tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68490814799751462972024-03-08T03:26:57.880-07:00Blythe's Bloggity BlogBlythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686963209436411331noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849081479975146297.post-92205375292777055182009-08-11T15:22:00.001-06:002009-08-11T15:22:01.590-06:00Hello Blog, Remember Me?<p>I made it back from Europe! I feel like I have been gone for SO long, and my poor neglected blog reflects my absence. I unfortunately have no idea when I will actually have time to update this bad boy and tell all of you about our European adventures! Easton and I took over three thousand pictures on our trip, and it is proving to be quite a chore to sort through them. I’m sure I would have already spent more time trying to organize pictures and draft some blog posts if it weren’t for the fact that I’m moving back to San Diego in TWO WEEKS! I can’t believe the time has come for me to move! I’m excited and absolutely terrified at the same time.</p> <p>To complicate matters even more, I’m taking off tomorrow for a final hurrah in Lake Powell before I permanently leave Utah in the dust. Time is definitely not on my side, friends. After I get back from Lake Powell I’ll be turning into a packing machine, and I think it’s safe to say that blogging will continue to take a back seat to the events of my crazy life. I hope it won’t be TOO long before I can get my butt in gear and give my blog the attention it deserves!</p> <p>I hope everyone is having an amazing summer!</p> Blythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686963209436411331noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849081479975146297.post-49032547698151260792009-07-06T10:32:00.001-06:002009-07-06T10:32:21.373-06:00So long, Farewell<p>I’m off to Europe for the rest of the month! I’ll see everyone in August!</p> Blythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686963209436411331noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849081479975146297.post-81718870655414815652009-07-01T19:41:00.001-06:002009-07-01T20:00:39.502-06:00Interstate Love Song<p>A few weeks ago I had a date with Scott Weiland. After seventeen years as the front man for two of the greatest bands of all time…Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver…Scott decided to take a break from the fame and glory to come visit his number one fan and true love. Yes, I’m referring to ME. Don’t think I haven’t noticed the way he has stared earnestly into my eyes from the stage during the plethora of concerts I have attended over the years. Some people have tried to convince me that Scott’s intense gaze has merely been the result of my insane, somewhat fanatical behavior at his shows…but I know the truth. That’s right, Scott loves me…and he came all the way to Salt Lake just to do a little singing for yours truly.</p> <p>Okay <em>fine</em>, I may have exaggerated a little bit. It is possible that my recent encounter with Scott was <em>less</em> of a meeting between two enamored people in love, and <em>more</em> of a meeting between rock star and stalker. You say potato, I say potahto.</p> <p>Anyway, the Scott Weiland concert did not disappoint. I have been following Scott’s career ever since he first emerged with Stone Temple Pilots when I was in junior high. As a matter of fact, I purchased STP’s first album on cassette tape…THAT is how long I have loved Scott Weiland.</p> <p align="center">This picture was taken right after Scott came onstage! <br />I think my enormous grin speaks for itself. <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SkwQIHWy6CI/AAAAAAAABdg/TSEq6KzoPAI/s1600-h/Scott%20Weiland%20Concert%20021%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Scott Weiland Concert 01" border="0" alt="Scott Weiland Concert 01" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SkwQIf2bfnI/AAAAAAAABdk/VxRwWsdJaVA/Scott%20Weiland%20Concert%20021_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="274" /></a></p> <p>The stage was rigged with a huge dry ice machine, and during a really long jam of “Sour Girl” the band played their instruments while simultaneously rolling around in the haze.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SkwQI2QIs5I/AAAAAAAABdo/CARCKTKtLVY/s1600-h/Scott%20Weiland%20Concert%20035%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Scott Weiland Concert 02" border="0" alt="Scott Weiland Concert 02" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SkwQJfz8MnI/AAAAAAAABdw/jmoKR1TuTTE/Scott%20Weiland%20Concert%20035_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="169" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SkwQJwHET6I/AAAAAAAABd0/7bDh59BTLCA/s1600-h/Scott%20Weiland%20Concert%20038%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Scott Weiland Concert 03" border="0" alt="Scott Weiland Concert 03" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SkwQKVfnfzI/AAAAAAAABd4/T6ZWXZZamrc/Scott%20Weiland%20Concert%20038_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="169" /></a></p> <div style="clear: both"></div> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SkwQKwRDwcI/AAAAAAAABd8/XC5P5wX4aPE/s1600-h/Scott%20Weiland%20Concert%20042%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Scott Weiland Concert 04" border="0" alt="Scott Weiland Concert 04" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SkwQMNtsl2I/AAAAAAAABeA/Xi9H8Lr9vYA/Scott%20Weiland%20Concert%20042_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="210" height="279" /></a></p> <p>At one point during the concert, the lead guitarist walked along the stage with his guitar held out for the crowd to touch. Easton snapped a picture of me touching the guitar and acting like the frenzied groupie that I am.</p> <p align="center">Hey Court, does the sticker on this guitar look familiar to you? <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SkwQMtzXQrI/AAAAAAAABeE/VJ_mQBMywfg/s1600-h/Scott%20Weiland%20Concert%20049%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Scott Weiland Concert 05" border="0" alt="Scott Weiland Concert 05" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SkwQMwPAA1I/AAAAAAAABeI/3IyLyOQpkkk/Scott%20Weiland%20Concert%20049_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="210" height="279" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SkwQNeXUuEI/AAAAAAAABeM/oobnj-8n8ec/s1600-h/Scott%20Weiland%20Concert%20069%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Scott Weiland Concert 06" border="0" alt="Scott Weiland Concert 06" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SkwQOITJyOI/AAAAAAAABeU/UmLKW5uCgJE/Scott%20Weiland%20Concert%20069_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SkwQOThMhaI/AAAAAAAABeY/HqE7Wb5eNCY/s1600-h/Scott%20Weiland%20Concert%20059%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 60px 0px 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Scott Weiland Concert 07" border="0" alt="Scott Weiland Concert 07" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SkwQO09nGOI/AAAAAAAABec/zENvYksRCHs/Scott%20Weiland%20Concert%20059_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a></p> <br /> <div style="clear: both"></div> <br /> <p>After two hours of incredible music along with the obligatory encore, Scott and the band said good night and walked offstage…but not before the bass player threw his guitar pick into the crowd and hit me in the head with it! Luckily, Easton is an extremely observant and sprightly boyfriend who managed to snatch up the offending pick before anyone else could grab it.</p> <p align="center">Yep, this bad boy pelted me right in the forehead. <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SkwUJoZ6TGI/AAAAAAAABe8/Ir0gg4DqRyQ/s1600-h/Scott%20Weiland%20Loot%20002%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Scott Weiland Loot 01" border="0" alt="Scott Weiland Loot 01" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SkwUKOEWhoI/AAAAAAAABfA/SO-1fTk0sVI/Scott%20Weiland%20Loot%20002_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="266" /></a> </p> <p>I also yelled at one of the roadies (while bouncing up and down for emphasis) until he agreed to peel a set list off of the stage floor for me. The particular set list I ended up with was stationed directly in front of Scott’s microphone, which means that I am the lucky owner of a set list covered in Scott Weiland’s footprints!</p> <p>To top off an already incredible evening, we waited around after the show to see if we could track down Scott…and our stalkerish ways paid off! We managed to bombard him on the way to his tour bus…and OH HAPPY DAY…Scott Weiland autographed my favorite STP album booklet and let me take a picture with him!</p> <p align="center">Here I am with the man himself…who has most certainly changed quite a bit since his sexy heartthrob days on MTV’s unplugged. <br /><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Scott Weiland Concert 08" border="0" alt="Scott Weiland Concert 08" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SkwQQUMOwjI/AAAAAAAABeo/24gqCEBmFPo/Scott%20Weiland%20Concert%20100%20-%2006_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" height="304" /> Despite my sneaking suspicion that he possibly dabbles in illegal substances…Scott Weiland still rocks my world.</p> <p align="center">Easton and Justin jumped in on the action as well. <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SkwQQ70RPxI/AAAAAAAABes/ia9GMlAfIKI/s1600-h/Scott%20Weiland%20Concert%20102%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Scott Weiland Concert 09" border="0" alt="Scott Weiland Concert 09" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SkwQRQZuqhI/AAAAAAAABew/-tzAcC9RNC4/Scott%20Weiland%20Concert%20102_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></a></p> <p>Overall, our night with Scott Weiland was an absolute blast! The experience was also fairly lucrative, considering that I walked away with a set list (AND a collection of Scott’s footprints), a guitar pick, a signed CD booklet, and the long-lasting memory of getting up close and personal with Scott Weiland.</p> <p align="center">Here I am with all my loot from the show: <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SkwQRhSYiOI/AAAAAAAABe0/06L7BB9ZCMg/s1600-h/Scott%20Weiland%20Loot%20001%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Scott Weiland Loot 02" border="0" alt="Scott Weiland Loot 02" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SkwQSHyCoPI/AAAAAAAABe4/vuTSu80Sdsc/Scott%20Weiland%20Loot%20001_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" height="304" /></a></p> <p>I really don’t think I will ever get sick of going to concerts. One day I will probably become one of those old ladies who rock out at concerts while all the young folk stare mockingly. And when that day comes, I have no doubt that I will still love every minute of it.</p> Blythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686963209436411331noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849081479975146297.post-91630468561285833952009-06-04T16:30:00.001-06:002009-06-05T11:51:29.629-06:00Dynamite Dinosaurs<p>Did you know that Thanksgiving Point is home to the Largest Dinosaur Museum in the World? At least, that’s what the billboard says. So, in an effort to break up the monotony of daily life, Easton and I decided to jump in the car on Saturday and make some new prehistoric friends.</p> <p>I was pretty pumped to see all of the huge dinosaur bones, but Easton was so fascinated by the posters about dirt and tectonic plates and the separation of Pangaea that I could hardly drag him away. I had to impatiently tap my foot for at least thirty minutes before he was finally willing to move on.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SihK5stIV7I/AAAAAAAABcI/nr0EmCqDlgY/s1600-h/Dinosaur%20Museum%20006%5B6%5D.jpg"><img title="Dinosaur Museum 01" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="229" alt="Dinosaur Museum 01" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SihK6AYW5aI/AAAAAAAABcM/jhsLMjzX0g8/Dinosaur%20Museum%20006_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The museum was huge! And I was totally fascinated by all of the exhibits. Sometimes I find it hard to believe that creatures as huge as dinosaurs actually lived on the <em>very same</em> planet that we live on today.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SihK6mDyJNI/AAAAAAAABcQ/JUJLVJk0aHc/s1600-h/Dinosaur%20Museum%20044%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Dinosaur Museum 02" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="169" alt="Dinosaur Museum 02" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SihK6yU0s_I/AAAAAAAABcU/zXJP-EOFVL0/Dinosaur%20Museum%20044_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="left" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SihK7dY3D2I/AAAAAAAABcY/lWriMufDQ8k/s1600-h/Dinosaur%20Museum%20046%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Dinosaur Museum 03" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="169" alt="Dinosaur Museum 03" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SihK76iLh4I/AAAAAAAABcc/EvYC49jK_Do/Dinosaur%20Museum%20046_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <br /> <div style="clear: both"></div> <br /> <p align="center">Do you see a resemblance here? <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SihK9Mk0V1I/AAAAAAAABcg/s4HGZm-xPzc/s1600-h/Dinosaur%20Museum%20036%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="Dinosaur Museum 04" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="334" alt="Dinosaur Museum 04" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SihK9d7zLfI/AAAAAAAABck/-2ALoBbArcY/Dinosaur%20Museum%20036_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="center">Dancing with Dino. <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SihK98ocHMI/AAAAAAAABco/MmAow27kjTI/s1600-h/Dinosaur%20Museum%20021%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="Dinosaur Museum 05" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="229" alt="Dinosaur Museum 05" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SihK-fxAcCI/AAAAAAAABcs/mnHt2OuQ15M/Dinosaur%20Museum%20021_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SihK_VtaZmI/AAAAAAAABcw/LjVPKwe9Wvk/s1600-h/Dinosaur%20Museum%20061%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="Dinosaur Museum 06" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; border-right-width: 0px" height="244" alt="Dinosaur Museum 06" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SihK_5wYiSI/AAAAAAAABc0/baRkv3l5peg/Dinosaur%20Museum%20061_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="left" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SihLAWFBF-I/AAAAAAAABc4/p0DEfH-dpmk/s1600-h/Dinosaur%20Museum%20059%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="Dinosaur Museum 07" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 40px 0px 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="244" alt="Dinosaur Museum 07" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SihLApufpWI/AAAAAAAABc8/YBi7NhIFwMo/Dinosaur%20Museum%20059_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p> <br /> <div style="clear: both"></div> <br /> <p align="center">Watching the 3D “Dinosaur Giants of Patagonia” movie. <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SihLBG8CnbI/AAAAAAAABdA/WYPieHoLQp4/s1600-h/Dinosaur%20Museum%20004%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Dinosaur Museum 08" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="229" alt="Dinosaur Museum 08" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SihLBd8AYnI/AAAAAAAABdE/eNCANLa2t3Y/Dinosaur%20Museum%20004_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SihLCIHPqAI/AAAAAAAABdI/pri4A5e8dTs/s1600-h/Dinosaur%20Museum%20055%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Dinosaur Museum 09" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="151" alt="Dinosaur Museum 09" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SihLCtMjYHI/AAAAAAAABdM/DtmiDSOX74g/Dinosaur%20Museum%20055_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="left" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SihLDMk_DdI/AAAAAAAABdQ/vXA2KEaZXMo/s1600-h/Dinosaur%20Museum%20056%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Dinosaur Museum 10" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="151" alt="Dinosaur Museum 10" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SihLD_OHbgI/AAAAAAAABdU/JU62zf0K6pw/Dinosaur%20Museum%20056_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <br /> <div style="clear: both"></div> <br /> <p align="center">Megalodon. I was beyond terrified by the description of this shark.