Seven Pounds

Probably how much I've gained in the past three days. Anyhow... I realized I haven't blogged for awhile, but I promise to start getting into the habit! Thanks for all your friendly encouragement.
Enough chit chat... I saw Will Smith's new movie "Seven Pounds" with my fam today. Here's what I thought:



Wow. Well, I'm not even sure where to begin with this movie. It's definitely not what I expected! It's gotten some pretty mixed reviews, but personally I thought it was very well done. Will Smith is brilliant.
Without saying too much, it is a movie that makes you think. The picture above is one of my favorite parts as it really made me think about my life and what is most important.
It's done by the same director as "The Pursuit of Happyness." If you liked his directing style, you'll probably like this one too.
It's hard to tell who would like this movie or who would hate it. I'd recommend giving it a try! I thought it was VERY worth it!

Anyone else seen it?

My New Love

Don't worry, this isn't about dating. No, I'm talking about grocery stores. That's right.



Last night I happened upon the greatest little health food market in Orem that brought joy to my soul! It's called Sunflower Farmers Market

This place is awesome. The produce is exceptional. (Monica, you would LOVE this store) I got yummy Gala apples for 39 cents/lb! This was just a quick trip for me, so I spent less than six dollars but I got apples, grapes, potatoes, carrots, AND an onion! The employees are super friendly too!

Ok, so honestly this place is pretty similar to other health food stores (GREAT deals on produce, but a little pricey on other items) but I just love that it is there. The store I used to go to, Harvest Fresh, went out of business a few months ago and there has been a void in life since... until now!

Ok, I know I'm a bit of a nerd for posting about a grocery store, but hey...
cheap fruits and veggies REALLY make me happy.

Congratulations to Amy and Steve Thatcher!

Our dearest Amy (Eisel) Thatcher delivered a beautiful baby boy yesterday morning, October 7, 2008! Check out their blog!

http://steveandamythatcher.blogspot.com/

I couldn't be happier for your little family!
Amy, you are my hero!

Coming Soon...

Yes, I am still alive! Although it appears my blog is suffering.
I promise more will be coming soon! I just have no internet at my apartment, and my computer can't stay on for more that seven minutes without breaking down... so that makes things a little more difficult.
Just wanted to say I love you all and hopefully an update will be on it's way soon!

"Uh-oh..."

Bad news people.... BAD news...

For those of you who don't happen to be my roommates, you are in need of a quick explanation. "Uh-oh" is a term used to describe the amazingness of a food product. The more delicious and bad-for-you and in-love-with-it we are, the quicker you hear the word. It probably originated as a warning to innocent bystanders... Something like, "Try this and kiss your dieting, healthy-eating dreams good-bye..." or "You'll be doing double-time at the gym next week for this."

Last night, Amanda and I stumbled across a few items worthy of this little word and all the warnings that come with it.

Ghirardelli Brownie Mix...

Ghirardelli Intense Dark Mint Bliss...

and Ben & Jerry's Cheesecake Brownie...

As if each of these weren't sinful enough on their own, together they are one undescribable combination of amazingness. We crumbled up the mint bar into the brownie mix, baked them until they were still just a bit gooey, and topped it off with a scoop of B & J.

Oooooh!!!

As Meg would say... Naughty

All I can say, is uh-oh....

...and I Could Not Ask for More

Ok, so I stole the title of this post from a Sara Evans song, but really I am one very blessed and happy girl. My life is pretty swell.
By no means is my life perfect or always easy, but I have a lot to be grateful for. More than I could ever do justice to by simply mentioning in a blog post. There are a lot of people in my life watching out for me. If you care enough to be reading this, you are probably one of them. Thank you for being in my life. I love you!
So I know it's been awhile since my last post, so let me give you a quick update. This summer I have been working at a dental office in Provo as a dental hygiene assistant. This means I get to do all the kids cleanings, and help the hygienists with radiographs, polishing, or whatever. I love it! Working with kids is teaching me lots. The job is actually perfect for me because it's giving me experience in all I learned this past year and giving me real office experience. Once school got out, I was worried about finding a good job for summer. I'm learning to trust that things always work out... and usually better than I even hoped for.

