made me more angry. So I threw a sticky note at the wall, which just made me crack up a little bit. And then a man came in looking to buy some gun cartridges (instead of refill ink cartridges). And that made me crack up a lot.

July 6... I have 10 fingers..

... to PAINT with! Today at Elise's house, we cracked out the fingerpaint. And to my knowledge, I have never seriously fingerpainted. Even when I was a kid, I must have been afraid to to use it, because I can't recall ever doing it. Needless to say, I wish I could fingerpaint every day. It's that fun.

July 5... Don't Take Your Guns To Town


I remember a few years in Jackson Hole, I convinced my dad to let me buy a cowgirl hat, claiming I would wear it all the time. Now, years later, I have dusted it off and worn it to my first ever line dancing country/fourth of July party. Whatever you want to call it. Tommy's family put it all together, and he invited me for some friendly distractions from them or something. And it was awesome. Complete with flag ceremony, volleyball, homemade donuts, watching his grandpa revv that beautiful Mustang of his, awkward magic tricks (an attempt of his cousin to pick up some of the visiting girls) and of course: dancing. It was a hoot to click my heels and yell "Yee-haw!" on occasion, while throwing my hat in the air. I just wish I woulda had a pair of boots with spurs to complete the outfit.

July 4... Yay freedom!

Me with a radish, of course...


Thank you to all the amazing people who made (and are continually making) our country a better place to live in.

To celebrate the fourth of July, my broken family (me, my dad, sister, and cousin) went to Sugarhouse in Salt Lake to watch the fireworks. We had a few hours to kill, so we walked down a street, where I stole a tape dispenser that was sitting on an abandoned stage. I know, right? I just slipped it into my purse and walked away. Hey, a college girl needs some tape every once and a while, ok? Don't judge me.

Anyways. Then I went into my first Organic Food Grocery Store. It was pretty impressive... They had everything from soap to ice cream to gluten-free pancake mix. Plus a guy working there with dreadlocks that was singing to himself. Aahh... I love that. Anyways. I bought my first stick of Organic Chapstick as well. A pretty great time.

That's about the only new things I did... We watched the fireworks, and had to hang out forever at Wendy's because traffic was so horrific. All in all, a very nice 4th of July. And yes, I still have my tape dispenser.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

July 3... Domo Arigato



...Mr. Roboto!


I decided that with the plethora of cardboard at Cartridge World, I would make me something special today. So, I looked online and found instructions to making a cardboard robotic hand. And it was a lot of fun! (It was either that, or a solar oven, and I've already made one of those...) I had to steal about 15 straws from Dees, but it went pretty smoothly. And here it is! It doesn't quite grab things because it's a bit flimsy with the tape I used, but you get the idea. I now have my own personal claw! Awesome!

Watch it in action!




Also done today: I went to Mexico again... actually, it was West Valley/South Salt Lake. To a Gen-X. And it was freakin hilarious... they had Eminem playing, and the girl couldn't understand me at all. I bought some cute stuff, and on the way out, I spotted a taco stand in the parking lot. So I decided, What the heck, why not? I am in the environment, I might as well. So, as a dedication to the area, I bought my first taco from a taco stand. It was a dollar, and it was pretty much steak on top of a tortilla. And boy was it worth my dollar! Delicoius.

July 2... Impossible? I think NOT!


Wednesday, July 2, 2008

July 1... She's so hiiiigh...

Sometimes when you're working full time, you get little surprises to remind you that life is still awesome. Today I got to make a delivery in Salt Lake, inside a building with an elevator. On the 16th floor. I made the delivery just fine, and on my way back, I decided to take it as high as it would go (the 24th floor). So I got in, and pushed the button. On my way up, I suddenly realized I was alone for a few precious seconds, giving me some time to try something new. I did a handstand going up on an elevator. It was pretty anti-climactic. I thought since I was going up that my legs wouldn't stay balanced, but they did. The awkward part was when I got to the top (and a man was waiting for me to get out), where I had to explain that I just wanted to ride the elevator to the top floor. It's not every day you get the privilege of riding in elevators. Don't laugh, you know it's true.