Life and Times of a Salt Lake City girl

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2011-08-13T18:15:00.001-07:00

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In memory of...

2010-06-01T12:48:00.000-07:00

It's hard to keep in mind that Memorial Day is more than a 3 day weekend, or a chance to get your first sunburn of the year. Memorial Day is a day to remember the ones that aren't with us anymore. As my extended family sat around my grandparents grave in Spanish Fork, UT that past weekend...I couldn't help but get the feeling of how much I missed them. It's been 15 years since they've passed. All my friends never got the chance to meet them, and most of my own siblings don't even remember them. I was only 10 when they died so I can't really even say that I knew them all that well. But, the memories that I have of grandma and grandpa are memories of love. Spending Christmas together as a family with all my cousins all dressed in the same pajamas, compliments of my grandma. Having weekend sleepovers with just me, Nate and my grandparents and them giving us money to walk down to the corner market to buy candy.

Some of my favorite times now as an adult is hanging out with the Mendenhall's and listening to all the stories that they tell of Lyn and Betty Lou and wondering how much we all are like them.

Thank goodness for the knowledge that we will all be together again. And I will get to know my grandparents and my brother more.

Leadership

2010-05-25T08:39:00.000-07:00

Leadership

Leadership is an analog job in a digital world.

It is courage to adjust mistakes, vision to welcome change and
confidence to stay out of step when everyone else is marching to the
wrong tune. The purpose of a leader is to grow more leaders. We rise
higher and see further standing not only on the strong shoulders of
those who have gone before us, but on the shoulders of those who are
currently under our command, supporting us and following our lead.

Standing in the front of a room and calling yourself a leader, no
more makes you a leader than standing in the middle of a garage makes
you a truck. Leading others begins when we lead and grow ourselves as
lifelong learners. Remember,

Learners retain:

10 percent of what they read;

20 percent of what they hear;

30 percent of what they see;

50 percent of what they see and hear;

70 percent of what they write and say;

90 percent of what they write, say and do.

So . . . stop, look, listen, copy it down, share it and do it!

Under Pressure?

2009-05-11T13:16:00.000-07:00

I don't handle pressure very well. When people want me to do something, all they need to do is put a little pressure and persistance into it and usually, that is all that is needed.

So...how can I overcome pressure?

I was a little on the bored side at work today so I started analizing this whole 'pressure' issue and learn to say no! This is what I taught myself:

To begin with, we must understand three important laws of life.

First, pressure is not something that is naturally there. It's created when we question our own ability. When I know what I can do, there is never any question. If I am unprepared for a school exam, I feel pressure, but if I know I know the answers because I have studied and practiced, there is no question and no pressure. Pressure is eliminated by confidence, confidence is created through consistency, consistency comes through perfect practice. If this is so, any of us can do it and eliminate pressure from our work, school and play.
The second law of life is time. There are only 24 hours in a day, not just in some people's day, but in everybody's day. Time makes everybody equal. The way we become unequal, better or worse, successful or a failure, is determined by how you decide to use those 24 hours. Because I cannot be two places at once and do two things at the same time, instead of worrying so much about how to say no to negative influences, if I use my time wisely by dreaming mighty dreams and setting positive goals and simply saying yes to something positive, I won't have time for the negative; my positive actions will say no for me.

The third law is to realize there are two ways to be controlled and influenced - from within and from without; by you and by others. The solution to pressure, then, is finding out who you really are and what you really represent. Only then will you know what you want to be. As I learn this, others won't be able to adversely affect my actions. In fact, I probably shouldn't even associate with others who don't act or think like I do and, therefore, I'll avoid outside pressure altogether. Remember, if the things you think about are different from the things you do, you'll never be happy. When you're consistently yourself in thought, work, and action, pressure will not affect you.

Good Times

2009-04-29T12:58:00.000-07:00

This past week has been SO FUN! I went to the only winning Jazz game of the series (darn that Jazz, they break my heart every year!), has an Arrested Development/Ear Candle party, preformed in our choir dessert show, saw Marcus and went to Wicked! It's been ever so busy...and of course I have taken pictures all along the way. If you haven't tried Ear Candles, you should. I didn't do it that night, but it seems like it cleans super well. I shall try it ... one day.