<br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SihLESuNNXI/AAAAAAAABdY/Ta6nOzH004o/s1600-h/Dinosaur%20Museum%20063%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="Dinosaur Museum 11" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="304" alt="Dinosaur Museum 11" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SihLEkmm7aI/AAAAAAAABdc/6HBnxpDvrd4/Dinosaur%20Museum%20063_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" border="0" /></a></p> <p>Yes, Easton and I are technically adults. But that didn’t stop us from running around taking pictures of ourselves pretending to be eaten by dinosaurs and climbing into exhibits that were supposedly off-limits, all while simultaneously eating blow pops that had previously doubled as walrus tusks.</p> <p>Other people at the museum may have scoffed at us…but we thought we were absolutely hilarious.</p> Blythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686963209436411331noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849081479975146297.post-25742601790232118412009-05-19T18:36:00.001-06:002009-05-19T18:40:37.208-06:00What Happens in Vegas…<p>…stays in Vegas. But I must admit, my recent trip to Las Vegas didn’t include a single scandalous or sordid event that would need to be locked away in a secret vault in Vegas. In fact…I think the population of Las Vegas was probably bored to tears by our mellow group.</p> <p>I have been SO stressed out lately and I was in desperate need of a relaxing getaway. My friend Tom offered up the perfect excuse to escape town for a few days by suggesting we all meet in Vegas, and I was pretty quick to jump on the bandwagon.</p> <p>Our weekend consisted of a few distinct elements:</p> <p align="center">We hung out by the pool… <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/ShNP5awwI_I/AAAAAAAABag/7sD9pB3th30/s1600-h/Vegas013.jpg"><img title="Vegas 01" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="169" alt="Vegas 01" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/ShNP6uyFgaI/AAAAAAAABak/zwDDbUe7c3I/Vegas01_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="left" border="0" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/ShNP8O7sm5I/AAAAAAAABao/zjye_gtpJTo/s1600-h/Vegas023.jpg"><img title="Vegas 02" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="169" alt="Vegas 02" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/ShNP9q2NGmI/AAAAAAAABas/d5ZDoOkg_EU/Vegas02_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <br /> <div style="clear: both"></div> <br /> <p align="center">...tackled some roller coasters… <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/ShNP_iFyyBI/AAAAAAAABaw/UzfgvdvQNvU/s1600-h/Vegas033.jpg"><img title="Vegas 03" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="169" alt="Vegas 03" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/ShNQAoVAqlI/AAAAAAAABa0/MUq29uCVGR4/Vegas03_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="left" border="0" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/ShNQCOiolLI/AAAAAAAABa4/42pdFX6jORw/s1600-h/Vegas043.jpg"><img title="Vegas 04" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="169" alt="Vegas 04" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/ShNQDcFvL-I/AAAAAAAABa8/xcspACti_Ww/Vegas04_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <br /> <div style="clear: both"></div> <br /> <p align="center">...ate A LOT of food… <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/ShNQFcMm7eI/AAAAAAAABbA/v0qJp7tNomc/s1600-h/Vegas053.jpg"><img title="Vegas 05" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="229" alt="Vegas 05" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/ShNQHDGxiWI/AAAAAAAABbE/G9gEN-sHAbg/Vegas05_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/ShNQI07N7LI/AAAAAAAABbI/R3Md28mwh8U/s1600-h/Vegas063.jpg"><img title="Vegas 06" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="169" alt="Vegas 06" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/ShNQKbH7CyI/AAAAAAAABbM/pZXQXP4G0zQ/Vegas06_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="left" border="0" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/ShNQMO89zeI/AAAAAAAABbQ/5IMS83CFE1w/s1600-h/Vegas073.jpg"><img title="Vegas 07" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="169" alt="Vegas 07" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/ShNQNlNAiTI/AAAAAAAABbU/cs--aDJ4un4/Vegas07_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <br /> <div style="clear: both"></div> <br /> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/ShNQPqQW3PI/AAAAAAAABbY/yQFT7_Q7Jzs/s1600-h/Vegas083.jpg"><img title="Vegas 08" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="229" alt="Vegas 08" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/ShNQRNWZRkI/AAAAAAAABbc/j6xAED95swc/Vegas08_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/ShNQTL8EdtI/AAAAAAAABbg/IOOU4iORFLI/s1600-h/Vegas093.jpg"><img title="Vegas 09" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="151" alt="Vegas 09" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/ShNQUvOpYlI/AAAAAAAABbk/B_H-0xbZKvM/Vegas09_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="left" border="0" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/ShNQWp2-Y3I/AAAAAAAABbo/8ZdgSZep1E8/s1600-h/Vegas103.jpg"><img title="Vegas 10" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="151" alt="Vegas 10" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/ShNQabWO0SI/AAAAAAAABbs/gXCe98V1OCo/Vegas10_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p> <br /> <div style="clear: both"></div> <br /> <p align="center">...and were driven around all weekend by our chauffeur, Justin, who is from New York and is therefore accustomed to crazy driving conditions. <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/ShNQcaoMk3I/AAAAAAAABbw/cka37YN1nRM/s1600-h/Vegas113.jpg"><img title="Vegas 11" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="169" alt="Vegas 11" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/ShNQdld6wAI/AAAAAAAABb0/57gagDVoPq0/Vegas11_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="left" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/ShNQfQjeWXI/AAAAAAAABb4/_6hOgFK7mFA/s1600-h/Vegas123.jpg"><img title="Vegas 12" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="169" alt="Vegas 12" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/ShNQghLjz5I/AAAAAAAABb8/l_xGBgftNtA/Vegas12_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <br /> <div style="clear: both"></div> <br /> <p>Overall, our quick Vegas jaunt was incredibly low-key and restful, which was just what the doctor ordered. When the weekend came to an end and we began our drive back to Utah, I started to feel a little blue about the fact that I was heading straight back to all the stress and anxiety of daily life. We drove into a patch of gloomy rain, which added to my melancholy mood even more…until we emerged from the rainstorm into the bright sunshine and saw the most beautiful rainbow.</p> <p align="center">This definitely made me smile… <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/ShNQioMpQaI/AAAAAAAABcA/9aH6qF0AHpE/s1600-h/Vegas%2013%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="Vegas 13" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="240" alt="Vegas 13" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/ShNQkDkXaMI/AAAAAAAABcE/mhwdw4nDsgM/Vegas%2013_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>I’d like to think that the rainbow was a little sign that life will work itself out and everything will be just fine. Or maybe it was just a kick in the butt to remind me that I am so unbelievably blessed and shouldn’t be complaining about the challenges that tend to stress me out. Or maybe it was none of those things at all, and I was just searching for some special meaning in a simple rainbow. </p> <p>Either way, I hope I never stop being grateful for my amazing life. The world is wide open to me right now! How lucky am I?</p> Blythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686963209436411331noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849081479975146297.post-27078191464782919272009-05-12T22:46:00.001-06:002009-05-13T15:01:06.706-06:00Spoonman<p>I have a few sincere words of wisdom I would like to share with all of you:</p> <p><font face="Teen" size="5">Chris Cornell is a Rock GOD. </font></p> <p>That’s right, I said it. He rocks my world. And that’s exactly what he did at his mind-blowing concert a couple weeks ago!</p> <p align="center">Here we are waiting for the doors to open…<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SgpQcGpBTMI/AAAAAAAABXo/uIPcVjB9wmQ/s1600-h/Chris%20Cornell%20Concert%20002%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Chris Cornell Concert 002" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="304" alt="Chris Cornell Concert 002" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SgpQcs2EoPI/AAAAAAAABXs/6ktoJzR4aG0/Chris%20Cornell%20Concert%20002_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">This picture was taken right after Chris Cornell stepped onstage! <br />That huge smile didn’t leave my face ALL night. <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SgpQdJh5ZSI/AAAAAAAABXw/coSl9yRgY4M/s1600-h/Chris%20Cornell%20Concert%20018%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Chris Cornell Concert 018" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="304" alt="Chris Cornell Concert 018" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SgpQd4lDxzI/AAAAAAAABX0/D2Z2tIs2C9w/Chris%20Cornell%20Concert%20018_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We started the concert in the second row, but those of you who know me will understand that second row would never be adequate when Chris Cornell is involved. Once the music got going and everyone started pushing and shoving, I just kept my little hand in a deathgrip on the front rail and managed to squish all the way forward.</p> <p>Let me paint you a picture. Chris Cornell was no more than a few measly feet in front of me, and I was in a position to see every miniscule detail. I was close enough to see that Chris had Calvin Klein underwear peeking out of his Chip and Pepper jeans. The jeans I speak of were being held up by a shoelace instead of a belt, and were tucked nonchalantly into Fluevog boots. He was wearing a simple bracelet made of little wooden beads, and among his multitude of necklaces was a thin leather cord bearing a tiny turquoise charm. That’s right folks, I could see all of this in perfect clarity.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SgpnuXNSTiI/AAAAAAAABZU/r6sd1Xk-ETA/s1600-h/Chris%20Cornell%20Concert%20127%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Chris Cornell Concert 127" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="240" alt="Chris Cornell Concert 127" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SgpnvI8LFkI/AAAAAAAABZY/cKBMWf4vhk0/Chris%20Cornell%20Concert%20127_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Now for the best part of the whole evening…Chris grabbed my hand TWICE during the concert. I almost fainted! And you can make fun of me all you want and say that I’m pathetic and fanatical, but I don’t care because I got to hold Chris Cornell’s hand and you didn’t.</p> <p>Here are a few highlights from the show:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SgpQe8VLCGI/AAAAAAAABX8/KLfa-9HRt6c/s1600-h/Chris%20Cornell%20Concert%20125%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Chris Cornell Concert 125" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="240" alt="Chris Cornell Concert 125" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SgpQfVAWaVI/AAAAAAAABYA/Ohhi54OVEY4/Chris%20Cornell%20Concert%20125_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" border="0" /></a> </p> <div style="clear: both"></div> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SgpQf4aqIZI/AAAAAAAABYE/KKyCamEgr8Q/s1600-h/Chris%20Cornell%20Concert%20074%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Chris Cornell Concert 074" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 55px; border-right-width: 0px" height="224" alt="Chris Cornell Concert 074" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SgpQga0d6SI/AAAAAAAABYI/ZwFj1SkG8O0/Chris%20Cornell%20Concert%20074_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="169" align="left" border="0" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SgpQgwrCJCI/AAAAAAAABYM/_I5fOJbXm6A/s1600-h/Chris%20Cornell%20Concert%20080%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Chris Cornell Concert 080" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 55px 0px 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="224" alt="Chris Cornell Concert 080" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SgpQhp0r4dI/AAAAAAAABYQ/M8RZ6_iGubk/Chris%20Cornell%20Concert%20080_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="169" align="right" border="0" /></a> <br /> <div style="clear: both"></div> <br /> <p align="center">About halfway through the concert, Chris Cornell threw a guitar pick into the crowd and Easton caught it in midair! He clearly has some very impressive hand-eye coordination.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SgpQiY3hfvI/AAAAAAAABYU/SxMpK_aRT4o/s1600-h/Chris%20Cornell%20Concert%20093%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Chris Cornell Concert 093" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="229" alt="Chris Cornell Concert 093" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SgpQiz1QMfI/AAAAAAAABYY/Nrehe0rxMAE/Chris%20Cornell%20Concert%20093_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p>I would like to take a second to point out that Easton is the BEST person to go to concerts with. Without him around to be my bodyguard, there is no way I would be able to withstand the front row of a rock concert without getting totally trampled. But when I have Easton placed strategically behind me, I just get to jump around and enjoy the concert while he acts as a very effective barrier from all the wild people around us. I suppose there are some very distinct advantages to dating such a big guy!