However, as much as I like my summer job, the real reason for all my smiles is that I've gotten to spend lots of time with my very best friend, Jesús. He is so good to me. I really, could not ask for more. :)
Over Memorial Day weekend, we went to Southern California, for the sole purpose of going to the beach. And that's about all we did! It was pretty much perfect. Check out some of our adventures below!

A Sad Day on Condo Row

For the past three years I have lived in an area commonly known as Condo Row. Three of the four buildings in my ward are each located on one of the corners where the two streets of Condo Row join together to form a T. The stairway to the guys' building, Kensington, is called The Stoop. It's our common meeting place and hang out. On either side of the stoop are two large maple trees. Two summers ago, these trees outside of Kensington were threatened. Management decided it was time for them to go and planned a day to have them cut down. Once word got out about the trees' sad fate, a call to action was heard amoung the residents of Kensington and efforts, headed by Brad Packer and Brian McEwen, were made to save our two friends. Petitions were signed and the trees were surrounded with signs and caution tape barriers. Their hard work payed off and the outcrys of our fellow students were heard. The trees were saved! It was a sweet victory. (Check out the full story published by the Daily Universe on May 18, 2006)
However, it was a victory that could not last forever. Tragically, the powers that be, (management) prevailed this year. This afternoon I left my apartment to see the sawdust remains of one of our trees being scooped into a wheelbarrow. Robyn Richardson, a former resident on Condo Row, and an eye witness to the events of this morning said:

"yeah, I was walking by right when they were cutting it down. I was about to run and stop them/punch their lights out, but I restrained myself"

Now all that remains is a barren spot of ground, a lopsided looking landscape, and our memories. From the shade we shared at many stoop BBQ's, to the Rock-the-Block lights hanging from it's branches (among other objects, chairs, etc), and to the monkey-like tree climbing skills of Brian and Brad. We will never forget.

May our departed friend rest in peace.

Once Again in Provo...

Now that finals are over and life has calmed down a bit, I've decided it's time to stop neglecting my little blog and give an update on my life.
Well, I got through my first year of dental hygiene school and did surprisingly well. Both semesters I was sure I had bombed at least one class, but my grades turned out better than I could have even hoped for! I made it through.
Now for summer time. This is the first summer break of my college experience that I will not be taking spring or summer classes. No classes for four months. That's right. What to do with all my time? That's what I'm figuring out.
While I am not doing classes, sadly I will still be in Provo. :( Don't get me wrong; not that I don't love summer in Provo, because it really is amazing (camping, hiking, beautiful weather galore... ). It's just that this will be my 4th (whoa, have I really been here that long?) summer in this town and I never planned it to be that way. Every year, I've dreamed of going on some far away summer adventure and it just hasn't worked out. This summer I have friends going to Ghana, Chile, DC, New York, Europe, China, everywhere! One time I was planning on Europe, another time Ecuador, and this year I was hoping for Mexico or Hawaii.
Yesterday I got a call and was offered a position to do a summer internship in Alaska and I was seriously considering it. But the more I thought about it, the more I just didn't feel good about it. What?! I know, I know... the chance I have always been waiting for to have my own adventure. It just didn't feel right though. I don't really know why, but for at least one more summer I will be in our beloved P-Town.
However, if I have to be here once again, it's gonna be dang good. I plan on finding a killer job (I've got a couple bright prospects!), playing soccer and volleyball at Kiwanis, floating the Provo river, finally hiking Mount Timpanogos, watching fireworks, camping as often as I can, enjoying late night talks on the stoop, and eating barbequed chicken.

And if I really need to get out, there may be a few weekend Mexico trips...

In the meanwhile, I will continue to dream about my far away adventure. I know it's coming someday. My little heart has too many dreams for it not to happen. I guess I'll just have to be patient... :)

Ta Dah!

Bienvenido, boa vinda, welkom, Yookoso, Swaa-gat hai, Failte romhat

That means welcome... to friends, family... random blog stalkers. Welcome to my blog!

I know some of you doubter faces never believed it would happen, but here it is. I have a blog! I'm not completely in love with it yet; so don't judge. He's just a little guy... a little baby blog. But he's got lots of potential.

So go ahead and add me to your google reader, make comments if you'd like, and enjoy my random posts. For those of you who don't know what a google reader is, I am sad for you. Do yourself a favor and look into that. It'll change your bloggin' life. :)