Working hard all semester really paid off. I think that we sounded fan-freakin-tastic! This year we sang in a CES Fireside, Saturday afternoon Conference and this dessert show. It was super fun...but I am SO glad that it is over and I have my Wednesday nights free again! Yeah!

Saturday night we went and saw the comedian Marcus. I've seen a few of his shows and he NEVER disappoints. If you get the chance to see him...do it! And he is even easy on the eyes! This show was particularly good because there was one person who didn't think a joke was funny and tried to get in a fight with Marcus! I few pushes from security and he was kicked out of the show. Poor Michael J Fox...you know that we are laughing with you, not at you!

I didn't get pictures at Wicked...but it was AWESOME! I liked the Elphaba in this production more than the other one that I saw. The actress played Elphaba was the young Cosette in the ORIGINAL cast of Les Mis. She was SO good. I always enjoy Broadway, especially Wicked...and I LOVE seeing it with people that are watching it for the first time. Everyone needs to try and find tickets before they leave.

All in all...great weekend! What's in store this weekend, you may ask?

ENOUGH SAID!

What would you do?

2009-04-24T11:03:00.000-07:00

I received this e-mail today from a friend at work. I've read the story before, but today it just kind of struck a heart string. I don't know if the story is true, but I hope that somewhere this happened because you just don't hear about these things anymore.

"What would you do? ... you make the choice. Don't look for a punch line, there isn't one. Read it anyway. My question is: Would you have made the same choice?

At a fundraiser dinner for a school that serves children with learning disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question:

When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does, is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?

The audience was stilled by the query. The father continued.

I believe that a child like Shay, who was mentally and physically disabled come into the world, an opportunity presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.

Then he told the following story:

Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, 'So you think they'll let me play?' I knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as a father I also understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps. I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the dame is in the 8th inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.'

Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my heart. The boys saw my joy at my son being accepted.

In the bottom of the 8th inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by 3. In the top of the 9th inning, Shay put on a glove and plated in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved to him from the stands.

In the bottom of the 9th inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat. At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game.

Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball. However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact.

The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher. The game would now be over... The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.

Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stand and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first! Run to first!' Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base.

He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled. Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!' Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball .. the smallest guy on their team who now has his first chance to be the hero for his team. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third baseman's head.

Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circles the bases toward home. All were screaming and all spectators were on their feet. 'Run home shay! Run home!'

Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team.

'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world.'

Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making me so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

We all have thousands of opportunities every single day to help realize the 'natural order of things.' So many seemingly trivial interactions between 2 people present us with a choice:

Do we pass along a little spark of love and humanity or do we pass up those opportunities and leave the world a little bit colder in the process?

A wise man once said: Every society is judged by how it treats it's least fortunate amongst them.

I guess I like this because it really hits home. I don't know if I would be the one to let Shay play. I don't know if it was my choice I would have been that welcoming. It scares me to stand up sometimes to things or people that are different. Sometimes the road less traveled is the hardest one to follow.

...Carlos who?

2009-04-24T10:34:00.000-07:00

So...we got a new player on the Jazz. His name is Carlos something...

Whoever he is, I hope that he is here to stay. 23 points and 22 rebounds!! Honestly?

Seriously: I am SO glad that old Boozer finally came back to us! That was one of the BEST games that I have been to! Lame-o Kobe only shot 10% in the first half...that is the first time in 9 years that that has happened to him in a play-off game. We kept Kobe to only 5 for 24 from the floor. Amazing!

I just hope that Okur is well enough to play on Saturday because I have a feeling that the Lakers are going to try and come back with a vengeance.

GO JAZZ!!!

Sign me up!

2009-04-23T14:02:00.001-07:00

These are the boys that are going to play the 'wolf pack' in New Moon. Hello...yummy!

Looking forward to a fabulous week...

2009-04-20T14:23:00.000-07:00

I can't even express my excitement as this week approaches! My work called this morning to offer me tickets to the Jazz/Lakers game 3 and 4!