</p> <p>We ended up running into our friends Justin and Christine in the swarm of crazy fans, which meant that we were able to expand our team for even more efficient crowd control.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SgpQjbZj8wI/AAAAAAAABZg/85sZRhJWwqY/s1600-h/Chris%20Cornell%20Concert%20123.jpg"><img title="Chris Cornell Concert 123" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 55px; border-right-width: 0px" height="224" alt="Chris Cornell Concert 123" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SgpQj3bT__I/AAAAAAAABZo/yhFhck1pkww/Chris%20Cornell%20Concert%20123_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="169" align="left" border="0" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Sgpnw9f2cBI/AAAAAAAABZs/Mmfya4GSD7M/s1600-h/Chris%20Cornell%20Concert%20121%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Chris Cornell Concert 121" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 55px 0px 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="224" alt="Chris Cornell Concert 121" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SgpnxiqpWII/AAAAAAAABZ4/ZE7D2_gGvN0/Chris%20Cornell%20Concert%20121_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="169" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p> <div style="clear: both"></div> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SgpQlz0jUtI/AAAAAAAABYs/QN1o-MSy4tk/s1600-h/Chris%20Cornell%20Concert%20087%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Chris Cornell Concert 087" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="169" alt="Chris Cornell Concert 087" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SgpQmXqcu4I/AAAAAAAABYw/3qK_2aEPNCY/Chris%20Cornell%20Concert%20087_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="left" border="0" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SgpQm3IZHgI/AAAAAAAABY0/9BHHiDRZzDw/s1600-h/Chris%20Cornell%20Concert%20071%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Chris Cornell Concert 071" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="169" alt="Chris Cornell Concert 071" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SgpQnd_YrtI/AAAAAAAABY4/Vv430GUKFL0/Chris%20Cornell%20Concert%20071_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <br /> <div style="clear: both"></div> <br /> <p>By the end of the concert, I was running on pure adrenaline and continuing to scream myself hoarse. When Chris Cornell finally said good night and walked offstage, I felt a surge of disappointment…until the guitarist handed me the guitar pick he had been using and the drummer gave me one of his drumsticks! Oh what a night.</p> <p align="center">Here I am with my loot from the concert. Lucky lucky me.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SgpQnwxesKI/AAAAAAAABY8/73-VqvVR3TY/s1600-h/Chris%20Cornell%20Concert%20139%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Chris Cornell Concert 139" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="319" alt="Chris Cornell Concert 139" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SgpQom7935I/AAAAAAAABZA/AX1wAuBBAWw/Chris%20Cornell%20Concert%20139_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="214" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Life can be so fun sometimes! Music has always had an amazing power to make me happy. I’ll never forget such an incredible concert…or the feeling of Chris Cornell’s beautiful hand in mine. </p> <p>And Chris…if you happen to stumble upon my blog and are reading these words, I’d like you to know that I LOVE YOU!</p> Blythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686963209436411331noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849081479975146297.post-56689732008393704762009-05-10T20:27:00.001-06:002009-05-10T21:06:56.097-06:00Happy Mother’s Day!<p>I have the best mom in the world.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SgeNDpYDiHI/AAAAAAAABXA/PNpsEtW6ydA/s1600-h/Mum%2002%5B7%5D.jpg"><img title="Mum 02" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="229" alt="Mum 02" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SgeNEOm2MSI/AAAAAAAABXE/jxGhnXKIenk/Mum%2002_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>No, seriously. I know you’re sitting there thinking, “Come on now, don’t exaggerate.” But really…my mom is absolutely, positively, unquestionably, indubitably, assuredly, unconditionally the GREATEST mom in existence.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SgeNEziF2XI/AAAAAAAABXI/uQR9IyXSs_g/s1600-h/Mum%2001%5B7%5D.jpg"><img title="Mum 01" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="229" alt="Mum 01" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SgeNFLa1B2I/AAAAAAAABXM/TlbmBpn3-BQ/Mum%2001_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>One time I picked up my mom’s scriptures and a small scrap of paper fell to the floor. I hastily scooped the paper into my hand, intending to return it to the front pocket of the scripture case, and I glanced with mild interest at the words written on the little note. The paper had clearly been given to Mum at church, and one side was stamped with instructions for each person to write down their hopes and dreams.</p> <p>I turned the paper over and discovered my mom’s answer to the question, written in her familiar handwriting: “I wish for the happiness and success of my children.”</p> <p>I have no doubt that Mum is overflowing with hopes and dreams of her own…but I am certain that she would willingly sacrifice everything in this world to ensure the happiness of her children. My sisters and I are so, SO lucky to have a mother who loves us so much.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SgeNFjT29gI/AAAAAAAABXQ/PYPxpaDbJUU/s1600-h/Mum%2006%5B7%5D.jpg"><img title="Mum 06" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="229" alt="Mum 06" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SgeNGDWEhxI/AAAAAAAABXU/_9Usjut5JC0/Mum%2006_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>One day I hope to repay my mom for her selflessness and generosity by purchasing her a luxury condo on the beach where she can eventually enjoy retirement. Sounds pretty plush, eh? Although I have no doubt that she would appreciate the gesture, even extravagant real estate seems to pale in comparison to everything my mom has done for me over the past 28 years of my life.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SgeNGibdZqI/AAAAAAAABXY/z9MRsadguS0/s1600-h/Mum%2003%5B6%5D.jpg"><img title="Mum 03" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="304" alt="Mum 03" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SgeNHOh-bMI/AAAAAAAABXc/hBrjLt388uc/Mum%2003_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>I love you, Mum! You are my best friend and I don’t know what I would do without you. I love the way we can sit and talk for hours and hours, and I am constantly amazed that we somehow never manage to run out of things to say. No one else is capable of making me laugh until my cheeks hurt the way you do! You guide me through every twist and turn that life throws in my direction, and you offer infallible support whenever I struggle. I am so grateful for you, and I hope that I can always take care of you and enrich your life the same way you have always done for me. Happy Mother’s Day!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SgeNHuZ0xvI/AAAAAAAABXg/09LrDTBzBBs/s1600-h/Mum%2004%5B6%5D.jpg"><img title="Mum 04" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="229" alt="Mum 04" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SgeNIOJ3EqI/AAAAAAAABXk/9EuDAcF8hS0/Mum%2004_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a></p> Blythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686963209436411331noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849081479975146297.post-70763648155491706442009-04-16T16:36:00.001-06:002009-04-17T04:34:25.309-06:00The Verdict Is In<p>After a lot of flip-flopping between the pros and cons of Pepperdine and the University of San Diego, I have finally decided that I’m going to start grad school at USD in the fall. A couple weeks ago I took a trip down to So. Cal to visit Pepperdine in the hopes that I would get a feel for which program is right for me, and although Pepperdine was <em>extremely</em> tempting (translation: I had a difficult time passing up a school that is <em>right</em> on the beach in Malibu), USD’s benefits ultimately surpassed Pepperdine’s. Although both schools undoubtedly offer amazing programs, USD is nationally accredited, allows flexibility with class choices and schedules, and offers study abroad opportunities. I just couldn’t deny such substantial benefits, and USD consequently seems to be a better fit for me personally…but I’m still lamenting the loss of Pepperdine’s incredible campus.</p> <p>Although my trip to San Diego was brief, I was grateful for the chance to spend a little time with the fam. The weather was absolutely gorgeous (big shocker) and we made sure to take advantage of the sunshine.</p> <p>Courtney and I hit up a sunset at Ponto one evening, and I was vividly reminded of how lucky I am to have spent my whole life right next to the beach. The sand, the waves, the sunshine, and the salty air always manage to lull me into some kind of euphoria.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Seey8ityodI/AAAAAAAABGM/tjjbvPUSetE/s1600-h/SanDiego%2001%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="SanDiego 01" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="169" alt="SanDiego 01" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Seey83bryjI/AAAAAAAABGQ/Vrbk9EJw8jA/SanDiego%2001_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Seey9ZQJwAI/AAAAAAAABGU/c679HCi9ik8/s1600-h/SanDiego%2002%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="SanDiego 02" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="169" alt="SanDiego 02" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Seey9uZHeKI/AAAAAAAABGY/d5YRZ0jLaWI/SanDiego%2002_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <div style="clear: both"></div> <p>We also spent a sunny Saturday in Encinitas doing a few things that were reminiscent of good old high school days. Talk about a blast from the past! We started our day with breakfast at the Potato Shack (oh American fries, why do you have to be so delicious and fattening?)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Seey91A8YHI/AAAAAAAABGc/R_nWZOxwB_I/s1600-h/SanDiego%2003%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="SanDiego 03" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="169" alt="SanDiego 03" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Seey-PUlpuI/AAAAAAAABGg/ezmdnxzx6ys/SanDiego%2003_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Seey-jtDnEI/AAAAAAAABGk/lJGiwDeB3Pg/s1600-h/SanDiego%2004%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="SanDiego 04" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="169" alt="SanDiego 04" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Seey_E4t6cI/AAAAAAAABGo/iXSh1NuVnwM/SanDiego%2004_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <div style="clear: both"></div> <p>After breakfast, we walked around our favorite stores and surf shops until our food had digested enough to make room for slurpees and Funyuns from the 7-11 on D Street. It has been way too long since I have indulged in this little pleasure.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Seey_Xt1DUI/AAAAAAAABGs/nSh-QzfnqTc/s1600-h/SanDiego%2005%5B7%5D.jpg"><img title="SanDiego 05" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="210" alt="SanDiego 05" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Seey_7zpgUI/AAAAAAAABGw/-7UCzqxKBt0/SanDiego%2005_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We also made it to the Seaside Bazaar, which is always a fun place to find unique and homemade little treasures. The economy has clearly taken a toll on everyone, because one sales guy actually chased me around the bazaar with a messenger bag I had momentarily considered buying. He kept offering to give me a special deal on the bag, and for a moment I couldn’t actually figure out whether I was in Encinitas or Tijuana.</p> <p align="center">Courtney bought me this darling hat from a little stand at the bazaar, along with an adorable purple one for herself:<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SeezAMjtvdI/AAAAAAAABG0/XgcfTjIFsIg/s1600-h/SanDiego%2006%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="SanDiego 06" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="210" alt="SanDiego 06" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SeezAuy-5iI/AAAAAAAABG4/XmOZNkXLCfU/SanDiego%2006_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" border="0" /></a> Cute, eh?</p> <p>I guess it won’t be too long before I’ll be back down in the San Diego sunshine for good! I can’t believe how many changes are taking place in my life right now. I won’t deny that I’m a little apprehensive…I’ve always been the type of person who likes security and consistency. I am NOT looking forward to racking up a load of debt from grad school, and I’m kinda nervous about packing up my whole life and starting a brand new chapter. But I guess the flip-side of fear is excitement, and I am thrilled to make a fresh start towards improving my life and making a better future for myself. And while we’re on the topic of personal enrichment…being back in beach country won’t be the worst thing in the world either.</p> Blythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686963209436411331noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849081479975146297.post-33249817172188976562009-03-29T21:18:00.001-06:002009-04-22T01:10:15.834-06:00Festival of Colors<p>The local Hare Krishna temple hosted its annual Holi Festival of Colors yesterday and thousands of people flocked from all over Utah to attend. I have been looking forward to this festival all month and there was NO way I was going to miss it. The Holi Festival celebrates the arrival of spring and the passing of winter, and tradition dictates that all grudges and negative feelings must be abandoned for a day of merriment. According to the Hare Krishna website, people are supposed to “bury their hatchets with a warm embrace and throw their worries to the wind”…and those worries are apparently represented by enough colorful powder to bury us all.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SdA5B_feUwI/AAAAAAAABE0/cCHdI1E_Xvc/s1600-h/Festival%20of%20Colors%2001%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Festival of Colors 01" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="204" alt="Festival of Colors 01" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SdA5CiedyQI/AAAAAAAABE4/mi-v-O-bZ48/Festival%20of%20Colors%2001_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The festival began with singing and dancing, followed by a bonfire and ceremony in which an effigy of the evil demoness Holika was burned…and then we all counted down to the moment when we could throw around our multi-colored powder with reckless abandon. You would not <em>believe</em> the wonderful chaos that ensued! The air was so thick with powder that I couldn’t breathe…I had colors caked in my eyes, nose, and mouth…and the massive crowd trampled me like a herd of wild buffalo. It was fantastic!