Plus...I get to go see WICKED this week. Any theatre production I get to see is a plus...but Wicked is the ultimate! I've seen it a couple times and it is so hard not to sing along.

And on top of all that awesomeness...I leave for ITALY in 51 days!

The only downside to all of this is my stupid knee! I went for a long walk yesterday to enjoy the sunshine and I can barely move it this morning! I don't know how I will hobble around Italy, but I will do it. I am having a brace made that should be coming in a week or so, so that should help. Also, we are having a Biggest Loser contest at work and I am trying to be really good and lose some of the extra pounds that seem to accumulate through the past holiday season. I am down 12 pounds so far...but any weight loss tips are most helpful!! Loves!

The Triumphant Return of Yours Truly...

2009-04-16T13:59:00.000-07:00

I know, I know...I have virtually abandoned this blog. I should apologize to all my loyal fans (haha), but that would imply that I would never do it again; and I probably will. You see, my life is just not that exciting. I am not living in Italy, like Rachel. I am not totalling my car, like David. I'm just living my same, boring, mundane life. But, it is my life. The life of Susan.

My last post was early January this year and it's sad that there really isn't anything that is worth reporting about since then. Valentines Day came and went. St. Patrick's Day was the same. I joined the institute choir at the UofU, which is pretty awesome because we were able to sing in the Saturday afternoon session of conference. What a cool and unforgettable experience it is to be singing in from of all those people (let alone all those that it was broadcast to!) with the enormous organ backing us up. Although the practices were LONG and so repetitive (PR-ayer, PR-aise, PR-ayer, PR-aise) the spirit was felt so strongly and it literally felt like we were singing our testimonies. And, I must admit that the angels had to be there pushing out those notes that are just a little too far out of my registry. If you look up that session: you can clearly see Brit and I in the first song a couple of times!

Last month Brit, Randah, Tricia and I took a trip to Long Beach to go see one of our favorite comedians: JOEL McHALE!! It was so much fun traveling 1500 miles in 3 days...really! Just hanging with the girls was probably one of the funnest road trips of my life. It's going to be hard to topping it, but we are sure going to try!

Jazz games are always a constant too. Heaven bless my work for giving me tickets to these awesome games. I took turns taking my brothers since Rachey wasn't here to come with me. I went to a lot against the Rockets. I had a dream that I married Yao Ming so my work thought that it was hilarious that they give me the tickets to all the Jazz/Rockets games...which I was fine with! There were even a few times that I was able to get down onto the court. Jamo and I were probably the luckiest when we got to stand in the line up and give all the starting 5 high fives as they were announced. It was amazing! (Jamo even won an air hockey table that night for being the lucky text-er. He is selling it for about $300 now...)

As sad as it is, that is really all my new for the past 3 plus months. 55 days left until I leave for ITALY (not that anyone is counting...) I tore the ACL and MCL in my knee playing basketball last week and opted for surgery after Europe...so it will be interesting trying to hike around when my knee is doubled in size and I walk like a retard. But, I am bound and determined that it isn't going to slow anyone down! You will never hear my complain! We will be in Italy from June 10th to about June 25th and 5 days later I will have another knee surgery. One one good thing can come from this...2 MONTHS OFF OF WORK!!!!

Sayonara 2008

2009-01-05T12:22:00.000-08:00

As a blogger, I am contractually obligated to post one of these, you know.
As I look back on the past year, some things stand out. I am yet, another year older, another year wiser, and have a lot more stories to look back on. Some memories I laugh at, and some still bring me to tears. But, all my memories made me who I am today, and who I will be throughout 2009.

Here are some of my favorite memories of 2008:

12. Jazz games. These will always be a special memory with Rachel and me. We were able to attend lots of games and make lots of signs for Kyle Korver, who will inevitably, one day, join our family…somehow
11. Lots of hanging out with friends and family.

10. Rachel, Caitlin and myself took a little road trip to Moab. I gave up tickets to a Jazz playoff game to go, and it was actually worth it. It was super fun to hang with just the girls and sleep in a tent; we haven’t done that for years!!