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SdA5DPs9EZI/AAAAAAAABE8/BUd_pXs432o/s1600-h/Festival%20of%20Colors%2002%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="Festival of Colors 02" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; border-right-width: 0px" height="305" alt="Festival of Colors 02" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SdA5D5nT1LI/AAAAAAAABFA/nT5ZyI1sWew/Festival%20of%20Colors%2002_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" align="left" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SdA5EQ2HIzI/AAAAAAAABFE/g-LD9HWnX10/s1600-h/Festival%20of%20Colors%2003%5B5%5D.jpg"><img title="Festival of Colors 03" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 20px 0px 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="304" alt="Festival of Colors 03" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SdA5EvgiKNI/AAAAAAAABFI/BTF7hYI1iiI/Festival%20of%20Colors%2003_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <div style="clear: both"></div> <p align="center">We may have been gagging on powder and unable to open our eyes for a while, but we had <em>so</em> much fun...and we definitely looked festive!<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SdA5FSqR5MI/AAAAAAAABFM/W0HzM50SQME/s1600-h/Festival%20of%20Colors%2004%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Festival of Colors 04" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="229" alt="Festival of Colors 04" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SdA5Fx0ZUwI/AAAAAAAABFQ/uDr-nXtldBs/Festival%20of%20Colors%2004_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We spent the next couple of hours dancing and singing along with the music (which wasn’t difficult to do, because apparently the Hare Krishnas just repeat the same words over and over to different tunes).</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SdA5GIQik8I/AAAAAAAABFU/vizhsmLOwK8/s1600-h/Festival%20of%20Colors%2005%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Festival of Colors 05" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="297" alt="Festival of Colors 05" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SdA5G39fT4I/AAAAAAAABFY/NACIrq3Gwnw/Festival%20of%20Colors%2005_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="left" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SdA5HRkLYaI/AAAAAAAABFc/64yC3s5nfX8/s1600-h/Festival%20of%20Colors%2006%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Festival of Colors 06" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="297" alt="Festival of Colors 06" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SdA5H58K9ZI/AAAAAAAABFg/mOIFFHy6ZAk/Festival%20of%20Colors%2006_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <div style="clear: both"></div> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SdA5ISwy37I/AAAAAAAABFk/ick21Auvb70/s1600-h/Festival%20of%20Colors%2007%5B9%5D.jpg"><img title="Festival of Colors 07" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="304" alt="Festival of Colors 07" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SdA5I2YJDkI/AAAAAAAABFo/ZGpxjkl9HLI/Festival%20of%20Colors%2007_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" border="0" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SdA57Zsfk1I/AAAAAAAABFs/lCrCZxoge2c/s1600-h/Festival%20of%20Colors%2008%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Festival of Colors 08" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="169" alt="Festival of Colors 08" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SdA57yGzMtI/AAAAAAAABFw/8DMzDo91BRE/Festival%20of%20Colors%2008_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="left" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SdA58Xw_fFI/AAAAAAAABF0/Ev6yMStMOAU/s1600-h/Festival%20of%20Colors%2009%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Festival of Colors 09" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="169" alt="Festival of Colors 09" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SdA59NRjSEI/AAAAAAAABF4/wNdcN2XQuvY/Festival%20of%20Colors%2009_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <div style="clear: both"></div> <p align="center">Not so sure about this weird food on my plate…<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SdA59jp6jqI/AAAAAAAABF8/I6LABHfyoek/s1600-h/Festival%20of%20Colors%2010%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Festival of Colors 10" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="229" alt="Festival of Colors 10" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SdA5-Ae_kTI/AAAAAAAABGA/tgKXa4Hxt0E/Festival%20of%20Colors%2010_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The Holi Festival of Colors was an unforgettable experience and I loved every minute of it! I was genuinely disappointed when the sun started to go down and the freezing temperatures forced us to leave…</p> <p align="center">…but I received quite a shock when I got home and saw <em>this</em> in the mirror:<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SdA5-nk_ERI/AAAAAAAABGE/Oy-xKymZQ3k/s1600-h/Festival%20of%20Colors%2011%5B11%5D.jpg"><img title="Festival of Colors 11" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="229" alt="Festival of Colors 11" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SdA5_Ke6aGI/AAAAAAAABGI/hoHRCSrZPwI/Festival%20of%20Colors%2011_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a></p> <p>Yikes! I hadn’t realized how truly colorful I was! My hair is still kinda pink (even after four shampoos), my eyes are still burning, and my fingernails appear to be stained purple…but it was SO worth it.</p> Blythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686963209436411331noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849081479975146297.post-71206295536551507652009-03-27T18:17:00.001-06:002009-03-27T18:17:40.562-06:00Oh Happy Day!<p>I think that Robert Smith from The Cure was talking about me when he wrote the opening lyrics to the song Mint Car:</p> <p><em><font size="5">The sun is up, I’m so happy I could scream!</font></em></p> <p>WHY am I so happy, you may ask? Because I just found out that I was accepted at the University of San Diego <em>and</em> Pepperdine University for my master’s program!</p> <p>I must be honest…I was a little skeptical about getting accepted into these two schools. I mean…come on…USD and Pepperdine are <em>hard</em> to get into. I applied with high hopes, but I was grateful that I would have San Diego State or Cal State Long Beach waiting in the wings if I needed them. Yet <em>somehow</em> I was lucky enough to be accepted into my top two choices!</p> <p>I feel so, <em>SO</em> blessed.</p> <p>So now what do I do?! Which school do I choose? Both schools have amazing programs (and both are unfortunately <em>really</em> expensive). Do I pick USD, which is located in my beloved hometown, has an incredibly beautiful campus, and offers an impressive curriculum with a chance to study abroad? Or do I opt for Pepperdine, a school that also has a remarkable curriculum, a reputation that speaks for itself, and is located right by the beach in Malibu?</p> <p>PLEASE give me your opinions!</p> Blythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686963209436411331noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849081479975146297.post-57889258443207592742009-03-23T18:46:00.001-06:002009-03-24T12:11:28.914-06:00Blog Visitors<p>Ever since I added the live traffic feed to my blog page, I have been wondering about the plethora of IP addresses from random locations that visit my blog on a regular basis. I mean…who ARE these people who take the time to type in my blog address and read about the happenings of my life? Family? Friends? Acquaintances? Complete strangers who spend their time blog-stalking? People from my past?</p> <p>I’ve considered making my blog private many times, but I’m hesitant to block out the family members and friends who seem to be constantly popping up in the blogging world. My blog has therefore remained public, although I still don’t really like the idea of having my posts on display. I am fully aware that the world wide web is a public place where anyone in the world can gain access to your personal information…however, I can’t help but find it strange that I get visitors from places like Malaysia, Brazil, and Thailand. Who <em>are</em> these people?</p> <p>And more importantly…<em>who</em> is the person in Fort Meyers, Florida who has apparently discovered my blog and keeps coming back on a regular basis? Strangely enough, this person also seems quite interested in my sister Courtney’s blog. I’m fairly certain that I know who this visitor is, and I must admit that I am intrigued. Despite the fact that my blog is extremely enticing and oh-so-delightful, I can’t imagine why this <em>particular</em> person would want to read about my life. I suppose the answer to this puzzle can be summed up by the wise words of Jim Morrison and the Doors when they aptly stated, “People are strange.”</p> Blythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686963209436411331noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849081479975146297.post-42030036919928100892009-03-10T20:33:00.003-06:002009-03-16T22:29:13.941-06:002 Legit 2 Quit<p>February 27 was a historic night on which a phenomenon swept through Utah. This particular rarity had not occurred on the earth for nearly twenty years, and those of us who were lucky enough to witness it are not likely to forget the experience anytime soon.</p> <p>The miracle I am referring to goes by a plethora of titles, the most recent of which is “Hammer Pants and Ice”…more commonly known as the MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice flashback concert!</p> <p>All technicalities aside, these labels are simply euphemisms for “Two washed-up rappers from the early 90’s who must be a little low on funds and therefore want to earn some extra money by putting on a ridiculous concert in Utah.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbcjB-eHDsI/AAAAAAAABA4/uTIe6O8I_bI/s1600-h/MC%20Hammer%20%26%20Vanilla%20Ice%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="MC Hammer & Vanilla Ice" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="229" alt="MC Hammer & Vanilla Ice" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbcjCNAlVuI/AAAAAAAABA8/wCc6GIirJPU/MC%20Hammer%20%26%20Vanilla%20Ice_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" border="0" /></a></p> <p>Yes, the concert was ludicrous. Totally absurd. It was also completely and utterly AWESOME! I mean, seriously, how many of you know every single word to “Ice Ice Baby”? I certainly do! And who has participated in a little booty-shaking to “U Can’t Touch This” on countless occasions? I have!</p> <p>Be honest…at some point in our lives, haven’t we all wanted to roll in a 5.0 with the rag-top down so our hair can blow? And come on…you <em>know</em> you got to pray just to make it today. Oh the nostalgia.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbcjCm2aQ-I/AAAAAAAABBA/WM-cJ5j_NEY/s1600-h/Vanilla%20Ice%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Vanilla Ice" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="187" alt="Vanilla Ice" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbcjC1L0mjI/AAAAAAAABBE/BNpIlXTaMWM/Vanilla%20Ice_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="left" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbcjDBAdcXI/AAAAAAAABBI/FMODeQ20swI/s1600-h/MC%20Hammer%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="MC Hammer" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="187" alt="MC Hammer" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbcjDt3m5JI/AAAAAAAABBM/4qK_1Olb2WM/MC%20Hammer_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <div style="clear: both"></div> <p>I'll be the first one to admit that the concert was pretty idiotic, but there is no way I would have missed it! We laughed through the whole thing, sang along to every song, and danced until we almost passed out from exhaustion. I quickly learned that just because I was surrounded by music from the early 90’s didn’t mean that I had the same level of endurance that I had in back in 1992.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbcjD_6UHyI/AAAAAAAABBQ/0eeTz2V71fQ/s1600-h/VanillaIceMCHammer%20045%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="VanillaIce MCHammer 01" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="229" alt="VanillaIce MCHammer 01" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbcjEf9b_MI/AAAAAAAABBU/0bX_B_Kbs-k/VanillaIceMCHammer%20045_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbcjEktxCvI/AAAAAAAABBY/trh65W2jABo/s1600-h/VanillaIceMCHammer%20016%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="VanillaIce MCHammer 02" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="229" alt="VanillaIce MCHammer 02" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbcjE3bUxTI/AAAAAAAABBc/whLqdVozR8g/VanillaIceMCHammer%20016_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="center">This is some of the priceless merchandise available at the concert.  Admit it, you are <em>so</em> lusting after the “Word to You Mutha” shirt.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbcjFT8c7iI/AAAAAAAABBg/Ch90RkYJCCw/s1600-h/VanillaIceMCHammer%20033%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="VanillaIce MCHammer 03" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="192" alt="VanillaIce MCHammer 03" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbcjFqMCVYI/AAAAAAAABBk/e1aSJTauV9w/VanillaIceMCHammer%20033_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="379" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="left">All in all, I give the concert two thumbs up. I think MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice have officially proven to the world that they really are too legit to quit!</p> Blythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686963209436411331noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849081479975146297.post-2863031649989741932009-02-21T19:14:00.001-07:002009-02-21T19:52:31.497-07:00Valentine’s Day Rebuttal<p>It has been a week since Valentine’s Day, and over the past seven days I have heard a lot of boo-hooing about this particular holiday. So many people seem to have cynical attitudes about Valentine’s Day! I can’t even begin to tally the instances where I’ve heard someone say that V-Day is nothing more than a marketing ploy invented by greeting card companies…or that it’s a cheap excuse for shallow romance and unnecessary gifts…or that Valentine’s Day is a fake holiday where relationships are irrelevant and women are simply competing over who will get the most expensive bouquet of flowers from their significant others. I even know a particular <em>someone</em> who used his blog to immortalize his opinion that the traditions of February 14<font size="1">th</font> force men to “perform like circus monkeys.”