9. The parentals, Dave, Rachel and I took a short trip to California to see Wicked! Out Itinerary was as follows: Fly out – get rental car – go to beach – eat – see Wicked – sleep – go home. It was exhausting to travel like that in less than 24 hours. But, it was AWESOME!! And I LOVE Wicked!

8. In June my entire family (except David) was able to take a trip to see all the national parks in and surrounding Utah. This was super fun because I had never been to most of them. It was good to all be together, the older we all get, the more fun we all have hanging out together. And, I guess that that is a good thing if we are stuck in the same car for hours on end…

7. Rachel moved to Italy in July to nanny for a military family. We had a big going away party for her and she left the first week of July. She’s having a great old time traveling and learning the language. And, I am having a grand old time saving every dollar I can to go see her this summer.

6. At the beginning of Sept I moved out to South Jordan with some people that I met on KSL.com. I was a little bit leery because I didn’t know very much about them all…but I did it anyways, and it’s been one of the best decisions that I have made! Brittany, Randah and Nicolette are my roommates and I really couldn’t ask for better. We just talk and laugh together…and throw legendary parties!!
5. In September I took a trip to Seattle with Marli, Seth and Trevor. Seth and Trevor served their missions there so they took us around. It was my first time and it was so wonderful!

4. October was a busy month; I turned 24 and celebrated for many days with friends and family. And on Halloween, me and the roomies throw a big Halloween party to which over 80 people attended!

3. Thanksgiving with the Mendenhall Family was super fun. Cramming everyone into my parent’s house is always a good time. We even got Rachel up on the webcam so that everyone could talk to her! It was great.

2. Christmas and New Years this year was fun to. Things just don’t seem the same when our family isn’t together, but we deal with it. The roomies threw another successful party for New Years and I did get my New Years kiss. I am loving living in a house with these girls!

1. And the NUMBER 1 most exciting thing that happened this year: UTAH defeating BYU and ending their season undefeated!! I was lucky enough to have seating in the M.U.S.S. on the 3rd row. I pretty much feared for my life the entire time, it was AWESOME. And this story carried on into the New Year when UTAH killed Alabama in the Sugar Bowl…when the nation said that Utah only had an 11% chance of winning. Now, UTAH is the only team undefeated in the Nation! GO UTES!!

With that…there is only 1 thing left to be said:
Here’s to 2009. Hopefully this year will bring more laughter than tears, more joy than fears, more light than dark and new journeys on which to embark. (I didn’t mean for that to all rhyme, but after the first couplet I decided…what the heck) HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I work HARD ... I play hard!

2008-12-30T12:53:00.000-08:00

Geez, I am SO bad at this whole blogging thing! I guess I figure that not everyone wants to hear about my mundane life...or I'm just too busy to sit down and write about it all. Maybe a little of both.

I can't help that I am SO busy!! My work is keeping me pretty booked. I work for a company called Automated Business Products as a field manager. I work on site with a company called RxAmerica. And, I love my job, but I just feel like I can't EVER leave!! Since I am the one that got our site at RxAmerica up and running, I am really the only one that knows my position. So, when I leave my position HAS to be covered by someone else at my office. And that means, on MY day off...I get phone call after phone call because people don't know what they are doing. So, I just stopped taking days off.

Well, my work yesterday sent me my summary of time off and I have 80 hours vacation and 40 hours of sick pay left of paid time off. But, my work won't pay out for unused time! So, by the end of the day tomorrow, I lose everything except my vacation pay, which I HAVE to use by the end of March! If I don't use it by then, I lose it. So, now I have a job that I can't leave and all this vacation time that I feel like I can't use.

And the worst part...I got passed up to go on the company trip this year to Hawaii. I am working so many overtime hours, working through sicknesses and even working on Holidays let alone not using my paid vacation! All so that I can make sure that one of our biggest customers remain happy. I feel like I totally got the shaft, and the worst part is: I am too nice of a person to talk it over with my boss. I just smile and nod my head and do what he asks, while on the inside I am getting SO burnt out! I'm SUCH a sucker...will I ever grow a backbone?

All answers point to - NEVER!

I don't mean this posting to be my therapy session, this is just something that occupies most of my brain capacity these days. But, I do PLAY HARD!! I changed my look up a little, going to a more refined dark brownish-reddish color. I thought it was time for the blonde to go bye bye for a little while.

I spend most of my time with the roomies: talking, laughing, and throwing legendary parties. Hanging out with Ty, Steph and Blaine doing all sorts of crazy stuff! And just basically surviving life and all the randomness that it likes to throw at me.

The boy life is good too...my parents are constantly hinting that they would someday like a couple grandchildren. That's not going to happen anytime soon...sorry folks! But, if you know any cute single men...throw them my digits.

I hope that everyone had a VERY Merry Christmas. Mine rocked, even though I was sad that Rachey couldn't physically make it here with us...we did get her on web cam for a little present opening action, which was great! I can't wait till June when we can all go over there and be together again!

Susan and her enlightenment...

2008-11-30T00:03:00.000-08:00

I’ve been having a really hard time lately dealing with the uncertainty of some of the trials that I have received within the last little while, and some I have been enduring for many years. Generally, I am a comparatively cheerful person, taking pride in my outlooks on life. But recently, this pride has been stripped and left me with a feeling of unhappiness…despair, even. I can’t really even tell you why. With lots of hard work and oodles of alone time to think this past weekend, some of this determination to look at life in the positive light has come back. It occurred to me…a hard life is really a gift. A gift to grow closer to the ones that you love and trust, especially the Lord.

The easy life, in excess, is a deadly, smothering prison. The hard life, on the other hand, quickens our heart rate and gives us the energy to live and breathe. Earth abounds in what we need the most: work. Work is the proven key to life and growth. We see it all through God’s nature and his kingdom. To be passive is to die, physically and spiritually.

Hard work places before me something to tame - a horse, a stack of bills, a broken machine, or a room in disarray. But apart from the thing before me, I myself, need to be tamed. All my lower tendencies - discouragement, guile, unkindness - they MUST go! Whatever the outward task, the inner taming is my real work. Enduring well makes me whole by awakening and taming my soul.

Taming is slow work, but the good news is that slow processes cannot be quickly undone. The greatest beings in eternity gained their high ground by going uphill one step at a time. Even my exemplar, Christ, grew in stages.

Gethsemane is holy because of the whole offering made there. By the same principle, millions of other places, such as unheralded and unknown battlefields and sickbeds, are unforgettable to God. He honors the sufferings made with all one’s might, regardless of who else may notice. So when my turn comes, I hope that I can do the job with all my might, my understanding will be full, and my places of work are holy.

But, what is the work of the sufferer? Is there really a mission for one whose limbs are immovable, whose strength is gone, or whose mind is nearly expended by gnawing pain? To those in tribulation, the Lord had given special goals: faithfulness, patience, and cheer. It’s all inner work. One of my favorite scriptures is in Helaman 10. I am presently too lazy to get up and get the exact verse and the exact quote, but is says something to the effect because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever. I love that because it shows me that my sufferings may only last a short time, but the lessons and blessings will last forever. You can’t top that.

On the other hand, to endure suffering poorly might mean to grow weary. Worn-out faith and endurance fade into despair and bitterness. I have been there. And it’s reassuring to know that God never wears out or faints by the way. For the weary in need of endurance, the Son has said: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Another favorite scripture is found in Isaiah 40 and is a mixture of a whole bunch of verses (primarily 28, 29 and 31). And I want to get this right, so I am even pulling out the good book. These verses read: The Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, faileth not, neither is weary. …He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength…They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; …they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. I LOVE it!! The Lord does not fail, he doesn’t “accidentally” gives us trials that we cannot bare. He gives us trials and the tools to make it through, and cries with us along the way.