</p> <p>I acknowledge that Valentine’s Day doesn’t have any kind of firm foundation as a holiday. It wasn’t built around a religious occasion…it doesn’t represent any significant event in our history…and it doesn’t carry any deep symbolism. But you know what? WHO CARES?!</p> <p>What is really <em>so</em> bad about one day a year where we are all reminded to show extra love and consideration to the important people in our lives? Yes, I <em>know</em> that we should be expressing our love all 365 days of the year and not <em>just</em> on Valentine’s Day. But where is there written a rule that says Valentine’s Day compels you to <em>only</em> put forth extra effort this one day a year and, by doing so, makes the other 364 days obsolete? I know it can be difficult to keep the fires of love burning every single day of the year. We all tend to get wrapped up in our busy lives, and sometimes we forget to divulge the little tokens of affection that are paramount to making your loved ones feel valued and appreciated. It doesn’t mean that we don’t <em>feel</em> those things…sometimes we just need to be reminded of our priorities. And that’s how I perceive Valentine’s Day! What’s wrong with a little kick in the pants get us back on the right track?</p> <p>I agree with the naysayers about one thing: Valentine’s Day shouldn’t necessarily require gifts or flowers or spending money. I don’t think possessions or monetary rewards represent happiness or love, and I most definitely appreciate simple kindness and sweet sentiments over anything purchased from a store. But once again, where is it written that gifts <em>must</em> be involved in order to celebrate Valentine’s Day?</p> <p>Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, and people can say whatever they want about the triviality and cheesiness of Valentine’s Day. But <em>as for myself</em>, I have a great appreciation for a day that includes lots of extra kisses…heart-shaped candy…listening to sappy love songs all day…chocolate-covered strawberries…free Facebook gifts that you get to digitally unwrap…sparkling cider…colorful little dinosaur cards that say things like “You’re dino-mite!”…mushy romance movies…holding hands…and countless other little joys.</p> <p>Whether you’re on a date, or with friends, or snuggled up at home with someone…what could possibly be so awful about a holiday that emphasizes being grateful for the people in our lives?</p> <p>And on that note, I’d like to say…YAY Valentine’s Day! You were good to me this year. I look forward to seeing you again next February.</p> Blythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686963209436411331noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849081479975146297.post-8959542954490607062009-02-16T20:31:00.000-07:002009-03-21T12:58:39.968-06:00Walking on Water<p>Easton and I spent a day in Park City for Valentine’s Day and we had so much fun! Our day was frivolous and playful and full of silliness. We shopped, ate an amazing dinner, played in the snow, and consumed a multitude of chocolate-covered fruit. I loved it!</p> <p>As many of you know, I am NOT a fan of snowy weather…but Park City is just so gorgeous when it is covered with snow! I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face (although my smile may have been a little distorted by the chattering of my teeth).</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SaYNCHW1spI/AAAAAAAAA-U/fnYTz2civSw/s1600-h/Valentine%27sDay2009%20011%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="Valentine's Day 01" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="204" alt="Valentine's Day 01" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SaYNCTuoDrI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/9kMoUoWZ8F8/Valentine%27sDay2009%20011_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="270" border="0" /></a></p> <p>As we passed Deer Creek Reservoir on the way home, I noticed several people ice fishing and commented on the fact that I haven’t ever stepped foot on a frozen body of water. Easton immediately pulled the car over and suggested that I broaden my horizons by trying something new.</p> <p>As we approached the edge of the lake, I quickly noticed that the ice did NOT look exceptionally thick and I began to question our endeavor. Easton told me that he knew what he was doing and I needed to <strong><em>trust him</em></strong>, after which he confidently walked towards the lake. When he stepped onto the ice I heard little crackling noises and I could see bubbles shifting under his weight. Does that sound stable to you? No way! So I promptly began skirting the perimeter of the lake to find a sturdier entry point.</p> <p>I soon came to an area that looked fairly solid and tapped the edge with my foot to test its firmness. The ice felt pretty secure and, satisfied with my assessment, I took a step forward…and my foot plunged into knee-deep frigid water! I screamed and stumbled backwards, and Easton just roared with laughter and yelled, “<em>See</em>, you should have trusted me!”</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/ScU40Ac2h5I/AAAAAAAABCA/ibkKWIyxpsI/s1600-h/Valentine%27sDay2009%20014.jpg"><img title="Valentine's Day02" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="297" alt="Valentine's Day02" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SaYNDGFnDmI/AAAAAAAABCE/MyvTc85Daf8/Valentine%27sDay2009%20014_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" border="0" /></a></p> <p>Despite the fact that my foot was frozen and weighed nearly a hundred pounds, I allowed Easton to help me onto the ice and we played around on the surface of the reservoir for a while. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SaYNDXRXuwI/AAAAAAAABCI/S6LX2XGfvI4/s1600-h/Valentine%27sDay2009%20020.jpg"><img title="Valentine's Day 03" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="297" alt="Valentine's Day 03" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SaYND2IW6xI/AAAAAAAABCM/n_LGr7mX70s/Valentine%27sDay2009%20020_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="left" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SaYNEbgaRAI/AAAAAAAABCY/ofRfAlw5UGM/s1600-h/Valentine%27sDay2009%20024.jpg"><img title="Valentine's Day 04" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="297" alt="Valentine's Day 04" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SaYNEt4g2bI/AAAAAAAABCc/A74VpLK1DYI/Valentine%27sDay2009%20024_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p> <div style="clear: both"></div> <p>Even though my lower extremity was on the verge of frostbite, I was totally overwhelmed by the beauty of the landscape. The snow was pure white and the mountains looked like they were straight out of a painting.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SaYNFauySrI/AAAAAAAABCo/m3Z6PqRCkzg/s1600-h/Valentine%27sDay2009%20016.jpg"><img title="Valentine's Day 05" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="224" alt="Valentine's Day 05" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SaYNGKCW_9I/AAAAAAAABCw/TqImg5m5fjY/Valentine%27sDay2009%20016_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="298" border="0" /></a></p> <p>When it was time to leave, I begrudgingly walked behind Easton so that he could use his keen abilities to guide us safely to solid ground. As we neared the edge of the lake, Easton told me that he would go first and I should follow by stepping into his footprints. He dauntlessly walked forward…and managed to take a few steps before both feet suddenly plummeted through the ice! He gasped and did the most <em>hilarious</em> little dance while skipping the rest of the way to the edge. I pretty much died with laughter and cursed the fact that I hadn’t videotaped his little exhibition!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SaYNGrdiaJI/AAAAAAAABC0/iU2L6mj7Uss/s1600-h/Valentine%27sDay2009%20041.jpg"><img title="Valentine's Day 06" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="298" alt="Valentine's Day 06" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SaYNG-JQYFI/AAAAAAAABC4/U47-NEjW9XQ/Valentine%27sDay2009%20041_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" border="0" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Moral of the story: Next time you’re participating in a potentially dangerous activity and a guy tells you that there’s nothing to worry about and you should just trust him…you might want to think twice!</p> Blythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686963209436411331noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849081479975146297.post-80027761970980016072009-02-02T15:19:00.000-07:002009-04-23T17:06:54.893-06:00Viva La Mexico!<p>A bunch of us went on a cruise to the Mexican Riviera last month and it was absolutely <em>incredible</em>! The past few months have been SO stressful and this vacation was the perfect way to purge myself of a mountain of anxiety.</p> <p>Our first stop was Puerto Vallarta and we spent the majority of our day on a zip-line tour through the jungle. The zip-line course was built around the movie set of “Predator,” so we occasionally had scary alien action figures jumping out of the bushes to startle us. They were lucky that I didn't reflexively pop them with the big steel pulley I was carrying!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3anBhR17I/AAAAAAAAA54/bXigulbC3rU/s1600-h/SinglesCruise09_Easton%20212%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Puerto Vallarta 01" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="304" alt="Puerto Vallarta 01" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3anSHkxFI/AAAAAAAAA58/9NeoXR5V5k4/SinglesCruise09_Easton%20212_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" border="0" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3anyY1N6I/AAAAAAAABLA/oSSj1uyqTfg/s1600-h/SinglesCruise09_Easton%20238.jpg"><img title="Puerto Vallarta 02" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="211" alt="Puerto Vallarta 02" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3aoLBGceI/AAAAAAAABLE/DXya7RvoX7U/SinglesCruise09_Easton%20238_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" border="0" /></a></p> <p>Zip-lining was a blast! We all had so much fun and the scenery was unbelievably gorgeous. Our tour guide referred to Easton as “Grande” the whole time, and I won’t deny that everyone looked pretty nervous every time he came flying into each station at warp speed.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3aoin99FI/AAAAAAAAA6I/J5sEM2jJkl8/s1600-h/SinglesCruise09_Jake%20093%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Puerto Vallarta 03" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="204" alt="Puerto Vallarta 03" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3ao0ix20I/AAAAAAAAA6M/vgZBjAP27yk/SinglesCruise09_Jake%20093_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a></p> <p>After the zip-line tour we spent some time exploring Puerto Vallarta. What a beautiful city! I was so sad when we were forced to get back on the cruise ship later that night.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3apYTPjPI/AAAAAAAABLI/T1ac_TtJ_zs/s1600-h/SinglesCruise09_Easton%20268.jpg"><img title="Puerto Vallarta 04" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="223" alt="Puerto Vallarta 04" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3apv6vHoI/AAAAAAAABLM/qJO0hG2S6ko/SinglesCruise09_Easton%20268_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="297" align="left" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3aqAQhE5I/AAAAAAAABLU/9D7uD2oKgok/s1600-h/SinglesCruise09_Nikki%20090.jpg"><img title="Puerto Vallarta 05" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="225" alt="Puerto Vallarta 05" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3aqQDmPiI/AAAAAAAABLg/dZSPRwuzI3s/SinglesCruise09_Nikki%20090_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="151" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <div style="clear: both"></div> <p>Our second stop was Mazatlan! We got off the ship at the crack of dawn and made our way to a beautiful beach resort called El Cid. Our day in Mazatlan essentially consisted of eating (I just couldn’t get enough of that Mexican food), boogie boarding, and <em>a lot</em> of sitting around on the beach with my book…which is pretty much my idea of a perfect day!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3aqpssIVI/AAAAAAAABLk/rr_JjqOhQHw/s1600-h/SinglesCruise09_Easton%20302.jpg"><img title="Mazatlan 01" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="225" alt="Mazatlan 01" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3arCiDGkI/AAAAAAAABL0/Y1FxxSQKyM0/SinglesCruise09_Easton%20302_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="151" align="left" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3arVjh2QI/AAAAAAAABL8/NVMkPdmszRc/s1600-h/SinglesCruise09_Easton%20300.jpg"><img title="Mazatlan 02" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="223" alt="Mazatlan 02" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3ar2MUmJI/AAAAAAAABME/IlyupfUO2iQ/SinglesCruise09_Easton%20300_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="297" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p> <p></p> <div style="clear: both"></div> <p>Our final stop was Cabo San Lucas, and I can safely say that Cabo was my favorite destination. We took a water taxi over to Lover’s Beach, which is the stretch of beach where the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez meet (hence the name). I was completely astounded by the beauty of Lover’s Beach…words can’t even describe it!</p> <p align="center">Legend has it that if <em>two</em> people go into this little cave…<em>three</em> will come out! Wink wink. Don’t worry, we never actually made it to the cave…although Easton kept trying to lure me in there.<img title="Cabo 01" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="229" alt="Cabo 01" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3asD-TAEI/AAAAAAAAA6w/AnBcnuVu0Q4/SinglesCruise09_Easton%20338_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /> </p> <p></p> <p>The section of ocean on the Pacific side of the beach was technically off-limits to swimmers because of the extremely powerful waves and currents…which naturally compelled all of the boys to run directly into the water.</p> <p align="center">They thought they were so rugged…<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3asrVH6QI/AAAAAAAAA60/IBVOcdjOldo/s1600-h/Wave%2001%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="Wave 01" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="188" alt="Wave 01" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3atNBTbrI/AAAAAAAAA64/kmX5XFCkG_A/Wave%2001_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="center">…and too tough to steer clear of restricted water…<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3atQVu3WI/AAAAAAAAA68/IWBzcJ5qzjo/s1600-h/Wave%2002%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Wave 02" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="187" alt="Wave 02" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3athCIdpI/AAAAAAAAA7A/C0hPoesK_Kg/Wave%2002_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="center">…until the massive waves got ahold of them…<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3auFZ6MwI/AAAAAAAAA7E/eiVSLnv-7k8/s1600-h/Wave%2003%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Wave 03" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="188" alt="Wave 03" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3auRACucI/AAAAAAAAA7I/fw23XcLo0Pk/Wave%2003_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="center">…and gave them the beating of their lives.