We are not here to wait out our troubles with grit and guts, but to work through them

with grace and goodness. In my suffering, some opportunities close, but others open as never before. If you have read all the way down to the bottom of this ranting, thank you for listening. I love the time when I have a second to just sit down that write because I can learn so much from the inter-workings of my mind. Tonight I am thanking my Lord for all my minuscule trials and the strength to survive each day. Love you all!!
Susan

The Perfect Storm

2008-11-24T13:52:00.000-08:00

I don't want to rub this in more than necessary...but

GO UTES!!

Too bad Max Hall changed teams halfway through the game. Seriously, I thought that BYU was coming back with a vengeance for a little bit. I was super nervous. But, my Utes prevailed and are now headed to yet another BCS game. This will no doubt bring a lot of money into our conference...so thanks, BYU.

Plus...another exciting moment...someone at work told me that my pic was in the the Salt Lake Tribune. Tony and I are practically celebrities now. I will sign autographs for everyone on Thanksgiving...for only a small price. Haha

Carbon Monoxide + Firemen = One CRAZY night!

2008-11-18T09:59:00.000-08:00

So I had one crazy night last night. Me and 2 of my roomies were just chilling and making some rice crispies about 9:30pm when all of a sudden we hear an alarm going off. We thought that it was just the smoke alarm because we were cooking something on the stove...so we open up all the doors and windows for a little ventilation and I walk down the hall to the detectors. But, low and behold...it wasn't the smoke detector, but the carbon monoxide detector! I've never even heard one of these go off! We didn't know what to do, we are just stupid girls who's daddy's take care of everything. So, I jump on my laptop and find the number for the South Jordan Sheriff who transfer me to the South Jordan Fire Department. I tell them the situation and they tell me to get everyone out and to a safe location NOW! So we are trying to all get some clothes on, PJ's were on at this point, and trying to catch our 2 stupid little kittens that are scared to death and hiding from us. That's when the South Jordan Fire Crew pulls up, in their big truck, in full gear to come and protect us. I tell them that I feel completely stupid for having them come out for a bunch of stupid girls that don't know what to do. But, they commended me for my quick action in calling them and reassured me that this was their job and they were happy to help. However, we didn't know that you weren't supposed to open up any doors or windows because it ventilates the air and they can't get any readings on their little devises. And that is exactly what happened, they went it our house and couldn't find anything. Even though the batteries still had a little juice in them, we all concluded that it was the batteries to blame. But, the cute firemen hung around for a second anyways...just because we were talking about the big game this Saturday...half the firemen were BYU fans and the better half were for the U. But they were super nice.

So after the men left and we went and bought new batteries, we were still feeling a little unsure about staying in our house overnight. We value our lives for some reason. So we called a few Elders from our ward over and they came and said a blessing of safety on our house. I didn't even know that you could do that! Jason and Russ were nice enough to come over at such a late hour to put our souls at rest. They are so great and I appreciate them and that they are worthy priesthood holders. In the past month we have received several priesthood blessings...we LOVE priesthood holders!! The Church IS true, no doubt!

And it was a happy ending...we all woke up this morning alive! What a good way to start the day!

Who am I sir?

2008-11-07T15:40:00.000-08:00

Fill your lungs

and sing it out

and shout it to the sky,

We'll fight for dear old crimson

for a

Utah Man am I!

That's right...Utes go 10-0 for the season. Because my friend Caitlin is so kind to me, I get to indulge in the MUSS from the 3rd row. And, again because C-Dawg is so kind, I get to bring cute guys to the game with me. I braved the cold weather, hit Walmart for the latest styles in beanies and gloves and hit Rice Eccles Stadium geared up for Armageddon. But, low and behold, the weather was perfect. Who knew that all the warm moshing people in the MUSS would act as a barrier to the cold? In fact, I was a little too warm.

I was worried all day that Utah was going to crack under all the pressure...especially since we had representatives from The Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Poinsettia, New Mexico, Fiesta and Insight in attendance. And the W even looked a little grim up until the 4th quarter. I don't know how their kicker missed 2 field goals in a row...but the U's win must have been destiny. I think it was the intimidation factor with the whole blackout, which was TOTALLY AWESOME!! The black uniforms are sick!!