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3auxSbsjI/AAAAAAAAA7M/dNQAWpC7Jvk/s1600-h/Wave%2004%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Wave 04" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="187" alt="Wave 04" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3avBWzy5I/AAAAAAAAA7Q/4ZUGDprPn5I/Wave%2004_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>All the boys ended up with cuts and scrapes all over them, and Ben even popped his eardrum after being slammed into the ocean floor. I’m sure they considered their injuries a small price to pay.</p> <p>We also had plenty of time for snorkeling, ultimate frisbee, wheelbarrow races, and shopping. I’m such a sucker for the street vendors.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3avRQtZHI/AAAAAAAABMQ/3kAIdNP176I/s1600-h/SinglesCruise09_Easton%20359%20-%2002.jpg"><img title="Cabo 02" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="240" alt="Cabo 02" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3avxYvRiI/AAAAAAAABMU/Jq4_IuzTbf4/SinglesCruise09_Easton%20359%20-%2002_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" border="0" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3awEtgnuI/AAAAAAAAA7c/o1G_odaraYs/s1600-h/SinglesCruise09_Easton%20368%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="Cabo 03" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="214" alt="Cabo 03" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3awsD7pVI/AAAAAAAAA7g/VPYrbXVXgUw/SinglesCruise09_Easton%20368_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="161" align="left" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3aw8QcXPI/AAAAAAAAA7k/OHo_Mc6Ii20/s1600-h/MexicanRivieraCruise%20-%20056%5B5%5D.jpg"><img title="Cabo 04" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="214" alt="Cabo 04" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3axoAZ32I/AAAAAAAAA7o/9xfW9y5JMoM/MexicanRivieraCruise%20-%20056_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="284" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p> <div style="clear: both"></div> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3ayP1sXeI/AAAAAAAABMY/ih3o4KKcz-w/s1600-h/MexicanRivieraCruise%20-%20060.jpg"><img title="Cabo 05" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="168" alt="Cabo 05" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3ayTSKNRI/AAAAAAAABMk/liCV0QP9JLM/MexicanRivieraCruise%20-%20060_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="left" border="0" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3ay6SaSbI/AAAAAAAABMo/rCBsIDC4Y0g/s1600-h/MexicanRivieraCruise%20-%20062.jpg"><img title="Cabo 06" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="168" alt="Cabo 06" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3azWsLKPI/AAAAAAAABMw/IeL_YG7Nh3A/MexicanRivieraCruise%20-%20062_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <div style="clear: both"></div> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3azkvlpLI/AAAAAAAABM4/DszsN5uIyUo/s1600-h/SinglesCruise09_Kim%20089%5B5%5D.jpg"><img title="Cabo 07" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="284" alt="Cabo 07" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3a0J6tVUI/AAAAAAAABM8/_5vnKD8_GqI/SinglesCruise09_Kim%20089_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="214" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="center">Between ports we somehow managed to fill our time on the ship as well…</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3a0bHQFrI/AAAAAAAAA8E/SYXBXxljOoo/s1600-h/SinglesCruise09_Becky%201067%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Cruise Ship 01" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="229" alt="Cruise Ship 01" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3a1A_VL4I/AAAAAAAAA8I/uHFxDy5yQXQ/SinglesCruise09_Becky%201067_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3a1d_pdrI/AAAAAAAAA8M/JkNv9UZFLmg/s1600-h/MexicanRivieraCruise%20-%20071%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Cruise Ship 02" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="229" alt="Cruise Ship 02" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3a12IsBsI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/HiohjODAK5Y/MexicanRivieraCruise%20-%20071_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3a2IWTunI/AAAAAAAABNM/3eByDMcwAdk/s1600-h/MexicanRivieraCruise%20-%20054.jpg"><img title="Cruise Ship 03" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="170" alt="Cruise Ship 03" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3a2nRyORI/AAAAAAAABNQ/70ys7IvTjJo/MexicanRivieraCruise%20-%20054_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="left" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3a26dfGrI/AAAAAAAABNY/Xu7A3ywojmw/s1600-h/MexicanRivieraCruise%20-%20004.jpg"><img title="Cruise Ship 04" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="170" alt="Cruise Ship 04" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3a3Ql9ZnI/AAAAAAAABNg/5w1f5UhiXO4/MexicanRivieraCruise%20-%20004_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <div style="clear: both"></div> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3a3qwHV9I/AAAAAAAAA8k/_DTqPnDYBu4/s1600-h/SinglesCruise09_Becky%201126%5B6%5D.jpg"><img title="Cruise Ship 05" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="229" alt="Cruise Ship 05" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3a4HLhgrI/AAAAAAAAA8o/uFxwZ2DCPTo/SinglesCruise09_Becky%201126_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3a4crUtWI/AAAAAAAABNk/vBXYyJj_yxQ/s1600-h/SinglesCruise09_Easton%20411%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="Cruise Ship 06" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="284" alt="Cruise Ship 06" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3a4hrc7eI/AAAAAAAABNw/QH3gDmwePjo/SinglesCruise09_Easton%20411_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="214" border="0" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3a5AFeVjI/AAAAAAAABN8/lTeFykInhRA/s1600-h/MexicanRivieraCruise%20-%20047.jpg"><img title="Cruise Ship 07" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="170" alt="Cruise Ship 07" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3a5dVtMeI/AAAAAAAABOE/3EP7P0iTlvE/MexicanRivieraCruise%20-%20047_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="left" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3a5nYZi2I/AAAAAAAABOI/Zlo_0dFbIws/s1600-h/MexicanRivieraCruise%20-%20102.jpg"><img title="Cruise Ship 08" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="170" alt="Cruise Ship 08" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SZ3a6MHQwlI/AAAAAAAABOQ/y7Vu0PCSz5w/MexicanRivieraCruise%20-%20102_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <div style="clear: both"></div> <p>I had <em>so</em> much fun on the cruise and I met lots of new people. I guess we all need a chance to escape reality sometimes, if only for the sake of our own sanity. But I suppose all good things must come to an end…and now I’m just wondering when I’ll get a chance to execute another escape plan! </p> Blythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686963209436411331noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849081479975146297.post-18366623862890247042009-01-17T21:20:00.003-07:002009-03-11T02:48:53.455-06:00Newsflash...<p>...I am a bad blogger. There's a <em>chance</em> you already knew that. I'm aware that my blogging habits are lame and sporadic, but hey...I do my best.</p> <p>I finally got my grad school applications in! I went through some form of personal hell in the process (including sprinting through local campuses to try and get applications handed over before the deadlines), but it's finally over! Now I can just sit back and wait to see which schools actually decide to let me through their doors.</p> <p>And with that in mind, I'm off to Mexico for a week! I am SO looking forward to a little sunshine and relaxation. I'll worry about that whole "finding a job" mumbo jumbo after I get back. So, until then...Adios amigos!</p> Blythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686963209436411331noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849081479975146297.post-71384502353396489752009-01-05T18:33:00.016-07:002009-03-13T13:23:29.861-06:00Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!<p>The Holidays were pretty mellow for me this year, but I have absolutely <em>no</em> complaints about skipping the craziness that usually accompanies Christmas and the New Year. It was so nice to spend some time just relaxing with family and friends! I'm so sad that it's all over...in fact, I'm in complete denial and I haven't stopped listening to Christmas music yet.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Sbqyq4ntYkI/AAAAAAAABBo/FxZ8b83KWno/s1600-h/Christmas%202008%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Christmas 2008" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="229" alt="Christmas 2008" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbqyrFKRX8I/AAAAAAAABBs/78FB6tCtZ1I/Christmas%202008_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a></p> <p>I spent New Year's Eve in Seattle and had so much fun, even though it was <em>freezing</em> up there! In fact, I almost couldn't make it back to San Diego because my airplane was stuck in the snow. The plane had to be de-iced <em>twice</em> and then tugged away from the gate before we could finally take off amidst a blizzard of snow. Thank goodness for dramamine, because the contents of my stomach were dying to make a reappearance during all of the turbulence.</p> <p align="center">Here we are sipping cider during the final countdown to 2009!<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Sbqyr0NFPeI/AAAAAAAABBw/wcIH1KZCO2c/s1600-h/NewYear%27s2008-008%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="NewYear's2008" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="229" alt="NewYear's2008" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbqysE4g0yI/AAAAAAAABB0/mBrvwGBxl5A/NewYear%27s2008-008_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>I haven't ever been very good at keeping New Year's resolutions...so perhaps my first resolution should be to work on following through with this year's goals! That being said, my New Year's resolutions for 2009 include, but are not limited to:</p> <p><strong>1.</strong> <em>Hopefully</em> get accepted to grad schools and decide where I want to do my master's program. <br /><strong>2.</strong> Exercise at least a couple days a week...which will be a huge step up from my current frequency of NEVER. <br /><strong>3.</strong> Take better care of myself so that I don't get sick so often. <br /><strong>4.</strong> Find a job in the psychology field until school starts in the fall...and avoid being swallowed by the country's "financial crisis" in the meantime. <br /><strong>5.</strong> Learn to play the guitar! I bought a guitar years ago but I have never actually committed myself to taking lessons and learning how to play. Hopefully by this time next year I will be posting a video of myself playing a Ramones song to exhibit my sweet new guitar skills. <br /><strong>6.</strong> Be happy!</p> <p align="center">I hope that 2009 brings you an abundance of health, love, and laughter! Happy New Year!</p> Blythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686963209436411331noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849081479975146297.post-19644579579082215732008-12-22T23:09:00.010-07:002009-03-13T13:31:15.019-06:00Congrats Becky and Weston!<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Sbq0gLwo-wI/AAAAAAAABB4/2IEVjPMCxe0/s1600-h/IMG_0553%20-%2002%5B9%5D.jpg"><img title="Becky & Holland" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="304" alt="Becky & Holland" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Sbq0gWBFLsI/AAAAAAAABB8/qMFcRboKlXI/IMG_0553%20-%2002_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="228" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Over the weekend I flew up to Utah for a few days to finalize my letters of recommendation for grad school applications, and my short trip just happened to coincide with the birth of Becky and Weston's adorable little guy, Holland! I'm pretty sure that Becky purposely extended her pregnancy past the due date to wait until I was in town. So thoughtful.</p> <p>Holland is absolutely adorable and I am so happy for the lucky new parents. Good luck you two...I hope you can manage to get at least <em>a little bit</em> of sleep over the next few months!</p> Blythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686963209436411331noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849081479975146297.post-75104289331662994442008-12-05T01:08:00.005-07:002009-04-20T21:33:21.665-06:00Giving Thanks<p>I love the holiday season! I find so much comfort in the consistency of my family's holiday traditions, and this Thanksgiving was everything I had looked forward to. We cooked all day, ate WAY too much food, and consumed enough pie for five families. Talk about living the good life! </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Sc_RxEARy6I/AAAAAAAABDM/6W29vTseTO4/s1600-h/Thanksgiving%2001%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Thanksgiving 01" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="169" alt="Thanksgiving 01" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Sc_Rx4W4ooI/AAAAAAAABDQ/nAHy-QOB4p8/Thanksgiving%2001_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="left" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Sc_RyUuFjwI/AAAAAAAABDU/KuCrFlDOM9g/s1600-h/Thanksgiving%2002%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Thanksgiving 02" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="169" alt="Thanksgiving 02" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Sc_Ry7xiNkI/AAAAAAAABDY/DjmIfYh4_1A/Thanksgiving%2002_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <div style="clear: both"></div> <p>We also had a chance to visit with our Uncle Dennis and his whole clan while they were in town over the holiday. It has been way too long since we have had a chance to see our cousins and it was so fun to catch up!</p> <p align="center">Does anyone else see a family resemblance here?<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Sc_RzQCmYUI/AAAAAAAABDc/hhbCM3xpviY/s1600-h/Thanksgiving%2003%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="Thanksgiving 03" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="204" alt="Thanksgiving 03" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Sc_Rz-s_75I/AAAAAAAABDg/s5TLRjFS-NM/Thanksgiving%2003_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="left">Thanksgiving is a good time to reflect on my millions of blessings and all the things I'm thankful for, so to name a mere few...