I LOVE being in the MUSS. It brings such an intense energy. Especially since my seats are on the third row and right in the middle of the student mosh pit. Whenever something good happens, everyone just starts shoving each other. I fear for my life about 5 times every game, but that's college football, right? It's awesome.

But...the BEST part of the whole game is when the U intercepted the ball on the last play and everyone realized that we had won...I turn around and see that I am in the way of about 400 students wanting to get on that field. I had 2 choices...either get crushed or jump off an 8 foot cement wall and run to safety. So, Tony and I jumped and ran, not into safety, but into the big mosh in the middle of the field. Somehow we wound up around all the players and I am pretty sure I touched Louie Sakoda's butt (telling him good game, of course). It was my proudest moment - Rachel...be jealous! I also rubbed his head and told him good game...at that point he looked straight at me and asked for my hand in marriage. Not really, but I would have said yes. It's LOUIE!

So...the moral of this story...Caitlin is the bestest friend EVER, Utah is the best college team ever...and BYU better watch out...because we are coming for you next! And I will be there, 3rd row, fearing for my life. Life can't get any better.

GO UTES!!

All Hallows Eve 2008 - Party of the Century!

2008-11-03T13:26:00.000-08:00

(These are the roomies - Nicolette, Me, Brittany and Randah)

So...I admit it...Halloween is NOT really my forte. I don't really like the whole dressing up thing. Don't judge me just yet because this year changed my mind! I don't know if it was because I now live in a house where all the girls are totally into this holiday, or if I actually had a party to attend, but this Halloween was the best EVER! And we threw the party of the century. We probably had about 50 people come. We had people in every room! Karaoke was in the family room...food/dancing was in the kitchen...people chilling in the front room, front porch and backyard...and even some of my friends had to occupy my bedroom. It was chaos! And, of course, I am picture happy so I got all the pics.

(Disclaimer: please keep in mind that I hate my smile...so I am doing the signature "kissy face" in EVERY picture. I already know I do this...)

The Girls - C-Dawg, Stephy and Me (You have to note the blue blood coming out of the cougar mouth...pure hillarity!)

Ty and Blaine of course had to impress the crowd with a B E A-utiful version of Whitney Houston's, I Will Always Love You

I support the lollipop guild

2008-11-02T16:06:00.000-08:00

So...everyone is so interested in the date that I went on with the midget body builder. It was a blind date. I saw his picture before hand at which I commented that I thought that he looked a little short, but I was excited none the less (dates just don't come along often these days for me). Date day came and I walked upstairs only to see that he was only about 5'3"!! Please keep in mind that I am about 5'7". But, he is a body builder and spends hours in the gym, so he is as thick as he is tall. It was kinda awkward, I am not going to lie. We also went shooting...out first date and he let me handle a gun...now, that is brave!! But, it was fun and I was a good sport.

I'm a BAD blogger...

2008-10-29T13:23:00.001-07:00

I'm busy

and loving it!

so my blog will probably be pretty lame for a while

and really!!?!

...i'm OK with that!

I've been a bad blogger. For some reason, I just haven't felt like writing the past week. There has been work, and friends and family...and, of course, the election. Unfortunately, these things have been occupying some of the parts of my brain that I usually reserve for crafty things. I have been busy...and therefore, have no energy to write about it. There is a lot to catch up on...so, hold on tight!

My 5 day birthday celebration was AMAZING!! I have such good friends and family, I can't even express my gratitude and love.
I have to say that my 24th year of life is turning out to be pretty darn radical!

I was also able to attend my first Jazz game of the season! My work was nice enough to give me some sponsor tickets for dinner and the game. Marli and I went and it was a lot of fun (especially since the Jazz won!!)

And this past weekend was the BEST! I just had a weekend full of friends. Friday was spent with Steph and Ty, Blaine, Tom and Cami and some others. We just chilled and did the whole pizza and games scene. It was super fun. Especially when fights broke out between all the boys when I was in the middle...I fear for my life sometimes when I am around these crazy boys....not really...but, really

Then...I had a date with a midget body builder. This really deserves it's own post...so you all are going to have to wait in suspense...