</p> <div style="clear: both"></div> <br /> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Sc_R0s6YeqI/AAAAAAAABDk/3ka9LN2mbCg/s1600-h/Thanksgiving%2004%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Thanksgiving 04" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="169" alt="Thanksgiving 04" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Sc_R1LP4XTI/AAAAAAAABDo/I8LcZ7zuSnw/Thanksgiving%2004_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="left" border="0" /></a>I'm thankful for Kylie...the best dog in the <em>world</em>. Every single day she makes me laugh, gives me unconditional love, and keeps me warm in bed at night!</p> <div style="clear: both"></div> <br /> <p align="center">I'm thankful for old friends. I love the way holidays bring everyone home again, and I will always appreciate the fact that no amount of absence or distance can ever change some friendships.<break><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Sc_R1YBRLAI/AAAAAAAABDs/m43JNXUq2Sk/s1600-h/Thanksgiving%2005%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Thanksgiving 05" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="169" alt="Thanksgiving 05" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Sc_R13sJilI/AAAAAAAABDw/HZg_E_hRAys/Thanksgiving%2005_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="left" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Sc_R2fl7sfI/AAAAAAAABD0/TvQZYmdXaa0/s1600-h/Thanksgiving%2006%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Thanksgiving 06" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="169" alt="Thanksgiving 06" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Sc_R2wswHaI/AAAAAAAABD4/7oqpRD_ORCk/Thanksgiving%2006_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <div style="clear: both"></div> <br /> <p align="right"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Sc_R3fVEvHI/AAAAAAAABD8/DRA_4YIC2fI/s1600-h/Thanksgiving%2007%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Thanksgiving 07" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="169" alt="Thanksgiving 07" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Sc_R4AjelkI/AAAAAAAABEA/yB6i5h_EQVM/Thanksgiving%2007_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="right" border="0" /></a>I'm thankful for Easton, who has supported me through some of the most challenging times of my life. </p> <div style="clear: both"></div> <br /> <p align="center">Most importantly of all, I'm thankful for my family. I am so blessed to be a member of such a loving family, and I continue to be amazed by their kindness, selflessness, and unwavering loyalty. I'm deeply grateful for my parents and sisters, and I love them so much.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Sc_R4kx6RPI/AAAAAAAABEE/CDEMLthbVBQ/s1600-h/Thanksgiving%2008%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Thanksgiving 08" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="169" alt="Thanksgiving 08" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Sc_R5cN256I/AAAAAAAABEI/rKKG1xgMClM/Thanksgiving%2008_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="left" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Sc_R5zu0D1I/AAAAAAAABEM/W_TAw4QNowA/s1600-h/Thanksgiving%2009%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Thanksgiving 09" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="169" alt="Thanksgiving 09" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Sc_R6KAULlI/AAAAAAAABEQ/qgfVhwdwad8/Thanksgiving%2009_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <div style="clear: both"></div> <br /> <p>Christmas is right around the corner! I'm definitely going to soak up as much Christmas music, tree decorating, hot chocolate (<em>regardless</em> of the fact that it's practically beach weather outside), Christmas shopping, and pumpkin pie as I can! Happy Holidays!</p> Blythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686963209436411331noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849081479975146297.post-72560763270071538882008-11-19T18:40:00.003-07:002009-03-29T15:01:50.077-06:00The Grim Reaper lives in San Diego<p align="center">Today I decided to celebrate the <em>amazing </em>San Diego weather by hitting the beach with a friend, and on the way we drove by this hearse parked a couple of blocks from Cardiff beach:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Sc_hsqWgZ_I/AAAAAAAABEU/cibTEbdJoKk/s1600-h/IMG_0480%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Grim Reaper 01" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="229" alt="Grim Reaper 01" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Sc_htOCYgaI/AAAAAAAABEY/ZiLZuvrxLBQ/IMG_0480_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Apparently the Grim Reaper enjoys a sunny day at the beach just as much as anyone else!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Sc_huDwD0rI/AAAAAAAABEc/H07t09oXIGs/s1600-h/IMG_0478%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Grim Reaper 02" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="229" alt="Grim Reaper 02" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Sc_hvFmgUAI/AAAAAAAABEg/q6QjIZeh--c/IMG_0478_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a></p> Blythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686963209436411331noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849081479975146297.post-19031454516176679602008-11-11T14:33:00.010-07:002009-03-29T15:20:15.285-06:00Tagged!<p>Angela tagged me on her blog a couple weeks ago and I somehow completely missed her post, so now it’s time for a little belated tagging action. Sorry it took me so long Angela!</p> <p>Apparently I’m supposed to tell seven weird or interesting things about myself, and then tell seven other people to do the same and leave them a comment about it. I can’t promise anything very interesting, but here ya go!</p> <p><strong><font size="3">1.</font></strong> I love nail polish and I tend to buy a lot of it, but all nail polish must meet TWO requirements in order to be considered worthy of my purchase: It <em>must</em> be an outrageous color, and it <em>must</em> be sparkly.</p> <p align="center">Here is an extremely flattering (not) picture of me at a concert last month. You can see my bright turquoise nail polish...one of my favorites!<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Sc_mAtkBiyI/AAAAAAAABEk/9xUN_L0tf8c/s1600-h/IMG_2830%20-%2001%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Tagged 01" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="304" alt="Tagged 01" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Sc_mB3eBe4I/AAAAAAAABEo/Yf69PmWMTzQ/IMG_2830%20-%2001_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" border="0" /></a></p> <p><strong><font size="3">2.</font></strong> I eat my biggest meal of the day around 2:00 in the morning. I have always been a night owl by nature and I am generally awake until ridiculous hours, and for some reason I get ravenous when the 2 a.m. hour rolls in. Last night at the aforementioned time I ate a bowl of spaghetti, a piece of pumpkin pie, a packet of fruit jammers, some canned pears, and a few potato chips. I fell asleep with an uncomfortably full stomach and told myself that I really need to break that habit…but I guarantee that I’ll be gorging myself again tonight. </p> <p><strong><font size="3">3.</font></strong> I am obsessed with flip flops. I have a huge tub full of them but I never feel like I own enough. One of my favorite things is when I find really cheap flip flops at a grocery store or gas station, which is exactly how I found my favorite fluorescent pink ones in a barrel at Food 4 Less. I wear my beloved flip flops all year round, even during frigid Utah winters. You can take me out of San Diego, but you can’t take me out of my flip flops. </p> <p><strong><font size="3">4.</font></strong> I <em>hate</em> R&B music and I think it physically raises my blood pressure. There have been times where I have started to feel really irritated for no reason, and I find myself flustered and annoyed and can’t figure out why…and then I realize that there is R&B music playing in the background somewhere. </p> <p><strong><font size="3">5.</font></strong> My pupils are ridiculously oversized. I hate having such big pupils for a plethora of reasons: My eyes are more black than they are blue; I flinch every single time I walk outside and the bright light hits me; I look like the devil in pictures because my eyes turn bright red; and I am already getting horrible crow’s feet around my eyes from squinting so much. The only silver lining I can think of is that I have pretty good night vision!</p> <p align="center">This is a totally raw picture of me with my beautiful friend Lisa. She is a total knockout...and I'm just evil.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Sc_mCn9FCRI/AAAAAAAABEs/GXMoBFeuCI8/s1600-h/L%20%26%20B%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Tagged 02" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="229" alt="Tagged 02" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Sc_mDR1aVcI/AAAAAAAABEw/HI6A7wDG5YM/L%20%26%20B_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><strong><font size="3">6.</font></strong> I am completely obsessive-compulsive about cleaning my teeth. I don’t know why I’m so fanatical but I hate it when my teeth feel dirty. I usually brush about four times a day and every night I have a ritual that includes brushing, flossing, using a tongue scraper and gum stimulator, and rinsing with fluoride. Make fun all you want, but I have a very clean mouth. </p> <p><strong><font size="3">7.</font></strong> My biggest vices in life are Dr. Pepper and fruity candy. I don’t believe all of that mumbo jumbo about how food can’t make you happy, because if I have a Dr. Pepper in one hand and a strawberry Laffy Taffy in the other…I guarantee there will be a smile on my face. </p> <p>I'm not sure if there are seven people who even read my blog, but I tag: Courtney, Jessica F., Sam, Tisha, Mallory, Anna, and Hilary!</p> Blythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686963209436411331noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849081479975146297.post-69556902085169739362008-11-03T16:32:00.000-07:002009-04-16T18:00:52.401-06:00Happy Halloween!<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SefFBtXDwBI/AAAAAAAABG8/3P95RajH-PE/s1600-h/halloween2008%20066%5B6%5D.jpg"><img title="Halloween 01" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="169" alt="Halloween 01" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SefFB9sbk2I/AAAAAAAABHA/YIxEMCEbTeE/halloween2008%20066_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="left" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SefFCf996oI/AAAAAAAABHE/LDhyzawq5OE/s1600-h/halloween2008%20064%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Halloween 02" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="169" alt="Halloween 02" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SefFC3W8JzI/AAAAAAAABHM/tWurtCALYnk/halloween2008%20064_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <p> </p> <div style="clear: both"></div> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SefFDeDlkRI/AAAAAAAABHQ/M0y7DzmHjQU/s1600-h/Pictures_2245%20-%2001%5B18%5D.jpg"><img title="Halloween 03" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="215" alt="Halloween 03" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SefFDjrxQQI/AAAAAAAABHU/axHE2eRhi6M/Pictures_2245%20-%2001_thumb%5B10%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="286" align="left" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SefFEGqf7vI/AAAAAAAABHY/KsqLEhv3jIE/s1600-h/halloween2008%20050%5B14%5D.jpg"><img title="Halloween 04" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="215" alt="Halloween 04" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SefFEamp4KI/AAAAAAAABHc/AVuWmXviZM8/halloween2008%20050_thumb%5B10%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="162" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <div style="clear: both"></div> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SefFFILZOUI/AAAAAAAABHg/7bl-W7uLPOs/s1600-h/halloween2008%20025%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Halloween 05" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="215" alt="Halloween 05" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SefFFk7CorI/AAAAAAAABHk/ZvhNxWNfMLc/halloween2008%20025_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="162" align="left" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SefFF2mJUkI/AAAAAAAABHo/z9Fl9CyLWzE/s1600-h/halloween2008%20062%5B10%5D.jpg"><img title="Halloween 06" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="215" alt="Halloween 06" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SefFGTl-1MI/AAAAAAAABHs/FjuEwNgfcSs/halloween2008%20062_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="285" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <div style="clear: both"></div> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SefFGvkxG0I/AAAAAAAABIo/mKlIx9-VsqQ/s1600-h/halloween2008%20056%5B8%5D.jpg"><img title="Halloween 07" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="156" alt="Halloween 07" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SefFHHJsTDI/AAAAAAAABIs/x8UWbJaz4oc/halloween2008%20056_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="119" align="left" border="0" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SefFHgGxdgI/AAAAAAAABI0/ahz01EOjcTM/s1600-h/halloween2008%20046%5B10%5D.jpg"><img title="Halloween 08" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="156" alt="Halloween 08" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SefFH2RK4JI/AAAAAAAABI4/ZEp6DmKZhKQ/halloween2008%20046_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="206" align="left" border="0" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SefFIUv9M7I/AAAAAAAABI8/iunzPLJ6wAc/s1600-h/halloween2008%20060%5B9%5D.jpg"><img title="Halloween 09" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="156" alt="Halloween 09" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SefFIjvpejI/AAAAAAAABJI/-vFOqlbxC-Q/halloween2008%20060_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="119" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <div style="clear: both"></div> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SefFJDdI0MI/AAAAAAAABII/0uch4MeRjsM/s1600-h/halloween2008%20061%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Halloween 10" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="169" alt="Halloween 10" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SefFJSjAysI/AAAAAAAABIM/5b1TAYQ05eQ/halloween2008%20061_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="left" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SefFJzwKV_I/AAAAAAAABIQ/7H_F1WaGrhg/s1600-h/n640215586_4682298_7743%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Halloween 11" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="169" alt="Halloween 11" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SefFKUwDxcI/AAAAAAAABIU/siBoj3tVWXU/n640215586_4682298_7743_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <div style="clear: both"></div> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SefFKlkuuPI/AAAAAAAABIY/oc-CIGua-X4/s1600-h/halloween2008%20031%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Halloween 12" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="169" alt="Halloween 12" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SefFLGlHIAI/AAAAAAAABIc/RL3FExZUMmw/halloween2008%20031_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="left" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SefFLhEEUMI/AAAAAAAABIg/p_t9olRj6_o/s1600-h/halloween2008%20048%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Halloween 13" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="169" alt="Halloween 13" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SefFL4fQacI/AAAAAAAABIk/O-BEJRsNaho/halloween2008%20048_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> Blythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686963209436411331noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849081479975146297.post-13552900346712538172008-10-29T22:14:00.012-06:002009-04-20T21:13:04.708-06:00Pumpkin Thief<p>Last night Easton and I carved pumpkins in an attempt to fully embrace the Halloween spirit. We roasted pumpkin seeds, baked pumpkin muffins, watched scary movies, and spent a few hours meticulously carving our perfect pumpkins. Easton carved an impressive witch and I chose a kitty (with adorable whiskers and everything!) for my pumpkin.</p> <p>After working for three hours with those tiny little pumpkin-carving utensils, I finally finished my masterpiece and couldn't wait to put it on the front doorstep. Easton and I put candles in our pumpkins and brought them outside to view the full effect. After briefly admiring our handiwork, we went inside to eat a pumpkin muffin and find the camera to immortalize our creations. We were in the house for <em>no more</em> than <em>ten</em> minutes...and when we came outside again my pumpkin was GONE! I expected to find it smashed in the street by some little hooligans, but there was absolutely no trace of my cute pumpkin. I still have absolutely no idea what happened to it, and I don't even have a single picture to illustrate my hours of hard work.</p> <p align="center">This is Easton's beautifully crafted pumpkin:<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Se05uHSR90I/AAAAAAAABJY/QqoXoXEZlms/s1600-h/Pumpkin%20Carving%20003%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="Pumpkin Carving 01" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="266" alt="Pumpkin Carving 01" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Se05uQXS-CI/AAAAAAAABJc/b674QIAyNoc/Pumpkin%20Carving%20003_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">And here is Easton proudly displaying his artwork... <br />while I proudly display my anger:<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Se05uokfm-I/AAAAAAAABJg/Optc4XhqeAE/s1600-h/Pumpkin%20Carving%20006%5B6%5D.jpg"><img title="Pumpkin Carving 02" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="319" alt="Pumpkin Carving 02" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Se05vKX4nmI/AAAAAAAABJk/FHYORu7r-mI/Pumpkin%20Carving%20006_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="266" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="center">Still pouting. So sad... <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Se05vtozSCI/AAAAAAAABJo/ztJG6MfJaOE/s1600-h/Pumpkin%20Carving%20011%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Pumpkin Carving 03" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="266" alt="Pumpkin Carving 03" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Se05v7D3USI/AAAAAAAABJs/Ixa7Rs1QM6Y/Pumpkin%20Carving%20011_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" border="0" /></a></p> <p>On that note, I have a message for the dirty pumpkin thief that ruined my night: I sincerely hope that you run into the Blair Witch, or Freddy Krueger, or Hannibal Lecter, or Jigsaw from those awful "Saw" movies, or any other equally terrifying villain...and I hope they teach you a lesson about <em>stealing</em> other people's <em>pumpkins</em>!</p> Blythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686963209436411331noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849081479975146297.post-3624834009811809352008-10-22T21:55:00.012-06:002009-04-20T21:54:40.240-06:0028 is Super Great!<p>Yes, it's true...I'm another year older. Yesterday was my birthday and I had such a fun day! Easton planned dinner with a few friends at Olive Garden, and then we gorged ourselves on Easton's special fudgie-bottom cake (which was SO delicious...even though the tremendous number of candles on top almost set off the smoke alarm). We spent the rest of the night playing Rock Band because I just can't seem to get enough of that rad game. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Se1Ddo6m47I/AAAAAAAABJw/TedsTS0AwEU/s1600-h/falladventures%20251%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Birthday 01" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="229" alt="Birthday 01" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Se1Dd2UT4HI/AAAAAAAABJ0/VEWu7ptuh-Y/falladventures%20251_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Se1DeftgPuI/AAAAAAAABJ4/Eb7-hBm36lE/s1600-h/falladventures%20252%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Birthday 02" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="169" alt="Birthday 02" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Se1DevOApBI/AAAAAAAABJ8/eQBxjuau2kI/falladventures%20252_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="left" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Se1DfNt4QwI/AAAAAAAABKA/NdeT5JMAKr8/s1600-h/falladventures%20253%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Birthday 03" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="169" alt="Birthday 03" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Se1DfeovKpI/AAAAAAAABKE/-a44FlAEw58/falladventures%20253_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <div style="clear: both"></div> <p align="center">I got some really fun birthday gifts from my family, and Easton blessed me with this little beauty:<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Se1DfnlePFI/AAAAAAAABKI/6biiw7n1nF8/s1600-h/Yellow%20iPod%5B5%5D.jpg"><img title="Yellow iPod" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="217" alt="Yellow iPod" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/Se1Df-DoPUI/AAAAAAAABKM/c-5xsTsDw-s/Yellow%20iPod_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="94" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="left">Although my birthday was a blast, I won't deny that I do not enjoy this whole getting older business. I am really starting to feel ancient! The other day I actually found myself storming upstairs to tell the boys that live in the apartment above me to turn down their music! Those crazy kids.</p> Blythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686963209436411331noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849081479975146297.post-8281920147159973542008-10-19T15:10:00.001-06:002009-03-08T20:42:21.390-06:00Arizona Antics<p align="left">Earlier this month Easton and I jumped in the car and drove down to Phoenix for the wedding of our friends Curtis and Candace. Our driving buddies were Wyatt and his girlfriend Courtney, and we all survived the many hours in the car by eating way too much junk food and singing along to old, sappy music. I'm pretty sure that the song "Against All Odds" by Phil Collins will forever remind me of that road trip.</p> <p align="left">Curtis and Candace had a beautiful wedding! They are beyond cute together and it is clear that they make each other <em>so</em> happy.</p> <p align="center">Here we are with the blissful couple at the rehearsal dinner:<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbR3c2EMSfI/AAAAAAAAA_E/W2yfbId_Nzo/s1600-h/01%20-%20falladventures%20143%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="Arizona 01" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="229" alt="Arizona 01" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbR3dcETTPI/AAAAAAAAA_I/ZQq_tvZ3vXg/01%20-%20falladventures%20143_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="left">The reception was gorgeous! I caught the bouquet and Wyatt fought off all the other boys for the garter. Our dates were spotted running towards the exit shortly thereafter.</p> <div><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbR_OBRJT3I/AAAAAAAABAo/6K1poJn8vzM/s1600-h/02%20-%20falladventures%20204%5B13%5D.jpg"><img title="Arizona 02" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 18px; border-right-width: 0px" height="204" alt="Arizona 02" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbR_PDoN-wI/AAAAAAAABAs/Zbev_rpNomg/02%20-%20falladventures%20204_thumb%5B9%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" align="left" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbR_P0HWm2I/AAAAAAAABAw/CSUoRYSl0h0/s1600-h/03%20-%20falladventures%20214%5B14%5D.jpg"><img title="Arizona 03" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 18px 0px 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="204" alt="Arizona 03" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbR_QVyxbzI/AAAAAAAABA0/n7RRjJgv0PE/03%20-%20falladventures%20214_thumb%5B10%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" align="right" border="0" /></a></div> <p></p> <div style="clear: both"></div> <p align="left">The trek to Phoenix was also a perfect excuse to visit some old friends! Our friend Tom graciously offered to let us stay in his magnificent house, and my sister Courtney drove out from L.A. so that we could all play together. We had absolutely no trouble filling the time between wedding activities!</p> <p align="center">We started off with an outing to the lake and some pedal boat adventures...<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbR3f0knZMI/AAAAAAAAA_c/0KohbZAAPFA/s1600-h/04%20-%20falladventures%20128%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Arizona 04" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="229" alt="Arizona 04" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbR3g8uYxlI/AAAAAAAAA_g/PnjHouuqnq0/04%20-%20falladventures%20128_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbR3hNlcc4I/AAAAAAAAA_k/BtdcgbmV5m8/s1600-h/05%20-%20falladventures%20102%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="Arizona 05" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; border-right-width: 0px" height="254" alt="Arizona 05" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbR3h_4zg0I/AAAAAAAAA_o/VHitnA-MgYI/05%20-%20falladventures%20102_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="192" align="left" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbR3ie7yXSI/AAAAAAAAA_s/jXTt0Nvv3a8/s1600-h/06%20-%20falladventures%20119%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="Arizona 06" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 30px 0px 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="254" alt="Arizona 06" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbR3i36LhDI/AAAAAAAAA_w/NMOOO3Qclwg/06%20-%20falladventures%20119_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="192" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <div style="clear: both"></div> <p align="center">...spent Saturday at an outdoor festival with lots of live music...<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbR3kLhRQzI/AAAAAAAAA_0/FmuCKFCd6po/s1600-h/07%20-%20falladventures%20180%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="Arizona 07" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="167" alt="Arizona 07" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbR3kjIwX1I/AAAAAAAAA_4/uClTSCBZOB8/07%20-%20falladventures%20180_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="222" align="left" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbR3md4PXZI/AAAAAAAAA_8/hpYjqqv6kto/s1600-h/08%20-%20falladventures%20175%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="Arizona 08" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="167" alt="Arizona 08" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbR3nRKM6gI/AAAAAAAABAA/v2fSk9gnzeE/08%20-%20falladventures%20175_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="222" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <div style="clear: both"></div> <p align="center">...took full advantage of Tom's <em>amazing</em> hot tub (of course Easton thought it would be absolutely <em>hilarious</em> to try and throw me in the pool)...<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbR3n7N1ghI/AAAAAAAABAE/hAlKH1Lk6eA/s1600-h/08%20-%20falladventures%20227%2002%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Arizona 08" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 18px; border-right-width: 0px" height="204" alt="Arizona 08" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbR3oV4Gf2I/AAAAAAAABAI/1Qy-5hN7JPw/08%20-%20falladventures%20227%2002_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" align="left" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbR3pNumoOI/AAAAAAAABAM/51MV9eSZx0Y/s1600-h/09%20-%20falladventures%20233%2002%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Arizona 09" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 18px 0px 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="204" alt="Arizona 09" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbR3pqGWZiI/AAAAAAAABAU/rUA-LSrmdN8/09%20-%20falladventures%20233%2002_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <div style="clear: both"></div> <p align="center">...and naturally we spent countless hours playing my favorite game ever: Rock Band! <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbR3qClDcdI/AAAAAAAABAY/ED0zbiGQy2o/s1600-h/10%20-%20IMG_2824%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Arizona 10" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="229" alt="Arizona 10" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbR3q2ZiHGI/AAAAAAAABAc/pVEkqdeJbqI/10%20-%20IMG_2824_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="left">When the weekend came to an end (sad!) I decided to get in the car with Courtney and head home to Cali for a couple of days. On the way back we drove through...drum roll please...Blythe, California! Of course we had to pull over on the side of the freeway and snap a couple pictures amidst a barrage of honking and catcalls.</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbR3re5z1OI/AAAAAAAABAg/Eq6zwuBqqxc/s1600-h/11%20-%20IMG_2839%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Arizona 11" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="304" alt="Arizona 11" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdJfiw3k0qc/SbR3r9aqxEI/AAAAAAAABAk/2-3xxJ0rYA0/11%20-%20IMG_2839_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="left">I need to send out a HUGE thanks to Tom for taking us in and entertaining us! I had a blast and I can't wait to go back!</p> Blythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686963209436411331noreply@blogger.com3