And finally, Sunday. My roommates and I went up to Brittany's parents house in Morgan for dinner. It was a lot of fun to chill with her crazy family. Somewhere within the night, these little masks were brought out and everyone had a good laugh. (and I pretty much fell in love with her hott uncle!!)

It's my birthday and I'll blog if I want to...

2008-10-13T09:09:00.000-07:00

I’ve been banned from having birthdays

A new rule has been made

Signed ,sealed and delivered

By the local Fire Brigade!

They say that all those candles

Would create such a blaze

They’d have to come and put it out

And stay around for days !

So, I guess I’ll have to party

Without the birthday cake,

Perhaps I’ll light one candle

Just for old time’s sake,

Those firemen!

So fit and strong,

Such handsome looking men -

Whose birthday is it ,anyway?

Let’s light them all again!

Yep...another year older. I think the that 24th year of my life is going to be a good one. So many changes have happened in the past little while and my life is just getting more and more blessed!

Last year was an exciting birthday spent at Disneyland with my close friends...

Good times...

Go Jazz, GO!

2008-10-07T15:04:00.000-07:00

Enter another season for my Utah Jazz! I remember the days when one mentioned the "Utah Jazz" and everyone mind automatically taught of Stockton and Malone. I remember sitting on my parents bed at the announcer said this famous line:

"John Stockton sends the Utah Jazz to the NBA finals!"

But now when you hear "Utah Jazz" three players come to my mind. All 3 are Olympian, two of which took home the gold in the most recent Olympics in Beijing.

AK-47, Boozer and Williams...they are the new faces and the new hope for this season! Despite the disappointment of losing 2 straight years on the NBA Finals, and still having no NBA championship, know that they cloud they are currently on DOES have a silver lining. The Jazz have won the NorthWest Division two straight years in a row and are looking to defend their title. This year our team has it ALL...a fabulous mix of young talent, veteran leadership and great coaching. My prediction: the rest of the NBA...LOOK OUT!! This is our year!!

Good thing that my company is a Utah Jazz sponsor and I get to attend a lot of the games...they even give me floor passes!! Let's take a look at last years Utah Jazz experiences (and this includes "accidentally" getting lost my the locker room and seeing Okur!!)

Entering a life of blogging...

2008-10-06T14:00:00.000-07:00

Exit real life and enter a blogging plane. I guess that this is the "cool thing" to do now. And since I am a cool person...I might as well jump on the band wagon, right? I just don't want to become one of those "abundant bloggers". You know the ones that I am talking about...the ones whose daily routines are as follows:

Get Up-Meditate-Blog-Blog some more-Read Blogs-Blog-Blog-Watch Ellen & Oprah-Read Blogs-Blog-Blog-Meditate-Go to Bed. With a little eating in between.

So...a little snippet about me. I was born and raised in Salt Lake City. I LOVE it here! I always HATE telling people about myself, because I am unique...there is no one else like me.
Different people bring out different parts in all of us. It's hard to say 'who I am'; because I think I am someone different to each person in my life. I LOVE that about life and people; every time you're stretched in different directions your world gets bigger. At the core -always and forever- I am independent, strong, proud, dream big but am grounded by compassion and empathy, stubborn and full of grace, know who I am and what I'm worth (and am not afraid to let you know), classy and sassy, smart as hell, mother nature's daughter, and love football, basketball and baseball because I truly love them- not because some guy might think it's hot. Spontaneity is keen...what good is life if you always know what is going to happen next? Stories have a clear beginning, middle and end end...yet life is about NOT knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it without knowing what is going to happen next...DELICIOUS AMBIGUITY! Goals are important to me, it's good to know where you are headed in life and what it is going to take to get you there. My favorite moments are just hanging out with my little sister, those are sacred times. I am tame to the extent that I can be tamed, I am beautiful in the way that I am beautiful, and I am me in the way I was made. The rest, really, is all relative...

Stay tuned...somehow my life just seems to throw humorous situations my way. I know you all want to read...